JP6839410B2 - Branch pipe - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a branch pipe used by connecting to a tubular member introduced into the body such as a puncture needle, and more particularly to a branch pipe in which one of the branched passages serves as an insertion passage for a long linear introduction object.

As a branch pipe connected to a tubular member and one of the branch passages serves as an insertion passage for an introduction into the lumen of the tubular member, for example, the puncture position is visually confirmed at the time of organ puncture under endoscopic observation. There is a Y-shaped tube (branch tube) used for the luminescent injection needle, which inserts a chemical solution tube into one passage (main pipe passage) of the branch pipe connected to the injection needle and branches from the main pipe passage. A bundle of a plurality of optical fibers to be introduced to the injection needle is inserted into the passage (side tube passage) of the above. (Patent Document 1)

Further, as a means for observing and identifying the tip position of a tubular member such as a puncture needle inserted into the body by recent technology, a long linear light guide member (optical fiber or the like) is introduced into the lumen of the tubular member. ) Is inserted to the tip, a light absorbing member that absorbs light is set at the tip of the light guide member, and the tip position is clearly observed from outside the living body by detecting the photoacoustic wave generated from the light absorbing member. , Disclosed inserts suitable for identifiable photoacoustic imaging techniques. (Patent Document 2)

JP-A-2000-321719 Japanese Patent No. 5819387

Here, when an insert (such as an injection needle) for specifying the tip position of a tubular member is to be provided with a chemical solution injection function by photoacoustic imaging of Patent Document 2, one of them is used as a connecting tube to the tubular member and the chemical solution flows. A branch pipe such as Cited Document 1 in which the passage and the other are the insertion passages of the light guide member may be applied, but the instrument of Cited Document 1 is premised on use under endoscopic observation, and the light of an optical fiber is used. Since the puncture position is visually recognized by illuminating the organ with a beam, appropriate brightness is required, and a plurality of long linear optical fibers are used as a bundle in the passage through which the optical fiber of the branch tube is passed. On the other hand, in the identification by photoacoustic imaging, it is sufficient if the photoacoustic wave emitted from the light absorption unit (tip of the optical fiber) can be detected, so that only one optical fiber is required as an introduction member. Functioning with one in this way expands the application of inserts and is effective for reducing the diameter of the puncture needle and cost, but it functions because there is only one delicate optical fiber with a small diameter and easy to break. Damage such as breakage at the manufacturing stage is not allowed for maintenance, and it is extremely important to protect the light guide member from damage, so that the conventional structure of the branch pipe cannot be applied as it is.

Further, since the inner diameter of the lumen passage of the branch pipe is functionally formed to be larger than the inner diameter of a tubular member such as a puncture needle, the introduction material is smoothly inserted into the tubular member. Generally, a tapered portion that reduces the diameter from the position side to the distal side is provided. However, if the tubular member has a small diameter or the introduction member is a long wire like a single optical fiber and is easily broken, it is difficult to insert it from the branch pipe into the tubular member at the manufacturing stage. In particular, when inserting from the side pipe side of a branch pipe with an insertion angle, the insertion is not linear, and a curved portion is formed in the introduction member, which makes it even more troublesome. There is.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the introduction material to be inserted into the branch pipe connected to the tubular member is a long linear and delicate one such as a single optical fiber, it is inserted from the branch pipe into the tubular member. In addition, with a branch tube that can be easily incorporated without damaging the introduced material, for example, the tip position of the tubular member introduced into the body can be detected by photoacoustic imaging, and the drug solution can be injected into the position. An object of the present invention is to provide a branch tube that can be suitably used for various injection devices (injection needles for photoacoustic imaging).

Branch pipes of the present invention, the connection portion of the tubular member at the distal end, the lumen branches toward the proximal side in the middle of the lumen, main passage, and is formed as a side tube passage, the length the long line-shaped inclusions a branch pipe used to inserted into the tubular member through the main passage from the side pipe passage, towards the distal side of the bifurcation of the side tube passage of the main pipe passage, distal position the transition portion formed small inner diameter toward the end side to form a tapered portion, the taper starting point portion as a starting point of said taper portion, and the tapered end point as the end point of the tapered portion is formed with a rounded, respectively The transition portion is configured so as not to have a corner portion, and the intersection of the extension line of the central axis of the side pipe passage and the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe passage is close to the taper start point portion of the main pipe passage, and the inner diameter is constant. It is configured to be located on the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion .

Further, the main pipe passage includes a tubular member insertion through hole provided with an insertion fastening portion on the distal side, a drug solution injection pipe insertion through hole provided with an insertion fastening portion on the proximal side, and an intermediate portion between the two through holes. The intermediate passage was formed to include a straight portion having a constant inner diameter and a tapered portion to gradually reduce the inner diameter toward the tubular member insertion through hole .

Further, it is preferable that the branch angle of the central axis of the main pipe passage and the side pipe passage is set to 20 ° or more and 35 ° or less.

According to the branch pipe of this means, when the long linear introduction is inserted into the tubular member through the branch pipe at the manufacturing stage into the insert in which the branch pipe is connected to the tubular member, the distal portion becomes the insertion direction. The transition portion whose inner diameter is reduced toward the side, for example, the peripheral surface corresponding to the start point portion and the peripheral surface corresponding to the end point portion at both ends of the tapered portion is R-processed to round the transition portion so as not to provide a corner portion. Smooth insertion is possible without the tip of the introduction member getting caught in the portion.

Further, when the intersection of the extension line of the central axis of the side pipe passage and the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe passage is located at the straight portion of the main pipe passage, when the introduction member is inserted straight from the side pipe passage, the intersection is the contact point of the tip of the introduction member. It becomes a tangent position, and the angle of contact is gentler than when the position hits the tapered part, for example, so the possibility of bending due to buckling is reduced, and it bends smoothly to the distal side along the peripheral surface and is inserted without difficulty. Can proceed. Furthermore, if the branch angle between the main pipe passage and the side pipe passage is set as small as possible within a functionally possible range such as 20 ° or more and 35 ° or less, the contact can be made at a gentler angle, and smoother insertion can be achieved. .. The branch angle between the main pipe passage and the side pipe passage is more effective as it is smaller for the insertion, but it is set to be larger than 20 ° from the functional aspect such as the size of the branch pipe and the problem in mold manufacturing. On the other hand, if it is larger than 35 °, smooth insertion may be hindered.

In this way, even if the introduced material is a long linear and delicate material such as a single optical fiber, there is no part that gets caught in the lumen of the branch pipe and it can be inserted smoothly without difficulty. It can be a branch tube that can be easily incorporated into the tubular member without damaging the introduction. Thereby, for example, the tip position of the tubular member introduced into the body can be detected by photoacoustic imaging in which one optical fiber is inserted from the side tube passage to the tip of the puncture needle, and the drug solution can be injected into the position. A branch tube suitably used for an injection device for photoacoustic imaging can be provided.

The block diagram which shows the branch pipe of embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the said form. An enlarged view showing a distal side of the cross-sectional view. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which the tip was in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe passage in the process of inserting an optical fiber into the branch pipe of the said form. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which the tip reached the puncture needle lumen in the process of inserting an optical fiber into the branch tube of the said form. The block diagram of the injection needle for photoacoustic imaging using the branch tube of the said form. The block diagram which made the branch pipe into the sectional view which shows the inside of the branch pipe part of the injection needle.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the branch pipe of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the appearance of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the side view, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a distal portion of the sectional view.

When the puncture needle is inserted into a specific position of the human body, the branch tube of this embodiment is inserted while observing the position of the photoacoustic wave generating part (puncture needle tip) from outside the body using a photoacoustic image. , It is suitably used as a needle base provided with an injection passage for a chemical solution and an insertion passage for a light guide member (optical fiber), which is required for an injection needle for injecting a chemical solution at the specific position. The application of this branch pipe is not limited to this, and it can also be used for an injection needle or an injection catheter into which a long linear introduction material such as a guide wire is inserted.

