Medical connectors

Abstract

Medical connectors suppress variations in the force used to secure medical devices. [Solution] The medical connector comprises a hollow member, an operating member, and a connecting member. The hollow member is a member that extends in the axial direction. A medical device is inserted into the hollow member. The operating member is positioned on the base end side of the hollow member. The operating member is movable in the axial direction. The operating member has a through hole into which the medical device is inserted. The connecting member is a hollow member that connects the hollow member and the through hole. When the operating member is in a first position, the connecting member allows the medical device inserted into the connecting member to move. When the operating member is in a second position, the connecting member twists and collapses radially, thereby fixing the medical device inserted into the connecting member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to medical connectors.

Background Art

[0002] Medical connectors have the function of fixing medical devices such as guidewires and catheters. Known medical connectors have a hollow member, an elastic body disposed within the hollow member and having a through-hole through which a medical device is inserted, and a screw. When a user performs an operation of rotating the screw to move the screw along the axial direction of the hollow member, the elastic body is pressed by the screw and the inner diameter of the through-hole is reduced, whereby the medical device is fixed via the elastic body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described known medical connectors, the force for fixing the medical device varies according to the amount of rotation operation with respect to the screw, so that there is a variation in the force for fixing the medical device. For example, if the amount of rotation operation is too large, the force for fixing the medical device may become excessively large and the medical device may be damaged. On the contrary, if the amount of rotation operation is too small, the force for fixing the medical device may become excessively small and the medical device may not be securely fixed.

[0005] This specification discloses a technology capable of solving the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The technologies disclosed herein can be implemented, for example, in the following forms:

[0007] A medical connector disclosed herein comprises a hollow member, an operating member, and a connecting member. The hollow member is an axially extending member into which a medical device is inserted. The operating member is positioned at the base end of the hollow member. The operating member is movable in 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 position, the connecting member allows movement of the medical device inserted into the connecting member. When the operating member is in a second position, the connecting member twists and collapses radially, thereby fixing the medical device inserted into the connecting member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a medical connector in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Explanatory diagram showing a longitudinal cross-section of a medical connector in an embodiment. [Figure 3] Explanatory diagram showing a longitudinal cross-section of a medical connector in an embodiment. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing the external configuration of the operating component. [Figure 5] Perspective view showing the external configuration of the holding mechanism [Figure 6] Perspective view showing the external structure of the support cylinder. [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating the configuration of the opening and closing mechanism. [Figure 8] Diagram illustrating the configuration of the opening and closing mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Configuration of medical connectors) Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the medical connector 10 in this embodiment. In Figure 1, some components that are not actually visible externally are shown with dashed lines. Figures 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the longitudinal section (YZ section) of the medical connector 10 in this embodiment. In Figures 2 and 3, the external appearance of some components is shown rather than the cross-section. In this specification, the positive Z-axis side is referred to as the tip side, and the negative Z-axis side is referred to as the base side. For the medical connector 10 and its components, the end on the tip side is referred to as the "tip," the tip and its vicinity as the "tip portion," the end on the base side is referred to as the "base end," and the base end and its vicinity as the "base end portion." The positive Z-axis direction is also referred to as "forward," the negative Z-axis direction as "backward," the positive Y-axis direction as "upward," and the negative Y-axis direction as "downward." The cross-section of the medical connector 10 and its components means a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal section of the medical connector 10 and its components refers to the section parallel to the central axis in the longitudinal direction. For the medical connector 10 and its components, the direction perpendicular to the central axis in the longitudinal direction is called the radial direction.

[0010] The medical connector 10 is a Y-connector. The medical connector 10 has a main section 11 and a branched section 12. The main section 11 has a main lumen 13 that penetrates the main section 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. Below, an example in which a guidewire GW is used as the medical device will be described. The branched section 12 branches off from near the tip of the main section 11 and extends diagonally upward towards the proximal end. The branched section 12 has a branched lumen 14 that leads to the main lumen 13. A liquid agent, such as a contrast agent or saline solution, is supplied to the branched lumen 14 from a liquid agent supplyer (not shown) connected to the branched section 12.

