Medical connector and catheter equipped with medical connector

Abstract

To provide a medical connector which enables a distal end of a guide wire to be easily inserted in the medical connector when the guide wire has a curved distal end without separately preparing an inserter and enables the other medical device such as a syringe to be easily inserted in a proximal end of the medical connector.SOLUTION: A medical connector 8 includes a proximal end side gap part 3g2 formed to insert the other medical device such as a syringe S1 and a distal end side gap part 3g1 which is arranged on a distal end side of the proximal end side gap part 3g2 and has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the proximal end side gap part 3g2, and includes a housing 3 penetrating a part between a proximal end and a distal end and a movable body 5 which is movable inside the proximal end side gap part 3g2 of the housing 3 and has a first gap part 5g1 which penetrates a part between the proximal end and the distal end, and where the distal end communicates the proximal end side gap part 3g2 or the proximal end side gap part 3g1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a catheter used by being inserted into a lumen such as a blood vessel of a patient, and a medical connector provided on the catheter.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a catheter used by being inserted into a lumen such as a blood vessel of a patient has been known. A doctor performing a procedure inserts a guide wire into the lumen of the catheter, protrudes the tip of the guide wire from the tip of the catheter, and reaches the lesion with the catheter by the guidance of the guide wire. Devices such as stents and embolization coils have been placed in the lesion through the lumen of the catheter that has reached the lesion.

[0003] In general, a medical connector is connected to the proximal end of the catheter. The medical connector is configured to be able to insert a guide wire through a lumen penetrating from the proximal end to the distal end, and is configured to be able to connect another medical instrument such as a syringe to the proximal end of the medical connector.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 is considered to describe a catheter 10 including a shaft 20 having a lumen 21, an X-ray opaque marker 22 connected to the tip of the shaft 20, and a catheter hub 30 connected to the proximal end of the shaft 20 and having a hub lumen 34 communicating with the lumen 21 (see FIG. 1 etc.).

[0005] Further, the catheter hub 30 described in Cited Document 1 includes a proximal end opening 35, a first tapered portion 38 whose inner diameter decreases from the proximal end opening 35 toward the distal end, a second tapered portion 39 disposed on the distal side of the first tapered portion 38 and having an inner diameter decreasing at a larger rate than the first tapered portion 38 toward the distal end, and a locking portion 40 provided between the first tapered portion 38 and the second tapered portion 39 and capable of locking the tip of a medical instrument such as a syringe 70 to be inserted (see FIG. 2 etc.).

[0006] In addition, in the catheter hub 30 described in Citation Document 1, the proximal end portion of the shaft 20 is inserted, and the proximal end of the shaft 20 and the tip of the second tapered portion 39 are fixed so as to be adjacent to each other, whereby it is recognized that the lumen 21 of the shaft 20 and the hub lumen 34 of the catheter hub 30 communicate with each other (see FIG. 2 etc.).

[0007] Furthermore, it is also recognized that Citation Document 1 describes that a syringe 70 containing a drug or the like is connected to the proximal end of the catheter hub 30, and that a guide wire 60 is inserted into the hub lumen 34 of the catheter hub 30 (see FIGS. 4, 5, etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] However, in the catheter hub 30 in the catheter 10 described in Patent Document 1, since the distance from the proximal end opening 35 to the lumen 21 of the shaft 20 via the first tapered portion 38 and the second tapered portion 39 is long, when the tip of the guide wire 60 is curved, there is a problem that the tip of the guide wire 60 cannot be successfully inserted into the lumen 21 of the shaft 20.

[0010] Generally, since doctors performing procedures often extremely curve the tip of the guide wire 60 according to the route to the affected part of the patient, in that case, there was a high possibility that the tip of the guide wire 60 could not be successfully inserted into the lumen 21 of the shaft 20.

[0011] In addition, when the tip of the guide wire 60 cannot be successfully inserted into the lumen 21 of the shaft 20, another inserter is often used to insert the tip of the guide wire 60 into the lumen 21 of the shaft 20 (see Patent Document 2, etc.).

[0012] On the other hand, when the distance from the proximal end opening 35 to the lumen 21 of the shaft 20 through the first tapered portion 38 and the second tapered portion 39 is short, there is a problem that other medical instruments such as a syringe cannot be inserted into the proximal end of the catheter hub 30 (hereinafter referred to as "medical connector").

[0013] The present invention has been made in response to the above-described problems of the prior art, and even for a guide wire with a curved tip, the tip of the guide wire can be easily inserted into the medical connector without separately preparing an inserter, and another medical instrument such as a syringe can be easily inserted into the proximal end of the medical connector. An object is to provide a medical connector that can be inserted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] In order to solve the above-described problems, a medical connector according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a proximal end side void portion formed to be able to insert another medical instrument, and a distal end side void portion disposed on the distal end side of the proximal end side void portion and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side void portion, a housing penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and the housing in the proximal end side void portion of the housing, or movable in the proximal end side void portion and the distal end side void portion of the housing, penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and a first void portion having a tip communicating with the proximal end side void portion or the distal end side void portion. And a moving body having the same.

[0015] Further, a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector according to the first aspect, the first void portion of the moving body includes a second tapered void portion whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end.

[0016] Further, a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the second aspect, the angle of the second tapered gap portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body is 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

[0017] Further, a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the first aspect, an elastic body is disposed between the moving body and the housing and biases the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing, and a stopper that restricts the movement of the moving body by the elastic body are provided.

[0018] Further, a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the second aspect, an elastic body is disposed between the moving body and the housing and biases the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing, and a stopper that restricts the movement of the moving body by the elastic body are provided.

[0019] Further, a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the first aspect, the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing.

[0020] Further, a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the second aspect, the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing.

[0021] Further, an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the fourth aspect, the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing.

[0022] Further, a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the fifth aspect, the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing.

[0023] Further, a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the medical connector of the sixth aspect, the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion.

[0024] Moreover, in an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the seventh aspect, the moving body is characterized by having a second void portion that communicates the base end thereof with the tip-side void portion.

[0025] Moreover, in a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the eighth aspect, the moving body is characterized by having a second void portion that communicates the base end thereof with the tip-side void portion.

[0026] Moreover, in a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the ninth aspect, the moving body is characterized by having a second void portion that communicates the base end thereof with the tip-side void portion.

[0027] Moreover, in a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the tenth aspect, the housing is characterized by having a third void portion that communicates the tip thereof with the tip-side void portion.

[0028] Moreover, in a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the eleventh aspect, the housing is characterized by having a third void portion that communicates the tip thereof with the tip-side void portion.

[0029] Moreover, in a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the twelfth aspect, the housing is characterized by having a third void portion that communicates the tip thereof with the tip-side void portion.

[0030] Moreover, in a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the thirteenth aspect, the housing is characterized by having a third void portion that communicates the tip thereof with the tip-side void portion.

[0031] Moreover, in an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector according to the first aspect, the moving body is characterized by including a gripping portion that enables the moving body to move in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] Furthermore, the catheter according to the 19th aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a medical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 18, and a tube connected to the tip of the medical connector and having a void portion communicating with the void portion on the tip side of the housing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0033] According to the medical connector of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a proximal end side void portion formed to be insertable with another medical instrument, and a distal end side void portion disposed on the distal end side of the proximal end side void portion and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side void portion, and a housing penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and a first void portion movable within the proximal end side void portion of the housing or within the proximal end side void portion and the distal end side void portion of the housing, penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and having a tip communicating with the proximal end side void portion or the distal end side void portion. Therefore, without separately preparing an inserter, by using the first void portion, even a guide wire with a curved tip can have its tip easily inserted into the medical connector, and by moving the moving body toward the distal end side, another medical instrument such as a syringe can be easily inserted into the proximal end side void portion of the medical connector.

[0034] Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the first aspect, the first void portion of the moving body includes a second tapered void portion whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the first aspect, by using the second tapered void portion, the tip of a guide wire with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector.

[0035] Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the second aspect, the angle of the second tapered void portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body is set to be 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the second aspect, by using the second tapered void portion, the tip of a guide wire with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector.

[0036] Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the first aspect, an elastic body is disposed between the moving body and the housing to bias the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing, and a stopper is provided to restrict the movement of the moving body by the elastic body. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the first aspect, the stopper prevents the moving body from jumping out of the housing, and by using the first gap portion automatically moved to the proximal end side by the elastic body, the tip of the guide wire with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector.

