Abstract
The invention relates to an intracorporeal guide component (1) for guiding lines belonging to medical devices inside a living being. The guide component (1) has a main body (2) comprising a line channel (3) for receiving and guiding the line. To secure the guide component (1) in the body of the living being more easily, with less damage to the tissue, according to the invention the main body (2) has, on its periphery, one or more contact surfaces (4, 4b) designed for interlocking and/or frictional contact with a bone structure of the living being. For example, the guide component (1) can be clamped between two costal arches of the living being, as an intercostal guide component (1), in order to securely hold and guide a line leading to the heart of the living being.
Claims
1. An intracorporeal guide component, comprising: a base body with a line channel for receiving and guiding one or more lines; and one or more contact faces positioned on a circumference of the base body which are designed for form-fit and/or force-fit engagement on a bone structure of a living being.
2. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more contact faces comprises at least two mutually opposite contact faces designed for form-fit and/or force-fit engagement on bone structures of the living being.
3. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide component is designed as an intercostal guide component of which the base body comprises a cranial contact face which is configured for form-fit and/or force-fit engagement on a cranial rib of the living being, and wherein the base body comprises a caudal contact face which is configured for form-fit and/or force-fit engagement on a caudal rib of the living being.
4. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intracorporeal guide component is formed from several parts from a plurality of guide component elements.
5. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guide component elements comprise one or more connectors for connecting to each other.
6. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base body has a basic shape curved around a cranial-caudal central axis of the base body (2).
7. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more line channels runs between a ventral surface of the base body and a dorsal surface of the base body.
8. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more line channels are designed as an inclined bore through the base body.
9. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more line channels has a cross-sectional constriction in parts, and/or wherein a fixing structure of the base body (2) protrudes into one of the one or more line channels.
10. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base body has at least one fastening structure formed in one piece with the base body.
11. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base body has at least one fastening opening.
12. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more contact faces are designed as a groove or grooves running at least in parts on the circumference of the base body.
13. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 12, further comprising at least one holding structure arranged on a groove base of the groove or grooves.
14. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more line channels has a diameter which corresponds to a diameter of a line that is to be received by the at least one line channel.
15. The intracorporeal guide component as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intracorporeal guide component is made of a biocompatible metal or biocompatible plastic.
16. The intracorporeal guide component of claim 5 wherein the one or more connectors form a releasable connection.
17. The intracorporeal guide component of claim 13 wherein the at least one holding structure is formed in one piece with the base body.
Description
[0049] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a dorsal plan view of a two-part guide component in the assembled state;
[0051] FIG. 2 shows a perspective dorsal view of the two-part guide component in the assembled state;
[0052] FIG. 3 shows a caudal view of the two-part guide component in the assembled state;
[0053] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the two-part guide component in the assembled state;
[0054] FIG. 5 shows a further side view of the two-part guide component in the assembled state;
[0055] FIG. 6 shows a perspective dorsal view of the two-part guide component, with guide component elements separated from each other;
[0056] FIG. 7 shows a perspective ventral view of the two-part guide component, with guide component elements separated from each other.
