Treatment device for type 2 diabetes

Abstract

To provide a type 2 diabetes treatment device that reliably warms an affected area to activate insulin secretion.SOLUTION: A type 2 diabetes treatment device includes: two plate-shaped electrodes (301, 601); a through-hole (601a) that is formed in the thickness direction in at least one of the two plate-shaped electrodes; and a high-frequency power supply (400) that supplies high-frequency power to the two plate-shaped electrodes. Preferably, a cylindrical through-hole is symmetrically provided relative to the center of the plate-shaped electrode. Additionally, the diameter of the through-hole is preferably between 1% and 10% of the diameter of the plate-shaped electrode formed with the through-hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a therapeutic apparatus for type 2 diabetes. [Background Art]

[0002] When a person eats a meal, sugar is taken into the blood, and the concentration of sugar in the blood (blood glucose level) increases. When the blood glucose level rises, a hormone called insulin is secreted from the pancreas. Insulin secreted from the pancreas is transported throughout the body along with the blood. Sugar in the blood is converted into an energy source called glycogen in the liver and muscles or stored as fat, thereby lowering the blood glucose level. When diabetes develops, insulin secretion is delayed, the amount of insulin secretion decreases, or the action of insulin is weakened, making it difficult for the blood glucose level to decrease. If a high blood glucose level persists for a long period of time, damage occurs to blood vessels throughout the body; in severe cases, this is likely to cause complications that greatly reduce QOL (quality of life), such as blindness, renal failure, and amputation of the foot, as well as diseases such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction.

[0003] Diabetes includes type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which beta cells in the pancreas are damaged, and no or almost no insulin can be produced. Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which insulin is produced in the pancreas but the amount is insufficient, or the produced insulin does not fully exert its function. Type 2 diabetes is also called a lifestyle-related disease because it is caused by obesity, lack of exercise, disordered eating habits, and the like.

[0004] In Japan, it is estimated that approximately 10 million people suffer from diabetes, and the majority of them have type 2 diabetes, also known as a lifestyle-related disease. For patients with type 2 diabetes, lifestyle guidance is first provided to correct unhealthy eating habits and exercise routines. If blood sugar levels do not decrease sufficiently even after improving lifestyle habits, drug therapy using medications to lower blood sugar levels is administered. For patients with type 2 diabetes who do not achieve sufficient results with drug therapy, or for pregnant women with type 2 diabetes who cannot use blood sugar-lowering medications due to the effects on the fetus, insulin therapy is administered to artificially supplement insulin.

[0005] Drug therapy lowers blood sugar levels by administering medication, but insulin therapy is a symptomatic treatment that artificially supplements insulin to lower blood sugar levels and does not improve the pancreas's insulin secretion function. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can treat the pancreas, which is the cause of diabetes.

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes a hepatitis C treatment device comprising a pair of disc-shaped electrodes and a high-frequency power supply that supplies high-frequency power to the pair of electrodes. In this device, the pair of electrodes is placed on the patient's body surface so as to sandwich the liver, which is the affected area, and the liver is heated by supplying high-frequency power to the pair of electrodes. Patent Document 1 describes that the effect of treating hepatitis C was obtained by heating the liver in this way. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-131033 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] In the treatment of type 2 diabetes, it is expected that warming the pancreas will improve insulin secretion. However, while Patent Document 1 states that some patients with hepatitis C showed positive effects from warming therapy, it also states that some patients did not see any therapeutic effect, and it is considered that this was due to insufficient warming of the affected area. Therefore, in order to use such devices in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, it is necessary to ensure that the affected area is warmed more reliably.

[0009] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a device for treating type 2 diabetes that can reliably heat the affected area and activate insulin secretion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The type 2 diabetes treatment device according to the present invention, which was developed to solve the above problems, Two plate-shaped electrodes, A through hole formed in the thickness direction of at least one of the two plate-shaped electrodes, A high-frequency power supply that supplies high-frequency power to the two plate-shaped electrodes It is characterized by having the following features.

[0011] When using the type 2 diabetes treatment device according to the present invention, two plate-shaped electrodes are placed on the patient's body surface so as to sandwich the affected area (for example, the patient's pancreas or liver), and high-frequency power is applied to these plate-shaped electrodes. At least one of these two plate-shaped electrodes has a through-hole formed in the thickness direction. By warming the patient's pancreas, it is possible to directly act on the pancreas and activate insulin secretion. In addition, by warming the patient's liver, it is possible to improve (supplement) blood flow to the pancreas and activate insulin secretion from the pancreas.

