Abstract:
A purpose is to enable partial replacement of an indwelling urethral catheter. A unit for a balloon catheter according to the present invention includes a urethral catheter tube ( 13 ) provided with a first urethral catheterization passage ( 14 ), a branch tube ( 11 ) provided with a first passage ( 12 ) adapted to allow passage of a liquid used to inflate or deflate a balloon ( 54 ), and a connecting tube ( 30 ) configured to be connected at one end to the first urethral catheterization passage ( 14 ) or the first passage ( 12 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a unit for a balloon catheter and to an indwelling urethral balloon catheter. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    As a conventional catheter for the purpose of urinary management, a so-called balloon catheter with a balloon attached to a distal end is known. When the balloon catheter is inserted into the urethra, the balloon is deflated. Also, when the balloon catheter is placed in the bladder, the balloon is inflated by injecting sterile water into the balloon from a rear end of the balloon catheter. This prevents a distal end of the balloon catheter from falling off the bladder. When used for a long time, the balloon catheter may cause urinary tract infection and behavior of the user may be restricted as well. 
         [0003]    Thus, a Nelaton catheter has been developed which can prevent urinary tract infection and guarantee the user some freedom of movement. Because no balloon is attached to the distal end, the Nelaton catheter cannot be kept placed in the urethra for a long time. The user always carries the Nelaton catheter in a case filled with an antiseptic solution. The user takes the Nelaton catheter out of the case as needed, and inserts the catheter into the bladder through the urethra by himself/herself to discharge urine. 
         [0004]    Typically, the Nelaton catheters are disposable, making it necessary to constantly carry as many Nelaton catheters as needed, which is inconvenient. Also, the disposable Nelaton catheters have a problem of large disposal quantities. Thus, an intermittent/indwelling urethral catheter set is known which combines an indwelling function of conventional balloon catheters and a self-urethral catheterization function of conventional balloonless catheters (Nelaton catheters) (see, for example, PTL 1). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    PTL 1: International Publication WO 2005/018714 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    The intermittent/indwelling urethral catheter set described in PTL  1  can be used multiple times through sterilization, and thus can reduce the disposal quantities compared to the disposable Nelaton catheter. On the other hand, the intermittent/indwelling urethral catheter set is discarded after being used for a predetermined period. 
         [0007]    To reduce running costs of the intermittent/indwelling urethral catheter set, preferably only a necessary part of the intermittent/indwelling urethral catheter set is replaceable. However, the intermittent/indwelling urethral catheter set described in PTL 1 does not assume partial replacement. 
         [0008]    The present invention has been made in view of the above problem and has an object to enable partial replacement of an indwelling urethral catheter. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0009]    One aspect of a unit for a balloon catheter according to the present invention comprises: a balloon catheter duct, which in turn includes a urethral catheter tube provided with a first urethral catheterization passage, and a branch tube provided with a first passage adapted to allow passage of a fluid used to inflate or deflate a balloon; and a connecting tube configured to be connected at one end to the first urethral catheterization passage or the first passage. 
         [0010]    In the aspect of the unit for a balloon catheter according to the present invention, the unit for a balloon catheter further comprises a joint, which in turn includes an insertion port used to insert the balloon catheter and a second urethral catheterization passage and a second passage communicated with the insertion port, wherein the connecting tube is connected at another end to the second urethral catheterization passage or the second passage. 
         [0011]    In the aspect of the unit for a balloon catheter according to the present invention, the balloon catheter duct includes a funnel portion forming a space in which the first urethral catheterization passage and the first passage merge together; the joint is configured to be fitted in the funnel portion; and the connecting tube is configured to separate the first urethral catheterization passage or the first passage from the space. 
         [0012]    One aspect of an indwelling urethral balloon catheter according to the present invention comprises: the unit for a balloon catheter; a third urethral catheterization passage in fluid communication with the first urethral catheterization passage; and a third passage in fluid communication with the first passage. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0013]    The present invention enables partial replacement of the indwelling urethral catheter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an overall schematic diagram of an indwelling urethral balloon catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional view of a balloon catheter duct according to the present embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a schematic partial sectional view of a connecting tube according to the present embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view of a joint according to the present embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a schematic sectional view of a unit for a balloon catheter according to the present embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view showing how the joint and balloon catheter are connected together. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an overall schematic diagram of an indwelling urethral balloon catheter according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in the figure, the indwelling urethral balloon catheter includes a balloon catheter duct  10 , a connecting tube  30 , a joint  40 , a balloon catheter  50 , and a case  60 . The balloon catheter duct  10  is in fluid communication with the balloon catheter  50  via the joint  40  and connecting tube  30 . The joint  40  is a member used to connect the balloon catheter  50  to the balloon catheter duct  10 . The case  60  can store an antiseptic solution therein. After use, the balloon catheter  50  is sterilized by being immersed in the antiseptic solution. 
