JPH11332990A - Catheter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a catheter capable of easily and surely spreading fluid of a contrast medium or the like all over the target parts. SOLUTION: This catheter 1 is constituted of a flexible catheter main body 1a and a hub, wherein the catheter main body 1a is constituted of an almost linear main body part and a deformed part 3 following the tip side of the main body part. At the center part of the catheter main body 1a, a lumen 13 respectively opened to a base end and a tip is formed. A plurality of side holes 5 are formed on the outer periphery of the tip part (deformed part 3) of the catheter main body 1a and the lumen 13 communicates with the respective side holes 5 as well. The side holes 5 are formed so as to separate the center line 6 for a prescribed distance in the radial direction of the catheter main body 1a from a straight line 8 parallel to the center line 6 and crossed with the axis 7 of the catheter main body 1a near the side holes 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a catheter, and more particularly to a contrast catheter for injecting a contrast agent.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a catheter for coronary angiography, for example, a catheter of Judkins type, Anplatz type or the like has been used.

[0003] During the coronary imaging, a catheter is introduced from the femoral artery by the Seldinger method or the sheath method.
Along with the operation of the guidewire inserted into the catheter, the operation of advance / retreat and rotation is appropriately performed to select a branch of the blood vessel, and the distal end of the catheter is hooked on the coronary artery (branch of the blood vessel). Then, in this state, a contrast agent is supplied from the proximal end side of the catheter, and the contrast agent is ejected from the distal end opening and the side hole of the distal end portion of the catheter to image the coronary artery.

[0004] In a conventional catheter, a contrast medium ejected from an opening or a side hole of the catheter initially flows straight in the blood vessel in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel. Thereafter, the contrast agent is mixed with the blood and flows through the blood vessel.

[0005] However, the conventional catheter described above has a problem that the contrast agent does not spread over the entire inner wall of the blood vessel, so that the image at the time of contrast is not clear (poor contrast).

[0006]

In order to solve such a problem, for example, the injection amount of the contrast medium may be increased, but the injected contrast medium is not easily discharged out of the body, resulting in side effects. May occur.

[0007] When the injection amount of the contrast medium is increased, the ejection pressure of the contrast medium is increased, and the reaction force may cause the distal end of the catheter to come off the coronary artery.

[0008] The above-mentioned problem is not limited to the imaging of the coronary arteries, but also applies to the imaging of other parts (for example, blood vessels in the abdomen).

An object of the present invention is to provide a catheter capable of easily and surely distributing a liquid such as a contrast agent over the entire target site, and in particular, a contrast catheter capable of performing more appropriate contrast with a small amount of a contrast agent. Is to provide.

[0010]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (10).

(1) A catheter having a tubular catheter body having flexibility and having a plurality of side holes formed at a distal end thereof, wherein at least one of the plurality of side holes has a center. A catheter, wherein a line is parallel to the center line and is spaced a predetermined distance in a radial direction of the catheter body from a straight line intersecting the axis of the catheter body near the side hole.

(2) Assuming that the inside diameter of the catheter body is x, the radial distance L between the center line of the side hole and the straight line is x / 4 to x / 2. The catheter according to (1).

(3) The catheter according to (1) or (2), wherein an area of the side hole in a cross section is 0.008 to 1.9 mm ² .

(4) The catheter according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a plurality of the side holes are formed along a circumferential direction of the catheter body.

(5) The catheter according to (4), wherein the plurality of side holes are formed at equal intervals in a circumferential direction.

(6) The catheter according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein a plurality of the side holes are formed along a longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

(7) A plurality of side holes are formed along the circumferential direction of the catheter body, and a plurality of side holes are formed along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body, and the plurality of side holes extend in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. The catheter according to any one of the above (1) to (3), wherein the side holes of adjacent rows among the rows are shifted in a longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

(8) The method according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the center line of the side hole is inclined toward the tip of the catheter body from the inner surface to the outer surface of the side hole. catheter.

