JP2020121058A - Mirror catheter - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a mirror catheter for inexpensively and easily observing the backside of a raised wall of a fold and the like in endoscopy of an internal lumen such as the large intestine.SOLUTION: A mirror catheter 1 comprises a catheter tube 11 in which a fluid lumen capable of circulating a fluid is axially formed, and a balloon part 30 that is provided on the distal end side of the catheter tube 11 and that can be inflated/contracted by pressure of the fluid supplied via the fluid lumen. The balloon part 30 includes a mirror layer for reflecting light from the outside of the balloon part 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a mirror catheter, and more particularly to a mirror catheter that can be used for endoscopic examination of a body lumen such as the large intestine.

BACKGROUND ART Endoscopes are used to examine body lumens such as the large intestine. However, for example, since the large intestine has many folds, an oversight of a lesion such as a polyp on the back side of the fold is overlooked by endoscopy with a certain probability.

Therefore, a colonoscopy practice apparatus for improving the observation technique of colonoscopy has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a colonoscopy apparatus having a configuration in which a plurality of different identification markers are provided on the inner surface of a flexible large intestine model. An endoscope can be inserted into this large intestine model to practice identifying markers.

In general, an endoscope includes an insertion section that is inserted into the body and an operation section that is operated by an operator outside the body. At the distal end of the insertion part (the end farther from the operator), there is a camera that shoots the front and an illumination part that illuminates the front. The camera illuminates the inner wall of the body lumen such as the large intestine. You can shoot with. In addition, a treatment instrument guide channel, which is a hole penetrating in the axial direction, is formed in the endoscope so that a catheter having a treatment instrument such as forceps provided at its tip can be inserted.

JP 2004-298642 A

However, even if the endoscopic examination is practiced using the colonoscopic examination training device as described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to find a lesion such as a polyp on the back side of the fold of the large intestine, and it is overlooked. Occurred with a certain probability. In addition, it is possible to develop a dedicated endoscope that allows the back side of the folds of the large intestine to be seen, but there was a problem that the equipment cost for endoscopic examination would be high.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, a mirror catheter for observing the back side of a raised wall such as a fold in an endoscopy of a body lumen such as the large intestine inexpensively and easily. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the mirror catheter according to the present invention is provided with a catheter tube in which a fluid lumen through which a fluid can flow is formed in an axial direction and a distal end side of the catheter tube, and through the fluid lumen. A balloon portion that can be expanded and contracted by the pressure of the supplied fluid, and the balloon portion includes a mirror layer that reflects light from the outside of the balloon portion.

With this configuration, in colonoscopy, the backside of the folds of the large intestine is displayed on the balloon portion (mirror portion) having the mirror layer, and the front fold camera of the endoscope is used to image the backside of the large intestine folds. The back side of can be easily observed. Further, since an existing endoscope having a front camera and a front illumination unit can be used, the cost of the inspection device can be reduced as compared with the case where a dedicated endoscope is prepared.

Further, in the mirror catheter according to the present invention, the balloon portion in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetrical shape about a rotation axis line, and the rotation axis line and the longitudinal axis of the catheter tube are aligned. May be

With this configuration, the catheter tube is arranged in conformity with the rotation axis of the balloon section, which is a rotationally symmetric body, so that it is not necessary to consider the positional deviation of the mirror section in the axial rotation direction when using, and it can be used easily. You can

Further, in the mirror catheter according to the present invention, the balloon portion in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetric shape about the rotation axis, and the rotation axis and the longitudinal axis of the catheter tube do not coincide and are parallel to each other. It may be.

With this configuration, by placing the catheter tube at a position off the center of the mirror portion, a wide mirror surface can be formed on one side, and the site of interest on the back side of the folds of the large intestine can be observed widely at once. be able to.

