Balloon catheter

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of radiation therapy. [Solution] The present invention relates to a balloon catheter comprising: an external catheter; a balloon connected to one side of the external catheter, which is inflatable or deflatable and inserted into a target site of a living organism; an internal catheter, one end of which is inserted into the balloon and the other end of which penetrates the external catheter and is movable in a first direction into the balloon or a second direction out of the balloon; and a drive part that moves the internal catheter, which is inserted into the balloon while the balloon is inflated and fixed to the target site of the living organism, in the second direction to discharge it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a balloon catheter.

Background Art

[0002] Radiation therapy irradiates a lesion in a living body with radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, proton beams, etc. to delay or destroy the growth of the lesion tissue in the living body. Here, the lesion tissue can be cancer or the like.

[0003] The distribution of the radiation dose can change depending on the density of the medium located in the path through which the radiation beam passes through the living body during radiation therapy. Specifically, when there are two media with different densities in the path through which the radiation passes through the living body, the boundary region between the two media can have a greater change in the distribution of the radiation dose than other parts.

[0004] In order to reduce the influence of radiation on the surrounding tissue of the lesion tissue in the living body during radiation therapy, a balloon can be inserted into a body cavity (hereinafter referred to as "target site") around the lesion tissue in the living body to fix the lesion tissue and the target site in the living body. Here, the balloon can be inserted into the target site of the living body via an internal catheter (or guide wire). Specifically, it can be performed in such a manner that, for example, after inserting an internal catheter into the inside of the balloon in which the internal catheter is accommodated, the balloon and the internal catheter are inserted into the target site of the living body. At this time, the internal catheter existing inside the balloon has caused the following problems.

[0005] First, the internal catheter existing inside the balloon makes it impossible to lower the internal density of the balloon below a certain level. Note that increasing the density inside the balloon is easier to achieve because it simply requires injecting a substance with a high density into the inside of the balloon.

[0006] Furthermore, when an internal catheter is present inside the balloon, this internal catheter can induce interference in the particle beam during radiation therapy using particles such as electrons, protons, and carbon ions, causing a problem in that it alters the destination of the particle beam.

[0007] Furthermore, if an internal catheter is present inside the balloon, its position within the balloon changes, leading to uncertainty in the radiation dose distribution both inside and around the balloon.

[0008] Furthermore, when an internal catheter is present inside the balloon, this internal catheter induces the generation of secondary electrons inside the balloon, reducing the effectiveness of radiation dose control during MCRT (Magnetic Controlled Radiation Therapy), which uses a magnetic field to control the radiation path during radiotherapy such as X-rays.

[0009] Therefore, it was necessary to expel the internal catheter located inside the balloon while the balloon was inserted into the target site in the living body. The common method for expelling the internal catheter involves removing it from inside the balloon while the balloon is not inflated. However, this method had the following problems.

[0010] First, there was a problem in that, at the moment the internal catheter was discharged from inside the balloon while it was inserted into the target site of the body, the position of the balloon changed due to forces from various directions exerted by the internal organs and muscles inside the body.

[0011] Furthermore, when pressure is present inside the body, a problem arises where the balloon becomes trapped by the internal catheter at the moment the internal catheter is expelled from inside the balloon while the balloon is inserted into the target site of the body. For example, the balloon may be pulled by the internal catheter as it is expelled.

[0012] In radiation therapy, it is crucial to maintain the balloon's position at the target site in the body. Therefore, conventional methods of expelling the internal catheter from inside the balloon while the balloon is not inflated are difficult to apply to radiation therapy because the balloon's position may change. Consequently, balloons capable of expelling the internal catheter were not used in radiation therapy. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2013-0009445 (2013.01.23) [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a balloon catheter that can improve the accuracy of radiotherapy to lesional tissue and target sites in living organisms during radiotherapy, because the internal catheter inserted inside the balloon can be discharged while the balloon is inflated and fixes the lesional tissue and target site in the living organism.

[0015] The issues that this disclosure aims to address are not limited to those mentioned above, and other issues not mentioned can be clearly understood by an average engineer from the description below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] A balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an external catheter, a balloon connected to one side of the external catheter and capable of being inflated or deflated, and inserted into a target site of a living organism, an internal catheter with one end inserted into the balloon and the other end penetrating the external catheter and capable of moving in a first direction into the balloon or a second direction out of the balloon, and a drive part that moves the internal catheter, which is inserted into the balloon while the balloon is inflated and fixed to the target site of the living organism, in the second direction to discharge it.

