JP7588099B2 - Method for evaluating the maneuverability of blood vessel model and long medical object - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vascular model that simulates a blood vessel and a method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated object using the vascular model.

In recent years, interventions have been performed in which a medical elongated object such as a catheter or guidewire is inserted through the skin into a blood vessel and reaches the target location through the blood vessel. Since interventions are performed through blood vessels that are complexly curved, the catheter is required to be able to reach the target location. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a blood vessel model used to test the operability of a medical elongated object. This blood vessel model is partially replaceable to approximate actual clinical practice. In this blood vessel model, a groove with a U-shaped cross section is formed on one side of a flat plate, and the surface with the groove formed is covered with another flat plate to form a passage simulating a blood vessel between the groove and the flat plate.

JP 2017-003637 A

The cross section of the inner circumferential surface of the passage simulating the blood vessel in the blood vessel model described in Patent Document 1 is U-shaped, so the behavior of the medical elongated body changes significantly when the position of the inner circumferential surface with which the medical elongated body comes into contact shifts. This can make it difficult to obtain stable test results.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a method for evaluating the operability of a vascular model and a medical elongated body that can obtain uniform test results and improve evaluation accuracy.

The blood vessel model of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, is a blood vessel model simulating a blood vessel, and comprises a first simulation part having a flat plate shape with a first connection part, and a second simulation part having a second connection part that can be connected to and separated from the first connection part, the first simulation part having a first simulated blood vessel having an inner circumferential surface cross section that is approximately circular, and an additional passage connecting the first simulated blood vessel and the outer surface of the first simulation part , the first simulated blood vessel having a first connection opening that opens to the outside on a surface of the first connection part facing the second connection part, the second simulation part having a second simulated blood vessel, and the second simulated blood vessel having a second connection opening on a surface of the second connection part that can come into contact with the first connection part.

The method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is a method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body using a blood vessel model, the method comprising: a first simulation part having a flat plate shape and a first connection part; and a second simulation part having a second connection part connectable to and detachable from the first connection part, the first simulation part having a first simulated blood vessel having an inner circumferential surface with a cross section that is substantially circular ; and an additional passage connecting the first simulated blood vessel and an outer surface of the first simulation part , the first simulated blood vessel having an opening to the outside on a surface of the first connection part facing the second connection part. the second simulation part having a second simulated blood vessel, the second simulation part having a second connection opening on a surface of the second connection part that can come into contact with the first connection part; a step of connecting the first connection part and the second connection part; a step of inserting the medical elongated body into the second simulated blood vessel and allowing it to reach the first simulated blood vessel via the second connection opening and the first connection opening; and a step of determining whether or not the medical elongated body reaches a predetermined position in the first simulated blood vessel.

In the blood vessel model and the method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body configured as described above, the first and second simulation parts, which are flat, can be connected and separated, and the cross section of the first simulated blood vessel is approximately circular. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the first and second simulation parts, a structure close to that in actual clinical practice can be easily formed in a simple flat shape. As a result, uniform test results can be obtained in evaluation tests regarding the deliverability of medical elongated bodies, and evaluation accuracy can be improved.

The first simulation part may be formed from a plurality of flat plate-shaped members that can be connected and separated. This makes it possible to easily form a flat plate-shaped structure that is close to an actual clinical situation by appropriately selecting the members of the first simulation part.

The second simulated blood vessel may have an insertion opening through which the medical elongated body can be inserted from the outside, and the insertion opening may open in a direction intersecting with the surface of the flat plate-shaped first simulation part. This makes it easy to insert the medical elongated body from the insertion opening in a state in which the surface of the blood vessel model that spreads is arranged to be approximately horizontal. The intersecting direction may be perpendicular to the flat plate or may be diagonal.

The first simulation part has an additional passageway connecting the first simulation blood vessel to an outer surface of the first simulation part, which makes it easy to fill the first simulation blood vessel with liquid while removing air from the first simulation blood vessel using the additional passageway.

