Thermotherapy device

Abstract

To provide a thermotherapy device capable of appropriately irradiating an affected part of a patient with electromagnetic waves.SOLUTION: In electrodes 2a and 2b, the base end side is connected to the outside of a cooling pad 21, and the tip (the other end) side includes an exhaust pipe 23 inserted inside the cooling pad 21 and a float 25 for causing the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 to float on the liquid surface side of cooling water W so that when air stays in the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21, the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 can be caused to float on the surface of the cooling water W by the floating force of the float 25. The air in the cooling pad 21 can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust pipe 23 by sucking air from the base end side of the exhaust pipe 23 in the state that the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 is floating on the surface of the cooling water W. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit the air in the cooling pad 21 from interfering with the electromagnetic waves between the electrodes 2a and 2b so that the affected part of the patient can be irradiated with electromagnetic waves appropriately.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermotherapy device, and particularly to a thermotherapy device capable of appropriately irradiating an electrode wave to a patient.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a thermotherapy device that generates an electromagnetic wave between a pair of electrodes with a patient sandwiched therebetween. In this type of thermotherapy device, thermotherapy by so-called "hyperthermia" is performed in which cancer cells and the like are heated (necrotic) by irradiating an electromagnetic wave to an affected part of a patient.

[0003] As such a thermotherapy device, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique of providing a cooling pad supplied with cooling water inside an electrode and cooling a living body surface of a patient with this cooling pad. According to this technique, it is possible to reduce the heat sensation, pain, etc. that a patient feels due to the influence of heating by an electromagnetic wave.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above-described conventional technology, air may be mixed into the cooling water in the cooling pad. When such air exists between the electrode and the affected part, the air interferes with the electromagnetic wave irradiated to the affected part. When the electromagnetic wave is attenuated due to this interference of the air, there is a problem that the electromagnetic wave cannot be appropriately irradiated to the patient (affected part).

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a thermotherapy device capable of appropriately irradiating an electrode wave to a patient.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] To achieve this object, the thermotherapy device of the present invention includes an electrode having an electrode plate and a cooling pad that surrounds the electrode plate and has cooling water supplied therein. Electromagnetic waves are irradiated from the electrode plate between the opposing surfaces of the pair of electrodes. One end of the electrode is connected to the outside of the cooling pad, and the other end is provided with an exhaust pipe inserted into the cooling pad and a float that floats the other end of the exhaust pipe on the liquid surface side of the cooling water, and the air in the cooling pad can be exhausted to the outside through the exhaust pipe.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the thermotherapy device described in claim 1, since the electrode includes an exhaust pipe with one end connected to the outside of the cooling pad and the other end inserted into the cooling pad, and a float that floats the other end of the exhaust pipe on the liquid surface side of the cooling water, when air accumulates in the cooling water in the cooling pad, the other end of the exhaust pipe can be floated on the liquid surface of the cooling water by the float. Thereby, by sucking air from one end side of the exhaust pipe, the air in the cooling pad can be exhausted to the outside through the exhaust pipe. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the interference of the air in the cooling pad with the electromagnetic waves generated between the pair of electrodes, and there is an effect that the electromagnetic waves can be appropriately irradiated to the patient.

[0009] According to the thermotherapy device described in claim 2, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermotherapy device described in claim 1, the following effects are achieved. The electrode is provided inside the cooling pad and includes a drain port for discharging the cooling water from the cooling pad and a regulating means for securing a flow path for the cooling water to the drain port side while regulating the deformation of the cooling pad toward the drain port side. Thereby, while allowing the cooling water to be discharged from the drain port, the regulating means can regulate the blocking of the drain port by the cooling pad due to the suction force during the discharge. Therefore, there is an effect that the cooling water in the cooling pad can be efficiently drained.

[0010] According to the thermotherapy device described in claim 3, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermotherapy device described in claim 2, the following effects are achieved. Since the regulating means is a cover that has a plurality of drain holes formed therein and surrounds the drain outlet, while ensuring the flow path of the cooling water directed towards the drain outlet by the drain holes, the cover can regulate the blockage of the drain outlet by the cooling pad. Since the inner diameter of the drain holes is larger than the inner diameter of the drain outlet, even if the cooling pad is deformed so as to stick to the cover when sucking the cooling water from the drain outlet, the flow of the cooling water directed towards the drain outlet is more easily allowed by the drain holes. Therefore, there is an effect that the cooling water in the cooling pad can be efficiently drained.

[0011] According to the thermotherapy device described in claim 4, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermotherapy device described in claim 2, the following effects are achieved. Since the regulating means is a cover that has a plurality of drain holes formed therein and surrounds the drain outlet, while ensuring the flow path of the cooling water directed towards the drain outlet by the drain holes, the cover can regulate the blockage of the drain outlet by the cooling pad. Since the inner diameter of the drain holes is smaller than the outer shape of the float, when the float floats towards the cover side, it is possible to suppress the float from getting caught in the drain holes. Therefore, since the labor of removing the float caught in the drain holes from the cover can be saved, there is an effect that the workability of the operation of exhausting the air in the cooling pad can be improved.

[0012] According to the thermotherapy device described in claim 5, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermotherapy device described in claim 4, the following effects are achieved. On the outer edge side of the cover, a holding hole configured as a recess or a through hole that is recessed towards the electrode plate side is formed, and since the float can be held inside this holding hole, even when a cover covering the electrode is provided, the floating of the float towards the liquid level side of the cooling water can be allowed by the holding hole. That is, even when the amount of air in the cooling pad is relatively small, the float can be floated up to the liquid level of the cooling water by holding the float in the holding hole. Therefore, there is an effect that the air in the cooling pad can be efficiently exhausted.