[0037] Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the second aspect, an elastic body is disposed between the moving body and the housing to bias the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing, and a stopper is provided to restrict the movement of the moving body by the elastic body. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the second aspect, the stopper prevents the moving body from jumping out of the housing, and by using the second tapered gap portion automatically moved to the proximal end side by the elastic body, the tip of the guide wire with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector.

[0038] Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the first aspect, the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the first aspect, by using the first gap portion, the tip of the guide wire with a curved tip can be surely inserted into the medical connector.

[0039] Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the second aspect, the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the second aspect, by using the second tapered gap portion, the tip of the guide wire with a curved tip can be surely inserted into the medical connector.

[0040] Further, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the fourth aspect, since the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the fourth aspect, by utilizing the first gap portion, the tip of the guide wire with a curved tip can be surely inserted into the medical connector.

[0041] Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the fifth aspect, since the tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the fifth aspect, by utilizing the second tapered gap portion, the tip of the guide wire with a curved tip can be surely inserted into the medical connector.

[0042] Further, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the sixth aspect, since the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the sixth aspect, the liquid flowing out from the syringe inserted into the proximal-end side gap portion can be easily made to flow out to the tip-side gap portion.

[0043] Further, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the seventh aspect, since the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the seventh aspect, the liquid flowing out from the syringe inserted into the proximal-end side gap portion can be easily made to flow out to the tip-side gap portion.

[0044] Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the eighth aspect, since the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the eighth aspect, the liquid flowing out from the syringe inserted into the proximal-end side gap portion can be easily made to flow out to the tip-side gap portion.

[0045] Further, according to the 13th aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the 9th aspect, since the moving body has a second void portion that communicates its proximal end and the distal end side void portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the 9th aspect, the liquid flowing out from the syringe inserted into the proximal end side void portion can be easily made to flow out to the distal end side void portion.

[0046] Further, according to the 14th aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the 10th aspect, since the housing has a third void portion that communicates its distal end and the distal end side void portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the 10th aspect, the liquid from the syringe inserted into the proximal end side void portion can be easily made to flow out to the distal end of the housing.

[0047] Further, according to the 15th aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the 11th aspect, since the housing has a third void portion that communicates its distal end and the distal end side void portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the 11th aspect, the liquid from the syringe inserted into the proximal end side void portion can be easily made to flow out to the distal end of the housing.

[0048] Further, according to the 16th aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the 12th aspect, since the housing has a third void portion that communicates its distal end and the distal end side void portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the 12th aspect, the liquid from the syringe inserted into the proximal end side void portion can be easily made to flow out to the distal end of the housing.

[0049] Further, according to the 17th aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the 13th aspect, since the housing has a third void portion that communicates its distal end and the distal end side void portion, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the 13th aspect, the liquid from the syringe inserted into the proximal end side void portion can be easily made to flow out to the distal end of the housing.

[0050] Further, according to the 18th aspect of the present invention, in the medical connector of the 1st aspect, since the moving body is provided with a gripping portion capable of moving the moving body in the longitudinal direction, in addition to the effects of the medical connector of the 1st aspect, a user using the medical connector can freely move the moving body in the longitudinal direction regardless of the attachment of other medical instruments such as a syringe, and the tip of the guide wire can be more easily inserted into the medical connector.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the catheter of the 19th aspect of the present invention, since it includes any one of the medical connectors of the 1st aspect to the 18th aspect and a tube connected to the tip of the medical connector and having a void portion communicating with the void portion on the tip side of the housing, the tip of the guide wire with a curved tip can be easily inserted into the catheter without separately preparing an inserter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0052]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0054] (First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings used in this embodiment are exaggerated for easy understanding, and their dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

[0055] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a catheter equipped with the medical connector of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an overall longitudinal sectional view of the catheter, showing the state when a guide wire is inserted into the proximal end portion of the medical connector, FIG. 3 is a view showing the state when the guide wire is inserted to the distal end portion of the medical connector, and FIG. 4 is an overall longitudinal sectional view showing the state where a syringe is connected to the catheter equipped with the medical connector of the first embodiment.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the catheter 1 provided with the medical connector 8 of the present embodiment is composed of a long hollow cylindrical tube 7, a tip chip 2 connected to the tip of the tube 7, and a medical connector 8 connected to the proximal end of the tube 7.

[0057] As described above, the tube 7 has a long hollow cylindrical shape and has a void portion 7g inside. Although not shown, generally, it is composed of an inner layer, a braid wound around the outer periphery of the inner layer, and an outer layer covering the inner layer and the braid.

[0058] The inner layer is a long hollow tubular body formed of resin, and a void portion 7g for inserting a medical device such as a guide wire is formed inside. The resin material forming the inner layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a biocompatible material. In the present embodiment, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is used.

[0059] The braid is formed by alternately weaving a total of 24 (12×12) wires, including 12 first wires and 12 second wires, in a mesh shape and winding them around the outer periphery of the inner layer. The material constituting the braid is not particularly limited as long as it is a biocompatible material. In the present embodiment, a stainless steel alloy is used.

[0060] The outer layer is made of resin and covers the inner layer and the braid. The resin material forming the outer layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a biocompatible material. Polyamide, polyamide elastomer, polyester, polyurethane, etc. can be used. In the present embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0061] The tip chip 2 has a hollow conical shape with a tapered outer peripheral surface whose outer diameter gradually decreases toward the tip end portion, and has a void portion 2g communicating with the void portion 7g of the tube 7 inside. The resin material forming the tip chip 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is a biocompatible material. In the present embodiment, a polyurethane elastomer is used.

[0062] Note that inside the tip chip 2, in order to improve visibility during the procedure, a powder of a metal or metal compound made of a radiopaque material such as platinum having biocompatibility may be mixed in.

[0063] The medical connector 8 is connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, and includes a housing 3 connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, a moving body 5 that is movable in the longitudinal direction (the +X direction in FIG. 9 and the -X direction in FIG. 10 described later; hereinafter, all “longitudinal directions” mean the +X direction in FIG. 9 and the -X direction in FIG. 10), and a compression spring (corresponding to the “elastic body” of the present invention) 9 disposed between the housing 3 and the moving body 5 and biasing the moving body 5 toward the proximal end side of the housing 3.

[0064] The housing 3 includes a housing distal end portion 3a disposed on the distal end side, a housing proximal end portion 3b disposed adjacent to the proximal end side of the housing distal end portion 3a, a proximal end connection portion 3d formed at the proximal end of the housing proximal end portion 3b for connecting a medical instrument such as a syringe, and a protruding portion 3c formed on the housing proximal end portion 3b and protruding toward the center to abut against a protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 described later.

[0065] Further, the housing 3 includes a proximal end side void portion 3g2 formed to extend from the proximal end to the distal end side of the housing 3 and having a substantially circular cross-sectional view so that a medical instrument such as a syringe can be inserted, and a distal end side void portion 3g1 disposed adjacent to the distal end side of the proximal end side void portion 3g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side void portion 3g2 and communicating with the void portion 7g of the tube 7 and having a substantially circular cross-sectional view.

[0066] Further, the housing distal end portion 3a has a surface 3f whose outer periphery is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in order to fix the distal end portion of the compression spring 9, and the boundary between the proximal end side void portion 3g2 and the distal end side void portion 3g1 has a curved portion 3e convex toward the center so that the guide wire G inserted into the proximal end side void portion 3g2 is easily guided to the distal end side void portion 3g1.

[0067] The material forming the housing 3 is not particularly limited, and resin materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, acrylic resin, phenolic resin, melamine resin, polyimide, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, and polytetrafluoroethylene, metal materials such as stainless steel, cobalt alloy, and nickel-titanium alloy, and ceramic materials such as glass and fine ceramics can be used. In this embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0068] The moving body 5 is movable in the longitudinal direction within the proximal end side void portion 3g2, and the whole has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. It includes a moving body main body 5b, a protruding portion 5a formed at the tip of the moving body main body 5b and protruding toward the outer periphery to abut against the protruding portion 3c of the housing 3, and a tapered portion 5c formed at the proximal end of the moving body main body 5b and having a substantially circular cross-section in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end.

[0069] Further, the moving body 5 includes a first void portion 5g1 having a substantially circular cross-section that penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end and whose distal end communicates with the proximal end side void portion 3g2 or the distal end side void portion 3g1. At the proximal end of the first void portion 5g1, there is provided a second tapered void portion 5g2 having a substantially circular cross-section in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end.

[0070] The first void portion 5g1 has an inner diameter into which the guide wire G can be inserted, and even when the tip of the guide wire G is curved, it has an inner diameter that corrects the curved shape. This also applies to the first void portion 25g1 of the third embodiment, the first void portion 35g1 and the third void portion 35g3 of the fourth embodiment, the first void portion 45g1 and the third void portion 45g3 of the fifth embodiment, and the first void portion 55g1 and the third void portion 55g3 of the sixth embodiment, which will be described later.

