U.S. patent application number 17/504941 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for medical product emitting near-infrared fluorescence and medical product usage status checking apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is DIC Corporation, National University Corporation Kochi University. Invention is credited to Takayuki SATO.
Application Number | 20220031188 17/504941 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49673319 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220031188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SATO; Takayuki |
February 3, 2022 |
MEDICAL PRODUCT EMITTING NEAR-INFRARED FLUORESCENCE AND MEDICAL
PRODUCT USAGE STATUS CHECKING APPARATUS
Abstract
[Problem] To accurately check a usage status of a medical
product such as a damage status of the medical product or existence
or nonexistence of the medical product. [Solution] A medical
product (80) is configured to include a light-emissive septum (83)
(constituent member) which includes a luminescent agent emitting
near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of excitation
light on a surface thereof. Even in a case where a portion of the
septum is separated as a core (83a) (separate piece) due to damage,
the luminescent agent is also included on a surface of the core. A
medical product usage status checking apparatus (10) is configured
to include a medical product which emits the near-infrared
fluorescence, an irradiation unit (130) which irradiates the
medical product with excitation light which excites the luminescent
agent, an optical filter (140) which blocks the excitation light
and transmits the near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the
luminescent agent, a camera (15) (imaging unit) which receives the
near-infrared fluorescence passing through the optical filter, and
a monitor (160) (display unit) which displays an image captured by
the camera. An image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the
septum is displayed on the monitor and in a case where damage
occurs in the septum, an image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence of the core is displayed on the monitor.
Inventors: |
SATO; Takayuki; (Kochi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
National University Corporation Kochi University
DIC Corporation |
Kochi
Tokyo |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
49673319 |
Appl. No.: |
17/504941 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14404707 |
Dec 1, 2014 |
11179058 |
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PCT/JP2013/006476 |
May 28, 2013 |
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17504941 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2205/6063 20130101;
A61B 17/06066 20130101; A61B 17/06166 20130101; A61B 5/0071
20130101; A61B 90/90 20160201; A61M 2205/3313 20130101; A61B 5/061
20130101; G01N 2201/062 20130101; A61B 2090/0809 20160201; A61B
2090/3941 20160201; A61M 39/0208 20130101; A61M 2039/0244 20130101;
A61M 2039/0036 20130101; A61M 2039/0238 20130101; G01N 21/6486
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/06 20060101
A61B005/06; A61M 39/02 20060101 A61M039/02; A61B 17/06 20060101
A61B017/06; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; G01N 21/64 20060101
G01N021/64 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 1, 2012 |
JP |
2012125710 |
Jun 1, 2012 |
JP |
2012125712 |
Claims
1.-7. (canceled)
8. A light-emissive medical product which includes a luminescent
agent emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation
of excitation light on a surface thereof, wherein the medical
product emitting near-infrared fluorescence is at least one
selected from the group consisting of a light-emissive suture
thread which is formed with a synthetic thread where the
luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin material, a light-emissive
cloth-formed consumable item into which the synthetic thread is
woven, a light-emissive nonwoven cloth-formed consumable item which
includes the synthetic thread without weaving, a scissor, a
pincette, a catheter, an injection needle, and a tube formed with a
material with which the luminescent material is kneaded.
9. A medical product usage status checking apparatus comprising: a
light-emissive medical product which includes a luminescent agent
emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of
excitation light on a surface thereof; an irradiation unit which
includes a light source emitting excitation light which excites the
luminescent agent and irradiates an operative field where existence
or nonexistence of the medical product is to be checked with the
excitation light emitted from the light source; an optical filter
which blocks the excitation light and transmits the near-infrared
fluorescence emitted by the luminescent agent; an imaging unit
which receives the near-infrared fluorescence passing through the
optical filter; and a display unit which displays an image captured
by the imaging unit, wherein, in a case where the medical product
exists in the operative field, an image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence of the medical product is displayed on the display
unit, wherein the medical product is at least one selected from the
group consisting of a light emissive suture thread which is formed
of a synthetic thread where the luminescent agent is kneaded in a
resin material, a light-emissive cloth-formed consumable into which
the synthetic thread is woven, a light emissive non-woven
cloth-formed consumable item which includes the synthetic thread
without weaving, a scissor, a pincette, a catheter, an injection
needle, and a tube which is formed with a material in which the
luminescent agent is kneaded.
10. The medical product usage status checking apparatus according
to claim 9, further comprising a control unit which informs that
the medical product exists in the operative field in a case where
the image based on the near-infrared fluorescence is detected.
11.-15. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a medical product emitting
near-infrared fluorescence and a medical product usage status
checking apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a subcutaneous implanted port which is implanted beneath
skin in order to inject a medicine in a blood vessel or in a sealed
container which contains an infusion substance or the like, a
septum into which an injection needle is injected is used as its
constituent member. The septum is configured with a silicone rubber
and is attached to a housing or the like of the port so as to
receive a compression force in order to increase sealability. In
some cases, when the injection needle punctures the septum, a
portion of the septum may be scraped off due to a heel portion of
the injection needle. The scraped separate piece is called a
"core", and the phenomenon that the core is generated by the
puncturing of the injection needle is called "coring". In order to
prevent the core together with a medicine from entering a blood
vessel, there is a demand to check the damage status such as coring
as the usage status of the medical product.
[0003] In addition, in surgery, a lot of cloth-formed consumable
items such as suture needles, suture threads and gauze and a lot of
nonwoven cloth-formed consumable items such as absorbent cottons
are used. In order to prevent these medical products from remaining
in a living body, there is a demand to check whether or not the
medical product exists in an operative field as the usage status of
the medical product.
[0004] Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of attaching a
radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to a medical product,
scanning the medical product to read information recorded in the
RFID tag after surgery or the like, and checking a type, a
position, or the like of the medical product.
[0005] A technique of performing coating with a fluorescent
material for the purpose of displaying or improving visibility in a
medical field is known (refer to Patent Literature 2). In addition,
a technique of visualizing a blood vessel by applying a principle
that near-infrared rays pass through skin and are absorbed by
hemoglobin of red blood cells is known (refer to Patent Literature
3).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
[0006] Patent Literature 1: JP-2006-122321 A
[0007] Patent Literature 2: JP-2008-515586 W
[0008] Patent Literature 3: WO 2009/154081 A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] However, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is
to prevent an accident that the medical product remains by checking
the current position of the medical product. Therefore, in the
technique, it is not possible to check the damage of the medical
product. In addition, the medical product as a target for checking
the existence or nonexistence is limited to the medical product of
which size is suitable for attachment of the RFID tag.