Further, in the mirror catheter according to the present invention, the balloon part in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetric shape about the rotation axis, and the rotation axis and the axial center of the catheter tube in the longitudinal direction do not match and are not parallel to each other. May be

With this configuration, by placing the catheter tube at a position off the center of the mirror part, a wide mirror surface can be formed on one side, and the site of interest on the back side of the folds of the large intestine can be observed widely at once. be able to. Further, by adapting the angle formed by the mirror surface and the axis of the catheter tube to the shape of the observation site by the endoscope, the region of interest on the back side of the folds of the large intestine can be observed at an appropriate angle.

Further, in the mirror catheter according to the present invention, the balloon portion in an inflated state has a conical shape, and the conical surface portion in the conical shape is arranged on the proximal end side of the balloon portion, and the bottom surface in the conical shape. The part may be arranged on the distal end side of the balloon part.

With this configuration, the conical surface portion of the balloon portion in the inflated state becomes a convex curved surface mirror. With this, in colonoscopy, the back side of the folds of the large intestine is displayed on the conical curved mirror, and the front side camera of the endoscope is used to image the back side of the large folds of the large intestine at once. Can be observed.

Further, in the balloon portion when inflated, the range that can be seen from the proximal end side of the catheter tube (that is, the range that can substantially be used as a mirror) is the range that is not visible from the proximal end side of the catheter tube (that is, substantially Since the volume can be made larger than that of the range (which cannot be used as a mirror), a compact mirror catheter with a small amount of fluid required for expansion can be constructed.

Further, in the mirror catheter according to the present invention, the balloon portion in the inflated state may have a spherical shape or an ellipsoidal shape.

With this configuration, it is possible to form a convex curved mirror capable of projecting the back side of the folds of the large intestine in a wide area in the colonoscopy.

Further, the mirror catheter according to the present invention may have a configuration in which the balloon portion in an inflated state has a non-rotationally symmetric shape.

With this configuration, it is possible to form a mirror having a desired shape in the radial direction and the axial direction of the catheter tube so as to match the shape of the site where endoscopy is performed, and the site of interest on the back side of the fold of the large intestine Can be properly observed.

Further, the mirror catheter according to the present invention may be configured such that the balloon portion in an expanded state has a convex curved surface portion including the mirror layer on a proximal end side of the balloon portion.

With this configuration, since there is a convex curved surface portion (curved surface mirror) including a mirror layer on the proximal end side of the balloon portion when inflated, the back surface of the folds of the large intestine is placed on this curved surface mirror in colonoscopy. By projecting the image and photographing it with the front camera of the endoscope, the back side of the folds of the large intestine can be observed in a wide range at once.

Further, in the mirror catheter according to the present invention, the mirror layer may include a silver vapor deposition layer.

With this configuration, it is possible to realize a mirror layer that substantially totally reflects visible light.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mirror catheter for inexpensively and easily observing the back side of a raised wall such as a fold in endoscopy of a body lumen such as the large intestine.

It is a perspective view of the mirror catheter which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the mirror catheter of FIG. 1, (a) shows the balloon part at the time of expansion, (b) shows the balloon part at the time of contraction. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of the balloon part of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage condition of the mirror catheter of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the captured image of an endoscope camera when the mirror catheter of FIG. 1 is used. It is a perspective view of the mirror catheter which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the mirror catheter of FIG. 7, where (a) shows the balloon part when inflated and (b) shows the balloon part when deflated. (A) is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the axis of rotation of the balloon portion and the axis of the catheter tube in Modification 1, and (b) is the balloon portion of Fig. 9(a) from the proximal end side of the catheter tube. It is the figure seen. (A) It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the rotation axis of the balloon part in the modification 2, and the axial center of a catheter tube, (b) sees the balloon part of FIG. 10(a) from the proximal end side of a catheter tube. It is a figure. It is a perspective view of the mirror catheter which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the mirror catheter of FIG. 11, where (a) shows the balloon portion when inflated and (b) shows the balloon portion when deflated. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the conventional colonoscopy.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The mirror catheter of the present invention is a medical device that can be widely used for endoscopic examination of a lumen in the body, but in the following, a case of being used for endoscopic examination of the large intestine will be described as an example.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mirror catheter 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The mirror catheter 1 of the present embodiment includes an insertion section 10 that is inserted into the body and an operation section 20 that is operated outside the body by an operator. The insertion section 10 includes a catheter tube 11 and a balloon section 30, and the operation section 20 includes a branch section 21, two branch pipes 22 and 23, and two connectors 24 and 25.

