Medical tubing, medical tubing positioning system

Abstract

The present invention provides a medical tube that allows for easy confirmation of the position of the tip of the medical tube from outside the body, regardless of the orientation of the tip of the medical tube inserted into the patient's body. [Solution] A medical tube comprising a tubular body portion 40, at least one opening 41 formed on the side of the body portion, and a light-transmitting portion 42 formed at one end of the body portion, having a hemispherical surface shape, for emitting light from a light source.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical tube and a medical tube position confirmation system. [Background Art]

[0002] For patients who have difficulty taking nutrients orally, such as nutritional agents, a technique called nasogastric nutrition is used to directly supply the nutritional agents to the stomach. Specifically, a medical tube is inserted into the patient's nostril, and its tip is reached to the stomach through the esophagus. Then, the nutritional agent is injected from the proximal end of the medical tube located outside the body.

[0003] Here, a technique for confirming that the tip of the medical tube has reached the stomach through the esophagus is known.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a catheter device including a catheter to be inserted into the body, a light source unit having a laser diode that emits visible red light, and an optical fiber that guides the visible red light emitted from the light source unit to the vicinity of the tip of the catheter. According to such a configuration, when the catheter is inserted into the patient's stomach, the light emitted near the tip of the catheter can be visually recognized from outside the body, and the position of the tip of the catheter can be confirmed from outside the body. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-087091 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] However, with the catheter device described in Patent Document 1, it can be difficult to see the light emitted from the tip of the fiber from outside the body. Specifically, if the tip of the fiber is not facing the patient's abdomen inside the patient's stomach, it becomes difficult to see the light from outside the body. Furthermore, it is difficult to manipulate the tip of the fiber to face the patient's abdomen inside the stomach.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a medical tube that allows the position of the tip to be easily confirmed from outside the body, regardless of the orientation of the tip inside the patient's body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention for achieving the above objective is a medical tube having a tubular body, at least one opening formed on the side of the body, and a light-transmitting portion formed at one end of the body, having a hemispherical surface shape, for emitting light from a light source. Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description and drawings described later. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical tube that allows the position of the tip of the medical tube to be easily confirmed from outside the body, regardless of the orientation of the tip of the medical tube inserted into the patient's body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the overall configuration of the medical tube position confirmation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the configuration near the tip of the medical tube according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the configuration near the tip of the medical tube according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the configuration near the tip of the medical tube according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]This diagram illustrates the overall configuration of the medical tube position confirmation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the configuration near the tip of the medical tube according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the configuration of the tip and base portions of the medical tube according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates the configuration near the tip of the medical tube according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the structure near the tip of a modified medical tube. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the structure near the tip of a modified medical tube. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the structure near the tip of a modified medical tube. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates the structure near the tip of a modified medical tube. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates the structure near the tip of a modified medical tube. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <First Embodiment> ==Medical Tube Positioning System== Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the medical tube position confirmation system 1 of this embodiment. The medical tube position confirmation system 1 comprises a light source device 2, a light guide 3, and a medical tube 4.

[0012] [Light source device] The light source device 2 supplies light to the light guide 3. The light source device 2 includes a housing 20 and a condenser 21. The housing 20 has a light source 200 inside. The light source 200 generates light including wavelengths that can penetrate a living body. The condenser 21 has a lens group (not shown) for condensing the light generated by the light source 200, and emits the condensed light to the outside. By connecting one end of the light guide 3 to the condenser 21, the light source device 2 can supply the light from the light source 200 to the light guide 3. The light from the light source 200 is used to confirm the position of the tip of the medical tube 4.

[0013] [Light guide] The light guide 3 is a long member having flexibility. The light guide 3 can be inserted into the medical tube 4 and guides the light from the light source 200. The light incident on one end of the light guide 3 propagates inside the light guide 3 and exits from the other end of the light guide 3. Hereinafter, in the light guide 3, the end on the side where the light from the light source 200 is incident is referred to as the “base end (of the light guide)”, and the end on the side where the light exits is referred to as the “tip end (of the light guide)”.

