WO2012066983A1 - Ultrasound transducer, ultrasound treatment tool, ultrasound treatment device, and method for assembling ultrasound transducer - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasound transducer (12) for an ultrasound treatment tool for treating living tissue has a piezoelectric element (24 (24a, 24b)) that generates ultrasonic vibrations, and a frame (22) capable of transmitting the vibrations generated by the piezoelectric element to a vibration-transmitting member (14). The frame has a mounting section (48) in which the piezoelectric element is mounted laterally with respect to the central axis (C) of the vibration-transmitting member which comes into contact with living tissue.

Description

Ultrasonic vibrator, ultrasonic treatment tool, ultrasonic treatment apparatus, and method of assembling ultrasonic vibrator

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic treatment instrument for treating a biological tissue, an ultrasonic treatment instrument, an ultrasonic treatment apparatus, and a method for assembling an ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic treatment instrument for treating a biological tissue. About.

For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0193898 discloses an ultrasonic transducer in which a shaft member that coincides with the axial direction of a vibration transmitting member is disposed so as to penetrate the center of a disk-shaped piezoelectric element. Has been.
For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0216157 discloses an ultrasonic treatment device (ultrasonic treatment device) having a procedure tool main body including an ultrasonic transducer and a flexible pipe portion. procedure tool) is disclosed. For this reason, the ultrasonic treatment instrument can be opposed to the biological tissue to be treated through the channel of the flexible tube of the endoscope.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-94552 discloses an ultrasonic vibrator in which a piezoelectric element is shrink-fitted to the frame body by applying heat to the frame body (resonator) on which the piezoelectric element is disposed.

Although it is not specified in US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0216157 what kind of ultrasonic transducer is used, as an ultrasonic transducer of US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0216157, When the ultrasonic transducer disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0193898 is used, the shaft member is disposed at the center of the disk-shaped piezoelectric element, so that there is a limit to downsizing.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-94552, heat is applied to the frame body and the piezoelectric element when the frame body is fixed. For this reason, the vibration performance such as the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator is likely to vary.

The present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic treatment instrument, and an ultrasonic treatment apparatus for an ultrasonic treatment instrument for treating a living tissue, capable of stabilizing the vibration performance of ultrasonic vibration while reducing the overall size. And it aims at providing the assembly method of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator for ultrasonic treatment tools which treats a biological tissue.

An ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic treatment instrument for treating a biological tissue according to the present invention includes a piezoelectric element that generates ultrasonic vibration and the piezoelectric element from a side with respect to a central axis of a vibration transmitting member that contacts the biological tissue. A frame having a mounting portion to which an element is mounted, and capable of transmitting a vibration generated by the piezoelectric element to the vibration transmitting member by applying a pressing force to the piezoelectric element in a state where the piezoelectric element is mounted on the mounting portion. And have.

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view showing a state before a piezoelectric element is mounted on a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a part of the piezoelectric element disposed in the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state before a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an arm is extended in order to attach the piezoelectric element to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5C is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view showing a state before a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an arm is extended in order to attach the piezoelectric element to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the first modification of the second embodiment. . FIG. 6C is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 7B is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 7C is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 7D is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view showing a state before a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a third modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 8B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an arm is extended in order to attach the piezoelectric element to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the third modification of the second embodiment. . FIG. 8C shows a state in which the protrusion formed integrally with the arm is removed after the piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment device according to the third modification of the second embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the fourth modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 10A is a schematic plan view showing a state before a piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10C is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11A is a schematic plan view showing a state before a piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 11B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 11C is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 12A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 12B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a frame of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 12C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a piezoelectric element is attached to the frame of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a pair of vibration transmission members of an ultrasonic treatment instrument having a pair of jaws according to the fourth embodiment are opened, and a living tissue is disposed between the vibration transmission members. FIG. FIG. 13B is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a pair of vibration transmission members of an ultrasonic treatment device having a pair of jaws according to the fourth embodiment are closed. FIG. 14A is a schematic view showing basket forceps according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14B is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tip of the basket forceps according to the fifth embodiment is enlarged. FIG. 14C is a schematic view showing a state in which the basket of the basket forceps according to the fifth embodiment is disposed inside the duodenal bile duct through the duodenal papilla through the insertion portion of the endoscope.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an ultrasonic treatment device or an ultrasonic surgical device 10 according to this embodiment includes an ultrasonic transducer 12 and vibration transmission. It has a vibration transmission member 14 and a horn 16. In this embodiment, the center axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14 and the horn 16 is disposed so as to coincide with the center axis of a piezoelectric element 24 described later of the ultrasonic transducer 12.

The ultrasonic transducer 12 and the horn 16 may be detachable with, for example, male and female screws, and the horn 16 and the vibration transmitting member 14 may be detachable with, for example, male and female screws. The horn 16 may be integrated with the sound wave vibrator 12, or the horn 16 may be integrated with the vibration transmission member 14. Moreover, the structure which the vibration transmission member 14 is directly connected to the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 12 so that attachment or detachment is possible, or may be sufficient. Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer 12, the vibration transmission member 14, and the horn 16 may be integrated.

The ultrasonic vibrator 12 includes a frame body 22 and a piezoelectric element 24 that converts electric energy into ultrasonic vibration. Various piezoelectric elements 24 can be used. The piezoelectric element 24 may be a plate material or a laminate. As shown in FIG. 2, the piezoelectric element 24 of this embodiment is formed by laminating unit piezoelectric elements 26 made of rectangular PZT materials, for example, as a kind of piezoelectric ceramic so as to sandwich the electrodes 28a and 28b. . The unit piezoelectric element 26 is laminated in the direction along the center axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14 of the ultrasonic transducer 12 and the horn 16 in a state where the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted on the frame body 22. The electrodes 28a and 28b are connected to the power source 32 via lead wires 30a and 30b, respectively.

The cross section of the vibration transmission member 14 of the present embodiment is a rectangular shape such as a square, and the cross section of the frame 22 of the horn 16 and the ultrasonic transducer 12 is a rectangular shape such as a rectangle. That is, the frame 22 of the ultrasonic transducer 12 is formed in a substantially plate shape whose width is larger than the thickness, including the piezoelectric element 24. The thicknesses of the horn 16 and the frame 22 of the ultrasonic transducer 12 correspond to, for example, the length of one side of the cross section of the vibration transmitting member 14. Further, in the cross section of the vibration transmitting member 14, the proximal end side close to the horn 16 is rectangular, but it is also preferable that the distal end side separated from the horn 16 is circular.

