SURGICAL SYSTEM, MEDICAL DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD OF SURGICAL SYSTEM

A surgical system includes: a treatment instrument including an insertion tube provided with a power receiver; a trocar including a power transmitter; and a power source device including a power source configured to output electric power to the trocar, wherein the treatment instrument includes a bar code that is an identifier located closer to a distal end of the insertion tube than the power receiver and indicating information of the treatment instrument, an information detector configured to acquire the information of the treatment instrument by detecting the bar code is located on the trocar, and when the inserted treatment instrument is a conforming treatment instrument, a control mode of the power source is shifted from a first standby mode that disables outputting drive power to a second standby mode that enables outputting the drive power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a surgical system including a medical device configured to wirelessly receive electric power through an electromagnetic field, the medical device, and a control method of the surgical system.

2. Description of the Related Art

A trocar, which is an insertion assisting tool for inserting medical equipment such as a treatment instrument into a body of a subject, is retained in a body wall after insertion into an abdominal cavity, and the trocar is used as a guide tube of the treatment instrument configured to perform a treatment of biological tissue in the abdominal cavity.

In some cases, a cable is connected to the treatment instrument inserted into the body through an insertion hole of the trocar in order to supply electric power necessary for the treatment. It is preferable that no cable is used in order to improve operability in handling and the like when an operator operates the treatment instrument.

A surgical system configured to generate an alternating magnetic field from a power transmission coil of a trocar and wirelessly supply electric power to a power reception coil of a treatment instrument inserted into the trocar is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,967.

Here, unless there is special consideration and design in the insertion hole of the trocar, the treatment instrument that can be inserted is not limited to a treatment instrument with predetermined specifications including a power receiver configured to receive the electric power through the alternating magnetic field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention provides a surgical system including: a medical device including: an insertion tube provided with a power receiver configured to receive an electromagnetic field; and a treatment portion located on a distal end of the insertion tube and driven by electric power received by the power receiver; an insertion assisting tool provided with an insertion hole for inserting the insertion tube into a body of a subject and including a power transmitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field applied to the power receiver on an outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole; and a power source device including a power source configured to output electric power to the power transmitter, wherein the medical device includes an identifier located closer to a distal end of the insertion tube than the power receiver and indicating information of the medical device, an information detector configured to detect the identifier to detect insertion of the medical device into the insertion hole and acquire the information is located on the outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole of the insertion assisting tool, and when the medical device inserted into the insertion hole includes a power receiver receiving the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter based on a detection result of the information detector, a control mode of the power source is shifted from a first standby mode that disables outputting drive power for driving the treatment portion to the power transmitter to a second standby mode that enables outputting the drive power.

Another aspect provides a medical device of a surgical system including: the medical device including: an insertion tube provided with a power receiver configured to receive an electromagnetic field; and a treatment portion located on a distal end of the insertion tube and driven by electric power received by the power receiver; an insertion assisting tool provided with an insertion hole for inserting the insertion tube into a body of a subject and including a power transmitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field applied to the power receiver on an outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole; and a power source device including a power source configured to output electric power to the power transmitter, wherein an identifier located closer to a distal end of the insertion tube than the power receiver and indicating information of the medical device is included, an information detector configured to detect the identifier to detect insertion of the medical device into the insertion hole and acquire the information is located on the outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole of the insertion assisting tool, and when the medical device inserted into the insertion hole includes a power receiver receiving the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter based on a detection result of the information detector, a control mode of the power source is shifted from a first standby mode that disables outputting drive power for driving the treatment portion to the power transmitter to a second standby mode that enables outputting the drive power.

