Protector and elongated device set

Abstract

To provide a protector that enables an elongated device to be readily inserted into a medical device and can be readily removed from the elongated device, and to provide an elongated device set.SOLUTION: A protector 10 protects a tip of a medical elongated device 110. The protector 10 includes: a first part 21 and a second part 22 capable of opening and closing; a storage part 20 in which a passage 33 for storing the elongated device 110 is formed between mating surfaces 24 of the first part 21 and the second part 22 which face each other in a closed state; and an insertion part 50 projecting from the first part 21 and the second part 22 and in which a tip passage 54 continuing from the passage 33 is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protector for protecting the ends of an elongated medical device and an elongated device set. [Background technology]

[0002] A guidewire is a long device that is inserted into a blood vessel prior to a medical device for treatment, such as a catheter or stent for intravascular treatment, in order to guide the medical device to a target site. A guidewire may have a pre-shaped tip to facilitate blood vessel selection at a vascular bifurcation when advancing toward a target site within the blood vessel. The tip of a shaped guidewire is prone to deformation during transportation and storage. For this reason, Patent Document 1, for example, describes a storage device for storing the tip of a guidewire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-521125 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When inserting a guidewire housed in the storage device described in Patent Document 1 into a medical device, the guidewire is first withdrawn from the storage device and then from the holder tube, and then inserted into a tubular inserter, and the distal end of the guidewire is inserted into the medical device. The inserter is then moved to the proximal end of the guidewire and removed from the guidewire. However, because the distal end of the guidewire is flexible, deformation of the distal end may occur during insertion into the inserter or medical device, potentially reducing vascular selectivity. Furthermore, if the overall length of the guidewire is long, removing the inserter from the guidewire is a complicated process.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a protective device and a long device set that allows a long device to be easily inserted into a medical device and easily removed from the long device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The protective device (1) according to the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, is a protective device for protecting the tip of a medical elongated device, and is characterized by having a first part and a second part that can be opened and closed, and a storage section in which a passage for storing the elongated device is formed between the mating surfaces of the first part and the second part that face each other when closed, and an insertion section that protrudes from the first part and the second part and has a tip passage formed therein that is continuous with the passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The protective device described in (1) above can function as an inserter to assist the insertion of a long device into a medical device by inserting the insertion portion into the medical device while holding the long device. Therefore, since there is no need to insert the long device into the inserter, deformation of the distal end of the long device, which would otherwise cause a decrease in vascular selectivity, can be suppressed. Furthermore, by opening the housing portion after assisting insertion into the medical device, the protective device can be removed from the long device without moving the protective device to the proximal end of the long device. Therefore, the protective device allows the long device to be easily inserted into the medical device and easily removed from the long device.

[0008] (2) In the protector described in (1) above, the passage may have at least one curved portion, which can suppress deformation of the curved distal end of the elongated device and maintain the shape, and also makes it difficult for the distal end of the elongated device to come out of the passage, making it easier to grasp the protector and pull out the proximal end of the elongated device from the holder tube.

[0009] (3) The protector according to (1) or (2) above may have a tubular holder insertion portion that protrudes from the first portion and the second portion and has a proximal passage that is continuous with the passage. This allows the protector to be fixed to the holder tube by inserting the holder insertion portion into an end of the holder tube.

[0010] (4) In the protector described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the first section or the second section may have an arrangement hole penetrating from an outer surface opposite the mating surface to the passage, and a pressing portion disposed in the arrangement hole and slidable in the direction of penetration of the arrangement hole. This allows the holder to fix the elongated device to the storage section by pressing the pressing portion from the outer surface side. Therefore, the surgeon can easily move the elongated device together with the protector by moving the storage section with the elongated device fixed to the storage section by the pressing portion. When the elongated device is stored in a holder tube, the elongated device can be easily removed from the holder tube by moving the storage section.

[0011] (5) In the protector according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the storage section may have a fixing section that can fit into a recess of a holder clip having a plurality of recesses arranged side by side, into which a tubular holder tube that stores the elongated device can be fitted. This allows the protector to be fixed to the holder clip by fitting the fixing section into the holder clip fixed to the holder tube.

[0012] (6) The long device set of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, is a long device set comprising a medical long device, a wound holder tube that houses the long device, and a protective device that protects the tip of the long device protruding from the end of the holder tube, characterized in that the protective device has a first part and a second part that can be opened and closed, and has a storage section in which a passage for housing the long device is formed between the mating surfaces of the first part and the second part that face each other when closed, and an insertion section that protrudes from the first part and the second part and has a tip passage formed continuous with the passage.

[0013] The elongated device set described in (6) above can function as an inserter to assist the insertion of an elongated device into a medical device by inserting the insertion portion of the protective device into the medical device. Furthermore, the elongated device set can easily remove the protective device from the elongated device by opening the housing portion of the protective device after assisting the insertion into the medical device. Therefore, the elongated device set allows the elongated device to be inserted into a medical device and the protective device to be easily removed from the elongated device.

[0014] (7) In the elongated device set described in (6) above, the opening of the tip passage may be positioned on an extension of the tip of the elongated device, thereby reducing the pushing force required when inserting the elongated device into the medical device through the insertion section, thereby suppressing deformation of the tip of the elongated device.

[0015] (8) In the elongated device set described in (6) or (7) above, the distal end of the elongated device may be disposed in the distal end passage. This allows the distal end of the elongated device to protrude from the distal end opening with a small pushing force when the elongated device is inserted into the medical device via the insertion section. This prevents deformation of the distal end of the elongated device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an elongated device set including a protective equipment according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the elongated device set. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a protective device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which an elongated device is being inserted into a medical device using a protector. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a protective device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an elongated device set including a protective equipment according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of an elongated device set including a protective gear according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views taken along the line BB in FIG. 9, where (A) shows the state before the pressing portion is pressed, and (B) shows the state after the pressing portion is pressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual dimensions. Furthermore, in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In this specification, the side of the protective equipment 10 that is inserted into the medical device 150 will be referred to as the "distal side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "proximal side."

[0018] First Embodiment As shown in Fig. 1 , the protector 10 according to the first embodiment is attached to a holder tube 120 that houses a medical elongated device 110, such as a guidewire, for transport and storage, to protect the distal end of the shaped elongated device 110. The holder tube 120 is held in its wound shape by at least one holder clip 130. A proximal end connecting member 140 that holds the proximal end of the elongated device 110 is connected to the inner end of the wound holder tube 120. The elongated device 110, the protector 10, the holder tube 120, and the holder clip 130 form a elongated device set 100.

[0019] The elongated device 110, which is a guidewire, may be configured in a form in which a metal core wire is entirely coated with a highly flexible resin such as urethane, or in a form in which the base end of the core wire is coated with a fluorine-based resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene and the tip end has a coil formed by winding a metal wire. The metal forming the core wire is a superelastic alloy such as a nickel-titanium alloy, stainless steel, or the like. The outer surface of the elongated device 110 is provided with a hydrophilic coating. The tip end of the elongated device 110 is given a curved shape in a plane or three-dimensionally.

[0020] The holder tube 120 is a spirally wound tube made of resin and can accommodate the elongated device 110 therein.

[0021] The holder clip 130 is connected to the holder tube 120 in order to maintain the shape of the wound holder tube 120. The holder clip 130 is a resin member having a shape in which a plurality of groove-like recesses 131 for accommodating the holder tubes 120 are arranged in parallel. The holder clips 130 connect adjacent holder tubes 120 by forcing the holder tubes 120 into the recesses 131 and fitting them together. One or more holder clips 130 are provided along the winding direction of the holder tube 120.

[0022] A proximal end connecting member 140 that holds the proximal end of the elongated device 110 is connected to the proximal end of the holder tube 120. The proximal end connecting member 140 has a structure that allows a syringe to be connected to the proximal end, and by injecting physiological saline from the syringe, the lubricity of the hydrophilic coating provided on the outer surface of the elongated device 110 can be exerted. Note that the proximal end connecting member 140 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the protective device 10 has an accommodating section 20 that can accommodate the tip end of the elongated device 110, an insertion section 50 that can be inserted into a medical device 150 into which the elongated device 110 is inserted, and a holder insertion section 60 that can be inserted into a holder tube 120.