[0010] Like this, there is no disclosure of a technique capable of
checking a damage status of a medical product as a usage status of
the medical product in the case of using the medical product where
a portion of the constituent member of the medical product is
separated as a separate piece due to damage. In addition, there is
no disclosure of a technique capable of checking existence or
nonexistence of a medical product such as a suture needle or a
suture thread which is too small to attach an RFID tag as a usage
status of the medical product.
[0011] In addition, in the technique of Patent Literature 3,
coating of implantation with a fluorescent material is performed in
order to easily identify implantation. However, the fluorescence in
use is fluorescence which can be visually identified, that is,
visible light fluorescence. In Patent Literature 3, a technique
using near-infrared fluorescence is not disclosed.
[0012] In a technique of Patent Literature 4, a blood vessel is
visualized by a near-infrared camera including a near-infrared
light source in order to output a positional relationship between a
needle of an injection needle as a medical product and the blood
vessel as a plane image to a monitor. However, since it is presumed
that a shape of the injection needle in use is specified in
advance, the technique is only to estimate a position of a distal
end of the injection needle which is inserted into a subcutaneous
portion. In Patent Literature 4, a technique of visualizing an
injection needle which is inserted into a subcutaneous portion is
not disclosed.
[0013] The present invention is to provide a medical product
emitting near-infrared fluorescence and a medical product usage
status checking apparatus capable of accurately checking a usage
status of a medical product such as a damage status of the medical
product in the case of using the medical product where a portion of
a constituent member is separated as a separate piece due to damage
or existence or nonexistence of the medical product such as a
suture needle or a suture thread which is relatively small.
Means for Solving Problem
[0014] According to the present invention for achieving the above
object, there is provided a medical product emitting near-infrared
fluorescence which is configured to include at least one
light-emissive constituent member which includes a luminescent
agent emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation
of excitation light on a surface thereof. Even in a case where a
portion of a constituent member is separated as a separate piece
from the constituent member due to damage, the luminescent agent is
also included on a surface of the separate piece.
[0015] In addition, according to the present invention, there is
provided a light-emissive medical product which includes a
luminescent agent emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to
irradiation of excitation light on a surface thereof, wherein the
medical product emitting near-infrared fluorescence is a
light-emissive suture needle where the luminescent agent is applied
on a surface thereof, a light-emissive suture thread which is
formed with a synthetic thread where the luminescent agent is
kneaded in a resin material, a light-emissive cloth-formed
consumable item into which the synthetic thread is woven, or a
light-emissive nonwoven cloth-formed consumable item which includes
the synthetic thread without weaving.
[0016] According to the present invention for achieving the above
object, there is provided a medical product usage status checking
apparatus including: a medical product including at least one
light-emissive constituent member which includes a luminescent
agent emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation
of excitation light on a surface thereof, wherein even in a case
where a portion of the constituent member is separated as a
separate piece from the constituent member due to damage, the
luminescent agent is also included on a surface of the separate
piece; an irradiation unit which includes a light source emitting
excitation light which excites the luminescent agent and irradiates
the medical product with the excitation light emitted from the
light source; an optical filter which blocks the excitation light
and transmits the near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the
luminescent agent; an imaging unit which receives the near-infrared
fluorescence passing through the optical filter; and a display unit
which displays an image captured by the imaging unit. An image
based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the constituent member
is displayed on the display unit, and in a case where damage occurs
in the constituent member, an image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence of the separate piece is displayed on the display
unit.
[0017] In addition, according to the present invention, there is
provided a medical product usage status checking apparatus
including: a light-emissive medical product which includes a
luminescent agent emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to
irradiation of excitation light on a surface thereof; an
irradiation unit which includes a light source emitting excitation
light which excites the luminescent agent and irradiates an
operative field where existence or nonexistence of the medical
product is to be checked with the excitation light emitted from the
light source; an optical filter which blocks the excitation light
and transmits the near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the
luminescent agent; an imaging unit which receives the near-infrared
fluorescence passing through the optical filter; and a display unit
which displays an image captured by the imaging unit. In a case
where the medical product exists in the operative field, an image
based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the medical product is
displayed on the display unit.
Advantageous Effect of the Invention
[0018] The medical product emitting near-infrared fluorescence is
configured to include at least one light-emissive constituent
member which includes a luminescent agent emitting near-infrared
fluorescence according to irradiation of excitation light on a
surface thereof. In addition, even in a case where a portion of a
constituent member is separated as a separate piece from the
constituent member due to damage, the luminescent agent is also
included on a surface of the separate piece. Therefore, by applying
the medical product usage status checking apparatus, it is possible
to accurately and easily check a position of the constituent member
in the medical product. In addition, it is possible to accurately
and easily check the occurrence of damage in the constituent member
and the damage status, so that it is possible to perform
appropriate measures according to the usage status of the medical
product.
[0019] The medical product emitting near-infrared fluorescence is a
light-emissive suture needle, a light-emissive suture thread, a
light-emissive cloth-formed consumable item, or a light-emissive
nonwoven cloth-formed consumable item which includes a luminescent
agent emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation
of excitation light on a surface thereof. Therefore, by applying
the medical product usage status checking apparatus, it is possible
to check the existence or nonexistence of the medical product. When
an image based on the near-infrared fluorescence appears on the
display unit, a user can accurately and easily check the existence
of the medical product in the operative field and the position
where the medical product exists, so that it is possible to perform
appropriate measures according to the usage status of the medical
product such as removal of the medical product.
[0020] According to the medical product usage status checking
apparatus, an image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the
constituent member is displayed on the display unit, and in a case
where damage occurs in the constituent member, an image based on
the near-infrared fluorescence of the separate piece is displayed
on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and
easily check the position of the constituent member in the medical
product. In addition, it is possible to accurately and easily check
the occurrence of damage in the constituent member or the damage
status, so that it is possible to perform appropriate measures
according to the usage status of the medical product.
[0021] According to the medical product usage status checking
apparatus, in a case where the medical product exists in the
operative field, an image based on the near-infrared fluorescence
of the medical product is displayed on the display unit. Therefore,
it is possible to accurately and easily check the existence of the
medical product in the operative field and the position where the
medical product exists, so that it is possible to perform
appropriate measures according to the usage status of the medical
product such as removal of the medical product. In addition, since
the existence or nonexistence is checked based on the near-infrared
fluorescence, the present invention is not limited by the size of
the medical product which is a target for checking the existence or
nonexistence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing illustrating a medical
product usage status checking apparatus according to a first
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a subcutaneous
implanted port illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a medical product usage status checking apparatus
according to a second embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a sealed container
as a medical product.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an
indwelling needle as a medical product.