[0013] According to the thermotherapy device described in claim 6, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermotherapy device described in claim 5, the following effects are achieved. It includes a gantry that rotatably supports a pair of electrodes around a rotation axis along the horizontal direction. The electrode plate is formed with a through-hole into which an exhaust pipe is inserted, and a holding hole and the through-hole are formed side by side along the rotation direction of the electrode. By rotating the electrode so that the holding hole is located above the through-hole of the electrode plate, the float is more likely to float toward the holding hole. As a result, the float is more likely to be held inside the holding hole, and there is an effect that the air in the cooling pad can be efficiently exhausted.

[0014] According to the thermotherapy device described in claim 7, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermotherapy device described in claim 1, the following effects are achieved. It includes a sealed tank in which cooling water is stored, a supply pipe connecting the tank and the cooling pad, a supply pump provided in the supply pipe for supplying the cooling water from the tank to the cooling pad, a discharge pipe connecting the tank and the cooling pad, and a discharge pump provided in the discharge pipe for discharging the cooling water from the cooling pad to the tank.

[0015] Since the sealed tank has an effect of always keeping its internal pressure (the volume of the internal cooling water) constant, even if there are individual differences in the supply pump and the discharge pump, the flow rate of the cooling water in the supply pipe and the discharge pipe is likely to be constant. As a result, the amount of cooling water supplied to the cooling pad by the supply pump and the amount of cooling water discharged from the cooling pad by the discharge pump are likely to be always constant. Therefore, the amount of cooling water in the cooling pad can always be kept constant, and there is an effect that electromagnetic waves can be appropriately irradiated to the patient.

[0016] According to the thermal therapy device described in claim 8, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermal therapy device described in claim 7, since it is provided with an air collecting chamber that extends upward from the upper surface inside the tank, the air (bubbles) that has caused the cooling water in the tank to float is collected in the air collecting chamber. Since the opening portion on the upper end side of the air collecting chamber can be opened and closed by the opening and closing means, when air accumulates in the air collecting chamber, by opening the opening portion on the upper end side of the air collecting chamber, cooling water can be supplied from the air collecting chamber. As a result, the air collected in the air collecting chamber can be removed, so that it is possible to suppress the supply of cooling water containing air from the tank to the cooling pad. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of air in the cooling water in the cooling pad, and there is an effect that electromagnetic waves can be appropriately irradiated to the patient.

[0017] According to the thermal therapy device described in claim 9, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermal therapy device described in claim 8, since at least a part of the wall surrounding the air collecting chamber is formed using a translucent material, the presence or absence of air in the air collecting chamber can be visually confirmed from the outside. As a result, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of a predetermined amount or more of air in the tank, so that it is possible to suppress the supply of cooling water containing air from the tank to the cooling pad. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of air in the cooling water in the cooling pad, and there is an effect that electromagnetic waves can be appropriately irradiated to the patient.

[0018] According to the thermal therapy device described in claim 10, in addition to the effects achieved by the thermal therapy device described in claim 1, since the exhaust pipe is formed using a material having a specific gravity greater than that of the cooling water, the exhaust pipe is likely to sink in the cooling water. Due to the sinking of this exhaust pipe, the other end of the exhaust pipe connected to the float is likely to face upward (the upper side in the vertical direction), so there is an effect that the air in the cooling pad can be effectively exhausted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the thermotherapy device 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the thermotherapy device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the thermotherapy device 1 includes an upper electrode 2a and a lower electrode 2b facing each other in the vertical direction (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "each electrode 2a, 2b"), and by generating an electromagnetic wave between these electrodes 2a, 2b, it is a device for treating a patient (not shown) sandwiched between the electrodes 2a, 2b. In this thermotherapy device 1, thermotherapy by so-called "hyperthermia" is performed in which cancer cells and the like are heated and necrotized by irradiating the affected part of the patient with electromagnetic waves.

[0022] Each electrode 2a, 2b is attached to a gantry 3 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. A circular through-hole 30 is formed in the gantry 3, and an annular rotating body 31 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the through-hole 30. In the following description, the axis of the through-hole 30 along the horizontal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) will be described as the central axis C. From the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body 31, a pair of upper and lower arms 32 protrude toward the central axis C of the through-hole 30, and each electrode 2a, 2b is attached to the tip of these arms 32.

[0023] The rotating body 31 (pair of arms 32) is provided rotatably about the central axis C of the through-hole 30. On the inner peripheral side of the rotating body 31, a bed (not shown) extending in the direction of the central axis C of the rotating body 31 is provided, and the affected part of a patient lying horizontally (e.g., in the supine position) on this bed is clamped by the respective electrodes 2a and 2b. The arms 32 to which the respective electrodes 2a and 2b are attached are provided so as to be extendable and retractable in a direction orthogonal to the central axis C of the rotating body 31 by the power of a cylinder (not shown). By the rotation of the rotating body 31 and the extension and retraction of the arms 32, the distance and arrangement of the respective electrodes 2a and 2b can be changed according to the size of the patient's body and the position of the affected part.

[0024] When the affected part is heated by the electromagnetic wave generated between the respective electrodes 2a and 2b, the patient may feel stimuli such as a heat sensation or pain due to the influence of the heating. In order to reduce such stimuli, a cooling pad 21 (bolus) is attached to the housing 20 of each of the electrodes 2a and 2b. The cooling pad 21 is a transparent bag body formed using a flexible resin (e.g., silicon, urethane, or polyvinyl chloride), and one end of a supply pipe 5 and a discharge pipe 6 (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "each pipe 5, 6") is connected to the cooling pad 21.

[0025] A tank 7 is connected to the other ends of the respective pipes 5 and 6, and cooling water W is stored in this tank 7. The cooling water W is a liquid in which electrolytes such as sodium chloride and sodium azide are dissolved in water. A supply pump 50 and a discharge pump 60 are provided on the path of each of the pipes 5 and 6 between the cooling pad 21 and the tank 7.

[0026] Each of the pipes 5 and 6 is provided individually for the cooling pad 21 of each of the electrodes 2a and 2b. That is, the cooling pads 21 of the respective electrodes 2a and 2b are each connected to a common tank 7 via the respective pipes 5 and 6, but the circulation path of the cooling water W formed by each of the pipes 5 and 6 is a separate path for the upper electrode 2a and the lower electrode 2b.

