Shape holding device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a shape retaining device (10) that prevents clogging of a front end of a catheter body (14). A shape retaining device (10) is provided with: a tube (40) in which a tip region including at least an inflow port (42) is harder than a tip section of a catheter body (14); and a support member (50) that has a fitting section (56) that can be fitted to the catheter hub (16) and communicates with the catheter hub (16) in a state in which the support member (50) is fitted to the catheter hub (16), and that supports the tube (40) so as to be displaceable with respect to the fitting section (56).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a shape-maintaining device for maintaining the shape of the tip of a catheter placed in a blood vessel. Background Technology

[0002] The catheter assembly disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3958956 comprises: a catheter body with a front opening, a catheter seat connected to the base end of the catheter body, and an inner needle disposed inside the catheter.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3958956

[0004] In the catheter assembly disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3958956, sometimes after inserting the tip of the catheter body into a blood vessel and removing the inner needle, an aspiration device is installed at the catheter seat to aspirate blood. At this time, due to the suction of the aspiration device, a negative pressure is generated within the catheter seat and the catheter body. This negative pressure causes the tip of the catheter body to elastically deform and become blocked. This results in the inability to aspirate blood due to blockage at the catheter tip, and makes it difficult to accurately determine whether the catheter tip has been inserted into a blood vessel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] (1) The present invention is a shape-retaining device used in conjunction with a catheter component to prevent blockage at the front end of a catheter body, the catheter component comprising: the catheter body disposed in a blood vessel, and a catheter seat fixed to the base end of the catheter body, wherein the device comprises: a tube having an inlet for blood to flow in, an outlet for blood to flow out, and an inner cavity communicating the inlet and the outlet, at least including a front end region of the inlet that is harder than the front end of the catheter body; and a support member having a fitting portion that is capable of fitting with the catheter seat and communicating with the catheter seat in a fitted state, and supporting the tube so as to be displaceable relative to the fitting portion, wherein in the fitted state of the fitting portion fitting with the catheter seat, the tube is displaced relative to the fitting portion in a direction communicating with the catheter seat, thereby becoming an insertion state inserted into the catheter body, wherein in the insertion state, the inlet is disposed at the same position as the front opening of the catheter body, at a position further forward than the front opening, or at an inner position of the front end, and the outlet is disposed at a position further forward than the inlet.

[0007] According to this shape-retaining device, during aspiration using a suction device, the tube can prevent blockage at the tip of the catheter. As a result, by using a suction device to aspirate blood, it is easy to determine whether the tip of the catheter has been inserted into a blood vessel.

[0008] (2) According to the shape holding device described in (1) above, the outlet is formed on the side wall of the tube and is disposed on the support member or the conduit seat in the insertion state.

[0009] This allows the blood flowing inside the tube to merge with the blood flowing between the tube and the catheter body.

[0010] (3) The shape holding device described in (1) or (2) above may also be provided with an operating part for pressing the tube at the base end of the tube.

[0011] This makes it easier for the tube to shift relative to the fitting part in the direction of communication with the guide tube seat.

[0012] (4) The shape holding device according to any one of (1) to (3) above may also be that the support member has a tube movement limiting part that restricts the movement of the tube, and the tube is in the insertion state when the movement of the tube is restricted by the tube movement limiting part.

[0013] In this way, regardless of the operator's skill level, the tube can be positioned appropriately.

[0014] (5) The shape holding device according to any one of (1) to (4) above may also be a support member having a connecting connector with a through hole, the fitting part being provided at one end of the through hole in the connecting connector, a connecting part for connecting a suction device being provided at the other end of the through hole in the connecting connector, and a tube inlet being provided between one end and the other end of the through hole in the connecting connector for guiding the tube toward the through hole.

[0015] This allows the tube to be inserted into the catheter body using existing catheter components and aspiration devices.

[0016] (6) According to the shape holding device described in (5) above, an operating part for pressing the tube may be provided at the base end of the tube, and a cover that can be compressed in the direction of pressing the operating part is connected to the operating part and the tube inlet, and the cover covers the part of the tube located between the operating part and the tube inlet.

[0017] This way, the pipe won't be exposed to the outside, which is hygienic.

[0018] (7) According to the shape holding device described in (6) above, the tube can also be in the state where a fixing part for fixing the operating part is formed in the tube inlet portion, and the tube is in the insertion state when the operating part is fixed to the fixing part.

