Catheter handle and catheter equipped with the same

Abstract

To provide a catheter handle equipped with a linear member whose both end parts are arranged on a tube and whose intermediate part is arranged in a handle in a reversed state, and suppressed in bending of the linear member.SOLUTION: A catheter handle 1 comprises: a slider 4 which is arranged in a handle body 2, and can be displaced in an axial direction; a linear member 6 whose first part 6A and second part 6B are arranged in the tube 22, and whose intermediate part 6C therebetween is arranged on the handle body 2; a reverse guide 7 with which the intermediate part 6C of the linear member 6 is in contact; and a cylindrical elastic body 10 into which the linear member 6 is inserted and which is expandable in the axial direction. The linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 on a side closer to the first part 6A side than the contact part with the reverse guide 7. The linear member 6 is fixed to the cylindrical elastic body 10 by the first and second fixing parts 11, 12. In a non-expansion state of the cylindrical elastic body 10, the length between the first and second fixing parts 11, 12 of the linear member 6 is longer than the length between the first and second fixing parts 11, 12 of the cylindrical elastic body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle used for a catheter and a catheter including the same.

Background Art

[0002] A catheter generally includes a tube for insertion into a body cavity such as a blood vessel, a digestive tract, or a ureter, and a handle provided on the proximal side of the tube. There is known a catheter configured such that the distal end of the tube can be bent by operating the handle on the hand side. In such a catheter, a wire is disposed in the lumen of the tube, the distal end of the wire is fixed to the distal end of the tube, the proximal end of the wire is connected to the handle, and the distal end of the tube can be bent by operating the handle. For example, in a catheter in which two wires are disposed in the lumen of the tube, by operating the handle, the distal end of the tube can be bent to one side by pulling one of the two wires proximally, and the distal end of the tube can be bent to the other side by pulling the other wire.

[0003] As such a catheter handle, Patent Document 1 discloses a handle for operating a catheter tube, which includes a handle body, a slider disposed in the lumen of the handle body and having a first engaging portion extending in a spiral shape on the outer surface, the slider being provided so as to be axially displaceable, a rotary knob provided so as to be rotatable about the axial direction with respect to the handle body and having a second engaging portion engaging with the first engaging portion of the slider on the inner surface, a linear member having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween, the first portion and the second portion being disposed in the lumen of the tube, the intermediate portion being disposed in the lumen of the handle body, and a reversing guide with which the intermediate portion of the linear member abuts, and a catheter handle is disclosed in which the linear member is fixed to the slider on the first portion side from the abutting portion with the reversing guide. In the catheter handle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the first portion and the second portion of the linear member are disposed in the lumen of the tube and function as wires for operating the distal end of the tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The catheter handle disclosed in Patent Document 1 can displace a slider provided in the handle axially by rotating a rotary knob. Accordingly, a linear member fixed to the slider is displaced axially, and the distal end portion of a tube provided on the distal side of the catheter handle can be bent. At this time, it is desirable that the linear member is not bent as much as possible inside the handle, whereby the operability of the handle can be improved.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a catheter handle including a linear member having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween, the first portion and the second portion being disposed in the lumen of a tube, and the intermediate portion being disposed inside the handle in an inverted manner, and in which the bending of the linear member is suppressed inside the handle, and a catheter including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The catheter handle of the present invention that has solved the above problems and a catheter including the catheter handle are as follows. [1] A handle for operating a tube of a catheter, a handle body having a lumen extending axially from a proximal side to a distal side, a shaft disposed in the lumen of the handle body, extending in the axial direction, and fixed to the handle body, A slider is disposed outside the shaft and has a first engaging portion extending in a spiral shape on its outer surface, and is provided so as to be displaceable in the axial direction along the shaft. A rotary knob having a rotary shaft extending in the axial direction and provided rotatably with respect to the handle body, the rotary knob having a lumen extending in the axial direction and having a second engaging portion on its inner surface that engages with the first engaging portion of the slider. A linear member having a first end and a second end, having a first portion including the first end, a second portion including the second end, and an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion being disposed in the lumen of the tube, and the intermediate portion being disposed in the lumen of the handle body. A reverse guide disposed in the lumen of the handle body and in contact with at least a part of the intermediate portion of the linear member. A tubular elastic body through which a part of the linear member is inserted and capable of extending in the axial direction. A part of the linear member on the first end side from the contact portion with the reverse guide is fixed to the slider. The portion of the linear member inserted into the tubular elastic body is fixed to the tubular elastic body at a plurality of locations including a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. A catheter handle in which, in a non-extended state of the tubular elastic body, the length between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the linear member is longer than the length between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the tubular elastic body. [2] The catheter handle according to [1], wherein the tubular elastic body is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion of the linear member with the reverse guide. [3] The catheter handle according to [2], wherein the tubular elastic body is provided on either the proximal side or the distal side of the slider. [4] The catheter handle according to [1], wherein the tubular elastic body is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion of the linear member with the reverse guide and on the distal side of the fixing portion with the slider. [5] The tubular elastic body is provided on the first end side portion of the linear member from the contact portion with the inversion guide and on the distal side of the fixing portion with the slider in the catheter handle according to [2] or [3]. [6] In an intermediate state between the state where the slider is displaced to the most distal side and the state where the slider is displaced to the most proximal side, the tubular elastic body is in an extended state in the catheter handle according to any one of [1] to [5]. [7] The tubular elastic body is a rubber tube in the catheter handle according to any one of [1] to [6]. [8] A catheter having the catheter handle according to any one of [1] to [7] and a tube provided on the distal side of the catheter handle.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] The catheter handle and catheter of the present invention have a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion are disposed in the lumen of the tube, and the intermediate portion is provided with a linear member disposed so as to invert inside the handle. A part of the linear member is inserted through a tubular elastic body that can be extended in the axial direction and is fixed to the tubular elastic body at a plurality of locations including a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. And in the non-extended state of the tubular elastic body, the length between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the linear member is longer than the length between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the tubular elastic body. Therefore, even if the linear member is bent, the bent of the linear member can be reduced by the contraction of the extended tubular elastic body. Thereby, it becomes possible to operate the tube provided on the distal side of the catheter handle with good reactivity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, based on the following embodiments, the catheter handle of the present invention and the catheter provided with the handle will be specifically described. However, the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments, and it is of course possible to appropriately modify and implement it within the range that can conform to the gist of the foregoing and following descriptions, and all of them are included in the technical scope of the present invention. In each drawing, for the sake of convenience, hatching, member codes, etc. may be omitted, but in such cases, reference shall be made to the specification and other drawings. In addition, the dimensions of various members in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions because priority is given to facilitating the understanding of the features of the present invention.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, the overall catheter provided with a catheter handle will be described. The catheter 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a catheter handle 1 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "handle 1") and a tube 22 provided on the distal side of the handle 1. The catheter 21 is used, for example, for treatment and examination by inserting the tube 22 into a body cavity such as a patient's blood vessel or digestive tract.

