Insertion instrument for catheters

Abstract

Catheter insertion instrument (comprehensive) a first elongated hollow profile body with a distal and a proximal end, a second elongated hollow profile body, which is partially inserted into the first elongated hollow profile body, which is slidably mounted in the first elongated hollow profile body and which extends beyond the proximal end of the first elongated hollow profile body, and a tube adjoining the distal end of the first elongated hollow profile body, wherein the second elongated hollow profile body is displaceable from a first position to a second position, in which the second elongated hollow profile body is inserted further into the first elongated hollow profile body than in the first position, wherein in the first position further insertion of the second elongated hollow profile body into the first elongated hollow profile body is inhibited.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an introducer instrument for catheters, in particular balloon catheters. Such catheters are typically used to dilate vessels or tubes, such as the Eustachian tube. Balloon catheters typically have a balloon at the distal end, which can be expanded using a solution that can be filled from the proximal end once it has reached the constriction.

[0002] Catheter introducers are known, consisting of a handle and a connected tube. These devices can be inserted into the body through a body opening, such as the nose or mouth, until the distal end of the tube is positioned directly in front of the constriction. This process can be monitored using an endoscope. A dilatation catheter is then pushed through the handle and tube to the constriction in the body. There are also introducers that already contain a catheter, so that the device is inserted through the body opening together with the catheter.

[0003] A disadvantage of existing introducers is that they require the simultaneous use of both hands by the user: One hand must position the device while the other advances the catheter. Furthermore, it is difficult to precisely insert the catheter into the narrowed site to the desired length. With introducers that already contain a catheter, there is a risk that the catheter will slip out of the introducer distally or proximally before reaching the narrowed site.

[0004] The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art. The object of the invention can therefore be considered, among other things, to provide an insertion instrument that can be operated with one hand.

[0005] In addition, accidental slipping out of the catheter, especially from the distal end of the insertion instrument, should be prevented.

[0006] To achieve the object, a catheter insertion instrument is provided which comprises a first elongated hollow profile body having a distal and a proximal end, a second elongated hollow profile body which is partially inserted into the first elongated hollow profile body, which is displaceably mounted in the first elongated hollow profile body and which extends beyond the proximal end of the first elongated hollow profile body, and a tube adjoining the distal end of the first elongated hollow profile body, wherein the second elongated hollow profile body is displaceable from a first position into a second position in which the second elongated hollow profile body is inserted further into the first elongated hollow profile body than in the first position, wherein in the first position further insertion of the second elongated hollow profile body into the first elongated hollow profile body is inhibited.

[0007] The introducer instrument thus comprises two hollow profile bodies that are at least partially inserted into one another. A tube is connected to the distal end of one hollow profile body. A channel is thus formed inside the introducer instrument, running from the proximal end of the introducer instrument to the distal end. The catheter can be guided through this channel. The two hollow profile bodies are designed to be movable relative to one another. The hollow profile bodies can be tubular.

[0008] In a first position, the second hollow profile body is not fully inserted into the first hollow profile body. The proximal end of the second hollow profile body thus extends beyond the proximal end of the first hollow profile body. From this first position, the second hollow profile body can be pushed into a second position, in which the second hollow profile body is inserted further into the first hollow profile body. This means that in the second position of the second hollow profile body, only a small portion of the proximal end of the second hollow profile body extends beyond the proximal end of the first hollow profile body.

[0009] By inserting the second hollow profile body into the first, a catheter located in the introducer can also be moved. In the first position, the distal end of the catheter does not protrude beyond the distal end of the introducer, while in the second position, it protrudes beyond the distal end.

[0010] In the first position, further insertion of the second elongated hollow profile body into the first elongated hollow profile body is inhibited. From the first position, the second hollow profile body cannot therefore be moved further than the first hollow profile body without the application of force. The inhibition prevents any unintentional movement of the second hollow profile body and serves to secure its position. In this way, it can be ensured that the second hollow profile body and thus also a catheter arranged within the introducer instrument remains in a fixed position, thereby preventing the catheter from accidentally slipping out. Only after the resistance has been deliberately overcome, i.e. the inhibition, can the second hollow profile body be inserted further into the first hollow profile body in order to push the catheter out of the distal end into the constriction in the body.

