Transfer device

The transfer device addresses the issue of unintentional detachment by using a movable carrier with variable gap width for controlled release, enabling stable and secure transfer of fragile sheet-like materials to treatment sites.

JP2025130405APending Publication Date: 2025-09-08TERUMO KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024027552
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-27
Publication Date
2025-09-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing transfer devices risk unintentional detachment of sheet-like materials, particularly fragile ones like cell sheets, when placed on the underside and unfolded, complicating stable transfer and release to treatment sites within a living body.

Method used

A transfer device with a movable carrier having variable gap width, comprising first and second placement portions on a shaft, allowing rotation and power transmission for controlled release of sheet-like materials from the upper side to the lower side at the treatment site.

Benefits of technology

Stably transfers and easily releases fragile sheet-like materials, such as cell sheets, to treatment sites within a living body, ensuring secure attachment and deployment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a transfer device capable of stably transferring a sheet-like object to a part to be treated in a living body and of easily releasing the sheet-like object toward the part to be treated in the living body even when a fragile sheet-like object is transferred into the living body.SOLUTION: A transfer device may transfer a sheet-like object into a living body and includes a cylindrical body and a movable body movable in an axial direction of the cylindrical body in the cylindrical body. The movable body is provided with a shaft, and a carrier which follows a distal end part of the shaft and can mount the sheet-like object. The carrier is provided with a first mount part and a second mount part which can mount the sheet-like object so as to go across each other and can very a width of intervals partitioned between the mount parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transfer device. [Background technology]

[0002] Transfer instruments for transferring sheet-like materials such as cell sheets to treatment sites within a living body are known. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of transfer instrument. The transfer instrument described in Patent Document 1 is a device for carrying and applying a therapeutic sheet-like material within a living body. The transfer instrument of Patent Document 1 includes a hollow outer tube whose distal end is inserted into the living body, and an inner member inserted into the outer tube. Furthermore, a sheet mounting section on which the sheet-like material is mounted is provided at the distal end of the inner member of Patent Document 1. The sheet mounting section of Patent Document 1 can be stored in the outer tube in a curved state and can be deployed by protruding distally from the outer tube. Furthermore, the transfer instrument of Patent Document 1 is provided with an operating force transmission mechanism that, when the sheet mounting section is deployed, applies an operating force input from outside the living body to the sheet mounting section within the living body, thereby deforming the sheet mounting section.

[0003] The sheet placing section in the transferring device described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that a sheet-like material can be placed on the surface side facing the treatment target site to which the sheet-like material is to be attached, that is, on the lower surface side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 080459 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the transfer device described in Patent Document 1, the sheet-like material is placed on the underside of the sheet placing section, so there is a risk that the sheet-like material will unintentionally fall off the sheet placing section when the sheet placing section is in an unfolded state. Therefore, from the perspective of transfer stability, it is preferable that the transfer device be configured to place the sheet-like material on the upper side of the sheet placing section opposite the lower side, which is the side facing the treatment target site in the living body, and to be able to release the sheet-like material toward the treatment target site on the lower side of the sheet placing section at the position of the treatment target site in the living body. However, when transferring a fragile sheet-like material such as a cell sheet, it may be difficult to smoothly release the sheet-like material placed on the upper side of the sheet placing section toward the lower side of the sheet placing section.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a transfer device that can stably transfer a fragile sheet-like material to a treatment target site within a living body, even when transferring the sheet-like material within the living body, and that can easily release the sheet-like material toward the treatment target site within the living body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A transfer device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: (1) A transfer device capable of transferring a sheet-like material into a living body, A cylindrical body and a movable body that is movable within the cylindrical body in an axial direction of the cylindrical body, The moving body is A shaft and a carrier connected to a distal end of the shaft and capable of placing the sheet-like object thereon; The carrier is a transfer device that includes a first placement portion and a second placement portion on which the sheet-like material can be placed so as to straddle each other, and in which the width of the gap defined between them is variable.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (2) the shaft includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion extending in parallel within the cylindrical body; the first mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the first shaft portion; the second mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the second shaft portion; The first and second mounting portions are a transfer device as described in (1) above, wherein the width of the gap between the first and second mounting portions can be changed by rotating the first shaft portion.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (3) The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are a transfer device as described in (2) above, in which the width of the gap between them can be changed by rotating both the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (4) the first shaft portion includes a power transmission portion that transmits power to the second shaft portion, The transfer device according to (3) above, wherein the second shaft portion is rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft portion by the power transmission portion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (5) A transfer device as described in any one of (2) to (4) above, comprising a holding member located within the cylindrical body, which holds the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion rotatably and maintains the distance between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical body.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (6) The transfer device according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the first placement portion and the second placement portion of the carrier are formed of separate sheet members.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (7) the carrier includes a connecting portion that connects the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion on at least one of a distal side and a proximal side of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, A transfer device described in any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion and the connecting portion of the carrier are integrally formed from an elastic sheet material.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (8) The transfer device is as described in (1) above, wherein the first and second mounting portions are movable in the width direction of the carrier, thereby varying the width of the gap therebetween.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (9) the shaft includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion extending in parallel within the cylindrical body; the first mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the first shaft portion; the second mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the second shaft portion; the first shaft portion includes a curved portion that has shape memory in a curved state in which the first shaft portion is curved so that the distance between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion increases from the proximal side to the distal side, the first shaft portion can be accommodated within the cylindrical body in a corrected state in which the curved portion is elastically deformed so as to extend along the axial direction of the cylindrical body, The transfer device is described in (8) above, wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are capable of varying the width of the gap between them by moving in the width direction in accordance with the change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the curved portion of the first shaft portion.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (10) When the curved portion of the first shaft portion is a first curved portion, the second shaft portion includes a second curved portion that is shape-memorized in a curved state in which the second shaft portion is curved so that the distance between the second shaft portion and the first shaft portion increases from the proximal side to the distal side, the second shaft portion can be accommodated within the cylindrical body in a corrected state in which the second curved portion is elastically deformed so as to extend along the axial direction of the cylindrical body, The transfer device is described in (9) above, wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are capable of varying the width of the gap between them by moving in the width direction in accordance with the change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the first curved portion of the first shaft portion, and the change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the second curved portion of the second shaft portion.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (11) the carrier includes a connecting portion connecting the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion on at least one of a distal side and a proximal side of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, A transfer device as described in any one of (8) to (10) above, wherein the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion and the connecting portion of the carrier are integrally formed from an elastic sheet material.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (12) the carrier includes a connecting portion connecting the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion on at least one of a distal side and a proximal side of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion, and the connecting portion of the carrier are formed of an integral sheet member, A transfer device as described in any one of (8) to (10) above, wherein the connecting portion has a breakable portion formed therein that breaks when the first and second mounting portions move so that the width of the gap widens.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transfer device comprises: (13) The transfer device according to any one of (8) to (10) above, wherein the first and second placement portions of the carrier are formed of separate sheet members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, a transfer device can be provided that can stably transfer a fragile sheet-like material to a treatment target site within a living body, even when transferring the sheet-like material within the living body, and can easily release the sheet-like material toward the treatment target site within the living body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a treatment performed using a delivery device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG. 1 in a carrier deployed configuration. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG. 1 in a delivery configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the delivery device of FIG. 1 in a release configuration. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device taken along line II in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device taken along line II-II in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device taken along line III-III in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first and second mounting portions of the carrier are further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a delivery device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure in a carrier deployed configuration. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the delivery mode of the delivery device shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11]10 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device shown in FIG. 9 in a release configuration. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a delivery device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure in a carrier deployed configuration. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the delivery device shown in FIG. 12 in a release configuration. [Figure 14] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device taken along line VV in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a delivery device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure in a carrier deployed configuration. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the delivery configuration of the delivery device shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the delivery device shown in FIG. 16 in a release configuration. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a delivery device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure in a carrier deployed configuration. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the delivery device shown in FIG. 19 in a release configuration. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a delivery device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure in a carrier deployed configuration. [Figure 22] 22 is a perspective view of the delivery device shown in FIG. 21 in a release configuration. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a transfer device according to the present disclosure will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0023] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of treatment performed using a transfer device 1 as one embodiment of a transfer device according to the present disclosure. The transfer device 1 is a medical device for transferring a sheet-like material 600 to a treatment target site in a living body. The transfer device 1 may be used, for example, to treat severe heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease. In this case, the sheet-like material 600 is transferred by the transfer device 1 from an incision 800a in a chest 800 to a treatment target site in a heart 700. The sheet-like material 600 is then separated from the transfer device 1 and released, and attached to the treatment target site. In this way, the sheet-like material 600 is used to treat the treatment target site.

