JP2004223175A - Tumor treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tumor treatment apparatus for performing medical treatment for a tumor more safely. <P>SOLUTION: This tumor treatment apparatus is adapted to kill at least some of tumor cells constituting a tumor by breaking bubbles existing in the tumor or the surface thereof. The tumor treatment apparatus 1 has an apparatus body 2 including a control part 21, an ultrasonic probe 3 for observation including an ultrasonic vibrator 31 for observation, and an ultrasonic probe 4 for medical treatment including an ultrasonic vibrator 41 for medical treatment. The ultrasonic vibrator 31 for observation has a function of oscillating an ultrasonic wave for observation to confirm the existence of bubbles supplied in an organism and receiving a reflected wave (reflection echo) of an ultrasonic wave for observation reflected by the organism or the bubbles. The ultrasonic vibrator 41 for medical treatment has a function of oscillating an ultrasonic wave for medical treatment for breaking the bubbles. The control part 21 controls oscillation of an ultrasonic wave for medical treatment according to the information obtained from the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave for observation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tumor treatment device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, typical treatment methods for tumors (cancer) such as solid tumors and hematological tumors include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and the like.
[0003]
In these treatment methods, there is a problem that not only tumor cells but also normal cells are killed or the invasion is large, and the QOL (Quality of Life) of a patient is significantly impaired.
[0004]
In recent years, therapeutic methods using ultrasound have been used from the viewpoint of improving the quality of life of patients. This treatment method uses, for example, an apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 to irradiate a tumor (treatment site) with focused ultrasound (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) to raise the temperature of the tumor to 80 ° to 100 °. And the heat causes coagulation and necrosis of the tumor cells.
[0005]
However, such a treatment method has a problem that it is very difficult to accurately control a portion where an ultrasonic wave is focused through a non-uniform medium such as a human body, and a tissue near a blood vessel where heat diffusion is large. Then, there is a problem that an incompletely coagulated portion remains.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-216145 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a tumor treatment device that can treat a tumor more safely.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Such an object is achieved by the present invention described in the following (1) to (19).
[0009]
(1) A tumor treatment device for killing at least a part of tumor cells constituting the tumor by breaking bubbles existing in or on the surface of the tumor,
A first ultrasonic vibrator that oscillates a first ultrasonic wave for confirming the presence of the air bubble administered in a living body,
A second ultrasonic oscillator that oscillates a second ultrasonic wave for breaking the air bubbles,
Control means for controlling the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave,
The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave.
[0010]
(2) The tumor treatment apparatus according to (1), wherein the first ultrasonic transducer has a function of receiving a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave.
[0011]
(3) The tumor treatment apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the first ultrasonic vibrator and the second ultrasonic vibrator are provided integrally.
[0012]
(4) A tumor treatment device for killing at least a part of tumor cells constituting the tumor by breaking bubbles existing in or on the surface of the tumor,
An ultrasonic oscillator that oscillates a first ultrasonic wave for confirming the presence of the air bubble administered in a living body and a second ultrasonic wave for breaking the air bubble,
Control means for controlling the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave,
The control unit controls the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave, wherein Treatment device.
[0013]
(5) The tumor treatment apparatus according to (4), wherein the ultrasonic transducer has a function of receiving a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave.
[0014]
(6) The control means controls to stop the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and start the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (5).
[0015]
(7) The control unit intermittently oscillates the second ultrasonic wave and does not oscillate the first ultrasonic wave during the period of oscillating the second ultrasonic wave. The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), which is controlled.
[0016]
(8) The tumor treatment apparatus according to (7), wherein a period during which the second ultrasonic wave is oscillated once is 0.1 to 60 seconds.
[0017]
(9) The tumor treatment apparatus according to (7) or (8), wherein the control unit controls the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave alternately.
[0018]
(10) Any one of the above (7) to (9), wherein the control means controls to start the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave after a predetermined time has elapsed after stopping the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave. A tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of the above.
[0019]
(11) The tumor treatment apparatus according to (10), wherein the predetermined time is 0.0001 to 1 second.
