JP2017221504A - Catheter for diagnostic imaging - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a catheter for diagnostic imaging which can satisfactorily be delivered to a lesion where narrowing is developed.SOLUTION: A catheter for diagnostic imaging 100 comprises: a drive shaft 140 which is provided with a signal receiving part 145a at its tip and capable of rotating, advancing and treating; a sheath 110 which extends axially and has the drive shaft inserted therein; a first lumen 115a which is formed on the peripheral side of the sheath and can have a guide wire W inserted therethrough; and a second lumen 114a which is formed at a position on the tip side of the sheath and inside axially with respect to the first lumen and can have the guide wire inserted therethrough.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a diagnostic imaging catheter.

  Conventionally, as a medical device used for acquiring a diagnostic image for diagnosing a diseased site in a living body, an intravascular ultrasonic diagnostic method (IVUS) or an optical coherence tomography diagnostic method ( There is an imaging diagnostic catheter used in an imaging diagnostic apparatus such as OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography).

  The diagnostic imaging catheter has a long sheath inserted into a living body lumen, a drive shaft that is rotatable and axially movable in a sheath lumen (working lumen), and a distal end portion of the drive shaft And a signal transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving an inspection wave. Then, while the drive shaft is rotated in the sheath and moved backward toward the proximal end side, the transmission / reception unit transmits and receives the test wave to acquire an image of the biological lumen.

  In general, a diagnostic imaging catheter is delivered to a lesion along a guide wire previously inserted into a living body lumen so that the living body lumen that is meandering or curved can be moved. For this reason, for example, a guide wire lumen for inserting a guide wire may be provided at the distal end of the sheath in addition to a working lumen in which the drive shaft moves forward and backward (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP2015-119994A

  The diagnostic imaging catheter described in Patent Document 1 includes two lumens, a working lumen and a guide wire lumen, and the guide wire lumen is formed on the outer peripheral side of the working lumen. The outer diameter at becomes relatively large. Such a diagnostic imaging catheter may have a problem that it is difficult to deliver to a lesion where stenosis has progressed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic imaging catheter that can be suitably delivered to a lesion having advanced stenosis.

  A diagnostic imaging catheter that achieves the above-described object is provided with a signal transmitting / receiving unit at the distal end, a drive shaft capable of rotating and reciprocating, a sheath that extends in the axial direction and into which the drive shaft is inserted, and a sheath of the sheath A first lumen formed on the outer peripheral side, through which a guide wire can be inserted, and a second lumen, formed on the distal end side of the sheath and radially inward with respect to the first lumen, through which the guide wire can be inserted. And lumen.

  According to the diagnostic imaging catheter configured as described above, the second lumen is formed on the distal end side of the sheath and radially inward with respect to the first lumen. The outer diameter is small. Therefore, it can be suitably delivered to a lesioned part where stenosis has progressed.

It is a top view which shows the state by which the external apparatus was connected to the catheter for image diagnosis which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view schematically showing an overall configuration of a diagnostic imaging catheter according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a state before performing a pullback operation, and FIG. 2B is a pullback operation. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of implementing. FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end side of the diagnostic imaging catheter according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a cross-section taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. FIG. It is an expanded sectional view showing the composition of the base end side of the diagnostic imaging catheter concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematically the usage example of the catheter for image diagnosis concerning this embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the 1st lumen and the 2nd lumen have passed the solid part of the guide wire. It is a figure which shows schematically the usage example of the catheter for image diagnosis concerning this embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a mode when the front-end | tip of the catheter for image diagnosis arrives at a lesioned part. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the structure of the front end side of the catheter for image diagnosis which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the other example of a recessed part provided in a sheath. It is a top view which shows roughly the whole structure of the catheter for image diagnosis which concerns on a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following description does not limit the meaning of the technical scope and terms described in the claims. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from actual ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which an external device 300 is connected to a diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an overall configuration of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a configuration of a distal end side of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a proximal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the side.

