Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6761698
-
Patent Number
6,761,698
-
Date Filed
Friday, July 27, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 13, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 600 407
- 600 437
- 600 439
- 601 2
- 601 3
- 601 4
- 604 22
- 606 169
- 433 98
- 433 99
- 433 101
- 433 114
- 433 118
- 433 119
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An ultrasonic operation system includes: a transmission cable that is connected detachably, through a connector, to a connector receptacle in a main apparatus unit; plural types of transducers provided with a connector receptacle each capable of detachably connecting the connector of the transmission cable, an identification element for outputting its own identification signal, and a ultrasonic vibrator, correspondingly; and a main apparatus unit for receiving the identification signals in an identification circuit, automatically controlling drive signals that a control circuit causes a drive signal generator unit to generate, and automatically displaying the identified instrument on a control-display unit.
Description
This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2000-229296 filed in Japan on Jul. 28, 2000, Japanese Application No. 2001-177371 filed in Japan on Jun. 12, 2001, and Japanese Application No. 2001-183790 filed in Japan on Jun. 18, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ultrasonic surgical operation system for generating ultrasonic vibrations and performing treatments on living tissue.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ultrasonic operation systems are being developed, practically implemented, and widely used as surgical operating apparatuses replacing the electric scalpel. These systems can perform such treatments as coagulation, incision, and puncture, using ultrasonic vibrations or other energy.
An example of such a surgical operation apparatus that uses ultrasonic is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H9-38098. This is an operation apparatus wherewith a hand piece having an ultrasonic vibrator incorporated therein is attached to the main apparatus unit, ultrasonic vibrations are generated in the ultrasonic vibrator by driving signals output from that main apparatus unit, those generated ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to an operating member at the tip end of the hand piece, that operating member is pressed against the treatment object site, and thereby living tissue is subjected to an operating procedure.
With an ultrasonic operation system such as this, as the range of applications has broadened, there are now many types of hand pieces that can be used. Thereupon, in order to meet the demand to be able to use various hand pieces in one surgical operation, configurations are being proposed wherewith multiple hand pieces are connected to the main apparatus unit.
When such multiple types of hand pieces are used, it has been necessary to perform a task to change the way connectors provided at the ends of cords extending from the hand pieces are connected to the main apparatus unit.
An expansion unit has also been proposed, with a view to cases where a plurality of hand pieces is used during one surgical operation, wherewith multiple hand pieces are attached to the main apparatus unit so that use can be made thereof, switching from one hand piece to another.
An example of this kind of thing is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-271135, wherein art is described for providing three connector ports, so that, by manipulating a selector switch provided on a front panel of an expansion unit, the connector port to be used can be selected, that is, a hand piece connected to a given connector port can be selected. In that same publication, a technology is described wherewith provision is made so that a hand switch for turning the output on and off can be attached to a hand piece, so that, when the hand switch is thrown, the hand piece to which that thrown hand switch is attached is selected.
However, when multiple hand pieces are used, there will be multiple cables extending from the hand pieces in the operating room, whereupon the operating room will possibly become congested.
With the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-271135 described above, moreover, in order to select a hand piece for use, the switch on the front panel must be manipulated, but that switch is in a non-sterile area, wherefore a surgical operator actually performing the operation cannot manipulate it, but will have to ask a nurse or other assistant to manipulate it, which is confusing.
Furthermore, the surgical operator will then have to confirm the results of the switch made with the expansion unit by looking at the panel display on the main apparatus unit, but there will be cases where the surgical operator will be in a position from which it is difficult to look at that panel display, whereupon that surgical operator will have to change positions or have an assistant make the confirmation as to which port has actually been selected, which is confusing.
There is also a technology, on the other hand, wherewith a freely detachable connector is provided at the hand piece, the cord is left connected at the main apparatus, and the surgical operator is able to use a hand piece that he or she has selected, from among a plurality of types, and connected, in the sterile area where the operation is being performed. With this technology, however, it is confusing for the nurse who is passing out and taking back instruments to confirm which hand piece the surgical operator has selected and connected to the cord.
It should be noted here that, in general, the output of a hand piece such as described in the foregoing is controlled by operating a foot switch. There are cases, however, where, depending on the type of operating instrument used, it is better to use a hand switch than a foot switch.
Various types of such hand switches have been proposed. Known to the technology are, for example, a hand switch that is formed integrally on the hand piece, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,227 and Japanese Patent Publication No. H6-42893, and a hand switch configured so that it can be freely attached to and detached from the hand piece, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,702, U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,143, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-087276, etc.
However, with a configuration wherein the hand piece cable and the hand switch cable are separate, there will be cases where the operation thereof becomes onerous, as noted below.
For example, one end of the hand piece cable is connected to some operating instrument, and the other end is connected to a generator. Also, a hand switch is attached to the operating instrument, and a hand switch generator plug is connected to the generator. The operating instrument is then used in such an arrangement as this.
Subsequently, the operating instrument, with the hand switch still attached thereto, is detached from one end of the hand piece cable, another operating instrument is connected to that one end of that hand piece cable, and that other operating instrument is used by controlling it by a foot switch. If, at this time, the hand switch that is still attached to the original operating instrument is manipulated, there is a possibility that output will be effected from the other operating instrument currently being used, and measures will have to be taken to deal with that possibility, which is troublesome and leads to surgical operating times becoming lengthy.
Furthermore, with a configuration wherein the hand piece cable and the hand switch cable are separate, the number of cables extending from the hand piece will be two, making the operating room more congested.
In Japanese Patent No. 2608692, moreover, the technology is described wherewith one hand switch cable extends from a hand piece socket provided in one end of the hand piece cable, a hand switch is provided integrally at the end of that hand piece cable, and that hand switch can be attached to and detached from the hand piece.
With the technology described in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,608,692, however, the hand switch and the hand switch cable are made integral with the hand piece cable, wherefore it is not possible to select a hand switch of optimal shape according to the operating instrument that is to be attached, the operability of the operating instrument itself may be caused to deteriorate, and there may be cases where that operating instrument cannot be attached. Furthermore, even in the case of an operating instrument that does not require a hand switch, because the hand switch is integrated therewith, it has to be attached to the hand piece, and there is a possibility that it will get in the way.
An ultrasonic operation apparatus in an ultrasonic operation system such as described above will generally comprise a hand piece having an ultrasonic vibrator incorporated therein, and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to the operating member, which hand piece and ultrasonic vibration transmission member are configured as separate members. Also, provision is made so that, to a horn provided in the hand piece for the purpose of increasing the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibrations, a probe configured of a separate member can be connected, by screwing it in, for example, such that it can be detached.
Cases where a surgical operation is performed using such an ultrasonic operation apparatus as this are not limited to those where a single ultrasonic operation apparatus is used. In surgical operations performed with the use of a laparoscope, for example, multiple ultrasonic trocar outer cannulas are used which may be of different thicknesses. In such cases, an ultrasonic probe (needle) that matches the trocar outer cannula that is to be inserted through the abdominal wall is selected, and the trocar outer cannula is combined together with that ultrasonic probe and used. After it has been passed through the abdominal wall, the trocar outer cannula is left in place and only the ultrasonic probe with the hand piece attached is removed. When it is possible for the ultrasonic probe to be mounted on and used with another trocar outer cannula that is to be inserted next, it can be used as it is, with the hand piece still attached, but when it is to be used with a trocar outer cannula having a different sized diameter, an ultrasonic probe that matches that diameter must be attached to the hand piece for use. This is a troublesome task, and makes it difficult to perform operations quickly.
Other conceivable means include the preparation of multiple sets wherein ultrasonic probes that match a plurality of trocar outer cannulas having different sizes of diameters are respectively combined therewith. In that case, however, the number of output cables connected to the hand pieces becomes plural, and, because there will often be other cables such as high-frequency output cables, water delivery tubes, and air delivery tubes and the like, it becomes a chore to handle all these cables, the different cables will readily become tangled, and the work site will become quite congested.
Furthermore, because there is ordinarily one connector connection port in an ultrasonic oscillating output generator apparatus, a number of tasks must be performed, such as identifying the output cable for the hand piece to be used from a plurality of output cables and connecting the connector thereof to the connector connection port, changing such connections, and verifying the way in which that connection is made, making it quite a chore to find a specific cable among the different tubes that are in the congested state described above. In particular, because the ultrasonic oscillating output generator apparatus will be installed in a position quite removed from the sterilized area where the operation is being performed, those tasks will often have to be delegated to an assistant, and, even when those tasks are delegated to an assistant, liaison therewith is troublesome and inefficient.
Also, ultrasonic probes are usually removed from the hand piece for storage. Thus, every time one is used, a surgical operator or nurse or the like will have to screw a threaded part provided in the base end of the probe into a threaded part in the horn of the hand piece, using a special wrench or other tool, to join the two together.
If the screwing in is not done with the proper force, however, it is possible that the screw connected part will fail during use, due to vibration, just as ultrasonic vibrations are being generated, or that heat will be generated until overheating occurs. For such reasons, there has been an overwhelming tendency to make the screw connection too tight with a wrench. When that screw connection is made too tight, a possibility arises that the screw connection will subsequently fail, or, even if it does not fail, that the ability thereof to transmit vibrations will deteriorate.
Thereupon, special tools have been proposed for maintaining the proper screw tightening force, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,155, but even when such a tool is used, the problems of the time and trouble required to manage all this remain.
Furthermore, because this is a configuration wherein the ultrasonic probe is attached to the hand piece by a screw-in coupling, there will be cases where, due to the force used when doing the screwing in, the position of the ultrasonic probe about the axis, relative to the hand piece, will become altered. Thus, with a configuration wherein attachment is effected by screwing in, it has been very difficult to always attach the ultrasonic probe to the hand piece such that the two are lined up in a certain way.
When the shape of the operating member of the ultrasonic probe is not equal around the axis, in cases where, as with an ultrasonic trocar, for example, the blade tip is formed so as to be slightly flat in order to make the puncture so as to part the tissue along the grain thereof, it is often necessary to rotate the hand piece being held so as to change the way the operating member of the ultrasonic probe is oriented. For that reason, it is virtually impossible to continually hold the hand piece comfortably in the same position in a similar attitude. In other words, in view of the necessity to change the way the hand piece is held, while verifying the orientation of the operating member of the ultrasonic probe for each instrument, there have been cases where it was very difficult to hold and use the hand piece in a position where it was easy to work.
