JPH0638973A - Ultrasonic therapy apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable use of an ultrasonic therapy better condition by guaranteeing a feed water output set value to prevent the heating of a probe at the start of using a system and during the use thereof. CONSTITUTION:A hand piece 12 which contains an ultrasonic vibrator is provided to crush an organic tissue with the ultrasonic vibration of the tip of a probe 14 linked to the ultrasonic vibrator and a drive means is provided to drive the ultrasonic vibrator with the application of a voltage thereto. A controller pump 26 is provided to supply a cooling water to the probe 14 and a suction pump 22 to suck away the organic tissue crushed with the tip of the probe 14. A control means 2 is provided and sets an output value of a feed water means corresponding to an ultrasonic output set value of the ultrasonic vibrator to suppress the generation of heat of the probe 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus for sucking cooling water together with a treatment for ultrasonically vibrating the tip of a probe to crush or emulsify living tissue.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, there has been known an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus in which the tip of a probe is ultrasonically vibrated to crush living tissue and successively suck and remove the crushed tissue. This device is characterized in that elastic tissues such as blood vessels and nerve tissues are not crushed, but other tissues are crushed, and is suitable for liver resection and brain surgery.

In general, the probe of an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus generates heat due to internal strain caused by ultrasonic vibration. For this reason, a mechanism for supplying cooling water such as physiological saline to cool the probe and to wash the operative field is provided. In such an apparatus, conventionally, the supply amount of the cooling water could be arbitrarily adjusted. However, as proposed in the application of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-318867, when the system of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus is started to be used, The ultrasonic wave output and the cooling water feed output are set by reading the set values stored in the internal memory when the system was used last time.

On the other hand, as proposed in the application of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-135115, an ultrasonic treatment device of a system in which the water supply amount is automatically set according to the output of ultrasonic vibration is also considered. Has been.

[0005]

By the way, among the above-mentioned devices, if the first one of the above-mentioned devices, which can arbitrarily set the water supply amount, is used, an operation is performed by setting the water supply amount to the minimum value or zero. To avoid this, maximum attention is required of the surgeon.

[0006] In the application proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-318867, when the output setting at the time of starting the use of the system, the set value of the water supply output at the time of the previous use is relatively small compared to the ultrasonic output, If the probe is used as it is, cooling of the probe is not always sufficient.In addition, there is a possibility that the surgical field will not be washed due to the small water supply, which may obstruct the visual field.In this case, use should be discontinued. There are things that must be done.

In the application proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-135115, the amount of water to be sent is automatically determined.
The operator cannot adjust the water supply volume according to his preference. Further, even in a system in which the water supply amount can be arbitrarily set during use of the system, as a result of changing the water supply amount set value, the water supply amount becomes a relatively small amount with respect to the ultrasonic output, and as described above, cooling of the probe is not always required. Insufficiency, and the small amount of water supply may leave the operative field unwashed and obstruct the visual field. In this case, use may be interrupted.

As described above, in this type of ultrasonic treatment apparatus system, the water supply to the handpiece is an important function, and the water must be sent to the handpiece before the ultrasonic oscillation. . Even if the water supply stops during the oscillation, the above problem will occur unless the oscillation is stopped.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to guarantee a water supply output set value for preventing heat generation of a probe at the start and during use of the system, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus that can be used in various states, facilitates the operation of the apparatus, and can perform reliable operation.

[0010]

The ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus of the present invention has a built-in ultrasonic vibrator, and the tip of a probe connected to the ultrasonic vibrator is ultrasonically vibrated to obtain biological tissue. , A drive means for applying a voltage to the ultrasonic transducer to drive the ultrasonic transducer, a water supply means for supplying cooling water to the probe, and a tip treated by the tip of the probe. Suction means for sucking and removing the living tissue,
And a control unit that sets the output value of the water supply unit corresponding to the ultrasonic output set value of the ultrasonic transducer and suppresses heat generation of the probe.

Therefore, the water supply output set value at the start of use or during use of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus is set in correspondence with the ultrasonic output set value, so that it can be used in a good condition. Further, it is preferable to provide a means for supplying water to the handpiece in advance by the water supply means before driving the handpiece and controlling the handpiece so that it cannot be driven before the operation. Further, the water supply means may be provided with a sensor means for detecting a state in which the water supply reliably operates, and a means for stopping the ultrasonic oscillation when it is found that the water supply is not performed.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows a system of an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This ultrasonic treatment apparatus comprises an apparatus main body 2,
Inside the main body 2 of the apparatus, a control section (control means), a drive circuit (drive means), etc., which are not shown, are provided. An operation / display panel 4 is provided on the outer surface of the apparatus main body 2, and the operation / display panel 4 further displays a set value changing switch 28 for ultrasonic output and water output and a display for displaying those outputs. A part 29 is provided.