The first simulated blood vessel and/or the second simulated blood vessel may be formed of a material that is softer than the material surrounding the first simulated blood vessel and/or the second simulated blood vessel. This allows the blood vessel model to have a structure closer to that in actual clinical practice.

The blood vessel model may have a dividing surface in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction relative to the flat plate. The dividing surface may be wavy or stepped, or may be a combination of a curved surface and a flat surface. For example, when the dividing surface is in a horizontal direction, it is possible to evaluate the passage through the stenosis by aligning the dividing surface after placing a stenosis or occlusion part made of a different material in a complex lumen, or to examine the distribution of the occlusion agent by extracting the occlusion agent that has been injected and solidified by opening the dividing surface of the blood vessel model. Furthermore, it is more preferable to provide the dividing surface at a position that does not contact the catheter, since the dividing surface will not get caught in the approximately circular simulated blood vessel.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a blood vessel model according to the embodiment. 2A is a side view taken along the line A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B--B in FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which a blood vessel model is used. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a modified example of the blood vessel model, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a side view seen from the arrow C in FIG. 4A . FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another modified example of the blood vessel model. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing still another modified example of the blood vessel model.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that dimensions in the drawings may be exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual dimensions. Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

The vascular model 10 according to this embodiment is a model that simulates blood vessels to evaluate the deliverability of medical elongated objects such as catheters and guidewires. The vascular model 10 simulates the descending aorta and the hepatic artery, but may also simulate other blood vessels. The use of the vascular model 10 is not limited to use for evaluating medical elongated objects, and may also be used, for example, for training in procedures.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vascular model 10 comprises a first simulation section 20 and a second simulation section 30. The vascular model 10 has a flat plate shape and comprises a front surface 11, a back surface 12, and a side surface 13. The first simulation section 20 simulates the common hepatic artery and its peripheral blood vessels. The second simulation section 30 simulates the descending aorta.

The first simulation part 20 is a model of a substantially planar structure. The first simulation part 20 includes a first simulated blood vessel 40 that simulates a blood vessel, a first connection part 26 that can be connected and separated from the second simulation part 30, and a plurality of additional passages 25 that communicate with the passage. The first simulated blood vessel 40 is formed between the front surface 11 and the back surface 12 and away from the front surface 11 and the back surface 12. The shape of the first simulated blood vessel 40 is substantially circular in a cross section perpendicular to the center line X of the passage. Here, substantially circular refers to a circle, an ellipse, or an oval, and the inner surface may be smooth or may have irregularities not exceeding 1/10 of the radius. The plate thickness (the distance between the front surface 11 and the back surface 12) of the substantially planar structure blood vessel model 10 is 100 mm or less, preferably 50 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or less.

The first simulated blood vessel 40 includes a first passage 41 simulating the common hepatic artery, a second passage 42 simulating the proper hepatic artery, a third passage 43 simulating the right hepatic artery, a fourth passage 44 simulating one of the branching blood vessels of the right hepatic artery, and a fifth passage 45 simulating one of the branching blood vessels of the right hepatic artery. Furthermore, the first simulated blood vessel 40 includes a sixth passage 46 simulating the left hepatic artery, a seventh passage 47 simulating a branching blood vessel of the left hepatic artery, and a first connection opening 48. The additional passage 25 connects the first simulated blood vessel 40 to the surface 11 of the first simulation part 20. The additional passage 25 may be connected to the back surface 12 or the side surface 13.

The first passage 41 simulating the common hepatic artery extends linearly from the first side surface 24, which is one of the sides 13 of the first simulation section 20, and is approximately perpendicular to the first side surface 24. The first passage 41 has a uniform inner diameter in the extension direction.

The second passage 42, which simulates the proper hepatic artery, extends in a generally S-shape continuously from the first passage 41. The second passage 42 has an inner diameter that gradually decreases in the direction away from the first passage 41.

