SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

Abstract

A safe surgical instrument that allows a surgeon to move a head section by simple manual operation, and having a reduced number of components, comprises a distal tool head and first and second proximal operation sections. The tool head comprises a movable section and a base section. A first connection structure includes a first conversion mechanism, a first shaft, a universal joint provided at the distal and of the first shaft, a second conversion mechanism, and a crank at the distal end of the second conversion mechanism and connected with the proximal end of the movable section. A second connection structure includes a cylindrical shaft having a pinion at its distal section, and an approximately semicircular rack that meshes with the pinion. The intersection of the axes of the pivots of the universal joint is on the axis of rotation of the rack.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a surgical instrument used for minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surgical instruments used for minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic surgery require a high degree of freedom in the head section attached to the distal end of the surgical instrument. Since it is necessary for a surgeon operating a surgery of a patient (surgical subject) to grip the surgical instrument that is partially inserted into the body while manipulating the head portion, such a surgical instrument must be the one capable of being easily manipulated by the surgeon's hand while achieving fine head movements.

To achieve fine head movements, the surgical instrument is required to reliably transmit, by a simple hand manipulation, the movement from the manipulating side (proximal side near the surgeon) to the side where the head portion is positioned (distal side apart from the surgeon).

A prior art document was published as WO 2016/162883.

The invention described in WO 2016/162883 relates to a surgical instrument used in laparoscopic surgery or the like. The surgical instrument is roughly configured, in the order from the distal end, of tool heads 1 and 2, a central system 3, a main body portion 5, and a proximal handle 4.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the surgical instrument described in WO 2016/162883, the tool head at the distal end can move freely in lateral direction by a hand manipulation of a surgeon, and the body tissue can be dissected if, for example, the tool head has a function of scissors.

In the surgical instrument described in WO 2016/162883, the function to convert the surgeon's hand manipulation into a movement of a tool head primarily relies on the central system 3. To assemble the central system 3, numerous components are required, including a third outer shaft 3a, a second intermediate shaft 3b, a center rod 3c, a universal joint 3d, a rigid slider 3e, a cylinder 3f, a rear rotating collar 3g, rigid links 3h and 3i, a front cover 2a, a rigid tubular rod 2b, a front rotating collar 2c, and so on.

Since a surgical instrument is used in an area very close to the surgical field inside the patient's body, and is used for surgery that must be performed within a limited time, such a surgical instrument should never cause any failure during surgery, and thus is required to be robust. If any component of the surgical instrument falls into the surgical field, the component must be positioned and removed, which can be a major problem. There is thus a contradiction between the ability to move the tool head freely at the distal end and the safety assurance required for such a surgical instrument.

The present invention is made in consideration of the above contradiction, and the object is to provide a surgical instrument used for minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic surgery, in which the head can be moved freely by a simple hand manipulation by a surgeon, and in which the number of components is reduced to ensure a high degree of safety.

To solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is a surgical instrument comprising at a distal portion, a tool head having longitudinal and lateral degrees of freedom, and at a proximal portion, a first manipulator to control the longitudinal degrees of freedom and a second manipulator to control the lateral degrees of freedom. The tool head includes a movable portion having longitudinal degrees of freedom, and a base portion that defines a lateral orientation of the tool head. The movable portion and the first manipulator are connected by a first connecting structure. The base portion and the second manipulator are connected by a second connecting structure. The first connecting structure includes a first conversion mechanism that converts linear motion from the first manipulator to rotational motion, a first shaft that is to be rotated by the first conversion mechanism, a universal joint provided at a distal end portion of the first shaft, a second conversion mechanism connected to the universal joint to convert rotational motion into linear motion, and a crank provided at a distal end portion of the second connecting structure and connected to a proximal end portion of the movable portion. The second conversion mechanism, which transmits rotational motion of the second manipulator, is provided with a tubular shaft in which the first shaft is coaxially encompassed. A pinion is formed at the distal portion, and a rack base portion is linked to the base portion where a rack to be meshed with the pinion being formed thereon in an approximate semi-circular shape. An intersection of shaft centers of two pivot shafts of the universal joint is positioned on an axial center of a rotational axis of the rack.

The surgical instrument has two manipulators, the first manipulator and the second manipulator, which are the manipulators to be manipulated by a surgeon. The first manipulator is for moving the movable portion in a longitudinal direction, and the second manipulator is for moving the base portion in a lateral direction.

