Catheter assembly

Abstract

A repositioning mechanism is provided that allows a user to manipulate the catheter hub and adjust the position of the tip of the catheter within the blood vessel.SOLUTION: The catheter assembly 10 includes an outer needle unit 14 and an inner needle unit 16. The outer needle unit 14 and the inner needle unit 16 are coupled to each other along a central axis (axis 18) of the catheter assembly 10. The outer needle unit 14 includes a catheter member 20, a covering member 22, and a position changing mechanism 24. The position change mechanism 24 can change the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 in the axial direction of the catheter member 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a catheter assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2023-532709 and 2014-509226 disclose a catheter assembly comprising an outer needle unit having a hollow catheter and a catheter hub connected to the base end of the catheter, and a dressing that fixes the outer needle unit to the patient when the catheter is placed in the patient's vascular system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-532709 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2014-509226 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] After the outer needle unit is placed in a blood vessel of a living body, a liquid such as a medicinal solution is supplied into the blood vessel from outside the living body via a catheter. In this case, the tip of the catheter continuously contacts the same point on the blood vessel wall, and if the contact time is long, the local stress on the blood vessel due to contact with the catheter increases. Furthermore, since the position of the tip of the catheter within the blood vessel is continuously fixed, the medicinal solution flowing out of the catheter increases the stimulation of specific points on the blood vessel. The stimulation by the medicinal solution also results in a local stress on the blood vessel.

[0005] To address this issue, a possible solution is for the user to operate the catheter hub and adjust the catheter tip position within the blood vessel. In this case, it is possible to operate the catheter hub while checking the catheter tip position within the blood vessel from outside the living body using an ultrasound device. However, frequent checking using an ultrasound device is tedious. Furthermore, users tend to avoid adjusting the catheter tip position because they are concerned about the possibility of the catheter becoming dislodged from the blood vessel when adjusting the catheter tip position.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) An aspect of the present invention is a catheter assembly comprising: a catheter member having a hollow catheter body and a catheter hub connected to the base end of the catheter body; a covering member having a hub covering portion that covers at least a portion of the catheter hub; and an extension covering portion that extends from the tip of the hub covering portion, through which the catheter body is inserted and which can be inserted into a living body together with the catheter body; and a position changing mechanism that makes it possible to change the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member in the axial direction of the catheter member.

[0008] According to this configuration, the extended covering portion of the covering member is inserted into a living body and the covering member is left in place, and the catheter main body is inserted into a blood vessel of the living body and the catheter main body is left in place. This allows the relative axial position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member to be changed after a certain period of time or periodically using the position change mechanism without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion inserted into the living body. As a result, the extended covering portion acts as a guide for the catheter main body, preventing the catheter main body from being removed from the blood vessel due to adjustment of the distal end position of the catheter main body in the axial direction within the blood vessel. Furthermore, local stress on the blood vessel can be reduced.

[0009] (2) In the catheter assembly described in (1) above, the position change mechanism may be provided on the hub covering portion or the catheter hub and may have a movement adjustment mechanism that movably adjusts the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member.

[0010] According to this configuration, by providing a movement adjustment mechanism on the hub covering part or catheter hub that is not inserted into the living body, the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member can be easily changed without moving the insertion part of the extended covering part that is inserted into the living body.

[0011] (3) In the catheter assembly described in (2) above, the position change mechanism has a slide groove formed in the hub covering portion along the axial direction, and a slide member provided on the outer surface of the catheter hub and movable along the slide groove, and the movement adjustment mechanism may be the slide member.

[0012] With this configuration, when the covering member and the catheter body are placed in the living body, the sliding member moves along the sliding groove, making it possible to easily change the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion.

[0013] (4) In the catheter assembly described in (3) above, the covering member may be tubular in shape, the slide groove may be a slit communicating with the inner cavity of the covering member, and the slide member may have a slide main body portion disposed inside the slit on the outer peripheral surface of the catheter hub and movable along the slit, and an operating portion connected to the slide main body portion and protruding from the slit to the outside of the covering member.

[0014] With this configuration, when the user operates the control unit along the axial direction of the catheter member while the covering member and catheter main body are indwelled in the living body, the sliding main body moves along the slit, thereby allowing the relative position of the catheter member to be changed with respect to the covering member, without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering member, depending on the amount of operation of the control unit by the user.

[0015] (5) In the catheter assembly described in (4) above, the slide groove may have a first engagement portion formed unevenly along the axial direction on the inner surface forming the slit, and the slide main body portion may have a second engagement portion formed unevenly along the axial direction, and the second engagement portion may be capable of engaging with the first engagement portion at multiple positions different from each other in the axial direction.

