Electrode device for blocking or regulating nerves in the body

Abstract

An electrode device for blocking or regulating nerves in the body includes a main body with a shaft, an electrode unit formed to be pulled out from one end of the shaft and for blocking or regulating at least a part of the nerves in the internal canal, an electrode guide coupled to an end of the electrode unit and guiding the electrode unit to contact the internal canal, an electrode guide drive unit configured to advance and retract the electrode guide, and an electrode drive unit configured to advance and retract the electrode unit in conjunction with the electrode guide drive unit.

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 5-7 mm, and sometimes the accessory renal artery with a diameter of 1-2 mm may be the target. 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 the component including the electrode formed at the end of the catheter so that it is wrapped around the outer wall of the tube. Specifically, in order to effectively block or regulate the nerves, the outer wall of the tube where the nerves are distributed must be wound circumferentially, and it is necessary to perform the operation of arranging the component with the electrode formed thereon in a wound state reliably and quickly. In particular, it is important to safely adhere the component with the electrode formed thereon to the outer wall of the internal tube so as not to damage the internal tube that is easily damaged by external stimuli.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and to provide an electrode device having a configuration that guides an electrode to be wound around a tube in the body.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode device capable of bringing a component formed with an electrode into close contact with the outer wall of a tube in the body so as not to damage the tube in the body that is easily damaged by an external stimulus.

[0008] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems may exist.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] As means for achieving the above-described technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention is an electrode device for blocking or regulating a nerve in the body, including 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 nerve of the tube in the body, an electrode guide coupled to the end of the electrode unit and configured to guide the electrode unit into contact with the tube in the body, an electrode guide drive unit configured to move the electrode guide forward and backward, and an electrode drive unit configured to move the electrode unit forward and backward in conjunction with the electrode guide drive unit. The electrode drive unit includes a tension maintenance unit connected to one end of the electrode unit and providing tension to the electrode unit, and a moving unit that, while connected to the tension maintenance unit, advances the tension maintenance unit until the electrode guide is wound around the tube in the body and then releases the connection with the tension maintenance unit. The tension maintenance unit can provide an electrode device in which, after the connection with the moving unit is released, an electrode connection part connected to one end of the electrode unit moves backward.

[0010] The means for solving the above-described problems are merely illustrative 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

[0011] According to any one of the means for solving the problems of the present invention described above, after the electrode guide is positioned so as to be in close contact with the tube, the electrode unit is gradually brought into close contact with the outer wall of the tube, so that the components formed with electrodes can be safely brought into close contact with the outer wall of the tube without damaging the internal tube that is easily damaged by external stimuli.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 3c

Figure 3d

Figure 3e

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Figure 6c

Figure 6d

Figure 6e

Figure 6f

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail 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.

[0014] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected", but also the case where it is "electrically connected" with other elements interposed therebetween. Also, when a part is said to "include" 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.

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electrode device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state where the electrode guide shown in FIG. 1 is positioned so as to guide the electrode unit and be wound around a blood vessel, and FIGS. 3A to 3E are views showing an operation process of the electrode guide according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the joint portion shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode guide driving unit disposed inside the main body shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 6A to 6F are views showing an operation process of the electrode driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exemplary view for explaining an electrode driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the electrode device 100 includes a main body 110, an electrode unit 120, an electrode guide 130, an electrode guide driving unit 140 formed inside the main body 110, and an electrode driving unit 150.

[0018] 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 as to be grippable by an operator, a guide operation portion 113 formed on the grip portion 112 and capable of operating the operation of the electrode guide 130, and an electrode operation portion 114 formed on the grip portion 112 and capable of operating the energy transmission to the electrode unit 120.

[0019] Elements for driving and controlling the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 may be disposed inside the main body 110. For example, an electrode guide driving unit 140 for driving and controlling the electrode guide 130 and an electrode driving unit 150 for driving and controlling the electrode unit 120 may be disposed inside the main body 110.

[0020] 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 a nerve 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 the electrode guide 130 described later when the electrode device 100 operates.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode unit 120 may include a base portion 121, an electrode portion 122, and a sensor portion 123. The electrode device 100 may have an electrode wound around the outer surface of a tube or tubular tissue V in the body and transmit energy through the electrode portion 122. For this purpose, the base portion 121 may be a flexible flexible printed circuit board (Flexible PCB).

