Protector

A protector which is used to cover a distal portion of a guide wire protruding from a distal opening of a tube body includes a first half body and a second half body which are movable between an open state and a closed state. Each of the first half body and the second half body includes a guide wire sandwiching and holding portion which mutually sandwich and hold the distal portion of the guide wire cooperatively in the closed state of the protector. Each of the first half body and the second half body also includes a tube body sandwiching and holding portion which mutually sandwich and hold the tube body cooperatively in the closed state of the protector.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present invention generally pertains to a protector used in combination with a medical device. More particularly, the invention relates to a protector for protecting a distal portion of a guide wire.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

Insertion of a guide wire into a blood vessel is carried out roughly in the following manner. First, a cannula is inserted into a blood vessel, followed by insertion of a guide wire into the cannula. Then, the guide wire is pushed ahead and inserted into the blood vessel.

A known guide wire supply tool (guide wire inserter) used when inserting the guide wire into a blood vessel includes: a guide wire housing portion which is constituted by a wound tube and which houses a guide wire in the lumen thereof, and a feeding-out portion which is constituted by a tube body placed at one opening portion of the guide wire housing portion and by which the guide wire passing-through the tube body is to be fed-out. An example of this is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-290395. With respect to this guide wire supply tool, when the guide wire is unused (is not fed-out yet), it becomes in a state in which the distal portion of the guide wire protrudes from the distal opening of the feeding-out portion. Therefore, the feeding-out portion is attached with a tubular cap which covers the distal portion of the guide wire from the outside thereof.

The attachment between the feeding-out portion and the cap depends on only the friction between the outer circumferential portion of the feeding-out portion and the inner circumferential portion of the cap. In the event an external force of vibration or the like acts on the cap, the cap can become detached from the feeding-out portion. When the cap is detached from the feeding-out portion, the distal portion of the guide wire protruding from the feeding-out portion may be exposed, undesirably deformed and contaminated. In addition, in a case in which an external force acts on the cap, it sometimes happens that the distal portion of the guide wire vibrates and collides with the inner circumferential portion of the cap, possibly deforming the distal portion of the guide wire.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a protector used to cover a distal portion of a guide wire protruding from a distal opening of a tube body comprises: a first half body and a second half body positionable in both a closed state in which an inside of the first half body faces an inside of the second half body and an open state in which the inside of the first half body and the inside of the second half body are exposed; with the first half body including a first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second half body including a second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion, and with the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion being configured to receive the distal portion of the guide wire and sandwich and hold the distal portion of the guide wire in the closed state of the protector. The first half body includes a first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second half body includes a second tube body sandwiching and holding portion, wherein the first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second tube body sandwiching and holding portion are configured to sandwich and hold the tube body in the closed state of the protector.

Depending on the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion, it is possible to fix the distal portion of the guide wire. It is thus possible to inhibit or prevent the distal portion of the guide wire from being deformed unwillingly. Also, by virtue of the first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second tube body sandwiching and holding portion, the protector can be relatively reliably fixed with respect to the tube body, and so it is possible to inhibit or prevent the protector from being unintentionally detached from the tube body. Thus, a state of covering the distal portion of the guide wire with the protector can be maintained and concurrently, a state of being fixed to the tube body (for example, guide wire supply tool) can be maintained. It is thus possible to avoid deformation of the wire shape and deformation caused by wire movement.

It is preferable that the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion is provided on the inside of the first half body, and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion is provided on the inside of the second half body.

According to one possibility, the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion are respectively constituted by flat surfaces facing each other in the closed state of the protector.

The first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion preferably include a convex surface portion and a concave surface portion respectively which face each other in the closed state of the protector.

The first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion can alternatively include a projecting portion or convex surface portion and a recessed portion or concave surface portion which face each other in the closed state of the protector, with an elastically deformable groove formed at the top portion of the projecting portion or convex surface portion.

The distal portion of the guide wire can exhibit a curved shape in the natural state in which no external force is applied, and the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion sandwich and hold the distal portion of the guide wire while maintaining the curved shape.

The first tube body sandwiching and holding portion is preferably provided on the inside of the first half body, and the second tube body sandwiching and holding portion is preferably provided on the inside of the second half body.

At least one of the first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second tube body sandwiching and holding portion includes a groove into which the tube body enters. The protector is thus fixed more reliably with respect to the tube body and is more reliably inhibited or prevented from being detached (dropped off) unwillingly. The distal portion of the guide wire is thus more reliably protected and so it is possible to more-reliably inhibit or prevent movement of the guide wire and contamination of the distal portion of the guide wire which will occur in the event the protector is detached.

It is preferable that both the first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second tube body sandwiching and holding portion is in the form of a groove. the grooves can be configured and arranged so that different portions in the longitudinal direction of the tube body respectively are positioned in the respective grooves.

It is preferable that the respective grooves have cross-sectional shapes different from each other. For example, in a case in which one of the grooves is positioned distally of the other, the different cross-sectional shapes make it possible to more strongly support the tube body by the groove positioned on the distal side and therefore, position deviation of the protector is inhibited or prevented.

The groove preferably positions the protector with respect to the tube body.

The protector can also be provided with a locking unit for maintaining the closed state of the protector.

The locking unit preferably includes a first engagement portion formed on the inside of one half body of the first half body and the second half body, and a second engagement portion formed on the inside of the other half body and engaged with the first engagement portion in the closed state of the protector.

The first engagement portion is preferably constituted by a convex or projecting portion and the second engagement portion is preferably constituted by a concave or recessed portion into which the first engagement portion is inserted in the closed state, and the first engagement portion is elastically deformed in the direction perpendicular to the direction toward which it is inserted with respect to the second engagement portion.

The protector preferably includes an operation unit for release-operating the close state maintained by the locking unit.

The first half body and the second half body are preferably interlinked, and there is included a rotation supporting portion for supporting one half body rotatably with respect to the other half body.

The first half body and the second half body are preferably bodies formed integrally in one piece as a single unit, and can be formed by injection molding or vacuum molding.

The tube body is preferably a body constituting a distal portion of a guide wire supply tool which can house the guide wire.

Another aspect of the disclosure here involves the combination of a guide wire, a guiding member and a protector. The guiding member comprises: a tube body possessing a distal end portion, the guide wire passing through the tube body and including a distally exposed portion extending distally beyond the distal end of the tube body. The protector comprises: a first body and a second body connected to each other, the first body and the second body being in a closed state with an inside of the first body facing an inside of the second body; the first body including a first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion, and the second body including a second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion; at least a part of the distally exposed portion of the guide wire being in contact with, and being sandwiched and held by, the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion; the first body including a first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second body including a second tube body sandwiching and holding portion, the distal end portion of the tube body being in contact with, and being sandwiched and held by, the first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second tube body sandwiching and holding portion. The protector in the closed state is openable to an open state so that the part of the distally exposed portion of the guide wire is no longer sandwiched and held by the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion, and so that the distal end portion of the tube body is no longer sandwiched and held by the first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and the second tube body sandwiching and holding portion.

According to another aspect, a method of protecting a distal portion of a guide wire protruding from a distal opening of a tube body comprises: positioning the distal portion of the guide wire which is protruding from the distal opening of the tube body between a first body and a second body while the first and second bodies are in an open state, the first body including a first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second body including a second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion; and moving the first and second bodies to a closed state in which the first body overlaps the second body so that the distal portion of the guide wire is sandwiched and held between the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion so that the distal portion of the guide wire is protected inside the protector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several examples of the protector disclosed are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.FIGS. 1-7illustrate a first embodiment of the protector in connection with a guide wire assembly body. For convenience of explanation, the left or side inFIGS. 1-3andFIG. 7(similarly also inFIGS. 8 and 10) is referred to as the “distal end”, the right side is referred to as the “proximal end”, the upper side is referred to as “up”, and the lower side is referred to as “down”. In addition, the upper side inFIGS. 4-6(similarly also inFIG. 9andFIGS. 11-13) is referred to as “up” while the lower side is referred to as “down”.

As shown inFIG. 1, a protector4is used by being attached to a guide wire inserter (guide wire assembly body)1and more specifically, it protects a distal portion21of a guide wire2. This guide wire inserter1is usually shipped in a form of a guide wire inserter10with a protector in which the protector4is attached. Also, the guide wire inserter1is connected to a sticking tool (not-shown) for sticking a living body, and it is a tool (apparatus) for inserting the guide wire2into a living body in the connection state of the guide wire (through the sticking tool).

The description below first describes the guide wire inserter1. The guide wire inserter1includes the guide wire2and a guide wire supply tool3for supplying the guide wire2.

The guide wire supply tool3includes a guide wire housing portion (guide wire case)5that houses the guide wire2and a feeding-out & guiding member6attached (fixed) to the guide wire housing portion5in a freely detachable manner. It is possible for this guide wire supply tool3to be connected to the sticking tool in a freely detachable manner by the feeding-out & guiding member6.

As shown inFIG. 1, the guide wire housing portion5includes a flexible tube (tube body)51in which the guide wire2is housed (inserted) and this tube51is wound approximately in a ring shape (circular shape) and is bundled. More specifically, the tube51is wound approximately circumferentially and is bundled.

The tube51is held by two hold members52each of which has two through-holes. Each of the two through holes receives one of the windings of the tube51when the tube is wound in a ring shape and bundled as shown inFIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the hold members52are clips.

The number of windings (amount of windings) of the tube51is not limited, though is around two turns in the example shown in the drawing.

As shown inFIG. 7, the feeding-out & guiding member6includes a feeding-out portion (guide wire feeding-out portion)8in which the guide wire2housed in the guide wire housing portion5is fed-out and an introduction portion (guide wire introduction portion)7in which the guide wire2fed-out from the feeding-out portion8is received and from which the guide wire2is fed-out. The introduction portion7also serves as a guide member that guides the guide wire. The feeding-out portion8and the introduction portion7are spaced apart from each and separated by a predetermined distance.

The feeding-out portion8includes a cylinder-shaped feeding-out portion main body81and a plate-shaped pedestal (operation unit)82, and the feeding-out portion8(particularly, exit812) is positioned approximately on a circumference of the guide wire housing portion5. An opening (distal opening) on the distal side of a hole portion (through-hole)811formed on this feeding-out portion main body81constitutes the exit812of the guide wire2. The guide wire2passes through the hole portion811formed on the feeding-out portion main body81and is fed-out from the exit812toward the introduction portion7.

The pedestal82protrudes from the lower side of the exit812and protrudes toward the entrance712of the introduction portion7described in more detail below. More specifically, the pedestal82is positioned in the vicinity of the guide wire2and the exit812, and is located between the guide wire2and the guide wire housing portion5.

The surface (top surface) of the upper side of this pedestal82faces the guide wire2and constitutes an abutment surface (facing surface)821on which the guide wire2can abut, together with a user's fingers. The guide wire2extends from the feeding-out portion main body81to the introduction portion7.

Owing to this pedestal82, it is possible to relatively easily carry out, for example, the operation of pulling the guide wire2toward the proximal side with one hand.

Also, as shown inFIG. 1, a distal portion511of the tube51is connected to (e.g., inserted into) the proximal end of the feeding-out portion main body81such that the hole portion811and the lumen of the tube51of the guide wire housing portion5communicate with each other.

The space between the feeding-out portion8and the introduction portion7, more specifically the space between the distal-most end of the pedestal82of the feeding-out portion8and the proximal-most end of the introduction portion7. and additionally the space in the vicinity thereof constitute a space (grasping space) in which the guide wire2is grasped and operated by a user's fingers.

Therefore, the distance between the feeding-out portion8and the introduction portion7, more specifically between the distal-most end of the pedestal82of the feeding-out portion8and the proximal-most end of the introduction portion7, is set such that fingers of a user can be inserted between the distal end of the pedestal82and the proximal end of the introduction portion7.

As shown inFIG. 7, the introduction portion7which is positioned on the distal side of the feeding-out portion8includes a cylindrically-shaped (e.g., a tube body) introduction-portion main body71. An opening on the proximal side (proximal opening) of a hole portion (through-hole)711formed at this introduction-portion main body71constitutes the entrance712for the guide wire2and an opening on the distal side (distal opening) constitutes an exit713for the guide wire2. The guide wire2fed-out from the exit812of the guide wire feeding-out portion8passes-through the hole portion711at the introduction-portion main body71. More specifically, the guide wire2fed-out from the guide wire feeding-out portion8is inserted into the entrance712and is fed-out from the exit713.

Also, a distal portion715of the introduction-portion main body71includes a diameter-reduced portion (smaller-diameter portion)716whose outer diameter (diameter) is reduced on the distal side.

A plate-shaped wall portion (barrier)72is located at a center portion of the introduction-portion main body71and at the upper portion of the introduction-portion main body71. The wall portion72possesses approximately a trapezoidal shape as seen in plan view (inFIG. 7).

A hole portion714is provided at the center portion of the introduction-portion main body71and at the upper portion of the introduction-portion main body71. One end side of this hole portion714communicates with the hole portion711and the other end side opens toward the outside at the position corresponding to the wall portion72of the introduction-portion main body71.

By virtue of the hole portion714, in the event blood flows backward through the sticking tool while stuck in a living body, blood can escape to the outside through the hole portion714, thus inhibiting or preventing (blocking) blood leakage toward the operation area (hand side).

Also, the wall portion72acts as a barrier in the event blood spouts from the hole portion714, thus inhibiting or preventing (blocking) the scattering of the blood, particularly scattering toward the operation area.

An arm portion73is connected to the introduction-portion main body71. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm portion73is connected to the center portion of the introduction-portion main body71at the lower portion of introduction-portion main body71. A fixed portion (first fixed portion)91is provided at a lower end portion of the arm portion73.

This fixed portion91includes two grooves911in which are mounted respective portions (adjacent windings) of the tube51of the guide wire housing portion5as shown inFIG. 1. The fixed portion91is mounted on the respective portions of the tube51of the guide wire housing portion5in a freely detachable manner. Thus, the introduction portion7is fixed in a freely detachable manner to the guide wire housing portion5through the fixed portion91, and concurrently the tube51is held by the fixed portion91in a state of being wound and bundled in a ring shape.

A fixed portion92(second fixed portion) is provided at the lower portion of the feeding-out portion main body81of the feeding-out portion8.

The fixed portion92includes two grooves921in which are mounted respective portions (adjacent windings) of the tube51of the guide wire housing portion5as shown inFIG. 1. The fixed portion92is mounted on the respective portions (adjacent windings) of the tube51of the guide wire housing portion5in a freely detachable manner. Thus, the feeding-out portion8is fixed in a freely detachable manner to the guide wire housing portion5through the fixed portion92at a place which is different from (spaced from) the introduction portion7, and concurrently the tube51is held by the fixed portion92in a state of being wound and bundled in a ring shape.

The fixed portion91and the fixed portion92are coupled by a coupling portion93. As shown inFIG. 1, this coupling portion93possesses an arc shape, approximately similar to the arc shape of the guide wire housing portion5(tube51). More specifically, the fixed portion91and the fixed portion92are coupled through this coupling portion93along the arc shape of the guide wire housing portion5(tube51).

Thus, it is possible to maintain the separation distance between the distal end of the pedestal82of the feeding-out portion8and the proximal end of the introduction portion7by a constant distance. Also, because the coupling portion93possesses an arc shape, the coupling portion93is not susceptible to becoming an obstacle.

The feeding-out & guiding member6is formed integrally (in one piece as a single unit) in this exemplified embodiment, but it is not limited I this regard. For example, it is also possible for the feeding-out & guiding member6to be formed by bonding together a plurality of members.

Also, the constituent material forming the feeding-out & guiding member6is not limited. Examples of materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin of ethylene-propylene copolymer or the like, polystyrene, polycarbonate, an acrylic resin, an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), an acrylonitrile-stylene copolymer (AS resin) or copolymers, blends, polymer alloys or like in which those above are main components.

The guide wire2is housed in the guide wire supply tool3. The structure, constituent material and the like of the guide wire2is not limited. By way of example, it is preferable for the guide wire2to be a guide wire which includes a core member constituted by a super elastic body (super elastic wire) and which is provided with coils at both terminal portions of this core member.

Providing a coil at the terminal portions of the core member of the super elastic body helps impart sufficient flexibility at the terminal portions while also maintaining the diameter to be a predetermined value.

The constituent material forming the core member is not particularly limited, though it is preferable, for example, to employ a super elastic alloy such as a Ni—Ti based alloy.

The constituent material forming the coil is also not limited, though it is preferable, for example, to employ a metallic material such a stainless steel.

The outer-diameter (diameter) of the guide wire2is not limited to a particular dimension, though is preferably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably around 0.3 to 0.9 mm.

Also, in this exemplified embodiment, the distal portion21of the guide wire2possesses a curved shape, a J-shape in the illustrated embodiment, in a natural state in which not external force is applied. The shape of the distal portion21is not limited I this regard. As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, this distal portion21protrudes from the exit713of the introduction portion7(introduction-portion main body71) in a state in which the guide wire2is unused (state of not yet being fed-out (supplied) from the guide wire supply tool3).

The description which follows describes the protector4. As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the protector4includes a pair of freely openable and closable bodies, namely a first body or first half body (first half-divided body)40aand second body or second half body (second half-divided body)40bwhich are coupled through a rotation supporting portion41. As shown inFIG. 2, the protector4is attached to the guide wire inserter1in a close state and serves as a device for protecting the distal portion21of the guide wire2of the guide wire inserter1. The first half body40aand the second half body40bare flat-shaped members respectively.

As shown inFIG. 4, the first half body40aand the second half body40b, in the closed position/state, sandwich and hold the distal portion21of the guide wire2. The first half body40aand the second half body40bare respectively provided with a first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aand a second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42bwhich mutually sandwich and hold the guide wire2(mounting state).

As shown inFIG. 3, the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42ais in the vicinity of the center portion of the inner surface (rear surface) of the first half body40a. This first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aforms a flat surface shape.

Similarly, the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42bis also in the vicinity of the center portion of the inner surface (rear surface) of the second half body40b. This second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42balso forms a flat surface shape.

As shown inFIG. 4, the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aand the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42bface each other when the two guide wire sandwiching and holding portions42a,42bare in the closed state. The distal portion21of the guide wire2is sandwiched and held between these facing guide wire sandwiching and holding portions42a,42b. Also, as shown inFIG. 2, with respect to the distal portion21of the guide wire2, the two facing guide wire sandwiching and holding portions42a,42bsandwich and hold a curved portion (curved point)211at the distal portion21of the guide wire. The sandwiching and holding is thus carried out while the curved shape of the distal portion of the guide wire is maintained.

By sandwiching and holding the distal portion21of the guide wire2in this manner, it is possible to relatively reliably fix and protect the distal portion21of the guide wire. Thus, it is possible for the distal portion21to relatively reliably be inhibited or prevented from being deformed unwillingly. Of course, it should be understood that the curved distal portion21of the guide wire2is not limited to being curved in a J-shape. The first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aand the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42bconstitute flat surfaces respectively, so that it is possible to sandwich and hold the distal portion21reliably without worrying about the curved shape of the distal portion21.

Also, the first half body40aand the second half body40brespectively include a first guiding member sandwiching and holding portion (first tube-body sandwiching and holding portion)43aand a second guiding member sandwiching and holding portion (second tube-body sandwiching and holding portion)43bwhich mutually sandwich and hold the introduction portion7of the feeding & guiding member6of the guide wire supply tool3in the closed state (seeFIG. 2,FIG. 5andFIG. 6). Set forth below is a more detailed discussion of the first guiding member sandwiching and holding portion43aand the second guiding member sandwiching and holding portion43b.

As shown inFIG. 3, the first half body40aincludes an upstanding rib or convex portion (first engagement portion)44that protrudes away from the adjoining portion of the first half body and surrounds almost the full circumference of the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aon the outer circumferential side of the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42a. A first groove441is formed in the portion of the rib44on the right side (proximal side) inFIG. 3. The first groove441extends along the longitudinal direction of the first half body40a. As shown inFIG. 5, the first groove441has an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape, and the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7is positioned in the first groove441. A chamfering portion443is formed at the inside upper portion of the first groove441. Thus, when inserting the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7into the first groove441, the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7is guided by the chamfering portion443and it is possible to carry out the insertion operation relatively easily. Also, the outer circumferential side of the rib44is provided with a flat surface portion45forming a flat surface shape surrounding almost the full circumference of the rib44. The flat surface portion45is arranged rearwardly of (to the right inFIG. 3) the top surface442of the rib44.

