Gastrointestinal tract model, method for using the gastrointestinal tract model, and method for cleaning the gastrointestinal tract model.

Abstract

To improve the lubrication of medical devices inserted into a gastrointestinal tract model. [Solution] The digestive tract model comprises a model body having folds on its inner surface and a lubricant applied to the inner surface. The lubricant contains a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a gastrointestinal model.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as a training for procedures using medical devices such as endoscopes, a gastrointestinal model, which is an artificial model mimicking the gastrointestinal tract, is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=3!5]]In a known gastrointestinal model, the slipperiness of a medical device inserted into the gastrointestinal model is not sufficient.

[0005] This specification discloses a technology capable of solving the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gastrointestinal model disclosed in this specification has a model body having folds on the inner surface and a lubricant applied to the inner surface. The lubricant contains a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] (Construction of the gastrointestinal tract model) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the gastrointestinal tract model 100 in this embodiment. Figures 2 and 3 are side views of the gastrointestinal tract model 100. Each figure shows mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. For convenience, in this specification, the positive Z-axis direction is referred to as upward, the negative Z-axis direction as downward, the positive X-axis direction as forward, the negative X-axis direction as backward, the positive Y-axis direction as right, and the negative Y-axis direction as left.

[0009] The gastrointestinal tract model 100 is a device used for training procedures using, for example, an endoscope 200. The endoscope 200 is an example of a medical device. The gastrointestinal tract model 100 has a box 10 and a model body 20.

[0010] The model body 20 is an artificial model that mimics the digestive tract. The digestive tract includes the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. In this embodiment, the model body 20 is a model that mimics the upper digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum) of an animal other than a human (e.g., a dog, cat, etc.). The model body 20 includes a cylindrical esophagus model section 21 that mimics the esophagus, a pouch-shaped stomach model section 22 that mimics the stomach, and a cylindrical duodenum model section 23 that mimics the duodenum. The esophagus model section 21, the stomach model section 22, and the duodenum model section 23 are connected in this order. The model body 20 has a continuous internal space 26 formed from the end opening on the esophagus model section 21 side to the end opening on the duodenum model section 23 side. The model body 20 is flexible. The model body 20 is made of, for example, silicone resin.

[0011] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. For convenience, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a portion of the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the model body 20. The inner surface 24 of the model body 20 facing the internal space 26 has folds 25. In this embodiment, a plurality of convex folds 25 are formed on the inner surface 24 of the model body 20, mimicking the folds present on the inner surface of an actual digestive tract.

[0012] The model body 20 can be manufactured by known methods using a die. The method for manufacturing the die is as follows, for example: First, the worker manufactures a die without any patterns on its surface by 3D printing or cutting. Next, the worker applies UV resin to the die, attaches tissue paper, and uses tweezers or the like to form pleats, and then cures the resin with a UV light. By manufacturing the model body 20 using the die thus manufactured, pleats 25 are formed on the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. As a method for manufacturing the die, a method of directly embossing the surface of the die by machining may be adopted. As a method for manufacturing the die, a method of manufacturing a die without any patterns on its surface may be adopted in which patterns are applied to the surface by etching using a method similar to the texturing of a mold. Laser engraving may be used instead of etching.

