JP2022166871A - catheter - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a catheter that allows procedures to be executed safely without the tip of a distal end tip being crushed and without the distal end tip damaging a blood vessel even when advancing the catheter in a meandering blood vessel.SOLUTION: A catheter includes a catheter body 2 and a distal end tip 3 joined to the tip of the catheter body 2. The distal end tip 3 includes a tip area 5 constituting the tip part, a base end area 9 disposed closer to the base end side than the tip area 5 and joined to the catheter body 2, and an intermediate area 7 disposed between the tip area 5 and the base end area 9, whose hardness is higher than that of the tip area 5 and the base end area 9. Therefore, even when a catheter 1 is advanced into a meandering blood vessel, procedures can be executed safely without crushing the tip of the distal end tip 3 and without damaging the blood vessel by the distal end tip 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a catheter that is used by being inserted into a lumen such as a patient's blood vessel.

2. Description of the Related Art Catheters that are used by being inserted into a lumen such as a blood vessel of a patient are conventionally known. A device such as a stent or an embolization coil has been placed in the lesion through the lumen of the catheter that has reached the lesion.

When such a catheter is advanced through a tortuous blood vessel of a patient, the tip of the catheter often collides with the vascular wall. As a result, the slidability with the catheter deteriorated, resulting in obstruction of advancement of the catheter to the lesion site.

Therefore, in order to facilitate advancement of the catheter to the affected area, catheters have been developed that prevent the tip of the catheter from collapsing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a catheter in which the degree of crystallinity of the resin in the distal end region is increased over a predetermined range from the distal end toward the proximal end in order to appropriately suppress deformation and crushing of the distal end of the catheter. (See FIG. 1, etc.).

JP 2012-143381

However, in the catheter described in Patent Document 1, as a result of increasing the crystallinity of the tip region, the hardness of the tip of the catheter increases, and when the tip of the catheter collides with the vascular wall, the vascular wall may be damaged. There was a problem of high volatility.

In addition, the catheter described in Patent Document 1 has a tapered shape at the tip and has a trumpet shape in which the outer diameter increases from the tip to the base end, so that the tip of the catheter collides with the blood vessel wall. There is a problem that the possibility of damaging the blood vessel wall is further increased when performing the treatment.

The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Even when a catheter is advanced into a tortuous blood vessel, the distal tip of the distal tip does not collapse and the distal tip moves through the blood vessel. An object of the present invention is to provide a catheter that can be operated safely without being damaged.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a catheter comprising a main body and a distal tip joined to the distal end of the main body, wherein the distal tip a distal region that constitutes; a proximal region that is arranged on the proximal side of the distal region and is joined to the main body; and an intermediate region having a hardness higher than that of the base end region.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in the catheter of the first aspect, the length of the tip region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter is shorter than the length of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter. It is characterized by

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the catheter of the first aspect or the second aspect, the length of the base end region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter is the length of the tip end region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter. and the length of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the catheter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the distal region, the intermediate region, and the proximal region have an inner diameter and an outer diameter, respectively. are formed in substantially the same hollow cylindrical shape, and each is formed of a single material.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the catheter according to any one of the first aspect 1 to the third aspect, the distal tip is formed in a tapered truncated cone shape, and the distal region , the intermediate region and the proximal region are each divided along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, exhibiting a frusto-conical shape along the frusto-conical shape of the distal tip, each made of a single material; characterized by being formed

Furthermore, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the catheter according to any one of the first aspect 1 to the fifth aspect, the intermediate region is configured by a metal ring or coil. and

