JP2959850B2 - Ultrasound therapy equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic treatment apparatus for cutting off affected tissue by ultrasonic vibration or crushing calculi.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic scalpel generally used as an ultrasonic therapy apparatus comprises a vibrator for generating ultrasonic vibration and a probe as a vibration transmitting member. An ultrasonic oscillation circuit is connected to the ultrasonic oscillator, and when a voltage generated by the ultrasonic oscillation circuit is applied to the ultrasonic oscillator, the ultrasonic oscillator vibrates, and this vibration causes the probe to vibrate. It is transmitted to the probe tip. The tip of the probe is used to treat tumors and calculi.

[0003] Such an ultrasonic scalpel is disclosed, for example, in US Patent No. 3,590,288. The probe in this U.S. patent employs a catenoidal horn. Probes used in ultrasonic scalpels as described above can be classified into step horns, conical horns, catenoidal horns, and exponential horns according to their shapes. FIG. 9 shows a conical horn, and FIG. 10 shows a step horn.
1 schematically shows the appearance of the component.

When the vibration is transmitted through such a probe, the amplitude of the vibration is enlarged by a conical horn or a step horn as shown in the figure, and a larger tip amplitude can be obtained.

[0005]

By the way, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator is efficiently amplified and expanded, and
In order to increase the strength so that the probe is not damaged by the generated stress, the material and shape of the probe are important.

[0006] The probe is generally made of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, stainless steel or the like having high strength.
Various horn shapes can be considered as the probe shape. There is a difference in the amplitude expansion ratio, strength, workability, etc., depending on the horn shape. These are shown in Table 1 below.

As can be seen from Table 1, it is difficult for a conventionally known probe to simultaneously satisfy the amplitude expansion rate, strength, and workability. In particular, the step horn is extremely excellent in the amplitude expansion ratio, but may be damaged during use due to the low strength of the step portion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic therapy apparatus having a probe capable of simultaneously satisfying the amplitude expansion rate, strength, and workability. is there.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems] To solve the above problems
In addition, the invention described in claim 1 is based on the ultrasonic generator.
To transmit the ultrasonic vibrations generated to the tip of the vibration transmission member.
In the ultrasonic therapy device for treating the affected tissue,
The vibration transmitting member has a columnar portion located on the proximal end side.
And a conical portion located on the tip side of the columnar portion, and a column
Located at the node of ultrasonic vibration between
Vibration transmission to expand the amplitude of the acoustic vibration to the desired size
Amplitude magnifying section that reduces the cross-sectional area of the leading member toward the distal end
And the conical portion is increased by an amplitude enlarging portion.
Extending to almost the tip of the vibration transmitting member to reduce the
Characterized by Also, as described in claim 2
Invention is to reduce the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic generator.
By transmitting to the tip of the vibration transmission member, the affected tissue can be cured.
In the ultrasonic therapy apparatus for performing treatment, the vibration transmitting member
Has a first member formed on the proximal end side and the first member formed on the distal end side.
The second part having a material lower than the density of the material of the member
Material is formed, and further by the ultrasonic generator
In the vicinity of a position that becomes a node of vibration when ultrasonic vibration is applied,
With the first member and the second member abutted together
Combine by applying pressure and heating below a certain temperature.
It is characterized by having. The invention described in claim 3
Transmits the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic generator
Treatment to the affected tissue
In the ultrasonic therapy apparatus, the vibration transmitting member may have a proximal end.
A cylindrical portion located on the side, and a distal portion of the cylindrical portion
And a circle having a tapered outer surface that tapers toward the distal end
The conical part, the columnar part and the conical part are joined together, and
It has a tapered outer surface that tapers
The cross-sectional area of the end face is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the base end face of the conical portion and
The cross-sectional area of the base end face is approximately the same as the cross-sectional area of the tip end face of the cylindrical portion.
Equally tapered and located at the node of ultrasonic vibration and ultrasonic
Vibration transmission unit to expand the amplitude of vibration to a desired size
Amplitude increasing means for reducing the cross-sectional area of the material toward the tip end
And the amplitude expanding means has an inclination angle of an outer surface of the tapered portion.
Must be greater than the angle of inclination of the outer surface of the cone.
And the conical portion is formed by an amplitude expanding portion.
Near the end of the vibration transmission member to reduce the increasing stress
It is characterized by being extended to. Also described in claim 4
The disclosed invention uses ultrasonic waves generated by an ultrasonic generator.
By transmitting vibration to the tip of the vibration transmission member,
In the ultrasonic therapy apparatus for treating a tissue, the vibration transmission
The member consists of a columnar part located on the base end side and this columnar part.
Conical part connected to the tip and located at the node of ultrasonic vibration
And to expand the amplitude of ultrasonic vibration to a desired size
Amplitude that reduces the cross-sectional area of the vibration transmission member toward the distal end
Enlarging means, wherein the amplitude enlarging means comprises a cylindrical portion and a circular portion.
Formed by a step formed between the conical part and
The conical section relieves the stress created by the amplitude enlargement
To almost the tip of the vibration transmission member
It is characterized by.