[0016] With this configuration, when the slide main body moves along the slit, the second engagement portion can engage with the first engagement portion at multiple positions, so the catheter member can be fixed in a desired relative position without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion. Also, because the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are formed in an uneven shape, the relative position of the catheter member can be adjusted at minute intervals along the axial direction of the catheter member.

[0017] (6) In the catheter assembly described in (5) above, the slide groove has a pair of the first engagement portions, and the slide main body portion has a pair of movable members arranged inside the slit at a distance from each other in a width direction intersecting the axial direction, and an elastic member arranged between the pair of movable members and applying an elastic force to the pair of movable members so that the pair of movable members move away from each other in the width direction, and a pair of the second engagement portions may be formed on outer surfaces of the pair of movable members facing the pair of inner surfaces, respectively.

[0018] According to this configuration, the elastic member presses the pair of movable members against the pair of inner surfaces, thereby effectively fixing the catheter members in the desired relative positions without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion.

[0019] (7) In the catheter assembly described in (6) above, the sliding member may further have a connecting portion arranged between the pair of movable members, the connecting portion extending along the width direction between the pair of movable members and connecting the pair of movable members movably in the width direction, and the operating unit may be connected to the connecting portion.

[0020] According to this configuration, when the user operates the operating portion, the pair of moving members can be easily moved along the slit without moving the insertion portion of the extension covering portion.

[0021] (8) In the catheter assembly described in (2) above, the movement adjustment mechanism may be a rotation operation part that is rotatably provided with respect to the hub covering part or the catheter hub.

[0022] With this configuration, when the covering member and the catheter main body are placed in the living body, the user can easily change the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member by operating the rotation operating part without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering member.

[0023] (9) In the catheter assembly described in (8) above, the position change mechanism may further have a conversion unit that converts the rotation of the rotation operating unit into relative movement of the catheter member in the axial direction with respect to the covering member.

[0024] With this configuration, when the covering member and the catheter main body are placed in the living body, the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member can be easily changed by rotating the rotating operating part without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering member.

[0025] (10) In the catheter assembly described in (2) above, the movement adjustment mechanism may have a screw hole provided in the hub covering portion and a screw shaft portion that screws into the screw hole and is rotatable relative to the hub covering portion, and one end of the screw shaft portion may be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the catheter hub, thereby making it possible to fix the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member.

[0026] With this configuration, when the threaded shank rotates relative to the hub sheath, one end of the threaded shank is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the catheter hub, making it easy to fix the position of the catheter member relative to the sheath. Furthermore, when the end of the threaded shank moves away from the outer peripheral surface of the catheter hub, the catheter member becomes movable in the axial direction relative to the sheath, making it easy to change the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the sheath without moving the insertion portion of the extended sheath inserted into the living body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, the extended covering portion of the covering member is inserted into a living body and the covering member is left in the living body, and the catheter main body is inserted into a blood vessel of the living body and the catheter main body is left in the living body. As a result, after a certain period of time has passed or periodically, the position of the catheter main body relative to the covering member in the axial direction can be changed by the position changing mechanism without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion inserted into the living body. As a result, the extended covering portion acts as a guide for the catheter main body, which prevents the catheter main body from being removed from the blood vessel due to adjustment of the distal end position of the catheter main body in the axial direction within the blood vessel. Furthermore, local stress on the blood vessel can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a catheter assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the catheter assembly of FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the position changing mechanism of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the catheter assembly of FIG. 1 in a puncturing state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] 1 is a structural diagram of a catheter assembly 10 according to one embodiment. When at least the tip of the catheter assembly 10 is inserted into a living body 12 (see FIG. 4) such as a patient, a part of the catheter assembly 10 is placed within the living body 12.

[0030] The catheter assembly 10 comprises an outer needle unit 14 and an inner needle unit 16. The outer needle unit 14 and the inner needle unit 16 are connected along the central axis (axis 18) of the catheter assembly 10.

[0031] The outer needle unit 14 includes a catheter member 20, a covering member 22, and a position changing mechanism 24. The catheter member 20 has a catheter body 26 and a catheter hub 28. The inner needle unit 16 includes an inner needle 30 and an inner needle hub 32.

