Medical connector

Abstract

To provide a medical connector high in operability in which a medical instrument inserted into a valve body can be released and fixed by opening and closing the valve body only by an operation in one direction by one hand.SOLUTION: A medical connector 10 includes: a body 20 that can connect a medical tube body 140 to the tip part and includes a body lumen 26; a moving part 60 arranged in the body lumen 26 for moving the body lumen 26 in a long axis direction X; an energizing part 70 arranged in the body lumen 26 for energizing the moving part 60 in a proximal end direction; a pressing part 80, part of which protrudes outside the body 20 for pressing the moving part 60 in a pressing direction Z perpendicular to the long axis direction X so as to move it in the proximal end direction; and a valve body 50 having a valve opening 51 which is formed of an elastic material, is arranged in the body lumen 26, is brought into contact with the moving part 60, and penetrates in the long axis direction X, the valve opening 51 being closed by receiving compression force from the moving part 60 energized by the energizing part 70, which can be communicated with a through hole 61 by being opened by the reduction of the compression force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical connector that is connected to the proximal end of a long medical tubing. [Background technology]

[0002] Intravascular treatment is performed to diagnose and treat lesions in blood vessels by inserting a device percutaneously into the blood vessel under radiographic guidance. In endovascular treatment, a catheter is inserted along a previously inserted guidewire to the target site to treat the lesion or inject medication. In some procedures, a smaller-diameter inner catheter is inserted into the lumen of a larger-diameter outer catheter that has already been inserted.

[0003] When an inner catheter with a guidewire inserted therein is inserted into an outer catheter, advancing the guidewire distally without holding the inner catheter inserted into the outer catheter may cause the inner catheter to be pushed back proximally, making it difficult to maintain its position. Therefore, in a procedure in which the guidewire is manipulated while the outer and inner catheters are fixed, a Y-connector is sometimes used to fix the outer and inner catheters (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The Y-connector includes a tubular main body, a valve body disposed inside the main body, and a rotating member that is connected to the main body by a threaded structure and deforms the valve body when rotated. This Y-connector is connected to the hub of the outer catheter, and the rotating member is rotated relative to the main body to deform and close the valve body, thereby fixing the inner catheter that passes through the valve body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2008 / 078393 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The Y connector described in Patent Document 1 requires the rotation of a rotating member when opening and closing the valve. This prevents instantaneous opening and closing of the valve, resulting in poor operability. Furthermore, when opening and closing the valve, the surgeon must grasp the Y connector body with one hand and rotate the rotating member with the other, making it impossible to grasp the inner catheter or guidewire. This can result in the positions of the inner catheter and guidewire relative to the outer catheter changing when the Y connector valve is opened or closed.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a medical connector that is highly maneuverable, allowing a medical instrument inserted into a valve body to be released and secured by opening and closing the valve body with a single-handed operation in one direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The medical connector (1) according to the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, is characterized by comprising: a main body extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, having a connecting portion at the distal end capable of connecting a medical tubing, and having a main body lumen penetrating in the longitudinal direction; a movable portion disposed in the main body lumen, movable in the longitudinal direction within the main body lumen, and having a through-hole penetrating in the longitudinal direction; a biasing portion disposed in the main body lumen, expandable in the longitudinal direction, and biasing the movable portion toward the distal end; a pressing portion, a portion of which protrudes outside the main body, and movable in a pressing direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis relative to the main body so as to move the movable portion toward the proximal end; and a valve body formed of an elastic material, disposed in the main body lumen, in contact with the moving portion, and having a valve opening penetrating in the longitudinal direction, the valve opening being closed by a compressive force from the moving portion biased by the biasing portion, and opening when the compressive force is reduced to allow communication with the through-hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The medical connector described in (1) above can open the closed valve opening of the valve body by simply pressing the pressing part linearly from the outside to move the moving part toward the proximal end against the biasing force of the biasing part, and can close the valve opening by simply releasing the pressing force to move the moving part toward the distal end due to the biasing force of the biasing part, compressing the valve body. Therefore, the medical connector is highly easy to use because it can fix and release the medical device to the medical tubing by opening and closing the valve opening of the valve body with just one hand in one direction.