  The diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the present embodiment is applied to an intravascular ultrasonic diagnostic method (IVUS). As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is driven by being connected to an external device 300. Hereinafter, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 generally includes a sheath 110 inserted into a body cavity of a living body, a tube body 115 formed on the outer peripheral side of the sheath 110, and a distal end of the sheath 110. The communication member 117 provided on the side, the guide wire insertion member 114 provided on the distal end side of the communication member 117, the outer tube 120 provided on the proximal end side of the sheath 110, and inserted into the outer tube 120 so as to be movable forward and backward. An inner shaft 130, a driving shaft 140 rotatably provided in the sheath 110 having a transducer unit 145 for transmitting and receiving signals, and an inner shaft 130 provided on the proximal end side of the outer tube 120. And a hub connector 160 provided on the proximal end side of the inner shaft 130. The diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the present embodiment is a rapid exchange (RX) type having a structure in which the guide wire W passes only through the distal end portion of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100.

  In the description of the specification, the side inserted into the body cavity of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is referred to as the distal end or the distal end side, and the hub 160 side provided in the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is referred to as the proximal end or proximal end side. The extending direction of the sheath 110 is referred to as an axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the drive shaft 140 extends to the inside of the hub 160 through the sheath 110, the outer tube 120 connected to the proximal end of the sheath 110, and the inner shaft 130 inserted into the outer tube 120. Exist.

  The hub 160, the inner shaft 130, the drive shaft 140, and the vibrator unit 145 are connected to each other so as to integrally move forward and backward in the axial direction. Therefore, for example, when the hub 160 is pushed toward the distal end side, the inner shaft 130 connected to the hub 160 is pushed into the outer tube 120 and the unit connector 150, and the drive shaft 140 and the vibrator The unit 145 moves inside the sheath 110 to the distal end side. For example, when the operation of pulling the hub 160 toward the proximal end is performed, the inner shaft 130 is pulled out from the outer tube 120 and the unit connector 150 as shown by an arrow a1 in FIGS. As shown by the arrow a2, the shaft 140 and the vibrator unit 145 move inside the sheath 110 to the proximal end side.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the inner shaft 130 is pushed most into the distal end side, the distal end portion of the inner shaft 130 reaches the vicinity of the relay connector 170. At this time, the transducer unit 145 is located near the tip of the sheath 110. The relay connector 170 is a connector that connects the sheath 110 and the outer tube 120.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (B), a connector 131 for preventing disconnection is provided at the tip of the inner shaft 130. The connector 131 for preventing disconnection has a function of preventing the inner shaft 130 from coming out of the outer tube 120. When the hub 160 is pulled most proximally, that is, when the inner shaft 130 is most pulled out from the outer tube 120 and the unit connector 150, the connector 131 for preventing disconnection is a predetermined position on the inner wall of the unit connector 150. It is configured to be caught on. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, even when the hub 160 is pulled to the most proximal side, the vibrator unit 145 is located on the distal side with respect to the tube body 115.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drive shaft 140 has a flexible tube 140a and a signal line 140b inserted into the tube 140a. The tube body 140a can be configured by, for example, a multi-layer coil having different winding directions around the axis. Examples of the constituent material of the coil include stainless steel and Ni—Ti (nickel / titanium) alloy. The signal line 140b can be constituted by, for example, a twisted pair cable or a coaxial cable.

  The transducer unit 145 includes an ultrasonic transducer 145a (corresponding to a signal transmission / reception unit) that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and a housing 145b that houses the ultrasonic transducer 145a.

  The ultrasonic transducer 145a has a function of transmitting an ultrasonic wave as a test wave into the body cavity and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected from the body cavity. The ultrasonic transducer 145a is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 166 (see FIG. 4) via the signal line 140b.

  As the ultrasonic vibrator 145a, for example, a piezoelectric material such as ceramics or quartz can be used.

  The sheath 110 is provided extending in the axial direction. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the sheath 110 includes a lumen 110a into which the drive shaft 140 is inserted so as to be movable forward and backward, and is provided along the axial direction at the distal end and recessed inward in the radial direction. And a recess 110b.

  The recess 110b is formed on the outer periphery of the sheath 110 between the guide wire insertion member 114 and the tube body 115 in the axial direction, that is, between the second lumen 114a and the first lumen 115a. As shown in FIG. 3B, the recess 110b is formed in a cutout shape so that the guide wire W can be embedded (see FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tube body 115 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the sheath 110 so as to be juxtaposed with the lumen 110 a provided in the sheath 110. The tube body 115 includes a first lumen 115a through which the guide wire W can be inserted. The sheath 110 and the tube body 115 can be integrally configured by heat fusion or the like.

