JP7646421B2 - Blood vessel model and blood vessel simulation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vascular model.

Medical devices such as guidewires and catheters are used for minimally invasive treatment or examination within blood vessels. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose vascular lesion models and stenosis models that allow doctors and other practitioners to simulate procedures using these medical devices.

JP 2012-189909 A JP 2012-220728 A

Here, the blood vessel wall generally has a three-layer structure consisting of the intima, media, and adventitia from the inside to the outside. If the intima is torn for some reason, blood may flow between the intima and media, causing the media to swell and form a blood passage. The blood passage formed between the intima and media in this way is called a "false lumen" to distinguish it from the "true lumen," which is the normal blood passage. In the case of actual human blood vessels, when a medical device passes through the boundary between the true lumen and false lumen, a feeling is transmitted to the surgeon's hand. Therefore, the surgeon can grasp the approximate position of the tip of the medical device, in other words, whether the tip of the medical device is in the true lumen or the false lumen, by the feeling transmitted to the hand.

In contrast, the vascular lesion model described in Patent Document 1 discloses the provision of multiple small lesions with different hardness within a simulated blood vessel, but the simulated blood vessel itself is composed of a single layer, so there is a problem in that a blood vessel having a true lumen and a false lumen cannot be simulated. In addition, the vascular lesion model described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the hardness of the simulated blood vessel is uniform, so the feeling of a medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen cannot be reproduced. Furthermore, in the stenosis model described in Patent Document 2, although a second member with a different hardness is embedded, the second member is placed only at the apex of the stenosis lumen, so there is a problem in that the feeling of a medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen cannot be reproduced.

The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above problems, and aims to provide a blood vessel model that can simulate the true lumen and false lumen, as well as the sensation felt when a medical device passes through the boundary between the true lumen and false lumen.

The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above problems, and can be realized in the following form.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a blood vessel model is provided. This blood vessel model includes an inner layer portion having a hollow tube shape, an outer layer portion disposed outside the inner layer portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the inner layer portion and the outer layer portion, and the inner layer portion, the outer layer portion, and the intermediate portion each have a different hardness.

According to this configuration, the true lumen of a blood vessel can be simulated by the hollow tube-shaped inner layer, and the false lumen generated in the blood vessel can be simulated by the outer layer arranged outside the inner layer. In addition, an intermediate portion is arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer, and the inner layer, outer layer, and intermediate portion each have a different hardness. Therefore, when a medical device such as a guidewire passes through the boundary between the inner layer simulating the blood vessel wall constituting the true lumen and the outer layer simulating the blood vessel wall constituting the false lumen, the device passes through the intermediate portion provided between the inner layer and the outer layer, thereby reproducing the feeling of a medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen in an actual human blood vessel. As a result, according to this configuration, a blood vessel model can be provided that can simulate the true lumen and false lumen, as well as the feeling of a medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen.

(2) In the blood vessel model of the above form, the outer layer portion may have a hollow tube shape, and the intermediate portion may have a thick portion separating the inner layer portion and the outer layer portion, and a space forming portion formed by an end of the thick portion and forming a space between the inner layer portion and the outer layer portion.
According to this configuration, the intermediate portion is formed by the end of the thick portion separating the inner layer portion and the outer layer portion, and has a space forming portion that forms a space between the inner layer portion and the outer layer portion. Therefore, the state of the inner layer portion that simulates the blood vessel wall that constitutes the true lumen can be visually confirmed from the space formed by the space forming portion, thereby improving the usability of the blood vessel model.

(3) In the blood vessel model of the above aspect, the thick portion may have a spiral shape extending in a longitudinal direction of the blood vessel model.
According to this configuration, since the thick portion has a spiral shape, the intermediate portion can be easily formed.

The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, in the form of a blood vessel model, an organ model that includes the blood vessel model and mimics an organ such as the heart, liver, or brain, a human body simulation device that includes these blood vessel models and organ models, and a control method for a human body simulation device.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a blood vessel simulation device. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a blood vessel model. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model according to a second embodiment. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration taken along line CC in FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model according to a third embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model according to the eighth embodiment.

