The present invention relates to medical treatment tools.
A known treatment tool includes a treatment section supported, by the distal end of a flexible tubular sheath having a longitudinal axis, in a rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).
In this treatment tool, the distal end of an operating wire extending through the sheath is connected to the treatment section, having a pair of surgical segments, and the proximal end of the operating wire is connected to an operating section. By operating the operating section to supply a traction force to the operating wire, the pair of surgical segments are opened and closed. By operating the operating section to supply a rotational amount to the operating wire, the treatment section is rotated around the longitudinal axis relative to the sheath.
The Publication of Japanese Patent No. 6130134
An aspect of the present invention is directed to a medical treatment tool including a tubular sheath having a longitudinal axis, a treatment section supported by a distal end of the sheath in a rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis, an operating section connected to a proximal end of the sheath, and a transmission mechanism that transmits an operational amount applied to the operating section so as to rotate the treatment section around the longitudinal axis. The transmission mechanism includes two transmitting sections that transmit different rotational amounts to the treatment section in accordance with two different kinds of operations performed on the operating section. At least one of the transmitting sections converts an operational amount applied to the operating section along a direction of the longitudinal axis into a rotational amount around the longitudinal axis between the operating section and the treatment section and transmits the rotational amount to the treatment section.
A medical treatment tool 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in
The coil sheath 2 is tubular and has flexibility such that the coil sheath 2 flexibly bends in the bending direction.
The grasping section 3 includes a rotating base 6 disposed in a slidable manner around the longitudinal axis relative to a distal-end surface of the coil sheath 2, and also includes two grasping segments 7 supported by the rotating base 6 in a swivelable manner around an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The proximal ends of the grasping segments 7 are connected to a wire 8 that transmits a traction force applied to the proximal end of the coil sheath 2. The two grasping segments 7 are swiveled by the traction force from the wire 8, so that a surgical target can be grasped between the grasping segments 7.
In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 5 is constituted of a twisted wire (transmitting section) 9 having torque transmissibility. The twisted wire 9 extends through the coil sheath 2 in the longitudinal direction, has a distal end thereof fixed to the rotating base 6, and has a proximal end thereof connected to the operating section 4.
When the twisted wire 9 receives a rotational torque acting around the longitudinal axis from the operating section 4 connected to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9, the twisted wire 9 transmits the rotational torque to the distal end thereof to rotate the rotating base 6 around the longitudinal axis.
On the other hand, when the twisted wire 9 receives a traction force acting along the longitudinal axis from the operating section 4 connected to the proximal end, the twisted wire 9 becomes untwisted by the traction force, thus causing the distal end thereof to be rotated in the untwisting direction. Specifically, the twisted wire 9 functions as two transmitting sections that transmit different rotational amounts (rotational angles) to the grasping section 3 in accordance with two kinds of operational amounts applied to the proximal end by the operating section 4.
The operating section 4 includes an operating body 10 fixed to the proximal end of the coil sheath 2, a first dial (second input section) 11 supported in a rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body 10, and a second dial (first input section) 12. A slider 13 is attached to the operating body 10 in a movable manner along the longitudinal axis. The slider 13 is connected to the proximal end of the wire 8 connected to the grasping section 3.
As shown in
The first dial 11 includes a cross-sectionally square-shaped inner member 11b fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the twisted wire 9 extending through the center hole 11a, and also includes an outer member 11d having a fitting hole 11c with a size slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner member 11b. It is preferable that there is a slight gap between the outer surface of the inner member 11b and the inner surface of the outer member 11d when the inner member 11b is fitted to the fitting hole 11c of the outer member 11d. Accordingly, the first dial 11 moves along the longitudinal axis without interfering with the twisted wire 9 and moves around the longitudinal axis in synchronization therewith.