[0024] The sheet-shaped material 600 is not particularly limited as long as it is a sheet-shaped material used for treating a treatment target site. The sheet-shaped material 600 may be, for example, tissue made of a biological material; a cell culture; or a material made of various materials such as plastic, paper, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, metal, polymer, or lipid. When the sheet-shaped material 600 is a cell sheet containing cells, the cells contained in the cell sheet include, for example, somatic stem cells (adult stem cells), or differentiated cells derived from ES cells (embryonic stem cells) or iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells). Somatic stem cells include, for example, mesenchymal stem cells, vascular endothelial cells (endothelial stem / progenitor cells), and skeletal myoblasts (myoblast cells). Differentiated cells include, for example, cardiomyocytes and fibroblast cells. In addition, cells may include, for example, cell lines, genetically-modified cells.

[0025] As described above, the sheet-like material 600 may be any type of sheet-like material and is not particularly limited. However, with the transfer device 1, even a fragile sheet-like material 600 that is easily deformed or damaged, such as a cell sheet, can be easily transferred to the treatment target site and released toward the treatment target site. Therefore, the transfer device 1 is particularly useful when used to transfer a fragile sheet-like material 600 that is easily deformed or damaged, such as a cell sheet.

[0026] When a cell sheet is used as the sheet-like material 600, the thickness of the cell sheet may be, for example, about 100 μm. The diameter of the cell sheet may be, for example, about 60 mm. However, the thickness and diameter (size) of the cell sheet can be set as appropriate.

[0027] The sheet-like material 600 may also be a cell sheet to be transplanted into organs other than the heart 700, such as the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, small intestine, or esophagus. The sheet-like material 600 may also be, for example, a plastic sheet used to prevent adhesion of organs.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the transferring device 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the transferring device 1 includes a cylindrical body 2 and a moving body 3. The moving body 3 is movable within the cylindrical body 2 in an axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2, the movable body 3 includes a shaft 4 and a carrier 5. The carrier 5 is connected to the distal end of the shaft 4. A sheet-like object 600 can be placed on the carrier 5. For ease of explanation, Fig. 2 also illustrates the sheet-like object 600 placed on the carrier 5.

[0030] The carrier 5 includes a first mounting portion 11 and a second mounting portion 12. A sheet-like material 600 can be placed on the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 so as to straddle each other. The first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 are also capable of varying the width W (see FIG. 7, etc.) of a gap G (described later) defined between them. By increasing the width W of the gap G, the sheet-like material 600 placed so as to straddle the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 can be more easily released through the gap G toward the treatment target site in the living body. In other words, the sheet-like material 600 placed on the side of the first mounting portion 11 or the second mounting portion 12 opposite the side facing the treatment target site can be released through the gap G toward the side of the first mounting portion 11 or the second mounting portion 12 facing the treatment target site. This will be described in detail later (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the sides of the first mounting part 11 and the second mounting part 12 that face the treatment target site may be simply referred to as "the lower surface sides of the first mounting part 11 and the second mounting part 12." Additionally, the sides of the first mounting part 11 and the second mounting part 12 opposite to the sides that face the treatment target site may be simply referred to as "the upper surface sides of the first mounting part 11 and the second mounting part 12."

[0031] Hereinafter, the transfer device 1 of this embodiment will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the carrier-deployed configuration of the transfer device 1, in which the carrier 5 of the transfer device 1 is in an unfolded state. In the carrier-deployed configuration of the transfer device 1, the carrier 5 protrudes from the distal end of the cylindrical body 2 and is unfolded so that the sheet-like material 600 can be placed thereon. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the transfer configuration of the transfer device 1, in which the transfer device 1 is transferred from outside the living body to the vicinity of a treatment target site in the living body. In the transfer configuration of the transfer device 1, the carrier 5 is rolled up into a cylindrical shape from the unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 2 and housed within the cylindrical body 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the release configuration of the transfer device 1, in which the transfer device 1 is in a configuration in which the sheet-like material 600 can be released toward the treatment target site in the living body near the treatment target site. In the release configuration of the transfer device 1, the carrier 5 is in a state in which the width W of the gap G is increased from the unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device 1 taken along line II in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device 1 taken along line II-II in FIG. 3. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the transferring device 1 taken along the line III-III shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first placing portion 11 and the second placing portion 12 of the carrier 5 are further rotated from the state shown in Fig. 7.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the cylindrical body 2 is a cylindrical member that defines a hollow portion 2a therein. The hollow portion 2a of the cylindrical body 2 penetrates from the proximal end to the distal end of the cylindrical body 2. The outer shape of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2 is not particularly limited. The outer shape of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2 may be, for example, a circular shape as in this embodiment, or an oval shape such as an elliptical shape.

