Delivery device and delivery method

Abstract

A delivery device and a delivery method are provided that can suppress damage to an implant when released. [Solution] The delivery device of the present disclosure comprises a container that divides an internal space, the container having a partition that divides the internal space into a container chamber that can contain a transplant and a control fluid chamber that can contain a control fluid, and also divides the internal space into an outlet that can discharge the transplant contained in the container chamber to the outside of the container, and a control fluid supply port that can supply the control fluid to the control fluid chamber, the partition having a deformation portion that can deform so as to reduce the volume of the container chamber due to an increase in internal pressure in the control fluid chamber.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to delivery devices and delivery methods. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Delivery devices for delivering implants to target sites have been known for some time. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of delivery device.

[0003] The biological graft transfer device as a delivery device described in Patent Document 1 comprises a main body, a displacement body that is freely displaceable relative to the main body, and a belt body that is wound around the distal and proximal ends of the displacement body and connected to the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-30045 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the biological graft transfer device serving as a delivery device described in Patent Document 1, the biological graft serving as a transplant is placed on a belt body, and the belt body and the displacement body are retracted relative to the biological graft serving as a transplant while the belt body is rotated, thereby releasing the biological graft serving as a transplant to the target site.

[0006] However, the biological graft transfer instrument serving as a delivery device described in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of preventing damage to the graft when it is released.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a delivery device and a delivery method that can suppress damage to an implant during release. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A delivery device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A container that defines an internal space is provided, the container has a partition wall that divides the internal space into a storage chamber capable of accommodating an implant and a control fluid chamber capable of accommodating a control fluid, and also divides the internal space into an outlet that can discharge the implant accommodated in the storage chamber to the outside of the container, and a control fluid supply port that can supply the control fluid to the control fluid chamber; The partition wall is a delivery device having a deformable portion that is deformable so as to reduce the volume of the storage chamber when the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber increases.

[0009] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (2) the container includes an insertion portion that defines a longitudinal direction and is insertable into a living body; In the delivery device according to (1) above, the outlet is defined at the tip of the insertion part.

[0010] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (3) In the delivery device according to (2) above, the insertion section has a flat shape that defines a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0011] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (4) The delivery device according to (3) above, wherein the insertion section has a tapered portion whose length in the thickness direction gradually decreases toward the tip side.

[0012] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (5) the insertion portion defines the internal space and includes the partition wall; the partition wall includes a top wall portion that separates the storage chamber and the control fluid chamber in the thickness direction, The delivery device is described in (3) or (4) above, wherein the ceiling wall portion is provided with a deformation portion that is deformable in the thickness direction so as to reduce the volume of the storage chamber due to an increase in the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber.

[0013] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (6) the insertion portion includes a bottom wall portion that is disposed opposite the top wall portion in the thickness direction and that defines the storage chamber and the discharge port between the top wall portion and the bottom wall portion; The bottom wall portion has a support surface capable of supporting the implant contained in the container, The delivery device according to (5) above, wherein the support surface is a flat surface without any irregularities.

[0014] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (7) The delivery device according to (6) above, wherein the bottom wall portion is not the partition wall.

[0015] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (8) The delivery device according to (6) or (7) above, wherein the bottom wall portion has an exposed portion at the position of the discharge port that is not covered by the top wall portion in the thickness direction.

[0016] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (9) The exposed portion is connected to a distal side of the support surface and includes a placement surface on which the implant can be placed. The delivery device according to (8) above, wherein the placement surface and the support surface form a single flat surface without any irregularities.

[0017] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (10) In the delivery device according to any one of (6) to (9) above, the top wall portion includes a deformation suppressing portion at least at the position of the discharge port, the deformation suppressing portion having a rigidity in the thickness direction greater than that of the deformation portion.

[0018] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (11) The delivery device according to any one of (2) to (10) above, wherein the insertion section includes a stopper section that restricts the implant contained in the storage chamber from moving toward the base end.