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a catheter provided with a main body and a distal tip joined to the distal end of the main body, the distal tip comprises a distal region that constitutes the distal end and a distal region that constitutes the distal end. and a proximal region disposed closer to the proximal side than the body portion and joined to the body portion, and an intermediate region disposed between the distal region and the proximal region and having a higher hardness than the distal region and the proximal region Therefore, even when the catheter is advanced into a meandering blood vessel, the distal end of the distal tip is not crushed, and the distal tip does not damage the blood vessel, so that the procedure can be performed safely.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the catheter of the first aspect, the length of the tip region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter is shorter than the length of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter. In addition to the effects of the catheter of the first aspect, when the catheter is advanced into a meandering blood vessel, the distal end of the distal tip is less likely to collapse.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the catheter of the first aspect or the second aspect, the length of the base end region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter is the length of the tip end region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter. and the length of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, in addition to the effects of the catheter of the first aspect or the second aspect, when the catheter is advanced into a tortuous blood vessel, the distal tip is The procedure can be performed more safely without further damage to the blood vessels.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the catheter according to any one of the first to third aspects, the distal region, the intermediate region, and the proximal region have substantially the same inner diameter and outer diameter, respectively. Since each is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and each is made of a single material, in addition to the effects of the catheter according to any one of the first to third aspects, the distal end of the distal tip is not crushed, and A catheter that does not damage blood vessels can be easily manufactured.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the catheter according to any one of the first to third aspects, the distal tip is formed in a tapered truncated cone shape, and the distal region and the intermediate The region and the proximal end region are each divided along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, exhibiting a truncated cone shape along the truncated cone shape of the distal tip, and each made of a single material. In addition to the effects of the catheter according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the catheter is advanced into a tortuous blood vessel, the distal end of the distal tip is less likely to collapse.

Furthermore, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the catheter according to any one of the first aspect 1 to the fifth aspect, the intermediate region is configured by a metal ring or coil, In addition to the effects of the catheter according to any one of the first aspect 1 to the fifth aspect, the distal end of the distal tip is not crushed, and a catheter that does not damage blood vessels can be manufactured more easily.

1 is an overall view of a catheter according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of the catheter of the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of the catheter of the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of the catheter of the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end portion of the catheter of the fourth embodiment; FIG. 11 is an overall view of a catheter of a fifth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of a catheter according to a fifth embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the drawings used in this embodiment are exaggerated for easy understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a catheter according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end portion of the catheter according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the catheter 1 of this embodiment includes a catheter body 2 (corresponding to the "main body" of the present invention), a distal tip 3 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2, and a base of the catheter body 2. and a connector 8 joined to the end.

As shown in FIG. 2, the catheter body 2 is composed of an inner layer 6c, a braid 6b wound around the inner layer 6c, and an outer layer 6a covering the inner layer 6c and the braid 6b.

The inner layer 6c is an elongated hollow tubular body made of resin and forms a lumen 4c for inserting a guide wire or other medical device therein. Although the resin material forming the inner layer 6c is not particularly limited, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is used in this embodiment.

The braid 6b is formed by alternately weaving a total of 24 strands (12×12 strands) of 12 first strands and 12 second strands into a mesh. Although the material constituting the braid 6b is not particularly limited, a stainless alloy is used in this embodiment.

The outer layer 6a is made of resin and covers the inner layer 6c and the braid 6b. The resin material forming the outer layer 6a is not particularly limited, and may be polyamide, polyamide elastomer, polyester, polyurethane, or the like. Polyamide is used in this embodiment.

The distal tip 3 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a lumen 4b communicating with the lumen 4c of the catheter body 2, and has an outer peripheral surface with the same outer diameter toward the distal end. ing.

The distal tip 3 has a distal region 5 positioned at its distal end, a proximal region 9 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 and positioned at the proximal end of the distal tip 3, a distal region 5 and a proximal region. 9, the inner and outer diameters of distal region 5, proximal region 9 and intermediate region 7 being substantially the same.

The distal region 5 of the distal tip 3 is located in a region with a length Xa1 (about 1 mm) from the distal end of the distal tip 3 to the proximal side, and has a distal opening 4a communicating with the lumen 4b. 5a is R-chamfered to have a streamlined cross section and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the tip region 5 includes biocompatible polystyrene elastomer, polystyrene, polyolefin elastomer, polyolefin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride elastomer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane elastomer, polyurethane, and polyester elastomer. , polyester, polyamide elastomer, polyamide, etc., and a resin material with a Shore D of 35 or less measured by a type D durometer hardness tester can be used, but in this embodiment, a polyurethane elastomer with a Shore D of 35 or less in use.

The proximal end region 9 of the distal tip 3 is located in a region having a length Xc1 (about 1 mm) from the proximal end of the distal tip 3 to the distal side, and is made of a single resin material.

