WO2004105849A1

WO2004105849A1 - Bendable tube and method of manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2004105849A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/007564
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masayoshi Esashi; Yoichi Haga; Masanori Mizushima; Tadao Matsunaga
Original assignee: Japan Science And Technology Agency
Priority date: 2003-05-29
Filing date: 2004-05-26
Publication date: 2004-12-09
Also published as: JP2004351005A

Abstract

A hollow bendable tube (10) with a specified diameter, comprising one or a plurality of slits (12) axially formed from one side of the tip part (11a) thereof at specified intervals. The slits (12) are formed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bendable tube and extended toward the opposite side of the bendable tube, and a bending operation mechanism is installed in the hollow part of the bendable tube (10). The bendable tube (10) can be manufactured by injection molding, and even if the radius of curvature thereof is small, the tube can be bent with a smaller bending force by a simple structure.

Description

Bending tube and manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a bent tube used for, for example, a catheter and the like, and particularly to a bent tube having a small radius of curvature and capable of bending with a small force, and a method for manufacturing the same. Rice field

Background art

In recent years, catheters and guidewires have been used for diagnosis and treatment of blood vessels, ureters, stomachs, intestines, and the like. These catheters and guidewires have a diameter of, for example, about 0.1 to 6.0 mm, and a wire or coil is provided at the distal end to facilitate insertion during diagnosis and treatment. Some are provided with the used bending mechanism.

Here, for example, the following Documents 1 and 2 disclose a catheter provided with a bending mechanism using a wire. In these catheters, a groove or a cut is formed on the bending side of the distal end of the catheter, and this bent portion is configured to be bent by being pulled or pushed by a wire.

Further, for example, Patent Document 3 below discloses a flexible tube provided with a bending mechanism using a coil. In this flexible tube, a coil made of a shape memory alloy is wound around and fixed to the tip of a flexible tube having a concave groove formed on one side of an outer peripheral surface, and an axial force is applied to the coil by a temperature change. Is generated and the flexible tube is bent in the region of the concave groove by being deformed more largely in the axial direction.

Furthermore, the following document 4 proposes a catheter having a bellows structure in the bending direction. In this catheter, the joints provided at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction of the catheter are very flexible as bellows having a bellows structure, so that they can be easily bent.

Reference 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-80079 (Page 3, Fig. 1) Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-224444 (2 pages, Fig. 1)

Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-0-16 15 4 3 (Page 3, Figure 1)

Literature 4: Koji Ikuta, Hironobu Takakawa, Takahiro Yamamoto, Katsuya Suzuki, "Study on Micro-Pneumatic for Safety Active Catheter (3rd Kogori)", The 19th Annual Conference of the Robotics Society of Japan, 20 0 1 year September 18-20, 2 Μ 1 3, Ρ · 6 1 5

However, in Documents 1 to 3 described above, since all of the bending mechanisms use coils or coils, the bending mechanism itself is also reduced in size as the diameter of the catheter is reduced, and the bending The relative rigidity of the catheter material with respect to the force increases the rigidity of the catheter itself, thereby hindering the flexible movement of the catheter. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the radius of curvature of the catheter, and when a more flexible material is used as the material of the catheter, there is a problem that the catheter buckles during bending. '

Further, in the catheter according to Document 4, in order to realize a bellows structure, the joint portion of the catheter is formed by pouring silicone into a mold formed by a stereolithography method using a microphone. For this reason, the cost increases due to the complicated process, and it is difficult to cope with the reduction in the diameter. Furthermore, if the bending mechanism is embedded in the lumen, for example, if the bending mechanism is configured as a shape memory alloy actuator, the operating heat will remain in the tube, causing a large response delay. There is a problem of doing it. Disclosure of the invention

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a bending tube capable of bending with a smaller bending force with a simple configuration and a smaller bending force even with a simple configuration, and a method of manufacturing the same.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hollow bent tube having a predetermined inner diameter, wherein one or a plurality of hollow bent tubes are provided at predetermined intervals in an axial direction from one side of a tip end. This is achieved by a bent tube which is provided with a notch, characterized in that the notch extends centrally towards the opposite side of the bent tube.

The bent tube according to the present invention is preferably a catheter tube. This The flexible tube is preferably of a single lumen type or a multi-lumen single tube type.