[0019] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (12) the insertion portion includes an exterior body that defines the internal space, and a bag body that is disposed in the internal space, defines the storage chamber therein, and defines the control fluid chamber between the exterior body and the bag body; In the delivery device according to any one of (2) to (11) above, the partition wall is formed by the bag body.

[0020] A delivery device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: (13) The delivery device according to any one of (1) to (12) above, wherein the container includes a container fluid supply port capable of supplying fluid to the container chamber.

[0021] A delivery method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: (14) A delivery method using a delivery device, comprising: the delivery device includes a housing defining an internal space; the container has a partition wall that divides the internal space into a storage chamber capable of accommodating an implant and a control fluid chamber capable of accommodating a control fluid, and also divides the internal space into an outlet that can discharge the implant accommodated in the storage chamber to the outside of the container, and a control fluid supply port that can supply the control fluid to the control fluid chamber; the partition wall includes a deformable portion that is deformable so as to reduce the volume of the storage chamber in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber, The delivery method includes an ejection step in which, while the transplant is contained in the storage chamber, the control fluid is supplied to the control fluid chamber through the control fluid supply port to increase the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber, and the deformation portion is deformed to reduce the volume of the storage chamber, thereby ejecting the transplant to the outside of the storage body through the ejection port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a delivery device and a delivery method that can suppress damage to the implant when it is released. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a delivery device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the delivery device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 3, illustrating the operation of the delivery device shown in FIG. 1 discharging the implant contained in the containing chamber. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 3, showing a modified example of the delivery device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 5, showing the operation of the delivery device shown in FIG. 5 discharging the implant contained in the containing chamber. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 3, showing a modified example of the delivery device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 3, showing a modified example of the delivery device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of a delivery device and a delivery method 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.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a delivery device 1 as one embodiment of a delivery device according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the delivery device 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same line as Fig. 3, showing the operation of the delivery device 1 discharging the implant X contained in the containing chamber 2a1.

[0026] The delivery device 1 is used to deliver a transplant X to a target site in a living body, such as subcutaneously or subpericardially. Specifically, the delivery device 1 is used in a procedure for transplanting the transplant X into a living body in an intensive care unit or the like where transplants are performed. In addition to the delivery device 1, the transplant X is also shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0027] The transplant X is not particularly limited as long as it is transplanted into a living organism. The transplant X may be, for example, tissue made of a biological material; a cell culture; or various materials such as plastic, paper, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, metal, polymer, or lipid. When the transplant X contains cells, the cells constituting the transplant X include, for example, somatic stem cells (adult stem cells), or differentiated cells derived from ES cells (embryonic stem cells) or iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells). Examples of somatic stem cells include mesenchymal stem cells, vascular endothelial cells (endothelial stem / progenitor cells), and skeletal myoblasts (including myoblast cells). Examples of differentiated cells include cardiomyocytes and fibroblast cells. In addition, the cells may include, for example, cell lines and genetically modified cells. The transplant X may be, for example, a cell mass, an organoid, etc. Furthermore, the transplant X exemplified in this embodiment (see, for example, FIGS. 1 to 4) is a thin sheet-like material, but the shape of the transplant X is not particularly limited. However, the delivery device 1 is particularly useful for delivering a fragile sheet-like material that is easily deformed, damaged, etc., as the transplant X into a living body.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the delivery device 1 includes a housing 2 that defines an internal space 2a. The housing 2 includes a partition wall 3 that divides the internal space 2a into a housing chamber 2a1 that can accommodate a transplant X and a control fluid chamber 2a2 that can accommodate a control fluid. The housing 2 defines an outlet 4 that can discharge the transplant X accommodated in the housing chamber 2a1 to the outside of the housing 2, and a control fluid supply port 5 that can supply the control fluid to the control fluid chamber 2a2. The partition wall 3 includes a deformation portion 8 that can deform to reduce the volume of the housing chamber 2a1 when the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 increases.

