JP2534557Y2 - Gas supply device for electrocautery device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas supply apparatus for an electrosurgical apparatus capable of discriminating between incision and coagulation modes and continuously adjusting the flow rate of argon gas according to a high-frequency output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electrosurgical device (commercially available) has been used for open surgery. This electric scalpel device has a main body 1 having a high-frequency generation circuit shown in FIG. 4, an electric scalpel tip (electrode) 4 electrically connected to the main body 1 via a female corded holder 3 having a connector 2, It is generally constituted by a counter electrode (electrode) 6 which is electrically connected to the main body 1 via a counter electrode cord 5 and is detachably attached to a patient. The main body 1 is provided with a high-frequency output adjustment knob (not shown). By turning the high-frequency output adjustment knob, the high-frequency output generated by the high-frequency generator circuit can be adjusted. When using this electrocautery device, the return electrode plate 6 is stuck so as to be in close contact with a part having a large area without protrusions, such as a patient's buttocks,
A high-frequency current is generated from the main body 1 and flows to the electric knife tip 4.
The incision and coagulation of the affected part are performed by the method.

When such an electrosurgical device (commercially available) is used, since the area of the electrosurgical device 4 in contact with the patient's body is extremely small, electric current flows from the main body 1 to the living body at the contact portion of the electrosurgical device 4. Intensively flows, the current density at the contact portion is increased, and energy is consumed to generate sparks and heat. As a result, incision and coagulation of the affected part can be performed. However, such an electrosurgical device (commercially available) has a problem that the bleeding range of the surgical field is wide, it is difficult to confirm the affected part, and good eschar of the affected part cannot be obtained. For this reason, another device that has a gas supply unit and can coagulate by excluding bleeding and other liquids from the affected part by flowing gas adjusted to a gas flow rate suitable for coagulation of the affected part through the affected part is provided. Needed.

[0004] Therefore, a wide range of cylindrical argon gas jet surrounding the electrosurgical tip is generated between the electrosurgical tip (electrode) and the surgical field (affected area), and a high-frequency current flows through the argon gas jet. As a result, an electric scalpel apparatus has been developed in which ions are filled in the argon gas jet and bleeding and other liquids in the affected area are removed in a wide range, so that good eschar can be obtained. This electrocautery device can be used for an affected part of a normal tissue even if the argon gas pressure and hence the flow rate are relatively large, but in the case of a soft tissue such as the liver, the argon gas is injected into the blood vessel from the surface. Therefore, it is necessary to control the flow rate of the argon gas since the gas may enter the chamber and cause a trouble such as a thrombus. In order to control the argon gas flow rate, a method of controlling a predetermined flow rate with a generally known mass flow controller (mass flow controller) to a predetermined flow rate based on the setting of the setting device, a method of accurately controlling with a servo valve, etc. However, there is a problem that these are expensive.

Therefore, instead of using the mass flow controller and the servo valve, a plurality of solenoid on-off valves are provided, and the total flow resistance of these solenoid on-off valves is changed to change the argon gas flow rate stepwise. An electrocautery device has emerged. Note that the electrosurgical device has an integral type in which a main body having a high-frequency generation circuit and a gas supply unit are integrally incorporated, and a separate type in which the main body having a high-frequency generation circuit and the gas supply unit are separate. There is.

[0006]

In the electrosurgical apparatus (commercially available) which does not have the gas supply device, as described above, the gas supply device has a gas supply portion and is adjusted to a gas flow rate suitable for coagulation of the affected part. Since a separate coagulation device capable of coagulating the affected area is required, such a device can be easily attached to and detached from an electrocautery device (commercially available) that does not have the gas supply device, and is described below. There is a need to overcome the problems of the conventional electrosurgical device having a gas supply device.

