Catheter assembly

A catheter assembly includes a hollow catheter; a catheter hub fixed onto a base end portion of the catheter, the catheter hub having an internal passage communicating with an inside of the catheter; a needle disposed in the catheter; a needle hub; a valve element including an opening and closing unit configured to be opened and closed; an operation member including a tubular body, the operation member being configured such that an opening portion of the operation member is insertable into the opening and closing unit to cause the base end side and a tip side of the catheter hub to communicate with each other; a communication unit; and a sealing member including a tubular body, the sealing member being disposed at a base end side of the valve element and being configured to allow the passage of air and prohibit the passage of liquid.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a catheter assembly.

A patient receives a transfusion by puncturing a blood vessel of the patient with a catheter assembly connected to a transfusion line and indwelling the catheter assembly in the blood vessel.

The catheter assembly is configured to include a hollow catheter, a catheter hub fixed onto a base end of the catheter, a needle which is inserted into the catheter and has a sharp needle point at the tip, and a needle hub fixed onto a base end of the needle (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-2002-263197). In addition, a valve element (hemostasis valve) and an operation member (pusher) performing opening and closing operations of the valve element are accommodated in the catheter hub.

The valve element accommodated in the catheter hub has a function of preventing leakage of blood flowing into a passage of the catheter hub via the catheter securing a blood vessel. Particularly, the catheter assembly of Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-2002-263197 has a groove portion in which the valve element is formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof such that air confined between blood, flowing into the passage, and the valve element can be released via the groove portion. Accordingly, air bubbles are prevented from remaining in the passage such that the inflow of blood reliably takes place.

In the valve element of the catheter assembly or the catheter assembly of Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-2002-263197, although air confined between blood flowing into a passage and the valve element can be released, it is possible for blood which has flowed into the passage via a groove portion to infiltrate a base end side of the valve element.

Blood infiltrating the base end side of the valve element from the groove portion remains between the valve element and an operation member even after administration of a liquid medicine performed by connecting an infusion set or a syringe thereto is completed, thereby resulting in a possible proliferation source of bacteria or a thrombus formation.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made taking the above-mentioned circumstances into consideration, and an object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a catheter assembly in which it is difficult for blood to infiltrate between the valve element and the operation member when puncturing a blood vessel.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a catheter assembly comprises a hollow catheter; a catheter hub fixed onto a base end portion of the catheter, the catheter hub having an internal passage communicating with an inside of the catheter; a needle disposed in the catheter; a needle hub fixed to a base end portion of the needle, the needle hub being connectable to a base end side of the catheter hub; a valve element positioned to block the internal passage of the catheter hub, the valve element including an opening and closing unit configured to be opened and closed; an operation member including a tubular body, the operation member being configured such that an opening portion of the operation member is insertable into the opening and closing unit to cause the base end side and a tip side of the catheter hub to communicate with each other; a communication unit disposed on at least one of (i) an inner periphery portion of the catheter hub where the valve element is positioned, and (ii) a peripheral edge portion of the valve element, the communication unit being configured to allow the base end side and the tip side of the catheter hub to communicate with each other; and a sealing member including a tubular body, the sealing member being disposed at a base end side of the valve element and being configured to allow the passage of air and prohibit the passage of liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a catheter assembly including: a hollow catheter; a catheter hub, fixed onto a base end portion of the catheter, internally having a passage communicating with the inside of the catheter; a needle inserted into the catheter; a needle hub, fixed onto a base end portion of the needle, capable of being connected to a base end side of the catheter hub; a valve element, positioned to block the passage, having an opening and closing unit capable of being opened and closed; an operation member having a tubular body, provided such that one opening portion thereof is inserted into the opening and closing unit to cause the base end side and a tip side of the catheter hub to communicate with each other; and a communication unit, provided on an inner periphery portion of the catheter hub provided with the valve element or a periphery edge portion of the valve element, causing the base end side and the tip side of the catheter hub to communicate with each other. In the catheter assembly, a sealing member (liquid impermeable) has a tubular body, and is provided between the valve element and the operation member so as to block the communication unit, allowing the passage of air yet prohibiting the passage of liquid.