  The communication member 117 is provided on the distal end side of the sheath 110 as shown in FIG. The communication member 117 includes a communication hole 116 that communicates the inside and the outside of the sheath 110.

  The communication member 117 is configured to protrude from the distal end of the sheath 110 at the distal end. In addition, the communication member 117 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 110 at the proximal end in a state where the communication member 117 is inserted into the lumen 110 a of the sheath 110. A method for fixing the communication member 117 and the sheath 110 is not particularly limited, but for example, adhesion by an adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the front end portion 117a of the communication member 117 has a curved portion 117b (corresponding to a guide portion) formed in a curved shape so that the upper portion is cut out, and a vertical portion continuous with the curved portion 117b. Wall part 117c.

  When the guide wire W is inserted from the second lumen 114a to the first lumen 115a, the guide wire W is deformed along the curved shape of the bending portion 117b. For this reason, the curved portion 117b serves as a guide portion that guides the guide wire W from the second lumen 114a to the first lumen 115a.

  The vertical wall portion 117c is formed to have a height that does not hinder the insertion of the guide wire W. In addition, the vertical wall part 117c does not need to be formed.

  The communication hole 116 is a priming liquid discharge hole for discharging the priming liquid. When the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is used, a priming process for filling the sheath 110 with a priming solution is performed in order to reduce the attenuation of ultrasonic waves due to the air in the sheath 110 and efficiently transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. When performing the priming process, the priming liquid can be discharged to the outside from the communication hole 116 and the gas such as air can be discharged from the inside of the sheath 110 together with the priming liquid.

  The guide wire insertion member 114 is provided on the distal end side of the communication member 117. The guide wire insertion member 114 includes a second lumen 114a through which the guide wire W can be inserted.

  At the proximal end of the guide wire insertion member 114, the inner peripheral surface of the guide wire insertion member 114 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the communication member 117 in a state where the distal end portion 117a of the communication member 117 is inserted into the second lumen 114a. . A method for fixing the guide wire insertion member 114 and the communication member 117 is not particularly limited. For example, adhesion by an adhesive is used. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the lower base end portion 114 b of the guide wire insertion member 114 is inserted into the sheath 110.

  A gap D through which the guide wire W can pass is formed between the guide wire insertion member 114 and the communication member 117.

  The guide wire insertion member 114 is configured to be radially inward of the tube body 115 when viewed from the distal end side. Therefore, the second lumen 114a is formed radially inward with respect to the first lumen 115a.

  The sheath 110 is formed of a material having high ultrasonic permeability.

  The sheath 110, the tube body 115, the communication member 117, and the guide wire insertion member 114 are formed of a flexible material, and the material is not particularly limited. For example, the material is styrene, polyolefin, polyurethane, or polyester. Type, polyamide type, polyimide type, polybutadiene type, trans polyisoprene type, fluoroelastomer type, chlorinated polyethylene type, etc., and a combination of one or more of these ( Polymer alloys, polymer blends, laminates, etc.) can also be used. A hydrophilic lubricating coating layer that exhibits lubricity when wet can be disposed on the outer surface of the sheath 110.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hub 160 confirms the orientation of the hub 160 when connecting the hub body 161 having a hollow shape, the port 162 communicating with the inside of the hub body 161, and the external device 300. Projections 163a and 163b for confirming the direction of the seal, a seal member 164a that seals the base end side from the port 162, a connection pipe 164b that holds the drive shaft 140, and a bearing 164c that rotatably supports the connection pipe 164b. And an electrode terminal 166 that is mechanically and electrically connected to the external device 300, and a connector portion 165 in which the electrode terminal 166 is disposed.

  An inner shaft 130 is connected to the tip of the hub body 161. The drive shaft 140 is pulled out from the inner shaft 130 inside the hub body 161. A protective tube 133 is disposed between the inner shaft 130 and the drive shaft 140. The protective tube 133 has a function of preventing the drive shaft 140 from being damaged due to interference between the inner shaft 130 and the drive shaft 140.