[0019] This can suppress the offset of the relative position between the catheter body and the tube inserted into the catheter body.

[0020] (8) The shape holding device according to any one of (1) to (4) above may also be a support member having: a syringe barrel with the fitting portion formed at the front end, and a plunger that can move within the syringe barrel, the tube passing through the plunger.

[0021] In this way, even without the aforementioned connector, the tube can be inserted into the conduit body. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0022] (9) According to the shape holding device described in (8) above, the support member may also include: a sealing gasket that seals between the plunger and the syringe barrel, and a sealing member that seals between the plunger and the tube.

[0023] This prevents blood drawn into the syringe from leaking out of the syringe.

[0024] (10) The shape-retaining device according to (9) above may also be formed integrally with the sealing gasket and the sealing component.

[0025] This reduces the number of parts.

[0026] (11) The shape holding device according to any one of (8) to (10) above may also be provided with a plunger movement limiting part in the syringe barrel to restrict the movement of the plunger in the direction toward the base end of the syringe barrel. In the state where the movement of the plunger is restricted by the plunger movement limiting part in the direction toward the base end of the syringe barrel, the inlet is located at the same position as the front opening, at a position closer to the front end than the front opening, or at a position inside the front end, and the outlet is located in the syringe barrel.

[0027] In this way, regardless of the operator's skill level, the tube can be positioned appropriately.

[0028] According to the method of the present invention, when aspiration is performed using a suction device, the tip of the catheter can be prevented from becoming blocked. As a result, when blood is aspirated using a suction device, it is easy to determine whether the tip of the catheter has been inserted into a blood vessel. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the shape-retaining device and conduit components of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view showing the base of the tube.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the connection between the catheter assembly and the suction device via a connector.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the state of the tube introduced from the connector being inserted into the conduit component.

[0033] Figure 5 It means from Figure 4 The image shows a state where blood has been drawn.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the shape-retaining device and conduit components according to the second embodiment.

[0035] Figure 7 This diagram shows the connection between the catheter assembly and the suction device.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the state of the tube being inserted into the conduit assembly.

[0037] Figure 9 It means from Figure 8 The image shows a state where blood has been drawn. Detailed Implementation

[0038] [First Implementation]

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the shape holding device 10 of the first embodiment is connected to the tube component 12 for use.

[0040] The catheter component 12 includes a catheter body 14 and a catheter seat 16 connected to the base end of the catheter body 14. The catheter body 14 is formed as a tube with an internal lumen 18. The catheter body 14 is flexible. The front end of the catheter body 14 has a tapered outer surface 20 on its outer peripheral surface facing the front end. The front end of the catheter body 14 has a front opening 22 that opens in the front end direction. The front opening 22 communicates with the lumen 18 disposed radially inward on the outer surface 20. The front end of the catheter body 14 with the front opening 22 gradually tapers radially in the front end direction.

[0041] The catheter seat 16 is formed as a cylinder having a seat cavity 24. The catheter seat 16 has a base opening 26 that opens in the base direction. The seat cavity 24 of the catheter seat 16 communicates with the lumen 18 of the catheter body 14 via the base opening 23 of the catheter body 14.

[0042] The catheter component 12 is used for aspiration by the aspiration device 28. The aspiration device 28 is, for example, a syringe, but is not limited thereto. When the aspiration device 28 is a syringe, the aspiration device 28 has a syringe barrel 30, a plunger 32, and a sealing gasket 34.

[0043] The syringe barrel 30 has a barrel body 30A and a nozzle 30B protruding from the barrel body 30A. The outer diameter of the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30 is smaller than the outer diameter of the barrel body 30A. A passage 30C communicating with the interior of the barrel body 30A is formed in the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30. A plunger 32 is movably disposed inside the barrel body 30A. A sealing gasket 34 seals between the syringe barrel 30 and the plunger 32. The sealing gasket 34 is fixed to the front end of the plunger 32.

[0044] The shape-retaining device 10 is a device that prevents blockage at the front end of the catheter body 14. The shape-retaining device 10 includes a tube 40 and a support member 50.

