Transfer device

Abstract

To provide a transfer device for transferring a medical sheet to a treatment target portion of a living body.SOLUTION: A transfer device 10 includes an outer cylinder 22 having a distal end opening. The outer cylinder 22 has an outer cylinder body 76, and a cylindrical protection part 78 formed of an elastic material and provided in a distal end portion 761 of the outer cylinder body 76. A distal end portion 221 of the outer cylinder 22 has a flexible part 82 capable of curvature deforming and maintaining a curvature deformed state. The protection part 78 has an inside covering part 781 covering the most distal end of an inner peripheral surface 224 of the outer cylinder body 76.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer device for transferring a medical sheet to a treatment target part of a living body.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a transfer device for transferring a medical sheet (cell sheet) used for organ transplantation to a treatment target part of a living body. This transfer device includes a shaft and a support part provided at the tip of the shaft. The support part has a sheet support for placing the medical sheet. In the transfer device, the medical sheet is transferred from the support part to the treatment target part by sliding the transfer device while pressing the upper surface of the medical sheet placed on the support surface of the sheet support with forceps or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, when transferring a medical sheet from the support surface of the support part to the treatment target part of a living body, it is necessary to operate the transfer device while pressing the upper surface of the medical sheet with forceps or the like. Therefore, there is a concern that the medical sheet cannot be efficiently transferred to the treatment target part.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) Aspects of the present invention are transfer devices for transferring a medical sheet to a treatment target part of a living body, comprising an outer cylinder having a tip opening, a first shaft extending in the axial direction of the outer cylinder and arranged to be axially movable inside the outer cylinder, a first carrier member having a sheet-shaped support part arranged at the tip of the first shaft and including a support surface capable of holding the medical sheet, a second shaft extending along the first shaft and provided to be movable along the first shaft, and a second carrier member provided at the tip of the second shaft and having a pressing part for pressing the medical sheet in the tip direction. The outer cylinder comprises an outer cylinder body having a lumen communicating with the tip opening, and a cylindrical protective part formed of an elastic material and provided at the tip of the outer cylinder body. At least the tip part of the outer cylinder body has a flexible part that can be curved and deformed and can maintain the curved and deformed state. The flexible part is provided at least at the tip of the outer cylinder. The protective part has an inner covering part covering at least the foremost end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder body, opening in the tip direction and communicating with the lumen of the outer cylinder body. In a state where the first and second shafts are moved in the tip direction with respect to the outer cylinder so that the support part projects from the tip opening of the outer cylinder, the support part is deployed by being exposed in the tip direction from the outer cylinder. In the deployed state of the support part, by moving the first and second shafts in the base direction with respect to the outer cylinder, the support part is accommodated in the lumen of the outer cylinder via the inner covering part.

[0007] According to this transfer device, since the tip part of the outer cylinder can be effectively curved by the flexible part, the support part of the first carrier member can be efficiently arranged at a desired position. When accommodating the support part in the lumen of the outer cylinder, it is possible to effectively prevent the support part from contacting the foremost end of the inner peripheral surface of the flexible part by the inner covering part.

[0008] (2) In the transfer device according to (1) above, when the support part is accommodated in the lumen of the outer cylinder body, at least a part of the support part may be arranged inside the flexible part.

[0009] With this configuration, even when the support portion is accommodated inside the tip portion of the outer cylinder, the tip portion of the outer cylinder can be effectively bent and deformed by the flexible portion.

[0010] (3) In the transfer device according to the above (1) or (2), the protection portion may include a protruding portion that protrudes from the foremost end of the outer cylinder body in the tip direction.

[0011] With this configuration, when the support portion is accommodated in the outer cylinder, the protruding portion can effectively guide the support portion into the inner cavity of the outer cylinder.

[0012] (4) In the transfer device according to the above (3), the protection portion may include an outer covering portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion, and the outer covering portion may extend in the base end direction from the protruding portion.

[0013] With this configuration, when the outer cylinder is inserted into the living body, the contact between the flexible portion and the living body can be effectively suppressed by the outer covering portion.

[0014] (5) In the transfer device according to the above (4), the outer covering portion may cover the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion over the entire length of the flexible portion in the axial direction of the outer cylinder body.

[0015] With this configuration, when the outer cylinder is inserted into the living body, the contact between the flexible portion and the living body can be more effectively suppressed over the entire flexible portion by the outer covering portion.

[0016] (6) In the transfer device according to the above (1) or (2), the inner covering portion may have a length of at least half of the support portion in the axial direction of the outer cylinder body.

[0017] With this configuration, when the support portion is accommodated inside the outer cylinder, direct contact between the outer cylinder body and the support portion is prevented.

[0018] (7) In the transfer device described in (3) above, the thickness of the protruding portion may be greater than the thickness of the inner covering portion in the radial direction of the outer cylinder.

[0019] With this configuration, by increasing the rigidity of the protruding portion, when the support portion is accommodated in the inner cavity of the outer cylinder, the protruding portion can effectively guide the support portion into the outer cylinder.

[0020] (8) In the transfer device described in (3) above, the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion may have an inverted taper portion that expands in diameter toward the tip direction.

[0021] With this configuration, when the support portion is accommodated in the inner cavity of the outer cylinder, it can be effectively accommodated in the outer cylinder by guiding the support portion in the proximal direction by the inverted taper portion.

[0022] (9) In the transfer device described in (8) above, the protection portion may include an outer covering portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion and extends in the proximal direction from the protruding portion.

[0023] With this configuration, when the outer cylinder is inserted into the living body, the contact between the flexible portion and the living body can be effectively suppressed by the outer covering portion.

[0024] (10) In the transfer device described in (1) or (2) above, the protection portion may include a tip covering portion that covers the foremost end of the outer cylinder body.

[0025] With this configuration, by covering the entire foremost end of the outer cylinder body with the tip covering portion, the contact between the support portion and the outer cylinder body can be more effectively prevented.