[0024] The storage section 20 has a pair of first and second sections 21 and 22 that can be opened and closed, and a hinge section 23 that connects the first and second sections 21 and 22 so that they can be opened and closed. The first and second sections 21 and 22 are formed as rectangular parallelepipeds of approximately the same shape, and have a mating surface 24 that faces each other and contacts or is close to each other when the storage section 20 is closed, and an outer surface 25 on the opposite side of the mating surface 24. When the first and second sections 21 and 22 are closed, the storage section 20 is formed as an approximately rectangular parallelepiped, and a passage 33 is formed between the two mating surfaces 24. In the approximately rectangular storage section 20, one end of the passage 33 is located on a base end surface 26 that is a surface different from the outer surface 25, and the other end of the passage 33 is located on a tip end surface 27 that is a surface different from the outer surface 25. In this embodiment, the distal end surface 27 and the proximal end surface 26 are opposing surfaces of a rectangular parallelepiped, but they do not have to be opposing surfaces, and may be the same surface or adjacent surfaces. Which surface of the housing section 20 the distal end surface 27 and the proximal end surface 26 are formed on is determined by the shape of the distal end of the elongated device 110.

[0025] Each mating surface 24 has a groove 28 formed therein for accommodating the elongated device 110. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 28 is preferably semicircular, but is not particularly limited thereto. Each groove 28 is formed between the base end surface 26 and the distal end surface 27 so as to extend along the shape of the distal end of the elongated device 110. In this embodiment, each groove 28 includes a first groove 29 extending linearly from the base end surface 26, a second groove 30 extending while curving from the first groove 29 to one side, a third groove 31 curving from the second groove 30 in a direction opposite to the curvature of the second groove 30, and a fourth groove 32 curving from the third groove 31 in a direction opposite to the curvature of the third groove 31. When the accommodation section 20 is closed, the grooves 28 of the first section 21 and the second section 22 overlap to form a single passage 33 for accommodating the distal end of the elongated device 110. Therefore, the passage 33 is curved in the same manner as the groove, and the shape of the passage 33 fits the shape of the tip of the elongated device 110. The inner diameter of the passage 33 (groove 28) is larger than the outer diameter of the elongated device 110 to be accommodated, and is preferably more than one time and not more than three times the outer diameter of the elongated device 110. The cross-sectional shape of the passage 33 is preferably approximately circular. The number of curves bending in opposite directions in the passage 33 (groove 28) is one or more, preferably two or more, and in this embodiment, three. The greater the number of curves, the more difficult it is for the tip of the elongated device 110 to slip out of the passage 33.

[0026] The hinge portion 23 is a deformable portion formed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. When the housing portion 20 is in an open state, the hinge portion 23 is disposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The hinge portion 23 is formed on a surface between the base end surface 26 and the tip end surface 27 of the housing portion 20, which is different from the outer surface 25. The location of the hinge portion 23 is not particularly limited as long as it is formed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The hinge portion 23 is formed by reducing the thickness of the housing portion 20 so that it can be easily deformed. By deforming the hinge portion 23, the mating surfaces 24 of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 face each other and are partially in close contact with each other. When the housing portion 20 is in a closed state, the mating surfaces 24 of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 may not be in close contact with each other and may face each other with a gap therebetween.

[0027] The storage section 20 has a fixing mechanism 34 for maintaining the closed state in the first section 21 and the second section 22. The fixing mechanism 34 has an engaging protrusion 35 arranged on the surface of the first section 21 (or the second section 22) opposite to the surface on which the hinge section 23 is arranged, and an engaging recess 36 arranged on the surface of the second section 22 (or the first section 21) opposite to the surface on which the hinge section 23 is arranged. The engaging protrusion 35 engages with the engaging recess 36 by partially fitting into the engaging recess 36. This fixes the first section 21 and the second section 22, allowing the storage section 20 to maintain a closed state.

[0028] The insertion section 50 has a first insertion section 51 protruding from the first section 21 and a second insertion section 52 protruding from the second section 22. The first insertion section 51 and the second insertion section 52 are formed in approximately the same shape and have the shape of a split pipe so that they overlap when the storage section 20 is closed to form a single pipe protruding from the distal end surface 27. When the storage section 20 is closed, the insertion section 50 has an outer diameter that decreases toward the protruding tip. This allows the insertion section 50 to be smoothly inserted into the hemostatic valve 151 of the medical device 150. The length by which the insertion section 50 protrudes from the distal end surface 27 of the storage section 20 is preferably 5 mm or more.

[0029] The first insertion portion 51 and the second insertion portion 52 have a tip groove 53 that continues linearly from the end of the fourth groove 32. The cross-sectional shape of the tip groove 53 is preferably semicircular, similar to the groove portion 28 of the mating surface 24, but is not particularly limited to this. When the storage portion 20 is closed, the tip grooves 53 of the first insertion portion 51 and the second insertion portion 52 overlap to form a linear tip passage 54 that continues from the passage 33 of the storage portion 20. Because the tip passage 54 is formed linearly, a tip opening 55 at the end of the tip passage 54 is located on an extension of the tip of the passage 33 of the storage portion 20.

