Oral cavity insertion tool

Abstract

To provide an oral cavity insertion tool which enables medical equipment, such as a sonde, to be readily inserted into an oral cavity of a rodentia animal in a procedure, such as an oral administration of an administration substance into the rodentia animal, and can prevent the medical equipment from being damaged.SOLUTION: A cylindrical oral cavity insertion tool 10 is to be inserted from a mouth 41 of a rodentia animal 40, and has a lumen 10A extending in a longitudinal axis direction, a first end 11 in a distal side in the longitudinal axis direction, and a second end 12 in a proximal side. The first end 11 and the second end 12 each has an opening communicating with the lumen 10A. In a side of the second end 12 with respect to a middle point 13 in the longitudinal axis direction, the oral cavity insertion tool 10 has an enlarged diameter part 15 in which the diameter of the lumen 10A is enlarged from a side of the first end 11 to a side of the second end 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral cavity insert that is inserted through the mouth of a rodent. [Background technology]

[0002] When administering drugs or feed orally to laboratory animals such as mice and rats, a thin, tubular medical device called a probe is used. The distal end of the probe is inserted into the oral cavity of the laboratory animal, and the substance to be administered is injected from the proximal end of the probe, allowing the substance to be forcibly administered from the esophagus to the stomach or respiratory tract of the laboratory animal.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a stainless steel sonde. Metallic sondes are inferior in flexibility, so resin sondes have also been devised. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a sonde that includes a tip portion formed from a metallic conduit, a base portion formed from a metallic conduit, and a flexible intermediate tube that connects the tip portion and the base portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-104112 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 4-37417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Rodents such as mice and rats have two incisors that continue to grow on both the upper and lower jaws. When a probe is inserted into the oral cavity of a rodent, the incisors can damage the probe. In this regard, a metal probe as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the advantage of being less susceptible to damage, but is inferior in terms of flexibility and cost. In addition, the probe disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses both metal and synthetic resin to maintain flexibility while preventing damage caused by the teeth of the test animal, but the structure is complex and expensive, making it unsuitable as a disposable probe.

[0006] Furthermore, when inserting the probe into the oral cavity of a rodent, the distal end of the probe must be pushed further out of the oral cavity of the rodent while avoiding the rodent's teeth, which requires skill on the part of the user.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an oral cavity insertion device that allows a medical instrument such as a probe to be easily inserted into the oral cavity of a rodent during a procedure such as orally administering a substance to be administered to the rodent, while preventing damage to the medical instrument. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The oral cavity insertion device according to the embodiment of the present invention that can solve the above problems is as follows. [1] A cylindrical oral cavity insertion device to be inserted into the mouth of a rodent, the oral cavity insertion device having an inner cavity extending in a longitudinal direction, and a first end on a distal side and a second end on a proximal side in the longitudinal direction, the first end and the second end each having an opening communicating with the inner cavity, and an enlarged diameter portion where the inner cavity enlarges in diameter from the first end side to the second end side on the second end side of a midpoint in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] The oral cavity insertion tool has an expanded diameter portion whose inner cavity expands from the first end side to the second end side at the second end side proximal to the midpoint in the longitudinal direction, so that the expanded diameter portion can conform to the shape of the mouth of the rodent from the back of the mouth to the mouth entrance, and the oral cavity insertion tool can be easily placed in the oral cavity of the rodent. By inserting a medical instrument such as a probe into the inner cavity of the oral cavity insertion tool from the second end side of the oral cavity insertion tool placed in this manner, damage to the medical instrument caused by being bitten by the rodent can be prevented. In addition, since the medical instrument is inserted from the second end on the expanded diameter side, it is easy to advance the medical instrument from the second end side to the first end side toward the back of the oral cavity of the rodent. Furthermore, since the medical instrument is inserted from the second end which is more expanded in diameter, the medical instrument can be inserted from any direction, making it easy to perform the procedure regardless of the skill or dominant hand of the user.

[0010] The oral cavity insertion device according to the embodiment of the present invention is preferably any one of the following [2] to

[11] . [2] The oral cavity insertion device according to [1], wherein an outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion device at the midpoint is smaller than an outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion device at the second end. [3] The oral cavity insertion device according to [1] or [2], wherein the area of ​​the inner cavity of the expanded diameter portion is maximized at the second end. [4] The oral cavity insertion device according to [1] or [2], wherein the area of ​​the inner cavity of the expanded diameter portion is greatest on the first end side relative to the second end in the longitudinal axis direction. [5] The oral cavity insertion instrument according to any one of [1] to [4], which has a curved portion closer to the first end than the enlarged diameter portion in the longitudinal axis direction. [6] The oral cavity insertion device according to any one of [1] to [5], which has at least one groove extending in the longitudinal axis direction on the outside of the enlarged diameter portion. [7] The oral cavity insertion device described in [6], which has a curved portion on the first end side of the expanded portion in the longitudinal axis direction, and the groove is arranged on one side and the first end is arranged on the other side of a plane that is perpendicular to a plane including the central axis of the curved portion and includes the central axis of the expanded portion. [8] The oral cavity insertion device according to [7], wherein the groove includes a first groove disposed on the one side and a second groove disposed on the other side. [9] The oral cavity insertion device according to claim [8], wherein the maximum depth of the first groove is greater than the maximum depth of the second groove.

