Medical tubing and medical device connection devices

Abstract

To provide a medical tube that allows secure, rapid, and accurate positioning of the tube or one of partial tubes.SOLUTION: A medical tube 10 comprises at least one first and second partial tubes 12, 14. The partial tubes can be detachably connected to each other at corresponding tube ends 16, 18 aligned with each other by means of at least one connecting device 20. A latching device 22 comprises at least one spring-resiliently or elastically mounted latching element 24 in a region of the tube end of the first partial tube, and at least one receiving opening 26 in a region of the tube end of the second partial tube or in a region of a connecting sleeve 28 arranged on the tube end of the second partial tube, thus making it possible that the latching element is brought out of the receiving opening to connect the tube ends together or release the connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical tube having at least a first and a second partial tube, the partial tubes being removably connectable to each other via at least one connecting device at corresponding, mutually aligned tube ends.

Background Art

[0002] Medical tubes of the type mentioned at the beginning are known to be extremely diverse. In this case, for example, it is a device for supplying and positioning a stent, particularly for supplying and positioning a stent into a body cavity of a human or animal. In this case, a generally hose-shaped pushing member, as one of the partial tubes, is removably attached to the proximal side of the stent to be introduced, which is located on the side opposite to the body opening. By means of such an extension means, the introduction and positioning of the stent inside the body opening or the body tube are adjusted. After the stent has been positioned at the desired location in the body, the pushing member must be removed from the stent. This can be done manually, on the one hand, by instantaneously pulling back the pushing member, whereby the pushing member disengages from the stent end. On the other hand, so-called disconnectors are known, which extend coaxially with respect to the pushing member, are guided covering the pushing member and act on the connection point between the stent and the pushing member, and separate the stent and the pushing member when a corresponding force acts. In the stent supply system known from European Patent No. 2640325, the pushing member is removably attached to the stent by means of a retaining thread. The connection part is fixed in position via a loop part formed in the pushing member for guiding the guide catheter. In order to release the connection between the stent and the pushing member, the knot of the retaining thread can be untied by pulling on the retaining thread. Medical devices for forming medical tubes having simple connection parts between catheters or between a catheter and another tubular or hose-shaped member are also known.

[0003] However, well-known medical tubing has the drawback that connecting and disconnecting individual tube sections is extremely time-consuming. Furthermore, it is impossible to optimally adjust the spacing between individual tube sections. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a medical tube of the form described above that enables reliable, rapid, and accurate positioning of one of the tubes or a portion of a tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved by a medical tube having the features described in claim 1, a connecting device having the features described in claim 14 for the detachable connection of two partial tubes of a medical device, and the use specified in claim 21. Advantageous configurations with advantageous improvements to the present invention are described in each subordinate claim, and advantageous configurations of each aspect of the present invention are considered advantageous configurations of each other aspect of the present invention.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a medical tube having at least first and second subtubes, wherein the subtubes are detachably connected to each other at corresponding, aligned tube ends via at least one connecting device, in which case the connecting device is a locking device. In this case, the locking device includes at least one locking member supported spring-elastically and / or elastically in the region of one tube end of the first subtube, and at least one receiving opening in the region of one tube end of the second subtube or in the region of a connecting sleeve located at the tube end of the second subtube, so that the locking member can be locked into the receiving opening to connect the tube ends and can be brought out of the receiving opening to release the connection. Advantageously, the connecting device provides a medical tube that enables secure, quick, and accurate positioning of the tube itself or one of the subtubes. Furthermore, secure and simple connection between the subtubes is possible, in which case uncomplicated release of the connection is also possible via the locking device.

[0007] A medical tube is, for example, a device for supplying and positioning a stent within a body cavity. In this case, the stent forms a first portion of the medical tube, and a so-called hose-like pushing member forms another second portion. Both members can be easily and detachably connected to each other, allowing for simple repositioning of the stent within the body cavity. Through the connecting device, for example, the pushing member can be connected to the stent, positioned, and accurately placed within the corresponding body cavity. Compared to known devices for supplying and positioning stents, this method eliminates the need for complex knotting of retention threads, and furthermore, there is no play between the portion tubes, i.e., between the pushing member and the stent. This results in direct and accurate motion transmission from the pushing member to the stent. In particular, the medical tube can be rotated and pushed and shifted as a whole via a connecting device formed as a locking device.

