Shindo Yasuhiro, Takahashi Kenji, Ikuta Futoshi, Iseki Yuya, Harada Kazuhiro, Kato Kazuo
Faculty of Science & Engineering, Toyo University, Japan.
Department of Orthopaedics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine: 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
J Phys Ther Sci. 2020 Dec;32(12):823-827. doi: 10.1589/jpts.32.823. Epub 2020 Dec 11.
[Purpose] Heat can prevent cartilage degeneration when applied to articular cartilage, but the size of the human knee joint makes it difficult to target cartilage during heat treatment. In this study, we aimed to establish a heat therapy method capable of safely applying heat to deep intra-articular tissues utilizing a resonant cavity applicator and to confirm the extent of cartilage heating in the human knee when using this system. [Participants and Methods] Heating experiments were carried out on the knees of healthy three volunteers using a resonant cavity applicator and a microwave diathermy system. After heat application, temperature distributions inside the knee were measured noninvasively using our measurement method based on ultrasound imaging techniques. [Results] We observed an increase in the temperature around the cartilage tissue in the knees of the volunteers using an ultrasonic thermometer; there was no increase in temperature in the overlying layers. During heating with up to 20 W of power, none of the volunteers experienced adverse reactions. [Conclusion] This study indicates the potential safety and effectiveness of the resonant cavity heat therapy system for knee osteoarthritis in a clinical setting.
[目的] 热作用于关节软骨时可预防软骨退变，但人体膝关节的大小使得在热处理过程中难以精准作用于软骨。在本研究中，我们旨在建立一种能够利用谐振腔 applicator 安全地对关节内深部组织进行热疗的方法，并确认使用该系统时人体膝关节软骨的受热程度。[参与者与方法] 使用谐振腔 applicator 和微波透热疗法系统对三名健康志愿者的膝关节进行加热实验。热疗后，采用基于超声成像技术的测量方法对膝关节内部的温度分布进行无创测量。[结果] 使用超声温度计观察到志愿者膝关节软骨组织周围温度升高；表层温度无升高。在功率高达 20W 的加热过程中，没有志愿者出现不良反应。[结论] 本研究表明谐振腔热疗系统在临床环境中治疗膝关节骨关节炎具有潜在的安全性和有效性。