[10] The oral cavity insertion device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the enlarged diameter portion branches into a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion.

[11] The oral cavity insertion device described in

[10] , which has a curved portion closer to the first end than the enlarged diameter portion in the longitudinal axis direction, and the first tubular portion is arranged on one side of a plane including a central axis of the curved portion and the second tubular portion is arranged on the other side. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The oral cavity insertion device described above makes it possible to easily insert a medical instrument such as a probe into the oral cavity of a rodent during a procedure such as orally administering a substance to be administered to the rodent, and prevents damage to the medical instrument. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oral cavity insertion instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a modified example of the perspective view of FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the oral cavity insertion device shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the mouth of a rodent. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis of the oral cavity insertion instrument shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 5 is another example of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an oral cavity insertion instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 is an end view of the second end of the oral cavity insert shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the oral cavity insertion instrument shown in FIG. 6, viewed from the direction of the groove. [Figure 9] 9 is another example of the plan view shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 taken along line S-S. [Figure 11] 10 is an end view of the second end of the oral cavity insert shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an oral cavity insertion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13 is an end view of the second end of the oral cavity insert shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is another example of the end view shown in FIG. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the above and below, and all of these are included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, hatching and component symbols may be omitted in each drawing for convenience, but in such cases, the specification and other drawings should be referred to. Furthermore, the dimensions of various components in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions, since priority is given to helping understand the features of the present invention.

[0014] An oral cavity insertion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an oral cavity insertion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a modified version of the perspective view shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view showing a state in which the oral cavity insertion device shown in Fig. 2 is inserted from the mouth of a rodent. Fig. 3 shows a probe as an example of a medical instrument that can be inserted into the cavity of the oral cavity insertion device. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction including the central axis of the oral cavity insertion device shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a modified version of the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 4.

[0015] The distal side of the oral cavity insertion instrument is the side that is first inserted into the mouth of the rodent in the longitudinal axis direction x of the oral cavity insertion instrument and is the side that is ultimately positioned at the back of the rodent's body. The proximal side of the oral cavity insertion instrument is the side opposite the distal side and is the side that is located closer to the user's hand.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, oral cavity insertion device 10 is a cylindrical oral cavity insertion device 10 to be inserted from mouth 41 of rodent 40, and has an inner cavity 10A extending in the longitudinal axis direction x, a first end 11 on the distal side and a second end 12 on the proximal side in the longitudinal axis direction x, and has openings 11A and 12A at first end 11 and second end 12, respectively, communicating with inner cavity 10A, and has an expanded diameter section 15 where inner cavity 10A expands in diameter from the first end 11 side to the second end 12 side, on the second end 12 side of a midpoint 13 in the longitudinal axis direction x.

[0017] Since the inner cavity 10A of the expanded diameter portion 15 is expanded from the first end 11 side to the second end 12 side on the second end 12 side of the midpoint 13, the expanded diameter portion 15 can conform to the shape from the back of the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40 to the entrance of the mouth 41, and the oral cavity insertion device 10 can be easily placed in the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40. By inserting a medical instrument such as a probe 50 from the second end 12 side of the oral cavity insertion device 10 thus placed into the inner cavity 10A of the oral cavity insertion device 10 as shown by the arrow direction in Fig. 3, damage to the medical instrument caused by being bitten by the rodent 40 can be prevented. In addition, since the medical instrument is inserted from the opening 12A of the second end 12 on the side with a larger diameter, it becomes easy to advance the medical instrument from the second end 12 side to the first end 11 side to the back of the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40. Furthermore, because the medical instrument is inserted from the opening 12A of the second end 12, which has a larger diameter, the medical instrument can be inserted from any direction without worrying about hitting the teeth 42 or the area around the mouth 41. This makes it easier for the user to perform the procedure regardless of their skill or dominant hand.

[0018] In this specification, the probe 50 is described as a representative example of a medical instrument to be inserted into the cavity 10A of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10. However, the medical instrument to be inserted into the cavity 10A of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 may be an endoscope or a catheter other than the probe 50.

[0019] The rodent 40 is an animal belonging to the order Rodents of the class Mammalia. The rodent 40 is relatively small and has a pair of upper and lower teeth 42 (incisors). The rodent 40 includes, for example, mice, rats, guinea pigs, guinea pigs, hamsters, beavers, squirrels, mole rats, porcupines, capybaras, etc. Among them, mice, rats, and guinea pigs are suitable as experimental animals.

[0020] When administering drugs or feed orally to laboratory animals as described above, a thin tubular instrument such as the probe 50 is used. The probe 50 may be made of resin or metal, or may be composed of resin and metal, but a resin probe 50 is preferably used as a disposable probe for oral administration to laboratory animals because it is flexible and can be manufactured inexpensively. Even if the probe 50 is made of resin, the use of the oral cavity insertion tool 10 can prevent the probe 50 from being damaged by the teeth 42.