[0029] The delivery method using the delivery device 1 includes a discharge step of discharging the transplant X to the outside of the container 2 through the discharge port 4. FIG. 4 shows this discharge step. Specifically, in the discharge step, with the transplant X contained in the container chamber 2a1 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), a control fluid is supplied to the control fluid chamber 2a2 through the control fluid supply port 5 to increase the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2, thereby deforming the deformation portion 8 so as to reduce the volume of the container chamber 2a1 (see FIG. 4). This increases the internal pressure of the container chamber 2a1, and the fluid contained in the container chamber 2a1 is discharged to the outside of the container 2 through the discharge port 4. At this time, due to the flow of the fluid being discharged to the outside of the container 2, the transplant X contained in the container chamber 2a1 is also discharged to the outside of the container 2 through the discharge port 4 (see FIG. 4).

[0030] In this way, the delivery device 1 and the delivery method using the delivery device 1 utilize the fluid flow generated by deforming the deformable portion 8 to expel the implant X contained in the storage chamber 2a1 to the outside of the storage body 2. Therefore, the implant X can be released to the target site in the living body without coming into contact with hard instruments such as forceps, members with a high coefficient of friction such as belts, etc. As a result, damage to the implant X during release can be suppressed.

[0031] The delivery device 1 of this embodiment will be described in further detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing body 2 of this embodiment includes an insertion section 10 and three connector sections 11 connected to the insertion section 10.

[0032] The insertion section 10 defines a longitudinal direction A. The insertion section 10 can be inserted into a living body along the longitudinal direction A. Specifically, the insertion section 10 can be inserted into a space within the living body, such as a subcutaneous space or a subpericardial space. For ease of explanation, the distal end side of the insertion section 10 in the longitudinal direction A that is inserted into the living body will be simply referred to as the "distal end side A1," and the opposite side will be simply referred to as the "proximal end side A2."

[0033] As described above, the insertion section 10 of this embodiment can be inserted into a living body along the longitudinal direction A. That is, the insertion direction of the insertion section 10 of this embodiment into a living body is the direction from the base end side A2 toward the tip end side A1 in the longitudinal direction A. Furthermore, the removal direction of the insertion section 10 of this embodiment from a living body is the direction from the tip end side A1 toward the base end side A2 in the longitudinal direction A.

[0034] The insertion section 10 has a flat shape that defines a thickness direction B that is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction A. Therefore, the insertion section 10 can be easily inserted into narrow spaces such as subcutaneous or subpericardial spaces within a living body.

[0035] The insertion section 10 of this embodiment includes an exterior body 20 and a bag body 30 disposed inside the exterior body 20. The exterior body 20 is hollow. The bag body 30 defines an accommodation chamber 2a1 therein and defines a control fluid chamber 2a2 between the exterior body 20 and the bag body 30. In other words, the partition wall 3 of this embodiment is formed by the bag body 30.

[0036] The discharge port 4 of this embodiment is defined in the tip portion of the insertion portion 10. Specifically, a tip opening 21 is defined in the tip surface of the exterior body 20. As described above, the bag body 30 is disposed inside the exterior body 20. The bag body 30 also has a protruding portion 32 that protrudes from the tip opening 21 of the exterior body 20 to the outside of the exterior body 20. This protruding portion 32 forms the tip portion of the insertion portion 10. The discharge port 4 of this embodiment is defined in the protruding portion 32 of the bag body 30. The discharge port 4 of this embodiment can discharge the transplant X contained in the storage chamber 2a1 toward the tip side A1.

[0037] As described above, the outlet 4 of this embodiment is defined by the protrusion 32 of the bag body 30, which is less susceptible to changes in the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2. In other words, the outlet 4 of this embodiment is less likely to deform even if the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 changes. Therefore, the outlet 4 of this embodiment is likely to maintain its shape as an opening that connects the accommodation chamber 2a1 to the outside of the accommodation body 2, even if the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 increases.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, the partition wall 3 of this embodiment includes a top wall portion 35 that separates the storage chamber 2as1 and the control fluid chamber 2a2 in the thickness direction B. For ease of explanation, in this embodiment, the direction from the storage chamber 2a1 toward the control fluid chamber 2a2 across the top wall portion 35 in the thickness direction B will be referred to as the "upper side B1," and the direction from the control fluid chamber 2a2 toward the storage chamber 2a1 across the top wall portion 35 will be referred to as the "lower side B2." Note that Fig. 2 is a plan view of the delivery device 1 as viewed from the upper side B1.