[0011] A rotator 18 is attached to the tip of the medical connector 10. A guiding catheter GC is connected to the tip 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 a fixing mechanism 200 for fixing a guide wire GW inserted into the main lumen 13. Figure 3 shows the state in which the fixing mechanism 200 fixes the guide wire GW and restricts its movement along the axial direction. Figure 2 shows the state in which the fixing mechanism 200 releases the fixation of the guide wire GW and allows it to move along the axial direction. The medical connector 10 further has an opening / closing mechanism 300 for opening and closing a hemostatic valve. The opening / closing mechanism 300 is located more proximal to the fixing mechanism 200.

[0013] (Configuration of the 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.

[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 has a first through-hole 113 that penetrates the housing 110 along the central axis Ax. The cross-section of the first through-hole 113 is, for example, substantially circular. The first through-hole 113 constitutes a part of the main lumen 13. The housing 110 has the branched pipe section 12 described above. The base end of the housing 110 has a groove 116 that opens towards the base end. Viewed in the Z-axis direction, the groove 116 is substantially annular with respect to the central axis Ax. The base end of the housing 110 has an outer base end 114 outside the groove 116 and an inner base end 115 inside the groove 116.

[0015] 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 of the outer cylinder 220 is fixed to the base end of the housing 110. A linear groove 222 parallel to the central axis Ax is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 220. In this embodiment, four grooves 222 are formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the operation member 240. The operation 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 operation member 240 is housed in the hollow portion of the outer cylinder 220 on the proximal end side of the housing 110. The central axis of the fourth through-hole 243 of the operation member 240 substantially coincides with the central axis Ax of the main pipe cavity 13. The fourth through-hole 243 constitutes a part of the main pipe cavity 13. The operation member 240 is movable along the central axis Ax within the hollow portion of the outer cylinder 220. The operation member 240 is formed of, for example, resin.

[0017] The operation member 240 has a small-diameter portion 244 and a large-diameter portion 245. The small-diameter portion 244 includes the tip of the operation member 240. The large-diameter portion 245 is located on the proximal end side of 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. On the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 245, protrusions 247 protruding radially outward are formed. In the present embodiment, four protrusions 247 are formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each protrusion 247 formed on the operation member 240 fits into a linear groove 222 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 220. Therefore, the operation member 240 moves along the central axis Ax in a state where the angle around the central axis Ax is fixed without rotating around the central axis Ax.

[0018] 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 cylinder 220 between the housing 110 and the operation 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 pipe cavity 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 operation member​​​The distal end portion 233 of the connecting member 230 is fixed to the housing 110 in a state of covering the outer peripheral surface of the inner proximal end portion 115 of the housing 110. The proximal end portion 232 of the connecting member 230 is fixed to the operating member 240 in a state of covering the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 244 of the operating member 240. In the connecting member 230, the intermediate portion 231 sandwiched between the proximal end portion 232 and the distal end portion 233 is not fixed to other members. The distal end portion 233 of the connecting member 230 is an example of the first fixing portion, and the proximal end portion 232 is an example of the second fixing portion.

[0020] The connecting member 230 is fixed to the housing 110 and the operating member 240 in a twisted state. Therefore, the connecting member 230 has residual strain due to twisting. The angle of twist of the connecting member 230 can be arbitrarily set.

[0021] Since the proximal end portion 232 of the connecting member 230 is fixed to the operating member 240, when the operating member 240 moves along the central axis Ax, the proximal end portion 232 of the connecting member 230 also moves the same distance. Along with this, the connecting member 230 is axially compressed.

[0022] 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 constitutes a part of the main lumen 13. The tubular member 280 is supported by a support cylinder 250 of a holding mechanism 260 described later in a state of being movable along the central axis Ax. The tubular member 280 is formed of, for example, resin.