[0020]
(12) The control unit according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the control unit controls to stop oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[0021]
(13) The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the information obtained from the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave is the intensity of the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave.
[0022]
(14) The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the first ultrasonic wave and the second ultrasonic wave have different outputs and / or frequencies.
[0023]
(15) The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein an output of the second ultrasonic wave is 0.1 to 30 W / cm ² .
[0024]
(16) The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the frequency of the second ultrasonic wave is 100 kHz to 10 MHz.
[0025]
(17) The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the bubble has an average particle size of 0.05 to 10 μm.
[0026]
(18) The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein an antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to the tumor cell is immobilized on a surface of the bubble.
[0027]
(19) The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of (1) to (18), wherein the bubble contains an antitumor agent.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention kills (necroses) at least a part of tumor cells constituting a tumor by breaking bubbles existing in or on the surface of the tumor.
[0029]
Here, the air bubble used in the present invention is formed by enclosing a gaseous substance (gas state) at the temperature of the living body (around 37 ° C.) when administered to the living body.
[0030]
Examples of such a substance (filled gas) include air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, helium, argon, xenon, krypton, and other inert gases, sulfur hexafluoride, disulfur defluoride, and trisulfur. Low molecular weight hydrocarbons such as sulfur fluorides such as fluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride, methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, ethylene, propylene, propadiene, butene, acetylene, propyne Or halides thereof, ethers such as dimethyl ether, ketones, esters and the like. One or more of these can be used in combination. Fluoropropane, perfluorobutane and perfluoropentane are preferred. . Such bubbles exhibit high stability in a living body.
[0031]
Examples of the material constituting the membrane (outer shell) of the bubble include proteins such as albumin, polycationic lipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine, and palmitin. Acids, higher fatty acids such as stearic acid, sugars such as galactose, cholesterol, sterols such as sitosterol, surfactants, natural or synthetic molecules, etc., and one or more of these are combined. Can be used.
[0032]
The average particle size of the bubbles is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.05 to 10 μm, and more preferably about 2 to 7 μm. This makes it possible to further increase the amount of bubbles accumulated in the tumor.
[0033]
Further, as the bubbles, those having an antibody (IgG) or a fragment thereof (IbG Fab fragment) immobilized on the surface thereof, which specifically binds to tumor cells, can be used. In addition, as a method of immobilization, for example, a method such as adsorption or ligand-antiligand binding such as biotin-avidin binding can be used. By using such bubbles, the bubbles can efficiently reach (accumulate) the target tumor. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress damage to normal cells other than the tumor when treating the tumor.
[0034]
In addition, by using such bubbles, an effect that bubbles can efficiently reach (accumulate) a target tumor even when the tumor is administered into a blood vessel and reaches the tumor by blood flow can be obtained.
[0035]
Further, such bubbles contain an anti-tumor agent (anti-cancer agent), that is, those in which an anti-tumor agent is encapsulated, or an anti-tumor agent is contained or adsorbed on a film constituting bubbles. Can be used. Thereby, in addition to the effect of physically killing the tumor, the tumor can also be chemically killed, and the therapeutic effect on the tumor can be further increased.
[0036]
Examples of the antitumor agent include cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, dacarbazine, busulfan, alkylating agents such as melphalan, epirubicin, daunovicin, doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, actinomycin, aclarubicin, pirarubicin, epirubicin, peplomycin, Anticancer antibiotics such as bleomycin and mitomycin C, antimetabolites such as enocitabine, carmofur, cytarabine, tegafur, fluorouracil, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, plant alkaloids such as vin alkaloids, etoposide, tamoxifen citrate, acetic acid Hormonal agents such as medroxyprogesterone, platinum compounds such as cisplatin and carboplatin, carmustine, lomustine, streptozoto Nitrosoureas such as nitrosourine compounds, interferon, interleukin, lentinan, levamisole, picibanil, krestin, and other immunomodulators. One or more of these may be appropriately used depending on the type of tumor. They can be used in combination.
[0037]
Hereinafter, a tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0038]
<First embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention will be described.
[0039]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of the tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the tumor treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart of ultrasonic oscillation in the tumor treatment apparatus shown in FIG.