[0021] The oral cavity insertion instrument 10 is cylindrical and has an inner cavity 10A. The length of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 in the longitudinal axis direction x can be, for example, 10 mm or more, 15 mm or more, 20 mm or more, 30 mm or more, 50 mm or more, and 200 mm or less, 150 mm or less, 100 mm or less, etc. The thickness of the cylindrical shape of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 can be, for example, 0.5 mm or more, 1 mm or more, 1.5 mm or more, 2 mm or more, and 10 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 3 mm or less, etc.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the area of ​​the cavity 10A of the oral cavity insertion device 10 is preferably gradually increased from the distal end to the proximal end of the enlarged diameter portion 15. Here, the area of ​​the cavity 10A is the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity 10A in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction x at each position in the longitudinal axis direction x. The gradual increase in the area of ​​the cavity 10A in the enlarged diameter portion 15 makes it easier to achieve the above-mentioned effects of the enlarged diameter portion 15. In addition, the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 can be easily slid on the outer surface of the enlarged diameter portion 15, and the teeth 42 can be arranged on the outer surface of the enlarged diameter side of the enlarged diameter portion 15, so that the mouth 41 of the rodent 40 can be opened widely. This makes it easier to insert a medical instrument such as a probe 50 into the cavity 10A of the oral cavity insertion device 10.

[0023] 4, the expanded diameter portion 15 may have a linear shape in a cross section taken along the longitudinal axis direction x. Alternatively, although not shown, the expanded diameter portion 15 may have a curved shape in a cross section taken along the longitudinal axis direction x, or may have both a linear shape and a curved shape.

[0024] In the longitudinal axis direction x, the length of expanded diameter portion 15 can be 20% or more, 30% or more, 50% or more, and 95% or less, 90% or less, 80% or less, 70% or less, etc., of the length from midpoint 13 to second end 12 of oral cavity insertion instrument 10. If the length of expanded diameter portion 15 in the longitudinal axis direction x is within the above range, the above effect can be achieved.

[0025] Since oral cavity insertion instrument 10 has enlarged diameter portion 15, it is preferable that the area of ​​opening 12A of second end 12 is larger than the area of ​​opening 11A of first end 11, and the area of ​​opening 12A of second end 12 can be 1.5 times or more, 2 times or more, 3 times or more, 5 times or more, or 30 times or less, 20 times or less, 10 times or less, etc., the area of ​​opening 11A of first end 11.

[0026] The shape of opening 11A at first end 11 is not particularly limited as long as first end 11 can be inserted into the back side of oral cavity 43 of rodent 40. The shape of opening 11A at first end 11 is preferably, for example, a circular shape such as a circle or an ellipse, a polygonal shape such as a square or a rectangle, or a rounded polygonal shape such as a square with rounded corners or a rectangle with rounded corners, and more preferably a circular shape such as a circle or an ellipse. When opening 11A at first end 11 has a circular shape such as a circle or an ellipse, oral cavity insertion instrument 10 is less likely to get caught on the wall of a body cavity such as oral cavity 43 of rodent 40.

[0027] The shape of opening 11A at first end 11 may have a major axis and a minor axis. For example, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the shape of opening 11A at first end 11 may be an ellipse formed by cutting a tube at an angle, and thus may have a major axis and a minor axis.

[0028] 1 and 5, the opening 11A of the first end 11 may be perpendicular to the central axis X. That is, a point on the edge of the opening 11A of the first end 11 may be located at the same position in the longitudinal axis direction x. Here, the opening 11A of the first end 11 being perpendicular to the central axis X includes the opening 11A extending in a range of -5° to +5° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction x.

[0029] The shape of opening 12A at second end 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is larger than the shape of opening 11A at first end 11. The shape of opening 12A at second end 12 is preferably, for example, a circular shape such as a circle or an ellipse, a polygonal shape such as a square or a rectangle, or a rounded polygonal shape such as a square with rounded corners or a rectangle with rounded corners, and more preferably a circular shape such as a circle or an ellipse. When opening 12A at second end 12 has a circular shape such as a circle or an ellipse, oral cavity insertion instrument 10 is less likely to get caught on the wall of a body cavity such as oral cavity 43 or the edge of mouth 41 of rodent 40.

[0030] The cross-sectional shape of the cavity 10A of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 may be the same or different along the longitudinal axis direction x.

[0031] Specifically, the length of the major axis of the opening 11A of the first end 11 can be 1 mm or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, and 10 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 5 mm or less, etc. The major axis of the opening 11A of the first end 11 refers to the diameter when the shape of the opening 11A is, for example, a circle, the major axis when the shape of the opening 11A is an ellipse, and the length of the long side when the shape of the opening 11A is a rectangle or a rectangle with rounded corners. An oral cavity insertion device 10 having a short major axis of the opening 11A of the first end 11 can be easily used for a relatively small rodent 40 such as a mouse, and an oral cavity insertion device 10 having a long major axis of the opening 11A of the first end 11 can be easily used for a relatively large rodent 40 such as a rat.

