Patent Application
20130006241
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a medical treatment device, a medical treatment system, and a medical treatment method to cure/treat body tissues.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is generally known that body tissues can be joined by (1) bringing body tissues to be joined into contact, (2) denaturing proteins of target tissues, and (3) removing fluid present between target tissues. This is bond using a so-called hydrogen bond, which is a linkage using polarity of a polar group of amino acids constituting proteins. Such a description can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,901.
Note that denaturing proteins denotes inducing a conformational change, which is one of features of proteins, that is, dissociating the linkage of polar groups linked with certain regularity to form the conformational structure of proteins. It becomes possible to promote a new linkage with a polar group present in adjacent proteins by using the polar group freed by dissociating the linkage of polar groups and so a linkage of proteins and accordingly, conjugation of body tissues can be induced.
To induce the phenomenon, various forms of energy such as high frequencies, heat, ultrasonic, and laser light are used by medical treatment devices. By using such forms of energy, the temperature of joining target tissues is raised to denature proteins and to remove fluid (H2O) present between target tissues simultaneously. Conjugation of tissues is thereby achieved. Energy devices currently used as blood vessel sealing devices use this phenomenon.
An effect brought about by removing fluid (H2O) will be described. It is generally known that a water molecule H2O has a strong polarity. Due to the strong polarity, the water molecule is known to be easily linked to a polar group having a polarity. The linkage is also established between water molecules H2O, thereby inducing a phenomenon specific to water molecules H2O. For example, while the heat of vaporization of helium is 0.0845 kJ/mol, the heat of vaporization of the water molecule H2O is a high value of 40.8 kJ/mol (9.74666 kcal/mol). It is a known fact that such a high value is a result of the hydrogen bonding acting between water molecules H2O. As described above, the water molecule H2O is easily linked to a molecule having a polar group due to the strong polarity. That is, the water molecule H2O is also easily linked to proteins having a polar group. This fact makes conjugation of tissues difficult in the presence of water molecules H2O.
The reason that current treatment devices require energy for conjugation of tissues is none other than removal of water molecules H2O. Removing water molecules H2O present between tissues to be joined in conjugation of tissues can be said to be a condition for achieving stable and tight conjugation.
On the other hand, it is self-evident that a large quantity of fluid is present in a living body. In addition to fluid present in each tissue, a large quantity of fluid is also present outside tissues or outside organs such as various digestive juices, lubricants, and physiological saline given for treatment. Depending on the fluid, the linkage of proteins is dissociated and the strength of conjugation between body tissues is weakened over time when viewed macroscopically.
A medical treatment device configured to treat body tissues for conjugation according to the present invention includes at least a pair of holding members to hold the body tissues to be treated, an energy output portion provided in at least one of the pair of holding members and connected to an energy source to form a joined portion by supplying energy to the body tissues held by the pair of holding members and joining the body tissues, and a conjugation maintenance assistance portion capable of coating the body tissues to be treated with a substance capable of preventing fluid from invading so as to assist to maintain a joined state of the body tissues.
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. 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 be described below with reference to drawings.
The first embodiment will be described with reference to
For example, a linear-type surgical treatment device 12 for treatment through the abdominal wall is taken as an example of the energy treatment device (medical treatment device).
As shown in
As shown in
The foot switch 16 includes a pedal (not shown). A series of operations such as ON/OFF of the supply of energy (high-frequency energy in the present embodiment) from the energy source 14 to the surgical treatment device 12 can be switched by the pedal of the foot switch 16 being operated (pressed/released) by an operator. While the pedal is pressed, high-frequency energy is output based on an appropriately set state (state in which the output quantity of energy, timing of energy output and the like are controlled). When pedal pressing is released, the output of high-frequency energy is forced to stop.
As shown in
On the other hand, the other end side of the handle 22 is a gripper extending in a direction away from an axial direction of the shaft 24 and gripped by the operator. The handle 22 includes a treatment portion opening/closing knob 32 being arranged side by side. The treatment portion opening/closing knob 32 is coupled to the proximal end of a sheath 44 (see
As shown in
A recess 46 is formed on the outer side of the pipe 42 along the axial direction thereof. An electrode connection line 28a connected to the high-frequency electrode (energy output portion) 92 described later is disposed in the recess 46. An electrode connection line 28b connected to the high-frequency electrode (energy output portion) 94 described later is inserted into the pipe 42.
As shown in
The first and second holding members 52, 54 shown in
The second holding member 54 integrally includes, though not illustrated in detail like the first holding member 52 shown in
In the present embodiment and embodiments described below, the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 and the main body 72 of the second holding member 54 have the same shape. Though the base 74 of the second holding member 54 is different from the base 64 of the first holding member 52 in that the base 74 of the second holding member 54 is formed, as will be described later, so as to be pivotally supported by the pipe 42 of the shaft 24, the base 64 of the first holding member 52 and the base 74 of the second holding member 54 have the same structure in other respects and thus, the description thereof is omitted when appropriate.
As shown in
The first holding member 52 has the base 64 thereof fixed to the tip portion of the pipe 42 of the shaft 24. On the other hand, the second holding member 54 has the base 74 thereof rotatably supported on the tip portion of the pipe 42 of the shaft 24 by a support pin 82 disposed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 24. The second holding member 54 can be opened and closed with respect to the first holding member 52 by being rotated around the axis of the support pin 82. The second holding member 54 is energized by, for example, an elastic member 84 such as a plate spring so as to be opened with respect to the first holding member 52.
The first and second holding members 52, 54 are formed in a closed state of the second holding member 54 with respect to the first holding member 52 in such a way that an outer circumferential surface in a substantially circular shape or a substantially elliptic shape together with the bases 64, 74 thereof is substantially flush with the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion of the pipe 42 or slightly larger. Thus, the sheath 44 can be slid with respect to the pipe 42 so as to cover the bases 64, 74 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 with the tip of the sheath 44.
In this state, as shown in
The plate-like high-frequency electrodes (joining members) 92, 94 are disposed as an output member and an energy discharge portion inside the holding surfaces (edges) 62a, 72a of the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54. These high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 are electrically connected to the tip of the electrical connection lines 28a, 28b via connectors 96a, 96b. Then, these electrical connection lines 28a, 28b are connected to a high-frequency energy output portion 104 described later of the energy source 14. Thus, the body tissues L1, L2 are heated and denatured by passing power through the body tissues L1, L2 held between the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 to generate Joule heat in the body tissues L1, L2.
These high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 can be used, in addition to treatment of the body tissues L1, L2 by high-frequency energy, as a sensor to measure an impedance Z (see
As shown in
The high-frequency energy output portion 104 generates energy and supplies the energy to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 via the electrical connection lines 28a, 28b. Incidentally, the high-frequency energy output portion 104 also functions as an energy output portion that supplies energy to heaters 222, 232 (see
The detector 106 detects measurement results obtained by the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 holding the body tissues L1, L2 through the electrical connection lines 28a, 28b to calculate the impedance Z. The display unit 108 is a unit in which various settings are made such as the setting of a threshold Z1 of the impedance Z while a setting is checked through the display. The speaker 110 has a sound source (not shown) and produces a sound when a treatment is finished or a problem arises. The sound used to tell the end of treatment and the sound used to tell an occurrence of problem have different tones. The speaker 110 can also produce a distinct sound during treatments, for example, a sound to tell the end of the first step of the treatment and a sound to tell the end of the second step of the treatment.
The foot switch 16 is connected to the first controller 102 of the energy source 14. Thus, if the foot switch 16 is operated, the energy source 14 works.
If the foot switch 16 is changed to ON (a pedal not shown is pressed), a treatment by the energy treatment device 12 is carried out and if the foot switch 16 is changed to OFF (the pedal is released), the treatment stops. The display unit 108 functions as a setting unit (controller) when an output quantity (the output quantity itself or what kind of treatment to adopt (treatment for the purpose of joining the body tissues L1, L2, treatment for the purpose of sealing openings of the body tissues or the like)) of the high-frequency energy output portion 104 or output timing of energy is controlled by the first controller 102. It is needless to say that the display unit 108 has a display function to display what is set.
The detector 106 can detect (calculate) the impedance Z of the body tissues L1, L2 between the first and second high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 through the first and second high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 that output high-frequency energy. That is, the detector 106 and the first and second high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 have a sensor function to measure the impedance Z of the body tissues L1, L2 between the first and second high-frequency electrodes 92, 94.
