Cancer treatment device and cancer treatment system

Abstract

To downsize a cancer treatment device.SOLUTION: A cancer treatment device which applies a magnetic field to a living body, comprises a housing, a magnetic field generation unit provided in the housing, and a moving unit provided in the housing. The magnetic field generation unit is disposed above the housing in the gravity direction, and the moving unit is disposed below the housing in the gravity direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cancer treatment device and a cancer treatment system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cancer treatment devices using various types of therapies have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cancer treatment device that generates an alternating magnetic field by passing an alternating current through a coil and applies the generated alternating magnetic field to cancer-affected tissue, thereby suppressing the proliferation of cancer cells. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] From the viewpoint of facilitating transportation, movement, installation, etc., of a cancer treatment device, it is preferable that the cancer treatment device is small. For example, when transporting a cancer treatment device by elevator, if the size of the cancer treatment device does not fit within the elevator's minimum dimensions, the elevator cannot be used, and transportation requires a great deal of effort and cost. In the cancer treatment device described in Patent Document 1, the magnetic field generating unit protrudes from the side of the device, which makes the cancer treatment device large, and transporting the cancer treatment device may require a great deal of effort and cost.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to miniaturize cancer treatment devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cancer treatment device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a cancer treatment device that applies a magnetic field to a living body, and includes a housing, a magnetic field generating unit provided in the housing, and a moving unit provided in the housing, wherein the magnetic field generating unit is disposed above the housing in the direction of gravity, and the moving unit is disposed below the housing in the direction of gravity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the cancer treatment device can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a state in which a cancer treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in use. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a cancer treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used, viewed from the patient's head side. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a cancer treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in use. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a magnetic field generating unit included in the cancer treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cutaway perspective view of a coil included in the cancer treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a cancer treatment system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cancer treatment system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a cancer treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cancer treatment device according to a comparative example. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cancer treatment system according to a comparative example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a cancer treatment device according to a comparative example. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing a first example of the appearance of a room in which a cancer treatment system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is installed. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing a second example of the appearance of a room in which the cancer treatment system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is installed. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of the arrangement of temperature measurement units in the cancer treatment system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15]FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating the location of an optical fiber provided in the temperature measurement unit of the cancer treatment system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating height adjustment by a variable mechanism included in the mounting table of the cancer treatment system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a cancer treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a cancer treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a cancer treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing a state in which a connection section is disposed inside a housing in a cancer treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a connection section is disposed inside a housing in a cancer treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cancer treatment method using a cancer treatment system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. To facilitate understanding, the scale of each part in the drawings may differ from the actual scale.

[0010] Misalignment in directions such as parallel, right-angled, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up-down, left-right, etc. is permitted to the extent that it does not impair the effects of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The shape of the corners is not limited to right angles and may be rounded like an arch. Parallel, right-angled, orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical may include approximately parallel, approximately right-angled, approximately orthogonal, approximately horizontal, and approximately vertical.

[0011] In the following explanation, for ease of understanding, the arrangement and configuration of each part will be described using an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The three axes in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system are mutually orthogonal. In the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, the direction in which the X axis extends is referred to as the "X direction," the direction in which the Y axis extends is referred to as the "Y direction," and the direction in which the Z axis extends is referred to as the "Z direction." The direction in which the arrow indicating the X axis points is referred to as the +X direction, and the direction opposite to the +X direction is referred to as the -X direction. The direction in which the arrow indicating the Y axis points is referred to as the +Y direction, and the direction opposite to the +Y direction is referred to as the -Y direction. The direction in which the arrow indicating the Z axis points is referred to as the +Z direction, and the direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction.

[0012] The +X direction is the front, the -X direction is the rear, the +Z direction is the top in the direction of gravity, and the -Z direction is the bottom in the direction of gravity. Viewing an object from the +Z direction is called a top view. A view of an object viewed from the +Z direction is called a top view. A view of an object viewed from the +X direction is called a front view. A view of an object viewed from the -Y direction is called a side view. "Placing" does not only mean direct contact, but also includes placing indirectly, for example via another component.

[0013] [Embodiment] <Configuration of cancer treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure> The configuration of a cancer treatment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing an example of a state in which a cancer treatment system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of a state in which a cancer treatment system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used, viewed from the head side of a patient. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an example of a state in which a cancer treatment system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a magnetic field generating unit 100 included in a cancer treatment apparatus 10x according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective cutaway view showing an example of a coil 100a included in a cancer treatment apparatus 10x according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] The cancer treatment device 10-1 is a device that treats cancer by applying a magnetic field to a living body P. For example, the cancer treatment device 10-1 applies a magnetic field generated by a coil included in the magnetic field generating unit 100 to the living body P, and treats cancer by at least one of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and reducing the number of cancer cells in the cancer-affected area of ​​the living body.