The catheter tube 11 of the mirror catheter 1 is a tube formed of a flexible material, and has a distal end 11a that is an end portion on the side to be inserted into the body and a proximal end 11b that is located on the other end side. have. Although not limited thereto, the outer diameter of the catheter tube 11 is such a size that it can be inserted into the channel of the endoscope, and is usually about 1.0 to 4.0 mm, and the total length is about 500 to 2500 mm. ..

The material of the catheter tube 11 is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility, and examples thereof include nylon elastomer resin (for example, Pebax (registered trademark)), nylon, PEEK (polyether ether ketone), and amorphous PEEK. , PEI (polyetherimide), PU (polyurethane), silicone and the like can be used.

2A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the mirror catheter 1, showing a cross section of the balloon portion 30 in an inflated state, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2A. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, the catheter tube 11 according to the present embodiment has a fluid lumen 12 and a wire lumen 13 formed therein in the axial direction (2-lumen type). The fluid lumen 12 is a lumen serving as a flow path for supplying a fluid such as air used for inflating the balloon portion 30 or a pressure of the fluid into the balloon portion 30, and is far from the proximal end 11 b of the catheter tube 11. It extends to the vicinity of the end 11a.

The fluid lumen 12 has a through hole 11 d that opens inside the balloon portion 30 near the distal end 11 a of the catheter tube 11. Accordingly, by operating a syringe (not shown) from the proximal end side of the operating portion 20, the fluid can be introduced into the balloon portion 30 via the fluid lumen 12 or can be led out from the balloon portion 30. It is like this. In other words, the pressure of the fluid in the balloon portion 30 can be changed via the fluid lumen 12. Specifically, when the pressure of the fluid inside the balloon portion 30 is set to a positive pressure higher than the pressure outside the balloon portion 30, the balloon portion 30 expands, and when the negative pressure is lower than the pressure outside the balloon portion 30, The balloon portion 30 contracts.

Although the number of the through hole 11d is one in this embodiment, a plurality of through holes may be provided. The opening shape of the through hole 11d is circular, but the shape is not limited to this and may be any shape such as an ellipse, a rectangle, or a polygon.

The wire lumen 13 is a lumen for inserting a guide wire for guiding when the catheter tube 11 is inserted into the body via the treatment tool guide channel of the endoscope. The wire lumen 13 extends axially from the proximal end 11b of the catheter tube 11 to the opening 13a of the distal end 11a of the catheter tube 11.

The catheter tube 11 of the present embodiment is a two-lumen type having a fluid lumen 12 and a wire lumen 13, but it may be a one-lumen type without the wire lumen 13. In the case of the one-lumen type, there is no wire lumen 13, so there is an advantage that the outer diameter of the catheter tube 11 can be made smaller than that of the two-lumen type.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of the fluid lumen 12 and the wire lumen 13 is substantially circular, but the cross-sectional shape is not limited to this, and an arbitrary shape such as an elliptical shape or a crescent shape can be adopted. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the wire lumen 13 may be substantially circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the fluid lumen 12 may be substantially crescent-shaped so as to surround a part of the wire lumen 13. By forming the fluid lumen 12 in a substantially crescent shape, it is possible to effectively use a useless portion in the catheter tube 11.

A contrast marker (not shown) may be attached near the distal end of the catheter tube 11. The contrast marker has its position detected by X-ray fluoroscopy and serves as a marker in the body, and is formed of, for example, a metal material such as gold, platinum, or tungsten, or a polymer in which barium sulfate or bismuth oxide is blended. .. When the contrast marker is attached near the distal end of the catheter tube 11, the position of the contrast marker can be detected by fluoroscopy.