The frame 22 includes first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 that are separated along the center axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14 and the horn 16. The first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 have pressing surfaces 42 a and 44 a that are orthogonal to the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14. The first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 are integrally formed by a connecting portion 46 formed in parallel to the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14. The connecting portion 46 has a movement restricting surface 46a that is orthogonal to the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 and restricts the piezoelectric element 24 from moving downward in FIG. 1B. . A mounting portion 48, which is a space in which the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted and fixed, is formed by the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 and the movement restricting surface 46a of the connecting portion 46. ing. That is, the mounting portion 48 is a rectangular parallelepiped space formed by the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 and the connecting portion 46, and on the side facing the movement restricting surface 46 a of the connecting portion 46. An opening 48a is formed. That is, the mounting portion 48 has an opening 48 a in a direction intersecting with the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14. Therefore, the frame 22 of the ultrasonic transducer 12 according to this embodiment is formed in a substantially U shape so as to surround the mounting portion 48 by the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 and the connecting portion 46. ing.

In addition, the back surface with respect to the movement control surface 46a among the connection parts 46 is the energy load surface 46b to which optical energy and mechanical energy are added so that it may mention later.

Also, the piezoelectric element 24 is formed in the same shape as the mounting portion 48 of the frame body 22 so as to fit into the mounting portion 48 without any gap.

The ultrasonic transducer 12 according to this embodiment is manufactured (assembled) as follows.
First, in order to form the mounting part 48 in the frame 22, for example, a wire cutting process is performed on a plate material made of titanium alloy. In the wire cutting process, it is preferable not only to form the mounting portion 48 but also to prepare the outer shape of the frame body 22 before the mounting portion 48 is formed. In addition, when forming the external shape of the frame 22 and the mounting part 48, you may cut | disconnect with a laser beam, and may form by press work, composition processing, and machining.

Thus, since the frame 22 is processed by, for example, a wire cutting process, the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 of the mounting portion 48 are parallel to each other, and the first and second The pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the pressing portions 42 and 44 are orthogonal to the movement restricting surface 46a.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the piezoelectric element 24 in which the stacking direction of the unit piezoelectric elements 26 is parallel to the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14 is opposed to the mounting portion 48 of the frame body 22. At this time, it is also preferable to apply an adhesive to at least one of the first and second pressing surfaces 42 a and 44 a and the piezoelectric element 24. Then, the piezoelectric element 24 is inserted from the opening 48a of the mounting portion 48 toward the movement restricting surface 46a, and the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted (embedded) in the mounting portion 48 as shown in FIG. 1B. At this time, the piezoelectric elements 24 are supported by the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44, and the piezoelectric elements 24 are supported by the movement restricting surface 46a. At this time, the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 are set by slightly setting the length of the piezoelectric element 24 so as to be press-fitted into the mounting portion 48 of the frame body 22. It is also possible to apply a pressure to the piezoelectric element 24. In this case, even if the frame body 22 is tilted with the piezoelectric element 24 mounted, the piezoelectric element 24 is fixed to the mounting portion 48 of the frame body 22, and the piezoelectric element 24 is fixed to the mounting portion 48. Is prevented from being displaced or dropped. In this case, it is possible to make the press-fitting operation easier by applying a force in the direction of expanding the frame 22 when the piezoelectric element 24 is inserted.

Thus, in a state where the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted on the mounting portion 48 of the frame body 22, the laser beam (optical energy) LB is applied to the energy load surface 46 b on the opposite side of the movement restricting surface 46 a in the connecting portion 46. Is irradiated for a very short time (for example, several microseconds) to change the metal crystal of the energy load surface 46b or cause laser heating surface hardening (laserlassurface hardening). For this reason, the connecting portion 46 is permanently deformed or the residual stress increases, and the pressing force pressing the piezoelectric element 24 with the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 increases. For this reason, the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 12 can be raised. That is, the vibration characteristics of the ultrasonic vibration can be adjusted.

On the other hand, the connecting portion 46 of the frame 22 can be heated with a laser or the like and partially tempered to reduce the residual stress. In this case, the pressing force for pressing the piezoelectric element 24 by the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a of the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 can be reduced. For this reason, the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 12 can be lowered | hung.

In addition, when the pressing force for pressing the piezoelectric element 24 with the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a increases, the capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer 12 increases, and when the pressing force decreases, the capacitance decreases. For this reason, by monitoring the electrostatic capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer 12, it is possible to recognize the increase or decrease of the pressing force when adjusting the pressing force of the piezoelectric element 24 by the pressing surfaces 42a and 44a, and to specify the resonance frequency. it can.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pressing force applied to the piezoelectric element 24 from the pressing portions 42 and 44 can be adjusted by adjusting the residual stress of the connecting portion 46 of the frame body 22. Thus, by adjusting the residual stress of the connecting portion 46, the vibration characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer 12 having the piezoelectric element 24 can be easily adjusted.

When the laser beam LB is irradiated onto the energy load surface 46b of the connecting portion 46, there is a distance from the energy load surface 46b of the connecting portion 46 to the movement restricting surface 46a, and the laser beam LB is irradiated for an extremely short time. The heat generated by the laser beam LB is naturally cooled by the heat conduction of the connecting portion 46 and does not reach the movement restricting surface 46a. For this reason, the piezoelectric element 24 supported by the movement restricting surface 46a is not affected by the irradiation of the laser beam LB on the energy load surface 46b. Therefore, the laser light LB can prevent the piezoelectric element 24 from being thermally stimulated or shocked. In addition, by reducing the intensity of the laser beam LB or shortening the irradiation time / pulse irradiation, the piezoelectric element 24 is irradiated to a position close to the movement restricting surface 46a without giving thermal stimulation or impact. It becomes possible.

Similarly, it is possible to prevent the piezoelectric element 24 from being thermally stimulated or shocked by tempering the connecting portion 46 of the frame 22 using laser light.