The third passage 43, which simulates the right hepatic artery, extends linearly from the second passage 42. The third passage 43 has a uniform inner diameter in the extension direction. The extension direction of the third passage 43 is parallel to the extension direction of the first passage 41.

The fourth passage 44, which simulates one of the branch vessels of the right hepatic artery, is formed in a zigzag shape with a plurality of first turn-back portions 44A that turn back in a direction approximately parallel to the third passage 43, and extends in a direction away from the third passage 43. Each of the first turn-back portions 44A is smoothly turned back in the opposite direction with a predetermined curvature. The fourth passage 44 has an inner diameter that is the same or gradually decreases in a direction away from the third passage 43.

The fifth passage 45, which simulates one of the branch vessels of the right hepatic artery, is connected to the third passage 43 and the seventh passage 47 on the distal side of the fourth passage 44, and is formed in an approximately N-shape. The fifth passage 45 is formed in an approximately N-shape with two second turn-back portions 45A that turn back in a direction approximately perpendicular to the third passage 43. Each of the second turn-back portions 45A is smoothly turned back in the opposite direction with a predetermined curvature. The fifth passage 45 extends linearly from the third passage 43 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the third passage 43. The fifth passage 45 has an inner diameter that is the same or gradually decreases in the extension direction. The second turn-back portion 45A may be turned back at any angle with respect to the third passage 43.

The sixth passage 46 simulating the left hepatic artery includes a first curved portion 46A in an S-shape extending from the middle of the second passage 42, a first straight portion 46B in a straight line, a second curved portion 46C in an S-shape, and a second straight portion 46D in a straight line. The sixth passage 46 extends in a direction away from the first side surface 24 as a whole. The first curved portion 46A and the first straight portion 46B have inner diameters that gradually decrease in a direction away from the second passage 42. The second curved portion 46C and the second straight portion 46D have a uniform inner diameter in the extension direction.

The seventh passage 47, which simulates a branch of the left hepatic artery, has both ends connected to a second curved portion 46C and a second straight portion 46D, and is formed in a generally M-shape. The seventh passage 47 is connected to a fifth passage 45, which simulates one of the branch of the right hepatic artery, in the middle. The seventh passage 47 has an inner diameter that is the same or gradually decreases in the extension direction.

The first connection opening 48 is formed on the first side 24 of the first simulation part 20, which faces and can contact the second simulation part 30. The first connection opening 48 is in communication with the first passage 41.

The first connection portion 26 has a recess 27 formed in the first side surface 24. In the direction in which the first side surface 24 extends as a whole, the width of the recess 27 on the depth direction side is greater than the width of the recess 27 on the inlet side.

The first simulation portion 20 is formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material so that the medical elongated body passing through the first simulated blood vessel 40 can be visually observed. Examples of the material constituting the first simulation portion 20 include ABS resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polycarbonate, melamine resin, styrene resin, hard polyvinyl chloride resin, fluororesin, and glass. The first simulation portion 20 may be formed of a plurality of materials. The first simulation portion 20, in which the first simulation blood vessel 40 having a substantially circular cross section is formed inside, is well formed by a 3D printer. Note that the first simulation portion 20 may be formed by a method other than a 3D printer, as long as it can be formed.

The second simulation section 30 is a model of a substantially planar structure. The second simulation section 30 includes a second simulated blood vessel 31 that simulates a blood vessel, and a second connection section 32 that can be connected and separated from the first connection section 26. The second simulated blood vessel 31 is formed between the front surface 11 and the back surface 12, and away from the front surface 11 and the back surface 12. The shape of the second simulated blood vessel 31 is rectangular in a cross section perpendicular to the center line X of the second simulated blood vessel 31, but may be approximately circular in order to simulate an actual aorta.