Furthermore, the first dial 11 is provided with a ratchet mechanism 14 for preventing the first dial 11 from rotating around the longitudinal axis when the first dial 11 is not receiving a predetermined rotational amount or more. For example, as shown in
The proximal end of the first dial 11 is provided with a male thread 18 extending along the longitudinal axis, and the second dial 12 is provided with a female thread 19 engaged with the male thread 18 of the first dial 11. Accordingly, when the second dial 12 is rotated around the longitudinal axis in a state where the first dial 11 is stationary, the second dial 12 moves along the longitudinal axis while rotating around the longitudinal axis relative to the first dial 11.
A flanged engagement segment 20 extending radially outward is fixed to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9. The engagement segment 20 is in contact with the proximal end surface of the second dial 12 in a slidable manner. Accordingly, when the second dial 12 is rotated around the longitudinal axis relative to the first dial 11, the second dial 12 moves along the longitudinal axis toward, for example, the proximal end. As a result, the engagement segment 20 in contact with the proximal end surface of the second dial 12 is pressed toward the proximal end, so that a traction force acting toward the proximal end is input to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9 fixed to the engagement segment 20.
Specifically, when the first dial 11 is rotated around the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body 10, the rotational amount is directly input to the twisted wire 9 fixed to the first dial 11, so that the rotational amount around the longitudinal axis is input to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9. On the other hand, when the second dial 12 is rotated around the longitudinal axis relative to the first dial 11, the engagement between the male thread 18 and the female thread 19 causes the rotational amount to be converted into an operational amount that causes the second dial 12 to move along the longitudinal axis. As a result, a traction force acting along the longitudinal axis is input to the twisted wire 9 via the engagement segment 20 pressed by the second dial 12.
In a case where the grasping section 3 is rotated around the longitudinal axis utilizing the twist of the twisted wire 9 by inputting a traction force to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9, a small rotational amount acts on the grasping section 3, as compared with a case where the grasping section 3 fixed to the distal end of the twisted wire 9 is rotated around the longitudinal axis by inputting a rotational amount to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9. Therefore, when the first dial 11 is rotated around the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body 10, the grasping section 3 undergoes relatively large coarse movement. In contrast, when the second dial 12 is rotated around the longitudinal axis relative to the first dial 11, the grasping section 3 undergoes relatively small fine movement.
Specifically, the transmission mechanism 5 includes two transmitting sections that transmit different rotational amounts to the grasping section 3 in accordance with two different kinds of operations performed on the operating section 4.
Accordingly, the medical treatment tool 1 according to this embodiment uses a combination of rough positioning of the grasping section 3 around the longitudinal axis by operating the first dial 11 and fine positioning of the grasping section 3 around the longitudinal axis by operating the second dial 12, so that the grasping section 3 disposed at the distal end of the flexible coil sheath 2 can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the coil sheath 2.
Tension is transmitted more reliably by the twisted wire 9 even when the flexible coil sheath 2 is bent, so that fine movement of the grasping section 3 can be performed more reliably. Specifically, this is advantageous in that, by combining the relatively large coarse movement in which the rotational amount is directly transmitted and the relatively small fine movement in which the transmitted tension (operational amount) is converted into a rotational amount, the grasping section 3 can be rotated smoothly, regardless of the bending of the coil sheath 2.
As an alternative to this embodiment in which the inner member 11b used is a cross-sectionally square-shaped member as a structure where the first dial 11 moves along the longitudinal axis without interfering with the twisted wire 9 and moves around the longitudinal axis in synchronization therewith, a cross-sectionally polygonal member, a cross-sectionally circular member having a cutout, or a cross-sectionally circular member having a protrusion may be used.
