Treatment tool and pad

Abstract

In the present invention, a treatment tool comprises: an ultrasonic blade 11 that is provided with a treatment surface having a first surface 1111 and second surfaces 1112, 1113 adjacent to the first surface 1111, ultrasonic vibration and high-frequency current being supplied from the treatment surface to biological tissue; a grip member 12 that opens and closes with respect to the ultrasonic blade 11 and thereby grips the biological tissue between the grip member 12 and the ultrasonic blade 11, and that has an electrode 13 for supplying high-frequency current to the biological tissue; a contact part 141 that is configured of an electrically insulating material and is provided to the grip member 12, the contact part 141 coming into contact with the first surface 1111 when the grip member 12 is closed with respect to the ultrasonic blade 11; and a projection part 142 that is configured of an electrically insulating material and is provided at a position on the grip member 12 set apart from the contact part 141, the projection part 142 projecting towards the inclined surfaces 1112, 1113. A portion of the electrode 13 is exposed from between the contact part 141 and the projection part 142, said portion facing the ultrasonic blade 11.

Description

Treatment tools and pads

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment tool and a pad.

[0002] Conventionally, a treatment instrument is known that treats a target area of ​​biological tissue (hereinafter referred to as a target area) by supplying ultrasonic vibrations and high-frequency current as treatment energy to the target area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The treatment tool described in Patent Document 1 includes an ultrasonic blade and a gripping member as shown below. The ultrasonic blade supplies ultrasonic vibrations and high-frequency current to the treatment target. The gripping member grips the treatment target between itself and the ultrasonic blade by opening and closing relative to the ultrasonic blade. The gripping member also supplies high-frequency current to the treatment target.

[0004] JP 2016-73729 A

[0005] However, in order to supply high-frequency current to the treatment target, at least a portion of the gripping member must be made of a metal material. However, when biological tissue comes into contact with the heated metal material, the biological tissue tends to stick to the gripping member. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can prevent biological tissue from sticking to the gripping member.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a treatment tool and a pad that can prevent living tissue from sticking to a gripping member.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the treatment instrument of the present invention comprises an ultrasonic blade having a treatment surface with a first surface and a second surface adjacent to the first surface, which supplies ultrasonic vibrations and high-frequency current to biological tissue from the treatment surface, a grasping member which grasps the biological tissue between itself and the ultrasonic blade by opening and closing relative to the ultrasonic blade and has an electrode which supplies the high-frequency current to the biological tissue, a contact portion made of an electrically insulating material and provided on the grasping member, which contacts the first surface when the grasping member is closed relative to the ultrasonic blade, and a protrusion made of an electrically insulating material and provided on the grasping member at a position spaced from the contact portion and protruding toward the second surface, and a portion of the electrode is exposed between the contact portion and the protrusion and faces the ultrasonic blade.

[0008] The pad of the present invention is a pad made of an electrically insulating material and includes a contact portion that contacts the ultrasonic blade, a protrusion spaced from the contact portion, an opening formed between the contact portion and the protrusion through which a portion of the electrode is exposed, and a connection portion that connects the contact portion and the protrusion.

[0009] The treatment tool and pad according to the present invention can prevent the living tissue from sticking to the gripping member.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a treatment system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a distal end portion of a treatment tool. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a gripping member. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a jaw. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a pad. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an attachment structure of a pad to a jaw. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modified example of the embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. Furthermore, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0012] [Overall Configuration of Treatment System] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a treatment system 1 according to an embodiment. The treatment system 1 applies treatment energy to a region of biological tissue to be treated (hereinafter referred to as a treatment target), thereby treating the treatment target. The treatment energy in this embodiment is ultrasonic energy and high-frequency energy. Treatments that can be performed by the treatment system 1 according to this embodiment include coagulation (sealing) of the treatment target, incision of the treatment target, and the like. Coagulation and incision may also be performed simultaneously. As shown in Fig. 1, this treatment system 1 includes a treatment tool 2 and a control device 3.

[0013] [Configuration of Treatment Tool] In the following, one side along the central axis Ax1 (FIG. 1) of the outer pipe 10 will be referred to as the distal side Ar1, and the other side will be referred to as the proximal side Ar2. In addition, the "width direction" described below refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis Ax1 and the opening / closing direction of the grasping member 12 relative to the treatment section 111, and is also a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the distal end portion of the treatment tool 2. Specifically, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the treatment tool 2. The treatment tool 2 applies ultrasonic energy and high-frequency energy to a treatment target, thereby treating the treatment target. As shown in Fig. 1, the treatment tool 2 includes a handpiece 4 and an ultrasonic transducer 5.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the handpiece 4 includes a fixed handle 6 (Figure 1), an operating handle 7 (Figure 1), a switch 8 (Figure 1), a rotating knob 9 (Figure 1), an outer pipe 10, an ultrasonic blade 11, and a gripping member 12.

[0016] The fixed handle 6 supports the entire treatment tool 2 and is a part that is held by an operator (user) such as a surgeon.

[0017] The operating handle 7 is movably attached to the fixed handle 6 and receives opening and closing operations by an operator such as a surgeon.

[0018] The switch 8 is provided in an exposed state on the outside of the fixed handle 6 and receives treatment operations from an operator such as a surgeon.

[0019] The rotation knob 9 has a generally cylindrical shape coaxial with the central axis Ax1 and is provided on the distal end side Ar1 of the fixed handle 6. The rotation knob 9 is rotated by an operator such as a surgeon. This rotation causes the rotation knob 9 to rotate about the central axis Ax1 relative to the fixed handle 6. Furthermore, the rotation of the rotation knob 9 causes the outer pipe 10, the ultrasonic blade 11, and the gripping member 12 to rotate about the central axis Ax1.

[0020] The outer pipe 10 is a cylindrical pipe made of a conductive material such as metal. An end of the base end side Ar2 of the outer pipe 10 is fixed to the rotary knob 9.

[0021] A first pin Pi1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is fixed to the end of the tip side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10. The first pin Pi1 has a cylindrical shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 1 and engages with the gripping member 12 to rotatably support the gripping member 12. In this embodiment, the first pin Pi1 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0022] The outer circumferential surface of the outer pipe 10 is covered with an outer tube (not shown) made of an electrically insulating material. A tubular inner pipe PI ( FIG. 2 ) is inserted into the outer pipe 10 and moves back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the outer pipe 10 in response to an opening or closing operation of the operating handle 7 by an operator such as a surgeon. A second pin Pi2 ( FIG. 2 ) having a cylindrical shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and engaging with the gripping member 12 is fixed to the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the inner pipe PI. In this embodiment, the second pin Pi2 is arranged on the upper side (the side where the gripping member 12 is arranged with respect to the treatment portion 111) of the first pin Pi1 in FIG. 2 .

[0023] The ultrasonic blade 11 is made of a conductive material and has an elongated shape extending along the central axis Ax1. The ultrasonic blade 11 is inserted into the inner pipe PI with the treatment portion 111 protruding outward. At this time, the end of the proximal side Ar2 of the ultrasonic blade 11 is mechanically connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 52 constituting the ultrasonic transducer 5, as shown in FIG. 1 . The ultrasonic blade 11 transmits ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic transducer 5 from the end of the proximal side Ar2 to the treatment portion 111. The ultrasonic vibrations are longitudinal vibrations that vibrate in a direction along the central axis Ax1. The outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic blade 11, excluding the treatment portion 111, is covered by an inner tube (not shown) made of an electrically insulating material.

[0024] In this embodiment, the treatment portion 111 has a cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the central axis Ax1 that has a substantially octagonal shape (see FIG. 3B). Note that the octagonal cross section of the treatment portion 111 is merely an example, and other shapes may be used. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the cross section of the treatment portion 111 is octagonal.

[0025] Hereinafter, the flat surface of the treatment portion 111 located on the gripping member 12 side will be referred to as the abutment surface 1111. This abutment surface 1111 is a surface that abuts against the abutment portion 141 of the pad 14 that constitutes the gripping member 12 when the gripping member 12 is closed around the treatment portion 111. That is, the abutment surface 1111 corresponds to a first surface according to the present invention. Furthermore, each surface that is adjacent to the abutment surface 1111 in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the treatment portion 111 and that slopes away from the gripping member 12 as it moves away from the abutment surface 1111 will be referred to as inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113. That is, the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113 correspond to second surfaces according to the present invention. Furthermore, the abutment surface 1111 and the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113 correspond to treatment surfaces according to the present invention. Furthermore, in the treatment portion 111 , the surfaces other than the contact surface 1111 and the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113 are referred to as non-treatment surfaces 1114 .

[0026] The non-treatment surface 1114 is covered with a coating layer 1115 made of an electrically insulating material. Examples of materials that can be used to form the coating layer 1115 include polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0027] Incidentally, when a treatment target is treated by ultrasonic vibration, the temperature of the non-treatment surface 1114 other than the contact surface 1111 and the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113, which are the treatment surfaces of the treatment unit 111, also rises. If the non-treatment surface 1114, when heated to a high temperature, comes into contact with a part of living tissue other than the treatment target, it will have an unintended effect on the living tissue. That is, in this embodiment, the non-treatment surface 1114 is coated with the coating layer 1115 to prevent unintended effects on the living tissue.

[0028] The grasping member 12 is connected to the outer pipe 10 by a first pin Pi1. The grasping member 12 is also connected to the inner pipe PI by a second pin Pi2. The grasping member 12 rotates about the first pin Pi1 relative to the outer pipe 10 in conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the inner pipe PI in response to an opening and closing operation of the operating handle 7 by an operator such as a surgeon. This allows the grasping member 12 to open and close relative to the treatment unit 111, enabling it to grasp a treatment target between itself and the treatment unit 111.

[0029] The treatment tool 2 may be configured as a push-close type or a pull-close type.

[0030] The push-close type has the following configuration: The gripping member 12 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction approaching the treatment unit 111 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the distal end side Ar1. That is, the gripping member 12 closes relative to the treatment unit 111. Also, the gripping member 12 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction away from the treatment unit 111 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the proximal end side Ar2. That is, the gripping member 12 opens relative to the treatment unit 111.

[0031] The pull-close type has the following configuration: The gripping member 12 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction approaching the treatment unit 111 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the base end side Ar2. That is, the gripping member 12 closes relative to the treatment unit 111. Also, the gripping member 12 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction away from the treatment unit 111 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the tip end side Ar1. That is, the gripping member 12 opens relative to the treatment unit 111.

[0032] The detailed configuration of the gripping member 12 will be described later in the section "Configuration of the gripping member."

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , the ultrasonic transducer 5 includes a TD (transducer) case 51 and an ultrasonic vibrator 52 .

[0034] The TD case 51 supports the ultrasonic transducer 52 and is detachably connected to the fixed handle 6 .

[0035] The ultrasonic vibrator 52 generates ultrasonic vibrations under the control of the control device 3. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrator 52 is configured by a BLT (bolt-tightened Langevin type vibrator).

[0036] [Configuration of the control device] The control device 3 comprehensively controls the operation of the treatment tool 2 via the electric cable C (Fig. 1). Specifically, the control device 3 detects a treatment operation on the switch 8 by an operator such as a surgeon via the electric cable C. Then, when the control device 3 detects the treatment operation, it applies treatment energy to the treatment target grasped between the grasping member 12 and the treatment section 111 via the electric cable C. In other words, the control device 3 treats the treatment target.

[0037] For example, when ultrasonic energy is applied to a treatment target, the control device 3 supplies driving power to the ultrasonic vibrator 52 via the electric cable C. This causes the ultrasonic vibrator 52 to generate longitudinal vibrations (ultrasonic vibrations) that vibrate in a direction along the central axis Ax1. The treatment unit 111 also vibrates at a desired amplitude due to the longitudinal vibrations. Then, ultrasonic vibrations are supplied from the treatment unit 111 to the treatment target grasped between the grasping member 12 and the treatment unit 111. In other words, ultrasonic energy is applied to the treatment target.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, when applying high-frequency energy to a treatment target, the control device 3 supplies high-frequency power between the gripping member 12 and the ultrasonic blade 11 via an electrical cable C or the like, following a conductive path through, for example, the outer pipe 10, the first pin Pi1, and the gripping member 12. When high-frequency power is supplied between the gripping member 12 and the ultrasonic blade 11, a high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment target grasped between the gripping member 12 and the treatment section 111. In other words, high-frequency energy is applied to the treatment target.

[0039] [Configuration of the grasping member] Next, the configuration of the grasping member 12 will be described. In the following description of the configuration of the grasping member 12, the side away from the treatment portion 111 will be referred to as the rear side Ar3 (see FIG. 3(b)), and the side close to the treatment portion 111 will be referred to as the treatment portion side Ar4 (see FIG. 3(b)). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the grasping member 12. Specifically, FIG. 3(a) is a view of the grasping member 12 as seen from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of line A-A shown in FIG. 3(a). FIG. 3(c) is a view of the grasping member 12 as seen from the treatment portion side Ar4. As shown in FIG. 3, the grasping member 12 includes a jaw 13 and a pad 14.

[0040] [Regarding the Jaw Configuration] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the jaw 13. Specifically, Figure 4(a) is a view of the jaw 13 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 4(a). Figure 4(c) is a view of the jaw 13 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. The jaw 13 is connected to the outer pipe 10 via a first pin Pi1 and to the inner pipe PI via a second pin Pi2, and opens and closes relative to the treatment section 111. The jaw 13 is made of a conductive material such as metal and functions as an electrode according to the present invention that supplies high-frequency current to the treatment target. Furthermore, a cover RC (Figure 2) made of an electrically insulating material is integrally formed on the rear side Ar3 of the jaw 13, covering the rear side Ar3. Therefore, by covering the rear surface Ar3 of the jaw 13, which functions as an electrode according to the present invention and does not function as a treatment surface, with the cover RC, it is possible to prevent the rear surface Ar3 from exerting an unintended effect on biological tissue. Note that, in this embodiment, the cover RC is insert-molded into the jaw 13, but this is not limiting. For example, a configuration in which the cover RC is fixed to the jaw 13 by a snap fit or a metal pin may be adopted.

[0041] The jaw 13 has an elongated shape extending in a direction along a central axis Ax1. Hereinafter, an axis that passes through the center of the jaw 13 in the width direction and is parallel to the central axis Ax1 will be referred to as a central axis Ax2 (FIGS. 3 to 5).

