JP6894582B2 - Balloon type electrode catheter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a balloon-type electrode catheter, and more particularly to a balloon-type electrode catheter that is introduced transvascularly and is used for radiofrequency ablation treatment of the vessel or its surrounding tissue.

Conventionally, an outer tube (catheter shaft), a balloon connected to the tip of the outer tube, and an outer tube have been used as balloon-type electrode catheters (intravascular ablation devices) for high-frequency ablation treatment of the vessel or the tissue around it. Inner tube (guide wire lumen) inserted into the lumen and inside of the balloon, lumen tube (supply lumen) inserted into the lumen of the outer tube to supply fluid to the inside of the balloon, and the inside of the balloon. A lumen tube (return lumen) inserted into the lumen of the outer tube to drain the fluid supplied to the balloon and a surface electrode (high frequency electrode) provided on the outer surface of the balloon were introduced. (See Patent Document 1 below).

The balloon constituting the balloon-type electrode catheter described in Patent Document 1 has an expansion portion that expands and contracts and a neck portion formed at both ends thereof, and the proximal end side neck portion is fixed to the outer tube. The tip side neck is fixed to the inner tube (guide wire lumen).

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter described in Patent Document 1, high-frequency ablation treatment is performed on the vessel or the lesion tissue around it by applying a high-frequency current to the surface electrode provided on the outer surface of the balloon. It can be carried out.
Further, the inside of the balloon can be cooled by circulating the fluid supplied from the lumen tube (supply tube) to the inside of the balloon inside the balloon and discharging the fluid from the lumen tube (return tube).

On the other hand, in a balloon-type electrode catheter for electrically isolating pulmonary veins, the neck of the balloon fixed to the tip of the catheter shaft as a form in which a high-frequency current is applied to a surface electrode formed on the outer surface of the balloon. A metal ring is attached to the part (neck part on the base end side where the energizing connector is located), the surface electrode is electrically connected to this metal ring, and this metal ring and the energizing connector are connected. A form of electrically connecting by a conducting wire has been proposed by the present inventor (see Patent Document 2 below).

Special Table 2013-532564 Gazette Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-185296 (particularly, FIG. 4)

In a balloon-type electrode catheter for high-frequency ablation treatment of a vessel or a tissue around it as described in Patent Document 1, a high-frequency current is applied to a surface electrode formed on the outer surface of the balloon. A metal ring is attached to the neck portion (base end side neck portion) of the balloon fixed to the outer tube (catheter shaft), and energization is performed through the metal ring. Can be considered.

However, the lumen of the outer tube constituting the balloon-type electrode catheter as described in Patent Document 1 includes an inner tube (guide wire cavity) for inserting a guide wire and a cooling fluid for flowing through the lumen. Due to the inclusion of lumen tubes (supply and return cavities), its outer diameter is quite large.

In particular, when cauterizing a tumor or the like with a balloon-type electrode catheter, it is necessary to increase the flow rate of the fluid circulating inside the balloon in order to enhance the cooling effect of the tissue around the surface electrode. It is required to increase the diameter of the lumen tube for circulating the cooling fluid, and it is necessary to further increase the outer diameter of the outer tube accordingly.

Then, when the base end side neck portion of the balloon is fixed to such an outer tube having a large outer diameter and a metal ring is attached to the base end side neck portion, the outer diameter of the metal ring is the electrode catheter. The outer diameter (shaft diameter or wrapping diameter) limited by the sheath or endoscope used when introducing the catheter or wrapping diameter is greatly exceeded, and when introducing the balloon type electrode catheter, the sheath or endoscope to be used is opened. The metal ring is caught and the balloon-type electrode catheter cannot be inserted into these lumens.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances.
An object of the present invention is that it can be introduced transvascularly without impairing the insertability of the sheath or endoscope used into the lumen, and extensively cauterizes the vessel or its surrounding lesion tissue. The purpose is to provide a balloon-type electrode catheter capable of performing treatment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a balloon-type electrode catheter capable of performing a uniform cauterization treatment on a vessel or a tissue around the vessel along the circumferential direction of the vessel.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a balloon-type electrode catheter having an excellent cooling effect inside the balloon and, by extension, a cooling effect on the tissue surrounding the surface electrode.

