JP2010227448A - Catheter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a catheter excellent in kink resistance at a boundary part between a catheter body and a guide wire insertion part. <P>SOLUTION: The catheter 1 includes: the catheter body 2 of long-sized shape having a lumen 21 extending in the longitudinal direction; and the guide wire insertion part 3 installed on the distal end side of the catheter body 2, formed in tubular shape through which a guide wire can be inserted, and having a distal end aperture 37 and a proximal end aperture 36. The distal end of the catheter body 2 has: an exposure preventing part 223 (a first layer 231) whose outer diameter is reduced; a first coil 22 covering the outer surface of the exposure preventing part 223; and a second layer 232 covering the outer surface of the first coil 22 and covering near the proximal end aperture 36 of the guide wire insertion part 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a catheter.

  There is known a catheter that is inserted into a lumen in a living body and used for diagnosing the inside of the lumen by ultrasonic waves (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The catheter described in Patent Document 1 is installed at the distal end portion of a catheter body having a lumen, a tubular guide wire insertion portion through which the guide wire is inserted, and inserted into the lumen of the catheter body, and is super And a drive shaft having an ultrasonic wave oscillating portion that emits a sound wave. This catheter is used in a state where a guide wire is inserted into the guide wire insertion portion. In this catheter, an outer coil (elastic coil) is installed near the distal end of the lumen of the catheter body, that is, in the vicinity of the boundary between the catheter body and the guide wire insertion portion to obtain kink resistance at the boundary. Has been. In addition, a housing for protecting the ultrasonic oscillating unit is provided at the tip side of the ultrasonic oscillating unit of the drive shaft, and an inner coil (elastic member) is provided on the leading end side of the housing. The inner coil can be inserted into the outer coil.

  By the way, in the catheter described in Patent Document 1, for example, depending on the pressing force acting on the guide wire, the pressing force is transmitted to the guide wire insertion portion, and the boundary portion between the catheter body and the guide wire insertion portion is bent. Sometimes. When this bending occurs with the inner coil inserted into the outer coil, the outer coil and the inner coil bite into each other, and even if the pressing force is released, the boundary shape is not restored and remains bent. There was a risk of becoming. In addition, when the bending occurs in a state where the inner coil is caught on the exposed outer coil or not inserted to the tip portion, a kink occurs at the boundary between the catheter body and the guide wire insertion portion, There was a risk of unexpected troubles. Thus, the kink resistance at the boundary between the catheter body and the guide wire insertion portion was insufficient.

JP 2004-344274 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a catheter excellent in kink resistance at a boundary portion between a catheter body and a guide wire insertion portion.

Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (15) below.
(1) A catheter body having a long shape and having a lumen extending along a longitudinal direction thereof;
It is installed on the distal end side of the catheter body, has a tubular shape through which a guide wire can be inserted, and includes a guide wire insertion portion having a distal end opening and a proximal end opening,
The distal end portion of the catheter body has a reduced diameter portion whose outer diameter is reduced, a first coil that covers an outer surface of the reduced diameter portion, an outer surface of the first coil, and the proximal end An outer layer tube covering the periphery of the opening.

  (2) The catheter according to (1), wherein the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion is also reduced.

  (3) The catheter according to (2), wherein the reduced diameter portion has a smaller diameter reduction amount than an outer diameter.

  (4) Said (1) thru | or (3) further provided with the rotational drive body which is inserted in the said lumen | rumen and has a signal transmission / reception part in the front-end | tip part, and the 2nd coil arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip side of this signal transmission / reception part. The catheter according to any one of the above.

  (5) The catheter according to (4), wherein at least a part of the second coil can overlap with the first coil in a longitudinal direction.

  (6) The catheter according to (5), wherein the reduced diameter portion includes a pushing stop portion that stops pushing of the rotary driving body when the first coil and the second coil completely overlap each other.

  (7) In the inserted state in which the first coil is inserted into the second coil, the outer peripheral portion of the second coil is separated from the inner surface of the reduced diameter portion. The catheter according to 6).