[0026] (11) In the transfer device described in (1) or (2) above, the protection portion may include an outer covering portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion, and the tip of the outer covering portion and the tip of the inner covering portion may be connected to each other by the tip covering portion.

[0027] With this configuration, the tip of the outer cylinder can be effectively covered by the outer covering portion, the inner covering portion, and the tip covering portion.

[0028] (12) In the transfer device according to any one of (1) to (11) above, the flexible portion may be a tubular body formed by spirally winding a plate material made of a metal material.

[0029] With this configuration, the flexible portion can be made into a simple configuration and the cost can be reduced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, at least the tip of the outer cylinder main body has a flexible portion that can be bent and deformed and can maintain the bent and deformed state. Therefore, by effectively bending the tip of the outer cylinder, the support portion of the first carrier member can be efficiently arranged at a desired position. The tip of the outer cylinder main body is provided with a tubular protection portion formed of an elastic material, and the innermost tip of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder main body is covered by the inner covering portion. Therefore, when the support portion is accommodated in the inner cavity of the outer cylinder, it is possible to effectively prevent the support portion from contacting the innermost tip of the inner peripheral surface of the flexible portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

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Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 10 according to the present embodiment is a medical device for transferring the medical sheet 300 to the treatment target part of a living body. The transfer device 10 is used, for example, in the treatment of severe heart failure due to ischemic heart disease. In this case, the medical sheet 300 is transplanted to the transplantation target part 402 (treatment target part of the living body) of the heart 400 (see FIGS. 16 to 19). With the transfer device 10, a plurality of medical sheets 300 can be attached to the transplantation target part 402.

[0033] Such medical sheets 300 include medical-use pharmaceuticals, products such as regenerative medicine, and medical devices. The medical sheet 300 is formed in a sheet shape such as a film shape or a membrane shape (gel-like object). The medical sheet 300 may be reinforced by applying fibrin or the like. Products such as regenerative medicine containing cells include, for example, cell sheets (sheet-shaped cell cultures), spheroids, and the like. The cell sheet can be formed by culturing autologous cells or allogeneic cells. The cells constituting the cell sheet include, for example, somatic stem cells (adult stem cells), mesenchymal stem cells, or cardiomyocytes derived from iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells). The somatic stem cells preferably include skeletal myoblasts (myoblast cells).

[0034] The medical sheet 300 may contain a tissue adhesive, a local anesthetic, etc. The thickness of the medical sheet 300 is, for example, about 100 μm, and the diameter of the medical sheet 300 is, for example, about 40 mm. However, the thickness and diameter (size) of the medical sheet 300 can be set as appropriate.

[0035] The medical sheet 300 may be a sheet transplanted to organs other than the heart 400 (for example, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, small intestine, esophagus, etc.). Also, the medical sheet 300 may be, for example, a sheet for preventing adhesions as long as it is for medical use.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 10 includes an instrument body 12. The instrument body 12 has a first carrier member 18, a second carrier member 20, and an outer cylinder 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the first carrier member 18 has a first shaft 24 and a first support portion 26.

[0037] The first shaft 24 is a tubular body (a circular tube member in this embodiment) having a first inner cavity 28. The first inner cavity 28 opens at the tip (the end in the direction of arrow X1) of the first shaft 24 and also opens at the base end (the end in the direction of arrow X2) of the first shaft 24. An airtight valve body 55 that adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 48 is provided at the base end of the first shaft 24. A marker 551 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 55. When using the transfer device 10, the user can visually recognize the marker 551. Note that the first shaft 24 is not limited to a tubular body and may not be a tubular body.

[0038] The first shaft 24 extends in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 22 and is disposed inside the outer cylinder 22 so as to be axially movable along the inner part of the outer cylinder 22. The first shaft 24 is made of, for example, a resin material. The constituent material of the first shaft 24 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyethylene, polypropylene, fluororesin, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide resin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone, polyvinyl chloride, ABS resin, polyamide elastomer, polyester elastomer, etc. The first shaft 24 may be made of a metal material.

[0039] The first shaft 24 may have flexibility. The first shaft 24 may have a flexible tube portion capable of holding a bent shape. In this case, the first shaft 24 can be bent into an appropriate shape in the body cavity and the bent shape can be maintained.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the first support portion 26 is attached to the tip of the first shaft 24. The first support portion 26 is made of, for example, a resin material. The first support portion 26 can hold a medical sheet 300 (see FIG. 10). The first support portion 26 is formed by bending a resin sheet material (film material) having flexibility into a predetermined shape. The first support portion 26 is formed, for example, by molding a sheet material into a predetermined shape using a sheet molding die. The thickness of the sheet material is not particularly limited, but is preferably set to, for example, 100 μm or more and 200 μm or less. The first support portion 26 has a first joint portion 30 and a first support body 32.

[0041] The constituent material of the first support portion 26 is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to have transparency, and examples thereof include polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyacetal resin, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone, polyethylene terephthalate, fluororesin, etc. Also, the first support portion 26 may be mesh-shaped.

[0042] In FIG. 4, the first joint portion 30 is adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the first shaft 24 by an adhesive. The adhesive is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a UV adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, and an instant adhesive (for example, a cyanoacrylate-based instant adhesive). The first joint portion 30 may be heat-sealed to the inner peripheral surface of the first shaft 24. As shown in FIG. 5, a tube 33 having a smaller diameter than the first shaft 24 is disposed in the first inner cavity 28 of the first shaft 24, and the base end portion of the first joint portion 30 may be inserted between the first shaft 24 and the tube 33 and held and adhered and fixed to the first shaft 24. In this case, the tube 33 covers up to the base end of the first joint portion 30 in the axial direction of the first shaft 24. The tip end of the tube 33 is disposed in the base end direction (arrow X2 direction) with respect to the tip end of the first joint portion 30. Further, the first support portion 26 may be detachable from the tip end portion of the first shaft 24.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the first support body 32 extends in the tip end direction from the first joint portion 30. The first support body 32 includes a base end support portion 34, an intermediate support portion 36, a pair of first protrusions 38, a pair of second protrusions 40, and a tip end support portion 42. The first support body 32 has a first support surface 261. The marker 551 is disposed such that when the first support surface 261 faces upward, the marker 551 of the first shaft 24 faces upward. That is, the user can confirm the direction of the first support surface 261 in the first support portion 26 by the marker 551.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the base end support portion 34 is formed to be wide in its extending direction. In other words, both side portions in the width direction of the base end support portion 34 are inclined in a tapered shape toward the first joint portion 30. The intermediate support portion 36 is formed in a tapered shape in which the width gradually decreases from the tip end toward the base end direction (arrow X2 direction).

