Ultrasonic treatment apparatus

An ultrasonic treatment apparatus comprising:

• high-frequency current generating means for generating a high-frequency current;
• and
• a hand piece comprising:
• a hollow cylindrical member having an opening and an outer surface;
• ultrasonic vibration generating means arranged in said hollow cylindrical member, for generating ultrasonic vibrations;
• first transmitting means arranged in said hollow cylindrical member, said first transmitting means having an end portion thereof that is externally exposed from said opening of said hollow cylindrical member, said first transmitting means externally transmitting said ultrasonic vibrations generated by said ultrasonic vibration generation means, through said externally exposed end portion thereof;
• second transmitting means for transmitting said high-frequency current from said high-frequency current generating means to said first transmitting means;
• and
• at least one mouthpiece provided on said hollow cylindrical member, for supplying water from a water supply means into said hollow cylindrical member through said at least one mouthpiece, said water then being discharged from said hollow cylindrical member through said opening of said hollow cylindrical member;
• all of said outer surfaces of said hollow cylindrical member as well as said at least one mouthpiece being formed of an insulating material, said insulating material preventing said high-frequency current transmitted by said first transmitting means from leaking externally through said hollow cylindrical member and said at least one mouthpiece;
• said first transmitting means having a cylindrical shape, and said first transmitting means including a probe having a suction path defined therein;
• said hollow cylindrical member including;
• an inner sheath extending along said probe and covering said probe to define a first flow path therebetween;
• an outer sheath extending along said inner sheath and covering said inner sheath to define a second flow path therebetween;
• said outer sheath having an end portion where a distal end portion of said probe is externally exposed;
• means for causing said suction path defined in said probe to communicate with said first flow path at proximal end portion of said probe;
• and
• means for causing said first flow path to communicate with said second flow path;
• said inner sheath comprising an electrically conductive member, and said outer sheath comprising an insulating member;
• and
• said apparatus further comprising connecting means for detachably connecting said inner and outer sheaths at respective proximal end portions thereof, thereby enabling a distal end portion of each of said inner and outer sheaths to be free;
• whereby said insulating material prevents high-frequency current from leaking along a flow path of said water as said water is discharged through said opening of said hollow cylindrical member.