KR20160103351A - Catheter and denervation apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a catheter which is easy to handle and miniaturize and has excellent insulating properties and assemblability. The catheter according to the present invention, especially as a catheter for a nerve block, comprises: a center member extended in one direction and equipped with a proximal end and a distal end; a first support member and a second support member installed at the distal end of the center member and the proximal end of the center member respectively and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, and of which at least one member is formed to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member so as to change the separation distance between the support members; an operation member of which the distal end is connected to the first support member or the second support member so as to move the first support member or the second support member; a plurality of connection members having one end connected to the first support member and the other end connected to the second support member and of which at least a part is bent when the distance between the first support member or the second support member becomes narrow so as to let the bent parts become distant from the center member; a plurality of electrodes separately installed on the bent part of the connection members so as to generate heat; and power supply lines connected to the respective electrodes so as to provide a power supply route for the electrodes.

Description

[0001] Catheter and denervation apparatus including the same [

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a catheter, and more particularly, to a medical catheter for treating a disease, in particular, a nerve blocking catheter for allowing nerve conduction to be inactivated by applying a thermal stimulus to a part of the nerve, .

Neural blockade is a procedure in which a part of the nerve pathway is blocked so that stimulation or information is not transmitted to the nerve such as the sensory nerve or autonomic nerve. Such neural blockade is becoming increasingly used for the treatment of various diseases including arrhythmia, pain relief, and molding.

Particularly, recently, it has been confirmed that such neural blockade is effective for the treatment of hypertension, and efforts to apply such neural blockade as a method for effectively treating hypertension have been attempted.

In the case of hypertension, since most of the blood pressure can be controlled as a drug, many hypertension patients are currently being treated for hypertension depending on the drug. However, such a method of lowering blood pressure by drugs has various problems such as inconvenience of continuous drug taking, cost aspect, and side effects such as organ damage due to prolonged use of the drug. In addition, some hypertensive patients suffer from refractory hypertension that is not controlled by blood pressure as a drug. Such refractory hypertension is not treated as a drug, and therefore, there is a great risk of causing an accident such as stroke, arrhythmia, kidney disease, etc., and treatment of intractable hypertension is a serious and urgent problem.

In this situation, neural blockade has attracted attention as a breakthrough method for treating hypertension. In particular, neural blockade for treating hypertension can be accomplished in such a way that the kidney nerve is blocked by allowing the nerve conduction to be inactivated by applying thermal stimulation to the sympathetic nerve around the kidney, i. Activation of the kidneys increases renal hormone production by the kidneys, which can lead to elevated blood pressure. Therefore, it has recently been shown through various experiments that hypertension can be treated, as nerve conduction can not be achieved by blocking these kidney nerves.

As such, a typical method of blocking the kidney nerve for the treatment of hypertension is to use a catheter. Neuroprotection using a catheter is a technique in which a catheter is inserted into a part of the body, such as a thigh, and the distal end of the catheter is placed in the renal artery along the blood vessel. Thereby blocking the sympathetic nerve around the renal artery.

These catheter-based neuroblastomas are much smaller than neural blockade through open surgery, which can greatly reduce the potential complications and side effects, and the advantages of partial anesthesia treatment and recovery time are very short, Is attracting attention as a treatment for hypertension.

However, the catheter-related technology for applying to the neural blockade and the like has not yet been sufficiently developed, and has many parts to be improved.

In particular, the catheter must be small enough to be able to move freely along the interior of the blood vessel, so that its size should be very small. However, in the case of the prior art, there are many difficulties in downsizing such a catheter.

Moreover, the head portion of the catheter conventionally developed or proposed includes at least one electrode and various devices for sensing, and various wires for transmitting electric power or electrical signals to the electrodes and the sensing device. Therefore, it is very difficult to manufacture a catheter having both of these and a small size in the case of the prior art.

In addition, according to the conventional catheter configuration, the operator may unintentionally bend the head portion of the catheter during operation by the operator in order to bring the electrode of the catheter head close to the blood vessel side, resulting in damage to the inner wall of the blood vessel due to the catheter, A problem that the catheter head portion can not be positioned at the correct position may occur.

In addition, according to the conventional catheter configuration, various wires such as a guide wire, a power supply wire, a sensing wire, and an operation wire may be extended between the head of the catheter and the operator. And, during the movement or operation of the catheter, at least some of these various wires may move, which can cause the wires to twist at the head or torso of the catheter.

In addition, since insulation is not properly secured between the wires in the head or the body of the catheter, power may not be supplied to the electrodes or a sensing signal may not be transmitted.

In addition, even in the manufacturing process of the catheter, manufacturing the catheter body by assembling a plurality of wires requires very complicated processes and high precision, and the reproducibility is not high. Therefore, the catheter quality and manufacturing yield are lowered, And the problem of poor stability can be caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a catheter that is easy to operate, has excellent insulation and assemblability, and can be easily miniaturized, and a nerve block device including the catheter.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited thereto. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In order to accomplish the above object, a catheter according to the present invention is a catheter for nerve interrupting, comprising: a center member having a proximal end and a distal end extending in one direction; At least one of which is provided on the distal end side of the center member and on the proximal end side of the center member so as to be spaced a predetermined distance therebetween and at least one of which is movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member on the center member, A first support member and a second support member capable of varying a distance between the first support member and the second support member; An operating member whose distal end is connected to the first supporting member or the second supporting member to move the first supporting member or the second supporting member; At least a part of which is bent when the distance between the first supporting member and the second supporting member is narrowed so that the bending portion is in contact with the first supporting member, A plurality of connecting members configured to move away from the center member; A plurality of electrodes provided at respective bending portions of the plurality of connecting members to generate heat; And a power supply line electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to provide a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes.

Here, at least one of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member by the movement of the operating member, wherein the hollow is formed by the center member .

The first support member is fixed to the distal end side of the center member and the second support member is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member with the hollow being formed, And the end portion is connected to the second support member to move the second support member.

The second support member is fixed to the proximal end side of the center member and the first support member is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member with the hollow being formed, And the end portion may be connected to the first support member to move the first support member.

In addition, the center member may be formed with an elongated center concave portion on the outer surface in the form of a recess concaved from the outside to the inside in the longitudinal direction.

In addition, the operation member can be moved in a state where a part of the operation member is inserted into the center concave portion.

In addition, the operating member may include two or more.

In addition, three actuating members may be included, and each may be disposed at an angle of 120 degrees from the center axis of the center member.

The catheter according to the present invention is formed in a shape elongated in one direction and is located on the proximal end side of the center member and has an internal space formed along the longitudinal direction so that at least a part of the operating member And a shaft body receiving at least a portion of the power supply line.

The catheter according to the present invention is formed in a shape elongated along the longitudinal direction in the internal space of the shaft body and is spaced a predetermined distance between at least a part of the outer surface and at least a part of the inner surface of the shaft body, And a portion formed to extend from the distal end to the proximal end along the longitudinal direction of the shaft body.