[0045] The tube 40 is a component inserted into the lumen 18 of the catheter body 14. The tube 40 is at least rigid at its tip compared to the catheter body 14. An inlet 42 for blood to flow into is formed in the tube 40. The inlet 42 is located at the tip E1 of the tube 40. An outlet 44 for blood to flow out is formed in the tube 40. The outlet 44 is formed on the sidewall of the tube 40. An inner lumen 46 is formed in the tube 40. The inner lumen 46 of the tube 40 communicates with the inlet 42 and the outlet 44. Furthermore, the inner lumen 46 of the tube 40 extends from the tip E1 of the tube 40 to the base E2, but is not limited thereto. The inner lumen 46 of the tube 40 may also extend from the tip E1 of the tube 40 to the outlet 44, instead of extending from the outlet 44 to the base E2.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, an operating portion 48 for pressing the tube 40 is provided at the base end E2 of the tube 40. The operating portion 48 is, for example, formed in the shape of a plate. The operating portion 48 has a pressure-receiving surface 48F for receiving the operation of pressing the tube 40. The pressure-receiving surface 48F is located on the side of the operating portion 48 opposite to the base end E2 of the tube 40. A holding portion 48A may also be provided in the operating portion 48. The holding portion 48A is, for example, formed in the shape of a rod extending from the pressure-receiving surface 48F in a direction opposite to the direction of pressing the tube 40. In order to restrict the movement of the tube 40, a pair of protrusions 48B may also be provided in the operating portion 48. The pair of protrusions 48B protrude from the operating portion 48 in a direction intersecting the direction of pressing 40, for example.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the support member 50 has a connecting connector 52. The connecting connector 52 is a connector capable of connecting the catheter seat 16 and the suction device 28. The connecting connector 52 is formed in a tubular shape. A through hole 54 is formed in the connecting connector 52. The through hole 54 extends in a direction along the extending direction of the connecting connector 52. The connecting connector 52 is provided with a fitting portion 56, a connecting portion 58, and a tube inlet portion 60.

[0048] The fitting portion 56 is formed to fit into the catheter seat 16. The fitting portion 56 is located at one end of the through hole 54 in the connector 52. The fitting portion 56 is formed to be inserted into the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16. When the fitting portion 56 is inserted into the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16, it fits fluid-tightly with the inner circumferential surface of the catheter seat 16. In this case, the inner cavity 24 of the catheter seat 16 communicates with the through hole 54 of the connector 52. Furthermore, the gap between the catheter seat 16 and the fitting portion 56 is fluid-tightly sealed.

[0049] The connecting portion 58 is formed to allow connection to the suction device 28. The connecting portion 58 is located at the other end of the connecting connector 52, opposite to the through hole 54. When the suction device 28 is a syringe, the connecting portion 58 is connected to the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30. If the suction device 28 is connected to the connecting portion 58, suction can be performed from the catheter body 14 through the through hole 54 via the suction device 28.

[0050] The tube inlet 60 is a portion formed to allow the tube 40 to be inserted into the through hole 54. The tube inlet 60 is provided in the connector 52 between one end and the other end of the through hole 54. The tube inlet 60 includes an inlet tube 62, a support base 64, and a tube movement restriction portion 66.

[0051] One end of the inlet tube 62 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the connector 52. The other end of the inlet tube 62 is connected to the support base 64. A tube insertion hole 64H is formed in the support base 64. The tube insertion hole 64H communicates with the through hole 54 through the interior of the inlet tube 62. A tube 40 is inserted into the interior of the inlet tube 62 and the tube insertion hole 64H. The base end E2 of the tube 40 is disposed externally. When the operating part 48 provided at the base end E2 of the tube 40 is pressed, the tube 40 is introduced into the through hole 54. A valve body 65 is provided in the tube insertion hole 64H to seal the space between the tube 40 and the support base 64. Alternatively, the valve body 65 may not be provided.

[0052] The inlet tube 62 extends in an inclined direction relative to the extension direction of the through hole 54. The inlet tube 62 is inclined such that the end towards the through hole 54 is further away from the connector 52. As a result, the front end E1 of the tube 40, which is inserted into the through hole 54, can easily move towards the fitting portion 56.

[0053] A cover 68, compressible in the direction of pressing the operating part 48, is connected between the operating part 48 and the support base 64 at the base end E2 of the tube 40. The cover 68 is made of materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and can be formed into a flexible tubular film. The cover 68 covers the portion of the tube 40 located between the operating part 48 and the support base 64. Therefore, the tube 40 is not exposed to the outside, which is hygienic.