In the present embodiment, a conjugation assistance member 262 shown in
The substance (join condition sustainment assistance portion 262) which prevents fluid from invading the body tissue LT contains a compound. The compound is the substance which is configured to coat or join the body tissues L1, L2 by a physical action, a chemical action, or both actions. The compound preferably contains at least one of protein, glucide, polymer, and hardener. The protein suitably contains at least one of fibrin, albumin, collagen, and gelatin. The glucide suitably contains at least one of starch, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan. The polymer is suitably polyethylene glycol, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, or polycaprolactam. The hardener is suitably an acrylate derivative, aldehyde derivative, succinimide derivative, or isocyanate derivative. That is, for example, an organic adhesive, inorganic adhesive, bonding biomaterial, crosslinking agent, and monomer/polymer resins can be cited as a substance (joining adjunct) to prevent fluid from penetrating body tissues. Further, for example, the join condition sustainment assistance portion 262 may contain an antibiotic, growth promoter and the like.
Table 1 shows main components of eight auxiliary joining members used for experiments to join the body tissues L1, L2 described below and corresponding types of the auxiliary joining members. It is needless to say that main components and types of the auxiliary joining members are not limited to the main components and types shown in Table 1.
Then, when heated to an appropriate temperature, the heated portion of the conjugation assistance member 262 is melted and components of the conjugation adjunct spread to the surface of body tissues and invade and are cured while spread on the surface of body tissues and invaded when cooled. When the conjugation assistance member 262 is cured, the action of preventing fluid from invading to contact surfaces described later or the like from outside body tissues is achieved.
Next, the action of the medical treatment system according to the present embodiment will be described.
The operator operates the display unit 108 of the energy source 14 in advance to set output conditions for the medical treatment system 10 (step S11). The operator checks the output (set power Pset [W]) from the high-frequency energy output portion 104, the threshold Z1 [Ω] of the impedance Z by the detector 106, a maximum energy supply time t1 [sec] and the like through the display unit 108. If the output from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 or the threshold Z1 of the impedance Z by the detector 106 should be set to a different value, the operator sets the value as desired and checks the value through the display unit 108.
As shown in
The operator operates the treatment portion opening/closing knob 32 of the handle 22 to hold the body tissues L1, L2 to be treated by the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54. With this operation, the sheath 44 is moved to the side of the proximal end of the shaft 24 with respect to the pipe 42. The space between the bases 64, 74 can no longer be sustained in a cylindrical shape due to the energizing force of the elastic member 84 and the second holding member 54 is opened with respect to the first holding member 52.
The body tissues L1, L2 to be joined (to be treated) are arranged between the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 of the first and second holding members 52, 54. The treatment portion opening/closing knob 32 of the handle 22 is operated in this state. In this case, the sheath 44 is moved to the distal side of the shaft 24 with respect to the pipe 42. The space between the bases 64, 74 is closed by the sheath 44 against the energizing force of the elastic member 84 and to make it into a cylindrical shape. Thus, the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 formed integrally with the base 64 and the main body 72 of the second holding member 54 formed integrally with the base 74 are closed. That is, the second holding member 54 is closed with respect to the first holding member 52. In this manner, the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined are held between the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54.
Since the auxiliary joining member 262 is disposed between the body tissues L1, L2, the auxiliary joining member 262 is held between the body tissues L1, L2 by holding the body tissues L1, L2 by the first and second holding members 52, 54.
At this point, the body tissue L1 to be treated is in contact with the high-frequency electrode 92 of the first holding member 52 and the body tissue L2 to be treated is in contact with the high-frequency electrode 94 of the second holding member 54. Peripheral tissues of the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined are in close contact with both contact surfaces opposite to the holding surface (edge) 62a of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 and the holding surface (edge) 72a of the main body 72 of the second holding member 54. A contact surface C1 of the body tissue L1 is in contact with a contact surface C2 of the body tissue L2 in such a manner that pressure is applied to each other.
Thus, the operator operates the pedal of the foot switch 16 while the body tissues L1, L2 are held between the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54. A signal is input into the first controller 102 from the foot switch 16 and the first controller 102 of the energy source 14 determines whether the switch 16 is changed to ON by pressing the pedal thereof through the operation of the operator (S12).
If the first controller 102 determines that the switch 16 is changed to ON by pressing the pedal thereof, a signal is input into the high-frequency energy output portion 104 from the first controller 102. The high-frequency energy output portion 104 generates energy and supplies the energy to the body tissues L1, L2 between the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 through the electrical connection lines 28a, 28b (S13). At this point, the high-frequency energy output portion 104 supplies the set power Pset [W] set in advance through the display unit 108, for example, power of about 20 [W] to 80 [W] to between the high-frequency electrode 92 of the first holding member 52 and the high-frequency electrode 94 of the second holding member 54.
Thus, the high-frequency energy output portion 104 passes a high-frequency current to the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined between the high-frequency electrode 92 of the first holding member 52 and the high-frequency electrode 94 of the second holding member 54. The auxiliary joining member 262 is formed in a mesh shape (
Then, the conjugation assistance member 262 is melted by the body tissues L1, L2 being heated, leading to the same condition as the substance capable of preventing fluid from invading into the body tissue LT being applied to the whole contact surfaces C1, C2. Further, the substance capable of preventing fluid from invading into the body tissue LT invading from the contact surfaces C1, C2 toward an exterior surface Sc in contact with the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94. Thus, the substance capable of preventing fluid from invading into the body tissue LT infiltrates not only to the contact surfaces of the body tissues L1, L2, but also to tissues surrounding the contact surfaces. Therefore, the joined portion C of the body tissues L1, L2 can be formed in a wider range, as well as the contact surfaces C1, C2. That is, the joined portion C includes, in addition to the joined surfaces, surrounding tissues thereof. The substance capable of preventing fluid from infiltrating into the body tissue LT is cured while invaded in the body tissue LT.
With an increasing level of denaturation of the body tissues L1, L2, a fluid (for example, a liquid (blood) and/or a gas (vapor)) is released from the body tissues L1, L2. In this case, the holding surfaces 62a, 72a of the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 have higher adhesiveness to the body tissues L1, L2 than the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94. Thus, the holding surfaces 62a, 72a function as a barrier portion (dam) that inhibits a fluid from the body tissues L1, L2 from escaping to the outside of the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54. That is, a thermal spread can be prevented from being generated in body tissues other than the body tissues L1, L2 to be treated and joined.
In this case, the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 have a sensor function and thus transmit information (impedance Z) about between the held body tissues L1, L2 to the detector 106 through the electrical connection lines 28a, 28b. As shown in
The first controller 102 controls the detector 106 so that information about the body tissues L1, L2 between the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 is calculated at equal time intervals (for example, a few milliseconds). The first controller 102 determines whether the impedance Z during high-frequency energy output operated based on a signal from the detector 106 is equal to or more than the threshold Z1 (here, as shown in
The threshold Z1 is preferably, for example, larger than the initial value Z0 and in a position where the rate of rise the impedance Z value slows down (see
On the other hand, if the impedance Z has not reached the threshold Z1, energy output will continue. If the impedance Z between the body tissues L1, L2 is determined to be smaller than the threshold Z1, high-frequency energy will continue to be given to the body tissues L1, L2 held between the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 of the first and second holding members 52, 54. Then, if the threshold Z1 between the body tissues L1, L2 reaches the threshold Z1 or a predetermined time t passes after starting to supply energy from the high-frequency energy output portion 104, thereafter the high-frequency energy output portion 104 is made to stop energy output. At this point, collagens are joined on the joined surfaces of the joined portion C of the body tissues L1, L2 due to treatment of the body tissues L1, L2 by high-frequency energy and also the joined surfaces are joined by the substance capable of preventing fluid from infiltrating into the body tissue LT.
The pedal of the foot switch 16 is kept pressed. The body tissue LT also maintains a state of being held by the holding members 52, 54.
A buzz sound or the like is issued from the speaker 110 to tell the end of the treatment (treatment to join body tissues and treatment to prevent fluid from infiltrating to the joined contact surfaces C1, C2) when a predetermined time (for example, a few seconds) passes after the output from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 is stopped (S16). Then, the physician or the like recognizes the end of treatment based on the sound from the speaker 110 or the display by the display unit 108 and then releases pressing of the pedal by removing a foot from the pedal of the foot switch 16.
