JP3331136B2 - Ultrasound catheter extension device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic catheter which is inserted into a body cavity such as a blood vessel or a blood vessel, and is used for displaying a sectional image of a lumen or measuring blood flow, and the like. The present invention relates to an extension device for an ultrasonic catheter for connecting to a driving device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an ultrasonic catheter which is inserted into a thin blood vessel such as a coronary artery of a heart or a blood vessel such as a bile duct to display a sectional image of a lumen or to measure a blood flow.
As this ultrasonic catheter, for example, an ultrasonic vibrator inside the distal end of a hollow catheter tube inserted into a body cavity, a drive shaft that transmits a driving force to directly rotate the vibrator or the ultrasonic reflecting plate, 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a signal line that connects a vibrator to an external electric circuit and a connector provided at a rear end of a catheter. The catheter is used by connecting a connector to an external driving device that transmits a driving force to a driving shaft.

[0003]

However, after inserting the ultrasonic catheter into a human body or the like, a procedure such as pulling out the ultrasonic catheter while observing the affected part with an ultrasonic wave may be performed. Since an external driving device that is larger than the ultrasonic catheter is located at hand, it hinders the operator's procedure. In addition, because of its large size, it is difficult to move, and an excessive force may be applied, and the ultrasonic catheter may be damaged. Further, since the external drive device may come into contact with an operator or a patient, it is necessary to sterilize or cover the external drive device with a large sterilization cover, which is troublesome. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and the ultrasonic catheter can be separated from the external driving device, and the ultrasonic catheter can be freely moved while performing ultrasonic observation. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic catheter device that facilitates an observation operation of an affected part and can substantially omit sterilization of an external driving device.

[0004]

The above object is achieved by a sheath inserted into a body cavity, a drive shaft inserted into the sheath and transmitting a mechanical driving force from a proximal end to a distal end. An ultrasonic transducer fixed to the distal end of the drive shaft, a signal line connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and a sheath and a rear end of the drive shaft,
And an ultrasonic catheter having a catheter-side connector having a catheter-side terminal connected to the signal line, a drive source for applying a driving force to the drive shaft of the ultrasonic catheter, and an external drive device-side terminal An extension device for an ultrasonic catheter for connecting to an external drive device comprising: a first connection portion connectable to a connector of the ultrasonic catheter; and a connection device for connecting to the external drive device. A possible second connection, the first connection and the second connection
An extension tube body that connects a connection portion and has a drive transmission shaft therein, wherein the first connection portion is a first connection portion side terminal portion electrically connected to the catheter side terminal portion, A first connection portion for connecting the drive shaft and the drive transmission shaft, wherein the second connection portion includes:
A second connection portion side terminal portion electrically connected to the external drive device side terminal portion, and a second connection portion for connecting a drive source of the external drive device and the drive transmission shaft; The extension device is an extension device for an ultrasonic catheter which is provided in the extension tube body and includes an extension device signal line for connecting the first connection portion side terminal portion and the second connection portion side terminal portion. is there.

Preferably, the extension device signal line is provided in a drive transmission shaft of the extension device. Further, it is preferable that the extension tube body has an outer tube through which a drive transmission shaft is inserted, and the outer tube includes a rigidity imparting body. It is preferable that a liquid is filled between the outer tube and the drive transmission shaft. The liquid imparts lubricity and is preferably inert. Further, the second connection portion includes an elastic member pressed between the second connection portion and the connection portion of the driving device when the second connection portion is connected to the external driving device. Is preferred.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ultrasonic catheter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a state in which an ultrasonic catheter and an external drive device are connected to the ultrasonic catheter extension device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter of the present invention. FIG.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external view of the ultrasonic catheter in which the extension device for ultrasonic catheters of this invention is used. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a first connection portion of the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG. 3 and a connector portion of the ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an external driving device to which the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter of the present invention is connected. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a vicinity of a second connection portion of the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG. 2 and a connection portion of an external driving device.