[0022] The electrode portion 122 may be composed of two electrodes extending parallel to each other on the base portion 121. The base portion 121 and the electrode portion 122 may be configured to extend circumferentially and wrap around a tube or the like in the body.

[0023] The electrode portion 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 nerves.

[0024] Also, the electrode portion 122 may transmit various types of energy from an 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.

[0025] Also, the electrode portion 122 may be embodied by 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 nerves.

[0026] Also, a sensor unit 123 may be formed on the base portion 121. As an example, the sensor unit 123 may be a thermocouple that contacts a tube or the like in the body to measure temperature, and the sensor unit 123 may monitor the temperature of the surgical site when a neurotomy is performed by the electrode device 100. As another example, the sensor unit 123 may measure the signal of the nerve in the tube.

[0027] The sensor unit 123 may be, for example, a thermocouple composed of a pair of copper and constantan.

[0028] The electrode guide 130 has a function of bringing the electrode unit 120 into contact with a tube in the body. The electrode guide 130 is coupled to the electrode unit 120 and guides it to be deformed into a winding state for bringing the electrode unit 120 into contact with a tube in the body.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the electrode guide 130 includes a plurality of node portions 131. The plurality of node 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, 3c, and 3d may be states in which the plurality of node portions 131 are completely pulled out and arranged along the curved winding path.

[0030] Also, referring to FIGS. 3a to 3e, 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 node portions 131.

[0031] 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. 3d, the chip joint 132 may be positioned close to the tube V in the body, and may have a tapered shape that becomes thinner in width or thickness toward the end so as to prevent interference with the electrode unit 120 or maximize the surface wound around the tube in the body. An end of the electrode unit 120 may be fastened and fixed to the chip joint 132.

[0032] The wire 133 may be formed to sequentially penetrate the plurality of joint portions 131. Referring to FIG. 4, in order to allow the wire 133 to penetrate, a wire hole 131c may be formed in the joint portion 131 in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] The end portions 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 hole 131c.

[0034] 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 can provide a pulling force in the direction of winding the plurality of joint portions 131 and the chip joint 132 around the tube V.

[0035] The wire 133 may also operate 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, the wire 133 can provide a pulling force to cause the plurality of joint portions 131 to have a curved path.

[0036] 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 arranged in series.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the hinge portion 131a may form a rotation axis in a direction intersecting the length direction and may be connected to the hinge portions 131a of adjacent joint portions 131. Each hinge portion 131a may be fastened by inserting a hinge pin (not shown) in the direction in which the rotation axis is formed.

[0038] The winding support portion 131b is a configuration for supporting a plurality of joint portions 131 on the winding path, and may be formed on one or both sides in the length direction so as to be supported by adjacent joint portions 131.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, 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 (the direction in which it is wound around the joint portion 131).

[0040] The winding support portion 131b may be composed of a surface having a preset angle and area, for example, and the wound form of the electrode guide 130 may be fixed by being supported in surface contact with adjacent winding support portions 131b.

[0041] 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 internal tube V.

[0042] When the wire 133 is pulled relatively rearward compared to the electrode guide 130 (when the length of the wire 133 pulled out 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 provides 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.

[0043] Further, the electrode guide 130 may include a first node group 131x and a second node group 131y. That is, the plurality of node portions 131 may be divided into a first node group 131x and a second node group 131y having different lengths from each other.

[0044] Due to the difference in length, the first node group 131x can form a first radius of curvature, and the second node group 131y can form a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. As can be seen from FIG. 3d, a node portion (first node group 131x) having a relatively short length can form a small radius of curvature, and a node portion (second node group 131y) having a long length can form a large radius of curvature.

[0045] If a path with a smaller radius of curvature is formed by the node portion 131 disposed closer to the chip joint 132, as shown in FIG. 3d, 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 node portion 131 may have a spiral shape as a whole.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 3a to 3e, the electrode guide 130 is housed inside the shaft 111 together with the electrode unit 120, and may project while forming a curved winding path forward F from one end for the treatment.

