Package for needle catheters

Abstract

This package provides a way to safely protect multiple needle catheters easily and quickly without contamination, offers excellent operability and handling of the needle catheters themselves, and provides a low-cost package with minimal environmental impact that does not affect luminescence stability. [Solution] The device comprises a holder structure 3 capable of holding multiple medical needle catheters 5, and a foldable, flat needle tray 2 on which the holder structure is provided. By folding a part of the needle tray, the tips 5t of multiple needle catheters are protected simultaneously. The needle tray is equipped with indicators 10 that allow for visual confirmation of the puncture lengths of the multiple needle catheters held in the holder structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a package for a medical needle catheter.

Background Art

[0002] This type of needle catheter includes, for example, a resin needle and a stainless-steel obturator, and is used to introduce a diffuser for in-tissue irradiation composed of an optical fiber into tissue.

[0003] When in use, with the obturator inserted into the lumen of the needle, the tip of the needle catheter is punctured into the tissue. After that, the obturator is withdrawn and only the needle is left in the tissue. Then, an in-tissue irradiation diffuser is inserted into the lumen of the needle left in the tissue. In this state, laser light emitted from the diffuser is irradiated into the tissue through the needle, thereby performing phototherapy on the tissue.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the tip of the above-described needle catheter is protected by a dedicated protector. For example, when preparing a plurality of needle catheters, a protector (for example, a protective cap) is attached to the tip of each needle catheter one by one.

[0006] However, the process of attaching a protective device to each individual needle catheter increases the risk of damaging, breaking, or contaminating the needle catheter (especially the tip), requiring extreme care. This makes it an extremely tedious and time-consuming task.

[0007] Furthermore, with needle catheters fitted with protective equipment, the need to remove the equipment before use not only worsens the operability and handling of the needle catheter itself, but also means that the protective equipment removed from the needle catheter cannot be reused and must be discarded. Depending on the quantity of used protective equipment discarded, this can have a significant impact on the environment.

[0008] In addition, a protective device needs to be prepared for each individual needle catheter, which increases the cost of manufacturing the protective devices, and consequently, the overall manufacturing cost of the needle catheters also increases.

[0009] Furthermore, since the protective equipment attached to the needle catheter does not have an indicator for the puncture length or puncture depth to which the needle catheter should be inserted into the tissue, in clinical practice, the puncture length or puncture depth measured in advance with a ruler or similar tool is marked on the outside of the needle catheter. However, this marking can cause unevenness in the light transmitted through the catheter, potentially affecting the luminescence stability.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a needle catheter package that can safely protect multiple needle catheters (especially the tip portions) easily and quickly without contamination, has excellent operability and handling of the needle catheter itself, has minimal environmental impact, is low-cost, and does not affect luminescence stability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve this objective, the present invention comprises a holder structure capable of holding multiple medical needle catheters aligned with a distance between them along a predetermined direction, and a foldable, flat needle tray on which the holder structure is provided. By folding a portion of the needle tray so as to cover the tips of the multiple needle catheters held in the holder structure, the tips of the multiple needle catheters are protected simultaneously and collectively. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to safely protect multiple needle catheters (especially the tip portions) easily and quickly without contamination, and to realize a needle catheter package that offers excellent operability and handling of the needle catheter itself, has minimal environmental impact, is low-cost, and does not affect luminescence stability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a needle catheter package according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the components of a needle catheter. [Figure 3] Unfolded diagram of a foldable needle tray. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] "Content of one embodiment" Figure 1 is an overall diagram of the needle catheter package 1. The needle catheter package 1 comprises a foldable, flat needle tray 2, a holder structure 3 provided on the needle tray 2, and a sealed pack 4.

[0015] The needle catheter 5 is a common type used in clinical settings and consists of an operating section 5a and a long catheter body 5b that extends slenderly from the operating section 5a. The catheter body 5b has a proximal end 5e supported by the operating section 5a, and the tip 5t opposite the proximal end 5e is a free end that can be used to puncture tissue.

[0016] The sealed pack 4 is a commercially available, existing product. After placing the object inside from one end 4a, the end 4a is sealed, allowing the object to be contained in an airtight state. Furthermore, when removing the object contained in the sealed pack 4, the object can be easily and without resistance removed by opening the pack from the apex 6t of the V-shaped seal 6, which is pre-sealed at the other end 4b (opposite the end 4a).

