JP5992922B2 - Eustachian tympanic tube - Google Patents

Eustachian tympanic tube Download PDF

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JP5992922B2
JP5992922B2 JP2013545977A JP2013545977A JP5992922B2 JP 5992922 B2 JP5992922 B2 JP 5992922B2 JP 2013545977 A JP2013545977 A JP 2013545977A JP 2013545977 A JP2013545977 A JP 2013545977A JP 5992922 B2 JP5992922 B2 JP 5992922B2
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雅弘 守田
雅弘 守田
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雅弘 守田
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    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
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Description

本発明は,耳管を含む中耳の治療のために後端を鼓膜外に出した状態でヒトの耳管内に埋め込んでおかれる人工耳管に関する。   The present invention relates to an artificial ear canal that is embedded in a human ear canal in a state where the rear end is exposed outside the eardrum for the treatment of the middle ear including the ear canal.

耳は,外耳,中耳及び内耳で構成される。外耳と中耳とは,外耳道の内端に位置する鼓膜によって仕切られている。中耳は,鼓膜と前庭窓(内耳の前庭に通じる)とを連絡する耳小骨(ツチ骨,キヌタ骨及びアブミ骨)を収容した空間である鼓室(中耳腔)と,鼓室から延びて咽頭に開口する耳管とからなる。耳管は,鼓室前庭に始まり(鼓室耳管口),上後外側から下前内側に向かって斜めに延びて咽頭側壁において開口(耳管咽頭口)する。耳管は全長約33mmで,上側約1/3は側頭骨の中を通っており,下側約2/3は軟骨で包まれている。骨部耳管は,狭まった鼓室耳管口を通って一旦やや広がった後次第に細くなり,軟骨部の入口部位で最も細くなり(耳管峡部),この位置で通常は閉じている。耳管峡部より下方では耳管は次第に太くなってラッパ状に耳管咽頭口に開いている。耳管の機能の1つとして換気機能が挙げられる。これは,欠伸や嚥下の際に口蓋帆張筋の収縮により軟骨部の下壁が下方に引かれて耳管峡部の内腔が一時的に開き,咽頭から鼓室へと空気が流入するという能動的なものと,外界の圧変化に伴って受動的に換気が行われる受動的なものとに分けられる。健常な耳では,耳管の換気機能,特に能動的な換気機能のため,鼓室内圧は外気圧と等しく保たれている。また耳管は,中耳の分泌物を咽頭へと排泄する機能をも有する。これらの機能が障害されている状態,すなわち耳管機能不全症としては,耳管狭窄症(耳管閉塞症),耳管開放症,耳管閉鎖不全症が挙げられる。   The ear consists of the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The outer ear and the middle ear are partitioned by the eardrum located at the inner edge of the ear canal. The middle ear consists of the tympanic chamber (middle ear cavity) that contains the ear ossicles (Tut, Kinuta and Abumi bones) that connect the eardrum and the vestibular window (which leads to the vestibule of the inner ear) and the pharynx extending from the tympanic chamber The ear canal is open to the The eustachian tube begins in the tympanic vestibule (the tympanic ear canal), extends obliquely from the upper back and rear to the lower front and opens in the pharyngeal side wall (the canal and pharyngeal mouth). The eustachian tube is about 33 mm in length, the upper side about 1/3 passes through the temporal bone, and the lower side about 2/3 is wrapped with cartilage. The bony ear canal passes through the narrowed tympanic ear canal and then gradually narrows, becomes the thinnest at the cartilage entry site (the ear canal), and is normally closed at this position. Below the eustachian tube part, the eustachian tube gradually becomes thicker and opens in a trumpet shape at the pharyngeal mouth. One function of the eustachian tube is the ventilation function. This is because active contraction of the palatal canal muscle during contraction and swallowing causes the lower wall of the cartilage to be pulled downward, the lumen of the ear canal temporarily opens, and air flows from the pharynx into the tympanic chamber. It can be divided into a normal type and a passive type that is passively ventilated with changes in the external pressure. In healthy ears, the intratympanic pressure is kept equal to the external pressure because of the ventilatory function of the eustachian tube, especially the active ventilation function. The eustachian tube also functions to excrete middle ear secretions into the pharynx. The state in which these functions are impaired, that is, ear canal dysfunction, includes ear canal stenosis (ear canal obstruction), ear canal opening, and ear canal insufficiency.

耳管狭窄症は,嚥下や欠伸等で起こる筈の耳管の開大が,何らかの原因で障害され,耳管を介する中耳の換気が障害された状態である。その原因としては,上咽頭の炎症等による耳管の器質的な狭窄と,口蓋裂のように耳管開大筋(口蓋帆張筋)の機能不全による機能的狭窄とがある。耳管狭窄により中耳の換気が妨げられると,鼓室中の酸素は周囲粘膜から吸収され,鼓室内が陰圧となり鼓膜は内陥する。その結果,耳閉感,難聴,自声強聴等の症状をきたす。また耳管狭窄が持続すると,滲出性中耳炎に移行することがある。これは鼓室内の陰圧状態が持続する結果,中耳腔に滲出液が漏出する疾患であり,鼓室に滲出液が充満し伝音性難聴や耳閉塞感を生じるほか,反復性の急性中耳炎にも罹患し易くなる。このほか,鼓室が慢性的且つ不可逆的な陰圧状態に置かれると,鼓膜が中耳壁に癒着する極めて難治性の疾患である癒着性中耳炎,あるいは,本来上皮ではない中耳腔で鼓膜の角化扁平上皮が増殖しその過程で周囲の骨を破壊していく疾患である真珠腫性中耳炎の原因ともなる。   Eustachian stenosis is a condition in which the expansion of the eustachian canal that occurs due to swallowing or distraction is impaired for some reason, and ventilation of the middle ear through the eustachian tube is impaired. The cause of this is organic stenosis of the eustachian tube due to inflammation of the nasopharynx, etc., and functional stenosis due to dysfunction of the open canal muscularis (palatic scapularis) such as cleft palate. When ventral stenosis impedes ventilation of the middle ear, oxygen in the tympanic chamber is absorbed from the surrounding mucosa, and the tympanic chamber becomes negative pressure and the tympanic membrane is indented. As a result, symptoms such as ear tightness, hearing loss, and hearing loss. If tubal stenosis persists, it may shift to exudative otitis media. This is a disease in which exudate leaks into the middle ear cavity as a result of persistent negative pressure in the tympanic chamber. The exudate fills up into the tympanic chamber, resulting in conductive hearing loss and ear obstruction, as well as recurrent acute otitis media. It becomes easy to suffer from. In addition, when the tympanic chamber is placed in a chronic and irreversible negative pressure state, the tympanic membrane adheres to the middle ear wall. It also causes cholesteatogenic otitis media, a disease in which the keratinized squamous epithelium proliferates and destroys the surrounding bone in the process.

耳管狭窄症の治療には,耳管咽頭口にカテーテルを挿入して通気させる,いわゆる耳管通気療法が頻用されている。また,その他の処置治療として,咽頭側あるいは鼓室側からステロイドホルモンを耳管内に注入する方法や,耳管咽頭口周囲にステロイドホルモンを粘膜下に注射する方法があるが,効果が客観的に確立されたものとはなっていない。投薬による保存的治療では,消炎酵素製剤や抗アレルギー作用を有する薬剤の全身投与や,ステロイド剤の点鼻が行われているが,長期間の投薬を要するほか,中等度以上の症例では効果が十分得られない場合が多いという問題がある。薬物療法で効果が得られない症例に対しては,鼓室の換気を確保するため鼓膜チューブ留置術も行われている。鼓膜チューブとは,鼓膜にあけた穿孔又は切開の部分に嵌められるチューブであり,種々のサイズや形状のものが市販されている。約3mm程度の長さを有する,中央の括れたチューブが一般に用いられているものの一つである。しかし鼓膜チューブによっては,鼓室の換気は得られるが,耳管狭窄そのものはこれでは充分に改善されず,耳管を通した換気や排泄機能は必ずしも回復しない。薬剤による治療に抵抗する症例に対し,最近では,レーザ(炭酸ガスレーザ,KTPレーザ)によって,耳管咽頭口側から耳管内粘膜を焼灼するという治療方法が開発されている。しかしながら,耳管峡部に近い奥の部分を焼灼した場合の周囲組織への影響については不明な点も多く,耳管焼灼術を施すには,十分な解剖学的知識と高度な外科的技術をマスターすることが必須であり,広く手軽に行われるには至っていない。   For the treatment of ear canal stenosis, so-called ear canal ventilation therapy, in which a catheter is inserted into the pharyngeal mouth and ventilated, is frequently used. Other treatments include steroid hormone injection into the ear canal from the pharynx side or tympanic cavity side, and steroid hormone injection around the ear canal and pharyngeal mouth, but the effect is objectively established. It has not been done. Conservative treatment with medication includes systemic administration of anti-inflammatory enzyme preparations and drugs with antiallergic effects, and nasal steroids, which require long-term medication and are effective in patients with moderate or higher severity. There is a problem that there are many cases where it cannot be obtained sufficiently. In cases where drug therapy is not effective, tympanic tube placement is also performed to ensure ventricular ventilation. The eardrum tube is a tube that is fitted into a perforation or incision part opened in the eardrum, and various sizes and shapes are commercially available. One of the most commonly used is a central constricted tube having a length of about 3 mm. However, although the tympanic tube can provide ventilation of the tympanic chamber, the ear canal stenosis itself is not sufficiently improved, and ventilation and excretion through the ear canal are not necessarily restored. Recently, a treatment method for cauterizing the mucous membrane in the ear canal from the pharyngeal mouth side with a laser (carbon dioxide laser, KTP laser) has been developed for cases resistant to treatment with drugs. However, there are many unclear points about the effects on the surrounding tissue when cauterizing the inner part near the canal canal, and sufficient anatomical knowledge and advanced surgical techniques are required to perform eustachian cauterization. Mastering is essential and has not been done widely and easily.

また耳管開放症は,耳管が常に開放した状態にあるものをいい,患者の自覚症状としては,自分の声が耳管を介して中耳に到達することによる自声強聴,自分の呼吸音が聞こえること,耳閉感等があり,めまいを訴える例もみられる。患者の鼓膜は正常であるが,呼吸に伴って前後するのが観察される。耳管開放症の原因として,加齢や神経疾患による鼻粘膜の萎縮,体重減少による耳管周囲粘膜の萎縮,アデノイド手術後の瘢痕化などが挙げられるが,多くは原因不明である。   Eustachian tube is a condition in which the eustachian tube is always open. The patient's subjective symptoms include self-hearing due to his own voice reaching the middle ear through the eustachian tube, Some people complain of dizziness because they can hear breathing sounds and have a feeling of ear closure. The patient's tympanic membrane is normal but is observed to move back and forth with breathing. Causes of eustachian tube include atrophy of the nasal mucosa due to aging and neurological disease, atrophy of the peritubular mucosa due to weight loss, and scarring after adenoid surgery, but the cause is unknown.

耳管開放症の薬物療法としては,硼酸とサリチル酸の混合粉末を耳管カテーテルで耳管内に噴霧するものであるベゾルト法(Bezold),ゼラチンスポンジ溶液の耳管内腔への注入等が挙げられ,外科的療法としては,液状シリコーンの注射,耳粘膜焼灼,口蓋帆張筋移動,耳管周囲への軟骨片あるいは脂肪組織の埋め込みやコラーゲン注入等が挙げられるが,薬物療法は,長期間の継続的治療を必要とし,外科療法は効果が不十分であるという問題があった。なお,耳管開放症,耳管閉鎖不全症の治療のための器具として,中耳管内腔へと,鼓膜から5〜15mm程度奥まで留置される,テーパを有する扁平形状の耳管ピンが提案されている(特許文献1)が,これは耳管の断面を塞ぐように働くものであり,耳管狭窄症には適用できない。   Examples of drug therapy for eustachian tube include besolt method (Bezold) in which mixed powder of boric acid and salicylic acid is sprayed into the ear canal with an ear tube catheter, injection of gelatin sponge solution into the ear canal lumen, etc. Surgical treatment includes injection of liquid silicone, otic mucosal cautery, palatal scapular muscle movement, implantation of cartilage pieces or adipose tissue around the ear canal, and collagen injection, but pharmacotherapy continues for a long time. There is a problem that surgical treatment is necessary and surgical therapy is ineffective. In addition, as a device for treatment of eustachian tube and intubation insufficiency, a flattened eustachian pin with a taper that is placed in the lumen of the middle ear canal and about 5 to 15 mm from the eardrum is proposed. (Patent Document 1), however, this works so as to block the cross section of the ear canal and cannot be applied to ear canal stenosis.