According to the first configuration, the bending tube has one or a plurality of cuts arranged in the axial direction at one end at the distal end, so that the bending tube can be bent to one side. Tube volume is reduced. Therefore, when the distal end of the bent tube is bent to one side, even if the tube itself is made of a relatively hard material, the bent tube, for example, a catheter tube, preferably a single-lumen type or A multi-lumen tube is easily bent by a small bending force. The bent tube according to the present invention preferably has one or a plurality of second or more cuts between the cuts at predetermined intervals in the axial direction from the other side of the distal end portion. . According to this configuration, the bending tube can be easily bent at one end or the other side with a small bending force.

The bending tube according to the present invention preferably has a bending mechanism inserted in the hollow portion. Alternatively, a bending mechanism is inserted into at least one lumen. According to this configuration, a bending tube having a bending mechanism is configured. At this time, since the bending tube can be easily bent by a small bending force, the bending tube can be easily bent even if the radius of curvature of a force teeter having a bending mechanism, a guide wire, or the like is reduced. Furthermore, since the notch through which the bending mechanism is passed has a wider periphery and is easier to dissipate heat than the lumen through which the wiring or the wire passes, for example, the bending mechanism is configured as a shape memory alloy actuator. However, the response delay due to the heat remaining in the tube due to the operating heat can be small.

In the bending tube according to the present invention, preferably, the periphery of the opening to each cut of the lumen into which the bending mechanism is inserted is chamfered. According to this configuration, a part of the bending mechanism exposed on the surface of the tube can be smoothly inserted without being caught on the periphery of the opening to each cut of the lumen, and can be bent during the bending operation. The mechanism can operate smoothly.

The bending tube according to the present invention preferably has a working channel tube inserted into the hollow portion. According to this configuration, the king channel tube can be liquid-tightly formed in the hollow portion. The bending tube according to the present invention preferably has a sheath tube fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the bending tube. According to this configuration, the bending tube and the working channel tube can be formed in a liquid-tight manner by the jacket tube, and the jacket tube prevents the bending operation of the bending tube. There is nothing.

Further, according to the second configuration of the present invention, one or a plurality of hollow cylindrical tubes extending from the at least one side of the distal end portion to the opposite side at a predetermined interval in the axial direction are provided. This is achieved by a method for manufacturing a bent tube, which is characterized by forming individual cuts.

Further, according to the third configuration of the present invention, one or a plurality of cuts are formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction from one side of a distal end portion of a hollow cylindrical tube having a predetermined inner diameter. The present invention is achieved by a method for manufacturing a bent tube, which is characterized in that the bent tube is formed by injection molding.

According to the second and third configurations, the bent tube can be easily formed by forming a cut in the distal end of the existing hollow cylindrical tube material or by molding by injection molding. Since it can be formed at low cost and can be formed minutely, even if the radius of curvature of the bending tube for a catheter or the like is reduced, it is possible to reliably configure the tube.

The method for manufacturing a bent tube according to the present invention preferably forms a lumen in the cylindrical portion of the bent tube during injection molding. Preferably, a thin film for covering is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bent tube during injection molding. According to this configuration, the number of steps can be reduced, and the bent tube having the lumen in the cylindrical portion or the thin film for covering on the outer peripheral surface can be formed at low cost.

Thus, according to the present invention, by providing one or a plurality of cuts at predetermined intervals in the axial direction from one side of the distal end of a hollow bent tube having a predetermined inner diameter, a small bending force can be obtained. In addition to being able to bend easily, even if the radius of curvature is reduced, it is possible to realize a bent tube that is optimal for use with catheters, guide wires, and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a bending tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a manufacturing method of the bent tube of FIG. 1 by cutting.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing (A) a straight state and (B) a bent state of the bent tube of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing (A) a state before the notch formation and (B) a completed state after the notch formation in the second embodiment of the bent tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing (A) a state before the notch formation and (B) a completed state after the notch formation in the third embodiment of the bending tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing (A) a state before notch formation and (B) a completed state after notch formation of the fourth embodiment of the bent tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which each of the bent tubes of FIGS. 1, 4 to 6 is manufactured by injection molding.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a thin film is simultaneously formed in the cut area at the time of injection molding in each of the bent tubes of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 9 shows an example of incorporating the bending mechanism into the bending tube of Fig. 1, (A) before insertion of the bending mechanism, (B) after insertion of the bending mechanism, (C) after bonding the outer tube, (D) is a schematic diagram showing before bending, and (E) is a schematic diagram showing after bending. .

