JPH0245069A - Probe for hyperthermia - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a microwave radiant section from which a microwave radiates between element wires to form an outer core in directions toward the periphery of the side of the title probe when the prove opens and to execute a remote operation by freely expansibly forming the element wires at the tip side part of the probe. CONSTITUTION:A convolute type coaxial cable 3 to transmit microwave power is provided for the internal part of a probe body 2. A tip part 4 of the probe 1 is installed freely movably in a forward and backward direction for the base edge side part of the probe 1 and a coaxial inner core 5 of the coaxial cable 3. A coaxial outer core 6 of the coaxial cable is exposed in a part closer than a tip part 4 which is movable forward and backward. Respective conductive element wires 7 closer than the coaxial outer core 7 in its exposed part are positioned between the tip part 4 and the base edge side part closer than the tip part 4. While the probe contracts, and the respective element wires 7 in the coaxial outer core 6 are made into a dense state when the tip part is previously moved toward, the probe expands, and the interval between the respective element wires 7 of the coaxial outer core 6 becomes wider when the tip part 4 is previously moved backward. When the probe expands and opens, a microwave radiant section 8 from which the microwave radiates in the direction toward the periphery of the side of the probe 1 is formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a hyperthermia probe for thermally treating an affected area by irradiating microwaves.

[Prior art] Hyperthermia probes have been known that transmit microwave power through a coaxial cable and irradiate microwaves from an antenna at the tip of the probe to heat local areas within the body cavity. (For example, JP-A-61
-15903, USP No. 4,700,716, German Patent Publication No. 3011322, etc.)
.

Considering that this type of hyperthermia probe is used within the lumen of a living body, it is desirable that microwaves be emitted not in the axial direction of the probe but in the circumferential direction.

It is also desirable to be able to remotely control the intensity of the emitted radio waves while in use, and to be able to stop the emission in an emergency.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional hyperthermia probes, the microwave irradiation direction is directed toward the periphery of the probe rather than the axial direction of the probe, and there is no one that can adjust the intensity of the emitted radio waves. Ta.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to emit microwaves from the radiation section at the tip of the probe not in the axial direction of the probe but in the circumferential direction, and to To provide a hyperthermia probe whose intensity can be controlled remotely during use and whose emission can be stopped in an emergency.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] In order to solve the above problems, the hyperthermia probe of the present invention expands and contracts the cable wire forming the outer core of the coaxial cable that transmits microwave power at the tip side of the probe. The strands that can be freely configured and expand and open form a microwave radiating part that radiates microwaves from between the strands toward the sides of the probe, and the strands that form the microwave radiating part. The device is equipped with an operating means for remotely controlling and adjusting the density from the hand side.

Therefore, if the density of the wires forming the outer core of the microwave emitting section is made sparse by remote control from the hand side using the operating means, the microwaves can be directed from between the wires toward the sides of the probe. It can radiate. At this time, since the density of the strands is denser in the axial direction of the probe compared to the expanded outer periphery of the microwave emitting section made of the strands, the rays are not irradiated in the axial direction of the probe. Further, by contracting the microwave radiating section, it is possible to block microwave radiation from between the strands forming the microwave radiating section. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently radiate microwaves from the microwave radiating part at the tip of the probe not in the axial direction of the probe but in the circumferential direction, and also to remotely control the intensity of the radiated radio waves during use. It can be operated and adjusted, and its emission can be stopped in an emergency.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a probe for hyperthermia. The probe main body 2 of the probe 1 is configured to have a thickness and flexibility so that it can be inserted into a body cavity through an insertion channel of an endoscope (not shown). Further, inside the probe body 2, a single-wound coaxial cable 3 for transmitting microwave power is provided. and,
The distal end portion 4 of the probe 1 is installed so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the proximal end portion of the probe 1 and the coaxial inner core 5 of the coaxial cable 3.

Further, the coaxial outer core 6 of the coaxial cable is exposed at a portion in front of the front end portion 4 which is movable back and forth. That is, each conductive strand 7 of the coaxial outer core 6 in this exposed portion is located between the distal end portion 4 and the proximal end portion in front thereof. When the tip 4 is advanced as shown in FIG. 1(A), it contracts and each strand 7 of the coaxial outer core 6 becomes dense, and as shown in FIG. 1(B) When the distal end portion 4 is retracted, it expands and the space between each strand 7 of the coaxial outer core 6 widens. In other words, when the exposed portion of the wire 7 expands and opens, it forms a microwave radiation section 8 that radiates microwaves from between the wires 7 towards the sides of the probe 1. .

Further, the tip portion 4 can be moved back and forth freely by remote operation from the proximal side of the probe 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, two operating wires 9 are connected to the tip 4, and these operating wires 9
A push/pull operation mechanism (not shown) on the hand side is inserted through the inside of the device.

), and constitutes an operating means for remotely moving the tip portion 4 forward and backward using the operating wire 9 to adjust the density between the strands 7 in the microwave radiating section 8.

Next, the operation of the hyperthermia probe 1 having the above configuration will be explained. First, when using this probe 1, as shown in FIG. 1(A), the tip portion 4 is advanced in advance to contract the microwave emitting portion 8. Then, it is introduced into the tubular part 10 of the body cavity through an insertion channel of an endoscope (not shown) or directly, and the microwave emitting part 8 is localized on the wall of the body cavity as shown in FIG. Tumor area 1
Place it close to or opposite to 1. Next, by pulling the operation wire 9 by operating the hand side, the tip portion 4 of the probe 1 is moved back, thereby expanding the microwave emitting portion 8 as shown in FIG. 1(B). Therefore, each wire 7 in the microwave radiating section 8 swells outward, resulting in a sparse density and a weakening of the shielding effect. In particular, the density of the bulged outer peripheral portion becomes sparse, and microwaves can be radiated from between the strands 7. Therefore, when microwave power is transmitted through the coaxial cable 3 and the coaxial inner core 5 inside the microwave radiation section 8 is used as an antenna to oscillate microwaves, the microwaves are transmitted between the sparse wires 7. radiates toward the lateral periphery of the probe 1 through the probe 1. Then, electromagnetic waves are irradiated to the tumor 11 localized on the wall of the body cavity, and the tumor 11 can be heated and treated.