[0034] The cylindrical body 2 is made of a flexible material. There are no particular limitations on the material that can be used to make the cylindrical body 2, and examples of the material include polyethylene, polypropylene, fluororesin, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide resin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyether ether ketone, polyvinyl chloride, and ABS resin. The cylindrical body 2 may also be made of a metal material.

[0035] The shaft 4 of the movable body 3 is inserted through the hollow portion 2a of the cylindrical body 2. More specifically, a first shaft portion 21 and a second shaft portion 22 (described later) of the shaft 4 of the movable body 3 are inserted through the hollow portion 2a of the cylindrical body 2 of this embodiment. The length in the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2 of this embodiment is shorter than the length in the axial direction A of the first shaft portion 21 of the shaft 4 of the movable body 3. The first shaft portion 21 of this embodiment includes an operating portion 21a that protrudes from the proximal end of the cylindrical body 2. A user such as a doctor can operate the movable body 3 by grasping and operating the operating portion 21a of the first shaft portion 21. Meanwhile, the length in the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2 of this embodiment is longer than the length in the axial direction A of the second shaft portion 22 of the shaft 4 of the movable body 3. The second shaft portion 22 of this embodiment does not protrude from the proximal end of the cylindrical body 2. In other words, the proximal end portion of the second shaft portion 22 of this embodiment is housed within the cylindrical body 2. However, the length in the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2 may be shorter than the length in the axial direction A of the second shaft portion 22 of the shaft 4 of the movable body 3. In other words, the second shaft portion 22 may be provided with an operating portion that protrudes from the proximal end of the cylindrical body 2. In such a case, the user can operate the movable body 3 by gripping the operating portion of the second shaft portion 22 in addition to the operating portion 21a of the first shaft portion 21.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6 , the inner diameter D1 of the cylindrical body 2 is smaller than the extension length L1 of the carrier 5 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A. The carrier 5 of this embodiment is made of a sheet material. The extension length L1 of the carrier 5 of this embodiment refers to the length perpendicular to the axial direction A and along the sheet extension direction of the carrier 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , the carrier 5 can be accommodated in the cylindrical body 2 in a rolled-up cylindrical shape along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 2. The extension length L1 of the carrier 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can be accommodated in the cylindrical body 2 in a rolled-up cylindrical shape. Therefore, the extension length L1 of the carrier 5 may be, for example, approximately the same as the circumferential length of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 2. Furthermore, the extension length L1 of the carrier 5 may be, for example, shorter than the circumferential length of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 2. Furthermore, the extension length L1 of the carrier 5 may be longer than the circumferential length of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 2, for example, by storing the carrier 5 with the back surfaces of side wall portions 5a2 and 5b2 (described later) in contact with each other.

[0037] As described above, the movable body 3 includes the shaft 4 and the carrier 5. More specifically, the shaft 4 of this embodiment includes the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 that extend parallel to each other within the cylindrical body 2. The first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 of this embodiment are configured as separate bodies.

[0038] The distal end of the first shaft portion 21 is connected to a first mounting portion 11 of the carrier 5. The distal end of the second shaft portion 22 is connected to a second mounting portion 12 of the carrier 5. As will be described in detail later, the first mounting portion 11 of the carrier 5 of this embodiment is a first sheet member 5a. The second mounting portion 12 of the carrier 5 of this embodiment is a second sheet member 5b that is separate from the first sheet member 5a.

[0039] The first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 are rotatable within the cylindrical body 2. Specifically, the first shaft portion 21 is rotatable in a circumferential direction B1 about a central axis O1 of the first shaft portion 21. Furthermore, the second shaft portion 22 is rotatable in a circumferential direction B2 about a central axis O2 of the second shaft portion 22. Therefore, as the first shaft portion 21 rotates in the circumferential direction B1, the first mounting portion 11 rotates together with the first shaft portion 21 in the circumferential direction B1. Furthermore, as the second shaft portion 22 rotates in the circumferential direction B2, the second mounting portion 12 rotates together with the second shaft portion 22 in the circumferential direction B2.

[0040] The first shaft portion 21 of this embodiment includes a power transmission unit that transmits power to the second shaft portion 22. The second shaft portion 22 is rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft portion 21 by the power transmission unit of the first shaft portion 21. Specifically, the first shaft portion 21 of this embodiment includes a shaft main body 23 and an annular gear 24 fixed to the shaft main body 23 on the outer surface of the shaft main body 23. The outer peripheral surface of the annular gear 24 is formed with a plurality of teeth arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction B1. The second shaft portion 22 of this embodiment includes a shaft main body 25 and an annular gear 26 fixed to the shaft main body 25 on the outer surface of the shaft main body 25. The outer peripheral surface of the annular gear 26 is formed with a plurality of teeth arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction B2. The first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 are arranged side by side such that the annular gear 24 and the annular gear 26 mesh with each other. Therefore, when the first shaft portion 21 rotates in the circumferential direction B1, power is transmitted to the second shaft portion 22 by the two annular gears 24, 26. This allows the second shaft portion 22 to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft portion 21. In other words, the power transmission portion of the first shaft portion 21 in this embodiment is the annular gear 24. Furthermore, the second shaft portion 22 in this embodiment includes the annular gear 26 as a power receiving portion that receives power from the annular gear 24 as the power transmission portion of the first shaft portion 21.

[0041] In this embodiment, power transmission from the first shaft portion 21 to the second shaft portion 22 is achieved by the two ring gears 24, 26, but this configuration is not limited to this. Power transmission between the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 may be achieved by other means, such as frictional force obtained by contacting the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22. In other words, the configuration of the power transmission portion of the first shaft portion 21 and the power receiving portion of the second shaft portion 22 is not limited to the two ring gears 24, 26 of this embodiment.

