TWI693918B - Ablation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an ablation device capable of improving convenience. The ablation device (1) includes: an electrode needle (11), which punctures the affected part (90) in the body percutaneously and is supplied with power (Pout) for performing ablation; an insulating tube (12) is located on the electrode needle (11) The electrode area (exposed area Ae) on the tip side of the electrode is exposed, and covers the circumference of the electrode needle (11) along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode needle (11); and the handle (13) is installed on the electrode needle (11) ) On the base side. The insulating tube (12) has a high-resistance region (12H) with a relatively high frictional resistance in a part of the region along the axial direction.

Description

Ablation device

The present invention relates to an ablation device including an electrode needle for percutaneously puncturing an affected part in the body.

As one of medical devices for treating an affected part in a patient (for example, an affected part having a tumor such as cancer), an ablation system for ablating (burning) such an affected part has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). The ablation system includes an ablation device having an electrode needle for percutaneously puncturing an affected part in the body, and a power supply device that supplies power for ablating the affected part. [Prior Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5907545

However, the above-mentioned ablation device is generally required to improve the convenience during use, for example. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an ablation device that can improve convenience.

An ablation device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode needle that punctures an affected part of the body percutaneously and is supplied with power for ablation; and an insulating tube that exposes the electrode region on the tip side of the electrode needle and runs along the electrode The axial direction of the needle covers the circumference of the electrode needle; and the handle is installed on the base end side of the electrode needle. The insulating tube has a high-resistance region with relatively high friction resistance in a part of the region along the axial direction.

In the ablation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the insulating tube that exposes the electrode region on the tip side of the electrode needle and covers the periphery of the electrode needle, a frictional resistance is provided along a part of the axial direction of the electrode needle Relatively high high resistance area. Thereby, when the ablation is performed with the electrode percutaneously puncturing the affected part, the displacement of the electrode needle along with the insulating tube along the axial direction can be suppressed, so that the variation of the ablation range corresponding to the electrode region can be suppressed. As a result, effective ablation can be performed.

In an ablation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the high-resistance region may be provided in a region away from the front end of the insulating tube. In the case described above, when the electrode needle is percutaneously punctured from the distal end side, the insulating tube is punctured from a region other than the above high resistance region (region with relatively low friction resistance), so it is possible to ensure puncture When the insulating tube is easy to slide. As a result, the convenience when using the ablation device can be further improved.

In addition, in an ablation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the insulating tube is configured to be slidable in the axial direction corresponding to a predetermined operation of the handle, and is accompanied by sliding of the insulating tube in the axial direction During operation, the high resistance region can also slide along the axial direction. In the case as described above, in the state where the electrode needle is percutaneously punctured from the tip side thereof, for example, fine adjustment of the position of the high-resistance region along the axial direction can be performed. As a result, even after the electrode needle is punctured, the above-mentioned fine adjustment of the ablation range can be performed, and therefore the convenience when using the ablation device can be further improved.

Furthermore, in the ablation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the high-resistance regions may be provided at positions separated from each other along the axial direction. In the case as described above, since the displacement along the axial direction of the electrode needle can be more suppressed and the fluctuation of the ablation range can be further suppressed, more effective ablation can be performed. As a result, the convenience when using the ablation device can be further improved.

In addition, in the ablation device of one embodiment of the present invention, the friction resistance may be increased stepwise from the base end in the high resistance region toward the front end. In the case as described above, since the displacement along the axial direction of the electrode needle can be further suppressed and the variation of the ablation range can be further suppressed, effective ablation can be performed more effectively. As a result, the convenience when using the ablation device can be further improved.