[0015] The cancer treatment device 10-1 can treat cancer without using a heat-generating medium. Furthermore, the cancer treatment device 10-1 treats cancer not by a hyperthermia effect using the heat-generating action of a magnetic field, but by directly applying a magnetic field to the cancer-affected area using the magnetic field generating unit 100. From another perspective, the cancer treatment device 10-1 can treat cancer by placing the cancer-affected area in a magnetic field space generated by the magnetic field from the magnetic field generating unit 100, without using a heat-generating medium and without relying on a hyperthermia effect using the heat-generating action of a magnetic field.

[0016] The living body P includes not only people with cancer, but also pets such as dogs and cats with cancer, or domestic animals such as livestock. Note that the expression "applying a magnetic field to the living body P" may be replaced with the expression "linking a magnetic flux to the living body P."

[0017] 1 to 3, a cancer treatment device 10-1 includes a magnetic field generating unit 100 that generates a magnetic field to be applied to a cancer-affected area, and a power supply unit 101 that supplies current to the magnetic field generating unit 100. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a cancer treatment system 10 includes the cancer treatment device 10-1 that includes a matching unit 102, a cooling unit 103, and a mounting table 106 on which a patient P is placed. The cancer-affected area illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is the head of the patient P.

[0018] The magnetic field generating unit 100 generates an AC magnetic field. The power supply unit 101 supplies an AC current to the magnetic field generating unit 100. The cancer treatment device 10-1 can apply the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100 to the affected area of ​​the patient P. The power supply unit 101 supplies a stable current at a target resonance frequency, for example, 230 kHz, to the magnetic field generating unit 100 via the matching unit 102. The magnetic field generating unit 100 converts the current supplied from the power supply unit 101 into a magnetic field by electromagnetic induction.

[0019] The power supply unit 101 supplies a current for generating a magnetic field to the magnetic field generating unit 100. The power supply unit 101 is connected to a power supply PS, which is, for example, a commercial power supply, via a power cable. The power supply unit 101 uses the power supplied from the power supply PS to generate an AC current, for example, at a frequency between 100 kHz and 300 kHz. The power supply unit 101 supplies the generated AC current to the magnetic field generating unit 100 via a matching unit 102. The power supply unit 101 also adjusts the current so that the magnetic field generating unit 100 generates an AC magnetic field with a desired magnetic flux density.

[0020] The matching unit 102 matches the impedance between the power supply unit 101 and the magnetic field generating unit 100. The matching unit 102 includes a known resonant circuit such as a series circuit or a parallel circuit configured with an inductor, a capacitor, and a resistor. The matching unit 102 has a control function of adjusting the frequency so that the magnetic field generating unit 100 always outputs the maximum current. The matching unit 102 supplies a stable current to the magnetic field generating unit 100.

[0021] When a current is supplied from the power supply unit 101 via the matching unit 102, the magnetic field generating unit 100 generates an AC magnetic field at the position where the affected area is located, for example, at the center of the coil of the magnetic field generating unit 100. The magnetic flux density of the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100 is, for example, 10 to 30 mT. The AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100 may have a substantially constant strength, or may have a pattern in which a waveform with a specified magnitude of change is repeated for a predetermined period of time. In other words, the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100 may have a pattern in which a waveform with a specified magnitude of change, including a substantially constant strength, is repeated for a predetermined period of time.

[0022] The cooling unit 103 supplies coolant to cool the magnetic field generating unit 100 of the cancer treatment device 10-1. The magnetic field generating unit 100 generates heat when it receives a current from the power supply unit 101. The cancer treatment device 10-1 cools the magnetic field generating unit 100 with the coolant supplied by the cooling unit 103.

[0023] The cooling unit 103 supplies a coolant that cools the magnetic field generating unit 100. The cooling unit 103 also collects the coolant that has cooled the magnetic field generating unit 100. The cooling unit 103 circulates the coolant while maintaining a constant temperature. The cooling unit 103 is, for example, a chiller. The cooling unit 103 is connected to a power supply PS, which is, for example, a commercial power supply, via a power cable. The cooling unit 103 cools the coolant using power from the power supply PS. The cooling unit 103 supplies the coolant that cools the magnetic field generating unit 100 to the magnetic field generating unit 100. The coolant may be, for example, water, water with antifreeze added, or an inert liquid such as a fluorinated liquid.

[0024] The cooling unit 103 supplies the cooling liquid to the manifold 104 through a hose 105. The manifold 104 supplies the cooling liquid supplied by the cooling unit 103 to the magnetic field generating unit 100. The manifold 104 also recovers the supplied cooling liquid from the magnetic field generating unit 100.

[0025] In addition, the cancer treatment system 10 may branch the coolant supplied from the cooling unit 103 at the manifold 104 and supply the coolant to, for example, the power supply unit 101 and the matching unit 102. In other words, the cancer treatment system 10 may use the coolant supplied from the cooling unit 103 to cool at least one of the power supply unit 101 and the matching unit 102.

