Guide wire

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving visibility of a visible marker provided on a guide wire.SOLUTION: A guide wire includes a main body portion having an elongated outer shape and having an outer surface on which a base and a linear marker are alternately represented along an extending direction, and a resin layer having optical transparency and covering the outer surface of the main body portion, the resin layer having a concavo-convex portion in which a concave portion and a convex portion are alternately formed along the extending direction of the main body portion, in which a width of the marker is wider than a width of the convex portion in a longitudinal section along the extending direction of the main body portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guidewire. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the position and direction of the tip of a guidewire inserted into a biological lumen have been monitored using an endoscopic camera. A guidewire equipped with a marker (visual marker) for observation is known. When the guidewire is moved in a biological lumen, the friction resistance between the guidewire and the wall of the body cavity is reduced. For this purpose, a guide wire having a continuous uneven surface is known (for example, Patent For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a guide covered with resin having protrusions formed on its surface. Patent Document 2 discloses a wire having a function as a visual marker on the outer surface of a guide wire. The present invention discloses a guide wire having a protuberance-forming layer and having a surface with irregularities. Patent Document 3 describes a method for fabricating a cable in which the outer periphery of a core wire having irregularities is covered with a resin film, and a spiral pattern is formed on the resin film. Patent Document 4 discloses a guide wire in which a visible mark is formed on the outer surface of the inner layer. A guidewire provided with a forceps is disclosed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5619426 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5509276 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2009 / 004876 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-275323 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even with the above-mentioned prior art, it is difficult to identify the marker on the guidewire with an endoscopic camera. There is still room for improvement in the technology to improve the visibility of the markers during observation. For example, a guide wire with an uneven surface is irradiated with observation light in a living body lumen. When the specimen is observed with an endoscopic camera, the light reflected by the unevenness of the surface is captured by the endoscopic camera. Light beams (blurred circles) appeared in the captured image, reducing the visibility of the markers. .

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a guide wire having a The purpose of this invention is to provide a technology for improving the visibility of the markers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, and provides the following: It is possible to realize it in the form of.

[0007] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guidewire. A book with a rectangular shape, on the outer surface of which a base and linear markers are alternately printed along the stretching direction. a body portion and a light-transmitting resin layer covering an outer surface of the body portion, a resin layer having an uneven portion in which recesses and protrusions are alternately formed along a direction; In a longitudinal cross section along the extension direction of the portion, the width of the marker is wider than the width of the protrusion. .

[0008] According to this configuration, in a longitudinal cross section along the extension direction of the main body portion, the width of the marker is Since it is wider than the width of the convex part, even if light is reflected by the uneven part of the resin layer that covers the marker, it will not produce a beam of light (a blurred circle). This can prevent the visibility of the marker from decreasing due to the noise.

[0009] (2) In the guide wire of the above embodiment, the pitch of the marker is The pitch of the protrusions may be different from the pitch of the marker. The position of the awns changes for each marker, further improving the visibility of the markers. .

[0010] (3) In the guide wire of the above embodiment, in a longitudinal section along the extension direction of the main body portion, The width of the marker may be equal to or less than twice the width of the protrusion. This makes it difficult for light beams that span multiple convex parts to appear, thereby preventing the reduction in visibility of the marker due to light beams. can be further suppressed.

[0011] (4) In the guide wire of the above embodiment, the outer surface of the main body has a tubular shape in the extending direction of the main body. The surface area of ​​the marker within a range of 20 mm along the direction of the marking shall be 35% or more of the surface area of ​​the substrate. This configuration further improves the visibility of the marker against the background. It is possible.

[0012] (5) In the guide wire of the above embodiment, the brightness of the marker on the outer surface of the main body is The brightness of the marker may be lower than the brightness of the background. can be further improved.

[0013] (6) In the guide wire of the above embodiment, the base and the marker are disposed on the outer surface of the main body. The boundary between the casing and the cover may be formed flat. This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in designing the concave and convex portions. This makes it possible to further improve the slipperiness.

[0014] The present invention can be realized in various aspects, for example, a catheter, an endoscope, This can be realized in the form of mirrors, image generating devices, examination devices, treatment systems, and guidewire manufacturing methods. It is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a guide wire according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a guide wire. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the X portion of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a guidewire is used inside a biological lumen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the guidewire observed with an endoscopic camera. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a state in which observation light is irradiated onto a guidewire. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which observation light is irradiated onto the guide wire of Comparative Example 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which observation light is irradiated onto the guide wire of Comparative Example 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which a guidewire and a combined device are used. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the guidewire and combined device of Comparative Example 3 are used. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a guide wire according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a guide wire 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a guidewire 1. In the following, the left side of FIG. 1 is the guidewire. The right side of Fig. 1 is the "tip side" of the guidewire 1 and each component. The tip side of the guide wire 1 is the side that is inserted into the body (distal side). The base end side of the guide wire 1 is the side (proximal side) that is operated by an operator such as a doctor. The left and right directions in FIG. 1 are the "extension direction" or "axial direction" of the guide wire 1 and each component. FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross section of the guide wire 1 along the extension direction. The Dwire 1 is a medical device used to insert catheters into blood vessels and digestive organs. A main body 10, a resin layer 50, a coil body 60, a distal joint 70, and a proximal joint 80 , and is equipped with.

