Electrode device for blocking or regulating nerves in the body

Abstract

The electrode device of the present invention is for blocking or regulating nerves in the body, and includes a main body having a shaft, an electrode unit formed to be pulled out from one end of the shaft and for blocking or regulating at least some of the nerves in the internal canal, an electrode guide having a plurality of nodes and wires connecting the plurality of nodes to each other and guiding the electrode unit, and a drive unit located inside the main body and controlling the displacement difference between the nodes and the wire to be large, thereby causing the electrode guide to have a winding state in which it is wrapped around the internal canal, and controlling the displacement difference between the nodes and the wire to be small, thereby causing the electrode guide to have a straight state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode device for blocking or regulating nerves in the body.

Background Art

[0002] Neurotomy refers to a procedure that damages specific nerves to control an autonomic nervous system that is abnormally and overly activated. For example, renal denervation can treat hypertension and heart disease by damaging the renal sympathetic nerves that lead to the kidneys, and pulmonary denervation can treat lung diseases by damaging the parasympathetic nerves that lead to the lungs.

[0003] Nerves are usually wrapped around the outer walls of tubes such as blood vessels and bronchi. It may be necessary to wrap around the outer walls of such tubes to measure nerve signals, transmit electrical stimulation to the nerves, or transmit various energies to damage or destroy the nerves.

[0004] For example, when performing a procedure on the renal artery, the diameter of the main renal artery to be treated is 5 to 7 mm, and the accessory renal artery with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm may also be targeted. In addition, the size of the tubes where nerves are distributed varies from person to person and changes depending on the location.

[0005] In performing such a procedure, it is important to precisely position a component including an electrode formed at the end of a catheter so as to wrap around the outer wall of the tube. Specifically, in order to effectively block or regulate nerves, the outer wall of the tube where the nerves are distributed must be wound circumferentially, and the operation of arranging the component with the electrode formed on the tube in a wound state must be performed reliably and quickly.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide an electrode device having a configuration that guides an electrode to be wound around a tube in the body while sequentially protruding a plurality of unit elements.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode device configured such that an operation of protruding a plurality of unit elements and an operation of setting a path of the plurality of unit elements are interlocked with each other.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode device in which a configuration for guiding an electrode to which a plurality of unit elements are connected can be manufactured with a single member without assembly.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode device that can be easily and quickly deactivated in an emergency during a procedure for performing a treatment for blocking or adjusting a nerve.

[0010] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present embodiment are not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may exist.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To achieve one object of the present invention, an electrode device according to the present invention is for blocking or adjusting a nerve in the body, and includes a main body having a shaft, and an electrode unit formed to be drawn out from one end of the shaft and configured to block or adjust at least a part of the nerve of the tube in the body. The electrode device further includes a plurality of nodes and a wire connecting the plurality of nodes to each other, an electrode guide for guiding the electrode unit, and a driving unit located inside the main body. By controlling so that a displacement difference between the nodes and the wire becomes large, the electrode guide is wound around the tube in the body, and by controlling so that the displacement difference between the nodes and the wire becomes small, the electrode guide has a linear state.

[0012] To achieve other objects of the present invention, the drive unit may include a rod block having one end connected to the joint portion and advancing and retracting, a wire block supporting the wire and advancing and retracting, and a variable connecting portion formed to connect the rod block and the wire block to each other and vary the distance between the rod block and the wire block.

[0013] The variable connecting portion may include a rod link rotatably connected to the rod block, a wire link rotatably connected to the wire block, a hinge pin rotatably connecting the rod link and the wire link to each other, and a pin slot slidably accommodating the hinge pin.

[0014] To achieve still other objects of the present invention, the plurality of joint portions may be integrally formed of an elastically deformable material, and a winding support groove may be formed between adjacent joint portions of the electrode guide so as to be deformed to be at least partially closed by the force of the wire.