(8) The catheter body has a window part through which at least one part of the lumen can transmit a signal,
The catheter according to any one of (4) to (7), wherein the signal transmission / reception unit has a function of transmitting / receiving and transmitting an optical signal through the window.

  (9) The catheter according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein a winding direction of the first coil and a winding direction of the second coil are opposite to each other.

  (10) The catheter according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the first coil has a portion whose outer diameter decreases continuously or stepwise toward the distal direction.

  (11) The catheter according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the guide wire insertion portion includes a tubular reinforcing member that is disposed at a proximal end portion thereof and is made of a resin material.

  (12) The catheter according to (11), wherein the reinforcing member has a groove that opens on at least one of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface thereof.

  (13) The catheter according to (12), wherein the groove is open on both an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing member.

  (14) The catheter according to (12) or (13), wherein the groove has a spiral shape wound around a central axis of the reinforcing member.

  (15) The catheter according to any one of (11) to (14), wherein the reinforcing member has a portion in which the arrangement density of the grooves is different along a longitudinal direction or a circumferential direction thereof.

  For example, when a pressing force acts on the guide wire and the pressing force is transmitted to the guide wire insertion portion, the boundary portion between the catheter body and the guide wire insertion portion, that is, the first coil is bent. According to the catheter of the present invention, even if such bending occurs, the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the first coil are covered with the reduced diameter portion and the outer tube, respectively. It is excellent in nature.

  Further, since the first coil is disposed in the reduced diameter portion of the catheter, the diameter of the distal end portion of the catheter is also reduced.

It is a top view which shows 1st Embodiment of the catheter of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (figure which shows an operation state) which shows the part by the side of the front end of the catheter shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (figure which shows an operation state) which shows the part by the side of the front end of the catheter shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view (region showing a natural state) of an area [A] shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view (a view showing a curved state) of an area [A] shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a region [B] shown in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view of the reinforcement member in the catheter shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the front-end | tip part vicinity of the catheter main body of the catheter (2nd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the front-end | tip part vicinity of the catheter main body of the catheter (3rd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the reinforcement member in the catheter (4th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the part by the side of the front end of the catheter (5th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the part by the side of the front end of the catheter (6th Embodiment) of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the catheter of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the catheter of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views showing the distal end portion of the catheter shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are enlarged detail views of the area [A] shown in FIG. 2 (FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a natural state, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a curved state), and FIG. 6 is a region shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of [B], and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member in the catheter shown in FIG. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the right side in FIGS. 1 to 7 (the same applies to FIGS. 8 to 12) is referred to as “base end”, and the left side is referred to as “tip”.

  A catheter 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a long and flexible catheter body 2, a guide wire insertion portion 3 that is installed at a distal end portion of the catheter body 2 and through which a guide wire 20 can be inserted, and a catheter body. 2 includes a linear drive shaft 4 that is movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter 2 and a connector 5 that is installed at the proximal end of the catheter body 2. The catheter 1 is inserted into a living body lumen with the guide wire 20 inserted through the guide wire insertion portion 3. The catheter 1 is a so-called “rapid exchange type (short monorail type)” catheter which can quickly insert and remove the guide wire 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the catheter body 2 is a tube having a lumen 21 extending along the longitudinal direction thereof. A drive shaft 4 that is a rotary drive body having a second coil 41 to be described later can be inserted into the lumen 21.

