Patent Publication Number: US-2022218916-A1

Title: Puncture-assistance tool, and puncture method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to, for example, a puncture assisting tool that is used to insert a needle into the skin of a living body. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the collection of blood or the like of a living body, a puncture assisting tool is used to insert a needle into the skin of the living body. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a puncture instrument that includes a suction cup, a gripping part, a cavity, a nonreturn valve, and an injection needle. In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, by lifting the gripping part up, a negative pressure is generated inside the cavity so that the suction cup suction-attracts the skin. Then, by releasing the gripping part, the injection needle is inserted into the skin. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [Patent Literature 1] 
     Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2009-112416 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Unfortunately, the technique of Patent Literature 1 causes the skin to be depressed through the application of pressure by the injection needle during the insertion of the injection needle. The depression in the skin stimulates a pain sensory nerve of a living body and thus causes pain to the living body. 
     An aspect of the present invention has an object to achieve a puncture assisting tool that makes it possible to prevent skin from being depressed during insertion of a needle into the skin. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to attain the object, a puncture assisting tool in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: a first fixing part that is fixed to a first region of skin; and a second fixing part that is fixed to a second region of the skin; the first fixing part being movable relative to the second fixing part so as to pull the skin between the first fixing part and the second fixing part. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     An aspect of the present invention makes it possible to prevent skin from being depressed during insertion of a needle into the skin. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the puncture assisting tool as viewed from an upward direction in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a view for describing an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool is used. 
         FIG. 5  is a view for describing an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool is used. 
         FIG. 6  is a view for describing an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool is used. 
         FIG. 7  is a view for describing an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool is used. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the puncture assisting tool. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
       (a) of  FIG. 11  is a side view of the puncture assisting tool. (b) of  FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of a region surrounded with a frame in (a) of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool in accordance with Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
       (a) to (c) of  FIG. 14  are views each for describing an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool is used. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of a puncture assisting tool in accordance with Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
       (a) to (c) of  FIG. 17  are views each for describing an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool is used. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool in accordance with Embodiment 7 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates the puncture assisting tool as viewed from an upward direction in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 20  and illustrating a state in which pressure inside a frame of an attachment part is reduced during puncture in which the puncture assisting tool is used. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 1 
     The following description will discuss an embodiment of the present invention in detail. 
     (Configuration of Puncture Assisting Tool  1 ) 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the puncture assisting tool  1 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the puncture assisting tool  1  as viewed from an upward direction in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the puncture assisting tool  1  includes a first fixing part  10 A, a second fixing part  10 B, a pump  20 A, and a pump  20 B. Note that for simplification,  FIGS. 1 and 3  do not illustrate the pump  20 A (suction device) and the pump  20 B (suction device). 
     The first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B have shapes that are symmetrical in the transverse direction in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Thus, only the first fixing part  10 A will be described herein. The first fixing part  10 A includes a frame  11 , a support  12 , and an air discharge part  13 . 
     The frame  11  has a semicylindrical shape obtained by cutting a cylinder along a plane containing a central axis. The frame  11  includes: a first end  11   a , which is one end of a semicylinder and is an end on a side that contacts the skin of a living body; and a second end  11   b , which is another end of the semicylinder. The first end  11   a  has a semicircular shape and has an opening on the inside, and the second end  11   b  is made of a semicircular flat plate. Thus, the frame  11  has a shape in which a face thereof on the side that contacts the skin of a living body is open. 
     The frame  11  includes an opening  11   c  formed on a curved side surface of the semicylinder and in a region where the air discharge part  13  (described later) is installed. Furthermore, the frame  11  includes a groove  11   d  formed on a flat side surface of the semicylinder so as to be recessed inward. 
     The support  12 , in an inner part of the frame  11 , is formed between the first end  11   a  and the second end  11   b  in the axial direction (vertical direction in  FIG. 3 ) of the semicylindrical shape of the frame  11 . The support  12  is made of a semicircular flat plate having a radius of the same length as an inner diameter of the frame  11 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the support  12  has a plurality of air intake holes  12   a  formed therein that penetrate in the axial direction of the semicylindrical shape of the frame  11 . Note that although  FIGS. 1 to 3  differ in number of the air intake holes  12   a  formed in the support  12 , the number (density) of the air intake holes  12   a  formed in the support  12  is not particularly limited, and can be set as appropriate, provided that the strength of the support  12  is not greatly decreased. 