[0017] The main body 10 has an elongated shape and includes a core shaft 20, a marker 30, and a base 40. A resin layer 50 is formed on the outer surface of the main body 10. A coil body 60 is fixed to the tip.

[0018] The core shaft 20 is configured so that the outer diameter decreases from the base end side to the tip end side. The core shaft 20 is a member having a long (tapered) shape. For example, the core shaft 20 is made of a stainless steel alloy ( SUS302, SUS304, SUS316, etc.), super-elastic alloys such as Ni-Ti alloys, It can be made of materials such as nickel wire, nickel-chromium alloy, cobalt alloy, and tungsten. The core shaft 20 may be made of a known material other than those mentioned above. The length of the shaft 20 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1000 mm to 5000 mm. The outer diameter of the core shaft 20 is not particularly limited. However, for example, the range of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm can be exemplified. At the tip of the core shaft 20, a tip joint portion 70 is formed. A base end joint portion 80 is formed on the outer periphery of the base end side, which is spaced apart from the tip joint portion 70. The coil body 60 is disposed between the base end joint portions 80 .

[0019] The base (base layer) 40 is a resin formed on the outer surface of the core shaft 20. The proximal end joint 80 covers the outer periphery of the cushion 20 on the proximal end side of the position where the proximal end joint 80 is formed. The base 40 is made of, for example, PAI (polyamide imide), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride), PFA (Perfluoroalkoxyal can), FEP (perfluoroethylene propene), ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) Ethylene), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), etc. The type of resin that constitutes the base 40 is not limited to the above and may be any resin. The base 40 is formed in the core shaft 20 at a position closer to the base end side joint portion 80 than the base end side joint portion 80. The outer periphery of the distal end side may be covered in addition to the outer periphery of the proximal end side. It is a color with a Munsell value range of 7 to 10.

[0020] The marker 30 is a linear portion formed on a part of the substrate 40 and is in contact with the other part of the substrate 40. The marker 30 is configured to be visually identifiable. When the image is observed through the image sensor 23 of the endoscope 2 shown in FIG. 4, the The guide wire 1 is inserted into the catheter 1. ... By observing the changes in the orientation and position of the guide wire, the pushing, pulling, and rotating movements of the guide wire 1 can be monitored. The marker 30 is located at the tip of the base 40 that is in contact with the base-end joint 80. The marking area is formed in a section (marker display section) from the front end to a predetermined distance toward the rear end. Specifically, the image sensor 23 projects from the tip of the endoscope 2 and is formed in the portion observed through the image sensor 23. (See FIG. 4.) In the base 40, the portion where the marker 30 is formed (the marker There is no particular limitation on the length of the display section, but it can be in the range of 100 mm to 500 mm, for example. The main body 10 is configured to display a line mark on the background 40 in the marker display section. The marks 30 are alternately displayed along the stretching direction.

[0021] The marker 30 is partially colored by infiltrating a pigment into a part of the base 40. (at least one of hue, brightness, and saturation) is changed, and a linear pattern of a certain width is created. That is, here, the marker 30 is depicted as a main body portion relative to the other portions of the substrate 40. The boundary between the substrate 40 and the marker 30 is not protruding or recessed radially outward. The marker 30 is formed flat. The marker 30 is almost black and has a Munsell brightness in the range of 0 to 7. The Munsell value of the marker 30 is preferably in the range of 0 to 2. 0 has different brightness, and the brightness of the marker 30 is lower than the brightness of the background 40. is a color that is relatively close to white, and the marker 30 is a color that is relatively close to black.

[0022] The marker 30 is a development diagram of a cylindrical base 40 that covers the outer periphery of the core shaft 20. In other words, the base 40 is formed in a corrugated pattern. The shaft 20 is rotated at a predetermined angle (for example, 180°) to the left and right with the extension direction (axial direction) as the rotation axis. While rotating the substrate back and forth by 100°, the pigment dripped onto the substrate 40 is moved along the stretching direction. The marker 30 is cylindrical. The core shaft on which the substrate 40 is formed may be formed in a spiral shape. The sheet 20 is rotated in one direction with the stretching direction (axial direction) as the rotation axis, and then attached to the base 40. By moving the pigment dripped toward the paper along the stretching direction, a spiral pattern can be formed. This can be done.

