Extracellular liquid collection tool

Abstract

To provide a device which has an effect for suppressing lymphedema.SOLUTION: An extracellular liquid collection tool 1 is arranged in a body and is used. By being arranged in the body, extracellular liquid is taken into a tube part 10 from a take-in part, then flows into a vein through a connection part 12. It is possible to cause the extracellular liquid mainly formed of lymph which stays in the body by any factor, to flow into the vein by the above mentioned method, therefore lymphedema can be suppressed. When performing lymph duct vein anastomosis surgery, the extracellular liquid collection tool 1 is arranged in the body, therefore the extracellular liquid whose leakage state is continuous, can be collected and the lymphedema can be suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for collecting extracellular fluid, such as lymphatic fluid, and directing it into a vein. [Background technology]

[0002] Lymph nodes are removed in cancer surgery to prevent metastasis, etc. When lymph nodes are removed, lymph flow is impaired and accumulates in the limbs, causing lymphedema. Lymphedema can also be caused by a variety of other factors, but once it develops, it is said to be difficult to cure completely. Meanwhile, in recent years, lymphaticovenous anastomosis, in which lymphatic vessels are anastomosed to veins, has been performed as a treatment method (see Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Surgical Treatment of Lymphedema" pp. 188-191, Edited by: Isao Mitsushima, Published by: Parson Publishing Co., Ltd., September 1, 2017, First Edition Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By anastomosing lymphatic vessels to veins, the leaking lymph flows into the veins, improving lymphedema. However, the diameter of lymphatic vessels is generally about 0.1 to 1.0 mm, and a considerable amount of skill is required to anastomosing such a small vessel to an equally small vein. In addition, when there are many lymphatic vessels leaking lymph, it is extremely difficult to anastomosing all of them to veins, and even if lymphaticovenous anastomosis is performed, the degree of improvement in lymphedema currently depends solely on the skill of the surgeon.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an extracellular fluid collecting device that can collect extracellular fluid, mainly lymph fluid, that has leaked from lymphatic vessels and accumulated in the body, and send it to a vein, thereby suppressing lymphedema. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides A collection section that has a function of removing at least fat and collects extracellular fluid; Connection to the vein and The extracellular fluid collection device is placed in the body and used. to provide.

[0007] The collection unit is a tubular portion; and an extracellular fluid intake portion provided in the tubular portion and having a function of removing at least the fat content, The connection portion is provided on the pipe portion. It can be configured as follows. In this case, it is preferable to have a check valve for preventing backflow of the extracellular fluid flowing from the body into the intake section.

[0008] The collecting section is made of a planar member having a function of removing at least the fat content, a peripheral portion of the planar member constitutes the connection portion, The peripheral portion is connected around a connection opening formed in the vein. It can be configured as follows.

[0009] The collecting section is made of a bag-shaped member having a peripheral wall portion having a function of removing at least the fat content, an opening edge portion of the bag-shaped member constitutes the connection portion; The opening edge is connected to the periphery of the connection opening formed in the vein. It can be configured as follows. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The extracellular fluid collection device of the present invention is used by being placed in the body. By being placed in the body, the extracellular fluid is taken in from the collection part and flows into the veins. As a result, the extracellular fluid, mainly lymph fluid, that has accumulated in the body due to some factor flows into the veins, and lymphedema can be suppressed. If the extracellular fluid collection device of the present invention is placed in the body when performing lymphaticovenous anastomosis, the extracellular fluid that continues to leak can be collected and lymphedema can be suppressed. In that sense, the extracellular fluid collection device of the present invention is suitable as a means to supplement lymphaticovenous anastomosis. On the other hand, it is also suitable as a means to suppress lymphedema that replaces lymphaticovenous anastomosis. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a side view showing the appearance of an extracellular fluid collection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view thereof. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(a) is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which a check valve is provided, and FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 2(a). [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an extracellular fluid collection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is placed inside a body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram illustrating an extracellular fluid collection device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram illustrating an extracellular fluid collection device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams for explaining an extracellular fluid collection device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these figures, the extracellular fluid collection device 1 of this embodiment is configured to have a tubular portion 10, an intake portion 11, and a connection portion 12. The tubular portion 10 and the intake portion 11 have a function of removing at least fat by filtration or the like, and correspond to a collection portion 1A that collects extracellular fluid. The tubular portion 10 can be, for example, about 1 to 20 mm in diameter and about 10 to 150 mm in length. These diameters and lengths can be appropriately determined according to the site to be placed, such as the upper limbs or lower limbs, the physique, and the like. The material constituting the tubular portion 10 is determined in consideration of good biocompatibility, resistance to degradation in the body, and the like, and can be used for fabric made of polyester fiber used as an artificial blood vessel material, PTFE, biomaterials, synthetic polymer materials, and the like.

