Treatment device

Abstract

A treatment device 100 comprises: an insertion part 21 that is inserted into a subject and a balloon part 6 including a first balloon 61 that is attached to the insertion part 21 and that expands with the introduction of a fluid. The balloon part 6 treats a site to be treated by imparting thermal energy to the site to be treated.

Description

Treatment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment device.

[0002] Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a disease frequently seen in men and may cause urinary disorders and kidney dysfunction. Conventionally, the following treatment devices (catheters) have been proposed as treatment devices for benign prostatic hyperplasia (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The treatment device described in Patent Document 1 includes electrodes that are arranged at intervals on the outer surface of the catheter and perform ablation on the prostate tissue.

[0003] German Patent Application Publication No. 102007010075

[0004] However, in ablation using electrodes as in the treatment device described in Patent Document 1, since it acts directly on the prostate tissue, it is difficult to perform the treatment minimally invasively. Therefore, a technique that can perform the treatment minimally invasively is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a treatment device capable of performing treatment minimally invasively.

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the treatment device according to the present invention includes an insertion portion inserted into the subject, and a first balloon attached to the insertion portion and inflated by injecting a fluid, and performs at least any one of imparting thermal energy, imparting vibration energy, and imparting carbonic acid to the treatment target, and a balloon portion for treating the treatment target.

[0007] Furthermore, the treatment device according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion inserted into the body of a subject, a sheath through which the insertion portion is inserted and which is able to move back and forth relative to the insertion portion in a direction along the central axis, an elastic compression wire attached to the insertion portion, and a pressure sensor provided on the compression wire for detecting the pressure applied to the compression wire. When the compression wire is located inside the sheath, it is compressed by the inner circumferential surface of the sheath, and when it protrudes outward from the tip of the sheath, it expands to its original state. The insertion portion is provided with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the degree of expansion of the compression wire.

[0008] Furthermore, the treatment device according to the present invention comprises an insertion part that is inserted into the body of a subject and has a puncture needle channel inside, and a puncture needle that is inserted into the puncture channel, and the insertion part is provided with a plurality of puncture openings that communicate with the puncture needle channel from the outer surface of the insertion part and cause the puncture needle to protrude to the outside of the insertion part.

[0009] The treatment device according to the present invention allows for minimally invasive treatment.

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment system according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 1 of the embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 2 of the embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 3 of the embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 4 of the embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 5 of the embodiment. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 6 of the embodiment. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 7 of the embodiment. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment system according to modification 8 of the embodiment. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment system according to modification 8 of the embodiment. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment system according to modification 8 of the embodiment. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment system according to modification 9 of the embodiment. Figure 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 10 of the embodiment. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 10 of the embodiment. Figure 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device according to modification 10 of the embodiment. Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating modification 11 of the embodiment.

[0011] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] [Configuration of the Treatment System] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the treatment system 1 according to an embodiment. The treatment system 1 is a system for reducing the size of an enlarged prostate adenoma. As shown in Figure 1, the treatment system 1 comprises an endoscope 2, a light source unit 3, a processing unit 4, a display unit 5, and a balloon unit 6. These endoscope 2, light source unit 3, processing unit 4, display unit 5, and balloon unit 6 may all be separate components, or at least one of them may be integrated into a single unit.

[0013] In this embodiment, the endoscope 2 is a so-called flexible endoscope. Part of this endoscope 2 is inserted transurethrally into the urethra of the subject, images the inside of the subject, and outputs an image signal generated by the imaging. As shown in Figure 1, the endoscope 2 is equipped with an insertion section 21.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, an image sensor 244 is built into the tip 24 of the insertion section 21. The insertion section 21 is inserted transurethrally into the urethra of the subject, and the image sensor 244 captures images of subjects such as biological tissue located in a position where external light cannot reach.

[0015] Here, the first and second balloons 61 and 62 (see Figure 2), which constitute the balloon portion 6, are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 21 at specific intervals along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21. The insertion portion 21 and the balloon portion 6 correspond to the treatment device 100 (Figure 2) according to the present invention. The detailed configuration and arrangement of the first and second balloons 61 and 62 will be explained later in the section "Configuration of the Treatment Device".

[0016] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a light guide 241 and a bundled cable 245 containing one or more signal lines are routed inside the insertion section 21. The light guide 241 is made of glass fiber or the like and forms a light guide path for the light emitted from the light source 3. The light guide 241 propagates the illumination light emitted from the light source 3 to the tip section 24. The bundled cable 245 transmits the image signal captured by the image sensor 244 located at the tip section 24 to the processing unit 4. This bundled cable 245 includes signal lines for transmitting image signals, signal lines for transmitting drive signals for driving the image sensor 244, and signal lines for sending and receiving information including unique information about the endoscope 2 (image sensor 244). In this embodiment, it is described as transmitting electrical signals using signal lines, but it may also transmit optical signals, transmit signals between the endoscope 2 and the processing unit 4 by wireless communication, or transmit images by fiber.

[0017] The exit end of the light guide 241 is inserted into the tip portion 24. As shown in Figure 1, this tip portion 24 includes an illumination lens 242, a light-gathering optical system 243, and an image sensor 244 provided at the imaging position of the optical system 243, which receives the light gathered by the optical system 243, converts it into an electrical signal via photoelectricity, and performs predetermined signal processing.

[0018] The optical system 243 is composed of one or more lenses and forms an observation image on the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 244. The optical system 243 may also have an optical zoom function to change the angle of view and a focus function to change the focal point.

[0019] The image sensor 244 converts light from the optical system 243 into electrical signals (image signals). This image sensor 244 is made up of multiple pixels arranged in a matrix, each having a photodiode that stores charge according to the amount of light, and a capacitor that converts the charge transferred from the photodiode into a voltage level. The image sensor 244 generates electrical signals by converting the light incident on it through the optical system 243 into electrical signals, and sequentially reads out the electrical signals generated by pixels arbitrarily set as readout targets from among the multiple pixels, and outputs them as image signals. This image sensor 244 can be realized using, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0020] For the sake of clarity, in the following explanation, the image signal generated by the image sensor 244 will be referred to as the captured image.

