JP2002035140A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector capable of being certainly connected to a pipe member without contaminating the fluid passage in the connector at the time of connection to the pipe member and capable of preventing the leak of a liquid at the time of connection to the pipe member or after the pipe member is detached from the connector. SOLUTION: The connector 1 is equipped with a housing 2 having a small diameter part 42 which is a connection port for connecting the pipe member 6 and the valve disc 5, which comprises an elastic material, arranged in the housing 2. The valve disc 5 has a cylindrical substrate part 51, the press part 52 pressed to the pipe member 6 and a fixed part 53. A slit part 54 closed in a natural state is formed to the press part 52. An escape space 36 and a gap 47 are formed in the housing 2. When the pipe member 6 presses the press pat 52 to be connected to the connector 1, the valve disc 5 is deformed to open the slit part 54, and the leading end of the substrate part 51 and a part of the fixed part 53 enter the escape space 36.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a pipe, which is used, for example, in various medical devices, infusion containers, and liquid delivery devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional connector of this type includes a housing and a valve body made of an elastic material attached to a connection port of the housing, and the valve body securely connects the pipe and the connector. I have to. Then, the fluid (liquid or the like) flowing through the pipe is sent into the connector.

Conventionally, as a first example of this type of connector, a connector disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-243092 is known. In this connector, when a tube is connected to the connector, the tube passes through an opening formed in the valve body in the connector in advance.

A second example is disclosed in, for example,
One disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 108361 is known. In this connector, a small through hole is formed on a base end surface side of a valve body mounted in a housing. Then, when the tube is connected to the connector, the valve body is elastically deformed by pressing the distal end surface of the tube against the base end surface of the valve body, thereby forming the through hole of the valve body to expand. ing.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional connector, the first example has a problem that the diameter of the opening hole formed in the valve body is too large.
Further, since the opening is formed in advance, there is a problem that when the tube is detached from the connector, the liquid may flow backward from the base end side of the connector and leak. further,
Since the distal end of the tube penetrates through the valve and enters the connector, there is a problem that bacteria adhering to the distal end of the tube may enter the fluid passage of the connector and become contaminated. there were.

On the other hand, in the second example, since the pipe does not penetrate the valve body, there is no problem as in the first example. However, the structure is such that the distal end face of the pipe is pressed against the base end face of the valve body, and their liquid tightness depends exclusively on the contact surface pressure between the distal end face of the pipe body and the base end face of the valve body. It is said that there is a possibility that liquid leakage may occur when the internal pressure becomes high, etc., and that if the tube is not continuously pressed with a strong force, the connection between the pipe body and the valve body may be disconnected depending on the degree of fitting between the two. There was a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a reliable connection between a tube and a connector without contaminating a fluid passage in the connector when the tube is connected, and to disconnect the tube from the connector when the tube is connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector capable of preventing a liquid leak after the process.

[0008]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (6).

(1) A connector including a housing having a connection port for connecting a pipe body and having a fluid passage formed therein, and a valve body installed in the housing and made of an elastic material, The valve body is formed on the cylindrical base portion, a pressed portion provided on one end side of the base portion in the axial direction, which receives the pressing force in contact with the tube, and is formed on the pressed portion,
The housing includes a slit portion that opens when the pressed portion is pressed, and a fixing portion that is provided on the other axial end of the base portion and fixes the valve body to the housing. Inside, a clearance space into which a portion of the base portion on the fixed portion side can be inserted is formed, and the pipe body presses the pressed portion of the valve body and is connected to the connection port of the housing. The connector is characterized in that when the valve body is elastically deformed, the slit portion is opened, and a portion of the base portion on the fixing portion side enters the relief space.

(2) The connector according to (1), wherein the base is compressed in the axial direction and expanded in diameter when the tube presses the pressed portion of the valve body.

(3) The connector according to (1) or (2), further comprising a gap between the base and the housing, the gap allowing the diameter of the base to be increased.

(4) The valve according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the valve is restored to its original shape when the connection of the pipe to the connection port is released. Connectors.

(5) The connector according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the pressed portion has a convex portion and / or a concave portion on a side where the tubular body contacts.

(6) The connector according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the pressed portion has a convex portion on a side where the tube does not contact.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention, in which a pipe is not connected. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the connector 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along a section orthogonal to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 for sequentially illustrating a state when the pipe 6 is connected;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the connector of the present invention. In the following description, FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG.
The upper side in FIG. 6 is referred to as a “proximal end”, the lower side as a “distal end”, and the up-down direction as an “axial direction”.

The connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is for connecting a tube 6 and includes a housing 2 and a valve 5.

The housing 2 includes a housing main body 3 and a lid 4, and has a fluid passage formed therein.

The housing body 3 has a substantially cylindrical inner part (inner cylinder) 31 and a substantially cylindrical outer part (outer cylinder) 32 provided concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the inner part 31. ing.

A flow path 311 is formed in the inner part 31 along the longitudinal direction. Further, a tapered surface whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the base end to the tip is formed on the outer periphery of the inner portion 31. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the inner portion 31 has a Luer taper shape. Further, the tip of the inner portion 31 is provided to extend further in the tip direction than the tip of the outer portion 32.

The outer portion 32 is a portion to be a luer lock portion, and a spiral screw thread (luer lock screw) 321 is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof.

A flexible tube (not shown), for example, is connected to the distal end of the housing body 3 in a liquid-tight manner directly or via a predetermined connector.
The fluid passage of the connector 1 communicates with the lumen of the tube. Examples of the tube include a tube of an infusion set and the like.

To connect a tube to the distal end of the housing body 3, for example, the inner portion 31 is fitted into the tube.

Further, the inner portion 31 is fitted into the tube, and a flange or a Luer lock screw (not shown) on the tube side is screwed into the screw thread 321 to be locked.

In the present invention, the outer portion 32 and its thread 321 may be omitted. In the present invention,
The outer diameter of the inner portion 31 may be constant in the axial direction (longitudinal direction).

At the base end of the housing body 3, a cylindrical valve body fixing portion 34 is provided so as to protrude from the base end surface 33 in the base end direction. The inner diameter of the valve body fixing portion 34 is
1 is larger than the inner diameter. This valve body fixing portion 34
The inside serves as an escape space 36 for the valve element 5 (base 51).

The proximal end of the flow passage 311 (near the proximal end face 33) is an enlarged inner diameter portion whose inner diameter is enlarged to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the valve element fixing portion 34. This enlarged inner diameter portion also forms a part of the escape space 36.

As shown in FIG. 7, such a valve body fixing portion 34 may not be formed. In this case, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the entire space surrounded by the step portion 531 and the holding portion 532 of the valve body 5 (the space on the distal end side of the base portion 51) described below becomes the escape space 36.

An annular groove 35 is provided on the base end surface 33 of the housing body 3 on the outer peripheral side of the valve body fixing portion 34. The valve body fixing portion 34 and the groove portion 35 are formed concentrically with the inner portion 31 and the outer portion 32.

The lid part 4 has a space for accommodating the valve element 5 therein, and is connected to the base end side of the housing body 3.

An annular protrusion 41 is provided at the tip of the lid 4. The protrusion 41 is inserted into the groove 35 of the housing main body 3, and the housing main body 3 and the lid 4 are in a state of being connected.

The method of fixing the housing body 3 and the cover 4 is not particularly limited, but, for example, fitting, caulking,
Adhesion with an adhesive, heat fusion, fusion such as ultrasonic fusion, and the like can be given.

The inner diameter of the cover 4 is divided into three stages, each having a small diameter portion 42, a medium diameter portion 43, and a large diameter portion 44 from the base end side. Further, a tapered portion 45 is provided between the small diameter portion 42 and the middle diameter portion 43. The inner diameter of the tapered portion 45 is
It gradually increases from the proximal end to the distal end.

The small diameter portion 42 is a portion serving as a connection port (connection portion) for connecting (holding) the tube 6.

A thread (luer lock screw) 421 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 42. This screw thread 42
Numeral 1 is adapted to be screwed into a thread (luer lock screw) 621 of an outer portion 62 of the tube 6, which will be described later.
When this is connected to the connector 1 (connection port), the screw 6 locks the tube 6 with respect to the lid 4.

The middle diameter portion 43 is a portion for accommodating the base portion 51 of the valve element 5. The inner diameter of the middle diameter portion 43 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the base portion 51 of the valve body 5, and a gap (escape space) 47 is provided between the middle diameter portion 43 and the base portion 51 of the valve body 5. Is formed. As will be described later, the gap 47 is a space (diameter expansion allowable space) that allows the base portion 51 to be compressed in the axial direction and expanded in diameter by the connection of the tube 6. By providing this gap 47 in addition to the above-mentioned clearance space 36, the degree of freedom of displacement and deformation of the valve element 5 is further increased,
With the connection and disconnection of the pipe 6, the valve 5 is reliably operated, and the slit 54 is reliably opened and closed.

