JP2001149481A - Catheter for measuring temperature of biological intratubular wall - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a catheter for measuring the temperature of a biological intratubular wall, which can accurately and quickly measure the temperature of a biological introtubular wall such as a blood vessel, is excellent in operability, and in addition, of which the manufacture is easy, and of which the manufacturing cost is low. SOLUTION: This catheter for measuring the temperature of a biological intratubular wall has a catheter tube 4 wherein at least one guide wire passing lumen 12 is formed in the longitudinal direction, and at least one temperature sensor 20 which is attached on the distal end side of the catheter tube 4. In such a catheter, the distal end side of the catheter tube 4 is shaped in a manner to be deformed to a location wherein the temperature sensor 20 is pressed to a biological intratubular wall 40, under a state that the guide wire 14 is removed from the guide wire passing lumen 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a catheter for measuring the temperature of the inner wall of a living vessel, and more particularly, to a temperature measuring method for the temperature of the inner wall of a living vessel that can stably and accurately measure the temperature of the inner wall of a living vessel such as a blood vessel. For catheter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, the temperature of a stenotic portion of the inner wall of a blood vessel is
It is said that the temperature is higher than that of a normal part, and it is considered that accurate measurement of the temperature is effective, for example, for treating a coronary artery. As a device for measuring the temperature of such a site, for example, a catheter with a temperature sensor has been proposed as disclosed in JP-A-64-2625 and JP-A-59-30246.

[0003] However, in such a conventional catheter with a temperature sensor, there is a distance between the temperature sensor and the inner wall of the blood vessel at the time of use, and there is a possibility that the temperature of that portion cannot be measured accurately. In order to shorten the distance between the temperature sensor and the inner wall of the blood vessel, it is conceivable to increase the outer diameter of the catheter in accordance with the inner diameter of the blood vessel, but in that case, it is not possible to secure blood flow in the blood vessel, There is a problem that it becomes difficult to insert a catheter.

[0004] As shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-44552, a temperature sensor is attached to a balloon provided at the distal end of a catheter, and the balloon is inflated at the time of use, so that the temperature sensor is attached to the inner wall of the blood vessel. Pushing balloon catheters have also been proposed.

However, in such a balloon catheter, it is difficult to mount the temperature sensor on the balloon membrane, and it is difficult to manufacture the balloon catheter. Further, a device for inflating the balloon during use is required, and the operability is poor.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a living body which can accurately and quickly measure the temperature of a wall of a living body such as a blood vessel, has excellent operability, is easy to manufacture, and has a low manufacturing cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a tube.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube, wherein at least one guidewire insertion lumen is formed along a longitudinal direction. A biological tube inner wall temperature measuring catheter having a catheter tube and a temperature sensor attached to a distal end side of the catheter tube, wherein the distal end side of the catheter tube has the guide wire inserted therethrough. In a state where the guide wire is removed from the lumen, the temperature sensor is shaped so as to be deformed to a position where the temperature sensor is pressed against the inner wall of the living body tube.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube, wherein the catheter tube has at least one lumen formed along a longitudinal direction, and is attached to a distal end side of the catheter tube. At least one temperature sensor, and a drive wire mounted axially movably within the lumen, wherein by manipulating a proximal end of the drive wire, a distal end side of the catheter tube provides the temperature. A drive wire configured to be deformed to a position where the sensor is pressed against the inner wall of the biological tube.

The temperature detection signal detected by the temperature sensor is extracted from a connector provided at a proximal end of the catheter tube, for example, through a wire disposed in a lumen of the catheter tube or a member constituting the tube. Note that such a signal can be extracted by optical fiber communication or wireless communication.

The catheter tube may be composed of a single tube, a double lumen tube composed of an outer tube and an inner tube, or another tube. For double lumen tubes,
It is preferable that the inside of the inner tube be a guidewire insertion lumen. The cross section of the catheter tube is generally circular, but may be other shapes.

The shape of the distal end side of the catheter tube, which is shaped so as to be deformed so as to press the temperature sensor against the inner wall of the living body tube with the guide wire pulled out from the guide wire insertion lumen, is not particularly limited. Instead, any shape other than a straight line may be used, and examples thereof include a bent shape, a curved shape, a meandering shape, a zigzag shape, and a spiral shape.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, a catheter 2 for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube according to the present embodiment is, for example, a percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTC).
A) In a treatment method such as dilation of a blood vessel such as a limb, dilation of an upper ureter, or renal vasodilation, the temperature of the inner wall of a body cavity of a stenosis or other site formed in a blood vessel or other body cavity is measured. Used for

This catheter 2 for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube
Has a catheter tube 4 and an operation unit 30.