[0030] The holder insertion portion 60 has a first holder insertion portion 61 protruding from the first portion 21 and a second holder insertion portion 62 protruding from the second portion 22. The first holder insertion portion 61 and the second holder insertion portion 62 are formed in approximately the same shape and have the shape of a split pipe so that they overlap when the storage portion 20 is closed to form a single pipe protruding from the base end surface 26. When the storage portion 20 is closed, the holder insertion portion 60 has an outer diameter that decreases toward the protruding base end. This allows the holder insertion portion 60 to be smoothly inserted into the holder tube 120. The length by which the holder insertion portion 60 protrudes from the base end surface 26 of the storage portion 20 is preferably 5 mm or more.

[0031] The first holder insertion portion 61 and the second holder insertion portion 62 have a proximal groove 63 that continues linearly from the end of the first groove 29. The cross-sectional shape of the proximal groove 63 is preferably semicircular, similar to the groove portion 28 of the mating surface 24, but is not particularly limited to this. When the storage portion 20 is closed, the proximal grooves 63 of the first holder insertion portion 61 and the second holder insertion portion 62 overlap to form a linear proximal passage 64 that continues from the passage 33 of the storage portion 20. Because the proximal passage 64 is formed linearly, a proximal opening 65 at the end of the proximal passage 64 is located on an extension of the proximal end of the passage 33 of the storage portion 20.

[0032] The protector 10 is preferably made of a thermoplastic resin such as a polyethylene-based, polypropylene-based, polystyrene-based, polyvinyl chloride, etc. The protector 10 is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material so that the elongated device 110 placed in the proximal passage 64, the passage 33, and the distal passage 54 can be seen from the outside.

[0033] Next, a method of using the protective equipment 10 will be described. The elongated device 110 is housed in a holder tube 120 around which most of the proximal end is wound, and the distal end is housed in the protector 10. With the housing section 20 of the protector 10 open, the distal end, which has the shape of the elongated device 110, is placed in the proximal groove 63, the groove section 28, and the distal groove 53. Thereafter, the mating surfaces 24 of the first section 21 and the second section 22 are brought into close contact with each other and fixed by the fixing mechanism 34, thereby maintaining the housing section 20 in a closed state. As a result, the distal end of the elongated device 110 is held in the proximal passage 64, the passage 33, and part of the distal passage 54 of the protector 10. The distal end of the elongated device 110 is preferably located in the distal passage 54 of the insertion section 50. Note that the elongated device 110 may be inserted into the protector 10 through the proximal opening 65 with the housing section 20 closed. In this case, after the protector 10 accommodates the distal end portion of the elongated device 110, the holder insertion portion 60 is inserted into the distal end opening of the holder tube 120. As a result, the elongated device 110 is accommodated in the holder tube 120 and the protector 10 and stored.

[0034] When using the elongated device 110, the surgeon injects physiological saline from the proximal end connecting member 140 into the holder tube 120 to prime the elongated device 110 housed in the holder tube 120. This makes it easier to pull out the elongated device 110 from the holder tube 120. Next, the surgeon grasps the protector 10 and pulls out the holder insertion part 60 from the holder tube 120, and further moves the protector 10 away from the holder tube 120. The elongated device 110 is pulled out from the holder tube 120 together with the protector 10, because the curved tip portion is held by the protector 10, which has the passage 33 curved to fit the tip portion. Furthermore, after the surgeon grasps the protective device 10 and pulls out the holder insertion portion 60 from the holder tube 120, the surgeon can grasp not only the protective device 10 but also the elongated device 110, making it easy to pull out the elongated device 110 from the holder tube 120 together with the protective device 10.

[0035] Next, the surgeon inserts the insertion section 50 into the hemostatic valve 151 of the medical device 150 and pushes the elongated device 110 toward the distal end of the protector 10. As a result, the distal end of the elongated device 110 moves distally through the distal end passage 54, protrudes from the distal end opening 55 of the insertion section 50, and is inserted into the medical device 150. At this time, the protector 10 functions as an inserter to guide the distal end of the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150, allowing the surgeon to easily insert the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150. Furthermore, because the distal end of the elongated device 110 held by the protector 10 is positioned in the linearly formed distal end passage 54, it can be inserted into the medical device 150 with a small pushing force.

