Balloon-equipped guide wire

Abstract

A balloon-equipped guide wire (1) has: a tubular member (10); a balloon member (40); and a linear member (20). The linear member (20) is provided, at the distal end thereof, with a sealing member (30) that is in close contact with a portion of the inner wall of the tubular member (10). The sealing member (30) can move between a closed position and an open position in conjunction with the axial direction movement of the linear member (20). The volume of a first section (31) in the sealing member (30), from the axial center of the sealing member (30) to the base end of the sealing member (30), is greater than the volume of a second section (32) in the sealing member (30), from the axial enter of the sealing member (30) to the distal end of the sealing member (30).

Description

Guide wire with balloon

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide wire with a balloon.

[0002] There is a guide wire provided with a balloon at its tip for insertion into a body cavity such as a blood vessel to occlude the body cavity. More specifically, the guide wire has a tubular member provided with a lumen defined by a tube wall, and a linear member provided with a sealing member at its tip and inserted into the tubular member. In injecting a fluid such as a liquid into the balloon or discharging the fluid from the balloon, the flow of the fluid between the lumen and the outside thereof is adjusted by inserting and removing the linear member. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a sealing member (30) (linear member) provided at the tip of a linear member is inserted into a tubular body (18) (tubular member) having an inflation port (22), and the sealing member (30) is advanced or withdrawn in the lumen (40) of the tubular body (18). A medical device having such a structure is disclosed. When the sealing member (30) is partially withdrawn from the lumen (40) and the sealer portion (36) (sealing member) is placed proximal to the inflation port (22), liquid can be injected into the balloon (20) or discharged from the balloon (20) through the inflation port (22) and the lumen. On the other hand, when the sealing member (30) is sufficiently inserted into the lumen (40) of the wire (32), as shown in FIG. 3B in Patent Document 1, the sealer portion (36) completely covers the inflation port (22), and the outflow of liquid from the inflation port (22) is restricted. That is, the outflow of liquid from the balloon (20) is restricted.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-511082

[0004] However, there is still room for improvement in the ease of handling of the linear member in the guide wire with a balloon. Specifically, it is preferable that the sealing member is unlikely to be displaced with respect to the injection port even if the linear member is pulled unexpectedly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a guide wire with a balloon in which the sealing member is unlikely to be displaced even when an unexpected stress that can pull the linear member out of the tubular member is applied to the linear member.

[0006] The balloon-equipped guidewire of the present invention comprises: a tubular member having a lumen and an opening in the wall of the base end through which the lumen communicates with the outside; a balloon member provided on the outer diameter side of the tip of the tubular member, the interior of which communicates with the lumen of the tubular member, and which can be expanded by increasing the internal volume; and a linear member disposed in the lumen at the base end of the tubular member and movable in the axial direction of the tubular member, wherein the tip of the linear member is provided with a sealing member that adheres tightly to a part of the inner wall of the tubular member. The sealing member moves between a closed position, which blocks the opening or is positioned further forward than the opening to block the flow of fluid from the opening to the interior, and an open position, which is located further forward than the opening to the base end of the tubular member, as the linear member moves in the axial direction, and the volume of the first portion of the sealing member, from the axial center of the sealing member to the base end of the sealing member, is greater than the volume of the second portion of the sealing member, from the axial center of the sealing member to the tip of the sealing member.

[0007] According to the balloon-equipped guidewire of the present invention, the volume of the first portion at the base end of the sealing member is larger than the volume of the second portion at the tip end. Therefore, when an unexpected stress is applied to the linear member that could cause it to be pulled out of the tubular member, the first portion of the sealing member locally catches on the inner wall of the tubular member, thereby preventing the sealing member and the linear member from moving toward the base end. For this reason, the sealing member is less likely to shift even when an unexpected stress is applied to the linear member that could cause it to be pulled out of the tubular member.

[0008] The aforementioned objectives, as well as other objectives, features, and advantages, will become even clearer from the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a balloon-equipped guidewire according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic diagrams showing partially enlarged views of the area within frame II indicated by the dashed line in Figure 1. Figure 2(a) shows the case where the sealing member is in the open position, and Figure 2(b) shows the case where the sealing member is in the closed position. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a balloon member and its vicinity according to the first embodiment. Figure 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sealing member in a balloon-equipped guidewire according to the second embodiment. Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view in the axial direction of the linear member and sealing member in Figure 4(a). Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of a sealing member of a balloon-equipped guidewire according to a modified example. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of a sealing member of a balloon-equipped guidewire according to a modified example. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of an injection port according to the third embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a catheter provided with the balloon-equipped guidewire of the present invention. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing another example of an injection port according to the third embodiment. Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view of the section along the dashed line in Figure 9(a) in the direction of the arrow. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of an injection port according to the first embodiment. Figure 11(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of an injection port for a balloon-equipped guidewire according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the section along the dashed line in Figure 11(a) in the direction of the arrow. Figure 11(c) is an example of an enlarged view of the area within the frame indicated by the dashed line X in Figure 11(a). Figure 11(d) is another example of an enlarged view of the area within the frame indicated by the dashed line X in Figure 11(a).

[0010] The various components of the balloon-equipped guidewire of the present invention do not need to be independent entities; it is permissible for multiple components to be formed as a single member, for one component to be formed from multiple members, for one component to be part of another component, for a part of one component to overlap with a part of another component, and so on.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, in this invention, a plane refers to a shape physically formed with a plane as the target, and it is not necessary for it to be a geometrically perfect plane.

[0012] <First Embodiment> (Balloon-equipped guidewire) Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a balloon-equipped guidewire according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] First, an overview of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment will be described. The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 comprises a tubular member 10, a balloon member 40, and a linear member 20. The tubular member 10 has a lumen 11. The tubular member 10 also has an opening (inlet 18) in the tube wall at its base end through which the lumen 11 is exposed. The balloon member 40 is provided on the outer diameter side of the tip of the tubular member 10. The inside (hollow portion 42) of the balloon member 40 is in communication with the lumen 11 of the tubular member 10. The balloon member 40 is an expandable member that can be expanded by increasing the volume of its inside (hollow portion 42). The linear member 20 is positioned in the lumen 11 at the base end of the tubular member 10. The linear member 20 is movable in the axial direction of the tubular member 10.

[0014] A sealing member 30 is provided at the tip of the linear member 20, which adheres tightly to a part of the inner wall of the tubular member 10. The sealing member 30 is movable between a closed position and an open position as the linear member 20 moves in the axial direction. The closed position is the position where the sealing member 30 blocks the inlet 18, or where the sealing member 30 is positioned distal to the inlet 18, and the sealing member 30 blocks the flow of fluid from the inlet 18 to the inside (hollow portion 42) of the balloon member 40. Blocking the flow of fluid means that the flow of fluid is sufficiently restricted (the fluid is dammed up) so that the expanded diameter state of the balloon member 40 can be maintained for a predetermined time, and is not limited to completely blocking the flow of fluid. For example, if at least a part of the inlet 18 is blocked by the sealing member 30, or if at least a part of the sealing member 30 is located distal to the inlet 18, the sealing member 30 can be said to be in the closed position. In the closed position, a portion of the lumen 11 (the portion closer to the tip than the sealing member 30) and the hollow portion 42 are sealed in a liquid-tight or airtight manner. The open position is one of the positions of the sealing member 30, and is located closer to the base end of the tubular member 10 than the inlet 18.

[0015] In the sealing member 30, the volume of the first portion 31, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the base end of the sealing member 30, is larger than the volume of the second portion 32, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the tip end of the sealing member 30. With this configuration, because the volume of the first portion 31 on the base end side of the sealing member 30 is larger than the volume of the second portion 32 on the tip end side, if an unexpected stress is applied to the linear member 20 that could cause it to be pulled out of the tubular member 10, the first portion 31 of the sealing member 30 will locally catch on the inner wall of the tubular member 10, thereby preventing the sealing member 30 and the linear member 20 from moving toward the base end. For this reason, even if an unexpected stress is applied to the linear member 20 that could cause it to be pulled out of the tubular member 10, the sealing member 30 is less likely to shift.

[0016] Next, the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail. The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is a member that is inserted into a body lumen in a living organism and is a long member in its entirety. With respect to members such as the balloon-equipped guidewire 1, the tubular member 10, and the linear member 20, the end of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 that is first inserted into the body lumen in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) is sometimes called the tip, and the other end opposite the tip (the end on the proximal side for manipulation) is sometimes called the proximal end. The proximal end side may also be called the proximal side, and the side opposite the proximal side may also be called the distal side.

[0017] The tubular member 10 is a long member that extends along the longitudinal direction of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 with the axial direction. The axial direction of the tubular member 10 may be simply referred to as the axial direction. In this embodiment, the tubular member 10 is superelastic. For example, a metal such as nickel-titanium (nitinol) is exemplified as the material constituting the tubular member 10. Alternatively, the tubular member 10 may be made of another material such as an elastic resin. Or, the tubular member 10 may be made of a material which is a mixture of resin and metal, or it may be composed of a combination of a resin part and a metal part.

[0018] The tubular member 10 has a lumen 11 inside. The cross-sectional shape of the tubular member 10 is circular or polygonal, etc. The width of the lumen 11 (inner diameter of the tubular member 10) is greater than the wire diameter of the linear member 20, which will be described later. The lower limit of the outer diameter of the tubular member 10 is 250 μm, preferably 300 μm. The upper limit of the outer diameter of the tubular member 10 is 400 μm, preferably 350 μm. The lower limit of the inner diameter of the tubular member 10 is 150 μm, preferably 200 μm. The upper limit of the inner diameter of the tubular member 10 is 300 μm, preferably 250 μm. The lower limit of the thickness dimension of the wall of the tubular member 10 is 20 μm, preferably 35 μm. The upper limit of the thickness dimension of the wall of the tubular member 10 is 80 μm, preferably 65 μm.

[0019] In the tubular member 10 of this embodiment, an inlet 18 (through hole), which is an opening that communicates with the lumen 11, is provided in the tube wall of a portion of the base end (a portion into which the linear member 20, described later, can be inserted). The inlet 18 is provided for injecting a fluid (liquid or gas; hereinafter referred to as liquid, etc.) into the lumen 11 to expand the balloon member 40. A solution can be injected into the lumen 11 through the inlet 18. A liquid such as physiological saline is preferably used as the liquid, etc. to be injected into the balloon member 40. A mixed solution containing a drug such as a contrast agent and physiological saline may also be used as the liquid, etc. The size of the inlet 18 in this embodiment (especially the dimensions of the inlet 18 in the axial direction) is smaller than the length of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the dimensions of the inlet 18 in the axial direction or in the width direction of the tubular member 10 are larger than the thickness dimension of the tube wall in the tubular member 10. The shape of the inlet 18 will be described in detail later.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the lumen 11 in this embodiment is closed at the tip (a portion closer to the base end than the coil portion 14, which will be described later). More specifically, the lumen 11 is open to the outside only through the spiral slit 44 that communicates with the injection port 18 and the hollow portion 42, and the lumen 11 is closed in all other parts. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in order to increase the flexibility of the tubular member 10, the tipmost portion of the tubular member 10 (coil portion 14) is formed of a coil in which wire is tightly wound in a spiral. In addition, to facilitate the insertion of the tubular member 10 into the body lumen, a tip 16 is placed over the tip of the coil portion 14. The tip 16 in this embodiment is made of a metal such as a tin and gold alloy.