[0026] A living body is placed on the mounting table 106. The mounting table 106 may be one on which the living body can be placed in a supine position or a sitting position. A non-conductive buffer material 109 is provided on the mounting table 106. If the mounting table 106 contains metal, eddy currents may be generated by the interlinkage of the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100, which may cause the mounting table 106 to heat up. To prevent the mounting table 106 from heating up, the cancer treatment system 10 is provided with the non-conductive buffer material 109 to space the mounting table 106 a sufficient distance from the magnetic field generating unit 100. The patient P lies in a supine position on the non-conductive buffer material 109. For example, assume that the affected area of ​​the patient P is a brain tumor, such as a glioblastoma in the head. The patient P inserts his / her head into the magnetic field generating unit 100. The magnetic field generating unit 100 has a shape that allows the patient P's head to be inserted therein. The magnetic field generating unit 100 applies a magnetic field to the head of the patient P. In the cancer treatment system 10, the mounting table 106 may be configured to be integrated with the cancer treatment device 10-1, or may be configured as independent units, or the mounting table or the cancer treatment device 10-1 may have a connecting part that can be connected to the cancer treatment device 10-1 or the mounting table, allowing integration.

[0027] The configuration of the magnetic field generating unit 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field generating unit 100 has a coil 100a. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field generating unit 100 also has a pipe 100b. The materials constituting each of the coil 100a and the pipe 100b include conductive materials. Each of the coil 100a and the pipe 100b is made of a hollow tubular member. FIG. 4 shows a cylindrical coil 100a as an example. Note that each of the coil 100a and the pipe 100b is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, an elliptical cylindrical shape or a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0028] The coil 100a has a spiral shape. The patient P inserts the affected area into the inside 100ai of the coil 100a. Pipes 100b are connected to both ends of the coil 100a. The cancer treatment device 10-1 can apply a magnetic field to the cancer-affected area placed inside the coil 100a.

[0029] Temperature-controlled coolant supplied by a cooling unit 103 flows inside the coil 100a and the pipe 100b. Furthermore, current flows through the coil 100a and the pipe 100b from a power supply unit 101 via a matching unit 102. Heat generated by the current flowing through the coil 100a and the pipe 100b is cooled by the coolant flowing inside the coil 100a and the pipe 100b. The coil 100a and the pipe 100b are kept at a constant temperature by being cooled by the coolant.

[0030] Next, the insulating structure of the coil 100a will be described. If the patient P comes into contact with the coil 100a, he or she may receive an electric shock. The coil 100a has an insulating structure to prevent electric shock. Figure 5 is a cutaway perspective view of the magnetic field generating unit 100 in the cancer treatment device 10-1 according to this embodiment. Figure 5 shows a square cylindrical coil 100a as an example.

[0031] The coil 100a includes a metal pipe 100a1, an insulating sheet 100a2, and a protective sheet 100a3. The metal pipe 100a1 is made of a metal, such as copper. The insulating sheet 100a2 is made of insulating tape, such as polyimide tape. The protective sheet 100a3 is made of an insulating sheet, such as a glass sheet. The coil 100a includes the insulating sheet 100a2 and the protective sheet 100a3 around the metal pipe 100a1, and the insulating sheet 100a2 and the protective sheet 100a3 protect the metal pipe 100a1. The insulating sheet 100a2 and the protective sheet 100a3 also insulate the metal pipe 100a1 from the patient P, etc.

[0032] Note that a protective material such as cloth or rubber may be further provided on the outside of protective sheet 100a3 provided on coil 100a. By providing a protective material such as cloth or rubber on the outside of protective sheet 100a3 provided on coil 100a, insulation from the human body can be reliably maintained.

[0033] [First embodiment] Next, a cancer treatment system according to the first embodiment will be described. Note that the same names and symbols as those in the previously described embodiments indicate the same or equivalent components or configurations, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. This also applies to the following embodiments.

[0034] <Configuration of cancer treatment system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure> The configuration of the cancer treatment system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view showing an example of the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing an example of the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view showing an example of the cancer treatment apparatus 10-1x according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of a cancer treatment system 10x according to a comparative example. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a cancer treatment system 10x according to a comparative example. FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of a cancer treatment apparatus 10-1x according to a comparative example.

[0035] A cancer treatment device 10-1a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 130 that supports a magnetic field generating unit 100 and houses a power supply unit 101, and a moving unit 140 that moves the housing 130. The magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed above the housing 130 in the direction of gravity, and the moving unit 140 is disposed below the housing 130 in the direction of gravity.

[0036] 6 to 9, the magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed inside the exterior cover 110 in a state in which the cancerous area can be placed inside the coil 100a. The exterior cover 110 is disposed on the upper surface 131 of the housing 130, so that the magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed above and outside the housing 130. Note that some of the members or mechanisms constituting the magnetic field generating unit 100 may be disposed inside the housing 130.

[0037] The moving unit 140 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is four casters attached to the underside 132 of the housing 130. The four casters are arranged below and outside the housing 130. Each caster has a wheel that is arranged on the ground or floor. The wheels of each caster roll on the ground or floor, allowing the moving unit 140 to move the housing 130. However, the moving unit 140 is not limited to a wheel system such as casters, and the housing 130 may be moved by a crawler system or a leg system. Note that some of the mechanisms or components that make up the moving unit 140 may be arranged inside the housing 130.

