Power supply apparatus, electrical medical device system and power supply method

Abstract

To provide a power supply device, etc. capable of improving convenience.SOLUTION: A power supply device includes a power supply unit for supplying power to an electric medical device having a plurality of electrodes, and a control unit for controlling the supply of power to the electrodes on the basis of temperatures of the electrodes measured individually for the plurality of electrodes. In the case where the temperature of one or a plurality of first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes reaches a first temperature threshold or higher, the control unit stops power supply to a stop target electrode, which is at least one of the first electrodes, and determines whether or not resumption of the power supply to the stop target electrode is necessary on the basis of information other than the temperature of the first electrodes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply apparatus, an electrical medical device system, and a method of powering. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art An electrical medical device system (ablation system) including an electrical medical device such as an ablation catheter and a power supply is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-13759 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electrical medical device system, there is a demand for improving the convenience when treating an affected area. It is desirable to provide a power supply apparatus, an electrical medical device system, and a power supply method that can improve the convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure 1. The power supply unit includes a power supply unit that supplies power to an electrical medical device having multiple electrodes, and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperature of the multiple electrodes measured individually. When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the multiple electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the control unit stops the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode, and determines whether or not it is necessary to resume the supply of power to the stop target electrode based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode. In addition, as other information, information on the temperature of a second electrode, which is different from the first electrode, among the plurality of electrodes is included. . A second power supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a power supply unit that supplies power to an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes, and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperature of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes. When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes is equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the control unit stops the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode, and determines whether or not it is necessary to resume the supply of power to the stop target electrode based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode, and when the polarities of the electrodes other than the stop target electrode among the plurality of electrodes are all one of positive polarity and negative polarity, the control unit temporarily switches the polarity so that the other electrodes as a whole include both positive polarity and negative polarity.

[0006] An electric medical device system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electric medical device having a plurality of electrodes, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the electric medical device. The power supply unit includes a power supply section that outputs the power, and a control section that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperature of the plurality of electrodes measured individually. When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the control section stops the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode, and determines whether or not it is necessary to resume the supply of power to the stop target electrode based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode. In addition, as other information, information on the temperature of a second electrode, which is different from the first electrode, among the plurality of electrodes is included. .

[0007] A power supply method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for supplying power to an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes, and when controlling the supply of power to the electrodes based on the electrode temperatures measured individually for the plurality of electrodes, if the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the power supply to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode is stopped, and whether or not the power supply to the stop target electrode needs to be resumed is determined based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode. In addition, as other information, information on the temperature of a second electrode, which is different from the first electrode, among the plurality of electrodes is included. . [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an electrical medical device system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the ablation catheter shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example in the vicinity of the tip of the shaft illustrated in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power supply operation according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of the power supply operation illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 6]5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the power supply operation illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 7A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power supply operation according to a modified example. [Figure 7B] 7B is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power supply operation subsequent to FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] 7C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the power supply operation shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in the following order. 1. Implementation form (Example of determining whether restart is necessary based on information on the temperature of other electrodes and the temperature difference with other electrodes) 2. Modification (Example of temporary switching of electrode polarity) 3. Other Modifications

[0010] <1. Preferred embodiment> [Configuration of Ablation System 5] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an ablation system 5 as an electrical medical device system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ablation system 5 is a system used when treating an affected area 90 inside the body of a patient 9, and performs a predetermined ablation (cauterization) on the affected area 90. The affected area 90 may be, for example, a bile duct, or may be an affected area having arrhythmia or a tumor such as cancer (liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, etc.).

[0011] The ablation system 5 includes an ablation catheter 1 and a power supply unit 3. The ablation system 5 corresponds to a specific example of an "electrical medical device system" in the present disclosure. In addition, the "power supply method" in the present disclosure is embodied in the electrical medical device system of the present disclosure, and will be described below together.

[0012] (Ablation Catheter 1) The ablation catheter 1 is an electrode catheter that is inserted into the body of a patient 9 and treats an affected area 90 by ablating the affected area 90. The ablation catheter 1 may have an irrigation mechanism that ejects (sprays) a predetermined fluid (e.g., irrigation fluid (liquid) such as saline) during ablation.

[0013] The ablation catheter 1 corresponds to a specific example of an "electrical medical device" in the present disclosure.

[0014] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of the ablation catheter 1. The ablation catheter 1 has a shaft 11 (catheter shaft) as a catheter body, and a handle 12 attached to the base end of the shaft 11.