[0027] FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are images illustrating a status where a
medical product emits near-infrared fluorescence in a case where
the medical product is not implanted beneath skin, FIG. 6(A)
illustrates a case where excitation light is off, and FIG. 6(B)
illustrates a case where excitation light is on.
[0028] FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) are images illustrating a status where a
medical product emits near-infrared fluorescence in a case where
the medical product is implanted beneath skin, FIG. 7(A)
illustrates a case where excitation light is off, and FIG. 7(B)
illustrates a case where excitation light is on.
[0029] FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing illustrating a medical
product usage status checking apparatus according to a third
embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
configuration of medical product usage status checking apparatus
according to a fourth embodiment,
[0031] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a cloth-formed consumable
item as a medical product.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, in
the description of the drawings, the same components are denoted by
the same reference numerals, and the redundant description is not
presented. In the drawings, dimension ratios are exaggerated for
the convenience of description and are different from actual
ratios.
First Embodiment
[0033] FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing illustrating a medical
product usage status checking apparatus 10 according to a first
embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a
subcutaneous implanted port 81 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a medical product 80 emitting
near-infrared fluorescence which is a target for checking usage
status thereof is configured to include at least one light-emissive
constituent member 83 which includes a luminescent agent emitting
near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of excitation
light on a surface thereof. Therefore, even in a case where a
portion of the constituent member 83 is separated as a separate
piece 83a from the constituent member 83 due to damage, the
luminescent agent is included also on a surface of the separate
piece 83a. As described in brief, the medical product usage status
checking apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is
configured to include the medical product 80 emitting near-infrared
fluorescence, an irradiation unit 30 which includes a light source
32 emitting excitation light which excites the luminescent agent
and irradiates the medical product 80 with the excitation light
emitted from the light source 32, an optical filter 40 which blocks
the excitation light and transmits the near-infrared fluorescence
emitted by the luminescent agent, a camera 50 (corresponding to an
imaging unit) which receives the near-infrared fluorescence passing
through the optical filter 40, and a monitor 60 (corresponding to a
display unit) which displays an image captured by the camera 50. In
the medical product usage status checking apparatus 10, an image
based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the constituent member
83 is displayed on the monitor 60, and in a case where damage
occurs in the constituent member 83, an image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence of the separate piece 83a is displayed
on the monitor 60. Hereinafter, the description will be made in
detail.
[0035] The medical product 80 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a
subcutaneous implanted port 81 which is implanted beneath skin 20
in order to inject a medicine in a blood vessel. The subcutaneous
implanted port 81 is used for a patient or the like who is
repetitively subjected to drip infusion or the like. As illustrated
in FIG. 2, the subcutaneous implanted port 81 is configured to
include a housing 82 constituting an injection chamber 82a, a
septum 83 mounted on an upper portion of the housing 82, and a
catheter 84 attached to the housing 82. The one end of the catheter
84 communicates with the injection chamber 82a, and the other end
is inserted into a blood vessel 21. The septum 83 is mounted to the
housing 82 so as to receive a compression force to enhance
sealability. An injection needle 90 such as a Huber needle is
inserted into the septum 83.
[0036] In a case where the injection needle 90 punctures in the
state where the injection needle is inclined with respect to an
upper surface of the septum 83, there is a concern that a portion
of the septum 83 is scraped off by a heel portion of the injection
needle 90, so that a core 83a as a separate piece is generated. In
the subcutaneous implanted port 81, the light-emissive constituent
member is at least the septum 83. This is because it is possible to
check a damage status such as coring as a usage status of the
medical product 80 in order to prevent the core 83a together with a
medicine from entering the blood vessel 21. Furthermore, this is
because it is possible to accurately check a site where the
subcutaneous implanted port 81 is implanted or a to-be-punctured
position by allowing the septum 83 to emit the near-infrared
fluorescence. In addition to the septum 83, the housing 82 may be
allowed to be light-emissive, or a portion of or all the portions
of the catheter 84 may be allowed to be light-emissive.
[0037] The septum 83 as a constituent member is configured so that
a luminescent agent is applied on a surface thereof or is
configured with a material in which a luminescent agent is kneaded.
It is possible to allow the septum 83 itself to emit light, and in
a case where a portion of the septum 83 is damaged and the core 83a
is generated, the luminescent agent is included on the surface of
the core 83a, so that it is also possible to allow the core 83a to
emit light. In the illustrated example, the septum 83 is configured
with a silicone rubber in which a luminescent agent is kneaded.
[0038] The luminescent agent is a medicine which can be used for a
human body or an animal. If a material emits the near-infrared
fluorescence according to irradiation of the excitation light, the
appropriate material may be used. Herein, the excitation wavelength
is in a wavelength range suitable for allowing the luminescent
agent to emit light. The excitation wavelength is preferably in a
wavelength range of near-infrared light, and the light having a
wavelength range of 600 nm to 1400 nm may be used. The
near-infrared light has high transmittance with respect to human
tissues such as skin, fat, and muscle and is capable of being
transmitted down to about 5 mm to 20 mm under the surface of the
tissue of the living body. Therefore, even in the case of the
subcutaneous implanted port 81 used in the state where it is
implanted in the living body, by allowing the excitation light to
be transmitted down to the position where the septum 83 is
implanted, the septum 83 and the core 83a which is generated due to
the damage can be allowed to emit light.
[0039] More specifically, as the luminescent agent, indocyanine
green (ICG) or an azo-boron complex compound disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application No. 2010-23479 (JP 2011-162445 A) filed by the
inventors of the present invention which emits near-infrared
fluorescence according to irradiation of the excitation light may
be used. The indocyanine green is a colorant which absorbs
near-infrared excitation light having a wavelength range of about
800 nm to be excited and emits near-infrared fluorescence having a
wavelength of about 850 nm. The azo-boron complex compound is a
compound where a hydrazone compound is subjected to boron
complexation to improve light absorption characteristics and light
emission characteristics so as to emit strong near-infrared
fluorescence. The azo-boron complex compound is easy to disperse in
a polymer resin, and similarly to the case of the compound alone,
even in the case of manufacturing a fluorescent film by dispersing
the compound in a resin, excellent light absorption characteristics
and excellent light emission characteristics can be obtained. As an
example of the light absorption characteristics and the light
emission characteristics of the azo-boron complex compound, in the
case of the compound alone, the maximum absorption wavelength is
674 nm and the maximum fluorescence wavelength is 743 nm (refer to
Example 1 (2) of Table 1 of Publication Document), and in the case
of manufacturing the fluorescent film, the maximum absorption
wavelength is 662 nm and the maximum fluorescence wavelength is 702
nm (refer to Example 1 (2) of Table 2 of Publication Document).