The structure and assembly method of the ultrasonic transducer 12 according to this embodiment will be described from another viewpoint. The ultrasonic transducer 12 forms a frame-shaped resonance body (frame body) indicated by reference numeral 22 using a metal material, and houses a piezoelectric element 24 in a part of the resonance body 22. An element storage portion (mounting portion) indicated by reference numeral 48 is formed by the surfaces 42a and 44a. Then, after the piezoelectric element 24 is housed between the pair of surfaces 42a and 44a of the element storage portion 48 of the resonator 22, a part of the resonator 22 (the connecting portion 46) is deformed to deform the pair of surfaces 42a. 44a applies a pressing force to the piezoelectric element 24.

As described above, since the ultrasonic transducer 12 of this embodiment is assembled in this way, the first and second pressing portions 42 and 44 do not apply force such as heat or impact to the piezoelectric element 24. It can be pressed and held. Since the ultrasonic transducer 12 can adjust the residual stress of the connecting portion 46 after the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted on the mounting portion 48, the ultrasonic transducer 12 having stable quality (vibration characteristics) is provided. can do.

Then, the horn 16 and the vibration transmitting member 14 can be attached to such an ultrasonic transducer 12 and used for treatment of a living tissue. At this time, the distal end of the vibration transmitting member 14 functions as a treatment portion (end effector). When a living tissue is treated using the ultrasonic treatment instrument 10, the vibration generated by the piezoelectric element 24 is transmitted to the vibration transmitting member 14, and the end effector of the vibration transmitting member 14 that vibrates at high speed and the living tissue. Friction occurs between them. Since the living tissue becomes high temperature due to this friction, the ultrasonic treatment instrument 10 enables treatment such as coagulation of the living tissue, sealing of the blood vessel, cutting of the living tissue, and the like.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the movement restricting surface 46a is illustrated as a plane, but the structure is such that the piezoelectric element 24 is supported at several places, not limited to being a plane. May be. Moreover, although the material was described as a titanium alloy, the various titanium alloys and aluminum alloys normally used for an ultrasonic transducer | vibrator, the iron-type alloy represented by stainless steel and nickel chromium alloy, etc. can also be used.

In addition, although a plurality of unit piezoelectric elements are shown as stacked in the vibration direction as the piezoelectric element 24, it is also possible to use a piezoelectric element manufactured in a stacked state known as a laminated piezoelectric body. Furthermore, the lateral effect often seen in the piezoelectric element may be used, and for the purpose of efficiently generating this lateral effect, the stacking direction may be a direction substantially orthogonal to the vibration direction of the ultrasonic transducer.

Similarly, although laser light is shown as a thermal energy source, the method is not limited to this, and the amount of heat to be supplied depending on the heat treatment conditions and the time required for supply can be determined based on the electron beam, white beam (white light), High frequency, etc. can also be selected. For example, a white beam is applicable if it is annealed.

By the way, a bolted Langevin type vibrator is known as a general ultrasonic vibrator. However, this vibrator gives a pressing force to adjacent piezoelectric elements by bolt fastening. For this reason, it is necessary to secure a space such as a bolt or a tap in the piezoelectric element or the ultrasonic component member, and since the piezoelectric element is composed of a plurality of members, there is a limit to downsizing the vibrator.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic transducer 12 of the present embodiment only has the piezoelectric element 24 of the present embodiment mounted on the mounting portion 48, and does not require spaces such as bolts and taps, and the number of members is small. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 12 of the present embodiment can be reduced in size as compared with the case where a bolted Langevin type transducer is used. When it is assumed that the same space is provided for the ultrasonic transducer 12 and the bolt-clamped Langevin transducer according to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 12 of the present embodiment is a bolt-clamped Langevin transducer. A piezoelectric element 24 larger than the piezoelectric element can be used. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic transducer (ultrasonic vibration source) 12 capable of outputting powerful ultrasonic vibration while being further downsized.

FIG. 3 shows an ultrasonic treatment instrument 10 according to a first modification of the present embodiment.
In this modification, instead of irradiating the energy load surface 46b of the connecting portion 46 shown in FIG. 1B to the frame 22 of the ultrasonic transducer 12 with the laser beam LB (optical energy), the energy of the connecting portion 46 is used. In this example, energy is dynamically applied to the load surface 46b to plastically deform the energy load surface 46b. Here, the pressing surfaces 42a of the first and second pressing portions 42, 44 are formed by plastically deforming the energy load surface 46b of the connecting portion 46 and deforming it into a state indicated by reference numeral 46c in FIG. The pressing force on the piezoelectric element 24 is increased by 44a. This modification has an advantage that the adjustment range of the pressing force can be expanded. Needless to say, this modification and the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be used in combination. In this case, the adjustment range of the pressing force is widened and fine adjustment is possible. The same applies to the modifications and embodiments described below.

FIG. 4 shows an ultrasonic treatment instrument 10 according to a second modification of the present embodiment.
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the case where the cross section of the frame body 22 is rectangular has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the cross section of the frame body 22 is preferably cylindrical. In this case, each unit piezoelectric element 26 (see FIG. 2) used for the piezoelectric element 24 is preferably formed in a disk shape, for example.
In the above-described embodiment and modification, the horn 16 and the vibration transmission member 14 have also been described as having a rectangular cross section. However, in this modification, the cross section of the horn 16 and the vibration transmission member 14 is circular or cylindrical. It is preferable that

Even when the frame 22 is formed as shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic transducer 12 of the ultrasonic treatment instrument 10 shown in FIG. 1B or the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic treatment instrument 10 shown in FIG. Similarly to 12, the frame 22 can be deformed. For this reason, after the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted on the mounting portion 48, the pressing force by the pressing portions 42 and 44 on the piezoelectric element 24 can be adjusted.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C.
As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the frame body 22 is fixed to the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64, one end at the first pressing portion 62, and the other end at the second pressing portion 64. And a pair of arms 66, 68. That is, in this embodiment, instead of the connecting portion 46 described in the first embodiment, a pair of arms 66 and 68 that similarly form the connecting portion are used. In the present embodiment, the arms 66 and 68 are each formed in a substantially M shape. In other words, the arms 66 and 68 according to the present embodiment have a path length along the shape of the arms 66 and 68 that is longer than the length (shortest length) connecting both ends of the arms 66 and 68, and the inside of the frame body 22. It is formed in a shape having convex portions (load portions) 66a and 68a on the side (the side close to the mounting portion 70 described later (the piezoelectric element 24 side)).