(1) The balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention is a balloon-type electrode catheter that is introduced transvascularly and is used for high-frequency ablation treatment of the vessel or its surrounding tissue.
An outer tube having a central lumen and a plurality of sublumens arranged around it,
The energizing connector arranged on the base end side of the outer tube and
A balloon having an expansion portion that expands and contracts and neck portions that are continuous at both ends thereof, and a base end side neck portion that is fixed to the tip end portion of the outer tube to be connected to the tip end side of the outer tube. ,
An inner tube having a lumen through which a guide wire can be inserted, which is inserted through the central lumen of the outer tube, extends from the opening of the central lumen to the inside of the balloon, and extends inside the balloon.
A tip tip that has a lumen that communicates with the lumen of the inner tube, is connected to the tip of the inner tube inside the balloon, is fixed to the neck portion on the tip side, and extends to the outside of the balloon.
A surface electrode made of a metal thin film formed on the outer surface of the balloon in the expansion portion and the tip side neck portion, and
A metal ring electrically connected to the surface electrode by being attached to the tip-side neck portion of the balloon so that its inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the tip portion of the surface electrode.
The tip is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the metal ring, extends to the inside of the balloon and to the sublumen of any of the outer tubes, and the base end is fixed to the current-carrying connector. It is characterized by including a conducting wire for electrically connecting the surface electrode and the energizing connector.

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter having such a configuration, the surface electrode formed on the outer surface of the balloon can be electrically connected to the current-carrying connector via the metal ring and the conducting wire, so that the surface electrode can be connected to the surface electrode. High-frequency current can be reliably applied.
As a result, a wide range of cauterization treatment can be performed on the lesion tissue of the vessel or its surroundings.

Further, the tip side neck part of the balloon to which the metal ring is attached is a neck part fixed to the tip tip, and the outer diameter is much smaller than that of the base end side neck part fixed to the outer tube. The outer diameter of the metal ring attached to the tip side neck portion can be made smaller than the outer diameter of the outer tube or the proximal end side neck portion.
As a result, when the balloon-type electrode catheter is introduced, the metal ring does not get caught in the opening of the sheath or endoscope to be used, and the balloon-type electrode catheter can be inserted into the lumen of the sheath or endoscope. Is not impaired.

(2) In the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, the surface electrodes are formed so as to extend along the axial direction of the balloon, and are arranged in a plurality of strips at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the balloon. It is an electrode, and it is preferable that the inner peripheral surface of the metal ring is in contact with the tip of each of the band-shaped electrodes.

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter having such a configuration, each of the plurality of strip-shaped electrodes formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the balloon is electrically connected to the energizing connector via a metal ring and a conducting wire. Therefore, a high-frequency current can be evenly applied to each of the plurality of strip-shaped electrodes so that the vessel or the tissue around it can be connected along the circumferential direction of the vessel. A homogeneous ablation treatment can be performed.

(3) In the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, it is preferable that the metal ring is insulated and coated.

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter having such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the metal ring from becoming hot during energization, and it is possible to prevent the normal tissue around the metal ring from being cauterized.

(4) In the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, at least one of the sublumens of the outer tube is a fluid supply sublumen that circulates the fluid in order to supply the fluid inside the balloon.
At least one of the sublumens included in the outer tube is preferably a fluid discharge sublumen that allows the fluid to flow in order to discharge the fluid supplied to the inside of the balloon from the inside of the balloon.

(5) In the balloon-type electrode catheter of the above (4), the expansion portion of the balloon contains the tip end portion of the outer tube fixed to the proximal end side neck portion of the balloon.
The opening of the fluid supply sublumen is located closer to the tip side than the axially intermediate position of the expansion portion.
The opening of the fluid discharge sublumen is preferably located at or near the proximal end of the extension.

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter having such a configuration, after the balloon is expanded, the fluid supply port to the inside of the balloon and the fluid discharge port from the inside of the balloon are displaced from each other in the axial direction. Even (after the fluid is filled inside), a fluid flow is formed from the tip side to the base end side, and the fluid can flow inside the balloon. Therefore, the tissue around the surface electrode can be sufficiently cooled.

(6) In the balloon-type electrode catheters (4) and (5) above, it is preferable that the number of the fluid supply sublumens is larger than the number of the fluid discharge sublumens.

According to the balloon type electrode catheter having the above configuration, the inside of the balloon can be maintained at a constant pressure (expansion pressure).

(7) In the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, the outer diameter of the tip portion of the outer tube to which the proximal end side neck portion of the balloon is fixed is larger than the outer diameter of the proximal end portion of the outer tube. It is formed small and
It is preferable that the outer diameter of the base end side neck portion of the balloon is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the base end portion of the outer tube.