[0023] 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 on the proximal end side of 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 on the proximal end side of 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.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, an operating member 240 is attached to the tip 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, the operating member 240 is attached to the tubular member 280 by a protrusion 287 provided near the boundary between the small diameter portion 284 and the medium diameter portion 285 of the tubular member 280 fitting into a recess 246 provided at the base end of the operating member 240. A sealing member 30, such as an O-ring, is placed between the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, 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 tip, the tubular member 280 also moves toward the tip.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, when the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 are positioned at the first position P1 along the central axis Ax (hereinafter referred to as the "reference state"), no compressive force acts on the connecting member 230 along the central axis Ax. However, as described above, the connecting member 230 has residual torsional strain. In this reference state, the inner diameter of the fifth through hole 234 in the intermediate portion 231 of the connecting member 230 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the guide wire GW (hereinafter referred to as the "reference inner diameter"). Therefore, in the reference state, the guide wire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, when the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 move from the reference state toward the tip side to the second position P2 along the central axis Ax, the base end 232 of the connecting member 230 fixed to the operating member 240 also moves toward the tip side by the same distance. As described above, the operating member 240 moves toward the tip side without rotating around the central axis Ax, while the angle around the central axis Ax remains fixed. Therefore, the base end 232 of the connecting member 230 fixed to the operating member 240 also moves toward the tip side without rotating around the central axis Ax, while the angle around the central axis Ax remains fixed. Due to this movement, the connecting member 230 is compressed in the axial direction while maintaining a twisted state and buckles. As a result, the intermediate portion 231 of the connecting member 230 is crushed radially, and the inner diameter of the fifth through hole 234 in the intermediate portion 231 becomes smaller than the reference inner diameter. As a result, the guide wire GW receives force from the inner surface of the fifth through hole 234, and its movement along the central axis Ax is restricted, resulting in a fixed state.

[0028] When the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 return to the first position P1 along the central axis Ax from the fixed state described above, the base end portion 232 of the connecting member 230 fixed to the operating member 240 also moves towards the base end by the same distance. The operating member 240 moves towards the base end without rotating around the central axis Ax, while its angle around the central axis Ax remains fixed. Therefore, the base end portion 232 of the connecting member 230 fixed to the operating member 240 also moves towards the base end without rotating around the central axis Ax, while its angle around the central axis Ax remains fixed. This movement causes the connecting member 230 to stretch axially, relieving the buckling. As a result, the radial crushing in 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 guide wire GW by the connecting member 230 is released.

[0029] The fixing force of the guide wire GW by the connecting member 230 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of movement of the operating member 240 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and the amount of twisting of the connecting member 230.

[0030] The holding mechanism 260 is a so-called double-knock mechanism. The holding mechanism 260 maintains the position of the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 along the central axis Ax while switching between the first position P1 and the second position P2 described above.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the holding mechanism 260. The holding mechanism 260 includes a support cylinder 250, a rotor 270, and a spring 262. In this embodiment, a part of the tubular member 280 also constitutes a part of the holding mechanism 260. In Figure 5, a part of the tubular member 280 is omitted from the illustration.

[0032] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the support cylinder 250. The support cylinder 250 is a substantially cylindrical member, formed, for example, from resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support cylinder 250 is fixed to the base end of the outer cylinder 220 via a fixing member 228. The central axis of the support cylinder 250 substantially coincides with the central axis Ax of the main lumen 13. A toothed support cylinder end face cam 253 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the support cylinder 250. The support cylinder end face cam 253 is a cam in which shallow grooves 254 and deep grooves 255 are alternately formed in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the support cylinder end face cam 253 consists of four shallow grooves 254 and four deep grooves 255.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the large-diameter portion 286 of the tubular member 280 is inserted into the hollow portion of the support cylinder 250. A toothed tubular member end face cam 282 is formed on the tip end face 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 deep groove 255 on the inner circumferential surface of the support cylinder 250. As a result, the tubular member 280 can move along the axial direction of the support cylinder 250 while its rotation is constrained.