As the resin material forming the proximal region 9, similar to the material forming the distal region 5, polystyrene elastomer, polystyrene, polyolefin elastomer, polyolefin, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride elastomer, which have biocompatibility, Polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane elastomer, polyurethane, polyester elastomer, polyester, polyamide elastomer, polyamide, etc., and a resin material with a Shore D value of 35 or less as measured by a type D durometer hardness tester can be used, but this embodiment can be used. uses polyurethane elastomers with a Shore D of 35 or less.

An intermediate region 7 of the distal tip 3 is arranged between the distal region 5 and the proximal region 9 so as to occupy a region having a length Xb1 (approximately 1 mm), and is used for the distal region 5 and the proximal region 9. Constructed from a single resin material that is harder than resin.

Examples of the resin material forming the base end region 7 include biocompatible polystyrene elastomer, polystyrene, polyolefin elastomer, polyolefin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride elastomer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane elastomer, polyurethane, and polyester. Made of materials such as elastomers, polyesters, polyamide elastomers, and polyamides, resin materials having a Shore D of 50 or more as measured by a type D durometer hardness tester can be used, but in this embodiment, a polyamide elastomer having a Shore D of 50 or more is used.

The connector 8 is made of resin, has a lumen communicating with the lumen 4 c of the catheter body 2 , and is joined to the proximal end of the catheter body 2 .

According to the catheter 1 of the present embodiment, the catheter main body 2 and the distal tip 3 joined to the distal end of the catheter main body 2 are provided. A proximal region 9 located proximal to the region 5 and joined to the catheter body 2 ; Therefore, even when the catheter 1 is advanced into a tortuous blood vessel, the distal end of the distal tip 3 will not be crushed and the distal tip 3 will not damage the blood vessel, thus ensuring safety. procedure can be performed on

Further, according to the catheter 1 of the present embodiment, the tip 5a of the tip region 5 is R-chamfered to form a cross-sectional streamline shape, and the intermediate region 7 having a high hardness is the tip region 5 having a hardness lower than that of the intermediate region 7. Since the catheter 1 has a hollow cylindrical shape with the same outer diameter while being sandwiched between the proximal end regions 9, the catheter 1 can be easily manufactured, further preventing damage to the blood vessel by the distal tip 3, and further improving safety. procedure can be performed on

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. It should be noted that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but the overall view of the catheter is the same as in FIG. is omitted.

The catheter 10 of the second embodiment differs from the catheter 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the distal tip. That is, the length of the tip region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 10 is shorter than the length of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 10 .

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tip of the catheter of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the catheter 10 of this embodiment includes a catheter main body 2 (corresponding to the "main body" of the present invention), a distal tip 13 joined to the distal end of the catheter main body 2, and a base of the catheter main body 2. and a connector 8 joined to the end.

The distal tip 13 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a lumen 14b communicating with the lumen 4c of the catheter body 2, and has an outer peripheral surface with the same outer diameter toward the distal end. ing.

The distal tip 13 has a distal region 15 positioned at its distal end, a proximal region 19 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 and positioned at the proximal end of the distal tip 13, and a distal region 15 and a proximal region. 19 and an intermediate region 17, wherein the inner and outer diameters of distal region 15, proximal region 19 and intermediate region 17 are substantially the same.

The distal region 15 of the distal tip 13 is located in a region with a length of Xa2 (about 1 mm) from the distal end of the distal tip 13 to the proximal side, and has a distal opening 14a communicating with the lumen 14b. 15a is R-chamfered to have a streamlined cross section and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the tip region 15 is the same as the resin material forming the tip region 5 of the first embodiment.

The proximal end region 19 of the distal tip 13 is located in a region having a length Xc2 (about 1 mm) from the proximal end of the distal tip 13 to the distal side, and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the proximal region 19 is the same as the resin material forming the proximal region 9 of the first embodiment.

The intermediate region 17 of the distal tip 13 is arranged between the distal region 15 and the proximal region 19 so as to occupy an area having a length Xb2 (approximately 2 mm), and is used for the distal region 15 and the proximal region 19. Constructed from a single resin material that is harder than resin.

The resin material forming the intermediate region 17 is the same as the resin material forming the intermediate region 7 of the first embodiment.

