Electric wire connection structure, electric wire connection method, medical device, and method for manufacturing medical device

Abstract

To provide an electric wire connection structure capable of easily connecting a plurality of electric wires with a substrate, an electric wire connection method, a medical appliance, and a manufacturing method of the medical appliance.SOLUTION: In an electric wire connection structure where core wires 21 of a plurality of insulation electric wires 2 each including the core wire 21 and an insulation coating 22 are connected to a plurality of pads 62 provided in a substrate 6, the plurality of insulation electric wires 2 is arranged side by side in a predetermined arrangement direction D and disposed in parallel with each other and in a portion of each electric wire in a length direction, the core wire 21 is exposed by removing the insulation coating 22. The core wires 21 in the exposed portions are each connected to the plurality of pads 62. In the insulation electric wire 2 in a part of the plurality of insulation electric wires 2, the core wire 21 is exposed in a portion where the insulation coatings 22 of both the other neighboring insulation electric wires 2 in the arrangement direction D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire connection structure, an electric wire connection method, a medical device, and a method for manufacturing a medical device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, medical catheter cables inserted into the human body for examination or treatment include those in which multiple electric wires are housed together in a tubular jacket. The multiple electric wires are led out of the jacket at the end of the catheter cable and connected to, for example, a substrate. Patent Documents 1 and 2 have proposed connection structures between such multiple electric wires and a substrate.

[0003] In the device described in Patent Document 1, multiple coaxial wires are divided into multiple groups stacked in the thickness direction of a substrate, and the center conductors of the coaxial wires in each group are connected to multiple contact conductors provided on the surface of the substrate. The lengths of the coaxial wires vary for each group, and the center conductors of each coaxial wire are connected to the contact conductors on the substrate at their respective tips.

[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 2, in order to improve workability when connecting a core wire made of twisted wire to a connection land on a circuit board, the core wire from which the outer sheath made of insulating material has been removed is inserted into a metal tube, and the connection land on the circuit board is joined to the metal tube and core wire by diffusion bonding or ultrasonic bonding while pressing from above the metal tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-82042 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2018 / 105391 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Medical catheter cables are being made thinner to reduce the strain on the human body, and for example, ultra-thin wires equivalent to AWG46 are used, as described in Patent Document 1. However, thinner wires make it more difficult to connect them to circuit boards.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire connection structure, an electric wire connection method, a medical device, and a method for manufacturing a medical device that can easily connect a plurality of electric wires to a substrate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a wire connection structure in which the core wires of a plurality of insulated wires, each having a core wire and an insulating coating covering the core wire, are connected to a plurality of pads provided on a substrate, the plurality of insulated wires being arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction and parallel to one another, the insulating coating being removed along a portion of each of the longitudinal directions to expose the core wire, the core wires at the exposed portions being connected to the plurality of pads, respectively, and the core wires of some of the plurality of insulated wires are exposed at portions where the insulating coating of other insulated wires on either side of them in the arrangement direction has not been removed.