[0054] The pipe movement limiting part 66 is a portion that restricts the movement of the pipe 40. The pipe movement limiting part 66 extends from the support base 64 toward the operating part 48. The pipe movement limiting part 66 may also be integrally formed with the support base 64. Figure 2 As shown, the tube movement limiting part 66 is formed in a tubular shape, for example. A fixing part 70 for fixing the fixing operation part 48 is formed in the tube movement limiting part 66. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown, when the operating part 48 is provided with a pair of protrusions 48B, the fixing part 70 is formed at the base end of the tube movement restriction part 66 as a recess that fits into the pair of protrusions 48B.

[0055] Next, the use of the shape-retaining device 10 will be explained. First, after the user inserts the catheter assembly, in which a needle component (not shown) has been inserted inside the catheter component 12, into the blood vessel BV of the organism, the user removes the needle component from inside the catheter component 12. Thus, as... Figure 3 As shown, the catheter component 12 is placed in place with the front end of the catheter body 14 positioned in the blood vessel BV of the organism.

[0056] Next, the user connects the catheter component 12 to the suction device 28 via the connecting connector 52. In this case, the fitting portion 56 of the connecting connector 52 is inserted into the catheter seat 16. Additionally, the suction device 28 is connected to the connecting portion 58 of the connecting connector 52. At this stage, the tube 40 is in its initial state. In the initial state, the inlet 42 of the tube 40 is located in the through hole 54 of the connecting connector 52, and the outlet 44 of the tube 40 is located inside the cover 68. Furthermore, the position of the inlet 42 of the tube 40 in the initial state can also be a tube inlet 60, such as an inlet tube 62.

[0057] Next, the user presses the operating part 48 to begin inserting the tube 40 into the catheter body 14. When the operating part 48 is pressed, the distance between the operating part 48 and the tube movement restriction part 66 of the tube inlet 60 gradually decreases. Corresponding to this decrease, the cover 68 disposed between the operating part 48 and the tube movement restriction part 66 gradually compresses. In addition, the tube 40 moves correspondingly as the distance between the operating part 48 and the tube movement restriction part 66 decreases. In this case, the tube 40 is guided by the inner circumferential surface of the connecting connector 52 surrounding the through hole 54 and advances in the through hole 54 toward the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16. That is, the tube 40 is displaced relative to the fitting part 56 of the connecting connector 52 in the direction communicating with the catheter seat 16 (front end direction).

[0058] like Figure 4As shown, when the operating unit 48 contacts the tube movement restriction part 66 of the tube inlet 60, the movement of the tube 40 is restricted, and the insertion of the tube 40 into the catheter body 14 ends. In this case, the tube 40 is in the inserted state of being inserted into the catheter body 14. That is, when the movement of the tube 40 is restricted by the tube movement restriction part 66, the tube 40 is in the inserted state. Therefore, regardless of the skill of the operator of the operating unit 48, the tube 40 can be positioned appropriately.

[0059] With the tube 40 inserted, the inlet 42 of the tube 40 is located on the front end side of the front opening 22 of the catheter body 14. The outlet 44 of the tube 40 is located in the through hole 54 of the connector 52 on the base end side of the base opening 23 of the catheter body 14. Alternatively, the position of the inlet 42 of the tube 40 in the inserted state can also be the same as the position of the front opening 22 of the catheter body 14. Furthermore, the position of the outlet 44 of the tube 40 in the inserted state can also be the seat cavity 24 of the catheter seat 16.

[0060] The operating part 48, which contacts the tube movement restriction part 66, is fixed to the fixing part 70, which is formed in the tube movement restriction part 66. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the operating part 48 is fixed by engaging a pair of protrusions 48B provided on the operating part 48 with a recess (fixing part 70) formed at the base end of the tube movement limiting part 66. Therefore, the offset of the relative position between the catheter body 14 and the tube 40 inserted into the catheter body 14 is suppressed.

[0061] When the tube 40 is in the inserted state, the user begins aspiration using the aspiration device 28. In this embodiment, the tube 40, which is rigider than the catheter body 14, is in the inserted state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress blockage of the tip of the catheter body 14 due to the negative pressure generated corresponding to the aspiration performed by the aspiration device 28. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the tip of the catheter body 14 is inserted into a blood vessel based on whether blood flows into the lumen 46 of the tube 40 or the amount of blood flowing in.