[0013] As shown in Figure 5, a lubricant 30 is applied to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. The lubricant 30 contains a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant. The lubricant 30 is based on a water-soluble lubricant with a surfactant added. For example, a general medical lubricant can be used as the water-soluble lubricant. The water-soluble lubricant may contain, for example, purified water, glycerin, propylene glycol, hydrophilic polymer, pH adjuster, and parabens. For example, dish soap or laundry starch can be used as the surfactant. The surfactant may be an anionic surfactant. The surfactant may contain, for example, a sulfate ester salt. The mixing ratio of the water-soluble lubricant and the surfactant in the lubricant 30 can be set arbitrarily. If the ratio of surfactant in the lubricant 30 is low, the lubricity of the endoscope 200 inserted into the internal space 26 of the model body 20 will decrease. Conversely, if the ratio of surfactant in the lubricant 30 is high, the lubricity of the endoscope 200 will improve. The lubricant 30 does not contain any chemical solutions such as organic solvents.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the box 10 is a container having an internal space 19 for housing the model body 20. The shape of the box 10 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. The box 10 has four support columns 12, four side plates 11, one top plate 13, and one bottom plate 18. These components are formed from, for example, thermoplastic resin. The side plates 11, top plate 13, and bottom plate 18 may be formed from a highly transparent material such as acrylic resin. Hereinafter, of the four side plates 11, the side plate 11 located in front of the model body 20 will be called the front side plate 11a, the side plate 11 located behind the model body 20 will be called the rear side plate 11b, the side plate 11 located to the right of the model body 20 will be called the right side plate 11c, and the side plate 11 located to the left of the model body 20 will be called the left side plate 11d. The front side plate 11a and the rear side plate 11b are approximately parallel to the YZ plane, and the right side plate 11c and the left side plate 11d are approximately parallel to the XZ plane. The top plate 13 and the bottom plate 18 are approximately parallel to the XY plane.

[0015] The support columns 12 are positioned at the corners of the box body 10, extending in the vertical direction. The side plates 11 are positioned to connect the two support columns 12. The bottom plate 18 is fixed to the underside of the support columns 12. The top plate 13 is detachably attached to the top surface of the support columns 12, for example, by screws 13a. As shown in Figure 6, when the top plate 13 is removed, an opening 10a is formed on the top surface of the box body 10, allowing the model body 20 to be inserted and removed. The opening 10a is opened and closed by the top plate 13. The top plate 13 is an example of a lid.

[0016] The box body 10 has a connecting member 15. The connecting member 15 has a cylindrical base portion 15a and a substantially disc-shaped cover portion 15b. The base portion 15a is positioned in the internal space 19 of the box body 10 in a position substantially parallel to the X-axis. The rear end of the base portion 15a is connected to the end of the esophagus model portion 21 of the model body 20. A flange is formed on the front end of the base portion 15a. The front surface of the flange faces the front side plate 11a. The cover portion 15b is positioned on the outside of the box body 10. The cover portion 15b faces the flange of the base portion 15a with the front side plate 11a in between. The connecting member 15 is fixed to the front side plate 11a by joining the flange of the base portion 15a and the cover portion 15b, for example, with a screw 15c. The connecting member 15 has a hole 14 that penetrates the connecting member 15 in the longitudinal direction. The hole 14 connects the outer surface of the box body 10 to the internal space 26 of the model body 20. The connecting member 15 is made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin.

[0017] The housing 10 has five support rods 16 and four support plates 17. The support rods 16 are rod-shaped members extending linearly. The support rods 16 are bridged and fixed between the right side plate 11c and the left side plate 11d in a posture substantially parallel to the Y-axis direction. Among the five support rods 16, the support rod 16a is disposed close to the upper side of the duodenum model part 23, the support rod 16b is disposed close to the front side of the duodenum model part 23, the support rod 16c is disposed close to the rear side of the stomach model part 22, the support rod 16d is disposed close to the lower rear side of the stomach model part 22, and the support rod 16e is disposed close to the lower side of the connection part of the esophagus model part 21 with the stomach model part 22. At least a part of the five support rods 16 may be in contact with the model body 20.

[0018] The support plate 17 is a flat member. The planar shape of the support plate 17 is, for example, substantially oval or substantially triangular. The support plate 17 is supported by the support rod 16 in a posture substantially parallel to the XZ plane. Among the four support plates 17, the support plate 17a is disposed close to the right side of the duodenum model part 23, the support plate 17b is disposed close to the left side of the duodenum model part 23, the support plate 17c is disposed close to the left side of the stomach model part 22, and the support plate 17d is disposed close to the right side of the stomach model part 22. At least a part of the five support plates 17 may be in contact with the model body 20.