[0015] The shaft 11 is made of a flexible tubular structure (tubular member) and extends along its own axial direction (Z-axis direction). The shaft 11 is made of synthetic resin such as polyolefin, polyamide, polyether polyamide, polyurethane, etc. The shaft 11 has a so-called single lumen structure in which one lumen (pore, through hole) is formed inside. Alternatively, the shaft 11 has a so-called multi-lumen structure in which multiple lumens (for example, four) are formed inside. Note that both a region made of a single lumen structure and a region made of a multi-lumen structure may be provided along the axial direction of the shaft 11. Various thin wires (not shown in the figure, such as conductors L1 to L4 or operation wires described later) are inserted into the lumens while being electrically insulated from each other.

[0016] Inside the shaft 11, in addition to lumens for inserting various thin wires, a lumen for inserting a guide wire is formed along the axial direction. A mechanism (temperature sensors 51-54 described later) for measuring the temperature near the tip P1 (around the affected area 90) is provided near the tip P1 of the shaft 11. Information (temperature information It) indicating the measured temperature near the tip P1 (electrodes 111-114 described later) is supplied from the ablation catheter 1 to the power supply device 3 (controller 33 described later) (see FIG. 1).

[0017] As shown in the enlarged view of the vicinity of tip P1 in Fig. 2, a plurality of electrodes 111-114 (four in this example) and one tip tip 110 are provided near tip P1 of shaft 11. Specifically, one tip tip 110 and four ring-shaped electrodes (electrodes 111-114) are arranged in this order at predetermined intervals along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of shaft 11.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a detailed configuration example of the shaft 11 near the tip P1.

[0019] Each of the electrodes 111-114 is fixedly disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 11. Meanwhile, the distal tip 110 is fixedly disposed at the very tip of the shaft 11. Each of the electrodes 111-114 is made of a metal material with good electrical conductivity, such as aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), stainless steel (SUS), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), etc. To improve contrast to X-rays when the ablation catheter 1 is in use, it is preferable that the electrodes 111-114 are made of platinum or stainless steel (SUS).

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, temperature sensors 51-54 are individually disposed in the vicinity of each of the electrodes 111-114 in the shaft 11. That is, a plurality of pairs (four pairs in this example) of four electrodes 111-114 and four temperature sensors 51-54 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence. Each of the temperature sensors 51-54 (thermocouples to be described later) is joined to the inner surface of each of the electrodes 111-114. In this example, no temperature sensor is provided in the vicinity of the distal tip 110.

[0021] The temperature sensors 51-54 are sensors that measure the temperatures of the electrodes 111-114 individually, and are electrically connected to the electrodes 111-114 individually. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the temperature sensor 51 is electrically connected to the electrode 111 and measures the temperature T1 of the electrode 111. Similarly, the temperature sensor 52 is electrically connected to the electrode 112 and measures the temperature T2 of the electrode 112. The temperature sensor 53 is electrically connected to the electrode 113 and measures the temperature T3 of the electrode 113. The temperature sensor 54 is electrically connected to the electrode 114 and measures the temperature T4 of the electrode 114. Information on the temperatures T1-T4 of the electrodes 111-114 is supplied from the ablation catheter 1 to the power supply device 3 as the above-mentioned temperature information It.

[0022] Each of the temperature sensors 51-54 is configured using, for example, a thermocouple (a temperature measuring junction of a thermocouple). As shown in Fig. 3, the conductors L1-L4 (lead wires) individually and electrically connected to the temperature sensors 51-54 are each made of, for example, different metal wires that configure a thermocouple. Note that each of the conductors L1-L4 is inserted into the lumen in the shaft 11 and drawn out into the handle 12, as described above.

[0023] The handle 12 is attached to the base end of the shaft 11, and has a handle body 121 (grip portion) and a rotation operation portion 122.

[0024] (Power supply 3) The power supply device 3 is a device that supplies power Pout for performing ablation to the electrodes 111-114 of the ablation catheter 1. In other words, the power supply device 3 supplies power Pout to the ablation catheter 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device 3 has an input unit 31, a power supply unit 32, a control unit 33, and a display unit 34.

[0025] The input unit 31 is a section for inputting various set values ​​and instruction signals (operation signals) for instructing a predetermined operation. Examples of the various set values ​​include the set power of the power Pout and various threshold values ​​(such as a temperature threshold value Tth described later). The operation signal is input from the input unit 31 in response to an operation by an operator (such as an engineer) of the power supply device 3. However, the various set values ​​may not be input in response to an operation by an operator, but may be set in advance in the power supply device 3, for example, at the time of product shipment. The set values ​​input by the input unit 31 are supplied to the control unit 33. The input unit 31 is configured using, for example, predetermined dials and buttons, a touch panel, etc.

