Abstract:
A surgical controller for controlling a treatment instrument, the surgical controller including one or more processors configured to: detect whether a switch is actuated; control a first surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a first treatment based on a first surgical energy in response to detecting that the switch is actuated; detect whether a parameter reaches a predetermined value during actuation of the treatment instrument to perform the first treatment; and control the second surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a second treatment based on a second surgical energy different from the first surgical energy in response to detecting that the parameter reached the predetermined value.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/357,512 filed on Jan. 22, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/501,357 filed on Aug. 9, 2006, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a relay device connected to an ultrasonic surgical device and an electrosurgical device and an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system including the relay device. 
       2. Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    Conventionally, surgeries use surgical devices including various handpieces, such as an ultrasonic scalpel and an electric scalpel, for use in tissue ablation and simultaneous hemostasis. 
         [0004]    An ultrasonic surgical device and an electrosurgical device, serving as surgical devices, are individually operated. An operator has to manipulate switches dedicated to the respective devices to control the devices and operate handpieces connected to the devices. 
         [0005]    Under the above-described circumstances, as the number of surgical devices increases, the operator&#39;s manipulation becomes more complicated. Unfortunately, changing a handpiece to another one results in an increase in time required for surgery. 
         [0006]    Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 6-42893 discloses a surgical system capable of ultrasonically disintegrating tissue and simultaneously allowing an electrosurgical device to supply high-frequency energy to the handpiece of the ultrasonic surgical device. This surgical system can simultaneously output ultrasonic vibration and high-frequency current. 
         [0007]    Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-33369 discloses a surgical system including means for controlling the rate of high-frequency current output to ultrasonic vibration output. This system does not need to control the respective outputs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A surgical controller for controlling a treatment instrument, the surgical controller comprising one or more processors configured to: detect whether a switch is actuated; control a first surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a first treatment based on a first surgical energy in response to detecting that the switch is actuated; detect whether a parameter reaches a predetermined value during actuation of the treatment instrument to perform the first treatment; and control the second surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a second treatment based on a second surgical energy different from the first surgical energy in response to detecting that the parameter reached the predetermined value. 
         [0009]    A method for controlling a treatment instrument to perform a treatment, the method comprising: detecting whether a switch is actuated; controlling a first surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a first treatment based on a first surgical energy in response to detecting that the switch is actuated; detecting whether a parameter reaches a predetermined value during actuation of the treatment instrument to perform the first treatment; and controlling the second surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a second treatment based on a second surgical energy different from the first surgical energy in response to detecting that the parameter reached the predetermined value. 
         [0010]    A surgical apparatus comprising: a treatment instrument; and a surgical controller comprising one or more processors configured to: detect whether a switch is actuated; control a first surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a first treatment based on a first surgical energy in response to detecting that the switch is actuated; detect whether a parameter reaches a predetermined value during actuation of the treatment instrument to perform the first treatment; and control the second surgical energy source to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a second treatment based on a second surgical energy different from the first surgical energy in response to detecting that the parameter reached the predetermined value. 
         [0011]    A surgical apparatus comprising: a treatment instrument; a switch; and a circuit configured to form a first electric connection between the switch and a surgical controller, a second electric connection between the treatment instrument and the surgical controller, and a third electric connection between the treatment instrument and the surgical controller, wherein the circuit is configured to: communicate with the surgical controller through the first electric connection in response to an occurrence that the switch is actuated; receive a first electric power from a first surgical energy source through the second electric connection, wherein the first electric power is configured to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a first treatment based on a first surgical energy in response to the occurrence; and subsequent to receiving the first electric power, receive a second electric power from a second surgical energy source through the third electric connection, wherein the second electric power is configured to actuate the treatment instrument to perform a second treatment based on a second surgical energy in response to another occurrence that a parameter reached a predetermined value during actuation of the treatment instrument to perform the first treatment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an external view showing a structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system including a relay device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the relay device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of an ultrasonic surgical device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of an electrosurgical device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram showing the structure of a switch detection unit of the relay device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the structure of a control unit of the relay device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  is a timing diagram of the operation in which ultrasonic and high-frequency outputs are simultaneously controlled in accordance with a manipulation of one pedal switch included in a footswitch: 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  is a timing diagram of the operation in which ultrasonic and high-frequency outputs are individually controlled in accordance with manipulations of pedal switches in the footswitch; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the operation of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the first embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an external view of a relay device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the relay device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing functional blocks in the control unit including a programmable IC and those in the vicinity of the control unit; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of the operation of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the second embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 14A to 14C  are timing diagrams of the operations in various output control modes in which both of ultrasonic and high-frequency outputs are controlled in accordance with a manipulation of a footswitch; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing the structure of a relay device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of an ultrasonic surgical device according to the third embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a flowchart of the operation of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the third embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 18A to 18D  are timing diagrams of the operation according to the third embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is an external view of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a flowchart of the operation of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is a block diagram showing the internal structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 23  is a flowchart of the operation of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the fifth embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  is an external view of a conventional ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system; 
           [0037]      FIG. 25  is a block diagram illustrating the whole structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 26  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the sixth embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 27  is a block diagram illustrating the whole structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 28  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the seventh embodiment; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       [0041]    A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system including a relay device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to provide a relay device that is applicable in the use of an existing ultrasonic surgical device and an existing electrosurgical device and is capable of improving the operability of the devices, and an ultrasonic surgical and electrosurgical system including the relay device. 
         [0043]    More specifically, the relay device according to the present invention is capable of controlling at least one of an output timing and an output mode of each of the ultrasonic surgical device and the electrosurgical device through a single switch unit or element. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a handpiece  2 , an ultrasonic surgical device  3 , an electrosurgical device  4 , a footswitch  5 , and a relay device  6 . The handpiece  2  functions as an ultrasonic/high-frequency treatment instrument for treatment using ultrasonic vibration and high-frequency current (or high-frequency signal) on biological tissue  45 . The ultrasonic surgical device  3  supplies an ultrasonic signal as a driving signal (driving power) for driving of the handpiece  2 . The electrosurgical device  4  supplies a high-frequency signal as a driving signal (driving power) for driving of the handpiece  2 . The footswitch  5  serves as a switch unit for the ON/OFF operation or the like of power supply. The relay device  6  controls output modes and output timings of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0045]    The handpiece  2  has an elongated sheath  7 . The proximal end of the sheath  7  is provided with a handpiece body  8  which an operator holds during a treatment. 
         [0046]    The handpiece body  8  includes an ultrasonic transducer  9  connected to the proximal end of an ultrasonic transmitting member  10 , which is inserted through the sheath  7 . 
         [0047]    The distal end of the ultrasonic transmitting member  10  protrudes from the distal end of the sheath  7  and serves as a stationary segment of a treatment section  11  for treatment using ultrasonic vibrations. The treatment section  11  is also used for treatment section using a high-frequency signal, which will be described later. 
         [0048]    The back end of the handpiece body  8  is provided with an ultrasonic connector  12 . The ultrasonic connector  12  is connected to the ultrasonic transducer  9 . The ultrasonic connector  12  is also connected to an output connector of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  via an ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 . The ultrasonic handpiece cable  13  is detachably connected to the ultrasonic connector  12 . 
         [0049]    The ultrasonic surgical device  3  supplies an ultrasonic signal, serving as a driving signal, to the ultrasonic transducer  9  through the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 , thus vibrating the ultrasonic transducer  9 . The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through the ultrasonic transmitting member  10  to the treatment section  11  at the distal end of the member  10 . 
         [0050]    Then, the operator can incise and coagulate the biological tissue  45  using ultrasonic vibration at the treatment section  11 . 
         [0051]    The handpiece body  8  further includes a handle. The operator can open and close a movable segment of the treatment section  11  by manipulating the handle. 
         [0052]    The handpiece body  8  has a high-frequency connector  14 . The high-frequency connector  14  is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transmitting member  10 . The high-frequency connector  14  is also connected to an output connector of the electrosurgical device  4  via a high-frequency handpiece cable  15 . The high-frequency handpiece cable  15  is detachably connected to the high-frequency connector  14 . 
         [0053]    The electrosurgical device  4  supplies a high-frequency signal (specifically, electrosurgical current) to the ultrasonic transmitting member  10  through the high-frequency handpiece cable  15 . The electrosurgical current is transmitted through the treatment section  11  at the distal end of the ultrasonic transmitting member  10  to the biological tissue  45 , which is in contact with the treatment section  11 . 
         [0054]    In the use of the handpiece  2  in  FIG. 1 , electrosurgical current flows between the stationary segment and the movable segment of the treatment section  11  through the biological tissue  45  in a bipolar manner. A monopolar handpiece  2 ′ (refer to  FIG. 19 ) may be used. In this case, electrosurgical current flows from the stationary segment of the treatment section  11  to a grounding pad (feedback electrode) through the biological tissue  45 . 
         [0055]    The footswitch  5  is connected to the relay device  6  through a footswitch cable  16 . The footswitch  5  includes two pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b,  serving as switch elements. 
         [0056]    The relay device  6  detects the ON/OFF operation performed by the operator through the pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b.  The relay device  6  has an ultrasonic connector  18  for ultrasonic power supply and a high-frequency connector  19  for high-frequency power supply. An ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  and an electrosurgical device connecting cable  21  are connected to the ultrasonic and high-frequency connectors  18  and  19 , respectively. The relay device  6  is connected to the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  and electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 , respectively. 
         [0057]      FIG. 2  shows entire internal structure of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 . And,  FIG. 3  shows the internal structure of the relay device  6 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the relay device  6  includes a switch (SW) detection unit  22  and a control unit  23 . The switch detection unit  22  detects the turn-on/off of the footswitch  5 . The control unit  23  controls the output modes and output timings of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  on the basis of an output signal of the switch detection unit  22 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the footswitch  5  includes the two pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b.  The switch detection unit  22 , therefore, includes two switch detection circuits  22   a  and  22   b  in accordance with the structure of the footswitch  5 . The structure of switch detection circuit  22   a  will be described below (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the relay device  6  further includes an ultrasonic output control unit  24  and a high-frequency output control unit  25 . The ultrasonic output control unit  24  comprises a switch element  24   a.  The high-frequency output control unit  25  comprises a switch element  25   a.    
