Image diagnostic catheter

Abstract

To provide an image diagnostic catheter equipped with a conductive ring part and a conductive brush part.SOLUTION: An image diagnostic catheter includes: an ultrasonic transmission / reception part; a housing for supporting the ultrasonic transmission / reception part; an electric signal line connected electrically with the ultrasonic transmission / reception part; a shaft body connected to a proximal side of the housing; and a hub member for covering a proximal end part of the shaft body and supporting the shaft body relatively rotatably. The proximal end part of the shaft body includes a conductive ring part electrically connected to the electric signal line, and the hub member includes a conductive brush part that comes in contract with the conductive ring part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to diagnostic imaging catheters. [Background technology]

[0002] Diagnostic imaging catheters that utilize intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to obtain images for diagnosing diseased areas in a living body have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of diagnostic imaging catheter. The diagnostic imaging catheter disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a drive shaft. Patent Document 1 also discloses an external device to which the diagnostic imaging catheter is connected. The external device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a motor for rotating the drive shaft of the diagnostic imaging catheter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-51500 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The external device described in Patent Document 1 typically includes a conductive ring portion and a conductive brush portion that constitute a slip ring brush. By including the conductive ring portion and the conductive brush portion in the external device, when the external device generates an intracavity image based on an ultrasound signal acquired from an imaging diagnostic catheter that uses IVUS, it is possible to maintain the electrical connection between the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver portion, which is a rotating body, and the external device, which is a stationary body, while suppressing physical twisting of the portion connecting the two.

[0005] However, the conductive ring portion and the conductive brush portion are subject to wear due to sliding. Wear of the conductive ring portion and the conductive brush portion due to sliding generates wear debris. The wear debris may cause image noise in intracavitary images based on ultrasound signals. Therefore, when a conductive ring portion and a conductive brush portion are mounted in an external device serving as a repeatedly used driving device, they must be durable enough to withstand long-term use, and highly durable conductive ring portions and conductive brush portions must be used. On the other hand, it is also possible to configure the external device so that the conductive ring portion and the conductive brush portion are replaceable. In this case, the external device must be configured so that the conductive ring portion and the conductive brush portion are replaceable. This can complicate the configuration of the external device. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a diagnostic imaging catheter that can be used with an external device, regardless of whether the external device includes a conductive ring portion and a conductive brush portion.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a catheter for diagnostic imaging that includes a conductive ring portion and a conductive brush portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: (1) an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit; a housing supporting the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver; an electric signal line electrically connected to the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit; a shaft body connected to a proximal side of the housing; a hub member that covers a proximal end of the shaft body and supports the shaft body so that it can rotate relatively, the proximal end of the shaft body includes a conductive ring portion electrically connected to the electrical signal line; The hub member is a catheter for diagnostic imaging, and includes a conductive brush portion that contacts the conductive ring portion.

[0008] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (2) The shaft body is A coil shaft portion; a conductive connection pipe portion that is covered by the hub member and attached to the coil shaft portion, In the diagnostic imaging catheter according to (1) above, the conductive ring portion is the connecting pipe portion.

[0009] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (3) The shaft body is A coil shaft portion; a connecting pipe portion that is covered by the hub member and attached to the coil shaft portion; a ring body supported on the outer surface of the connecting pipe section and having a lower electrical resistance than a layer constituting the outer surface of the connecting pipe section, In the diagnostic imaging catheter according to (1) above, the conductive ring portion is the ring body.

[0010] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (4) The diagnostic imaging catheter according to (3) above, wherein the layer constituting the outer surface of the connecting pipe portion is made of an insulating material.

[0011] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (5) The diagnostic imaging catheter is described in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the electrical signal line extends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft body through a hollow portion defined inside the shaft body.

[0012] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (6) The hub member is an insertion passage through which the shaft body is inserted; an injection path that communicates with the insertion passage at a communication portion between the distal end and the proximal end of the insertion passage and that allows a liquid to be injected into the insertion passage from the outside; the hub member includes a seal portion that closes the insertion passage around the shaft body at a position in the insertion passage that is closer to the proximal side than the communication portion, The catheter for diagnostic imaging described in any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the conductive ring portion of the shaft body and the conductive brush portion of the hub member are positioned proximal to the seal portion.

[0013] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (7) the hub member includes a connector portion connectable to a drive device that can drive the shaft body so as to rotate the shaft body relative to the hub member, The catheter for diagnostic imaging described in any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the conductive ring portion of the shaft body and the conductive brush portion of the hub member are positioned distal to the connector portion.