[0021] The balloon member 40 is a member that is placed in a part of the body cavity of a living organism and, by expanding in diameter, presses against the wall that defines the body cavity to seal the body cavity, or closes an opening provided in the wall. The balloon member 40 does not need to completely seal the body cavity or completely close the opening in the wall; it is sufficient to sufficiently block the body cavity or cover the opening to the extent that the flow of fluids, etc., in the body cavity or opening can be restricted. For example, the balloon member 40 can be placed in a blood vessel in an expanded state and press against the blood vessel wall to suppress blood flow.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the balloon member 40 has a hollow portion 42 inside that is covered with a membrane portion 41. The hollow portion 42 of the balloon member 40 is in communication with the lumen 11 (see Figure 1) of the tubular member 10. For example, a part of the wall of the tubular member 10, which is located on the inner diameter side of the balloon member 40, is provided with a through-hole such as a groove that allows the lumen 11 to pass through to the outside, and the hollow portion 42 and the lumen 11 are in communication through this through-hole. In this embodiment, as will be described later, a helical slit 44 is provided in the wall of the tubular member 10, and the hollow portion 42 and the lumen 11 are in communication via the helical slit 44, which is the through-hole. By injecting a liquid or gas (referred to as liquid, etc.) into the hollow portion 42 of the balloon member 40 through the injection port 18, the lumen 11, and the helical slit 44, the volume of the hollow portion 42 increases and the balloon member 40 expands in diameter. The expansion of the balloon member 40 means that the dimensions of the balloon member 40 in the radial direction of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 become larger compared to before the injection of liquid, etc. The radial direction of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is the radial direction toward the periphery of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 (the periphery of the tubular member 10) when viewed axially from the axis of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 (the axis of the tubular member 10). Hereinafter, the radial direction of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 may be simply referred to as the radial direction. Furthermore, the radial direction of the tubular member 10 and the radial direction of the linear member 20 also coincide with the radial direction of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, a portion of the tube wall at the tip of the tubular member 10 is a spring (spring-forming portion 15). Specifically, the spring is formed by a ribbon 15a arranged spirally around the central axis of the tubular member 10, with gaps (spiral slits 44) between the turns. In this way, the spring-forming portion 15, which is a portion of the tube wall at the tip of the tubular member 10, becomes a spring that can expand and contract in the axial direction due to the spiral slits (spiral slits 44) formed thereon. Specifically, the tube wall remaining after the spiral slits 44 are formed is a narrow ribbon 15a, and this ribbon 15a is arranged spirally over multiple turns to form a spring. In this way, because the tip of the tubular member 10 is the spring-forming portion 15, when fluid is injected from the injection port 18 to increase the volume of the balloon member 40, the dimensions of the balloon member 40 in the radial and axial directions of the tubular member 10 increase, causing the balloon member 40 to expand.

[0024] In this embodiment, the ribbon 15a is a plate-like portion having a predetermined thickness. The ribbon 15a has a predetermined width dimension. The width dimension of the ribbon 15a is the distance along the axial direction between one end on the leading edge side and one end on the base side of the ribbon 15a.

[0025] In this embodiment, the width dimension of the helical slit 44 is less than one-fifth of the width dimension of the ribbon 15a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the width dimension of the helical slit 44 is less than one-sixth of the width dimension of the ribbon 15a. Furthermore, in order to stably inject liquid or the like into the hollow portion 42, the width dimension of the helical slit 44 is preferably one-twentieth or more of the width dimension of the ribbon 15a, and more preferably one-tenth or more. The width dimension of the helical slit 44 is the distance along the axial direction between one end on the leading edge side of one turn of the ribbon 15a and one end on the base edge side of another turn adjacent to the leading edge side of that turn. In this embodiment, the width dimension of the helical slit 44 is constant throughout the entire spring forming portion 15. Alternatively, the width dimension of the helical slit 44 may differ in some parts of the spring forming portion 15 and in other parts. For example, the width dimension of the helical slit 44 may gradually change from the base end to the tip throughout the entire spring forming portion 15. Specifically, the width dimension of the spiral slit 44 may gradually decrease from the base end to the tip of the spring forming portion 15, or it may gradually increase. Here, when the width of the ribbon 15a is said to be greater than or equal to the predetermined value described above, or less than or equal to the predetermined value, it refers to the width of the narrowest ribbon 15a in the entire spring forming portion 15 (the ribbon 15a in the second region 15a2 described later). In other words, the ribbon 15a in length regions other than the second region 15a2 does not have to be greater than or equal to the predetermined value. Alternatively, the width of the ribbon 15a in the entire spring forming portion 15 may be greater than or equal to the predetermined value described above, or less than or equal to the predetermined value.

[0026] In this embodiment, the helical direction of the ribbon 15a is opposite to the helical direction of the coil portion 14. Furthermore, the helical direction of the ribbon 15a is opposite to the helical direction of the X-ray opaque marker 19, which will be described later. This prevents the X-ray opaque marker 19 from interfering with the helical slit 44 of the spring forming portion 15. In other words, it prevents the X-ray opaque marker 19, which is positioned on the outer layer side of the spring forming portion 15, from unexpectedly becoming embedded in the helical slit 44 of the spring forming portion 15. Alternatively, the helical direction of the ribbon 15a may be the same as the helical direction of the coil portion 14 or the X-ray opaque marker 19.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the balloon member 40 (particularly its main body, the membrane portion 41) is arranged to encircle the tubular member 10 (particularly the attachment portion 13) and has a cylindrical shape. A sealing band 46 is positioned on the outer layer of part of the tip and part of the base end of the balloon member 40. The sealing band 46 presses the balloon member 40 from the outer layer side, assisting in fixing the balloon member 40 to the tubular member 10.

[0028] In this embodiment, a resin layer (not shown) is provided on the outer layer side of the tubular member 10, which serves as a base for arranging the balloon member 40. The resin layer may be made of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The resin layer is arranged on the outer layer side of a portion of the tubular member 10 where the seal band 46 is arranged and on the base end forming portion 15d, which will be described later. The resin layer is not arranged on the outer layer side of a portion of the tubular member 10 (such as the second region 15a2) that is arranged in the hollow portion 42. This allows the hollow portion 42 and the lumen 11 to communicate.

[0029] Furthermore, the balloon member 40 (especially the membrane portion 41) is fixed (bonded) to the tubular member 10 by a suitable adhesive 50. More specifically, a first adhesive 51 is arranged on the outer layer side of the tubular member 10, closer to the base end than the balloon member 40. The first adhesive 51 is formed to have a tapered shape. In this embodiment, a coil-shaped radiopaque marker 19 is embedded inside the first adhesive 51. That is, the first adhesive 51 may be arranged on the inner and outer diameter sides of the radiopaque marker 19, or it may be arranged between the turns of the radiopaque marker 19. In addition, a second adhesive 52 is provided on the tip side of the balloon member 40 in a dome shape that bulges toward the tip. A third adhesive 53 is formed in a tapered shape on the outer layer side of the tubular member 10, covering the second adhesive 52. The third adhesive 53 is arranged on the outer layer side of the coil portion 14.

[0030] In this embodiment, the thickness (width dimension) of the adhesive 50 is equivalent to the thickness of the balloon member 40 (especially the thickness of the seal band 46). The length of the first adhesive 51 in the axial direction is smaller than the length of the third adhesive 53 in the axial direction. The angle formed by the tapered shape of the third adhesive 53 with respect to the axial direction is smaller than the angle formed by the tapered shape of the first adhesive 51 with respect to the axial direction. As a result, the flexibility of the coil portion 14 is less likely to be hindered by the third adhesive 53. Furthermore, when inserting the balloon-attached guidewire 1 into a body lumen (especially a stenotic portion), the third adhesive 53 is less likely to obstruct the insertion.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the linear member 20 is positioned in the lumen 11 of the tubular member 10. Specifically, the base end of the tubular member 10 is provided with an opening (base end opening 12) that penetrates the tubular member 10 in the axial direction and connects the outside of the tubular member 10 with the lumen. The linear member 20 is inserted into the lumen 11 from the base end opening 12. The linear member 20 is positioned in a part of the base end side of the tubular member 10. More specifically, the linear member 20 is inserted from the base end of the tubular member 10 to the vicinity of the injection port 18. In this embodiment, a part of the base end side of the linear member 20 (the base end portion 22 and a part of the second transition portion 23, which will be described later) protrudes from the base end opening 12 at the base end of the tubular member 10 toward the base end side and is positioned outside the tubular member 10. Therefore, by grasping a part of the linear member 20 (especially the base end 22) located outside the tubular member 10 with a tool or by hand and then pulling it out or inserting it, the linear member 20 can be moved within the tubular member 10 in the axial direction. By moving the linear member 20 in the axial direction of the tubular member 10, the position of the sealing member 30 attached to the tip 26 of the linear member 20 can be made variable in the axial direction of the tubular member 10. This makes it possible to adjust the inflow and outflow of liquid, etc., in the lumen 11, as will be described later.

[0032] The sealing member 30 is a member for regulating the flow of liquid or gas in the lumen 11. The sealing member 30 is fixed (attached) around the tip 26 of the linear member 20. In this embodiment, the sealing member 30 is made of a resin such as a thermoplastic resin. Instead of this embodiment, the sealing member 30 may be made of a resin other than a thermoplastic resin, or it may be made of another material (such as high-density cotton) that allows a small amount of liquid or gas to pass through. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the sealing member 30 has high elasticity. This allows the sealing member 30 to constantly press against the wall of the tubular member 10 by its own elastic restoring force. In this embodiment, the sealing member 30 has high elasticity because it is made of an elastomer. More specifically, in this embodiment, the sealing member 30 is a block copolymer of polyamide and polyether. Instead of this embodiment, the sealing member 30 may be an elastomer other than a block copolymer of polyamide and polyether.

[0033] The sealing member 30 seals the lumen 11 by pressing or adhering to a portion of the inner wall of the tubular member 10 in the axial direction, and substantially to the entire circumferential portion of the inner wall. Specifically, the sealing member 30 presses against at least a portion of the radial portion of the inner wall of the tubular member 10, preferably adhering tightly. More preferably, the sealing member 30 adheres tightly to the inner wall of the tubular member 10 over the entire radial portion. That is, the sealing member 30 seals substantially the entire cross-section of the lumen 11. This restricts the movement of liquid or gas within the lumen 11 in the axial direction by sandwiching the sealing member 30. The width dimension of the sealing member 30 when the linear member 20 is removed from the outside of the tubular member 10 (the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the linear member 20) is preferably greater than the width of the lumen 11. This ensures that within the lumen 11, the sealing member 30 is pressed against a portion of the inner wall of the tubular member 10.

[0034] As illustrated in Figures 2(a) and 2(b) and described above, the sealing member 30 is movable between an open position and a closed position as the linear member 20 moves in the axial direction. Figure 2(a) shows the case where the sealing member 30 is in the open position, and Figure 2(b) shows the case where the sealing member 30 is in the closed position. Note that the positions of other members when the sealing member 30 is in the closed position or open position are sometimes referred to as the closed position or open position.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2(a), in the open position, the sealing member 30 is positioned on the proximal end side of the inlet 18. Therefore, a portion of the lumen 11 on the tip side of the inlet 18, and the hollow portion 42 (see Figure 3), are connected to the outside of the tubular member 10 via the inlet 18. As a result, liquid can be injected into the hollow portion 42 via the inlet 18, or liquid can be poured out of the hollow portion 42 via the inlet 18. In the open state, the sealing member 30 prevents liquid from flowing from the inlet 18 into a portion of the proximal end of the lumen 11.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2(b), in the closed position, the sealing member 30 is positioned in the axial direction of the tubular member 10 at approximately the same position as the inlet 18 or at a position closer to the tip. Specifically, when the sealing member 30 is at approximately the same position as the inlet 18, when the tubular member 10 is viewed from the side, the sealing member 30 and the inlet 18 overlap at least partially. At this time, the sealing member 30 is in contact (pressure-contact) with at least a part of the edge of the inlet 18. Preferably, when the tubular member 10 is viewed from the side (from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction), the entire inlet 18 overlaps with the sealing member 30. At this time, it is preferable that the sealing member 30 is in contact (pressure-contact) with approximately the entire edge of the inlet 18 (a part of the tube wall that defines the inlet 18 and is arranged to encircle the inlet 18). As a result, at least a part (preferably all) of the inlet 18 is sealed by the sealing member 30. This prevents liquids from leaking out of the inlet 18. When liquid or the like is injected into the lumen 11 and the hollow portion 42 and the balloon member 40 expands in diameter, leakage of the liquid or the like from the hollow portion 42 to the outside through the lumen 11 and the injection port 18 is suppressed, and the expanded state of the balloon member 40 is maintained. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2(b), when the sealing member 30 is in approximately the same position as the injection port 18, a part of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 30 (especially the large diameter portion 30b) becomes a convex surface that protrudes radially outward, and this convex surface protrudes toward the inside of the injection port 18. Here, the sealing member 30 being in approximately the same position as the injection port 18 means that at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 30 overlaps with at least a part of the injection port 18 in the radial direction.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2(b), in the sealing member 30 of this embodiment, the center in the axial direction is a large-diameter portion 30b, which will be described later, and the diameter decreases from the large-diameter portion 30b toward both ends in the axial direction. The width of the large-diameter portion 30b of the sealing member 30 is greater than the width of the lumen 11 in its natural state (when positioned outside the tubular member 10). This allows the sealing member 30 (large-diameter portion 30b or the small-diameter portion, which will be described later) to be pressed against the wall of the tubular member 10. The shape of the sealing member 30 will be described in detail later.