[0019] The model body 20 is supported by the support rod 16 and the support plate 17. The model body 20 is not fastened to the support rod 16 and the support plate 17 by, for example, a binding band or the like. Therefore, by applying force to the model body 20 by an operator to cause elastic deformation, the support of the model body 20 by the support rod 16 and the support plate 17 can be released, and the model body 20 can be easily taken out of the box body 10 (see FIG. 6). In a state where the model body 20 is supported by the support rod 16 and the support plate 17, the model body 20 does not contact the bottom plate 18, the side plate 11, and the top plate 13. The support rod 16 and the support plate 17 are formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin. The support rod 16 and the support plate 17 may be formed of a highly transparent material such as, for example, acrylic resin. The support rod 16 and the support plate 17 are an example of a support member.

[0020] (Method of using the digestive tract model) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of using the digestive tract model 100 in the present embodiment. The user of the digestive tract model 100 is, for example, a medical beginner aiming to acquire a technique using an endoscope 200.

[0021] First, the user applies a lubricant 30 to the tip of the endoscope 200 (S110, see FIG. 1). Next, the user inserts the endoscope 200 into the internal space 26 of the model body 20 through the hole 14 opened on the outer peripheral surface of the box body 10 (S120). The user advances the endoscope 200 toward the distal side of the model body 20. As a result, the lubricant 30 disposed at the tip of the endoscope 200 is applied to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. As shown in FIG. 5, since the inner surface 24 of the model body 20 has folds 25, the lubricant 30 applied to the inner surface 24 stays well at the applied position. In this state, the user performs training of the technique by operating the endoscope 200.

[0022] After the training is complete, the user removes the endoscope 200 from the model body 20 (S130). Even after the endoscope 200 is removed, the lubricant 30 remains applied to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. The user repeatedly inserts the endoscope 200 into and removes it from the model body 20 as needed.

[0023] (Method for cleaning a gastrointestinal model) Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the method for cleaning the gastrointestinal tract model 100 in this embodiment. Cleaning of the gastrointestinal tract model 100 is performed, for example, after use in accordance with the usage method of the gastrointestinal tract model 100 described above has been completed.

[0024] First, the worker removes the top panel 13 of the box 10 (S210) and takes the model body 20 out of the box 10 (S220, see Figure 6). Next, the worker washes the internal space 26 of the model body 20 with water (S230). Since the lubricant 30 contains a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant, at least a portion of the lubricant 30 applied to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20 is removed by washing with water.

[0025] Subsequently, the worker places the model body 20 into the internal space 19 of the box body 10 (S240) and attaches the top plate 13 of the box body 10 (S250).

[0026] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the gastrointestinal tract model 100 of this embodiment comprises a model body 20 having folds 25 on its inner surface 24, and a lubricant 30 applied to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. The lubricant 30 contains a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant. Due to the presence of the folds 25 on the inner surface 24 of the model body 20, the lubricant 30 applied to the inner surface 24 tends to remain in place, imparting wettability to the inner surface 24. Because the lubricant 30 contains a surfactant in addition to a water-soluble lubricant, the surface tension is reduced, improving the wettability of the inner surface 24. As a result, the sliding properties of the endoscope 200 inserted into the model body 20 are improved. Furthermore, by adjusting the ratio of the water-soluble lubricant and the surfactant in the lubricant 30, the sliding properties of the endoscope 200 can be adjusted, for example, the difficulty level of training in procedures using the endoscope 200 can be adjusted. Generally, since the endoscope 200 is cleaned using a surfactant, even if the lubricant 30 containing the surfactant adheres to the endoscope 200, there is no adverse effect on the endoscope 200.

[0027] In the digestive tract model 100 of this embodiment, the folds 25 are convex. Therefore, the shape of the inner surface 24 of the model body 20 is closer to the shape of the inner surface of the actual digestive tract.