[0021] Here, the endoscope 2 has a memory (not shown) that can store data including execution programs and control programs for the image sensor 244 to perform various operations, as well as identification information for the endoscope 2. This identification information includes the endoscope 2's unique information (ID), year of manufacture, specifications, and transmission method. The memory may also temporarily store images generated by the image sensor 244.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the light source unit 3 comprises a light source 31, a lighting control unit 32, and a light source driver 33.

[0023] The light source 31 emits light under the control of the illumination control unit 32. This light source 31 emits light having a visible light wavelength range (white light (illumination light)). This light source 31 can be realized using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source, a laser light source, a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, or any other light source. The light source 31 may also have one or more lenses. The light generated by the light source 31 is emitted from the tip of the tip 24 toward the subject via the light guide 241 and the illumination lens 242.

[0024] Furthermore, the light emitted from the light source 31 is not limited to white light; it may also be narrowband light having a specific wavelength range, or excitation light that excites substances contained in the object being observed.

[0025] The lighting control unit 32 controls the operation of the light source driver 33 under the control of the processing unit 4.

[0026] The light source driver 33, under the control of the lighting control unit 32, supplies current to the light source 31, thereby causing the light source 31 to emit light.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the processing unit 4 comprises an image processing unit 41, a synchronization signal generation unit 42, an input unit 43, a control unit 44, and a storage unit 45.

[0028] The image processing unit 41, under the control of the control unit 44, performs specific image processing on the captured image received from the endoscope 2 to generate an endoscope image. This endoscope image is then output to the display unit 5 and displayed on the display unit 5.

[0029] Examples of image processing performed by the image processing unit 41 include optical black subtraction (clamping), white balance adjustment, demosaicing, color correction matrix processing, gamma correction, YC processing to convert RGB signals into luminance chromatic difference signals (Y, Cb / Cr signals), digital gain adjustment to multiply digital gain, noise reduction, and filtering to enhance structure.

[0030] The image processing unit 41 described above is configured using a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or various arithmetic circuits that perform specific functions.

[0031] The synchronization signal generation unit 42 generates a clock signal (synchronization signal) that serves as the reference for the operation of the processing unit 4, and outputs the generated synchronization signal to the light source unit 3, the image processing unit 41, the control unit 44, and the endoscope 2. Here, the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generation unit 42 includes a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal. As a result, the light source unit 3, the image processing unit 41, the control unit 44, and the endoscope 2 operate in synchronization with each other based on the generated synchronization signal.

[0032] The input unit 43 is implemented using a keyboard, mouse, switches, or touch panel, and accepts various operations to instruct the operation of the treatment system 1. The input unit 43 may also include switches provided on the endoscope 2, or portable terminals such as external tablet computers, and input may be accepted by the display device 5.

[0033] The control unit 44 is configured using a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a dedicated processor such as an ASIC that performs specific functions using various arithmetic circuits.

[0034] The storage unit 45 stores data including various programs executed by the control unit 44 and various parameters necessary for the processing of the control unit 44. These programs can be recorded on computer-readable recording media such as hard disks, flash memory, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and flexible disks and widely distributed. These programs can also be obtained by downloading them via a communication network. The communication network referred to here can be implemented by existing public telephone networks, LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), etc., and can be wired or wireless.

[0035] The memory unit 45 having the above configuration is implemented using a ROM (Read Only Memory) on which various programs are pre-installed, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) or hard disk that stores calculation parameters and data for each process.

[0036] The display unit 5 displays the display image received from the processing unit 4 (image processing unit 41) via a video cable. This display unit 5 is configured using a monitor such as a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence). The display unit 5 may also include an external portable terminal such as a tablet computer.

[0037] [Configuration of the treatment device] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the treatment device 100. For the sake of explanation, in Figure 2 the bladder A1, bladder neck A2, prostatic urethra A3, and prostate A4 are represented by dashed lines. Also, in Figure 2, the first and second balloons 61 and 62 are shown in an inflated state. As shown in Figure 2, the treatment device 100 comprises the insertion part 21 and the balloon part 6 described above.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the balloon section 6 comprises first and second balloons 61 and 62, a fluid injection section 63, and an air supply section 64. The first and second balloons 61 and 62 have the same configuration and are arranged in different positions. Specifically, the first and second balloons 61 and 62 are made of a flexible resin material such as silicone rubber or polyester. Furthermore, the first and second balloons 61 and 62 have an annular shape that extends over the entire circumference in the rotational direction around a central axis along the axial direction of the insertion section 21, and are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion section 21. They inflate when fluid is injected. The second balloon 62 is positioned at the tip of the insertion section 21 at a specific distance from the first balloon 61 towards the tip of the insertion section 21. The first balloon 61 inflates when liquid is injected from the fluid injection section 63. Furthermore, the second balloon 62 expands when gas is injected from the air supply unit 64, positioning the first balloon 61 at a specific location inside the subject. Therefore, if the second balloon 62 is provided, the treatment site can be identified, and thus the image sensor 244 may not be necessary.

[0039] The fluid injection unit 63, under the control of the control unit 44, adjusts the flow rate of the liquid stored in a water storage unit (not shown), such as a saline solution bag, to a specific level using a built-in pump (not shown), and injects the liquid into the first balloon 61 through the first conduit 631. In this embodiment, the liquid stored in the aforementioned tank (not shown) is hot water heated to around 40°C. Although not shown in detail, the liquid injection unit 63 maintains the temperature of the hot water inside the first balloon 61 at around 40°C by circulating the liquid (hot water) using a pump while applying heat to the liquid with a heater. In other words, the hot water is injected into the first balloon 61. Here, the first conduit 631 may be provided inside the insertion unit 21, or it may be a separate tube or the like provided outside the insertion unit 21.

[0040] Furthermore, the fluid injection unit 63 is not limited to being controlled by the control unit 44, but may also have an internal control unit and be operated by that control unit. Also, the fluid injection unit 63 is not limited to injecting hot water heated to around 40°C into the first balloon 61, but may also inject gas heated to around 40°C into the first balloon 61. In other words, any fluid that can inflate the first balloon 61 can be a liquid or a gas.

[0041] The air supply unit 64, under the control of the control unit 44, adjusts the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply source to a specific pressure and injects the gas into the second balloon 62 through the second pipeline 641. Here, the second pipeline 641 may be provided inside the insertion unit 21, or it may be composed of a tube or the like provided outside the insertion unit 21, separate from the insertion unit 21.