[0014] The light guide 3 is, for example, an optical fiber and has a core and a cladding. The core transmits the light from the light source 200. The material of the core is, for example, quartz, glass, plastic, or the like. The cladding fills the outside of the core. The material of the cladding is, for example, quartz, glass, plastic, or the like, and has a refractive index smaller than that of the core. The light incident on the light guide 3 propagates through the core while repeatedly undergoing total reflection at the interface between the core and the cladding.

[0015] [Medical tube] Figs. 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the configuration near the tip of the medical tube 4 of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip of the medical tube 4. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along A - A' shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along B - B' shown in Fig. 2.

[0016] Medical tube 4 is a long, flexible tube. Medical tube 4 is used in the procedure of nasogastric tube feeding. In medical tube 4, the end that is inserted into the patient's body is called the "(medical tube) tip," and the other end is called the "(medical tube) proximal end."

[0017] The surgeon inserts a medical tube 4 through the patient's nasal cavity or mouth and guides the tip of the medical tube 4 through the esophagus to the stomach. Then, nutritional supplements are injected from the proximal end of the medical tube 4, which is located outside the patient's body. This allows nutritional supplements to be delivered directly to the patient's stomach.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the medical tube 4 has a main body 40, an opening 41, and a light-transmitting portion 42.

[0019] The main body 40 is a tubular member. The hollow portion of the main body 40 is connected from the base end to the tip end. The base end of the main body 40 is the end into which nutrients or other substances are injected. The tip of the main body portion 40 is the end on the side where the light-transmitting portion 42 is formed.

[0020] The main body portion 40 has an inner circumferential surface 40a, an outer circumferential surface 40b, an end face on the base end side (not shown), and an end face 40c on the tip end side (Figure 3).

[0021] The main body 40 allows for the insertion of a light guide 3, which transmits light from the light source 200 to the light-transmitting section 42, into its hollow section (Figures 3 and 4). In other words, the diameter of the hollow section of the main body 40 is larger than the diameter of the light guide 3.

[0022] The main body portion 40 is formed from a flexible material. Specific materials for the main body portion 40 include, for example, silicone, polypropylene, elastomer, fluororesin, and the like.

[0023] The opening 41 is formed on the side of the main body 40. The opening 41 is a hole for introducing nutritional supplements, etc., injected from the base end of the main body 40 into the patient's stomach.

[0024] Here, as shown in Figure 2, the opening 41 is formed on the side surface near the tip of the main body 40. The side surface near the tip is the side surface located inside the stomach when the main body 40 is inserted into the patient's body.

[0025] In this embodiment, three openings 41 are formed on the side surface of the main body 40. All three openings 41 are circular in shape and the same size. Furthermore, the three openings 41 are arranged in a single row along the long axis of the main body 40.

[0026] The number, shape, size, and arrangement of the openings 41 are not limited to this embodiment. For example, at least one opening 41 is formed on the side of the main body 40, near the tip of the main body 40. Alternatively, the shape and / or size of each of the multiple openings 41 may differ.

[0027] The light-transmitting portion 42 is a component for emitting light from the light source 200. The light-transmitting portion 42 is formed at one end (tip) of the main body portion 40. The light-transmitting portion 42 has a hemispherical surface shape. Here, "hemispherical" is not limited to a perfect hemisphere, but includes a substantially hemispherical shape that is deformed from a perfect hemisphere. Here, "substantially hemispherical" means a shape that can emit light from the light source 200 at an illumination angle similar to that of a perfect hemispherical light-transmitting portion 42.

[0028] The translucent portion 42 is formed of a translucent material. Specific materials that can be used for the translucent portion 42 include, for example, silicone, polypropylene, elastomer, fluororesin, and the like.