[0040]
The tumor treatment device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a device main body 2, an observation (confirmation) ultrasonic probe 3 and a treatment ultrasonic probe 4 connected to the device main body 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 2 includes a control unit (control unit) 21, a transmission / reception unit 22, a transmission unit 23, a calculation unit 24, a display unit (display unit) 25, and an operation unit ( (Input unit) 26.
[0041]
Hereinafter, each component will be sequentially described.
The observation ultrasonic probe 3 (hereinafter abbreviated as “observation probe 3”) has an observation ultrasonic vibrator (first vibrator) 31 therein.
[0042]
The observation ultrasonic vibrator 31 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “observation vibrator 31”) transmits observation ultrasonic waves (first ultrasonic waves) for confirming the presence of air bubbles administered into a living body. It has a function of oscillating and receiving a reflected wave (reflection echo) of the observation ultrasonic wave reflected by a living body or a bubble.
[0043]
The transmission / reception unit 22 is electrically connected to the observation transducer 31. The transmission / reception unit 22 drives the observation vibrator 31 to oscillate observation ultrasonic waves, and amplifies an echo signal received by the observation vibrator 31 and converted into an electric signal.
[0044]
The therapeutic ultrasound probe 4 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “therapeutic probe 4”) has a therapeutic ultrasound transducer (second transducer) 41 therein.
[0045]
The therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 41 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “the therapeutic transducer 41”) has a function of oscillating therapeutic ultrasonic waves (second ultrasonic waves) for breaking the bubbles. ing.
[0046]
The transmitting unit 23 is electrically connected to the treatment oscillator 41. The transmission unit 23 drives the treatment transducer 41 to oscillate treatment ultrasound.
[0047]
Here, as the treatment ultrasonic wave, for example, one whose output and / or frequency is different from that of the observation ultrasonic wave is used.
[0048]
Specifically, the output of the therapeutic ultrasound, is preferably in the range of about 0.1~30W / cm ^2, more preferably about 0.5~15W / cm ^2. By setting the output of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave within the above range, the bubbles can be more reliably broken. Further, the output of this therapeutic ultrasonic wave is lower than the output of the ultrasonic wave used in the conventional HIFU being 1000 W / cm ² . For this reason, it is also possible to prevent damage to normal cells around the tumor, and the safety of the patient is high.
[0049]
On the other hand, when the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves and the frequency of the observation ultrasonic waves are made different, the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves varies depending on the structure of the bubbles and the like, but is preferably a frequency close to the resonance frequency of the bubbles.
[0050]
Specifically, the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasound is preferably about 100 kHz to 10 MHz, and more preferably about 700 kHz to 1 MHz. By setting the frequency of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave in the above range, it is possible to surely break bubbles at a lower sound pressure.
[0051]
The transmission / reception unit 22 and the transmission unit 23 are each electrically connected to the control unit 21.
[0052]
The control unit 21 includes, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and the control unit 21 includes a storage unit (recording unit) (not shown) or the like. Further, the control unit 21 is electrically connected to the calculation unit 24, the display unit 25, and the operation unit 26.
[0053]
The control unit 21 controls the oscillation of the observation ultrasonic wave by the observation transducer 31 via the transmission / reception unit 22 and the oscillation of the treatment ultrasonic wave by the treatment transducer 41 via the transmission unit 23, The operation of each unit (the calculation unit 24 and the display unit 25) of the tumor treatment device 1 is controlled.
[0054]
Echo signal data is input to the arithmetic unit 24 via the control unit 21. The arithmetic unit 24 performs predetermined processing and processing on the echo signal data, and processes the echo signal data as an image signal.
[0055]
This image signal is transmitted to the display unit (monitor) 25 via the control unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 25 as an ultrasonic image.
[0056]
The operation unit 26 includes, for example, a touch panel, operation keys, and the like, and sets ON / OFF of the tumor treatment apparatus 1, setting of ultrasonic oscillation timing, ultrasonic intensity, ultrasonic output time, and ultrasonic wave. Input of various information such as automatic / manual switching of the oscillation of the device.