The catheter tube 4 of the present embodiment has a double tube structure including an outer tube 6 and an inner tube 8, and a first lumen 10 is formed in a gap between the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 8. The second lumen (guide wire insertion lumen) 1 is provided inside the inner tube 8.
2 are formed.

In the first lumen 10 formed inside the catheter tube 4, a wiring 22 from a temperature sensor 20 provided on the outer surface of the distal end of the outer tube 6 is disposed along the longitudinal direction. A proximal end of the wiring 22 is connected to a branch pipe 34.
And is connected to the connector 24. A temperature display device or the like is connected to the connector 24, and converts an electric signal transmitted from the temperature sensor 20 through the wiring 22 into a temperature display signal. Note that the connector 24 may be connected to some control device, and some control operation may be performed using a temperature signal detected by the temperature sensor 20.

The temperature sensor 20 is not particularly limited, and includes a thermocouple, a thermistor, and the like. In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 20 is joined to the outer wall of the outer tube 6 by means such as heat fusion or adhesion. Alternatively, a recess or notch may be provided at the distal end of the outer tube 6 and embedded.

Although the distal ends of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 8 are open in the present embodiment, they are not necessarily open and may be closed with a plug or the like. The distal end may be closed by crushing. By opening the distal end of the inner tube 8, the distal end of the guide wire 14 can be protruded from the distal end, and the distal end of the inner tube 8 can be pulled out with the guide wire 14 removed. It is also possible to inject a drug solution or the like from the end opening or to collect a body fluid such as blood. The distal end opening of the outer tube 6 may also be used for injecting a drug solution or extracting body fluid such as blood.

The proximal end of the outer tube 6 is
Is bonded or heat-fused to the operation unit 30 so that the first lumen 10 formed inside the operation unit communicates with the port 35 of the branch pipe 34. The proximal end portion of the inner tube 8 is bonded or heat-fused to the operation portion 30 such that the second lumen 12 formed inside the inner tube 8 communicates with the port 33 of the operation tube 32. is there. The inner tube 8 only needs to be arranged inside the outer tube 6 along the axial direction, and does not necessarily have to be arranged concentrically. For example, the outer wall of the inner tube 8 may be heat-sealed or adhered to the inner wall of the outer tube 6, or the tubes 6 and 8 may be integrally formed.

The guide wire 14 can be inserted or pulled out from a port 33 of the operation unit 30. When inserting the catheter 2 for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube into a blood vessel or the like, the guide wire 14 is passed through the second lumen 12 of the inner tube 8, and both ends of the guide wire 14 protrude from both ends of the catheter 2. In this state, the catheter 2 is inserted.

With the guidewire 14 withdrawn from the interior of the second lumen 12 of the inner tube 8, the distal ends of the inner tube 8 and / or outer tube 6 may be as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. As shown in FIG.
It is shaped into a curve that is not a straight line. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (B), the temperature sensor 20 is pressed against the inner wall surface of the blood vessel 40 with a predetermined pressure.

Inner tube 8 and / or outer tube 6
Means for shaping the distal end portion of the to a non-linear curved shape is not particularly limited, but the following method is exemplified. For example, a method of thermally deforming a synthetic resin tube once formed into a straight line to bend it into a dotted line shape shown in FIG. 1 or a method of forming a curved tip portion in advance and joining it to a straight catheter tube are exemplified. Is done.

[0022] The size of the maximum deformation portion during the shaping is
The temperature is determined according to the inner diameter of the blood vessel 40 to be measured,
It is preferably at least a value t (see FIG. 2B) obtained by subtracting the outer diameter of the outer tube 6 from the inner diameter of the portion to be measured. By pre-shaping the distal end of the inner tube 8 and / or the outer tube 6 into a non-linear curved shape so that such a maximum deformed portion is formed,
When the guide wire 14 is removed, the temperature sensor 20
Can be pressed against the inner wall of the blood vessel with a predetermined pressure.

