MEDICAL TUBE AND CONNECTING DEVICE OF A MEDICAL DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a medical tube comprising at least a first and a second partial tube, wherein the partial tubes can be detachably connected to one another at corresponding, mutually aligned tube ends by means of at least one connecting device.

[0002] A wide variety of medical tubes of the type mentioned above are known. These include, for example, devices for delivering and positioning a stent, in particular for delivering and positioning the stent within a human or animal body cavity. A typically tubular pusher element – ​​as a partial tube – is detachably attached to the proximal side of the stent to be inserted, opposite the body opening – as a further partial tube. This type of extension controls the insertion and placement of the stent within the body opening or vessel. After the stent has been placed at the desired location within the body, the pusher element must be detached from the stent. This can be done manually, on the one hand by abruptly pulling back the pusher element, so that the pusher element detaches from the stent end.On the other hand, so-called deconnectors are known which run coaxially to the pushing element and are guided over it. They engage at the connection point between the stent and the pushing element and detach them from each other when an appropriate force is applied. EP 2 640 325 B1 discloses a stent delivery system in which the pushing element is detachably attached to the stent by means of a holding thread. The connection is secured via a loop formed in the pushing element and through which a guide catheter is guided. To release the connection between stent and pushing element, a knot in the holding thread can be undone by pulling on the holding thread. Simple connections between catheters or with other medical devices comprising tube- or hose-like elements for forming a medical tube are also known.

[0003] US 2011 / 313404 A1, US 2008 / 264413 A1, and US 2003 / 078467 A1 disclose medical tubes, in particular stent delivery systems and stents, in which two partial tubes can be releasably connected to one another by means of a locking device. US 2015 / 073525 A1 describes a stent delivery system for introducing a stent, wherein the stent delivery system comprises a pusher catheter, a guide element, and an elongated stent attachment material.

[0004] However, the disadvantage of conventional medical tubes is that connecting and disconnecting the individual tubes is very time-consuming. Furthermore, it is not possible to optimally adjust the distance between the individual tubes.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a medical tube of the type mentioned above which enables safe, fast and precise positioning of the tube or one of the partial tubes.

[0006] This object is achieved by a medical tube having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0007] The invention relates to a medical tube comprising at least a first and a second partial tube, wherein the partial tubes can be detachably connected to one another at corresponding, mutually aligned tube ends by means of at least one connecting device, wherein the connecting device is a latching device. The latching device comprises at least one spring-loaded and / or elastically mounted latching element in the region of the tube end of the first partial tube and at least one receiving opening in the region of the tube end in a wall of the second partial tube or in the region of a connecting sleeve arranged at the tube end of the second partial tube, such that the latching element can be latched in the receiving opening to connect the tube ends and the latching element can be brought out of the receiving opening to release the connection.Advantageously, the connecting device provides a medical tube that enables safe, quick, and precise positioning of the tube itself or one of the subtubes. Furthermore, a secure and simple connection between the subtubes is possible, with the locking device also allowing for uncomplicated release of the connection.

[0008] A medical tube, for example, is a device for delivering and positioning a stent in a body cavity. The stent forms a first sub-tube, while a so-called tubular pusher element forms the second sub-tube of the medical tube. The two elements can be easily and detachably connected to one another, allowing simple repositioning of the stent within the body cavity. Using the connecting device, the pusher element can be connected to the stent, positioned, and precisely placed in the corresponding body cavity. In contrast to similar, previously known devices for delivering and positioning stents, there is no need to knot loops of retaining threads in a complicated manner, and there is no play between the sub-tubes, namely the pusher element and the stent.This allows for direct and precise movement transfer from the pusher element to the stent. In particular, the medical tube can be rotated and pushed using the locking mechanism.

[0009] In this case, an inner diameter of the tube end of the second partial tube having the receiving opening is larger than an outer diameter of the tube end of the first partial tube having the locking element. However, it is also possible for an inner diameter of the tube end of the second partial tube having the receiving opening to be smaller than an outer diameter of the tube end of the first partial tube having the locking element. This ensures, on the one hand, that the two tube ends can be pushed into one another easily and securely, so that the locking element can be locked in the corresponding receiving opening. However, it is also possible for an inner diameter of the connecting sleeve to be larger than an outer diameter of the tube end of the first partial tube having the locking element.This also ensures that the connecting sleeve can be easily pushed over the corresponding tube end of the second partial tube so that the locking element can be locked into the corresponding receiving opening.