[0014] A diagnostic imaging catheter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (8) The diagnostic imaging catheter according to any one of (1) to (7) above, further comprising a sheath that houses the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit, the housing, the electrical signal line, and the shaft body, distal to the hub member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present disclosure, a diagnostic imaging catheter including a conductive ring portion and a conductive brush portion can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an imaging diagnostic system including a catheter for imaging diagnostics according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the diagnostic imaging catheter shown in FIG. 1 alone, showing the state in which the probe and the inner tube are pushed in. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the diagnostic imaging catheter shown in FIG. 1 alone, showing a state in which the probe and the inner tube are pulled out. [Figure 3] FIG. 2B shows the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the proximal end of the shaft body of the diagnostic imaging catheter shown in FIG. 1 and a hub member covering the proximal end of the shaft body. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view showing details of a conductive ring portion and a conductive brush portion shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 4, showing the inside of an insertion passage of a hub member. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the conductive ring portion shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the conductive ring portion shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modified example of the diagnostic imaging catheter shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a catheter for diagnostic imaging according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an imaging diagnostic system 100 including an imaging diagnostic catheter 110 as one embodiment of the imaging diagnostic catheter according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the imaging diagnostic system 100 includes the imaging diagnostic catheter 110 and an imaging diagnostic device 120. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the imaging diagnostic catheter 110 is connected to the imaging diagnostic device 120.

[0019] 2A and 2B are views showing the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 shown in FIG. 1 alone. As will be described in detail later, FIGS. 2A and 2B show different positions of the probe 10 within the sheath 20. FIG. 3 is a view showing the distal end portion (hereinafter referred to as the "distal end portion") of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110. FIG. 4 is a view showing the proximal end portion 13a of the shaft body 13 of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 and a hub member 32 covering the proximal end portion 13a of the shaft body 13. For ease of explanation, FIG. 4 shows a side view of a portion of the configuration including the proximal end portion 13a of the shaft body 13. The diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is configured to be able to acquire tomographic images of a lumen, such as a blood vessel. As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is driven by being connected to a diagnostic imaging device 120. More specifically, in this embodiment, the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is connectable to a drive unit 120a of the diagnostic imaging device 120.

[0020] The diagnostic imaging device 120 is connectable to a diagnostic imaging catheter equipped with an imaging unit including an ultrasound transmitter / receiver. The diagnostic imaging device 120 of this embodiment is connectable to a diagnostic imaging catheter using IVUS and a dual-type diagnostic imaging catheter using both IVUS and optical coherence tomography (OCT) or optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI). However, the diagnostic imaging device 120 may be connectable to a diagnostic imaging catheter equipped with an imaging unit including an optical transmitter / receiver but not an ultrasound transmitter / receiver. That is, the diagnostic imaging device 120 may be connectable to, for example, a diagnostic imaging catheter using IVUS and a dual-type diagnostic imaging catheter using both IVUS and OCT or OFDI, as well as a diagnostic imaging catheter using OCT or OFDI without IVUS. The diagnostic imaging device 120 may be capable of generating intraluminal images using at least one of ultrasound and light, corresponding to the connected diagnostic imaging catheter.

[0021] <Imaging diagnostic catheter 110> First, the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 of this embodiment is a so-called IVUS catheter in which the imaging unit 60 includes an ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit 61a but does not include an optical transmitting and receiving unit. However, the diagnostic imaging catheter according to the present disclosure is not limited to the IVUS catheter of this embodiment as long as the imaging unit 60 includes the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit 61a. Therefore, the diagnostic imaging catheter according to the present disclosure may be, for example, a dual-type catheter in which the imaging unit includes both an ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit and an optical transmitting and receiving unit (see Fig. 9).

[0022] Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 will be referred to as the "longitudinal direction A." Furthermore, the side of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 in the longitudinal direction A that is inserted into a living body will be referred to as the "distal side." Furthermore, the side of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 in the longitudinal direction A that is operated outside the living body will be referred to as the "proximal side." The direction from the proximal side to the distal side of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 may be simply referred to as the "insertion direction A1." Furthermore, the direction from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 may be simply referred to as the "removal direction A2."

[0023] 1 to 2B, the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 includes a probe 10, a long sheath 20, an inner tube 30, and an outer tube 40. Each part of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 will be described in detail below.

[0024] [Probe 10] 3, the probe 10 includes an imaging unit 60, a shaft body 13, and an electric signal line 14 extending inside the shaft body 13. The imaging unit 60 includes an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 61a and a housing 61b.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging unit 60 is fixed to the distal end of the shaft body 13. The ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 61a of the imaging unit 60 includes an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is capable of transmitting ultrasound waves based on a pulse signal into a cavity within a living body and receiving ultrasound waves reflected from the biological tissue surrounding the cavity. The ultrasound transducer may include, for example, a main body and an electrode. The main body may include a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric material such as ceramics or quartz. The ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 61a can transmit and receive ultrasound waves using the ultrasound transducer.