[0011] In the first position, the movement of the two hollow profile bodies is thus merely inhibited, making it more difficult, but not completely blocked. This inhibition can be overcome by applying force. The inhibition thus ensures that the movement is carried out consciously and precisely, preventing unintentional movements. In contrast, a blockage would completely prevent movement.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, further withdrawal of the second elongated hollow profile body from the first elongated hollow profile body is inhibited in the first position. Thus, movement of the second hollow profile body in both directions, i.e., further into the first hollow profile body and further out of the first hollow profile body, is preferably inhibited. In this way, it can be ensured that a catheter located in the insertion instrument remains in the intended position.

[0013] Preferably, in the second position, further insertion of the second elongated hollow profile body into the first elongated hollow profile body is blocked. In this way, it can be ensured that the second hollow profile body can only be inserted a predetermined distance, i.e. the length between the first position and the second position, into the first hollow profile body. In this way, it can be achieved that a catheter can only be advanced in the insertion instrument by this predetermined length. The catheter can therefore only be pushed into the constriction to the desired length, whereby the user does not have to check this precisely, for example using an endoscope based on color markers on the catheter, but can push the hollow profile bodies into one another until they stop.

[0014] Preferably, the locking in the first position is achieved by a locking device. The locking device can generate an interaction, preferably a frictional effect, between the first and second elongated hollow profile bodies. The movement of the second hollow profile body within the first hollow profile body can thus be slowed or impeded by a targeted mechanical interaction between the two bodies. This interaction preferably occurs through friction.

[0015] The locking device can be arranged within the first elongated hollow profile body. Preferably, the locking device comprises a first protrusion on one of the hollow profile bodies, which, in the first position, presses against the other hollow profile body, thereby achieving the desired resistance. By applying increased force, the hollow profile body with the protrusion can be moved relative to the other hollow profile body against the resistance.

[0016] The hollow profile body against which the first protrusion of the other elongated hollow profile body presses can have a groove or slot to accommodate the first protrusion after the resistance has been overcome. Once the inhibition has been overcome, i.e. the hollow profile body with the protrusion has been moved against the resistance, the protrusion can be inserted into a groove, slot or other recess so that the inhibiting effect is removed and the two hollow profile bodies can be easily pushed further into one another. As previously explained, further pushing into one another can be blocked when a second position is reached. Preferably, the first protrusion forms a wedge towards the proximal end of the hollow profile body, the tip of which points towards the proximal end. In this way, the hollow profile bodies can be easily brought into the first position.

[0017] Preferably, the first elevation is arranged on the second elongated hollow profile body. Preferably, the groove, slot, or other recess is arranged on the first elongated hollow profile body. Consequently, the first elevation is preferably arranged on the outside of the second hollow profile body.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the insertion instrument comprises a second elevation on one of the hollow profile bodies. This second elevation can inhibit further withdrawal of the second elongated hollow profile body from the first elongated hollow profile body in the first position of the hollow profile body. This ensures that the second hollow profile body cannot slip out of the first hollow profile body, but can only be withdrawn a predetermined length. In the first position, the second elevation is preferably arranged at the proximal end of the slot, groove, or other recess.

[0019] The second elevation can be arranged distally to the first elevation. Preferably, the second elevation is arranged on the elongated hollow profile body, which also has the first elevation. Preferably, the second elevation is higher than the first elevation. This ensures that the second hollow profile body cannot be pulled out of the first hollow profile body beyond the first position.