     The air discharge part  13  connects a space in the inner part of the frame  11  and the pump  20 A to each other. The air discharge part  13  is provided on the side surface of the frame  11 . The air discharge part  13  has a cylindrical hole  13   a  formed therein. The hole  13   a  is connected at one end thereof to the opening  11   c , which is provided in the frame  11 . The hole  13   a  is connected at another end thereof to the pump  20 A, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The pump  20 A is connected to the air discharge part  13  of the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A. The pump  20 A reduces pressure inside the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A by sucking, via the air discharge part  13 , air inside the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A. 
     The pump  20 B is connected to the air discharge part  13  of the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B. The pump  20 A reduces pressure inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B by sucking, via the air discharge part  13 , air inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B. 
     (Examples of Puncture Method in which Puncture Assisting Tool  1  is Used) 
     The following description will discuss an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1  is used.  FIGS. 4 to 7  are views each for describing an example of the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1  is used. 
     According to the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1  is used, first, the puncture assisting tool  1  (more specifically, the first end  11   a  of the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A and the first end  11   a  of the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B) is brought into contact with skin S of a living body (see  FIG. 4 ). In this state, a needle N placed at a tip of a syringe (not illustrated) is located between the groove  11   d  formed in the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A and the groove  11   d  formed in the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B, and the needle N is not inserted into the skin S of the living body. Furthermore, the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B are in contact with each other in this state. 
     Next, the pump  20 A and the pump  20 B are driven so that the pressure inside the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A and the pressure inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B are reduced. Note that since the support  12  has the plurality of air intake holes  12   a  formed therein, it is possible to reduce the pressure in the whole inner part of the frame  11 . 
     The reduction in pressure inside the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A and in pressure inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B causes a region (region D 1  illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) of the skin S of the living body inside the first end  11   a  of the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A to be sucked toward the inner part of the frame  11  (see  FIG. 5 ). This brings the skin S in the region D 1  into a state of being attached to (in other words, a state of being suction-attracted to) the first fixing part  10 A (more specifically, the inner part of the frame  11 ). Similarly, the skin S in a region (region D 2  illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) of the skin S of the living body inside the first end  11   a  of the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B is brought into a state of being attached to (in other words, a state of being suction-attracted to) the second fixing part  10 B (more specifically, the inner part of the frame  11 ). 
     Subsequently, in the above states, the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B are moved in directions (directions indicated by arrows in  FIG. 5 ) in which the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B are away from each other (see  FIG. 6 ). This causes a region (region D 3  illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) of the skin S of the living body between the region D 1  and the region D 2  to be pulled, so that the region D 3  of the skin S is tensioned (see  FIG. 6 ). Note that the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B can be moved manually by an operator or with use of a machine such as an actuator. The actuator can be, for example, an electromagnetic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or the like. 
     Next, the syringe is moved toward the skin S so that the needle N is inserted into the skin S of the living body. As described earlier, before the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B are moved, the needle N is located between the groove  11   d  formed in the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A and the groove  11   d  formed in the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B. This causes a place where the needle N is inserted into the skin S to be the region D 3 . 
     Skin of a living body is ordinarily depressed through the application of pressure by a needle during insertion of the needle into the skin. The depression in the skin stimulates a pain sensory nerve of the living body and thus causes pain to the living body. In contrast, according to the puncture method of Embodiment 1, the region D 3  into which the needle N is inserted is tensioned as described earlier. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body (in other words, without causing any pain to the living body). 
     Finally, by pulling up a plunger (not illustrated) stored inside the syringe, blood of the living body is sucked through the needle N so that the blood of the living body is collected. 
     As described earlier, the puncture assisting tool  1  of Embodiment 1 includes: the first fixing part  10 A that is fixed to the region D 1  serving as a first region of the skin S; and the second fixing part  10 B that is fixed to the region D 2  serving as a second region of the skin S. The first fixing part  10 A is movable relative to the second fixing part  10 B so as to pull the skin S in the region D 3  between the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B. 
     According to the configuration, the skin in the region D 3  can be tensioned in a case where the first fixing part  10 A that is fixed to the region D 1  of the skin S is moved relative to the second fixing part  10 B that is fixed to the region D 2  of the skin S. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body. 