[0009] Furthermore, for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a wire connection method for connecting the core wires of a plurality of insulated electric wires, each having an insulating coating covering the core wire, to a plurality of pads provided on a substrate, the wire connection method comprising: an alignment step of arranging the plurality of insulated electric wires parallel to one another along a predetermined alignment direction; an insulating coating removal step of removing the insulating coating from a portion of the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of insulated electric wires to expose the core wire; and a connection step of arranging the plurality of insulated electric wires so that the alignment direction is parallel to the substrate and connecting the exposed core wires to the plurality of pads, respectively; wherein, in the insulating coating removal step, the core wires of some of the plurality of insulated electric wires are exposed in portions where the insulating coatings of other insulated electric wires on either side of them in the alignment direction are not removed.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a medical device comprising: a catheter cable having a plurality of insulated wires each having a core wire and an insulating coating covering the core wire; and a substrate having a plurality of pads to which the core wires of the plurality of insulated wires are connected, wherein one of both longitudinal ends of the catheter cable is inserted into a human body, and the core wires of the plurality of insulated wires are connected to the plurality of pads by the above-mentioned wire connection structure.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a medical device comprising: a catheter cable having a plurality of insulated wires each having a core wire and an insulating coating covering the core wire; and a substrate having a plurality of pads to which the core wires of the plurality of insulated wires are connected, wherein one of both longitudinal ends of the catheter cable is inserted into a human body, and the core wires of the plurality of insulated wires are connected to the plurality of pads by the above-mentioned wire connecting method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the electric wire connection structure, the electric wire connection method, the medical device, and the method for manufacturing the medical device of the present invention, it is possible to easily connect a plurality of electric wires to a substrate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1(a) is an explanatory view showing a state in which a multi-electrode catheter is used as an example of a medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of a catheter cable. [Figure 2] 10(a) and 10(b) are perspective views showing some of the insulated wires and the substrate in the handle. [Figure 3] 2(a) to 2(c) are cross-sectional views taken along lines AA, BB, and CC in FIG. 2(b). [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of insulated wires are gripped by first and second jigs. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower gripping tools of the first and second jigs. [Figure 6] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory views showing an alignment step, and FIG. 10(d) is an explanatory view showing an insulating coating removal step. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an electric wire connection structure according to a comparative example. [Figure 8] 1(a) is a configuration diagram showing an electric wire connection structure according to Modification 1. FIG. 1(b) is a plan view showing a substrate according to Modification 1. FIG. [Figure 9] 10(a) is a configuration diagram showing an electric wire connection structure according to Modification 2. FIG. 10(b) is a plan view showing a substrate according to Modification 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Embodiment Mode] Fig. 1(a) is an explanatory view showing a state in which a multi-electrode catheter is used as an example of a medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of a catheter cable.

[0015] The multi-electrode catheter 1 has a catheter cable 10 and a handle 11 that is operated by an operator such as a doctor. One longitudinal end of the catheter cable 10 is housed in the handle 11, and the other longitudinal end is inserted into the body of a subject P for examination or treatment. In Figure 1(a), the portion of the catheter cable 10 that is inserted into the body of the subject P is shown by a dashed line.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the catheter cable 10 includes a wire bundle 20 consisting of a plurality of insulated wires 2, a bind tape 3 wrapped around the wire bundle 20, a shield conductor 4 arranged around the bind tape 3, and a tubular jacket 5 arranged around the shield conductor 4. The jacket 5 is made of, for example, a fluororesin, and houses the wire bundle 20, the bind tape 3, and the shield conductor 4. In this embodiment, the wire bundle 20 is made up of ten insulated wires 2 bundled together. Note that fibrous or string-like intervening members may be arranged between the plurality of insulated wires 2 inside the bind tape 3.

[0017] The insulated wire 2 has a core wire 21 made of a metal with good electrical conductivity such as copper, and an insulating coating 22 that covers the core wire 21. In this embodiment, the insulated wire 2 is an enameled wire, and the core wire 21 made of a single wire with a circular cross section is covered with an insulating coating 22 made of a resin composition such as polyurethane. The diameter of the core wire 21 is, for example, 0.02 mm or more and 0.10 mm or less. In this embodiment, the core wire 21 corresponds to AWG48 according to the AWG (American Wire Gauge) standard, and the conductor diameter is 0.032 mm. The thickness of the insulating coating 22 is, for example, 0.008 mm.

[0018] The multiple insulated wires 2 are led out from the jacket 5 inside the handle 11. A console cable 12, which is thicker than the catheter cable 10, leads out from the handle 11, and this console cable 12 connects the handle 11 to a console (not shown). The console is an information processing device equipped with a microprocessor, memory, etc., and, for example, amplifies signals sent from the body of the subject P via the multiple insulated wires 2, and outputs image signals for displaying on a display the internal condition of the subject P obtained from the amplified signals.

[0019] The handle 11 houses a board having a plurality of pads to which the core wires 21 of a plurality of insulated electric wires 2 are connected. Signals sent from the body of the subject P are relayed by this board and sent to the console via the console cable 12. Next, a description will be given of the electric wire connection structure in which the core wires 21 of the plurality of insulated electric wires 2 are connected to the plurality of pads on the board.