  The tube wall 23 that defines the lumen 21 of the catheter body 2 is composed of a first layer (inner layer) 231 and a second layer (outer layer) 232 that covers the outer periphery of the distal end of the first layer 231. ing. The constituent material of the first layer 231 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fluorine resins such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), polyolefins such as polyamide, polyimide, polyethylene, and polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate. Polyester, polyurethane, polystyrene, polycarbonate, silicone resin, polyetherimide and the like can be mentioned. Among them, a material having low friction and high signal transmission like high density polyethylene is preferable. Thereby, since the friction coefficient of the inner surface of the lumen 21 is reduced, when the drive shaft 4 moves in the lumen 21, the frictional resistance (sliding resistance) thereof is reduced, and the drive shaft 4 can move smoothly. it can. The constituent material of the second layer 232 is not particularly limited. For example, various thermoplastic elastomers such as polyurethane elastomer, polyester elastomer, and polyamide elastomer, polyolefins such as polyamide, polyimide, polyethylene, and polypropylene, polyurethane, silicone resin, and polyethylene terephthalate. , Polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate, etc., or a mixture of two or more thereof, among which materials having relatively high flexibility such as various thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethanes, and silicone resins are preferable. Thereby, it is prevented that the wall part which defines the lumen | bore of the biological body which inserts the catheter 1 is damaged.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the tube wall 23 of the catheter body 2 is at least a portion on the distal end side, specifically, a portion covered with the second layer 232 of the first layer 231. A portion closer to the base end is a window portion 234 that transmits signals such as ultrasonic waves and light. The catheter 1 of this embodiment is a catheter that acquires an image by an optical signal using optical coherent tomography (OCT), and an image acquisition unit (signal transmission / reception) to be described later through the window 234. Tomographic image in the living body lumen can be acquired.

  The catheter body 2 includes a first coil (first reinforcing portion) 22 installed at the distal end portion of the lumen 21. The first coil 22 is formed by forming a strand 221 in a spiral shape. The first coil 22 is disposed concentrically with the lumen 21 and is embedded in the tube wall 23 of the catheter body 2, that is, disposed between the first layer 231 and the second layer 232. Yes. Accordingly, the inner peripheral portion 222 of the first coil 22 is a portion (a part of the first layer 231) located inside the first coil 22 in the region where the first coil 22 is embedded in the tube wall 23. Can be covered from the inside. This prevents the first coil 22 from being exposed inside the lumen 21. Hereinafter, a portion that covers the inner peripheral portion 222 of the first coil 22 and prevents the first coil 22 from being exposed inside the lumen 21 is referred to as an “exposure prevention portion 223”. Further, the exposure preventing portion 223 is a reduced diameter portion in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter are reduced. In such an exposure preventing portion 223, the diameter reduction amount of the inner diameter is smaller than the diameter reduction amount of the outer diameter. That is, the thickness of the exposure preventing portion 223 (reduced diameter portion) is smaller than that of the proximal end side of the tube wall 23. As a result, the diameter of the distal end portion of the catheter 1 is reduced and appropriate rigidity is supported.

  Further, when the drive shaft 4 is pushed toward the front end direction and the first coil 22 and the second coil 41 are completely overlapped in the longitudinal direction, the drive shaft 4 is moved by the exposure preventing portion 223. Is regulated (pushing stops). Thus, the exposure prevention unit 223 also functions as a push-in stop unit that stops the push-in of the drive shaft 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second layer 232 covers the outer peripheral portion of the tip of the first layer 231, that is, the exposure preventing portion 223 via the first coil 22. The second layer 232 has a distal end portion that extends to the proximal end opening 36 of the guide wire insertion portion 3 and covers the periphery thereof. As a result, the vicinity of the proximal end opening 36 is also reinforced, thereby preventing kinks from occurring in a portion on the proximal end side of the guide wire insertion portion 3 to be described later and preventing an unexpected trouble from occurring.

  In addition, as described above, the first coil 22 is disposed in a portion where the outer diameter of the first layer 231 is reduced, and the catheter body 2 is covered with the second layer 232 from above. The diameter can be reduced without impairing the rigidity.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drive shaft 4 inserted into the catheter main body 2 houses, for example, a long main body 42, a prism 43 installed at the tip 421 of the main body 42, and the prism 43. A housing 44 and a second coil 41 are provided.

  The main body 42 is configured by, for example, an optical fiber covered with a multilayer coil. The main body portion 42 is connected to the connector 5 at the base end portion, and transmits light (signal) from the scanner 51 side installed in the connector 5 (described later) via the prism 43 to reflect light from the living body. Can be received.

  The prism 43 is a right-angle prism, and is fixed to the tip of the main body portion 42 (tip of the optical fiber). In addition, it does not specifically limit as a fixing method, For example, adhesion | attachment with an adhesive agent is mentioned.

