Ultrasonic transducer core and gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument including the same

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ultrasonic transducer core, comprising a front metal block arranged along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer core, two or more piezoelectric stacks, an intermediate metal block connecting each two adjacent piezoelectric stacks together, and a rear metal block, wherein each of the two ends of the intermediate metal block is provided with a flange and the flanges are connected to the piezoelectric stacks adjacent to the front and rear of the intermediate metal block, and the intermediate metal block is also provided with a flange, which is located between the two flanges and is separated from the two flanges by annular grooves on both sides of the flange. The present invention also discloses a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising the above-mentioned ultrasonic transducer core. The present invention overcomes the problems of large power loss of the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument when the ultrasonic energy of the instrument is transferred from the rear end of the instrument to the front end of the instrument, large and heavy transducer, high cost of vibration coupler, and inflexible use of the instrument.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of minimally invasive medical treatment, in particular to a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasonic instruments are used in various surgical procedures, such as endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery, to dissect, cut, ligate, achieve coagulation and / or achieve hemostasis in tissue. Typically, a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument (e.g., an ultrasonic soft tissue cutting hemostat) includes a handle assembly for grasping the instrument, a transducer attached to the rear end of the handle assembly, and a vibration coupler extending from the ultrasonic transducer through the body of the instrument to the end effector of the instrument. The transducer generates vibrations in the ultrasonic frequency range, which are transmitted from the handle assembly of the instrument to the end effector through the vibration coupler. This configuration has several disadvantages, for example, when the ultrasonic energy is transmitted from the rear end of the instrument to the front end of the instrument, the power of the instrument is attenuated. In addition, power loss is increased at the connection and sealing of the instrument. Therefore, a large and heavy transducer is required to drive the known surgical instrument. The large volume of the transducer is placed at the position closest to the end effector, so an extended and usually relatively inflexible slender vibration coupler is required, which makes it difficult or impossible to engage the end effector with the blade, which limits the usability of existing ultrasonic instruments in endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery.

[0003] In addition, the cost of the vibration coupler is high because the material of the vibration coupler is generally titanium alloy, and the cost of raw materials is higher than that of general metal materials. Moreover, titanium alloy is difficult to process, which further increases the cost of the vibration coupler. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome the problems of large power loss of the instrument, large and heavy transducer, and high cost of vibration coupler when the ultrasonic energy of the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument is transferred from the rear end of the instrument to the front end of the instrument in the prior art, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer core, which has a longitudinal axis and generates vibrations at a predetermined frequency along the longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic transducer core comprises: a front metal block arranged along the longitudinal axis, two or more piezoelectric stacks, an intermediate metal block connecting each two adjacent piezoelectric stacks together, and a rear metal block; a flange is respectively provided at the two ends of the intermediate metal block and the two flanges are connected to the piezoelectric stacks adjacent to the front and rear of the intermediate metal block, and the intermediate metal block is also provided with a flange, which is located between the two flanges and is separated from the two flanges by annular grooves on both sides of the flange.

[0005] Preferably, the intermediate metal block and the flange, two flanges, and annular grooves on both sides of the flange are integrally formed.

[0006] Preferably, each of the two or more piezoelectric stacks included in the ultrasonic transducer core includes one or more piezoelectric elements. When the number of piezoelectric elements included in one of the piezoelectric stacks is two or more, the positive electrodes of the piezoelectric elements included in this piezoelectric stack are connected in series through a plurality of electrode sheets between or at the ends of the piezoelectric elements and / or the negative electrodes of the piezoelectric elements are connected in series through a plurality of electrode sheets between or at the ends of the piezoelectric elements, a connecting portion integrally formed with the two adjacent electrode sheets is provided between each two adjacent electrode sheets of the series-connected positive electrodes, and / or a connecting portion integrally formed with the two adjacent electrode sheets is provided between each two adjacent electrode sheets of the series-connected negative electrodes, the multiple electrode sheets of the series-connected positive electrodes and the multiple electrode sheets of the series-connected negative electrodes are interspersed and alternately arranged, and the connecting portions of the series-connected positive electrodes and the connecting portions of the series-connected negative electrodes do not contact each other.

[0007] Preferably, when the ultrasonic transducer core includes two piezoelectric stacks, each piezoelectric stack has six piezoelectric elements, and when the number of connection parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is three, the number of connection parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is two, or when the number of connection parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is two, the number of connection parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is three.

[0008] Preferably, insulating materials are provided on both surfaces of each connection portion of the series-connected positive electrode sheets and / or each connection portion of the series-connected negative electrode sheets, and the insulating materials are any one of plastic, resin, rubber, paint, or coating.

[0009] The present invention also provides a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising an ultrasonic transducer core as described in any one of the above items, and the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes: a handle assembly; an extension assembly, the extension assembly is connected to the handle assembly, the extension assembly includes: an extension shell, the extension shell extends from the handle assembly to the front end, the ultrasonic transducer core is arranged at the front part of the extension shell and is arranged inside the extension shell; an end actuator, the end actuator is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer core and connected to the ultrasonic transducer core; a first sleeve, the first sleeve is arranged on the extension shell; a second sleeve, the second sleeve is arranged on the first sleeve; a clamping member, the clamping member is pivotally connected to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and can move between an open position and a clamping position relative to the end actuator; and a knob, the knob is arranged between the handle assembly and the extension assembly and can drive the extension assembly to rotate together when the knob rotates.