According to the ablation device of one embodiment of the present invention, since a part of the insulating tube along the axial direction is provided with a high-resistance region with relatively high friction resistance, effective ablation can be performed. Therefore, the convenience when using the ablation device can be improved.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the description will be made in the following order. 1. Embodiment (an example of an insulating tube having a high-resistance region in a part of an area away from the tip) 2. Modification Example 1 (an example of an insulating tube having a plurality of high-resistance regions at positions separated from each other) Variation 2 (An example of an insulating tube in which frictional resistance is gradually increased in a high-resistance area) 3. Other modifications

<1. Embodiment> [Overall structure of ablation system 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the overall structure of an ablation system 5 provided with an ablation device (ablation device 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. This ablation system 5 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a system used when treating an affected part 90 in a patient 9, and performs predetermined ablation (cauterization) on such an affected part 90.

In addition, as the affected part 90, for example, an affected part having tumors such as cancer (liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, etc.) is exemplified.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ablation system 5 includes an ablation device 1, a liquid supply device 2, and a power supply device 3. In addition, for the ablation using the ablation system 5, for example, the counter plate 4 shown in FIG. 1 is suitably used.

(Ablation device 1) The ablation device 1 is a device used during the ablation described above, and mainly includes an electrode needle 11 and an insulating tube 12, which will be described in detail later.

The electrode needle 11 is a needle percutaneously puncturing the affected part 90 in the patient 9 as indicated by an arrow P1 in FIG. 1. In addition, inside the electrode needle 11, the liquid L supplied by the liquid supply device 2 described later circulates (see FIG. 1 ).

The insulating tube 12 exposes the electrode region (exposed region Ae described later) located on the tip side of the electrode needle 11 and covers the periphery of the electrode needle 11 along the axial direction of the electrode needle 11.

In addition, a detailed configuration example of such an ablation device 1 will be described later (see FIG. 2 ).

(Liquid supply device 2) The liquid supply device 2 is a device that supplies the cooling liquid L to the ablation device 1 (inside the electrode needle 11), and as shown in FIG. 1, has a liquid supply portion 21. In addition, examples of the liquid L for cooling include sterile water and sterile physiological saline.

The liquid supply unit 21 supplies the above-mentioned liquid L to the ablation device 1 at any time in accordance with control based on a control signal CTL2 described later. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid supply unit 21 performs the supply operation of the liquid L so as to circulate the liquid L between the inside of the liquid supply device 2 and the inside of the electrode needle 11 (within a predetermined flow path). . In addition, according to the control based on the control signal CTL2, the supply operation of the liquid L is executed or stopped. In addition, the liquid supply unit 21 is configured to include, for example, a liquid pump or the like.

(Power supply device 3) The power supply device 3 supplies power Pout (for example, high frequency (RF: Radio Frequency) power) for ablation between the electrode needle 11 and the counter electrode plate 4, and controls the liquid L of the liquid supply device 2 Supply action. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device 3 includes an input unit 31, a power supply unit 32, a control unit 33 and a display unit 34.

The input unit 31 is a part that inputs various setting values and an instruction signal (operation signal Sm) for instructing a predetermined action described later. Such an operation signal Sm is input from the input unit 31 according to the operation of the operator (for example, technician) of the power supply device 3. However, these setting values may not be input in response to the operation of the operator, and are set in the power supply device 3 in advance, for example, at the time of shipment of the product. In addition, the set value input by the input unit 31 is supplied to the control unit 33 described later. In addition, such an input unit 31 is configured to use, for example, a predetermined dial pad, buttons, touch panel, or the like.

The power supply unit 32 is a portion that supplies the power Pout between the electrode needle 11 and the counter electrode plate 4 in accordance with a control signal CTL1 described later. Such a power supply unit 32 is configured to use a predetermined power supply circuit (for example, a switching regulator, etc.). In addition, when the power Pout is composed of high-frequency power, the frequency is, for example, about 450 kHz to 550 kHz (for example, 500 kHz).

