Grip for medical device

Abstract

To improve stability by suppressing slippage.SOLUTION: A grip for a medical device according to an embodiment includes a grip body, and a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part provided in a grip surface of the grip body. The hydrophilic part and the hydrophobic part are arranged so as to be arrayed on the grip surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a grip for a medical instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] A medical device that is operated while being held by an operator such as a doctor, such as an ultrasound probe, is provided with a grip that the operator can hold. When performing various medical procedures using such a medical device, moisture such as blood or sweat may adhere to the grip, making the grip slippery. In addition, when wiring is connected to the medical device, tension from the wiring may make the grip slippery. If the grip slips from your hand, the device may fall and be damaged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-60360 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings attempt to solve is to suppress slippage and improve stability. The problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. Problems corresponding to the effects of the configurations shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A grip for a medical device according to an embodiment includes a grip body and a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion provided on a gripping surface of the grip body. The hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion are arranged side by side on the gripping surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the grip. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the grip. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a third modified example of the grip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and any suitable modification that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive of while maintaining the gist of the invention is naturally included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, in order to make the drawings and explanation clearer, the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part may be shown in a schematic manner compared to the actual embodiment, but this is merely an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In this specification and each figure, elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous figures may be given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate. Hereinafter, a grip for a medical device according to one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking an ultrasonic probe grip as an example.

[0008] First, the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 10 will be described. 1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic probe 10 according to one embodiment. In the figure, the length direction (longitudinal direction) of the ultrasonic probe 10 is defined as the X direction, the width direction of the ultrasonic probe 10 perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the ultrasonic probe 10 perpendicular to the X and Y directions is defined as the Z direction.

[0009] As shown in Fig. 1, the ultrasonic probe 10 includes a hollow housing 11 having a tip portion 12 and a body portion 13 integrally therewith, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 18 arranged in the tip portion 12, and a cable 30 extending from the ultrasonic transducers 18 through the body portion 13 to the outside of the housing 11. The body portion 13 forms a grip 14 that can be held by an operator. Hereinafter, the body portion 13 is also referred to as a grip main body. One end of the grip 14 in the X direction is connected to the tip portion 12. A bush 16 is attached to the other end of the grip 14 in the X direction. The cable 30 extends to the outside of the housing 11 through the bush 16.

[0010] The ultrasonic transducer 18 has a plurality of vibration elements 20. For example, a capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) is used as the vibration element 20. In one example, the plurality of vibration elements 20 are positioned side by side along the Y direction. The ultrasonic transducer 18 oscillates ultrasonic waves from the tip 12 toward the subject, and receives reflected waves of the oscillated ultrasonic waves from the subject. The arrangement direction of the vibration elements 20 is not limited to the Y direction, and may be, for example, the Z direction. The cable 30 electrically connects the ultrasonic probe 10 to an ultrasonic diagnostic device (not shown). The ultrasonic probe 10 receives a control signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic device via the cable 30 and transmits information acquired by the tip portion 12 (ultrasonic transducer 18) to the ultrasonic diagnostic device.

[0011] The configuration of the grip 14 will be described in detail below. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the grip taken along line AA in Figure 1. Note that Figure 2 also shows the hand H of an operator holding the grip. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the grip 14 includes a grip body 13, a hydrophilic portion 24, and a hydrophobic portion 26. The grip body 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the X direction. The outer peripheral surface of the grip body 13 constitutes a gripping surface 28 that is gripped by an operator. In one example, the cross-sectional shape of the grip 14 is elliptical and includes a pair of long sides 40 and a pair of short sides 42. The pair of short sides 42 are located between the pair of long sides 40 in the Z direction. The gripping surface 28 has a long side S1 that includes the long side 40 and extends in the X direction, and a short side S2 that includes the short side 42 and extends in the X direction.