また,いわゆるフロッピーチューブが耳管機能の面から最近注目されている。フロッピーチューブとは,閉塞し易いと共に開放状態にもなり易い耳管であり,欠伸や嚥下をきっかけに耳管開放状態となり,自声強聴や耳閉感を生ずる。これらの不快症状を解消するために患者は無意識に鼻すすり(これにより鼓室が陰圧になり耳管が閉鎖される)をすることが多くなるが,これが習慣化して鼓室が慢性的且つ不可逆的な陰圧状態に置かれると耳管狭窄症との関連で前述したように,滲出性中耳炎,癒着性中耳炎及び真珠腫性中耳炎の原因ともなる。   In addition, so-called floppy tubes have recently attracted attention from the viewpoint of the function of the eustachian tube. A floppy tube is an ear canal that easily closes and becomes open, and becomes open when triggered by lack or swallowing, resulting in self-hearing and a feeling of ear closure. In order to resolve these discomforts, patients often become unconsciously sniffing (which causes negative pressure in the tympanic chamber and closes the ear canal), which becomes habitual and makes the tympanic chamber chronic and irreversible As described above in relation to tubal stenosis, it can cause exudative otitis media, adhesive otitis media, and cholesteatoma otitis media.

以上のように耳管機能の異常が中耳の種々の疾患の原因となるが,耳管狭窄症,耳管開放症あるいは閉塞と開放の両方を起こすフロッピーチューブを効果的に且つ簡便に治療でき,また,癒着性中耳炎の治療,滲出性中耳炎手術後の鼓膜の癒着防止や真珠種の再発防止等のために用いることのできる確かな治療方法が求められている。   As described above, abnormalities of the eustachian tube function cause various diseases of the middle ear. However, it is possible to effectively and easily treat a ureteral stenosis, an eustachian tube opening, or a floppy tube that causes both obstruction and opening. Also, there is a need for a reliable treatment method that can be used for the treatment of adhesive otitis media, prevention of tympanic membrane adhesion after surgery for exudative otitis media, prevention of recurrence of pearl species, and the like.

この目的のため,本発明は,所定形態のチューブを,鼓膜を通して鼓室側から耳管峡部に挿入して先端を軟骨部耳管内に位置させる一方,管壁の開口を鼓室内に位置させ,チューブの後端を,鼓膜に取り付けた鼓膜チューブに通して鼓膜外に出しておくようにした人工耳管を提案している(特許文献2)。   For this purpose, the present invention inserts a tube of a predetermined form from the tympanic membrane side into the tubal isthmus through the tympanic membrane and positions the tip in the cartilage portion of the ear canal, while positioning the tube wall opening in the tympanic chamber. An artificial ear canal is proposed in which the rear end is passed through an eardrum tube attached to the eardrum and is left outside the eardrum (Patent Document 2).

更に,本発明者は,軟骨部耳管から鼓室にかけて,鼓膜より内側に埋め込む形で配置するように設計された人工耳管(特許文献3),及び,そのように鼓膜より内側に埋め込むことにもまた後端を鼓膜から突出させておくことにも適合させた人工耳管も提案している(特許文献4及び5)も提案している。   Furthermore, the present inventor has proposed an artificial ear canal (Patent Document 3) designed to be placed in the form of being embedded in the inner side of the eardrum from the cartilage portion of the ear canal to the tympanic chamber, and to be embedded in the inner side of the eardrum as such. Also proposed is an artificial eustachian tube adapted to protrude the rear end from the eardrum (Patent Documents 4 and 5).

特開2002−224157JP 2002-224157 A WO 2005/044161WO 2005/044161 WO 2005−082303WO 2005-0823303 WO 2006−049131WO 2006-049131 WO 2006−118072WO 2006-118072

人工耳管のうち,先端部を耳管峡部まで到達させて軟骨部耳管内に臨ましめる一方,後端部は鼓膜に嵌めた鼓膜チューブを通して外耳道内に突出しているように配置されるタイプのものは,装着後,必要に応じて容易に抜去できるという,完全な埋め込みタイプの人工耳管にはない利点を有する。このタイプの人工耳管は,患者に合った適切なサイズのものが耳管に挿入されている限り,挿入後一定の位置に留まっており,鼓膜から奥に落ち込んでしまう等の位置ずれが起こる可能性は殆どない。しかしながら,人工耳管の位置が一層確実に保たれることを保証できるものであることが望まれる。   Of the artificial ear canal, the tip is made to reach the ear canal and reach the cartilage canal, while the rear end is arranged to protrude into the ear canal through the eardrum tube fitted in the eardrum. Has the advantage over a fully implantable prosthetic canal that it can be easily removed as needed after installation. This type of artificial eustachian tube remains in a fixed position after insertion as long as the appropriate size for the patient is inserted into the eustachian tube, causing misalignment such as falling into the back of the eardrum There is little possibility. However, it is desirable to be able to ensure that the position of the artificial ear canal is maintained more reliably.

上記背景において,本発明は,先端部を耳管峡部まで到達させて軟骨部耳管内に臨ましめる一方,後端部は鼓膜に嵌めた鼓膜チューブ部材を通して外耳道内に突出しているように配置されるための,軟骨部耳管に先端が臨む深さまで挿入される細長いチューブである人工耳管部材と,これを通した状態で鼓膜の穿孔に嵌められる鼓膜チューブ部材とからなる耳管鼓膜チューブであって,患者の耳管に装着した後も必要に応じて何時でも人工耳管部材を鼓膜チューブ部材から容易に抜きとることができる一方,人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材との位置関係が偶発的にずれる虞が実質的に回避でき,特に人工耳管部材の後端が鼓膜より奥に落ち込んでしまう虞がない,耳管鼓膜チューブの提供を目的とする。   In the above background, the present invention is arranged so that the distal end portion reaches the ear canal portion and faces the inner ear canal of the cartilage portion, while the rear end portion protrudes into the ear canal through the eardrum tube member fitted to the eardrum. Therefore, an ear canal tympanic tube comprising an artificial eustachian tube member, which is an elongated tube inserted to a depth where the tip of the cartilage canal reaches the tip, and a tympanic membrane tube member fitted into the perforation of the tympanic membrane through the tube. Thus, the artificial ear canal member can be easily removed from the eardrum tube member at any time after being attached to the patient's ear canal, while the positional relationship between the artificial ear canal member and the eardrum tube member is accidental. An object of the present invention is to provide an ear canal tympanic tube in which the risk of slippage can be substantially avoided, and in particular, there is no risk that the rear end of the artificial ear canal member will fall behind the ear drum.

上記目的は,以下に提供する発明により達成される。すなわち:
1.鼓膜を横切ってこれに装着される,相対的に外寸の小さい中央部と相対的に外寸の大きい前端部及び後端部とを含み該前端部と該後端部とが貫通穴により連通している,短寸のチューブ状部材である鼓膜チューブ部材と,
鼓室側から耳管内に挿入し耳管峡部を通して軟骨部耳管内に臨ましめるための先端と,鼓膜を横切って装着された該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴を通して外耳道内において鼓膜外に出しておくための後端と,を有する細長いチューブであって,後端側開口と少なくとも1個の先端側開口とを備え,それらの開口が管腔により連通しているものである人工耳管部材と
を含んでなり,該人工耳管部材の後端部が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の内径より大きい外寸を有する部位である外寸拡大部を備えるものである,耳管鼓膜チューブ。
2.人工耳管部材の先端部が,先端側開口に代えて,空気及び/又は水の移動を許容する素材又は篩状構造で構成された領域を含んでなるものである,上記1の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
3.該外寸拡大部が,人工耳管部材の外径の拡大部である,上記1又は2の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
4.該外寸拡大部が,該後端部に形成されたフランジ又は該後端部の外周の一部から側方へ延びた少なくとも1個の突出部によるものである,上記1又は2の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
5.該外寸拡大部が,人工耳管部材の後端部に形成されたフランジであり,該フランジが,少なくとも1個の切り欠き部を含み,該鼓膜チューブ部材が,該切り欠き部内にスナップ式に係合することのできる後方へ向いた突出部を後端部に備えるものである,上記4の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
6.該外寸拡大部が,人工耳管部材の後端部の外周の一部から側方へ延びた少なくとも1個の突出部によるものであり,該鼓膜チューブ部材が,該突出部をスナップ式に収容する形状の陥凹部を後端部に備えるものである,上記4の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
7.該人工耳管部材が,チューブの管腔とチューブの外部とを連通する横穴を側面に有するものである,上記1〜6の何れかの耳管鼓膜チューブ。
8.該外寸拡大部の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴に該人工耳管部材が通されたとき該鼓膜チューブ部材が該突起と該外寸拡大部との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第1の位置に設けられており,該突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴を通過することができ且つ該貫通穴の縁とはスナップ式に係合するように構成されているものである,上記1〜7の何れかの耳管鼓膜チューブ。
9.該突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,上記8の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
10.該第1の位置の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の更なる突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材が該更なる突起と該第1の位置にある突起との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第2の位置に,設けられており,該更なる突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴を通過することができ且つ該貫通穴の縁とはスナップ式に係合するように構成されているものである,上記8又は9の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
11.該更なる突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,上記10の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
12.該外寸拡大部の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴に該人工耳管部材が通されたとき該鼓膜チューブ部材が該突起と該外寸拡大部との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第1の位置に設けられており,且つ該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴の内周面に,該突起を受け入れて前後に通過させることができる縦溝が形成されているものである,上記1〜7の何れかの耳管鼓膜チューブ。
13.該突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,上記12の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
14.該第1の位置の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の更なる突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材が該更なる突起と該第1の位置にある突起との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第2の位置に,設けられており,且つ該更なる突起は,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴の内周面に形成されている該縦溝を前後に通過できるものである,上記12又は13の耳管鼓膜チューブ
15.該更なる突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,上記14の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
The above object is achieved by the invention provided below. Ie:
1. The front end portion and the rear end portion are connected to each other by a through-hole including a central portion having a relatively small outer size and a front end portion and a rear end portion having relatively large outer dimensions, which are mounted across the tympanic membrane. A tympanic membrane tube member which is a short tubular member,
To be inserted out of the eardrum in the external auditory canal through the tip for insertion into the ear canal from the tympanic chamber side and facing the cartilage part through the ear canal and into the ear canal through the through hole of the eardrum tube member mounted across the eardrum An elongate tube having a rear end and an artificial eustachian tube member having a rear end opening and at least one distal opening, the openings being in communication by a lumen An ear canal tympanic tube comprising a rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member having an outer dimension enlarged portion which is a portion having an outer dimension larger than the inner diameter of the through hole of the tympanic membrane tube member.
2. The ear canal tympanic membrane according to 1 above, wherein the distal end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member includes a region made of a material or a sieve-like structure that allows movement of air and / or water instead of the opening on the distal end side. tube.
3. 3. The ear canal tympanic tube as described in 1 or 2 above, wherein the outer dimension enlarged portion is an enlarged portion of the outer diameter of the artificial ear canal member.
4). The ear canal according to 1 or 2 above, wherein the outer dimension enlarged portion is formed by a flange formed at the rear end portion or at least one protrusion extending laterally from a part of the outer periphery of the rear end portion. Tympanic tube.
5. The outer dimension enlarged portion is a flange formed at a rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member, the flange includes at least one notch portion, and the eardrum tube member is snapped into the notch portion. 4. The ear canal tympanic tube as described above, wherein the rear end portion has a rearwardly projecting portion that can be engaged with the ear canal.
6). The outer dimension enlarged portion is formed by at least one projecting portion extending laterally from a part of the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member, and the eardrum tube member snaps the projecting portion. 4. The ear tympanic membrane tube according to 4 above, wherein the rear end portion is provided with a recess having a shape to be accommodated.
7). 7. The ear canal tympanic tube according to any one of the above 1 to 6, wherein the artificial eustachian member has a lateral hole on the side surface that communicates the lumen of the tube and the outside of the tube.
8). At least one protrusion is formed on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member in front of the outer dimension enlarged portion, and when the artificial ear tube member is passed through the through hole of the eardrum tube member, the eardrum tube member is the protrusion. And the outer dimension enlarged portion are provided at a first position which is a position allowing the artificial ear canal member to be held in a shape sandwiched between the outer dimension enlarged portion, and the protrusion is provided on the eardrum tube member. 8. The ear canal tympanic tube according to any one of 1 to 7 above, which can pass through the through hole and is configured to snap-engage with the edge of the through hole.
9. 8. The ear canal tympanic tube as described in 8 above, wherein 1 to 6 protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial eustachian tube member.
10. In front of the first position, at least one additional protrusion on the side of the prosthetic eustachian tube member, the tympanic tube member being sandwiched between the additional protrusion and the protrusion in the first position A second position which is a position that allows the artificial ear canal member to be held in an open shape, the additional protrusion being able to pass through the through hole of the eardrum tube member and 8. The ear canal tympanic tube according to the above 8 or 9, wherein the edge of the through hole is configured to be engaged in a snap-type manner.
11. 10. The above-mentioned ear canal tympanic tube, wherein 1 to 6 further protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial ear canal member.
12 At least one protrusion is formed on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member in front of the outer dimension enlarged portion, and when the artificial ear tube member is passed through the through hole of the eardrum tube member, the eardrum tube member is the protrusion. And the outer dimension enlarged portion are provided at a first position which is a position allowing the artificial ear canal member to be held in a shape sandwiched between the outer dimension enlarged portion and the through hole of the eardrum tube member. 8. The ear canal tympanic tube according to any one of 1 to 7 above, wherein a longitudinal groove capable of receiving the protrusion and allowing it to pass back and forth is formed on the inner peripheral surface.
13. 12. The twelve ear tympanic tube described above, wherein 1 to 6 protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial eustachian tube member.
14 In front of the first position, at least one additional protrusion on the side of the prosthetic eustachian tube member, the tympanic tube member being sandwiched between the additional protrusion and the protrusion in the first position And the additional protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the eardrum tube member. 15. Twelve ear tympanic tube according to the above 12 or 13, which can pass back and forth through the longitudinal groove. 14. The ear canal tympanic tube as described in 14 above, wherein 1 to 6 further protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial ear canal member.

