JP2003010203A - Thermotherapy instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermotherapy instrument capable of resuming the output of laser light before the temperature of biological tissue lowers even in a case where the output of laser light momentarily stops. SOLUTION: The thermotherapy instrument 1 has a urethra applicator 2 outputting laser light to a living body, a foot switch 5 to instruct to initiate the output of laser light, a display and operating section 32 to set output time of laser light, and a control section 33 controlling a laser light source device 31 to make it output laser light from the urethra applicator 2 only during output time set, when the foot switch 5 is turned on. The control section 33 sets new output time when the foot switch 5 is turned on after the output of laser light during set output time ends.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention radiates energy such as laser light, microwaves, radio waves, or ultrasonic waves to an affected area in a living body lumen or lumen such as a blood vessel, urethra, or abdominal cavity for heating. The present invention relates to a heat treatment device for performing treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Energy such as laser light, microwaves, radio waves, and ultrasonic waves is output to living tissue, and the lesion site is heated, denatured, necrotic, coagulated, cauterized, or vaporized to disappear, thereby eliminating the living body. Heat treatment devices for treating tissue are known. This heat treatment device sets an output time in addition to the output value of energy so that the amount of heat given to the living tissue does not become too large, and stops the output of energy after the set output time has elapsed since the start of energy irradiation. can do.

[0003]

However, in the above heat treatment apparatus, when the output of energy stops after the set output time elapses, it is necessary to reset the output time of energy.

In this case, while resetting the output time, the temperature of the living tissue heated by outputting energy drops, and how much output time should be added to obtain an appropriate therapeutic effect. It becomes very difficult to judge whether or not.

Further, since heat treatment requires work in the sterilization area, equipment that is repeatedly used to set the output value and output time of energy and is difficult to maintain a sterilized state is placed outside the sterilization area. ing. Therefore, the user in the sterilization area cannot directly reset the output time. In this case, it is necessary to request another person to reset the output time, and the output time cannot be reset by the user's immediate judgment, so that proper treatment may not be performed in some cases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if the output of energy is once stopped, the output of energy can be restarted before the temperature of the living tissue drops, and the user can immediately output the energy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heating treatment device capable of resetting the output time based on the judgment.

[0007]

The above objects of the present invention can be achieved by the following means.

(1) In the heat treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the energy output means for outputting energy to the living body, the output instruction means for instructing the start of energy output, and the output for setting the energy output time. Time setting means, and control means for controlling the energy output means so that energy is output for the output time set by the output time setting means based on an instruction to start the output of energy by the output instructing means, And the control means sets a new output time when the output instruction means again instructs the start of energy output after the energy output for the set output time is completed. To do.

(2) In the output time setting means, the upper limit of the number of times the output time can be set is predetermined.

(3) An extension instructing means for instructing extension of the output time of energy is further provided, and when extension of the output time is instructed during output of energy, it is set for the energy in the output. The new output time is added to the output time.

(4) The new output time is determined from a function of the output time initially set.

(5) While the output instructing means gives an instruction to start the output, the control means further has a notifying means for notifying that the output is instructed. The energy output means is controlled when the start instruction continues for a certain period of time.

(6) The energy is laser light.

(7) The heat treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises energy output means for outputting energy to the body, measuring means for measuring the temperature of the living body, and output instructing means for instructing the start of energy output. Output energy setting means for setting the energy output time, and the energy so that the energy is output for the output time set by the output time setting means based on the instruction to start the output of energy by the output instructing means. Control means for controlling the output means, the control means, when the energy output start is instructed again by the output instructing means after the energy output for the set output time is finished, An output time is set, and the temperature of the living body measured by the measuring means is monitored during energy output of the new output time. If it is the temperature above, it stops the output of the energy.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of a heat treatment apparatus according to the present invention.

In the heat treatment apparatus 1, the urethral applicator 2 is inserted into the body, and irradiates laser light (energy) to living tissue to treat tumors such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and various cancers. It is a thing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment apparatus 1 has a urethral applicator 2, a control device 3, a rectal probe 4, a foot switch 5, and an observation device 6. The urethral applicator 2, the rectal probe 4, and the foot switch 5 are each connected to the control device 3. The urethral applicator 2 is also connected to the observation device 6.

Each component of the heat treatment apparatus 1 will be described.