[0015] The means for solving the above-described problems is merely an example and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In addition to the above-described exemplary embodiments, there may be additional embodiments described in the drawings and the detailed description of the invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the electrode device of the present invention, the drive unit operates the plurality of joint portions and the wire in conjunction with each other, so that the electrode guide can be operated to be wound around the tube while protruding from the shaft. As a result, the operating space of the electrode guide can be minimized, and the operation of safely and accurately blocking or adjusting the nerve can be performed even in a narrow space. By generating the displacement of the wire differently from the joint portion by the drive unit, the drawing and position change of the electrode guide can be accurately and simply realized.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the electrode device of the present invention, the joint part is operated by the motor part and the rod block, and the wire can be operated by the wire block variably connected to the rod block. That is, since the operation of protruding the electrode guide and the operation of controlling the position of the electrode guide can be executed together by one motor part, precise operations can be efficiently realized.

[0018] In particular, according to the electrode device of the present invention, when the electrode guide is deformed into a winding state to perform an operation for blocking or adjusting a nerve, in the event of an emergency such as malfunction, the hinge pin or the fixing part can be removed to deform the electrode guide back into a linear state, so that an emergency can be quickly responded to.

[0019] On the other hand, according to the electrode device of the present invention, while realizing the driving of a plurality of joint parts, since the electrode guide formed by the integrated joint parts enables the simplification of the manufacturing process of the electrode device and the miniaturization of the product, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Figure 6c

Figure 6d

Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Figure 7c

Figure 7d

Figure 7e

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in the drawings, in order to clearly explain the present invention, parts not related to the explanation are omitted, and similar reference numerals are given to similar parts throughout the specification.

[0022] Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected", but also cases where it is "electrically connected" with other elements interposed in between. Also, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components, but may further include other components, and it should not be understood as precluding the existence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, throughout the specification of the present application, when a member is "above" another member, this includes not only cases where a member is in contact with another member, but also cases where there are other members present between the two members.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electrode device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state where the electrode guide 130 shown in FIG. 1 is positioned to guide the electrode unit 120 and wound around a blood vessel. FIG. 3 is a view showing the components inside the shaft 111 of the region A shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the joint portion 131 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drive unit 140 disposed inside the main body 110 shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIGS. 6a to 6d are views showing the operation process of the electrode guide 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7a to 7e are views showing the operation process of the drive unit 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrode device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 110, an electrode unit 120, an electrode guide 130, and a drive unit 140.

[0026] The main body 110 may include a shaft 111 extending in one direction, a grip portion 112 connected to the shaft 111 and formed so that an operator can hold it, a guide operation portion 113 formed on the grip portion 112 to operate the operation of the electrode guide 130, and an electrode operation portion 114 formed on the grip portion 112 to operate the energy transmission of the electrode unit 120. Inside the main body 110, elements for driving and controlling the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 may be arranged.

[0027] The electrode unit 120 is formed to be drawn out from one end of the shaft 111, and is configured to block or adjust at least a part of the nerves distributed in a tissue including a tube in the body by an operation of an operator or the like. The electrode unit 120 is accommodated inside the shaft 111, and may be drawn out to the outside by an electrode guide 130 described later when the electrode device 100 of the present invention operates.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode unit 120 may include a base portion 121, an electrode portion 122, and a sensor portion 123. In the electrode device 100 according to the present invention, an electrode may be wound around the outer surface of a tube or a tubular tissue V in the body, and energy may be transmitted through the electrode. For this purpose, the base portion 121 may be a flexible printed circuit board (Flexible PCB).

[0029] The electrode portion 122 is formed on the base portion 121. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the electrode portion 122 may be constituted by two electrodes extending parallel to each other on the base portion 121. In this embodiment, the base portion 121 and the electrode portion 122 may be configured to extend circumferentially around a tube or the like in the body and wind around it.

[0030] The electrode unit 122 may be made of a material that is harmless to the human body and can conduct electricity, such as stainless steel, gold, etc., in order to block or denervate or control or modulate the nerve. Also, the electrode unit 122 may transmit various types of energy from the energy source generator. For example, radio-frequency (RF) energy, electrical energy, laser energy, ultrasonic energy, high-intensity focused ultrasound energy, cryogenic energy, and other thermal energies may be utilized.

[0031] Also, the electrode unit 122 may be embodied in a flexible printed circuit board (Flexible PCB) for transmitting radio-frequency energy, a transducer for transmitting ultrasonic energy, a metal electrode for transmitting high high-voltage energy, etc., and may transmit energy for damaging the nerve.