[0020] Preferably, the first and / or second elevation is elastically mounted. The elongated hollow profile body preferably has one or more recesses in the region of an elevation. These recesses make the hollow profile body more flexible in this area, allowing it to be deformed more easily. This allows the force required to overcome the resistance in the first position to be specifically adjusted by varying the recesses.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the second elongated hollow profile body has a blocking element. In the second position, the blocking element can block further insertion of the second elongated hollow profile body into the first elongated hollow profile body. Preferably, the blocking element is arranged outside the first elongated hollow profile body. The blocking element can have a different, preferably a larger, cross-section than the part of the second elongated hollow profile body that is intended to be inserted into the first elongated hollow profile body. Thus, the second elongated hollow profile body can be inserted into the first elongated hollow profile body until the changed cross-section prevents further insertion.

[0022] The second elongated hollow profile body may include a thumb ring to facilitate insertion of the second hollow profile body into the first. The user can insert their thumb through the thumb ring to further push the second hollow profile body into the first.

[0023] The first elongated hollow profile body can have at least one finger ring. Preferably, it comprises two finger rings through which, for example, the index and middle fingers can be inserted to exert counterpressure during insertion of the second hollow profile body.

[0024] Preferably, the second elongated hollow profile body is configured to accommodate a catheter and to secure the accommodated catheter in such a way that it is guided along when the second elongated hollow profile body is displaced relative to the first elongated hollow profile body. This ensures that the catheter is moved exactly the same distance as the second hollow profile body moves relative to the first.

[0025] The tube connecting to the distal end of the first elongated hollow profile body can be curved. Curved tubes have proven advantageous for reaching various vessels or tubes, such as the Eustachian tube.

[0026] The tube adjoining the distal end of the first elongated hollow profile body can taper toward the distal end. This allows the positioning of the insertion instrument to be monitored using an endoscope, for example, inserted through the same body opening.

[0027] The tube adjoining the distal end of the first elongated hollow profile body can have a distal olive. This olive can be provided with a marking, preferably a color and / or laser marking. This allows the position of the distal end of the insertion instrument in the body to be easily determined, for example, using an endoscope. In particular, this ensures that the insertion instrument is not advanced too far into the body, especially into the constriction to be widened.

[0028] The invention is also directed to the introduction instrument according to the invention, which comprises a catheter, in particular a balloon catheter.

[0029] The invention is explained again below by way of example with reference to the figures.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an insertion instrument 1 according to the invention comprising a first elongated hollow profile body 2, into whose hollow profile body a second elongated hollow profile body 3 is partially inserted from the proximal side. On the distal side of the first elongated hollow profile body 2 there is a tube 4 with an olive 5 at the distal end. The part of the second hollow profile body 3 that is located within the hollow profile of the first elongated hollow profile body 2 has a first elevation 9 and a second elevation 10 on its outer side. The first elongated hollow profile body 2 and the second elongated hollow profile body 3 are designed to be movable relative to one another such that the second elongated hollow profile body 3 can be inserted further into the first elongated hollow profile body 2.When the second elongated hollow profile body 3 is pushed into the first elongated hollow profile body 2, the elevations 9, 10 extend outwards through the slot 11 so that they do not press against the inside of the first elongated hollow profile body 2 and inhibit insertion. The second elongated hollow profile body 3 can be pulled out of the first elongated hollow profile body 2 so far that the first elevation 9 is no longer arranged in the area of ​​the slot 11, but presses against the inside of the first elongated hollow profile body 2. As a result, in this position, the first position, the insertion of the second elongated hollow profile body 3 into the first elongated hollow profile body 2 is inhibited. In this first position, the second elevation 10 rests against the end of the slot 11. In the . Fig. 1, the second elongated hollow profile body 3 is arranged in the second position, i.e., pushed so far into the first elongated hollow profile body 2 that the blocking element 14, i.e., the thickened end of the second elongated hollow profile body 3, presses against the proximal end of the first elongated hollow profile body 2. The second elevation 10 also serves as a blocking element, which presses against the distal slot end in this second position. The first elongated hollow profile body 2 comprises the finger rings 7, 8, and the second elongated hollow profile body 3 comprises the thumb ring 6. These rings allow the second elongated hollow profile body 3 to be easily pushed from the first position into the second position and returned to the first position.