The second simulated blood vessel 31 has an eighth passage 33 simulating the descending aorta, a second connection opening 34, and an insertion port 35. The eighth passage 33 extends linearly. The eighth passage 33 has a uniform inner diameter in the extension direction. The extension direction of the eighth passage 33 is approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the first passage 41 when the first simulation section 20 and the second simulation section 30 are connected.

The second connection opening 34 is formed on the second side 36 of the second simulation part 30 that can contact the first simulation part 20. The second connection opening 34 is connected to the eighth passage 33. When the first connection part 26 and the second connection part 32 are connected, the first connection opening 48 and the second connection opening 34 are connected.

The insertion port 35 is a site where the medical elongated body is inserted into the blood vessel model 10. The insertion port 35 is located on the opposite side of the second connection opening 34 of the second simulated blood vessel 31. The insertion port 35 is, for example, a sheath with a three-way stopcock, a hemostatic valve, or a Y connector. The insertion port 35 may be formed only by an opening that communicates with the eighth passage 33.

The second simulation portion 30 may be formed in a flat plate shape, or in a three-dimensional shape. The second simulation portion 30 may be made of, for example, a material that is applicable to the first simulation portion 20. The three-dimensional second simulation portion 30 may have an eighth passage 33 that is three-dimensional. The three-dimensional second simulation portion 30 may be made of, for example, silicone resin. The second simulation portion 30 may be made of multiple materials.

The second connection portion 32 is connectable to and separable from the first connection portion 26. The second connection portion 32 has a protrusion 37 that can fit into the recess 27 of the first connection portion 26. The protrusion 37 has a wide portion 38 that is wider at the tip end. The wide portion 38 of the protrusion 37 fits into the recess 27 so that it is caught in it, and the second connection portion 32 is well connected to the first connection portion 26.

The blood vessel model 10 may be divided with a division plane Z as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the first simulation portion 20 is divided, and it is preferable that the division plane Z is a plane passing through a passage. Also, the second simulation portion 30 may be divided with a division plane Z.

Next, a method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body using the blood vessel model 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, an evaluation test will be performed assuming that a catheter 51 serving as a medical elongated body is inserted through an artery in the lower limb (e.g., the femoral artery).

First, the tester performing the evaluation test selects one first simulation part 20 from a plurality of first simulation parts 20 having different shapes, hardness, etc. Furthermore, the tester selects one second simulation part 30 from a plurality of second simulation parts 30 having different shapes, hardness, etc. Then, the tester connects the second connection part 32 to the first connection part 26 as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the first simulation part 20 and the second simulation part 30 are connected to form one blood vessel model 10. Note that, when it is assumed that the medical elongated body is inserted from an artery of the arm (e.g., the radial artery), the first connection part 26 and the second connection part 32 are connected so that the position of the insertion port 35 relative to the second connection part 32 is the opposite side to the case where it is assumed that the medical elongated body is inserted from an artery of the lower limb.

Next, the tester places the vascular model 10 in a tray 60 filled with water, saline, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, or the like. The back surface 12 of the vascular model 10 faces downward, and the front surface 11 faces upward. As a result, water, saline, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, or the like flows into the first simulated blood vessel 40 and the second simulated blood vessel 31 from the openings on the side surfaces 13 of the first simulated blood vessel 40 and the second simulated blood vessel 31, the additional passage 25, or the like. The air inside the vascular model 10 is discharged to the outside from the openings on the side surfaces 13 of the first simulated blood vessel 40 and the second simulated blood vessel 31, the additional passage 25, or the like. As a result, the first simulated blood vessel 40 and the second simulated blood vessel 31 of the vascular model 10 are filled with water, saline, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, or the like. Alternatively, a surfactant or a lubricating polymer may be applied in advance to the inner surface of the blood vessel model 10, or a hydrophilic lubricating polymer containing acrylamide or a hydrophobic lubricating polymer such as a fluororesin may be applied as the lubricating polymer.