Meanwhile, in order to detect the utilization limit of an ultrasonic operation apparatus, a technology is being developed wherewith information specific to a hand piece is monitored at the ultrasonic oscillating output generator apparatus that supplies the electric drive power to that hand piece, the number of times the hand piece is used and the condition of such use are recorded, and that record is used to determine when the utilization limit has been reached.
It is very difficult, with such technology for monitoring information specific to a hand piece, to monitor the amount of use and the remaining life and so forth of a probe that is a separate member from that hand piece, but it is a fact that the durability performance of the probe is often lower than the durability performance of the hand piece. That being so, even when an effort is made to replace only the probe, it has not been possible to accurately determine when to make that replacement and thus deal with the problem.
Therefore, with the technology described in the foregoing, it has not been possible to configure an ultrasonic surgical operation system of sufficiently good operability, and it is safe to say that there is room for further improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic surgical operation system exhibiting good operability.
The present invention, simply described, is an ultrasonic operation system comprising: a drive signal generator unit comprising: a drive signal oscillator circuit for generating drive signals for driving an ultrasonic vibrator; and a first connector receptacle for outputting drive signals generated by that drive signal oscillator circuit; a transmission cable comprising: first connector means that are for transmitting the drive signals and that detachably connect to the first connector receptacle; and second connector means for outputting transmitted drive signals; a first hand piece comprising: a second connector receptacle that detachably connects to the second connector means; a first ultrasonic vibrator that vibrates ultrasonically in response to the drive signals input from that second connector receptacle; and a first probe for transmitting the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the first ultrasonic vibrator to the subject body; and a second hand piece comprising: a third connector receptacle that detachably connects to the second connector means; a second ultrasonic vibrator that vibrates ultrasonically in response to the drive signals input from that third connector receptacle; and a second probe, of a shape different from that of the first probe, for transmitting the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the second ultrasonic vibrator to the subject body.
These object(s) and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed explanation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a diagram that uses blocks to represent parts of the configuration of an ultrasonic operation system in a first embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a flowchart representing the flow of technology used in the ultrasonic operation system of the first embodiment aspect;
FIG. 3
is a diagram of an example configuration of another hand piece in the ultrasonic operation system of the first embodiment aspect;
FIG. 4
is a diagram of combination examples in an ultrasonic operation system in a second embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a diagonal view of the configuration of a hand piece and hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system in a third embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 6
is a diagram that uses blocks to mainly represent parts of the electrical configuration of an ultrasonic operation system in the third embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a diagonal view of the configuration of a hand piece and hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system in a fourth embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a front elevation of a hand piece socket and hand switch input plug in a fifth embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a diagonal view of the configuration of a hand piece and a hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system in a sixth embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 10
is an exploded diagonal view of the configuration of a hand piece and a hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system in a seventh embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a diagonal view of the configuration of the ultrasonic operation system in the seventh embodiment aspect;
FIG. 12
is a diagram that uses blocks to represent parts of primarily the electrical configuration of the ultrasonic operation system in the seventh embodiment aspect;
FIG. 13
is a diagram of combination examples in the ultrasonic operation system in the seventh embodiment aspect;
FIG. 14
is a diagram that shows how connections are made in an ultrasonic operation system in an eighth embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 15
is a diagram that shows the disassembled ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 16
is a simplified diagram of the configuration of a hand piece in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 17A
is a diagram of a first configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 17B
is a diagram of a second configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 17C
is a diagram of a third configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 17D
is a diagram of a fourth configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 18
is a side elevation that represents, partially in cross-section, a structure for detachably connecting an outer cannula and a hand piece in the ultrasonic operation system of the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 19
is a diagram that shows how it is possible to connect a common cable to a plurality of hand pieces in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 20
is a diagram that shows how it is possible to connect a common cable to a plurality of hand pieces connected to a plurality of operating instruments in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 21
is a diagram representing examples where identification means are provided in a plurality of hand pieces and in the outer cannulas corresponding thereto in the ultrasonic operation system in the eighth embodiment aspect;
FIG. 22
is a side elevation that shows how a cable connector is connected to a hand piece in an ultrasonic operation system in a ninth embodiment aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 23
is a side elevation that represents, partially in cross-section, a connection structure for a hand piece and a cable connector in the ultrasonic operation system in the ninth embodiment aspect, in its disassembled condition;
FIG. 24A
is an end surface view that represents the structure of an electrical connecting unit for a hand piece in the ultrasonic operation system in the ninth embodiment aspect; and
FIG. 24B
is an end surface view that represents the structure of a cable connector in the ultrasonic operation system in the ninth embodiment aspect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment aspects of the present invention are now described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1
to
3
represent a first embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 1
is a diagram that uses blocks to represent parts of the configuration of an ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 2
is a flowchart representing the flow of technology used in the ultrasonic operation system shown in
FIG. 2
, and
FIG. 3
is a diagram of an example configuration of another hand piece.
This ultrasonic operation system
1
, as shown in
FIG. 1
, is configured such that a hand piece
9
and a main apparatus unit
2
to which a foot switch
3
is connected are detachably connected through a transmission cable
10
.
In this main apparatus unit
2
, on the front side thereof, is deployed a control-display unit
4
comprising control switches for making control inputs and a display panel constituting information display means for displaying the operating conditions of this ultrasonic operation system
1
. In the outer cover thereof is provided a connector receptacle (first connector receptacle)
8
for connecting the hand piece
9
through the transmission cable
10
. Provided internally therein are a drive signal generator unit
5
for generating drive signals for driving an ultrasonic vibrator in the hand piece
9
, an identification or identifying circuit
6
that constitutes a part of control means for identifying the type of a connected hand piece
9
by detecting an identification element provided in the hand piece
9
, and a control circuit
7
that constitutes a part of control means for receiving inputs from the foot switch
3
and effecting control so that the drive signal generator unit
5
is made to generate drive signals, controlling those drive signals on the basis of the identification results of the identification circuit
6
at that time, and also controlling the other circuits in this main apparatus unit
2
.
In the connector receptacle
8
of the main apparatus unit
2
are provided a signal terminal
8
a
that constitutes the output terminal (first drive signal output terminal) for drive signals generated from the drive signal generator unit
5
, and a signal terminal
8
b
that constitutes the input terminal (second identification signal input terminal) for control signals going to the identification circuit
6
.
Provision is made so that, to such a connector receptacle
8
, a first connector (first connector means)
13
provided at one end of the transmission cable
10
is detachably connected. In that first connector
13
, in turn, are provided a signal terminal
13
a
that constitutes a first drive signal input terminal connected to the signal terminal
8
a
, and a signal terminal
13
b
that constitutes a second identification signal output terminal connected to the signal terminal
8
b.
The transmission cable
10
is configured so as to comprise at least a drive signal line
11
that is connected to the signal terminal
13
a
and constitutes a drive signal transmission cable for transmitting drive signals generated from the drive signal generator unit
5
, and an identification signal line
12
that is connected to the signal terminal
13
b
and constitutes an identification signal transmission cable for transmitting identification signals (identification signals) from the identification element to the identification circuit
6
.
At the other end of this transmission cable
10
is provided a second connector (second connector means)
14
for detachably connecting to the transducer (described subsequently) of the hand piece
9
. In that second connector
14
, in turn, are provided a signal terminal
14
a
that constitutes a second drive signal output terminal connected to the drive signal line
11
, and a signal terminal
14
b
that constitutes a first identification signal input terminal connected to the identification signal line
12
.
The hand piece
9
basically comprises a transducer having an internal ultrasonic vibrator. More precisely, there are two classifications thereof, depending on whether an operating instrument comprising an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to the transducer is connected separately, or an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations is provided integrally in that transducer.
Firstly, the transducer is basically configured so as to have a connector receptacle comprising multiple signal terminals connected to the signal terminals
14
a
and
14
b
, capable of connecting commonly to the second connector
14
irrespective of what type that transducer is, an ultrasonic vibrator for receiving the drive signals and generating ultrasonic vibrations, and an identification element for generating identification information (ID information) indicating which type that transducer is.
More specifically, a first transducer
15
that constitutes transducer means is configured so as to comprise a signal terminal
25
a
that constitutes a second drive signal input terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
a
, and a signal terminal
25
b
that constitutes a first identification signal output terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
b
, and so as to have a connector receptacle (second connector receptacle)
25
capable of being detachably connected to the second connector
14
, an ultrasonic vibrator
26
for receiving the drive signals and generating ultrasonic vibrations, and an identification element
27
that constitutes identification signal generator means for generating identification information indicating the type of the first transducer
15
.
To the first transducer
15
, as diagrammed, it is possible to detachably and selectively connect a scissors type operating instrument
16
comprising an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit
16
a
(probe), and a hook type operating instrument
17
comprising an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit
17
a
(probe). By combining the first transducer
15
and the scissors type operating instrument
16
, a scissors type hand piece is configured. And by combining the first transducer
15
and the hook type operating instrument
17
, a hook type hand piece is configured.
A second transducer
18
that comprises transducer means is configured similarly so as to have a connector receptacle (second connector receptacle)
28
capable of being detachably connected to the second connector
14
, comprising a signal terminal
28
a
that constitutes a second drive signal input terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
a
and a signal terminal
28
b
that constitutes a first identification signal output terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
b
, an ultrasonic vibrator
29
for receiving the drive signals and generating ultrasonic vibration, and an identification element
30
that constitutes identification signal generator means for generating identification information indicating the type of the second transducer
18
.
To that second transducer
18
it is possible to detachably and selectively connect an inline scissors type operating instrument
19
comprising an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit
19
a
(probe), and a spatula type operating instrument
20
comprising an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit
20
a
(probe). By combining the second transducer
18
and the inline scissors type operating instrument
19
, an inline scissors type hand piece is configured. By combining the second transducer
18
and the spatula type operating instrument
20
, a spatula type hand piece is configured.
Moreover, a third transducer
21
is configured so as to comprise a signal terminal
31
a
that constitutes a third drive signal input terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
a
and a signal terminal
31
b
that comprises a second identification signal output terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
b
, and so as to integrally have a connector receptacle (third connector receptacle)
31
capable of being detachably connected to the second connector
14
, an ultrasonic vibrator
32
for receiving the drive signals and generating ultrasonic vibrations, an identification element
33
that constitutes identification signal generator means for generating identification information indicating the type of the third transducer
21
, and a large-diameter probe
34
that is an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic vibrator
32
.
This third transducer
21
is such that, by passing the large-diameter probe
34
as an inner needle in the trocar
22
that is a large-diameter outer cannula, a large-diameter trocar-type hand piece is configured.