[0032] The covering member 22, catheter body 26, catheter hub 28, inner needle 30, and inner needle hub 32 are arranged coaxially with the axis 18. In the following description, the direction along the axis 18 will be referred to as the axial direction. Furthermore, the direction along the axis 18 toward the catheter body 26 will be referred to as the distal direction. Furthermore, the direction away from the catheter body 26 along the axis 18 (the direction toward the inner needle hub 32) will be referred to as the proximal direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the axis 18 will be referred to as the radial direction. In the plane of the paper in Figures 1 and 3, the direction perpendicular to the axis 18 will be referred to as the width direction. Furthermore, the direction around the axis 18 will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0033] The catheter member 20 is an outer needle member. The catheter body 26 is an outer needle. The catheter body 26 is a hollow member. The catheter body 26 is a tubular member extending in the axial direction. The catheter body 26 is flexible. The catheter body 26 is made of a material such as a resin material. The tip of the catheter body 26 is open toward the tip. The tip of the catheter body 26 is the end that is inserted into the living body 12 (see Figure 4).

[0034] The catheter hub 28 is an outer needle hub. The catheter hub 28 is a tubular member extending in the axial direction. The catheter hub 28 is connected to the proximal end of the catheter body 26. The lumen of the catheter body 26 and the lumen of the catheter hub 28 are in communication.

[0035] The catheter hub 28 is preferably made of a material harder than the catheter body 26. The catheter hub 28 is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0036] The catheter hub 28 has a first hub barrel portion 34 and a second hub barrel portion 36 .

[0037] The first hub cylindrical portion 34 is the main body of the catheter hub 28. The first hub cylindrical portion 34 is a cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface 38 and inner peripheral surface of the first hub cylindrical portion 34 are tapered toward the distal end.

[0038] The second hub cylindrical portion 36 is the distal end portion of the catheter hub 28. The second hub cylindrical portion 36 protrudes distally from the distal end surface of the first hub cylindrical portion 34. The second hub cylindrical portion 36 is coaxially connected to the first hub cylindrical portion 34. The second hub cylindrical portion 36 is a cylindrical portion with a smaller diameter than the first hub cylindrical portion 34. The outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28 includes the outer peripheral surface 38 of the first hub cylindrical portion 34 and the outer peripheral surface 40 of the second hub cylindrical portion 36.

[0039] The inner lumens of the first hub cylindrical portion 34 and the second hub cylindrical portion 36 are connected to each other. The inner lumens of the first hub cylindrical portion 34 and the second hub cylindrical portion 36 form the inner lumen of the catheter hub 28. The base end side of the catheter main body 26 is inserted into the inner lumen of the second hub cylindrical portion 36 and is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the second hub cylindrical portion 36.

[0040] The inner needle 30 is a tubular member having sufficient rigidity to puncture the skin 44 (see Figure 4) of the living body 12. The inner needle 30 is inserted through the inner cavities of the catheter body 26 and the catheter hub 28. The overall length of the inner needle 30 is sufficiently longer than those of the catheter body 26 and the catheter hub 28. The inner needle 30 has a lumen 30a. The tip of the inner needle 30 protrudes distally from the tip of the catheter body 26. A tip opening 30b is formed at the tip of the inner needle 30. The tip opening 30b communicates with the lumen 30a. The base end of the inner needle 30 protrudes proximally from the base end of the catheter hub 28. The inner needle 30 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel.

[0041] The inner needle hub 32 is a tubular member extending in the axial direction. The tip of the inner needle hub 32 is inserted into the lumen of the catheter hub 28 and is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the catheter hub 28. The inner needle hub 32 has an inner lumen (not shown). The inner lumen of the inner needle hub 32 communicates with the lumen 30a of the inner needle 30. The inner needle hub 32 is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0042] The covering member 22 covers at least a portion of the catheter member 20. The covering member 22 is a tubular member extending in the axial direction. The covering member 22 is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0043] The sheath 22 includes a hub sheath portion 46 and an extension sheath portion 48 .

[0044] The hub covering part 46 covers at least a portion of the catheter hub 28. The base end of the catheter main body 26 is fixed to the second hub cylindrical part 36 of the catheter hub 28. Therefore, the hub covering part 46 covers the tip side of the first hub cylindrical part 34, the second hub cylindrical part 36, and the base end side of the catheter main body 26.

[0045] The hub covering portion 46 has a first covering tubular portion 50 and a second covering tubular portion 52 .

[0046] The first covering tubular portion 50 is the base end portion of the covering member 22. The first covering tubular portion 50 is a tubular portion extending in the axial direction. The first covering tubular portion 50 covers the tip side of the first hub tubular portion 34 and the base end side of the second hub tubular portion 36.

[0047] The second covering tubular portion 52 is the distal end portion of the hub covering portion 46. The second covering tubular portion 52 protrudes distally from the distal end of the first covering tubular portion 50. The second covering tubular portion 52 is a tubular portion with a smaller diameter than the first covering tubular portion 50. The second covering tubular portion 52 is formed in a tapered shape that tapers toward the distal end. The second covering tubular portion 52 covers a portion of the second hub tubular portion 36 and the base end side of the catheter main body 26.

[0048] The extended covering portion 48 extends in the distal direction from the tip of the hub covering portion 46. More specifically, the extended covering portion 48 extends in the distal direction from the tip of the second tubular covering portion 52. The extended covering portion 48 is a tubular portion through which the catheter main body 26 is inserted. The extended covering portion 48 covers a portion of the catheter main body 26. The catheter main body 26 protrudes in the distal direction from the tip opening of the extended covering portion 48. The extended covering portion 48 can be inserted into the living body 12 together with the catheter main body 26 (see FIG. 4).

[0049] As will be described later, when the extended covering portion 48 and the catheter main body 26 are inserted into the living body 12 (see FIG. 4), the covering member 22 is fixed to the skin 44 by a piece of tape. A part of the position change mechanism 24 is also provided on the covering member 22. Therefore, as long as the area to which the piece of tape is attached and the area to which the position change mechanism 24 is provided can be secured, the shape of the covering member 22 does not have to be cylindrical and cover the entire circumference of the catheter hub 28. For this reason, the covering member 22 may be formed, for example, with an arc-shaped cross section that covers the upper half of the catheter hub 28, or with a C-shaped cross section that covers all but the lower part of the catheter hub 28.

[0050] The position changing mechanism 24 makes it possible to change the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 in the axial direction. The position changing mechanism 24 has a slide groove 54 and a movement adjustment mechanism 55.

[0051] 1 to 3, the slide groove 54 is formed in the hub covering portion 46 along the axial direction. More specifically, the slide groove 54 is formed in the first covering tubular portion 50 along the axial direction. The slide groove 54 is a slit 58 that communicates with the inner cavity of the covering member 22.

[0052] The slide groove 54 has a first engagement portion 64. Specifically, a pair of inner surfaces 66 are formed inside the slide groove 54. The pair of inner surfaces 66 extend along the axial direction. The pair of inner surfaces 66 form a slit 58.

[0053] The first engagement portions 64 are formed on each of the pair of inner surfaces 66. Therefore, the slide groove 54 has a pair of first engagement portions 64. The pair of first engagement portions 64 are formed in an uneven shape along the axial direction on the pair of inner surfaces 66. Specifically, the pair of first engagement portions 64 are a plurality of unevennesses formed continuously along the axial direction on the pair of inner surfaces 66. More specifically, the pair of first engagement portions 64 are a plurality of triangular peaks and valleys formed continuously along the axial direction on the pair of inner surfaces 66.

[0054] The movement adjustment mechanism 55 is provided on the catheter hub 28. The movement adjustment mechanism 55 movably adjusts the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22. Specifically, the movement adjustment mechanism 55 is a slide member 56.

[0055] The slide member 56 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28. More specifically, the slide member 56 is disposed inside a slit 58 on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28. The slide member 56 is disposed inside the slit 58 on the outer peripheral surface 38 of the first hub cylindrical portion 34. The slide member 56 is movable along the slide groove 54.

[0056] The slide member 56 has a slide main body portion 60 and an operating portion 62 .

[0057] The sliding main body portion 60 is disposed inside the slit 58 on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28. More specifically, the sliding main body portion 60 is disposed inside the slit 58 on the outer peripheral surface 38 of the first hub cylinder portion 34. The sliding main body portion 60 is movable along the slit 58.

[0058] The slide main body 60 has a second engagement portion 68. The second engagement portion 68 is formed in an uneven shape along the axial direction. Specifically, the second engagement portion 68 is a plurality of uneven portions formed continuously along the axial direction on the slide main body 60. More specifically, the second engagement portion 68 is a plurality of triangular peaks and valleys formed continuously along the axial direction on the slide main body 60. The second engagement portion 68 is engageable with the first engagement portion 64 at a plurality of mutually different positions in the axial direction. That is, the convex portions (peaks) of the second engagement portion 68 fit into the concave portions (valleys) of the first engagement portion 64, and the convex portions (peaks) of the first engagement portion 64 fit into the concave portions (valleys) of the second engagement portion 68, thereby engaging the first engagement portion 64 and the second engagement portion 68.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the slide main body portion 60 further includes a pair of moving members 70, a plurality of elastic members 72, and a plurality of connecting portions 74.

[0060] The pair of moving members 70 are arranged inside the slits 58 on the outer peripheral surface 38 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first hub cylindrical portion 34. The pair of moving members 70 are rectangular members extending along the axial direction. The pair of moving members 70 are arranged with a gap between them in the width direction.

