conduit

Abstract

A catheter of the present application passes inside a lumen of an endoscope and is capable of discharging a medicinal liquid to a digestive tract. The catheter has a tube through which the medicinal liquid passes and a bulb provided at a front end portion of the tube. A through hole capable of discharging the medicinal liquid that has passed through the tube to the outside is formed in the bulb. The bulb has a spherical portion formed in a partial sphere and an insertion portion that extends from the spherical portion and is inserted into the front end portion of the tube, and the bulb is formed to be harder than the tube. The through hole is formed throughout the spherical portion and the insertion portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a catheter capable of dispensing liquid medicine.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-183762, filed in Japan on November 2, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] When administering medication, saline solution, or bodily fluids (hereinafter referred to as medications, etc.) while simultaneously confirming the lesion site within the body using imaging, a catheter is sometimes used to pass through the lumen of an endoscope.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a catheter that can spray medications or the like into the body in any direction when administered under an endoscope.

[0005] In particular, the catheter described in Patent Document 1 allows the drug solution to collide with the collision surface formed at the front end of the catheter, and supplies the drug solution to the lesion through the opening formed at the front end of the catheter.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-290236 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0010] For example, when the overall shape of the lesion cannot be determined, it is sometimes desirable to displace the lesion or its surrounding area.

[0011] However, since the catheter described in Patent Document 1 only has an opening at the tip, it is difficult to properly press the periphery of the lesion to displace it. Therefore, there is room for improvement in supporting treatment that displaces the lesion or its periphery by properly photographing the overall and local shape of the lesion with an endoscope.

[0012] The present invention was made in view of the problems described above, and the object of the present invention is to provide a catheter that can appropriately apply a load to the lesion or its surrounding portion to displace it.

[0013] means for solving problems

[0014] The catheter of the present invention passes through the lumen of an endoscope and is capable of dispensing medication into the digestive tract. The catheter is characterized by having a tube through which the medication passes and a bulbous head disposed at the front end of the tube. A through hole is formed in the bulbous head to dispense the medication that has passed through the tube to the outside. The bulbous head has a spherical portion formed as a partial sphere and an insertion portion extending from the spherical portion and inserted into the front end of the tube. The bulbous head is formed to be more rigid than the tube. The through hole is formed throughout the spherical portion and the insertion portion.

[0015] The effects of the invention

[0016] The catheter according to the invention, by having a bulbous head with a spherical portion, can appropriately apply a load to the lesion or the periphery of the lesion to displace it, thereby supporting effective treatment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the catheter involved in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the ball head installed at the front end of the pipe.

[0019] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 The enlarged view of Part III is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the adhesive is contained in the receiving part.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the application of cleaning fluid through the lumen of an endoscope to remove mucus.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of healthy mucosa surrounding the lesion when a catheter is pressed. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The embodiments described below are merely examples for easy understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. That is, the shape, size, configuration, etc. of the components described below can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is natural that the present invention includes equivalent means.

[0024] Furthermore, in all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same constituent elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted where appropriate.

[0025] <Outline>

[0026] First, the main reference Figures 1 to 3 An overview of the catheter 1 involved in this embodiment will be described.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the catheter 1 involved in this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the ball head 2 located at the front end of the tube 1c. Figure 3 It is Figure 2 The enlarged view of part III is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the adhesive 6 is contained in the receiving part 5.

[0028] In this embodiment, the catheter 1 is inserted through the endoscope 10 (reference). Figure 4 and Figure 5 The interior of the lumen 10a of the tube, and capable of accessing the digestive tract 11 (reference) Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) Spit out the medicine.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the catheter 1 has a tube 1c through which the drug solution passes and a ball head 2 disposed at the front end 1e of the tube 1c.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, a through hole 2a is formed in the ball head 2, which allows the liquid medicine that has passed through the tube 1c to be discharged to the outside.

[0031] The ball head 2 has a spherical portion 3 formed as a partial sphere and an insertion portion 4 extending from the spherical portion 3 and inserted into the front end portion 1e of the tube 1c, and is formed to be more rigid than the tube 1c. A through hole 2a is formed throughout the spherical portion 3 and the insertion portion 4.

[0032] In addition to "ejection" which is supplied in liquid form and "spray" which is supplied in mist form, "dropleting" which supplies small amounts of liquid at a time is also included.