  The housing 44 is a member that houses and protects the prism 43. The housing 44 has a cylindrical shape having a tip closing portion 441 whose tip is closed. Further, the base end 442 of the housing 44 is fixed to the tip 421 of the main body portion 42. In addition, as a fixing method, the fixing method by soldering other than the adhesion | attachment by the adhesive agent mentioned above can be used. In addition, the housing 44 cuts out a portion of the prism 43 that corresponds to the light transmission / reception unit to form an opening.

  The second coil 41 is formed by forming a wire 411 in a spiral shape. The base end 412 of the second coil 41 is fixed to the distal end closing portion 441 of the housing 44, and has a function of stabilizing the rotation of the drive shaft 4. The fixing method described above can be used as the fixing method.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the 1st coil 22 and the 2nd coil 41 are comprised with the metal material. Examples of the metal material constituting the first coil 22 and the second coil 41 include stainless steel, superelastic alloy, cobalt-based alloy, radiopaque metal such as gold, platinum, tungsten, or the like. An alloy etc. are mentioned.

  In the present embodiment, the winding direction of the first coil 22 and the winding direction of the second coil 41 are the same.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive shaft 4 moves around the axis while moving in the proximal direction from the insertion state in which the second coil 41 is inserted into the first coil 22 of the catheter body 2. Operated to rotate. Since the prism 43 also spirals in synchronization with the spiral motion of the drive shaft 4 as described above, a tomographic image can be acquired over the longitudinal direction in the living body lumen. Further, when acquiring a tomographic image again, the drive shaft 4 can be moved in the distal direction to obtain the insertion state shown in FIG. 2, and image acquisition can be started. At this time, the presence of the exposure blocking portion 223 allows the operator to insert the second coil 41 without contacting the first coil 22, and thus the first coil 22 or the second coil 22 can be inserted. The breakage and the paragraph of the coil 41 can be prevented, and further, the presence of the push-in stop portion makes it possible to reliably arrange the first coil 22 and the second coil 41 to a position where they overlap completely.

  In the catheter 1, the prism 43, the main body portion 42 made of an optical fiber covered with a spiral metal wire, and the scanner 51 constitute an image acquisition unit that acquires a tomographic image in a living body lumen. .

  As described above, the catheter 1 can take an insertion state in which the second coil 41 is inserted into the first coil 22 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In this insertion state, for example, when a pressing force acts on the guide wire 20 and the pressing force is transmitted to the guide wire insertion portion 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the catheter body 2 and the guide wire insertion portion 3, that is, the first coil 22 and the second coil 41 are bent. In the catheter 1, even if such bending occurs, the exposure preventing portion 223 is interposed between the inner peripheral portion 222 of the first coil 22 and the outer peripheral portion 413 of the second coil 41. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the wire 22 411 of the second coil 41 from entering between the wires 221 of the first coil 22. Thus, when the pressing force is released, the shapes of the first coil 22 and the second coil 41 are reliably restored as shown in FIG. Therefore, the catheter 1 has excellent kink resistance.

  In the natural state where the external force is not applied as shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral portion 413 of the second coil 41 is separated from the exposure preventing portion 223. The difference between the maximum outer diameter φD1 of the second coil 41 and the inner diameter φD2 of the exposure preventing portion 223 is preferably equal to or smaller than the wire diameter φd1 of the element wire 411 of the second coil 41.

  As described above, since the outer peripheral portion 413 of the second coil 41 is separated from the exposure prevention portion 223, even if the first coil 22 is bent, the bending may be caused by the second coil depending on the degree of the bending. 41 can be prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the thickness t <b> 1 of the exposure preventing portion 223 is equal to or larger than the wire diameter φd <b> 2 of the strand 221 of the first coil 22, and the strand 411 of the second coil 41. Is equal to or larger than the wire diameter φd1.

