JP2011242413A - Catheter simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems in storage and conveyance of a blood vessel model since the blood vessel model is flexible and is formed in a thin film, while deformation and breakage of the blood vessel model is prevented.SOLUTION: A catheter includes a base 40 provided with a light source 415, and a cartridge 20 detachably connected to the base 40. The cartridge 20 includes a model holding section 240 for holding a three-dimensional model 50, and a light guiding section 210 for emitting a light from the light source 415 from a surface of the cartridge.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a catheter simulator.

The present inventor has developed and launched a catheter simulator simulating a human body shape (see Patent Document 1).
In this catheter simulator, a partition member is built in a mannequin body made of a transparent material, and a blood vessel model as a three-dimensional model is supported on one surface of the partition member, and a blood vessel model is provided on the other surface of the partition member. An auxiliary device for operation is arranged.
Also, refer to Patent Documents 2 to 4 as documents disclosing techniques related to the present invention.

JP 2006-267565 A No. 03/267565 JP 2007-1281811 A JP 2007-017929 A

According to the catheter simulator disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a blood vessel model is incorporated in the mannequin body, simulation can be performed in a manner close to implementation.
However, since such a catheter simulator is large, it requires a large space for installation and is not portable.
Since the blood vessel model is incorporated in the mannequin body, it takes time to exchange this blood vessel model with another model. The replacement of the blood vessel model is necessary when the blood vessel model itself deteriorates due to repeated use or the simulation target (blood vessel portion) is different.
In addition, since the blood vessel model is formed in a flexible and thin film, it must be carefully stored and transported while preventing deformation and breakage.

The present invention solves at least one of the above-mentioned problems, and a first aspect thereof is defined as follows.
That is, a base equipped with a light source;
A cartridge that is detachably connected to the base, and includes a model holding unit that holds a three-dimensional model and a light guide unit that emits light from the light source from the surface of the cartridge;
A catheter simulator comprising:

According to the catheter simulator defined in this way, the cartridge holding the three-dimensional model becomes detachable with respect to the base, so that it does not take time to exchange the three-dimensional model.
Further, since the three-dimensional model is held in the cartridge, the three-dimensional model can be stored and transported in units of cartridges, and the three-dimensional model can be easily prevented from being deformed and damaged.
Furthermore, since the base and the cartridge are detachable, the entire apparatus can be made compact by disassembling both when the simulator is not used. Therefore, the apparatus can be easily transported.

It is a perspective view showing a catheter simulator system of an embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a catheter simulator system. It is a block diagram which similarly shows another structure. It is a disassembled perspective view of a simulator main-body part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a cartridge holder. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a base. It is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached the cartridge holder to the base.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a catheter simulator system (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as “simulator system”) of an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram thereof.
The simulator system 1 includes a catheter simulator main body (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “simulator main body”) 3 and a control box 5. Both are connected by conduits 6 and 7 and a control wire 8.
The control box 5 includes a pump 11, a pump driver 14, and a light source driver 13, which are controlled by a controller 15. Reference numeral 16 denotes an input device, and the controller 15 controls operations of the pump driver 14 and the light source driver 13 based on a command signal input via the input device 16.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a tank, and the tank 12 is filled with a liquid (water or the like). The water discharged from the pump 11 is introduced into the simulator main body 3 through the conduit 6 and collected through the conduit 7.
In this example, the pump 11 and the tank 12 are provided on the control box side. However, the pump 11 and the tank 12 for circulating a liquid such as water may be provided on the simulator body 3 side (FIG. 3). . In FIG. 3, elements having the same functions as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
Power and control signals are sent from the light source driver 13 to the light source 415 provided in the simulator body 3 via the control wire 8.
A light source may be provided on the control box 5 side, and light emitted from the light source may be introduced into the simulator main body 3 through an optical fiber.
In this example, the control box 5 is separated from the simulator body 3, but both may be integrated.

