Catheter handle and catheter including the same
The catheter handle incorporates a helical body and linear member to enable reactive operation of the distal tube, addressing the limitations of existing handles by enhancing bending precision and maneuverability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023184223
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing catheter handles lack the ability to reactively operate the tube on the distal side, limiting their effectiveness in bending and maneuvering within body cavities.
The catheter handle features a helical body that can elastically contract, with a linear member inserted into its lumen, allowing for defined movement and preventing significant deflection within the handle, thus enabling reactive operation of the distal tube.
This configuration allows for precise and effective bending of the distal tube, enhancing the catheter's maneuverability and operational efficiency within body cavities.
Smart Images
Figure 2025073436000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a handle for use in a catheter and a catheter equipped with the handle. [Background technology]
[0002] A catheter is usually composed of a tube for insertion into a body cavity such as a blood vessel, a digestive tract, or a urinary tract, and a handle provided on the proximal side of the tube. A catheter configured so that the distal end of the tube can be bent by operating the handle on the hand side is known. In such a catheter, a wire is arranged in the lumen of the tube, the distal end of the wire is fixed to the distal end of the tube, and the proximal end of the wire is connected to the handle, so that the distal end of the tube can be bent by operating the handle. For example, in a catheter in which two wires are arranged in the lumen of the tube, the distal end of the tube can be bent to one side by pulling one of the two wires proximally by operating the handle, and the distal end of the tube can be bent to the other side by pulling the other wire.
[0003] As such a catheter handle, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a catheter handle having two control wires whose tip ends are connected to a tip region of a catheter, the catheter handle comprising a housing, a sliding assembly disposed within the housing and configured to translate linearly within the housing, and a control knob rotatably provided relative to the housing, the proximal ends of the two control wires are disposed within the housing, the sliding assembly is configured to operate each of the two control wires separately by linearly translating the sliding assembly, and the sliding assembly is configured such that rotating the control knob in a first rotational direction causes the sliding assembly to displace toward the tip side and apply tension to one of the two control wires, thereby deflecting the catheter in a first deflection direction, and that rotating the control knob in a second rotational direction causes the sliding assembly to displace toward the base end side and apply tension to the other of the two control wires, thereby deflecting the catheter in a second deflection direction.
[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a catheter handle for deflecting a distal portion of a catheter, the catheter handle having a first rotating member having a first diameter and to which a first wire is connected, and a second rotating member having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and to which a second wire is connected, the second rotating member being connected to the first rotating member such that a center point of the second rotating member is offset from a center point of the first rotating member, and the first and second rotating members are configured such that rotation of the first rotating member via the first wire rotates the second rotating member and the second wire to deflect the distal portion of the catheter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-523892 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2018-515215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] As described above, various catheter handles have been proposed in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a catheter handle capable of responsively operating a tube provided on the distal side of the handle, and a catheter equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The catheter handle of the present invention, which is able to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a catheter equipped with the catheter handle, are as follows. [1] A handle for operating a catheter tube, a handle body having an inner lumen extending axially from a proximal side to a distal side; a shaft disposed in a lumen of the handle body, extending in the axial direction, and fixed to the handle body; a slider disposed on the outside of the shaft, having a first engagement portion extending in a spiral shape on an outer surface thereof, and being provided displaceable in the axial direction along the shaft; a rotation knob having a rotation shaft extending in the axial direction and rotatably provided with respect to the handle body, the rotation knob having an inner cavity extending in the axial direction and a second engagement portion on an inner surface thereof that engages with the first engagement portion of the slider; a linear member having a first end and a second end, a first portion including the first end, a second portion including the second end, and an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion being disposed in an inner cavity of the tube, and the intermediate portion being disposed in an inner cavity of the handle body; a reversal guide disposed in an inner cavity of the handle body and in contact with at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the linear member; a portion of the linear member closer to the first end than a portion of the linear member that abuts against the reversing guide is fixed to the slider, A catheter handle in which a spiral body that is elastically contractible in the axial direction is provided distal to the inversion guide, and the linear member is inserted into the inner cavity of the spiral body without being fixed to the spiral body. [2] The catheter handle described in [1], wherein the spiral body is provided between the slider and the inversion guide. [3] A catheter handle as described in [2], wherein a portion of the linear member closer to the second end than the abutting portion with the inversion guide is inserted into the spiral body. [4] A catheter handle as described in [2], wherein a portion of the linear member closer to the first end than the contact point with the inversion guide, and a portion of the linear member closer to the second end than the contact point with the inversion guide, are each inserted into the spiral body. [5] A catheter handle described in [2] or [3], wherein the spiral body is fixed to either the slider or the inversion guide. [6] A catheter handle described in [2] or [3], wherein the spiral body is not fixed to either the slider or the inversion guide. [7] A catheter handle described in any one of [2] to [6], wherein when the slider is displaced most proximally, the spiral body contacts both the slider and the inversion guide. [8] A catheter handle described in any one of [1] to [7], wherein the spiral body is provided distal to the slider. [9] A catheter handle as described in [8], wherein the spiral body is fixed to the slider.
[10] The catheter handle described in any one of [1] to [9], wherein the spiral body is made of resin.
[11] A catheter comprising the catheter handle according to any one of [1] to
[10] and a tube provided distally of the catheter handle. Effect of the Invention
[0008] The catheter handle and catheter of the present invention can displace a slider provided in the handle in the axial direction by rotating a rotating knob, and a linear member is fixed to the slider. The linear member has a first part and a second part, which are distal parts, disposed in the lumen of a tube, and an intermediate part between them disposed inside a handle body, and is disposed so that the intermediate part of the linear member abuts against an inversion guide and is inverted by the inversion guide. A helical body is provided around the linear member, and the linear member is inserted into the lumen of the helical body without being fixed to the helical body. Therefore, the path of the linear member in the handle is determined by the lumen of the helical body, and the linear member is prevented from bending significantly in the handle. This makes it possible to operate the tube provided on the distal side of the catheter handle with good responsiveness. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a catheter with a catheter handle. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 shows an example of a plan view of the internal structure of a catheter handle provided in the catheter shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2, with a slider partially cut away along the axial direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2 with the slider displaced to the most proximal position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2 with the slider displaced to the most distal side. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2 excluding the slider and shaft. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2 along line VII-VII. [Figure 8] 2 shows another example of a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle provided in the catheter shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] The catheter handle of the present invention and a catheter equipped with said handle will be specifically described below based on the following embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be modified as long as it meets the purpose described above and below, and all of these are included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, hatching and component symbols may be omitted in each drawing for convenience, but in such cases, the specification and other drawings should be referred to. In addition, the dimensions of various components in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions because priority is given to helping understand the features of the present invention.