[0033] Pipe 1c can be made of resin or rubber alone, or it can contain metal materials to improve rigidity.

[0034] The ball head 2 only needs to be formed to be at least as hard as the front end 1e of the tube 1c.

[0035] According to the catheter 1 with the above-described structure, since the bulbous head 2 has a bulbous portion 3, the contact area is increased when the lesion 11b or its periphery is pressed, thus preventing the application of local load. Therefore, according to the catheter 1, an appropriate load can be applied to the lesion 11b or its periphery to support effective treatment.

[0036] When the lesion 11b or its surrounding area is displaced by pressing the ball head 2, the overall shape and local shape of the lesion 11b can be appropriately photographed by the endoscope 10.

[0037] <Structure>

[0038] Next, the structure of each part of the catheter 1 involved in this embodiment will be described.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the conduit 1 has, from the base end side, a connector 1a, a handle 1b connected to the connector 1a and held by the user, a tube 1c extending from the handle 1b in a long dimension, and a ball head 2 inserted into the front end of the tube 1c.

[0040] The effective length of the catheter 1 involved in this embodiment is, for example, about 2750 mm.

[0041] A syringe (not shown) containing and capable of dispensing medication is connected to connector 1a so that the medication is dispensed through handle 1b, tube 1c and ball head 2.

[0042] Thermoplastic polymer materials can be used as the main material for pipe 1c. Examples of such thermoplastic polymer materials include polyimide (PI), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polyamide elastomer (PAE), polyether block amide (PEBA), nylon elastomers, polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate resin (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polypropylene (PP).

[0043] As described above, the ball head 2 has a through hole 2a that allows the liquid medicine that has passed through the tube 1c to be expelled to the outside, and has a spherical part 3 formed in a partially spherical shape and an insertion part 4 extending from the spherical part 3 and inserted into the front end 1e of the tube 1c.

[0044] The ball head 2 in this embodiment is made of stainless steel. The ball head 2 only needs to be harder than the tube 1c; besides stainless steel, it can also be made of other metal materials such as nitinol or resin materials.

[0045] Furthermore, the maximum diameter of the spherical portion 3 of the bulbous head 2 involved in this embodiment is approximately 2.7 mm. The endoscope 10 (reference) through which the tube 1c and the bulbous head 2 pass... Figure 4 The diameter of the lumen 10a is approximately 2.8 mm or more, and is formed to be larger than the maximum diameter of the spherical part 3.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the insertion part 4 includes a shaft part 4a extending in the insertion direction toward the tube 1c, and a large-diameter part 4b provided closer to the insertion end than the shaft part 4a and formed to have a diameter larger than at least a portion of the outer diameter of the shaft part 4a.

[0047] like Figure 3As shown, a receiving portion 5 for accommodating adhesive 6 is formed between the shaft portion 4a, the large-diameter portion 4b, the spherical portion 3, and the tube 1c. The receiving portion 5 is filled with adhesive 6.

[0048] According to the above structure, the adhesive 6 can be accommodated in the receiving portion 5 provided in the insertion portion 4 of the ball head 2, and the contact area between the adhesive 6 and the shaft portion 4a, the large diameter portion 4b, the spherical portion 3 and the tube 1c can be properly ensured. Therefore, the various parts can be firmly bonded together by the adhesive 6.

[0049] If the connection between these parts is firm, the insertion part 4 does not necessarily need to have a large diameter part 4b, or it can simply form a straight cylindrical shaft part 4a.

[0050] In particular, the large-diameter portion 4b according to this embodiment has a folded-back portion 4e on its outer peripheral surface. The folded-back portion 4e is composed of an enlarged-diameter portion 4f that expands radially outward from the shaft portion 4a and abuts against the inner wall 1f of the tube 1c, and a reduced-diameter portion 4g that narrows from the enlarged-diameter portion 4f toward the end of the insertion end.

[0051] By configuring the large-diameter portion 4b in this way, the ball head 2 can be easily inserted into the tube 1c from the insertion portion 4 by the reduced-diameter portion 4g of the folding portion 4e. Furthermore, by the expanded-diameter portion 4f of the folding portion 4e, which abuts against the inner wall 1f of the tube 1c, the ball head 2 can be made to be difficult to pull out of the tube 1c.