[0010]

[0011]

In the present invention, the sectional area of the probe changes rapidly near the node of the vibration, and the amplitude of the vibration is enlarged and transmitted to the tip.
In addition, the conical horn on the tip side alleviates the stress and increases the strength.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to the present invention. An ultrasonic scalpel 2 constituting this ultrasonic treatment apparatus includes an ultrasonic vibrator 4 as an ultrasonic generator, and a horn for amplifying the amplitude of vibration is provided at a front portion of the ultrasonic vibrator 4. The part 6 is connected. A probe 8 as a vibration transmitting member is connected to a front portion of the horn portion 6 by a screw connection.

At the base end of the probe 8, a columnar portion 10 is provided.
Are formed, and a conical portion 12 forming a conical horn is formed on the tip side. The columnar portion 10 and the conical portion 12 are connected to each other in the vicinity of a position that becomes a node of vibration when the probe 8 is ultrasonically vibrated. Also, at the joint between the columnar portion 10 and the cone-shaped portion 12, the diameter of the base end of the cone-shaped portion 12 is formed smaller than the diameter of the columnar portion 10, so that the step portion 14 is formed, This part constitutes a so-called step horn.

That is, in the probe 8, a step horn is formed near the node of the vibration, and a conical horn is formed from the vicinity of the node of the vibration to the tip. Therefore, the sectional area of the vibration node of the probe 8 changes rapidly, and the amplitude is increased in accordance with the ratio of the sectional areas. Also,
Since the stress is reduced by the conical horn at the tip, the strength of the probe can be increased.

In FIG. 1, the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the generated stress is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

In the probe 8 of the ultrasonic scalpel 2 configured as described above, the diameter (the area of the large end face) of the cylindrical portion 10 is set to S.
1. The diameter of the base end of the conical portion 12 (the area of the small end face) is S2
Then, the amplitude expansion ratio M of the step horn is calculated by the following equation.

M = S1 / S2 FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a columnar portion 10 is formed on the proximal end side of the probe 8 and a conical portion 12 is formed on the distal end side. And
The columnar section 10 and the conical section 12 are connected by a taper section 16 in the vicinity of a position that becomes a node of vibration when the probe 8 is subjected to ultrasonic vibration.

That is, the first point is located near the node of the vibration of the probe 8.
Is formed, and a second conical horn is formed from the node of the vibration to the tip. The inclination of the taper is such that first conical horn> second conical horn.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, since the cross-sectional area of the probe changes rapidly near the node of the vibration, the amplitude of the vibration is enlarged and transmitted to the tip. Further, since the stress is relieved by the second conical horn at the tip, the strength is increased.

In the second embodiment, since there is no step like a step horn, no stress concentration occurs.