In the catheter 1, the first coil 22 and the second coil 41 are different from each other in terms of wire diameter, helical pitch, winding state, and rigidity.
Wire diameter: Wire diameter φd1 of the wire 411 of the second coil 41 is smaller than wire diameter φd2 of the wire 221 of the first coil 22.
Helical pitch: The helical pitch p1 of the second coil 41 is larger than the helical pitch p2 of the first coil 22.
-Winding state: The 1st coil 22 is wound by close winding so that the adjacent strands 221 may contact. The second coil 41 is wound in a sparse winding so that the adjacent strands 411 are separated from each other.
Rigidity: The rigidity of the second coil 41 is lower than the rigidity of the first coil 22. In order to obtain such a magnitude relationship, for example, the magnitude relationship can be set by appropriately selecting the constituent materials of the first coil 22 and the second coil 41.

  As described above, since the various conditions are different, for example, an appropriate flexibility can be obtained even in the overlapping portion 11 in which the first coil 22 and the second coil 41 overlap in the longitudinal direction. Even if the catheter 1 is inserted into the lumen, followability to the living body lumen is reliably exhibited. In addition, even when the overlapping portion 11 is bent as described above, the overlapping portion 11 is close to the bending characteristics of the coil springs (the first coil 22 and the second coil 41), so that kink resistance is exhibited. . The first coil 22 may have a helical pitch p2 that gradually increases (increases) in the proximal direction. Thereby, in the overlap part 11 of the catheter main body 2, since rigidity increases in a gradient from the proximal direction toward the distal direction, the catheter 1 is excellent in kink resistance.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a guide wire insertion portion 3 having a tubular shape and a tube wall 31 composed of an inner layer 311 and an outer layer 312 is installed at the distal end portion of the catheter body 2. The guide wire insertion portion 3 has a distal end opening 37 having a distal end opened and a proximal end opening 36 having a proximal end opened.

  In the configuration shown in the drawing, the distal end portion of the catheter body 2 and the proximal end portion of the guide wire insertion portion 3 are connected (fixed) in a state where they partially overlap along the longitudinal direction. Thereby, in the connection part (fixed part) of the catheter main body 2 and the guide wire insertion part 3, since both overlap, high connection intensity | strength is obtained and the front-end | tip part of the catheter 1 becomes large in diameter. Can be avoided. The method for fixing the catheter body 2 and the guide wire insertion portion 3 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the distal end portion of the tube wall 23 of the catheter body 2 is thermally fused with the guide wire insertion portion 3. It is fixed (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the guide wire insertion portion 3 is installed such that the central axis 33 is eccentric (shifted) with respect to the central axis 24 of the catheter body 2. As a result, the lumen 32 through which the guide wire 20 of the guide wire insertion portion 3 is inserted can be secured widely and straight in the vicinity of the fixed portion between the guide wire insertion portion 3 and the catheter body 2. It can be inserted smoothly.

  The guide wire insertion portion 3 arranged in this way is arranged between the inner layer 311 and the outer layer 312 on the distal side of the reinforcing member (second reinforcing portion) 34 and the reinforcing member 34, and has a contrast property. The marker 35 which has is arrange | positioned.

  The reinforcing member 34 is disposed at the proximal end portion of the guide wire insertion portion 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the reinforcing member 34 has a tubular shape made of a resin material.

  The resin material constituting the reinforcing member 34 is not particularly limited. For example, polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, modified polyolefin, polyamide (eg, nylon 6, nylon 46, nylon 66, nylon) 610, Nylon 612, Nylon 11, Nylon 12, Nylon 6-12, Nylon 6-66), liquid crystal polymers such as thermoplastic polyimide, thermosetting polyimide, aromatic polyester, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate , Polyether, polyether ether ketone, polyether imide, polyacetal, styrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polyb Diene-based, trans-polyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, chlorinated polyethylene-based thermoplastic elastomers, etc., or copolymers, blends, polymer alloys, etc. mainly composed of these, and one of these Or 2 or more types can be mixed and used. Among these, polyimide is particularly preferable. When the reinforcing member 34 is made of polyimide, when the groove 341 is formed in the reinforcing member 34, for example, laser processing can be easily formed.