[0052] If the insertion part 4 of the ball head 2 can be smoothly inserted into the tube 1c, then the folding part 4e does not need to be provided on the large diameter part 4b. That is, for example, the large diameter part 4b can also be a straight cylinder with an R-shaped chamfer at the front end.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the shaft portion 4a in this embodiment is composed of a tapered portion 4c that narrows towards the insertion end, and a cylindrical portion 4d that extends parallel to the axial direction of the tube 1c from the end of the insertion end in the tapered portion 4c to the large-diameter portion 4b.

[0054] According to the above structure, in the receiving portion 5, which is defined as part of the circumferential surface of the shaft portion 4a, the area for receiving the adhesive 6 can be ensured to be relatively wide in the radial direction on the radially outer side of the cylindrical portion 4d.

[0055] Furthermore, the tapered portion 4c can accommodate adhesive over a large axial range, and the radial distance between the inner wall 1f of the tube 1c and the insertion portion 4 narrows as they approach the end face 1d. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ball head 2 from wobbling relative to the tube 1c.

[0056] Furthermore, by forming the shaft portion 4a in this way, for example, when the ball head 2 is inserted into the tube 1c, the adhesive 6, which is applied in large quantities to the cylindrical portion 4d before the ball head 2 is inserted into the tube 1c, can be stretched from the cylindrical portion 4d to the conical portion 4c. Therefore, an appropriate amount of adhesive 6 can be contained in the area of ​​the receiving portion 5.

[0057] Specifically, the receiving portion 5 is formed between the folded portion 4e and the spherical portion 3.

[0058] With this structure, by having the adhesive 6 contained between the folded portion 4e, which abuts against the inner wall 1f of the tube 1c, and the spherical portion 3, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 6 from contacting the liquid medicine passing through the interior of the tube 1c and the through hole 2a of the tube 1c.

[0059] In this embodiment, the spherical portion 3 protrudes further radially outward from the tube 1c than the tube 1c. In particular, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the tube 1c, the portion of the spherical portion 3 that protrudes from the tube 1c is a local spherical shape with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube 1c.

[0060] Based on the above structure, the spherical part 3 protrudes more than the tube 1c, so it is easy to press the lesion part 11b or the periphery of the lesion part 11b with the spherical part 3 to displace it.

[0061] In particular, since the portion protruding from the tube 1c in the spherical part 3 is a local spherical shape with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube 1c, it is possible to effectively treat the lesion 11b or its surrounding part.

[0062] Specifically, when the spherical portion 3 protruding from the tube 1c is pressed against the lesion 11b or its periphery, the contact area is increased, enabling effective treatment (displacement of the lesion 11b or its periphery) without applying a local load. The spherical portion 3 is particularly characterized by the overall shape of the lesion 11b due to the folds 11c (see reference). Figure 4 It is effective when the lesion 11b or the surrounding area cannot be confirmed by endoscopy 10 and thus needs to be displaced.

[0063] The spherical portion 3 has an abutting surface 3a that mates with the end face 1d of the tube 1c. When the end face 1d of the tube 1c abuts with the abutting surface 3a, the outer surface of the spherical portion 3 is continuously formed with the outer surface of the tube 1c.

[0064] Here, "continuously formed" of the outer surface of the spherical portion 3 and the outer surface of the tube 1c means that the portion of the outer surface of the spherical portion 3 that abuts against the radially outer edge of the end face 1d of the tube 1c (the radially outer edge of the abutment surface 3a) is located near the radially outer edge of the end face 1d of the tube 1c and is positioned opposite each other in the axial direction of the tube 1c. This includes the formation of minute gaps caused by fitting errors or dimensional errors between the tube 1c and the spherical portion 3, or minute gaps created by chamfering only one of the tube 1c or the spherical portion 3.

[0065] According to the above structure, since the outer surface of the spherical part 3 is continuously formed with the outer surface of the tube 1c, it is possible to suppress impurities from entering between the tube 1c and the ball head 2.

[0066] <Order of Use>

[0067] Next, the main references Figures 4 to 5 The order of use for catheter 1 is explained.

[0068] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which cleaning fluid 7 is applied from the lumen 10a of endoscope 10 to remove mucus (not shown). Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the healthy mucosa (inner wall 11a of the digestive tract 11) surrounding the lesion 11b when the catheter 1 is pressed.