[0009] (2) The medical connector described in (1) above may have a fixing mechanism that can fix the pressing portion to the main body. This allows the medical connector to easily maintain the valve opening in an open state by fixing the pressing portion to the main body with the fixing mechanism, even without the surgeon continuing to press the pressing portion. Therefore, the medical connector can easily maintain a state in which the medical instrument can be moved relative to the medical tubing.

[0010] (3) In the medical connector described in (1) or (2) above, the base end of the through hole may be provided with a luer taper, which allows the medical connector to connect another instrument to the through hole of the moving part and inject a liquid such as a medicine or saline into the medical tubing connected to the connecting part.

[0011] (4) In the medical connector described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the valve body may receive a compressive force from the moving part when an external pressing force is applied to the pressing part. This allows the medical connector to maintain contact of the moving part with the valve body and the valve body with the main body even when the pressing part is pressed to open the valve opening. This allows the medical connector to prevent blood or liquid from leaking between the valve body and the main body or between the valve body and the moving part.

[0012] (5) The medical connector according to any one of (1) to (4) above may have an airtight mechanism disposed between the valve body and a member facing the valve body, or formed by the valve body and a member facing the valve body, thereby preventing blood or liquid from leaking between the valve body and the member facing the valve body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a medical connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the medical connector in a normal state, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis direction, and (B) is a cross-sectional view along line AA in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a valve body, where (A) shows a first example, (B) shows a second example, and (3) shows a third example. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the medical connector in a pressed state, where (A) is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis direction, and (B) is a cross-sectional view along line BB in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the medical connector in a pressed state with the fixing mechanism activated. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the medical connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the medical connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a third modified example of the medical connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual dimensional proportions. Furthermore, in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In this specification, the side connected to a long medical tubular body 140, such as a catheter, will be referred to as the "distal side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "proximal side."

[0015] 1 and 2, medical connector 10 according to this embodiment is a Y-connector that is used by connecting to the proximal end of a long medical tubing 140. Medical connector 10 has a main body 20, a rotating portion 40, a valve body 50, a moving portion 60, a biasing portion 70, and a pressing portion 80.

[0016] The main body 20 has a main tube 21 extending in the longitudinal axis direction X between the distal end and the proximal end, and a side tube 22 branching off from the main tube 21. The main tube 21 is used as an insertion port for a medical instrument 150 to be inserted into the medical tubular body 140. The side tube 22 is used as an injection port for injecting a liquid such as a medicine or physiological saline solution.

[0017] Main tube 21 has a cylindrical connecting portion 23 provided at the distal end, a tubular portion 24 located at the proximal end of connecting portion 23 and from which side tube 22 branches, and a housing portion 25 located at the proximal end of tubular portion 24 and housing valve body 50, moving portion 60, and biasing portion 70. Main tube 21 also has a main body lumen 26 extending in longitudinal axis direction X between the distal end and the proximal end. Main body lumen 26 is formed continuously with connecting portion 23, tubular portion 24, and housing portion 25. Connecting portion 23 has a male luer taper formed on its outer surface, which is airtightly connectable to a female luer taper formed on the hub of medical tubing 140.

[0018] The main body lumen 26 has a distal lumen 27 located at the connecting portion 23 and the tubular portion 24, a distal step portion 28 whose inner diameter increases stepwise toward the proximal end, a housing lumen 29 whose inner diameter is larger than that of the distal lumen 27 on the proximal side of the distal step portion 28, and a proximal step portion 30 whose inner diameter decreases stepwise on the proximal side of the housing lumen 29. The housing lumen 29 can accommodate the valve body 50, the moving portion 60, the biasing portion 70, and a portion of the pressing portion 80. The distal step portion 28 can come into contact with the distal surface of the valve body 50 accommodated in the housing lumen 29. The proximal step portion 30 can come into contact with the proximal surface of the biasing portion 70 accommodated in the housing lumen 29.