Furthermore, as an alternative to this embodiment in which different rotational amounts are transmitted to the grasping section 3 in accordance with two different kinds of operations involving rotating the two dials 11 and 12 provided in the operating section 4 around the longitudinal axis, the grasping section 3 may be rotated around the longitudinal axis by moving two handles 21 and 22 along the longitudinal axis, as shown in
Specifically, in the example shown in
On the other hand, the second handle (second input section) 22 is fixed to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9. By moving the second handle 22 along the longitudinal axis, a traction force can be applied to the twisted wire 9. With a rotational amount occurring in a direction that causes the twisted wire 9 to become untwisted due to the traction force transmitted through the twisted wire 9, the grasping section 3 can be rotated (finely moved) around the longitudinal axis by a relatively small rotational angle.
Specifically, the conversion efficiency varies between the conversion cam 24 that converts an operational amount applied to the tube 23 along the longitudinal axis into a rotational amount and the twisted wire 9 that converts a traction force applied to the proximal end thereof into a rotational amount at the distal end thereof, so that relatively large coarse movement can be realized by the conversion cam 24 and relatively small fine movement can be realized by the twisted wire 9.
For example, as shown in
Furthermore, as an alternative to the above-described case where the grasping section 3 is coarsely moved in accordance with an operational amount transmitted by the tube 23 along the longitudinal axis and the grasping section 3 is finely moved by a traction force transmitted by the twisted wire 9, the grasping section 3 may be coarsely moved by the conversion cam 24 in accordance with an operational amount applied to the twisted wire 9 along the longitudinal axis by a single handle (input section) 27 fixed to the proximal end of the twisted wire 9, and the grasping section 3 may be finely moved in accordance with a traction force applied to the twisted wire 9 by the handle 27, as shown in
Furthermore, as an alternative to the twisted wire 9 that receives a rotational amount and a traction force from the two dials 11 and 12, a tube (transmitting section) 28 capable of transmitting a rotational amount and a traction force to an intermediate position in the direction of the longitudinal axis may be used, and the twisted wire 9 may be disposed between the tube 28 and the grasping section 3, as shown in
In this case, as shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
In this case, as shown in
As an alternative to
Furthermore, as an alternative to
Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that a lock mechanism 33 capable of locking the dial 32 at each position in the direction of the longitudinal axis be provided, as shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
In this case, as shown in
Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in
Furthermore, as an alternative to the above embodiment in which the grasping section 3 is provided at the distal end, the above embodiment may be applied to a medical treatment tool 1 equipped with another freely-chosen treatment section.
As a result, the above-described embodiment leads to the following aspect.
An aspect of the present invention is directed to a medical treatment tool including a tubular sheath having a longitudinal axis, a treatment section supported by a distal end of the sheath in a rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis, an operating section connected to a proximal end of the sheath, and a transmission mechanism that transmits an operational amount applied to the operating section so as to rotate the treatment section around the longitudinal axis. The transmission mechanism includes two transmitting sections that transmit different rotational amounts to the treatment section in accordance with two different kinds of operations performed on the operating section. At least one of the transmitting sections converts an operational amount applied to the operating section along a direction of the longitudinal axis into a rotational amount around the longitudinal axis between the operating section and the treatment section and transmits the rotational amount to the treatment section.
According to this aspect, when the operating section is operated at the proximal end of the sheath, the operational amount applied to the operating section is transmitted by the transmission mechanism, so that the treatment section is rotated around the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the sheath. In this case, different rotational amounts are transmitted to the treatment section via the two transmitting sections in accordance with the two different kinds of operations performed on the operating section. Accordingly, by switching the operation performed on the operating section, it is possible to switch between coarse movement in which the treatment section is rotated by a large amount by receiving a large rotational amount and fine movement in which the treatment section is rotated by receiving a small rotational amount.
Furthermore, since at least one of the transmitting sections converts an operational amount in the direction of the longitudinal axis into a rotational amount around the longitudinal axis while transmitting the operational amount, a force transmitted effectively to near the treatment section by means of the operational amount in the direction of the longitudinal axis is converted into a rotational amount even in a condition where a rotational amount is less likely to be transmitted due to bending of the sheath, whereby the treatment section disposed at the distal end of the flexible sheath can be rotated smoothly around the longitudinal axis of the sheath.