Another aspect provides a control method of the surgical system including: a medical device including: an insertion tube provided with a power receiver configured to receive an electromagnetic field; and a treatment portion located on a distal end of the insertion tube and driven by electric power received by the power receiver; an insertion assisting tool provided with an insertion hole for inserting the insertion tube into a body of a subject and including a power transmitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field applied to the power receiver on an outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole; and a power source device including a power source configured to output electric power to the power transmitter, wherein when the medical device inserted into the insertion hole includes a power receiver configured to receive the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter, a controller changes a control mode of the power source from a first standby mode at activation that disables outputting drive power for driving the treatment power to the power transmitter to a second standby mode that enables outputting the drive power.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

First Embodiment

First, a surgical system1and a treatment instrument30that is medical equipment of a first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6C. Note that in the following description, drawings based on embodiments are schematic drawings, and a relationship (dimensional relationship) between thickness and width of constituent elements, a ratio of the thickness of respective parts, and the like are different from the reality. The dimensional relationship or the ratio between a plurality of drawings may also be different in some parts of the drawings.

The surgical system1includes a trocar10that is an insertion assisting tool, the treatment instrument30, and a power source device20. Note that although an endoscope or the like is also inserted into a body through another trocar in the surgical system1, description and the like will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 1, an insertion tube39of the treatment instrument30for surgery is inserted into a body9A of a subject9through an insertion hole10H of the trocar10punctured in a body wall of the subject9.

As shown inFIG. 2, the treatment instrument30that is a high frequency treatment instrument includes: an operation portion36; the elongated insertion tube39inserted into the body of the subject9; and a treatment portion37located at a distal end of the insertion tube39. An LED indicator36B that is a notification section configured to notify a treatment state and the like to surgeon is located on the operation portion36.

In the surgical system1, electric power used for treatment is wirelessly supplied from the trocar10to the treatment portion37located on the distal end side of the insertion tube39. Therefore, a cable for supplying electric power is not connected to the treatment instrument30.

A power transmitter11is arranged on an outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole10H of the trocar10. The power transmitter11includes, for example, a solenoid power transmission coil11A (seeFIG. 3) and is wound around the outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole10H. The power transmission coil11A generates an alternating magnetic field when a drive signal is supplied from the power source device20.

On the other hand, a power receiver31is located inside of the insertion tube39of the treatment instrument30. The power receiver31is, for example, an elongated solenoid power reception coil31A. When the insertion tube39is inserted into the insertion hole10H of the trocar10, the power reception coil31A is electromagnetically coupled to the power transmission coil11A and enters a state in which the magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil11A can be received.

The treatment portion37configured to perform a treatment in the body9A of the subject9includes a pair of jaws37A and37B that can be opened and closed. For example, an opened or closed state of the jaws37A and37B is linked with an opened or closed state of the handle36A of the operation portion36. The treatment portion37is not limited to a so-called treatment instrument. The treatment portion37can also be applied to various kinds of medical equipment including an electrical drive section driven by electric power, such as an image pickup device like a CCD and an illumination apparatus like an LED as the electrical drive section. A rigid endoscope and the like can also be preferably used as the medical equipment of the present invention.

When the operator turns on a switch29(trigger ON) in a state that a tissue to be treated is placed between the jaws37A and37B, the power transmission coil11A generates an alternating magnetic field, and the power reception coil31A receives power from the alternating magnetic field. Based on the received power, a high frequency current is applied to the jaws37A and37B, and a treatment, such as dissection, hemostasis, or the like is performed.

FIG. 3shows a configuration of the surgical system1. The power source device20outputs, for example, a high frequency power with a frequency equal to or higher than 100 kHz and equal to or lower than 100 MHz. It is preferable that the frequency of the high frequency power is selected from frequencies whose usage is admitted by laws or the like, so the frequency is, for example, 13.56 MHz. Although amplitude of the high frequency power is not particularly limited, it is preferable that a waveform is a sine wave because a general-purpose power source can be used.

As described previously, the power transmitter11of the trocar10generates an alternating magnetic field when alternating current power is supplied from the power source device20based on the operation of the switch29by the operator. The power transmitter11includes the solenoid power transmission coil11A wound around the outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole10H and a power transmission capacitor15. A length of the power transmission coil11A is, for example, from 10 mm to 50 mm.