[0042] As shown in Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C, the jaw 13 has a recess 131 on the surface of the treatment portion side Ar4 that is recessed toward the rear side Ar3 and extends along the longitudinal direction of the jaw 13. The recess 131 is surrounded by side wall portions 1311 to 1314 located on the distal end side Ar1, the proximal end side Ar2, and both sides in the width direction, and a bottom wall portion 1315 on the rear side Ar3. As shown in Fig. 4C, the recess 131 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis Ax2 when viewed from the treatment portion side Ar4.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, a pair of jaw side protrusions 132 are erected on the surface of the bottom wall 1315 facing the treatment unit side Ar4. As shown in FIG. 4C, the pair of jaw side protrusions 132 are provided symmetrically with respect to the central axis Ax2 when viewed from the treatment unit side Ar4. Specifically, the jaw side protrusions 132 extend linearly along the central axis Ax2. As shown in FIG. 4B, the height of the jaw side protrusion 132 is smaller than the height of the side wall portions 1311 to 1314. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the tip of the jaw side protrusion 132 is configured with a slope that slopes toward the treatment unit side Ar4 as it moves away from the other jaw side protrusion 132.

[0044] [Regarding the Pad Configuration] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the pad 14. Specifically, FIG. 5(a) is a view of the pad 14 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC shown in FIG. 5(a). FIG. 5(c) is a view of the pad 14 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. FIG. 5(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD shown in FIG. 5(a). The pad 14 is made of an electrically insulating and biocompatible material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and is attached to the jaw 13 while fitting into the recess 131. The attachment structure of the pad 14 to the jaw 13 will be described later in the section "Attachment Structure of the Pad to the Jaw."

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the pad 14 includes a contact portion 141 , a pair of pad-side protrusions 142 , and four connection portions 143 .

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C , the abutment portion 141 is located on the central axis Ax2 when viewed from the rear side Ar3 or the treatment portion side Ar4, and extends linearly along the central axis Ax2. The abutment portion 141 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis Ax2 when viewed from the rear side Ar3 or the treatment portion side Ar4. The longitudinal length of the abutment portion 141 is slightly smaller than the distance between the side wall portions 1311 and 1312, as shown in FIG. 3C . Furthermore, the end surface of the abutment portion 141 on the treatment portion side Ar4 is formed by a flat surface extending along the width direction, as shown in FIG. 5B . When the pad 14 is attached to the jaw 13, the end surface of the abutment portion 141 on the treatment portion side Ar4 is located between the inclined surfaces that are the protruding ends of the pair of jaw-side protrusions 132, as shown in FIG. 3B . The contact portion 141 contacts the contact surface 1111 when the grasping member 12 is closed relative to the treatment portion 111 .

[0047] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(c), the pair of pad-side protrusions 142 are located on either side of the contact portion 141 in the width direction when viewed from the back side Ar3 or the treatment portion side Ar4, and each extend linearly along the central axis Ax2. The pair of pad-side protrusions 142 are provided symmetrically with respect to the central axis Ax2. The longitudinal length of each pad-side protrusion 142 is the same as the longitudinal length of the contact portion 141. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), the end surface of the pad-side protrusion 142 on the treatment portion side Ar4 is configured as a slope that slopes toward the treatment portion side Ar4 as it moves away from the other pad-side protrusion 142. 3B, when the pad 14 is attached to the jaw 13, the end surfaces of the pad-side protrusions 142 on the treatment section side Ar4 are located on both sides of the pair of jaw-side protrusions 132 in the width direction, and are located closer to the treatment section side Ar4 than the end surfaces of the side wall portions 1311 to 1314 on the treatment section side Ar4. The pair of pad-side protrusions 142 face the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113, respectively. That is, the pair of pad-side protrusions 142 are provided at positions spaced apart from the abutment portion 141, protrude toward the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113, respectively, and correspond to protrusions according to the present invention.

[0048] The four connection portions 143 respectively connect the tip side Ar1 and the base side Ar2 of the end portion on the back side Ar3 of the abutting portion 141 to the tip side Ar1 and the base side Ar2 of the end portion on the back side Ar3 of the pair of pad-side protrusions 142. As a result, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(c), the pad 14 is provided with two openings 144 surrounded by the abutting portion 141, the pair of pad-side protrusions 142, and the four connection portions 143. The pair of jaw-side protrusions 132 are inserted into the two openings 144, respectively.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 5(d), guide portions 145 are provided at the ends of the distal end side Ar1 and the proximal end side Ar2 on the treatment portion side Ar4 surface of the pad 14. For ease of explanation, the guide portions 145 are represented by dashed lines in Fig. 3(b) and Fig. 5(b).