The first and second pressing portions 62 and 64 have pressing surfaces 62a and 64a formed to face each other in parallel. These pressing surfaces 62a and 64a form a mounting portion 70 that is a space in which the piezoelectric element 24 is disposed. The mounting portion 70 has openings 70a and 70b at positions where interference with the pair of arms 66 and 68 is prevented. That is, the mounting portion 70 has openings 70 a and 70 b in a direction intersecting with the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14.

The ultrasonic transducer 12 according to this embodiment is manufactured (assembled) as follows.
First, in order to form the arms 66 and 68 and the mounting part 70 in the frame 22, for example, a wire cutting process is performed on a plate material of titanium alloy, for example. For example, since the frame 22 is processed by a wire cutting process, the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a of the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64 of the mounting portion 70 are parallel to each other.

By the way, the space | interval of the parallel pressing surfaces 62a and 64a shown to FIG. 5A is still smaller than 1st Embodiment compared with the one side of the piezoelectric element 24 of the direction along the central axis C of the vibration transmission member 14. FIG. Therefore, the piezoelectric element 24 cannot be press-fitted into the mounting portion 70 as it is.
Therefore, when the piezoelectric element 24 is disposed in the mounting portion 70, a force F is applied from the inner side to the outer side, for example, on the convex portions 66a and 68a provided on the arms 66 and 68 shown in FIG. 5A, as shown in FIG. 5B. Thus, the space | interval of the press surfaces 62a and 64a is expanded. 5A, when a force F is applied to the convex portions 66a and 68a of the arms 66 and 68 from the inner side toward the outer side, for example, a jig (not shown) is hooked on each of the arms 66 and 68 with respect to the central axis C. By pulling outward, the space between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a can be increased.

In a state where the space between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a is widened, the piezoelectric element 24 is inserted into one of the openings 70a and 70b of the mounting portion 70 from a position where the arms 66 and 68 do not exist (a position where interference between the arms 66 and 68 is prevented). The force F applied to the arms 66 and 68 is removed. Then, the arms 66 and 68 shown in FIG. 5B are deformed so as to return to the original state (the state shown in FIG. 5A) as shown in FIG. 5C, and the piezoelectric element 24 is sandwiched between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a.

In addition, the structure and assembly method of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 12 which concern on this embodiment are demonstrated from another viewpoint. The ultrasonic transducer 12 forms a frame-shaped resonator indicated by reference numeral 22 using a metal material, and stores a piezoelectric element 24 in the resonator 22 by a pair of surfaces 62a and 64a separated from each other. Is formed. Then, the piezoelectric element 24 is accommodated by deforming the resonator 22 to widen the distance between the pair of surfaces 62 a and 64 a of the element storage unit 70. Thereafter, when the deformation of the resonator 22 is restored, the distance between the pair of surfaces 62a and 64a is narrowed, and the piezoelectric element 24 is pressed and held by the pair of surfaces 62a and 64a.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the description in the first embodiment, since the ultrasonic vibrator 12 is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis C, the longitudinal vibration generated by the piezoelectric element 24 is reduced. The vibration can be transmitted to the vibration transmitting member 14 in a more stable state.

In this embodiment, the shape of the arms 66 and 68 of the frame body 22 is shown as a substantially M shape. However, this is only an example, and the path length along the shape of the arms 66 and 68 extends between both ends of the arms 66 and 68. If the shape is longer than the tied length (shortest length) and has convex portions (load portions) 66a and 68a on the inner side of the frame 22, the functions shown in the present embodiment can be achieved. .

Next, a first modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C.
In this modification, the pair of arms 66 and 68 is formed in a substantially U shape. That is, the arms 66 and 68 according to this modification have a path length along the shape of the arms 66 and 68 that is longer than the length (shortest length) connecting both ends of the arms 66 and 68 and the outside of the frame body 22. It is formed in a shape having convex portions (load portions) 66b and 68b on the side (the side separated from the mounting portion 70 described later (the side opposite to the piezoelectric element 24 side)).

In this case, when the space between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a shown in FIG. 6A is widened, a force F is applied to the convex portions 66b and 68b provided on the arms 66 and 68 shown in FIG. 6A from the outside toward the inside (center axis C). Is granted. For this reason, as shown to FIG. 6B, the arms 66 and 68 approach a straight state, and the space | interval of the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a can be expanded.

Then, the force F applied to the arms 66 and 68 in a state where the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted on the mounting portion 70 is removed. Then, the arms 66 and 68 shown in FIG. 6B are deformed so as to return to the original state (the state shown in FIG. 6A) as shown in FIG. 6C, and the piezoelectric element 24 is sandwiched between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a.

According to this modification, rather than applying a force F from the inner side to the outer side on the convex portions 66a, 68a of the arms 66, 68 shown in FIG. 5A, the convex portions 66b, 68b of the arms 66, 68 are moved from the outer side to the inner side. Since it is easier to apply the force F in the direction, the assemblability can be improved.

In this embodiment, the shape of the arms 66 and 68 of the frame body 22 is shown as a substantially U-shape, but this is only an example, and the path length along the shape of the arms 66 and 68 corresponds to the ends of the arms 66 and 68. The function shown in this embodiment can be achieved as long as it is longer than the length of the ends and has the convex portions 66b and 68b on the outer side of the frame body 22.

Next, a second modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.
Each of the pair of arms 66 and 68 shown in FIGS. 5A, 5C, 6A, and 6C is not extended in parallel to the axial direction of the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14, but is inclined. ing. In this modification, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the pair of arms 66 and 68 both extend in parallel to the axial direction of the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14.

When the piezoelectric element 24 is disposed in the mounting portion 70, the arms 66 and 68 are pulled by applying a force F along the axial direction of the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14. In this case, a force F is applied by pulling a portion bent in a substantially L shape of a connecting portion between the arms 66 and 68 and the first pressing portion 62 and a connecting portion between the arms 66 and 68 and the second pressing portion 64. Add As a result, the space between the pressing surfaces 62 a and 64 a can be increased, so that the piezoelectric element 24 can be mounted on the mounting portion 70.

In this modification, since the shapes of the arms 66 and 68 are simpler than those of the arms 66 and 68 shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, for example, the processing time by a wire cutting process or the like can be further shortened.