[0012] When two plate-shaped electrodes are placed on the body surface, flanking the affected area, and high-frequency power is supplied to them, an electric field is formed. This electric field causes a high-frequency displacement current (also called electric flux current) to flow inside the human body, which is a dielectric. In a hepatitis C treatment device that supplies high-frequency power to two plate-shaped electrodes with flat opposing surfaces, as described in Patent Document 1, the displacement current generated at the center of the disc-shaped electrodes flows linearly from one electrode to the other, while the displacement current generated at the periphery of the electrodes flows from one electrode to the other, bulging outward beyond the space between the two electrodes. Therefore, the displacement current becomes coarser as you move away from the center of the electrode pair, which is thought to have made it difficult to heat the affected area. Such a current that does not involve the flow of electrons is called a displacement current and is distinguished from a conductive current that does involve the flow of electrons. Also, since the displacement current does not involve the flow of electrons, it does not generate the resistance that occurs when a conductive current flows.

[0013] In the type 2 diabetes treatment device according to the present invention, a through-hole is formed in the thickness direction of at least one of the two plate-shaped electrodes. When a through-hole is formed in the thickness direction of the plate-shaped electrode, displacement current tends to concentrate near the through-hole. Therefore, the displacement current generated from the periphery of the electrode is prevented from bulging outward from the space sandwiched between the two plate-shaped electrodes, and the affected area can be reliably heated to activate insulin secretion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] By using the type 2 diabetes treatment device according to the present invention, the affected area can be reliably heated to activate insulin secretion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] An overall perspective view of one embodiment of a device for treating type 2 diabetes according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the internal configuration of the type 2 diabetes treatment device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Another diagram showing the internal configuration of the type 2 diabetes treatment device of this embodiment. [Figure 4]Still another diagram showing the internal configuration of the type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the configuration of the upper electrode in the present embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 100 and the like in the present embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram illustrating the heating operation in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] An example of an electrode formed with a plurality of through-holes. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <Regarding Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Apparatus> Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment. The type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "the apparatus") includes a control unit 100, a therapeutic bed main body 200, and an upper electrode unit 600 as a basic configuration. The therapeutic bed main body 200 is provided with a lower electrode 301.

[0018] The control unit 100 has a desktop console, and includes an operation unit 101 placed on a central shelf, a display unit 102 provided above the operation unit, and an output unit 103 such as a printer. A control circuit unit is housed inside the housing of the control unit 100. The operation unit 101 is for performing various input operations necessary for operating the type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment apparatus, and includes, for example, a keyboard. The display unit 102 is for displaying information related to a patient and monitoring the operating status of the apparatus. The output unit 103 is for outputting data related to the patient, information related to the apparatus and the like.

[0019] Figure 2 is a view of the front side (BB side) of the paper in Figure 1 from a cross-section along the longitudinal direction passing through the center of the treatment bed body 200. Figure 3 is a view of the back side (AA side) of the paper in Figure 1 from the same cross-section. Figure 4 is a cross-section along the short direction passing through the center of the treatment bed body 200.

[0020] The treatment bed body 200 comprises a housing 210 with an open top and a table section 220 that covers the opening. The table section 220 is large enough for a patient to lie down on. A high-frequency generator and the like are housed inside the housing 210.

[0021] Wheels 211 for moving the treatment bed body 200 are attached to the four corners of the bottom surface of the housing 210. In addition, fixing members 212 for fixing the position of the treatment bed body 200 are provided at four locations on the bottom surface of the housing 210. The four fixing members 212 are preferably provided at four equally spaced locations in a plan view (for example, symmetrical positions with respect to the longitudinal central axis and the transverse central axis of the treatment bed body 200, or positions equidistant from the center of the treatment bed body 200). For example, the fixing member 212 may consist of a columnar member with screw threads formed on its circumferential surface and a grounding member provided at the lower end of the columnar member and having a flat lower surface. The screw threads on the circumferential surface of the columnar member are screwed into a through hole provided on the bottom surface of the housing 210 with a screw groove formed on its inner circumferential surface, thereby raising and lowering the grounding member relative to the treatment bed body 200.