There is provided the first connecting structure for connecting the first manipulator and the tool head and the second connecting structure for connecting the second manipulator and the tool head. The first connecting structure includes: the first conversion mechanism that converts linear motion from the first manipulator to rotational motion; the first shaft that is to be rotated by the first conversion mechanism, the universal joint provided at the distal end portion of the first shaft; the second conversion mechanism connected to the universal joint to convert rotational motion into linear motion; and the crank provided at the distal end portion of the second conversion mechanism and connected to the proximal end portion of the movable portion. This first connecting structure transmits the manipulation from the first manipulator to the tool head.

The second connecting structure is configured to transmit rotational motion from the second manipulator, the second connecting structure including: a tubular shaft coaxially encompassing the first shaft and having a pinion formed at the distal portion, and a rack base portion where a rack to be meshed with the pinion is formed thereon in an approximate semi-circular shape. This second connecting structure transmits the manipulation from the second manipulator to the tool head.

In the present invention, since the intersection of shaft centers of two pivot shafts of the universal joint is positioned on an axial center of rotational axis of the rack, even when the orientation of the base portion linked to the rack base portion is changed laterally to a certain angle by the manipulation from the second manipulator, the movable portion also moves laterally in the same angle, and further, the movable portion can be oriented in a longitudinal direction by the manipulation from the first manipulator. With this structure, it is possible to provide a surgical instrument in which the tool head can be freely moved by a simple hand manipulation, and in which the number of components is reduced to ensure high safety.

A second aspect of the present invention is the surgical instrument of the present invention, characterized in that: the first conversion mechanism includes a first tubular body in which the first shaft penetrates therethrough; a first helical groove is formed on a side wall of the first tubular body; a first slide element that is to be guided by the first helical groove to slide is formed on the first shaft; on the outer surface of the first tubular body, a first tubular body engaging portion that engages with the first manipulator to transmit linear motion from the first manipulator to the first tubular body is formed; and when the first manipulator is moved, the first tubular body moves linearly, and the first slide element is guided by the first helical groove, which allows the first shaft to rotate.

Since the linear motion of the first manipulator is converted to the rotary motion of the first shaft by a combination of the first tubular body on which the first helical groove is formed and the first shaft having the first slide element, the first shaft can be rotated by the motion from the first manipulator with the simple structure.

A third aspect of the present invention is the surgical instrument according to either of the first and second aspects, characterized in that: the second conversion mechanism includes a second tubular body that is rotated in connection with the universal joint; on the side surface of the second tubular body, a second helical groove is formed and a second shaft connected to the proximal end of the crank is provided; a second slide element to be guided to slide by the second helical groove is formed on the second shaft; and when the second tubular body is rotated, the second slide element is guided by the second helical groove, which allows the second shaft to perform liner motion.

In the third aspect of the present invention, since the combination of the second tubular body on which the second helical groove is formed and the second shaft having the second slide element enables to convert the rotary motion of the first shaft into the linear motion of the second shaft, with the simple structure, the second shaft can be linearly moved by the movement of the first manipulator, the movement of which is transmitted to the crankshaft so as to allow the movable portion to move.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the surgical instrument according to any of the first, second and third aspects, comprising a function of forceps to grip a living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

The surgical instrument according to any one of the first, second and third aspects is applicable to surgical instruments imparted with various functions. The fourth aspect of the invention is one of such instruments. The tool head is imparted with the function of a so-called bioptome. By simply forming the shape of the movable portion and the shape of the base portion of the tool head so as to be suitable for gripping a part of the body tissue, it is possible to impart a safe and flexible bioptome function.

A fifth aspect of the invention is the surgical instrument according to any of the first, second and third aspects, provided with a function of scissors for cutting living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

The fifth aspect of the invention is a surgical instrument in which the tool head is imparted with a so-called function of scissors. By simply forming the shape of the movable portion and the shape of the base portion of the tool head so as to be suitable for cutting parts of the body tissue, it is possible to impart a safe and flexible function of scissors.

A sixth aspect of the invention is the surgical instrument according to any of the first, second and third aspects, provided with an endoscopic function, wherein a camera is mounted on the movable portion of the tool head for internally inspecting the body.