[0027] The cooling water W sucked from the tank 7 by the supply pump 50 is pumped through the supply pipe 5 to the cooling pads 21 of the respective electrodes 2a, 2b, and the cooling water W sucked from the cooling pads 21 of the respective electrodes 2a, 2b by the discharge pump 60 is returned to the tank 7 through the discharge pipe 6.

[0028] Since the cooling water W inside the cooling pad 21 is mainly for cooling the patient's body surface when heating the affected area by electromagnetic waves, it is required to have a relatively low temperature. Therefore, when the cooling water W is warmed by cooling the patient's body surface, it is necessary to lower the cooling water W to an appropriate temperature range.

[0029] On the other hand, for example, when the cooling pad 21 is brought into contact with the patient's body surface before heating the affected area (initially), relatively warm warm water may be supplied to the cooling pad 21. That is, the temperature of the cooling water W supplied to the cooling pad 21 is adjusted according to the usage situation of the thermotherapy device 1.

[0030] In order to adjust the temperature of such cooling water W, it is also possible to use temperature control devices such as a known circulation type chiller (cooling water circulation device). However, when the cooling water W whose temperature is adjusted by the circulation type chiller is supplied to the cooling pad 21, a problem occurs that it is difficult for the amount of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 (the internal pressure of the cooling pad 21) to be constant. This is considered to be because when the adjusted temperature of the cooling water W (the temperature adjusted by the circulation type chiller) is changed, the flow rate of the cooling water W discharged from the chiller changes.

[0031] When the amount of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 increases or decreases (constantly not being constant), the degree of influence of the cooling water W on the electromagnetic waves between the respective electrodes 2a, 2b also changes, so that the electromagnetic waves cannot be appropriately irradiated to the patient. Furthermore, when the amount of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 is unstable, the flexibility of the cooling pad 21 changes and the patient's body surface cannot be appropriately cooled.

[0032] In addition, when a circulation chiller is used, as the operation of the heat treatment device 1 continues, there is also a problem that air gradually accumulates in the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21. Further, as another factor for air to accumulate in the cooling water W of the cooling pad 21, when the cooling pad 21 is made of silicone rubber, there is also a factor that outside air permeates through the cooling pad 21 due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cooling pad 21. When the air accumulated in the cooling pad 21 interferes with electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves cannot be appropriately irradiated to the affected part of the patient.

[0033] In contrast, the tank 7 of the present embodiment is configured to solve these problems. First, the configuration of the tank 7 for always keeping the amount of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 constant will be described below.

[0034] The tank 7 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped container 70 as its main body, and a through hole 70b is formed in the upper plate 70a that constitutes the ceiling surface inside the container 70. A cylindrical air collection chamber 71 that extends vertically in connection with the through hole 70b is provided above the container 70, and a lid 72 is attached to the opening portion on the upper end side of the air collection chamber 71.

[0035] The lid 72 is a cylindrical plug (screw cap) with the upper end side closed, and an internal thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lid 72. By fastening the lid 72 to the external thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the air collection chamber 71, the lid 72 is detachably attached to the upper end of the air collection chamber 71.

[0036] In a state where the upper end of the air collection chamber 71 is closed with the lid 72, the inside of the container 70 and the air collection chamber 71 is in a sealed (airtight) state blocked from the atmosphere. In the initial state when starting the use of the heat treatment device 1, the inside of the tank 7 (the container 70 and the air collection chamber 71) is filled with the cooling water W until it is full. The full state means a state where no air is mixed in the cooling water W in the tank 7.

[0037] Inside the tank 7, a temperature control device (such as an immersion chiller or heater immersed in the cooling water W), not shown in the figure, is provided. By this temperature control device, the temperature of the cooling water W in the tank 7 is adjusted according to the usage state of the thermotherapy device 1. The cooling water W whose temperature is adjusted in the tank 7 circulates between the cooling pad 21 and the tank 7 by the supply and discharge of each pump 50, 60 through each pipe 5, 6.

[0038] Since the supply pump 50 and the discharge pump 60 are pumps with the same performance, the flow rate of the cooling water W generated by each of these pumps 50, 60 is substantially the same in the supply pipe 5 and the discharge pipe 6. However, due to the influence of individual differences of each pump 50, 60, etc., there may be a difference in the flow rate of the cooling water W in each pipe 5, 6. For example, the amount of the cooling water W discharged from the cooling pad 21 by the discharge pump 60 may be less than the amount of the cooling water W supplied to the cooling pad 21 by the supply pump 50. In such a case, the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 will become more than a predetermined amount.

[0039] On the other hand, in this embodiment, each pipe 5, 6 is connected to the tank 7 in a sealed state blocked from the atmosphere, and each pump 50, 60 is provided in each of these pipes 5, 6. Since the tank 7 in a sealed state blocked from the atmosphere has an action of always keeping its internal pressure (the capacity of the internal cooling water W) constant, even if there are individual differences in each pump 50, 60, the flow rate of the cooling water W in each pipe 5, 6 is likely to become constant.

[0040] Thereby, the amount of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 can always be kept constant, so the influence of the cooling water W on the electromagnetic wave between each electrode 2a, 2b can also be stabilized. Therefore, the electromagnetic wave can be appropriately irradiated to the affected part of the patient. Furthermore, by always keeping the amount of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 constant, the flexibility of the cooling pad 21 can also be kept constant, so the living body surface of the patient can be appropriately cooled by the cooling pad 21.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the tank 7 for suppressing the accumulation of air in the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 will be described below.

[0042] The lower surface of the upper plate 70a of the tank 7 (the upper surface inside the container 70) slopes upward toward the air collection chamber 71. Therefore, when air (bubbles) is mixed into the cooling water W returned from the cooling pad 21 to the tank 7, the air rises along the lower surface of the upper plate 70a while floating in the cooling water W.