[0042] The transfer device 1 of this embodiment further includes a holding member 90 located within the cylindrical body 2. The holding member 90 rotatably holds the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22. The holding member 90 also holds the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 so as to maintain a separation distance between the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2. The holding member 90 may hold the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 so as to be able to move relative to each other in the axial direction A. The holding member 90 may also hold the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 so as to restrict relative movement of the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 in the axial direction A. In other words, the holding member 90 may be able to move in the axial direction A together with the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22 relative to each other with respect to the cylindrical body 2. Furthermore, the holding member 90 may be rotatable relative to the cylindrical body 2 around the central axis O3 of the cylindrical body 2, or may be positioned relative to the cylindrical body 2 so as not to rotate.

[0043] The material of the shaft 4 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include the various resin materials exemplified above as the material of the cylindrical body 2. The shaft 4 may also be made of a metal material.

[0044] The carrier 5 of this embodiment includes a flexible first sheet member 5a and a flexible second sheet member 5b. The first mounting portion 11 of this embodiment is formed of the first sheet member 5a. The second mounting portion 12 of this embodiment is formed of the second sheet member 5b, which is separate from the first sheet member 5a. That is, the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 of this embodiment are formed of the separate first sheet member 5a and second sheet member 5b. In this embodiment, the first sheet member 5a is connected to the distal end of the first shaft portion 21. The second sheet member 5b is connected to the distal end of the second shaft portion 22. The first sheet member 5a rotates together with the rotation of the first shaft portion 21 (see FIGS. 4, 7, and 8). The second sheet member 5b rotates together with the rotation of the second shaft portion 22 (see FIGS. 4, 7, and 8).

[0045] The first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b may be made of, for example, a resin material. The materials for the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b are not particularly limited, but examples include polycarbonate, polyamide, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyacetal resin, polyimide, polyether ether ketone, polyethylene terephthalate, and fluororesin. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b each have transparency in the thickness direction.

[0046] The first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b are each folded into a predetermined shape. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b are each folded into a substantially L-shaped or substantially J-shaped cross section. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the sheet-like object 600 is placed across the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b in the unfolded state of the carrier 5, where portions of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b are overlapped in the thickness direction.

[0047] Specifically, the shapes of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b in this embodiment are symmetrical with respect to the central axis O3 of the cylindrical body 2. More specifically, the first sheet member 5a in this embodiment includes a base portion 5a1 and a side wall portion 5a2 rising from the base portion 5a1. Furthermore, the second sheet member 5b in this embodiment includes a base portion 5b1 and a side wall portion 5b2 rising from the base portion 5b1. In this embodiment, the shapes of the base portions 5a1 and 5b1 are symmetrical with respect to the central axis O3 of the cylindrical body 2. Furthermore, the shapes of the side wall portions 5a2 and 5b2 are also symmetrical with respect to the central axis O3 of the cylindrical body 2. In the unfolded state of the carrier 5 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the base portions 5a1 and 5b1 are overlapped with each other in the thickness direction to form the sheet placing surface 6 of the carrier 5. 2 and 5, in this state, the side wall portion 5a2 of the first sheet member 5a and the side wall portion 5b2 of the second sheet member 5b are arranged on opposite sides of the width direction C of the carrier 5. In this embodiment, the width direction C of the carrier 5 means a direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction A and along the extending direction of the sheet placing surface 6 (in this embodiment, the surface formed by the base portions 5a1 and 5b1) when the carrier 5 is in an unfolded state (see FIGS. 2 and 5).

[0048] There are no particular limitations on the thickness of each of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b, but it is preferable that the thickness be, for example, 100 μm or more and 200 μm or less.

[0049] The first sheet member 5a and the first shaft portion 21 may be connected to each other by, for example, an adhesive. The adhesive is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include UV adhesive and instant adhesive (e.g., cyanoacrylate instant adhesive). The first sheet member 5a and the first shaft portion 21 may also be connected to each other by, for example, heat fusion to the first shaft portion 21. The second sheet member 5b and the second shaft portion 22 may be connected to each other in the same manner as above.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the sheet-like material 600 is placed across the upper surfaces of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b. From this state, the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b are rotated so that the width W of the gap G between the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b increases (see FIGS. 4, 7, and 8). As described above, the rotation of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b may be achieved by rotating the first shaft portion 21 and the second shaft portion 22. When the width W of the gap G increases, the sheet-like material 600 becomes movable through the gap G. In other words, the sheet-like material 600 placed across the upper surfaces of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b in FIG. 5 can be released toward the lower surfaces of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b in FIG. 5.

[0051] The transfer device 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer device 1 is put into the carrier unfolded form. Specifically, the carrier 5 of the moving body 3 is protruded from the distal end of the cylindrical body 2, and the carrier 5 is put into the unfolded state. The unfolded state of the carrier 5 of this embodiment refers to the state of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. In this state, the sheet-like object 600 is placed on the upper surface of the carrier 5. More specifically, in this embodiment, the sheet-like object 600 is placed so as to straddle the first sheet member 5a as the first placement portion 11 and the second sheet member 5b as the second placement portion 12.

[0052] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the transfer device 1 is put into the transfer configuration. When the transfer device 1 is changed from the carrier unfolded configuration (see Figures 2 and 5) to the transfer configuration (see Figures 3 and 6), the shaft 4 of the moving body 3 is moved proximally, and the carrier 5 and the sheet-like material 600 placed on this carrier 5 are pulled into the cylindrical body 2. At this time, the carrier 5 abuts against the distal end of the cylindrical body 2, and is rolled up into a cylindrical shape together with the sheet-like material 600 placed thereon, and is pulled into the cylindrical body 2. In this transfer configuration, the transfer device 1 is inserted from outside the living body to near the site to be treated inside the living body.

[0053] Next, the delivery instrument 1 is returned to the carrier deployment form. That is, with the distal end of the cylindrical body 2 positioned near the treatment target site in the living body, the shaft 4 of the moving body 3 is pushed distally, causing the carrier 5 of the moving body 3 to protrude from the distal end of the cylindrical body 2. At this time, the carrier 5 is in the deployed state, returning to the state shown in FIG. 2. That is, with the distal end of the cylindrical body 2 positioned near the treatment target site in the living body, the delivery instrument 1 is changed from the delivery form (see FIGS. 3 and 6) to the carrier deployment form (see FIGS. 2 and 5).