FIG. 10 shows a first example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube of FIG. 4, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a schematic side view showing before bending, and (C) is a schematic side view showing after bending. is there.

Fig. 11 shows a second example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube of Fig. 4. (A) is a schematic side view showing the state before bending and (B) is a state after bending. (D) is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the tip portion having a chamfer.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a third example in which the bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube of FIG. 4, wherein (A) is before the bending mechanism is inserted, (B) is after the bending mechanism is inserted, and (C) is the outer cover. FIG. 3D is a schematic perspective view showing the state after the tube is bonded, and FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a fourth example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube of FIG. () Is a schematic perspective view before assembling, (B) is a schematic perspective view after assembling, and (C) is a sectional view.

FIG. 14 shows a fifth example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube of FIG.

) Is a schematic perspective view showing the state before the insertion of the bending mechanism, (B) is a state after the insertion of the bending mechanism, (C) is a schematic perspective view showing the state after the sheath tube is bonded, and (D) is a sectional view.

FIG. 15 shows a sixth example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube of FIG.

() Is a schematic perspective view before assembling, (B) is a schematic perspective view after assembling, and (C) is a sectional view.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show a state in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in a fifth embodiment of the bending tube according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 16A is a plan view and FIG. 16B is a side view. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention will be better understood on the basis of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which show some embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that some embodiments shown in the attached drawings are not intended to specify or limit the present invention, but merely to facilitate explanation and understanding of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on some embodiments shown in the drawings. First embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a first embodiment of a bending tube according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the bent tube 10 is formed of, for example, a hollow cylindrical silicone tube 11 having an outer diameter of 6.0 mm and a wall thickness of 0.8 mm. Here, as the material of the bent tube, an organic polymer material such as polychlorinated vinyl, polyurethane, and fluororesin can be used in addition to the silicon tube.

As shown in FIG. 1, one or more bent tubes 10 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the axial direction on one side of the distal end portion 11a of the silicone tube 11, as shown in FIG. (Six in the illustration) are provided with notches 12. Each cut 12 extends from the lower side of the silicone tube 11 to the opposite side, that is, upwards, beyond the center direction, and is formed in an inverted V-shape so as to taper upward. Have been. In particular, each cut 12 may be cut beyond the center axis direction of the silicone tube 11, for example, about / or more of the circumference. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a manufacturing method by cutting the bent tube of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the bent tube 10 having such a structure is provided with a cut 12 as shown in FIG. 2 (B) with respect to a commercially available hollow cylindrical tube material 11 as shown in FIG. 2 (A). It is manufactured by cutting. Thereby, the bent tube 10 can be formed easily and at low cost.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing (A) a straight state and (Β) a bent state of the bent tube of FIG. From the straight state shown in Fig. 3 (A),

When the distal end 11a is bent downward as shown in (B), the tube volume is reduced by the cut 1 provided below the distal end 11a.

The bent tube 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, when the distal end portion 11 a is bent downward, the tube is cut by the cut 12. Since the volume is reduced, the gap between the cuts 12 is narrowed without the tube 10 itself being crushed, so that the distal end 11 a of the bent tube 10 can be easily formed, and It can be bent by a small bending force. Second embodiment

Next, a multi-lumen type bending tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing (A) a state before the cut is formed and (B) a completed state after the cut is formed in the second embodiment of the bent tube according to the present invention. In the bent tube 20 of the second embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), a cut 22 is cut from a commercially available bent tube material 21 as shown in FIG. 4 (A). Manufactured by: The bent tube 20 has a hollow portion, that is, a main lumen 21a and a tip end 21c of a multi-lumen type silicone tube 21 provided with one small-diameter lumen 21b along the lower edge. One or a plurality (six in the illustrated case) of notches 12 arranged at predetermined intervals in the axial direction are provided on one side, in the illustrated case, on the lower side by cutting. Here, the bent tube 20 is formed to have, for example, a diameter of 2 mm and a diameter of a small diameter lumen of 0.5 mm.