[0039] The top wall portion 35 has a deformable portion 8. The deformable portion 8 of the top wall portion 35 is deformable in the thickness direction B so as to reduce the volume of the accommodation chamber 2a1 due to an increase in the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2. Specifically, the deformable portion 8 of the top wall portion 35 deforms toward the lower side B2 so as to reduce the volume of the accommodation chamber 2a1 due to an increase in the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 (see FIG. 4).

[0040] The top wall 35 of this embodiment is composed only of the deforming portion 8. However, the top wall 35 may also include a deformation suppressing portion having greater rigidity in the thickness direction B than the deforming portion 8. Specific examples of the deformation suppressing portion will be described later (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Furthermore, the rigidity of the deforming portion 8 of the top wall 35 in the thickness direction B is substantially constant regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction A. However, from the viewpoint of facilitating the discharge of the implant X contained in the storage chamber 2a1, it is desirable that the deforming portion 8 of the top wall 35 deforms preferentially from the base end side A2. Therefore, the rigidity of the deforming portion 8 of the top wall 35 in the thickness direction B may increase toward the distal end side A1. Specifically, the length and hardness of the deforming portion 8 of the top wall 35 in the thickness direction B may be increased toward the distal end side A1, thereby increasing the rigidity of the deforming portion 8 of the top wall 35 in the thickness direction B toward the distal end side A1.

[0041] The insertion part 10 is provided with a bottom wall part 36 that is disposed opposite the top wall part 35 in the thickness direction B and that defines the storage chamber 2a1 and the discharge port 4 between itself and the top wall part 35. In this embodiment, the bottom wall part 36 is formed by the bag body 30. The bottom wall part 36 has a support surface 45b that can support the transplant X stored in the storage chamber 2a1. This support surface 45b is a flat surface without any irregularities. By supporting the transplant X stored in the storage chamber 2a1 on this support surface 45b, the transplant X is less likely to get caught on the storage body 2 when released. In other words, the transplant X can be released more smoothly.

[0042] The bottom wall portion 36 of this embodiment is in contact with the inner surface of the exterior body 20 and does not separate the storage chamber 2a1 and the control fluid chamber 2a2 in the thickness direction B. In other words, the bottom wall portion 36 of this embodiment is not a partition wall 3. Therefore, even if the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 increases, the bottom wall portion 36 of this embodiment does not deform to reduce the volume of the storage chamber 2a1. This makes it easier to use the bottom wall portion 36 as a support portion for supporting the transplant X stored in the storage chamber 2a1. This improves the positional stability of the transplant X stored in the storage chamber 2a1.

[0043] The bottom wall 36 has an exposed portion 45 that is not covered by the top wall 35 in the thickness direction B at the position of the discharge port 4. Providing such an exposed portion 45 makes it easier to use the discharge port 4 as an insertion port when storing a transplant X in the storage chamber 2a1. Specifically, the transplant X can be easily inserted into the storage chamber 2a1 by placing the transplant X on the exposed portion 45 and then moving it toward the base end side A2. In this embodiment, the exposed portion 45 is formed on the bottom wall 36 by providing an arc-shaped recess 40 on the end surface of the distal end side A1 of the top wall 35, but this configuration is not limited thereto. The exposed portion 45 of the bottom wall 36 can be formed by providing all or a part of the end surface of the distal end side A1 of the top wall 35 at a position recessed toward the base end side A2 from the end surface of the distal end side A1 of the bottom wall 36. Therefore, the exposed portion 45 of the bottom wall 36 may be formed, for example, by providing a V-shaped recess on the end surface of the distal end side A1 of the top wall 35.