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24  is connected to a footswitch connector  27  for ultrasonic surgery device (abbreviated to ultrasonic connector) of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . 
         [0062]    The high-frequency output control unit  25  is connected to a footswitch connector  28  for electrosurgical device (abbreviated to high-frequency connector) of the electrosurgical device  4  through the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . 
         [0063]    Referring to a specific example in  FIG. 3 , the switch elements  24   a  and  25   a,  respectively constituting the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25 , each comprise a photocoupler. In each photocoupler, an output signal corresponding to an input signal is generated while electrical isolation between input and output is kept. More specifically, an input signal is output through photo-coupled means, thus providing electrical isolation between the ground (GND) on the input signal side and that on the output signal side, as will be described below. 
         [0064]    When electric signals output from the control unit  23  are supplied to light emitting diodes (LEDs)  29   a  and  30   a  of the photocouplers, respectively constituting the switch elements  24   a  and  25   a,  the LEDs  29   a  and  30   a  emit light rays. 
         [0065]    The light rays are received by phototransistors (or photodiodes)  29   b  and  30   b  which face the LEDs  29   a  and  30   a,  respectively. Thus, the phototransistors  29   a  and  30   a  are switched to a conduction mode, i.e., the ON state (switch-on) from the OFF state in which no light rays are received. 
         [0066]    Binary signals indicative of the switch-on (or switch-off) states of the phototransistors  29   b  and  30   b  are transmitted to the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  and electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 , respectively. 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 3 , the photocouplers are used as the switch elements  24   a  and  25   a. Relay switches may be used.    
         [0068]      FIG. 4  shows the internal structure of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 . 
         [0069]    The ultrasonic surgical device  3  includes an ultrasonic switch (SW) detection unit  31  for detecting a switch-on/off signal (output or stop instruction), the signal being supplied through the footswitch connector  27  for ultrasonic surgery device. 
         [0070]    A footswitch  94  (see  FIG. 24 ) dedicated to the ultrasonic surgical device  3  can be detachably connected to the footswitch connector  27  for ultrasonic surgery device of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 , as will be described later. The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  also detects a switch-on/off signal indicative of the turn-on/off of the dedicated footswitch  94  for ultrasonic power supply. 
         [0071]    In other words, the switch element  24   a  generates a signal having compatibility with a signal generated upon turning on/off the footswitch  94 . Since the footswitch  94  has two pedal switches, the ultrasonic output control unit  24  may include two switch elements  24   a.    
         [0072]    Similarly, the switch element  25   a  generates a signal having compatibility with a signal generated upon turning on/off a footswitch  95  (see  FIG. 24 ) dedicated to the electrosurgical device. Since the footswitch  95  has two pedal switches, the high-frequency output control unit  25  may include two switch elements  25   a.    
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when detecting a switch-on signal for ultrasonic power supply, the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  outputs an ultrasonic switch-on signal to an ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0074]    In accordance with the ultrasonic switch-on signal, the ultrasonic control unit  32  outputs an ultrasonic output signal to an ultrasonic output unit  33 . In response to the ultrasonic output signal, the ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic signal to the handpiece  2  connected via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 . 
         [0075]    The ultrasonic surgical device  3  includes an ultrasonic setting unit  34  which is disposed in, for example, a front panel. The operator manipulates a setup button of the ultrasonic setting unit  34  to change an output value of an ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic output unit  33  or select an ultrasonic output mode, such as a continuous output mode or an intermittent pulse output mode, through the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0076]    In other words, the ultrasonic-signal output mode can be changed by operating a setup button of the ultrasonic setting unit  34  and the like. 
         [0077]      FIG. 5  shows the internal structure of the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0078]    The electrosurgical device  4  includes a high-frequency switch detection unit  35  for detecting a switch-on/off signal (output or stop instruction), the signal being supplied through the connector  28 . 
         [0079]    The footswitch  94  (see  FIG. 24 ) dedicated to the electrosurgical device  4  can be detachably connected to the connector  28  of the electrosurgical device  4 , as will be described later. The high-frequency switch detection unit  35  also detects a switch-on/off signal indicative of the turn-on/off of the dedicated footswitch  95  for high-frequency power supply. 
         [0080]    When detecting a switch-on signal for high-frequency power supply, the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  outputs a high-frequency switch-on signal to a high-frequency control unit  36 . 
         [0081]    In accordance with the high-frequency switch-on signal, the high-frequency control unit  36  outputs a high-frequency output signal to a high-frequency output unit  37 . In response to the high-frequency output signal, the high-frequency output unit  37  outputs a high-frequency signal to the handpiece  2  connected via the high-frequency handpiece cable  15 . 
         [0082]    The electrosurgical device  4  includes a high-frequency setting unit  38  which is disposed in, for example, a front panel. The operator manipulates a setup button of the high-frequency setting unit  38  or the like to change an output value of an ultrasonic signal output from the high-frequency output unit  37  or select a high-frequency output mode, such as a continuous output mode or an intermittent pulse output mode, through the high-frequency control unit  36 . 
         [0083]    In other words, the high-frequency-signal output mode can be changed by operating a setup button of the high-frequency setting unit  38  or the like. 
         [0084]      FIG. 6  shows the structure of the switch detection circuit  22   a,  which constitutes the switch detection unit  22  which detects the operation of the footswitch  5  in the relay device  6 . 
         [0085]    When the footswitch  5  is connected to the relay device  6  through the cable  16 , a connector  41  (connected to the pedal switch) of the footswitch  5  is electrically connected to a connector  42  connected to the switch detection circuit  22   a  of the relay device  6 . 
         [0086]    The connector  41  on the footswitch side is connected to the pedal switch  17   a  in the footswitch  5 . The operator steps on the pedal switch  17   a,  thus changing the OFF state of a contact of the pedal switch  17   a  to the ON state. The operator stops stepping on the pedal switch  17   a,  thus changing the ON state of the pedal switch  17   a  to the OFF state. 
         [0087]    A switch-on/off signal, serving as an operation signal indicative of the operation state of the pedal switch  17   a,  is supplied to a comparator  43  in the switch detection circuit  22   a  through the connector  42  on the relay device side. 
         [0088]    The operation signal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator  43  through a resistor R 1 . A reference voltage, obtained by dividing a voltage (for example, 5V) at a power supply terminal Vcc through resistors R 2  and R 3 , is applied to an inverting input terminal of the comparator  43  via a resistor R 4 . 
         [0089]    The non-inverting input terminal of the comparator  43  is connected to an output terminal thereof through a resistor R 5 . One terminal of the connector  42  on the relay device side, to which the operation signal is supplied, is connected to the power supply terminal Vcc through a pull-up resistor R 6 . The other terminal of the connector  42  is grounded. 
         [0090]    The output terminal of the comparator  43  is connected to the power supply terminal Vcc through a pull-up resistor R 7 . The output terminal of the comparator  43  serves as an output terminal of the switch detection unit  22 . An output signal of the comparator  43  is supplied to the control unit  23 . 
         [0091]    The footswitch  5  has the two pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . As will be described below, in an individual control mode, the pedal switch  17   a  can be used to turn on and off the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the other pedal switch  17   b  can be used to turn on and off the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0092]    In a simultaneous control mode, the pedal switch  17   a  can be used to turn on and off both the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0093]    The relay device  6  has the switch detection unit  22  including the switch detection circuits  22   a  and  22   b  which correspond to the two pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b,  respectively. The switch detection circuit  22   b  has the same structure as that of the switch detection circuit  22   a  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0094]    In the switch detection unit  22  with the above structure, when the pedal switch  17   a  is in the OFF state, a voltage level at the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator  43  is equal to a voltage Vcc at the power supply terminal Vcc (for brevity, voltage of the power supply terminal is also shown as Vcc). The voltage Vcc is higher than the reference voltage at the inverting input terminal. Accordingly, an output of the comparator  43  is to a level “H” (high). 
         [0095]    When the pedal switch  17   a  is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the voltage level at the non-inverting input terminal becomes 0V (i.e., ground level), which is lower than the reference voltage. An output of the comparator  43 , therefore, goes to a level “L” (low). 
         [0096]    As described above, the output level of the comparator  43  reflects the ON or OFF state of the pedal switch  17   a.  The control unit  23  receives the output signal of the comparator  43  and controls the output modes and output timings of the devices  3  and  4  in accordance with the received signal. 
         [0097]    When the pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b  of the footswitch  5  are operated, the control unit  23  outputs electric signals, which correspond to the operation states of the pedal switch  17   a  and  17   b  of the footswitch  5 , to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25  in accordance with the output modes and output timings preset through the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the control unit  23  includes a CPU  23   a,  an ROM  23   b,  an RAM  23   c,  and a timer  23   d.  The CPU  23   a  performs the control operation. The ROM  23   b  stores a control program. The RAM  23   c  is used as a work area and is also used for temporal data storage. The timer  23   d  is used for timing control through the CPU  23   a.  The CPU  23   a  changes the output modes and output timings in accordance with the program stored in the ROM  23   b.  In other words, the CPU  23   a  has a function for controlling the output modes and output timings of the devices  3  and  4 . 
         [0099]    In the description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the output timings cannot be changed during the operation of the system and only the preset output timings are used (the structure and operation in which output timings can be changed during the operation will be described in a second embodiment). In the present embodiment, an output mode is set in each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0100]    In accordance with a pedal-switch change signal, the CPU  23   a  switches an output control mode between the simultaneous control mode and the individual control mode. In the simultaneous control mode, a common switch-on signal is output to each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  in accordance with the ON/OFF operation of the pedal switch  17   a.  In the individual control mode, switch-on/off signals of the pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b  are output to the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 , respectively. 
         [0101]    Specifically, the CPU  23   a  recognizes an input of a pedal-switch change signal when both the pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b  are in the ON state for a predetermined period of time or longer within a short period of time after, for example, power-on. The CPU  23   a  then switches the output control mode to another one. 
         [0102]    After that, when both of the pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b  are turned off, the switch detection unit  22  of the relay device  6  performs the operation based on the ON/OFF operation of the footswitch  5  in the set output control mode. 