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter having such a configuration, the outer diameter of the proximal neck portion having the maximum outer diameter is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the proximal end portion of the outer tube. The part does not interfere with the penetration of the sheath or endoscope into the lumen.
Further, since the outer diameter of the outer tube can be set to the maximum diameter limited by the sheath or the endoscope, the diameters of the fluid supply sublumen and the fluid discharge sublumen of the outer tube should be sufficiently secured. The cooling effect inside the balloon can be further improved.

(8) In the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, it is preferable that the temperature sensor is arranged on the tube wall of the balloon.

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, it can be introduced transvascularly without impairing the insertability of the sheath or endoscope used into the lumen, and it can be introduced into the vessel or the lesion tissue around it. On the other hand, ablation treatment can be performed over a wide range.
Further, according to the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention provided with a surface electrode composed of a plurality of band-shaped electrodes, it is possible to perform a uniform cauterization treatment on the vessel or the tissue around the vessel along the circumferential direction of the vessel. it can.
Further, an outer tube having a fluid supply sublumen that opens on the tip side from the axially intermediate position of the balloon expansion portion and a fluid discharge sublumen that opens at or near the base end of the balloon expansion portion is provided. According to the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, the cooling effect inside the balloon and, by extension, the cooling effect of the tissue around the surface electrode are excellent as compared with the conventional balloon-type electrode catheter.

It is a top view of the balloon type electrode catheter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially cutaway front view (front view including the II-II cross section of FIG. 1) of the balloon type electrode catheter shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the tip part of the balloon type electrode catheter shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the tip part (the tip side of a balloon) of the balloon type electrode catheter shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the tip part (base end side of a balloon) of the balloon type electrode catheter shown in FIG. It is a partially enlarged view (VI part detailed view) of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view (detailed view of VII part) of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view (detailed view of part VIII) of FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view (detailed view of part X) of FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of XII-XII of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view (detailed view of part XIII) of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of XIV-XIV of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of XV-XV of FIG. FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view (detailed view of the XVI section) of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of XVII-XVII of FIG. FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged view (detailed view of part XVIII) of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of XIX-XIX of FIG. FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged view (detailed view of the XX part) of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of XXI-XXI of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 21 (detailed view of XXII part). It is sectional drawing of XXIII-XXIII of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIV-XXIV of FIG.

<Embodiment>
The balloon-type electrode catheter 100 of this embodiment is a balloon-type electrode catheter that is introduced transvascularly and for treating a lesion tissue such as a tumor in or around the vessel by high-frequency ablation.

The balloon-type electrode catheter 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 24 is an outer tube composed of a circular tubular portion 11 and a semi-circular tubular portion 13 and having a central lumen 10L and sublumens 101L to 112L arranged around the central lumen 10L. 10; an electric connector 21 arranged on the base end side of the outer tube 10; an expansion portion 31 that expands and contracts, and neck portions (tip side neck portion 33 and proximal end side neck portion 35) that are continuous at both ends thereof. The base end side neck portion 35 is fixed to the circular tubular portion 11 constituting the tip portion of the outer tube 10, and the expansion portion 31 includes the semicircular tubular portion 13 constituting the tip portion of the outer tube 10. The balloon 30 is connected to the tip end side of the outer tube 10; has a guide wire lumen, is inserted into the central lumen 10L of the outer tube 10, and extends into the balloon 30 from the opening of the central lumen 10L. It has an inner tube 41 extending inside the balloon 30; a lumen (guide wire lumen) communicating with the guide wire lumen of the inner tube 41, and is connected to the tip of the inner tube 41 inside the balloon 30. A tip tip 46 fixed to the tip side neck portion 33 and extending to the outside of the balloon 30; a band-shaped electrode 51 to 54 made of a metal thin film formed on the outer surface of the expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30 and the tip side neck portion 33 ( (Surface electrode) and; With the connected metal ring 60; its tip is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the metal ring 60 and extends to the inside of the balloon 30 and the sublumen 112L of the outer tube 10 (circular tubular portion 11), the base end of which is electrical. The lead wire 70 connected to the connector 21; the tip (temperature measuring portion 81) is embedded in the tube wall of the expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30, and the tube wall of the expansion portion 31 and the base end side neck portion 35 and the outer tube 10 ( It includes a temperature sensor (thermoelectric pair) 80 extending to the lumen 106L of the circular tubular portion 11) and having its base end connected to the electrical connector 21.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 20 is a Y connector connected to the base end side of the outer tube 10, 22 is a fluid supply connector, 23 is a fluid discharge connector, 24 is a guide wire connector, and 26 is a conductor protection tube. Reference numeral 27 is a fluid supply tube, and 28 is a fluid discharge tube.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, 14, 15, and 17 to 22, the outer tube 10 constituting the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 includes a circular tubular portion 11 and a semicircular tubular portion 13.
The base end portion and a part of the tip end portion of the outer tube 10 are formed of a circular tubular portion 11, and the tip end portion (excluding the above part) of the outer tube 10 is formed of a semicircular tubular portion 13.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 21, a central lumen 10L and 12 sublumens arranged at equal angles (30 °) around the central lumen 10L are inside the circular tubular portion 11 of the outer tube 10. 101L to 112L are formed.
In the circular tubular portion 11, each of the sublumens 101L to 112L is formed by a lumen tube surrounding the sublumen tube 11, and these lumen tubes are fixed by a binder resin forming the circular tubular portion 11.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, sublumens 101L to 105L are formed continuously from the inside of the circular tubular portion 11 inside the semicircular tubular portion 13 of the outer tube 10.
The lumen tube surrounding each of the sublumens 101L to 105L in the semicircular tubular portion 13 is fixed by the binder resin forming the semicircular tubular portion 13.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sublumens 101L to 105L arranged inside the circular tubular portion 11 and the inside of the semicircular tubular portion 13 are semicircular tubular portions that are the tip surfaces of the outer tube 10, respectively. It is open on the tip surface 14 of 13.

