JPS63315068A - Hyperthermia apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To suppress the cold of the body of a patient and to expand the variation of treatment capable of easily controlling the temp. of an electrode, by mounting a cooling liquid temp. control means, which mixes or changes over the cooling liquids from a plurality of cooling liquid supply means for supplying cooling liquids different in temp. to recirculate the same, at every electrode. CONSTITUTION:When electrodes 2, 2' are mounted on a patient P, a pre-cooling command is sent to a control circuit part 16 from a control unit 17. The control circuit part 16 opens and closes valves V1, V2, V6 and valves V3, V4, V5 alternately, and high temp. cooling water and low temp. cooling water are alternately recirculated through a liquid bag 2a. Therefore, the temp. T of the liquid bag 2a lowers stepwise. When the temp. T lowers to a predetermined value, the valves V1, V2, V6 are opened and the valves V3, V4, V5 are held to a closed state and only the low temp. cooling water is recirculated through the liquid bag 2a. At the same time, an RF unit 18 is turned ON by the control unit 17 to start treatment. Therefore, the cold of the body of a patient is suppressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application Field This invention is applicable to I! The present invention relates to a thermotherapy device used for treatment of l1rjA and the like, and more specifically, relates to cooling of electrodes of the thermotherapy device.

(b) Conventional technology Heat therapy involves applying, for example, high frequency waves to a patient's treatment area to heat it and cause tumor tissue etc. to become necrotic. To apply high-frequency waves to a patient, a pair of electrodes is placed on the patient across the treatment area, and a high-frequency voltage is applied between the two electrodes.

At this time, if a high-frequency voltage is simply applied, the temperature will rise from the part that contacts the electrode, and there is a risk that normal tissue will be necrotized before necrosis of the tumor tissue occurs. Therefore, conventional thermotherapy devices are configured to circulate cooling water within the electrodes to cool the parts of the patient that come into contact with the electrodes.

The configuration of this conventional high frequency thermotherapy device will be explained with reference to FIG. 31 and 32 are electrodes to which a high frequency voltage from a high frequency generation source 33 is applied. Electrode 31.32
are the rubber-covered liquid bags 31a that come into contact with the patient P, respectively.
, 32a. Cooling water from a cooling water supply device 34 is circulated through the liquid bags 31a, 32a by a pump 35. This cooling water supply device 34 supplies cooling water at a predetermined temperature (for example, 5°C), and this cooling water flows through the liquid bags 31a and 32a in order, and the cooling water flows through the patient's electrode 31.
．． 32 Cool the connection area.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional thermotherapy device described above, the electrodes are attached to the patient while cooling water is being circulated through the electrodes, but the cold electrodes suddenly come into contact with the patient. There were some issues that made me feel uncomfortable.

In addition, since the subcutaneous fat layer absorbs high frequency waves well and easily becomes hot, conventional thermal treatment involves keeping the electrode in contact with the skin for a certain period of time before applying high frequency voltage to cool the skin in advance, so-called pre-cooling. required for the device. However, during this pre-cooling process, the patient's body becomes cold, causing problems such as diarrhea, especially in the case of a weakened patient.

Furthermore, it takes some time to remove the electrodes after high-frequency application is finished, but during this time cooling water continues to circulate through the electrodes, which causes the patient's body surface temperature to drop rapidly, causing discomfort. There was a point.

On the other hand, in thermotherapy, heating points (hot spots)
It may be necessary to move the position of the high frequency voltage while applying the high frequency voltage. This movement of the hot spot can be achieved by setting both electrodes to different temperatures, that is, by changing the temperature of the cooling water circulated to both electrodes. However, in conventional thermotherapy devices, it is difficult to change the temperature of the cooling water for each electrode, and even if it is possible, it takes a long time to change the temperature of the cooling water.
There was a problem that the efficiency of treatment decreased.

In addition, the conventional thermotherapy device described above circulates cooling water through a plurality of electrodes using a common circulation means (pump). Therefore, when there is a difference in height between the two electrodes, there is a problem in that the swelling between the liquid bags of the two electrodes differs.

This invention was made in view of the above, and can suppress the coldness of the patient's body, easily control the electrode temperature, expand the variety of treatments, and eliminate the difference in swelling of the electrode solution bag due to height differences. The purpose is to provide a thermotherapy device.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the thermotherapy device of the present invention includes two or more electrodes attached to the human body, and a voltage generator that generates a voltage to be applied between these electrodes. a cooling liquid supply means, and a cooling liquid 1m means for circulating the cooling liquid, wherein the cooling liquid supply means is provided independently for each electrode, and the cooling liquid supply means is provided independently for each electrode. is provided with a plurality of units that supply cooling fluids at different temperatures, and a cooling fluid temperature adjusting means for mixing or switching the cooling fluids from the plurality of cooling supply means and circulating the mixture by the cooling fluid circulating means is connected to each electrode. Prepare for each situation.

(E) Function The thermotherapy device of the present invention can adjust the temperature of the coolant circulating to the electrodes by mixing or switching between coolants of different temperatures. For this reason, when bringing the electrode into contact with the patient's skin, the cooling liquid should be brought to a temperature close to body temperature If! By keeping the electrodes warm, you can eliminate the discomfort caused by the coldness of the electrodes.

Furthermore, when pre-cooling is performed, the coolant temperature is gradually lowered until the voltage generation source is turned on, thereby gradually lowering the skin surface temperature. This allows the patient's body to become less cold. At this time, if the output of the voltage source is also gradually increased, it is possible to further reduce the chilling of the patient's body.

In addition, turning off the voltage source and raising the coolant temperature at the same time eliminates the discomfort caused by the sudden drop in temperature that occurs until the electrode is removed.

On the other hand, since each electrode is provided with a cooling liquid temperature adjusting means, the temperature of the cooling liquid circulating through each electrode can be adjusted independently. Furthermore, since the temperature of the coolant is adjusted by mixing or switching between coolant liquids having different temperatures, the temperature of the coolant can be quickly changed. Therefore, variations in treatment are increased, and hot spots can be easily moved during treatment.

Furthermore, since each electrode is provided with an independent circulation means, differences in the swelling of the electrode solution bag due to differences in height between electrode positions can be eliminated.

(F) Example (Example 1) A first example of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cooling system for one electrode 2. FIG. A liquid bag 2a made of rubber is provided on the surface of the electrode 2 that contacts the skin of the patient P, and cooling water circulates within the liquid bag 2a. The electrode 2 is connected to the cooling unit 4 by tubes 3a and 3b.

Inside the cooling unit 4, there are a heat exchange tank 5 and a hot water tank (
Coolant supply means) 12, solenoid valves (coolant temperature adjustment means, hereinafter referred to as pulp) Vl to ■6, pumps (coolant circulation means) 11.15, and conduits 01 to C11 connecting these.
etc. are stored.

The heat exchange tank 5 is provided with a cooler 6. This cooler 6 is of a heat pump type, and removes heat from the water in the heat exchange tank 5 to turn it into low-temperature cooling water (for example, 5° C.). The water temperature in the heat exchange tank 5 is detected by a temperature switch 7, and the operation of the cooler 6 is controlled.

The heat exchange tank 5 is connected to the valve 2 by a conduit C1. A flow switch 8 is provided in the middle of the conduit CI to detect whether or not low-temperature cooling water is flowing. Valve v2 is connected to temperature sensor 9b by conduit C2. The water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9b is displayed in digital or analog form at an appropriate location on the cooling unit 4. One side of this temperature sensor 9b has a tube 3 on the feeding side.
b is connected.

On the other hand, the return tube 3a is connected to the conduit C3 via another temperature sensor 9a. Conduit C3 is connected to valve v1
A flow switch 8a is provided in the middle.

Valve 1 is connected to tank 10 via conduit C4. The tank 10 is for adjusting the total amount of water. This tank 10 is connected to a heat exchange tank 5 via a conduit C5.

A pump 11 is provided in the conduit C5. This pump 11 circulates low-temperature cooling water between the heat exchange tank 5 and the liquid bag 2a.

Conduit C1 and conduit C4 are connected by conduit C6. The conduit C6 is provided with a valve 5.

A conduit C7 is connected to the conduit C3. One end of conduit C7 is connected to conduit C8 via valve 3. This conduit C8 is led to the hot water tank 12.

The hot water tank 12 is equipped with a heater 13, and raises the temperature of the cooling water to a temperature near body temperature (for example, 35° C.) to provide high-temperature cooling water. The temperature inside the hot water tank 12 is measured by a temperature sensor 14.
is detected, and the heater 13 is turned on/off.

A pump 15 is connected to the hot water tank 12 via a conduit CIO, and high temperature cooling water from the hot water tank 12 is sent out. Pump 15 is connected via conduit C9 to valve v4;
Valve v6 is connected. Valve 4 is further connected to conduit C8. On the other hand, valve V6 is connected to conduit C
1l to conduit C2.

The temperature sensor 14 and a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the heat exchange tank 5 are connected to the control circuit section 16 . Further, the control circuit section 16 controls opening and closing of the valves 1-V6.

This control circuit section 16 is connected to a control unit 17 that controls the entire thermotherapy device. The control unit 17 sets the temperature T of the liquid bag 2a, the temperature of the low-temperature cooling water, and the temperature of the high-temperature cooling water in the control circuit section 16. Further, the control circuit section 16 includes a heat exchange tank 5, a hot water tank 1
Information such as the water temperature in the cooler 2 and the operating status of the cooler 6 is sent to the control unit 17. This information is transmitted to a C (not shown) connected to the control unit 17 as necessary.
It will be displayed on RT.

A radio frequency (RF) unit (voltage generation source) 18 is connected to the electrode 2
．． A high frequency is applied at 2°, and its on/off and output are controlled by the control unit 17.

A similar cooling unit is also provided for the electrode 2''. Note that the heat exchange tank 5, hot water tank 12, etc. can be shared by the electrode 2.2°, and the design can be changed as appropriate.

Next, the operation of the thermotherapy device of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, W represents the liquid bag 2a
If high-temperature cooling water is circulating in C, is there low-temperature cooling water in liquid bag 2a? iii, the C/W indicates that high-temperature cooling water and low-temperature cooling water are alternately circulating.

First, a case in which precooling is performed will be described. Electrode 2.2
Before contacting the patient's skin, close the valves ■1 and ■2.
, v6 are closed, and valves v3, V4, and v5 are opened.

High-temperature cooling water from a hot water tank 12 is circulated through the liquid bag 2& by a pump 15, so that the temperature T of the liquid bag 2a is near body temperature (see FIG. 2(a)). At this time, the low temperature cooling water is heat exchange tank 5...valve v5...tank 10
...It circulates through the heat exchange tank 5.

When the electrode 2.2° is attached to the patient P, a pre-cooling command is sent from the control unit 17 to the control circuit section 16. In the control circuit section 16, valves V1, v2, ■6 and valves v3, ■4, ■5 alternately open and close, and high-temperature cooling water and low-temperature cooling water alternately circulate in the liquid bag 2a. Become. Therefore, the temperature T of the liquid bag 2a decreases stepwise.

When the temperature T falls to a predetermined value, valves ■1, v2, v
6 is open, and valves v3, v4, and v5 are held closed. Then, only low-temperature cooling water will circulate in the liquid bag 2a. At the same time, the RF unit 18 is turned on by the control unit 17 and the treatment is started. This keeps the patient's body from getting cold.

While the low-temperature cooling water is circulating through the liquid bag 2a, the high-temperature cooling water is circulating through the hot water tank 12...pump 15...valve v6...hot water tank 12. Since the cooling water circulation systems of the electrodes 2 and 2 are independent, the difference in swelling between the liquid bags 2a and 2 and 8 can be reduced.

To end the treatment, the RF unit 18 is turned off, and at the same time, the control circuit section 16 switches the valve according to a command from the control unit 17 to supply high-temperature cooling water to the liquid bag 2a.
circulates to prevent body surface temperature from dropping.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2(C), the temperature T of the liquid bag 2a may be gradually lowered, and the RF output may also be increased stepwise.

Moreover, when precooling is not performed, as shown in FIG. 2(C), the high-temperature cooling water is switched to the low-temperature cooling water, and the RF specific output is gradually increased. In this way, a sudden rise in body surface temperature can be prevented.

Further, when it is desired to move the hot spot during treatment, for example when it is desired to raise the temperature of the electrode 2, the control circuit section 16 switches the cooling water to high-temperature cooling water or Cooling water and low-temperature cooling water are alternately circulated through the VA.

<Example 2> A second example of the present invention will be described below based on FIG. 3.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the cooling unit 4'', and in FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same components.

Heat exchange tank 5 is connected to valve V12 by conduit C19. Valve V12 directs low-temperature cooling water to conduit C17.
and C20. The conduit C17 is connected to the tank 10, and in the middle of this conduit C17,
A pump 23 is provided. The tank 10 and the heat exchange tank 5 are connected by a conduit C18. On the other hand, conduit C
20 is connected to valve Vll.

The valve Vll switches the low-temperature cooling water from the conduit C20 and the high-temperature cooling water from the conduit C13 to flow into the conduit C14. The conduit C13 is for guiding high temperature cooling water from the high temperature chamber 21.

The high-temperature chamber 21 has a similar structure to a so-called gas boiler that heats cooling water with city gas (or propane gas) to produce high-temperature cooling water.

The water temperature in the high temperature chamber 21 is detected by a temperature switch 22, and the on/off of a burner (not shown) is controlled.

Conduit C14 is connected to temperature sensor 9b.

The conduit C14 is provided with a flow switch 8b and a pump (coolant circulation means) 24.

Conduit C15 connects temperature sensor 9a and valve V13,
A flow switch 8a is provided in the middle. Valve VI3 drains the cooling water that has circulated through the electrode solution bag 2a.
The flow is switched to the conduit C16 and the conduit C21. Conduit C16 is connected to the tank 10. On the other hand, conduit C21 is connected to tank 20. This tank 20 is further connected to the high temperature chamber 22 via a conduit C22.

In this cooling unit 4, when low-temperature cooling water is circulated, the low-temperature cooling water is supplied to the heat exchange tank 5...valve V12...valve V.
ll...pump 24, liquid bag 2a-, pulp V13
...tank 10 ... valves v11, vl2, vl3 are set by the control circuit section 16 so that the flow takes place in the path of the heat exchange tank 5.
can be switched. At this time, the pump 23 stops, and
The burner of the high temperature chamber 21 is also turned off.

Next, during high-temperature cooling water circulation, the burner of the high-temperature chamber 21 is turned on, and the high-temperature chamber 21...valve Vll...pump 24...liquid bag 2a1... The valves Vll and vl3 are switched so that the pulp V13, tank 20, and high temperature chamber 21 circulate.

At this time, the pump 23 is turned on and the valve V12
is switched, and the low-temperature cooling water flows through the path of heat exchange tank 5, pump 23, tank lO, and heat exchange tank 5.

Note that switching between the high-temperature cooling liquid and the low-temperature cooling liquid during treatment is the same as in the first embodiment.

Further, the cooler may be a gas cooling type instead of a heat pump type, and the design can be changed as appropriate.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, cooling water of two different temperatures is used, but cooling water of three or more different temperatures may be used. Alternatively, cooling water of a desired temperature can be obtained by mixing cooling water of two different temperatures, and the design can be changed as appropriate. .

(G) As described in detail, the thermotherapy device of the present invention has the advantage of being able to reduce discomfort when attaching the electrodes and cooling of the body during pre-cooling or until the electrodes are removed after treatment. have. Further, it has the advantage that the temperature of the electrodes can be changed individually to easily move the position of the hot spot. Furthermore, it has the advantage that even if there is a height difference in the electrode position, there is no difference in the swelling of the electrode solution bag.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a thermotherapy device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2(a), FIG. 2, etc.) and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a thermotherapy device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional thermotherapy device. 2.2°: Electrode, 5: Heat exchange tank. 6: Cooler, 11/15/24: Pump. 12: Hot water tank, 16: Control circuit section. 18: RF unit, 21: high temperature chamber. vl・v2・v3・■4・v5・v6・Vll・vl2
・■13: Valve. Patent Applicant Tateishi Electric Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Shigeru Nakamura Figure 2 (σ) Figure 2 (b) Figure 2 (C) WCWC/
W ■-----I-- Rumors・----■- Figure 4 Procedures (Hoshosho (spontaneous) Venue. August 10, 1986

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Two or more electrodes attached to the human body, a voltage generation source that generates a voltage to be applied between these electrodes, a coolant supply means, and a coolant supply between the coolant supply means and the electrodes. In the thermal treatment apparatus, the cooling liquid circulation means is provided independently for each electrode, and the cooling liquid supply means supplies cooling liquid of different temperatures. Each electrode is provided with a cooling liquid temperature adjusting means that mixes or switches the cooling liquids from the plurality of cooling liquid supply means and circulates the mixture to the electrodes by the cooling liquid circulation means. A thermal treatment device. (2) The thermotherapy device according to claim 1, wherein the coolant temperature adjusting means adjusts the coolant temperature in response to turning on/off the voltage generation source.