[0029] The translucent portion 42 has a curved portion 42a and a bottom portion 42b. The curved portion 42a is the hemispherical part of the surface of the translucent portion 42. The bottom portion 42b is the flat part of the surface of the translucent portion 42. The shape of the bottom portion 42b is circular, and its diameter is equal to the diameter of the main body portion 40. The bottom portion 42b of the translucent portion 42 is connected to the end face 40c on the front end side of the main body portion 40. The main body portion 40 and the translucent portion 42 may be integrally molded.

[0030] [Propagation of light] Next, referring to Figure 3, the propagation of light from the light source 200 to the tip of the medical tube 4 will be explained.

[0031] When confirming the position of the tip of the medical tube 4, the light guide 3 is inserted inside the medical tube 4 as shown in Figure 3. The medical tube 4 may be inserted into the patient's body with the light guide 3 already inserted inside. Alternatively, the light guide 3 may be inserted into the medical tube 4 after it has been inserted into the patient's body.

[0032] Furthermore, Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the tip of the light guide 3 is in contact with the bottom surface 42b of the light-transmitting portion 42. However, the embodiment is not limited to this one, as long as the light emitted from the tip of the light guide 3 enters the light-transmitting portion 42 from the bottom surface 42b. For example, the bottom surface 42b of the light-transmitting portion 42 and the tip of the light guide 3 may be spaced apart from each other.

[0033] In the state shown in Figure 3, light from the light source 200 first enters the light guide 3 from its base end. The light that enters the light guide 3 propagates towards the tip of the light guide 3 while repeatedly reflecting within the light guide 3. The light that reaches the tip of the light guide 3 enters the light-transmitting portion 42 from its bottom surface 42b (Figure 3).

[0034] A portion of the light incident on the light-transmitting section 42 exits the curved surface section 42a to the outside of the light-transmitting section 42. In this case, the direction of light propagation changes depending on the refractive index of the light-transmitting section 42 and the angle of incidence at the curved surface section 42a (Figure 3). Another portion of the light incident on the light-transmitting section 42 undergoes one or more reflections at the curved surface section 42a or the bottom surface section 42b before exiting the curved surface section 42a to the outside of the light-transmitting section 42. In this case as well, the direction of light propagation changes depending on the refractive index of the light-transmitting portion 42 and the angle of incidence at the curved surface portion 42a.

[0035] As described above, light incident on the light-transmitting portion 42 is refracted by the curved portion 42a and emitted in various directions.

[0036] <Second Embodiment> ==Medical Tube Positioning System== Next, the medical tube position confirmation system 5 in the second embodiment will be described using Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the medical tube position confirmation system 5 in this embodiment. Figures 6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the configuration near the tip of the medical tube 6 in the medical tube position confirmation system 5 of this embodiment. Figure 6 is a side view of the vicinity of the tip of the medical tube 6. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of AA' shown in Figure 6. Note that Figure 7 also shows the light-gathering unit 21 and the vicinity of the base end of the medical tube 6. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of BB' shown in Figure 6.

[0037] The medical tube position confirmation system 5 comprises a light source device 2 and a medical tube 6. The medical tube position confirmation system 5 of this embodiment does not include a light guide 3, unlike the medical tube position confirmation system 1 of the first embodiment (Figures 5, 7, and 8). Also, the medical tube 6 of this embodiment has a different configuration from the medical tube 4 of the first embodiment. The following explanation will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0038] [Medical tubing] The medical tube 6 comprises a main body 60, an opening 61, a light-transmitting portion 62, a first reflective layer 63, a second reflective layer 64, and a third reflective layer 65.

[0039] The main body 60 differs from the main body 40 of the first embodiment in that the main body 60 itself guides light from the light source 200. The main body 60 is made of a light-transmitting material. Light from the light source 200 enters the main body 60 from the end face of the base end of the main body 60.

[0040] Three openings 61 (openings 61a, 61b, and 61c) are formed. The shape, size, and arrangement of the three openings 61 are the same as those of the opening 41 in the first embodiment. Of the three openings 61, opening 61a is the opening 61 closest to the base end. Note that the number of openings 61 is not limited to three; at least one is sufficient.