The distal ends of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 8 are made of a material and / or a cross-sectional shape having a lower bending rigidity than the guide wire 14, so that the second lumen 12 of the inner tube 8 is formed. When the guide wire 14 is inserted inside, the catheter tube 4 is substantially straight, as shown in FIG. for that reason,
When the distal end of the catheter tube 4 is inserted into the blood vessel 40, the distal end is smoothly inserted without obstruction. In addition, even when the catheter tube 4 is inserted inside the blood vessel, the operation unit 30 is disposed outside the body.

The inner tube 8 is made of, for example, polyurethane,
It is composed of a synthetic resin tube of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyamide, polyimide or the like, or a metal spring reinforcing tube. Note that a stainless wire, a nickel / titanium alloy wire, or the like may be used as a reinforcing material. The inner diameter of the inner tube 8 is not particularly limited as long as it is a diameter through which the guide wire 14 can be inserted.
It is 0.8 mm, preferably 0.3-0.5 mm. The thickness of the inner tube 8 is 0.05 to 0.4 mm, preferably 0.01 to 0.02 mm. The total length of the inner tube 8 is
Biological tube inner wall temperature measuring catheter 2 inserted into blood vessel
The length is determined according to the axial length, etc., and is not particularly limited. For example, 1000 to 1800 mm, preferably 130 mm
It is about 0 to 1500 mm.

The outer tube 6 is preferably made of a material having a certain degree of flexibility, for example, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene,
Ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cross-linked ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyurethane, polyamide, polyamide elastomer, polyimide, polyimide elastomer, silicone rubber, natural rubber, etc. Can be used, preferably, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide,
Polyimide, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluoroethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polyetherimide (PEI), poly It is composed of ether ketone (PEK).

The outer diameter of the outer tube 6 is set to 0.1 mm uniformly in the axial direction.
Although it may be 6 to 1.2 mm, 0.6 to 1.
The outer diameter may be about 0.8 mm to about 1.2 mm on the operation unit 30 side, and the outer diameter may be changed intermittently or continuously in the axial direction. The length of the outer tube 6 is preferably 900
It is about 1400 mm.

The thickness and the material of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 8 need not be uniform along the axial direction, but may be different. For example, the distal ends of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 8 are reduced in bending stiffness (increased in flexibility or reduced in hardness) as compared with the proximal end, so that the thickness of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 8 is increased. The thickness and material may be varied along the axial direction. The JIS hardness of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 8 is, for example, 50
It is preferably about A to 90A.

The operating pipe 32 in which the branch pipe 34 is integrally formed
Is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate, polyamide, polysulfone, polyacrylate, methacrylate-butylene-styrene copolymer, or the like. The operation unit 30 is made of a material that is more rigid than the resin that forms the outer tube 6.

In the state where the guide wire 14 is inserted through the second lumen 12 of the inner tube 8, the catheter 2 for measuring the inner wall temperature of the living body tube of the present embodiment is, as shown in FIG. The tube 4 is substantially straight. Therefore, when the distal end of the catheter tube 4 is inserted into the blood vessel 40, the distal end is not hindered and is smoothly inserted. In order to observe the position of the distal end of the catheter tube 4 from outside the body,
A contrast marker such as a metal ring may be attached to the distal end of the catheter tube 4.
0 can also be used as a contrast marker.

The distal end of the catheter tube 4 is positioned at a predetermined position in the blood vessel 40 while observing the contrast marker with X-rays or the like. Thereafter, the operation unit 30 shown in FIG.
By pulling out the guide wire 14 from the port 33 of
As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer tube 6 and / or the inner tube 8 return to a preformed shape, and the temperature sensor 20 is pressed against the inner wall of the blood vessel 40 with a predetermined pressure.
Therefore, the temperature sensor 20 can be pressed against the inner wall of the blood vessel 40 at a target position in the blood vessel 40, and the temperature of that portion can be measured accurately and quickly. Moreover, the temperature sensor 20 can be pressed against the inner wall of the blood vessel 40 only by pulling out the guide wire 14,
Excellent operability. In addition, there is an advantage that the manufacture of the catheter 2 is easy and the manufacturing cost is low.

Second Embodiment In the catheter 2a for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the catheter tube 4a is composed of only a tube 6a having a single lumen 10a, and the distal end of the tube 6a. Part with at least three inflection points 50 to
It is preformed into a zigzag shape having 53. The temperature sensor 20a is provided on the outer surface of the tube 6a at the position of the inflection point 50 located in the middle of the three inflection points 50 to 53.