(9) The catheter according to the above (8), wherein the angle θ between the center line of the side hole and the axis of the catheter body is 20 to 60 °.

(10) The catheter according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the catheter is a contrast catheter for injecting a contrast agent.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a catheter according to the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment in which the catheter of the present invention is applied to a contrast catheter, and FIG.
3 is a sectional view (transverse sectional view) taken along line AA in FIG.
4 is a sectional view (longitudinal sectional view) taken along line BB in FIG. 2, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a side hole (a distal end portion) of the catheter shown in FIG. 1.

A contrast catheter (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “catheter”) 1 shown in these figures is a left coronary artery contrast catheter for injecting a contrast agent into a left coronary artery.

The catheter 1 comprises a flexible catheter body 1a and a hub 10 attached to the proximal end of the catheter body 1a. The hub 10 is used, for example, to inject a liquid such as a contrast agent or a drug solution.

The outer diameter (diameter) of the catheter body 1a is not particularly limited, but is usually preferably about 2.7 mm or less, more preferably about 2.0 mm or less.

The inner diameter (diameter) of the catheter body 1a
x is not particularly limited, but is generally preferably about 0.9 to 1.8 mm, more preferably about 1.0 to 1.5 mm.

The catheter main body 1a is composed of a substantially linear main body 2 and a deformable portion 3 following the distal end of the main body 2. The deformed portion 3 is deformed into a shape shown in FIG. 1 in a state where no external force is applied (natural state).

Examples of the constituent material of the catheter body 1a include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide resins (eg, nylon 11, nylon 12, and nylon 6), and polyester polyamide resins. (For example, D
Product name manufactured by IC Co., Ltd .: Relax, polyether-based polyamide resin (for example, product name manufactured by Atochem: Pebax), polyurethane, ABS resin, AS resin, fluorine-based resin (PFA, PTFE, ETFE, etc.), polyimide , Shape memory resins, thermoplastic elastomers such as polyesters, polyamides and polyurethanes, or various synthetic resins such as polymer blends and polymer alloys containing these.

The insertion of the catheter 1 into the living body is performed by X
In order to confirm the position under fluoroscopy, the material constituting the catheter body 1a includes, for example, barium sulfate,
It is preferable to mix an X-ray opaque material such as bismuth oxide or tungsten.

A lumen 13 is formed substantially at the center of the catheter body 1a. The lumen 13 is open to the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body 1a.

A plurality (12 in this embodiment) of side holes 5 are formed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion (deformed portion 3) of the catheter body 1a, and the lumen 13 is connected to each side hole 5. Is also in communication.

When the catheter 1 is inserted into the left coronary artery, which is a target site, a treatment catheter or a guide wire 16 (not shown) is inserted into the lumen 13. When the contrast medium is injected, the contrast medium is injected through the lumen 13 from the distal end opening 4 and each side hole 5 to the target site.

A soft tip 30 is provided at the tip of the deformed portion 3 of the catheter body 1a.

Next, the side hole 5 will be described. The shape, size, position, angle, and the like of the side hole 5 described in this specification are those in a state where the catheter body 1a is linearly extended. Also, since the shape, size, position, angle, etc. of each side hole 5 are the same, one side hole 5 will be representatively described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side hole 5 has a center line 6 parallel to the center line 6 and a straight line 8 intersecting with the axis 7 of the catheter body 1a near the side hole 5. The main body 1a is formed so as to be separated by a predetermined distance in a radial direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as “radial direction”).

As shown in FIG. 6, when the side hole 5 is formed so that its center line 6 is radially separated from the straight line 8, the contrast agent 31 ejected from the side hole 5 causes the blood vessel 41. The inner wall 42 of the left coronary artery 22 (the target site shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the inner wall 42, and turns counterclockwise in FIG.

