Medical tubes having different color states

Abstract

The medical tube can have a chromic material such that the medical tube is configured to transition from a first color state to a second color state different from the first color state by application of a stimulus to the medical tube.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present disclosure generally relates to tubes, and more particularly to medical tubes that can be colored and are useful for the administration of medical fluids by infusion. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Plastic tubes are widely used in the medical field, particularly for patient analysis and treatment procedures. Since such tubes are typically colorless and transparent, practitioners can observe the state of fluid transport through the tubes. The infusion fluid is mainly in contact with a medical tube having a relatively large surface area outside its container. When the tube is colorless and transparent, the infusion fluid is exposed to a relatively large amount of ambient light when passing through the tube. 【0003】 However, the infusion fluid may contain photosensitive active ingredients (such as photosensitive drugs), and they require certain precautions for their administration. This is important because any exposure of the infusion fluid, especially exposure to ambient light, is highest when it is passing through the infusion tube. To reduce the potential degradation or inactivation of photosensitive drugs, practitioners have resorted to using amber or lightly colored tubes. In practice, hospitals may not be able or may not wish to stock two different types of tubes (ones with various connectors, etc.), and instead, examples can be seen where they cover the tube with a colored sleeve or an opaque cover to protect the infusion fluid containing the photosensitive drug. 【Summary of the Invention】 【0004】 Considering the above problems, there is a continuing need for medical tubes that can address the various requirements for medical applications. Aspects of the present technology relate to medical tubes having one or more chromic materials that are configured to transition from a first color state to one or more other color states, different from the first color state and from each other, such as a second color state (different from the first color state), upon application of a stimulus such as heat or light to the medical tube. Also, the medical tube can be configured such that the transition of the color state is reversed upon application or removal of the stimulus to the medical tube, e.g., transitioning from the second color state back to the original first color state. The one or more chromic materials can be coated onto the medical tube or included in one of the outer or intermediate layers of a multi-layer medical tube. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more chromic materials can be included in a liner on the outer surface layer of the medical tube. 【0005】 Advantages of the present technology include improvements in workflow, reduction in complexity, etc., by coding the medical tubes of the present disclosure in one or more different color states for administering different pharmaceutical fluids. For example, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of using the medical tube of the present disclosure includes administering a first pharmaceutical fluid within a first medical tube, wherein the color state of the first medical tube is formed by applying a stimulus to the first medical tube to transition the first medical tube from a first color state of the first medical tube to a different second color state. Additional tubes can be used for administering different pharmaceutical fluids. 【0006】 Another example involves using two or more medical tubes to administer two or more pharmaceutical fluids. This can include administering a first pharmaceutical fluid within a first medical tube and a second pharmaceutical fluid within a second medical tube, where the second medical tube has a certain color state and the first medical tube has a color state different from the color state of the second medical tube, and the color state of the first medical tube is formed by applying a stimulus to the first medical tube to transition the first medical tube from a first color state of the first medical tube to a different second color state of the first medical tube. Another way of using two or more medical tubes to administer two or more pharmaceutical fluids can include applying a stimulus to the first medical tube to transition the first medical tube from a first color state of the first medical tube to a different second color state of the first medical tube, and applying a stimulus to the second medical tube to transition the second medical tube from a first color state of the second medical tube to a different second color state of the second medical tube. In this method, the second color state of the first medical tube is different from the second color state of the second medical tube. The method can further include administering the first pharmaceutical fluid within the first medical tube and administering the second pharmaceutical fluid within the second medical tube. 【0007】 Embodiments include one or more of the following features, either individually or in combination. For example, one or more chromic materials can include thermochromic materials, and the stimulus can include heat. Such chromic materials can include one or more of leuco dyes, thermochromic inks, poly-3-hexylthiophene, polyacetylene vanadium dioxide, Ag2HgI4, or CoCl2. Another example includes cases where the chromic material includes a photochromic material and the stimulus includes light. Such chromic materials can include one or more of organometallic complexes, spiropyrans, spirooxazines, diarylethenes, azobenzenes, photochromic quinones, inorganic photochromic materials, salicylidene-aniline, 2-methylbenzoxazine, 4-methoxyazobenzene, or yttrium oxyhydride. In another embodiment, the medical tube is composed of one or more of polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or styrene-based thermoplastic olefin (TPO), or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). 【0008】 Further advantages of the present technology will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, where some aspects of the present technology are shown and described only as examples. It will be understood that the present technology can have other different configurations, and some of its details can be changed in various other respects without departing from the present technology. Therefore, the drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 【0009】 The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this specification. They illustrate the disclosed embodiments and, together with the description of the specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the figures, it is as follows. 