First Embodiment
1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a blood vessel simulation device 100. The blood vessel simulation device 100 of this embodiment is a device used to simulate a procedure for treatment or examination of a blood vessel using a medical device. As the medical device, a general device for minimally invasive treatment or examination, such as a delivery guidewire, a penetration guidewire, or a catheter, can be used. The blood vessel simulation device 100 includes a blood vessel model 1, a lesion model 2, an outer tissue model 3, and a circulation pump 9.

The blood vessel model 1 of this embodiment has the configuration described below, and thus can simulate the true lumen and false lumen, as well as the sensation of a medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and false lumen. Here, human blood vessel walls generally have a three-layer structure consisting of the intima, media, and adventitia from the inside to the outside. If the intima is torn for some reason, blood may flow between the intima and media, causing the media to swell and form a blood passage. The blood passage formed between the intima and media in this way is called a "false lumen" to distinguish it from the "true lumen" which is the original blood passage.

In FIG. 1, the axis passing through the center of the blood vessel model 1, the lesion model 2, and the outer tissue model 3 is represented by axis O (dash line). In the following examples, the axis passing through the center of the blood vessel model 1, the axis passing through the center of the lesion model 2, and the axis passing through the center of the outer tissue model 3 all coincide with axis O. However, the axes passing through each center may differ from axis O. Also, for the sake of convenience of explanation, FIG. 1 and the following figures include some parts in which the relative ratios of the sizes of the components are depicted differently from the actual ratios. Also, some parts of the components are depicted in an exaggerated manner.

The blood vessel model 1 is a model that simulates a human blood vessel. The blood vessel model 1 has a long, approximately cylindrical shape with openings 1a and 1b at both ends, and a lesion model 2 that simulates a human lesion is arranged inside. An outer tissue model 3 that simulates human muscle, fat, skin, etc. is arranged outside the blood vessel model 1 so as to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the blood vessel model 1 (in the illustrated example, the central part excluding both ends of the blood vessel model 1). The outer tissue model 3 is formed of a soft synthetic resin (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol: PVA, silicone, etc.). The circulation pump 9 is, for example, a non-volumetric centrifugal pump. The circulation pump 9 is provided in the middle of a flow path that connects the openings 1a and 1b of the blood vessel model 1, and circulates the fluid discharged from the opening 1b and supplies it to the opening 1a.

The openings 1a and 1b can have any shape, such as a central portion that is recessed in the axial direction, a sharp point, or an oblique cut. These shapes may be used for either opening 1a or 1b. Furthermore, the shapes of openings 1a and 1b can be different from each other.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the cross-sectional configuration of the blood vessel model 1. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the cross-sectional configuration at line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a development view of the outer layer portion 10 and the intermediate portion 20. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate mutually orthogonal XYZ axes. The X axis corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel model 1, the Y axis corresponds to the height direction of the blood vessel model 1, and the Z axis corresponds to the width direction of the blood vessel model 1. The left side (-X axis direction) of Figure 2 is called the "tip side" of the blood vessel model 1. When an antegrade approach is adopted, the tip side is the side farther from the insertion site of the medical device (distal, distal side). Also, the right side (+X axis direction) of Figure 2 is called the "base side" of the blood vessel model 1. When an antegrade approach is adopted, the base side is the side closer to the insertion site of the medical device (proximal, proximal side). These points are common to Figure 2 and subsequent figures.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the blood vessel model 1 has an outer layer portion 10, an intermediate portion 20, and an inner layer portion 30.

The outer layer portion 10 simulates the vascular wall (e.g., the tunica media and tunica adventitia) that constitutes a false lumen in a human blood vessel in which a false lumen has developed. The outer layer portion 10 is disposed on the outermost side of the blood vessel model 1, in other words, outside the intermediate portion 20 and the inner layer portion 30. The outer layer portion 10 has a hollow tube shape, specifically, a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer peripheral surface 11 of the outer layer portion 10 constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the blood vessel model 1. In the illustrated example, the inner peripheral surface 12 of the outer layer portion 10 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 21 of the intermediate portion 20, but the inner peripheral surface 12 and the outer peripheral surface 21 may be spaced apart.