[0032] Also, a sensor unit 123 may be formed on the base unit 121. In one example, the sensor unit 123 may be a thermocouple that contacts a tube in the body and measures temperature. When a neurotomy is performed by the electrode device 100 according to the present invention, the sensor unit 123 may monitor the temperature of the surgical site. The sensor unit 123 may be, for example, a thermocouple composed of a pair of copper and constantan. In another example, the sensor unit 123 may measure the signal of the nerve of the tube.

[0033] The electrode guide 130 functions to bring the electrode unit 120 into contact with a tube in the body. The electrode guide 130 supports the electrode unit 120 and guides it to contact the tube in the body.

[0034] Referring further to FIGS. 2 to 4, the electrode guide 130 provided in the present invention includes a plurality of joint portions 131. The plurality of joint portions 131 may form a curved winding path so as to be wound around the tube V in the body with the electrode unit 120 interposed therebetween. The states shown in FIGS. 2 and 6c may be states in which the plurality of joint portions 131 are completely drawn out and arranged along the curved winding path.

[0035] Further, the electrode guide 130 may further include a chip joint 132 and a wire 133. The chip joint 132 may support the electrode unit 120 and be coupled to the ends of the plurality of sequentially connected joint portions 131. The chip joint 132 may be drawn out from one end of the shaft 111 prior to the plurality of joint portions 131. As shown in FIG. 6c, the chip joint 132 may be positioned close to the tube V in the body, and may have a tapered shape in which the width or thickness becomes thinner toward the end so as to prevent interference with the electrode unit 120 or maximize the surface wound around the tube in the body. The end of the electrode unit 120 may be fastened and fixed to the chip joint 132.

[0036] The wire 133 may be formed to sequentially penetrate the plurality of joint portions 131. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in order for the wire 133 to penetrate, wire holes 131c may be formed in the joint portions 131 in the longitudinal direction. The ends of the wire 133 that sequentially penetrate the wire holes 131c may be coupled and fixed to the chip joint 132, and the wire 133 is slidable with respect to each joint portion 131 in the longitudinal direction within the wire holes 131c. Thereby, the wire 133 can guide the plurality of joint portions 131 and the chip joint 132 to be arranged on the winding path, and provide a pulling force in the direction in which the plurality of joint portions 131 and the chip joint 132 are wound around the tube V.

[0037] The wire 133 may be operated to protrude from one end of the shaft 111 together with the plurality of joint portions 131. At this time, since it can be designed such that the amount by which the wire 133 protrudes is smaller than the amount by which the joint portion 131 protrudes, thereby, the wire 133 can provide a pulling force for causing the plurality of joint portions 131 to have a curved path.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the joint portion 131 may include a hinge portion 131a and a winding support portion 131b. The hinge portion 131a is configured to rotatably connect adjacent joints, and may be formed on one or both sides in the longitudinal direction in which the joint portions 131 are connected side by side. As shown in the drawing, the hinge portion 131a may form a rotation axis in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and may be connected to the hinge portion 131a of an adjacent joint portion 131. A hinge pin (not shown) may be inserted into each hinge portion 131a in the direction in which the rotation axis is formed to be fastened.

[0039] The winding support portion 131b is configured to support the plurality of joint portions 131 on the winding path, and may be formed on one or both sides in the longitudinal direction so as to be supported by adjacent joint portions 131. As shown in the drawing, the winding support portion 131b may be formed at a position adjacent to the hinge portion 131a in the direction inside the electrode guide 130 (where the joint portion 131 is wound). The winding support portion 131b may be composed of, for example, a surface having a preset angle and area, and the wound form of the electrode guide 130 may be fixed by being supported in surface contact with an adjacent winding support portion 131b. The winding support portion 131b and the wire hole 131c may be formed at positions spaced inward from the rotation center of the hinge portion 131a toward the tube V in the body.

[0040] When the wire 133 is pulled relatively rearward compared to the electrode guide 130 (when the length of the wire 133 drawn from the shaft 111 is smaller than that of the joint portion 131), a tension may be applied to the wire 133 in the direction of winding the electrode guide 130. On the other hand, the winding support portion 131b may provide a force for supporting the joint portions 131 in a direction that suppresses the winding of the electrode guide 130. By the wire 133 and the winding support portion 131b balancing the forces in opposite directions, the electrode guide 130 can be fixed on the winding path.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the electrode guide 130 may include a first joint group 131x and a second joint group 131y. That is, the plurality of joint portions 131 may be divided into a first joint group 131x and a second joint group 131y having different lengths from each other.