[0061] The multiple connecting portions 74 are arranged between the pair of moving members 70. The multiple connecting portions 74 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction. The multiple connecting portions 74 extend along the width direction between the pair of moving members 70. The multiple connecting portions 74 are rod-shaped members extending along the width direction. Both ends of the multiple connecting portions 74 are fitted into recesses formed in the pair of moving members 70. The multiple connecting portions 74 connect the pair of moving members 70 so that they can move in the width direction.

[0062] Two protrusions 75 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 38 of the first hub cylinder portion 34. The two protrusions 75 protrude radially from the outer peripheral surface 38 of the first hub cylinder portion 34 inside the slide groove 54. The two protrusions 75 are provided with a gap in the axial direction. Of the multiple connecting portions 74, the connecting portion 74 closest to the distal end penetrates the protrusion 75 on the distal end side. Of the multiple connecting portions 74, the connecting portion 74 closest to the proximal end penetrates the protrusion 75 on the proximal end side.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the operating part 62 is connected to the slide main body part 60. The operating part 62 protrudes from the slit 58 to the outside of the covering member 22. More specifically, the operating part 62 is disposed radially outward of the slide main body part 60 so as to protrude radially from the slit 58. The operating part 62 is connected to two protrusions 75.

[0064] 3, the multiple elastic members 72 are disposed between the pair of moving members 70. The multiple elastic members 72 apply an elastic force to the pair of moving members 70 such that the pair of moving members 70 move apart from each other in the width direction. The multiple elastic members 72 are coil springs 76. A coil spring 76, which is an elastic member 72, is inserted into each of the three connecting portions 74 between the connecting portion 74 on the most distal side and the connecting portion 74 on the most proximal side.

[0065] The pair of moving members 70 each have a second engagement portion 68. The outer surfaces 78 of the pair of moving members 70 face the pair of inner surfaces 66. The second engagement portion 68 is formed on the outer surfaces 78 of the pair of moving members 70, respectively. That is, the pair of second engagement portions 68 are formed in an uneven shape along the axial direction on the outer surfaces 78 of the pair of moving members 70.

[0066] When the first engagement portion 64 and the second engagement portion 68 are engaged, the convex portions (peaks) of the second engagement portion 68 fit into the concave portions (valleys) of the first engagement portion 64 at a plurality of positions in the axial direction, and the concave portions (valleys) of the second engagement portion 68 fit into the convex portions (peaks) of the first engagement portion 64. At this time, the convex portions of the second engagement portion 68 are pressed in the width direction against the concave portions of the first engagement portion 64 by the elastic force of the elastic member 72. Furthermore, the concave portions of the second engagement portion 68 are pressed in the width direction against the convex portions of the first engagement portion 64 by the elastic force of the elastic member 72. This fixes the relative position of the slide member 56 in the axial direction.

[0067] Furthermore, when the operating part 62 moves in the axial direction while the first engaging part 64 and the second engaging part 68 are engaged, the slide main body part 60 is displaced in the axial direction in conjunction with the operating part 62. As a result, the inclined surface of the convex part of the second engaging part 68 abuts against the inclined surface of the concave part of the first engaging part 64. Furthermore, the inclined surface of the concave part of the second engaging part 68 abuts against the inclined surface of the convex part of the first engaging part 64. At this time, the inclined surface of the convex part and the inclined surface of the concave part convert the axial force of the operating part 62 into a force acting inward in the width direction of the slide main body part 60. The converted force is a force that resists the elastic force of the elastic member 72. If the converted force is greater than the elastic force of the elastic member 72, the pair of moving members 70 move closer to the inner side in the width direction of the slide main body part 60 against the elastic force. In other words, the second engaging part 68 moves away from the first engaging part 64 in the width direction. In this state, when the operating portion 62 is moved in the axial direction and the slide main body portion 60 is displaced in the axial direction, the engagement position of the second engagement portion 68 with respect to the first engagement portion 64 changes.

[0068] Specifically, the convex portion (mountain) of the second engagement portion 68 axially moves over the concave portion (valley) of the first engagement portion 64 with which it was engaged, and moves to another concave portion adjacent in the axial direction. At this time, the inclined surface of the convex portion of the second engagement portion 68 moves away from the inclined surface of the original concave portion of the first engagement portion 64 with which it was engaged. As a result, the convex portion of the second engagement portion 68 is pressed in the width direction against the other concave portion of the first engagement portion 64 by the elastic force of the elastic member 72. As a result, the second engagement portion 68 engages with the first engagement portion 64 in a state where it has been displaced by one mountain in the axial direction. As a result, the relative position of the slide member 56 in the axial direction is fixed.