         [0103]    Changing the output control mode is not limited to the above-described way. A pedal-switch selector switch (not shown) may be connected to the CPU  23   a  and the output control mode may be changed using this switch. 
         [0104]    When the output control mode in which common switch-ON signal is output to both the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and electrosurgical device  4  in response to ON/OFF operation of the one pedal switch  17   a  of the two pedal switches is set to the simultaneous control mode in response to the pedal-change switch signal, as shown in  FIG. 8A , an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal are simultaneously output in accordance with the operation of the pedal switch  17   a  as shown in  FIG. 8A . In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the lateral direction represents time t. 
         [0105]    On the other hand, when the output control mode is set to the individual control mode in response to the pedal-change switch, an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal are individually output by operating the respective pedal switches  17   a  and  17   b  as shown in  FIG. 8B . 
         [0106]    According to the present embodiment, as described above, the single footswitch  5  is connected to the relay device  6  so that the operations of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  can be controlled by operating the footswitch  5 . 
         [0107]    The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  of the electrosurgical device  4  can have the same structure as that of the switch detection circuit  22   a  of the relay device  6  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0108]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  having the relay device  6 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to the present embodiment is obtained by improving a conventional ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  91  shown in  FIG. 24 . 
         [0109]    The conventional ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  91  includes a handpiece  2 , an ultrasonic surgical device  3 , an electrosurgical device  4 , the footswitch  94  connected to the ultrasonic surgical device  3  via a footswitch cable  92 , and the footswitch  95  connected to the electrosurgical device  4  via a footswitch cable  93 . 
         [0110]    In the conventional system, the handpiece  2 , the ultrasonic surgical device  3 , and the electrosurgical device  4  have the same structures as those described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0111]    In the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  91  with the structure shown in  FIG. 24 , the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  are controlled in accordance with the ON/OFF operations of the footswitches  94  and  95 , respectively. 
         [0112]    In this conventional system, an ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  detects the turn-on/off of the footswitch  94 . When detecting the turn-on, the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  outputs an ultrasonic switch-on signal to an ultrasonic control unit  32  in a manner similar to the present embodiment. 
         [0113]    Similarly, a high-frequency switch detection unit  35  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the electrosurgical device  4  detects the turn-on/off of the footswitch  95 . When detecting the turn-on, the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  outputs a high-frequency switch-on signal to a high-frequency control unit  36  as described above. 
         [0114]    According to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  includes the relay device  6  and the single footswitch  5  in place of the two footswitches  94  and  95  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0115]    The footswitch  5  may be the footswitch  94  dedicated to the ultrasonic surgical device, the footswitch  95  dedicated to the ultrasonic surgical device, or a footswitch dedicated to the relay device  6 . Alternatively, a hand switch may be used instead of the footswitch  5 . The operator holds the hand switch and turns on and off the switch with the holding hand. 
         [0116]    The operation of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  with the above-described structure according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 9 . 
         [0117]    To perform a treatment using ultrasonic vibration and high-frequency current, the operator arranges and connects the components of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0118]    In this case, the operator connects the ultrasonic surgical device  3  to the relay device  6  using the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  and connects the electrosurgical device  4  to the relay device  6  using the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . The cables  20  and  21  are connectable to the corresponding connectors  27  and  28  provided for the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 , respectively. 
         [0119]    The operator connects the footswitch  5  to the relay device  6  via the footswitch cable  16 . In addition, the operator connects the handpiece  2  to the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  via the cables  13  and  15 , respectively. 
         [0120]    Then, the operator turns on respective power switches in the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 . In addition, the operator initializes the ultrasonic surgical device  3 , the electrosurgical device  4 , and the relay device  6 . As for initialization, the operator sets a power level of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and a power mode of the electrosurgical device  4 , such as a coagulation mode or an incision mode. The operator also sets the output control mode, such as the simultaneous control mode or the individual control mode, in the relay device  6  using a pedal-switch change signal. 
         [0121]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the switch detection unit  22  of the relay device  6  enters a standby mode in step S 1 . In the standby mode, the switch detection unit  22  waits for the operation of pushing the footswitch (abbreviated to FS in  FIG. 9 )  5 . 
         [0122]    More specifically, in the simultaneous control mode, the operation of pushing the pedal switch  17   a  (or  17   b ) is detected. In the individual control mode, the operation of pushing the pedal switch  17   a  and that of pushing the pedal switch  17   b  are detected. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the simultaneous control mode is set. 
         [0123]    When the operator pushes the footswitch  5 , the switch detection unit  22  detects the pushed state of the footswitch  5  and outputs a switch-on signal to the control unit  23 , as shown in step S 2 . 
         [0124]    As shown in step S 3 , when receiving the switch-on signal, the control unit  23  outputs an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25  in accordance with the preset output control mode, respectively. 
         [0125]    In this instance, the output control mode includes parameters, e.g., an ultrasonic power level, ultrasonic-output start time, ultrasonic-output stop time, the high-frequency power mode, such as the coagulation mode or the incision mode, high-frequency-output start time, and high-frequency-output stop time. 
         [0126]    When receiving the ultrasonic control signal, the ultrasonic output control unit  24  turns on/off the switch element  24   a  in accordance with the received signal in step S 4 . 
         [0127]    When receiving the high-frequency control signal, the high-frequency output control unit  25  turns on/off the switch element  25   a  in accordance with the received signal in step S 4 . 
         [0128]    The ultrasonic output control unit  24  is connected to the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . 
         [0129]    Thus, as shown in step S 5 , the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 , therefore, detects the turn-on/off of the switch element  24   a  as in the case of the turn-on/off of the dedicated footswitch  94 . 
         [0130]    The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  transmits a detected ultrasonic switch-on/off signal to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0131]    The high-frequency output control unit  25  is connected to the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  of the electrosurgical device  4  via the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . 
         [0132]    Accordingly, the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  detects the turn-on/off of the switch element  25   a  as in the case of the turn-on/off of the dedicated footswitch  95 . 
         [0133]    The high-frequency switch detection unit  35  transmits a high-frequency switch-on/off signal to the high-frequency control unit  36 . 
         [0134]    In step S 6 , the ultrasonic control unit  32  transmits an ultrasonic output/output-stop signal to the ultrasonic output unit  33  in accordance with the ultrasonic switch-on/off signal. Similarly, the high-frequency control unit  36  transmits a high-frequency output/output-stop signal to the high-frequency output unit  37  in accordance with the high-frequency switch-on/off signal when receiving a high-frequency switch-off signal. 
         [0135]    In step S 7 , the ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic driving signal corresponding to the ultrasonic output/output-stop signal to the handpiece  2  via the handpiece cable  13 . 
         [0136]    The high-frequency output unit  37  outputs a high-frequency signal corresponding to the high-frequency output/output-stop signal to the handpiece  2  via the high-frequency handpiece cable  15 . 
         [0137]    In the above-described operation, the operator can perform a treatment on the biological tissue  45  using ultrasonic vibrations and high-frequency current by turning on and off operation of the footswitch  5  while holding the handpiece  2 . 
         [0138]    In the simultaneous control mode, ultrasonic power and high-frequency power can be simultaneously controlled by operating the pedal switch  17   a  serving as one switch element, as shown in, for example,  FIG. 8A . 
         [0139]    In the individual control mode, ultrasonic power and high-frequency power can be individually controlled. In this case, ultrasonic power and high-frequency power can be controlled using only the footswitch  5 , thus improving the operability. 
         [0140]    In the system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-33369, an ultrasonic surgical device and an electrosurgical device simultaneously output ultrasonic vibration and high-frequency current, leading to a restricted range of medical treatments using this system. In contrast, with the present embodiment, ultrasonic vibration and high-frequency current can be controlled individually as described above. 
         [0141]    The present embodiment has the following advantages: In the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 , the operator can control outputs of both of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  by operating only the footswitch  5  connected to the relay device  6 . 
         [0142]    In other words, the operator can control outputs of both the devices  3  and  4  using the single common footswitch  5  instead of the two footswitches  94  and  95  in the conventional system  91 , resulting in improvement of the operability. 
         [0143]    Advantageously, the operator can easily manipulate the switch during a treatment. 
         [0144]    In addition, since the number of footswitches is reduced, an operating room becomes clear. Specifically, the number of cables arranged around the operator&#39;s feet can be reduced. 
         [0145]    In the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  according to the present embodiment, a switch-on/off signal is supplied from the relay device  6  to each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 . The switch-on/off signal has compatibility with those generated when the existing footswitches are directly operated. 
         [0146]    In the use of the relay device  6 , therefore, the existing ultrasonic surgical device  3  connectable to the dedicated footswitch  94  and the existing electrosurgical device  4  connectable to the dedicated footswitch  95  shown in  FIG. 24  can be used as the devices ultrasonic surgical  3  and electrosurgical  4  in the present system. 
         [0147]    In other words, in the use of the relay device  6 , an ultrasonic surgical device and an electrosurgical device dedicated to the relay device  6  are not required. The existing ultrasonic surgical device  3  and electrosurgical device  4  can be used. 
         [0148]    In the present embodiment, signal transmission and reception between the relay device  6  and each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  are performed using the photocouplers. Accordingly, ground isolation between the devices can be provided, so that the devices can be kept electrically isolated from each other. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0149]    A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 14C . The fundamental structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the second embodiment is the same as that according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the present embodiment includes a relay device  6 B partially different from the relay device  6  of the system  1  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0150]    As will be described below, the relay device  6 B according to the present embodiment further has parameter setting means that is not included in the relay device  6  according to the first embodiment. The parameter setting means readily changes an output control mode and an output timing pattern. 
         [0151]    A user, e.g., an operator, changes settings on the parameter setting means so that an ultrasonic surgical device  3  and an electrosurgical device  4  can be operated in output modes and output timing patterns. 
         [0152]      FIG. 10  shows the external view of the relay device  6 B of the present embodiment. The relay device  6 B according to the present embodiment has a parameter switch  51  in the front face thereof. The parameter switch  51  is used for setting of an output control mode (including parameters, i.e., an ultrasonic power level, ultrasonic-output start time, ultrasonic-output stop time, a high-frequency power mode (coagulation or incision), high-frequency-output start time, and high-frequency-output stop time). 