The extension device 1 for an ultrasonic catheter of the present invention
Is a driving source 63 for applying a driving force to the ultrasonic catheter 30 and the driving shaft 32 of the ultrasonic catheter 30.
And an external drive device 60 having an external drive device-side terminal portion 62. The extension device 1 for an ultrasonic catheter according to the present invention includes a first connection portion 2 that can be connected to the connector 36 of the ultrasonic catheter 30, and an external driving device 6.
0, and an extension tube body 4 that connects the first connection part 2 and the second connection part 3 and has a drive transmission shaft 5 inside. The first connection portion 2 has a first connection portion side terminal portion 6 electrically connected to the catheter side terminal portion, and a first connection portion 7 for connecting the drive shaft 32 and the drive transmission shaft 5. 2nd connection part 3
Is a second connection portion side terminal portion 9 electrically connected to the external drive device side terminal portion 62, and a drive source 63 of the external drive device 60.
Connecting portion 8 for connecting the drive transmission shaft 5 and the
Having. The extension device 1 further includes an extension device signal line 10 that is provided in the extension tube body 4 and connects the first connection portion side terminal portion 6 and the second connection portion side terminal portion 9.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, an ultrasonic catheter 30 using the ultrasonic catheter extension device 1 of the present invention comprises a sheath 31 inserted into a body cavity,
A drive shaft 32 inserted into the sheath 31 and transmitting a mechanical drive force from the proximal end to the distal end;
2, an ultrasonic transducer 33 fixed to the distal end, a catheter signal line 34 connected to the ultrasonic transducer 33, and a rear end of the sheath 31 and the drive shaft 32 and connected to the signal line 34. And a catheter-side connector 36 having a catheter-side terminal portion 35 formed therein.

The ultrasonic catheter 30 includes a hollow sheath 31 inserted into a body cavity, a drive shaft 32 inserted into the sheath 31, an ultrasonic vibrator 33 provided at a distal end of the drive shaft 32, and And a connector 36 (hand operation unit) fixed to the proximal end of the sheath 31. As shown in FIG. 4, a transducer housing 38 connected to a distal end of a coil-shaped drive shaft 32 is provided inside the distal end side of the sheath 31 of the catheter 30. A transducer 33 having an ultrasonic transducer function for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is housed in the housing 38. A one-layer coiled elastic body 37 is provided on the distal end side of the sheath 31. The elastic body 37 is fixed with its base end inserted into the distal end opening of the sheath 31. The elastic body 37 is made of Pt, I from the viewpoint of X-ray contrast.
Metals such as r and Au or alloys thereof are preferred.

A transducer housing 38 fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 32 has a pipe shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the drive shaft 32, and has a predetermined length in the axial direction near the center and cuts out about half of the arc. By doing so, a fixed portion of the transducer 33 is formed. The material for forming the transducer housing 38 is
Metals, resins, ceramics, etc. are used. The material of the transducer housing is made of stainless steel (SUS) in terms of bonding strength and reinforcement of the transducer.
304, SUS316 etc.) and ceramic materials such as alumina and zirconia are preferred. The transducer 33 is housed in the housing part such that the acoustic matching layer side is the opening side of the transducer housing part and the back material is the bottom side of the transducer housing part. The transducer 33 is connected to the housing 3 by an adhesive.
8 is fixed.

The drive shaft 32 is made of a two-layer flat plate made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316, etc.).
It is formed by a thread. Drive shaft 3
2 preferably has a breaking strength of 0.4 kgf or more. The drive shaft 32 is made of a round wire or a flat metal,
It may be a resin or a coil wound in a single layer or a multilayer. The drive shaft 32 is
A signal wire 34 described later may be wound horizontally on a wire having a breaking strength of 0.4 kgf or more. In the drive shaft 32, as shown in FIG.
A catheter side signal line 34 formed by 4a and 34b is incorporated. The distal end side of the catheter of the signal line 34 is connected to the vibrator 33 formed on the transducer, and the proximal end side (hand side) is connected to the receptacle 35 of the connector 36. The receptacle 35 is connected to the signal line 34,
It is provided on the catheter side terminal.