[0011] The entirety of a catheter equipped with a catheter handle will be described with reference to Figure 1. A catheter 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a catheter handle 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "handle 1") and a tube 22 provided on the distal side of the handle 1. The catheter 21 is used for treatment or examination, for example, by inserting the tube 22 into a body cavity such as a patient's blood vessel or digestive tract.
[0012] In the present invention, the proximal side of the catheter refers to the direction toward the user's hand relative to the extending direction of the catheter, and the distal side refers to the opposite side to the proximal side, i.e., the direction toward the treatment target side.
[0013] The tube 22 has a flexible tubular structure, and can be made of synthetic resins such as polyolefin resins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyamide resins (e.g., nylon), polyester resins (e.g., PET), aromatic polyether ketone resins (e.g., PEEK), polyether polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyimide resins, and fluorine-based resins (e.g., PTFE, PFA, and ETFE), or metals such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and nickel-titanium alloys. Metal materials can also be used as metal wires embedded in the synthetic resin tube. The length of the tube 22 in the axial direction (near-far direction) is several times to several tens of times longer than the length of the handle 1 in the same direction, and is, for example, about 500 mm to 1200 mm. The outer diameter of the tube 22 may be, for example, about 0.6 mm to 5 mm.
[0014] The tube 22 has an inner lumen, and may be either a single lumen structure having one lumen inside or a multi-lumen structure having multiple lumen. The tube 22 may have a coaxial structure having multiple coaxial lumens. A wire for operating the tube 22 is disposed in the inner lumen of the tube 22. The wire is provided, for example, to control the bending of the distal end of the tube 22. In this case, it is preferable that the distal end of the wire is fixed to the distal end of the tube 22, for example, the distal 1 / 3 part of the tube 22. A conducting wire, an optical fiber, an endoscope, etc. may be disposed in the inner lumen of the tube 22, and an inner lumen for inserting a guide wire or another treatment tool, or an inner lumen for passing a drug, a contrast agent, or any fluid may be provided.
[0015] The handle 1 is provided on the proximal side of the tube 22 , and when assembled into the catheter 21 , the proximal end of the wire disposed in the lumen of the tube 22 is connected to the handle 1 .
[0016] The details of the catheter handle will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 8. Fig. 2 shows an example of a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle provided in the catheter shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle shown in Fig. 2 with the slider partially cut away along the axial direction, Figs. 4 and 5 show plan views of the catheter handle shown in Fig. 2 with the slider displaced to the most proximal side or the most distal side, Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle shown in Fig. 2 with the slider and shaft removed, Fig. 7 shows a VII-VII cross-sectional view of the catheter handle shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 8 shows another example of a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle provided in the catheter shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 2 to 5 and 8 show plan views of the catheter handle in which the handle body and the rotating knob, which are the housing of the catheter handle, are cut away along the axial direction to make the internal structure visible. In Fig. 7, the cut-away part of the handle body in Fig. 2 is shown by a dotted line.
[0017] A handle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a handle body 2 having an inner cavity extending in an axial direction x, a shaft 3 disposed in the inner cavity of the handle body 2, extending in the axial direction x, and fixed to the handle body 2, a slider 4 disposed in the inner cavity of the handle body 2 and outside the shaft 3, having a first engagement portion 11 extending in a spiral shape on its outer surface, and provided displaceable in the axial direction x along the shaft 3, and a rotating knob 5 having a rotation axis extending in the axial direction x, provided rotatably relative to the handle body 2, and having a second engagement portion 12 on its inner surface that engages with the first engagement portion 11 of the slider 4. In the handle 1, the axial direction x corresponds to the direction in which the rotation axis of the rotating knob 5 extends, and a proximal side and a distal side are defined as one side and the other side relative to the axial direction x. In addition, a radial direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the axial direction x.
[0018] The handle body 2 has an inner cavity extending in the axial direction x (see FIG. 6). The inner cavity of the handle body 2 preferably has a cylindrical portion centered in the axial direction x, and the rotation knob 5 is preferably disposed in the cylindrical portion of the inner cavity. The rotation knob 5 has a rotation axis extending in the axial direction x, and is provided rotatably about the axial direction x relative to the handle body 2. The rotation knob 5 is preferably disposed in at least a portion of the inner cavity of the handle body 2, and it is preferable that only a portion of the rotation knob 5 in the axial direction x is disposed in the inner cavity of the handle body 2.
[0019] The rotation knob 5 has an inner cavity extending in the axial direction x. The inner cavity of the rotation knob 5, together with the inner cavity of the handle body 2, preferably forms the internal space of the handle 1. The inner cavity of the rotation knob 5 preferably has a portion formed in a cylindrical shape centered in the axial direction x. It is preferable that the inner cavity of the rotation knob 5 communicates with the inner cavity of the handle body 2 in the axial direction x, the inner cavity of the rotation knob 5 and the inner cavity of the handle body 2 integrally form the internal space of the handle 1, and the shaft 3 and the slider 4 are disposed in this internal space.
[0020] At least one of the distal side and the proximal side of the handle body 2 is preferably open, and the rotating knob 5 is inserted from the distal side or the proximal side of the open-formed handle body 2, and the rotating knob 5 is preferably disposed in the inner cavity of the handle body 2. On the other hand, the rotating knob 5 is preferably inserted into the handle body 2, and the proximal side or the distal side located in the inner cavity of the handle body 2 is preferably formed open. As a result, the inner cavity of the handle body 2 and the inner cavity of the rotating knob 5 form the inner space of the handle 1 integrally. Preferably, as shown in the drawings, the distal side of the handle body 2 is formed open, the proximal side of the rotating knob 5 is formed open, and the rotating knob 5 is inserted into the inner cavity of the handle body 2 from the distal side of the handle body 2. The handle 1 has the handle body 2 and the rotating knob 5 exposed to the outside, and the handle 1 can be operated, for example, by holding the handle body 2 with one hand and holding the rotating knob 5 with the other hand and rotating it relative to the handle body 2.