Each of the sublumens 101L to 105L communicates with the fluid supply connector 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
As a result, the sublumens 101L to 105L (five sublumens out of the twelve sublumens formed in the outer tube 10) are used to supply the fluid to the inside of the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31). It becomes a "sub-lumen for fluid supply".
Here, as the fluid supplied to the inside of the balloon 30, physiological saline can be exemplified.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the central lumen 10L and the sublumens 106L to 112L formed inside the circular tubular portion 11 are respectively open at the tip surface 12 of the circular tubular portion 11.
However, the openings of the sublumens 106L, 110L and 112L are sealed by the sealing material 90 shown in FIG.

Each of the sublumens 107L to 111L communicates with the fluid discharge connector 23 shown in FIG.
As a result, the sublumens 107L to 109L and 111L (four of the twelve sublumens formed in the outer tube 10) have the fluid supplied to the inside of the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31). It becomes a "fluid discharge sublumen" for discharging from the inside of the balloon 30.

The constituent material of the outer tube 10 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyamide resins such as polyamide, polyether polyamide, polyether block amide (PEBAX (registered trademark)) and nylon. Of these, PEBAX is preferable.

The outer diameter of the outer tube 10 (the outer diameter at the base end portion described later) is usually 1.0 to 3.3 mm, and a suitable example is 1.45 mm.
The diameter of the central lumen 10L of the outer tube 10 is usually 0.35 to 0.95 mm, and a suitable example is 0.85 mm.
The diameter of the sub-lumens 101L to 112L of the outer tube 10 is usually 0.10 to 0.75 mm, and a suitable example is 0.25 mm.
The length of the outer tube 10 is usually 100 to 2200 mm, and a suitable example is 1800 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a Y connector 20 is connected to the base end side of the outer tube 10.
As shown in FIG. 23, the lumen tubes surrounding the sub-lumens 101L to 105L and the sub-lumens 107L to 111L of the outer tube 10 enter the inside of the Y connector 20 from the base end of the outer tube 10.

As shown in FIG. 24, the base end portion of the lumen tube surrounding the sublumens 101L to 105L (fluid supply sublumen) is connected (adhered) to the fluid supply tube 27 having a single lumen structure inside the Y connector 20. It is fixed by the agent 95).
The fluid supply tube 27 extends to the outside of the Y connector 20, and the base end of the fluid supply tube 27 is connected to the fluid supply connector 22.

The base end of the lumen tube surrounding the sublumens 107L to 111L is connected (fixed by an adhesive 95) to the fluid discharge tube 28 having a single lumen structure inside the Y connector 20.
The fluid discharge tube 28 extends to the outside of the Y connector 20, and the base end of the fluid discharge tube 28 is connected to the fluid discharge connector 23.