[0012] The sheath 31 of the catheter 30 may be formed of different materials for the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving portion on the distal end side and the sheath main body portion on the proximal side. The sheath body is made of a so-called catheter material such as a polyolefin-based, polyurethane-based, polyacetal-based, polyimide-based or fluorine-based resin tube or stainless steel (SUS304, SUS3).
16), a superelastic metal tube such as a NiTi alloy, and a resin and stainless steel (SUS30).
4, SUS316) or the like, a composite tube in which a wire or a coil is wound around a wire. The thickness of the sheath is 30-300 μm, at least 0.
It is desirable to have a tensile breaking strength of 4 kgf or more. The ultrasonic transmitting / receiving portion on the catheter tip side is preferably made of a polyolefin-based, polyurethane-based, or fluorine-based resin having excellent ultrasonic permeability. The thickness of the resin forming the transmitting / receiving portion is preferably about 10 to 100 μm. Further, the outer and inner surfaces (particularly, the outer surface) of the sheath may be coated with a hydrophilic resin, a fluororesin, a silicon resin, or the like at a thickness of 1 μm to several tens μm. By these processes, the sliding resistance of the outer and inner surfaces of the sheath 31 can be reduced. Further, the outer surface of the sheath 31 may be coated or fixed with an antithrombotic substance. The coating of the antithrombotic substance is performed, for example, by coating the outer surface of the shaft with a resin containing heparin.

The catheter connector 36 has a structure as shown in FIG. The catheter connector 36 includes a connector housing 40 including a housing body 41 and a joint 42 fixed to the rear end of the housing body 41, a rotor 43, a receptacle 35 fixed in the rotor 43, and two seal cases 44a and 44b. An O-ring 45 and a kink-resistant tube 46 housed in two seal cases are provided. The rotor 43 includes the housing 4
0, it is rotatable and non-rotatably connected to the drive shaft 32. On the outer surface of the rotor 43,
Two grooves 43a and 43b extending in the axial direction are formed. The grooves 43a and 43b function as couplings for accommodating two projections 7a and 7b of the first connecting portion rotor 7 of the extension device 1 described later. As a result, the rotational force applied to the first connection portion rotor 7 is transmitted to the drive shaft 32 via the rotor 43. Further, the rear end of the receptacle 35 is a cylindrical body protruding from the rear end of the rotor 43, so that a plug 6 of the first connection portion 2 described later can be housed inside. Then, in a state where the plug 6 is housed inside, the signal line 34 is electrically connected to the plug 6 via the receptacle 35.

The two seal cases 44a, 44b
The drive shaft 32 penetrates the O-ring 45 housed therein, thereby preventing the liquid in the catheter 30 (degassed heparinized saline, which is optimal for ultrasonic wave propagation) from leaking to the proximal opening. Preventing. Further, the connector housing 40 is provided with a port 48 used for injecting a liquid into the sheath 31. A cap 49 is attached to the port so that it can be opened and closed. Also,
The connector joint part 42 substantially constitutes a connection part with the first connection part 2. On the outer surface of the joint part 42, a projection 50 for positioning and stopping rotation when connecting to the first connection part 2 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the extension device 1 for an ultrasonic catheter has a first connection portion 2 that can be connected to a connector 36 of an ultrasonic catheter 30 and a second connection portion 3 that can be connected to an external driving device 60. And an extension tube body 4 that connects the first connection portion 2 and the second connection portion 3 and has a drive transmission shaft 5 therein. The extension tube body 4 includes the outer tube 2
0 and a drive transmission shaft 5 penetrating therethrough.
The first connection part 2 has a structure as shown in FIGS. A first connection portion housing including a first connection portion housing main body portion 21 and a first connection portion joint portion 22 fixed to the housing main body portion;
A driving force transmission connection mechanism housed in the housing;
An electrical connection mechanism.

Specifically, in the first connection portion housing, an inner rotor 13 to which the tip of the drive transmission shaft 5 is fixed, a tip of the inner rotor 13 is housed, and the portion is fixed to the inner rotor at that portion. The first connecting portion rotor 7 composed of the outer rotor 12, the plug 6 fixed in the inner rotor 13, and the extension tube body 4
The sleeve 15 to which the proximal end of the outer tube 20 is fixed, the bearing means 24 (specifically, ball bearing) arranged so as to surround the vicinity of the rear end of the inner rotor, and the two fixed inside the sleeve 15 Seal case 16, 1
7, and an O-ring 28 housed in two seal cases. The sleeve 15 is fixed to the housing body 21. The drive transmission shaft 5 penetrates the O-ring 28 and the bearing means 24, and the tip of the drive transmission shaft 5 is fixed to the inner rotor 13. In addition,
In this embodiment, the tip of the drive transmission shaft 5 is connected to a first connection pipe 5b (for example, a metal pipe such as stainless steel) and a second connection pipe 5a (for example, a metal pipe such as stainless steel) connected thereto. Have. Therefore, the second connection pipe 5a forms the tip of the drive transmission shaft 5, and the second connection pipe 5a is fixed to the inner rotor 13.