[0043] The air collection chamber 71 is connected to the upper end portion of the upwardly sloping upper plate 70a, and this air collection chamber 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending upward from the upper surface inside the container 70 (tank 7). Therefore, the air that has floated along the upper plate 70a is collected inside the air collection chamber 71.

[0044] Since the opening portion on the upper end side of the air collection chamber 71 can be opened and closed by the lid body 72, when air accumulates in the air collection chamber 71, the cooling water W can be supplied from the air collection chamber 71 by removing the lid body 72. Thereby, the air collected in the air collection chamber 71 can be removed, so that it is possible to suppress the supply of the cooling water W containing air from the tank 7 to the cooling pad 21. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of air in the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21, and it is possible to suppress the interference of such air with the electromagnetic wave between the electrodes 2a and 2b. Therefore, the electromagnetic wave can be appropriately irradiated to the affected part of the patient.

[0045] Further, the air collection chamber 71 is formed using a material having translucency (for example, acrylic resin), and it is possible to visually confirm from the outside whether air has accumulated inside the air collection chamber 71. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of more than a predetermined amount of air in the tank 7 (the container 70 and the air collection chamber 71), so that it is possible to suppress the supply of the cooling water W containing air from the tank 7 to the cooling pad 21.

[0046] In this embodiment, the entire cylindrical air collection chamber 71 is formed using a material having translucency, but it is sufficient that at least a part of the wall of the air collection chamber 71 (the part where the presence or absence of air in the air collection chamber 71 can be confirmed) has translucency. Thereby, the presence or absence of air in the air collection chamber 71 can be visually confirmed from the outside.

[0047] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the detailed configuration of the lower electrode 2b will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lower electrode 2b. FIG. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of the lower electrode 2b taken along line IIIa-IIIa in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the lower electrode 2b showing a state in which the cooling water W is sucked from the drain port 22b of the lower electrode 2b during the replacement of the cooling water W. In FIG. 2, the size of the gap between the electrode plate 22 and the disk portion 26b of the cover 26 and the size of the drain hole 26c are schematically illustrated in an enlarged manner compared to the actual size. Further, in FIG. 3(a), the outer contour lines of the cooling pad 21 and the electrode plate 22 are omitted from the illustration.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, a copper electrode plate 22 formed in a disk shape is fixed to the surface (upper surface) of the housing 20, and the surface (upper surface) of this electrode plate 22 is covered by a cooling pad 21. That is, the surface of the electrode plate 22 faces the space surrounded by the cooling pad 21. The electrode plate 22 is connected to a high-frequency generation circuit (not shown), and electromagnetic waves of several MHz (for example, 8 MHz) are irradiated from the surface of the electrode plate 22.

[0049] A supply port 22a and a drain port 22b that penetrate the electrode plate 22 vertically are formed in the electrode plate 22. A supply pipe 5 extending through the housing 20 (from the back side of the housing 20) is connected to the supply port 22a, and a discharge pipe 6 extending through the housing 20 (from the back side of the housing 20) is connected to the drain port 22b.

[0050] As described above, although the air mixed in the cooling water W can be generally removed from the air collection chamber 71 (FIG. 1) of the tank 7, it is considered that air may accumulate in the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 when the operating time of the thermotherapy device 1 is long. A configuration for removing this air will be described below.

[0051] In the electrode plate 22 (housing 20), a through hole 22c extending vertically is formed. The through hole 22c connects the back surface (lower surface) of the housing 20 of the lower electrode 2b and the internal space of the cooling pad 21, and an exhaust pipe 23 is inserted into this through hole 22c. In the following description, among both ends of the exhaust pipe 23, the end located on the back surface side of the housing 20 (outside the cooling pad 21) is described as the base end of the exhaust pipe 23, and the end located inside the cooling pad 21 is described as the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 for explanation.

[0052] The exhaust pipe 23 is a transparent tube formed of a resin having flexibility (for example, silicon, fluororesin, natural rubber, urethane, or polyvinyl chloride). In order to prevent leakage of the cooling water W passing between the through hole 22c and the exhaust pipe 23 and relative displacement of the exhaust pipe 23 with respect to the through hole 22c, the space between the through hole 22c and the exhaust pipe 23 is sealed by a sealing material. An on-off cock 24 is attached to the base end of the exhaust pipe 23, and the on-off cock 24 is a two-way valve that opens and closes the base end portion of the exhaust pipe 23. Among the two connection ports of the on-off cock 24, the exhaust pipe 23 is connected to one connection port, and a syringe barrel of a syringe can be connected to the other connection port. Although details will be described later, the air in the cooling pad 21 can be exhausted by a syringe connected to this on-off cock 24.

[0053] A float 25 for floating the exhaust pipe 23 on the liquid level side of the cooling water W is attached to the tip of the exhaust pipe 23. The float 25 of the present embodiment is formed in a spherical shape using a resin material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the cooling water W (for example, polyethylene or polypropylene). However, if a space containing air is formed inside the float 25 or the float 25 is formed of a foamed resin such as styrofoam, etc., and it is a configuration that can float the float 25 on the cooling water W, the float 25 may be formed using a resin material having a specific gravity larger than that of the cooling water W. Also, it is of course possible to form the float 25 in a shape other than spherical.

[0054] The tip of the exhaust pipe 23 is inserted into the through-hole penetrating the float 25, and in this inserted state, the float 25 is joined (e.g., adhered) to the exhaust pipe 23. Therefore, when air accumulates in the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21, the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 can be lifted to the liquid level of the cooling water W by the buoyancy of the float 25. Then, by connecting a syringe (syringe barrel) to the on-off cock 24 in which the exhaust pipe 23 is in an open state and performing an operation of pulling out the piston (plunger) of the syringe from the syringe barrel, the air in the cooling pad 21 can be removed.