The power transmission coil11A and the power transmission capacitor15of the power transmitter11are connected in series and form a power transmission side LC series resonant circuit configured to generate an alternating magnetic field with a predetermined resonance frequency FR1. The power source device20outputs the alternating current power with the resonance frequency FR1. Note that a stray capacitance of the power transmission coil11A may be utilized in place of the power transmission capacitor15. A power transmission circuit22includes an impedance matching circuit (not shown) configured to perform impedance matching of a power source21and the resonant circuit.

Note that in the surgical system1shown inFIG. 3, the power transmission capacitor15is located on the trocar10, and the power transmission circuit22is located on the power source device20. However, the power transmission capacitor15and the power transmission circuit22may be located on the trocar10or may be located on the power source device20.

The treatment instrument30includes the power receiver31, a power reception circuit34, a drive circuit35, and the treatment portion37. The power receiver31is electromagnetically coupled to the power transmission coil11A of the power transmitter11of the trocar10and includes the power reception coil31A configured to wirelessly receive electric power through the alternating magnetic field.

The power reception coil31A is an elongated solenoid coil arranged in a major axis direction of the elongated cylindrical insertion tube39, and a center axis of the power reception coil31A substantially coincides with a center axis of the insertion tube. A length of the power reception coil31A is, for example, equal to or greater than 100 mm and equal to or smaller than 200 mm so that part of the power reception coil31A is inserted into the power transmission coil11A during the treatment, and the power reception coil31A may have a length such that the power reception coil31A is located throughout an overall length of, for example, 300 mm of the insertion tube39. That is, it is preferable that the length of the power reception coil31A is longer than the length of the power transmission coil11A. As a result, even when the treatment instrument30moves back and forth inside of the insertion hole10H during the treatment, the power reception coil31A can receive power.

A power reception capacitor33is connected in series to the power reception coil31A to form a power reception side LC series resonant circuit configured to efficiently receive an alternating magnetic field with a predetermined resonance frequency FR2. The resonance frequency FR2of the power reception side LC series resonant circuit is substantially the same as the resonance frequency FR1of the power transmission side LC series resonant circuit, and electric power is efficiently and wirelessly transmitted and received in the surgical system1based on a phenomenon of magnetic resonance. Note that as described previously, the resonance frequencies FR1and FR2can be appropriately selected in the range of, for example, 100 kHz to 100 MHz.

Note that a stray capacitance of the power reception coil31A may be utilized in place of the power reception capacitor33. The power reception circuit34, for example, rectifies an alternating current signal received by the power reception coil31A to convert the alternating current signal to a direct current signal and smooths the signal. A DC/DC converter further adjusts the signal to a voltage to be supplied to the drive circuit35. The power reception circuit34includes an impedance matching circuit (not shown) configured to perform impedance matching of the drive circuit35and the resonant circuit. The drive circuit35converts the electric power from the power reception circuit34to electric power suitable for driving the treatment portion37and outputs the electric power. For example, a drive signal with a frequency of 350 kHz and a voltage of 200 Vpp used for a treatment, such as dissection and coagulation, is supplied from the drive circuit35to the treatment portion37of the high frequency treatment instrument.

Note that although the power transmission circuit22and the power reception circuit34foul′ the resonant circuit in the description above, the resonance capacitor and the resonance operation are not essential configurations. The impedance matching circuit configured to perform impedance matching of the drive circuit35and the resonant circuit can also be installed behind the drive circuit35depending on the configuration.

In the surgical system1of the present embodiment, the treatment instrument30includes a bar code38which is a portion to be identified, that is, an identifier, located closer to the distal end of the insertion tube39than the power receiver31. The bar code38is a mark including a plurality of striped patterns38A to38Z indicating information of the treatment instrument30, such as a serial number and an amount of treatment power. The bar code38is formed by ring-shaped striped patterns circling around an outer circumferential portion of the insertion tube39so that the bar code38can be detected regardless of a rotation state of the insertion tube39.