[0045] The distal support portion 42 is connected to the distal ends of the intermediate support portion 36 and the pair of second protruding portions 40. The distal support portion 42 protrudes in an arc shape toward the distal direction (arrow X1 direction). That is, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first support surface 261 shown in FIG. 3, the distal support portion 42 of the first support portion 26 is in an arc shape connecting the pair of second protruding portions 40.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the proximal support portion 34 extends from the distal end of the first joint portion 30 in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) generally along the axis Ax of the first shaft 24. The intermediate support portion 36 intersects the axis Ax of the first shaft 24 from the distal end of the proximal support portion 34 in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) and extends in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) of the first support portion 26.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of first protruding portions 38 protrude upward (arrow Y direction) and inward in the width direction of the intermediate support portion 36 from both side portions in the width direction of the intermediate support portion 36 orthogonal to the moving direction of the first shaft 24. The pair of first protruding portions 38 are connected to the proximal support portion 34. The first protruding portion 38 is in an arc shape that bulges convexly in a direction away from the first support surface 261.

[0048] The pair of second protruding portions 40 are respectively connected to the distal ends of the pair of first protruding portions 38. The pair of second protruding portions 40 protrude upward and outward in the width direction of the intermediate support portion 36 from both side portions in the width direction (arrow W direction) of the intermediate support portion 36. The second protruding portion 40 is formed with a smaller curvature than the first protruding portion 38. The second protruding portion 40 has a lower protruding height with respect to the first support surface 261 than the first protruding portion 38 (see FIG. 2).

[0049] Each of the pair of first protruding portions 38 has a pair of bent portions 444. Each of the pair of bent portions 444 bends the pair of first protruding portions 38 with respect to the first support surface 261 (intermediate support portion 36) of the first support portion 26 (see FIG. 6).

[0050] The first support body 32 has a surface 461 facing upward (in the direction of arrow Y) and including the first support surface 261, and a back surface 462 which is the opposite surface of the surface 461. The first support surface 261 is a flat surface continuous with the upper surface of the base end support portion 34, the upper surfaces of the intermediate support portion 36 and the tip support portion 42. A lubricant may be applied to the first support surface 261 so that a second support portion 50 (described later) of the second carrier member 20 can slide smoothly with respect to the first support surface 261.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the second carrier member 20 has a second shaft 48, a second support portion 50, and a hub 52.

[0052] The second shaft 48 is a tubular body (a circular tube member in this embodiment) having a second inner cavity 57. The length of the second shaft 48 along the axial direction is longer than the length of the first shaft 24 along the axial direction. The second shaft 48 is inserted into the first inner cavity 28 of the first shaft 24 (see FIG. 4). In other words, the tip portion of the second shaft 48 protrudes in the tip direction (arrow X1 direction) from the tip opening of the first shaft 24. The base end portion of the second shaft 48 protrudes in the base end direction (arrow X2 direction) from the base end opening of the first shaft 24 (see FIG. 1). The second shaft 48 extends along the first shaft 24 and is provided so as to be movable along the first shaft 24. Note that the second shaft 48 is not limited to a tubular body and may not be a tubular body.

[0053] The second shaft 48 is configured to be able to follow the shape of the first support portion 26. As the constituent material of the second shaft 48, for example, a material having higher flexibility than the constituent material of the first shaft 24 is selected. Specifically, examples of the constituent material of the second shaft 48 include polyamide elastomer, polyester elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, polyvinyl chloride, polybutadiene, silicone rubber, metal coil (including composite with resin), etc. The second shaft 48 has flexibility.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the second shaft 48 has a carrier holding portion 54 and a pressing portion 56 formed by the tip of the second shaft 48. The pressing portion 56 is formed of an elastic body such as an elastomer material. The pressing portion 56 presses the first support portion 26 against the inner surface of the outer cylinder 22 in a state where the first support portion 26 is accommodated in the outer cylinder 22.

[0055] The tip of the carrier holding portion 54 has a pressing surface 58. The carrier holding portion 54 can press the outer peripheral end surface of the medical sheet 300 supported by the first support portion 26 in the tip direction (arrow X1 direction) by the pressing surface 58. In the present embodiment, the carrier holding portion 54 that supports the second support portion 50 is provided on the pressing portion 56. The carrier holding portion 54 includes a pressing surface 58 and a mounting hole 60.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the pressing surface 58 is provided on the tip surface of the carrier holding portion 54. The mounting hole 60 opens in the pressing surface 58. The second support portion 50 is attached to the pressing surface 58. The pressing surface 58 presses the outer peripheral end surface of the medical sheet 300 in the tip direction (arrow X1 direction) (see FIG. 18). As shown in FIG. 4, the base end of the carrier holding portion 54 has a tapered insertion portion 541 directed toward the base end direction. By inserting the insertion portion 541 from the tip of the first shaft 24 into the first inner cavity 28, the carrier holding portion 54 is held at the tip of the first shaft 24. The insertion portion 541 makes it easy to insert the base end of the carrier holding portion 54 from the tip of the first shaft 24 into the first inner cavity 28.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the second support portion 50 is configured in a flexible sheet shape. The second support portion 50 has a second joint portion 70 and a second support body 72. The second joint portion 70 is provided at the base end of the second support portion 50. The second joint portion 70 is provided at the base end of the second support body 72. The second joint portion 70 is inserted into the mounting hole 60 of the carrier holding portion 54 and is, for example, adhered. The second joint portion 70 may be joined to the mounting hole 60 of the carrier holding portion 54 by an appropriate joining method other than adhesion. Further, the second support portion 50 may be integrally formed with the carrier holding portion 54.