[0021] A shaft 3 is disposed in the inner cavity of the handle body 2 so as to extend in the axial direction x (see FIG. 3 ). The shaft 3 is fixed to the handle body 2 so as not to rotate or move relative to the handle body 2. The shaft 3 may be formed integrally with the handle body 2. The shaft 3 is preferably disposed at a position that serves as the rotation axis of the rotation knob 5. The shaft 3 is preferably disposed from the inner cavity of the handle body 2 to the inner cavity of the rotation knob 5, and may be disposed so as to extend distally and / or proximally beyond the handle body 2 and the rotation knob 5.
[0022] A tube 22 is preferably connected to the distal side of the shaft 3. The connection portion between the shaft 3 and the tube 22 may be in the internal space of the handle 1, may be distal to the internal space of the handle 1, or may be outside the handle 1. The shaft 3 and the tube 22 may also be formed integrally.
[0023] The shaft 3 may be formed in a solid shape or may be formed in a hollow shape. It is preferable that the shaft 3 is formed in a hollow shape, and the inner cavity of the shaft 3 communicates with the inner cavity of the tube 22. This allows a treatment tool to be delivered to a treatment target part from the proximal side of the catheter 21 through the inner cavity of the shaft 3 and the inner cavity of the tube 22, or a drug or a contrast agent to be injected. Examples of treatment tools include an electrode catheter, an ablation catheter, a mapping catheter, a balloon catheter, a microcatheter, forceps, a laser probe, a fiberscope, a high-frequency treatment tool, an electric hydraulic impact crushing probe, and the like. In order to enable the insertion of such a treatment tool, it is preferable that the shaft 3 has a proximal opening on the outside of the handle 1. The shaft 3 may have a branched portion, and a switching cock may be provided at the branched portion of the shaft 3. This allows, for example, an insertion port for a treatment tool and an injection port for a drug or the like to be provided separately.
[0024] A slider 4 is disposed on the outside of the shaft 3. The slider 4 is disposed in the internal space of the handle 1, and is disposed from the inner cavity of the handle body 2 to the inner cavity of the rotation knob 5 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The slider 4 is disposed radially outward from the shaft 3, and therefore, it is preferable that the slider 4 is provided with a through hole that extends in the axial direction x and passes through the slider 4 in the axial direction x, and the shaft 3 is inserted through this through hole.
[0025] The slider 4 is provided so as to be displaceable in the axial direction x along the shaft 3, that is, so as to be movable in the axial direction x within the internal space of the handle 1. The slider 4 is preferably formed so that the length in the axial direction x is shorter than the length in the axial direction x of the shaft 3 in the internal space of the handle 1, and is also preferably formed so as to be shorter than the length in the axial direction x of the internal space of the handle 1.
[0026] The slider 4 is formed so as to be displaced in the axial direction x by rotating the rotating knob 5 about the axial direction x. To this end, a first engagement portion 11 extending in a spiral shape is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4, and a second engagement portion 12 engaging with the first engagement portion 11 is formed on the inner surface of the rotating knob 5.
[0027] The first engagement portion 11 is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4, i.e., on the surface on the radially outer side of the slider 4, so as to extend in a spiral shape. In detail, the first engagement portion 11 is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4 so as to extend in a spiral shape with the axial direction x of the handle 1 as an axis, and is preferably formed on the outer surface of the slider 4 formed in a cylindrical shape. The first engagement portion 11 may be formed continuously or intermittently. The first engagement portion 11 may be formed in a right-handed spiral shape or a left-handed spiral shape from the proximal side to the distal side.
[0028] The second engagement portion 12 is formed on the inner surface of the rotation knob 5, i.e., on the radially inner surface of the rotation knob 5, so as to be able to engage with the first engagement portion 11 (see Figs. 3 and 6). The second engagement portion 12 is formed so as to extend spirally on the inner surface of the rotation knob 5, more specifically, so as to extend spirally about the axial direction x of the handle 1. The second engagement portion 12 is preferably formed on the inner surface of the rotation knob 5 which is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second engagement portion 12 may be formed continuously or discontinuously.
[0029] As described above, the first engagement portion 11 is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4, and the second engagement portion 12 is formed on the inner surface of the rotating knob 5, so that by rotating the rotating knob 5 about the axial direction x, the slider 4 can be moved in the axial direction x in the internal space of the handle 1. In other words, the first engagement portion 11 and the second engagement portion 12 formed in a spiral shape can convert the rotational movement of the rotating knob 5 about the axial direction x into a translational movement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x.
[0030] The first engagement portion 11 and the second engagement portion 12 may be formed so as to extend continuously or intermittently in a spiral shape for one or more revolutions, or may be formed so as to extend less than one revolution. At least one of the first engagement portion 11 and the second engagement portion 12 is preferably formed so as to extend continuously or intermittently in a spiral shape for one or more revolutions, more preferably formed so as to extend two or more revolutions, and even more preferably formed so as to extend three or more revolutions. On the other hand, the other of the first engagement portion 11 and the second engagement portion 12 may be formed so as to extend continuously or intermittently in a spiral shape for less than one revolution, for example, may be provided so as to extend only half a revolution in a spiral shape. In the handle 1 shown in the drawings, the first engagement portion 11 provided on the slider 4 is formed so as to extend in a spiral shape for one or more revolutions, and the second engagement portion 12 provided on the rotating knob 5 is formed so as to extend in a spiral shape for less than one revolution.
[0031] The first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 can be formed by a combination of a convex portion and a groove. That is, it is preferable that one of the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 is a convex portion and the other is a groove. When the first engaging portion 11 or the second engaging portion 12 is formed as a groove, it is preferable that the groove is formed so as to extend continuously in a spiral shape. The groove may be a bottomed groove or a through groove, but it is preferable that the groove is a bottomed groove in terms of ensuring the strength of the slider 4 or the rotating knob 5. On the other hand, when the first engaging portion 11 or the second engaging portion 12 is formed as a convex portion, the convex portion may be provided in a continuously extending spiral shape or in an intermittently extending spiral shape. In the drawings, the first engaging portion 11 provided on the slider 4 is formed as a convex portion (convex stripe), and the second engaging portion 12 provided on the rotating knob 5 is formed as a groove.