[0026] The power supply unit 32 outputs power Pout in accordance with a control signal CTL supplied from the control unit 33. The power supply unit 32 is configured using a predetermined power supply circuit (for example, a switching regulator or the like).

[0027] The control unit 33 controls the entire power supply device 3 and performs predetermined arithmetic processing, and is configured using, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 33 controls the supply operation of power Pout in the power supply unit 32 using a control signal CTL, as shown in Fig. 1, for example. Specifically, the control unit 33 controls the supply operation of power Pout to each of the electrodes 111-114 based on temperatures T1-T4 (temperature information It) of the electrodes 111-114 individually measured by the above-mentioned temperature sensors 51-54. The details of the supply operation of power Pout will be described later (Figs. 4-6).

[0028] The display unit 34 is a part (monitor) that displays various information and outputs it to the outside. The display unit 34 is configured using displays of various types (for example, a liquid crystal display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc.).

[0029] [Operation and Effects] (A.Basic movement) In the ablation system 5, the tip P1 side of the shaft 11 of the ablation catheter 1 is inserted into the body of a patient 9 when treating an affected area 90.

[0030] Then, power Pout is supplied from the power supply device 3 to the electrodes 111-114 near the tip P1 of the shaft 11, whereby ablation is performed on the affected area 90 inside the body of the patient 9. By this current application, the site to be treated (treatment portion) on the patient 9 is selectively ablated, and treatment is performed on the affected area 90.

[0031] (B. Power supply operation) Next, the supply operation of power Pout (power supply operation) during ablation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 in addition to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows an example of the power supply operation according to the present embodiment in the form of a flow chart. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show an example of the power supply operation shown in FIG. 4 in the form of a timing chart and a schematic diagram, respectively. In FIG. 6, (A) to (G) respectively show the temperature state and the change in polarity over time of each electrode 111 to 114 at timing t0, between timings (t0 to t1), between timings t1, between timings (t1 to t2), between timings t2, between timings (t2 to t3), and after timing t3, which will be described later. Specifically, for convenience, it means that the temperatures T1 to T4 of each electrode 111 to 114 become higher as the hatching of each electrode 111 to 114 becomes darker, and this is also true in the modified example (FIG. 8) described later. In addition, the polarity of each electrode 111 to 114 is shown as "(+)" for positive polarity and "(-)" for negative polarity, and this is also true in the modified example (FIG. 8) described later.

[0033] In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates time t, and the vertical axis indicates temperatures T (T1 to T4) of the electrodes 111 to 114.

[0034] In the power supply operation shown in Fig. 4, first, information on various thresholds (temperature threshold Tth) described later is set (step S11). Next, the power supply device 3 (power supply unit 32) starts supplying power Pout to the electrodes 111-114 of the ablation catheter 1 (step S22: see timing t0 in Figs. 5 and 6(A)). As a result, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, the temperatures T (T1-T4) of the electrodes 111-114 gradually increase.

[0035] Next, the control unit 33 in the power supply device 3 acquires temperature information It (information on temperatures T1-T4 of the electrodes 111-114) obtained from the temperature sensors 51-54 in the ablation catheter 1 (step S13). Then, the control unit 33 determines whether the temperature T2 or the temperature T3 among the temperatures T1-T4 is equal to or higher than a temperature threshold Tth (see FIG. 5: for example, Tth=80° C.), that is, whether (T2 or T3)≧Tth is satisfied (step S14). In other words, a determination is made as to whether at least one of the temperatures of the electrodes 112, 113 near the non-ends (center) in the arrangement region of the electrodes 111-114 is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold Tth.

[0036] This is because, for example, between the timings (t0 to t1) shown in Figures 5 and 6(B), current tends to concentrate in the electrodes 112, 113 near the non-ends (center) when power Pout is supplied, and therefore the temperature tends to rise more easily than in the electrodes 111, 114 near the ends. Note that, in the example of Figures 5 and 6, the electrodes 112, 113 tend to have the same tendency in temperature change (increase and decrease), and the electrodes 111, 114 tend to have the same tendency in temperature change (increase and decrease) (see Figure 5).

[0037] Here, since the temperature of the electrodes 112, 113 is more likely to rise than the temperature of the electrodes 111, 114, if things continue as they are, the following will occur during ablation of the affected area 90. That is, temperature unevenness will occur among the electrodes 111-114, and cauterization will be promoted only near the electrodes 112, 113 (near the center) (uneven cauterization will occur), which may make it difficult to provide effective treatment.

