Medical connector

Abstract

To suppress variations in a fixing force of a medical connector by which a medical device is fixed.SOLUTION: A medical connector includes a hollow member, an operation member, and a connection member. The hollow member extends in an axial direction. A medical device is inserted into the hollow member. The operation member is provided on a base end side of the hollow member. The operation member can rotate about the axial direction. The operation member includes a through hole into which the medical device is inserted. The connection member is a hollow member to connect the hollow member with the through hole. When the operation member is at a first rotation angle, the connection member allows movement of the medical device inserted into the connection member. When the operation member is at a second rotation angle, the connection member fixes the medical device inserted into the connection member due to twisting and radial collapsing of the connection member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to medical connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Medical connectors have the function of fixing medical devices such as guide wires and catheters. Known medical connectors include a hollow member, an elastic body disposed within the hollow member and having a through-hole through which the medical device is inserted, and a screw. When a user rotates the screw to move the screw along the axial direction of the hollow member, the elastic body is pressed against the screw, reducing the inner diameter of the through-hole, thereby fixing the medical device via the elastic body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5249049 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the known medical connectors described above, the force for fixing the medical device varies depending on the amount of rotation of the screw, resulting in variations in the force for fixing the medical device. For example, if the amount of rotation is too large, the force for fixing the medical device becomes too large, which may damage the medical device. Conversely, if the amount of rotation is too small, the force for fixing the medical device becomes too small, which may result in the medical device not being fixed securely.

[0005] This specification discloses a technique that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized, for example, in the following forms.

[0007] The medical connector disclosed in this specification comprises a hollow member, an operating member, and a connecting member. The hollow member is a member extending in an axial direction. A medical device is inserted into the hollow member. The operating member is disposed on the proximal end side of the hollow member. The operating member is rotatable about the axial direction. The operating member has a through hole into which the medical device is inserted. The connecting member is a hollow member connecting the hollow member and the through hole. When the operating member is in a first rotation angle state, the connecting member allows movement of the medical device inserted into the connecting member. When the operating member is in a second rotation angle state, the connecting member twists and collapses radially, thereby fixing the medical device inserted into the connecting member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a medical connector according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a longitudinal section (YZ section) of a medical connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a longitudinal section (YZ section) of a medical connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a portion of a medical connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of an operating member; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a medical connector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a vertical cross section of a medical connector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a vertical cross section of a medical connector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an operating member. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a holding mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a support tube; [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the opening and closing mechanism [Figure 13] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the opening and closing mechanism DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) (Medical connector configuration) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a medical connector 10 according to a first embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing a longitudinal cross section (YZ cross section) of the medical connector 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a portion of the medical connector 10 according to the first embodiment. In this specification, the positive Z-axis direction is referred to as the distal end, and the negative Z-axis direction is referred to as the proximal end. For the medical connector 10 and each of its components, the distal end is referred to as the "distal end," the distal end and its vicinity are referred to as the "distal portion," the proximal end is referred to as the "proximal end," and the proximal end and its vicinity are referred to as the "proximal end portion." The positive Z-axis direction is also referred to as the "forward direction," the negative Z-axis direction is also referred to as the "rearward direction," the positive Y-axis direction is also referred to as the "upward direction," and the negative Y-axis direction is also referred to as the "downward direction." The transverse cross section of the medical connector 10 and each of its components refers to a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal cross section of the medical connector 10 and each of its components refers to a cross section parallel to the longitudinal central axis. For medical connector 10 and each of its constituent members, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis is referred to as the radial direction.

[0010] The medical connector 10 is a Y-connector. The medical connector 10 has a main pipe portion 11 and a branch pipe portion 12. The main pipe portion 11 has a main lumen 13 formed therein, which penetrates the main pipe portion 11 along a central axis Ax parallel to the Z-axis direction. A medical device is inserted into the main lumen 13 from the proximal end side. Below, an example will be described in which a guidewire GW is used as the medical device. The branch pipe portion 12 branches from near the distal end of the main pipe portion 11 and extends obliquely upward toward the proximal end side. The branch pipe portion 12 has a branch lumen 14 formed therein, which communicates with the main lumen 13. A liquid agent, such as a contrast agent or physiological saline, is supplied to the branch lumen 14 from a liquid agent supplier (not shown) connected to the branch pipe portion 12.

[0011] A rotator 18 is attached to the distal end of the medical connector 10. A guiding catheter GC is connected to the distal end of the medical connector 10 via the rotator 18. A guidewire GW is inserted into the guiding catheter GC via the medical connector 10.

[0012] The medical connector 10 has the function of fixing the guidewire GW inserted into the medical connector 10. Fig. 3 shows a state in which the medical connector 10 fixes the guidewire GW and restricts movement of the guidewire GW along the axial direction. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the medical connector 10 releases the fixation of the guidewire GW and allows movement of the guidewire GW along the axial direction.

[0013] The medical connector 10 includes a housing 110, a cover member 120, an operating member 140, and a connecting member .

[0014] The housing 110 is a hollow member extending in the Z-axis direction. The housing 110 is formed of, for example, resin. The housing 110 is formed with a first through-hole 113 penetrating the housing 110 along the central axis Ax. The cross section of the first through-hole 113 is, for example, approximately circular. The first through-hole 113 forms part of the main lumen 13 of the main pipe portion 11. The housing 110 is formed with the branch pipe portion 12 described above. A groove 116 opening to the base end side is formed in the proximal end of the housing 110. When viewed in the Z-axis direction, the groove 116 has a substantially annular shape centered on the central axis Ax. The proximal end of the housing 110 has an outer proximal end portion 114 outer than the groove 116 and an inner proximal end portion 115 inner than the groove 116.