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0010】 【Figure 1】 Figure 1 illustrates a medical tube according to an aspect of the present disclosure. **DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION** 【0011】 The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the various configurations of the technology and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the technology. Accordingly, specific dimensions are given as non-limiting examples for certain aspects. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the technology. 【0012】 It should be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the technology and that the present disclosure does not limit the scope of the appended claims. The various aspects of the technology are disclosed below according to specific, but non-limiting, examples. The various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in different ways and variations according to the desired application or practice. 【0013】 Aspects of the technology relate to medical devices that can contact both an infusion fluid containing a photosensitive component and a pharmaceutical fluid that does not contain such a component. Medical procedures often involve injecting a medical fluid (e.g., saline or liquid medicine) into a patient using an intravenous (IV) catheter connected to a fluid source, such as an IV bag, via the arrangement of a flexible tube and fittings commonly referred to as an "IV set." Other devices such as such medical tubes and infusion assemblies can be made of polymeric materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, and / or thermoplastic elastomers. 【0014】 Aspects of the present technology relate to tubes, and more particularly to medical tubes for administering medical fluids by infusion. The medical tube can be a single-layer tube or a multi-layer tube. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a medical-grade tube having a chromic material configured to transition from a first color state to a different second color state (different from the first color state) upon application of a stimulus such as heat or light. The medical tube can also be configured to transition from the second color state back to the original first color state upon application or removal of a stimulus to the medical tube. 【0015】 The chromic material can be coated on the outer surface of the medical tube by any coating technique including, for example, printing or painting. In combination with this, or as an alternative option, the chromic material can be included within the outer layer or intermediate layer of a multi-layer medical tube by incorporating the chromic material into the carrier resin of the outer layer and / or intermediate layer when forming the multi-layer medical tube. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the chromic material can be included in a liner on the outer surface of the medical tube. 【0016】 The above-described configurations in which the chromic material is incorporated into the outer layer or intermediate layer or liner are advantageous because the inner layer of the multi-layer tube, or the tube itself with an outer liner, can function as a barrier to prevent potential leaching of the chromic material into the medical fluid flowing through the tube. 【0017】 The chromic material can change the tube from a first color state to a different second color state. In some embodiments, the transition from the first color state is generally not reversible. In another embodiment, the transition can be reversible. That is, the second color state can be transitioned back to the first color state upon application or removal of a stimulus to the medical tube. 【0018】 The first coloring state can be colorless or a very light color so as to provide a medical tube in the first coloring state that is almost colorless or completely colorless, i.e., a colorless transparent tube. The chromic material is configured to transition the medical tube to a different second color state when an external stimulus is applied. Such a second color state can be a dark color such as red, maroon, brown, dark gray, green, blue, or a light color or yellow. The tube can be transparent or translucent in the second color state, or can exclude a significant amount (more than 50%) of visible light. In some embodiments, reapplying the stimulus or reapplying another stimulus can cause the medical tube to return to the first color state. This is achieved by using a color-switching agent such as a pigment or dye that changes color after application of a specific stimulus such as heat (thermochromic) or irradiation of a certain wavelength (photochromic). 【0019】 The chromic material can include one or more thermochromic materials that exhibit thermochromism, i.e., a color change caused by a change in temperature. Such thermochromic materials are widely used in discoloring daily necessities such as ceramic products and clothing. In many cases, the color reverses when the heat stimulus is removed, but in the present disclosure, materials that enable a unidirectional color change can be used. Non-limiting examples include one or more of leuco dyes, thermochromic inks, etc. Specific examples of organic thermochromic materials include poly-3-hexylthiophene and polyacetylene that undergo a color transition near 70 °C, while inorganic vanadium dioxide, Ag2HgI4, and CoCl2 that exhibit a color transition in the range of 50 °C to 75 °C are examples of inorganic materials. In this embodiment, hospital equipment that can be easily utilized, such as a blanket warmer, an IV bag warmer, etc., can be used to easily switch the tube type to its respective colored version. 【0020】 The amount of chromic material added onto or into a medical tube or its layer or liner depends on the nature of the chromic material (organic or inorganic) and the intensity of the desired color change. In the case of inorganic chromic materials, typically, in the range of 25% to 50% by weight of the inorganic material in the masterbatch, a maximum masterbatch addition of 5% is expected in the extruded polymer. Similarly, in the case of organic chromic materials, the final tube may be expected to have 100 ppm to 1,000 ppm of chromic material. 【0021】 In addition to, or instead of, this, the chromic material can include one or more photochromic materials that exhibit photochromism, i.e., a color change caused by the application of light of a certain wavelength. A wide variety of alternative options are included in such photochromic materials. This is because a plurality of different dyes and pigments that result in different color shades are readily available. Non-limiting examples include one or more of organometallic complexes, spiropyrans, spirooxazines, diarylethenes, azobenzenes, photochromic quinones, inorganic photochromic materials, and photochromic coordination compounds. Some of the above are reversible photochromic compounds, but the duration of the reversal can be sufficient or can be adjusted to provide protection to obtain the desired duration. Specific examples of organic photochromic materials include salicylidene-aniline, 2-methylbenzoxazine, and 4-methoxyazobenzene, which each cause a color conversion at wavelengths of 365 nm, 591 nm, and 365 nm, respectively. Similarly, the inorganic material yttrium hydrogen hydride exhibits a color change when exposed to broad-spectrum solar radiation. 