According to the catheter 10 of this embodiment, the catheter body 2 and the distal tip 13 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 are provided. A proximal region 19 located proximal to the region 15 and joined to the catheter body 2 , and a proximal region 19 located between the distal region 15 and the proximal region 19 and having a hardness greater than the distal region 15 and the proximal region 19 . , and the length of the tip region 15 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 10 is shorter than the length of the mid region 17 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 10, allowing the catheter 10 to enter tortuous vessels. When advanced, the tip of the tip 13 is less likely to be crushed.

Further, according to the catheter 10 of the present embodiment, the tip 15a of the tip region 15 is R-chamfered to form a cross-sectional streamline shape, and the intermediate region 17 with high hardness is the tip region 15 with lower hardness than the intermediate region 17. Since the catheter 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape with the same outer diameter while being sandwiched between the proximal end regions 19, the catheter 10 can be easily manufactured, further preventing damage to blood vessels by the distal tip 13, and further improving safety. procedure can be performed on

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. It should be noted that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but since the overall view of the catheter is the same as in FIG. omitted.

The catheter 20 of the third embodiment differs from the catheter 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the distal tip. That is, the length of the proximal region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 20 is longer than the length of the distal region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 20 and the length of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 20 .

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of the catheter of the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the catheter 20 of this embodiment includes a catheter main body 2 (corresponding to the "main body" of the present invention), a distal tip 23 joined to the distal end of the catheter main body 2, and a base of the catheter main body 2. and a connector 8 joined to the end.

The distal tip 23 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a lumen 24b communicating with the lumen 4c of the catheter body 2, and has an outer peripheral surface with the same outer diameter toward the distal end. ing.

The distal tip 23 has a distal region 25 positioned at its distal end, a proximal region 29 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 and positioned at the proximal end of the distal tip 23, and a distal region 25 and a proximal region. 29 and an intermediate region 27, wherein the inner and outer diameters of distal region 25, proximal region 29 and intermediate region 27 are substantially the same.

The distal region 25 of the distal tip 23 is located in a region with a length of Xa3 (about 1 mm) from the distal end of the distal tip 23 to the proximal side, and has a distal opening 24a communicating with the lumen 24b. 25a is R-chamfered to have a streamlined cross section and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the tip region 25 is the same as the resin material forming the tip region 5 of the first embodiment.

A base end region 29 of the distal tip 23 is located in a region having a length Xc3 (about 3 mm) from the base end of the distal tip 23 to the distal side, and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the proximal region 29 is the same as the resin material forming the proximal region 9 of the first embodiment.

An intermediate region 27 of the distal tip 23 is arranged between the distal region 25 and the proximal region 29 so as to occupy an area having a length Xb3 (approximately 2 mm) and is used for the distal region 25 and the proximal region 29. Constructed from a single resin material that is harder than resin.

The resin material forming the proximal region 27 is the same as the resin material forming the intermediate region 7 of the first embodiment.

According to the catheter 20 of this embodiment, the catheter main body 2 and the distal tip 23 joined to the distal end of the catheter main body 2 are provided. A proximal region 29 located proximal to the region 25 and joined to the catheter body 2 , and a proximal region 29 located between the distal region 25 and the proximal region 29 and having a hardness greater than the distal region 25 and the proximal region 29 . and the length of the proximal region 29 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 20 is the length of the distal region 25 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 20 and the length of the mid region 27 in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 20. Since it is longer than the length, when the catheter 20 is advanced into a tortuous blood vessel, the distal tip 23 does not further damage the blood vessel, and the procedure can be performed more safely.

Further, according to the catheter 20 of the present embodiment, the tip 25a of the tip region 25 is R-chamfered to form a cross-sectional streamline shape, and the intermediate region 27 with high hardness is the tip region 25 with lower hardness than the intermediate region 27 and Since the catheter 20 has a hollow cylindrical shape with the same outer diameter while being sandwiched between the proximal end regions 29, the catheter 20 can be easily manufactured, further preventing damage to blood vessels by the distal tip 23, and further improving safety. procedure can be performed on

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described. It should be noted that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but the overall view of the catheter is the same as in FIG. omitted.

The catheter 30 of the fourth embodiment differs from the catheter 20 of the third embodiment in the material of the intermediate region of the distal tip.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end portion of the catheter of the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the catheter 30 of this embodiment includes a catheter body 2 (corresponding to the “main body portion” of the present invention), a distal tip 33 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 , and a base of the catheter body 2 . and a connector 8 joined to the end.