Next, the examiner inserts the contrast catheter 50 from the insertion port 35, and reaches the first passage 41 simulating the common hepatic artery via the eighth passage 33 simulating the descending aorta, the second connection opening 34, and the first connection opening 48. That is, the contrast catheter 50 reaches the first simulation section 20 through the second simulation section 30. Next, the examiner inserts the guidewire 52 into the catheter 51 to be evaluated, and inserts the catheter 51 and the guidewire 52 into the contrast catheter 50 from the base end side of the contrast catheter 50. The catheter 51 and the guidewire 52 are inserted into the first simulation blood vessel 40 from the tip of the contrast catheter 50.

Next, the tester pushes the guidewire 52 and the catheter 51 to the target position while the tip of the guidewire 52 is ahead of the tip of the catheter 51. For example, if the target position is the fourth passage 44 simulating one of the branch blood vessels of the right hepatic artery, the tester attempts to make the catheter 51 reach the fourth passage 44 via the first passage 41, the second passage 42, and the third passage 43. When making the catheter 51 reach the fourth passage 44 from the third passage 43, the catheter 51 may buckle at the branch of the third passage 43 and the fourth passage 44, making it difficult to advance smoothly through the fourth passage 44. Then, the tester attempts to see if the catheter 51 can pass through the curved first folded portion 44A of the fourth passage 44. The tester determines whether the catheter 51 has reached a predetermined position in the fourth passage 44. This allows the tester to evaluate the operability of the medical elongated body using the blood vessel model 10. When the evaluation test of the medical elongated object is performed multiple times, the evaluation accuracy can be improved.

In this test, since the cross section of the inner circumferential surface of the first simulated blood vessel 40 and the second simulated blood vessel 31 is approximately circular, the operability of the catheter 51 is unlikely to differ depending on the circumferential position of the inner circumferential surface with which the catheter 51 contacts. This makes it possible to perform evaluation tests with a structure close to that of actual clinical practice. In addition, since the blood vessel model 10 has a flat plate shape, uniform test results can be obtained in evaluation tests regarding the deliverability of the catheter 51 without being greatly influenced by the skill level of the operator. In other words, the evaluation method using this blood vessel model 10 makes it easy to obtain reproducible evaluation test results, thereby improving evaluation accuracy.

The method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body may be a method for evaluating the operability of a combination of a catheter 51 (medical elongated body) and a guidewire 52 (medical elongated body). The method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body may be a method for evaluating the operability of a guidewire 52 (medical elongated body). The method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body may be a method for evaluating the operability of a combination of a contrast catheter 50 (medical elongated body), a catheter 51 (medical elongated body), and a guidewire 52 (medical elongated body).

The target location to which the catheter 51 is to be delivered is not particularly limited. For example, the target location may be the fifth passage 45 simulating one of the branch vessels of the right hepatic artery or the seventh passage 47 simulating a branch vessel of the left hepatic artery.

As described above, the vascular model 10 according to this embodiment is a vascular model 10 that simulates a blood vessel, and includes a first simulation part 20 having a flat plate shape and a first connection part 26, and a second simulation part 30 having a second connection part 32 that can be connected and separated to the first connection part 26. The first simulation part 20 has a first simulated blood vessel 40 having an inner circumferential cross section that is approximately circular. The first simulated blood vessel 40 has a first connection opening 48 that opens to the outside on a surface facing the second connection part 32 of the first connection part 26. The second simulation part 30 has a second simulated blood vessel 31, and the second simulated blood vessel 31 has a second connection opening 34 on a surface of the second connection part 32 that can come into contact with the first connection part 26.

In the blood vessel model 10 configured as described above, the first simulation part 20 and the second simulation part 30, which are flat, can be connected and separated, and the cross section of the first simulated blood vessel 40 is approximately circular. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the first simulation part 20 and the second simulation part 30, a structure close to an actual clinical practice can be easily formed in a simple flat plate shape. Therefore, in an evaluation test on the deliverability of a medical elongated body, the influence of the skill level of the tester is small, and uniform test results can be obtained, and the evaluation accuracy can be improved. In addition, the blood vessel model 10 is easy to carry because it has the first simulation part 20, which is flat.

