JP7707845B2 - Container for immersed parts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container for an immersed member for immersing the immersed member in physiological saline solution or the like.

Patients who have suffered injuries to nerves, blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, or organs undergo regenerative therapy to repair the damaged area.

For example, when regenerating a severed nerve, a procedure is performed in which the ends of the severed nerve are inserted into both ends of a tubular body made of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material such as collagen, and the tubular body and the nerve are sutured together with a biological suture to regenerate the nerve (Patent Document 1).

At this time, a sponge-like matrix and/or a linear nerve guide member made of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material such as collagen may be formed at the site of nerve tissue damage and used as a scaffold for nerve tissue regeneration. In cases where the nerve is damaged but not severed, a sponge-like matrix may be placed along the damaged site of the nerve tissue and the tubular body may cover it. When using this treatment method, both the tubular body and the sponge-like matrix are required, but they must be immersed in a liquid such as physiological saline for a certain period of time beforehand to change them from a dry state to a swollen state.

Patent No. 4742829

However, if the tubular body and the sponge-like matrix are prepared by immersing them separately in liquid, the immersion process must be carried out separately, which is time-consuming.

In addition, when the tubular body and the sponge-like matrix are placed side by side in the same container and immersed in liquid at the same time, the sponge-like matrix is thinner than the tubular body and its external shape is easily deformed, so it is not easy to keep it immersed in the container and not float.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a container for immersed members that can simultaneously and reliably immerse multiple immersed members in liquid.

(1) The container for immersed members of the present invention is a container for immersed members for immersing a tubular first immersed member and a second immersed member that can be stored in the internal space of the first immersed member in a liquid, and is equipped with a liquid tank having a space surrounded by at least opposing walls and opening upward, first support grooves that extend outward from the opposing walls of the liquid tank along a first direction along the horizontal direction and open upward, and support both end portions of the first immersed member so that the central portion of the first immersed member floats in the liquid tank, and second support grooves that extend outward from the opposing walls of the liquid tank along a second direction along the horizontal direction and open upward, and support both end portions of the second immersed member so that the central portion of the second immersed member floats in the liquid tank. The depth of the portion of the second support groove located in the liquid tank is deeper than the depth of the portion of the first support groove located in the liquid tank, and at least one of the first support grooves is provided with a locking portion that prevents the first immersed member from floating up.

The first immersible member is supported in the first support groove, and below that, the second immersible member is supported in the second support groove. This prevents the second immersible member from floating up when immersed in saline by the first immersible member. In addition, a space is formed between the second immersible member supported in the second support groove and the bottom surface of the liquid tank, making it easier to pick up the first and second immersible members with fingers or tweezers.

(2) Preferably, the container for the immersed member further includes an overflow reservoir that stores the liquid overflowing from the liquid tank and the first support groove so that the liquid can flow into the liquid tank and the first support groove.

Even if the gap between the first support groove and the first immersed member is narrow and the injected liquid has difficulty flowing through the first support groove, the first immersed member is reliably immersed in the liquid by the liquid flowing in from the liquid tank.

(3) Preferably, a guide portion is disposed at at least one of the extending ends of the first support grooves to guide the liquid flowing from the overflow reservoir into the extending end of the first support groove to the liquid tank side of the first support groove.

The liquid that immerses the first immersed member is guided from the overflow reservoir to the guide section and flows toward the liquid tank, so that the incoming liquid is quickly supplied to the first immersed member.

(4) Preferably, the guide portion is disposed on only one of the first support grooves, and the end surface of one of the first support grooves descends from the guide portion toward the liquid tank, and the end surface of the other of the first support grooves descends from the liquid tank toward the extending tip.

The first immersed member placed in the first support groove is supported in a vertically tilted position with the guide side facing upward, so liquid can easily flow from the guide into the internal space of the first immersed member. In addition, air can easily be expelled from the internal space of the first immersed member.

(5) Preferably, the engaging portion is a convex portion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the first immersed member in the first support groove.

The first immersed member can be prevented from floating up.

(6) Preferably, it also serves as packaging material for the first immersed member and the second immersed member.