[0032] In the internal space of the handle 1, a linear member 6 is provided that is bent on the proximal side and has both ends extending distally (see FIG. 3). Both ends of the linear member 6 extending distally are disposed in the inner cavity of the tube 22. To explain this in detail, the linear member 6 has a first end as one end and a second end as the other end, and the part including the first end is defined as the first part 6A, the part including the second end is defined as the second part 6B, and the part between the first part 6A and the second part 6B is defined as the middle part 6C. The first end and the second end are defined as one end and the other end when the linear member 6 is extended straight. Then, the linear member 6 is bent at the middle part 6C, and at least a part of the middle part 6C including the bent part is disposed in the inner cavity of the handle main body 2, and at least a part of the first part 6A and the second part 6B are disposed in the inner cavity of the tube 22.
[0033] The first portion 6A and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 are wires for controlling the tube 22. The distal end of the first portion 6A, i.e., the portion in the vicinity thereof including the first end, and the distal end of the second portion 6B, i.e., the portion in the vicinity thereof including the second end, are preferably fixed to the distal end of the tube 22. In this case, by operating the handle 1 and pulling the first portion 6A proximally, the distal end of the tube 22 can be bent to one side, and by pulling the second portion 6B proximally, the distal end of the tube 22 can be bent to the other side. The distal end of the first portion 6A can be defined, for example, as a portion within 100 mm proximally from the first end of the first portion 6A, and the distal end of the second portion 6B can be defined, for example, as a portion within 100 mm proximally from the second end of the second portion 6B. The distal end of the tube 22 can be defined, for example, as a portion within 100 mm proximally from the distal end of the tube 22.
[0034] It is preferable that the linear member 6 extends from the inner cavity of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 to the outside thereof in the internal space of the handle 1, and that the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 extends from the inner cavity of the rotation knob 5 to the inner cavity of the handle body 2. More preferably, the linear member 6 extends from the inner cavity of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 to the outside thereof in the internal space of the handle 1, distal to the distal end of the slider 4, when the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side.
[0035] The linear member 6 is preferably disposed in the inner cavity of the slider 4, i.e., a through hole extending in the axial direction x, at a portion overlapping with the slider 4 in the axial direction x. Therefore, it is preferable that a gap extending in the axial direction x (a gap penetrating the slider 4 in the axial direction x) is formed between the inner surface of the through hole of the slider 4 and the shaft 3, and the linear member 6 is disposed in this gap.
[0036] An inversion guide 7 for guiding bending of the linear member 6 at the intermediate portion 6C is provided in the inner cavity of the handle body 2, and at least a part of the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 abuts against the inversion guide 7. The inversion guide 7 is fixed to the handle body 2 and is provided so as not to rotate or move relative to the handle body 2 when the handle 1 is operated. The inversion guide 7 may be formed integrally with the handle body 2. Alternatively, the inversion guide 7 may be fixed to the handle body 2 at different positions in the axial direction x. In the drawings, the inversion guide 7 is fixed to the handle body 2 by screwing. The inversion guide 7 is preferably provided proximal to the slider 4 in the axial direction x, and more specifically, is preferably provided proximal to the proximal end of the slider 4 when the slider 4 is displaced to the most proximal side.
[0037] The reversal guide 7 is preferably provided with a guide passage that makes a U-turn for the linear member 6 to the distal side, and the linear member 6 preferably abuts against the guide passage. The guide passage is preferably formed in a U-shape or an arc shape (e.g., semicircular shape) that is convex on the proximal side when viewed in a plan view along the axial direction x. The guide passage is preferably formed as a tubular passage, and the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 is preferably inserted into the lumen of the tubular passage.
[0038] The linear member 6 is displaceable in the axial direction x in the internal space of the handle 1, with a portion on the first end side (first portion 6A side) from the reversing guide 7 and a portion on the second end side (second portion 6B side) from the reversing guide 7 moving in conjunction with each other. Since the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the reversing guide 7 is connected to the portion on the second end side from the reversing guide 7 via the portion where the portion on the first end side from the reversing guide 7 abuts against the reversing guide 7, when the portion on the first end side from the reversing guide 7 moves proximally, the portion on the second end side from the reversing guide 7 can be displaced distally, and when the portion on the first end side from the reversing guide 7 moves distally, the portion on the second end side from the reversing guide 7 can be displaced proximally.
[0039] The first part 6A and the second part 6B may be entirely disposed in the tube 22, or only a part of them may be disposed in the tube 22. The middle part 6C may be entirely disposed in the internal space of the handle 1, or only a part of them may be disposed in the internal space of the handle 1. In Figs. 2 to 5 and 8, in the internal space of the handle 1, the first part 6A and the middle part 6C are connected by the first connecting part 8, and the second part 6B and the middle part 6C are connected by the second connecting part 9. In this way, it is preferable that the first part 6A and the second part 6B extend from the tube 22 to the internal space of the handle 1, specifically, to the inner cavity of the rotating knob 5, and it is preferable that parts of the first part 6A and the second part 6B are located in the inner cavity of the rotating knob 5 regardless of the displacement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x. The first part 6A and the second part 6B may extend to the inner cavity of the handle body 2.
[0040] The intermediate portion 6C is bent proximally and disposed in the inner cavity of the handle body 2. The intermediate portion 6C preferably includes all of the portions of the linear member 6 that come into contact with the reversal guide 7 due to displacement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x. In other words, it is preferable that it is the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 that comes into contact with the reversal guide 7. In addition, it is preferable that a portion of the intermediate portion 6C is located in the inner cavity of the rotation knob 5 regardless of displacement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x.
[0041] The linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the first end side (first portion 6A side) of the abutting portion of the linear member 6 with the reversing guide 7. In FIG. 3, the linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 by a fixing device 15 provided on the slider 4. With this, when the rotating knob 5 is rotated about the axial direction x, the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, and accordingly, the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the reversing guide 7 can be displaced in the axial direction x, and the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the reversing guide 7 can be displaced in the opposite axial direction x. Specifically, when the slider 4 is displaced proximally, accordingly, the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the reversing guide 7 is displaced proximally, and the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the reversing guide 7 is displaced distally. When the slider 4 is displaced distally, the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the reversing guide 7 is displaced distally accordingly, and the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the reversing guide 7 is displaced proximally. This allows the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 arranged in the lumen of the tube 22 to be pulled proximally or pushed distally, for example, to control the bending of the distal end portion of the tube 22. For example, by rotating the rotating knob 5 clockwise as viewed from the hand side, the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent to one side, and by rotating the rotating knob 5 counterclockwise as viewed from the hand side, the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent to the other side.