[0008] In another advantageous configuration of the medical tube according to the present invention, the inner diameter of the tube end of the second portion tube having a receiving opening is larger than the outer diameter of the tube end of the first portion tube having a locking member. However, it is also possible that the inner diameter of the tube end of the second portion tube having a receiving opening is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube end of the first portion tube having a locking member. This ensures, on the one hand, that both tube ends can easily and reliably push against each other inward and outward, thereby allowing the locking member to be locked into the corresponding receiving opening. However, it is also possible that the inner diameter of the connecting sleeve is larger than the outer diameter of the tube end of the first portion tube having a locking member. This also ensures that the connecting sleeve can be easily fitted over the corresponding tube end of the second portion tube, thereby allowing the locking member to be locked into the corresponding receiving opening.

[0009] In another advantageous configuration of the medical tube according to the present invention, the locking member is formed in a spherical, hemispherical, box-shaped, cube-shaped, or polygonal shape, with or without chamfered edges. Other geometric shapes are also possible. Important in this case is that the locking member can be easily locked into the corresponding receiving opening, and can also be brought out of the receiving opening to release the connection. In this case, the locking member may be made of a particularly biocompatible material, such as biocompatible plastic, silicone, metal, metal alloy, or a combination thereof. Other materials are also possible.

[0010] Furthermore, a flexibly formed fixing member, partially or entirely annular in shape, may be positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the locking member, in which case the fixing member is formed to fix the locking member to or within the wall of the first partial tube. In this case, the fixing member may be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the locking member by shape coupling, friction coupling, or material coupling, and / or the fixing member may be coupled to the wall of the first partial tube by shape coupling, friction coupling, or material coupling. Furthermore, the inner edge of the fixing member may be fittable into a groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking member. To fix the fixing member within a corresponding recess in the wall of the first partial tube, the outer edge of the fixing member may be formed so that at least, at least partially, the outer edge engages with a groove formed in the wall of the first partial tube. However, it is also possible that the edge region of the wall opening in the wall of the first partial tube is fittable into a groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member, at least partially. Overall, there are numerous means of fixing the fixing member to the locking member on the one hand and to the wall of the first partial tube or within the wall opening in the wall of the first partial tube on the other hand. For example, the fixing member may be bonded or welded to the outer surface of the locking member, or a simple slip-in connection may be formed. The same applies to the connection between the fixing member and the wall of the first partial tube.

[0011] The fixing member is made of an elastic and / or flexible material. In particular, the material used for the fixing member is also biocompatible or bio-cooperative. For example, the fixing member may be made of silicone or may be formed as a flexible silicone film. Advantageously, the fixing member allows for spring-elastic or elastic support of the locking member in the region of the tube end of the first partial tube.

[0012] In another advantageous configuration of the medical tube according to the present invention, to connect the ends of the tubes, the locking member is held within a receiving opening via a hose-like or wire-like member that is guideable and movable within the interior of the medical tube. The member may be, for example, a so-called guidewire that is guideable and movable within the lumen of the medical tube. In this case, the diameter of the guidewire or the member is sized so that the guidewire or the member can be easily guided within the lumen of the medical tube on the one hand, and securely hold the locking member within the corresponding receiving opening on the other hand. To disconnect the ends of the tubes, the guide catheter or the member is removed from the lumen of the medical tube, thereby allowing the locking member, which is flexibly and / or elastically supported within or against the wall of the corresponding portion of the tube, to be easily removed from the corresponding receiving opening.

[0013] In one other advantageous configuration of a medical tube according to the present invention, to lock the connection between the ends of the tubes, the locking member is lockable by a particularly tubular locking sleeve that covers and is guideable and movable around the outer surface of the medical tube. This ensures secure locking of the locking device.

[0014] In another advantageous configuration of the medical tube according to the present invention, the first portion of the tube is a medical stent, and the second portion of the tube is a push member that supplies and positions the stent into a body cavity of a human or animal. In this case, the locking of the connection between the two ends of the tubes can be done via a hose-like guide catheter.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a connecting device for detachably connecting two partial tubes of a medical device, the connecting device having a locking device, the locking device including at least one locking member supported spring-elastically or elastically in the region of one tube end of a first partial tube, and at least one receiving opening in the region of one tube end of a second partial tube or in the region of a connecting sleeve positioned at this tube end, thereby allowing the locking member to be locked into the receiving opening to connect the tube ends and allowing the locking member to be brought out of the receiving opening to disconnect the connection. The term “partial tube” means a hose-like member or partial member that can be detachably connected by the connecting device. The connecting device according to the present invention ensures the possibility of rapid connection and disconnection of partial tubes by the locking device. By positioning the locking member as specified in the region of one tube end and the corresponding receiving opening as specified in the region of the other tube end, it is possible to further optimize the spacing between the partial tubes. The connecting device according to the present invention can be used not only for detachably connecting two partial tubes of a medical device, but also for detachably connecting two partial tubes of a non-medical device.

