JPH0924109A - Applicator for thermotherapy - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an applicator for thermotherapy, which is to be brought into contact with the surface of an organism to heat and treat the patient, capable of spreading always uniform heat distribution by forming a collective tube part by a plane-like closely collective tube for cooling and arranging high frequency electrodes for heating in the tubes. SOLUTION: This applicator for thermotherapy is formed by winding a double folded flexible tube 11 around a bending part 12 in a spiral shape. A conductive wire, for example, a tinned copper wire 13 is inserted into the tube 11, and the tinned copper wire 13 in the plane-like closely collective vortex part of tube 11 is concentrically arranged into a vortex along the tube 11 to constitute an electrode part 14 for high frequency heating. One end of the tinned copper wire 13 is extended outside near at the end of the tube 11 and connected to a high frequency connector 16. Circulating cooling water through the tube 11, high frequency current is applied between an external electrode and the electrode part 14 to treat an affected part of the patient by induction heating.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention particularly relates to a thermotherapy applicator for heating an affected area to perform thermotherapy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that cancer cells are necrotic when heated at a temperature of about 43 ° C. Conventionally, when superficial cancer is heated and treated, as shown in FIG. 9, an applicator 2 is placed on the body surface 1 to heat the affected area 3. For this type of applicator
Some are presented in the official gazette. This applicator
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, a high frequency electrode plate 4 is provided, and a water macula (bolus) 5 is provided on the front surface of the high frequency electrode plate 4. In addition to a tube for cooling the liquid, a separator member for maintaining a constant distance between the body surface 1 and the electrode plate 4 is provided in the bolus 5. By these, the body surface 1 is cooled and the affected part 3 is heated while avoiding a partial increase in temperature.

[0003]

In the hyperthermia treatment of superficial cancer, an applicator having an electrode portion is attached to the surface of the human body. However, since the body surface is not necessarily flat, it is generally difficult to uniformly adhere the entire electrode portion to the body surface. Also, since the electrode part gets quite hot, it is necessary to protect the body surface from the heat, so the superficial applicator that treats superficial cancer is for cooling between the electrode and the human body as described above. A structure with a bolus is used.

However, such a surface type applicator has the following problems. (1) Since it is difficult to circulate the cooling water in the bolus uniformly, it is difficult to make the heating distribution uniform. (2) If the body surface has irregularities, the bolus is crushed and the distance between the body surface and the electrodes varies depending on the location, which causes uneven heating distribution. (3) Also, even when a separator is provided in the bolus to keep the distance between the body surface and the electrode at a constant interval,
The separator may become an obstacle and the heating distribution may become uneven.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an applicator for thermotherapy which can obtain a heating distribution which is always uniformly spread regardless of the shape of the body surface. To provide.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an applicator for heating a diseased part by applying heat to a surface of a living body to perform thermotherapy, and cooling tubes are closely packed in a plane to form a tube collecting part. However, the heating high-frequency electrode is arranged in this tube. According to such a configuration, the cooling tubes are densely packed in a plane to form a collecting portion, and the cooling water is caused to flow through the tubes, so that the heating electrode portion arranged in the tube is reliably cooled. Done. Furthermore, by making the tube a material that does not easily collapse, the distance between the electrode and the human body can always be kept constant. Furthermore, since it is an applicator that forms a plate-shaped (surface) -shaped heating portion made of a continuous collection portion of tubes, it has flexibility in general and enhances the adhesion to the body surface of the human body.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the superficial applicator for hyperthermia treatment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing its usage state. (Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 10 is made by bending a long tube 11 made of a silicone resin and having flexibility in the middle thereof into a planar shape with a bent portion 12 as a center. The tube 11 is wound in a spiral shape, and the contact portions of the tube 11 are attached to each other with an adhesive or the like to maintain the spiral shape. Then, a dense gathering portion of the tubes 11 wound in a spiral shape is formed. In other words, a planar tube collecting portion in which the cooling tubes 11 are densely packed in a planar shape is formed, and the tube 11 has a planar plurality of continuous turn shapes.

A conductive wire, for example, a tin-plated copper wire 13 is inserted inside the tube 11. The tin-plated copper wires 13 in the planar spiral dense portion of the tube 11 are concentrated in a spiral shape along the tube 11,
The electrode part 14 for high frequency heating is constructed. That is,
The heating portion 15 of the applicator 10 is configured by a collective portion in which the electrode portions 14 are concentrated and arranged in a spiral shape.

One end of the tin-plated copper wire 13 is pulled out near the end of the tube 11 and is connected to a radio frequency (RF) connector 16. This high-frequency connector 16 is adapted to be connected to one high-frequency supply cord 18 which is led out from the thermotherapy device main body 17 shown in FIG. The portion of the tin-plated copper wire 13 drawn out from the tube 11 is covered with a protective cover 19 so as not to directly touch the human body. An aluminum wire or the like may be used instead of the tin-plated copper wire 13 forming the electrode portion 14.

At both ends of the tube 11, cooling water connectors 23 are provided which are connected to cooling water connector receivers of a cooling water tube 22 led out from the thermotherapy apparatus main body 17 side.

This hyperthermia treatment apparatus is provided with an extracorporeal electrode 24 having an energization area larger than the energization area of the heating section 15 of the applicator 10, and this extracorporeal electrode 24 is drawn out from the hyperthermia treatment apparatus main body 17. It is connected to the high frequency supply cord 25. (Operation) As shown in FIG. 2, the patient 27 is placed on the bed 28, and the external electrode 24 is attached to the body surface of the patient 27. In addition, the heating unit 15 of the applicator 10 is installed on the body surface corresponding to the affected part of the patient 27. The high frequency connector 16 is connected to the high frequency supply cord 18 from the thermotherapy device main body 17.
To the high frequency supply cord 25 on the other side of the external electrode section 2
4 is connected. Moreover, the cooling water tubes 22 led out from the thermotherapy device main body 17 side are connected to the respective cooling water connectors 23 at both ends of the tube 11, and the cooling water is circulated through the tubes 11 of the applicator 10. Therefore, the hyperthermia treatment apparatus is operated to pass a high-frequency current between the two electrode portions 14 and 24, so that the affected portion of the patient 27 is subjected to induction heating to perform hyperthermia treatment.

The applicator 10 has a member of the heating portion 15 which is formed by winding the tube 11 in a spiral shape.
The heating unit 15 can be closely attached according to the unevenness of the body surface of the patient. At that time, since the tin-plated copper wire 13 forming the electrode 14 is arranged in the tube 11, the distance between the tin-plated copper wire 13 and the body surface does not change.
Further, since the cooling mechanism in the heating unit 15 is composed of the continuous turns of the single tube 11, the entire heating unit 15 can be cooled uniformly. In addition, the entire applicator 10 can be cooled by circulating cooling water through the tube. Since the material of the applicator 10 is silicone resin, there is no discomfort when worn and no adverse effect on the human body. If a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple is placed between the applicator and the body surface, the body surface temperature during heating can be measured. Warming treatment can be performed.

FIG. 3 shows another use example of the applicator 10. An intracavity thermotherapy applicator 30 having a smaller energization area than that of the applicator 10 is inserted into a luminal organ of a living body, and the applicator 10 having a large energization area is mounted as an extracorporeal electrode on the body surface facing the applicator 30. The case is shown. This in-cavity thermotherapy applicator 30 as well as the above-mentioned applicator 10 has an electrode and a cooling return path. When a high frequency is applied between both applicators 10 and 30,
The density of the high-frequency current becomes strongest around the intraluminal thermotherapy applicator 30, and local heating of the luminal organ becomes possible. (Effect) According to the configuration of the applicator 10, the distance between the tin-plated copper wire 13 which is the electrode of the heating section 15 and the body surface is kept constant. In addition, the cooling water is applied to the applicator 10.
By uniformly circulating the heat distribution over the whole area, it is possible to obtain a uniformly distributed heating distribution. As a result, effective heating treatment for the affected area can be performed. Further, since the heating applicator 10 is made of a silicone resin and is formed of a flexible tube 11, it has a high degree of flexibility and can be applied even to an uneven body surface, and the range of heating treatment can be expanded. .

Further, since the structure is simple, the manufacture is easy and the inexpensive applicator 10 can be provided.
Further, it can be used as an extracorporeal electrode for heating in the cavity. Since a relatively large space can be formed around the tin-plated copper wire 13 which is an electrode, when the radiation also serves as irradiation treatment, the radiation therethrough can be passed through without being attenuated. <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The applicator 10 according to the first embodiment described above is formed by spirally winding the portion of the tube 11 that serves as the heating portion 15, but in this embodiment, the applicator 10 is configured to be folded in a planar shape. As an example of this folding shape, the shapes shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) can be considered. FIG. 4A shows a tube 11 that is sequentially folded from one end side to the other end side by side in a line, and FIG. 4B shows the tube 11 that is folded in half in the middle and the folded portion is the bent portion. It is sequentially folded in a line from one end side to the other end side with 12 as the center. In addition, although the one shown in FIG. 4A has a folding shape in which the folding ends are parallel to each other,
In (b), the folding end was folded with a rounded loop. Then, the portion of the tube 11 that is folded is used as a cooling unit. That is, the cooling portion is formed in a so-called tube-like plural continuous turn shape. <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

(Structure) The structure is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference is that an adhesive that is easy to peel off or cut, such as a silicone adhesive, is used as the adhesive of the adhesive portion that holds the tube 11 in a spiral shape. (Operation) The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the following operation is further added in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, since the adhesive portion that holds the tube 11 in a spiral shape is easily peeled off, by peeling the tube 11 from the state of FIG. 5A to the state of FIG. 5B, the area of the spiral portion (heating The area of the portion 15) is reduced. (Effects) In addition to the effects shown in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Since the area of the heating part 15 can be adjusted, the area of the heating part 15 can be adjusted to an appropriate value according to the size of the affected part, and the affected part can be treated more efficiently. <Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (Structure) In addition to the structure of the first embodiment described above, the present embodiment has a structure in which a sheet 40 made of a silicone resin is attached to the portion of the heating unit 15 on one side which is in close contact with the human body. In the present embodiment, the case where the sheet 40 is attached to one side of the heating unit 15 is shown, but it may be attached to both sides. When the tubes 11 are provided on both sides, the tubes 11 are not connected to each other, and the cooling water circulates without leakage even if it is cut in the middle. (Operation) Same as the first embodiment. (Effect) The effect is similar to that of the first embodiment,
The following effects are further added in this embodiment. Since the sheet 40 made of silicon is between the heating part 15 and the body surface, the adhesion of the heating part 15 of the applicator 10 to the body surface is further improved, and the discomfort to the patient under treatment is eased. . <Fifth Embodiment> A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (Structure) In addition to the structure of 1st Embodiment mentioned above in this embodiment, the thermocouple 51 was attached to the part of the heating part 15 of the applicator 10 at the side in contact with a human body. A thermocouple connector 53 is provided on the guide tube 52 of the thermocouple 51. The guide tube 52 is fixed to the portion of the tube 11 near the heating section 15 using a band 54. (Operation) Same as the first embodiment. (Effect) Since the thermocouple 51 is provided in the heating unit 15 of the applicator 10, it is possible to save the trouble of disposing a different temperature sensor when the applicator 10 is attached to the patient.
It leads to reduction of treatment time. <Sixth Embodiment> A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

(Structure) In this embodiment, in addition to the structure of the first embodiment described above, a brachytherapy source catheter insertion hole 60 is provided in the heating portion 15 on the upper surface side which does not adhere to the human body. FIG.
Although three brachytherapy source catheter insertion holes 60 are disclosed, any number of them may be used. (Operation) The applicator 10 shown in this embodiment is used for combined therapy of brachytherapy (radiation) and hyperthermia. First, after mounting the applicator 10 on a patient, the brachytherapy catheter connected to the brachytherapy apparatus main body is inserted into the brachytherapy catheter insertion hole 60 of the applicator 10. The insertion of the brachytherapy catheter may be performed before the applicator 10 is attached to the patient. The number of brachysource catheters to be inserted into the applicator 10 and the brachysource catheter insertion holes 60
The position of can be selected by the operator according to the form of the affected area to be treated.

The actual treatment procedure will depend on the physician's protocol used. As an example, the simultaneous use of brachytherapy and hyperthermia will be described. The heating operation starts, and when the temperature stabilizes, the surgeon goes out of the shield room. The operator uses the brachytherapy apparatus controller outside the shielded room to send the brachytherapy source from the brachytherapy apparatus main body into the brachytherapy catheter. Since the brachytherapy catheter is inserted into the brachytherapy catheter insertion hole 60 of the applicator, the brachytherapy is located in the applicator heating portion, and the brachytherapy and the thermotherapy can be used simultaneously.

It is also possible to perform a protocol of heating after irradiation or irradiation after heating without simultaneously performing irradiation of the small source and heating. (Effect) The brachytherapy and the hyperthermia can be performed simultaneously and easily. Also, due to the synergistic effect of simultaneous use,
Can treat cancer more effectively. [Additional Notes] 1. In an applicator that heats and heat treats an affected area against the surface of a living body, the cooling tubes are densely packed in a plane to form a tube collecting section, and a heating high-frequency electrode is arranged in the tube. Applicator for heat treatment. 2. The thermotherapy applicator according to claim 1, wherein the cooling tube has a shape of a plurality of continuous turns in a planar shape in the collecting portion. 3. The applicator for hyperthermia treatment according to any one of appendices 1 and 2, wherein the planar plural continuous turn shape of the collecting portion is a folded shape. 4. The applicator for hyperthermia treatment according to supplementary notes 1, 2, and 3, wherein the planar plural continuous turn shape of the collecting portion is a spiral shape.

5. Supplementary notes 1, 2, 3, characterized in that at least one surface side of the collecting portion is held by a sheet.
The applicator for thermotherapy according to item 4. 6. An applicator for hyperthermia treatment according to any one of supplementary notes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, characterized in that a temperature sensor is provided on at least one surface side of the collecting portion. 7. Additional notes 1, 2, 3 characterized in that at least one surface side of the collecting portion is provided with a brachysource catheter insertion hole.
An applicator for thermotherapy according to items 4, 5, and 6.

[0020]

As described above, according to the hyperthermia treatment applicator of the present invention, for example, the heating is such that the body surface in the affected area of, for example, superficial cancer always spreads evenly regardless of its shape. It was possible to obtain the distribution. Further, the cooling liquid flows evenly in the heating portion having the heating electrode, and uniform cooling can be performed without unevenness. Further, since the structure is simple, it is possible to provide an applicator which is easy to manufacture and inexpensive.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a thermotherapy applicator according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a usage state of the thermotherapy applicator.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another usage state of the thermotherapy applicator.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an applicator for thermotherapy according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a thermotherapy applicator according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of an applicator for hyperthermia treatment according to a fourth embodiment, (a) is a plan view thereof, and (b) is a side view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a thermotherapy applicator according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of an applicator for thermotherapy of a sixth embodiment, (a) is a plan view thereof, and (b) is a side view thereof.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a usage state of a conventional applicator for thermotherapy.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Applicator, 11 ... Tube, 12 ... Bent portion,
13 ... Tin-plated copper wire, 14 ... High-frequency heating electrode section, 15
... heating part, 16 ... radio frequency (RF) connector, 17 ... thermotherapy device body, 24 ... extracorporeal electrode, 27 ... patient, 40 ... sheet, 51 ... thermocouple, 60 ... brachysource catheter insertion hole.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An applicator for heating a diseased part by applying heat to a surface of a living body for heat treatment, wherein cooling tubes are closely packed in a plane to form a tube assembly, and a heating high-frequency electrode is arranged in the tube. An applicator for hyperthermia treatment characterized by the above.