         [0153]    The parameter switch  51  includes a plurality of switch elements. The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system including the relay device  6 B according to the present embodiment can be operated in a plurality of output mode patterns by combining settings of those switch elements. 
         [0154]      FIG. 11  shows the structure of the relay device  6 B according to the present embodiment. As compared to the relay device  6  in  FIG. 2 , the relay device  6 B further includes the parameter switch  51  and a parameter-switch detection unit  52  for detecting the state of the parameter switch  51 . 
         [0155]    A control unit  23  constitutes the relay device  6 B. In the first embodiment, the control unit  23  includes the CPU  23   a  and the like. In the second embodiment, the control unit  23  may include a programmable IC  23   f  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The programmable IC  23   f  is a device including a plurality of small programmable logic elements integrated. 
         [0156]    In the present embodiment, a functional logic is designed using the programmable IC  23   f  as shown in  FIG. 12 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , the programmable IC  23   f  includes a function of the control unit  23  and that of the parameter-switch detection unit  52  in  FIG. 11 . The programmable IC  23   f  may include only the control unit  23 . 
         [0157]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the parameter switch  51  includes a control mode selection switch  51   a,  an output order selection switch  51   b,  and an ultrasonic/high-frequency mode selection switch  51   c.  The control mode selection switch  51   a  is used for selection between a continuous output mode, an intermittent output mode, and a type-specific control mode suitable for the type of a handpiece  2 . The type-specific control mode will be described later. The output order selection switch  51   b  is used for selection of the order of ultrasonic output and high-frequency output. The ultrasonic/high-frequency mode selection switch  51   c  is used for selection between an ultrasonic mode and a high-frequency mode. 
         [0158]    In addition to the selection of the order of ultrasonic output and high-frequency output, output timings (for example, times Ta and Tb in  FIG. 14A , which will be described below) can be set in the selected order using the output order selection switch  51   b.    
         [0159]    The respective selection switches  51   a  to  51   c  output selection signals. The parameter-switch detection unit  52  includes a control mode selection signal reception section  52   a,  an output order selection signal reception section  52   b,  and an ultrasonic mode/a high-frequency mode selection signal reception section  52   c.  The control mode selection signal reception section  52   a  detects the selection signal output from the control mode selection switch  51   a.  The output order selection signal reception section  52   b  detects the selection signal output from the output order selection switch  51   b.  The ultrasonic mode/the high-frequency mode selection signal reception section  52   c  detects the selection signal output from the ultrasonic/high-frequency mode selection switch  51   c.    
         [0160]    The control mode selection signal reception section  52   a  outputs a control mode signal to an output timing control unit  53 . The output order selection signal reception section  52   b  outputs an output order signal to the timing control unit  53 . The ultrasonic mode/the high-frequency mode selection signal reception section  52   c  outputs an ultrasonic/high-frequency mode signal to the timing control unit  53 . 
         [0161]    In addition, a switch detection unit  22  outputs a switch-on signal to the output timing control unit  53 . 
         [0162]    In accordance with selected parameters on the parameter switch  51 , the output timing control unit  53  outputs an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal to an ultrasonic output control unit  24  and a high-frequency output control unit  25 , respectively. In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic control signal and the high-frequency control signal are used for changing of output timings and output modes, as typically shown in  FIGS. 14A to 14C  which will be described later. 
         [0163]    The control mode selection switch Ma, constituting the parameter switch  51 , also has a function of a pedal-switch change switch  51   d  for generating a pedal-switch change signal, which has been described in the first embodiment. As described in the first embodiment, one of the simultaneous control mode and the individual control mode can be selected. 
         [0164]    In the first embodiment, the output control mode cannot be switched to the other mode using the relay device  6  during the operation of the system. According to the present embodiment, the operator can readily change the output control mode by manipulating the pedal-switch change switch  51   d  in the relay device  6 B during the operation of the system. In addition, output timings or the like can be easily changed through the parameter switch  51 . 
         [0165]    The other components of the system according to the present embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment. The previously described components, therefore, are designated by the same reference numerals. 
         [0166]    As described above, the relay device  6 B according to the present embodiment includes the switch detection unit  22 , the control unit  23 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24 , the high-frequency output control unit  25 , the parameter switch  51 , and the parameter-switch detection unit  52 . 
         [0167]    A footswitch  5  is connected to the switch detection unit  22  via a footswitch cable  16  in a manner similar to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25  are connected to the ultrasonic surgical device  3  (i.e., an ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  included therein) and the electrosurgical device  4  (i.e., a high-frequency switch detection unit  35  included therein) via ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  and electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 , respectively. 
         [0168]    The other structure and arrangement of the system according to the present embodiment are the same as those according to the first embodiment. The operation of the system according to the second embodiment will now be described. 
         [0169]    When the footswitch  5  is pushed, the switch detection unit  22  detects the pushed state of the footswitch  5  and then transmits a switch-on signal to the control unit  23 . The parameter-switch detection unit  52  transmits parameter switch signals to the control unit  23 . The parameter switch signals are related to an output control mode set through the parameter switch  51 . 
         [0170]    When receiving the switch-on signal, the control unit  23  respectively outputs an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25  in accordance with the parameter switch signals, i.e., in output modes at output timings set through the parameter switch  51 . 
         [0171]    The ultrasonic output control unit  24  turns on/off a switch element  24   a  in accordance with the received ultrasonic control signal. 
         [0172]    The ultrasonic output control unit  24  is connected to the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 , therefore, detects the turn-on/off of the switch element  24   a  as in the case of the turn-on/off of a footswitch  94  dedicated to the ultrasonic surgical device. The ultrasonic surgical device  3  outputs an ultrasonic signal to a handpiece  2  via an ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 . 
         [0173]    The high-frequency output control unit  25  turns on/off a switch element  25   a  in accordance with the received high-frequency control signal. The high-frequency output control unit  25  is connected to the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  of the electrosurgical device  4  via the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . The high-frequency switch detection unit  35 , therefore, detects the turn-on/off of the switch element  25   a  as in the case of the turn-on/off of a footswitch  95  dedicated to the electrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device  4  outputs a high-frequency signal to the handpiece  2  via a handpiece cable  15  for high-frequency current supply. 
         [0174]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a series of operation steps according to the present embodiment. Since the flowchart of  FIG. 13  is similar to that shown in  FIG. 9 , steps of  FIG. 9  can also be used in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0175]    In step S 11 , the operator manipulates the parameter switch  51  to set an output control mode. 
         [0176]    In step S 1 , the switch detection unit  22  of the relay device  6 B waits for the operation of pushing the footswitch  5  in the same way as the flowchart of  FIG. 9 . When the footswitch  5  is pushed, the switch detection unit  22  detects the turn-on of the footswitch  5  and transmits a switch-on signal to the control unit  23  in step S 2 . 
         [0177]    According to the present embodiment, the parameter-switch detection unit  52  detects the parameters, representing the output control mode, set through the parameter switch  51 . The parameter-switch detection unit  52  then transmits parameter switch signals to the control unit  23 . 
         [0178]    In step S 13 , the control unit  23  transmits an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25  in accordance with the parameter switch signals, respectively. 
         [0179]    Steps S 4  to S 7  following step S 13  are the same as those in  FIG. 7 . A description of those steps is omitted. 
         [0180]    The present embodiment has the same advantages as those of the first embodiment. In addition, a treatment can be performed in various output modes and output timings by changing parameters set through the parameter switch  51 . 
         [0181]    Parameters set through the parameter switch  51  are changed, so that various output (control) modes and output timing patterns can be set as shown in  FIGS. 14A to 14C  in addition to the modes and patterns in  FIGS. 8A and 8B .  FIGS. 14A to 14C  show examples of the output control modes and the like set by operating, for example, one pedal switch  17   a  of the footswitch  5 . 
         [0182]    In the output control mode of  FIG. 14A , when the footswitch  5  (i.e., the pedal switch  17   a ) is turned on, an ultrasonic control signal and an ultrasonic signal (which are abbreviated to US in the diagram) are output. After a lapse of time Ta after the turn-on of the footswitch  5 , a high-frequency control signal and a high-frequency signal (which are abbreviated to “HF” in the diagram) are output for a period of time Tb. When the footswitch  5  is turned off, the output of the ultrasonic control signal and the ultrasonic signal is stopped. 
         [0183]    The output control mode can be realized by settings selected through the output order selection switch  51   b  shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0184]    In addition, another output control mode in which ultrasonic and high-frequency output patterns are interchanged can be set. Referring to  FIG. 14A , therefore, the output control modes with different output patterns are represented using “US/HF” and “HF/US”. 
         [0185]    In the output control mode of  FIG. 14B , when the footswitch  5  is turned on, an ultrasonic control signal and an ultrasonic signal are output for a period of time (Ta+Tb). After a lapse of time Ta after the turn-on of the footswitch  5 , a high-frequency control signal and a high-frequency signal are output until the footswitch  5  is turned off. 
         [0186]    In this case, another output control mode in which ultrasonic and high-frequency output patterns are interchanged can be set. Referring to  FIG. 14B , therefore, the output control modes with different output patterns are represented using “US/HF” and “HF/US”. 
         [0187]    In the output control mode shown in  FIG. 14C , when the footswitch  5  is turned on, an ultrasonic control signal and an ultrasonic signal are output. The ultrasonic output is continued until the footswitch  5  is turned off. On the other hand, after a lapse of time Ta after the turn-on of the footswitch  5 , a high-frequency control signal and a high-frequency signal are output for a width of time Tb intermittently, i.e., each period (Ta+Tb). 
         [0188]    In the use of intermittent output, an output value of the high-frequency signal can be selected in accordance with the type of the handpiece  2 . In addition, the output waveform can be changed in accordance with a treatment mode (e.g., the incision mode or the coagulation mode). 
         [0189]    In this case, another output control mode in which ultrasonic and high-frequency output patterns are interchanged can be set. Referring to  FIG. 14C , therefore, the output control modes with different output patterns are shown using “US/HF” and “HF/US”. 