[0020] 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing a portion of the substrate 6 and the plurality of insulated wires 2 housed in the handle 11. Fig. 2(a) shows a state in which the plurality of insulated wires 2 and the substrate 6 are arranged opposite each other, and Fig. 2(b) shows a state in which the core wires 21 of the plurality of insulated wires 2 are connected to the plurality of pads 62 of the substrate 6. Figs. 3(a) to 3(c) are cross-sectional views of the lines AA, BB, and CC in Fig. 2(a).

[0021] The substrate 6 has a plurality of pads 62 provided on one main surface 61a of a flat base material 61 made of an insulating material such as polyimide. The plurality of pads 62 are rectangular metal foils that are in close contact with the one main surface 61a of the base material 61. The substrate 6 is provided with wiring patterns extending from the plurality of pads 62, through holes that penetrate the base material 61 in the thickness direction, and the like, but these are not shown in Figures 2(a) and (b).

[0022] The insulated wires 2 are arranged parallel to each other with their front and rear portions, including the connection points with the pads 62, aligned in a predetermined alignment direction parallel to the substrate 6. In Figures 2(a) and (b) , this alignment direction D is indicated by a double-headed arrow. In addition, the insulating coating 22 of each of the insulated wires 2 is removed from a portion in the longitudinal direction to expose the core wire 21, and the core wire 21 in this exposed portion is connected to the pads 62, respectively.

[0023] Some of the insulated wires 2 have exposed core wires 2 in portions where the insulating coatings 22 of the other insulated wires 2 adjacent to them in the arrangement direction D have not been removed. In this embodiment, exposed portions 23 where the core wires 21 are exposed are alternately arranged in a staggered pattern along the arrangement direction D at first positions P1 and second positions P2 spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction D (longitudinal direction of the insulated wires 2). More specifically, five insulated wires 2 with exposed core wires 21 at the first positions P1 and five insulated wires 2 with exposed core wires 21 at the second positions P2 are alternately arranged along the arrangement direction D.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the intervals I0 between the multiple insulated wires 2 in the arrangement direction D are smaller than the outer diameters OD of the insulated wires 2. The intervals I0 are, for example, 20 to 80% of the outer diameters OD of the insulated wires 2. As described above, when the outer diameter of the core wire 21 is 0.032 mm (32 μm) and the thickness of the insulating coating 22 is 0.008 mm (8 μm), the outer diameters OD of the insulated wires 2 are 0.048 mm (48 μm). Note that relative positional misalignment between each insulated wire 2 and the board 6 in the arrangement direction D is permitted within a range in which the exposed core wire 21 and the pads 62 face each other in the thickness direction of the board 6. If the intervals I0 between the multiple insulated wires 2 in the arrangement direction D are not uniform, it is sufficient that the average value of the intervals I0 is smaller than the outer diameters OD of the insulated wires 2.

[0025] 3(a), the interval I1 between two adjacent pads 62 in the arrangement direction D at a first position P1 in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 2 is larger than the outer diameter OD of the insulated wire 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the interval I2 between two adjacent pads 62 in the arrangement direction D at a second position P2 in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 2 is larger than the outer diameter OD of the insulated wire 2.

[0026] 2(a), a pad-free region 63 having a predetermined width W in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wires 2 is provided between the pads 62 to which the core wires 21 exposed at the first position P1 are connected and the pads 62 to which the core wires 21 exposed at the second position P2 are connected. The width W is a dimension that can prevent the occurrence of a solder bridge, as shown in FIG. 7 described later, between the pads 62 that sandwich the pad-free region 63.

[0027] In the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 2, the exposed portion 23 is formed in a portion of each of the multiple insulated wires 2 excluding the tip end portion. In other words, at the tip end portion of the insulated wire 2, the core wire 21 is covered with the insulating coating 22. The tip end portion of the insulated wire 2 is the portion that is held by a jig, which will be described later, when connecting the exposed core wire 21 to the pads 62 on the board 6. Next, a wire connecting method for connecting the core wires 21 of the multiple insulated wires 2 to the pads 62 on the board 6 will be described.