[0038] Therefore, when (T2 or T3) ≥ Tth as described above (step S14: Y), the control unit 33 temporarily stops the supply of the power Pout to at least one of the electrodes 112 and 113 (both in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6) (step S15: refer to the timing t1 in FIGS. 5 and 6(C)). That is, in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, all the electrodes among the electrodes 112 and 113 that have reached the temperature threshold Tth or higher are the electrodes to which the supply of the power Pout is to be stopped. For example, even if only the temperature (T2 or T3) of one of the electrodes 112 and 113 has reached the temperature threshold Tth or higher, the supply of the power Pout to the other electrode may also be temporarily stopped at the same time. On the other hand, when (T2 or T3) < Tth (step S14: N), the process returns to the aforementioned step S13.

[0039] In this way, by temporarily stopping the supply of the power Pout to the electrodes 112 and 113 (the electrodes to be stopped), it switches to ablation using only the two electrodes 111 and 114, for example, during the timing (t1 to t2) in FIG. 6(D). Therefore, for example, during the timing (t1 to t2) in FIGS. 5 and 6(D), the temperatures T2 and T3 of the electrodes 112 and 113 decrease respectively, while the current concentrates on the electrodes 111 and 114, so the degree of temperature rise at the temperatures T1 and T4 of the electrodes 111 and 114 increases.

[0040] Subsequently, the control unit 33 acquires again the temperature information It (information on the temperatures T1 to T4 of the respective electrodes 111 to 114) obtained from the temperature sensors 51 to 54 (step S16). Then, the control unit 33 determines whether it is necessary to resume the supply of the power Pout to the electrodes 112 and 113 (the electrodes to be stopped) based on information other than the temperatures T2 and T3 of the electrodes 112 and 113 (step S17). Specifically, in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, as the above-mentioned "other information", information on the temperatures (T1, T4) of the electrodes (electrodes 111, 114) different from the electrodes 112 and 113 is used.

[0041] Here, normally, the need to resume the supply of power Pout to the electrodes 112, 113 would be determined based on the degree to which the temperatures T2, T3 of the electrodes 112, 113 have dropped, but in this embodiment, as described above, the determination is made based on information other than the temperatures T2, T3 of the electrodes 112, 113.

[0042] In this embodiment, the electrodes 112 and 113 correspond to specific examples of the "first electrode", the "stop target electrode" and the "non-end electrode", respectively, in this disclosure. The electrodes 111 and 114 correspond to specific examples of the "second electrode" and the "end electrode", respectively.

[0043] Specifically, the control unit 33 first determines whether the temperature T1 or T4 is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth (see FIG. 5), that is, whether (T1 or T4)≧Tth is satisfied (step S17). In other words, a determination is made as to whether at least one of the temperatures of the electrodes 111, 114 near the ends in the arrangement region of the electrodes 111-114 is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth.

[0044] Here, in the above step S17, for example, a threshold value (temperature threshold value Tth') different from the temperature threshold value Tth may be used instead of the above temperature threshold value Tth. That is, the control unit 33 may determine whether or not (T1 or T4) ≧ Tth' is satisfied. The temperature threshold value Tth' is set, for example, to a value within ±1 [°C] ((Tth-1) ≦ Tth' ≦ (Tth+1)) with the temperature threshold value Tth as a reference. Note that the temperature threshold value Tth' may be the same value as the temperature threshold value Tth (Tth' = Tth).

[0045] The above-mentioned temperature threshold Tth corresponds to a specific example of a "first temperature threshold" in the present disclosure. The above-mentioned temperature threshold Tth' corresponds to a specific example of a "second temperature threshold" in the present disclosure.

[0046] Here, when (T1 or T4) ≥ Tth (step S17: Y), the supply of the power Pout is resumed in step S18 described later. On the other hand, when (T1 or T4) < Tth (step S17: N), the process returns to step S16 described above.

[0047] In step S18, the control unit 33 resumes the supply of the power Pout to at least one of the electrodes 112 and 113 (both in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6) (see the timing t2 in FIGS. 5 and 6(E)). As a result, for example, as between the timings (t2 to t3) in FIG. 6(F), it switches again to ablation using only the four electrodes 111 and 114. Therefore, for example, as between the timings (t2 to t3) in FIGS. 5 and 6(F), while the temperatures T2 and T3 of the electrodes 112 and 113 rise again respectively, since the current concentrates again in the electrodes 112 and 113, the temperatures T1 and T4 of the electrodes 111 and 114 will decrease respectively.