[0054] Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the transfer device 1 is set to the release configuration. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first sheet member 5a serving as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet member 5b serving as the second mounting portion 12 are rotated. At this time, the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b rotate such that the base portion 5a1 of the first sheet member 5a and the base portion 5b1 of the second sheet member 5b move away from each other. This increases the width W of the gap G between the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. As the width W of the gap G increases and the contact area between the first sheet member 5a, the second sheet member 5b, and the sheet-like material 600 decreases, the flexible sheet-like material 600 moves through the gap G while deforming under its own weight and sagging from the gap G. This allows the sheet-like material 600 to be easily released toward the treatment site.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 8, the first sheet member 5a serving as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet member 5b serving as the second mounting portion 12 may be further rotated from the state shown in Fig. 7. By doing so, the sheet-like material 600 can be more easily released through the gap G toward the treatment target site.

[0056] In this way, according to the transfer device 1 of this embodiment, by changing from the carrier unfolded form (see Figures 2 and 5) to the release form (see Figures 4, 7 and 8), the sheet-like material 600 can be easily released, by utilizing the gap G, from the upper surface side of the carrier 5 on which the sheet-like material 600 is supported, toward the lower surface side of the carrier 5, which is the side of the treatment target area.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b are arranged so as to overlap in the thickness direction in the carrier-unfolded form of the transferring device 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 5), but this configuration is not limited thereto. The first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b may be arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction in the carrier-unfolded form of the transferring device 1. In other words, the gap G may already be formed in the carrier-unfolded form of the transferring device 1. In such a case, the sheet-like object 600 may be placed across the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b so as to cover the gap G.

[0058] Second Embodiment Next, referring to Figures 9 to 11, a description will be given of a transfer device 101 as another embodiment of a transfer device according to the present disclosure. Transfer device 101 of this embodiment differs from transfer device 1 described above mainly in that the configuration of carrier 105 is different, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, only the above differences will be described here, and a description of the same configuration as transfer device 1 will be omitted.

[0059] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of delivery device 101 in the carrier deployment configuration. The cross-sectional view shown in Figure 9 shows a cross-section at the same position as the cross-section shown in Figure 5 for delivery device 1 of the first embodiment described above. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of delivery device 101 in the delivery configuration. The cross-sectional view shown in Figure 10 shows a cross-section at the same position as the cross-section shown in Figure 6 for delivery device 1 of the first embodiment described above. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of delivery device 101 in the release configuration. The cross-sectional view shown in Figure 11 shows a cross-section at the same position as the cross-section shown in Figure 7 for delivery device 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0060] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the carrier 105 of this embodiment includes a first sheet member 105a as the first mounting portion 11 and a second sheet member 105b as the second mounting portion 12, which is separate from the first sheet member 105a.

[0061] 9 to 11, each of the first sheet member 105a and the second sheet member 105b is folded into a predetermined shape. Specifically, each of the first sheet member 105a and the second sheet member 105b in this embodiment is folded into a substantially L-shaped or substantially J-shaped cross section.

[0062] The shapes of the first sheet member 105a and the second sheet member 105b of this embodiment are asymmetric with respect to the central axis O3 of the cylindrical body 2. More specifically, the first sheet member 105a of this embodiment includes a base portion 105a1 and a side wall portion 105a2 rising from the base portion 105a1. The second sheet member 105b of this embodiment includes a base portion 105b1 and a side wall portion 105b2 rising from the base portion 105b1. In this embodiment, the shapes of the base portions 105a1 and 105b1 are asymmetric with respect to the central axis O3 of the cylindrical body 2, and the area of ​​the base portion 105a1 is larger than the area of ​​the base portion 105b1. As shown in FIG. 9, the sheet-like object 600 is placed across the first base portion 105a1 and the second base member 105b1, but is mainly placed on the first base portion 105a1. In other words, only the edge of the sheet material 600 is placed on the second base member 105b1.

[0063] In this embodiment, the transport device 101 can be changed from the carrier unfolded configuration (see FIG. 9) to the release configuration (see FIG. 11) by rotating the first sheet member 105a. In other words, when the transport device 101 is changed from the carrier unfolded configuration (see FIG. 9) to the release configuration (see FIG. 11), the second sheet member 105b does not rotate. In this manner, the transport device 101 may be changed from the carrier unfolded configuration (see FIG. 9) to the release configuration (see FIG. 11) by rotating only one of the first sheet member 105a as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet member 105b as the second mounting portion 12.

[0064] The rotation of the first seat member 105a can be achieved by rotating the first shaft portion 21 (see FIG. 2, etc.). At this time, in order to prevent the second shaft portion 22 (see FIG. 2, etc.) and the second seat member 105b from rotating in conjunction with each other, the first shaft portion 21 does not include a power transmission portion that transmits power to the second shaft portion 22. That is, in this embodiment, the first shaft portion 21 does not include the ring gear 24 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). Similarly, the second shaft portion 22 does not include the ring gear 26 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). Therefore, the first shaft portion 21 in this embodiment can rotate independently of the second shaft portion 22.

[0065] <Third embodiment> Next, referring to Figures 12 to 15, a description will be given of a transfer device 201 as another embodiment of a transfer device according to the present disclosure. Transfer device 201 of this embodiment differs from transfer device 1 described above mainly in that the configuration of carrier 205 is different, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, only the above differences will be described here, and a description of the same configuration as transfer device 1 will be omitted.

[0066] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a carrier-deployed form of the transferring instrument 201, in which the carrier 205 of the transferring instrument 201 is in an unfolded state. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a release form of the transferring instrument 201, in which the transferring instrument 201 is in a form in which the transferring instrument 201 can release the sheet-like material 600 toward a treatment target site in a living body near the treatment target site. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the transferring instrument 201 taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the transferring instrument 201 taken along line VV in Fig. 13.

[0067] The carrier 205 of this embodiment includes a connecting portion 13 in addition to the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12. The connecting portion 13 connects the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 on the distal side of the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12. The first mounting portion 11, the second mounting portion 12, and the connecting portion 13 of the carrier 205 of this embodiment are integrally formed from a stretchable sheet member.

[0068] More specifically, in the sheet member serving as the carrier 205 of this embodiment, the first sheet-shaped portion 205a serving as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet-shaped portion 205b serving as the second mounting portion 12 are connected together by an extension portion 205c serving as a connecting portion 13 extending distally therefrom.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, in this embodiment, the first sheet-like portion 205a and the second sheet-like portion 205b are arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction when the transport device 201 is in the carrier-unfolded state (see FIGS. 12 and 14). That is, in this embodiment, the first sheet-like portion 205a and the second sheet-like portion 205b form a gap G between them when the transport device 201 is in the carrier-unfolded state (see FIGS. 12 and 14). The first sheet-like portion 205a and the second sheet-like portion 205b form the sheet placement surface 206 of the carrier 205 on both sides of the gap G. The sheet-like object 600 is placed across the first sheet-like portion 205a and the second sheet-like portion 205b so as to cover the gap G. However, the first sheet-like portion 205a and the second sheet-like portion 205b may be arranged so as to partially overlap in the thickness direction. In other words, first sheet-shaped portion 205a and second sheet-shaped portion 205b may be arranged in a state where no gap G is formed between them in the carrier-deployed form of delivery device 201 (see FIGS. 12 and 14).