In an electrocautery device using a large number of solenoid on-off valves to control the flow rate of the argon gas, when one of the solenoid on-off valves is opened, the solenoid on-off valve immediately becomes fully open and the fluid (Argon gas) immediately flows through the solenoid on-off valve. For this reason, in this electrocautery device, a large number of electromagnetic on / off valves are used, and the flow rate is adjusted stepwise by selecting an electromagnetic on / off valve through which argon gas flows in the flow path among these electromagnetic valves. In general, the control is performed so that the flow rate of the argon gas changes. For this reason, in this electrocautery device, there was a problem that the flow rate of the argon gas was changed stepwise, and it was not possible to smoothly and continuously adjust the flow rate of the argon gas. Further, in this electrocautery device, since the above-mentioned flow rate control is performed by using a large number of electromagnetic on-off valves, the control is troublesome and the manufacturing cost is increased.

In the separate electrosurgical apparatus using the argon gas, the flow rate of the argon gas cannot be automatically adjusted and changed in accordance with the high-frequency output. , Or to perform stepwise flow adjustment using the above-mentioned solenoid valve,
The flow rate could not be continuously and smoothly controlled. In the integrated electrosurgical apparatus using the argon gas, there is no particular problem because the flow rate of the argon gas can be automatically adjusted. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can be applied to a commercially available electric scalpel device having no gas device.On the outer periphery of the electric scalpel, the flow rate of argon gas is continuously and smoothly changed according to the high-frequency output. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive gas supply apparatus for an electrosurgical apparatus with a simple configuration that can be automatically controlled and discharged.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a high-frequency detector, and receives an output signal of the high-frequency detector and outputs a flow rate setting signal corresponding to the signal of the high-frequency detector. A high-frequency current detection circuit, and a waveform recognition circuit that receives an output signal of the high-frequency detector and recognizes a high-frequency waveform, and communicates with a high-frequency recognition mechanism that recognizes a high-frequency output generated by the high-frequency generation circuit and an argon gas source. Connected to one electromagnetic valve having durability for flowing in and out of argon gas from the argon gas source, and receiving the detection signal of the high-frequency current detection circuit and the waveform recognition signal of the waveform recognition circuit to receive the one electromagnetic valve. A controller having a soft-start circuit for controlling the valve to operate in a time proportional manner and controlling the valve opening time to gradually increase as time passes. Wherein the electric knife device electrodes are connected to a high-frequency generating circuit, the high frequency detector is configured to be detachably connected to the.

[0010]

According to the above construction, when the high-frequency detector is connected to the high-frequency generation circuit of the electrosurgical device, a high-frequency output is detected by the high-frequency detector in a high-frequency current generation state, and the output is subjected to waveform recognition. Circuit, a high-frequency current detection circuit, which detects the high-frequency current and outputs a flow rate setting signal proportional to the high-frequency current. The output of the signal is input to a controller. The waveform of the high frequency output current is recognized, and this output is input to the controller. Then, based on the recognition signal of the waveform recognition circuit, the incision mode or the coagulation mode is recognized. In the coagulation mode, the controller performs time proportional operation control,
In addition, the soft start circuit controls the solenoid valve so that the valve opening time gradually increases with the passage of time.Overall, the flow rate gradually increases from the initial period to the late period within the time until the set flow rate is reached. The flow rate is increased, and is controlled so that the flow rate becomes substantially the set flow rate after a certain time has elapsed. As a result, a transient high-pressure gas flow, that is, a jet flow, is prevented from occurring when the solenoid valve is opened.
Argon gas at a flow rate suitable for hemostasis can flow out to the affected part.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes an adapter. The adapter 10 incorporates a high-frequency transformer (high-frequency detector) 26 described later. Adapter 10
As shown in FIG. 3, a main body female terminal (not shown) provided in a main body (shown by a phantom line in FIG. 2) of a conventional electric scalpel apparatus without a gas supply apparatus,
An adapter male terminal 11 connectable to a high-frequency generation circuit in the main body is provided. The adapter 10 is provided with an adapter female terminal 12 connected to a high-frequency transformer 26 therein.
The holder male terminal at the base end of the female corded holder of the conventional commercially available electrosurgical device is inserted into 2. Further, the adapter 10 is provided with a signal cord 14 having a signal connector (having a connector 13a) 13 at the end and connected to the high-frequency transformer 26 for detecting a high-frequency output.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a pipe 15a and a pressure reducing valve 1 are connected to an argon gas source (argon gas cylinder) 15.
6, an argon gas outlet (base of the electric knife) is connected via the electromagnetic valve 17 and the chamber 18 so that the argon gas can be discharged from the argon gas cylinder 15 to the outer periphery of the electric knife.