The device body 2 also includes a handpiece 12
And a foot switch 24 are connected, and the handpiece 12 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2 by the connector 16 and the connector 17. The handpiece 12 is driven by the drive circuit by the on / off operation of the foot switch 24.

A probe 14 is detachably fastened to the handpiece 12 and a sheath 15 is mounted around the probe 14 so that the probe 14 can flow between the probe 14 and the sheath 15. The road is formed. Then, this flow path is connected to a water supply port 10 to which physiological saline or the like for cooling the probe is supplied.
One end of the water supply tube 8 is connected to the water supply port 10,
The other end of the water feeding tube 8 is connected to the water feeding tank 6. Further, a roller pump 26 is provided in the middle of the water supply tube 8. In this way, the water supply means for cooling the probe 14 is constructed.

A hollow conduit (not shown) is formed inside the hand piece 12 and the probe 14, and a suction tube 18 is connected to the rear end of the hollow conduit. The suction tube 18 is a suction bottle 20 that removes suctioned substances.
It is connected to the suction pump 22 via.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, in step 1 (S1), the power of the apparatus is turned on, and the handpiece 12 is connected to the apparatus main body 2. Then, in step 2 (S2), the control of the apparatus main body 2 is started.
The reel unit detects the connection of the hand piece 12 and starts water supply to the probe 14 connected to the hand piece 12. After that, when the ultrasonic wave can be output, step 3 (S3)
The previous output set value is read out from the internal memory, and the ultrasonic output set value is set to the previous output set value in step 4 (S4).

In the control section, a water supply output set value for supplying water in an amount which does not cause the probe to generate heat in advance corresponding to the ultrasonic wave output set value is supplied in a corresponding relationship as shown in FIG. 4, for example. It is stored as the recommended output value. In step 5 (S5), the recommended water supply output value is determined according to the read ultrasonic output setting value.

Next, step 6 (S6) and step 7
Proceeding to (S7), the previous output set value of the water output previously read from the memory of the control section is compared with the recommended water output value. If the previous output set value is smaller than the recommended value, step 8 (S8). Go to and set the recommended value as the water output setting value. On the other hand, if the previous output set value is larger than the recommended value, the process proceeds to step 9 (S9), and the previous set value is set as the water supply output set value. At this time, these set values are displayed on the display unit of the operation / display panel 4.

Thereafter, in step 10 (S10), by operating the foot switch 24, ultrasonic waves can be output and treatment can be performed. When the treatment is completed, the set value is stored in the internal memory of the control unit for the next system use in step 11 (S11), and the operation is ended by powering off in step 12 (S12).

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to guarantee the water supply output set value that does not cause the probe to generate heat, corresponding to the ultrasonic output set value when the system starts to be used. Therefore, heat generation of the probe due to use with a small water supply output setting value at the start of system use can be prevented, and damage to the probe due to heat generation and adverse effects on living tissue can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to always use the ultrasonic therapy apparatus in an appropriate state.

FIG. 3 shows a modification of the above-mentioned first embodiment. In this modified example, in the operation of the first embodiment described above, the setting of the water supply output is performed in step 11 (S1 in FIG. 2).
This is done in 1).

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, step 1
Steps (S1) to 4 (S4) proceed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and in step 5 (S5), the foot switch 2
By operating 4, the ultrasonic wave is output and treatment is performed.
Then, in step 6 (S6), the ultrasonic output set value is stored in the internal memory.

Next, in step 7 (S7), the recommended water supply output value is determined according to the stored ultrasonic wave output set value, and the process proceeds to step 8 (S8) and step 9 (S9) to output the previous ultrasonic wave. Comparing the current water output setting value and the recommended water output setting value used in the procedure such as, and if the current output setting value is smaller than the recommended value, proceed to step 10 (S10),
Store the recommended value in the memory as the water output setting value. On the other hand, if the current output setting value is larger than the recommended value, step 1
1 (S11), the current output set value is stored in the memory as the water supply output set value.