The balloon 30 constituting the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 includes an expansion portion 31 that expands and contracts, a distal neck portion 33 that is continuous with the tip of the expansion portion 31, and a proximal neck portion 35 that is continuous with the proximal end of the expansion portion 31. It is composed of and.

The expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30 is a space forming portion that expands when a fluid is supplied to the inside of the balloon 30 and contracts when the fluid is discharged from the inside thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30 has a cylindrical portion 311 and a distal cone portion 313 from the tip of the cylindrical portion 311 to the base end of the distal neck portion 33. It is composed of a proximal end side cone portion 315 extending from the proximal end of the portion 311 to the tip of the proximal end side neck portion 35.

The base end side neck portion 35 is fixed to the tip portion of the outer tube 10 (tip portion composed of the circular tubular portion 11), and the tip portion of the outer tube 10 (tip portion composed of the semicircular tubular portion 13). The balloon 30 is connected to the tip end side of the outer tube 10 by the expansion portion 31 containing the balloon 30.

Here, the surface layer portion of the tip portion (circular tubular portion 11 shown in FIG. 19) of the outer tube 10 to which the proximal end side neck portion 35 of the balloon 30 is fixed is chipped, and the outer diameter thereof is the proximal end. The side neck portion 35 is smaller than the outer diameter of the base end portion (circular tubular portion 11 shown in FIG. 21) of the outer tube 10 to which the side neck portion 35 is not fixed.
Further, the outer diameter of the base end side neck portion 35 shown in FIG. 19 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the base end portion of the outer tube 10 shown in FIG.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheath and the endoscope used for introducing the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 from being impaired by the proximal neck portion 35 in terms of insertability into the lumen.
Further, since the outer diameter of the outer tube 10 can be set to the maximum diameter limited by the sheath or the endoscope (it is not necessary to consider the expansion of the outer diameter due to the thickness of the neck portion on the proximal end side), the outer tube 10 can be used. A sufficient diameter of the sublumen 101L to 112L can be secured, and the cooling effect inside the balloon 30 can be further improved.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tip surface 14 of the semicircular tubular portion 13 through which the fluid supply sublumens 101L to 105L open is on the tip side of the intermediate position in the axial direction of the expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30. It is located near the tip of the cylindrical portion 311.
As a result, the fluid flowing through the fluid supply sublumens 101L to 105L is discharged toward the tip from each opening located near the tip of the cylindrical portion 311, and the discharged fluid is discharged from the expansion portion 31 (tip side cone). It is possible to reach the vicinity of the tip end of the portion 313), whereby a fluid flow from the tip end side to the base end side can be formed inside the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31).

When the opening position of the fluid supply sublumen is closer to the proximal end side than the axially intermediate position of the expansion part of the balloon, even if the fluid is discharged from the opening in the tip direction after the balloon is expanded, the expansion part The fluid cannot reach the vicinity of the tip of the balloon, and the flow of the fluid from the tip side to the base end side cannot be formed inside the balloon.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the tip surface 12 of the circular tubular portion 11 through which the fluid discharge sublumens 107L to 109L and 111L open is located at the base end of the expansion portion 31.

The constituent material of the balloon 30 is not particularly limited, and the same material as the balloon constituting the conventionally known balloon catheter can be used. For example, polyamide such as polyamide, polyether polyamide, PEBAX and nylon. Related Resins: Polyurethane-based resins such as thermoplastic polyether urethane, polyether polyurethane urea, fluorine polyether urethane urea, polyether polyurethane urea resin, and polyether polyurethane ureaamide can be mentioned.

The diameter of the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31) is usually 0.7 to 30.0 mm, and a suitable example is 2.0 mm.
The outer diameter of the base end side neck portion 35 of the balloon 30 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the base end portion of the outer tube 10, and is usually 1.0 to 3.3 mm. Is.
The length of the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31) is usually 8 to 50 mm, and a suitable example is 20 mm.

In the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 of the present embodiment, the inner shaft is composed of the inner tube 41 and the tip tip 46.
The inner tube 41 constituting the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 has a lumen (guide wire lumen) through which a guide wire can be inserted, and is inserted into the central lumen 10L of the outer tube 10 (circular tubular portion 11), and the tip portion thereof is inserted. It extends from the opening of the central lumen 10L to the inside of the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31).

