JPH02126840A - Probe for freezing organism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an organism freezing probe which is in the form of a long and narrow pipe by alternately laminating metal foil and resin meshes within a rougly-ring-shaped space located on the side of the inner periphery of an outer pipe formed by a bendable thin tubular body, thus thermally insulating the outer tube and a conduit pipe located on the side of the inner periphery of the outer pipe. CONSTITUTION:A laminated body 6 formed by lamination of metallic foil 6a and resin meshes 6b on each other is disposed in a roughly-ring-shaped space defined on the side of the inner periphery of an outer pipe 4 which is formed by a bendable thin tubular body, so that the outer pipe 4 and a conduit pipe 3 located on the side of the inner periphery of the outer pipe are thermally insulated. The ring-shaped space 5 located on the side of the inner periphery of the outer pipe 4, together with its pressure-resisting strength which may be required under vacuum conditions, it not held by the side of the outer pipe 4 but by the bendable laminated body 6, so that the outer pipe 4 can easily be reduced in its wall thickness and also in diameter. An organism freezing probe 10 can thus be obtained which is in the form of a long and narrow pipe and capable of being integrated into an endoscope.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a living body freezing probe for removing affected areas such as polyps and cancer cells generated on living tissues such as the throat, esophagus, and stomach. In particular, the present invention relates to an elongated tubular probe for freezing a living body that can be incorporated into an endoscope for observing inside a living body.

``Prior Art'' Conventionally, for example, as shown in FIG. A thin tube-shaped probe 10 is formed so that the inner tube 2 and the middle tube 3 can communicate with each other through the hollow space 1a, and the tip end side of the outer tube 4 located outside the inner tube 2 is airtightly sealed with the tip plug 1. Alternatively, the probe 10 or the endoscope is inserted into a living tissue such as the urethra or stomach, with the tip plug inserted into the endoscope and only the tip thereof protrudes, and the tip is brought into contact with the affected area.
A cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen is conducted through the inner tube 2 into the space l.
A freezing probe 1 is configured to collide with the inner surface of the tip plug l from part a to absorb heat from the affected area through the tip plug 1 and to remove the diseased root portion of the affected area.
G is known, and such a cryoprobe 10 is
Since the inner pipe 2 and the middle pipe 3 are communicated with each other through the cavity 1a, the vaporized fluid that has been heat removed by colliding with the tip plug 1 is exhausted through the middle pipe 3, and the amount of the vaporized fluid is By adjusting the temperature and introduction amount of the cryogenic fluid, the freezing depth and freezing range of the living tissue in contact with the tip plug 1 can be arbitrarily set, and the collision of the cryogenic fluid can be determined by external X-rays, etc. By stopping and thawing the frozen affected area, and then repeating the above freezing and thawing, it is possible to completely kill and remove only the diseased root part of the affected area by causing frostbite,
As a result, it is possible to obtain a new treatment method that allows removal of the affected area without performing open surgery.

Since the cryoprobe 10 is generally inserted into living tissue through the esophagus or the like, there is a risk of erroneous freezing and melting if normal living tissue comes into contact with the outer periphery except for the tip plug 1. Since it is necessary to remove the heat, the space between the inner tube 3 and the outer tube 4 is placed under vacuum in order to maintain heat insulation.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' However, in a car that maintains a reduced pressure (vacuum) state between the inner tube 3 and outer tube 4, the outer tube 4 must have sufficient strength to withstand the pressure resistance. As a result, it was necessary to increase the wall thickness of the outer tube 4 or to make it from a rigid material, but this meant sacrificing flexibility, which significantly reduced operability and It becomes difficult to bring the plug 1 into contact with a desired position within the tissue.

In addition, the probe IO is incorporated into the endoscope 20 together with a fiberscope, etc., and the affected area is extracted and removed while inspecting the position of the tip plug 1 using the fiberscope. If the wall thickness of the outer tube 4 is increased in order to maintain this, the outer diameter of the probe 10 will inevitably increase, making it impossible to incorporate it into the endoscope 20.

Therefore, in such conventional technology, the disadvantages of the probe 10, that is, it is extremely difficult to obtain flexibility, and the endoscope 2
However, it was not possible to solve the extremely important problem in practice that it is difficult to reduce the diameter to the extent that it can be incorporated into a living body freezing probe 10. Although it is clear that this is an extremely effective medical tool that can prolong life and provide prompt medical treatment, it has been difficult to put it into practical use.

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a living body freezing probe that can achieve flexibility and diameter reduction even when the space between the inner tube and the outer tube is placed under vacuum,
As a result, it is possible to provide an elongated tube-shaped living body freezing probe that can be incorporated into the endoscope 20 for inspecting the living body for the first time, or can be applied without being attached to the endoscope.

"Means for Solving the Problems" The present invention provides a method for connecting one or more conduits 2.3 on the outer periphery of the pipes 2 and 3 that function as introduction holes or discharge holes for a cooling fluid that freezes living tissue through a tip plug 1. 4, and the outer tube 4
The present invention relates to a living body freezing probe 10 in which a substantially ring-shaped space 5 formed between a conduit and a conduit located on the inner circumferential side thereof is placed under at least negative pressure to provide a heat insulating effect.