[0032] The length of the major axis of opening 12A of second end 12 may be appropriately set so as to form expanded diameter portion 15. When oral cavity insertion device 10 is used for a relatively small rodent 40 such as a mouse, the length of the major axis of opening 12A of second end 12 may be 5 mm or more, 8 mm or more, and 30 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 15 mm or less, 12 mm or less, 10 mm or less, etc., and when oral cavity insertion device 10 is used for a relatively large rodent 40 such as a rat, the length may be 8 mm or more, 10 mm or more, 15 mm or more, and 70 mm or less, 50 mm or less, 40 mm or less, 35 mm or less, 30 mm or less, 20 mm or less, etc.

[0033] 1 to 5, the outer diameter of oral cavity insertion device 10 at midpoint 13 is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of oral cavity insertion device 10 at second end 12. Since midpoint 13 of oral cavity insertion device 10 is a portion that is inserted deeper into oral cavity 43 of rodent 40 than second end 12, the smaller outer diameter at midpoint 13 makes it easier to insert the portion including midpoint 13.

[0034] The outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion device 10 at the midpoint 13 can be, for example, 1 / 20 or more, 1 / 15 or more, 1 / 10 or more, or 1 / 2 or less, 1 / 3 or less, 1 / 5 or less, etc. of the outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion device 10 at the second end 12.

[0035] In the longitudinal axis direction x, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 does not change from the first end 11 to the midpoint 13. Here, "the outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 does not change" means that the rate of change in the outer diameter is 10% or less. The rate of change in the outer diameter may be 0%, or may be 0% or more and 5% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less. This allows the portion of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 from the first end 11 to the midpoint 13 to be more easily inserted deep into the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40.

[0036] 3, in a state in which the oral cavity insertion device 10 is inserted into the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40, the second end 12 is preferably positioned outside the mouth 41 of the rodent 40. This allows the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 to be stably supported by the oral cavity insertion device 10, thereby improving the protection effect of medical instruments such as the probe 50 placed in the inner cavity 10A of the oral cavity insertion device 10.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, it is preferable that the area of ​​the cavity 10A of the enlarged diameter portion 15 is maximum at the second end 12. Since the area of ​​the cavity 10A of the enlarged diameter portion 15 is maximum at the second end 12, when the oral cavity insertion device 10 is inserted from the mouth 41 of the rodent 40, the teeth 42 can be inserted deeper into the oral cavity 43 while sliding along the outer surface of the enlarged diameter portion 15, and therefore the teeth 42 can be easily positioned near the second end 12 where the area of ​​the cavity 10A is maximum. This makes it easy to open the mouth 41 of the rodent 40 wide.

[0038] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the enlarged diameter portion 15 may be configured such that the area of ​​the lumen 10A is maximum on the first end 11 side rather than the second end 12 in the longitudinal axis direction x. In this case, the enlarged diameter portion 15 preferably has a region where the area of ​​the lumen 10A does not change proximal to the position where the area of ​​the lumen 10A is maximum. Here, "the area of ​​the lumen 10A does not change" means that the rate of change in the area of ​​the lumen 10A is 10% or less. The rate of change in the area may be 0%, or may be 0% or more and 5% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less. With this configuration, when inserting the oral cavity insertion device 10 from the mouth 41 of the rodent 40, the tooth 42 can be inserted deep into the oral cavity 23 while sliding the tooth 42 on the outer surface of the enlarged diameter portion 15, and then the tooth 42 can be disposed in the region where the area of ​​the lumen 10A does not change. This allows teeth 42 to be stably positioned on the outer surface of oral cavity insertion instrument 10, making it easier to prevent oral cavity insertion instrument 10 from shifting.

[0039] 1 to 4, the area of ​​the lumen 10A of the expanded diameter section 15 is maximum at the second end 12, and therefore the opening 12A of the second end 12 constitutes the proximal end of the expanded diameter section 15. In the configuration shown in Fig. 5, the cross-sectional area of ​​the lumen 10A in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction x is maximum at a position closer to the first end 11 than the second end 12 in the longitudinal axis direction x, and the area of ​​the lumen 10A does not change from that position to the second end 12. In this configuration as well, it is preferable that the opening 12A of the second end 12 constitutes the proximal end of the expanded diameter section 15.

[0040] When the expanded diameter section 15 has a configuration in which the area of ​​the inner cavity 10A is maximum on the first end 11 side rather than the second end 12 in the longitudinal axis direction x, and the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 has a region where the area of ​​the inner cavity 10A does not change proximal to the expanded diameter section 15, the length of the region where the area of ​​the inner cavity 10A does not change in the longitudinal axis direction x can be 5% or more, 10% or more, 20% or more, or 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, etc. of the length from the midpoint 13 to the second end 12 of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10. In addition, the length of the region where the area of ​​the inner cavity 10A does not change in the longitudinal axis direction x can be 3% or more, 5% or more, 10% or more, or 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, etc. of the length of the expanded diameter section 15.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 preferably has a curved portion 14 on the first end 11 side of the enlarged diameter portion 15 in the longitudinal axis direction x. By inserting the curved portion 14 from the mouth 41 of the rodent 40 toward the back along the wall of the body cavity, the portion of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 on the first end 11 side of the enlarged diameter portion 15 can be easily inserted to the back of the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40. The curved portion 14 can be advanced to the back of the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40 so that the first end 11 of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 reaches the back of the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40, for example, the esophagus or airway.