[0048] Note that after the process of step S18 described above is performed, the process returns to step S13 described above, and the processes of steps S13 to S18 shown in FIG. 4 are repeated. That is, for example, like the timing t3 (once stopping the supply of the power Pout to the electrodes 112 and 113), the timing t4 (resuming the supply of the power Pout to the electrodes 112 and 113),... in FIG. 5, the stopping and resuming of the supply of the power Pout to the electrodes 112 and 113 are repeated. As a result, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6(G) (after the timing t3), finally, the temperature unevenness among the plurality of electrodes 111 to 114 is suppressed (substantially uniform temperature is achieved), and the occurrence of ablation unevenness in the affected part 90 is also suppressed.

[0049] The description of the power supply operation shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is thus completed.

[0050] (C. Function and Effect) In this embodiment, when the temperature T of a predetermined electrode (first electrode: electrodes 112, 113) among the multiple electrodes 111-114 in the ablation catheter 1 becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth, the supply of power Pout to at least one of the first electrodes (electrodes to be stopped: electrodes 112, 113) is stopped. Then, based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode, it is determined whether or not the supply of power Pout to the electrode to be stopped needs to be resumed. As a result, as described above, during ablation of the affected area 90, temperature unevenness (occurrence of uneven cauterization of the affected area 90) among the multiple electrodes 111-114 is suppressed, and effective treatment is realized. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve convenience during treatment (ablation) of the affected area 90.

[0051] Particularly in this embodiment, the other information includes information on the temperature of a second electrode (electrodes 111, 114) different from the first electrode among the multiple electrodes 111-114, and when the temperature of the second electrode becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth, the supply of power Pout to the electrode to be stopped is resumed. This makes it easy to determine whether or not the supply of power Pout needs to be resumed. As a result, it is possible to further improve convenience during treatment.

[0052] In addition, since the temperature threshold value Tth is used to determine whether or not the supply of power Pout needs to be resumed, the following effects can be obtained compared to, for example, the case where the above-mentioned temperature threshold value Tth' is used (the supply of power Pout to the electrode to be stopped is resumed when the temperature of the second electrode becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth'): In other words, the case where the temperature threshold value Tth is used suppresses temperature unevenness among the multiple electrodes 111-114 compared to the case where the temperature threshold value Tth' is used, so that more effective treatment can be achieved.

[0053] In this embodiment, an example in which the number of electrodes arranged on the ablation catheter 1 is four (electrodes 111 to 114) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, it is sufficient that two or more electrodes are provided, and an even number is preferable.

[0054] <2. Modified Example> Next, a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] (Power Supply Operation) FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B each show an example of the power supply operation according to the modified example in a flowchart. FIG. 8 shows an example of the power supply operation shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B in a schematic diagram. In the power supply operation of the modified example shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in the power supply operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, instead of the above-described steps S14 and S15, steps S31 to S34 described below are respectively provided, and instead of the above-described steps S17 and S18, steps S35 to S38 described below are respectively provided. Note that for other operations (the operations of the above-described steps S11 to S13 and S16) shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, they are the same as those in the case of FIG. 4.

[0056] In step S31, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the temperature Tn (n: any one of 1 to 4) of any one of the electrodes 111 to 114 is equal to or higher than the above-described temperature threshold value Tth, that is, whether or not Tn≥Tth is satisfied. When Tn≥Tth (step S31: Y), the control unit 33 temporarily stops the supply of the power Pout to the electrode 11n indicating the temperature Tn (step S32). On the other hand, when Tn<Tn (step S31: N), the process returns to the above-described step S13.

[0057] As an example, as shown by the dashed arrow P2 between Fig. 8(A) and Fig. 8(B), when the temperature T1 of the electrode 111 among the electrodes 111-114 becomes equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth, the supply of power Pout to the electrode 111 is temporarily stopped (see Fig. 8(C)). As a result, the power Pout is supplied only to the other electrodes excluding the electrode 111 (the three electrodes 112-114), and ablation is performed (see Fig. 8(D)). Note that among these other electrodes 112-114, the electrode 113 exhibits positive polarity, and the electrodes 112 and 114 each exhibit negative polarity, so that both polarities (positive polarity and negative polarity) are included.

[0058] In this case, as described in the embodiment, the temperature T1 of electrode 111 decreases, while the degree of temperature rise in temperatures T2 to T4 of electrodes 112 to 114 increases (see FIG. 8(E)). Thereafter, when a predetermined condition (step S35) described below is satisfied, the supply of power Pout to electrode 111 is resumed in step S38 described below (see FIG. 8(E)).

[0059] In other words, in this example, unlike the embodiment, electrode 111 corresponds to a specific example of a "first electrode" and a "stopped electrode" in the present disclosure, and electrodes 112 to 114 each correspond to a specific example of a "second electrode" in the present disclosure.