By injecting liquid into the liquid tank when in use, both the first immersed member and the second immersed member can be immersed in the liquid at the same time, allowing for easy and quick preparation for treatment.

(7) Preferably, the first immersed member and the second immersed member are sealed and sterilized.

The first and second immersed members are sterilized in a sealed state together and do not come into contact with human hands before treatment, allowing them to be used in a hygienic environment.

(8) Preferably, the first immersed member has a slit formed from one end to the other end.

The slit can be opened to place the first immersible member around a tubular nerve or the like, or the second immersible member can be placed inside. This makes it possible to treat affected areas that are not yet ruptured.

(9) Preferably, the second immersed member is a bundle of multiple rods.

(10) Preferably, the second immersed member is a bundle of multiple fibers.

(11) Preferably, the second immersed member is a bundle of multiple sponge-like members.

Because the fiber bundles are sponge-like, they are highly absorbent and can shorten the soaking time.

(12) Preferably, the first immersed member and the second immersed member are medical components made of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material.

(13) Preferably, the first immersed member and the second immersed member are collagen.

The container for immersed members according to the present invention allows multiple immersed members to be immersed in liquid simultaneously and reliably.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a container 1 for an immersed member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container 1 for an immersed member containing a nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and a fiber bundle 101. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a fiber bundle 101, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are diagrams showing fiber bundles 101B and 101C according to modified examples.

The following describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Note that this embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Note that in the following description, the thickness direction of the container 1 for the immersed member is defined as the up-down direction 5, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction 5 and in which the first support groove 30 extends is defined as the left-right direction 6, and the depth direction of the container 1 for the immersed member is defined as the front-rear direction 7, which is perpendicular to the up-down direction 5 and the left-right direction 6.

1 to 4, the container 1 for the immersed member is a container 1 for the immersed member for immersing the immersed member, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 (an example of a first immersed member) and the fiber bundle 101 (an example of a second immersed member), in physiological saline (an example of a liquid). The container 1 for the immersed member is also a packaging material for the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101. The container 1 for the immersed member is a container in which the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are sealed and placed in an aluminum bag or a gas-permeable bag, etc., and sterilized. The sterilization can be performed by gamma ray sterilization, EOG sterilization, steam pressure sterilization, electron beam sterilization, etc., but gamma ray sterilization or electron beam sterilization is particularly suitable for the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101. In addition, in FIG. 1, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are omitted and only the container 1 for the immersed member is shown, while in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the container 1 for the immersed member is shown in a state in which the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are contained.

2 to 4, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is a long tubular body formed in a tube shape so that it can be placed over a torn nerve end or a nerve that has been damaged but not yet torn. The nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 changes to a swollen state having flexibility when immersed in physiological saline for a predetermined time. The nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 has a slit 102 formed from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. By opening the slit 102, a nerve end or a fiber bundle 101 can be inserted into the internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100. The inner and outer diameters of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 are set according to the thickness of the nerve to be inserted, and when used for regenerating peripheral nerves or spinal nerves, the outer diameter is usually set within the range of about 0.3 to 20 mm, the inner diameter is set within the range of about 0.1 to 10 mm, and the wall thickness is set within the range of about 0.1 to 5 mm. The length of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 can be set arbitrarily. In addition, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 can be cut to the required length on a portion of the specified side during treatment. The nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is preferably made of a biodegradable material or a bioabsorbable material. Examples of biodegradable materials include proteins such as collagen and gelatin, polypeptides, or derivatives thereof. Examples of bioabsorbable materials include proteins, polypeptides, or derivatives thereof, polysaccharides such as chitin and chitosan, or derivatives thereof, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, copolymers of glycolic acid and lactic acid, copolymers of lactic acid and e-aminocaproic acid, and fatty acid polyesters such as lactide polymers. Of these, collagen is particularly suitable.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the fiber bundle 101 is a bundle of multiple rods made of a biodegradable material or a bioabsorbable material such as collagen. For convenience, the outer shapes of the multiple rods 101a are omitted in Figures 1 to 4, and only the outer shape of the fiber bundle 101 is shown, but the fiber bundle 101 is a bundle of multiple rods as shown in Figure 5 (A). The fiber bundle 101 is stored in the internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 during treatment and serves as a scaffold for nerve tissue regeneration. The fiber bundle 101 is made of the same material as the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100. The fiber bundle 101 changes to a swollen state having flexibility by immersing it in physiological saline for a predetermined period of time. The length of the fiber bundle 101 is used in a state that is about 5 mm shorter than the length of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100. The fiber bundle 101 can be cut to the required length during treatment, similar to the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100. The fiber bundle 101 only needs to be large enough so that its thickest part fits inside the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100.