[0026] The housing 61b supports the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 61a. The shaft body 13 is connected to the proximal side of the housing 61b. The housing 61b may be integrated with the shaft body 13. Therefore, the housing 61b may be directly connected to the shaft body 13 by adhesive or the like, or may be indirectly connected to the shaft body 13 via a connector or the like.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, a transmitting / receiving opening 61b1 is formed in the housing 61b. The transmitting / receiving opening 61b1 allows ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 61a to pass through. That is, the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 61a can transmit ultrasonic waves based on pulse signals to the lumen through this transmitting / receiving opening 61b1. The ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 61a can also receive ultrasonic waves reflected from biological tissue surrounding the lumen through this transmitting / receiving opening 61b1.

[0028] The ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 61a may be supported by the housing 61b via a backing member. The backing member scatters and attenuates ultrasonic waves traveling from the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 61a to the opposite side of the transmitter / receiver opening 61b1 of the housing 61b. The configuration for fixing the backing member to the housing 61b is not particularly limited. The backing member may be fixed to the housing 61b by, for example, bonding with an adhesive.

[0029] The housing 61b may be formed by, for example, cutting out a metal block or by MIM (metal powder injection molding).

[0030] 1 to 4, the shaft body 13 extends through the inside of the sheath 20, the inner tube 30, and the outer tube 40. As described above, the distal end of the shaft body 13 is connected to the housing 61b of the imaging unit 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the proximal end 13a of the shaft body 13 is supported by a hub member 32 (described below) that constitutes the proximal end of the inner tube 30.

[0031] More specifically, the shaft body 13 of this embodiment comprises a coil shaft portion 71, a conductive connecting pipe portion 72 that is covered by a hub member 32 described later and attached to the coil shaft portion 71, and a shaft connector portion 73 that can be connected to the drive unit 120a.

[0032] The coil shaft portion 71 of this embodiment extends from a distal end connected to the housing 61b to a proximal end connected to the shaft connector portion 73. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the coil shaft portion 71 of this embodiment extends in the longitudinal direction A within the sheath 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the proximal end of the coil shaft portion 71 is covered by a hub member 32, which will be described later.

[0033] The coil shaft portion 71 may be configured, for example, by a multi-layer coil with different winding directions around the axis. Examples of the coil material include stainless steel and Ni-Ti (nickel-titanium) alloy. By using such a coil shaft portion 71, even if the two electrical signal lines 14 are configured as twisted pair cables, as described below, it is possible to improve shielding properties and reduce the effects of noise generated from the electrical signal lines 14.

[0034] The connecting pipe portion 72 is attached integrally to the outer circumferential surface of the coil shaft portion 71. The proximal end of the connecting pipe portion 72 is connected to the shaft connector portion 73, similar to the coil shaft portion 71.

[0035] The shaft connector portion 73 is connected to the proximal side of the coil shaft portion 71 and the connection pipe portion 72. The shaft connector portion 73 is also covered by a hub member 32, which will be described later. The shaft body 13 is rotatable in the circumferential direction C when the shaft connector portion 73 is connected to a drive unit 120a (see FIG. 1) and is rotationally driven by the drive unit 120a. Here, the "circumferential direction C" means the direction around the central axis O of the shaft body 13.

[0036] Although details will be described later, the connection pipe portion 72 of this embodiment constitutes a conductive ring portion 80 (see FIGS. 4 to 6, etc.).

[0037] 3, the electric signal wire 14 extends inside the shaft body 13. Specifically, the electric signal wire 14 extends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft body 13 (the same direction as the longitudinal direction A) through a hollow portion 13b defined inside the shaft body 13. More specifically, the electric signal wire 14 extends through the hollow portion 13b defined inside the coil shaft portion 71 of the shaft body 13, and is electrically connected to the connection pipe portion 72 serving as the conductive ring portion 80.

[0038] When the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is connected to the diagnostic imaging device 120 (see FIG. 1), the electric signal wire 14 electrically connects the ultrasound transmission / reception unit 61a of the imaging unit 60 to the diagnostic imaging device 120 (see FIG. 1) via a conductive ring portion 80 and a conductive brush portion 81 (described later). A plurality of electric signal wires 14 are provided, and each electric signal wire 14 is connected to an electrode of the ultrasound transmission / reception unit 61a of the imaging unit 60. The plurality of electric signal wires 14 may be configured, for example, as a twisted pair cable in which two electric signal wires 14 are twisted together. Each electric signal wire 14 may be a flexible thin wire member having an outer diameter greater than 0 mm and equal to or less than 0.1 mm. Each electric signal wire 14 may be configured, for example, as a conductor and a covering material formed of an insulating material that covers the conductor.