In other words, the conduit is not necessarily limited to concentric double pipes, but also includes heterocentric multiple pipes, and the cooling fluid also includes gas in addition to liquid, and "under negative pressure" means not only under vacuum but also under reduced pressure. include.

A feature of the present invention is that a metal foil 6a and a resin mesh 8b are provided in the substantially ring-shaped space on the inner circumferential side of the outer tube 4 formed of a thin-walled tube that allows flexibility.
A laminate 8 formed by alternately laminating the outer tube and the conduit 3 located on the inner circumferential side of the outer tube is provided to insulate the space between the outer tube and the conduit 3.

In this case, it is preferable that the outer tube 4 be formed of a thin-walled tube with high flexibility and high reflection efficiency, for example, a flexible thin-walled tube made of gold or whose surface is coated with gold.

Also preferably a first conduit 2 into which the cooling fluid is introduced.
The second conduit 3, which is located concentrically outside the body and through which the vaporized cooling fluid passes after freezing the living tissue, is preferably formed of a bellows-shaped metal flexible tube.

"Operation" According to this technical means, as shown in FIG. 1, the gap between the ring-shaped space 5 located on the inner circumferential side of the outer tube 4 is maintained and the pressure resistance for placing it under vacuum is maintained on the outer tube 4 side. Since the outer tube 4 is held by a flexible laminate interposed in the ring-shaped space 5 without having to Flexibility and diameter reduction can be easily achieved, thereby making it possible to provide an elongated tubular living body freezing probe 10 that can be incorporated into an endoscope 20 for inspecting inside a living body.

In addition, since the laminate 6 is formed by laminating the resin Metjuro b and the metal foil 6a, it can effectively reflect the radiant cold heat from the inner tube 2 and the middle tube 3. The insulation efficiency can be greatly improved while the ring-shaped space 5 is made thinner, and as a result, the diameter of the living body freezing probe 10 can be further reduced.

Furthermore, the fact that the outer tube 4 is made of gold or a flexible thin-walled tube whose surface is coated with gold improves the tactility and the probe 1.
This is preferable because the 0 surface will not be eroded by stomach acid, etc., and no harmful metals will be leached into the body.

Also, since the outer tube 4 and the conduit 3 located on the inner circumferential side are always kept in a non-contact state by the laminate 6 made of the resin mesh EB and the metal foil 6a, how can the probe be connected? Even when the tubes 3.4 are bent, the two tubes 3.4 do not come into contact with each other, which is preferable in order to maintain the heat insulating effect.

"Embodiments" Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this example are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, but are merely illustrative examples. It's nothing more than that.

FIG. 1 shows a living body freezing probe 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing an internal structural diagram of.

The probe lO is formed by sealing the distal end side of a flexible concentric triple tube consisting of an inner tube 2, a middle tube 3, and an outer tube 4 with a metal tip plug l, as in the prior art. A laminate 6 made of a nylon resin material is spirally wound between the inner tube 4 and the inner tube 3. These members will be explained in detail below.

The tip plug l has a cylindrical plug shape with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the outer tube 4, and has a concave space 1a on the rear end side, and has an R-shaped front end side 1b that contacts living tissue. , the probe IO is formed so that it can be easily inserted without damaging body tissues when inserted.

The plug 1 has a rear end outer circumferential surface 1c formed in a tapered shape so that it can come into contact with the enlarged diameter surface of the middle tube 3, which will be described later.
After fitting the plug 1 into the outer tube 4 until it comes into contact with the enlarged diameter surface of the middle tube 3, the ring-shaped gap formed between the plug 1 and the outer tube 4 is welded, and the outer tube 4 and the middle tube 3 are welded together. A ring-shaped space 5 formed between
Seal the interior airtight.

Next, each tube forming the concentric triple tube will be explained in order. The inner tube 2 has a diameter of about 0.5 m/+wφ and a wall thickness of 0.5 m/+wφ.
It is made of a thin gold tube or nylon resin pipe with a diameter of about 1 am, and its tip is connected to a tip plug l.
It extends into the concave space 1a of the inner tube 2, and is configured so that the liquid nitrogen inserted into the inner tube 2 collides with the inner wall surface of the tip plug 1 in the form of a jet stream.

The middle tube 3 has a diameter of around 1.7+s/mΦ and a wall thickness of 0.1~
It is formed of a thin metal tube with a diameter of 0.2 ram, and its distal end is enlarged in diameter in a cross-sectional shape so that the rear end surface 1c of the tip plug 1 can come into contact with the enlarged diameter surface 3a.

The inside of the ring-shaped gap 8 formed between the middle tube 3 and the inner tube 2 maintains a so-called positive pressure state through which vaporized nitrogen passes after colliding with the tip plug 1, as described later. If the laminate 8 is not particularly required and the laminate B is inserted, it is not preferable because the area through which the vaporized nitrogen passes becomes smaller and the passage resistance increases accordingly. However, if the degree of bending of the probe 10 is increased, the middle tube 3 without the laminate 8 interposed therein may be pressed, so the middle tube 3 is formed into a bellows shape as shown in FIG. may be improved.