An information detector18configured to detect the bar code38to detect insertion of the treatment instrument30into the insertion hole10H and acquire the information of the treatment instrument30is located on an outer circumferential portion of the insertion hole10H of the trocar10. As shown inFIG. 4, the information detector18includes: a light emitter18A including an LED or the like configured to generate detection light for illuminating the bar code38; and a light receiver18B including a photodiode or the like configured to detect reflected light from the bar code38.

Note that the identifier that is a portion to be identified is not limited to the bar code38. The identifier may be a bar code formed by a striped pattern parallel to a longitudinal direction of the insertion tube39or may be a two-dimensional bar code. The identifier may magnetically record the information like an encoder or may electronically record the information like an RF-ID tag. A form of the information detector18is appropriately selected according to a form of the identifier.

A controller23of the power source device20includes a CPU or the like configured to sense insertion of the treatment instrument into the insertion hole10H based on a detection result of the information detector18. The controller23further senses whether the inserted treatment instrument is the treatment instrument30conforming to specifications of the trocar10including the power receiver31configured to receive an electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter11. When the treatment instrument conforms to the trocar10, the controller23changes a control mode of the power source21from a first standby mode that disables outputting drive power for driving the treatment portion37to the power transmitter11to a second standby mode that enables outputting the drive power.

In the first standby mode, the drive power is not outputted from the power source21even if the operator turns on the switch29.

When there is no partner of power receiver for appropriate electromagnetic coupling, the drive power is not outputted from the power source21in the surgical system1with the configuration, and the alternating magnetic field is not generated from the power transmission coil in a poor efficiency state. An excessive electric current does not flow in the power transmission coil. Therefore, the power transmitter does not generate heat, and electromagnetic field leakage does not occur. The treatment instrument30that is medical equipment of the surgical system1includes the bar code38indicating the information of the treatment instrument, and the alternating magnetic field is not generated from the power transmission coil11A of the trocar10in a poor efficiency state. According to a control method of the surgical system1, the alternating magnetic field is not generated from the power transmission coil in a poor efficiency state.

Note that as described later, when the power receiver31being at a position that allows receiving the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter11is not sensed in the surgical system1, it is preferable that the controller23performs control to prevent outputting the drive power even if the power source21is in the second standby mode.

For example, the power source21in the second standby mode can output detection power smaller than the drive power to the power transmitter11, and the controller23can sense that the power receiver31is at a position that allows receiving the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter11based on a change in electrical characteristics, such as an impedance of the power transmitter11and a phase between the current and the voltage.

In the surgical system1, the controller23may further control an electric power value of the drive power outputted by the power source21based on the information acquired by the information detector18.

When the controller23senses an abnormality during the treatment, the surgical system1may also change the control mode of the power source21to the first standby mode, that is, stop outputting the drive power.

Next, operation of the surgical system1will be described along with a flowchart shown inFIG. 5.

The trocar10inserted into the subject9is connected to the power source device20. Consequently, the electric power is supplied to the information detector18of the trocar10. The control mode of the power source21at activation is the first standby mode that disables outputting the drive power. In the first standby mode, the drive power is not outputted from the power source21even if, for example, the operator accidentally turns on the switch29.

Note that although the switch29is a foot switch separate from the power source device20, the switch29operated by the operator may be located on the power source device20, the trocar10, or the treatment instrument30.

As shown inFIG. 6A, the insertion tube39of the treatment instrument30is inserted into the insertion hole10H of the trocar10. As shown inFIG. 6B, when the information detector18detects the bar code38located on the insertion tube39, the detection result is transferred to the controller23. For example, the information detector18just transfers a change in the electrical signal detected by the light receiver18B to the controller23, and the controller23including a CPU or the like analyzes and senses the information of the bar code38.

If the treatment instrument inserted into the insertion hole10H conforms to the trocar10(S12: YES), the controller23changes the control mode of the power source21from the first standby mode that disables outputting the drive power for driving the treatment portion37to the power transmitter11to the second standby mode that enables outputting the drive power.

If the treatment instrument inserted into the insertion hole10H does not conform to the trocar10(S12: NO), the controller23does not change the control mode of the power source21from the first standby mode.