[0050] The guide portions 145 are provided on the distal end side Ar1 and proximal end side Ar2 of the end faces of the treatment section side Ar4 of the pair of pad-side protrusions 142, and on the end faces of the treatment section side Ar4 of the four connection portions 143, and are configured by the same inclined surfaces as the inclined surfaces of the end faces of the treatment section side Ar4 of the pair of pad-side protrusions 142. When the gripping member 12 is closed relative to the treatment section 111, the treatment section 111 slides against the guide portions 145, and the guide portions 145 determine the relative positions of the gripping member 12 and the treatment section 111 in the width direction.

[0051] [Regarding Mounting Structure of Pad to Jaw] Next, the mounting structure of the pad 14 to the jaw 13 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the mounting structure of the pad 14 to the jaw 13. Specifically, FIG. 6(a) is a side view of the gripping member 12 viewed along the width direction. FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E shown in FIG. 6(a). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the pad 14 is fixed to the jaw 13 by two third pins Pi3. The two third pins Pi3 correspond to the pins according to the present invention. These two third pins Pi3 each have a cylindrical shape and penetrate the side wall portions 1313 and 1314 of the jaw 13 and the end of the back side Ar3 of the pad 14 along the width direction, thereby fixing the jaw 13 and the pad 14 together. The two third pins Pi3 are press-fitted or welded to the gripping member 12 (the jaw 13 and the pad 14).

[0052] The present embodiment described above provides the following advantages. In the treatment tool 2 according to this embodiment, the pad 14 includes a contact portion 141 that contacts the contact surface 1111 when the gripping member 12 is closed relative to the treatment portion 111, and a pad-side protrusion 142 that is located at a distance from the contact portion 141 and protrudes toward the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113. The pair of jaw-side protrusions 132, which are part of the jaw 13 that function as electrodes according to the present invention, are exposed between the contact portion 141 and the pad-side protrusion 142 and face the treatment portion 111. This allows the area where high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment target between the jaw 13 and the treatment portion 111 to be limited to the area between the pair of pad-side protrusions 142 (the area at the center in the width direction). This limits the conductive path between the side wall portions 1313 and 1314 of the jaw 13 and the treatment portion 111, thereby preventing biological tissue from sticking to the side wall portions 1313 and 1314. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce unintended effects on living tissue other than the treatment target.

[0053] In particular, since the contact portion 141 and the pad-side protrusion 142 have an integral structure, the contact portion 141 and the pad-side protrusion 142 can be easily attached to the jaw 13 .

[0054] Furthermore, in the treatment tool 2 according to the present embodiment, the side wall portion 1311 on the tip side Ar1, which is a part of the jaw 13 that functions as an electrode according to the present invention, is exposed from the tip side Ar1 relative to the abutment portion 141 and the pad-side protrusion 142, and faces the treatment portion 111. Therefore, a high-frequency current can be supplied to the treatment target not only from the end faces of the treatment portion side Ar4 of the pair of jaw-side protrusions 132, but also from an area including the end face of the treatment portion side Ar4 of the side wall portion 1311. In other words, the area through which a high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment target can be enlarged, and the treatment performance for the treatment target can be sufficiently ensured.

[0055] Furthermore, in the treatment tool 2 according to the present embodiment, the pad 14 includes a guide portion 145 with which the treatment portion 111 slides when the grasping member 12 is closed relative to the treatment portion 111, and which determines the relative positions in the width direction of the grasping member 12 and the treatment portion 111. Therefore, the clearance between the end face of the treatment portion side Ar4 of the jaw-side protrusion 132 and the inclined surfaces 1112 and 1113 can be kept constant, and a short circuit between the grasping member 12 and the ultrasonic blade 11 can be prevented.

[0056] Other Embodiments Although the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments. The following modifications 1 to 4 may also be adopted in the above-described embodiments.

[0057] (Modification 1) FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating Modification 1 of the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 3 and illustrates the configuration of the gripping member 12 according to Modification 1. That is, FIG. 7(a) is a diagram illustrating the gripping member 12 according to Modification 1 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 7(a). FIG. 7(c) is a diagram illustrating the gripping member 12 according to Modification 1 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 5 and illustrates the configuration of the pad 14 according to Modification 1. That is, FIG. 8(a) is a diagram illustrating the pad 14 according to Modification 1 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G in FIG. 8(a). FIG. 8(c) is a diagram illustrating the pad 14 according to Modification 1 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. FIG. 8(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H in FIG. 8(a). In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the pad 14 may be changed as shown in FIGS.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pad 14 according to the first modified example differs from the pad 14 described in the above embodiment in that two covering portions 146 are provided.

[0059] 7 and 8, the two covering portions 146 extend outward in the width direction from the ends of the treatment portion side Ar4 of the pair of pad-side protrusions 142. Then, as shown in Fig. 7(b) and Fig. 7(c), the two covering portions 146 cover the end surfaces of the treatment portion side Ar4 of the side wall portions 1313 and 1314, respectively, in a state in which the pad 14 is attached to the jaw 13.

