JP2015136529A - Vascular endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To successfully observe an inner wall of a blood vessel by reliably obtaining a clear visual field in a wide-angle range.SOLUTION: A vascular endoscope system 10 includes: an endoscope 1 which can be inserted into the inside of a blood vessel; a sheath tube 2 which houses the endoscope 1 in a longitudinal direction to form a gap 3 communicating in the longitudinal direction between an outer peripheral surface of the endoscope 1 and the sheath tube and has a squirting port 2d formed on a side wall of a distal end portion to penetrate in a wall thickness direction; and a flow direction changing means 2b which changes the direction of a liquid, flowing in the longitudinal direction in the gap 3 from a proximal end of the sheath tube 2 to the distal end portion, to the outside in a radial direction in the distal end portion.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vascular endoscope system.

  Conventionally, for diagnosing blood vessels such as coronary arteries, a method of directly observing the inside of a blood vessel using an ultra-fine blood vessel endoscope that can be inserted into the blood vessel has been used (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). Since the inside of the blood vessel is filled with red blood, the inside of the blood vessel cannot be optically observed as it is. Therefore, the blood in front of the vascular endoscope is temporarily replaced with a transparent liquid by performing flushing that ejects a transparent liquid such as a low-molecular-weight dextran solution forward from the tip of the vascular endoscope. A method for obtaining a clear field of view is used.

  On the other hand, the objective lens mounted on the vascular endoscope must also be extremely thin, and the objective lens used was limited to those with a narrow angle of view. Is progressing. In the case of a narrow-angle blood vessel endoscope, the range that can be observed at one time is narrow. For example, when it is desired to observe the inner wall of the blood vessel over the entire circumference, it is necessary to observe the blood vessel while moving the tip of the blood vessel endoscope. On the other hand, in the case of a wide-angle blood vessel endoscope, the inner wall of the blood vessel can be observed all around at once.

“Vessel Endoscope Visible”, [online], Fiber Tech Co., Ltd. [Searched on December 19, 2013], Internet <http://www.fibertech.jp/m1_1_2.html?id=m1&ps=-20 >

  However, when the vascular endoscope is widened, the following inconvenience occurs because the above-described flushing is used. That is, the region where the blood is replaced with the transparent liquid by the flushing is mainly in front of the blood vessel endoscope. Accordingly, a transparent field of view can be obtained in a narrow-angle region of the visual field, but in a wide-angle region necessary for observing the inner wall of the blood vessel, it is difficult for blood to be replaced with a transparent liquid, and the inner wall of the blood vessel cannot be observed well.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vascular endoscope system capable of reliably obtaining a transparent field of view in a wide-angle region and observing a blood vessel inner wall satisfactorily. And

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
The present invention accommodates the endoscope along the longitudinal direction so as to form a gap communicating in the longitudinal direction between the endoscope that can be inserted into the blood vessel and the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope, An outer tube having a jet port formed through the side wall of the distal end portion in the wall thickness direction, and a flow direction of a liquid flowing in the longitudinal direction from the proximal end of the outer tube toward the distal end portion through the gap. There is provided a blood vessel endoscope system including a flow direction changing means for changing a portion radially outward.

  According to the present invention, an outer tube is inserted into a blood vessel, the endoscope is disposed in the outer tube so that the distal end of the endoscope is positioned at the distal end portion of the outer tube, and the outer tube and the endoscope are arranged. A transparent liquid is supplied to the gap from the base end side. The transparent liquid that has flowed along the longitudinal direction from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the outer tube through the gap is directed to the outlet port located radially outward by the flow direction changing means at the distal end portion of the outer tube, It spouts from the side toward the outer tube. As a result, blood is replaced with a transparent liquid around the side wall of the distal end portion of the mantle tube, so that a transparent field of view can be reliably obtained in a wide-angle region necessary for observation of the inner wall of the blood vessel, and the inner wall of the blood vessel is observed well. Can do.

In the above invention, the jet port is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so as to gradually move outward in the radial direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the outer tube, and the jet port and the longitudinal The angle formed with the direction may be substantially the same as the half angle of view of the endoscope.
By doing in this way, a transparent visual field can be obtained more reliably in the wide-angle region of the visual field of the endoscope.

Moreover, in the said invention, the said jet nozzle may be formed in multiple numbers at intervals in at least one among the said longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the said mantle tube.
In this way, a transparent field of view can be obtained in a wider area around the distal end portion of the outer tube.

Moreover, in the said invention, at least one part of the side wall of the front-end | tip part of the said outer tube | pipe may be formed in the mesh form which has many mesh | network eyes penetrated in the wall thickness direction as the said jet nozzle.
By doing in this way, the fluid pressure of the transparent liquid which acts on each mesh | network eye can be reduced by forming many mesh | networks which function as a jet nozzle.

Further, in the above invention, the flow direction changing means includes a blocking member having a blocking surface disposed in the outer tube facing the distal end of the endoscope and blocking the flow of the liquid in the longitudinal direction. May be.
In this way, the liquid that has flowed in the longitudinal direction through the gap collides with the blocking surface at a position beyond the distal end of the endoscope, thereby changing the flow direction outward in the radial direction. Thereby, although it is a simple structure, the flow direction of a transparent liquid can be changed effectively.

Moreover, in the said invention, the said interruption | blocking member may be transparent with respect to visible light.
By doing in this way, the front of an endoscope can also be observed.
In the above invention, the outer tube may have a tip wall that at least partially closes the tip opening, and the blocking member may be the tip wall.
By doing in this way, by making a part of the outer tube function as a blocking member, it is not necessary to provide a separate member, and a simple configuration can be achieved.

Moreover, in the said invention, the said interruption | blocking member may be provided so that the movement to the said longitudinal direction is possible.
By doing in this way, the amount of the transparent liquid ejected from the ejection port varies depending on the positional relationship with the blocking surface, and is located on the proximal side of the blocking surface and the ejection port adjacent to the blocking surface in the radial direction. Transparent liquid is mainly ejected from the spout. Therefore, the range in which the blood is replaced with the transparent liquid can be changed by changing the position of the blocking member in the outer tube.

In the above invention, the blocking member may be a plate member arranged in the radial direction of the outer tube, or may be a balloon that can be expanded and contracted in the radial direction of the outer tube.
By doing in this way, a interruption | blocking member can be made into a simple structure.

In the above invention, the flow direction changing means may be provided with a weight-like portion that is provided at a distal end portion of the endoscope and that gradually increases in diameter toward the distal end of the endoscope.
By doing in this way, the flow direction of a transparent liquid can be changed effectively, although it is a simple structure. In addition, the supplied transparent liquid is mainly ejected from the ejection port at a position substantially opposite to the weight-shaped portion. That is, the supply amount of the transparent liquid can be reduced by selectively supplying the transparent liquid to a range necessary and sufficient for observing the inner wall of the blood vessel around the distal end portion of the outer tube.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably obtain a transparent field of view in a wide-angle region and to effectively observe the inner wall of a blood vessel.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the usage method of the endoscope system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure and usage method of the endoscope system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure and usage method of the modification of the endoscope system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure and usage method of the endoscope system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure and usage method of the modification of the endoscope system of FIG.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a vascular endoscope system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vascular endoscope system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an extremely fine endoscope 1 and an outer tube 2 that houses the endoscope 1.

The endoscope 1 is a direct-view type that observes a visual field F in front of the distal end surface, and has a wide angle of view ω of, for example, 60 ° or more.
The outer tube 2 has an outer dimension that can be inserted into a blood vessel, and the endoscope 1 can be inserted in the longitudinal direction from the opened proximal end. In a state where the endoscope 1 is inserted into the outer tube 2, a cylindrical gap serving as a liquid passage 3 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 2. The outer diameter of the endoscope 1 and the inner diameter of the outer tube 2 are designed. A supply port 2 a for supplying liquid to the passage 3 is provided at the proximal end portion of the outer tube 2.

  Further, at least the distal end portion of the outer tube 2 is made of a material transparent to visible light, for example, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, and the outer tube 2 can be optically observed from the inside to the outside by the endoscope 1. ing.

  The distal end wall (blocking member, flow direction changing means) 2b of the outer tube 2 has a conical shape in which the diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end side toward the distal end side. A distal end hole 2c into which a guide wire for guiding the outer tube 2 in the blood vessel can be inserted is formed at the center of the distal end wall 2b corresponding to the apex of the cone. For example, a guide wire having a diameter of 0.010 inches is preferably used.