The intermediate portion 20 is a member for simulating the feeling when a medical device passes through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen. The intermediate portion 20 is disposed inside the outer layer portion 10 and outside the inner layer portion 30 (in other words, between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30) in the blood vessel model 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate portion 20 is substantially hollow tubular in shape with a C-shaped cross section. In the circumferential direction of the blood vessel model 1 (FIG. 3: YZ axis direction), the range θ1 in which the intermediate portion 20 is disposed can be arbitrarily determined as long as it is smaller than 360 degrees. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the intermediate portion 20 is at the same position as the tips of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30, and the base end of the intermediate portion 20 is at the same position as the base end of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. In this embodiment, "same" includes being roughly the same, and means that differences due to manufacturing errors and the like are allowed. The portion of the intermediate portion 20 that separates the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10 is also referred to as the "thick portion," and the end portion 201 of the thick portion of the intermediate portion 20 is also referred to as the "space forming portion 201." As shown in FIG. 3, the space forming portion 201 forms a space SP between the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10. The space SP extends linearly in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the blood vessel model 1 from the tip of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30 to the base end of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30.

The inner layer portion 30 simulates the vascular wall (e.g., the intima) that constitutes the true lumen of a human blood vessel in which a false lumen has developed. The inner layer portion 30 is disposed at the innermost part of the blood vessel model 1, in other words, inside the outer layer portion 10 and the intermediate portion 20. The inner layer portion 30 has a hollow tube shape, specifically, a substantially cylindrical shape. The inner surface 32 of the inner layer portion 30 constitutes the inner surface of the blood vessel model 1. In the illustrated example, the outer surface 31 of the inner layer portion 30 is in contact with the inner surface 22 of the intermediate portion 20, but the outer surface 31 and the inner surface 22 may be spaced apart.

The outer layer 10 and the inner layer 30 are formed from any polymeric material, for example, polysaccharides such as agarose, sodium alginate, cellulose, starch, glycogen, etc., silicone, latex, polyurethane, etc. The outer layer 10 and the inner layer 30 may be formed from the same material or different materials. The middle portion 20 is formed from paraffin, which is a type of hydrocarbon compound (organic compound). The middle portion 20 may also be formed from other well-known materials.

The outer layer portion 10, the intermediate portion 20, and the inner layer portion 30 of this embodiment have different hardnesses. The magnitude relationship between the hardness 10H of the outer layer portion 10, the hardness 20H of the intermediate portion 20, and the hardness 30H of the inner layer portion 30 can be arbitrarily determined as long as they are different from each other. However, from the viewpoint of simulating the feeling when the medical device passes through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen, it is preferable to make the hardness 20H of the intermediate portion 20 the largest. In addition, from the magnitude relationship between the hardness of the human intima, media, and adventitia, it is preferable to make the hardness 10H of the outer layer portion 10 larger than the hardness 30H of the inner layer portion 30. Here, "hardness" is defined in units of gf/ ^cm2 and means the magnitude of the load required to break the test piece. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the thickness L10 of the outer layer portion 10, the thickness L20 of the intermediate portion 20, and the thickness L30 of the inner layer portion 30 can be arbitrarily determined. In the illustrated example, the magnitude relationship between the thickness L10 of the outer layer portion 10, the thickness L20 of the intermediate portion 20, and the thickness L30 of the inner layer portion 30 is L10 = L30 > L20, but this is not limited to the above.

The lesion model 2 simulates a lesion in a human. The lesion model 2 is disposed inside the blood vessel model 1 in contact with the inner circumferential surface 32 of the inner layer 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the lesion model 2 is disposed near the center of the blood vessel model 1 in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel model 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the lesion model 2 is disposed over the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 32 of the inner layer 30 so as to block the inner cavity of the blood vessel model 1. However, the position and range of the lesion model 2 can be changed as desired. For example, the lesion model 2 does not have to block the inner cavity of the blood vessel model 1. The outer diameter Φ2 of the lesion model 2 can be determined as desired. The lesion model 2 is formed of any polymeric material, for example, polysaccharides such as PVA, sodium alginate, cellulose, starch, and glycogen, silicone, latex, polyurethane, etc.

Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the manufacturing method of the blood vessel model 1. Figure 5 (A) shows the preparation of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30, and Figure 5 (B) shows the formation of the intermediate portion 20. The balloon on the right side of Figure 5 (A) shows the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30 as viewed from direction B.