[0040] The irradiation unit 30 is configured to include a chassis
31 and a light source 32 which is arranged in the chassis 31 to
emit excitation light which excites the luminescent agent. The
chassis 31 is configured with a metal material such as aluminum
which does not transmit the excitation light. The subcutaneous
implanted port 81 which is implanted in a living body is irradiated
with the excitation light emitted from the light source 32. As the
light source 32, for example, an LED or the like which emits the
near-infrared excitation light having a wavelength range of 600 nm
to 1400 nm may be used.
[0041] The optical filter 40 may be inserted between an imaging
element and a lens in the camera 50 or may be arranged in front of
the camera 50. The optical filter 40 is preferably set so that the
transmittance of visible light is lower than that of the
near-infrared fluorescence. This is because a weak near-infrared
fluorescence image can be clearly displayed on a visible light
image.
[0042] As the camera 50, a near-infrared CCD camera, a
near-infrared CMOS camera, or the like which captures the
near-infrared fluorescence passing through the optical filter 40 is
used. The CCD camera is a camera configured with a charge coupled
device element, and the CMOS camera is a camera using a
complementary metal oxide semiconductor. The data acquired by the
near-infrared CCD camera or the like are subjected to image
processes such as a noise process, an edge process, and contrast
enhancement and image analysis to be converted into data for images
which are to be displayed on the monitor 60.
[0043] The camera 50 can image the entire septum 83 by receiving
the near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the luminescent agent of
the septum 83 by using a light-receiving element. The near-infrared
fluorescence emitted by the luminescent agent of the septum 83
passes through a living tissue, and the camera 50 images the septum
83 by receiving the near-infrared fluorescence. In addition, at the
same time, the camera 50 images the outline or the like of the
human body.
[0044] In addition, the image captured by the camera 50 may be a
monochrome image or may be a color image. The camera 50 may be
configured so that the light source 32 is arranged in a ring shape
around the lens. Accordingly, it is possible to more appropriately
image the medical product 80.
[0045] If the monitor 60 can display an image captured by the
camera 50, the monitor is not particularly limited. The monitor may
be a table-top display or may be a head-mounted display. The
displayed image may be any one of a monochrome image and a color
image. On the monitor 60, an image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence of the septum 83 is displayed, and in a case where
damage occurs in the septum 83, an image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence of the core 83a is displayed. A user views the image
displayed on the monitor 60 to check the position of the septum 83
in the subcutaneous implanted port 81, the occurrence of damage in
the septum 83, or the damage status.
[0046] Next, functions of the embodiment will be described.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the subcutaneous implanted port 81
including the light-emissive septum 83 is implanted in the body of
a patient in advance.
[0048] When the medicine is injected into the blood vessel 21
through the subcutaneous implanted port 81, the subcutaneous
implanted port 81 is irradiated with the near-infrared excitation
light emitted from the light source 32 by the irradiation unit 30.
If the near-infrared excitation light passes through the living
body to irradiate the septum 83, the septum 83 emits the
near-infrared fluorescence. In the case of using indocyanine green
as the luminescent agent, the luminescent agent absorbs the
near-infrared excitation light having a wavelength range of about
800 nm to be excited and emits the near-infrared fluorescence
having a wavelength of about 850 nm.
[0049] The near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the septum 83
passes through the optical filter 40 and is received by the camera
50, and thus, the image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of
the septum 83 is displayed on the monitor 60. In addition,
reflection light reflected on a surface of the living body is also
received by the camera 50, so that an image of the outline of the
living body together with the image of the septum 83 is also
displayed on the monitor 60. The user views the image displayed on
the monitor 60, so that the user can accurately and easily check
the position of the septum 83 in the subcutaneous implanted port
81. Since the position of the septum 83 is the position where the
injection needle 90 is to puncture, the user can accurately and
easily check the punctured position.
[0050] In a case where the injection needle 90 is inserted to the
septum 83, the subcutaneous implanted port 81 is also irradiated
with the near-infrared excitation light.
[0051] In some cases, a portion of the septum 83 is scraped off by
a heel portion of the injection needle 90, so that the core 83a is
generated. Since the luminescent agent is included on the surface
of the core 83a, in a case where coring occurs, if the core 83a is
irradiated with the near-infrared excitation light, the core 83a
emits the near-infrared fluorescence.
[0052] The near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the core 83a
passes through the optical filter 40 and is received by the camera
50, and thus, the image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of
the core 83a is displayed on the monitor 60. The user views the
image displayed on the monitor 60, so that the user can accurately
and easily check the occurrence of damage in the septum 83 or the
damage status. By stopping injection of the medicine according to
the usage status of the septum 83, it is possible to prevent the
core 83a together with the medicine from entering the blood vessel
21 in advance.
[0053] In the medical product usage status checking apparatus 10,
since X-ray is not used to check the usage status of the medical
product 80, the problem in that operators and patients are exposed
to the X-ray does not occur fundamentally. Furthermore, even in the
case of the medical product 80 made from a resin or a rubber which
transmits the X-ray, it is possible to check the usage status of
the medical product.
[0054] As described above, in the first embodiment, the
subcutaneous implanted port 81 emitting the near-infrared
fluorescence is configured to include the light-emissive septum 83
which includes the luminescent agent emitting the near-infrared
fluorescence according to irradiation of the excitation light on
the surface thereof. In addition, even in a case where a portion of
the septum 83 is separated as a core 83a from the septum 83 due to
damage, the luminescent agent is also included on a surface of the
core 83a. Therefore, by applying the medical product usage status
checking apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, it is possible
to accurately and easily check the position of the septum 83 in the
subcutaneous implanted port 81, that is, the punctured position.
Furthermore, it is possible to accurately and easily check the
occurrence of damage in the septum 83 or the damage status, so that
it is possible to perform appropriate measures according to the
usage status of the medical product 80.
[0055] Since the septum 83 is configured so that the luminescent
agent is applied on the surface thereof or is configured with a
material in which the luminescent agent is kneaded, it is possible
to allow the septum 83 itself to emit light, and in a case where a
portion of the septum 83 is damaged and the core 83a is generated,
the luminescent agent is included on the surface of the core 83a,
so that it is also possible to allow the core 83a to emit light
according to irradiation of the excitation light.