[0070] 13 and 15, as first shaft portion 21 and second shaft portion 22 rotate, the sheet member serving as carrier 205 is stretched and deformed due to its elasticity at the position of extension portion 205c where first sheet-like portion 205a and second sheet-like portion 205b are connected. This increases the width W of gap G between first sheet-like portion 205a and second sheet-like portion 205b, allowing delivery device 201 to change form from the carrier unfolded form (see FIGS. 12 and 14) to the released form (see FIGS. 13 and 15).

[0071] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 13 connects the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 on the distal side of the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the connecting portion 13 may connect the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 on the proximal side of the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12. Furthermore, for example, the connecting portion 13 may connect the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 on both the distal side and the proximal side of the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12.

[0072] However, from the viewpoint of the stretchability of the sheet member serving as the carrier 205, it is preferable that the connecting portion 13 connects the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 only on one of the distal side and the proximal side of the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12. By doing so, it becomes easier to ensure a large amount of variation in the width W of the gap G.

[0073] The stretchability of the sheet member serving as the carrier 205 of this embodiment may be achieved by forming the sheet member from a stretchable material. The sheet member serving as the carrier 205 may be made of, for example, a stretchable resin material. Examples of materials that can be used for the sheet member serving as the carrier 205 include polyurethane, rubber, silicone rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers that can be used include polyester elastomer, polyamide elastomer, and polystyrene elastomer.

[0074] <Fourth embodiment> Next, referring to Figures 16 to 18, a description will be given of a delivery device 301 as another embodiment of a delivery device according to the present disclosure. Delivery device 301 of this embodiment differs from delivery device 201 as the third embodiment described above mainly in that the configuration of shaft 304 is different, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, only the above differences will be described here, and a description of the same configuration as delivery device 201 will be omitted.

[0075] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a carrier deployment mode of the transfer instrument 301, in which the carrier 205 of the transfer instrument 301 is in an deployed state. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a transfer mode of the transfer instrument 301, in which the transfer instrument 301 is deployed from outside the body to the vicinity of a treatment target site inside the body. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a release mode of the transfer instrument 301, in which the transfer instrument 301 is deployed near a treatment target site inside the body and can release the sheet-like material 600 toward the treatment target site.

[0076] 16 to 18, the moving body 3 of this embodiment includes a shaft 304 and a carrier 205. The carrier 205 has the same configuration as that of the third embodiment described above.

[0077] However, in the carrier 205 of this embodiment, the first sheet-like portion 205a serving as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet-like portion 205b serving as the second mounting portion 12 can move in the width direction C of the carrier 205, thereby varying the width W of the gap G therebetween. In this embodiment, the first shaft portion 321 and the second shaft portion 322 of the shaft 304 can move in the width direction C of the carrier 205. The first sheet-like portion 205a and the second sheet-like portion 205b of this embodiment can move in the width direction C of the carrier 205 together with the first shaft portion 321 and the second shaft portion 322, thereby varying the width W of the gap G therebetween. The shaft 304 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0078] The shaft 304 of this embodiment includes a first shaft portion 321 and a second shaft portion 322 extending parallel to each other within the cylindrical body 2, and a shaft base portion 327 connected to the proximal ends of the first shaft portion 321 and the second shaft portion 322. The shaft base portion 327 includes an operating portion 327a that protrudes and is exposed from the proximal end of the cylindrical body 2. The first shaft portion 321, the second shaft portion 322, and the shaft base portion 327 of this embodiment are formed from a single rod-shaped member, but this configuration is not limited thereto. The first shaft portion 321, the second shaft portion 322, and the shaft base portion 327 may be formed, for example, separately and assembled together. The first sheet-like portion 205a serving as the first mounting portion 11 of the carrier 205 is connected to the distal end of the first shaft portion 321. The second sheet-like portion 205b serving as the second mounting portion 12 is connected to the distal end of the second shaft portion 322.

[0079] The first shaft portion 321 of this embodiment includes a first curved portion 321a that is shape-memorized in a curved state in which the distance between the first shaft portion 321 and the second shaft portion 322 increases from the proximal side to the distal side. The first curved portion 321a of this embodiment is formed at the distal end of the first shaft portion 321. The carrier 205 of this embodiment is connected to the first curved portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321. The second shaft portion 322 of this embodiment includes a second curved portion 322a that is shape-memorized in a curved state in which the distance between the first shaft portion 321 and the second shaft portion 322 increases from the proximal side to the distal side. The second curved portion 322a of this embodiment is formed at the distal end of the second shaft portion 322. The carrier 205 of this embodiment is connected to the second curved portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322.

[0080] The first shaft portion 321 can be housed in the cylindrical body 2 in a corrected state where it is elastically deformed so that the first curved portion 321a extends along the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2. Similarly, the second shaft portion 322 can be housed in the cylindrical body 2 in a corrected state where it is elastically deformed so that the second curved portion 322a extends along the axial direction A of the cylindrical body 2.

[0081] Therefore, when the first curved portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321 is pushed out so as to protrude from the distal end of the cylindrical body 2, it is released from the straightened state in which it is pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical body 2 and can return to the curved state by the restoring force. Similarly, when the second curved portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322 is pushed out so as to protrude from the distal end of the cylindrical body 2, it is released from the straightened state in which it is pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical body 2 and can return to the curved state by the restoring force.

[0082] In this embodiment, the first sheet-like portion 205a as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet-like portion 205b as the second mounting portion 12 can move in the width direction C of the carrier 205 in accordance with the change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the first curved portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321, and the change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the second curved portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322.

[0083] That is, in the conveying device 301 of this embodiment, the first bending portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321 and the second bending portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322 can be moved in and out of the cylindrical body 2 to change the state of the first bending portion 321a and the second bending portion 322a between a curved state and a straightened state. The second bending portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322 is moved in and out of the cylindrical body 2 by moving the entire movable body 3 in the axial direction A relative to the cylindrical body 2.