The blood vessel model 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 can be produced, for example, by the following steps a1 to a6.
5A, the outer layer section 10 is prepared with the inner layer section 30 inserted therein. As described above, the inner layer section 30 and the outer layer section 10 are both members having a substantially cylindrical shape.
(a2) As shown in the balloon in FIG. 5(A), a sealing member 82 in the shape of a circular arc plate is inserted into the gap SPa between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30.
(a3) As shown in FIG. 5(A), a mold 81 having a generally hollow tube shape with a C-shaped cross section is inserted into the remaining portion of the gap SPa into which the sealing member 82 has not been inserted.
(a4) As shown in FIG. 5(B), liquid paraffin (material of the intermediate portion 20) is prepared in a container 83.
5(B), the lower ends of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30 with the mold 81 and sealing member 82 inserted are immersed in a container 83. In this state, the mold 81 is pulled vertically upward (in the direction of the outlined arrow) to the upper end of the outer layer portion 10. Then, negative pressure is applied to the portion of the gap SPa between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30 where the mold 81 was housed, and this portion is filled with liquid paraffin 84a.
(a6) The paraffin 84a filled in the gap SPa between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30 is cooled and solidified. In this manner, the intermediate portion 20 can be easily formed in a short time by a vacuum molding technique. In addition, because paraffin in a liquid state is used, even an intermediate portion 20 having a complex shape can be easily formed.

As described above, according to the blood vessel model 1 of the first embodiment, the hollow tube-shaped inner layer portion 30 can simulate the true lumen of the blood vessel, and the outer layer portion 10 arranged outside the inner layer portion 30 can simulate the false lumen generated in the blood vessel. In addition, the intermediate portion 20 is arranged between the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10, and the inner layer portion 30, the outer layer portion 10, and the intermediate portion 20 each have a different hardness. Therefore, when a medical device such as a guidewire passes through the boundary between the inner layer portion 30 simulating the blood vessel wall constituting the true lumen and the outer layer portion 10 simulating the blood vessel wall constituting the false lumen, the intermediate portion 20 provided between the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10 passes through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen in an actual human blood vessel, thereby reproducing the feeling of the medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen. In particular, in the blood vessel model 1 of this embodiment, the intermediate portion 20 is provided over the entire longitudinal direction and the entire circumferential direction except for the space SP. Therefore, the feeling of a medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen can be reproduced throughout the entire blood vessel model 1 except for the area where the space SP is located. As a result, the blood vessel model 1 of the first embodiment can provide a blood vessel model 1 that can simulate the true lumen and false lumen as well as the feeling of a medical device passing through the boundary between the true lumen and the false lumen.

In addition, according to the blood vessel model 1 of the first embodiment, the intermediate portion 20 is formed by the end of the thick portion that separates the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10, and has a space forming portion 201 that forms a space SP between the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10. Therefore, the state of the inner layer portion 30 that simulates the blood vessel wall that constitutes the true lumen can be visually confirmed from the space SP formed by the space forming portion 201, thereby improving the usability of the blood vessel model 1.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model 1A of the second embodiment. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a transverse cross-sectional configuration along line CC of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a development view of an outer layer portion 10 and an intermediate portion 20A. In the second embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the intermediate portion 20A is different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The blood vessel simulation device 100 of the second embodiment includes a blood vessel model 1A instead of the blood vessel model 1. The blood vessel model 1A has an intermediate portion 20A instead of the intermediate portion 20 in the configuration of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the intermediate portion 20A includes a first intermediate portion 23 and a second intermediate portion 24. The first intermediate portion 23 is an arc-shaped plate-shaped member disposed in the +Y-axis direction between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. In the circumferential direction of the blood vessel model 1A, the range θ21 in which the first intermediate portion 23 is provided can be determined arbitrarily. As shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the first intermediate portion 23 is at the same position as the tip of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30, and the base end of the first intermediate portion 23 is at the same position as the base end of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. "Same" allows for differences due to manufacturing errors, etc. The second intermediate portion 24 is an arc-shaped plate-shaped member disposed in the -Y-axis direction (i.e., the opposite direction to the first intermediate portion 23) between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. In the circumferential direction of the blood vessel model 1A, the range θ22 in which the second intermediate portion 24 is provided can be determined arbitrarily. As shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the second intermediate portion 24 is at the same position as the tip of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30, and the base end of the second intermediate portion 24 is at the same position as the base end of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. For the first intermediate portion 23 and the second intermediate portion 24, the end portion 201 of each thick portion is a "space forming portion 201" that forms the space SP1 and the space SP2. The space SP1 and the space SP2 extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel model 1A from the tip of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30 to the base end of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30, respectively. The blood vessel model 1A of the second embodiment can be produced in the same manner as the above-mentioned steps a1 to a6 using two molds having a different shape (arc plate shape) from the mold 81 described in FIG. 5.