Since the catheter assembly according to the invention is provided with the sealing member between the valve element and the operation member, even in a case where liquid such as blood flows over the valve element and reaches the base end side, it is possible to inhibit the liquid from infiltrating between the sealing member and the operation member, that is, the base end side of the sealing member provided in to tightly contact the valve element.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is preferable that the sealing member be a porous body.

The porous body can allow the passage of air yet does not allow the passage of liquid. Accordingly, if the aforementioned sealing member is employed, even in a case where liquid such as blood reaches the base end side of the valve element, it is possible to prohibit blood from infiltrating between the sealing member and the operation member.

In one embodiments of the invention, it is preferable that the sealing member have a tubular molded article, include at least one of a hole portion passing through from one end surface, in which the molded article tightly contacts the valve element to the other end surface, and an outer periphery groove portion formed on the outer periphery surface, and the other end surface be provided with a hydrophobic filter. In addition, it is preferable that at least one portion of the hole portion and the outer periphery groove portion be coated with a water-swelling polymer.

The hydrophobic filter allows the passage of air yet blocks the passage of liquid. Accordingly, if the hydrophobic filter is provided on the other end surface of the sealing member, even in a case where liquid such as blood reaches the base end side of the valve element through at least one of the hole portion and the outer periphery groove portion, it is possible to prevent blood from infiltrating the base end side flowing over the hydrophobic filter provided in the sealing member.

In addition, as described below, since the water-swelling polymer absorbs liquid such as water or blood so as to swell, it is possible to more reliably prevent blood from infiltrating the base end side flowing over the hydrophobic filter provided in the sealing member.

In one embodiment of invention, it is preferable that the sealing member have the tubular molded article, and include at least one of a hole portion passing through from one end surface in which the molded article tightly contacts the valve element to the other end surface and an outer periphery groove portion formed on the outer periphery surface, and at least one portion of the inside of the hole portion and the inside of the outer periphery groove portion be coated with a water-swelling polymer.

The water-swelling polymer absorbs liquid such as water or blood so as to swell. Accordingly, if at least one portion of the hole portion and the outer periphery groove portion formed on the sealing member is coated with the water-swelling polymer, it is possible to allow the passage of air through the hole portion or the outer periphery groove portion. Then, in a case where liquid such as blood infiltrates the base end side flowing over the valve element, the water-swelling polymer swells by contacting the liquid, thereby blocking the hole portion or the outer periphery groove portion. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit liquid such as blood from infiltrating between the sealing member and the operation member.

According to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide a catheter assembly in which it is difficult for blood to infiltrate between a sealing member, provided to tightly contact a valve element, and an operation member.

Hereinafter, a catheter assembly according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail referring to the appropriate views. Moreover, hereinafter, for convenience of description, the right side inFIGS. 1 to 4denotes a “base end”, and the left side therein denotes a “tip”. Further, the “tip” denotes a blood vessel puncturing side.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a catheter assembly1according to the embodiment is configured to have an indwelling catheter11and a puncturing needle12. A protector P is attached to the catheter assembly1for protecting the indwelling catheter11.

The catheter assembly1having the above-mentioned configuration obtains an assembled state (state illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2) where the indwelling catheter11and the puncturing needle12are assembled, and an evulsed state (state illustrated inFIG. 3) where the puncturing needle12is evulsed from the indwelling catheter11. The catheter assembly1can be used for puncturing a surface of a living body in the assembled state. Thereafter, the indwelling catheter11can be indwelled in the surface of a living body by switching into the evulsed state. It is possible to connect a connector20to the indwelling catheter11indwelled in the surface of a living body (seeFIG. 4).

Here, before describing the catheter assembly1, the connector20will be described referring toFIG. 4.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the connector20has a tubular body and is connected to a base end portion of the indwelling catheter11. A tip portion of a tube (not illustrated) is connected to the base end portion of the connector20. Then, a bag (not illustrated) filled with an infusion solution Q is connected to a base end portion of the tube. The infusion solution Q is supplied from the bag in a connected state where the connector20is connected to the indwelling catheter11(seeFIG. 4).

Further, in order to reliably supply the infusion solution Q, it is preferable that the connector20have a locking mechanism (not illustrated) which is engaged with a locking unit32provided on an outer periphery of the base end portion of the indwelling catheter11to be fixed.