The tip of the inner tube 41 extending inside the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31) has a semicircular tubular portion 13 covering a half-circumferential portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the base end side cone portion 315 of the expansion portion 31. , Extends inside the cylindrical portion 311 and the distal cone portion 313, and is connected to the distal tip 46 inside the distal cone portion 313.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the base end portion of the inner tube 41 enters the inside of the Y connector 20 from the base end of the outer tube 10 (the opening on the base end side of the central lumen 10L) and enters the Y connector. The inside of the 20 extends to the outside of the Y connector 20, and the base end of the inner tube 41 is connected to the guide wire connector 24.

As the constituent material of the inner tube 41, the same material as the inner tube constituting the conventionally known balloon catheter can be used, but PEEK resin (polyetherether), which is a crystalline thermoplastic resin having excellent mechanical properties, can be used. Ketone resin) is preferable.

The outer diameter of the inner tube 41 is the same as or slightly smaller than the diameter of the central lumen 10L of the outer tube 10 through which the inner tube 41 is inserted, and is usually 0.34 to 0.99 mm. It is said that.
The inner diameter of the inner tube 41 is usually 0.31 to 0.92 mm, and a suitable example is 0.68 mm.

The tip tip 46 constituting the balloon type electrode catheter 100 has a lumen (guide wire lumen) communicating with the guide wire lumen of the inner tube 41, and the inner tube is inside the tip side cone portion 313 of the expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30. It is connected to the tip of 41 and is fixed to the tip side neck portion 33 and extends to the outside of the balloon 30. The tip of the tip tip 46 is open.

The constituent material of the tip tip 46 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyamides, polyether polyamides, polyamide resins such as PEBAX and nylon, and polyurethanes.

The inner diameter of the tip tip 46 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the inner tube 41, and is usually 0.31 to 0.92 mm, and a suitable example is 0.68 mm.
The outer diameter of the tip tip 46 is usually 0.35 to 2.6 mm, and a suitable example is 1.0 mm.
The outer diameter of the tip side neck portion 33 of the balloon 30 to which the tip tip 46 is fixed is usually 0.37 to 3.3 mm, and a suitable example is 1.18 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 and 9 to 15, a high-frequency current is applied to the outer surface of the balloon 30 (cylindrical portion 311 of the expansion portion 31, tip side cone portion 313, and tip side neck portion 33). As the surface electrodes to be formed, band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54 formed of a metal thin film so as to extend along the axial direction of the balloon 30 are arranged at intervals of 90 ° along the circumferential direction of the balloon 30.

Examples of the constituent material of the metal thin film constituting the strip electrodes 51 to 54 include gold, platinum, silver, copper, alloys thereof, and stainless steel.
The film thickness of the metal thin film constituting the strip electrodes 51 to 54 is preferably 0.5 to 5.0 μm, more preferably 1.0 to 2.5 μm.
If this film thickness is too small, the metal thin film may become hot due to Joule heat during the procedure (during high frequency energization).
On the other hand, when the film thickness of the thin film is excessive, it becomes difficult for the metal thin film to follow the shape change of the balloon due to the expansion and contraction, and the expansion and contraction of the balloon may be impaired.

The method for forming the metal thin film constituting the strip electrodes 51 to 54 on the outer surface of the balloon 30 is not particularly limited, and a normal metal thin film forming method such as thin film deposition, sputtering, plating, or printing may be adopted. it can.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 9, and 10, a metal ring 60 is attached to the tip end side neck portion 33 of the balloon 30.
The metal ring 60 constituting the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 is caulked and fixed to the distal neck portion 33 so that the inner peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the respective tips of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54. Each of the strip electrodes 51 to 54 and the metal ring 60 are electrically connected.

Examples of the constituent material of the metal ring 60 include platinum and platinum-based alloys. As shown in FIG. 9, the metal ring 60 is insulated and coated with the resin material 65. As a result, it is possible to prevent the metal ring 60 from becoming hot when energized, and it is possible to prevent the normal tissue around the metal ring 60 from being cauterized.

The inner diameter of the metal ring 60 attached to the tip-side neck portion 33 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tip-side neck portion 33, and is usually 0.37 to 3.3 mm. It is said to be .18 mm.
The outer diameter of the metal ring 60 attached to the tip end side neck portion 33 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer tube 10 and the proximal end side neck portion 35, and is usually 0.98 to 3.28 mm. For example, it is 1.32 mm.

The tip of the conducting wire 70 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the metal ring 60.
The conductor 70 extends into the tube wall of the tip tip 46, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, and extends the balloon 30 along the inner tube 41, as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15. It extends inside the portion 31 and extends to the sublumen 112L of the outer tube 10 (circular tubular portion 11) as shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 21, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. It extends inside the Y connector 20 and extends from the Y connector 20 through the inside of the conductor protection tube 26 extending from the Y connector 20.

The base end of the conductor 70 is connected to the electrical connector 21. The electric connector 21 has a function as an energizing connector for energizing each of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54 with a high-frequency current, and a function as a thermocouple connector for connecting the temperature sensor 80 to the temperature measuring device. ..

By connecting each of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54 to the electric connector 21 via the metal ring 60 and the conducting wire 70, a high-frequency current can be uniformly applied to each of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54.

Examples of the constituent material of the conducting wire 70 include copper, silver, gold, platinum, tungsten, and alloys of these metals, and it is preferable that an electrically insulating protective coating such as a fluororesin is applied.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 15 to 20, a temperature sensor 80 made of a thermocouple is embedded in the tube wall of the balloon 30. The side temperature portion 81 (temperature measurement contact) of the temperature sensor 80 is located on the tube wall of the expansion portion 31.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, the temperature sensor 80 has a neck portion 35 on the proximal end side of the balloon 30.
Entering the sub-lumen 106L of the outer tube 10 (circular tubular portion 11) from the tube wall of the above, extending to the sub-lumen 106L, and as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, inside the Y connector 20 together with the conducting wire 70. It extends from the Y connector 20 through the inside of the conductor protection tube 26 that extends and extends from the Y connector 20.
The base end of the temperature sensor 80 is connected to the electrical connector 21.

According to the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 of the present embodiment, each of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54 formed on the outer surface of the balloon 30 can perform a wide range of high-frequency ablation treatment on the lesion in or around the vessel. it can.

Further, since the metal ring 60 is attached to the tip side neck portion of the balloon 30 so that the inner peripheral surface thereof contacts the tip portions of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54, each of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54 is attached. Since it is electrically connected to the electric connector 21 via the metal ring 60 and the conducting wire 70, a high-frequency current can be evenly applied to each of the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54, whereby the vasculature can be applied. Alternatively, the lesion tissue around the lesion tissue can be uniformly ablated along the circumferential direction of the vessel.

Further, since the outer diameter of the metal ring 60 attached to the tip end side neck portion 33 of the balloon 30 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer tube 10 and the proximal end side neck portion 35, the sheath or endoscope used at the time of introduction is used. The metal ring 60 is not caught in the opening of the endoscope, and the insertability of the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 into the sheath or the lumen of the endoscope is not impaired.

Further, each of the fluid supply sublumens 101L to 105L opens at the tip surface 14 of the semicircular tubular portion 13 located near the tip of the cylindrical portion 311 of the expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30, and the fluid discharge sublumen 107L. After each of ~ 109L and 111L is opened at the tip surface 12 of the circular tubular portion 11 located at the base end of the expansion portion 31 of the balloon 30, after the balloon 30 is expanded (after the fluid is filled inside). ), A fluid flow can be formed from the tip end side to the base end side inside the balloon 30, and the fluid can flow.

In particular, the fluid discharged in the distal end direction from the openings of the fluid supply sublumens 101L to 105L hits the inner wall surface of the distal end side cone portion 313 of the expansion portion 31, and then the cylindrical portion 311 and the proximal end of the expansion portion 31. The fluid can be circulated inside the balloon 30 (expansion portion 31) by flowing in the proximal direction along the inner wall surface of the side cone portion 315.

As a result, the inside of the balloon 30 can be efficiently cooled over the entire area of the expansion portion 31, whereby the tissue around the band-shaped electrodes 51 to 54 is sufficiently cooled and the tissue is fibrotic. It can be reliably prevented.

Further, since the fluid supply sublumens 101L to 105L arranged in the outer tube 10 are five and the fluid discharge sublumens 107L to 109L and 111L are four, the inside of the balloon 30 is subjected to a constant pressure (expansion). Pressure) can be maintained.

Cases to which the balloon-type electrode catheter 100 of the present embodiment can be applied include tumors and vagus nerves in or around the vasculature, and specifically, bile duct cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, and adrenocortical adenomas. , Renal artery vagus nerve and the like.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made.
For example, if the position of the tip surface 14 of the semicircular tubular portion 13 inside the balloon 30 (the opening position of the fluid supply sublumens 101L to 105L) is on the tip side of the intermediate position in the axial direction of the expansion portion 31. It does not have to be near the tip of the cylindrical portion 311 of the expansion portion 31.