In addition, the core member may have a core recess formed in the outer surface in the form of a concave shape from the outside to the inside in the longitudinal direction from the distal end to the proximal end.

In addition, the operation member may be configured such that at least a part of the operation member is inserted into the core recess in the internal space of the shaft body.

The core recess may have a semicircular shape in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the core member.

The plurality of core recesses may be formed at a predetermined distance along the outer circumferential surface of the core member.

Further, a catheter according to the present invention includes: a temperature sensing member for sensing a temperature; And a temperature sensing line connected to the temperature sensing member to provide a path for transmitting temperature information sensed by the temperature sensing member and inserted in the core recess.

The power supply line and the temperature sensing line may be inserted into core recesses different from the operation member.

The catheter according to the present invention is formed in the inner space of the shaft body so as to be elongated along the longitudinal direction of the shaft body and at least a part of the catheter is inserted into the core recess, As shown in FIG.

The passing tube may include two or more of the passing tubes and may be disposed at a predetermined distance along the outer peripheral surface of the core member.

Further, at least one of the operating member and the power supply line may be received in the hollow of the passing tube.

In addition, the center member and the core member may be formed with a hollow in the longitudinal direction from the distal end to the proximal end so as to be mutually connected.

The core member may be integrally formed with the center member.

At least one of the first supporting member and the second supporting member may be formed with a step or a slope in the longitudinal direction of the catheter on the surface to which the connecting member is connected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a catheter according to the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the straightness of the catheter head can be maintained during the operation. That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, the operator can prevent the catheter head from being bent easily in the process of operating the catheter in an open or closed state so as to approach or move the electrode toward the blood vessel side.

Particularly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since a plurality of operation members are provided, it is possible to prevent the catheter head from being bent in a specific direction when the catheter head is operated in the open or closed state.

Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, it is easier to manipulate the catheter, and more particularly, to make the electrode of the catheter approach the desired treatment site. In addition, according to this aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the catheter from being bent and damaging blood vessels and the like.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, miniaturization of the catheter can be achieved more easily.

Particularly, according to one aspect of the present invention, the operation member is fixedly coupled to the proximal side support member, i.e., the second support member, so that the operation member does not need to go up to the upper portion of the catheter head, It can be more advantageous for miniaturization of the antenna.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is necessary to provide a hole for inserting a separate guide wire into the catheter by forming a hollow in the center member and the core member so that the guide wire can be inserted into the hollow none.

In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, various wires and operating members extending from a practitioner's side to a catheter head are configured not to be twisted or contacted with each other, so that a central portion of a predetermined wire is broken by friction, It is possible to prevent the problem that the movement of the movable member is not smooth.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the insulating property of the catheter can be improved. Particularly, according to one aspect of the present invention, since insulation is maintained between various wires and actuators, it is possible to prevent problems such as leakage of electric current and interruption of electrical signals.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the assembling property of the catheter can be improved. In particular, according to one aspect of the present invention, an assembling process of including various wires and actuating members in the shaft body can be performed more easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description of the invention given below, serve to further the understanding of the technical idea of the invention, And should not be construed as limiting.
1 is a perspective view schematically showing a head configuration of a catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration in which the connecting member is bent by the movement of the second supporting member in the configuration of Fig. 1;
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1 'in FIG.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a connection portion between the catheter head and the shaft body in the configuration of Fig. 1. Fig.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 'in Fig.
6 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a core member included in a catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of a configuration in which a core member is included in a shaft body.
8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a perspective view schematically showing a head configuration of a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration in which a connecting member is bent in the configuration of FIG.
Fig. 11 is a view of the configuration of Figs. 9 and 10 separated from the configuration of the second support member and viewed from another angle.
12 is a perspective view schematically showing a head configuration of a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration in which the connecting member is bent in the configuration of FIG. 12; FIG.
Fig. 14 is a view schematically showing a cut-off configuration taken along the line A3-A3 'in Fig. 13. Fig.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary terms, and the inventor should appropriately interpret the concepts of the terms appropriately It should be interpreted in accordance with the meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that it can be defined.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, It is to be understood that equivalents and modifications are possible.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a head configuration of a catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration in which the connecting member is bent by the movement of the second supporting member in the configuration of Fig. 1; 2 is a view showing a configuration in which the second support member is moved in the C1 direction in the configuration of Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1 'in FIG.

Here, the head of the catheter refers to the end of the longitudinally opposite end of the catheter extending in one direction to reach the treatment site, and is referred to as a catheter tip or a distal end It is possible. And, such a catheter may have a proximal end located at the operator side than the distal end, as opposed to the head of the catheter. Hereinafter, for the various constituent elements included in the catheter extending in the longitudinal direction of the catheter and having both ends, the end portion located on the head side, i.e., the distal end side of the catheter, is referred to as a distal end And the end located on the proximal end side of the catheter is referred to as the proximal end. For example, even in the catheter head, both longitudinal ends can be referred to as distal end and proximal end.

1 to 3, a catheter according to the present invention includes a center member 100, a first support member 210, a second support member 220, an operation member 300, a connection member 400, An electrode 510 and a power supply line 520.

The center member 100 may have a shape elongated in one direction and may have both ends, that is, a proximal end and a distal end.

The first support member 210 may be provided on the distal end side of the center member 100 and the second support member 220 may be provided on the proximal end side of the center member 100. The reason why the first support member 210 is located on the proximal end side of the center member 100 and the second support member 220 is located on the distal end side of the center member 100 is that the first support member 210 The first support member 210 and the second support member 220 must be positioned on the end of the center member 100 only to indicate the relative positions of the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 It does not mean anything. For example, the distal end of the center member 100 may extend longer toward the distal side than the first support member 210, or the proximal end of the center member 100 may extend longer toward the proximal side than the second support member 220 .

The first support member 210 and the second support member 220 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the center member 100 (left and right direction in FIG. 1).

In particular, at least one of the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 may be configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member 100 on the center member 100. Therefore, the distance between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 may be varied. The configuration of the distance variation between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 will be described in more detail below.

The center member 100, the first support member 210, and / or the second support member 220 may be formed of various materials. For example, such members may be made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, as well as a hard material such as metal.

In particular, the first support member 210 and / or the center member 100 may be made of a soft and flexible material. Since the first support member 210 is located at the front end portion of the catheter, there is a high possibility that the catheter is in contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel or the like when the catheter moves along the blood vessel. If the first support member 210 is made of a soft and flexible material, Damage or the like can be minimized or prevented, and the direction can be easily changed.

Also, in a similar aspect, the first support member 210 and / or the center member 100 may be configured in rounded corners. In particular, the first support member 210 may have a shape in which the outer front edge is rounded and chamfered.

The operation member 300 may be configured to move the first support member 210 or the second support member 220 by being connected and fixed to the first support member 210 or the second support member 220 have. That is, the operation member 300 may be formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, and may move the first support member 210 or the second support member 220 through the longitudinal movement. have. For example, the actuating member 300 may be coupled to the second support member 220 at a distal end thereof to move the second support member 220 as indicated by the arrow C1 in FIG.