The urethral applicator 2 is inserted into a body cavity such as the urethra and outputs a laser beam toward a living tissue. This laser light is transmitted from the laser light source device 31 of the control device 3 to the urethral applicator 2 via the optical fiber 311.

In addition, a circulation path for a cooling medium is formed inside the urethral applicator 2. By passing the cooling medium through this circulation path, the urethral applicator 2 and the urethra contacting the urethral applicator 2 are connected. The surface is cooled. This cooling medium is supplied into the urethral applicator 2 through the water supply tube 301 from the cooling circulation unit arranged inside the control main body 30 of the control device 3, and the drainage tube 3
It is returned to the cooling circulation unit via 02 again.

Furthermore, inside the urethral applicator 2,
A temperature sensor 20 (see FIG. 2) for measuring the temperature of the urethra is provided. The measured temperature of the urethra is transmitted to the control body 30 of the control device 3 via the sensor signal lead wire 303.

The control device 3 has a control body 30, a laser light source device 31, and a display / operation unit 32.

The control body 30 includes the urethral applicator 2 and
The operation of the entire heat treatment apparatus 1 is controlled by using a detection signal from a sensor provided in the rectal probe 4. In addition, the control body 30 controls the laser light source device 31 to adjust the output value of the energy output from the urethral applicator 2 and the output time.

The laser light source device 31 includes a communication cable 31.
2 is connected to the control main body 30 via the control main body 3
Laser light is generated under the control of 0. The display / operation unit 32 displays predetermined information to the user and receives predetermined settings and operations. Display / operation unit 32
A touch panel method or a method of inputting from an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard or a mouse can be used for the.

The rectal probe 4 is inserted from the anus into the rectum, detects the temperature of the rectal wall, and transmits the detected temperature to the control body 30 via the sensor signal lead 41. The foot switch 5 transmits to the control body 30 a signal indicating that the foot switch 5 has been pressed by the user. Upon receiving this signal, the control unit main body 30 issues an output start instruction if the laser output is stopped,
If the laser is being output, it is determined that the output is stopped.

The observation device 6 includes a light source device 60 for supplying illumination light for endoscope observation, a television camera device 61 for taking in an image observed by the endoscope, and a television camera device 61. And a receiver 62 for displaying the captured image.

The light source device 60 is connected to the light guide 63. Further, the television camera device 61 is connected to the urethral applicator 2 via the camera signal lead 64. Thereby, the heat treatment can be performed while observing the inside of the urethra with the endoscope incorporated in the urethral applicator 2.

Next, a specific configuration of the control device 3 which is the main part for executing the control according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 3. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example on the display / operation unit 32.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the control device 3 includes the control body 30, the laser light source device 31, and the display / display device.
And an operation unit 32. Furthermore, the control body 30 includes a control unit 33, a cooling water adjusting unit 34, and a temperature measuring unit 35.

The display / operation unit 32 can set the output value and the output time of the laser beam output from the urethral applicator 2, as described above. The display / operation unit 32 capable of making such settings has, for example, a touch panel type screen as shown in FIG. The user
Various inputs can be made by touching the screen, and measurements by various sensors can be confirmed by looking at the display.

Referring to FIG. 3, the set time display section 321 provided at the upper left of the screen displays the output time of the laser light currently set. The set time display portion 321
In the remaining output time display section 322 provided under, the remaining time for outputting the laser light is displayed. When the display of the remaining output time display portion 322 becomes “0”, the output of the laser light is automatically stopped.

A cumulative output time display section 323 provided on the right of the set time display section 321 and the remaining output time display section 322.
Then, the accumulated time of outputting energy to the living tissue is displayed. In the temperature graph display section 324 provided below the cumulative output time display section 323, the temperature sensor 2
The time course of the temperature of the urethra measured by 0 is displayed. The current urethra temperature is displayed as a numerical value on the urethra temperature display unit 325 provided on the right of the temperature graph display unit 324.

The end button 3 provided on the upper right of the screen
Reference numeral 26 is a button for forcibly stopping the output of the laser light. The user can instruct to stop the output of the laser light by touching the end button 326.