[0069] (1) Removal of mucus

[0070] Before applying the medication to lesion 11b, the surgeon removes any unshown mucus around the lesion 11b. Figure 4 As shown, the mucus is removed by dispensing cleaning fluid 7 from the lumen 10a of the endoscope 10 or by direct aspiration.

[0071] Alternatively, the catheter 1 can be protruded from the lumen 10a, and the mucus can be removed by discharging the cleaning fluid 7 through the through hole 2a of the ball head 2 located at the front end of the catheter 1 or by direct suction.

[0072] Furthermore, the mucus can be removed by gently rubbing the periphery of the lesion 11b with the ball head 2 located at the front end of the catheter 1.

[0073] (2) Ensure a clear view of the lesion.

[0074] Next, the surgeon uses endoscope 10 to photograph the periphery of the fold 11c that forms the lesion 11b. In cases where the overall shape of the lesion 11b cannot be confirmed, such as... Figure 5As shown, the bulb 2 at the front end of the catheter 1 is pressed against the folds 11c (healthy mucosa) of the digestive tract 11 to displace them, and the lesion 11b is photographed from the front. At this time, it is preferable to focus on the camera element provided on the endoscope 10 while evacuating air through the through hole 2a of the bulb 2.

[0075] (3) Evaluation of the lesion

[0076] A small amount of medication is appropriately dripped (dispensed) from catheter 1 into the lesion 11b.

[0077] For example, as a drug solution mainly applied to the lesion 11b in the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, a solution using indigo carmine as a solute (drug) is used, which makes the lesion 11b conspicuous by coloring the unevenness of its surface.

[0078] Specifically, an ampoule containing 5 mL of a 0.4% solution diluted 4 to 5 times with indigo carmine is used. The reagent is not limited to indigo carmine.

[0079] For example, the solution mainly applied to the lesion 11b of the large intestine uses a solution with crystal violet (Pyoctanin) as the solute, which will highlight the appearance of the lesion 11b.

[0080] Specifically, a 1% crystal violet solution is typically stored and further diluted to approximately 20 times before use. By observing the surface of the lesion 11b using a magnifying endoscope, the nature of the lesion 11b (benign or malignant, etc.) can be determined.

[0081] The various constituent elements involved in the catheter of the present invention do not need to exist independently. Multiple constituent elements are allowed to form a single component, a constituent element is formed by multiple components, a constituent element is part of other constituent elements, a part of a constituent element is repeated by a part of other constituent elements, etc.

[0082] The above implementation methods incorporate the following technical concepts. (1)

[0084] A catheter that passes through the lumen of an endoscope and is capable of delivering medication into the digestive tract, the catheter being characterized by comprising:

[0085] A tube through which the liquid medicine passes; and

[0086] A ball head is located at the front end of the tube.

[0087] A through hole is formed in the ball head to allow the liquid medicine that has passed through the tube to be expelled to the outside.

[0088] The ball head has a spherical portion formed as a partial sphere and an insertion portion extending from the spherical portion and inserted into the front end portion of the tube, and is formed to be more rigid than the tube.

[0089] The through hole is formed throughout the spherical portion and the insertion portion. (2)

[0091] According to the catheter described in (1), wherein,

[0092] The insertion portion includes: a shaft portion extending in the insertion direction toward the tube; and a large-diameter portion disposed further than the shaft portion at the insertion end, and formed having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of at least a portion of the shaft portion.

[0093] A receiving portion for accommodating adhesive is formed between the shaft portion, the large-diameter portion, the spherical portion, and the tube.

[0094] The adhesive is filled into the receiving portion. (3)

[0096] According to the catheter described in (2), wherein,

[0097] The shaft portion is composed of a tapered portion that narrows towards the insertion end, and a cylindrical portion that extends parallel to the axial direction of the tube from the end of the insertion end in the tapered portion to the large-diameter portion. (4)

[0099] The catheter according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein,

[0100] The insertion portion includes: a shaft portion extending in the insertion direction toward the tube; and a large-diameter portion disposed further than the shaft portion at the insertion end, and formed having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of at least a portion of the shaft portion.

[0101] The large-diameter portion has a folded-back portion on its outer circumferential surface.

