JP2006326128A - Medical system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the temperature of each electrode for an electric surgery on an ultrasonic image in a medical system obtained by combining ultrasonic diagnosis and the electric surgery. <P>SOLUTION: An electrode temperature image 118 as well as the ultrasonic image 102 is displayed. The electrode temperature image has a numerical value 122 as temperature information expressing the temperature of each electrode. Each electrode position is connected with each numerical value 122 through an arrow mark 120. The electrode temperature image 118 superimposed on the ultrasonic image 102 is displayed, and the electrode temperature image 118 can be displayed adjacent to the ultrasonic image 102. In order to specify a coordinate relation between a probe and a hand piece, a magnetic field generator and a magnetic sensor are utilized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical system, and more particularly to a system that combines ultrasonic diagnosis and electrosurgery.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus that forms an ultrasonic image by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living body. As ultrasonic images, two-dimensional tomographic images (B-mode images), three-dimensional images, and the like are known. On the other hand, an electrosurgical device typically causes a high-frequency current to flow through a living tissue (such as a malignant tumor) to cause thermal coagulation necrosis (radiofrequency thermocoagulation treatment). The electrosurgical device has a puncture handpiece. The handpiece is a tubular member, a shaft member that advances and retreats inside the tubular member, and a plurality of treatments that are provided at the tip of the shaft member and that are exposed from the tubular member and advanced into a trumpet shape (or spherical shape) at the time of advancement. An electrode. Each treatment electrode has a temperature sensor at its tip, and the temperature of the treatment electrode is individually monitored.

  Conventionally, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the electrosurgical apparatus are configured as separate apparatuses. When performing electrosurgery while performing ultrasonic diagnosis, a puncture adapter is generally attached to an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and the above-described handpiece is set on the puncture adapter. Then, while observing the ultrasonic image, the handpiece is advanced into the body, and when the tip of the handpiece reaches the target tissue, the plurality of electrode members are deployed, and in this state, the high-frequency current is applied to the target tissue. Washed away. Note that the same diagnostic treatment as described above can be performed without using a puncture adapter.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a medical system in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an electrosurgical apparatus are combined. A range (treatment range) covered by electrosurgery is displayed as a graphic image on the ultrasonic image as an overlay. In addition, the electrosurgical conditions can be set by variably setting the treatment range. FIG. 4C of the same document shows that the temperature distribution in the estimated treatment range is displayed in hue. FIG. 8 of the same document shows a graph display of the temporal change in temperature detected by a plurality of temperature sensors. Patent Documents 2 and 3 below describe that a surgical instrument is represented on an image such as an X-ray CT image or an MRI image.

JP 2001-340350 A JP-A-7-204210 JP-A-7-255744

  In the system described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to display the temperatures detected for each treatment electrode as a plurality of graphs. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a configuration for immediately specifying which graph corresponds to which treatment electrode. In the conventional electrosurgical apparatus, the temperature of each treatment electrode is displayed as a numerical value on the monitor, but the correspondence between each treatment electrode displayed on the ultrasonic image and each temperature is unclear.

  An object of the present invention is to display the temperature of each treatment electrode appearing on an ultrasonic image in an easily understandable manner. Alternatively, the temperature of each treatment electrode in the target tissue can be individually grasped while the electrosurgery is in progress.

(1) The present invention provides a medical system that combines ultrasonic diagnosis and electrosurgery, a plurality of treatment electrodes for heat coagulation treatment of a target tissue, and a plurality of temperature sensors provided corresponding to the plurality of treatment electrodes. A hand piece inserted into a living body, an ultrasonic image forming unit that forms an ultrasonic image based on a reception signal obtained by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and a plurality of temperature sensors. An electrode temperature image forming unit that forms an electrode temperature image representing individual temperatures for the plurality of treatment electrodes based on a plurality of temperature signals; a display processing unit that displays the ultrasonic image and the electrode temperature image; , Including.