[0010] Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer core is fixed together by the connection between the flange and the elongated shell, wherein an insulating ring is installed on the flange, and the flange and the elongated shell are fixed together by insulating pins, insulating screws, or potting glue.

[0011] Preferably, one or more recesses are provided on the flange of the ultrasonic transducer core for accommodating insulating pins or insulating screws, and one or more through holes are provided at positions of the elongated shell corresponding to the recesses, and the through holes are used to allow the insulating pins or insulating screws to pass through them and enter the recesses, so that the elongated shell and the flange are connected in a fixed position, wherein the insulating pins or the insulating screws are interference fit with the through holes and the recesses; or the insulating pins or the insulating screws are also sealed with the through holes and the recesses by insulating glue.

[0012] Preferably, after the flange of the ultrasonic transducer core is placed in the elongated shell and a fixed position is determined, liquid epoxy resin glue, organic silicone glue or polyurethane glue is directly poured at and around the fixed position so that the flange is fastened at the fixed position in the elongated shell.

[0013] Preferably, the front portion of the extension shell has a bent portion bent toward the longitudinal axis to accommodate the ultrasonic transducer core in the extension shell, and a silicone ring is provided at the contact position between the front end of the bent portion of the extension shell and the end actuator, and the silicone ring is fixed to the front end of the bent portion of the extension shell or to the end actuator, and a silicone ring is also provided between the rear end of the bent portion of the extension shell and the first sleeve.

[0014] Preferably, the extension assembly and the knob are disposable or replaceable as a whole from the handle assembly.

[0015] Preferably, the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes two wires, which are led out from the rear of the ultrasonic transducer core and extend backward inside the elongated shell until they are connected to the conductive component in the handle assembly; corresponding elastic electrodes are provided at the rear ends of the two wires, and these elastic electrodes are welded to an insulating chuck provided at the rear end of the elongated shell, the elongated shell is fixed together with the insulating chuck, and the insulating chuck can be rotated and disassembled together with the elongated shell, and the conductive component is in electrical contact with the elastic electrodes.

[0016] Preferably, the conductive component includes an insulating seat and two conductive rings radially and parallelly arranged on the insulating seat, the two conductive rings are separated by two insulating rings on the insulating seat, the elastic electrodes located on the insulating chuck are correspondingly squeezed into contact with the end faces of the two conductive rings and form an electrical connection, and the two conductive rings are integrally encapsulated with the insulating seat and the two insulating rings thereon.

[0017] Preferably, the two conductive rings are respectively provided with two annular grooves on the end faces facing the elastic electrodes, so that the elastic electrodes are correspondingly inserted into the annular grooves on the end faces of the two conductive rings, and when the elastic electrodes rotate with the elongated shell, they are still squeezed with the bottom of the annular grooves of the two conductive rings and maintain electrical contact.

[0018] Preferably, the end effector is detachably connected to the ultrasonic transducer core, and the end effector is disposable or replaceable.

[0019] Preferably, the end effector is connected to the ultrasonic transducer core via a threaded connection, and a structure for applying an external force is provided on the end effector so as to fasten the end effector to the ultrasonic transducer core.

[0020] Preferably, the end actuator is non-detachably connected to the ultrasonic transducer core, and the end actuator and the front metal block of the ultrasonic transducer core are made of the same material as a whole.

[0021] Preferably, the end actuator and the ultrasonic transducer core are non-detachably connected, and the end actuator and the ultrasonic transducer core are connected by any one of welding, bonding and riveting.

[0022] Preferably, a balance weight is arranged inside the housing at the rear of the handle assembly.

[0023] Preferably, the length of the ultrasonic transducer core is greater than or equal to 1 / 4 of a wavelength and less than or equal to 1 / 2 of a wavelength.

[0024] Preferably, the lengths of the ultrasonic transducer core and the end effector are multiples of 1 / 2 of a wavelength.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0026] (1) The front end of the ultrasonic transducer core is directly connected to the end effector, eliminating the difficult-to-process vibration coupler structure and avoiding the need for a slender vibration coupler formed of titanium, thereby significantly reducing the cost of gun-type ultrasonic surgical instruments;

[0027] (2) The length of the main body of the device can be changed, such as shortened or extended, with little corresponding change in the performance of the device;

[0028] (3) Ultrasonic energy can be delivered to the patient more efficiently, thereby reducing energy requirements;

[0029] (4) The disposable portion of the device can be easily changed, such as the extension housing, the end effector, or any degree of disposable therebetween;

[0030] (5) Because the handle assembly does not support the transducer, the handle assembly can be more ergonomically configured;

[0031] (6) Using a small transducer on, in, or near the front end of the device instead of a large transducer at the back end of the instrument greatly reduces the weight of the instrument, making it easier to manage, especially during delicate surgical procedures;

[0032] (7) The piezoelectric element of the transducer is much smaller than the transducer size of gun-type ultrasonic surgical instruments on the market, so that the radial size of the transducer can meet the requirements of passing through the puncture port, and the longitudinal size can also be effectively compressed;

[0033] (8) The transducer is designed to be small in size so that it can be inserted deep into the patient's body. The rear end of the transducer is connected to the doctor's handle through an ordinary metal rod, and the front end of the transducer only needs to be equipped with a shorter end effector to achieve the ultrasonic soft tissue cutting and hemostasis function;

[0034] The above discussion is only intended to illustrate each aspect of the relevant technology in the technical field of the present invention, and should not be regarded as a denial of the scope of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument of the prior art;

[0037] Figure 2 is a combined diagram of an embodiment of an ultrasonic transducer core of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An exploded view of the ultrasonic transducer core;

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the middle metal block in FIG.