As shown in FIG. 2, the balloon portion 30 of the mirror catheter 1 is attached near the distal end 11a of the catheter tube 11 so as to cover the through hole 11d. As will be described in detail later, the balloon portion 30 is formed of a low-elasticity material and is expanded by introducing a fluid into the balloon portion 30 through the fluid lumen 12 of the catheter tube 11. There is. The inflated balloon portion 30 can function as a mirror during endoscopic examination. The mirror catheter 1 is made of a sterilizable material so that it can be reused.

Although the balloon portion 30 of the present embodiment is formed of a low elastic material, it may be formed of an elastic elastomer material or resin material. Specific examples of the elastomer material include natural rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane elastomer, polyamide elastomer, polyolefin, and olefin elastomer, and specific examples of the resin material include polyamide resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, etc. Is mentioned. The balloon portion 30 may be formed by adding another material to the above material in order to improve functionality, manufacturability, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), the balloon portion 30 at the time of inflation has a substantially conical shape, and a conical surface portion 31 is arranged on the proximal end 11b side of the catheter tube 11 and the distal end 11a of the distal end 11a. The conical bottom portion 32 is arranged on the side. A joint portion 33 is provided at the end of the conical surface portion 31, and the joint portion 33 is air-tightly or liquid-tightly joined over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 11c of the catheter tube 11. A joint portion 34 is provided at the end of the bottom surface portion 32, and the joint portion 34 is airtightly or liquid-tightly joined over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 11c of the catheter tube 11. A through hole 11d communicating with the fluid lumen 12 is formed in the outer peripheral surface 11c of the catheter tube 11 between the joint portion 33 and the joint portion 34. Thereby, the balloon portion 30 is inflated by sending a fluid such as air into the balloon portion 30 from the through hole 11d through the fluid lumen 12.

The shape of the joint portions 33 and 34 located on both ends of the balloon portion 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can be joined airtightly or liquid-tightly to the portion near the distal end 11a of the catheter tube 11, but is cylindrical. Preferably. When the joint portions 33 and 34 of the balloon portion 30 are cylindrical, the inner diameter thereof is preferably substantially equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube 11, and the length thereof is preferably about 0.5 to 5 mm. The wall thicknesses of the joint portions 33 and 34 of the balloon portion 30 are not particularly limited, and may be substantially equal to those of the conical surface portion 31 and the bottom surface portion 32, for example. The method of joining the joint portions 33 and 34 of the balloon portion 30 and the portion near the distal end 11a of the catheter tube 11 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adhesion with an adhesive, heat fusion, and welding with a solvent. Ultrasonic welding etc. can be mentioned. Further, the joint portions 33 and 34 of the balloon portion 30 may be folded back inside the balloon portion 30.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the balloon portion 30 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the balloon portion 30 of the present embodiment has a white PET (polyethylene terephthalate) layer 30a, an adhesive layer 30b, a coat layer 30c, a mirror layer 30d, and a coat layer 30e in order from the inside to the outside of the balloon portion. , PET layer 30f. The mirror layer 30d is a silver vapor deposition layer and reflects visible light from the outside of the balloon portion 30. Instead of the white PET layer 30a and the PET layer 30f, a layer made of a resin having higher flexibility such as PU (polyurethane), silicone, olefin elastomer, or polyolefin may be used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mirror layer included in the conical surface portion 31 of the balloon portion 30 at the time of inflation forms a convex curved mirror, and this convex curved mirror forms the convex curved surface mirror of the proximal end 11 b of the catheter tube 11. Looking to the side. In FIG. 3, the curved mirror formed by the conical surface portion 31 has a circular outer shape, and the rotation axis O1 of the balloon portion 30 coincides with the axis O2 of the catheter tube 11.

In the present embodiment, the rotation axis O1 of the balloon portion 30 is aligned with the axis O2 of the catheter tube 11, but the configuration is not limited to this, and as will be described later in detail, the rotation axis O1 of the balloon portion 30. May not be aligned with the axis O2 of the catheter tube 11.