[0038] In this embodiment, a lubricant (not shown) is placed between the inner wall of the tubular member 10 and the sealing member 30. More specifically, in this embodiment, the lubricant is applied to the inner wall of the tubular member 10 or the outer surface of the sealing member 30, so that the inner wall of the tubular member 10 and the outer surface of the sealing member 30 are in contact via the lubricant. Here, even when the lubricant is placed between the tubular member 10 and the sealing member 30, it is assumed that the tubular member 10 and the sealing member 30 are in contact. The lubricant in this embodiment is grease. Specifically, grease is a material made into a semi-solid or solid state by adding a thickener (sol or gel-like substance) to a raw material lubricating oil (raw material base oil). The lubricant allows the sealing member 30 to slide smoothly against the inner wall of the tubular member 10. Furthermore, the lubricant allows the sealing of the lumen 11 by the sealing member 30 to be performed more effectively.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2(a), in this embodiment, the linear member 20 has two locking portions 25 (a tip-side locking portion 25a and a base-side locking portion 25b). The two locking portions 25 are arranged in the axial direction, sandwiching the sealing member 30. The two locking portions 25 are portions of the linear member 20 that protrude radially from the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20.

[0040] The locking portion 25 is a member that, by locking with the sealing member 30, prevents the sealing member 30 from moving relative to the linear member 20. The locking portion 25 is fixed to the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the locking portion 25 is a flange that protrudes radially from the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20, thereby locking and preventing the sealing member 30 from moving relative to the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20 in the axial direction.

[0041] The locking portion 25 is formed on the tip portion 26 of the linear member 20. The locking portion 25 is formed to protrude radially outward from the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20. In this embodiment, the locking portion 25 is a portion attached to the linear main body portion (shaft portion) that extends axially in the linear member 20, and is a separate member from the main body portion. The locking portion 25 is attached to the main body portion of the linear member 20 by welding or adhesive. In this embodiment, the locking portion 25 is formed from the same material as the main body portion, but it may be formed from a different material. Alternatively, the locking portion 25 may be formed integrally with the main body portion of the linear member 20 from the same material as the main body portion.

[0042] The locking portion 25 may be formed by attaching a spirally formed coil to the main body (shaft portion) of the linear member 20, and then welding or bonding it to the main body. By forming the locking portion 25 using a coil, the coil can be attached regardless of the diameter of the linear member 20, and the formation of the locking portion 25 becomes easier. Furthermore, if the inner diameter of the coil in its natural state is smaller than the diameter of the linear member 20, when the coil is attached to the main body of the linear member 20, the coil is pressed against the main body of the linear member 20, so the position of the coil on the main body can be temporarily fixed. This makes the process of welding or bonding the coil to the main body easier. In addition, compared to the case where the locking portion 25 is formed by an annular metal member, forming the locking portion 25 using a coil makes the design and manufacturing of the locking portion 25 and the linear member 20 easier. Specifically, when the locking portion 25 is formed from an annular metal member, it is necessary to suitably design the dimensional relationship between the inner diameter of the annular metal member and the diameter of the linear member 20 in order to attach and hold the locking portion 25, which is an annular metal member, to the linear member 20, and to manufacture the locking portion 25 and the linear member 20 within a desired tolerance range. In contrast, when the locking portion 25 is formed using a coil, since the locking portion 25 can be expanded or contracted in the radial direction within a predetermined range, it is sufficient to design and manufacture the inner diameter of the locking portion 25 to be smaller than the diameter of the linear member 20 in order to suitably attach the locking portion 25 to the linear member 20.

[0043] Instead of the above-described embodiment, the locking portion 25 may be formed by attaching an annularly formed metal member to the main body portion of the linear member 20 and then welding or adhering it to the main body portion. In this case, the metal member may be formed into a desired shape by swaging or the like. For example, the outer diameter of the metal member may be made uniform by swaging, or the metal member may be formed to have a tapered shape. Alternatively, the locking portion 25 may be formed by applying metal, resin, or the like to the peripheral surface of the main body portion of the linear member 20.

[0044] The two locking portions 25 in the present embodiment are a distal end side locking portion 25a located on the distal end side of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction and a proximal end side locking portion 25b located on the proximal end side of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction. The distal end side locking portion 25a and the proximal end side locking portion 25b are arranged sandwiching the sealing member 30. That is, the two locking portions 25 and the sealing member 30 are arranged in the order of the distal end side locking portion 25a, the sealing member 30, and the proximal end side locking portion 25b from the distal end side in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the end portions of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction are in contact with the distal end side locking portion 25a and the proximal end side locking portion 25b, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. The end portions of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction may be axially spaced from the distal end side locking portion 25a or the proximal end side locking portion 25b. Further, instead of the present embodiment, the locking portion 25 may not be formed on the linear member 20.

[0045] The linear member 20 has a distal end portion 26, an intermediate portion 24, and a proximal end portion 22. The intermediate portion 24 is a part of the linear member 20 on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 26. The proximal end portion 22 is a part of the linear member 20 on the proximal end side of the intermediate portion 24. The distal end portion 26, the intermediate portion 24, and the proximal end portion 22 each have a partial length region having a uniform outer diameter. Also, among the partial length regions of the distal end portion 26, the intermediate portion 24, and the proximal end portion 22, the partial length region of the proximal end portion 22 is the thickest, and the partial length region of the distal end portion 26 is the thinnest.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the proximal end portion 22 of the linear member 20 is a part on the proximal end side of the linear member 20. Specifically, the proximal end portion 22 is a part that protrudes from the proximal end opening 12 to the proximal end side in the linear member 20 and is disposed outside the tubular member 10. The distal end portion 26 of the linear member 20 is a part where the sealing member 30 is fixed in the linear member 20 and the length region in the vicinity thereof. In the present embodiment, the distal end portion 26 is a length region from the distal end in the linear member 20 to slightly closer to the proximal end side than the position where the sealing member 30 is fixed. The intermediate portion 24 of the linear member 20 is a partial length region disposed at a position sandwiched between the proximal end portion 22 and the distal end portion 26 in the linear member 20. Preferably, substantially all of the intermediate portion 24 is disposed in the lumen 11 in the closed position. Also, in the open position, a partial length region on the proximal end side of the intermediate portion 24 may protrude from the proximal end opening 12 to the outside of the lumen 11.

[0047] Each of the proximal end portion 22, the intermediate portion 24, and the distal end portion 26 has a uniform outer diameter in a partial length region or the entire length region in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, each of the proximal end portion 22, the intermediate portion 24, and the distal end portion 26 has a uniform outer diameter in the entire length region in the axial direction. Here, the uniform outer diameter means a substantially uniform outer diameter, and it may not have a completely uniform outer diameter due to slight irregularities or the like. The outer diameter of the tubular member 10, the inner diameter (width of the lumen 11), the outer diameter of the linear member 20 (particularly the outer diameters of the proximal end portion 22, the intermediate portion 24, the distal end portion 26, and the transition portion described later), the size of the sealing member 30, etc. in FIG. 1 are shown exaggerated for convenience. The same applies to FIGS. 2(a) to 3.

[0048] Preferably, the outer diameter of the proximal end portion 22 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tubular member 10. Specifically, the outer diameter of the proximal end portion 22 is preferably not less than two-thirds and less than 1.5 times the outer diameter of the tubular member 10. The lower limit of the outer diameter of the proximal end portion 22 is, for example, 0.250 mm, preferably 0.300 mm. The upper limit of the outer diameter of the proximal end portion 22 is, for example, 0.400 mm, preferably 0.350 mm.

[0049] The outer diameter of the intermediate portion 24 is smaller than the width of the lumen 11 (the dimension of the lumen 11 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction; the diameter of the lumen 11), and preferably less than 85% of the width of the lumen 11. Also, the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the tip portion 26 and smaller than the outer diameter of the base portion 22. Preferably, the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 24 is smaller than the difference between the outer diameter of the tip portion 26 and the outer diameter of the base portion 22. As a result, the intermediate portion 24 has sufficient flexibility, so that even if the difference between the amplitude of the wave-like shape in the intermediate portion 24 and the width of the lumen 11 (clearance, described later) is large, the linear member 20 can be pulled out of the tubular member 10 with a predetermined pull-out strength. This will be described in detail later. In addition, if the outer diameter of the base portion 22 is larger than or equal to the sum of the outer diameters of the tip portion 26 and the intermediate portion 24, it becomes easier to grasp and pull out the base portion 22. Furthermore, by making the outer diameter of the tip portion 26 small, less than the difference between the outer diameter of the base portion 22 and the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 24, the sealing member 30 can be formed sufficiently thick and pressed well against the inner wall of the tubular member 10, thereby improving the sealing performance of the lumen 11 by the sealing member 30. The lower limit of the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 24 is, for example, 0.15 mm, preferably 0.17 mm. The upper limit of the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 24 is, for example, 0.23 mm, preferably 0.20 mm.

[0050] The outer diameter of the tip portion 26 is preferably at least half the width of the lumen 11. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the tip portion 26 is approximately equal to the diameter of the inlet 18. Specifically, the outer diameter of the tip portion 26 is at least two-thirds of the diameter of the inlet 18 and less than 1.5 times. The lower limit of the outer diameter of the tip portion 26 is, for example, 0.10 mm, preferably 0.12 mm. The upper limit of the outer diameter of the tip portion 26 is, for example, 0.20 mm, preferably 0.16 mm.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 and 2(a), the first transition section 21 is located between the tip section 26 and the intermediate section 24. The second transition section 23 is located between the intermediate section 24 and the base section 22. The first transition section 21 and the second transition section 23 each have a tapered shape. The first transition section 21 and the second transition section 23 are partial length regions of the linear member 20 where the rate of change in outer diameter is greater than that of the adjacent base section 22, intermediate section 24, or tip section 26. The rate of change in outer diameter is the amount of change in outer diameter per predetermined length. In this embodiment, the outer diameters of the base section 22, intermediate section 24, and tip section 26 are almost uniform and do not change. Furthermore, from the base section 22 to the intermediate section 24, or from the intermediate section 24 to the tip section 26, the outer diameter of the linear member 20 gradually decreases in the second transition section 23 or the first transition section 21. Alternatively, if the base portion 22, the intermediate portion 24, and the tip portion 26 gradually increase in outer diameter towards the tip at a small rate of change, the portion where the outer diameter changes at a larger rate of change than the rate of change at the base portion 22, etc., may be designated as the transition portion.