In addition, a tip portion of the connector20connected to the base end portion of the indwelling catheter11may have a tapered shape in which the outer diameter thereof is gradually decreased toward the tip. Accordingly, when connecting the connector20, it is possible to easily insert the connector20into the base end portion of the indwelling catheter11. In addition, after the infusion solution Q is supplied, the connector20can be easily removed from the base end portion of the indwelling catheter11. That is, it is possible to easily perform insertion and evulsion operations of the connector20with respect to the indwelling catheter11.

Returning toFIG. 1, the description of the catheter assembly1according to the embodiment will be continued.

The indwelling catheter11is configured to mainly include a hollow catheter2and a catheter hub3, fixed onto a base end portion of the catheter2, internally having a passage31which communicates with the inside of the catheter2. In addition, in order to facilitate a manual approaching technique with the catheter2toward a blood vessel, it is preferable that the catheter hub3have a tab36protruding from an outer periphery surface.

It is preferable that the catheter2be a tube that is flexible to some extent. A resin material, and particularly, a soft resin material, is suitable for the catheter2as a component material. Specifically, for example, a fluorine-based resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) and perfluoroalkoxy fluorine resin (PFA); olefin-based resin such as polyethylene and polypropylene or a mixture thereof; polyurethane; polyester; polyamide; polyether nylon resin; or a mixture of the olefin-based resin and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer may be used.

It is preferable that the inside of the catheter2have visibility to be visually perceivable in its entirety or in a part. That is, it is preferable that the catheter2be constituted by a resin which is transparent (colorless transparent), colored transparent or semi-transparent. Accordingly, when the catheter2secures a blood vessel, it is possible to visually check a phenomenon (flashback) in which blood R (seeFIG. 4) flows into the transparent catheter hub3through an intracavity21of the catheter2.

In addition, it is also possible to mix an X-ray contrast agent such as barium sulfate, barium carbonate, bismuth carbonate or tungstic acid for the component material of the catheter2to impart a contrast imaging function.

For example, the base end portion of the catheter2is liquid-tightly fixed onto the catheter hub3by caulking, fusing (heat fusing, high-frequency fusing or the like) or bonding using a bonding agent. Further,FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate a state where the catheter2and the catheter hub3are fixed to each other by a caulking pin33. The caulking pin33has a circular tube portion at the tip side and a tapered portion gradually increased in diameter from the circular tube portion toward the base end side. In other words, the caulking pin33is gradually decreased in diameter from the base end side toward the tip side. Therefore, if the infusion solution Q flows in from the base end side, it is possible to cause the infusion solution Q to smoothly flow out toward the catheter2. Since the catheter2and the catheter hub3are caulked at the circular tube portion, it is preferable that the caulking pin33be made of metal or hard resin. In a case where the catheter2and the catheter hub3are fixed to each other by the fusing or the bonding agent, it is possible not to employ the caulking pin33(not illustrated). In addition, in this case, in place of the above-described tapered portion, the inner diameter of the passage31of the tip portion is to set for the tapered portion gradually decreased in the tip direction, thereby enabling the infusion solution Q to smoothly flow out toward the catheter2when the infusion solution Q flows in from the base end side.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the catheter hub3is constituted by a member having a tubular body such that an intracavity portion thereof functions as the passage31. The passage31communicates with the intracavity21of the catheter2.

It is preferable that the base end portion of the passage31of the catheter hub3have a tapered shape in which the inner diameter of a wall portion311thereof is gradually increased toward the base end direction. It is further preferable that the tapering of the base end portion of the passage31of the catheter hub3and the tapering of the tip of the connector20be formed in mutually corresponding shape (tapering angle). Accordingly, it is possible to easily insert the tip of the tapered connector20into the corresponding base end portion of the tapered catheter hub3to be connected thereto. In addition, in this connecting manner, the wall portion311of the passage31tightly contacts the outer periphery portion of the connector20, thereby maintaining a further liquid-tight state.

In addition, in the middle of the passage31, it is preferable that a step difference portion35having a tip side reduced in diameter with respect to the base end side be formed. If an end surface of the tip side of the valve element7to be described below is provided to abut on the step difference portion35, the valve element7can be stably fixed thereto.