The treatment continues from “Start” to “End” shown in
The physician recognizes the buzz sound from the speaker 110 and then operates the treatment portion opening/closing knob 32 to release the body tissue LT. At this point, the contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues are joined to form the joined portion C.
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the following effect is achieved.
Close contact of the contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 can be made more reliable by treating the body tissues L1, L2 for conjugation while measuring the impedance Z of the body tissues L1, L2. Also by disposing the conjugation assistance member 262 between the body tissues L1, L2 to join the body tissues L1, L2, the contact surfaces C1, C2 can be joined by, in addition to a bonding force of the body tissues L1, L2 obtained when high-frequency energy is used, a substance like an adhesive and thus, a large bonding force can be obtained. Because the substance like an adhesive is a substance capable of preventing fluid from invading into the body tissue LT, fluid can be prevented from invading to contact surfaces of the body tissues L1, L2 and thus a large bonding force can be maintained for a long time.
The above embodiment is described as an example of using the impedance Z (see
As shown in
If the high-frequency energy output portion 104 is caused to generate a high-frequency voltage, a high-frequency current having a predetermined frequency and peak value based on the high-frequency voltage of the high-frequency energy output portion 104 is output to the surgical treatment device 12 via the current detector 144. The voltage detector 142 detects the peak value of the high-frequency voltage through the high-frequency energy output portion 104 and outputs the detected peak value to the phase detector 146 as output voltage value information. The current detector 144 detects the peak value of the high-frequency current generated based on the high-frequency voltage through the high-frequency energy output portion 104 and outputs the detected peak value to the phase detector 146 as output current value information.
After detecting the phase of the high-frequency voltage output through the high-frequency energy output portion 104 based on output voltage value information output from the voltage detector 142, the phase detector 146 outputs the detected phase to the first controller 102 as output voltage phase information along with output voltage value information. Also after detecting the phase of the high-frequency current through the high-frequency energy output portion 104 based on output current value information output from the current detector 144, the phase detector 146 outputs the detected phase to the first controller 102 as output current phase information along with output current value information.
Based on output voltage value information, output voltage phase information, output current value information, and output current phase information output from the phase detector 146, the first controller 102 calculates the phase difference Δθ of the high-frequency voltage and high-frequency current output through the high-frequency energy output portion 104.
The first controller 102 controls the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to change the output state of the high-frequency current and high-frequency voltage to the ON state or OFF state based on an instruction signal output in accordance with an operation of the pedal of the foot switch 16 and the calculated phase difference Δθ.
As shown in
As the pedal of the foot switch 16 is pressed uninterruptedly and treatment of the body tissues L1, L2 held between the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 proceeds, the body tissues L1, L2 are dehydrated followed by being cauterized or coagulated. If the treatment proceeds in this manner, the phase difference Δθ of the high-frequency current or high-frequency voltage output through the high-frequency energy output portion 104 increases from the state of 0° or substantially 0°, for example, after a suitable time t1.
Then, if treatment of a desired region proceeds by the pedal of the foot switch 16 being further pressed uninterruptedly, the value of the phase difference Δθcalculated by the first controller 102 takes a fixed value near 90° shown in
In this modification, the first controller 102 is not limited to the above control exercised when detecting that the phase difference Δθ has become a fixed value near 90° and may be, for example, the above control exercised when detecting that the phase difference Δθ has become a fixed predetermined value greater than 45° and equal to or less than 90°.
Energy input into the body tissues L1, L2 may be switched by combining the change of the impedance Z and the change of the phase 8. That is, it is also preferable to appropriately set by the display unit 108 and use the change of the impedance Z and the change of the phase θ such as a value which is the earlier or the later of reaching a threshold.
Next, an example of using the heaters 222, 232, instead of the electrodes 92, 94, will be described as a second modification of the first embodiment by using
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Incidentally, the coating member 224 is suitably expandable at least in the circumferential direction (width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52) before heating (for example, the nonporous sheet-shaped, mesh-shaped, or porous state). Then, when the coating member 224 is disposed on the main body 62 of the first holding member 52, the coating member 224 can be brought into close contact with the holding surface 62a of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 and an exterior surface of the main body 62 separated from the second holding member 54.
The coating members (a join condition sustainment assistance portion) 224, 234 will be disposed between body tissues L1, L2 and the heaters 222, 232 when the body tissues L1, L2 are held by the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 and thus the coating members (a conjugation sustainment assistance portion) 224, 234 are pressed toward the heaters 222, 232 by the body tissues L1, L2. Therefore, when the body tissues L1, L2 are held by the first and second holding members 52, 54, the coating members 224, 234 are in contact with the heaters 222, 232.
Ends of the coating member 224 disposed on the first holding member 52 may be opposite to each other in positions of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 separated from the main body 72 of the second holding member 54 or partially overlapped. The heater 232 and the coating member 234 are also disposed on the second holding member 54. In such a case, the heater 232 and the coating member 234 are suitably disposed on the same manner as in the first holding member 52.
Next, the action of a medical treatment system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described using
First, a display unit 108 is operated to make various settings. For example, the maximum temperature of the heaters 222, 232, the output time of energy from a high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 222, 232, a threshold T1 of the end temperature of treatment of body tissues (here, the surface temperature of the body tissues L1, L2) are set (S21).
Then, the body tissues L1, L2 are held by the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 while the coating members 224, 234 are wound around the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54, respectively. That is, the coating member 224 disposed on the first holding member 52 comes into contact with the surface of the body tissue L1 on the opposite side of the contact surface C1 coming into contact with the body tissue L2. The coating member 234 disposed on the second holding member 54 comes into contact with the surface of the body tissue L2 on the opposite side of the contact surface C2 coming into contact with the body tissue L1.
At this point, the conjugation assistance member 262 in a mesh, porous, or non-porous sheet shape is disposed between the body tissues L1, L2.
If the pedal of the foot switch 16 is pressed in this state (S22), energy is transmitted from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 222, 232 (S23) and the temperature of the heaters 222, 232 gradually rises (electric energy is converted into thermal energy). Then, a portion of the coating members 224, 234 in contact with the heaters 222, 232 melts due to thermal energy of the heaters 222, 232 and a fluid invasion prevention material to the body tissue LT is applied to the exterior surface of the body tissues L1, L2. Also with the rise in temperature of the heaters 222, 232, heat of the heaters 222, 232 is extended to the body tissues L1, L2 to add heat to the body tissues L1, L2.
Then, after an impedance Z is measured, a surface temperature T of the body tissues L1, L2 is measured or a predetermined time t1 passes (S24), the supply of energy from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 222, 232 is stopped (S25). Then, a buzzer sound that tells the end of a sequence of treatment is emitted from a speaker 110 (S26).
The substance that prevents wet from penetrating the body tissue LT is gradually hardened by, for example, being cooled due to stop of supply of energy. Then, the substance that prevents fluid from penetrating the body tissue LT is sustained in a state in which the joined body tissue LT is coated with the substance.
Incidentally, a portion of the coating members 224, 234 that is not in contact with the heaters 222, 232 preferably sustains the state of being disposed on the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54. That is, the side of the coating member 224 disposed on the first holding member 52 separated from the holding surface 62a of the main body 62 with respect to the second holding member 54 sustains the state being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 62. Also, the side of the coating member 234 disposed on the second holding member 54 separated from the holding surface 72a of the main body 72 with respect to the first holding member 52 sustains the state being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 72.
If the porous coating members 224, 234 shown in
On the other hand, the nonporous sheet-shaped coating members 224, 234 shown in
Next, a third modification of the first embodiment will be described using
While a case when high-frequency energy by the electrodes 92, 94 or thermal energy of heating by the heaters 222, 232 is used for treatment is described in the above embodiment, in the present embodiment, the first holding member 52 of a case when thermal energy by laser light is used for treatment will be described.
As shown in
A fluid duct 162 shown in
Instead of the fluid duct 162, an edge (holding surface) 62a of a main body 62 of the first holding member 52 may be formed to carry out treatment using a coating member 224 (see
By using the heat exchanger plate 282 as, for example, the high-frequency electrode 92, various kinds of treatment such as suitable treatment combining thermal energy and high-frequency energy, treatment using only thermal energy, and treatment using only high-frequency energy can be carried out.