Note that when the bar code38includes information of a treatment power value of the treatment instrument30, it is preferable that the controller23controls the electric power outputted by the power source21to an electric power value according to the treatment power value of the treatment instrument30.

It is also preferable that the controller23sets the output power of the power source21calculated from the treatment power value of the treatment instrument30as an upper limit output power value and controls the output power to a safe side to prevent operation of the power source21for outputting drive power equal to or greater than the upper limit output power value even if the operator accidentally makes an attempt to output the drive power equal to or greater than the upper limit output power value.

For example, when the treatment instrument30needs electric power of 50 W, power transmission and reception efficiency is taken into account to control the power source21to output electric power of 60 W, and the upper limit output power value is set to 70 W. Similarly, when the treatment instrument30needs electric power of 10 W, the upper limit output power value is set to 15 W, and the power source21outputs electric power of 12 W. When the treatment instrument30needs electric power of 1 W, the upper limit output power value is set to 1.5 W, and the power source21is controlled to output electric power of 1.2 W.

In the surgical system1in which the drive power is outputted according to the treatment power value of the treatment instrument30, the operator does not have to operate the setting of the power source21according to the treatment instrument30, and operability is excellent.

<Step S14> Treatment Instrument Removal Detection Step

The information detector18can sense removal of the treatment instrument30from the insertion hole10H by detecting again the bar code38detected once. For example, a mark indicating a direction is determined in advance in the bar code38. The marks38A and38Z at both ends of the bar code38can be wider than the other marks, and the mark38A can be a mark wider than the mark38Z. In this way, the controller23can sense the removal based on the information detector18detecting the mark38A after the mark38Z.

If the removal of the treatment instrument30is sensed (S14: YES), the controller23returns the control mode of the power source21from the second standby mode to the first standby mode.

In the control method of the surgical system including step S14(treatment instrument removal detection step), the drive power is not outputted even if the switch29is accidentally turned on although the treatment instrument is removed after completion of the treatment.

<Step S15> Relative Position Detection Step

Although the power source21can output the drive power in the second standby mode, the power source21does not output the drive power unless at least the switch29is turned on. Furthermore, the power source21is controlled not to output the drive power even in the second standby mode in the surgical system1when the power receiver31being at a position that allows receiving the electric power through the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11is not sensed.

Note that although not shown in the flowchart, when the upper limit output power value is set, even if the power transmitter11and the power receiver31are not at most strongly coupled positions (even if the power receiver being at a position that allows receiving power at an optimal efficiency is not sensed), control may be performed to output the drive power by gradually changing the upper limit output power value according to the coupling state when the power transmitter11and the power receiver31being in a rather strongly coupled state is sensed (when the power receiver being at a position that allows receiving power at or more than a predetermined efficiency is sensed).

That is, as shown inFIG. 6C, simply put, the power receiver31of the treatment instrument30cannot be efficiently coupled to the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11before the power receiver31is inserted into the power transmitter11.

When the mode becomes the second standby mode, the surgical system1enters a detection mode in which the power source21outputs the detection power to the power transmitter11. The detection power may be sufficiently smaller than the drive power, such as about 10 mW.

In the detection mode, the controller23senses that the power receiver31is coupled to the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11and is at a position that allows receiving the electric power based on the change in the electrical characteristics of the power transmitter11.

Note that the same detection mode as the mode for sensing the change in the electrical characteristics of the power transmitter11based on the detection power can also be used to locate the switch29operated by the operator on the treatment instrument30. For example, the switch29is located on a path of the power reception circuit34of the treatment instrument30, and the impedance on a load side as viewed from the power transmission circuit22provided with the detection signal significantly changes when an open state shifts to a conductive state. The controller23can wirelessly detect ON/OFF of the switch29located on the treatment instrument30based on the change in the electrical characteristics of the power transmission circuit22.

As shown inFIG. 6C, when the power transmission coil11A of the power transmitter11is electromagnetically coupled to the power reception coil31A of the power receiver31, the impedance on the load side detected from the side of the power transmission circuit22significantly decreases compared to when nothing is inserted. Based on the change in the electrical characteristics, the controller23can sense that the power receiver31is coupled to the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11and is at a position that allows receiving the electric power.

In the control method of the surgical system including step S15(relative position detection step), maximum drive power is outputted only when the power transmitter11and the power receiver31are at relative positions that allow transmitting and receiving the electric power.

<Step S17> Output Drive Power

In the state that the controller23senses that the power receiver31is at a position that allows appropriately coupling to the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11(S15: YES), the drive power is outputted from the power source21if the switch29is turned on (trigger ON) (S16: YES).

The treatment portion37performs the treatment based on the electric power of the power receiver31wirelessly received from the power transmitter11.

During the treatment, that is, when the switch29is turned on, the controller23can sense an abnormality of the treatment instrument30by detecting a change in the electrical characteristics, such as the impedance and the phase, on the load side detected from the side of the power transmission circuit22. For example, when a disconnection occurs in the treatment portion37, the impedance on the load side as viewed from the power transmission circuit22significantly increases.

When the controller23detects the abnormality, the controller23puts the power source21into the first standby mode and immediately halts outputting the drive power. It is preferable to further include a notification section configured to notify the operator of the abnormality. Examples of a notification method include causing the LED indicator36B located on the operation portion36of the treatment instrument30to blink in red, displaying an abnormality message on a monitor displaying an endoscopic image not shown, and generating sound or light.

Note that in a surgical system including a plurality of treatment instruments and a plurality of trocars, notification sections can be provided on the treatment instruments or the trocars to immediately specify the treatment instrument in which an abnormality has occurred.

In the control method of the surgical system including step S16(abnormality sensing step), the output of the drive power is automatically halted at the occurrence of the abnormality, or the output is significantly reduced. Therefore, a wrong treatment or the like caused by the abnormality is not performed.

When the switch29is turned off (trigger OFF), the power source21halts outputting the drive power. The power source21is controlled in the second standby mode of step S13in preparation for a next treatment. Note that if the treatment instrument30is removed after the end of the treatment (S14: YES), the power source21is controlled in the first standby mode.

Note that it is only necessary that the surgical system1performs the operations of at least steps S11, S12, S13, S16, S17, S19, and S20. That is, the operations of steps S14, S15, and S18are optional operations that are preferably performed in the surgical system1.

Next, surgical systems1A to1C and treatment instruments30B and30C according to modifications of the first embodiment will be described. The surgical systems1A to1C and the treatment instruments30B and30C of the modifications are similar to the surgical system1and the treatment instrument30. Therefore, the same reference signs are provided to the same components, and the description will not be repeated.

As shown inFIG. 7, sensors18P (18P1,18P2) located on check valves17(17A,17B) of a trocar10A detect insertion/removal of the treatment instrument30in the surgical system1A of a first modification. The sensors18P are, for example, pressure sensors configured to detect pressure applied to the check valves17.

Note that although the description is omitted so far, the check valves17are also located on the trocar10. To hold pressure in an abdominal cavity, the check valves17are airtight members made of silicone rubber or the like with a high elastic modulus located inside of the insertion hole10H.

In the surgical system1A, the insertion of the treatment instrument30is sensed when the sensor18P1and the sensor18P2sequentially detect application of the pressure. The removal of the treatment instrument30is sensed when the sensor18P2and the sensor18P1sequentially detect a decrease in the pressure.

In the surgical system1A, the dedicated sensors18P configured to detect the insertion/removal of the treatment instrument30are located on the trocar10A. Therefore, the surgical system1A can more surely detect the insertion/removal of the treatment instrument30compared to the surgical system1.

As shown inFIG. 8, the treatment instrument30B of the surgical system1B of a second modification detects the insertion/removal of the treatment instrument30based on designated marks38B (38B1,38B2) located on the insertion tube39.

Although the marks38B are ring-shaped black striped patterns circling around the outer circumferential portion of the insertion tube39just like the bar code38, the marks38B may be reflection members with a higher reflectance than the surroundings. The mark38B1may be a ring-shaped black striped pattern with a reflectance lower than the surroundings, and the mark38B2may be a ring-shaped reflection member.