【0022】 The advantage of a medical tube containing two or more chromic materials is that the tube can be configured to change from a first color state to one or more different second color states, such as a second color state, a third color state, a fourth color state, etc., where the first, second, third, and fourth color states, etc. each have a distinct color state that is different from any other color state. As an example, the medical tube of the present disclosure can include a first chromic material (chromic material A) and a second chromic material (chromic material B) on the tube or within the tube, or within one or more layers. Alternatively, different chromic materials (chromic material A) can be included in one layer of a multi-layer medical tube, and different other chromic materials (chromic material B) can be included in a second layer of the multi-layer medical tube. Instead of or in addition to the above, a plurality of chromic materials can be included in one or more liners on the outer surface of the medical tube, where the different chromic materials can be in the same liner or different liners on the medical tube. Thus, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a medical tube can include two or more chromic materials (chromic materials A and B) and can be configured to transition from a first color state to a different second color state or a different third color state or a different fourth color state, etc. by applying a stimulus to the medical tube. The medical tube can be further configured such that each of the transitions is reversible by the use of appropriate chromic materials and the application or removal of a stimulus. 【0023】 The second, third, fourth, etc. color states can be selected from different colors such as yellow, green, blue, red, maroon, brown, dark gray, etc. By selecting a medical tube that can change to different second, third, etc. color states, or by selecting first, second, and third medical tubes configured to change to a second color state, where each second color state of the second, third, etc. medical tubes is different from each other, the practitioner will be able to easily color-code the medical tubes into tubes of different colors and thus code-classify the tubes. Color-coding of medical tubes for administering different pharmaceutical fluids can help identify which tube is used for administering which pharmaceutical fluid when multiple medical tubes are used for administering different pharmaceutical fluids to a single patient. For example, a method of using two or more medical tubes to administer two or more pharmaceutical fluids can include administering a first pharmaceutical fluid within a first medical tube and administering a second pharmaceutical fluid within a second medical tube. Either one or both of those first and second medical tubes can cause a color change by applying a stimulus to the tube to differentiate the color of the tube. For example, the second medical tube can have a unique color state, and the first medical tube can have a color state different from the color state of the second medical tube. The color state of the first medical tube can be formed by applying a stimulus to the first medical tube to transition the first medical tube from a first color state of the first medical tube to a different second color state of the first medical tube. In another aspect, a method of using two or more medical tubes to administer two or more pharmaceutical fluids can include applying a stimulus to the first medical tube to transition the first medical tube from a first color state of the first medical tube to a different second color state of the first medical tube, and applying a stimulus to the second medical tube to transition the second medical tube from a first color state of the second medical tube to a different second color state of the second medical tube.In this method, the second color state of the first medical tube is different from the second color state of the second medical tube. This method can further include administering a first pharmaceutical fluid within the first medical tube and administering a second pharmaceutical fluid within the second medical tube. The pharmaceutical fluids can be different pharmaceutical fluids contained in tubes of different colors, which can facilitate the identification of various different pharmaceutical fluids to the patient. 【0024】 In one aspect of the present technology, the medical tube of the present disclosure can be changed to a second color state to create a light-shielding tube (for protecting the drug) or simply a colored tube to enable reduction of workflow confusion / complication. The thermochromic agent can be applied to the tube or incorporated into the extruded material. The medical tube and its layers of the present disclosure can be composed of one or more of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc., polystyrene (PS), styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or styrene-based thermoplastic olefin (TPO), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). 【0025】 Activation and switching can be achieved using a light source of the correct wavelength supplied as a separate durable accessory or by the application of heat. 【0026】 Figure 1 illustrates a medical tube according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, a medical tube 100, for example, for passing a fluid transport 200, can include a chromic material on the outer surface 110 of the tube. The medical tube can be composed of, for example, PVC or a thermoplastic elastomer. The chromic material can be incorporated onto the outer surface by any coating technique including painting, printing, etc. 【0027】 Instead of, or in addition to, an outer coating, the medical tube 100 can include a chromic material as a liner 120 of the tube 100. In such an embodiment, a conventional medical tube, such as one composed of PVC or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), has a lining on the outer surface of the tube, and the chromic material can be included in or on the lining. Such a liner or outer layer includes a polyolefin, such as polyethylene (PE) or a similar polyolefin, and the chromic material can be included in the polyolefin or in the layer. 【0028】 Instead of, or in addition to, any one or both of the above, the medical tube can include a chromic material within an outer layer 130. In such an embodiment, the medical tube 100 has at least one additional layer, such as an inner layer 132, that does not include the chromic material. The outer layer can be composed of PVC or TPE, and the inner layer can include, for example, polyethylene (PE) or a similar polyolefin. 【0029】 The advantage of using a liner or outer layer with a chromic material and an inner layer without the chromic material is that the tube with such a liner or outer layer can be configured to be impermeable to the transport of the chromic material from the liner or outer layer to, or through, the fluid transported through the tube. That is, a tube with a liner without the chromic material or a tube with an inner layer without the chromic material can be impermeable to the transport of the chromic material from the outer surface to the inner surface when the fluid is transported through the tube. 