[0044] The exposed portion 45 of this embodiment is provided on the protruding portion 32 of the bag body 30. That is, the exposed portion 45 of this embodiment is provided on a portion of the bottom wall portion 36 formed by the bag body 30 that is not in contact with the inner surface of the exterior body 20. However, part or all of the exposed portion 45 may be in contact with the inner surface of the exterior body 20 and supported by the inner surface of the exterior body 20. In this case, the exterior body 20 may be configured to expose the exposed portion 45 to the outside of the container 2 while supporting part or all of the exposed portion 45 from the lower side B2. This prevents the exposed portion 45 from bending when the transplanted plant X is placed on the exposed portion 45.

[0045] The exposed portion 45 of this embodiment is connected to the distal end side A1 of the support surface 45b and has a placement surface 45a on which the transplant X can be placed. The placement surface 45a and the support surface 45b form a single flat surface without any irregularities. This further improves the ease of inserting the transplant X into the storage chamber 2a1 through the outlet 4.

[0046] The edge 22 of the exterior body 20, which defines the tip opening 21, is in close proximity to or in contact with the outer surface of the bag body 30. Specifically, in this embodiment, the edge 22 of the exterior body 20, which defines the tip opening 21, is in contact with the outer surface of the bag body 30 without any gaps. Therefore, the control fluid chamber 2a2 is not in communication with the outside of the container 2 through the tip opening 21 of the exterior body 20. This makes it difficult for the control fluid supplied to the control fluid chamber 2a2 to leak to the outside of the container 2 through the tip opening 21 of the exterior body 20. This makes it easier to increase the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2. The edge 22 of the exterior body 20 and the outer surface of the bag body 30 may be fixed in contact with each other by adhesive or the like. The control fluid may be a gas or a liquid, and examples thereof include gases such as helium gas, CO2 gas, and O2 gas, and liquids such as saline and contrast medium.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2 , the insertion section 10 of this embodiment includes two closing walls 38a that partially close the storage chamber 2a1. Specifically, the two closing walls 38a are arranged at predetermined positions in the longitudinal direction A within the storage chamber 2a1, spaced apart in the width direction C. As a result, the two closing walls 38a partially close the storage chamber 2a1, and in a portion of the longitudinal direction A of the storage chamber 2a1, the length of the storage chamber 2a1 in the width direction C, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A and the thickness direction B, is made shorter than the length of the graft X in the width direction C. Therefore, the graft X contained in the storage chamber 2a1 comes into contact with the two closing walls 38a, thereby being restricted from moving further toward the base end side A2. In other words, the insertion section 10 of this embodiment includes a stopper portion 38 that restricts the graft X contained in the storage chamber 2a1 from moving toward the base end side A2. The stopper portion 38 of this embodiment is the two closing walls 38a of the insertion section 10. By providing such a stopper portion 38, it is possible to prevent the transplant X contained in the storage chamber 2a1 from moving more than necessary toward the proximal end side A2, which would make it difficult to discharge the transplant X. The two closing wall portions 38a serving as the stopper portion 38 of this embodiment have a length in the width direction C of the storage chamber 2a1 that is shorter than the length of the transplant X in the width direction C at a predetermined position on the distal side A1 than the proximal end of the storage chamber 2a1. That is, the two closing wall portions 38a serving as the stopper portion 38 of this embodiment restrict the transplant X from moving toward the proximal end side A2 beyond a predetermined position on the distal side A1 than the proximal end of the storage chamber 2a1. Each of the two closing wall portions 38a of this embodiment has a rectangular shape (more specifically, a strip shape elongated in the width direction C) when viewed along the thickness direction B, but is not limited to this shape. For example, each of the two closing wall portions 38a may have an arc shape that curves convexly toward the center of the storage chamber 2a1 in the width direction C when viewed along the thickness direction B.

[0048] The stopper portion 38 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment as long as it restricts the movement of the transplant X contained in the storage chamber 2a1 to the proximal side A2. The stopper portion 38 may be configured to be permeable to fluid in the longitudinal direction A within the storage chamber 2a1 and to prevent the transplant X from passing through in the longitudinal direction A within the storage chamber 2a1. For example, the stopper portion 38 may be configured from a strip-shaped plate member having one or more through-holes through which the fluid can pass, a sponge member through which the fluid can pass, or the like. Alternatively, the stopper portion 38 may be configured by heat-sealing the bag body 30 in the thickness direction B to partially close the storage chamber 2a1.