The drive transmission shaft 5 has a built-in extension device signal line formed by two lead wires 10a and 10b. The distal end side (the first connection portion side) of the signal line is connected to a plug 6 fixed to the inner rotor 13.
The tip of the outer rotor 12 has two projections 7a and 7b (flanges) cut into a substantially triangular shape. The two projections 7a and 7b are provided in two axially extending grooves 43a and 43b provided on the outer surface of the rotor 43 of the ultrasonic catheter 30.
The drive transmission shaft 5 is housed in the
And the rotational force transmitted to the first connection portion rotor 7 is transmitted to the drive shaft 32 of the catheter 30 via the rotor 43. Therefore, the first connecting portion rotor 7 is used to connect the drive shaft 32 and the drive transmission shaft 5 with each other.
A connecting portion is formed.

By connecting the first connecting portion 2 to the catheter connector 36, the plug 6 of the first connecting portion 2 is connected.
Is housed in the tubular portion at the rear end of the receptacle 35 of the catheter, and the catheter-side signal line 34 is electrically connected to the extension device signal line 10 via the receptacle 35 and the plug 6. Therefore, the first connection portion side terminal portion electrically connected to the catheter side terminal portion is formed by the plug 6. A kink prevention tube 23 is provided on the outer surface of the distal end portion of the outer tube 20.

A groove 22a extending in the axial direction is formed at the end of the joint portion 22 of the first connection portion 2. The protrusion 22 of the ultrasonic catheter 30 is housed. The rotation of the ultrasound catheter 30 itself is suppressed. The housing body 21 and the joint 22 are connected and fixed by a set screw 22a. The bearing means (rotor bearing) 24 housed between the rear end of the inner rotor 13 and the housing (rear end of the joint portion 22) is used to set the center of rotation of the rotor, Has a function of suppressing the vibration of the drive transmission shaft 5.

The extension tube body 4 has a structure as shown in FIG. 2, and includes an outer tube 20, a drive transmission shaft 5 penetrating through the outer tube 20, and an extension device signal line 10 inserted through the drive transmission shaft 5. Prepare. The space between the outer tube 20 and the drive transmission shaft 5 is filled with a liquid 25. The liquid 25 is used to reduce the frictional force between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the outer tube 20, and is used to reduce the contact between them. The liquid 25 is not particularly limited, but a liquid generally used as a lubricant is used. By filling such a liquid, the friction caused by the contact between the outer surface of the shaft and the outer tube is reduced, and even if the tube body is bent, the rotation of the drive transmission shaft is hardly suppressed, and the transmission of the driving force is ensured. Become.

The liquid 25 preferably does not affect the material forming the outer tube 20 and the material forming the shaft, and is preferably a so-called inert liquid. As such a liquid, a liquid used as a lubricating oil is used. For example, silicone oil (for example, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylphenylsiloxane), fluorine-based oil (polychlorofluoroethylene,
Trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane, perfluoropolyether), polyglycol (polyalkylene glycol), phenyl oil (phenyl ether such as alkyl diphenyl ether, polyphenyl ether),
Based on phosphate ester (aromatic phosphate ester, aliphatic phosphate ester), etc., as appropriate, antiwear agent, rust inhibitor, oxidation stabilizer, thickener, pour point depressant, viscosity index improvement What added the agent etc. is used. Specifically, Fluorinert FC-70 (trademark) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd. can be used.

The filled liquid 25 contains the above-mentioned O
The ring 28 prevents leakage into the first connection portion 2. Further, the first connection portion housing main body 21 is provided with a ventilation hole, and is used as an air vent (or injection port) when injecting the liquid 25 into the outer tube 20, and is attached after the liquid is injected. Sealed by screws 27. The drive transmission shaft 5 is formed of, for example, a two-layer, two-layer flat plate made of stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316, etc.). The drive shaft is
It preferably has a breaking strength of 0.4 kgf or more.
The drive transmission shaft 5 may be formed by winding a round wire or a flat metal or resin into a layer or a multilayer in a coil or a blade.