  In order to transmit the rotation of the rotor 167 to the drive shaft 140, the connection pipe 164b holds the drive shaft 140 at the tip of the connection pipe 164b that is the end opposite to the rotor 167. A signal line 140b (see FIG. 3) is inserted into the connection pipe 164b. One end of the signal line 140b passes through the electrode terminal 166, and the other end passes through the drive shaft 140 and enters the ultrasonic transducer 145a. It is connected. A reception signal in the ultrasonic transducer 145a is transmitted to the external device 300 via the electrode terminal 166, subjected to predetermined processing, and displayed as an image.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is connected to and driven by the external device 300.

  As described above, the external device 300 is connected to the connector portion 165 (see FIG. 4) provided on the proximal end side of the hub 160.

  The external device 300 includes a motor 300a that is a power source for rotating the drive shaft 140 and a motor 300b that is a power source for moving the drive shaft 140 in the axial direction. The rotational motion of the motor 300b is converted into axial motion by a ball screw 300c connected to the motor 300b.

  The operation of the external device 300 is controlled by a control device 320 electrically connected thereto. The control device 320 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory as main components. The control device 320 is electrically connected to the monitor 330.

  Next, a usage example of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the operator pulls the hub 160 to the most proximal side (see FIG. 2B), connects the syringe S containing the priming liquid to the port 162, and presses the pusher of the syringe S to press the priming liquid. Is injected into the lumen 110 a of the sheath 110.

  When the priming liquid is injected into the lumen 110a, the priming liquid is discharged to the outside of the sheath 110 through the communication hole 116, and a gas such as air can be discharged from the inside of the sheath 110 to the outside together with the priming liquid ( Priming process).

  After the priming process, as shown in FIG. 1, the external device 300 is connected to the connector portion 165 (see FIG. 4) of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100. Then, the operator pushes the hub 160 until it contacts the proximal end of the unit connector 150 (see FIG. 2A), and moves the transducer unit 145 to the distal end side as shown in FIG.

  In this state, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is inserted along the guide wire W at a target position in the body cavity (for example, blood vessel) while inserting the guide wire W along the second lumen 114a and the first lumen 115a. Is done. Here, the guide wire W has a coil-shaped coil portion W1 formed at the distal end and a solid solid portion W2 formed on the proximal end side of the coil portion W1. The guide wire W is configured to be relatively soft in the coil portion W1, and is configured to be relatively hard in the solid portion W2.

  When the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is inserted along the thus configured guide wire W, the second lumen 114a and the first lumen 115a pass through the solid portion W2 and the coil portion W1 in this order.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the second lumen 114a and the first lumen 115a pass through the solid portion W2, the guide wire insertion member 114 is in the middle because the solid portion W2 is configured to be relatively hard. The communicating member 117 is deformed upward while being pulled upward by the real part W2 and moving upward. As a result, the second lumen 114a is disposed on substantially the same axis as the first lumen 115a.

  Further, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is inserted into the living body, and as shown in FIG. 6, when the second lumen 114a and the first lumen 115a pass through the coil portion W1, the coil portion W1 is configured to be relatively soft. As a result, the guide wire insertion member 114 returns to the lower side and the deformed state of the communication member 117 is released. As a result, the second lumen 114a is positioned radially inward with respect to the first lumen 115a. The guide wire insertion member 114 disposed at the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 has progressed stenosis while maintaining the state in which the second lumen 114a is positioned radially inward with respect to the first lumen 115a. Delivered to lesion N.

  At this time, since the second lumen 114a is formed radially inward with respect to the first lumen 115a, the second lumen shown in FIG. 9 is compared with a configuration in which the second lumen 114a is arranged coaxially with the first lumen 115a. The outer diameter at the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 becomes smaller. For this reason, the delivery property to the lesioned part N where stenosis progressed improves.

  When the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 reaches the lesioned part N, the guide wire W positioned above the communication member 117 in FIG. As a result, the lesion wire N pushes the guide wire W positioned above the communication member 117 downward, whereby the guide wire W is embedded in the recess 110 b of the sheath 110. Therefore, the outer diameter of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 in the vicinity of the communication member 117 of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is smaller than that of the configuration in which the sheath 110 is not provided with the concave portion 110b. For this reason, the deliverability to the lesioned part N in which stenosis has progressed further improves.