[0019] The accommodation portion 25 has a main body opening 31 penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface in a portion of the circumferential direction. The main body opening 31 is arranged so that the pressing portion 80 can slide in a pressing direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The main body opening 31 has a guide groove 34 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and a fixing groove 35 continuing from the guide groove 34 on a distal side wall surface 32, which is the surface on the distal side of the inner wall surface, and a proximal side wall surface 33, which is the surface on the proximal side.

[0020] The radially outermost side of guide groove 34 (the side farthest from the axis of main pipe 21) is located inside the outer surface of housing portion 25, and the radially innermost side of guide groove 34 (the side closest to the axis of main pipe 21) is located outside the inner surface of housing lumen 29. Fixing groove 35 extends from the innermost position of guide groove 34 in fixing direction Z, which is parallel to a plane perpendicular to long axis direction X and perpendicular to pressing direction Y. It is preferable that guide groove 34 and fixing groove 35 on distal side wall surface 32 and guide groove 34 and fixing groove 35 on proximal side wall surface 33 are formed symmetrically with respect to the plane perpendicular to long axis direction X.

[0021] The side tube 22 extends from the main tube 21 in the proximal direction and radial direction. The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis of the main tube 21. The side tube 22 branches off from the main body lumen 26 and has a branch lumen 36 that opens at the end in the extension direction. A female luer taper is formed at the end of the side tube 22. Note that the main tube 21 does not necessarily have to be equipped with the side tube 22. In other words, the medical connector 10 does not necessarily have to be a Y connector.

[0022] The rotating part 40 is a cylindrical member rotatably connected to the outside of the connecting part 23, and has a spiral groove 41 on its inner surface. The spiral groove 41 can be threaded onto a protrusion provided on the outer surface of the hub of the medical tubing 140. The spiral groove 41 maintains the connecting part 23 connected to the hub of the medical tubing 140. Note that the connecting part 23 of the main body 20, which connects to the hub of the medical tubing 140, may be rotatable relative to the tubular part 24 at the distal end of the tubular part 24. In other words, the connecting part 23 may be formed integrally with the rotating part 40.

[0023] 2 and 3(A), the valve body 50 is made of an elastic material and is disposed in the receiving cavity 29 of the main body 20. The valve body 50 has a valve opening 51 penetrating therethrough in the longitudinal axis direction X.

[0024] In a natural state in which no external force is acting on the valve disc 50, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the valve opening 51 maintains an open state. The valve opening 51 has a constricted portion 52 that protrudes radially inward. In a natural state, the valve opening 51 reduces in diameter from the distal end and proximal end toward the constricted portion 52 near the center. The shape of the valve disc 50 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the valve disc 50 may have, in a natural state, the valve opening 51 with a constant inner diameter in the longitudinal axis direction X. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the valve disc 50 may have, on its outer surface, a convex portion 53 that protrudes radially outward. In this case, the valve opening 51 may have a constant inner diameter in the longitudinal axis direction X, but may also have a constricted portion 52.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the radial outer surface of the valve body 50 is in close contact with the inner surface of the housing bore 29 but is not fixed. The radial movement of the valve body 50 is restricted by the inner surface of the housing bore 29. The distal end surface of the valve body 50 is in close contact with the distal end step portion 28 but is not fixed. The proximal end surface of the valve body 50 is in close contact with the distal end surface of the moving portion 60 but is not fixed.

[0026] The valve element 50 is compressed in the longitudinal direction X, thereby reducing the inner diameter of the valve opening 51. The valve opening 51 can be completely closed by receiving a compressive force.

[0027] 4, when opened, the valve opening 51 communicates with the distal lumen 27 of the main body 20. Furthermore, when opened, the valve opening 51 communicates with a through-hole 61 of the moving part 60, which will be described later.