In the above aspect, an other transmitting section may transmit a rotational amount applied to the operating section directly to the treatment section.
According to this configuration, coarse movement in which the treatment section is rotated by a large amount around the longitudinal axis can be performed in accordance with the rotational amount applied to the operating section, and fine movement in which the treatment section is rotated by a small amount around the longitudinal axis can be performed in accordance with the operational amount applied to the operating section along the longitudinal axis.
Furthermore, in the above aspect, the operating section may include an operating body fixed to the proximal end of the sheath, a first input section supported in a movable manner along the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body, and a second input section supported in a rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body. The first input section may be connected to the at least one transmitting section, and the second input section may be connected to the other transmitting section.
According to this configuration, the first input section is moved along the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body. Thus, the operational amount in the direction of the longitudinal axis is transmitted via one of the transmitting sections and is converted into a rotational amount around the longitudinal axis while being transmitted, so that the treatment section can be rotated around the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, by rotating the second input section around the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body, the rotational amount is transmitted directly to the treatment section via the other transmitting section, so that the treatment section can be rotated around the longitudinal axis.
Furthermore, in the above aspect, the two transmitting sections may convert two kinds of operational amounts applied to the operating section along the direction of the longitudinal axis into rotational amounts around the longitudinal axis at different conversion efficiencies between the operating section and the treatment section and may transmit the rotational amounts to the treatment section.
According to this configuration, the two kinds of operational amounts applied to the operating section along the longitudinal axis are converted into rotational amounts around the longitudinal axis at different conversion efficiencies by the two transmitting sections. The treatment section is coarsely moved by the transmitting section with the higher conversion efficiency, whereas the treatment section is finely moved by the transmitting section with the lower conversion efficiency.
Furthermore, in the above aspect, the operating section may include an operating body fixed to the proximal end of the sheath and an input section supported in a movable manner along the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body. The transmission mechanism may vary the conversion efficiency in accordance with a position of the input section along the direction of the longitudinal axis.
According to this configuration, different rotational amounts can be transmitted to the treatment section by the two transmitting sections having different conversion efficiencies in accordance with the position of the single input section along the longitudinal axis.
Furthermore, in the above aspect, the operating section may convert a rotational amount around the longitudinal axis into an operational amount along the direction of the longitudinal axis.
According to this configuration, when a rotational amount around the longitudinal axis is applied to the operating section, the rotational amount is converted into an operational amount in the direction of the longitudinal axis by the operating section, and the operational amount is transmitted to the treatment section by the transmission mechanism.
Furthermore, in the above aspect, the operating section may include an operating body fixed to the proximal end of the sheath and a single input section supported in a rotatable manner around the longitudinal axis relative to the operating body. The medical treatment tool may further include a switching section that selectively switches an input of a rotational amount to the input section to an input to either one of the two transmitting sections.
According to this configuration, of the two transmitting sections, only one of the transmitting sections switched by the switching section can receive the rotational amount applied to the input section, so that coarse movement and fine movement can reliably be performed independently of each other.
Furthermore, in the above aspect, the other transmitting section may include the sheath.
According to this configuration, the sheath can function as the other transmitting section, thereby achieving a reduced number of components, a simplified structure, and a reduced diameter.
Furthermore, in the above aspect, the switching section may include a lock mechanism that selectively prevents two input sections from rotating relative to the operating body.
According to this configuration, the lock mechanism is activated so that either one of the input sections is selectively prevented from rotating. By inputting a rotational amount to the non-locked input section, coarse movement or fine movement can be independently performed.
The present invention is advantageous in that it can rotate a treatment section disposed at the distal end of a flexible sheath smoothly around a longitudinal axis of the sheath.
This is a continuation of International Application PCT/JP2018/023006, with an international filing date of Jun. 15, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/JP2018/023006 | Jun 2018 | US |
Child | 17119549 | US |