[0040] Figure 5 is a performance simulation diagram of an ultrasonic transducer core including intermediate metal blocks of different diameters according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 A combined three-dimensional view of a piezoelectric stack included in the ultrasonic transducer core of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7 To constitute Figure 6 A three-dimensional diagram of an electrode sheet and an electrode sheet connection portion of a piezoelectric stack;

[0043] Figure 8 To constitute Figure 7Schematic diagram of the electrode sheet and its connecting part just after processing;

[0044] Fig. 9 A morphological view of an electrode sheet and its connecting portion before being assembled;

[0045] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument of the present invention;

[0046] Fig.11 for Fig.10 An enlarged structural diagram of the front portion of a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument;

[0047] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of electrical connection between the elastic electrode installed at the rear end of the elongated housing and the conductive component in the handle component;

[0048] Fig.13 An exploded view of a conductive component;

[0049] Fig.14 for Fig.13 A combined stereoscopic view of the conductive components in FIG.

[0050] Fig.15 It is a schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the front part of another embodiment of the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument of the present invention;

[0051] Fig.16 It is an enlarged structural schematic diagram of the front part of yet another embodiment of the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument of the present invention;

[0052] Fig.17 A comparison chart of the length designs of the ultrasonic transducer core in the prior art and the transducer core of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The following description of certain embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the application and use of the details of the structure and arrangement of the components shown and described in the drawings and the specification. The embodiments shown in the present invention can be implemented or incorporated into other embodiments, variations and changes, and can be practiced or implemented in various ways. In addition, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions used herein are selected for the purpose of describing the illustrated embodiments of the present invention for the convenience of the reader, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0054] It should be understood that the terms "front" and "rear" used herein refer to the direction of the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument blade handle toward the patient when working, and the direction away from the patient is the rear. Gun-type ultrasonic surgical instruments can be used in a variety of directions and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and are not absolute. The term "end" should be understood to refer to a longitudinal boundary, or a surface representing this boundary.

[0055] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0056] In addition, it should be understood that any one or more of the following embodiments, expressions of embodiments, examples, etc. can be combined with any one or more of the other embodiments, expressions of embodiments, examples, etc. described below.

[0057] Figure 1 What is shown is a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument of the prior art, in which a large and heavy ultrasonic transducer is placed at the rear end of the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument.

[0058] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An embodiment of the ultrasonic transducer core of the present invention is shown. The ultrasonic transducer core is generally cylindrical in shape, has a longitudinal axis and vibrates at a predetermined frequency along the longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic transducer core 2 includes: a front metal block 2-1 arranged along the longitudinal axis, two or more piezoelectric stacks 9, an intermediate metal block 10 connecting each two adjacent piezoelectric stacks 9, and a rear metal block 2-3. Preferably, the number of piezoelectric stacks included in the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is two, three, four, five or six, etc. When the number of piezoelectric stacks included in the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is two, the number of the intermediate metal blocks 10 is one; when the number of piezoelectric stacks included in the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is three, the number of the intermediate metal blocks 10 is two; when the number of piezoelectric stacks included in the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is four, the number of the intermediate metal blocks 10 is three; and so on. The piezoelectric stack 9 may include one or more piezoelectric elements 9-1, the number and thickness of the piezoelectric elements 9-1 may be adjusted according to actual conditions, and the piezoelectric elements may be made of any suitable material, such as lead zirconate titanate, lead metaniobate, lead titanate, barium titanate, PMNT material (single crystal material) or other piezoelectric element materials. Each of the piezoelectric elements 9-1 may have a hole passing through the center. Each piezoelectric stack is configured with a corresponding connecting rod 2-2 to thread one or more piezoelectric elements 9-1 together, and the connecting rod 2-2 is a double-headed threaded rod. Preferably, an insulating sleeve is lined between the connecting rod 2-2 and one or more piezoelectric elements 9-1 so that there is no electrical contact between the connecting rod and the piezoelectric element. Since the output power of the ultrasonic transducer is mainly determined by the volume of the piezoelectric element, when the radial dimension of the piezoelectric element is reduced, in order to ensure the output power, that is, the volume of the piezoelectric element remains unchanged, the thickness or number of piezoelectric elements must increase.

[0059] The front metal block 2-1 is a bell-shaped metal block, and the rear metal block 2-3 is a cylindrical metal block. The lengths of the front metal block 2-1 and the rear metal block 2-3 are determined by multiple variables, such as the thickness of the transducer portion, the density and elastic modulus of the materials used for the front metal block 2-1 and the rear metal block 2-3, and the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The front metal block 2-1 is tapered inward from its rear end to its front end to amplify the ultrasonic amplitude, or it may not have an amplification effect. Both the front metal block 2-1 and the rear metal block 2-3 are provided with structures for applying a preload, such as Figure 3 The rectangular structures (a, c) formed by machining on the cylindrical surfaces of the front metal block and the rear metal block are structures for applying preload. A suitable vibration frequency range may be about 20 Hz to 120 kHz, a particularly suitable vibration frequency range may be about 30 Hz to 100 kHz, and an example of an operating vibration frequency may be, for example, about 55.5 kHz.