The branch pipe includes a pipe tip 11 that serves as a connection with the puncture needle 3, a main pipe 1 that serves as a main shaft of the branch pipe that extends straight from the pipe tip 11, and also serves as a grip for the injection needle device, and the main pipe 1. It is composed of each part of the side tube 2 that branches at an angle of 30 ° from the central axis in the middle, and is formed as an integrally molded product made of resin (polycarbonate in this example). The tube tip 11 is provided with a puncture needle connection opening 110, the main tube 1 proximal end is provided with a chemical injection tube connection opening 120, and the side tube 2 proximal end is provided with an optical fiber insertion opening 210.

The lumen of the branch pipe extends in the axial direction of the branch pipe that penetrates from the distal end to the proximal end, and is mainly a drug solution injection passage, and the main pipe passage 10 and an angle of 30 ° from the central axis of the main pipe passage 10. It is composed of a side tube passage 20 that serves as an insertion path for the optical fiber 3 that branches, and the main tube passage 10 has a needle tube insertion hole 111 for inserting the puncture needle 3 on the distal side as an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the needle tube. The injection tube insertion hole 121 into which the chemical solution tube 7 is inserted is formed on the proximal side as an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the tube, and is formed at the end of each of the through holes 111 and 121 as a step having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of each. A needle tube insertion fastening portion 112 and an injection tube insertion fastening portion 122 are provided. Then, an intermediate passage 13 is formed between the needle tube insertion hole 111 and the injection tube insertion hole 121, and a straight portion 131 is formed on the proximal side of the intermediate passage 13 following the injection tube insertion hole 121 to form a constant inner diameter, and the needle tube is inserted. The distal side following the hole 111 was formed as a tapered portion 132 with the inner diameter gradually inclined toward the distal side. The openings 110 and 120 of the needle tube insertion hole 121 and the injection tube insertion hole 121 are on the opening side in order to facilitate the insertion of the puncture needle 3 and the chemical solution tube 7 and to improve the circulation of the adhesive. It is formed open to the public.

On the other hand, the side pipe passage 20 is branched by the branch portion 14 in the middle of the straight portion 131 of the intermediate passage 13, and in this example, the optical fiber 3 and the protective pipe for protecting the optical fiber 3 (protective tube 5 and reinforcing tube). 61) will be the insertion and insertion part, the branch part 14 side will be the first inner diameter part 212 set to an inner diameter slightly larger than the protective tube 5 to be inserted, and the side tube opening 210 side will be the first The second inner diameter portion 211 is set to have an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter portion 212 of the above and slightly larger than the reinforcing tube 61, and a side pipe is provided between the first inner diameter portion 212 and the second inner diameter portion 211 having different inner diameters. The tapered portion 213 was inclined to form a series of joints. Further, in this example, the opening 210 side of the second inner diameter portion 211 is formed so as to be opened to the opening side in order to facilitate the insertion of the introduction member and to improve the circulation of the adhesive.

By making the opening side of the side pipe passage 20 larger than the branch side and forming the transition portion in a tapered shape in this way, it is easy to insert the thin and easily damaged optical fiber 3 (including the protective pipe) into the passage. Further, the structure can be made so that the adhesive can be easily injected when the protective tube 5 and the reinforcing tube 61 are adhered to the side pipe passage 20.

Then, in the main pipe passage 10 and the side pipe passage 20 formed as described above, the intersection 150 between the virtual extension line 15 of the central axis of the side pipe passage 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe passage 10 is a straight portion of the intermediate passage 13. It is set to be located at 131. Further, the taper start point portion 133, which is the inner diameter transition portion of the taper portion 132 of the intermediate passage 13 from the straight portion 131, and the taper end point portion 134, which is the inner diameter transition portion from the fastening portion 112 of the needle tube insertion hole 111, are R-processed. Therefore, it is formed as a rounded shape without providing corners. By the R treatment of the taper start point portion 133 and the taper end point portion 134, in this example, the inner diameter is reduced toward the distal side toward the distal side from the branch portion 14 of the main pipe passage 10 with the side pipe passage 20. A passage having no corners is formed in the transition portion to be formed.

Next, the insertion of the optical fiber into the branch pipe of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the tip of the optical fiber abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe passage in the process of inserting the optical fiber from the side pipe into the lumen of the branch pipe, and FIG. 5 shows the tip reaching the puncture needle cavity. Shows the state of
In the introduction of the optical fiber 4 into the branch pipe, the optical fiber 4 is inserted from the optical fiber insertion opening 210 through the side pipe passage 20 into the main pipe passage 10 with the piercing needle 3 connected to the needle pipe insertion hole 111 of the branch pipe. However, at that time, the optical fiber tip 41 takes a substantially straight trajectory of the side pipe central axis virtual extension line 15, and is brought into contact with the vicinity of the extension line intersection 150 located on the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion 131 of the main pipe intermediate passage 13. .. (See FIG. 4) When the optical fiber 3 is further pushed in from this state, it is curved due to the flexibility of the optical fiber 3 and advances to the distal side, and is inserted along the inclination of the tapered portion 132 of the intermediate passage 13, and the fiber tip portion. 4 reaches the lumen of the puncture needle 3. (See Fig. 5)

In this way, the position of the extension line intersection 150 (the point where the tip 41 hits the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe when the optical fiber 3 is inserted) is set as the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion 131, so that the optical fiber 3 is inserted into the inner peripheral surface. The corners are gentle, and the taper start point 133, which is the inner diameter transition at both ends of the taper 132, and the peripheral surface of the taper end 134 are rounded, so that the optical fiber tip 41 is pierced without being caught by the inner diameter transition. The needle 3 can be smoothly inserted into the lumen.

Next, an embodiment of the injection needle for photoacoustic imaging using the branch tube of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 shows an overall configuration diagram of the injection needle of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of a branch tube portion showing a state in which a puncture needle, an optical fiber, and a chemical solution tube are attached to the branch tube. In FIG. 7, only the puncture needle and the branch tube are shown as a cross-sectional view.

The injection needle for photoacoustic imaging can detect the position of the needle tip 31 of the puncture needle 3 inserted into the body from outside the body by the photoacoustic wave generated at the needle tip 31 (light absorption unit 41). An injection needle used for a nerve block or the like capable of injecting a drug solution at the position, the puncture needle 3 having a sharp cutting edge at the tip 31, the branch tube serving as the needle base of the puncture needle 3, and the branch tube. The chemical solution tube 7 connected to the main tube 1 and the injection group 8 which is the base of the chemical solution tube 7, the optical fiber 4 which is an introduction to the side tube 2 of the branch tube, the protective tube 5 which protects the optical fiber 4 and It is composed of reinforcing tubes 61 and 62, and an optical connector 9 for connecting the optical fiber 4 to the light source device.

The piercing needle 3 is made of a stainless steel pipe, and the proximal end is inserted into the needle tube insertion hole 111 of the branch tube tip portion 11 and connected by an adhesive, and the optical fiber 4 (in this example, quartz) serves as a light guide member in the lumen. A fiber coated with polyimide) was inserted, and the tip 41 of the optical fiber serving as a light emitting portion was formed by adhering and fixing the tip 41 of the optical fiber serving as a light emitting portion to the inner wall of the tip portion of the needle tube with an adhesive serving as a light absorbing member and fixing the optical fiber 4. Here, as the adhesive serving as the light absorbing member, an epoxy resin, a polyurethane resin, a fluororesin, a silicone rubber or the like mixed with a black pigment having good light absorption is used, and the adhesive is pierced by a photoacoustic wave generated from the light absorbing member. The tip of the needle is detected and imaged. The light absorbing member does not have to be an adhesive as long as it is black, and in that case, it is formed by being adhered to the inner wall of the needle tip with a transparent adhesive.

The optical fiber 4 adhesively fixed to the tip of the puncture needle 3 lumen extends outward from the puncture needle 3 lumen through the side tube passage 20 which is the lumen on the branch tube side tube 2 side, and ends at the optical connector 9 The optical fiber 4 is formed by connecting to, but is a portion other than the inside of the puncture needle 3 which is required to have a small diameter and the inside of the main pipe passage 10 which is a chemical liquid passage, and is a side pipe passage 20. The outer surface on the proximal side after the first inner diameter portion 212 of the above is covered with a protective tube 5 for protecting the fiber 4, and further, a connection portion with a branch tube to which a force such as bending is easily applied, and an optical connector 8 The outer surface of the protective tube 5 is coated with reinforcing tubes 61 and 62 to further protect the optical fiber 3 at the connection portion with the protective tube 5.

Then, the tip end side of the protective tube 5 covering the optical fiber 4 is inserted into the first inner diameter portion 212 of the side tube passage 20 and fixed by adhesive. At this time, the optical fiber 4 fixed to the tip of the puncture needle 3 with an adhesive. Is held and fixed in a position where there is as little slack as possible in the lumen of the needle tube and branch tube. Here, by providing the tapered portion 213 as described above and setting the first inner diameter portion 212 to an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the protective tube 5, the optical fiber 4 can be inserted and the protective tube 5 can be specified at a specific position. Since it is easy to hold the adhesive and the adhesive easily turns through the tapered portion 213, the connection and fixing at a specific position are ensured.

On the other hand, after connecting and fixing the protective tube 5 to the first inner diameter portion 212, the reinforcing tube 61 covering the protective tube 5 is inserted into the second inner diameter portion 211 of the side pipe passage 20 and connected by an adhesive. Fixed.

Further, in the injection pipe connection opening 120 of the main pipe passage 10 of the branch pipe, a chemical solution tube 7 having an injection group 8 connected to the end portion is inserted up to a step of the injection pipe insertion fastening portion 122 of the injection pipe insertion hole 121. , Connected and fixed with adhesive.

1. 1. Main 10. Main passage 11. Tip (distal end)
110. Puncture needle connection opening 111. Needle tube insertion hole 112. Needle tube insertion clasp 120. Injection tube connection opening 121. Injection tube insertion hole 122. Injection tube insertion clasp 13. Intermediate passage (main passage)
131. Straight part 132. Tapered part 133. Taper start point 134. Taper end point 14. Branch 15. Central axis virtual extension line 150. Extension line intersection 2. Side pipe 20. Side pipe passage 210. Optical fiber insertion opening 211. Inner diameter of the first side pipe passage 212. Inner diameter of the second side pipe passage 213. Side pipe passage taper part 3. Puncture needle 4. Optical fiber 41. Optical fiber tip 5. Protective tube 61.62. Reinforcing tube 7. Chemical solution tube 8. Injection group 9. Optical connector

Claims (3)

A long linear introduction body is provided at the distal end with a connection with a tubular member, and the lumen is branched toward the proximal side in the middle of the lumen to form a main tube passage and a side tube passage. a branch pipe used to inserted into the tubular member through the main passage from the side pipe passage, towards the distal side of the bifurcation of the side tube passage of the main pipe passage, the inner diameter toward the distal end side forming a tapered portion which becomes a transition portion formed small, the taper starting point portion as a starting point of said taper portion, and the tapered end point as the end point of the taper portion is formed together with a rounded, in the transition portion, The configuration is such that no corners are provided, and the intersection of the extension line of the central axis of the side pipe passage and the inner peripheral surface of the main pipe passage is close to the tapered start point of the main pipe passage, and the inner circumference of the straight portion having a constant inner diameter. A branch pipe characterized by being located on a surface. The main pipe passage is an intermediate portion between a tubular member insertion through hole provided with an insertion fastening portion on the distal side, a drug solution injection pipe insertion through hole provided with an insertion fastening portion on the proximal side, and the two through holes. The branch pipe according to claim 1, which is formed by providing an intermediate passage, and the intermediate passage is provided with a straight portion having a constant inner diameter and a tapered portion whose inner diameter is gradually reduced toward a tubular member insertion through hole. The branch pipe according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the branch angle of the central axis of the main pipe passage and the side pipe passage is set to 20 ° or more and 35 ° or less.

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