[0062] like Figure 5As shown, when blood flows into the inner lumen 46 of the tube 40, the blood flows out from the outlet 44 to the through hole 54 of the connector 52. Alternatively, if blood flows between the tube 40 and the catheter body 14, the blood flows out through the inner lumen 24 to the through hole 54. That is, the blood flowing in the inner lumen 46 of the tube 40 and the blood flowing between the tube 40 and the catheter body 14 merge at the through hole 54 of the connector 52. The blood flowing to the through hole 54 is aspirated by the suction device 28. If the suction device 28 is a syringe, the blood flowing to the through hole 54 accumulates inside the syringe barrel 30 via the nozzle 30B. Furthermore, when the tube 40 is inserted, it is preferable that the outlet 44 is close to the tip of the suction device 28. When the outlet 44 is close to the tip of the suction device 28, blood can be aspirated efficiently.

[0063] [Second Implementation]

[0064] Next, the shape-holding device 10 of the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used to label the same components. Furthermore, descriptions that are repeated in the first embodiment are omitted in this embodiment.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the support member 50 does not have the connecting connector 52 of the first embodiment. The tube 40 is supported on the suction device 28. That is, in this embodiment, the support member 50 is the suction device 28.

[0066] The aspiration device 28 in this embodiment is a syringe, and similarly to the first embodiment, it includes a syringe barrel 30, a plunger 32, and a sealing gasket 34. A tube insertion hole 32H is formed in the plunger 32 and the sealing gasket 34 along the axis AX of the syringe. A tube 40 is inserted into the tube insertion hole 32H and passes through the plunger 32 and the sealing gasket 34. The tube 40 is arranged along the axis AX of the syringe and is movable relative to the plunger 32.

[0067] In its initial state, the inlet 42 and outlet 44 of the tube 40 are located inside the syringe barrel 30 and do not protrude outside the syringe barrel 30. Therefore, the tip region of the tube 40 inserted into the catheter body 14 is not exposed to the outside, which is hygienic.

[0068] In the aspiration device 28 of this embodiment, the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30 can be inserted into the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16. When the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30 is inserted into the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16, it is fluid-tightly fitted with the inner circumferential surface of the catheter seat 16. In this case, the inner cavity 24 of the catheter seat 16 communicates with the interior of the syringe barrel 30. In addition, the gap between the catheter seat 16 and the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30 is fluid-tightly sealed. That is, the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30 corresponds to the fitting portion 56 of the first embodiment.

[0069] The suction device 28 of this embodiment is newly equipped with a plunger movement restriction part 72 and a sealing part 74.

[0070] The plunger movement limiting portion 72 restricts the movement of the plunger 32 in the direction toward the base end of the syringe barrel 30. The plunger movement limiting portion 72 is provided on the barrel body 30A. The plunger movement limiting portion 72 extends from the inner wall of the barrel body 30A on the base end side toward the base end opening 30F of the syringe barrel 30. Therefore, the base end opening 30F of the syringe barrel 30 is smaller than in the case without the plunger movement limiting portion 72. Furthermore, the plunger movement limiting portion 72 can be integrally formed with the barrel body 30A or formed independently. Additionally, the shape of the plunger movement limiting portion 72 can be annular or convex, without particular limitation.

[0071] The plunger 32 has different outer diameters at its front end 32A and base end 32B. The outer diameter of the front end 32A of the plunger 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the base end 32B of the plunger 32. The base end 32B of the plunger 32 can be inserted through the base opening 30F of the syringe barrel 30. On the other hand, the front end 32A of the plunger 32 cannot be inserted through the base opening 30F of the syringe barrel 30.

[0072] If the surface 32F of the front end portion 32A facing the base end 32E of the plunger 32 abuts against the plunger movement restriction portion 72, corresponding to the movement of the plunger 32 toward the base end 32E of the syringe barrel 30, the movement of the plunger 32 is restricted.

[0073] The sealing element 74 provides a liquid-tight seal between the plunger 32 and the tube 40. The sealing gasket 34 and the sealing element 74 can be formed integrally or separately. When the sealing gasket 34 and the sealing element 74 are formed integrally, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0074] Next, the use of the shape-retaining device 10 will be explained. First, after the user inserts the catheter assembly, in which a needle component (not shown) has been inserted inside the catheter component 12, into the blood vessel BV of the organism, the user removes the needle component from inside the catheter component 12. Thus, as Figure 7 As shown, firstly, the catheter component 12 is placed in place with the front end of the catheter body 14 positioned in the blood vessel BV of the organism.