[0042] The linear member 6 is preferably fixed to the inner surface of the slider 4. In Fig. 3, a fixture 15 for the linear member 6 is provided on the inner surface of the slider 4, and the linear member 6 is fixed to this fixture 15, but the linear member 6 may be directly fixed to the inner surface of the slider 4 with an adhesive or the like. When the linear member 6 is directly fixed to the inner surface of the slider 4, the fixture 15 may not be necessary. Methods for fixing the linear member 6 to the fixture 15 or the inner surface of the slider 4 include adhesion with an adhesive, welding, fitting, caulking, tying, screwing, and the like.
[0043] Although not shown in the drawings, the slider 4 may have an inner layer and an outer layer, and the linear member 6 may be disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. In this case, the linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 by being sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer.
[0044] The fixed portion of the linear member 6 to the slider 4 is preferably located proximal to the point where the linear member 6 extends outward from the inner cavity of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 when the slider 4 is displaced most distally. In other words, the linear member 6 preferably extends outward from the inner cavity of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 at a position distal to the fixed portion to the slider 4 when the slider 4 is displaced most distally.
[0045] When the slider 4 is displaced most proximally, a portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the contact portion with the reversing guide 7 is fixed to the slider 4. By fixing the linear member 6 to the slider 4 in this manner, the linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the reversing guide 7, regardless of displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x. On the other hand, it is preferable that the linear member 6 is not fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the reversing guide 7, and in detail, it is preferable that the linear member 6 is not fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the reversing guide 7, when the slider 4 is displaced most proximally.
[0046] As the linear member 6, metal wires such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and nickel-titanium alloy, and resin wires (i.e., fiber materials) formed from synthetic resins such as polyamide resins (e.g., nylon), polyolefin resins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyester resins (e.g., PET), aromatic polyether ketone resins (e.g., PEEK), polyimide resins, aromatic polyamide resins (e.g., aramid), and fluorine-based resins (e.g., PTFE, PFA, FEP, and ETFE) can be used. These metal wires and resin wires may have a monofilament structure or a multifilament structure.
[0047] The first portion 6A, the second portion 6B, and the middle portion 6C of the linear member 6 may be made of the same material or different materials. The middle portion 6C is preferably made of a material different from the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B. The middle portion 6C is preferably made of a material that is easy to bend so that it can be bent with a relatively small bending radius by the inversion guide 7. On the other hand, the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B are preferably made of a material with a relatively high rigidity because they are arranged in the inner cavity of the tube 22 and are required to suitably transmit the movement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x at the handle 1 to the distal end of the tube 22 via the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B, and are not required to be more flexible than the middle portion 6C. Therefore, it is preferable that the middle portion 6C has a bending rigidity smaller than that of the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B.
[0048] The bending rigidity of the first portion 6A, the second portion 6B, and the intermediate portion 6C can be measured, for example, according to the bending resistance test of JIS L 1913: 2010, and the magnitude of the bending rigidity can be compared from the result. Alternatively, the bending rigidity can be measured using a bending tester such as a single bending tester KES-FB2-SH or a pure bending tester KES-FB2-S manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd., and the magnitude of the bending rigidity can be compared.
[0049] The middle portion 6C of the linear member 6 is preferably made of a fiber rope. This makes it easier to bend the middle portion 6C smoothly in the reversing guide 7 while ensuring the strength of the middle portion 6C. The fiber rope is formed by twisting yarns together to form strands, which are then further twisted together. Therefore, the fiber rope has large projections and recesses on its surface due to the twisting, which reduces the contact area with the reversing guide 7 and improves the sliding properties in the reversing guide 7. In addition, it is easier to ensure the rigidity of the middle portion 6C in the axial direction x, which makes it possible to suppress bending of the middle portion 6C.
[0050] The fiber rope is preferably made of a high-strength fiber material to prevent breakage, and is preferably made of so-called super fibers. Examples of super fibers include aramid fibers, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, polyarylate fibers, ultra-high strength polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fibers, and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) fibers. The super fibers preferably have a tensile strength of 1 GPa or more, preferably 2 GPa or more, and an elastic modulus of 25 GPa or more, preferably 50 GPa or more.
[0051] The first portion 6A and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 are preferably made of a metal wire. This makes it easy to responsively control bending of the distal end portion of the tube 22 by pulling the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B arranged in the lumen of the tube 22 proximally or pushing them distally. The first portion 6A and the second portion 6B may be wire ropes made of a metal material.
[0052] The outer diameter of the linear member 6 can be, for example, about 100 μm to 1500 μm. Note that the outer diameter described here means the diameter when the cross-sectional shape is circular, and means the average value of the major axis and minor axis when the cross-sectional shape is non-circular. The major axis means the length in the major axis direction of the outer edge of the cross-sectional shape (the maximum diameter of the outer edge), and the minor axis means the longest length in the minor axis direction perpendicular to the major axis direction.
[0053] The joining of the first portion 6A and the intermediate portion 6C at the first connection portion 8 and the joining of the second portion 6B and the intermediate portion 6C at the second connection portion 9 can be performed by adhesion, welding, crimping, tying, or the like.
[0054] When the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, the part of the linear member 6 on the first end side (first part 6A side) of the reversing guide 7 is displaced in the axial direction x, and the part of the linear member 6 on the second end side (second part 6B side) of the reversing guide 7 is displaced in the opposite axial direction x. At this time, it is desirable that the linear member 6 does not bend as much as possible. This makes it easier for the linear member 6 to displace in the axial direction x with good responsiveness when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x. Specifically, the part of the linear member 6 on the first end side of the reversing guide 7 and the part on the second end side of the reversing guide 7 are easily displaced in the axial direction x in opposite directions with good responsiveness in conjunction with the movement of the slider 4. As a result, the operability of the tube 22 provided on the distal side of the handle 1 is improved.