According to the bending tube 20 of this configuration, the bending tube 1 shown in FIGS. As in the case of 0, when the distal end 21c is bent downward from the straight state, the tube volume is reduced by the cuts 22 provided below the distal end 21c. Therefore, since the gap between the cuts 22 is narrowed without the tube 20 itself being crushed, the distal end 21 c of the bent tube 20 can be easily bent by a small bending force. Will be. Third embodiment

Next, a multi-lumen type bending tube according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing (A) a state before notch formation and (B) a completed state after notch formation of the third embodiment of the bent tube according to the present invention. In the bending tube 30 of the third embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), a cut 32 is formed by cutting a commercially available bending tube material 31 as shown in FIG. 5 (A). Manufactured by: The bent tube 30 is a multi-lumen type silicone tube having a hollow portion, that is, a main lumen 31a and two lumens along the lower edge, that is, small diameter lumens 31b, 31c. One end of 3 ^ ¾5 3 1 d, one side or lower side in the case shown in the figure, one or a plurality of lines arranged at a predetermined interval in the axial direction. . Here, the bent tube 30 is formed to have a diameter of 2 mm, a diameter of the main lumen of 0.9 mm, and a diameter of the small diameter lumen of 0.5 mm, for example.

In the bent tube 30 having this configuration, similarly to the bent tube 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the distal end 31 d is bent downward from a straight state, the distal end 31 The tube volume is reduced by the cuts 32 provided on the lower side of d, and the force of the tube 30 itself is not crushed, and the gap between the cuts 32 is narrowed. The distal end 31 d of the 30 can be easily bent by a small bending force. Fourth embodiment

Next, a multi-lumen type bending tube according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing (A) a state before the notch formation and (B) a completed state after the notch formation of the fourth embodiment of the bent tube according to the present invention. In the bent tube 40 of the fourth embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), a cut 42 is formed by cutting a commercially available bent tube material 41 as shown in FIG. 6 (A). Manufactured by: The bent tube 40 is a multi-lumen type silicone tube having a hollow portion, that is, a main lumen 41 a and one small-diameter lumen 41 b, 41 c along the upper edge and the lower edge, respectively. One or a plurality of, in the illustrated, six notches 42 arranged at a predetermined interval in the axial direction are provided on one side of the distal end portion 41 d in the illustrated example, in the illustrated example, on the lower side in the illustrated example.

According to the bent tube 40 having this configuration, as in the case of the bent tube 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the distal end portion 41 d is bent downward from a straight state, the leading end is bent. Since the tube volume force is reduced by the cuts 42 provided on the lower side of the portion 41d, the gap between the cuts 42 is narrowed without the tube 40 itself being crushed. The leading end 41d of the 0 can be bent easily and with a small bending force.

Here, in each of the above-mentioned bent tubes 10, 20, 30, 40, cuts 12, 22, 32, 42 are formed by cutting, respectively. 10 to 40 may be formed by injection molding so that the whole is provided with cuts 12 to 42.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which each of the bent tubes of FIGS. 1, 4 to 6 is manufactured by injection molding, wherein (A) is a bent tube 10, (B) is a bent tube 20, (C) ) Is a bent tube 30 and (D) is a bent tube 40. In each of the bent tubes 10, 20, 30, 40, the cuts 12,, 32, 42 are shown schematically by arrows in FIGS. 7 (A) to (D), respectively. In addition, it can be easily formed by a punching die that can move downward with respect to a mold that forms the entire bent tubes 10, 20, 30, and 40. In addition, in injection molding, the tube material is sandwiched between a core bar that has been processed to form a cut portion and a lumen and a mold that includes a mold for molding the outer peripheral surface. By bending, each bent tube 10 0, 20 , 30 and 40 can be easily formed. In this case, a multi-lumen type and a single-lumen type having a main lumen and a lumen (small-diameter lumen) in the cylindrical portion of the bent tube can also be manufactured by injection molding.

Furthermore, each of the bent tubes 10, 20, 30, and 40 is provided with a waterproof film on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface in order to configure the hollow portion that is the main lumen in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the outside. It is necessary to provide a jacket tube or a jacket thin film. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a thin film for covering having a function equivalent to that of a covering tube for waterproofing is simultaneously formed in the cut area during the injection molding of each of the bent tubes in FIGS. 1 and 4. In the drawing, (Α) shows the case where the bent tube 10 is used, and (Β) and (C) shows the case where the bent tube 20 is used.