  According to the above configuration, since the electrode temperature image is displayed together with the ultrasonic image, the temperature of each treatment electrode can be recognized from the electrode temperature image. Since the temperature of each treatment electrode can be confirmed while observing the ultrasonic image without moving the line of sight, it is possible to avoid the problem that the gripping state (insertion state) of the handpiece naturally changes when the line of sight moves. In addition, a change in temperature can be recognized at any time during treatment, and an immediate response can be made when the temperature is abnormal. Thus, the safety of treatment can be improved.

  Although it is desirable that the plurality of treatment electrodes be deployed in a trumpet shape, those having other forms and structures may be employed. As a plurality of temperature sensors, in addition to a sensor that physically detects the temperature, a current or power may be detected to indirectly detect the temperature. Note that other information such as the set temperature, impedance, and power may be displayed along with (or instead of) the detected temperature. In addition to numerical display, information can be displayed using hue change, luminance change, and the like. Examples of the ultrasound image include a two-dimensional tomographic image, a two-dimensional Doppler image, and a three-dimensional image. If the temperature information detected in real time is displayed in the ultrasonic image displayed in real time, it is possible to check the progress of the treatment and recognize the thermal coagulation state. Enhanced.

  Preferably, the ultrasonic image and the electrode temperature image are displayed side by side or superimposed on the same screen. If both images are displayed side by side, the problem that one image conceals the other image can be avoided. If both images are displayed in an overlapping manner, the positional correspondence between them can be easily understood. In any case, it is desirable to measure and calculate the spatial positional relationship between the scanning plane (or data capture area) and the handpiece, and to display so as to reflect the positional relationship. However, even when such a coordinate measurement is not performed and a plurality of temperatures are simply displayed together with the ultrasonic image, an advantage of avoiding line-of-sight movement can be obtained.

  Preferably, the electrode temperature image is a treatment electrode model simulating the plurality of treatment electrodes, and information displayed in combination with the treatment electrode model, and a plurality of temperature information associated with the plurality of treatment electrodes. And having. The treatment electrode model may be a more realistic aspect or a schematic diagram as a set of a plurality of lines. It is desirable to devise a display form so that the correspondence between each treatment electrode and each temperature is clear. Preferably, the treatment electrode model is composed of a plurality of lines indicating the developed state of the plurality of treatment electrodes, and the temperature information is displayed for each line.

  Preferably, the electrode temperature image includes a plurality of temperature information displayed in association with a plurality of treatment electrode positions on the ultrasonic image. In this case, it is necessary to specify the position (temperature sensor arrangement position or tip position) of each treatment electrode on the ultrasonic image, and preferably the coordinate information of the probe and the coordinate information of the handpiece are acquired. According to the former, the spatial position (and posture) of the scanning plane can be specified, and according to the latter, the spatial position of each treatment electrode can be specified. The position (projection position) can be specified. If the temperature information is displayed as it is at that position, the tissue may be concealed. Therefore, a line may be drawn from the position and the temperature information may be displayed at the end.

  Desirably, it includes means for measuring first coordinate information on the handpiece, and the electrode temperature image forming unit forms the electrode temperature image based on the first coordinate information. The coordinate information includes information such as the position on each coordinate axis of the three-dimensional coordinates and the rotation angle around each coordinate axis. When a magnetic sensor is provided on the handpiece, it is desirable to separately register a direction vector from the magnetic sensor to each treatment electrode. In that case, when the development amount and the protrusion amount of each treatment electrode are variable, the variable amount may be measured and taken into consideration in the coordinate calculation.

  Preferably, the probe includes a unit that measures second coordinate information for the probe that transmits and receives the ultrasonic wave, and the electrode temperature image forming unit includes the electrode based on the first coordinate information and the second coordinate information. A temperature image is formed.