[0017] Figure 1 shows an example of an object, consisting of multiple needle catheters 5 held in a holder structure 3. In this case, the multiple needle catheters 5 are housed together in the sealed pack 4, with their tips 5t protected simultaneously by folding a portion of the needle tray 2.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the needle tray 2 is configured to be foldable in part. Therefore, the needle tray 2 has a tray body portion 2a on which the holder structure 3 is arranged, a folding portion 2b that can be folded so as to face the tray body portion 2a, and a connecting portion 2c that connects the tray body portion 2a and the folding portion 2b to each other.

[0019] Here, a part of the needle tray 2 is folded so as to cover the tip portions 5t of the plurality of needle catheters 5 held by the holder structure 3. That is, the folding portion 2b is folded so as to face the tray main body portion 2a about the connecting portion 2c. As a result, the tip portions 5t of all the needle catheters 5 are collectively and simultaneously protected between the mutually facing and folded needle trays 2. That is, the tip portions 5t of the plurality of needle catheters 5 held by the holder structure 3 are protected in a state of being accommodated in the region surrounded by the tray main body portion 2a, the folding portion 2b, and the connecting portion 2c.

[0020] Furthermore, the needle tray 2 has an engaging portion 2d extending from the folding portion 2b on the opposite side of the connecting portion 2c. When the folding portion 2b is folded so as to face the tray main body portion 2a about the connecting portion 2c, the engaging portion 2d is engaged so as to sandwich a part of the plurality of needle catheters 5 held by the holder structure 3, whereby the folding portion 2b is maintained in a state of facing the tray main body portion 2a.

[0021] A plurality of engaging grooves g are arranged in the engaging portion 2d at intervals. Each of these engaging grooves g is configured to sandwich one by one a part of the plurality of needle catheters 5 (in FIG. 1, as an example, the catheter main body 5b). In this case, when the folding portion 2b is folded so as to face the tray main body portion 2a, the engaging portion 2d is engaged so that the catheter main body 5b is sandwiched one by one in each of the engaging grooves g. As a result, the folding portion 2b is maintained in a state of facing the tray main body portion 2a.

[0022] The holder structure 3 provided in such a needle tray 2 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of needle catheters 5 in a state of being aligned with a preset direction while being spaced apart from each other in the tray main body 2a. In FIG. 1, as an example, a plurality of needle catheters 5 are aligned parallel to each other and at equal intervals along a direction D1 (hereinafter referred to as the tray main body crossing direction D1) that crosses the tray main body 2a. At this time, each operation part 5a is arranged in a positional relationship of being parallel to each other while being aligned adjacent to each other, and each catheter main body 5b is arranged in a positional relationship of being parallel to each other while being aligned adjacent to each other.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the needle catheter 5. The needle catheter 5 includes, for example, a resin needle 7 and an obturator 8 made of stainless steel, and is used to introduce a tissue internal irradiation diffuser (not shown) composed of an optical fiber into the tissue.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, when using the needle catheter 5, the obturator 8 is inserted into the needle 7. At this time, the tip 8t of the obturator 8 and the tip 7t of the needle 7 come into contact with each other. As a result, the rigidity of the obturator 8 is imparted to the needle 7. As a result, the shape of the catheter main body 5b is maintained in an elongated shape extending straight. Thus, the catheter main body 5b of the needle catheter 5 can be stably punctured into the tissue from its tip portion 5t.

[0025] After that, the obturator 8 is withdrawn by the locking collar 9, and only the needle 7 is left in the tissue. Then, a tissue internal irradiation diffuser is inserted into the needle 7 left in the tissue. In this state, laser light emitted from the diffuser is irradiated into the tissue through the needle 7, thereby performing phototherapy on the tissue.

[0026] At this time, it is necessary to accurately know in advance the puncture length or puncture depth when inserting the catheter body 5b into the tissue. For this reason, conventionally, the measured puncture length or puncture depth is marked on the outside of the needle catheter 5, but this marking may cause unevenness in the light transmitted through the catheter body 5b, potentially affecting the luminescence stability.

[0027] Therefore, in the needle catheter package 1 of this embodiment, in addition to the needle catheter 5, an indicator 10 (see Figure 3) is provided for determining the puncture length or puncture depth when inserting the catheter body 5b into the tissue.

[0028] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the indicators 10 attached to the needle tray 2. Figure 3 shows the needle tray 2 unfolded in a flat state. The needle tray 2 is constructed by arranging the tray body 2a, connecting part 2c, folding part 2b, and engaging part 2d in a continuous sequence from right to left in Figure 3.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the tray body 2a is provided with a holder structure 3 for aligning a plurality of needle catheters 5 (see Figure 1) parallel to each other and at equal intervals along the transverse direction D1 of the tray body. The holder structure 3 is composed of a plurality of holders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the multiple holders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are constructed by partially cutting out the tray body 2a and leaving the other parts attached to the tray body 2a. The portion P (hereinafter referred to as the cut-out portion P) of the tray body 2a extends parallel and rectangularly along the transverse direction D1 of the tray body, while the portion L (hereinafter referred to as the attached portion L) attached to the tray body 2a extends parallel and linearly along the transverse direction D1 of the tray body.