As shown in FIG. 8, when these bent tubes 10, 20, 30, 40 are injection-molded as shown in FIG. 7, a thin film for coating is simultaneously formed on the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface. It may be formed. That is, as shown in FIG. 8 (Α), a thin film 13 for a jacket is formed in the bent tube material 11 adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the cut 12 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (), a thin film for jacket 23 is formed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the bent tube material 21 on the side of the cut 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (C), a thin film for jacket 24 is formed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface of the bent tube material 21 on the side of the cut 22 thereof. Although not shown, in the case of the bent tubes 30 and 40, similarly to the bent tubes 10 and 20, at the time of injection molding, at the same time, instead of the outer tube, the outer tube or the inner tube is used instead of the outer tube. The thin film to be used may be integrally formed.

When the catheter is assembled by inserting a bending mechanism into the lumen by integrally molding these outer membranes 13, 23, and 24, a flexible tube 1 is used to waterproof the inside of the lumen. There is no need to separately provide a jacket tube on the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of 0, 20 and assembly is facilitated.

Next, a configuration in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 9 shows an example in which the bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube 10 described above. (Α) Before the insertion of the bending mechanism, (Β) After the insertion of the bending mechanism, and (C) the tube bonding for the jacket. (D) Before bending and (Ε) After bending. At this time, As shown in FIG. 9 (A), the bending mechanism 14 is inserted into the hollow portion of the bending tube 10.

Here, as the bending mechanism 14, a coil, wire, plate, or the like using a shape memory alloy, or a mechanism incorporating a tow wire can be used. When a shape memory alloy is used as the bending mechanism 14, it is configured as a shape memory alloy actuator having a known configuration, such as a silicone tube, a stainless steel coil, a resin link, a shape memory alloy wire (or a coil or sheet). ) And wiring, but detailed description of the configuration is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9 (B), the bending mechanism 14 is inserted into the bending tube 10 until its tip slightly protrudes from the tip of the bending tube 10 and then shown in FIG. 9 (C). In this way, for example, a tube 50 having a wall thickness of 50 m is fitted on the distal end of the bent tube 10, and the adhesive 16 is attached to the distal end and the rear end thereof as shown by arrows X. It is more liquid-tightly adhered and fixed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9 (D), the controller 17 is connected to the wiring 14a extending from the rear end of the bending mechanism 14, and power is supplied to the shape memory alloy actuator of the bending mechanism 14. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 (E), the shape memory alloy actuate bends downward, and accordingly, the distal end of the bent tube 10 also bends downward.

Next, some examples of a configuration in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tubes 20 and 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. Example of installation of bending mechanism 1

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a first example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube 20 described above, where (A) is a perspective view, (B) is before bending, and (C) is after bending. It is the schematic side view shown. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), the bending mechanism 25 is inserted into the small-diameter lumen 2 lb of the bending tube 20. This bending mechanism 25 is configured as, for example, a shape memory alloy actuator having a known configuration, similarly to the above-described bending mechanism 14, and one of the wirings 25 a is connected from the tip of the bending mechanism 25 to the other. The bent tube 20 is routed through the main lumen 21a. As a result, the small-diameter lumen 2 1b through which the bending mechanism 25 passes and the notch 22 are formed by wiring or wire. Because the surrounding area is wider and heat is easier to dissipate compared to a lumen that passes through, for example, even if the bending mechanism 25 is configured as a shape memory alloy The response delay due to the remaining heat can be reduced. In addition, there is a distance from the shape memory alloy activator, which is a heating element, to the outer coating. Due to the air layer in this space, the surface temperature of the bending tube 20 can be kept low even during the bending operation. '

Here, as the bending mechanism 25, in addition to the above-mentioned parts such as the shape memory alloy actuary, a part having an expansion / contraction function, a part having a bending function, or a key part can be used. A coil or wire made of a shape memory alloy can be used as a component having such an expansion / contraction function. In addition, as a component having a bending function, a zigzag panel, a wire, and a strip-shaped plate made of a shape memory alloy can be used. In addition, stainless steel wire is used as the wire component, and it can be used as a tow wire. In addition, in FIG. 10 (A), the liquid-tight sealing is similarly performed by the sheath tube 15, but is omitted in the drawing.