[0028] In the digestive tract model 100 of this embodiment, the model body 20 is made of silicone resin. Therefore, the flexibility of the model body 20 is closer to that of an actual digestive tract. When made of silicone, commonly used water-soluble lubricants do not provide sufficient lubrication, making endoscope operation difficult. Applying silicone oil is undesirable due to issues with cleaning, compatibility with endoscopes, and cleanliness. When the model body is made of urethane resin, lubrication can be improved, but there are durability issues due to hydrolysis, etc. It is also possible to impart hydrophilicity to silicone, but it has a limited lifespan. It is also possible to coat the inside with a material that has weaker water repellency than silicone resin, such as urethane resin, but this is difficult to manufacture and has durability issues. In this disclosure, durability is ensured by using silicone resin, while lubrication is improved by using a lubricant containing a surfactant. In other words, the decrease in lubrication that occurs when changing materials to improve durability is improved.

[0029] The gastrointestinal tract model 100 of this embodiment further comprises a box 10 that houses the model body 20. The box 10 has a connecting member 15. The connecting member 15 has a hole 14 that connects the outer surface of the box 10 to the internal space 26 of the model body 20. Therefore, the user can practice procedures using an endoscope 200 by inserting the endoscope 200 through the hole 14 without directly touching the model body 20.

[0030] In the gastrointestinal tract model 100 of this embodiment, the box body 10 has a support rod 16 and a support plate 17 that support the model body 20. Therefore, for example, when training in procedures using an endoscope 200, it is possible to suppress displacement of the model body 20.

[0031] In the digestive tract model 100 of this embodiment, the box body 10 has a bottom plate 18. The support rods 16 and support plates 17 support the model body 20 so that it does not come into contact with the bottom plate 18. As a result, the support state of the model body 20 is closer to that of an actual digestive tract.

[0032] In the digestive tract model 100 of this embodiment, the box body 10 has a top plate 13 that opens and closes an opening 10a from which the model body 20 can be inserted and removed. As a result, the model body 20 can be inserted and removed, improving, for example, the ease of cleaning the model body 20.

[0033] In the gastrointestinal tract model 100 of this embodiment, the model body 20 is a model that mimics the upper gastrointestinal tract of an animal other than a human. Therefore, the usefulness of training in procedures using an endoscope 200 on the upper gastrointestinal tract of an animal other than a human is improved.

[0034] The method of using the gastrointestinal model 100 of this embodiment involves applying a lubricant 30 containing a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant to the tip of the endoscope 200, and then inserting the endoscope 200 into the internal space 26 of the model body 20, thereby applying the lubricant 30 to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. Due to the presence of folds 25 on the inner surface 24 of the model body 20, the lubricant 30 applied to the inner surface 24 tends to remain in place, thus imparting wettability to the inner surface 24. Because the lubricant 30 contains a surfactant in addition to a water-soluble lubricant, the surface tension is reduced, improving the wettability of the inner surface 24. As a result, the sliding properties of the endoscope 200 inserted into the model body 20 are improved. Furthermore, by adjusting the ratio of the water-soluble lubricant and the surfactant in the lubricant 30, the sliding properties of the endoscope 200 can be adjusted, for example, the difficulty level of training in procedures using the endoscope 200 can be adjusted.

[0035] The cleaning method for the digestive tract model 100 in this embodiment is a method of removing the lubricant 30 by washing the internal space 26 of the model body 20 with water. Since the lubricant 30 contains a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant, the lubricant 30 is easily removed by washing with water, and the cleanliness of the model body 20 is maintained.

[0036] In the cleaning method for the digestive tract model 100 of this embodiment, the cleaning is performed after removing the model body 20 from the box 10. Therefore, the ease of cleaning the model body 20 is improved.

[0037] (modified version) The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various forms without departing from their essence, for example, the following modifications are possible.

[0038] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the model body 20 in a modified example. In the modified example shown in Figure 9, the folds 25A formed on the inner surface 24 of the model body 20 are concave. In this modified example, the presence of the concave folds 25A formed on the inner surface 24 of the model body 20 allows the lubricant 30 applied to the inner surface 24 to remain in place more easily, further improving the sliding properties of the endoscope 200.