[0031] With this configuration, by using the linear remaining portion L as a pivot point and folding the rectangular cutout portion P upward from the tray body portion 2a, multiple rectangular holders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 can be erected on the tray body portion 2a. At this time, the multiple holders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 each extend along the transverse direction D1 of the tray body portion and are arranged parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body portion that is perpendicular to the transverse direction D1 of the tray body portion (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body portion).

[0032] Furthermore, each of these rectangular holders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 is equipped with multiple support parts S. The multiple support parts S are arranged at equal intervals along the transverse direction D1 of the tray body in each of the individual holders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, and are also arranged in a straight line relative to each other along the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body.

[0033] Here, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, multiple needle catheters 5 are placed one by one along each support part S which are aligned straight along the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body. This allows the multiple needle catheters 5 to be aligned along the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body while simultaneously being arranged parallel to each other and at equal intervals along the transverse direction D1 of the tray body.

[0034] In Figures 1 and 3, as an example, multiple holders 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body. Specifically, a pair of holders (first holder 11, second holder 12) support the tip 5t and proximal end 5e of the catheter body 5b of the needle catheter 5, two holders (third holder 13, fourth holder 14) are provided between these two pairs of holders 11 and 12, and a fifth holder 15 is provided on the outside of the first holder 11 (i.e., on the opposite side from the second to fourth holders 12 to 14).

[0035] The support portions S of the first to fourth holders 11 to 14 are set to a size that can hold and support the elongated catheter body 5b that extends in a long, slender manner. As a result, the catheter body 5b placed on the first to fourth holders 11 to 14 is supported by being grasped by each of its respective support portions S.

[0036] The support portion S of the fifth holder 15 is set to a size that can hold and support the operating portion 5a of the relatively large diameter needle catheter 5. As a result, the catheter body 5b placed on the fifth holder 15 is supported by being grasped by each of its respective support portions S.

[0037] At this time, the operating portion 5a of the needle catheter 5 is held between the first holder 11 and the fifth holder 15. That is, the first holder 11 is in contact with the end face of the operating portion 5a (the end face 5s on the catheter body 5b side (see Figure 2)) that supports the proximal end portion 5e of the catheter body 5b.

[0038] As a result, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the first to fifth holders 11 to 15 described above hold the multiple needle catheters 5 in the tray body 2a in an evenly spaced position along a predetermined direction (i.e., the transverse direction D1 of the tray body), without shifting in the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body or falling out of the tray body 2a.

[0039] In this needle tray 2, an indicator 10 is attached to the tray body 2a. The indicator 10 is configured to allow visual confirmation of the puncture length or puncture depth (i.e., the puncture length or puncture depth when inserting the catheter body 5b into the tissue) of the multiple needle catheters 5 held in the holder structure 3.

[0040] The indicator 10 is constructed by marking the needle tray 2 with equally spaced scales, allowing for visual determination of the puncture length or puncture depth of multiple needle catheters 5 (catheter body 5b) based on the scales. As an example, Figure 3 shows that the indicator 10, consisting of scales similar to those of a ruler, is added (e.g., printed) along the longitudinal direction D2 of the tray body 2a.

[0041] The indicator 10, which has a scale similar to that of this ruler, is provided on the tray body 2a, extending from the linear residual portion L of the first holder 11 to the linear residual portion L of the second holder 12. In Figure 3, as an example, the linear residual portion L of the first holder 11 is set to 0 cm (centimeters), and the indicator 10 is provided with scales assigned at 1 cm intervals up to 10 cm.

[0042] In this case, the scale (indicator 10) from 0 cm to 10 cm is positioned on the tray body 2a in a location that avoids the multiple needle catheters 5 held by the holder structure 3. As an example, in Figure 3, the scale (indicator 10) from 0 cm to 10 cm is arranged parallel to each other along both sides of the first to fifth holders 11 to 15 described above, with numerical values ​​from 0 to 10 added at equal intervals on both sides.