The control unit 33 controls the entire power supply device 3 and performs predetermined calculation processing, and is configured to use, for example, a microcomputer or the like. Specifically, the control unit 33 first has a function (power supply control function) of controlling the supply operation of the power Pout of the power supply unit 32 using the control signal CTL1. In addition, the control unit 33 has a function (liquid supply control function) for controlling the supply operation of the liquid L of the liquid supply device 2 (liquid supply unit 21) using the control signal CTL2.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the control unit 33 supplies temperature information It measured in the ablation device 1 (temperature sensor such as a thermocouple disposed inside the electrode needle 11) at any time. In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 33 supplies the measured value of the impedance value Zm from the power supply unit 32 at any time.

The display unit 34 is a part (monitor) that displays various information and outputs it to the outside. The information to be displayed includes, for example, the aforementioned various setting values input from the input unit 31, various parameters supplied from the control unit 33, and temperature information It supplied from the ablation device 1. However, the information as the display object is not limited to such information, and other information can be displayed as a substitute, or other information can be added for display. The display unit 34 is configured using various types of displays (for example, a liquid crystal display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc.).

(Counter electrode plate 4) The counter electrode plate 4 is used, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 and is attached to the body surface of the patient 9 during ablation. During ablation, high-frequency energization (supply power Pout) is performed between the electrode needle 11 (the aforementioned electrode region) of the ablation device 1 and the pair of electrode plates 4, which will be described in detail later. Also, during such ablation, as shown in FIG. 1, the impedance value Zm between the electrode needle 11 and the counter electrode plate 4 is measured at any time, and the measured impedance value Zm is supplied from the power supply unit 32 to the control in the power supply device 3 The unit 33 will be described in detail later.

[Detailed Configuration of Ablation Device 1] Next, a detailed configuration example of the aforementioned ablation device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (Y-Z side view) showing a detailed configuration example of the ablation device 1 shown in FIG. 1. In addition, in this FIG. 2, as shown by the arrows, the lower part of FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the portion indicated by the symbol P2 (part of the electrode needle 11 and the insulating tube 12 ).

(Electrode needle 11) As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode needle 11 is provided along the Z-axis direction, and the length (axial length) along the Z-axis direction is, for example, about 30 mm to 350 mm. In addition, the electrode needle 11 has an exposed area Ae (electrode area that functions as an electrode during ablation) on the tip side not covered by the insulating tube 12 along the axial direction (Z-axis direction), and is covered by the insulating tube 12 Area (covered area on the base end side). Between the exposed area Ae of the electrode needle 11 and the counter electrode plate 4, as described above, power Pout for performing ablation is supplied. In addition, the electrode needle 11 is made of metal materials such as stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloy, titanium alloy, and platinum.

(Insulating tube 12) As described above, the insulating tube 12 exposes the tip end side (exposed area Ae) of the electrode needle 11 and covers the portion around the electrode needle 11 in the Z-axis direction. In addition, the insulating tube 12 is configured to be able to slide relative to the electrode needle 11 along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) as shown by an arrow d2 in FIG. 2 in accordance with a predetermined operation of the handle 13 described later. With this, the length (axial length) of the exposed area Ae of the electrode needle 11 along the Z-axis direction can be adjusted.

In addition, the axial length (length along the Z-axis direction) of such an insulating tube 12 is, for example, about 30 mm to 347 mm. In addition, the length (axial length) of the exposed area Ae of the electrode needle 11 adjustable by the insulating tube 12 along the Z-axis direction is, for example, about 3 mm to 50 mm.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the insulating tube 12 has a high-resistance region 12H having a relatively high frictional resistance in a part of the region along the axial direction (Z-axis direction). Specifically, in the example of FIG. 2, the insulating tube 12 has such a high resistance region 12H and a low resistance region 12L with relatively low friction resistance. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the friction resistance RfH of the high resistance region 12H is higher than the friction resistance RfL of the low resistance region 12L (RfH>RfL). In addition, the frictional resistance RfH value is preferably 1.5 times or more the frictional resistance RfL value (RfH≥(1.5×RfL)).