[0038] For example, in a cancer treatment system 10x according to a comparative example shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the magnetic field generating unit 100 of the cancer treatment device 10-1x protrudes laterally from the housing 130. In this case, the width of the cancer treatment device 10-1x increases in the direction in which the magnetic field generating unit 100 protrudes, which may result in an increase in size of the cancer treatment device 10-1x. For example, when transporting the cancer treatment device by elevator, if the size of the cancer treatment device does not fit within the minimum dimensions of the elevator, the elevator cannot be used, requiring significant effort and cost for transportation. In the cancer treatment device 10-1x according to the comparative example, the magnetic field generating unit 100 protrudes from the side of the housing 130, which may result in an increase in size of the cancer treatment device 10-1x and may not fit into the elevator. If an elevator cannot be used to transport the cancer treatment device 10-1x, multiple people must transport the cancer treatment device 10-1x using stairs, or construction machinery such as a crane must be used to transport the cancer treatment device 10-1x, which requires significant effort and cost.

[0039] In the cancer treatment device 10-1a according to this embodiment, the magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed above the housing 130 in the direction of gravity, and the moving unit 140 is disposed below the housing 130 in the direction of gravity. Thus, even when the moving unit 140 moves the housing 130 to move the cancer treatment device 10-1a, the magnetic field generating unit 100 does not protrude laterally from the housing 130. This reduces the width of the cancer treatment device 10-1a compared to when the magnetic field generating unit 100 protrudes laterally from the housing 130. In this embodiment, the cancer treatment device 10-1a can be made smaller by narrowing its width. The smaller size of the cancer treatment device 10-1a reduces the risk of the cancer treatment device 10-1a colliding with the wall of a building when transporting the cancer treatment device 10-1a, making it easier to transport. Furthermore, for example, the size of the cancer treatment device 10-1a can be accommodated within the minimum dimensions of an elevator, and the cancer treatment device 10-1a can be easily moved inside the elevator by the moving unit 140. By being able to use an elevator to transport the cancer treatment device 10-1a, there is no need for people to carry it up stairs or for construction machinery such as a crane, which reduces the labor and cost required to transport the cancer treatment device 10-1a.

[0040] In the cancer treatment device 10-1a, the power supply unit 101 is disposed below inside the housing 130. "Below inside the housing 130" means that inside the housing 130, the length in the direction of gravity of the space defined by the lower surface of the power supply unit 101 and the lower inner surface of the housing 130, i.e., the bottom surface, is shorter than the length in the direction of gravity of the space defined by the upper surface of the power supply unit 101 and the upper inner surface of the housing 130.

[0041] Here, for example, if the distance between the magnetic field generating unit 100 and the power supply unit 101 is short, the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100 may generate eddy currents in metal components included in the power supply unit 101, causing the temperature of the metal components to rise. By arranging the magnetic field generating unit 100 above the housing 130 and arranging the power supply unit 101 below inside the housing 130, the distance in the direction of gravity between the magnetic field generating unit 100 and the power supply unit 101 can be increased. This reduces eddy currents caused by the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100, and suppresses the temperature rise of the metal components included in the power supply unit 101.

[0042] Furthermore, in the cancer treatment device 10-1a, the magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed in the front of the inside of the housing 130 in a top view, and the power supply unit 101 is disposed in the rear of the inside of the housing 130. "In front of the inside of the housing 130 in a top view" means that the length of the space defined by the front of the magnetic field generating unit 100 and the inside front of the housing 130 in a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity is shorter than the length of the space defined by the rear of the magnetic field generating unit 100 and the inside rear of the housing 130 in a front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, "rear inside the housing 130" means that the length of the space defined by the rear of the power supply unit 101 and the inside rear of the housing 130 in a front-to-rear direction is shorter than the length of the space defined by the front of the power supply unit 101 and the inside front of the housing 130 in a front-to-rear direction.

[0043] By arranging the magnetic field generating unit 100 at the front inside the housing 130 and the power supply unit 101 at the rear inside the housing 130 in a top view, it is possible to increase the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the magnetic field generating unit 100 and the power supply unit 101. This reduces eddy currents caused by the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100, and makes it possible to suppress heat generation in metal components included in the power supply unit 101.

[0044] In the cancer treatment device 10-1a shown in Figure 6, the area of ​​the cancer treatment device 10-1a is 800 mm x 750 mm or less when viewed from above. In the example shown in Figure 6, the outer edge shape of the housing 130 when viewed from above is approximately rectangular. When viewed from above, the length of the housing 130 in the front-to-back direction is Wx1, and the length of the housing 130 in the left-to-right direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the front-to-back direction is Wy1. The size of the housing 130 is equal to the size of the cancer treatment device 10-1a. When viewed from above, the area of ​​the cancer treatment device 10-1a is 800 mm x 750 mm or less corresponds to the length Wy1 being 800 mm or less and the length Wx1 being 750 mm or less. The size of 800 mm x 750 mm when viewed from above is the minimum standard for the internal area of ​​an elevator. By making the area of ​​the cancer treatment device 10-1a 800mm x 750mm or less when viewed from above, the cancer treatment device 10-1a can be transported using an elevator, thereby reducing the labor and cost required for transporting the cancer treatment device 10-1a.