Also, a fourth transducer
23
is configured so as to comprise a signal terminal
35
a
that constitutes a third drive signal input terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
a
and a signal terminal
35
b
that comprises a second identification signal output terminal connected to the signal terminal
14
b
, and so as to integrally have a connector receptacle (third connector receptacle)
35
capable of being detachably connected to the second connector
14
, an ultrasonic vibrator
36
for receiving the drive signals and generating ultrasonic vibrations, an identification element
37
that constitutes identification signal generator means for generating identification information indicating the type of the fourth transducer
23
, and a narrow-diameter probe
38
that is an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic vibrator
36
.
This fourth transducer
23
is such that, by passing the narrow-diameter probe
38
as an inner needle in the trocar
24
that is a narrow-diameter outer cannula, a narrow-diameter trocar-type hand piece is configured.
Next, the flow of a surgical operation wherein an ultrasonic operation system such as described in the forgoing is used is described with reference to FIG.
2
.
When an operation wherein this ultrasonic operation system is to be used is started, first, the connector
13
of the transmission cable
10
is connected to the connector receptacle
8
of the main apparatus unit
2
(step S
1
). This connecting task, because it is performed in a non-sterile area, will be performed by a nurse or the like assisting the surgical operator.
Next, in an endoscopic operation, because it is necessary to insert the trocar and secure a port through which to introduce operating instruments inside the body, first, the transducer
23
used in combination with the narrow-diameter trocar
24
, for example, is connected to the connector
14
of the transmission cable
10
(step S
2
). This connecting task, because it is performed in the sterile area, can be performed by the surgical operator himself or herself.
By this connection, identification information will be output from the identification element
37
inside that transducer
23
, and input via the identification signal line
12
of the transmission cable
10
to the identification circuit
6
. Thus the identification circuit
6
will determine which piece of equipment is connected and output the results of that identification to the control circuit
7
(step S
3
).
The control circuit
7
, receiving those identification results, sets various parameters so that the drive signal generated from the drive signal generator unit
5
will be matched to the determined equipment. At that time, the control circuit
7
will also cause the fact that the transducer
23
is being used in a narrow-diameter trocar type hand piece to be displayed on the control-display unit
4
(step S
4
).
Thereafter, when the surgical operator manipulates the foot switch
3
, a drive signal will be generated from the drive signal generator unit
5
, the ultrasonic vibrator
36
will be driven, and the ultrasonic trocar operation will be started (step S
5
).
Once the insertion of the trocar
24
is finished, the transducer
23
is removed from the connector
14
of the transmission cable
10
(step S
6
).
Thereafter, according to whether or not another transducer is to be used, the processing will branch (step S
7
).
That is, when another transducer is to be used, as, for example, when the scissors type hand piece formed by combining the first transducer
15
and the scissors type operating instrument
16
is to be used, processes like those described above in steps S
2
to S
5
are performed for that first transducer
15
.
At that time, due to the process of step S
3
, it will be determined that the connected instrument is the first transducer
15
, and parameters suitable to that first transducer
15
will be automatically set, wherefore there is no need to require the nurse or the like assisting the surgical operator to perform any separate manipulation of the main apparatus unit
2
, and it will be possible with great simplicity to change to and use another transducer. Meanwhile, because the type of transducer changed to and the like will be displayed on the control-display unit
4
, the nurse or other assistant will be able to readily ascertain that information.
Thus, when the ultrasonic scissors operation by that scissors type hand piece is finished, that first transducer
15
will be removed from the connector
14
of the transmission cable
10
in step S
6
.
Thereafter, when other transducers are to be used, in like fashion, the processes in steps S
2
to S
6
will be performed.
Then, in step S
7
, when a decision is made not to use any more transducers, the transmission cable
10
is removed from the main apparatus unit
2
(step S
8
).
Next, another hand piece configuration example is described, with reference to FIG.
3
. In
FIG. 3
, those portions that are like those in
FIG. 1
are indicated by the same symbols and not further described.
In the configuration shown in
FIG. 3
, a connector switching device
65
is attached to the connector receptacle
8
of the main apparatus unit
2
. Thus provision is made so that switching can be done to handle cases where the scissors type operating instrument
16
and the first transducer
15
are to be used with the transmission cable
10
, on the one hand, and cases where a hand piece having another configuration, as described below, is to be used, on the other.
The connector switching device
65
is configured so as to have an input/output point
65
a
and an input/output point
65
b
that can be switched between, a switch
65
c
for switching between those input/output points
65
a
and
65
b
, and an input/output point
65
d
for connecting one or other of the input/output points
65
a
and
65
b
selected by the switch
65
c
to the connector receptacle
8
of the main apparatus unit.
In the example shown here in
FIG. 3
, the first transducer
15
and the scissors type operating instrument
16
are connected via the transmission cable
10
to the input/output point
65
a
in the connector switching device
65
. This is simply one example, moreover, and there is no problem with connecting another hand piece as shown in FIG.
1
.
To the other input/output point, namely
65
b
, in the connector switching device
65
, a hand piece is connected which, comprising a hollow pipe-shaped probe, is designed to emulsify tissue by ultrasonic vibration and remove it by suction.
This hand piece, more particularly, is configured so as to have a transducer
41
that constitutes transducer means, a transmission cable
42
integrated with the transducer
41
, and an ultrasonic emulsifying suction operating instrument
43
that constitutes ultrasonic operating means provided for the transducer
41
such that it can be attached and detached freely.
The transmission cable
42
is configured, roughly in the same way as the transmission cable
10
, so as to have a connector
45
constituting connector means provided with a signal terminal
45
a
that constitutes a drive signal input terminal and a signal terminal
45
b
that constitutes an identification signal output terminal, a drive signal line
46
, connected to the signal terminal
45
a
, that constitutes a drive signal transmission cable for transmitting drive signals generated from the drive signal generator unit
5
, and an identification signal line
47
, connected to the signal terminal
45
b
, that constitutes an identification signal transmission cable for transmitting identification signals from the identification element
49
(described below) to the identification circuit
6
. Because this transmission cable
42
is provided integrally with the transducer
41
, however, no connector is provided at the other end.
The transducer
41
, moreover, is configured so as to have an ultrasonic vibrator
48
for receiving drive signals from the drive signal line
46
and causing ultrasonic vibrations to be generated, an identification element
49
that constitutes identification signal generator means for generating identification information indicating the type of the transducer
41
and transmitting that information via the identification signal line
47
, and a suction port fitting
50
.
The ultrasonic emulsifying suction operating instrument
43
, on the other hand, as described already, is provided with a hollow pipe-shaped probe
43
a
, is configured as a short type of instrument used in open surgical operations for emulsifying tissue by ultrasonic vibration and removing it by suction, and has a water delivery port fitting
51
, which is for supplying physiological saline solution for cooling or cleaning, extending from a side surface that forms a tapered shape at the base end.
A suction tube
61
is connected to the suction port fitting
50
and a water delivery tube
62
is connected to the water delivery port fitting
51
. These tubes, namely the suction tube
61
and the water delivery tube
62
, are connected to a water delivery and suction unit
60
that is necessary when performing ultrasonic emulsification and suction. Thus provision is made so that suction and water delivery can be performed. This water delivery and suction unit
60
is also made so that the operation thereof is controlled by the main apparatus unit
2
.
The transducer
41
is also made so that, instead of the ultrasonic emulsifying suction operating instrument
43
, an endoscopic operating instrument
44
that constitutes ultrasonic operating means having a length of approximately 20 to 30 cm used in endoscopic surgical operations can be connected thereto. This endoscopic operating instrument
44
is also provided with a hollow pipe-shaped probe
44
a
, and has a water delivery port fitting
52
, which is for supplying physiological saline solution for cooling or cleaning, extending from a side surface that forms a tapered shape at the base end. When the endoscopic operating instrument
44
is to be used, the water delivery tube
62
is connected to that water delivery port fitting
52
.
Thus, by adding the water delivery and suction unit
60
while using the main apparatus unit
2
in common, it is possible to configure an ultrasonic suction system.
When an operation is being performed using an ultrasonic operation system like that shown in
FIG. 3
, a flow like that shown in
FIG. 2
will be basically followed, but with the exceptions noted below.
First, that which is connected to the connector receptacle
8
of the main apparatus unit
2
is the connector switching device
65
, the connector
13
of the transmission cable
10
is connected to the input/output point
65
a
of the connector switching device
65
, and the connector
45
of the transmission cable
42
is connected to the input/output point
65
b.
The connector receptacle
25
of the transducer
15
is connected to the connector
14
of the transmission cable
10
, and the scissors type operating instrument
16
, for example, is attached to that transducer
15
, in the same manner as described earlier.
To the transducer
41
, on the other hand, the ultrasonic emulsifying suction operating instrument
43
, for example, is connected, whereupon the suction tube
61
will be attached to the suction port fitting
50
and the water delivery tube
62
will be attached to the water delivery port fitting
51
.
At this time, furthermore, by connecting that water delivery and suction unit
60
to the main apparatus unit
2
, it becomes possible to control the suction or water delivery by the control circuit
7
of the main apparatus unit
2
.
After the connections described above have been made, by switching the switch
65
c
of the connector switching device
65
either to the input/output point
65
a
or to the input/output point
65
b
(switched here, for example, to the input/output point
65
b
side), identification information is output from the identification element
49
in the transducer
41
and input to the identification circuit
6
via the identification signal line
47
of the transmission cable
42
.
In this manner, the identification circuit
6
determines which instrument has been connected, and outputs the results of that identification action to the control circuit
7
. The control circuit
7
, upon receiving those identification results, sets various parameters and the like so that the drive signal generated from the drive signal generator unit
5
is made a drive signal that is compatible with the identified instrument, that being, in this case, the transducer
41
which has the ultrasonic vibrator
48
. The control circuit
7
also causes information on the connected instrument to be displayed on the control-display unit
4
.
The control circuit
7
, furthermore, in response to the identification results, communicates with the water delivery and suction unit
60
, sets optimal parameters, and exercises control so that the water delivery and suction actions of the water delivery and suction unit
60
are synchronized with the sending out of the drive signal for the ultrasonic vibrations by the drive signal generator unit
5
.
When the switch
65
c
of the connector switching device
65
is switched to the input/output point
65
a
side, the identification information output from the identification element
27
is subjected to judgment by the identification circuit
6
, and the control circuit
7
that receives those identification results sets parameters that are optimal for the transducer
15
comprising the ultrasonic vibrator
26
, and causes information on the connected instrument to be displayed on the control-display unit
4
, in the same manner as described earlier.