  Preferably, the means for measuring the first coordinate information is provided in the handpiece, and includes a first magnetic sensor for detecting the first coordinate information and a magnetic field for measurement with respect to the first magnetic sensor. A second magnetic sensor for detecting the second coordinate information provided on the probe; and a second magnetic sensor for detecting the second coordinate information, A second magnetic field generator that applies a measurement magnetic field to the magnetic sensor, and the first magnetic field generator and the second magnetic field generator are configured as the same magnetic field generator. When the magnetic field generator is shared, the magnetic field generator may be used in a time-sharing manner for each magnetic sensor, or may be shared continuously. If the high frequency during electrosurgery adversely affects coordinate measurement, coordinate measurement may be completed before electrosurgery. The magnetic field generator is desirably provided in the vicinity of the bed on which the subject lies. The coordinate information can be measured by using an electrical or mechanical detector other than the magnetic sensor. When the handpiece is divided into a disposable part and other parts, it is desirable to provide a magnetic sensor on the latter. The positional relationship between the magnetic sensor and each treatment electrode is preferably fixed. However, when the relationship changes, it is desirable to detect the change and take it into account in coordinate calculation.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the temperature of each treatment electrode appearing on an ultrasonic image can be displayed in an easily understandable manner. Alternatively, the temperature of each treatment electrode in the target tissue can be individually grasped during the electrosurgery.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a medical system according to the present invention. This medical system is a system in which tissue is thermally coagulated by electrosurgery while performing ultrasonic diagnosis.

  The medical system has a treatment unit 10, a diagnostic unit 12 and a control unit 14. The treatment unit 10 corresponds to an electrosurgical device, and the diagnostic unit 12 corresponds to an ultrasonic diagnostic device. The control unit 14 is configured by, for example, a personal computer. However, all the configurations shown in FIG. 1 may be incorporated in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, or the respective apparatuses may be connected by a signal cable to configure the system. It is also possible to transfer some functions in the treatment unit 10 into the diagnosis unit 12. That is, various types of system configurations can be employed.

  In the treatment unit 10, the handpiece 16 is punctured into the living body through the body surface as will be described later with reference to FIG. The insertion portion is provided with a plurality of electrodes (treatment electrodes), and it is possible to perform thermal coagulation treatment of the target tissue by exposing and deploying the plurality of electrodes in a puncture completion state. Here, the target tissue is, for example, a malignant tumor in the liver. In this embodiment, six or seven electrodes are provided, but the present invention is not limited to the number of these electrodes. Incidentally, the handpiece 16 includes at least one electrode. A plurality of temperature sensors 18 are provided corresponding to the plurality of electrodes. For example, each temperature sensor 18 is provided at the tip of each electrode. In the present embodiment, a sensor that physically detects the temperature, such as a thermocouple, is used as the temperature sensor 18, but the temperature is indirectly detected by detecting the current or power supplied to each electrode, for example. You may make it monitor. As will be described later, temperature information is displayed in the present embodiment, but information such as impedance and output may be displayed together with or instead of the temperature information. The temperature information detected by each temperature sensor 18 is output to the electrosurgical control unit 28.

The handpiece 16 has a magnetic sensor 20 in this embodiment. The magnetic sensor 20 is disposed at a predetermined location on the handpiece 16 and measures the spatial position and posture of the handpiece 16 by detecting a magnetic field. Specifically, the position on each coordinate axis and the angle around each coordinate axis in the three-dimensional space are detected, and specifically, information on x _t , y _t , z _t , α _t , β _t , γ _t . Are detected and output to the coordinate relationship calculation unit 54 described later. In detecting such coordinate information, a predetermined magnetic field is generated by the magnetic field generator 22. The magnetic field generator 22 includes, for example, a plurality of magnetic field generating coils provided for each axis, and supplies magnetic field generating signals to these coils in a time-sharing manner, whereby magnetic fields corresponding to the respective axes are provided. Is formed in a time-sharing manner. A positioning system including the magnetic field generator 22 and the magnetic sensor 20 is a known technique.

  The high frequency signal output unit 24 outputs a high frequency signal to each of a plurality of electrodes included in the handpiece 16. When a high frequency signal is supplied to each electrode, the current flows to the counter electrode plate 26 through the living tissue. Since the current density is increased in the target tissue, the portion generates heat and is thermally coagulated. The electrosurgical control unit 28 controls the high-frequency signal output unit 24 and the like. The heating temperature for each electrode can be freely set, and the output can also be set. An operation panel 30 is connected to the electrosurgical control unit 28. A plurality of temperature display indicators are provided on the operation panel 30, and the temperature of each electrode is also displayed on the operation panel 30. However, if such an operation panel 30 is observed while observing an ultrasonic image, it is necessary to move the line of sight greatly, and there is a concern that the handpiece will come close. According to this embodiment, since temperature information can be displayed together with an ultrasonic image, such a problem can be effectively prevented.