[0012] Of the housing 11, at least the grip surface 28 is preferably formed of a material that does not have water absorption properties, such as a synthetic resin (e.g., Noryl resin) or a metal. That is, it is preferable that the grip surface 28 does not have water absorption properties so that the grip 14 can be maintained in a clean state. Water absorption refers to the property of moisture penetrating from the surface to the inside. In other words, moisture adhering to the non-water-absorbent grip surface 28 does not penetrate into the inside of the grip body 13. The grip surface 28 has a water absorption rate of, for example, 1% or less.

[0013] The hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 are provided on the grip surface 28. The hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 extend in a strip shape from one end on the tip portion 12 side of the grip body 13 to the other end on the bush 16 side. In one example, the hydrophilic portion 24 is located on the long side surface S1. The hydrophobic portions 26 are provided in two locations and are adjacent to the hydrophilic portions 24 in the circumferential direction. One hydrophobic portion 26a is located on the short side surface S2, and the other hydrophobic portion 26b is located across the long side surface S1 and the short side surface S2. The hydrophilic portion 24 has hydrophilic properties. The contact angle with a water droplet when the hydrophilic portion 24 is applied is equal to or greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and more preferably, is equal to or greater than 0 degrees and less than 5 degrees. The hydrophobic portion 26 has hydrophobic properties. The contact angle with a water droplet when the hydrophobic portion 26 is applied is more than 90 degrees and not more than 180 degrees, more preferably from 110 degrees to 180 degrees, and even more preferably from 150 degrees to 180 degrees.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 of the ultrasonic probe 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the hydrophilic portion 24 is formed of an uneven surface having recesses 32 and protrusions 34, and is formed directly on the gripping surface 28. The surface roughness of the hydrophilic portion 24 is a first roughness. The hydrophobic portion 26 is formed of an uneven surface having recesses 36 and protrusions 38, and is formed directly on the gripping surface 28. The surface roughness of the hydrophobic portion 26 is a second roughness. The second roughness is smaller than the first roughness. In one example, the height H2 from the bottom of the recess 36 to the top of the protrusion 38 is smaller than the height H1 from the bottom of the recess 32 to the top of the protrusion 34.

[0015] The appropriate ranges of the first roughness and the second roughness for imparting the desired hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity to the hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 vary depending on the material of the grip body 13. For example, for the material of the grip body 13 to be adopted, the first roughness of the hydrophilic portion 24 may be experimentally determined and set so that the contact angle with respect to a water droplet is 0 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees, more preferably 0 degrees or more and 5 degrees or less. Also, the second roughness of the hydrophobic portion 26 may be experimentally determined and set so that the contact angle with respect to a water droplet is more than 90 degrees and 180 degrees or less, more preferably 110 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less, and even more preferably 150 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less. The uneven surface with the first roughness (hydrophilic portion 24) and the uneven surface with the second roughness (hydrophobic portion 26) can be formed by laser processing, processing into a mold, blast processing, or the like.

[0016] Next, the action of forces acting on the grip 14 of the ultrasonic probe 10 will be described. 2, when grip 14 having an elliptical cross section is held, hydrophilic portion 24 provided on long side surface S1 comes into contact with the palm of an operator's hand H. Of two hydrophobic portions 26 provided on short side surface S2, one hydrophobic portion 26a comes into contact with the index finger and middle finger of hand H, and the other hydrophobic portion 26b comes into contact with the thumb of hand H. The operator holds the grip 14 by applying forces F1 and F2 from the fingers to the gripping surface 28. Specifically, the operator holds the grip 14 by applying force F1 from the index finger and middle finger to the hydrophobic portion 26 and applying force F2 from the thumb to the hydrophobic portion 26. Meanwhile, no force is applied to the grip 14 from the palm of the hand.

[0017] Gripping when the operator's hands H are wet will be described. When the operator's hand H is wet, the liquid adhering to the finger adheres to the hydrophobic portion 26, moves through the hydrophobic portion 26, and is removed to the outside of the hydrophobic portion 26. In other words, almost no liquid film is formed between the finger and the hydrophobic portion 26. On the other hand, the liquid adhering to the palm adheres to the hydrophilic portion 24, and the hydrophilic portion 24 acts to stick to the palm. Specifically, an adhesive effect is exerted within the liquid (between the water portions).