When the water supply output set value is stored in the internal memory in this way, the operation is ended by turning off the power in step 12 (S12). Even if the water supply output is set at the stage of storing it in the internal memory of the control unit in this way, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but is characterized by a program stored in the control section of the apparatus main body 2. To explain its operation, first,
As in step 1 (S1), the power of the apparatus is turned on and the handpiece 12 is connected to the apparatus body 2 as in the first embodiment. In step 2 (S2), the control unit detects the connection of the hand piece 12 and starts water supply to the probe 14 connected to the hand piece 12. Then, when it becomes possible to output ultrasonic waves, the previous output set values are read from the internal memory, and the ultrasonic wave and water supply output set values are set to the previous set values. In this state, by operating the foot switch 24, ultrasonic waves can be output and treatment can be performed.

When the operator changes the displayed set value, the operator uses the set value changing switch 28 provided on the operation / display panel 4. Next, step 3 (S
In 3), when the control unit detects the input of the set value changing switch 28 of the ultrasonic output set value, step 4 (S
In 4), the ultrasonic output set value is changed by data such as increase or decrease of the set value, and a new set value is set.

In the control section, a water supply output set value which corresponds to the ultrasonic wave output set value and which supplies water without causing the probe to generate heat is stored in advance as a water supply output minimum value as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In step 5 (S5), the minimum water supply output value is determined according to the newly set ultrasonic output setting value.

Next, when the input of the setting change switch 28 for the water supply output set value is detected in step 6 (S6), the water supply output set value is changed / set in the same manner as the ultrasonic wave output in step 7 (S7). .

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 8 (S8) and step 9 (S9) to compare the newly set water supply output set value with the water supply output minimum value, and if the current set value is smaller than the minimum value, step 10 ( Proceed to S10), and set the lowest value as the water output setting value. On the other hand, if the current set value is larger than the minimum value, the process proceeds to step 11 (S11), and the current set value is set as the water supply output set value. At this time, these set values are displayed on the display unit 29 of the operation / display panel 4.

In this state, the process proceeds to step 12 (S12), and by operating the foot switch 24, ultrasonic waves can be output and treatment can be performed. When performing continuous treatment, unless the power is turned off, step 13 (S1
The process returns from step 3) to step 3 and the process is continued. Also,
The operation ends when the power is turned off.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to guarantee the water supply output set value which does not cause the probe to generate heat in correspondence with the ultrasonic output set value while the system is in use. Therefore,
The heat generation of the probe due to the use of a small water output setting value while the system is in use is prevented. Therefore, it becomes possible to always use the ultrasonic therapy apparatus in an appropriate state.

Next, a method for ensuring safety when using the ultrasonic therapy apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In general, the ultrasonic therapy apparatus is set to the ultrasonic output enable state only by inputting a signal that detects the connection of the handpiece 12 after the power of the system is turned on. Therefore, since cooling water is not sent to the probe 14 of the handpiece 12 in the ultrasonic output enabled state when the system is started up, if the ultrasonic output is performed in this state, the probe 14 generates heat. There is a risk of damage. This device is an improvement in that point.

First, in step 1 (S1), the power supply of the device constructed similarly to the first embodiment is turned on. And
When the handpiece 12 is connected to the apparatus main body 2, the control section detects the connection of the handpiece 12 in step 2 (S2). After that, the apparatus main body 2 is in a standby state for the water supply operation to the probe 14 connected to the handpiece 12.
For example, it is displayed on the display unit 29 of the operation / display panel 4 so that the operator is prompted to perform the water feeding operation.

Next, in step 3 (S3), when the operator inputs a switch using the water supply switch provided on the operation / display panel 4 or the foot switch 24, the signal is detected.

If the switch is continuously pressed, step 5
Proceeding to (S5), the water supply operation is performed. On the other hand, when the switch is released, the process proceeds to step 6 (S6), the water feeding operation is completed, the ultrasonic output is possible, the previous output set value is read from the internal memory, set and displayed. In addition, in step 7 (S7), if the water supply is not performed and the ultrasonic output cannot be used, step 4 is performed.
It returns to (S4) and is repeated until the water supply operation is completed.

Thereafter, in step 8 (S8), by operating the foot switch 24, ultrasonic waves can be output and treatment can be performed. In the ultrasonic therapy device configured as described above, after detecting the connection of the handpiece at the start of system use, the operator must perform a water supply operation for an appropriate time before the ultrasonic wave can be output. The device can be used in a safe condition.