When the controller 26 is connected to the wirings 25a and 25b extending from the rear end of the bending mechanism 25, power is supplied to the shape memory alloy actuator of the bending mechanism 25, as shown in Fig. 10 (B). From the straight state to the bent state shown in FIG. 10 (C), the shape memory alloy is bent downward, and accordingly, the distal end of the bent tube 20 is also bent downward. Example of installation of bending mechanism 1

Fig. 11 shows a second example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the above-described bending tube 20. (A) is a schematic side view showing before bending and (B) is a schematic side view showing after bending. (D) is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the distal end portion provided with a chamfered portion, as shown in Fig. 11 (A), in the small-diameter lumen 21b of the bent tube 20. Insert the bending mechanism 27. The bending mechanism 27 is configured as a pulling wire having a known configuration, is inserted into the small-diameter lumen 2 lb, and the tip 27a of the bending tube 20 is inserted into the bending tube 20. It is fixed to the state-of-the-art small-diameter lumen 21b with an adhesive, etc. After the bending mechanism 27 is inserted, the outer peripheral surface of the bending tube 20 is fixed to the outer tube. And the end is adhered to the bent tube 20 to form a liquid-tight structure. When the thin films 23 and 24 are formed by injection molding, the outer tube is unnecessary.

When the wire of the bending mechanism 27 extending from the rear end of the bending tube 20 is pulled rightward in the drawing by a traction mechanism (not shown), the gap between the cuts 22 of the bending tube 20 is narrowed in the axial direction. The distal end of the bent tube 20 bends downward from the straight state shown in FIG. 11A to the bent state shown in FIG. 11B. Flex tube 2

0 indicates that the opening for each cut 2 2 of the small diameter lumen 2 lb forms a relatively sharp corner as shown in Fig. 11 (C), so that the traction wire is inserted or bent. When towing and returning, the surface of the towing wire may be hooked to the above-mentioned corner by a bow I. To prevent this, as shown in Fig. 11 (D), cut each 2 lb of small-diameter lumen A chamfer 21 d may be formed at the periphery of the opening for 22. Thereby, the traction wire can smoothly slide in the small diameter lumen 2 lb when the traction wire is inserted, or when the traction wire is pulled or returned for bending. Example of installation of bending mechanism 3

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a third example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube 20 described above. (A) is before insertion of the bending mechanism, and (B) is, after insertion of the bending mechanism. (C) is a schematic perspective view showing a state after bonding the jacket tube, and (D) is a sectional view. The bending mechanism 25 is inserted into the small-diameter lumen 11b of the bending tube 20 shown in FIG. 12 (A). Further, a tube 28 for a recording channel is inserted into the main lumen 21 a of the bending tube 20. Here, there are a guide wire, a drug solution, a contrast agent, and the like as a member that passes through the lumen of the working channel tube 28. As shown in FIG. 12 (B), one of the wires 25a of the bending mechanism 25 is opposed to the small-diameter lumen 21b within the main lumen 11a from the tip of the bending mechanism 25. On the side, that is, in the region where the cut 22 is not present, it is routed between the inner wall of the lumen 21 a and the outer peripheral surface of the parking channel tube 28. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 12 (C) and 12 (D), a sheath tube 29 is fitted over the distal end of the bent tube 20. At the leading and trailing ends, as shown by arrows X, as shown in FIG. By adhesive It is liquid-tightly adhered and fixed.

According to this configuration, when a controller is connected to the wirings 25 a and 25 b extending from the rear end of the bending mechanism 25 and power is supplied to the shape memory alloy actuator of the bending mechanism 25, the shape memory The alloy actuator is bent downward, and accordingly, the distal end of the bending tube 20 is also bent downward. In this case, one of the wires 25a coming out from the tip of the bending mechanism 25 is routed to the rear end of the bending tube 20 through the area of the bending tube 20 where there is no cut 22. Therefore, when the bent tube 20 is bent, the stress applied to the wiring 25a is relatively small, and the possibility of disconnection is reduced. Here, when the bent tube 20 is bent, the wiring 25a may be routed in a wavy shape in order to avoid disconnection due to the stress applied to the wiring 25a. Example of incorporation of bending mechanism 4

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a fourth example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube 20 described above. FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic perspective views before (A) assembly, (B) after assembly, and (C) sectional views, respectively. is there. In this case, the bent tube 20 is formed to be relatively short, so that only the distal end portion is formed, and the other portion uses the multi-lumen type tube 41 described above.