That is, a swirling flow of the contrast agent occurs in the blood vessel 41, whereby the contrast agent spreads all around the entire inner wall 42 of the blood vessel 41.

Assuming that the inner diameter (diameter) of the catheter body 1a is x, the radial distance L between the center line 6 of the side hole 5 and the straight line 8 is about x / 4 to x / 2. Is preferred, and more preferably about 2x / 7 to 2x / 5.

When the distance L exceeds the upper limit, the side holes 5
In the case of processing, it may penetrate, and if it is less than the lower limit, for example, when the injection amount of the contrast agent is small,
The swirling flow of the contrast agent may not be sufficiently formed, and the contrast may be deteriorated.

The side hole 5 has a center line 6 extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, and the distal end of the catheter body 1a (FIG. 3).
(Middle right side).

As a result, the contrast medium is ejected from the distal end opening 4 of the catheter 1 and a part thereof is ejected from the side hole 5, so that the jet of the contrast medium is weakened, and the contrast medium that has flowed into the target site is discharged. While the backflow is suppressed, the contrast agent that has flowed out of the side hole 5 is ejected toward the distal end of the catheter 1. Becomes possible. Therefore, a sufficient amount of the contrast agent can be injected from both the distal end of the catheter 1 and the side hole 5 without applying a high pressure on the proximal end side of the catheter 1 and flowing a large amount of the contrast agent into the target site. A stable contrast property can be obtained.
In addition, since the contrast agent is ejected from the side hole 5 toward the tip side obliquely (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3), a spiral swirling flow of the contrast agent occurs, and the contrast agent is not only in the circumferential direction, The contrast agent spreads in the longitudinal direction, so that the contrast agent can be spread more reliably in the entire circumferential and longitudinal directions of the inner wall 42 of the blood vessel 41.

The center line 6 of the side hole 5 and the catheter body 1a
Θ is 20 to 60 °, where θ is the angle formed by the axis 7 of
About 30 ° to 45 °, and more preferably about 30 to 45 °.

When θ exceeds the above upper limit, when the insertion length of the distal end portion of the catheter into the target vascular site is too short, there is a possibility that the contrast agent coming out of the side hole will not sufficiently flow into the target vascular site, When the value is below the lower limit, the forming direction of the side hole 5 is too close to the longitudinal direction of the catheter body 1a depending on the material and thickness of the catheter body 1a, so that it becomes difficult to process the side hole 5, and the injection of the contrast agent is performed. If the pressure is too low, the contrast agent may not easily come out of the side hole 5.

The width (maximum width) a of the side hole 5 is x / 2.
It is preferably the following, more preferably about x / 6 to x / 3 (see FIG. 2).

The side area of the cross section (plane perpendicular to the center line 6) of the hole 5 is preferably about ² 0.008～1.9Mm, it is about 0.03～0.9Mm ² Is more preferred.

When the area of the lateral hole 5 in the cross section exceeds the upper limit, the oblique angle at which the contrast agent coming out of the lateral hole 5 hits the inner wall of the blood vessel becomes small, and it becomes difficult to form a swirling flow.
On the other hand, when the ratio is less than the lower limit, the ratio of the amount of the contrast agent exiting from the side hole 5 is small, and the effect of the swirling flow is reduced.

In the present invention, the area of the side hole 5 in the cross section may be constant in the direction of the center line 6 or may be different.

The cross section of the side hole 5 (the plane perpendicular to the center line 6) is elliptical in this embodiment.

In the present invention, the shape of the side hole 5 in the cross section is not limited to an ellipse.
It may be a semicircle, a semiellipse, a rectangle, or the like.