[0010] In further advantageous embodiments of the medical tube according to the invention, the locking element is spherical, hemispherical, box-shaped, cube-shaped, or polygonal, with or without beveled edges. Other geometric shapes are also conceivable. The decisive factor here is that the locking element can be easily locked into the corresponding receiving opening and can also be removed from the receiving opening to release the connection. The locking element can be made, in particular, of biocompatible materials, such as a biocompatible plastic, silicone, metal, a metal alloy, or a combination thereof. Other materials are also conceivable.

[0011] According to the invention, a partially or completely circumferential, flexible fastening element is also arranged on an outer circumference of the locking element, wherein the fastening element is designed to fasten the locking element to or in a wall of the first partial tube. The fastening element can be positively, non-positively, or materially connected to the outer circumference of the locking element and / or the fastening element can be positively, non-positively, or materially connected to the wall of the first partial tube. Furthermore, it is possible for an inner edge of the fastening element to be inserted into a groove formed on the outer circumference of the locking element. To fasten the fastening element in a corresponding recess in the wall of the first partial tube, an outer edge of the fastening element can be designed at least in such a way that it at least partially engages in a groove formed in the wall of the first partial tube.However, it is also possible for an edge region of a wall opening in the wall of the first partial tube to be at least partially inserted into a groove formed on the outer circumference of the fastening element. Overall, it is clear that there are a variety of options for fastening the fastening element, on the one hand to the locking element and on the other hand to the wall of the first partial tube or in a wall opening in the wall of the first partial tube. For example, the fastening element can be glued or welded to the outer circumference of the locking element or form a simple plug-in connection. The same applies to the connection of the fastening element to the wall of the first partial tube.

[0012] The fastening element consists of an elastic and / or flexible material. In particular, the material used for the fastening element is also biocompatible. For example, the fastening element can be made of silicone or be designed as a flexible silicone membrane. Advantageously, the fastening element enables the resilient or elastic mounting of the locking element in the area of ​​the tube end of the first partial tube.

[0013] In further advantageous embodiments of the medical tube according to the invention, the locking element, for connecting the tube ends, is held in the receiving opening by means of a tubular or wire-shaped element that can be guided and displaced within the medical tube. Said element can be, for example, a so-called guide wire that can be guided and displaced within the lumen of the medical tube. The diameter of the guide wire or said element is dimensioned such that, on the one hand, it can be easily guided within the lumen of the medical tube and, on the other hand, securely holds the locking element in the corresponding receiving opening.To release the connection between the tube ends, the guide catheter or the aforementioned element is removed from the lumen of the medical tube so that the locking elements, which are flexibly and / or elastically mounted in or on the wall of the corresponding partial tube, can be easily removed from the corresponding receiving openings.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the medical tube according to the invention, the locking element can be locked by means of a locking sleeve, in particular a tubular one, which can be guided and displaced over the outer circumference of the medical tube. This ensures secure locking of the locking device.

[0015] In further advantageous embodiments of the medical tube according to the invention, the first partial tube is a medical stent, and the second partial tube is a pusher element for delivering and positioning the stent within a human or animal body cavity. The connection between the two tube ends can be locked using a tubular guide catheter.

[0016] The aforementioned embodiments of the locking element and the fastening element connected thereto have an independent inventive content and can, if necessary, also be combined with other connecting devices.

[0017] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed that therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features are to be considered disclosed, in particular by the embodiments presented above, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features presented in the claims. This shows: . Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a medical tube according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a tube end of a first partial tube of the medical tube according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a locking element of the medical tube according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the medical tube according to Fig. 1 in connected state; Fig. 5 a representation of the medical tube according to Fig. 1in connected state; Fig. 6a a schematic representation of a medical tube according to the invention according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 6b a further schematic representation of the medical tube according to the Fig. 6b .

[0018] Two exemplary embodiments of the medical tube are described below. These are delivery and positioning systems for stents in animal or human body cavities. Other medical applications of the medical tube are also conceivable. Furthermore, the medical tube and the described connecting device can also be used in the non-medical field, for example, to design a tube comprising two detachably connected tube elements or partial tubes. These exemplary embodiments are also considered to be encompassed by the invention.

[0019] Fig. 1shows a schematic representation of a medical tube 10 according to a first embodiment. The medical tube 10 comprises a first and a second partial tube 12, 14 and a connecting device 20. The connecting device 20 serves to detachably connect the two partial tubes 12, 14 at their mutually aligned tube ends 16, 18. It can be seen that the medical tube 10 as a whole and the two partial tubes 12, 14 are tubular.