The simulator body 3 includes a cartridge 20 and a base 40, and a cartridge guide 30 is attached to the base 40. A blood vessel model 50 is held on the upper surface of the cartridge 20 as a kind of a three-dimensional model.
In the present invention, the three-dimensional model imitates blood vessels, organs, and other tissues of humans and animals, and refers to a model that can serve as a simulation or practice table for catheter surgery. Such a three-dimensional model can be formed by the method disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example, but the manufacturing method is not particularly limited. Hereinafter, in this specification, a blood vessel model will be described as a representative example of a three-dimensional model.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the simulator body 3. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the cartridge 20 holding the blood vessel model 50 is detachably connected to the cartridge guide 30, and the cartridge guide 30 is swingable with respect to the base 40.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of the cartridge 20.
The cartridge 20 has a plate-like structure in which a translucent substrate 210 and a model holding plate 240 are laminated.
The translucent substrate 210 includes a lower plate 220 and an upper plate 230. A first liquid groove 223 and a second liquid groove 224 are formed on the upper surface (upper plate facing surface) of the lower plate 220 and open on one side. A first connector 225 and a second connector 226 are attached to the opening of each groove.

By bonding the upper plate 230 to the lower plate 220, the upper openings of the first liquid groove 223 and the second liquid groove 224 are liquid-tightly closed. Thus, a flow path (first flow path) developed in the in-plane direction is formed between the lower plate 220 and the upper plate 230, in other words, inside the translucent substrate 210. The upper plate 230 includes a first through hole 233 and a second through hole 234, and communicates with the first liquid groove 223 and the second liquid groove 224, respectively.
Both the lower plate 220 and the upper plate 230 are formed of a translucent material. In this embodiment, the lower plate 220 and the upper plate 230 are formed of a transparent acrylic resin or the like. As a result, the flow path and the liquid flowing therethrough can be visually observed.
The translucent substrate 210 does not need to be transparent, and it is sufficient that light introduced from the light source can be emitted from the surface thereof. The blood vessel model 50 is illuminated by this light, and the insertion state of the catheter can be observed.
When the back surface of the translucent substrate 210 is a light introduction surface, it is preferable to arrange a planar light source so as to face the back surface. The light source when the side surface of the translucent substrate 210 is a light introduction surface is a linear light source, and the side surface other than the side surface that introduces the light and the back surface of the translucent substrate are reflection surfaces.
In this example, a translucent plate-like member is used as the light guide, but the shape is not limited to this, and for example, a rod-like or pipe-like translucent member can be used.

The model holding plate 240 is fixed to the upper surface of the translucent substrate 210. A model storage groove 241 is formed on the upper surface of the model holding plate 240. The blood vessel model 50 is stored in the model storage groove 241. The shape of the model storage groove 241 is similar to that of the blood vessel model 50 (note that some clearance is provided between the outer shape of the blood vessel model 50 and the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the model storage groove 241). By storing the blood vessel model 50, unnecessary external force can be prevented from being applied to the blood vessel model 50 in advance. Further, the function of the blood vessel model 50 is not inhibited at all even during use.
A third through hole 243 and a fourth through hole 244 are formed in the model storage groove 241. The third through hole 243 and the first through hole 233 of the translucent substrate 210 communicate with each other, and similarly, the fourth through hole 244 and the second through hole 234 of the translucent substrate 210 communicate with each other. .

Instead of the model storage groove 241, a convex portion may be provided on the upper surface of the model storage plate 240, and the blood vessel model 50 may be held by this convex portion.
Furthermore, a projection (plate or the like) as a model holding portion can be erected on the translucent substrate 210 and the blood vessel model 50 can be held by the projection. In this case, the protrusion may be non-translucent.
When the model storage plate 240 is used, the model storage plate 240 is formed of a light-transmitting material in the same manner as the light-transmitting substrate.
The model storage plate 240 may be surrounded by a standing wall, in other words, the upper surface of the translucent substrate 210 may be formed into a dish shape, filled with gel or water, and the blood vessel model 50 may be immersed in the gel or water. Thereby, the visibility of the blood vessel model is improved. Further, by making the physical characteristics of the gel similar to the living tissue around the blood vessel, the insertion feeling of the catheter becomes more realistic.
It is preferable to standardize the thickness of the translucent substrate 210 and the model storage plate 240 as the cartridge body 3. More preferably, all external dimensions are normalized. This facilitates storage and transportation. Of course, the shape of the model storage groove is arbitrarily designed according to the blood vessel model 50 to be stored therein.

