Treatment tool

Abstract

This treatment tool 2 comprises: a vibration transmission member 12 that has, at the distal end thereof, a treatment part 121 that functions as a first electrode for supplying a high-frequency current to a biological tissue, and supplies ultrasonic vibration to the biological tissue; a jaw 11 that opens / closes with respect to the treatment part 121 and functions as a second electrode for supplying a high-frequency current to the biological tissue; and a pipe 10 into which the vibration transmission member 12 is inserted in a state where the treatment part 121 protrudes from the distal end, and which has a conductive path to the second electrode. An end part of a distal end side Ar1 of the pipe 10 and the treatment part 121 are electrically insulated from each other so as not to be short-circuited through another conductive member.

Description

Treatment tools

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

[0002] Conventionally, a treatment device 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 the following vibration transmission member, jaw, and pipe. The vibration transmission member functions as a first electrode that supplies high-frequency current to the treatment target and has a treatment section at its tip that supplies ultrasonic vibrations to the treatment target. The jaw opens and closes with respect to the treatment section and functions as a second electrode that supplies high-frequency current to the treatment target. The pipe has the vibration transmission member inserted therethrough and has a conductive path to the second electrode.

[0004] JP 2009-240773 A

[0005] However, when a high-frequency current is supplied to a treatment target held between the first and second electrodes, if the first and second electrodes come into contact with each other, sparks can occur. Furthermore, sparks can also occur when another conductive member comes into contact with the first electrode so as to straddle the first electrode and at least one of the second electrode and the conductive path to the second electrode. Therefore, a technology capable of suppressing sparks caused by contact with another conductive member is desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a treatment tool that can suppress the generation of sparks due to contact with other conductive members.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the treatment tool of the present invention comprises a vibration transmission member having a treatment portion at its tip that functions as a first electrode that supplies high-frequency current to biological tissue and supplies ultrasonic vibrations to the biological tissue, a jaw that opens and closes with respect to the treatment portion and functions as a second electrode that supplies the high-frequency current to the biological tissue, and a pipe through which the vibration transmission member is inserted with the treatment portion protruding from the tip and that has a conductive path to the second electrode, and the tip end of the pipe and the treatment portion are electrically insulated to prevent short-circuiting via other conductive members.

[0008] According to the treatment tool of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of sparks due to contact with other conductive members.

[0009] 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 a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sixth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a sixth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a seventh modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an eighth modified example of the embodiment.

[0010] 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.

[0011] [Overview of the 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 the 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, the treatment system 1 includes a treatment tool 2 and a control device 3.

[0012] [Regarding the Configuration of the 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. Furthermore, the "width direction" described below refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis Ax1 and the opening / closing direction of the jaw 11 relative to the treatment portion 121 (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 1), and is therefore a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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, a jaw 11, and a vibration transmission member 12.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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 jaw 11, and the vibration transmission member 12 to rotate about the central axis Ax1.

[0019] The outer pipe 10 corresponds to the pipe and the first pipe according to the present invention. The outer pipe 10 is a cylindrical pipe made of a conductive material such as metal, and constitutes the conductive path according to the present invention.

[0020] 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 jaw 11 to rotatably support the jaw 11. In this embodiment, the first pin Pi1 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0021] The outer surface of the outer pipe 10 is covered with an outer tube TO ( FIG. 2 ) made of an electrically insulating material. This outer tube TO corresponds to the tube of the present invention. In FIG. 2 , the outer tube TO is represented by a two-dot chain line. 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. This inner pipe PI is made of a conductive material such as metal. The inner pipe PI corresponds to the second pipe of the present invention. A second pin Pi2 ( FIG. 2 ) that has a cylindrical shape and extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and engages with the jaw 11 is fixed to the end of the tip side Ar1 of the inner pipe PI. In this embodiment, the second pin Pi2 is made of a conductive material such as metal and is arranged on the upper side (the side where the jaw 11 is arranged relative to the treatment portion 121) of the first pin Pi1 in FIG. 2.