[0058] The second support body 72 extends from the second joint portion 70 in the distal direction (the direction of arrow X1). The length of the second support body 72 extending from the second joint portion 70 in the extending direction is shorter than the length of the first support body 32 extending from the first joint portion 30 in the extending direction. On the upper surface of the second support body 72, a second support surface 74 for placing the medical sheet 300 is provided. The second support surface 74 is a flat surface. The second support body 72 is smaller than the first support body 32. That is, the area of the second support surface 74 is smaller than the area of the first support surface 261.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the hub 52 is attached to the proximal end portion of the second shaft 48. The second carrier member 20 further includes a stopper 481. The stopper 481 is disposed at a distance from the hub 52 in the distal direction (the direction of arrow X1). The stopper 481 has a larger diameter than the second shaft 48. The stopper 481 is inserted into the first inner cavity 28 of the first shaft 24 (see FIG. 15). When the second shaft 48 is pulled in the proximal direction with respect to the first shaft 24, the stopper 481 abuts against and is locked inside the valve body 55 (see FIG. 15). When an operation of pulling the second shaft 48 in the proximal direction is performed, the stopper 481 can pull the first support body 32 without applying an excessive load to the proximal end portion of the carrier holding portion 54, and the first support portion 26 can be accommodated in the outer cylinder 22.

[0060] The outer cylinder 22 is a cylindrical member having a distal opening 222 and an inner cavity 223 communicating with the distal opening 222. The outer cylinder 22 includes an outer cylinder main body 76 having the inner cavity 223 and a cylindrical protective portion 78 formed of an elastic material and provided at the distal end portion 761 of the outer cylinder main body 76. The inner cavity 223 has a distal opening 222 that opens at the distal end of the outer cylinder main body 76 (the end in the direction of arrow X1). The inner cavity 223 opens at the proximal end of the outer cylinder main body 76 (the end in the direction of arrow X2).

[0061] The first shaft 24 is inserted into the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22 (see FIG. 4). The length of the outer cylinder 22 along the axial direction is shorter than the length of the first shaft 24 along the axial direction. At the proximal end of the outer cylinder 22, an airtight valve body 80 that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 24 is provided.

[0062] The outer cylinder body 76 is provided with a flexible portion 82 that can be bent and deformed and can maintain the bent and deformed state. The flexible portion 82 is a tubular body formed by spirally winding a plate material 82A made of a metal material. The flexible portion 82 is provided over the entire length in the axial direction of the outer cylinder body 76 from the tip end portion 761 to the base end portion of the outer cylinder body 76. That is, the outer cylinder 22 is a flexible tube including the flexible portion 82. As shown in FIG. 7A, for example, in the flexible portion 82, a part of the spiral plate material 82A is arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the flexible portion 82, and there is a stepped portion 823 that is recessed in the radial direction between the adjacent portions of the plate material 82A. The foremost end 821 of the flexible portion 82 is the foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder body 76. Note that the flexible portion 82 is not limited to being provided over the entire length in the axial direction of the outer cylinder body 76. It is sufficient that the flexible portion 82 is provided at least at the tip end portion of the outer cylinder body 76 and at least at the tip end portion of the outer cylinder 22. For example, the flexible portion 82 may have a length that is 1 / 2 of the total length of the outer cylinder body 76 from the tip end portion 761 (foremost end 821) of the outer cylinder body 76, or may have a length that is 1 / 3 of the total length of the outer cylinder body 76 from the tip end portion 761 of the outer cylinder body 76.

[0063] In the flexible portion 82, the plate materials 82A adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the outer cylinder body 76 are engaged so as to be able to approach or separate from each other. The pitch in the axial direction of the plate material 82A of the flexible portion 82 is the same in the axial direction. Note that the flexible portion 82 is not limited to being a tubular body formed by spirally winding a plate material 82A made of a metal material. The flexible portion 82 may be formed of, for example, a resin material as long as it has a structure that can be bent and deformed and can maintain the bent and deformed state. The pitch of the plate material 82A of the flexible portion 82 is not limited to being the same in the axial direction. For example, the pitch of the plate material 82A may be smaller at the tip end portion of the flexible portion 82.

[0064] The protection part 78 includes an inner covering part 781 inserted into the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder main body 76, and a protruding part 782 protruding in the tip direction from the foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder main body 76. The protection part 78 is formed in a tubular shape extending in the axial direction. The protection part 78 is formed of, for example, a resin material having elasticity. For example, the constituent material of the protection part 78 is not particularly limited, and examples include soft materials such as fluororesin, polyethylene, polyamide elastomer, polyurethane, polyester elastomer, and polystyrene elastomer. The protection part 78 is formed of, for example, a heat-shrinkable tube that can be shrunk by heating. A through hole 783 is formed inside the protection part 78 along the axial direction of the protection part 78. When the protection part 78 is provided at the tip part 761 of the outer cylinder main body 76, the through hole 783 communicates with the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder main body 76.

