JPH0438944A - Shock wave therapy apparatus and thermotherapy apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve a higher treating efficiency with easier judgment of a presence of a lesion to be treated, depending on a report from a reporting means, by arranging a means to tell a report pertaining to the presence of the object to be treated based on a reflected wave of a shock wave received by a shock wave generation source. CONSTITUTION:An operator manipulates a device 1 so that a marker M is set near a calculus Po extracted in a B mode image displayed on a screen 9a of a display section 9 to monitor a state of a living body. With a switch 25 ON at a terminal 25a on the side of a low voltage power source 22, a shock wave generation source 2 transmits a week impact wave to the living body and a judging circuit 31 judges a signal level of a received signal from a receiving circuit 24. When the marker M (focus F) matches the calculus Po, the judging circuit 31 outputs an ON signal to an oscillator 33 and a sound is emitted from a speaker 32. At the same time, the judging circuit 31 controls the switch 25 to be ON at a terminal 25b on the side of a high voltage power source 23. Thus, a strong shock wave is transmitted from the shock wave generation source 2 to treat the calculus Po.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a shock wave therapy device that destroys and treats target objects in a living body, such as cancer tissue, stones, etc., with the focused energy of shock waves. It is something.

Alternatively, the present invention relates to a thermotherapy device that uses continuous ultrasonic waves to destroy and treat cancerous tissue or the like with the focused energy of the ultrasonic waves due to its thermal action.

(Prior Art) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-49843 discloses an ultrasonic treatment device for destroying objects to be treated in a living body, such as stones. The ultrasonic applicator of this device has a hole of a predetermined shape in the center, and a concave treatment vibrator and an ultrasonic transmission medium placed on the ultrasonic wave transmission/reception side of the treatment vibrator. It has a water tank made of rubber or the like filled with water, and an imaging probe inserted into the hole of the ultrasonic applicator and placed in the water in the water tank.

This ultrasonic treatment device uses high-energy pulsed ultrasound as the ultrasound generated by a therapeutic transducer, and at the convergence point of the pulsed ultrasound, the pulsed ultrasound becomes a shock wave that destroys the stone and treats it. It can be used as a shock wave therapy device, and if continuous ultrasound is used that continuously outputs ultrasound generated from a therapeutic transducer, the continuous ultrasound is converted into thermal energy at the convergence point of the continuous ultrasound. It can also be used as a thermotherapy device for treating stones.

When destroying a stone in a living body using the above device, it is necessary to align the focal point of the shock wave or continuous ultrasonic wave to the stone or the like. Hereinafter, this will be referred to as "focal positioning". This focus positioning method uses the “focal marker method” and the “reflection method.”
There is. To explain this focus marker method in detail, it displays a B-mode image (tomographic image) of a living body based on B-mode image data collected by an imaging probe on the display screen of the display unit, and also displays a focal point of shock waves or continuous ultrasound waves. For example, a cross-shaped focus marker indicating a focus position is
This is done by superimposing the focus marker on the mode image and matching the focus marker with the stone on the display screen. Here, the marker indicates a focal position determined geometrically by the concave surface of the therapeutic transducer.

In addition, focus positioning to match the focus position with the treatment target is performed by appropriate means.

Further, as a reflection method, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-5736. The reflection method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-5736 transmits ultrasonic waves from a destructive ultrasonic transducer using low voltage drive, and receives the reflected waves by the same ultrasonic transducer. This is a method of automatically determining the presence or absence of stones.2.This reflection method uses a positional display device, and if the determination that there are no stones is made several times in a row, the result is displayed on the positional display device. I have to.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the focus marker method described above, when performing focus positioning, the operator must judge whether the focus marker and the stone match, and therefore the operator must always concentrate on the display screen. However, there was a problem that monitoring of the living body (patient) was neglected, resulting in a lack of safety.