[0047] For example, the plurality of node portions 131 may be sequentially pulled out and moved along the curved winding path due to the displacement difference from the wire 133, and may be in a state of being wound around the tube V as a whole.

[0048] Furthermore, the electrode guide 130 may be located at a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the tube, and the electrode unit 120 disposed on the wound inner side of the electrode guide 130 may be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube V.

[0049] The plurality of node portions 131 may be wound in a direction that is wound around the tube V while being pulled out from the shaft 111 by the electrode guide drive unit 140. Therefore, the space in which the electrode guide 130 operates can be minimized, and the operation of safely and accurately blocking or adjusting the nerve can be performed even in a narrow space.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, the electrode guide drive unit 140 may be configured to move the electrode guide 130 forward and backward, and may include a frame 141, a motor unit 142, a rod block 143, a wire block 144, and a variable connection unit 145.

[0051] The frame 141 may be provided so as to be fixed inside the main body, and may be provided with a guide slot or a guide shaft extending in the front-rear direction.

[0052] The motor unit 142 may be connected to the frame 141 and may rotate 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.

[0053] One end of the rod block 143 may be connected to the node portion 131. The rod block 143 may move forward and backward by the motor unit 142. Specifically, the rod block 143 may extend in the front-rear direction and may mesh with the rotating shaft 142a having a thread formed thereon to move forward and backward.

[0054] The rod block 143 is disposed inside the shaft 111, is formed to extend in one direction (front-rear direction), and may include a rod 143a that supports the node portion 131 and a concavo-convex configuration that is slidably coupled to a guide slot or a guide shaft of the frame 141.

[0055] In addition to the configurations of the above-mentioned rotating shaft 142a and motor unit 142, the electrode guide 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 electrode guide drive unit 140 may include a cylinder-type linear actuator including a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric method, or a piezo / ultrasonic type linear actuator.

[0056] The wire block 144 is formed to support the wire 133 and may move forward and backward 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 guide shaft, etc., and a slide hole 144a that slidably houses the rotating shaft 142a, and may move forward and backward alongside the rod block 143.

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

[0058] 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 the hinge pin 145c.

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

[0060] On the one hand, the electrode unit 120 may be wound in a direction drawn out from the shaft 111 by the electrode driving unit 150 and wound around the tube V by the electrode guide 130. Specifically, the electrode unit 120 advances along a curved winding path together with the electrode guide 130, and when it is completely drawn out from the shaft 111 and arranged, it may be gradually brought into close contact with the tube V in the body under the control of the electrode driving unit 150. Therefore, the electrode unit 120 can be stably brought into close contact with the tube V in the body without damaging the tube V in the body, and an operation of blocking or regulating the nerve can be performed.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 6a, the electrode driving unit 150 may be configured to advance and retract the electrode unit 120 in conjunction with the electrode guide driving unit 140. The electrode driving unit 150 may include a tension maintaining unit 151, a moving part 152, a speed reducing part 153, a forward rail 154, a backward rail 155, a connecting rail 156 connecting the forward rail 154 and the backward rail 155, and a second stopper part 157. Here, the lengths of the forward rail 154 and the backward rail 155 may be the same.

[0062] The tension maintaining unit 151 is connected to one end of the electrode unit 120 and can provide tension to the electrode unit 120. The tension maintaining unit 151 may include a first spring part 151a, a protruding part 151b protruding upward on one end side, a first stopper part 151c, and an electrode connecting part 151d on the other end side.

[0063] The first spring part 151a can provide tension to the electrode unit 120, and the first stopper part 151c may block the movement of the protruding part 151b when the tension maintaining unit 151 advances in order to generate the tension of the first spring part 151a.

[0064] The electrode connection part 151d may be connected to one end side of the electrode unit 120 and transmit the tension of the first spring part 151a to the electrode unit 120. When the connection between the tension maintenance unit 151 and the moving part 152 is released, the electrode connection part 151d may move backward due to the decrease in the tension of the first spring part 151a.

[0065] The moving part 152 may move the tension maintenance unit 151 forward until the electrode guide 130 is wound around the tube V in the body while being connected to the tension maintenance unit 151, and then release the connection with the tension maintenance unit 151.