[0060] Each adjacent two piezoelectric stacks 9 are connected by an intermediate metal block 10 arranged along the longitudinal axis. The intermediate metal block 10 is also substantially cylindrical. Figure 4 As shown, a flange 10-1, 10-2 is respectively provided at the two ends of the intermediate metal block 10 and these flanges are connected to the piezoelectric stack 9 adjacent to the front and rear of the intermediate metal block 10, and the diameter of these flanges is preferably the same size as the diameter of the piezoelectric element 9-1, and the thickness of these flanges can be greater than, less than or equal to the thickness of the piezoelectric element 9-1, and is preferably less than or equal to the thickness of the piezoelectric element.

[0061] The intermediate metal block 10 is also provided with a flange 10-3, which is located between the two flanges 10-1 and 10-2 and is separated from the two flanges by annular grooves 10-4 and 10-5 on both sides. A structure for applying a preload may also be provided on the annular groove 10-4 or 10-5. Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the structure b for applying the preload force is arranged on the annular groove 10-4, and the length of the annular groove 10-4 is longer than that of the annular groove 10-5. The flange is usually located at the node of the vibration motion standing wave generated by the ultrasonic transducer (i.e., the minimum or zero crossing point of the vibration motion standing wave), and the connection structure between the ultrasonic transducer core and the housing is arranged here without having a significant impact on the vibration of the transducer itself; at the same time, the grooves on both sides of the flange can also reduce the static electrical impedance of the transducer, which is beneficial to the circuit design of the transducer. The flange can be provided with a wire hole for convenient conduction.

[0062] The front end of the threaded connecting rod that plays a connecting role in the piezoelectric stack 9 is connected to the front metal block 2-1 through a threaded structure, and the rear end of the threaded connecting rod is connected to a flange of the middle metal block through a threaded structure. Another threaded connecting rod is also connected to the other flange of the middle metal block 10 and the rear metal block 2-3 through a threaded structure. Of course, the front metal block, the two flanges of the middle metal block, and the rear metal block are all designed with threaded structures that match the threads of the threaded rod.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the entire transducer is provided with only one flange, and the thickness of the flange is at least 3 mm.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the intermediate metal block 10 and the two flanges 10-1 and 10-2 thereon, the flange 10-3 and the annular grooves 10-4 and 10-5 on both sides of the flange, and the rectangular structure b for applying the preload force are integrally formed by machining. The intermediate metal block 10 is provided with two annular grooves on both sides of the flange in order to change the diameter of the intermediate metal block where the annular grooves are located. The main function of the diameter change is to adjust the resonant frequency of the transducer. Figure 5 As shown, as the diameter of the middle metal block increases, the resonant frequency also increases, which indicates that the resonant frequency of the transducer can be adjusted by changing the diameter of the annular groove of the middle metal block.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, each piezoelectric stack 9 of the two or more piezoelectric stacks included in the ultrasonic transducer core 2 includes one or more piezoelectric elements 9-1. When a piezoelectric stack 9 includes two or more piezoelectric elements 9-1, the positive electrodes of the piezoelectric elements 9-1 included in the piezoelectric stack 9 are connected in series through a plurality of electrode sheets 9-2 between or at the ends of the piezoelectric elements and / or the negative electrodes of the piezoelectric elements 9-1 are connected in series through a plurality of electrode sheets between or at the ends of the piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric element 9-1 is sandwiched between the plurality of electrode sheets 9-2, and the electrode sheets are tightly attached to the piezoelectric elements. A connecting portion 9-3 integrally formed with the two adjacent electrode sheets is provided between each adjacent two electrode sheets of the series positive electrodes, and / or a connecting portion integrally formed with the two adjacent electrode sheets is provided between each adjacent two electrode sheets of the series negative electrodes. The plurality of electrode sheets of the series positive electrodes and the plurality of electrode sheets of the series negative electrodes are interspersed and arranged alternately, and the connecting portions of the series positive electrodes and the connecting portions of the series negative electrodes do not contact each other. Each of the electrode sheets may have a hole passing through the center. Like the piezoelectric element, these electrode sheets are also connected to the piezoelectric element through a connecting rod, wherein an insulating sleeve is provided on the connecting rod to avoid direct contact between the electrode sheet and the connecting rod. The positive and negative electrodes after series connection are electrically connected to the wires 7 and 8 respectively. The electrode sheet at the end of the piezoelectric stack may have a lead pin for connecting to the wire.

[0066] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer includes two piezoelectric stacks 9, each piezoelectric stack 9 has four piezoelectric elements 9-1, and when the number of connection parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is two, the number of connection parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is one, or when the number of connection parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is one, the number of connection parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is two.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer comprises two piezoelectric stacks 9, each of which has six piezoelectric elements 9-1. Figure 6 and 7 As shown, the number of connections of the series-connected positive electrode sheets is two when the number of connections of the series-connected negative electrode sheets is three, or the number of connections of the series-connected positive electrode sheets is three when the number of connections of the series-connected negative electrode sheets is two.

[0068] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer includes two piezoelectric stacks 9, each piezoelectric stack 9 has eight piezoelectric elements 9-1, and when the number of connection parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is four, the number of connection parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is three, or when the number of connection parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is three, the number of connection parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is four.