[0060] On the other hand, as shown by the dashed arrow P3 between Figures 8(A) and 8(G), when temperatures T1 and T3 of electrodes 111 and 113 among electrodes 111-114 become equal to or higher than temperature threshold value Tth, the following occurs: In this case as well, the supply of power Pout to electrodes 111 and 113 is temporarily stopped (see Figure 8(H)).

[0061] That is, in this example, electrodes 111 and 113 correspond to specific examples of a "first electrode" and a "stopped electrode" in the present disclosure, and electrodes 112 and 114 correspond to specific examples of a "second electrode" in the present disclosure.

[0062] However, in this case, the electrodes 111, 113 (first electrodes) that are to be stopped are both electrodes of positive polarity, and the remaining electrodes 112, 114 (second electrodes) that are not to be stopped (non-stopped) are both negative polarity (only one polarity) (see Fig. 8(G) and Fig. 8(H)). Therefore, for example, if only one polarity remains as shown in Fig. 8(H), it will be impossible to continue ablation by supplying power Pout, and it will also be impossible to cauterize the affected area 90.

[0063] Therefore, in this modified example, in such a case, the polarity of the electrodes is temporarily switched as described in steps S33 to S38 below, thereby avoiding the interruption of ablation (cauterization of the affected area 90) as described above.

[0064] Specifically, after the above-mentioned step S32, the control unit 33 judges whether the other electrodes 11m (m ≠ n) that are not to be stopped have both polarities (positive and negative polarities), in other words, whether they have only one polarity (step S33). Here, as in the example of FIG. 8(C), if the electrode 11m that is not to be stopped has both polarities (not only one polarity) (step S33: Y), the process proceeds to the above-mentioned step S16.

[0065] On the other hand, as in the example of FIG. 8(H), when the electrode 11m to be not stopped is not bipolar (is only one polarity) (step S33: N), the following occurs. That is, in this case, the control unit 33 temporarily switches the polarity of the electrode 11m so that the electrode 11m as a whole includes both polarities (step S34). Specifically, in the example of FIG. 8(H), the polarity of the electrode 114 is temporarily switched from negative to positive (see dashed arrow P4), so that the electrodes 112, 114 as the electrode 11m as a whole include both polarities (positive and negative polarities) (see FIG. 8(I)). This avoids the interruption of the ablation (cauterization of the affected area 90) as described above, and the ablation by the supply of the power Pout continues thereafter.

[0066] Here, after the polarity of the above-described electrodes is switched, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(I), it is preferable that the number of electrodes 11m indicating the positive polarity (one in this example) and the number of electrodes 11m indicating the negative polarity (one in this example) are equal. After the process of step S34 described above, the process proceeds to step S16 described above.

[0067] Subsequently, in step S16, as described above, the control unit 33 acquires again the temperature information It (information on the temperatures T1 to T4 of the respective electrodes 111 to 114) obtained from the temperature sensors 51 to 54.

[0068] Next, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the temperature Tm of the above-described electrode 11m is equal to or higher than the above-described temperature threshold Tth, that is, whether or not Tm≧Tth is satisfied, in basically the same manner as in step S17 described above (step S35). Here, when Tm≧Tth (step S35: Y), the process proceeds to step S36 described later. On the other hand, when Tm<Tth (step S35: N), the process returns to step S16 described above. Similar to step S17 (FIG. 4) of the embodiment, in step S35 described above, for example, instead of the temperature threshold Tth, a threshold different from the temperature threshold Tth (temperature threshold Tth’) may be used.

[0069] In step S36 described above, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the polarity of the other above-described electrode 11m has been (temporarily) switched. When the polarity of the electrode 11m has not been switched as in the examples of FIGS. 8(C) and 8(D) (step S36: N), for example, as shown in FIG. 8(E), the control unit 33 resumes the supply of the power Pout to the electrode 11n (electrode 111 in this example) which is the electrode to be stopped (step S38).

[0070] On the other hand, as in the examples of FIG. 8(H) and FIG. 8(I), when the polarity of the electrode 11m has been switched (step S36: Y), the control unit 33 returns the polarity of the electrode 11m whose polarity has been switched to its original state (step S37). Specifically, in the example of FIG. 8(I), as shown by the dashed arrow P5, the polarity of the electrode 114 whose polarity has been switched is returned to its original state from positive to negative. Next, the control unit 33 resumes the supply of the power Pout to the electrode 11n (electrodes 111 and 113 in this example) that is the stop target electrode (step S38). That is, in this case, when the control unit 33 resumes the supply of the power Pout to the stop target electrode (electrodes 111 and 113), it returns the polarity of the electrode 114 whose polarity has been switched to its original state (see FIG. 8(J)).