A case when the bipolar type energy treatment device 12 is used is described in the first embodiment, but a monopolar type treatment device (see
In such a case, as shown in
The present embodiment has been described by taking the linear-type energy treatment device 12 (see
The energy treatment device 12a includes the handle 22 and the treatment portion (holding portion) 26. That is, in contrast to the energy treatment device 12 (see
In the present embodiment, a case when the body tissues L1, L2 are treated by using high-frequency energy has been described, but energy of, for example, a microwave may also be used. In such a case, the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 can be used as microwave electrodes.
Next, the second embodiment will be described using
As shown in
A series of operations such as ON/OFF of the supply of energy (high-frequency energy in the present embodiment) from the energy source 14 to the surgical treatment device 12 and further, whether to make a fluid (conjugation adjunct) flow described later can be switched by the pedal of the foot switch 16 being operated (pressed/released) by an operator. While the pedal is pressed, high-frequency energy is output based on an appropriately set state (state in which the output quantity of energy, timing of energy output and the like are controlled). When pedal pressing is released, the output of high-frequency energy is forced to stop. In addition, a fluid of a predetermined flow rate is made to flow while the pedal is pressed and the flow of the fluid stops when pedal pressing is released.
A fluid conduit 162 having insulating properties is disposed on a main body 62 of a first holding member 52 shown in
The fluid conduit 162 is disposed on a ring shape in a position close to the surface of the high-frequency electrode 92 along edges of the outer circumference of the main body 62. As shown in
The fluid conduit 162 includes a plurality of openings (a join condition sustainment assistance portion) 162a at suitable intervals. As shown in
Because, as shown in
Though not shown, a fluid conduit 164 having openings (a conjugation sustainment assistance portion) 164a is also disposed at edges of a main body 72 of the second holding member 54 symmetrically with respect to the first holding member 52. Thus, the fluid conduit 164 serves as a barrier portion that prevents a fluid such as a steam from being leaked to the outside, the fluid such as a steam being generated from the body tissues L1, L2 when the body tissues L1, L2 are treated using the high-frequency electrode 94. The fluid conduit 164 is connected to the duct 74a of the base 74 of the second holding member 54.
The fluid source 18 includes a fluid reservoir 122 and a flow rate adjuster 124. The flow rate adjuster 124 includes a second controller (flow rate control unit) 132 and a flow rate adjustment mechanism 134.
The fluid reservoir 122 shown in
The fluid reservoir 122 can store a substance (conjugation adjunct) like, for example, an adhesive capable of preventing fluid from invading into the body tissue LT when applied to an exterior surface Sc of the body tissue LT treated by high-frequency energy. The substance capable of preventing fluid from invading into the body tissue LT has been described in the first embodiment and thus, a description thereof is simplified. That is, while an example of using the conjugation assistance member 262 in a mesh or porous shape is described in the first embodiment, the present embodiment is an example in which, in addition to the conjugation assistance member 262 disposed between the body tissues L1, L2, a fluid such as an adhesive having a similar function is applied to the surface of the body tissues L1, L2 and cured.
The substance to be stored in the fluid reservoir 122 may be, in addition to liquids, for example, gel substances. That is, the substance stored in the fluid reservoir 122 may be any fluid that can be passed through the hose 18a. Further, for example, a liquid or gel substance of adhesive stored in the fluid reservoir 122 may contain an antibiotic, growth promoter and the like.
If a liquid substance is stored in the fluid reservoir 122, the liquid substance can be led to the ducts 64a, 74a of the bases 64, 74 and the channels 62b, 72b of the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 of the energy treatment device 12 through the hose 18a connected to the fluid reservoir 122. If a gel substance is stored in the fluid reservoir 122, the gel substance can be led to the duct 64a of the base 64 and the channel 62b of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 of the energy treatment device 12 through the hose 18a connected to the fluid reservoir 122 by applying, for example, pneumatic pressure or the like to the fluid reservoir 122.
Next, the action of a medical treatment system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described using
A fluid with which the outer circumference of the body tissue LT obtained by joining the two body tissues L1, L2 is coated after the body tissues L1, L2 being joined by treatment with high-frequency energy is stored in the fluid reservoir 122 of the fluid source 18. It is assumed here that the fluid is an adhesive for the body tissue LT. Particularly, the adhesive suitably has a fast-drying capability that dries when exposed to, for example, the air. The hose 18a connected to the fluid reservoir 122 is closed by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 134 so that no adhesive normally flows from the fluid reservoir 122 toward the energy treatment device 12.
The operator operates the display unit 108 of the energy source 14 in advance to set output conditions for the medical treatment system 10 (step S310). The operator checks the output (set power Pset [W]) from the high-frequency energy output portion 104, the threshold Z1 [Ω] of the impedance Z by the detector 106, a maximum energy supply time t1 [sec] and the like through the display unit 108. If the output from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 or the threshold Z1 of the impedance Z by the detector 106 should be set to a different value, the operator sets the value as desired and checks the value through the display unit 108. The operator also sets a flow rate V1 to be passed from the fluid reservoir 122 to the energy treatment device 12 through the hose 18a. Further, the operator sets a longest time t-max in which the hose 18a is opened. That is, even if the flow rate V1 is not reached after the hose 18a is opened, the hose 18a is automatically closed after the time t-max passes.
Then, as described in the first embodiment, the body tissue LT having the joined portion C is formed by holding the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined between the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54 to join the two body tissues L1, L2 (S320 to S340).
The supply of energy from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 is stopped by the first controller 102 (S351) and at the same time, a signal is conveyed from the first controller 102 to the second controller 132. The second controller 132 causes the flow rate adjustment mechanism 134 to operate to open the hose 18a (S352). Thus, an adhesive is supplied from the fluid reservoir 122 to the energy treatment device 12 through the hose 18a. That is, the adhesive is supplied from the fluid reservoir 122 to the ducts 64a, 74a of the bases 64, 74 and the channels 62b, 72b of the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 by the hose 18a through inner portions of the handle 22 and the shaft 24. Thus, the adhesive is oozed out from the openings 92a, 94a of the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 formed along the channels 62b, 72b of the main bodies 62, 72.
The adhesive oozed out from the openings 92a, 94a of the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 is spread and applied to coat the outer circumferential surface of joined body tissues. That is, the adhesive is applied to the entire surface through which the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 and body tissues are in contact. Then, the adhesive is gradually hardened with the passage of time if, for example, exposed to the air. The adhesive preferably has a quick-drying capability and has waterproof when hardened. Thus, the exterior surface Sc of the body tissue LT joined with hardening of the adhesive is coated. Therefore, a liquid can be prevented from infiltrating from the exterior surface Sc of the joined body tissue LT into the joined portion C (between the contact surfaces C1, C2).
Adhesives have naturally different properties depending on the type of adhesive and the reason why the adhesive in the present embodiment is applied after the body tissues L1, L2 are joined is that an adhesive for body tissues can display an effective adhesive action when applied in as dry a state of the body tissues L1, L2 as possible. That is, if an adhesive is applied in a state in which a sufficient amount of fluid is not removed, it becomes more difficult to remove fluid from the body tissues L1, L2 even if energy is provided, but such a state can be prevented by applying the adhesive after the body tissues L1, L2 are joined. In addition, if an adhesive is applied in a state in which a sufficient amount of fluid is not removed, the adhesive may be mixed with fluid, but such a state can be prevented by applying the adhesive after the body tissues L1, L2 are joined.
When the adhesive of a predetermined flow rate is passed from the fluid reservoir 122 through the hose 18a (S360) or after the hose 18a is opened for a predetermined time, the second controller 132 causes the flow rate adjustment mechanism 134 to operate again to close the hose 18a (S370).
When a predetermined time (for example, a few seconds) passes after the hose 18a is closed, a sound such as a buzzer from the speaker 110 is emitted to tell the completion of treatment (conjugation treatment of body tissues and treatment to prevent fluid from invading into the joined contact surfaces C1, C2) (S380). Then, after making sure that the treatment has completed with the sound from the speaker 110 or the display of the display unit 108, a medical doctor or the like releases the pedal by removing his or her foot from the pedal of the foot switch 16.
Though not shown, the fluid conduit 162 is preferably formed as a double lumen so that one (inner side) is a duct having the openings 162a and the other (outer side) is a duct that passes a gas or liquid as a refrigerant. In this case, a portion of the body tissues L1, L2 in contact with the fluid conduit 162 can be cooled by circulating a refrigerant through the other duct (duct on the outer side). Therefore, heat can be prevented from conducting to the outer side of the holding surfaces 62a, 72a of the first and second holding members 52, 54 through the body tissues L1, L2 so that the body tissues L1, L2 outside the body tissues L1, L2 to be treated can more reliably be prevented from being affected by heat.