As the outer tube 20, a tube made of a synthetic resin is used. In particular, a synthetic resin tube provided with the rigidity imparting body 26 over the entire length is preferable. By using such a member having a stiffness imparting member, the outer tube is less kinked and the contact with the drive transmission shaft due to the kink can be prevented. As the outer tube 20, for example, one formed by an inner layer, an intermediate layer covering the inner layer, and an outer layer covering the intermediate layer can be used. A stiffness imparting body 26 is provided in the inner layer. As the material for forming the inner layer, a material having a certain degree of flexibility is preferable.For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin elastomer using ethylene-propylene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide Thermoplastic resins such as elastomers and polyurethanes, silicone rubber, latex rubber and the like can be used. Preferably, it is a polyamide elastomer or polyurethane softened by a plasticizer such as paraoxybenzoic ethylhexyl (POBO).

The stiffness imparting member 26 is preferably formed in a mesh shape by using a plurality of wires (for example, a metal wire or a synthetic fiber wire). Furthermore, this rigidity imparting body 26
The inner layer is buried in the outer surface or the thickness of the resin forming the inner layer. In particular, the inner layer is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the inner layer around which the stiffness imparting body 26 is wound is heated from the outside,
(For example, by inserting the inner layer 1 through a heating die), the stiffener 26 is buried in the outer wall of the inner layer. As the metal wire used for the rigidity imparting member 26, a stainless wire,
Amorphous alloy wires and the like are preferable. As the amorphous alloy wires, amorphous alloys formed using iron-silicon-boron-based alloys, cobalt-silicon-boron-based alloys, iron-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum-silicon-boron-based alloys, etc. Wire can be used preferably.

The thickness of the inner layer is 0.1 to 0.3 mm,
Preferably, it is 0.18 to 0.23 mm. The intermediate layer covers the inner layer. As a material for forming the intermediate layer, a material having adhesiveness to the inner layer is preferable, and a material having the same or similar properties to the resin used for forming the inner layer 11 is preferable. For example,
Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin elastomer using ethylene-propylene copolymer, etc., polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide elastomer, thermoplastic resin such as polyurethane, silicone rubber, latex rubber, etc. can be used, preferably Is paraoxybenzoic ethylhexyl (POBO)
Polyamide elastomer or polyurethane softened by a plasticizer such as Further, the above-mentioned stiffness imparting body 26 may be provided in this intermediate layer, but preferably,
As described above, it is preferable to provide between the inner layer and the intermediate layer. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the unevenness of the rigidity imparting member 26 from affecting the outer tube surface, and to make the surface smooth. The thickness of the intermediate layer is 0.05
0.15 mm, preferably 0.07 to 0.13 mm. Note that the intermediate layer may be omitted.

The outer layer covers the intermediate layer and forms the outer surface of the extension device. As a material for forming the outer layer, a material having adhesiveness to the intermediate layer is preferable, and a material having the same or similar properties to the resin used for forming the intermediate layer is preferable. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin using ethylene-propylene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide elastomer,
Thermoplastic resins such as polyurethane, silicone rubber, latex rubber and the like can be used. Preferably, it is a polyamide elastomer or polyurethane softened by a plasticizer such as paraoxybenzoic ethylhexyl (POBO).

The second connecting portion 3 has a structure as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the second connection unit 3
A second connecting portion housing including a second connecting portion housing main body portion 51 and a second connecting portion joint portion 52 fixed to a rear end of the second connecting portion housing main body portion 51, a second connecting portion rotor 8, and a second connection portion; A second connection portion receptacle 9 fixed in the rotor 8, an O-ring 55, an elastic member 56 (insulator), and a kink-resistant tube 57 are provided. The second connection portion housing main body 51 includes a front end housing main body 51a and a rear end housing main body 51b fixed to the rear end. An annular groove formed on the side surface of the rear end housing body 51b has a fixing member 59 for fixing to an external drive device having a screw groove on the inner surface.
Is rotatably mounted. The screw groove of the fixing member 59 is screwed with a screw thread 69a formed on the outer surface of the distal end portion of the external drive device cap 69 of the external drive device.