The outer tube 4 is a pipe made of gold in order to maintain flexibility, corrosion resistance, and a predetermined reflection effect on the inner wall surface side, and its outer diameter is 2.8 mm/■φ or less, specifically, 2.4-2.8
m/mφ and the wall thickness is set to about 0.1 to 0.2 am. As a result, the outer diameter of the cryoprobe 10 of this embodiment can be suppressed to 2.8 s/sφ or less, so that it can be inserted into the hole diameter portion 21 of the existing endoscope 20.

In the ring-shaped space 5 of the outer tube 4 and the middle tube 3,
A thin layered laminate 6 in which aluminum foil 6a and nylon mesh 8b are wrapped in multiple layers is interposed, so that when the inside of the ring-shaped space 5 is placed under vacuum, the outer tube 4 is placed on the inner tube 3 side. The laminate 8 is not pinched by the nylon mesh 8, and the laminate 8 is held apart by the thickness of the laminate 8.
Due to the presence of b, the inside of the ring-shaped space 5 is naturally ventilated all the way to the tip, and can be easily evacuated.

Therefore, the vacuum state is maintained in the ring-shaped space 5 by evacuating it in advance and then sealing it.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 3.

The cryoprobe 10 having the above configuration is inserted into the hole diameter portion 21 of the existing endoscope 20, and with its tip protruding,
The endoscope 20 is inserted into the stomach wall 30. and endoscope 2
With the tip of the cryoprobe 10 in contact with the affected area 31, using an observation window provided at the tip, a fiberscope (none of which are shown), etc. The ring-shaped space 5 is kept in a vacuum state and sealed by a pump, and liquid nitrogen 32 at a pressure higher than normal pressure is introduced into the inner tube 2, or the ring-shaped space 8, which will be described later, is evacuated by the pump. Liquid nitrogen 32 is introduced from the tip of the inner tube 2 through the tip plug 1.
The liquid is ejected into the concave space 1a in the form of a jet stream.

As a result, the affected area 31 is frozen through the tip plug l, and the liquid nitrogen 32, which is in a state where it is easy to become jute injection gas, evaporates due to its heat absorption, and the evaporated gas 33 is transferred to the middle tube 3. After passing through the ring-shaped gap 8 between the inner tube 2 and the inner tube 2, it is evacuated or released into the atmosphere from the outlet end of the inner tube 3.

At this time, since the evaporative gas 33 flowing inside the middle pipe 3 is a gas, it plays a role of heat insulation, and the middle pipe 3
Since the laminate 8 maintains a non-contact state between the inner tube 4 and the outer tube 4, and also maintains a vacuum state, the cold heat of the liquid nitrogen 32 transferred to the inner tube 3 side can be completely blocked. Done,
The effects of the present invention can be achieved smoothly.

Returning to the original state, the tip plug is adjusted by a computer that adjusts the amount of evaporative gas discharged from the inner tube 3 and the amount and temperature of the liquid nitrogen 32 introduced into the inner tube 2 based on a predetermined algorithm. The freezing depth and freezing range of the living tissue that is in contact with the body tissue can be set arbitrarily, and the introduction of liquid nitrogen 32 is stopped based on judgment from external X-rays, etc., and the frozen affected area is thawed, and the above-mentioned freezing and thawing are repeated thereafter. As a result, a vehicle was created that completely kills and removes only the root part of the diseased area by causing frostbite, and the destroyed cells in the affected area are then decomposed and expelled from the body by the body's own self-cleaning action, and then a prescribed surgery is performed to remove the diseased area. is completed.

"Effects of the Invention" Therefore, according to the invention, since the pressure resistance for placing the inner peripheral side of the outer tube under vacuum is made of a laminate having a heat insulating effect, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the outer tube regardless of the pressure resistance. This makes it possible to achieve a narrower diameter, thereby creating a vehicle that provides an elongated tubular probe for freezing a living body that can be incorporated into an endoscope for observing inside a living body, and its practical value is extremely large.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 3 show a cryogenic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 is a front sectional view, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of use, and Figure 3 is a modification of the probe. It is a cutaway diagram of the main part. FIG. 4 shows a freezing probe according to the prior art. Figure Figure Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) An outer tube is used to cover the outer periphery of one or more conduits that function as an introduction hole or a discharge hole for a cooling fluid that freezes living tissue through a metal tip member; In a living body freezing probe in which the approximately ring-shaped space formed between a tube and the conduit located on the inner circumferential side is placed under low pressure, the approximately ring-shaped space formed on the inner circumferential side of the outer tube is made of a flexible thin-walled tube. A living body freezing probe 2 characterized in that a laminate formed by alternately laminating metal foil and resin mesh is interposed in the space to insulate the space between the outer tube and the conduit located on the inner circumferential side thereof. ) A second conduit, which is located concentrically outside the first conduit into which the cooling fluid is introduced, and through which the vaporized cooling fluid passes after freezing the living tissue, is a bellows-shaped metal flexible tube. A living body freezing probe according to claim 1) formed of