The inner diameter of the large diameter portion 44 is set larger than the outer diameter of the valve body fixing portion 34 of the housing body 3. The large-diameter portion 44 is a portion that sandwiches the fixing portion 53 of the valve body 5 together with the valve body fixing portion 34 of the housing body 3.

Examples of the constituent materials of the cover 4 and the housing body 3 include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl chloride, and polyvinylidene chloride. , Polystyrene, polyamide,
Polyimide, polyamide imide, polycarbonate, poly- (4-methylpentene-1), ionomer, acrylic resin, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin),
Acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin), butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PB)
T), polyester such as polycyclohexane terephthalate (PCT), polyether, polyether ketone (PEK), polyether ether ketone (PEE)
K), polyetherimide, polyacetal (PO
M), various resin materials such as polyphenylene oxide, modified polyphenylene oxide, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and other fluorine-based resins; Alternatively, a blend, a polymer alloy or the like containing one or more of these may be used. In addition, it can be made of various glass materials, ceramic materials, and metal materials.

The valve element 5 is made of an elastically deformable elastic material (flexible material). Examples of the elastic material include natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, acryl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, hydrin rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, and fluorine rubber. Various rubber materials, styrene,
Various thermoplastic elastomers such as polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polybutadiene-based, trans polyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, and chlorinated polyethylene-based are exemplified, and one of these or Two or more kinds can be used as a mixture.

The valve element 5 has a base portion 51 formed in a cylindrical shape (substantially cylindrical shape, hollow truncated cone shape, etc.), and one end side (base end side) of the base portion 51 in the axial direction. It has a pressed part 52 provided so as to shield the cavity, and a fixed part 53 provided on the other end side (tip side) of the base part 51 in the axial direction.
In this case, it is preferable that the base portion 51, the pressed portion 52, and the fixing portion 53 are formed integrally.

The outer diameter of the base portion 51 is preferably substantially constant along the axial direction. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the base portion 51 when the base portion 51 is compressed in the axial direction and expanded in diameter is reduced, so that it is possible to prevent the lid portion 4 from increasing in diameter.

The value of the ratio D ₂ / D ₁ between the outer diameter (average outer diameter) D _{1 of the} base portion 51 and the inner diameter (average inner diameter) D ₂ of the clearance space 36 is not particularly limited, but is 0.5 to 2 times. Is preferably, and more preferably 1 to 1.2.

[0043] The depth of the relief space 36 (the length indicated by L ₁ in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7) is not particularly limited, 0 m
It is preferably larger than m and 5 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Is such that the size of its inner diameter differs depending on the direction. Hereinafter, the inner diameter (inner shape) of the base portion 51 in each section will be described.

[Cross Section shown in FIG. 1] In the cross section shown in FIG. 1, the inner diameter of the base portion 51 gradually decreases toward the front end except for the vicinity of the front end. In other words, the thickness of the base portion 51 gradually increases toward the distal end except for the vicinity of the distal end. The inner diameter (thickness) near the tip of the base 51 is substantially constant.

With such a structure, in this cross section, the base portion 51 has a relatively small thickness at the base end side, so that the base portion 51 has relatively small bending rigidity at the base end side. Therefore, when the tube 6 presses the pressed portion 52, the slit 54 can be reliably opened with a small pressing force. In addition, the distal end side of the base portion 51 has a relatively large thickness,
Relatively large bending stiffness. For this reason, when the connection with the tube 6 is released, the restoring force of the base portion 51 acts greatly, and the valve body 5 is restored to its original shape, and the slit 54 that has been opened is more reliably closed. I do.

[Cross section shown in FIG. 2] On the other hand, in the cross section shown in FIG. 2, which is orthogonal to the cross section shown in FIG. Is almost constant. In other words, in this part,
The base portion 51 has a substantially constant thickness along the axial direction.

With this configuration, in this cross section, since the inside diameter of the distal end side of the base portion 51 is large, even when the pipe body 6 is inserted deeply into the housing 2 and the valve body 5 is greatly deformed, the base portion 51 is deformed. The inside diameter of the distal end side of 51 does not become too small, and a sufficiently wide flow path is secured.