[0022] The treatment bed body 200 has the control unit 100 facing the patient's head, making it easier for the doctor to interview the patient while viewing the screen of the display unit 102. In Figure 1, the right side is the head side and the left side is the foot side. Hereafter, the left side (the display surface side of the display unit 102) when viewed from the head side will be referred to as the front side.

[0023] A main switch 2101 for turning the device's power on / off, a voltmeter 2102, and a current meter 2103 are located on the front side of the housing 210. In addition, openings of appropriate size are formed in suitable locations on the front side of the housing 210 for purposes such as heat dissipation, and a wire mesh cover 2104 is stretched over these openings.

[0024] The upper electrode section 600 comprises an upper electrode 601 and an arch section 602 that supports the upper electrode 601. As shown in Figure 5, the upper electrode 601 is generally disc-shaped, with a circular through-hole 601a formed in its center. The diameter of the through-hole 601a is preferably 1% to 10% of the diameter of the upper electrode 601. If the diameter of the through-hole 601a is smaller than this, the area for concentrating high-frequency power becomes too narrow, and if the diameter of the through-hole 601a is larger than this, it becomes difficult to concentrate high-frequency power. By keeping the diameter of the through-hole 601a within the above range, it is possible to effectively suppress the displacement current generated at the periphery of the electrode from bulging outward beyond the space between the two electrodes. For example, if the diameter of the upper electrode 601 is approximately 300 mm, a through-hole 601a with a diameter of approximately 10 mm can be suitably used. By using an upper electrode 601 with such a through hole 601a, high-frequency power is concentrated and supplied near the peripheral edge of the through hole 601a.

[0025] As described in Patent Document 1, when disc-shaped electrodes with flat opposing surfaces are used, when high-frequency power is supplied to both electrodes, the displacement current generated at the center of the disc-shaped electrodes flows linearly from one electrode to the other, while the displacement current generated at the periphery of the electrodes flows from one electrode to the other, bulging outward beyond the space between the two electrodes. Therefore, the displacement current becomes coarser as it moves away from the center of the electrode pair, which is thought to have made it difficult to heat the affected area.

[0026] In contrast, by forming a through-hole 601a in the upper electrode 601 and supplying high-frequency power to the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301, as in this embodiment, the displacement current flowing through the patient's body increases, making it easier to heat the affected area. For example, while it took about 45 minutes to heat the affected area when using electrodes with flat opposing surfaces, in this embodiment, the affected area can be heated in about 30 minutes.

[0027] The upper electrode 601 is attached to the arch portion 602 via a cylindrical arm portion 603. The arm portion 603 is extendable and retractable, and is configured to retract by a maximum of 15 cm when pressed. The arch portion 602 has two legs. One leg can be detached at the detachment portion 6021, and the other leg is configured to rotate around a vertical axis at the rotation portion 6022. By detaching one leg at the detachment portion 6021 and rotating the arch portion 602 around the vertical axis at the rotation portion 6022, the upper electrode 601 can be moved to the side from above the table portion 220, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1.

[0028] The lower electrode 301 is disc-shaped and approximately the same size as the upper electrode 601. The lower electrode 301 is fitted into a circular hole 221 drilled slightly towards the head from the center of the table portion 220, such that the upper surface of the lower electrode 301 and the upper surface of the table portion 220 are flush. The upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301 are positioned on the patient's body surface (front and back) so as to sandwich the affected area of ​​the patient, namely the pancreas or liver.

[0029] The upper electrode 601 is electrically connected to the lower electrode 301 via the arch portion 602, etc. The upper electrode 601 is also grounded. The arch portion 602 forms an earth potential space, which suppresses the emission of electric field lines from the lower electrode 301 toward the ground. It also suppresses the influence of external electric fields on the space between the opposing upper electrode 601 and lower electrode 301, and makes the distribution of electric fields in that space uniform. Temperature control pads 306 and 307 are attached to the opposing surfaces (the sides attached to the patient's body surface) of the upper electrode 601 and lower electrode 301, respectively. Water distribution pipes (not shown) are connected to these temperature control pads 306 and 307.

[0030] Inside the housing 210 are a high-frequency power generator 400 that outputs high-frequency power, a lifting mechanism 230 that raises and lowers the table section 220, and a chilled water tank 308 and a hot water tank 309. The chilled water tank 308 circulates chilled water through a water distribution pipe and a chiller 310 (see Figure 2) and supplies it to the temperature control pads 306 and 307. The hot water tank 309 circulates hot water at approximately body temperature through a water distribution pipe and supplies it to the temperature control pads 306 and 307. Water pumps 3081 and 3091 are connected to the chilled water tank 308 and the hot water tank 309, respectively.