The container 1 for immersed members is a container for housing the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101, and for immersing the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 in a liquid such as purified water or physiological saline. The container 1 for immersed members is a molded synthetic resin sheet. The container 1 for immersed members has a sealing surface 10, an edge portion 11, a step portion 12, an overflow storage portion 13, a liquid tank 14, and a support groove 15. The liquid tank 14, the support groove 15, and the overflow storage portion 13 are capable of storing liquid.

The sealing surface 10 is an area where a film 18 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) is attached to seal the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 in the container 1 for the immersed member. The sealing surface 10 is a flat surface facing upward.

The edge portion 11 is located outside the sealing surface 10 in the front-rear direction 7. The edge portion 11 protrudes upward from the sealing surface 10. The edge portion 11 extends outside the sealing surface 10 in the left-right direction 6. The edge portion 11 positions the film 18. In addition, the edge portion 11 prevents the film 18 attached to the sealing surface 10 from contacting an outer box or the like in which the container 1 for the immersed member is stored.

The step portion 12 is a portion formed to make it easier to pinch the end of the film 18 when peeling off the film 18 attached to the sealing surface 10. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the step portion 12 is located on the left and right outer sides of the sealing surface 10. The step portion 12 has a low portion 19 and a high portion 20. The low portion 19 is located lower than the sealing surface 10 in the vertical direction 5. The high portion 20 protrudes upward from the low portion 19 to the same position as the sealing surface 10. The left and right end portions of the film 18 attached to the sealing surface 10 extend onto the step portion 12. The left and right end portions of the film 18 extending from the sealing surface 10 are attached to the high portion 20. As a result, a gap is formed between the left and right end portions of the film 18 and the low portion 19, and this gap becomes the portion that holds the film 18.

The overflow reservoir 13 is located above the liquid tank 14 and the support groove 15. The overflow reservoir 13 is located inside the seal surface 10. The overflow reservoir 13 is capable of storing liquid inside the seal surface 10. The overflow reservoir 13 has a lower surface 24 and a peripheral surface 25, and is open at the top.

The lower surface 24 forms the lower surface of the overflow reservoir 13. The lower surface 24 is a flat surface. The peripheral surface 25 extends upward from the outer edge of the lower surface 24 and connects with the sealing surface 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid tank 14 has four side surfaces 26 facing each other in the left-right direction 6 and the front-rear direction 7 inside the lower surface 24 of the overflow storage section 13, and a bottom surface 27. The liquid tank 14 is approximately rectangular in plan view. The liquid tank 14 is open at the top and communicates with the overflow storage section 13. The width D1 (see FIG. 2) of the liquid tank 14 along the left-right direction 6 is shorter than the length from one end to the other end of the nerve regeneration induction tube 100 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) packed in the container 1 for the immersed member. The depth D2 (see FIG. 2) of the liquid tank 14 along the front-rear direction 7 is the distance between the side surfaces 26 facing each other in the front-rear direction 7 of the liquid tank 14, and is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the nerve regeneration induction tube 100 and the thickness of the fiber bundle 101 so that the nerve regeneration induction tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 can be pinched by inserting fingers or tweezers into the liquid tank 14. The depth D3 from the lower surface 24 of the overflow reservoir 13 to the bottom surface 27 of the liquid tank 14 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is greater than the outer diameter of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the thickness of the fiber bundle 101.

The support groove 15 has a first support groove 30 and a second support groove 31. The first support groove 30 and the second support groove 31 differ in the direction in which the groove extends and in the depth.

