Patent Description:
In addition, in Patent Literature <NUM>, as a curing device by killing and destroying a lesion such as cancer cells by directly heating the lesion, a thermotherapeutic device comprising: an injection section for injecting a metal lake solution to a lesion; and a heating section for directly heating the injected metal lake solution by a high-frequency current, wherein the metal lake solution is boiled by the heating section to kill the lesion such as cancer cells, is disclosed. In the thermotherapeutic device, the metal lake solution injected to the lesion is directly heated and boiled, so it is possible to kill the lesion surely by completely heating the lesion and its nearby areas.

The present invention is disclosed in independent claim <NUM>. However, when performing a cancer treatment by heating cancer tissues to be a lesion, it is necessary to heat only the cancer tissues to be the lesion surely to a desired temperature, and also, it is necessary to avoid heating healthy tissues other than the cancer tissues. Especially, among visceral organs to be a target of cancer treatment, different from a liver or the like, a pancreas does not have a cell regenerating function, so when performing a cancer treatment by heating, it is desired to treat by heating only the cancer tissues to be the lesion at pinpoint to a desired temperature, by avoiding to heat healthy tissues more surely.

The present invention is invented considering the above problems, and a purpose of the present invention is to provide a new and improved endoscopic cancer treatment system capable of heating and treating only cancer tissues at pinpoint more surely, when treating a cancer in visceral organs such as a pancreatic cancer.

The present invention is an endoscopic cancer treatment system for heating and treating cancer tissues to be a lesion, which is used in combination with an ultrasonic endoscope used in an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, comprising: a heating needle provided with a heater and a temperature detecting element at a tip side; and a controller for controlling the heater to a predetermined temperature based on a temperature data detected by the temperature detecting element, wherein the heating needle is configured to be inserted through an instrument insertion channel provided in an inserting section of the ultrasonic endoscope to be able to protrude or retract from a tip opening provided at a tip side of the inserting section.

In the present invention, the cancer tissues to be the lesion is heated by the heating needle, by directly using the instrument insertion channel of ultrasonic endoscope used in the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, so it is possible to heat and treat only the cancer tissues to be the lesion at pinpoint surely.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating needle may be stationary placed in the cancer tissues after retracting or retreating a puncture needle inserted through the instrument insertion channel from the tip opening of the inserting section of the ultrasonic endoscope, and the heater may be controlled to be heated to a desired temperature.

In this way, it is possible to heat and treat the cancer tissues at pinpoint surely by the heating needle, after confirming a position of the cancer tissues to be the lesion when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

In addition, in the present invention, the controller may comprise: a function to supply a test current for testing a conduction state to the heater; a function to confirm a length of the heater when supplying the test current; and a function to control to supply a predetermined amount of current according to a length of the heater.

In this way, it is possible to heat the heater to a desired temperature surely by supplying an appropriate amount of current according to a length of the heater.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the current and the test current supplied to the heater from the controller may be a direct current.

In this way, it is possible to inhibit a generation of a laser, a high frequency, an electromagnetic wave, or the like by heating of the heater, so it is possible to inhibit a bad influence to healthy tissues around the cancer tissues.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the controller may supply the current to the heater such that a temperature of the heater will be <NUM> degrees Celsius or more and <NUM> degrees Celsius or less.

In this way, it is possible to heat to a desired temperature necessary for killing the cancer tissues according to the lesion, so it is possible to achieve a minimally invasive cautery treatment by heating to a patient.

As explained in the above, according to the present invention, it is possible to heat and treat only cancer tissues at pinpoint more surely, by puncturing the heating needle to the cancer tissues, after confirming a position of the cancer tissues to be the lesion when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, when treating a cancer in visceral organs such as a pancreatic cancer.

Hereinafter, explaining in detail about preferred embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the embodiments explained in below will not unjustly limit the content of the present invention described in claims, and it is not limited that all the structures explained in the embodiments are necessary as means for solving the problem of the present invention.

At first, explaining about a schematic structure of an endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention, by using the drawings. <FIG> is an explanatory view illustrating a schematic structure of an endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a schematic structure of a heating needle provided in the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention.

An endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to one embodiment of the present invention is a system for treating cancer tissues to be a lesion by heating by a heating needle <NUM> in combination with an ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> used in an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Especially, the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> of the present embodiment achieves a minimally invasive cautery treatment by heating to a patient P1, by directly heating the cancer tissues to be the lesion by the heating needle <NUM>, by directly using a result of an approach to the lesion and an observation of the lesion by the EUS-FNA for collecting a sample from the lesion, while observing the lesion directly from inside of a body by the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the heating needle <NUM> and a controller <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the heating needle <NUM> is provided with a heater <NUM> and a temperature detecting element <NUM> at a tip side of a needle <NUM> to be punctured to the lesion. A part of the needle <NUM> is punctured to a cancered affected part such as a lung or a pancreas in a living body, so it is formed by a metal material excellent in heat conductivity and having a biocompatibility such as a stainless steel. In addition, in the present embodiment, an edge of the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> is cut such that an edge surface will be an inclined surface to be sharp, but a shape of the edge surface is not limited to this shape.

The heating needle <NUM> is inserted via the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> from a mouth of the patient P1, so for example, an entire length of the needle <NUM> is about <NUM>, and a diameter of the needle <NUM> is formed to be a thickness of about ϕ <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably about ϕ <NUM>. The needle <NUM> of this heating needle <NUM> is having a hollow part <NUM>, and in the hollow part <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is arranged at a needle tip side. This heater <NUM> is in a continuous string shape with a length of <NUM> to <NUM> and a thickness of <NUM> or less, and having a flexibility. The string-shaped heater <NUM> is inserted into the hollow part <NUM> of the needle <NUM> from an opening at a needle base side and arranged at a needle tip side to cauterize the affected part.

In addition, a temperature detecting element <NUM> such as a thermocouple or a Peltier element is arranged in the hollow part <NUM>, other than the heater <NUM>, to detect a temperature at a needle tip side of the needle <NUM>, to be able to control a temperature of the needle <NUM> by the controller <NUM>. For example, when a thermocouple is used as the temperature detecting element <NUM>, the thermocouple will be arranged in the hollow part <NUM> by insulating with respect to the heater <NUM> by an insulator such as a polyimide tube. In addition, one or plurality of heaters <NUM> may be arranged in the hollow part <NUM> of the needle <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> and the temperature detecting element <NUM> may be arranged by aligning in a longitudinal direction of the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM>, or may be arranged by aligning in a radial direction. When the heater <NUM> and the temperature detecting element <NUM> are arranged by aligning in a radial direction, the temperature detecting element <NUM> can detect a temperature on the heater <NUM>. The temperature detecting element <NUM> can be protected from a heat of the heater <NUM> by partitioning with a heat insulating material or the like. In addition, the heater <NUM> may be arranged at a place other than a tip of the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM>, according to a purpose of treatment. At an edge of the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM>, the hollow part <NUM> is blocked by a biocompatible resin, metal or the like.

Especially, in the present embodiment, the heater <NUM> is configured in a string shape and having a flexibility, so a freedom of an arrangement condition of the heater <NUM> and the temperature detecting element <NUM> is increased. Therefore, by arranging the heater <NUM> and the temperature detecting element <NUM> adjacently in a longitudinal direction or in a radial direction of the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM>, the needle <NUM> with reduced diameter can be heated to a desired temperature easily, and it will be possible to heat the affected part to be an object of heating at an appropriate temperature according to a purpose of the treatment.