[0034] The rotor 270 is a substantially disc-shaped member, formed, for example, from resin. Four protrusions 273 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 270. Teeth are formed on the base end surface of each protrusion 273 of the rotor 270. The pitch of the peaks of the tubular member end face cam 282 is offset by approximately 1 / 2 the pitch of the peaks of the support cylinder end face cam 253, so that each protrusion 273 of the rotor 270 cannot engage with both the tubular member end face cam 282 and the support cylinder end face cam 253 simultaneously. A recess 274 is formed on the tip end surface of the rotor 270.

[0035] The spring 262 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. The spring 262 is positioned between the rotor 270 and the fixing member 228 (Figure 2). One end of the spring 262 is inserted into the recess 274 of the rotor 270, and the other end of the spring 262 is fixed to the fixing member 228.

[0036] In the retracted rotor state, when each protrusion 273 of the rotor 270 is fitted into the deep groove 255 of the support cylinder end face cam 253, the rotor 270 is positioned retracted towards the base end, using the deep groove 255 as a guide. Therefore, in the retracted rotor state, as shown in Figure 2, the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 are in the first position P1, and the guide wire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 230, which is the reference state. The retracted rotor state is maintained as long as the tubular member 280 does not move along the central axis Ax.

[0037] When the rotor is retracted, as the tubular member 280 moves toward the tip along the central axis Ax, the tubular member end face cam 282 contacts each of the protrusions 273 of the rotor 270, causing the rotor 270 to move in the same direction as the tubular member 280. When the rotor 270 moves toward the tip to a position where each of the protrusions 273 escapes from the deep groove 255, each of the protrusions 273 slides along the tooth profile of the tubular member end face cam 282, causing the rotor 270 to rotate circumferentially by half a tooth. As a result, each of the protrusions 273 and the tubular member end face cam 282 become fully engaged. Subsequently, as the tubular member 280 retracts toward the base end, the rotor 270 also moves in the same direction as the tubular member 280. At this point, the rotor 270 has already rotated by half a peak, so each protrusion 273 fits into the shallow groove 254 of the support cylinder end face cam 253, rather than the deep groove 255. In the rotor forward state, with each protrusion 273 fitted into the shallow groove 254, the rotor 270 is held in a position further forward towards the tip compared to the rotor retracted state. Therefore, in the rotor forward state, as shown in Figure 3, the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 are in the second position P2, and the guide wire 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.

[0038] When the rotor is in the forward position, as the tubular member 280 moves toward the tip along the central axis Ax, the tubular member end face cam 282 contacts each of the protrusions 273 of the rotor 270, causing the rotor 270 to move in the same direction as the tubular member 280. When the rotor 270 moves toward the tip to a position where each of the protrusions 273 escapes from the shallow groove 254, each of the protrusions 273 slides along the tooth profile of the tubular member end face cam 282, causing the rotor 270 to rotate circumferentially by half a tooth. As a result, each of the protrusions 273 and the tubular member end face cam 282 become fully engaged. Subsequently, as the tubular member 280 retracts toward the base end, the rotor 270 also moves in the same direction as the tubular member 280. At this point, the rotor 270 has already rotated by half a peak, so each protrusion 273 fits into the deep groove 255 of the support cylinder end face cam 253, rather than the shallow groove 254. As a result, the holding mechanism 260 returns to the rotor retracted state, and the guide wire GW is no longer fixed by the connecting member 230, returning to the standard state.

[0039] In this manner, the holding mechanism 260 maintains the position of the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 while switching their positions between a first position P1 and a second position P2 each time the tubular member 280 and the operating member 240 move toward the tip as the operator moves the opening / closing mechanism 300 toward the tip. As a result, the state alternates between a standard state in which the guide wire GW is not fixed by the connecting member 230 and a fixed state in which the guide wire GW is fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0040] (Configuration of opening / closing mechanism 300) Figures 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the opening / closing mechanism 300. The opening / closing mechanism 300 is a mechanism for opening and closing a hemostatic valve 320 that suppresses the outflow of blood through the main lumen 13 of the medical connector 10. Figure 7 shows the opening / closing mechanism 300 in the closed state (hereinafter referred to as "closed state opening / closing mechanism 300c"), and Figure 8 shows the opening / closing mechanism 300 in the open state (hereinafter referred to as "open state opening / closing mechanism 300o"). In this embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 300 alternately switches between the closed state opening / closing mechanism 300c and the open state opening / closing mechanism 300o each time a pressing operation is performed on the operating member 380.