[0042] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to inflating the second balloon 62 by injecting gas into it using the air supply unit 64; a configuration in which the second balloon 62 is inflated by injecting liquid into it using the water supply unit may also be adopted. In other words, any fluid that can inflate the second balloon 62 can be either a liquid or a gas.

[0043] [Regarding the treatment method] Next, the treatment method using the treatment device 100 will be described. First, while checking the endoscopic image displayed on the display unit 5, the doctor inserts the insertion unit 21 transurethrally into the urethra of the subject. At this time, the first and second balloons 61 and 62 are not yet inflated. Then, after the doctor inserts the tip of the insertion unit 21 to the inside of the bladder A1 (Fig. 2), a specific operation is performed on the input unit 43. As a result, the control unit 44 drives the air supply unit 64, injects gas into the second balloon 62 from the air supply unit 64 through the second pipeline 641, and inflates the second balloon 62 (Fig. 2). Note that the doctor is not limited to the operation on the input unit 43, and may drive the air supply unit 64 by operating a foot switch (not shown). Also, the doctor himself / herself may use a syringe or a manual pump to inject gas into the second balloon 62. Then, when the second balloon 62 is pulled in the direction of removing the insertion unit 21 and gets caught on the bladder neck A2 (Fig. 2), the first balloon 61 is positioned at a specific position (a position facing the treatment target (the prostate A4 (Fig. 2))).

[0044] Next, the doctor performs a specific operation on the input unit 43. As a result, the control unit 44 drives the fluid injection unit 63, injects liquid (hot water warmed to around 40°C) into the first balloon 61 from the fluid injection unit 63 through the first pipeline 631, and inflates the first balloon 61. At this time, the first balloon 61 is positioned inside the prostatic urethra A3 (Fig. 2), and expands to expand the prostatic urethra A3. Also, while expanding the prostatic urethra A3, the first balloon 61 applies internal injection / circulation to the prostate A4 or thermal energy by the continuously injected hot water. Then, by applying thermal energy to the prostate A4 for a specific period, blood flow is improved, and a shrinking effect on the hypertrophic adenoma of the prostate A4 is obtained.

[0045] The embodiment described above provides the following effects. The treatment device 100 according to this embodiment comprises an insertion part 21 that is inserted into the body of a subject, and a balloon part 6 that is attached to the insertion part 21 and has a first balloon 61 that expands when fluid is injected, and treats the target by applying thermal energy to the target. Here, the balloon part 6 further comprises a fluid injection part 63 that injects a fluid warmer than room temperature into the first balloon 61 in order to apply thermal energy to the target. Therefore, the treatment device 100 according to this embodiment allows the treatment to be performed with less invasiveness compared to conventional ablation treatment using electrodes.

[0046] In the embodiment described above, the fluid injection unit 63 injected fluid heated to around 40°C into the first balloon 61. However, it is not limited to this, and fluid cooled to below body temperature may also be injected into the first balloon 61. The rebound effect from the cooling can improve blood flow. Alternatively, fluid heated to around 40°C and fluid cooled to below body temperature may be injected alternately into the first balloon 61. By repeatedly applying hot and cold temperatures, the pumping action of blood vessels can be improved, thereby improving blood flow.

[0047] In the above-described embodiments, the insertion portion according to the present invention employed the insertion portion 21 of the endoscope 2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a catheter, an access sheath, or the like may be employed. When the insertion portion according to the present invention is constituted by a catheter or the like in this way, it may be configured to insert the catheter or the like through the endoscope channel, which is a pipeline provided in the endoscope 2. If configured in this way, the insertion state and the treatment state can be confirmed from the display unit 5 by using the endoscope 2 (image pickup device 244). In the above-described embodiments, the position of the image pickup device 244 is not limited to the distal end portion 24, and may be provided at a position where the insertion state and the treatment state can be confirmed. Further, the image pickup device 244 may be provided on the catheter or the like. Of course, since the position of the treatment site can be specified by the presence of the second balloon 62, a configuration without the image pickup device 244 is also possible. Conversely, if the position of the treatment site can be specified by the image pickup device 244, the second balloon 62 may not be provided.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, as the shape when the first balloon 61 is inflated, a shape that avoids anatomical structures such as the seminal ridge, external urethral sphincter, bladder neck, etc. may be adopted.

[0049] (Other Embodiments) So far, the embodiments for implementing the present invention have been described. However, the present invention should not be limited only by the above-described embodiments. In the above-described embodiments, the configurations of the following modification examples 1 to 11 may be adopted.

[0050] (Modification Example 1) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a treatment device 100 according to Modification Example 1 of the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2. In the treatment device 100 according to this Modification Example 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a heater 65 and a temperature sensor 66 are added to the balloon portion 6 with respect to the treatment device 100 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the heater 65 is located inside the first balloon 61 and is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 21. The number of heaters 65 can be one or more. This heater 65 is a resistance-heating type heater, for example, made of stainless steel such as SUS or Pt, and generates heat in response to the current supplied from the processing unit 4, thereby regulating the temperature of the liquid injected into the first balloon 61.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the temperature sensor 66 is positioned inside the first balloon 61 on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 21. The number of temperature sensors 66 can be one or more. This temperature sensor 66 is composed of, for example, a thermistor or thermocouple, and measures the temperature of the liquid injected into the first balloon 61. The temperature sensor 66 then outputs a signal to the processing unit 4 corresponding to the measured temperature. It is also possible to measure the temperature of the liquid injected into the first balloon 61 simultaneously with heating by the heater 65 by measuring the change in the resistance value of the heater 65, which is made of stainless steel such as SUS or Pt.

[0053] The processing unit 4 (control unit 44) adjusts the current value supplied to the heater 65 so that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 66 is around 40°C. In other words, in this modified example 1, the processing unit 4 constantly maintains the liquid injected inside the first balloon 61 at a temperature of around 40°C while performing the procedure to shrink the enlarged adenoma of the prostate A4.

[0054] Even if the configuration of Modification 1 described above is adopted, the same effects as the embodiment described above will be achieved. In Modification 1, the fluid injection section 63 may be a fluid heated to around 40°C injected into the first balloon 61, or a fluid at room temperature may be injected into the first balloon 61.