On the other hand, a solenoid 19 (not shown) of the solenoid valve 17 is electrically connected to a controller 19 for controlling the opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve 17. This controller 19
Soft start circuit 2 connected to pulse width modulator 20
1, input units 22 and 23. The output of the waveform recognition circuit 24 is input to the input unit 22, and the output of the high-frequency current detection circuit 25 is input to the input unit 23. Further, a waveform recognition circuit 24 and a high-frequency current detection circuit 25
The output of the high-frequency transformer 26 is input via the signal cord 14, the signal connector 13, and the connector 13a. Although the solenoid valve 17 is fully opened and closed by energizing and de-energizing the solenoid similarly to a normal solenoid valve, the durability does not change even if it is opened and closed several hundred million times. It is much better than the usual one.

Next, the operation of the gas supply device for an electrosurgical device configured as described above will be described. First, the adapter 10 is connected to the main body of a conventional electric scalpel device without a conventional gas supply device, and the male terminal at the base end of the holder with the female cord of the conventional commercial scalpel device is connected to the adapter female of the adapter 10. Connect to terminal 12 and connect signal connector 1
3, the output of the high-frequency transformer 26 in the adapter 10 is input to the waveform recognition circuit 24 and the high-frequency current detection circuit 25, so that the return electrode plate of the electrosurgical device has a large area without protrusions like a patient's buttocks. A high-frequency current flows from the high-frequency generation circuit of the main body of the electric scalpel device to the end of the scalpel in a state where the high-frequency current is stuck to the holding portion. Then, an incision is made in the affected part by the electrosurgical device, or argon gas is jetted from the argon gas source 15 to the outer periphery of the tip of the electrosurgical knife. , Does hemostasis occur?

In this case, the operator adjusts the high-frequency output adjustment knob of the main body of the electrocautery device. Then, Adapter 1
The output of the high-frequency transformer 26 is input to the waveform recognition circuit 24 and the high-frequency current detection circuit 25. The high-frequency current detection circuit 25 detects the high-frequency current and outputs a flow rate setting signal proportional to the high-frequency current. Is input to the controller 19, the waveform is recognized by the waveform recognition circuit 24, and the output is input to the controller 19.

Then, the current suitable for open surgery is a continuous wave,
Since the current suitable for coagulation and hemostasis is a burst wave (intermittent wave), a method of recognizing which of these is a retrigger type monostable, or “F = peak value of high frequency / average value of high frequency”, Therefore, a method is adopted in which if "F <reference value range", it is determined that the state is suitable for incision, and if "F> reference value range", it is determined that the state is suitable for coagulation and hemostasis. And the recognition signal is coagulation,
In the hemostasis mode, the soft start circuit 21 applies a current whose pulse width increases with time to the solenoid of the solenoid valve 17 so that the pulse width modulator 20
And is time-proportionally controlled by the pulse width modulator 20. Therefore, the solenoid valve 17 repeats the full-open and full-close operations, but this operation is controlled so that the valve-opening time gradually increases with the passage of time. In, the flow rate is controlled so as to gradually increase from the initial period to the latter period, and becomes approximately the set flow rate after a lapse of a certain time. As a result, a transient high-pressure gas flow, ie, a jet flow, when the solenoid valve 17 is opened is prevented, and argon gas having a flow rate suitable for coagulation and hemostasis of the affected part flows out to the outer periphery of the electrocautery, thereby causing thrombus. Is prevented from easily occurring.

The pressure reducing valve 16 serves to keep the fluid pressure on the upstream side of the solenoid valve 17 constant, and if there is a slight pulsating component in the argon gas flowing out of the solenoid valve 17, the pulsating component is reduced. Is the flow resistance of the fluid flowing through the pipe 15a and the pipe 1
5a and is absorbed in the chamber 18.
The pulsating flow can be absorbed only by the flow resistance of the fluid flowing through the pipe 15a or the flow capacity of the pipe depending on the flow condition of the fluid. It can be omitted.