[0052] The outer diameter (wire diameter) of the base portion 22 is greater than the width of the lumen 11. As shown in Figure 1, when the linear member 20 is fully inserted into the tubular member 10, a portion of the tip side of the second transition portion 23 is fitted into the lumen 11, and a portion of the base end side of the second transition portion 23 is positioned outside the lumen 11. At this time, the surface of the second transition portion 23 abuts against the base end of the inner wall that defines the lumen 11.

[0053] With the above configuration, when the linear member 20 is passed through the tubular member 10, the second transition portion 23 between the base end portion 22 and the intermediate portion 24 acts as a flange, preventing the linear member 20 from being excessively inserted into the interior of the tubular member 10.

[0054] The surface (slope) of the second transition portion 23 may extend at an angle nearly perpendicular to the axial direction. In other words, the inclination angle of the second transition portion 23 (the smaller of the angles made between the slope of the second transition portion 23 and the axial direction) may be close to 90 degrees. Alternatively, the second transition portion 23 may extend perpendicular to the axial direction. That is, the second transition portion 23 may extend in the radial direction of the linear member 20.

[0055] As described above, because the second transition portion 23 extends substantially perpendicular to the axial direction, when the linear member 20 is completely housed inside the tubular member 10, the outer surface of the base portion 22 and the outer surface of the tubular member 10 become substantially flush. That is, the outer surface of the base portion 22 and the outer surface of the tubular member 10 become approximately continuous surfaces. This allows for the safe use of the catheter and other devices together with the balloon guidewire 1, for example, when it is desired to pass other devices such as catheters through the outer layer of the balloon guidewire 1, without the balloon guidewire 1 unintentionally damaging the lumen (the inner cavity through which the balloon guidewire 1 is inserted) of the catheter, and without generating excessive resistance between the device and the balloon guidewire 1 when the aforementioned devices are used.

[0056] Furthermore, even if the surface (slope) of the second transition portion 23 extends at an angle nearly perpendicular to the axial direction, if the surface of the second transition portion 23 is even slightly inclined with respect to the axial direction, when the linear member 20 is completely housed in the tubular member 10, the base end of the tubular member 10 and the base end portion 22 of the linear member 20 may be slightly separated in the axial direction. In other words, when the linear member 20 is completely housed in the tubular member 10, a portion of the surface of the second transition portion 23 on the base end side may be exposed from the tubular member 10.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1, the intermediate portion 24 has a wave-shaped portion 24c, a first wave-shaped non-formed portion (first non-formed portion 24d), and a second wave-shaped non-formed portion (second non-formed portion 24e). The wave-shaped portion 24c is a part of the intermediate portion 24 in which a wave shape is formed. The first non-formed portion 24d and the second non-formed portion 24e are wave-shaped non-formed portions in which a wave shape is not formed. The first non-formed portion 24d is a partial length region located closer to the base end than the wave-shaped portion 24c. The second non-formed portion 24e is a partial length region located closer to the tip end than the wave-shaped portion 24c.

[0058] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the inlet 18 in the axial direction are larger than the dimensions of the inlet 18 in the width direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member 10. Alternatively, the dimensions of the inlet 18 in the axial direction may be the same as or smaller than the dimensions of the inlet 18 in the width direction of the tubular member 10.

[0059] As described above, in the sealing member 30, the volume of the first portion 31, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the base end of the sealing member 30, is greater than the volume of the second portion 32, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the tip of the sealing member 30. Specifically, when the sealing member 30 is located in the lumen 11, the volume of the first portion 31 is greater than the volume of the second portion 32. Furthermore, in the natural state, the volume of the first portion 31 may be greater than the volume of the second portion 32. The natural state is a state in which the sealing member 30 (particularly the first portion 31 and the second portion 32) is not subjected to stress by the wall of the tubular member 10. For example, the natural state is when the linear member 20 housed inside the tubular member 10 is pulled out of the tubular member 10 and the sealing member 30 is taken outside the tubular member 10.

[0060] The first portion 31 and the second portion 32 are the parts of the main body 33 of the sealing member 30 from the axial center to the base or tip. The main body 33 is the part that is in close contact with the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20 and has thickness in the radial direction from the circumferential surface 20a. In other words, the main body 33 is the main part of the sealing member 30. Here, the main body 33 does not include the covering portion 34 or the hem portion 35 (see Figures 4(a) to 5(b)), which will be described later. This is because the covering portion 34 and the hem portion 35 are not in close contact with the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20. Even if the hem portion 35 extends beyond the base end locking portion 25b and contacts the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20, the hem portion 35 is not included in the main body 33. In other words, in this embodiment having two locking portions 25, the main body portion 33 is the portion of the sealing member 30 sandwiched axially between the two locking portions 25, and has thickness from the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20 to the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 30.

[0061] In this embodiment, the sealing member 30 includes a large-diameter portion 30b and small-diameter portions, namely a tip small-diameter portion 30a and a base small-diameter portion 30c. The large-diameter portion 30b is a part of the sealing member 30 whose outer circumferential surface is in close contact with the inner wall of the tubular member 10. The tip small-diameter portion 30a and the base small-diameter portion 30c have outer circumferential surfaces that are spaced apart from the inner wall of the tubular member 10, and are arranged in the axial direction, sandwiching the large-diameter portion 30b.

[0062] The small-diameter portion (the small-diameter tip portion 30a and the small-diameter base portion 30c) is the portion of the sealing member 30 that has a smaller radial dimension than the large-diameter portion 30b. In this embodiment, the radial dimension of the large-diameter portion 30b is larger than the radial dimension of the lumen 11. On the other hand, the radial dimension of the small-diameter portion is smaller than the radial dimension of the lumen 11. In this embodiment, the large-diameter portion 30b has a uniform wall thickness from the base end to the tip end. That is, the large-diameter portion 30b is a cylindrical member. The wall thickness of the small-diameter portion gradually decreases from one end to the other. Specifically, the wall thickness of the small-diameter base portion 30c gradually decreases from the tip to the base end. In other words, the circumferential surface of the small-diameter base portion 30c has a tapered shape that narrows from the tip to the base end. Also, the wall thickness of the small-diameter tip portion 30a gradually decreases from the base end to the tip. In other words, the circumferential surface of the small-diameter tip portion 30a has a tapered shape that narrows from the base to the tip.

[0063] Since the tip and base ends of the large-diameter portion 30b that presses against the pipe wall of the tubular member 10 are small-diameter portions, it becomes easy to move the sealing member 30 (large-diameter portion 30b) in the axial direction by moving the linear member 20 in the axial direction.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2(a), in this embodiment, the dimension of the tip small diameter portion 30a in the axial direction is larger than the dimension of the base small diameter portion 30c in the axial direction. This makes it possible to facilitate the movement of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction as described above, while also making the volume of the first portion 31 larger than the volume of the second portion 32, thereby preventing the linear member 20 from being unexpectedly pulled out. In this embodiment, the smaller of the angles made between the circumferential surface of the tip small diameter portion 30a and the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the inclination angle of the tip small diameter portion 30a) is smaller than the smaller of the angles made between the circumferential surface of the base small diameter portion 30c and the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the inclination angle of the base small diameter portion 30c). As a result, the volume of the first portion 31 is larger than the volume of the second portion 32.

[0065] In this embodiment, as described above, the sealing member 30 includes a large-diameter portion 30b and a small-diameter portion, but does not include the covering portion 34, which will be described later. In other words, as shown in Figure 2(a), the outer circumferential surface of the base-end small-diameter portion 30c and the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 30b are adjacent in the axial direction. In Figure 2(a), there is a step between the outer circumferential surface of the base-end small-diameter portion 30c and the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 30b, and the outer circumferential surface of the base-end small-diameter portion 30c and the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 30b are adjacent across this step, but this is not limited to this. The outer circumferential surface of the base-end small-diameter portion 30c and the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 30b may be smoothly connected without a step. Also, as shown in Figure 2(a), the outer circumferential surface of the tip-end small-diameter portion 30a and the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion 30b are adjacent in the axial direction with a step in between. The outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter tip portion 30a and the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter tip portion 30b may be smoothly connected without any steps.

[0066] <Second Embodiment> Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show an example of the sealing member 30 according to this embodiment. First, an overview of the balloon-equipped guide wire 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0067] In this embodiment, the balloon-equipped guidewire 1, similar to the first embodiment, has a volume in the first portion 31 that is larger than the volume in the second portion 32.

[0068] Next, the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail. The sealing member 30 of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it has a covering portion 34.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4(a), in this embodiment, the large-diameter portion 30b has a covering portion 34. The covering portion 34 protrudes from a part of the base end side of the large-diameter portion 30b toward the base end side of the linear member 20. In this embodiment, the covering portion 34 is a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the base end of the large-diameter portion 30b toward the axial base end in the axial direction. The covering portion 34 covers the outer diameter side of the base end small-diameter portion 30c. In other words, the covering portion 34 overlaps with the base end small-diameter portion 30c (its circumferential surface) in the radial direction. Because the covering portion 34 that protrudes toward the axial base end side is provided on the sealing member 30, even if the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out toward the axial base end side, the covering portion 34 can function as a return and catch on the pipe wall of the tubular member 10. In addition, the covering portion 34 can increase the area in which the sealing member 30 contacts the pipe wall of the tubular member 10. As a result, even when the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out toward the axial base end, the displacement of the sealing member 30 is effectively suppressed.

[0070] The covering portion 34 covers at least a part of the base end small diameter portion 30c. In this embodiment, the covering portion 34 covers a part of the circumferential surface on the tip side of the base end small diameter portion 30c, and a part of the circumferential surface on the base end side of the base end small diameter portion 30c is exposed from the covering portion 34. In this embodiment, the covering portion 34 covers the entire circumference of the base end small diameter portion 30c. Alternatively, the covering portion 34 may cover only a part of the base end small diameter portion 30c in the radial direction.

[0071] In this embodiment, the circumferential surface of the covering portion 34 (the surface facing the outer diameter) is smoothly connected to the circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 30b. In other words, there is virtually no step between the circumferential surface of the covering portion 34 and the circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 30b. To put it another way, the distance from the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20 to the circumferential surface of the covering portion 34 in the radial direction is the same as the dimension of the large diameter portion 30b in the radial direction (the thickness dimension of the large diameter portion 30b).

[0072] In this embodiment, the covering portion 34 is thinner from the tip side to the base side in the axial direction (from the root of the covering portion 34 towards the protruding end). Specifically, the covering portion 34 is gradually thinner from the tip side to the base side in the axial direction. Alternatively, the covering portion 34 may be stepped from the tip side to the base side in the axial direction, becoming thinner in stages. With the above configuration, the protruding end of the covering portion 34 is flexible, making it easier for the covering portion 34 to function well as a return.

[0073] As shown in Figure 4(b), in this embodiment, a portion of the covering portion 34 (particularly a portion of the covering portion 34 on the axial base end side; in other words, the protruding end of the covering portion 34) is spaced apart from the base end small diameter portion 30c in the radial direction. In other words, there is a gap between the portion of the covering portion 34 in the radial direction and the circumferential surface of the base end small diameter portion 30c. This makes the covering portion 34 more flexible and allows the covering portion 34 to function well as a return. Alternatively, the covering portion 34 may be in surface contact with the circumferential surface of the base end small diameter portion 30c throughout its entire length, from the root to the protruding end.

[0074] As shown in Figure 4(a), in this embodiment, at least a portion of the base end face 34a of the covering portion 34 extends obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member 20. The base end face 34a of the covering portion 34 is also the protruding end of the covering portion 34. The circumferential direction of the linear member 20 is the direction in which the circumferential surface of the linear member 20 is traced around the axis of the linear member 20. Because the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 extends obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member 20, the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 and its vicinity can contact (closely adhere) the pipe wall of the tubular member 10 over a longer distance compared to the case where the end face 34a extends in the circumferential direction. As a result, even when the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out toward the axial base end, displacement of the sealing member 30 is effectively suppressed.