In the example of FIG. 2, such a high-resistance region 12H is provided in a region away from the front end of the insulating tube 12, and near the front end of the insulating tube 12 is a low-resistance region 12L. That is, in the insulating tube 12, the low resistance region 12L, the high resistance region 12H, and the low resistance region 12L are arranged in this order from the front end toward the base end side.

In addition, in the example of FIG. 2, the axial length (length along the Z-axis direction) of the low-resistance region 12L on the front end side is, for example, 1 mm to 250 mm, preferably 10 mm to 30 mm. In addition, the axial length (length along the Z-axis direction) of the high-resistance region 12H is 3 mm to 230 mm, preferably 10 mm to 30 mm.

Such a high resistance region 12H has a function of suppressing (preventing) the sliding of the insulating tube 12 during ablation, which will be described in detail later. This high-resistance region 12H can be formed, for example, by coating a relatively high friction resistance film (coating film) around the base material of the insulating tube 12 constituting the low-resistance region 12L.

Here, the base material (member constituting the low resistance region 12L) of the insulating tube 12 is made of, for example, PEEK (polyether ether ketone), PI (polyimide), fluorine resin, polyether block amide, etc. High synthetic resin. In addition, the above-mentioned coating film (member constituting the high-resistance region 12H) is made of a synthetic resin having relatively low hardness such as polyurethane, silicone rubber, nylon-based elastomer, or styrene-based elastomer. This is because as the hardness becomes higher, the surface of the insulating tube 12 tends to become slippery (the frictional resistance becomes lower). On the other hand, as the hardness becomes lower, the surface of the insulating tube 12 is less likely to become slippery (the frictional resistance becomes higher).

(Handle 13) The handle 13 is a portion that is grasped (held) by the operator (doctor) when the ablation device 1 is used. As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 13 mainly includes a handle body (handle member) 130 attached to the proximal end side of the electrode needle 11, and an operation portion 131.

The handle body 130 corresponds to a portion (handle portion) actually held by an operator, and also serves as a portion that functions as an exterior decoration of the handle 13. In addition, the handle body 130 is made of synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), acrylic, polyolefin, polyoxymethylene, and the like.

The operation portion 131 is a portion used for a predetermined operation (slide operation) for sliding the insulating tube 12 relative to the electrode needle 11 along its axial direction (Z-axis direction), and is outward of the handle body 130 (Y-axis direction) prominent. The operation portion 131 is made of, for example, the same material (synthetic resin or the like) as the aforementioned handle body 130. The operation portion 131 is configured to be slidable relative to the handle body 130 along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the handle 13.

By performing such a sliding operation on the operation portion 131 (for example, refer to arrow d1 in FIG. 2 ), the insulating tube 12 is slid against the electrode needle 11 in the Z-axis direction (for example, refer to arrow d2 in FIG. 2 ). This will be described in detail later. Thereby, the length (axial length) of the exposed area Ae of the electrode needle 11 along the Z-axis direction can be adjusted. In addition, with the sliding action of the insulating tube 12 as described above, the aforementioned high resistance region 12H can also slide relative to the electrode needle 11 in the Z-axis direction (for example, refer to arrow d3 in FIG. 2 ).

[Operation, action, and effect] (A. Basic operation) In this ablation system 5, for example, when treating an affected part 90 having a tumor such as cancer, a predetermined ablation is performed on such affected part 90 (see FIG. 1). In such ablation, first, as shown by arrow P1 in FIG. 1, the electrode needle 11 of the ablation device 1 is percutaneously punctured from the distal end side (the exposed area Ae side) of the affected part 90 in the patient 9. Then, by supplying power Pout (for example, high-frequency power) from the power supply device 3 (power supply unit 32) between the electrode needle 11 and the counter electrode plate 4, the affected part 90 is ablated by Joule heating.