In this way, the configuration of the intermediate portion 20A can be modified in various ways, and the intermediate portion 20A may have multiple intermediate portions (in the example of FIG. 7, the first intermediate portion 23 and the second intermediate portion 24) that are spaced apart from each other. The blood vessel model 1A of this second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

Third Embodiment
Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model 1B of the third embodiment. Fig. 10 is a development view of an outer layer portion 10 and an intermediate portion 20B. In the third embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the intermediate portion 20B is different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The blood vessel simulation device 100 of the third embodiment includes a blood vessel model 1B instead of the blood vessel model 1. The blood vessel model 1B has an intermediate portion 20B instead of the intermediate portion 20 in the configuration of the first embodiment.

The intermediate portion 20B is a substantially cylindrical member disposed between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. As shown in FIG. 10, when the intermediate portion 20B is expanded along the X-axis direction in FIG. 9, the intermediate portion 20B has a plurality of holes (seven in the illustrated example). The end portions 201 of the thick portion of the intermediate portion 20A facing each hole are also called "space forming portions 201". As shown in FIG. 9, the space forming portions 201 form spaces SP1 and SP2, not shown, and spaces SP3 to SP7 between the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10. The spaces SP1 to SP7 are each spaces having a rectangular outer edge. The blood vessel model 1B of the third embodiment can be produced in the same manner as the above-mentioned steps a1 to a6 using a mold having a shape different from the mold 81 described in FIG. 5 (a substantially cylindrical shape having rectangular protrusions for forming holes).

In this way, the configuration of the intermediate portion 20B can be modified in various ways, and a hole may be formed in the intermediate portion 20B, and the end portion 201 facing the hole may function as the space forming portion 201. In the illustrated example, seven holes are provided in the intermediate portion 20B, but any number of holes greater than one may be provided in the intermediate portion 20B. In addition, the size of the holes provided in the intermediate portion 20B may be determined arbitrarily, and the shape of the holes provided in the intermediate portion 20B may be various shapes such as a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, etc. The blood vessel model 1B of this third embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

Fourth Embodiment
Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model 1C of the fourth embodiment. For convenience of explanation, in Fig. 11, a part of an intermediate portion 20C that does not actually appear in a cross section is illustrated by a dashed line. In the fourth embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the intermediate portion 20C is different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The blood vessel simulation device 100 of the fourth embodiment includes a blood vessel model 1C instead of the blood vessel model 1. The blood vessel model 1C has an intermediate portion 20C instead of the intermediate portion 20 in the configuration of the first embodiment.

The intermediate portion 20C is a coil-shaped member disposed between the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. In other words, the thick portion of the intermediate portion 20C has a substantially circular cross section and extends in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the blood vessel model 1C along the outer peripheral surface 31 of the inner layer portion 30. The surface of the thick portion of the intermediate portion 20C is the "space forming portion 201" that forms the space SP. The space SP extends in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel model 1C from the tip of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30 to the base end of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30. The blood vessel model 1C of the fourth embodiment can be produced in a manner similar to steps a1 to a6 described above, using a mold having a shape (spiral shape) different from the mold 81 described in FIG. 5.

In this way, the configuration of the intermediate portion 20C can be modified in various ways, and the intermediate portion 20C may be configured to have a thick portion having a spiral shape. The cross-sectional shape of the intermediate portion 20C can be any shape, such as a substantially circular shape, a substantially elliptical shape, a substantially rectangular shape, etc. With the blood vessel model 1C of the fourth embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment described above can be achieved. Furthermore, with the blood vessel model 1C of the fourth embodiment, the thick portion of the intermediate portion 20C has a spiral shape, so that the intermediate portion 20C can be easily formed.

Fifth Embodiment
12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model 1D of the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, an example in which the configurations of an outer layer portion 10D and an intermediate portion 20D are different from those of the first embodiment will be described. The blood vessel simulation device 100 of the fifth embodiment includes a blood vessel model 1D instead of the blood vessel model 1. The blood vessel model 1D has an outer layer portion 10D instead of the outer layer portion 10 and an intermediate portion 20D instead of the intermediate portion 20 in the configuration of the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the outer layer portion 10D is disposed on the outermost side of the blood vessel model 1D, simulating the blood vessel wall constituting the false lumen. The outer layer portion 10D is a generally hollow tube shape having a generally C-shaped cross section. In the cross section of the blood vessel model 1D shown in the figure, both ends of the outer layer portion 10D are joined to the outer circumferential surface 31 of the inner layer portion 30. Any bonding agent such as an epoxy adhesive or a means such as welding can be used for joining. Thus, in this embodiment, the outer layer portion 10D does not cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface 31 of the inner layer portion 30, and a portion of the outer circumferential surface 31 of the inner layer portion 30 is exposed to the outside and constitutes the outer circumferential surface of the blood vessel model 1D.

The intermediate portion 20D is an arc-shaped plate-shaped member disposed between the outer layer portion 10D and the inner layer portion 30. The end portion 201 (space forming portion 201) of the thick portion of the intermediate portion 20D forms a space SP that extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel model 1D from the tip of the outer layer portion 10D and the inner layer portion 30 to the base end of the outer layer portion 10D and the inner layer portion 30. The blood vessel model 1D of the fifth embodiment can be produced in a manner similar to steps a1 to a6 described above, using the outer layer portion 10D and the inner layer portion 30 having the shape described in FIG. 12, and a mold having a shape (arc-shaped plate) different from the mold 81 described in FIG. 5.

In this way, the configuration of the outer layer portion 10D and the intermediate portion 20D can be modified in various ways, and the outer layer portion 10D only needs to be positioned outside the inner layer portion 30, and does not need to cover the entire outer circumferential surface of the inner layer portion 30. The blood vessel model 1D of this fifth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

Sixth Embodiment
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model 1E of the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the outer layer portion 10E and the intermediate portion 20E is different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The blood vessel simulation device 100 of the sixth embodiment includes a blood vessel model 1E instead of the blood vessel model 1. The blood vessel model 1E has an outer layer portion 10E instead of the outer layer portion 10 and an intermediate portion 20E instead of the intermediate portion 20 in the configuration of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the outer layer portion 10E and the intermediate portion 20E have a shorter length in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) than the inner layer portion 30E. Therefore, the outer layer portion 10E does not cover at least a part of the outer circumferential surface 31 of the inner layer portion 30, and a part of the outer circumferential surface 31 of the inner layer portion 30 is exposed to the outside and forms the outer circumferential surface of the blood vessel model 1E. In this way, the configurations of the outer layer portion 10E and the intermediate portion 20E can be modified in various ways, and it is sufficient that the outer layer portion 10E is disposed outside the inner layer portion 30, and it is not necessary for the outer layer portion 10E to cover the entire outer circumferential surface of the inner layer portion 30. The blood vessel model 1E of the sixth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

Seventh Embodiment
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a blood vessel model 1F of the seventh embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the intermediate portion 20F is different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The blood vessel simulation device 100 of the seventh embodiment includes a blood vessel model 1F instead of the blood vessel model 1. The blood vessel model 1F has an intermediate portion 20F instead of the intermediate portion 20. The intermediate portion 20F has a hollow tube shape similar to the outer layer portion 10 and the inner layer portion 30, and does not have the space forming portion 201 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, the blood vessel model 1F does not have the space SP (the space between the inner layer portion 30 and the outer layer portion 10) described in the first embodiment. In this way, the configuration of the intermediate portion 20F can be changed in various ways, and an intermediate portion 20F that does not have the space forming portion 201 may be adopted. The blood vessel model 1F of the seventh embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

Eighth Embodiment
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of the blood vessel model 1 of the eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, a blood vessel model 1 not including a lesion model 2 will be described. The blood vessel simulation device 100G of the eighth embodiment does not include the lesion model 2 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, nothing is arranged on the inner circumferential surface 32 of the inner layer portion 30 of the blood vessel model 1. In this way, the configuration of the blood vessel simulation device 100G can be changed in various ways, and may be configured not to include the lesion model 2 described in the first embodiment. Similarly, the blood vessel simulation device 100G may be configured not to include the outer tissue model 3 described in the first embodiment. The blood vessel simulation device 100G and the blood vessel model 1 of the eighth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

<Modifications of this embodiment>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[Modification 1]
In the above first to eighth embodiments, an example of the configuration of the blood vessel simulation device 100, 100G has been shown. However, the configuration of the blood vessel simulation device 100 can be modified in various ways. For example, at least one of the above-mentioned lesion model 2, outer tissue model 3, and circulating pump 9 may be omitted. For example, the blood vessel simulation device 100 may have an organ model imitating an organ such as a heart, liver, or brain. In this case, the blood vessel model 1 may be provided on the outside or inside of the organ model. For example, the blood vessel simulation device 100 may include a pulsating pump for adding a motion simulating pulsation to the fluid circulated by the circulating pump 9. For the pulsating pump, for example, a positive displacement reciprocating pump or a rotary pump rotated at a low speed can be used.

[Modification 2]
In the above first to eighth embodiments, one example of the configuration of the blood vessel model 1, 1A to 1F is shown. However, the configuration of the blood vessel model 1 can be modified in various ways. For example, the blood vessel model 1 may have any shape, such as a straight shape, a curved shape, a meandering shape, or the like. For example, in the blood vessel model 1, the outer peripheral surface 11 of the outer layer portion 10 and the inner peripheral surface 32 of the inner layer portion 30 may be coated with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic resin. For example, the blood vessel model 1 may further include a member simulating an endothelium on the inner peripheral surface 32 side of the inner layer portion 30.

[Modification 3]
The configurations of the blood vessel simulation devices 100, 100G or the blood vessel models 1, 1A to 1F of the first to eighth embodiments and the configurations of the blood vessel simulation devices 100, 100G or the blood vessel models 1, 1A to 1F of the above-mentioned modified examples 1 and 2 may be appropriately combined. For example, the intermediate portion 20 having the configuration described in any of the second to fourth embodiments may be combined with the outer layer portion 10 having the configuration described in any of the fifth and sixth embodiments.

Although this aspect has been described above based on the embodiment and modified examples, the embodiment of the above-mentioned aspect is intended to facilitate understanding of this aspect and does not limit this aspect. This aspect may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents are included in this aspect. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it may be deleted as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A to 1F... Blood vessel model 1a... Opening 1b... Opening 2... Lesion model 3... Outer tissue model 9... Circulation pump 10, 10D, 10E, 10H... Outer layer portion 11... Outer surface 12... Inner surface 20, 20A to 20F... Intermediate portion 21... Outer surface 22... Inner surface 23... First intermediate portion 24... Second intermediate portion 30, 30E... Inner layer portion 31... Outer surface 32... Inner surface 81... Mold 82... Sealing member 84, 84a... Paraffin 100, 100G... Blood vessel simulation device 201... Space forming portion

Claims (8)

A vascular model comprising:
An inner layer portion having a hollow tube shape;
an outer layer portion disposed outside the inner layer portion;
an intermediate portion disposed between the inner layer portion and the outer layer portion;
Equipped with
the inner layer portion, the outer layer portion, and the intermediate portion each have a different hardness;
A blood vessel model, wherein the intermediate portion has a C-shaped cross section. A vascular model comprising:
An inner layer portion having a hollow tube shape;
an outer layer portion disposed outside the inner layer portion;
an intermediate portion disposed between the inner layer portion and the outer layer portion;
Equipped with
the inner layer portion, the outer layer portion, and the intermediate portion each have a different hardness;
A blood vessel model, wherein the outer layer portion has a substantially C-shaped cross section. The vascular model according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A blood vessel model, wherein the outer layer portion is formed from a polymeric material (excluding porous materials). The vascular model according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A blood vessel model, wherein the inner layer portion is formed from a polymer material (excluding porous materials). The vascular model according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A vascular model used to simulate true and false lumen. The vascular model according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A blood vessel model, wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are formed from the same material. A blood vessel simulation device, comprising:
The blood vessel model according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
a lesion model disposed in a hollow tube as the inner layer portion;
A blood vessel simulation device comprising: The blood vessel simulation device according to claim 7 , further comprising:
A blood vessel simulation device comprising an outer tissue model surrounding at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the blood vessel model.

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