[0041] The light-transmitting portion 62 is formed at one end (tip) of the main body portion 60. The light-transmitting portion 62 has a curved portion 62a and a bottom portion 62b. The detailed configuration and materials of the light-transmitting portion 62 (curved portion 62a and bottom portion 62b) are the same as those of the light-transmitting portion 41 in the first embodiment.

[0042] Furthermore, if the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 are made of different materials, some of the light from the light source 200 may be reflected at the interface between the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 and lost without entering the light-transmitting part 62. Therefore, it is preferable that the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 be made of the same material. Also, if the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 are separate components and the medical tube 6 is formed by joining the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 together, some of the light from the light source 200 may be reflected at the joint surface between the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 and lost without entering the light-transmitting part 62. Therefore, it is preferable that the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 be integrally molded.

[0043] The first reflective layer 63 is provided over the inner circumferential surface 60a of the main body 60 (Figures 7 and 8). The second reflective layer 64 is provided over the outer circumferential surface 60b of the main body 60 (Figures 7 and 8). The third reflective layer 65 is provided over the side surface of the opening 61 (Figures 7 and 8). As will be explained in more detail later, with this configuration, light incident on the main body 60 is repeatedly reflected by the first reflective layer 63, the second reflective layer 64, and the third reflective layer 65, and propagates inside the main body 60.

[0044] The first reflective layer 63, the second reflective layer 64, and the third reflective layer 65 are formed from light-reflecting materials. The first reflective layer 63, the second reflective layer 64, and the third reflective layer 65 may be formed from different materials or from the same material. The first reflective layer 63, the second reflective layer 64, and the third reflective layer 65 can be formed, for example, by coating the main body 60 with a light-reflecting material after it has been formed.

[0045] [Propagation of light] Next, referring to Figure 7, the propagation of light from the light source 200 to the tip of the medical tube 6 will be explained.

[0046] When confirming the position of the tip of the medical tube 6, the light emitted from the light source 200 first enters the main body 60 from the end face of the base end of the main body 60 (Figure 7). The light that enters the main body 60 propagates toward the tip of the main body 60, repeatedly reflecting off the first reflective layer 63 and the second reflective layer 64 (Figure 7). The light that reaches the tip of the main body 60 enters the light-transmitting section 62 from the bottom surface 62b of the light-transmitting section 62 (Figure 7).

[0047] Furthermore, some of the light incident on the main body 60 reaches the third reflective layer 65 formed on the side of the opening 61a furthest from the tip and is reflected (Figure 6). The light reflected by the third reflective layer 65 propagates inside the main body 60. Therefore, the light incident on the main body 60 does not exit the main body 60 through the opening 61.

[0048] As mentioned above, the light-transmitting portion 62 is the same material as the light-transmitting portion 42 in the first embodiment. Therefore, light incident on the light-transmitting portion 62 is refracted by the curved surface portion 62a of the light-transmitting portion 62, similar to the propagation of light described in the first embodiment, and is emitted in various directions.

[0049] ==Torture== The configuration of the medical tube position confirmation system 5 has been described above, but the number, shape, size, and arrangement of the openings 61 are not limited to those described above. Modifications of the openings 61 will be described below.

[0050] <Example 1> Figure 9 is a side view of the vicinity of the tip of the medical tube 6 according to this modified example. Figure 10 is an unfolded view of the main body 60 according to this modified example, showing the main body 60 cut open along one straight line in the longitudinal direction and extended into a plane.

[0051] In this example, of the three openings (openings 61b, 61c, and 61d), the shape of opening 61d, which is located furthest from the tip, differs from the shapes of the other openings 61. Specifically, the shape of opening 61d widens as it approaches the tip. In this modified example, the shape of opening 61d is triangular. Preferably, the triangle is an isosceles triangle, and the vertex angle θ1 shown in Figure 10 is less than 90 degrees.