The second connecting portion rotor 8 is non-rotatably connected to the drive transmission shaft 5. Two grooves 8 a and 8 b extending in the axial direction are formed on the outer surface of the second connecting portion rotor 8. The grooves 8a and 8b function as couplings for accommodating two protrusions 67a and 67b of a rotor 67 of the external drive device 60 described later. As a result, the rotational force applied to the rotor 67 of the external drive device 60 is transmitted to the drive transmission shaft 5 via the second connecting portion rotor 8. Therefore, the second connection portion rotor 8 constitutes a second connection portion for connecting the drive source 63 of the external drive device 60 and the drive transmission shaft 5. In this embodiment, the base end of the drive transmission shaft 5 is connected to a third connection pipe 5d (for example,
A metal pipe such as stainless steel) and a fourth connection pipe 5c (for example, a metal pipe such as stainless steel) connected thereto. Therefore, the fourth connection pipe 5c
Form the base end of the drive transmission shaft 5, and the fourth connection pipe 5 c is fixed to the second connection portion rotor 8. The drive shaft 5 is connected to the second connecting portion rotor 8.
And rotatable within the housing.

The rear end of the second connection part receptacle 9 is a cylindrical body protruding from the rear end of the second connection part rotor 8, so that a plug 70 of an external drive device 60 described later can be housed inside. It has become. And plug 70 inside
Is stored, the extension device signal line 10 is electrically connected to the plug 70 via the receptacle 9.
Therefore, the receptacle 9 forms a second connection portion side terminal portion electrically connected to the external drive device side terminal portion.
Further, the seal case 54 and the distal end side housing body 51
The drive transmission shaft 5 penetrates the O-ring 55 housed between the extension device a and the O-ring 55 to prevent the liquid 25 in the extension device from leaking. Further, a liquid 25 is contained in the sheath 31 in the distal end side housing main body 51a.
There is provided an opening used for injecting.
The opening is closed by a screw 81 mounted after liquid injection. Further, the second connection portion joint portion 52 substantially forms a connection portion with the external drive device 60. On the outer surface of the joint portion 52, a projection 80 for positioning at the time of connection to the external drive device 60 is formed.

An elastic member 56 is provided on the outer surface of the joint 52. The elastic member 56 is a tubular body having a predetermined width, and does not easily move into an annular groove having a predetermined width formed on the outer surface of the second connection portion 3 (the second connection portion joint portion 52). It is inlaid.
The width of the elastic member 56 is preferably about 2 to 10 mm. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the surface shape of the elastic member 56 is preferably formed with an annular rib or an annular groove orthogonal to the axial direction of the second connection portion 3, but is not limited thereto. For example, a rib extending parallel to the axial direction of the second connection portion 3 or a rib extending spirally,
It may be a plurality of projections interspersed.

The surface (pressing surface) of the elastic member 56 used in the extension device 1 of this embodiment is formed with wavy irregularities so that the elastic member 56 can be easily deformed. Is easy to attach to the external drive device 60, and the repulsive force after the deformation makes the external drive device 60
From the second connecting portion.

The elastic member 56 is made of, for example, urethane rubber,
It is formed of synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber and butadiene rubber, natural rubber such as latex rubber, soft vinyl chloride, elastomer such as olefin-based elastomer, amide-based elastomer, and styrene-based elastomer. Further, the elastic member 56 is not limited to a member formed completely from the second connecting portion 3, but may be formed integrally with the second connecting portion 3 by two-color molding of an elastic material.
Alternatively, the elastic member 56 may be integrally formed by insert molding in which the second connecting portion 3 is formed by inserting a previously formed elastic member 56 into a mold. When the elastic member 56 is formed in a part of the second connecting portion 3 by using the two-color molding and the insert molding, the material of the second connecting portion 3 (specifically, the joint portion 52) and the elastic member It is preferable that the material has adhesiveness.

When the two-color molding method is used, for example, when the second connecting portion (joint portion) is formed of polyolefin (polyethylene, polypropylene), the material of the elastic member 56 may be polyolefin elastomer (polyethylene elastomer, When the second connecting portion (joint portion) is formed of an ester-based resin (for example, polyethylene terephthalate), the second connecting portion (joint portion) is made of polyester elastomer. Styrene resin (for example, polystyrene, MS resin, MBS
When the elastic member 56 is formed of a styrene-based elastomer (for example, styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer, styrene-isoprene-
Styrene copolymers, styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene copolymers) can be used.