[0016] In another advantageous configuration of the connecting device according to the present invention, the locking member is formed in a spherical, hemispherical, box-shaped, cube-shaped, or polygonal shape, with or without chamfered edges. Other three-dimensional shapes are also conceivable and can be advantageously adapted to the requirements of the tube to be connected.

[0017] Furthermore, a flexibly formed fixing member, partially or entirely annular in shape, may be positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the locking member. In this case, the fixing member is formed to fix the locking member to or within the wall of the first partial tube. In this case, the fixing member may be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the locking member by shape coupling, friction coupling, or material coupling. However, the fixing member may also be coupled to the wall of the first partial tube by shape coupling, friction coupling, or material coupling. For example, the inner edge of the fixing member may be fittable into a groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking member. Furthermore, the outer edge of the fixing member may be fittable, at least partially, into a groove formed on the wall of the first partial tube, or the edge region of the wall opening in the wall of the first partial tube may be fittable, at least partially, into a groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member. Advantageously, there are numerous means of fixing the fixing member to the locking member on the one hand and to or within the wall of the first partial tube on the other hand. In this case, the fixing member is generally made of an elastic and / or flexible material, particularly a biocompatible material. The fixing member may be made of, for example, silicone, or may be formed as a flexible silicone film.

[0018] The above configuration of the locking member and the fixing member connected to the locking member has its own inventive value and may, in some cases, be combined with other connecting devices.

[0019] Another feature and advantage of the second aspect of the present invention can be derived from the description of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0020] A third aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a medical tube based on the first aspect of the present invention and / or a connecting device based on the second aspect of the present invention. In this case, both the medical tube and the connecting device can be used in the field of medical or non-medical applications, respectively. Further features and advantages of the third aspect of the present invention can be derived from the descriptions of the first and second aspects of the present invention.

[0021] Another feature of the present invention is apparent from the claims, the drawings, and the description of the drawings. The features and combinations of features described above in the specification, as well as the features and combinations of features described and / or shown only in the description of the drawings below and / or in the drawings, are applicable not only in each of the described combinations but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, configurations that are not explicitly shown and described in the drawings but are apparent from and manufacturable based on the combination of a plurality of distinct features are also considered to be included in and disclosed by the present invention. Thus, configurations and combinations of features that do not have all the features of the first-described independent claims are also considered to be disclosed. Furthermore, configurations and combinations of features that exceed or are different from the combinations of features described in the dependent claims are also considered to be disclosed, particularly based on the configurations described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a medical tube according to the present invention based on a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a tube end of a first partial tube of the medical tube shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a locking member of the medical tube shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the medical tube shown in FIG. 1 in a coupled state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view showing the medical tube shown in FIG. 1 in a coupled state. [Figure 6a] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a medical tube according to the present invention based on a second embodiment. [Figure 6b] FIG. 6a is another schematic view showing the medical tube shown in FIG. 6.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] The following describes two embodiments of a medical tube. In this case, it is a supply and positioning system for a stent within the body cavity of an animal or a human. Other medical uses of the medical tube are also conceivable. Further, the medical tube and the connecting device described as such may also be used in non-medical fields, for example, to form a hose having two hose members or partial hoses that should be removably connected to each other. These embodiments should also be regarded as being included in the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a medical tube 10 according to a first embodiment. In this case, the medical tube 10 includes first and second partial tubes 12, 14 and a connecting device 20. The connecting device 20 is used to removably connect both partial tubes 12, 14 at their aligned tube ends 16, 18. It can be recognized that the entire medical tube 10 and both partial tubes 12, 14 are formed in a hose shape.