[0069] In this way, by moving the operating portion 62 in the axial direction, the relative position of the slide member 56 in the axial direction can be changed.

[0070] The first engagement portion 64 may be formed only on one inner surface 66, and the second engagement portion 68 may be formed only on the outer surface 78 of one of the movable members 70 facing the one inner surface 66. In this case, the first engagement portion 64 is not provided on the other inner surface 66, and the second engagement portion 68 is not provided on the other movable member 70. That is, the first engagement portion 64 is formed on one side of the slide groove 54, and the second engagement portion 68 is formed on one side of the slide main body portion 60. Even in this case, the relative position of the slide member 56 in the axial direction can be changed by moving the operating portion 62 in the axial direction.

[0071] The sliding main body 60 is not limited to having a plurality of connecting portions 74 and a plurality of elastic members 72. The sliding main body 60 may have at least one connecting portion 74. The sliding main body 60 may have at least one elastic member 72.

[0072] The coil spring 76 is not limited to being inserted through the connecting portion 74. One end of the coil spring 76 may be fixed to the inner surface of one of the moving members 70, and the other end of the coil spring 76 may be fixed to the inner surface of the other of the moving members 70.

[0073] The elastic member 72 is not limited to the coil spring 76. The elastic member 72 may be a leaf spring. In this case, the base end of the leaf spring is fixed to one of the moving members 70, and the other end of the leaf spring presses the other moving member 70 in the width direction by elastic force.

[0074] Next, the operation of placing the catheter main body 26 in the living body 12 using the catheter assembly 10 will be described.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 1, a user prepares a catheter assembly 10 .

[0076] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the user punctures the skin 44 of the living body 12 with the tip of the inner needle 30 (see Figure 1) of the catheter assembly 10. As a result, the tip of the inner needle 30 punctures a blood vessel 80 of the living body 12, and the tip of the catheter main body 26 is inserted into the blood vessel 80. In this case, the extended covering portion 48 of the covering member 22 is inserted into the living body 12 together with the catheter main body 26.

[0077] When the tip of the inner needle 30 is inserted into the blood vessel 80, bodily fluids such as blood flow into the lumen 30a via the tip opening 30b of the inner needle 30. The blood that has flowed into the lumen 30a flows into the lumen of the inner needle hub 32. The user can confirm blood flashback by checking the blood that has flowed into the lumen of the inner needle hub 32. By checking the flashback, the user can confirm that the tip of the catheter main body 26 has been inserted into the blood vessel 80.

[0078] Next, the user pulls the inner needle unit 16 (see FIG. 1) in the proximal direction while maintaining the position of the outer needle unit 14. This causes the inner needle unit 16 to be pulled out in the proximal direction from the outer needle unit 14 and removed.

[0079] Thereafter, the connection unit 82 is connected to the catheter hub 28 of the outer needle unit 14 placed on the skin 44 of the living body 12. The connection unit 82 has a connector 84 and a tube 86. The connector 84 is connected to the base end of the catheter hub 28. The tube 86 extends from the connector 84 in the base end direction. The tube 86 is connected to a liquid supply device (not shown). The user administers a liquid such as a medicinal solution into the blood vessel 80 through the connection unit 82.

[0080] Next, the user attaches a part of the tape piece to the covering member 22 and attaches both ends of the tape piece to the skin 44 of the living body 12. In this way, the outer needle unit 14 is fixed to the living body 12.

[0081] With the outer needle unit 14 indwelling in the living body 12, the user operates the operating portion 62, which protrudes radially from the covering member 22, in the axial direction relative to the covering member 22 after a certain period of time has elapsed, or periodically. This causes the sliding main body portion 60 to move axially along the slit 58 depending on the amount of operation of the operating portion 62 by the user. As the sliding main body portion 60 moves, the relative position of the catheter member 20 in the axial direction with respect to the covering member 22 changes. At this time, the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 changes, using the extended covering portion 48 as a guide, without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48 inserted into the living body 12. As a result, the position of the tip of the catheter main body 26 in the axial direction within the blood vessel 80 can be easily displaced.

[0082] Furthermore, when the slide main body 60 moves along the slit 58, the uneven second engagement portions 68 engage with the uneven first engagement portions 64 at multiple positions. This allows the catheter member 20 to be fixed at a desired relative position with respect to the covering member 22. Furthermore, the relative position of the catheter member 20 can be adjusted at minute intervals along the axial direction.