In FIG. 2, as in FIG. 1, the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the generated stress is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a columnar portion 10 is formed on the proximal end side of the probe 8 and a conical portion 12 is formed on the distal end side. The columnar portion 10 and the conical portion 12 are connected to each other in the vicinity of a position that becomes a node of vibration when the probe 8 is ultrasonically vibrated.

The columnar portion 10 is formed of stainless steel, and the conical portion 12 is formed of a titanium alloy.
Stainless steel and the titanium alloy are diffusion-bonded in the vicinity of the node of the vibration of the tube. In this case, since the density of titanium is about half that of stainless steel, the probe 8 has the same effect as the step horn. A conical horn is formed from the node of the vibration to the tip.

The term "diffusion bonding" as used herein refers to a method in which a metal as a material to be joined is abutted in a vacuum or protective atmosphere, pressure is applied, and the material is heated to a temperature below the solidus of the material to be joined. This is a method of causing diffusion and bonding between them.

In this third embodiment, the pro-
Since the probe is formed, the amplitude is enlarged at the node of the vibration of the probe 8 corresponding to the density ratio (stainless steel: titanium = 2: 1). Further, since the stress is relaxed by the conical horn at the tip, the strength is increased.

The amplitude expansion rate M in the above probe is determined by calculating the cross-sectional area, sound velocity, and density of the stainless steel cylindrical portion 10 as S1.
, C1, ρ1 and the sectional area, sound velocity, and density of the titanium alloy cone 12 are S2, C2, ρ2, S1 is equal to S2, C1 is substantially equal to C2, and ρ1: ρ2 =
From 2: 1, Equation (1) in Table 2 below is obtained.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the dissimilar metals are bonded by diffusion bonding, and the step horn is formed on the tip side, so that the amplitude can be increased without increasing the probe width and the strength can be increased. Can be increased.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the probe 8 is formed from a plurality of components 20a and 20b formed of two kinds of metals.

That is, two parts 20a made of stainless steel and two parts 20b made of titanium alloy
Are alternately arranged by disposing the components 20a at the base end, and the joining surfaces are joined by the diffusion joining described above. From the base end to the tip end of the probe 8, the joining surface connecting the stainless steel component 20 a to the titanium alloy component 20 b is arranged at the node of the vibration.

Therefore, when the vibration is transmitted from the base end to the probe 8, the density of the components constituting the probe changes at the node of the vibration, so that the amplitude can be increased. The amplitude expansion rate M of the probe 8 in the fourth embodiment.
If the cross-sectional area, sound velocity, and density of the stainless steel part 20a are S1, C1, and ρ1, and the cross-sectional area, sound velocity, and density of the titanium alloy part 20b are S2, C2, and ρ2, S1 is equal to S2. C1 is almost equal to C2, and ρ1: ρ2 =
Equation (2) in Table 2 to be described later is obtained from 2: 1. However, the amplitude does not increase even if the density of the part is changed at the antinode of the vibration.

FIG. 5 shows a modification of the first embodiment.
In this modified example, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a suction path 30 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed inside the ultrasonic transducer 4, the horn 6, and the probe 8. That is, probe 8
Are formed in a hollow structure. A base 3 for connecting the suction path 30 to a suction pump (not shown) is provided at the rear end of the ultrasonic vibrator 4.
2 are provided. A suction tube (not shown) is connected to the base 32.

Therefore, in this modified example, calculi and tissues crushed by the ultrasonically vibrating probe 8 can be sucked and discharged to the outside through the suction path 30 opened at the tip of the probe 8.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the second embodiment.
In this modification, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, a suction path 30 is formed in the ultrasonic scalpel 2 as in the previous modification.
Therefore, also in this modified example, the crushed calculus and tissue can be suctioned and discharged to the outside via the suction path 30.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the third embodiment.
In this modification, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, a suction path 30 is formed in the ultrasonic scalpel 2 as in the previous modification.
Therefore, also in this modified example, the crushed calculus and tissue can be suctioned and discharged to the outside via the suction path 30.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the fourth embodiment.
In this modified example, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, a suction path 30 is formed in the ultrasonic scalpel 2 as in the previous modified example.
That is, a plurality of parts constituting the probe 8 are formed in a hollow structure. Therefore, even in this modification, the suction path 30
The crushed stones and tissues can be sucked and discharged to the outside.