[0045] The cancer treated by the cancer treatment device 10-1a may be at least one of malignant glioma, malignant melanoma, malignant mesothelioma, and oral cancer. However, the cancer treated by the cancer treatment device 10-1a is not limited to these and may also be breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc. When the cancer site is a relatively small part of the living body P, such as the face or head, or the arms or legs, treatment can be performed with the cancer site placed inside a cylindrical part formed by the coils included in the magnetic field generating unit 100. Furthermore, when the cancer site is a relatively large part of the chest or torso, treatment can be performed with multiple coils included in the magnetic field generating unit 100 placed around the chest or torso.

[0046] <Cancer treatment method using cancer treatment system 10a> A cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10a will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 16. Fig. 12 is a schematic top view showing a first example of the appearance of a room R in which the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is installed. Fig. 13 is a schematic top view showing a second example of the appearance of the room R in which the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is installed. Fig. 14 is a schematic top view showing an example of the arrangement of the temperature measurement unit 217 in the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating the installation location of the optical fiber 217a included in the temperature measurement unit 217 of the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 16 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of height adjustment by the variable mechanism 106a included in the mounting table 106 of the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] In the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment device 10-1a, the cancer treatment device 10-1a generates a magnetic field to be applied to a cancerous area using a magnetic field generating unit 100 and supplies current to the magnetic field generating unit 100 using a power supply unit 101. The cancer treatment device 10-1a also supports the magnetic field generating unit 100 using a housing 130, which houses the power supply unit 101, and moves the housing 130 using a moving unit 140. The magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed above the housing 130 in the direction of gravity. The moving unit 140 is disposed below the housing 130 in the direction of gravity. As a result, even when the moving unit 140 moves the housing 130 to move the cancer treatment device 10-1a, the magnetic field generating unit 100 does not protrude to the side of the housing 130, thereby narrowing the width of the cancer treatment device 10-1a. By narrowing the width of the cancer treatment device 10-1a, the cancer treatment method according to this embodiment allows the cancer treatment device 10-1a to be made more compact.

[0048] In the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10a, a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100 located inside the housing 130 at the front, as viewed from above, is applied to a cancer-affected area of ​​a patient P placed on a mounting table 106 located outside the housing 130 at the front. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the housing 130 and the mounting table 106 can be arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction (X direction). Furthermore, the magnetic field generating unit 100 does not protrude laterally (Y direction) from the housing 130. As a result, extra space is created on the sides of the housing 130 and the mounting table 106 in the room R. In the first example shown in FIG. 12, a space S is created in the -Y direction of the housing 130 and the mounting table 106. In the second example shown in FIG. 13, a space S is created in the +Y direction of the housing 130 and the mounting table 106. The space S thus created can be used to operate the cancer treatment device 10-1a, treat the patient P, or prepare for treatment.

[0049] 14, a temperature measuring unit 217, a recording unit 208, and a display unit 210 are arranged in a space S provided in the -Y direction of the housing 130 and the mounting table 106. The temperature measuring unit 217 is an optical fiber thermometer. The tip of an optical fiber 217a in the temperature measuring unit 217 is fixed in contact with a plurality of locations, such as the affected area, the periphery of the affected area, and the magnetic field generating unit 100. The temperature measuring unit 217 outputs the measured data to the recording unit 208.

[0050] 15, the tip of the optical fiber 217a included in the temperature measuring unit 217 is arranged, for example, at the forehead PT1, the temporal region PT2, and the parietal region PT3 of the head PH of the patient P. Note that Fig. 15 is just one example of the tip of the temperature measuring unit 217, and the tip of the optical fiber 217a may be arranged, for example, at at least one of the forehead PT1, the temporal region PT2, and the parietal region PT3. Furthermore, for example, the tip of the optical fiber 217a may be fixed to a location other than the forehead PT1, the temporal region PT2, and the parietal region PT3.

[0051] The recording unit 208 receives and records the temperature information measured by the temperature measurement unit 217. The display unit 210 displays the temperature information acquired by the recording unit 208. The display unit 210 can display the temperature information at all times during treatment.

[0052] The recording unit 208 determines whether the measured temperature information is between the upper and lower limit values ​​of a preset target temperature using a software program. The recording unit 208 may determine whether the measured temperature information is normal or abnormal by determining whether the measured temperature information is between the upper and lower limit values ​​of a preset target temperature.

[0053] If the value is outside the target upper or lower limit, the recording unit 208 may sound an alarm or display a warning on the display unit. The recording unit 208 may issue a warning to alert the treating person, such as a doctor, who is performing the treatment. When the recording unit 208 issues a warning, the treating person can choose to interrupt the treatment, for example. Furthermore, the power supply unit 101 may adjust the input current value so that it falls within the upper or lower limit. The adjustment of the current value of the power supply unit 101 may be performed automatically or may be manually set by the measurer.