[0055] In this way, the lower electrode 2b includes an exhaust pipe 23 whose base end (one end) side is connected to the outside of the cooling pad 21 and whose tip (the other end) side is inserted into the cooling pad 21, and a float 25 that floats the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 to the liquid level side of the cooling water W. Therefore, when air accumulates in the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21, the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 can be floated on the liquid level of the cooling water W by the buoyancy of the float 25. With the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 floating on the liquid level of the cooling water W, by sucking air from the base end side of the exhaust pipe 23, the air in the cooling pad 21 can be exhausted to the outside through the exhaust pipe 23. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the interference of the air in the cooling pad 21 with the electromagnetic wave between the electrodes 2a and 2b, so that the electromagnetic wave can be appropriately irradiated to the affected part of the patient.

[0056] Also, since the material of the exhaust pipe 23 (e.g., urethane or polyvinyl chloride) has a specific gravity greater than that of the cooling water W, the exhaust pipe 23 is likely to sink (difficult to float) in the cooling water W. Therefore, when the float 25 is floating on the liquid level of the cooling water W, the float 25 is likely to be pulled downward (vertically downward) by the sinking of the exhaust pipe 23. When the float 25 is pulled downward, the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 is likely to face upward (vertically upward), so that the air in the cooling pad 21 is likely to be sucked from the tip of the exhaust pipe 23. Therefore, the air in the cooling pad 21 can be effectively exhausted.

[0057] Here, the cooling water W circulating between the cooling pad 21 and the tank 7 (see FIG. 1) is periodically replaced. When replacing such cooling water W, the supply of the cooling water W from the supply port 22a (supply pipe 5) of the electrode plate 22 into the cooling pad 21 is blocked, while the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 is sucked from the drain port 22b (drain pipe 6) of the electrode plate 22. Therefore, there has been a problem that the cooling pad 21 sucked by this suction force blocks the drain port 22b. The configuration of the cover 26 for preventing the blockage of this drain port 22b will be described below.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover 26 includes a cylindrical tubular portion 26a that surrounds the electrode plate 22 (housing 20), and a disk-shaped disk portion 26b provided so as to close the upper end of the tubular portion 26a. These portions 26a and 26b are integrally formed using a resin material.

[0059] The disk portion 26b covers the electrode plate 22 at a distance from the surface (upper surface) of the electrode plate 22. The disk portion 26b is formed in a mesh shape having a plurality of rectangular drain holes 26c. The drain holes 26c formed in the disk portion 26b are holes for discharging the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 from the drain port 22b. The exhaust pipe 23 extending from the through hole 22c has its tip disposed outside the cover 26 through the drain hole 26c. Although not shown, drain holes similar to the drain holes 26c of the disk portion 26b are also formed in the tubular portion 26a.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the cooling water W is discharged from the drain port 22b (drain pipe 6) during the replacement of the cooling water W, the cooling water W is sucked into the drain port 22b through the drain hole 26c of the cover 26, and the cooling pad 21 is deformed so as to be narrowed toward the cover 26 by this suction force. Due to the deformation of the cooling pad 21, although some of the plurality of drain holes 26c formed in the disk portion 26b may be blocked by the cooling pad 21, the cooling water W can be discharged through the other drain holes 26c that are not blocked by the cooling pad 21.

[0061] In this way, by forming a plurality of drain holes 26c in the cover 26 (disk portion 26b) that covers the drain port 22b, while allowing the flow of the cooling water W directed toward the drain port 22b by the drain holes 26c, the deformation of the cooling pad 21 directed toward the drain port 22b can be restricted by the cover 26. As a result, it is possible to suppress the cooling pad 21 from closing the drain port 22b due to the suction force when discharging the cooling water W from the drain port 22b, so that all of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 is easily discharged when the cooling water W is exchanged. Therefore, the cooling water W can be efficiently exchanged.

[0062] Further, when the cooling pad 21 is deformed toward the cover 26 (disk portion 26b) side by the suction force when discharging the cooling water W from the drain port 22b, the exhaust pipe 23 and the float 25 are sandwiched between the cooling pad 21 and the cover 26. When the exhaust pipe 23 and the float 25 are sandwiched in this way, a gap through which the cooling water W can pass can be formed between the cooling pad 21 and the cover 26, so it is preferable that the length of the exhaust pipe 23 is relatively long.

[0063] Specifically explaining the length of this exhaust pipe 23, the total length of the portion of the exhaust pipe 23 that protrudes outside the cover 26 from the drain hole 26c is defined as the "length of the exhaust pipe 23".

[0064] When defined in this way, it is preferable that the length of the exhaust pipe 23 is longer than the distance from the drain hole 26c into which the exhaust pipe 23 is inserted to the drain hole 26c located on the outermost edge side of the disk portion 26b (for example, the drain hole 26c formed at the position farthest from the drain hole 26c into which the exhaust pipe 23 is inserted). As a result, when the exhaust pipe 23 and the float 25 are sandwiched between the cooling pad 21 and the cover 26 due to the suction force when discharging the cooling water W from the drain port 22b, a flow path for the cooling water W directed toward the drain port 22b is easily ensured. Therefore, all of the cooling water W in the cooling pad 21 is easily discharged when the cooling water W is exchanged.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3(a), among the plurality of drain holes 26c of the cover 26, all of them are formed in a rectangular shape except for the drain holes 26c adjacent to the outer edge of the disk portion 26b. When the diameter of the circle inscribed in this rectangular drain hole 26c is taken as the inner diameter (inner shape) of the drain hole 26c, the inner diameter of the drain hole 26c is formed to be larger than the inner diameter (inner shape) of the drain port 22b. Thereby, the opening ratio of the drain hole 26c with respect to the area of the disk portion 26b (in this embodiment, about 50%) can be made relatively large.

[0066] By making the opening ratio of the drain hole 26c relatively large, even if the cooling pad 21 is deformed to stick to the disk portion 26b when sucking the cooling water W from the drain port 22b, the flow of the cooling water W directed toward the drain port 22b is more easily allowed by the drain hole 26c. Therefore, when the cooling water W is exchanged, all of the cooling water W is easily discharged from the inside of the cooling pad 21.