[0057]
Next, an example of the operation (use method) of the tumor treatment device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0058]
[1] First, the operation unit 26 is operated to turn on the tumor treatment apparatus 1. As a result, the tumor treatment device 1 is brought into a usable state (operating state).
[0059]
[2] Next, a liquid (medicine solution) containing air bubbles as described above is administered, for example, into a vein (blood vessel) of a patient.
[0060]
[3] Next, the operation section 26 is operated to input an instruction to start treatment, and the observation probe 3 is brought into contact with the epidermis of the patient (a site corresponding to the organ to be treated where the tumor is present).
[0061]
[4] The control unit 21 drives the observation vibrator 31 via the transmission / reception unit 22. Thereby, the observation transducer 31 oscillates the observation ultrasonic wave toward the organ to be treated. The observation ultrasonic waves are reflected by surfaces of the living body having different acoustic impedances, and enter the observation vibrator 31 as reflected waves (reflection echoes). The observation transducer 31 converts the reflected echo into an electric signal and outputs an echo signal.
[0062]
The echo signal data is input to the calculation unit 24 via the control unit 21, subjected to predetermined processing and processing, and displayed on the display unit (monitor) 25 as an ultrasonic image. For example, a difference in the intensity of the reflected echo from each part in the living body (information obtained from a reflected wave of the observation ultrasonic wave) is displayed on the display unit 25 as a difference in luminance.
[0063]
Then, air bubbles accumulate on the surface of the tumor over time. Since the air bubbles have higher acoustic impedance than the living body, the intensity of the reflected echo at the site where the air bubbles are accumulated (tumor site) increases. That is, on the ultrasonic image on the display unit 25, the brightness of the tumor site increases. Thereby, the position of the tumor can be easily specified.
[0064]
At this time, the use of bubbles to which IgG or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to the tumor cells is immobilized can further improve the rate of accumulation of bubbles in the tumor.
[0065]
[5] Next, the therapeutic probe 4 is positioned in the vicinity of the observation probe 3 (at a position almost directly above the tumor), and at this position, the therapeutic probe 4 is brought into contact with the epidermis of the patient.
[0066]
[6] Next, the control unit 21 controls to stop the oscillation of the observation ultrasonic wave and start the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave based on the information obtained from the reflected wave of the observation ultrasonic wave.
[0067]
Specifically, the control unit 21, the intensity of the reflected echoes at the tumor site is the predetermined value (in FIG. 3 shows. In I ₁₎ is reached, as shown in FIG. 3, the driving of the observation oscillator 31 Stop and stop the oscillation of the observation ultrasonic wave.
[0068]
At substantially the same time, the control unit 21 drives the treatment transducer 41 via the transmission unit 23. Thus, the treatment transducer 41 starts oscillating the treatment ultrasonic wave toward the treatment target organ.
[0069]
The predetermined value I ₁ is the intensity of the reflected echoes obtained when bubbles sufficient to tumor sites were integrated, pre-measured reflected echo intensity (for example, the average value of the echo intensity at the tumor site And distribution).
[0070]
The irradiation of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves breaks bubbles on the surface of the tumor. The cell membrane of the tumor cells is destroyed by the energy of the bubble breaking (collapse), and the tumor cells die. That is, treatment of the tumor is performed.
[0071]
Note that the use of bubbles containing an antitumor agent can further improve the effect of treating a tumor.
[0072]
[7] Next, after performing the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave for a predetermined time (indicated by Tt in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 stops (pauses) the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave and again. The observation ultrasonic wave is oscillated for a predetermined time (indicated by Ts in FIG. 3).
[0073]
The intensity of the reflected echo at the tumor site obtained at this time is as described in [6] because, in the above [6], the number of bubbles existing on the surface of the tumor is reduced due to the bubbles being broken by the irradiation of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves. 6] It is lower than that immediately before. On the ultrasound image, the brightness at the tumor site is reduced.
[0074]
Then, the control unit 21 (in FIG. 3,. Indicated by I ₂₎ a predetermined value echo intensity is obtained in the tumor site if not reduced to, i.e., it bubbles present at the tumor site is sufficiently If the bubble is not broken, the oscillation of the observation ultrasonic wave is stopped (paused), and the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave is started again.