Time extension button 32 provided at the lower right of the screen
Reference numeral 7 is a button for extending the output time of the laser light. The user can instruct to extend the output time of the laser light by touching the time extension button 327.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. When the foot switch 5 is pressed down, the control unit 33 controls the laser light source device 31 to output laser light. Here, the control unit 33
Based on the output value and the output time of the laser light input by the user on the display / operation unit 32, the laser light is output for the output value and the output time. In addition, the control unit 33
When the foot switch 5 is pressed while the laser light source device 31 is outputting laser light, the laser light source device 3 is immediately pressed.
1 is controlled to stop the output of laser light.

The control unit 33 also monitors the temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc. of the cooling medium by various sensors (not shown),
The cooling adjustment unit 34 is controlled so that the cooling medium is operated at a predetermined temperature, pressure and flow rate.

Further, the control unit 33 monitors the temperature of the urethra measured by the temperature sensor 20 provided in the urethral applicator 2 and the temperature of the rectum measured by the temperature sensor 40 provided in the rectal probe 4. It may be possible to control the cooling water adjusting unit 34 based on a signal from the temperature measuring unit 35.

That is, the cooling water adjusting unit 34 adjusts the temperature and flow rate of the cooling medium supplied to the urethral applicator 2 under the control of the control unit 33. For example, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 20 or the temperature sensor 40 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the control unit 33 determines that the urethra or the rectum is abnormally high in temperature. Based on this determination, the cooling water adjustment unit 34 increases the flow rate of the cooling medium supplied to the urethral applicator 2 or lowers the temperature of the cooling medium. On the contrary, when the temperature of the urethra becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the cooling water adjusting unit 34 causes the urethral applicator 2
It is possible to reduce the flow rate of the cooling medium supplied to the air conditioner or to improve the temperature of the cooling medium.

The temperature measuring section 35 collects the temperatures measured by the temperature sensor 20 and the temperature sensor 40 and collects the temperature.
Send to 3.

Heat treatment apparatus 1 configured as described above
Operates as follows.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus 1, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus 1 following FIG.

First, the heating treatment apparatus 1 outputs the laser light output time T_ini (second) determined based on the treatment plan.
Is set as the set time on the display / operation unit 32, and the output time count of the laser beam is cleared to “0”.
(Step S1). The time during which the laser light is output is measured by the control unit 33 of the control device 3, and is updated and stored as an output time count. In addition, T set in advance as the first set time
_Ini is preferably 180 seconds to 300 seconds.

Then, the control unit 33 controls the foot switch 5
It is determined whether or not is turned on by the user (step S2). When the foot switch 5 is not turned on (step S2: NO), the control unit 33
It waits until it is turned on, and when it is turned on (step S2: YES), the foot switch 5 is turned on, and the user is notified that the laser light is to be output by pressing the foot switch 5. In order to do so, the sounding device provided in the heat treatment apparatus 1 is caused to generate a confirmation sound (step S3).

The control unit 33 determines whether or not 2 seconds have passed since the foot switch 5 was turned on (step S).
4). If 2 seconds have not elapsed (step S4: N
O), the control unit 33 determines whether or not the foot switch 5 is turned off (step S5). When the foot switch 5 is not turned off (step S5: N
O), that is, if the foot switch 5 is continuously stepped on while the confirmation sound is being emitted and remains ON, the process returns to step S4. Also, the foot switch 5 is O
When it becomes FF (step S5: YES), the control unit 3
3 stops the confirmation sound that was being produced (step S
6) and returns to the process of step S2.

On the other hand, if 2 seconds have passed since the foot switch 5 was turned on (step S4: YES), it means that the foot switch 5 has been kept on for 2 seconds.
The control unit 33 controls the laser light source device 31 to start the output of the laser light, further stops the confirmation sound, and causes a new output sound for notifying the user of the output of the laser light ( Step S7). In step S4, 2 seconds is set as the confirmation time for confirming the start of laser light output, and it is determined whether or not 2 seconds have elapsed since the foot switch 5 was turned on. Not limited. This confirmation time can be set arbitrarily.

At the same time when the laser light is output, the control unit 33
The counting of the output time of the laser light by the output time counting is started (step S8). Note that once the output of the laser beam is started, the stepping on the foot switch 5 is stopped, and even if the foot switch 5 is turned off, the laser beam is automatically output until the set time ends. After that, every time the foot switch 5 is turned on, that is, after the foot switch 5 is turned on,
Each time it is set to F and further turned on, output stop and start of laser light are switched.