[0039] [Sheath 20] The sheath 20 is an elongated member that is inserted into a lumen such as a blood vessel. The sheath 20 is located distal to a hub member 32, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sheath 20 accommodates the probe 10 therein. That is, the sheath 20 accommodates the ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 61a, the housing 61b, the electric signal line 14, and the shaft body 13 therein.

[0040] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sheath 20 includes a main body 20a and a guidewire insertion portion 20b. A first hollow portion 21a is defined inside the main body 20a. A second hollow portion 21b is defined in the guidewire insertion portion 20b. A probe 10 is housed in the first hollow portion 21a of the main body 20a. The probe 10 can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction A within the first hollow portion 21a. A guidewire W can be inserted into the second hollow portion 21b of the guidewire insertion portion 20b. As shown in FIG. 3, the guidewire insertion portion 20b may be provided with a radiopaque marker portion 23. The radiopaque marker portion 23 can be formed of a metal pipe or coil that is highly radiopaque, such as platinum, gold, iridium, or tungsten. 3 is adjacent to the distal end of the tubular main body 20a so as to be parallel to each other. The main body 20a and the guidewire insertion portion 20b may be formed by joining different tubular members together by heat fusion or the like, for example.

[0041] 3, a communication hole 22a1 that connects the inside and outside of the first hollow portion 21a is formed in the distal end of the main body portion 20a. A reinforcing member 22 for firmly joining and supporting the guidewire insertion portion 20b may be provided in the distal end of the main body portion 20a. A communication passage 22a that connects the inside of the first hollow portion 21a, which is located proximal to the reinforcing member 22, with the communication hole 22a1 is formed in the reinforcing member 22. However, the reinforcing member 22 does not necessarily have to be provided in the distal end of the main body portion 20a.

[0042] The communication hole 22a1 is a priming solution discharge hole for discharging the priming solution. When the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is used, a priming process is performed in which the priming solution is filled into the main body 20a of the sheath 20. When performing the priming process, the priming solution is discharged to the outside through the communication hole 22a1, and gas such as air can be discharged from the main body 20a of the sheath 20 together with the priming solution.

[0043] The sheath 20 and the reinforcing member 22 are preferably formed of a flexible material, but the material is not particularly limited. Examples of the constituent materials include various thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene-based, polyolefin-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polyimide-based, polybutadiene-based, trans-polyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, and chlorinated polyethylene-based materials. Combinations of one or more of these materials (polymer alloys, polymer blends, laminates, etc.) may also be used. The outer surface of the sheath 20 may also be provided with a hydrophilic lubricating coating layer that exhibits lubricity when wet.

[0044] [Inner tube 30 and outer tube 40] The inner tube 30 and the outer tube 40 have a telescopic structure, that is, the inner tube 30 is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction A within the outer tube 40, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0045] 1, 2A, 2B, and 4, the inner tube 30 includes an inner tube main body 31 and a hub member 32. The inner tube main body 31 is inserted into the outer tube 40 so as to be movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction A. The hub member 32 is connected to the proximal side of the inner tube main body 31.

[0046] 4, the shaft body 13 extends inside the inner tube main body 31 and the hub member 32. The proximal end portion 13a of the shaft body 13 is covered by the hub member 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the proximal end portion 13a of the shaft body 13 in this embodiment includes a connection pipe portion 72 and a shaft connector portion 73. In other words, the connection pipe portion 72 and the shaft connector portion 73 in this embodiment are covered by the hub member 32.

[0047] Furthermore, the hub member 32 supports the shaft body 13 so that the shaft body 13 can rotate relatively to the hub member 32. Specifically, the hub member 32 supports the shaft body 13 so that the shaft body 13 can rotate relatively in the circumferential direction C.

[0048] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the hub member 32 of this embodiment defines an insertion passage 51 through which the shaft body 13 can be inserted. With the shaft body 13 inserted into the insertion passage 51, the hub member 32 supports the shaft body 13 in the radial direction B. Here, the "radial direction B" refers to the radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the central axis O of the shaft body 13 in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis O of the shaft body 13.

[0049] The hub member 32 of this embodiment includes a hub main body 32a, a bearing 32b, and a seal portion 32c. The hub main body 32a defines an insertion passage 51 therein that extends along the longitudinal direction A. The bearing 32b is fitted into the insertion passage 51 of the hub main body 32a. The bearing 32b defines a through hole 32b1 that penetrates in the longitudinal direction A. The shaft body 13 of this embodiment is inserted into the through hole 32b1 of the bearing 32b in the insertion passage 51, and is supported in the radial direction B by the bearing 32b. More specifically, the shaft body 13 of this embodiment is supported in the radial direction B by the bearing 32b because the outer surface of the connection pipe portion 72 is in contact with and supported by the inner surface of the bearing 32b that defines the through hole 32b1.