The mirror layer 30d is formed on the entire balloon portion 30, but is not limited to this. The mirror layer 30d may not be formed on the bottom surface portion 32, but may be formed only on the conical surface portion 31. That is, the mirror layer 30d may be provided only in the range visible from the proximal end 11b side of the catheter tube 11, and the mirror layer 30d may not be provided in the range not visible from the proximal end 11b side of the catheter tube 11. ..

FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the mirror catheter 1, showing a cross section of the balloon part 30 in a deflated state. By discharging the fluid from the inside of the balloon portion 30 via the fluid lumen 12, the balloon portion 30 is folded and contracted. The habit of the balloon portion 30 may be given in advance. For example, the balloon portion 30 can be bent by heating the balloon portion 30 to a folded state and then cooling the balloon portion 30. In the present embodiment, a crease is formed so that the bottom surface portion 32 folds inward.

In the present embodiment, the balloon portion 30 has a crease. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a structure without a crease may be used. When the fold is not applied, the inside of the balloon portion 30 is made to have a negative pressure and the fluid inside the balloon portion 30 is discharged, so that the balloon portion 30 is irregularly (randomly) folded and contracted. Become.

On the other hand, when the balloon portion 30 is made of a stretchable elastomeric material or a resin material, the balloon portion 30 is not folded (or folded) when the balloon portion 30 is deflated, but the balloon portion 30 is contracted from the stretched state to the original state. Will return to.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 20 is for the operator to operate the insertion unit 10 inserted into the patient's body from the outside of the body via the treatment tool guide channel of the endoscope. It comprises tubes 22, 23 and connectors 24, 25.

The branch portion 21 of the mirror catheter 1 is a member connected to the proximal end 11 b side of the catheter tube 11 so as to separate the fluid lumen 12 and the wire lumen 13 of the catheter tube 11, and the proximal end of the branch portion 21. The distal ends of the branch pipes 22 and 23 are connected and fixed to the respective sides. The material of the branch portion 21 is not particularly limited, but a polymer material is preferably used.

The distal end of the branch pipe 23 is integrally connected and fixed to the proximal end of the branch part 21 so as to communicate with the fluid lumen 12 of the branch part 21. That is, the conduit of the branch pipe 23 communicates with the fluid lumen 12 of the catheter tube 11 via the fluid lumen 12 of the branch portion 21. The proximal end of the branch pipe 23 has a connector 25 having an open conduit, and can be detachably connected to the syringe by, for example, a luer lock system. The branch pipe 23 may be provided with a stopcock that opens and closes the pipeline.

The distal end of the branch pipe 22 is integrally connected and fixed to the proximal end of the branch part 21 so as to communicate with the wire lumen 13 of the branch part 21. That is, the conduit of the branch pipe 22 communicates with the wire lumen 13 of the catheter tube 11 via the wire lumen 13 of the branch portion 21. A connector 24 is connected to the proximal end of the branch pipe 22 so that a guide wire can be inserted from the opening of the connector 24 through the conduit of the branch pipe 22, the wire lumen 13 of the branch portion 21 and the wire lumen 13 of the catheter tube 11. Has become.

The material of the branch pipes 22 and 23 is not particularly limited, but a polymer material is preferably used. The method of connecting the branch pipes 22 and 23 to the lumens 12 and 13 of the catheter tube 11 is not particularly limited, but for example, the distal ends of the branch pipes 22 and 23 are formed into a tapered shape, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is formed. Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to and the ends thereof may be inserted into the lumens 12 and 13 of the catheter tube 11 for adhesion.