[0056] In the medical product usage status checking apparatus 10
according to the first embodiment, the image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence of the septum 83 is displayed on the
monitor 60, and in a case where damage occurs in the septum 83, the
image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the core 83a is
displayed on the monitor 60. Therefore, it is possible to
accurately and easily check the position of the septum 83 in the
subcutaneous implanted port 81, that is, the punctured position.
Furthermore, it is possible to accurately and easily check the
occurrence of damage in the septum 83 or the damage status, so that
it is possible to perform appropriate measures according to the
usage status of the medical product 80.
Second Embodiment
[0057] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a medical product usage status checking apparatus
11 according to a second embodiment. The same components as the
first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and
the description thereof is not partially presented.
[0058] Similarly to the first embodiment, the medical product usage
status checking apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment is
configured to include a subcutaneous implanted port 81 which emits
near-infrared fluorescence, an irradiation unit 30, an optical
filter 40, a camera 50, and a monitor 60. An image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence of a septum 83 is displayed on the
monitor 60, and in a case where damage occurs in the septum 83, an
image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of a core 83a is
displayed on the monitor 60.
[0059] In addition, in the second embodiment, the medical product
usage status checking apparatus 11 includes a controller 70
(corresponding to a control unit) which informs that damage occurs
in the septum 83 in a case where a first light-emitting region and
a second light-emitting region of which the area is smaller than
that of the first light-emitting region are detected from the image
based on the near-infrared fluorescence.
[0060] The size of the core 83a which is generated due to the
coring is much smaller than that of the septum 83. For this reason,
the area of the image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of
the core 83a is much smaller than that of the image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence of the septum 83. Therefore, in a case
where the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting
region of which the area is smaller than that of the first
light-emitting region exist in the image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence, it may be determined that the core 83a is generated
due to the coring. The first light-emitting region is the region
based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the septum 83, and the
second light-emitting region is the region based on the
near-infrared fluorescence of the core 83a.
[0061] The controller 70 performs image processes and image
analysis on image data based on the near-infrared fluorescence to
extract light-emitting regions, and in a case where a plurality of
the light-emitting regions are detected, the controller calculates
areas of the respective light-emitting regions. The controller 70
specifies the light-emitting region having a larger area as a first
light-emitting region and specifies the light-emitting region
having a smaller area as a second light-emitting region. When the
area of the second light-emitting region to the area of the first
light-emitting region is equal to or lower than a predetermined
threshold value (for example, several %), the controller 70
determines that damage occurs in the septum 83. Therefore, the
controller 70 informs a user that damage occurs in the septum 83.
The informing is performed by displaying on the monitor 60 or
generating warning sound.
[0062] In the medical product usage status checking apparatus 11
according to the second embodiment, since the medical product usage
status checking apparatus further includes the controller 70 which
informs that damage occurs in the septum 83 in a case where the
first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region of
which the area is smaller than that of the first light-emitting
region are detected from the image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence, in addition to the functions and effects of the first
embodiment, it is possible to more accurately and easily check the
occurrence of damage in the septum 83 or the damage status, so that
it is possible to more speedily perform appropriate measures
according to the usage statue of the medical product 80.
Modified Example of Medical Product 80
[0063] Although the septum 83 of the subcutaneous implanted port 81
which is configured to be allowed to emit light as the medical
product 80 emitting the near-infrared fluorescence is described in
the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not
limited to this case. The present invention may be applied to, for
example, the medical products 80 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0064] The medical product 80 illustrated in FIG. 4 is a sealed
container 85 in which an infusion substance or the like is
contained. The sealed container 85 also includes a septum 86 into
which an injection needle 91 is inserted as its constituent member.
In the septum 86, the coring may also occur. Therefore, preferably,
the septum 86 of the sealed container 85 is also configured so that
a luminescent agent is applied on a surface thereof or is
configured with a material in which a luminescent agent is kneaded.
This is because, in a case where a portion of the septum 86 is
damaged and the core 86a is generated, the luminescent agent is
included on the surface of the core 86a, so that the core 86a can
be allowed to emit light.
[0065] Therefore, by applying the above-described medical product
usage status checking apparatuses 10 and 11, it is possible to
accurately and easily check the occurrence of damage in the septum
86 of the sealed container 85 or the damage status, so that it is
possible to perform appropriate measures according to the usage
status of the medical product 80. Particularly, if the septum 86
and the infusion substance are similar in color or if the infusion
substance is not transparent, since it is difficult to visually
check the core 86a, the medical product usage status checking
apparatuses 10 and 11 are usefully applied.
[0066] The medical product 80 illustrated in FIG. 5 is an
indwelling needle 87 which indwells a needle tip in a blood vessel
and is used, for example, in the case of performing external
circulation in artificial dialysis, the case of performing
transfusion in the blood vessel through drip infusion, or the like.
The indwelling needle 87 is configured to include a hard inner
needle 88 and a soft outer needle 89 into which the inner needle 88
is inserted. Although the puncture is performed by allowing the
distal end of the inner needle 88 to protrude from the distal end
of the outer needle 89, in some cases, a portion of the soft outer
needle 89 may be scraped off by the distal end of the inner needle
88. In order to prevent the scraped separate piece 89a together
with the medicine from entering the blood vessel, it is necessary
to check the usage status of the soft outer needle 89 of the
indwelling needle 87.
[0067] Therefore, in the indwelling needle 87, the soft outer
needle 89 as its constituent member is configured to be allowed to
emit light. The soft outer needle 89 includes a luminescent agent
emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of
excitation light on a surface thereof. The surface including the
luminescent agent is preferably both of an inner surface on which
the hard inner needle 88 slides and an outer surface thereof. Even
in a case where a portion of the outer needle 89 is separated as a
separate piece 89a from the outer needle 89 due to damage, the
luminescent agent is also included on a surface of the separate
piece 89a. Preferably, the outer needle 89 is configured so that
the luminescent agent is applied on the surface thereof or is
configured with a material in which the luminescent agent is
kneaded. This is because, in a case where a portion of the outer
needle 89 is damaged and the separate piece 89a is generated, the
luminescent agent is included on the surface of the separate piece
89a, so that the separate piece 89a is allowed to emit light.
[0068] Therefore, similarly to the case of the septum 83 of the
subcutaneous implanted port 81, by applying the above-described
medical product usage status checking apparatuses 10 and 11, it is
possible to accurately and easily check the occurrence of damage in
the soft outer needle 89 of the indwelling needle 87 which
punctures the blood vessel or the damage status, so that it is
possible to perform appropriate measures according to the usage
status of the medical product 80.