[0031] The water distribution pipes connected to the temperature control pads 306 and 307 branch into two, each connected to a cold water tank 308 and a hot water tank 309. Valves are provided at each of these branched sections, and by switching the opening and closing of these valves to drive the water pumps 3081 and 3091, hot water and cold water can be supplied to the temperature control pads 306 and 307. When heating of the affected area begins, warm water at approximately body temperature is supplied to the temperature control pads 306 and 307. After a predetermined time has elapsed since heating of the affected area began, cold water is supplied to the temperature control pads 306 and 307 to suppress an excessive rise in the patient's body temperature.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the lifting mechanism 230 consists of a cylinder base plate 232 mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 210, hydraulic cylinders 233 and 234 erected from two locations on the cylinder base plate 232, and a lifting plate 231 mounted on the upper ends of the hydraulic cylinders 233 and 234. This lifting mechanism 203 allows the lifting plate 231 to be raised or lowered, for example, by 15 cm.

[0033] A hydraulic unit 245 is connected to the hydraulic cylinders 233 and 234. The hydraulic unit 245 is of a known type and includes a pump that supplies oil stored in an oil tank to the hydraulic cylinders 233 and 234 at a predetermined pressure, and a hydraulic valve. The height of the table section 220 is adjusted by driving the pump to supply oil to the hydraulic cylinders 233 and 234 at a predetermined pressure.

[0034] The lifting mechanism 230 is equipped with a parallel holding mechanism that raises and lowers the lifting plate 231 while keeping it in a horizontal position. The parallel holding mechanism comprises guides 235 and 236 erected from two locations on the bottom surface of the housing 210, racks 237 and 238 connected downward from two locations on the back surface of the lifting plate 231, and pinions 239 and 240 located on both sides of the racks 237 and 238. It also comprises a connecting arm 241 connected to the racks 237 and 238 via the pinions 239 and 240, and holding members 242 and 243 that rotatably hold the connecting arm 241 at a position approximately midway between the guides 235 and 236.

[0035] The operation of the parallel holding mechanism to hold the lifting plate 231 parallel will now be explained. When the lifting plate 231 moves upward and the racks 237 and 238 rise, the pinions 239 and 240 rotate, causing the connecting arm 241 to rotate. Simultaneously with the rotation of the connecting arm 241, the piston rods 2331 and 2341 operate in sync. This allows the lifting plate 231 to be raised and lowered while maintaining a horizontal position.

[0036] In this way, the connecting arm 241 operates the piston rods 2331 and 2341 in synchronous motion so that they move up and down while maintaining the same height. Even if the two hydraulic cylinders 233 and 234 have the same hydraulic pressure, when a patient is placed on them, the load on the hydraulic cylinders 233 and 234 differs, causing the height positions of the piston rods 2331 and 2341 to differ slightly, which may prevent the lifting plate 231 from moving horizontally. Therefore, the connecting arm 241 is provided to ensure that the piston rods 2331 and 2341 move while maintaining the same height position.

[0037] Six connecting members 244 are erected on the upper surface of the lifting plate 231. The connecting members 244 are provided at multiple locations that equally distribute the patient's weight (in this embodiment, a total of six locations: the four corners of the lifting plate 231 and on both sides in the width direction slightly towards the feet from the middle of the lifting plate 231), and the table section 220 is positioned at the upper end of each connecting member 244. In addition, another connecting member 244 is erected at a position corresponding to the center of the circular hole 221 of the lifting plate 231, connecting and supporting the lower electrode 301. A universal joint is interposed at the connection between the lower electrode 301 and the connecting member 244, allowing only the lower electrode 301 to move up and down. By raising the lower electrode 301 higher than the table section 220, close contact between the table section 220 and the feet is ensured.