Next, a method of using the mirror catheter 1 of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5: is explanatory drawing which shows the usage condition of the mirror catheter 1 of this embodiment. In the examination of the large intestine 60 using the endoscope 50, in the treatment tool guide channel 53 of the endoscope 50 inserted into the large intestine 60, the balloon portion 30 is deflated as shown in FIG. 2B. Insert the mirror catheter 1. In a state where the balloon portion 30 is pulled out from the treatment instrument guide channel 53 of the endoscope 50, a fluid such as air is sent into the balloon portion 30 by a syringe attached to the connector 25 of the branch pipe 23 of the operation portion 20. Inflate 30. FIG. 5 shows a state where the balloon portion 30 is inflated.

As shown in FIG. 5, the polyp 62 on the back side of the fold 61 of the large intestine 60 is reflected on the mirror of the mirror catheter 1, and the polyp 62 reflected on the mirror is photographed by the front camera 51. The polyp 62 on the back side of the fold 61 of the large intestine 60 cannot be directly photographed by the front camera 51 of the endoscope 50, but the polyp 62 on the back side of the fold 61 of the large intestine 60 can be observed by using the mirror catheter 1. You can

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a captured image of the front camera 51 of the endoscope 50 when the mirror catheter 1 is used. As shown in FIG. 6, the polyp 62 on the back side of the fold 61 of the large intestine 60 is reflected on the mirror section 35 of the mirror catheter 1, and the image of the polyp image 55 reflected on the mirror section 35 is taken by the front camera 51. It is displayed on the screen 54. At this time, the light emitted from the front illumination unit 52 at the distal end of the endoscope 50 is reflected by the mirror and illuminates the polyp 62 on the back side of the fold 61.

When the examination by the endoscope 50 is completed, the air inside the balloon portion 30 is extracted by the syringe attached to the connector 25 of the branch pipe 23 of the operation portion 20 to deflate the balloon portion 30. The mirror catheter 1 with the balloon portion 30 deflated is pulled out of the body through the treatment tool guide channel 53 of the endoscope 50.

Next, operation effects of the mirror catheter 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

The balloon portion 30 of the mirror catheter 1 according to this embodiment includes a mirror layer 30d (silver vapor deposition layer) that reflects light from the outside of the balloon portion 30. With this configuration, in colonoscopy, the back side of the folds 61 of the large intestine 60 is projected on the portion of the balloon portion 30 (mirror portion 35) having the mirror layer, and the front camera 51 of the endoscope 50 takes an image of it. Thus, the back side of the folds 61 of the large intestine 60 can be easily observed. Further, since the existing endoscope having the front camera 51 and the front illumination section 52 can be used, the cost of the inspection device can be reduced as compared with the case where a dedicated endoscope is prepared.

Further, in the mirror catheter 1 according to the present embodiment, the balloon portion 30 in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetrical shape about the rotation axis O1, and the rotation axis O1 and the longitudinal axis O2 of the catheter tube 11 are aligned. I am doing it. With this configuration, the catheter tube 11 is arranged so as to coincide with the rotation axis O1 of the balloon portion 30, which is a rotationally symmetric body, so that it is not necessary to consider the positional deviation of the mirror portion 35 in the axial rotation direction at the time of use, and it is easy. Can be used for

Further, in the mirror catheter 1 according to the present embodiment, the balloon portion 30 in an inflated state has a conical shape, the conical surface portion 31 in the conical shape is arranged on the proximal end side of the balloon portion 30, and the conical shape is used. The bottom surface portion 32 is arranged on the distal end side of the balloon portion 30. With this configuration, the conical surface portion 31 of the balloon portion 30 in the inflated state becomes a convex curved surface mirror. As a result, in colonoscopy, the back side of the fold 61 of the large intestine 60 is projected on the conical curved mirror, and the front camera 51 of the endoscope 50 photographs the back side of the fold 61 of the large intestine 60. The back side can be observed over a wide area at once. Further, in the balloon portion 30 at the time of inflation, the volume of a range visible from the proximal end side of the catheter tube 11 (that is, a range substantially usable as a mirror) is not visible from the proximal end side of the catheter tube 11. Since the volume can be made larger than the volume (that is, the range that cannot be practically used as a mirror), a compact mirror catheter 1 with a small amount of fluid required for expansion can be configured.