[0054] In this embodiment, the temperature measuring unit 217, the recording unit 208, and the display unit 210 can be arranged in the space S formed in the -Y direction of the housing 130 and the mounting table 106, which makes it easier to perform measurements using the temperature measuring unit 217 during treatment using the cancer treatment system 10a. Also, it becomes easier for the therapist to perform treatment while viewing the measurement results from the temperature measuring unit 217.

[0055] As shown in Figure 16, in the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10a according to this embodiment, the position of the patient P in the direction of gravity, i.e., the Z direction, can be adjusted by using an adjustable mechanism 106a provided in the mounting table 106. A gas pressure mechanism can be used for the adjustable mechanism 106a. In the gas pressure method, a gas cylinder is incorporated inside the mounting table 106, and the height of the mounting table 106 can be adjusted using gas pressure. However, the adjustable mechanism 106a is not limited to the gas pressure type, and a hydraulic type, etc., can also be used.

[0056] By adjusting the position of the patient P in the direction of gravity using the variable mechanism 106a, the cancer-affected area of ​​the patient P, such as the head, can be easily positioned inside the coil 100a of the magnetic field generating unit 100. Furthermore, since the cancer treatment device 10-1a does not need to be provided with a configuration for adjusting the position of the patient P in the direction of gravity, the cancer treatment device 10-1a can be made smaller accordingly.

[0057] [Second embodiment] Next, a cancer treatment device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21. FIG. 17 is a schematic front view showing an example of a cancer treatment device 10-1b according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a schematic top view showing an example of a cancer treatment device 10-1b according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is a schematic side view showing an example of a cancer treatment device 10-1b according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is a schematic top view showing an example of a state in which the connection unit 150 is arranged inside the housing 130 in the cancer treatment device 10-1b according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is a schematic side view showing an example of a state in which the connection unit 150 is arranged inside the housing 130 in the cancer treatment device 10-1b according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] The cancer treatment device 10-1b has a connection unit 150 that can be connected to an external device. Examples of external devices include a liquid supply device that supplies liquid such as a coolant to the cancer treatment device 10-1b, a liquid supply device that supplies liquid such as an inert gas or air, an external power source that supplies power, and a PC (Personal Computer) that controls the cancer treatment device. The external device is connected to the connection unit 150 of the cancer treatment device via piping, cables, or the like. The cancer treatment device 10-1b also has a slide mechanism 160 that moves the connection unit 150 so that the entire connection unit 150 is located inside the housing 130, or so that at least a portion of the connection unit 150 is located outside the housing 130. These are the main differences from the cancer treatment device 10-1a according to the first embodiment.

[0059] In the example shown in FIG. 17, an opening 151 is provided in front surface 133, which is the surface of housing 130 in the +X direction. Connection unit 150 is arranged so that a portion of it passes through opening 151 from front surface 133 and protrudes outward and forward from housing 130. An external device to which connection unit 150 connects is, for example, cooling unit 103 shown in FIG. 2. Connection unit 150 is a supply port through which cooling water is supplied from cooling unit 103 to the inside of housing 130. Connection unit 150 is not limited to a cooling water supply port, and may be a connector to which a connection cable to a PC is connected, or the like.

[0060] The slide mechanism 160 is a slider that includes a moving table 161 on which the connection part 150 is placed, and moves the moving table 161 to move the connection part 150. In the example shown in FIGS. 17 to 21, the slide mechanism 160 can be moved in the front-to-rear direction (X direction) to either place the entire connection part 150 inside the housing 130 or place a part of the connection part 150 outside the housing 130. FIGS. 18 and 19 show a state in which the end of the connection part 150 in the +X direction is placed outside the housing 130. FIGS. 20 and 21 show a state in which the entire connection part 150 is placed inside the housing 130. The movement of the connection part 150 by the slide mechanism 160 may be performed manually by an operator of the cancer treatment device 10-1b, or may be performed electrically by a drive unit such as a motor provided in the cancer treatment device 10b.

[0061] In a cancer treatment device, since incorporating a function such as a cooling unit increases the size of the cancer treatment device, it is preferable that functions other than the essential functions be provided by an external device connected to the cancer treatment device. On the other hand, when connecting an external device to a cancer treatment device, if the connection part connecting to the external device protrudes from the housing of the cancer treatment device, the cancer treatment device may become larger by the amount of the protrusion of the connection part.

[0062] In the cancer treatment device 10-1b according to this embodiment, the connector 150 is moved by the slide mechanism 160 so that either the entire connector 150 is disposed inside the housing 130 or at least a portion of the connector 150 is disposed outside the housing 130. For example, when treatment is performed using the cancer treatment device 10-1b, at least a portion of the connector 150 is disposed outside the housing 130 by the slide mechanism 160. This allows the cancer treatment device 10-1b to easily receive functions from an external device via the connector 150. On the other hand, when the cancer treatment device 10-1b is transported, the entire connector 150 is disposed inside the housing 130 by the slide mechanism 160. This eliminates the protrusion of the connector 150, allowing the cancer treatment device 10-1b to be miniaturized. This embodiment provides a miniaturizable cancer treatment device 10-1b.

[0063] By miniaturizing the cancer treatment device 10-1b, the risk of the cancer treatment device 10-1b hitting the wall of a building during transportation can be reduced, making transportation easier. Furthermore, for example, the size of the cancer treatment device 10-1b can be accommodated within the minimum dimensions of an elevator, and the cancer treatment device 10-1b can be easily moved inside the elevator using the moving unit 140. Using an elevator to transport the cancer treatment device 10-1b eliminates the need for people to carry it up stairs or for using construction machinery such as a crane, thereby reducing the labor and cost required to transport the cancer treatment device 10-1b.

[0064] In the cancer treatment device 10-1b shown in FIG. 20, when the entire connection portion 150 is disposed inside the housing 130, the area of ​​the cancer treatment device 10-1b is 800 mm × 750 mm or less in top view. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the outer edge shape of the housing 130 is approximately rectangular in top view. In top view, the length of the housing 130 in the front-to-rear direction is Wx2, and the length of the housing 130 in the left-to-right direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is Wy2. The size of the housing 130 is equal to the size of the cancer treatment device 10-1b. The area of ​​the cancer treatment device 10-1b being 800 mm × 750 mm or less in top view corresponds to the length Wy2 being 800 mm or less and the length Wx2 being 750 mm or less. According to the elevator car and hoistway dimensions (JIS A 4301-1983), the minimum standard dimensions for an elevator's effective entrance are 800 mm, and the car's depth is 850 mm. By making the area of ​​cancer treatment device 10-1b 800 mm x 750 mm or less when viewed from above, it becomes possible to transport cancer treatment device 10b using an elevator. This reduces the effort and cost required to transport cancer treatment device 10-1b.

[0065] 17 to 21 is a supply port through which the coolant is supplied from the cooling unit 103 to the inside of the housing 130. This allows the coolant to be supplied from the cooling unit 103, and by cooling the power supply unit 101, the matching unit 102, etc. with the coolant, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise in the cancer treatment device 10-1b.

[0066] <Cancer treatment method using Cancer Treatment System 10b> A cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10b will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10b according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] In the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10b, the cancer treatment device 10-1b is connected to an external device via a connection unit 150 located on the front surface 133 of the housing 130, and a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 100 is applied to the cancer-affected area of ​​a cancer patient placed on a placement table 106 located in front of and outside the housing 130. This is the main difference from the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10a according to the first embodiment.

[0068] 22, in the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10b, when treatment is performed, the connection part 150 protruding from the housing 130 is positioned inside the mounting base 106, which is located in front of and outside the housing 130, as viewed from above. This allows for more space to be provided for the installation of the cancer treatment system 10b when the cancer treatment device 10-1b and the mounting base 106 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction, since the connection part 150 does not protrude. This more spacious installation space for the cancer treatment system 10b makes it easier to perform treatment using the cancer treatment system 10b and to make preparations for treatment.

[0069] In the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10b, a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating unit 100 located either at the front or rear inside the housing 130 when viewed from above is applied to the cancer-affected area of ​​a patient P placed on a mounting table 106 located at the front outside the housing 130.

[0070] 22, the magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed at the front (+X side) inside the housing 130 in a top view. As a result, almost only the head of the patient P, which is the cancerous area, is disposed outside the mounting table 106 in a top view, making it easier to position the cancerous area on the coil of the magnetic field generating unit 100. On the other hand, if the magnetic field generating unit 100 is disposed at the rear (-X side) inside the housing 130 in a top view, part of the patient P can also be disposed on the housing 130, and the patient P's head can be positioned at the rear end of the cancer treatment device 10-1b in the front-to-back direction. This makes it easier to access the patient P's head, which makes it easier to attach, for example, the optical fiber of the temperature measuring unit to the patient P's head.

[0071] Furthermore, in the cancer treatment method using the cancer treatment system 10b, the sliding mechanism 160 moves the connection part 150 in the forward / backward direction, so that either the entire connection part 150 is disposed inside the housing 130 or at least a portion of the connection part 150 is disposed outside the housing 130. For example, when treatment is performed using the cancer treatment device 10-1b, at least a portion of the connection part 150 is disposed outside the housing 130 by the sliding mechanism 160. This allows functions to be easily provided from an external device via the connection part 150. On the other hand, when the cancer treatment device 10-1b is transported, the entire connection part 150 is disposed inside the housing 130 by the sliding mechanism 160. This eliminates the protrusion of the connection part 150, allowing the cancer treatment device 10-1b to be made smaller.

[0072] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0073] All numbers such as ordinal numbers and quantities used in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated numbers. Furthermore, the connection relationships between components are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and do not limit the connection relationships that realize the functions of the present disclosure.

[0074] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0075] All numbers such as ordinal numbers and quantities used in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated numbers. Furthermore, the connection relationships between components are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and do not limit the connection relationships that realize the functions of the present disclosure.