Further, in the above reflection method, there is a problem in that it is difficult for the operator to see the reflected wave intensity display (the above-mentioned positional deviation display device) because the operator is gazing close to the focus marker.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shock wave therapy device and a thermotherapy device that improve treatment efficiency.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is to generate a shock wave that is focused on a target treatment object in a living body from a shock wave generation source, and to In the shock wave treatment device for destructive treatment of The present invention is characterized in that it has a notification means for notifying the presence or absence of the target therapeutic substance based on.

A second aspect of the present invention is a thermotherapy device for destructively treating a target treatment object by generating continuous ultrasound waves focused on a target treatment object in a living body from a continuous ultrasound generation source, wherein the continuous ultrasound generation source comprises: It is capable of transmitting continuous ultrasound waves and receiving reflected waves of ultrasound waves from the living body, and determines the presence or absence of the target treatment object based on the reflected waves of the ultrasound waves received by the continuous ultrasound generation source. The present invention is characterized by having a notification means for making a notification.

(for production) The operation of the device having the above configuration will be explained.

The notification made by the notification means makes it easier to determine the presence or absence of the target treatment substance, improving treatment efficiency.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, with the same reference numerals assigned to parts having the same functions.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a shock wave therapy device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This device 1 includes a shock wave generation source 2 that generates a shock wave focused on a target treatment object PO within a living body P, an imaging probe 3 that collects ultrasound reflection data as B-mode image data of the living body P, and a shock wave generation source. 2, a moving means 4 for moving the imaging probe 3 in the shock wave transmission direction A;
A probe position detection means 5 detects the relative position between the shock wave generation source 2 and the imaging probe 3, a transmission/reception control section 6 performs transmission/reception control of the imaging probe 3, and processes the obtained reception signal to generate a B-mode image signal. A B-mode processing circuit 7 to be created, digital scan converters D, S, C, 8 that output data captured by ultrasonic synchronization in TV synchronization and superimposed display of markers M, etc., and probe position detection means. Based on the probe position detection signal from 5, the marker information for displaying the marker M in a superimposed manner on the display screen 9a of the display unit 9 at the position corresponding to the focal point 2a of the shock wave is outputted to S, C, and 8. shock wave control system 20 that controls the shock wave generation source 2;
It has

The imaging probe 3 forms a fan-shaped sound field region 3b including the focal point F of the shock wave, and this region 3
Ultrasonic reflection data is collected for b.

The shock wave control system 20 includes a pulsar 21 that generates control pulses for causing the shock wave generation source 2 to generate strong and weak shock waves.
and a low voltage power supply 22 that supplies low voltage to the pulser 21,
a high voltage power supply 23 that supplies high voltage to the pulser 21; a receiving circuit 24 that converts the reflected wave of the shock wave received by the shock wave generation source 2 into a received signal with an amplitude corresponding to the intensity of the reflected wave;
It has a notification means 30 that provides an audible notification based on the received signal from the receiving circuit 24.

The notification means 30 has a determination circuit 31 that determines the signal level of the received signal based on the shock wave from the reception circuit 24, and an oscillator 33 that drives the speaker 32. This determination circuit 31 determines the signal level of the received signal from the reception circuit 24, and when it exceeds a predetermined level, outputs an ON signal to the oscillator 33, and the speaker 32 converts the electrical signal from the oscillator 33. It emits an audible sound to alert the operator that a stone is present. Also, the judgment circuit 3
1 outputs a control signal for controlling the switch 25 connected to the pulser 21 and each power source 22, 23. That is, at the focus positioning stage, the determination circuit 31
outputs a control signal so that the switch 25 is connected to the terminal 25a on the low voltage power supply 22 side, and in the treatment stage outputs an ON signal to the oscillator 23, and the switch 25 is connected to the terminal 25b on the high voltage power supply 23 side. It outputs a control signal so that it is connected.

The present device 1 is manufactured by Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-57 shown in the section of the prior art.
It has the same function as disclosed in No. 36,
The determination circuit 31 determines the signal level of the received signal from the receiving circuit 24, and when the signal level is determined to be below a predetermined level several times in a row, information that there is no target treatment substance is displayed on the display screen 9a. There is.

Next, the operation of the embodiment device 1 having the above configuration will be explained.

An operator operates the device 1 to obtain the target treatment object P.