[0028] This wire connection method includes an alignment step of arranging a plurality of insulated wires 2 parallel to one another along the alignment direction D, an insulating coating removal step of removing the insulating coating 22 from a portion of the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of insulated wires 2 to expose the core wire 21, and a connection step of arranging the plurality of insulated wires 2 so that the alignment direction D is parallel to the substrate 6 and connecting the exposed core wire 21 to a plurality of pads 62, respectively.

[0029] 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of insulated wires 2 are held by first and second jigs 7 and 8. The first and second jigs 7 and 8 have lower gripping tools 71 and 81 and upper gripping tools 72 and 82, respectively, and a plurality of insulated wires 2 are held between the lower gripping tools 71 and 81 and the upper gripping tools 72 and 82.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the lower gripping tools 71, 81 of the first and second jigs 7, 8. The lower gripping tool 71 of the first jig 7 has a plurality of grooves 711 formed therein for gripping a plurality of insulated wires 2 at equal intervals. The same number of grooves 811 are also formed in the lower gripping tool 81 of the second jig 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the grooves 711, 811 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of insulated wires 2 are, for example, V-shaped. The upper gripping tools 72, 82 of the first and second jigs 7, 8 have flat surfaces facing the lower gripping tools 71, 81, and clamp a plurality of insulated wires 2 between themselves and the lower gripping tools 71, 81. The upper gripping tools 72, 82 may also have grooves similar to those of the lower gripping tools 71, 81.

[0031] 6(a) to 6(c) are explanatory views showing the alignment process. Fig. 6(a) shows the first stage of the alignment process. In this first stage, the jacket 5 at one end of the catheter cable 10 is removed together with the bind tape 3 and the shielded conductor 4 to expose the wire bundle 20, and the insulated wires 2 are accommodated in each of the multiple grooves 711, 811 of the lower gripping tools 71, 81 of the first and second jigs 7, 8.

[0032] In the second stage of the alignment process, as shown in Fig. 6(b), a plurality of insulated wires 2 are sandwiched between lower gripping tools 71, 81 and upper gripping tools 72, 82. A first jig 7 grips the leading end of each of the plurality of insulated wires 2, and a second jig 8 grips the plurality of insulated wires 2 on the jacket 5 side of the first jig 7. In the example shown in Fig. 6(b), the second jig 8 grips the plurality of insulated wires 2 at a position adjacent to the first jig 7.

[0033] In the third stage of the alignment process, as shown in Fig. 6(c), while the first jig 7 holds the leading ends of each of the insulated wires 2, the second jig 8 is moved toward the jacket 5, widening the gap between the first jig 7 and the second jig 8. This holds the insulated wires 2 at two positions: the leading ends in the longitudinal direction and a distance from the leading ends in the longitudinal direction. When moving the second jig 8, the gripping force of the second jig 8 is adjusted to a value that allows the second jig 8 to slide along the longitudinal direction of the insulated wires 2 without the insulated wires 2 coming out of the grooves 811 of the lower gripping tool 81.

[0034] 6(d) is an explanatory diagram showing the insulating coating removal step. In the insulating coating removal step, the core wires 21 of some of the insulated wires 2 among the multiple insulated wires 2 are exposed in portions where the insulating coatings 22 of the other insulated wires 2 on both sides in the arrangement direction D have not been removed. In this embodiment, of the ten insulated wires 2, except for two insulated wires 2 at both ends in the arrangement direction D, the core wires 21 are exposed in portions where the insulating coatings 22 of the other insulated wires 2 on both sides in the arrangement direction D have not been removed. As a result, the exposed portions of the core wires 21 are formed in a staggered pattern.

[0035] The method for removing the insulating coating 22 is not particularly limited, but for example, the insulating coating 22 can be removed from a portion of the insulated wire 2 in the longitudinal direction by irradiating it with laser light. In the insulating coating removal step, the insulating coating 22 may be removed from the entire circumference of the insulated wire 2, or only from the portion of the insulating coating 22 facing the pad 62. Even in this case, the core wire 21 can be connected to the pad 62. However, if the insulating coating 22 is removed from the entire circumference of the insulated wire 2, it becomes easier to connect the core wire 21 to the pad 62 in the connecting step, and it also becomes easier to check the connection state between the core wire 21 and the pad 62.

[0036] In the connecting step, the core wires 21 of the multiple insulated wires 2 are connected to the multiple pads 62 between two positions in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wires 2 held by the first and second jigs 7, 8. The core wires 21 and the pads 62 may be connected by soldering, or the core wires 21 and the pads 62 may be connected by a conductive adhesive. When connecting the core wires 21 and the pads 62 by soldering, for example, the core wires 21 can be connected to the pads 62 by bringing the core wires 21 into contact with cream solder that has been applied to the pads 62 in advance and then heating and melting the cream solder in that state.

[0037] 3(a) and (b) show the case where the core wire 21 and the pad 62 are connected by solder 9. The heat resistance temperature of the insulating coating 22 is higher than the melting point of the solder 9, and when the core wire 21 of an insulated wire 2 is soldered, even if the molten solder comes into contact with the insulating coating 22 of another insulated wire 2 adjacent to that insulated wire 2, the insulating coating 22 does not melt.

[0038] 3(a) and 3(b), a portion of the insulated wire 2 having the insulating coating 22 connected to the pad 62 at the second position P2 is disposed between two pads 62 adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction D at the first position P1. Furthermore, a portion of the insulated wire 2 having the insulating coating 22 connected to the pad 61 at the first position P1 is disposed between two pads 62 adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction D at the second position P2. The presence of the insulating coating 22 of the insulated wire 2 between the two pads 62 adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction D prevents the flow of molten solder, making it possible to prevent the occurrence of a solder bridge (short circuit).

[0039] In the connecting step, the core wires 21 of the insulated wires 2 are connected to the pads 62, respectively, while tension is being applied to the insulated wires 2 in the longitudinal direction. Applying tension to the insulated wires 2 can prevent the core wires 21 and the pads 62 from becoming misaligned due to slack in the insulated wires 2.

[0040] (Comparative Example) 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a comparative example in which the core wires 21 of a pair of insulated wires 2 arranged parallel to each other are exposed at positions aligned in the arranging direction of the pair of insulated wires 2 and soldered to pads 62 on a substrate 60. When the core wires 21 are soldered in this manner, the distance between adjacent pads 62 becomes narrow, making it more likely that a solder bridge will occur, as shown in FIG.

[0041] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, the exposed portions of the core wires 21 of the multiple insulated wires 2 that are not adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction D are able to increase the intervals I1, I2 between the pads 62 in the arrangement direction D to be equal to or greater than the outer diameter OD of the insulated wires 2, making it easier to prevent the occurrence of solder bridges. This makes it easy to connect the core wires 21 of the multiple insulated wires 2 to the pads 62. Furthermore, the connection between the core wires 21 and the pads 62 can be automated rather than being performed manually.

[0042] (Variation 1) Fig. 8(a) is a configuration diagram showing a wire connection structure according to Modification 1. Fig. 8(b) is a plan view showing a board 6A of the wire connection structure according to Modification 1. In the above embodiment, a connection structure in which core wires 21 of ten insulated wires 2 are connected to pads 62 on the board 6 has been described, but in Modification 1, core wires 21 of eleven insulated wires 2 are connected to pads 62 on the board 6A. In the above embodiment, a case in which core wires 21 are exposed at a first position P1 and a second position P2 in the longitudinal direction of the multiple insulated wires 2 has been described, but in Modification 1, core wires 21 are exposed at a first position P1, a second position P2, and a third position P3 in the longitudinal direction of the multiple insulated wires 2.

[0043] 8(a), of the eleven insulated wires 2, four insulated wires 2 have their core wires 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22 at a first position P1, three other insulated wires 2 have their core wires 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22 at a second position P2, and the remaining four insulated wires 2 have their core wires 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22 at a third position P3. At the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, the multiple insulated wires 2 are arranged parallel to one another so that the exposed portions of the core wires 21 are not adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction D.

[0044] 8(b), the substrate 6A is provided with pads 62 in the same number as the insulated wires 2, corresponding to the positions where the core wires 21 are exposed. Pad-free regions 63 having a predetermined width W are provided between the pads 62 to which the core wires 21 exposed at the first position P1 are connected and the pads 62 to which the core wires 21 exposed at the second position P2 are connected, and between the pads 62 to which the core wires 21 exposed at the second position P2 are connected and the pads 62 to which the core wires 21 exposed at the third position P3 are connected.

[0045] In this first modification, similarly to the above embodiment, the portions of the core wires 21 of the insulated wires 2 exposed from the insulating coating 22 are not adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction D, so that the spacing between the pads 62 in the arrangement direction D can be increased, making it easier to prevent the occurrence of solder bridges. This makes it easier to connect the core wires 21 of the insulated wires 2 to the pads 62.

[0046] In the electric wire connection structure according to the first modification, the same alignment process, insulating coating removal process, and connection process as those of the above embodiment are carried out to align the multiple insulated electric wires 2 parallel to one another, remove parts of the insulating coating 22 to expose the core wires 21, and connect the exposed core wires 21 to the pads 62. The same applies to the second modification described below.

[0047] (Variation 2) Fig. 9(a) is a configuration diagram showing an electric wire connection structure according to Modification 2. Fig. 9(b) is a plan view showing a board 6B of the electric wire connection structure according to Modification 2. In the above embodiment, the case where pads 62 of the same size are arranged in a staggered pattern at the first position P1 and the second position P2 has been described. However, in Modification 2, multiple types of pads (narrow pads 621 and wide pads 622) with different widths in the arrangement direction D are provided on the board 6B. Also, in Modification 2, the core wires 21 of six insulated wires 2 are connected to the narrow pads 621 and wide pads 622 on the board 6B.

[0048] Like the pads 62 on the substrate 6 in the above embodiment, the narrow pads 621 are formed with a width approximately equal to the outer diameter of the insulated wires 2. The wide pads 622 are formed with a width approximately twice that of the narrow pads 621. The substrate 6B is provided with one narrow pad 621 and one wide pad 622 at positions corresponding to first positions P1 and second positions P2 in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wires 2.

[0049] Of the six insulated wires 2, three insulated wires 2 have their core wires 21 exposed at the first position P1, and the other three insulated wires 2 have their core wires 21 exposed at the second position P2. Of the three insulated wires 2 whose core wires 21 are exposed at the first position P1, the core wire 21 of one insulated wire 2 is connected to the narrow pad 621, and the core wires 21 of the other two insulated wires 2 are connected to both the wide pad 622. Of the three insulated wires 2 whose core wires 21 are exposed at the second position P2, the core wire 21 of one insulated wire 2 is connected to the narrow pad 621, and the core wires 21 of the other two insulated wires 2 are connected to both the wide pad 622.

[0050] The insulated wire 2 having the core wire 21 connected to the wide pad 622 is used, for example, to supply power to an electronic device (e.g., a CCD camera) that is inserted into the human body. The insulated wire 2 having the core wire 21 connected to the narrow pad 621 is used, for example, as a signal line for transmitting an input signal to an electronic device or an output signal from an electronic device.

[0051] In this variant example 2, the exposed portion of the core wire 21 of an insulated electric wire 2 having a core wire 21 connected to a narrow pad 621 is not adjacent to the exposed portion of the core wire 21 of another insulated electric wire 2 in the alignment direction D, so that, as in the above embodiment, it is possible to easily connect the core wires 21 of multiple insulated electric wires 2 to the narrow pads 621 and wide pads 622 of the substrate 6B.

[0052] (Summary of embodiments and modifications) Next, the technical ideas grasped from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described by using the reference numerals and symbols in the embodiment and modified examples. However, the reference numerals in the following description do not limit the components in the claims to the members and symbols specifically shown in the embodiment.

[0053] [1] An electric wire connection structure in which the core wires (21) of a plurality of insulated electric wires (2), each having a core wire (21) and an insulating coating (22) covering the core wire (21), are connected to a plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) provided on a substrate (6, 6A, 6B), the plurality of insulated electric wires (2) being arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction (D) and parallel to one another, the insulating coating (22) being removed in a portion of each longitudinal direction to expose the core wire (21), the core wire (21) in the exposed portion being connected to the plurality of pads (2), respectively, and the core wire (21) of some of the plurality of insulated electric wires (2) is exposed in a portion where the insulating coating (22) of other insulated electric wires (2) on both sides of them in the arrangement direction (D) has not been removed.

[0054] [2] The electric wire connection structure according to [1] above, wherein the interval (I0) between the plurality of insulated electric wires (2) in the arrangement direction (D) is smaller than the outer diameter (OD) of the insulated electric wires (2).

[0055] [3] The electric wire connection structure according to [2] above, wherein the core wire (21) has an outer diameter of 0.1 mm or less.

[0056] [4] The electric wire connection structure according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the exposed portions of the core wires (21) are arranged alternately along the arrangement direction (D) at first positions (P1) and second positions (P2) having a predetermined interval (W) in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (D).

[0057] [5] The electric wire connection structure according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the exposed portion of the core wire (21) is formed in a portion excluding the tip end portion of each of the plurality of insulated electric wires (2).

[0058] [6] A wire connecting method for connecting the core wires (21) of a plurality of insulated wires (2) having a core wire (21) and an insulating coating (22) covering the core wire (21) to a plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) provided on a substrate (6, 6A, 6B), the wire connecting method comprising: an aligning step of arranging the plurality of insulated wires (2) in parallel with each other along a predetermined aligning direction; and an insulating coating removing step of removing the insulating coating (22) from a portion of the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of insulated wires (2) to expose the core wire (21). and a connecting step of arranging the plurality of insulated electric wires (2) so that the arrangement direction (D) is parallel to the substrate (6, 6A, 6B) and connecting the exposed core wires (21) to the plurality of pads (62, 621, 622), respectively, wherein in the insulating coating removing step, the core wires (21) of some of the plurality of insulated electric wires (2) are exposed in portions where the insulating coatings (22) of other insulated electric wires (2) adjacent to them in the arrangement direction (D) are not removed.

[0059] [7] The wire connecting method according to [6] above, wherein in the connecting step, the core wires (21) of the plurality of insulated wires (2) are connected to the plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) respectively while applying longitudinal tension to the plurality of insulated wires (2).

[0060] [8] The wire connecting method described in [7] above, wherein in the aligning step, the plurality of insulated wires (2) are gripped at the most distal end in the longitudinal direction and at two positions spaced apart from the most distal end in the longitudinal direction, and in the connecting step, the core wires (21) of the plurality of insulated wires (2) are connected to the plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) between the two positions.

[0061] [9] A medical device (multi-electrode catheter 1) comprising: a catheter cable (10) having a plurality of insulated wires (2) each having a core wire (21) and an insulating coating (22) covering the core wire (21); and a substrate (6, 6A, 6B) having a plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) to which the core wires (21) of the plurality of insulated wires (2) are connected, wherein one of both longitudinal ends of the catheter cable (10) is inserted into a human body, and the core wires (21) of each of the plurality of insulated wires (2) and the plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) on the substrate (6, 6A, 6B) are connected by the wire connection structure described in any one of [1] to [6] above.

[0062]

[10] A method for manufacturing a medical device (multi-electrode catheter 1) comprising: a catheter cable (10) having a plurality of insulated electric wires (2) each having a core wire (21) and an insulating coating (2) covering the core wire (21); and a substrate (6, 6A, 6B) having a plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) to which the core wires (21) of the plurality of insulated electric wires (2) are connected, wherein one of both longitudinal ends of the catheter cable (10) is inserted into a human body, wherein the core wires (21) of the plurality of insulated electric wires (2) are connected to the plurality of pads (62, 621, 622) by the electric wire connecting method described in any one of [6] to [8] above.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the invention according to the claims is not limited to the embodiments described above. It should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a multi-electrode catheter 1, which is a type of medical device, but this is not limiting. For example, the present invention may be applied to an endoscope, or may be applied to equipment other than medical devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1...Multi-electrode catheter (medical device) 10...Catheter cable 2...insulated wire 21...core wire 22...insulating coating 6, 6A, 6B...substrate 62...Pad 621...Narrow pad 622...Wide pad

Claims

1. 1. A wire connection structure in which the core wires of a plurality of insulated wires, each having a core wire and an insulating coating covering the core wire, are connected to a plurality of pads provided on a substrate, the plurality of insulated wires are arranged parallel to one another, and the insulating coating is removed from a portion of each of the insulated wires in the longitudinal direction to expose the core wire, and the exposed portion of the core wire is connected to the plurality of pads, respectively; the exposed core wire portion is formed in a region of each of the plurality of insulated wires excluding the tip end thereof, so that the length in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of each of the plurality of pads; Some of the insulated electric wires have the core wire exposed at portions of the other insulated electric wires on both sides thereof in an arrangement direction of the insulated electric wires where the insulating coating has not been removed. Wire connection structure.

2. The exposed core wire portions are connected to the plurality of pads so that the exposed core wire portions are entirely overlapped with the pads. The electric wire connection structure according to claim 1 .

3. the plurality of insulated wires are arranged along the arrangement direction at intervals of 20% to 80% of the outer diameter of the insulated wires, The electric wire connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The outer diameter of the core wire is 0.1 mm or less. The electric wire connection structure according to claim 3 .

5. The exposed portions of the core wires are alternately arranged along the arrangement direction at first positions and second positions spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. The electric wire connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. 1. A wire connecting method for connecting core wires of a plurality of insulated wires, each having a core wire and an insulating coating covering the core wire, to a plurality of pads provided on a substrate, the method comprising: an aligning step of gripping the plurality of insulated wires at a longitudinally most distal end and at two positions spaced apart from the longitudinally most distal end and arranging the plurality of insulated wires in parallel with each other; an insulating coating removal step of removing the insulating coating from a portion of each of the plurality of insulated wires in a longitudinal direction by a length shorter than the length of each of the plurality of pads to expose the core wire; a connecting step of arranging the plurality of insulated wires in parallel with the substrate and connecting the exposed core wires to the plurality of pads, respectively; In the insulating coating removing step, the core wires of some of the insulated electric wires are exposed at portions of other insulated electric wires on both sides thereof in an arrangement direction of the insulated electric wires where the insulating coatings are not removed, In the connecting step, the core wires of the plurality of insulated electric wires are connected to the plurality of pads, respectively, between the two positions. Wire connection method.

7. In the connecting step, the core wires of the insulated wires are connected to the pads, respectively, while tension is applied to the insulated wires in a longitudinal direction. The wire connecting method according to claim 6.

8. A medical device comprising: a catheter cable including a plurality of insulated wires each having a core wire and an insulating coating covering the core wire; and a substrate having a plurality of pads to which the core wires of the plurality of insulated wires are connected, wherein one of both longitudinal ends of the catheter cable is inserted into a human body, The core wires of the plurality of insulated wires are connected to the plurality of pads of the circuit board by the wire connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Medical equipment.

9. A method for manufacturing a medical device comprising: a catheter cable having a plurality of insulated wires each having a core wire and an insulating coating covering the core wire; and a substrate having a plurality of pads to which the core wires of the plurality of insulated wires are connected, wherein one of both longitudinal ends of the catheter cable is to be inserted into a human body, The core wires of the plurality of insulated electric wires are connected to the plurality of pads by the electric wire connecting method according to claim 6 or 7. Manufacturing methods for medical devices.

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