JP2016087224A - Cryotherapy device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cryotherapy device that enables continuous operation and downsizing as well as weight saving.SOLUTION: A cryotherapy device 1 comprises: a cryotherapy probe 3; a plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a, 2b for storing low-temperature liquefied gas; a plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a, L1b for supplying the low-temperature liquefied gas from the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a, 2b to the cryotherapy probe 3; a plurality of purge branch lines L2a, L2b provided by branching from the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a, L1b for exhausting gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a, L1b; and switch means 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b capable of simultaneously selecting the supply and stop of the low-temperature liquefied gas of the plurality of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a, L1b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cryotherapy apparatus.

In fields such as viral warts, autologous liquid nitrogen treatment bone transplantation, and cryotherapy of cancer, conventionally, freezing treatment by cell freezing necrosis using the phenomenon that cell membranes are destroyed and killed by freezing cells is used. Has been done. For example, in Japanese translations of PCT publication No. 2005-534460, a metal nozzle is attached to a storage container for low-temperature liquefied gas such as liquid nitrogen via a hose, and low-temperature liquefied gas is injected into the affected area, or a lesion is punctured with a metal probe. A method is disclosed in which the tip is cooled to an extremely low temperature with a low-temperature liquefied gas to necrotize the tissue.
Further, the conventional cryotherapy apparatus has only one liquid nitrogen container (low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a) as shown in FIG.

JP-T-2005-534460

  By the way, since cryotherapy generally uses high-pressure gas (for example, 30 MPa), an apparatus required for cryotherapy is complicated and inevitably becomes large in order to comply with regulations such as the high-pressure gas safety law. In addition, since the high-pressure gas container is large, the movement of the apparatus and the replacement work of the liquid nitrogen container are burdens on the medical staff, and the convenience and convenience are inferior. In addition, there is also a disadvantage that the replacement operation of the liquid nitrogen container needs to be performed while the operation of the apparatus is stopped.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a cryotherapy apparatus that can be continuously operated and can be reduced in size and weight.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention according to claim 1, a cryotherapy probe, a plurality of low temperature liquefied gas storage containers storing low temperature liquefied gas, and the cryotherapy probe from the low temperature liquefied gas storage container A plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines for supplying the low-temperature liquefied gas, and a branch from the low-temperature liquefied gas supply line for exhausting the gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas supply line. A freezing comprising a plurality of purge branch lines and a switching means capable of simultaneously selecting supply and stop of the low-temperature liquefied gas of the plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines. A therapeutic device is provided.

  Moreover, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, it is connected to the gaseous-phase part in the said low-temperature liquefied gas storage container, The gas accumulated in the gaseous-phase part in the said low-temperature liquefied gas storage container can be exhausted, The several The cryotherapy apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a vaporizing gas purging line, and a plurality of vaporizing gas purging safety valves provided one by one on the vaporizing gas purging line.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 3, a control unit for controlling the switching unit is provided, and the switching unit controls the switching unit based on the remaining amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container. The cryotherapy apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein supply and stop of the low-temperature liquefied gas in a plurality of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines are simultaneously selected.

  Moreover, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the said cryogenic liquefied gas storage container is 500 mL or less, The cryotherapy apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned is provided.

  According to the cryotherapy apparatus of the present invention, a cryotherapy probe, a plurality of cryogenic liquefied gas storage containers storing cryogenic liquefied gas, and supplying the cryogenic liquefied gas from the cryogenic liquefied gas storage container to the cryotherapy probe. A plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines and a plurality of purge branches provided to branch off from the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines to exhaust the gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines Line and a switching means capable of simultaneously selecting the supply and stop of the low-temperature liquefied gas of the plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines. Some low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines can be selectively exhausted without affecting the lines. As a result, while the liquefied gas is being supplied from some of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines, the supply of the liquefied gas from the remaining part or all of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines is stopped, and the low-temperature liquefied gas supply is stopped. After replacing the cryogenic liquefied gas storage container connected to the service line, the air that has entered the cryogenic liquefied gas supply line at the time of replacement is exhausted by the purge branch line, and then from the cryogenic liquefied gas supply line. The supply of liquefied gas can be resumed. That is, while operating using one low-temperature liquefied gas storage container, another low-temperature liquefied gas storage container that has become empty can be replaced. As a result, even if the capacity per low-temperature liquefied gas storage container is small, liquefied gas can be continuously supplied, and the entire apparatus including the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container can be reduced in size and weight.

It is a systematic diagram showing the configuration of a cryotherapy apparatus that is an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a systematic diagram which shows the structure of the cryotherapy apparatus which is the conventional embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a cryotherapy apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail together with its operation method with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, in order to make the features easy to understand, there are cases where the portions that become the features are enlarged for the sake of convenience, and the dimensional ratios of the respective components are not always the same as the actual ones. Absent.

<Cryotherapy device>
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of a cryotherapy apparatus 1 which is an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the cryotherapy apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes cryogenic liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b, a cryotherapy probe 3, cryogenic liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b, and a purge branch line L2a. L2b, first switching valves 4a and 4b, second switching valves 5a and 5b, vaporized gas purge lines L3a and L3b, vaporized gas purge safety valves 6a and 6b, liquid level gauges 7a and 7b, Second low-temperature liquefied gas supply line L4, flow rate adjustment unit 8, control unit 9, housing 11, probe connection unit 12, low-temperature liquefied gas supply hose 13, joint 14, and purge connection A part 15, a hose 16, valves 19 and 20, a second purge branch line L 5, and a second vaporized gas purge line L 6 are schematically configured.

(Low temperature liquefied gas storage container)
The low temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b are containers for storing a low temperature liquefied gas such as liquid nitrogen. By controlling the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas using the first switching valves 4a and 4b and the second switching valves 5a and 5b, for example, the cryotherapy probe is used to freeze the low-temperature liquefied gas from the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a. Even during supply to 3, the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2 b can be replaced with a new low-temperature liquefied gas storage container.

  The material of the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b is not particularly limited as long as it can be filled with the low-temperature liquefied gas. Specifically, for example, austenitic stainless steel represented by SUS304L, etc. A stainless material, aluminum, or the like can be used.

  Further, the structure of the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, a double structure including an inner tank and an outer tank, and a structure having a heat insulating material between the inner tank and the outer tank. In this case, the evaporation loss amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the volume of the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b is not particularly limited, but specifically, for example, 500 mL or less is preferable from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the entire apparatus.

(Probe for cryotherapy)
The cryotherapy probe 3 is a probe that is appropriately selected according to the purpose of treatment. It may be detachably connected to the low-temperature liquefied gas supply hose 13 via the joint 14 or may be directly connected to the probe connecting portion 12.

  The structure of the cryotherapy probe 3 is not particularly limited, but a structure in which a cryogenic liquefied gas flows inside to cool the tip portion punctured in the affected area, and a nozzle structure in which the cryogenic liquefied gas is injected from the tip portion And hollow needles.

(Low-temperature liquefied gas supply line)
The low temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b are pipes for supplying the low temperature liquefied gas to the low temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b to the cryotherapy probe 3. One end of the low temperature liquefied gas supply line L1a, L1b is connected to the liquid phase part of the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a, 2b, and the other end is connected to the cryotherapy probe 3 via the second low temperature liquefied gas supply line L4. Connected to.

(Purging branch line)
The purge branch lines L2a and L2b are pipes for exhausting the gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b. One end of the purge branch lines L2a and L2b is connected to branch the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b, and the other end is connected to the atmosphere via the second purge branch line L5 and the purge connection portion 15. It is open.

(First switching valve)
The first switching valves 4a and 4b are provided on the secondary side of the branch point with the purge branch lines L2a and L2b on the low temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b in order to control the supply of the low temperature liquefied gas. This is a valve. By using together with the second switching valves 5a and 5b, while the low-temperature liquefied gas is supplied from one low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a (or 2b), the other low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2b (or 2a) is supplied. Functions as switching means for switching so as to stop the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas.

  The opening and closing of the first switching valves 4a, 4b may be automatically performed by an electric signal or the like, for example, by sequence control or the like, in addition to being manually performed.

(Second switching valve)
The second switching valves 5a and 5b are valves provided on the purge branch lines L2a and L2b in order to control the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas.

  The opening and closing of the second switching valves 5a and 5b may be automatically performed by an electrical signal or the like, for example, by sequence control or the like, in addition to being manually performed.

(Vaporized gas purge line)
The vaporized gas purge lines L3a and L3b are pipes for exhausting the gas accumulated in the gas phase portions S1a and S1b in the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b. One end of the vaporized gas purge lines L3a, L3b is connected to the gas phase portions S1a, S1b in the low temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a, 2b, and the other end is connected to the second vaporized gas purge line L6 and the purge connecting portion 15. Is open to the atmosphere.

(Vaporized gas purge safety valve)
The vaporized gas purge safety valves 6a and 6b are on-off valves provided on the vaporized gas purge lines L3a and L3b, and are opened when the pressure in the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b becomes a predetermined value or more. Thereby, it can prevent that the pressure in the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a, 2b becomes large too much. The vaporized gas purge safety valves 6a and 6b are not particularly limited. For example, spring-type safety valves can be used.

(Liquid level indicator)
The level gauges 7a and 7b are provided for detecting the liquid level of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b. As such liquid level gauges 7a and 7b, for example, known sensors capable of detecting the liquid level of a low-temperature liquefied gas, such as a capacitance type level sensor, a semiconductor detection type level sensor, an optical fiber type level sensor, a fine differential pressure gauge, etc. Can be used.

(Flow rate adjuster)
The flow rate adjusting unit 8 is provided on the second low-temperature liquefied gas supply line L4, and can adjust the flow rate when supplying the low-temperature liquefied gas to the cryotherapy probe 3. In addition, the flow rate adjusting unit 8 can determine the flow rate of the low-temperature liquefied gas, and can grasp the flow rate and the usage amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas. Thereby, at the time of cryotherapy, it is possible to prevent an error in the supply amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas due to an operator's mistake, and it is possible to prevent frostbite, air embolism, etc. to the patient due to overdose.

  Although it does not specifically limit as the flow volume adjustment part 8, Specifically, a metal pipe type area flow meter etc. can be used, for example. Further, the flow rate adjusting unit 8 may be provided with a flow rate adjusting dial for the operator to adjust the supply amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas so as to be exposed on the surface of the housing 11.

(Control part)
The controller 9 controls the opening and closing of the first switching valves 4a and 4b and the second switching valves 5a and 5b based on the remaining amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b. Provided. The controller 9 performs the second switching via the first switching valve 4a and the signal line C1, via the first switching valve 4b and the signal line C2, and via the second switching valve 5a and the signal line C3. The valve 5b is connected to the signal line C4, the valve 19 is connected to the signal line C5, the liquid level gauge 7a is connected to the signal line C6, and the liquid level gauge 7b is connected to the signal line C7.

  The liquid level is received from the liquid level gauges 7a and 7b, the remaining amount of the low temperature liquefied gas in the low temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b is confirmed based on the received liquid level, and the remaining amount of the low temperature liquefied gas is In addition, it is possible to control the opening / closing of each valve by transmitting an opening / closing signal to the first switching valves 4a, 4b and the second switching valves 5a, 5b. Although it does not specifically limit as the control part 9, For example, what can perform sequence control is preferable.

(Casing)
The housing 11 has two through holes (not shown) penetrating the side walls. A probe connection portion 12 and a purge connection portion 15 are disposed in the through hole. The dimensions of the casing 11 are preferably 300 mm or less, 400 mm or less, and 150 mm or less in height because it is easy to carry.

(Probe connection)
The probe connection portion 12 is provided in a through hole (not shown) that penetrates the side wall of the housing 11. The probe connecting portion 12 is a member for detachably connecting to the other end of the second low-temperature liquefied gas supply line L4, one end of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply hose 13, or the cryotherapy probe 3.

(Cooling gas supply hose)
One end of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply hose 13 is detachably connected to the probe connecting portion 12, and the other end is detachably connected to the cryotherapy probe 3 via a joint 14. The cryogenic liquefied gas can be supplied to the cryotherapy probe 3 by the cryogenic liquefied gas supply hose 13.

  The material of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply hose 13 is not particularly limited, and for example, stainless steel can be used. Specific examples of stainless steel include SUS304, SUS316, SUS304L, and SUS316L. Moreover, although length is not specifically limited, For example, the inside of the range of 0.3m-1.5m is preferable, for example. If it is shorter than this, workability may be hindered.If it is too long, it will take time to pre-cool the hose before use, or the temperature of the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied under the influence of ambient temperature will increase. Doing so may interfere with cryotherapy.

(Fitting)
The joint 14 is provided at the tip of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply hose 13. The joint 14 is a member for connecting the tip of the cryogenic liquefied gas supply hose 13 and one end of the cryotherapy probe 3.

(Purge connection)
The purge connecting portion 15 is provided in a through hole (not shown) penetrating the side wall of the housing 11. The purge connecting portion 15 is a member that is detachably connected to the other end of the second vaporized gas purge line L6 and an exhaust device such as a pump installed outside the housing 11.

  A hose 16 or the like can be used to connect the purge connecting portion 15 and an exhaust device such as a pump. Although the length of the hose 16 used in that case can be selected suitably, 0.3 m or less is preferable from the point of workability | operativity.

(valve)
The valves 19 and 20 are provided on the secondary side of the flow rate adjusting unit 8 on the second purge branch line L5 and on the second low-temperature liquefied gas supply line L4, respectively, and control the opening and closing to thereby control the low-temperature liquefied gas. Can be controlled.
The valves 19 and 20 may be opened and closed manually, or automatically by an electrical signal or the like, for example, by sequence control or the like.

<Operation method of cryotherapy device>
Next, the operation method of the cryotherapy apparatus 1 described above will be described.
In the cryotherapy apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the cryogenic liquefied gas stored in the cryogenic liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b is supplied to the cryotherapy probe 3 via the cryogenic liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b. . During the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas from the one low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a, the first switching valve 4a is in the open state, and the first switching valve 4b and the second switching valves 5a and 5b are closed. State.

  For example, during the supply of the low temperature gas, the liquid level in the low temperature liquefied gas supply line L1a is transmitted to the control unit 9 by the liquid level gauge 7a, and the low temperature liquefied gas is based on the liquid level received by the control unit 9. When the remaining amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the storage container 2a is confirmed, it is found that the remaining amount is low, and it is necessary to replace the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a with a new one.

  In that case, the controller 9 sends the closing signal to the first switching valve 4a, thereby closing the first switching valve 4a. Thereby, the supply of the low temperature liquefied gas from the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a to the cryotherapy probe 3 is stopped.

  Thereafter, the operator replaces the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a in which the remaining amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas is reduced with one in which the low-temperature liquefied gas is sufficiently stored. At the time of replacement, the atmosphere may enter the low-temperature liquefied gas supply line L1a.

  When the replacement of the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a is completed, for example, the operator sends a signal to that effect to the control unit 9 by operating an operation panel (not shown), and the control unit 9 receives the second switching. The second switching valve 5a and the valve 19 are opened by sending an opening signal to the valve 5a and the valve 19 for use. As a result, the atmosphere that has entered the low-temperature liquefied gas supply line L1a is exhausted through the purge branch line L2a.

  Thereafter, the control unit 9 sends the closing signal to the second switching valve 5a to close the second switching valve 5a, and further sends the opening signal to the first switching valve 4a to send the first switching valve 5a. The valve 4a is opened. Thereby, the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas to the cryotherapy probe 3 is resumed.

  The first switching valve 4b that has received the open signal from the control unit 9 during the period from when the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas to the cryotherapy probe 3 from the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a is stopped until it is restarted is By opening, the cryogenic liquefied gas is supplied to the cryotherapy probe 3 from the other cryogenic liquefied gas storage container 2b.

  With the above operation, while the liquefied gas is being supplied from the low temperature liquefied gas supply line L1b, the supply of the low temperature liquefied gas from the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a is stopped, and the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a is replaced with a new one. The supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas can be resumed. That is, the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a or the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2b can be replaced during continuous operation.

  As described above, the cryotherapy apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the first switching device as the switching means on the secondary side of the branch point with the purge branch lines L2a and L2b in the low temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b. There are provided switching valves 4a and 4b and second switching valves 5a and 5b on the purge branch line. Thereby, the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas from the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b can be controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the first switching valves 4a and 4b and the second switching valves 5a and 5b. While one of the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b is supplying the low-temperature liquefied gas, the remaining one can be replaced with a new one. As a result, even if the capacity per low-temperature liquefied gas storage container is small, liquefied gas can be continuously supplied, and the entire apparatus including the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container can be reduced in size and weight.

  In addition, the cryotherapy apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is connected to the gas phase portions S1a and S1b in the low temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b, and accumulates in the gas phase portions S1a and S1b in the low temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b. A plurality of vaporized gas purge lines L3a and L3b, and vaporized gas purge safety valves 6a and 6b provided one by one on the vaporized gas purge lines L3a and L3b. Thereby, when the pressure in the low temperature liquefied gas storage container 2a, 2b becomes more than a predetermined value, the vaporized gas purge safety valves 6a, 6b are opened. As a result, the entire apparatus including the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container can be reduced in size and weight while ensuring safety.

  Furthermore, the cryotherapy apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes liquid level gauges 7a and 7b and a control unit 9 on the low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b. Thereby, based on the liquid level of the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b measured by the liquid level gauges 7a and 7b, the control unit 9 sets the first switching valves 4a and 4b and the second switching valves 5a and 5b. The open / close state is automatically controlled, and the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas from the low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers 2a and 2b can be controlled. As a result, the entire apparatus including the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container can be reduced in size and weight while ensuring the efficiency of the operation work.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Further, each member constituting the apparatus, for example, low temperature liquefied gas supply lines L1a and L1b, second low temperature liquefied gas supply line L4, purge branch lines L2a and L2b, vaporized gas purge lines L3a and L3b, and housing 11 etc. Is preferably made of a material that can withstand autoclave sterilization, solvent sterilization with ethanol or hydrogen peroxide, UV sterilization, and the like. Specifically, for example, a stainless material such as austenitic stainless steel such as SUS304L is used. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,30 Cryotherapy apparatus 2a, 2b Low temperature liquefied gas storage container 3 Cryotherapy probe 4a, 4b First switching valve 5a, 5b Second switching valve 6a, 6b Vaporized gas purge safety valve 7a, 7b Liquid level gauge 8 Flow rate Adjustment unit 9 Control unit 11 Housing 12 Probe connection unit 13 Low temperature liquefied gas supply hose 14 Joint 15 Purge connection unit 16 Hose 19, 20 Valve L1a, L1b Low temperature liquefied gas supply line L2a, L2b Purge branch line L3a , L3b Vaporized gas purge line L4 Second low temperature liquefied gas supply line L5 Second purge branch line L6 Second vaporized gas purge line S1a, S1b Gas phase section C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 Signal line

Claims (4)

A cryotherapy probe; and
A plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas storage containers storing low-temperature liquefied gas;
A plurality of cryogenic liquefied gas supply lines for supplying the cryogenic liquefied gas from the cryogenic liquefied gas storage container to the cryotherapy probe;
In order to exhaust the gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas supply line, a plurality of purge branch lines provided branched from the low-temperature liquefied gas supply line;
Switching means capable of simultaneously selecting supply and stop of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines;
A cryotherapy apparatus comprising: A plurality of vaporized gas purging lines connected to the gas phase part in the low temperature liquefied gas storage container and capable of exhausting the gas accumulated in the gas phase part in the low temperature liquefied gas storage container;
A plurality of vaporized gas purge safety valves provided one by one on the vaporized gas purge line;
The cryotherapy apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   A control unit for controlling the switching unit, and based on the remaining amount of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container, the switching unit controls the plurality of low-temperature liquefied gas supply lines. The cryotherapy apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply and stop of the low-temperature liquefied gas are selected simultaneously.   The cryotherapy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the low-temperature liquefied gas storage container is 500 mL or less.

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