  In addition, for example, when the diagnostic imaging catheter in which the second lumen shown in FIG. 9 is arranged coaxially with the first lumen 115a is inserted into the blood vessel, the outer diameter at the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter is large. There is a risk that the false cavity formed outside the intima of the blood vessel will unintentionally expand. On the other hand, according to the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the present embodiment, since the outer diameter at the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is small, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the false cavity.

  When obtaining a tomographic image at a target position in the body cavity, the transducer unit 145 moves to the proximal side while rotating together with the drive shaft 140 (pullback operation). At this time, the ultrasonic transducer 145a of the transducer unit 145 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves.

  The rotation and movement operation of the drive shaft 140 is controlled by the control device 320. The connector portion 165 provided in the hub 160 is rotated while being connected to the external device 300, and the drive shaft 140 is rotated in conjunction with the rotation. The rotation speed of the connector portion 165 and the drive shaft 140 is, for example, 1800 rpm.

  Further, based on a signal sent from the control device 320, the ultrasonic transducer 145a transmits an ultrasonic wave into the body. A signal corresponding to the reflected wave received by the ultrasonic transducer 145 a is sent to the control device 320 via the drive shaft 140 and the external device 300. The control device 320 generates a tomographic image of the body cavity based on the signal sent from the ultrasonic transducer 145a and displays the generated image on the monitor 330.

  As described above, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with the ultrasonic transducer 145a at the distal end, the drive shaft 140 capable of rotating and reciprocating, and the drive shaft 140 extending in the axial direction. The sheath 110 to be inserted, the first lumen 115a formed on the outer peripheral side of the sheath 110 and through which the guide wire W can be inserted, and the distal end side of the sheath 110 and radially inward with respect to the first lumen 115a And a second lumen 114a through which the guide wire W can be inserted. According to the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 configured as described above, the second lumen 114a is formed on the distal end side of the sheath 110 and radially inward with respect to the first lumen 115a. The outer diameter at the distal end of the catheter 100 is configured to be small. Therefore, the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 can be suitably delivered to the lesion N where stenosis has progressed.

  Moreover, it further has the recessed part 110b which is formed in the outer periphery of the sheath 110 between the 1st lumen | rumen 115a and the 2nd lumen | rumen 114a in an axial direction, and is dented inward in the radial direction. For this reason, when the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 reaches the lesioned part N, the guide wire W positioned above the communication member 117 in FIG. As a result, the lesion wire N pushes the guide wire W positioned above the communication member 117 downward, whereby the guide wire W is embedded in the recess 110 b of the sheath 110. Therefore, the outer diameter of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 in the vicinity of the communication member 117 of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is smaller than that of the configuration in which the sheath 110 is not provided with the concave portion 110b. For this reason, the deliverability to the lesioned part N in which stenosis has progressed further improves.

  In addition, a communication member provided on the outer peripheral side of the sheath 110 and provided with a tube body 115 having a first lumen 115a and a communication hole 116 provided on the distal end side of the sheath 110 to communicate the inside and the outside of the sheath 110. 117 and a guide wire insertion member 114 provided on the distal end side of the communication member 117 and provided with a second lumen 114a. For this reason, the second lumen 114 a provided in the guide wire insertion member 114 is formed on the distal end side of the sheath 110 and inward in the radial direction with respect to the first lumen 115 a provided in the tube body 115. Therefore, the outer diameter at the distal end of the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 is configured to be small. Therefore, it can be suitably delivered to the lesion N where stenosis has progressed.

  Further, it further includes a curved portion 117b that is provided at the tip of the communication member 117 and guides the guide wire W from the second lumen 114a to the first lumen 115a. For this reason, the guide wire W can be suitably guided from the second lumen 114a to the first lumen 115a.

  As described above, the diagnostic imaging catheter according to the present invention has been described through the embodiment and the modification. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment and the modification, and is based on the description of the scope of claims. Can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide wire insertion member 114 with the distal end portion 117 a of the communication member 117 inserted into the second lumen 114 a at the proximal end of the guide wire insertion member 114. The inner peripheral surface of the communication member 117 was fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the communication member 117. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the distal end portion 217 a of the communication member 217 may be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the guide wire insertion member 114 at the proximal end of the guide wire insertion member 114.