[0020] The connecting device 20 comprises a locking device 22, wherein the locking device 22 has a plurality of spring-loaded or elastically mounted locking elements 24 in the region of the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12. It can be seen that corresponding receiving openings 26 for the locking elements 24 are formed in the region of a connecting sleeve 28 of the second partial tube 14 arranged at the tube end 18 of the second partial tube 14. Sliding the connecting sleeve 28 onto the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12 allows the spring-loaded or elastically mounted locking elements 24 to lock into the receiving openings 26. Furthermore, it can be seen that the locking elements 24 are each fastened via fastening elements 30 in corresponding wall openings 44 of the first partial tube 12.To lock the connection between the first and second partial tubes 12, 14, a tubular element 40, in particular a guide wire, is inserted into the lumen of the medical tube 10 after the locking elements 24 have engaged in the corresponding receiving openings 26. The outer circumference of the element 40 then presses the locking elements 24 toward the outer circumference of the connecting sleeve 28 and fixes the locking elements 24 in the receiving openings 26. To release the connection, the element 40 is removed from the lumen of the medical tube 10 so that the elastically or spring-mounted locking elements 24 can be moved back toward the inner circumference of the first partial tube 12 and thus out of the receiving openings 26. All elements of the medical tube 10 are made of biocompatible or biotolerable material. In particular, appropriate plastics, silicones, and metals or metal alloys are used here.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12. It can be seen that the locking elements 24 are spherical and are arranged in a wall opening 44 of the first partial tube 12. For this purpose, there is a fastening element 30 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is arranged in a ring around the outer circumference of the spherical locking element 24. The connection between the ring- and disc-shaped fastening element 30 and the spherical locking element 24 can be formed in a form-fitting, force-fitting, or material-fitting manner. At the very least, the fastening element 30 is designed to be elastic or flexible, so that a relative movement of the locking element 24 relative to the wall 32 of the first partial tube 12 is possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular fastening element 30 is made of silicone.

[0022] Fig. 3shows a schematic representation of the locking element 24 of the medical tube 10. It can be seen that a groove 36 is formed in the outer edge of the annular fastening element 30. An inner edge of the wall opening 44 of the wall 32 of the first partial tube 12 can be inserted into this groove 36. However, other fastening options for the fastening element in or on the wall 32 are conceivable. In particular, these can be designed to be form-fitting, force-fitting, or material-fitting.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the medical tube 10 according to Fig. 1with interconnected sub-tubes 12, 14. It can be seen that the spherical locking elements engage with the receiving openings 26 of the connecting sleeve 28. To fix this locking position, the tubular element 40, which is guided within the lumen of the medical tube 10, presses against the locking elements 24 and anchors them in the corresponding receiving openings 26 of the connecting sleeve 28.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be seen that the annular fastening element 30 is inserted and fastened in a groove 34 formed on the outer circumference of the locking element 24.

[0025] Fig. 5shows a schematic representation of the medical tube 10 with interconnected sub-tubes 12, 14. It is clear that the tubular element 40, in particular a guide catheter, which is guided within the lumen of the medical tube 10, presses the spherical locking elements 24 into the receiving openings 26 and locks them in this position.

[0026] The Figures 1 to 5The illustrated embodiment of the medical tube 10 can also be referred to as a stent positioning system. The first partial tube 12 is designed as a stent and has the elastically mounted locking elements 24. The second partial tube is designed as a so-called "pusher," which serves to position the stent within an animal or human body cavity. One end of the tubular pusher has the connecting sleeve 28 with the receiving openings 26. To connect the pusher to the stent, the connecting sleeve 28 is pushed over the tube end 16 of the stent and the spherical locking elements 24. Due to the flexible or elastic mounting of the locking elements 24, these can clear the path in the advancement direction of the connecting sleeve 28. When the connecting sleeve 28 moves over the locking elements 24, they are pressed into the inner lumen of the stent, thus clearing the path for the connecting sleeve 28.The locking elements 24 can slide back into their original position through the receiving openings 26 formed in the connecting sleeve. If the tubular element 40, namely a guide catheter, is now inserted into the stent or first partial tube 12, the spherical locking elements 24 are again pushed outwards and fill the receiving openings 26 in the connecting sleeve 28 of the pusher or second partial tube 14. This blocks the path back to the original position through the guide catheter, and the system is locked. After the system has been locked accordingly, the stent can be positioned within the body cavity. Once the correct position within the body cavity has been reached, the guide catheter or tubular element 40 is removed, thus releasing the lock.The pusher or the second partial tube 14 with the connecting sleeve 28 can be removed from the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12. The stent or the first partial tube 12 is deployed.