[0023] The resin layer 50 is a light-transmitting resin film formed on the marker 30 and the base 40. The resin layer 50 is a transparent film. Fluorine resins such as polyethylene and PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), silicone resins , polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polypropylene, poly The outer surface of the resin layer 50 is made of the main body 10 (core shell). The sheet 20 has an uneven portion in which recesses and protrusions are alternately formed along the extension direction of the sheet 20. The uneven portion is formed on the entire circumferential surface of the guide wire 1, and therefore, The outer diameter of the guide wire 1 changes. Specifically, the outer diameter of the guide wire 1 changes at the convex portion of the resin layer 50. The outer diameter of the guide wire 1 is increased, and the outer diameter of the guide wire 1 is reduced at the recessed portion of the resin layer 50. The uneven portion will be described in detail later.

[0024] The tip joint 70 is made of a metal such as silver solder, gold solder, zinc, Sn-Ag alloy, or Au-Sn alloy. The tip of the coil body 60 and the core shaft 20 are connected by this metal solder. The tip of the tip joint 70 is fixed to the tip of the tip joint 70 by an adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive. The tip of the coil body 60 and the tip of the core shaft 20 are fixed together by adhesive. It may also be used.

[0025] The coil body 60 is made up of one or more coils, and is connected to the core shaft 20. The coil body 6 is wound around the core shaft 20 so as to cover the outer periphery of the tip end of the coil body 6. The wire 0 is wound around the small diameter portion and part of the tapered portion on the tip side of the core shaft 20. The coil constituting the coil body 60 is formed by spirally winding a single wire with a circular cross section into a cylindrical shape. It may be a single coil formed by twisting a plurality of wires together, or a twisted wire formed into a cylindrical shape. The coil body 60 may be a combination of a single coil and a hollow stranded coil. The coil body 60 may be made of, for example, a stainless steel alloy (SUS3 02, SUS304, SUS316, etc.), super-elastic alloys such as Ni-Ti alloys, piano wire, Nickel-chromium alloys, cobalt alloys, radiolucent alloys such as tungsten, gold, platinum, Radiopaque metals such as tungsten and alloys containing these elements (e.g., platinum-nickel alloys) The coil body 60 may be formed of a known material other than the above. The length of the coil body 60 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10 m. The outer diameter of the coil body 60 is not particularly limited, but for example, For example, the range can be 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and the thickness is constant from the tip to the base. The coil body 60 has a loosely wound portion and a tightly wound portion with different coil pitches. It may have.

[0026] The tip of the coil body 60 is joined to the tip of the core shaft 20 by a tip joint 70. The base end of the coil body 60 is joined to the core shaft 20 by a base end joint 80. The coil body 60 is connected to the core shaft by the distal joint portion 70 and the proximal joint portion 80. The base end joint 80 is fixed to the core shaft 20 by a ring provided on the outer periphery of the core shaft 20. The tip joint portion 70 is made of the same material as the tip joint portion 70. The base end joint portion 80 is made of a material different from that of the tip joint portion 70. That's fine.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the X portion of FIG. 2. In this figure, The detailed configurations of the marker 30, the base 40, and the resin layer 50 will be described. The recessed portions 51 and the protruding portions 52 are alternately connected along the extending direction of the main body portion 10 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3). Here, the uneven portion 55 in the extending direction of the main body 10 (main body 10 The width of the marker 30 in the longitudinal section of the main body 10 is Wm, and the width of the marker 30 in the longitudinal section of the main body 10 is Wm. The width of the base 40 in the longitudinal section of the main body 10 is Wb, and the width of the base 40 in the longitudinal section of the main body 10 is Wb. The width of the convex portion 52 (in the vertical cross section of FIG. 0) is Wa. The width Wb of the base 40 is the width of the adjacent markers. The distance between the markers 30 is equal to the distance from one side to the other (the distance between the markers). The width Wm is the distance between the markers 30 aligned in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 in the longitudinal section of the main body 10. The width Wb of the base 40 is the average value of the distance from one end to the other end. In the longitudinal section of 0, from the end of one adjacent marker 30 to the end of the other marker 30 The width Wa of the protrusion 52 is the average value of the distance from the main body 10 to the protrusion 52. is the average value of the distance from one end to the other end of each of the protrusions 52 aligned in the extension direction of the portion 10. do.

[0028] The marker 30, the base 40, and the resin layer 50 are arranged in the extension direction of the main body 10. The pitch Pm of the resin layer 30 is different from the pitch Pp of the convex portions 52 of the resin layer 50 (Pm≠Pp). The marker 30 pitch here refers to the distance between the markers 30 in the longitudinal section of the main body 10. This is the average value of the distance between the centers of the markers 30 aligned in the extension direction of the body 10. The pitch of the protrusions 52 is the number of protrusions arranged in the longitudinal cross section of the main body 10 in the extension direction of the main body 10. The pitch Pm of the markers 30 is the average value of the distance between the center positions of the markers 30 and the width W of the markers 30. The pitch P of the protrusions 52 is equal to the sum of m and the width Wb of the base 40 (Pm=Wm+Wb). p is equal to the width Wa of the protrusion 52 (Pp=Wa). , and the resin layer 50 satisfies the following formula (1). Wm + Wb ≠ Wa (1)

[0029] As a result, the position where the light beam (circular blur) appears on the marker 30 changes for each marker 30. This improves the visibility of the marker 30. The reason for this will be described later.