A shock wave generation source 2 is placed near the body surface Pf above the body,
The ultrasound transmitting/receiving surface 3a of the imaging probe 3 is placed on the body surface P.
comes into contact with.

Next, when the imaging probe 3 performs B-mode scanning under the control of the transmission/reception control unit 6 and collects ultrasound reflection data, a B-mode image based on the collected ultrasound reflection data is displayed on the display screen a of the display unit 9. is displayed, and a marker M is also displayed at a position corresponding to the focal point F of the shock wave.

On the other hand, the determination circuit 31 outputs a control signal to the switch 25 to operate the switch 25 to the terminal 25a on the low voltage power supply 22 side. This reflected wave is then received. The determination circuit 31 is the receiving circuit 2
For example, as shown in the display section 9 of FIG. 1, the signal level of the received signal from the marker M and the stone P is determined. If they do not match, the signal level will be lower than the predetermined level, and only an OFF signal will be output to the oscillator 33, and the speaker 32 will be in a state where it does not generate sound.

Next, the operator selects the B displayed on the display screen 9a of the display unit 9.
Stone P extracted in the mode image. The device 1 is operated to align the marker M nearby, and the condition of the living body (patient) is also monitored. Since the switch 25 remains activated to the terminal 25a on the low voltage power supply 22 side as before, the shock wave generation source 2 again transmits a weak shock wave toward the living body P, and the determination circuit 31 similarly transmits the weak shock wave to the receiving circuit. The signal level of the received signal from 24 is determined. Marker M (focal point F) is stone P
. If it matches, the determination circuit 31 determines based on the above determination result,
An ON signal is output to the oscillator 33, a sound is generated from the speaker 32, and the operator knows that the marker M (focal point F) has coincided with the stone P0 without monitoring the condition of the living body (patient). At the same time, the determination circuit 31 controls the switch 25 to operate the switch 25 to the terminal 25b on the high voltage power supply 23 side, and a strong shock wave is transmitted from the shock wave generation source 2, and the treatment of the stone Po is automatically performed. .

According to the device 1 of the first embodiment, it can be immediately determined whether the focal point marker (focal point) coincides with the calculus based on the presence or absence of sound from the speaker, so the accuracy of focal positioning is improved compared to the conventional method. Therefore, it is possible to provide a shock wave therapy device with significantly improved treatment efficiency.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a device 1a according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This device 1a has the same structure as the first embodiment device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the main difference is the shock wave control system 20.
It is in the notification means 30a of a.

The notification means 30 provides an audible notification, and is a determination circuit that determines the signal level of the received signal from the reception circuit 24 and controls the switch 25 similarly to the determination circuit 31 of the first embodiment device 1. 31a, an oscillator 33a that outputs an analog signal amplitude-modulated according to the signal level of the received signal from the receiving circuit 24, and a speaker 32a that generates sound according to the signal amplitude of the oscillator 33a.

According to the second embodiment bag ff1la having the above configuration, the magnitude of the reflected wave level of the shock wave can be determined based on the magnitude of the sound generated from the speaker.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1b according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This device 1b has the same structure as the second embodiment device 1a shown in FIG. 2, and the main difference lies in the notification means 30b of the shock wave control system 20b.

The notification means 30b provides notification by audible display, and includes a determination circuit 31a similar to that of the second embodiment device 1a;
An oscillator determination circuit 31b that determines the signal level of the received signal from the receiving circuit 24 and outputs an ON signal when the signal level exceeds a predetermined level, and an analog signal frequency-modulated according to the strength of the received signal from the receiving circuit 24. It has an oscillator 33b that outputs , and a speaker 32b that generates sound according to the signal frequency of the oscillator 33b. The oscillator 33b is
A high frequency signal is output when the signal level from the receiving circuit 24 is high, and a low frequency signal is output when the signal level is low.

When the signal level of the received signal sent out by the oscillator determination circuit 31b is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the determination circuit 31b turns O.
When the N signal is output to the oscillator 33b, the speaker 32b generates a sound with a pitch depending on the magnitude of the signal level.