The second half body40bincludes a concavely recessed concave portion (second engagement portion)46surrounding almost the full circumference of the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42bon the outer circumferential side of the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42b. This concave portion46faces the rib44of the first half body40ain the closed state. That is, the concave portion46is a portion into which the rib44is inserted as illustrated inFIG. 5. Also, an upstanding rib (second convex portion)47is provided on the outer circumferential side of the concave portion46. The rib47protrudes away from the adjoining portion of the second half body40band surrounds almost the full circumference of the concave portion46. This rib47is, in the closed state, a region facing the flat surface portion45of the first half body40a. The portion of the rib47on the right side (proximal side) inFIG. 3is provided with a second groove471extending along the longitudinal direction of the second half body40b. As shown inFIG. 6, the second groove471possesses an arc-shaped cross-section shape, and the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7is positioned in the second groove471.

As shown inFIG. 5, in the closed state, the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7is located in the first groove441of the first half body40aand further, the diameter-reduced portion716of this introduction portion7is sandwiched and held between the first groove441and a portion of the concave portion46of the second half body40b(hereinafter, this portion is referred to as “sandwiching and holding function portion461”). As also shown inFIG. 6, in the closed state, the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7is located in the second groove471of the second half body40band further, the diameter-reduced portion716of this introduction portion7is sandwiched and held between the second groove471and a portion of the flat surface portion45of the first half body40a(hereinafter, this portion is referred to as “sandwiching and holding function portion451”).

By sandwiching and holding the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7in this manner, the protector4is relatively reliably fixed with respect to the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7and it is reliably inhibited or prevented from being detached (dropped off) unwillingly. Thus, it is possible to quite reliably protect the distal portion21of the guide wire2, and it is therefore possible to relatively reliably inhibit or prevent movement of the guide wire2and contamination of the distal portion21which may occur in a case in which the protector4is detached.

In the protector4described above, the first guiding member sandwiching and holding portion43ais constituted by a groove (e.g., the first groove441) and the sandwiching and holding function portion451, and the second guiding member sandwiching and holding portion43bis constituted by a groove (e.g., the second groove471) and the sandwiching and holding function portion461(seeFIG. 3).

As also shown inFIG. 3, the first groove441and the second groove471are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the protector4. This facilitates the different portions in the longitudinal direction of the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7entering into the first groove441and the second groove471respectively. That is, the part of the diameter-reduced portion716(distal portion of the tube body) positioned in the first groove441is longitudinally shifted relative to the part of the diameter-reduced portion716(distal portion of the tube body) positioned in the second groove471. The diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7is thus sandwiched and held from the opposing directions, thus increasing the sandwiching and holding force.

As shown inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the first groove441and the second groove471possess different curvature-factors (reciprocal of the radius of curvature). More specifically, the curvature-factor of the first groove441is larger than the curvature-factor of the second groove471. Thus, it is possible to relatively strongly support the diameter-reduced portion716of the introduction portion7by the first groove441which is the side (distal side) nearer to the distal portion21of the guide wire2and therefore, position deviation of the protector4is inhibited or prevented. In other words, positioning of the protector4with respect to the guide wire inserter1(tube body) can be accomplished as desired. Thus, it is possible for the protector4to more reliably protect the distal portion21of the guide wire2. Also, the reason the curvature-factor of the second groove471is smaller is to prevent a burr and deformation during molding.

As mentioned above, in the closed state, the rib44of the first half body40ais positioned in the concave portion46of the second half body40bas illustrated inFIG. 5. At that time, the rib44of the first half body40ais tightly fitted in the concave portion46of the second half body40b. The frictional force helps maintain the closed state between the outer surface of the rib44and the inner surface of the concave portion46. Thus, the closed state (sandwiching and holding state with respect to the guide wire inserter10with a protector) of the protector4is relatively dependably maintained and so it is possible to avoid a phenomenon in which the protector4is unintentionally opened and is detached from the guide wire inserter1. In this manner, the protector4is outfitted with a closed state maintaining unit (locking unit) that maintains the closed state of the protector4and that is constituted by the rib44of the first half body40aand the concave portion46of the second half body40b.

Also, as shown inFIG. 3, in the vicinity of the first groove441of the first half body40a, there is arranged a small concave portion444formed by concavely recessing a portion of the rib44. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the sandwiching and holding function portion461of the second half body40b, there is arranged a small convex portion462in which a portion of the concave portion46is upstanding (protrudes). As shown inFIG. 5, in the closed state, the small convex portion462is positioned in and engaged with the small concave portion444. This thus assists with maintaining the closed state provided by the rib44of the first half body40aand the concave portion46of the second half body40band so the closed state is more reliably kept. Also, the sandwiching and holding force between the first guiding member sandwiching and holding portion43aand the second guiding member sandwiching and holding portion43bincreases.