[0030] Furthermore, the marker 30, the base 40, and the resin layer 50 are such that the width Wm of the marker 30 is The width Wa of the protrusion 52 is larger than the width Wa of the protrusion 52, but is smaller than twice the width Wa of the protrusion 52. The marker 30, the base 40, and the resin layer 50 satisfy the following formula (2). Wa <Wm<2×Wa ···(2)

[0031] As a result, even if light is reflected by the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the marker 30, the light beam (a ball) The reason for this will be described later.

[0032] In addition, the marker 30 and the substrate 40 are displayed on the surface of the marker 30 during the marker display period. The area Am is 35% or less of the surface area Ab of the substrate 40 (Am≦0.35×Ab). That is, the marker 30 and the substrate 40 satisfy the following formula (3). Wm≦0.35×Wb (3)

[0033] This improves the visibility of the marker 30 against the substrate 40. That is, when the surface area Am of the marker 30 becomes larger than 35% of the surface area Ab of the substrate 40, the image When the proportion of the marker 30 in the image increases and a light beam (ball blur) appears, the marker 30 This makes it difficult to grasp the number of lines, and reduces the visibility of the markers.

[0034] The width Wm of the marker 30, the width Wb of the base 40, and the width Wa of the protrusion 52 are In the marker display section of the main body 10, the area is included in a range of 20 mm along the extension direction of the main body 10. The average width of the markers 30, the average width of the base 40, and the average width of the protrusions 52 are Specifically, in the vertical cross section of the marker display section of the main body 10, an arbitrary 20 mm The sum of the widths of the markers 30 included in the range divided by the number of markers 30 included in the range. The width Wm is the total width of the base 40 between the markers 30 included in that range. The width Wb is obtained by dividing the width Wb by the number of backgrounds between the markers 30 included in that range. , the sum of the widths of the convex portions 52 included in that range divided by the number of convex portions 52 included in that range This is the width Wa.

[0035] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the guidewire 1 is used inside a biological lumen. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the guide wire 1 observed in a biological lumen by an endoscopic camera. In FIG. 4, a guide wire is inserted from the tip of an endoscope (rear oblique endoscope) 2 advanced into the duodenum. The distal end of the guidewire 1 is advanced from the duodenal papilla DP to the distal bile duct LBD. In Figure 4, the thinly shaded area indicates the wall of the duodenum (Bcw) The thick dashed double-dashed line indicates the field of view Vi of the endoscope camera (image sensor 23). The small dots inside the field of view Vi represent the depth of field Df, and the blank area represents the out-of-focus range Rof outside the depth of field Df. The depth of field Df indicates the range that appears to be in focus in the endoscopic camera. The out-of-depth range Rof indicates the range near the endoscopic camera that is out of focus. 5 is a captured image (captured image) from the endoscope viewpoint captured by the endoscope camera (image sensor 23). ), and the object located outside the depth of field Rof is displayed in the lower right corner of the image (video). In the other areas, objects located at the depth of field Df are displayed.

[0036] The endoscope 2 is an electronic endoscope that uses a simultaneous imaging method, and has an opening 21 at the tip and The endoscope 2 includes a light emitting unit 22 and an image sensor 23. The opening 21 is The guide wire 1 is connected to a lumen (not shown) through the opening 21. The opening 21 is formed so that the protruding direction of the distal end of the guide wire 1 is The light emitting unit 22 is configured to intersect with the extension direction of the mirror 2. The light emitting unit 22 is provided at the tip of the endoscope 2. It is not suitable for white light sources such as halogen lamps, xenon lamps, LED lamps, or lasers. The image sensor 23 is illuminated with white light (observation light) OL from a source. It is a color image sensor equipped with a color filter, and functions as an endoscope camera. The electronic endoscope 2 may be an electronic endoscope using a so-called frame sequential imaging method.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide wire 1 is projected from the opening 21, and the light is emitted from the light irradiating unit 22. When the observation light OL is irradiated from the guide wire 1 to the surface of the guide wire 1, the observation light OL is In this state, the image sensor 23 (endoscopic camera) Therefore, when the guide wire 1 is imaged, as shown in FIG. 5, in the range Rof outside the depth of field, A part of the reflected light RL reflected by the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50 becomes a beam of light (reflected beam of light) Ko. This light beam Ko is what is known as "bokeh" and appears when photographed with an endoscope camera. The resin layer 5 at the depth of field Df is a faint point of light that appears in the captured image (captured video). Since the focus is on the uneven part 55 of 0, a light beam (circular blur) appears in the part of the depth of field Df. Ko almost never appears.