[0067] In this embodiment, the opening ratio of the drain hole 26c with respect to the area of the disk portion 26b is about 50%. However, if the opening ratio of the drain hole 26c is too small, the flow of the cooling water W through the drain hole 26c is likely to be obstructed. On the other hand, if the opening ratio of the drain hole 26c is too large, the rigidity (strength) of the cover 26 decreases.

[0068] Therefore, the opening ratio of the drain hole 26c is preferably 30% or more and 70% or less of the area of the disk portion 26b. With an opening ratio within this range, it is possible to suppress the flow of the cooling water W through the drain hole 26c from being obstructed while ensuring the rigidity and strength of the cover 26. Further, the opening ratio of the drain hole 26c is more preferably 40% or more and 60% or less of the area of the disk portion 26b. With an opening ratio within this range, it is possible to effectively generate the flow of the cooling water W through the drain hole 26c while ensuring the rigidity and strength of the cover 26.

[0069] Next, the detailed configuration of the upper electrode 2a will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the upper electrode 2a, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the upper electrode 2a showing a state in which air is exhausted from the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a through the exhaust pipe 23. Since the upper electrode 2a has the same (vertically symmetric) configuration as the lower electrode 2b, the configuration of the lower electrode 2b shown in FIG. 3(a) will also be referred to as appropriate for the description.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper electrode 2a is often used with the surface of the electrode plate 22 facing downward. Therefore, even when cooling water W containing air is supplied from the supply port 22a (supply pipe 5) of the upper electrode 2a, the air floats in the cooling water W and is easily discharged from the drain port 22b (discharge pipe 6). Therefore, the air in the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a is generally returned to the tank 7 (see FIG. 1).

[0071] Also, due to the rotation of the rotating body 31 (see FIG. 1) described above, the upper electrode 2a may be used in an inclined state (the state in FIG. 4(b)). When the upper electrode 2a is used in such an inclined state, if the upper electrode 2a is inclined so that the drain port 22b is located above the supply port 22a, most of the air flowing in from the supply port 22a is discharged from the drain port 22b. This is because, in a bottom view of the upper electrode 2a (when viewing the surface side of the upper electrode 2a in the facing direction of the electrodes 2a and 2b), the supply port 22a and the drain port 22b are arranged side by side along the rotation direction of the electrodes 2a and 2b (see the supply port 22a and the drain port 22b of the lower electrode 2b shown in FIG. 3(a)).

[0072] That is, since the air in the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a is generally returned to the tank 7 (see FIG. 1) through the drain port 22b and the discharge pipe 6, air is less likely to remain in the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a compared to the lower electrode 2b.

[0073] However, in this embodiment, the electrode plate 22 is fixed so as to protrude from the surface (lower surface) of the substantially disk-shaped housing 20, and a step is formed between the periphery of the electrode plate 22 and the surface of the housing 20. Therefore, it is assumed that air will accumulate in this step portion. Also, the edge of the cooling pad 21 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the housing 20, and it is assumed that air will accumulate in the space of the cooling pad 21 surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the housing 20. In contrast, in this embodiment, the upper electrode 2a is configured to be able to exhaust air from the exhaust pipe 23. This configuration will be described below.

[0074] A holding hole 26d for holding the float 25 is formed on the outer edge side of the disk portion 26b of the cover 26 (the right end portion in FIG. 4(a)). The holding hole 26d is a rectangular hole that penetrates the disk portion 26b (for the fact that the holding hole 26d is rectangular, refer to the lower electrode 2b shown in FIG. 3(a)).

[0075] The holding hole 26d is formed with an opening dimension that is larger than the outer shape of the float 25 (through which the float 25 can pass), and the float 25 can be held inside the holding hole 26d. Note that the "inside of the holding hole 26d" is the space between the housing 20 (electrode plate 22) and the cover 26 (disk portion 26b), and is the space that overlaps the holding hole 26d in the vertical view of the upper electrode 2a.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4(b), when exhausting the air in the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a through the exhaust pipe 23, the upper electrode 2a is tilted by rotating the rotating body 31 of the gantry 3 (refer to FIG. 1), and the float 25 is lifted toward the holding hole 26d side.

[0077] Then, by holding the float 25 inside the holding hole 26d, the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 can be directed toward the space inside the disk portion 26b. In this state, by exhausting air with a syringe from the on-off cock 24 on the base end side of the exhaust pipe 23, the air in the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a can be removed.

[0078] Thus, the cover 26 of the present embodiment includes a holding hole 26d (a through hole formed at a portion facing the electrode plate 22) formed on the outer edge side of the disk portion 26b, and the float 25 can be held inside the holding hole 26d. Therefore, even when the cover 26 is provided on the upper electrode 2a, the upward floating of the float 25 toward the liquid surface side of the cooling water W can be allowed by the holding hole 26d. That is, even in a state where there is relatively little air in the cooling pad 21, the float 25 can be floated up to the liquid surface of the cooling water W by holding the float 25 inside the holding hole 26d, so that the air in the cooling pad 21 can be efficiently exhausted.

[0079] Also, as shown in FIG. 3(a), in a top view of the upper surface of the lower electrode 2b, the through hole 22c into which the proximal end portion of the exhaust pipe 23 is inserted and the holding hole 26d are arranged along the rotation direction of the electrodes 2a and 2b (the left-right direction in FIG. 3(a)). And also in the upper electrode 2a shown in FIG. 4, since the through hole 22c and the holding hole 26d are arranged in the same direction, by rotating (tilting) the upper electrode 2a so that the holding hole 26d is located above the through hole 22c (the proximal end portion of the exhaust pipe 23), the float 25 is more likely to float toward the holding hole 26d. As a result, the float 25 is more likely to be held inside the holding hole 26d, so that the air in the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a can be efficiently exhausted.