[0028] Examples of materials for forming the valve body 50 include various rubbers such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, isoprene, and natural rubber, various resins such as polyurethane, polyamide elastomer, polybutadiene, and soft polyvinyl chloride, and combinations of two or more of these. Silicone rubber is particularly preferred as the material for forming the valve body 50, as it exhibits minimal changes in physical properties due to the environment, has high dimensional accuracy when molded, and is highly durable. Furthermore, the material for forming the valve body 50 is preferably transparent or translucent. This allows for easy confirmation of the contact state between the medical instrument 150 inserted into the valve body 50 and the valve body 50, as well as any air bubbles remaining in the valve opening 51 of the valve body 50.

[0029] 2, the moving part 60 is disposed in the housing bore 29 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction X, and transmits the force received from the pressing part 80 and the biasing part 70 to the valve body 50. The moving part 60 has a through-hole 61 penetrating in the longitudinal direction X. The moving part 60 also has a transmission tip part 62 which is slidable along the inner surface of the housing bore 29, and a transmission base end part 63 which is disposed on the base end side of the transmission tip part 62. The aforementioned through-hole 61 is formed from the distal end surface of the transmission tip part 62 to the base end surface of the transmission base end part 63.

[0030] The distal end surface of the transmission tip portion 62 contacts the proximal end surface of the valve body 50 and presses the valve body 50. The transmission tip portion 62 has a recess 64 on its radially outer surface that slides against the housing bore 29, into which the pressing portion 80 can enter. The proximal end of the recess 64 has a receiving surface 65 that becomes deeper radially inward toward the distal end. The receiving surface 65 is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the long axis direction X.

[0031] The transmission base end 63 penetrates the wall of the base end of the housing portion 25 from the housing lumen 29, i.e., the wall where the base end step portion 30 is formed, and protrudes toward the base end side of the main body 20. The transmission base end 63 arranged in the housing lumen 29 has a smaller outer diameter than the transmission tip end 62, and penetrates the radially inner side of the biasing portion 70 arranged in the housing lumen 29. A female luer taper 66 is formed at the base end of the transmission base end 63, and by connecting another instrument such as a syringe, liquid can be injected into the through-hole 61. Note that the moving portion 60 does not necessarily have to have a luer taper at the base end of the transmission base end 63.

[0032] The biasing portion 70 is a member that constantly biases the moving portion 60 in the distal direction, and is disposed closer to the proximal end than the moving portion 60 in the housing lumen 29. The biasing portion 70 is a coil spring, but is not particularly limited as long as it can bias the moving portion 60 in the distal direction, and may be, for example, a leaf spring, an air spring, or the like. The distal end of the biasing portion 70 contacts the proximal end surface of the moving portion 60, and the proximal end of the biasing portion 70 contacts the proximal step portion 30. The biasing portion 70 is disposed in the housing lumen 29 in a state where it is slightly contracted in the longitudinal direction X between the moving portion 60 and the proximal step portion 30. Therefore, the biasing portion 70 constantly generates a restoring force that elastically stretches it in the longitudinal direction X.

[0033] 1 and 2, the pressing part 80 is a member that is pressed by the surgeon. The pressing part 80 is arranged in the main body opening 31 of the housing part 25 so as to be slidable in the pressing direction Y. The pressing part 80 has a pressing body 81 that passes through the main body opening 31, and two protrusions 82 that fit into the guide groove 34 or the fixing groove 35.

[0034] A portion of the pressing body 81 protrudes outside the main body 20 through the main body opening 31, and another portion enters the accommodation cavity 29 of the main body 20. The pressing body 81 is slidably sandwiched between the distal wall surface 32 and the proximal wall surface 33 of the main body 20, restricting its movement in the longitudinal axis direction X. The pressing body 81 is movable in the pressing direction Y and in a fixed direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction X and the pressing direction Y. The pressing body 81 has a pressing surface 83 that abuts against the receiving surface 65 of the moving part 60. The pressing surface 83 is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction X so as to face the proximal end direction and radially inward. The pressing surface 83 is preferably parallel to the receiving surface 65 of the moving part 60 and makes surface contact with the receiving surface 65. In this embodiment, both the pressing surface 83 and the receiving surface 65 are inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction X, but only one of them may be inclined as long as the movement of the pressing part 80 in the pressing direction Y can be converted into the movement of the moving part 60 in the longitudinal axis direction X.