[0038] The reason why a light beam Ko appears in the range Rof outside the depth of field is explained below. When the surface of the guide wire 1 is irradiated with observation light (irradiation light) OL, the surface of the resin layer 50 The uneven portion 55 acts as a light source that reflects the observation light OL and emits reflected light RL. In the out-of-body depth range Rof, the reflected light RL from the uneven portion 55 is optically “outside the depth of field of the subject.” In the image (image) captured by the endoscopic camera, a beam of light ( The light beams Ko appear on the uneven portions 55 of the resin layer 50. This causes so-called "flickering," which reduces the visibility of the marker 30 in the captured image.

[0039] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the guide wire 1 is irradiated with an observation light OL. This shows the same part as in Figure 3. As mentioned above, the imaging method of the endoscope 2 is a so-called simultaneous method. Therefore, the light emitting unit 22 of the endoscope 2 emits white observation light OL from a xenon lamp. When the white observation light OL is irradiated onto the outer surface of the guide wire 1, the surface of the resin layer 50 and the substrate 4 6, the observation light OL and the reflection light OL are incident on the surface of the resin layer 50. The reflected light RL is indicated by a thin line, and the observation light OL irradiated onto the surface of the substrate 40 is indicated by a thin line. , and its reflected light RL are shown by thick lines. The surface of the marker 30 causes almost no reflection of the observation light OL.

[0040] Since the observation light OL emitted from the light emitting unit 22 and the base 40 are both white, The reflected light RL reflected by the surface of the marker 30 becomes a relatively strong white light. The resin layer 50 covers both the surface of the base 40 and the surface of the base 40. In the case of 5, strong light (reflected light RL) is irradiated from the light source (base 40) behind. In the resin layer 50 covering the surface of the substrate 40, the light beam Ko is reflected by the white reflected light RL from the substrate 40. In other words, the resin layer covering both the surface of the marker 30 and the surface of the base 40 50, a beam of light Ko appears in the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the surface of the marker 30, The light beam Ko is canceled out and does not appear at the irregularities 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the surface of the base 40 .

[0041] Among the concave and convex portions 55 of the resin layer 50, the reflected light RL reflected by the resin layer 50 is incident on the concave portions 51. Since the light beams Ko are concentrated, they appear near the recesses 51 in the resin layer 50 covering the surface of the marker 30 . In other words, the light beam Ko is incident on the resin layer 50 covering the marker 30 in the vicinity of the valleys of the concave-convex portions 55. As shown in the above formula (2), the guide wire 1 of this embodiment has the marker 30 Since the width Wm is wider than the width Wa of the convex portion 52, the light beam Ko that appears near the valley of the concave-convex portion 55 Therefore, the resin layer 50 covering the marker 30 is not irradiated with light. Even if the visibility of a part of the marker 30 is reduced by the appearance of Ko, the same marker 30 In the image (photographed image), there are parts that are not located under the beam of light Ko. The marker 30 can be seen. The left marker of the two markers 30 in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the left side of the marker 30 is less visible due to the light beam Ko, but the right side of the marker 30 is less visible due to the light beam Ko. The right marker 30 of the two markers 30 in FIG. At 0, the visibility of the center of the marker 30 is reduced by the light beam Ko, but the visibility of the right side of the marker 30 is reduced. The edges and left edge are visible without overlapping with the light beam Ko.

[0042] Furthermore, in the guide wire 1 of this embodiment, as shown in the above formula (1), The pitch (=Wm+Wb) of the resin layer 50 is different from the pitch (=Wa) of the convex portions 52 of the resin layer 50. As a result, the position where the light beam Ko appears on the marker 30 varies for each marker 30. This makes it easier to grasp the actual width of the marker 30, improving the visibility of the marker 30. Furthermore, the guide wire 1 of this embodiment can be formed such that, as shown in the above formula (3), The surface area of the marker 30 is 35% or less of the surface area of the base 40. That is, the width Wm of the marker 3 0 is smaller than 0.35 times the width Wb of the base 40. As a result, when the flare Ko appears on the marker 3 0, it becomes easier to identify whether the markers 30 on both sides of the flare Ko are the same single marker or two different markers 30.

[0043] Note that although the endoscope 2 has been described as having an imaging method called the simultaneous method, it may be in the area sequential method. When the imaging method of the endoscope 2 is the area sequential method, the light irradiation unit 22 spectrally irradiates the white light of the xenon lamp with an RGB rotating filter. Also, the image sensor 2 3 becomes a monochromatic CCD image sensor. Even in this case, the observation light OL is captured as white light by the human eye viewing the captured image (captured video), and is captured as the same color as the base 40 . Therefore, as described above, in the resin layer 50 covering both the surface of the marker 30 and the surface of the base 40, the flare Ko appears in the concavo-convex portion 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the surface of the marker 30, and the flare Ko is canceled out and does not appear in the concavo-convex portion 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the surface of the base 40. From this , according to the guide wire 1, the same effect can be obtained regardless of the imaging method of the endoscope 2 .