[0060] The above-described first modification provides the same effects as the above-described embodiment, as well as the following effects: The pad 14 according to the first modification includes covering portions 146 that cover the end faces of the side walls 1313, 1314 on the treatment unit side Ar4. This effectively limits the conductive path between the side walls 1313, 1314 and the treatment unit 111, and effectively prevents biological tissue from sticking to the side walls 1313, 1314.

[0061] (Modification 2) FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating Modification 2 of the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 2 and illustrates the configuration of the distal end portion of the treatment tool 2 according to Modification 2. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 3 and illustrates the configuration of the gripping member 12A according to Modification 2. That is, FIG. 10(a) is a view of the gripping member 12A as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of line I-I shown in FIG. 10(a). FIG. 10(c) is a view of the gripping member 12A as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the attachment structure of the swinging member 16 to the jaw 15. Specifically, FIG. 11(a) is a side view of the gripping member 12A as viewed along the width direction. FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of line J-J shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the gripping member 12 was provided with only the jaw 13 as a member for holding the pad 14. In contrast, in the gripping member 12A according to this second modification, the jaw 13 described in the above-described embodiment functions as a holder member according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the jaw 13 will be referred to as the holder member 13. Furthermore, the gripping member 12 described in the above-described embodiment will be referred to as the swinging member 16. Furthermore, in the gripping member 12A, a jaw 15 is added to the gripping member 12 described in the above-described embodiment. The swinging member 16, which is composed of the holder member 13 and the pad 14 connected to each other by the third pin Pi3, is attached to the jaw 15 so as to be swingable.

[0063] The jaw 15 connects to the outer pipe 10 via a first pin Pi1 and to the inner pipe PI via a second pin Pi2, opening and closing relative to the treatment portion 111. The jaw 15 is made of a conductive material such as metal. A cover RC (FIG. 9) made of an electrically insulating material is integrally formed on the rear surface Ar3 of the jaw 15, covering the rear surface Ar3. Therefore, by covering the rear surface Ar3 of the jaw 15, which functions as an electrode according to the present invention, with the cover RC, it is possible to prevent unintended effects on biological tissue from the rear surface Ar3. In this embodiment, the cover RC is insert-molded onto the jaw 15, but this is not limiting. For example, the cover RC may be fixed to the jaw 15 by a snap fit or a metal pin.

[0064] The jaw 15 has an elongated shape extending in a direction along the central axis Ax2. As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C , the surface of the jaw 15 on the treatment portion side Ar4 is provided with a recess 151 that is recessed toward the rear side Ar3 and extends along the longitudinal direction of the jaw 15. The recess 151 penetrates each end surface of the distal end side Ar1 and the proximal end side Ar2 of the jaw 15. That is, the recess 151 is surrounded by side walls 1511 and 1512 located on both sides in the width direction and a bottom wall 1513 on the rear side Ar3. As shown in FIG. 10C , the recess 151 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis Ax2 when viewed from the treatment portion side Ar4. The inner size of the recess 151 is slightly larger than the outer size of the swinging member 16 (holder member 13).

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the swinging member 16 is attached to the jaw 15 in a state where it is disposed in the recess 151 .

[0066] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 , the swinging member 16 is swingably attached to the jaw 15 by a fourth pin Pi4. This fourth pin Pi4 is made of a conductive material such as metal and has a cylindrical shape. It connects the jaw 15 and the swinging member 16 to each other by penetrating side wall portions 1511 and 1512 of the jaw 15 and an end portion of the rear side Ar3 of the holder member 13 avoiding the recess 131 along the width direction. The swinging member 16 is swingably attached to the jaw 15 about the central axis of the fourth pin Pi4. By allowing the swinging member 16 to swing about the central axis of the fourth pin Pi4, when a treatment target is grasped between the grasping member 12A and the treatment section 111, the position at which the strongest force is applied to the treatment target is positioned approximately in the longitudinal center of the grasping member 12A, rather than on the base end side Ar2 of the grasping member 12A. That is, a substantially uniform force is applied to the treatment target grasped between the grasping member 12A and the treatment portion 111.

[0067] The conductive path when high frequency power is supplied from the control device 3 is formed by, for example, the outer pipe 10, the first pin Pi1, the jaw 15, the fourth pin Pi4, and the holder member 13.

[0068] Even when the configuration of the present modified example 2 described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved.

[0069] (Variation 3) In the above-described variation 2, the pad 14 is attached to the holder member 13 by the third pin Pi3, but this is not limiting. The pad 14 may be joined to the holder member 13 by insert molding or welding. In this case, Ni-PTFE plating is formed on the bottom surface of the treatment portion side Ar4 of the bottom wall portion 1315 of the holder member 13, and the pad 14 made of PTFE is attached by applying pressure onto the Ni-PTFE plating while increasing the temperature of the holder member 13, thereby improving the adhesion of the pad 14 to the holder member 13.

[0070] Even when the configuration of the third modified example described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the second modified example described above can be achieved.