[0069] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the
above-described medical products 80 (81, 85, and 87), but the
present invention may be widely applied to a medical product 80
which has a risk of damage and of which usage status is desired to
be checked. The medical product 80 is configured to include at
least one light-emissive constituent member which includes a
luminescent agent emitting near-infrared fluorescence according to
irradiation of excitation light on a surface thereof, so that even
in a case where a portion of the constituent member is separated as
a separate piece from the constituent member due to damage, the
luminescent agent may be included on a surface of the separate
piece.
Example of Observation of Emitting Status of Near-Infrared
Fluorescence
[0070] A status where a medical product emits near-infrared
fluorescence according to irradiation of excitation light will be
described. FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are images illustrating a status
where a medical product emits near-infrared fluorescence in a case
where medical product is not implanted beneath skin, FIG. 6(A)
illustrates a case where excitation light is off, and FIG. 6(B)
illustrates a case where excitation light is on. In addition, FIGS.
7(A) and 7(B) are images illustrating a status where a medical
product emits near-infrared fluorescence in a case where the
medical product is implanted beneath skin, FIG. 7(A) illustrates a
case where excitation light is off, and FIG. 7(B) illustrates a
case where excitation light is on.
[0071] In each of FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), among two tubes 101 and 102,
the tube 101 in the left side of the figures is a soft outer needle
as a constituent member of a generally-used intravenous indwelling
needle. The tube 102 in the right side of the figures is a
light-emissive near-infrared fluorescent tube which includes a
luminescent agent emitting the near-infrared fluorescence according
to irradiation of the excitation light on a surface thereof. As the
luminescent agent, an azo-boron complex compound of Example 1 of
the above-described publication document (JP 2011-162445 A) was
used.
[0072] As clearly seen from comparison of FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), the
near-infrared fluorescent tube 102 in the right side of the figures
emitted the near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of
the excitation light, so that the image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence was clearly displayed on the monitor.
[0073] FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) illustrate examples assuming a case
where a constituent member of a medical product is damaged beneath
skin. A piece 103 of the above-described near-infrared fluorescent
tube 102 was implanted beneath skin of a mouse. As clearly seen
from comparison of FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the piece 103 of the
near-infrared fluorescent tube 102 existing beneath skin emitted
the near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of the
excitation light, so that the image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence of the piece 103 was clearly displayed on the monitor.
Therefore, it can be understood that it is possible to easily check
the damage status of the constituent member of the medical product
transdermally as the usage status of the medical product.
Third Embodiment
[0074] FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing illustrating a medical
product usage status checking apparatus 110 according to a third
embodiment.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 8, a medical product 180 emitting
near-infrared fluorescence which is a target for checking existence
or nonexistence thereof includes a luminescent agent emitting
near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of excitation
light on a surface thereof. As described in brief, the medical
product usage status checking apparatus 110 according to the third
embodiment is configured to include the medical product 180
emitting near-infrared fluorescence, an irradiation unit 130 which
includes a light source 132 emitting excitation light which excites
the luminescent agent and irradiates an operative field 120 where
existence or nonexistence of the medical product 180 is to be
checked with the excitation light emitted from the light source
132, an optical filter 140 which blocks the excitation light and
transmits the near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the luminescent
agent, a camera 150 (corresponding to an imaging unit) which
receives the near-infrared fluorescence passing through the optical
filter 140, and a monitor 160 (corresponding to a display unit)
which displays an image captured by the camera 150. In the medical
product usage status checking apparatus 110, in a case where the
medical product 180 exists in the operative field 120, an image
based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the medical product 180
is displayed on the monitor 160. Hereinafter, the description will
be made in detail. In addition, the description of the contents
common to the first embodiment will not be partially presented.
[0076] The medical product 180 illustrated in FIG. 8 is a
light-emissive suture needle 181 where a luminescent agent is
applied on a surface thereof and a suture thread 185 which is fixed
to the suture needle 181. The suture thread 185 is formed with
synthetic thread where the luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin
material.
[0077] The suture needle 181 is configured to include a barrel
portion 182 having a predetermined shape of cross section and a
taper portion 184 of which size is decreased from the barrel
portion 182 toward the sharp needle tip 183. A blind hole is formed
in the base end portion of the barrel portion 182. As abase
material for the suture needle 181, a stainless steel or the like
is used. A luminescent agent is applied on the surface of the base
material to forma thin-film light emitting layer, so that the
light-emissive suture needle 181 is obtained. In addition, instead
of the configuration that the entire suture needle 181 is allowed
to emit light, the luminescent agent may be applied on a portion of
the surface of the base material, so that only the portion of the
suture needle 181 is configured to be allowed to emit light.
[0078] The suture thread 185 is made of a synthetic thread of
nylon, polydioxanone, a polyglycolic acid, or the like where a
luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin material. The suture thread
185 may be a woven thread or a mono filament. The suture thread 185
is configured so that the distal end thereof is inserted into the
blind hole of the suture needle 181. By caulking the base end
portion of the barrel portion 182, the suture thread 185 is fixed
to the base end portion of the suture needle 181.
[0079] Similarly to the first embodiment, the luminescent agent is
a medicine which can be used for a human body or an animal. An
appropriate material may be used as long as the material emits the
near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of the
excitation light. Herein, the excitation wavelength is in a
wavelength range suitable for allowing the luminescent agent to
emit light. The excitation wavelength is preferably in a wavelength
range of near-infrared light, and the light having a wavelength
range of 600 nm to 1400 nm may be used. The near-infrared light has
high transmittance with respect to human tissues such as skin, fat,
and muscle and is capable of being transmitted down to about 5 mm
to 20 mm under the surface of the tissue of the living body.
Therefore, even in a case where the light-emissive medical product
180 exists in the living body, by allowing the excitation light to
be transmitted down to the position, the medical product 180 can be
allowed to emit light.
[0080] More specifically, similarly to the first embodiment, as the
luminescent agent, indocyanine green (ICG) or an azo-boron complex
compound disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-23479
(JP 2011-162445 A) filed by the inventors of the present invention
which emits near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of
the excitation light may be used.
[0081] The irradiation unit 130 is configured to include a chassis
131 and a light source 132 which is arranged inside the chassis 131
to emit excitation light which excites the luminescent agent. The
chassis 131 is configured with a metal material such as aluminum
which does not transmit the excitation light. An operative field
120 where the existence or nonexistence of the medical product 180
is to be checked is irradiated with the excitation light emitted
from the light source 132. The operative field 120 includes all the
sites where the medical product 180 may exist, such as a bed in a
surgical room and a surface of a floor as well as the living body.