The connection member 400 may be configured to connect the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 to each other. That is, one end of the connecting member 400 is coupled to the first supporting member 210 and the other end of the connecting member 400 is coupled to the second supporting member 220. The connecting member 400 may be formed in a bar shape or a plate shape elongated in one direction.

Here, the connecting member 400 may be bent at least a part by changing a distance between the first supporting member 210 and the second supporting member 220. In particular, when the distance between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 is narrowed, the connecting member 400 can be bent at least in part by the distance between the both ends being close to each other. The connecting member 400 may be configured so that the bending portion is away from the center axis of the center member 100 when at least a portion of the connecting member 400 is bent.

As described above, since the bending portion is formed in accordance with the movement of the support member, the connection member 400 may be made of a material that can be bent when the distance between both ends is narrowed. For example, the connecting member 400 may be made of a material such as a metal or a polymer. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific material of the connecting member 400, and if the bending portion can be formed in a part of the connecting member 400, the connecting member 400 may be made of various materials.

The connecting member 400 may be formed at least partially with a bend bent to a predetermined degree in the direction away from the center axis of the catheter head, that is, the center axis of the center member 100. [ That is, even when the distance between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 is the longest, the connecting member 400 may be configured such that the bent portion is formed in the outward direction of the catheter, have. In this case, when the distance between both ends of the connecting member 400 is shortened due to the movement of the second supporting member 220 or the like, the degree of bending of the bending portion is increased and the bending portion is formed. Lt; / RTI > direction. And, the shorter the distance between both ends of the connecting member 400 becomes, the more the bending portion can gradually move away from the center axis of the catheter.

The connecting member 400 may also be configured in a pre-shaped configuration so that the bending direction of the bending portion can be directed away from the central axis of the catheter when the distance between the two ends is approaching, . In this case, the connecting member 400 may be formed of a shape memory alloy such as Nitinol.

The connecting member 400 may be provided between the first supporting member 210 and the second supporting member 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the connection member 400 may be provided between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220. In this case, when the distance between the first supporting member 210 and the second supporting member 220 is shortened, at least a part of each of the plurality of connecting members 400 is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the center member 100 .

The electrode 510 is mounted on the connection member 400 and can generate heat by receiving power. In particular, the electrode 510 may be provided at the bending portion of the connecting member 400. And, the heat generated by the electrode 510 in this way can apply thermal stimulation to the surrounding tissues. For example, heat generated by the electrode 510 may ablate surrounding tissue. At this time, the electrode 510 can generate heat of about 40 ° C or more, preferably 40 to 80 ° C to excise the nerve around the blood vessel, thereby blocking the nerve. However, it goes without saying that the temperature of the heat generated by the electrode 510 may be variously changed according to the purpose or purpose of the catheter.

The electrode 510 may contact the blood vessel wall and apply heat to the nerve tissue located around the blood vessel, so that the electrode 510 can be brought into close contact with the blood vessel wall. Therefore, the electrode 510 may be formed in a curved shape so that the surface contacting the inner wall of the blood vessel may correspond to the shape of the inner wall. For example, the electrode 510 may have a circular, semicircular or elliptical cross section. According to this embodiment, since the adhesion of the electrode 510 to the blood vessel wall can be improved and contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel can be maximized, the heat generated by the electrode 510 can be transmitted to the nerve tissue around the blood vessel have. In addition, when the electrode 510 is formed in a curved shape, the inner wall of the blood vessel can be prevented from being damaged by the electrode 510.

The electrode 510 may be formed of a material such as platinum or stainless steel. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific material of the electrode 510, and various factors such as a heat generation method, It can be composed of various materials.

Preferably, the electrode 510 may generate heat in a radio frequency (RF) manner. For example, the electrode 510 may be electrically connected to the high frequency generating unit to dissipate high frequency energy to exclude the nerve.

Meanwhile, the electrode 510 existing in the catheter may act as a cathode. The anode corresponding to the cathode may be connected to an energy supply unit such as a high frequency generating unit like a cathode, Lt; / RTI >

The electrode 510 may be included more than once in the catheter. In particular, the catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention may include two or more connecting members 400, in which case the electrodes 510 may be provided for each connecting member 400, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a catheter according to the present invention includes three connecting members 400 and three electrodes 510, and one electrode (for each bending portion of each connecting member 400) 510 may be mounted.

The power supply line 520 may be partially connected to the electrode 510 to provide a power supply path to the electrode 510. For example, the power supply line 520 may have a distal end connected to the electrode 510 and a proximal end connected to the energy supply unit (not shown) such that the energy supply unit supplies power to the electrode 510 .

The power supply line 520 may be separately provided for each of the plurality of electrodes 510, and may be electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes 510. At this time, the plurality of power supply lines 520 may provide a power supply path for each of the plurality of electrodes 510. Here, the plurality of power supply lines 520 may be separated from the electrode 510 to the energy supply unit. Alternatively, the plurality of power supply lines 520 may be configured such that one power supply line 520 branches to two or more power supply lines 520 at a predetermined point, As shown in FIG.

At least one of the first supporting member 210 and the second supporting member 220 may be hollow in the longitudinal direction of the center member 100 (left and right direction in FIG. 1). The center member 100 may be passed through the hollow of the first support member 210 and / or the second support member 220. The first support member 210 and / or the second support member 220 may be configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member 100 on the center member 100 as the operation member 300 moves .

1 to 3, the second support member 220 is formed with a hollow V1, and the center member 100 is inserted into the hollow V1 of the second support member 220, Can be penetrated. The distal end of the actuating member 300 is connected to the second support member 220 so that the second support member 220 can be moved according to the movement of the actuating member 300. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 1, when the practitioner pushes the operation member 300 to the distal side, the second support member 220 can move leftward as indicated by the arrow C1.

In the configuration in which the second support member 220 moves in this way, the first support member 210 may be fixed to the distal end side of the center member 100. [ That is, even if the second support member 220 moves by the operation of the operation member 300, the first support member 210 can be configured to be fixed without moving.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the distance between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 can be changed by the operation of the operation member 300. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 1, when the operation member 300 moves to the left, the second support member 220 moves in the left direction and the first support member 210 is fixed, The distance between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 can be shortened. Each of the connecting members 400 coupled between the first and second support members 210 and 220 may thus be bent in a manner protruding outwardly of the catheter as shown in Figure 2 .

By this bending, a bending portion is formed in the connecting member 400, and the bending portion can move in a direction away from the center member 100. [ Here, the bending portion is a portion where the bending portion of the bending portion of the bending portion, that is, the bending portion of the bending portion of the connecting member 400 is the most severe, or the bending portion of each connecting member 400, It can be said that it means a part located farthest from the central axis of the main body 100.

In addition, at least one electrode 510 may be provided at the bending portion of the connection member 400. Accordingly, when the connecting member 400 is bent and the bending portion is distanced, the electrode 510 provided at the bending portion can move in the outward direction away from the center axis of the catheter. Accordingly, the electrode 510 of the catheter may move toward the inner wall of the blood vessel, and may be in contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel or located near the inner wall of the blood vessel.

As such, when the connecting member 400 is bent so that the electrode 510 moves outwardly of the catheter, it can be said that the head of the catheter is open. For example, the state in which the connection member 400 is most severely bent can be referred to as an open state of the catheter. On the other hand, the state in which the connecting member 400 is not bent, or the state in which the connecting member 400 is weakly bent is referred to as a close state of the catheter. For example, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is a configuration in which the head of the catheter is closed, and the configuration in FIG. 2 is a configuration in which the head of the catheter is opened.

According to this embodiment, while the catheter head is moving to a treatment site along a blood vessel or the like, it moves in a closed form as shown in FIG. 1, and when the catheter head reaches the treatment site, , And can be transformed into an open form. Then, by allowing the electrode 510 to protrude in the outward direction as much as possible from the catheter, the electrode 510 can be closer to the blood vessel wall. In addition, since the electrode 510 can be prevented from protruding during movement, movement of the catheter head can be made more smooth, and damage to the inner wall of the blood vessel due to the connecting member 400, the electrode 510, and the like can be prevented.

On the other hand, when the actuating member 300 is fixed to the second support member 220 so that the second support member 220 is configured to move, the first support member 210 can be fixed, It is possible. The movement of the first support member 210 is shorter than the movement of the second support member 220 so that the movement of the second support member 220 moves the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 Can be varied.

Also, preferably, the operation member 300 may include two or more members.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the catheter head can be more easily deformed into a closed shape or an open shape. That is, when the plurality of operation members 300 are connected to the support member, movement of the support member through the operation member 300 can be performed more stably and smoothly. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when three actuating members 300 are connected to the second supporting member 220, one actuating member 300 is connected to the second supporting member 220 The support member can be moved more easily and stably in the left and right direction than in the case where it is connected.

Furthermore, according to this configuration of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the catheter from being bent due to the movement of the operation member 300. For example, when one operation member 300 is connected to the second support member 220, when the operation member 300 is pulled, the operation member 300 is moved in the lateral direction in which the operation member 300 is positioned, The head portion may be bent. Further, in this case, when the operating member 300 is pushed, there may occur a problem that the head portion of the catheter is bent in a direction opposite to the side where the operating member 300 is located. However, according to the configuration in which the plurality of actuating members 300 are provided as in the above embodiment, the problem of bending the head portion of the catheter can be reduced even if the actuating member 300 is pulled or pushed.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, when the catheter head is opened or closed, the straightness of the head portion of the catheter can be stably maintained. Therefore, the problem that the movement of the catheter head is impeded or the inner wall of the blood vessel is damaged due to the bending of the head portion of the catheter can be prevented.

In particular, the plurality of actuating members 300 are preferably arranged at an equal angle with respect to the center axis of the catheter, that is, the center axis of the center member 100. [ According to this configuration, when the operation member 300 is moved, it is possible to prevent the head portion of the catheter from being bent into a specific portion, such as a wide portion of the operation member 300.

Furthermore, the actuating member 300 may be included in the head portion of the catheter. These three actuating members 300 can be arranged at an equal angle around the center member 100. [

For example, referring to FIG. 3, the three actuating members 300 may be disposed at an angle of 120 degrees with respect to the center axis O of the center member 100.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to ensure the straightness of the catheter head as a small number of the actuating members 300. That is, according to the embodiment, since the operation member 300 is not included in an excessive number, the structure of the catheter can be simplified, the size can be reduced, and the spacing space between the operation members 300 can be effectively reduced. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to effectively prevent the head portion of the catheter from being bent into a specific portion during operation of the operation member 300. [

Also preferably, the catheter according to the present invention may further comprise a shaft body 600.

1 and 2, a catheter according to the present invention includes a center member 100, a first support member 210, a second support member 220, a connection member 400, and an electrode 510, May be located on the most distal side of the catheter as a component included in the catheter head. And, the shaft body 600 may be a component that engages the proximal end of such a catheter head. The configuration of the shaft body 600 included in the catheter of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting portion of the catheter head and the shaft body 600 in the configuration of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 'of FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the shaft body 600 may be formed to extend in one direction. For example, the shaft body 600 may be elongated in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the catheter head (left and right direction in FIG. 4). Accordingly, the shaft body 600 may be provided in a form elongated from a treatment point where the catheter head is located to a point where the operator (practitioner) is located. In particular, much of the shaft body 600 may be located inside the blood vessel. Accordingly, the shaft body 600 may be made of a soft and bendable material so that the shaft body 600 can be easily moved inside the blood vessel and bent according to the shape of the blood vessel.

4, the shaft body 600 may be located on the proximal end side of the catheter head. Particularly, the shaft body 600 can be fixed to each other in a state of being in contact with the center member 100 at the proximal end of the center member 100.

In addition, the shaft body 600 may have a long inner space along the longitudinal direction. That is, the shaft body 600 may be configured as a long tube having a hollow in the longitudinal direction. At least a part of the operation member 300 and at least a part of the power supply line 520 may be accommodated in the inner hollow space of the shaft body 600. [ That is, since the operation member 300 and the power supply line 520 can be extended from the distal end to the proximal end of the catheter, only a part of the operation member 300 and the power supply line 520 are located on the catheter head side, As shown in FIG.

Also preferably, the catheter according to the present invention may further include a core member 700.

4 and 5, the core member 700 may be inserted into the inner space of the shaft body 600 and may be formed in a shape elongated along the longitudinal direction of the shaft body 600 .

Particularly, the core member 700 may be configured such that at least a part of the outer surface of the core member 700 is spaced a predetermined distance from at least a part of the inner surface of the shaft body 600. That is, at least a part of the core member is spaced apart from the shaft body 600 in a state where the core member is inserted into the inner space of the shaft body 600, thereby forming a hollow space.

The core member 700 is formed in such a manner that the clearance space between the outer surface of the core member 700 and the shaft body 600 extends along the longitudinal direction of the shaft body 600 , And from the distal end to the proximal end of the shaft body 600.

In this case, the operation member 300, the power supply line 520, and the like may be located in the space between the core member 700 and the shaft body 600.

6 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a core member 700 included in a catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of a configuration in which the core member 700 is included in the shaft body 600. As shown in Fig.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the core member 700 may have a core recess formed on the outer surface thereof, like a portion denoted by G7. By this core recess G7, a space can be formed between the core member 700 and the shaft body 600. [

Here, the core recess G7 may be recessed from the outside on the outer circumferential surface of the core member 700 inward. The core recesses G7 may be formed so as to extend from the distal end to the proximal end of the core member 700. [ That is, the core recesses may exist continuously from the left side to the right side of the core member 700 as in the configuration of Fig.