[0084] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, in the transport form of the transport device 301, the carrier 205, the first curved portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321, and the second curved portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322 are contained within the cylindrical body 2.

[0085] Next, the movable body 3 is pushed distally into the cylindrical body 2. As a result, the carrier 205 protrudes from the distal end of the cylindrical body 2. Then, the carrier 205 changes from a state in which it is rolled up into a cylindrical shape inside the cylindrical body 2 to an expanded state. At this time, the first curved portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321 and the second curved portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322 are still positioned inside the cylindrical body 2. In the carrier expanded form of the delivery device 301 shown in FIG. 16, the carrier 205, the first curved portion 321a, and the second curved portion 322a are in the above-mentioned states.

[0086] Next, the movable body 3 is further pushed distally relative to the cylindrical body 2. As a result, the first curved portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321 and the second curved portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322 protrude from the distal end of the cylindrical body 2, following the carrier 205. That is, the first curved portion 321a and the second curved portion 322a are released from the straightening by the cylindrical body 2 and return to their curved state from the straightened state. As a result, the first curved portion 321a and the second curved portion 322a bend so that the distance between them increases from the proximal side to the distal side. Accordingly, the first sheet-shaped portion 205a and the second sheet-shaped portion 205b also move apart in the width direction C of the carrier 205. As a result, the width W of the gap G between the first sheet-shaped portion 205a and the second sheet-shaped portion 205b increases, and the delivery device 301 reaches the release form shown in FIG. 18.

[0087] The change in shape between the carrier deployed form and the release form of the transport device 301 described above may be achieved, for example, by varying the amount of protrusion of the first curved portion 321a and the second curved portion 322a from the cylindrical body 2. That is, in the carrier deployed form of the transport device 301, only a portion of the first curved portion 321a and the second curved portion 322a protrudes from the cylindrical body 2. In contrast, in the release form of the transport device 301, the entire first curved portion 321a and the second curved portion 322a protrude from the cylindrical body 2. In this way, the distance between the first curved portion 321a and the second curved portion 322a can be varied. As a result, the width W of the gap G can be varied.

[0088] Conversely, by moving the moving body 3 proximally relative to the cylindrical body 2 from the release form of the transport device 301 shown in Figure 18, the transport device 301 can be transformed into the carrier deployed form (see Figure 16). Furthermore, by moving the moving body 3 further proximally relative to the cylindrical body 2 from the carrier deployed form of the transport device 301 shown in Figure 16, the transport device 301 can be transformed into the transport form (see Figure 17).

[0089] As described above, in the transfer device 301 of this embodiment, the first curved portion 321a and the second curved portion 322a can be moved in and out of the cylindrical body 2, thereby changing the shape of the transfer device 301 among the carrier deployment form (see Figure 16), the transfer form (see Figure 17), and the release form (see Figure 18).

[0090] Note that, although the transporting device 301 of this embodiment includes both the first bending portion 321a and the second bending portion 322a, the configuration is not limited to this. The transporting device 301 may be configured to include, for example, the first bending portion 321a but not the second bending portion 322a. The transporting device 301 may be configured to include, for example, the second bending portion 322a but not the first bending portion 321a. In other words, the transporting device 301 may be configured to include only one of the first bending portion 321a and the second bending portion 322a, as long as the width W of the gap G can be changed by changing the state between the curved state and the straightened state.

[0091] Fifth Embodiment Next, referring to Figures 19 and 20, a description will be given of a transfer device 401 as another embodiment of a transfer device according to the present disclosure. Transfer device 401 of this embodiment differs from transfer device 301 as the fourth embodiment described above mainly in that the configuration of carrier 405 is different, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, only the above differences will be described here, and a description of the same configuration as transfer device 301 will be omitted.

[0092] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the carrier unfolded form of the transporting instrument 401, in which the carrier 405 of the transporting instrument 401 is in an unfolded state. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the release form of the transporting instrument 401, in which the transporting instrument 401 is in a form in which it can release the sheet-like material 600 toward the treatment target site in the living body near the treatment target site.

[0093] The carrier 405 of this embodiment differs from the carrier 205 shown in the third and fourth embodiments described above in that the sheet material constituting the carrier 405 is not elastic and that a breakable portion 13a is formed in the connecting portion 13.

[0094] In this embodiment, the extension portion 205c serving as the connecting portion 13 has a breakable portion 13a formed therein. The breakable portion 13a breaks when the first sheet-like portion 205a serving as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet-like portion 205b serving as the second mounting portion 12 move so as to widen the width W of the gap G. The configuration of the breakable portion 13a is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to break preferentially when the first sheet-like portion 205a and the second sheet-like portion 205b move so as to widen the width W of the gap G. The breakable portion 13a may be, for example, a break line portion configured by forming a plurality of small holes 205c1 that penetrate the sheet member that constitutes the carrier 405 in the thickness direction and are spaced apart in the axial direction A.

[0095] In this embodiment, the breakable portion 13a is configured to break without stretching when pulled in the width direction C of the carrier 405 when the transporting device 401 changes form from the carrier unfolded form (see FIG. 19) to the release form (see FIG. 20). In this way, by providing the breakable portion 13a to the connecting portion 13, the sheet-like material 600 can be released more easily when the transporting device 401 is in the release form (see FIG. 20).

[0096] In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 13 connects the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 on the distal side of the first sheet-shaped portion 205a as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet-shaped portion 205b as the second mounting portion 12, but this configuration is not limited thereto. The connecting portion 13 may, for example, connect the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 on the proximal side of the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12. The connecting portion 13 may also, for example, connect the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12 on both the distal and proximal sides of the first mounting portion 11 and the second mounting portion 12. Therefore, the aforementioned planned breaking portion 13a may also be formed on the proximal side of the first sheet-shaped portion 205a as the first mounting portion 11 and the second sheet-shaped portion 205b as the second mounting portion 12.

[0097] Sixth Embodiment Next, referring to Figures 21 and 22, a description will be given of a transfer device 501 as another embodiment of a transfer device according to the present disclosure. Transfer device 501 of this embodiment differs from transfer device 301 as the fourth embodiment described above mainly in that the configuration of carrier 5 is different, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, only the above differences will be described here, and a description of the same configuration as transfer device 301 will be omitted.

[0098] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the carrier unfolded form of the transfer instrument 501, in which the carrier 5 of the transfer instrument 501 is in an unfolded state. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the release form of the transfer instrument 501, in which the transfer instrument 501 is in a form in which it is possible to release the sheet-like material 600 toward a treatment target site in a living body near the treatment target site.