[0022] The jaw 11 is made of a conductive material such as metal, and is pivotally supported on the outer pipe 10 by a first pin Pi1. That is, the jaw 11 is electrically connected to the outer pipe 10 via the first pin Pi1. The jaw 11 is also connected to the inner pipe PI by a second pin Pi2. The jaw 11 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 jaw 11 to open and close relative to a treatment portion 121, which is the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the vibration transmission member 12, and to grasp a treatment target between the jaw 11 and the treatment portion 121.

[0023] The treatment tool 2 may be configured as a push-close type or a pull-close type.

[0024] The push-close type has the following configuration: The jaw 11 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction approaching the treatment portion 121 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the distal end side Ar1. That is, the jaw 11 closes relative to the treatment portion 121. Also, the jaw 11 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction away from the treatment portion 121 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the proximal end side Ar2. That is, the jaw 11 opens relative to the treatment portion 121.

[0025] The pull-close type has the following configuration: The jaw 11 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction approaching the treatment portion 121 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the base end side Ar2. That is, the jaw 11 closes relative to the treatment portion 121. Also, the jaw 11 rotates around the first pin Pi1 in a direction away from the treatment portion 121 in conjunction with the movement of the inner pipe PI toward the tip end side Ar1. That is, the jaw 11 opens relative to the treatment portion 121.

[0026] The vibration transmission member 12 is made of a conductive material and has an elongated shape extending along the central axis Ax1. The vibration transmission member 12 is inserted into the inner pipe PI (outer pipe 10) with the treatment portion 121 protruding outward. At this time, the end of the base end side Ar2 of the vibration transmission member 12 is mechanically connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 52 constituting the ultrasonic transducer 5, as shown in FIG. 1 . The vibration transmission member 12 transmits ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic transducer 5 from the end of the base end side Ar2 to the treatment portion 121. The ultrasonic vibrations are longitudinal vibrations that vibrate in a direction along the central axis Ax1. The outer surface of the vibration transmission member 12, excluding the treatment portion 121, is covered with an electrically insulating inner tube.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 , the ultrasonic transducer 5 includes a TD (transducer) case 51 and an ultrasonic vibrator 52 .

[0028] The TD case 51 supports the ultrasonic transducer 52 and is detachably connected to the fixed handle 6 .

[0029] 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).

[0030] [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. When the control device 3 detects the treatment operation, it applies treatment energy to the treatment target grasped between the jaw 11 and the treatment section 121 via the electric cable C. In other words, the control device 3 treats the treatment target.

[0031] 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 section 121 also vibrates at a desired amplitude due to the longitudinal vibrations. Then, ultrasonic vibrations are supplied from the treatment section 121 to the treatment target grasped between the jaw 11 and the treatment section 121. Ultrasonic energy is applied from the treatment section 121 to the treatment target.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, when applying high-frequency energy to a treatment target, the control device 3 supplies high-frequency power between the jaw 11 and the vibration transmission member 12 via the electric cable C or the like. The conduction path of the high-frequency power to the jaw 11 via the electric cable C is the path from the electric cable C to the outer pipe 10 to the first pin Pi1 to the jaw 11. When high-frequency power is supplied between the jaw 11 and the vibration transmission member 12, a high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment target grasped between the jaw 11 and the treatment section 121. In other words, high-frequency energy is applied to the treatment target. That is, the treatment section 121 functions as a first electrode. Furthermore, the jaw 11 functions as a second electrode.

[0033] [External Surface of the Distal End of the Outer Pipe] Next, the external surface of the distal end Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the external surface of the outer pipe 10 is covered by the outer tube TO, but only the distal end Ar1 is exposed to the outside. As shown in FIG. 2 , a first coating layer CO1 made of an electrically insulating material is provided on the external surface of the distal end Ar1 of the outer pipe 10. Note that in FIG. 2 , the first coating layer CO1 is represented by dots. Examples of such electrically insulating materials include polyimide and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). That is, in this embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the distal end Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment section 121 to prevent short-circuiting via other conductive members.