Further, in the mirror catheter 1 according to the present embodiment, the balloon portion 30 in the inflated state has the convex curved surface portion (conical surface portion 31) including the mirror layer 30d (silver vapor deposition layer) on the proximal end side of the balloon portion 30. Have With this configuration, since the convex curved mirror including the mirror layer is provided on the proximal end side of the balloon portion 30 when inflated, the back side of the fold 61 of the large intestine 60 is projected on this curved mirror in colonoscopy. By photographing it with the front camera 51 of the endoscope 50, the back side of the folds of the large intestine can be observed in a wide range at once.

Further, in the mirror catheter 1 according to the present embodiment, the mirror layer 30d includes a silver vapor deposition layer. With this configuration, the mirror layer 30d that substantially totally reflects visible light can be realized.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a mirror catheter 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The mirror catheter 1A according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment having a substantially conical shape in that the balloon portion 30A when inflated has a substantially ellipsoidal shape. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mirror catheter 1A according to the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the mirror catheter 1B, (a) shows the balloon portion 30A when inflated, and (b) shows deflation. The balloon part 30A at the time is shown. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the mirror catheter 1A according to this embodiment, the balloon portion 30A when inflated has an ellipsoidal shape. With this configuration, it is possible to form a convex curved mirror capable of projecting the back side of the folds of the large intestine in a wide area in the colonoscopy.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the mirror catheter 1A of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the balloon portion 30A in the inflated state has a rotationally symmetrical shape about the rotation axis O1, and the rotation axis O1 And the longitudinal axis O2 of the catheter tube 11 are aligned.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation axis O1 of the balloon portion 30A and the axis O2 of the catheter tube 11 in Modification 1, and FIG. 9B is the balloon portion 30A of FIG. 9A. FIG. 3 is a view of FIG. 6 viewed from the proximal end 11 b side of the catheter tube 11. As shown in FIG. 9, the balloon portion 30A in the inflated state has a rotationally symmetrical shape about the rotation axis O1, and the rotation axis O1 and the longitudinal axis O2 of the catheter tube 11 do not match and are parallel to each other. ing. With this configuration, by arranging the catheter tube 11 at a position deviated from the center of the portion of the balloon portion 30A having the mirror layer 30d (the curved mirror portion 35A), one side (upper side of FIG. 9(b)) is obtained. A wide mirror surface can be formed, allowing a large area of interest to be viewed at the back of the large intestine fold.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation axis O1 of the balloon portion 30A and the axis O2 of the catheter tube 11 in Modification 2, and FIG. 10B is the balloon portion 30A of FIG. 10A. FIG. 3 is a view of FIG. 6 viewed from the proximal end 11 b side of the catheter tube 11. As shown in FIG. 10, the balloon portion 30A in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetrical shape about the rotation axis O1, and the rotation axis O1 and the longitudinal axis O2 of the catheter tube 11 do not match and are not parallel to each other. Has become. With this configuration, by arranging the catheter tube 11 at a position deviated from the center of the portion of the balloon portion 30A having the mirror layer 30d (the curved mirror portion 35A), one side (upper side of FIG. 10(b)) is obtained. A wide mirror surface can be formed, allowing a large area of interest to be viewed at the back of the large intestine fold. Further, by adapting the angle α formed between the mirror surface and the axis O2 of the catheter tube 11 to the shape of the observation site by the endoscope, the site of interest on the back side of the folds of the large intestine can be observed at an appropriate angle. it can.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a mirror catheter 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The mirror catheter 1B according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment having a substantially conical shape in that the balloon portion 30B when inflated has a substantially spherical shape. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mirror catheter 1B according to the present embodiment, FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the mirror catheter 1B, (a) shows the balloon portion 30B when inflated, and (b) is deflated. The balloon part 30B at the time is shown. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the mirror catheter 1B according to the present embodiment, the balloon portion 30B when inflated has a spherical shape. With this configuration, it is possible to form a convex curved mirror capable of projecting the back side of the folds of the large intestine in a wide area in the colonoscopy.