[0036] After inserting the distal end of the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150, the surgeon releases the fixation by the fixing mechanism 34 of the protector 10, moves the mating surfaces 24 of the first section 21 and the second section 22 away from each other, and opens the protector 10. This allows the surgeon to remove the protector 10 from the elongated device 110 without moving the protector 10 to the proximal end side of the elongated device 110. Moving the elongated device 110 through the curved passage 33 generates a large resistance. Therefore, it is preferable that the protector 10 be removed from the elongated device 110 by opening the accommodation section 20 after guiding the distal end of the elongated device 110 as an inserter into the medical device 150.

[0037] As described above, the protector 10 according to the first embodiment is a protector 10 for protecting the distal end of a medical elongated device 110, and includes an accommodating section 20 having a passage 33 for accommodating the elongated device 110 formed between mating surfaces 24 of the first section 21 and the second section 22 that face each other in a closed state, and an insertion section 50 that protrudes from the first section 21 and the second section 22 and has a distal end passage 54 that is continuous with the passage 33. As a result, the protector 10 can function as an inserter to assist the insertion of the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150 by inserting the insertion section 50 into the medical device 150 while holding the elongated device 110. Therefore, because there is no need to insert the elongated device 110 into the inserter, it is possible to prevent deformation of the distal end of the elongated device 110 and a decrease in vascular selectivity. Furthermore, by opening the storage section 20 after assisting insertion of the protector 10 into the medical device 150, the protector 10 can be removed from the elongated device 110 without moving the protector 10 to the proximal end side of the elongated device 110. Therefore, the protector 10 allows the elongated device 110 to be easily inserted into the medical device 150 and can be easily removed from the elongated device 110.

[0038] The passage 33 has at least one curved portion, which makes it possible to suppress deformation of the curved distal end of the elongated device 110 and maintain the shape, and also makes it difficult for the distal end of the elongated device 110 to come out of the passage 33, making it easier to grasp the protector 10 and pull out the proximal end of the elongated device 110 from the holder tube 120.

[0039] The protector 10 has a tubular holder insertion portion 60 that protrudes from the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 and has a base-end passage 33 formed therein that continues from the passage 33. This allows the protector 10 to be fixed to the holder tube 120 by inserting the holder insertion portion 60 into the end of the holder tube 120.

[0040] Furthermore, the long device set 100 in the first embodiment is a long device set 100 having a medical long device 110, a wound holder tube 120 that houses the long device 110, and a protective device 10 that protects the tip of the long device 110 protruding from the end of the holder tube 120, and the protective device 10 has a first part 21 and a second part 22 that can be opened and closed, and has an accommodating section 20 in which a passage 33 for accommodating the long device 110 is formed between the mating surfaces 24 of the first part 21 and the second part 22 that face each other in the closed state, and an insertion section 50 that protrudes from the first part 21 and the second part 22 and has a tip passage 54 that is continuous with the passage 33. As a result, the elongated device set 100 can function as an inserter to assist the insertion of the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150 by inserting the insertion portion 50 of the protective equipment 10 into the medical device 150, and by opening the storage portion 20 after assisting the insertion, the protective equipment 10 can be easily removed from the elongated device 110. Therefore, the elongated device set 100 makes it possible to insert the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150, and to easily remove the protective equipment 10 from the elongated device 110.

[0041] The distal end opening 55 of the distal end passage 54 is positioned on an extension of the distal end of the elongated device 110. This reduces the pushing force required when inserting the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150 via the insertion section 50, thereby suppressing deformation of the distal end of the elongated device 110.

[0042] The tip of the elongated device 110 is disposed in the tip passage 54. This allows the tip of the elongated device 110 to protrude from the tip opening 55 with a small pushing force when inserting the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150 via the insertion section 50. Therefore, deformation of the tip of the elongated device 110 can be suppressed.

[0043] Second Embodiment As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the protector 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it does not include a holder insertion portion 60 and includes a different fixing mechanism 34.