[0069] Figure 6 and 7 The figure shows the interlaced placement of the electrode sheets and the connecting parts of the positive / negative electrodes in series in a piezoelectric stack including six piezoelectric elements. Figure 8 As shown, an integrally formed electrode ring with three connecting parts and an integrally formed electrode ring with two connecting parts are shown, which are also the states of the electrode ring and its connecting parts when they are manufactured, similar to the shape of copper coins connected in series in the diameter direction, which can increase the efficiency of manufacturing. The length of the connecting part is greater than the thickness of the two adjacent piezoelectric elements it spans, and preferably the length of the connecting part is about 1 mm greater than the thickness of the two adjacent piezoelectric elements it spans, so that in the process of assembling the piezoelectric stack together with the piezoelectric element, the connection between the electrode sheet and the connecting part can be directly pressed into a curved shape by hand, saving the time of connecting each individual electrode sheet together. These electrode sheets are made of metal. Preferably, these electrode sheets are made of copper, and a layer of gold is plated on the copper to increase the conductivity.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, insulating materials are provided on both surfaces of each connecting portion of the series-connected positive electrode sheets and / or each connecting portion of the series-connected negative electrode sheets, and the insulating materials are any one of plastic, resin, rubber, paint, and coating. The two surfaces refer to a surface of the connecting portion facing the piezoelectric element and a surface facing away from the piezoelectric element. Insulating materials are pre-arranged on both surfaces of each connecting portion, so that the need to additionally arrange insulating materials on the electrode sheets to reduce the efficiency of assembly can be avoided in the process of assembling the piezoelectric stack. Fig. 9 It is shown that an insulating plastic sheet is pre-arranged on the connecting portion of the electrode sheet of the present invention to achieve the purpose of preventing short circuit.

[0071] The present invention also provides a gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument, such as Fig.10 As shown, the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument includes any of the aforementioned ultrasonic transducer cores, and the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes:

[0072] A handle assembly 15, which is gun-shaped and convenient for grasping surgical instruments during endoscopic and laparoscopic surgeries;

[0073] An extension assembly connected to the handle assembly, the extension assembly comprising:

[0074] An elongated shell 1 extends from the handle assembly 15 to the front end, and the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is arranged at the front of the elongated shell 1 and arranged inside it; the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is arranged at the front of the elongated shell 1 and at least partially arranged inside the elongated shell 1; preferably, the ultrasonic transducer core is entirely arranged at the front and inside of the elongated shell 1. In a preferred embodiment, the front of the elongated shell has a bent portion bent toward the longitudinal axis to accommodate the ultrasonic transducer core 2 in the elongated shell and isolate it from the outside. This front setting of the ultrasonic transducer is to alleviate a series of problems caused by the rear ultrasonic transducer, such as large weight and volume, and loss of vibration power when mechanical vibration is transmitted from the rear end to the front end. The elongated shell is made of metal, preferably stainless steel. Since the elongated shell is not used to transmit vibration, the use of stainless steel can save manufacturing costs;

[0075] An end effector 3, which is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer core 2 and connected to the ultrasonic transducer core 2, and the ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer core is transmitted to the end effector 3, and the end effector directly acts on the soft tissue. The end effector can be a blade of an ultrasonic knife. The shape of the end effector 3 can have a conical end, a triangular end, a cylindrical end, a substantially flat end, a rectangular body, and / or any other shape that is obvious to a person skilled in the art based on the teachings of this document; the front end of the end effector 3 is usually located at the antinode of the vibration motion standing wave generated by the ultrasonic transducer (i.e., the maximum point of the vibration motion standing wave), the end effector is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and oscillates at an ultrasonic frequency, and this oscillation can simultaneously cut the soft tissue and denature the protein in the adjacent tissue cells;

[0076] A first sleeve 4, the first sleeve 4 is arranged on the elongated shell 1;

[0077] A second sleeve 5, which is arranged on the first sleeve 4, and the elongated housing and the first sleeve and the second sleeve form a tubular guide structure, and the first sleeve and the second sleeve are preferably also made of stainless steel;

[0078] A clamping member 6, which is pivotally connected to the first sleeve 4 and the second sleeve 5 and can move between an open position and a clamping position relative to the end actuator 3, and the clamping member and the end actuator directly contact the soft tissue and cooperate to achieve the dissection, cutting, ligation, coagulation and / or hemostasis of the soft tissue; in addition, the mechanism in the handle assembly 15 that enables the clamping member to open and clamp belongs to the available prior art and is not described in detail here; and,

[0079] The knob 17 is disposed between the handle assembly and the extension assembly and can drive the extension assembly to rotate together when the knob rotates.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is fixed together by the connection between the flange 10-3 and the elongated shell 1, and an insulating ring is installed on the flange 10-3, and the insulating ring completely covers the contact surface of the flange with the elongated shell 1 to insulate the flange from the elongated shell, and the flange and the elongated shell are fixed together by insulating pins, insulating screws, or potting glue. One or more recesses are provided on the flange 10-3 of the ultrasonic transducer core for accommodating insulating pins or insulating screws, and one or more through holes are provided at positions corresponding to the recesses of the elongated shell, and the through holes are used to allow the insulating pins or insulating screws to pass through them and enter the recesses, so that the elongated shell is connected to the flange in a fixed position, wherein the insulating pins or the insulating screws are interference fit with the through holes and the recesses; or the insulating pins or the insulating screws and the through holes and the recesses can also be sealed with insulating glue. Or the flange 10-3 and the elongated shell 1 are fixed together by potting glue. After the flange 10-3 of the ultrasonic transducer core is placed in the elongated shell and the fixed position is determined, liquid epoxy resin glue, organic silicone resin or polyurethane glue is directly potted at the fixed position and around it so that the flange is fixed at the fixed position in the elongated shell. Potting is to mechanically or manually pour liquid polyurethane compound into a device equipped with electronic components and circuits, and solidify it at room temperature or under heating conditions to become a thermosetting polymer insulating material with excellent performance. The epoxy resin potting glue, organic silicone resin potting glue, and polyurethane potting glue used in this process are potting glue. The connection between the flange 10-3 and the elongated shell 1 is a sealed connection to prevent the entry of moisture or tissue fluid.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the front portion of the elongated housing 1 has a curved portion that curves toward the longitudinal axis to accommodate the ultrasonic transducer core in the elongated housing, and the contact portion between the front end of the curved portion of the elongated housing and the end effector 3 or the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is sealed by silicone, for example, a silicone ring is provided at this position, and the silicone ring is fixed to the front end of the curved portion of the elongated housing or to the end effector 3. The rear end of the curved portion of the elongated housing 1 and the first sleeve 4 are also sealed by silicone, and a silicone ring is also provided, for example. The silicone ring can suppress unnecessary vibrations and isolate ultrasonic energy from the elongated housing 1 to ensure that the longitudinal ultrasonic energy reaches the distal end of the ultrasonic end effector with maximum efficiency.