[0055] (Modification 2) Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the treatment device 100 according to Modification 2 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 4 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 2. In the treatment device 100 according to this Modification 2, as shown in Figure 4, a heater 65 similar to the heater 65 described in Modification 1 above is added to the balloon portion 6 compared to the treatment device 100 described in the embodiment described above.

[0056] In this modified example 2, as shown in Figure 4, multiple heaters 65 are arranged on the outer surface of the first balloon 61 at specific intervals around the entire circumference centered on the central axis of the insertion portion 21. Note that the number of heaters 65 is not limited to multiple; it can be just one. The multiple heaters 65 then apply heat of approximately 40°C to the prostate A4 in accordance with the current supplied from the processing unit 4 when performing the procedure to reduce the enlarged adenoma of the prostate A4. In other words, the multiple heaters 65 each apply thermal energy to the prostate A4.

[0057] Even when adopting the configuration of the modified example 2 described above, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above are achieved.

[0058] Furthermore, the heater 65 is not limited to being placed on the outer surface of the first balloon 61; it may also be placed on the inner surface of the first balloon 61, etc. In addition, in this modified example 2, the fluid injection section 63 may be used to inject a fluid heated to around 40°C into the first balloon 61, or a fluid at room temperature into the first balloon 61.

[0059] (Modification 3) Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the treatment device 100 according to Modification 3 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 2. In the treatment device 100 according to this Modification 3, as shown in Figure 5, an electrode 67 is added to the balloon portion 6 compared to the treatment device 100 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, multiple electrodes 67 are arranged on the outer surface of the first balloon 61 at specific intervals around the entire circumference centered on the central axis of the insertion portion 21. Note that the number of electrodes 67 is not limited to multiple; one or more electrodes may be used. When performing a procedure to reduce the size of the enlarged adenoma of the prostate A4, the multiple electrodes 67 each generate high-frequency waves such as radio waves or microwaves in accordance with the power supplied from the processing unit 4. In other words, the multiple electrodes 67 each apply thermal energy to the prostate A4 using these high-frequency waves. At this time, it is desirable to set the energy output so that the tissue temperature reaches around 40°C.

[0061] Even when adopting the configuration of the modified example 3 described above, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above are achieved.

[0062] Furthermore, the placement of the electrode 67 is not limited to the outer surface of the first balloon 61; it may also be placed on the inner surface of the first balloon 61 or on the outer surface of the insertion portion 21 inside the first balloon 61. In addition, in this modified example 3, the fluid injection portion 63 may be a fluid heated to around 40°C injected into the first balloon 61, or a fluid at room temperature may be injected into the first balloon 61.

[0063] (Modification 4) Figure 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the treatment device 100 according to Modification 4 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 2. In the treatment device 100 according to this Modification 4, as shown in Figure 6, an infrared light source 68 is added to the balloon portion 6 compared to the treatment device 100 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the infrared light source 68 is located inside the first balloon 61 and is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 21. The number of infrared light sources 68 can be one or more. This infrared light source 68 is composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a laser diode, and emits infrared radiation in accordance with the power supplied from the processing unit 4 when performing a procedure to reduce the size of the enlarged adenoma of the prostate A4. In other words, the infrared light source 68 applies thermal energy to the prostate A4 with its infrared radiation.

[0065] Even when adopting the configuration of the modified example 4 described above, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above are achieved.

[0066] Furthermore, the infrared light source 68 is not limited to being positioned on the outer surface of the insertion portion 21 inside the first balloon 61, but may also be positioned on the outer surface or inner surface of the first balloon 61. In addition, in this modified example 4, the fluid injection portion 63 may be a fluid heated to around 40°C injected into the first balloon 61, or a fluid at room temperature may be injected into the first balloon 61.

[0067] (Modification 5) Figure 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the treatment device 100 according to Modification 5 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 2. In the treatment device 100 according to this Modification 5, as shown in Figure 7, a piezoelectric element 69 is added to the balloon portion 6 compared to the treatment device 100 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0068] As shown in Figure 7, multiple piezoelectric elements 69 are arranged on the outer surface of the first balloon 61 at specific intervals around the entire circumference centered on the central axis of the insertion portion 21. When performing a procedure to reduce the enlarged adenoma of the prostate A4, the multiple piezoelectric elements 69 vibrate from low to high frequencies in response to the power supplied from the processing unit 4. In other words, the multiple piezoelectric elements 69 each impart vibrational energy to the prostate A4 through this vibration. By imparting vibrational energy to the prostate A4 for a specific period, blood flow is improved, and the effect of reducing the enlarged adenoma of the prostate A4 is obtained.

[0069] Even when a configuration is adopted in which vibrational energy is applied to the object to be treated, as in the modified example 5 described above, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above are achieved.

[0070] Furthermore, the position of the piezoelectric element 69 is not limited to the outer surface of the first balloon 61, but may also be the inner surface of the first balloon 61, etc. Also, in this modified example 5, the fluid injection section 63 may be a fluid heated to around 40°C injected into the first balloon 61, or a fluid at room temperature may be injected into the first balloon 61. Moreover, the configuration for applying vibrational energy to the prostate A4 is not limited to vibration by the piezoelectric element 69, but may also be a configuration for applying vibrational energy to the prostate A4 by electromagnetic pulse or ultrasound.

[0071] (Modification 6) Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the treatment device 100 according to Modification 6 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 2. The fluid injection unit 63 according to Modification 6 injects carbon dioxide into the first balloon 61 instead of hot water at around 40°C. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the first balloon 61 according to Modification 6 is provided with supply units 611, such as holes, relief valves, or safety valves, at specific intervals around the entire circumference of the insertion unit 21, for releasing the carbon dioxide injected into the first balloon 61 when the internal pressure reaches a specific level. Note that the number of supply units 611 is not limited to multiple units, but can be just one. When performing a procedure to reduce the size of the prostate A4 adenoma, carbon dioxide is absorbed by the epithelium of the prostate A4 from multiple supply units 611, causing a temporary increase in the CO2 concentration in the blood. The body mistakenly perceives this as oxygen deficiency, leading to vasodilation and improved blood flow, resulting in a reduction in the size of the prostate A4 adenoma.