[0049] The insertion section 10 has a tapered portion 25 whose length in the thickness direction B gradually decreases toward the distal end side A1. Providing such a tapered portion 25 makes it easier for the insertion section 10 to be inserted into narrow spaces in a living body, such as subcutaneous or subpericardial spaces.

[0050] Specifically, the tapered portion 25 in this embodiment is formed at the tip portion of the exterior body 20. The tip portion of the exterior body 20 in this embodiment has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction A, thereby forming the tapered portion 25. However, the configuration for realizing the tapered portion 25 is not particularly limited. For example, in this embodiment, only the upper surface of the tip portion of the exterior body 20 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction A so as to approach the lower surface toward the tip side A1. However, only the lower surface of the tip portion of the exterior body 20 may be an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction A so as to approach the upper surface toward the tip side A1, or both the upper surface and the lower surface of the tip portion of the exterior body 20 may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction A so as to approach each other toward the tip side A1.

[0051] The exterior body 20 may be made of a hard material. The material of the exterior body 20 is not particularly limited, and may be made of, for example, a metal material. Examples of metal materials that make up the exterior body 20 include stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, and titanium alloys. The exterior body 20 may also be made of, for example, a resin material. Examples of resin materials that make up the exterior body 20 include thermoplastic resins used in injection molding, such as ABS resin, AS resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyphenylene oxide, thermoplastic polyurethane, polymethylene methacrylate, polyoxyethylene, fluororesin, polycarbonate, polyamide, acetal resin, acrylic resin, and polyethylene terephthalate, as well as thermosetting resins such as phenolic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, and unsaturated polyester.

[0052] The bag body 30 having the deforming portion 8 may be made of a flexible material. The material of the bag body 30 is not particularly limited, but it may be made of resin, for example. Examples of the resin material that makes up the bag body 30 include thermoplastic resins such as polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyamide elastomer, polyester elastomer, polyurethane, polyester, and polyarylene sulfide.

[0053] As described above, three connector portions 11 are connected to the insertion portion 10. Specifically, the three connector portions 11 in this embodiment are connected to the base end portion of the insertion portion 10. Each of the three connector portions 11 defines one of the control fluid supply port 5, the control fluid discharge port 51, and the storage fluid supply port 52.

[0054] The control fluid supply port 5 is an opening that connects the control fluid chamber 2a2 to the outside of the container 2. The control fluid supply port 5 is configured to be able to supply a control fluid to the control fluid chamber 2a2. In the delivery device 1 of this embodiment, the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 can be increased by supplying a control fluid to the control fluid chamber 2a2 through the control fluid supply port 5.

[0055] The control fluid outlet 51 is an opening that connects the control fluid chamber 2a2 to the outside of the container 2. The control fluid outlet 51 is configured to be able to discharge the control fluid contained in the control fluid chamber 2a2 to the outside of the container 2. In the delivery device 1 of this embodiment, after supplying the control fluid to the control fluid chamber 2a2 to release the graft X, the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 can be reduced by discharging the control fluid contained in the control fluid chamber 2a2 to the outside of the container 2 through the control fluid outlet 51. This allows the deformed portion 8, which has been deformed due to the increase in internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2 when the graft X is released, to return to the state it was in before the graft X was released.

[0056] The storage fluid supply port 52 is an opening that connects the storage chamber 2a1 to the outside of the storage body 2. The storage fluid supply port 52 is configured to be able to supply fluid to the storage chamber 2a1. In the delivery device 1 of this embodiment, by supplying fluid to the storage chamber 2a1 through the storage fluid supply port 52, the area around the transplant X stored in the storage chamber 2a1 can be filled with fluid. This makes it easier to discharge the transplant X to the outside of the storage body 2 when releasing the transplant X. The fluid supplied to the storage chamber 2a1 through the storage fluid supply port 52 may be a liquid such as physiological saline, for example.