[0071] (Modification 4) FIGS. 12 to 15 are diagrams illustrating Modification 4 of the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 3 and illustrates the configuration of the gripping member 12 according to Modification 4. That is, FIG. 12(a) is a diagram illustrating the gripping member 12 according to Modification 4 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line K-K in FIG. 12(a). FIG. 12(c) is a diagram illustrating the gripping member 12 according to Modification 4 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the jaw 13 according to Modification 4. Specifically, FIG. 13(a) is a diagram illustrating the jaw 13 according to Modification 4 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line L-L in FIG. 13(a). FIG. 13(c) is a diagram illustrating the jaw 13 according to Modification 4 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the electrode 17. Specifically, FIG. 14A is a view of the electrode 17 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14C is a view of the electrode 17 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. FIG. 15 corresponds to FIG. 5 and illustrates the configuration of the pad 14 according to Modification 4. That is, FIG. 15A is a view of the pad 14 according to Modification 4 as viewed from the rear side Ar3. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along line N-N in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15C is a view of the pad 14 according to Modification 4 as viewed from the treatment section side Ar4. In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the gripping member 12 may be changed as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 12, the gripping member 12 according to the fourth modification includes a jaw 13, an electrode 17, and a pad 14.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 13 , the jaw 13 according to this fourth modification does not have the pair of jaw-side protrusions 132 compared to the jaw 13 described in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, in the jaw 13 according to this fourth modification, a pair of through-holes 1315A penetrating from the front to the back is provided in the bottom wall portion 1315, as shown in Fig. 13(a) and Fig. 13(c). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13(c) , the pair of through-holes 1315A are provided at positions adjacent to approximately the center in the longitudinal direction along the central axis Ax2 on each of the opposing surfaces of the side wall portions 1313 and 1314 when viewed from the treatment portion side Ar4, and are provided symmetrically with respect to the central axis Ax2.

[0074] The electrode 17 is made of a conductive material such as metal and functions as an electrode according to the present invention for supplying high-frequency current to a treatment target. As shown in Fig. 14, the electrode 17 includes a pair of electrode-side protrusions 171, a pair of first connecting portions 172, and a pair of second connecting portions 173.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 14 , the pair of electrode side protrusions 171 are provided symmetrically with respect to the central axis Ax2 when viewed from the back side Ar3 or the treatment unit side Ar4. Specifically, the electrode side protrusions 171 extend linearly along the central axis Ax2. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 14 (b), the end surface of each electrode side protrusion 171 on the treatment unit side Ar4 is configured as a slope that slopes toward the treatment unit side Ar4 as it moves away from the other electrode side protrusion 171.

[0076] As shown in Figures 14(a) and 14(c), the pair of first connection portions 172 connect the tip side Ar1 and base side Ar2 of the end of the back side Ar3 of the pair of electrode side protrusions 171, respectively.

[0077] The pair of second connection portions 173 are portions that connect the electrode 17 to the jaw 13. As shown in (a) and (c) of FIG. 14 , the pair of second connection portions 173 protrude toward the rear side Ar3 from approximately the center in the longitudinal direction along the central axis Ax2 at the end of the rear side Ar3 on the surfaces of the pair of electrode-side protrusions 171 that are spaced apart from each other. The pair of second connection portions 173 are fixed to the jaw 13 in a state where they are inserted into the pair of through holes 1315A, respectively. Note that examples of the fixing of the pair of second connection portions 173 to the jaw 13 include snap fitting, crimping, welding, and press fitting. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the pair of second connection portions 173 are fixed to the jaw 13 by crimping.

[0078] 15 , the pad 14 according to the fourth modification has a modified shape of the connection portion 143 compared to the pad 14 described in the above-described embodiment. The connection portion 143 according to the fourth modification connects the entire longitudinal direction along the central axis Ax2 of the end portion on the rear side Ar3 of the abutting portion 141 and the entire longitudinal direction along the central axis Ax2 of the end portion on the rear side Ar3 of the pair of pad-side protrusions 142. That is, the pad 14 according to the fourth modification does not have the opening 144 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0079] In addition, in the pad 14 according to this fourth modified example, as shown in (c) of Figure 15, first notch portions 1411, through which a pair of first connecting portions 172 are inserted, are provided at each of the positions of the tip side Ar1 and the base side Ar2 at the end of the treatment portion side Ar4 of the abutment portion 141.

[0080] Furthermore, in the pad 14 according to this fourth modification, as shown in (a) of Figure 15 and (c) of Figure 15, second cutout portions 1421, through which a pair of second connection portions 173 are inserted, are provided at approximately the center of the longitudinal direction along the central axis Ax2 of the pair of pad-side protrusions 142.