7C is a further modification of the ultrasonic transducer 12 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The ultrasonic transducer 12 shown in FIG. 7B and the ultrasonic transducer 12 shown in FIG. 7C have different widths of the arms 66 and 68. That is, the width t1 of the arms 66 and 68 of the ultrasonic transducer 12 shown in FIG. 7B is larger than the width t2 of the arms 66 and 68 of the ultrasonic transducer 12 shown in FIG. 7C.

The arms 66 and 68 have a structure in which the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a of the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64 are maintained at a predetermined distance. If the same material having the same thickness and the same processing is used, The larger the widths 66 and 68, the greater the pressing force against the piezoelectric element 24. Therefore, the ultrasonic vibrator 12 shown in FIG. 7B has a higher resonance frequency than the ultrasonic vibrator 12 shown in FIG. 7C. Thus, for example, the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12 can be adjusted by changing the widths of the arms 66 and 68. It is not necessary to make the entire width of the arms 66 and 68 constant, and the same effect can be obtained even if the width of a part of the arms 66 and 68 is reduced. Further, not only the width of the arms 66 and 68 but also the thickness of the frame 22 including the arms 66 and 68 can be adjusted at least partially to adjust the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12.

In addition, when the pressing force that presses the piezoelectric element 24 with the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a increases, the capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer 12 increases, and when the pressing force decreases, the capacitance decreases. For this reason, by monitoring the electrostatic capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer 12, it is possible to recognize the increase or decrease of the pressing force when adjusting the pressing force of the piezoelectric element 24 by the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a, and to specify the resonance frequency. it can.

As shown in FIG. 7D, when shape processing is performed to form a recess 64b that crushes a part of the second pressing portion 64, the second pressing portion 64 is plastically deformed. At this time, the pressing surface 64 a of the second pressing portion 64 can be moved toward the pressing surface 62 a of the first pressing portion 62. Therefore, the distance between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a of the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64 can be reduced, and the pressing force against the piezoelectric element 24 can be increased. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer 12 shown in FIG. 7D can increase the resonance frequency.

In addition, you may form the recessed part similar to the 1st press part 62 instead of forming the recessed part 64b in the 2nd press part 64, or forming.

Furthermore, as a method of reducing the distance between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a of the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64, a laser or the like is used while holding the ultrasonic transducer 12 so as to suppress deformation. Heat treatment can be performed in a direction in which the elastic modulus of the frame body 22 is increased. When such heat treatment is performed, the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12 after the heat treatment can be made higher than that before the heat treatment.

As a method of increasing the distance between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a of the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64, heat treatment is performed in a direction that lowers the elastic modulus by tempering a part of the frame body 22 using a laser or the like. be able to. When such heat treatment is performed, the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12 after the heat treatment can be made lower than that before the heat treatment.
These heat treatments may be performed only on the arms 66 and 68.

Therefore, the vibration characteristics of the ultrasonic vibrator 12 can be adjusted after the ultrasonic vibrator 12 is assembled. Thus, the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12 can be adjusted by the shape of the frame body 22 and the processing method.

Next, a third modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.
In the example shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, protrusions (load portions) 72a and 72b protrude outward from the central axis C at the front and rear ends of the pair of arms 66 and 68 shown in FIG. 7A, respectively. , 72c, 72d are integrally formed. Then, a force F is applied to the protrusions 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d along the axial direction of the center axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14 to pull it. Therefore, the pair of arms 66 and 68 can be extended in the axial direction of the central axis C.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, a force F may be applied to the connecting portion between the arms 66 and 68 and the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64, and the force F is applied to the protrusions 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d. Since the force F may be applied to both, the space between the pressing surfaces 62a and 64a can be more easily widened. For this reason, the piezoelectric element 24 can be arranged in the mounting portion 70 more easily than the case shown in FIG. 7A.

As shown in FIG. 8C, it is also preferable to remove the protrusions 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d by attaching the piezoelectric element 24 to the attachment portion 70 and then cutting the protrusions 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d. Further, the projections 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d are placed on the arms 66, 68, and the projections 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d are first and second jaws 152, 154 (FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B) may be used as an attachment portion for attachment.

Instead of applying the force F to the protrusions 72 a, 72 b, 72 c, 72 d, the piezoelectric element 24 may be inserted into the mounting portion 70 by applying heat to the frame body 22 to cause linear expansion. As the frame 22 is cooled, a pressing force is applied to the piezoelectric element 24 by the pressing portions 62 and 64. In this case, if necessary, the piezoelectric element 24 may be polarized after the frame 22 is cooled (after the ultrasonic transducer 12 is assembled).

Next, a fourth modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Although the frame 22 shown in FIGS. 5A to 8C is formed in a plate shape, the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64 of the present modification shown in FIG. 9 are both formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
Although the pair of arms 66 and 68 are drawn so as to extend in parallel to the axial direction of the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14, they are formed like the arms shown in FIGS. 5C and 6C. It is also suitable.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C.
As shown in FIG. 10A, in the ultrasonic treatment instrument 10 of the present embodiment, the central axis C0 of the vibration transmitting member 14 and the central axis C1 of the mounting portion 88 where the piezoelectric element 24 is disposed are shifted from each other. .

The frame body 22 includes first and second pressing portions 82 and 84 and a connecting portion 86. The first and second pressing portions 82 and 84 have pressing surfaces 82a and 84a that are parallel to each other. The connecting portion 86 has a movement restricting surface 86a that is orthogonal to the pressing surfaces 82a and 84a of the first and second pressing portions 82 and 84 and restricts the piezoelectric element 24 from moving downward in FIG. 10A. . A mounting portion 88, which is a space in which the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted and fixed, is formed by the pressing surfaces 82a and 84a of the first and second pressing portions 82 and 84 and the movement restricting surface 86a of the connecting portion 86. ing. An opening 88a is formed on the side of the connecting portion 86 that faces the movement restricting surface 86a. That is, the mounting portion 88 has an opening 88 a in a direction intersecting with the central axis C of the vibration transmitting member 14. In addition, the back surface with respect to the movement control surface 86a among the connection parts 86 is the energy load surface 86b.