Also, during such ablation, from the liquid supply device 2 (liquid supply section 21) such that the cooling liquid L circulates between the liquid supply device 2 and the electrode needle 11 (within a predetermined flow path) ) Liquid L is supplied to the electrode needle 11 (refer to FIG. 1 ). Thereby, at the time of ablation, the electrode needle 11 is cooled (cooling). In addition, after the ablation is completed, after such a cooling operation is also stopped, based on the temperature information It measured in the electrode needle 11, it is confirmed whether the tissue temperature of the affected part 90 has sufficiently risen and the cauterized state of the affected part.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of the cauterized state formed on the affected part 90 by such ablation. As shown in FIG. 3, if the ablation is performed using the electrode needle 11 pierced into the affected part 90, for example, the original football-like (elliptical-ball-shaped) thermal coagulation area Ah1 gradually diffuses to obtain a substantially spherical thermal coagulation Area Ah2 (refer to the dotted arrow in FIG. 3). In this way, by performing homogeneous ablation of the entire affected part 90, as a result, the affected part 90 is effectively treated.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 (A), and 4 (B), in such ablation, in the handle 13 of the ablation device 1, the operation portion 131 is previously subjected to the aforementioned sliding operation. Specifically, if the operation portion 131 is slid along the Z-axis direction (for example, refer to arrow d1 in FIGS. 2 and 4(B)); in conjunction with the sliding operation of the operation portion 131, the The sliding mechanism 132 performs a sliding operation along the Z-axis direction (see FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B)). In addition, in conjunction with the sliding action of the sliding mechanism 132, the insulating tube 12 also performs a sliding action along the Z-axis direction (for example, refer to arrow d2 in FIGS. 2 and 4(B)). Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the size (length along the Z-axis direction) of the exposed area Ae on the tip side of the electrode needle 11 can be adjusted arbitrarily, and the ablation during ablation can also be adjusted arbitrarily. Range (corresponding to the range of the exposed area Ae).

By this, for example, when a small tumor is formed in a part of the deep part of the liver, a small exposed area Ae (ablation range) is set, and the tip of the electrode needle 11 is inserted into the affected part 90 for ablation, whereby only the affected part 90 can be ablated Selective cauterization. That is, the portion other than the affected part 90 is not burned, and the original function can be maintained. On the other hand, for example, when a large tumor is formed, by setting a large exposed area Ae (ablation range), the large tumor can be cauterized together (together).

In addition, the sliding operation of the operating portion 131, the sliding mechanism 132 and the insulating tube 12 linked to the sliding operation can also be performed stepwise along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode needle 11 ( Intermittent) adjustment. In other words, the positions of the operating portion 131, the sliding mechanism 132, and the insulating tube 12 at the time of sliding may be slightly fixed along each predetermined distance in the Z-axis direction.

(B. Comparative Example) Here, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation during ablation using the ablation device (ablation device 101) of the comparative example. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a state where the electrode needle 11 of the ablation device 101 of the comparative example punctures the affected part 90 percutaneously (through the skin surface Sk) during ablation. In addition, this point is the same in FIG. 6 described later, which schematically shows an operation example at the time of ablation using the ablation device 1 of the present embodiment.

The ablation device 101 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to an ablation device in which an insulation tube 102 is provided in place of the insulation tube 12 in the ablation device 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In addition, the insulating tube 102 corresponds to an insulating tube in which the high resistance region 12H is not provided (omitted) in the insulating tube 12. That is, in the insulating tube 102, as shown in FIG. 5, only the low resistance region 12L (the base material of the aforementioned insulating tube 12) is provided.

In the case of using the ablation device 101 of such a comparative example, the insulating tube 102 as a whole easily slides during puncturing, so that the skin surface Sk is easily punctured. However, as shown in FIG. 5, when the electrode needle 11 ablates the affected part 90 percutaneously, the following problems may occur. That is, in this ablation device 101, it is possible that the electrode needle 11 and the insulating tube 102 slide and move along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) in synchronization with the movement of the skin surface Sk caused by the breathing of the patient 9 or the like (refer to FIG. Arrow d101 in 5). As a result, the ablation range corresponding to the exposed area Ae may vary along the Z-axis direction, making it difficult to perform effective ablation.