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the catheter body 1a of the catheter 1 shown in FIG. The vertical direction in FIG. 5 is the circumferential direction of the catheter body 1a, and the horizontal direction in FIG. 5 is the longitudinal direction of the catheter body 1a.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, six side holes 5 are formed along the circumferential direction of the catheter body 1a (hereinafter, simply referred to as "peripheral direction"). 1a longitudinal direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “longitudinal direction”)
(Two in total).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the side holes 5 of adjacent rows among a plurality of rows extending in the longitudinal direction are shifted in the longitudinal direction. That is, the side holes 5 of the rows 5a and 5b of the side holes 5 formed along the longitudinal direction, and the rows 5b and 5c
, The side holes 5 in the rows 5c and 5d, the side holes 5 in the rows 5d and 5e, and the side holes 5 in the rows 5e and 5f are respectively separated by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction.

By separating the side holes 5 of the adjacent rows by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction, the side holes 5 can be uniformly arranged while securing the strength of the catheter body 1a.

In this embodiment, the distance c in the longitudinal direction between the side holes 5 of the adjacent rows is 1/2 of the longitudinal distance b of the side holes 5 in the row. In the present invention, it goes without saying that the distance c is not limited to b / 2.

The length b of the side hole 5 in the longitudinal direction is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.2 to 5 mm, and 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
About 5 mm is more preferable.

The side holes 5 are formed at equal intervals (equal angle intervals) in the circumferential direction, that is, at 60 ° intervals.

By forming the side holes 5 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, the swirling flow of the contrast agent can be more reliably formed.

In the catheter 1 as described above, the method of forming the side hole 5 is not particularly limited, and the side hole 5 can be formed by machining.
It is preferable to form by laser processing because of its excellent shape and dimensional accuracy. Among laser processing, processing using a laser having an oscillation wavelength in the ultraviolet region is particularly preferable, and an excimer laser is preferable as a laser to be used.

An excimer laser is a laser that oscillates a short pulse of high peak power in the ultraviolet region, and is a rare gas (Ar,
Oscillation occurs at a wavelength of, for example, 193 to 351 nm due to a combination of Kr, Xe, and the like) and a halogen (F, Cl, Br, and the like). By using such an excimer laser,
The workability is excellent, and no processing defects such as alteration, melting, burrs, and soots occur, and the small-diameter side hole 5 can be easily formed with high dimensional accuracy.

Considering the constituent materials and the like of the catheter 1,
Among the excimer lasers, especially, the oscillation wavelength is 248 nm.
The following are preferable, and a KrF excimer laser having an oscillation wavelength of 248 nm or an ArF excimer laser having an oscillation wavelength of 193 nm is preferable. Those having such a wavelength are particularly excellent in workability.

It is needless to say that a solid-state laser using a wavelength conversion technique and having an oscillation wavelength in the ultraviolet region can be used as the processing laser light source.

Next, the method of using the catheter 1 will be described.
An example in which the catheter is used as a guiding catheter used together with a treatment catheter will be described.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a method of using the catheter 1. As shown in the figure, a state where a catheter introducer 14 is punctured into an artery 17 which is, for example, a femoral artery by the Seldinger method, and a guide wire 16 is inserted into a lumen 13 in a sheath 15 of the catheter introducer 14. Of the catheter main body 1 a, and the distal end of the catheter body 1 a is inserted into the artery 17 from the distal end opening 151 of the sheath 15.

Next, the catheter 1 and the guide wire 16 are gradually fed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 and inserted into the ascending aorta.

At this time, the guide wire 16 is inserted into and removed from the catheter main body 1a so that the distal end of the catheter main body 1a passes through the bent portion of the blood vessel and appropriately selects the branch portion of the blood vessel under fluoroscopy. An operation combining the advance and retreat and rotation of the catheter 1 as appropriate is performed.

A specific example of the insertion operation into the left coronary artery will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are explanatory views schematically showing how to use the catheter 1, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8, the catheter 1 introduced into the ascending aorta 21 via the aortic arch 20 is inserted into the left ventricle 2.
It is introduced in five directions. When the catheter 1 is advanced and inserted as it is, the deformed portion 3 of the catheter main body 1a is extended in a substantially linear or arc shape by the rigidity of the guide wire 16 inserted into the lumen 13 of the catheter 1,
The tip approaches Valsalva Cave 24.