The blood vessel model 50 used in the embodiment can be formed by the method described in Patent Document 2.
A first connector 53 and a second connector 54 for liquid circulation are detachably connected to both ends of the blood vessel model 50. The first connector 53 is substantially T-shaped, and the downwardly directed portion 53 a is inserted into the third through hole 243 and the first through hole 233 and communicates with the first liquid groove 223. The second connector 54 is also inserted into the fourth through hole 244 and the second through hole 234 and communicates with the second liquid groove 244.
A connector 56 is connected to the first connector 53 and has a catheter insertion port 57. During the simulation, the catheter is inserted into the blood vessel model 50 from the insertion port 57.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge guide 30.
The cartridge guide 30 includes a tray 310 and a holding frame portion 320.
The tray 310 is made of a translucent plate-like member such as acrylic resin, and can be provided with guide frame portions 312 and 313 on a pair of long sides thereof. Notches 315 and 316 are formed on the free end side of the tray 310. The engaging claws 435 and 436 of the base 40 are engaged with the notches 315 and 316.

The holding frame part 320 is formed on one short side of the tray 310. It is assumed that the holding frame portion 320 has the same thickness as or more than the translucent substrate 210 of the cartridge 20. Thereby, the cartridge 20 can be supported stably. Ribs 321 and 321 are erected on both ends of the holding frame portion 320, and the ribs 321 and 321 are rotatably attached to the base 40.
Connection pipes 343 and 344 are passed through the holding frame portion 320, and pipes 333 and 334 are connected to the connection pipes 343 and 344, respectively. These pipes 333 and 334 and connecting pipes 343 and 344 constitute a liquid circulation system.
Connectors 225 and 226 of the cartridge 20 are detachably and liquid-tightly connected to the connecting pipes 343 and 344. As a result, the first flow path formed in the cartridge 20 and the liquid circulation system of the base 40 are connected.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the base 40.
The base 40 includes a base plate 410, a frame body 420, a tray holding unit 430, and a control unit 440.
The base plate 410 has a built-in planar light source 415 made of a light emitting diode, and at least a portion surrounded by the frame body 420 (light emitting surface 411) emits light uniformly. In this example, white light is emitted, but the light emission color can be arbitrarily selected.
The control unit 440 controls the light source 415. A pressure sensor can be further added to the control unit 440. This pressure sensor measures the hydraulic pressure in the liquid circulation system, and the measurement result is converted into a signal by the control unit 44.
The light emitting surface 211 may be a display screen such as a liquid crystal screen (which can display arbitrary information such as characters and figures statically or dynamically). When the light emitting surface is used as a display screen, information suitable for the blood vessel model can be displayed. An IC chip or other memory device is built in the cartridge, information suitable for the blood vessel model is written to the memory device, the information is read by the reading device on the base 40 side, and information to be displayed on the display screen is specified. can do.
Furthermore, a polarizing plate and a phase shift filter are arranged on the planar light source portion (these may be arranged on a light-transmitting substrate), and the blood vessel model is observed through the polarizing plate, so that the blood vessel model is obtained. You may enable it to observe the photoelastic effect which arises (refer Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2007-017929).