The first support groove 30 can accommodate the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and can store liquid. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the first support groove 30 extends outward from approximately the center of the upper end side of two opposing side surfaces 26 in the left-right direction 6 of the liquid tank 14 along a first direction L1 (see Figs. 2 and 3) along the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the first direction L1 is along the left-right direction 6. The first support groove 30 opens on the side surface 26 and communicates with the liquid tank 14. The first support groove 30 opens at the top and communicates with the overflow reservoir 13. The first support groove 30 has a groove width D4 along the front-rear direction 7 that is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100.

2 and 3, the length along the first direction L1 defined by the first support groove 30 and the liquid tank 14 is longer than the length from one end to the other end of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 in the longitudinal direction. By fitting both ends of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 into the first support groove 30, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is accommodated in the space formed by the liquid tank 14 and the first support groove 30. The first support groove 30 supports both ends of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 in a state in which the center portion 104 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is floating in the liquid tank 14, i.e., in a state in which the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is separated upward from the bottom surface 27 of the liquid tank 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first support groove 30 has a first end surface 32 (an example of an end surface) and a second end surface 33 (an example of an end surface). The first end surface 32 is the bottom surface of the first support groove 30 that extends from the liquid tank 14 to the right in FIG. 3. The first end surface 32 is a sloping surface that descends from the extending tip 34 (the right end in FIG. 3) toward the liquid tank 14 (to the left). The second end surface 33 is the bottom surface of the first support groove 30 that extends from the liquid tank 14 to the left in FIG. 3. The second end surface 33 is a sloping surface that descends from the liquid tank 14 toward the extending tip 34 (the left end in FIG. 3). The first end surface 32 and the second end surface 33 are sloping surfaces that are linearly continuous.

3, the depth D5 (the distance between the first end surface 32 and the lower surface 24 in the vertical direction 5) of the portion where the two first support grooves 30 open into the liquid tank 14 from the lower surface 24 is shallower than the depth D3 of the liquid tank 14 from the lower surface 24 (the distance between the lower surface 24 and the bottom surface 27 in the vertical direction 5). The first end surface 32 and the second end surface 33 each extend into the liquid tank 14 from the side surfaces 26 that face each other in the left-right direction 6 of the liquid tank 14. The first end surface 32 and the second end surface 33 are not continuous in the central portion of the liquid tank 14 in the left-right direction 6. The space between the first end surface 32 and the second end surface 33 in the liquid tank 14 is the space S (see FIG. 3) in which the fiber bundle 101 can be placed below the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 when the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is accommodated in the first support groove 30. In the space S, the height (distance along the vertical direction 5) from the bottom surface 27 of the liquid tank 14 to the first end surface 32 is greater than the height (distance along the vertical direction 5) from the bottom surface 27 of the liquid tank 14 to the second end surface 33.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the first support groove 30 extending leftward from the liquid tank 14 is provided with three locking portions 35 for preventing the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 from floating up. The locking portions 35 are convex portions that protrude from near the upper end of the inner surface of the first support groove 30 in the width direction of the first support groove 30 (the front-rear direction 7 in Fig. 2, a direction perpendicular to the first direction L1). The three locking portions 35 are arranged alternately in the width direction along the first direction L1. Each locking portion 35 is dome-shaped, and the protruding dimension is less than half the width dimension of the opening of the first support groove 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the locking portions 35 are arranged at a position higher than the height position corresponding to the radius of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 from the second end surface 33 in the first support groove 30.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a guide portion 21 recessed downward from the underside 24 of the overflow reservoir 13 is disposed at the extending end 34 of the first support groove 30 extending rightward from the liquid tank 14. The guide portion 21 is open at the top and communicates with the overflow reservoir 13. The guide portion 21 also communicates with the extending end 34 of the first support groove 30. The width D6 of the guide portion 21 in the front-rear direction 7 is wider than the groove width D4 of the first support groove 30 in the front-rear direction 7. As shown in Fig. 3, the depth D7 of the guide portion 21 from the underside 24 is shallower than the depth D8 at the extending end 34 of the first support groove 30.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, a mark M is formed on the underside 24 of the overflow reservoir 13 to indicate the position for injecting the liquid. By injecting the liquid from the guide section 21 at the position of the mark M, the liquid easily flows into the internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, and air is less likely to remain in the internal space 103. The liquid may be injected from a location other than the guide section 21 where the mark M is attached.