【0030】 In some embodiments, the outer layer 130 and the inner layer 132 can be formed from the same base material, for example, the same polymer resin material. These layers can be co-extruded such that the outer layer directly contacts the inner layer along the length of the tube, either without a bonding layer between the outer and inner layers or with a bonding layer between the outer and inner layers. 【0031】 For example, in some embodiments, the inner layer and the outer layer can each have a thickness in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, such as 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm. In some embodiments, the tube of the present disclosure can have an inner diameter through which fluid flow passes in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 6 mm, such as about 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, etc. to about 6 mm, such as 2 mm to 4 mm. 【0032】 The present disclosure is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement the various aspects described herein. The present disclosure provides various examples of the technology, but the technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications added to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may also apply to other aspects. 【0033】 References to elements in the singular are not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically stated otherwise, but rather "one or more." Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter (e.g., her and its), and vice versa. If there are headings and subheadings, they are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention. 【0034】 The phrase "exemplary" is used in this specification to mean "serving as an example or illustration". An aspect or design described as "exemplary" in this specification is not necessarily to be construed as more preferred or advantageous than another aspect or design. In one aspect, the various alternative configurations and operations described in this specification may be considered at least equivalent. 【0035】 As used in this specification, the phrase "at least one of" placed before a list of items modifies the entire list of items, rather than each individual item in the list, when accompanied by the term "or" to separate any of the items. The phrase "at least one of" does not require the selection of at least one item; rather, this phrase allows for the meaning of including at least one of any one of those items, and / or at least one of any combination of those items, and / or at least one of each of those items. By way of example, the expression "at least one of A, B, or C" can refer to only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. 【0036】 Expressions such as "aspect" do not imply that such an aspect is essential to the present technology or that it applies to all configurations of the present technology. The disclosure regarding an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. Expressions such as "aspect" can refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. Expressions such as "embodiment" do not imply that such an embodiment is essential to the present technology or that it applies to all configurations of the present technology. The disclosure regarding an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. Expressions such as "embodiment" can refer to one or more embodiments, and vice versa. Expressions such as "configuration" do not imply that such a configuration is essential to the present technology or that it applies to all configurations of the present technology. The disclosure regarding a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. Expressions such as "configuration" can refer to one or more configurations, and vice versa. 【0037】 In one aspect, unless otherwise specified, all the measured values, values, scores, positions, scales, sizes, and other specifications described in this specification, including the claims hereinafter, are approximations and not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have a reasonable range that does not conflict with the related functions and the conventions in the technical field to which they belong. 【0038】 It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the disclosed steps, acts, or processes are examples of exemplary approaches. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, acts, or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, acts, or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, acts, or processes may be automatically performed without user intervention. When method claims are attached, it presents the various steps, acts or elements of the process in a sample order and is not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 【0039】 Structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure, whether known to those skilled in the art or later to become known, are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed within the claims. Further, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No element of a claim should be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is expressly recited using the phrase "step for". Further, when terms such as "include", "have", etc. are used, such terms are intended to be inclusive in the same manner as "comprising" when "comprise" is used as a transitional term in a claim. 【0040】 The "Title of the Invention", "Background Art", "Summary of the Invention", "Brief Description of the Drawings", and "Abstract" of the present disclosure are hereby incorporated herein by reference and provided as examples for the description of the present disclosure rather than as limiting descriptions. This is presented with the understanding that they are not used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the "Detailed Description of the Invention", the description provides examples for the description, and it can be seen that for the purpose of rationalizing the disclosure, various features are grouped together in various embodiments. The method of this disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the subject matter of the claims requires more features than those clearly described in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the subject matter of the present invention lies in fewer features than all the features of the disclosed single configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated herein by reference into the "Detailed Description of the Invention", and each claim is independent as a separately claimed subject matter. 【0041】 It is not intended that the claims be limited to the aspects described herein, and the claims should be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, and the claims should encompass all legal equivalents. Nevertheless, no claim is intended to cover, nor should be construed to cover, subject matter that fails to meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103.