  The reinforcing member 34 may be formed with a spiral groove 341 wound around its central axis. In this case, the groove 341 passes through the tube wall 342 of the reinforcing member 34, that is, opens on both the inner peripheral surface 343 and the outer peripheral surface 344 of the reinforcing member 34.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a portion 201 protruding from the proximal end opening 36 of the guide wire insertion portion 3 of the guide wire 20 that passes through the guide wire insertion portion 3 is shown during operation (in use) of the catheter 1. In the case of bending toward the upper middle, the portion 201 tears the portion closer to the proximal end than the reinforcing member 34 of the guide wire insertion portion 3, but the reinforcing member 34 restricts displacement (deformation) of the portion 201. It becomes difficult to tear. Thus, by providing the reinforcing member 34, easy tearing of the guide wire insertion portion 3 can be reliably prevented.

  Further, since the groove 341 is formed in the reinforcing member 34, the guide wire insertion portion 3 is prevented from losing flexibility due to the presence of the reinforcing member 34. Thereby, even if the catheter 1 is inserted into the curved biological lumen, the followability of the guide wire insertion portion 3 with respect to the biological lumen is reliably exhibited.

  As described above, in the guide wire insertion portion 3, it is possible to satisfy both of “reinforcing” and “being flexible”.

  The thickness t2 of the tube wall of the reinforcing member 34 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 50 μm, and more preferably 10 to 20 μm, for example.

  Moreover, the pitch p3 of the spiral of the groove 341 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 to 1000 μm, and more preferably 100 to 200 μm, for example.

  Moreover, the width w of the groove 341 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 200 μm, and more preferably 40 to 60 μm, for example.

  By setting the numerical value in such a range, it is possible to reliably achieve the conflict between “reinforcing” and “having flexibility” as described above.

  The marker 35 is formed by winding a wire 351 in a spiral shape. Further, the marker 35 is wound in a tight winding so that the adjacent strands 351 are in contact with each other.

  The strand 351 is preferably made of a metal material. Examples of the metal material include stainless steel, superelastic alloy, cobalt-based alloy, noble metals such as gold, platinum, tungsten, and the like, which are the same as the constituent materials of the first coil 22 and the second coil 41. An alloy etc. are mentioned. Moreover, although the wire diameter of the strand 351 is not specifically limited, For example, it is preferable that it is 10-60 micrometers, and it is more preferable that it is 40-50 micrometers.

  By installing such a marker 35, when the guide wire insertion portion 3 is passed through the stenosis portion in the living body lumen under X-ray fluoroscopy, the position can be surely confirmed (obtained). it can.

  It should be noted that the marker 35 has radiopacity due to its radiopacity, but such a marker 35 usually has contrast in CT scans, so CT scan Can also be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a connector 5 is connected to the proximal end portion of the catheter body 2. This connector 5 has, for example, an optical fiber connector (not shown), and can be connected to a scanner 51 for rotating the drive shaft 4 having an optical fiber therein at high speed. The scanner 51 having such a configuration can communicate a signal transmitted from the prism 43 through an optical fiber installed in the main body 42 to a dedicated analyzer. In this communication state, a tomographic image in the living body lumen constructed by the analysis device can be displayed on the image display device.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of the distal end portion of the catheter body of the catheter of the present invention (second embodiment).

  Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the catheter of the present invention will be described with reference to this drawing, but the description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the pitch of the second coil is different.

  In the catheter 1A shown in FIG. 8, the helical pitch p1 of the second coil 41A gradually increases (increases) in the proximal direction. Thereby, since the rigidity toward the front end direction from the housing 44 at the front end of the drive shaft 4 is increased in an inclined manner, the catheter is more excellent in kink resistance.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of the distal end portion of the catheter body of the catheter of the present invention (third embodiment). In FIG. 9, the exposure prevention unit that covers the first coil is omitted.

  Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the catheter of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the first coil is different.

  In the catheter 1B shown in FIG. 9, the winding direction of the first coil 22B is opposite to the winding direction of the second coil 41.