[0027] The Figures 6a and 6bshow schematic representations of a medical tube 10 according to a second embodiment. It can be seen that the first partial tube 12 with the locking elements 24 is designed such that a second partial tube 14, which has corresponding receiving openings 26 in its wall for the spherical locking elements 24, can be inserted into the lumen of the tubular first partial tube 12. Since the spherical locking elements 24 are again arranged flexibly or elastically on the tube end 16 by means of corresponding annular fastening elements 30, the locking elements 24 can be moved initially in the direction of the outside of the first partial tube 12 through the tube end 18 of the second partial tube 14 by advancing the tube end 18 of the second partial tube 14 in the direction of the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12.As soon as the locking elements 24 are aligned with the receiving openings 26, they fall back into their original position and thus fill the receiving openings 26. To lock the connecting device 20 or the locking device 22, a locking sleeve 42 is then pushed over the outer circumference of the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12 (cf. ). Fig. 6b ). This locks the locking elements 24 in the receiving openings 26. Fig. 6b It can also be seen that the locking elements 24 or the fastening elements 30 are in turn arranged and fastened in a wall opening 44 of the first partial tube.

[0028] By removing the locking sleeve 42, the locking elements 24 spring back toward the outer circumference of the first partial tube 12, so that they can be released from their locking engagement with the receiving openings 26 of the second partial tube 14. The first partial tube 12 and / or the locking sleeve 42 can, for example, be integrated into a handle of a medical device. List of reference symbols:

[0029] 10Medical tube 12First partial tube 14Second partial tube 16Tube end 18Tube end 20Connecting device 22Locking device 24Locking element 26Receiving opening 28Connecting sleeve 30Fastening element 32Wall 34Groove 36Groove 38Edge area 40Element 42Locking sleeve 44Wall opening

Claims

1. A medical tube (10) including at least one first and second partial tube (12, 14), wherein the partial tubes (12, 14) are detachably connectable to each other at corresponding tube ends (16, 18) aligned with each other by means of at least one connecting device (20), wherein the connecting device (20) is a latching device (22) and the latching device (22) includes at least one resiliently or elastically supported latching element (24) in the area of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12) and at least one receiving opening (26) in the area of the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14) or in the area of a connecting sleeve (28) arranged at the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14), such that the latching element (24) can be latched in the receiving opening (26) for connecting the tube ends (16, 18) and the latching element (24) can be brought out of the receiving opening (26) for detaching the connection, wherein an internal diameter of the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14) comprising the receiving opening (26) is larger than an external diameter of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12) comprising the latching element (24) or that an internal diameter of the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14) comprising the receiving opening (26) is smaller than an external diameter of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12) comprising the latching element (24) or wherein an internal diameter of the connecting sleeve (28) is larger than an external diameter of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12) comprising the latching element (24), characterized in that a partially or completely circumferential, flexibly formed attaching element (30) is arranged on an outer circumference of the latching element (24), wherein the attaching element (30) is formed for attaching the latching element (24) on or in a wall (32) of the first partial tube (12), wherein the attaching element (30) consists of a resilient and / or flexible material..

2. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the latching element (24) is spherically, hemispherically, box-shaped, cubically or polygonally formed with or without chamfers at the edge.

3. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the attaching element (30) is connected to the outer circumference of the latching element (24) in form-fit, force-fit or firmly bonded manner and / or that the attaching element (30) is connected to the wall (32) of the first partial tube (12) in form-fit, force-fit or firmly bonded manner.

4. The medical tube (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that an inner edge of the attaching element (30) can be introduced into a groove (34) formed on the outer circumference of the latching element (24).

5. The medical tube (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that an outer edge of the attaching element (30) can be at least partially introduced into a groove formed in the wall (32) of the first partial tube (12) or an edge area (38) of a wall opening (44) of the wall (32) of the first partial tube (12) can be at least partially introduced into a groove (36) formed on the outer circumference of the attaching element (30).

6. The medical tube (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 or 3 to 5, characterized in that the attaching element (30) is composed of silicone or is formed as a flexible silicone membrane.

7. The medical tube (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (24) is retained in the receiving opening (26) by means of a hose- or wire-shaped element (40) guidable and displaceable within a lumen of the medical tube (10) for locking the connection of the tube ends (16, 18).

8. The medical tube (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (24) is retained in the receiving opening (26) by means of an, in particular tubular, locking sleeve (42) guidable and displaceable over the outer circumference of the medical tube (10) for locking the connection of the tube ends (16, 18).