When the ablation device 101 of the comparative example is used as described above, it is difficult to perform effective ablation, and as a result, the convenience when using the ablation device 101 may be impaired.

(C. The present embodiment) In this regard, in the ablation device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, it has the following configuration. That is, in the insulating tube 12 that exposes the exposed area Ae (electrode area) located on the tip side of the electrode needle 11 and covers the periphery of the electrode needle 11, a part of the area along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode needle 11 , A high resistance region 12H with relatively high friction resistance is provided.

With such a structure, the ablation device 1 of the present embodiment is different from the ablation device 101 of the comparative example described above, as described below.

That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 6, when the electrode needle 11 ablate the affected part 90 percutaneously, the electrode needle 11 and the insulating tube 12 can be suppressed (preferably prevented) along the axial direction (Z axis) Direction) displacement (refer to the "X (cross)" symbol shown by arrow d101 in Fig. 6). Therefore, it is possible to suppress (preferably prevent) the fluctuation of the ablation range corresponding to the exposed area Ae, and as a result, it is possible to perform effective ablation. In addition, as described above, when the electrode needle 11 punctures the affected part 90 percutaneously, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the high resistance region 12H is preferably located between the affected part 90 and the skin surface Sk. This is because, in the case where the high-resistance region 12H is in contact with the skin surface Sk, as described above, the electrode needle 11 may be displaced due to the breathing of the patient 9.

As described above, in the ablation device 1 of the present embodiment, since the high resistance region 12H is provided in a part of the region along the axial direction of the insulating tube 12, effective ablation can be performed. Therefore, in this ablation device 1, for example, compared with the ablation device 101 of the comparative example described above, the convenience during use can be improved.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, such a high-resistance region 12H is provided in a region of the insulating tube 12 away from the front end thereof. That is, in the vicinity of the front end of the insulating tube 12, there is a low-resistance region 12L where the friction resistance is relatively low. Thereby, when the electrode needle 11 is percutaneously punctured from the distal end side, the insulating tube 12 is punctured from the side (low resistance region 12L) other than the high resistance region 12H, so that it is possible to ensure that the insulation tube 12 is easy to puncture slide. As a result, the convenience when using the ablation device 1 can be further improved.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the insulating tube 12 can follow the predetermined operation of the handle 13 (operating portion 131) (the aforementioned sliding operation: refer to arrow d1) along the axis Sliding in the (Z-axis direction) configuration (see arrow d2). In addition, with the sliding action of the insulating tube 12 in the axial direction, the high-resistance region 12H can also slide in the axial direction (see arrow d3). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the electrode needle 11 is percutaneously punctured from the tip side thereof, for example, fine adjustment of the position of the high-resistance region 12H along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) can be performed (see FIG. 6) Arrows d2, d3 in parentheses). As a result, as described above, even after the electrode needle 11 is punctured, since the fine adjustment of the ablation range corresponding to the exposed area Ae can be performed, the convenience when using the ablation device 1 can be further improved.

<2. Modifications> Furthermore, modifications of the above-described embodiments (modifications 1 and 2) will be described. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements as those of the embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 7 schematically shows a configuration example of the ablation device of Modifications 1 and 2 in a side view. Specifically, FIG. 7(A) schematically shows a configuration example of the distal end side of the electrode needle 11 and the like of the ablation device (ablation device 1A) of Modification 1 in a side view. 7(B) is a side view schematically showing a configuration example of the distal end side of the electrode needle 11 and the like of the ablation device (ablation device 1B) of Modification 2.