[0042] The central axis X of the curved portion 14 is preferably on the same plane (on plane A in Figs. 7, 10, 13, and 14). That is, the curved portion 14 is preferably not twisted. Here, the curved portion 14 preferably has a proximal end and a distal end, and the proximal end of the curved portion 14 is the position where the extending direction of the central axis X, which is a constant direction on the proximal side of the proximal end, starts to curve, and the distal end of the curved portion 14 is the position where the extending direction of the central axis X, which was curved in the curved portion 14, becomes constant. The curved portion 14 is preferably configured so that the central axis X is on the same plane in at least a part from the proximal end to the distal end, and more preferably configured so that the central axis X is on the same plane over the entire area from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0043] 2, 4, and 5, the degree of curvature of the curved portion 14 can be defined as an angle α between a tangent to the central axis X at the proximal end of the curved portion 14 and a tangent to the central axis X at the distal end of the curved portion 14 in the inward direction of the curved portion 14. The angle α is not particularly limited as long as the curved portion 14 can be inserted deep into the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40, but can be, for example, 90° or more, 100° or more, 120° or more, and 175° or less, 170° or less, 160° or less, 150° or less, etc.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, when the shape of the opening 11A at the first end 11 is an ellipse formed by cutting a tube obliquely and has a long axis and a short axis, it is preferable that one end of the long axis located on the inside of the curved portion 14 is located distal to the other end located on the outside of the curved portion 14 in the longitudinal axis direction x. This makes it easier for the first end 11 to follow the wall of the body cavity of the rodent 40 when the first end 11 is advanced from the mouth 41 of the rodent 40 to the back of the oral cavity 43. Alternatively, depending on the site to which the first end 11 is inserted, one end of the long axis located on the inside of the curved portion 14 may be located proximal to the longitudinal axis direction x than the other end located on the outside of the curved portion 14. Alternatively, the opening 11A at the first end 11 may be formed by cutting the tube obliquely so that both ends of the long axis face in any direction depending on the site to which the first end 11 is inserted and the ease of insertion. When opening 11A at first end 11 is formed by cutting a tube obliquely, the cut surface preferably extends in the range of -45° to +45° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction x. This range is more preferably -30° to +30°, and even more preferably -15° to +15°. This prevents first end 11 from becoming too sharp and from injuring the wall of the body cavity, such as oral cavity 43, of rodent 40.

[0045] Next, an oral cavity insertion device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 11. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an oral cavity insertion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is an end view of a second end of the oral cavity insertion device shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the oral cavity insertion device shown in Fig. 6, viewed from the direction of the groove. Fig. 9 is another example of the plan view shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an SS cross-sectional view of Fig. 9. In Fig. 10, the groove shown in Fig. 9 is shown on the upper side. Fig. 11 is an end view of the second end of the oral cavity insertion device shown in Fig. 9.

[0046] Inner cavity 20A, first end 21, opening 21A of first end 21, second end 22, opening 22A of second end 22, midpoint 23, curved portion 24, and expanded diameter portion 25 in oral cavity insertion instrument 20 according to the second embodiment correspond to inner cavity 10A, first end 11, opening 11A of first end 11, second end 12, opening 12A of second end 12, midpoint 13, curved portion 14, and expanded diameter portion 15 in oral cavity insertion instrument 10 according to the first embodiment, and for those not specifically described, the above description of oral cavity insertion instrument 10 according to the first embodiment can be referred to.

[0047] As shown in Figs. 6 to 10, the oral cavity insertion device 20 preferably has at least one groove 26 extending in the longitudinal axis direction x on the outer side of the enlarged diameter portion 25. When the oral cavity insertion device 20 is inserted into the oral cavity 43 of a rodent 40, the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 can be placed in the groove 26. Since the groove 26 is recessed in the radial direction of the enlarged diameter portion 25, the teeth 42 can be stably placed in the groove 26 without opening the mouth 41 too widely. This allows the biting action of the rodent 40 to be tolerated to a certain extent, so that a medical instrument such as a probe 50 can be inserted while reducing stress on the rodent 40.

[0048] 7 and 10, groove 26 is preferably formed so that expanded diameter portion 25 is recessed radially inward. The cross-sectional shape of groove 26 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction x is not particularly limited, and may be a part of a circle such as a circle or an ellipse, a part of a polygon such as a rectangle, a part of a polygon with rounded corners such as a rectangle with rounded corners, or a combination of these.

[0049] It is preferable that groove 26 has groove bottom 26B and groove wall 26W. Groove bottom 26B is the part where groove 26 is deepest in the radial direction of expanded diameter portion 25, and groove wall 26W is the part that rises radially outward from groove bottom 26B.