[0071] Further, the center of the first gap portion 5g1 in a cross-sectional view is set to be on a straight line with the center of the proximal-end-side gap portion 3g2 and the center of the distal-end-side gap portion 3g1 in a cross-sectional view. The point set on a straight line with the proximal-end-side gap portion and the distal-end-side gap portion is the same for the first gap portion 25g1 of the third embodiment, the first gap portion 35g1 and the third gap portion 35g3 of the fourth embodiment, the first gap portion 45g1 and the third gap portion 45g3 of the fifth embodiment, and the first gap portion 55g1 and the third gap portion 55g3 of the sixth embodiment, which will be described later.

[0072] The material forming the moving body 5 is not particularly limited, like the housing 3, and resin materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, acrylic resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, polyimide, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polytetrafluoroethylene, metal materials such as stainless steel, cobalt alloy, nickel-titanium alloy, and ceramic materials such as glass and fine ceramics can be used. In this embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0073] The second tapered gap portion 5g2 is formed to facilitate insertion of the tip of the guide wire G into the first gap portion 5g1 even when the tip of the guide wire G is curved. In the second tapered gap portion 5g2 of this embodiment, the angle θ1 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 5 is set to 45 degrees.

[0074] When the applicant conducted experiments using a curved guide wire G, it was determined that the tip of the guide wire G was particularly easy to insert into the first gap portion 5g1 when the angle θ1 of the second tapered gap portion 5g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 5 was 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

[0075] The compression spring 9 is disposed within the proximal end side void portion 3g2 in a range excluding the void portion that connects the void portion 7g of the tube 7 and the first void portion 5g1 of the moving body 5 in a cross-sectional view, and is disposed between the proximal end (3f) of the housing tip portion 3a of the housing 3 and the tip of the moving body 5 in a longitudinal sectional view, and is configured to bias the moving body 5 toward the proximal end side of the housing 3.

[0076] Therefore, in the normal state, the moving body 5 is held in a state where the proximal end of the protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 abuts against the tip of the protruding portion 3c of the housing 3. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the proximal end of the moving body 5 is in a state that coincides with the position of the proximal end of the housing 3.

[0077] Note that the material forming the compression spring 9 is not particularly limited, but a material with high corrosion resistance such as a stainless alloy or a titanium alloy is preferable. In this embodiment, a stainless alloy is used.

[0078] Further, the protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 and the protruding portion 3c of the housing 3 constitute a "stopper" that regulates the movement of the moving body 5 of the present invention.

[0079] When inserting the guide wire G into the catheter 1 using the medical connector 8 described above, first, the tip of the guide wire G is moved to the second tapered void portion 5g2 and inserted into the first void portion 5g1 while following the tapered portion 5c. Note that FIG. 2 shows the state when the tip of the guide wire G is inserted into the first void portion 5g1 of the medical connector 8.

[0080] Then, the guide wire G is further pushed toward the tip side, and the tip of the guide wire G is inserted into the tip void portion 3g1 while following the curved portion 3e from the proximal end side void portion 3g2, and then inserted into the void portion 7g of the tube 7. Note that FIG. 3 shows the state when the tip of the guide wire G is inserted up to the tip void portion 3g1 of the medical connector 8.

[0081] On the other hand, when connecting the syringe S1 to the medical connector 8, as shown in FIG. 4, hold the syringe body S1b, press the tip of the syringe tip S1a against the proximal end of the moving body 5, and while moving the moving body 5 toward the tip side, insert the syringe tip S1a into the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3, and fit the syringe connection portion S1c to the proximal end connection portion 3d of the housing 3 to connect the syringe S1 to the medical connector 8.

[0082] When the syringe S1 is connected to the medical connector 8, the moving body 5 is moved toward the tip side within the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3, the protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 is separated from the protruding portion 3c of the housing 3, and the compression spring 9 is in a compressed state.

[0083] Then, by operating the syringe S1 thereafter, the liquid such as the contrast agent or physiological saline stored in the liquid storage portion S1g2 of the syringe body S1b is sent to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 through the syringe gap portion S1g1, the second tapered gap portion 5g2, the first gap portion 5g1, the proximal end side gap portion 3g2, and the distal end side gap portion 3g1.

[0084] According to the medical connector 8 of the present embodiment, the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 formed to be able to insert other medical instruments such as the syringe S1, and the distal end side gap portion 3g1 disposed on the distal end side of the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side gap portion 3g2, and the housing 3 penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3 are movable within the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3, penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and the first gap portion 5g1 having a tip communicating with the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 or the distal end side gap portion 3g1, and the moving body 5 having the first gap portion 5g1, even a guide wire G with a curved tip can be easily inserted into the medical connector 8 using the first gap portion 5g1 without separately preparing an inserter, and by moving the moving body 5 toward the tip side, other medical instruments such as the syringe S1 can be easily inserted into the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the medical connector 8.

[0085] Moreover, according to the medical connector 8 of the present embodiment, since the first gap portion 5g1 of the moving body 5 includes a second tapered gap portion 5g2 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end, the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 8 by utilizing the second tapered gap portion 5g2.

[0086] Moreover, according to the medical connector 8 of the present embodiment, since the angle of the second tapered gap portion 5g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 5 is set to be 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 8 by utilizing the second tapered gap portion 5g2.

[0087] Moreover, according to the medical connector 8 of the present embodiment, a compression spring 9 is disposed between the moving body 5 and the housing 3 and biases the moving body 5 toward the proximal end side of the housing 3, and a stopper including a protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 and a protruding portion 3c of the housing 3 that restricts the movement of the moving body 5 by the compression spring 9 is provided. Therefore, the stopper prevents the moving body 5 from popping out of the housing 3, and the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 8 by utilizing the first gap portion 5g1 that automatically moves to the proximal end side by the compression spring 9.

[0088] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings used in the present embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

[0089] Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since the overall view of the catheter including the medical connector is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be given to the parts common to the first embodiment and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] The medical connector 18 of the second embodiment has a different elastic body configuration compared to the medical connector 8 of the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the elastic body that biases the moving body 5 toward the proximal end side of the housing 3 was constituted by a compression spring 9, but in this embodiment, the elastic body that biases the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing is constituted by a foamed rubber.

[0091] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical connector of the second embodiment.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 5, the catheter 10 provided with the medical connector 18 of this embodiment is composed of a long, hollow, cylindrical tube 7, a tip chip 2 connected to the tip of the tube 7, and a medical connector 18 connected to the proximal end of the tube 7.

[0093] The medical connector 18 is connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, and includes a housing 13 connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, a moving body 5 that is movable in the longitudinal direction within the housing 13, and an elastic body 19 disposed between the housing 13 and the moving body 5 that biases the moving body 5 toward the proximal end side of the housing 13.

[0094] The housing 13 includes a housing tip portion 13a disposed on the tip side, a housing base portion 13b disposed adjacent to the proximal end side of the housing tip portion 13a, a proximal end connection portion 13d formed at the proximal end of the housing base portion 13b for connecting a medical instrument such as a syringe, and a protruding portion 13c formed in the housing base portion 13b and protruding toward the center to abut against the protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5.

[0095] Further, the housing 13 has a proximal end side void portion 13g2 formed to extend from the proximal end to the tip side of the housing 13 and having a substantially circular cross-sectional view so that a medical instrument such as a syringe can be inserted, and a tip side void portion 13g1 disposed adjacent to the tip side of the proximal end side void portion 13g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side void portion 13g2 and communicating with the void portion 7g of the tube 7 and having a substantially circular cross-sectional view.

[0096] Further, the distal end portion 13a of the housing has a surface 13f whose outer periphery is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in order to fix the distal end portion of the elastic body 19, and the boundary between the proximal end side gap portion 13g2 and the distal end side gap portion 13g1 has a convex curved portion 13e toward the center so that the guide wire G inserted into the proximal end side gap portion 13g2 is easily guided to the distal end side gap portion 13g1.

[0097] The material forming the housing 13 can be the same material as the housing 3 of the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0098] As described above, the elastic body 19 is made of foamed rubber, and in the proximal end side gap portion 13g2, in a cross-sectional view, it is arranged in a ring shape in a range excluding the gap portion connecting the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 and the first gap portion 5g1 of the moving body 5, and in a longitudinal sectional view, it is arranged between the proximal end (13f) of the housing distal end portion 13a of the housing 13 and the distal end of the moving body 5, and is configured to bias the moving body 5 toward the proximal end side of the housing 13.

