Patent Description:
Surgical tools used for medical procedures such as endoscopic surgeries have been known. Such a surgical tool includes a treatment portion disposed, for example, on a leading end of the surgical tool, and an operation unit for an operator to manipulate. The manipulation on the operation unit is transmitted to the treatment portion through a wire, which causes the treatment portion to move in response to the manipulation by the operator (see, Patent Document <NUM>).

In this type of the surgical tool, a slider included in the operation unit moves linearly; and this linear movement of the slider is transmitted to the treatment portion though the wire or the like. Accordingly, the treatment portion moves for a movement amount corresponding to the manipulation on the slider.

However, for example, when performing a delicate movement with the treatment portion, in other words, when a rather minute amount of operation is requested at the treatment portion, it is necessary to manipulate the slider for that amount of operation. This requires a delicate manipulation of the slider which have been difficult.

Patent Document <NUM> describes a traction device which can be used for medical instruments. The traction device comprises a deceleration pulley disposed in linear direction to a substrate which comprises a wrist sleeve. Further, the traction device comprises first and second reversing pulleys and primary and secondary cables.

Patent Document <NUM> describes an operating part of biopsy forceps which is equipped with a shaft-like member, and a slider which is connected to the shaft-like member in a freely slidable manner. An end part of a wire is introduced into the shaft-like member and a connector is attached to the wire. A recessed groove has a first rack formed at the bottom, and a protrusion which is to be engaged with the recessed groove is formed in the inner peripheral face of the slider and a second rack is formed on the tip part of the protrusion. A pinion is supported on the tip part of the connector in a freely rotating manner and is constantly engaged with the first rack and the second rack.

Patent Document <NUM> describes an endoscopic treatment instrument comprising an operation lever which can slide to the tip side of an inserting section, a pinion gear rotating with it, and a mobile rack moving to the tip side of the inserting part. With the movement of the mobile rack, a calculus recovery wire as treating part is inserted out of the tip of the inserting part. As the moving value of the mobile rack doubles the moving value of a pinion gear along a fixed rack, the moving value of the operation lever can be transmitted to a wire, being amplified.

An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a technique to improve usability of a surgical tool that includes an operation unit having linearly-moving sliders.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a surgical tool including a slider, converters, and transmission wires. The slider is disposed movably in a linear direction relative to a main body. The main body includes at least a treatment portion for performing a medical procedure. The converters move for a converted movement amount which is obtained by converting the movement amount of the sliders with a specified magnification factor. The transmission wires transmit the converted movement amount to the treatment portion.

With such a configuration, the movement amount of the linearly-moving slider is converted by the converters with the specified magnification factor. Thus, the converted movement amount converted by the converters with the specified magnification factor is what is transmitted to the treatment portion. Accordingly, for example, by decreasing the specified magnification factor, the converted movement amount is reduced relative to the movement amount of the slider. As a result, the treatment portion moves in accordance with the converted movement amount, therefore, it becomes easier to perform a delicate work. In other words, it is possible to improve the usability of the surgical tool that includes an operation unit having a linearly-moving slider.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, each of the converters includes conversion wires, and movable pulleys. The conversion wires each have a first end attached to the sliders and a second end attached to the main body. The conversion wires are disposed along circumferential surfaces of the movable pulleys.

With such a configuration, the movement amount of the slider can be converted with the specified magnification factor by the movable pulleys and the conversion wires. Since it is possible to perform the conversion with the specified magnification factor by disposing the movable pulleys, it is not necessary to dispose an additional structure such as a lever. Therefore, it becomes easier to inhibit upsizing of the structure of the surgical tool due to the disposal of the structure such as the lever.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the converters are disposed on one side and on an opposite side of moving directions of the slider.