[0012] In the present invention, the proximal side of the catheter refers to the direction on the user's hand side with respect to the extending direction of the catheter, and the distal side refers to the opposite direction of the proximal side, that is, the direction of the treatment target side.

[0013] The tube 22 has a flexible tubular structure and can be made of, for example, synthetic resins such as polyolefin resins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyamide resins (e.g., nylon), polyester resins (e.g., PET), aromatic polyether ketone resins (e.g., PEEK), polyether polyamide resins, polyurethane resins, polyimide resins, fluorine-based resins (e.g., PTFE, PFA, ETFE), etc., or metals such as stainless steel, carbon steel, nickel-titanium alloys, etc. The metal material can also be used as a metal wire embedded in the synthetic resin tube. The axial (longitudinal) length of the tube 22 is several times to several tens of times longer than the length of the handle 1 in the same direction, for example, about 500 mm to 1200 mm. The outer diameter of the tube 22 can be, for example, about 0.6 mm to 5 mm.

[0014] The tube 22 has a lumen and can be either a single-lumen structure having one lumen inside or a multi-lumen structure having a plurality of lumens. The tube 22 may have a coaxial structure provided with a plurality of coaxial lumens. A wire for operating the tube 22 is disposed in the lumen of the tube 22. The wire is provided, for example, to control the bending of the distal end of the tube 22. In this case, the distal end of the wire is preferably fixed to the distal end of the tube 22, for example, to the distal-side 1 / 3 portion of the tube 22. Conductive wires, optical fibers, endoscopes, etc. may be disposed in the lumen of the tube 22, or a lumen for inserting a guide wire or another treatment tool may be provided, or a lumen for flowing a drug, a contrast agent, or any fluid may be provided.

[0015] The handle 1 is provided on the proximal side of the tube 22, and when assembled as the catheter 21, the proximal end of the wire disposed in the lumen of the tube 22 is connected to the handle 1.

[0016] Details of the catheter handle will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9. FIG. 2 shows an example of a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle provided on the catheter shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2, which is a plan view with a part of the slider cut along the axial direction. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2 with the slider and the shaft removed. FIGS. 5 to 7 show plan views of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 3 with the slider displaced to the most distal side or the most proximal side. FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the extended state and the non-extended state of the cylindrical elastic body provided on the catheter handle. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 2 to 7, a plan view of the catheter handle is shown in which the handle body serving as the housing of the catheter handle and the rotary knob are cut along the axial direction so that the internal structure can be seen. In FIG. 9, the cut portion of the handle body in FIG. 2 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0017] The handle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a handle body 2 having a lumen extending in the axial direction x, a shaft 3 disposed in the lumen of the handle body 2, extending in the axial direction x, and fixed to the handle body 2, and a first engaging portion 13 that is disposed outside the shaft 3 in the lumen of the handle body 2 and has a spiral extension on the outer surface, and a slider 4 provided so as to be displaceable in the axial direction x along the shaft 3, and a rotary knob 5 having a rotation axis extending in the axial direction x, provided rotatably with respect to the handle body 2, and having a second engaging portion 14 that engages with the first engaging portion 13 of the slider 4 on the inner surface. In the handle 1, the axial direction x corresponds to the direction in which the rotation axis of the rotary knob 5 extends, and the proximal side and the distal side are defined as one side and the other side with respect to the axial direction x. Also, the radial direction is defined as the direction orthogonal to the axial direction x.

[0018] The handle body 2 has a lumen extending in the axial direction x (see FIG. 4). The lumen of the handle body 2 preferably has a portion formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the axial direction x, and the rotary knob 5 is preferably disposed in the cylindrical portion of the lumen. The rotary knob 5 has a rotary shaft extending in the axial direction x and is provided rotatably about the axial direction x with respect to the handle body 2. The rotary knob 5 is preferably disposed in at least a part of the lumen of the handle body 2, and preferably only a part in the axial direction x is disposed in the lumen of the handle body 2.

[0019] The rotary knob 5 has a lumen extending in the axial direction x. The lumen of the rotary knob 5 preferably forms the internal space of the handle 1 together with the lumen of the handle body 2. The lumen of the rotary knob 5 preferably has a portion formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the axial direction x. The lumen of the rotary knob 5 communicates with the lumen of the handle body 2 in the axial direction x, and the lumen of the rotary knob 5 and the lumen of the handle body 2 integrally form the internal space of the handle 1, and it is preferable that the shaft 3 and the slider 4 are disposed in the internal space.

[0020] At least one of the distal side and the proximal side of the handle body 2 is preferably formed open, and the rotary knob 5 is inserted from the distal side or the proximal side of the handle body 2 formed open, and the rotary knob 5 is preferably disposed in the lumen of the handle body 2. On the other hand, the rotary knob 5 is preferably inserted into the handle body 2, and the proximal side or the distal side located in the lumen of the handle body 2 is preferably formed open. Thereby, the internal space of the handle 1 is integrally formed from the lumen of the handle body 2 and the lumen of the rotary knob 5. Preferably, as shown in the drawing, the distal side of the handle body 2 is formed open, the proximal side of the rotary knob 5 is formed open, and the rotary knob 5 is inserted into the lumen of the handle body 2 from the distal side of the handle body 2. The handle 1 has the handle body 2 and the rotary knob 5 exposed on the outside. For example, the handle 1 can be operated by holding the handle body 2 with one hand and holding the rotary knob 5 with the other hand and rotating it with respect to the handle body 2.

[0021] In the inner cavity of the handle body 2, a shaft 3 is arranged to extend in the axial direction x (see Fig. 3). The shaft 3 is fixed to the handle body 2 and is provided so as not to rotate or move relative to the handle body 2. The shaft 3 may be integrally formed with the handle body 2. The shaft 3 is preferably arranged at a position that serves as the rotation axis of the rotary knob 5. The shaft 3 is preferably provided from the inner cavity of the handle body 2 to the inner cavity of the rotary knob 5, and may also be provided to extend distally and / or proximally from the handle body 2 and the rotary knob 5.