  Even if the overlapping portion 11 is bent and the second coil 41 is firmly pressed against the exposure prevention portion 223, the winding direction of the first coil 22B and the winding direction of the second coil 41 are opposite to each other. By being in the direction, it is possible to reliably prevent the second coil 41 from entering the first coil 22B together with the exposure preventing portion 223. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the shape of each of the first coil 22B and the second coil 41 can be reliably restored. Therefore, the catheter 1B has excellent kink resistance.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a reinforcing member in the catheter (fourth embodiment) of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the catheter of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure. However, the difference from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the arrangement and shape of the grooves of the reinforcing member that reinforces the guide wire insertion portion 3 are different.

  In the catheter 1C shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of (9 in the illustrated configuration) grooves 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d, 341e, 341f, 341g, 341h, and 341i are formed in the reinforcing member 34C. The grooves 341a to 341i are each formed in the range of 180 degrees around the central axis 345 of the reinforcing member 34C along the circumferential direction of the reinforcing member 34C. The grooves 341a to 341i are unevenly distributed on the upper side in FIG. 10 with respect to the central axis 345 of the reinforcing member 34C. Further, the grooves 341a to 341i are disposed on the opposite side of the catheter body 2 with respect to the central axis 345 of the reinforcing member 34C.

  The grooves 341a to 341i are arranged at intervals along the direction of the central axis 345 of the reinforcing member 34C. In addition, the space | interval of the groove | channel 341h and the groove | channel 341i is set larger than the space | interval of other adjacent grooves. And the part with this large space | interval is arrange | positioned at the base end part of 34 C of reinforcement members.

  Thus, in the reinforcing member 34C, portions where the arrangement density of the grooves 341a to 341i are different along the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the reinforcing member 34C are formed. As a result, the reinforcing member 34C has portions with different degrees of reinforcement and curves. That is, in the reinforcing member 34C, the arrangement density of the grooves 341a to 341i is sparse at the base end portion, and accordingly, the strength of the base end portion is higher than that of the front end portion. Further, since the grooves 341a to 341i are formed in the upper portion in FIG. 10, the reinforcing member 34C is easily bent upward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10) accordingly. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a phenomenon (guide wire separation) in which the guide wire 20 is separated from the catheter main body 2 during the operation, so that the catheter 1C having higher performance can be obtained.

  In addition, the arrangement density of the grooves of the reinforcing member 34C is not limited to the fact that different portions are formed along both the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the reinforcing member 34C, but only in one direction of the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction. Different portions may be formed along.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a distal end portion of the catheter (fifth embodiment) of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of the catheter of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the outer shape of the first coil and the configuration of the surrounding catheter are different.

  In the catheter 1D shown in FIG. 11, the first coil 22D has an outer diameter that is gradually reduced in the distal direction. That is, the first coil 22D has a reduced diameter portion 224 whose outer diameter is reduced at the tip thereof. The reduced diameter portion 224 extends to a boundary portion between the catheter body 2 and the guide wire insertion portion 3 and overlaps the guide wire insertion portion 3 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body 2. Thereby, the boundary part of the catheter main body 2 and the guide wire insertion part 3 is reinforced, and thus kink resistance at the boundary part is exhibited. In accordance with this, the reduced diameter portion of the distal end portion of the catheter body 2 is reduced in multiple stages (in this embodiment, two stages).

  Further, since the diameter of the first coil 22D is reduced, it is possible to prevent the outer diameter at the boundary portion between the catheter body 2 and the guide wire insertion portion 3 from being increased, and thus the diameter of the catheter 1D can be reduced. Can be planned.

  In addition, when the first coil 22D is covered with the second layer 232, the reduced diameter portion 224 can be easily covered, and thus the reduced diameter portion 224 can be prevented from being exposed.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a distal end portion of the catheter (sixth embodiment) of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment of the catheter of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  This embodiment is the same as the fifth embodiment except that the outer shape of the first coil and the configuration of the surrounding catheter are different.

  In the catheter 1E shown in FIG. 12, the first coil 22E has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter continuously decreases in the distal direction. In accordance with this, the reduced diameter portion of the distal end portion of the catheter body 2 is also tapered. Thereby, the same effect as the fifth embodiment can be obtained, that is, the kink resistance, the diameter can be reduced, and the exposure of the first coil 22E can be prevented.