[0034] The present embodiment described above has the following advantages. In the treatment tool 2 according to the present embodiment, the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 and the treatment section 121 are electrically insulated to prevent a short circuit via other conductive members (for example, forceps, staples, or wires). Therefore, the treatment tool 2 according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of sparks due to contact with other conductive members.

[0035] In particular, in this embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment section 121 to prevent a short circuit via other conductive members. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to preferably achieve the effect of suppressing the generation of sparks due to contact with other conductive members.

[0036] 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 8 may also be adopted in the above-described embodiments.

[0037] (Modification 1) Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating Modification 1 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the treatment tool 2 according to Modification 1, taken along a plane including the central axis Ax1, at the distal end of the outer pipe 10. In the above-described embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. However, this is not limited to this. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support member 13 may electrically insulate the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member.

[0038] The support member 13 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example, PEEK, and supports the vibration transmission member 12. The support member 13 has a cylindrical shape that allows the vibration transmission member 12 to be inserted therethrough, and is provided on the inner surface of the end portion of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10. By providing the support member 13, even if the vibration transmission member 12 is deflected by the force applied from the jaw 11 when the jaw 11 is closed on the treatment portion 121, the vibration transmission member 12 is prevented from coming into contact with the inner surface of the outer pipe 10.

[0039] 3 or 4, the support member 13 is provided with a positioning protrusion 131 that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface. The positioning protrusion 131 is fitted into a positioning hole 101 provided in the outer pipe 10, and determines the position relative to the outer pipe 10.

[0040] Here, as shown in Fig. 3 or 4, the outer pipe 10 has a notch 102 cut out from the end face of the tip side Ar1 toward the base side Ar2 on the side opposite to the side where the jaw 11 is located (the lower side in Fig. 1, Fig. 3, and Fig. 4). Further, as shown in Fig. 3 or 4, the support member 13 has a protrusion 132 on the end of the tip side Ar1 opposite to the side where the jaw 11 is located.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 3, the protrusion 132 protrudes toward the tip side Ar1, bends toward the opposite side from the side where the jaw 11 is located (downward in Figure 3), and covers the end face of the tip side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 (the inner surface of the cutout portion 102).

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 4, the protrusion 132 protrudes toward the tip side Ar1, bends toward the side opposite to the side where the jaw 11 is located (downward in Figure 3), and further bends and extends toward the base side Ar2, covering the outer surface of the end of the tip side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10.

[0043] Even when the configuration of the present modified example 1 described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved.

[0044] (Modification 2) Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating Modification 2 of the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 2. In the above-described embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. However, this is not limited to this. As in Modification 2 shown in Fig. 5, the outer tube TO may electrically insulate the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer tube TO covers the outer surface of the end portion of the front end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10.

[0046] Here, the outer pipe 10 has a notch 103 cut out from the end face of the tip side Ar1 toward the base side Ar2 on the side where the jaw 11 is located (upper side in Fig. 5), as shown in Fig. 5. The outer tube TO covers the outer surface of the end of the tip side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 excluding the notch 103.

[0047] The same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved even when the configuration of Modification 2 described above is adopted. Note that the outer tube TO may cover the entire outer surface (including the notch 103) of the end portion of the tip side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 as long as it does not interfere with the opening and closing of the jaw 11.

[0048] (Variation 3) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating Variation 3 of the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 2. In the above-described embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. However, this is not limited to this. In Variation 3, the outer pipe 10 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as PEEK. This electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a conductive path P1 for high-frequency power to the jaw 11 is provided on the outer surface of the outer pipe 10 from the proximal end side Ar2 to the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10. Note that in FIG. 6, the conductive path P1 is represented by dots.