[0042] Due to the difference in length, the first joint group 131x can form a first radius of curvature, and the second joint group 131y can form a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. As can be seen from FIG. 6c, a joint portion (first joint group 131x) having a relatively short length can form a small radius of curvature, and a joint portion (second joint group 131y) having a long length can form a large radius of curvature.

[0043] If a path with a smaller radius of curvature is formed by the joint portion 131 disposed closer to the chip joint 132, as shown in FIG. 6c, a path for the chip joint 132 to enter the space between the tube in the body and the shaft 111 can be created. And the electrode guide 130 including the joint portion 131 may have a spiral shape as a whole.

[0044] Hereinafter, the electrode device 100 drive unit 140 according to the present invention will be described.

[0045] The drive unit 140 drives the node portion 131 of the electrode guide 130 and the wire 133 so as to protrude from one end of the shaft, and interlocks the node portion 131 and the wire 133 so as to have different displacements from each other. That is, the drive unit 140 may control so that the displacement difference between the node portion 131 and the wire 133 becomes large, so that the electrode guide 130 may have a winding state of being wound around the tube V in the body. Further, the drive unit 140 may control so that the displacement difference between the node portion 131 and the wire 133 becomes small, so that the electrode guide 130 may have a linear state.

[0046] For example, by the drive unit 140, the wire 133 may protrude from one end of the shaft 111 by a smaller amount (length) than the node portion 131. The node portion 131 may be pulled in one direction (the direction of being wound around the tube in the body) by the wire 133 corresponding to the difference in the protruding amount, and may protrude while forming a curved winding path. More specifically, each time the winding angle (for example, 30 degrees) formed by the winding support portion 131b rotates while the node portion 131 protrudes, the wire 133 may protrude by a relatively smaller amount.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 6a to 6c, the electrode guide 130 is housed inside the shaft 111 together with the electrode unit 120, and may protrude while forming a curved winding path forward F from one end for the treatment. Referring to FIGS. 6b and 6c, the electrode guide 130 can be deformed into a winding state of being wound around the tube V in the body due to the enlarged displacement difference between the node portion 131 and the wire 133.

[0048] Specifically, the plurality of node portions 131 may be sequentially drawn out from the shaft 111, and may be moved along the curved winding path due to the displacement difference from the wire 133, and may be wound around the tube V as a whole. Further, the electrode guide 130 may be positioned away from the outer peripheral surface of the tube V, and the electrode unit 120 disposed inside the wound electrode guide 130 may be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube V.

[0049] According to the present invention, by the drive unit 140, the plurality of joint portions 131 may be wound in a direction of being wound around the tube V while being drawn out from the shaft 111. Thus, the space in which the electrode guide 130 operates can be minimized, and an operation of safely and accurately blocking or adjusting a nerve can be performed even in a narrow space.

[0050] Further, by generating a displacement of the wire 133 such that the drive unit 140 is different from the joint portion 131, the electrode guide 130 of the electrode device 100 according to the present invention can ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the operation path.

[0051] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 6d, the electrode guide 130 may have a linear state due to a reduced displacement difference again between the joint portion 131 and the wire 133. For example, the electrode guide 130 is controlled by the drive unit 140 described later so that the displacement difference between the joint portion 131 and the wire 133 becomes large or small, so that it is deformed into a wound state wound around the tube V in the body as shown in FIGS. 6b and 6c, or can have a linear state again as shown in FIG. 6d.

[0052] Hereinafter, the detailed configuration and function of the drive unit 140 will be described.

[0053] The drive unit 140 may include a frame 141, a motor unit 142, a rod block 143, a wire block 144, and a variable connection portion 145. The frame 141 may be provided so as to be fixed inside the main body, and may include a guide slot or a guide shaft extending in the front-rear direction. The motor unit 142 may be connected to the frame 141 and may include a rotating shaft 142a rotatably supported by the frame 141. The motor unit 142 may rotate the rotating shaft 142a by receiving transmission of electric energy, for example.