Then, the control unit 33 determines whether the output time count is equal to or longer than the set time (step S9).
When the output time count is smaller than the set time (step S9: NO), the control unit 33 determines whether or not the foot switch 5 that has been turned off after the laser light output is started is turned on again (step S10). .

When the foot switch 5 is not turned from OFF to ON (step S10: NO), the control unit 33 repeats the processing from step S8 of FIG. When the foot switch 5 is turned from OFF to ON (step S10:
YES), the control unit 33 determines that the user has input an instruction to stop the output of the laser light, stops the output of the laser light, and further stops the output sound (step S11), and the process of step S2. Return to.

On the other hand, when the output time count is equal to or longer than the set time (step S9: YES), the output of the laser light for the set time is completed, so that the control unit 33 stops the output of the laser light and further outputs the output sound. Is also stopped (step S1
2).

Next, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the foot switch 5 has been turned from OFF to ON (step S13). When the foot switch 5 is turned from OFF to ON (step S13: YES), the control unit 33 sets the set time to 30 seconds, resets the output time count to 0 (step S14), and returns to the process of step S3. Here, the set time after the second time is the first set time T_in
It is set in advance in a time shorter than i.

Further, the foot switch 5 is turned on from off.
If not (step S13: NO), the controller 33
Determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of treatment from the display / operation unit 32 (step S1).
5). When the end of treatment is not instructed (step S15:
NO), the control unit 33 repeats the processing from step S13. When the end of treatment is instructed (step S15:
YES), the heat treatment apparatus 1 ends the heat treatment operation.

In the above description, the foot switch 5 is turned on from the off state (the state where it is not pressed).
When the state (state in which the button is pressed) was set, the start and stop of laser light output were switched. However, when the foot switch 5 is continuously in the ON state (the state where the foot switch 5 is kept pressed), the start and stop of the laser light output are not switched.

Further, in the above description, the second and subsequent set times are preset to be shorter than the first set time T_ini, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second and subsequent set times may be set by a significant function with the first set time.

As described above, the heat treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention
When the output of the laser light is started once, the output continues for the set time, and after the set time elapses, the foot switch 5 is turned on again to set a new set time and start the output of the laser light. Therefore, it is easy to add the output time of the laser light, and the output time of the laser light can be added by the immediate judgment of the user. Further, since it is possible to easily add the output time of the laser light, before the temperature of the living tissue warmed by outputting the laser light is lowered,
The heating time can be continued by adding the output time, and the therapeutic effect can be stabilized.

Further, in the heat treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, since the confirmation time for confirming the start of the output of the laser beam is set before the output of the laser beam is started, the foot switch 5 is erroneously turned ON. Even in such a case, if the foot switch 5 is immediately turned off, the laser light is not output, and the erroneous output of the laser light can be prevented.

Further, in the heat treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, once the output of the laser light is operated, the output continues, and when the set time elapses, the output of the laser light is automatically stopped.
The operation load on the user can be reduced.

In addition, in the heat treatment apparatus 1 of the present invention, after the output of the laser beam is started and before the set time elapses,
The output time count is not reset no matter how many times the laser light output starts and stops. Therefore, even when the output is restarted after the output of the laser light is stopped, it is not necessary to set the output time again, and the laser light can be output until the set time is reached.

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, the output for the set time is further output after the set time is reached and the laser beam output is completed. The upper limit of the number of times that can be added is set.

Heat treatment apparatus 1 in the second embodiment
Is the same as the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 3 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the heat treatment apparatus 1 is omitted, and only the operation will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus following FIG.

Incidentally, steps S21 to S in FIG.
Since the processing of 27 is the same as the processing of steps S2 to S8 of FIG. 4, description thereof will be omitted. further,
The processing of steps S28 to S30 of FIG.
Since the processes are the same as the processes of steps S9 to S11 in step S9, the description thereof will be omitted.

First, the heat treatment apparatus 1 outputs the laser light output time T_ini (second) determined based on the treatment plan.
Is set as a set time by the display / operation unit 32, the output time count of the laser light is cleared to “0”, and the initial value “0” is substituted for the number of time additions (step S20).