[0015] The cover member 120 is a substantially cylindrical member extending in the Z-axis direction. The cover member 120 is formed, for example, from resin. The tip end of the cover member 120 is fixed to the outer base end 114 of the housing 110 in a state where it covers the outer peripheral surface of the outer base end 114. A plurality of recesses 121 are formed in the base end surface of the cover member 120. In this embodiment, eight recesses 121 are formed in the base end surface of the cover member 120 at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The recesses 121 are shaped so that the width becomes narrower as the depth increases. At least one of the housing 110 and the combination of the housing 110 and the cover member 120 is an example of a hollow member. The Z-axis direction and the front-to-rear direction are examples of axial directions.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the operating member 140. The operating member 140 is a hollow member in which a second through-hole 143 is formed. The cross section of the second through-hole 143 is, for example, approximately circular. The operating member 140 is formed of, for example, resin. The operating member 140 is disposed on the proximal end side of the housing 110 in an orientation in which the central axis of the second through-hole 143 coincides with the central axis Ax of the main lumen 13. The operating member 140 is rotatable relative to the housing 110 and the cover member 120 around the central axis Ax. The second through-hole 143 constitutes a part of the main lumen 13 of the main tubular portion 11.

[0017] The operating member 140 has a small diameter portion 144 and a large diameter portion 145. The small diameter portion 144 includes the tip of the operating member 140. The large diameter portion 145 is located closer to the base end than the small diameter portion 144. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 145 is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 144. First protrusions 147 protruding in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 145. In this embodiment, six first protrusions 147 are formed at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Second protrusions 146 protruding in the distal direction are formed on the tip surface of the large diameter portion 145. In this embodiment, eight second protrusions 146 are formed at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The second protrusions 146 are shaped so that their width decreases as they increase in height. The second protrusions 146 are shaped to fit into recesses 121 formed in the base end surface of the cover member 120.

[0018] The multiple second protrusions 146 of the operating member 140 and the multiple recesses 121 of the cover member 120 constitute a holding mechanism 170 that holds the rotation angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 and the cover member 120. That is, when each second protrusion 146 of the operating member 140 is fitted into each recess 121 of the cover member 120, the second protrusions 146 interfere with the recesses 121, restricting the rotation of the operating member 140 and holding the rotation angle of the operating member 140. When the operator applies a rotational force of a certain level or more to the operating member 140, at least one of the second protrusions 146 and the recesses 121 elastically deforms, and the second protrusions 146 escape from the recesses 121. This releases the restriction on the rotation of the operating member 140, allowing the operating member 140 to rotate. The second protrusion 146 may come out of the recess 121 when the connecting member 130, which will be described later, is elastically deformed and the operating member 140 moves toward the base end.

[0019] When the operating member 140 rotates and each second protrusion 146 of the operating member 140 reaches the position of the recess 121 next to the recess 121 in which it was fitted before the rotation, the second protrusion 146 fits into the adjacent recess 121. As a result, the rotation of the operating member 140 is restricted again, and the rotation angle of the operating member 140 is maintained. In this way, when the operator applies a rotational force to the operating member 140, the operating member 140 rotates by a fixed angle, and then the rotation of the operating member 140 is restricted, and the rotation angle of the operating member 140 is maintained. When the operator applies a rotational force to the operating member 140 again, the operating member 140 rotates by a similar fixed angle, and then the rotation of the operating member 140 is restricted, and the rotation angle of the operating member 140 is maintained. In this embodiment, eight second protrusions 146 are formed on the operating member 140, and therefore the fixed angle is 45 degrees (=360 degrees / 8).

[0020] A hemostatic valve 192 and a cap 194 are attached to the proximal end of the operating member 140. The hemostatic valve 192 is a substantially disc-shaped member and is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. A slit (not shown) is formed in the hemostatic valve 192, and the guidewire GW is inserted through the slit of the hemostatic valve 192. The hemostatic valve 192 suppresses the outflow of blood through the main lumen 13 of the main tubular portion 11. The cap 194 is a substantially disc-shaped member and is made of, for example, resin. The cap 194 is attached to the proximal end of the operating member 140 with the hemostatic valve 192 sandwiched between the cap 194 and the proximal end of the operating member 140. A through-hole 196 is formed in the cap 194, and the guidewire GW is inserted through the through-hole 196.

[0021] The connecting member 130 is a tubular member in which a third through-hole 134 is formed. The cross section of the third through-hole 134 is, for example, substantially circular. The connecting member 130 is formed, for example, from a thermoplastic resin such as an elastomer or a thermosetting resin such as silicone rubber. The connecting member 130 is disposed between the housing 110 and the operating member 140 in such a position that the central axis of the third through-hole 134 coincides with the central axis Ax of the main lumen 13. The third through-hole 134 communicates with the first through-hole 113 of the housing 110 and the second through-hole 143 of the operating member 140, and constitutes a part of the main lumen 13 of the main tubular portion 11.

[0022] The distal end 133 of the connecting member 130 is fixed to the housing 110 in a state where it covers the outer peripheral surface of the inner proximal end 115 of the housing 110. The proximal end 132 of the connecting member 130 is fixed to the operating member 140 in a state where it covers the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 144 of the operating member 140. Therefore, when the operating member 140 rotates in one direction around the central axis Ax by a predetermined angle, the proximal end 132 of the connecting member 130 also rotates in the same direction by the same angle. In the connecting member 130, the intermediate portion 131 sandwiched between the proximal end 132 and the distal end 133 is not fixed to another member. The distal end 133 of the connecting member 130 is an example of a first fixed portion, and the proximal end 132 is an example of a second fixed portion.

[0023] 2, when the rotation angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 is a first rotation angle θ1 (hereinafter referred to as the "reference state"), no twist occurs in the connecting member 130. In this reference state, the inner diameter of the third through-hole 134 in the intermediate portion 131 of the connecting member 130 is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the guidewire GW (hereinafter, this value will be referred to as the "reference inner diameter"). Therefore, in the reference state, the guidewire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 130.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , a first identification protrusion 142 is formed on one second convex portion 146 of the operating member 140. A second identification protrusion 122 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 120. In the reference state, the circumferential position of the first identification protrusion 142 coincides with the circumferential position of the second identification protrusion 122. The operator can determine whether or not the reference state is being established by referring to the positions of the first identification protrusion 142 and the second identification protrusion 122. The first identification protrusion 142 and the second identification protrusion 122 are examples of an identification portion.

[0025] 3, when the operating member 140 is rotated, for example, 45 degrees clockwise from the reference state and the rotation angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 becomes the second rotation angle θ2, the base end portion 132 of the connecting member 130 also becomes rotated clockwise by the same angle. In this state, a twist occurs in the connecting member 130, the intermediate portion 131 of the connecting member 130 is crushed in the radial direction, and the inner diameter of the third through hole 134 in the intermediate portion 131 becomes smaller than the reference inner diameter. As a result, the guidewire GW receives force from the inner circumferential surface of the third through hole 134, and becomes fixed in a state in which movement in the front-to-rear direction is restricted. From this state, when the operating member 140 rotates another 45 degrees in the same direction and the rotation angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 becomes greater than the second rotation angle, the twisting of the connecting member 130 becomes even greater, the inner diameter of the third through hole 134 in the intermediate portion 131 becomes even smaller, and the force fixing the guide wire GW becomes even greater.

[0026] When the operating member 140 is rotated in the opposite direction from a state in which the guidewire GW is fixed by the connecting member 130, the base end 132 of the connecting member 130 also rotates in the same direction. This reduces the twist generated in the connecting member 130, reduces radial crushing in the intermediate portion 131 of the connecting member 130, and causes the inner diameter of the third through-hole 134 in the intermediate portion 131 to approach the reference inner diameter, thereby reducing the force fixing the guidewire GW. When the operating member 140 is rotated and returns to the above-mentioned reference state, the fixation of the guidewire GW by the connecting member 130 is released.

[0027] In this manner, when the operator applies a rotational force in one direction to the operating member 140, the rotational angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 increases stepwise in predetermined angular increments. For example, the rotational angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 increases stepwise from 0 degrees to 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, etc. Accordingly, the fixing force of the guidewire GW by the connecting member 130 also increases stepwise. When the operator applies a rotational force in the opposite direction to the operating member 140, the rotational angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 decreases stepwise in predetermined angular increments. For example, the rotational angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 decreases stepwise from 135 degrees to 90 degrees, 45 degrees, 0 degrees, etc. Accordingly, the fixing force of the guidewire GW by the connecting member 130 also decreases stepwise. When the rotational angle of the operating member 140 relative to the housing 110 becomes 0 degrees, the fixing of the guidewire GW is released.

[0028] (Effects of the first embodiment) As described above, the medical connector 10 of this embodiment includes the housing 110, the operating member 140, and the connecting member 130. The housing 110 is a member extending in the direction of the central axis Ax. The guidewire GW is inserted into the housing 110. The operating member 140 is disposed on the proximal end side of the housing 110. The operating member 140 is rotatable about the central axis Ax. The operating member 140 has a second through-hole 143 into which the guidewire GW is inserted. The connecting member 130 is a hollow member that connects the housing 110 and the second through-hole 143 of the operating member 140. When the operating member 140 is at the first rotation angle θ1, the connecting member 130 allows the guidewire GW inserted into the connecting member 130 to move. When the operating member 140 is at the second rotation angle θ2, the connecting member 130 twists and collapses radially, causing the connecting member 130 to fix the guidewire GW inserted into the connecting member 130. According to the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the guidewire GW can be fixed or released by switching between a state in which the operating member 140 is at the first rotation angle θ1 and a state in which the operating member 140 is at the second rotation angle θ2, thereby suppressing variations in the force fixing the guidewire GW.

[0029] The medical connector 10 of this embodiment further includes a retention mechanism 170 that retains the operating member 140 at a first rotation angle θ1 and a second rotation angle θ2. The medical connector 10 of this embodiment can retain a state in which the guidewire GW is fixed and a state in which the fixation of the guidewire GW is released.

[0030] In the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the retention mechanism 170 has a plurality of recesses 121 formed in the cover member 120 and a plurality of second protrusions 146 formed in the operating member 140 and fitted into the plurality of recesses 121. According to the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the fitting of the plurality of second protrusions 146 into the plurality of recesses 121 makes it possible to maintain a state in which the guidewire GW is fixed and a state in which the fixation of the guidewire GW is released.

[0031] In the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the connecting member 130 fixes the guidewire GW with a first fixing force when the operating member 140 is at the second rotation angle θ2, and fixes the guidewire GW with a fixing force greater than the first fixing force when the operating member 140 is at another rotation angle. According to the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the fixing force of the guidewire GW can be set to a fixing force desired by the operator through an intuitive operation.

[0032] In the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the connecting member 130 has a distal end 133 fixed to the housing 110, a proximal end 132 fixed to the operating member 140, and an intermediate portion 131 that is sandwiched between the distal end 133 and the proximal end 132 along the axial direction and is not fixed to any other member. The medical connector 10 of this embodiment can achieve a configuration in which the connecting member 130 switches between a state in which the guidewire GW is fixed and a state in which the fixation of the guidewire GW is released depending on the rotation angle of the operating member 140, while avoiding a complicated structure.

