JPH06261920A - Ultrasonic prostate therapeutic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To dispense with locating step for an ultrasonic wave irradiating probe according to the patient concerned, certainly heat only the part to be treated, and apply proper heat remedy. CONSTITUTION:A therapeutic device is equipped with an ultrasonic wave irradiating probe 11, which can be inserted through urethra, and a plurality of electrostriction elements 12 installed inside of this probe and generating ultrasonic vibration, and therewith the affected part of a prostate undergoes a thermal treatment with vibratory energy given by the electrostriction element, wherein the electrostriction elements are driven selectively through the on/off control of a switch provided on the device body.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prostate treatment apparatus for applying hyperthermia to an affected part of a living tissue to perform heat treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as hyperthermia treatments using this type of prostate treatment apparatus, there are RF warming treatment for dielectrically heating the prostate by RF electromagnetic radiation and microwave warming treatment for heating the prostate by microwave radiation. Is generally known. In the RF heating treatment, as shown in FIG. 10, the prostate 4 is heated by the high-frequency current flowing between the electromagnetic wave radiation probe 2 inserted in the rectum 1 and the electrode plate 3 provided on the abdomen outside the body, and the treatment is performed. Was there.

Further, in the microwave heating treatment, as shown in FIG. 11, a probe 5 having an antenna incorporated therein is inserted into the urethra 6, and a microwave is radiated from this antenna.
This microwave caused a molecular vibration in the tissue of the prostate 4, heating the prostate 4 for treatment.

[0004]

However, since there are individual differences in size and position of the prostate 4, the heating range of the above-mentioned RF heating treatment and microwave heating treatment is the prostate 4.
Since the probes 2 and 5 must be positioned for each patient so as to cover the above, there is a problem that it is complicated. In addition, the heating range in the length direction of the probe 2,
Since it is decided by 5, if the above-mentioned positioning is inappropriate or the length in the length direction of the range to be heated is shorter than the heating range of the probes 2 and 5, it is possible to reach the part not to be heated. There is a risk that it will be heated. Further, since the entire prostate 4 has been conventionally heated, for example, when a part of the prostate 4 is enlarged, only that part cannot be heated.

Therefore, the present invention is to provide a prostate treatment apparatus which does not require positioning of a probe for each patient and can reliably heat only a target site, and therefore can perform appropriate heating treatment. It is what

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a probe inserted into a living body, and an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the probe for generating ultrasonic vibration. In an ultrasonic prostate treatment apparatus for performing thermal treatment of an affected part of a biological tissue by using a plurality of ultrasonic transducers inside a probe, ultrasonic transducer driving means for selectively driving each of the ultrasonic transducers is provided. Be prepared.

[0007]

In the present invention having such a structure, the probe is inserted into the living body, and among the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to the affected part of the living tissue to be treated is selectively driven. Then, the ultrasonic waves are irradiated toward the site to be heated of the affected area.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the tip of an ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 of the ultrasonic prostate treatment apparatus according to this embodiment. The ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 can be inserted transurethrally. In addition, inside the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 11, this probe 1
A plurality of, for example, six, cylindrical electrostrictive elements 12 as ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the length direction of 1, and a fixing member 13 for fixing these electrostrictive elements 12 is provided. . The electrostrictive elements 12 are formed so that they can vibrate in the radial direction.

In the ultrasonic irradiation probe 11, a signal line 14 for supplying electric power to each of the electrostrictive elements 12 is provided.
Is provided. In addition, degassed water 15 is filled between the inner wall of the ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 and the electrostrictive element 12,
The degassed water 15 is perfused inside the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 11 by a perfusion means (not shown).

A balloon 16 is provided at the tip of the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 11 for surely mounting the probe 11 at a position where the electrostrictive element 12 can effectively treat the affected area. A temperature sensor 1 for measuring the surface temperature of the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 11 is provided outside the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 11.
7. For example, a thermocouple, a thermistor, etc. are provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus main body 21 as an ultrasonic element driving means for driving the electrostrictive element 12. The apparatus main body 21 includes an insulating transformer 22, an electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23, and a switch controller 24. , Amplifier 25, oscillator 2
6, an output control circuit 27 is provided.

An amplifier 25 is connected to the oscillator 26, and the electrostrictive element drive selection switch 2 is connected to the amplifier 25.
One end of 3 is connected. The electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 is composed of a relay, an analog switch, a multiplexer and the like.
One end of an insulating transformer 22 is connected to the other end of 3.

The other end of the insulating transformer 22 is connected to the cable 2
It is connected to the electrostrictive element 12 via 8. The signal generated from the oscillator 26 is amplified by the amplifier 25 and applied to each electrostrictive element 12 via the insulating transformer 22. The cable 28 has a sensor signal line 29, and one end of the sensor signal line 29 is connected to the temperature sensor 17.