The time addition count indicates the number of times the laser light output is added after the laser light output is completed after the first set time is reached. The time during which the laser light is output is measured by the control unit 33 of the control device 3, and is updated and stored as an output time count. Also,
T_ini preset as the first set time
Is preferably 180 seconds to 300 seconds.

Then, the heat treatment apparatus 1 performs step S2.
The processing from 2 to step S31 is performed. When the output time exceeds the set time, that is, when the output of the laser light has passed the set time (step S28: YES), the output of the laser light is stopped and the output sound is also stopped (step S3).
1).

Next, the control unit 33 adds 5 to the set time.
Whether the time is less than 5 times or more than 5 times
It is determined whether or not it is less than the number of times (step S32). When the set time is added 5 times or more, that is, when the number of time addition is not less than 5 (step S32: NO), the control unit 33 determines that the set time cannot be re-added, and the heat treatment apparatus 1 determines , Heat treatment ends.

When the addition of the set time is less than 5 times, that is, when the number of time addition is less than 5 times (step S32: YES), the control unit 33 turns the foot switch 5 from OFF to ON. It is determined whether or not (step S33).

When the foot switch 5 is turned from OFF to ON (step S33: YES), the control unit 33 sets a new set time to T_ini / 10 (seconds), resets the output time count to 0, and 1 additional time
The number of times is increased (step S34), and the process returns to step S22. Here, the second and subsequent set times are determined from the function of the first set time T_ini, and are set to 1/10 of the first set time T_ini.

When the foot switch 5 is not turned from ON to OFF (step S33: NO), the control section 33 determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of treatment from the display / operation section 32 (step S35). . When the end of treatment is not instructed (step S35: NO), the control unit 33 repeats the processing from step S32. When the end of treatment is instructed (step S35: YES),
The heat treatment apparatus 1 ends the heat treatment operation.

In step S34, the second and subsequent set times are set as a function of the first set time T_ini, but the set time is not limited to this. The set time after the second time may be a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds).

Further, the upper limit of the number of times the set time can be added is not specified, and the second and subsequent set times may simply be 1 / n times the first set time (n> 1).

As described above, in the second embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the upper limit is set for the number of times the set time can be added, that is, the number of times the laser light can be additionally output. The output of laser light for an extremely long time after the first set time has elapsed can be prevented.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, since the second and subsequent set times are weighted with respect to the first set time, a significant set time should be added to the first set time. You can For example, if the set time after the second time is set to 1/10 of the first set time and the number of times of time addition is 5 as described above, the time when the laser light output can be added is the maximum of the first set time. Since it is up to 50%, it is possible to avoid inadvertent extension of time.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, in addition to the first and second embodiments, the time extension button 327 of the display / operation unit 32 is further added.
By pressing, the set time is extended while the laser light is being output.

Heat treatment apparatus 1 in the third embodiment
Is the same as the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 3 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the heat treatment apparatus 1 is omitted, and only the operation will be described below. The heat treatment apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment
6 performs the same operation as that shown in FIG. 6, so only the operation following FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another operation of the heat treatment apparatus following FIG.

In the process shown in FIG. 6, the heat treatment apparatus 1 has started outputting the laser light for the set time.

Then, the control section 33 judges whether or not the output time of the laser light is equal to or longer than the set time (step S4).
0).

When the output time is not longer than the set time (step S40: NO), the controller 33 determines whether or not the foot switch 5 is turned on during the output of the laser light (step S41). When the foot switch 5 is turned on (step S41: YES), the control unit 33 stops the output of the laser light and the output sound (step S42), and returns to step S21 of FIG.

When the foot switch 5 is not turned on while the laser light is being output (step S41: N
O), the control unit 33 determines whether the number of time additions is less than 5, and the time extension button 327 is pressed (step S43). If you add less than 5 times,
In addition, when the time extension button 327 is pressed (step S43: YES), the control unit 33 sets the first set time T.
The current set time is increased by 1/10 of _ini, and the number of time additions is increased by 1 (step S44). Then, the control unit 33 returns to the process of step S27 of FIG.

If the number of time additions is less than 5 and the time extension button 327 is not pressed (step S43: NO), the control unit 33 directly returns to the process of step S27 in FIG.