A mounting portion 88, which is a space in which the piezoelectric element 24 is mounted and fixed, is formed by the pressing surfaces 82a and 84a of the first and second pressing portions 82 and 84 and the movement restricting surface 86a of the connecting portion 86. ing. That is, the mounting portion 88 is a rectangular parallelepiped space formed by the first and second pressing portions 82 and 84 and the connecting portion 86, and on the side facing the movement restricting surface 86 a of the connecting portion 86. Opening 88a is formed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the pressing surfaces 82a and 84a of the first and second pressing portions 82 and 84 are formed by plastically deforming the energy load surface 86b of the connecting portion 86 to form the recess 86c. Thus, the pressing force against the piezoelectric element 24 can be increased and the piezoelectric element 24 can be fixed to the mounting portion 88.

In this state, when the piezoelectric element 24 is vibrated, the center axis C0 of the vibration transmitting member 14 and the center axis C1 of the piezoelectric element 24 are shifted, so that a force in the torsional direction is applied to the vibration transmitting member 14. That is, the end effector at the distal end of the vibration transmitting member 14 is subjected to bending vibration.

Instead of plastically deforming the energy load surface 86b of the connecting portion 86 shown in FIG. 10B to form the concave portion 86c, as shown in FIG. 10C, for example, by performing shape processing for forming the concave portion 86d in the connecting portion 86. The piezoelectric element 24 may be held between the pressing surfaces 82 a and 84 a of the first and second pressing portions 82 and 84. Since the recess 86 d is formed by plastic deformation of the connecting portion 86, the piezoelectric element 24 can be fixed to the mounting portion 88.

Next, a first modification of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the frame body 22 of the ultrasonic treatment device 10 of the present modification has first and second mounting portions 102 and 104, and the first piezoelectric element 24a is provided on the first mounting portion 102. However, the second piezoelectric element 24 b is disposed in the second mounting portion 104. In the ultrasonic treatment instrument 10, the center axis C0 of the vibration transmitting member 14 and the center axes C1 and C2 of the mounting portions 102 and 104 where the piezoelectric elements 24a and 24b are disposed are shifted from each other. Since the first and second mounting portions 102 and 104 are formed in the same manner as the mounting portion 88 shown in FIG. 10A, description thereof will be omitted. It is preferable to use the same first and second piezoelectric elements 24a and 24b.
The central axes C1 and C2 are symmetric with respect to the central axis C0 of the vibration transmitting member 14.

The first mounting portion 102 includes first and second pressing portions 112 and 114 in which the first piezoelectric element 24a is disposed. The second mounting portion 104 includes first and second pressing portions 116 and 118 in which the second piezoelectric element 24b is disposed. A column 120 formed coaxially with the vibration transmission member 14 is disposed between the first and second mounting portions 102 and 104. That is, the first pressing portions (ribs) 112 and 116 of the first and second mounting portions 102 and 104, and the second pressing portions (ribs) 114 and 118 of the first and second mounting portions 102 and 104, respectively. Are connected by a column 120.

A case where the first piezoelectric element 24 a shown in FIG. 11B is fixed to the first mounting portion 102 and the second piezoelectric element 24 b is fixed to the second mounting portion 104 will be described.
For example, the column 120 is irradiated with laser light LB (not shown) (see FIG. 1B) for a very short time, thereby changing the metal crystal of the column 120 or causing laser surface hardening. Therefore, a pressing force that presses the first piezoelectric element 24a between the first and second pressing portions 112 and 114 of the first mounting portion 102, and a first and second pressing force of the second mounting portion 104. The pressing force for pressing the second piezoelectric element 24b between the portions 116 and 118 increases.

Also, the first piezoelectric element 24 a can be fixed to the first mounting portion 102 and the second piezoelectric element 24 b can be fixed to the second mounting portion 104 by other methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 11C, shape processing is performed to form the recesses 112a and 116a in the first pressing portions 112 and 116, and the recesses 114a and 118a in the second pressing portions 114 and 118, respectively. That is, FIG. 11C is an example in which both the first and second pressing portions 112, 114, 116, and 118 are deformed. Since these concave portions 112a, 114a, 116a, and 118a are formed by plastic deformation, the first piezoelectric element 24a is fixed to the first mounting portion 102 and the second piezoelectric element 24b is fixed to the second mounting portion 104. be able to.

Then, when the first and second piezoelectric elements 24 a and 24 b are driven in the same phase, longitudinal vibration is transmitted to the vibration transmitting member 14. On the other hand, when the first and second piezoelectric elements 24 a and 24 b are driven in opposite phases, the lateral vibration is transmitted to the vibration transmitting member 14.

A second modification of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C.
For the ultrasonic transducer 12 of the third embodiment, for example, a frame 22 having a cylindrical structure of first and second pressing portions 62 and 64 shown in FIG. 9 can be used. At this time, the column 120 is preferably disposed on the central axis of the frame 22 having a cylindrical structure. The mounting portions 102, 104 (, 106, 108) and the piezoelectric elements 24a, 24b (, 24c, 24d) of the frame 22 are, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the first and second pressing surfaces 62a, 64a. It is preferable that the cross section in between is divided | segmented into plurality by the frame 22, such as a semicircle shape or a fan shape.

For example, in the state shown in FIG. 12A, the first and second mounting portions 102 and 104 are formed between the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64, and the first and second mounting portions 102 and 104 Between them, plate-like partition walls (ribs) 122 and 124 extending from the column 120 are formed. Thus, since the partition walls 122 and 124 are formed in the first and second mounting portions 102 and 104, the piezoelectric elements 24a and 24b are vibrated in a desired state such as the same phase or opposite phase. Can do.

In the state shown in FIG. 12B, first, second, and third mounting portions 102, 104, and 106 are formed between the first and second pressing portions 62 and 64, respectively. Between the first and second mounting portions 102, 104, between the second and third mounting portions 104, 106, and between the third and first mounting portions 106, 102, plate-like partition walls ( Ribs) 122, 124, 126. Each partition wall 122, 124, 126 extends from the column 120. Thus, since the partition walls 122, 124, 126 are formed in the first, second, and third mounting portions 102, 104, 106, the piezoelectric elements 24a, 24b, 24c are in phase with each other. The vibration transmitting member 14 can be vibrated to a desired state by giving a phase difference to each of them, or setting one of them to an opposite phase.

In the state shown in FIG. 12C, first to fourth mounting portions 102, 104, 106, 108 are formed between the first and second pressing portions 62, 64. Between the first and second mounting portions 102, 104, between the second and third mounting portions 104, 106, between the third and fourth mounting portions 106, 108, and between the fourth and first mounting portions. 108 and 102 are partitioned by plate-like partition walls (ribs) 122, 124, 126, and 128, respectively. Each partition wall 122, 124, 126, 128 extends from the column 120. Thus, since the partition walls 122, 124, 126, and 128 are formed in the first to fourth mounting portions 102, 104, 106, and 108, the piezoelectric elements 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d are in phase with each other. The vibration transmitting member 14 can be vibrated to a desired state, for example, by giving a phase difference to each of them, or setting one of them to an opposite phase.

In the second modification of the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the piezoelectric elements 24a, 24b (, 24c, 24d) are drawn in the same shape, but may not be the same shape. . For example, in the state shown in FIG. 12A, the partition walls 122 and 124 are drawn as a single plate passing through the column 120, but it is also preferable that the column 120 be bent with a bent portion. Further, the position of the column 120 does not have to be at the center of the mounting portions 102 and 104 (, 106, 108), and may be at a position shifted from the center.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.
As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 150 according to the present embodiment is disposed on the first and second jaws 152 and 154 and the first and second jaws 152 and 154, respectively. And ultrasonic treatment instruments 156 and 158.

The ultrasonic treatment instrument 156 includes an ultrasonic transducer 162a, a vibration transmission member 164a, and a horn 166a. The ultrasonic treatment instrument 158 includes an ultrasonic transducer 162b, a vibration transmission member 164b, and a horn 166b. As the ultrasonic treatment instruments 156 and 158, the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 10 (see FIGS. 8A to 8C) having protrusions 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d integrally with the arms 66 and 68 may be used.

The first jaw 152 is the lower side in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the second jaw 154 is the upper side of FIGS. 13A and 13B, and the first and second jaws 152, 154 are pivoted by a pin 170. Has been.

The first jaw 152 is longer than the entire length of the ultrasonic treatment instrument 156 and has a substantially U-shaped cross section, that is, a space is formed between a pair of wall surfaces. An ultrasonic treatment instrument 156 in which the ultrasonic transducer 162a, the horn 166a, and the vibration transmission member 164a are integrated is detachably fixed in the space between the pair of wall surfaces. The tip of the first jaw 152 (distal end with respect to the pin 170) is provided with a non-slip 158 to prevent the living tissue LT from sliding relative to the tip of the first jaw 152. Yes.

The second jaw 154 detachably fixes an ultrasonic treatment instrument 158 in which an ultrasonic transducer 162b, a horn 166b, and a vibration transmission member 164b are integrated between a pair of wall surfaces. In the present embodiment, the vibration transmission member 164 b of the ultrasonic treatment instrument 158 disposed on the second jaw 154 protrudes toward the distal end side with respect to the second jaw 154.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the first and second jaws 152 and 154 are closed, the end effectors of the vibration transmitting members 164a and 164b approach. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the first and second jaws 152 and 154 are opened, the end effectors of the vibration transmitting members 164a and 164b move away. By opening and closing the first and second jaws 152 and 154 as described above, the living tissue LT can be held between the two end effectors. The opening and closing operations of the first and second jaws 152 and 154 can be performed using wires connected to the first and second jaws 152 and 154.

And as the ultrasonic transducers used for the ultrasonic treatment instruments 156 and 158, any of those described in the first to third embodiments may be used. Then, longitudinal vibrations having the same frequency and opposite phases may be applied to the two end effectors, or both longitudinal vibrations and lateral vibrations may be applied.

According to this embodiment, since the ultrasonic treatment instruments 156 and 158 can be reduced in size, the ultrasonic treatment instruments 156 and 158 can be disposed directly on the jaws 152 and 154. Therefore, the structure of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 150 as a whole can be simplified and reduced in weight. In addition, since energy is directly applied to the living tissue from the two end effectors, it is possible to ensure a sufficient temperature rise to treat the living tissue even if the gripping force between the jaws 152 and 154 is reduced.

In addition, since the ultrasonic treatment tools 156 and 158 can be arranged at the tips of the jaws 152 and 154, the degree of freedom in designing the entire ultrasonic treatment apparatus 150 can be increased. The degree of invasiveness to a patient can be reduced by the configuration of a therapeutic instrument that is easily introduced into a living tissue to be treated through the use of the device, and the fatigue during operation of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 150 can be reduced by reducing the weight. .

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14C.
As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 210 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 212, a basket forceps 214, and an ultrasonic treatment instrument 216.
As shown in FIG. 14A, the basket forceps 214 is connected to a flexible portion 222 having a channel 223, a handle 224 disposed at a proximal end portion of the flexible portion 222, and a handle 224 via a wire (not shown). Basket 226, tube 228 disposed on the outer periphery of the wire (not shown), and ultrasonic radiation generator 230 detachably connected to handle 224. The basket 226 is formed of, for example, four wires 232 a, 232 b, 232 c, and 232 d, similar to a basket of general basket forceps, and can be housed inside the channel 223 or protrude from the tip of the channel 223. it can.

The ultrasonic treatment instrument 216 includes an ultrasonic transducer 242 and a vibration transmission member 244. An ultrasonic transducer 242 is embedded at the distal end of the flexible portion 222, and the vibration transmitting member 244 protrudes from the distal end of the flexible portion 222. The ultrasonic treatment tool 216 is arranged in parallel with the channel 223 of the flexible portion 222 of the basket forceps 214. Moreover, it is preferable that the ultrasonic treatment instrument 216 is movable along the axial direction of the flexible portion 222. If it does so, the distal end of the vibration transmission member 244 can be taken in and out with respect to the front-end | tip of the flexible part 222. FIG.

The endoscope 212 has an insertion portion 252 having a channel (not shown) in which a basket forceps 214 and a guide wire (not shown) are disposed. The distal end portion of the insertion portion 252 of the endoscope 212 can be inserted so as to face the papilla of the duodenum. A guide wire disposed through the channel of the insertion portion 252 of the endoscope 212 can be introduced into a calculus (biliary calculus) B in the bile duct in the duodenum.