[0065] The inner covering part 781 is provided at the tip part 761 of the outer cylinder main body 76. The inner covering part 781 covers at least the foremost end of the inner peripheral surface 224 of the outer cylinder main body 76 (flexible part 82) over the entire circumference. Note that it is not limited to the case where the inner covering part 781 is provided only at the tip part 761 of the outer cylinder main body 76. For example, the inner covering part 781 may be arranged to cover the entire inner peripheral surface 224 of the outer cylinder main body 76 in the extending direction of the outer cylinder main body 76. The inner covering part 781 covers the step part 823 in the flexible part 82. There is a space between the step part 823 and the inner covering part 781. Note that it is not limited to the case where the inner covering part 781 covers the inner peripheral surface 224 of the flexible part 82 with a space between it and the step part 823. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, a part of the inner covering part 781 may be configured to enter the space of the step part 823. A part of the inner covering part 781 can enter the space of the step part 823 by, for example, fusion or insert molding. In this configuration, when the flexible part 82 is bent and deformed, a part of the inner covering part 781 that has entered the step part 823 may be pushed radially inward.

[0066] The length of the inner covering portion 781 in the extending direction of the protection portion 78 is equal to or greater than the length of the first support portion 26 when the first support portion 26 is accommodated in the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22. Note that the length of the inner covering portion 781 is not limited to being equal to or greater than the length of the first support portion 26. For example, the length of the inner covering portion 781 may be shorter than the total length of the first support portion 26. For example, the length of the inner covering portion 781 may be equal to or greater than half of the total length of the first support portion 26.

[0067] The protruding portion 782 is provided at the tip of the inner covering portion 781. The protruding portion 782 extends in the tip direction (arrow X1 direction) with respect to the inner covering portion 781. In the radial direction of the protection portion 78, the thickness of the protruding portion 782 and the thickness of the inner covering portion 781 are substantially the same. The protruding portion 782 opens in the tip direction. The through hole 783 of the protruding portion 782 and the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22 communicate with each other through the inner covering portion 781. Note that the protection portion 78 may include only the inner covering portion 781 without the protruding portion 782.

[0068] Next, a transfer method for transferring the medical sheet 300 to the treatment target part of the living body will be described. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, a transfer method for transferring the medical sheet 300 to the transplantation target part 402 (treatment target part of the living body) of the heart 400 by thoracoscopic surgery will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the transfer method according to the present embodiment includes a preparation step, a sheet placement step, an accommodation step, an arrangement step, a deployment step, a movement step, and a removal step.

[0069] First, in the preparation step (step S1 in FIG. 8), the transfer device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is prepared. Hereinafter, the state as shown in FIG. 1 will be described as the initial state of the transfer device 10. In the initial state, the first and second shafts 24 and 48 are moved in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) with respect to the outer cylinder 22, and the first support portion 26 and the second support portion 50 are in a protruding position (second position) protruding in the distal direction from the protection portion 78 (protruding portion 782) of the outer cylinder 22. Each of the first and second support portions 26 and 50 is deployed by being exposed in the distal direction from the outer cylinder 22, and the second support portion 50 is disposed on the first support surface 261 of the first support portion 26. That is, the second support portion 50 is disposed at a retracted position overlapping the first support surface 261 of the first support portion 26. At this time, the proximal end portion of the carrier holding portion 54 is inserted into the first inner cavity 28 of the first shaft 24.

[0070] Subsequently, in the sheet placement step (step S2 in FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 9, the medical sheet 300 disposed in the petri dish 401 is placed on the second support surface 74. As shown in FIG. 10, the medical sheet 300 protrudes outward from the second support portion 50 in a state of being placed on the second support surface 74. The first support surface 261 supports the overhanging portion 302 of the medical sheet 300 that protrudes outward from the second support portion 50. The pair of second protrusions 40 suppress the movement (displacement) of the medical sheet 300 in the width direction (W direction) of the intermediate support portion 36 in a state where the medical sheet 300 is placed on the second support surface 74.

[0071] Thereafter, an accommodation step (step S3 in FIG. 8) of accommodating the medical sheet 300 in the outer cylinder 22 is performed. The medical sheet 300 is set to an accommodation position (first position) where it is accommodated in the outer cylinder 22 together with the first support portion 26 and the second support portion 50. Specifically, the first shaft 24 of the first carrier member 18 and the second shaft 48 of the second carrier member 20 are moved together in the proximal direction (arrow X2 direction) with respect to the outer cylinder 22.

[0072] Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the proximal support portion 34 is drawn into the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22 in the proximal direction through the through hole 783 of the protruding portion 782. At this time, when both tapered side portions of the proximal support portion 34 come into contact with the tip of the protruding portion 782, a force acts on the proximal support portion 34 to cause the proximal support portion 34 to tend to round along the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 22. Therefore, the proximal support portion 34 is smoothly drawn into the outer cylinder 22 through the protruding portion 782 while rounding. At this time, when the first support portion 26 comes into contact with the protruding portion 782 of the protection portion 78, it is prevented from coming into contact with the foremost end of the outer cylinder main body 76 (flexible portion 82). As shown in FIG. 12, the first support portion 26 is housed in the outer cylinder 22 while rounding into a conical shape such that the tip side has a large diameter and the proximal support portion 34 has a small diameter (see FIG. 13).

[0073] When the proximal support portion 34 is deformed, a force acts on the intermediate support portion 36 to cause the intermediate support portion 36 to tend to round along the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 22. Therefore, the intermediate support portion 36 is drawn into the outer cylinder 22 while rounding. At this time, the intermediate support portion 36 is deformed into a cylindrical shape along the inner surface of the outer cylinder 22. As shown in FIG. 14, each of the pair of first protruding portions 38 is curved such that the fixed end is wound inward, the surface 461 of the first support portion 26 is on the inner side, and the back surface 462 of the first support portion 26 is on the outer side. The back surfaces 462 of the intermediate portions 443 bulging convexly outward in the radial direction come into contact with each other on an imaginary line L extending in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the outer cylinder 22. The intermediate portion 443 of one first protruding portion 38 and the intermediate portion 443 of the other first protruding portion 38 come into contact with each other and are accommodated downward (the first support surface 261, surface 461).