[0017] Furthermore, the external catheter includes a connecting part that is coupled to the outer circumference of the internal catheter, an expandable and retractable part connected to the connecting part, and a guide part connected to the expandable and retractable part that guides the movement of the internal catheter, and the balloon can be connected to the guide part.

[0018] Furthermore, the expandable part may have a bellows shape.

[0019] Furthermore, the system may further include a first stopper that limits the range of movement of the internal catheter in the second direction.

[0020] Furthermore, the first stopper may include a hook groove formed in the external catheter and a hook formed in the internal catheter that catches in the hook groove when the internal catheter moves in the second direction.

[0021] Furthermore, the system may further include a second stopper that limits the range of movement of the internal catheter in the first direction and the range of movement in the second direction.

[0022] Furthermore, the second stopper may include two locking projections coupled to the outer circumference of the outer catheter at intervals along the direction of movement of the inner catheter, and a movable projection coupled to the outer circumference of the inner catheter and positioned between the two locking projections.

[0023] Further, the drive part can include an actuator that moves the inner catheter in the second direction.

[0024] Furthermore, the drive part can include a fluid supply part that injects fluid into the balloon so that the inner catheter moves in the second direction by the fluid injected into the balloon.

[0025] Also, it can further include a third stopper that is detachably fixed to the inner catheter and limits the movement range of the inner catheter in the first direction.

[0026] Furthermore, the third stopper can have a U shape.

[0027] Other specific matters of the present invention are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Effects of the Invention

[0028] The balloon catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention can discharge the inner catheter inserted into the balloon while the balloon is inflated and fixing the diseased tissue and the target site of the living body. Therefore, there is an effect that the accuracy of radiation therapy for the diseased tissue and the target site of the living body during radiation therapy can be improved.

[0029] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description to be described later.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing a balloon catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the balloon in FIG. 1 is inflated. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing the first stopper of the balloon catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the balloon in an inflated state. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing a second stopper of a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the balloon in an inflated state. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing the operation process of a balloon catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the operation process of a balloon catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing the operation process of a balloon catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing the operation process of a balloon catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing a balloon of a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the balloon is fixed to a target site in a living organism. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing a conventional balloon catheter with the balloon fixed to a target site in the body. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view showing the radiotherapy process of a target site in a living organism using a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of radiotherapy of a target site in a living organism using a conventional balloon catheter. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view showing the MCRT treatment process at a target site in a living organism using a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view showing the MCRT treatment process at a target site in a living organism using a balloon catheter according to a conventional embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] The advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be embodied in a variety of different forms. These embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to allow a person ordinary in the art to fully understand the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0032] The terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless otherwise specified. The terms “comprises” and / or “comprising” used in this specification do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to those mentioned. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals indicate the same component, and “and / or” includes each of the components mentioned and all combinations of one or more of them. Even if terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used simply to distinguish one component from others. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may also be the second component within the technical concept of the invention.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) are used in the sense that they would be commonly understood by an ordinary person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries shall not be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined otherwise.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the balloon in Figure 1 in an inflated state.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an external catheter 100, a balloon 200, an internal catheter 300, and a drive part.

[0037] The external catheter 100 can serve as the basic body of the present invention. Such an external catheter 100 can be formed in a cylindrical shape with openings at both ends. Here, a balloon 200 can be connected to one side of the external catheter 100. In addition, an internal catheter 300 can be passed through the inside of the external catheter 100. Furthermore, a handle 110 for grasping the external catheter 100 can be formed on the other side of the external catheter 100. Here, the center of the handle 110 can have a smaller outer diameter than the sides of the handle 110. In other words, the sides of the handle 110 can have a multi-stage shape that protrudes from the center of the handle 110. Therefore, the sides of the handle 110 can serve to prevent the operator's hand, which is grasping the center of the handle 110, from slipping away from the handle 110 in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] As an example, the outer diameter of the external catheter 100 may be 10 mm to 30 mm, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As another example, the length of the external catheter 100 may be 50 mm to 1,000 mm, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As yet another example, the material of the external catheter 100 may include at least one of silicone, latex, polyurethane, polyisoprene, and PVC.