[0099] Therefore, in the normal state, the proximal end of the protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 is held in contact with the distal end of the protruding portion 13c of the housing 13, and at that time, as shown in FIG. 5, the position of the proximal end of the moving body 5 is in a state that coincides with the position of the proximal end of the housing 13.

[0100] The material forming the elastic body 19 is not particularly limited, but foamed rubber in which bubbles are formed in materials such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber, soft urethane foam, sponge rubber, etc. can be used, and in this embodiment, synthetic rubber is used.

[0101] Further, the protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 and the protruding portion 13c of the housing 13 constitute a "stopper" that regulates the movement of the moving body 5 of the present invention.

[0102] When inserting the guide wire G into the catheter 10 using the medical connector 18 described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, first, move the tip of the guide wire G to the second tapered gap portion 5g2, and insert it into the first gap portion 5g1 while following the tapered portion 5c.

[0103] Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, further push the guide wire G toward the tip side, insert the tip of the guide wire G into the tip gap portion 13g1 while following the curved portion 13e from the base-end side gap portion 13g2, and then insert it into the gap portion 7g of the tube 7.

[0104] On the other hand, when connecting the syringe S1 to the medical connector 18, in the same state as shown in FIG. 4, hold the syringe body S1b, press the tip of the syringe tip portion S1a against the base end of the moving body 5, and while moving the moving body 5 toward the tip side, insert the syringe tip portion S1a into the base-end side gap portion 13g2 of the housing 13, and connect the syringe S1 to the medical connector 18 by fitting the syringe connection portion S1c to the base-end connection portion 13d of the housing 13.

[0105] When the syringe S1 is connected to the medical connector 18, the moving body 5 is moved toward the tip side within the base-end side gap portion 13g2 of the housing 13, the protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 is separated from the protruding portion 13c of the housing 13, and the elastic body 19 is in a compressed state.

[0106] Then, thereafter, by operating the syringe S1, the liquid such as the contrast agent or physiological saline stored in the liquid storage portion S1g2 of the syringe body S1b is sent to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 through the syringe gap portion S1g1, the second tapered gap portion 5g2, the first gap portion 5g1, the base-end side gap portion 13g2, and the tip-side gap portion 13g1.

[0107] According to the medical connector 18 of the present embodiment, a proximal end side gap portion 13g2 formed to be able to insert other medical instruments such as a syringe S1, and a distal end side gap portion 13g1 disposed on the distal end side of the proximal end side gap portion 13g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side gap portion 13g2 are provided, and a housing 13 penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and a first gap portion 5g1 that is movable within the proximal end side gap portion 13g2 of the housing 13, penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end, and the distal end communicates with the proximal end side gap portion 13g2 or the distal end side gap portion 13g1. Since the medical connector 18 is provided with a moving body 5, even if the guide wire G has a curved tip, the tip of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the medical connector 18 using the first gap portion 5g1 without separately preparing an inserter. By moving the moving body 5 toward the distal end side, other medical instruments such as the syringe S1 can be easily inserted into the proximal end side gap portion 13g2 of the medical connector 18.

[0108] Moreover, according to the medical connector 18 of the present embodiment, the first gap portion 5g1 of the moving body 5 includes a second tapered gap portion 5g2 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end. Therefore, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 18 using the second tapered gap portion 5g2.

[0109] Moreover, according to the medical connector 18 of the present embodiment, since the angle of the second tapered gap portion 5g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 5 is set to be 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 8 using the second tapered gap portion 5g2.

[0110] Further, according to the medical connector 18 of the present embodiment, an elastic body 19 disposed between the moving body 5 and the housing 13 and biasing the moving body 5 toward the proximal end side of the housing 13, and a stopper including a protruding portion 5a of the moving body 5 and a protruding portion 13c of the housing 13 that restricts the movement of the moving body 5 by the elastic body 19 are provided. Therefore, the stopper prevents the moving body 5 from protruding from the housing 13, and by using the first gap portion 5g1 that has automatically moved to the proximal end side by the elastic body 19, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 18.

[0111] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and their dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

[0112] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since the overall view of the catheter provided with the medical connector is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted, and the parts common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] The medical connector 28 of the third embodiment has a different shape of the moving body compared to the medical connector 8 of the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the proximal end of the moving body main body 5b is provided with a tapered portion 5c whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end. However, the moving body 25 in this embodiment does not have a portion corresponding to the tapered portion.

[0114] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical connector of the third embodiment.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 6, the catheter 20 provided with the medical connector 28 of this embodiment includes a long, hollow, cylindrical tube 7, a tip 2 connected to the distal end of the tube 7, and a medical connector 28 connected to the proximal end of the tube 7.

[0116] The medical connector 28 is connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, and includes a housing 3 connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, a moving body 25 that is movable longitudinally within the housing 3, and a compression spring 9 disposed between the housing 3 and the moving body 25 that biases the moving body 25 toward the proximal end side of the housing 3.

[0117] The moving body 25 is movable within the proximal end side void portion 3g2, and as a whole exhibits a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, and includes a moving body main body 25b and a protruding portion 25a formed at the tip of the moving body main body 25b and protruding toward the outer periphery in order to contact the protruding portion 3c of the housing 3.

[0118] Further, the moving body 25 has a first void portion 25g1 that penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end and has a substantially circular cross-sectional view in which the distal end communicates with the proximal end side void portion 3g2 or the distal end side void portion 3g1, and a second void portion 25g2 that is formed adjacent to the proximal end side of the first void portion 25g1 and communicates with the first void portion 25g1.

[0119] The material forming the moving body 25 can be the same material as the moving body 5 of the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0120] Further, the protruding portion 25a of the moving body 25 and the protruding portion 3c of the housing 3 constitute a "stopper" that regulates the movement of the moving body 25 of the present invention.

[0121] When inserting the guide wire G into the catheter 20 using the medical connector 28 described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, first, the tip of the guide wire G is moved to the second void portion 25g2 and inserted into the first void portion 25g1.

[0122] Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the guide wire G is further pushed toward the distal end side, and the tip of the guide wire G is inserted into the distal end void portion 3g1 while following the curved portion 3e from the proximal end side void portion 3g2, and subsequently, inserted into the void portion 7g of the tube 7.

[0123] On the other hand, when connecting the syringe S1 to the medical connector 28, as in the state shown in FIG. 4, hold the syringe body S1b, press the tip of the syringe tip S1a against the proximal end of the moving body 25, and while moving the moving body 25 toward the tip side, insert the syringe tip S1a into the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3, and connect the syringe S1 to the medical connector 28 by fitting the syringe connection portion S1c to the proximal end connection portion 3d of the housing 3.

[0124] When the syringe S1 is connected to the medical connector 28, the moving body 25 is moved toward the tip side within the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3, the protruding portion 25a of the moving body 25 is separated from the protruding portion 3c of the housing 3, and the compression spring 9 is in a compressed state.

[0125] Then, by operating the syringe S1 thereafter, the liquid such as the contrast agent and physiological saline stored in the liquid storage portion S1g2 of the syringe body S1b is sent to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 through the syringe gap portion S1g1, the second gap portion 25g2, the first gap portion 25g1, the proximal end side gap portion 3g2, and the distal end side gap portion 3g1.

[0126] According to the medical connector 28 of the present embodiment, the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 formed to be able to insert other medical instruments such as the syringe S1, and the distal end side gap portion 3g1 disposed on the distal end side of the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side gap portion 3g2, and the housing 3 penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3. Since the moving body 25 is movable within the gap portion 3g2 and penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end and has the first gap portion 25g1 and the second gap portion 25g2 whose tips communicate with the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 or the distal end side gap portion 3g1, without separately preparing an inserter, even if it is a guide wire G with a curved tip using the first gap portion 5g1, the tip of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the medical connector 28, and by moving the moving body 25 toward the tip side, other medical instruments such as the syringe S1 can be easily inserted into the proximal end side gap portion 3g2 of the medical connector 28.

[0127] Also, according to the medical connector 28 of the present embodiment, a compression spring 9 is disposed between the moving body 25 and the housing 3 to bias the moving body 25 toward the proximal end side of the housing 3, and a stopper including a protruding portion 25a of the moving body 25 and a protruding portion 3c of the housing 3 that restricts the movement of the moving body 25 by the compression spring 9 are provided. Therefore, the stopper prevents the moving body 25 from protruding from the housing 3, and the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 28 by using the first gap portion 25g1 that is automatically moved to the proximal end side by the compression spring 9.