[0075] As shown in Figure 4(a), in this embodiment, the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 is formed in a corrugated shape with alternating protrusions towards the axial tip and base end of the linear member 20. This allows the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 to contact the pipe wall of the tubular member 10 over its entire circumference. Specifically, because the end face 34a extends diagonally with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member 20 over its entire circumference, the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 and its vicinity can contact (closely adhere to) the pipe wall of the tubular member 10 over a longer distance compared to the case where the entire circumference of the end face 34a extends in the circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out towards the axial base end, displacement of the sealing member 30 is effectively suppressed.

[0076] As shown in Figure 4(a), in this embodiment, the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 is located axially closer to the tip than the base end locking portion 25b. More specifically, the entire end face 34a of the covering portion 34 is located axially closer to the tip than the entire base end locking portion 25b. In other words, the length dimension (axial dimension) of the covering portion 34 is smaller than the dimension of the base end small diameter portion 30c in the axial direction. This allows the end face 34a to locally catch on the tube wall of the tubular member 10, primarily when the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out axially towards the base end. Specifically, because the length dimension of the covering portion 34 is small, compared to the case where the length dimension of the covering portion 34 is long, it is less likely that the covering portion 34 will bend and break in the middle of the axial direction when the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out axially towards the base end. Therefore, even if the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out toward the axial base end, the covering portion 34 can maintain its axially extended shape and can effectively catch on the pipe wall of the tubular member 10 by bracing against it.

[0077] Alternatively, the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 may be located axially closer to the base end than the base end locking portion 25b. Specifically, at least a portion of the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 may be located axially closer to the base end than a portion of the base end locking portion 25b. In other words, similar to the hem portion 35 described later, the end face 34a of the covering portion 34 may cover the outer diameter side of the base end locking portion 25b.

[0078] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the first or second embodiment described above, but also includes various modifications, improvements, and other forms as long as the objectives of the present invention are achieved. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0079] The shape of the sealing member 30 is not limited to the shape described above. Figures 5(a) to 6(b) are schematic plan views showing other examples of the sealing member 30 according to this embodiment.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the main body portion 33 was configured to include a small-diameter tip portion 30a, a large-diameter portion 30b (excluding the covering portion 34), and a small-diameter base portion 30c, but is not limited thereto. As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the main body portion 33 may include a small-diameter tip portion 30a and a large-diameter portion 30b, but may not have a small-diameter base portion 30c. Specifically, a part of the main body portion 33 on the tip side, sandwiched between the two locking portions 25, is a tapered small-diameter tip portion 30a that tapers towards the tip, and a part of the main body portion on the base side is a cylindrical large-diameter portion 30b with a wall thickness that is approximately uniform from the tip to the base.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(a) or Figure 5(b), the sealing member 30 may cover the outer diameter side of a locking portion 25 (base-side locking portion 25b) located on the base end side of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction. This increases the area of ​​the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 30 that contacts the pipe wall of the tubular member 10. As a result, even when the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out toward the axial base end side due to the frictional force between the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 30 and the pipe wall of the tubular member 10, displacement of the sealing member 30 is effectively suppressed.

[0082] In Figure 5(a) or Figure 5(b), a portion of the sealing member 30 (the hem portion 35, described later) covers at least a portion of the base-end locking portion 25b. As shown in Figure 5(a), a portion of the sealing member 30 covers a portion of the tip end of the base-end locking portion 25b, and a portion of the base end of the base-end locking portion 25b is exposed from the sealing member 30. Alternatively, a portion of the sealing member 30 may cover the entire outer circumferential surface of the base-end locking portion 25b. In other words, the hem portion 35, described later, may extend axially toward the base end beyond the base end of the base-end locking portion 25b, and the protruding end of the hem portion 35 may be located axially toward the tip end beyond the base end of the base-end locking portion 25b.

[0083] Furthermore, in Figure 5(a), the sealing member 30 covers the outer circumferential surface of the base-side locking portion 25b around its entire circumference. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5(b), the sealing member 30 may cover only a portion of the base-side locking portion 25b in the radial direction, and may not cover the other portion of the base-side locking portion 25b in the radial direction.

[0084] Specifically, the sealing member 30 has a base portion 35 that protrudes axially from a part of the base end side of the large diameter portion 30b toward the base end side and covers the outer diameter side of the base end locking portion 25b. The base portion 35 covers at least a part of the base end locking portion 25b.

[0085] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the end face 35a of the base portion 35 extends obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member 20. In Figure 5(a), the end face 35a of the base portion 35 is formed in a corrugated shape with alternating protrusions in the axial direction towards the tip and base. In Figure 5(b), the base portion 35 is slanted cylindrical, and its end face 35a extends obliquely in a direction intersecting the axial direction from the axial tip to the base over half the circumference of the linear member 20. In other words, the normal direction of the end face 35a has a radial component and an axial component towards the base. In other words, as shown in Figure 5(b), when the linear member 20 is viewed from the side perpendicular to the axial direction, the base portion 35 has a triangular shape. Specifically, in Figure 5(b), a part of the radial portion of the base portion 35 protrudes beyond the base-side locking portion 25b toward the axial base. On the other hand, in the hem portion 35, the portion that faces the radial portion in question across the axis of the linear member 20 is located axially towards the tip of the base end locking portion 25b (particularly one end of its base end).

[0086] As shown in Figure 6(a), when the sealing member 30 includes a small-diameter tip portion 30a and a large-diameter portion 30b but does not include a small-diameter base portion 30c, the sealing member 30 does not need to have a covering portion 34 or a base portion 35. That is, the base end of the large-diameter portion 30b may be located axially towards the tip side of a part of the tip side of the base-side locking portion 25b.

[0087] Furthermore, although it has been explained in the above-described embodiment that a part of the sealing member 30 may cover the outer diameter side of the base-side locking portion 25b, the invention is not limited to this. The sealing member 30 may cover the outer diameter side of at least one of the two locking portions 25 (the tip-side locking portion 25a, the base-side locking portion 25b, or both). For example, as shown in Figure 6(b), a part of the tip-side and a part of the base-side sealing member 30 cover at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the tip-side locking portion 25a and at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the base-side locking portion 25b, respectively. Alternatively, a part of the sealing member 30 (particularly a part of the tip-side) may cover at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the tip-side locking portion 25a, while the entire outer circumferential surface of the base-side locking portion 25b is exposed from the sealing member 30. In other words, the sealing member 30 may cover only the outer diameter side of the tip-side locking portion 25a and not the outer diameter side of the base-side locking portion 25b.

[0088] In this way, because the sealing member 30 covers the outer diameter side of at least one of the locking portions 25, the outer surface of the sealing member 30 can contact the wall of the tubular member 10 over a larger area. As a result, even when the linear member 20 is unexpectedly pulled out toward the axial base end due to the frictional force between the outer surface of the sealing member 30 and the wall of the tubular member 10, displacement of the sealing member 30 is effectively suppressed.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above case, the volume of the first part 31 may be larger than the volume of the second part, equal to the volume of the second part 32, or smaller than the volume of the second part 32. Also, in Figure 6(b), the sealing member 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. In other words, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 30 is smoothly continuous from the base end to the tip. In other words, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 30 has a uniform height in the radial direction from the base end to the tip, with reference to the circumferential surface 20a of the linear member 20.

[0090] In addition, instead of Figure 6(b), if the sealing member 30 covers only the outer diameter side of the tip-side locking portion 25a and not the outer diameter side of the base-side locking portion 25b as described above, the sealing member 30 may include the base-side small-diameter portion 30c and the large-diameter portion 30b, but may not include the tip-side small-diameter portion 30a.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, the carotid artery was used as an example of the blood vessel in which the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is placed, but this is just one example and is not limited to this; other blood vessels such as the aorta may also be used. In this case, since the inner diameter differs depending on the blood vessel, the dimensions of the balloon member 40 can be appropriately changed. Furthermore, the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 may also be used for post-dilation of a stent graft (not shown) placed in another blood vessel (for example, the aorta), and similarly, the dimensions of the balloon member 40 can be appropriately changed according to the inner diameter of the stent graft. Specifically, when the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is placed in the aorta or used for post-dilation of a stent graft, the width dimension of the balloon member 40 in its large diameter state is approximately 20 mm to 40 mm.

[0092] In the embodiment described above, the shape of the injection port 18 when viewed from above was elongated in the axial direction, but it is not limited to this. It may also be circular, a polygon including a regular polygon, or any other shape.

[0093] The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of the above-described embodiment may be provided as a component of a catheter set. Specifically, the catheter set includes the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 and a catheter 200 as shown in Figure 8. The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is inserted into the catheter 200. Specifically, the catheter 200 has a wire lumen 210 extending along the longitudinal direction of the catheter 200, and the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is inserted into the wire lumen 210. The width of the wire lumen 210 is greater than the outer diameter of the tubular member 10 (particularly the portion closer to the proximal end than the balloon member 40). Specifically, after inserting the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 into the body lumen, the proximal end of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is passed through the wire lumen 210, allowing the catheter 200 to advance with the outer layer side of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 toward the tip. In this embodiment, the width of the wire lumen 210 may be smaller or larger than the width of the balloon member 40 in its contracted or expanded state. For example, if the width of the wire lumen 210 is smaller than the width of the balloon member 40 in its contracted or expanded state, the catheter 200, which has advanced along the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 toward the tip of the body lumen, can stop at a position closer to the proximal end than the balloon member 40. In this embodiment, the wire lumen 210 is provided only in a portion of the tip of the catheter 200.

[0094] The catheter 200 has a main lumen 220 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 200 and is different from the wire lumen 210. Through the main lumen 220, the catheter 200 is used to supply a drug to a body lumen or to aspirate and remove substances from the body lumen.

[0095] In the catheter 200, it is preferable that the opening end (tip) of the wire lumen 210 protrudes distally to the opening of the main lumen 220. In other words, the portion of the catheter 200 that forms the opening of the wire lumen 210 protrudes distally to the portion of the catheter 200 that forms the opening of the main lumen 220. In this embodiment, the tip of the catheter 200 (particularly the portion where the main lumen 220 may be formed) is cut out of a smooth curved surface. That is, the tip surface of the catheter 200 extends obliquely with respect to the axial direction. As a result, the tip of the wire lumen 210 is positioned further distal to the catheter 200 than the tip of the main lumen 220. Alternatively, the tip surface of the catheter 200 (main lumen 220) may be perpendicular to the axial direction. In this case, the tip of the wire lumen 210 may be positioned at the very front of the catheter 200 by positioning the tip surface of the main lumen 220 proximal to the tip surface of the wire lumen 210. Alternatively, the tip surface of the catheter 200 (main lumen 220) may extend in a direction that intersects the axial direction at an angle. In other words, when the catheter 200 is viewed from the side (viewed radially), the tip surface of the catheter 200 (main lumen 220) may be a straight line with an inclination angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. Here, the inclination angle is the smaller angle between the tip surface of the catheter 200 (main lumen 220) and the axial direction. In this case, the inclination angle of the tip surface of the catheter 200 (main lumen 220) is preferably 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less.

[0096] <Third Embodiment> (Balloon-equipped Guidewire) The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The schematic plan view showing an example of the third embodiment is the same as Figure 1 according to the first embodiment. Explanations that overlap with the explanations of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0097] There was still room for improvement in the injection of fluid into a balloon via an inlet (corresponding to inlet 18 in this embodiment) in conventional guide wires, or in the discharge of fluid from a balloon via said inlet. To facilitate the injection or discharge of fluid, a large inlet is preferable. On the other hand, if a large inlet is provided in the tube wall of the guide wire, the bending rigidity or bending strength of the guide wire may decrease near the inlet. As a result, the operability of the guide wire may decrease.

[0098] The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 according to this embodiment solves the above-mentioned problems and provides a balloon-equipped guidewire 1 that allows for easier injection or dispensing of fluid through the injection port while maintaining the bending rigidity or bending strength of the guidewire near the injection port.