In the heating needle <NUM>, a connecting code <NUM> connected with the heater <NUM> and the temperature detecting element <NUM> is derived from a needle base side. A plug <NUM> for connecting with the controller <NUM> is arranged at a tip of the connecting code <NUM>. A needle base <NUM> provided at a base end side of the heating needle <NUM> is formed by a metal material in which a brass is plated with Ni or the like, or a synthetic resin material such as an electric insulating or biocompatible polymethyl pentene, polypropylene or the like. The needle base <NUM> is formed to be thicker than the needle <NUM>, and composes a heating needle operating section for facilitating an operation to extract the heating needle <NUM> from an instrument insertion opening 25a, 25b (refer to <FIG>) of the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> by hand or by a medical equipment such as a probe, and it is blocked to prevent moisture from penetrating into the hollow part <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the heating needle <NUM> is configured such that the needle <NUM> is inserted through an instrument insertion channel 31a, 31b (refer to <FIG>) provided in an inserting section <NUM> of the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM>, and that the needle <NUM> can be protruded or retracted from a tip opening 32a, 32b (refer to <FIG>) provided at a tip side of the inserting section <NUM>. And, the heating needle <NUM> can heat the lesion to be the affected part by puncturing the lesion via the inserting section <NUM> of the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM>. Therefore, the cancer tissues to be the lesion is heated by the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> by directly using the instrument insertion channel 31a, 31b (refer to <FIG>) of the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> used in the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), so it is possible to heat and treat only the cancer tissues to be the lesion at pinpoint surely.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the heating needle <NUM> is configured to be able to change a length of the heater <NUM>. Concretely, according to a size and a shape of the lesion to be the affected part, a length of the heater <NUM> is changed to, for example <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, so that the lesion to be an object of heating can be heated at an appropriate temperature according to a purpose of the treatment. In the present embodiment, the heating needles <NUM> in which a length of the heaters <NUM> provided at the needle <NUM> is different, for example <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or the like, are prepared, and the heating needle <NUM> having the heater <NUM> with an appropriate length is selected accordingly, according to a size and a shape of the lesion to be the object of cauterization, and connected to the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is composed by a computer or the like comprising CPU, ROM, RAM or the like, and having a function to control the heater <NUM> to be the predetermined temperature based on a temperature data detected by the temperature detecting element <NUM>. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> comprises a power supply unit 116a, a determination unit 116b, an adjustment unit 116c.

The power supply unit 116a is having a function to control a current or the like supplied to the heater <NUM> for heating the heater <NUM> to the predetermined temperature. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 116a is having a function to supply a weak test current to the heater <NUM> for testing a conduction state to the heater113, and a function to supply a current for heating the heater <NUM> to the predetermined temperature.

The determination unit 116b is having a function to determine a propriety of various operations when heating the heater <NUM> to the predetermined temperature. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 116b is having a function to determine a conduction state to the heater <NUM> when the test current is supplied to the heater <NUM>, and to confirm a length of the heater <NUM> based on a data of a resistance value generated when supplying the test current or when a defect such as a disconnection is occurring at inside, and having a function to determine a temperature of the heater <NUM> based on a temperature data detected by the temperature detecting element <NUM>.

The adjustment unit 116c is having a function to adjust a supply current to a desired amount for heating the heater <NUM> to the desired temperature based on a result of determination by the determination unit 116b. In the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 116c is having a function to adjust a current to a desired amount when supplying a current to the heater <NUM> based on a temperature data detected by the temperature detecting element <NUM>, or when a weak test current is supplied to the heater <NUM>. In addition, in the present embodiment, a maximum amount of current supplied to the heater <NUM> is <NUM> A, in order to secure a safety to a human body considering a risk of electric leakage or the like.

As mentioned in the above, in the present embodiment, the controller <NUM> is having a function to supply a weak test current to the heater <NUM> for testing a conduction state to the heater <NUM>, a function to confirm a length of the heater <NUM> when supplying the test current to the heater <NUM>, and a function to control to supply the predetermined amount of current to the heater <NUM> according to a length of the heater <NUM>. Therefore, the heater <NUM> is heated to a desired temperature surely, by supplying an appropriate amount of current according to a length of the heater <NUM>.

Especially, in the present embodiment, in order to achieve a minimally invasive cautery treatment by heating to a patient, by heating to a desired temperature necessary for killing the cancer tissues according to the lesion, the controller <NUM> is controlled to supply a current to the heater <NUM> such that a temperature of the heater <NUM> will be <NUM> degrees Celsius or more and <NUM> degrees Celsius or less. In other words, in the present embodiment, a treatment effect by a minimally invasive cautery treatment by heating is expected, and also, the controller <NUM> performs a temperature control by supplying a current to the heater <NUM> such that a temperature of the heater <NUM> will be <NUM> degrees Celsius or more and <NUM> degrees Celsius or less, as a temperature range for not occurring a local boiling.

Cancer tissues are weak to heat compared to healthy tissues, so an extremely high temperature heating is not necessary. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the heating needle <NUM> can kill the cancer tissues while minimizing a damage to the healthy tissues, by controlling a temperature of the heater <NUM> to be for example <NUM> degrees Celsius to apply an amount of heat to the cancer tissues in which proteins will be thermally denaturalized irreversibly.