[0075] Next, the user connects the aspiration device 28 to the catheter seat 16. In this case, the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30 is inserted into the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16, and the nozzle 30B of the syringe barrel 30 engages with the catheter seat 16. At this stage, the tube 40 is in its initial state. In the initial state, the inlet 42 and outlet 44 of the tube 40 are located inside the syringe barrel 30.

[0076] Next, the user presses the operating part 48 to begin inserting the tube 40 into the catheter body 14. When the operating part 48 is pressed towards the front end, the tube 40 moves. In this case, the tube 40 advances along the axis AX of the syringe towards the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16. That is, the tube 40 is displaced relative to the syringe barrel 30 in the direction communicating with the catheter seat 16. Furthermore, even if the operating part 48 is pressed, the plunger 32 is abutted against the wall of the front end side of the syringe barrel 30 and does not advance towards the base opening 26 of the catheter seat 16.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown, when the operating part 48 contacts the base end 32E of the plunger 32, the movement of the tube 40 is restricted, and the insertion of the tube 40 into the catheter body 14 ends. In this case, the tube 40 is in an inserted state into the catheter body 14. That is, when the movement of the tube 40 is restricted by the plunger 32, the tube 40 is in an inserted state. The plunger 32 corresponds to the tube movement restriction part 66 in the first embodiment. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the tube 40 can be positioned appropriately regardless of the skill of the operator of the operating part 48.

[0078] With the tube 40 inserted, the inlet 42 of the tube 40 is located on the front end side of the front opening 22 of the catheter body 14. The outlet 44 of the tube 40 is located in the seat cavity 24 of the catheter seat 16 on the base end side of the catheter body 14, which is closer to the base end opening 23.

[0079] When the tube 40 is in the inserted state, the user pulls the plunger 32 toward the base of the syringe barrel 30 to begin aspiration via the aspiration device 28. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the tube 40, which is rigider than the catheter body 14, is in the inserted state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress blockage of the tip of the catheter body 14 due to the negative pressure generated corresponding to the aspiration via the aspiration device 28. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the tip of the catheter body 14 is inserted into a blood vessel based on whether blood flows into the lumen 46 of the tube 40 or the amount of blood flowing in.

[0080] As described above, with the tube 40 inserted, the operating part 48 located at the base end E2 of the tube 40 contacts the base end 32E of the plunger 32. Therefore, when the plunger 32 begins to move toward the base end of the syringe barrel 30, the tube 40 also moves toward the base end of the syringe barrel 30 as the plunger 32 moves.

[0081] When aspiration begins via the suction device 28 to draw blood into the lumen 46 of the tube 40, the blood flows out from the outlet 44. The blood flowing out from the outlet 44 merges with the blood flowing from the front opening 22 of the catheter body 14 into the space between the tube 40 and the catheter body 14, and flows out into the seat lumen 24 of the catheter seat 16. The blood flowing into the seat lumen 24 of the catheter seat 16 accumulates inside the syringe barrel 30 via the passage 30C of the nozzle 30B.

[0082] like Figure 9 As shown, if the surface 32F of the front end 32A of the plunger 32 facing the base end 32E abuts against the plunger movement restriction part 72 in accordance with the movement of the plunger 32 toward the base end 32E, the movement of the plunger 32 is restricted. Thus, the suction performed by the suction device 28 ends. When the movement of the plunger 32 is restricted, the tube 40, which moves with the plunger 32, also stops. Furthermore, even if the movement of the plunger 32 is restricted, the tube 40 can still move in the direction of being pulled out from the plunger 32.

[0083] With the movement of the plunger 32 restricted, the tube 40 remains inserted relative to the catheter body 14. The inlet 42 of the tube 40 is located further forward than the front opening 22 of the catheter body 14. The outlet 44 of the tube 40 is located inside the barrel 30A, further forward than the base opening 23 of the catheter body 14. Therefore, blood can easily accumulate inside the syringe barrel 30. Furthermore, with the tube 40 inserted, the inlet 42 of the tube 40 can also be positioned at the same location as the front opening 22 of the catheter body 14.