  Further, the configuration of the concave portion 110b provided in the sheath 110 is not limited to the notch-shaped configuration of FIG. 3B, and as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the thickness is constant and the diameter is constant. The shape may be recessed inward in the direction. According to such a configuration, since the wall thickness is constant, a reduction in the strength of the sheath 110 can be suppressed.

  In the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the communication member 117 provided on the distal end side of the sheath 110, the guide wire insertion member 114 including the second lumen 114a provided on the distal end side of the communication member 117, Had. However, there is no particular limitation as long as the second lumen 114a is formed radially inward with respect to the first lumen 115a.

  Further, in the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the concave portion 110b is formed in the sheath 110, but the concave portion 110b may not be formed.

  Further, in the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the communication member 117 has a curved bending portion 117b serving as a guide portion that guides the guide wire W from the second lumen 114a to the first lumen 115a. Been formed. However, the curved portion 117b may not be formed. Furthermore, the guide portion can be provided at any location as long as it has a function of guiding the guide wire W from the second lumen 114a to the first lumen 115a.

  The diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the above-described embodiment is a rapid exchange type, but may be an over-the-wire type in which the guide wire W extends from the distal end to the proximal end.

  In the above-described embodiment, the imaging diagnostic catheter used in the intravascular ultrasound diagnostic method (IVUS) is exemplified as an application target of the imaging diagnostic catheter according to the present invention. For imaging diagnostic catheters used for diagnostic methods (Optical Coherence Tomography: OCT), hybrid type (dual type) imaging diagnostic catheters that can be used for both intravascular ultrasound diagnostic methods and optical coherence tomographic diagnostic methods, etc. It is also possible to apply.

<Example>
EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates embodiment of this invention more concretely, this invention is not limited only to these.

  As an example, an imaging diagnostic catheter 100 in which the outer diameter of the sheath 110 was 0.87 mm and the amount of the recess 110b was 0.04 mm was created. A guide wire W having an outer diameter of 0.36 mm was prepared.

  As a comparative example, as shown in FIG. 9, a sheath 110, a first lumen 115a formed on the outer peripheral side of the sheath 110, and a distal end side of the first lumen 115a, are coaxial with the first lumen 115a. A diagnostic imaging catheter 900 having a second lumen 214a to be formed was prepared. In the diagnostic imaging catheter 900, the outer diameter of the sheath 110 is 0.87 mm, and the thickness of the guide wire insertion member 214 in which the second lumen 214a is formed is 0.095 mm.

  At this time, the outer diameter in the vicinity of the transducer unit 145 was 1.15 mm for the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the example, and 1.33 mm for the diagnostic imaging catheter 900 according to the comparative example.

  It has been found that the diagnostic imaging catheter 100 according to the example can be smaller in outer diameter in the vicinity of the transducer unit 145 than the diagnostic imaging catheter 900 according to the comparative example.

100 catheter for diagnostic imaging,
110 sheath,
110b recess,
114 guide wire insertion member,
114a Second lumen,
115 tube body,
115a first lumen,
116 communication hole,
117, 217 communicating member,
117b curved portion (guide portion),
140 drive shaft,
145a ultrasonic transducer (signal transmission / reception unit),
W Guide wire.

Claims (4)

A signal transmission / reception unit is provided at the tip, and a drive shaft capable of rotating and moving back and forth,
A sheath extending axially and into which the drive shaft is inserted;
A first lumen formed on the outer peripheral side of the sheath and through which a guide wire can be inserted;
A diagnostic imaging catheter comprising: a second lumen that is formed at a distal end side of the sheath and radially inward with respect to the first lumen, and through which the guide wire can be inserted.   2. The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a recess formed between the first lumen and the second lumen in the axial direction and formed on an outer periphery of the sheath and recessed inward in the radial direction. A tube body provided on the outer peripheral side of the sheath and provided with the first lumen;
A communication member provided on the distal end side of the sheath and provided with a communication hole for communicating the inside and the outside of the sheath;
The catheter for image diagnosis according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide wire insertion member provided on a distal end side of the communication member and including the second lumen.   The diagnostic imaging catheter according to claim 3, further comprising a guide portion that is provided at a distal end of the communication member and guides the guide wire from the second lumen to the first lumen.