The second support groove 31 is capable of housing the fiber bundle 101 and storing liquid. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the second support groove 31 extends outward from the end of the side surface 26 facing the left-right direction 6 of the liquid tank 14 along a second direction L2 (see Figures 2 and 4) that runs horizontally. The second support groove 31 opens upward and communicates with the overflow storage section 13. The second support groove 31 opens on the side surface 26 and communicates with the liquid tank 14. The groove width D9 (see Figure 2) of the second support groove 31 is wider than the thickest part of the fiber bundle 101.

The depth D10 of the second support groove 31 from the lower surface 24 along the vertical direction 5 is shallower than the depth D3 of the liquid tank 14 from the lower surface 24. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the second direction L2 intersects with the first direction L1. In this embodiment, the narrow angle between the first direction L1 and the second direction L2 is 45° or less. By intersecting the first direction L1 and the second direction L2 at 45° or less, it is possible to reduce the dimension along the front-rear direction 7 of the container 1 for the immersed member having the first support groove 30 and the second support groove 31 and to make it smaller. As shown in Figure 3, the depth D10 from the lower surface 24 of the part where the second support groove 31 opens to the side surface 26 of the liquid tank 14 is deeper than the depth D5 from the lower surface 24 of the part where the first support groove 30 opens to the side surface 26 of the liquid tank 14 by more than the thickness of the fiber bundle 101. Therefore, the center portion 105 of the fiber bundle 101 housed in the second support groove 31 is located below the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 housed in the first support groove 30.

2 and 3, the length of the space formed by the second support groove 31 and the liquid tank 14 along the second direction L2 is longer than the length of the fiber bundle 101 from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. By fitting both ends of the fiber bundle 101 into the second support groove 31, the fiber bundle 101 is accommodated in the space formed by the liquid tank 14 and the second support groove 31. The second support groove 31 supports both ends of the fiber bundle 101 with the central portion 105 of the fiber bundle 101 floating in the liquid tank 14, i.e., with the fiber bundle 101 separated upward from the bottom surface 27 of the liquid tank 14. The central portion 105 of the fiber bundle 101 is located in the center of the liquid tank 14 in the left-right direction 6 and the front-back direction 7, and is located below the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100.

[Method of using the container 1 for immersed members]
When the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are used in a treatment, the outer box or outer bag is opened and the container for immersed members 1 containing the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 is removed.

The user first peels off the film 18 from the container 1 for the immersed member. At this time, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is housed in the first support groove 30, and the fiber bundle 101 is housed in the second support groove 31 and is positioned below the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100.

Next, the user uses a syringe or the like to inject a liquid such as saline solution or purified water from position M into the guide portion 21 of the container 1 for the immersed member.

The liquid injected into the guide section 21 flows from the opening to the first support groove 30 toward the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, and either flows down through the internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 or flows from the first support groove 30 into the liquid tank 14 and the second support groove 31. As the liquid flows through the internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, the entire internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is immersed without leaving any air in it. The liquid may be injected directly into the liquid tank 14 or the second support groove 31, in addition to position M.

Liquid is injected until the liquid tank 14, the first support groove 30, and the second support groove 31 are completely filled, and the liquid that overflows from the liquid tank 14 and the first support groove 30 spills over into the overflow reservoir 13, but the liquid that spills over into the overflow reservoir 13 can flow back from the overflow reservoir 13 into the liquid tank 14 and the first support groove 30. This means that even if liquid is injected until the liquid tank 14, the first support groove 30, and the second support groove 31 are completely filled, the liquid does not spill out of the container 1 for the immersed member, and the liquid can be injected quickly and reliably into the liquid tank 14, the first support groove 30, and the second support groove 31.

When the liquid is being injected into the container 1 for the immersed member, or between the injection of the liquid and the time when the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are swollen with the liquid, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 may tend to rise due to buoyancy, but since the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 housed in the first support groove 30 is prevented from floating by the locking portion 35, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 does not rise and become exposed above the liquid surface filled in the first support groove 30. In addition, since the fiber bundle 101 is prevented from floating by the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, the fiber bundle 101 does not become exposed above the liquid surface filled in the second support groove 31.