[0057] In this embodiment, the two connector portions 11 that define the control fluid supply port 5 and the control fluid discharge port 51 are configured by joint members attached to the insertion portion 10, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the two connector portions 11 may be formed integrally with the insertion portion 10. Furthermore, the housing 2 may be configured to include only the connector portion 11 that defines the control fluid supply port 5, out of the two connector portions 11. In this case, the control fluid supply port 5 may also serve as the control fluid discharge port 51.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector section 11 that defines the storage fluid supply port 52 is configured by a joint member attached to the insertion section 10 and a tube member that is connected to the joint member and the bag body 30 and defines a lumen therein that communicates with the storage chamber 2a1, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the connector section 11 that defines the storage fluid supply port 52 may be configured only by a tube member that defines a lumen therein that connects the storage chamber 2a1 with the outside of the storage body 2, without including a joint member.

[0059] The delivery device and delivery method according to the present disclosure are not limited to the specific configurations shown in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0060] For example, as in the modified example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the top wall 35 may be provided with a deformation suppressing portion 60, the rigidity of which in the thickness direction B is greater than that of the deformation portion 8, at least at the position of the outlet 4. This suppresses deformation of the top wall 35 due to an increase in the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2, at least at the position of the outlet 4. This suppresses blockage of the outlet 4 and obstruction of discharge of the transplant X when the transplant X is released. The deformation suppressing portion 60 may also extend from the position of the outlet 4 located outside the exterior body 20 to a position inside the exterior body 20. This suppresses deformation of the top wall 35 due to the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber 2a2, not only at the position of the outlet 4 but also inside the exterior body 20. This suppresses blockage of the outlet 4 and obstruction of discharge of the transplant X when the transplant X is released, thereby further suppressing obstruction of discharge of the transplant X. In the modified example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the deformation suppression unit 60 is disposed on the tip side A1 of the deformation unit 8. If the rigidity of the deformation unit 8 in the thickness direction B of the top wall 35 varies depending on the position, the rigidity of the deformation suppression unit 60 in the thickness direction B may be configured to be greater than the rigidity of the portion of the deformation unit 8 of the top wall 35 that has the greatest rigidity. In the modified example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the length of the deformation suppression unit 60 in the thickness direction B is made greater than the length of the deformation unit 8 in the thickness direction B, thereby realizing a configuration in which the rigidity of the deformation suppression unit 60 in the thickness direction B is greater than the rigidity of the deformation unit 8 in the thickness direction B. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the above configuration may be realized by forming the deformation suppression unit 60 from a material harder than the deformation unit 8, such as metal or hard resin. Furthermore, in the modified example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the deformation suppression section 60 has constant rigidity in the thickness direction B regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction A, but for example, the deformation suppression section 60 may be configured so that the rigidity in the thickness direction B increases toward the tip side A1.

[0061] 7, the bag body 30 does not have to protrude to the outside of the exterior body 20 through the tip opening 21 of the exterior body 20. In this way, the protruding portion 32 (see FIG. 1, etc.) of the bag body 30 is not formed, and therefore, when the insertion section 10 is inserted into a living body, the bag body 30 can be prevented from coming into contact with a part of the living body, etc., and the outlet 4 can be prevented from being blocked.

[0062] 8, the insertion section 10 may be formed from a single, integrally molded member. In this way, the delivery device 1 can be realized with a simple structure. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the modifications shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the modification shown in FIG. 7, the discharge port 4 is defined by the bag body 30. Specifically, the discharge port 4 is a distal opening of the bag body 30 defined at the distal end of the bag body 30. In contrast, in the modification shown in FIG. 8, the insertion section 10 is formed from a single member, and therefore the bag body 30 does not exist. Therefore, the discharge port 4 in the modification shown in FIG. 8 is defined by the inner surface of the insertion section 10, which is a single member, defining the storage chamber 2a1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] The present disclosure relates to delivery devices and delivery methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1: Delivery device 2: Containment Unit 2a:Inner space 2a1:Containment room 2a2: Control fluid chamber 3: Bulkhead 4: Outlet 5: Control fluid supply port 8: Deformation part 10: Insertion section 11: Connector part 20: Exterior body 21: Tip opening 22: Edge 25: Tapered part 30: Bag body 32:Protrusion 35: Ceiling wall 36: Bottom wall 38: Stopper part 38a: Closure wall 40: Recess 45:Exposed part 45a: Placement surface 45b: Support surface 51: Control fluid outlet 52: Fluid supply port 60: Deformation suppression section A: Longitudinal direction A1: Tip side A2: Proximal side B: Thickness direction B1: Upper side B2: Lower side C: Width direction X: Implant