In addition, when the temperature detecting element <NUM> is arranged at the needle <NUM> as the present embodiment, a temperature data is supplied to the controller <NUM> by the temperature detecting element <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> controls the heater <NUM> such that a heating temperature will be constant. For example, even if a blood flow exists at a position where the heating needle <NUM> is punctured or inserted, and there is a partial loss in a temperature, a temperature of the heater <NUM> of respective heating needle <NUM> can be adjusted, so entire affected part can be heated to a desired temperature. In addition, the heater <NUM> may incorporate a timer, and may be controlled to turn off the heater <NUM> when a preset time for cauterization by heating is passed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the current and the test current supplied to the heater <NUM> from the controller <NUM> is preferably a direct current, in order to inhibit a bad influence to the healthy tissues around the cancer tissues by inhibiting a generation of a laser, a high frequency, an electromagnetic wave, or the like by heating of the heater. However, if it is in a range that a generation of a laser, a high frequency, an electromagnetic wave, or the like is inhibited when the current is supplied, a supply current such as the test current and the current may be an alternating current.

In addition, an exchange of a temperature data of the heater <NUM> and a control data of the heater <NUM> between the controller <NUM> and the heating needle <NUM> may be performed by wire as the above, or may be performed wirelessly. In addition, a power supply to the heater <NUM> may be supplied from the controller <NUM> by wire, or may be supplied from a primary battery or a secondary battery arranged at the heating needle <NUM>.

When performing an operation using the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention configured as the above, at first, a cancered lesion of a lung, a pancreas or the like in a living body to be a target of puncture is observed specifically by the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM>, and a puncture route, a cautery temperature by heating of an affected part, a time for cauterization by heating and else are determined. Next, the heating needle <NUM> is connected to a medical equipment such as a probe, and a plug <NUM> of a connecting code <NUM> derived from the needle base <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM>. Then, a needle tip is punctured or inserted to the specified affected part while confirming a depth and a direction to puncture the needle by a CT guidance, by an X-ray fluoroscopy, or a needle tip echo of an ultrasonic image of the heating needle <NUM>.

And, by operating the controller <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is heated to be the predetermined cautery temperature by heating and a needle tip portion of the heating needle <NUM> is heated, so the affected part is cauterized by heating for a predetermined time. At this time, the controller <NUM> can control the heater <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> based on a temperature data fed back from the temperature detecting element <NUM>. Therefore, for example, even if a blood flow exists at a position where the heating needle <NUM> is punctured or inserted, and there is a partial loss in a temperature, entire affected part can be heated to a desired temperature. In this way, the heating needle <NUM> can cauterize the affected part, only by puncturing or inserting the heating needle <NUM> to the affected part deeply inside a living body, so it is possible to achieve a minimally invasive cautery treatment by heating to a patient.

When the cautery treatment by heating of the affected part is completed, the treatment may be finished by just extracting the heating needle <NUM> from the affected part, but a pharmacotherapy, an immunotherapy or the like may be performed in combination with the cautery treatment, by supplying a medicament continuously after the cauterization by heating. In this way, by directly injecting a medicament to the affected part cauterized by heating, an effective treatment can be performed, and especially, it will be effective to a recurrence progressive cancer or the like. In addition, as a medicament to be injected, various medicaments can be used according to a treatment policy of a patient, and for example, it may be an anticancer agent or the like. In the heating needle <NUM> of the present embodiment, a cautery treatment to the affected part and a therapy to inject a medicament directly to the cauterized affect part can be performed continuously, so it is possible to achieve a minimally invasive treatment to a patient.

In this way, in the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating needle <NUM> incorporating the heater <NUM> is punctured or inserted to a living body until it reaches the affected part, and then, the heater <NUM> is heated to a predetermined temperature, and the affected part is cauterized by heating. Therefore, a minimally invasive treatment can be achieved without an abdominal operation or the like, as it can be performed only by puncturing or inserting the heating needle <NUM> to reach the affected part. In addition, there is no risk of a radiation exposure like a radiation therapy, and the patient does not feel a pain or a numbness as a radio frequency treatment, and also, the surrounding tissues will not be damaged.

In addition, a temperature data will be fed back to the controller <NUM> by incorporating the temperature detecting element <NUM> in the heating needle <NUM>, so a temperature control of the heater <NUM> can be performed more finely. Especially, in the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to the present embodiment, when treating a cancer in visceral organs such as a pancreatic cancer, the heating needle is punctured to the cancer tissues after confirming a position of the cancer tissues to be the lesion when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, so it is possible to heat and treat only the cancer tissues at pinpoint more surely. In addition, the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to one embodiment of the present invention can be used to various cancer treatments, other than the above-mentioned pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, such as a uterine cancer and a kidney cancer. In addition, it can be used to a heating treatment of an affected part of an animal other than a human such as a companion animal, for example a dog and a cat.