  The catheter of the present invention has been described above with respect to the illustrated embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each part constituting the catheter can be replaced with an arbitrary structure that can exhibit the same function. can do. Moreover, arbitrary components may be added.

  In addition, the catheter of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above embodiments.

  Further, the catheter body and the guide wire insertion portion are not limited to those in which the tube wall is configured by a laminated body having a plurality of layers, for example, the tube wall may be configured by a single layer. Good.

  Further, the groove of the reinforcing member is not limited to being opened on both the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing member. For example, the groove is opened only on one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. Also good. When the groove is opened only on one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, the depth of the groove is, for example, 5 to 35 μm, depending on the thickness of the tube wall of the reinforcing member. Is preferable, and it is more preferable that it is 10-20 micrometers.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Catheter 11 Overlapping part 2 Catheter body 21 Lumens 22, 22B, 22D, 22E First coil (first reinforcing part)
221 Wire 222 Inner peripheral portion 223 Exposure prevention portion 224 Reduced diameter portion 23 Tube wall 231 First layer (inner layer)
232 Second layer (outer layer)
234 Window portion 24 Central shaft 3 Guide wire insertion portion 31 Tube wall 311 Inner layer 312 Outer layer 32 Lumen 33 Central shaft 34, 34C Reinforcing member (second reinforcing portion)
341, 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d, 341e, 341f, 341g, 341h, 341i Groove 342 Tube wall 343 Inner peripheral surface 344 Outer peripheral surface 345 Central axis 35 Marker 351 Strand 36 Base end opening 37 Front end opening 4 Drive shaft 41, 41A Second coil 411 Strand 412 Base end 413 Outer peripheral part 42 Main body part 421 Tip 43 Prism 44 Housing 441 Tip closing part 442 Base end 5 Connector 51 Scanner 20 Guide wire 201 Part φd1, φd2 Wire diameter φD1 Maximum outer diameter φD2 inner diameter p1, p2, p3 pitch t1, t2 thickness

Claims (15)

A catheter body having an elongated shape and a lumen extending along a longitudinal direction thereof;
It is installed on the distal end side of the catheter body, has a tubular shape through which a guide wire can be inserted, and includes a guide wire insertion portion having a distal end opening and a proximal end opening,
The distal end portion of the catheter body has a reduced diameter portion whose outer diameter is reduced, a first coil that covers an outer surface of the reduced diameter portion, an outer surface of the first coil, and the proximal end An outer layer tube covering the periphery of the opening.   The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion is also reduced.   The catheter according to claim 2, wherein the reduced diameter portion has a smaller diameter reduction amount than an outer diameter.   4. The rotary drive body according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotary driving body that is inserted into the lumen and has a signal transmission / reception unit at a distal end and a second coil disposed on a distal end side of the signal transmission / reception unit. catheter.   The catheter according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the second coil can overlap the first coil in a longitudinal direction.   The catheter according to claim 5, wherein the reduced diameter portion includes a pushing stop portion that stops pushing of the rotary driving body when the first coil and the second coil are completely overlapped with each other.   The catheter according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the second coil is separated from an inner surface of the reduced diameter portion in an inserted state in which the first coil is inserted into the second coil. . The catheter body has a window part through which at least one part of the lumen can transmit a signal;
The catheter according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the signal transmitting / receiving unit has a function of transmitting / receiving and transmitting an optical signal through the window.   The catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a winding direction of the first coil and a winding direction of the second coil are opposite to each other.   The catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first coil has a portion whose outer diameter decreases continuously or stepwise toward the distal direction.   The catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the guide wire insertion portion has a tubular reinforcing member disposed at a proximal end portion thereof and made of a resin material.   The catheter according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing member has a groove opened on at least one of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface thereof.   The catheter according to claim 12, wherein the groove opens on both an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing member.   The catheter according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the groove has a spiral shape wound around a central axis of the reinforcing member.   The catheter according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the reinforcing member has a portion where the arrangement density of the grooves is different along a longitudinal direction or a circumferential direction thereof.

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