Next, a first modification of the second embodiment will be described using
As is shown in
Two rows of the ducts 64a preferably parallel to each other are formed in the base 64. That is, the duct 64a of the base 64 is closed to the outside excluding both ends. The channel 62b of the main body 62 and the duct 64a of the base 64 are formed successively. The tip of the hose 18a inserted into the shaft 24 and having pliability is connected to the end face of the duct 64a of the base 64.
The first high-frequency electrode 92 described above is disposed in the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 like putting a lid. The first high-frequency electrode 92 has a plurality of projections (conjugation maintenance assistance portions) 202 toward the second holding member 54 over the recess 62b of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52. The projection 202 is formed to an appropriate length so as to form a hole P shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Next, the medical treatment system 10 according to the present embodiment is caused to operate in the same manner as in the second embodiment to treat the body tissues L1, L2 for conjugation.
Like in the second embodiment, the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined are held. In this case, the projections 202 are disposed on the high-frequency electrode 92 disposed on the first holding member 52 and thus, the projections 202 form the holes P by passing through the body tissues L1, L2 and also are accommodated in the recesses 206 disposed on the second holding member 54 and the high-frequency electrode 94.
In this state, the two body tissues L1, L2 are joined by high-frequency energy output from the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 disposed on the first and second holding members 52, 54. At this point, the projections 202 provided on the high-frequency electrode 92 disposed on the first holding member 52 sustain a state of passing through the body tissues L1, L2 (state disposed in the hole P).
In this case, the projections 202 are disposed inside the body tissues L1, L2 and power is passed through body tissues between the projections 202 and the second high-frequency electrode 94 and therefore, treatment of the body tissues L1, L2 using high-frequency energy can be carried out efficiently.
After an impedance Z reaches a threshold Z1, a flow rate adjustment mechanism 134 is released to allow an adhesive to flow from a fluid reservoir 122 through a hose 18a. In this case, a duct 64a is provided in a base 64 of the first holding member 52 and the recess 62b is provided in the main body 62 and thus, an adhesive is oozed out from the openings 204 of the projections 202. In this case, the projections 202 are disposed in the holes P by passing through the joined body tissue LT and thus, a portion of the adhesive oozed out from the openings 204 is applied to the joined portion C of the body tissue LT. A portion of the adhesive penetrates directly through the joint surface of the joined portion C. The adhesive has, in addition to the adhesive action, the coating action and thus, fluid can be prevented from infiltrating into the joined portion C and also the joined state can be sustained.
When a sequence of the treatment of the conjugation of the body tissues L1, L2 by high-frequency energy and the application of the adhesive to the joined portion C is completed, a sound such as a buzzer sound is emitted from a speaker 110 to let the medical doctor know completion of the treatment.
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the following effect is achieved.
Because Joule heat can be generated not only in the body tissues L1, L2 between the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94, but also in the body tissues L1, L2 between the projections 202 passing through the body tissues L1, L2 and the high-frequency electrode 94 and thus, it can be made easier for energy to penetrate the body tissues L1, L2 even if the body tissues L1, L2 are thick (if it is difficult for high-frequency energy to penetrate the body tissues L1, L2).
Because a fluid such as an adhesive can directly be supplied into the joined body tissue LT such as the joined portion C of the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined for invasion by the projections 202 provided on the high-frequency electrode 92, the conjugation of the joined portion C can be made more reliable and also the coating action of the adhesive can be extended to the neighborhood of the joined portion C including the joint surface.
In the present embodiment, a case when the holes P are formed in the body tissues L1, L2 by the projections 202 of the first holding member 52 when body tissues are held by the first and second holding members 52, 54 has been described. However, when the body tissues L1, L2 are held by the first and second holding members 52, 54, the holes P do not necessarily need to be formed by the projections 202. That is, when the body tissues L1, L2 are held by the first and second holding members 52, 54, the projections 202 of the first holding member 52 may be provided in such a way that the body tissue L2 is pressed against the recesses 206 of the second holding member 54. Also in this case, with the supply of high-frequency energy to the body tissues L1, L2 between the first and second high-frequency electrodes 92, 94, the holes P will be formed in the body tissues L1, L2, that is, the projections 202 will be disposed in the holes P.
The projections 202 of the high-frequency electrode 92 of the first holding member 52 may be formed as a different body such as a hardening resin material having insulating properties. In this case, the projections 202 are permitted to come into contact with the high-frequency electrode 94 of the second holding member 54.
The discharge of the adhesive from the opening 204 of the projection 202 is not limited to after dehydration (after conjugation) of the body tissues L1, L2 and the adhesive may be applied to between the joined surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 before dehydration (before conjugation).
A sequence of treatment of a case when the adhesive is applied to between the joined surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 before dehydration (before conjugation) will briefly be described below using
The operator operates the display unit 108 of the energy source 14 in advance to set output conditions of the medical treatment system 10 (step S310). Here, the output (set power Pset [W]) from the high-frequency energy output portion 104, the threshold Z1 [Ω] of the impedance Z of the detector 106, an energy maximum supply time t1 [sec], and further a T1 [sec] till infiltration of the adhesive in the body tissues L1, L2 after the hose 18a is closed are checked via the display unit 108.
Then, the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined are held between the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54 and the foot switch 16 is changed to ON (S320).
Then, the hose 18a is released (S321) and an adhesive is applied to between the joint surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 through the opening 204 of the projection 202. When a predetermined discharge of adhesive flows through the hose 18a (S322), the hose 18a is closed (S323). Then, the invasion of the adhesive into the body tissues L1, L2 from the joint surfaces C1, C2 is awaited. That is, when the time T1 passes after the hose 18a is closed (S324), a buzz sound to tell the operator that the body tissues L1, L2 are invaded after the adhesive being applied to the contact surfaces C1, C2 and next, high-frequency energy is supplied to the body tissues L1, L2 is issued from the speaker 110 (S325).
Then, high-frequency energy is supplied to the body tissues L1, L2 and after predetermined treatment is provided, a buzz sound is issued from the speaker 110, which allows the operator to recognize that a sequence of treatment has been completed (S326 to S329).
After the hose 18a is released, the hose 18a may be closed while high-frequency energy being supplied.
Thus, in which period of before conjugation, during conjugation, and after conjugation to discharge an adhesive stored in the fluid reservoir 122 of the fluid source 18 to the body tissues L1, L2 through the hose 18a can appropriately set by the second controller 132.
Next, the third embodiment will be described using
As shown in
As described in
The external shapes of main bodies 62, 72 and bases 64, 74 of first and second holding members 52, 54 are formed similarly to the external shapes of the first and second holding members 52, 54 (see
As shown in
As shown in
The cutter guiding grooves 172, 174 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 are formed in a mutually opposite state along the axial direction of a shaft 24. Then, the cutter 180 can be guided by the two collaborating cutter guiding grooves 172, 174 of the first and second holding members 52, 54.
A driving rod 182 is movably disposed inside a pipe 42 of the shaft 24 along the axis direction thereof. The cutter driving knob 34 is disposed at the proximal end of the driving rod 182. The cutter (auxiliary treatment device) 180 in a thin plate shape is disposed at the tip end of the driving rod 182. Thus, if the cutter driving knob 34 is operated, the cutter 180 moves along the axial direction of the shaft 24 via the driving rod 182.
A cutter 180 shown in
The tip end of the driving rod 182 is fixed to the proximal end of the cutter 180. A long groove 184 is formed between the tip end and the proximal end of the cutter 180. In the long groove 184, a movement regulation pin 42a extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 24 is fixed to the pipe 42 of the shaft 24. Thus, the long groove 184 of the cutter 180 moves along the movement regulation pin 42a. Therefore, the cutter 180 moves straight. At this point, the cutter 180 is disposed in the cutter guiding grooves (channels, fluid discharge grooves) 172, 174 of the first and second holding members 52, 54.