[0049] In this third modification, the conductive path P1 is formed by the following three-dimensional plating process. Specifically, a laser is irradiated at a predetermined position on the outer pipe 10, which is made of PEEK, an electrically insulating material. Then, electroless plating is used to form the conductive path P1 at the laser irradiation position. The thickness of the conductive path P1 is, for example, approximately several micrometers. Furthermore, a structure produced by such a three-dimensional plating process is called an MID (Molded Interconnect Device), as it is a three-dimensional resin molded product with an electrode circuit formed on the surface. The conductive path for high-frequency power to the jaw 11 via the electric cable C is the path from the electric cable C to the conductive path P1 to the first pin Pi1 to the jaw 11.

[0050] The conductive path P1 is not limited to that formed by the three-dimensional plating process described above, and may be formed on the outer pipe 10 by other methods.

[0051] Even when the configuration of the third modified example described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved.

[0052] (Variation 4) FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating Variation 4 of the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an outer pipe 10 according to Variation 4. In the above-described embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment unit 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. However, this is not limited to this. In Variation 4, the outer pipe 10 includes a base end 104 made of a conductive material such as metal and constituting a conductive path for high-frequency power to the jaw 11, and a tip end 105 made of an electrically insulating material such as PEEK and provided at the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the base end 104. This electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 (tip end 105) from the treatment unit 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. The conductive path of the high-frequency power to the jaw 11 via the electric cable C is a conductive path (not shown) formed by a three-dimensional plating process from the electric cable C to the base end 104 to the tip end 105, or a path from the lead wire (not shown) to the first pin Pi1 to the jaw 11.

[0053] 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.

[0054] (Variation 5) In the above-described embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment unit 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. However, this is not limited to this. In this variation 5, the conduction path of high-frequency power to the jaw 11 via the electric cable C is the electric cable C, the inner pipe PI, the second pin Pi2, and the jaw 11. The outer pipe 10 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as PEEK. This electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 (including the inner pipe PI) from the treatment unit 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member.

[0055] Even when the configuration of the fifth modified example described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved. The outer pipe 10 may be made of a conductive material such as metal instead of an electrically insulating material. In this case, the second pin Pi2 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as PEEK. That is, the second pin Pi2 corresponds to the interposing member according to the present invention. Furthermore, the interposing member according to the present invention is not limited to the second pin Pi2. If the second pin Pi2 is made of a conductive material such as metal, a coating layer covering the second pin Pi2 with an electrically insulating material, such as polyimide or PEEK, may be used.

[0056] (Variation 6) FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating Variation 6 of the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 according to Variation 6. FIG. 9 is a view of the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 according to Variation 6, viewed from the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 8 ) from the side where the jaw 11 is located. Note that in FIG. 9 , the vibration transmission member 12 is represented by a two-dot chain line. In the above-described embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment section 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member. However, this is not limited to this. In Variation 6, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the outer pipe 10 has the notches 102 and 103 described in Variations 1 and 2. The width of the notch 102 provided on the outer pipe 10 on the side opposite to the side where the jaw 11 is located (the lower side in FIG. 8) is larger than the width of the vibration transmission member 12, as shown in FIG. 9. This width refers to the dimension in the width direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 9). This prevents a short circuit between the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 and the treatment section 121 via another conductive member.

[0057] Even when the configuration of the sixth modified example described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved.

[0058] (Variation 7) Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating Variation 7 of the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 10 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 2. In the above-described embodiment, the side surface of the jaw 11 may be covered with a covering member RC, as in Variation 7 shown in Fig. 10. Note that in Fig. 10, the covering member RC is represented by dots. The covering member RC is made of an electrically insulating material, for example, polyimide or PEEK, and is a coating layer provided on the surface of the jaw 11 that does not face the treatment portion 121.

[0059] The seventh modification described above provides the same effects as the above-described embodiment, as well as the following effects: In the treatment tool 2 according to the seventh modification, the side surface of the jaw 11 is covered with the covering member RC. Therefore, even if another conductive member comes into contact with the side surface of the jaw 11 so as to straddle the area between the side surface of the jaw 11 and at least one of the treatment portion 121 and the conductive path to the treatment portion 121, it is possible to prevent sparks from occurring.