[0055] Therefore, the handle 1 is provided with a helical body 10 that is elastically contractible in the axial direction x around the linear member 6. The helical body 10 is disposed distal to the inversion guide 7, and the linear member 6 is inserted into the lumen of the helical body 10. The linear member 6 is inserted into the helical body 10 in a state where it is not fixed to the helical body 10. In the handle 1 shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the helical body 10 is provided between the slider 4 and the inversion guide 7, and the linear member 6 is provided with the helical body 10 at each of a portion on the first end side and a portion on the second end side from a portion where the linear member 6 abuts against the inversion guide 7. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the slider 4 is displaced most proximally in the handle 1, Fig. 5 shows a state in which the slider 4 is displaced most distally in the handle 1, and Figs. 2 and 3 show a state in which the slider 4 is displaced to a middle position in the axial direction x in the handle 1.
[0056] By inserting the linear member 6 into the lumen of the helical body 10, the path of the linear member 6 in the handle 1 is defined by the lumen of the helical body 10, and the linear member 6 is prevented from bending significantly in the handle 1. This makes it easier to operate the tube 22 provided on the distal side of the handle 1 with good responsiveness. In addition, since the linear member 6 is not fixed to the helical body 10, the linear member 6 can move freely in the axial direction x relative to the helical body 10. Therefore, when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, the linear member 6 is easily displaced in the axial direction x without being restrained by the helical body 10. Furthermore, since the helical body 10 is formed to be elastically contractible in the axial direction x, even if the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x and comes into contact with the helical body 10, the helical body 10 shrinks in the axial direction x, and the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x is less likely to be hindered.
[0057] The helical body 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is a wire wound in a helical shape and is elastically contractible in the direction in which the helical axis extends, and a compression coil spring can be used simply. The direction in which the helical axis of the helical body 10 extends corresponds to the axial direction x of the handle 1. The inner cavity of the helical body 10 extends in the direction in which the helical axis extends. The helical body 10 is elastically contractible in the axial direction x, and when a compressive force is applied to the helical body 10 in the axial direction x, the helical body 10 contracts in the axial direction x, and when the compressive force is removed, the helical body 10 is released from the contraction in the axial direction x and returns to its original state.
[0058] The spiral body 10 can be made of metals such as stainless steel, carbon steel, nickel-titanium alloy, etc., or resins such as polyamide resins (e.g., nylon), polyolefin resins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyester resins (e.g., PET), aromatic polyether ketone resins (e.g., PEEK), polyimide resins, aromatic polyamide resins (e.g., aramid), and fluorine-based resins (e.g., PTFE, PFA, FEP, ETFE).
[0059] The inner and outer diameters of the helical body 10 may be appropriately set according to the outer diameter of the linear member 6. For example, the inner diameter of the helical body 10 in the unloaded state is preferably 1.2 times or more, more preferably 1.5 times or more, and preferably 5.0 times or less, more preferably 4.0 times or less, and even more preferably 3.0 times or less, of the outer diameter of the linear member 6 (particularly the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6). The outer diameter of the helical body 10 in the unloaded state is preferably 1.3 times or more, more preferably 1.6 times or more, and preferably 6.0 times or less, more preferably 5.0 times or less, and even more preferably 4.0 times or less, of the outer diameter of the linear member 6 (particularly the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6).
[0060] As long as the spiral body 10 is provided distal to the reversing guide 7, it may be provided proximal to the slider 4, may be provided distal to the slider 4, or may be provided at a position overlapping with the slider 4 in the axial direction x. Furthermore, a portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7 may be inserted into the spiral body 10, a portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7 may be inserted into the spiral body 10, or both a portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side and a portion on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7 may be inserted into the spiral body 10.
[0061] As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, for example, the helical body 10 is preferably provided between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7. If the linear member 6 is significantly bent between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7 when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, the linear member 6 may not be smoothly introduced into the reversing guide 7, or the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7 may not be smoothly introduced into the gap between the slider 4 and the shaft 3. However, by providing the helical body 10 between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7, the bending of the linear member 6 between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7 is suppressed, and the linear member 6 is easily smoothly introduced into the reversing guide 7 or the gap between the slider 4 and the shaft 3 when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x. As a result, the linear member 6 is easily displaced in the axial direction x with good responsiveness in accordance with the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x. Furthermore, since the spiral body 10 is formed to be elastically contractible in the axial direction x, even if the slider 4 is displaced proximally as shown in FIG. 4 and the gap between the slider 4 and the reversal guide 7 is narrowed, and the slider 4 comes into contact with the spiral body 10, the spiral body 10 is prevented from shrinking in the axial direction x and hindering the displacement of the slider 4 proximally.
[0062] When the spiral body 10 is provided between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7, it is preferable that at least a portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7 is inserted into the spiral body 10. The linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the first end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7, but is not fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7. Therefore, when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, the linear member 6 is more likely to bend at a portion on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7. Therefore, by inserting the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7 into the spiral body 10, bending of the linear member 6 can be effectively suppressed.
[0063] It is more preferable that the portion of the linear member 6 closer to the first end than the contact portion with the reversing guide 7 and the portion of the linear member 6 closer to the second end than the contact portion with the reversing guide 7 are inserted into the spiral body 10. By providing the spiral body 10 in this manner, both the portion of the linear member 6 closer to the first end than the contact portion with the reversing guide 7 and the portion of the linear member 6 closer to the second end than the contact portion with the reversing guide 7 are less likely to bend between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7. Therefore, the linear member 6 is more likely to be displaced in the axial direction x with good responsiveness in accordance with the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x.
[0064] As long as the spiral body 10 is not fixed to the linear member 6, it may be fixed to the slider 4, the reversing guide 7, or it does not have to be fixed to either the slider 4 or the reversing guide 7. The linear member 6 may also be fixed to the inner surface of the handle body 2 as long as it is provided so as to be elastically contractible in the axial direction x.
[0065] The spiral body 10 is preferably fixed to either the slider 4 or the reversing guide 7. In Figs. 2 to 5, the spiral body 10 is fixed to the reversing guide 7, but not to the slider 4. If the spiral body 10 is installed in this manner, the spiral body 10 will not move freely inside the handle 1 when the handle 1 is in use, and the spiral body 10 will not hit other members, resulting in the generation of abnormal noise. In addition, compared to a case in which the spiral body 10 is fixed to both the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7, the operability of the handle 1 can be improved. That is, when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x by rotating the rotating knob 5, the slider 4 is less susceptible to the contraction force of the spiral body 10, and the operability of the rotating knob 5 can be improved.