[0099] The carrier 5 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the transfer device 1 of the above-described first embodiment. That is, the transfer device 501 of this embodiment is obtained by replacing the carrier 205 in the transfer device 301 of the above-described fourth embodiment with the carrier 5 of the transfer device 1 of the above-described first embodiment.

[0100] Specifically, the carrier 5 of this embodiment includes a first sheet member 5a serving as a first mounting portion 11, and a second sheet member 5b serving as a second mounting portion 12 that is separate from the first sheet member 5a. The first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b of this embodiment can vary the width W of the gap G therebetween by moving in the width direction C of the carrier 5. The movement of the first sheet member 5a and the second sheet member 5b of this embodiment in the width direction C of the carrier 5 is achieved by changing the state of the first curved portion 321a of the first shaft portion 321 and the second curved portion 322a of the second shaft portion 322 between a straightened state (see FIG. 21) and a curved state (see FIG. 22), similar to the transferring device 301 of the fourth embodiment described above.

[0101] The transfer device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0102] The present disclosure relates to a transfer device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1: Transfer equipment 2: Cylinder 2a: Hollow part 3: Moving object 4: Shaft 5: Career 5a: First sheet member (an example of a first placement portion) 5a1: Base portion of first sheet member 5a2: Side wall portion of first sheet member 5b: Second sheet member (an example of a second placement portion) 5b1: Base portion of second sheet member 5b2: Side wall portion of second sheet member 6: Sheet placement surface 11: First placement section 12: Second placement section 13:Connection part 13a: rupture section 21: First shaft section 21a: Operation unit 22: Second shaft section 23: Shaft body of the first shaft section 24: Ring gear of the first shaft (an example of a power transmission part) 25: Shaft body of the second shaft section 26: Ring gear of second shaft 90: Holding member 101: Transfer equipment 105a: First sheet member (an example of a first placement portion) 105a1: base portion of first sheet member 105a2: Side wall portion of the first sheet member 105b: second sheet member (an example of a second placement portion) 105b1: Base portion of second sheet member 105b2: Side wall portion of second sheet member 201: Transfer equipment 205: Career 205a: First sheet-shaped portion (an example of a first placement portion) 205b: Second sheet-shaped portion (an example of a second placement portion) 205c: Extension part (an example of a connecting part) 205c1: Small hole 206: Sheet placement surface 301: Transfer equipment 304: Shaft 321: First shaft section 321a: First curved section 322: Second shaft section 322a: Second curved section 327: Shaft base 327a:Operation unit 501: Transfer equipment 600: Sheet-like material 700: Heart 800: Chest 800a: Incision wound A: Axial axis of the cylinder B1: Circumferential direction around the central axis of the first shaft part B2: Circumferential direction around the central axis of the second shaft part C: Width direction of carrier D1: Inner diameter of the cylinder G: Gap L1: Extension length of the carrier in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder O1: Central axis of the first shaft part O2: Central axis of the second shaft O3: Central axis of the cylinder W: Gap width

Claims

1. A transfer device capable of transferring a sheet-like material into a living body, A cylindrical body and a movable body that is movable within the cylindrical body in an axial direction of the cylindrical body, The moving body is A shaft, a carrier connected to a distal end of the shaft and capable of placing the sheet-like object thereon; The carrier is a transfer device having a first placement portion and a second placement portion on which the sheet-like material can be placed so as to straddle each other, and which has a variable width of the gap defined between them.

2. the shaft includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion extending in parallel within the cylindrical body, the first mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the first shaft portion; the second mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the second shaft portion; The transfer device according to claim 1 , wherein the width of the gap between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion can be changed by rotating the first shaft portion.

3. The transfer device according to claim 2 , wherein the width of the gap between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion can be changed by rotating both the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion.

4. the first shaft portion includes a power transmission portion that transmits power to the second shaft portion, The transfer device of claim 3 , wherein the second shaft portion is rotatable in conjunction with rotation of the first shaft portion by the power transmission portion.

5. A transfer device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising a retaining member located within the cylindrical body, which holds the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion rotatably and maintains a distance between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical body.

6. 5. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting portions of the carrier are formed of separate sheet members.

7. the carrier includes a connecting portion that connects the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion on at least one of a distal side and a proximal side of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, 5. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion, and the connecting portion of the carrier are integrally formed from a stretchable sheet member.

8. The transfer device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second mounting portions are movable in a width direction of the carrier, thereby varying the width of the gap therebetween.

9. the shaft includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion extending in parallel within the cylindrical body, the first mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the first shaft portion; the second mounting portion of the carrier is connected to a distal end of the second shaft portion; the first shaft portion includes a curved portion that has a shape memorized in a curved state in which the first shaft portion is curved so that a distance between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion increases from a proximal side to a distal side, the first shaft portion can be accommodated within the cylindrical body in a corrected state in which the first shaft portion is elastically deformed so that the curved portion extends along the axial direction of the cylindrical body, 9. The transfer device of claim 8, wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are capable of varying the width of the gap between them by moving in the width direction in accordance with the change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the curved portion of the first shaft portion.

10. When the curved portion of the first shaft portion is a first curved portion, the second shaft portion includes a second curved portion that is shape-memorized in a curved state in which the second shaft portion is curved such that the distance between the second shaft portion and the first shaft portion increases from the proximal side to the distal side, the second shaft portion can be accommodated within the cylindrical body in a corrected state in which the second curved portion is elastically deformed so as to extend along the axial direction of the cylindrical body, 10. The transfer device of claim 9, wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are capable of varying the width of the gap between them by moving in the width direction in accordance with a change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the first curved portion of the first shaft portion and a change in state between the curved state and the straightened state of the second curved portion of the second shaft portion.

11. the carrier includes a connecting portion connecting the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion on at least one of a distal side and a proximal side of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, 11. The transfer device according to claim 8, wherein the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion, and the connecting portion of the carrier are integrally formed from a stretchable sheet member.

12. the carrier includes a connecting portion connecting the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion on at least one of a distal side and a proximal side of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, the first mounting portion, the second mounting portion, and the connecting portion of the carrier are formed of an integral sheet member, 11. The transfer device according to claim 8, wherein the connecting portion has a breakable portion formed therein that breaks when the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion move so that the width of the gap widens.

13. 11. The transfer device according to claim 8, wherein the first and second mounting portions of the carrier are formed by separate sheet members.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Device for adhering sheetlike material within living body

    WO2022080459A1