[0033] The medical connector 10 of this embodiment further includes a first identification protrusion 142 and a second identification protrusion 122 as identification parts that indicate that the operating member 140 is at the first rotation angle θ1. According to the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the operator can easily recognize that the operating member 140 is at the first rotation angle θ1, i.e., that the fixation of the guidewire GW has been released.

[0034] (Second embodiment) FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a medical connector 10a according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 6, some components that are not actually visible on the exterior are shown by dashed lines. FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing a longitudinal cross section (YZ cross section) of a medical connector 10a according to the second embodiment. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the exterior of some components is shown rather than a cross section. In the following, among the configurations of the medical connector 10a according to the second embodiment, the same configurations as those of the medical connector 10 according to the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0035] Similar to the medical connector 10 of the first embodiment, the medical connector 10a of the second embodiment has a fixing mechanism 200 that fixes the guidewire GW inserted into the main lumen 13. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the fixing mechanism 200 fixes the guidewire GW and restricts movement of the guidewire GW along its axial direction. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the fixing mechanism 200 releases the fixation of the guidewire GW and allows movement of the guidewire GW along its axial direction. The medical connector 10a of the second embodiment further has an opening / closing mechanism 300 that opens and closes the hemostatic valve. The opening / closing mechanism 300 is disposed closer to the proximal end than the fixing mechanism 200.

[0036] (Configuration of fixing mechanism 200) The fixing mechanism 200 includes a housing 110 , an outer cylinder 220 , an operating member 240 , a connecting member 230 , a holding mechanism 260 , and a tubular member 280 .

[0037] The outer cylinder 220 is a substantially cylindrical member extending in the Z-axis direction. The outer cylinder 220 is formed of, for example, resin. The tip end of the outer cylinder 220 is fixed to the base end of the housing 110. A spiral groove 222 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 220, with the center being the central axis Ax. In this embodiment, four grooves 222 are formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the operating member 240. The operating member 240 is a hollow member in which a fourth through-hole 243 is formed. The cross section of the fourth through-hole 243 is, for example, substantially circular. The operating member 240 is housed in the hollow portion of the outer tube 220 on the proximal end side of the housing 110. The central axis of the fourth through-hole 243 of the operating member 240 substantially coincides with the central axis Ax of the main lumen 13. The fourth through-hole 243 forms a part of the main lumen 13. The operating member 240 is rotatable around the central axis Ax within the hollow portion of the outer tube 220 and is movable along the central axis Ax. The operating member 240 is made of, for example, resin.

[0039] The operating member 240 has a small diameter portion 244 and a large diameter portion 245. The small diameter portion 244 includes the tip of the operating member 240. The large diameter portion 245 is located closer to the base end than the small diameter portion 244. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 245 is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 244. Protrusions 247 that protrude radially outward are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 245. In this embodiment, four protrusions 247 are formed at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each protrusion 247 formed on the operating member 240 is fitted into a spiral groove 222 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 220. Therefore, when the operating member 240 moves along the central axis Ax within the hollow portion of the outer tube 220, the operating member 240 rotates around the central axis Ax.

[0040] The connecting member 230 is a tubular member in which a fifth through-hole 234 is formed. The cross section of the fifth through-hole 234 is, for example, substantially circular. The connecting member 230 is housed in the hollow portion of the outer tube 220 between the housing 110 and the operating member 240. The central axis of the fifth through-hole 234 of the connecting member 230 substantially coincides with the central axis Ax of the main lumen 13. The fifth through-hole 234 is connected to the first through-hole 113 of the housing 110 and the fourth through-hole 243 of the operating member 240, and forms part of the main lumen 13. The connecting member 230 is formed, for example, from a thermoplastic resin such as an elastomer or a thermosetting resin such as silicone rubber.

[0041] A tip end 233 of the connecting member 230 is fixed to the housing 110 in a state where it covers the outer peripheral surface of the inner base end 115 of the housing 110. A base end 232 of the connecting member 230 is fixed to the operating member 240 in a state where it covers the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 244 of the operating member 240. In the connecting member 230, an intermediate portion 231 sandwiched between the base end 232 and the tip end 233 is not fixed to another member. The tip end 233 of the connecting member 230 is an example of a first fixing portion, and the base end 232 is an example of a second fixing portion.

[0042] Because the base end 232 of the connecting member 230 is fixed to the operating member 240, when the operating member 240 moves along the central axis Ax while rotating around the central axis Ax, the base end 232 of the connecting member 230 also rotates by the same angle and moves the same distance. As a result, the connecting member 230 may twist or be compressed in the axial direction.

[0043] The tubular member 280 is a hollow member in which a sixth through-hole 283 is formed. The cross section of the sixth through-hole 283 is, for example, substantially circular. The tubular member 280 is disposed on the proximal end side of the operating member 240. The central axis of the sixth through-hole 283 of the tubular member 280 substantially coincides with the central axis Ax of the main lumen 13. The sixth through-hole 283 forms a part of the main lumen 13. The tubular member 280 is supported by a support tube 250 of the holding mechanism 260, which will be described later, in a state in which it can move along the central axis Ax. The tubular member 280 is formed of, for example, resin.

[0044] The tubular member 280 has a small diameter portion 284, a medium diameter portion 285, and a large diameter portion 286. The small diameter portion 284 includes the tip of the tubular member 280. The medium diameter portion 285 is located closer to the base end than the small diameter portion 284. The outer diameter of the medium diameter portion 285 is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 284. The large diameter portion 286 is located closer to the base end than the medium diameter portion 285. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 286 is larger than the outer diameter of the medium diameter portion 285.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 9, the operating member 240 is attached to the distal end of the tubular member 280. Therefore, the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 move together along the central axis Ax. The operating member 240 is attached to the tubular member 280 by, for example, a snap-fit ​​structure. That is, a recess 246 provided at the proximal end of the operating member 240 fits into a protrusion 287 provided near the boundary between the small diameter portion 284 and the medium diameter portion 285 of the tubular member 280, thereby attaching the operating member 240 to the tubular member 280. A seal member 30, such as an O-ring, is disposed between the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240.