[0043] "Effects of one embodiment" According to this embodiment, by simply folding a part of the needle tray 2 (i.e., the folding part 2b), the tips 5t of multiple needle catheters 5 can be protected simultaneously and easily in a short time. This eliminates the need to prepare a large number of protective devices as in the past and the troublesome work of putting them on and taking them off. As a result, not only is the risk of damage, breakage, or contamination of the needle catheters 5 (especially the tips 5t) eliminated, but the operability and handling of the needle catheters 5 themselves can be improved, and costs can be reduced while simultaneously minimizing the impact on the environment.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the needle tray 2 has an engaging portion 2d extending from the folding portion 2b on the opposite side of the connecting portion 2c. In this case, when the folding portion 2b is folded around the connecting portion 2c so as to face the tray body portion 2a, the engaging portion 2d engages with a part of the multiple needle catheters 5 held in the holder structure 3 (i.e., the catheter body 5b). This allows the folding portion 2b to be maintained in a state facing the tray body portion 2a, and as a result, the tips 5t of the multiple needle catheters 5 held in the holder structure 3 can be protected by being housed within the area enclosed by the tray body portion 2a, the folding portion 2b, the connecting portion 2c, and the engaging portion 2d.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the needle tray 2 is equipped with an index 10 that allows for visual confirmation of the puncture length or puncture depth (i.e., the puncture length or puncture depth when inserting the catheter body 5b into the tissue) of the multiple needle catheters 5 held in the holder structure 3. This eliminates the need for the conventional clinical practice of marking the puncture length or puncture depth measured in advance with a ruler or the like on the outside of the needle catheter 5. As a result, there is no risk of affecting the luminescence stability of the light transmitted through the catheter body 5b, and stable phototherapy can be performed.

[0046] "Variations" In the embodiments described above, we assumed an index 10 with markings from 0 cm to 10 cm at 1 cm intervals. However, alternatively, an index 10 with markings from 0 cm to 10 cm at 5 mm intervals is also included within the technical scope of the present invention. In this case, the markings may be 10 cm or longer, or 10 cm or shorter.

[0047] In the embodiment described above, the scale (indicator 10) was assumed to be arranged parallel to each other along both sides of the first to fifth holders 11 to 15 on the tray body 2a. However, alternatively, the technical scope of the present invention also includes indicators 10 in which each scale is arranged continuously in the transverse direction D1 of the tray body from both sides of the first to fifth holders 11 to 15.

[0048] Although one embodiment of the present invention and several variations have been described above, these embodiments and variations are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments and variations can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1... Needle catheter package, 2... Needle tray, 2a... Tray body, 2b... Folding part, 2c... Connecting part, 2d... Engaging part, 3... Holder structure, 4... Sealed pack, 4a... One end, 4b... Other end, 5... Needle catheter, 5a... Operating part, 5b... Catheter body, 5t... Tip, 5e... Proximal end, 6... V-shaped seal, 6t... Apex, 7... Needle, 7t... Tip, 8... Obturator, 8t... Tip, 9... Locking collar, 10... Indicator, 11... First holder, 12... Second holder, 13... Third holder, 14... Fourth holder, 15... Fifth holder, D1... Transverse direction of tray body, D2... Longitudinal direction of tray body, g... Engaging groove, P... Cutout part, L... Remaining part, S... Support part.

Claims

1. A holder structure capable of holding multiple medical needle catheters aligned in a predetermined direction with spacing between them, The device comprises a foldable, flat needle tray provided with the aforementioned holder structure, A needle catheter package in which the tips of multiple needle catheters are protected simultaneously by folding a part of the needle tray so as to cover the tips of multiple needle catheters held in the holder structure.

2. The aforementioned needle tray is The tray body portion on which the holder structure is arranged, A folding section that can be folded so as to face the tray body, It has a connecting part that connects the tray body and the folding part to each other, The needle catheter package according to claim 1, wherein the tip portions of the plurality of needle catheters held in the holder structure are protected by folding the folding portion around the connecting portion so that it faces the tray body, and the tip portions are housed within the area enclosed by the tray body, the folding portion, and the connecting portion.

3. The needle tray has an engaging portion extending from the folding portion on the opposite side of the connecting portion, The needle catheter package according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion engages with a portion of the plurality of needle catheters held in the holder structure when the folding portion is folded around the connecting portion so as to face the tray body, thereby maintaining the folding portion in a state facing the tray body.

4. The needle catheter package according to claim 1, wherein the needle tray is provided with an indicator that allows for visual determination of the puncture length of the plurality of needle catheters held in the holder structure.

5. The needle catheter package according to claim 4, wherein the indicator is configured by marking the needle tray with equally spaced scales, and the puncture lengths of the multiple needle catheters can be visually determined based on the scales.

6. The needle catheter package comprises the holder structure and needle tray described in any one of claims 1 to 5, A needle catheter package comprising a sealed pack capable of housing and sealing multiple needle catheters together with the needle tray, in a state where the tips of multiple needle catheters held in the holder structure are simultaneously protected by folding a part of the needle tray.

Images