[0013] In this embodiment, the intake section 11 is configured to have a plurality of openings 11a formed near one end of the tube section 10 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, these openings 11a are formed on the longitudinal end face and peripheral surface of the tube section 10. However, the number of openings 11a formed is arbitrary, and may be one, two, or may be composed of a large number of small holes at four or more locations. The opening area and shape are also arbitrary, and may be uniform or may have different shapes depending on the opening 11a.

[0014] In order to prevent the backflow of the extracellular fluid taken into the tubular portion 10 through the opening 11a, a check valve 13 may be provided in the tubular portion 10 as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b).

[0015] The intake section 11 is not limited to a structure having such an opening 11a, and the circumferential surface or end surface of the intake section 11 itself may be made in a mesh shape or may be configured using a semipermeable membrane. Also, the intake section 11 may be configured to be formed not only in the vicinity of one end of the tubular section 10 but at a plurality of locations along the longitudinal direction of the tubular section 10. Furthermore, the entire length of the tubular section 10 may be configured to be in a mesh shape or formed from a semipermeable membrane, and all portions may be intake sections 11.

[0016] The intake section 11 is required to not only take in extracellular fluid, but also to have a function of removing substances that are not desirable to be actively mixed into the blood, at least fat, by a filtering action or the like when taking in the extracellular fluid. The configuration for imparting such a function is arbitrary, and examples thereof include a mesh-like structure or a semipermeable membrane as described above. In addition, a filter using a hollow fiber membrane provided by Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd., Toray Medical Co., Ltd., etc. and used in hemodialysis, hemofiltration, blood exchange, etc. may be placed in this intake section 11, or connected to the intake section 11, or the intake section 11 itself may be composed of such a filter, thereby enhancing the function of removing impurities such as fat.

[0017] The connecting part 12 is provided at the other end of the tubular part 10. The length, thickness, etc. of the connecting part 12 are not limited as long as it can be connected to a vein and the extracellular fluid taken into the tubular part 10 can be flowed into the vein. It may be thinner than the tubular part 10 or may be the same diameter as the tubular part 10. The material may be any material that satisfies the requirements for embedding in the body, such as biocompatibility. As for the material, it is preferable to use a material that is used as an artificial blood vessel material, like the tubular part 10.

[0018] The connection part 12 can be connected to the vein either at the end or on the periphery of the vein, in the same way as when anastomosing a lymphatic vessel to a vein during lymphaticovenous anastomosis. When the connection part 12 is made of an artificial blood vessel material, it is connected to the vein by anastomosis, but it is also possible to use a needle-shaped member made of synthetic resin that satisfies the requirements such as biocompatibility for placement in the body as the connection part 12 and pierce the periphery of the vein to connect it.

[0019] When the connection portion 12 is formed from the same material as the tube portion 10, rather than attaching a relatively thin connection portion 12 to the tip of the relatively thick tube portion 10 and integrating it with the tip of the tube portion 10, the portion near the tip of the tube portion 10 can be made gradually thinner and used as the connection portion 12.