The wiring 22a from the temperature sensor 50 is buried in the tube wall of the tube 6a. The tube 6a is formed of a conductive coil tube or the like coated with a synthetic resin, and the conductive coil in the tube is connected to the wiring 2
It is also possible to use as 2a. Alternatively, the tube 6a may be formed of a resin tube or the like reinforced with a conductor, and the conductor in the tube may be used as the wiring 22a.

The catheter 2a according to the present embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG.
When the guide wire 14 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the lumen 10a, the distal end of the guide wire 14 has a straight shape, and the guide wire 14 is removed.
As shown in FIG. As a result, in a state where the guide wire 14 is removed, the inflection points 51 to 53 come into contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at a predetermined pressure, and the temperature sensor 20a
The temperature of that part can be measured accurately and quickly. Other configurations and operations of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The description is omitted because it is the same as the embodiment.

Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 4, in the catheter 2b for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube according to this embodiment, the catheter tube 4b is
It is constituted by a double lumen tube having an outer tube 6b having a first lumen 10b and an inner tube 8b having a second lumen 12b. The distal end opening of the inner tube 8b is retracted axially inward from the distal end opening of the outer tube 6b.

The distal end of the outer tube 6b is joined to the distal end of a drive wire 62, and the drive wire 62
Once goes out of the outer tube 6b,
At 0, it enters the inside of the first lumen 10b and is axially movable inside the first lumen 10b. The proximal end of the drive wire 62 is connected to the operation unit 30 shown in FIG.
, Can be manually operated via an instrument or directly.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
It is formed near the distal end opening of the inner tube 8b. The temperature sensor 20b is provided on the outer surface of the outer tube 6b substantially at the center of the distal end of the outer tube 6b where the inner tube 8b does not exist. The wiring 22b from the temperature sensor 20b is disposed in the first lumen 10b in the axial direction. By operating the proximal end of the drive wire 62 directly through an instrument attached to the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 or by pulling the drive wire 62 to the proximal end side,
The distal end opening of the outer tube 6b is drawn toward the through hole 60, and the distal end of the outer tube 6b is deformed in a curved shape. As a result, the temperature sensor 20b is pressed against the inner wall of the blood vessel 40, and the temperature of that portion can be measured accurately and quickly. Moreover, the temperature sensor 20b can be pressed against the inner wall of the blood vessel 40 only by operating the drive wire 62, so that the operability is excellent.

When inserting the distal end of the catheter tube 4b of the catheter 2b of the present embodiment into a blood vessel, the guide wire 14 shown in FIG.
It is preferable that the distal end of the outer tube 6b is inserted to a position equivalent to or protruding from the distal end opening of the outer tube 6b. Other configurations and operations of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B) are cross-sectional views of a main part on a distal end side of a catheter tube showing a use state of the biological tube inner wall temperature measuring catheter shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part on a distal end side of a catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part on the distal end side of a catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 2a, 2b ... catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a living body tube 4, 4a, 4b ... catheter tube 6, 6b ... outer tube 6a ... tube 8a, 8b ... inner tube 10, 10b ... first lumen 10a ... lumen (guide wire insertion) Lumen) 12, 12b Second lumen (guidewire insertion lumen) 14 Guidewire 20, 20a, 20b Temperature sensor 22, 22a, 22b Wiring 40 Blood vessel 62 Drive wire

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A living body tube inner wall temperature comprising: a catheter tube having at least one guidewire insertion lumen formed along a longitudinal direction; and at least one temperature sensor attached to a distal end side of the catheter tube. A measurement catheter, in a state where the distal end side of the catheter tube withdraws a guide wire from the guide wire insertion lumen,
A catheter for measuring the temperature of an inner wall of a living tube, which is shaped so as to be deformed to a position where the temperature sensor is pressed against the inner wall of the living tube. 2. A catheter tube having at least one lumen formed along a longitudinal direction, at least one temperature sensor attached to a distal end side of the catheter tube, and freely movable in the axial direction in the lumen. A driving wire attached to the driving wire, wherein by operating a proximal end of the driving wire, a distal end side of the catheter tube is configured to be deformed to a position where the temperature sensor is pressed against an inner wall of the living body tube. A catheter for measuring the inner wall temperature of a biological tube, comprising: a driving wire;