[0044] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the observation light OL is irradiated to the guide wire 1A of Comparative Example 1 . The guide wire 1A of Comparative Example 1, when compared with the guide wire 1 (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment , has a width Wm1 of the marker 30a in Comparative Example 1 smaller than the width Wm of the marker 30 (FIG. 6) in the first embodiment (Wm1 < Wm). Also, the width Wb1 of the base 40a in Comparative Example 1 is larger than the width Wb of the base 4 in the first embodiment (Wb1 > Wb). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment is the same as the guide wire 1. That is, the width Wa of the convex portion 52 of the resin layer 50 is the same .

[0045] The guide wire 1A of Comparative Example 1 does not satisfy the above formula (2), and the width Wm1 of the marker 30a is smaller than the width Wa of the convex portion 52 (Wm1 < Wa). Therefore, the width of the light beam Ko appearing near the valley of the concavo-convex portion 55 becomes almost the same as the width Wma of the marker 30a. That is, as shown in FIG 7, the overall visibility of the marker 30a is reduced by the light beam Ko appearing in the resin layer 50 covering the marker 30a .

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state in which observation light is irradiated on the guide wire 1B of Comparative Example 2 . The guide wire 1B of Comparative Example 2 is compared with the guide wire 1 (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment , and the width Wm2 of the marker 30b in Comparative Example 2 is the width Wm of the marker 30 (FIG. 6) in the first embodiment is larger (Wm2 > Wm). Also, the width Wb2 of the base 40b in Comparative Example 2 is the width Wb of the base 40 in the first embodiment is smaller (Wb2 < Wb). Other configurations are the same as those of the guide wire 1 of the first embodiment . That is, the width Wa of the convex portion 52 of the resin layer 50 is the same .

[0047] The guide wire 1B of Comparative Example 2 does not satisfy the above formula (2), and the width Wm2 of the marker 30b is larger than twice the width Wa of the convex portion 52 (Wm2 > 2 × Wa). Therefore, a plurality of recesses 51 of the resin layer 50 are located on one marker 30b , and a light beam K o appears in each of the plurality of recesses 51. A plurality of light beams Ko close to each other appear to be connected into one large light beam Ko . Therefore, the visibility of the marker 30b between the two light beams Ko is greatly reduced. Thus, in FIG. 8 As shown, the marker 30b is centered by a large beam of light Ko that is made up of multiple beams of light Ko. The visibility of the entire vicinity is reduced, and only the right and left ends of the marker 30b are visible without overlapping with the light beam Ko. In this way, the width Wm2 of the marker 30b is set to be greater than twice the width Wa of the protrusion 52. In this case, the decrease in visibility due to the light beam Ko cannot be suppressed in proportion to the width of the marker 30b. If the width of the marker 30b becomes large, it becomes difficult to grasp the entire marker 30b in the captured image. This reduces visibility.

[0048] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the guidewire 1 and the combined device 90 are used. 9 shows the same part as in FIG. 3. As described above, the marker 30, the substrate 40, and the tree The fat layer 50 has a width Wm of the marker 30 that is larger than the width Wa of the protrusion 52 (Wa <Wm)。そ Therefore, the surface of the portion EA of the resin layer 50 located above the marker 30 has an uneven portion 55 Since the marker 30 contains a large amount of pigment, the resin layer 50 Therefore, the compatibility of the combined device 90 with the resin layer 50 is low, and the adhesiveness is relatively low. When it comes into contact with the surface, it is caught by the frictional force between it and the resin layer 50, and the resin layer 50 becomes a marker. In the guide wire 1 of this embodiment, the unevenness is not formed. Therefore, when the combined device 90 and the resin layer 50 come into contact with each other, the friction between the combined device 90 and the resin layer 50 is small. Since the force is reduced (slidability is improved), peeling of the resin layer 50 can be suppressed.

[0049] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the guide wire 1D of Comparative Example 3 and the combined device 90 are used. The guide wire 1D of Comparative Example 3 is the same as the guide wire 1 of the first embodiment (FIG. 6). In comparison, the resin layer 50 has a different configuration. Specifically, the resin layer 50d of Comparative Example 3 has a convex portion. The width Wa3 of the marker 52d is larger than the width Wm of the marker 30 (Wa3>Wm). The structure is the same as that of the guide wire 1 of the first embodiment. The width Wb of the base 40 is the same.