[0072] Even when a configuration is adopted in which carbon dioxide is applied to the object to be treated, as in the modified example 6 described above, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above are achieved.

[0073] (Modification 7) Figure 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the treatment device 100 according to Modification 7 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 2. In the treatment device 100 according to this Modification 7, as shown in Figure 9, a pressure sensor 60 is added to the balloon portion 6 compared to the treatment device 100 described in the above-described embodiment.

[0074] As shown in Figure 9, multiple pressure sensors 60 are arranged on the outer surface of the first balloon 61 at specific intervals around the entire circumference centered on the central axis of the insertion portion 21. Note that the number of pressure sensors 60 is not limited to multiple; it can be just one. These multiple pressure sensors 60 are composed of piezoresistive, capacitive, piezorelectric, optical, MEMS technology, and organic material sensors. Each of the multiple pressure sensors 60 measures the pressure applied from the prostate A4. These multiple pressure sensors 60 then output a signal to the processing unit 4 corresponding to the measured pressure.

[0075] The processing unit 4 (control unit 44) adjusts the amount of hot water injected from the fluid injection unit 63 into the first balloon 61 so that the pressure measured by the multiple pressure sensors 60 becomes a specific pressure.

[0076] Even when the configuration of the modified example 7 described above is adopted, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment are achieved, and a specific pressure can be applied to the target of treatment from the first balloon 61, thereby enabling effective treatment of the target of treatment.

[0077] (Modification 8) Figures 10 to 12 show the configuration of the treatment system 200 according to Modification 8 of the embodiment. Specifically, the treatment device 210 shown in Figure 10 is viewed from the side with the insertion part 220 and wire 230 inserted into the inside of the sheath 240. Note that in Figure 10, for the sake of explanation, the pressure sensor 250 and the control unit 260 are omitted from the illustration. The treatment device 210 shown in Figure 11 is viewed from the side with the sheath 240 pulled out (removed) from the insertion part 220 and wire 230. Note that in Figure 11, for the sake of explanation, the bladder A1, bladder neck A2, prostatic urethra A3, and prostate A4 are represented by dashed lines. The treatment device 210 shown in Figure 12 is viewed from the front with the sheath 240 pulled out (removed) from the insertion part 220 and wire 230. Note that in Figure 12, for the sake of explanation, only the wire 230, the first insertion part 221, and the pressure sensor 250 are shown. In the above-described embodiment, the treatment system 200 according to the modified example 8 shown in Figures 10 to 12 may be used instead of the treatment system 1.

[0078] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the treatment system 200 comprises a treatment device 210 and a control unit 260 (Figure 11).

[0079] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the treatment device 210 includes an insertion portion 220 (Figures 10 and 11), a wire 230, a sheath 240 (Figure 10), and a pressure sensor 250 (Figures 11 and 12).

[0080] The sheath 240 has a cylindrical shape and is made of a resin material such as polyethylene, HDPE (high-density polyethylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), polyurethane, silicone, polyvinyl chloride, Pebax®, nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), or PEEK (polyether ether ketone). As shown in Figure 10, the wire 230 (including the pressure sensor 250) and the insertion part 220 are inserted into the inside of the sheath 240. The sheath 240 is configured to move back and forth relative to the wire 230 (including the pressure sensor 250) and the insertion part 220 in a direction along the central axis of the sheath 240.

[0081] The insertion portion 220 is made of a resin material such as polyethylene, HDPE (high-density polyethylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), polyurethane, silicone, polyvinyl chloride, Pebax (registered trademark), nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), and PEEK (polyether ether ketone). As shown in Figure 11, the insertion portion 220 comprises a cylindrical first insertion portion 221 and a cylindrical second insertion portion 222 connected to the base end of the first insertion portion 221 so as to be coaxial with the first insertion portion 221. The first and second insertion portions 221 and 222 are connected by an adjustment mechanism 223 so as to allow the first insertion portion 221 to move back and forth along the central axis of the insertion portion 220 relative to the second insertion portion 222. Examples of this adjustment mechanism 223 include a ball screw, a linear motor, or a piezo actuator.

[0082] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the wire 230 comprises a compression wire 231 and a fixing wire 232.

[0083] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the compression wire 231 is composed of three compression wires, the first to third 2311 to 2313. The number of compression wires 231 is not limited to three; it can be one, two, or four or more.

[0084] The first to third compression wires 2311 to 2313 are wires made of titanium, gold, stainless steel, nickel-titanium, tantalum alloy, or shape memory polymer, respectively. Each of these first to third compression wires 2311 to 2313 is folded back into a U-shape, and one end and the other end are inserted into the first insertion part 221, respectively, and attached to the tip of the second insertion part 222. In the following, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, in the first compression wire 2311, the portion on one side including the U-shaped folded end will be referred to as the one-side portion 2311A, and the other side will be referred to as the other-side portion 2311B. Similarly, in the second compression wire 2312, the portion on one side including the U-shaped folded end will be referred to as the one-side portion 2312A, and the other side will be referred to as the other-side portion 2312B. Furthermore, in the third compression wire 2313, the portion on one side including the U-shaped folded end is referred to as the one-side portion 2313A, and the portion on the other side is referred to as the other-side portion 2313B. The one-side portion 2311A and the other-side portion 2312B are twisted together. The other-side portion 2311B and the one-side portion 2313A are also twisted together. Furthermore, the one-side portion 2311A and the other-side portion 2313B are also twisted together.

[0085] When the compression wire 231 is located inside the sheath 240, it is compressed by the inner circumferential surface of the sheath 240 (Figure 10). When the sheath 240 is removed (when it protrudes to the outside from the tip of the sheath 240), it expands into a roughly triangular pyramidal shape with the tip of the second insertion portion 222 as its apex (Figures 11 and 12). Note that the shape of the compression wire 231 in the expanded state is not limited to a roughly triangular pyramidal shape; any other shape is acceptable as long as it expands radially from the compressed state with respect to the central axis of the sheath 240.

[0086] The fixing wire 232 is a wire made of titanium, gold, stainless steel, nickel-titanium, tantalum alloy, or shape memory polymer, respectively. This fixing wire 232 is folded back into a U-shape, and one end and the other end are inserted into the first insertion part 221, respectively, and attached to the tip of the second insertion part 222.