[0038] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the main components of the control unit 100 and the high-frequency generator 400. The high-frequency generator 400 includes a power supply circuit 401, a high-frequency generator circuit 402, a matching circuit 403, and a high-frequency power meter 404. The power supply circuit 401 supplies a predetermined level of power to the high-frequency generator circuit 402. The high-frequency generator circuit 402 generates high-frequency power of approximately 1 kW at, for example, 8 MHz using a self-oscillating method. The high-frequency power meter 404 measures the magnitude of the high-frequency power supplied to the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301. The high-frequency power meter 404 detects the incident power to the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301 and the reflected power from the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301. Alternatively, it obtains the supplied power to the load side from the output power and the incident power. The measured value of the high-frequency power meter 404 is input to the control unit 100 and displayed on the display unit 102.

[0039] The matching circuit 403 in this embodiment consists of a variable capacitor circuit. By adjusting the capacitance of the capacitor and changing the output impedance, impedance matching is performed between the high-frequency generation circuit 402 and the upper electrode 601 and lower electrode 301, i.e., with the load side. The control unit 100 can determine the capacitance component of the load side from the amount of adjustment to the capacitor.

[0040] Tomographic images 107 include X-ray images of patients obtained by a CT (Computer Tomography) scanner and images of patients' biological tissues obtained by MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The density of the images corresponds to the density of the tomographic plane including the affected area 500.

[0041] Camera 108 is composed of an area sensor with an array of solid-state image sensors (CCD: Charge-Coupled Device), and it captures images of the affected area for each patient to acquire a tomographic image 107. The captured image signal is converted into an electrical signal and then led to the control unit 100 via amplifier 109, where it is stored in RAM 105 as density information D(i,j). Here, (i,j) indicates the address in RAM 105 corresponding to the position of each part of the tomographic plane, and the density has a predetermined number of bits, for example, 8 bits of grayscale, sufficient to perform the calculations described later with sufficient accuracy.

[0042] Furthermore, if the density information D(i,j) of each patient's tomographic image 107 is transmitted, for example, via a communication means, or acquired from external memory, the density information D(i,j) can be received using an interface instead of the camera 108.

[0043] ROM 106 stores programs, calculation formulas, tables, and information necessary for various data processing to realize each function of the control unit 100. ROM 106 stores the initial value C0 of the capacitive component on the load side, the electric field distribution model K(i,j) based on the shapes of the upper electrode 601 and lower electrode 301 and the distance between the electrodes, and the initial distributed impedance ρ0(i,j) at an arbitrary position on the tomographic plane of the affected area 500. The electric field distribution model K(i,j) and the initial distributed impedance ρ0(i,j) can be those calculated based on the dimensions of the upper electrode 601 and lower electrode 301, the distance between the electrodes, and the results of a simulation performed beforehand with a uniform dielectric material interposed between the electrodes.

[0044] The control unit 100 also includes, as functional blocks, a capacitance calculation unit 110, a distributed impedance calculation unit 111, a lesion temperature calculation unit 112, and a high-frequency control unit 113. The actual control unit 100 is a personal computer or the like, and these functional blocks are realized by executing a program pre-stored in the ROM 106 using the processor.

[0045] The capacitance calculation unit 110 calculates the capacitance component C on the load side from the adjustment amount of the variable capacitor of the matching circuit 403. The distributed impedance calculation unit 111 calculates the change in distributed impedance Δρ(i,j) at any position on the tomographic plane including the affected area 500 using the following equation (1).

number

[0046] The power density P (unit: W / m³) of the displacement current absorbed by biological tissue when high-frequency power is supplied. 3 ) is expressed by the following formula.

number

[0047] The affected area temperature calculation unit 112 calculates the temperature change ΔT(i,j) at any position on the tomographic plane including the affected area 500. The high-frequency control unit 113 controls the power output from the high-frequency generation circuit 402. The capacitance calculation unit 110 calculates the capacitance component C between the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301, which fluctuates with changes in the patient's body temperature, from the adjustment amount of the variable capacitor of the matching circuit 403. The processing such as the calculation of the temperature change ΔT(i,j) by the affected area temperature calculation unit 112 is the same as in Patent Document 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0048] <Methods for warming the affected area> The following describes how to heat the affected area (the patient's pancreas or liver) using the above-mentioned type 2 diabetes treatment device (how to use the type 2 diabetes treatment device; type 2 diabetes treatment method).