[0071] After the process of step S38 is performed, the process returns to step S13, and the processes of steps S13 to S38 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are repeated.

[0072] This completes the explanation of the power supply operation shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8.

[0073] (Action and effect) In this modification, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the embodiment by basically performing the same action. That is, in this modification, it is possible to improve convenience when treating the affected area 90.

[0074] In particular, in this modification, when the polarities of the electrodes other than the stop target electrode among the plurality of electrodes 111-114 are all one of positive polarity and negative polarity, temporary polarity switching is performed so that the other electrodes as a whole include both positive polarity and negative polarity. This makes it possible to avoid, for example, the risk that ablation (cauterization of the affected area 90) cannot be continued due to the other electrodes having only one polarity, as described above. As a result, it is possible to further improve convenience during treatment.

[0075] In this modification, the number of electrodes arranged on the ablation catheter 1 is four (electrodes 111 to 114), but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, in this modification, it is sufficient that three or more electrodes are provided.

[0076] <3. Other Modifications> Although the present disclosure has been described above by giving several embodiments, modifications, and examples, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0077] For example, in the above embodiment, the overall configuration of the ablation system is specifically described, but it is not necessary to include all of the devices, and other devices may be further included. Specifically, in the above embodiment, the configuration of the ablation catheter (shaft) is specifically described, but it is not necessary to include all of the components, and other components may be further included. In addition, the configuration of the electrodes in the shaft (the arrangement, shape, number, etc. of the ring-shaped electrodes and tip tips) is not limited to those described in the above embodiment.

[0078] The ablation catheters described in the above embodiments may be of a type in which the shape of the shaft near the tip changes in one or both directions in response to the operation of the operation unit, or may be of a type in which the shape of the shaft near the tip is fixed, in which case no operation wire, rotating plate, or the like is required.

[0079] The values, ranges, magnitude relationships, etc. of the various parameters described in the above embodiments are not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and other values, ranges, magnitude relationships, etc. may be used.

[0080] In the above embodiment and the like, an ablation catheter has been given as a specific example of an electrical medical device, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and other electrical medical devices may also be applied.

[0081] In the above embodiment and the like, an example of a bipolar type in which ablation is performed by passing current between multiple electrodes on an ablation catheter has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, for example, a monopolar type in which ablation is performed by passing current between an electrode on an ablation catheter and a return electrode may be used.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the power supply operation (power supply method) during ablation is specifically described, but the power supply operation is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment, and other methods may be used to perform the power supply operation. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, the "information on the temperature of the second electrode different from the first electrode" is described as an example of the "information on the temperature of the second electrode" in the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. That is, information composed of other parameters, such as a predetermined temperature difference ΔT, may be used. The temperature difference ΔT is obtained by subtracting the temperature of the stop target electrode from the temperature of the second electrode (in the example shown in FIG. 5, ΔT=(T1, T4)-(T2, T3)). In addition, in the above embodiment, the example of the case where all the first electrodes that are equal to or higher than the temperature threshold Tth are set as stop target electrodes is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and for example, at least one of the first electrodes that are equal to or higher than the temperature threshold Tth may be set as the stop target electrode.

[0083] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the target of ablation is a bile duct, an affected area with arrhythmia, or an affected area with a tumor in the patient's body, but the target is not limited to these examples. That is, the ablation system of the present disclosure can be applied to the case where the target of ablation is another part (such as an organ or body tissue) in the patient's body.

[0084] The series of processes described in the above embodiments may be performed by hardware (circuits) or software (programs). When performed by software, the software is composed of a group of programs for causing a computer to execute each function. Each program may be, for example, pre-installed in the computer and used, or may be installed in the computer from a network or a recording medium and used.

[0085] Furthermore, the various examples described above may be applied in any combination.