With such a configuration, it is possible to transmit the converted movement amount, obtained by converting the movement amount of the slider with the specified magnification factor, to the treatment portion by using the converters disposed on one side and the opposite side of the moving directions of the slider.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the surgical tool comprises a plurality of sliders, and a plurality of converters which are each assigned to one of the plurality of sliders.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the surgical tool comprises a plurality of the movable pulleys, two of them assigned to one of the plurality of sliders, and when viewed from above, a linear direction connecting the centers of the two of movable pulleys and a moving direction of the plurality of sliders are parallel.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the surgical tool comprises a plurality of the movable pulleys, two of them assigned to one of the plurality of sliders, wherein centers of the two movable pulleys assigned to one slider are in straight line, and a longitudinal central axis of the assigned slider is on the same straight line.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the transmission wire has a first end attached to a rotating shaft of a movable pulley on a side closer to the treatment section, and a second end different from the first end which is attached to a rotating shaft of a movable pulley on the opposite side of the treatment section, thereby forming a loop for operating the treatment section.

surgical tool; <NUM>. treatment portion; <NUM>. movable portion 11A,11B. holding portion; <NUM>. joint; 13A,13B. rotational shaft; <NUM>. main body; <NUM>. slider; <NUM>. aperture; <NUM>. movable pulley; <NUM>. fixed pulley; <NUM>. transmission wire; <NUM>. conversion wire; <NUM>. fixed portion; O. center axis.

A surgical tool <NUM> in the present embodiment is a medical instrument used in medical practices such as surgeries.

Structures of the surgical tool <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the surgical tool <NUM> includes a treatment portion <NUM>, and a main body <NUM>.

The treatment portion <NUM> is a part of the surgical tool <NUM> used for performing a treatment in a medical practice. For example, the treatment portion <NUM> is formed to have an elongated shape, and a first end of the elongated shape is coupled to the main body <NUM>.

The treatment portion <NUM> includes a movable portion <NUM> at least on a part of the treatment portion <NUM>.

The movable portion <NUM> is disposed on a leading end of the treatment portion <NUM>, namely a second end, that is situated opposite the first end where the treatment portion <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM>. The location where the movable portion <NUM> is situated is not limited to the end of the treatment portion <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM> and the opposite end; the movable portion <NUM> may be situated on the treatment portion <NUM> at a location other than the said ends.

As shown in <FIG>, the movable portion <NUM> has its head portion branched into two branches and is configured to be able to open and close the branches. The movable portion <NUM> is configured to be able to adjust the orientation of each branch so that the branches point in two different directions each perpendicular to the other branch. In other words, the movable portion <NUM> is displaceable (movable) relative to the treatment portion <NUM>. The movable portion <NUM> may be used as a forceps, for example. In other words, the movable portion <NUM> may be used as a grasping unit of the treatment portion <NUM> capable of grasping a portion to be treated, a surgical needle, and the like. Each of the two branches, a holding portion 11A and a holding portion 11B, of the movable portion <NUM> is rotatable or pivotable about a center axis O between a closed position, in which the holding portion 11A and the holding portion 11B are situated close to each other, and an open position, in which they are situated apart from each other. Accordingly, the movable portion <NUM> is able to hold the portion to be treated and the like.

The open and close movement of the branches of the movable portion <NUM> may be caused by transmission of a drive force to the branched structure. A joint <NUM> that rotates in a direction to adjust the orientation of the head portion may be disposed; and the movement to adjust the orientation of the head portion may be caused by a structure in which the rotation of the joint <NUM> may adjust the orientation of the head portion of the movable portion <NUM>. The joint <NUM> disposed in the movable portion <NUM> may include a first rotational shaft 13A in right-left directions (x-axis directions as mentioned later) and a second rotational shaft 13B in up-down directions (z-axis directions as mentioned later). In other words, the joint <NUM> is rotationally displaceable about the rotational shafts 13A and 13B as center axes. The first rotational shaft 13A is a shaft perpendicular to longitudinal directions of the treatment portion <NUM>. The second rotational shaft 13B is a shaft perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the treatment portion <NUM> and to the first rotational shaft 13A.

the movable portion <NUM> is formed to have a structure that responds to an operation of the treatment portion <NUM>. The movable portion <NUM> is not limited to having both a structure that enables holding an object and releasing the object and a structure to rotate the head portion to adjust the orientation of the head portion. The movable portion <NUM> may include either one of a structure that enables holding an object and releasing the object or a structure to rotate the head portion to adjust the orientation of the head portion. The movable portion <NUM> may also be configured to be able to perform a different movement.

Elements and parts necessary to cause the treatment portion <NUM> to operate are arranged in the main body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, sliders <NUM>, apertures <NUM>, movable pulleys <NUM>, transmission wires <NUM>, conversion wires <NUM>, and fixed portions <NUM> are arranged in the main body <NUM>.

Up-down directions of the main body <NUM> are also referred to as the z-axis directions. The upward direction is also referred to as a z-axis positive direction; the downward direction is also referred to as a z-axis negative direction. In addition, long-side directions of a rectangle of an opening of the main body <NUM>, in other words, the longitudinal directions of the treatment portion <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM>, are referred to as y-axis directions. When viewing from the main body <NUM>, a direction where the treatment portion <NUM> is positioned is also referred to as a y-axis positive direction; the opposite direction is also referred to as a y-axis negative direction. In addition, an axis perpendicular to a y-z plane is referred to as an x-axis. When facing the y-axis positive direction and having the z-axis positive direction as an upper direction, the left side is also referred to as an x-axis positive direction, and the right side is also referred to as an x-axis negative direction. The x-axis directions are also referred to as right-left directions, and z-axis directions are also referred to as up-down directions. In addition, a surface of the main body <NUM> that can be seen when viewing the main body <NUM> from the z-axis positive side to the z-axis negative side is also referred to as a front surface. A surface of the main body <NUM> that can be seen when viewing the main body <NUM> from the z-axis negative side to the z-axis positive side is also referred to as a rear surface.

As shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> includes apertures <NUM> on the rear surface. The apertures <NUM> are rectangular through holes. The number of such rectangular apertures matches with the number of the sliders <NUM>. As shown in the drawings from <FIG>, the number of the sliders <NUM> included in the main body <NUM> is three in the present embodiment. The number of the apertures <NUM> is also three. The number of the sliders <NUM> and the number of apertures should not be limited to three; they may be more than three or less than three. Each aperture <NUM> is arranged such that its long side direction of the rectangular aligns with the longitudinal direction of the elongated treatment portion <NUM>.

The sliders <NUM> are each arranged inside the apertures <NUM> formed in the main body <NUM> such that each slider <NUM> is movable along the longitudinal direction of the aperture <NUM>. By making a reciprocating movement, each slider <NUM> generates a drive force for displacing the movable portion <NUM>.

Each slider <NUM> is formed into a rectangular solid and arranged such that the long side of the rectangular solid aligns with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular (aperture). At least a part of surfaces of each slider <NUM> exposes from an upper surface and a lower surface of the main body <NUM>.

An end portion of the conversion wire <NUM> is fixed to an end of each slider <NUM> in the y-axis directions.

The other end portion of the conversion wire <NUM>, opposite the end portion fixed to the slider <NUM>, includes a fixed portion <NUM> that is to be fixed to the main body <NUM>. The fixed portion <NUM> is fixed to the main body <NUM>. The location to dispose the fixed portion <NUM> is not particularly limited; however, the fixed portion <NUM> may be disposed, for example, in an area of the main body <NUM> adjacent the aperture <NUM> and close to the center in the x-axis directions.

One movable pulley <NUM> is disposed for one conversion wire <NUM>. The movable pulley <NUM> is arranged such that one conversion wire <NUM> is disposed along a circumferential surface of the movable pulley <NUM>. One slider <NUM> is disposed between two movable pulleys <NUM>. The movable pulley <NUM> is disposed such that its rotational shaft extends in the up-down directions, in other words, in the z-axis directions.

An element that holds the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM> is coupled to the transmission wire <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> is configured to transmit the drive force to move the treatment portion <NUM> and the movable portion <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> is not limited to being coupled to the element that holds the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> may also be coupled directly to the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM>. In other words, the transmission of the drive force may be achieved directly or indirectly as long as it is configured such that the drive force can be transmitted between the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM> and the treatment portion <NUM> and the movable portion <NUM>.

A first end of the transmission wire <NUM> is attached to the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM> situated close to the treatment portion <NUM>. A second end of the transmission wire <NUM>, which is different from the first end of the transmission wire <NUM>, is attached to the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM> situated away from the treatment portion <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> extends towards the treatment portion <NUM> and the movable portion <NUM> from the movable pulley <NUM> situated close to the treatment portion <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> returns at the treatment portion <NUM> and the movable portion <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> returned at the treatment portion <NUM> and the movable portion <NUM> then returns along a fixed pulley <NUM> that is fixed to the main body <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> returned along the fixed pulley <NUM> is then attached to the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM> situated opposite the treatment portion <NUM> relative to the slider <NUM>. Displacement of the slider <NUM> is transmitted to the transmission wire <NUM> through the movable pulleys <NUM> and the fixed pulley <NUM>.

The transmission wires <NUM> are directly or indirectly coupled to the holding portion 11A and the holding portion 11B, which are branched, and to the joint <NUM>. The transmission wires <NUM> are not limited to being directly or indirectly coupled to the holding portion 11A and the holding portion 11B, which are branched, and to the joint <NUM> as long as the drive force for making a movement is transmitted to the movable portion <NUM>.

The transmission wire <NUM> coupled to one of the sliders <NUM> may be coupled to a holding structure; and the transmission wire <NUM> coupled to one of the sliders <NUM> may be arranged on a circumferential surface of a rotating portion of the joint <NUM>, which is included in the movable portion <NUM> and has a structure to adjust the orientation of the movable portion <NUM>.

The movable pulley <NUM> and the conversion wire <NUM> of the present embodiment correspond to one example of a configuration as a converter.

Movement of the sliders <NUM>, the movable pulleys <NUM>, and the transmission wires <NUM> in addition to the movement of the movable portion <NUM> will be explained.

In response to a manipulation by an operator, each slider <NUM> linearly moves inside the aperture <NUM> in the longitudinal directions of its rectangular shape.

The conversion wire <NUM>, attached to the end of the slider <NUM>, simultaneously moves with the linear movement of the slider <NUM>. This causes the movable pulley <NUM>, on the circumferential surface of which the conversion wire <NUM> is arranged, to move. Then, by the movement (displacement) of the first end of the transmission wire <NUM> coupled to the rotational shaft of the movable pulley <NUM>, the drive force is transmitted to the second end of the transmission wire <NUM> coupled to the movable portion <NUM>. The transmission wire <NUM> moves in accordance with a movement amount of the linear movement of the slider <NUM>. The movement amount of the transmission wire <NUM> is also referred to as a converted movement amount.

The converted movement amount changes in accordance with the number of movable pulleys <NUM> that move in conformity with the movement of the sliders <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, in a case where the number of movable pulleys <NUM> that moves in accordance with the movement amount of the sliders <NUM>, in other words, an amount of manipulation on the sliders <NUM> by the operator, is two, the movement amount will be one half compared with a case where fixed pulleys are used in place of the movable pulleys <NUM>. A force twice as much as the force to manipulate the slider <NUM> is applied to the transmission wire <NUM> as the drive force.

Due to the linear movement of the sliders <NUM>, the drive force applied to the transmission wire <NUM> and the converted movement amount are transmitted to the movable portion <NUM>. The movable portion <NUM> moves in accordance with the transmitted converted movement amount of the transmission wire <NUM> and the transmitted drive force.

In the present embodiment, the movement of the movable portion <NUM> in accordance with the transmitted converted movement amount of the transmission wire <NUM> and the transmitted drive force is, for example, a holding movement and a release movement by the holding portion 11A and the holding portion 11B, and a rotational movement of the joint <NUM>. In other words, the holding movement and the release movement may be made by the holding portion 11A and the holding portion 11B approaching or separating from each other about the center axis O in response to the movement of the transmission wire <NUM> that directly or indirectly transmits the drive force and the converted movement amount to the holding portion 11A and the holding portion 11B. The movable portion <NUM> may be configured to accordingly open the holding structure at its head portion for the converted movement amount.

In addition, the joint <NUM> may make a rotational displacement movement about the rotational shaft 13A and the rotational shaft 13B in response to the movement of the transmission wire <NUM> that directly or indirectly transmits the drive force and the converted movement amount to the joint <NUM>. The orientation of the head portion of the movable portion <NUM> may be configured to be adjusted accordingly for the converted movement amount.

By increasing the number of the movable pulleys <NUM> and the conversion wire <NUM> that receives the transmission of the movement amount of the slider <NUM>, the converted movement amount of the transmission wire <NUM> relative to the movement amount of the slider <NUM> is reduced, and accordingly, the converted movement amount transmitted to the movable portion <NUM> is reduced.

Consequently, it becomes easy to perform a detailed work since the movable portion <NUM> of the treatment portion <NUM> moves in accordance with the converted movement amount. In other words, usability of the surgical tool <NUM> that includes an operation unit having the linearly-moving sliders <NUM> can be improved.

(<NUM>) Furthermore, by changing the number of the movable pulleys <NUM> and the conversion wires <NUM>, the converted movement amount of the transmission wire <NUM> relative to the movement amount of the linear movement of the slider <NUM> can be changed. In other words, the converted movement amount of the transmission wire <NUM> relative to the movement amount of the sliders <NUM> can be changed depending on the number of the fixed pulleys changed to the movable pulleys <NUM>. Accordingly, it is not necessary to dispose a structure such as a lever to change the movement amount of the transmission wire <NUM>. Therefore, upsizing of the main body <NUM> can be inhibited compared with a case where an element such as a lever is disposed.

In response to a movement of each of the transmission wires <NUM> coupled to different parts of the movable portion <NUM>, the movable portion <NUM> may move differently in accordance with the moved transmission wire <NUM>.

Specifically, for example, two holding portions respectively holding the yz-plane and xy-plane may be disposed, and the transmission wire <NUM> for transmitting the drive force may be coupled to each of the holding portions such that the orientation (direction) to make the holding movement and the orientation (direction) to make the releasing movement are different.

In addition, the movement of the movable portion <NUM> is not limited to the holding movement. The movable portion <NUM> may be formed to make a rotational movement to be able to adjust the orientation of the head portion of the movable portion <NUM>.

It may be configured such that the holding movement is achieved by manipulating one of the sliders <NUM> corresponding to one of the transmission wires <NUM> and such that the rotational movement of the head portion is achieved by manipulating another one of the sliders <NUM> corresponding to another one of the transmission wires <NUM>.

(<NUM>) In the aforementioned embodiment, the movable pulleys <NUM> moves in accordance with the movement of the corresponding sliders <NUM>. However, the movable pulleys <NUM> are not limited to those that move in accordance with the movement of the sliders <NUM> and may be configured to be changeable between a fixed state and a movable state.

Claim 1:
A surgical tool (<NUM>) comprising:
a slider (<NUM>) disposed movably in a linear direction relative to a main body (<NUM>), the main body (<NUM>) including at least a treatment portion (<NUM>) configured to perform a medical procedure;
converters configured to move for a converted movement amount which is obtained by converting a movement amount of the slider (<NUM>) with a specified magnification factor; and
wherein each of the converters comprises:
conversion wires (<NUM>) each having a first end attached to the slider (<NUM>) and a second end attached to the main body (<NUM>); and
movable pulleys (<NUM>), wherein the conversion wires (<NUM>) are disposed along circumferential surfaces of the movable pulleys (<NUM>), and
wherein the converters are disposed on one side and on an opposite side of moving directions of the slider (<NUM>), and
transmission wires (<NUM>) coupled to the movable pulleys by an element that holds the rotational shaft of the movable pulleys (<NUM>) and configured to transmit the converted movement amount to the treatment portion (<NUM>).