The transducer
41
and the transmission cable
42
were integrated in order to make the hand piece compact and improve its handling characteristics and other operability factors. More specifically, because it is necessary to attach the suction tube
61
and water delivery tube
62
to the hand piece shown in
FIG. 3
, providing a connector or connector receptacle will inevitably lead to making the hand piece larger. There is also the consideration that ultrasonic suction treatments, in brain surgery in particular, are often conducted by themselves. Thereupon, taking those circumstances into consideration, the configuration is made one in which the transducer
41
and the transmission cable
42
are integrated and any connectors or connector receptacles are omitted.
Nevertheless, it is also possible to implement such a transducer
41
as this in a connector attaching scheme in the same manner as with the other transducers described earlier.
Conversely, it is also possible to provide the transmission cable
10
integrally in such transducers as the transducers
15
,
18
,
21
, and
23
shown in FIG.
1
and omit therefrom the connectors and connector receptacles.
In the example shown in
FIG. 3
, furthermore, provision is made so that the scissors type hand piece and the ultrasonic suction hand piece can be used separately during one operation by means of the connector switching device
65
. Needless to say, there is no problem at all with using those such that they are directly connected to the connector receptacle
8
of the main apparatus unit
2
as shown in FIG.
1
.
It is also possible to configure the connector switching device
65
so that it is incorporated integrally into the water delivery and suction unit
60
.
Based on such a first embodiment aspect as this, it becomes possible for a surgical operator to easily and distinguishably use multiple types of hand pieces during one operation, at his or her discretion, whether the transducer is of the type wherewith an operating instrument having an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit is attached and detached or is a transducer wherein the ultrasonic vibration transmission unit is provided integrally therewith. At such time, moreover, as soon as the surgical operator himself or herself has simply connected the hand piece to the transmission cable in the operating theater, parameters for a drive that is optimal to that hand piece are set, wherefore there is no need for any troublesome manipulation to be made, and operability is improved. Also, because the type of the connected hand piece is displayed on the control-display unit, that can readily be verified.
Furthermore, an ultrasonic suction apparatus that conventionally required a large and expensive system can be easily realized by adding a dedicated hand piece and water delivery and suction unit to an existing ultrasonic operation system. When that is done, moreover, by employing a connector switching device, it is also possible to distinguishably use the ultrasonic suction unit and a scissors type hand piece, for example, made for an existing ultrasonic operation system, during the same operation.
FIG. 4
shows a second embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 4
represents ultrasonic operation system combination examples. In this second embodiment aspect, portions that are the same as in the first embodiment aspect are indicated by the same symbols and not further described here. Mainly the points of difference only are described.
A hand switch that is configured so that it can be freely attached to and detached from a hand piece is described, with reference to FIG.
4
.
This ultrasonic operation system is a system, wherein any one of a plurality of types of hand pieces, such as a hook probe type hand piece
91
, scissors probe type hand piece
92
, or trocar probe type hand piece
93
, can be selectively connected to generator
96
through drive energy supply cord
94
, and is configured so that a hand switch unit
95
can be detachably connected to the selected hand piece.
More specifically, a common plug shape is implemented in hand piece plugs
91
a
,
92
a
, and
93
a
provided respectively in the hand pieces
91
,
92
, and
93
, so that those hand piece plugs
91
a
,
92
a
, and
93
a
can be connected to a hand piece socket
94
a
provided in one end of a drive energy supply cord
94
.
The drive energy supply cord
94
has the hand piece socket
94
a
provided at one end of the cable
94
b
thereof, and a generator plug
94
c
provided at the other end.
The generator plug
94
c
is made so that it connects to the hand piece connector
96
a
provided in a generator
96
.
The hand switch unit
95
is configured so that it has a hand switch unit
95
a
provided with control switches and capable of being attached to the grip portion or the like of the hand pieces
91
,
92
, and
93
, a cable
95
b
that extends from the hand switch unit
95
a
, and a hand switch generator plug
95
c
provided at the other end of that cable
95
b.
The hand switch generator plug
95
c
is made so that it connects to a hand switch connector
96
b
provided in the generator
96
.
This generator
96
is also made so that a foot switch
97
can be detachably connected thereto, and so that settings can be made by connecting a foot switch plug
97
b
provided in the leading end of a cable
97
a
that extends from that foot switch
97
.
Based on such a second embodiment aspect as this, as with the first embodiment aspect described earlier, it is possible for a surgical operator easily to distinguishably use a plurality of types of hand piece during one operation, at his or her own discretion, but it is further possible to attach a switch unit if required.
In the case of such a second embodiment aspect as described in the foregoing, it should be noted, there will be two cables extending from the hand piece, namely the drive energy cable and the switching cable, whereupon there is a possibility of the operating room becoming congested. That being so, an embodiment aspect is described below that is designed to improve that aspect.
FIG.
5
and
FIG. 6
show a third embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a diagonal view of the configuration of a hand piece and a hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system, while
FIG. 6
is a diagram that uses blocks to mainly represent parts of the electrical configuration of the ultrasonic operation system.
A hand piece
101
that constitutes hand piece means has a long and slender insertion unit extending from the grip part toward the leading end, with a hook-shaped operating member
102
provided in the leading end of that insertion unit. Also, a tapered connecting part
115
is provided at the leading end of the grip part of the hand piece
101
, and a hand piece plug
103
constituting a second connector receptacle having a second energy signal input terminal for inputting drive signals that are operating energy signals is provided at the back end thereof.
This hand piece
101
also has incorporated into it an ultrasonic vibrator
116
for generating ultrasonic vibrations (see FIG.
6
), and an ultrasonic vibration transmission unit for transmitting the ultrasonic vibrations generated by that ultrasonic vibrator
116
to the operating member
102
.
The hand piece plug
103
is for inputting drive signals for driving the ultrasonic vibrator
116
, and is made so that it can be detachably connected to a drive signal plug
104
of a hand piece socket
105
, that drive signal plug
104
constituting second connector means having a second energy signal output terminal.
The hand piece socket
105
is provided in one branching end
106
a
of a transmission cable
106
that is a drive energy supply cord for transmitting drive signals output from a generator
121
(see
FIG. 6
) described subsequently, and a hand switch input plug
107
constituting third connector means having a first switching signal input terminal is provided in the other branching end
106
b
of that transmission cable
106
.
The hand switch input plug
107
is made so that an output plug
108
constituting a third connector receptacle having a first switching signal output terminal in a hand switch unit
109
constituting a switching switch unit can be detachably connected thereto, and it is possible to transmit signals from that hand switch unit
109
to the generator
121
.
The hand switch unit
109
, which is a main switch unit for making control inputs to control the output of ultrasonic vibrations, is configured so as to comprise a hand switch unit
110
that constitutes a hand switch relay, a hand switch cable
111
that extends from the hand switch unit
110
, and the output plug
108
provided in the end of this hand switch cable
111
.
The hand switch unit
110
comprises a setting value output button
112
for making control inputs so that outputs determined by predetermined setting values are effected, a 100% output button
113
for making a control input so that the maximum output is continually effected, and a mounting piece
114
that constitutes connecting means of a snap fitting form for joining the hand switch unit
110
to the connecting part
115
.
Next, the circuit configuration of an ultrasonic operation system comprising a hand piece
101
and generator
121
such as described above is described with reference to FIG.
6
.
At the other end of the transmission cable
106
is provided a generator plug
119
constituting first connector means having a first energy signal input terminal and a second switching signal output terminal, with provision made so that it can be detachably connected to a hand piece connector
126
in the generator
121
. Inside the transmission cable
106
are provided a drive signal line
117
that constitutes a drive signal transmission line for transmitting drive signals that are operating energy signals, and a hand switch signal line
118
that constitutes a control signal transmission line for transmitting hand switch signals (control signals or switching signals). Provision is made, furthermore, so that, after this transmission cable
106
branches at the leading end thereof, the drive signal line
117
is provided at the branching end
106
a
, and the hand switch signal line
118
is provided at the branching end
106
b.
The generator
121
is made so that a foot switch
129
is connected by connecting a foot switch plug
128
.
The generator
121
is configured so as to comprise the hand piece connector
126
that constitutes a first connector receptacle having a first energy signal output terminal and a second switching signal input terminal and is for connecting the generator plug
119
, a foot switch connector
127
for connecting the foot switch plug
128
, a drive circuit
123
that comprises operating energy signal generator means for generating and outputting drive signals for driving the ultrasonic vibrator
116
, a switch detection circuit
124
for detecting that either the setting value output button
112
or the 100% output button
113
of the hand switch unit
109
has been depressed, a display panel
125
, provided so as to be exposed on the outer cover of the generator
121
, for effecting displays relating to this ultrasonic operation system, and a control circuit
122
that constitutes control means for controlling the drive circuit
123
and the display panel
125
on the basis of signals output from the switch detection circuit
124
, control signals input from the foot switch
129
(described subsequently), or control signals input from the control switches and the like provided on the front panel of this generator
121
.
The operation of an ultrasonic operation system configured in this way is described next.
The surgical operator, prior to using the system, after connecting the generator plug
119
of the transmission cable
106
to the hand piece connector
126
, connects the hand piece plug
103
to the drive signal plug
104
of the hand piece socket
105
.
Additionally, when the hand switch unit
109
is used, the output plug
108
of the hand switch unit
109
is connected to the hand switch input plug
107
, and the mounting piece
114
is connected to the connecting part
115
on the hand piece
101
.
After such settings as these have been completed, when the system is to be used, the surgical operator depresses either the setting value output button
112
or the 100% output button
113
of the hand switch unit
110
.
When the button is depressed, the switch detection circuit
124
detects which button was depressed and transmits a signal indicating the results of that detection to the control circuit
122
. The control circuit
122
, upon receiving that signal, adjusts the parameters to effect output corresponding to those detection results, and activates the drive circuit
123
. Thereby, the drive circuit
123
generates and outputs a drive signal. When that drive signal is transmitted via the drive signal line
117
to the ultrasonic vibrator
116
, the ultrasonic vibrator
116
generates ultrasonic vibrations, and those ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted via the ultrasonic vibration transmission unit to the hook-shaped operating member
102
.
When the operating instrument being used is to be changed to another one, the treatment is performed as follows. The description given here assumes that the other operating instrument to be employed next does not use the hand switch unit
109
.
First, the output plug
108
is removed from the hand switch input plug
107
, and, at the same time, the hand piece plug
103
is removed from the drive signal plug
104
of the hand piece socket
105
.