[Modification 1] The ablation device 1A of modification 1 shown in FIG. 7(A) corresponds to the ablation device in which the insulating tube 12A is provided in place of the insulating tube 12 in the ablation device 1 of the embodiment, and the other structures are the same. In this insulating tube 12A, unlike the insulating tube 12 in which only one high-resistance region 12H is provided, a plurality of (three in this example) are provided at positions separated from each other along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) High resistance area 12H. In addition, in the insulating tube 12A, as in the insulating tube 12, the plurality of high-resistance regions 12H are respectively provided in regions of the insulating tube 12A that are far from the front end.

In the ablation device 1A of Modification 1 as described above, since a plurality of high-resistance regions 12H are provided at positions separated from each other along the axial direction of the insulating tube 12A, it is as follows. That is, since the displacement along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode needle 11 can be more suppressed, the fluctuation of the ablation range described above can be more suppressed, and therefore more effective ablation can be performed. As a result, in this modification 1, the convenience when using the ablation device can be further improved.

[Modification 2] On the other hand, the ablation device 1B of the modification 2 shown in FIG. 7(B) corresponds to the ablation device in which the insulating tube 12B is provided instead of the insulating tube 12 in the ablation device 1 of the embodiment. the same. In this insulating tube 12B, the friction resistance increases stepwise from the base end in the high resistance region 12H toward the front end. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 7(B), the high-resistance region 12H has three types of high-resistance regions 12Ha, 12Hb, and 12Hc from the base end toward the front end. In addition, the frictional resistances RfHa, RfHb, and RfHc of these high-resistance regions 12Ha, 12Hb, and 12Hc and the frictional resistance RfL of the low-resistance region 12L have a magnitude relationship of the following order. That is, as shown in FIG. 7(B), there is a stepwise magnitude relationship of RfHa>RfHb>RfHc>RfL.

In the ablation device 1B of Modification 2 as described above, since the base end in the high-resistance region 12H of the insulating tube 12B moves toward the front end, the friction resistance increases stepwise; therefore, it is as follows. That is, even in this case, as in the above-described modification 1, the displacement along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode needle 11 can be more suppressed, thereby further suppressing the variation of the ablation range, and therefore more effective Ablation. As a result, in this modification 2, the convenience when using the ablation device can be further improved.

<3. Other Modifications> Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and several modifications, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and the like, and various changes can be made.

For example, it is not limited to the material of each member described in the above-mentioned embodiment and the like, and other materials may be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and the like, although the configuration of the ablation device and the like are specifically described, it is not necessary to provide all the components, and other components may be further provided. Furthermore, the values, ranges, and size relationships of various parameters described in the above-described embodiments and the like are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiments and the like, and may be other values, ranges, and size relationships.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and the like, although the configurations of the electrode needle, the insulating tube, the handle, and the like of the ablation device are specifically described, the configurations of these members are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiments and the like, and other configurations may be used. constitute. Specifically, for example, in some cases, the electrode needle is not a monopolar type described in the above-described embodiment and the like, but may be a bipolar type. In addition, the insulating tube and the high-resistance region can also not slide along the axial direction of the electrode needle. In addition, the size, shape, number of high-resistance regions of the insulating tube, and the magnitude of the frictional resistance of the high-resistance regions (fixed values or values corresponding to changes in the regions), etc., are not limited to those described in the above-mentioned embodiments, etc. Can be other sizes, shapes, numbers, etc. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment and the like, although the case where the high-resistance region is provided in the region away from the tip of the insulating tube is exemplified, it is not limited to this case. That is, for example, the high-resistance region may be provided in the front end region of the insulating tube.

Furthermore, although the module configurations of the liquid supply device 2 and the power supply device 3 have been specifically described in the above-mentioned embodiments, etc., it is not necessary to provide each module described in the above-mentioned embodiments, etc., and other modules may be further provided. . In addition, as the entire ablation system 5, other devices may be further provided in addition to the devices described in the above-described embodiments and the like.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment and the like, although the ablation device that performs high-frequency energization between the electrode needle 11 and the counter electrode plate 4 during ablation is specifically described, it is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and the like. Specifically, for example, an ablation device that performs ablation using other electromagnetic waves such as radio waves, microwaves, or the like may be used.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and the like, the control operation (ablation technique) of the control unit 33 including the power supply control function and the liquid supply control function has been specifically described. However, the control method (ablation method) such as the power supply control function and the liquid supply control function is not limited to the methods exemplified in the above-described embodiments and the like.