[0076] Aspects of the present disclosure are, for example, as follows. <1> A cancer treatment device that applies a magnetic field to a living body, the cancer treatment device having a housing, a magnetic field generating unit provided in the housing, and a moving unit provided in the housing, the magnetic field generating unit being positioned above the housing in the direction of gravity, and the moving unit being positioned below the housing in the direction of gravity. <2> The magnetic field generating device further includes a power supply unit that supplies a current to the magnetic field generating unit, the housing accommodates the power supply unit, and the power supply unit is disposed at a lower portion inside the housing. <1> The cancer treatment device is as described in <3> the magnetic field generating unit is disposed in the front inside the housing when viewed from above, and the power supply unit is disposed in the rear inside the housing; <2> The cancer treatment device is as described in <4> The area of ​​the cancer treatment device is 800 mm x 750 mm or less when viewed from above. <1> ~The above <3> The cancer treatment device is described in any one of the above. <5> the magnetic field generating unit generates an AC magnetic field, and the power supply unit supplies an AC current to the magnetic field generating unit; <2> or the above <3> The cancer treatment device is as described in <6> The magnetic field generating unit has a coil. <2> The cancer treatment device is as described in <7> The cancer to be treated by the cancer treatment device is at least one of malignant glioma, malignant melanoma, malignant mesothelioma, and oral cancer. <1> From the above <6> The cancer treatment device is described in any one of the above. <8> The aforementioned <1> From the above <7> and a stage on which the living body is placed. <9> The mounting table is located at the front outside the housing. <8> The cancer treatment system is described in <10> The mounting table includes a base portion on which the living body is placed and an adjustment portion that adjusts the base portion in the direction of gravity. <8> The cancer treatment system is described in <11> A cancer treatment method using a cancer treatment device that applies a magnetic field to a cancer-affected area, wherein the cancer treatment device uses a magnetic field generating unit to generate the magnetic field to be applied to the cancer-affected area, a power supply unit to supply current to the magnetic field generating unit, a housing that supports the magnetic field generating unit and houses the power supply unit, and a moving unit to move the housing, wherein the magnetic field generating unit is positioned above the housing in the direction of gravity and the moving unit is positioned below the housing in the direction of gravity. <12> When viewed from above, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit located at the front inside the housing is applied to the cancer-affected area of ​​a cancer patient placed on a placement table located at the front outside the housing. <11> This is a cancer treatment method described in the above. <13> a variable mechanism provided in the mounting table for adjusting the position of the cancer patient in the direction of gravity; <11> or the above <12> This is a cancer treatment method described in the above.

[0077] The present disclosure is not limited to the configurations described herein, such as combinations of the configurations described in the above embodiments with other elements, etc. These points can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, and can be appropriately determined depending on the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10, 10a, 10b Cancer Treatment System 10-1, 10-1a, 10-1b Cancer treatment device 100 magnetic field generating unit 100a coil 100ai inside 100a1 Metal piping 100a2 insulation sheet 100a3 protective sheet 100b pipe 101 Power supply section 102 Matching section 103 Cooling section 104 Manifold 105 Hose 106 Mounting table 106a Variable mechanism 109 Non-conductive buffer material 110 Exterior cover 130 cabinet 131 Top surface 132 Bottom surface 133 Front 140 Mobile Unit 150 Connection 151 Aperture 160 Slide mechanism 161 Mobile Table 208 Recording Department 210 Display section 217 Temperature measurement section 217a Optical Fiber P patient PS power supply PT head S space Room R Wx1, Wx2, Wy1, Wy2 length [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0079] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-163906

Claims

1. A cancer treatment device that applies a magnetic field to a living body, The housing and a magnetic field generating unit provided in the housing; a moving part provided in the housing, the magnetic field generating unit is disposed above the housing in the direction of gravity, The cancer treatment device, wherein the moving unit is disposed below the housing in the direction of gravity.

2. Further, a power supply unit is provided to supply current to the magnetic field generating unit, the housing houses a power supply unit, The cancer treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply unit is disposed at a lower portion inside the housing.

3. the magnetic field generation unit is disposed at the front inside the housing in a top view, The cancer treatment device according to claim 2 , wherein the power supply unit is disposed at the rear inside the housing.

4. The cancer treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the area of ​​the cancer treatment device is 800 mm×750 mm or less when viewed from above.

5. the magnetic field generating unit generates an AC magnetic field, The cancer treatment apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the power supply unit supplies an alternating current to the magnetic field generating unit.

6. The cancer treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generating unit has a coil.

7. The cancer treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the cancer treated by the cancer treatment device is at least one of malignant glioma, malignant melanoma, malignant mesothelioma, and oral cancer.

8. The cancer treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a placement table on which the living body is placed.

9. The cancer treatment system according to claim 8 , wherein the mounting table is located at the front outside the housing.

10. The mounting table is a base on which the living body is placed; The cancer treatment system according to claim 8 , further comprising: an adjustment unit that adjusts the base unit in the direction of gravity.

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