[0037]

As described above, the ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a probe having a large amplitude expansion rate and a small stress. The probe tip can be oscillated with the amplitude. Therefore, the treatment efficiency is improved, and the generated stress is small, so that the probe hardly generates heat. Even if the vibration of the vibrator is reduced, the required amplitude can be obtained at the tip of the probe, so that the vibrator can be prevented from being damaged by heat generation.

[0038]

[Table 1]

[0039]

[Table 2]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a conventional ultrasonic therapy apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a partial view showing a conventional ultrasonic therapy apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

2: Ultrasonic scalpel, 8: Probe, 10: Cylindrical part, 12
... conical part, 20a, 20b ... parts.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating an affected tissue by transmitting ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasonic generator to a distal end of a vibration transmitting member, wherein the vibration transmitting member is located on a proximal end side. The columnar part
A conical part located on the tip side of the cylindrical part
Located at the node of the ultrasonic vibration between the conical part and the ultrasonic vibration
Vibration transmitting member to expand the amplitude of motion to a desired size
And an amplitude expansion section that reduces the cross-sectional area of the
The conical portion reduces the stress that is increased by the amplitude expanding portion.
An ultrasonic therapy apparatus, which extends to a substantially distal end of a vibration transmitting member to reduce the vibration . 2. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating an affected tissue by transmitting ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasonic generator to a distal end of a vibration transmitting member, wherein the vibration transmitting member has a first end located on a proximal end side. Is formed,
A second member having a material lower than the density of the material of the first member is formed on the distal end side, and further serves as a node of vibration when ultrasonically vibrated by the ultrasonic generating unit. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus wherein a pressure is applied in a state where the first member and the second member are butted together near a position, and the two members are joined by heating at a certain temperature or lower. 3. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating an affected tissue by transmitting ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasonic generator to a distal end of a vibration transmitting member, wherein the vibration transmitting member is located on a proximal end side. A columnar portion , located at the distal end side of the columnar portion, and tapered toward the distal end side;
A conical portion having a tapered outer surface, a cylindrical portion and a conical portion are joined together, and tapered toward the distal end.
With a tapered outer surface and a cross section of the tip surface
The area is approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the base face of the conical portion and the base end
The cross-sectional area of the surface is approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the tip of the cylindrical part.
Part and the node of the ultrasonic vibration and the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration
The cross-sectional area of the vibration transmitting member is set to the tip
Anda amplitude enlarging means for reducing towards said amplitude expansion means, like a cone inclination angle of the outer surface of the tapered portion
Form by also larger Ri by the inclination angle of the outer surface of the part
Made, the conical section, slow the stress increased by the amplitude enlarged portion
An ultrasonic therapy apparatus, which extends to a substantially distal end of a vibration transmitting member to reduce the vibration . 4. An ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasonic generator.
By transmitting the movement to the tip of the vibration transmission member, the affected tissue
In the ultrasonic therapy apparatus for performing treatment of the above, the vibration transmitting member may be a columnar portion located on the proximal end side,
Conical part connected to the tip of the cylindrical part of the
Of the ultrasonic vibration to a desired size
Reduce the cross-sectional area of the vibration transmission member
Means for reducing the amplitude, wherein the means for increasing the amplitude is formed between the cylindrical portion and the conical portion.
The conical portion reduces the stress that is increased by the amplitude expanding portion.
An ultrasonic therapy apparatus, which extends to a substantially distal end of a vibration transmitting member to reduce the vibration .