The other end of the sensor signal line 29 is connected to the output control circuit 27, and the output control circuit 27 is connected to the oscillator 26. This output control circuit 2
7 receives the signal from the temperature sensor 17 and turns on the oscillator 26 so that the temperature of the living tissue does not exceed a dangerous value.
A control signal for off control is output. The switch control unit 24 drives and controls the electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 corresponding to the selected electrostrictive element.

In the present embodiment having such a structure, when the ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 is used to heat the prostate 31, the ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 is first placed in the urethra 32 as shown in FIG. Is inserted into the bladder 33 so that the tip of the balloon 16 is inserted into the bladder 33. In this state, the balloon 16 is inflated, and the balloon 16 is brought into contact with the inner wall 33a of the bladder located near the urethra origin. Thus
The ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 is mounted in the urethra 32.

Next, before treatment, X-ray, ultrasonic wave, MRI are performed in advance.
The electrostrictive element 12 required for heating is selected from the position and size of the prostate 31 of the patient confirmed by the above, the positional relationship between the balloon 16 and the electrostrictive element 12, the length of the electrostrictive element 12, and the like. .

The switch controller 24 of the apparatus main body 21
Is operated to selectively drive the electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 corresponding to the selected electrostrictive element 12 to electrostrict the ultrasonic vibration having the optimum strength and frequency for treating the prostate 31. It oscillates from the element 12. The vibration wave oscillated from each electrostrictive element 12 is irradiated toward the prostate 31 and effectively heats and treats the prostate 31.

In this way, a plurality of electrostrictive elements 12 are arranged in the ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 in the length direction thereof, and selectively selected according to the shape and size of the prostate 31 of each patient. In order to drive the electrostrictive element 12, the ultrasonic irradiation probe 1
Since the heating range can be changed without performing the positioning of No. 1, the operation can be simplified, and only the prostate 31 can be heated without affecting the nearby normal tissue, for example, the urethral sphincter 34, and thus is suitable. Warming treatment to
Furthermore, since only a part of the prostate 31 can be heated, the warming treatment can be accurately performed without heating the other part of the prostate 31.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic irradiation probe 11 has six electrostrictive elements 12 incorporated therein, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The number of electrostrictive elements 12 may be increased without changing the effective heating length. By doing so, the accuracy of the heated portion can be further improved.

The outer surface of the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 11 may be coated with a contrast agent at the position where the electrostrictive element 12 is incorporated. By doing so, the positional relationship between the prostate 31 and the electrostrictive element 12 can be grasped under fluoroscopy, and the electrostrictive element 12 to be driven can be selected.
Only 1 can be heated. Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of temperature sensors 17 are provided on the outer surface of the ultrasonic irradiation probe 35 in the lengthwise direction and the radial direction in the range where the electrostrictive element 12 is provided. For example, four temperature sensors 17 are provided at intervals of 90 degrees along the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic irradiation probe 35, and one set of these is provided as five sets in the length direction.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus main body 36 for driving the ultrasonic irradiation probe 35, and each temperature sensor 17 is connected to one end of a sensor signal line 29. The other ends of these sensor signal lines 29 are connected to a temperature detection unit 41, and this temperature detection unit 41 is connected to the switch control unit 24. In addition, the temperature detection unit 41 uses the temperature sensor 17
The control signal for controlling the electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 corresponding to each temperature sensor 17 is sent to the switch control section 24 so that the temperature of the tissue does not exceed the dangerous value. .

In this embodiment, the prostate 3
When the heating treatment 1 is performed, the urethra 3 is used as in the above embodiment.
The ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 35 is mounted in the unit 2. Then, based on the position and size of the patient's prostate 31 previously confirmed by X-ray, ultrasonic wave, MRI, etc. before the treatment, the positional relationship between the balloon 16 and the electrostrictive element 12, the length of the electrostrictive element 12, etc. The electrostrictive element 12 required for heating is selected. At this time, the temperature detection sensor 16 that measures the temperature of the site of the normal tissue adjacent to the prostate 31 is specified from the position and size of the prostate 31 of the patient confirmed in advance.

Next, the switch control section 24 of the apparatus main body 36
Is operated to selectively drive the electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 corresponding to the selected electrostrictive element 12 to electrostrict the ultrasonic vibration having the optimum strength and frequency for treating the prostate 31. It oscillates from the element 12. The vibration wave oscillated from each electrostrictive element 12 is radiated toward the prostate 31 and effectively heats and treats the prostate 31.