Claims

[Claim 1] A medical tube for fluid transport, comprising a chromic material disposed on a surface away from the innermost surface of the medical tube, wherein the medical tube is configured to transition from a first color state to a different second color state upon application of a stimulus to the medical tube, The aforementioned medical tube comprises an inner layer without chromic material and an outer layer containing the same substrate. The medical tube is colored transparent or colored translucent in both the first and second color states. Medical tubing. [Claim 2] The medical tube according to claim 1, wherein the chromic material is contained on the outermost surface of the medical tube or within the outer layer of the medical tube. [Claim 3] A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, comprising an outer lining containing the chromic material. [Claim 4] A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the outer layer comprises the chromic material. [Claim 5] The medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the inner layer is impermeable to the transport of the chromic material through the inner layer to the fluid transported through the medical tube. [Claim 6] The medical tube according to claim 5, wherein the inner layer contains polyolefin. [Claim 7] A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the chromic material comprises a thermochromic material and the stimulus comprises heat. [Claim 8] The thermochromic material is a leuco dye, thermochromic ink, poly-3-hexylthiophene, polyacetylene vanadium dioxide, Ag ２ HgI ４ , or CoCl ２ A medical tube according to claim 7, comprising one or more of the above. [Claim 9] A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the chromic material comprises a photochromic material and the stimulus comprises light. [Claim 10] The medical tube according to claim 9, wherein the photochromic material comprises one or more of the following: organometallic complexes, spiropyran, spirooxazine, diarylethene, azobenzene, photochromic quinone, inorganic photochromic material, salicylidene-aniline, 2-methylbenzo[1,3]oxazine, 4-methoxyazobenzene, or yttrium oxyhydride. [Claim 11] A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the medical tube comprises two or more chromic materials and is configured to transition from a first color state to a different second color state or a different third color state by applying a stimulus to the medical tube. [Claim 12] The medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the medical tube is composed of one or more of the following: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefin, polystyrene (PS), styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or styrene-based thermoplastic olefin (TPO), or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). [Claim 13] A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first color state is a colorless and transparent tube. [Claim 14] A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the second color state is red, chestnut, brown, dark gray, yellow, blue, or green. [Claim 15] A medical tube for fluid transport having a chromic material, wherein the medical tube is configured to transition from a first color state to a different second color state upon application of a stimulus to the medical tube, and is configured to transition from the second color state to the original first color state upon application of or removal of a stimulus to the medical tube. The medical tube comprises an inner layer without chromic material and an outer layer containing chromic material, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer comprise the same substrate, and the medical tube is colored transparent or colored translucent in both a first and a second color state. Medical tubing. [Claim 16] The medical tube according to claim 15, wherein the chromic material includes a thermochromic material and the stimulus includes heat. [Claim 17] The thermochromic material is a leuco dye, thermochromic ink, poly-3-hexylthiophene, polyacetylene vanadium dioxide, Ag ２ HgI ４ , or CoCl ２ A medical tube according to claim 16, comprising one or more of the above. [Claim 18] The medical tube according to claim 15, wherein the chromic material includes a photochromic material and the stimulus includes light. [Claim 19] The medical tube according to claim 18, wherein the photochromic material comprises one or more of the following: organometallic complexes, spiropyran, spirooxazine, diarylethene, azobenzene, photochromic quinone, inorganic photochromic material, salicylidene-aniline, 2-methylbenzo[1,3]oxazine, 4-methoxyazobenzene, or yttrium oxyhydride. [Claim 20] A method of using two or more medical tubes to administer two or more medical fluids, This includes administering a first medical fluid in a first medical tube and administering a second medical fluid in a second medical tube. Here, the second medical tube has a certain color state, the first medical tube has a color state different from the color state of the second medical tube, and the color state of the first medical tube is formed by applying a stimulus to the first medical tube to transition it from a first color state to a different second color state. method.

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