上記の各構成になる本発明の耳管鼓膜チューブは,耳管狭窄症(耳管閉塞症),耳管開放症,耳管閉鎖不全症)の何れの患者に対しても,またフロッピーチューブを持つ患者に対しても,耳管の換気機能と排泄機能とを適切に回復させ,これら耳管機能不全症に因る種々の中耳疾患を根本治療するのに有効である。また,本発明の耳管鼓膜チューブは,人工耳管部材の後端部が鼓膜チューブ部材を通過できないため,人工耳管部材が鼓膜チューブ部材の外部に確実に止まり,鼓膜チューブ部材から鼓室側へ抜け落ちる虞をなくすことができる。   The ear canal and tympanic tube of the present invention having the above-described configurations is a floppy tube for any patient with ear canal stenosis (ear canal obstruction), ear canal opening or ear canal insufficiency). It is also effective for the patients who have the disease to properly restore the ventilatory function and excretion function of the eustachian tube, and to fundamentally treat various middle ear diseases caused by these eustachian tube dysfunctions. Further, in the ear canal tympanic tube of the present invention, since the rear end portion of the artificial ear canal member cannot pass through the tympanic tube member, the artificial ear canal member reliably stops outside the ear drum tube member, and from the ear drum tube member to the tympanic chamber side. The possibility of falling off can be eliminated.

また,人工耳管部材の後端部の外寸拡大部と鼓膜チューブ部材とがスナップ式に係合するようにしたものは,人工耳管部材が外耳道側に抜ける虞もなくすことができる。   Further, in the case where the outer dimension enlarged portion of the rear end portion of the artificial ear canal member and the eardrum tube member are engaged with each other in a snap-type manner, there is no possibility that the artificial ear canal member comes off to the ear canal side.

また,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の縁にスナップ式係合する突起を人工耳管部材の側面に設けたものも,鼓膜チューブ部材に対し人工耳管部材を同様に安定に保持するほか,それらの突起を人工耳管部材の前後方向に多段的に設けたものは,それらの突起間又は最後尾の突起と人工耳管部材の後端部の外径拡大部の間,という複数の位置で鼓膜チューブ部材と警護することができ,人工耳管部材の保持を安定化しつつ挿入深度の変更が可能となる。   In addition, a protrusion provided on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member that snap-engages with the edge of the through hole of the eardrum tube member similarly holds the artificial ear canal member stably with respect to the eardrum tube member. Protrusions provided in multiple stages in the front-rear direction of the artificial ear canal member are the tympanic membranes at a plurality of positions between these protrusions or between the rearmost protrusion and the outer diameter enlarged portion of the rear end portion of the artificial ear canal member. The tube member can be guarded, and the insertion depth can be changed while stabilizing the holding of the artificial eustachian tube member.

更に,人工耳管部材の側面の突起と,貫通穴にそれらの突起が通過できる縦溝の形成された鼓膜チューブ部材とを組み合わせたものは,突起が鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴を通過した後に人工耳管部材を鼓膜チューブ部材に対し適宜の角度だけ回すことで,突起と鼓膜チューブ部材とを係合させることができ,操作が更に容易となる。   Furthermore, the combination of the protrusions on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member and the tympanic tube member in which the longitudinal grooves are formed so that the protrusions can pass through the through-holes are used after the protrusion passes through the through-holes of the eardrum tube member. By rotating the eustachian tube member by an appropriate angle with respect to the eardrum tube member, the protrusion and the eardrum tube member can be engaged, and the operation becomes easier.

図1は,実施例1の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する,(a)人工耳管部材及び(b)鼓膜チューブ部材の斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view of (a) an artificial eustachian tube member and (b) an eardrum tube member constituting the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 1. FIG. 図2は,実施例2の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材の斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an artificial eustachian tube member constituting the eustachian tympanic tube of the second embodiment. 図3(a)は,実施例2の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材の後側端面図であるり,図3(b)は,その変形の後側端面図である。FIG. 3A is a rear end view of the artificial eustachian tube member constituting the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 2, and FIG. 3B is a rear end view of the modification. 図4は,実施例2の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する鼓膜チューブ部材の斜め後方からの斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the eardrum tube member constituting the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 2 from an oblique rear side. 図5は,実施例2の耳管鼓膜チューブにおける人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材の係合関係を示す,部分的な斜視図である。FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing the engagement relationship between the artificial ear canal member and the ear drum tube member in the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 2. FIG. 図6は,実施例2の人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材とが一体に係合した状態の耳管鼓膜チューブの全体を示す斜視図である。FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the whole of the ear canal tympanic tube in a state where the artificial ear canal member and the tympanic tube member of Example 2 are integrally engaged. 図7は,実施例3の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材の斜視図である。FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an artificial eustachian tube member constituting the eustachian tympanic tube of Example 3. 図8は,実施例3の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する鼓膜チューブ部材の斜め後方からの斜視図である。FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the eardrum tube member constituting the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 3 from an oblique rear side. 図9は,実施例3の耳管鼓膜チューブにおける人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材の係合直前の状態を示す斜視図である。FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the engagement between the artificial ear canal member and the eardrum tube member in the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 3. FIG. 図10は,実施例3の耳管鼓膜チューブにおける人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材の係合関係を示す,部分的な斜視図である。FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the engagement relationship between the artificial ear canal member and the eardrum tube member in the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 3. FIG. 図11は,実施例3の人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材とが一体に係合した状態の耳管鼓膜チューブの全体を示す斜視図である。FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the whole of the ear canal tympanic tube in a state where the artificial ear canal member and the tympanic tube member of Example 3 are integrally engaged. 図12は,実施例3の耳管鼓膜チューブの一変形としての実施例4の耳管鼓膜チューブの全体示す斜視図である。FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the whole of the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 4 as a modification of the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 3. FIG. 図13は,実施例5の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材の斜視図である。FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an artificial eustachian tube member constituting the eustachian tympanic tube of Example 5. 図14は,実施例6の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材の斜視図である。FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an artificial eustachian tube member constituting the eustachian tympanic tube of Example 6. 図13は,実施例7の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する,(a)人工耳管部材及び(b)鼓膜チューブ部材の斜視図である。FIG. 13 is a perspective view of (a) an artificial eustachian tube member and (b) an eardrum tube member constituting the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 7.

本発明の耳管鼓膜チューブは,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴に通した人工耳管部材を,鼓室側から患者の耳管内に挿入し,先端を軟骨部耳管に臨ましめ,後端は,鼓膜チューブ部材に保持された状態で,患者の外耳道内に留め置かれる。取り扱い易さを考慮すれば,人工耳管部材の全長は20〜40mmの範囲であることが好ましい。但し,使用時に患者の中耳のサイズに適した長さとなるよう先端側を適宜切除して用いることもできるから,人工耳管部材の全長には,特に上限はない。   The ear canal tympanic tube of the present invention is an artificial ear canal member inserted through the through hole of the tympanic tube member, inserted into the ear canal of the patient from the tympanic chamber side, with the tip facing the cartilage ear canal, It is held in the ear canal of the patient while being held by the tympanic tube member. In consideration of ease of handling, the total length of the artificial eustachian tube member is preferably in the range of 20 to 40 mm. However, there is no particular upper limit on the total length of the artificial eustachian tube member because the distal end side can be appropriately excised and used so as to have a length suitable for the size of the middle ear of the patient at the time of use.

人工耳管部材は,鼓膜側から患者の耳管内に挿入される関係上,全体とし細長い形状のものである,ヒトの耳管の形状に沿うよう全体として湾曲させたものであってもよいが,柔軟な素材で形成されている限り,全体として直線的に延びていてもよい。。人工耳管部材の外径は,鼓膜チューブ部材に固定される後端部を除き,最も太い部位でも,好ましくは約0.8〜2mmの範囲内にある。外径は長手方向に沿って一定であってもなくてもよいが,先端に向けて僅かなテーパがかかっていることが好ましいが,必須ではない。   The artificial eustachian member may be curved as a whole along the shape of the human eustachian tube, which is a slender shape as a whole because it is inserted into the patient's ear canal from the eardrum side. As long as it is made of a flexible material, it may extend linearly as a whole. . The outer diameter of the artificial eustachian tube member is preferably in the range of about 0.8 to 2 mm even at the thickest part except for the rear end portion fixed to the tympanic membrane tube member. The outer diameter may or may not be constant along the longitudinal direction, but it is preferable that the outer diameter is slightly tapered toward the tip, but it is not essential.

人工耳管部材は,後端側開口と少なくとも1個の先端側開口とを有し,これらの開口は人工耳管部材の管腔で連通されている。   The artificial ear canal member has a rear end side opening and at least one front end side opening, and these openings communicate with each other through the lumen of the artificial ear canal member.