[0075]
As described above, in the tumor treatment apparatus 1, the control unit 21 controls the oscillation of the observation ultrasonic waves and the oscillation of the treatment ultrasonic waves alternately. Thereby, the progress of the treatment can be grasped in real time.
[0076]
In addition, the control unit 21 controls the oscillation of the observation ultrasonic waves and the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves alternately, that is, while intermittently performing the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves, By controlling not to oscillate the observation ultrasonic wave during the oscillation period (Tt), it is possible to prevent noise from being mixed into the ultrasonic image due to the reflection echo of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave.
[0077]
In addition, from this viewpoint, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 stops (pauses) the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave, and after a predetermined time (indicated by Tk in FIG. 3) elapses, the control unit 21 performs the operation. It is preferable to control so as to start the oscillation of the sound wave. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent noise from being mixed into the ultrasonic image due to the reflection echo of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave.
[0078]
The times (periods) Tt, Ts, and Tk can be respectively set as follows, for example.
[0079]
The time Tt (period during which one treatment ultrasonic oscillation is performed) is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.1 to 60 seconds, and more preferably about 1 to 5 seconds. As a result, an effect is obtained that the useless output is effectively suppressed.
[0080]
The time Ts may be set to a time sufficient to receive the reflected echo, and is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.001 to 1 second, and is about 0.01 to 0.05 second. Is more preferred.
[0081]
The time Tk is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.0001 to 1 second, and more preferably about 0.005 to 0.5 second.
[0082]
[8] Next, the control unit 21 controls to stop the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from the reflected wave of the observation ultrasonic wave. Specifically, the control unit 21, the echo intensity at the tumor site decreases to a predetermined value I _2, as shown in FIG. 3, to stop the driving of the therapeutic transducer 41, the therapeutic ultrasound Stop oscillation.
[0083]
The predetermined value _{I 2,} when the echo intensity obtained from the tumor site itself was _I 0 [dB], is preferably from _{1.01 × I 0 ~1.1 × I 0} [dB] or so, More preferably, it is about 1.03 × I _{0 to} 1.07 × I ₀ [dB]. Thereby, sufficient treatment of the tumor can be performed.
[0084]
By controlling the oscillation of the therapeutic ultrasound and the oscillation of the observation ultrasound as described above, the therapeutic ultrasound can be prevented from being unnecessarily irradiated to the living body, and the patient's High safety.
[0085]
In the illustrated configuration, the different ultrasonic probe is provided with the observation ultrasonic transducer 31 and the treatment ultrasonic transducer 41, respectively. However, these ultrasonic transducers are the same probe. In other words, the configuration may be such that it is provided integrally. This can prevent the configuration of the tumor treatment apparatus 1 from being complicated, and facilitate handling of the probe.
[0086]
<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention will be described.
[0087]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a second embodiment of the tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention.
[0088]
Hereinafter, the tumor treatment apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described, but the description will focus on differences from the first embodiment, and description of the same items will be omitted.
[0089]
The tumor treatment apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment includes the ultrasonic probe 5 having one ultrasonic transducer 51 and the transmission / reception unit 27 for driving the ultrasonic transducer 51. Is the same as that of the tumor treatment apparatus 1.
[0090]
That is, in the ultrasonic transducer 51 of the second embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 51 is the same as the observation ultrasonic transducer (first ultrasonic transducer) 31 in the first embodiment and the ultrasonic vibration for treatment. It has both functions with the element (second ultrasonic transducer) 41.
[0091]
The control unit 21 drives the ultrasonic transducer 51 via the transmission / reception unit 27. As a result, the ultrasonic vibrator 51 uses the observation ultrasonic wave (first ultrasonic wave) for confirming the presence of the air bubble administered into the living body and the treatment ultrasonic wave (second ultrasonic wave) for breaking the air bubble. 2 ultrasonic waves). The ultrasonic transducer 51 receives a reflected wave (reflected echo) of the observation ultrasonic wave.