Next, the external driving device will be described with reference to FIGS. The external drive device 60 has a drive source including a motor 62 and a function of picking up signals transmitted from the catheter. The external drive device 60 is further electrically connected to a console having a transmission / reception circuit, an image display device, and the like. The external drive device 60 includes an external drive device housing 63, a motor 62 and an amplifier board 61 housed in the housing 63, and a first connection member 66 a and a second connection member 66 on a rotation shaft 64 of the motor 62.
b, a rotor 67 fixed through the spacer b, a spacer 65, a bearing 65a housed in the spacer, a rotor cover 68 enclosing the rotor 67, and an external drive device cap 69 enclosing the rotor cover 68. And a plug 70 fixed in the rotor 67 and engaged with the receptacle 9 described above. The rotor 67 rotates favorably by the spacer 65 and the bearing 65a. Two protrusions 67 a and 67 b having a substantially triangular-shaped distal end portion are formed at the distal end portion of the rotor 67. The rotor cover 68 constitutes a connector connection part. An axially extending groove 68 a for accommodating the projection 80 formed at the joint of the second connecting portion 3 of the extension device 1 is formed at the tip of the rotor cover 68. The inner diameter of the rotor cover 68 is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the joint portion 52 and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic member 56. For this reason, when the extension device 1 is connected to the external drive device 60, the elastic member 56 is pressed by the space between the second connection portion 3 of the extension device 1 and the rotor cover 68 forming the connection portion on the external drive device 60 side. Is done. A screw thread 69 a formed on the outer surface of the distal end of the external drive device cap 69 is screwed with a screw groove of a fixing member 59 rotatably attached to a joint portion of the second connection portion 3 of the extension device 1. However, the screwing of both prevents the second connecting portion 3 of the extension device 1 from easily detaching from the external drive device.

Next, the operation method and operation of the present invention will be described. First, the ultrasonic catheter 30 is inserted and installed in a target body cavity. The protrusion 50 of the joint 42 of the connector 36 is connected to the groove 2 of the joint of the first connection 2 of the extension device 1.
2a so that the connector 36 is aligned with the first
Insert it into the connection part 2. As a result, two projections 7a and 7b (flanges) each having a substantially triangular-shaped distal end project from the distal end of the first connecting portion rotor 7 in the first connecting portion 2, and the hypotenuse thereof is an ultrasonic wave. The two grooves 43a and 43b formed on the outer surface of the rotor 43 of the catheter 30 are fitted to each other, so that rotational force can be transmitted. At the same time, the receptacle 35 of the catheter 30 is connected to the plug 6 in the first connection part, and the mechanical and electrical connection is completed. At the same time, the engagement of the projection 50 of the connector 36 with the groove 22a of the first connection part 2 causes the connector Rotation of the 36 itself with respect to the first connection portion 2 is suppressed.

Subsequently, the joint portion 52 of the second connecting portion 3 is externally driven so that the projection 80 of the joint portion 52 of the second connecting portion 3 of the extension device 1 matches the groove 68a of the connecting portion of the external driving device 60. Insert into device 60. Thereby, the second
The elastic member 56 (insulator) of the connection portion 3 is interposed between the inner surface of the external drive device 60 (the inner surface of the rotor cover 68) and the connector housing, and is compressed by both. Further, the tip of the rotor 67 of the external drive device 60 has two projections 67a and 67b each having a substantially triangular tip.
The flange is protruding, and its oblique side is fitted with two grooves 8a and 8b formed on the outer surface of the second connecting portion rotor 8, so that the rotational force can be transmitted. At the same time, the second connection portion receptacle 9 is connected to the plug 70 in the external drive device 60, and the mechanical and electrical connection is completed, and at the same time, the projection 80 of the second connection portion 3 engages with the groove of the rotor cover 68. By the second
The rotation of the connection unit 3 with respect to the external drive device 60 is suppressed. Then, the fixing member 59 of the second connection portion is rotated to be screwed with the thread 69a of the cap 69, and the fixing member 59 is fixed to the external driving device, whereby the attachment of the extension device is completed. . When the external drive device 60 is driven, vibration is generated by the drive torque. However, the vibration is reduced by the elastic force of the elastic member 56 (insulator), and the vibration is not transmitted to the extension device 1. Only the drive torque of 60 is transmitted to the drive transmission shaft 5.

In the embodiment described above, the rear end of the second connecting portion 3 of the extension device 1 is inserted and fixed in the connecting portion of the external drive device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connecting portion of the external driving device may be inserted and fixed in the rear end of the second connecting portion of the extension device. In this case, the above-mentioned elastic member is provided on the inner surface of the second connecting portion of the extension device. Even in this case, the elastic member is still pressed between the second connection portion of the extension device and the connection portion of the driving device.