[0046] 7 and 8, an opening / closing mechanism 300 is attached to the base end of the tubular member 280. For example, when the operator moves the opening / closing mechanism 300 toward the distal end, the tubular member 280 also moves toward the distal end.

[0047] 7, in a state where the positions of the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 along the central axis Ax are at a first position P1 and the rotation angle of the operating member 240 relative to the housing 110 is a first rotation angle θ1 (hereinafter referred to as the "reference state"), no twist occurs in the connecting member 230 and no compressive force along the central axis Ax acts on the connecting member 230. In this reference state, the inner diameter of the fifth through-hole 234 in the intermediate portion 231 of the connecting member 230 is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the guidewire GW (hereinafter, this value will be referred to as the "reference inner diameter"). Therefore, in the reference state, the guidewire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8 , when the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 move from the reference state toward the distal end along the central axis Ax to a second position P2, the operating member 240 rotates about the central axis Ax in response to the movement. This causes the operating member 240 to rotate at a second rotation angle θ2 relative to the housing 110 (hereinafter referred to as the “fixed state”). As the operating member 240 rotates and moves, the base end 232 of the connecting member 230, which is fixed to the operating member 240, also rotates by the same angle and moves the same distance toward the distal end. In this state, the connecting member 230 twists, and the connecting member 230 is compressed in the axial direction and buckles. As a result, the middle portion 231 of the connecting member 230 is crushed in the radial direction, and the inner diameter of the fifth through-hole 234 in the middle portion 231 becomes smaller than the reference inner diameter. As a result, the guidewire GW receives a force from the inner circumferential surface of the fifth through-hole 234, and the guidewire GW is fixed in a state where its movement along the central axis Ax is restricted.

[0049] When the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 return from the fixed state to the first position P1 toward the proximal end along the central axis Ax, the operating member 240 rotates in the opposite direction about the central axis Ax and returns to the reference state. As the operating member 240 rotates and moves, the proximal end 232 of the connecting member 230 fixed to the operating member 240 also rotates by the same angle and moves the same distance toward the proximal end. In this state, the twist generated in the connecting member 230 is eliminated, and the connecting member 230 stretches in the axial direction, eliminating buckling. As a result, the radial crushing of the intermediate portion 231 of the connecting member 230 is eliminated, the inner diameter of the fifth through-hole 234 in the intermediate portion 231 returns to the reference inner diameter, and the fixing of the guidewire GW by the connecting member 230 is released.

[0050] The fixing force of the guidewire GW by the connecting member 230 can be adjusted by adjusting the movement amount of the operating member 240 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 and the rotation amount of the operating member 240 accompanying the movement of the operating member 240 along the central axis Ax. The adjustment of the rotation amount of the operating member 240 accompanying the movement of the operating member 240 can be achieved by adjusting the shape of the spiral groove 222 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 220.

[0051] The holding mechanism 260 is a so-called double knock mechanism. The holding mechanism 260 switches the positions of the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 along the central axis Ax between the first position P1 and the second position P2 described above, and holds the positions. As described above, when the operating member 240 is located at the first position P1, the rotation angle of the operating member 240 is the first rotation angle θ1, and when the operating member 240 is located at the second position P2, the rotation angle of the operating member 240 is the second rotation angle θ2. Therefore, in other words, the holding mechanism 260 switches the rotation angle of the operating member 240 between the first rotation angle θ1 and the second rotation angle θ2, and holds the angle.

[0052] 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the holding mechanism 260. The holding mechanism 260 has a support tube 250, a rotor 270, and a spring 262. In this embodiment, a portion of the tubular member 280 also constitutes part of the holding mechanism 260. In FIG. 10, a portion of the tubular member 280 is not shown.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the support tube 250. The support tube 250 is a substantially cylindrical member and is made of, for example, resin. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the support tube 250 is fixed to the base end of the outer tube 220 via a fixing member 228. The central axis of the support tube 250 substantially coincides with the central axis Ax of the main lumen 13. A tooth-shaped support tube end surface cam 253 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the support tube 250. The support tube end surface cam 253 is a cam in which shallow groove portions 254 and deep groove portions 255 are formed alternately in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the support tube end surface cam 253 is composed of four shallow groove portions 254 and four deep groove portions 255.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the large diameter portion 286 of the tubular member 280 is inserted into the hollow portion of the support tube 250. A toothed tubular member end surface cam 282 is formed on the end surface of the tip side of the large diameter portion 286 of the tubular member 280. Four convex contacts 281 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 286 of the tubular member 280. Each contact 281 of the tubular member 280 is housed in a corresponding deep groove portion 255 on the inner circumferential surface of the support tube 250. This allows the tubular member 280 to move along the axial direction of the support tube 250 while being restricted from rotating relative to the support tube 250.

[0055] The rotor 270 is a substantially disk-shaped member and is made of, for example, resin. Four protrusions 273 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 270. Teeth are formed on the surface of the base end of each of the protrusions 273 of the rotor 270. The pitch of the crests of the tubular member end face cam 282 is shifted by approximately half the pitch of the crests of the support cylinder end face cam 253, and each of the protrusions 273 of the rotor 270 is configured not to be able to mesh with both the tubular member end face cam 282 and the support cylinder end face cam 253 at the same time. A recess 274 is formed on the surface of the tip end of the rotor 270.

[0056] Spring 262 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. Spring 262 is disposed between rotor 270 and fixed member 228 (FIG. 7). One end of spring 262 is inserted into recess 274 of rotor 270, and the other end of spring 262 is fixed to fixed member 228.