[0025] The connecting device 20 has a locking device 22, which has a plurality of spring-elastically or elastically supported locking members 24 in the area of ​​the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12. It is observed that a receiving opening 26 corresponding to the locking members 24 is formed in the area of ​​the connecting sleeve 28 of the second partial tube, which is positioned at the tube end 18 of the second partial tube 14. When the connecting sleeve 28 is fitted over the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12, the spring-elastically or elastically supported locking members 24 are locked into the receiving openings 26. Furthermore, it is observed that each locking member 24 is fixed in the corresponding wall opening 44 of the first partial tube 12 via a fixing member 30. To lock the connection between the first partial tube 12 and the second partial tube 14, a hose-like member 40, particularly a guidewire, is introduced into the lumen of the medical tube 10 after the locking members 24 are locked into the corresponding receiving openings 26. In this case, the outer surface of member 40 presses the locking member 24 toward the outer surface of the connecting sleeve 28, fixing the locking member 24 in position within the receiving opening 26. To remove the connection, member 40 is removed from the lumen of the medical tube 10, thereby allowing the elastically or spring-elastically supported locking member 24 to move again toward the inner surface of the first partial tube 12 and, consequently, out of the receiving opening 26. All members of the medical tube 10 are made of biocompatible or bio-cooperative materials. In particular, in this case, corresponding plastics, silicones, and metals or metal alloys are used.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12. The locking member 24 is formed in a spherical shape and is located within the wall opening 44 of the first partial tube 12. For this purpose, the fixing member 30 is positioned annularly around the outer circumferential surface of the spherical locking member 24 in the illustrated embodiment. In this case, the connection between the annular and disc-shaped fixing member 30 and the spherical locking member 24 may be formed by shape coupling, friction coupling, or material coupling. At least the fixing member 30 is formed elastically or flexibly so that relative movement of the locking member 24 with respect to the wall 32 of the first partial tube 12 is possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular fixing member 30 is made of silicone.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the locking member 24 of the medical tube 10. It can be seen that a groove 36 is formed on the outer edge of the annular fixing member 30. The inner edge of the wall opening 44 of the wall 32 of the first partial tube 12 can be fitted into this groove 36. However, other fixing means of the fixing member in or in contact with the wall 32 are also possible. In particular, these may be formed by shape coupling, friction coupling or material coupling.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the medical tube 10 shown in Figure 1, with the partial tubes 12 and 14 connected to each other. It can be seen that the spherical locking member is locked in place by the receiving opening 26 of the connecting sleeve 28. To fix this locking position, a hose-like member 40 guided through the lumen of the medical tube 10 presses against the locking member 24, fixing the locking member 24 in the corresponding receiving opening 26 of the connecting sleeve 28.

[0029] Furthermore, it can be seen that the annular fixing member 30 is fitted into and fixed to the groove 34 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking member 24.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a medical tube 10 in which partial tubes 12 and 14 are connected to each other. It becomes clear that a guide catheter guided within the lumen of the hose-like member 40, particularly the medical tube 10, pushes the spherical locking member 24 into the receiving opening 26, locking the locking member 24 in this position.

[0031] The embodiment of the medical tube 10 shown in Figures 1 to 5 can also be called a stent positioning system. In this case, the first portion of the tube 12 is formed as a stent and has an elastically supported locking member 24. The second portion of the tube is formed as a so-called "pusher" used to position the stent in the body cavity of an animal or human. In this case, one end of the hose-like pusher has a connecting sleeve 28 with a receiving opening 26. To connect the pusher and the stent, the connecting sleeve 28 is pushed and slid through the tube end 16 of the stent and the spherical locking member 24. Based on the flexible or elastic support of the locking member 24, the locking member 24 is able to clear a path in the forward direction of the connecting sleeve 28. As the connecting sleeve 28 passes the locking member 24, the locking member 24 is pushed into the lumen of the stent, thus clearing a path for the connecting sleeve 28. Through the receiving opening 26 formed in the connecting sleeve, the locking member 24 can slide back to its starting position. Now, when the hose-like member 40, i.e., the guide catheter, is introduced into the stent or the first partial tube 12, the spherical locking member 24 is again pressed outward, closing the receiving opening 26 provided in the connecting sleeve 28 of the pusher or the second partial tube 14. This closes the path back to the starting position with the guide catheter, locking the system in place. After the system has been properly locked, the stent can be positioned within the body cavity. Once it reaches the correct position within the body cavity, the guide catheter or hose-like member 40 is removed, thereby releasing the lock. The pusher or the second partial tube 14 with the connecting sleeve 28 can then be removed from the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12. The stent or the first partial tube 12 is then in place.