[0082] In addition, the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided with a knob 17 between the handle and the extension member. Rotating the knob 17 can drive the extension member to rotate, that is, drive the extension shell 1, the ultrasonic transducer core 2, the end actuator 3, the first sleeve 4, the second sleeve 5 and the clamping member 6 to rotate together. The knob is in direct contact with the outer surface of the second sleeve 5. The extension shell 1, the ultrasonic transducer core 2, the end actuator 3, the first sleeve 4, the second sleeve 5 and the clamping member 6 can be discarded or replaced as a whole from the handle assembly 15, and the knob 17 can also be discarded or replaced together with the extension member. This detachable connection makes it convenient for doctors to replace extension members of different lengths and / or thicknesses according to the specific needs of the operation when necessary.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument further includes two wires 7, 8, which are led out from the rear of the ultrasonic transducer core 2 and extend backward inside the elongated housing 1 until they are connected to a conductive component in the handle assembly 15, the conductive component is connected to an ultrasonic generator through a cable, and the ultrasonic generator outputs an electrical signal of a specified frequency, voltage, and current to the transducer. The conductive component is in electrical contact with the elastic electrode.

[0084] like Fig.12 As shown, the rear ends of the two wires 7 and 8 are provided with corresponding elastic electrodes 7-1 and 8-1, and these elastic electrodes 7-1 and 8-1 are welded to an insulating chuck 11 provided at the rear end of the elongated housing 1, and the insulating chuck 11 is fixed to the rear end of the elongated housing 1 by a connecting mechanism (e.g., adhesive, buckle, etc.), so that when the elongated housing 1 rotates during the doctor's operation, the insulating chuck 11 rotates with the elongated housing 1, and the wires will not be entangled or other situations will not affect the operation of the surgical instrument, and the rotation track of these elastic electrodes fixed on the insulating chuck is fixed. In addition, the insulating chuck can be rotated and disassembled together with the elongated housing.

[0085] The handle assembly includes a conductive component such as Fig.13 and 14As shown, the conductive assembly includes an insulating seat 12 and two conductive rings 13, 14 radially and parallelly arranged on the insulating seat, and the two conductive rings are made of metal, such as gold, silver, copper, etc. Preferably, the two conductive rings are made by machining and a layer of gold is plated on the surface of the two conductive rings to increase the conductive effect of the copper ring. The two conductive rings are separated by two insulating rings on the insulating seat 12. The elastic electrodes 7-1, 8-1 located on the insulating chuck 11 are pressed and contacted with the end faces of the two conductive rings 13, 14 and form an electrical connection. The two conductive rings 13, 14 are integrally molded with the insulating seat 14 and the two insulating rings thereon. The insulating seat has a central through hole, and the conductive ring 14, the annular insulating portion, the conductive ring 13 and the annular insulating portion are arranged radially in sequence from the inside to the outside. The insulating seat and the insulating ring are made of insulating materials, such as rubber, plastic, etc. The preferred insulating material used is polycarbonate (PC). Polycarbonate has the characteristics of high transparency, light weight, impact resistance, sound insulation, heat insulation, flame retardancy, and aging resistance.