[0022] Preferably, a tube 22 is connected to the distal side of the shaft 3. The connection portion between the shaft 3 and the tube 22 may be in the internal space of the handle 1, may be on the distal side of the internal space of the handle 1, or may be outside the handle 1. The shaft 3 can also be integrally formed with the tube 22.

[0023] The shaft 3 may be formed in a solid shape or in a hollow shape. It should be noted that the shaft 3 is preferably formed in a hollow shape, and the inner cavity of the shaft 3 preferably communicates with the inner cavity of the tube 22. Thereby, through the inner cavity of the shaft 3 and the inner cavity of the tube 22, a treatment tool can be delivered from the proximal side of the catheter 21 to the treatment target site, or a drug or a contrast agent can be injected. Examples of the treatment tool include an electrode catheter, an ablation catheter, a mapping catheter, a balloon catheter, a micro catheter, forceps, a laser probe, a fiber scope, a high-frequency treatment tool, an electrohydraulic shock fragmentation probe, and the like. In order to enable the insertion of such a treatment tool, the shaft 3 preferably has a proximal opening outside the handle 1. The shaft 3 may have a branch portion, and a switching cock may be provided at the branch portion of the shaft 3. Thereby, for example, the insertion port of the treatment tool and the injection port of the drug or the like can be provided separately.

[0024] On the outside of the shaft 3, a slider 4 is arranged. The slider 4 is arranged in the internal space of the handle 1 and is arranged from the inner cavity of the handle body 2 to the inner cavity of the rotary knob 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The slider 4 is arranged radially outside the shaft 3. Therefore, it is preferable that the slider 4 is provided with a through hole extending in the axial direction x and penetrating the slider 4 in the axial direction x, and the shaft 3 is inserted into this through hole.

[0025] The slider 4 is provided so as to be displaceable in the axial direction x along the shaft 3, that is, the internal space of the handle 1 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction x. Preferably, the slider 4 is formed such that the length in the axial direction x is shorter than the length in the axial direction x of the shaft 3 in the internal space of the handle 1, and is also preferably formed shorter than the length in the axial direction x of the internal space of the handle 1.

[0026] The slider 4 is formed to be displaced in the axial direction x by rotating the rotary knob 5 about the axial direction x. For this purpose, a first engaging portion 13 extending in a spiral shape is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4, and a second engaging portion 14 engaging with the first engaging portion 13 is formed on the inner surface of the rotary knob 5.

[0027] The first engaging portion 13 is formed so as to extend in a spiral shape on the outer surface of the slider 4, that is, the radially outer side surface of the slider 4. Specifically, the first engaging portion 13 is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4 so as to extend in a spiral shape with the axial direction x of the handle 1 as the axis, and is preferably formed on the outer surface of the slider 4 formed in a cylindrical shape. The first engaging portion 13 may be formed continuously or intermittently. The first engaging portion 13 may be formed in a right-handed spiral shape or a left-handed spiral shape from the proximal side to the distal side.

[0028] The second engaging portion 14 is formed on the inner surface of the rotary knob 5, that is, the surface on the inner side in the radial direction of the rotary knob 5, so as to be engageable with the first engaging portion 13 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The second engaging portion 14 is formed so as to extend in a spiral shape on the inner surface of the rotary knob 5, and specifically, so as to extend in a spiral shape with the axial direction x of the handle 1 as the axis. The second engaging portion 14 is preferably formed on the inner surface of the rotary knob 5 formed in a cylindrical shape. The second engaging portion 14 may be formed continuously or intermittently.

[0029] As described above, the first engaging portion 13 is formed on the outer surface of the slider 4, and the second engaging portion 14 is formed on the inner surface of the rotary knob 5. By rotating the rotary knob 5 about the axial direction x, the slider 4 can be moved in the axial direction x in the internal space of the handle 1. That is, the spiral-shaped first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 14 can convert the rotational movement about the axial direction x of the rotary knob 5 into the translational movement parallel to the axial direction x of the slider 4.

[0030] The first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 14 may be formed so as to extend continuously or intermittently in a spiral shape for one or more turns, or may be formed so as to be less than one turn. At least one of the first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 14 is preferably formed so as to extend continuously or intermittently in a spiral shape for one or more turns, more preferably so as to extend for two or more turns, and even more preferably so as to extend for three or more turns. On the other hand, the other of the first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 14 may be formed so as to be less than one turn continuously or intermittently in a spiral shape. For example, it may be provided so as to extend only half a turn in a spiral shape. In the handle 1 shown in the drawings, the first engaging portion 13 provided on the slider 4 is formed so as to extend in a spiral shape for one or more turns, and the second engaging portion 14 provided on the rotary knob 5 is formed so as to extend less than one turn in a spiral shape.

[0031] The first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 14 can be formed by a combination of a convex portion and a groove. That is, it is preferable that one of the first engaging portion 13 and the second engaging portion 14 is a convex portion and the other is a groove. When the first engaging portion 13 or the second engaging portion 14 is formed as a groove, the groove is preferably formed to continuously extend in a spiral shape. The groove may be a bottomed groove or a through groove, but from the viewpoint of ensuring the strength of the slider 4 or the rotary knob 5, the groove is preferably a bottomed groove. On the other hand, when the first engaging portion 13 or the second engaging portion 14 is formed as a convex portion, the convex portion may be provided in a continuously extending spiral shape or a intermittently extending spiral shape. In the drawing, the first engaging portion 13 provided on the slider 4 is formed as a convex portion (convex stripe), and the second engaging portion 14 provided on the rotary knob 5 is formed as a groove.

[0032] In the internal space of the handle 1, a linear member 6 that bends on the proximal side and has both ends extending to the distal side is provided (see FIG. 3). Both ends of the linear member 6 extending to the distal side are disposed in the lumen of the tube 22. To explain this in detail, the linear member 6 has a first end as one end and a second end as the other end. The portion including the first end is defined as a first portion 6A, the portion including the second end is defined as a second portion 6B, and the portion between the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B is defined as an intermediate portion 6C. The first end and the second end are defined as one end and the other end when the linear member 6 is extended straight. Then, the linear member 6 is inverted at the intermediate portion 6C, and at least a part of the intermediate portion 6C including the inverted portion is disposed in the lumen of the handle body 2, and at least a part of the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B is disposed in the lumen of the tube 22.