[0074] As a result, the back surface 462 of the first support portion 26 becomes a curved shape in close contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 22, further curves so as to fold back toward the center of the outer cylinder 22 from the fixed end to the free end 442 of each first protruding portion 38, and the pair of free ends 442 are disposed below the central axis of the outer cylinder 22. That is, the first support portion 26 curves into a heart shape along the inner surface of the outer cylinder 22.

[0075] The heart shape refers to a substantially circular shape composed of a shape that is convexly curved on one side and a shape that is convexly curved in two places on the other side, which is opposite to the one side. When a heart shape is formed in the inner cavity 223 of the tubular body (outer cylinder 22), two convex curved shapes protruding to the other side along the inner surface of the tubular body approach each other and a part of the circumferential surface comes into contact with each other, so that the overall contour becomes a substantially circular shape along the inner surface of the tubular body (refer to the shape of the first support portion 26 in Fig. 14).

[0076] With the bending deformation of the first support portion 26, the second support portion 50 also bends and deforms along the first support portion 26 on the inner side (the surface 461 side) of the first support portion 26 in the same manner. With the bending deformation of the first and second support portions 26 and 50, the medical sheet 300 deforms into a shape corresponding to the shapes of the first and second support bodies 32 and 72, and the medical sheet 300 is accommodated in the outer cylinder 22. As shown in Fig. 12, the accommodation process is completed when the entire first support portion 26 is completely inserted into the outer cylinder 22. At this time, as shown in Fig. 15, a stopper 481 provided on the second shaft 48 is locked to the valve body 55 of the first shaft 24. Relative movement of the second shaft 48 in the proximal direction (arrow X2 direction) with respect to the first shaft 24 is blocked. That is, it becomes impossible to pull the second shaft 48 in the proximal direction with respect to the first shaft 24.

[0077] In the accommodated state in which the first support portion 26, the second support portion 50, and the medical sheet 300 are accommodated in the outer cylinder 22, as shown in Fig. 14, the pair of first protrusions 38 are located in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) with respect to the pressing surface 58 of the pressing portion 56 in a state where the back surfaces 462 are in contact with each other (refer to Fig. 12).

[0078] Thereafter, in the placement step (step S4 in FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 16, after the distal end portion 221 of the outer cylinder 22 is bent and deformed by the flexible portion 82, the transfer instrument 10 is inserted into the thoracic cavity 410 from the incision 409 in the chest portion 408. At this time, the tip of the transfer instrument 10 is positioned near the transplantation target portion 402 in the heart 400. Before inserting the transfer instrument 10 into the thoracic cavity 410, a liquid supply instrument (not shown) may be connected to the connection port portion of the hub 52 to introduce a liquid (for example, physiological saline). Note that the transfer instrument 10 is not limited to the case where it is inserted into the thoracic cavity 410 after the outer cylinder 22 is bent and deformed. For example, after the transfer instrument 10 is inserted into the thoracic cavity 410 in a linear state without bending and deforming the outer cylinder 22, the outer cylinder 22 (flexible portion 82) may be gripped in the thoracic cavity 410 by forceps or the like (not shown) to bend and deform the distal end portion 221 of the outer cylinder 22.

[0079] Subsequently, in the deployment step (step S5 in FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 17, the first support portion 26, the second support portion 50, and the medical sheet 300 are deployed. Specifically, in the deployment step, the first shaft 24 is gripped and moved in the distal end direction (arrow X1 direction) with respect to the outer cylinder 22. Thereby, the second shaft 48 together with the first shaft 24 is integrally moved in the distal end direction (arrow X1 direction) by the valve body 55 of the first shaft 24. Then, the first support portion 26 exposed from the distal end opening 222 of the outer cylinder 22 returns to its original shape by the restoring force. At the second position where the first support portion 26 is deployed, the second support portion 50 and the medical sheet 300 spread out in a planar shape.

[0080] In the deployment step, the second carrier member 20 is such that the entire second support surface 74 on which the medical sheet 300 is placed is located on the first support surface 261. At this time, the medical sheet 300 is supported by the first support surface 261 and the second support surface 74. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the overhanging portion 302 of the medical sheet 300 in a state before the medical sheet 300 is transferred to the transplantation target portion 402 of the heart 400.

[0081] Next, in the moving step (step S6 in FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 18, the second carrier member 20 is moved in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) with respect to the first carrier member 18, so that the second support portion 50 on which the medical sheet 300 is placed moves from the retracted position to the advanced position, and the second support portion 50 protrudes in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) beyond the distal end of the first support portion 26. Specifically, in the moving step, the second shaft 48 is moved in the distal direction with respect to the first shaft 24.

[0082] As a result, the second support portion 50 moves in the distal direction (arrow X1 direction) with respect to the first support portion 26. At this time, when the pressing surface 58 of the carrier holding portion 54 (pressing portion 56) presses the outer peripheral end surface of the medical sheet 300 in the distal direction, the entire medical sheet 300 is positioned in the distal direction with respect to the first support portion 26. In this moving step, the medical sheet 300 is moved above the transplantation target portion 402 of the heart 400, and the overhanging portion 302 of the medical sheet 300 is brought into contact with the transplantation target portion 402.

[0083] Thereafter, in the removing step (step S7 in FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 19, the second carrier member 20 is moved from the second position to the first position to pull out the second support portion 50 from between the transplantation target portion 402 and the medical sheet 300. Then, the entire medical sheet 300 comes into contact with the surface of the transplantation target portion 402. As a result, the transfer of the medical sheet 300 to the transplantation target portion 402 is completed. Thereafter, the transfer instrument 10 is removed from the chest 408 with the first support portion 26 and the second support portion 50 accommodated in the outer cylinder 22.