[0050] In the guide wire 1D of Comparative Example 3, the width Wa3 of the convex portion 52d is larger than the width Wm of the marker 30. Since the thickness (Wa3>Wm) is less than the thickness (Wa3>Wm), the part EA The surface of the uneven portion 55d is free of unevenness, or even if unevenness is present, the number of unevenness is small. Therefore, the surface of the portion EA of the resin layer 50d becomes relatively flat. When the chair 90 comes into contact with the surface of the resin layer 50d, it is pulled by the frictional force between the chair 90 and the resin layer 50d. The resin layer 50d is easily peeled off from the marker 30.

[0051] According to the guide wire 1 of this embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the main body 10 In a longitudinal cross section along the extension direction of the marker 30, the width Wm of the marker 30 is wider than the width Wa of the protrusion 52. Therefore, even if light is reflected by the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the marker 30, it is not reflected as a beam of light (circular blur) Ko. The guide wire 1 of this embodiment has a concave surface. The guide wire on which the resin layer 50 of the convex portion 55 is formed has a beam of light on the concave and convex portion 55 when imaged. This solves a new problem that the visibility of the marker 30 is reduced due to the generation of Ko. Such a problem is neither disclosed nor suggested in Patent Documents 1 to 4.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the guide wire 1 of this embodiment, the uneven portion 55 is formed on the surface of the resin layer 50. This reduces the contact area with the body cavity wall, reducing friction during sliding and improving smoothness. In addition, the unevenness on the surface of the resin layer 50 can improve the sliding property with the combination device 90. This can be achieved.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the guide wire 1 of this embodiment, the boundary between the substrate 40 and the marker 30 is flat. As a result, the recesses in the resin layer 50 are smaller than when the markers 30 are protruding. The height (position) of the recessed portion 51 and the protruding portion 52 of the protruding portion 55 can be made more uniform. The pitch of the portion 52 and the pitch of the marker 30 can be easily made different. This increases the freedom of uneven design and improves the slipperiness. By flattening the boundary with the marker 30, the marker 30 is recessed into the base 40. Therefore, the contact area between the base 40 and the marker 30 increases, and the peel strength can be increased.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the guide wire 1 of this embodiment, since the base 40 is a color close to white, The resin layer 50 on the guide 10 can cancel out the light beam Ko. According to Dwyer 1, the contrast between the marker 30 and the substrate 40 is large, so the marker 30 This can improve the visibility of the

[0055] Second Embodiment FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a guidewire 1C according to the second embodiment. The guidewire 1C of this embodiment has the following advantages compared to the guidewire 1 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1): The display mode of the marker 30c is different. The other configurations are the same as those of the guide wire 1 of the first embodiment. The marker 30c of the second embodiment has a spiral pattern of a constant width. Therefore, the cylindrical base 40c that covers the outer periphery of the core shaft 20 is developed. In the development view, it is formed so that multiple diagonal lines are arranged in the axial direction. The core shaft 20 on which the 0c is formed is rotated in one direction with the extension direction (axial direction) as the rotation axis. In this state, the pigment is dropped onto the substrate 40c and moved along the stretching direction. Therefore, a spiral pattern can be formed. The pitch of the markers 30c is constant.

[0056] The marker 30c, the base 40c, and the resin layer 50 satisfy the above-mentioned formula (1). The position where the light beam (blurred circle) appears on the marker 30c can be changed for each marker 30c. This improves the visibility of the marker 30. The base 40c and the resin layer 50 satisfy the above-mentioned formula (2), and therefore cover the marker 30c. Even if light is reflected by the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50, the visibility of the marker 30 is improved by the light beam (blurring). Furthermore, the marker 30c and the base 40c satisfy the above-mentioned formula (3), Therefore, the visibility of the marker 30c against the base 40c can be improved.

[0057] <Modification of this embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It can be implemented in various modes, and for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0058] [Variation 1] The markers 30 and 30c in the first and second embodiments have a constant pitch. However, the pitch of the markers 30, 30c does not have to be constant. The width of 30c is assumed to be constant. However, the width of markers 30 and 30c changes along the way. Good too.

[0059] [Variation 2] The markers 30 and 30c of the first and second embodiments are made of the substrates 40 and 40c. However, the markers 30 and 30c are displayed in a part of the area (the marker display section). The markers 30 and 30c may be formed on the entire substrate 40 and 40c. However, the markers 30 and 30c are of various types. In this case, the markers 30 and 30c may have a pattern that changes continuously. The pattern may be different for each predetermined section. The marks 30, 30c may be drawn in multiple places, separated in the middle of the bases 40, 40c. For example, the markers 30 and 30c have a plurality of different patterns drawn at a predetermined interval in a plurality of places. Alternatively, a continuous circular pattern may be drawn at equal intervals.

[0060] [Variation 3] In the first and second embodiments, the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50 has the convex portions 52 arranged at a uniform pitch. However, the pitch of the convex portions 52 does not have to be constant. 0 may have a flat portion instead of the uneven portion 55.