[0066] On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, the spiral body 10 does not have to be fixed to either the slider 4 or the reversing guide 7. Even if the spiral body 10 is installed in this way, the slider 4 is less susceptible to the effect of the contraction force of the spiral body 10, and the operability of the rotary knob 5 can be improved.
[0067] It is preferable that the spiral body 10 contacts both the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7 when the slider 4 is displaced most proximally. If the spiral body 10 is installed in this manner, a larger portion of the linear member 6 can be disposed in the lumen of the spiral body 10 between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7. Therefore, the spiral body 10 can more effectively suppress the bending of the linear member 6. More preferably, when the slider 4 is displaced most proximally, the spiral body 10 contacts both the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7 and contracts in the axial direction x. In this case, the spiral body 10 is sandwiched between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7 and contracts in the axial direction x. On the other hand, when the slider 4 is displaced most distally, the spiral body 10 does not need to contact both the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7. This allows the slider 4 to be displaced proximally by a weaker force when the rotary knob 5 is rotated to displace the slider 4 proximally, improving the operability of the handle 1.
[0068] When the helical body 10 is provided between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7, it is preferable that the length of the helical body 10 in the axial direction x in the unloaded state is longer than the length of the axial direction x between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7 when the slider 4 is displaced most proximally, and shorter than the length of the axial direction x between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7 when the slider 4 is displaced most distally. By forming the helical body 10 in this manner, the path of the linear member 6 is suitably defined by the helical body 10, and when the slider 4 is displaced proximally by rotating the rotating knob 5, the slider 4 can be displaced proximally with a weaker force, improving the operability of the handle 1.
[0069] The spiral body 10 may be provided on the distal side of the slider 4, and an example of a handle 1 configured in this manner is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the spiral body 10 is provided on the distal side of the slider 4 in addition to the handle 1 shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 8, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutting portion with the reversal guide 7 on the distal side of the slider 4 is inserted into the spiral body 10. If the spiral body 10 is installed in this manner, the linear member 6 is prevented from bending significantly on the distal side of the slider 4. In addition, since the spiral body 10 is formed to be elastically contractible in the axial direction x, when the slider 4 is displaced distally and the slider 4 comes into contact with the spiral body 10, the spiral body 10 can contract in the axial direction x, and the obstruction of the distal displacement of the slider 4 is suppressed.
[0070] When the spiral body 10 is provided on the distal side of the slider 4, it is preferable that at least a portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutment portion with the reversing guide 7 is inserted into the spiral body 10 as shown in FIG. 8. The portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the abutment portion with the reversing guide 7 is fixed to the slider 4, but the portion on the second end side from the abutment portion with the reversing guide 7 is not fixed to the slider 4. Therefore, when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutment portion with the reversing guide 7 is more likely to bend. Therefore, by inserting the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the abutment portion with the reversing guide 7 into the spiral body 10, the bending of the linear member 6 can be effectively suppressed. Although not shown in the drawing, the spiral body 10 may be provided on the distal side of the slider 4, on the first end side from the abutment portion of the linear member 6 with the reversing guide 7. In addition, the spiral body 10 may not be provided between the slider 4 and the inversion guide 7, and may be provided only on the distal side of the slider 4.
[0071] The spiral body 10 provided distal to the slider 4 is preferably fixed to the slider 4. If the spiral body 10 is installed in this manner, the spiral body 10 will not move freely within the handle 1, and the path of the linear member 6 will be more reliably defined by the spiral body 10.
[0072] When the spiral body 10 is provided distally of the slider 4, a stopper 16 for the spiral body 10 may be provided distally of the spiral body 10 provided distally of the slider 4, as shown in Fig. 8. It is preferable that the stopper 16 is provided distally of the slider 4 when the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side, and the spiral body 10 provided distally of the slider 4 is disposed between the slider 4 and the stopper 16. The stopper 16 limits the movement of the spiral body 10 to the distal side, thereby allowing the linear member 6 to move smoothly between the internal space of the handle 1 and the inner cavity of the shaft 3 or the tube 22.
[0073] The spiral body 10 may be fixed to the stopper 16. In this case, the spiral body 10 may be fixed to both the slider 4 and the stopper 16, or may be fixed to the stopper 16 and not fixed to the slider 4. When the spiral body 10 is provided distal to the slider 4, it is preferable that the spiral body 10 be fixed to either the slider 4 or the stopper 16.
[0074] 8, the shaft 3 is inserted through the stopper 16, the stopper 16 is fixed to the shaft 3, and a hole through which the linear member 6 is inserted is provided in the stopper 16. The stopper 16 is provided with a hole through which the first portion 6A of the linear member 6 is inserted and a hole through which the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 is inserted, and the linear member 6 is not fixed to the stopper 16. By configuring the stopper 16 in this manner, the linear member 6 can be displaced in the axial direction x through the hole in the stopper 16, and the path of the linear member 6 within the handle 1 is more stably defined.
[0075] The spiral body 10 is preferably provided in the middle portion 6C of the linear member 6. As described above, the middle portion 6C of the linear member 6 is preferably made of a flexible material, and therefore, by providing the spiral body 10 in the middle portion 6C of the linear member 6, the middle portion 6C of the linear member 6 is prevented from being significantly bent. Therefore, the spiral body 10 is preferably provided at least between the slider 4 and the reversing guide 7.
[0076] When the helical body 10 is provided in a portion of the linear member 6 closer to the second end than the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7, the second connection portion 9 connecting the intermediate portion 6C and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 is preferably located distal to the distal end of the slider 4 when the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side. By providing the linear member 6 in this manner, the second connection portion 9 is located distal to the distal end of the slider 4 regardless of the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x. Therefore, when the helical body 10 is provided in a portion of the linear member 6 closer to the second end than the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7, it becomes easy to effectively suppress the deflection of the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6.
[0077] When the helical body 10 is provided in a portion of the linear member 6 closer to the first end than the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7, the first connection portion 8 connecting the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 to the first portion 6A is preferably located distal to the distal end of the slider 4 when the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side. The relative position of the first connection portion 8 and the slider 4 in the axial direction x does not change regardless of the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x unless the linear member 6 is deflected. Therefore, by providing the linear member 6 in this manner, the first connection portion 8 is located distal to the distal end of the slider 4. In this case, by providing the helical body 10 in a portion of the linear member 6 closer to the first end than the abutting portion with the reversing guide 7, it becomes easy to effectively suppress the deflection of the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6.