[0083] The catheter assembly 10 according to one embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0084] As shown in Figure 4, the extended covering portion 48 is inserted into the living body 12, and the covering member 22 is left in the living body 12. At the same time, the catheter main body 26 is inserted into a blood vessel 80 of the living body 12, and the catheter main body 26 is left in the living body 12. This allows the position change mechanism 24 to change the axial position of the catheter member 20 relative to the covering member 22 after a certain period of time has elapsed, or periodically, without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48 inserted into the living body 12. As a result, the extended covering portion 48 serves as a guide for the catheter main body 26, preventing the catheter main body 26 from being removed from the blood vessel 80 due to adjustment of the distal end position of the catheter main body 26 in the axial direction within the blood vessel 80. Furthermore, local stress on the blood vessel 80 can be reduced.

[0085] As shown in Figure 2, by providing a movement adjustment mechanism 55 in the catheter hub 28 that is not inserted into the living body 12, the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 can be easily changed without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48 inserted into the living body 12.

[0086] When the covering member 22 and the catheter main body 26 are placed in the living body 12, the slide member 56 moves along the slide groove 54, making it possible to easily change the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48.

[0087] When the user operates the operating unit 62 along the axial direction while the covering member 22 and the catheter main body 26 are placed in the living body 12, the sliding main body 60 moves along the slit 58. This makes it possible to change the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22, without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48, depending on the amount of operation of the operating unit 62 by the user.

[0088] 3, when the slide main body portion 60 moves along the slit 58, the second engagement portion 68 can engage with the first engagement portion 64 at multiple positions. This allows the catheter member 20 to be fixed in a desired relative position without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48. Furthermore, because the first engagement portion 64 and the second engagement portion 68 are formed in an uneven shape, the relative position of the catheter member 20 can be adjusted at minute intervals along the axial direction.

[0089] The elastic members 72 press the pair of moving members 70 against the pair of inner surfaces 66, thereby effectively fixing the catheter members 20 in the desired relative positions without moving the insertion portion of the extension covering portion 48.

[0090] 2 and 3, the connecting portion 74 extends in the width direction between the pair of moving members 70 and connects the pair of moving members 70 so that they can move in the width direction. The operating portion 62 is connected to the connecting portion 74. This allows the pair of moving members 70 to be easily moved along the slit 58 as the user operates the operating portion 62, without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48.

[0091] Next, modified examples (first to third modified examples) of the catheter assembly 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0092] 5, in the first modified example, the position changing mechanism 24 has a rotation operation unit 90, which is the movement adjustment mechanism 55, and a conversion unit 92. The conversion unit 92 has a gear 94 and a rack 98. The conversion unit 92 converts the rotation of the rotation operation unit 90 into relative axial movement of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22.

[0093] Specifically, the shaft 96 of the gear 94 extends in the width direction. The shaft 96 of the gear 94 is journaled on the covering member 22. The gear 94 protrudes radially from the covering member 22. The rotation operation unit 90 is an operation roller that can be rotated by a user. The rotation operation unit 90 is connected to the shaft 96 of the gear 94. The outer diameter of the rotation operation unit 90 is larger than the outer diameter of the gear 94.

[0094] The rack 98 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28. The rack 98 extends along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28. The rack 98 meshes with the gear 94.

[0095] When the user rotates the rotation control unit 90, the gear 94 rotates. The rack 98 converts the rotation of the gear 94 into linear motion along the axial direction. As a result, in the first modified example, with the covering member 22 and the catheter main body 26 placed in the living body 12, the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 can be easily changed by rotating the rotation control unit 90 without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48.

[0096] 6, in the second modified example, the position changing mechanism 24 has a rotation operation unit 100, which is the movement adjustment mechanism 55, and a conversion unit 102. The conversion unit 102 has a gear 104 and a rack 110. The conversion unit 102 converts the rotation of the rotation operation unit 100 into relative movement of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 in the axial direction.

[0097] Specifically, a groove 105 extending along the axial direction is formed in the covering member 22. The gear 104 is provided inside the groove 105 on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28. More specifically, a shaft portion 106 of the gear 104 extends radially from the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28 inside the groove 105. The shaft portion 106 of the gear 104 is journaled to the catheter hub 28. The rotation operation unit 100 is journaled to the tip of the shaft portion 106. The rotation operation unit 100 is an operation roller that can be rotated by the user. The outer diameter of the rotation operation unit 100 is larger than the outer diameter of the gear 104.

[0098] The rack 110 is formed on the inner surface of the groove 105. The rack 110 is formed in an uneven shape along the axial direction. The rack 110 meshes with the gear 104.