Then the hand piece plug
103
of the other operating instrument is connected to the drive signal plug
104
of the hand piece socket
105
, in the same way as described earlier, and that other operating instrument can then be used.
At this time, the ultrasonic vibration output of the other operating instrument is turned on and off by manipulating the foot switch
129
.
Based on such a third embodiment aspect as this, the hand switch unit can be freely attached to and detached from the cable that supplies the drive energy, wherefore it is possible to attach the hand switch unit only when needed, and also to select and use the optimal hand switch for each hand piece.
Accordingly, because the hand switches can be customized and formed in shapes that are optimal for each of the hand pieces, favorable operability can be realized.
When the hand switch is not needed, moreover, it can be removed, thus making it possible to prevent erroneous control inputs preemptively.
FIG. 7
shows a fourth embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 7
is a diagonal view of the configuration of a hand piece and a hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system. In this fourth embodiment aspect, portions that are the same as in the third embodiment aspect are indicated by the same symbols and not further described here. Mainly the points of difference only are described.
The ultrasonic operation system in this fourth embodiment aspect is basically configured in the same way as the ultrasonic operation system in the third embodiment aspect, but with the following differences.
In the third embodiment aspect, the transmission cable
106
branches into two parts at the leading end thereof, with the hand piece socket
105
provided in one branching end
106
a
, and the hand switch input plug
107
provided in the other branching end
106
b
. In contrast therewith, in this fourth embodiment aspect, a hand switch input plug
107
A is configured integrally in a hand piece socket
105
A.
Described more particularly, the hand switch input plug
107
A is configured so that it has a part for connecting with the output plug
108
protruding from the circumferential surface of the hand piece socket
105
A that is roughly cylindrically shaped.
When an ultrasonic operation system having the hand piece socket
105
A of such configuration as this is used, settings are made that are roughly the same as in the third embodiment aspect described earlier.
That is, the surgical operator, prior to using the system, after connecting the generator plug
119
of the transmission cable
106
to the hand piece connector
126
, connects the hand piece plug
103
to the drive signal plug
104
of the hand piece socket
105
A.
Additionally, when the hand switch unit
109
is to be used, the output plug
108
of the hand switch unit
109
is connected to the hand switch input plug
107
A, and the mounting piece
114
is connected to the connecting part
115
on the hand piece
101
.
Based on such a fourth embodiment aspect as this, while exhibiting roughly the same benefits as the third embodiment aspect, the output plug can be removed comparatively easily, because the hand switch input plug is secured on the hand piece socket, and it becomes possible to shorten surgical operation times.
FIG. 8
shows a fifth embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 8
is a front elevation representing the configuration of a hand piece socket and hand switch input plug. In this fifth embodiment aspect, portions that are the same as in the third or fourth embodiment aspects are indicated by the same symbols and not further described here. Mainly the points of difference only are described.
The ultrasonic operation system in this fifth embodiment aspect is basically configured in the same way as the ultrasonic operation system in the third embodiment aspect or fourth embodiment aspect, but with the following differences.
A hand switch input plug
107
B is provided integrally on a hand piece socket
105
B as described in the fourth embodiment aspect, but this hand switch input plug
107
B in this fifth embodiment aspect is further configured so that it can be freely rotated along the circumferential surface of the hand piece socket
105
B.
When an ultrasonic operation system having the hand piece socket
105
B configured in this manner is used, settings are made that are roughly the same as in the fourth embodiment aspect described earlier.
Then, when the hand piece
101
is to be used, because the hand switch unit
109
is joined by fitting the mounting piece
114
onto the connecting part
115
, as described earlier, the hand switch unit
110
can be rotated around the hand piece
101
.
Thereupon, when the hand switch unit
110
is rotated to a desired position on the hand piece
101
according to the conditions wherein that hand piece
101
is being manipulated, the hand switch input plug
107
B will rotate together with and so as to follow the rotation of the hand switch unit
109
.
Based on such a fifth embodiment aspect as this, while realizing roughly the same benefits as in the third and fourth embodiment aspects described earlier, it becomes possible to adjust the hand switch attachment position as desired, wherefore operability is further enhanced. When the operating instrument has an odd shaped operating member such as a hook probe, for example, it is necessary that the surgical operator be able to set the hand switch attachment position according to his or her preference. That necessity can be met by the configuration described above.
In
FIG. 9
is diagrammed a sixth embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 9
is a diagonal view representing the configuration of a hand piece and hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system. In this sixth embodiment aspect, portions that are the same as in the third to fifth embodiment aspects are indicated by the same symbols and not further described here. Mainly the points of difference only are described.
The ultrasonic operation system in this sixth embodiment aspect is basically configured in the same way as the ultrasonic operation system in the third to fifth embodiment aspects, but with the following differences.
The hand switch unit
109
C of this sixth embodiment aspect has the setting value output button
112
, 100% output button
113
, and mounting piece
114
described earlier, but the rear end of the main body thereof is extended to roughly the same position as the hand piece plug
103
of the hand piece
101
, and there an output plug
108
C is provided integrally.
A hand piece socket
105
C provided at the leading end of the transmission cable
106
, meanwhile, has the drive signal plug
104
and a hand switch input plug
107
C provided on the same end surface, made so as to connect, respectively, to the hand piece plug
103
and the output plug
108
C.
When an ultrasonic operation system having the hand switch unit
109
C and hand piece socket
105
C configured in this way is used, settings are made in the following manner.
The surgical operator, prior to using the system, connects the generator plug
119
of the transmission cable
106
to the hand piece connector
126
, attaches the hand switch unit
109
C to the hand piece
101
, and then connects the hand piece plug
103
to the drive signal plug
104
of the hand piece socket
105
C.
At this time, the output plug
108
C and the hand switch input plug
107
C do not have to be connected separately because they will naturally be connected simultaneously.
Moreover, when a hand piece of a type requiring no hand switch unit
109
C is connected, only the hand piece plug
103
and the drive signal plug
104
of the hand piece socket
105
C will be connected.
Moreover, if the hand switch unit
109
C is custom formed according to the type and shape of the hand piece
101
, operability will be enhanced in the same manner as already described.
Based on such a sixth embodiment aspect as this, while realizing roughly the same effects as in the third to fifth embodiment aspects described earlier, the hand switch will also be connected, simultaneously, when the hand piece socket is connected, rendering the setting operation simpler, and making it possible to shorten the operation time.
In
FIGS. 10
to
13
is diagrammed a seventh embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 10
is an exploded diagonal view of the configuration of a hand piece and a hand switch unit in an ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 11
is a diagonal view of the configuration of the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 12
is a diagram that uses blocks to represent parts of primarily the electrical configuration of the ultrasonic operation system, and
FIG. 13
is a diagram of combination examples in the ultrasonic operation system.
In this seventh embodiment aspect, portions that are the same as in the third to sixth embodiment aspects are indicated by the same symbols and not further described here. Mainly the points of difference only are described.
The hand piece
101
D in this seventh embodiment aspect, differing from the hand piece
101
described earlier, is not provided with the dedicated connecting part
115
, but, instead thereof, the grip part fulfills the functions of a connecting part
115
D.
Furthermore, at the leading end of the transmission cable
106
is provided a hand piece socket
105
D, and in that hand piece socket
105
D is provided a common plug
104
D constituting second connector means having a second energy signal output terminal and a first switching signal input terminal. In this common plug
104
D are provided electrical contacts for carrying both drive signals and hand switch signals. This common plug
104
D, described more particularly, in addition to comprising an array of electrical contacts capable of connecting the hand piece plug
103
, having a third energy input terminal, by itself, is further provided with electrical contacts, additional to those electrical contacts, for carrying the hand switch signals, and so exhibits upward compatibility with the above-mentioned drive signal plug
104
.
Provision is made so that, between such hand piece
101
D and hand piece socket
105
D, a hand switch unit
109
D can be attached by a relay adapter
131
that constitutes a relay adapter unit.
This hand switch unit
109
D comprises a hand switch component
110
D that constitutes a hand switch relay and is the main switch unit for controlling output, mounting brackets
114
D that project from the lower surface side of the hand switch component
110
D and are for connecting to the connecting part
115
D of the hand piece
101
D, a hand switch cable
111
that is extended from the hand switch component
110
D and is for carrying hand switch signals output from the hand switch component
110
D, and the relay adapter
131
noted above, provided at the rear end of this hand switch cable
111
.
The hand switch component
110
D is provided with the setting value output button
112
and the 100% output button
113
.
The relay adapter
131
is configured so as to connect to the hand piece plug
103
, and so as to have a drive signal plug
132
constituting fourth connector means having a third energy signal output terminal for transmitting drive signals, and a common plug
133
, constituting a fourth connector receptacle having a second energy signal input terminal for inputting drive signals and a first switching signal output terminal for outputting hand switch signals, which connects with the common plug
104
D.
In
FIG. 11
is diagrammed a condition wherein the hand piece
101
D, hand switch unit
109
D, and hand piece socket
105
D, such as described in the foregoing, are mutually connected, and set connected to the generator
121
to which the foot switch
129
has been connected.
Next, with reference to
FIG. 12
, a description is given of the circuit configuration of an ultrasonic operation system comprising a hand piece
101
D such as is described in the foregoing and the generator
121
.
The electrical configuration of the hand piece
101
D, the electrical configuration of the hand switch component
110
D of the hand switch unit
109
D, and the configuration of the generator
121
and foot switch
129
and so forth are the same as indicated earlier in reference to FIG.
6
.
The common plug
104
D provided at one end of the transmission cable
106
, as noted above, is provided with an electrical contact that is connected to the drive signal line
117
and with an electrical contact that is connected to the hand switch signal line
118
. The generator plug
119
provided at the other end of the transmission cable
106
is the same as described above.
The relay adapter
131
of the hand switch unit
109
D, furthermore, as noted above, is provided with the drive signal plug
132
that is connected to the hand piece plug
103
and transmits drive signals, and the common plug
133
that is connected to the common plug
104
D and transmits drive signals and hand switch signals.
When an ultrasonic operation system having the hand switch unit
109
D, hand piece
101
D, and hand piece socket
105
D configured in this way is used, settings are made as follows.
The surgical operator, before using the system, first connects the generator plug
119
of the transmission cable
106
to the hand piece connector
126
and also connects the hand piece plug
103
to the drive signal plug
132
of the relay adapter
131
, and then attaches the hand switch unit
109
D to the hand piece
101
D by fitting the mounting brackets
114
D onto the connecting part
115
D.