In the surgical system1B including the treatment instrument30B, the designated marks38B configured to detect the insertion/removal of the treatment instrument30are located on the treatment instrument30. Therefore, the surgical system1B can surely detect the insertion/removal of the treatment instrument30.

As shown inFIG. 9, in the treatment instrument30C of the surgical system1C of a third modification, the information detector18detects a reflection band38C as a position mark indicating that the power receiver31is at a position that allows receiving the electric power through the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11. Therefore, a ring-shaped reflection band38C circling around the outer circumferential portion of the insertion tube39is located on the treatment instrument30. A located position and a length of the reflection band38C are set according to a positional relationship between the power transmitter11and the power receiver31. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, the power transmitter11can be longer than the power receiver31, and the electric power can be received even if the treatment instrument30C is moved back and forth inside of the insertion hole10H. The length of the reflection band38C in this case is substantially equal to a length obtained by subtracting a length of the power transmitter11from a length of the power receiver31. As for the positional relationship, the information detector18is positioned at a center portion of the reflection band38C when the power transmitter11is at a center portion of the power receiver31.

For example, as shown inFIG. 10A, a detection signal strength (Quantity) of the light receiver18B of the information detector18is large when the power receiver31is at a position that allows receiving the electric power through the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11. InFIGS. 10A and 10B, a horizontal axis indicates the position of the insertion tube39inside of the insertion hole10H, that is, the relative position between the power transmitter11and the power receiver31, and a vertical axis indicates the strength of the detection signal or the like. A range with a large detection signal strength (Quantity) is a range (Applicable) in which the power receiver31is at a position that allows receiving the electric power through the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11. Note that the detection signal of the light receiver18B is small when a ring-shaped black mark is included in place of the reflection band38C.

Alternatively, two reflection bands38C are located. As shown inFIG. 10B, the power receiver31is between positions where the detection signal of the light receiver18B of the information detector18is strong, and the controller23senses that the power receiver31is at a position that allows receiving the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter11.

In the surgical system1C, the information detector18detects that the power receiver31is at a position that allows receiving the electric power through the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmitter11. Therefore, the configuration is simpler than the surgical system1, and the control is easy.

Note that in the surgical systems1B and1C, the identifier is the bar code38, a reflection portion, or the like, and the information detector18is an optical sensing portion in the cases described above. When the information detector18is a magnetic detection section or an electrical detection section, a dedicated identifier (portion to be identified) for detecting the insertion/removal of the treatment instrument30is used in order to generate the detection signal strength (Quantity) according to each detection mode.

Second Embodiment

Next, a surgical system1D and a treatment instrument30D of a second embodiment as shown inFIG. 11will be described. The operation and the like of the surgical system1D and the treatment instrument30D are similar to those of the surgical system1and the treatment instrument30. Therefore, the same reference signs are provided to the components with the same functions, and the description will not be repeated.

In the surgical system1D, the insertion assisting tool is a flexible endoscope10D. In the flexible endoscope10D, the channel (insertion tube)10H configured to insert the treatment instrument30D into the body of the subject can be assumed as an insertion hole.

The power transmitter11includes the power transmission coil11A wound around the outer circumferential portion of the channel10H of the flexible endoscope10D.

As in the surgical systems1, and1A to1C, the information detector18detects the bar code38or the like that is the identifier of the treatment instrument30D to control the power source21.

It is obvious that the surgical system1D has the same effect as the surgical systems1and1A to1C.

Note that in the surgical system1and the like described above, the electric power is wirelessly supplied through the electromagnetic coupling based on the alternating magnetic field. On the other hand, it is obvious that a surgical system in which the electric power is wirelessly supplied through capacitive coupling based on the alternating magnetic field has the same effect as the surgical system1and the like.

The present invention is not limited to each of the embodiments and the like described above, and various changes, combinations, and applications can certainly be made without departing from the scope of the invention.