Medical tube, and medical tube position detection system

Abstract

Provided is a medical tube that has a tip portion, the position of which can be easily detected from the outside, irrespective of the orientation of the tip portion of the medical tube inserted in a patient's body. This medical tube has: a tube-shaped body section; at least one opening section that is formed in a side surface of the body section; and a translucent section that is formed at one end of the body section, has a semispherical surface shape, and is for emitting light from a light source.

Description

5 the main body part 60. In other words, there is no need to insert the light guide 3, such as an optical fiber or the like, into the hollow part of the main body part 60. Accordingly, reduction in the diameter of the medical tube 6 is facilitated. 10

[0070] In the medical tube 6, the first reflection layer 63, the second reflection layer 64, and the third reflection layer 65 are formed of the same material. With such a configuration, manufacturing of the medical tube 6 is simplified. 15

[0071] In the medical tube 6, the opening 61 located at a position farthest from one end of the medical tube 6 has a shape whose width increases toward the one end. With such a configuration, when the light from the light source 200 is reflected by the 20 third reflection layer 65, the light easily travels to the distal end part side of the main body part 60. Accordingly, the light from the light source 200 can be efficiently emitted from the light transmitting part 62.  In other words, it is poassible to reduce loss of the light from the light source 25    200.

[0072] In the medical tube 6, the opening 61 has a shape of a triangle. With such a configuration, after the light from the light source 200 is reflected at the third reflection layer 30   65, the light travels to the distal end part side of the main body part 40 more easily. Accordingly, the light from the light source 200 can be emitted from the light transmitting part 62 more efficiently. In other words, it is possible to 2021341024   17 Sep 2026 further reduce loss of the light from the light source 200.

[0073] In the medical tube 6, the triangle is an isosceles triangle having an apex angle smaller than 90 degrees. Such 5 a configuration facilitates traveling of the light from the light source 200 to the distal end part side of the main body part 60 after being reflected by the third reflection layer 65 more than in the case where the apex angle is 90 degrees or larger. Accordingly, as compared to the case where the 10 apex angle is 90 degrees or larger, the light from the light source 200 can be emitted from the light transmitting part 62 more efficiently. In other words, as compared to the case where the apex angle is 90 degrees or larger, it is possible to further reduce loss of the light from the light source 200. 15

[0074] In the medical tube 4, 6, the main body part 40, 60 and the light transmitting part 42, 62 are formed of one material selected from a group consisting of silicone, polypropylene, elastomer, and a fluorocarbon resin. Such a configuration 20 simplifies manufacturing of the medical tube 4, 6. Further, it is possible to reduce reflection of light at the interface face between the main body part 60 and the light transmitting part 62 in the medical tube 6, as compared to the case where the main body part 60 and the light transmitting part 62 are 25 formed of different materials. This makes it possible to efficiently emit the light from the light source 200 from the light transmitting part 42, 62, thereby being able to reduce loss of the light from the light source 200.

[0075] 30       The medical tube position detection system 1, 5 includes the light source 200, the main body part 40, 60 having a tubular shape, at least one opening 41, 61 formed in a side face of the main body part 40, 60, the light transmitting part 42, 2021341024   17 Sep 2026 62 formed at one end of the main body part 40, 60, the light transmitting part 42, 62 having a hemispherical face shape, the light transmitting part 42, 62 being configured to emit the light from the light source 200, and the light guide 3 5 configured to transmit the light from the light source 200 to the light transmitting part 42, 62, and the light guide 3 being insertable into the main body part 40, 60.

[0076] With the medical tube 4,  6 including the light 10 transmitting part 42, 62, the light from the light source 200 is refracted at the face of the light transmitting part 42, 62, and is emitted. Further, with the light transmitting part 42, 62 having a hemispherical face shape, the light from the light source 200 is emitted to various directions. In other 15 words, with such a configuration, the irradiation angle of the light from the light source 200 is larger than in the case without the light transmitting part 42, 62. Accordingly, regardless of the orientation of the distal end part of the medical tube 4, 6 inserted into a body of a patient, the 20 position of the distal end part of the medical tube 4, 6 can easily be detected from the outside of the body. [Reference Signs List]

[0077] 1, 5: Medical tube position detection system; 25   2: Light source device; 20: Casing; 21: Light collecting part; 200: Light source; 3: Light guide; 30   4, 6: Medical tube; 40, 60: Main body part; 41, 61: Opening; 42, 62: Light transmitting part; 2021341024   17 Sep 2026 42A, 62a: Curved part; 42B, 62b: Bottom part; 63: First reflection layer; 64: Second reflection layer; 5   65: Third reflection layer.

Claims

1. A medical tube comprising:a main body part having a tubular shape, the main body5 part itself being formed to guide light from a light source, the main body part being formed only of a light-transmissive material;at least one opening formed in a side face of the main body part;10         a light transmitting part formed at one end of the mainbody part, the light transmitting part having a hemispherical face shape, the light transmitting part being configured to emit the light;a first reflection layer provided over an inner15 circumferential face of the main body part; anda second reflection layer provided over an outer circumferential face of the main body part.

2. The medical tube according to claim 1, further20 comprising:a third reflection layer provided over a side face of the at least one opening.

3. The medical tube according to claim 2, wherein the25 first reflection layer, the second reflection layer, and the third reflection layer are formed of a same material.2021341024   17 Sep 2026

4. The medical tube according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the opening located at a position farthest from the one end has a shape whose width increases toward the one end.5

5. The medical tube according to claim 4, wherein the opening has a shape of a triangle.

6. The medical tube according to claim 5, wherein the 10 triangle is an isosceles triangle having an apex angle smaller than 90 degrees.

7. The medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to6, wherein the main body part is formed of one material15 selected from a group consisting of silicone, polypropylene, elastomer, and a fluorocarbon resin.

8. A medical tube position detection system comprising: a light source; and20         a medical tube includinga main body part having a tubular shape, the main body part itself being formed to guide light from the light source, the main body part being formed only of a light-transmissive material,2021341024   17 Sep 2026at least one opening formed in a side face of the main body part,a light transmitting part formed at one end of the main body part, the light transmitting part having a5 hemispherical face shape, the light transmitting part being configured to emit the light; anda first reflection layer provided over an inner circumferential face of the main body part; anda second reflection layer provided over an outer 10 circumferential face of the main body part.

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