[0050] In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction x, groove 26 has a depth D. Depth D is determined as the distance from groove bottom 26B to a side of a circumscribing rectangle of enlarged diameter portion 25 that faces groove bottom 26B in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction x. Fig. 7 shows an example in which the circumscribing rectangle is a rectangle. Fig. 10 shows an example in which the circumscribing rectangle is a square.

[0051] The cross-sectional shape and depth D of groove 26 may be the same or different depending on the position in the longitudinal axis direction x. Groove 26 preferably has a distal end and a proximal end.

[0052] It is preferable that groove 26 has a depth D that gradually increases from the distal end to the proximal end. This allows teeth 42 of rodent 40 located at the proximal end of enlarged diameter portion 25, i.e., near second end 22 of oral cavity insertion tool 20, to be located in groove 26 having a greater depth D, and allows for stable placement of oral cavity insertion tool 20 in oral cavity 43 of rodent 40.

[0053] 8, groove 26 is provided so as to reach second end 22, and a proximal end of groove 26 is preferably located at second end 22. This allows oral cavity insertion tool 20 to be inserted deeper into oral cavity 43 while teeth 42 are placed and slid in groove 26.

[0054] 9 to 11, groove 26 may be provided such that the proximal end of groove 26 is located closer to first end 21 than second end 22. This allows teeth 42 to be placed in groove 26 closer to first end 21 than second end 22, thereby preventing oral cavity insertion tool 20 from being pushed into oral cavity 43 of rodent 40 more than necessary.

[0055] As shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 10, the curved portion 24 is located closer to the first end 21 than the enlarged diameter portion 25 in the longitudinal axis direction x, and it is preferable that the groove 26 is arranged on one side of the plane B that is perpendicular to the plane A including the central axis X of the curved portion 24 and includes the central axis X of the enlarged diameter portion 25, and the first end 21 is arranged on the other side. Figs. 7 and 10 show the planes A and B. When the curved portion 24 is inserted toward the back from the mouth 41 of the rodent 40, the plane B that is perpendicular to the plane A including the central axis X of the curved portion 24 and includes the central axis X of the enlarged diameter portion 25 extends in the width direction of the mouth 41 of the rodent 40. The groove 26 is arranged on one side of the plane B (above the plane B in Figs. 7 and 10) and the first end 21 is arranged on the other side (below the plane B in Figs. 7 and 10), so that the upper teeth 42a of the rodent 40 can be arranged in the groove 26. Since the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 used as the experimental animal have upper teeth 42a that are longer than lower teeth 42b, the above configuration allows the longer upper teeth 42a to be placed in the groove 26. This improves the effect of the groove 26.

[0056] Although not shown, the other side of plane B (the lower side of plane B in Figures 7 and 10) is the part that abuts against the shorter lower tooth 42b of the rodent 40, so groove 26 does not have to be located on the other side of plane B.

[0057] Alternatively, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 10, it is preferable that the groove 26 includes a first groove 26a disposed on one side of the plane B and a second groove 26b disposed on the other side. With this, when the curved portion 24 is inserted toward the back from the mouth 41 of the rodent 40, the first groove 26a can be disposed at a position corresponding to the upper tooth 42a of the rodent 40, and the second groove 26b can be disposed at a position corresponding to the lower tooth 42b, so that both the upper and lower teeth 42 can be disposed in the groove 26. This can further improve the effect of the groove 26.

[0058] It is preferable that the maximum depth D1 of the first groove 26a is deeper than the maximum depth D2 of the second groove 26b. As described above, since the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 used as the experimental animal have upper teeth 42a longer than lower teeth 42b, the maximum depth D1 of the first groove 26a in which the longer upper teeth 42a are arranged is deeper than the maximum depth D2 of the second groove 26b in which the shorter lower teeth 42b are arranged, so that the oral cavity insertion device 20 can be more stably arranged in the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40.

[0059] Next, an oral cavity insertion device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12 to Fig. 14. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an oral cavity insertion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is an end view of a second end of the oral cavity insertion device shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is another example of the end view shown in Fig. 13.

[0060] Inner cavity 30A, first end 31, opening 31A of the first end 31, second end 32, opening 32A of the second end 32, midpoint 33, curved portion 34, and expanded diameter portion 35 in the oral cavity insertion instrument 30 according to the third embodiment correspond to inner cavity 10A, first end 11, opening 11A of the first end 11, second end 12, opening 12A of the second end 12, midpoint 13, curved portion 14, and expanded diameter portion 15 in the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 according to the first embodiment, and for those not specifically described, the above description of the oral cavity insertion instrument 10 according to the first embodiment can be referred to.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 12, the enlarged diameter section 35 is preferably branched into a first tube section 35a and a second tube section 35b. When the oral cavity insertion tool 30 is inserted into the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40, the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 can be placed between the first tube section 35a and the second tube section 35b. This allows the teeth 42 to be placed in the gap without opening the mouth 41 too wide while keeping the mouth 41 of the rodent 40 open, so that the oral cavity insertion tool 30 can be stably placed in the oral cavity 43. In addition, the gap allows the rodent 40 to chew to a certain extent, so that a medical device such as a probe 50 can be inserted while reducing stress on the rodent 40.