In addition, the series of processing described in the above embodiments and the like may be performed by hardware (circuit) or software (program). In the case of software, the software is composed of a group of programs for executing various functions by a computer. Various programs can be created and used in the aforementioned computer in advance, for example, and can also be installed and used in the aforementioned computer via a computer network and a recording medium.

Furthermore, the various examples described above can be applied in any combination.

1, 101, 1A, 1B ‧‧‧ Ablation device 11‧‧‧ Electrode needles 102, 12, 12A, 12B ‧‧‧ Insulation tube 12H, 12Ha, 12Hb, 12Hc ‧‧‧ High resistance area 12L‧‧‧ Low resistance area 13‧‧‧Handle 130‧‧‧Handle body 131‧‧‧Operation part 132‧‧‧Sliding mechanism 2‧‧‧Liquid supply device 21‧‧‧Liquid supply part 3‧‧‧Power supply device 31‧‧‧Input part 32 ‧‧‧Power supply unit 33‧‧‧Control unit 34‧‧‧Display unit 4‧‧‧Electrode plate 5‧‧‧Ablation system 9‧‧‧Patient 90‧‧‧Affected unit L‧‧‧Liquid CTL1, CTL2‧‧ ‧Control signal Sm‧‧‧Operation signal Pout‧‧‧Power It‧‧‧Temperature information Zm‧‧‧Impedance value Ae‧‧‧Exposed area (electrode area) Ah1, Ah2‧‧‧Thermal setting area Sk‧‧‧‧Skin Surface RfH, RfHa, RfHb, RfHc, RfL‧‧‧ Friction resistance P1, d1, d101, d2, d3‧‧‧ arrow

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of an ablation system provided with an ablation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view showing a detailed configuration example of the ablation device shown in Fig. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cauterized state formed on an affected part by ablation. 4 is a schematic side view showing an example of the sliding operation of the ablation device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation during ablation using the ablation device of the comparative example. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation during ablation using the ablation device of the embodiment. 7 is a schematic side view showing an example of the structure of the ablation device of Modifications 1 and 2. FIG.

1‧‧‧ablation device

11‧‧‧electrode needle

12‧‧‧Insulation tube

12H‧‧‧High resistance area

12L‧‧‧Low resistance area

13‧‧‧handle

130‧‧‧Handle body

131‧‧‧Operation Department

Ae‧‧‧ exposed area (electrode area)

RfH, RfL‧‧‧Friction resistance

d1, d2, d3‧‧‧arrow

Claims (4)

An ablation device includes: an electrode needle that punctures an affected part of the body percutaneously and is supplied with power for ablation; an insulating tube that exposes an electrode area located on the tip side of the electrode needle and along the electrode needle The axial direction of the electrode covers the periphery of the electrode needle; and the handle is installed on the base end side of the electrode needle; the aforementioned insulating tube has a high-resistance region with a relatively high frictional resistance in a part of the region along the aforementioned axial direction; the aforementioned insulation The tube is configured to be slidable relative to the electrode needle along the axial direction in response to a predetermined operation on the handle, and along with the sliding action of the insulating tube along the axial direction, the high-resistance region can also be along the foregoing The axial direction slides relative to the aforementioned electrode needle. The ablation device according to claim 1, wherein the high-resistance region is provided in a region away from the front end of the insulating tube. The ablation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the high-resistance regions are provided at positions separated from each other along the axial direction. The ablation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the friction resistance increases stepwise from the base end toward the front end in the high resistance region.

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