         [0022]    The indwelling urethral balloon catheter may be used intermittently by being placed in the urethra only during urination or may be used by being placed in the urethra for a long period of time such as about one month. 
         [0023]    According to the present embodiment, the balloon catheter duct  10 , connecting tube  30 , and joint  40  make up a unit for a balloon catheter. With the indwelling urethral balloon catheter according to the present embodiment, only the balloon catheter  50  is replaced after being used for a predetermined period while the unit for a balloon catheter can be used repeatedly for a long period of time. Alternatively, the balloon catheter  50  and joint  40  may be replaced at the same time, while using the balloon catheter duct  10  and connecting tube  30  repeatedly for a long period of time. The balloon catheter duct  10 , connecting tube  30 , and joint  40  will be described in detail below. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional view of the balloon catheter duct  10  according to the present embodiment. The balloon catheter duct  10  includes a urethral catheter tube  13  provided with a first urethral catheterization passage  14 , and a branch tube  11  provided with a first passage  12 . When the user uses the indwelling urethral balloon catheter, urine passes through the first urethral catheterization passage  14 . Also, when a balloon of the balloon catheter  50  inflates or deflates, a fluid such as sterile water or air flows through the first passage  12 . 
         [0025]    A reservoir connection port  17  for use to connect a reservoir adapted to store sterile water or air is formed at one end of the branch tube  11 . A urine drainage port  18  is formed at one end of the urethral catheter tube  13 . The urine drainage port  18  can be connected, for example, with a cap for indwelling medical instrument disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-206370. 
         [0026]    A funnel portion  15  is formed at other ends of the branch tube  11  and urethral catheter tube  13 . The funnel portion  15  is a substantially cylindrical member extending from the branch tube  11  and urethral catheter tube  13 . The funnel portion  15  forms a space in which the first urethral catheterization passage  14  and first passage  12  merge together. That is, the space  19  which is formed by the funnel portion  15  fluidly communicate with the first urethral catheterization passage  14  and first passage  12 . 
         [0027]    A fitting portion  16  substantially cylindrical in shape is formed on an outer periphery of the balloon catheter duct  10 . An opening of the case  60  shown in  FIG. 1  is fitted over the fitting portion  16 . In other words, the opening of the case  60  is closed by the fitting portion  16  of the balloon catheter duct  10 , inhibiting the antiseptic solution in the case  60  from flowing outside. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a schematic partial sectional view of the connecting tube  30  according to the present embodiment. The connecting tube  30  includes a first end portion  31  connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) and a second end portion  32  connected to an after-mentioned second urethral catheterization passage  41  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the joint  40 . The connecting tube  30  has a flange  34  in a substantially intermediate portion in an axial direction (longitudinal direction). When the connecting tube  30  is inserted into the urethral catheter tube  13  (see  FIG. 2 ), an end portion of the urethral catheter tube  13  abuts the flange  34 . This prevents the connecting tube  30  from entering the urethral catheter tube  13  too far. 
         [0029]    A duct  33  is formed in the connecting tube  30 . When the first end portion  31  of the connecting tube  30  is connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) and the second end portion  32  is connected to the second urethral catheterization passage  41  (see  FIG. 4 ), the first urethral catheterization passage  14  fluidly communicates with the second urethral catheterization passage  41  through the duct  33 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view of a joint according to the present embodiment. The joint  40  is a tubular member, and a first end portion  44  is fitted into the funnel portion  15  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the balloon catheter duct  10 . The joint  40  includes an insertion port  43  into which an end portion of the balloon catheter is inserted, and the second urethral catheterization passage  41  and second passage  42  communicated with the insertion port  43 . The insertion port  43  is formed on the side of a second end portion  45  and the second urethral catheterization passage  41  and second passage  42  are formed on the side of the first end portion  44 . The second urethral catheterization passage  41  is connected with the second end portion  32  of the connecting tube  30  shown in  FIG. 3  and fluidly communicates with the duct  33 . 