[0039] The external catheter 100 may include a connecting part 120, an expandable part 130, and a guide part 140. Here, the guide part 140 is located on one side of the external catheter 100, the connecting part 120 is located on the other side of the external catheter 100, and the expandable part 130 may be located between the one and the other side of the external catheter 100.

[0040] The connecting part 120 can be attached to the outer circumference of the internal catheter 300. For example, the connecting part 120 may have a ring shape.

[0041] The expandable part 130 is connected to one side of the connecting part 120 and can expand and contract in the direction of movement of the internal catheter 300. For example, the expandable part 130 may have a bellows shape.

[0042] The guide part 140 is connected to one side of the expandable part 130 and can guide the movement of the internal catheter 300. For example, the guide part 140 may have a ring shape. On the other hand, a balloon 200 can be connected to one side of the guide part 140.

[0043] The balloon 200 is connected to one side of the external catheter 100, is inflatable and deflated, and can be inserted into a target site in the body. Such a balloon 200 can inflate while inserted into the target site in the body and can be fixed to the lesion tissue and target site in the body. For example, the balloon 200 can be inflated by fluid injection. The target site in the body may be any internal space in the human body that can be inserted without incision (e.g., any one of the oral cavity, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine, or rectum), or any internal space in the human body that can be inserted by incision (e.g., any one of the thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, or inside the skin), but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to other tissues in the body. Furthermore, the lesion tissue may be cancerous tissue. The lesion tissue is not limited to cancerous tissue as long as it is a lesion tissue to which the balloon catheter of the present invention can be applied.

[0044] For example, the material of balloon 200 may include at least one of silicone, latex, polyurethane, and polyisoprene.

[0045] The internal catheter 300 is inserted into the balloon 200 at one end and penetrates the external catheter 100 at the other end, and is movable in a first direction to be inserted into the balloon 200 or a second direction to be discharged from the balloon 200.

[0046] For example, when the internal catheter 300 moves in a first direction towards insertion into the balloon 200, one end of the internal catheter 300 can be inserted into the balloon 200. At this time, the end of the internal catheter 300 inserted into the balloon 200 provides rigidity to the balloon 200 when it is inserted into the target site in the body, and plays a role in overcoming the internal insertion resistance applied to the balloon 200. Subsequently, the balloon 200 inserted into the target site in the body inflates and can be fixed to the lesion tissue and target site in the body, as shown in Figure 2. Then, the end of the internal catheter 300 inserted into the balloon 200 can be expelled from inside the balloon 200 by the drive part.

[0047] As an example, a valve 310 can be provided on the other side of the internal catheter 300 to maintain the airtightness of the internal catheter. Such a valve 310 can allow the inflow of fluid supplied from the fluid supply part and prevent the outflow of the fluid.

[0048] For example, valve 310 can consist of at least one of a check valve, a stopcock, and a clamp.

[0049] For example, an external catheter 100 or an internal catheter 300 can be fixed around the target site in the body so as to maintain the position of the balloon 200 at the target site in the body.

[0050] The drive unit can move an internal catheter 300 inserted inside the balloon 200 in a second direction and expel it once the balloon 200, which has been inserted into a target site in the body, is inflated and fixed in place. Such a drive unit can be operated by the control of a processor.

[0051] The drive part may include an actuator and a fluid supply part.

[0052] The actuator can move the internal catheter 300 in a second direction. For example, the actuator can move the internal catheter 300 in a second direction while the balloon 200, which has been inserted into a target site in the body under the control of the processor, is inflated and fixed in place.

[0053] The fluid supply part can inject fluid into the balloon 200 so that the fluid injected into the balloon 200 moves the internal catheter 300 in a second direction. Here, the diameter and material of the balloon 200 can be initially set such that the pressure required for initial inflation is greater than the pressure required for the internal catheter 300 to move in a second direction. Thus, when the fluid supply part injects fluid into the balloon 200, the gas filled inside the balloon 200 can push the internal catheter 300 to move in a second direction.

[0054] The fluid supply section can inject fluid via an internal catheter 300 or an external catheter 100.

[0055] The following describes the process by which a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention is inserted into and fixed to a target site in a living organism.

[0056] First, the internal catheter 300, having penetrated the external catheter 100, moves in the first direction and is inserted into the balloon 200.