The locking portions 184a, 184b, 184c to control the movement of the cutter 180 by locking the movement regulation pin 42a are formed, for example, at three locations of one end, the other end, and therebetween. The sensor 185 capable of recognizing the position of the movement regulation pin 42a and also recognizing the direction of movement of the movement regulation pin 42a is disposed in the long groove 184 of the cutter 180. Various kinds of sensors such as a sensor using light and a contact type sensor are used as the sensor 185. Thus, it becomes possible to recognize that the cutting edge 180a of the cutter 180 is contained in the shaft 24 when the movement regulation pin 42a is positioned in the locking portion 184a at the one end (tip end) of the long groove 184 and the cutting edge 180a of the cutter 180 is disposed in the cutter guiding grooves 172, 174 through the tip end of the shaft 24 when the movement regulation pin 42a is positioned at the other end (rear end) 184b. Therefore, the second detector 107 can recognize the position of the cutting edge 180a of the cutter 180 with respect to the shaft 24 and a treatment portion 26 through the sensor 185 and can easily determine whether the cutting edge 180a of the cutter 180 is in a position to cut body tissues.
The pipe 42 and a sheath 44 of the shaft 24 of the energy treatment device 12 shown in
Though not shown, a connection mouthpiece is suitably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the fluid discharge port 188 of the sheath 44. At this point, the fluid described later is discharged through the cutter guiding grooves 172, 174, the fluid discharge port 186 of the pipe 42 of the shaft 24, the fluid discharge port 188 of the sheath 44 of the shaft 24, and the connection mouthpiece. In this case, a fluid such as a steam and liquid released from body tissues L1, L2 can easily be discharged from the fluid discharge ports 186, 188 by sucking from inside the connection mouthpiece.
The fluid discharge ports 186, 188 are suitably provided in the shaft 24, but may also be suitably provided in the handle 22.
As shown in
As shown in
The second fluid conduits 192, 194 each have a plurality of openings (join condition sustainment assistance portions) 192a, 194a formed at suitable intervals. The openings 192a, 194a of the fluid conduits 192, 194 are oriented toward the same second fluid conduits 192, 194 opposite to each other across the cutter 180.
Incidentally, the second fluid conduits 192, 194 may each be a pair or respective individual conduit bents in a U shape.
Next, the action of a medical treatment system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described using
As described in the second embodiment, the contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 are joined by high-frequency energy provided by the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 (S401 to S406).
Then, the cutter 180 is caused to operate to cut the joined body tissue LT (S407). The hose 18a is opened in conjunction with the operation of the cutter 180 (S408). Thus, while the joined body tissue LT is cut, an adhesive is made to ooze out from the opening 212a of the cutter 180 to apply the adhesive to a cut surface S. That is, as cutting of the body tissue LT proceeds, an adhesive oozed out from the opening 212a of the cutter 180 is applied.
Because, as shown in
The adhesive also flows to the surface in contact with the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 of the body tissue LT to be applied there. Thus, the adhesive is applied to the whole exterior surface of the body tissue LT.
When a predetermined discharge of adhesive flows through the hose 18a (S409), the hose 18a is closed (S410) and also the cutter 180 is caused to return to the original position thereof. Then, if the return of the cutter 180 to the original position is recognized by the sensor 185 disposed in the cutter 180 (S411), a buzz sound to tell the end of a sequence of treatment is issued from the speaker 110 (S412).
At this point, as shown in
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the following effect is achieved.
A fluid such as blood generated from the body tissues L1, L2 in treatment can be introduced into the cutter guiding grooves 172, 174. Then, the fluid introduced into the cutter guiding grooves 172, 174 can be guided out of the energy treatment device 12b from the fluid discharge ports 186, 188 formed in the pipe 42 and the sheath 44 of the shaft 24. Thus, fluid can be prevented from remaining on joined surfaces of the joined portion C of the body tissues L1, L2 as much as possible and the body tissues L1, L2 can be treated for conjugation more quickly. Therefore, a sequence of treatment of joining the body tissues L1, L2 and coating the joined portion C can be provided more efficiently.
Not only the outer circumferential surface of the body tissues LT to be joined is coated with the adhesive, but also the adhesive can be applied to the cut surface S of the body tissues LT to coat contact surfaces with the adhesive so that fluid can be prevented from invading into the joined portion C of the body tissues LT.
The hose 18a may be released to allow the adhesive to flow while the cutter 180 moves as described above, the hose 18a may be released after the movement regulation pin 42a of the pipe 42 reaches the other end 184b from the one end of 184a of the long groove 184 through the intermediate portion 184c. In this case, cutting of the body tissue LT by the cutting edge 180a of the cutter 180 is completed (the cut surface S is already formed). Then, an adhesive is allowed to flow while the movement regulation pin 42a of the pipe 42 reaches the one end 184a from the other end 184b of the long groove 184 through the intermediate portion 184c. Then, a space is formed by the cut surfaces S of the body tissues LT when the cutting edge 180a of the cutter 180 is drawn into the shaft 24 from the cutter guiding grooves 172, 174 of the first and second holding members 52, 54. If the adhesive is oozed out from the openings 192a, 194a, the adhesive enters the space between the cut surfaces S. Because the movement of the movement regulation pin 42a of the pipe 42 between the one end 184a and the other end 184b of the long groove 184 of the cutter 180 can be detected by the sensor 185, the spatial relationship between the body tissue LT to be joined and the cutter 180 can easily be grasped. Thus, the timing to close the hose 18a can appropriately be set by the flow rate adjustment mechanism 134.
The present embodiment is described by assuming that a buzz sound is issued from the speaker 110, content of treatment or the procedure for treatment may be made known by voice. It is also preferable to make the first buzz sound and the second buzz sound vastly different so that which treatment is completed is easily recognizable.
The present embodiment is described by assuming a case of manually operating the cutter 180 by operating the cutter driving knob 34, but it is also preferable to cut the body tissues LT by automatically operating the cutter 180 without operating the cutter driving knob 34 after treatment of the body tissues L1, L2 for conjugation by high-frequency energy is completed. That is, a sequence of treatment from the start of treatment using high-frequency energy to join the body tissues L1, L2 to the end of treatment to coat the joined body tissues LT may automatically be performed.
Next, a first modification of the third embodiment will be described using
As shown in
Next, a second modification of the third embodiment will be described using
As shown in
A plurality of heaters (an energy output portion) 242 is disposed on a back surface of a high-frequency electrode 92 disposed on a main body 62 of the first holding member 52. Similarly, though not shown, a plurality of heaters (an energy output portion) 252 is disposed on the back surface of a high-frequency electrode 94 disposed on a main body 72 of the second holding member 54. The heaters 242, 252 can be controlled by a high-frequency energy output portion 104. That is, the high-frequency energy output portion 104 can supply energy not only to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94, but also to the heaters 242, 252. Incidentally, the high-frequency energy output portion 104 may be made to be capable of selectively or simultaneously supplying energy to both the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 and the heaters 242, 252.
The high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 are each formed from a material having a high thermal conductivity and thus, if the heaters 242, 252 are heated by supplying energy from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 242, 252, heat is conducted from the heaters 242, 252 to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94. The heat conducted to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 is spread, for example, concentrically from the heaters 242, 252.
Next, the action of a medical treatment system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described using
The amount of output from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 242, 252 and the output time are suitably set (S501). It is assumed here that the output time to the heaters 242, 252 is sec.
If the pedal of the foot switch 16 is pressed (S502), energy is supplied from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 242, 252 so that the heaters 242, 252 are heated (S503). It is determined whether 10 sec has passed after the supply of energy is started (S504). After energy is output from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 242, 252 for 10 sec, the supply of energy to the heaters 242, 252 is stopped (S505). Then, a buzzer sound is emitted from a speaker 110 to tell the stop of the supply of thermal energy and also to tell that a cutter 180 will operate (S506).
A portion of the nonporous sheet-shaped coating members 224, 234 in contact with the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 is melted after heat from the heaters 242, 252 are conducted to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94.
Then, the cutter 180 is advanced to the cutter guiding grooves to cut body tissues L1, L2 (S507). That is, a cut surface S of the body tissues L1, L2 is formed. Then, the cutter 180 is returned to the original position thereof (S508).
Then, energy is supplied from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 (S509). If an impedance Z is determined to have reached a threshold Z1 (S510), the output from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 is stopped (S511).
A buzzer sound is emitted from the speaker 110 to tell the stop of the supply of energy (S512). Thus, a medical doctor or the like can make sure that a sequence of treatment has ended.
In the present embodiment, there is described a case when a sequence of treatment is carried out by combining both thermal energy by the heaters 242, 252 and high-frequency energy by the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94, but a sequence of treatment can be carried out using only thermal energy.