[0128] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and their dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

[0129] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since the overall view of the catheter provided with the medical connector is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted, and the parts common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0130] The medical connector 38 of the fourth embodiment has a different shape of the moving body compared to the medical connector 8 of the first embodiment. That is, the tip of the moving body 5 in the first embodiment is located in the proximal end side gap portion of the housing, whereas the tip of the moving body in this embodiment is located in the distal end side gap portion of the housing.

[0131] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical connector of the fourth embodiment when inserting the guide wire, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical connector of the fourth embodiment when inserting the syringe.

[0132] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the catheter 30 provided with the medical connector 38 of the present embodiment includes a long hollow cylindrical tube 7, a tip 2 connected to the tip of the tube 7, and a medical connector 38 connected to the proximal end of the tube 7.

[0133] The medical connector 38 is connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, and includes a housing 33 connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, a moving body 35 that is movable in the longitudinal direction within the housing 33, and a compression spring 9 disposed between the housing 33 and the moving body 35 that biases the moving body 35 toward the proximal end side of the housing 33.

[0134] The housing 33 includes a housing distal end portion 33a disposed on the distal end side, a housing proximal end portion 33b disposed adjacent to the proximal end side of the housing distal end portion 33a, a proximal end connection portion 33d formed at the proximal end of the housing proximal end portion 33b for connecting a medical instrument such as a syringe, and a protruding portion 33c that protrudes toward the center and is formed on the housing proximal end portion 33b to abut against a protruding portion 35a of the moving body 35 described later.

[0135] Further, the housing 33 includes a proximal end side void portion 33g2 that is formed to extend from the proximal end to the distal end side of the housing 33 and has a substantially circular cross-sectional view, and a distal end side void portion 33g1 that is disposed adjacent to the distal end side of the proximal end side void portion 33g2, has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side void portion 33g2, and communicates with the void portion 7g of the tube 7 and has a substantially circular cross-sectional view.

[0136] Further, the housing distal end portion 33a has a surface 33f whose outer periphery is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in order to fix the distal end portion of the compression spring 9.

[0137] The material forming the housing 33 can be the same material as the housing 3 in the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0138] The moving body 35 is movable within the proximal-end side gap portion 33g2 and the distal-end side gap portion 33g1, has an overall hollow shape, and includes a moving body main body 35b, a protruding portion 35a formed at the distal end of the moving body main body 35b and protruding toward the outer periphery to abut against the protruding portion 33c of the housing 33, a tapered portion 35c formed at the proximal end of the moving body main body 35b and having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape with an inner diameter gradually decreasing from the proximal end toward the distal end, and a moving body distal-end portion 35d having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the moving body main body 35b and extending from the distal end of the moving body main body 35b toward the distal end side so as to be insertable into the gap portion 7g of the tube 7.

[0139] Further, the moving body 35 includes a third gap portion 35g3 that penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end and has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape with the distal end communicating with the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, and a first gap portion 35g1 that has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and communicates with the proximal-end side of the third gap portion 35g3. At the proximal end of the first gap portion 35g1, there is provided a second tapered gap portion 35g2 that has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape with an inner diameter gradually decreasing from the proximal end toward the distal end.

[0140] Note that the second tapered gap portion 35g2 is formed to facilitate insertion of the distal end of the guide wire G into the first gap portion 35g1 even when the distal end of the guide wire G is curved. In the second tapered gap portion 35g2 of the present embodiment as well, the angle θ1 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 35 is set to 45 degrees.

[0141] Also in the present embodiment, when the applicant conducted experiments using a curved guide wire G, it was determined that the distal end of the guide wire G is particularly easily insertable into the first gap portion 35g1 when the angle θ1 of the second tapered gap portion 35g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 35 is 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

[0142] The material forming the moving body 35 can be the same material as the moving body 5 of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0143] Further, the protruding portion 35a of the moving body 35 and the protruding portion 33c of the housing 33 constitute a "stopper" that restricts the movement of the moving body 35 of the present invention.

[0144] Also, the moving body 35 is held by the compression spring 9 in a state where the base end of the protruding portion 35a of the moving body 35 abuts against the tip of the protruding portion 33c of the housing 33 in the normal state. At that time, as shown in FIG. 7, the position of the base end of the moving body 35 coincides with the position of the base end of the housing 33.

[0145] When inserting the guide wire G into the catheter 30 using the medical connector 38 described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, first, the tip of the guide wire G is moved to the second tapered gap portion 35g2, and while following the tapered portion 35c, it is inserted into the first gap portion 35g1 and then into the third gap portion 35g3.

[0146] Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, when the guide wire G is further pushed toward the tip side, the tip of the guide wire G can be directly inserted into the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 without passing through the base end side gap portion 33g2 and the tip gap portion 33g1 of the housing 33 from the third gap portion 35g3.

[0147] On the other hand, when connecting the syringe S1 to the medical connector 38, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the syringe body S1b is gripped, the tip of the syringe tip portion S1a is pressed against the base end of the moving body 35, and while moving the moving body 35 toward the tip side, the syringe tip portion S1a is inserted into the base end side gap portion 33g2 of the housing 33, and the syringe connection portion S1c is fitted to the base end connection portion 33d of the housing 33 to connect the syringe S1 to the medical connector 38.

[0148] When the syringe S1 is connected to the medical connector 38, the moving body 35 is moved toward the tip side within the base end side gap portion 3g2 of the housing 3, the protruding portion 35a of the moving body 35 is separated from the protruding portion 33c of the housing 33, and the compression spring 9 is in a compressed state.

[0149] Then, thereafter, by operating the syringe S1, the liquid such as the contrast agent and physiological saline stored in the liquid storage portion S1g2 of the syringe body S1b is sent to the void portion 7g of the tube 7 through the syringe void portion S1g1, the second tapered void portion 35g2, the first void portion 35g1, and the third void portion 35g3.

[0150] In addition, in the moving body 35 of the present embodiment, although the moving body tip portion 35d extending from the tip of the moving body main body 35b to the tip side is provided, it is also possible not to provide the moving body tip portion 35d.

[0151] In that case, when the moving body 35 is moved to the +X direction end portion so that the tip of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the tip side void portion 33g1 of the medical connector 38, it is better to minimize the gap between the tip of the moving body 35 and the base end (33f) of the housing tip portion 33a.

[0152] According to the medical connector 38 of the present embodiment, a base end side void portion 33g2 formed so that other medical instruments such as the syringe S1 can be inserted, and a tip side void portion 33g1 disposed on the tip side of the base end side void portion 33g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the base end side void portion 33g2, a housing 33 penetrating between the base end and the tip, and a third void portion 35g3 that is movable within the base end side void portion 33g2 and the tip side void portion 33g1 of the housing 33, penetrates between the base end and the tip, and the tip communicates with the void portion 7g of the tube 7, and a first void portion 35g1 communicating with the base end side of the third void portion 35g3. Since the moving body 35 having the above is provided, even if the guide wire G has a curved tip, the tip of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the medical connector 38 by using the first void portion 35g1 and the third void portion 35g3 without separately preparing an inserter. By moving the moving body 35 to the tip side, other medical instruments such as the syringe S1 can be easily inserted into the base end side void portion 33g2 of the medical connector 38.

[0153] Further, according to the medical connector 38 of the present embodiment, since the first gap portion 35g1 of the moving body 35 includes a second tapered gap portion 35g2 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end, the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 38 by utilizing the second tapered gap portion 35g2.

[0154] Further, according to the medical connector 38 of the present embodiment, since the angle of the second tapered gap portion 35g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 35 is set to be 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 38 by utilizing the second tapered gap portion 35g2.

[0155] Further, according to the medical connector 38 of the present embodiment, a compression spring 9 is disposed between the moving body 35 and the housing 3 to bias the moving body 35 toward the proximal end side of the housing 3, and a stopper including a protruding portion 35a of the moving body 35 and a protruding portion 33c of the housing 33 that restricts the movement of the moving body 35 by the compression spring 9 are provided. Therefore, the stopper prevents the moving body 35 from protruding from the housing 33, and the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 38 by utilizing the first gap portion 35g1 and the third gap portion 35g3 that are automatically moved to the proximal end side by the compression spring 9.

[0156] Further, according to the medical connector 38 of the present embodiment, since the distal end of the moving body 35 is movably disposed within the distal end side gap portion 33g1 of the housing 33, the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be reliably inserted into the medical connector 38 by utilizing the second tapered gap portion 35g2.