[0057] Next, the balloon 200 is inserted into the target site of the living body. At this time, one end of the internal catheter 300 inserted inside the balloon 200 provides rigidity to the balloon 200 when it is inserted into the target site of the living body, and plays a role in overcoming the internal insertion resistance applied to the balloon 200.

[0058] Next, the balloon 200 is inflated and fixed to the lesional tissue and target site of the living organism. At this time, the balloon 200 can be inflated by fluid injection. For example, the fluid injection into the balloon 200 can be performed by the fluid supply part of the drive part.

[0059] Subsequently, the drive unit moves the internal catheter 300 in a second direction so that one side of the internal catheter 300 is discharged from inside the balloon 200. At this time, as shown in Figure 2, with the inflated balloon 200 fixed to the lesion tissue and target site of the living body, the internal catheter 300 is moved in the second direction and retracts from inside the balloon 200.

[0060] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the first stopper of a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the balloon in the inflated state of Figure 3.

[0061] As shown in Figure 3, a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a first stopper 500, unlike the example in Figure 1. In this example, the inner circumference of the outer catheter 100 can be in close contact with the outer circumference of the inner catheter 300. Therefore, air leakage or fluid leakage between the outer catheter 100 and the inner catheter 300 can be prevented.

[0062] The first stopper 500 can serve to limit the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in the second direction. Such a first stopper 500 may include a hook groove 510 and a hook 520.

[0063] The hook groove 510 can be formed on one side of the external catheter 100. For example, the hook groove 510 can be formed as a recess along the inner circumference on one side of the external catheter 100. In this case, the hook groove 510 can have a ring shape. In the example of Figure 3, in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the internal catheter 300 moves, the cross-sectional length of the hook groove 510 is greater than the cross-sectional length of the cavity inside the external catheter 100 in the second direction.

[0064] The hook 520 is formed on the internal catheter 300 and can catch on the hook groove 510 when the internal catheter 300 moves in a second direction. For example, the hook 520 may have a shape that corresponds to the hook groove 510.

[0065] In this example, when the internal catheter 300 moves in the second direction, the hook 520 may catch in the hook groove 510, limiting the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in the second direction. (See Figure 4) When the internal catheter 300 moves in the second direction, as shown in Figure 4, the inflated balloon 200 fixes the lesion tissue and target site of the living body, and the internal catheter 300 moves in the second direction and retracts from inside the balloon 200.

[0066] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the second stopper of a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the balloon of Figure 5 in an inflated state.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a second stopper 600, unlike the example in Figure 1. In this example, the inner circumference of the outer catheter 100 can be in close contact with the outer circumference of the inner catheter 300. Therefore, air leakage or fluid leakage between the outer catheter 100 and the inner catheter 300 can be prevented.

[0068] The second stopper 600 can restrict the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in a first direction and in a second direction. Such a second stopper 600 may include two locking projections 610 and a moving projection 620.

[0069] The two locking protrusions 610 are connected to the outer circumference of the outer catheter 100 at intervals in a direction along the direction of movement of the inner catheter 300. For example, the two locking protrusions 610 may have a shape that protrudes perpendicularly from the outer circumference of the outer catheter 100.

[0070] The movable projection 620 is coupled to the outer circumference of the internal catheter 300 and can be positioned between the two locking projections 610. For example, the movable projection 620 may have a shape that protrudes perpendicularly from the outer circumference of the internal catheter 300.

[0071] In this example, when the internal catheter 300 moves in the first direction, the movable projection 620 may catch on the one of the two locking projections 610 that is closer to one side of the external catheter 100, thereby limiting the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in the first direction (see Figure 5).

[0072] Furthermore, when the internal catheter 300 moves in the second direction, the movable projection 620 may catch on the one of the two locking projections 610 that is closer to the other side of the external catheter 100, thereby limiting the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in the second direction (see Figure 6). When the internal catheter 300 moves in the second direction, as shown in Figure 6, the inflated balloon 200 fixes the lesion tissue and target site of the living body, and the internal catheter 300 moves in the second direction and retracts from inside the balloon 200.

[0073] Figures 7 to 10 are cross-sectional views showing the operation process of a balloon catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] As shown in Figure 7, a balloon catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention, unlike the example in Figure 1, may have an internal catheter 300 with multiple lumens 320 and may include a third stopper 700 as shown in Figure 10.

