JPH01291876A - Hyperthermia device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide possibility of heating an affected part locally by furnishing a plurality of electrodes at the inner end of a support, selecting two of them, and supplying high frequency current. CONSTITUTION:At the insert side inner end of a support 1 for applicator two electrodes 4, 5 are installed at 50mm interval for ex. Baloons 6, 7 are fitted watertightly to this support 1 is such a way as surrounding the electrodes 4, 5 individually. The electrodes 4, 5 are individually connected with cables 21, 22 inserted in a cable insert hole as utilization of the hole in the support 1. Through a matching circuit 23 high frequency energy is impressed between the electrodes 4, 5 by a high frequency power supply 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a hyperthermia device for thermally treating an affected part of a living body using a high-frequency electric field.

[Prior Art] Conventional hyperthermia devices of this kind are broadly classified into two types: those using one internal electrode and one external electrode, and those using a pair of external electrodes. For example, please refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-48505.

A system using one internal electrode and one external electrode is constructed as shown in FIG. That is, an in-body electrode 51 is inserted into the lumen 3 of the living body 2 so as to face the tumor part 28, and an extra-corporeal electrode 52 is placed on the surface of the living body to face the in-body electrode 51.
1.52, a high frequency voltage is applied from a high frequency power source 53 to dielectrically heat the living body 2 between the electrodes 51 and 52. Here, since the internal electrode 51 is inserted into the lumen 3, its electrode area is smaller than that of the external electrode 52. Therefore, the density of high-frequency energy increases toward the internal electrode 51.

Further, a system using a pair of extracorporeal electrodes 54 and 55 is constructed as shown in FIG.

That is, extracorporeal electrodes 54 and 55 are placed facing each other on the front and back sides of the living body 2 in the area where the tumor part 28 is located, and a high frequency voltage is applied from the high frequency power supply 53 between the image extracorporeal electrodes 54 and 55 in the same manner as described above to create an image. The living body 2 between the extracorporeal electrodes 54 and 55 is dielectrically heated.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, as shown in FIG.
1 and one external electrode 52, the high frequency energy density increases toward the internal electrode 51, so it is effective for heating the vicinity of the lumen 3, but it is not distributed from the lumen 3 toward the deep part. It is very difficult to control the temperature at which the tumor
There was a problem in that areas beyond the range were heated.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, a pair of extracorporeal electrodes 54, 55
Although the method using the method has the advantage of being able to heat the entire tumor part 28 to a desired temperature, the area of each extracorporeal electrode 54,55 placed on the front and back of the living body 2 is large, so the high frequency energy acts over a wide range. As a result, normal tissues other than the tumor region 28 are heated. In other words, the tumor region 28 could not be heated safely and efficiently in a limited manner.

The present invention has been made with attention to the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to efficiently treat only the affected area on the lumen wall of the living body by heating locally, and to apply heat to other normal tissues. Our objective is to provide a highly safe hyperthermia device that causes as little damage as possible.

[Means and Functions for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a hyperthermia device that performs thermotherapy by heating an affected area using a high-frequency electric field. A plurality of electrodes are provided in the area, at least two electrodes are selected from the plurality of electrodes by a power supply means, and a high frequency current is supplied between the selected electrodes to locally apply the affected area between the electrodes. It is designed to heat up.

Therefore, only the affected area on the lumen wall of the living body can be locally and efficiently heated, and other normal tissues are not damaged as much as possible.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a support body of the applicator, and this support body 1 consists of a flexible tube with four holes formed inside, and is inserted into the lumen 3 of the living body 2 as shown in Fig. 1. It is now possible to do so.

Two electrodes 4.5 are attached to the inner end portion of the support 1 on the insertion side with an interval of, for example, 50 m. This electrode 4
, 5 is made of a cylindrical conductive mesh body, and is fitted and attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical support 1.

Further, balloons 6.7 are attached to the support 1 in a watertight manner so as to separately surround each electrode 4.5. The space inside each balloon 6.7 is formed through a communication hole 8.9 through a water supply hole 11.9 which utilizes the hole in the support 1 as shown in FIG.
12 individually. These water holes 1
1.12 connects the first injection barrel 15 and the second injection barrel 1 via a water supply tube 13.14 leading out from the outer end of the support 1.
6.

Further, each electrode 4, 5 is individually connected to each cable 21.22 inserted through a cable insertion hole 17.18 using a hole in the support 1, as shown in FIG. Each of the cables 21 and 22 is connected to a matching circuit 23 and a high frequency power source 24 installed outside.