     The puncture assisting tool  1  includes the support  12  for supporting the skin S that has been sucked into the inner part of the frame  11 . The support  12  is provided so as to be closer to the skin of the living body (an upper side in  FIG. 3 ) than the air discharge part  13  in the axial direction (vertical direction in  FIG. 3 ) of the cylindrical shape of the frame  11  (see  FIG. 3 ). According to the configuration, the skin S that has been sucked into the inner part of the frame  11  is supported by the support  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This makes it possible to prevent the air discharge part  13  from being covered by the skin S. That is, it is possible to prevent air intake by the pump  20 A or the pump  20 B from being hampered. It is therefore possible to continuously suction-attract the skin S to the puncture assisting tool  1 . Note that a puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured to include no support  12 . 
     According to the puncture assisting tool  1 , the groove  11   d  for positioning the needle N in a state in which the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B are in contact with each other is formed in the frame  11  of each of the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B. This allows the place where the needle N is inserted into the skin S to be the region D 3  that is tensioned. 
     Note that instead of the support  12 , which is made of the flat plate, a plurality of columnar supports can be formed inside the frame  11  (on the second end  11   b ). The plurality of columnar supports support the skin S and can take in air from a space between the respective plurality of columnar supports. 
     Embodiment 2 
     The following description will discuss another embodiment of the present invention. Note that for convenience, members having functions identical to those of the respective members described in Embodiment 1 are given respective identical reference numerals, and a description of those members is omitted. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool  1 A of Embodiment 2.  FIG. 9  is a side view of the puncture assisting tool  1 A. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the puncture assisting tool  1 A includes a first fixing part  31 A and a second fixing part  31 B. 
     The first fixing part  31 A and the second fixing part  31 B have shapes that are symmetrical in the transverse direction in  FIG. 9 . Thus, only the first fixing part  31 A will be described herein. The first fixing part  31 A includes a semicylindrical member  32  and a gripping part  33 . 
     The semicylindrical member  32  has a semicylindrical shape obtained by cutting a cylinder along a plane containing a central axis. The semicylindrical member  32  includes: a first end  32   a , which is one end of a semicylinder and is an end on a side that contacts the skin of a living body; and a second end  32   b , which is another end of the semicylinder. The first end  32   a  and the second end  32   b  are each made of a semicircular flat plate. An adhesive  34  (e.g., mucin or the like) is affixed to the first end  32   a  of the semicylindrical member  32 . 
     The following description will discuss an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 A is used. According to the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 A is used, first, the first end  32   a  of the semicylindrical member  32  of the first fixing part  31 A and the first end  32   a  of the semicylindrical member  32  of the second fixing part  31 B are brought into contact with skin S of the living body. This causes the adhesive  34  affixed to the first end  32   a  to stick to the skin S. 
     Subsequently, the gripping part  33  that is provided on a side surface of a frame  11  is gripped so that the first fixing part  31 A and the second fixing part  31 B are moved in directions in which the first fixing part  31 A and the second fixing part  31 B are away from each other. This causes a region of the skin S of the living body between regions in which the skin S has stuck to the adhesive  34  to be pulled, so that the region is tensioned. 
     Next, a needle N placed at a tip of a syringe (not illustrated) is inserted into the tensioned region of the skin S of the living body. The region into which the needle N is inserted is tensioned also in Embodiment 2. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body. 
     Finally, by pulling up a plunger (not illustrated) stored inside the syringe, blood of the living body is sucked through the needle N so that the blood of the living body is collected. 
     In Embodiment 2, the adhesive  34  is used to cause the skin S to stick to the puncture assisting tool  1 A. Note, however, that another method (e.g., an adhesive agent or the like) can be alternatively used to cause the skin S to adhere to the puncture assisting tool  1 A. 
     Embodiment 3 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool  1 B of Embodiment 3. (a) of  FIG. 11  is a side view of the puncture assisting tool  1 B. (b) of  FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of a region surrounded with a frame in (a) of  FIG. 11 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the puncture assisting tool  1 B includes a first fixing part  41 A and a second fixing part  41 B. 
     The first fixing part  41 A and the second fixing part  41 B have shapes that are symmetrical in the transverse direction in  FIG. 11 . Thus, only the first fixing part  41 A will be described herein. The first fixing part  41 A includes a semicylindrical member  42  and a gripping part  33 . 