[0018] The effects of this embodiment will be described below. The grip 14 for medical devices according to this embodiment includes a grip body 13, a hydrophilic portion 24, and a hydrophobic portion 26. When an operator holds the grip 14 with wet hands H, the palm of the operator comes into contact with the hydrophilic portion 24 and the fingers come into contact with the hydrophobic portion 26, thereby preventing a liquid film from being formed between the fingers and the hydrophobic portion 26. At the same time, the liquid acts so that the hydrophilic portion 24 adheres to the palm of the operator. This makes it possible to obtain a grip for medical devices that prevents the hand from slipping and allows the operator to hold the device stably.

[0019] Furthermore, when the cross-sectional shape of the grip 14 for a medical device is an ellipse, it is possible to estimate the approximate gripping position of the hand H when the operator grips the grip 14. Specifically, it is possible to estimate the position where the palm and fingers contact, and to identify the positions where the hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 should be disposed. If the hydrophobic portion 26 is disposed at the position shown in FIG. 2, the grip 14 can be grasped from the base of the fingers, and the contact surface between the fingers and the grip 14 can be increased. This increases the forces F1 and F2 from the fingers to the grip 14, and reduces the risk that the ultrasound probe 10, which is a medical device, will slip off the hand H. The cross-sectional shape of the grip 14 is not limited to an ellipse, and may be any of various other shapes, such as a circle or a rectangle (rectangle). However, in order to identify the gripping position of the operator's hand H as described above, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the grip 14 is an ellipse or rectangle having a long side 40 and a short side 42.

[0020] The hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 are formed directly on the grip surface 28. That is, the grip surface 28 is formed continuously and integrally around the entire circumference. If the hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 are provided removably on the grip body 13, it is conceivable that dirt will occur between the grip body 13 and the hydrophilic portion 24, and between the grip body 13 and the hydrophobic portion 26. If the grip body 13, the hydrophilic portion 24, and the hydrophobic portion 26 are integrally configured as in this embodiment, the grip 14 can be kept cleaner than in the above-mentioned removable case.

[0021] In the cross section of the grip 14 according to the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the hydrophilic portion 24 is provided at one location and the hydrophobic portion 26 is provided at two locations, but the quantities of the hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 are not limited to the above quantities. For example, the hydrophobic portion 26 may be provided at one location, and in the example of Fig. 2, the lower end of the hydrophobic portion 26a may be connected to the lower end of the hydrophobic portion 26b. In addition, the hydrophilic portion 24 may be provided at two locations, and in the example of Fig. 2, an additional hydrophilic portion 24 may be provided between the lower end of the hydrophobic portion 26a and the lower end of the hydrophobic portion 26b.

[0022] Next, a grip for a medical device according to a modified example will be described. In the modified examples described below, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the detailed explanation will focus on the parts that differ from the above-mentioned embodiment. (First Modification) First, a first modified example of the grip 14 for a medical device according to the above embodiment will be described. 4, the hydrophilic portion 24 is a thin film containing a hydrophilic polymer, and is formed on the gripping surface 28. The hydrophilic portion 24 is provided by applying a material containing a hydrophilic polymer to the gripping surface 28. The hydrophobic portion 26 is a thin film containing a hydrophobic polymer, and is formed on the gripping surface 28. The hydrophobic portion 26 is provided by applying a material containing a hydrophobic polymer to the gripping surface 28.

[0023] In addition, when the gripping surface 28 has hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, only either the hydrophilic portion 24 or the hydrophobic portion 26 may be provided on the gripping surface 28. For example, when the gripping surface 28 is the hydrophilic portion 24 having hydrophilic properties, only the hydrophobic portion 26 may be provided on the gripping surface 28 by coating. The hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 are provided on the grip surface 28 so as to be undetachable from the grip body 13. In other words, there are no gaps in which dirt can accumulate between the grip body 13 and the hydrophilic portion 24, and between the grip body 13 and the hydrophobic portion 26. According to the first modified example of the grip 14 for a medical instrument configured as described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above embodiment. Additionally, the desired hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties can be imparted to the gripping surface 28 regardless of the material of the grip body 13 .