[0054] One end of the rod block 143 may be connected to the joint portion 131. The rod block 143 may be advanced and retracted by the motor portion 142. Specifically, the rod block 143 may extend in the front-rear direction and may be advanced and retracted by engaging with a rotating shaft 142a having a thread formed thereon. The rod block 143 is disposed inside the shaft 111, formed to extend in one direction (front-rear direction), and may include a rod 143a that supports the joint portion 131 and a concavo-convex configuration that is slidably coupled to a guide slot or a guide shaft of the frame 141, etc.

[0055] In addition to the configurations of the rotating shaft 142a and the motor portion 142 described above, the drive unit 140 according to the present invention may be configured to move the rod block 143 in the front-rear direction by various linear actuation methods. For example, the drive unit 140 may include a cylinder-type linear actuator including a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric method, or a piezo / ultrasonic type linear actuator, etc.

[0056] The wire block 144 is formed to support the wire 133 and may be advanced and retracted in conjunction with the rod block 143. The wire block 144 includes a concavo-convex configuration that is slidably inserted into a guide slot or a guide shaft, etc., and a slide hole 144a that slidably houses the rotating shaft 142a, and may be advanced and retracted alongside the rod block 143.

[0057] The variable connection portion 145 may connect the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 to each other and may vary the distance between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144. For this purpose, the variable connection portion 145 may include a rod link 145a, a wire link 145b, a hinge pin 145c, and a pin slot 145d.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, the rod link 145a and the wire link 145b may be rotatably connected to the rod block 143 and the wire block 144, respectively. Also, the rod link 145a and the wire link 145b may be rotatably connected to each other by a hinge pin 145c.

[0059] The pin slot 145d is formed to slidably accommodate the hinge pin 145c. Specifically, the pin slot 145d is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and at a preset inclination angle. The pin slot 145d may be formed on the frame 141.

[0060] Each of FIGS. 7a to 7e may be in a state corresponding to the state of FIGS. 6a to 6d. Specifically, in the state of FIG. 6a where the electrode guide 130 is located inside the shaft 111, the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 may be arranged at preset positions near the motor part 142 side respectively (O 143 、O 144 ), and at this time, the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 may be in a state closest to each other (FIG. 7a).

[0061] If the rotary shaft 142a is rotated in one direction by the motor part 142, the rod block 143 engaged therewith may move forward F (FIG. 7b). Pushed out by the rod 143a connected to the rod block 143, the joint part 131 of the electrode guide 130 may protrude from one end of the shaft 111 (FIG. 6b). The rod block 143 may be guided in the forward direction.

[0062] At this time, the wire block 144 may be advanced following the rod block 143 by the variable connecting portion 145. In the variable connecting portion 145, the hinge pin 145c is moved following the inclined pin slot 145d, and the hinge pin 145c may be relatively close to the rod block 143 and the wire block 144. Thereby, the angle formed by the rod link 145a and the wire link 145b gradually increases and spreads, and the distance between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 may gradually become farther. Since the wire block 144 lags behind the rod block 143 relatively, the displacement of the wire 133 drawn from one end of the shaft 111 is smaller than that of the joint portion 131. Therefore, the joint portion 131 is gradually pulled and bent in a predetermined direction (the direction of winding around the tube in the body) by the wire 133.

[0063] When the rod block 143 is fully advanced, the drawing out of the joint portion 131 is completed (FIGS. 6c and 7c). As shown in FIG. 7c, compared with the moving distance d of the rod block 143 and the joint portion 131 143 the moving distance d of the wire block 144 and the wire 133 144 is smaller by a preset value d (d = d 143 - d 144 ).

[0064] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the electrode guide 130 is in the winding state, the hinge pin 145c may be removed so that the electrode guide 130 has a straight state (FIGS. 6d and 7d). As shown in FIG. 7d, at least a part of the hinge pin 145c may be exposed to the electrode device 100 through the pin slot 145d.

[0065] That is, the electrode device 100 may be configured such that the operator can easily remove the hinge pin 145c from the pin slot 145d outside.

[0066] At this time, if the hinge pin 145c is removed from the electrode device 100, the distance that has become far between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 can be reduced again (d → D1).

[0067] As the distance between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 shrinks to a predetermined distance D1 as shown in FIG. 7d(b), the displacement difference between the joint portion 131 having one end connected to the rod block 143 and the wire 133 supported by the wire block 144 also becomes smaller. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6d, the electrode guide 130 can have a straight state.