[0052] The straight line L1 shown in Figure 10 is one of the lines parallel to the long axis direction of the main body 60. There are six intersection points between the straight line L1 and the edge of the opening 61. Point P1 shown in Figure 10 is the intersection point closest to the base of these six intersection points, and is one of the intersection points between the straight line L1 and the edge of the opening 61d. The straight line L2 is the tangent to the edge of the opening 61d at intersection point P1.

[0053] As shown in Figure 10, for example, light incident on the main body 60 and propagating along the straight line L1 reaches the third reflective layer 65 formed on the side surface of the aperture 61d and is reflected at point P1 (in Figure 10, the reflected light is indicated by an arrow). Here, as shown in Figure 10, the light reflected by the third reflective layer 65 propagates toward the tip of the main body 60 (i.e., it does not change direction of propagation toward the base of the main body 60). This is because the vertex angle θ1 of the isosceles triangle, which is the shape of the aperture 61d, is less than 90 degrees. Therefore, even if the light from the light source 200 is reflected by the third reflective layer 65, it is more reliably able to reach the tip of the main body 60 and easily incident on the light-transmitting portion 62.

[0054] <Modification 2> Figure 11 shows an unfolded view of the main body 60. This example differs from Modification 1 in that, of the three openings 61 (openings 61b, 61c, 61e), the opening 61e closest to the base end is rhomboid in shape.

[0055] The straight line L3 shown in Figure 11 is one of the straight lines parallel to the long axis direction of the main body 60. There are six intersection points between the straight line L3 and the edge of the opening 61. Point P2 shown in Figure 11 is the intersection point closest to the base of these six intersection points, and is one of the intersection points between the straight line L3 and the edge of the opening 61e. The straight line L4 shown in Figure 11 is the tangent to the edge of the opening 61e at intersection point P2.

[0056] In the unfolded diagram shown in Figure 11, light propagating along the straight line L3 is reflected by the third reflective layer 65 at point P2. Here, point P2 is a point on one of the two sides of the edge of the aperture 61e on the base side. At this time, the shape of the aperture 61e should be determined such that the angle θ2 between the straight line L3 and the straight line L4 is less than 45 degrees. With such a configuration, the light reflected by the third reflective layer 65 propagates towards the tip side.

[0057] <Variation 3> Figure 12 shows an unfolded view of the main body 60. This example differs from Modification 1 in that it has six openings 61 (openings 61b, 61c, 61d, 61f, 61g, 61h).

[0058] The six openings 61 are arranged in two rows along the long axis of the main body 60. One row has three openings 61 (openings 61b, 61c, 61d) similar to the modified example 1 shown in Figure 10. The other row has three openings 61 (openings 61f, 61g, 61h). Of the openings 61f, 61g, and 61h, opening 61f is the opening 61 closest to the base. The shape and size of openings 61f, 61g, and 61h are the same as the shape and size of openings 61d, 61b, and 61c, respectively.

[0059] The straight line L5 shown in Figure 12 is one of the straight lines parallel to the long axis direction of the main body 60. There are six intersection points between the straight line L5 and the edges of the openings 61 (openings 61d, 61b, 61c). Point P3 shown in Figure 11 is the intersection point closest to the base of these six intersection points, and is one of the intersection points between the straight line L5 and the edge of the opening 61d. The straight line L6 shown in Figure 12 is the tangent to the edge of the opening 61d at intersection point P3.

[0060] Similarly, line L7 is another line parallel to the long axis of the main body 60. Line L7 and the edges of the openings 61 (openings 61f, 61g, 61h) intersect at six points. Point P4 shown in Figure 12 is the closest of these six intersections to the base end and is one of the intersections between line L7 and the edge of opening 61f. Line L8 shown in Figure 12 is the tangent to the edge of opening 61f at intersection P4.