[0060] The covering member according to the present invention is not limited to a coating layer as long as it can cover the side surface of the jaw 11. The covering member according to the present invention may be a cover formed on the jaw 11 by insert molding or the like, or a cover fixed to the jaw 11 by a snap fit or a metal pin.

[0061] (Variation 8) Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating Variation 8 of the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 11 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 2. In the above-described embodiment, the first coating layer CO1 electrically insulates the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member, but this is not limited to this. As in Variation 8 shown in Fig. 11 , the second coating layer CO2 may electrically insulate the end of the distal end side Ar1 of the outer pipe 10 from the treatment portion 121 to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member.

[0062] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, the second coating layer CO2 may be provided on the outer surface of the treatment portion 121 that does not face the jaw 11. Note that the second coating layer CO2 is represented by dots in Fig. 11. This second coating layer CO2 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as polyimide or PEEK.

[0063] Even when the configuration of the eighth modified example described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are achieved.

[0064] 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 Jaw 12 Vibration transmission member 13 Support member 51 TD case 52 Ultrasonic transducer 101 Positioning hole 102, 103 Notch portion 104 Base end portion 105 Tip portion 121 Treatment portion 131 Positioning protrusion 132 Protrusion Ar1 Tip side Ar2 Base end side Ax1 Central axis C Electrical cable CO1 First coating layer CO2 Second coating layer P1 Conductive path PI Inner pipe Pi1 First pin Pi2 Second pin RC Covering member TO Outer tube

Claims

1. A treatment tool comprising: a vibration transmission member that functions as a first electrode that supplies high-frequency current to biological tissue and has a treatment section at its tip that supplies ultrasonic vibrations to the biological tissue; a jaw that opens and closes with respect to the treatment section and functions as a second electrode that supplies the high-frequency current to the biological tissue; and a pipe through which the vibration transmission member is inserted with the treatment section protruding from the tip and which has a conductive path to the second electrode, wherein the tip end of the pipe and the treatment section are electrically insulated to prevent a short circuit via another conductive member.

2. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein a first coating layer made of an electrically insulating material is provided on the outer surface of the distal end of the pipe.

3. A treatment tool as described in claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the pipe is covered with a tube made of an electrically insulating material, and the first coating layer is provided on the outer surface of the tip end of the pipe exposed from the tube.

4. The treatment tool according to claim 2, wherein the first coating layer is made of polyimide or polyether ether ketone.

5. A treatment tool as described in claim 1, wherein a support member made of an electrically insulating material is provided on the inner surface of the tip end of the pipe to support the vibration transmission member, and the support member covers the tip end face of the pipe.

6. The treatment tool according to claim 5, wherein the support member covers the outer surface of the distal end of the pipe.

7. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the distal end of the pipe is covered with a tube made of an electrically insulating material.

8. A treatment tool as described in claim 7, wherein the distal end of the pipe is provided with a notch cut from the distal end toward the proximal end, and the tube covers the outer surface of the distal end of the pipe excluding the notch.

9. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is made of an electrically insulating material.

10. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the pipe comprises a base end made of a conductive material and constituting the conductive path, and a tip end made of an electrically insulating material and provided at the end of the base end on the tip side.

11. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the pipe comprises a first pipe and a second pipe that is inserted into the first pipe and through which the vibration transmission member is inserted, and the second pipe constitutes the conductive path.

12. The treatment tool according to claim 11, wherein the first pipe is made of an electrically insulating material.

13. A treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the jaw is axially supported on the pipe via an intervening member made of an electrically insulating material.

14. A treatment tool as described in claim 1, wherein the distal end of the pipe is provided with a notch cut out from the distal end toward the proximal end, and the width of the notch is greater than the width of the vibration transmission member.

15. The treatment tool according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces of the jaws are covered with a covering member made of an electrically insulating material.

16. A treatment instrument according to claim 1, wherein a second coating layer made of an electrically insulating material is provided on the outer surface of the treatment portion that does not face the jaw.

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