In addition, in the embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 4, the valve element7is provided so as to block the passage31. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the valve element7having a bottomed tubular shape is fixed such that the outer periphery surface of the side wall contacts the inner periphery surface of the catheter hub3. An opening and closing unit71(seeFIG. 4) capable of being opened and closed is provided at the bottom portion of the valve element7. The valve element7is a part of a valve mechanism6including the opening and closing unit71, and an operation member8to be described below.

The opening and closing unit71is configured to include a slit711(seeFIGS. 3 and 5) passing through in the thickness direction, to be formed at the center part of the bottom portion. The shape of the slit711may be formed without any particular limitation as long as the operation member8can be inserted into the slit and removed. For example, the bottom portion in a plan view can be formed in a shape of straight line, cross, letter Y (“TO” in KATAKANA of Japanese character). Accordingly, the opening and closing unit71not only allows the operation member8to be inserted into and removed from, but also becomes reliably self-occlusive.

It is preferable that the valve element7be composed of an elastic material having a tightness which is not easily opened by a blood flow. If the valve element7is composed of the elastic material, it is possible to smoothly open and close the opening and closing unit71. As the elastic material composing the valve element7, for example, various rubber materials such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, urethane rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, fluororubber, and silicone rubber (particularly, vulcanized rubber); various thermoplastic elastomers such as urethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, olefin-based, and styrene-based; or various elastic materials such as mixture of aforementioned materials can be exemplified. Among the elastic materials, particularly, it is preferable that isoprene rubber be employed. If isoprene rubber is employed as the component material of the valve element7, there are advantages such as a low permanent compression set and a long duration period of the product.

The operation member8having a tubular body is provided to have one (at the tip side) opening portion85thereof (seeFIG. 4) inserted into the opening and closing unit71of the valve element7so as to cause the base end side and the tip side of the catheter hub3to communicate with each other. Accordingly, in the valve mechanism6, the operation member8moves along the axial direction of the passage31to cause the one opening portion85to be inserted into and removed from the opening and closing unit71of the valve element7, thereby performing shut-off (seeFIG. 3) and opening (seeFIG. 4) of the passage31.

Since the valve mechanism6illustrated inFIG. 3has the entire operation member8closer to the base end side than the opening and closing unit71, the opening and closing unit71is closed due to the self-occlusive property, thereby shutting off the passage31. On the other hand, the valve mechanism6illustrated inFIG. 4has the opening portion85at the tip side of the operation member8positioned at the tip side passing through the opening and closing unit71. Therefore, the passage31is opened via the intracavity location of the operation member8.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, on the tip outer periphery portion of the operation member8, there are formed two tip diameter expanded portions81aand81bof which the outer diameter is expanded, that is, protruding along the peripheral direction. The tip diameter expanded portion81bof the tip diameter expanded portions81aand81bfunctions as an engagement portion engaging with the opening and closing unit71of the valve element7when the operation member8passes through the opening and closing unit71to cause the passage31to be open. The tip diameter expanded portion81bengages with the opening and closing unit71of the valve element7to prevent the operation member8from accidentally moving toward the base end direction, thereby reliably maintaining the open state of the passage31.

In addition, it is preferable that the tip diameter expanded portions81aand81bbe respectively in a tapered shape. Accordingly, when the operation member8passes through the opening and closing unit71of the valve element7, the tip diameter expanded portions81aand81bare capable of reliably pushing and outwardly widening the opening and closing unit71in sequence thereof, thereby easily performing the passing-through. Then, the parts (tip diameter expanded portions81aand81b) passing through the opening and closing unit71of the operation member8are protruding from the opening and closing unit71.

As described above, the operation member8is configured to be in a tubular body. Therefore, when the operation member8moves, the outer periphery portion of the operation member8, for example, a base end diameter expanded portion84(seeFIG. 4) slides on the wall portion311of the passage31. Accordingly, the movement is stably performed.

It is preferable that the inner diameter of the base end diameter expanded portion84be the same or larger than the inner diameter of the connector20. Accordingly, when the connector20is connected to the base end portion of the catheter hub3, it is possible to easily and reliably cause the infusion solution Q to flow from the connector20to the operation member8.