As the light source 132, for example, an LED or the like which
emits the near-infrared excitation light having a wavelength range
of 600 nm to 1400 nm may be used.
[0082] The optical filter 140, the camera 150, and the monitor 160
have the same configurations as the optical filter 40, the camera
50, and the monitor 60 of the first embodiment.
[0083] The camera 150 can image the suture needle 181 and the
suture thread 185 by receiving the near-infrared fluorescence
emitted by the luminescent agent of the suture needle 181 and the
luminescent agent of the suture thread 185 by using a
light-receiving element. Even in a case where the suture needle 181
and the suture thread 185 exist in the living body, the
near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the luminescent agent of the
suture needle 181 and the luminescent agent of the suture thread
185 passes through a living tissue, and the camera 150 images the
suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185 by receiving the
near-infrared fluorescence. In addition, at the same time, the
camera 150 images the outline or the like of the human body.
[0084] In addition, the image captured by the camera 150 may be a
monochrome image or may be a color image. The camera 150 may be
configured so that the light source 132 is arranged in a ring shape
around the lens. Accordingly, it is possible to more appropriately
image the operative field 120.
[0085] The monitor is not particularly limited as long as the
monitor 160 can display an image captured by the camera 150. The
monitor may be a table-top display or may be a head-mounted
display. The displayed image may be any one of a monochrome image
and a color image. In a case where the suture needle 181 and the
suture thread 185 exist in the operative field 120, the image based
on the near-infrared fluorescence of the suture needle 181 and the
near-infrared fluorescence of the suture thread 185 is displayed on
the monitor 160. A user views the image displayed on the monitor
160 to check the existence or nonexistence of the suture needle 181
and the suture thread 185. If the image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence appears, the user checks the existence of the suture
needle 181 and the suture thread 185 in the operative field 120 and
the positions where the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185
exist.
[0086] Next, the functions of the embodiment will be described.
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the suture needle 181 to which the
suture thread 185 is fixed exists in the operative field 120.
[0088] At the time of checking whether the medical product 180
exists in the operative field 120, the operative field 120 is
irradiated with the near-infrared excitation light emitted from the
light source 132 by the irradiation unit 130. At this time, the
user widely scans the operative field 120 by moving the irradiation
unit 130. During the scanning, if the suture needle 181 and the
suture thread 185 are irradiated with the near-infrared excitation
light, the luminescent agent on the surfaces of the suture needle
181 and the suture thread 185 is excited to emit the near-infrared
fluorescence. In the case of using indocyanine green as the
luminescent agent, the luminescent agent absorbs the near-infrared
excitation light having a wavelength range of about 800 nm to be
excited and emits the near-infrared fluorescence having a
wavelength of about 850 nm.
[0089] The near-infrared fluorescence emitted by the suture needle
181 and the suture thread 185 passes through the optical filter 140
and is received by the camera 150, and thus, the image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence of the suture needle 181 and the suture
thread 185 is displayed on the monitor 160. In addition, reflection
light reflected on a surface of the living body is received also by
the camera 150, so that an image of the outline of the living body
together with the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185 is
also displayed on the monitor 160. Since the image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence appears on the monitor 160, the user can
accurately and easily check the existence of the suture needle 181
and the suture thread 185 in the operative field 120 and the
positions where the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185
exist.
[0090] In the medical product usage status checking apparatus 110,
since X-ray is not used to check the existence or nonexistence of
the medical product 180, the problem in that operators and patients
are exposed to the X-ray does not occur fundamentally. Furthermore,
even in the case of the medical product 180 made from a resin or a
rubber which transmits the X-ray, it is possible to check the
existence or nonexistence of the medical product.
[0091] As described above, in the third embodiment, the medical
product 180 emitting near-infrared fluorescence is a light-emissive
medical product which includes the luminescent agent emitting the
near-infrared fluorescence according to irradiation of the
excitation light on the surface thereof. The medical product is the
light-emissive suture needle 181 where the luminescent agent is
applied on the surface thereof and the light-emissive suture thread
185 which is configured with a synthetic thread where the
luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin material. Therefore, by
applying the medical product usage status checking apparatus 110
according to the first embodiment, it is possible to check the
existence or nonexistence of the suture needle 181 and the suture
thread 185. If the image based on the near-infrared fluorescence
appears on the monitor 160, the user can accurately and easily
check the existence of the suture needle 181 and the suture thread
185 in the operative field 120 and the positions where the suture
needle 181 and the suture thread 185 exist, so that it is possible
to perform appropriate measures according to the usage status of
the medical product such as removal of the suture needle 181 and
the suture thread 185.
[0092] In the medical product usage status checking apparatus 110
according to the first embodiment, in a case where the suture
needle 181 and the suture thread 185 exist in the operative field
120, the image based on the near-infrared fluorescence of the
suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185 is displayed on the
monitor 160. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and easily
check the existence of the suture needle 181 and the suture thread
185 in the operative field 120 and the positions where the suture
needle 181 and the suture thread 185 exist, so that it is possible
to perform appropriate measures according to the usage status of
the medical product such as removal of the suture needle 181 and
the suture thread 185. In addition, since the existence or
nonexistence is checked based on the near-infrared fluorescence,
the present invention is not limited to the size of the medical
product 180 which is a target for checking the existence or
nonexistence thereof.
Fourth Embodiment
[0093] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
configuration of a medical product usage status checking apparatus
111 according to a fourth embodiment. The same components as the
third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and
the description thereof is not partially presented.
[0094] Similarly to the third embodiment, the medical product usage
status checking apparatus 111 according to the fourth embodiment is
configured to include a suture needle 181 and a suture thread 185
which emit near-infrared fluorescence, an irradiation unit 130, an
optical filter 140, a camera 150, and a monitor 160. In a case
where the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185 exist in an
operative field 120, an image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence of the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185 is
displayed on the monitor 160.
[0095] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the medical product
usage status checking apparatus 111 includes a controller 170
(corresponding to a control unit) which informs that the suture
needle 181 and the suture thread 185 exist in the operative field
120 in a case where the image based on the near-infrared
fluorescence is detected.
[0096] The controller 170 performs image processes and image
analysis on image data based on the near-infrared fluorescence to
extract a light-emitting region, and when no light-emitting region
is extracted, the controller determines that the suture needle 181
and the suture thread 185 do not exist in the operative field 120.
On the other hand, when the light-emitting region is extracted, the
controller 170 determines that the suture needle 181 and the suture
thread 185 exist in the operative field 120. Therefore, the
controller 170 informs the user that damage occurs in the suture
needle 181 and the suture thread 185 in the operative field 120.