[0087] When the fixing wire 232 is located inside the sheath 240, it is compressed by the inner surface of the sheath 240 (Figure 10), and when the sheath 240 is removed, it is in an expanded state with its tip protruding outside the compressed wire 231, which is in a roughly triangular pyramidal expanded state (Figures 11 and 12).

[0088] The pressure sensor 250 is the same type of pressure sensor as the pressure sensor 60 described in the modified example 7 above, and as shown in Figures 11 and 12, it is arranged on three approximately triangular pyramidal ridges of the expanded compression wire 231. The number of pressure sensors 250 is not limited to three; there may be one, two, or four or more. The three pressure sensors 250 each measure the pressure applied from the prostate A4. The three pressure sensors 250 then output a signal to the control unit 260 corresponding to the measured pressure.

[0089] The control unit 260 has a dedicated processor such as a general-purpose processor like a CPU or various arithmetic circuits that perform specific functions like an ASIC, and drives the adjustment mechanism 223 so that the pressure measured by the three pressure sensors 250 becomes a specific pressure.

[0090] Next, a treatment method using the treatment device 210 will be described. First, the physician inserts the sheath 240, with the wire 230 (including the pressure sensor 250) and insertion portion 220 inserted inside, transurethrally into the subject's urethra. Next, the physician inserts the sheath 240 up to just before the bladder neck A2, and then withdraws only the sheath 240. As a result, the compression wire 231 and the fixing wire 232 are in an expanded state (Figures 11 and 12). At this time, the fixing wire 232 presses against the inner wall of the prostatic urethra A3, thereby positioning (fixing) the compression wire 231 to a specific position (a position opposite the treatment target (prostate A4 (Figure 2))). If the fixing wire 232 is also equipped with a pressure sensor 250, the position of the fixing wire 232 in the recess on the urethral opening side from the bladder neck A2 can be detected by the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 250 during the series of operations reaching its minimum value. Furthermore, the compression wire 231 expands the prostatic urethra A3 by becoming expanded.

[0091] The control unit 260 recognizes the pressure measured by the three pressure sensors 250 and drives the adjustment mechanism 223 to set the pressure to a specific value. Specifically, when the adjustment mechanism 223 is driven, the first insertion portion 221 moves back and forth along the central axis of the insertion portion 220 relative to the second insertion portion 222, which changes the degree of compression of the wire 230 by the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion portion 221, thereby adjusting the degree of expansion of the wire 230. The expanded compression wire 231 then applies a specific pressure to the prostate A4, inducing infarction of the prostate A4 and alleviating the stenosis of the prostatic urethra A3.

[0092] Even when adopting the configuration of the modified example 8 described above, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above are achieved.

[0093] (Modification 9) Figure 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the treatment system 200 according to Modification 9 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 13 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 11. In the treatment system 200 according to this Modification 9, as shown in Figure 13, the first balloon 61 and the fluid injection unit 63 that constitute the balloon unit 6 described in the embodiment described above are added to the treatment system 200 described in Modification 8 described above.

[0094] In this modified example 9, the first balloon 61 is formed in a bag-like shape into which the wire 230 is inserted, and the fluid inlet portion is inserted into the first insertion portion 221 and attached to the tip portion of the second insertion portion 222. The pressure sensors 250 are positioned on the outer surface of the first balloon 61 at locations corresponding to the three approximately triangular pyramidal ridges of the expanded compression wire 231.

[0095] The fluid injection unit 63, under the control of the control unit 260, injects liquid (hot water heated to around 40°C) into the first balloon 61 through the first conduit 631 at the same time as, or after, the wire 230 is in an expanded state, thereby inflating the first balloon 61. In other words, in this modified example 9, treatment of the prostate A4 with thermal energy is performed in parallel with treatment of the prostate A4 with the compression wire 231.

[0096] The insertion section 220, wire 230, first balloon 61, and fluid injection section 63 described above correspond to the treatment device 100 according to the present invention.

[0097] Even if the configuration of the modified example 9 described above is adopted, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above will be achieved. In this modified example 9, the adjustment mechanism 223, the pressure sensor 250, and the control unit 260 do not need to be provided. Also, in this modified example 9, the configuration described in the embodiment described above was applied to the treatment system 200 described in the modified example 8 described above, but it is not limited to this, and the configurations described in the modified examples 1 to 6 described above may also be applied.

[0098] (Modification 10) Figures 14 to 16 show the configuration of the treatment device 300 according to modification 10 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 14 shows the overall configuration of the treatment device 300. Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the tip portion of the treatment device 300 shown in Figure 14. Note that Figures 14 and 15 show the balloon 320 in an inflated state. Figure 16 shows an example of a configuration that allows the puncture position to be changed. The treatment device 300 according to this modification 10 is composed of a so-called balloon catheter, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. This treatment device 300 comprises an insertion part 310, a balloon 320, a puncture needle 330, and an imaging part 340 (Figure 15).

[0099] The insertion portion 310 is made of resin materials such as polyethylene, HDPE (high-density polyethylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), polyurethane, silicone, polyvinyl chloride, Pebax (registered trademark), nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), and PEEK (polyether ether ketone). As shown in Figure 14, the insertion portion 310 comprises an insertion portion body 311 that extends linearly from the tip to the base, and three urination ports 312, a balloon port 313, and a puncture needle port 314 that branch off from the base of the insertion portion body 311.

[0100] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the tip of the insertion body 311 is provided with a urination port 3111 that communicates with the urination conduit (not shown) inside the insertion body 311. Furthermore, a balloon 320 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the tip of the insertion body 311, on the proximal side of the urination port 3111. This balloon 320 has the same configuration and function as the second balloon 62 described in the above-described embodiment, and inflates when fluid is injected, and positions the puncture point for the puncture needle 330 into the target of treatment (prostate). In addition, on the tip of the insertion body 311, on the proximal side of the balloon 320, there is a puncture opening (not shown) that communicates from the outer surface of the insertion body 311 to the puncture needle conduit (not shown) inside the insertion body 311, and is inclined toward the outer surface of the insertion body 311 as it moves from the puncture needle conduit toward the tip.

[0101] The urination port 312 is a port for draining urine from inside the bladder to the outside through a urination tube (not shown) provided inside the insertion part body 311, starting from the urination opening 3111.

[0102] The balloon port 313 is a port for injecting fluid into the balloon 320 provided at the tip of the insertion part body 311 through a balloon conduit (not shown) provided inside the insertion part body 311.

[0103] The puncture needle port 314 is a port for guiding the puncture needle 330 into the puncture needle channel 3112 provided inside the insertion unit body 311.

[0104] The puncture needle 330 protrudes from the puncture needle port 314 through the puncture needle duct (not shown) and out of the puncture opening (not shown), and is used to puncture (treat) the target of treatment (prostate).

[0105] Furthermore, if it is desired to change the puncture position depending on the size of the target of treatment (prostate), an insertion section 310 with a different distance between the balloon 320 and the puncture opening may be used, or a structure may be adopted in which, as shown in the example in Figure 16, multiple puncture openings 3113 are arranged in parallel along the central axis of the insertion section 311, with each opening communicating from the outer surface of the insertion section body 311 to the puncture needle passage 3112 inside the insertion section body 311, and the openings are inclined toward the outer surface of the insertion section body 311 as they move from the puncture needle passage 3112 toward the tip.

[0106] Here, among the multiple puncture openings 3113, the puncture opening 3113 for protruding the puncture needle 330 is selected by a user such as a physician using the first and second plugs 351 and 352, as shown in Figure 16.

[0107] As shown in Figure 16, the first plug 351 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer shape substantially identical to the inner shape of the puncture opening 3113, and is fitted into the puncture opening 3113. An opening 3511 is provided on the side of the first plug 351 that connects the inside of the first plug 351 to the puncture needle passage 3112. That is, by fitting the first plug 351 into one of the multiple puncture openings 3113, the puncture needle 330, when inserted towards the tip through the puncture needle passage 3112, is guided through the opening 3511 to the inner surface of the first plug 351, and protrudes from one of the puncture openings 3113 to the outside of the insertion part body 311.

[0108] As shown in Figure 16, the second plug 352 is formed in a solid columnar shape having an outer shape substantially identical to the inner shape of the puncture opening 3113, and is fitted into the puncture opening 3113. That is, by fitting the second plug 352 into any of the multiple puncture openings 3113, it is possible to prevent perfusion fluid from entering the puncture needle channel 3112 and the puncture needle 330 from protruding from an unintended puncture opening 3113. In Figure 16, the second plug 352 is illustrated as the case when the puncture opening 3113 closest to the proximal end is selected from the multiple puncture openings 3113. When selecting a puncture opening 3113 other than the closest to the proximal end from the multiple puncture openings 3113, the second plug 352 will be shorter than the first plug 351.

[0109] The imaging unit 340 has an image sensor similar to the image sensor 244 described in the above-described embodiment, and is positioned at the tip of the insertion unit body 311, on the proximal side of the puncture opening 3113. The imaging unit 340 captures images of the puncture needle 330 puncturing the target of treatment (prostate). The captured image generated by the imaging unit 340 is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

[0110] Next, a treatment method using the treatment device 300 will be described. First, the physician inserts the insertion part 310 transurethrally into the subject's urethra. Next, after inserting the tip of the insertion part 310 into the bladder, the physician operates the fluid injection part (not shown) to inject fluid into the balloon 320 through the balloon port 313 and balloon tubing (not shown) from the fluid injection part, causing the balloon 320 to inflate (Figure 15). The balloon 320 then catches on the bladder neck when the insertion part 310 is pulled out, thereby positioning the puncture point of the puncture needle 330 to the treatment target (prostate).

[0111] Next, the physician drains the urine from the bladder through the urination port 312. The physician then extends the puncture needle 330 out of the insertion unit body 311 through the puncture needle port 314, the puncture needle duct 3112, the inside of the first plug 351, and the puncture opening 3113. The physician then punctures (performs treatment on) the target of treatment (prostate) while confirming the state of the tip of the puncture needle 330 using the image displayed on the display unit (not shown). By puncturing the prostate with the puncture needle 330, some of the prostate tissue is destroyed, resulting in a reduction in the size of the prostate adenoma.

[0112] In the modified example 10 described above, a guide such as a laser pointer (aiming beam) may be provided so that the puncture position of the puncture needle 330 can be recognized. In addition, in order to secure the field of view for the imaging unit 340, a conduit for circulating perfusion water may be provided inside the insertion unit body 311, and an opening may be provided to discharge the perfusion water to the outside of the insertion unit body 311 from around the position where the imaging unit 340 is installed. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the discharge of the perfusion water, the outer shape of the insertion unit body 311 may be an outer shape having grooves (multiple grooves are also acceptable) instead of a circle. Alternatively, the treatment device may be inserted via an outer cylinder, and perfusion water may be circulated between the outer cylinder and the treatment device. In this case, a water supply path and a drainage path may be provided in the outer cylinder, or grooves may be provided on the side of the outer cylinder to facilitate the drainage of perfusion water.

[0113] Furthermore, in the modified example 10 described above, the puncture needle 330 may also function as an electrode for ablating the prostate gland with high-frequency current. In this case, if cooling water is configured to circulate inside the insertion body 311, the mucous membrane of the prostatic urethra can be cooled to suppress thermal damage. Furthermore, a configuration in which the prostate gland is ablated by a laser or the like from the tip of the puncture needle 330 may also be adopted. In addition, a configuration in which a fluid can circulate inside the puncture needle 330 may be adopted in which the fluid can be discharged from the tip of the puncture needle 330, or the fluid around the treatment target can be aspirated.

[0114] Furthermore, in the modified example 10 described above, an ultrasound probe may be provided instead of, or in addition to, the imaging unit 340 to confirm the puncture state of the puncture needle 330 inside the target of treatment (prostate).

[0115] Furthermore, in the treatment method using the treatment device 300 in the modified example 10 described above, the following preparations and treatment may be performed: [Preparations] (1) Anesthetic for prostate block (2) Adrenaline for bleeding suppression [Treatment] (1) Injection of ethanol (to cause necrosis of a portion of the prostate tissue with the drug) (2) Injection of a hypertonic agent (to cause necrosis of a portion of the prostate tissue with the drug)

[0116] (Modification 11) Figure 17 illustrates modification 11 of the embodiment. Specifically, Figure 17 shows the arterial course of prostate A4 (middle lobe A41, lateral lobe A42). Modification 11 is a minimally invasive treatment method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. First, the physician inserts an ultrasound endoscope transurethrally into the subject's urethra and uses the ultrasound endoscope to identify the location of blood vessel A5 (Figure 17). Note that this is not limited to transurethral; transrectal insertion is also acceptable. In this case, the blood flow to blood vessel A5 may be improved by applying thermal energy as described in the above embodiment to make it easier to identify blood vessel A5. Furthermore, the location of blood vessel A5 may be identified not only using an ultrasound endoscope, but also using the endoscope 2 described in the above embodiment, by RDI (Red Dichromatic Imaging) or NBI (Narrow Band Imaging).

[0117] Next, the physician, if necessary, exposes blood vessel A5 by applying high-frequency energy or the like to the location of the identified blood vessel A5.

[0118] Next, the physician inserts an ablation catheter into blood vessel A5 and advances it against the blood flow to ablate blood vessel A5 at its widest point A6 (Figure 17). The physician then performs this ablation at multiple locations. This causes necrosis of the prostate A4 tissue, resulting in a reduction in the size of the prostate adenoma. Alternatively, the exposed blood vessel A5 may be blocked with a clip or similar device.

[0119] 1,200 Treatment System 2 Endoscope 3 Light Source Unit 4 Processing Unit 5 Display Unit 6 Balloon Unit 21 Insertion Unit 24 Tip Unit 31 Light Source 32 Illumination Control Unit 33 Light Source Driver 41 Image Processing Unit 42 Synchronization Signal Generation Unit 43 Input Unit 44 Control Unit 45 Memory Unit 60 Pressure Sensor 61 First Balloon 62 Second Balloon 63 Fluid Injection Unit 64 Air Supply Unit 65 Heater 66 Temperature Sensor 67 Electrode 68 Infrared Light Source 69 Piezoelectric Element 100,210,300 Treatment Device 220 Insertion Unit 221 First Insertion Unit 222 Second Insertion Unit 223 Adjustment Mechanism 230 Wire 231 Compression Wire 232 Fixing Wire 240 Sheath 241 Light Guide 242 Illumination Lens 243 Optical system 244 Image sensor 245 Cable 250 Pressure sensor 260 Control unit 310 Insertion unit 311 Insertion unit body 312 Urination port 313 Balloon port 314 Puncture needle port 320 Balloon 330 Puncture needle 340 Imaging unit 351 First plug 352 Second plug 611 Supply unit 631 First conduit 641 Second conduit 2311 First compression wire 2311A, 2312A, 2313A One side portion 2311B, 2312B, 2313B Other side portion 2312 Second compression wire 2313 Third compression wire 3111 Urination opening 3112 Puncture needle conduit 3113 Puncture opening 3511 Opening A1 Bladder A2 Bladder neck A3 Prostatic urethra A4 Prostate gland A5 Blood vessels A6 Larger blood vessels A41 Middle lobe A42 Lateral lobes

Claims

1. A treatment device comprising: an insertion part inserted into the body of a subject; and a balloon part attached to the insertion part, having a first balloon that inflates when a fluid is injected, and which treats the subject by applying at least one of thermal energy, vibrational energy, or carbon dioxide to the subject.

2. The treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid injection section for injecting the fluid at a temperature higher than room temperature into the first balloon in order to impart the thermal energy to the object to be treated.

3. The treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a heater provided inside the first balloon or on the outer surface of the first balloon for generating heat to impart thermal energy to the object to be treated.

4. The treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the balloon portion further comprises an electrode provided inside the first balloon or on the outer surface of the first balloon, which generates a high frequency for applying the thermal energy to the object to be treated.

5. The treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising an infrared light source provided inside the first balloon or on the outer surface of the first balloon, which emits infrared rays for imparting the thermal energy to the object to be treated.

6. The treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the balloon portion further comprises a piezoelectric element provided on the outer surface of the first balloon for applying the vibration energy to the object to be treated.

7. The treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the balloon portion further comprises a pressure sensor provided on the outer surface of the first balloon for detecting the pressure applied to the first balloon.

8. The treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the balloon portion is attached to the insertion portion on the tip side of the insertion portion than the first balloon, inflates when fluid is injected, and further comprises a second balloon for positioning the first balloon inside the subject.

9. The treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a sheath through which the insertion portion and the first balloon are inserted and which is movable relative to the insertion portion in a direction along the central axis, wherein the balloon portion further comprises an elastic compression wire attached to the insertion portion inside the first balloon, wherein the compression wire is in a compressed state when located inside the sheath, compressed by the inner circumferential surface of the sheath, and expands to its original state when protruding to the outside from the tip of the sheath.

10. The treatment device according to claim 9, wherein the insertion portion is provided with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the degree of expansion of the compression wire.

11. The treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is an endoscope.

12. A treatment device comprising: an insertion portion inserted into the interior of a subject; a sheath through which the insertion portion is inserted and which is able to move back and forth relative to the insertion portion in a direction along the central axis; an elastic compression wire attached to the insertion portion; and a pressure sensor provided on the compression wire for detecting the pressure applied to the compression wire, wherein the compression wire is in a compressed state when located inside the sheath, compressed by the inner circumferential surface of the sheath, and expands to its original state when protruding outward from the tip of the sheath, and the insertion portion is provided with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the degree of expansion of the compression wire.

13. The treatment device according to claim 12, further comprising an elastic fixing wire attached to the insertion portion, wherein the fixing wire is in a compressed state when located inside the sheath, compressed by the inner circumferential surface of the sheath, and expands to its original state when protruding outward from the tip of the sheath, thereby positioning the compression wire inside the subject.

14. A treatment device comprising an insertion section inserted into the body of a subject and having a puncture needle channel inside, and a puncture needle inserted into the puncture channel, wherein the insertion section is provided with a plurality of puncture openings that communicate with the puncture needle channel from the outer surface of the insertion section and cause the puncture needle to protrude to the outside of the insertion section.

Images