In the embodiment, a communication unit9(seeFIGS. 2 to 5) is provided to cause the base end side and the tip side of the catheter hub3to communicate with each other. The communication unit9is located in the inner periphery portion of the catheter hub3where the valve element7is provided, or in the periphery edge portion of the valve element7.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 5, in the middle of the passage31of the catheter hub3, there is formed one or more inner periphery groove portions9aalong the catheter hub3in the axial direction from the above-mentioned step difference portion35as the communication unit9.

The inner periphery groove portion9ais provided to prevent air from remaining inside the catheter hub3, when the needle4is evulsed after puncturing a surface of a living body with the catheter2and the needle4. That is, when the needle4is evulsed, air closer to the tip side than the valve element7is pushed by the flow of the blood R into the passage31to pass through the inner periphery groove portion9a, thereby being discharged to the base end side. Further, the shape of the inner periphery groove portion9ais not particularly limited in shape as long as the inner periphery groove portion9acan exhibit the above-mentioned function. For example, the shape of the inner periphery groove portion9amay be formed in a linear fashion on the inner periphery surface of the catheter2from the tip side to the base end side, in a corrugated fashion, or in a fashion forming a spiral. In addition, the depth of the inner periphery groove portion9ais not particularly limited as long as the above-mentioned function can be exhibited. For example, the depth thereof can be set to approximately 5 μm to 20 μm.

In an embodiment of the invention, a sealing member10is provided at a space between the valve element7and the operation member8, that is, at the base end side of the valve element7so as to block the communication unit9. The sealing member10having a tubular body tightly contacts the valve element7so as to block the inner periphery groove portion9ain order to be sealable, while allowing the passage of air yet prohibiting the passage of liquid. It is preferable that the sealing member10be faucet-jointed to the valve element7to be improved in a tightly contacting state. The sealing member10can be fixed onto the inner periphery surface of the catheter hub3by fusing or a bonding agent. In the valve element7, displacement of the base end side is suppressed by the sealing member10and displacement of the tip side is suppressed by the step difference portion35. Accordingly, fluctuations of the position are suppressed regardless of the insertion and removal of the operation member8, and thus it is possible to smoothly perform the opening and closing operation of the valve element7.

Further, if the communication unit9is provided on the periphery edge portion of the valve element7, the communication unit9may be either a through hole passing through the periphery edge portion of the valve element7, or an outer periphery groove provided on the outer periphery surface of the valve element7.

The employed sealing member10is to allow the passage of air yet does not allow the passage of liquid. As the sealing member10, for example, it is possible to properly employ a sealing member formed in a porous body such as a sintered body made of polyethylene. The sealing member10having a porous body is easy to manufacture, thereby having an advantage in which the sealing member10can be precisely manufactured.

As another example of the sealing member10, the sealing member10′ illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6Bcan be used. In the sealing member10′, there are formed a molded article10amade of a resin material and molded in a tubular body, and at least one of (i) a hole portion10bpassing through from one end surface10a1tightly contacting the valve element7of the molded article10ato the other end surface10a2, and (ii) an outer periphery groove portion (not illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B) formed on the outer periphery surface, while disposing a hydrophobic filter10con the other end surface10a2. It is also possible to coat at least one portion of the hole portion10band the outer periphery groove portion of the sealing member10′ with a water-swelling polymer. As the water-swelling polymer to coat with, a water-swelling polymer which is the same as a water-swelling polymer10eto be described below can be employed.

As the hydrophobic filter10c, for example, a monolayer sheet or a multilayer sheet made of an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, having the thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm can be employed.

As yet another example of the sealing member10, a sealing member10″ illustrated inFIG. 7can be used. The sealing member10″ having the molded article10amade of a resin material and molded in a tubular body, includes at least one of a hole portion (not illustrated inFIG. 7) passing through from one end surface10a1in which the molded article10atightly contacts the valve element7to the other end surface10a2and an outer periphery groove portion10dformed on the outer periphery surface. At least one portion of the inside of the hole portion and the inside of the outer periphery groove portion10dis coated with the water-swelling polymer10e.