[0102] The folding section consists of an expanding section that expands radially outward from the shaft and abuts against the inner wall of the tube, and a reducing section that narrows as it approaches the insertion end. (5)

[0104] According to the catheter described in (4) of reference (2) or (3), wherein,

[0105] The receiving portion is formed between the folded portion and the spherical portion. (6)

[0107] The catheter according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein,

[0108] The spherical portion protrudes further radially outward than the tube. (7)

[0110] According to the catheter described in (6), wherein,

[0111] When viewed from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the tube, the portion of the spherical part that protrudes from the tube is a local spherical shape with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube. (8)

[0113] The catheter according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein,

[0114] The spherical portion has an abutment surface that mates with the end face of the tube.

[0115] With the end face of the tube in contact with the abutting surface, the outer surface of the spherical portion is continuously formed with the outer surface of the tube.

[0116] Industrial availability

[0117] It is possible to provide a catheter that can appropriately apply a load to the lesion or its surrounding area.

[0118] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0119] 1-Catheter, 1a-Connector, 1b-Handle, 1c-Tube, 1d-End face, 1e-Front end, 1f-Inner wall, 2-Ball head, 2a-Through hole, 3-Spherical part, 3a-Abutting surface, 4-Insertion part, 4a-Shaft part, 4b-Large diameter part, 4c-Conical part, 4d-Cylinder part, 4e-Returning part, 4f-Expanding part, 4g-Contracting part, 5-Receiving part, 6-Adhesive, 7-Washing fluid, 10-Endoscope, 10a-Lumen, 11-Digestive tract, 11a-Inner wall, 11b-Lesion part, 11c-Fold.

Claims

1. A catheter which passes inside a lumen of an endoscope and is capable of discharging a medicinal liquid to a digestive tract, wherein the catheter comprises: a tube through which the medicinal liquid passes; and a bulb provided at a front end portion of the tube, a through hole capable of discharging the medicinal liquid which has passed through the tube to the outside is formed in the bulb, the bulb has a spherical portion formed in a partial sphere and an insertion portion which extends from the spherical portion and is inserted into the front end portion of the tube, and the bulb is formed to be harder than the tube, the through hole is formed throughout the spherical portion and the insertion portion, the insertion portion has a shaft portion which extends in an insertion direction of the tube and a large diameter portion which is provided closer to an insertion end than the shaft portion and is formed to have a diameter larger than an outer diameter of at least a part of the shaft portion, an accommodation portion which accommodates an adhesive is formed between the shaft portion, the large diameter portion, the spherical portion and the tube, the adhesive is filled in the accommodation portion, and the shaft portion is composed of a tapered portion which is tapered toward the insertion end and a cylindrical portion which extends in parallel with an axial direction of the tube from an end portion of the insertion end in the tapered portion to the large diameter portion.

2. A catheter which passes inside a lumen of an endoscope and is capable of discharging a medicinal liquid to a digestive tract, wherein the catheter comprises: a tube through which the medicinal liquid passes; and a bulb provided at a front end portion of the tube, a through hole capable of discharging the medicinal liquid which has passed through the tube to the outside is formed in the bulb, the bulb has a spherical portion formed in a partial sphere and an insertion portion which extends from the spherical portion and is inserted into the front end portion of the tube, and the bulb is formed to be harder than the tube, the through hole is formed throughout the spherical portion and the insertion portion, the insertion portion has a shaft portion which extends in an insertion direction of the tube and a large diameter portion which is provided closer to an insertion end than the shaft portion and is formed to have a diameter larger than an outer diameter of at least a part of the shaft portion, an accommodation portion which accommodates an adhesive is formed between the shaft portion, the large diameter portion, the spherical portion and the tube, the adhesive is filled in the accommodation portion, and the large diameter portion has a turn-back portion on an outer peripheral surface, the turn-back portion is composed of a diameter-enlarged portion which is enlarged in diameter toward a radial direction outside from the shaft portion and abuts against an inner wall of the tube and a diameter-reduced portion which is reduced in diameter toward an end portion of the insertion end from the diameter-enlarged portion, and the accommodation portion is formed between the turn-back portion and the spherical portion.

3. The catheter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spherical portion protrudes more to a radial direction outside of the tube than the tube.

4. The catheter according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the spherical portion which protrudes from the tube is formed in a partial sphere with a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tube when viewed from a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the tube.

5. The catheter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spherical portion has an abutting surface which abuts against an end surface of the tube, and an outer surface of the spherical portion is continuously formed with an outer surface of the tube in a state where the end surface of the tube abuts against the abutting surface. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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