The frame body 420 accommodates the cartridge holder 30, and holes 421 and 421 are formed at a pair of corner portions. The ribs 321 and 321 of the cartridge holder 30 are rotatably inserted into the holes 421 and 421. Therefore, the cartridge holder 30 can swing with respect to the base 40 around its one side. It is preferable that a coil spring is interposed between the rib 321 and the frame body 420 so that the free end of the tray 320 is lifted from the base 40 in an unloaded state (see FIG. 8).
Connecting pipes 343 and 344 are passed through notches 423 and 423 formed on one side of the frame body 420.
The tray holding portion 430 fixes the cartridge holder 30 accommodated in the frame body 420, and its engaging claws 435 and 436 engage with the notches 315 and 316 of the tray 310, respectively. to bound.
Release mechanisms 437 and 438 made of leaf springs are connected to the engaging claws 435 and 436. When the button 439 is pressed, the engaging claws 435 and 436 are sprung up, and the engaging claws 435 and 436 are driven. The restraint of the tray 310 is released.
Note that a cover is placed on a portion of the base plate 410 located outside the outer periphery of the frame body 420 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the cartridge holder 30 is assembled to the base 40.
In the state of FIG. 8, the free end of the cartridge holder 30 is released upward. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 20 is placed on the tray 310, and the connectors 325 and 326 protruding from the front end edge of the light-transmitting substrate 210 of the cartridge 20 are attached to the holding frame of the cartridge holder 30. It can be inserted into the connecting tubes 343 and 344 of the part 320. In this state, the cartridge 20 can be removed from the cartridge holder 30.
In the state shown in FIG. 8, after the cartridge 20 is assembled to the cartridge holder 30, when the free end thereof is pushed down, the engaging claws 435 and 436 are flexibly deformed and engage with the notches 315 and 316 of the tray 310. As a result, the cartridge 20 is coupled to the base 40 via the cartridge holder 30.
In this connection state, the conduits 7 and 8, pipes 333 and 334, connection pipes 343 and 344, connectors 225 and 226, first flow paths 223 and 224, connector 53 are connected to the pump 11 and the tank 12 of the control box. , 54 is connected to the blood vessel model 50. Thereby, a liquid such as water circulates in the blood vessel model 50. It is preferable to monitor the pressure of the circulating liquid with a pressure sensor and control the discharge pressure of the pump 11.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments and examples of the invention described above. Various modifications are also included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the scope of the claims.

20 Cartridge 40 Base 50 Solid model 210 Light guide unit 240 Model holding unit 415 Light source

Claims (15)

A base with a light source;
A cartridge that is detachably connected to the base, and includes a model holding unit that holds a three-dimensional model and a light guide unit that emits light from the light source from the surface of the cartridge;
A catheter simulator comprising: The base is provided with a liquid circulation system,
The catheter simulator according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a first flow path that connects the liquid circulation system and the three-dimensional model.   The base further includes a cartridge guide, and the cartridge guide has a first position where the cartridge is detachable and a second position where the cartridge is connected to the base. The catheter simulator according to claim 1. The cartridge guide includes a light-transmitting tray, and a holding frame portion is formed on one side of the tray. The holding frame portion includes a connection port of the liquid circulation system, and the cartridge is placed on the tray. The connection port of the liquid circulation system and the connection port of the first flow path are detachably connected in a state,
The catheter simulator according to claim 3, wherein the holding frame portion is rotatably attached to the base, and the cartridge guide is swingable with respect to the base.   The said cartridge is provided with the translucent board | substrate used as the said light guide part, and a said 1st flow path is formed in the inside of the said translucent board | substrate, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Catheter simulator.   The catheter according to claim 5, wherein the light source of the base is a planar light source, and light emitted from the planar light source passes through the translucent substrate and is emitted from the surface thereof. Simulator.   The catheter simulator according to claim 6, wherein the planar light source includes a display device.   The said translucent board | substrate is provided with the lower board which has a ditch | groove used as said 1st flow path, and the upper board which coat | covers this ditch | groove liquid-tightly, The any one of Claims 5-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. A catheter simulator according to claim 1.   The catheter simulator according to claim 8, wherein a connection port of the first flow path is formed on a side surface of the translucent substrate.   The said model holding | maintenance part is a plate-shaped member which consists of a translucent material arrange | positioned on the surface of the said translucent board | substrate, and has the groove | channel which accommodates the said solid model, The any one of Claims 5-9 characterized by the above-mentioned. A catheter simulator according to claim 1. A cartridge detachably connected to a base comprising a light source and a liquid circulation system,
A model holding unit that holds a three-dimensional model, a first flow path that connects the liquid circulation system and the three-dimensional model, and a light guide unit that emits light from the light source from the surface of the cartridge. cartridge.   The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the light guide portion is formed of a light transmissive substrate, and the first flow path is formed inside the light transmissive substrate.   The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the translucent substrate includes a lower plate having a concave groove serving as a flow path and an upper plate that liquid-tightly covers the concave groove.   The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein a connection port of the first flow path is formed on a side surface of the translucent substrate.   The said model holding | maintenance part is a plate-shaped member which consists of a translucent material arrange | positioned on the surface of the said translucent board | substrate, and has a groove | channel which accommodates the said solid model, The any one of Claims 12-14 characterized by the above-mentioned. The cartridge according to the above.

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