In addition, the first simulation part 20 has an additional passage 25 that connects the first simulation blood vessel 40 to the outer surface of the first simulation part 20. This makes it easy to fill the first simulation blood vessel 40 with liquid while removing air from the first simulation blood vessel 40 using the additional passage 25.

In addition, the first simulated blood vessel 40 and/or the second simulated blood vessel 31 are formed of a material that is softer than the material surrounding the first simulated blood vessel 40/or the second simulated blood vessel 31. This allows the blood vessel model 10 to have a structure closer to that in actual clinical practice.

The blood vessel model 10 may also have a split surface Z in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction relative to the flat plate. The split surface Z may be flat, curved, wavy or stepped, or may be a combination of a curved surface and a flat surface. For example, when the split surface Z is horizontal to the flat plate, after placing a stenosis or occlusion part made of a different material in a complex lumen, the split surface Z can be aligned to evaluate the passability through the stenosis part, or the injected and solidified occlusion agent can be extracted by opening the split surface Z of the blood vessel model 10 to examine the distribution of the occlusion agent. Furthermore, if the split surface Z is provided at a position not in contact with the catheter 51, it is more preferable because the split surface Z does not cause any snagging in the approximately circular simulated blood vessel.

The method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body is a method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body using a blood vessel model 10, and includes a first simulation part 20 having a flat plate shape with a first connection part 26, and a second simulation part 30 having a second connection part 32 that can be connected and separated from the first connection part 26, the first simulation part 20 having a first simulation blood vessel 40 having an approximately circular cross section of the inner circumferential surface, the first simulation blood vessel 40 having a first connection opening 48 that opens to the outside on a surface of the first simulation part 26 facing the second connection part 32, and the second simulation part 3 .... 0 has a second simulated blood vessel 31, and the second simulated blood vessel 31 has a second connection opening 34 on a surface that can come into contact with the first connection portion 26 of the second connection portion 32, a step of connecting the first connection portion 26 and the second connection portion 32, a step of inserting a medical elongated body into the second simulated blood vessel 31 and reaching the first simulated blood vessel 40 via the second connection opening 34 and the first connection opening 48, and a step of determining whether or not the medical elongated body reaches a predetermined position on the first simulated blood vessel 40.

In the method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body configured as described above, the first simulation part 20 and the second simulation part 30, which are flat, can be connected and separated, and the cross section of the first simulated blood vessel 40 is approximately circular, so that by appropriately selecting the first simulation part 20 and the second simulation part 30, a structure close to that in actual clinical practice can be easily formed in a simple flat shape. Therefore, the method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated body can reduce the influence of the skill level of the tester, obtain uniform test results, and improve evaluation accuracy.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the technical concept of the present invention. For example, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 4, the insertion port 35 may be formed on the surface 11 side of the second simulation part 30. This makes it easy to insert a medical elongated object (e.g., a catheter 51) into the insertion port 35 with the back surface 12 side of the flat vascular model 10 placed facing down.

As another modified example shown in FIG. 5, the first simulation section 20 may be formed of multiple flat plate-shaped members 21, 22, and 23 that can be connected and separated. In the example of FIG. 5, the first simulation section 20 is formed of three members 21, 22, and 23 that can be connected and separated. This allows a structure close to an actual clinical situation to be easily formed in a flat plate shape by appropriately selecting the members of the first simulation section 20. The structure that allows connection and separation may be the same as the first connection section 26 and the second connection section 32, or may be a different structure.