When the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and fiber bundle 101 are immersed in liquid for a predetermined period of time, they become swollen.

After the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 have become swollen, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are removed from the container 1 for the immersed member. At this time, the liquid may or may not be discharged from the container 1 for the immersed member. Since the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are in a state separated upward from the bottom surface 27 of the liquid tank 14, it is easy to hold the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 in the liquid tank 14 by pinching them with tweezers or the like. Furthermore, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 may be cut if necessary.

[Effects of the embodiment]
According to the embodiment described above, the depth of the first support groove 30 is deeper than the depth corresponding to the outer diameter of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, and the depth D10 from the lower surface 24 of the second support groove 31 is greater than the dimension in the overlapping direction in the state in which the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are crossed and overlapped, so that the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 can be supported by the locking portion 35 in the first support groove 30, and the fiber bundle 101 can be supported below the first support groove 30 by the locking portion 35. In this state, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is locked by the locking portion 35, so that the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 prevents the fiber bundle 101 from floating up. In addition, a space S is formed between the fiber bundle 101 supported by the second support groove 31 and the bottom surface 27 of the liquid tank 14, so that the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 can be easily pinched with fingers or tweezers.

In addition, even if the gap between the first support groove 30 and the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 supported by the first support groove 30 is narrow and the injected saline solution does not easily flow through the gap between the first support groove 30 and the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, the saline solution flows in from the liquid tank 14, so that the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is reliably immersed in the saline solution.

In addition, the saline solution immersing the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 is guided from the overflow reservoir 13 to the guide section 21 and flows toward the liquid tank 14, so that the saline solution that flows in with increasing momentum along the step of the guide section 21 is quickly supplied to the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100.

In addition, since the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 placed in the first support groove 30 is supported in a vertically tilted position with the guide section 21 side facing upward, saline solution easily flows from the guide section 21 into the internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100. In addition, since saline solution flows directly into the internal space 103 of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, air is easily expelled from the internal space.

In addition, in the first support groove 30, a convex portion protrudes in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, so that the convex portion engages the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and prevents the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 from floating up.

In addition, since the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 are sterilized in a sealed state together, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 do not need to be touched by human hands before treatment, and can be used in a hygienic state.

The slits 102 formed in the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 can be opened to cover the tubular nerve or the like, or the fiber bundle 101 can be placed inside. Therefore, it is possible to cover the affected area, even if it is not torn, with the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 to perform treatment.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the fiber bundle 101 is described as a bundle of multiple rods 101a made of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material such as collagen (see FIG. 5(A)). However, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the fiber bundle may be a fiber bundle 101B made of multiple fibers 101b.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5(C), the fiber bundle may be a fiber bundle 101C that is made up of multiple long, thin sponge-like materials. Specifically, the fiber bundle 101C is a bundle of porous bodies 101c in which multiple micro-spaces 107 are formed. In the fiber bundle 101C, the micro-spaces 107 are continuously formed, so that the fiber bundle has good water absorption and the soaking time can be shortened.

In this embodiment, the container for immersing two immersed members, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101, has been described as an example, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 and the fiber bundle 101 may each be composed of multiple members, and the container for immersed members 1 for immersing them may be composed of three or more support grooves 15 that can accommodate multiple immersed members stacked in a crossed state.

Furthermore, the fiber bundle 101 has been described as a bundle of multiple rods made of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material such as collagen, but the specific shape of the fiber bundle 101 may be, for example, a flat plate shape.

In addition, the first support groove 30 and the second support groove 31 have been described as extending outward from the side surface 26 facing the left-right direction 6 of the liquid tank 14 along the first direction L1 and the second direction L2, respectively, but this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the first support groove 30 may extend outward from the side surface 26 facing the left-right direction 6 of the liquid tank 14, and the second support groove 31 may extend outward from the side surface 26 facing the front-rear direction 7 of the liquid tank 14. More specifically, the angle that the first direction L1 makes with respect to the second direction L2 may be set between 45° and 135° as described above, and may intersect at, for example, 90°.