[0033] The linear member 6 has a first portion 6A and a second portion 6B that serve as wires for controlling the tube 22. The distal end portion of the first portion 6A, that is, the vicinity thereof including the first end, and the distal end portion of the second portion 6B, that is, the vicinity thereof including the second end, are preferably fixed to the distal end portion of the tube 22. In this case, by operating the handle 1 to pull the first portion 6A proximally, the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent to one side, and by pulling the second portion 6B proximally, the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent to the other side. The distal end portion of the first portion 6A can be defined, for example, as a portion within 100 mm proximally from the first end of the first portion 6A, and the distal end portion of the second portion 6B can be defined, for example, as a portion within 100 mm proximally from the second end of the second portion 6B. The distal end portion of the tube 22 can be defined, for example, as a portion within 100 mm proximally from the distal end of the tube 22.

[0034] The linear member 6 preferably extends from the inner cavity of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 to the outside in the inner space of the handle 1, and the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 preferably extends from the inner cavity of the rotary knob 5 to the inner cavity of the handle body 2. More preferably, the linear member 6 extends from the inner cavity of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 to the outside in the inner space of the handle 1, distally of the distal end of the slider 4, with the slider 4 displaced to the most distal position.

[0035] The linear member 6 is preferably disposed in the inner cavity of the slider 4, that is, the through-hole extending in the axial direction x, at the portion overlapping the slider 4 in the axial direction x. Accordingly, a gap extending in the axial direction x (a gap passing through the slider 4 in the axial direction x) is formed between the inner surface of the through-hole of the slider 4 and the shaft 3, and the linear member 6 is preferably disposed in the gap.

[0036] In the inner cavity of the handle body 2, a reverse guide 7 for guiding the reversal of the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 is provided, and at least a part of the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 is in contact with the reverse guide 7. The reverse guide 7 is fixed to the handle body 2 and is provided so as not to rotate or move with respect to the handle body 2 when the handle 1 is operated. The reverse guide 7 may be integrally formed with the handle body 2. Alternatively, the reverse guide 7 may be fixable to the handle body 2 at different positions in the axial direction x. In the drawings, the reverse guide 7 is fixed to the handle body 2 by screwing. The reverse guide 7 is preferably provided on the proximal side of the slider 4 with respect to the axial direction x. Specifically, in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most proximal side, it is preferably provided on the proximal side of the proximal end of the slider 4.

[0037] The reverse guide 7 preferably has a guide passage for making the linear member 6 U-turn to the distal side, and the linear member 6 preferably abuts against the guide passage. The guide passage is preferably formed in a U-shaped or arc-shaped (for example, semi-circular) shape that protrudes proximally in a plan view along the axial direction x. The guide passage is preferably formed as a tubular passage, and the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 is preferably inserted into the inner cavity of the tubular passage.

[0038] In the internal space of the handle 1, the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side (the first portion 6A side) with respect to the reverse guide 7 and the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side (the second portion 6B side) with respect to the reverse guide 7 are interlocked and displaceable in the axial direction x. Since the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side with respect to the reverse guide 7 is connected to the portion on the second end side with respect to the reverse guide 7 through the portion in contact with the reverse guide 7, when the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side with respect to the reverse guide 7 is displaced proximally, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side with respect to the reverse guide 7 can be displaced distally, and when the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side with respect to the reverse guide 7 is displaced distally, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side with respect to the reverse guide 7 can be displaced proximally.

[0039] The entire first portion 6A and the second portion 6B may be disposed within the tube 22, or only a part thereof may be disposed within the tube 22. The intermediate portion 6C may be entirely disposed within the internal space of the handle 1, or only a part thereof may be disposed within the internal space of the handle 1. In the drawings, within the internal space of the handle 1, the first portion 6A and the intermediate portion 6C are connected by the first connection portion 8, and the second portion 6B and the intermediate portion 6C are connected by the second connection portion 9. Thus, it is preferable that the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B extend from the tube 22 into the internal space of the handle 1, specifically, into the lumen of the rotary knob 5. Regardless of the displacement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x, it is preferable that a part of the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B is located within the lumen of the rotary knob 5. The first portion 6A and the second portion 6B may extend into the lumen of the handle body 2.

[0040] The intermediate portion 6C is disposed to be bent so as to invert distally within the lumen of the handle body 2. The intermediate portion 6C preferably includes all of the portions of the linear member 6 that contact the inversion guide 7 due to the displacement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x. In other words, it is preferable that it is the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 that contacts the inversion guide 7. Also, regardless of the displacement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x, it is preferable that a part of the intermediate portion 6C is located within the lumen of the rotary knob 5.

[0041] The linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the first end side (the first portion 6A side) from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6. In FIG. 3, the linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 by a fixture 17 provided on the slider 4. Thus, when the rotary knob 5 is rotated about the axial direction x, the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, and accordingly, the portion on the first end side from the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 can be displaced in the axial direction x, and the portion on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 can be displaced in the opposite axial direction x. Specifically, when the slider 4 is displaced proximally, the portion on the first end side from the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 is displaced proximally accordingly, and the portion on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 is displaced distally. When the slider 4 is displaced distally, the portion on the first end side from the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 is displaced distally accordingly, and the portion on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 is displaced proximally. Thereby, the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 disposed in the lumen of the tube 22 can be pulled proximally or pushed distally, and for example, the bending of the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be controlled. For example, by rotating the rotary knob 5 clockwise as viewed from the hand side, the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent to one side, and by rotating the rotary knob 5 counterclockwise as viewed from the hand side, the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent to the other side.

[0042] The linear member 6 is preferably fixed to the inner surface of the slider 4. In FIG. 3, the fixture 17 of the linear member 6 is installed on the inner surface of the slider 4, and the linear member 6 is fixed to this fixture 17. However, the linear member 6 may be directly fixed to the inner surface of the slider 4 with an adhesive or the like. When the linear member 6 is directly fixed to the inner surface of the slider 4, the fixture 17 may not be provided. Examples of the fixing method of the fixture 17 of the linear member 6 or to the inner surface of the slider 4 include adhesion with an adhesive, welding, fitting, caulking, tying, screwing, and the like.

[0043] Although not shown in the drawings, the slider 4 may have an inner layer and an outer layer, and the linear member 6 may be disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. In this case, the linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 by being sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer.

[0044] The fixing portion of the linear member 6 to the slider 4 is preferably located proximal to the point where the linear member 6 extends outside the lumen of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side. In other words, in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side, the linear member 6 preferably extends outside the lumen of the shaft 3 or the tube 22 at a position distal to the fixing portion to the slider 4.

[0045] The linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most proximal side. By fixing the linear member 6 to the slider 4 in this way, regardless of the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x, the linear member 6 is fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7. On the other hand, it is preferable that the linear member 6 is not fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7. Specifically, it is preferable that the linear member 6 is not fixed to the slider 4 at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most proximal side.

[0046] As the linear member 6, a metal wire such as stainless steel, carbon steel, nickel-titanium alloy, or a resin wire (i.e., a fiber material) formed from a synthetic resin such as polyamide resin (e.g., nylon), polyolefin resin (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene), polyester resin (e.g., PET), aromatic polyether ketone resin (e.g., PEEK), polyimide resin, aromatic polyamide resin (e.g., aramid), fluororesin (e.g., PTFE, PFA, FEP, ETFE) can be used. These metal wires and resin wires may have a monofilament structure or a multifilament structure.

[0047] The first part 6A, the second part 6B, and the intermediate part 6C of the linear member 6 may be made of the same material or different materials. It is preferable that the intermediate part 6C is made of a material different from that of the first part 6A and the second part 6B. The intermediate part 6C is preferably made of a material that is easy to bend so that it can be bent with a relatively small bending radius by the inversion guide 7. On the other hand, since the first part 6A and the second part 6B are disposed in the inner cavity of the tube 22 and it is required that the movement of the linear member 6 in the axial direction x at the handle 1 is preferably transmitted to the distal end of the tube 22 via the first part 6A and the second part 6B, it is preferably made of a material with relatively high rigidity and does not require flexibility more than the intermediate part 6C. Therefore, it is preferable that the intermediate part 6C has a smaller bending rigidity than the first part 6A and the second part 6B.

[0048] The bending rigidities of the first part 6A, the second part 6B, and the intermediate part 6C can be measured, for example, according to the stiffness test of JIS L 1913:2010, and the magnitudes of the bending rigidities can be compared from the results. Alternatively, the bending rigidities can be measured using a bending tester such as the single bending tester KES-FB2-SH or the pure bending tester KES-FB2-S manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd., and the magnitudes of the bending rigidities can be compared.

[0049] The intermediate part 6C of the linear member 6 is preferably composed of a fiber rope. This makes it easier to smoothly invert the intermediate part 6C with the inversion guide 7 while ensuring the strength of the intermediate part 6C. The fiber rope is formed by twisting twisted yarns into strands and further twisting these strands. Therefore, the fiber rope has large irregularities formed by twisting on the surface, which can reduce the contact area with the inversion guide 7 and increase the slipperiness in the inversion guide 7. Also, it becomes easier to ensure the rigidity of the intermediate part 6C in the axial direction x.

[0050] The fiber rope is preferably composed of a high-strength fiber material from the viewpoint of preventing breakage, and is preferably composed of so-called super fibers. Examples of super fibers include aramid fibers, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, polyarylate fibers, ultra-high strength polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fibers, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) fibers, and the like. The super fiber preferably has a tensile strength of 1 GPa or more, preferably 2 GPa or more, and an elastic modulus of 25 GPa or more, preferably 50 GPa or more.

[0051] The first portion 6A and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 are preferably composed of a metal wire. Thereby, by pulling the first portion 6A and the second portion 6B disposed in the inner cavity of the tube 22 proximally or pushing them distally, it becomes easy to control the bending of the distal end portion of the tube 22 with good reactivity. The first portion 6A and the second portion 6B may be a wire rope made of a metal material.

[0052] The outer diameter of the linear member 6 can be, for example, about 100 μm to 1500 μm. Here, the outer diameter described means the diameter when the cross-sectional shape is circular, and represents the average value of the major axis and the minor axis when the cross-sectional shape is non-circular. The major axis means the length in the long axis direction of the outer edge of the cross-sectional shape (the maximum diameter of the outer edge), and the minor axis means the longest length among the lengths in the minor axis direction perpendicular to the long axis direction.

[0053] The joining of the first portion 6A and the intermediate portion 6C at the first connection portion 8 and the joining of the second portion 6B and the intermediate portion 6C at the second connection portion 9 can be performed by adhesion, welding, caulking, tying, or the like.

[0054] When the handle 1 displaces the slider 4 in the axial direction x, the portion on the first end side (the first part 6A side) of the linear member 6 from the inversion guide 7 is displaced in the axial direction x, and the portion on the second end side (the second part 6B side) of the linear member 6 from the inversion guide 7 is displaced in the axial direction x opposite thereto. At this time, it is desirable that the linear member 6 is bent as little as possible. As a result, when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, the linear member 6 is more likely to be displaced in the axial direction x in a highly responsive manner accordingly. Specifically, the portion on the first end side of the linear member 6 from the inversion guide 7 and the portion on the second end side of the linear member 6 from the inversion guide 7 are more likely to be displaced in the axial direction x in opposite directions to each other in a highly responsive manner in conjunction with the movement of the slider 4. As a result, the operability of the tube 22 provided on the distal side of the handle 1 can be enhanced.

[0055] Therefore, a cylindrical elastic body 10 through which a part of the linear member 6 is inserted is provided on the handle 1. The cylindrical elastic body 10 is disposed on the distal side of the inversion guide 7, and a part of the linear member 6 is inserted into the inner cavity of the cylindrical elastic body 10. FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the cylindrical elastic body 10 through which the linear member 6 is inserted. FIG. 8(a) shows the cylindrical elastic body 10 in an extended state, and FIG. 8(b) shows the cylindrical elastic body 10 in a non-extended state.

[0056] The portion of the linear member 6 inserted into the cylindrical elastic body 10 is fixed to the cylindrical elastic body 10 at a plurality of locations including a first fixing portion 11 and a second fixing portion 12. In FIG. 8, the linear member 6 is fixed to the cylindrical elastic body 10 at two locations, the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12. The first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 are at different positions from each other in the axial direction x. The cylindrical elastic body 10 is stretchable in the axial direction x. In the non-stretched state of the cylindrical elastic body 10, the linear member 6 is bent and present in the inner cavity of the cylindrical elastic body 10, and so to speak, the linear member 6 is in a folded state in the inner cavity of the cylindrical elastic body 10. At this time, the length between the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 of the linear member 6 is longer than the length between the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 of the cylindrical elastic body 10. Note that the linear member 6 does not substantially stretch in the axial direction x even when pulled in the axial direction x and does not function as a so-called elastic member. When the cylindrical elastic body 10 is stretched in the axial direction x, the length between the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 becomes longer, and the linear member 6, regardless of the stretching of the cylindrical elastic body 10 in the axial direction x, the length between the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 (specifically, the length of the path) does not change. The cylindrical elastic body 10 can be stretched in the axial direction x until the length between the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 becomes equal to the length between the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 of the linear member 6.

[0057] The cylindrical elastic body 10 is not particularly limited as long as it has a cylindrical shape and is elastically stretchable in the axial direction x. The inner cavity of the cylindrical elastic body 10 extends in the axial direction x. As the cylindrical elastic body 10, for example, a rubber tube, a tension coil spring, or the like can be used, and preferably a rubber tube is used. By using a rubber tube as the cylindrical elastic body 10, it is possible to prevent the linear member 6 from being caught on the side wall of the cylindrical elastic body 10 when the cylindrical elastic body 10 contracts from the stretched state to the non-stretched state.

[0058] The rubber tube can be composed of, for example, rubbers such as silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, fluororubber, natural rubber; styrenic elastomers such as styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS); urethane elastomers such as polyurethane, etc.

[0059] The inner diameter and outer diameter of the cylindrical elastic body 10 may be appropriately set according to the outer diameter of the linear member 6. For example, the inner diameter of the cylindrical elastic body 10 in the non-expanded state is preferably 1.2 times or more, more preferably 1.5 times or more, and preferably 10 times or less, more preferably 8 times or less, and even more preferably 5 times or less of the outer diameter of the linear member 6 (particularly the outer diameter of the middle portion 6C of the linear member 6). The outer diameter of the cylindrical elastic body 10 in the non-expanded state is preferably 1.3 times or more, more preferably 1.6 times or more, and preferably 8 times or less, more preferably 6 times or less, and even more preferably 5 times or less of the outer diameter of the linear member 6 (particularly the outer diameter of the middle portion 6C of the linear member 6).

[0060] The method of fixing the linear member 6 to the cylindrical elastic body 10 at the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 is not particularly limited, and known fixing means can be used. For simplicity, the linear member 6 is preferably fixed to the inner surface of the cylindrical elastic body 10 with an adhesive. In the cylindrical elastic body 10, the first fixing portion 11 is preferably provided at one end in the axial direction x, and the second fixing portion 12 is preferably provided at the other end in the axial direction x. For example, when the non-expanded cylindrical elastic body 10 is equally divided into four parts in the axial direction x, the first fixing portion 11 is preferably provided in a 1 / 4 portion including one end in the axial direction x, and the second fixing portion 12 is preferably provided in a 1 / 4 portion including the other end in the axial direction x. The linear member 6 may be fixed to the cylindrical elastic body 10 at three or more locations including the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12.

[0061] The cylindrical elastic body 10 may be provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6, may be provided at a portion on the second end side, or may be provided at both the portion on the first end side and the portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6. The cylindrical elastic body 10 may be provided on the proximal side of the slider 4, may be provided on the distal side, or may be provided at a position overlapping the slider 4 in the axial direction x. In the handle 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the second end side (the second portion 6B side) from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6, and is also provided on the distal side of the slider 4. In the following description, the cylindrical elastic body 10 provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 may be referred to as the "cylindrical elastic body 10A".

[0062] In FIGS. 2 and 3, a state where the slider 4 is at an intermediate position in the axial direction x, that is, an intermediate state between the state of being displaced to the most distal side and the state of being displaced to the most proximal side is shown. In the intermediate state of the slider 4, the cylindrical elastic body 10 is preferably in an extended state. For this purpose, the first portion 6A, the distal end portion, and the distal end portion of the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 are preferably fixed to the distal end portion of the tube 22 in a state where the cylindrical elastic body 10 is extended. In FIGS. 2 and 3, in the intermediate state of the slider 4, the cylindrical elastic body 10 is in an extended state.

[0063] Since the handle 1 is provided with the cylindrical elastic body 10 as described above, when the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x, the linear member 6 is suppressed from greatly deflecting in the internal space of the handle 1. Therefore, it becomes easy to operate the tube 22 provided on the distal side of the handle 1 with good reactivity. This will be described in detail below. Note that the deflection of the linear member 6 in the internal space of the handle 1 is distinguished from the deflection of the linear member 6 in the inner cavity of the cylindrical elastic body 10, and the deflection of the elastic member 6 in the inner cavity of the cylindrical elastic body 10 is not included in the deflection of the linear member 6 in the internal space of the handle 1.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows the state in which the slider 4 is displaced distally from the intermediate state in the handle 1 shown in FIG. 3. When the slider 4 is displaced distally, the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the inversion guide 7 is displaced distally, and accordingly, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 is displaced proximally. Since the cylindrical elastic body 10A is in an extended state in the intermediate state of the slider 4, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the inversion guide 7, as well as the portion distally of the cylindrical elastic body 10A, is displaced distally together with the cylindrical elastic body 10A. Since the cylindrical elastic body 10A is fixed to the linear member 6 by the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12, the cylindrical elastic body 10A does not extend more than the length between the first fixing portion 11 and the second fixing portion 12 of the linear member 6. Therefore, when the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 and the portion proximally of the cylindrical elastic body 10A are displaced proximally, the portion distally of the cylindrical elastic body 10A can also be displaced proximally with good responsiveness. As a result, the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 is pulled proximally, and the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows the state in which the slider 4 is displaced proximally from the intermediate state in the handle 1 shown in FIG. 3. When the slider 4 is displaced proximally, the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the inversion guide 7 is displaced proximally, whereby the first portion 6A of the linear member 6 is pulled proximally, and the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent. Further, in accordance with the portion of the linear member 6 on the first end side from the inversion guide 7 being displaced proximally, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 is displaced distally. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, in the internal space of the handle 1, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 and proximally of the cylindrical elastic body 10A is likely to be deflected. When such deflection occurs, as shown in FIG. 7, the extended cylindrical elastic body 10A contracts in the axial direction x, whereby the deflection of the linear member 6 can be reduced. That is, when the cylindrical elastic body 10A contracts in the axial direction x, the portion of the linear member 6 on the second end side from the inversion guide 7 and proximally of the cylindrical elastic body 10A is pulled distally, whereby the deflection of the linear member 6 can be reduced.

[0066] Note that the tubular elastic body 10A contracted in the axial direction x can be restored to the extended state by bending the distal end portion of the tube 22 by the above operation. That is, when the first portion 6A of the linear member 6 is pulled proximally, the distal end portion of the tube 22 is bent to one side. Along with this, the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 is drawn into the lumen of the tube 22 and pulled distally. As a result, the tubular elastic body 10A contracted in the axial direction x is pulled distally, and the tubular elastic body 10A can be restored to the extended state again.

[0067] The tubular elastic body 10 may be provided at a portion on the first end side (the first portion 6A side) from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6. For example, when the tubular elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and proximal to the fixing portion (fixture 17) with the slider 4, the same effect as when the tubular elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 as described above can be obtained. That is, even when the linear member 6 is bent when the slider 4 is displaced proximally, the effect of reducing the bending of the linear member 6 by the tubular elastic body 10 can be exerted. In this case, the tubular elastic body 10 is preferably provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and proximal to the slider 4.

[0068] In addition, in order for the effect of reducing the bending of the linear member 6 by the tubular elastic body 10 to be more effective even when the linear member 6 is bent when the slider 4 is displaced proximally, the tubular elastic body 10 is more preferably provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6, and even more preferably provided at either the proximal side or the distal side of the slider 4 at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6. The tubular elastic body 10 is particularly preferably provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and distal to the slider 4.

[0069] The cylindrical elastic body 10 may be provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion of the linear member 6 with the inversion guide 7 and on the distal side from the fixing portion (fixing tool 17) with the slider 4. A configuration example of the handle 1 provided with the cylindrical elastic body 10 in this way is shown in FIGS. 10 to 14. FIG. 10 shows another example of a plan view of the internal structure of the catheter handle provided on the catheter shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 shows the internal structure of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 10, which is a plan view with a part of the slider cut away along the axial direction. FIGS. 12 to 14 show plan views of the catheter handle shown in FIG. 11 with the slider displaced to the most proximal side or the most distal side. In the following description, the cylindrical elastic body 10 provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion of the linear member 6 with the inversion guide 7 and on the distal side from the fixing portion with the slider 4 may be referred to as the "cylindrical elastic body 10B".

[0070] In FIGS. 10 and 11, an intermediate state between the state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side and the state where it is displaced to the most proximal side is shown, and the cylindrical elastic body 10B is in an extended state. FIG. 12 shows the state where the slider 4 is displaced proximally from the intermediate state in the handle 1 shown in FIG. 11. When the slider 4 is displaced proximally, a portion on the first end side from the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and on the distal side from the slider 4 is pulled by the slider 4 and displaced proximally. As a result, the first portion 6A of the linear member 6 is pulled proximally, and the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent.

[0071] FIG. 13 shows the state in which the slider 4 in the handle 1 shown in FIG. 11 is displaced distally from the intermediate state. When the slider 4 is displaced distally, the portion on the first end side of the reversing guide 7 of the linear member 6 that is distal to the slider 4 is displaced distally together with the slider 4. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the portion on the first end side of the reversing guide 7 of the linear member 6 that is distal to the slider 4 is likely to bend. When such bending occurs, as shown in FIG. 14, the tubular elastic body 10B in the extended state contracts in the axial direction x, thereby reducing the bending of the linear member 6. That is, when the tubular elastic body 10B contracts in the axial direction x, the portion on the first end side of the reversing guide 7 of the linear member 6 that is proximal to the tubular elastic body 10B is pulled distally, thereby reducing the bending of the linear member 6.

[0072] Note that the tubular elastic body 10B that has contracted in the axial direction x can be returned to the extended state by bending the distal end portion of the tube 22 by the above operation. That is, when the slider 4 is displaced distally, the portion on the first end side of the reversing guide 7 of the linear member 6 that is proximal to the slider 4 is displaced distally, and accordingly, the portion on the second end side of the reversing guide 7 of the linear member 6 is displaced proximally, whereby the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 is pulled proximally, and the distal end portion of the tube 22 can be bent. The tube 22 has its distal end portion bent to the other side when the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 is pulled proximally. Along with this, the first portion 6A of the linear member 6 is drawn into the lumen of the tube 22 and pulled distally. As a result, the tubular elastic body 10B that has contracted in the axial direction x is pulled distally, and the tubular elastic body 10B can be returned to the extended state again. The tubular elastic body 10B is more preferably provided at a portion on the first end side of the contact portion with the reversing guide 7 of the linear member 6 that is distal to the slider 4.

[0073] Although not shown in the drawings, a plurality of cylindrical elastic bodies 10 may be provided on the linear member 6. For example, a cylindrical elastic body 10A may be provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion of the linear member 6 with the inversion guide 7, and at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion of the linear member 6 with the inversion guide 7 and distal to the fixing portion with the slider 4, a cylindrical elastic body 10B may be provided. Thereby, the bending of the linear member 6 can be reduced more effectively.

[0074] The cylindrical elastic body 10 is preferably provided at the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6. That is, it is preferable that the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 is inserted into the cylindrical elastic body 10. As described above, since the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 is preferably made of a material that is easily bent, by inserting the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6 into the cylindrical elastic body 10, when the cylindrical elastic body 10 is in a non-expanded state, the linear member 6 can be suitably bent and folded easily within the inner cavity of the cylindrical elastic body 10.

[0075] When the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion of the linear member 6 with the inversion guide 7 and distal to the slider 4, the second connection portion 9 where the intermediate portion 6C and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 are connected is preferably located distal to the distal end of the slider 4 in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side (see FIG. 5). By providing the linear member 6 in this way, regardless of the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x, the second connection portion 9 will be located distal to the slider 4. Thereby, when the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion of the linear member 6 with the inversion guide 7 and distal to the slider 4, while suppressing the contact between the cylindrical elastic body 10 and the slider 4, the cylindrical elastic body 10 can be provided at the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6.

[0076] When the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and proximal to the slider 4, the second connection portion 9 where the intermediate portion 6C and the second portion 6B of the linear member 6 are connected is preferably located proximal to the proximal end of the slider 4 in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most proximal side (not shown). By providing the linear member 6 in this way, regardless of the displacement of the slider 4 in the axial direction x, the second connection portion 9 will be located proximal to the slider 4. As a result, when the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and proximal to the slider 4, while suppressing the contact between the cylindrical elastic body 10 and the slider 4, the cylindrical elastic body 10 can be provided at the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6. Alternatively, even when the second connection portion 9 is located distally and more than the length of the cylindrical elastic body 10 away from the distal end of the slider 4 in a state where the slider 4 is displaced to the most distal side, while suppressing the contact between the cylindrical elastic body 10 and the slider 4, the cylindrical elastic body 10 can be provided at the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6.

[0077] When the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and distal to the slider 4, the first connection portion 8 where the intermediate portion 6C and the first portion 6A of the linear member 6 are connected is preferably located distal to the distal end of the slider 4 (see FIGS. 10 to 14). Thereby, when the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and distal to the slider 4, while suppressing the contact between the cylindrical elastic body 10 and the slider 4, the cylindrical elastic body 10 can be provided at the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6.

[0078] When the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and proximal to the slider 4, the first connection portion 8 where the intermediate portion 6C and the first portion 6A of the linear member 6 are connected may be located distal to the distal end of the slider 4 or may be located proximal to the proximal end of the slider 4 (not shown). Thereby, when the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6 and proximal to the slider 4, while suppressing the contact between the cylindrical elastic body 10 and the slider 4, the cylindrical elastic body 10 can be provided at the intermediate portion 6C of the linear member 6.

[0079] When the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6, the difference between the length in the axial direction x in the extended state and the length in the axial direction x in the non-extended state of the cylindrical elastic body 10 is preferably 2.4 times or less, more preferably 2.0 times or less, still more preferably 1.6 times or less, and also preferably 0.2 times or more, more preferably 0.4 times or more, still more preferably 0.6 times or more of the length by which the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x. When the cylindrical elastic body 10 is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion with the inversion guide 7 of the linear member 6, the difference between the length in the axial direction x in the extended state and the length in the axial direction x in the non-extended state of the cylindrical elastic body 10 is preferably 1.2 times or less, more preferably 1.0 times or less, still more preferably 0.8 times or less, and also preferably 0.1 times or more, more preferably 0.2 times or more, still more preferably 0.3 times or more of the displaceable length of the slider 4 in the axial direction x. Thereby, the bending of the linear member 6 can be suitably reduced by the cylindrical elastic body 10, and it becomes easy to displace the linear member 6 in the axial direction x as the slider 4 is displaced in the axial direction x. The length in the axial direction x in the extended state of the cylindrical elastic body 10 corresponds to the length of the portion of the linear member 6 through which the cylindrical elastic body 10 is inserted.

[0080] The handle 1 is preferably configured as follows in order to prevent the slider 4 from rotating together with the rotary knob 5 when the rotary knob 5 is rotated about the axial direction x. That is, a third engaging portion 15 is provided on the outer surface of the slider 4, a fourth engaging portion 16 that engages with the third engaging portion 15 is provided on the inner surface of the handle body 2, and at least one of the third engaging portion 15 and the fourth engaging portion 16 is preferably formed to extend in the axial direction x. Thereby, the slider 4 can be displaced along the axial direction x without rotating about the axial direction x.

[0081] The third engaging portion 15 and the fourth engaging portion 16 can be formed by a combination of a convex portion and a groove. That is, it is preferable that one of the third engaging portion 15 and the fourth engaging portion 16 is a convex portion and the other is a groove. In the handle 1 shown in the drawing, the third engaging portion 15 provided on the outer surface of the slider 4 is formed as a convex portion, and the fourth engaging portion 16 provided on the inner surface of the handle body 2 is formed as a groove.

[0082] The third engaging portion 15 or the fourth engaging portion 16 formed as a groove is preferably formed to extend in the axial direction x, and more preferably formed to continuously extend in the axial direction x. The groove may be a bottomed groove or a through groove, but from the viewpoint of ensuring the strength of the slider 4 or the handle body 2, the groove is preferably a bottomed groove. On the other hand, the third engaging portion 15 or the fourth engaging portion 16 formed as a convex portion may or may not be formed to extend in the axial direction x.

[0083] As shown in the drawing, when the third engaging portion 15 is formed as a convex portion and the fourth engaging portion 16 is formed as a groove, the convex portion formed as the third engaging portion 15 on the outer surface of the slider 4 is preferably disposed closer to the proximal side than the first engaging portion 13 in the slider 4. At least a part of the groove formed as the fourth engaging portion 16 on the inner surface of the handle body 2 is preferably disposed farther from the distal side than the inversion guide 7.

[0084] Although not shown in the drawings, when a groove is formed as the third engaging portion 15 on the outer surface of the slider 4, the groove may be formed at a position overlapping the first engaging portion 13 in the axial direction x in the slider 4, or may be formed on the proximal side of the first engaging portion 13. In this case, at least a part of the convex portion formed as the fourth engaging portion 16 on the inner surface of the handle body 2 is preferably disposed on the distal side of the inversion guide 7.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1: Catheter handle 2: Handle body 3: Shaft 4: Slider 5: Rotating knob 6: Linear member, 6A: First part, 6B: Second part, 6C: Intermediate part 7: Inversion guide 8: First connection part 9: Second connection part 10: Cylindrical elastic body 11: First fixing part 12: Second fixing part 13: First engaging portion 14: Second engaging portion 15: Third engaging portion 16: Fourth engaging portion 17: Fixture (for the linear member) 21: Catheter 22: Tube

Claims

1. A handle for manipulating a catheter tube, comprising: a handle body having a lumen extending axially from a proximal side to a distal side; a shaft disposed in the lumen of the handle body, extending in the axial direction, and fixed to the handle body; a slider disposed outside the shaft, having a first engaging portion extending in a spiral shape on an outer surface thereof, and provided displaceably in the axial direction along the shaft; a rotary knob having a rotary shaft extending in the axial direction, rotatably provided with respect to the handle body, having a lumen extending in the axial direction, and having a second engaging portion engaging with the first engaging portion of the slider on an inner surface thereof; a linear member having a first end and a second end, having a first portion including the first end, a second portion including the second end, and an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are disposed in the lumen of the tube, and the intermediate portion is disposed in the lumen of the handle body; a reversing guide disposed in the lumen of the handle body, with at least a part of the intermediate portion of the linear member being in contact therewith; a tubular elastic body through which a part of the linear member is inserted and which is axially extensible; a part of the linear member on the first end side from the contact portion with the reversing guide is fixed to the slider; the portion of the linear member inserted into the tubular elastic body is fixed to the tubular elastic body at a plurality of locations including a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion; a catheter handle, wherein in a non-extended state of the tubular elastic body, the length between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the linear member is longer than the length between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the tubular elastic body.

2. The catheter handle according to claim 1, wherein the tubular elastic body is provided at a portion on the second end side from the contact portion of the linear member with the reversing guide.

3. The catheter handle according to claim 2, wherein the tubular elastic body is provided on either the proximal side or the distal side of the slider.

4. The catheter handle according to claim 1, wherein the tubular elastic body is provided at a portion on the first end side from the contact portion of the linear member with the reversing guide and on the distal side of the fixing portion with the slider.

5. The catheter handle according to claim 2, wherein the tubular elastic body is provided on a portion on the first end side of the contact portion of the linear member with the inversion guide and on the distal side of the fixing portion with the slider.

6. The catheter handle according to claim 1, wherein the tubular elastic body is in an extended state in an intermediate state between a state where the slider is displaced to the most distal side and a state where the slider is displaced to the most proximal side.

7. The catheter handle according to claim 1, wherein the tubular elastic body is a rubber tube.

8. A catheter having the catheter handle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a tube provided on the distal side of the catheter handle.

Images