[0078] The helical body 10 is preferably made of resin. If the helical body 10 is made of resin, the linear member 6 inserted into the inner cavity of the helical body 10 is less likely to get caught on the helical body 10. Therefore, the linear member 6 is more likely to be suitably displaced in the axial direction x in the inner cavity of the helical body 10. The helical body 10 is more preferably made of an elastomer resin, and preferred examples of the elastomer resin include polyurethane resin, polyester resin, and polyamide resin.
[0079] In order to prevent the slider 4 from rotating together with the rotary knob 5 when the rotary knob 5 is rotated about the axial direction x, the handle 1 is preferably configured as follows. That is, it is preferable that a third engagement portion 13 is provided on the outer surface of the slider 4, a fourth engagement portion 14 that engages with the third engagement portion 13 is provided on the inner surface of the handle body 2, and at least one of the third engagement portion 13 and the fourth engagement portion 14 is formed to extend in the axial direction x. This allows the slider 4 to be displaced along the axial direction x without rotating about the axial direction x.
[0080] The third engagement portion 13 and the fourth engagement portion 14 can be formed by a combination of a convex portion and a groove. That is, it is preferable that one of the third engagement portion 13 and the fourth engagement portion 14 is a convex portion and the other is a groove. In the handle 1 shown in the drawings, the third engagement portion 13 provided on the outer surface of the slider 4 is formed as a convex portion, and the fourth engagement portion 14 provided on the inner surface of the handle body 2 is formed as a groove.
[0081] The third engagement portion 13 or the fourth engagement portion 14 formed as a groove is preferably formed so as to extend in the axial direction x, and more preferably formed so as to extend continuously in the axial direction x. The groove may be a bottomed groove or a through groove, but in terms of ensuring the strength of the slider 4 or the handle body 2, it is preferable that the groove is a bottomed groove. On the other hand, the third engagement portion 13 or the fourth engagement portion 14 formed as a convex portion may or may not be formed so as to extend in the axial direction x.
[0082] As shown in the drawings, when the third engagement portion 13 is formed as a convex portion and the fourth engagement portion 14 is formed as a groove, the convex portion formed as the third engagement portion 13 on the outer surface of the slider 4 is preferably disposed on the proximal side of the slider 4 relative to the first engagement portion 11. At least a part of the groove formed as the fourth engagement portion 14 on the inner surface of the handle body 2 is preferably disposed on the distal side of the reversal guide 7.
[0083] Although not shown in the drawings, when a groove is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4 as the third engagement portion 13, the groove may be formed on the slider 4 at a position overlapping with the first engagement portion 11 in the axial direction x, or may be formed on the proximal side of the first engagement portion 11. In this case, it is preferable that at least a part of the convex portion formed on the inner surface of the handle body 2 as the fourth engagement portion 14 is disposed distal to the reversal guide 7.
[0084] The catheter handle of the present invention has been described above, but the catheter handle of the present invention is not limited to one that controls the bending of the distal end of the tube, as long as it displaces the first and second parts of the linear member distally or proximally in the lumen of the tube. For example, the catheter handle may be one that allows the first and / or second parts of the linear member to be inserted and removed from the distal end of the tube by operating the catheter handle. Alternatively, the catheter handle may be one in which a treatment tool such as a knife or snare is attached to the distal end of the first part or the distal end of the second part of the linear member, and the treatment tool attached to the distal end of the first part or the distal end of the second part can be inserted and removed from the distal end of the tube by operating the catheter handle. [Explanation of symbols]
[0085] 1: Catheter handle 2: Handle body 3: Shaft 4: Slider 5: Rotary knob 6: Linear member, 6A: First portion, 6B: Second portion, 6C: Middle portion 7: Inversion guide 8: First connection part 9: Second connection part 10: Spiral body 11: First engagement part 12: Second engagement portion 13: Third engagement part 14: Fourth engagement part 15: Fixture (for linear components) 16: Stopper 21: Catheter 22: Tube
Claims
1. A handle for manipulating a catheter tube, a handle body having an inner lumen extending axially from a proximal side to a distal side; a shaft disposed in a lumen of the handle body, extending in the axial direction, and fixed to the handle body; a slider disposed on the outside of the shaft, the slider having a first engagement portion extending in a spiral shape on an outer surface thereof, and the slider being provided so as to be displaceable in the axial direction along the shaft; a rotary knob having a rotary shaft extending in the axial direction and rotatably provided with respect to the handle body, the rotary knob having an inner cavity extending in the axial direction and a second engagement portion on an inner surface thereof that engages with the first engagement portion of the slider; a linear member having a first end and a second end, a first portion including the first end, a second portion including the second end, and an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion being disposed in an inner cavity of the tube, and the intermediate portion being disposed in an inner cavity of the handle body; a reversal guide disposed in an inner cavity of the handle body and in contact with at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the linear member; The linear member has a portion on the first end side from a portion in contact with the reversing guide, the portion being fixed to the slider, A catheter handle in which a spiral body that is elastically contractible in the axial direction is provided distal to the inversion guide, and the linear member is inserted into the inner cavity of the spiral body without being fixed to the spiral body.
2. The catheter handle of claim 1 , wherein the spiral body is disposed between the slider and the eversion guide.
3. The catheter handle according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the linear member on the second end side from a portion of the linear member that abuts against the inversion guide is inserted into the spiral body.
4. 3. The catheter handle according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the linear member on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide and a portion of the linear member on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide are each inserted through the spiral body.
5. The catheter handle according to claim 2 , wherein the spiral body is fixed to either the slider or the inversion guide.
6. The catheter handle of claim 2 , wherein the spiral is not fixed to either the slider or the eversion guide.
7. The catheter handle of claim 2 , wherein the spiral body contacts both the slider and the eversion guide when the slider is displaced most proximally.
8. The catheter handle according to claim 1 , wherein the spiral body is provided distal to the slider.
9. The catheter handle of claim 8 , wherein the spiral is fixed to the slider.
10. 2. The catheter handle according to claim 1, wherein the spiral body is made of resin.
11. A catheter handle according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a tube disposed distal to the catheter handle.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Controllable medical device handle
JP2015523892A
Medical devices including variable torque assemblies for device deflection
JP2018515215A