In the mirror catheters 1, 1A, 1B according to the first to third embodiments, the balloon portions 30, 30A, 30B in the inflated state had a rotationally symmetric body about the rotation axis O1, but it was inflated. The balloon portions 30, 30A, 30B in the state may have a non-rotationally symmetric shape. With this configuration, it is possible to form a mirror having a desired shape in the radial direction and the axial direction of the catheter tube 11 so as to match the shape of the site where endoscopy is performed, and there is an interest in the back side of the fold of the large intestine. The site can be observed properly.

The mirror catheters 1, 1A, 1B according to the first to third embodiments may include a deflecting unit for deflecting the distal end of the catheter tube 11. The deflection means is configured, for example, by embedding a pull ring in the vicinity of the distal end 11a of the catheter tube 11 and providing two operation wires whose one end is connected at a 180° symmetrical position with respect to the central axis of the pull ring. The distal end of the catheter tube 11 can be deflected by manipulating the direction of the pull ring by manipulating the other end of the manipulating wire on the proximal end side (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6349797). With this configuration, the operator can freely adjust the angle (direction) of the portion of the balloon portion 30 where the mirror layer 30d is formed (curved mirror portions 35, 35A, 35B) on the proximal end side. The desired portion on the back side of the fold of the large intestine can be projected on the curved mirror portions 35, 35A, 35B for observation.

As described above, the present invention has the effect of being able to inexpensively and easily observe the back side of a raised wall such as a fold in endoscopy of a body lumen such as the large intestine. Useful for.

1, 1A, 1B Mirror catheter 10 Insertion part 11 Catheter tube 11a Distal end 11b Proximal end 11c Outer peripheral surface 11d Through hole 12 Fluid lumen 13 Wire lumen 20 Operating part 21 Branch part 22, 23 Branch pipe 24, 25 Connector 30, 30A, 30B balloon part 30a white PET layer 30b adhesive layer 30c, 30e coat layer 30d mirror layer (silver vapor deposition layer)
30f PET layer 31 Conical surface portion 32 Bottom surface portion 33, 34 Joining portion 35, 35A, 35B Mirror portion 50 Endoscope 51 Front camera 52 Front illumination portion 53 Treatment tool guide channel 54 Front camera shooting screen 55 Polyp reflected on the mirror portion 60 large intestine 61 fold 62 polyp

Claims (9)

A catheter tube in which a fluid lumen through which a fluid can flow is formed in the axial direction,
A balloon portion provided on the distal end side of the catheter tube, the balloon portion being expandable/contractible by the pressure of the fluid supplied via the fluid lumen;
The mirror catheter, wherein the balloon portion includes a mirror layer that reflects light from the outside of the balloon portion. The balloon part in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetrical shape about a rotation axis, and the rotation axis and the longitudinal axis of the catheter tube are aligned with each other. Mirror catheter. The balloon part in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetrical shape about a rotation axis, and the rotation axis and the longitudinal axis of the catheter tube are not coincident and parallel to each other. The described mirror catheter. The balloon part in an inflated state has a rotationally symmetric shape about a rotation axis, and the rotation axis and the longitudinal axis of the catheter tube do not match and are not parallel to each other. The mirror catheter according to 1. The balloon portion in the inflated state has a conical shape, the conical surface portion in the conical shape is arranged on the proximal end side of the balloon portion, and the bottom surface portion in the conical shape is the distal end side of the balloon portion. The mirror catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mirror catheter is disposed in the. The mirror catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the balloon portion in the inflated state has a spherical shape or an ellipsoidal shape. The mirror catheter according to claim 1, wherein the balloon portion in the inflated state has a non-rotationally symmetric shape. The mirror catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the balloon portion in an inflated state has a convex curved surface portion including the mirror layer on a proximal end side of the balloon portion. 9. The mirror catheter according to claim 1, wherein the mirror layer includes a silver vapor deposition layer.

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