[0066] The moving part 152 may include a connection part 152a for connecting to the tension maintenance unit 151, a pin 152b, a support part 152c, and a hinge part 152d.

[0067] The pin 152b is formed at one end side of the connection part 152a and may move forward along the forward rail 154 or move backward along the backward rail 155. Therefore, the moving part 152 may move forward along the forward rail 154 together with the tension maintenance unit 151 via the pin 152b, and may move backward along the backward rail 155 after the connection with the tension maintenance unit 151 is released.

[0068] The support part 152c may be connected to the electrode guide driving unit 140. For example, the support part 152c may be connected to the wire block 144.

[0069] The hinge part 152d enables the connection part 152a to rotate. When the pin 152b moves from the forward rail 154 to the connection rail 156, the hinge part 152d rotates and the connection between the connection part 152a and the tension maintenance unit 151 is released. Therefore, after the connection between the connection part 152a and the tension maintenance unit 151 is released, the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 move respectively.

[0070] When the connection between the tension maintaining unit 151 and the moving unit 152 is released, the deceleration unit 153 may decelerate the tension of the first spring unit 151a.

[0071] Specifically, when the connection between the tension maintaining unit 151 and the moving unit 152 is released, the tension of the first spring unit 151a is temporarily transmitted to the electrode unit 120, whereby the electrode unit 120 may be strongly adhered to the tube V and the tube V may be damaged. Thus, in the present invention, the deceleration unit 153 gradually decreases the tension of the first spring unit 151a, thereby preventing the tube V from being damaged.

[0072] The second stopper unit 157 can prevent the pin 152b from moving back to the connection rail 156 when the pin 152b moves backward. The second stopper unit 157 may block the connection rail 156 when the pin 152b is located on the backward rail 155 via the connection rail 156.

[0073] Hereinafter, the driving of the electrode unit 120 by the electrode driving unit 150 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6a to 6d. FIGS. 6a to 6f correspond to the states shown in FIGS. 3a to 3e.

[0074] The electrode driving unit 150 and the electrode guide driving unit 140 in FIG. 6a are immediately before starting the forward movement or immediately after the backward movement has ended. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3a, the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 are immediately before being wound around the tube V in the body or immediately after being wound around the tube V in the body and then moving back to the state before being wound. That is, it is immediately before or immediately after the nerve cutting operation is performed by the electrode device 100.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 6b and 6c, the electrode driving unit 150 may move forward along the path provided by the forward rail 154 together with the forward moving electrode guide driving unit 140. By the forward movement of the electrode driving unit 150 and the electrode guide driving unit 140, as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 may be pulled out from the shaft 111 toward the front F and deformed into a winding state so as to be wound around the tube V in the body.

[0076] Specifically, when the electrode guide driving unit 140 moves forward by the driving of the motor unit 142, the tension maintaining unit 151 also moves forward through the moving unit 152.

[0077] That is, when the electrode guide driving unit 140 moves forward, the pin 152b of the moving unit 152 connected to the electrode guide driving unit 140 moves forward along the forward rail 154. At this time, the electrode guide 130 is pulled out from the shaft 111 toward the front F, and when the tension maintaining unit 151 connected to the moving unit 152 moves forward, the electrode unit 120 having one end connected to the electrode connecting portion 151d is also pulled out from the shaft 111.

[0078] At this time, the first stopper portion 151c of the tension maintaining unit 151 may block the movement of the protruding portion 151b when the tension maintaining unit 151 moves forward. Referring to FIG. 6b, the protruding portion 151b, which is one end side of the tension maintaining unit 151 that moves forward together with the electrode guide driving unit 140, has its forward movement blocked by the first stopper portion 151c, but the electrode connecting portion 151d, which is the other end side of the tension maintaining unit 151, may move forward together with the moving unit 152.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 6c, the protrusion 151b of the tension maintaining unit 151 has its forward movement blocked by the first stopper portion 151c. However, the electrode connection portion 151d of the tension maintaining unit 151 moves forward together with the moving portion 152, so that the length of the first spring portion 151a extends (D1→D2), and thereby, tension can be generated.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 6c, the pin 152b of the moving portion 152 moves together with the electrode guide driving unit 140 to the end of the path provided by the forward rail 154. As shown in FIG. 3c, the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 are wound together so as to be close to the tube V in the body. At this time, the electrode guide 130 may be in a state where a plurality of joint portions 131 are completely pulled out and arranged along the curved winding path.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 6d, when the electrode guide driving unit 140 completes its forward movement, the pin 152d of the moving portion 152 moves along the connecting rail 156, and the hinge portion 152d rotates, thereby releasing the connection between the connecting portion 152a and the tension maintaining unit 151.