[0086] It should be noted that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0087] The present disclosure may also have the following configurations. (1) a power supply section for supplying power to an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperatures of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes; Equipped with The control unit is When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a target electrode to be stopped is stopped, Based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode, it is determined whether or not the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped needs to be resumed. power supply. (2) The other information includes information on the temperature of a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes that is different from the first electrode. The power supply device according to (1) above. (3) The control unit is When the temperature of the second electrode becomes equal to or greater than a second temperature threshold, The supply of power to the electrode to be stopped is resumed. The power supply device according to (2) above. (4) The control unit is When the temperature of the second electrode becomes equal to or higher than the first temperature threshold, The supply of power to the electrode to be stopped is resumed. The power supply device according to (2) above. (5) the first electrode is an electrode located near a non-end portion of an arrangement region of the plurality of electrodes, The second electrode is an electrode near an end of an area in which the plurality of electrodes are arranged. A power supply device according to any one of (2) to (4) above. (6) The control unit is When the polarities of the electrodes other than the stop target electrode among the plurality of electrodes are all one of positive polarity and negative polarity, The polarity of the other electrodes is temporarily switched so that the other electrodes as a whole include both the positive polarity and the negative polarity. A power supply device according to any one of (1) to (5) above. (7) After the polarity switching has occurred, The number of the other electrodes exhibiting the positive polarity is equal to the number of the other electrodes exhibiting the negative polarity. The power supply device according to (6) above. (8) The control unit is When resuming the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped, The polarity of the other electrode for which the polarity has been switched is returned to its original state. The power supply device according to (6) or (7) above. (9) All of the first electrodes whose temperature has reached or exceeded the first temperature threshold are the electrodes to be stopped. A power supply device according to any one of (1) to (8) above. (10) The electrical medical device further comprises a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of each of the electrodes. A power supply device according to any one of (1) to (9) above. (11) an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes; a power supply for providing power to the electrical medical device; Equipped with The power supply device is A power supply unit that outputs the power; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperatures of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes; It has The control unit is When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a target electrode to be stopped is stopped, Based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode, it is determined whether or not the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped needs to be resumed. Electrical medical device system. (12) 1. A method of powering an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes, comprising: When controlling the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperatures of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes, When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a target electrode to be stopped is stopped, Based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode, it is determined whether or not the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped needs to be resumed. Power supply method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1...ablation catheter, 11...shaft, 110...tip, 111-114, 11m, 11n...electrodes (ring-shaped electrodes), 12...handle, 121...handle body, 122...rotation operation unit, 3...power supply unit, 31...input unit, 32...power supply unit, 33...control unit, 34...display unit, 5...ablation system, 51-54...temperature sensor, 9...patient, 90...affected area, Pout...power, CTL...control signal, It...temperature information, P1...tip, P2-P5...arrow, t...time, t0-t4...timing, L1-L4...conductor, T, T1-T4, Tm, Tn...temperature, Tth...temperature threshold.

Claims

1. a power supply section for supplying power to an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperatures of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes; Equipped with The control unit is When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode is stopped, and determining whether or not it is necessary to resume the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode; The other information includes information on a temperature of a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes that is different from the first electrode. power supply.

2. The control unit is When the temperature of the second electrode becomes equal to or greater than a second temperature threshold, The supply of power to the electrode to be stopped is resumed.

2. The power supply device of claim 1.

3. The control unit is When the temperature of the second electrode becomes equal to or higher than the first temperature threshold, The supply of power to the electrode to be stopped is resumed.

2. The power supply device of claim 1.

4. the first electrode is an electrode located near a non-end portion of an arrangement region of the plurality of electrodes, The second electrode is an electrode near an end of an area in which the plurality of electrodes are arranged. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A power supply unit for supplying power to an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperatures of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes; Equipped with The control unit is When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode is stopped, and determining whether or not it is necessary to resume the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode; When the polarities of the electrodes other than the stop target electrode among the plurality of electrodes are all one of positive polarity and negative polarity, The polarity of the other electrodes is temporarily switched so that the other electrodes as a whole include both the positive polarity and the negative polarity. power supply.

6. After the polarity switching has occurred, The number of the other electrodes exhibiting the positive polarity is equal to the number of the other electrodes exhibiting the negative polarity.

6. The power supply device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit is When resuming the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped, The polarity of the other electrode for which the polarity has been switched is returned to its original state. The power supply device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. All of the first electrodes whose temperature has reached or exceeded the first temperature threshold are the electrodes to be stopped. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The electrical medical device further comprises a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of each of the electrodes. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes; a power supply for providing power to the electrical medical device; Equipped with The power supply device is A power supply unit that outputs the power; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperatures of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes; It has The control unit is When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode is stopped, and determining whether or not it is necessary to resume the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode; The other information includes information on a temperature of a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes that is different from the first electrode. Electrical medical device system.

11. 1. A method of powering an electrical medical device having a plurality of electrodes, comprising: When controlling the supply of power to the electrodes based on the temperatures of the electrodes individually measured for the plurality of electrodes, When the temperature of one or more first electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes becomes equal to or higher than a first temperature threshold, the supply of power to at least one of the first electrodes that is a stop target electrode is stopped, and determining whether or not it is necessary to resume the supply of power to the electrode to be stopped based on information other than the temperature of the first electrode; The other information includes information on a temperature of a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes that is different from the first electrode. Power supply method.

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