[0099] When the user rotates the rotation control unit 100, the gear 104 rotates. The rack 110 converts the rotation of the gear 104 into linear motion along the axial direction. As a result, in the second modified example, with the covering member 22 and the catheter main body 26 placed in the living body 12, the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 can be easily changed by rotating the rotation control unit 100 without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 7 , in the third modified example, the position change mechanism 24 has a threaded hole 120 and a threaded shank 124, which are movement adjustment mechanisms 55. The threaded hole 120 is provided in the hub covering portion 46 of the covering member 22. The threaded hole 120 penetrates the hub covering portion 46 in the radial direction. The threaded shank 124 screws into the threaded hole 120. One end of the threaded shank 124 faces the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28. An operation knob 126 is provided on the other end of the threaded shank 124. The outer diameter of the operation knob 126 is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded shank 124.

[0101] When the user turns the operation knob 126, the threaded shank 124 rotates. When the rotation of the threaded shank 124 presses one end of the threaded shank 124 against the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28, the position of the catheter member 20 relative to the covering member 22 can be easily fixed. When the rotation of the threaded shank 124 moves one end of the threaded shank 124 away from the outer peripheral surface 42 of the catheter hub 28, the catheter member 20 can move in the axial direction relative to the covering member 22. This makes it possible to easily change the relative position of the catheter member 20 with respect to the covering member 22 without moving the insertion portion of the extended covering portion 48 inserted into the living body 12.

[0102] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described individual embodiments. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible to these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the gist of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10...Catheter assembly 12... Living organisms 20...Catheter member 22...Covering member 24...Position change mechanism 26...Catheter body 28...catheter hub 46...Hub coating 48...Extension covering section

Claims

1. a catheter member having a hollow catheter body and a catheter hub connected to a proximal end of the catheter body; a covering member including a hub covering portion that covers at least a portion of the catheter hub, and an extension covering portion that extends from the distal end of the hub covering portion, through which the catheter main body is inserted, and that can be inserted into a living body together with the catheter main body; a position changing mechanism that enables a relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member in an axial direction of the catheter member to be changed; A catheter assembly comprising:

2. The catheter assembly according to claim 1, The catheter assembly includes a position change mechanism provided on the hub covering portion or the catheter hub, and having a movement adjustment mechanism that movably adjusts the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member.

3. The catheter assembly according to claim 2, the position change mechanism has a slide groove formed in the hub covering portion along the axial direction, and a slide member provided on the outer peripheral surface of the catheter hub and movable along the slide groove, A catheter assembly, wherein the movement adjustment mechanism is the slide member.

4. The catheter assembly according to claim 3, The covering member has a cylindrical shape, the slide groove is a slit communicating with the inner cavity of the covering member, a catheter assembly, wherein the slide member has a slide main body portion that is positioned inside the slit on the outer peripheral surface of the catheter hub and is movable along the slit, and an operating portion that is connected to the slide main body portion and protrudes from the slit to the outside of the covering member.

5. The catheter assembly according to claim 4, The slide groove has a first engagement portion formed in an uneven shape along the axial direction on an inner surface that forms the slit, The slide main body portion has a second engagement portion formed in an uneven shape along the axial direction, A catheter assembly, wherein the second engagement portion is engageable with the first engagement portion at a plurality of positions different from one another in the axial direction.

6. The catheter assembly according to claim 5, The slide groove has a pair of the first engagement portions, The slide main body portion is a pair of moving members arranged at an interval in a width direction intersecting the axial direction inside the slit; an elastic member disposed between the pair of moving members and biasing the pair of moving members with an elastic force such that the pair of moving members move apart from each other in the width direction; and A catheter assembly, wherein a pair of the second engaging portions are formed on outer surfaces of the pair of moving members that face the pair of inner surfaces, respectively.

7. The catheter assembly according to claim 6, The slide member further includes a connecting portion disposed between the pair of moving members, the connecting portion extends along the width direction between the pair of moving members and connects the pair of moving members so as to be movable in the width direction; A catheter assembly, wherein the operating portion is connected to the connecting portion.

8. The catheter assembly according to claim 2, A catheter assembly, wherein the movement adjustment mechanism is a rotation operating part that is rotatably provided relative to the hub covering part or the catheter hub.

9. The catheter assembly according to claim 8, The position changing mechanism further includes a conversion unit that converts rotation of the rotation operating unit into relative movement of the catheter member with respect to the covering member in the axial direction.

10. The catheter assembly according to claim 2, the movement adjustment mechanism has a screw hole provided in the hub covering portion and a screw shaft portion that screws into the screw hole and is rotatable relative to the hub covering portion, A catheter assembly, wherein the relative position of the catheter member with respect to the covering member can be fixed by pressing one end of the threaded shaft portion against the outer peripheral surface of the catheter hub.

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