[0061] In this example, the number, shape, size, and arrangement of the openings 61 should be determined such that the angle θ3 between line L5 and line L6, and the angle θ4 between line L7 and line L8, are all less than 45 degrees.

[0062] <Modification 4> Figure 13 shows an unfolded view of the main body 60. In this example, as in the example in Figure 12, six openings 61 (openings 61d, 61f, 61i, 61j, 61k, 61l) are formed.

[0063] Furthermore, the six openings 61 are arranged in two rows along the long axis of the main body 60. Three openings 61 (openings 61d, 61i, 61j) are formed in one row. Of the openings 61d, 61i, and 61j, opening 61d is the opening 61 closest to the base end. Three openings 61 (openings 61f, 61k, and 61l) are formed in the other row. Of the openings 61f, 61k, and 61l, opening 61f is the opening 61 closest to the base end.

[0064] In this example, compared to the example in Figure 12, the difference is that, among the openings 61 arranged in each row, all openings 61 except for the opening 61 closest to the base (openings 61d, 61f) (openings 61i, 61j, 61k, 61l) are rectangular in shape. Note that the shapes and sizes of openings 61i, 61j, 61k, and 61l are not limited to being the same and may be different from each other.

[0065] Even with the number, shape, size, and arrangement of these openings 61, the conditions described in Modification 2 are still met. In other words, there are no restrictions on the shape of the openings 61 other than the opening 61 closest to the base end (openings 61d, 61f) (openings 61i, 61j, 61k, 61l).

[0066] ==Summary== As described above, the medical tubes 4 and 6 each have a tubular main body portion 40 and 60, at least one opening 41 and 61 formed on the side of the main body portion 40 and 60, and a light-transmitting portion 42 and 62 formed at one end of the main body portion 40 and 60, having a hemispherical surface shape, for emitting light from the light source 200.

[0067] By having light-transmitting sections 42 and 62, light from the light source 200 is refracted at the surface of the light-transmitting sections 42 and 62 and emitted. Furthermore, because the surface shape of the light-transmitting sections 42 and 62 is hemispherical, light from the light source 200 is emitted in various directions. In other words, with this configuration, the irradiation angle of light from the light source 200 is larger compared to the case without the light-transmitting sections 42 and 62. Therefore, the light can be seen from outside the body regardless of the orientation of the tip of the medical tube 4 and 6 inserted into the patient's body. That is, the position of the tip of the medical tube 4 and 6 can be easily confirmed from outside the body.

[0068] The medical tube 4 has a main body 40 into which a light guide 3 for transmitting light from the light source 200 to the light-transmitting section 42 can be inserted into the hollow section. With this configuration, light from the light source 200 can be efficiently transmitted to the light-transmitting section 42 via the light guide 3.

[0069] The medical tube 6 further comprises a first reflective layer 63 provided over the inner circumferential surface of the main body 60, a second reflective layer 64 provided over the outer circumferential surface of the main body 60, and a third reflective layer 65 provided over the side surface of at least one opening 61, and the main body 60 is light-transmitting. With this configuration, light from the light source 200 propagates inside the main body 60. In other words, there is no need to insert a light guide 3, such as an optical fiber, into the hollow part of the main body 60. Therefore, it becomes easier to make the medical tube 6 thinner.

[0070] In the medical tube 6, the first reflective layer 63, the second reflective layer 64, and the third reflective layer 65 are made of the same material. This configuration simplifies the manufacturing of the medical tube 6.

[0071] In the medical tube 6, the shape of the opening 61 located furthest from one end is such that it widens as it approaches the end. With this configuration, when light from the light source 200 is reflected by the third reflective layer 65, it is more likely to travel towards the tip of the main body 60. Therefore, light from the light source 200 can be efficiently emitted from the light-transmitting section 62. In other words, the loss of light from the light source 200 can be suppressed.

[0072] In the medical tube 6, the shape of the opening 61 is triangular. With this configuration, light from the light source 200 is more easily reflected by the third reflective layer 65 and then further propagates toward the tip of the main body 40. Therefore, light from the light source 200 can be emitted from the light-transmitting section 62 more efficiently. In other words, the loss of light from the light source 200 can be further suppressed.