Thereafter, the guide wire 16 is connected to the lumen 1.
When the member 3 is pulled out, the deformed portion 3 returns to the original predetermined deformed state (curved shape). Due to the repulsive force generated by the restoring force, the distal end of the catheter 1 is directed toward the coronary artery ostium of the left coronary artery 22 and inserted as shown in FIG. At this time, if the distal end of the catheter 1 is not inserted into the left coronary artery 22, the distal end of the catheter 1 can be easily inserted into the left coronary artery 22 by appropriately applying a slight counterclockwise rotation to the hand of the catheter 1. You.

After the distal end of the catheter 1 is inserted into the left coronary artery 22 by the above operation, the guide wire 16 is completely removed from the lumen 13, and the guide wire 16 is connected to the Y connector 18 attached to the rear of the hub 10. Then, a connector of a contrast agent injection device (not shown) is connected to inject the contrast agent.

The injected contrast agent is supplied to the Y connector 18,
Through the hub 10, it passes through the lumen 13 and is ejected from the distal end opening 4 and the side hole 5 into the left coronary artery 22, which is the target site. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, since the center line 6 of the side hole 5 is inclined toward the tip, the contrast agent
It is jetted from the side hole 5 toward the tip side obliquely (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 6, the contrast medium 31 ejected from the side hole 5 is applied to a blood vessel 41 (the left coronary artery 2 as a target site).
It hits the inner wall 42 of 2) at a predetermined angle with respect to the inner wall 42 and turns counterclockwise in FIG. That is, a spiral swirling flow of the contrast agent is generated in the blood vessel 41 (the left coronary artery 22 as the target site).

This swirling flow has a property that it is difficult to disappear in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel 41 (the left coronary artery 22, which is the target site). The inner wall 4 of the blood vessel 41 (the left coronary artery 22 as a target site) extends throughout the circumferential and longitudinal directions of the inner wall 42.
Flowing all the way around to the peripheral side.

As a result, the insertion position into the left coronary artery 22 shown in FIG. 9 can be confirmed and contrasted.

Next, the rear end of the connector 18, the hub 10
Then, a treatment catheter (not shown) such as a PTCA balloon catheter is inserted through the lumen 13.

As described above, according to the catheter 1, the side holes 5 are arranged such that the center line 6 of the side holes 5 is separated from the straight line 8 by the radial distance L.
When the contrast medium is injected, a swirling flow of the contrast medium is generated in the blood vessel 41 (the left coronary artery 22 as the target site), whereby the contrast medium spreads all around the entire inner wall 42 of the blood vessel 41.

As a result, the whole image of the inner wall 42 of the blood vessel 41 at the time of contrast becomes clear (contrast is good).

In particular, since a swirling flow of the contrast agent occurs in the blood vessel 41, the contrast agent can be spread over the entire inner wall 42 of the blood vessel 41 with a relatively small amount of the contrast agent.

Originally, the contrast medium is an unnecessary substance for maintaining the function of the living body. Therefore, the injection amount of the contrast medium is preferably small for the living body. With the agent, excellent contrast properties can be obtained.

Further, since excellent contrast properties can be obtained with a relatively small amount of the contrast agent, the injection pressure of the contrast agent from the side hole 5 can be made relatively low.

Thus, it is possible to prevent or suppress the tip of the catheter 1 from being violent due to the injection pressure of the contrast agent, to prevent the tip of the catheter 1 from being detached from the left coronary artery 22 and to prevent the tip of the catheter 1 from coming off. Is not inserted too deeply into the left coronary artery 22, and the burden on the patient is reduced.

