Surgical apparatus permitting recharge of battery-driven surgical instrument in noncontact state

• US 6,666,875 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2000
• Issued: 12/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Shiga, Akira, Sangu, Hiroyuki, Karasawa, Masaru, Sakurai, Tomohisa, Nakamura, Takeaki, Tsukagoshi, Tsuyoshi, Yasunaga, Koji, Hatta, Shinji
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pantuck, Bradford C
• Application Number:
  US09/492,711
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 606/169, 623/3.27, 623/3.1, 607/151, 320/137, 30D/IG.1
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1628 Motors; Power supplies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320082 for incising tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 30/01 Rechargeable battery operated

Abstract

A surgical instrument can be disinfected or sterilized, and has a rechargeable secondary battery incorporated therein. A distal treatment section of the surgical instrument is ultrasonically oscillated or otherwise activated using the secondary battery as a driving power source to perform surgery on a living tissue. Electromagnetic energy generated by an energy generation unit located outside the surgical instrument is received by a reception coil incorporated in the surgical instrument with the surgical instrument by induction from the energy generation unit. The electromagnetic energy is then converted into charging power with which the secondary battery is recharged. Thus, the surgical instrument can be readily recharged without compromising sterility.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a surgical instrument having a rechargeable secondary battery, a treatment section which is electrically driven using the secondary battery and an outer housing for storing the secondary battery and capable of being repeatedly disinfected or sterilized to render the apparatus reusable;

a recharger having an energy generation unit provided separately from the surgical instrument, for recharging said secondary battery;

a receiving section provided in the recharger, for receiving the surgical instrument;

an energy radiation unit provided in the recharger, for converting electric energy from the energy generation unit to energy different from ordinary electric energy and radiating the energy towards the receiving section; and

a charging energy production unit located in the housing of the surgical instrument, for receiving the energy radiated by the energy radiation unit via the receiving section and the housing and for producing energy with which the secondary battery is recharged,

wherein the secondary battery can be recharged while it is watertightly stored.

2. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surgical instrument has a detection unit for detecting whether recharging said secondary battery has been completed, and a unit for notifying completion of recharge according to an output of said detection unit.

3. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surgical instrument has a detection unit for detecting whether recharging said secondary battery has been completed;

and wherein when said detection unit detects completion of recharge, recharging said secondary battery is stopped.

4. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a separation member that is interposed between said surgical instrument and said energy generation unit, which prevents said surgical instrument from coming in contact with said energy generation unit, while not interrupting propagation of energy from said energy generation unit to said surgical instrument, and which can be washed.

5. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and having said treatment section extending from the distal end thereof;

a propagation member for propagation driving force to said treatment section;

an operating unit located at the proximal end of said insertion unit;

a member freely movable on said operation unit;

a detection unit for detecting movement of said movable member; and

a control unit for varying an amount of treatment energy provided from said treatment section according to a signal provided from said detection unit.

6. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and having said treatment section extending from the distal end thereof;

a propagation member for propagating driving force to said treatment section;

an operating unit located at the proximal end of said insertion unit;

a movable member mounted on said operation unit so that it will be freely movable by a predetermined distance;

a movement detection unit for detecting distance of movement by said movable member; and

a control unit for varying an amount of treatment energy to be provided from said treatment section according to the movement detected by said movement detection unit.

7. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and having said treatment section extending from the distal end thereof;

a propagation member for propagating driving force to said treatment section;

an operating unit located at the proximal end of said insertion unit;

a member freely movable on said operation unit;

a moving force detection unit for detecting a magnitude of moving force applied to said movable member; and

a control unit for varying an amount of treatment energy to be output from said treatment section according to the magnitude of moving force detected by said moving force detection unit.

8. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and having said treatment section extending from the distal end thereof;

a propagation member for propagating driving force to said treatment section;

an operating unit located at the proximal end of said insertion unit;

a member freely movable on said operating unit;

a movement detection unit for detecting a magnitude of movement made by said movable member; and

a control unit for varying an amount of treatment energy to be provided from said treatment section according to the magnitude of movement detected by said movement detection unit.

9. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and having said treatment section extending from the distal end thereof;

an operating unit used to manipulate said treatment section;

a first switch member for controlling supply of energy to said treatment section; and

a response unit for giving control to turn on or off said switch member responsively to a manipulation performed on said operating unit.

10. A surgical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said secondary battery can be renewed.

11. A surgical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said secondary battery is comprised of a plurality of cells, each of which can be separately renewed.

12. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a treatment instrument drive unit for driving said treatment section;

a switch member for controlling driving of said treatment instrument drive unit; and

a driven state annunciator unit for indicating a driven state of said treatment instrument drive unit responsive to a control operation performed by said switch member.

13. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surgical instrument is sealed to have the interior thereof held watertight.

14. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said energy generation unit includes a power transmission coil, and said charging energy production unit includes a power reception coil, and wherein the power transmission coil induces current in said power reception coil.

15. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and having said treatment section extending from the distal end thereof;

the distal part of said treatment section including an implement which applies energy to a tissue for treating the tissue;

an operating unit to be held for manipulating said treatment section;

an energy supply unit for supplying energy used for treatment to be performed with said implement;

a holding force detection unit for detecting a magnitude of holding force with which said operation unit is held;

a control unit for varying an amount of energy output from said energy supply unit according to the magnitude of holding force detected by said holding force detection unit.

16. A surgical apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising an annunciator unit for helping a user recognize a change in the amount of output energy.

17. A surgical apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said annunciator unit provides an output sound whose level is proportional to an amount of output energy.

18. A surgical apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said annunciator unit is a visual display unit responsive to an amount of output energy.

19. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said secondary battery is removably located in a watertight battery chamber.

20. The surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the section for receiving the surgical instrument is a vial that is removably placed on the recharger and the interior of which is maintained in a sterilized condition and which is capable of holding the surgical instrument between uses without contaminating the same.

21. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a surgical instrument having a rechargeable secondary battery and a treatment section to be electrically driven using said secondary battery, and a capable of being disinfected or sterilized;

an energy generation unit, located outside said surgical instrument, for recharging said secondary battery;

an energy radiation unit, incorporated in said energy generation unit, for radiating energy;

a charging energy production unit, incorporated in said surgical instrument, for receiving the radiated energy without said surgical instrument and said energy generation unit being in electrical contact with each other, and for producing energy with which said secondary battery is recharged; and

wherein said energy generation unit includes a light emission unit, and said charging energy production unit includes a photoelectric conversion unit for receiving light emitted from said light emission unit and photoelectrically converting it.

22. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a surgical instrument having a rechargeable secondary battery and a treatment section to be electrically driven using said secondary battery, and a capable of being disinfected or sterilized;

an energy generation unit, located outside said surgical instrument, for recharging said secondary battery;

an energy radiation unit, incorporated in said energy generation unit, for radiating energy;

a charging energy production unit, incorporated in said surgical instrument, for receiving the radiated energy without said surgical instrument and said energy generation unit being in electrical contact with each other, and for producing energy with which said secondary battery is recharged;

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and having said treatment section extending from the distal end thereof;

an operating unit used to manipulate said treatment section;

a first switch member for controlling supply of energy to said treatment section; and

a response unit for giving control to turn on or off said switch member responsively to a manipulation performed on said operating unit; and

a second switch member, wherein, when said second switch member is turned on and said first switch member is turned on, energy is supplied to said treatment section via an energy supply unit.

23. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a surgical instrument having a rechargeable secondary battery and a treatment section to be electrically driven using said secondary battery, and a capable of being disinfected or sterilized;

an energy generation unit, located outside said surgical instrument, for recharging said secondary battery;

an energy radiation unit, incorporated in said energy generation unit, for radiating energy;

a charging energy production unit, incorporated in said surgical instrument, for receiving the radiated energy without said surgical instrument and said energy generation unit being in electrical contact with each other, and for producing energy with which said secondary battery is recharged; and

a treatment instrument drive unit for driving said treatment section;

a switch member for controlling driving of said treatment instrument drive unit; and

an oscillation unit which is controlled based on a driven state of said treatment instrument drive unit.

24. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a surgical instrument having a rechargeable secondary battery and a treatment section to be electrically driven using said secondary battery, and a capable of being disinfected or sterilized;

an energy generation unit, located outside said surgical instrument, for recharging said secondary battery;

an energy radiation unit, incorporated in said energy generation unit, for radiating energy;

a charging energy production unit, incorporated in said surgical instrument, for receiving the radiated energy without said surgical instrument and said energy generation unit being in electrical contact with each other, and for producing energy with which said secondary battery is recharged; and

wherein said surgical instrument is an ultrasonic surgical instrument having an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic waves when powered from said secondary battery.

25. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a surgical instrument having a rechargeable secondary battery and a treatment section to be electrically driven using said secondary battery, and a capable of being disinfected or sterilized;

an energy generation unit, located outside said surgical instrument, for recharging said secondary battery;

an energy radiation unit, incorporated in said energy generation unit, for radiating energy;

a charging energy production unit, incorporated in said surgical instrument, for receiving the radiated energy without said surgical instrument and said energy generation unit being in electrical contact with each other, and for producing energy with which said secondary battery is recharged; and

wherein said surgical instrument is a high-frequency surgical instrument having an oscillator circuit for generating a high-frequency signal when powered from said secondary battery.