The distal tip 33 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a lumen 34b communicating with the lumen 4c of the catheter body 2, and has an outer peripheral surface with the same outer diameter toward the distal end. ing.

The distal tip 33 has a distal region 35 positioned at its distal end, a proximal region 39 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 and positioned at the proximal end of the distal tip 33, a distal region 35 and a proximal region. 39 and an intermediate region 37, wherein the inner and outer diameters of distal region 35, proximal region 39 and intermediate region 37 are substantially the same.

A distal region 35 of the distal tip 33 is located in a region having a length of Xa4 (about 1 mm) from the distal end of the distal tip 33 to the proximal side, and has a distal opening 34a communicating with a lumen 34b. 35a is R-chamfered to have a streamlined cross section and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the tip region 35 is the same as the resin material forming the tip region 5 of the first embodiment.

A proximal end region 39 of the distal tip 33 is located in a region having a length Xc4 (about 3 mm) from the proximal end of the distal tip 33 to the distal side, and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the proximal region 39 is the same as the resin material forming the proximal region 9 of the first embodiment.

An intermediate region 37 of the distal tip 33 is arranged between the distal region 35 and the proximal region 39 so as to occupy an area of length Xb4 (approximately 2 mm), and is used for the distal region 35 and the proximal region 39. It is composed of a ring or coil made of a metal material, which is harder than resin and will be described later.

As the material for forming the intermediate region 37, biocompatible metal materials such as platinum alloys, stainless steel, tungsten, and Ni—Ti alloys can be used. In this embodiment, platinum alloys are used. good visibility of the catheter tip.

According to the catheter 30 of this embodiment, the catheter main body 2 and the distal tip 33 joined to the distal end of the catheter main body 2 are provided. A proximal region 39 located proximal to the region 35 and joined to the catheter body 2 , and a proximal region 39 located between the distal region 35 and the proximal region 39 and having a hardness greater than the distal region 35 and the proximal region 39 . and the intermediate region 37 is composed of a ring or coil made of metal, so that the distal end of the distal tip 33 is not crushed and the catheter 30 is easily manufactured without damaging the blood vessel. can do.

Further, according to the catheter 30 of the present embodiment, the tip 35a of the tip region 35 is R-chamfered to form a cross-sectional streamline shape, and the intermediate region 37 with high hardness is lower in hardness than the tip region 35 and the intermediate region 37. Since the catheter 30 has a hollow cylindrical shape with the same outer diameter while being sandwiched between the proximal end regions 39, the catheter 30 can be easily manufactured, further preventing damage to blood vessels by the distal tip 33, and further improving safety. procedure can be performed on

It should be noted that the ring and coil made of metal as the material forming the intermediate region 37 of the present embodiment are replaced with the material forming the intermediate region 7 of the first embodiment, the material forming the intermediate region 17 of the second embodiment, and the material forming the intermediate region 17 of the second embodiment. It may be used for the material forming the intermediate region 27 of the third embodiment and the material forming the intermediate region 47 of the fifth embodiment described later.

However, the material forming the intermediate region 7 of the first embodiment, the material forming the intermediate region 17 of the second embodiment, the material forming the intermediate region 27 of the third embodiment, and the intermediate region of the fifth embodiment described later. As for the material for forming 47, if it is made of resin, the distal tip does not damage the blood vessel when the catheter is advanced into a tortuous blood vessel, and the procedure can be performed more safely.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the drawings used in this embodiment are also exaggerated for easy understanding, and the dimensions are different from the actual dimensions.

Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described, but the same reference numerals will be given to the parts common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is an overall view of the catheter of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the tip of the catheter of the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the catheter 40 of this embodiment includes a catheter main body 2 (corresponding to the "main body" of the present invention), a distal tip 43 joined to the distal end of the catheter main body 2, and a base of the catheter main body 2. and a connector 8 joined to the end.

The distal tip 43 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 has a tapered truncated cone shape with a lumen 44b communicating with the lumen 4c of the catheter body 2, and has an outer peripheral surface that decreases in diameter toward the distal end. have.

The distal tip 43 has a distal region 45 positioned at its distal end, a proximal region 49 joined to the distal end of the catheter body 2 and positioned at the proximal end of the distal tip 43, and a distal region 45 and a proximal region. 49 and an intermediate region 47 disposed between the two.