[0099] First, an overview of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment will be described. The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 comprises a tubular member 10, a balloon member 40, and a linear member 20. The tubular member 10 has a lumen 11, and an opening (inlet 18) is provided in the wall of the tube at its base end. The lumen is open to the outside through the opening. The balloon member 40 is provided on the outer diameter side of the tip portion (mounting portion 13, which will be described later) of the tubular member 10. The inside (hollow portion 42) of the balloon member 40 is in communication with the lumen 11 of the tubular member 10. The balloon member 40 is an expandable member that can be expanded by increasing the volume of its inside (hollow portion 42). The linear member 20 is positioned in the lumen 11 at the base end of the tubular member 10. The linear member 20 is a member that can move in the axial direction of the tubular member 10.

[0100] A sealing member 30 is provided at the tip of the linear member 20. The sealing member 30 is in close contact with a part of the inner wall of the tubular member 10 (the wall portion defining the lumen 11). The sealing member 30 moves between a closed position and an open position as the linear member moves in the axial direction. The closed position is the position of the sealing member 30 that blocks the inlet 18, or that is positioned distal to the inlet 18, and blocks the flow of fluid from the inlet 18 into the interior. Blocking the flow of fluid means that the flow of fluid is sufficiently restricted (the fluid is dammed up) so that the expanded diameter state of the balloon member 40 can be maintained for a predetermined time, and is not limited to completely blocking the flow of fluid. For example, if at least a part of the inlet 18 is blocked by the sealing member 30, or if at least a part of the sealing member 30 is located on the distal side of the inlet 18, the sealing member 30 can be said to be in the closed position. In the closed position, a portion of the lumen 11 (the portion closer to the tip than the sealing member 30) and the hollow portion 42 are sealed in a liquid-tight or airtight manner. The open position is one of the positions of the sealing member 30, and is located closer to the base end of the tubular member 10 than the inlet 18.

[0101] The axial dimension of the opening (inlet 18) is larger than the axial dimension of the opening (inlet 18) in the width direction of the tubular member. As described above, because the axial dimension of the opening (inlet 18) is larger than the axial dimension of the opening (inlet 18) in the width direction of the tubular member, compared to the case where both dimensions are the same, it is possible to more easily inject or dispense fluid through the inlet 18 while maintaining the rigidity of the tubular member 10 (guide wire) near the inlet 18. Specifically, by increasing the axial dimension of the opening (inlet 18), the opening area of ​​the opening (inlet 18) can be increased, making it easier to inject fluid into the balloon member 40 or dispense fluid from the balloon member 40 through the opening (inlet 18). On the other hand, because the axial dimension of the opening (inlet 18) in the width direction of the tubular member 10 is limited, the rigidity of the tubular member 10 near the opening (inlet 18) can be kept high. For example, by making the dimensions of the opening (inlet 18) in the width direction of the tubular member 10 large, it is prevented that a portion of the tubular member 10 near the opening (inlet 18) becomes substantially narrower, thereby suppressing the occurrence of unexpected bending of the tubular member 10 near the opening (inlet 18). As a result, in the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to more easily inject or dispense fluid through the inlet 18 while maintaining the rigidity of the guidewire (tubular member 10) near the inlet 18.

[0102] As will be explained later, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2(a), the volume of the first portion 31 of the sealing member 30, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the base end of the sealing member 30, is larger than the volume of the second portion 32 of the sealing member 30, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the tip of the sealing member 30. Alternatively, the volumes of the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 may be approximately the same. For example, the dimensions of the tip small diameter portion 30a, described later, in the axial direction may be approximately the same as the dimensions of the base small diameter portion 30c, described later, in the axial direction.

[0103] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7(a), the dimension of the inlet 18 in the axial direction (longitudinal dimension L1) is larger than the dimension of the inlet 18 in the width direction of the tubular member 10 (shortitudinal dimension L2). The width direction of the tubular member 10 is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member 10 (left-right direction in the figure) (up-down direction in the figure). Here, the dimension of the inlet 18 in the axial direction or the width direction of the tubular member 10 is the maximum dimension of the inlet 18 when viewed from above. In other words, the dimension of the inlet 18 in the width direction of the tubular member 10 is the dimension of the inlet 18 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (up-down direction in Figure 7(a)) when viewed from above.

[0104] In this embodiment, the shape of the inlet 18 when viewed from above is elliptical. Specifically, the shape of the inlet 18 when viewed from above is elliptical with its major axis aligned with the axial direction. Here, the term "elliptical" is not limited to a perfect ellipse. That is, the term "elliptical" here refers to a circular shape with a predetermined direction as its longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the shape of the inlet 18 when viewed from above may be a polygon that is elongated in the axial direction, or a shape other than a circle or polygon.

[0105] As shown in Figure 7(a), the longitudinal direction of the elliptical inlet 18 (the direction indicated by the dashed line A in the figure) may perfectly coincide with the axial direction. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7(b), the longitudinal direction of the elliptical inlet 18 (the direction indicated by the dashed line A in the figure) may extend at an angle with respect to the axial direction. This allows a larger portion of the wall portion defining the inlet 18 (part of the lumen 11, the inner wall surface 18a facing into the inlet 18) to extend in a direction intersecting the axial direction, compared to the case where the longitudinal direction coincides with the axial direction. This is because, by tilting the longitudinal direction of the elliptical inlet 18 to intersect the axial direction, a portion of the inner wall surface 18a along the longitudinal direction of the ellipse extends at an angle with respect to the axial direction, compared to the case where the longitudinal direction coincides with the axial direction. In this way, since more of the wall portion defining the injection port 18 extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction, even if unexpected stress is applied to the linear member 20 while the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 is in use, the sealing member 30 is prevented from shifting in the axial direction. For example, when the sealing member 30 is in the closed position (particularly at or near the injection port 18), even if unexpected stress is applied to the linear member 20 and the sealing member 30 is about to move in the axial direction, the inner wall surface 18a extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and the axial movement of the sealing member 30 is suppressed by the inner wall surface 18a.

[0106] Here, it is preferable that the longitudinal direction of the elliptical inlet 18 has an axial component that is larger than the widthwise component of the tubular member 10. In other words, it is preferable that the smaller of the angles (angle of inclination) between the axial direction and the longitudinal direction when the inlet 18 is viewed from above is greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees. More preferably, the angle of inclination is greater than 5 degrees and less than 30 degrees.

[0107] As shown in Figure 9(a), in this embodiment, the tube wall of the tubular member 10 has a claw portion 18b. The claw portion 18b is a part of the tube wall that protrudes from the wall portion (inner wall surface 18a) defining the inlet 18 toward the center of the inlet 18. The center of the inlet 18 is near the center of the inlet 18 when viewed from above. In other words, the claw portion 18b protrudes radially inward from the inner wall surface 18a toward the inlet 18. The radial direction of the inlet 18 is the radial direction from the center of the inlet 18 toward the periphery of the inlet 18 (inner wall surface 18a) when viewed from above. This radial direction may also be called the radial direction. With such a claw portion 18b provided, the sealing member 30 in the closed position catches on the claw portion 18b, thereby locking the movement of the sealing member 30. As a result, the sealing member 30 is prevented from moving unexpectedly in the axial direction (such as the sealing member 30 unexpectedly coming loose).

[0108] As shown in Figure 9(a), the claw portion 18b is formed only on a part of the inner wall surface 18a. In other words, a part of the inner wall surface 18a is a claw portion forming region, and the other part of the inner wall surface 18a is a claw portion non-forming region where the claw portion 18b is not formed. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the claw portion 18b may be formed around the entire circumference of the inner wall surface 18a.

[0109] As shown in Figure 9(a), in this embodiment, the claw portion 18b extends along the circumferential direction of the inlet 18 (the direction that circles the inlet 18). In other words, the claw portion 18b in this embodiment is a projection having a certain length in the circumferential direction of the inlet 18. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9(a) or Figure 10, the shape of the tip of the claw portion 18b when the inlet 18 is viewed from above is wave-shaped. In other words, the protruding length of some of the claw portions 18b (protruding length L3, described later) is greater than or less than the protruding length of other parts of the claw portions 18b (particularly parts adjacent to that part). To put it another way, the claw portion 18b in this embodiment has a wave-like shape in which convex and concave portions are alternately repeated in the direction that circles the inner wall of the inlet 18. In this embodiment, the convex and concave portions in the wave-like shape of the claw portion 18b are arranged at regular intervals, but instead, the intervals between the convex and concave portions may be irregular.

[0110] Alternatively, the claw portion 18b may be one or more protrusions scattered on the inner wall surface 18a of the inlet 18. Also, in this embodiment, two claw portions 18b are formed on the tube wall of the tubular member 10. The tube wall of the tubular member 10 may have only one claw portion 18b, or it may have two or more claw portions 18b.

[0111] In this embodiment, the claw portion 18b protrudes axially from the wall portion (first region 18c) that defines the end of the injection port 18 in the axial direction. The first region 18c is a part that defines the end of the injection port 18 in the axial direction. In other words, the first region 18c is a part of the inner wall surface 18a that faces either direction in the axial direction. The fact that the claw portion 18b protrudes axially means that the protruding direction of the claw portion 18b has an axial component. Preferably, the protruding direction of the claw portion 18b has an axial component that is larger than the width direction of the tubular member 10. Because the claw portion 18b is formed in the first region 18c and protrudes axially, the above-mentioned effect of suppressing the unintended axial movement of the sealing member 30 can be obtained more effectively.

[0112] As shown in Figure 9(b), in this embodiment, the protruding length L3 of the claw portion 18b that protrudes from the wall portion (inner wall surface 18a) defining the inlet 18 is smaller than the thickness L4 of the pipe wall of the tubular member 10. This prevents the claw portion 18b from biting into the sealing member 30 and causing unexpected deformation of the sealing member 30. The protruding length L3 of the claw portion 18b that protrudes from the wall portion (inner wall surface 18a) is the length from the inner wall surface 18a to the tip of the claw portion 18b in a direction perpendicular to the inner wall surface 18a. Here, the protruding length L3 of the claw portion 18b refers to the maximum protruding length of the claw portion 18b.

[0113] Alternatively, the protruding length L3 of the claw portion 18b protruding from the inner wall surface 18a may be greater than the thickness L4 of the pipe wall. This allows the claw portion 18b to sufficiently catch on the sealing member 30, and the movement of the sealing member 30 can be sufficiently locked by the claw portion 18b.

[0114] As shown in Figure 9(b), in this embodiment, the thickness of the claw portion 18b decreases from the base end (root of the claw portion 18b) to the tip (protruding end of the claw portion 18b). Compared to the case where the thickness of the claw portion 18b is uniform from the base to the protruding end, the claw portion 18b becomes thinner towards the tip and has more flexibility towards the tip. As a result, when the sealing member 30 is moved in the axial direction, even if the tip of the claw portion bites into the sealing member 30, the claw portion deforms flexibly and breakage is suppressed.

[0115] In this embodiment, the thickness of the claw portion 18b gradually decreases from the base end to the tip. Alternatively, the claw portion 18b may be formed in a stepped shape from the base end to the tip, and the thickness of the claw portion 18b may decrease in stages from the base end to the tip.

[0116] As shown in Figure 9(b), in this embodiment, the inner surface 18d of the claw portion 18b facing the inner diameter side (lower side in Figure 9(b)) of the tubular member 10 is connected to the inner wall 10a of the tubular member 10. Also, the outer surface 18e of the claw portion 18b facing the outer diameter side (upper side in Figure 9(b)) of the tubular member 10 is positioned on the inner diameter side (lower side in Figure 9(b)) than the outer wall 10b of the tubular member 10. As a result, the claw portion 18b can make good contact with the sealing member 30. Here, when we say that the surface of the claw portion 18b (inner surface 18d, etc.) is connected to the surface of the tubular member 10 (inner wall 10a, etc.), we mean that there is substantially no step difference between the surface of the claw portion 18b and the inner wall 10a of the tubular member 10. More specifically, the statement that the surface of the claw portion 18b (inner surface 18d, etc.) is connected to the surface of the tubular member 10 (inner wall 10a, etc.) means that the surface of the tubular member 10 and the surface of the injection port 18 are at the same height in the thickness direction (radial direction of the tubular member 10) of the tubular member 10.