In the catheter 1, the center line 6 of the side hole 5 is inclined from the inner surface to the outer surface toward the front end, so that the contrast agent flows obliquely from the side hole 5 toward the front end (FIG. 3).
(In the direction of the middle arrow), thereby forming a spiral swirling flow. For this reason, the contrast agent spreads not only in the circumferential direction but also in the longitudinal direction, so that the contrast agent can be spread more reliably in the entire circumferential and longitudinal directions of the inner wall 42 of the blood vessel 41, and more appropriate imaging is performed. be able to.

In the present invention, the number of side holes 5 formed is
The number is not limited to 12, and may be 11 or less or 13 or more.

However, the number of side holes 5 formed is preferably about 2 to 100, more preferably about 4 to 20.

When the number of the side holes 5 exceeds the upper limit,
If the formation density is high, the strength of the side hole forming portion may be insufficient, and if the formation density is lower than the lower limit, it is disadvantageous for forming a swirling flow of the contrast agent.

In the present invention, the number of side holes 5 formed in the longitudinal direction is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more.

In the present invention, the distance between the side holes 5 in the longitudinal direction may be constant or may be different.

In the present invention, the number of side holes 5 formed in the circumferential direction is not limited to six, but may be five or less or seven or more.

In the present invention, the circumferential distance between the side holes 5 may be different. Further, in the present invention, the side holes 5 of adjacent rows among the plurality of rows extending in the longitudinal direction are
It may be coincident with the longitudinal direction (it does not have to be displaced in the longitudinal direction).

In the present invention, the radial distance L between the center line 6 of each side hole 5 and the straight line 8 may be equal or different.

Further, in the present invention, at least one of the plurality of side holes 5 has its center line 6 aligned with the catheter body 1a.
May be formed so as to be inclined by a predetermined angle toward the tip (the right side in FIG. 3).

In the present invention, the angle θ in each side hole 5 is
May be equal or different.

In the present invention, the length a of each side hole 5 is
They may be equal or different.

In the present invention, the area of each side hole 5 in the cross section may be equal or different.

Next, a second embodiment of the catheter of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a second embodiment in which the catheter of the present invention is applied to a contrast catheter, and FIG.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the catheter shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a side hole (tip) of the catheter shown in FIG. 10. The description of common points with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the main differences will be described.

A contrast catheter (hereinafter simply referred to as “catheter”) 1 shown in these figures is an abdominal contrast catheter for injecting a contrast agent into blood vessels in the abdomen.

The catheter 1 is composed of a flexible catheter body 1a and a two-way cock 11 attached to the proximal end of the catheter body 1a. This two-way stopcock 1
1 is used, for example, to inject a liquid such as a contrast agent or a drug solution.

[0097] The catheter main body 1a is composed of a substantially linear main body 2 and a deformable portion 3 following the distal end of the main body 2. The deformed portion 3 is deformed into a shape shown in FIG. 10 in a state where no external force is applied (natural state).

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
Is formed such that its center line 6 is perpendicular to the axis 7 of the catheter body 1a.

The same effect as that of the catheter 1 of the first embodiment can be obtained with this catheter 1 as well.

It is to be noted that a medicinal solution or the like may be injected instead of the contrast medium. In this case, the swirling flow also allows the blood vessel wall to be satisfactorily traced to enhance the therapeutic effect.

[0101]

Next, specific examples of the catheter of the present invention will be described.

Example 1 A catheter having the following specifications shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 was prepared.

The formation of the side hole is performed by using a KrF having an oscillation wavelength of 248 nm.
Excimer laser (power density 0.5kW on workpiece surface)
/ cm ² , irradiation time per side hole: 2.3 sec).