[0080] Here, as described above, in order to easily allow the flow of the cooling water W through the drain hole 26c of the cover 26 when the cooling water W is exchanged, it is preferable to form the inner diameter of the drain hole 26c to be relatively large. However, since the float 25 of the upper electrode 2a floats toward the cover 26 side, if the inner diameter of the drain hole 26c is too large, the float 25 is likely to be caught by the drain hole 26c.

[0081] In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the inner diameter of the drain hole 26c is formed smaller than the outer shape of the float 25, it is possible to prevent the float 25 that has floated toward the cover 26 side from being caught by the drain hole 26c. That is, it is possible to prevent the float 25 from passing through the drain hole 26c and entering the space inside the cover 26 (disk portion 26b). Therefore, when exhausting the air in the cooling pad 21 from the exhaust pipe 23, it is possible to save the trouble of re-holding the float 25 caught by the drain hole 26c in the holding hole 26d. Therefore, the workability of the operation of exhausting the air in the cooling pad 21 of the upper electrode 2a can be improved.

[0082] The displacement of the float 25 inserted inside the holding hole 26d is restricted by the cylindrical portion 26a and the wall portion 26e of the cover 26. The wall portion 26e is formed in a wall shape connecting the disk portion 26b of the cover 26 and the surface of the housing 20 (electrode plate 22), and the space inside the holding hole 26d is surrounded by the cylindrical portion 26a and the wall portion 26e. Further, a plurality of rectangular drain holes 26f are formed in the wall portion 26e, and the inner diameter of this drain hole 26f is also formed smaller than the outer shape of the float 25.

[0083] Thereby, for example, the movement of the float 25 from the position shown in FIG. 4(b) toward the center side of the electrode plate 22 (the lower left side in FIG. 4(b)) can be restricted by the wall portion 26e. That is, since the state where the float 25 is held inside the holding hole 26d can be maintained, by tilting the upper electrode 2a so as to collect the air inside the holding hole 26d, such air can be surely exhausted by the exhaust pipe 23.

[0084] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment. However, it can be easily inferred that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment at all, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the case where the exhaust pipe 23 is formed using a material having a specific gravity greater than that of the cooling water W has been described. However, the exhaust pipe 23 may be formed using a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the cooling water W.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 is inserted into one through-hole penetrating the float 25 has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of through-holes (holes for exhausting air) connecting the tip of the exhaust pipe 23 and the outer surface of the float 25 are formed in the float 25 may be adopted. With such a configuration, even if the exhaust of air through some of the plurality of through-holes is blocked by the cooling pad 21 (some of the through-holes are blocked by the cooling pad 21), exhaust through the other through-holes is still possible.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the air in the cooling pad 21 is exhausted by connecting a syringe to the on-off cock 24 provided on the proximal end side of the exhaust pipe 23 has been described, but it is of course possible to exhaust the air in the cooling pad 21 by connecting another known device such as a pump to the connection port of the on-off cock 24. That is, as long as the configuration can remove the air in the cooling pad 21, the structure for exhausting air from the proximal end side of the exhaust pipe 23 is not limited to the above form.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the proximal end side of the exhaust pipe 23 is inserted into the through-hole 22c formed in the electrode plate 22 (housing 20), that is, the case where the proximal end side of the exhaust pipe 23 is connected to the outside through the back surface of the housing 20 has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the proximal end side of the exhaust pipe 23 may be connected to the cooling pad 21.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the electrode plate 22 is covered by the cover 26 including the cylindrical portion 26a and the disk portion 26b has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, as long as it can surround the electrode plate 22, the shape of the cover 26 can be appropriately changed. Also, the cover 26 may be omitted.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, while ensuring the flow path of the cooling water W directed toward the drain port 22b, as an example of the regulating means for regulating the deformation of the cooling pad 21 directed toward the drain port 22b (regulating the blockage of the drain port 22b by the cooling pad 21), the cover 26 in which a plurality of drain holes 26c are formed has been exemplified, but it is not necessarily limited to this.

[0091] As another example of the restricting means, a pair of rib-shaped walls sandwiching the drain port 22b are projected from the side of the electrode plate 22 (housing 20), and the deformation of the cooling pad 21 directed toward the drain port 22b is restricted by these pair of rib-shaped restricting walls (the blocking of the drain port 22b by the cooling pad 21 is restricted). Even in this configuration, a discharge path of the cooling water W (a flow path of the cooling water W surrounded by the restricting walls, the cooling pad 21, and the electrode plate 22) formed between the opposing surfaces of the pair of restricting walls can ensure a flow path of the cooling water W directed toward the drain port 22b.

[0092] When providing such restricting walls, it is preferable to extend a pair of restricting walls that extend in parallel with the drain port 22b sandwiched therebetween to the outer edge of the electrode plate 22 (housing 20), but the pair of restricting walls do not necessarily have to be parallel. For example, part or all of the discharge path of the cooling water W between the cooling pad 21 and the electrode plate 22 formed by the pair of restricting walls may be curved, or the discharge path may be branched into a plurality of paths.

[0093] Further, as still another example of the restricting means, a configuration is exemplified in which a plurality of restricting protrusions surrounding the drain port 22b are projected from the side of the electrode plate 22, and the deformation of the cooling pad 21 directed toward the drain port 22b is restricted by these plurality of restricting protrusions. Even in this configuration, a discharge path of the cooling water W (a flow path of the cooling water W surrounded by the restricting protrusions, the cooling pad 21, and the electrode plate 22) formed between the plurality of restricting protrusions can ensure a flow path of the cooling water W directed toward the drain port 22b.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the case where the inner diameter of the drain hole 26c of the cover 26 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the drain port 22b has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the inner diameter of the drain hole 26c of the cover 26 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the drain port 22b, or their inner diameters may be the same.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the case where the inner diameters of the drain holes 26c and 26f are formed to be smaller than the outer shape of the float 25, that is, the case where the drain holes 26c and 26f are formed to have a size (inner diameter) through which the float 25 cannot pass, has been described. However, the drain holes 26c and 26f may be formed to have a size (inner diameter) through which the float 25 can pass.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the case where the holding holes 26d are formed on the outer edge side of the cover 26 (disk portion 26b) has been described. However, "the holding holes 26d are formed on the outer edge side of the cover 26" means that the holding holes 26d are formed at least on the outer edge side of the center of the cover 26. However, it is preferable that the holding holes 26d are formed outside the position where the distance from the center of the cover 26 is half of the radius of the cover 26 (disk portion 26b).