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a multi-part embodiment, specifically a two-part embodiment, of the guide component 1 according to the invention, which is composed of two guide component elements 5a, 5b releasably connected to each other. The guide component 1 is intended to guide, hold and fix one or more lines (not shown) of medical devices in a body of a living being. For this purpose, the guide component 1 has contact faces 4 (shown in the other figures) which are designed for form-fit and/or force-fit engagement on a bone structure of the living being. This makes it possible for the guide component 1 to be fixed quickly and easily at the intended site in the body of the living being by engaging it on one or more bone structures, for example by being able to clamp it. The guide component 1 shown is particularly intended to be arranged as an intercostal guide component 1 between two adjacent or mutually opposite ribs of a living being. With respect to an implantation state of the guide component 1, the view in FIG. 1 is a dorsal view of the guide component, i.e. facing the back of the living being 1. The figure shows the base body 2, of approximately rectangular cross section, and a line channel 3 which is designed as an inclined through-bore and extends substantially centrally through the base body 2. On account of the inclined bore, there are very few or no observable line deflections, and therefore the intended tensile stress relief is maximized. In addition, there is no catching and in particular no kinking of the line at the inlet or outlet of the line channel 3, such that damage to the line during the guidance through the guide component 1 is prevented. In the embodiment shown, the line channel 3 runs from a ventral surface 8 of the base body 2 to a dorsal surface 9 of the base body 2. A cranial-caudal central axis 7 of the base body 2 runs through the base body 2, around which central axis 7 the base body 2 is slightly curved, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3. FIG. 1 also shows fastening structures 10 which are integral with the base body 2 and are in the form of a total of eight eyelets which are arranged on the dorsal surface 9 of the base body 2 and, for example, allow the guide component 1 to be sewn onto a bone, skin or tissue structure. It is thereby possible, if necessary, to achieve an additional hold of the guide component 1 at the intended position in the body of the living being. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a total of four fastening openings 11 in the base body 2, through which, for example, threads or screws can be guided in order to be able to fix the guide component 1 to a bone or tissue structure of the living being by means of a screw connection. It is thereby possible, if necessary, to achieve an additional hold of the guide component 1 at the intended position in the body of the living being. The guide component 1 has on its circumference, in the region of the caudal contact face 4b, a slight curvature that leads to a slight interference fit of the guide component 1 and, in the inserted state of the guide component 1, increases the contact pressure acting on the adjacent bone structure.
[0058] FIG. 2 shows a perspective dorsal view of the guide component 1. The constituent parts of the guide component 1 that are located or visible on the dorsal surface 9 of the base body 2 have already been explained with reference to FIG. 1. Also shown in FIG. 2 is the contact face 4 with which the base body 2, in the implanted state of the guide component 1, bears with form-fit and/or force-fit engagement on a bone structure of the living being. It can be seen that the contact face 4 is arranged as a concave contact face 4 on the circumference of the guide component 1 between the dorsal surface 9 and the ventral surface 8. By virtue of the concave shape, the guide component 1 is particularly suitable for convex bone structures or bone sections such as the ribs. In the view in FIG. 2, the contact face 4 is a caudal contact face 4b of the guide component 1. If the guide component 1 is inserted, for example, between two costal arches, the caudal contact face 4b lies on a cranial section of the upper costal arch facing toward the head. In the embodiment shown, the contact face 4 is designed as a peripheral groove 12 on the circumference of the guide component, having groove side walls 13 and a groove base 14 shown in the further figures. By means of the contact face 4 designed as groove 12, any vessels such as blood vessels on the bone structure can be received without being pinched, such that the blood circulation at the bone structure is not impaired by the guide component 1. By virtue of the fact that the groove 12 is formed circumferentially, i.e. without interruption continuously defines the circumferential shape of the guide component 1, the latter can be positioned relatively freely on a bone structure, for example in a slightly inclined position or also at a place where it is surrounded or enclosed by several bones. In principle, however, it is just as conceivable to provide the groove 12 only in sections or to provide several grooves 12.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows a caudal view of the two-part guide component 1 in the assembled state of the two guide component elements 5a, 5b. This view shows the contact face 4 with which the base body 2, in the implanted state of the guide component 1, rests with form-fit and/or force-fit engagement on a bone structure of the living being. It can be seen that the contact face 4 is arranged as a concave contact face 4 on the circumference of the guide component 1 between the dorsal surface 9 and the ventral surface 8. By virtue of the concave shape, the guide component 1 is particularly suitable for convex bone structures or bone sections such as the ribs. In the view in FIG. 3, the contact face 4 is a caudal contact face 4b of the guide component 1. If the guide component 1 is for example inserted between two costal arches, this caudal contact face 4a lies on a cranial section of the upper costal arch facing toward the head. In the embodiment shown, the contact face 4 is designed as a peripheral groove 12 on the circumference of the guide component 1, having groove side walls 13 and a groove base 14. By means of the contact face 4 designed as groove 12, any vessels such as blood vessels on the bone structure can be received without being pinched, such that the blood circulation at the bone structure is not impaired by the guide component 1. By virtue of the fact that the groove 12 is formed circumferentially, i.e. without interruption continuously defines the circumferential shape of the guide component 1, the latter can be positioned relatively freely on a bone structure, for example in a slightly inclined position or also at a place where it is surrounded or enclosed by several bones. In principle, however, it is just as conceivable to provide the groove 12 only in sections or to provide several grooves 12. On the caudal contact face 4b, holding structures 15 are formed in the groove bottom 14, which holding structures 15 are in the form of knobs which protrude from the groove base 14 and which are integral with the base body 2. These secure the guide component 1 additionally against displacement in relation to the bone structure, by means of the fact that the holding structure 15 increases the surface interacting between the contact face and the bone structure and thus increases the existing frictional forces.