[0057] In the rotor retracted state in which each of the convex portions 273 of the rotor 270 is fitted into the deep groove portion 255 of the support cylinder end surface cam 253, the rotor 270 is positioned at a position retracted toward the base end, guided by the deep groove portion 255. Therefore, in the rotor retracted state, as shown in Fig. 7, the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 are positioned at a first position P1, and as a result, the rotation angle of the operating member 240 becomes a first rotation angle θ1, resulting in a reference state in which the guidewire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 230. The rotor retracted state is maintained as long as the tubular member 280 does not move along the central axis Ax.

[0058] In the rotor retracted state, when the tubular member 280 moves distally along the central axis Ax, the tubular-member end-face cam 282 comes into contact with each of the convex portions 273 of the rotor 270, causing the rotor 270 to move in the same direction together with the tubular member 280. When the rotor 270 moves distally to a position where each of the convex portions 273 escapes from the deep groove portion 255, each of the convex portions 273 slides along the tooth profile of the tubular-member end-face cam 282, causing the rotor 270 to rotate circumferentially by half a peak. As a result, each of the convex portions 273 and the tubular-member end-face cam 282 completely mesh with each other. Thereafter, when the tubular member 280 retracts proximally, the rotor 270 also moves in the same direction together with the tubular member 280. At this time, because the rotor 270 has rotated by half a ridge, each of the protrusions 273 fits into the shallow grooves 254, not the deep grooves 255, of the support cylinder end surface cam 253. In the rotor forward state in which each of the protrusions 273 fits into the shallow grooves 254, the rotor 270 is held in a position further forward toward the distal end than in the rotor backward state. Therefore, in the rotor forward state, as shown in FIG. 8 , the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 are located at the second position P2. As a result, the rotation angle of the operating member 240 becomes the second rotation angle θ2, and the guidewire GW is fixed by the connecting member 230. The rotor forward state is maintained as long as the tubular member 280 does not move along the central axis Ax.

[0059] In the rotor forward state, when the tubular member 280 moves toward the distal end along the central axis Ax, the tubular-member end-face cam 282 comes into contact with each of the convex portions 273 of the rotor 270, causing the rotor 270 to move in the same direction together with the tubular member 280. When the rotor 270 moves toward the distal end to a position where each of the convex portions 273 escapes from the shallow groove portion 254, each of the convex portions 273 slides along the tooth profile of the tubular-member end-face cam 282, causing the rotor 270 to rotate circumferentially by half a peak. As a result, each of the convex portions 273 and the tubular-member end-face cam 282 completely mesh with each other. Thereafter, when the tubular member 280 retreats toward the base end, the rotor 270 also moves in the same direction together with the tubular member 280. At this time, since the rotor 270 has rotated by half a ridge, each of the protrusions 273 fits into the deep groove portion 255, not the shallow groove portion 254, of the support cylinder end face cam 253. As a result, the holding mechanism 260 returns to the rotor retracted state, and the reference state is reached in which the guide wire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0060] In this way, the holding mechanism 260 switches the positions of the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 between the first position P1 and the second position P2 and holds the positions each time the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 move toward the distal end as, for example, an operator moves the opening / closing mechanism 300 toward the distal end. As a result, the state alternates between a reference state in which the guidewire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 230 and a fixed state in which the guidewire GW is fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0061] (Configuration of opening / closing mechanism 300) 12 and 13 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the opening and closing mechanism 300. The opening and closing mechanism 300 is a mechanism for opening and closing a hemostatic valve 320 that suppresses blood outflow through the main lumen 13 of the medical connector 10a. FIG. 12 shows the opening and closing mechanism 300 in a state in which the hemostatic valve 320 is closed (hereinafter referred to as the "closed state opening and closing mechanism 300c"), and FIG. 13 shows the opening and closing mechanism 300 in a state in which the hemostatic valve 320 is open (hereinafter referred to as the "open state opening and closing mechanism 300o"). The opening and closing mechanism 300 of this embodiment alternates between the closed state opening and closing mechanism 300c and the open state opening and closing mechanism 300o each time the operating member 380 is pressed.

[0062] The opening and closing mechanism 300 includes a housing 310 , a hemostatic valve 320 , a penetrating member 330 , an operating member 380 , a force transmitting member 340 , and a holding mechanism 360 .

[0063] The housing 310 is a tubular member in which a lumen 313 is formed. The housing 310 is made of, for example, resin. The distal end of the housing 310 is fixed to the proximal end of the tubular member 280 of the fixing mechanism 200. A seal member 302 is disposed between the housing 310 and the tubular member 280. The lumen 313 of the housing 310 is connected to the sixth through-hole 283 of the tubular member 280. The lumen 313 of the housing 310 constitutes a part of the main lumen 13.

[0064] A partition wall 314 is formed in the housing 310, and the partition wall 314 is substantially perpendicular to the central axis Ax. A through-hole 314A is formed in the partition wall 314, and the through-hole 314A constitutes part of the lumen 313. A member accommodating space 316 is formed inside the housing 310 on the proximal side of the partition wall 314. The member accommodating space 316 opens at the top of the housing 310.

[0065] The hemostatic valve 320 is a substantially disk-shaped member made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The hemostatic valve 320 is fixed inside the housing 310 at a position distal to the partition wall 314. A slit 321 is formed in the hemostatic valve 320. The hemostatic valve 320 is normally in a closed state in which the slit 321 is closed and the valve is closed ( FIG. 12 ). When the hemostatic valve 320 is in a closed state, the lumen 313 is closed by the hemostatic valve 320, and blood is prevented from flowing out of the hemostatic valve 320 toward the base end via the lumen 313. When the hemostatic valve 320 is pressed from the base end, each piece separated by the slit 321 elastically deforms so as to be displaced distally, and the hemostatic valve 320 is in an open state in which a through-hole 322 is formed that penetrates the hemostatic valve 320 in the front-to-rear direction ( FIG. 13 ). When the hemostatic valve 320 is in an open state, the lumen 313 is not closed at the position of the hemostatic valve 320 but remains open. When the pressing force from the base end side is removed, the hemostatic valve 320 elastically deforms and returns to the closed state.