  Further, a side hole (a jet outlet, a flow direction changing means) 2 d that penetrates obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 is formed on the side wall of the distal end portion of the outer tube 2. The side hole 2d is inclined so as to be gradually displaced outward in the radial direction of the outer tube 2 toward the distal end side. The angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the side hole 2d and the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 is preferably equal to or greater than the half angle of view of the endoscope 1. A plurality of side holes 2d are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2.

Next, the operation of the thus configured vascular endoscope system 10 will be described.
In order to perform an image diagnosis of the blood vessel inner wall B using the blood vessel endoscope system 10 according to the present embodiment, first, the guide wire 4 is inserted from the outside of the body to the target blood vessel A, for example, the coronary artery. Next, the proximal end portion of the guide wire 4 is inserted into the outer tube 2 from the distal end hole 2 c outside the body, and the outer tube 2 is advanced along the guide wire 4 to insert the outer tube 2 into the coronary artery.

  Next, the endoscope 1 is inserted into the outer tube 2, and as shown in FIG. 2, the outermost side of the angle of view ω of the endoscope 1 (the outermost position in the radial direction of the field of view F) is The endoscope 1 is positioned in the outer tube 2 at a position arranged on the distal end side with respect to the side hole 2d. At this time, the distal end of the endoscope 1 and the side hole 2d are provided at the proximal ends of the outer tube 2 and the endoscope 1 so that the endoscope 1 can be easily positioned in the outer tube 2. It is preferable that a mark indicating the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction is provided.

  Next, a transparent liquid such as a low-molecular dextran solution is supplied from the supply port 2a to the passage 3. The transparent liquid is supplied using, for example, a syringe connected to the supply port 2a. The transparent liquid that has flowed through the passage 3 from the proximal end side to the distal end side is blocked from flowing in the longitudinal direction by the inner surface (blocking surface) 2e of the distal end wall 2b of the mantle tube 2 so that the flow direction is directed toward the side hole 2d. Then, it changes radially outward and flows into the side hole 2d. Then, the transparent liquid ejected from the side hole 2d to the outer side of the outer tube 2 pushes out blood that has filled the periphery of the distal end portion of the outer tube 2 to the distal side. As a result, the blood around the distal end portion of the outer tube 2 is temporarily replaced with a transparent liquid. In this state, when the optical path between the distal end of the endoscope 1 and the blood vessel inner wall B is filled with the transparent liquid, a transparent field of view of the endoscope 1 is secured, and the blood vessel inner wall B can be observed clearly. it can. In FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings, arrows indicate the flow of the transparent liquid.

  In this case, according to the present embodiment, the transparent liquid is ejected radially obliquely laterally with respect to the observation direction of the endoscope 1, so that particularly in the wide-angle region of the field of view F of the endoscope 1. The blood is effectively replaced with a transparent liquid, and a transparent field of view is obtained particularly in the outer periphery of the endoscopic image. Thereby, there exists an advantage that the blood vessel inner wall B can be observed favorably using the wide-angle endoscope 1. Further, by moving the endoscope 1 in the longitudinal direction within the outer tube 2, the observation range can be easily moved in the front-rear direction without moving the outer tube 2 within the blood vessel A, and the inner wall B of the blood vessel can be moved. There is an advantage that it can be observed over a wide range.

  In the present embodiment, the side hole 2d is formed to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2. However, instead, the side hole 2d is formed in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2. It may be formed perpendicular to.

  In the present embodiment, instead of providing the side holes 2d, at least a part of the distal end portion of the outer tube 2 may be formed in a mesh shape having a number of meshes penetrating in the wall thickness direction. Good. In this case, the mesh will function as a jet port, but the presence of many jet ports having substantially the same hole diameter can reduce the fluid pressure of the transparent liquid acting on each jet port. it can.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a vascular endoscope system 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
In the present embodiment, the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numeral and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vascular endoscope system 20 according to the present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in the shape of the endoscope 1.
In the present embodiment, a weight-shaped portion (flow direction changing means) 5 having a diameter that gradually increases toward the distal end is provided outside the distal end portion of the endoscope 1. The spindle-shaped portion 5 may be configured by forming the distal end portion of the endoscope 1 into a spindle shape, and is configured by a frustum-shaped attachment that can be attached to and detached from the distal end portion of the endoscope 1 having a small cylinder. May be.