[0050] Furthermore, the hub member 32 of this embodiment defines an injection passage 52 therein in addition to the insertion passage 51. More specifically, in this embodiment, the hub body 32a of the hub member 32 defines the insertion passage 51 and the injection passage 52 therein. The injection passage 52 communicates with the insertion passage 51 at a communication portion 53 between the distal end 51a and the proximal end 51b of the insertion passage 51, and is a space through which liquid can be injected into the insertion passage 51 from the outside. The seal portion 32c closes the insertion passage 51 around the shaft body 13 at a position in the insertion passage 51 proximal to the communication portion 53. More specifically, the seal portion 32c of this embodiment surrounds the periphery of the shaft body 13 at a position in the insertion passage 51 proximal to the communication portion 53. The seal portion 32c of this embodiment closes the insertion passage 51 together with the bearing 32b around the shaft body 13. However, the seal portion 32c is not limited to a configuration that cooperates with the bearing 32b to close the insertion passage 51. The seal portion 32c may be configured, for example, to block the gap in the insertion passage 51 around the shaft body 13 by itself. In other words, "the seal portion closes the insertion passage around the shaft body" means that the seal portion closes the insertion passage around the shaft body by itself or in cooperation with another portion. The provision of such a seal portion 32c can prevent liquid injected into the insertion passage 51 through the injection path 52 from flowing proximal to the seal portion 32c. The seal portion 32c of this embodiment may be configured, for example, by an O-ring, an X-ring, or the like.

[0051] The hub member 32 of this embodiment also includes a connector portion 55. The connector portion 55 is connectable to a drive device 120a (see FIG. 1) that can drive the shaft body 13 so as to rotate the shaft body 13 relatively to the hub member 32. More specifically, the hub body 32a of this embodiment includes a main body portion 32a1 that defines an insertion passage 51 therein, and a port portion 32a2 that protrudes from the main body portion 32a1 in the radial direction B and defines an injection passage 52 therein. The connector portion 55 is provided on the main body portion 32a1. More specifically, the connector portion 55 is configured as a tubular portion that includes the proximal end of the main body portion 32a1 that serves as the proximal end of the hub member 32. As shown in FIG. 1, a tube member 200 can be connected to the port portion 32a2. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B and 4, the port portion 32a2 is located distal to the connector portion 55.

[0052] As will be described in detail later, as shown in FIG. 4, the hub member 32 includes a conductive brush portion 81 that contacts the conductive ring portion 80 of the shaft body 13. In this embodiment, the conductive brush portion 81 is held by a brush holder 82 that is fixed to the hub main body 32a. The hub member 32 in this embodiment also includes an electrical contact portion 83 that is held by the connector portion 55 and electrically connected to the drive unit 120a when the connector portion 55 is connected to the drive unit 120a. The conductive brush portion 81 is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion 83 via a conductive member 84 that is held by the main body portion 32a1 of the hub main body 32a. In other words, the conductive brush portion 81 is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion 83.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B, the outer tube 40 is fixed to the proximal end of the sheath 20. The outer tube 40 of this embodiment includes an outer tube main body 41, a distal connector 42, and a proximal connector 43. The outer tube main body 41 is located radially outside the inner tube main body 31, and the inner tube main body 31 moves back and forth within the outer tube main body 41. The distal connector 42 connects the proximal end of the main body 20a of the sheath 20 to the distal end of the outer tube main body 41. The proximal connector 43 is fixed to the proximal end of the outer tube main body 41.

[0054] The shaft body 13 and electrical signal line 14 of the above-mentioned probe 10 extend from a position within the main body portion 20a of the sheath 20, through the outer tube 40 connected to the proximal side of the main body portion 20a, to a position within the hub member 32 of the inner tube 30.

[0055] The probe 10 and the inner tube 30 are connected to each other so that they can integrally move forward and backward in the longitudinal direction A. Therefore, for example, when the inner tube 30 is pushed in the insertion direction A1, the inner tube 30 is pushed into the outer tube 40 in the insertion direction A1. When the inner tube 30 is pushed into the outer tube 40 in the insertion direction A1, the probe 10 connected to the inner tube 30 moves in the insertion direction A1 within the main body portion 20a of the sheath 20. This results in the pushed-in state shown in FIG. 2A. When the inner tube 30 is pulled in the withdrawal direction A2 from the pushed-in state shown in FIG. 2A, the inner tube 30 is withdrawn from the outer tube 40 in the withdrawal direction A2. When the inner tube 30 is withdrawn from the outer tube 40 in the withdrawal direction A2, the probe 10 connected to the inner tube 30 moves in the withdrawal direction A2 within the main body portion 20a of the sheath 20. This results in the withdrawn state shown in FIG. 2B.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 1, when the hub member 32 of the inner tube 30 of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is connected to the driving device 120a of the diagnostic imaging device 120, the driving device 120a can move the probe 10 and the inner tube 30 in the removal direction A2 while rotating the probe 10 from the pushed-in state shown in Fig. 2A to the pulled-out state shown in Fig. 2B. Hereinafter, this operation may be referred to as a "pull-back imaging operation." Based on the ultrasound signals acquired by the ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 61a of the imaging unit 60 during this pull-back imaging operation, the diagnostic imaging device 120 can generate a tomographic image of a lumen, such as a blood vessel, as an intracavity image over a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction A.