[0157] Furthermore, according to the catheter 30 of the present embodiment, it includes a medical connector 38 and a tube 7 having a void portion 7g connected to the tip of the medical connector 38 and communicating with the tip-side void portion 33g1 of the housing 33. Since the tip of the moving body 35 is disposed movably within the void portion 7g of the tube 7, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be reliably inserted into the medical connector 38 by utilizing the second tapered void portion 35g2, and the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be easily inserted into the catheter 30 without separately preparing an inserter.

[0158] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and their dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

[0159] Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since the overall view of the catheter provided with the medical connector is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted, and the parts common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0160] The medical connector 48 of the fifth embodiment is different from the medical connector 38 of the fourth embodiment in terms of the presence or absence of an elastic body. That is, the medical connector 38 of the fourth embodiment provided an elastic body (compression spring) for biasing the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing between the housing and the moving body, whereas the medical connector of this embodiment does not have an elastic body.

[0161] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical connector of the fifth embodiment when inserting a guide wire, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical connector of the fifth embodiment when inserting a syringe.

[0162] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the catheter 40 provided with the medical connector 48 of this embodiment is composed of a long, hollow, cylindrical tube 7, a tip chip 2 connected to the tip of the tube 7, and a medical connector 48 connected to the proximal end of the tube 7.

[0163] The medical connector 48 is connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, and includes a housing 43 connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7 and a moving body 45 that is movable in the longitudinal direction within the housing 43.

[0164] The housing 43 includes a housing distal end portion 43a disposed on the distal end side, a housing proximal end portion 43b disposed adjacent to the proximal end side of the housing distal end portion 43a, a proximal end connection portion 43d formed at the proximal end of the housing proximal end portion 43b for connecting a medical instrument such as a syringe, a protruding portion 43c that protrudes toward the center and abuts against a protruding portion 45a of the moving body 45 described later, and a hole portion 43g3 that is formed in the longitudinal direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view for the gripping portion 45e described later to move in the longitudinal direction.

[0165] Further, the housing 43 includes a proximal end side gap portion 43g2 that extends from the proximal end of the housing 43 toward the distal end side and has a substantially circular cross-sectional view so that a medical instrument such as a syringe can be inserted, and a distal end side gap portion 43g1 that is disposed adjacent to the distal end side of the proximal end side gap portion 43g2 and has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side gap portion 43g2 and communicates with the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 and has a substantially circular cross-sectional view.

[0166] Further, the housing distal end portion 43a has a surface 43f that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and is disposed opposite to the distal end of the moving body main body 45b of the moving body 45 described later.

[0167] The material forming the housing 43 can be the same material as the housing 3 of the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0168] The moving body 45 is movable within the proximal end side gap portion 43g2 and the distal end side gap portion 43g1, has an overall hollow shape, and includes a moving body main body 45b, a protruding portion 45a formed at the distal end of the moving body main body 45b and protruding toward the outer periphery so as to contact the protruding portion 43c of the housing 43, a tapered portion 45c formed at the proximal end of the moving body main body 45b and having a substantially circular cross-section in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end, a moving body distal end portion 45d having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the moving body main body 45b and extending from the distal end of the moving body main body 45b toward the distal end side so as to be insertable into the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, and a gripping portion 45e for an operator using the catheter 40 to move the moving body 45 in the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0169] Further, the moving body 45 includes a third gap portion 45g3 having a substantially circular cross-section that penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end and whose distal end communicates with the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, and a first gap portion 45g1 having a substantially circular cross-section that communicates with the proximal end side of the third gap portion 45g3. At the proximal end of the first gap portion 45g1, there is provided a second tapered gap portion 45g2 having a substantially circular cross-section in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end.

[0170] Note that the second tapered gap portion 45g2 is formed in the same manner as the second tapered gap portion 5g2 of the first embodiment to facilitate insertion of the distal end of the guide wire G into the first gap portion 45g1 even when the distal end of the guide wire G is curved. In the second tapered gap portion 45g2 of the present embodiment, the angle θ1 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 45 is set to 45 degrees.

[0171] Also in the present embodiment, when experiments were conducted by the applicant using a curved guide wire G, it was determined that the distal end of the guide wire G was particularly easy to insert into the first gap portion 45g1 when the angle θ1 of the second tapered gap portion 45g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 45 was 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

[0172] The material forming the moving body 45 can be the same material as the moving body 5 of the first embodiment, and in the present embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0173] Further, the protruding portion 45a of the moving body 45 and the protruding portion 43c of the housing 43 constitute a "stopper" that restricts the movement of the moving body 45 of the present invention.

[0174] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the base end of the moving body 45 is in a state where the base end of the protruding portion 45a of the moving body 45 abuts against the tip of the protruding portion 43c of the housing 43, it coincides with the position of the base end of the housing 43.

[0175] When inserting the guide wire G into the catheter 40 using the medical connector 48 described above, first, the operator using the catheter 40 grips the gripping portion 45e of the moving body 45 and moves it in the -X direction so that the base end of the protruding portion 45a of the moving body 45 abuts against the tip of the protruding portion 43c of the housing 43.

[0176] Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, first, the tip of the guide wire G is moved to the second tapered gap portion 45g2, and while following the tapered portion 45c, it is inserted into the first gap portion 45g1 and then into the third gap portion 45g3.

[0177] Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, when the guide wire G is further pushed toward the tip side, the tip of the guide wire G can be directly inserted from the third gap portion 45g3 into the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 without passing through the base end side gap portion 43g2 and the tip gap portion 43g1 of the housing 43.

[0178] On the other hand, when connecting the syringe S1 to the medical connector 48, first, the operator using the catheter 40 grips the gripping portion 45e of the moving body 45 and moves it in the +X direction so that the tip of the gripping portion 45e of the moving body 45 abuts against the tip wall of the hole portion 43g3 of the housing 43.

[0179] Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, hold the syringe body S1b, press the tip of the syringe tip S1a against the base end of the moving body 45, and while moving the moving body 45 toward the tip side, insert the syringe tip S1a into the base end side gap portion 43g2 of the housing 43, and connect the syringe S1 to the medical connector 48 by fitting the syringe connection portion S1c to the base end connection portion 43d of the housing 43.

[0180] When the syringe S1 is connected to the medical connector 48, the moving body 45 is moved toward the tip side within the base end side gap portion 43g2 of the housing 43, and the protruding portion 45a of the moving body 45 is in a state of being separated from the protruding portion 43c of the housing 43.

[0181] Then, thereafter, by operating the syringe S1, the liquid such as the contrast agent and physiological saline stored in the liquid storage portion S1g2 of the syringe body S1b is sent to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 through the syringe gap portion S1g1, the second tapered gap portion 45g2, the first gap portion 45g1, and the third gap portion 45g3.

[0182] Note that in the gripping portion 45e of the present embodiment, the movement in the -X direction is completed by bringing the base end of the protruding portion 45a of the moving body 45 into contact with the tip of the protruding portion 43c of the housing 43, and the movement in the +X direction is completed by bringing the tip of the gripping portion 45e into contact with the tip wall of the hole portion 43g3 of the housing 43. However, the movement in the -X direction may be completed by bringing the base end of the gripping portion 45e into contact with the base end wall of the hole portion 43g3 of the housing 43, and the movement in the +X direction may be completed by bringing the tip of the gripping portion 45e into contact with the tip wall of the hole portion 43g3 of the housing 43.

[0183] In that case, the protruding portion 45a of the moving body 45 and the protruding portion 43c of the housing 43 can be eliminated from the medical connector 48, and the configuration of the medical connector 48 can be simplified.

[0184] Also, in the moving body 45 of the present embodiment, the moving body tip portion 45d extending from the tip of the moving body main body 45b toward the tip side is provided, but it is also possible not to provide the moving body tip portion 45d.

[0185] In that case, when the moving body 45 is moved to the +X direction end so that the tip of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the medical connector 48, it is better to minimize the gap between the tip of the moving body 45 and the base end (43f) of the housing tip portion 43a.

[0186] According to the medical connector 48 of the present embodiment, a proximal end side void portion 43g2 formed to be able to insert other medical instruments such as the syringe S1, and a distal end side void portion 43g1 disposed on the distal end side of the proximal end side void portion 43g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side void portion 43g2, a housing 43 penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and a third void portion 45g3 that is movable within the proximal end side void portion 43g2 and the distal end side void portion 43g1 of the housing 43, penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end, and the distal end communicates with the void portion 7g of the tube 7, and a first void portion 45g1 that communicates with the proximal end side of the third void portion 45g3. Since the moving body 45 is provided, even if the guide wire G has a curved tip, the tip of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the medical connector 48 by using the first void portion 45g1 and the third void portion 45g3 without separately preparing an inserter. By moving the moving body 45 to the distal end side, other medical instruments such as the syringe S1 can be easily inserted into the proximal end side void portion 43g2 of the medical connector 48.