         [0031]    The joint  40  is formed, for example, of resin such as plastics and has predetermined rigidity. This makes it easy to fit the first end portion  44  of the joint  40  into the funnel portion  15  of the balloon catheter duct  10 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a schematic sectional view of the unit for a balloon catheter. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first end portion  31  of the connecting tube  30  is connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14  of the balloon catheter duct  10 . The second end portion  32  of the connecting tube  30  is connected to the second urethral catheterization passage  41  of the joint  40 . The first end portion  44  of the joint  40  is fitted into the funnel portion  15 . 
         [0033]    As described above, the space  19  in the funnel portion  15  is in fluid communication with the first urethral catheterization passage  14  and first passage  12 . However, when the first end portion  31  of the connecting tube  30  is connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14 , the first urethral catheterization passage  14  fluidly communicates with the duct  33  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the connecting tube  30 , and no longer communicates with the space  19  in the funnel portion  15 . Therefore, by connecting the first end portion  31  to the first urethral catheterization passage  14 , the connecting tube  30  can separate the first urethral catheterization passage  14  from the space  19  in the funnel portion  15 . 
         [0034]    In addition, since the second end portion  32  of the connecting tube  30  is connected to the second urethral catheterization passage  41  of the joint  40 , the second urethral catheterization passage  41  is also separated from the space  19  in the funnel portion  15 . Therefore, since the first urethral catheterization passage  14  fluidly communicates with the second urethral catheterization passage  41  through the duct  33  (see  FIG. 3 ), a urethral catheterization passage separate from the first passage  12  and second passage  42  is defined. 
         [0035]    In a state shown in  FIG. 5 , the space  19  in the funnel portion  15  fluidly communicates with the first passage  12  and second passage  42 . Therefore, via the space  19  in the funnel portion  15 , the first passage  12  is communicated with the second passage  42 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view showing how the joint  40  and balloon catheter  50  are connected together. The balloon catheter  50  includes a third urethral catheterization passage  51 , a third passage  52 , a hole  53  communicated with the third urethral catheterization passage  51 , and a balloon  54  communicated with the third passage  52 . The hole  53  is formed in a distal end of the balloon catheter  50 . 
         [0037]    As illustrated in the figure, when one end of the balloon catheter  50  is inserted into the insertion port  43  of the joint  40 , the third urethral catheterization passage  51  and third passage  52  fluidly communicate with the second urethral catheterization passage  41  and second passage  42 , respectively. Therefore, the third urethral catheterization passage  51  fluidly communicates with the first urethral catheterization passage  14  shown in  FIG. 2  via The second urethral catheterization passage  41 . Similarly, the third passage  52  fluidly communicates with the first passage  12  shown in  FIG. 2  via the second passage  42 . 
         [0038]    When the balloon catheter  50  is inserted into the urethra of the user, the hole  53  is communicated with the bladder of the user. The urine in the bladder is discharged through the urine drainage port  18  after passing through the hole  53 , third urethral catheterization passage  51 , second urethral catheterization passage  41 , connecting tube  30 , and first urethral catheterization passage  14  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
         [0039]    Also, in placing the balloon catheter  50  in the urethra of the user, sterile water or air is supplied to the balloon  54  from a reservoir connected to the reservoir connection port  17  through the first passage  12 , funnel portion  15 , second passage  42 , and third passage  52  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Consequently, the balloon  54  is inflated. When the balloon  54  deflates, the sterile water or air returns to the reservoir through a similar route. This allows the balloon catheter  50  to be removed from the urethra of the user. 
         [0040]    The balloon catheter  50  may have its surface coated with a hydrophilic material such as a hydrophilic polymer. This makes it easy to insert the balloon catheter  50  into the urethra of the user, and thus possible to inhibit the urethra of the user from being damaged. Thus, urinary tract infection due to damage to the urethra of the user can be prevented. 
         [0041]    Also, the balloon catheter  50  may have its surface coated with a photocatalytic material such as titanium dioxide. In that case, the balloon catheter  50  is exposed to ultraviolet rays or visible light, making it possible to disinfect the surface of the catheter. 
         [0042]    Also, the balloon catheter  50  may have its surface coated with an antimicrobial material. In that case, the balloon catheter  50  can have antibacterial effects. 
         [0043]    Also, the balloon catheter  50  used by being connected to the joint  40  may be a pre-sterilized one. This eliminates the need to sterilize the balloon catheter  50  before use and allows the balloon catheter  50  to be used immediately. Also, if the balloon catheter  50  used is configured to be disposable, the balloon catheter  50  is discarded after being used for a predetermined time. This eliminates the need for a sterilization process, and thus the need for the case  60  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    The hole  53  in the balloon catheter  50  may be formed, for example, in a side face of the balloon catheter  50  or may be formed in a distal end portion such that a drilling direction of the hole  53  will point in a flow path direction of the balloon catheter  50 . When the hole  53  is formed in the distal end portion so as to point in the flow path direction of the balloon catheter  50 , it is possible to inhibit contamination from building up in the distal end portion of the balloon catheter  50  when cleaning the balloon catheter  50 . 