[0066] The penetrating member 330 is a tubular member formed with a through hole 332 extending along the central axis Ax, and is made of, for example, resin. The penetrating member 330 is accommodated inside the housing 310 on the proximal side of the hemostatic valve 320. A protrusion 335 that protrudes in the X-axis direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the penetrating member 330. One protrusion 335 is provided on each side surface of the penetrating member 330.

[0067] The penetrating member 330 is movable along the central axis Ax, with its position in the up-down and left-right directions relative to the housing 310 being determined. The position of the penetrating member 330 along the central axis Ax switches between a non-pressing position P11 shown in Fig. 12 and a pressing position P12 shown in Fig. 13. At the non-pressing position P11, the penetrating member 330 does not press the hemostatic valve 320, causing the hemostatic valve 320 to be in a closed state. At the pressing position P12, the tip of the penetrating member 330 presses the hemostatic valve 320, causing the hemostatic valve 320 to be in an open state. When the penetrating member 330 is located at the pressing position P12, the through hole 322 formed in the hemostatic valve 320 and the through hole 332 of the penetrating member 330 are connected.

[0068] The operating member 380 is a substantially cylindrical member that extends in the vertical direction. The operating member 380 is supported by a support tube 350 of the holding mechanism 360, which will be described later, and is movable in the vertical direction. The upper end of the operating member 380 is exposed from the support tube 350. The operator presses this exposed portion. The operating member 380 is made of, for example, resin.

[0069] The force transmission member 340 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member and is made of, for example, resin. The force transmission member 340 has a through hole 344 extending in the front-rear direction. The penetrating member 330 is inserted into the through hole 344. Slots 345 connecting the through hole 344 to the outer circumferential surface of the force transmission member 340 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the force transmission member 340. The slots 345 extend in a direction from the lower base end toward the upper tip end. A protrusion 335 of the penetrating member 330 is fitted into the slot 345. This allows the penetrating member 330 to move relative to the force transmission member 340 along the extension direction of the slot 345. An upwardly protruding protrusion 343 is formed on the upper surface of the force transmission member 340. A downwardly protruding protrusion 342 is formed on the lower surface of the force transmission member 340.

[0070] The force transmission member 340 is accommodated in the member accommodating space 316 of the housing 310 in a state in which it can move up and down. Within the housing 310, a spring 362 is arranged below the force transmission member 340. The protrusion 342 of the force transmission member 340 is inserted into the hollow portion at the upper end of the spring 362. The lower end of the spring 362 is fixed to the bottom surface of the member accommodating space 316. The spring 362 pushes the force transmission member 340 upward.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 12, when the force transmission member 340 is located at the upper position P3, the convex portion 335 of the penetrating member 330 is located at a portion of the slot 345 on the lower base end side (hereinafter referred to as the "closed position portion 345A"). At this time, the penetrating member 330 is located at the non-pressing position P11. As shown in FIG. 13, when the force transmission member 340 moves downward from the upper position P3 to the lower position P4, the convex portion 335 of the penetrating member 330 moves relatively upward toward the tip end within the slot 345 and reaches a portion on the upper tip end side (hereinafter referred to as the "open position portion 345B"). As a result, the penetrating member 330 moves toward the tip end side to the pressing position P12.

[0072] The holding mechanism 360 switches the position of the force transmission member 340 in the up-down direction between the upper position P3 and the lower position P4 described above, and holds the position. The holding mechanism 360 has a support cylinder 350 and a rotor 370. In this embodiment, a part of the operating member 380 and the spring 362 also constitute part of the holding mechanism 360.

[0073] The configuration of the holding mechanism 360 is similar to the configuration of the holding mechanism 260 of the above-described fixing mechanism 200, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. That is, in the description of the configuration of the above-described holding mechanism 260, support tube 250 should be read as support tube 350, rotor 270 as rotor 370, and spring 262 as spring 362.

[0074] 12, the holding mechanism 360 is in the rotor retracted state. In this state, the force transmission member 340 is in the upper position P3, and the penetrating member 330 is in the non-pressing position P11. Therefore, the hemostatic valve 320 is closed, and the opening / closing mechanism 300 is in the closed-state opening / closing mechanism 300c.

[0075] For example, when the operating member 380 is pressed downward with the index finger of the operator holding the medical connector 10a, the operating member 380 moves downward, and the holding mechanism 360 switches from the rotor retracted state to the rotor advanced state. In this state, as shown in Figure 13, the force transmission member 340 is displaced to the lower position P4, and the penetrating member 330 is displaced to the pressing position P12. As a result, the tip of the penetrating member 330 presses the hemostatic valve 320, opening the hemostatic valve 320, and the opening / closing mechanism 300 becomes the open-state opening / closing mechanism 300o.

[0076] When the operating member 380 is pressed downward while the opening / closing mechanism 300 is in the open state (open-close mechanism 300o), the operating member 380 moves downward, and the holding mechanism 360 switches from the rotor forward state to the rotor backward state. In this state, as shown in FIG. 12 , the force transmission member 340 returns to the upper position P3, and the penetrating member 330 returns to the non-pressing position P11. As a result, the penetrating member 330 does not press the hemostasis valve 320, closing the hemostasis valve 320, and the opening / closing mechanism 300 becomes the closed state opening / closing mechanism 300c. In this way, each time the operating member 380 is operated, the opening / closing mechanism 300 alternates between the closed state opening / closing mechanism 300c and the open state opening / closing mechanism 300o.