[0039] In the digestive tract model 100 of the above embodiment, the shape of the box body 10 and the way in which the model body 20 is supported within the box body 10 are merely examples and can be modified in various ways. For example, the shape, position, and number of the support rods 16 and support plates 17 can be arbitrarily changed. The model body 20 may be in contact with at least one of the side plates 11, the top plate 13, and the bottom plate 18. The opening in the box body 10 through which the model body 20 can be inserted and removed may be opened and closed by a part of the top plate 13 rather than the entire top plate 13. The opening in the box body 10 through which the model body 20 can be inserted and removed may be formed on a surface other than the top surface of the box body 10, and the opening may be opened and closed by a member other than the top plate 13.

[0040] In the digestive tract model 100 of the above embodiment, the forming materials of each component are merely examples and can be changed in various ways.

[0041] In the method of using the digestive tract model 100 of the above embodiment, the lubricant 30 may be applied to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20 before inserting the endoscope 200 into the model body 20. For example, the operator may remove the model body 20 from the box 10, inject the lubricant 30 into the internal space 26 of the model body 20, and then knead the model body 20 from the outside to apply the lubricant 30 to the inner surface 24 of the model body 20. The lubricant 30 may be replenished in a similar manner during use of the digestive tract model 100.

[0042] In the method for cleaning the digestive tract model 100 of the above embodiment, the worker may clean the internal space 26 of the model body 20 with water while the model body 20 is housed in the box 10.

[0043] The technologies disclosed herein are applicable not only to gastrointestinal tract models into which the endoscope 200 is inserted, but also to gastrointestinal tract models into which other medical devices are inserted. The technologies disclosed herein are applicable not only to gastrointestinal tract models that mimic the upper gastrointestinal tract of animals other than humans, but to gastrointestinal tract models that mimic the gastrointestinal tract of animals in general.

Claims

1. A model body (20) having pleats (25, 25A) on its inner surface (24), The lubricant (30) applied to the inner surface (24) comprises a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant, A gastrointestinal model (100) having the following characteristics.

2. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to claim 1, The aforementioned folds (25) are convex, in the digestive tract model (100).

3. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to claim 1, The aforementioned folds (25A) are concave, in the digestive tract model (100).

4. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned model body (20) is a digestive tract model (100) formed from silicone resin.

5. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The model further comprises a box (10) that houses the aforementioned model body (20), The box (10) is a digestive tract model (100) having a connecting member (15) having a hole (14) that connects the outer surface of the box (10) to the internal space (26) of the model body (20).

6. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to claim 5, The box (10) is a digestive tract model (100) having support members (16, 17) that support the model body (20).

7. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to claim 6, The box body (10) has a bottom plate (18), The support members (16, 17) support the model body (20) such that the model body (20) does not come into contact with the bottom plate (18), and the digestive tract model (100).

8. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, The box (10) is a digestive tract model (100) having a lid (13) that opens and closes an opening (10a) into which the model body (20) can be inserted and removed.

9. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The aforementioned model body (20) is a digestive tract model (100) that mimics the upper digestive tract.

10. A gastrointestinal model (100) according to claim 9, The aforementioned model body (20) is a digestive tract model (100) that mimics the upper digestive tract of animals other than humans.

11. A method for using a digestive tract model (100) having a model body (20) having folds (25, 25A) on its inner surface (24), A lubricant (30) containing a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant is applied to the tip of the medical device (200). A method for using a digestive tract model (100), comprising inserting the medical device (200) into the internal space (26) of the model body (20) and applying the lubricant (30) to the inner surface (24).

12. A method for cleaning a digestive tract model (100) having a model body (20) having folds (25, 25A) on its inner surface (24), wherein a lubricant (30) containing a water-soluble lubricant and a surfactant is applied to the inner surface (24), A method for cleaning a digestive tract model (100), comprising removing the lubricant (30) by washing the internal space (26) of the model body (20) with water.

13. A method for washing a gastrointestinal model (100) according to claim 12, The digestive tract model (100) has a box (10) that houses the model body (20), A method for cleaning a digestive tract model (100), wherein the cleaning is performed after removing the model body (20) from the box (10).

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