Further, in the balloon-type electrode catheter of the present invention, even if an opening of the fluid supply sublumen and / or the fluid discharge sublumen is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube and the fluid is discharged / discharged in the radial direction of the outer tube. Good.

Further, the opening of the fluid supply sublumen is located at or near the base end of the expansion portion of the balloon, and the opening of the fluid discharge sublumen is located on the tip side of the intermediate position in the axial direction of the expansion portion. It may be.

Further, the fluid supply sublumen and the fluid discharge sublumen may be opened at the same axial position as each other.

100 Balloon type electrode catheter 10 Outer tube 10L Central lumen 101L ~ 105L Sublumen (sublumen for fluid supply)
107L-109L, 111L Sublumen (sublumen for fluid discharge)
106L, 110L, 112L Sublumine 11 Circular tubular part 12 Tip surface of circular tubular part 13 Semi-circular tubular part 14 Tip surface of semi-circular tubular part 20 Y connector 21 Electric connector 22 Fluid supply connector 23 Fluid discharge connector 24 Guide wire Connector 26 Conductor protection tube 27 Fluid supply tube 28 Fluid discharge tube 30 Balloon 31 Expansion part 311 Cylindrical part 311
313 Tip side cone part 313
315 Base end side cone part 315
33 Tip side neck part 35 Base end side neck part 41 Inner tube 46 Tip tip 51-54 Band-shaped electrode (surface electrode)
60 Metal ring 70 Conductor 80 Temperature sensor (thermocouple)
81 Temperature sensor temperature measuring part 90 Sealing material 95 Adhesive

Claims (8)

A balloon-type electrode catheter that is introduced transvascularly and is used for radiofrequency ablation treatment of the vessel or its surrounding tissue.
An outer tube having a central lumen and a plurality of sublumens arranged around it,
The energizing connector arranged on the base end side of the outer tube and
A balloon having an expansion portion that expands and contracts and neck portions that are continuous at both ends thereof, and a base end side neck portion that is fixed to the tip end portion of the outer tube to be connected to the tip end side of the outer tube. ,
An inner tube having a lumen through which a guide wire can be inserted, which is inserted through the central lumen of the outer tube, extends from the opening of the central lumen to the inside of the balloon, and extends inside the balloon.
A tip tip that has a lumen that communicates with the lumen of the inner tube, is connected to the tip of the inner tube inside the balloon, is fixed to the neck portion on the tip side, and extends to the outside of the balloon.
A surface electrode made of a metal thin film formed on the outer surface of the balloon in the expansion portion and the tip side neck portion, and
A metal ring electrically connected to the surface electrode by being attached to the tip-side neck portion of the balloon so that its inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the tip portion of the surface electrode.
The tip of the metal ring is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the metal ring, extends to the inside of the balloon and the sublumen of any of the outer tubes, and the base end is fixed to the current-carrying connector. A balloon-type electrode catheter comprising a conducting wire for electrically connecting the surface electrode and the energizing connector. The surface electrodes are a plurality of band-shaped electrodes formed so as to extend along the axial direction of the balloon and arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the balloon, and the tip portions of the respective band-shaped electrodes. The balloon-type electrode catheter according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the metal ring is in contact with the metal ring. The balloon-type electrode catheter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal ring is insulated and coated. At least one of the sublumens included in the outer tube is a fluid supply sublumen that circulates the fluid in order to supply the fluid inside the balloon.
At least one of the sublumens included in the outer tube is a fluid discharge sublumen that allows the fluid to flow in order to discharge the fluid supplied to the inside of the balloon from the inside of the balloon. The balloon-type electrode catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The expansion portion of the balloon contains the tip portion of the outer tube fixed to the base end side neck portion of the balloon.
The opening of the fluid supply sublumen is located closer to the tip side than the axially intermediate position of the expansion portion.
The balloon-type electrode catheter according to claim 4, wherein the opening of the fluid discharge sublumen is located at or near the proximal end of the expansion portion. The balloon-type electrode catheter according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the number of the fluid supply sublumens is larger than the number of the fluid discharge sublumens. The outer diameter of the tip portion of the outer tube to which the proximal end side neck portion of the balloon is fixed is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the proximal end portion of the outer tube.
The balloon-type electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer diameter of the proximal neck portion of the balloon is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the proximal end portion of the outer tube. catheter. The electrode catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a temperature sensor is arranged on the tube wall of the balloon.

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