With a camera being mounted at the movable portion of the tool head, the surgical instrument of the sixth aspect can play a role of an endoscope that can be freely oriented in both lateral and longitudinal directions.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a surgical instrument used for minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic surgery, in which the head can be freely moved by a simple hand manipulation by a surgeon, and in which the number of components is reduced to ensure high safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating the entirety of a surgical instrument having a function of bioptome according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram illustrating a part inside the surgical instrument of The first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating an enlarged view of the area near the first conversion mechanism portion the surgical instrument of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating the second conversion mechanism portion and its peripheral portion of the surgical instrument of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating the second conversion mechanism portion and its peripheral portion of the surgical instrument of the first embodiment, in a state where an outer tube is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating the second conversion mechanism portion and its peripheral portion of the surgical instrument of the first embodiment, in a state when the second shaft is placed to the left side.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the second conversion mechanism portion and its peripheral portion, and the movement of the movable portion.

FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating the second connecting structure and its peripheral portion of the surgical instrument of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective diagram illustrating the pinion and rack portion of the second connecting structure and its peripheral portion of the surgical instrument of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating the tool head portion and its peripheral portion of the surgical instrument of the first embodiment of the present invention, provided with a function of bioptome.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described by referring to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are illustrative examples that are preferred in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, its applications, or uses.

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of the surgical instrument 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention provided with a function of bioptome, there illustrated a first manipulator 10 and a second manipulator 20, a tool head 30 and a cover 90 that encompasses a member for linking both manipulators 10 and 20 to the tool head 30. Holes 91 drilled in the cover 90 are provided for facilitating post-operative cleaning.

The first manipulator 10 is formed in a handle type, composed of a manipulation movable portion 11, a plate spring 12, and a manipulation fixing portion 13, but the form of the first manipulator 10 is not limited to this type. A first conversion mechanism 40A is shown above the first manipulator 10. The first conversion mechanism 40A is configured such that a first shaft 41 is rotated by the movement of a first tubular body 42, which is linked to the movement of the first manipulator 10 via a first tubular body engaging portion 44. A first helical groove 43 plays a role to convert this linear motion into rotary motion, which mechanism will be explained in detail in the description of FIG. 3. The tool head 30 is provided with a base portion 32 of the tool head 30 to be oriented in the lateral direction with respect to the axial direction of the cover 90, and a movable portion 31 of the tool head 30 to be oriented in the longitudinal direction with respect to the axial direction of the cover 90.

FIG. 2 shows the surgical instrument 1 of FIG. 1 in a state where the cover 90 is removed. A first connected structure 50A illustrated in FIG. 2 is a connected structure that connects the first manipulator 10 and the movable portion 31 of the tool head 30. A second connected structure 50B is a connected structure that connects the second manipulator 20 and the base portion 32 of the tool head 30. A tubular shaft 51 is configured to transmit the rotation of the second manipulator 20 directly as rotary motion to a pinion 52 at the distal end. The pinion 52 meshes with a rack 54 arranged on a rack base portion 53 so as to allow the rack base portion 53 to rotate. The rack base portion 53 is directly connected to the base portion 32 of the tool head 30, thereby the base portion 32 is commensurately rotated. The tubular shaft 51 is provided with multiple longitudinal grooves 55, which are designed to facilitate the cleaning of the instrument after surgery. A second manipulator-rotation stopper 21 shown in the drawing is a member for preventing the second manipulator 20 from rotating inadvertently, after the completion of intended manipulation performed by rotating the second manipulator 20.

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating the enlarged view of a portion of the first conversion mechanism 40A of the medical instrument of Embodiment 1. An engaging recess 14 formed in the upper part of the manipulation movable portion 11 and a first tubular body engaging portion 44 attached on the outer surface of the first tubular body 42 are engaged with each other, thereby the movement of the first manipulator 10 is transmitted to the first tubular body 42, which allows the first tubular body 42 to move forward and backward. Along with the above-mentioned movements, a first slide element 45 formed on the first shaft 41 is moved along the first helical groove 43, which allows the first shaft 41 to rotate.

The movement of the second conversion mechanism 40B will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4-6. A universal joint 60 is attached at the distal end of the first shaft 41. The universal joint 60 is provided with a first bifurcated piece 61, an intermediate body 63, a first pivot shaft 62 and a second pivot shaft 64. A second tubular body 65 at the distal end side is encompassed in an outer tube 70 (see FIG. 5), and the outer tube 70 is provided with a second bifurcated piece 71 (see FIG. 5) to be linked to the second pivot shaft 64. Protrusions 68 are for connecting the second tubular body 65 and the outer tube 70, but since FIG. 4. illustrates the state where the outer tube 70 is removed, the first shaft 41 and the tool head 30 are not yet connected. There are two protrusions 68 on top and bottom, but the protrusions may be formed of a single bar body.