When release-operating the closed state maintained by the close state maintaining unit (when changing the protector4from the closed state to the open state), it is possible, by placing fingers on an operation unit472formed on the rib47(outer circumferential portion) of the second half body40band by operating the second half body40bto be rotated around the rotation supporting portion41, to relatively easily carry out the release-operation or opening operation. Generally speaking, the operation unit is constituted by a peripheral portion of one of the first and second half bodies extending outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the overlapping portion of the other of the first and second half bodies. In the illustrated embodiment, a notched portion452is formed in the flat surface portion45(circumferential portion) of the first half body40a. This notched portion452is located along a side of the first half body40aopposite the side at which the rotation supporting portion41is located. In the closed state, a portion of the rib47of the second half body40bis exposed beyond or through this notched portion452. This exposed portion constitutes the operation unit472. In the guide wire inserter10with the protector, in case of connecting the guide wire inserter1to the sticking tool, the above release-operation is carried out and the protector4is removed.

The rotation supporting portion41is the portion at which the first half body40ais coupled to the second half body40b, and rotatably supports one side of one half body with respect to one side of the other half body. In this exemplified embodiment, the rotation supporting portion41rotatably supports the second half body40bwith respect to the first half body40a. The rotation supporting portion41is constituted by a thin-thickness portion which is thinner than the thicknesses of the adjoining portions of the first half body40aand the second half body40b. Owing to the fact that this rotation supporting portion41is deformed by being bent, it is possible to open and close the protector4relatively easily and reliably.

Also, it is preferable for the first half body40a, the second half body40band the rotation supporting portion41to be formed integrally, in one piece and at the same time by injection molding or vacuum molding. Thus, it is possible to comparatively easily manufacture the protector4having the features and construction described above.

The constituent material forming the protector4is not limited to a particular material. It is possible to use, for example, the material discussed above in the explanation of the materials to be used to fabricate the feeding-out & guiding member6. It is also possible to construct the protector4to be constructed so that the interior of the protector is visible.

In order to attach the protector4having the construction described above to the guide wire inserter1, the following procedure is preferably employed.

First, the protector4is in the open state. I this open state, the introduction portion7of the guide wire inserter1is then inserted into the first groove441of the first half body40auntil the exit713at the distal-most end of the diameter-reduced portion716contacts the distal end (stopper)445of the first groove441. Also, the amount by which the distal portion21protrudes distally beyond the exist713is adjusted such that the distal portion21of the guide wire2of the guide wire inserter1is positioned on the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42a.

Next, the second half body40bis rotated toward the first half body40aand a closed state of the protector is obtained. Thus, it is possible to mount the protector4to the guide wire inserter1and concurrently, it is possible to fix the distal portion21of the guide wire2.

FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate a second exemplified embodiment of the protector8. InFIG. 8, the protector is shown in the open state and the guide wire is omitted.

The following description of the second embodiment of the protector focuses primarily on aspects of the protector different from those associated with the first embodiment described above. Features of the protector that are the same as in the first embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such features is not be repeated.

This second exemplified embodiment is similar to the first exemplified embodiment, except for the construction of the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion.

The second embodiment of the protector4A shown inFIG. 8includes a recessed portion or concave portion (concave surface portion)421which is concavely recessed on the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aof the first half body40a. The second half body40bis provided with an upstanding protrusion or convex portion (convex surface portion)422which protrudes on the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42b. As shown inFIG. 9, in the closed state, the convex portion422is positioned in the concave portion421. Thus, a portion of the distal portion21of the guide wire2is sandwiched between the convex portion422and the concave portion421, and the sandwiching and holding force with respect to the guide wire2increases. Consequently, the guide wire2is sandwiched and further reliably held by the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aand the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42b.

FIGS. 10-12illustrate a third exemplified embodiment of the protector. InFIG. 10, the protector is shown in the open state and the guide wire is omitted.

The following description of the third embodiment of the protector focuses primarily on aspects different from those associated with the embodiments described above. Features of the protector that are the same as in the embodiments described above are identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such features is not be repeated.

This exemplified embodiment is similar to the second exemplified embodiment, except for the construction of the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion.