In such a configuration, an empty space may be formed between the shaft body 600 and the core member 700 by the core recess G7. 7, even if the outer diameter of the core member 700 does not greatly differ from the inner diameter of the shaft body 600, the core recess 700 is formed by the core recessed portion G7 formed in the core member 700, An empty space may be formed between the outer circumferential surface of the member 700 and the inner circumferential surface of the shaft body 600.

In this empty space, the operation member 300 can be positioned. That is, the actuating member 300 can be fitted into the internal space of the shaft body 600 at the portion between the catheter head and the operator. At this time, in the inner space of the shaft body 600, at least a part of the operation member 300, as shown in Fig. 5, may be inserted into the core recess G7.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the operation member 300 can be smoothly moved in the inner space of the shaft body 600. [ In other words, since the core recess G7 provides the accommodation space for the operation member 300, the operation member 300 is smoothly moved in the longitudinal direction without being caught between the core member 700 and the shaft body 600 .

In addition, according to this configuration of the present invention, the operation member 300 can move only in the longitudinal direction in a state where it is seated in the core recess G7, and can not move in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The supporting member connected to the distal end of the actuating member 300, such as the second supporting member 220, can be moved in the longitudinal direction < RTI ID = 0.0 > So that the catheter can be opened in a stable manner. Therefore, with this configuration of the present invention, it becomes possible to make the electrode 510 accurately positioned at a desired site around the inner wall of the blood vessel.

More preferably, the core concave portion may be formed in a curved shape in cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the core member 700.

7 shows a cross-sectional shape cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis O with respect to the core member 700. In this configuration, the core recess G7 has a cross- May be formed in a curved shape so that no edge is present. Particularly, as shown in the figure, the core concave portion may be formed in a semicircular shape in cross section.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, when the operation member 300 moves in the longitudinal direction in contact with the core recess G7, the operation member 300 is prevented from being caught in the core recess G7 . Particularly, as shown in FIG. 5, the operating member 300 may be formed in a curved shape having a circular cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the core recess G7 is formed in a curved shape corresponding to the outer shape of the actuating member 300 as in the above embodiment, the actuating member 300 is inserted into the core recess G7 It can be moved smoothly.

Also, preferably, a plurality of the core concave portions may be formed. The plurality of core concave portions may be arranged at a predetermined distance along the outer circumferential surface of the core member 700.

For example, referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, six core recesses may be formed in the core member 700, and these six core recesses may extend along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the core member 700 They can be arranged at equal intervals.

In particular, when two or more operation members 300 are included, each of the operation members 300 may be configured not to be located in an adjacent core recess, but to be disposed in another core recess through at least one core recess have. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, when three actuating members 300 are included in the catheter, each of the actuating members 300 may be placed not directly adjacent to each other but across one core recess have.

For this purpose, the core recesses may be formed in a number two or more times the number of the actuating members 300. For example, when the number of the actuating members 300 is three as in the above embodiment, six core recesses G7 may be formed.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, when the catheter is opened or closed through movement of the operation member 300 while reducing the number of the operation members 300, the force applied by the operation member 300 is applied to the predetermined portion So that the head portion of the catheter can be prevented from being bent in a predetermined direction. In addition, according to this embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the movement of the operation member 300 from being disturbed due to interference or friction between the operation members 300 by widening the distance between the operation members 300.

Not only the operating member 300 but also other components located in the inner space of the shaft body 600 may be inserted into the core recess G7 of the core member 700. [

5, a power supply line 520 may be disposed in an inner space of the shaft body 600, and at least a portion of the power supply line 520 may include a core member 700 ) Of the core recesses.

In particular, the power supply line 520 may be inserted into the core recess G7 different from the operation member 300, as shown in Fig. That is, the power supply line 520 may not be located in the core recess where the operation member 300 is inserted, but may be located in the core recess where the operation member 300 is not inserted.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, since the movement of the operation member 300 is prevented by the power supply line 520, the open and close operation of the catheter due to the movement of the operation member 300 can be performed more smoothly Lt; / RTI >

In addition, according to this embodiment, since the operation member 300 is placed in a state spaced apart from the power supply line 520 in a different space, the electrical insulation can be improved. For example, even if a current is leaked in the power supply line 520, it is not likely that such leakage current is transmitted to the operation member 300. Here, in order to secure such insulation, the core member 700 may be made of a material having electrical insulation properties.

Meanwhile, the catheter according to the present invention may further include a temperature sensing member 810 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The temperature sensing member 810 is a component for measuring the ambient temperature. For example, the temperature sensing member 810 may be a thermocouple. In particular, such a temperature sensing member 810 may be mounted around the electrode 510.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, since the ambient temperature can be measured through the temperature sensing member 810, whether the heat emitted from the electrode 510 is a temperature suitable for applying heat stimulation to the nerve tissue around the blood vessel, It can be confirmed whether it is high or low.

In particular, in the case of the catheter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting member 400 is provided with the electrode 510, and the connecting member 400 is bent in a direction away from the center axis of the catheter head Can be bent. Accordingly, the temperature sensing member 810 is also provided at the bending portion of the connection member 400, particularly, the connection member 400 like the electrode 510, so that the amount of heat by the electrode 510 can be more accurately measured.

Further, when a plurality of connecting members 400 are provided, a plurality of such temperature sensing members 810 may also be mounted on different connecting members 400.

If the catheter includes a temperature sensing member 810, the catheter may include a temperature sensing line 820 together.

The temperature sensing line 820 may be connected to a temperature sensing member 810 to provide a path for transmitting temperature information sensed by the temperature sensing member 810. For example, if the temperature sensing element 810 is implemented as a thermocouple, the current generated in the thermocouple may be delivered to an external temperature measurement device connected to the catheter via a temperature sensing line 820.

This temperature sensing line 820 extends from the distal end of the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter through the internal space of the shaft body 600 as a separate line from the power supply line 520, It can be drawn out.

Here, the temperature sensing line 820 may be inserted into the core recess of the core member 700 in the inner space of the shaft body 600, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.

In particular, the temperature sensing line 820 may be inserted into the core recesses different from the operation member 300. Therefore, even if the temperature sensing line 820 is accommodated in the inner space of the same shaft body 600, the movement of the operation member 300 can be smoothly performed without being disturbed by the temperature sensing line 820.

At this time, the temperature sensing line 820 may be inserted into the same core recess as the power supply line 520, as shown in FIG. 5, to be inserted into the core recesses different from the operation member 300.

In addition, another line other than the power supply line 520 and the temperature sensing line 820 may be located in the inner space of the shaft body 600. At this time, these other lines may also be configured to be inserted into the core recesses of the core member 700.

8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 8 can also show another form of the cross section taken along line A2-A2 'in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, the catheter according to the present invention may further include a passing tube 900.