  Next, the diagnostic unit 12 will be described. The probe 32 is used in contact with the body surface. The probe 32 is held by a doctor's hand, but may be held by a scanner mechanism such as a robot. This is also true for the handpiece 16 described above. The probe 32 has an array transducer 34. The array transducer 34 is a so-called 1D array transducer in this embodiment. That is, the array transducer 34 includes a plurality of one-dimensionally arranged transducer elements, and an ultrasonic beam is formed by the array transducer 34, and the ultrasound beam is electronically scanned. As electronic scanning methods, methods such as electronic linear scanning and electronic sector scanning are well known. In the example shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 later, so-called convex scanning is performed, whereby a fan-shaped scanning surface is formed. Note that a so-called 2D array transducer may be provided in the probe 32 to capture three-dimensional echo data. By taking in such three-dimensional echo data, an ultrasonic three-dimensional image can be formed. A puncture holder may be attached to the probe 32, and the handpiece 16 may be held by the puncture holder.

The probe 32 includes a magnetic sensor 36 in the present embodiment. Similar to the magnetic sensor 20 described above, the magnetic sensor 36 measures the spatial position and orientation of the probe 32. That is, the magnetic sensor 36 detects the magnetic field formed by the magnetic field generator 22, and as coordinate information, information about the position of each coordinate axis and information about the angle around each coordinate axis x _t , y _t , z _t , α _t , β _t , γ _t is output. Such information is taken in the coordinate relation calculation unit. The magnetic sensor 36 may be embedded in the probe 32, or may be attached to the outer surface of the case of the probe 32. In any case, it is desirable to measure the coordinate information so that the magnetic sensor 36 can specify the spatial position and orientation of the scanning plane. Similarly, in the magnetic sensor 20, the coordinate information is measured so that the spatial position of the tip position of each electrode (that is, each temperature sensor arrangement position) in the handpiece 16 can be specified. desirable. In this case, it is desirable that a position vector between the magnetic sensor and the position of each temperature sensor is registered in advance in the system as necessary.

  The transmission / reception unit 38 functions as a transmission beam former and a reception beam former. That is, the transmission / reception unit 38 supplies a plurality of transmission signals to the array transducer 34. As a result, a transmission beam is formed. On the other hand, a plurality of reception signals output from the array transducer 34 are input to the transmission / reception unit 38, and a phasing addition process is performed on these reception signals. As a result, a reception beam is formed electronically. The received signal after the phasing addition is output to the ultrasonic image forming unit 40. A signal processing unit and the like are provided between the transmission / reception unit 38 and the ultrasonic image forming unit 40, but are not illustrated. The ultrasonic image forming unit 40 is configured by, for example, a digital scan converter (DSC), and forms a two-dimensional tomographic image by coordinate conversion, interpolation processing, or the like on the echo data sequence obtained for each beam. In addition to such a two-dimensional tomographic image, an ultrasonic image may include a three-dimensional image. By the way, prior to treatment, the probe 32 is brought into contact with the body surface, and the position and posture of the probe are adjusted so that the center of the target tissue is positioned near the center of the scanning surface while observing the ultrasonic image. . In addition, the handpiece 16 is typically inserted into the living body along the scanning plane while fixing the position of the scanning plane. In this case, it is possible to use the puncture holder or puncture adapter as necessary. Of course, it is possible to approach the handpiece 16 from the direction intersecting the scanning plane.

  Data of the ultrasonic image formed by the ultrasonic image forming unit 40 is output to the display processing unit 42. The ultrasonic diagnostic control unit 46 performs operation control of each component included in the diagnostic unit 12. An operation panel 48 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic control unit 46. The operation panel 48 includes a keyboard, a trackball, and the like, and has a liquid crystal display as necessary.