     The semicylindrical member  42  has a semicylindrical shape obtained by cutting a cylinder along a plane containing a central axis. The semicylindrical member  42  includes: a first end  42   a , which is one end of a semicylinder and is an end on a side that contacts the skin of a living body; and a second end  42   b , which is another end of the semicylinder. The first end  42   a  and the second end  42   b  are each made of a semicircular flat plate. The first end  42   a  of the semicylindrical member  42  has a plurality of spikes  44  formed therein so as to protrude perpendicularly to the first end  42   a . As illustrated in (b) of  FIG. 11 , the spikes  44  have a thorn shape and are provided with barbs. More specifically, the spikes  44  have a diamond-shaped cross section. 
     The following description will discuss an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 B is used. According to the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 B is used, first, the first end  42   a  of the semicylindrical member  42  of the first fixing part  41 A and the first end  42   a  of the semicylindrical member  42  of the second fixing part  41 B are brought into contact with skin S of the living body. This causes the spikes  44  formed in the first end  42   a  to be caught by the skin S. Note that the spikes  44  have a length for which the spikes  44  are inserted into only a shallow part of the skin S (specifically, a stratum corneum and the epidermis). With the configuration, the living body does not feel any pain even if the spikes  44  are inserted into the skin S. 
     Subsequently, the gripping part  33  that is provided on a side surface of a frame  11  is gripped so that the first fixing part  41 A and the second fixing part  41 B are moved in directions in which the first fixing part  41 A and the second fixing part  41 B are away from each other. This causes a region of the skin S of the living body between regions in which the spikes  44  are inserted into the skin S to be pulled, so that the region is tensioned. 
     Note that the spikes  44  have a diamond-shaped cross section as described earlier. With the configuration, the spikes  44  (in other words, the first fixing part  41 A and the second fixing part  41 B) can be easily removed from the skin S of the living body when the spikes  44  are moved in a direction perpendicular to the first end  42   a , and the spikes  44  cannot be removed from the skin S of the living body when the first fixing part  41 A and the second fixing part  41 B are moved in the directions in which the first fixing part  41 A and the second fixing part  41 B are away from each other. 
     Next, a needle N placed at a tip of a syringe (not illustrated) is inserted into the tensioned region of the skin S of the living body. The region into which the needle N is inserted is tensioned also in Embodiment 3. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body. 
     Embodiment 4 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool  1 C of Embodiment 4.  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Note that for simplification, a pump  52 A and a pump  52 B (each described later) are not illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the puncture assisting tool  1 C includes a first fixing part  10 A, a second fixing part  10 B, an air flow part  51 A, an air flow part  51 B, the pump  52 A, and the pump  52 B. 
     The air flow part  51 A has a bellows structure that contracts in response to pressure reduction. The air flow part  51 A has one end that is connected via the air discharge part  13  to a space inside a frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A. The air flow part  51 A has another end that is connected to the pump  52 A. 
     Similarly, the air flow part  51 B has a bellows structure that contracts in response to pressure reduction. The air flow part  51 B has one end that is connected via the air discharge part  13  to a space inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B. The air flow part  51 B has another end that is connected to the pump  52 B. 
     The following description will discuss an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 C is used. (a) to (c) of  FIG. 14  are views each for describing an example of the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 C is used. 
     According to the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 C is used, first, the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B are brought into contact with skin S of a living body (see (a) of  FIG. 14 ). Next, the pump  52 A and the pump  52 B are driven so that pressure inside the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A and pressure inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B are reduced. 
     The reduction in pressure inside the frame  11  of the first fixing part  10 A and in pressure inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  10 B causes the skin S in a region D 1  and the skin S in a region D 2  to be attached to the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B, respectively (see (b) of  FIG. 14 ). 
     Subsequently, the pump  52 A and the pump  52 B are further driven so that pressure inside the air flow part  51 A and pressure inside the air flow part  51 B are also reduced. This causes contraction of the respective bellows structures of the air flow part  51 A and the air flow part  51 B. This causes the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B to be moved in directions in which the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  10 B are away from each other (see (c) of  FIG. 14 ). This causes a region (region D 3  illustrated in (c) of  FIG. 14 ) of the skin S of the living body between the region D 1  and the region D 2  to be tensioned. 