[0024] (Second Modification) Next, a second modified example of the grip 14 for a medical device according to the above embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the second modified example of the grip 14. The hydrophilic portions 24 are provided on a pair of long side surfaces S1, and the hydrophobic portions 26 are provided on a pair of short side surfaces S2. According to the second modified example of the grip 14 for medical instruments configured as described above, whether the operator holds the grip 14 with his / her right hand or with his / her left hand, the palm comes into contact with the hydrophilic portion 24 and the fingers come into contact with the hydrophobic portion 26. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the grip 14 for medical instruments that can obtain a high gripping force whether the grip 14 is held with his / her right hand or with his / her left hand. Although the cross-sectional shape of grip 14 has been described as being elliptical, the cross-sectional shape of grip 14 may be any shape that includes a pair of long sides 40 and a pair of short sides 42, and may be, for example, rectangular (oblong).

[0025] (Third Modification) Next, a third modified example of the grip 14 for a medical device according to the above embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the third modified example of the grip 14. 6, the hydrophilic portions 24 are provided at six locations, and the hydrophobic portions 26 are provided at six locations. The hydrophilic portions 24 and the hydrophobic portions 26 are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the gripping surface 28. The number of hydrophilic portions 24 and hydrophobic portions 26 provided is not limited to six, and may be more than six or less than six. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the grip 14 is not limited to a shape such as an ellipse or a rectangle that includes a pair of long sides 40 and a pair of short sides 42. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the grip 14 in the third modified example may be a circle or a square.

[0026] According to the third variant of the grip 14 for medical instruments configured as described above, it is possible to obtain a grip 14 for medical instruments that can maintain a high gripping force even when the operator holds the grip 14 in a manner other than with the right hand or the left hand, for example, as if holding a pen. Furthermore, even if the cross-sectional shape of the grip 14 is not an oval shape or other shape that allows one to specify the state of the hand H when gripping it, a high holding force can be maintained.

[0027] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the above embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above-mentioned novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 are described as extending from one end of the grip body 13 on the tip portion 12 side to the other end on the bush 16 side, but the hydrophilic portion 24 and the hydrophobic portion 26 are not limited to extending from one end to the other end of the grip body 13. It is sufficient that the hydrophilic portion 24 has a portion that comes into contact with at least the palm of the operator's hand H when the operator holds the grip. It is sufficient that the hydrophobic portion 26 has a portion that comes into contact with at least the fingers of the operator's hand H when the operator holds the grip. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 10...ultrasonic probe, 11...housing, 12...tip, 13...grip body, 14...grip, 24...hydrophilic portion, 26...hydrophobic portion, 28...gripping surface, 30...cable, 40...long side, 42...short side, H...operator's hand.

Claims

1. The grip body and A hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion are provided on the grip surface of the grip body, The hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion are arranged side by side on the gripping surface. Grips for medical equipment.

2. The hydrophilic portion is an uneven surface having a first roughness formed on the gripping surface, The hydrophobic portion is an uneven surface having a second roughness smaller than the first roughness formed on the gripping surface. A grip for a medical instrument according to claim 1.

3. the hydrophilic portion is a film containing a hydrophilic polymer formed on the gripping surface, The hydrophobic portion is a film containing a hydrophobic polymer formed on the gripping surface. A grip for a medical instrument according to claim 1.

4. The gripping surface has a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides located between the pair of long sides, The hydrophilic portions are provided on the pair of long side surfaces, The hydrophobic portion is provided on the pair of short side surfaces. A grip for a medical instrument according to claim 1.

5. The gripping surface has an outer circumferential surface, The hydrophilic portions and the hydrophobic portions are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface. A grip for a medical instrument according to claim 1.

6. The gripping surface is non-absorbent. A grip for a medical instrument according to claim 1.

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