[0041] The opening / closing mechanism 300 includes a housing 310, a hemostatic valve 320, a through member 330, an operating member 380, a force transmission member 340, and a holding mechanism 360.

[0042] The housing 310 is a tubular member in which a lumen 313 is formed. The housing 310 is made of, for example, resin. The tip of the housing 310 is fixed to the base end of the tubular member 280 of the fixing mechanism 200. A sealing member 302 is positioned 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.

[0043] A partition wall 314 is formed in the housing 310, which is approximately perpendicular to the central axis Ax. A through-hole 314A is formed in the partition wall 314, which penetrates the partition wall 314 and forms part of the lumen 313. A member housing space 316 is formed inside the housing 310 on the base side of the partition wall 314. The member housing space 316 opens at the top of the housing 310.

[0044] The hemostatic valve 320 is a roughly disc-shaped member and is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The hemostatic valve 320 is fixed inside the housing 310 at a position on the tip side of the partition wall 314. A slit 321 is formed in the hemostatic valve 320. Normally, the hemostatic valve 320 is in a closed state with the slit 321 closed and the valve closed (Figure 7). In the closed state of the hemostatic valve 320, the lumen 313 is closed by the hemostatic valve 320, and the outflow of blood from the hemostatic valve 320 to the proximal end through the lumen 313 is suppressed. When the hemostatic valve 320 is pressed from the proximal end, each piece separated by the slit 321 is elastically deformed so that it is displaced toward the tip, and the hemostatic valve 320 opens up, forming a through hole 322 that penetrates the hemostatic valve 320 in the front-rear direction (Figure 8). When the hemostatic valve 320 is open, the lumen 313 is not closed at the position of the hemostatic valve 320 and remains open. When the pressing force from the proximal end is removed, the hemostatic valve 320 elastically deforms and returns to the closed state.

[0045] The through member 330 is a tubular member having a through hole 332 extending along the central axis Ax, and is made of, for example, resin. The through member 330 is housed inside the housing 310 on the proximal end side of the hemostatic valve 320. A protrusion 335 projecting in the X-axis direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the through member 330. One protrusion 335 is provided on each side of the through member 330.

[0046] The through member 330 is movable along the central axis Ax while having a predetermined position in the vertical and horizontal directions relative to the housing 310. The position of the through member 330 along the central axis Ax switches between a non-pressed position P11 shown in Figure 7 and a pressed position P12 shown in Figure 8. In the non-pressed position P11, the through member 330 does not press against the hemostatic valve 320, keeping the hemostatic valve 320 closed. In the pressed position P12, the tip of the through member 330 presses against the hemostatic valve 320, opening the hemostatic valve 320. When the through member 330 is in the pressed position P12, the through hole 322 formed in the hemostatic valve 320 and the through hole 332 in the through member 330 are connected.

[0047] The operating member 380 is a substantially cylindrical member that extends in the vertical direction. The operating member 380 is supported by the support cylinder 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 cylinder 350. The operator applies pressure to this exposed portion. The operating member 380 is formed of, for example, resin.

[0048] The force transmission member 340 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member, formed, for example, from resin. A through hole 344 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the force transmission member 340. A through member 330 is inserted into the through hole 344. Grooves 345 are formed on the left and right sides of the force transmission member 340, connecting the through hole 344 to the outer circumferential surface of the force transmission member 340. The grooves 345 extend in a direction from the lower base end to the upper tip end. A protrusion 335 of the through member 330 fits into the grooves 345. As a result, the through member 330 is able to move relative to the force transmission member 340 along the extending direction of the grooves 345. A protrusion 343 projecting upward is formed on the upper surface of the force transmission member 340. A protrusion 342 projecting downward is formed on the lower surface of the force transmission member 340.