     Next, a needle N placed at a tip of a syringe (not illustrated) is inserted into the tensioned region D 3  of the skin S of the living body. The region D 3  into which the needle N is inserted is tensioned also in Embodiment 4. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body. 
     Embodiment 5 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of a puncture assisting tool  1 D of Embodiment 5.  FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C illustrated in  FIG. 15 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the puncture assisting tool  1 D includes a guide part  60  and an expandable part  61 . 
     The guide part  60  is provided at a center of the puncture assisting tool  1 D. The guide part  60  has a cylindrical shape and has a through-hole  60   a  which is formed so as to extend in an axial direction (vertical direction in  FIG. 16 ) of the cylindrical shape and through which a needle N passes. The guide part  60  is made of a rigid material. The guide part  60  is formed such that an inner diameter of the guide part  60  (in other words, a diameter of the through-hole  60   a ) is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the needle N. For example, the guide part  60  can be formed such that the inner diameter of the guide part  60  is 1.05 to 1.2 times larger than the outer diameter of the needle N. 
     The expandable part  61  is made of a material (e.g., a superabsorbent polymer or the like) which expands by addition thereto of water. The expandable part  61  is placed so as to surround a side surface of the guide part  60 , and has a cylindrical shape. The expandable part  61  includes a first end  61   a  that faces skin S of a living body when the expandable part  61  is placed in the living body. As illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , an adhesive  34  is affixed to a part of a region outside the first end  61   a  of the expandable part  61 . 
     The following description will discuss an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 D is used. (a) to (c) of  FIG. 17  are views each for describing an example of the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 D is used. 
     According to the puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 D is used, first, the first end  61   a  side of the expandable part  61  is brought into contact with the skin S of the living body (see (a) of  FIG. 17 ). This causes the adhesive  34  affixed to the first end  61   a  to stick to the skin S. 
     Next, the expandable part  61  is caused to absorb water. This causes the expandable part  61  to expand as illustrated in (b) of  FIG. 17 . In this case, since the guide part  60  is rigid, the expandable part  61  expands outward about a central axis of the guide part  60 . This causes a region of the skin S of the living body between regions in which the skin S has stuck to the adhesive  34  to be pulled outward, so that the region is tensioned. 
     Next, a needle N placed at a tip of a syringe (not illustrated) is inserted into the tensioned region of the skin S of the living body. The region into which the needle N is inserted is tensioned also in Embodiment 5. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body. 
     Finally, by pulling up a plunger (not illustrated) stored inside the syringe, blood of the living body is sucked through the needle N so that the blood of the living body is collected. 
     Furthermore, the puncture assisting tool  1 D of Embodiment 5 includes the guide part  60  that is provided with the through-hole  60   a  through which the needle N passes and that guides movement of the needle N. With the configuration, since the needle N is guided by the guide part  60  during the insertion, it is possible to prevent buckling of the needle N. In other words, it is possible to use the needle N having a small outer diameter. As a result, it is possible to prevent stimulation of pain spots of the living body. 
     Embodiment 5 is configured such that the expandable part has a cylindrical shape. Note, however, that the present invention is not limited to the configuration. In an aspect of the present invention, the expandable part  61  can be rectangular when viewed in the direction of the central axis of the guide part  60 . 
     Embodiment 6 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool  1 E of Embodiment 6. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the puncture assisting tool  1 D includes a second fixing part  70 B instead of the second fixing part  10 B of the puncture assisting tool  1  of Embodiment 1. 
     A guide part  71  is formed, at a center of a surface of the second fixing part  70 B which surface faces a first fixing part  10 A, so as to extend in a direction (vertical direction in  FIG. 18 ) in which a needle N moves. The guide part  71  has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a through-hole  71   a  through which the needle N passes. The second fixing part  70 B is similar in configuration to the second fixing part  10 B of Embodiment 1, except that the second fixing part  70 B has the guide part  71  formed therein. 
     With the configuration, the puncture assisting tool  1 E allows skin in a region between a first region and a second region of skin S to be tensioned in a case where the first fixing part  10 A that is fixed to the first region is moved relative to the second fixing part  70 B that is fixed to the second region. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body. 