The inclination angle of the side surface of the spindle 5 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 is equal to or more than the half angle of view ω / 2 of the endoscope 1. The longitudinal dimension of the spindle 5 is preferably about 0.5 mm to 2 mm, and the maximum outer diameter of the spindle 5 is about 5% to 40 with respect to the outer diameter of the endoscope 1. % Thick, and preferably about 1 mm to 4 mm.
The inner diameter of the outer tube 2 is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the weight-shaped portion 5, and the wall thickness of the outer tube 2 is preferably about 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm.

Next, the operation of the vascular endoscope system 20 configured as described above will be described.
The procedure until the transparent liquid is supplied from the supply port 2a to the passage 3 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The transparent liquid that has flowed from the proximal end side to the distal end side in the passage 3 is deflected outward in the radial direction while flowing along the side surface of the weight-shaped portion 5 that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2. It is mainly ejected from the side hole 2d facing the portion 5 in the radial direction. Thereby, similarly to the first embodiment, a transparent field of view of the endoscope 1 is secured, and the blood vessel inner wall B can be clearly observed.

  In this case, according to the present embodiment, the amount of the transparent liquid ejected from the side hole 2d varies depending on the position of the side hole 2d by providing the weight-like part 5 at the distal end portion of the endoscope 1. The transparent liquid is ejected most vigorously from the side hole 2d facing the weight-like portion 5. That is, the transparent liquid is selectively supplied to a range necessary and sufficient for observation of the blood vessel inner wall B in the peripheral region of the distal end portion of the outer tube 2. Thereby, there exists an advantage that the supply amount of a transparent liquid can be reduced. Other effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, when the observation range is moved in the front-rear direction by moving the endoscope 1 within the outer tube 2, the endoscope 1 may be moved while ejecting the transparent liquid. The transparent liquid may be ejected after the movement of the endoscope 1.
Further, in the present embodiment, the replacement efficiency of blood with a transparent liquid is lowered in front of the endoscope 1. Therefore, a water supply channel that is formed through the endoscope 1 in the longitudinal direction may be used, and the transparent liquid may be ejected from the water supply channel toward the front of the endoscope 1.

In the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the distal end wall 2b of the outer tube 2 is formed in a conical shape and is closed except for the gap between the distal end hole 2c and the guide wire 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end of the outer tube 2 may be opened.
In this way, for example, the treatment tool 6 inserted into the blood vessel A via a treatment tool channel (not shown) of the endoscope 1 is protruded from the distal end of the outer tube 2, and the blood vessel A is treated using the treatment tool 6. Thus, diagnosis based on an endoscopic image and treatment using the treatment tool 6 can be performed continuously. For example, the steps of confirming a stenosis site with an endoscopic image, inserting a treatment catheter having a stent into the blood vessel A, and implanting the stent into the stenosis site can be performed continuously.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a vascular endoscope system 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
In the present embodiment, the configuration different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and the same configuration as the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vascular endoscope system 30 according to the present embodiment further includes a blocking plate 7 disposed on the distal side of the endoscope 1 inside the outer tube 2. This is mainly different from the first and second embodiments. The blocking plate 7 is a disk-shaped member having a diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the endoscope 1 and smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 2, and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2.

  A wire 7 a extending to the base end side of the outer tube 2 along the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 is connected to the blocking plate 7. The operator can change the distance between the distal end of the endoscope 1 and the blocking plate 7 by moving the blocking plate 7 in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 by pushing and pulling the wire 7a. It has become. The wire 7 a may pass through the channel of the endoscope 1 or may pass through the passage 3 between the endoscope 1 and the outer tube 2.

The shielding plate 7 is made of a material that is transparent to visible light, and the endoscope 1 can optically observe the inside to the outside of the shielding plate 7.
As shown in FIG. 4, the blocking surface 7 b of the blocking plate 7 disposed opposite to the endoscope 1 may have a flat shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 or other shapes. Also good. For example, in order to smoothly change the flow direction of the transparent liquid flowing along the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 to the outer side in the radial direction so as to be directed to the side hole 2d, the blocking surface 7b is formed from the proximal end side to the distal end side. A conical shape in which the diameter gradually increases toward the end may be used.