[0049] First, the upper electrode 601 and arch portion 602 are moved out of the way of the table portion 220 (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1), and the patient 10 is placed lying on the table portion 220. At this time, the affected area 10a (the patient 10's pancreas or liver) to which high-frequency power is supplied is positioned above the lower electrode 301. Next, the arch portion 602 is rotated around the pivot portion 6022 to connect the cutting portion 6021 (as shown by the solid line in Figure 1), and the upper electrode 601 is positioned above the patient 10's upper abdomen. Then, the lifting mechanism 230 is driven to raise the table portion 220, and the patient 10 is sandwiched between the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301 from the front and back. By sandwiching the patient's upper abdomen between the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301 in this way, the affected area 10a (pancreas or liver) of the patient 10 is positioned between the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301 (Figure 7).

[0050] Next, high-frequency power of a predetermined frequency and magnitude is supplied to the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301 to heat the affected area 10a of the patient 10 to a temperature within a predetermined range. Since the energy attenuates faster the higher the frequency of the high-frequency power, the predetermined frequency is determined by considering, for example, the distance from the patient's body surface to the affected area 500. In this embodiment, the frequency of the high-frequency power is 8 MHz. Although the 8 MHz frequency band is not a frequency band recognized for medical use under the Radio Law, approval for using this frequency band can be obtained by adopting a configuration that does not cause external radio interference. In this embodiment, the frequency of the high-frequency power is 8 MHz, but it is possible to implement the present invention in other frequency bands as well. Similarly, when using other frequency bands, approval for using those frequency bands can be obtained by adopting a configuration that does not cause external radio interference as appropriate. Furthermore, since the amount of energy required to heat the affected area 500 varies depending on the patient's physique, the predetermined magnitude is determined according to the patient's physique. Specifically, for example, a high-frequency power of 100W to 1500W can be used. Furthermore, the high-frequency power is preferably 200W or more, more preferably 300W or more, and even more preferably 400W or more. In this embodiment, the high-frequency power is 1000W.

[0051] The high-frequency control unit 113 monitors the temperature change ΔT(i,j) data calculated by the affected area temperature calculation unit 112 while supplying high-frequency power to the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301, and provides feedback control to the magnitude of the high-frequency power to maintain the affected area 500 at a temperature within a predetermined range. In addition, while supplying high-frequency power, cold water is supplied to the temperature control pads 306 and 307 as needed to prevent the patient's body surface from becoming overheated. The predetermined temperature range is a temperature range effective in improving insulin secretion by the pancreas and improving blood flow to the pancreas, and specifically, for example, is 38°C to 43°C. Preferably, it is 39°C to 40°C.

[0052] As described above, the heating operation, which involves placing the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301 on the patient's body surface with the affected area 500 in between and supplying high-frequency power, is preferably performed continuously for a period of 30 to 60 minutes per session. This allows the affected area to be sufficiently heated, thereby increasing the therapeutic effect of each session.

[0053] Furthermore, it is preferable to continue the treatment of type 2 diabetes by warming the affected area using a type 2 diabetes treatment device. If the warming of the affected area is interrupted, immune activity may decrease, which may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment for type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is effective to continuously enhance immune activity by warming the affected area. Specifically, for example, it is preferable to perform the treatment once a day at least once a week (preferably twice or more, more preferably three or more times), and for a total of five or more times (preferably 15 or more times, and preferably 20 or more times depending on the symptoms).

[0054] As described above, it has already been confirmed through experiments using diabetic model mice that heating the affected area can yield good therapeutic effects for type 2 diabetes. The reason why heating the affected area improves type 2 diabetes is thought to be as follows: When a displacement current is applied to the affected area, molecular heat is generated in the affected area, activating cells in the pancreas and liver. It is thought that heating the pancreas to the above temperature range activates local immunity, and heating the liver to the above temperature range improves blood flow to the pancreas, thereby promoting insulin production in the pancreas. Along with this, an overall immunological effect is exerted, resulting in a therapeutic effect for type 2 diabetes.

[0055] Furthermore, in addition to the treatment of warming the affected area, treatment with insulin administration may also be used in combination. For example, the affected area may be warmed 5 to 6 times per week for a total of 2 weeks, and then for the following 2 weeks, the area may be warmed twice a week, and insulin administration may be added. This is expected to lead to a higher therapeutic effect for type 2 diabetes. These are just some of the methods of warming, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the warming operation using high-frequency power may be performed once a day for 5 or more consecutive times (5 or more days). This can further enhance the therapeutic effect for type 2 diabetes.