Constituent material of catheter body: Barium sulfate (X-ray opaque material) mixed with polymer alloy of polyamide elastomer and polyurethane

Overall length of catheter body: 1000 mm Outer diameter (average value) of catheter body: 1.4 mm Inner diameter (lumen diameter) of catheter body (average value) x:
1.0mm Diameter of tip opening of catheter body: 1.0mm

Shape in cross section of side hole: elliptical Area in cross section of side hole: 0.08 mm ² (length of short axis: 0.25 mm, length of long axis: 0.4 mm) Center of side hole Separation distance L between line and straight line 8: 0.30 mm Angle θ between center line of side hole and axis 7: 60 ° Width a of side hole 5: 0.25 mm Arrangement of side holes: 2 × 6 rows ( = 12) Position of the most distal side hole: 2.5 mm from the distal end of the catheter body Interval b in the longitudinal direction of the side hole: 1.0 mm Separation distance c between side holes in adjacent rows: 0.5 mm Circumferential angular spacing of side holes: 60 ° (equal angular spacing)

(Comparative Example 1) A catheter similar to that of Example 1 was produced except that the distance L between the center line of the side hole and the straight line 8 was set to 0.

The obtained Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were evaluated as follows. Using the catheters thus prepared, a contrast agent (trade name: Iomeron 350,
10 ml of 7 ml of iodine (350 mg / ml, manufactured by Eisai Co., Ltd.)
The injection was performed under a pressure of 0 psi and a flow rate of 2.0 ml / sec. Then, the image of the left coronary artery was observed.

Example 1 was thicker and sharper than that of Comparative Example 1 up to the end of the blood vessel in the entire left coronary artery that was imaged.

Example 2 A catheter (the center line of the side hole is perpendicular to the axis of the catheter body) having the following specifications shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 was prepared.

The side holes are formed by using a KrF having an oscillation wavelength of 248 nm.
Excimer laser (power density 0.5kW on workpiece surface)
/ cm ² , irradiation time per side hole: 2.3 sec).

Constituent material of catheter body: Barium sulfate (X-ray opaque material) mixed with polymer alloy of polyamide elastomer and polyurethane

Overall length of catheter body: 700 mm Outer diameter of catheter body (average value): 1.4 mm Inner diameter of catheter body (lumen diameter) (average value) x:
1.0mm Diameter of tip opening of catheter body: 1.0mm

Shape in cross section of side hole: elliptical Area in cross section of side hole: 0.08 mm ² (short axis length: 0.25 mm, long axis length: 0.4 mm) Center of side hole Separation distance L between line and straight line 8: 0.30 mm Width a of side hole 5: 0.25 mm Arrangement of side holes: 2 × 6 rows (= 12) Position of the most distal side hole: catheter body 2.5 mm from the tip Distance in the longitudinal direction of the side holes b: 1.0 mm Separation distance between the side holes in adjacent rows c: 0.5 mm Angular interval in the circumferential direction of the side holes: 60 ° (equal angle interval)

Comparative Example 2 A catheter similar to that of Example 2 was prepared except that the distance L between the center line of the side hole and the straight line 8 was set to 0.

The obtained Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 were evaluated as follows. Using the catheters thus prepared, a contrast agent (trade name: Iomeron 350,
Eisai Co., Ltd., iodine amount 350 mg / ml)
The injection was performed under a pressure of 0 psi and a flow rate of 3.0 ml / sec. Then, the image of the hepatic artery was observed.

Example 2 was thicker and clearer than that of Comparative Example 2 up to the end of the blood vessel of the entire hepatic artery.

The catheter of the present invention has been described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the configuration of each part may be any configuration having the same function. Can be replaced by

For example, in the present invention, the features of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined. In the present invention, at least one of the plurality of side holes only needs to have the center line 6 separated from the straight line 8 by a predetermined distance in the radial direction.

In this case, for example, columns 5a to 5 shown in FIG.
For any row (one or more rows) of f, the center line 6 of the side hole 5 may be separated from the straight line 8 by a predetermined distance in the radial direction.

For example, for an arbitrary row (one or more rows) of a plurality of rows of side holes 5 formed along the circumferential direction, the center line 6 of the side holes 5 is shifted from the straight line 8 in the radial direction. May be separated by a predetermined distance.

Further, the catheter of the present invention is not limited to a left coronary artery angiography catheter or an abdominal angiography catheter.