         [0190]    According to the present embodiment, the output and output-stop of ultrasonic and high-frequency energies can be controlled in various output modes and at different output timings. 
         [0191]    The present embodiment has the following advantages: 
         [0192]    Outputs of both the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  can be controlled by operating the single footswitch  5  (or single pedal switch) connected to the relay device  6 B. This arrangement enables the operator to readily manipulate switches during a treatment. In addition, since the number of switches is reduced, an operating room becomes clear. 
         [0193]    In the present embodiment, signal transmission and reception between the relay device  6 B and each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  are performed using photocouplers. Accordingly, ground isolation between the devices can be provided, so that the devices can be kept electrically isolated from each other. 
         [0194]    In addition, since the relay device  6 B includes the parameter switch  51 , a plurality of output modes and output timings for ultrasonic vibration and high-frequency current can be realized using various combinations of parameters set through the parameter switch  51 . Thus, the setting and changing operations on the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4  can be minimized Advantageously, the operability can be improved. 
         [0195]    In the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the present embodiment, ultrasonic output is combined with high-frequency output by controlling ultrasonic and high-frequency output timings, so that a treatment can be performed without reducing speed for incising tissue. Accordingly, a treatment on biological tissue can be smoothly performed and the range of surgical operations by the operator can be increased. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0196]    A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 15 to 18D . The fundamental structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the present embodiment is similar to that according to the first embodiment. A relay device  6 C according to the present embodiment differs from the relay device  6  in that the device  6 C further includes communication means for communicating with an ultrasonic surgical device. 
         [0197]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic surgical device  3 C instead of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  in the first embodiment. The ultrasonic surgical device  3 C includes communication means for communicating with the relay device  6 C. 
         [0198]    According to the present embodiment, before the ultrasonic surgical device  3 C drives a handpiece  2  to generate ultrasonic vibration, a resonance frequency (resonance point) of an ultrasonic transducer  9  disposed in the handpiece  2  is searched for and the ultrasonic transducer  9  is then driven at the resonance point. 
         [0199]    The third embodiment will now be described in detail below. 
         [0200]      FIG. 15  shows the internal structure of the relay device  6 C according to the present embodiment. The relay device  6 C further includes a communication unit  54  in the relay device  6  according to the first embodiment. 
         [0201]    Specifically, the relay device  6 C includes a switch detection unit  22 , a control unit  23 , an ultrasonic output control unit  24 , a high-frequency output control unit  25 , and the communication unit  54  for communicating with a communication unit  55  included in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 B. 
         [0202]    In the relay device  6 C, the communication unit  54  transmits an ultrasonic control signal output from the ultrasonic output control unit  24  to the communication unit  55  in the ultrasonic surgical unit  3 C. In addition, the communication unit  54  receives a signal from the communication unit  55  and transfers the received signal to the control unit  23 . The communication unit  54  of the relay device  6 C is connected to the communication unit  55  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 C via an ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  for the ultrasonic surgical device  3 C. 
         [0203]    As described above, the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the present embodiment includes the ultrasonic surgical device  3 C shown in  FIG. 16  instead of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  in the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0204]    The ultrasonic surgical device  3 C is designed such that the communication unit  55  is added to the structure of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0205]    In other words, the ultrasonic surgical device  3 C includes the communication unit  55 , an ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 , an ultrasonic control unit  32 , and an ultrasonic output unit  33 . 
         [0206]    The communication unit  55  receives a signal indicative of the turn-on/off of a switch element  24   a  constituting the ultrasonic output control unit  24  from the relay device  6 C via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 , the signal being output in accordance with the turn-on of a footswitch  5 . The communication unit  55  transmits the received signal to the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 . The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  supplies the signal to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . The ultrasonic control unit  32  controls the ultrasonic output unit  33  to start the operation of searching for a resonance point. 
         [0207]    The ultrasonic output unit  33 , therefore, includes a frequency sweep section  33   a  for sweeping the frequency of an ultrasonic signal. The frequency sweep section  33   a  sweeps an ultrasonic signal frequency using an output signal of the ultrasonic control unit  32  as a trigger signal. The amplitude of an ultrasonic signal for resonance-point search is sufficiently smaller than that for treatment. 
         [0208]    The ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs a signal from an output terminal thereof to the handpiece  2  via a handpiece cable  13  to drive the ultrasonic transducer  9 . 
         [0209]    In this instance, the ultrasonic output unit  33  transmits an ultrasonic signal (ultrasonic feedback signal), which is fed back via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 , to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . The ultrasonic control unit  32  includes a resonance-point detection section  32   a  for detecting or determining whether or not a resonance point. 
         [0210]    In other words, the resonance-point detection section  32   a  in the ultrasonic control unit  32  monitors the impedance of a load or a change in current in the handpiece  2  connected to the output terminal of the ultrasonic output unit  33  via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 . 
         [0211]    In the occurrence of resonance, i.e., at the resonance point, for example, the minimum impedance is obtained. The resonance-point detection section  32   a  detects the minimum impedance, thus detecting the occurrence of resonance. 
         [0212]    In the occurrence of resonance, the ultrasonic control unit  32  determines that the operation for searching for the resonance point is completed and allows the ultrasonic output section  33  to maintain the frequency at the resonance point. The ultrasonic control unit  32  also transmits a signal indicating the completion of the resonance-point search to the communication unit  55 . 
         [0213]    The frequency sweep section  33   a  and the resonance-point detection section  32   a  constitute a resonance-point search unit. 
         [0214]    The communication unit  55  transmits the received completion signal to the control unit  23  in the relay device  6 C through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  and the communication unit  54 . The other structure and arrangement of the system are similar to those of the system according to the first embodiment. 
         [0215]    The operation of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0216]    When the relay device and ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system according to the present embodiment enters an operating mode, the control unit  23  of the relay device  6 C enters a standby mode waiting for the operation of pushing the footswitch  5  in step S 21 . When the footswitch  5  is pushed, in step S 22 , the switch detection unit  22  detects the turn-on of the footswitch  5  and transmits a switch-on signal to the control unit  23 . 
         [0217]    In step S 23 , when receiving the switch-on signal, the control unit  23  outputs an ultrasonic control signal to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  in accordance with a preset output control mode. 
         [0218]    In step S 24 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24  turns on/off the switch element  24   a  in accordance with the ultrasonic control signal. 
         [0219]    The ultrasonic output control unit  24  is connected to the communication unit  54  of the relay device  6 C. The communication unit  54  is connected to the communication unit  55  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 C via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . 
         [0220]    In step S 25 , the communication unit  54  in the relay device  6 C transmits a signal indicative of the turn-on/off of the switch element  24   a  to the communication unit  55 . 
         [0221]    In step S 26 , the communication unit  55  transmits the received on/off signal of the switch element  24   a  to the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 . 
         [0222]    In step S 27 , the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  detects the turn-on of the switch element  24   a  and transmits an ultrasonic switch-on signal to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0223]    In step S 28 , the ultrasonic control unit  32  transmits an ultrasonic output signal for resonance-point search to the ultrasonic output unit  33  in accordance with the ultrasonic switch-on signal. 
         [0224]    In step S 29 , the ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic signal to the handpiece  2  connected thereto via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13  in accordance with the received signal. 
         [0225]    In step S 30 , the ultrasonic output unit  33  feeds back an ultrasonic feedback signal, which is returned from the handpiece  2  via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 , to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0226]    In step S 31 , the ultrasonic control unit  32  is in the standby mode waiting for the completion of resonance-point search while monitoring ultrasonic feedback signals. 
         [0227]    When the resonance-point search is completed, the ultrasonic control unit  32  controls the ultrasonic output unit  33  to keep the frequency at the resonance point in step S 32 . In addition, the ultrasonic control unit  32  transmits a signal indicative of the completion of resonance-point search to the communication unit  55 . 
         [0228]    In this case, the ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic driving signal with a preset amplitude. Alternatively, an ultrasonic signal may be output synchronously with a high-frequency output signal, which will be described below. 
         [0229]    In step S 33 , the communication unit  55  transmits the received resonant-point search completion signal to the communication unit  54  in the relay device  6 C via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . 
         [0230]    In step S 34 , the communication unit  54  transmits the received resonant-point search completion signal to the control unit  23 . 
         [0231]    In step S 35 , the control unit  23  receives the resonant-point search completion signal and then transmits a high-frequency output control signal to the high-frequency output control unit  25  in accordance with the preset output control mode. 
         [0232]    In accordance with the set output control mode, an ultrasonic output value, ultrasonic-output start time, ultrasonic-output stop time, a high-frequency output mode (for coagulation or incision), high-frequency-output start time, and high-frequency-output stop time are changed. 
         [0233]    In step S 36 , the high-frequency output control unit  25  turns on/off a switch element  25   a  in accordance with the received high-frequency output signal. 
         [0234]    The high-frequency output control unit  25  is connected to the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  of the electrosurgical device  4  via a electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . The high-frequency switch detection unit  35 , therefore, detects the turn-on/off of the switch element  25   a  as in the case of the turn-on/off of a footswitch  95  dedicated to the electrosurgical device. The high-frequency output control unit  25  allows the electrosurgical device  4  to output a high-frequency signal to the handpiece  2  via the high-frequency handpiece cable  15 . 
         [0235]    The operation described with reference to  FIG. 17  is shown using timing diagrams of  FIGS. 18A to 18D . 
         [0236]    Referring to  FIG. 18A , when the footswitch  5  is turned on, the switch detection unit  22  detects turn-on timing, so that an ultrasonic switch-on signal is supplied to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0237]    Referring to  FIG. 18B , the ultrasonic control unit  32  transmits an ultrasonic output signal for resonance-point search to the ultrasonic output unit  33 . Referring to  FIG. 18C , the ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic signal for resonance-point search to the handpiece  2 . 
         [0238]    At that time, the ultrasonic control unit  32  monitors the driving state of the handpiece  2  to determine whether the handpiece  2  vibrates at the resonance point, i.e., the resonance point is detected. When the resonance point is detected, the ultrasonic control unit  32  controls the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic output unit  33  to a preset value. 