[0062] The first tube portion 35a and the second tube portion 35b each preferably have an expanded diameter portion in which the inner cavity 30A expands in diameter from the first end 31 side to the second end 32 side on the second end 32 side of the midpoint 33 in the longitudinal axis direction x. The expanded diameter portion 35 of the oral cavity insertion tool 30 is preferably formed by the expanded diameter portions of the first tube portion 35a and the second tube portion 35b. The expanded diameter portion 35 can conform to the shape of the mouth 41 from the back of the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40, and the oral cavity insertion tool 30 can be easily placed in the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40. By inserting a medical instrument such as a probe 50 into the inner cavity 30A of the oral cavity insertion tool 30 from the second end 32 side of the oral cavity insertion tool 30 placed in this manner, damage to the medical instrument caused by being bitten by the rodent 40 can be prevented. In addition, since the medical instrument is inserted from the second end 32 on the expanded side, it becomes easy to advance the medical instrument from the second end 32 side to the first end 31 side toward the back of the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40.

[0063] A medical instrument such as a probe 50 may be inserted from the proximal end of the first tubular portion 35a, or from the proximal end of the second tubular portion 35b, or multiple medical instruments may be inserted from both the proximal end of the first tubular portion 35a and the proximal end of the second tubular portion 35b.

[0064] Opening 32A at second end 32 of oral cavity insertion instrument 30 is preferably composed of a proximal opening of first cylindrical portion 35a and a proximal opening of second cylindrical portion 35b. The shapes of the proximal opening of first cylindrical portion 35a and the proximal opening of second cylindrical portion 35b can be similar to the shape of opening 12A at second end 12 of oral cavity insertion instrument 10. The shapes of the proximal openings of first cylindrical portion 35a and second cylindrical portion 35b may be the same or different.

[0065] The expanded diameter portion 35 may have a non-branched portion. That is, the expanded diameter portion 35 may be composed of a portion made up of the first cylindrical portion 35a and the second cylindrical portion 35b and a non-branched portion. Alternatively, the entire expanded diameter portion 35 may be branched, and the expanded diameter portion 35 may be composed of the first cylindrical portion 35a and the second cylindrical portion 35b.

[0066] When the expanded diameter portion 35 is composed of a portion consisting of the first tubular portion 35a and the second tubular portion 35b and a portion that is not branched, the length of the portion consisting of the first tubular portion 35a and the second tubular portion 35b in the longitudinal axis direction x can be 20% or more, 30% or more, 50% or more, or 95% or less, 90% or less, 80% or less, 70% or less, etc., of the entire length of the expanded diameter portion 35.

[0067] The cross-sectional shapes of the inner cavity 30A of the first tubular portion 35a and the second tubular portion 35b, the cross-sectional shape of the inner cavity 30A in the non-branched portion, and the cross-sectional shape of the inner cavity 30A distal to the enlarged diameter portion 35 may be the same or different along the longitudinal axis direction x.

[0068] First tubular portion 35a and second tubular portion 35b are formed in enlarged diameter portion 35, and it is preferable that cavity 30A of oral cavity insertion device 30 distal to enlarged diameter portion 35 does not branch. This makes it easier to insert a medical device such as probe 50 into cavity 30A of oral cavity insertion device 30 distal to enlarged diameter portion 35.

[0069] 12 and 13, the first cylindrical portion 35a and the second cylindrical portion 35b may be spaced apart at the second end 32. By spaced apart the first cylindrical portion 35a and the second cylindrical portion 35b, it becomes easier to ensure a gap between the first cylindrical portion 35a and the second cylindrical portion 35b, and the gap can more easily receive the teeth 42 of the rodent 40.

[0070] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, the first tubular portion 35a and the second tubular portion 35b may be abutted against or fixed to each other at the second end 32. The first tubular portion 35a and the second tubular portion 35b may be wholly or partially fixed to each other along the longitudinal axis direction x. Examples of such a configuration include a configuration in which two enlarged tubular members are abutted against or fixed to each other along the longitudinal axis direction x, and a configuration in which a partition is provided in the inner cavity of one enlarged tubular member. Even in such a configuration, the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 can be arranged between the first tubular portion 35a and the second tubular portion 35b.

[0071] As shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the oral cavity insertion instrument 30 has the curved portion 34 on the first end 31 side of the enlarged diameter portion 35 in the longitudinal axis direction x, and it is preferable that the first tubular portion 35a is disposed on one side of a plane A including a central axis X of the curved portion 34 and the second tubular portion 35b is disposed on the other side. When the curved portion 34 is inserted from the mouth 41 of the rodent 40 toward the back, the plane A including the central axis X of the curved portion 34 extends in the vertical direction of the mouth 41 of the rodent 40. The first tubular portion 35a is disposed on one side of the plane A (the left side of the plane A in Figs. 13 and 14) and the second tubular portion 35b is disposed on the other side (the right side of the plane A in Figs. 13 and 14), so that the first tubular portion 35a and the second tubular portion 35b can be disposed on the left and right sides of the mouth 41 of the rodent 40. This makes it easier to position the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 between the first tube portion 35a and the second tube portion 35b. In addition, since a medical instrument such as the probe 50 can be inserted from either the left or right side and / or both sides of the mouth 41 of the rodent 40, the procedure can be easily performed regardless of the user's dominant hand.