[0068] In another embodiment of the present invention, when the electrode guide 130 is in a wound state, the path fixing portion 146e may be removed so that the electrode guide 130 has a straight state (FIGS. 6d and 7e(a)).

[0069] Referring to FIG. 7e(a), the pin slot 145d may include a block support portion 146a, a path generation portion 146b, and a hinge portion 146c. The block support portion 146a may support both side surfaces of the rod block 143 and the wire block 144, and the path generation portion 146b may be coupled to a part of the block support portion 146a to generate a path along which the hinge pin 145c slides.

[0070] The hinge portion 146c may couple a part of the block support portion 146a and the path generation portion 146b. For example, one end of the path generation portion 146b may be coupled to the block support portion 146a via the hinge portion 146c.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 7e(a), when the electrode guide 130 is in a wound state, the fixing portion 146e may be removed so that the electrode guide 130 has the straight state. That is, when the operator pushes the fixing portion 146e forward of the electrode device 100, the other end of the path generation portion 146b having one end coupled to the block support portion 146a may be partially opened.

[0072] As the other end of the path generation unit 146b is partially opened, the path along which the hinge pin 145c slides is also partially opened, and the distance that had been increasing between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144, which are connected to each other via the variable connection unit 145, can be reduced again (d → D1).

[0073] Specifically, referring to FIG. 7e(b), the other end of the path generation unit 146b may generate a path, the pin slot 145d, along which the hinge pin 145c slides and which is supported by the fixing unit 146e. Here, one side of the fixing unit 146e may include an inclination angle corresponding to the other end of the path generation unit 146b.

[0074] At this time, if the fixing unit 146e is moved forward toward the front of the electrode device 100, the other end of the path generation unit 146b may slide downward (in the a direction) along the inclination angle of the fixing unit 146e, and the path of the pin slot 145d may be partially opened. Thus, while moving along the inclined pin slot 145d, the distance between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144, which had been increased by a predetermined distance d, can be reduced again as the path of the pin slot 145d is partially opened.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 7e(a), as the distance between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 is reduced to the predetermined distance D1, the displacement difference between the joint portion 131, one end of which is connected to the rod block 143, and the wire 133 supported by the wire block 144 also becomes smaller. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6d, the electrode guide 130 can have a linear state.

[0076] If the rotation shaft 142a of the motor unit 142 is rotated in the opposite direction, the rod block 143 may move backward by R. The hinge pin 145c of the variable connection unit 145 gradually moves away from the rod block 143 and the wire block 144, and the rod link 145a and the wire link 145b are rotated in a direction where they overlap each other. As a result, the distance between the rod block 143 and the wire block 144 can gradually become closer.

[0077] With the variable connection part 145 of the present invention, the wire block 144 may move forward and backward while the distance from the rod block 143 is variable. That is, the wire block 144 may gradually increase the distance from the rod block 143 when the rod block 143 moves forward, and may decrease the distance from the rod block 143 when the rod block 143 moves backward.

[0078] According to the present invention, the joint part 131 is operated by the motor part 142 and the rod block 143, and the wire 133 can be operated by the wire block 144 interlocked with the rod block 143. That is, since the operation of protruding the electrode guide 130 and the operation of arranging the electrode guide 130 can be performed by one motor part 142, precise operations can be effectively implemented.

[0079] On the other hand, since the electrode guide 130 can be positioned so as to be completely wound around the tube in the body, the nerves around the tube can be entirely blocked or regulated in one treatment, and the treatment effect can be enhanced.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electrode guide 230 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the joint part 231 of the electrode guide 230 of the present invention is integrally formed will be described.

[0081] The joint part 231 of the electrode guide 230 according to another embodiment of the present invention is made of a material such as an elastically deformable polymer, and a plurality of joint parts 231 may be integrally formed, for example, may have a living hinge structure.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, each joint part 231 may be integral with the joint parts 231 adjacent to each other in the length direction, and a winding support groove 231b may be formed between the adjacent joint parts 231. At least a part of the space of the groove may be reduced or closed when the joint part 231 is positioned on the winding path.

[0083] Specifically, the winding support groove 231b may be formed to be notched in a wedge shape on the inner surface of the electrode guide 230 (the surface facing the electrode unit 120). When the joint portion 231 protrudes, the side surfaces of the wedge-shaped winding support groove 231b may be in contact with and supported by each other.

[0084] Also, the electrode guide 230 in another embodiment of the present invention may further include a wire 233. The wire 233 may be formed to sequentially penetrate a plurality of joint portions 231. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the wire 233 can guide the deformation of the electrode guide 230 into a shape wound around a tube by being drawn out from the shaft 111 at a shorter distance than the electrode guide 230, and can provide a force for closing and supporting at least a part of the winding support groove 231b.

[0085] According to the electrode guide 230 according to another embodiment of the present invention, while embodying the driving of the joint portion that ensures reliable operation, the electrode guide 230 can be integrally manufactured. Since the process of manufacturing and assembling the joint elements individually is no longer required, simplification of the manufacturing process, miniaturization of the product, and reduction of manufacturing costs are possible.

[0086] The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains should be able to understand that it can be easily deformed into other specific forms without changing the technical idea and essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0087] Also, the scope of the present invention is shown by the claims described later rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In an electrode device for blocking or regulating nerves in the body, a main body having a shaft, an electrode unit formed to be drawn from one end of the shaft and configured to block or regulate at least a part of the nerves in the tube in the body, an electrode guide including a plurality of joints and a wire connecting the plurality of joints to each other, the electrode guide guiding the electrode unit, a driving unit located inside the main body and configured to have the electrode guide in a wound state around the tube in the body by controlling so that the displacement difference between the joints and the wire becomes large, and to have the electrode guide in a linear state by controlling so that the displacement difference between the joints and the wire becomes small, wherein the driving unit includes a rod block having one end connected to the joint and configured to move forward and backward, a wire block configured to support the wire and move forward and backward, and a variable connection part configured to connect the rod block and the wire block to each other and formed to vary the distance between the rod block and the wire block. The electrode device.

2. The variable connection part includes a rod link rotatably connected to the rod block, a wire link rotatably connected to the wire block, a hinge pin rotatably connecting the rod link and the wire link to each other, and a pin slot slidably accommodating the hinge pin. The electrode device according to claim 1.

3. The electrode device according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the hinge pin is exposed to the outside of the electrode device through the pin slot.

4. The electrode device according to claim 3, wherein the hinge pin is removed when the electrode guide is in the wound state, and the electrode guide comes to have the linear state.

5. The pin slot includes a block support part supporting both side surfaces of the rod block and the wire block, a path generation part combined with a part of the block support part to generate a path along which the hinge pin slides, and a fixing part combining a part of the block support part and the path generation part. The electrode device according to claim 2.

6. The electrode device according to claim 5, wherein the fixing part is removed when the electrode guide is in the wound state, and the electrode guide comes to have the linear state. **Claim 7**: In an electrode device for blocking or regulating nerves in the body, a main body having a shaft, an electrode unit formed to be drawn from one end of the shaft for blocking or regulating at least a part of the nerves in the tube in the body, an electrode guide including a plurality of joints and a wire connecting the plurality of joints to guide the electrode unit, a driving unit located inside the main body, which controls so that the displacement difference between the joints and the wire becomes large, so that the electrode guide has a winding state wound around the tube in the body, and controls so that the displacement difference between the joints and the wire becomes small, so that the electrode guide has a linear state, wherein the driving unit includes a motor unit, a rod block having a rod with one end connected to the joint and being advanced and retracted by the motor unit, and a wire block that supports the wire and is advanced and retracted along with the rod block, wherein the wire block is characterized in that the distance from the rod block becomes farther when the rod block advances, and the distance from the rod block becomes closer when the rod block retracts. The electrode device. **Claim 8** The wire according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the wire is formed with a smaller displacement protruding from one end of the shaft than the joint, and provides a pulling force in a direction in which the joint is wound around the tube. **Claim 9** The joint includes a hinge portion formed on one side or both sides in the longitudinal direction connected to an adjacent joint, and a wire hole formed so that the wire is inserted at a position away from the rotation center of the hinge portion. The electrode device according to claim 1 or 7. **Claim 10** The plurality of joints are integrally formed of an elastically deformable material, and a winding support groove is formed between adjacent joints of the electrode guide so as to be deformed so that at least a part thereof is closed by the force of the wire. The electrode device according to claim 1 or 7.

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