In addition, while the guide portion 21 has been described as being disposed adjacent to the extending tip 34 of one of the first support grooves 30 shown on the right side in FIG. 2, this is not the only possible configuration. For example, the guide portion 21 may be disposed adjacent to the extending tip 34 of the other of the first support grooves 30 shown on the left side in FIG. 2. In this case, the end surface of the support groove 15 descends from the extending tip 34 adjacent to the guide portion 21 toward the other extending tip 34.

In addition, the locking portion 35 that locks the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 has been described as having an arc-shaped cross section within the first support groove 30, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, the locking portion 35 may be hemispherical or have another shape such as a protrusion. In other words, the locking portion 35 is intended to be positioned so that the groove width D4 of the first support groove 30 is narrower than the outer diameter of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100, and to protrude at a position higher than the center position of the nerve regeneration-inducing tube 100 housed in the first support groove 30.

In addition, although an example has been described in which three locking portions 35 are arranged in the first support groove 30, this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, one or two locking portions 35 may be arranged in the first support groove 30, or four or more locking portions 35 may be arranged.

In addition, while the guide portion 21 has been described as being recessed in a stepped shape from the underside 24 of the overflow reservoir 13, this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the guide portion 21 may be a surface that slopes so that it becomes deeper toward the liquid tank 14.

1: Container for immersed member 13: Overflow reservoir 14: Liquid tank 21: Guide portion 26: Side wall (wall)
30...First support groove (support groove)
31...Second support groove (support groove)
32...First end surface (end surface)
33...Second end surface (end surface)
35: Locking portion 100: Nerve regeneration-inducing tube (first immersion member)
101, 101B, 101C... fiber bundle (second immersed member)
102: Slit 103: Internal space 104: Central portion of nerve regeneration-inducing tube 105: Central portion of fiber bundle L1: First direction L2: Second direction

Claims (13)

A container for immersing a tubular first immersed member and a second immersed member that can be accommodated in an internal space of the first immersed member in a liquid, comprising:
a liquid tank having a space surrounded by at least opposing walls and opening upward;
a first support groove extending outward from each of the opposing walls of the liquid tank along a first direction along the horizontal direction and opening upward, the first support groove supporting both ends of the first immersed member so that a central portion of the first immersed member floats in the liquid tank;
and second support grooves extending outward from opposing walls of the liquid tank along a second horizontal direction and opening upward, supporting both sides of the second immersed member so that the center of the second immersed member floats in the liquid tank,
a depth of a portion of the second support groove located in the liquid tank is greater than a depth of a portion of the first support groove located in the liquid tank;
A container for an immersed member, wherein at least one of the first support grooves is provided with a locking portion for preventing the first immersed member from floating up. The container for immersed members according to claim 1 further comprises an overflow reservoir that stores liquid overflowing from the liquid tank and the first support groove so that the liquid can flow into the liquid tank and the first support groove. A container for immersed members according to claim 2, in which a guide portion is disposed at the extending end of at least one of the first support grooves, for guiding the liquid flowing from the overflow reservoir into the extending end of the first support groove to the liquid tank side of the first support groove. The guide portion is disposed on only one side of the first support groove,
an end surface of the first support groove is inclined downward from the guide portion toward the liquid tank;
4. A container for an immersed member according to claim 3, wherein an end surface of the other of the first support grooves descends from the liquid tank toward the extending tip. A container for an immersed member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engaging portion is a convex portion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the first immersed member in the first support groove. A container for immersed members according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which also serves as a packaging material for the first immersed member and the second immersed member. A container for immersed members according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the first immersed member and the second immersed member are sealed and sterilized. A container for an immersed member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first immersed member has a slit formed from one end side to the other end side. A container for an immersed member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second immersed member is a bundle of multiple rods. A container for an immersed member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second immersed member is a bundle of multiple fibers. A container for an immersed member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second immersed member is a bundle of multiple sponge-like members. A container for immersed members according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first immersed member and the second immersed member are medical members made of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material. The container for an immersed member according to claim 12, wherein the first immersed member and the second immersed member are collagen.