Note that a temperature detection element 25 such as a thermocouple is provided on the outer surface of the balloon 6.7. This temperature detection element 25 is connected to a signal line 26 inserted into the support 1, and this signal line 26 is connected to a temperature calculator 27 installed outside.

The applicator thus configured is used in the following manner. That is, each balloon 6.7 is pre-deflated and inserted into the lumen 3 of the living body 2, for example, the esophagus as shown in FIG.

Then, when the tumor part 28 is positioned between each electrode 4.5, a liquid such as physiological saline is injected into each balloon 6.7 using the first injection barrel 15 and the second injection barrel 16. The electrolyte 29 is injected and each balloon 6.7 is inflated to fill the lumen 3.
Closely contact the inner wall surface of the

Thereafter, a high frequency voltage is applied between each electrode 4 and 5 from the high frequency power supply 24 through the matching circuit 23. Then, each electrode 4
. Therefore, normal tissues other than the tumor part 28 are not heated unnecessarily and are not damaged. Then, the temperature of the tumor 28 is detected by the temperature detecting element 25 in contact with the tumor 28, and based on this temperature information, the high frequency power supply 24 controls the current supply to the tumor 28.
Keep at 4°C. Thereby, the tumor part 28 can be subjected to thermal treatment.

In this embodiment, the electrodes 4.5 are mesh-shaped, but the electrodes 4.5 are not limited to this, and may be a coil, a spiral tube made of a band-shaped material, a cylindrical conductor, or the like. Moreover, a liquid feeding device such as a roller pump may be used instead of the injection cylinders 15 and 16.

4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, electrodes 4, 5 are connected to each balloon 6.7.
It is provided on the surface of For this reason, each electrode 4, 5 is formed of a thin film made of aluminum or the like, for example, in order to have more flexibility, and is attached to the surface of each balloon 6.7.

The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Also, when using the configuration of this embodiment,
In the same way as above, each balloon 6.7 is deflated in advance and the living body 2
into the lumen 3 of, for example, the esophagus. Then, when the tumor part 28 is positioned between each electrode 4 and 5, each balloon 6 is inserted using the first injection barrel 15 and the second injection barrel 16.
．． An electrolytic solution 29, such as physiological saline, is injected into the balloon 7, and each balloon 6.7 is inflated and brought into close contact with the tumor part 28, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5. As a result, electrode 4
．． 5 is on the surface of each balloon 6.7, and is pressed against the inner wall of the lumen 3 where the tumor part 28 is located.

Thereafter, a high frequency voltage is applied between each electrode 4.5 from the high frequency power supply 24 through the matching circuit 23. Then, each electrode 4
. Therefore, normal tissues other than the tumor part 28 are not heated unnecessarily and are not damaged. Then, the temperature of the tumor 28 is detected by the temperature detecting element 25 in contact with the tumor 28, and based on this temperature information, the high frequency power supply 24 controls the current supply to the tumor 28.
Keep at 4'C. Thereby, the tumor part 28 can be subjected to thermal treatment.

In this second embodiment, since the high-frequency current i does not pass through the balloon 6.7, the balloon 6.7 is inflated not only by the electrolytic solution 29 but also by liquids such as tap water. , or a gas such as air.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, each electrode 4.5 is formed by a coil made of a bidirectional shape memory alloy, and the balloon 6.7 and its accessories are not provided. The shape memory alloy used for each of the electrodes 4 and 5 contracts and tightly wraps around the outer periphery of the support 1, as shown in FIG. 7, at temperatures below, for example, 40°C. Further, when the temperature exceeds 40° C. or less, it expands and comes into close contact with the inner wall of the lumen 3, as shown in FIG. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

When using the configuration of this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 7, the electrodes 4 and 5 are inserted into the lumen 3 of the living body 2, for example, into the esophagus, at a temperature where they are wrapped around the peripheral surface of the support 1. Then, when the tumor part 28 is positioned between each electrode 4 and 5, hot water of 45°C is poured into the lumen 3, for example.
When the water is allowed to flow inside, the electrodes 4 and 5 expand as shown in FIG.
It comes into close contact with the wall of the lumen 3. Thus, the electrodes 4 and 5 are in close contact with the wall surface of the lumen 3, and the tumor part 28 is located between them.

Therefore, similarly to the above embodiment, a high frequency voltage is applied between each electrode 4.5 from the high frequency power supply 24 through the matching circuit 23. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, a high-frequency current i flows between the electrodes 4 and 5, passing only near the tumor 28, and heats only the tumor 28.