Next, explaining about an ultrasonic endoscope used in the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to one embodiment of the present invention, by using the drawings. <FIG> is an explanatory view illustrating a schematic structure of an ultrasonic endoscope used in the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a schematic perspective view illustrating a tip of the ultrasonic endoscope used in the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a puncture needle in the ultrasonic endoscope of <FIG>. In addition, <FIG> is an explanatory view of an operation for collecting a sample by an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration performed via the ultrasonic endoscope used in the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> used in the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an inserting section <NUM> to be inserted into a body; an operating section <NUM> located at a base end of the inserting section <NUM>; a universal code <NUM> extending from a side of the operating section <NUM>; and a cable <NUM> for a light source separated at a middle of the universal code <NUM>. And in the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM>, when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, a puncture needle <NUM> is inserted from an instrument insertion opening 25a, 25b (the instrument insertion opening 25b is omitted in the drawing) provided at a tip side of the operating section <NUM>, and a collection of a sample of the lesion is performed by the puncture needle <NUM>.

In the inserting section <NUM>, a hard tip 21a, a curved part 21b, and a flexible tube 21c are connected in order from a tip side. The curved part 21b is configured to be bent actively in up down and left right directions, for example by an operation of curve operating knobs 26a, 26b of the operating section <NUM>. The flexible tube 21c is having a flexibility.

At a base end of the universal code <NUM>, an ultrasonic connector 23a capable of mounting to and removing from unillustrated ultrasonic observation device is provided. At a base end of the cable <NUM> for the light source, an endoscope connector 24a capable of mounting to and removing from unillustrated light source device or video processor device is provided.

At a tip side of the operating section <NUM>, instrument insertion openings 25a, 25b (the instrument insertion opening 25b is omitted in the drawing) are provided. The instrument insertion openings 25a, 25b respectively communicate with instrument insertion channels 31a, 31b (refer to <FIG>) provided in the inserting section <NUM>. The instrument insertion opening 25a comprises a cap, and a fixed ring <NUM> provided at a handle <NUM> of the puncture needle <NUM> or the like will be connected to the cap. The fixed ring <NUM> is capable of mounting to and removing from the cap. And, a needle tube <NUM> of the puncture needle <NUM> is inserted through the instrument insertion channel 31a via the instrument insertion opening 25a. In addition, other instrument such as the heating needle <NUM>, an ultrasonic probe or the like is inserted through the instrument insertion channel 31b via the instrument insertion opening 25b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the instrument insertion channels 31a, 31b respectively comprise tip openings 32a, 32b in a tip surface 21d of the hard tip 21a. A central axis near the tip opening <NUM> of the instrument insertion channel 31a is arranged to be almost coincide with an ultrasonic scanning surface by an ultrasonic oscillator <NUM>, and an instrument for performing a treatment such as a puncture can be inserted through the instrument insertion channel 31a. In addition, an objective optical system <NUM> and an illumination optical system <NUM> are arranged at a tip surface 21d of the hard tip 21a.

An electronic scanning ultrasonic oscillator <NUM> is arranged at a tip side of the hard tip 21a. The ultrasonic oscillator <NUM> is, for example a convex array, and configured by aligning a plurality of ultrasonic elements inside thereof. The ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> can obtain an echo signal by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic oscillator <NUM> while switching each ultrasonic element. The echo signal from the ultrasonic oscillator <NUM> is transmitted to unillustrated ultrasonic observation device via an ultrasonic connector 23a. And, an ultrasonic image (linear image) having a cross section parallel to an insertion axis of the inserting section <NUM> can be obtained based on the echo signal from the ultrasonic oscillator <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a structure to protrude relatively largely from the tip surface 21d is not arranged in between the tip openings 32a, 32b. Therefore, when the puncture needle <NUM> is inserted through the instrument insertion channel 31a to protrude the needle tube <NUM> from the tip opening 32a, and when other instrument such as the ultrasonic probe or the like is inserted through the instrument insertion channel 31b to protrude the ultrasonic oscillator provided at a tip of the ultrasonic probe from the tip opening 32b, the needle tube <NUM> can be depicted by the ultrasonic probe. In addition, in the present embodiment, two instrument insertion channels 31a, 31b and two tip openings 32a, 32b are respectively arranged at the inserting section <NUM> of the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM>, but a number of these members are not limited to two, and it may be one or three or more.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic oscillator <NUM> comprises a protruding section <NUM> protruding from the hard tip 21a. The protruding section <NUM> is arranged at a position other than on a line linearly connecting between the tip openings 32a, 32b. In addition, an ultrasonic reflection machining may be performed on a surface of the protruding section <NUM>, in order to facilitate an ultrasonic observation of the protruding section <NUM>. As the ultrasonic reflection machining, for example, a concavo-convex processing such as a sandblast process, a satin finished process, and a dimple forming process, or a coating processing of a resin containing an air bubble or a metal powder can be considered.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the puncture needle <NUM> is configured to comprise a handle <NUM> and a channel inserting section <NUM>, and the channel inserting section <NUM> is configured to comprise a sheath <NUM> and the needle tube <NUM>. The channel inserting section <NUM> is configured to be inserted through the instrument insertion channel 31a from the instrument insertion opening 25a, and to be able to protrude from the tip opening 32a (refer to <FIG>).

The handle <NUM> is configured to arrange, for example a fixed ring <NUM>, an adjuster knob <NUM>, a needle adjuster <NUM>, a needle slider <NUM>, an inlet cap <NUM> and a stylet cap <NUM> in order from a tip side. The needle tube <NUM> is arranged to be inserted through the sheath <NUM> to be freely movable with respect to the sheath <NUM>. This needle tube <NUM> is formed by a metal pipe, for example a stainless-steel pipe or a nickel-titanium pipe. A sharp shaped edge is formed at a tip of the needle tube <NUM>.

The stylet cap <NUM> is connected with the inlet cap <NUM> by connecting a stylet <NUM> or a stylet 90a to be inserted into the needle tube <NUM> to the stylet cap <NUM>. A base end of the needle tube <NUM> is fixed integrally to the inlet cap <NUM> by bonding or the like. The needle adjuster <NUM> is slidably fixed or released by the adjuster knob <NUM>. The needle slider <NUM> will be able to slide by releasing a fixation of the needle adjuster <NUM> by loosening the adjuster knob <NUM>. In addition, a protruding length of the needle tube <NUM> from a tip of the sheath <NUM> can be adjusted by adjusting a distance between fixed positions of the needle slider <NUM> and the needle adjuster <NUM> accordingly.

By using such ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> and the puncture needle <NUM>, a collection of a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is performed. Concretely, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, with respect to a digestive tract or the like such as a pancreas O2, in which a biopsy by a percutaneous puncture or a normal endoscopic biopsy is difficult, an ultrasonic wave is emitted from the ultrasonic oscillator <NUM> provided at a tip side of the inserting section <NUM> to observe a pancreas O2 via a stomach O1. And, in order to definitely diagnose a cancerization of a lesion C1 of a pancreas O2, the needle tube <NUM> is punctured toward the lesion C1 of a pancreas O2 from inside of a stomach O1, and cancer cells or tissues of the lesion C1 are sampled by aspiration by the needle tube <NUM>.

Next, explaining about an operation of a cancer treatment by the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention, by using the drawings. <FIG> are explanatory views of an operation of a cancer treatment by the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating needle <NUM> is stationarily placed in the cancer tissues of the lesion, where the sample is collected, to be able to cauterize only the cancer tissues surely, by using the ultrasonic endoscope used when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

Concretely, as illustrated in <FIG>, an ultrasonic wave is emitted from the ultrasonic oscillator <NUM> provided at a tip side of the inserting section <NUM> of the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) to observe a pancreas O2 via a stomach O1. And, as illustrated in <FIG>, when a lesion C1 being suspected of a cancer is found in a pancreas O2, the needle tube <NUM> of the puncture needle <NUM> is protruded from the tip opening 32a provided at a tip side of the inserting section <NUM>, and then, the needle tube <NUM> is punctured toward tissues being suspected of a cancer in the lesion C1 of a pancreas O2 from inside of a stomach O1. And, the needle tube <NUM> collects cancer cells or tissues of the lesion C1 by aspiration.

When the tissues collected by aspiration is definitely diagnosed as malignant (cancer), as illustrated in <FIG>, the needle tube <NUM> of the puncture needle <NUM> is punctured to the lesion C1 again in a same manner in another day, and the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> is inserted into the needle tube <NUM>, and after confirming that the needle <NUM> has reached to the lesion C1, the needle tube <NUM> is retreated and the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> is stationarily placed at the lesion C1, and the heater <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> may be controlled to be heated to a desired temperature.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, after the needle tube <NUM> of the puncture needle <NUM> inserted through the instrument insertion channel 31a (refer to <FIG>) and protruding from the tip opening 32a of the inserting section <NUM> of the ultrasonic endoscope <NUM> is retreated, the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> inserted through another instrument insertion channel 31b (refer to <FIG>) and protruding from another tip opening 32b of the inserting section <NUM> is punctured to the lesion C1, and the heater <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> may be controlled to be heated to a desired temperature.

In this way, the endoscopic cancer treatment system <NUM> relating to the present embodiment can heat and treat the cancer tissues by the needle <NUM> of the heating needle <NUM> at pinpoint by the heater <NUM> with desired length and temperature, after confirming a size and a position of the cancer tissues to be the lesion C1, when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

As explained in the above, by applying the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention, when treating a cancer of organs such as a pancreatic cancer, it will be possible to insert the heating needle toward the cancer tissues, after confirming a size and a position of the cancer tissues to be the lesion, when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. In this way, the heating needle having the heater with more appropriate length can be selected with respect to the cancer tissues, and the heater can be heated to a desired temperature, after confirming a size and a position of the cancer tissues to be the lesion. Therefore, it is possible to heat and treat only the cancer tissues to be the lesion at pinpoint more surely, so it is possible to achieve a minimally invasive cautery treatment by heating to a patient.

In addition, by applying the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to one embodiment of the present invention, it will be possible to heat and treat the cancer tissues to be the lesion at pinpoint surely by a suitable temperature by using the heating needle, after confirming a size and a position of the cancer tissues to be the lesion, when collecting a sample by the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, with respect to a digestive tract or the like such as a pancreas O2, in which a biopsy by a percutaneous puncture or a normal endoscopic biopsy is difficult. Especially, different from other organs such as a liver, a pancreas does not have a regenerating function in cell tissues composing the organ, so it is necessary to avoid a damage by unnecessary excessive heat. Therefore, the endoscopic cancer treatment system relating to the present embodiment can heat and treat only the cancer tissues to be the lesion at pinpoint surely by a necessary temperature more surely, so it can be applied suitably as the endoscopic pancreatic cancer treatment system, and it is having an extremely significant industrial value.

In addition, it is explained in detail about each embodiment and each example of the present invention as the above, but it can be understood easily for those who skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without practically departing from new matters and effect of the present invention. Therefore, all such variants should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claim 1:
An endoscopic cancer treatment system (<NUM>) for heating and treating cancer tissues to be a lesion, comprising:
an ultrasonic endoscope (<NUM>) used in an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and comprising an inserting section (<NUM>) to be inserted into a body, wherein two instrument insertion channels (31a, 31b) are arranged at the inserting section (<NUM>), the two instrument insertion channels (31a, 31b) respectively comprising a tip opening (32a, 32b) at a tip side of the insertion section (<NUM>);
a puncture needle (<NUM>) for confirming a size and a position of the lesion;
a heating needle (<NUM>) provided with a heater (<NUM>) and a temperature detecting element (<NUM>) at a tip side; and
a controller (<NUM>) for controlling the heater (<NUM>) to a predetermined temperature based on a temperature data detected by the temperature detecting element (<NUM>),
wherein the puncture needle (<NUM>) is configured to be inserted through a first instrument insertion channel (31a) of the two instrument insertion channels (31a, 31b) to be able to protrude and retreat from the tip opening (32a) of the first instrument insertion channel (31a),
the heating needle (<NUM>) is configured to be inserted through a second instrument insertion channel (31b) of the two instrument insertion channels (31a, 31b) to be able to protrude or retract from the tip opening (32b) of the second instrument insertion channel (31b), and
the controller (<NUM>) comprises: a function to supply a test current for testing a conduction state to the heater (<NUM>); a function to confirm a length of the heater (<NUM>) when supplying the test current; based on data of a resistance value of the heater and a function to control to supply a predetermined amount of current according to a length of the heater (<NUM>).