At this time, the microwave radiating part 8 made of the strands 7 forming the coaxial outer core 6 does not spread out in the same way as a whole, but the part facing the axis of the probe 1 is more Since the density of the lines 7 is high, the probe 1 is not irradiated in the axial direction.

Therefore, microwaves can be efficiently radiated toward the sides of the probe 1. In addition, the tip portion 4
Since the moving amount can be arbitrarily set, the density of the wire 7 can be changed and the emitted radio wave intensity can be adjusted remotely during use.

In addition, by pushing out the operation wire 9, the tip portion 4
If the microwave emitting part 8 is contracted as shown in FIG. 1(A), microwave radiation from between the strands 7 forming the microwave emitting part 8 can be blocked. can.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is a modification of the driving means for moving the tip 4 of the probe 1 forward and backward.This embodiment includes a circular flange 15 provided at the rear end of the tip 4, and an operating wire 9 connected to the flange 15. .

Other aspects are the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the coaxial outer core 6 of the coaxial cable 3 is of a mesh type in which the cable wires 7 are knitted. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the shielding effect is large when the microwave radiating section 8 is contracted.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the operation is stable, with no change in shape or wobbling of the tip 4 when the microwave radiating section 8 is expanded or contracted.

6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In each of the above embodiments, the tip portion 4 of the probe 1 is moved back and forth in order to expand and contract the microwave emitting portion 8.
In this fourth embodiment, the proximal end portion 20 of the probe 1 is moved forward and backward.

The coaxial inner core 5 of the coaxial cable 3 and the proximal end portion 20 of the probe 1 are configured to be able to slide relative to each other, and the coaxial outer core 6 and the outer sheath of the coaxial cable 3 are arranged at the proximal end of the probe 1 as shown in FIG. It is folded back at the side portion 2o, and by extending this folded portion 21, the proximal end portion 2o of the probe 1 can be advanced, thereby expanding the microwave emitting portion 8. By retracting the proximal portion 20 of the probe 1, the microwave emitting section 8 can be contracted as shown in FIG.

Other configurations and effects may be similar to those of the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tip of each strand 7 of the coaxial outer core 6 constituting the microwave radiation section 8 and the tip of the coaxial inner core 5 are connected to the same tip tip 25.
Further, the proximal end portion 2° of the probe 1 is configured to be movable forward and backward relative to the coaxial inner core 5 of the coaxial cable 3, as in the above embodiment.

By pushing out the proximal end portion 2o of the probe 1, the microwave emitting part 8 expands like a teacup, as shown in FIG. 8(B), and the cable wires 7 in the circumferential direction become sparse. It can emit more microwaves. Further, by retracting the proximal end portion 20 of the probe 1, the microwave radiating section 8 is contracted as shown in FIG. 8(A), and the strands 7 become denser to block microwave radiation.

The slide method and the like of the above embodiment can be used.

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

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the hyperthermia probe of the present invention, the strands forming the outer core of the coaxial cable for transmitting microwave power are configured to be expandable and contractible at the tip end of the probe. When opened, a microwave radiation part is formed that emits microwaves from between the wires toward the sides of the probe, and the density of the wires forming the microwave radiation part can be monitored remotely from the hand side. The device is equipped with an operating means for adjusting the amount by operating it. Therefore, if the density of the wires forming the microwave radiating section is made sparse by remote control from the operator's hand, microwaves can be emitted from between the wires toward the sides of the probe. can. At this time, since the density of the strands is denser in the axial direction of the probe compared to the expanded outer periphery of the microwave emitting section made of the strands, the rays are not irradiated in the axial direction of the probe. Further, by contracting the microwave radiating section, it is possible to block microwave radiation from between the strands forming the microwave radiating section. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently radiate microwaves from the microwave radiating part at the tip of the probe not in the axial direction of the probe but in the circumferential direction, and also to remotely control the intensity of the radiated radio waves during use. It can be operated and adjusted, and its emission can be stopped in an emergency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the vicinity of the tip of a probe showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the probe of the first embodiment is used, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tip advancing and retracting means showing the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. ) are perspective views of the vicinity of the probe tip showing the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6(A) and (B)
is a perspective view of the vicinity of the tip of the probe showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tip advancing/retracting means showing the fourth embodiment, and FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of the vicinity of the tip of the probe showing the fifth embodiment of the invention.
) is a perspective view showing a modification of the fifth embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Probe, 3... Coaxial cable, 4... Tip, 5... Coaxial inner core, 6... Coaxial outer core, 7...
Element wire, 8... microwave radiation section, 9... operation wire.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a hyperthermia probe that is equipped with a coaxial cable, transmits microwave power through the coaxial cable, and irradiates microwaves from the antenna at the tip of the probe.
A micro-wire that forms the outer core of the coaxial cable is configured to expand and contract at the tip of the coaxial cable, and radiates microwaves from between the expanded and open wires toward the sides of the probe. A hyperthermia probe, characterized in that it forms a wave emitting part and is provided with an operating means for remotely controlling and adjusting the density of the strands forming the microwave emitting part from the hand side.