Next, the action (first action) of a medical treatment system 10 when the porous or mesh-shaped coating members 224, 234 containing a conjugation adjunct are used will be described using
The amount of output of high-frequency energy or the like is set by operating a display unit 108 (S601). Then, the body tissues L1, L2 are held by the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 on which the coating members 224, 234 are disposed respectively. In this state, the pedal of the foot switch 16 is pressed (S602).
Energy is transmitted from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 and a high-frequency current is passed through the body tissues L1, L2 (S603). When a high-frequency current is passed, the impedance Z drops from an initial value Z0 and then rises again (see
The cutter 180 slowly advances automatically along the cutter guiding grooves 172, 174 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 to cut the body tissues L1, L2 (S607) and returns to the original position thereof (S608). In this case, under control of a moving rate, position or the like, the cutter 180 moves from a state in which a movement regulation pin 42a of a shaft 24 is positioned in a locking portion 184a on the distal end side of a long groove 184 of the cutter 180 to a locking portion 184b on the proximal end side of the long groove 184, and moves again to be disposed in the locking portion 184a (original position) on the distal end side of the long groove 184.
Then, energy is supplied from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 242, 252 so that the heaters 242, 252 are heated (S609). When sec passes after the supply of energy from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 to the heaters 242, 252 is started (S610), the supply of energy is stopped (S611).
The heaters 242, 252 conduct heat to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94, and the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 conduct the heat directly to body tissues, and thus, the body tissues (proteins) are integrally denatured and also fluid acting as a hindrance factor of linkage of proteins is removed.
Then, a buzzer sound is emitted from the speaker 110 to tell the end of a sequence of treatment (S612).
Incidentally, the coating members 224, 234 may be melted by generating heat into the body tissues L1, L2 using high-frequency energy or by directly applying heat using the heaters 242, 252.
Next, the action (second action) of the medical treatment system 10 when the porous or mesh-shaped coating members 224, 234 are used will be described using
Here, a case when, in contrast to the first action shown in
Like the first action, the action is the same until the body tissues L1, L2 are cut by the cutter 180 to form a cut surface S (S701 to S708). After the cutter 180 is returned to the original position thereof, treatment using high-frequency energy is carried out by the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 (S709). Then, if the threshold Z1 and the impedance Z are the same or the impedance Z is larger than the threshold Z1 (S710), the supply of energy from the high-frequency energy output portion 104 is stopped (S711). Then, the end of a sequence of treatment is told by emitting a buzzer sound from the speaker 110 (S712).
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the following effect is achieved.
Treatment of body tissues by high-frequency energy and treatment of body tissues by thermal energy can suitably be combined and thus, optimal treatment for the body tissues can be carried out.
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described using
As shown in
In the present embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Incidentally, a recess 72c is also formed, as shown in
Next, the action of a medical treatment system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in
In this state, a substance (conjugation adjunct), such as an adhesive, that prevents fluid from infiltrating the body tissue LT is introduced from a fluid reservoir 122 to the pipe-shaped member 272 through a hose 18a. Thus, the substance that prevents fluid from infiltrating the body tissue LT is applied to the body tissues L1, L2 from the side holes 272a of the pipe-shaped member 272. In this state, the pipe-shaped member 272 is pulled out from between the main bodies 62, 72 of the first and second holding members 52, 54 by operating the pipe-shaped member movement knob 36. Thus, contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 are in contact via the substance that prevents fluid from infiltrating the body tissue LT.
Then, energy is supplied from a high-frequency energy output portion 104 to high-frequency electrodes 92, 94. Thus, the substance that prevents fluid from infiltrating the body tissue LT on the joint surface is heated and also the joint surfaces are joined. The mesh-shaped or porous coating members 224, 234 melt due to heat from the body tissues L1, L2 to coat the outer side of the body tissues L1, L2 to be joined.
As more energy is supplied to the high-frequency electrodes 92, 94 or the supply of energy is stopped, the substance that prevents fluid from penetrating the body tissue LT is hardened. At this point, the substance disposed on the joint surface of the body tissues L1, L2 to prevent fluid from penetrating the body tissue LT penetrates from the contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 toward the high-frequency electrodes 92, 92a, 94, 94a. Thus, the substance that prevents fluid from penetrating the body tissue LT acts to sustain the joined state of the body tissues L1, L2.
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the following effect is achieved.
A fluid invasion prevention substance to the body tissue LT can directly be applied to between the body tissues L1, L2. That is, the substance that reliably prevents fluid from penetrating the body tissue LT can be applied to between the contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2. Thus, when the body tissues L1, L2 are joined using high-frequency energy or the like, since the substance that prevents fluid from penetrating the body tissue LT is disposed between the contact surfaces C1, C2, even if a force to release joining of the body tissues L1, L2 acts, fluid can be prevented from penetrating the joint surface of the body tissues L1, L2 so that the joined state can be sustained.
Incidentally, a case when the coating members 224, 234 are used has been described in the present embodiment, but the coating members 224, 234 are not necessarily needed.
Also in the present embodiment, a case when the pipe-shaped member 272 is used, instead of the cutter 180, has been described, but an ultrasonic transducer 276 (see
Next, the fifth embodiment will be described using
As shown in
A treatment portion opening/closing knob 332 and a cutter driving lever 334 are disposed on the handle 322. The treatment portion opening/closing knob 332 is rotatable with respect to the handle 322. If the treatment portion opening/closing knob 332 is rotated, for example, clockwise with respect to the handle 322, a detachable-side holding member 354 described later of the treatment portion 326 is detached from a main body-side holding member 352 (see
The shaft 324 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In consideration of insertability into body tissues, the shaft 324 is made to be curved appropriately. It is, needless to say, that the shaft 324 is also suitably formed in a straight shape.
The treatment portion 326 is disposed at the distal end of the shaft 324. As shown in
The main body-side holding member 352 includes a cylinder body 362, a frame 364, an electrical connection pipe 366, a cutter 368, a cutter pusher 370, and a fluid duct 374. The cylinder body 362 and the frame 364 have insulating properties. The cylinder body 362 is coupled to the distal end of the shaft 324. The frame 364 is disposed in a state of being fixed with respect to the cylinder body 362.
The frame 364 has a center axis which is opened. The electrical connection pipe 366 is disposed in the opened center axis of the frame 364 movably within a predetermined range along the center axis of the frame 364. If the treatment portion opening/closing knob 332 of the handle 322 is rotated, as shown in
The fluid duct 374 to pass a fluid to the detachable-side holding member 354 is disposed inside the electrical connection pipe 366. Like the electrical connection pipe 366, the fluid duct 374 is movable within a predetermined range.
As shown in
A first fluid airway (fluid channel) 376 is formed between the cutter pusher 370 and the frame 364. Also, a fluid discharge port (not shown) which is configured to discharge a fluid passing through the first fluid airway 376 to the outside is formed in the shaft 324 or the handle 322.
As shown in
As shown in
An edge 362a of the cylinder body 362 is formed in a position higher than the first high-frequency electrode 378 on the outer side of the first high-frequency electrode 378. That is, the edge 362a of the main body-side holding member 352 is closer to a head portion 384 described later of the detachable-side holding member 354 than the first high-frequency electrode 378.
The length of the projection 391 of the second high-frequency electrode 390 of the detachable-side holding member 354 is formed to a height that does not come into contact with the recess 379 of the first high-frequency electrode 378 of the main body-side holding member 352. In other words, the depth of the recess 379 of the first high-frequency electrode 378 is formed deeper (longer) than the length of the projection 391 of the second high-frequency electrode 390. Then, the projection 391 forms a hole in the body tissues L1, L2, but does not necessarily need to cut through the body tissues L1, L2 and the tip (distal end with respect to the high-frequency electrode 390) of the projection 391 is suitably positioned closer to the high-frequency electrode 378 than the contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2.
The detachable-side holding member 354 includes the electrical connection shaft 382 having the connector 382a, the head portion 384, and a fluid duct 386. The head portion 384 is formed in a substantially semi-spherical shape. The connector 382a of the electrical connection shaft 382 is formed on the side closer to one end of the electrical connection shaft 382. The electrical connection shaft 382 has a circular transverse section, one end thereof is formed in a tapering shape, and the other end is fixed to the head portion 384. The connector 382a of the electrical connection shaft 382 is formed in a concave shape enabling engagement with the projection 366a of the electrical connection pipe 366 on the side closer to one end of the electrical connection shaft 382. The outer circumferential surface of a portion other than the connector 382a of the electrical connection shaft 382 is insulated by coating or the like.