[0084] Thus, in this embodiment, the tube 40 is insertably supported on the conduit body 14 by the suction device 28. Therefore, even without the connecting connector 52 of the first embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. As a result, this embodiment can reduce the number of parts compared to the first embodiment, and can achieve miniaturization.

[0085] [Modified Implementation]

[0086] The above implementation method can also be modified as follows.

[0087] For example, the tip region of tube 40 may be harder than the catheter body 14. In this case, the region outside the tip region of tube 40 may have the same hardness as the catheter body 14 or be softer than the catheter body 14. Furthermore, the tip region of tube 40 is the region extending from the tip E1 of tube 40 to a distance equivalent to the length of the extension direction of the catheter body 14.

[0088] In addition, the outer diameter of the tube 40 may vary from the front end E1 to the base end E2. Similarly, the inner diameter of the tube 40 may also vary from the front end E1 to the base end E2.

[0089] Alternatively, when the tube 40 is inserted into the catheter body 14, the inlet 42 of the tube 40 can also be positioned inside the front end of the catheter body 14. In this case, the inlet 42 is located within a range from the front end of the catheter body 14 to a position spaced apart from a distance equivalent to half the inner diameter of the catheter body 14. Furthermore, it is preferable that the position of the inlet 42 is closer to the front opening 22 of the catheter body 14.

[0090] In the second embodiment, a fixing part 70 may also be provided at the base end 32E of the plunger 32. In this case, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the offset of the relative position between the catheter body 14 and the tube 40 inserted into the catheter body 14.

[0091] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various structures may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shape-retaining device, used in conjunction with a catheter assembly to prevent blockage at the distal end of a catheter body, the catheter assembly comprising: the catheter body disposed in a blood vessel, and a catheter seat fixed to the base of the catheter body, characterized in that, have: A tube having an inlet for blood to flow into, an outlet for blood to flow out, and an inner lumen communicating the inlet and the outlet, at least including a front end region of the inlet that is harder than the front end of the tube body; and A support member has a fitting portion that can be fitted with the catheter seat and communicate with the catheter seat in a fitted state, and supports the tube so that it can be displaced relative to the fitting portion. With the fitting portion engaged with the catheter seat, the tube is displaced relative to the fitting portion in a direction communicating with the catheter seat, thereby entering the insertion state into the catheter body. In the inserted state, the inlet is located at the same position as the front opening of the catheter body, at a position closer to the front end than the front opening, or at an internal position of the front end, and the outlet is located at a position closer to the base end than the inlet.

2. The shape-retaining device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet is formed on the side wall of the tube and is disposed on the support member or the conduit seat in the inserted state.

3. The shape-retaining device according to claim 1, characterized in that, An operating part for pressing the tube is provided at the base end of the tube.

4. The shape-retaining device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support member includes a pipe movement limiting part that restricts the movement of the pipe. When the movement of the tube is restricted by the tube movement restriction part, the tube is in the inserted state.

5. The shape-retaining device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support component has a connecting joint with a through hole. The fitting portion is provided at one end of the through hole in the connector. A connecting part for connecting a suction device is provided on the other end side of the through hole in the connecting connector. Between one end and the other end of the through hole in the connector, a pipe inlet is provided for guiding the pipe toward the through hole.

6. The shape-retaining device according to claim 5, characterized in that, An operating part for pressing the tube is provided at the base end of the tube. A cover that can be compressed in the direction of pressing the operating part is connected to the operating part and the tube inlet part. The cover covers the portion of the tube located between the operating section and the tube inlet section.

7. The shape-retaining device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A fixing part for fixing the operating part is formed in the tube inlet. With the operating part fixed to the fixing part, the tube is in the inserted state.

8. The shape-retaining device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support member includes: a syringe barrel with the fitting portion formed at its front end, and a plunger movable within the syringe barrel. The tube passes through the plunger.

9. The shape-retaining device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The support component includes: a sealing gasket that seals between the plunger and the syringe barrel, and a sealing component that seals between the plunger and the tube.

10. The shape-retaining device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sealing gasket and the sealing component are integrally formed.

11. The shape-retaining device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The syringe barrel is provided with a plunger movement limiting part that restricts the movement of the plunger in the direction toward the base end of the syringe barrel. With the plunger movement restricted by the plunger movement limiting part in the direction toward the base end of the syringe barrel, the inlet is located at the same position as the front opening, at a position closer to the front end than the front opening, or at a position inside the front end, and the outlet is located in the syringe barrel.

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