[0084] This embodiment has the following effects.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 10 has a flexible portion 82 at the tip 761 of the outer cylinder body 76, which can be bent and deformed and can maintain the bent and deformed state. Therefore, by effectively bending the tip 221 of the outer cylinder 22, the first support portion 26 of the first carrier member 18 can be efficiently arranged at a desired position. The tip 761 of the outer cylinder body 76 is provided with a cylindrical protective portion 78 formed of an elastic material, and the innermost covering portion 781 covers the foremost end of the inner peripheral surface 224 of the outer cylinder body 76. Therefore, when the first support portion 26 is accommodated in the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22, it is possible to effectively prevent the first support portion 26 from contacting the foremost end of the inner peripheral surface 224 of the flexible portion 82.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7A, when the first support portion 26 is accommodated in the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder body 76, at least a part of the first support portion 26 is arranged inside the flexible portion 82. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 16, even in a state where the first support portion 26 is accommodated, the tip 221 of the outer cylinder 22 can be bent and deformed by the flexible portion 82.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 2, the protective portion 78 includes a protruding portion 782 that protrudes in the tip direction (arrow X1 direction) from the foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder body 76. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11, when the first support portion 26 is accommodated in the outer cylinder 22, the protruding portion 782 can effectively guide the first support portion 26 into the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7A, the innermost covering portion 781 has a length of more than half of the first support portion 26 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder body 76. Thereby, when the first support portion 26 is accommodated inside the outer cylinder 22, direct contact between the outer cylinder 22 (outer cylinder body 76) and the first support portion 26 is prevented.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible portion 82 is a tubular body in which a plate material 82A made of a metal material is spirally wound. Thereby, the flexible portion 82 can be made into a simple configuration and the cost can be reduced.

[0090] The transfer device 10A according to the first modified example shown in FIG. 20 includes an outer cylinder 22A. The outer cylinder 22A has a protective portion 78A. As shown in FIG. 21A, the protective portion 78A is formed, for example, by injection molding. The protective portion 78A includes an inner covering portion 781 and a protruding portion 782A. The inner covering portion 781 covers the stepped portion 823 in the flexible portion 82. As shown in FIG. 21B, a part of the inner covering portion 781 may be configured to enter the space of the stepped portion 823. A part of the inner covering portion 781 can enter the space of the stepped portion 823, for example, by fusion or insert molding. As shown in FIG. 21A, the foremost end of the inner peripheral surface 224 of the outer cylinder main body 76 is covered by the inner covering portion 781. In the radial direction of the outer cylinder 22A, the thickness T2 of the protruding portion 782A is larger than the thickness T1 of the inner covering portion 781 (T1 < T2). The base end of the protruding portion 782A covers a part of the foremost end surface 822 of the outer cylinder main body 76. The outer peripheral surface 84 of the protruding portion 782A is formed in a tapered shape toward the tip direction. The inner covering portion 781 of the protective portion 78A is inserted into the interior of the inner cavity 223 from the tip opening 222 of the outer cylinder main body 76, and the inner covering portion 781 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface 224 of the outer cylinder main body 76.

[0091] The first modified example has the following effects.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 21A, in the protective portion 78A of the transfer device 10A, the thickness of the protruding portion 782A is formed larger than the thickness of the inner covering portion 781 in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 22A. Therefore, the rigidity of the protruding portion 782A protruding from the foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder main body 76 can be increased. Thereby, when the first support portion 26 is accommodated in the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22A, the first support portion 26 can be effectively guided into the outer cylinder 22A by the protruding portion 782A.

[0093] The transfer device 10B according to the second modification shown in Fig. 22 includes an outer cylinder 22B. The outer cylinder 22B has a protection part 78B. As shown in Fig. 23A, the protection part 78B includes an inner covering part 781, a protruding part 782B, and an outer covering part 784. The inner peripheral surface of the protruding part 782B has an inverse taper part 86 that expands in diameter toward the tip direction (arrow X1 direction). The inverse taper part 86 has the maximum diameter at the tip of the protruding part 782B. The base end of the inverse taper part 86 has substantially the same diameter as the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22B.

[0094] The outer covering part 784 covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible part 82 and extends from the base end of the protruding part 782B in the base end direction (arrow X2 direction). The outer covering part 784 covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible part 82 over the entire length of the flexible part 82 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder main body 76. Note that the outer covering part 784 is not limited to covering the outer peripheral surface of the flexible part 82 over the entire length in the axial direction of the outer cylinder main body 76. The outer covering part 784 only needs to cover at least the tip part 221 including the foremost end of the outer cylinder main body 76 (flexible part 82).

[0095] The inner covering part 781 and the outer covering part 784 cover the inner step part 823A and the outer step part 823B in the flexible part 82, respectively. Note that the inner covering part 781 is not limited to covering the inner peripheral surface 224 of the flexible part 82 with a space between the inner covering part 781 and the inner step part 823A. For example, as shown in Fig. 23B, a part of the inner covering part 781 may enter the space of the inner step part 823A, and a part of the outer covering part 784 may enter the space of the outer step part 823B. In this configuration, when the flexible part 82 is curved and deformed, a part of the inner covering part 781 that has entered the inner step part 823A may be pushed radially inward, and a part of the outer covering part 784 that has entered the outer step part 823B may be pushed radially outward.

[0096] When the first support portion 26 shown in FIG. 22 is housed in the outer cylinder 22B from the deployed state, the first support portion 26 is guided in the proximal direction along the reverse taper portion 86 of the protruding portion 782B. The reverse taper portion 86 causes the first support portion 26 to bend so as to gradually reduce its diameter toward the outer cylinder 22B. The bent first support portion 26 is housed in the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22B from the proximal end of the protruding portion 782B (reverse taper portion 86).

[0097] The second modification has the following effects.

[0098] The protection portion 78B of the transfer device 10B includes an outer covering portion 784 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion 82, and the outer covering portion 784 extends in the proximal direction (arrow X2 direction) from the protruding portion 782B. Thereby, when the outer cylinder 22B is inserted into the living body, the outer covering portion 784 can effectively suppress the contact between the flexible portion 82 and the living body.