The passing tube 900 may have a hollow shape and may have a tube shape elongated in one direction. In addition, the passing tube 900 may be positioned in an extended space along the longitudinal direction of the shaft body 600 in the inner space of the shaft body 600. Particularly, the passing tube 900 may be configured such that at least a portion thereof is inserted into the core recess G7 in the inner space of the shaft body 600. [

The outer surface of the passing tube 900 may be formed to correspond to the surface of the core recess G7. For example, when the core concave portion is formed in a semicircular shape, the passing tube 900 may be formed into an elliptical shape or a cylindrical shape.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the passing tube 900 is well inserted into the inner surface of the core recess to prevent the passing tube 900 from being separated from the core recess, and the shaft body 600 having a small inner diameter Can be easily applied.

In addition, the passing tube 900 may be included more than once in a catheter according to the present invention. The passing tube 900 may be disposed at a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the core member 700.

Particularly, a plurality of core recesses may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the core member 700, and the passing tubes 900 may be formed in the same number as the core recesses, As shown in FIG. 8, when six core recesses G7 are formed in the core member 700, six passing recesses G7 are also included, so that one core recess G7 is formed. So that a single passaging tube 900 can be received.

Because the hollow tube is formed in the passing tube 900, other components of the catheter can be positioned in the hollow portion. For example, the operation member 300, the power supply line 520, and the temperature sensing line 820 may be located in the inner space of the shaft body 600. The operation member 300, the power supply line 520 And the temperature sensing line 820 may be received in the interior of the passing tube 900, i.e., in the hollow.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the movement of the operation member 300, the power supply line 520, and / or the temperature sensing line 820 can be performed more smoothly. That is, the operation member 300, the power supply line 520, and the temperature sensing line 820 can be moved in the longitudinal direction according to the change of the open / close state of the catheter. And their longitudinal movement can be smoothly performed without being disturbed by other components.

The passing tube 900 may be formed in a tubular shape having a circular hollow. In this case, longitudinal movement of the operation member 300 and / or the power supply line 520 may be performed more smoothly.

As described above, the operation member 300 can be accommodated in the core recesses different from the power supply line 520 and the temperature sensing line 820, in which the core recess is provided with the passing tube 900 It can be said that the operation member 300 is accommodated in the power supply line 520 and the temperature sensing line 820 and the other passing tube 900. 8, the power supply line 520 and the temperature sensing line 820 are received in the same passing tube 900, and the operation member 300 is connected to the other passing tube 900, Lt; / RTI > Particularly, the passing tube may be made of a material having electrical insulation. In this case, insulation between the operation member 300 and the power supply line 520 or the temperature sensing line 820 can be ensured.

Also, preferably, the core member 700 may have a hollow in the longitudinal direction from the distal end to the proximal end.

For example, the core member 700 may be formed in a tubular shape having an empty central portion, as indicated by V7 in Figs. 6 and 7. The hollow V7 of the core member 700 can be opened to the distal side and the proximal side. In addition, the hollow V7 of the core member 700 may have a circular section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In the hollow V7 of the core member 700, other components passing through the shaft body 600 can be inserted. For example, a guide wire may be inserted into the hollow V7 of the core member 700. [ Here, the guide wire is a wire for guiding the catheter to the treatment site, and can be configured to reach the treatment site prior to the catheter. In this embodiment, the guide wire can penetrate into the hollow interior of the core member 700 through the distal end side of the core member 700, and the catheter head can reach the treatment site along this guide wire.

On the other hand, the center member 100 may be positioned in contact with the distal side of the core member 700. Accordingly, also in such a center member 100, a hollow may be formed in the longitudinal direction from the distal end to the proximal end. For example, referring to FIG. 3, a hollow may be formed in the center member 100 as indicated by V1. At this time, the hollow of the center member 100 may be opened at the distal side end and the proximal side end. The hollow of the center member 100 may be configured to be interconnected with the hollow V7 of the core member 700.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the guide wire can be drawn into the hollow interior of the core member (700) via the hollow of the center member (100). Therefore, the guide wire can extend to the proximal end side of the core member 700 through the hollow of the core member 700. [ Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, a configuration in which the catheter head is moved to the treatment site using the guide wire can be realized more easily.

Meanwhile, the catheter according to the present invention includes a plurality of connecting members 400, and the electrodes 510 may be mounted on the connecting members 400. At this time, the attachment point of the electrode 510 in each connection member 400 may be configured to be spaced a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of electrodes 510 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, that is, the longitudinal direction of the center member 100. In other words, it can be said that the bending portion for the plurality of connecting members 400 is configured to be spaced a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter. Here, the distance between the electrodes 510 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter in the bending state of the connecting member 400 may be variously configured according to the size of the catheter, the operation site, and the like. For example, the catheter may be configured such that, when the catheter head is opened, the distance between the electrodes 510 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter is 0.08 cm to 0.8 cm.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent stenosis from occurring due to thermal stimulation by the plurality of electrodes 510. That is, when the heat is radiated from the plurality of electrodes 510, a phenomenon may occur in which the heated portion of the blood vessel swells in the direction of the blood vessel. If the distance between the electrodes 510 in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel is short, Can occur. However, according to this embodiment of the present invention, since the plurality of electrodes 510 are spaced a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the heating portion of the blood vessel may be formed to be spaced apart from the blood vessel by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel . Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, it is possible to prevent stenosis from occurring at the site even if heat is applied to cut the nerve around the blood vessel.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a head configuration of a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration in which the connecting member 400 is bent in the configuration of FIG. Fig. 11 is a view of the configuration of Figs. 9 and 10 in which only the configuration of the second support member 220 is separated and viewed from another angle. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be omitted for the portions to which the description related to FIGS. 1 to 8 can be similarly applied, and the differences will be mainly described.

9 to 11, a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a center member 100, a first support member 210, a second support member 220 An actuating member 300, a connecting member 400, an electrode 510 and a power supply line 520, and the like. However, in the embodiments of Figs. 9 to 11, the configurations of the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 are shown differently from the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2.

9 to 11, the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 may be formed with a step in the longitudinal direction of the catheter on the surface to which the connecting member 400 is connected. 11, the second support member 220 is formed in the shape of a tube having a hollow in the longitudinal direction, and a step is formed on the outer surface thereof.

More specifically, as shown by S1, S2 and S3, the second support member 220 is formed with a step in the longitudinal direction. Further, different connecting members 400 may be connected to the three connecting portions S1, S2, and S3 formed by the stepped portions. 9 to 11, one connecting member of the three connecting members 400 is connected to the S1 portion at the proximal end, and the proximal end is connected to the S2 portion at the other connecting member, And the remaining one connecting member may be connected to the S3 portion at the proximal end.