At this time, when the tissue temperature of the normal tissue adjacent to the prostate 31 rises, the electrostrictive element 1 corresponding to the position of the tissue before the temperature exceeds the dangerous value.
The electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 of No. 2 is turned off, and the drive of this electrostrictive element 12 is stopped. Thus, the temperature of such normal tissue is lowered and tissue damage is prevented.

As described above, this embodiment has the same effect as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and further, the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 3 is used.
By providing a plurality of temperature sensors 17 on the outer surface of 5 at a distance from each other, it is possible to prevent the adjacent normal tissue from being heated due to heat conduction accompanying the heating of the prostate 31, and the prostate 31 can be heated more appropriately. Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inside of the ultrasonic irradiation probe 37. Four cylindrical electrostrictive elements 42, 43, 44, 45 similar to the electrostrictive element shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The cylindrical electrostrictive elements 42, 43, 44, 4
5 is further equally divided into four in the vertical direction to form divided electrostrictive elements 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the apparatus main body 38 for driving the electrostrictive elements 42, 43, 44, 45 of the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 37. The divided electrostrictive elements 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a are respectively connected to the insulating transformer 22. It is connected. An electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 is connected to the insulating transformer 22, and the electrostrictive element drive selection switch 23 corresponds to the divided electrostrictive elements 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a, respectively.

An operation section 46 is connected to the switch control section 24, and the switch control section 24 selects an electrostrictive element drive selection switch corresponding to the electrostrictive element 42, 43, 44, 45 selected from the operation section 46. 23 is controlled.

Although not shown, temperature sensors for detecting the tissue temperature are arranged on the outer surface of the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 37, and these temperature sensors are connected via sensor signal lines, as in the above embodiment. Is connected to the temperature detecting section of the apparatus main body 38, and the switch is controlled to be turned on / off so that the tissue temperature does not reach a dangerous value.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when the heating treatment of the prostate 31 is performed, the ultrasonic irradiation probe 37 is mounted in the urethra 32 as in the case of the above-mentioned embodiment. Then, when the enlargement of the prostate 31 is biased, a part of the electrostrictive elements, for example, the divided electrostrictive element 43a located in the enlarged portion is selected, and only this electrostrictive element 43a is driven to perform the thermal treatment. I do.

As described above, this embodiment also has the same effect as that of the above embodiment, and the electrostrictive elements 42, 43, 44, 4 are provided.
By dividing 5 in the vertical direction, it is possible to further give a directivity to the heating. Therefore, when the enlargement of the prostate 31 is uneven, by driving only the element corresponding to the enlarged part, the enlarged part Only can be properly heated.

In the present embodiment, the electrostrictive element is described as having a cylindrical shape divided in the vertical direction, but the shape is not necessarily limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The side surface shape of the element 39 may be a concave shape. By doing this, the convergence of the ultrasonic waves is improved, and it is possible to perform pinpoint heating, so that the temperature of the tissue can be raised more reliably.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, an ultrasonic wave blocking member 43 or an ultrasonic wave absorbing member 43 may be provided in a part of the ultrasonic wave irradiation probe 37. In this case, the ultrasonic blocking member 43
Alternatively, by providing the ultrasonic absorbing member 43 in the vicinity of the tissue around the prostate 31, side effects due to damage to the tissue around the prostate 31 (for example, damage to the urethral sphincter 34 causes incontinence) can be performed appropriately. Hyperthermia can be given.

[0036]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to position the probe according to the individual patient, and moreover, only the target site can be heated without fail, so that appropriate heating treatment is performed. It is possible to provide a prostate treatment device capable of performing the treatment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an ultrasonic wave irradiation probe showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of main parts of an apparatus main body in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view and a front view of an ultrasonic wave irradiation probe showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an apparatus body in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the internal structure of an ultrasonic irradiation probe showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an apparatus main body in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a modification of the ultrasonic irradiation probe according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modification of the ultrasonic irradiation probe according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a conventional hyperthermia treatment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional hyperthermia treatment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 35, 37 ... Ultrasonic irradiation probe 12 ... Electrostrictive element 21, 36, 38 ... Device body 23 ... Electrostrictive element drive selection switch 24 ... Switch control section 31 ... Prostate

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A probe to be inserted into a living body, and an ultrasonic transducer provided in the probe for generating ultrasonic vibration, wherein the vibration energy from the ultrasonic transducer heats a diseased part of a living tissue. An ultrasonic prostate treatment apparatus for performing a treatment, wherein a plurality of the ultrasonic transducers are provided inside the probe, and ultrasonic transducer driving means for selectively driving each of the ultrasonic transducers is provided. Ultrasonic prostate treatment device.