[0060] FIGS. 4 and 5 each show a side view of the two-part guide component 1, in which once again the design of the contact face 4 as a circumferential groove 12 with groove side walls 13 and a groove base 14 is apparent. The contact face 4 shown transitions into the caudal contact face 4b on the lower side in the picture and transitions into the cranial contact face 4a on the upper side in the picture.
[0061] FIGS. 6 and 7 show in succession a dorsal view and a ventral view of the two-part guide component 1 with guide component elements 5a, 5b separated from each other. Both views show a connecting means for connecting the two guide component elements 5a, 5b, namely in the form of a latching lug 6a of the guide component element 5a and a corresponding latching opening 6b of the guide component element 5b. In an assembled state of the guide component 1, the latching lug 6a engages in the latching opening 6b of the guide component element 5b. By plugging them together, i.e. inserting and locking the latching lug 6a in the latching opening 6b, the two guide component elements 5a, 5b can be connected to each other in a reliable but releasable manner. It can also be seen that the dividing plane of the guide component 1 for the separation into the guide component elements 5a, 5b runs through the line channel 3. Thus, one part of the line channel 3 is integrally formed on the one guide component element 5a as a channel with a semicircular cross section, and the other part of the line channel 3 is integrally formed on the other guide component element 5b as a channel with a semicircular cross section. The line channel 3 is closed by joining the two guide component elements 5a, 5b together. In this way, a line already routed in the body of the living being can be enclosed by the line channel 3 of the guide component 1.
[0062] In the wall of the line channel 3, there is also a fixing structure 16, which protrudes into the line channel 3. The fixing structure 16 is formed, for example, by an elongate material projection. In this way, the line is fixed, in a targeted manner or as and when necessary, and relieved of tensile stress within the line channel 3. This reduces or prevents undesired displacements of the line and increases the tensile stability of the line.
[0063] The guide component 1 is preferably made from a metal or plastic that is biocompatible and thus eminently compatible with the surrounding tissue and bone structures of the living being. The guide component 1 can have a certain basic elasticity, in order to be able to be fastened to a bone structure, for example by being clamped thereon, without too much effort. However, the guide component 1 should also have sufficient basic stability in order to ensure a reliable hold of the line.
[0064] The anatomical directional designations used in this application, such as cranial, caudal, ventral and dorsal, are merely illustrative and are provided in order to promote the spatial concept of the subject matter of the invention. The directional designations should not be understood as restrictive in the sense that the guide component according to the invention can be inserted into the body of a living being only in one orientation and position. Thus, it is in principle conceivable that, for example, the ventral and dorsal sides of the guide component are interchangeable, likewise the cranial and caudal sides. Similarly, by pivoting the guide component 1 through 90° for example, what was previously a lateral contact face of the guide component could become a cranial or caudal contact face.