The bent tube 20 has the same configuration as the bent tube 20 shown in FIG. 12, and as shown in FIG. 13 (A), the tube 41 is provided at the rear end of the bent tube 20. As shown in FIGS. 13 (B) and 13 (C), they are fixed by an adhesive 16 and sealed at the outside and inside of the tube 41. The wires 25a and 25b extending from the rear end of the bent tube 20 are passed through the small-diameter lumens 41b and 41c of the tube 41 and passed through the tube 41a. It is pulled out from the rear end of. According to this configuration, the controller 26 is connected to the wires 25 a and 25 b extending from the rear end of the tube 41 in the same manner as the bent tube 20 in FIG. As a result, when power is supplied to the shape memory alloy actuator over the bending mechanism 25, the shape memory alloy actuator bends downward, and accordingly, the bending tube 20 'constituting the distal end also bends downward. Will do. Example of installation of bending mechanism 5

Fig. 14 shows a fifth example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated in the bending tube 30 described above. (A) Before the bending mechanism is inserted, (B) after the bending mechanism is inserted, and (C) the sheath It is the schematic perspective view and the (D) sectional drawing which show the state after Uub adhesion. The bending mechanism 25 is inserted into both small-diameter lumens 31b and 31c of the bending tube 30 shown in FIG. Then, the working channel tube 28 is inserted into the main lumen 31 a of the bending tube 30. The bending mechanism 25 may be inserted into either one of the small lumens 3 lb and 31 c. Also, insert one of the small-diameter lumens 31b or 31c into one of the small-diameter lumens 31c or 31b so that one of the wires coming out of the tip of the bending mechanism 25 passes through the other small-diameter lumen 31c or 31b. It may be. Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (B), the wires 25a and 25b of the bending mechanism 25 are pulled out from the rear end of the bending tube 30 to the outside. After that, as shown in FIGS. 14 (C) and (D), the outer tube 33 is fitted to the distal end of the bent tube 30 and the distal and rear ends thereof are indicated by arrows X as shown by arrows X. It is bonded and fixed liquid-tight with an adhesive.

According to this configuration, the controller 26 is connected to the wirings 25 a and 25 b extending from the rear end of the bending mechanism 25, and when power is supplied to the shape memory alloy actuator of the bending mechanism 25, the shape becomes The memory alloy actuary bends downward, and accordingly, the tip of the bending tube 30 also bends downward. '' Bending mechanism installation example 6

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a sixth example in which a bending mechanism is incorporated into the above-described bending tube 30. (A) Schematic perspective view before assembly, (B) Schematic perspective view after assembly, and (C) sectional view. It is. The bent tube 30 is formed relatively short to form only the distal end portion, and the other portion uses the multi-lumen tube 31 described above. The bending tube 30 ′ has the same configuration as the bending tube 30 shown in FIG. 14, and as shown in FIG. 15 (A), the tube 3 is attached to the rear end of the bending tube 30. 1 are connected and fixed with an adhesive 16 as shown in FIGS. 15 (B) and 15 (C), and sealed on the outside and inside of the tube 31. And bend The wirings 25a and 25b extending from the rear end of the tube 30 are drawn out from the rear end of the tube 31 through the small diameter lumens 31b and 31c of the tube 31. .

According to this configuration, the controller 26 is connected to the wirings 25 a and 25 b extending from the rear end of the tube 31 in the same manner as the bending tube 30 in FIG. When power is supplied to the shape memory alloy actuator over the structure 15, the shape memory alloy actuator bends downward, and accordingly, the bending tube 30 ′ constituting the distal end also bends downward. Fifth embodiment

Next, a case where a bending mechanism is incorporated in a multi-lumen type bending tube according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show a bending tube in a state where a bending mechanism is incorporated in the fifth embodiment, and are respectively (A) a plan view and (B) a side view. In FIG. 16, the bending tube 50 has a hollow portion, that is, a main lumen 51a, and a multi-lumen having one small-diameter lumen 51b and 51c along the left and right side edges, respectively. On the both sides of the distal end 51 d of the lumen type silicone tube 51, a plurality of notches 52 are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction and alternately arranged on the left and right sides. I have. Each small lumen 51b, 51c has a bending mechanism 53, 54, respectively, and the main lumen 51a has a working channel tube 55, respectively. Have been. These bending mechanisms 53 and 54 are each configured as a known shape memory alloy actuator.