Next, the operation of the vascular endoscope system 30 configured as described above will be described.
The procedure until the transparent liquid is supplied from the supply port 2a to the passage 3 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The transparent liquid that has flowed from the proximal end side to the distal end side in the passage 3 changes the flow direction radially outward by blocking the longitudinal flow at the position beyond the distal end of the endoscope 1 by the blocking surface 7b. The jet is mainly ejected from the side hole 2d located on the base end side of the blocking plate 7. Thereby, similarly to the first embodiment, a transparent field of view of the endoscope 1 is secured, and the blood vessel inner wall B can be clearly observed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the amount of the transparent liquid ejected from the side hole 2d differs depending on the position of the side hole 2d by disposing the blocking plate 7 on the distal end side relative to the endoscope 1. The transparent liquid is ejected vigorously from the side hole 2d on the base end side with respect to the blocking plate 7, and the transparent liquid is hardly ejected from the side hole 2d on the distal end side with respect to the blocking plate 7. In other words, the transparent liquid is selectively supplied to a region on the proximal end side of the blocking plate 7 in the peripheral region of the distal end portion of the outer tube 2. Therefore, there is an advantage that the supply range of the transparent liquid can be changed by changing the position of the blocking plate 7 in the outer tube 2.

  Further, the region on the distal end side of the shielding plate 7 is made transparent by continuing the supply of the transparent liquid while gradually moving the shielding plate 7 toward the proximal end side, for example, from a position 2 mm to 10 mm away from the distal end of the endoscope 1. The transparent liquid can be ejected from the side hole 2d while being filled with the liquid. Thereby, there exists an advantage that the front of the endoscope 1 can also be observed. Other effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the blocking plate 7 is used as the blocking member, but instead of this, a balloon 8 that can be contracted and expanded in the radial direction of the outer tube 2 is used as shown in FIG. It may be used. Similarly to the blocking plate 7, the balloon 8 is preferably provided so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 2 by operating the wire 8a. The transparent liquid that has flowed from the proximal end side to the distal end side in the passage 3 has a radial flow direction due to the outer surface (blocking surface) 8b on the proximal end side of the inflated balloon 8 disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope 1. Changed outward. Thereby, the same effect as when the blocking plate 7 is used can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Mantle tube 2a Supply port 2b Tip wall (blocking member, flow direction change means)
2c Tip hole 2d Side hole (jet outlet)
2e Inner surface (blocking surface)
3 passage (gap)
4 Guide wire 5 Conical section (flow direction changing means)
6 Treatment tool 7 Blocking plate (blocking member, flow direction changing means)
7b, 8b Blocking surface 8 Balloon (blocking member, flow direction changing means)
10, 20, 30 Vascular Endoscopy System A Blood B B Inner Wall F Field of View ω Angle of View

Claims (11)

An endoscope that can be inserted into a blood vessel;
A jet port in which the endoscope is accommodated along the longitudinal direction so as to form a gap communicating with the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope in the longitudinal direction, and is penetrated in the wall thickness direction on the side wall of the distal end portion. A mantle tube having
A vascular endoscope system comprising: a flow direction changing unit configured to change a flow direction of the liquid flowing in the longitudinal direction from the proximal end of the outer tube toward the distal end portion in the gap in a radially outward direction at the distal end portion. . The spout is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so as to gradually displace radially outward from the proximal end to the distal end of the outer tube;
The vascular endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed by the jet port and the longitudinal direction is substantially the same as a half angle of view of the endoscope.   The vascular endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the ejection openings are formed at intervals in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the outer tube.   The vascular endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of a side wall of a distal end portion of the outer tube is formed in a mesh shape having a plurality of mesh eyes penetrating in a wall thickness direction as the ejection port.   The flow direction changing means includes a blocking member having a blocking surface disposed in the outer tube so as to face the distal end of the endoscope and blocking the flow of the liquid in the longitudinal direction. The vascular endoscope system according to any one of the above.   The vascular endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the blocking member is transparent to visible light. The outer tube has a tip wall at least partially closing the tip opening;
The vascular endoscope system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the blocking member is the tip wall.   The vascular endoscope system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the blocking member is provided so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction.   The vascular endoscope system according to any one of claims 5, 6, and 8, wherein the blocking member is a plate member arranged in a radial direction of the outer tube.   The vascular endoscope system according to any one of claims 5, 6, and 8, wherein the blocking member is a balloon that can expand and contract in a radial direction of the outer tube.   The said flow direction change means is provided in the front-end | tip part of the said endoscope, and is provided with the weight-shaped part which a diameter diameter gradually expands toward the front-end | tip of the said endoscope. Vascular endoscopy system.

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