[0086] This conductive component is fixed in the handle component 15 and insulated from the handle component 15. The rear end of the conductive component is connected to the ultrasonic generator through a cable. The rear end of the elongated housing 1 is not in direct contact with the conductive component, but is in direct contact with the conductive component through an elastic electrode mounted on an insulating chuck at the rear end of the elongated housing 1.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the two conductive rings are provided with two annular grooves 13-1, 14-1 on the end faces facing the elastic electrodes 7-1, 8-1 (eg Figure 12-14 As shown in the figure, the elastic electrodes 7-1, 8-1 are inserted into the annular grooves on the end faces of the two conductive rings, thereby limiting the movement trajectory of the elastic electrodes 7-1, 8-1 in the annular grooves 13-1, 14-1, which are manufactured by mechanical processing. When the elastic electrodes 7-1, 8-1 rotate with the elongated shell, they are still pressed against the bottom of the annular grooves 13-1, 14-1 of the two conductive rings and maintain electrical contact.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the end effector 3 is detachably connected to the ultrasonic transducer core 2, and the end effector is disposable or replaceable. The end effector 3 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer core 2 by a thread, and a structure for applying an external force is provided on the end effector to fasten the end effector 3 to the ultrasonic transducer core 2. The structure for applying an external force provided on the end effector 3 can be a hole A that runs through the diameter of the end effector, such as Fig.11As shown, by inserting a rod into the hole A, the rod is rotated to fix the end effector 3 to the ultrasonic transducer core 2. The structure for applying external force provided on the end effector 3 can also be a structure convenient for clamping, for example, a flat structure symmetrical around the longitudinal axis of the end effector or other asymmetrical structures convenient for clamping, preferably a pair of symmetrical flat structures B, such as Fig.15 As shown. The outer surface of the end effector 3 near the elongated housing 1 is provided with a structure that can be used to fix the end effector 3 to the ultrasonic transducer core 2 by applying external force to the structure that facilitates clamping using a clamping tool (e.g., a wrench or pliers). In this way, the rest of the gun-type ultrasonic instrument can be reused, recycled and / or resterilized, and a new end effector 3 can be connected to the ultrasonic transducer core 2 for another operation. In other cases, if the clamping mechanism is worn, blocked and / or cannot be operated or used, or the ultrasonic transducer is damaged or cannot be used, the entire elongated assembly can be replaced.

[0089] When the end effector 3 is non-detachably connected to the ultrasonic transducer core 2, the end effector 3 and the front metal block 2-1 of the ultrasonic transducer core can be made of the same material (for example, waveguide material) as a whole. Fig.16 As shown; or a part of the end effector 3 is made into a shell of the ultrasonic transducer core 2. The manufacturing material of the end effector is preferably titanium alloy. In addition to titanium alloy, the material of the end effector also includes aluminum, steel, iron, alloy, etc.

[0090] When the connection between the end effector 3 and the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is non-detachable, the end effector 3 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer core 2 by any suitable means such as welding, bonding, riveting and other similar methods.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, a balancing weight 16 is disposed inside the housing at the rear of the handle assembly. Fig.10 As shown, the center of gravity of the balance block is preferably set at the extension line of the center line of the elongated shell to avoid the situation where the entire gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument is heavy at the front and light at the back due to the front placement of the transducer.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the length of the ultrasonic transducer core 2 is greater than or equal to 1 / 4 of a wavelength and less than or equal to 1 / 2 of a wavelength. In the prior art, the length of an ultrasonic transducer core is usually designed to be the length of a wavelength. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the ultrasonic transducer core is 1 / 2 of a wavelength, and the front end of the ultrasonic transducer core is at the antinode of the vibration motion standing wave (usually referred to as the maximum absolute value or peak value, such as the position where the motion is usually the largest). Fig.17The figure in the figure shows the lengths of three transducer cores. The upper figure shows that the length of the ultrasonic transducer core of the prior art including one piezoelectric stack is designed to be one wavelength. The middle figure shows that the length of the ultrasonic transducer core of the prior art including two piezoelectric stacks is designed to be one wavelength. The lower figure shows that the length of the ultrasonic transducer core of the present invention including two piezoelectric stacks is designed to be 1 / 2 wavelength. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the ultrasonic transducer core and the end actuator is a multiple of 1 / 2 of a wavelength. Preferably, the length of the ultrasonic transducer core and the end actuator is an integral multiple of 1 / 2 of a wavelength.

[0093] The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument designed by the present invention places the ultrasonic transducer in front and is miniaturized. The radial and longitudinal dimensions are much smaller than those of a general dual-excitation transducer. While ensuring the output power, the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument can provide more structural type options, can be directly connected to the end effector, thereby eliminating the vibration coupler (also known as a waveguide rod) structure, avoiding the problem of the vibration coupler being difficult to process, and also reducing raw material and processing costs.

[0094] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "as shown in the figure...", "for example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0095] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention, and all equivalent modifications or changes made by persons having ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed by the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic transducer core having a longitudinal axis and vibrating along the longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency, the ultrasonic transducer core comprising: A front metal block, two or more piezoelectric stacks, an intermediate metal block connecting each two adjacent piezoelectric stacks, and a rear metal block arranged along the longitudinal axis; It is characterized in that A flange is provided at each of the two ends of the intermediate metal block, and the two flanges are connected to the piezoelectric stacks adjacent to the intermediate metal block in front and behind. The intermediate metal block is also provided with a flange, which is located between the two flanges and is separated from the two flanges by annular grooves on both sides of the flange. Each piezoelectric stack is configured with a corresponding connecting rod, which is a double-headed threaded rod, and an insulating sleeve is lined between the connecting rod and the piezoelectric stack.

2. The ultrasonic transducer core according to claim 1, wherein: The intermediate metal block, the flange arranged thereon, the two flanges, and the annular grooves on both sides of the flange are integrally formed.

3. The ultrasonic transducer core according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the two or more piezoelectric stacks included in the ultrasonic transducer core includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements, the positive electrodes of the piezoelectric elements included in each of the piezoelectric stacks are connected in series via a plurality of electrode sheets between or at the ends of the piezoelectric elements, and / or the negative electrodes of the piezoelectric elements are connected in series via a plurality of electrode sheets between or at the ends of the piezoelectric elements, a connecting portion integrally formed with the two adjacent electrode sheets is provided between each adjacent two electrode sheets of the series-connected positive electrodes, and / or a connecting portion integrally formed with the two adjacent electrode sheets is provided between each adjacent two electrode sheets of the series-connected negative electrodes, the plurality of electrode sheets of the series-connected positive electrodes and the plurality of electrode sheets of the series-connected negative electrodes are interspersed and arranged in an alternating manner, and the connecting portions of the series-connected positive electrodes and the connecting portions of the series-connected negative electrodes do not contact each other.