[0082] After the connection between the tension maintaining unit 151 and the moving portion 152 is released, the electrode connection portion 151d connected to one end of the electrode unit 120 may move backward. The electrode connection portion 151d moves backward due to the decrease in the tension of the first spring portion 151a. While the electrode connection portion 151d moves backward, as shown in FIG. 3d, the electrode unit 120 may be brought into contact with the tube V in the body.

[0083] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6d, with the protrusion 151b of the tension maintaining unit 151 blocked by the first stopper portion 151c, only the electrode connection portion 151d of the tension maintaining unit 151 moves backward by releasing the connection with the moving portion 152. As a result, the length of the first spring portion 151a decreases by a certain distance (D2→D3). While tension is provided to the electrode unit 120, the electrode unit 120 may be in close contact with the tube V in the body. That is, when the connection between the tension maintaining unit 151 and the moving portion 152 is released, only the electrode connection portion 151d of the tension maintaining unit 151 moves backward, and the distance between one end side of the electrode connection portion 151d and one end side of the electrode guide driving unit 140 increases by a certain distance (d1→d2).

[0084] The electrode unit 120 in contact with the tube V in the body can transmit energy for damaging the nerve and perform neurotomy.

[0085] At this time, when the connection between the tension maintaining unit 151 and the moving portion 152 is released, the electrode driving unit 150 may gradually reduce the tension of the first spring portion 151a through the deceleration portion 153. That is, the length of the first spring portion 151a gradually decreases by a certain distance (D2→D3) due to the deceleration portion 153. Therefore, as the electrode connection portion 151d gradually moves backward, the electrode unit 120 is gradually in close contact with the tube V in the body, and it can be prevented that the tube V in the body is damaged in the process of the electrode unit 120 being in close contact with the tube V in the body and performing neurotomy.

[0086] Thereafter, referring to FIGS. 6e and 6f, after the connection between the tension maintaining unit 151 and the moving portion 152 is released, the electrode driving unit 150 may move the moving portion 152 backward. The moving portion 152 moves backward along the backward movement rail 155 together with the electrode guide driving unit 150, and as shown in FIG. 3e, the electrode guide 130 may be detached from around the tube V in the body.

[0087] Specifically, when the electrode guide driving unit 140 moves backward, while the pin 152b of the moving part 152 connected to the electrode guide driving unit 140 moves backward along the backward rail 155, the other end side of the connecting part 152a may engage with the electrode connecting part 151d of the tension maintaining unit 151 that has moved backward first, and move the tension maintaining unit 151 backward to the end.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 6e, when the electrode connecting part 151d of the tension maintaining unit 151 moves backward together with the moving part 152, the length of the first spring part 151a decreases by a certain distance (D3→D1), and all the tension generated in the first spring part 151a may decrease.

[0089] When the pin 152b of the electrode driving unit 150 moves backward, the electrode driving unit 150 can block the connecting rail 156 at the second stopper part 157 to prevent the pin 152b from moving to the connecting rail 156 again. For example, the second stopper part 157 may include a spring that compresses the second stopper part 157 so that the pin 152b can move to the connecting rail 156, and returns the state of the second stopper part 157 when the pin 152b is located on the backward rail 155.

[0090] When the electrode guide driving unit 140 and the electrode driving unit 150 move backward, as shown in FIG. 3e, the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 may move backward (B) toward the shaft 111.