[0038]

The extension device for an ultrasonic catheter according to the present invention comprises a sheath inserted into a body cavity, a drive shaft inserted into the sheath and transmitting a mechanical driving force from a proximal end to a distal end. An ultrasonic transducer fixed to the tip of the drive shaft, a signal line connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and a sheath and a rear end of the drive shaft,
And an ultrasonic catheter having a catheter-side connector having a catheter-side terminal connected to the signal line, a drive source for applying a driving force to the drive shaft of the ultrasonic catheter, and an external drive device-side terminal An extension device for an ultrasonic catheter for connecting to an external drive device comprising: a first connection portion connectable to a connector of the ultrasonic catheter; and an extension device connected to the external drive device. A possible second connection, the first connection and the second connection
An extension tube body that connects a connection portion and has a drive transmission shaft therein, wherein the first connection portion is a first connection portion side terminal portion electrically connected to the catheter side terminal portion, A first connection portion for connecting the drive shaft and the drive transmission shaft, wherein the second connection portion includes:
A second connection portion side terminal portion electrically connected to the external drive device side terminal portion, and a second connection portion for connecting a drive source of the external drive device and the drive transmission shaft; The extension device includes an extension device signal line that is provided in the extension tube body and connects the first connection portion side terminal portion and the second connection portion side terminal portion. For this reason,
By using this extension device, the ultrasonic catheter can be separated from the external driving device, and the ultrasonic catheter can be freely moved while performing ultrasonic observation. Therefore, there is no need to operate the ultrasonic catheter while holding the external device, and the observation procedure is facilitated, and the catheter is not damaged due to being pulled by the external drive device during the procedure. Further, sterilization can be omitted since the external drive does not substantially contact the patient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a state in which an ultrasonic catheter and the outside are connected to an ultrasonic catheter extension device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an ultrasonic catheter in which the ultrasonic catheter extension device of the present invention is used.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of the ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG.

5 is an enlarged sectional view of a first connection portion of the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG. 2 and a connector portion of the ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an external driving device to which the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a second connection portion of the extension device for an ultrasonic catheter shown in FIG. 2 and a connection portion of an external driving device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Extension device for ultrasonic catheters 2 First connection part 3 Second connection part 4 Extension tube body 5 Drive transmission shaft 6 First connection part side terminal part 7 First connection part 8 Second connection part side terminal part 9 Second connection Part 10 Extension device signal line 30 Ultrasonic catheter 32 Drive shaft 36 Catheter connector 60 External drive

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 8/00-8/15

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheath inserted into a body cavity, a drive shaft inserted into the sheath and transmitting mechanical driving force from a proximal end to a distal end, and a superfixed to a distal end of the drive shaft. An ultrasonic transducer, a signal line connected to the ultrasonic transducer, a catheter-side connector provided at the rear end of the sheath and the drive shaft, and having a catheter-side terminal connected to the signal line; An ultrasonic catheter extension for connecting an ultrasonic catheter comprising: a driving source for applying a driving force to the drive shaft of the ultrasonic catheter; and an external driving device including an external driving device side terminal portion. An extension device comprising: a first connection portion connectable to a connector of the ultrasonic catheter; a second connection portion connectable to the external driving device; and the first connection portion and the second connection portion. Department And an extension tube body having a drive transmission shaft therein, wherein the first connection portion is electrically connected to the catheter-side terminal portion.
A connection portion side terminal portion, and a first connection portion for connecting the drive shaft and the drive transmission shaft;
The connection portion includes a second connection portion side terminal portion electrically connected to the external drive device side terminal portion, and a second connection portion for connecting a drive source of the external drive device and the drive transmission shaft. The extension device is further provided with an extension device signal line that is provided in the extension tube body and connects the first connection portion side terminal portion and the second connection portion side terminal portion. An extension device for an ultrasonic catheter. 2. The extension device for an ultrasonic catheter according to claim 1, wherein the extension device signal line is provided in a drive transmission shaft of the extension device. 3. The ultrasonic catheter according to claim 1, wherein the extension tube body has an outer tube through which the drive transmission shaft is inserted, and the outer tube includes a rigidity imparting body. Extension equipment. 4. The ultrasonic catheter extension device according to claim 1, wherein a liquid is filled between the outer tube and the drive transmission shaft. 5. The elastic member pressed between the second connecting portion and the connecting portion of the driving device when the second connecting portion is connected to the external driving device. The extension device for an ultrasonic catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: