JPS6483240A - Catheter tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the damage of the leading end surface of an optical fiber bundle at the time of insertion and to perform sharp observation over a wide visual field, by bringing the leading end part of the optical fiber bundle to a state retracted in a lumen when a catheter tube is inserted in the body cavity and protruding the same over a predetermined length from the lumen at the time of observation. CONSTITUTION:A catheter tube is inserted in a blood vessel 27 to be stayed at an objective region. At this time, the leading end part 71 of an optical fiber bundle 7 is positioned at the protective position in the first lumen 3 to prevent the damage of the leading end part 71 (especially, the light receiving surface) of the optical fiber bundle caused by the contact with the inner wall surface 27 of a guide catheter or blood vessel 27. Next, the optical fiber bundle 7 is moved toward the leading end of a catheter tube in the first lumen 3 and the leading end part 71 of the optical fiber bundle is protruded from the leading end opening 31 of the first lumen over a predetermined length. By this method, the internal observation of the blood vessel 27 becomes possible through light transmitting and receiving fibers without generating such a state that a visual field is obstructed by the inner wall of the first lumen 3.