[0091] When the backward movement of the electrode guide driving unit 140 and the electrode driving unit 150 is completed, as shown in FIG. 6a, the pin 152b of the moving part 152 may be arranged on the forward rail 154, that is, in the atmospheric state. At this time, the electrode unit 120 and the electrode guide 130 may also be in the standby state before being pulled out from the shaft 111, as shown in FIG. 3a.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 7, the electrode driving unit 150 according to another embodiment may further include a second spring portion 158 that connects the support portion 152c and the connecting portion 152a. When the pin 152b moves backward, the electrode driving unit 150 can utilize the second spring portion 158 to prevent the pin 152b from moving back to the connecting rail 156.

[0093] Therefore, when the pin 152b moves backward through the second spring portion 158 that connects the support portion 152c and the connecting portion 152a without a stopper portion that cuts off the connecting rail 156, the electrode driving unit 150 can prevent the pin 152b from moving back to the connecting rail 156.

[0094] The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes. A person with 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 exemplary in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented dispersedly, and similarly, components described as dispersed may also be implemented in a combined form.

[0095] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described later rather than the above detailed description, and it must be interpreted that all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts are 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 out 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 coupled to the end of the electrode unit and guiding the electrode unit to contact the tube in the body, an electrode guide driving unit configured to move the electrode guide forward and backward, and an electrode driving unit configured to move the electrode unit forward and backward in conjunction with the electrode guide driving unit, wherein the electrode driving unit includes a tension maintaining unit coupled to one end of the electrode unit to provide tension to the electrode unit, and a moving unit that, while being coupled to the tension maintaining unit, advances the tension maintaining unit until the electrode guide is wound around the tube in the body and then releases the connection with the tension maintaining unit, the tension maintaining unit includes a first spring unit that provides tension to the electrode unit, and after the connection with the moving unit is released, an electrode connection part coupled to one end of the electrode unit moves backward by the tension of the first spring unit, and the electrode driving unit further includes a decelerating unit that reduces the speed of the electrode connection part moving backward by the tension of the first spring unit when the connection between the tension maintaining unit and the moving unit is released. The electrode device.

2. The tension maintaining unit further includes a protruding part protruding to one side, and a first stopper part that blocks the movement of the protruding part when the tension maintaining unit advances to generate the tension of the first spring unit. The electrode device according to claim 1.

3. The electrode device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode unit contacts the tube while the electrode connection part moves backward.

4. 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 out 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 coupled to the end of the electrode unit and guiding the electrode unit to contact the tube in the body, an electrode guide driving unit configured to move the electrode guide forward and backward, An electrode driving unit configured to move the electrode unit forward and backward in conjunction with the electrode guide driving unit, The electrode driving unit includes: A tension maintaining unit connected to one end of the electrode unit and providing tension to the electrode unit; A moving part that, while connected to the tension maintaining unit, moves the tension maintaining unit forward until the electrode guide is wound around a tube in the body, and then releases the connection with the tension maintaining unit; After the connection between the tension maintaining unit and the moving part is released, the electrode connection part connected to one end of the electrode unit moves backward; The moving part includes: A connecting part for connecting to the tension maintaining unit; Further includes a pin formed on the connecting part for the moving part to move the tension maintaining unit forward; The electrode driving unit further includes: A forward rail for the pin to move forward, an electrode device.

5. The electrode driving unit further includes a backward rail for the pin to move backward to detach the electrode guide from around the tube in the body after the moving part releases the connection with the tension maintaining unit, according to the electrode device described in claim 4.

6. The lengths of the forward rail and the backward rail are the same, according to the electrode device described in claim 5.

7. The moving part further includes: A support part connected to the electrode guide driving unit; A hinge part for making the connecting part rotatable; The electrode driving unit further includes: A connecting rail connecting the forward rail and the backward rail; When the pin moves on the connecting rail, the hinge part rotates and the connecting part is disengaged from the tension maintaining unit, according to the electrode device described in claim 5.

8. The electrode driving unit further includes a second spring part connecting the support part and the connecting part to prevent the pin from moving back onto the connecting rail when the pin moves backward, according to the electrode device described in claim 7.

9. The electrode driving unit further includes a second stopper part for blocking the connecting rail when the pin is located on the backward rail via the connecting rail to prevent the pin from moving back onto the connecting rail when the pin moves backward, according to the electrode device described in claim 7.

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