[0044] The fixing mechanism 34 has a first fixing portion 37 disposed in the first portion 21 and a second fixing portion 38 disposed in the second portion 22. The first fixing portion 37 is a handle-shaped portion fixed at two points to the surface of the first portion 21 opposite the surface on which the hinge portion 23 is disposed, and has a first fitting portion 39 shaped like a split half of a column (or cylinder). The second fixing portion 38 is a handle-shaped portion fixed at two points to the surface of the second portion 22 opposite the surface on which the hinge portion 23 is disposed, and has a second fitting portion 40 shaped like a split half of a column (or cylinder). When the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are closed, the first fitting portion 39 and the second fitting portion 40 overlap to form a single column (or cylinder). The column formed by the first fitting portion 39 and the second fitting portion 40 can be fitted into a recess 131 of the holder clip 130. The first fitting portion 39 and the second fitting portion 40 of the protector 10 are accommodated in the recess 131 of the holder clip 130, so that the accommodation portion 20 can be maintained in a closed state. Furthermore, the protector 10 is fixed to the holder clip 130 by the first fixing portion 37 and the second fixing portion 38, so the holder insertion portion 60 is not required. The protector 10 is fixed to the holder tube 120 at a position separated from the holder tube 120.

[0045] When using the elongated device 110, the surgeon injects saline into the holder tube 120 through the proximal end connecting member 140 to prime the elongated device 110 housed in the holder tube 120. This makes it easier to pull out the elongated device 110 from the holder tube 120. Furthermore, because the outer end of the winding of the holder tube 120 is not connected to the passage 33 of the protector 10, the saline injected into the holder tube 120 does not reach the protector 10. As a result, the distal end of the elongated device 110 housed in the protector 10 does not exhibit the lubricity of the hydrophilic coating provided on the outer surface, and therefore the distal end is less likely to come out of the passage 33 of the protector 10. Furthermore, because the passage 33 of the protector 10 is curved, the elongated device 110 is less likely to come out of the passage 33. Therefore, the surgeon can easily pull out the elongated device 110 together with the protector 10 from the holder tube 120 by grasping and manipulating the protector 10. Furthermore, the protector 10 makes it difficult for the elongated device 110 to come out of the passage 33, and therefore the elongated device 110 is unlikely to be reinserted into the passage 33, thereby suppressing deformation of the distal end of the elongated device 110.

[0046] Furthermore, since the protector 10 is fixed to the holder tube 120 at a position along the holder tube 120 away from the outer end of the winding of the holder tube 120, the surgeon can grasp and operate the elongated device 110 that is placed between the outer end of the winding of the holder tube 120 and the protector 10. This allows the inserting section 50 of the protector 10 to be inserted into the medical device 150 while it is attached to the holder clip 130, thereby inserting the elongated device 110 into the medical device 150. At this time, by designing the inner diameter of the passage 33 to be relatively larger than the outer diameter of the elongated device 110, it is possible to move the elongated device 110 along the passage 33 without priming the passage 33 with physiological saline.

[0047] Next, the surgeon removes the fixing mechanism 34 from the holder clip 130 and opens the protector 10 so that the mating surfaces 24 of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are separated from each other. This allows the surgeon to remove the protector 10 from the elongated device 110 without moving the protector 10 to the proximal end side of the elongated device 110.

[0048] As described above, in the second embodiment, the accommodation section 20 has fixing portions (first fixing portion 37 and second fixing portion 38) that can fit into recesses 131 of the holder clip 130, which has a plurality of recesses 131 arranged side by side, into which the tubular holder tube 120 that accommodates the elongated device 110 can fit. This allows the protector 10 to be fixed to the holder tube 120 by fitting the fixing portions into the holder clip 130 fixed to the holder tube 120, while maintaining the accommodation section 20 in a closed state.

[0049] <Third embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the protector 10 according to the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that an arrangement hole 41 is formed in the second portion 22 and a pressing portion 70 is arranged in the arrangement hole 41.

[0050] The second portion 22 has an arrangement hole 41 that penetrates from the outer surface 25 opposite the mating surface 24 to the passage 33. The second portion 22 further has a pressing portion 70 that is disposed in the arrangement hole 41 and is slidable in the penetrating direction of the arrangement hole 41. Note that the arrangement hole 41 and the pressing portion 70 may be provided in the first portion 21 instead of the second portion 22.