[0056] In this embodiment, it is preferable to heat the affected area by supplying high-frequency power while taking into account the patient's overall condition and type 2 diabetes indicators. As in this embodiment, supplying high-frequency power to the affected area rarely causes side effects, so type 2 diabetes can be treated continuously in a way that does not place an excessive burden on the patient, depending on their condition. Furthermore, as described above, the improvement in pancreatic blood flow increases the oxygen partial pressure and brings the pH closer to normal, which also activates the immune system. Moreover, these combined effects can improve the quality of life (QOL).

[0057] The above embodiments are examples and can be modified as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

[0058] In the above embodiment, a through hole 601a is formed only in the upper electrode 601, but a through hole may be formed only in the lower electrode 301, or through holes may be formed in both the upper electrode 601 and the lower electrode 301.

[0059] In the above embodiment, one through-hole is formed in the center of the disc-shaped upper electrode 601. However, multiple through-holes (preferably multiple through-holes positioned rotationally symmetric with respect to the center of the upper electrode 601) may be provided to surround the center of the upper electrode 601 and / or the lower electrode 301. If there is only one through-hole, the through-hole 601a is provided in the center of the electrode as in the above embodiment. Furthermore, if the upper or lower electrode has a shape other than a disc, one or more through-holes may be formed to surround the center of gravity instead of the center. Figure 8 shows an example in which four through-holes 601b are formed to surround the center of the upper electrode 601.

[0060] In the above embodiment, a disc-shaped upper electrode 601 and lower electrode 301 were used, but other shapes may be used. However, since the electric field may become uneven due to local concentration of the electric field at the corners, it is preferable to use electrodes without corners. Specifically, for example, electrodes that are elliptical in plan view can be used.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the through-hole 601a has a circular cross-section, but other shapes of through-holes are also acceptable. However, for the same reasons as above, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape does not have corners, and as an example of such a shape, a through-hole with an elliptical cross-section can be used. If the electrode or through-hole is not circular, their diameters may be defined as the diameter of a circle having an area equivalent to the surface or cross-section of the electrode or through-hole.

[0062] [Pattern] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the following embodiments.

[0063] (Section 1) A type 2 diabetes treatment device according to one aspect of the present invention is: Two plate-shaped electrodes, A through hole formed in the thickness direction of at least one of the two plate-shaped electrodes, A high-frequency power supply that supplies high-frequency power to the two plate-shaped electrodes It is characterized by having the following features.

[0064] When using the type 2 diabetes treatment device described in paragraph 1, two plate-shaped electrodes are placed on the patient's body surface so as to sandwich the affected area (the patient's pancreas or liver), and high-frequency power is applied to these plate-shaped electrodes. At least one of these two plate-shaped electrodes has a through-hole formed in the thickness direction. By warming the patient's pancreas, it is possible to directly act on the pancreas and activate insulin secretion. In addition, by warming the patient's liver, it is possible to improve (supplement) blood flow to the pancreas and activate insulin secretion from the pancreas.

[0065] When two plate-shaped electrodes are placed on the body surface, flanking the affected area, and high-frequency power is supplied to them, an electric field is formed. This electric field causes a high-frequency displacement current (also called electric flux current) to flow inside the human body, which acts as a dielectric. In the hepatitis C treatment device described in Patent Document 1, the displacement current generated at the center of the disc-shaped electrodes flows linearly from one electrode to the other, while the displacement current generated at the periphery of the electrodes flows from one electrode to the other, bulging outward beyond the space between the two electrodes. Therefore, the displacement current becomes coarser as you move away from the center of the electrode pair, which is thought to have made it difficult to heat the affected area.

[0066] In the type 2 diabetes treatment device described in paragraph 1, a through-hole is formed in the thickness direction of at least one of the two plate-shaped electrodes. When a through-hole is formed in the thickness direction of the plate-shaped electrode, displacement current tends to concentrate near the through-hole. Therefore, in the type 2 diabetes treatment device described in paragraph 1, the outward expansion of displacement current generated from the periphery of the electrode out of the space sandwiched between the two plate-shaped electrodes is suppressed, and the pancreas and liver can be reliably heated to activate insulin secretion.

[0067] (Section 2) The type 2 diabetes treatment device relating to paragraph 2 is, in the type 2 diabetes treatment device relating to paragraph 1, The through-hole is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0068] In the type 2 diabetes treatment device described in paragraph 2, since the through-hole does not have corners, the displacement current does not concentrate locally in a part of the through-hole, and the displacement current can be uniformly passed through the space sandwiched between the two plate-shaped electrodes.