[0072] The oral cavity insertion tools according to the embodiments of the present invention, such as the oral cavity insertion tool 10, the oral cavity insertion tool 20, and the oral cavity insertion tool 30 described above, are preferably made of resin. Examples of resins constituting the oral cavity insertion tools include fluorine-based resins, silicone-based resins, polyolefin-based resins, polyester-based resins, polyurethane-based resins, polyamide-based resins, and natural rubbers such as latex rubber. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. If the oral cavity insertion tool is made of resin, the oral cavity insertion tool can be softened when it is inserted from the mouth 41 to the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40, so that the stress of the rodent 40 can be reduced. In addition, since the oral cavity insertion tool is easy to manufacture at low cost, the efficiency and accuracy of the procedure can be improved by disposing the oral cavity insertion tool after each procedure.

[0073] Alternatively, the oral cavity insertion tool may be made of a metal. Examples of metals constituting the oral cavity insertion tool include stainless steel, iron, copper, and aluminum. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. If the oral cavity insertion tool is made of a metal, damage to the oral cavity insertion tool caused by contact with the teeth 42 of the rodent 40 can be easily prevented. This improves durability, making it possible to wash the oral cavity insertion tool and use it repeatedly.

[0074] Alternatively, the oral cavity insertion tool may be made of resin and metal.

[0075] As described above, by using the oral cavity insertion device according to the embodiment of the present invention, damage to medical instruments such as the probe 50 can be prevented during procedures such as orally administering a substance to the rodent 40. In addition, the oral cavity insertion device can easily open the mouth 41 of the rodent 40, and a medical instrument can be easily inserted into the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40 regardless of the skill or dominant hand of the surgeon performing the procedure. Furthermore, by securing an insertion passage using the oral cavity insertion device, it is possible to perform procedures such as inserting multiple medical instruments consecutively into the oral cavity 43 of the rodent 40 or inserting another medical instrument through a gap between the oral cavity insertion device and the mouth 41 of the rodent 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10, 20, 30: Oral insertion tool 10A, 20A, 30A: lumen 11, 21, 31: 1st end 11A, 21A, 31A: First end opening 12, 22, 32: 2nd end 12A, 22A, 32A: Openings at the second end 13, 23, 33: midpoint 14, 24, 34: Curved section 15, 25, 35: Expanded diameter part 26: Groove 26a: 1st groove 26b: 2nd groove 26B: Groove bottom 26W: Groove wall 35a: First cylinder part 35b: Second cylinder part 40:Rodents 41: Mouth 42: Teeth 42a: Upper teeth 42b: Lower teeth 43: Oral cavity 50: Sonde A: A plane including the central axis of the curved part B: A plane perpendicular to plane A and including the central axis of the enlarged diameter portion D: Groove depth D1: Depth of the first groove D2: Depth of the second groove x: Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. A cylindrical oral cavity insertion device that is inserted into the mouth of a rodent, a lumen extending in a longitudinal direction; The catheter has a first end on a distal side and a second end on a proximal side in the longitudinal direction, The first end and the second end each have an opening communicating with the inner cavity, the oral cavity insertion instrument having an expanded diameter portion, the inner cavity of which expands in diameter from the first end side to the second end side, on the second end side of a midpoint in the longitudinal axis direction.

2. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion device at the midpoint is smaller than an outer diameter of the oral cavity insertion device at the second end.

3. The oral cavity insertion instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the area of ​​the inner cavity of the expanded diameter portion is maximized at the second end.

4. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the area of ​​the inner cavity of the expanded diameter portion is greatest on a side of the first end relative to the second end in the longitudinal axis direction.

5. The oral cavity insertion instrument according to claim 1 , further comprising a curved portion on the first end side relative to the enlarged diameter portion in the longitudinal axis direction.

6. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one groove extending in the longitudinal axis direction on an outer side of the enlarged diameter portion.

7. 7. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 6, further comprising a curved portion on the first end side of the expanded diameter portion in the longitudinal axis direction, and the groove is disposed on one side of a plane that is perpendicular to a plane including a central axis of the curved portion and that includes the central axis of the expanded diameter portion, and the first end is disposed on the other side of the plane.

8. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 7 , wherein the groove includes a first groove disposed on the one side and a second groove disposed on the other side.

9. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 8 , wherein a maximum depth of the first groove is greater than a maximum depth of the second groove.

10. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the enlarged diameter portion is branched into a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion.

11. 11. The oral cavity insertion device according to claim 10, further comprising: a curved portion on the first end side of the enlarged diameter portion in the longitudinal axis direction; and the first tubular portion is disposed on one side of a plane including a central axis of the curved portion, and the second tubular portion is disposed on the other side.

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