The electrical connection shaft 382 has first and second ducts 388a, 388b formed so as to pass through one end and the other end thereof. The first duct 388a is formed to pass through the center axis of the electrical connection shaft 382. When the connector 382a of the electrical connection shaft 382 of the detachable-side holding member 354 is fitted to the projection 366a of the electrical connection pipe 366 of the main body-side holding member 352, the first duct 388a is communicatively connected to the fluid duct 374 of the main body-side holding member 352. The second duct 388b is communicatively connected to a second fluid airway (fluid channel) 380 between the electrical connection pipe 366 and the second fluid duct 374.
The head portion 384 has an edge 384a formed thereon. A second high-frequency electrode 390 in an annular shape is disposed as an output member or an energy discharge unit on the inner side of the edge 384a. One end of a second electrical connection line 390a is fixed to the second high-frequency electrode 390. The other end of the second electrical connection line 390a is electrically connected to the electrical connection shaft 382.
As shown in
As shown in
A fluid discharge groove 392 in an annular shape is formed between the edge 384a of the head portion 384 and the second high-frequency electrode 390. The fluid discharge groove 392 is communicatively connected to the second duct 388b of the electrical connection shaft 382. The surface of the second high-frequency electrode 390 is in a state of being drawn to the edge 384a of the head portion 384. That is, the contact surface of the edge 384a of the detachable-side holding member 354 is closer to the main body-side holding member 352 than the second high-frequency electrode 390. Thus, vapor and liquids discharged from the body tissues L1, L2 in contact with the second high-frequency electrode 390 flow into the fluid discharge groove 392.
A cutter receiving portion 394 to receive the cutter 368 disposed on the main body-side holding member 352 is formed inside the second high-frequency electrode 390 in an annular shape.
Further, the fluid discharge groove 392 is communicatively connected to the head portion 384 and the second duct 388b of the electrical connection shaft 382. The second duct 388b is communicatively connected to the second fluid airway (fluid channel) 380 of the electrical connection pipe 366. The shaft 324 or the handle 322 has a fluid discharge port (not shown) that discharges the fluid having passed through the second fluid airway 380 to the outside formed therein.
Further, the fluid discharge groove 392 is communicatively connected to the head portion 384 and the second duct 388b of the electrical connection shaft 382. The second duct 388b is communicatively connected to the second fluid airway (fluid channel) 380 of the electrical connection pipe 366. The shaft 324 or the handle 322 has a fluid discharge port (not shown) formed to discharge a fluid flowing through the second fluid airway 380.
The electrical connection pipe 366 is connected to the cable 28 via the shaft 324 and the handle 322. Thus, when the connector 382a of the electrical connection shaft 382 of the detachable-side holding member 354 is engaged with the projection 366a of the electrical connection pipe 366, the second high-frequency electrode 390 and the electrical connection pipe 366 are electrically connected.
As shown in
The electrical connection pipe 366 is connected to the cable 28 via the shaft 324 and the handle 322. Thus, when the connector 382a of the electrical connection shaft 382 is engaged with the projection 366a of the electrical connection pipe 366, the second high-frequency electrode 390 and the electrical connection pipe 366 are electrically connected.
Next, the action of a medical treatment system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in
The treatment portion opening/closing knob 332 of the handle 322 is operated to sandwich the body tissues L1, L2 to be treated between the main body-side holding member 352 and the detachable-side holding member 354. At this point, the treatment portion opening/closing knob 332 of the handle 322 is rotated, for example, clockwise with respect to the handle 322. Then, as shown in
Then, the body tissues L1, L2 to be treated are arranged between the first high-frequency electrode 378 of the main body-side holding member 352 and the second high-frequency electrode 390 of the detachable-side holding member 354. The electrical connection shaft 382 of the detachable-side holding member 354 is inserted into the electrical connection pipe 366 of the main body-side holding member 352. In this state, the treatment portion opening/closing knob 332 of the handle 322 is rotated, for example, counterclockwise. Thus, the detachable-side holding member 354 is closed with respect to the main body-side holding member 352. In this manner, the body tissues L1, L2 to be treated are held between the main body-side holding member 352 and the detachable-side holding member 354.
In this state, the foot switch or hand switch is operated to supply energy from the energy source 14 to each of the first high-frequency electrode 378 and the second high-frequency electrode 390 via the cable 28. The first high-frequency electrode 378 passes a high-frequency current to the second high-frequency electrode 390 via the body tissues L1, L2. Thus, the body tissues L1, L2 between the first high-frequency electrode 378 and the second high-frequency electrode 390 are heated.
At this point, a fluid such as a vapor and a liquid arises from a heated portion of the body tissues L1, L2. The surface of the first high-frequency electrode 378 exposed to the side of the detachable-side holding member 354 is positioned slightly lower than the edge 362a of the main body-side holding member 352 while the first high-frequency electrode 378 is fixed to the main body-side holding member 352. Similarly, the surface of the second high-frequency electrode 390 exposed to the side of the main body-side holding member 352 is positioned slightly lower than the edge 384a of the head portion 384 of the detachable-side holding member 354 while the second high-frequency electrode 390 is fixed to the detachable-side holding member 354.
Thus, the edge 362a of the main body-side holding member 352 discharges a fluid arising from the body tissue L1 in contact with the first high-frequency electrode 378 to the second fluid airway 380 inside the electrical connection pipe 366 through the fluid discharge groove 392 and the second duct 388b. Also, the edge 384a of the detachable-side holding member 354 discharges a fluid arising from the body tissue L2 in contact with the second high-frequency electrode 390 to the first fluid airway 376 between the cylinder body 362 and the frame 364. Therefore, the edge 362a of the main body-side holding member 352 and the edge 384a of the detachable-side holding member 354 each serve the role as a barrier portion (dam) to prevent a fluid arising from the body tissues L1, L2 from leaking to the outside of the main body-side holding member 352 and the detachable-side holding member 354.
Then, while the main body-side holding member 352 and the detachable-side holding member 354 are closed, a fluid arising from the body tissue L1 flows into the first fluid airway 376 and a fluid arising from the body tissue L2 flows into the second fluid airway 380 by the edge 362a of the main body-side holding member 352 and the edge 384a of the detachable-side holding member 354 being kept in contact. Thus, a fluid arising from the body tissues L1, L2 is passed from the first and second fluid airways 376, 380 to the side of the handle 322 before being discharged to the outside of the energy treatment device 12d.
After the body tissues L1, L2 being joined, an adhesive is allowed to flow through a fluid reservoir 122, the hose 18a, the second fluid duct 374, the first duct 388a, and the branch duct 386b. Then, the adhesive is infiltrated to the joint surfaces of the joined portion C from the opening 391a of the projection 391 and cured. That is, an adhesive containing a conjugation adjunct is applied to the joint surfaces of the joined portion C of the treated body tissues L1, L2 and the joined portion C of the body tissue LT is coated with the adhesive.
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the following effect is achieved.
Close contact of contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 can be made more reliable by treating the body tissues L1, L2 for conjugation while an impedance Z of the body tissues L1, L2 is measured. After the body tissues L1, L2 are treated for conjugation, fluid can be prevented from invading into a joined portion C of a body tissue LT treated for conjugation by coating the outer circumference of the body tissue LT treated for conjugation with an adhesive or the like. Therefore, a state in which the contact surfaces C1, C2 of the body tissues L1, L2 are closely in contact (state in which the body tissue LT is joined) can be sustained for a long time.
The present embodiment is described by assuming a case when the recess 379 of the first high-frequency electrode 378 and the projection 391 of the second high-frequency electrode 390, but similar treatment can be provided by disposing the mesh (see
The present embodiment is described by assuming a case of using the high-frequency electrodes 378, 390, but it is also preferable to use other types of energy such as heaters and laser light. In this case, the non-porous conjugation assistance member 262 (not shown) can be used. When the non-porous conjugation assistance member 262 is used, it is also preferable to the non-porous conjugation assistance member 262 by forming a hole using the projection 391.
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.
This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2010/050841, filed Jan. 22, 2010, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in Japanese.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2010/050841 | Jan 2010 | US |
| Child | 13543963 | US |