For example, as the molded article10a, various resin materials such as: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polybutadiene, and polyvinyl chloride can be employed.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the puncturing needle12is configured to include the needle4and a needle hub5.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the base end portion of the needle4is fixed onto the needle hub5. When the catheter assembly1is in a assembled state, the needle4is configured to be inserted into the catheter2, the valve element7and the operation member8such that a sharp needle point41of the needle4protrudes from the tip opening portion22of the catheter2. Then, the needle point41is used for the paracentesis into a surface of a living body. In addition, in the aforementioned state, the tip of the needle hub5is inserted into the base end portion of the catheter hub3to be fitted thereto.

A groove (not illustrated) may be provided at the outer periphery portion of the needle4along the axial direction of the needle4. The groove functions as an introduction passage introducing the blood R into the intracavity21of the catheter2when the blood vessel is punctured. The blood R introduced from the groove flows into a gap between the needle4and the catheter2. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably check the flashback of the blood R from an early stage. Then, the blood R passes through the intracavity21of the catheter2to flow into the passage31of the catheter hub3.

For example, as a component material of the needle4, a metal material such as stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium alloy can be used.

The needle hub5fixed (adhered) to the base end portion of the needle4, having a tube shape, includes an air filter (not illustrated) to be disposed at the base end opening portion.

It is preferable that the catheter hub3, the operation member8and the needle hub5described above be made of a resin which is transparent (colorless transparent), colored transparent or semi-transparent, thereby securing visibility of the inside thereof. Accordingly, when the catheter2secures the blood vessel, the flashback of the blood R can be visually checked.

For example, as the component material of the catheter hub3, the operation member8and the needle hub5, various resin materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polybutadiene and polyvinyl chloride can be used.

The above-described catheter assembly1according to the embodiment is used as follows.

First, a protector P of the catheter assembly1in a state where the needle4is inserted into the catheter2is removed. Next, the catheter hub3is grasped to puncture a patient with the needle4. If the blood vessel is secured by the catheter2, the blood R flows to the base end direction through the space between the catheter2and the needle4based on the blood pressure. Since the catheter2or the catheter hub3is formed of a material which is colorless transparent, colored transparent or semi-transparent, flow of the blood R is visually perceivable. The flow of the blood R reaches a place where the valve element7of the passage31is positioned. At this time, air confined between the blood R and the valve element7is discharged to the base end side of the sealing member10(10′ and10″) via the sealing member10(10′ and10″) passing through the communication unit9(inner periphery groove portion9a). After the flow of the blood R is visually perceived, the catheter assembly1is further advanced a distance in the tip direction. Specifically, the catheter2is advanced forward to a predetermined position inside the blood vessel by holding the tab36formed on the outer periphery surface of the catheter hub3with fingers.

If the blood vessel is secured by the catheter2, the catheter2or the catheter hub3is fixed by one hand, while the needle hub5is grasped by the other hand to be pulled toward the base end direction. Then, the needle4is evulsed from the catheter2(seeFIGS. 2 and 3). Accordingly, the catheter assembly1is in a disassembled state. At this time, since the opening and closing unit71of the valve element7is in a closed state in the indwelling catheter11, the blood R inside the passage31is prevented from leaking out to the outside. In addition, since the above-mentioned sealing member10tightly contacting the valve element7is provided inside the catheter hub3, it is possible to prevent the blood R from leaking out from the inside of the catheter hub3when the needle4is evulsed. Further, the evulsed puncturing needle12is no longer necessary, and is therefore discarded.

Next, the catheter hub3of the indwelling catheter11is fixed onto the skin using an adhesive tape or the like. Then, the connector20is connected to the catheter hub3(seeFIG. 4). The operation member8is pressedly pushed by the connector20to be moved by connection in the tip direction such that the opening portion85of one side passes through the valve element7. Accordingly, the passage31is in an open state.

Next, supply of the infusion solution Q is started. In this manner, the infusion solution Q, sequentially passing through the inside of the connector20and the inside of the operation member8, flows out from the opening portion85of one side of the operation member8, thereby filling the entire passage31with the infusion solution Q (priming) (seeFIG. 4).