On the other hand, when the output time is equal to or longer than the set time (step S40: YES), the control unit 33 goes to the process of step S45. Hereinafter, the processes of steps S45 to S49 of FIG. 8 are the same as the processes of steps S31 to S35 of FIG.

In the above description, the time extension button 327
The pressing of means touching the display of the time extension button 327 when the display / operation unit 32 adopts a touch panel format.

Incidentally, step S44 and step S4
8. When increasing the set time in 8, the first set time T
The time is increased by 1/10 of _ini, but not limited to this. The set time may be increased by a predetermined time, for example 30 seconds.

Also, in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the upper limit value of the number of time additions is provided, but it is not necessary to provide it.

As described above, in the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments, the time extension button 327 is pressed while the laser light is being output. Thus, the output time can be easily extended before the output of the laser light is stopped.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a laser beam is being output during the second and subsequent set times. Moreover, when the temperature of the urethra measured by the temperature sensor 20 provided in the urethral applicator 2 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the output of the laser light is stopped.

Heat treatment apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment
Is the same as the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 3 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the heat treatment apparatus 1 is omitted.

Heat treatment apparatus 1 in the fourth embodiment
Measures the temperature of the urethra with the temperature sensor 20 provided in the urethral applicator 2. The measured temperature is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
24 is displayed. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the temperature graph display unit 324.

The user can set the temperature of the urethra, which is the condition for stopping the output of the laser light, on the display / operation unit 32 by looking at the temperature graph display unit 324. Hereinafter, the temperature of the urethra, which is the condition for stopping the output of the laser light, is referred to as the end set temperature. After the temperature of the urethra reaches the end set temperature and the output of the laser light is stopped, the temperature of the urethra does not rise as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the heat treatment apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Since the heat treatment apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment performs the same operation as that shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 10 in which only the operation subsequent to FIG. 6 is described with reference to FIG. It is a flow chart which shows further another operation of a heat treatment equipment.

In the processing shown in FIG. 6, the heat treatment apparatus 1 has started outputting the laser light for the set time.

Then, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the output time of the laser light is equal to or longer than the set time (step S5).
0).

When the output time is not longer than the set time (step S50: NO), the controller 33 determines whether or not the foot switch 5 is turned on while the laser light is being output (step S51). When the foot switch 5 is turned on (step S51: YES), the control unit 33 stops the output of the laser light and the output sound (step S52), and returns to step S21 of FIG.

When the foot switch 5 is not turned on during the output of the laser light (step S51: N
O), the control unit 33 is outputting the laser light for the added set time, in other words, is outputting the laser light for the second and subsequent set times, and whether the temperature of the urethra is equal to or higher than the end set temperature. Is determined (step S53).

When the laser beam is being output for the added set time and the temperature of the urethra is equal to or higher than the end set temperature (step S53: YES), the control unit 33 stops the output of the laser beam and further outputs. The sound is stopped (step S54). Then, the heat treatment operation by the heat treatment apparatus 1 ends.

When the laser beam is being output for the added set time and the temperature of the urethra is not equal to or higher than the end set temperature (step S53: NO), the control unit 33 performs the process of step S27 of FIG. Return.

On the other hand, when the output time is equal to or longer than the set time (step S50: YES), the control unit 33 proceeds to the process of step S55. Hereinafter, step S55 of FIG.
Since the processing of step S59 is the same as the processing of steps S31 to S35 of FIG. 7, description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, 2
When the urethra temperature becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined end set temperature during the laser light output for the set time after the third time, by stopping the output of the laser light, the urethra temperature is overheated Because it can prevent adverse effects,
The therapeutic effect can be further stabilized.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the laser light is used as an example of the energy output toward the living tissue, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a microwave or a radio wave is used. Alternatively, it may output energy such as ultrasonic waves.

Although the case of the prostate has been described as an example of the living tissue to be heat-treated, the present invention is not limited to this, and blood vessels, digestive tracts (esophagus, intestinal tract, etc.), abdominal cavity, etc. It includes all living tissues capable of performing heat treatment by irradiating energy from the inside of the body or from the body surface.

[0102]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a new output time is set when the output instructing means instructs the output of energy again after the energy output for the set output time is completed. Therefore, even after the output of the energy is once completed, the additional output of the energy can be easily performed. Furthermore, since the additional output of energy is easy, the output time can be added and the heating treatment can be continued before the temperature of the living tissue from which the energy has been output decreases, and the treatment effect can be stabilized.