According to the third embodiment device 1b configured in this way,
The same effects as the second embodiment device 1a are achieved.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a device IC according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

This device IC has the same structure as the second embodiment device 1a shown in FIG. 2, and the main difference lies in the notification means 30c of the shock wave control system 20c.

The notification means 30c provides notification by visual display, and includes a determination circuit 31a similar to that of the second embodiment device 1a;
9 colors of line widths for marker pattern line types.

Marker pattern generation means 34 outputs change information for digitally changing display mode such as shape 2 blinking to the marker writing means 11, and marker pattern generation means 34 generates a change signal according to the signal level of the received signal from the receiving circuit 24. The generating means determining circuit 35 outputs an output to the means 34. Display section 9
The display mode of the pattern of the marker M displayed on the display screen 9a changes digitally based on a change signal generated by the marker pattern generating means 34.

According to the fourth embodiment device IC configured as described above,
By digitally changing the pattern of the marker M displayed on the display screen 9a of the display unit 9, the reflected wave level of the shock wave can be visually known, improving treatment efficiency.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1d according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

This device 1d is a modification of the fourth embodiment device 1c shown in FIG. 4, and its main difference lies in the notification means 30d of the shock wave control system 20d.

The notification means 30d provides notification by visual display, and includes a determination circuit 31a similar to that of the fourth embodiment device 1c;
Marker pattern generating means that takes in the received signal from the receiving circuit 24 and outputs change information to the marker writing means 11 for changing the display mode of the marker pattern such as line type, line width of 9 colors, shape of 9 blinking, etc. in an analog manner. 34a. The display mode of the pattern of the marker M displayed on the display screen 9a of the display unit 9 changes in an analog manner based on a change signal generated by the marker pattern generating means 34.

According to the fifth embodiment device 1d configured in this way,
By changing the pattern of the marker M displayed on the display screen 9a of the display unit 9 in an analog manner, the reflected wave level of the shock wave can be visually known, and the treatment efficiency is improved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified without changing the gist thereof.

For example, the notification means may simultaneously perform both an audible display using a speaker and a visible display by changing the display mode of the marker pattern. In this case, the notification is made to both auditory and visual parties, so the notification can be made reliably. Furthermore, by using a shock wave generation source that generates continuous ultrasonic waves, a thermal treatment device may be used in which the continuous ultrasonic waves are focused on the object to be treated and the focused thermal energy is used to destructively treat the object to be treated.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention described in detail above, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of a target treatment object by the notification made by the notification means, and it is possible to provide a shock wave treatment device and a thermotherapy device that improve treatment efficiency. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 1.1a to 1d...Shock wave treatment device, 2...Shock wave generation source, 30.30a to 30d...Notification means, P...
Living body.

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) In a shock wave treatment device that generates shock waves focused on a target treatment object in a living body from a shock wave generation source to perform destructive treatment on the target treatment target, the shock wave generation source transmits shock waves and removes shock waves from the living body. A shock wave treatment device capable of receiving a reflected wave of a shock wave, and comprising a notification means for notifying the presence or absence of the target treatment object based on the reflected wave of the shock wave received by the shock wave generation source. (2) The shock wave therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means provides notification by an audible display. (3) The shock wave therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means provides notification by visual display. (4) The shock wave therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means provides notification by both an audible display and a visible display. (5) In a thermotherapy device that generates continuous ultrasonic waves focused on a target treatment object in a living body from a continuous ultrasound generation source to destructively treat the target treatment object, the continuous ultrasound generation source generates continuous ultrasound waves. A notice capable of transmitting waves and receiving reflected waves of ultrasound from the living body, and making a notice regarding the presence or absence of the target treatment object based on the reflected waves of the ultrasound received by the continuous ultrasound generation source. A thermotherapy device characterized in that it has a means. (6) The thermotherapy device according to claim 5, wherein the notification means provides notification by an audible display. (7) The thermotherapy device according to claim 5, wherein the notification means provides notification by visual display. (8) The thermotherapy device according to claim 5, wherein the notification means provides notification by both an audible display and a visible display.