[0049] The force transmission member 340 is housed in the member housing space 316 of the housing 310 in a manner that allows it to move vertically. Within the housing 310, a spring 362 is positioned below the force transmission member 340. The protrusion 342 of the force transmission member 340 is inserted into the hollow upper end of the spring 362. The lower end of the spring 362 is fixed to the bottom surface of the member housing space 316. The spring 362 pushes the force transmission member 340 upward.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, when the force transmission member 340 is in the upper position P3, the protrusion 335 of the through member 330 is located in the lower base end portion of the groove 345 (hereinafter referred to as the "closed position portion 345A"). At this time, the through member 330 is in the non-pressed position P11. As shown in Figure 8, when the force transmission member 340 moves from the upper position P3 to the lower position P4, the protrusion 335 of the through member 330 moves relative to the upper tip side within the groove 345 and reaches the upper tip end portion (hereinafter referred to as the "open position portion 345B"). As a result, the through member 330 moves towards the tip side to the pressed position P12.

[0051] The holding mechanism 360 maintains the position of the force transmission member 340 along the vertical direction while switching between the upper position P3 and the lower position P4 described above. The holding mechanism 360 includes a support cylinder 350 and a rotor 370. In this embodiment, a part of the operating member 380 and the spring 362 also constitute a part of the holding mechanism 360.

[0052] The configuration of the holding mechanism 360 is the same as that of the holding mechanism 260 of the fixing mechanism 200 described above, so its explanation is omitted. That is, in the description of the configuration of the holding mechanism 260 described above, you can simply replace the support cylinder 250 with the support cylinder 350, the rotor 270 with the rotor 370, and the spring 262 with the spring 362.

[0053] In the state shown in Figure 7, the holding mechanism 360 is in the rotor retracted position. In this state, the force transmission member 340 is in the upper position P3, and the through member 330 is in the non-pressed position P11. Therefore, the hemostatic valve 320 is closed, and the opening / closing mechanism 300 is in the closed state opening / closing mechanism 300c.

[0054] For example, when a surgeon gripping the medical connector 10 pushes the operating member 380 downward with their index finger, 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 8, the force transmission member 340 is displaced to the lower position P4, and the through member 330 is displaced to the pressing position P12. As a result, the tip of the through member 330 presses against the hemostatic valve 320, opening the hemostatic valve 320, and the opening / closing mechanism 300 becomes the open opening / closing mechanism 300o.

[0055] When the opening / closing mechanism 300 is in the open state (open opening / closing mechanism 300o), if the operating member 380 is pushed downward, the operating member 380 moves downward, and the holding mechanism 360 switches from the rotor forward state to the rotor retracted state. In this state, as shown in Figure 7, the force transmission member 340 returns to the upper position P3, and the through member 330 returns to the non-pressed position P11. As a result, the through member 330 closes the hemostatic valve 320 without pressing it, 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).

[0056] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the medical connector 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 110, an operating member 240, and a connecting member 230. The housing 110 is a member extending in the direction of the central axis Ax. A guide wire GW is inserted into the housing 110. The operating member 240 is located on the base end side of the housing 110. The operating member 240 is movable along the central axis Ax. The operating member 240 has a fourth through hole 243 into which the guide wire GW is inserted. The connecting member 230 is a hollow member connecting the housing 110 and the fourth through hole 243 of the operating member 240. When the operating member 240 is in the first position P1, the connecting member 230 allows the movement of the guide wire GW inserted into the connecting member 230. When the operating member 240 is in the second position P2, the connecting member 230 twists and collapses radially, thereby fixing the guide wire GW inserted into the connecting member 230. According to the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the guide wire GW can be fixed or released by switching between the state in which the operating member 240 is in the first position P1 and the state in which the operating member 240 is in the second position P2, thus suppressing variations in the force fixing the guide wire GW.