In the invention described in claim 2, since the upper limit is set to the number of times the energy output time can be set, that is, the number of times the energy can be additionally output, an extremely long energy after the first output time elapses. Can be prevented from being output.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the new output time is added by instructing the extension of the output time by the extension instruction means during the energy output, before the energy output is stopped. The output time can be easily extended.

In the invention described in claim 4, since the new output time is determined from the function of the first output time,
It is possible to add a significant output time to the initial output time.

In the invention described in claim 5, when an instruction to confirm the output start is given while the instruction to start the output of energy is given, and even if the instruction to start the output of energy continues for a certain period of time. Since the energy is output to the output, even if the output start is erroneously instructed, if the instruction is immediately stopped, the energy is not output and the erroneous output of the energy can be prevented.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, since the energy is laser light, it is suitable for heat treatment of living tissue.

In the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the temperature of the living body becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature during the output of the energy at the new output time, the output of the energy is stopped. It is possible to prevent the heating from being overheated and exert an adverse effect, and it is possible to further stabilize the therapeutic effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of a heat treatment apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example on a display / operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus.

5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus following FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus.

7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the heat treatment apparatus following FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another operation of the heat treatment apparatus following FIG.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a temperature graph display unit.

10 is a flowchart showing still another operation of the heat treatment apparatus following FIG.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 ... Heat treatment device, 2 ... Urethral applicator, 3 ... Control device, 4 ... rectal probe, 5 ... foot switch, 20 ... Temperature sensor, 30 ... Control body, 31 ... Laser light source device, 32 ... Display / operation unit, 33 ... Control unit.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) A61F 7/12 A61N 5/06 E A61B 17/36 350 A61N 5/02 330 5/06 340 (72) Invention Takefumi Uesugi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Taisuke Sato 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Makoto Inaba 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeki Ariura 1500 Inoguchi, Nakai-cho, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa Terumo Corporation (72) Inventor Shigenobu Iwahashi Kanagawa 1500 Inoguchi, Nakai-cho, Ashigagami-gun Gun Terumo Corporation (72) Inventor Shin Maki 1500 Inoguchi, Nakai-cho, Ashigagami-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Address Terumo Co., Ltd.F term (reference) 4C026 AA03 AA04 FF22 GG07 HH02 HH12 HH16 HH22 HH24 4C060 JJ17 JJ25 JJ29 KK23 KK30 4C082 MA02 MC01 ME01 ME18 MG01 MG07 M01 M07 MJ02 RA02 RA03 RA05 RE22 R12 A16RL22 RJ07 RL02 RJ07 RL02 RJ07 ARL JA13 PA01 PA06

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An energy output means for outputting energy to a living body, an output instructing means for instructing to start energy output, an output time setting means for setting an energy output time, and the output instructing means. A control means for controlling the energy output means so that the energy is output only for the output time set by the output time setting means, based on an instruction to start the output of energy; The heat treatment apparatus, wherein after the energy output for the set output time is finished, a new output time is set when the output instructing means gives an instruction to start the output of energy again. 2. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output time setting means has a predetermined upper limit of the number of times the output time can be set. 3. An extension instruction means for instructing extension of the output time of energy is further provided, and when extension of the output time is instructed during the output of energy,
At the output time set for the energy in the output,
The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a new output time is added. 4. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the new output time is determined from a function of the output time that is initially set. 5. While the output instructing means gives an instruction to start the output, the control means further comprises a notifying means for notifying that the output is instructed, and the control means starts the output by the output instructing means. The heat treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the energy output means is controlled when the instruction of (1) continues for a certain period of time. 6. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy is laser light. 7. An energy output means for outputting energy to a living body, a measuring means for measuring the temperature of the living body, an output instructing means for instructing start of energy output, and an output time for setting an energy output time. Setting means, and control means for controlling the energy output means so that energy is output for the output time set by the output time setting means based on the instruction to start the output of energy by the output instructing means. Having, the control means, after the energy output of the set output time is completed,
When the energy output start is instructed again by the output instructing means, a new output time is set, during the energy output of the new output time, the temperature of the living body measured by the measuring means is monitored, A heat treatment apparatus, which stops the output of energy when the temperature of the living body is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.