A second helical groove 66 is cut in the second tubular body 65, and a second slide element 69 attached to the second shaft 67 that is connected to a proximal end 80a of a crank 80 is guided along the second helical groove 66 to move forward and backward in association with the rotation of the second tubular body 65. The forward and backward movements are transmitted to the crank 80, which cause a change in longitudinal orientation of the movable portion 31 of the crank 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates a state where the outer tube 70 is mounted, with the second bifurcated piece 71 being connected to the second pivot shaft 64. FIG. 5 shows a state where the movable portion 31 is opened, in a state where the second slide element 69 is moved to the most proximal side (right side in the drawing). In contrast, FIG. 6 shows a state where the movable portion 31 is closed, in a state where the second slide element 69 is moved to the most distal side (left side in the drawing). This state is the same as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the movement of the crank 80. FIG. 7 (A) shows a state where the second slide element 69 is moved to the most proximal side. An L-shaped body 82 is composed of an L-shaped body first portion 82a and an L-shaped body second portion 82b, and the L-shaped body first portion 82a corresponds to the movable portion 31 of the tool head 30. The second shaft 67 is connected to the proximal end portion of the L-shaped second portion 82b by an arm 81, and the second shaft and arm 81 are connected pivotably about a first axis 83. The arm 81 and the L-shaped second portion 82b are connected pivotably about a second axis 84. A third shaft 85 is provided for allowing the L-shaped body 82 to pivot thereabout as a pivot shaft.

FIG. 7 (B) shows that the second slide element 69 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 7A to a position at the most distal end side by the rotation of the first shaft 41. When comparing FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B), the second slide element 69 moves from the dotted position P to the dotted position P by the distance indicated with an arrow, and by the same distance of which, the second shaft 67 axially displaced. The second shaft 67 is moved to the distal side and the arm 81 is vertically oriented, and the L-shaped body 82 (the movable portion 31 of the tool head 30) is displaced so as to allow the L-shaped body first portion 82a to be horizontal oriented. A position P of the third axis 85 is configured to be fixed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the present surgical instrument 1 in a state where the first conversion structure 50A and the second conversion structure 50B are combined. When the second manipulator 20 is rotated by hand, the pinion 52 mounted on the distal end of the tubular shaft 51 is rotated while being meshed with the rack 54 formed in an approximate semi-circular shape on the rack base portion 53 so that the rack base portion 53 is rotated, and since the rack base portion 53 and the base portion 32 of the tool head 30 are connected, the orientation of the base portion 32 is changed.

This manipulation causes the universal joint 60 to change the orientation of the movable portion 31 about the first pivot shaft 62 by the same angle as that of the base portion 32. The above is enabled by the configuration such that the intersection of the shaft centers of the first pivot shaft 62 and the second pivot shaft 64 are positioned on the axial center of the rotational axis of the rack base portion 53. With the above configuration, in commensuration with the movement of the base portion 32, which is rotated by the same angle as the rotation of the rack base portion 53, the movable portion 31 is rotated by the same angle, thereby the first conversion mechanism 40A allows the movable portion 31 to move longitudinally.

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram illustrating the second connecting structure 50B when viewed from the proximal side.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating the distal end portion of the surgical instrument 1 provided with a function of forceps to grip the biological tissue. The movable portion 31 is an upper gripping portion 31a and the base portion 32 is a lower gripping portion 32a. By variously modifying the form of the distal end portion as mentioned above, it is possible to provide a surgical instrument with a function of scissors, or a surgical instrument with a function of endoscope, equipped with a camera for internally inspecting the body.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As explained above, the surgical instrument of the present invention is the one used for minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic surgery, in which the head can be freely moved by a simple hand manipulation by a surgeon, and in which the number of components is reduced to ensure high safety.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 1: surgical instrument
  • 10: first manipulator
  • 11: manipulation movable portion
  • 12: plate spring
  • 13: manipulation fixing portion
  • 14: engaging recess
  • 20: second manipulator
  • 21: second manipulator-rotation stopper
  • 30: tool head
  • 31: movable portion
  • 31 a: upper gripping portion
  • 32: base portion
  • 32 a: lower gripping portion
  • 40A: first conversion mechanism
  • 40B: second conversion mechanism
  • 41: first shaft
  • 42: first tubular body
  • 43: first helical groove
  • 44: first tubular body engaging portion
  • 45: first slide element
  • 50A: first conversion structure
  • 50B: second conversion structure
  • 51: tubular shaft
  • 52: pinion
  • 53: rack base portion
  • 54: rack
  • 55: longitudinal groove
  • 60: universal joint
  • 61: first bifurcated piece
  • 62: first pivot shaft
  • 63: intermediate body
  • 64: second pivot shaft
  • 65: second tubular body
  • 66: second helical groove
  • 67: second shaft
  • 68: protrusion
  • 69: second slide element
  • 70: outer tube
  • 71: second bifurcated piece
  • 80: crank
  • 80 a: proximal end
  • 81: arm
  • 82: L-shaped body
  • 82 a: L-shaped body first portion
  • 82 b: L-shaped body second portion
  • 83: first axis
  • 84: second axis
  • 85: third axis
  • 90: cover
  • 91: hole