The pressed portion 52 is provided on the base end of the base 51 so as to seal the base of the base 51.
The pressed portion 52 is a portion that receives a pressing force from the distal end surface 63 of the tube 6.

The outer diameter of the pressed portion 52 is the same as the small diameter portion 4 of the lid 4.
2, and the pressed portion 52 enters the small diameter portion 42 with almost no gap.
The outer diameter of the pressed portion 52 is preferably equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the tube 6. Accordingly, when pressed by the tube 6, the pressed portion 52 is easily folded inward, and the slit portion 54 is easily opened.

At the center of the pressed portion 52, the pressed portion 52
Are formed in the axial direction.
In the present embodiment, the slit portion 54 is formed by a single-character cut (slit) formed in a direction perpendicular to the paper of FIG.

When the slit portion 54 is in a natural state (a state in which no external force acts), the slit portion 54 is closed by the elasticity of the pressed portion 52 and maintains a liquid-tight state (air-tight state).

The direction of the slit portion 54 is not limited to the illustrated direction, and may be formed, for example, in a direction parallel to the plane of FIG. Further, the shape of the slit portion 54 is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and may be, for example, a cross-shaped slit.

Two protruding portions 521, 521 are provided on the base end surface of the pressed portion 52 (on the side where the distal end surface of the tubular body 6 comes into contact) with the slit portion 54 interposed therebetween. Each convex portion 521 is formed parallel to the slit portion 54 so as to cross the base end surface of the pressed portion 52. The convex portion 521 protrudes in the proximal direction from the proximal surface 46 of the lid portion 4.

By providing such a convex portion 521, the portion to be pressed 52 becomes a thick portion and has high bending rigidity. Therefore, in the natural state, the force for bringing the slit portions 54 into close contact with each other is large, and the liquid tightness is high.

A protruding portion 522 is provided on the tip end surface of the pressed portion 52 (on the side where the tube 6 does not contact). That is, the convex portion 522 is located in the base portion 51 of the valve body 5,
The projection 521 protrudes in the opposite direction. This projection 522
Has a substantially hemispherical shape.
It is located at the top (tip) of the projection 522. By providing such a convex part 522, the pressure in the valve element 5 is reduced when the slit part 54 is closed.
, The force acts to bring the slit portion 54 into close contact, so that the liquid tightness is further improved.

A fixing portion 53 is provided at the tip of the base portion 51 of the valve element 5. The fixing portion 53 includes a step portion 531 formed to extend in the radial direction from the outer peripheral portion of the distal end of the base portion 51, and a cylindrical holding portion 532 formed to extend in the distal direction from the outer peripheral edge of the step portion 531. And The inner diameter of the holding portion 532 is larger than the outer diameter of the base portion 51 and is set to be substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the valve body fixing portion 34 of the housing body 3. The outer diameter of the holding portion 532 is the same as the large diameter portion 44 of the lid portion 4.
It is set to be almost the same as or slightly larger than the inner diameter of. The outer diameter (average outer diameter) D _{3 of the} holding portion 532 and the base portion 5
1 values of the ratio D ₃ / D ₁ between the outer diameter (average outer diameter) D ₁ is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.2 to 2.5,
More preferably, it is 1.8 to 2.2.

The valve element 5 has a holding portion 532 of the fixing portion 53.
Is securely (particularly liquid-tight) fixed to the housing 2 by being sandwiched between the valve body fixing portion 34 of the housing body 3 and the large diameter portion 44 of the lid portion 4.

The tube 6 is connected to the connection port (small diameter portion 4) of the connector 1.
The part or device connected to 2). Examples of the tube 6 include a protruding portion of a syringe (a syringe) (a portion for connecting a needle tube) and a tubular device such as a hub or a sheath that is independent of itself.

The tube 6 has a substantially cylindrical inner part (inner cylinder) 61.
And a substantially cylindrical outer portion (outer cylinder) 62 provided concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the inner portion 61.

The inner portion 61 has a fluid passage 611 inside, and its outer peripheral surface has a Luer taper shape. That is, the outer diameter of the distal end of the tube 6 is slightly smaller than the opening diameter (connection diameter) of the small-diameter portion 42 of the lid 4, and has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter gradually increases toward the base end. Is larger than the opening diameter of the small diameter portion 42. Further, the tip of the inner portion 61 is provided to extend further in the tip direction than the tip of the outer portion 62.