Therefore, normal tissues other than the tumor part 28 are not heated unnecessarily and are not damaged. Then, the temperature of the tumor 28 is detected by the temperature detection element 25 in contact with the tumor 28, and the high frequency power source 24 is controlled based on this temperature information to maintain the tumor 28 at 43 to 44°C. . Thereby, the tumor part 28 can be subjected to thermal treatment.

8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, three electrodes 31, 32 .
33 and three balloons 34, 35 .
36.

That is, the inner end portion of the support 1 on the insertion side has, for example, 50
Three electrodes 31, 32° 33 are attached at intervals of m. Each of the electrodes 31, 32, and 33 is made of a cylindrical mesh body, and is fitted onto the outer periphery of the cylindrical support 1. Further, the spaces of each balloon 34, 35, 36 are individually communicated with the water supply holes 37, 38, 39 of the support 1 shown in FIG. 9 through communication holes 8.9.10. These water supply holes 37, 38, 39 are connected to a first injection barrel 44, a second injection barrel 45, and a third injection barrel 46 through water supply tubes 41, 42, 43 led out from the outer end of the support 1. It is connected to the.

Further, each electrode 31, 32, 33 is individually connected to each cable 48, 49, 50 inserted through a cable insertion hole 47 using a hole in the support 1, as shown in FIG. . Then, each cable cable 48, 49 .
50 is connected to a matching circuit 23 and a high frequency power source 24 installed outside.

Temperature detection elements 25 such as thermocouples are provided on the outer surfaces of the balloons 34, 35, and 36, respectively. This temperature detection element 25 is separately connected to three signal lines 26 inserted into the support 1, and these three signal lines 26 are connected to a temperature calculator 27 installed outside.

The applicator thus configured is used in the following manner. That is, each balloon 34, 35
．． 36 is contracted in advance and inserted into the lumen 3 of the living body 2, for example, into the esophagus. Then, when the tumor part 28 is positioned between the electrodes 31, 32, and 33,
Electrolyte solution 29, such as physiological saline, is injected into each balloon 34, 35, 36 using first injection barrel 44, second injection barrel 45, and third injection barrel 46, and , 35 and 36 are inflated and brought into close contact with the inner wall surface of the lumen 3.

Thereafter, a high frequency voltage is applied between the electrodes 31 and 32 and between the electrodes 32 and 33 from the high frequency power supply 24 through the matching circuit 23. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a high-frequency current i flows between them, and this high-frequency current i passes only near the tumor part 28, which extends long along the lumen 3.
Only the tumor part 28 is heated. Therefore, normal tissues other than the tumor part 28 are not heated unnecessarily and are not damaged. The temperature detection element 2 contacts the tumor part 28.
5 detects the temperature of the tumor part 28, and based on this temperature information, the tumor part 28 is maintained at 43 to 44[deg.] C. by controlling energization by the high frequency power supply 24. Thereby, the tumor part 28 can be subjected to thermal treatment.

In addition, by controlling the high frequency power supply 24 according to the formation status of the tumor part 28, the gap between the electrode 31 and the electrode 32, the electrode 3
The high frequency current i may be supplied only between the electrode 2 and the electrode 33 or between the electrode 31 and the electrode 33.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention provides a hyperthermia device that performs thermotherapy by heating an affected area using a high-frequency electric field, and includes a plurality of electrodes on the inner end portion of a support that can be inserted into a body cavity. is provided, and at least two electrodes are selected from the plurality of electrodes by the power supply means, and a high frequency current is supplied between the selected electrodes to locally heat the affected area between the selected electrodes. This is what I did.

Therefore, only the affected area on the lumen wall of the living body can be efficiently heated locally, and other normal tissues are not damaged as much as possible.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figures are a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the action of the electrode section, Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram of the vicinity of the tip of the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the action of the electrode part in the second embodiment, FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively diagrams of the configuration near the tip of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration diagram of the example, Figure 9 is A-A in Figure 8.
A cross-sectional view taken along the line, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 are diagrams each illustrating the principle of a conventional hyperthermia device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Support, 2...Living body, 3...Lumen, 4.5
... Electrode, 23 ... Matching circuit, 24 ... High frequency power supply, 31.32.33 ... Electrode. Figure 3 Figure 7 Figure 10 Figure 11

Claims (1)

[Claims] A hyperthermia device that performs thermotherapy by heating an affected area with a high-frequency electric field includes a support that can be inserted into a body cavity, a plurality of electrodes provided at the inner end of the support on the insertion side, and a plurality of electrodes. A hyperthermia device comprising power supply means for selecting at least two electrodes from among the selected electrodes and passing a high frequency current between the selected electrodes.