[0057] <Imaging diagnostic device 120> Next, a description will be given of the details of the diagnostic imaging device 120. As shown in Fig. 1, the diagnostic imaging device 120 includes a drive unit 120a, a control unit 120b, and a display unit 120c that can display an image generated by the control unit 120b based on the received signals of ultrasound and light received from the diagnostic imaging catheter 110.

[0058] The drive unit 120a includes a first drive motor 121, which is a power source for rotating the probe 10 (see FIG. 2A, etc.) of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 in the circumferential direction C, a second drive motor 122, which is a power source for moving the probe 10 and the inner tube 30 (see FIG. 2A, etc.) in the longitudinal direction A, and a ball screw 123.

[0059] The diagnostic imaging catheter 110 of this embodiment is configured so that the connector portion 55 of the hub member 32 is connectable to the drive unit 120a. Then, in a state in which the connector portion 55 of the hub member 32 is connected to the drive unit 120a (see FIG. 1), the first drive motor 121 can rotationally drive the shaft connector portion 73 of the shaft body 13. In other words, the imaging unit 60 of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is rotationally driven by the first drive motor 121 via the shaft body 13, and can rotate in the circumferential direction C.

[0060] 1, the rotational motion of the second drive motor 122 is converted into axial motion by, for example, a ball screw 123 connected to the second drive motor 122. In this way, the drive device 120a can execute a pull-back imaging operation in which the probe 10 of the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is rotated by the first drive motor 121 while the second drive motor 122 moves the probe 10 and the inner tube 30 in the removal direction A2.

[0061] The control device 120b includes a processor, such as a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control device 120b executes processes related to the operation of the imaging diagnostic device 120 while controlling each unit of the imaging diagnostic device 120. Specifically, the control device 120b controls the operation of the first drive motor 121 and the second drive motor 122 of the drive device 120a. As described above, the control device 120b can generate a lumen image based on a reception signal of an ultrasound wave received from the imaging diagnostic catheter 110. Furthermore, the control device 120b can control the display device 120c to display the generated lumen image on the display device 120c. The control device 120b may further include a storage unit, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0062] The display device 120c is, for example, a display. The display device 120c is, for example, an LCD, an organic EL display, or an HMD. "LCD" is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. "EL" is an abbreviation for Electro Luminescence. "HMD" is an abbreviation for Head-Mounted Display.

[0063] 1, the driving device 120a and the control device 120b are electrically connected in the diagnostic imaging device 120. The display device 120c and the control device 120b are also electrically connected in the diagnostic imaging device 120. The driving device 120a, the control device 120b, and the display device 120c may be configured as separate devices electrically connected via cables, or may be incorporated into an integrated device.

[0064] Furthermore, the image diagnostic apparatus 120 is not limited to the configuration shown in this embodiment, and may be configured to further include an external input unit such as a keyboard.

[0065] <<Conductive Ring Portion 80 and Conductive Brush Portion 81>> Next, the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 includes a conductive ring portion 80 and a conductive brush portion 81. More specifically, the proximal end portion 13a of the shaft body 13 includes the conductive ring portion 80 that is electrically connected to the electrical signal line 14. In addition, the hub member 32 includes the conductive brush portion 81 that contacts the conductive ring portion 80.

[0066] 5, the conductive ring portion 80 in this embodiment is the connection pipe portion 72 of the shaft body 13. The conductive brush portion 81 of the hub member 32 is in contact with the connection pipe portion 72 so as to slide against the connection pipe portion 72 of the rotating shaft body 13.

[0067] The diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is provided with a conductive ring portion 80 and a conductive brush portion 81, which makes it possible to maintain electrical connection between the probe 10 as a rotating body and the inner tube 30 as a stationary body while suppressing physical twisting between them.