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising, at a distal portion, a tool head having longitudinal and lateral degrees of freedom, and at a proximal portion, a first manipulator to control the longitudinal degrees of freedom and a second manipulator to control the lateral degrees of freedom, wherein: the tool head includes a movable portion having longitudinal degrees of freedom and a base portion that defines a lateral orientation of the tool heady;the movable portion and the first manipulator are connected by a first connecting structure;the base portion and the second manipulator are connected by a second connecting structure;the first connecting structure includes a first conversion mechanism that converts linear motion from the first manipulator to rotational motion, a first shaft that is to be rotated by the first conversion mechanism, a universal joint provided at a distal end portion of the first shaft, a second conversion mechanism that is connected to the universal joint to convert rotational motion into linear motion, and a crank provided at a distal end portion of the second conversion mechanism and connected to a proximal end portion of the movable portion;the second connecting structure is configured to transmit rotational notion of the second manipulator, and provided with a tubular shaft in which the first shaft is coaxially encompassed and a pinion is formed at a distal portion, and a rack base portion being linked to the base portion, on which a rack to be meshed with the pinion is formed in an approximate semi-circular shape; andan intersection of shaft centers of two pivot shafts of the universal joint is positioned on an axial center of rotational axis of the rack.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first conversion mechanism includes a first tubular body through which the first shaft penetrates, a first helical groove is formed on a side wall of the first tubular body, a first slide element that is guided by the first helical groove to slide is formed on the first shaft, a first tubular body engaging portion that engages with the first manipulator and transmits linear motion from the first manipulator to the first tubular body is formed on the outer surface of the first tubular body, and, when the first manipulator is moved, the first tubular body is moved linearly, and the first slide element is guided by the first helical groove to allow the first shaft to rotate.

3-6. (canceled)

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein: the second conversion mechanism includes a second tubular body that is rotated in connection with the universal joint; a second helical groove is formed on the side surface of the second tubular body;a second shaft connected to the proximal end of the crank is provided;a second slide element to be guided by the second helical groove to slide is formed on the second shaft; andwhen the second tubular body is rotated, the second slide element is guided by the second helical groove to allow the second shaft to perform a linear motion.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein: the second conversion mechanism includes a second tubular body that is rotated in connection with the universal joint;a second helical groove is formed on the side surface of the second tubular body; a second shaft connected to the proximal end of the crank is provided;a second slide element to be guided by the second helical groove to slide is formed on the second shaft; andwhen the second tubular body is rotated, the second slide element is guided by the second helical groove to allow the second shaft to perform a linear motion.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, provided with a function of forceps to grip a living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

10. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, provided with a function of forceps to grip a living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

11. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, provided with a function of forceps to grip a living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

12. The surgical instrument according to claim 8, provided with a function of forceps to grip a living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

13. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, provided with a function of scissors for cutting living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

14. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, provided with a function of scissors for cutting living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

15. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, provided with a function of scissors for cutting living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

16. The surgical instrument according to claim 8, provided with a function of scissors for cutting living tissue, by means of the movable portion and the base portion of the tool head.

17. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, provided with an endoscopic function, with a camera being mounted on the movable portion of the tool head for internally inspecting the body.

18. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, provided with an endoscopic function, with a camera being mounted on the movable portion of the tool head for internally inspecting the body.

19. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, provided with an endoscopic function, with a camera being mounted on the movable portion of the tool head for internally inspecting the body.

20. The surgical instrument according to claim 8, provided with an endoscopic function, with a camera being mounted on the movable portion of the tool head for internally inspecting the body.