Subsequently, the common plug
133
of the hand switch unit
109
D made integral with the hand piece
101
D is connected to the common plug
104
of the hand piece socket
105
D.
When connecting to a hand piece of a type not requiring the hand switch unit
109
D, the hand piece plug
103
of the hand piece
101
D and the common plug
104
D of the hand piece socket
105
D will be connected directly. As described earlier, the common plug
104
D is upward compatible with the drive signal plug
104
, wherefore such direct connection is possible.
In
FIG. 13
are diagrammed ultrasonic operation system combination examples wherein the hand switch unit
109
D such as is described in the foregoing is used.
The hand switch unit
109
D is made so that it can be used not only in combinations with the hook probe type hand piece
101
D as noted above, but also in combinations with a scissors type hand piece
101
E or trocar probe type hand piece
101
F.
The hand pieces
101
D,
101
E, and
101
F are made so as to have a common hand piece plug
103
. When the hand switch unit
109
D is attached to any one of those hand pieces
101
D,
101
E, and
101
F, that is done by connecting that hand piece plug
103
to the drive signal plug
132
of the relay adapter
131
, and connecting the common plug
133
to the common plug
104
D of the hand piece socket
105
D.
When any one of the hand pieces
101
D,
101
E, and
101
F is to be used without attaching the hand switch unit
109
D, the hand piece plug
103
is connected directly to the common plug
104
D of the hand piece socket
105
D.
Thus, by connecting the relay adapter
131
between the hand piece socket
105
D and one of the plurality of types of hand pieces, namely
101
D,
101
E, and
101
F, so that it is sandwiched therebetween, a system is configured wherein the hand switch unit
109
D can be used.
The hand switch unit
109
D may also be custom formed according to the type or shape of the hand piece. In this case, operability is further improved, as already noted.
Based on such a seventh embodiment aspect as this, roughly the same effects are realized as in the third to sixth embodiment aspects described earlier and, when the hand switch is not to be used, the hand switch unit can be removed, resulting in a compact condition with no hand switch input plug or the like. Thus operability can be enhanced whether the surgical operator is one who prefers a foot switch or one who prefers a hand switch.
In the description given in the foregoing, ultrasonic operation systems employing ultrasonic vibrations are exemplified as energy operating systems for performing treatments on living tissue. However, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, and configurations wherein similar hand switch units are attached can be applied to systems using other treatment energy.
In
FIGS. 14
to
21
is diagrammed an eighth embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 14
is a diagram that shows how connections are made in an ultrasonic operation system in an eighth embodiment aspect of the present invention,
FIG. 15
is a diagram that shows the ultrasonic operation system disassembled,
FIG. 16
is a simplified diagram of the configuration of a hand piece in the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 17A
is a diagram of a first configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 17B
is a diagram of a second configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 17C
is a diagram of a third configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 17D
is a diagram of a fourth configuration example wherein a horn and an ultrasonic vibration transmission member are fixedly coupled and made integral in the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 18
is a side elevation that represents, partially in cross-section, a structure for detachably connecting an outer cannula and a hand piece in the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 19
is a diagram that shows how it is possible to connect a common cable to a plurality of hand pieces in the ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 20
is a diagram that shows how it is possible to connect a common cable to a plurality of hand pieces connected to a plurality of operating instruments in the ultrasonic operation system, and
FIG. 21
is a diagram representing examples where identification means are provided in a plurality of hand pieces and in the outer cannulas corresponding thereto in the ultrasonic operation system.
This ultrasonic operation system is configured, as diagrammed in
FIG. 14
, with an ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
connected via a cable
203
to an oscillator apparatus
202
that functions as an output generation apparatus, and an output control device
204
such as a foot switch for controlling output operations connected to the oscillator apparatus
202
.
The ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
in this eighth embodiment aspect relates to an example where an ultrasonic trocar is configured as the operating instrument. When not being used, it is disassembled into various parts, as diagrammed in
FIG. 15
, namely an outer cannula
205
, a hand piece
206
equipped with a probe mounted detachably to that outer cannula
205
, and the cable
203
for supplying electrical drive power, detachably mounted to that hand piece
206
.
When such an ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
is used, it may be assembled to realize the condition diagrammed in
FIG. 14
by inserting an ultrasonic vibration transmission member (probe)
215
(such as diagrammed in
FIG. 15
) of the hand piece
206
into the outer cannula
205
, thus joining that outer cannula
205
and hand piece
206
, and then connecting the cable
203
to the hand piece
206
.
The hand piece
206
has an ultrasonic vibrator
212
mounted inside a cylindrical case
211
, and, as diagrammed in
FIG. 16
, the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
having an operating member
214
at the leading end thereof is fixedly connected to a horn
213
in the ultrasonic vibrator
212
. This ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
receives ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic vibrator
212
from the horn
213
and transmits them to the operating member
214
.
The ultrasonic vibrator
212
, as diagrammed in
FIG. 16
, is configured with a plurality of piezoelectric elements
210
in a stack, such that ultrasonic vibrations are generated when a drive voltage is applied through electrodes. The ultrasonic vibrations so generated are amplified by the horn
213
so that their amplitude increases.
As described in the foregoing, the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
is coupled fixedly to the horn
213
of the ultrasonic vibrator
212
. These ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
and horn
213
constitute a structure wherein they cannot be attached or detached when being used normally, and are handled as a single entity.
As to the means for fixedly coupling the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
and the horn
213
of the ultrasonic vibrator
212
, those diagrammed in
FIGS. 17A
to
17
D, for example, are conceivable.
What are diagrammed in
FIGS. 17A
to
17
C are examples of means for integrally configuring the horn
213
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
, those being separate members, by fixedly coupling those members.
First, in the first configuration example diagrammed in
FIG. 17A
, female threads
216
are formed in the leading end of the horn
213
, male threads
217
are formed in the base end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
, the male threads
217
are screwed into the female threads
216
, and the screwed in portions and the end surfaces constituting joining surfaces are bonded together with an adhesive, thereby integrally fixing the horn
213
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
. Thus, in this example, provision is made so that the horn
213
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
are fixedly coupled and made integral by the use of screw fastening and bonding.
The adhesive used in this case should be one that is highly heat-resistant so as to withstand the environment wherein the hand piece
206
is used. In the description above, moreover, the female threads are provided in the horn
213
and the male threads
217
are provided in the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
, but this may of course be reversed so that the male threads
217
are provided in the horn
213
and the female threads
216
are provided in the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
.
Next, the second configuration example diagrammed in
FIG. 17B
is one wherein the leading end of the horn
213
and the base end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
are fixedly coupled and made integral by either welding or brazing.
Next, the third configuration example diagrammed in
FIG. 17C
is one wherein the horn
213
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
are fixedly coupled and made integral by first forming a hole
218
in the leading end of the horn
213
and forming a projection
219
in the base end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
, then inserting and fitting the projection
219
into the hole
218
, and finally passing a pin
220
commonly through the hole
218
and the projection
219
.
While the pin
220
is used here to effect integration after the fitting together, that poses no limitation, and integration may be effected by using an adhesive to bond together the portions that fit together and the end surfaces that constitute the joining surfaces. Needless to say, moreover, instead of forming the hole
218
in the horn
213
and the projection
219
in the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
, the projection
219
may be formed in the horn
213
, and the hole
218
formed in the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
.
The fourth configuration example diagrammed in
FIG. 17D
, on the other hand, is one wherein the horn
213
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
are formed of a single member, and thereby fixedly coupled and made integral.
Means for fixedly coupling the horn
213
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
so that they cannot be attached or detached are not limited to the examples described in the above. Even if the configuration is one wherein the horn
213
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
are coupled by being screwed together, as conventionally, it is only necessary, in addition thereto, to provide means to prevent attachment and detachment so that a user cannot remove the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
from the horn
213
. One conceivable specific example of such attachment/detachment prevention means would be a structure or the like wherein the portion where a tool is brought to bear when the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
is screw-coupled is covered so that it cannot be seen by a user.
The outer cannula
205
mounted to the hand piece
206
is configured as follows.
The outer cannula
205
is configured so as to have a sheath
221
having an internal tubular passage, and a holder unit
222
that is connected at the base end of the sheath
221
and has space formed therein which communicates with the tubular passage in the sheath
221
. In the holder unit
222
, on one side thereof, is provided a mouth fitting
230
that communicates with the tubular passage of the sheath
221
.
In the opening at the base end of the holder unit
222
, a cap
223
is provided, and in this cap
223
are provided a push button
227
and a flap valve (not shown) that is opened and closed by the push button
227
.
The flap valve is configured so that it is usually in a position that closes the opening at the base end of the holder unit
222
due to a spring (not shown), and so that, when a trocar needle or the hand piece
206
is mounted, the push button
227
is pushed in, and turns, withdrawing toward the space provided inside the holder unit
222
, thus opening the opening at the base end of that holder unit
222
.
Furthermore, to the cap
223
is detachably mounted a seal member
224
. This seal member
224
is configured so as to have a base end part that is held at the position of the opening at the base end of the holder unit
222
, an arm member
229
extended diagonally from that base end part, and a valve member
228
formed at the tip end of that arm member
229
. In the base end part thereof is formed a first seal hole, and in the valve member
228
is formed a second seal hole having a smaller diameter than the first seal hole.
The base end part of the seal member
224
, to describe it more particularly, is attached by being held sandwiched between the cap
223
and a seal securing member
226
provided in that cap
223
such that it can freely turn on a shaft
225
. Accordingly, this seal member
224
is configured so that it can be removed from the cap
223
by turning the seal securing member
226
.
In the cap
223
provided in the holder unit
222
of the outer cannula
205
, furthermore, connection means are provided for detachably connecting the hand piece
206
. These connection means are configured as diagrammed in
FIG. 18
, for example.
First, to the leading end of case
211
of the hand piece
206
, a cylindrical connection member
241
is connected and fixed by screw fastening or the like so that it becomes coaxial with that case
211
.
Also, to the leading end of the connection member
241
, a connection ring
242
is connected so that it becomes coaxial with the connection member
241
and so that it can turn freely relative to that connection member
241
.
In other words, in the inner surface of the leading end of the connection member
241
are formed a projection
243
and a groove
244
that extend all the way around the circumference, while in the outer surface of the base end of the connection ring
242
are formed a projection
246
and a groove
247
that extend all the way around the circumference, so that, by mutually reversing the concave-convex relationship, the projection
243
and groove
244
, and also the groove
247
and projection
246
, respectively interlock.