The informing is performed by displaying on the monitor 160 or
generating warning sound.
[0097] In the medical product usage status checking apparatus 111
according to the fourth embodiment, since the medical product usage
status checking apparatus includes the controller 170 which informs
that the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185 exist in the
operative field 120 in a case where the image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence is detected, it is possible to
accurately and easily check the existence of the suture needle 181
and the suture thread 185 in the operative field 120 and the
positions where the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185
exist, so that it is possible to more speedily perform appropriate
measures according to the usage status of the medical product such
as removal of the suture needle 181 and the suture thread 185.
Modified Example of Medical Product 180
[0098] As the form of the medical product 180 emitting
near-infrared fluorescence, a form where the light-emissive suture
needle 181 and a general non-emissive suture thread are connected
in advance and a form where a general non-emissive suture needle
and the light-emissive suture thread 185 are connected in advance
may be used. In addition, a form where the light-emissive suture
needle 181 and the light-emissive suture thread 185 are separated
from each other may be used.
[0099] In addition, the medical product 180 is not limited to the
suture needle 181 or the suture thread 185, but the present
invention may be applied to a medical product 180 illustrated in,
for example, FIG. 10.
[0100] The medical product 180 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a
light-emissive cloth-formed consumable item 186 into which a
synthetic thread 189 where the luminescent agent is kneaded in a
resin material is woven. The cloth-formed consumable item 186 is,
for example, a medical gauze 186. The gauze 186 illustrated is
configured by plain-weaving plural warp yarns 187 and plural weft
yarns 188 as composite yarns so as to alternately intersect each
other with a substantially equal interval. The synthetic thread 189
where the luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin material as one
of composite yarns is woven into the gauze 186. As the resin
material of the synthetic thread 189, a thermoplastic resin such as
a silicon-based resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polypropylene
resin, a polyester resin, and a polyethylene resin may be used. In
addition, although only one line of the synthetic thread 189 is
illustrated, plural lines of the synthetic thread 189 may be woven.
A weaving form is not limited to the plain weaving, but a form of
twill may be used.
[0101] Therefore, by applying the above-described medical product
usage status checking apparatuses 110 and 111, it is possible to
check the existence or nonexistence of the gauze 186. When the
synthetic thread 189 emits light and the image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence appears on the monitor 160, the user can
accurately and easily check the existence of the gauze 186 in the
operative field 120 and the position where the gauze 186 exists, so
that it is possible to perform appropriate measures according to
the usage status of the medical product such as removal of the
gauze 186. Particularly, if the cloth-formed consumable item such
as the gauze 186 absorbs blood, since it is difficult to visually
check the cloth-formed consumable item, the medical product usage
status checking apparatuses 110 and 111 are usefully applied.
[0102] Besides the cloth-formed consumable item 186, the medical
product 180 may be a light-emissive nonwoven cloth-formed
consumable item which includes the above-described synthetic thread
189 without weaving. The nonwoven cloth-formed consumable item is,
for example, a medical absorbent cotton. The absorbent cotton
include one line or plural lines of the synthetic thread 189 where
the luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin material without
weaving.
[0103] Therefore, by applying the above-described medical product
usage status checking apparatuses 110 and 111, it is possible to
check the existence or nonexistence of the absorbent cotton. When
the synthetic thread 189 emits light and the image based on the
near-infrared fluorescence appears on the monitor 160, the user can
accurately and easily check the existence of the absorbent cotton
in the operative field 120 and the position where the absorbent
cotton exists, so that it is possible to perform appropriate
measures according to the usage status of the medical product such
as removal of the absorbent cotton. Particularly, if the nonwoven
cloth-formed consumable item such as the absorbent cotton absorbs
blood, since it is difficult to visually check the cloth-formed
consumable item, the medical product usage status checking
apparatuses 110 and 111 are usefully applied.
[0104] Although the consumable item including at least one
synthetic thread 189 is described as the cloth-formed consumable
item 186 or the nonwoven cloth-formed consumable item, the
cloth-formed consumable item 186 or the nonwoven cloth-formed
consumable item may be formed by using only the synthetic thread
189 where the luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin material.
[0105] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the
above-described medical product 180 (181, 185, and 186), but the
present invention may be widely applied to a medical product 180
which has a risk of remaining in the operative field 120 and of
which existence or nonexistence is desired to be checked. The
medical product 180 may be a light-emissive medical product which
includes the luminescent agent emitting the near-infrared
fluorescence according to irradiation of excitation light on a
surface thereof. Therefore, by applying the luminescent agent on
various medical products such as scissors, pincettes, catheters,
injection needles, and tubes or by configuring these medical
products with a material in which the luminescent agent is kneaded,
it is possible to check the existence or nonexistence of these
medical products as the usage status of the medical products.
[0106] This patent application is based on Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-125710 filed on Jun. 1, 2012 and Japanese
Patent Application No. 2012-125712 filed on Jun. 1, 2012, and the
entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0107] 10, 11: Medical product usage status checking apparatus
[0108] 20: Skin [0109] 21: Blood vessel [0110] 30: Irradiation unit
[0111] 32: Light source [0112] 40: Optical filter [0113] 50: Camera
(imaging unit) [0114] 60: Monitor (display unit) [0115] 70:
Controller (control unit) [0116] 80: Medical product emitting
near-infrared fluorescence [0117] 81: Subcutaneous implanted port
(medical product) [0118] 82: Housing [0119] 83: Septum (constituent
member) [0120] 83a: Core (separate piece) [0121] 84: Catheter
[0122] 85: Sealed container (medical product) [0123] 86: Septum
(constituent member) [0124] 86a: Core (separate piece) [0125] 87:
Indwelling needle (medical product) [0126] 88: Hard inner needle
[0127] 89: Soft outer needle (constituent member) [0128] 89a:
Separate piece [0129] 90, 91: Needle [0130] 110, 111: Medical
product usage status checking apparatus [0131] 120: Operative field
[0132] 130: Irradiation unit [0133] 132: Light source [0134] 140:
Optical filter [0135] 150: Camera (imaging unit) [0136] 160:
Monitor (display unit) [0137] 170: Controller (control unit) [0138]
180: Medical product emitting near-infrared fluorescence [0139]
181: Suture needle (medical product) [0140] 185: Suture thread
(medical product) [0141] 186: Gauze, cloth-formed consumable item
(medical product) [0142] 189: Synthetic thread where the
luminescent agent is kneaded in a resin material
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