[0117] In this embodiment, the inner surface 18d of the injection port 18 is located on the extension of the inner wall 10a. On the other hand, there is a step between the outer surface 18e of the tubular member 10 and the outer wall 10b, and the outer surface 18e is inclined from the step to the tip of the claw portion 18b so as to approach the axis of the tubular member 10 (radially inward of the tubular member 10).

[0118] Alternatively, the outer surface 18e of the claw portion 18b may be connected to the outer wall 10b of the tubular member 10, and the inner surface 18d of the claw portion 18b may be positioned on the outer diameter side of the inner wall 10a of the tubular member 10. This prevents the claw portion 18b from unexpectedly biting too deeply into the sealing member 30 and deforming the sealing member 30.

[0119] The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 in this embodiment may also possess all the features of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 described in the first or second embodiment, in addition to the features described in this embodiment.

[0120] Specifically, in the sealing member 30 of this embodiment, the volume of the first portion 31, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the base end of the sealing member 30, is larger than the volume of the second portion 32, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the tip of the sealing member 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, even if an unexpected stress is applied to the linear member 20 that could cause the linear member 20 to be pulled out of the tubular member 10, the sealing member 30 is less likely to shift. In this embodiment, since the dimensions of the injection port 18 in the axial direction are larger than the dimensions of the injection port 18 in the width direction of the tubular member, and the volume of the first portion 31 is larger than the volume of the second portion 32, fluid can be stably injected into the balloon member 40 via the injection port 18 or fluid can be extracted from the balloon member 40, without being affected by unexpected stress applied to the linear member 20 or the rigidity of the tubular member 10.

[0121] Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the dimension of the tip small diameter portion 30a in the axial direction may be larger than the dimension of the base small diameter portion 30c in the axial direction. Also, similar to the second embodiment, in this embodiment, the large diameter portion 30b may have the covering portion 34 described above. Furthermore, the end face on the base end side of the covering portion 34 may extend obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member 20. In addition, the sealing member 30 may cover the outer diameter side of a locking portion 25 located on the base end side of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction. Because the volume of the first portion 31 is larger than the volume of the second portion 32, and because it has at least one or more of the above-described features, fluid can be stably injected into the balloon member 40 via the injection port 18 or fluid can be extracted from the balloon member 40 without being affected by unexpected stresses applied to the linear member 20 and the rigidity of the tubular member 10.

[0122] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 11(a) is a schematic plan view showing an example of an injection port 18 of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 according to this embodiment. First, an overview of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0123] As shown in Figure 11(a), the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that, similar to the third embodiment, the dimensions of the injection port 18 in the axial direction are larger than the dimensions of the injection port 18 in the width direction of the tubular member 10.

[0124] Next, the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail. The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that a claw portion is not provided on the pipe wall.

[0125] The brittleness of at least a portion of the peripheral portion 10c that forms the opening (injection port 18) in the wall of the tubular member 10 is greater than the brittleness of another portion (adjacent portion 10d) located adjacent to the peripheral portion 10c on the side further away from the opening (injection port 18) than the peripheral portion 10c in the wall of the tubular member 10. In other words, the other portion located adjacent to the peripheral portion 10c on the side further away from the opening in the wall of the tubular member 10 is a portion of the wall located adjacent to the peripheral portion 10c on the radial side of the injection port 18. In this embodiment, the other portion located adjacent to the peripheral portion 10c on the wall of the tubular member 10 on the side further away from the injection port 18 than the peripheral portion 10c is a portion of the wall (adjacent portion 10d) located adjacent to the peripheral portion 10c on the radial side of the injection port 18.

[0126] The radial direction of the inlet 18 is the radial direction (radial direction) from the center of the inlet 18 toward the inner wall surface 18a when the inlet 18 is viewed from above. Here, brittleness refers to the ease with which a portion of the pipe wall breaks when stress is applied to that portion. In this case, the portion does not deform substantially, but it may deform slightly.

[0127] Thus, because the peripheral portion 10c that forms the inlet 18 on the pipe wall is more brittle than other parts of the pipe wall, the linear member 20 prevents the inlet 18 from being unexpectedly deformed. As a result, when the sealing member 30 seals the inlet 18, the lumen 11 is maintained in a good liquid-tight state. Specifically, even if the main body (shaft portion) of the linear member 20 or the locking portion 25 of the linear member 20 unexpectedly strikes the inner wall surface 18a of the inlet 18 or its vicinity when the linear member 20 is moved in the axial direction, the highly brittle peripheral portion 10c will break (including partial breakage accompanied by deformation), thereby preventing the inlet 18 from being unexpectedly deformed beyond the range in which the peripheral portion 10c is broken or deformed.

[0128] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the brittleness of the peripheral portion 10c is greater than the brittleness of the linear member 20. As a result, even if the linear member 20 unexpectedly strikes the inner wall surface 18a of the injection port 18 or its vicinity, the deformation of the linear member 20 is suppressed by the fracture of the highly brittle peripheral portion 10c. This suppresses unexpected deformation of the linear member 20. As a result, unnecessary friction between the linear member 20 and the pipe wall of the tubular member 10 is less likely to occur during the movement of the linear member 20 in the axial direction.

[0129] In this embodiment, the overall brittleness of the peripheral portion 10c is greater than that of the adjacent portion 10d. Alternatively, the brittleness of a portion of the peripheral portion 10c may be greater than that of the adjacent portion 10d, and the brittleness of other portions of the peripheral portion 10c may be less than that of the adjacent portion 10d. For example, only a portion of the peripheral portion 10c, including the wall portion (first region 18c) that defines the end of the injection port 18 in the axial direction, may have a greater brittleness than that of the adjacent portion 10d. This allows a portion of the peripheral portion 10c, including the first region 18c which can come into strong contact with the sealing member 30, to have high brittleness. In this case, the brittleness of a portion of the peripheral portion 10c that does not include the first region 18c may be less than that of the adjacent portion 10d.

[0130] The peripheral portion 10c is a part of the tube wall of the tubular member 10 that includes the inner wall surface 18a and forms the inlet 18. In this embodiment, the peripheral portion 10c is a part of the tube wall of the tubular member 10 that has a constant width in the radial direction of the inlet 18. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11(b), in this embodiment, the inner wall surface 18a that defines the inlet 18 is a convex surface that protrudes toward the inside of the inlet 18. The part of the tube wall of the tubular member 10 that forms this convex surface is the peripheral portion 10c in this embodiment. Alternatively, the peripheral portion 10c may be a part of the tube wall of the tubular member 10 that has a larger width in the radial direction, or a part of the tube wall of the tubular member 10 that has a smaller width.

[0131] In this embodiment, the peripheral portion 10c has a certain degree of brittleness by having one or more of the following configurations (hereinafter referred to as brittleness-retaining means).

[0132] The first brittleness-preserving means is that the peripheral portion 10c contains more voids internally than the adjacent portion 10d. For example, in this embodiment, the peripheral portion 10c is porous and contains more voids internally than the adjacent portion 10d.

[0133] The second brittleness-retaining means, as will be described later, is that the peripheral portion 10c is formed by a plurality of granular portions 18f. Because the peripheral portion 10c is formed by a plurality of granular portions 18f, the peripheral portion 10c can crumble (break) in such a way that the granular portions 18f are separated from each other.

[0134] In this embodiment, the peripheral portion 10c is equipped with both the first and second brittleness-retaining means. Alternatively, the peripheral portion 10c may be equipped with only one of the first or second brittleness-retaining means.

[0135] As shown in Figure 11(c), the peripheral portion 10c may be formed by a plurality of granular portions 18f. The granular portions 18f are substantially spherical granular metal pieces. In this embodiment, the granular portions 18f are joined to each other while maintaining their granular appearance. This effectively suppresses axial displacement of the sealing member 30, which is positioned in a closed position near the granular portions 18f, compared to the case where the peripheral portion 10c does not have a plurality of granular portions 18f. Specifically, when the sealing member 30 is positioned to face a plurality of granular portions 18f, the sealing member 30 can press against the uneven surface created by the plurality of granular portions 18f, deforming slightly as it does so, and thus adhere closely to the uneven surface by fitting into the recesses of the uneven surface. As a result, the frictional force between the sealing member 30 and the uneven surface increases, and the sealing member 30 and the uneven surface engage with each other, so that even if an unexpected force is applied to the linear member 20 and it is about to be unexpectedly pulled out, for example, the sealing member 30 is less likely to be unexpectedly displaced in the axial direction. At this time, the granular portions 18f may be firmly joined to each other or to the granular portions 18f and the tube wall of the tubular member 10. In other words, the peripheral portion 10c does not have to have high brittleness. If the peripheral portion 10c has high brittleness due to the granular portions 18f, the effect is obtained that the injection port 18 is less likely to be unexpectedly deformed by the linear member 20 as described above. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 11(d), the peripheral portion 10c does not have to have granular portions 18f.

[0136] The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 of this embodiment has the same features as the third embodiment. When viewed from above, the shape of the inlet 18 is elliptical, and the longitudinal direction of the elliptical inlet 18 is inclined with respect to the axial direction. Alternatively, the shape of the inlet 18 may be other shapes, and the longitudinal direction of the elliptical inlet 18 may coincide with the axial direction.

[0137] The balloon-equipped guidewire 1 in the fourth embodiment may also possess all the features of the balloon-equipped guidewire 1 described in the first or second embodiment, in addition to the features described in this embodiment.

[0138] Specifically, in the sealing member 30 of this embodiment, the volume of the first portion 31, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the base end of the sealing member 30, is larger than the volume of the second portion 32, from the axial center of the sealing member 30 to the tip of the sealing member 30. As a result, as described in the first embodiment, even if an unexpected stress is applied to the linear member 20 that could cause the linear member 20 to be pulled out of the tubular member 10, the sealing member 30 is less likely to shift. In this embodiment, at least a part of the peripheral portion 10c is highly brittle, and furthermore, as described above, the volume of the first portion 31 is larger than the volume of the second portion 32, so that the sealing member 30 can continue to seal the inlet 18 well and maintain the lumen 11 in a liquid-tight state.

[0139] Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the dimension of the small-diameter tip portion 30a in the axial direction may be larger than the dimension of the small-diameter base portion 30c in the axial direction. Also, similar to the second embodiment, in this embodiment, the large-diameter portion 30b may have the covering portion 34 described above. Furthermore, the end face on the base end side of the covering portion 34 may extend obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member 20. In addition, the sealing member 30 may cover the outer diameter side of a locking portion 25 located on the base end side of the sealing member 30 in the axial direction. As in this embodiment, by having high brittleness in at least a part of the peripheral portion 10c, and further having one or more of the above-described features, the sealing member 30 can continue to seal the inlet 18 well, and the lumen 11 can continue to be maintained in a liquid-tight state.

[0140] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications, improvements, and other forms as long as the objectives of the present invention are achieved.