         [0045]    When the balloon  54  of the balloon catheter  50  is configured to be inflated or deflated with air rather than sterile water, the balloon  54  may be formed of a material having gas impermeability. 
         [0046]    As described above, since the indwelling urethral balloon catheter according to the present embodiment has the connecting tube  30 , the balloon catheter  50  can be detachably attached to the balloon catheter duct  10 . Therefore, after the indwelling urethral balloon catheter is used multiple times, when it comes time to replace the balloon catheter  50 , only the balloon catheter  50  can be replaced. Moreover, running costs involved in self-urethral catheterization of the user can be reduced. Also, if the balloon catheter  50  alone is replaced in a short time, self-urethral catheterization can be done more hygienically. 
         [0047]    Also, since the first end portion  31  of the connecting tube  30  is connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14 , when the second end portion  32  fluidly communicates with the balloon catheter  50 , the first urethral catheterization passage  14  can fluidly communicate with the balloon catheter  50 . 
         [0048]    According to the present embodiment, the joint  40  is provided and the second end portion  32  of the connecting tube  30  is connected to the second urethral catheterization passage  41  of the joint  40 . This allows the first urethral catheterization passage  14  to fluidly communicate with the second urethral catheterization passage  41  via the connecting tube  30 . 
         [0049]    According to the present embodiment, as the connecting tube  30  is connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14 , the first urethral catheterization passage  14  is separated from the space  19  in the funnel portion  15 . This prevents the urine flowing through the first urethral catheterization passage  14  from being mixed with the sterile water or air flowing through the first passage  12 . 
         [0050]    According to the present embodiment, the joint  40  is fitted in the funnel portion  15 . This allows the first passage  12  to be communicated with the second passage  42  via the space  19  in the funnel portion  15 . 
         [0051]    Note that although in the present embodiment, the first end portion  31  of the connecting tube  30  is described as being connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14 , the first end portion  31  may be connected to the first passage  12 . In that case, the second end portion  32  of the connecting tube  30  will connected to the second passage  42  of the joint  40 . 
         [0052]    Also, two connecting tubes  30  may be prepared, with the first end portions  31  of the connecting tubes  30  being connected to the first urethral catheterization passage  14  and first passage  12 , respectively. In that case, the first urethral catheterization passage  14  and first passage  12  are communicated, respectively, with the second urethral catheterization passage  41  and second passage  42  via the connecting tubes  30 , eliminating the need for the funnel portion  15 . 
         [0053]    Also, although the present embodiment is described as being provided with the joint  40 , the second end portion  32  of the connecting tube  30  may be connected directly to the third urethral catheterization passage  51  or third passage  52  of the balloon catheter  50  without the joint  40 . In that case, an end portion of the balloon catheter  50  will be fitted directly into the funnel portion  15 . 
         [0054]    Also, although in the present embodiment, the funnel portion  15  is provided on the balloon catheter duct  10 , the funnel portion  15  may alternatively be provided on the joint  40 . In that case, the balloon catheter duct  10  will be fitted into the funnel portion  15  of the joint  40 . 
         [0055]    An embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the embodiment described above is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not meant to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Needless to say, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. Also, the components described in the appended claims and in the specification may be used in any combination or any of the components may be omitted as long as at least some of the problems described above can be solved or as long as at least some of the advantageous effects described above can be achieved. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0056]      11  . . . Branch tube 
         [0057]      12  . . . First passage 
         [0058]      13  . . . Catheter tube 
         [0059]      14  . . . First urethral catheterization passage 
         [0060]      15  . . . Funnel portion 
         [0061]      19  . . . Space 
         [0062]      30  . . . Connecting tube 
         [0063]      31  . . . First end portion 
         [0064]      32  . . . Second end portion 
         [0065]      40  . . . Joint 
         [0066]      41  . . . Second urethral catheterization passage 
         [0067]      42  . . . Second passage 
         [0068]      43  . . . Insertion port 
         [0069]      50  . . . Balloon catheter 
         [0070]      51  . . . Third urethral catheterization passage 
         [0071]      52  . . . Third passage 
         [0072]      54  . . . Balloon