[0187] Further, according to the medical connector 48 of the present embodiment, since the first void portion 45g1 of the moving body 45 includes a second tapered void portion 45g2 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 48 by using the second tapered void portion 45g2.

[0188] Moreover, according to the medical connector 48 of the present embodiment, since the angle of the second tapered gap portion 45g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 45 is set to be 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 48 by using the second tapered gap portion 45g2.

[0189] Moreover, according to the medical connector 48 of the present embodiment, since the tip of the moving body 45 is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion 43g1 of the housing 43, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be surely inserted into the medical connector 48 by using the second tapered gap portion 45g2.

[0190] Moreover, according to the medical connector 48 of the present embodiment, since the moving body 45 is provided with a gripping portion 45e that allows the moving body 45 to move in the longitudinal direction, a user using the medical connector 48 can freely move the moving body 45 in the longitudinal direction regardless of the attachment of other medical instruments such as a syringe, and the tip of the guide wire can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 48.

[0191] Furthermore, according to the catheter 40 of the present embodiment, it includes a medical connector 48 and a tube 7 having a gap portion 7g that is connected to the tip of the medical connector 48 and communicates with the tip-side gap portion 43g1 of the housing 43. Since the tip of the moving body 45 is movably disposed within the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be surely inserted into the medical connector 48 by using the second tapered gap portion 45g2, and the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be easily inserted into the catheter 40 without separately preparing an inserter.

[0192] (Sixth Embodiment) Finally, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

[0193] Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the overall view of the catheter equipped with the medical connector is the same as that in FIG. 1, the description thereof will be omitted, and for the parts common to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given and the description will be omitted.

[0194] The medical connector 58 of the sixth embodiment has a different connection method for other medical instruments such as syringes compared to the medical connector 38 of the fourth embodiment. That is, in the medical connector 38 of the fourth embodiment, the insertion of the guide wire G and the insertion of the syringe S1 could not be performed simultaneously, whereas the medical connector of the present embodiment is configured to be able to perform the insertion of the guide wire G and the insertion of the syringe S1 simultaneously.

[0195] FIG. 11 is an overall longitudinal sectional view of the catheter equipped with the medical connector of the sixth embodiment when the guide wire is inserted, FIG. 12 is an overall longitudinal sectional view of the catheter equipped with the medical connector of the sixth embodiment when the syringe is inserted, FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 11, FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of the moving body in FIG. 11, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of the moving body in FIG. 11.

[0196] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the catheter 50 equipped with the medical connector 58 of the present embodiment is composed of a long hollow cylindrical tube 7, a tip chip 2 connected to the tip of the tube 7, and a medical connector 58 connected to the proximal end of the tube 7.

[0197] The medical connector 58 is connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, and includes a housing 53 connected to the proximal end portion of the tube 7, a moving body 55 that is movable in the longitudinal direction within the housing 53, and a compression spring 59 disposed between the housing 53 and the moving body 55 and biasing the moving body 55 toward the proximal end side of the housing 53.

[0198] The housing 53 includes a housing tip portion 53a disposed at the tip side, a housing base portion 53b disposed adjacent to the base end side of the housing tip portion 53a, a base end connection portion 53d formed at the base end of the housing base portion 53b for connecting a medical instrument such as a syringe, and a protruding portion 53c formed on the housing base portion 53b and protruding toward the center to abut against a protruding portion 55a of a moving body 55 described later.

[0199] Further, the housing 53 includes a substantially circular base end side void portion 53g2 formed to extend from the base end to the tip side of the housing 53 so that a medical instrument such as a syringe can be inserted, a substantially circular tip side void portion 53g1 disposed adjacent to the tip side of the base end side void portion 53g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the base end side void portion 53g2 and communicating with a void portion 7g of a tube 7, and eight substantially circular void portions 53ga, 53gb, 53gc, 53gd, 53ge, 53gf, 53gg, and 53gh (see FIG. 13) formed to quickly send the liquid sent from a syringe S1 to the void portion 7g of the tube 7.

[0200] Further, the housing tip portion 53a has a surface 53f whose outer periphery is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in order to fix the tip portion of a compression spring 59.

[0201] The material forming the housing 53 can be the same material as the housing 3 of the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0202] The moving body 55 is movable within the base end side void portion 53g2 and the tip side void portion 53g1, has a hollow shape as a whole, includes a moving body main body 55b, a protruding portion 55a formed at the tip of the moving body main body 55b and protruding toward the outer periphery to abut against the protruding portion 53c of the housing 53, a substantially circular tapered portion 55c formed at the base end of the moving body main body 55b and having an inner diameter gradually decreasing from the base end toward the tip in a cross-sectional view, and a moving body tip portion 55d having an outer diameter smaller than that of the moving body main body 55b and extending from the tip of the moving body main body 55b to the tip side so as to be insertable into the void portion 7g of the tube 7.

[0203] Further, the moving body 55 has a third gap portion 55g3 that penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end and has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape with the distal end communicating with the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, a first gap portion 55g1 that is substantially circular in cross-sectional view and communicates with the proximal end side of the third gap portion 55g3, and eight substantially circular cross-sectional view gap portions 55ga, 55gb, 55gc, 55gd, 55ge, 55gf, 55gg, and 55gh (see FIGS. 14 and 15) formed to quickly send the liquid sent from the syringe S1 to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7. The proximal end of the first gap portion 55g1 is provided with a second tapered gap portion 55g2 that is substantially circular in cross-sectional view and has an inner diameter that gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end.

[0204] Note that the second tapered gap portion 55g2 is formed to facilitate insertion of the tip of the guide wire G into the first gap portion 55g1 even when the tip of the guide wire G is curved. In the second tapered gap portion 55g2 of the present embodiment, the angle θ1 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 55 is set to 45 degrees.

[0205] Also in the present embodiment, when experiments were conducted by the applicant using the curved guide wire G, it was determined that the tip of the guide wire G was particularly easy to insert into the first gap portion 55g1 when the angle θ1 of the second tapered gap portion 55g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body 55 was 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

[0206] The material forming the moving body 55 can be the same material as the moving body 5 of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, polyamide is used.

[0207] The compression spring 59 is disposed in the proximal end side gap portion 53g2 in a range excluding the distal end portion 55d of the moving body, the gap portions 53ga to 53gh, and the gap portions 55ga to 55gh in cross-sectional view, and is disposed between the proximal end (53f) of the housing distal end portion 53a of the housing 53 and the distal end of the moving body 55 in longitudinal cross-sectional view, and is configured to bias the moving body 55 toward the proximal end side of the housing 53.

[0208] Therefore, in the normal state, the mobile body 55 is held in a state where the base end of the protruding portion 55a of the mobile body 55 abuts against the tip end of the protruding portion 53c of the housing 53. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the position of the base end of the mobile body 55 coincides with the position of the base end of the housing 53.

[0209] Note that, as the material forming the compression spring 59, the same material as the compression spring 9 of the first embodiment can be used. In this embodiment, a stainless alloy is used.

[0210] Further, the protruding portion 55a of the mobile body 55 and the protruding portion 53c of the housing 53 constitute a "stopper" that restricts the movement of the mobile body 55 of the present invention.

[0211] When inserting the guide wire G into the catheter 50 using the medical connector 58 described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, first, the tip of the guide wire G is moved to the second tapered gap portion 55g2, and while following the tapered portion 55c, it is inserted into the first gap portion 55g1 and then into the third gap portion 55g3.

[0212] Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, when the guide wire G is further pushed toward the tip end side, the tip of the guide wire G can be directly inserted from the third gap portion 55g3 into the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 without passing through the base end side gap portion 53g2 and the tip end gap portion 53g1 of the housing 53.

[0213] On the other hand, when connecting the syringe S2 to the medical connector 58, as shown in FIG. 12, along the guide wire G that has been previously passed through the gap portion S2g3 of the hollow tubular body S2d that penetrates the tip and the base end of the syringe S2, the syringe S2 is moved, the syringe body S2b is gripped, the tip of the syringe tip portion S2a is pressed against the base end of the mobile body 55, and while moving the mobile body 55 toward the tip end side, the syringe tip portion S2a is inserted into the base end side gap portion 53g2 of the housing 53, and the syringe connection portion S2c is fitted to the base end connection portion 53d of the housing 53, thereby connecting the syringe S2 to the medical connector 58.