Claims

1. A container that defines an internal space is provided, the container has a partition wall that divides the internal space into a storage chamber capable of accommodating an implant and a control fluid chamber capable of accommodating a control fluid, and also divides the internal space into an outlet that can discharge the implant accommodated in the storage chamber to the outside of the container, and a control fluid supply port that can supply the control fluid to the control fluid chamber; A delivery device, wherein the partition wall has a deformable portion that is deformable so as to reduce the volume of the storage chamber when the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber increases.

2. the container includes an insertion portion that defines a longitudinal direction and is insertable into a living body; The delivery device according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet is defined at a distal end of the insertion portion.

3. The delivery device according to claim 2 , wherein the insertion section has a flat shape that defines a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

4. The delivery device according to claim 3 , wherein the insertion section has a tapered portion whose length in the thickness direction gradually decreases toward the distal end.

5. the insertion portion defines the internal space and includes the partition wall; the partition wall includes a top wall portion that separates the storage chamber and the control fluid chamber in the thickness direction, The delivery device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the top wall portion includes the deformable portion that is deformable in the thickness direction so as to reduce the volume of the storage chamber in response to an increase in internal pressure of the control fluid chamber.

6. the insertion portion includes a bottom wall portion that is disposed opposite the top wall portion in the thickness direction and that defines the storage chamber and the discharge port between the top wall portion and the bottom wall portion; The bottom wall portion has a support surface capable of supporting the implant contained in the container, The delivery device of claim 5 , wherein the support surface is a flat surface without any irregularities.

7. The delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the bottom wall is not the septum.

8. The delivery device according to claim 6 , wherein the bottom wall portion has an exposed portion at the position of the discharge port that is not covered by the top wall portion in the thickness direction.

9. The exposed portion is connected to a distal end side of the support surface and has a placement surface on which the implant can be placed, The delivery device according to claim 8 , wherein the placement surface and the support surface form a single flat surface without any irregularities.

10. The delivery device according to claim 6 , wherein the top wall portion includes a deformation suppressing portion at least at the position of the discharge port, the deformation suppressing portion having a greater rigidity in the thickness direction than the deformation portion.

11. The delivery device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the insertion section includes a stopper section that restricts the implant contained in the storage chamber from moving toward the proximal end.

12. the insertion portion includes an exterior body and a bag body that is disposed inside the exterior body, defines the storage chamber therein, and defines the control fluid chamber between the exterior body and the bag body; The delivery device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the partition wall is formed by the bag body.

13. The delivery device according to claim 1 , wherein the container includes a fluid supply port capable of supplying fluid to the storage chamber.

14. A delivery method using a delivery device, comprising: the delivery device includes a housing defining an internal space; the container has a partition wall that divides the internal space into a storage chamber capable of accommodating an implant and a control fluid chamber capable of accommodating a control fluid, and also divides the internal space into an outlet that can discharge the implant accommodated in the storage chamber to the outside of the container, and a control fluid supply port that can supply the control fluid to the control fluid chamber; the partition wall includes a deformable portion that is deformable so as to reduce the volume of the storage chamber in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber, A delivery method including an ejection step in which, while the implant is contained in the storage chamber, the control fluid is supplied to the control fluid chamber through the control fluid supply port to increase the internal pressure of the control fluid chamber, and the deformation portion is deformed to reduce the volume of the storage chamber, thereby ejecting the implant outside the storage body through the ejection port.

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