6, the first simulated blood vessel 40 and/or the second simulated blood vessel 31 may be formed of a material that is softer than the material of the surrounding area 49 of the first simulated blood vessel 40/or the second simulated blood vessel 31. This allows the blood vessel model 10 to have a structure closer to that of an actual clinical setting. The hardness (softness) of the material can be specified by, for example, Rockwell hardness, Brinell hardness, Vickers hardness, Shore hardness, durometer hardness, etc.

In addition, the positions at which the first connection portion 26 and the second connection portion 32 are disposed are not particularly limited. In addition, the structures of the first connection portion 26 and the second connection portion 32 are not limited as long as they can be connected and separated.

The blood vessel model 10 may also be a jig. For example, the blood vessel model 10 may be connected to a sensor such as an autograph. This makes it possible to detect the force acting on the blood vessel model 10 when inserting a medical elongated object into the blood vessel model 10, the amount of movement of the blood vessel model 10, and the like.

Furthermore, the blood vessels simulated by the vascular model 10 are not particularly limited and may be, for example, uterine arteries, prostatic arteries, etc.

In addition, the vascular model 10 may have hollow portions where no material is provided in order to reduce costs and processing time.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-011029 filed on January 27, 2020, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

10 Blood vessel model 11 Surface 12 Back surface 13 Side surface 20 First simulation part 24 First side surface 25 Additional passage 26 First connection part 30 Second simulation part 31 Second simulation blood vessel 32 Second connection part 33 Eighth passage 34 Second connection opening 35 Insertion port 36 Second side surface 40 First simulation blood vessel 41 First passage 42 Second passage 43 Third passage 44 Fourth passage 45 Fifth passage 46 Sixth passage 47 Seventh passage 48 First connection opening 50 Contrast catheter (medical elongated body)
51 Catheter (medical long body)
52 Guide wire (medical long body)

Claims (6)

A blood vessel model simulating a blood vessel,
A first simulation part having a flat plate shape and a first connection part;
A second simulation part including a second connection part connectable to and detachable from the first connection part,
the first simulation part has a first simulated blood vessel having an inner circumferential surface with a cross section of a substantially circular shape, and an additional passage connecting the first simulated blood vessel and an outer surface of the first simulation part , the first simulated blood vessel having a first connection opening part that opens to the outside on a surface of the first connection part facing the second connection part,
A vascular model characterized in that the second simulation portion has a second simulated blood vessel, and the second simulated blood vessel has a second connection opening on a surface of the second connection portion that can come into contact with the first connection portion. The blood vessel model according to claim 1, characterized in that the first simulation part is formed from multiple flat plate-shaped members that can be connected and separated. The blood vessel model described in claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the second simulated blood vessel has an insertion port through which a medical elongated body can be inserted from the outside, and the insertion port opens in a direction intersecting the plane along which the flat-plate-shaped first simulated portion extends. The vascular model according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first simulated blood vessel and/or the second simulated blood vessel are formed from a material that is softer than a material surrounding the first simulated blood vessel and/or the second simulated blood vessel. The blood vessel model according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the blood vessel model has a division surface at least in a part thereof. A method for evaluating the operability of a medical elongated object using a blood vessel model, comprising the steps of:
preparing a blood vessel model having a first simulation part having a flat plate shape and a first connection part, and a second simulation part having a second connection part connectable to and detachable from the first connection part, the first simulation part having a first simulated blood vessel having an inner circumferential surface cross section that is substantially circular, and an additional passage connecting the first simulated blood vessel and an outer surface of the first simulation part , the first simulated blood vessel having a first connection opening opening that opens to the outside on a surface of the first connection part facing the second connection part, the second simulation part having a second simulated blood vessel, and the second simulated blood vessel having a second connection opening opening on a surface of the second connection part that can come into contact with the first connection part;
connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion;
a step of inserting the medical elongated body into the second simulated blood vessel and allowing the medical elongated body to reach the first simulated blood vessel via the second connection opening and the first connection opening;
and determining whether or not the first simulated blood vessel reaches a predetermined position.

Images