[0020] According to this embodiment, for example, when embedded in a lower limb, as shown in FIG. 3, the tube portion 10 is bent into a substantially U-shape with the intake portion 11 on the upper side, and the connection portion 12 is connected to a vein. At this time, preferably, the tube portion 10, the intake portion 11, and the connection portion 12 are filled with physiological saline or the like as priming water. By placing the intake portion 11 on the upper side, it becomes easier to collect extracellular fluid by gravity. The extracellular fluid collected in the intake portion 11 passes through the tube portion 10 to the connection portion 12, is taken into the vein connected to the connection portion 12, and flows into the bloodstream in the vein.

[0021] According to the extracellular fluid collection device 1 of this embodiment, even if extracellular fluid leakage occurs due to lymph node resection or the like, or even if extracellular fluid leakage continues despite lymphaticovenous anastomosis, the extracellular fluid is taken into the tubular portion 10 via the take-up portion 11 and flows into the venous bloodstream via the connection portion 12. As a result, lymphedema due to leakage of extracellular fluid can be efficiently suppressed.

[0022] In addition, the function of the intake part 11 to remove the fat and other components can also prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream, which contributes to preventing bacterial infections such as cellulitis from becoming severe. On the other hand, if ascites accumulation occurs, it can be expected to have the effect of causing the ascites to flow into the veins, thereby improving the condition.

[0023] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram for explaining an extracellular fluid collection device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the extracellular fluid collection device 100 of this embodiment, the collection section 100A is composed of a planar member 101 having a function of removing fat and the like. The planar member 101 here refers to a two-dimensional thin-film mesh or semipermeable membrane, and the mesh opening diameter and material are prepared so as to be suitable for removing fat and the like. The peripheral portion 101a of the planar member 101 constituting the collection section 100A constitutes a connection portion with the vein, and this peripheral portion 101a is connected to the vein. Specifically, the planar member 101 is overlapped so as to close a connection opening formed in a blood vessel constituting the vein, and the peripheral portion 101a is fixed to the blood vessel by suturing or the like.

[0024] In this embodiment, fat and the like is removed from the extracellular fluid as it passes through the planar member 101, and the extracellular fluid flows into the vein. This makes it possible to suppress lymphedema caused by leakage of extracellular fluid, similar to the above embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 4(b) is a diagram for explaining an extracellular fluid collection device 110 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the extracellular fluid collection device 110 of this embodiment, the collection section 110A is composed of a bag-shaped member 111 whose peripheral wall section 111b has a function of removing fat and the like. The opening edge section 111a of the bag-shaped member 111 constitutes a connection section connected to a vein. The opening section 111c of the bag-shaped member 111 is disposed so as to close a connection opening formed in a vein, and the opening edge section 111a is fixed to the blood vessel by suturing or the like. The peripheral wall section 111b of the bag-shaped member 111 is composed of a mesh or semipermeable membrane, as in the planar member 101 of FIG. 4(a). According to this embodiment, the extracellular fluid flows from the outside to the inside of the peripheral wall section 111b of the bag-shaped member 111, and fat and the like are removed at that time. Thereafter, the blood flows into the vein through the opening 111c surrounded by the opening edge portion 111a, and the same effects and advantages as those of the above embodiment are obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1. Extracellular fluid collection device 10 Pipe section 11 Import section 12 Connection

Claims

1. A collection section that has a function of removing at least fat and collects extracellular fluid; Connection to the vein and The extracellular fluid collection device has a structure and is placed in the body for use.

2. The collection unit is a tubular portion; and an extracellular fluid intake portion provided in the tubular portion and having a function of removing at least the fat content, The connection portion is provided on the pipe portion. The extracellular fluid collection device according to claim 1.

3. A check valve is provided to prevent backflow of the extracellular fluid flowing from the body into the intake section. The extracellular fluid collection device according to claim 2.

4. The collecting section is made of a planar member having a function of removing at least the fat content, a peripheral portion of the planar member constitutes the connection portion, The peripheral portion is connected around a connection opening formed in the vein. The extracellular fluid collection device according to claim 1.

5. The collecting section is made of a bag-shaped member having a peripheral wall portion having a function of removing at least the fat content, an opening edge portion of the bag-shaped member constitutes the connection portion; The opening edge is connected to the periphery of the connection opening formed in the vein. The extracellular fluid collection device according to claim 1.

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