[0032] Figures 6a and 6b show schematic diagrams of a medical tube 10 according to a second embodiment. The first partial tube 12, equipped with a locking member 24, is formed to allow a second partial tube 14, having a receiving opening 26 in its wall corresponding to the spherical locking member 24, to be introduced into the lumen of the hose-like first partial tube 12. The spherical locking member 24 is also flexibly or elastically positioned at the tube end 16 via a corresponding annular fixing member 30. By advancing the tube end 18 of the second partial tube 14 toward the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12, the locking member 24 can be moved first toward the outside of the first partial tube 12 by the tube end 18 of the second partial tube 14. As soon as the locking member 24 aligns with the receiving opening 26, the locking member 24 returns to its starting position, thereby closing the receiving opening 26. In this case, to lock the connecting device 20 or the locking device 22, the lock sleeve 42 is then fitted over the outer surface of the tube end 16 of the first partial tube 12 (see Figure 6b). This locks the locking member 24 within the receiving opening 26. From Figure 6b, it can also be seen that the locking member 24 or the fixing member 30 is also positioned and fixed within the wall opening 44 of the first partial tube.

[0033] Removing the lock sleeve 42 causes the locking member 24 to re-elastically move toward the outer circumferential surface of the first partial tube 12, thereby allowing the locking member 24 to disengage from the receiving opening 26 of the second partial tube 14. The first partial tube 12 and / or the lock sleeve 42 may be incorporated, for example, into the handle of a medical device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 10 Medical Tubes 12. First part tube 14. Second section tube 16 Tube end 18 Tube end 20 Connection device 22 Locking device 24 Locking member 26 Receptive opening 28 connection sleeves 30 Fixing member 32 Walls 34 Groove 36 Groove 38 Edge area 40 components 42 lock sleeves 44 Wall openings

Claims

1. A medical tube (10) having at least first and second partial tubes (12, 14), wherein the partial tubes (12, 14) are detachably connected to each other via at least one connecting device (20) at corresponding, aligned tube ends (16, 18), The connecting device (20) is a locking device (22) which includes at least one locking member (24) spring-elastically or elastically supported in the region of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12), and at least one receiving opening (26) in the region of the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14) or in the region of a connecting sleeve (28) positioned at the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14), thereby allowing the locking member (24) to be locked into the receiving opening (26) to connect the tube ends (16, 18) together, and allowing the locking member (24) to be brought out of the receiving opening (26) to release the connection. The inner diameter of the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14) having the receiving opening (26) is larger than the outer diameter of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12) having the locking member (24), or the inner diameter of the tube end (18) of the second partial tube (14) having the receiving opening (26) is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12) having the locking member (24), or The inner diameter of the connecting sleeve (28) is larger than the outer diameter of the tube end (16) of the first partial tube (12) having the locking member (24). A flexibly formed fixing member (30), which is partially or entirely annular, is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking member (24), and the fixing member (30) is made of an elastic and / or flexible material in a medical tube (10). The fixing member (30) for fixing the locking member (24) is positioned within the wall (32) of the first partial tube (12), and the fixing member (30) is coupled to the wall (32) of the first partial tube (12) by shape coupling, friction coupling, or material coupling. A medical tube (10) characterized by the above.

2. The locking member (24) is formed in a spherical, hemispherical, box-shaped, cube-shaped, or polygonal shape, with or without a chamfered edge, as described in claim 1, for the medical tube (10).

3. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member (30) is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the locking member (24) in a shape-coupled, friction-coupled, or material-coupled manner.

4. The medical tube (10) according to claim 3, wherein the inner edge of the fixing member (30) can be fitted into a groove (34) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking member (24).

5. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, 3, or 4, wherein the outer edge of the fixing member (30) is at least partially fittable into a groove formed in the wall (32) of the first partial tube (12), or the edge region (38) of the wall opening (44) of the wall (32) of the first partial tube (12) is at least partially fittable into a groove (36) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member (30).

6. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member (30) is made of silicone or formed as a flexible silicone film.

7. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, wherein, in order to lock the connection between the tube ends (16, 18), the locking member (24) is held within the receiving opening (26) via a hose-like or wire-like member (40) that can be guided and moved within the lumen of the medical tube (10).

8. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, wherein, in order to lock the connection between the tube ends (16, 18), the locking member (24) is held within the receiving opening (26) via a particularly tubular lock sleeve (42) that covers, guides, and moves around the outer surface of the medical tube (10).

9. The medical tube (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first partial tube (12) is a medical stent, and the second partial tube (14) is a push member for supplying and positioning the stent into a body cavity of a human or animal.

10. The hose-like member (40) is a guide catheter, as described in claim 7, for the medical tube (10).

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