[0031] Fig. 2A shows the first elongated hollow profile body 2 with the slot 11, into whose proximal end the second elongated hollow profile body 3 can be inserted.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2B shows the second elongated hollow profile body 3 with the blocking element 14 at the proximal end and the first elevation 9 and the second elevation 10 on its outer side. In the area of ​​these elevations, the second elongated hollow profile body 3 has recesses 12, 13, which allow elastic movement of the elevations 9, 10. List of reference symbols 1 insertion instrument 2 first elongated hollow profile body 3 second elongated hollow profile body 4 pipe 5 olives 6 Thumb ring 7 finger ring 8 finger ring 9 First survey 10 Second survey 11 Slot 12 recess 13 Recess 14 Blocking element

Claims

[1] Catheter insertion instrument comprising a first elongated hollow profile body with a distal and a proximal end, a second elongated hollow profile body partially inserted into the first elongated hollow profile body, slidably mounted in the first elongated hollow profile body, and extending beyond the proximal end of the first elongated hollow profile body, and a tube adjoining the distal end of the first elongated hollow profile body, wherein the second elongated hollow profile body is displaceable from a first position into a second position in which the second elongated hollow profile body is inserted further into the first elongated hollow profile body than in the first position, wherein in the first position, further insertion of the second elongated hollow profile body into the first elongated hollow profile body is inhibited. [2] An insertion instrument according to claim 1, wherein in the first position further withdrawal of the second elongate hollow profile body from the first elongate hollow profile body is inhibited. [3] An insertion instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the second position further insertion of the second elongate hollow profile body into the first elongate hollow profile body is blocked. [4] Insertion instrument according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inhibition in the first position is achieved by an inhibiting device which produces an interaction, preferably a frictional effect, between the first and the second elongate hollow profile body. [5] An insertion instrument according to claim 4, wherein the inhibiting device is arranged within the first elongated hollow profile body. [6] An insertion instrument according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inhibiting device comprises a first elevation on one of the hollow profile bodies, which in the first position presses against the other hollow profile body. [7] An insertion instrument according to claim 6, wherein the hollow profile body against which the first elevation of the other elongate hollow profile body presses has a groove or a slot for receiving the first elevation after overcoming a resistance. [8] An insertion instrument according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first elevation is arranged on the second elongate hollow profile body and / or wherein the groove or slot is arranged on the first elongate hollow profile body. [9] An insertion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a second elevation on one of the hollow profile bodies, which in the first position inhibits further withdrawal of the second elongate hollow profile body from the first elongate hollow profile body. [10] An insertion instrument according to claim 9, wherein the second elevation is arranged distal to the first elevation, preferably wherein the second elevation is arranged on the elongated hollow profile body having the first elevation. [11] Insertion instrument according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first and / or the second elevation are elastically mounted, preferably wherein the elongated hollow profile body having the respective elevation has one or more recesses in the region of this elevation. [12] An insertion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second elongate hollow profile body comprises a blocking element which, in the second position, blocks further insertion into the first elongate hollow profile body. [13] An insertion instrument according to claim 12, wherein the blocking element is arranged outside the first elongated hollow profile body. [14] Insertion instrument according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the blocking element has a different, preferably a larger, cross-section than the part of the second elongate hollow profile body which is intended to be inserted into the first elongate hollow profile body. [15] An insertion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second elongate hollow profile body includes a thumb ring for facilitating insertion of the second elongate hollow profile body into the first elongate hollow profile body. [16] An insertion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first elongated hollow profile body comprises at least one finger ring. [17] An insertion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the second elongated hollow profile body is configured to receive a catheter therein. [18] An insertion instrument according to claim 17, wherein the second elongate hollow profile body is designed to fix a received catheter in such a way that the catheter is carried along when the second elongate hollow profile body is displaced relative to the first elongate hollow profile body. [19] An insertion instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the tube adjoining the distal end of the first elongated hollow profile body is curved and / or has a taper towards the distal end and / or has a distal olive, which preferably has a marking.

Images