[0035] One of the protrusions 82 protrudes from the pressing body 81 in the distal direction and is housed in the guide groove 34 or the fixed groove 35 of the distal side wall surface 32. The other protrusion 82 protrudes from the pressing body 81 in the proximal direction and is housed in the guide groove 34 or the fixed groove 35 of the proximal side wall surface 33. The two protrusions 82 are movable along the guide groove 34 and the fixed groove 35.

[0036] The materials forming the main body 20, rotating section 40, moving section 60, and pressing section 80 are not particularly limited, but examples include thermoplastic resins such as polycarbonate, polyamide, polysulfone, polyarylate, and methacrylate-butylene-styrene copolymer. The materials forming the main body 20, rotating section 40, moving section 60, and pressing section 80 may be the same or different. The materials forming the main body 20, rotating section 40, moving section 60, and pressing section 80 are preferably transparent or translucent. This allows easy confirmation of the state of the medical device 150 and valve body 50 inserted into the medical connector 10, as well as any air bubbles remaining in the main body lumen 26.

[0037] The elongated medical device 150 is, for example, a guidewire, a catheter (a microcatheter, a balloon catheter), or the like.

[0038] Next, the operation of the medical connector 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0039] 1 and 2 , in a normal state where the pressing portion 80 is not pressed by the surgeon, the valve body 50 of the medical connector 10 is compressed in the longitudinal axis direction X by the moving portion 60, which is biased toward the distal end by the biasing portion 70, to close the valve opening 51. The surgeon can connect the connection portion 23 and the rotating portion 40 of the medical connector 10 to the hub of the medical tubing 140. Furthermore, the surgeon can press the pressing portion 80 to open the valve opening 51 in order to insert a medical instrument 150 into the medical connector 10.

[0040] When the pressing portion 80 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 4 , the protruding portion 82 moves in the pressing direction Y along the guide groove 34 and can move to the radially innermost position of the guide groove 34. Furthermore, when the pressing portion 80 is pressed, the pressing surface 83 of the pressing portion 80 presses the receiving surface 65 of the moving portion 60. Because the receiving surface 65 and the pressing surface 83 are inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction X, the receiving surface 65 receives a force from the pressing surface 83 in the pressing direction Y and a force in the proximal direction. Because the moving portion 60 can only move in the longitudinal axis direction X within the housing lumen 29, it moves in the proximal direction without moving in the pressing direction Y. When the moving portion 60 moves in the proximal direction, the biasing portion 70 contracts in the longitudinal axis direction X. That is, the surgeon presses the pressing portion 80 so as to cause the biasing portion 70 to contract against the biasing force of the biasing portion 70. When the moving part 60 moves in the proximal direction through the housing lumen 29, the compression of the valve body 50, which had been compressed in the longitudinal direction X, is relieved, and the valve opening 51 opens. This allows the surgeon to insert the medical instrument 150 into the medical tubing 140 through the opened valve opening 51, and also allows the surgeon to freely move the medical instrument 150 in the longitudinal direction X relative to the medical tubing 140.

[0041] The medical connector 10 is designed with dimensions such that the valve body 50 remains slightly compressed in the longitudinal axis direction X even when the surgeon presses the pressing portion 80 to the maximum extent within its movable range. Therefore, the distal step portion 28 of the main body 20 and the distal end of the valve body 50, and the distal surface of the moving portion 60 and the proximal end surface of the valve body 50, maintain tight contact with each other. This prevents blood and liquid from leaking into the main body lumen 29 from the distal end lumen 27 of the main body lumen 26, the valve opening 51 of the valve body 50, and the through-hole 61 of the moving portion 60, as well as from between the distal step portion 28 of the main body 20 and the distal end of the valve body 50, and between the distal surface of the moving portion 60 and the proximal end surface of the valve body 50. This prevents blood, medicine, or the like from adhering to the moving portion 60, the pressing portion 80, the biasing portion 70, or the sliding mechanism of the main body 20, resulting in reduced operability. Furthermore, the valve body 50 can maintain the airtightness of the flow path connected to the medical tubing 140, thereby preventing blood or liquid that has entered the accommodating lumen 29 from outside the medical connector 10 through the main body opening 31 from entering the body through the flow path.

[0042] When the surgeon wishes to restrict movement of the medical device 150 inserted into the medical tubing 140 via the medical connector 10 relative to the medical tubing 140 connected to the connection portion 23 of the main body 20, the surgeon releases the pressure applied by the pressing portion 80. This removes the force acting on the moving portion 60 from the pressing portion 80, and the moving portion 60 moves toward the distal end due to the biasing force of the biasing portion 70. As a result, the pressing portion 80 is pushed back radially outward by the moving portion 60, and the valve body 50 is compressed in the longitudinal axis direction X by the moving portion 60. As a result, the valve opening 51 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the medical device 150, and the medical device 150 is airtightly fixed to the medical connector 10 by the valve body 50. Because the medical connector 10 is connected to the medical tubing 140, movement and rotation of the medical device 150 in the longitudinal axis direction X relative to the medical tubing 140 are restricted.

[0043] When the surgeon wants to maintain the pressing state in which the pressing portion 80 is pressed, i.e., a state in which the medical device 150 can be moved relative to the medical tubing 140, the surgeon moves the pressing portion 80 in the fixing direction Z, as shown in FIG. 5 . As a result, the protrusion 82, which is located at the radially innermost position of the guide groove 34 in the pressing state, moves along the fixing groove 35 and away from the guide groove 34. The fixing groove 35 extends from the innermost position of the guide groove 34 in the fixing direction Z and has a shorter length in the pressing direction Y than the guide groove 34, thereby restricting the movement of the pressing portion 80 along the pressing direction Y. Therefore, even if the surgeon does not release the pressing portion 80 to apply a pressing force to the pressing portion 80, the pressing state of the pressing portion 80 is maintained, and the medical device 150 is maintained in a state in which it can be moved relative to the medical tubing 140. In this way, the fixing groove 35 and the protrusion 82, which can maintain the pressing state, function as a fixing mechanism.

[0044] When the surgeon wishes to release the fixed pressed state, he or she moves the pressing portion 80 in the fixing direction Z so that the protruding portion 82 returns from the fixing groove 35 to the guide groove 34. This direction is opposite to the moving direction of the pressing portion 80 when fixing the pressed state. As a result, the protruding portion 82 returns from the fixing groove 35 to the radially innermost position of the guide groove 34, and becomes movable in the pressing direction Y along the guide groove 34.

[0045] As described above, medical connector 10 according to this embodiment includes main body 20 that extends in longitudinal axis direction X between the distal end and the proximal end, includes connecting section 23 at the distal end to which medical tubing 140 can be connected, and includes main body lumen 26 that penetrates in the longitudinal axis direction X; movable section 60 that is disposed in main body lumen 26 and is movable within main body lumen 26 in the longitudinal axis direction X, and includes through-hole 61 that penetrates in the longitudinal axis direction X; and biasing section 7 that is disposed in main body lumen 26 and is extendable and contractible in the longitudinal axis direction X, and biases movable section 60 toward the distal end. and a valve body (50) formed of an elastic material, disposed in the body lumen (26) in contact with the moving part (60), and having a valve opening (51) penetrating in the longitudinal axis direction (X), the valve opening (51) being closed by a compressive force from the moving part (60) biased by a biasing part (70), and opening to communicate with the through-hole (61) when the compressive force is reduced. Thus, the medical connector (10) can open the closed valve opening (51) of the valve body (50) simply by externally pressing the pressing part (80), and can move the moving part (60) in the distal direction by the biasing force of the biasing part (70) when the pressing force is released, thereby compressing the valve body (50) and closing the valve opening (51). Therefore, the medical connector 10 is highly easy to operate, as the medical device 150 can be fixed and released from the medical tubing 140 by opening and closing the valve opening 51 of the valve body 50 with just one hand in one direction.

[0046] The medical connector 10 has a fixing mechanism (fixing groove 35 and protrusion 82) that can fix the pressing portion 80 to the main body 20. As a result, the medical connector 10 can easily maintain the state in which the valve opening 51 is open by fixing the pressing portion 80 to the main body 20 with the fixing mechanism, even if the surgeon does not continue to press the pressing portion 80. Therefore, the medical connector 10 can easily maintain a state in which the medical device 150 can be moved relative to the medical tubing 140.

[0047] The base end of through-hole 61 is provided with a luer taper. This allows medical connector 10 to connect another instrument to through-hole 61 of moving section 60 and inject liquid such as medicine or saline into medical tubing 140 connected to connecting section 23.

[0048] The valve body 50 receives a compressive force from the moving part 60 when an external pressing force is applied to the pressing part 80. This allows the medical connector 10 to maintain contact of the moving part 60 with the valve body 50 even when the pressing part 80 is pressed to open the valve opening 51. Therefore, the medical connector 10 can suppress leakage of blood or liquid between the valve body 50 and the main body 20 or between the valve body 50 and the moving part 60.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the medical connector 10 may have an airtight mechanism 90, such as an O-ring, between the distal end step 28 and the distal end surface of the valve body 50, and between the proximal end surface of the valve body 50 and the distal end surface of the moving part 60 to maintain airtightness. The distal end surface of the distal end step 28 and the distal end surface of the moving part 60 preferably have a housing groove 100 that houses a portion of the airtight mechanism 90 to hold the airtight mechanism 90 in an appropriate position. The airtight mechanism 90 is preferably disposed on both the distal end surface side and the proximal end surface side of the valve body 50, but may be disposed on only one side.

[0050] The airtight mechanism 90 is not limited to an O-ring. For example, as in a second modified example shown in FIG. 7 , the airtight mechanism 90 may include a ring-shaped washer 91 that fits tightly against the distal or proximal end surface of the valve body 50, and a flexible sealing portion 92 with ribs 93 that is fixed to the washer 91 and contacts the distal end surface of the distal step portion 28 or the moving portion 60. The washer 91 is preferably formed from a resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyethylene. This allows the washer 91 to have a smooth surface and biocompatibility. The sealing portion 92 has the ribs 93, which allow it to fit tightly against the distal step portion 28 or the moving portion 60, improving the airtightness of the flow path. The sealing portion 92 can be made of a material that is applicable to the valve body 50, for example.

[0051] 8 , the valve 50 has, on its distal end side, a cylindrical portion 54 that protrudes in a cylindrical shape toward the distal end along the inner surface of the housing lumen 29, a ring-shaped valve flange portion 55 that protrudes radially inward from the distal end side of the cylindrical portion 54, and a valve groove 56 formed on the inner surface of the proximal end side of the valve flange portion 55. The valve 50 also has, on its proximal end side, a cylindrical portion 54 that protrudes in a cylindrical shape toward the proximal end along the inner surface of the housing lumen 29, a ring-shaped valve flange portion 55 that protrudes radially inward from the proximal end side of the cylindrical portion 54, and a valve groove 56 formed on the inner surface of the distal end side of the valve flange portion 55. The cylindrical portion 54, the valve flange portion 55, and the valve groove 56 are integrally formed as part of the valve 50. The medical connector 10 also has a main body connecting portion 110 that can be inserted from the receiving cavity 29 of the main body 20 into the distal cavity 27, and a moving connecting portion 120 that can be inserted into the through hole 61 of the moving portion 60 from the distal side.

[0052] The main body connecting portion 110 has a tubular main body portion 111 that is fitted and connected to the distal end lumen 27, and a ring-shaped main body flange portion 112 that protrudes radially outward from the base end of the tubular main body portion 111. The tubular main body portion 111 is formed with a main body hook 113 that protrudes radially outward so as to hook onto the inner surface of the distal end lumen 27 when fitted into the distal end lumen 27 of the main body 20. The tubular main body portion 111 may be bonded to the main body 20. In this case, the main body hook 113 does not need to be formed on the tubular main body portion 111. The main body flange portion 112 is fitted into the valve groove 56 on the distal end of the valve body 50. As a result, the distal end valve body flange portion 55 is sandwiched between the main body 20 and the main body flange portion 112. As a result, the medical connector 10 can ensure high airtightness between the valve body 50 and the main body 20.

[0053] The movable connecting portion 120 has a movable cylindrical portion 121 that is fitted into and connected to the through hole 61, and a ring-shaped movable flange portion 122 that protrudes radially outward from the tip side of the movable cylindrical portion 121. The movable cylindrical portion 121 is formed with a movable hook 123 that protrudes radially outward so as to hook onto the inner surface of the through hole 61 when fitted into the through hole 61 of the movable portion 60. The movable cylindrical portion 121 may be bonded to the movable portion 60. In this case, the movable hook 123 does not need to be formed on the movable cylindrical portion 121. The movable flange portion 122 is fitted into the valve disc groove 56 on the base end side. As a result, the valve disc flange portion 55 on the base end side is sandwiched between the movable portion 60 and the movable flange portion 122. As a result, the medical connector 10 can ensure high airtightness between the valve disc 50 and the movable portion 60.

[0054] As described above, the medical connector 10 may have an airtight mechanism disposed between the valve body 50 and a member (main body 20 or moving part 60) facing the valve body 50, or formed by the valve body 50 and a member (main body connecting part 110 or moving connecting part 120) facing the valve body 50. This can prevent blood or liquid from leaking between the valve body 50 and the member facing the valve body 50.

[0055] Furthermore, the pressing portions 80 may be arranged at two locations that face each other in the radial direction so as to sandwich the moving portion 60. In this case, the moving portion 60 has two receiving surfaces 65 that come into contact with the pressing surfaces 83 of the respective pressing portions 80, and the main body 20 has two main body openings 31 through which the respective pressing portions 80 pass. This allows the surgeon to press the pressing portion 80 from two opposing locations, making it easy to apply a pressing force to the moving portion 60. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 Medical Connectors 20 Main Unit 23 Connection 26 Body cavity 50 Valve body 51 Valve opening 60 Moving Part 61 Through hole 66 Lure Taper 70 energizing section 80 Pressing part 81 Pressing body 82 Protrusion 83 Pressing surface 90 Airtight Mechanism 140 Medical tube body 150 Medical Equipment X Long axis direction Y pressing direction Z fixed direction

Claims

1. a main body extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, having a connecting portion at the distal end to which a medical tubing can be connected, and having a main body lumen penetrating in the longitudinal direction; a moving part disposed in the main body lumen, movable in the main body lumen in the longitudinal direction, and having a through hole penetrating in the longitudinal direction; a biasing portion that is disposed in the body lumen and is extendable and contractible in the longitudinal axis direction and biases the moving portion toward the distal end; a pressing portion that partially protrudes to the outside of the main body and is movable in a pressing direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction relative to the main body so as to move the moving portion toward the base end; a valve body formed from an elastic material, disposed within the body cavity in contact with the moving portion, and having a valve opening penetrating in the longitudinal direction, the valve opening being closed by a compressive force from the moving portion biased by the biasing portion, and opening when the compressive force is reduced to allow communication with the through hole.

2. The medical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing mechanism that can fix the pressing portion to the main body.

3. 3. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the through-hole is provided with a luer taper.

4. 3. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein the valve body receives a compressive force from the moving portion when an external pressing force is applied to the pressing portion.

5. 3. The medical connector according to claim 1, further comprising an airtight mechanism disposed between the valve body and a member facing the valve body, or formed by the valve body and a member facing the valve body.

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