[0068] More specifically, the conductive ring portion 80 is electrically connected to the ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 61a (see FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 60 via the electrical signal line 14. Furthermore, the conductive brush portion 81 is electrically connected to the driving device 120a when the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is connected to the driving device 120a (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the diagnostic imaging catheter 110 is connected to the driving device 120a (see FIG. 1), the ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 61a (see FIG. 3) of the imaging unit 60 is electrically connected to the driving device 120a via the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81. Furthermore, the probe 10 including the conductive ring portion 80 is driven to rotate by the first driving motor 121 of the driving device 120a. That is, the conductive ring portion 80 can rotate together with the imaging unit 60 (see FIG. 3) by the first driving motor 121. At this time, the hub member 32 connected to the driving device 120a does not rotate together with the imaging unit 60 (see FIG. 3). The conductive brush portion 81 of the hub member 32 slides against the rotating conductive ring portion 80. In other words, even if the imaging unit 60 (see FIG. 3) rotates, the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81 can maintain the electrical connection between the imaging unit 60 (see FIG. 3) and the drive device 120a.

[0069] The material constituting the connecting pipe portion 72 as the conductive ring portion 80 is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material, but may be, for example, a metal material such as a bronze, brass, silver, or gold alloy.

[0070] 5 and 6, the conductive brush part 81 of this embodiment includes a pair of brushes 81a, 81b arranged at positions facing each other in the radial direction B with the connecting pipe part 72 serving as the conductive ring part 80 sandwiched therebetween. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, three pairs of brushes 81a, 81b are arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction A, but this configuration is not limited to this. The number of pairs of brushes 81a, 81b arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction A may be, for example, four or more.

[0071] 7 and 8 are diagrams showing modified examples of the conductive ring portion 80. As shown in Fig. 7, the shaft body 113 includes a coil shaft portion 71, a connection pipe portion 72 that is covered by a hub member 32 and attached to the coil shaft portion 71, and a ring body 174 that is supported on the outer surface of the connection pipe portion 72 and has lower electrical resistance than the layer that forms the outer surface of the connection pipe portion 72. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the ring body 174 forms the conductive ring portion 80. A plurality of ring bodies 174 may be arranged, for example, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction A.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 7, the connection pipe portion 72 may be configured from a single layer. In other words, the layer that configures the outer surface of the connection pipe portion 72 shown in Fig. 7 refers to the single layer that configures the connection pipe portion 72. The configuration material of the connection pipe portion 72 shown in Fig. 7 may be, for example, a resin material serving as an insulating material. Specifically, the configuration material of the connection pipe portion 72 may be, for example, a resin material such as polycarbonate or FRP-based resin.

[0073] 7 may be made of any material having a lower electrical resistance than the connecting pipe portion 72, and may be, for example, a metal material such as a bronze, brass, silver, or gold alloy. The ring body 174 may be made of, for example, a coating film formed on the outer surface of the connecting pipe portion 72 by vapor deposition or the like.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting pipe portion 72 of the shaft body 113 may be composed of multiple layers. That is, the layer constituting the outer surface of the connecting pipe portion 72 shown in FIG. 8 is an outer layer 72b laminated on the outer surface of the inner layer 72a. In this case, the inner layer 72a may be made of, for example, a metal material. The outer layer 72b may be made of, for example, an insulating resin material. Specifically, the outer layer 72b of the connecting pipe portion 72 may be made of, for example, a resin material such as polycarbonate or FRP-based resin. The ring body 174 shown in FIG. 8 may be made of a material having lower electrical resistance than the outer layer 72b of the connecting pipe portion 72. The ring body 174 shown in FIG. 8 may be made of, for example, a metal material such as a bronze, brass, silver, or gold-based alloy.

[0075] 4, the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81 of this embodiment are preferably disposed proximal to the seal portion 32c. This allows the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81 to be disposed in a position where the liquid injected from the injection path 52 into the insertion passage 51 does not flow in, thereby preventing unintended electrical conduction between the conductive brush portions 81 through the liquid. Furthermore, for example, when the conductive ring portion 80 is formed by the ring body 174 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and a plurality of conductive ring portions 80 are disposed spaced apart in the longitudinal direction A, unintended electrical conduction between the plurality of conductive ring portions 80 through the liquid can also be prevented.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81 of this embodiment are disposed distally of the connector portion 55 of the hub member 32. This prevents the connector portion 55 of the hub member 32, which is connected to the driving device 120a (see FIG. 1), from having a complex configuration due to the arrangement of the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81 of this embodiment are also disposed distally of the shaft connector portion 73 of the shaft body 13. This prevents the shaft connector portion 73 of the shaft body 13, which is connected to the driving device 120a (see FIG. 1), from having a complex configuration due to the arrangement of the conductive ring portion 80 and the conductive brush portion 81.