Further, even if only the handpiece 12 is replaced during use, the water supply operation can be easily performed depending on the time during which the switch is pressed, so that preparation for starting the system use is not troublesome.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to this embodiment is configured substantially in the same manner as the above-mentioned first embodiment, but a plurality of types of handpieces 12 can be connected to the apparatus. This operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, as step 1 (S1), after turning on the system power, the standby switch is pushed. In response to the operation of the standby switch in step 2 (S2), the presence or absence of the handpiece 12 to be connected is detected in step 3 (S3). If the handpiece 12 is not connected,
In step 4 (S4), an instruction to connect the handpiece 12 is displayed. With the handpiece 12 connected,
In step 5 (S5), the process of determining the type of the handpiece 12 is performed. This result will be used later when the ultrasonic output setting and the water supply amount setting are performed.

In the subsequent step 6 (S6), a display for instructing the pre-water supply operation is displayed. In step 7 (S7), the water supply switch is operated, and in step 8 (S8), pre-water supply operation is performed. Water is supplied to the tip of the handpiece 12. In step 9 (S9) after completion of this preliminary water supply, the setting corresponding to the previously determined handpiece 12 is called from the setting data table of ultrasonic waves and water supply. As a result, the ultrasonic wave oscillation, cleaning, and suction operations by the fit switch can be performed (step 10 (S10)). The operation ends when the power is turned off.

Here, the standby switch and the water supply switch may have a common flow. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the standby switch operation is omitted and the handpiece 1
At the same time as the operation of the means for detecting that 2 is connected, the flow for determining the handpiece 12 may proceed.

According to this embodiment, the automatic setting of the recommended water supply amount corresponding to the ultrasonic output, which is a feature of the present invention, can be applied to the apparatus body which can use various handpieces 12.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the pre-water feeding operation for enabling ultrasonic oscillation is performed by operating the standby switch provided in the apparatus main body 2 (step 6 (S6)). In addition, the foot switch operated by the operator in step 7 (S7) may be operable.If each switch is not turned on, step 6 (S7)
In step 6), display the instruction to prompt the advance water supply operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operator who performs the surgery from being unable to touch the device body 2 in the unclean area and being unable to set up the device.

Next, an embodiment of the water supply means will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus main body 1 includes an ultrasonic wave oscillating unit 32, a water feeding unit 33, and a control unit 34. A handpiece 12 is connected to the device body 2. Further, the water supply unit 33 includes a rotor 35, a motor 36, a motor control unit 37, and a pump door detection unit 38. A tube 39 is attached to the rotor 35, and by rotating the rotor 35, the tube 39 is squeezed and water is supplied.
The pump door 40 has a function of covering the rotating rotor 35 and a function of pressing the tube 39 against the rotor 35. If the pump door 40 is not sufficiently closed, water will not be supplied normally, so if the sensor 41 detects the opening / closing of the pump door 40 and the door is not sufficiently closed,
Disable the pre-water supply operation or ultrasonic wave oscillation. Further, the operator may be notified by a warning.

According to this embodiment, pre-water supply is performed,
After the ultrasonic oscillation is performed, it is possible to solve the problem caused by continuing the ultrasonic oscillation when the water supply by the water supply unit becomes defective.

[0047]

As described above, in the ultrasonic treatment apparatus of the present invention, the output value of the water feeding means is set in correspondence with the ultrasonic output set value of the ultrasonic transducer to suppress the heat generation of the probe. Since it is possible to perform appropriate water supply corresponding to the ultrasonic output set value before ultrasonic oscillation, the ultrasonic output is not performed with a relatively small water output at the start of use or during use of the device. It can be used in good condition. Furthermore, it is possible to set recommended water values suitable for multiple handpieces.
The lower limit value of the setting change can be determined for each.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing recommended water output values with respect to ultrasonic output set values.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a minimum value of water supply output with respect to an ultrasonic output set value.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a modified example of a partial operation of the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to the modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of water supply means.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Device main body (control means), 12 ... Handpiece, 14
... probe, 22 ... suction pump (suction means), 26 ... roller pump (water supply means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A handpiece having a built-in ultrasonic vibrator, and ultrasonically vibrating the tip of a probe connected to the ultrasonic vibrator to treat living tissue, and a voltage applied to the ultrasonic vibrator. Drive means for applying and driving the probe, water supply means for supplying cooling water to the probe, suction means for sucking and removing the living tissue treated by the tip of the probe, and the ultrasonic transducer An ultrasonic therapy apparatus comprising: a control unit that sets an output value of the water supply unit corresponding to an ultrasonic output set value and suppresses heat generation of the probe.