         [0239]    At that time, the ultrasonic control unit  32  also transmits a signal indicative of the completion of resonance-point search to the control unit  23  in the relay device  6 C. In response to the completion signal, the control unit  23  immediately transmits the completion signal to the electrosurgical device  4  through the high-frequency output control unit  25 , so that the high-frequency output unit  37  outputs a high-frequency signal to the handpiece  2  as shown in  FIG. 18D . 
         [0240]    According to the present embodiment thus operating, as shown in  FIGS. 18A to 18D , even when the operation of searching for the resonance point is performed after the turn-on of the footswitch  5 , the ultrasonic driving signal and the high-frequency signal can be almost simultaneously output to the handpiece  2 . 
         [0241]    The present embodiment, therefore, solves the following problem: A high-frequency signal alone is output while the resonance point is searched for. Unfortunately, an operator uses only high-frequency current in a treatment during the search. According to the present embodiment, unintended preceding single output can be prevented, thus reducing the burden on the operator. 
         [0242]    In the conventional ultrasonic surgical device of the foregoing related ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system, if resonance-point search is performed in order to obtain set ultrasonic output, the associated electrosurgical device outputs high-frequency current preceding to the output of ultrasonic vibration from the ultrasonic surgical device, though the operator intends to simultaneously start outputs of both the devices. 
         [0243]    Disadvantageously, the operator erroneously recognizes that both the devices supply energies while only the electrosurgical device outputs high-frequency current. Unfortunately, this leads to the burden on the operator during a surgery. 
         [0244]    The present embodiment can solve the disadvantage as described above. 
         [0245]    In the above description, it is assumed that the structure of the system according to the present embodiment is similar to that according to the first embodiment. The system may include a parameter switch  51  and a parameter-switch detection unit  52 , which have been described in the second embodiment. 
         [0246]    The present embodiment has the following advantages: 
         [0247]    Outputs of both the ultrasonic surgical device and the electrosurgical device can be controlled by operating the single footswitch connected to the relay device. This arrangement enables the operator to readily perform switch operation during a treatment. In addition, since the number of switches is reduced, an operating room becomes clear. 
         [0248]    The relay device detects the completion of resonance-point search performed by the ultrasonic surgical device. Although it takes some time to start output of the ultrasonic surgical device, the relay device can control the electrosurgical device to start output almost simultaneously with the output of the ultrasonic surgical device. Advantageously, a treatment can be performed more effectively than the conventional case where high-frequency output precedes ultrasonic output. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0249]    A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 19 to 21 .  FIG. 19  shows the structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 D including a relay device  6 D according to the fourth embodiment. 
         [0250]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 D includes a handpiece  2 ′, an ultrasonic surgical device  3 D, an electrosurgical device  4 D, a footswitch  5 , and the relay device  6 D. 
         [0251]    As for the footswitch  5 , a foot switch  94  dedicated to the ultrasonic surgical device, a footswitch  95  dedicated to the electrosurgical device, or a footswitch dedicated to the relay device may be used. The relay device  6 D is connected to a footswitch connector  27  provided for the ultrasonic surgical device  4 D via a ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  for the device  3  and is also connected to a footswitch connector  28  provided for the electrosurgical device  4 D via a electrosurgical device connecting cable  21  for the device  4 D in a manner similar to the first embodiment. 
         [0252]    The handpiece  2 ′ is connected to the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D via an ultrasonic handpiece cable  13  and is also connected to the electrosurgical device  4 D via a handpiece cable  15   a  for high-frequency power supply. 
         [0253]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the handpiece  2 ′ is a monopolar type that is different from the bipolar type of the foregoing handpiece  2 . 
         [0254]    In this case, the handpiece cable  15   a  is connected to a positive output terminal of the electrosurgical device  4 D. One end of a handpiece cable  15   b,  serving as a high-frequency current return path, is connected to a negative output terminal of the electrosurgical device  4 D. The other end of the handpiece cable  15   b  is connected to a grounding pad  44 . The grounding pad  44  is put on, for example, the buttock of a patient so that the contact area is large. 
         [0255]    An ultrasonic transducer  9 ′ according to the present embodiment differs from the foregoing ultrasonic transducer  9  in size. Therefore, an ultrasonic output level and an output waveform of the ultrasonic transducer  9 ′ used for ultrasonic treatment are different from those of the ultrasonic transducer  9 . 
         [0256]    A hand switch may be used instead of the footswitch  5 . 
         [0257]      FIG. 20  shows the internal structure of the present embodiment. The ultrasonic surgical device  3 D includes an ultrasonic communication unit  61 , an ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 , an ultrasonic control unit  32 , an ultrasonic output unit  33 , and an ultrasonic error detection unit  62 . The ultrasonic communication unit  61  communicates with the relay device  6 D connected via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  detects the start of ultrasonic output. The ultrasonic control unit  32  controls the ultrasonic output. The ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic driving signal to the handpiece  2  connected via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 . The ultrasonic error detection unit  62  detects an abnormality (error) of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D. 
         [0258]    The electrosurgical device  4 D includes a high-frequency communication unit  63 , a high-frequency switch detection unit  35 , a high-frequency control unit  36 , a high-frequency output unit  37 , and a high-frequency error detection unit  64 . The high-frequency communication unit  63  communicates the relay device  6 D connected via the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . The high-frequency switch detection unit  35  detects the start of high-frequency output. The high-frequency control unit  36  controls the high-frequency output. The high-frequency output unit  37  outputs a high-frequency signal to the handpiece  2 ′ connected via the high-frequency handpiece cable  15 . The high-frequency error detection unit  64  detects an abnormality of the electrosurgical device  4 D. 
         [0259]    The relay device  6 D includes a switch detection unit  22 , a control unit  23 , a communication unit  71  for ultrasonic, an ultrasonic output control unit  24 , a communication unit  72  for high frequency, a high-frequency output control unit  25 , and an error detection unit  73 . The switch detection unit  22  detects the operation on the footswitch  5 . The control unit  23  controls an output mode and an output timing The communication unit  71  for ultrasonic communicates with the ultrasonic communication unit  61  of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . The ultrasonic output control unit  24  controls the ultrasonic output. The communication unit  72  for high-frequency communicates with the high-frequency communication unit  63  of the electrosurgical device  4 D through the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . The high-frequency output control unit  25  controls the high-frequency output. The error detection unit  73  detects an abnormality of each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D and the electrosurgical device  4 D. 
         [0260]    The ultrasonic communication unit  61  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D, the high-frequency communication unit  63  in the electrosurgical device  4 D, and the communication units  71  for ultrasonic and  72  for high-frequency in the relay device  6 D each output a received signal. In other words, the respective communication units relay signals. 
         [0261]    The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D is substantially connected to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  in the relay device  6 D via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . 
         [0262]    The high-frequency switch detection unit  35  in the electrosurgical device  4 D is substantially connected to the high-frequency output control unit  25  in the relay device  6 D via the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . 
         [0263]    Accordingly, the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D can detect the turn-on/off of a switch element  24   a,  constituting the ultrasonic output control unit  24  in the relay device  6 D, as in the case of that of the footswitch  94  in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Similarly, the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  in the electrosurgical device  4 D can detect the turn-on/off of a switch element  25   a,  constituting the high-frequency output control unit  25  in the electrosurgical device  4 D, as in the case of that of the footswitch  95 . 
         [0264]    The operation of the system according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 21 . 
         [0265]    When the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 D is powered on and the system enters an operating state, the switch detection unit  22  enters a standby mode waiting for the operation of pushing the footswitch  5  in step S 41 . 
         [0266]    When the footswitch  5  is pushed, in step S 42 , the switch detection unit  22  detects the turn-on of the footswitch  5  and transmits a switch-on signal to the control unit  23 . 
         [0267]    In step S 43 , in response to the switch-on signal, the control unit  23  outputs an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25  in a preset output control mode, respectively. The preset output control mode includes parameters, e.g., an ultrasonic output value, ultrasonic-output start time, ultrasonic-output stop time, a high-frequency power mode for coagulation or incision, high-frequency-output start time, and high-frequency-output stop time. 
         [0268]    In step S 44 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24  turns on/off the switch element  24   a  in accordance with the received ultrasonic control signal. 
         [0269]    The high-frequency output control unit  25  turns on/off the switch element  25   a  in accordance with the received signal. 
         [0270]    The communication unit  71  for ultrasonic of the relay device  6 D transmits information indicating the turn-on/off of the switch element  24   a  to the ultrasonic communication unit  61  of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  detects the turn-on/off of the switch element  24   a  through the ultrasonic communication unit  61 . 
         [0271]    In step S 45 , when detecting the on state of the switch element  24   a,  the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  transmits an ultrasonic switch-on signal to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0272]    The communication unit  72  for high-frequency of the relay device  6 D transmits information indicating the turn-on/off of the switch element  25   a  to the high-frequency communication unit  63  of the electrosurgical device  4 D via the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . Then, the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  detects the turn-on/off of the switch element  25   a.    
         [0273]    When detecting the on state of the switch element  25   a,  the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  outputs a high-frequency switch-on signal to the high-frequency control unit  36 . 
         [0274]    In step S 46 , the ultrasonic control unit  32  outputs an ultrasonic output signal to the ultrasonic output unit  33 . 
         [0275]    In addition, the high-frequency control unit  36  outputs a high-frequency output signal to the high-frequency output unit  37 . 
         [0276]    In step S 47 , the ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic signal to the handpiece  2 ′ connected via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13  in accordance with the received ultrasonic output signal. 
         [0277]    In addition, the high-frequency output unit  37  outputs a high-frequency signal to the handpiece  2 ′ connected via the cable  15   a  in accordance with the received high-frequency output signal. 
         [0278]    In this case, in step S 48 , the ultrasonic error detection unit  62  monitors whether the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D has an abnormality. In addition, in step S 49 , the high-frequency error detection unit  64  monitors whether the electrosurgical device  4 D has an abnormality. 
         [0279]    Specifically, in step S 48 , the ultrasonic error detection unit  62  determines whether the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D has an abnormality. If NO, the high-frequency error detection unit  64  determines whether the electrosurgical device  4 D has an abnormality. If NO, the operation is returned to step S 48 . 