人工耳管部材の先端部にある先端側開口は,管腔の軸方向に(すなわち前方へ)開いたものとしても,また,先端で管腔を軸方向に閉じておき(盲端),先端部の側方に先端側開口を設けてもよい。また,先端側開口として,管腔の軸方向に開いたものと先端部の側方に設けられたものとの双方を含むこともできる。
先端側開口を先端部の側方に設ける場合,そのような側方の開口は1個設ければよいが,複数設けてもよく,例えば,管腔の先端部の両側に1対の開口として設けてもよい。先端部の側方に先端側開口を設ける場合,その位置は,軟骨部耳管内に人工耳管部材を余り長く突出させる必要がないよう,人工耳管部材の先端の近く,例えば先端から3mm以内,より好ましくは先端から2mm以内に,先端側開口の少なくとも前縁が入るように設けておくことが好ましい。また,人工耳管部材の後端側開口は,人工耳管部材の後端で管腔が軸方向に開いたものとすればよい。
The distal opening at the distal end of the artificial eustachian tube may be opened in the axial direction of the lumen (ie, forward), or the lumen may be closed axially at the distal end (blind end) You may provide the front end side opening in the side of a part. Further, the opening on the distal end side may include both those opened in the axial direction of the lumen and those provided on the side of the distal end portion.
In the case where the distal end side opening is provided on the side of the distal end portion, one such side opening may be provided, but a plurality of such side opening may be provided, for example, as a pair of openings on both sides of the distal end portion of the lumen. It may be provided. When the distal end side opening is provided on the side of the distal end portion, the position thereof is close to the distal end of the artificial eustachian member, for example, within 3 mm from the distal end so that the artificial auditory canal member does not need to protrude too long into the cartilage canal More preferably, it is provided so that at least the front edge of the opening on the tip side is within 2 mm from the tip. Further, the rear end side opening of the artificial eustachian member may be a tube having a lumen opened in the axial direction at the rear end of the artificial eustachian member.

また,人工耳管部材の先端部は,その部位における空気及び/又は水の移動が図れる限りにおいて,先端部開口を備える必要はなく,先端部開口を設ける代わりに,空気及び/又は水の移動を許容する素材(多孔質素材,例えば,ゴアテックス(登録商標)等のような多孔質素材の複合体)で構成された,或いは,空気及び/又は水の移動を許容する篩状構造(例えば,網目状構造,格子状構造等)で構成された領域を先端部に設けて。   In addition, the distal end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member does not need to have a distal end opening as long as the movement of air and / or water at the site can be achieved, and instead of providing the distal end opening, movement of air and / or water is possible. (For example, a porous material, for example, a composite of porous materials such as GORE-TEX (registered trademark)), or a sieve-like structure that allows movement of air and / or water (for example, , Network area, lattice structure, etc.) at the tip.

また,必須ではないが,人工耳管部材は,管腔と連通した横穴を側面に有していることができ,そのような横穴は,鼓室内に滲出液がある場合管腔を介してこれを鼻腔側へと排出するのを容易にするという利点がある。そのような横穴の位置及び個数は任意であってよいが,例えば,耳管峡部に挟持させる部位のすぐ後方となる位置,或いは,人工耳管部材の先端から20〜25mm付近等とすることができる。側面に設ける横穴は1個でもよいが,複数設けてもよい。   Although not required, the artificial eustachian tube member may have a lateral hole in the side surface that communicates with the lumen, and such a lateral hole is formed through the lumen when exudate is present in the tympanic chamber. This has the advantage of facilitating the discharge of nasal cavity into the nasal cavity. The position and number of such lateral holes may be arbitrary, but may be, for example, a position immediately behind the part to be sandwiched between the canal canal parts, or about 20 to 25 mm from the tip of the artificial ear canal member. it can. One side hole may be provided on the side surface, or a plurality of side holes may be provided.

人工耳管部材の管腔は,人工耳管部材が側面に上記横穴を有する場合には,軟骨部耳管と(従って,鼻腔と)と鼓室との間で空気及び滲出液の流通をはかられ,患者本来の耳管の機能を果たす流路が構成される。この流路は,内径が少なくとも0.20mm以上であることが好ましい。これは,管腔の径が余り狭いと,その中の空気(及び場合により滲出液)の流れに抵抗を生じ得るが,0.20mm以上であれば実質的にその懸念が少ないためである。逆に,流路の内径が全長に亘って余りに大きいと,自声が鼓室内に空気伝導するおそれが生じる。これを防止するためには,当該流路の少なくとも何れかの部分の内径を好ましくは0.9mm以下,より好ましくは0.8mm以下としておけばよい。そのような部分を設けておくことにより,流路の残り部分の径がより大きい場合でも,自声が鼓室へ空気伝導されるのが確実に防止される。ガイドワイヤーを用いて挿置する際の取り扱い易さをも考慮すれば,管腔の内径は,通常,0.6〜0.9mmの範囲とするのが好ましい。   The lumen of the artificial eustachian member is free from the flow of air and exudate between the cartilage eustachian tube (and hence the nasal cavity) and the tympanic chamber if the artificial eustachian member has the lateral holes on the side. Thus, a flow path that functions as the patient's original ear canal is constructed. The flow path preferably has an inner diameter of at least 0.20 mm. This is because if the diameter of the lumen is too narrow, resistance to the flow of air (and possibly exudate) therein may occur, but if it is 0.20 mm or more, there is substantially no concern. On the other hand, if the inner diameter of the flow path is too large over the entire length, the voice may be conducted into the tympanic chamber. In order to prevent this, the inner diameter of at least any part of the flow path is preferably 0.9 mm or less, more preferably 0.8 mm or less. By providing such a portion, even when the diameter of the remaining portion of the flow path is larger, the voice is surely prevented from being conducted to the tympanic chamber. Considering the ease of handling when the guide wire is used for insertion, the inner diameter of the lumen is usually preferably in the range of 0.6 to 0.9 mm.

人工耳管部材の断面形状は特に限定されず,通常は円形とすればよい。耳管峡部の断面は扁平である。例えば耳管狭窄症の場合,概略円形の先端部断面を有する人工耳管部材を耳管峡部に挿入すると,それによって耳管峡部の扁平な内周面を幾らか押し広げることとなるため,人工耳管部材の先端部外壁と耳管峡部内壁との間に僅かな隙間を形成し,鼓室内の分泌液の排泄流路を確保する上で有利である。また,人工耳管部材は,楕円のような扁平な横断面のものとすることもできる。また断面形状は人工耳管部材の全長にわたって同じであってもよいが,そうでなくてもよく,例えば全長の大部分において円形で一部(例えば,先端から耳管峡部に挟持させる部位まで)において楕円形であっても,また全長の大部分において楕円形で一部(例えば,先端から耳管峡部に挟持させる部位まで)において円形であってもよい。耳管峡部の断面は,左右より前後方向に伸びた扁平な形状であるため,人工耳管部材が楕円形の断面を有する場合,耳管峡部の内周面の大部分に密着する。様々なタイプの患者に対して,できるだけ数少ない寸法規格の人工耳管部材で対処できるためには,楕円形のような扁平な断面形状の場合も,長軸/短軸比は,5までに止めるのが好ましい。例えば5,4,3,2等とすることができる。人工耳管部材のうち,どのような断面形状及び寸法のものを選択するかは,治療すべき患者の耳管の形態及び状態に合わせて担当医師により個々に決定される。なお,本発明において,人工耳管部材が楕円形等の扁平な断面形状を有する場合,その「外径」及び「内径」というときの「径」は,長い方の径(長軸)を意味する。   The cross-sectional shape of the artificial eustachian tube member is not particularly limited, and may be generally circular. The cross section of the eustachian tube is flat. For example, in the case of Eustachian tube stenosis, if an artificial eustachian tube member with a roughly circular tip section is inserted into the Eustachian canal, this will push the flat inner peripheral surface of the Eustachian canal somewhat. A slight gap is formed between the outer wall of the distal end portion of the eustachian tube member and the inner wall of the eustachian tube portion, which is advantageous in securing a discharge flow path for the secretory fluid in the tympanic chamber. Further, the artificial eustachian tube member may have a flat cross section such as an ellipse. In addition, the cross-sectional shape may be the same over the entire length of the artificial eustachian tube member, but it may not be, for example, a circular portion in a large part of the entire length (for example, from the tip to a portion to be clamped in the canal portion) May be elliptical, or may be elliptical in most of the entire length and circular in part (for example, from the tip to the portion sandwiched between the ear canal portions). Since the cross section of the eustachian tube part is a flat shape extending in the front-rear direction from the left and right, when the artificial eustachian member has an elliptical cross section, it closely contacts most of the inner peripheral surface of the eustachian tube part. In order to be able to cope with various types of patients with artificial ear canal members with as few dimensions as possible, the major axis / minor axis ratio is limited to 5 even in the case of a flat cross-sectional shape such as an ellipse. Is preferred. For example, it can be 5, 4, 3, 2, etc. The cross-sectional shape and size of the artificial ear canal member to be selected are individually determined by the attending physician according to the shape and condition of the patient's ear canal to be treated. In the present invention, when the prosthetic eustachian tube member has a flat cross-sectional shape such as an ellipse, the “outer diameter” and “inner diameter” refer to the longer diameter (major axis). To do.

人工耳管部材は,鼓室及び骨部耳管側から耳管峡部を通して軟骨部耳管内に先端を臨ましめ,耳管峡部に挟持された状態で,患者の耳管内に挿置しておくための部材である。装着に際しては,軟骨部耳管のおよその長さ(耳管全体の約2/3)を考慮し,人工耳管部材の先端が耳管咽頭口に接近し過ぎない適宜の位置に来るように人工耳管部材の長さが選択される。   The artificial eustachian tube is inserted into the patient's eustachian tube in the state where the tip of the artificial eustachian tube is sandwiched between the ear canal and the canal portion through the eustachian tube and the cartilage tube canal. It is a member. When mounting, consider the approximate length of the ear canal of the cartilage (about 2/3 of the total length of the ear canal) so that the tip of the artificial ear canal is at an appropriate position that is not too close to the pharyngeal mouth. The length of the artificial eustachian member is selected.

人工耳管部材の後端部は,それより前方の部分に比して大きい外寸を有する部分である「外寸拡大部」を備えている。これに対応させ,鼓膜チューブ部材としては,人工耳管部材の後端部が通過できないがそれより先端側の部分は通過できる内径のものが選ばれる。この外寸拡大部は,人工耳管部材の他の部分は鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴を通過できるが後端部のみは通過できないようにするためのものであるから,後端部の外寸を増大させる仕方,従って外寸拡大部の形状は任意であり,増大させる程度も,人工耳管部材の取り扱い易さを考慮して適宜設定できる。例えば,人工耳管部材の端部において管それ自体の外径が拡大していることによるものであっても,また人工耳管部材が管部分の後端部において側方への突出部を有することによるものであってもよい。管から側方への突出部の例としては,管の後端の全周を放射状に取り囲むように突出したフランジが挙げられるが,フランジは,そのような全周にわたって突出した形態でなく全周の一部で完全に欠けていてもよい。またそのようなフランジの代わりに,全周の一部の領域のみに外方へ延びる突出部が形成されていることによるものであってもよい。耳管鼓膜チューブを患者に装着した後,人工耳管部材のみを除去する必要がない場合には,装着後,人工耳管部材の後端部を鼓膜チューブ部材に接着剤(例えば,アロンアルファ:登録商標)で接着してもよい。接着した場合は,人工耳管部材が鼓室側へ抜け落ちる虞はもとより,外耳道側へ抜ける虞もなくなる。   The rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member is provided with an “outer dimension enlarged portion” that is a portion having a larger outer dimension than the front portion. Corresponding to this, the eardrum tube member is selected to have an inner diameter that allows the rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member not to pass but allows the portion on the tip side to pass therethrough. This outside dimension enlargement part is intended to prevent other parts of the prosthetic eustachian tube member from passing through the through hole of the eardrum tube member but only the rear end part. The method of increasing the size, and thus the shape of the outer dimension enlarged portion, is arbitrary, and the degree of increase can be appropriately set in consideration of the ease of handling of the artificial eustachian tube member. For example, even if the outer diameter of the tube itself is enlarged at the end of the artificial ear canal member, the artificial ear canal member has a lateral protrusion at the rear end of the tube portion. It may be due. An example of a protruding part from the pipe to the side is a flange that protrudes so as to radially surround the entire circumference of the rear end of the pipe. May be completely missing. Further, instead of such a flange, a projecting portion extending outward may be formed only in a partial region of the entire circumference. When it is not necessary to remove only the artificial eustachian tube member after attaching the eustachian tympanic tube to the patient, after the attachment, an adhesive (for example, Aron Alpha: registered) (Trademark). When bonded, there is no possibility that the artificial eustachian member will fall out to the tympanic chamber side, and there is no possibility that the artificial ear canal member will come out to the ear canal side.