[0073] In the medical tube 6, the triangle is an isosceles triangle with a vertex angle less than 90 degrees. With this configuration, compared to the case where the vertex angle is 90 degrees or more, the light from the light source 200 is more easily reflected by the third reflective layer 65 and then further propagates toward the tip of the main body 60. Therefore, compared to the case where the vertex angle is 90 degrees or more, the light from the light source 200 can be emitted from the light-transmitting section 62 more efficiently. In other words, compared to the case where the vertex angle is 90 degrees or more, the loss of light from the light source 200 can be further suppressed.

[0074] In medical tubes 4 and 6, the main body 40 and 60 and the light-transmitting parts 42 and 62 are formed from a single material selected from the group consisting of silicone, polypropylene, elastomer, and fluororesin. This configuration simplifies the manufacturing of medical tubes 4 and 6. Furthermore, in medical tube 6, compared to the case where the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 are formed from different materials, light reflection at the interface between the main body 60 and the light-transmitting part 62 can be suppressed. As a result, light from the light source 200 can be efficiently emitted from the light-transmitting parts 42 and 62, and light loss from the light source 200 can be suppressed.

[0075] The medical tube position confirmation systems 1 and 5 each include a light source 200, tubular main body portions 40 and 60, at least one opening 41 and 61 formed on the side of the main body portions 40 and 60, light-transmitting portions 42 and 62 formed at one end of the main body portions 40 and 60, having a hemispherical surface shape and for emitting light from the light source 200, and a light guide 3 that transmits light from the light source 200 to the light-transmitting portions 42 and 62 and can be inserted into the main body portions 40 and 60.

[0076] Because the medical tubes 4 and 6 have translucent sections 42 and 62, light from the light source 200 is refracted at the surface of the translucent sections 42 and 62 and emitted. Furthermore, because the surface shape of the translucent sections 42 and 62 is hemispherical, light from the light source 200 is emitted in various directions. In other words, with this configuration, the irradiation angle of light from the light source 200 is larger compared to the case where there are no translucent sections 42 and 62. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the tip of the medical tube 4 and 6 inserted into the patient's body, the position of the tip of the medical tube 4 and 6 can be easily confirmed from outside the body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1.5: Medical tube positioning system 2: Light source device 20: Cabinet 21: Light-gathering section 200: Light source 3: Light guide 4, 6: Medical tubing 40, 60: Main body 41, 61: Opening 42, 62: Transparent part 42a, 62a: Curved surface part 42b, 62b: Bottom part 63: First reflective layer 64: Second reflective layer 65: Third Reflecting Layer

Claims

1. A tubular body formed to transmit light from a light source, At least one opening formed near the distal end of the main body, The main body portion has a light-transmitting portion formed at its distal end, which emits light transmitted from the main body portion, The main body is translucent. Medical tubing.

2. The main body portion has an end face at the distal end, and the end face is in contact with the light-transmitting portion. A medical tube according to claim 1.

3. A first reflective layer is provided over the inner circumferential surface of the main body, A second reflective layer is provided across the outer circumferential surface of the main body, It also has, A medical tube according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The medical tube according to claim 3, characterized in that the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer are made of the same material.

5. The medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shape of the opening widens as it approaches the distal end.

6. The medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shape of the opening is triangular.

7. The medical tube according to claim 6, characterized in that the aforementioned triangle is an isosceles triangle and its vertex angle is less than 90 degrees.

8. The main body and the light-transmitting portion are characterized by being formed from one material selected from the group consisting of silicone, polypropylene, elastomer, and fluororesin. A medical tube according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A medical tube position confirmation system having a medical tube, a light source, and a light concentrator as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, The light-gathering unit is configured to direct light from the light source onto the proximal end face of the main body of the medical tube. Medical tube positioning system.

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