[0057] In the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the connecting member 230 has torsional residual strain when the operating member 240 is in the first position P1. Therefore, as the operating member 240 moves toward the tip, the connecting member 230 is prone to buckling, and the guide wire GW is stably fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0058] The medical connector 10 of this embodiment further comprises an outer cylinder 220 having a groove 222 on its inner circumferential surface that extends parallel to the central axis Ax. The operating member 240 has a projection 247 that fits into the groove 222. As a result, the operating member 240 moves along the central axis Ax without rotating around the central axis Ax, and the guide wire GW is more stably fixed by the connecting member 230.

[0059] In the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the second position P2 is closer to the tip than the first position P1. Therefore, the guide wire GW is fixed by the operator moving the operating member 240 toward the tip.

[0060] The medical connector 10 of this embodiment further includes a holding mechanism 260 that holds the operating member 240 in a first position P1 and a second position P2. Therefore, the medical connector 10 can maintain both a state in which the guide wire GW is fixed and a state in which the medical connector 10 has released the guide wire GW.

[0061] In the medical connector 10 of this embodiment, the connecting member 230 has a tip portion 233 fixed to the housing 110, a base portion 232 fixed to the operating member 240, and an intermediate portion 231 sandwiched between the tip portion 233 and the base portion 232 along the axial direction and not fixed to any other member. Therefore, while avoiding structural complexity, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the connecting member 230 switches between a state in which the guide wire GW is fixed and a state in which the guide wire GW is released, depending on the position of the operating member 240.

[0062] (modified version) The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various forms without departing from their essence, for example, the following modifications are possible.

[0063] The configuration of the medical connector 10 in the above embodiment is merely an example and can be modified in various ways. For example, in the medical connector 10 of the above embodiment, the number and arrangement of grooves 222 formed in the outer cylinder 220, and the number and arrangement of protrusions 247 formed on the operating member 240 can be arbitrarily changed.

[0064] In the medical connector 10 of the above embodiment, other mechanisms such as a heart-cam mechanism may be used as the retaining mechanisms 260 and 360.

[0065] In the medical connector 10 of the above embodiment, at least one of the retaining mechanism 260 and the opening / closing mechanism 300 may be omitted.

[0066] The medical connector 10 of the above embodiment may also be used to fix other medical devices other than the guide wire GW (for example, a catheter).

[0067] The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to Y connectors, but are similarly applicable to medical connectors in general for securing medical devices.

Claims

1. A hollow member (110) extending in the axial direction into which a medical device (GW) is inserted, An operating member (240) is positioned on the base end side of the hollow member (110), is movable in the axial direction, and has a through hole (243) into which the medical device (GW) is inserted, A hollow connecting member (230) connecting the hollow member (110) and the through hole (243), wherein when the operating member (240) is in a first position (P1), the connecting member (230) allows movement of the medical device (GW) inserted into it, and when the operating member (240) is in a second position (P2), the connecting member (230) twists and collapses radially to fix the medical device (GW) inserted into it, A medical connector (10) equipped with the following.

2. A medical connector (10) according to claim 1, The connecting member (230) is a medical connector (10) having torsional residual strain when the operating member (240) is in the first position (P1).

3. A medical connector (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, The outer cylinder (220) further comprises an outer cylinder (220) having a groove (222) extending in the axial direction on its inner circumferential surface, The operating member (240) is a medical connector (10) having a projection (247) that fits into the groove (222).

4. A medical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The second position (P2) is a medical connector (10) that is located further forward than the first position (P1).

5. A medical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: A medical connector (10) comprising a holding mechanism (260) for holding the operating member (240) in the first position (P1) and the second position (P2).

6. A medical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The aforementioned connecting member (230) is The first fixing part (233) is fixed to the hollow member (110), A second fixing part (232) is fixed to the operating member (240), An intermediate portion (231) is sandwiched between the first fixing portion (233) and the second fixing portion (232) along the axial direction and is not fixed to any other member, A medical connector (10) having the following features.

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