The distal tip 43 is divided into a distal region 45, an intermediate region 47, and a proximal region 49 along the longitudinal direction of the catheter 40, and has a truncated cone shape along the truncated cone shape of the distal tip 43. , each made of a single material.

A distal region 45 of the distal tip 43 is located in a region having a length of Xa5 (about 1 mm) from the distal end of the distal tip 43 to the proximal side, and has a distal opening 44a communicating with the lumen 44b. 45a is R-chamfered to have a streamlined cross section and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the tip region 45 is the same as the resin material forming the tip region 5 of the first embodiment.

A base end region 49 of the distal tip 43 is located in a region having a length Xc5 (about 3 mm) from the base end of the distal tip 43 to the distal side, and is made of a single resin material.

The resin material forming the proximal region 49 is the same as the resin material forming the proximal region 9 of the first embodiment.

An intermediate region 47 of the distal tip 43 is arranged between the distal region 45 and the proximal region 49 so as to occupy an area having a length Xb5 (about 2 mm), and is used for the distal region 45 and the proximal region 49. Constructed from a single resin material that is harder than resin.

The resin material forming the base end region 47 is the same as the resin material forming the intermediate region 7 of the first embodiment.

According to the catheter 40 of this embodiment, the catheter main body 2 and the distal tip 43 joined to the distal end of the catheter main body 2 are provided. A proximal region 49 located proximal to the region 45 and joined to the catheter body 2 , and a proximal region 49 located between the distal region 45 and the proximal region 49 and having a hardness greater than the distal region 45 and the proximal region 49 . The distal tip 43 is formed in a tapered frusto-conical shape, and the distal region 45, the intermediate region 47 and the proximal region 49 are each divided along the longitudinal axis of the catheter 40. and has a truncated cone shape along the truncated cone shape of the distal tip 43, and each is made of a single material. The tip of the is even more difficult to crush.

Although catheters according to various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the distal tips of the first to third embodiments and the fifth embodiment, different materials are used for the distal region and the proximal region, and for the intermediate region, so that the difference in hardness is increased. However, it is also possible to use the same material for the distal region, the proximal region and the intermediate region and increase the crystallinity only in the intermediate region to increase the hardness.

When the distal region, the proximal region and the intermediate region are made of the same material and the hardness is increased by increasing the crystallinity only in the intermediate region, a single material may be managed for manufacturing. Therefore, management of materials can be simplified, and a desired tip can be manufactured simply by changing the manufacturing process.

Further, in the first to fifth embodiments, the distal tip has been described as being applied to a catheter having the simplest configuration, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can be applied to all medical catheters such as catheters and multi-lumen catheters.

1, 10, 20, 30, 40 Catheter 2 Catheter main body (corresponding to the "main body" of the present invention)
3, 13, 23, 33, 43 tip 4a, 14a, 24a, 34a, 44a opening 4b, 4c, 14b, 24b, 34b, 44b lumen 5, 15, 25, 35 , 45... Tip regions 5a, 15a, 25a, 35a, 45a... Tip of tip region 6a... Outer layer 6b... Braid 6c... Inner layer 7, 17, 27, 37, 47... Intermediate region 8 Connectors 9, 19, 29, 39, 49 Base region

Claims (6)

a main body;
a distal tip joined to the distal end of the body, comprising:
The distal tip includes a distal region forming a distal portion thereof, a proximal region disposed on the proximal side of the distal region and joined to the body portion, and a space between the distal region and the proximal region. and a middle region having a higher hardness than the distal region and the proximal region. 2. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the length of said tip region in the longitudinal direction of said catheter is shorter than the length of said intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of said catheter. The length of the base end region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter is longer than the length of the tip region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter and the length of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction of the catheter. 3. The catheter of claim 1 or claim 2. The distal region, the intermediate region, and the proximal region are each formed in a hollow cylindrical shape having substantially the same inner diameter and outer diameter, and each is formed of a single material. Item 4. A catheter according to any one of items 3. The distal tip is formed in a tapered truncated cone shape, and the distal region, the intermediate region and the proximal region are each divided along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, and the truncated cone of the distal tip is formed. 4. A catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a contoured frusto-conical shape and each is made of a single material. 6. The catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the intermediate region is constituted by a ring or coil made of metal.

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