11, only the second support member 220 is shown, but the first support member 210 may also be formed in a shape similar to that of the second support member 220. That is, the first support member 210 may be configured to be symmetrical with respect to the second support member 220. For example, the first supporting member 210 may also have three connecting portions that are different in length in a stepped shape. At this time, when the first supporting member 210 is formed in a shape similar to that shown in Fig. 11 and the three connecting portions are denoted as S1 ', S2' and S3 ', the distal end of the connecting member, Can be connected to S3 '. And, the distal end of the connecting member with the proximal end connected to S2 is connected to S2 ', and the distal end of the connecting member with the proximal end connected to S3 can be connected to S1'. At this time, the step structure of the first support member 210 corresponds to the step of the second support member 220, for example, when the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 are brought close to each other, And may have configurations that match each other.

As such, the plurality of connection members 400 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the connection point between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the bending portion of each connecting member 400 can be easily separated from the catheter by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction. 9, when the second support member moves in the direction of the arrow C2, the distance between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 is shortened so that the connection member 400 can be bent have. At this time, the bending portion is likely to be formed at the center of the connecting member 400. Due to the step formed on the first supporting member and the second supporting member, each connecting member has its central portion spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter Can be located. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the central portions of the connecting members 400 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the bending portions of the connecting members 400 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance . Therefore, even when the connecting member having the same length and susceptible to bending the central portion is used, a configuration in which each electrode 510 is spaced a predetermined distance from each other can be more easily achieved when the connecting member 400 is bent.

9 and 10, the connecting point of the connecting member 400 is changed by forming a step on both the first supporting member 210 and the second supporting member 220. However, A step may be formed in only one of the member 210 and the second support member 220 so that the connection point of the connection member 400 may be changed.

9 to 11, a surface on which the connecting member 400 is connected to the first supporting member 210 and / or the second supporting member 220 is inclined in the longitudinal direction of the catheter So that the bending portion of each connecting member 400 is spaced a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter.

Also, the plurality of connecting members 400 may be configured such that the bending directions are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the center member 100.

That is, when the catheter is changed from the closed state to the open state by the movement of the operating member 300, the plurality of connecting members 400 can be bent outwardly from the central axis of the catheter, 400 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle.

3, in the case where three connecting members 400 are included in the catheter head, in a cross-sectional shape viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the bending of each connecting member 400 The direction may be configured to be at an angle of 120 degrees with respect to the center axis of the catheter.

According to this configuration of the present invention, the electrode 510 can be configured to spread in the 360 DEG direction around the periphery of the catheter. Therefore, the electrode 510 can be configured not to miss such a nerve even if the nerve is disposed at any part of the blood vessel.

In the above embodiments, the first support member 210 is fixed and the second support member 220 is moved. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a head configuration of a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration in which a connecting member 400 is bent in the configuration of FIG. 14 is a view schematically showing a cut-off configuration taken along the line A3-A3 'in Fig. In FIG. 14, only the configuration of the center member 100 and the operation member 300 is shown for convenience of explanation. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be omitted for the portions to which the description related to FIGS. 1 to 11 can be similarly applied, and the differences will be mainly described.

12 to 14, a catheter according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a center member 100, a first support member 210, a second support member 220 An actuating member 300, a connecting member 400, an electrode 510 and a power supply line 520, and the like. However, in the embodiment of Figs. 12 to 14, the connection structure of the operation member 300 is shown differently from the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 9.

12 to 14, unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11, the actuating member 300 may extend to the first support member and the distal end may be engaged and fixed to the first support member 210 . The operation member 300 can penetrate the second support member 220 to reach the first support member 210 and can move between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220, The interval can be extended.

In addition, the second support member 220 may be fixed to the proximal end side of the center member 100. The first support member 210 may be hollow and formed to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member 100.

In this case, when the operation member 300 moves in the longitudinal direction, the first support member 210 fixed to the distal end side of the operation member 300 can move in the longitudinal direction of the catheter on the surface of the center member 100 . The distance between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 can be changed and the connection member 400 connected between the first support member 210 and the second support member 220 Bent or flattened.

For example, when the actuating member 300 is pulled in the configuration of Fig. 12, the first supporting member 210 can be moved in the direction of C3, in which case the connecting member 400 is bent to form Similarly, an open state of the catheter may be formed. On the contrary, when the operating member 300 is pushed, the first supporting member 210 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of C3 in Fig. 12, so that the connecting member 400 can be flattened, A closed state can be formed.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, since the actuating member 300 extends to the first support member 210, the catheter head can be more structurally robust. In particular, according to this embodiment of the present invention, as the first support member 210 is moved, the catheter head can be prevented from bending during open / close conversion of the catheter head.

Preferably, the center member 100 may be formed with an elongated center concave portion on the outer surface in the form of a recess concaved from the outside to the inward direction. For example, as indicated by G1 in FIG. 14, a center concave portion may be formed on the outer surface of the center member 100 to extend along the longitudinal direction of the center member 100.

Particularly, a part of the operation member 300 can be inserted into the center concave portion G1. That is, in the interval between the second support member 220 and the first support member 210, the operation member 300 can be seated in the center recess G1. Since the distal end of the operation member 300 is connected to the first support member 210 and can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the operation member 300 can be moved in a state inserted into the center concave portion G1.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the catheter head can be reduced, which can be more advantageous in achieving miniaturization of the catheter head. Even if the second supporting member 220 does not have a separate hole for passing the actuating member 300, the actuating member 300 can be moved to the first supporting member 210 via the second supporting member 220 The connected configuration can be achieved more easily. The operation member 300 is seated on the center recess G1 in the space between the first and second support members 210 and 220 so that the position of the operation member 300 is fixed, The movement of the first support member 210 by the operation member 300 can be performed stably.

In addition, the center concave portion G1 is different from the center member 100 only in that the center concave portion G1 is formed in a shape similar to the core concave portion described above.

For example, the center recess may be formed in a curved shape such as a semicircular shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the catheter, as shown in Fig.

In addition, a plurality of center concave portions G1 may be formed. The plurality of center concave portions G1 may be arranged at a predetermined distance along the outer peripheral surface of the center member 100. [ In particular, when two or more operation members 300 are included, each operation member 300 can be inserted into different center recesses.

In addition, the advantages described above can be similarly applied to the contents described above in the core recess G7.

Also, preferably, the center member 100 may be integrally formed with the core member 700. In particular, the center member 100 may be configured in a shape similar to that of the core member 700 in that it is formed in a shape elongated in one direction and has a hollow and one or more recesses may be formed on the outer surface.

Accordingly, the center member 100 may be configured to be connected to the core member 700 without being physically separated from the core member 700. For example, the core member 700 inserted into the inner space of the shaft body 600 may be extended to the catheter head to perform the function of the center member 100. In this case, the center member 100 may be the same constituent element as the core member 700. However, the distal end side of the second support member 220 may be referred to as a center member 100, and the proximal side thereof may be referred to as a core member 700. In this case, the proximal end of the center member 100 and the distal end of the core member 700 may not be bounded.

The power supply line 520 and / or the temperature sensing line 820 may be printed on the surface of at least one of the connecting member 400, the second supporting member 220 and the shaft body 600 . For example, the power supply line 520 may be provided in a manner that leaves a conductor as a two-dimensional pattern on one surface of the connecting member 400. The power supply line 520 may be printed on the inner surface of the second support member 220 or the inner surface of the shaft body 600.