[0069] (Section 3) The type 2 diabetes treatment device pertaining to paragraph 3 is a type 2 diabetes treatment device pertaining to paragraph 1 or 2, One or more of the through holes are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the plate-shaped electrode.

[0070] In the type 2 diabetes treatment device described in paragraph 3, the through-hole for concentrating the displacement current is provided at a position symmetrical to the center (center or center of gravity) of the electrode, so that the displacement current can be uniformly passed through the space sandwiched between the two plate-shaped electrodes.

[0071] (Section 4) The type 2 diabetes treatment device pertaining to paragraph 4 is a type 2 diabetes treatment device pertaining to any of paragraphs 1 to 3, The diameter of the through-hole is 1% to 10% of the diameter of the plate-shaped electrode in which the through-hole is formed.

[0072] In the type 2 diabetes treatment device described in paragraph 4, the displacement current generated from the periphery of the electrode can be uniformly distributed in the space sandwiched between the two plate-shaped electrodes.

[0073] (Section 5) The type 2 diabetes treatment device pertaining to paragraph 5 is a type 2 diabetes treatment device pertaining to any of paragraphs 1 to 4, The magnitude of the aforementioned high-frequency power is between 100W and 1500W.

[0074] In the type 2 diabetes treatment device described in paragraph 5, high-frequency power of 100W to 1500W is supplied according to the patient's physique, etc. This heats the affected area to 38°C to 43°C, generating molecular heat and activating cells. As a result, the immune system is activated, promoting insulin production in the pancreas, and a comprehensive immunological effect is exerted, allowing for the effective treatment of type 2 diabetes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10...patient 10a... Affected area 100... Control Unit 101...Operation unit 102...Display section 103…Output section 105...RAM 106...ROM 107... Fault photograph 108...Camera 109... Amplifier 110...Capacity calculation section 111...Distributed Impedance Calculation Unit 112…Afected area temperature calculation unit 113...High-frequency control unit 200... Treatment bed main unit 203... Lifting mechanism 210... Housing 2101...Main switch 2102...Voltmeter 2103... Current meter 2104... Wire mesh cover 211...Wheel 212… Fixing member 220... Table section 221...Circular hole 230... Lifting mechanism 231... Lifting platform 232...Cylinder substrate 233, 234… Hydraulic cylinders 2331, 2341… Piston rods 235, 236… Guide 237, 238... racks 239, 240... pinion 241... Connecting arm 242, 243... Retaining members 244…Connecting member 245... Hydraulic unit 301...Lower electrode 306, 307… Temperature control pads 308...Chilled water tank 309... Hot water tank 3081, 3091... Water supply pumps 310... Chiller 400...High-frequency generation unit 401…Power circuit 402... High-frequency generation circuit 403...Matching circuit 404... High-frequency power meter 500... Affected area 600...Top electrode part 601...Top electrode 601a, 601b...Through hole 602... Arch section 6021...Separation section 6022...Rotating part 603...Arm section

Claims

1. Two plate-shaped electrodes, A through hole formed in the thickness direction of at least one of the two plate-shaped electrodes, A high-frequency power supply that supplies high-frequency power to the two plate-shaped electrodes, A control unit that operates the high-frequency power supply while the through hole is hollow. A device for treating type 2 diabetes, characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The through hole is formed in a cylindrical shape. A device for treating type 2 diabetes according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. One or more of the through holes are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the plate-shaped electrode. A device for treating type 2 diabetes according to claim 1, characterized in that

4. The diameter of the through-hole is 1% or more and 10% or less of the diameter of the plate-shaped electrode in which the through-hole is formed. A device for treating type 2 diabetes according to claim 1, characterized in that

5. The magnitude of the aforementioned high-frequency power is 100W or more and 1500W or less. A device for treating type 2 diabetes according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. moreover, A high-frequency control unit provides feedback control of the magnitude of the high-frequency power to maintain the temperature of the affected area to which the two plate-shaped electrodes are attached within a predetermined range. A device for treating type 2 diabetes according to claim 1, characterized by comprising:

7. The temperature within the predetermined range is 38°C or higher and 40°C or lower. A device for treating type 2 diabetes according to claim 6, characterized in that...

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