[0061] [Variation 4] In the first and second embodiments, the markers 30, 30c and the substrates 40, 40c are arranged in a pitch pattern. The markers 30 and 30c are the same and satisfy the above formula (1). The bases 40 and 40c do not have to have the same pitch and satisfy formula (1). If the width Wm of the markers 30 and 30c is greater than the width Wa of the protrusion 52, Even if light is reflected by the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the markers 30, 30, the markers 30 are blurred by the beam of light (circular blur). The markers 30, 30c and the substrates 40, 40c are arranged in a manner such that the following formula ( It is preferable to satisfy 1).

[0062] [Variation 5] In the first and second embodiments, the markers 30, 30c and the resin layer 50 are The width Wm of the protrusion 52 is set to be smaller than twice the width Wa of the protrusion 52. The markers 30, 30c and the resin layer 50 are such that the width Wm of the markers 30, 30c is greater than the width Wa of the protrusion 52. Even in this case, the width Wm of the markers 30 and 30c may be larger than twice the width Wm of the convex portion. If the width Wa of the portion 52 is larger than the width Wa of the portion 52, the uneven portion 55 of the resin layer 50 covering the markers 30 and 30c Even if light is reflected, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the markers 30, 30c due to light beams (blurring). The markers 30, 30c and the resin layer 50 are formed such that the width Wm of the markers 30, 30c is equal to the width Wm of the protrusion 52. It is preferable that the width is smaller than twice the width Wa and that the formula (2) is satisfied.

[0063] [Variation 6] In the first and second embodiments, the surface area of ​​the markers 30, 30c is the same as that of the substrates 40, 40. However, the surface area of ​​the markers 30 and 30c is 35% or more of the surface area of ​​the substrate. Even in this case, the surface area of ​​the markers 30, 40c may be smaller than 35%. If the width Wm of the marker 30c is greater than the width Wa of the protrusion 52, the markers 30, 30 The surface area of ​​the markers 30 and 30c is smaller than that of the substrates 40 and 40c. It is preferable that the surface area is 35% or less of the surface area of ​​the substrate, and that the formula (3) is satisfied.

[0064] [Variation 7] In the first and second embodiments, the brightness of the marker 30 is lower than the brightness of the base 40. However, the brightness of the marker 30 may be higher than the brightness of the base 40. Even if the marker 30 is not visible, the contrast between the marker 30 and the substrate 40 makes it possible to visually recognize the marker 30. can be done.

[0065] [Variation 8] The width Wm of the markers 30 and 30c and the bases 40 and 40c of the first and second embodiments The width Wb of the protrusion 52 and the width Wa of the protrusion 52 are included in the range of 20 mm of the main body 10. The width Wm of the markers 30 and 30c, the width Wm of the substrate 40 and 4 The width Wb of the 0c and the width Wa of the protrusion 52 partially satisfy the above-mentioned formulas (1) to (3). Even if the average value of the main body 10 within a 20 mm range does not satisfy the formulas (1) to (3), If so, the visibility of the markers 30 and 30c can be improved.

[0066] [Variation 9] The guide wires 1 and 1C of the first and second embodiments are provided with a coil body 60 at the tip. However, the guide wires 1 and 1C do not have the coil body 60. That's fine.

[0067] The present embodiment has been described above based on the embodiments and modifications. The form of is intended to facilitate understanding of this embodiment and is not intended to limit this embodiment. This embodiment may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. In addition, the present embodiment includes equivalents thereof. If it is not explained as such, it may be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1, 1A~1C...Guidewire 2. Endoscope 10...Main body 20...Core shaft 21...Opening 22...Light irradiation unit 23...Image sensor 30, 30a to 30c...Marker 40, 40a-40c...Base 50...Resin layer 51...recess 52...Convex part 55...Uneven part 60...Coil body 70…Tip joint 80…Proximal joint part

Claims

1. A guidewire, It has a long outer shape, and on the outer surface, a base and linear markers are alternately displayed along the stretching direction. a main body portion; a light-transmitting resin layer covering an outer surface of the main body portion, the resin layer being a resin layer having an uneven portion in which concave and convex portions are alternately formed along the resin layer, In a longitudinal cross section along the extension direction of the main body portion, the width of the marker is wide, Guide wire.

2. 2. The guidewire of claim 1, In the extending direction of the main body portion, the pitch of the markers and the pitch of the convex portions are different. are Guide wire.

3. The guide wire according to claim 1 or 2, In a longitudinal cross section along the extension direction of the main body portion, the width of the marker is 2 times the width of the protrusion. It is less than double Guide wire.

4. The guidewire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, On the outer surface of the main body, within a range of 20 mm along the extension direction of the main body The surface area of ​​the marker is 35% or less of the surface area of ​​the substrate. Guide wire.

5. The guidewire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, On the outer surface of the main body, the brightness of the marker is lower than the brightness of the base. Guide wire.

6. The guidewire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, On the outer surface of the main body, the boundary between the base and the marker is formed flat. Ru, Guide wire.

Images