         [0280]    On the other hand, if the ultrasonic error detection unit  62  detects the abnormality, the operation proceeds to step S 50 . If the high-frequency error detection unit  64  detects the abnormality, the operation proceeds to step S 51 . 
         [0281]    In step S 50 , the ultrasonic error detection unit  62  generates an ultrasonic error signal and transmits the signal through the ultrasonic communication unit  61  to the communication unit  71  for ultrasonic in the relay device  6 D connected via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . The signal is further transmitted to the error detection unit  73  through the communication unit  71  for ultrasonic. 
         [0282]    In step S 51 , the high-frequency error detection unit  64  generates a high-frequency error signal and transmits the signal through the high-frequency communication unit  63  to the communication unit  72  for high-frequency in the relay device  6 D connected via the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . The signal is further transmitted to the error detection unit  73  through the communication unit  72  for high-frequency. 
         [0283]    In step S 52 , the error detection unit  73  transmits an error detection signal to the control unit  23  in response to the ultrasonic or high-frequency error signal. 
         [0284]    In step S 53 , when receiving the error detection signal, the control unit  23  stops transmitting the ultrasonic control signal and the high-frequency control signal to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25 . 
         [0285]    In step S 54 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24  turns off the switch element  24   a.  The high-frequency output control unit  25  turns off the switch element  25   a.    
         [0286]    In step S 55 , the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D detects the turn-off of the switch element  24   a  in the ultrasonic output control unit  24  through the communication unit  71  for ultrasonic of the relay device  6 D and the ultrasonic communication unit  61 . The ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  stops transmitting the ultrasonic switch-on signal to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0287]    Similarly, the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  in the electrosurgical device  4 D detects the turn-off of the switch element  25   a  in the high-frequency output control unit  25  through the communication unit  72  for high-frequency in the relay device  6 D and the high-frequency communication unit  63 . The high-frequency switch detection unit  35  stops transmitting the high-frequency switch-on signal to the high-frequency control unit  36 . 
         [0288]    In step S 56 , the ultrasonic control unit  32  stops transmitting the ultrasonic output signal to the ultrasonic output unit  33 . 
         [0289]    In addition, the high-frequency control unit  36  stops transmitting the high-frequency output signal to the high-frequency output unit  37 . 
         [0290]    In step S 57 , the ultrasonic output unit  33  and the high-frequency output unit  37  stop transmitting the ultrasonic and high-frequency signals to the handpiece  2 ′. 
         [0291]    In accordance with the present embodiment, if the occurrence of an abnormality in either the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D or the electrosurgical device  4 D is detected, the output of the ultrasonic and high-frequency signals to the handpiece  2 ′ is stopped. This results in an improvement of the treatment reliability of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 D. 
         [0292]    The present embodiment has the following advantages: 
         [0293]    Outputs of both the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D and the electrosurgical device  4 D can be controlled by operating the single footswitch  5  connected to the relay device  6 D. This arrangement enables the operator to readily manipulate switches during a treatment. In addition, since the number of switches is reduced, an operating room becomes clear. 
         [0294]    If an abnormality occurs in either the ultrasonic surgical device  3 D or the electrosurgical device  4 D, outputs of both the devices can be stopped through the relay device  6 D, thus increasing the reliability of the present system. 
       Fifth Embodiment 
       [0295]    A fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 22 and 23 .  FIG. 22  shows the internal structure of an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 E including a relay device  6 E according to the fifth embodiment. 
         [0296]    In accordance with the present embodiment, the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 E is compatible with different types of handpieces  2  and  2 ′. Referring to  FIG. 22 , the handpiece  2  is connected to both of an ultrasonic surgical device  3 E and an electrosurgical device  4 E. Alternatively, the different type of handpiece  2 ′ can be connected to the devices  3 E and  4 E, as described in the fourth embodiment. 
         [0297]    As compared to the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  according to the first embodiment, the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 E further includes other components: The ultrasonic surgical device  3 E includes handpiece-type detecting means. The relay device  6 E includes receiving means (signal relay means) for receiving a signal indicative of the handpiece type detected by the handpiece-type detecting means and transferring the signal to a control unit  23 . 
         [0298]    The relay device  6 E includes a switch detection unit  22 , the control unit  23 , an ultrasonic output control unit  24 , a high-frequency output control unit  25 , and a handpiece-type signal reception  82 . The switch detection unit  22  detects the operation on a footswitch  5  connected to the relay device  6 E. The control unit  23  controls an output mode and an output timing of each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E and the electrosurgical device  4 E. The ultrasonic output control unit  24  controls ultrasonic output. The high-frequency output control unit  25  controls high-frequency output. The handpiece-type signal reception  82  receives a signal indicative of the type of the connected handpiece, the signal being transmitted from the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E. 
         [0299]    The ultrasonic surgical device  3 E includes an ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 , an ultrasonic control unit  32 , an ultrasonic output unit  33 , and a handpiece-type detection unit  81 . The ultrasonic control unit  32  controls ultrasonic output. The ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic signal to the handpiece  2  or  2 ′ (hereinafter, represented by reference numeral  2 ) connected via an ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 . The handpiece-type detection unit  81  detects a connection of handpiece  2  and the type of the handpiece  2 . 
         [0300]    The electrosurgical device  4 E includes a high-frequency switch detection unit  35 , a high-frequency control unit  36 , and a high-frequency output unit  37 . 
         [0301]    According to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 E can detect the operation on the footswitch  5  and allow the relay device  6 E to transmit output control signals to the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E and the electrosurgical device  4 E in a manner similar to the first embodiment. 
         [0302]    When the handpiece  2  is connected to the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E, the handpiece-type detection unit  81  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E detects the type of the connected handpiece  2  and transmits a signal indicative of the type of the handpiece to the handpiece-type signal reception  82  in the relay device  6 E connected via an ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . 
         [0303]    The handpiece  2  includes, for example, an ID unit  46  capable of identifying the type of the handpiece  2 . The ID unit  46  comprises an ROM and the like which stores a resistance and identification information. The handpiece-type detection unit  81  outputs information stored in the ID unit  46  as a handpiece-type signal. 
         [0304]    The handpiece-type signal reception  82  transmits a control mode signal to the control unit  23  in accordance with the received handpiece-type signal. 
         [0305]    In accordance with the received control mode signal, the control unit  23  automatically sets an output mode and an output timing of each of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E and the electrosurgical device  4 E so that the modes and timings are suitable for the type of the connected handpiece  2 . 
         [0306]    According to the present embodiment, the present system can be operated in the output control mode suitable for the type of the connected handpiece  2 . 
         [0307]    The operation of the system according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 23 . 
         [0308]    When the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 E is powered on and starts to operate, in step S 61 , the handpiece-type detection unit  81  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E enters a standby mode waiting for the operation of connecting the handpiece  2  to the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E. 
         [0309]    When the handpiece  2  is connected to the device  3 E, in step S 62 , the handpiece-type detection unit  81  detects the type of the connected handpiece  2  and transmits a handpiece-type signal to the relay device  6 E. 
         [0310]    In step S 63 , the handpiece-type signal reception  82  in the relay device  6 E generates a control mode signal suitable for the type of the connected handpiece  2  on the basis of the received handpiece-type signal and transmits the generated signal to the control unit  23 . 
         [0311]    In step S 64 , the control unit  23  sets an output control mode for the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E and the electrosurgical device  4 E on the basis of the type of the connected handpiece  2  in accordance with the received control mode signal. 
         [0312]    In step S 65 , the switch detection unit  22  enters a standby mode waiting for the operation of pushing the footswitch  5 . 
         [0313]    When the footswitch  5  is pushed, in step S 66 , the switch detection unit  22  detects the turn-on of the footswitch  5  and transmits a switch-on signal to the control unit  23 . 
         [0314]    In step S 67 , in response to the switch-on signal, the control unit  23  transmits an ultrasonic control signal and a high-frequency control signal to the ultrasonic output control unit  24  and the high-frequency output control unit  25  in accordance with the set output control mode, respectively. 
         [0315]    In step S 68 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24  turns on/off a switch element  24   a  in accordance with the received ultrasonic control signal. In addition, the high-frequency output control unit  25  turns on/off a switch element  25   a  in accordance with the received high-frequency control signal. 
         [0316]    In step S 69 , the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E detects the ON state of the switch element  24   a  of the ultrasonic output control unit  24  in the relay device  6 E connected via the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  and transmits an ultrasonic switch-on signal to the ultrasonic control unit  32 . 
         [0317]    The high-frequency switch detection unit  35  in the electrosurgical device  4 E detects the ON state of the switch element  25   a  of the high-frequency output control unit  25  in the relay device  6 E connected via the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21  and transmits a high-frequency switch-on signal to the high-frequency control unit  36 . 
         [0318]    In step S 70 , the ultrasonic control unit  32  transmits an ultrasonic output signal to the ultrasonic output unit  33  in accordance with the ultrasonic switch-on signal. 
         [0319]    In addition, the high-frequency control unit  36  transmits a high-frequency output signal to the high-frequency output unit  37  in accordance with the high-frequency switch-on signal. 
         [0320]    In step S 71 , the ultrasonic output unit  33  outputs an ultrasonic signal to the handpiece  2  connected via the ultrasonic handpiece cable  13 . 
         [0321]    In addition, the high-frequency output unit  37  outputs a high-frequency signal to the handpiece  2  connected via the high-frequency handpiece cable  15 . 
         [0322]    According to the present embodiment, the control mode for ultrasonic output and high-frequency output can be automatically set in accordance with the type of connected handpiece  2  without manipulation by an operator. 
         [0323]    Again referring to  FIG. 22 , the handpiece-type detection unit  81  is built in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E. The handpiece-type detection unit  81  may be included in the electrosurgical device  4 E. In this case, the handpiece-type signal reception  82  in the relay device  6 E may be connected to the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . 
         [0324]    The present embodiment has the following advantages: 
         [0325]    Outputs of both the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E and the electrosurgical device  4 E can be controlled by operating the single footswitch  5  connected to the relay device  6 E. This arrangement enables the operator to readily manipulate switches during a treatment. 