[0141] The above embodiment encompasses the following technical concept: (1) A balloon guide wire having a lumen and an opening hole provided in the wall of the tube at its base end through which the lumen is open to the outside; a balloon member provided on the outer diameter side of the tip of the tubular member, the interior of which is in communication with the lumen of the tubular member, and which can be expanded by increasing the internal volume; and a linear member disposed in the lumen at the base end of the tubular member and movable in the axial direction of the tubular member, wherein a sealing member is provided at the tip of the linear member that adheres to a part of the inner wall of the tubular member, and the sealing member moves between a closed position that blocks the opening hole or is positioned further forward than the opening hole to block the flow of fluid from the opening hole toward the interior of the balloon member and an open position that is closer to the base end of the tubular member than the opening hole, as the linear member moves in the axial direction. A balloon-equipped guidewire, wherein the volume of the first portion of the sealing member from the axial center of the sealing member to the base end of the sealing member is greater than the volume of the second portion of the sealing member from the axial center of the sealing member to the tip of the sealing member. (2) The sealing member includes a large diameter portion whose outer circumferential surface is in close contact with the inner wall of the tubular member, and a small diameter tip portion and a small diameter base portion whose outer circumferential surfaces are spaced apart from the inner wall and arranged on either side of the large diameter portion in the axial direction, wherein (2-1) the smaller of the angles made between the circumferential surface of the small diameter tip portion and the axial direction is smaller than the smaller of the angles made between the circumferential surface of the small diameter base portion and the axial direction. The balloon-equipped guidewire, wherein the dimension of the small diameter tip portion in the axial direction is greater than the dimension of the small diameter base portion in the axial direction. (3) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (2), wherein the large-diameter portion has a covering portion that protrudes from a part of the base end side of the large-diameter portion toward the base end side of the linear member and covers the outer diameter side of the base end small-diameter portion. (3-1) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (3), wherein the circumferential surface of the covering portion is smoothly connected to the circumferential surface of the large-diameter portion. (3-2) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (3), wherein the covering portion becomes thinner from the tip side toward the base end side in the axial direction.(4) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (3), wherein the end face of the covering portion on the base end side extends obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member. (4-1) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (4), wherein the end face of the covering portion is formed in a corrugated shape with alternating protrusions in the axial direction toward the tip and base end of the linear member. (5) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the linear member has two locking portions arranged on either side of the sealing member in the axial direction and protruding radially from the circumferential surface of the linear member, and the sealing member covers the outer diameter side of one of the locking portions located on the base end side of the sealing member in the axial direction. (6) A balloon guide wire comprising: a tubular member having a lumen and having an opening in the wall of the tube at its base end through which the lumen is open to the outside; a balloon member provided on the outer diameter side of the tip of the tubular member, the interior of which is in communication with the lumen of the tubular member, and which can be expanded by increasing the internal volume; and a linear member disposed in the lumen at the base end of the tubular member and movable in the axial direction of the tubular member, wherein the tip of the linear member is provided with a sealing member that adheres tightly to a part of the inner wall of the tubular member, the sealing member moves between a closed position that blocks the opening or is positioned further forward than the opening to block the flow of fluid from the opening towards the interior of the balloon member and an open position that is closer to the base end of the tubular member than the opening, as the linear member moves in the axial direction, the linear member has two locking portions that are positioned on either side of the sealing member in the axial direction and protrude radially from the circumferential surface of the linear member. The sealing member is a balloon-equipped guide wire that covers the outer diameter side of at least one of the two locking portions.(7) A balloon-equipped guidewire according to any one of (1) to (6), comprising: a tubular member having a lumen and having an opening in the wall of the tubular member at its base end through which the lumen is open to the outside; a balloon member provided on the outer diameter side of the tip of the tubular member, the interior of which is in communication with the lumen of the tubular member, and which can be expanded by increasing the internal volume; and a linear member disposed in the lumen at the base end of the tubular member and movable in the axial direction of the tubular member, wherein a sealing member is provided at the tip of the linear member that adheres to a part of the inner wall of the tubular member, the sealing member moves between a closed position that blocks the opening or is positioned further forward than the opening to block the flow of fluid from the opening towards the interior of the balloon member and an open position that is closer to the base end of the tubular member than the opening, as the linear member moves in the axial direction, and the axial dimension of the opening is larger than the width dimension of the opening in the tubular member. (8) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (7), wherein the tube wall has a claw portion that protrudes from the wall portion defining the opening toward the center of the opening. (8-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (8), wherein the claw portion extends along the circumferential direction of the opening. (8-2) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (8), wherein the claw portion extends along the circumferential direction of the opening, and the shape of the tip of the claw portion when the opening is viewed from above is wave-shaped. (9) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (8), wherein the claw portion protrudes along the axial direction from the wall portion defining the axial end of the opening. (10) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (9), wherein the protruding length of the claw portion protruding from the wall portion is less than the thickness of the tube wall. (10-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (9), wherein the protruding length of the claw portion protruding from the wall portion is greater than the thickness of the tube wall. (11) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (10), wherein the thickness dimension of the claw portion decreases from the base end to the tip.(12) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (11), wherein the inner surface of the claw portion facing the inner diameter side of the tubular member is connected to the inner wall of the tubular member, and the outer surface of the claw portion facing the outer diameter side of the tubular member is located on the inner diameter side of the outer wall of the tubular member. (12-1) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (11), wherein the outer surface of the claw portion facing the outer diameter side of the tubular member is connected to the outer wall of the tubular member, and the inner surface of the claw portion facing the inner diameter side of the tubular member is located on the outer diameter side of the inner wall of the tubular member. (13) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (7), wherein the brittleness of at least a portion of the peripheral edge forming the opening hole in the tube wall is greater than the brittleness of other portions located adjacent to the peripheral edge further away from the opening hole in the tube wall. (13-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (13), wherein the brittleness of a portion of the peripheral edge, including the inner wall surface defining the end of the opening in the axial direction, is greater than the brittleness of the other portion. (13-2) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (13), wherein the peripheral edge has a brittleness-retaining means for maintaining the brittleness of the peripheral edge. (13-3) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (13-2), wherein the peripheral edge contains more voids internally than the other portion. (13-4) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (13-2) or (13-3), wherein the peripheral edge is formed by a plurality of granular portions. (7-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the shape of the opening when viewed facing the opening is elliptical, and the longitudinal direction of the elliptical shape extends inclined with respect to the axial direction.

[0142] The above embodiment encompasses the following technical concept: (i) A balloon-equipped guidewire having a lumen and an opening hole in the wall of the tube at its base end through which the lumen is open to the outside; a balloon member provided on the outer diameter side of the tip of the tubular member, the interior of which communicates with the lumen of the tubular member, and which can be expanded by increasing the internal volume; and a linear member disposed in the lumen at the base end of the tubular member and movable in the axial direction of the tubular member, wherein a sealing member is provided at the tip of the linear member that adheres tightly to a part of the inner wall of the tubular member, the sealing member moves between a closed position that blocks the opening hole or is positioned further forward than the opening hole to block the flow of fluid from the opening hole toward the interior of the balloon member and an open position that is closer to the base end of the tubular member than the opening hole, as the linear member moves in the axial direction, and the axial dimension of the opening hole is larger than the width dimension of the opening hole in the tubular member. (ii) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (i), wherein the tube wall has a claw portion that protrudes from the wall portion defining the opening towards the center of the opening. (iii-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (ii), wherein the claw portion extends along the circumferential direction of the opening. (iii-2) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (ii), wherein the claw portion extends along the circumferential direction of the opening, and the shape of the tip of the claw portion when the opening is viewed from above is wave-shaped. (iii) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (ii), wherein the claw portion protrudes along the axial direction from the wall portion defining the axial end of the opening. (iv) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (iii), wherein the protruding length of the claw portion protruding from the wall portion is less than the thickness of the tube wall. (iv-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (iii), wherein the protruding length of the claw portion protruding from the wall portion is greater than the thickness of the tube wall. (v) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (iv), wherein the thickness dimension of the claw portion decreases from the base to the tip.(vi) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (v), wherein the inner surface of the claw portion facing the inner diameter side of the tubular member is connected to the inner wall of the tubular member, and the outer surface of the claw portion facing the outer diameter side of the tubular member is located on the inner diameter side of the outer wall of the tubular member. (vi-1) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (v), wherein the outer surface of the claw portion facing the outer diameter side of the tubular member is connected to the outer wall of the tubular member, and the inner surface of the claw portion facing the inner diameter side of the tubular member is located on the outer diameter side of the inner wall of the tubular member. (vii) The balloon-equipped guide wire according to (i), wherein the brittleness of at least a portion of the peripheral edge forming the opening hole in the tube wall is greater than the brittleness of other portions located adjacent to the peripheral edge further away from the opening hole in the tube wall. (vii-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (vii), wherein the brittleness of a portion of the peripheral edge, including the inner wall surface defining the end of the opening in the axial direction, is greater than the brittleness of the other portion. (vii-2) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (vii), wherein the peripheral edge has a brittleness-retaining means for maintaining the brittleness of the peripheral edge. (vii-3) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (vii-2), wherein the peripheral edge contains more voids internally than the other portion. (vii-4) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to (vii-2) or (vii-3), wherein the peripheral edge is formed by a plurality of granular portions. (i-1) The balloon-equipped guidewire according to any one of (i) to (vii), wherein the shape of the opening when viewed facing the opening is elliptical, and the longitudinal direction of the elliptical shape extends inclined with respect to the axial direction.

[0143] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-6815 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-6816, both filed on 17 January 2025, and incorporates all of their disclosures herein.

[0144] 1 Balloon-equipped guidewire 10 Tubular member 10a Inner wall 10b Outer wall 10c Peripheral part 10d Adjacent part 11 Lumen 12 Base end opening 13 Mounting part 14 Coil part 15 Spring forming part 15a Ribbon 15a2 Second region 15d Base end forming part 16 Tip 18 Injection port 18a Inner wall surface 18b Claw part 18c First region 18d Inner surface 18e Outer surface 18f Granular part 19 X-ray opaque marker 20 Linear member 20a Peripheral surface 21 First transition part 22 Base end part 23 Second transition part 24 Intermediate part 25 Locking part 25a Tip side locking part 25b Base end side locking part 26 Tip part 30 Sealing member 30a Small diameter tip section 30b Large diameter section 30c Small diameter base section 31 First section 32 Second section 33 Main body section 34 Covering section 34a End face 35 Base section 35a End face 40 Balloon member 41 Membrane section 42 Hollow section 44 Helical slit 46 Seal band 50 Adhesive 51 First adhesive 52 Second adhesive 53 Third adhesive

Claims

1. A balloon-equipped guidewire comprising: a tubular member having a lumen and having an opening in the wall of the tube at its base end through which the lumen is open to the outside; a balloon member provided on the outer diameter side of the tip of the tubular member, the interior of which communicates with the lumen of the tubular member, and which can be expanded by increasing the internal volume; and a linear member positioned in the lumen at the base end of the tubular member and movable in the axial direction of the tubular member, wherein the tip of the linear member is provided with a sealing member that adheres tightly to a part of the inner wall of the tubular member, and the sealing member moves between a closed position that blocks the opening or is positioned further forward than the opening to block the flow of fluid from the opening towards the interior of the balloon member and an open position that is closer to the base end of the tubular member than the opening, as the linear member moves in the axial direction. A balloon-equipped guidewire, wherein the volume of the first portion of the sealing member, from the axial center of the sealing member to the base end of the sealing member, is greater than the volume of the second portion of the sealing member, from the axial center of the sealing member to the tip of the sealing member.

2. The balloon-equipped guidewire according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes a large-diameter portion whose outer surface is in close contact with the inner wall of the tubular member, and a small-diameter tip portion and a small-diameter base portion whose outer surfaces are spaced apart from the inner wall and arranged in the axial direction on either side of the large-diameter portion, wherein the dimension of the small-diameter tip portion in the axial direction is larger than the dimension of the small-diameter base portion in the axial direction.

3. The balloon-equipped guide wire according to claim 2, wherein the large-diameter portion has a covering portion that protrudes from a part of the base end side of the large-diameter portion toward the base end side of the linear member and covers the outer diameter side of the base end small-diameter portion.

4. The balloon-equipped guidewire according to claim 3, wherein the end face on the base end side of the covering portion extends obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction of the linear member.

5. The balloon-equipped guidewire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the linear member has two locking portions that are arranged in the axial direction on either side of the sealing member and protrude radially from the circumferential surface of the linear member, and the sealing member covers the outer diameter side of one of the locking portions located on the base end side of the sealing member in the axial direction.

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