  The graphic image forming unit 44 is a module that forms a graphic image to be combined with an ultrasonic image. The graphic image forming unit 44 may be realized as a function of a CPU that performs a program operation, or may be configured by dedicated hardware. In the present embodiment, the graphic image forming unit 44 forms an electrode temperature image as a reference image to be combined with the ultrasonic image, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. This is an image expressed by associating a plurality of temperature information corresponding to a plurality of electrodes with spatial positions of the plurality of electrodes. Such an image is displayed superimposed on the ultrasound image or displayed adjacent to the ultrasound image. Such image composition processing is performed by the display processing unit 42. The display unit 50 displays an image that has been processed by the display processing unit 42. The graphic image forming unit 44 may be provided in the control unit 14.

  The system control unit 52 controls the cooperation of the treatment unit 10 and the diagnosis unit 12 shown in FIG. Further, the operation of the magnetic field generator 22 is controlled. The system control unit 52 may be provided as necessary. For example, when the diagnosis unit 12 side functions as a main controller, the ultrasonic diagnosis control unit 46 included therein controls the function on the treatment unit 10 side. May be. Alternatively, the treatment unit 10 and the diagnosis unit 12 may perform system operation by exchanging data while cooperating with each other. Based on the coordinate information output from the magnetic sensor 20 and the coordinate information output from the magnetic sensor 36, the coordinate relationship calculating unit 54 further scans (or two-dimensional or three-dimensional data) based on necessary preset data. The coordinate relationship between the capture area) and each electrode position is specified. That is, when each temperature information is displayed on the ultrasonic image, if the positional relationship with the ultrasonic image, that is, the scanning plane is not specified, the temperature is set at an appropriate position in relation to the tissue or in relation to each electrode. It becomes impossible to display information. Therefore, in order to perform such display processing, the coordinate relationship calculation unit performs a coordinate relationship calculation. The coordinate relationship calculation unit 54 holds information regarding the positional relationship between the magnetic sensor 20 and each temperature sensor 18 in the handpiece 16. When the positional relationship with the magnetic sensor 20 shifts with the advance and retreat of each electrode, such a shift amount is detected and the detected information is reflected in the calculation of the coordinate relationship. May be. In the coordinate relationship calculation unit 54, information indicating the relative positional relationship between the magnetic sensor 36 and the scanning surface in the probe 32 is registered.

  Therefore, the coordinate relationship calculation unit 54 comprehensively considers the coordinate information as described above, and specifies the position of each electrode on the scanning plane, specifically, the spatial position of the tip of each electrode. In this case, strictly speaking, although the scanning surface is a surface, a plurality of electrodes spread in a trumpet shape, and thus not all electrodes are present on the surface. It is assumed that each electrode is projected above, and temperature information is associated with the projection position.

  The graphic image forming unit 44 is given the calculation result of the coordinate relation calculating unit 54, and is also given the temperature information detected by each temperature sensor 18 from the electrosurgical control unit 28. The graphic image calculation unit forms an electrode temperature image which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 based on such input information.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the handpiece 16 shown in FIG. The handpiece 16 has a puncture shaft 60 as an insertion portion. A plurality of electrodes 64 are provided so as to be able to advance and retreat through the opening at the tip, and when these electrodes 64 slide forward, they spread in a trumpet shape and constitute an electrode deployment part 62. That is, when the puncture shaft 60 is inserted into the living body and positioning is performed so that the tip is located at the center of the target tissue, and a plurality of electrodes are deployed in this state, the center extends from the center of the target tissue to the periphery. It is possible to penetrate the electrode. If a high frequency current is applied in this state, the target tissue can be thermally coagulated. After the electrosurgery is completed, the plurality of electrodes 64 are drawn into the distal end opening of the puncture shaft 60, and the handpiece 16 is pulled out from the living body in this state.

  The handpiece 16 is roughly divided into a first portion 56 and a second portion 58. The first portion 56 is configured as a disposable portion, and the second portion 58 is configured as a non-disposable portion. The connection portion 64 of the first portion 56 and the main body 66 of the second portion 58 are detachably coupled. The detachable structure is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, (A) shows the structure of the connecting portion 64, and (B) shows the structure of the main body portion 66. In (A), a plurality of electrode conductors 70 are arranged in an annular shape, and a cylindrical connector 72 is provided. The connector 72 has a protrusion 72A in the constant angle direction. As shown in (B), a plurality of electrode conductors 74 are also arranged in an annular shape in the main body portion 66, and an annular groove 76 is provided on the outer side, and the groove is notched in a predetermined angle direction. 76A is provided. Accordingly, the second position portion 56 and the second portion 58 are connected by the fitting of the ring-shaped connector 72 and the ring-shaped groove 76. In that case, the angular relationship between the two is always kept constant by fitting the protrusion 72A into the notch 76A.

  As shown in (B), the magnetic sensor 20 is embedded in the main body portion 66. Therefore, since the magnetic sensor 20 is provided on the second portion 58 side, even when the first portion 56 is discarded, the magnetic sensor 20 itself is not discarded. It should be noted that various types of handpiece structures can be employed, and those shown in FIGS. 2 to 3 are merely examples. In addition, the code | symbol 73 shown in FIG. 3 has shown the injection port for performing the water injection to an insertion part.

  Next, display examples will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows a first example of an image displayed on the display screen 100 of the display unit 50 shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 4, an electrode temperature image 110 is displayed on the display screen 100 together with the ultrasonic image 102. The ultrasonic image 102 includes a cross section of the target tissue 106, and an image 104 representing a handpiece inserted into the living body is shown. In this example, a handpiece is inserted along the scanning plane. When a plurality of electrodes are developed from the tip of the handpiece, a plurality of line-shaped images are displayed in the target tissue as indicated by reference numeral 108 in FIG. Therefore, by observing such an ultrasonic image 102, the handpiece 104 can be reliably guided to the target tissue 106, and the state in which a plurality of electrodes have spread within the target tissue 106 can be reliably recognized. It becomes possible. When inserting the handpiece, for example, a guideline or the like may be displayed on the ultrasonic image 102.

  The electrode temperature image 110 is configured as a model simulating a plurality of electrodes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the model is configured by a plurality of lines 112 that radiate from the center. The end of each line represents the position of the temperature sensor, and numerical values as temperature information are displayed in the vicinity of the end. Incidentally, a numerical value is also displayed near the origin of the model, which represents the temperature of the center electrode. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a marker 114 indicating the position of the scanning surface is displayed in the electrode temperature image 110. Note that the front surface of the scanning surface is specified by an arrow shown in the vicinity of the marker 114. By simultaneously displaying the marker 114 representing the scanning plane and the model in this manner, it is possible to intuitively recognize which electrode is displayed on the screen in relation to the ultrasonic image 102. . Of course, for such a model, for example, if the positional relationship between the scanning surface and the handpiece changes according to the rotation of the handpiece, the display form changes to reflect that. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the marker 114 representing the scanning plane is shown as a simple line, but this is not a simple schematic diagram, and the scanning plane is represented in three dimensions and a plurality of electrodes are represented in three dimensions. It may be displayed so that the relationship between the two can be recognized more spatially.

  In any case, by displaying the temperature information individually for each electrode, the temperature information for each electrode can be confirmed after the electrosurgery is started after positioning the handpiece. When an abnormality occurs, it is possible to take immediate action. In that case, since the temperature information can be observed while observing the ultrasonic image, it is possible to avoid the problem of having to confirm the temperature by moving the line of sight to the panel surface of the electrosurgical unit as in the past, There is an advantage that operability and safety can be greatly improved. In the example shown in FIG. 4, numerical display is used as the temperature information. However, for example, the temperature level may be displayed using, for example, hue change or luminance change.

  Various variations such as displaying a temperature higher than the set value in red and displaying a temperature lower than the set value in blue are conceivable.

  FIG. 5 shows another display example. The ultrasonic image 102 is displayed on the display screen 100 in the same manner as described above, but the electrode temperature image 118 is overlaid on the ultrasonic image 102. That is, the ultrasound image 102 includes a handpiece image 104 and a target tissue cross-section 106, and an image 108 representing a plurality of electrodes exposed from the tip of the handpiece is displayed thereon. The electrode temperature image 108 is displayed in a superimposed manner. In this example, the position of each electrode on the ultrasonic image 102 is specified, the position of each electrode is marked as an arrow, and a numerical value 122 representing the temperature is displayed on the root side of the arrow.

  That is, if a numerical value is displayed as it is at each electrode position, the target tissue 106 is hidden by the numerical value. Therefore, the temperature information is offset-displayed while clarifying the correspondence with each electrode position using the arrow-shaped marker 120. Thus, the concealment problem of the target tissue is prevented in advance while ensuring the correspondence relationship of the temperature information. Therefore, according to the display example shown in FIG. 5, since the temperature information is directly displayed on the ultrasonic image, there is an advantage that the temperature of each electrode can be recognized more intuitively.

  In the above embodiment, the electrode temperature image is synthesized on the two-dimensional tomographic image, but the ultrasonic three-dimensional image and the electrode temperature image may be displayed in combination. In the above embodiment, temperature information is displayed. However, information such as impedance, output, and set temperature may be displayed together. In the above embodiment, the coordinate information of the handpiece and the probe is acquired using the magnetic field generator and the magnetic sensor. However, the coordinate information is not limited to such a method, and for example, the coordinate information is acquired by an electrical or mechanical method. You may do it. In addition, when the position of the probe can be surely recognized, the measurement of the coordinate information for the probe may be omitted and the coordinate information may be measured only for the handpiece. For example, when a puncture adapter is attached to a probe and the handpiece is held by the puncture adapter, an encoder that detects the insertion amount, rotation amount, puncture angle, etc. of the handpiece is attached to the puncture adapter, and the necessary coordinates are set accordingly. Information may be acquired.

It is a block diagram which shows suitable embodiment of the medical system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of a handpiece. It is a figure which shows the structure of the connection part in a handpiece. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a display of an electrode temperature image. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a display of an electrode temperature image.

Explanation of symbols

  10 treatment units, 12 diagnostic units, 14 control units, 16 handpieces, 18 temperature sensors, 20 magnetic sensors, 22 magnetic field generators, 32 probes, 34 array transducers, 36 magnetic sensors, 44 graphic image forming units, 54 coordinate relationships Arithmetic unit.

Claims (8)

In a medical system that combines ultrasonic diagnosis and electrosurgery,
A plurality of treatment electrodes for thermal coagulation treatment of a target tissue; and a plurality of temperature sensors provided corresponding to the plurality of treatment electrodes;
An ultrasonic image forming unit that forms an ultrasonic image based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
An electrode temperature image forming unit that forms an electrode temperature image representing individual temperatures for the plurality of treatment electrodes based on a plurality of temperature signals from the plurality of temperature sensors;
A display processing unit for displaying the ultrasonic image and the electrode temperature image;
A medical system characterized by including: The medical system according to claim 1, wherein
The medical system, wherein the ultrasonic image and the electrode temperature image are displayed side by side or superimposed on the same screen. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein
The electrode temperature image is
A treatment electrode model simulating the plurality of treatment electrodes;
Information displayed in combination with the treatment electrode model, a plurality of temperature information associated with the plurality of treatment electrodes,
A medical system characterized by comprising: The medical system according to claim 3,
The treatment electrode model is composed of a plurality of lines indicating a deployment state of the plurality of treatment electrodes,
The temperature information is displayed for each line. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein
The medical system, wherein the electrode temperature image includes a plurality of temperature information displayed in association with a plurality of treatment electrode positions on the ultrasound image. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein
Means for measuring first coordinate information for the handpiece;
The medical system characterized in that the electrode temperature image forming unit forms the electrode temperature image based on the first coordinate information. The medical system according to claim 6, wherein
Means for measuring second coordinate information for the probe for transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave,
The electrode temperature image forming unit forms the electrode temperature image based on the first coordinate information and the second coordinate information. The medical system according to claim 7, wherein
The means for measuring the first coordinate information includes:
A first magnetic sensor provided on the handpiece for detecting the first coordinate information;
A first magnetic field generator for providing a measurement magnetic field to the first magnetic sensor;
Including
The means for measuring the second coordinate information includes:
A second magnetic sensor provided on the probe for detecting the second coordinate information;
A second magnetic field generator for applying a measurement magnetic field to the second magnetic sensor;
Including
The medical system, wherein the first magnetic field generator and the second magnetic field generator are configured as the same magnetic field generator.

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