[0099] Since the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion 782B has a reverse taper portion 86 that expands in the distal direction, when the first support portion 26 is housed in the inner cavity 223 of the outer cylinder 22B, the reverse taper portion 86 guides the first support portion 26 in the proximal direction and can effectively house the first support portion 26 in the outer cylinder 22B.

[0100] The transfer device 10C according to the third modification shown in FIG. 24 includes an outer cylinder 22C. The outer cylinder 22C has a protection portion 78C. As shown in FIG. 25A, the protection portion 78C includes an inner covering portion 781, an outer covering portion 784, and a tip covering portion 786. The tip covering portion 786 covers the foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder main body 76. The tip of the outer covering portion 784 and the tip of the inner covering portion 781 are connected to each other by the tip covering portion 786. The tip covering portion 786 has a convex curved shape in the direction away from the foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder main body 76 (tip direction). Note that the tip covering portion 786 is not limited to being formed in a curved shape. For example, the tip covering portion 786 may be a flat surface along the foremost end surface 822 of the outer cylinder main body 76.

[0101] The inner covering portion 781 and the outer covering portion 784 cover the inner stepped portion 823A and the outer stepped portion 823B in the flexible portion 82, respectively. Note that the inner covering portion 781 is not limited to covering the inner peripheral surface 224 of the flexible portion 82 with a space between the inner covering portion 781 and the inner stepped portion 823A. For example, as shown in FIG. 25B, a part of the inner covering portion 781 may enter the space of the inner stepped portion 823A, and a part of the outer covering portion 784 may enter the space of the outer stepped portion 823B. In this configuration, when the flexible portion 82 is bent and deformed, a part of the inner covering portion 781 that has entered the inner stepped portion 823A may be pushed radially inward, and a part of the outer covering portion 784 that has entered the outer stepped portion 823B may be pushed radially outward.

[0102] The third modification example has the following effects.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 25A, the protection portion 78C of the transfer device 10C includes a tip covering portion 786 that covers the foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder main body 76. Thereby, by covering the entire foremost end 762 of the outer cylinder main body 76 with the tip covering portion 786, when the first support portion 26 is accommodated inside the outer cylinder 22C, contact between the first support portion 26 and the tip portion 761 of the outer cylinder main body 76 can be more effectively prevented.

[0104] The protection portion 78C includes an outer covering portion 784 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion 82, and the tip of the outer covering portion 784 and the tip of the inner covering portion 781 are connected to each other by the tip covering portion 786. Thereby, the tip portion 221 of the outer cylinder 22C can be effectively covered by the outer covering portion 784, the inner covering portion 781, and the tip covering portion 786.

[0105] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0106] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C... Transfer device 18…First carrier member 20…Second carrier member 22, 22A, 22B, 22C…Outer cylinder 24…First shaft 26…First support portion 48…Second shaft 56…Pressing portion 76…Outer cylinder body 78, 78A, 78B, 78C…Protection portion 82…Flexible portion 222…Tip opening 223…Inner cavity 224…Inner peripheral surface 261…First support surface 300…Medical sheet 761…Tip portion 781…Inner covering portion

Claims

1. A transfer device for transferring a medical sheet to a treatment target part of a living body, comprising: an outer cylinder having a tip opening; a first carrier member including a first shaft extending in the axial direction of the outer cylinder and arranged to be movable axially inside the outer cylinder, and a sheet-like support portion arranged at the tip of the first shaft and including a support surface capable of holding the medical sheet; a second carrier member including a second shaft extending along the first shaft and provided to be movable along the first shaft, and a pressing portion provided at the tip of the second shaft for pressing the medical sheet toward the tip; wherein: the outer cylinder includes an outer cylinder main body having a lumen communicating with the tip opening; a cylindrical protection portion formed of an elastic material and provided at the tip of the outer cylinder main body; wherein: at least the tip of the outer cylinder main body has a flexible portion that can be curved and deformed and can maintain the curved and deformed state; the flexible portion is provided at least at the tip of the outer cylinder; the protection portion has an inner covering portion that covers at least the foremost end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder main body, opens in the tip direction, and communicates with the lumen of the outer cylinder main body; in a state where the first and second shafts are moved in the tip direction with respect to the outer cylinder so that the support portion protrudes from the tip opening of the outer cylinder, the support portion is deployed by being exposed in the tip direction from the outer cylinder; a transfer device, wherein in the deployed state of the support portion, by moving the first and second shafts in the base end direction with respect to the outer cylinder, the support portion is accommodated in the lumen of the outer cylinder via the inner covering portion.

2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein when the support portion is accommodated in the lumen of the outer cylinder main body, at least a part of the support portion is arranged inside the flexible portion.

3. The transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protection portion includes a protruding portion protruding in the tip direction from the foremost end of the outer cylinder main body.

4. The transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the protection portion includes an outer covering portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion; the outer covering portion extends from the protruding portion in the base end direction.

5. The transfer device according to claim 4, wherein the outer covering portion covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion over the entire length of the flexible portion in the axial direction of the outer cylinder main body.

6. In the transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner covering portion has a length of at least half of that of the support portion in the axial direction of the outer cylinder body, the transfer device.

7. In the transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the protruding portion is greater than the thickness of the inner covering portion in the radial direction of the outer cylinder, the transfer device.

8. In the transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion has an inverted tapered portion that expands in diameter toward the tip direction, the transfer device.

9. In the transfer device according to claim 8, wherein the protection portion includes an outer covering portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion and extends in the proximal direction from the protruding portion, the transfer device.

10. In the transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protection portion includes a tip covering portion that covers the foremost end of the outer cylinder body, the transfer device.

11. In the transfer device according to claim 10, wherein the protection portion includes an outer covering portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible portion, and the tip of the outer covering portion and the tip of the inner covering portion are connected to each other by the tip covering portion, the transfer device.

12. In the transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible portion is a tubular body formed by spirally winding a plate material made of a metal material, the transfer device.

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