[0075] The third stopper 700 is detachably fixed to the internal catheter 300 and serves to restrict the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in the first direction (see Figure 10). For example, the third stopper 700 can have a U-shape. Such a third stopper 700 is fixed to the outer circumference of the internal catheter 300, which is in contact with the other side of the external catheter 100 when one side of the internal catheter 300 has been discharged from inside the balloon 200, and can restrict the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in the first direction.

[0076] The following describes the process by which a balloon catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention is inserted into and fixed to a target site in a living organism.

[0077] First, the internal catheter 300, having penetrated the external catheter 100, moves in the first direction and is inserted into the balloon 200 (see Figure 8).

[0078] Next, the balloon 200 is inserted into the target site of the living body. At this time, one end of the internal catheter 300 inserted inside the balloon 200 provides rigidity to the balloon 200 when it is inserted into the target site of the living body, and plays a role in overcoming the internal insertion resistance applied to the balloon 200.

[0079] Next, the balloon 200 is inflated and fixed to the lesional tissue and target site of the living organism. At this time, the balloon 200 can be inflated by fluid injection. For example, fluid injection into the balloon 200 can be performed by the fluid supply part of the drive part (see Figure 9).

[0080] Subsequently, the drive unit moves the internal catheter 300 in a second direction so that one side of the internal catheter 300 is discharged from inside the balloon 200. At this time, with the inflated balloon 200 fixed to the lesion tissue and target site of the living body, the internal catheter 300 is moved in the second direction and retracts from inside the balloon 200. Subsequently, the third stopper 700 is fixed to the outer circumference of the internal catheter 300 that is in contact with the other side of the external catheter 100 with one side of the internal catheter 300 discharged from inside the balloon 200, thereby limiting the range of movement of the internal catheter 300 in the first direction (see Figure 10).

[0081] For example, during radiation therapy, radiation can be one of the following: X-rays of 1 MeV or higher, electrons, protons, and carbon particles.

[0082] Furthermore, if a balloon with a density greater or smaller than the target site of the body exists inside the body, it may take more time to calculate the radiation dose for planning radiotherapy. Therefore, balloon 200 can be set to a predetermined shape and density to shorten the radiation dose calculation time. In this case, the shape of balloon 200 can be set to one of the following: sphere, hemisphere, ellipsoid, cylinder, or rectangular prism. In addition, the basic shape of balloon 200 can be adjusted when it is ejected, and the expansion shape can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of each unit region of balloon 200. Moreover, the internal density of balloon 200 can be adjusted by adjusting the composition of the substance injected into balloon 200.

[0083] For example, an external catheter 100 or an internal catheter 300 is equipped with a sensing module that measures the volume and pressure of the balloon 200, and the sensing module can provide the operator with volume and pressure data of the balloon 200 for monitoring the volume and pressure of the balloon 200.

[0084] For example, the internal temperature of the balloon 200 can be controlled by a fluid circulation device that circulates the fluid injected into two or more lumens 320 of the internal catheter 300. In this case, the temperature of the balloon 200 may affect the therapeutic effect or side effects of the target site of the body in contact with the balloon 200. The higher the temperature of the balloon 200, the greater the effects and side effects of radiation, and the lower the temperature of the balloon 200, the smaller the effects and side effects of radiation may be.

[0085] For example, the balloon 200 can be coated with a radiosensitive material that changes color upon irradiation. Therefore, when the balloon 200 is irradiated, its color can change, allowing for the calculation of the radiation dose irradiated to and absorbed by the balloon 200. Thus, the radiation dose irradiated to and absorbed by the target site of the body in contact with the balloon 200 can be calculated. On the other hand, the color change of the balloon 200 can be confirmed in real time via an endoscope inserted into the target site of the body, or via the balloon 200 after it has been expelled from the target site of the body after the completion of radiation therapy.

[0086] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the balloon of a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention fixed to a target site in a living body; Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the balloon of a conventional balloon catheter fixed to a target site in a living body; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the radiotherapy process to a target site in a living body using a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the radiotherapy process to a target site in a living body using a conventional balloon catheter.

[0087] Referring to Figure 11, when the balloon 200 of the balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention is fixed to the target site 2 of the living body, the internal catheter 300 is not present inside the balloon 200 fixed to the target site 2 of the living body. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the radiation R that passes through the inside of the balloon 200 during radiotherapy is not affected by the internal catheter 300 and reaches the diseased tissue 1 of the living body (see Figure 13).