Here, the wiring coming out of the distal ends of the bending mechanisms 53 and 54, together with the wiring coming out of the rear ends of the bending mechanisms 53 and 54 through the main lumen 51a, is connected to the rear of the bending tube 50. It is pulled out from the end. Further, a distal end portion of the bent tube 50 is fitted with a jacket tube (not shown), and both ends are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the silicone tube 51 in a liquid-tight manner with an adhesive. Further, the working channel tube 55 is fixed to the inner wall of the silicone tube 51 having the cut 52 with an adhesive. In the bending tube 50 having this configuration, when power is supplied to one bending mechanism, for example, the bending mechanism 53 from a controller (not shown), and the bending mechanism 53 is bent upward in FIG. 16 (A). Accordingly, the distal end of the bending tube 50 also bends upward. Also, when power is supplied to the other bending mechanism, for example, the bending mechanism 54 from a controller (not shown), and the bending mechanism 54 is bent downward in FIG. 16 (A), the bending tube is accordingly bent. The tip of 50 also bends downward. In this way, by selectively supplying power to the bending mechanisms 53 and 54, the distal end of the bending tube 50 can be bent right or left.

In the above-described embodiment, the distal ends of the bent tubes 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 provided with the cuts 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 are provided with a jacket. By fitting the tube for use, the areas of cuts 12 to 52 are sealed in a liquid-tight manner, but as shown in FIG. 8, cuts 12 to 52 are provided. When the bent tubes 10 to 50 are formed by injection molding, and simultaneously the thin films 13, 23, and 24 for the jacket are integrally formed, these outer tubes are fitted later. It is not necessary to seal with an adhesive, and a bent tube incorporating a bending mechanism can be easily assembled.

In the embodiment described above, the bent tubes 10, 20, 30, 40, which are provided in the axial direction like the cuts 12, 22, 32, 42, and two sets of left and right in the axial direction That is, the bent tube 50 provided with the first and second cuts 52 is shown. These cuts may further have a third or more cuts arranged in the axial direction. For example, when a plurality of cuts are provided in three axial directions, cuts may be made at predetermined intervals at three circumferential positions of the bent tube. Similarly, in the case where a plurality of cuts are provided in four axial directions, cuts may be made at predetermined intervals at four circumferential locations.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as a multi-lumen type silicone tube, a silicone tube having one or two small diameter lumens at the lower end or a silicone tube having one small diameter lumen at each of the upper and lower ends. However, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the multi-lumen type silicone tube, and that the present invention can be applied to a bending tube using a silicone tube having lumens of different arrangements. . Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, the bent tube is bent to one side by having one or a plurality of cuts arranged in the axial direction at one end at the distal end thereof. The tube volume at the time is reduced. Therefore, when the distal end of the bending tube is bent to the minus side, even if the tube itself is made of a relatively hard material, the bending tube, for example, a catheter tube, preferably a single-lumen type or a multi-lumen tube is used. The men-type catheter tube can be easily bent by a small bending force.

As described above, according to the present invention, an extremely excellent bent tube which can be bent with a smaller bending force even with a small radius of curvature with a simple configuration and a method of manufacturing the same are provided.

Claims

The scope of the claims

I. A hollow bent tube having a predetermined inner diameter,

One or more cuts are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction from one side of the tip,

The bent tube is characterized in that the cut extends toward the center toward the opposite side of the bent tube.

2. The bent tube according to claim 1, wherein the bent tube is a catheter tube.

3. The bending tube according to claim 2, wherein the self-bending tube is a single lumen type.

4. The bending tube according to claim 2, wherein the self bending tube is a multi-lumen type.

5. Further, one or a plurality of second or more cuts are provided between the cuts at predetermined intervals in the axial direction from the other side of the distal end portion of the bent tube. The bent tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which performs the bending.

6. The bending tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a bending mechanism is inserted into a hollow portion of the bending tube.

7. The bending tube according to claim 3, wherein a bending mechanism is inserted into at least one lumen.

8. The bending tube according to claim 7, wherein a peripheral edge of an opening to each cut of the lumen into which the bending mechanism is inserted is chamfered.

9. The bending tube according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a working channel tube is inserted into a hollow portion of the bending tube.

10. The bending tube according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a coating tube or a coating thin film is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the bending tube.

II. One or more cuts are made in the hollow cylindrical tube at least one end of the tip and extend at predetermined intervals toward the opposite side in the axial direction. A method for manufacturing a bent tube. .

1 2. Form a bent tube by injection molding so that one or more cuts are provided at a predetermined interval in the axial direction from one end of a hollow cylindrical tube having a predetermined inner diameter. A method for manufacturing a bent tube.

13. The method for manufacturing a bent tube according to claim 12, wherein a lumen is formed in a cylindrical portion of the bent tube during the injection molding.

14. The method for producing a bent tube according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a thin film for covering is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the bent tube during the injection molding.