         [0326]    In addition, since the number of switches is reduced, an operating room becomes clear. 
         [0327]    According to the present embodiment, the relay device  6 E can control outputs of both the ultrasonic surgical device  3 E and the electrosurgical device  4 E in accordance with output modes and output timings suitable for the type of handpiece connected. 
         [0328]    The present embodiment can save the operator from setting or changing the output modes and output timings each time the handpiece  2  is changed. 
       Sixth Embodiment 
       [0329]    Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 25 and 26 .  FIG. 25  shows an ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 F according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the relay devices  6 ,  6 B to  6 E are provided independently of the ultrasonic surgical devices  3 ,  3 C,  3 D, and  3 E, and the electrosurgical devices  4 ,  4 C, and  4 D. 
         [0330]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 F shown in  FIG. 25  differs from the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in that the relay device  6  is built in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 , for example. 
         [0331]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 F includes: the handpiece  2 ; an ultrasonic surgical device  3 F in which the relay device  6  controlling output modes and output timings is built; an electrosurgical device  4 ; and the footswitch  5  connected to the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F. Note that, since more detailed structures of the handpiece  2  and the like have been described in the first embodiment, descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, also the detailed structures of other components will be omitted. 
         [0332]    The ultrasonic handpiece cable  13  of the handpiece  2  is connected to an output connector of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F, and the high-frequency handpiece cable  15  is connected to an output connector of the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0333]    In addition, the footswitch  5  is connected to the relay device  6  disposed inside of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F through the footswitch cable  16 . 
         [0334]    In this case, the footswitch cable  16  may include a footswitch cable unit which connects the footswitch  5  and the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F, and a connecting cable unit which is connected to one end of the footswitch cable unit to connect the footswitch cable unit to the relay device  6  disposed inside of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F. 
         [0335]    In addition, the relay device  6  disposed inside of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F is connected to the high-frequency connector  28  of the electrosurgical device  4  through the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 . Also in this case, the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21  may include an electrosurgical device connecting cable unit which connects the high-frequency connector  28  of the electrosurgical device  4  and the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F, and a connecting cable unit which is connected to one end of the electrosurgical device connecting cable unit to connect the electrosurgical device connecting cable to the relay device  6  disposed inside of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F. 
         [0336]      FIG. 26  illustrates more detailed structure of  FIG. 25 . 
         [0337]    The relay device  6  to which the footswitch  5  is connected through the footswitch cable  16  includes the switch detection unit  22 , the control unit  23 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24 , and the high-frequency output control unit  25 . 
         [0338]    The output terminal of the ultrasonic output control unit  24  is connected to the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31  included in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F. The ultrasonic surgical device  3 F includes the ultrasonic control unit  32  and the ultrasonic output unit  33 , in addition to the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 . 
         [0339]    In addition, the electrosurgical device  4 , which is connected to the high-frequency connector  19  of the high-frequency output control unit  25  in the relay device  6  through the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21 , includes the high-frequency switch detection unit  35 , the high-frequency control unit  36 , and the high-frequency output unit  37 . 
         [0340]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system of the present embodiment differs from the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  in  FIG. 2  in that the relay device  6  is provided in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 . 
         [0341]    In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F which has the relay device  6  built in and the electrosurgical device  4  are used, so that the system of the present embodiment can be used in the same manner as that of the first embodiment. 
         [0342]    In this case, the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F has the relay device  6  built in. Therefore, the present embodiment has the merit to cause the system to act in the same manner as the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  according to the first embodiment, without the need for connecting the relay device  6  and the ultrasonic surgical device  3  with the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  as in the first embodiment. 
         [0343]    Accordingly, the present embodiment has the following effect. In the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 F according to the present embodiment, the operator can control the outputs of both of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F and the electrosurgical device  4  by operating only the single footswitch  5  connected to the relay device  6 . 
         [0344]    In other words, the operator can control outputs of both of the devices  3 F and  4  by operating only the single common footswitch  5  instead of the two footswitches  94  and  95  which are provided independently of each other in the system  91  in the prior example shown in  FIG. 24 , which results in improvement of the operability. Therefore, the operator can easily manipulate the switch during a treatment. 
         [0345]    In addition, since the number of footswitches to be operated is reduced, an operating room becomes clear. Specifically, the number of cables arranged around the operator&#39;s feet can also be reduced. 
         [0346]    Furthermore, in the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 F of the present embodiment, switch-on/off signals, which have compatibility with the signals when the existing footswitches are directly operated, are outputted from the relay device  6 . 
         [0347]    Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the existing electrosurgical device  4  to which the footswitch  95  dedicated to the electrosurgical device can be used. 
         [0348]    In addition, according to the present embodiment, signal transmission and reception between the relay device  6  and the electrosurgical device  4  are performed using the photocouplers. Accordingly, ground isolation between the ultrasonic surgical device  3 F and the electrosurgical device  4  can be provided, so that the devices can be sufficiently kept electrically isolated from each other. 
         [0349]    Although the present embodiment has been described by using the example in which the relay device  6  is built in the ultrasonic surgical device  3  in the first embodiment, the present embodiment can be applied also to other embodiments 2 to 5 in the same manner as described above. 
         [0350]    In addition, although the present embodiment has been described by using the example in which the relay device  6  is built in the ultrasonic surgical device  3 , the relay device  6  may be built in the electrosurgical device  4  as in the following seventh embodiment. 
       Seventh Embodiment 
       [0351]    Next, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 27 and 28 .  FIG. 27  illustrates the structure of the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 G according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0352]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 G shown in  FIG. 27  differs from the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  in that the relay device  6  is built in the electrosurgical device  4 , for example. 
         [0353]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 G includes the handpiece  2 , the ultrasonic surgical device  3 , an electrosurgical device  4 G in which the relay device  6  controlling output modes and output timings is built, and the footswitch  5  connected to the electrosurgical device  4 G. 
         [0354]    The ultrasonic handpiece cable  13  of the handpiece  2  is connected to the output connector of the ultrasonic surgical device  3 , and the high-frequency handpiece cable  15  is connected to an output connector of the electrosurgical device  4 G. 
         [0355]    In addition, the footswitch  5  is connected to the relay device  6  disposed inside of the electrosurgical device  4 G through the footswitch cable  16 . 
         [0356]    In this case, the footswitch cable  16  may include a footswitch cable unit which connects the footswitch  5  and the electrosurgical device  4 G, and a connecting cable unit which is connected to one end of the footswitch cable unit to connect the footswitch cable unit to the relay device  6  disposed in the electrosurgical device  4 G. 
         [0357]    In addition, the relay device  6  disposed inside of the electrosurgical device  4 G is connected to the ultrasonic connector  27  of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 . Also in this case, the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20  may include an ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable unit which connects the ultrasonic connector  27  of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 G, and a connecting cable unit which is connected to one end of the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable unit to connect the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable unit to the relay device  6  disposed inside of the electrosurgical device  4 G. 
         [0358]      FIG. 28  illustrates more detailed structure of  FIG. 27 . 
         [0359]    The relay device  6  to which the footswitch  5  is connected through the footswitch cable  16  includes the switch detection unit  22 , the control unit  23 , the ultrasonic output control unit  24 , and the high-frequency output control unit  25 . 
         [0360]    The high-frequency output control unit  25  is connected to the high-frequency switch detection unit  35  included in the electrosurgical device  4 G. The electrosurgical device  4 G includes the high-frequency control unit  36  and the high-frequency output unit  37 , in addition to the high-frequency switch detection unit  35 . 
         [0361]    The ultrasonic surgical device  3 , which is connected to the ultrasonic connector  18  of the ultrasonic output control unit  24  in the relay device  6  through the ultrasonic surgical device connecting cable  20 , includes the ultrasonic switch detection unit  31 , the ultrasonic control unit  32 , and the ultrasonic output unit  33 . 
         [0362]    The ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system of the present embodiment differs from the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  in  FIG. 2  in that the relay device  6  is provided in the electrosurgical device  4 . 
         [0363]    In the present embodiment, the electrosurgical device  4 G which has the relay device  6  built in and the ultrasonic surgical device  3  are used, so that the system of the present embodiment can be used in the same manner as that of the first embodiment. 
         [0364]    In this case, the electrosurgical device  4 G has the relay device  6  built in. Therefore, the present embodiment has the merit to cause the system to act in the same manner as the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1  according to the first embodiment, without the need for connecting the relay device  6  and the electrosurgical device  4  with the electrosurgical device connecting cable  21  as in the first embodiment. 
         [0365]    The present embodiment also has the following effect similar to that in the sixth embodiment. In the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 G according to the present embodiment, the operator can control the outputs of both of the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 G by operating only the single footswitch  5  connected to the relay device  6 . 
         [0366]    That is, the operator can control the outputs of both of the devices  3  and  4 G by operating only the single common footswitch  5  instead of two footswitches  94  and  95  which are provided independently of each other in the system  91  in the prior example shown in  FIG. 24 , which results in improvement of the operability. Therefore, the operator can easily manipulate the switch during a treatment. 
         [0367]    In addition, since the number of footswitches to be operated is reduced, an operating room becomes clear. Specifically, the number of cables arranged around the operator&#39;s feet can also be reduced. 
         [0368]    Furthermore, in the ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system  1 G of the present embodiment, the switch-on/off signals, which have compatibility with the signals when the existing footswitches are directly operated, are outputted from the relay device  6 . 
         [0369]    Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the existing ultrasonic surgical device  3  to which the footswitch  94  dedicated to the ultrasonic surgical device can be used. 
         [0370]    In addition, according to the present embodiment, signal transmission and reception between the relay device  6  and the ultrasonic surgical device  3  are performed using the photocouplers. Accordingly, ground isolation between the ultrasonic surgical device  3  and the electrosurgical device  4 G can be provided, so that the devices can be sufficiently kept electrically isolated from each other. 
         [0371]    In addition, although the present embodiment has been described by using the example in which the relay device  6  is built in the electrosurgical device  4  in the first embodiment, the present embodiment can be applied also to other embodiments 2 to 5 in the same manner as described above. 
         [0372]    Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention referring to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and various changes and modifications thereof could be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.