本発明において,鼓膜チューブ部材は,鼓膜の内外を通じる貫通穴を確保するために鼓膜に固定される太短い部材であり,鼓膜にあけた穿孔又は切開部分を横切って配置しておく,相対的に外寸の小さい中央部とこれを挟む相対的に外寸の大きい両端部とを有し,両端間の貫通穴を含んだ部材である。耳鼻科の分野において種々の形状の鼓膜チューブが周知であり,販売もされている。それらの鼓膜チューブから,貫通穴の内径が適切なものを適宜選択して,本発明における鼓膜チューブ部材として用いることができる。また,鼓膜チューブ部材の基本構造は,中央部に較べて大きな外寸の両端部を有するチューブである,ということであり,そのような構造で且つ本願発明における人工耳管部材をと共に用いるのに適した具体的構造のものを適宜製造して使用すればよい。   In the present invention, the eardrum tube member is a thick and short member fixed to the eardrum in order to secure a through hole passing through the inside and outside of the eardrum, and is disposed across the perforation or incision portion opened in the eardrum. A member having a central portion with a small outer dimension and both end portions with a relatively large outer dimension sandwiching the central portion, and including a through hole between both ends. In the field of otolaryngology, tympanic membrane tubes of various shapes are well known and sold. From these eardrum tubes, those having an appropriate inner diameter of the through hole can be appropriately selected and used as the eardrum tube member in the present invention. Also, the basic structure of the tympanic tube member is a tube having both end portions having a larger outer dimension than the central portion, and such a structure is used together with the artificial ear canal member in the present invention. What is necessary is just to manufacture and use the thing of the suitable specific structure suitably.

また,人工耳管部材の後端部と鼓膜チューブ部材とを,両者が相互に係合するように形成しておけば,人工耳管部材を引きぬく方向の外力が偶発的に作用した場合にも,人工耳管部材の位置を安定に維持できる。このためには,例えば,人工耳管部材の後端部と鼓膜チューブ部材との接触部位に,両者がスナップ式に係合できる突出部と陥凹部(又は切り欠き部)とを設けておけばよい。   In addition, if the rear end portion of the artificial ear canal member and the eardrum tube member are formed so that they are engaged with each other, the external force in the direction of pulling the artificial ear canal member may be accidentally applied. However, the position of the artificial eustachian tube member can be stably maintained. For this purpose, for example, a projecting portion and a recessed portion (or notch portion) that can be engaged with each other in a snap-type manner are provided at the contact portion between the rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member and the eardrum tube member. Good.

人工耳管部材の後端部と鼓膜チューブ部材との間のそのようなスナップ式の係合のための具体的な形態について特に限定はなく,適宜設計すればよい。   There is no particular limitation on the specific form for such snap-type engagement between the rear end portion of the artificial ear canal member and the eardrum tube member, and it may be appropriately designed.

そのようなスナップ式係合の具体例の1つとして,人工耳管部材の後端部に外周に切り欠き部を有するフランジを形成しておき,これに対応させて鼓膜チューブ部材の後部に,後方へ向けて,当該切り欠き部内にスナップ式に嵌め込むことのできるよう途中の幅をやや広げた突出部(後方突出部)を少なくとも1個形成したものが挙げられる。フランジの切り欠き部は後方突出部の個数分だけあれば足りるが,それより多く設けておくこともでき,通常1〜6個の範囲とすればよい。   As one specific example of such a snap-type engagement, a flange having a notch on the outer periphery is formed at the rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member, and correspondingly, at the rear portion of the tympanic tube member, There may be mentioned one in which at least one projecting portion (rear projecting portion) whose width is slightly widened so as to be snapped into the notch portion is formed in the rearward direction. It is sufficient that the number of notches of the flange is equal to the number of the rear protrusions, but a larger number can be provided, and the range of 1 to 6 is usually sufficient.

またスナップ式係合の別の具体例の1つとして,人工耳管部材の後端部に,その外周の一部から側方へ延びた突出部(側方突出部)を少なくとも1個形成しておき,これに対応させて,鼓膜チューブ部材の後部に当該側方突出部をスナップ式に嵌め込んで収容することのできる陥凹部を形成したものが挙げられる。そのような陥凹部は側方突出部の個数分だけあれば足りるが,それより多く設けておくこともでき,通常1〜6個の範囲とすればよい。   As another specific example of the snap-type engagement, at least one projecting portion (side projecting portion) extending from a part of the outer periphery to the side is formed at the rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member. Corresponding to this, there is an example in which a recessed portion that can be accommodated by snapping the side protruding portion into the rear portion of the eardrum tube member is formed. It is sufficient that there are as many recesses as the number of the lateral protrusions, but more recesses can be provided, and usually a range of 1 to 6 is sufficient.

人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材とを相互に係合させるための別の一方法として,人工耳管部材の側面に1個又は複数個の一群の突起を設けておき,人工耳管部材を鼓膜チューブ部材に通したとき,チューブ及び/又はそれらの突起が(例えば,人工耳管部材の及び/又は鼓膜チューブ部材の弾性変形により)鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴をくぐり抜け,貫通穴から出たとき鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の縁にスナップ式に係合するという形態にすることもできる。その場合,突起は,これが鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の縁に係合したとき鼓膜チューブ部材が外径拡大部と突起との間に挟まれた形で人工耳管部材を保持することとなる位置(第1の位置)に,設けることができる。突起の数は1個でもよいが,人工耳管部材の外周に沿って,複数個の一群の突起,例えば2個,3個,4個,5個,6個等を,外周に沿って,例えば放射状に,配置してもよい。   As another method for mutually engaging the artificial ear canal member and the eardrum tube member, one or a plurality of groups of protrusions are provided on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member, and the artificial ear canal member is used as the eardrum. When passed through the tube member, the tubes and / or their projections pass through the through hole of the eardrum tube member (eg, due to elastic deformation of the artificial ear canal member and / or the eardrum tube member) and when exiting the through hole, the eardrum It can also be configured to snap-engage with the edge of the through hole of the tube member. In this case, the protrusion is a position where the eardrum tube member holds the artificial ear canal member in a form sandwiched between the outer diameter enlarged portion and the protrusion when the protrusion is engaged with the edge of the through hole of the eardrum tube member. (First position) can be provided. The number of protrusions may be one, but along the outer periphery of the artificial eustachian tube member, a plurality of groups of protrusions such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. For example, they may be arranged radially.

また,更なる1個の突起又は複数個の一群の突起を,上記第1の位置より前方に,該第1の位置との間に鼓膜チューブ部材の長さ受け入れられる距離だけ離れた位置(第2の位置)に設け,それにより,第1及び第2の位置に夫々設けられた突起の間に挟まれた形でも鼓膜チューブ部材が人工耳管部材を保持可能にすることができる。そうすることにより,鼓膜チューブ部材に人工耳管部材を取り付ける位置を,これら2通りの位置から適宜選択することが可能になる。同様に,同じ距離だけ更に前方の位置に1個の突起又は複数個の一群の突起を追加で設けることにより,同様に,その追加の突起とその直ぐ後方に位置する突起との間に挟まれた形でも鼓膜チューブ部材が人工耳管部材を保持可能となるようにしてもよい。また,これらの突起が仕切る区間の中間を分割(2分割,3分割等)する位置に,夫々同様な突起を設けてもよい。そのようにして人工耳管部材の前後方向に沿って,より狭いピッチで突起を配置することで,鼓膜チューブ部材に人工耳管部材を保持させる位置の選択肢を増やし,患者の耳管の長さに合わせて人工耳管部材の挿入の深さを微調整することが可能となる。このように,人工耳管部材上の突起が,鼓膜チューブ部材の長さに較べて狭いピッチで配置されている場合,前記微調整によれば鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴内に最終的に留まることになる突起は,必要に応じ術時に切除すればよい。人工耳管部材は可撓性材料で形成されているから,何れの突起も簡単に切除できる。   In addition, a further protrusion or a group of protrusions may be separated from the first position by a distance that allows the eardrum tube member to be received at a distance (first position). 2), so that the eardrum tube member can hold the artificial ear canal member even in the form of being sandwiched between the protrusions provided at the first and second positions, respectively. By doing so, it is possible to appropriately select the position where the artificial ear canal member is attached to the tympanic membrane tube member from these two positions. Similarly, by providing an additional protrusion or a group of protrusions at a further forward position by the same distance, the additional protrusion and the protrusion positioned immediately behind it are similarly sandwiched between the protrusions. Alternatively, the eardrum tube member may hold the artificial ear canal member. Further, similar projections may be provided at positions where the middle of the section partitioned by these projections is divided (two divisions, three divisions, etc.). In this way, the protrusions are arranged at a narrower pitch along the longitudinal direction of the artificial ear canal member, thereby increasing the options for the position of the eardrum tube member to hold the artificial ear canal member and the length of the patient's ear canal. Accordingly, the depth of insertion of the artificial eustachian tube member can be finely adjusted. As described above, when the protrusions on the artificial ear canal member are arranged at a pitch narrower than the length of the eardrum tube member, the fine adjustment may eventually stay in the through hole of the eardrum tube member. The protuberance can be removed during surgery if necessary. Since the artificial eustachian tube member is made of a flexible material, any protrusion can be easily excised.

このように,人工耳管部材の前後方向に沿った複数の位置に夫々1個又は複数個の突起を設ける場合,各位置に設ける突起の個数はそれらの位置毎に適宜決めればよく,また各位置に設ける突起の方向は,各位間で前後方向に相互に重なっていてもよく,そうでなくても(例えば,互い違いであっても)よい。   As described above, when one or a plurality of protrusions are provided at a plurality of positions along the front-rear direction of the artificial eustachian tube member, the number of protrusions provided at each position may be appropriately determined for each position. The direction of the protrusions provided at the positions may overlap each other in the front-rear direction between the positions, or may not be (for example, alternate).

また,人工耳管部材と鼓膜チューブ部材とを相互に係合させるための更なる別の一方法として,外寸拡大部の前方において該人工耳管部材の側面に1個又は複数個の一群の突起を,それらの突起と人工耳管部材の外寸拡大部との間に鼓膜チューブ部材が挟まれた形で人工耳管部材を保持することとなる位置(第1の位置)に設け,同時に,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の内周面にそれらの突起を受け入れて前後に通過させることができる溝(縦溝)を形成しておくことができる。この場合,人工耳管部材を鼓膜チューブ部材に挿入する際には突起を縦溝に合わせて鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴を通過させ,突起の通過後,鼓膜チューブ部材を人工耳管部材に対し適宜の角度だけ回すことにより,突起を,縦溝の位置から円周方向に離して貫通穴の縁に係合させることができる。縦溝は,例えば,鼓膜チューブの貫通穴の内周面に形成された,内周面の両端を貫通して前後に直線的に延びる溝である。但し,縦溝を形成する目的は,鼓膜チューブ部材の内周面に突起の通過経路を設けることにあるから,その目的が達成できる限り,鼓膜チューブ部材の内周面に曲線的に形成した溝であってもよい。   Further, as another method for mutually engaging the artificial ear canal member and the tympanic membrane tube member, one or more groups of one or more groups on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member in front of the outer dimension enlarged portion. Protrusions are provided at a position (first position) where the artificial ear canal member is held in such a manner that the eardrum tube member is sandwiched between the protrusions and the outer enlarged portion of the artificial ear canal member, , A groove (vertical groove) can be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the eardrum tube member so that the protrusions can be received and passed back and forth. In this case, when inserting the artificial ear canal member into the eardrum tube member, the protrusion is aligned with the longitudinal groove and passed through the through hole of the eardrum tube member, and after passing through the protrusion, the eardrum tube member is appropriately attached to the artificial ear canal member. By turning this angle, the projection can be engaged with the edge of the through hole away from the position of the longitudinal groove in the circumferential direction. The longitudinal groove is, for example, a groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the eardrum tube and extending linearly back and forth through both ends of the inner peripheral surface. However, since the purpose of forming the longitudinal groove is to provide a passage for the protrusion on the inner peripheral surface of the eardrum tube member, the groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the eardrum tube member is curved as long as the purpose can be achieved. It may be.