[0077] The diagnostic imaging catheter according to the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications, alterations, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. The diagnostic imaging catheter 110 of the above-described embodiment is a so-called IVUS catheter. However, as shown in FIG. 9 , it may be a dual-type diagnostic imaging catheter 210 in which the imaging unit 60 includes an optical transceiver 61c in addition to an ultrasound transceiver 61a. In the diagnostic imaging catheter 210 shown in FIG. 9 , the optical transceiver 61c is supported by a housing 61b together with the ultrasound transceiver 61a. As shown in FIG. 9 , the optical transceiver 61c may include, for example, a ball lens 61c1. The diagnostic imaging catheter 210 shown in FIG. 9 also includes an optical signal line 15 optically connected to the optical transceiver 61c. The optical signal line 15 may be, for example, an optical fiber. As shown in FIG. 9 , the optical signal line 15 extends within the shaft body 13 together with the electrical signal line 14. The optical signal line 15 extends from the position where it is optically connected to the optical transceiver 61c to the shaft connector portion 73 of the shaft body 13. The hub member 32 is connected to the driving device 120a (see FIG. 1), whereby the optical signal line 15 is optically connected to the driving device 120a. In this manner, the diagnostic imaging catheter according to the present disclosure may be a dual-type diagnostic imaging catheter 210 as shown in FIG. 9. [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present disclosure relates to diagnostic imaging catheters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10: Probe 13, 113: Shaft body 13a: Proximal end of shaft body 13b: Hollow portion of shaft body 14: Electrical signal line 15: Optical signal line 20: Sheath 20a: Main body 20b: Guide wire insertion section 21a: 1st hollow part 21b: Second hollow part 22: Reinforcement member 22a: Communication path 22a1: Communication hole 23: Contrast marker section 30: Inner tube 31: Inner pipe body 32: Hub parts 32a: Hub body 32a1: Main body 32a2: Port section 32b: bearing 32b1:Through hole 32c: Seal part 40:Outer tube 41:Outer tube body 42: Distal connector 43: Proximal connector 51: Passage 51a: Distal end of insertion passage 51b: Proximal end of insertion passage 52: Injection path 53:Communication part 55: Connector part 60: Imaging unit 61a: Ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 61b: Housing 61b1: Transmitting and receiving opening 61c: Optical transmitter / receiver 61c1:Ball lens 71: Coil shaft part 72: Connection pipe part (an example of a conductive ring part) 72a: Inner layer 72b: Outer layer 73: Shaft connector part 80: Conductive ring part 81: Conductive brush part 81a, 81b: Brush 82: Brush holding member 83: Electrical contact part 84: Conductive material 100: Diagnostic imaging system 110, 210: Diagnostic imaging catheter 120: Diagnostic imaging equipment 120a: Drive unit 120b: Control device 120c:Display device 121: First drive motor 122: Second drive motor 123: Ball screw 174: Ring body (an example of a conductive ring part) 200: Tube material A: Longitudinal direction A1: Insertion direction A2: Removal direction B: Radial direction C: Circumferential direction O: Central axis of the shaft W: Guidewire

Claims

1. an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit; a housing supporting the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver; an electric signal line electrically connected to the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit; a shaft body connected to a proximal side of the housing; a hub member that covers a proximal end of the shaft body and supports the shaft body so that it can rotate relatively, the proximal end of the shaft body includes a conductive ring portion electrically connected to the electrical signal line; The hub member includes a conductive brush portion that contacts the conductive ring portion.

2. The shaft body is A coil shaft portion; a conductive connection pipe portion that is covered by the hub member and attached to the coil shaft portion, The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive ring portion is the connecting pipe portion.

3. The shaft body is A coil shaft portion; a connecting pipe portion that is covered by the hub member and attached to the coil shaft portion; a ring body supported on the outer surface of the connecting pipe section and having a lower electrical resistance than a layer constituting the outer surface of the connecting pipe section, The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive ring portion is the ring body.

4. The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 3 , wherein the layer constituting the outer surface of the connecting pipe portion is made of an insulating material.

5. 5. The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 1, wherein the electrical signal line extends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft through a hollow portion defined inside the shaft.

6. The hub member is an insertion passage through which the shaft body is inserted; an injection path that communicates with the insertion passage at a communication portion between the distal end and the proximal end of the insertion passage and that allows a liquid to be injected into the insertion passage from the outside; the hub member includes a seal portion that closes the insertion passage around the shaft body at a position in the insertion passage that is closer to the proximal side than the communication portion, 5. The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 1, wherein the conductive ring portion of the shaft body and the conductive brush portion of the hub member are disposed proximal to the seal portion.

7. the hub member includes a connector portion connectable to a drive device that can drive the shaft body so as to rotate the shaft body relative to the hub member, 5. The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 1, wherein the conductive ring portion of the shaft body and the conductive brush portion of the hub member are disposed distally of the connector portion.

8. 5. The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a sheath that houses the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit, the housing, the electrical signal line, and the shaft body, on the distal side of the hub member.

Images