     Furthermore, according to the puncture assisting tool  1 E, since the needle N is guided by the guide part during the insertion, it is possible to prevent buckling of the needle N. In other words, it is possible to use the needle N having a small outer diameter. As a result, it is possible to prevent stimulation of pain spots of the living body. 
     Embodiment 7 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a puncture assisting tool  1 F of Embodiment 7.  FIG. 20  illustrates the puncture assisting tool  1 F as viewed from an upward direction in  FIG. 19 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the puncture assisting tool  1 F includes a first fixing part  101 A, a second fixing part  101 B, an attachment part  110 , a pump  120 A, a pump  120 B, and a pump  120 C. Note that in  FIG. 19 , the pumps  120 A to  120 C are not illustrated. 
     A description of the first fixing part  101 A and the second fixing part  101 B is omitted here. This is because the first fixing part  101 A and the second fixing part  101 B are similar in configuration to the first fixing part  10 A and the second fixing part  101 B, respectively, of Embodiment 1. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , an air discharge part  13  provided to a frame  11  of the first fixing part  101 A is connected to the pump  120 A, and the air discharge part  13  provided to the frame  11  of the second fixing part  101 B is connected to the pump  120 B. 
     The attachment part  110  is located between the first fixing part  101 A and the second fixing part  101 B. The attachment part  110  includes a frame  111 , a guide part  112 , a support  113 , and an air discharge part  114 . 
     The frame  111  has a tubular shape. The frame  11  includes: a first end  111   a , which is one end of a tube and is an end on a side that contacts the skin of a living body; and a second end  111   b , which is another end of the tube (see  FIG. 21 ). The first end  111   a  is shaped to have an opening on the inside, and the second end  111   b  is made of a flat plate. Thus, the frame  111  has a shape in which a face thereof on the side that contacts the skin of a living body is open. 
     Further, the frame  111  includes an opening  111   c  formed on a side surface of a cylinder and in a region where an air discharge part  114  (described later) is installed (see  FIG. 21 ). 
     The guide part  112  is a member for guiding movement of a needle N. The guide part  112  has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape is coaxial with the cylindrical shape of the frame  11 . The guide part  112  has a through-hole  112   a  which is formed so as to extend in an axial direction (vertical direction in  FIG. 19 ) of the tube and through which the needle N passes. 
     The support  113 , in an inner part of the frame  111 , is formed between the first end  111   a  and the second end  111   b  in the axial direction (vertical direction in  FIG. 19 ) of the cylindrical shape of the frame  111 . The support  113  is made of a flat plate. The support  113  has a plurality of air intake holes  113   a  formed therein. 
     The air discharge part  114  is provided on the side surface of the frame  111 . The air discharge part  114  has a cylindrical hole  114   a  formed therein. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the hole  114   a  has (i) one end that is connected to an opening  111   c  provided in the frame  111  and (ii) the other end that is connected to the pump  120 C. 
     The following description will discuss an example of a puncture method in which the puncture assisting tool  1 F is used. First, the puncture assisting tool  1 F is brought into contact with skin S of a living body. Next, the pump  120 A and the pump  120 B are driven. This reduces pressure inside the first fixing part  101 A and pressure inside the second fixing part  101 B. 
     The reduction in pressure inside the frame  11  of the first fixing part  101 A results in a state in which a region (first region) of the skin S of the living body inside a first end  11   a  of the frame  11  of the first fixing part  101 A is attached to the frame  11  of the first fixing part  101 A. Similarly, the reduction in pressure inside the frame  11  of the second fixing part  101 B results in a state in which a region (second region) of the skin S of the living body inside the first end  11   a  of the frame  11  of the second fixing part  101 B is attached to the frame  11  of the second fixing part  101 B. 
     Subsequently, in the above states, the first fixing part  101 A and the second fixing part  101 B are moved in directions in which the first fixing part  101 A and the second fixing part  101 B are away from each other. This causes a region (third region) of the skin S of the living body between the first region and the second region to be pulled, so that the third region is tensioned. 
     Then, the pump  120 C is driven. This sucks air inside the frame  111  of the attachment part  110 . This reduces pressure inside the frame  111  of the attachment part  110 . Note that since the support  113  of the frame  111  of the attachment part  110  has the plurality of air intake holes  113   a  formed therein, it is possible to reduce the pressure in the whole inner part of the frame  111 . 
       FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 20  and illustrating a state in which pressure inside the frame  111  of the attachment part  110  is reduced during puncture in which the puncture assisting tool  1 F is used. The reduction in pressure inside the attachment part  110  of the frame  111  results in a state in which a region (region D 4  illustrated in  FIG. 21 ) of the skin S of the living body inside the first end  111   a  of the frame  111  of the attachment part  110  is attached to the inside of the frame  111  as illustrated in  FIG. 21 . 
     Next, a syringe (not illustrated) is moved toward the skin S so that the needle N is inserted into the skin S of the living body. A region into which the needle N is inserted is tensioned. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. As a result, it is possible to insert the needle N into the skin S without stimulating a pain sensory nerve of the living body. 
     Furthermore, according to Embodiment 7, the skin S is attached to the inner part of the frame  111  of the attachment part  110 . With the configuration, the region into which the needle N is inserted is further tensioned as compared with Embodiment 1. This makes it possible to prevent the skin S from being depressed during the insertion of the needle N into the skin S. 
     Moreover, according to the puncture assisting tool  1 F, the needle N is guided, during the puncture, by the guide part  112  provided in the attachment part  110 . This makes it possible to prevent buckling of the needle N. In other words, it is possible to use the needle N having a small outer diameter. As a result, it is possible to prevent stimulation of pain spots of the living body. 
     Further, according to the puncture assisting tool  1 F, the guide part  112  is located inside a region of the attachment part  110  to which region the skin S is attached. This allows a place where the needle N is inserted into the skin S of the living body to be a region of the skin S inside the attachment part  110  region. 
     In Embodiment 7, the pumps  120 A to  120 C are used as (i) a suction device for sucking air inside the first fixing part  101 A, (ii) a suction device for sucking air inside the second fixing part  101 B, and (iii) a suction device for sucking air inside the attachment part  110 , respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In an aspect of the present invention, a syringe can be used as a suction device. 
     In addition, a mechanism for use in a puncture assisting tool of the present invention can be used for endoscope treatment. Specifically, by using the first fixing part and the second fixing part of the present invention to tension skin around a tumor developed in, for example, an organ of a living body, it is possible to easily cut the tumor, tattoo the tumor, and the like. 
     Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as follows: 
     A puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention includes: a first fixing part that is fixed to a first region of skin; and a second fixing part that is fixed to a second region of the skin; the first fixing part being movable relative to the second fixing part so as to pull the skin between the first fixing part and the second fixing part. 
     The puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured such that the first fixing part suction-attracts the skin. 
     The puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured such that the first fixing part sticks or adheres to the skin. 
     The puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured such that the first fixing part has a spike that is caught by the skin. 
     The puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured such that the first fixing part is provided with a groove for positioning a needle in a state in which the first fixing part and the second fixing part are in contact with each other. 
     A puncture assisting tool puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured to further include a guide part that is provided with a through-hole through which a needle passes and that guides movement of the needle. 
     A puncture assisting tool puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured to further include an attachment part that is attached to the skin, the guide part being located inside a region of the attachment part in which region the attachment part is attached to the skin. 
     The puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured such that the first fixing part has a support that supports the skin which has been sucked into the first fixing part. 
     A puncture assisting tool puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured to further include an air flow part that is connected to a space inside the first fixing part and that has a bellows structure which contracts in response to pressure reduction. 
     A puncture assisting tool of an aspect of the present invention can be configured to further include a suction device that sucks air inside the first fixing part. 
     A puncture method of an aspect of the present invention in which any of the above puncture assisting tools is used, the puncture method includes: inserting a needle into the skin between the first fixing part and the second fixing part in a state in which the skin between the first fixing part and the second fixing part is pulled. 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical means disclosed in differing embodiments. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1 ,  1 A- 1 F Puncture assisting tool 
               10 A,  31 A,  41 A,  101 A First fixing part 
               10 B,  31 B,  41 B,  70 B,  101 B,  102 B Second fixing part 
               11   d  Groove 
               12  Support 
               20 A,  120 A Pump (suction device) 
               44  Spike 
               51 A,  51 B Air flow part 
               60 ,  71 ,  112  Guide part 
               60   a ,  71   a ,  112   a  Through-hole 
               110  Attachment part 
             D 1  Region (first region) 
             D 2  Region (second region) 
             N Needle 
             S Skin