[0051] The pressing portion 70 has a pressing operation portion 71 that protrudes from the outer surface 25 and a contact portion 72 that can enter the passage 33. The contact portion 72 has an inclined surface 73 on the surface facing the base end side of the protector 10. The inclined surface 73 is inclined so as to extend from the outer surface 25 toward the mating surface 24 as it extends toward the tip. The inclined surface 73 prevents the tip of the elongated device 110, which is inserted into the passage 33 from the base end side of the protector 10, from being caught on the pressing operation portion 71 and damaged. The pressing portion 70 has a stopper 74 on the pressing operation portion 71 that prevents the pressing portion 70 from falling off the accommodation portion 20. Note that a spring or the like that biases the pressing portion 70 in a direction that causes it to protrude from the outer surface 25 may be disposed between the pressing portion 70 and the second portion 22. This prevents the abutting portion 72 from coming into contact with the elongated device 110 when the surgeon is not pressing the pressing portion 70. The pressing portion 70 may also be formed integrally with the second portion 22 (or the first portion 21). In this case, the pressing portion 70 is pressed in by the surgeon bending the second portion 22 (or the first portion 21).

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10(B), the surgeon can fix the elongated device 110 to the protector 10 by pressing the pressing operation portion 71, causing the contact portion 72 to press the elongated device 110 against the inner surface of the passage 33.

[0053] As described above, in the third embodiment, the first part 21 or the second part 22 has the arrangement hole 41 that penetrates from the outer surface 25 opposite the mating surface 24 to the passage 33, and the pressing part 70 that is disposed in the arrangement hole 41 and is slidable in the penetration direction of the arrangement hole 41. As a result, the protector 10 can fix the elongated device 110 to the accommodating part 20 by the pressing part 70 that is pressed from the outer surface 25 toward the passage 33. Therefore, the surgeon can easily move the elongated device 110 together with the protector 10 by moving the accommodating part 20 in a state in which the elongated device 110 is fixed to the accommodating part 20 by the pressing part 70. When the elongated device 110 is accommodated in the holder tube 120, moving the accommodating part 20 can easily pull out the proximal end of the elongated device 110 from the holder tube 120 while preventing the distal end of the elongated device 110 from coming out of the protector 10.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention. For example, the medical elongated device 110 is not limited to a guidewire, but may be, for example, a catheter. The protector 10 may be disposed inside the wound holder tube 120 rather than outside the wound holder tube. The passage 33 of the protector 10 does not have to be curved. The first section 21 and the second section 22 may be separable without being connected by the hinge section 23. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Protective Equipment 20 Storage section 21 Part 1 22 Part 2 24 Mating surface 25 Exterior 33 Passage 34 Fixing mechanism 37 1st fixed part (fixed part) 38 Second fixed part (fixed part) 41 Placement hole 50 Insertion section 53 Tip groove 54 Tip Passage 55 Tip opening (opening) 60 Holder insertion part 63 Proximal groove 64 Proximal passage 65 Proximal opening 70 Pressing part 100 Long Device Set 110 Long Device 120 Holder tube 130 Holder Clip 131 recess 150 Medical Devices

Claims

1. A protective device for protecting a distal end of a medical elongated device, a storage section including a first section and a second section that can be opened and closed, and a passage for storing the elongated device formed between mating surfaces of the first section and the second section that face each other in a closed state; an insertion portion that protrudes from the first portion and the second portion and has a tip passage formed therein that is continuous with the passage.

2. 10. The protective device of claim 1, wherein the passageway has at least one bend.

3. The protector according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a tubular holder insertion portion that protrudes from the first portion and the second portion and has a base-end passage formed therein that is continuous with the passage.

4. The protective device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first portion or the second portion has an arrangement hole that penetrates from the outer surface opposite the mating surface to the passage, and a pressing portion that is arranged in the arrangement hole and can slide in the direction of penetration of the arrangement hole.

5. The protective device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the accommodating portion has a fixing portion that can be fitted into the recess of a holder clip, which has a plurality of recesses arranged in a row into which a tubular holder tube that accommodates the long device can be fitted.

6. A long device set including a medical long device, a wound holder tube that houses the long device, and a protector that protects a tip end of the long device that protrudes from an end of the holder tube, The protective equipment is a storage section including a first section and a second section that can be opened and closed, and a passage for storing the elongated device formed between mating surfaces of the first section and the second section that face each other in a closed state; an insertion portion that protrudes from the first portion and the second portion and has a tip passage formed therein that is continuous with the passage.

7. The elongated device set according to claim 6, wherein the opening of the tip passage is positioned on an extension line of the tip of the elongated device.

8. The elongated device set according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the distal end of the elongated device is disposed in the distal end passage.

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