[0077] (Effects of the second embodiment) As described above, the medical connector 10a of the second embodiment includes the housing 110, the operating member 240, and the connecting member 230. The housing 110 is a member extending in the direction of the central axis Ax. The guidewire GW is inserted into the housing 110. The operating member 240 is disposed on the proximal end side of the housing 110. The operating member 240 is rotatable about the central axis Ax. The operating member 240 has a fourth through-hole 243 into which the guidewire GW is inserted. The connecting member 230 is a hollow member that connects the housing 110 and the fourth through-hole 243 of the operating member 240. When the operating member 240 is at the first rotation angle θ1, the connecting member 230 allows the guidewire GW inserted into the connecting member 230 to move. When the operating member 240 is at the second rotation angle θ2, the connecting member 230 twists and collapses radially, causing the connecting member 230 to fix the guidewire GW inserted into the connecting member 230. According to the medical connector 10a of this embodiment, the guidewire GW can be fixed or released by switching between a state in which the operating member 240 is at the first rotation angle θ1 and a state in which the operating member 240 is at the second rotation angle θ2, thereby suppressing variations in the force fixing the guidewire GW.

[0078] In the medical connector 10a of the second embodiment, the operating member 240 is movable in the axial direction while rotating about the central axis Ax. Therefore, as the operating member 240 moves in the axial direction, the connecting member 230 is compressed and buckles, and the guidewire GW is stably fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0079] The medical connector 10a of the second embodiment further includes an outer tube 220 having a spiral groove 222 on its inner circumferential surface. The operating member 240 has a protrusion 247 that fits into the groove 222. This allows the operating member 240 to rotate more smoothly, and the guidewire GW is more stably fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0080] (Variation) The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof, for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0081] The configurations of medical connectors 10, 10a in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and can be modified in various ways. For example, in medical connector 10 of the first embodiment, the number of second convex portions 146 of operating member 140 and concave portions 121 of cover member 120 that constitute holding mechanism 170 is not limited to eight, and may be set appropriately depending on the number of stages at which the rotation angle of operating member 140 is held.

[0082] In the medical connector 10 of the first embodiment, a combination of a recess formed on the operating member 140 and a protrusion formed on the cover member 120 may be used as a retention mechanism for retaining the rotation angle of the operating member 140. A mechanism other than the combination of a recess and a protrusion may also be used as the retention mechanism.

[0083] In the medical connector 10a of the second embodiment, the number and arrangement of the grooves 222 formed in the outer tube 220 and the number and arrangement of the protrusions 247 formed on the operating member 240 can be changed as desired.

[0084] In the medical connector 10a of the second embodiment, the holding mechanisms 260 and 360 may be other mechanisms such as a heart cam mechanism.

[0085] In the medical connector 10 of the first embodiment, at least one of the cover member 120, the holding mechanism 170, the hemostatic valve 192, and the cap 194 may be omitted. In the medical connector 10a of the second embodiment, at least one of the holding mechanism 260 and the opening / closing mechanism 300 may be omitted.

[0086] The medical connectors 10, 10a of the above embodiments may also fix other medical devices (for example, catheters) other than the guidewire GW.

[0087] The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to Y-connectors, but is similarly applicable to medical connectors in general that fasten medical devices.

Claims

1. A hollow member (110, 120) extending in an axial direction and into which a medical device (GW) is inserted; an operating member (140, 240) disposed on the proximal end side of the hollow member (110, 120), rotatable about the axial direction, and having a through-hole (143, 243) into which the medical device (GW) is inserted; a hollow connecting member (130, 230) that connects the hollow member (110, 120) and the through-hole (143, 243), which allows movement of the medical device (GW) inserted into the connecting member (130, 230) when the operating member (140, 240) is at a first rotation angle, and which fixes the medical device (GW) inserted into the connecting member (130, 230) by twisting and collapsing in the radial direction when the operating member (140, 240) is at a second rotation angle; A medical connector (10, 10a) comprising:

2. 2. The medical connector (10, 10a) according to claim 1, further comprising: The medical connector (10, 10a) comprises a holding mechanism (170, 260) that holds the operating member (140, 240) at the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle.

3. 3. The medical connector (10) of claim 2, The retention mechanism (170) a plurality of recesses (121) formed in either the hollow member (110, 120) or the operating member (140); a plurality of protrusions (146) formed on the remaining one of the hollow members (110, 120) and the operating member (140), the protrusions (146) fitting into the plurality of recesses (121); A medical connector (10).

4. A medical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The medical connector (10) is configured such that when the operating member (140) is at the second rotation angle, the connecting member (130) fixes the medical device (GW) with a first fixing force, and when the operating member (140) is at a third rotation angle, the connecting member (130) fixes the medical device (GW) with a second fixing force greater than the first fixing force.

5. A medical connector (10, 10a) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The connecting members (130, 230) are a first fixing portion (133, 233) fixed to the hollow member (110, 120); a second fixing portion (132, 232) fixed to the operating member (140, 240); an intermediate portion (131, 231) sandwiched between the first fixed portion (133, 233) and the second fixed portion (132, 232) along the axial direction and not fixed to any other member; A medical connector (10, 10a) having:

6. The medical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The medical connector (10) includes an identification portion (122, 142) that indicates that the operating member (140) is in the first rotation angle state.

7. A medical connector (10a) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The operating member (240) is movable in the axial direction while rotating around the axial direction.

8. 8. The medical connector (10a) of claim 7, Further provided is an outer cylinder (220) having a spiral groove (222) on its inner circumferential surface, The operating member (240) has a protrusion (247) that fits into the groove (222).

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