[0081] 12 , the pad 14 according to the fourth modification has the first connecting portion 172 inserted into the first notch 1411 and the second connecting portion 173 inserted into the second notch 1421, and is held between the jaw 13 and the electrode 17. In this state, the end face of the treatment section side Ar4 of the electrode-side protrusion 171 is located closer to the back side Ar3 than the end faces of the treatment section side Ar4 of the side wall portions 1311 to 1314, as shown in FIG. 12 (b). In addition, the end face of the treatment section side Ar4 of the abutting portion 141 is located between the inclined surfaces that are the end faces of the treatment section side Ar4 of the pair of electrode-side protrusions 171. Furthermore, the end faces of the treatment section side Ar4 of the pad side protrusion 142 are located on both sides of the pair of electrode side protrusions 171 in the width direction, and are located closer to the treatment section side Ar4 than the end faces of the treatment section side Ar4 of the side wall portions 1311 to 1314.

[0082] Even when the configuration of the fourth modified example described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved.

[0083] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Treatment system 2 Treatment tool 3 Control device 4 Handpiece 5 Ultrasonic transducer 6 Fixed handle 7 Operating handle 8 Switch 9 Rotating knob 10 Outer pipe 11 Ultrasonic blade 12, 12A Grasping member 13 Jaw (holder member) 14 Pad 15 Jaw 16 Swing member 17 Electrode 51 TD case 52 Ultrasonic vibrator 111 Treatment portion 131 Recess 132 Jaw side protrusion 141 Contact portion 142 Pad side protrusion 143 Connection portion 144 Opening 145 Guide portion 146 Covering portion 151 Recess 171 Electrode side protrusion 172 First connection portion 173 Second connection portion 1111 Contact surface 1112, 1113 Inclined surface 1114 Non-treatment surface 1115 Coating layer 1311 to 1314 Side wall portion 1315 Bottom wall portion 1315A Through hole 1411 First notch portion 1421 Second notch portion 1511, 1512 Side wall portion 1513 Bottom wall portion Ar1 Tip side Ar2 Base end side Ar3 Back side Ar4 Treatment portion side Ax1, Ax2 Central axis C Electric cable PI Inner pipe Pi1 First pin Pi2 Second pin Pi3 Third pin Pi4 Fourth pin RC Cover

Claims

1. A treatment tool comprising: an ultrasonic blade having a treatment surface with a first surface and a second surface adjacent to the first surface, which supplies ultrasonic vibrations and high-frequency current to biological tissue from the treatment surface; a grasping member which opens and closes relative to the ultrasonic blade to grasp the biological tissue between itself and the ultrasonic blade and has an electrode which supplies the high-frequency current to the biological tissue; a contact portion made of an electrically insulating material and provided on the grasping member which contacts the first surface when the grasping member is closed relative to the ultrasonic blade; and a protrusion made of an electrically insulating material and provided on the grasping member at a position spaced from the contact portion and protruding toward the second surface, wherein a portion of the electrode is exposed between the contact portion and the protrusion and faces the ultrasonic blade.

2. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion and the protrusion are an integral pad.

3. The treatment tool according to claim 2, wherein the pad is fixed to the gripping member by a pin.

4. The treatment tool according to claim 3, wherein the pin is press-fitted or welded to the gripping member.

5. A treatment tool as described in claim 1, wherein a portion of the electrode is exposed from the distal end side relative to the contact portion and the protrusion, and faces the ultrasonic blade.

6. A treatment tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of the gripping member that does not face the ultrasonic blade is covered with an insulating member made of an electrically insulating material.

7. A treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the ultrasonic blade that does not face the gripping member is coated with an electrically insulating material.

8. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion covers the end of the gripping member in the width direction.

9. A treatment tool as described in claim 1, wherein the gripping member comprises a jaw that opens and closes relative to the ultrasonic blade, and a holder member that is swingably mounted relative to the jaw, and the holder member has the electrode.

10. The treatment tool according to claim 2, wherein the pad is integrated with the gripping member by welding or insert molding.

11. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the grasping member comprises a jaw that opens and closes relative to the ultrasonic blade, and the electrode attached to the jaw.

12. The treatment instrument according to claim 11, wherein the contact portion and the protrusion are an integral pad, and the pad is held between the jaw and the electrode.

13. The treatment tool according to claim 12, wherein the electrode is fixed to the jaw by any one of snap fitting, crimping, welding, and press fitting.

14. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are provided on both sides of the abutment portion in the width direction.

15. A treatment instrument as described in claim 1, wherein the abutment portion and the protrusion portion are pads of an integral structure, and the distal and proximal ends of the pads are each provided with guide portions that abut against the ultrasonic blade when the gripping member is closed against the ultrasonic blade, and position the relative positions of the gripping member and the ultrasonic blade in the width direction.

16. A pad made of an electrically insulating material, comprising: a contact portion that contacts an ultrasonic blade; a protrusion spaced from the contact portion; an opening formed between the contact portion and the protrusion, through which a portion of an electrode is exposed; and a connecting portion that connects the contact portion and the protrusion.

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