[0214] When the syringe S2 is connected to the medical connector 58, the moving body 55 is moved toward the distal end within the proximal end side gap portion 53g2 of the housing 53, the protruding portion 55a of the moving body 55 is separated from the protruding portion 53c of the housing 53, and the compression spring 59 is in a compressed state.

[0215] Then, by operating the syringe S2 thereafter, the liquid such as the contrast agent and physiological saline stored in the liquid storage portion S2g2 of the syringe body S2b is quickly sent to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7 through the syringe gap portion S2g1, the second tapered gap portion 55g2, the first gap portion 55g1, the third gap portion 55g3, the eight gap portions 55ga - 55gh, the proximal end side gap portion 53g2, the distal end side gap portion 53g1, and the eight gap portions 53ga - 53gh.

[0216] In this embodiment, it has been described that the housing 53 is provided with eight gap portions 53ga - 53gh and the moving body 55 is provided with eight gap portions 55ga - 55gh. However, as long as the liquid such as the contrast agent and physiological saline can be sufficiently sent from the syringe to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, the shapes of these gap portions can be any shape, and the number of these gap portions can be any number.

[0217] Furthermore, as long as the liquid such as the contrast agent and physiological saline can be sufficiently sent from the syringe to the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, the eight gap portions 53ga - 53gh of the housing 53 and the eight gap portions 55ga - 55gh of the moving body 55 may not be provided.

[0218] Also, in the moving body 55 of this embodiment, although the moving body tip portion 55d extending toward the distal end from the tip of the moving body main body 55b is provided, it can also be configured not to have the moving body tip portion 55d.

[0219] In that case, when the moving body 55 is moved to the +X direction end portion so that the tip of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the medical connector 58, it is better to minimize the gap between the tip of the moving body 55 and the housing tip portion 53a(53f).

[0220] According to the medical connector 58 of the present embodiment, a proximal end side gap portion 53g2 formed to be insertable with another medical instrument such as a syringe S2, and a distal end side gap portion 53g1 disposed on the distal end side of the proximal end side gap portion 53g2 and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side gap portion 53g2 are provided, and a housing 53 penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and a third gap portion 55g3 movable within the proximal end side gap portion 53g2 and the distal end side gap portion 53g1 of the housing 53, penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end, and having a distal end communicating with the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, and a first gap portion 55g1 communicating with the proximal end side of the third gap portion 55g3. Since the movable body 55 is provided, even if the guide wire G has a curved distal end, the distal end of the guide wire G can be easily inserted into the medical connector 58 by using the first gap portion 55g1 and the third gap portion 55g3 without separately preparing an inserter. By moving the movable body 55 to the distal end side, another medical instrument such as the syringe S2 can be easily inserted into the proximal end side gap portion 53g2 of the medical connector 58.

[0221] Further, according to the medical connector 58 of the present embodiment, since the first gap portion 55g1 of the movable body 55 includes a second tapered gap portion 55g2 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end, the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 58 by using the second tapered gap portion 55g2.

[0222] Further, according to the medical connector 58 of the present embodiment, since the angle of the second tapered gap portion 55g2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the movable body 55 is set to be 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, the distal end of the guide wire G with a curved distal end can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 58 by using the second tapered gap portion 55g2.

[0223] Further, according to the medical connector 58 of the present embodiment, a compression spring 59 is disposed between the moving body 55 and the housing 53 to bias the moving body 55 toward the proximal end side of the housing 53, and a stopper including a protruding portion 55a of the moving body 55 and a protruding portion 53c of the housing 53 that restricts the movement of the moving body 55 by the compression spring 59 are provided. Therefore, the stopper prevents the moving body 55 from protruding from the housing 53, and by using the first gap portion 55g1 and the third gap portion 55g3 that are automatically moved to the proximal end side by the compression spring 59, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be more easily inserted into the medical connector 58.

[0224] Further, according to the medical connector 58 of the present embodiment, since the tip of the moving body 55 is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion 53g1 of the housing 53, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be reliably inserted into the medical connector 58 by using the second tapered gap portion 55g2.

[0225] Furthermore, according to the catheter 50 of the present embodiment, a medical connector 58 and a tube 7 having a gap portion 7g connected to the tip of the medical connector 58 and communicating with the tip-side gap portion 53g1 of the housing 53 are provided. Since the tip of the moving body 55 is movably disposed within the gap portion 7g of the tube 7, the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be reliably inserted into the medical connector 58 by using the second tapered gap portion 55g2, and the tip of the guide wire G with a curved tip can be easily inserted into the catheter 50 without separately preparing an inserter.

[0226] As described above, the medical connectors of various embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0227] For example, in the fifth embodiment, the gripping portion 45e provided in the moving body 45 may be provided in the moving body 5 in the first and second embodiments, the moving body 25 in the third embodiment, the moving body 35 in the fourth embodiment, and the moving body 55 in the sixth embodiment.

[0228] In that case, the user using the medical connector can freely move the moving body in the longitudinal direction regardless of the attachment of other medical instruments such as a syringe, and the tip of the guide wire G can be more easily inserted into the medical connector.

[0229] Also, when the moving body 5 in the first and second embodiments and the moving body 25 in the third embodiment are provided with a gripping portion, when the moving body is moved to the +X direction end portion, it is better to minimize the gap between the tip of the moving body and the base end of the housing tip portion 3a.

[0230] When the gap between the tip of the moving body and the base end of the housing tip portion 3a is minimized, the tip of the guide wire G can be more easily inserted into the medical connector.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0231] 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 ··· Catheter 2 ··· Tip 3, 13, 33, 43, 53 ··· Housing 3c, 5a, 13c, 25a, 33c, 35a, 43c, 45a, 53c, 55a ··· Protrusion (stopper) 3g2, 13g2, 33g2, 43g2, 53g2 ··· Base-end side gap 3g1, 13g1, 33g1, 43g1, 53g1 ··· Tip-side gap 5, 25, 35, 45, 55 ··· Moving body 5g1, 25g1, 35g1, 45g1, 55g1 ··· First gap 5g2, 35g2, 45g2, 55g2 ··· Second tapered gap 35g3, 45g3, 55g3 ··· Third gap 7... Tube 8, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58... Medical connector 9, 59... Compression spring (elastic body) 19... Elastic body 45e... Gripping part G... Guide wire S1, S2... Syringe

Claims

1. A housing having a proximal-side void portion formed to be insertable with another medical instrument, and a distal-side void portion disposed on the distal end side of the proximal-side void portion and having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal-side void portion, and penetrating between the proximal end and the distal end; A moving body that is movable within the proximal-side void portion of the housing, or within the proximal-side void portion and the distal-side void portion of the housing, penetrates between the proximal end and the distal end, and has a first void portion whose distal end communicates with the proximal-side void portion or the distal-side void portion; A medical connector, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first void portion of the moving body includes a second tapered void portion whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end toward the distal end.

3. The medical connector according to claim 2, wherein the angle of the second tapered void portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving body is 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

4. An elastic body disposed between the moving body and the housing and biasing the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing; A stopper that restricts the movement of the moving body by the elastic body; The medical connector according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the above.

5. An elastic body disposed between the moving body and the housing and biasing the moving body toward the proximal end side of the housing; A stopper that restricts the movement of the moving body by the elastic body; The medical connector according to claim 2, characterized by comprising the above.

6. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the moving body is movably disposed within the distal-side void portion of the housing.

7. The medical connector according to claim 2, wherein the distal end of the moving body is movably disposed within the distal-side void portion of the housing.

8. The medical connector according to claim 4, wherein a tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing.

9. The medical connector according to claim 5, wherein a tip of the moving body is movably disposed within the tip-side gap portion of the housing.

10. The medical connector according to claim 6, wherein the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion.

11. The medical connector according to claim 7, wherein the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion.

12. The medical connector according to claim 8, wherein the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion.

13. The medical connector according to claim 9, wherein the moving body has a second gap portion that communicates its proximal end with the tip-side gap portion.

14. The medical connector according to claim 10, wherein the housing has a third gap portion that communicates its tip with the tip-side gap portion.

15. The medical connector according to claim 11, wherein the housing has a third gap portion that communicates its tip with the tip-side gap portion.

16. The medical connector according to claim 12, wherein the housing has a third gap portion that communicates its tip with the tip-side gap portion.

17. The medical connector according to claim 13, wherein the housing has a third gap portion that communicates its tip with the tip-side gap portion.

18. The mobile body of the medical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a gripping part capable of moving the mobile body in the longitudinal direction.

19. The medical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 18, a tube connected to the tip of the medical connector and having a void portion communicating with the void portion on the tip side of the housing, characterized by comprising a catheter.

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