The basket forceps 214 is introduced in a state where the basket 226 is housed in the flexible portion 222 along the guide wire disposed in the channel of the endoscope 212. And the front-end | tip of the flexible part 222 of the basket forceps 214 is made to reach the calculus B with a guide wire.

The handle 224 is operated to cause the basket 226 of the basket forceps 214 to protrude from the tip of the flexible portion 222, and the calculus B is placed in the basket 226. In this state, the handle 224 is operated to bring the calculus B closer to the tip of the flexible portion 222 with the basket 226. The distal end of the vibration transmitting member 244 of the ultrasonic treatment instrument 216 is brought into contact with the calculus B. When the calculus B is brought close to the distal end of the flexible portion 222 with the basket 226, the calculus B is tightened with the wires 232a, 232b, 232c, and 232d, so that ultrasonic vibration is transmitted from the vibration transmission member 244 to the calculus B in this state. Then, the rigidity balance of the calculus B can be broken. For this reason, the calculus B is easily crushed. That is, normally, the calculus B is crushed by the tightening force of the wires 232a, 232b, 232c, and 232d of the basket 226, but by further applying a force due to ultrasonic vibration to the calculus B with the ultrasonic treatment tool 216, it is easier. Stone B can be crushed.

The wires 232a, 232b, 232c, and 232d constituting the basket 226 are displaced from the vibration transmitting member 244 even when the vibration transmitting member 244 comes into contact with each other, so that the wires 232a, 232b, 232d, Vibration is prevented from being directly applied to 232c and 232d.

Therefore, even if it is difficult to crush the calculus B using only the basket 226, such as calcium carbonate calculus, by using the vibration transmitting member 244 of the ultrasonic treatment instrument 216, the patient can be treated without performing a laparotomy. And minimally invasive treatment.

Although several embodiments have been specifically described so far with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all the embodiments performed without departing from the gist of the present invention are described. Including implementation.

C ... central axis, LB ... laser beam, 10 ... ultrasonic treatment instrument (ultrasonic surgical instrument), 12 ... ultrasonic transducer, 14 ... vibration transmitting member, 16 ... horn, 22 ... frame (resonator), 24 ... Piezoelectric element, 42 ... first pressing part, 42a ... pressing surface, 44 ... second pressing part, 44a ... pressing surface, 46 ... connecting part, 46a ... movement restricting surface, 46b ... energy load surface, 48 ... mounting Part (element storage part).

Claims (24)

1. An ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic treatment device for treating a living tissue,
   A piezoelectric element that generates ultrasonic vibrations;
   A mounting portion to which the piezoelectric element is mounted from the side with respect to the central axis of the vibration transmitting member that comes into contact with the living tissue, and a pressing force is applied to the piezoelectric element in a state where the piezoelectric element is mounted on the mounting portion. And a frame capable of transmitting the vibration generated by the piezoelectric element to a vibration transmitting member.
2. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed in a substantially U shape surrounding the mounting portion.
3. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion of the frame body has an opening in a direction intersecting with a central axis of the vibration transmitting member.
4. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 3, wherein a center axis of the vibration transmitting member coincides with a center axis of the piezoelectric element in a state where the piezoelectric element is disposed in a mounting portion of the frame body.
5. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes first and second pressing portions that face each other and form the mounting portion.
6. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 5, wherein the frame has an arm connecting the first and second pressing portions.
7. The arm has one end connected to the first pressing portion and the other end connected to the second pressing portion, and the arm has a longer path length along the arm shape than the length connecting both ends of the arm, The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 6, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is formed in a shape having a convex portion on a side close to the mounting portion of the frame body.
8. The arm has one end connected to the first pressing portion and the other end connected to the second pressing portion, and the arm has a longer path length along the arm shape than the length connecting both ends of the arm, The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 6, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is formed in a shape having a convex portion on a side away from the mounting portion of the frame body.
9. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 6, wherein the arm is provided with a load portion that applies a force to bring a distance between the first and second pressing portions into and out of contact with each other.
10. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 5, wherein a distance between the first and second pressing portions is reduced by deforming at least one of the first and second pressing portions.
11. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element is disposed on a central axis of the vibration transmitting member.
12. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element is arranged at a position shifted from a center axis of the vibration transmitting member.
13. The frame body has a mounting part in addition to the mounting part,
    The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein a piezoelectric element different from the piezoelectric element attached to the attachment part is attached to the separate attachment part.
14. 14. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 13, wherein the piezoelectric element and the another piezoelectric element have different vibration directions with respect to a central axis of the vibration transmitting member.
15. An ultrasonic treatment tool for treating living tissue,
    An ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1;
    An ultrasonic treatment instrument comprising: a vibration transmitting member disposed on the frame of the ultrasonic transducer.
16. The ultrasonic treatment instrument according to claim 15, wherein a horn is disposed between the frame and the vibration transmitting member.
17. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating a living tissue,
    The ultrasonic treatment device according to claim 15,
    An ultrasonic treatment apparatus comprising: a jaw into which the ultrasonic treatment tool is incorporated.
18. An assembly method of an ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic treatment tool for treating a biological tissue,
    Disposing a piezoelectric element between the pair of pressing portions through the opening of the frame body from the side deviating from the central axis;
    An assembly method comprising: holding the piezoelectric element between the pair of pressing portions.
19. Before placing the piezoelectric element between the pair of pressing portions, applying a force to the pair of pressing portions to increase the distance between the pair of pressing portions in the direction along the central axis. The assembly method according to claim 18.
20. 19. The assembly according to claim 18, comprising: holding the piezoelectric element between the pair of pressing portions, and then moving at least one of the pair of pressing portions with respect to each other to press the piezoelectric element. Method.
21. The assembly method according to claim 18, further comprising plastically deforming the pair of pressing portions after holding the piezoelectric element between the pair of pressing portions.
22. The assembling method according to claim 21, further comprising: irradiating the frame with a laser to deform at least one of the pair of pressing portions when the pair of pressing portions are plastically deformed.
23. The assembly method according to claim 18, further comprising adjusting a vibration state of the ultrasonic vibrator by increasing or decreasing a residual stress by partially heat-treating the frame body.
24. The assembly method according to claim 18, further comprising adjusting a vibration state of the ultrasonic transducer by performing shape processing or heat treatment during assembly of a member that couples the pair of pressing portions of the frame. .

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