[0088] On the other hand, referring to Figure 12, it can be seen that in the case of a conventional balloon catheter, when the balloon 20 is fixed to the target site in the body, the internal catheter 30 is located inside the balloon 20 fixed to the target site 2 in the body. Therefore, it can be seen that the radiation R that penetrates the inside of the balloon 200 during radiotherapy is affected by the internal catheter 300 and reaches the diseased tissue 1 in the body (see Figure 14). As a result, the accuracy of radiotherapy inevitably decreases with conventional technology.

[0089] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the MCRT treatment process of a target site in a living organism using a balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the MCRT treatment process of a target site in a living organism using a balloon catheter according to one conventional embodiment.

[0090] Referring to Figure 15, in one embodiment of the present invention, the balloon catheter does not have an internal catheter 300 inside the balloon 200 fixed to the target site 2 of the living body. Therefore, in MCRT (Magnetic Controlled Radiation Therapy), where the path of radiation is controlled using a magnetic field, the internal catheter 300 is not in the path of the radiation passing through the inside of the balloon 200, thus preventing the generation of secondary electrons due to the influence of the internal catheter 300 on the radiation.

[0091] On the other hand, in conventional balloon catheters, the internal catheter 30 is located inside the balloon 20, which is fixed to the target site 2 in the body. Therefore, during MCRT, which uses a magnetic field to control the radiation path, the internal catheter 30 is in the path of the radiation passing through the inside of the balloon 20, resulting in the generation of secondary electrons due to the influence of the internal catheter 30 on the radiation. As a result, conventional technology inevitably suffers from reduced accuracy in controlling the radiation path during MCRT.

[0092] Therefore, the balloon catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect of improving the accuracy of radiation therapy to the diseased tissue and target site of the body during radiation therapy, because the internal catheter inserted inside the balloon can be discharged while the balloon is inflated and fixed to the diseased tissue and target site of the body.

[0093] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical idea or essential features. Accordingly, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 100 External catheter 110 Handle 120 Joining Parts 130 stretchable part 140 Guide Part 200 balloons 300 Internal Catheters 310 Check valve 320 lumens 500 First Stopper 510 Hook groove 520 hooks 600 Second Stopper 610 Locking protrusion 620 Moving protrusion 700 Third Stopper

Claims

1. A balloon catheter used in radiotherapy, External catheter and A balloon connected to one side of the external catheter, which is inflatable or deflated, and which is inserted into the target site of the living body before radiotherapy, An internal catheter having one end inserted into the balloon and the other end penetrating the inside of the external catheter, the other end having a valve that allows fluid to flow in from a fluid supply part and prevents the fluid from flowing out, and which can move the balloon to the target site before radiotherapy by moving in a first direction to be inserted into the balloon together with the balloon, and which can move in a second direction to be discharged from the balloon when the balloon is inflated by the inflow of fluid from the fluid supply part and fixed to the target site of the living body before radiotherapy, A balloon catheter, including one.

2. The aforementioned external catheter is A coupling part that is coupled to the outer circumference of the internal catheter, A retractable and expandable part connected to the aforementioned connecting part, A guide part connected to the aforementioned expandable part and guiding the movement of the internal catheter, Includes, The balloon catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that the balloon is connected to the guide part.

3. The balloon catheter according to claim 2, characterized in that the expandable part has a bellows shape.

4. The balloon catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a first stopper that limits the range of movement of the internal catheter in the second direction.

5. The first stopper is, A hook groove formed in the external catheter, A hook is formed in the internal catheter, which catches in the hook groove when the internal catheter moves in the second direction, The balloon catheter according to claim 4, characterized by including the following:

6. The balloon catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a second stopper that limits the range of movement of the internal catheter in the first direction and the range of movement in the second direction.

7. The second stopper is, Two locking protrusions are attached to the outer circumference of the outer catheter at intervals along the direction of movement of the inner catheter, A movable projection is coupled to the outer circumference of the internal catheter and positioned between the two locking projections, The balloon catheter according to claim 6, characterized by including the following:

8. The balloon catheter according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator for moving the internal catheter in the second direction.

9. The balloon catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a third stopper which is detachably fixed to the internal catheter and restricts the range of movement of the internal catheter in a first direction.

10. The balloon catheter according to claim 9, characterized in that the third stopper has a U-shape.

11. The balloon catheter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the balloon is coated with a radiation-sensitive material that changes color upon irradiation with radiation.

Images