また,更なる1個の突起又は複数個の一群の突起を,上記第1の位置より前方に,該第1の位置との間に鼓膜チューブ部材の長さ受け入れられる距離だけ離れた位置(第2の位置)に,且つ鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の内周面に形成されている縦溝を通過できる配置及び寸法で設け,それにより,第1及び第2の位置に夫々設けられた突起の間にに挟まれた形でも鼓膜チューブ部材が人工耳管部材を保持可能にすることができる。同様に,同じ距離だけ更に前方の位置に1個の突起又は複数個の一群の突起を追加で設けることにより,その追加の突起とその直ぐ後方に位置する突起との間に挟まれた形でも鼓膜チューブ部材が人工耳管部材を保持可能となるようにしてもよい。また,これらの突起が仕切る区間の中間を分割(2分割,3分割等)する位置に,夫々同様な突起を設けて,人工耳管部材の前後方向に沿って,より狭いピッチで突起を配置してもよいことは,上述の例と同様である。   In addition, a further protrusion or a group of protrusions may be separated from the first position by a distance that allows the eardrum tube member to be received at a distance (first position). 2), and with an arrangement and dimensions that can pass through the longitudinal groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the eardrum tube member, so that the protrusions provided at the first and second positions respectively. The tympanic tube member can also hold the artificial eustachian tube member in a form sandwiched between them. Similarly, a protrusion or a group of protrusions may be additionally provided at a position further forward by the same distance, so that the additional protrusion and a protrusion positioned immediately behind the protrusion may be sandwiched. The tympanic tube member may be capable of holding the artificial eustachian tube member. In addition, similar projections are provided at positions where the middle of the section divided by these projections is divided (two divisions, three divisions, etc.), and the projections are arranged at a narrower pitch along the longitudinal direction of the artificial eustachian tube member. This may be the same as in the above example.

人工耳管部材の前後方向に沿った複数の位置に夫々1個又は複数の突起を設ける場合,各位置に設ける突起の個数(例えば,1個,2個,3個,4個,5個,6個等)及びそれらの相互配置は,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の内周面の縦溝をそれらの突起が通過できるものである限り,各位置毎に適宜決めればよい。   When providing one or a plurality of protrusions at a plurality of positions along the front-rear direction of the artificial eustachian tube member, the number of protrusions provided at each position (for example, one, two, three, four, five, 6) and the mutual arrangement thereof may be appropriately determined for each position as long as the protrusions can pass through the longitudinal grooves on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the eardrum tube member.

なお,本発明の耳管鼓膜チューブの挿入は,典型的には,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴に人工耳管部材を通した状態で,その後端側から人工耳管部材の管腔を貫いてガイドワイヤーを通し,これによって支持しつつ耳管内に挿入して先端部を耳管峡部に通し,先端を軟骨部耳管に臨ましめ,鼓膜チューブがその中央部で鼓膜を横切っている状態とした後,ガイドワイヤーのみを抜去することにより行うことができる。   The insertion of the ear canal tympanic tube of the present invention is typically guided through the lumen of the artificial ear canal member from the rear end side with the artificial ear canal member passed through the through hole of the ear drum tube member. Insert the wire into the ear canal while supporting it, pass the tip through the canal, pass the tip to the ear canal, and the eardrum tube crossed the eardrum at its center. Later, it can be done by removing only the guide wire.

人工耳管部材及び鼓膜チューブ部材を構成する素材としては,生体適合性の,すなわち生体に有害な異物反応などを惹起するおそれがなく,かつ生体内で分解,劣化等を起こすおそれのない,可撓性の材料を用いることができる。そのような材料として,従来医療用途で生体内埋込や留置等に用いられることのある種々のものを,人工耳管部材及び耳管チューブ部材の作製に適宜用いてよい。例えば,可撓性の合成樹脂として,塩化ビニル,シリコーン,フッ素樹脂,ポリエチレン,ポリプロピレン,ポリペンテン,ポリウレタン系樹脂その他が挙げられるが,それらに限定されない。一部(例えば括れ部)には金属(例えばチタン)やセラミックを用いることもできる。また,人工耳管部材のためには,体温まで加温されたとき柔らかさを増すように設計された樹脂は,挿入時に適度の硬さを保ち得るので扱い易い一方,挿入後は体温で一層柔らかくなるため患者に異物感を与えるおそれがないことから,人工耳管部材を構成する材料として一層好ましい。更には,人工耳管部材を構成する材料として,生体材料,例えば,培養して形成した自家軟骨を用いることで,より安全性に優れた人工耳管部材を得ることもできる。更に,それらの安定な素材とは逆に,人工耳管部材の比較的短期間の挿置で治療が完了しその後の挿置は不要であると,と見込める場合には,人工耳管部材は,生分解性材料で形成されたものとすることもできる。生分解性材料としては,ポリ乳酸,ポリグリコール酸,及び乳酸・グリコール酸共重合体,セルロース,及びゼラチンが挙げられるが,これらに限定されない。   The material constituting the artificial ear canal member and tympanic membrane tube member is biocompatible, that is, there is no possibility of causing a foreign body reaction harmful to the living body, and there is no possibility of causing decomposition or deterioration in the living body. A flexible material can be used. As such materials, various materials that are conventionally used for in vivo implantation or indwelling in medical applications may be appropriately used for the production of the artificial ear canal member and the ear canal tube member. Examples of the flexible synthetic resin include, but are not limited to, vinyl chloride, silicone, fluororesin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polypentene, polyurethane resin, and others. A metal (for example, titanium) or a ceramic can be used for a part (for example, the constricted portion). In addition, for artificial eustachian tube members, a resin designed to increase softness when heated to body temperature is easy to handle because it can maintain an appropriate hardness during insertion, but after insertion, the body temperature increases further. Since it becomes soft and there is no possibility of giving a patient a foreign body feeling, it is more preferable as a material constituting an artificial eustachian tube member. Furthermore, by using a biomaterial, for example, autologous cartilage formed by culturing, as a material constituting the artificial eustachian tube member, an artificial eustachian tube member having superior safety can be obtained. Furthermore, in contrast to those stable materials, if it is expected that the treatment can be completed with a relatively short period of insertion of the artificial eustachian member and the subsequent insertion is unnecessary, , It can also be formed of a biodegradable material. Biodegradable materials include, but are not limited to, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and lactic acid / glycolic acid copolymers, cellulose, and gelatin.

また,所望により,人工耳管部材は,ステロイド剤,抗生物質その他,耳管の治療に適した薬物を含浸させて耳管内に挿置できるような素材で成形してもよい。そのような素材として,上記の上述の合成樹脂を多孔質状に形成したものが挙げられる。また,生分解性材料で人工耳管部材を形成する場合には,安定性の高い薬物であれば,生分解性材料自体に直接混合しておいてもよい。   In addition, if desired, the artificial eustachian tube member may be formed of a material that can be inserted into the eustachian tube after impregnating a drug suitable for treatment of the eustachian tube or other antibiotics. An example of such a material is a material obtained by forming the above-described synthetic resin into a porous shape. Further, when the artificial eustachian tube member is formed of a biodegradable material, it may be mixed directly with the biodegradable material itself as long as it is a highly stable drug.

以下,典型的な実施例を参照して本発明を更に具体的に説明するが,本発明がそれらの実施例に限定されることは意図しない。   Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to typical examples. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to these examples.

〔実施例1〕
図1(a)は,実施例1の耳管鼓膜チューブの人工耳管部材1の斜視図であり,人工耳管部材1は,後端部の外寸がフランジ3の形成によって残り部分の外寸に比べて拡大している。人工耳管部材1は,全長約40mmで,管腔5(破線で示す)を備え,管腔5は,先端側開口7と後端側開口9において,それぞれ軸方向に外部に開いている。図1(b) は,人工耳管部材1と一体で使用される鼓膜チューブ部材10の斜め後方からの斜視図である。鼓膜チューブ部材10は,前端部12,後端部14,及びこれらの間に位置する中間部16を含み,これら全体を貫通穴18が通っている。前端部12と後端部14は,中間部16に較べて外径が大きいため,鼓膜チューブ部材10は,中間部16でヒトの鼓膜を横切るように鼓膜穿孔に取り付けられると自然には脱落し難い。前端部12の外径は,鼓膜の穿孔に嵌め込み易いよう,前方へ向けて狭められている。
[Example 1]
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the artificial ear canal member 1 of the ear canal tympanic tube according to the first embodiment. The outer end of the artificial ear canal member 1 is formed outside the remaining portion by forming the flange 3. It is expanding compared to the size. The artificial eustachian tube member 1 has a total length of about 40 mm and is provided with a lumen 5 (shown by a broken line). The lumen 5 opens outward in the axial direction at the front end side opening 7 and the rear end side opening 9. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the eardrum tube member 10 used integrally with the artificial ear canal member 1 from an oblique rear side. The eardrum tube member 10 includes a front end portion 12, a rear end portion 14, and an intermediate portion 16 positioned therebetween, and a through hole 18 passes through the whole. Since the front end portion 12 and the rear end portion 14 have a larger outer diameter than the intermediate portion 16, the eardrum tube member 10 naturally falls off when attached to the eardrum perforation so as to cross the human eardrum at the intermediate portion 16. hard. The outer diameter of the front end portion 12 is narrowed toward the front so as to be easily fitted into the perforation of the eardrum.

人工耳管部材1は,耳管チューブ部材10の貫通穴18に後方から挿入されフランジ3の位置まで耳管チューブ部材10が通された状態で,先端側から患者の鼓膜に設けた穿孔又は切開を通して挿入され,先端側開口が軟骨部耳管内に臨む位置で,患者の鼓膜に鼓膜チューブ部材10が嵌められることで,患者への挿置が完了する。耳管チューブ部材10は,後端部のフランジ3のため,鼓膜に取り付けられた鼓膜チューブ部材10の貫通穴18を通過できず,このため耳の奥へと落ち込む落ち込む虞がない。   The artificial eustachian tube member 1 is inserted into the through hole 18 of the eustachian tube member 10 from behind and the perforation or incision provided in the eardrum of the patient from the distal end side with the eustachian tube member 10 passed to the position of the flange 3. The tympanic membrane tube member 10 is fitted to the patient's tympanic membrane at a position where the distal opening faces the inside of the cartilage portion of the ear canal, thereby completing the insertion into the patient. Since the eustachian tube member 10 cannot pass through the through hole 18 of the eardrum tube member 10 attached to the eardrum because of the flange 3 at the rear end, there is no risk of falling into the back of the ear.

〔実施例2〕 [Example 2]

図2は,実施例2の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材21の斜視図であり,人工耳管部材21は,管腔25,それぞれ軸方向に外部に開いた先端側開口27及び後端側開口29を含み,後端部に,複数の切り欠き26を含んだフランジ23が形成されている。図3(a)は,人工耳管部材21の後側端面図であり,フランジ23の,元々は円形の輪郭に沿って,6個の円弧状の切り欠き26が設けられている。図3(b)は図3(a)のフランジの変形例であり,各切り欠き26’が人工耳管部材の環状部分の外周面(破線で示す)にまで達している。(なお,この場合,フランジは,最早,管状部部の外周に沿って連続していないが,本明細書では,このような形態のものも切り欠き部を含むフランジと呼ぶ。)   FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the artificial ear canal member 21 constituting the ear canal tympanic tube according to the second embodiment. The artificial ear canal member 21 includes a lumen 25, a distal end opening 27 opened outward in the axial direction, and a distal side opening 27. A flange 23 including a rear end opening 29 and including a plurality of notches 26 is formed at the rear end. FIG. 3A is a rear end view of the artificial eustachian tube member 21, and six arc-shaped cutouts 26 are provided along the originally circular contour of the flange 23. FIG. 3 (b) is a modification of the flange of FIG. 3 (a), and each notch 26 'reaches the outer peripheral surface (shown by a broken line) of the annular portion of the artificial eustachian tube member. (In this case, the flange is no longer continuous along the outer periphery of the tubular portion, but in this specification, such a configuration is also referred to as a flange including a notch.)