[0097] In the above embodiment, the case where the holding holes 26d are through holes formed in the disk portion 26b of the cover 26 has been described. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the holding holes 26d may be formed by recessing a part of the disk portion 26b of the cover 26 toward the electrode plate 22 (housing 20) side, or the holding holes 26d may be omitted.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the case where the through holes 22c and the holding holes 26d are formed side by side along the rotation direction of each of the electrodes 2a and 2b by the gantry 3 (rotating body 31) (the through holes 22c and the holding holes 26d are formed in the same planar shape orthogonal to the central axis C) has been described. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the through holes 22c and the holding holes 26d may be formed at positions that are not aligned in the same rotation direction, or each of the electrodes 2a and 2b may be non-rotatable.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the case where each of the pipes 5 and 6 is connected to the tank 7 in a sealed state blocked from the atmosphere and each of these pipes 5 and 6 is provided with each of the pumps 50 and 60 has been described. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the tank 7 may be open to the atmosphere, or cooling water W may be supplied to the cooling pad 21 using a temperature control device such as a known circulation type chiller (cooling water circulation device).

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the case where a temperature control device (an immersion-type chiller or heater immersed in the cooling water W) for cooling and heating the cooling water W is provided inside one tank 7 has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a tank 7 for cooling the cooling water W and a tank 7 for heating the cooling water W are provided separately (a circulation path for supplying relatively cold cooling water W and a circulation path for supplying relatively warm cooling water W are provided separately for one cooling pad 21) may also be acceptable.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, the case where an air collection chamber 71 extending upward from the upper surface inside the tank 7 is formed and the opening portion on the upper end side of this air collection chamber 71 is opened and closed by a lid body 72 has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the tank 7 does not include an air collection chamber 71 (it is a simple sealed container) may also be acceptable.

[0102] Also, as an example of the opening and closing means for opening and closing the air collection chamber 71, a lid body 72 fastened by a screw to the upper end side of the air collection chamber 71 has been described, but it is of course possible to adopt other known valves or the like as such opening and closing means. That is, as long as it is a configuration capable of airtightly closing the air collection chamber 71 and opening the upper end side of the air collection chamber 71, the structure for opening and closing the air collection chamber 71 is not limited to the above form.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0103] 1 Thermotherapy device 2a Upper electrode (electrode) 2b Lower electrode (electrode) 21 Cooling pad 22 Electrode plate 22b Drain port 22c Through hole 23 Exhaust pipe 25 Float 26 Cover (restricting means) 26c Drain hole 26d Holding hole 3 Gantry 5 Supply pipe 50 Supply pump 6 Discharge pipe 60 Drain pump 7 Tank 71 Collector chamber 72 Cover (opening / closing means) W Cooling water

Claims

1. A thermal therapy device comprising an electrode having an electrode plate and a cooling pad surrounding the electrode plate and having cooling water supplied therein, and irradiating electromagnetic waves from the electrode plate between the pair of opposed electrodes. The electrode includes an exhaust pipe having one end connected to the outside of the cooling pad and the other end inserted into the cooling pad, and a float that floats the other end of the exhaust pipe on the liquid level side of the cooling water. The thermal therapy device is characterized in that air in the cooling pad can be exhausted to the outside through the exhaust pipe.

2. The electrode is provided inside the cooling pad, and includes a drain port for discharging the cooling water from the cooling pad, and a regulating means for securing a flow path of the cooling water to the drain port side while restricting deformation of the cooling pad toward the drain port side. The thermal therapy device according to claim 1, characterized by comprising.

3. The regulating means is a cover formed with a plurality of drain holes and surrounding the drain port. The thermal therapy device according to claim 2, characterized in that an inner diameter of the drain hole is larger than an inner diameter of the drain port.

4. The regulating means is a cover formed with a plurality of drain holes and surrounding the drain port. The thermal therapy device according to claim 2, characterized in that an inner diameter of the drain hole is smaller than an outer shape of the float.

5. A holding hole configured as a recess or a through hole recessed toward the electrode plate side is formed on an outer edge side of the cover. The thermal therapy device according to claim 4, characterized in that the float can be held inside the holding hole.

6. A gantry is provided for rotatably supporting the pair of electrodes around an axis along the horizontal direction. A through hole into which the exhaust pipe is inserted is formed in the electrode plate. The thermotherapy device according to claim 5, wherein the holding holes and the through holes are formed side by side along the rotation direction of the electrode.

7. The thermotherapy device according to claim 1, comprising: a sealed tank in which the cooling water is stored; a supply pipe connecting the tank and the cooling pad; a supply pump provided in the supply pipe for supplying the cooling water from the tank to the cooling pad; a discharge pipe connecting the tank and the cooling pad; and a discharge pump provided in the discharge pipe for discharging the cooling water from the cooling pad to the tank.

8. The thermotherapy device according to claim 7, comprising: a gas collecting chamber that extends upward from the upper surface inside the tank and collects air in the tank; and opening and closing means for opening and closing an opening portion on the upper end side of the gas collecting chamber.

9. The thermotherapy device according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the wall surrounding the gas collecting chamber is formed of a material having translucency, so that the presence or absence of air in the gas collecting chamber can be visually recognized from the outside.

10. The exhaust pipe of the thermotherapy device according to claim 1 is formed of a material having a specific gravity greater than that of the cooling water.

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