According to this configuration of the present invention, there is no need to separately provide an electric wire for supplying power to the head portion of the catheter or the shaft body 600 or for transmitting temperature sensing information. Accordingly, the size, particularly the diameter, of the head of the catheter or the shaft body 600 can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the catheter can be achieved more easily. According to the present invention, the electrode 510 may be mounted on the printed surface of the power supply line 520 and the power supply or sensing wire may be connected to the second support member 220 or the shaft body 600 There is no need to insert the catheter into the internal space. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the catheter is simplified and the reproducibility is improved, so that the safety and stability of the catheter can be improved.

Also preferably, the catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention further comprises an end tip 1100 at the distal end of the catheter, i.e., the distal end of the catheter head, as shown in Figures 1, 9, .

The end tip 1100 may be formed of a soft and flexible material. In particular, the end tip 1100 may be formed of a composition comprising a polyether block amide (PEBA). Here, the composition forming the end tip 1100 may include other additives besides polyether block amide. For example, the end tip 1100 may be formed of a composition comprising 70% polyether block amide as a total weight% of the composition and 30% barium sulfate.

According to this configuration of the present invention, when the distal end of the catheter moves along a blood vessel or the like, the end tip 1100 made of a soft and flexible material is located at the frontmost position, so that damage to blood vessels and the like can be reduced, . Further, in the case of the end tip 1100 made of the above-described material, since the X-ray can be taken, the position of the catheter head can be easily grasped.

Preferably, the end tip 1100 may be configured in the form of a tube having a hollow. The hollow of the end tip 1100 may be formed to extend in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the catheter. As such, when the end tip 1100 is formed in a tube shape, the guide wire may pass through the hollow of the end tip 1100. For example, the end tip 1100 may have a length of 6 mm and be configured as a tube with a hollow diameter of 0.7 mm.

The end tip 1100 may be elongated along the extension direction of the catheter. At this time, the end tips 1100 may be formed to have different sizes along the length direction thereof. In particular, when the end tip 1100 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the distal end portion may be formed to be the smallest as compared with other portions. For example, when the diameter of the thickest portion is 1.3 mm, the diameter of the distal end may be 1.1 mm, which is the thinnest.

The end tip 1100 preferably has an appropriate length that is neither too long nor too short. For example, the length of the end tip 1100 may be 5 mm to 15 mm in the lateral direction of Fig. According to this configuration of the present invention, disturbance to movement due to the end tip 1100 in moving along the inner space of the blood vessel or the inner space of the sheath can be reduced. According to this configuration of the present invention, the degree and direction of the warp of the end tip 1100 can be grasped and the shape of the blood vessel can be easily grasped at the portion where the end tip 1100 is located.

The nerve block device according to the present invention may include the catheter described above. In addition, the nerve block device may further include an energy supply unit and a counter electrode in addition to the nerve blocking catheter. Here, the energy supply unit may be electrically connected to the electrode 510 through the power supply line 520. And, the counter electrode may be electrically connected to the energy supply unit through another line. In this case, the energy supply unit can supply energy to the electrodes of the catheter in the form of high frequency or the like, and heat is generated in the electrodes of the catheter, and the nerve is cut off by cutting the nerve around the blood vessel.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In this specification, terms indicating directions such as a distal, a proximal, an upper, a lower, a left, and a right are used, but these terms are merely relative positions for convenience of explanation, It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced with other terminology.

100: center member
210: first support member, 220: second support member
300: operating member
400: connecting member
510: electrode, 520: power supply line
600: Shaft body
700: core member
810: Temperature sensing member, 820: Temperature sensing line
900: Passing tube
1100: end tip

Claims (23)

A center member extending long in one direction and having a proximal end and a distal end;
At least one of which is provided on the distal end side of the center member and on the proximal end side of the center member so as to be spaced a predetermined distance therebetween and at least one of which is movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member on the center member, A first support member and a second support member capable of varying a distance between the first support member and the second support member;
An operating member whose distal end is connected to the first supporting member or the second supporting member to move the first supporting member or the second supporting member;
At least a part of which is bent when the distance between the first supporting member and the second supporting member is narrowed so that the bending portion is in contact with the first supporting member, A plurality of connecting members configured to move away from the center member;
A plurality of electrodes provided at respective bending portions of the plurality of connecting members to generate heat; And
A power supply line electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes to provide a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes,
≪ / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
At least one of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member by the movement of the operating member, Catheter. 3. The method of claim 2,
The first support member is fixed to the distal end side of the center member,
And the second support member is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member with the hollow formed,
Wherein the operative member is connected at its distal end to the second support member to move the second support member. 3. The method of claim 2,
The second support member is fixed to the proximal end side of the center member,
Wherein the first support member is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the center member with the hollow formed therein,
Wherein the operative member is connected at its distal end to the first support member to move the first support member. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the center member is elongated in the longitudinal direction in a center concave shape having a concave shape from the outside to the inward direction on the outer surface. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the operating member is moved in a state that a part thereof is inserted into the center concave portion. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one actuating member comprises two or more actuating members. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the three operation members are included, and are arranged at an angle of 120 degrees from each other with respect to the center axis of the center member. The method according to claim 1,
And an inner space formed along the longitudinal direction to accommodate at least a part of the operating member and at least a part of the power supply line in the inner space, Wherein the shaft body further comprises: 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein at least a part of an outer surface of the shaft body is spaced apart from at least a part of an inner surface of the shaft body by a predetermined distance, Further comprising a core member configured to extend from a distal end to a proximal end. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the core member is elongated in the longitudinal direction from the distal end to the proximal end in an outer, inwardly concave shape of the core recess. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the actuating member is moved such that at least a part of the actuating member is inserted into the core recess in the internal space of the shaft body. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the core recess is formed in a semicircular shape in cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the core member. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein a plurality of the core recesses are formed at predetermined intervals along the outer circumferential surface of the core member. 12. The method of claim 11,
A temperature sensing member for sensing temperature; And
Further comprising a temperature sensing line connected to the temperature sensing member and providing a path for transmitting sensed temperature information by the temperature sensing member and inserted in the core recess. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the power supply line and the temperature sensing line are inserted into core recesses different from the operating member. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a hollow tube formed in the inner space of the shaft body and extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft body and at least a portion of which is inserted into the core recess, . 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the at least one passing tube is disposed at a predetermined distance along the outer peripheral surface of the core member. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein at least one of the operative member and the power supply line is received in the hollow of the passing tube. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the center member and the core member are longitudinally hollowed from a distal end to a proximal end so as to be interconnected. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the core member is formed integrally with the center member. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein at least one of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is formed with a step or a slope in a longitudinal direction of the catheter on a surface to which the connecting member is connected. 22. A nerve blocker comprising a catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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