図4は,本実施例において人工耳管部材21と一体で使用される鼓膜チューブ部材30の斜め後方からの斜視図である。鼓膜チューブ部材30は,前端部32,後端部34,及びこれらの間に位置する中間部36を含み,これら全体に貫通穴38が通っている。また,鼓膜チューブ部材30の後端部34には,その後面に後方突出部40が形成されている。後方突出部40は,鼓膜チューブ部材30に本実施例における人工耳管部材21を通したとき,人工耳管部材21のフランジ23に備えられた複数の切り欠き26の1つに嵌まり込むことができる位置及びサイズのものである。後方突出部40は,その基部に較べて端部へ向けて途中で外径がやや膨らんだ隆起領域42を有しており,この領域42の外寸のみが,フランジ23の切り欠き26の内寸よりやや大きい。このため,後方突出部40は,フランジ23の切り欠きにスナップ式に係合し,一旦係合すると,通常,自然に離れることはない。   FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the eardrum tube member 30 used integrally with the artificial ear canal member 21 in the present embodiment from an oblique rear side. The eardrum tube member 30 includes a front end portion 32, a rear end portion 34, and an intermediate portion 36 positioned therebetween, and a through hole 38 passes through them. Further, the rear end portion 34 of the eardrum tube member 30 has a rear protrusion 40 formed on the rear surface thereof. When the artificial ear canal member 21 in this embodiment is passed through the eardrum tube member 30, the rearward projecting portion 40 is fitted into one of the plurality of notches 26 provided in the flange 23 of the artificial ear canal member 21. The position and size can be The rear protrusion 40 has a raised region 42 whose outer diameter slightly bulges in the middle toward the end as compared with its base, and only the outer dimension of this region 42 is within the notch 26 of the flange 23. Slightly larger than the size. For this reason, the rear protrusion 40 is engaged with the notch of the flange 23 in a snap manner, and once engaged, the rear protrusion 40 does not normally separate naturally.

図5は,鼓膜チューブ部材30の貫通穴38に人工耳管部材21を通し,鼓膜チューブ部材30の後方突出部40を人工耳管部材21のフランジ23の切り欠き26の1つに嵌めて係合させた状態を示す部分的な斜視図であり,図6は,その状態の全体を示す斜視図である。このように,一体化させた人工耳管部材21と鼓膜チューブ部材30からなる耳管鼓膜チューブは,患者の耳管内に挿入されて鼓膜チューブ部材30により後端部が鼓膜に取り付けられる。本実施例の耳管鼓膜チューブでは,人工耳管部材21は,耳の奥へと落ち込む落ち込む虞がないと同時に,後端部で鼓膜チューブ部材30とスナップ式に係合しているため,外耳道側に抜ける可能性も取り除かれている。   5 shows that the artificial ear canal member 21 is passed through the through hole 38 of the eardrum tube member 30, and the rear protrusion 40 of the eardrum tube member 30 is fitted into one of the notches 26 of the flange 23 of the artificial ear canal member 21. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the combined state, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the whole state. Thus, the ear canal tympanic tube comprising the integrated artificial ear canal member 21 and the tympanic tube member 30 is inserted into the patient's ear canal and the rear end portion is attached to the tympanic membrane by the ear drum tube member 30. In the ear canal and tympanic tube according to the present embodiment, the artificial ear canal member 21 has no fear of falling into the back of the ear, and at the same time, the ear canal member is snap-engaged with the eardrum tube member 30, and thus the ear canal. The possibility of falling to the side is also removed.

〔実施例3〕
図7は,実施例3の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材51の斜視図であり,後端部に,側方に延びた一対の突出部(側方突出部)53が形成されている。管腔55,それぞれ軸方向に外部に開いた先端側開口57及び後端側開口59の形状及び相互関係は,実施例1及び2のものと同様である。人工耳管部材51は,更に,耳管鼓膜チューブが挿置されたときに鼓室内に配置されることとなる位置に,横穴58を備える。横穴58は,管腔55と連通しており,従って,先端側開口57及び後端側開口の何れとも連通している。
Example 3
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an artificial eustachian tube member 51 constituting the eustachian tympanic tube of Example 3, and a pair of projecting portions (side projecting portions) 53 extending laterally are formed at the rear end portion. ing. The shapes and the interrelationships of the lumen 55, the front end side opening 57 and the rear end side opening 59 opened to the outside in the axial direction are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. The artificial eustachian member 51 further includes a lateral hole 58 at a position where it will be placed in the tympanic chamber when the eustachian tympanic tube is inserted. The lateral hole 58 communicates with the lumen 55, and therefore communicates with both the front end side opening 57 and the rear end side opening.

図8は,本実施例における人工耳管部材51と一体で使用される鼓膜チューブ部材60の斜め後方からの斜視図である。鼓膜チューブ部材60は,前端部62,後端部64及びこれらの間に位置する中間部66を含み,これら全体に貫通穴69が通っている。後端部64には,人工耳管部材51の側方突出部53を収容できる陥凹部70が形成されている。陥凹部70の表面には,人工耳管部材50の側方突出部53が前後方向に通過するときが乗り越えなければならない隆起部72が形成されており,側方突出部53と陥凹部70とをスナップ式に係合させることができる。   FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the eardrum tube member 60 used integrally with the artificial ear canal member 51 in the present embodiment from an oblique rear side. The eardrum tube member 60 includes a front end portion 62, a rear end portion 64, and an intermediate portion 66 positioned therebetween, and a through hole 69 passes through them. The rear end portion 64 is formed with a recessed portion 70 that can accommodate the side protruding portion 53 of the artificial eustachian tube member 51. On the surface of the recessed portion 70 is formed a raised portion 72 that must be overcome when the side protruding portion 53 of the artificial eustachian tube member 50 passes in the front-rear direction, and the side protruding portion 53, the recessed portion 70, Can be snapped into engagement.

図9は,鼓膜チューブ部材60の貫通穴69に人工耳管部材51を通す直前の両者の後方からの斜視図であり,図10及び11は,両者がスナップ式に係合して一体化した状態の,それぞれ部分的斜視図及び全体の斜視図である。本実施例の耳管鼓膜チューブでは,人工耳管部材51は,耳の奥へと落ち込む落ち込む虞がないと同時に,後端部で鼓膜チューブ部材60とスナップ式に係合しているため,外耳道側に抜ける可能性も取り除かれている。   FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the rear just before the artificial ear tube member 51 is passed through the through-hole 69 of the eardrum tube member 60. FIGS. 10 and 11 are integrated by snapping them together. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view and an overall perspective view, respectively, of the state. In the ear canal and tympanic tube of the present embodiment, the artificial ear canal member 51 does not have a risk of falling into the back of the ear, and at the same time, the ear canal member 51 snaps into engagement with the eardrum tube member 60 at the rear end. The possibility of falling to the side is also removed.

〔実施例4〕
図12は,実施例3の一変形を示す斜視図である。本実施例においては,人工耳管部材51は,先端が盲端となっており,先端側開口57’が,先端部の側方に設けられている点において実施例3の構成と異なっている。
Example 4
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a modification of the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the prosthetic eustachian member 51 is different from the structure of the third embodiment in that the distal end is a blind end and the distal end side opening 57 'is provided on the side of the distal end portion. .

〔実施例5〕
図13は,実施例5の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材1aの斜視図であり,図1(a)に示した人工耳管部材1とは,本実施例において側面に突起80,81が設けられている点でのみ相違する。突起80は,フランジ3との間に鼓膜チューブ部材を挟んでおける距離だけフランジから前方に離れた位置に設けられており,人工耳管部材1aを鼓膜チューブ部材(例えば,図1中の10)に最後まで通したとき,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の縁に係合させることができる。突起の頂点は,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴(例えば,図1中の18)の内径より僅かに突出しているが,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴への人工耳管部材1aの挿入に際し,両者の一方又は双方の弾性変形により後退して貫通穴を通過することができる。通過後は,突起80が元の位置に復帰し,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の縁に係合するから,人工耳管部材1aは,フランジ3と突起80との間で鼓膜チューブ部材により安定して保持される。突起80より先端側に設けられた突起81は,突起80と同様の構成であり,突起80と間に鼓膜チューブ部材を挟んでおける距離だけ突起80から離して配置されている。従って人工耳管部材1aは,突起80と81との間でも,鼓膜チューブ部材により安定して保持されることができる。
Example 5
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the artificial eustachian member 1a constituting the eustachian tympanic tube of Example 5, which is different from the artificial eustachian member 1 shown in FIG. , 81 are different only in that they are provided. The protrusion 80 is provided at a position away from the flange by a distance that allows the eardrum tube member to be sandwiched between the flange 3 and the prosthetic ear canal member 1a as the eardrum tube member (for example, 10 in FIG. 1). , It can be engaged with the edge of the through hole of the eardrum tube member. The apex of the protrusion slightly protrudes from the inner diameter of the through hole (for example, 18 in FIG. 1) of the eardrum tube member, but when inserting the artificial ear canal member 1a into the through hole of the eardrum tube member, Or it can retreat by both elastic deformations and can pass through a through-hole. After the passage, the projection 80 returns to the original position and engages with the edge of the through hole of the eardrum tube member, so that the artificial ear canal member 1a is more stable between the flange 3 and the projection 80 by the eardrum tube member. Held. The protrusion 81 provided on the distal end side of the protrusion 80 has the same configuration as the protrusion 80 and is arranged away from the protrusion 80 by a distance that allows the tympanic membrane tube member to be sandwiched between the protrusions 80. Therefore, the artificial ear canal member 1a can be stably held by the eardrum tube member even between the protrusions 80 and 81.

〔実施例6〕
図14は,実施例6の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材51aの斜視図であり,図7に示した人工耳管部材51とは,本実施例において側面に突起85,86,87が設けられている点でのみ相違する。これらの突起の構成は,実施例5のものと同様である。本実施例では,更に前方側の突起87が設けられているから,人工耳管部材51aは,実施例5の場合より更に前方の位置,すなわち突起86と87との間でも鼓膜チューブ部材を安定して保持することが。
Example 6
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an artificial eustachian tube member 51a constituting the eustachian tympanic tube of Example 6, which is different from the artificial eustachian tube member 51 shown in FIG. The only difference is that 87 is provided. The structure of these protrusions is the same as that of the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, since the protrusion 87 on the front side is further provided, the artificial ear canal member 51a stabilizes the eardrum tube member at a position further forward than in the case of the embodiment 5, that is, between the protrusions 86 and 87. And hold it.