As described above, according to this embodiment, only one low-cost solenoid valve is used as a valve for adjusting the flow rate of argon gas, and the flow rate of argon gas flowing to the outer periphery of the electric knife is adjusted according to the high-frequency output. The gas flow rate can be continuously and smoothly controlled automatically and automatically, so that the coagulation and hemostasis of the affected part can be controlled so that a suitable flow rate of argon gas flows to the outer circumference of the electric knife. (The above is the first embodiment).

A conventional separate electrosurgical device, that is, a main body provided with a high-frequency generating circuit is provided on a gantry, and this main body is connected to a gas supply unit provided on the gantry separately. The present invention may be applied to an electrocautery device in which argon gas is caused to flow out from the gas supply portion to the outer periphery of the electrocautery tip. In this case, the adapter 10 of the present invention may be connected to the gas supply unit of the separate electrosurgical device, thereby providing a commercially available electrosurgical device having a separate electrosurgical device with the first embodiment. The same operation and effect can be obtained (the second embodiment).

[0020]

According to the present invention, the present invention can be applied to a commercially available electrocautery device having no gas device, the high-frequency output of the electrocautery device is detected by a high-frequency detector, and the high-frequency output is detected based on the detection signal. With the current detection circuit, the solenoid valve that allows argon gas to flow from the argon gas source to the outer periphery of the electric knife can be controlled in proportion to the high frequency of the high frequency generation circuit. By recognizing the mode, a current whose pulse width increases with the passage of time can be given to the solenoid valve by the soft start circuit based on the waveform recognition signal. Controlling so that it gradually becomes longer, and when viewed as a whole, the flow rate gradually increases from the initial stage to the later period within the time until the set flow rate, and when a certain time elapses As a result, the valve can be controlled to a set flow rate, and as a result, it has a simple structure using only one low-cost solenoid valve as a valve for adjusting the argon gas flow rate. A high-pressure gas flow, ie, a jet flow, is prevented, and the flow rate of the argon gas is continuously and smoothly and automatically controlled in accordance with the high-frequency output to adjust the flow rate of the argon gas to a flow rate suitable for coagulation and hemostasis of an affected part. Can be discharged to the outer periphery of the electrocautery tip to prevent blood clots from easily forming in soft tissues such as the liver. An inexpensive gas supply device for an electric scalpel device that can be applied to an electric scalpel device having a gas supply device separate from the gas supply device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a use state of the adapter according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the adapter according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part showing an example of a conventional electric scalpel device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 15 Argon gas source (Argon gas cylinder) 17 Solenoid valve 19 Controller 20 Pulse width modulator 21 Soft start circuit 24 Waveform recognition circuit 25 High frequency current detection circuit 26 High frequency transformer (High frequency detector) 31 High frequency recognition mechanism

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A high-frequency detector (26), a high-frequency current detection circuit (25) that receives an output signal of the high-frequency detector (26) and outputs a flow rate setting signal corresponding to the signal of the high-frequency detector (26). And a waveform recognition circuit (24) for receiving an output signal of the high frequency detector (26) and recognizing a high frequency waveform.
A high-frequency recognition mechanism (31) for recognizing a high-frequency output generated by the high-frequency generation circuit; and a durability communicating with an argon gas source (15) for flowing argon gas from the argon gas source (15). The high frequency current detection circuit (2) is connected to one electromagnetic valve (17) having
In response to the detection signal of 5) and the waveform recognition signal of the waveform recognition circuit (24), the one solenoid valve (17) is time-proportionally controlled so that the valve opening time gradually increases with time. A controller (19) having a soft-start circuit (21) for controlling, wherein the high-frequency detector (26) is detachably connected to the high-frequency generator of the electrosurgical device in which electrodes are connected to the high-frequency generator. A gas supply device for an electric scalpel device, characterized in that: