Treatment system

This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2014/079252 filed on Nov. 4, 2014 and claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2013-233252 filed in Japan on Nov. 11, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a treatment system, and in particular to a treatment system for performing treatment by applying high-frequency current to a living tissue.

2. Description of the Related Art

An instrument and an apparatus or the like for performing treatment by applying high-frequency current to a living tissue are conventionally known in a medical field.

Specifically, for example, in Japanese Utility-Model Publication No. 2-36490, there is disclosed an electric scalpel apparatus having a configuration capable of performing treatment by applying high-frequency current simultaneously to two regions of a patient to whom one neutral electrode is attached from two scalpel-end electrodes.

A treatment system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a first power supply apparatus configured to be connectable with a first electric surgical device and a first neutral electrode; and a second power supply apparatus configured to be connectable with a second electric surgical device and a second neutral electrode, in which the first power supply apparatus and the second power supply apparatus are electrically connected with each other through a connector section and a living tissue is treated while transmission and reception of information is performed between the first power supply apparatus and the second power supply apparatus through a communication section, wherein the first power supply apparatus comprises: a first high-frequency power supply section that supplies high-frequency current to the first electric surgical device based on a first operation instruction signal; a first detecting section that detects whether the first neutral electrode is connected or not; and a first control section that controls the first power supply apparatus, wherein the second power supply apparatus comprises: a second high-frequency power supply section that supplies high-frequency current to the second electric surgical device based on a second operation instruction signal; a second detecting section that detects whether the second neutral electrode is connected or not; and a second control section that controls the second power supply apparatus, wherein, in a case where the first control section and the second control section determine that the first detecting section detects the first neutral electrode and that the second detecting section does not detect the second neutral electrode, through the communication section, the first control section and the second control section perform control to disable supply of the high-frequency current from the second high-frequency power supply section to the second electric surgical device when the first operation instruction signal is inputted to the first high-frequency power supply section, and perform control to disable supply of the high-frequency current from the first high-frequency power supply section to the first electric surgical device when the second operation instruction signal is inputted to the second high-frequency power supply section, and wherein, in a case where the first control section and the second control section determine that the second detecting section detects the second neutral electrode and that the first detecting section does not detect the first neutral electrode, through the communication section, the first control section and the second control section perform control to disable supply of the high-frequency current from the second high-frequency power supply section to the second electric surgical device when the first operation instruction signal is inputted to the first high-frequency power supply section, and perform control to disable supply of the high-frequency current from the first high-frequency power supply section to the first electric surgical device when the second operation instruction signal is inputted to the second high-frequency power supply section.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a principal part of a treatment system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of internal configurations of power supply apparatuses included in the treatment system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a circuit that is formed when a treatment of a living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the example of FIG. 3 , of a circuit that is formed when a treatment of the living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 , of a circuit that is formed when a treatment of the living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the examples of FIGS. 3-5 , of a circuit that is formed when a treatment of the living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the examples of FIGS. 3-6 , of circuits that are formed when treatments of the living tissues are performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 relate embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a principal part of a treatment system according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a treatment system 101 is configured to include a power supply apparatus (first power supply apparatus) 1 A and a power supply apparatus (second power supply apparatus) 1 B, a treatment instrument (first electric surgical device) 2 A and a treatment instrument (second electric surgical device) 2 B, and a neutral electrode (first neutral electrode) 3 A and a neutral electrode (second neutral electrode) 3 B.

The power supply apparatuses 1 A and 1 B are configured to be electrically connectable with each other through a connection member (connector section) 5 constituted by a connector, a cable or the like. Further, the power supply apparatuses 1 A and 1 B are configured to be capable of mutually transmitting and receiving information through a communication cable CC as a part of a communication section.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the power supply apparatus 1 A is configured to be electrically connectable with the treatment instrument 2 A through a cable CA 1 which is connected to a connection terminal 11 A, and to be electrically connectable with the neutral electrode 3 A through a cable CA 2 which is connected to a connection terminal 12 A. Further, the power supply apparatus 1 A is configured to be capable of turning on and off supply of high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A according to an operation of a foot switch 4 A. It is noted that a first operation instruction signal is issued when the foot switch 4 A is pressed down.

The treatment instrument 2 A is configured as a surgical operation device of a mono-polar type such as a high-frequency electric scalpel. Further, the treatment instrument 2 A is configured to include a grasping portion 6 A to be grasped by a user, and a treatment portion 7 A provided on a distal end side of the grasping portion 6 A. Furthermore, as showing in FIG. 1 , the treatment instrument 2 A is configured to be electrically connectable to the power supply apparatus 1 A through the cable CA 1 extending from a proximal end side of the grasping portion 6 A.

The treatment portion 7 A has a function of an active electrode, and is configured to be capable of applying the high-frequency current supplied through the cable CA 1 to an intended living tissue of a subject as an object of treatment.

The neutral electrode 3 A is formed by a metal conductor such as stainless steel, and formed to have a shape capable of being attached to the subject as the object of treatment so as to be in contact with the subject in a large area. Further, the neutral electrode 3 A has a function of a return electrode, and is configured to be capable of collecting the high-frequency current applied to the intended living tissue of the subject as the object of treatment.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the power supply apparatus 1 A is configured to include the connection terminals 11 A and 12 A, an input operation section 13 A, a display section 14 A, a high-frequency power supply section (first high-frequency power supply section) 21 A, a switch section (third switch section) 22 A, a connection detecting section (first detection section) 23 A, a switch section (first switch section) 24 A, a communication I/F (interface) 25 A as a part of a communication section, and a control section (first control section) 26 A. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of internal configurations of the power supply apparatuses included in the treatment system according to the embodiment.

The input operation section 13 A is configured to include an input interface, such as a switch and/or a button, which is capable of being operated by a user such as a surgeon.

The display section 14 A is provided with, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display), and is configured to be capable of displaying a character string or the like according to control of the control section 26 A.

The high-frequency power supply section 21 A is configured to include a power supply circuit 211 A configured to generate high-frequency power having a frequency in accordance with control of the control section 26 A, and a transformer 212 A configured to transform the high-frequency power generated by the power supply circuit 211 A which is electrically connected to a primary coil (not shown), and to supply high-frequency current in accordance with the transformed high-frequency power to a circuit formed by elements electrically connected to a secondary coil (not shown).

The switch section 22 A is provided in a first path that connects between the connection terminal 11 A and the high-frequency power supply section 21 A. The switch section 22 A is configured to include a switch for switching the connection terminal 11 A and one end of the secondary coil of the transformer 212 A into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state on the basis of control of the control section 26 A.

The connection detecting section 23 A is connected at a rear stage of the connection terminal 12 A and is configured to be capable of detecting connection or disconnection of the neutral electrode 3 A (with the cable CA 2 ) at the connection terminal 12 A based on, for example, a detection result of detection of a resistance value (or change in the resistance value) at the connection terminal 12 A. Further, the connection detecting section 23 A is configured to be capable of generating a connection discrimination signal which is discriminable of the connection or disconnection of the neutral electrode 3 A (with the cable CA 2 ) at the connection terminal 12 A, and to output the signal to the control section 26 A. Further, the connection detecting section 23 A is configured to be capable of outputting the high-frequency current which is inputted through the connection terminal 12 A to the switch section 24 A as it is.

The switch section 24 A is configured to include a contact A 1 which is connected to the other end of the secondary coil of the transformer 212 A, a contact A 2 which is connected to a contact B 2 (described later) of a switch section 24 B through a lead wire CW built in the connection member 5 , and contacts A 3 and A 4 which are connected to the connection detecting section 23 A. Further, the switch section 24 A is configured to include a switch for switching the contact A 1 and the contact A 2 into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state, a switch for switching the contact A 1 and the contact A 3 into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and a switch for switching the contact A 2 and the contact A 4 into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state.

The communication I/F 25 A is provided with, for example, a connector (not shown) or the like to which the communication cable CC is detachably connectable, and is configured to be capable of outputting information outputted from the control section 26 A to a communication I/F 25 B (described later) of the power supply apparatus 1 B through the communication cable CC. Further, the communication I/F 25 A is configured to be capable of outputting information inputted through the communication cable CC to the control section 26 A.

The control section 26 A is configured to include a memory 261 A in which at least information concerning at least one of magnitude of the high-frequency current (e.g. maximum rated current), magnitude of high-frequency voltage (e.g. maximum rated voltage), magnitude of power (e.g. maximum rated power) indicative of energy capable of being supplied from the high-frequency power supply section 21 A is stored as inherent information concerning the power supply apparatus 1 A. Further, the control section 26 A is configured to be capable of outputting information read from the memory 261 A to the communication I/F 25 A.

The control section 26 A is configured to be capable of generating information capable of discriminating whether or not the neutral electrode 3 A is presently connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A, based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 A, and outputting the generated information to the communication I/F 25 A.

The control section 26 A is configured to be capable of performing control in accordance with an operation of the input operation section 13 A. Specifically, the control section 26 A is configured to be capable of performing control of the high-frequency power supply section 21 A to generate, when, for example, a frequency setting switch (not shown) provided at the input operation section 13 A is operated, high-frequency power having a frequency set by the frequency setting switch.

Further, the control section 26 A is configured to be capable of performing control for causing the display section 14 A to display a predetermined character string based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 A and the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 A.

The control section 26 A is configured to turn on the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A by making the switch section 22 A be in the conducting state in accordance with an operation of the foot switch 4 A. Further, the control section 26 A is configured to turn off the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A by making the switch section 22 A be in the non-conducting state in accordance with an operation of the foot switch 4 A. Furthermore, the control section 26 A is configured to capable of generating information capable of discriminating whether or not the high-frequency current is presently supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A based on the operation state of the foot switch 4 A, and outputting the generated information to the communication I/F 25 A.

The control section 26 A is configured to perform control concerning switching of the respective switches of the switch section 24 A as the first switch section based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 A and the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 A. Further, the control section 26 A is configured to perform control concerning switching of the switch section 22 A as the third switch section based on the operation instruction signal (first operation instruction signal) of the foot switch 4 A.

On the other hand, the power supply apparatus 1 B is configured to be electrically connectable with the treatment instrument 2 B through a cable CB 1 connected to a connection terminal 11 B, and to be electrically connectable with the neutral electrode 3 B through a cable CB 2 connected to a connection terminal 12 B. Further, the power supply apparatus 1 B is configured to be capable of turning on and off supply of high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B in accordance with an operation of the foot switch 4 B. It is noted that a second operation instruction signal is issued when the foot switch 4 B is pressed down.

The treatment instrument 2 B is configured as a surgical operation device of a mono-polar type such as a high-frequency electric scalpel. Further, the treatment instrument 2 B is configured to include a grasping portion 6 B to be grasped by a user, and a treatment portion 7 B provided on a distal end side of the grasping portion 6 B. Furthermore, as showing in FIG. 1 , the treatment instrument 2 B is configured to be electrically connectable to the power supply apparatus 1 B through the cable CB 1 extending from a proximal end side of the grasping portion 6 B.

The treatment portion 7 B has a function of an active electrode, and is configured to be capable of applying high-frequency current supplied through the cable CB 1 to an intended living tissue of the subject as the object of treatment.

The neutral electrode 3 B is formed by a metal conductor such as stainless steel, and formed to have a shape capable of being attached to the subject as the object of treatment so as to be in contact with the subject in a large area. Further, the neutral electrode 3 B has a function of a return electrode, and is configured to be capable of collecting the high-frequency current applied to the intended living tissue of the subject as the object of treatment.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the power supply apparatus 1 B is configured to include the connection terminals 11 B and 12 B, an input operation section 13 B, a display section 14 B, a high-frequency power supply section (second high-frequency power supply section) 21 B, a switch section (fourth switch section) 22 B, a connection detecting section (second detecting section) 23 B, the switch section (second switch section) 24 B, the communication I/F (interface) 25 B as a part of the communication section, and a control section (second control section) 26 B.

The input operation section 13 B is configured to include an input interface, such as a switch and/or a button, which is capable of being operated by a user such as a surgeon.

The display section 14 B is provided with, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display), and is configured to be capable of displaying a character string or the like according to control of the control section 26 B.

The high-frequency power supply section 21 B is configured to include a power supply circuit 211 B configured to generate high-frequency power having a frequency in accordance with control of the control section 26 B, and a transformer 212 B configured to transform the high-frequency power generated by the power supply circuit 211 B which is electrically connected to a primary coil (not shown), and to supply high-frequency current in accordance with the transformed high-frequency power to a circuit formed by elements electrically connected to a secondary coil (not shown).

The switch section 22 B is provided in a second path that connects between the connection terminal 11 B and the high-frequency power supply section 21 B. The switch section 22 B is configured to include a switch for switching the connection terminal 11 B and one end of the secondary coil of the transformer 212 B into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state on the basis of control of the control section 26 B.

The connection detecting section 23 B is connected at a rear stage of the connection terminal 12 B, and is configured to capable of detecting connection or disconnection of the neutral electrode 3 B (with the cable CB 2 ) at the connection terminal 12 B based on, for example, a detection result of detection of a resistance value (or change in the resistance value) at the connection terminal 12 B. Further, the connection detecting section 23 B is configured to be capable of generating a connection discrimination signal which is discriminable of the connection or disconnection of the neutral electrode 3 B (with the cable CB 2 ) at the connection terminal 12 B, and to output the signal to the control section 26 B. Furthermore, the connection detecting section 23 B is configured to capable of outputting the high-frequency current which is inputted through the connection terminal 12 B to the switch section 24 B as it is.

The switch section 24 B is configured to include a contact B 1 which is connected to the other end of the secondary coil of the transformer 212 B, a contact B 2 which is connected to the contact A 2 of the switch section 24 A through the lead wire CW built in the connection member 5 , and contacts B 3 and B 4 which are connected to the connection detecting section 23 B. Further, the switch section 24 B is configured to include a switch for switching the contact B 1 and the contact B 2 into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state, a switch for switching the contact B 1 and the contact B 3 into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and a switch for switching the contact B 2 and the contact B 4 into one of a conducting state and a non-conducting state.

The communication I/F 25 B is provided with, for example, a connector (not shown) to which the communication cable CC is detachably connectable, and is configured to be capable of outputting information outputted from the control section 26 B to the communication I/F 25 A of the power supply apparatus 1 A through the communication cable CC. Further, the communication I/F 25 B is configured to be capable of outputting information inputted through the communication cable CC to the control section 26 B.

The control section 26 B is configured to include a memory 261 B in which at least information concerning at least one of magnitude of the high-frequency current (e.g. maximum rated current), magnitude of high-frequency voltage (e.g. maximum rated voltage), magnitude of power (e.g. maximum rated power) indicative of energy capable of being supplied from the high-frequency power supply section 21 B is stored as inherent information concerning the power supply apparatus 1 B. Further, the control section 26 B is configured to be capable of outputting information read from the memory 261 B to the communication I/F 25 B.

The control section 26 B is configured to be capable of generating information capable of discriminating whether or not the neutral electrode 3 B is presently connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B, based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 B, and outputting the generated information to the communication I/F 25 B.

The control section 26 B is configured to be capable of performing control in accordance with an operation of the input operation section 13 B. Specifically, the control section 26 B is configured to be capable of performing control of the high-frequency power supply section 21 B to generate, when, for example, a frequency setting switch (not shown) provided at the input operation section 13 B is operated, high-frequency power having a frequency set by the frequency setting switch.

Further, the control section 26 B is configured to be capable of performing control for causing the display section 14 B to display a predetermined character string based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detection section 23 B and the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 B.

The control section 26 B is configured to turn on the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B by making the switch section 22 B be in the conducting state in accordance with an operation of the foot switch 4 B. Further, the control section 26 B is configured to turn off the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B by making the switch section 22 B be in the non-conducting state in accordance with an operation of the foot switch 4 B. Furthermore, the control section 26 B is configured to capable of generating information capable of discriminating whether or not the high-frequency current is presently supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B based on the operation state of the foot switch 4 B, and outputting the generated information to the communication I/F 25 B.

The control section 26 B is configured to perform control concerning switching of the respective switches of the switch section 24 B as the second switch section based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detection section 23 B and the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 B. Further, the control section 26 B is configured to perform control concerning switching of the switch section 22 B as the fourth switch section based on the operation instruction signal (second operation instruction signal) of the foot switch 4 B.

Thus, according to the configuration of the treatment system 101 as described above, it is possible to transmit and receive the information concerning the connection and disconnection of the neutral electrodes 3 A and 3 B, the information concerning the supply and non-supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instruments 2 A and 2 B, and the information concerning magnitude of the high-frequency current capable of being supplied from the high-frequency power supply sections 21 A and 21 B, and to share various pieces of information transmitted through the communication cable CC by the control sections 26 A and 26 B.

Besides, according to the treatment system 101 of the present embodiment, not limited to a system having the configuration that the communication I/Fs 25 A and 25 B perform wire communication through the communication cable CC, the system may have a configuration that the communication I/Fs 25 A and 25 B perform wireless communication by wireless signals.

Subsequently, an operation of the treatment system 101 having the above-described configuration will be described.

First, in a state where the treatment instrument 2 A and the foot switch 4 A are connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A, the treatment instrument 2 B and the foot switch 4 B are connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B, the communication I/Fs 25 A and 25 B are connected to each other by the communication cable CC, and the switches 24 A and 23 B are connected to each other by the connection member (connector section) 5 , the user turns on main switches (not shown) provided at the input operation sections 13 A and 13 B to thereby start up the power supply apparatuses 1 A and 1 B. Besides, it is assumed that the supply of the high-frequency current from the power supply apparatus 1 A to the treatment instrument 2 A, and the supply of the high-frequency current from the power supply apparatus 1 B to the treatment instrument 2 B are not performed at timing immediately after the power supply apparatuses 1 A and 1 B are started.

The control section 26 A generates information indicating that the high-frequency current is not presently provided to the treatment instrument 2 A when the power supply apparatus 1 A is started, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 B through the communication cable CC. Further, the control section 26 A reads the information stored in the memory 261 A when the power supply apparatus 1 A is started, and outputs the read information to the power supply apparatus 1 B through the communication cable CC.

The control section 26 B generates information indicating that the high-frequency current is not presently provided to the treatment instrument 2 B when the power supply apparatus 1 B is started, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 A through the communication cable CC. Further, the control section 26 B reads the information stored in the memory 261 B when the power supply apparatus 1 B is started, and outputs the read information to the power supply apparatus 1 A through the communication cable CC.

On the other hand, the user, after starting the power supply apparatuses 1 A and 1 B, electrically connects one of the neutral electrode 3 A and the neutral electrode 3 B to one of the power supply apparatus 1 A and the power supply apparatus 1 B.

Here, operations, etc. of respective parts in a case where the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A before the neutral electrode 3 B is connected of the power supply apparatus 1 B will be described.

The connection detecting section 23 A detects that the neutral electrode 3 A (with the cable CA 2 ) is connected to the connection terminal 12 A based on the detection result of detection of the resistance value (or change in the resistance value) at the connection terminal 12 A. Then, the connection detecting section 23 A generates the connection discrimination signal indicating that the neutral electrode 3 A (with the cable CA 2 ) is connected to the connection terminal 12 A, and outputs the signal to the control section 26 A.

The control section 26 A generates information indicating that the neutral electrode 3 A is presently connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 A, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 B through the communication cable CC.

The control section 26 B performs control for maintaining the non-conducting state between the contact B 1 and the contact B 3 of the switch section 24 B and for maintaining the non-conducting state between the contact B 2 and the contact B 4 of the switch section 24 B in a period in which the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A, based on information outputted from the communication I/F 25 B.

On the other hand, the user, after attaching the neutral electrode 3 A to the subject as the object of treatment, in a state where the treatment portion 7 A is brought into contact with the intended living tissue of the subject, operates the foot switch 4 A and thereby the first operation instruction signal is outputted from the foot switch 4 A. Thereby, the control section 26 A detects the first operation instruction signal and issues an instruction to cause the high-frequency power supply section 21 A to supply the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A. That is, based on the first operation instruction signal from the foot switch 4 A, the high-frequency power supply section 21 A supplies the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A.

Further, when the control section 26 A detects the first operation instruction signal for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A, the control section 26 A performs control for making the switch section 22 A be in the conducting state, performs control for making the contact A 1 and the contact A 3 of the switch section 24 A be in conducting state, and performs control for making the contact A 2 and the contact A 4 of the switch section 24 A be in the non-conducting state, and generates information indicating that the high-frequency current is presently supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 B through the communication cable CC.

The control section 26 B performs control for maintaining the non-conducting state of the switch section 22 B in a period in which the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A (in a period in which the first operation instruction signal is outputted) based on information outputted from the communication I/F 25 B.

That is, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in a period in which the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A, for example, even if the neutral electrode 3 B (with the cable CB 2 ) is further connected to the connection terminal 12 B, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 24 B (to the secondary side of the transformer 212 A and the secondary side of the transformer 212 B), and therefore the function of the neutral electrode 3 B as the return electrode can be disabled.

Further, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the period in which the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A, for example, even in a case where an operation for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B is performed on the foot switch 4 B, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 22 B, and therefore the function of the treatment instrument 2 B as the active electrode can be disabled.

Furthermore, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the state where the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and the treatment portion 7 A is in contact with the intended living tissue LTA of the subject, a circuit CP 1 including a current flowing path (the transformer 212 A→the switch section 22 A→(the connection terminal 11 A→the cable CA 1 →) the treatment portion 7 A→the living tissue LTA→the subject 201 →the neutral electrode 3 A→(the cable CA 2 →the connection terminal 12 A→) the connection detecting section 23 A→the switch section 24 A→the transformer 212 A) shown in FIG. 3 is formed as an example. Therefore, in the state where the neutral electrode 3 A is attached to the subject 201 , the treatment of the living tissue LTA can be performed by applying the high-frequency current from the treatment section 7 A to the living tissue LTA. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the circuit faulted when the treatment of the living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment.

On the other hand, the user, after attaching the neutral electrode 3 A to the subject as the object of the treatment, in a state in which the treatment portion 7 B is brought into contact with the intended living tissue of the subject, operates the foot switch 4 B and thereby the second operation instruction signal is outputted from the foot switch 4 B. Thereby, the control section 26 B detects the second operation instruction signal and issues an instruction to cause the high-frequency power supply section 21 B to supply the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B. That is, based on the second operation instruction signal form the foot switch 4 B, the high-frequency power supply section 21 B supplies the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B.

Further, when the control section 26 B detects the second operation instruction signal for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B, the control section 26 B performs control for making the switch section 22 B be in the conducting state, performs control for making the contact B 1 and the contact B 2 of the switch section 24 B be in conducting state, and generates information indicating that the high-frequency current is presently supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 A through the communication cable CC.

The control section 26 A performs control for maintaining the non-conducting state of the switch section 22 A and performs control for making the contact A 2 and the contact A 4 of the switch section 24 A be in the conducting state in a period in which the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B, based on the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 A.

That is, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in a period in which the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B (the second operation instruction signal is outputted), for example, even if the neutral electrode 3 B (with the cable CB 2 ) is further connected to the connection terminal 12 B, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 24 B (to the secondary side of the transformer 212 A and the secondary side of the transformer 212 B), and therefore the function of the neutral electrode 3 B as the return electrode can be disabled.

Further, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the period in which the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B, for example, even in a case where an operation for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A is performed on the foot switch 4 A, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 22 A, and therefore the function of the treatment instrument 2 A as the active electrode can be disabled.

According to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the period in which the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and the treatment section 7 B is in contact with the intended living tissue LTB of the subject, a circuit CP 2 including a current flowing path (the transformer 212 B→the switch section 22 B→(the connection terminal 11 B→the cable CB 1 →) the treatment portion 7 B→the living tissue LTB→the subject 201 →the neutral electrode 3 A→(the cable CA 2 →the connection terminal 12 A→) the connection detecting section 23 A→the switch section 24 A (the lead wire CW of) the connection member 5 →the switch section 24 B→the transformer 212 B) shown in FIG. 4 is formed as an example. Therefore, in the state where the neutral electrode 3 A is attached to the subject 201 , the treatment of the living tissue LTB can be performed by applying the high-frequency current from the treatment portion 7 B to the living tissue LTB. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the example of FIG. 3 , of the circuit formed when a treatment of the living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment.

Besides, the control section 26 B of the present embodiment may be configured to perform control for causing the display section 14 B to display a predetermined character string or the like that is capable of notify that the neutral electrode 3 B is erroneously connected, when it is detected that the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B after detecting that the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A based on the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 B and the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 B.

Next, operations, etc. of the respective parts in a case where the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B before the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A will be described.

The connection detecting section 23 B detects that the neutral electrode 3 B (with the cable CB 2 ) is connected to the connection terminal 12 B based on the detection result of detection of the resistance value (or change in the resistance value) at the connection terminal 12 B. Then, the connection detecting section 23 B generates the connection discrimination signal indicating that the neutral electrode 3 B (with the cable CB 2 ) is connected to the connection terminal 12 B, and outputs the signal to the control section 26 B.

The control section 26 B generates information indicating that the neutral electrode 3 B is presently connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B based on the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 B, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 A through the communication cable CC.

The control section 26 A performs control for maintaining the non-conducting state between the contact A 1 and the contact A 3 of the switch section 24 A and for maintaining the non-conducting state between the contact A 2 and the contact A 4 of the switch section 24 A in a period in which the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B, based on the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 A.

On the other hand, the user, after attaching the neutral electrode 3 B to the subject as the object of treatment, in a state where the treatment portion 7 B is brought into contact with the intended living tissue of the subject, operates the foot switch 4 B to thereby start the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B.

When the control section 26 B detects the operation of the foot switch 4 B for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B, the control section 26 B performs control for making the switch section 22 B be in the conducting state, performs control for making the contact B 1 and the contact B 3 of the switch section 24 B be in conducting state, and performs control for making the contact B 2 and the contact B 4 of the switch section 24 B be in the non-conducting state, and generates information indicating that the high-frequency current is presently supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 A through the communication cable CC.

The control section 26 A performs control for maintaining the non-conducting state of the switch section 22 A in a period in which the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B based on information outputted from the communication I/F 25 A.

That is, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in a period in which the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B, for example, even if the neutral electrode 3 A (with the cable CA 2 ) is further connected to the connection terminal 12 A, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 24 A (to the secondary side of the transformer 212 A and the secondary side of the transformer 212 B), and therefore the function of the neutral electrode 3 A as the return electrode can be disabled.

Further, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the period in which the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 B, for example, even in a case where an operation for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A is performed on the foot switch 4 A, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 22 A, and therefore the function of the treatment instrument 2 A as the active electrode can be disabled.

Furthermore, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the period in which the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B and the treatment section 7 B is in contact with the intended living tissue LTB of the subject, a circuit CP 3 including a current flowing path (the transformer 212 B→the switch section 22 B→(the connection terminal 11 B→the cable CB 1 →) the treatment portion 7 B→the living tissue LTB→the subject 201 →the neutral electrode 3 B→(the cable CB 2 →the connection terminal 12 B→) the connection detecting section 23 B→the switch section 24 B→the transformer 212 B) shown in FIG. 5 is formed as an example. Therefore, in the state where the neutral electrode 3 B is attached to the subject 201 , the treatment of the living tissue LTB can be performed by applying the high-frequency current from the treatment section 7 B to the living tissue LTB. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 , of the circuit formed when a treatment of the living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment.

On the other hand, the user, after attaching the neutral electrode 3 B to the subject as the object of the treatment, in a state in which the treatment section 7 A is brought into contact with the intended living tissue of the subject, operates the foot switch 4 A to thereby start the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A.

Further, when the control section 26 A detects the operation of the foot switch 4 A for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 A, the control section 26 A performs control for making the switch section 22 A be in the conducting state, performs control for making the contact A 1 and the contact A 2 of the switch section 24 A be in conducting state, and generates information indicating that the high-frequency current is presently supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A, and outputs the generated information to the power supply apparatus 1 B through the communication cable CC.

The control section 26 B performs control for maintaining the non-conducting state of the switch section 22 B and performs control for making the contact B 2 and the contact B 4 of the switch section 24 B be in the conducting state in a period in which the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A, based on the information outputted from the communication OF 25 B.

That is, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in a period in which the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A, for example, even if the neutral electrode 3 A (with the cable CA 2 ) is further connected to the connection terminal 12 A, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 24 A (to the secondary side of the transformer 212 A and the secondary side of the transformer 212 B), and therefore the function of the neutral electrode 3 A as the return electrode can be disabled.

Further, according to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the period in which the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B and the high-frequency current is supplied to the treatment instrument 2 A, for example, even in a case where an operation for starting the supply of the high-frequency current to the treatment instrument 2 B is performed on the foot switch 4 B, the high-frequency current does not flow forward from the switch section 22 B, and therefore the function of the treatment instrument 2 B as the active electrode can be disabled.