〔実施例7〕
図15において,(a)は,実施例7の耳管鼓膜チューブを構成する人工耳管部材1bの斜視図であり,(b)は,人工耳管部材1bと一体で使用される鼓膜チューブ部材10bの斜め後方からの斜視図である。人工耳管部材1bは,図1(a)に示した人工耳管部材1とは,本実施例において側面に突起90,91,92が設けられている点でのみ相違する。これらの突起は,鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴を通過するのに下記の縦溝を利用できるから,実施例6の突起よりやや大きいものであることができる。また。鼓膜チューブ部材10bは,図1(b)に示した鼓膜チューブ部材10とは,本実施例において一対の前後方向の溝(縦溝)95が形成されている点においてのみ相違する。人工耳管部材10bの突起90は,フランジ3との間に鼓膜チューブ部材10bを挟んでおける距離だけフランジ3から離して配置されている。突起90と91,及び突起91と92の前後の位置関係も同様である。鼓膜チューブ部材10bの縦溝95は,その中を突起90,91,92が通過できる大きさの断面を有している。本実施例においては,鼓膜チューブ部材10bは,縦溝95に突起を通すことでフランジ3,突起90,91,92間の何れかの位置を任意にとることができる。その位置で人工耳管部材1bを適度に回して突起を縦溝の位置から円周方向に離すことにより,鼓膜チューブ部材に隣接する突起が縦溝を通れなくなるため,人工耳管部材はその位置で鼓膜チューブ部材により保持される。
Example 7
In FIG. 15, (a) is a perspective view of an artificial ear canal member 1b constituting the ear canal tympanic tube of Example 7, and (b) is an ear drum tube member used integrally with the artificial ear canal member 1b. It is a perspective view from diagonally backward of 10b. The artificial eustachian member 1b differs from the artificial eustachian tube member 1 shown in FIG. 1 (a) only in that projections 90, 91, and 92 are provided on the side surfaces in this embodiment. These protrusions can be slightly larger than the protrusions of Example 6 because the following longitudinal grooves can be used to pass through the through-holes of the eardrum tube member. Also. The eardrum tube member 10b differs from the eardrum tube member 10 shown in FIG. 1 (b) only in that a pair of longitudinal grooves (vertical grooves) 95 are formed in this embodiment. The protrusion 90 of the artificial eustachian tube member 10 b is disposed away from the flange 3 by a distance that allows the eardrum tube member 10 b to be sandwiched between the protrusion 3 and the flange 3. The positional relationship before and after the projections 90 and 91 and the projections 91 and 92 is the same. The longitudinal groove 95 of the eardrum tube member 10b has a cross section with a size that allows the projections 90, 91, and 92 to pass therethrough. In the present embodiment, the tympanic membrane tube member 10 b can arbitrarily take any position between the flange 3 and the protrusions 90, 91 and 92 by passing the protrusion through the vertical groove 95. By appropriately rotating the artificial ear canal member 1b at that position and separating the protrusion in the circumferential direction from the position of the longitudinal groove, the protrusion adjacent to the tympanic tube member cannot pass through the longitudinal groove. Held by the tympanic membrane member.

本発明によれば,耳管狭窄症,耳管開放症あるいは閉塞と開放の両方を起こすフロッピーチューブの効果的且つ簡便な治療や,癒着性中耳炎の治療,滲出性中耳炎手術後の鼓膜の癒着防止や真珠種の再発防止のために使用でき,且つ患者の耳に挿置されている間の位置の安定性に優れたタイプの人工耳管が提供できる。   According to the present invention, effective and simple treatment of a floppy tube that causes ureteral stenosis, ureteral canalism or both obstruction and opening, treatment of adhesive otitis media, prevention of tympanic membrane adhesion after exudative otitis media surgery It is possible to provide a type of artificial eustachian tube that can be used to prevent recurrence of pearls and pearls and has excellent positional stability while being inserted into the patient's ear.

1,1a,1b:人工耳管部材
3:フランジ
5:管腔
7:先端側開口
9:後端側開口
10,10b:鼓膜チューブ部材
12:前端部
14:後端部
16:中間部
18:貫通穴
21:人工耳管部材
23:フランジ
25:管腔
26:切り欠き
27:先端側開口
29:後端側開口
30:鼓膜チューブ部材
32:前端部
34:後端部
36:中間部
38:貫通穴
40:後方突出部
42:隆起領域
51,51a:人工耳管部材
53:側方突出部
55:管腔
57,57’:先端側開口
58:横穴
59:後端側開口
60:鼓膜チューブ部材
62:前端部
64:後端部
66:中間部
69:貫通穴
70:陥凹部
72:隆起部
80,81,85,86,87,90,91,92:突起
95:縦溝
1, 1a, 1b: Artificial eustachian tube member 3: Flange 5: Lumen 7: Front end side opening 9: Rear end side opening 10, 10b: Tympanic membrane tube member 12: Front end portion 14: Rear end portion 16: Intermediate portion 18: Through hole 21: Artificial eustachian member 23: Flange 25: Lumen 26: Notch 27: Front end side opening 29: Rear end side opening 30: Tympanic membrane tube member 32: Front end portion 34: Rear end portion 36: Intermediate portion 38: Through hole 40: Backward projecting portion 42: Raised region 51, 51a: Artificial ear canal member 53: Side projecting portion 55: Lumen 57, 57 ': Front side opening 58: Lateral hole 59: Rear end side opening 60: Tympanic tube Member 62: Front end portion 64: Rear end portion 66: Intermediate portion 69: Through hole 70: Recessed portion 72: Raised portion 80, 81, 85, 86, 87, 90, 91, 92: Projection 95: Vertical groove

Claims (15)

鼓膜を横切ってこれに装着される,相対的に外寸の小さい中央部と相対的に外寸の大きい前端部及び後端部とを含み該前端部と該後端部とが貫通穴により連通している,短寸のチューブ状部材である鼓膜チューブ部材と,
鼓室側から耳管内に挿入し耳管峡部を通して軟骨部耳管内に臨ましめるための先端と,鼓膜を横切って装着された該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴を通して外耳道内において鼓膜外に出しておくための後端と,を有する細長いチューブであって,後端側開口と少なくとも1個の先端側開口とを備え,それらの開口が管腔により連通しているものである人工耳管部材と
を含んでなり,該人工耳管部材の後端部が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の貫通穴の内径より大きい外寸を有する部位である外寸拡大部を備えるものである,耳管鼓膜チューブ。
The front end portion and the rear end portion are connected to each other by a through-hole including a central portion having a relatively small outer size and a front end portion and a rear end portion having relatively large outer dimensions, which are mounted across the tympanic membrane. A tympanic membrane tube member which is a short tubular member,
To be inserted out of the eardrum in the external auditory canal through the tip for insertion into the ear canal from the tympanic chamber side and facing the cartilage part through the ear canal and into the ear canal through the through hole of the eardrum tube member mounted across the eardrum An elongate tube having a rear end and an artificial eustachian tube member having a rear end opening and at least one distal opening, the openings being in communication by a lumen An ear canal tympanic tube comprising a rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member having an outer dimension enlarged portion which is a portion having an outer dimension larger than the inner diameter of the through hole of the tympanic membrane tube member.
人工耳管部材の先端部が,先端側開口に代えて,空気及び/又は水の移動を許容する素材又は篩状構造で構成された領域を含んでなるものである,請求項1の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   2. The eustachian tube according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member includes a region made of a material or a sieve-like structure that allows movement of air and / or water instead of the distal end side opening. Tympanic tube. 該外寸拡大部が,人工耳管部材の外径の拡大部である,請求項1又は2の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   The ear canal tympanic tube according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer dimension enlarged portion is an enlarged portion of the outer diameter of the artificial ear canal member. 該外寸拡大部が,該後端部に形成されたフランジ又は該後端部の外周の一部から側方へ延びた少なくとも1個の突出部によるものである,請求項1又は2の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   The ear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer dimension enlarged portion is formed by a flange formed at the rear end portion or at least one projecting portion extending laterally from a part of the outer periphery of the rear end portion. Tympanic membrane tube. 該外寸拡大部が,人工耳管部材の後端部に形成されたフランジであり,該フランジが,少なくとも1個の切り欠き部を含み,該鼓膜チューブ部材が,該切り欠き部内にスナップ式に係合することのできる後方へ向いた突出部を後端部に備えるものである,請求項4の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   The outer dimension enlarged portion is a flange formed at a rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member, the flange includes at least one notch portion, and the eardrum tube member is snapped into the notch portion. The ear tympanic tube according to claim 4, wherein a rearwardly projecting portion capable of engaging with the rear end portion is provided at the rear end portion. 該外寸拡大部が,人工耳管部材の後端部の外周の一部から側方へ延びた少なくとも1個の突出部によるものであり,該鼓膜チューブ部材が,該突出部をスナップ式に収容する形状の陥凹部を後端部に備えるものである,請求項4の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   The outer dimension enlarged portion is formed by at least one projecting portion extending laterally from a part of the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the artificial eustachian tube member, and the eardrum tube member snaps the projecting portion. The ear canal tympanic tube according to claim 4, wherein the rear end portion is provided with a recess having a shape to be accommodated. 該人工耳管部材が,チューブの管腔とチューブの外部とを連通する横穴を側面に有するものである,請求項1〜6の何れかの耳管鼓膜チューブ。   The ear canal tympanic tube according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the artificial ear canal member has a lateral hole on a side surface thereof that communicates the lumen of the tube and the outside of the tube. 該外寸拡大部の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴に該人工耳管部材が通されたとき該鼓膜チューブ部材が該突起と該外寸拡大部との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第1の位置に設けられており,該突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴を通過することができ且つ該貫通穴の縁とはスナップ式に係合するように構成されているものである,請求項1〜7の何れかの耳管鼓膜チューブ。   At least one protrusion is formed on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member in front of the outer dimension enlarged portion, and when the artificial ear tube member is passed through the through hole of the eardrum tube member, the eardrum tube member is the protrusion. And the outer dimension enlarged portion are provided at a first position which is a position allowing the artificial ear canal member to be held in a shape sandwiched between the outer dimension enlarged portion, and the protrusion is provided on the eardrum tube member. The ear canal tympanic tube according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is configured to be able to pass through the through hole and to be snap-engaged with an edge of the through hole. 該突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,請求項8の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   9. The ear canal tympanic tube according to claim 8, wherein 1 to 6 protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial ear canal member. 該第1の位置の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の更なる突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材が該更なる突起と該第1の位置にある突起との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第2の位置に,設けられており,該更なる突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴を通過することができ且つ該貫通穴の縁とはスナップ式に係合するように構成されているものである,請求項8又は9の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   In front of the first position, at least one additional protrusion on the side of the prosthetic eustachian tube member, the tympanic tube member being sandwiched between the additional protrusion and the protrusion in the first position A second position which is a position that allows the artificial ear canal member to be held in an open shape, the additional protrusion being able to pass through the through hole of the eardrum tube member and The ear tympanic tube according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the edge of the through hole is configured to be engaged in a snap-type manner. 該更なる突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,請求項10の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   The ear canal tympanic tube according to claim 10, wherein 1 to 6 of the further protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial ear canal member. 該外寸拡大部の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴に該人工耳管部材が通されたとき該鼓膜チューブ部材が該突起と該外寸拡大部との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第1の位置に設けられており,且つ該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴の内周面に,該突起を受け入れて前後に通過させることができる縦溝が形成されているものである,請求項1〜7の何れかの耳管鼓膜チューブ。   At least one protrusion is formed on the side surface of the artificial ear canal member in front of the outer dimension enlarged portion, and when the artificial ear tube member is passed through the through hole of the eardrum tube member, the eardrum tube member is the protrusion. And the outer dimension enlarged portion are provided at a first position which is a position allowing the artificial ear canal member to be held in a shape sandwiched between the outer dimension enlarged portion and the through hole of the eardrum tube member. 8. The ear canal tympanic tube according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a longitudinal groove capable of receiving the protrusion and allowing it to pass back and forth is formed on the inner peripheral surface. 該突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,請求項12の耳管鼓膜チューブ。   13. The ear canal tympanic tube according to claim 12, wherein 1 to 6 protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial eustachian tube member. 該第1の位置の前方において,該人工耳管部材の側面に少なくとも1個の更なる突起が,該鼓膜チューブ部材が該更なる突起と該第1の位置にある突起との間に挟まれた形で該人工耳管部材を保持することを許容する位置である第2の位置に,設けられており,且つ該更なる突起は,該鼓膜チューブ部材の該貫通穴の内周面に形成されている該縦溝を前後に通過できるものである,請求項12又は13の耳管鼓膜チューブ   In front of the first position, at least one additional protrusion on the side of the prosthetic eustachian tube member, the tympanic tube member being sandwiched between the additional protrusion and the protrusion in the first position And the additional protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the eardrum tube member. The tubal tympanic tube according to claim 12 or 13, which can pass back and forth through the longitudinal groove. 該更なる突起が該人工耳管部材の外周に沿って1〜6個設けられているものである,請求項14の耳管鼓膜チューブ。
The ear canal tympanic tube according to claim 14, wherein 1 to 6 further protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the artificial ear canal member.
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US5851199A (en) * 1997-10-14 1998-12-22 Peerless; Sidney A. Otological drain tube
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