The catheter of the present invention is not limited to a contrast catheter for injecting a contrast agent. For example, in the case of a drug solution such as an anticancer drug, the drug effect can be obtained evenly throughout the lumen. In particular, such an effect can be obtained with a small amount of drug solution, and side effects can be suppressed.

The catheter of the present invention is not limited to a catheter having the shape (type) shown in the figure.

[0125]

As described above, according to the catheter of the present invention, when a liquid such as a contrast medium is injected into a lumen (body cavity) such as a blood vessel, a swirling flow of the liquid is generated in the lumen. This causes the liquid to spread throughout the target lumen.

In the case of a contrast catheter for injecting a contrast agent, when the contrast agent is injected into a lumen (body cavity) such as a blood vessel, a swirling flow of the contrast agent occurs in the lumen.
The contrast agent spreads over the entire inner wall of the target lumen, and flows to the peripheral side while following the entire inner wall of the lumen.

As a result, the whole image of the inner wall in the target lumen becomes clearer at the time of imaging (good imaging performance).

In particular, since the swirling flow of the contrast agent occurs in the lumen, the contrast agent can be spread over the entire inner wall of the target lumen with a relatively small amount of the contrast agent.

When the side holes are formed by laser processing (particularly, laser processing using excimer laser), the processability of the side holes is excellent, and the occurrence of processing defects such as alteration, melting, burrs, soot, etc. No, high dimensional accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment in which the catheter of the present invention is applied to a contrast catheter.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view (transverse sectional view) taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view (longitudinal sectional view) taken along line BB in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a side hole (tip) of the catheter shown in FIG. 1;

5 is an exploded view of a catheter main body of the catheter shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a contrast agent is being injected into a blood vessel by the catheter shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a method of using the catheter shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a method of using the catheter shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a method of using the catheter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a second embodiment in which the catheter of the present invention is applied to a contrast catheter.

11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the catheter shown in FIG.

12 is a perspective view showing a side hole (tip) of the catheter shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 catheter 1a catheter main body 2 main body part 3 deforming part 30 soft tip 4 tip opening 5 side hole 5a to 5f row 6 center line 7 axis 8 straight line 10 hub 11 two-way cock 13 lumen 14 catheter introducer 15 sheath 151 tip opening 16 Guide wire 17 Artery 18 Y connector 20 Aortic arch 21 Ascending aorta 22 Left coronary artery 24 Valsalva sinus 25 Left ventricle 31 Contrast agent 41 Blood vessel 42 Inner wall

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A catheter having a tubular catheter body having flexibility and having a plurality of side holes formed at a distal end thereof, wherein at least one of the plurality of side holes has a center line. A distance from a straight line that is parallel to the center line and intersects with the axis of the catheter body near the side hole in the radial direction of the catheter body. 2. When the inner diameter of the catheter body is x, the radial distance L between the center line of the side hole and the straight line is x / 4 to x / 2. The catheter as described. 3. An area of a cross section of the side hole is equal to 0.1.
The catheter of claim 1 or 2 is 008～1.9Mm ^2. 4. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the side holes are formed along a circumferential direction of the catheter body. 5. The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of side holes are formed at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. 6. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the side holes are formed along a longitudinal direction of the catheter body. 7. A plurality of said side holes are formed along a circumferential direction of said catheter body, and a plurality of said side holes are formed along a longitudinal direction of said catheter body and extend in a longitudinal direction of said catheter body. The catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side holes of adjacent ones of the rows are shifted in a longitudinal direction of the catheter body. 8. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein a center line of the side hole is inclined toward an end of the catheter body from an inner surface side to an outer surface side of the side hole. 9. The angle θ between the center line of the side hole and the axis of the catheter body is 20 to 60 °.
A catheter according to claim 1. 10. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the catheter is a contrast catheter for injecting a contrast agent.