[0092]
The tumor treatment device 1 of the second embodiment can be used in the same manner as the tumor treatment device 1 of the first embodiment.
[0093]
In the tumor treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0094]
As described above, the tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the configuration of each unit may be any configuration that exhibits the same function. Can be replaced by something. Further, another configuration may be added.
[0095]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the intensity of the reflected wave is used as the information obtained from the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave has been described as a representative, but the information includes, for example, a predetermined component of the reflected wave. Brightness data or the like calculated based on the frequency or the intensity of the reflected wave can also be used.
[0096]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the control unit may stop the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and start the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. Although the case where the control is performed has been described, the first ultrasonic wave is continuously oscillated, and the control is performed such that the second ultrasonic wave is appropriately oscillated based on information obtained from the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. You may.
[0097]
Also, in each of the above embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer that oscillates the first ultrasonic wave has the function of receiving the reflected wave. However, the receiving unit that receives the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave is described. (Receiving unit) may be provided separately.
[0098]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which bubbles are administered into blood vessels to reach the tumor by blood flow. However, bubbles may be directly injected into the tumor.
[0099]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, tumor treatment can be performed more safely.
[0100]
In addition, the control means controls the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave alternately, whereby the progress of the treatment can be grasped in real time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of a tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the tumor treatment apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart of ultrasonic oscillation in the tumor treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a second embodiment of the tumor treatment apparatus of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tumor treatment device 2 device main body 21 control unit 22 transmission / reception unit 23 transmission unit 24 calculation unit 25 display unit 26 operation unit 27 transmission / reception unit 3 observation ultrasonic probe 31 observation ultrasonic transducer 4 treatment ultrasonic probe 41 treatment Ultrasonic transducer 5 Ultrasonic probe 51 Ultrasonic transducer

Claims (19)

A tumor treatment device that kills at least a part of tumor cells constituting the tumor by breaking bubbles existing in or on the surface of the tumor,
A first ultrasonic vibrator that oscillates a first ultrasonic wave for confirming the presence of the air bubble administered in a living body,
A second ultrasonic oscillator that oscillates a second ultrasonic wave for breaking the air bubbles,
Control means for controlling the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave,
The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ultrasonic transducer has a function of receiving a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ultrasonic vibrator and the second ultrasonic vibrator are provided integrally. A tumor treatment device that kills at least a part of tumor cells constituting the tumor by breaking bubbles existing in or on the surface of the tumor,
An ultrasonic oscillator that oscillates a first ultrasonic wave for confirming the presence of the air bubble administered in a living body and a second ultrasonic wave for breaking the air bubble,
Control means for controlling the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave,
The control unit controls the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave, wherein Treatment device. The tumor treatment device according to claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic transducer has a function of receiving a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. The control means controls the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave to be stopped and the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave to be started based on information obtained from a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. 6. The tumor treatment device according to any one of 1 to 5. The control means controls intermittently to oscillate the second ultrasonic wave and not to oscillate the first ultrasonic wave during a period during which the second ultrasonic wave is oscillated. Item 7. The tumor treatment device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a period during which the second ultrasonic wave is oscillated once is 0.1 to 60 seconds. 9. The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs control such that oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave and oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave are performed alternately. 10. The tumor treatment according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the control unit controls to start the oscillation of the first ultrasonic wave after a predetermined time has elapsed after stopping the oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave. apparatus. The tumor treatment device according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined time is 0.0001 to 1 second. The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit controls to stop oscillation of the second ultrasonic wave based on information obtained from a reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. . 13. The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information obtained from the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave is the intensity of the reflected wave of the first ultrasonic wave. The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first ultrasonic wave and the second ultrasonic wave have different outputs and / or frequencies. The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an output of the second ultrasonic wave is 0.1 to 30 W / cm ² . 16. The tumor treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the second ultrasonic wave is 100 kHz to 10 MHz. The tumor treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the bubble has an average particle diameter of 0.05 to 10 m. The tumor treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein an antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to the tumor cell is immobilized on a surface of the bubble. 19. The tumor treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the bubble contains an antitumor agent.

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