4. The ultrasonic transducer core according to claim 3, wherein: When the ultrasonic transducer core includes two piezoelectric stacks, each piezoelectric stack has six piezoelectric elements, and when the number of connecting parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is three, the number of connecting parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is two, or when the number of connecting parts of the positive electrode sheets connected in series is two, the number of connecting parts of the negative electrode sheets connected in series is three.

5. The ultrasonic transducer core according to claim 3, wherein: Insulating materials are provided on both surfaces of each connecting portion of the series-connected positive electrode sheets and / or each connecting portion of the series-connected negative electrode sheets. The insulating materials are any one of plastic, resin, rubber, paint, or coating.

6. A gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising the ultrasonic transducer core as described in any one of the above items, the gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument further comprising: Handle assembly; An extension assembly, the extension assembly is connected to the handle assembly, and the extension assembly comprises: An elongated shell extending from the handle assembly to the front end, wherein the ultrasonic transducer core is disposed at the front portion of the elongated shell and inside the elongated shell; an end effector disposed along a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer core and connected to the ultrasonic transducer core; a first sleeve disposed on the elongated housing; a second sleeve, the second sleeve being disposed on the first sleeve; a clamping member pivotably coupled to the first and second sleeves and movable relative to the end effector between an open position and a clamped position; and A knob is arranged between the handle assembly and the extension assembly and can drive the extension assembly to rotate together when the knob rotates.

7. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein: The ultrasonic transducer core is fixed together by the connection between the flange and the elongated shell, wherein an insulating ring is installed on the flange to be insulated from the elongated component, and the flange and the elongated shell are fixed together by insulating pins, insulating screws, or potting glue.

8. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein: The flange of the ultrasonic transducer core is provided with one or more recesses for accommodating insulating pins or insulating screws, and the elongated shell is provided with one or more through holes at positions corresponding to the recesses, and the through holes are used to allow the insulating pins or insulating screws to pass through them and enter the recesses, so that the elongated shell and the flange are connected in a fixed position, wherein the insulating pins or the insulating screws are interference fit with the through holes and the recesses; or the insulating pins or the insulating screws are also sealed with the through holes and the recesses by insulating glue.

9. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein: After the flange of the ultrasonic transducer core is placed in the elongated shell and a fixed position is determined, liquid epoxy resin glue, organic silicone glue or polyurethane glue is directly poured at the fixed position and its surroundings to fasten the flange at the fixed position in the elongated shell.

10. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein: The front portion of the extension shell has a bent portion bent toward the longitudinal axis to accommodate the ultrasonic transducer core in the extension shell, and a silicone ring is provided at the contact position between the front end of the bent portion of the extension shell and the end actuator. The silicone ring is fixed to the front end of the bent portion of the extension shell or to the end actuator, and a silicone ring is also provided between the rear end of the bent portion of the extension shell and the first sleeve.

11. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein: The extension assembly and the knob may be integrally disposable or replaceable from the handle assembly.

12. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein: The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument further comprises two wires, which are led out from the rear of the ultrasonic transducer core and extend rearward inside the elongated housing until they are connected to the conductive component in the handle assembly; Among them, corresponding elastic electrodes are provided at the rear ends of the two wires, and these elastic electrodes are welded to an insulating chuck arranged at the rear end of the extension shell. The extension shell is fixed together with the insulating chuck, and the insulating chuck can be rotated and disassembled together with the extension shell, and the conductive component is in electrical contact with the elastic electrode.

13. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein: The conductive component includes an insulating seat and two conductive rings radially and parallelly arranged on the insulating seat, the two conductive rings are separated by two insulating rings on the insulating seat, the elastic electrodes located on the insulating chuck are correspondingly squeezed into contact with the end faces of the two conductive rings and form an electrical connection, and the two conductive rings are integrally encapsulated with the insulating seat and the two insulating rings thereon.

14. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein: The two conductive rings are respectively provided with two annular grooves on the end faces facing the elastic electrodes, so that the elastic electrodes are correspondingly inserted into the annular grooves on the end faces of the two conductive rings, and when the elastic electrodes rotate with the elongated shell, they are still squeezed with the bottom of the annular grooves of the two conductive rings and maintain electrical contact.

15. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein: The end effector is detachably connected to the ultrasonic transducer core, and the end effector is disposable or replaceable.

16. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein: The end effector is connected to the ultrasonic transducer core via threads, and a structure for applying an external force is provided on the end effector so as to fasten the end effector to the ultrasonic transducer core.

17. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein: The end actuator is non-detachably connected to the ultrasonic transducer core, and the end actuator and the front metal block of the ultrasonic transducer core are made of the same material as a whole.

18. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein: The end actuator is non-detachably connected to the ultrasonic transducer core, and the end actuator is connected to the ultrasonic transducer core by any one of welding, bonding, and riveting.

19. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein: A balance block is arranged inside the shell at the rear of the handle assembly.

20. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein: The length of the ultrasonic transducer core is greater than or equal to 1 / 4 of a wavelength and less than or equal to 1 / 2 of a wavelength.

21. The gun-type ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 20, wherein: The lengths of the ultrasonic transducer core and the end effector are multiples of 1 / 2 of a wavelength.

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