According to the operations of the respective parts as described above, in the period in which the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B and the treatment section 7 A is in contact with the intended living tissue LTA of the subject, a circuit CP 4 including a current flowing path (the transformer 212 A→the switch section 22 A→(the connection terminal 11 A→the cable CA 1 →) the treatment portion 7 A→the living tissue LTA→the subject 201 →the neutral electrode 3 B→(the cable CB 2 →the connection terminal 12 B→) the connection detecting section 23 B→the switch section 24 B→(the lead wire CW of) the connection member 5 →the switch section 24 A→the transformer 212 A) shown in FIG. 6 is formed as an example. Therefore, in the state where the neutral electrode 3 B is attached to the subject 201 , the treatment of the living tissue LTA can be performed by applying the high-frequency current from the treatment section 7 A to the living tissue LTA. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the examples of FIGS. 3-5 , of the circuit formed when a treatment of the living tissue is performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation is performed such that only one neutral electrode (the neutral electrode 3 A or 3 B) which is connected to the power supply apparatus earlier than the other neutral electrode performs the function as the return electrode while inhibiting the high-frequency current from being simultaneously applied from the treatment instruments 2 A and 2 B. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an application state of the high-frequency current to the intended living tissue as the object of treatment is stabilized, and the treatment with respect to the intended living tissue can be appropriately performed.

Besides, the control section 26 A of the present embodiment may be configured to perform control for causing the display section 14 A to display a predetermined character string or the like that is capable of notifying that the neutral electrode 3 A is erroneously connected, when it is detected that the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A after detecting that the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B based on the information outputted from the communication I/F 25 A and the connection discrimination signal outputted from the connection detecting section 23 A.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, not limited to the configuration in which the above-described operation is performed, for example, it may be configured such that the control sections 26 A and 26 B shares information concerning a comparison result of comparison between a magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 A and a magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 B based on the information stored in the memories 261 A and 261 B, and the operation is performed in accordance with the comparison result.

Specifically, for example, when information that the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 A is larger than the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 B is shared by the control section 26 A and 26 B, an operation is performed for enabling the function, as the return electrode, of only the neutral electrode 3 A which is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A while inhibiting the high-frequency current from being simultaneously applied from the treatment instruments 2 A and 2 B. Thus, according to such an operation, either the circuit CP 1 or the circuit CP 2 as described above is formed when the treatment of the intended living tissue of the subject is performed.

Further, for example, when information that the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 B is larger than the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 A is shared by the control section 26 A and 26 B, an operation is performed for enabling the function, as the return electrode, of only the neutral electrode 3 B which is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B while inhibiting the high-frequency current from being simultaneously applied from the treatment instruments 2 A and 2 B. Thus, according to such an operation, either the circuit CP 3 or the circuit CP 4 as described above is formed when the treatment of the intended living tissue of the subject is performed.

Further, for example, when information that the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 A is equal to the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 B is shared by the control section 26 A and 26 B, an operation is performed for allowing the high-frequency current to be simultaneously applied from the treatment instruments 2 A and 2 B only when the neutral electrode 3 A is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and also the neutral electrode 3 B is connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B. Thus, according to such an operation, the circuit CP 1 and the circuit CP 3 as described above are simultaneously formed when the treatments of the intended living tissues of the subject are performed (see FIG. 7 ). FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example, which is different from the examples of FIGS. 3-6 , of the circuits which are formed when treatments of the living tissues are performed using the treatment system according to the embodiment.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, for example, when information that the neutral electrode 3 A is presently connected to the power supply apparatus 1 A and also the neutral electrode 3 B is presently connected to the power supply apparatus 1 B is shared by the control section 26 A and 26 B, the operation for allowing the high-frequency current to be simultaneously applied from the treatment instruments 2 A and 2 B may be performed, irrespective of the comparison result of the comparison between the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 A and the magnitude of the high-frequency current which can be supplied from the high-frequency power supply 21 B. Thus, according to such an operation, the circuit CP 1 and the circuit CP 3 as described above are simultaneously formed when the treatments of the intended living tissues of the subject are performed (see FIG. 7 ).

Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, the operation for allowing the high-frequency current to be simultaneously applied from the treatment instruments 2 A and 2 B may be performed only when information that operations for allowing the high-frequency current to be simultaneously supplied are performed at both of the input operation sections 13 A and 13 B is shared by the control section 26 A and 26 B. Thus, according to such an operation, the circuit CP 1 and the circuit CP 3 as described above are simultaneously formed when the treatments of the intended living tissues of the subject are performed (see FIG. 7 ).

It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments and it is a matter of course that various modifications and applications are possible within a range not departing from the gist of the invention.