Accordingly, it is possible for the connection ring
242
to turn concentrically with the connection member
241
. At such time, the parts joined with the projection
243
and the groove
247
and the parts joined with the groove
244
and the projection
246
are interlocked so that they generate friction forces that counteract the turning force, so that the two cannot be turned by a slight force, resulting in a configuration wherein, in order to effect turning, a conscious turning action must be performed, bringing to bear a commensurately strong force.
The outer cannula
205
described earlier is coupled with this connection ring
242
that can turn freely in this manner.
That is, in the cap
223
of the outer cannula
205
, a pair, for example, of claw-shaped receiving pieces
250
are provided, extended toward the base end direction, and a projection
251
and groove
252
are formed in the inner surfaces of those receiving pieces
250
.
Also, at the leading end of the connection ring
242
, a pair of latching arms (latching pawls)
253
are provided that project forward after bulging to the outside, corresponding to the pair of receiving pieces
250
. At the outer surfaces of these latching arms
253
are formed grooves
256
and projections
255
for meshing with the projections
251
and the grooves
252
in the receiving pieces
250
so that the concave-convex relationship is reversed.
By such a configuration as this, when the hand piece
206
is mounted to the outer cannula
205
, the latching arms
253
are deformed, flexing to the inside, and the projections
251
of the receiving pieces
250
and the projections
255
of the latching arms
253
mutually ride up over each other and interlock to effect latching.
When removing the hand piece
206
from the outer cannula
205
, the latching arms
253
are depressed with the fingers or the like, deforming those latching arms
253
so that they flex to the inside, thereby releasing the interlocking of the projections
251
of the receiving pieces
250
and the projections
255
of the latching arms
253
. Then, with that interlocking so released, by pulling out the hand piece
206
toward the front, the hand piece
206
can be removed from the outer cannula
205
.
In the aft end of the hand piece
206
, an electrical connection unit
258
is provided for detachably connecting a connector
257
provided in the leading end of the cable
203
.
This electrical connection unit
258
has a common configuration irrespective of the type of the hand piece
206
of the ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
. Thus, whether the ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
has the same types of hand pieces
206
or different types of hand pieces
206
, they can be connected to the connector
257
of the common cable
203
.
Thus, by commonly using the cable
203
, left connected as is to the oscillator apparatus
202
via a connector
287
at the other end, as diagrammed in
FIG. 14
, a plurality of hand pieces
206
can be connected, and, for that reason, there is no need to have a separate cable
203
available for each hand piece
206
that is used.
A description is now given, with reference to
FIG. 19
, of a configuration wherein multiple hand pieces
206
that are of the same model but different specifications are selectively connected to the same cable
203
.
Every one of the plurality of ultrasonic trocars diagrammed in
FIG. 19
is configured roughly in the same way as the one described above, but the diameters of the outer cannula
205
are different, being φ5, φ10, and φ12, respectively (where the symbol “φ” represents the diameter in mm units), constituting ultrasonic operation apparatuses
201
when combined with that which is compatible with the outer cannula
205
. Each of these ultrasonic operation apparatuses
201
is configured so that the connector
257
of the cable
203
can be commonly connected.
In
FIG. 20
is represented a relationship wherein the connector
257
of the cable
203
can be connected commonly to a plurality of ultrasonic operation apparatuses
201
, inclusively of different models, together with the relationship of operating instruments that are combined with the vibrator units.
At the top in
FIG. 20
are diagrammed an operating instrument
271
configured as scissors with an insertion part
272
having a diameter of φ10, and a vibrator unit
273
used in that operating instrument
271
.
Second from the top in
FIG. 20
are diagrammed an operating instrument
274
configured as short scissors with an insertion part
275
having the same diameter of φ10, and a vibrator unit
276
used in that operating instrument
274
.
In the middle in
FIG. 20
are diagrammed an operating instrument
277
configured as scissors with an insertion part
278
having a diameter of φ5, and a vibrator unit
279
used in that operating instrument
277
.
Second from the bottom in
FIG. 20
are diagrammed an operating instrument
281
configured as a hook with an insertion part
282
having a diameter of φ10, and a vibrator unit
283
used in that operating instrument
281
.
And at the bottom in
FIG. 20
are diagrammed an operating instrument
284
configured as a hook with an insertion part
285
having a diameter of φ5, and a vibrator unit
286
used in that operating instrument
284
.
The connector
257
of the cable
203
is made so that it can be commonly connected to any of the vibrator units
273
,
276
,
279
,
283
, and
286
used respectively in the operating instruments
271
,
274
,
277
,
281
, and
284
.
Thus provision is made so that the common cable
203
can be connected to the vibrator unit used in any of the operating instruments, whether they be operating instruments of the same type but different scheme as diagrammed in
FIG. 19
or operating instruments of different type as diagrammed in FIG.
20
.
Also, as described in the foregoing, in each of the operating instruments
271
,
274
,
277
,
281
, and
284
is used the corresponding vibrator unit
273
,
276
,
279
,
283
, or
286
, respectively, but, when that is done, it is preferable that identification means (discrimination means) be added in order to clarify the relationships between compatible pairs. An example of such identification means that may be mentioned include the application of an indication to both members of mutually compatible combinations, wherewith the fact of their being a combination can be distinguished, such as a common color, common letters or characters, common symbol, or common number, for example.
In
FIG. 21
are diagrammed examples of an ultrasonic trocar that is one example of an operating instrument wherein such identification means as these are provided. There are three outer cannulas
205
having respectively different diameters of φ12, φ10, and φ5, respectively, and ultrasonic vibrator units for the hand piece
206
wherein are provided ultrasonic vibration transmission members
215
that are compatible with those outer cannulas
205
, on both members of which combinations are applied the correspondingly common characters “φ
12
,” “φ
10
,” and “φ
5
,” respectively.
Now, in the oscillator apparatus
202
, one socket
288
for connecting the connector
287
of the cable
203
is generally provided, as diagrammed in
FIG. 14
, but this poses no limitation, and it is possible to provide a plurality of sockets
288
. When a plurality of sockets
288
is provided, it will of course be possible to employ a plural number of cables
203
. When the number of cables
203
is large, however, there is a possibility of the work being thereby interfered with, wherefore it is preferable to make provision so that, if at all possible, a fewer number of cables
203
is connected and used than the number of operating instruments being used.
Also, in each of the hand pieces
206
is incorporated some discrimination means for identifying itself. The discrimination means in this eighth embodiment aspect are made such that, as diagrammed in
FIG. 16
, a resistor element
261
is incorporated inside the hand piece
206
, the resistance value of that resistor element
261
is read out by a detection circuit
262
incorporated in the oscillator apparatus
202
, via an identification signal transmission line, and, according to that detected resistance value, the type of the hand piece
206
wherein that resistor element
261
is incorporated, that is, the vibrator unit integrated with the probe, is distinguished. In Table 1 are represented examples of associations between the resistance value of the resistor element
261
and the hand piece type.
TABLE 1
|
|
Resistance
Hand Piece Type
|
|
50 Ω
φ 5 hand piece
|
100 Ω
φ10 hand piece
|
200 Ω
φ12 hand piece
|
|
As indicated in Table 1 above, the φ5 hand piece is distinguished when the resistance value is 50 Ω, the φ10 hand piece is distinguished when the resistance value is 100 Ω, and the φ12 hand piece is distinguished when the resistance value is 200 Ω.
At the oscillator apparatus
202
which has recognized which type the vibrator unit is by such discrimination means as this, at least one of the frequency, voltage, and current is controlled so that the power supplied to the recognized vibrator unit will be suitable.
In the oscillator apparatus
202
, furthermore, the number of times that vibrator unit was used, the frequency when used, the voltage when used, and the current used, etc., are stored in memory as data. Then, based on those stored data, the usage level of the vibrator unit is computed. Those usage level data can be displayed on a display device
263
provided in the oscillator apparatus
202
, but provision is made so that, when the usable life of the vibrator unit recognized is nearly elapsed, that fact is notified ahead of time by a warning display or audible alarm or the like.
Based on such an eighth embodiment aspect as this, provision is made so that the cable
203
is used in common for a plurality of sets of outer cannulas
205
and hand pieces
206
wherein compatible members are combined, wherefore the cable
203
connected as is to the oscillator apparatus
202
can be used, and a plurality of cables
203
is not needed.
Furthermore, because the cable
203
connected as is to the oscillator apparatus
202
can be used commonly with a plurality of ultrasonic operation apparatuses
201
, not only is the need to provide multiple cables for each of the multiple ultrasonic operation apparatuses
201
eliminated, but the task of connecting the hand piece
206
and the cable
203
can be done immediately on the user's end, without having to ask an assistant to connect the oscillator apparatus
202
and the cable
203
, which makes handling easier and facilitates better work efficiency.
Also, because the hand piece
206
and the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
are coupled integrally and fixedly, there is no need to assemble these every time the ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
is used, nor will mistakes in assembly be made. Thus it becomes possible to use the apparatus quickly and work efficiency is improved. Furthermore, because of the integral structure wherewith there is no danger of screwing pieces together too tightly or not tightly enough, an efficient ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
is realized that exhibits good ultrasonic transmission performance, stable operating conditions, and little heat generation.
Also, because the outer cannula
205
and the hand piece
206
that is detachably mounted to that outer cannula
205
can be axially rotated relatively to each other, the orientation of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
and the operating member
214
can be changed to facilitate operating ease without changing the gripping condition.
Moreover, because the resistor element
261
is incorporated as identification means in the hand piece
206
, it becomes possible to accurately ascertain and monitor the usage level and remaining life of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
that comprises the operating member
214
. Because the durability performance of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
is poorer than that of the hand piece
206
, so that the ultrasonic vibration transmission member
215
will wear out earlier, such a configuration as this is extremely effective.
In
FIGS. 22
to
24
B is diagrammed a ninth embodiment aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 22
is a side elevation that shows how a cable connector is connected to a hand piece in an ultrasonic operation system,
FIG. 23
is a side elevation that represents, partially in cross-section, a connection structure for a hand piece and a cable connector in the ultrasonic operation system, in its disassembled condition,
FIG. 24A
is an end surface view that represents the structure of an electrical connecting unit for a hand piece in the ultrasonic operation system, and
FIG. 24B
is an end surface view that represents the structure of a cable connector in the ultrasonic operation system.
In this ninth embodiment aspect, portions that are the same as in the eighth embodiment aspect are indicated by the same symbols and not further described here. Mainly the points of difference only are described.
In the eighth embodiment aspect described in the foregoing, provision was made so that the connector
257
of the common cable
203
could be connected to the electrical connection unit
258
of the hand piece
206
of the ultrasonic operation apparatus
201
. In this ninth embodiment aspect, however, provision is further made so that it is possible to connect the connector
257
of the cable
203
to the electrical connection unit
258
of the hand piece
206
so that it can be turned about the axis of the cable
203
.
The electrical connection unit
258
of the hand piece
206
diagrammed in
FIG. 23
is formed so that the outer circumference exhibits a cylindrical surface shape. By mounting the connector
257
of the cable
203
to that outer circumference so that it is fit over it, as diagrammed in
FIG. 22
, the hand piece
206
and the cable
203
are coupled in a turnable condition.
That is, the connector
257
has a cylindrical connection member
291
formed which fits over the outer circumference of the electrical connection unit
258
, and that cylindrical connection member
291
is provided with an inner circumferential shape that makes it possible to fit tightly onto the outer circumference of the electrical connection unit
258
such that it (i.e. the cylindrical connection member
291
) can turn.
At the extreme end of this electrical connection unit
258
is formed a positioning collar
292
against which the leading end of the cylindrical connection member
291
abuts when the cylindrical connection member
291
is mated and connected.
Moreover, slightly on the inside of the circumferential edge in the leading end surface of the electrical connection unit
258
, a ring-shaped inner groove
293
is formed that extends all the way around the circumference thereof, and, on the wall surface on the outer circumferential side of that inner groove
293
, a ring-shaped latching projection
294
is formed that extends all the way around the circumference.
In the cylindrical connection member
291
, meanwhile, are provided pawls
295
for latching to the latching projection
294
.
These pawls
295
are configured so that they have a ring member
296
secured to the outer circumference of the leading end of the cylindrical connection member
291
, and flexible pieces
297
extended from that ring member
296
toward the back. These flexible pieces
297
, after being extended toward the back, are first bent inward, in the inner radial direction, and then bent forward, and at the extreme ends thereof are formed latching projections
298
for latching the latching projection
294
. In these flexible pieces
297
, the intermediate portions thereof extending toward the back are formed as bulging portions
300
that stick out to the outside of the cylindrical connection member
291
such as diagrammed in
FIGS. 22 and 23
, in a configuration wherein these bulging portions
300
can be pressed in with the fingers from the outside of the cylindrical connection member
291
.
The pawls
295
such as these ordinarily press in toward the inside of the cylindrical connection member
291
through cutouts
299
formed in the cylindrical connection member
291
.
First, to connect the hand piece
206
and the connector
257
, the following procedure is performed.
When the cylindrical connection member
291
of the connector
257
is plugged into the electrical connection unit
258
of the hand piece
206
so that it mates, the latching projections
298
of the pawls
295
bite into the inner groove
293
, and ride up over the latching projection
294
, whereupon a mutual latching condition like that indicated by the double-dotted line in
FIG. 23
is realized. Thus the connector
257
is latched and connected to the electrical connection unit
258
of the hand piece
206
, and a condition is attained wherein the hand piece
206
and the connector
257
are connected such that they can freely turn, about their axes, relative to each other.
Next, to remove the hand piece
206
from the connector
257
, the following procedure is performed.
The bulging portions
300
of the flexible pieces
297
are pushed in by the fingers from the outside of the cylindrical connection member
291
, and thereby the latching projections
298
of the pawls
295
are released from the latching projection
294
. By pulling out the connector
257
, in this condition, that connector
257
can be removed from the hand piece
206
.
Next, the electrically connecting structure of the hand piece
206
and the connector
257
is described with reference to
FIGS. 24A and 24B
.
In the end surface of the electrical connection unit
258
of the hand piece
206
, as diagrammed in
FIG. 24A
, are provided a first electrode
301
formed as a point positioned at the center axis, a second electrode
302
formed in a ring shape about the outer circumference of the first electrode
301
, a third electrode
303
formed in a ring shape about the outer circumference of the second electrode
302
, and a fourth electrode
304
formed in a ring shape about the outer circumference of the third electrode
303
, the last three mentioned whereof being thus formed concentrically about the center axis.
In the end surface of the connector
257
, meanwhile, are deployed a first electrode
306
, a second electrode
307
, a third electrode
308
, and a fourth electrode
309
, each being in a contact pin shape, at positions corresponding respectively to the first electrode
301
, second electrode
302
, third electrode
303
, and fourth electrode
304
.
In such a configuration as this, when the connector
257
is mounted to the electrical connection unit
258
of the hand piece
206
, the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes
306
,
307
,
308
, and
309
on the connector
257
side individually contact, and are electrically connected to, the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes
301
,
302
,
303
, and
304
on the hand piece
206
side, respectively. This condition of being electrically connected is maintained even when the connector
257
and hand piece
206
are turned relatively to each other as described earlier.
Provision is made so that, in such a connected condition as this, the combination of the first electrodes
301
and
306
and the combination of the second electrodes
302
and
307
are used for supplying drive power to the ultrasonic vibrator
212
, while the combination of the third electrodes
303
and
308
and the combination of the fourth electrodes
304
and
309
are used for transmitting signals of the resistor element
261
that constitutes discrimination means.
Based on such a ninth embodiment aspect as this, in addition to exhibiting roughly the same benefits as the eighth embodiment aspect described earlier, because the hand piece
206
can turn freely with respect to the connector
257
of the cord
3
, the cord
3
can be prevented from twisting when the hand piece
206
is being used, thus eliminating that problem.
Also, because the cord
3
will not become twisted even when the hand piece
206
is manipulated so as to turn, the hand piece
206
can be lightly manipulated so as to turn.
Furthermore, because the hand piece
206
can freely turn relative to the outer cannula
205
, the hand piece
206
can be made to assume various forms without having to be forced, and the operability of the hand piece
206
are enhanced.
In this invention, it is apparent that various modifications in a wide range can be made on this basis of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. This invention is not restricted by any specific embodiment except being limited by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An ultrasonic operation system comprising:a plurality of handpieces each having an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations, a case for housing the ultrasonic transducer and a probe for transmitting the ultrasonic vibrations to a living tissue; a drive signal generator unit including a drive signal generator circuit for generating drive signals for driving the ultrasonic transducer; a transmission cable having a distal end and a proximal end for transmitting the drive signals; a first connector device comprising a first plug provided at the proximal end of the transmission cable and a receptacle provided to the drive signal generator unit, the first plug and the receptacle being removably connected to each other; and a second connector device comprising a plurality of second plugs including electrodes exposed from a rear end of each of the plurality of handpieces and a socket provided at the distal end of the transmission cable, at lest one of the plurality of second plugs being selectively and removably attached to the socket so as to share the transmission cable.
- 2. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 1, wherein the socket has a recess to receive at least one of the plurality of second plugs, and output terminals for outputting the drive signals transmitted via the transmission cable, the output terminals being located at positions to transmit the drive signals to the electrodes in the recess when at least one of the plurality of second plugs is received in the recess.
- 3. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of handpieces is configured such that the probe can be removed from the ultrasonic transducer to be replaced with a different type of probe.
- 4. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch assembly including a main switch unit which is removably mounted to at least one of the plurality of handpieces and which generates an operating signal for operating a predetermined function of the ultrasonic operation system and an operation signal output part for outputting the operating signal generated by the main switch unit.
- 5. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 4, wherein the drive signal generator unit further comprises a control circuit for controlling the drive signal generator circuit in accordance with the operating signal.
- 6. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 4, wherein the operating signal output part is an output plug including one or more operating signal output terminals for outputting the operating signals.
- 7. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 6, wherein the transmission cable includes one or more drive signal transmission lines for transmitting the drive signals and one or more operating signal transmission lines for transmitting the operating signals, and the output plug is removably connected to a hand switch input plug provided at a distal end of the operating signals transmission lines.
- 8. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 7, wherein the hand switch input plug is provided at an end of a cable which branches from the transmission cable.
- 9. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 7, wherein the hand switch input plug is provided on the socket of the second connector device.
- 10. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 9, wherein the hand switch input plug is provided on a shell of the socket so that it can be freely rotated along the circumferential surface of the socket.
- 11. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 4, wherein the operating signal output part is a relay adapter which includes a third plug removably attached to the socket of the second connector device and a second socket removably attached to at least one of the second plugs of the second connector device and which is removably interposed between the transmission cable and at least one of the handpieces.
- 12. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 1, wherein an identification element is incorporated inside each of the handpieces to distinguish the handpiece itself, and the drive signal generator unit includes a distinguishing device for distinguishing the connected handpiece based on an identification signal output from the identification element.
- 13. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 12, wherein the transmission cable includes one or more identification signal transmission lines for transmitting the identification signals, and the distinguishing device receives the identification signals via the identification signal transmission lines.
- 14. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 12, wherein the drive signal generator unit includes a control circuit for controlling the drive signal generator circuit based on a result of distinguishing by the distinguishing device.
- 15. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 14, wherein the drive signal generator unit includes a display device connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit is responsive to an output of the distinguishing device to display information indicative of the result of distinguishing by the distinguishing device on the display device.
- 16. An ultrasonic operation system comprising:an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations; a case for housing the ultrasonic transducer; a probe coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and extended from a distal end of the case; a drive signal generator unit including a drive signal generator circuit for generating drive signals for driving the ultrasonic transducer; a transmission cable having a plurality of transmission lines for transmitting the drive signals, the transmission cable being removably connected to the drive signal generator unit; a plug including a plurality of electrodes exposed from a rear end of the case for supplying the drive signals transmitted via the transmission cable to the ultrasonic transducer; and a socket which has a recess to receive the rear end of the case, the socket being removably connected with the plug for electrically connecting distal ends of the transmission lines to the electrodes respectively.
- 17. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of electrodes are provided in a concentric circular form for allowing relative rotation of the socket and the plug.
- 18. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 17, further comprising a locking device comprising a latching projection provided in the plug and a pawl provided in the socket which engages the latching projection, wherein the locking device restricts the movement of the plug and the socket in an attaching and removing direction and retains the plug in the socket.
- 19. The ultrasonic operation system according to claim 18, wherein the pawl is movable between a position to engage the latching projection and a position not to engage the latching projection.
Priority Claims (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2000-229296 |
Jul 2000 |
JP |
|
2001-177371 |
Jun 2001 |
JP |
|
2001-183790 |
Jun 2001 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (9)
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Date |
Country |
H6-42893 |
Jun 1994 |
JP |
H9-38098 |
Feb 1997 |
JP |
2608692 |
Feb 1997 |
JP |
2000-271135 |
Oct 2000 |
JP |
2001-87276 |
Apr 2001 |
JP |