The third embodiment of the protector4B shown inFIG. 10includes an upstanding protrusion or convex portion (convex surface portion)48which protrudes from the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42afor the first half body40a. The second half body40bincludes a recessed portion or concave portion (concave surface portion)49which is concavely recessed on the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42b. As shown inFIG. 12, in the closed state, the convex portion48is positioned in and engages this concave portion49. Thus, maintaining the closed state by virtue of the rib44of the first half body40aand the concave portion46of the second half body40bis assisted and so the closed state is maintained more reliably. Also, the sandwiching and holding force between the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42aand the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42bis increased.

As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, an elastically deformable groove482is formed at a top portion of the convex portion48of the first half body40a. This groove482extends along the longitudinal direction of the first half body40aand receives a portion of the distal portion21of the guide wire2. As the protector4B is moved from the open state to the closed state, the projection or convex portion48moves from the state shown inFIG. 11to the state shown inFIG. 12, whereby the projection or convex portion48is received in the recessed portion or concave portion49. As the convex portion48moves from theFIG. 11state to theFIG. 12state, respective wall portions481of the convex portion48are depressed inwardly toward each other in the directions of the arrows inFIG. 12(directions perpendicular to the insertion direction with respect to the concave portion49) caused by the inclined wall portion491of the concave portion49, and the space between the wall portions481becomes narrower (becomes in a state of being narrowly-sandwiched). Thus, in the state shown inFIG. 12(in the closed state of the protector), the distal portion21of the guide wire2is strongly sandwiched and held by the groove482and a sandwiching and holding state with respect to the guide wire2is maintained.

FIG. 13illustrates a fourth exemplified embodiment of a protector (in a closed state). The following description of the fourth embodiment of the protector focuses primarily on aspects different from those associated with the embodiments described above. Features of the fourth embodiment of the protector that are the same as in the embodiments described above are identified by the same reference numerals and a detailed description of such features is not be repeated.

This fourth exemplified embodiment is similar to the first exemplified embodiment, except for the construction of the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion.

In the protector4C shown inFIG. 13, the inside of the first half body40ais provided with a first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42a′ having flexibility. Also, the inside of the second half body40bis provided with a second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42b′ having flexibility.

In such a protector4C, with the protector in the closed state shown inFIG. 13, the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42a′ and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42b′ are compressed in the area of the distal portion21of the guide wire2, thus providing a tight fit. Thus, it is possible to sandwich & hold and to protect the distal portion21of the guide wire2more reliably.

It should be noted that it is possible for each of the first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42a′ and the second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion42b′ to be constituted, for example, by a non-skid sheet member composed of an elastic body or a porous body.

The protector disclosed here is described above by way of several embodiments. It is possible for the respective portions constituting the protector to be replaced by portions having other constructions performing similar functions. Also, features other than those described above can be added.

Also, the various protectors can embody features from the other examples of embodiments disclosed here.

The protector is not limited to a protector for protecting the distal portion of the guide wire protruding from the introduction portion of the guide wire supply tool. For example, it is also possible for the protector to be a protector that protects the distal portion of the guide wire protruding from a tube body for medical use such as a sheath, a catheter and the like.

The inside of the protector can also be provided with an antiskid unit for preventing skidding with respect to the guide wire inserter. The form of this antiskid unit is not limited. As one example, a roughening process can be applied on the inner surfaces of the first half body and the second half body. According to another example, elastic sheet members can be fixed on the inner surfaces of the first half body and the second half body.

The protector described here is a protector used to cover a distal portion of a guide wire protruding from a distal opening of a tube body, and the protector includes: a pair of a first half body and a second half body which can open and close freely, wherein each of the first half body and the second half body includes a first guide wire sandwiching and holding portion and a second guide wire sandwiching and holding portion which mutually sandwich and hold the distal portion of the guide wire cooperatively in a close state, and a first tube body sandwiching and holding portion and a second tube body sandwiching and holding portion which mutually sandwich and hold the tube body cooperatively in the close state. Consequently, it is possible to fix the distal portion of the guide wire quite reliably.

The detailed description above describes features and aspects of embodiments of a protector. The invention is not limited, however, to the precise embodiments and variations described. Various changes, modifications and equivalents could be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It is expressly intended that all such changes, modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the claims are embraced by the claims.