The outer portion 62 is a portion to be a luer lock portion, and a spiral screw thread (luer lock screw) 621 is formed on the inner peripheral surface.

To connect the tube 6 to the connector 1, the inner portion 61 is fitted into the small-diameter portion 42, and the thread 421 of the lid 4 is screwed into the thread 621 and locked.

In the present invention, the outer portion 62 and its thread 621 may be omitted. In the present invention,
The outer diameter of the inner portion 61 may be constant in the axial direction (longitudinal direction).

The tube 6 may be made of the same material as that of the lid 4 and the housing 3.

Next, the connection of the connector 1 to the tube 6 will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
Is positioned so that the central axis of the housing 2 coincides with the central axis of the housing 2. From this state, the tube 6 is moved toward the distal end (the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure) and inserted into the connector 1.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the distal end surface 63 of the tube 6 has been moved to the position of the base end surface 46 of the housing 2 (lid 4). In this state, the convex portion 521 of the valve body 5 that has protruded in the proximal direction from the proximal end surface 46 becomes the distal end surface 63 of the tubular body 6.
, The valve element 5 is compressed in the axial direction. As a result, the diameter of the base portion 51 is slightly increased, particularly at the intermediate portion.

The pressed portion 52 has a central portion 523.
Are slightly displaced in the distal direction, and are deformed so that the angle of the corner 524 near the outer periphery (the angle formed by the pressed portion 52 and the base 51) becomes small. As a result, the tip of the slit portion 54 that has been closed up to that point is slightly open. At this time, since the convex portion 521 is provided, the pressed portion 52 is deformed by applying the power to the convex portion 521 and the corner portion 5.
It is generated by acting like a lever with 24 as the fulcrum and the central part 523 as the point of action. Therefore, the displacement of the central portion 523 in the distal direction is larger than the displacement of the convex portion 524 in the distal direction, so that the slit portion 54 is opened more.

Since the base end (pressed portion 52) of the valve element 5 enters the small-diameter portion 42, the radial expansion (diameter expansion) is restricted by the small-diameter portion 42 of the lid 4. The base end side of the slit portion 54 is still closed.

When the tube 6 is further moved in the distal direction and inserted into the connector 1, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the distal end of the tubular body 6 has entered the lid portion 4 and the distal end surface of the outer portion 62 and the base end surface 46 of the lid portion 4 are almost coincident. In this state, the pressed portion 5
2 is pushed in the distal direction by the tubular body 6 and
Inside. Thereby, the restriction on the diameter expansion of the pressed portion 52 by the small diameter portion 42 is released, and the pressed portion 52 can be expanded in the radial direction.

The valve body 5 is further compressed in the axial direction, and the base portion 51 is further expanded in diameter to form a so-called barrel shape. The base portion 51 deformed in this manner acts on the pressed portion 52 such that it is pulled toward the outer periphery (in the radial direction). The pressed portion 52 is expanded in the radial direction (toward the outer peripheral side) by this force. As a result, the entire slit portion 54 is open, and the flow path of the tube 6 and the flow path of the connector 1 are in communication.

Further, when the diameter of the base portion 51 is increased, the gap 47 is increased.
Is well secured. In addition, the tip of the base portion 51 (the portion on the fixed portion 53 side) slightly moves in the tip direction,
It has entered the escape space 36.

When the tube 6 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5) with respect to the connector 1 from this state, the thread 621 of the outer portion 62 of the tube 6 becomes the thread 321 of the housing body 3. , The tube 6 (inner portion 61) further advances in the distal direction, and the tube 6 is locked to the connector 1. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the tube 6 is locked with respect to the connector 1 as described above (this state is hereinafter referred to as a “state”).
We say "connection state". ). In this state, since the inner portion 61 of the tube 6 is fitted into the small-diameter portion 42 of the lid 4, the tube 6 is more reliably connected to the connector 1.

The distal end surface 63 of the tube 6 is
, Whereby the valve element 5 is further compressed in the axial direction. The axial length of the valve element 5 is approximately half of the original length.

The slit 54 is moved from the state shown in FIG.
It has a larger opening. In addition, a part on the tip side (a part on the fixed part 53 side) of the base part 51 and a part of the fixed part 53 (the step part 531) enter the escape space 36.
More specifically, the distal end of the valve element 5 moves largely in the distal direction and enters the escape space 36. In addition, the step portion 531 is provided with the escape space 36 so as to approach the valve body fixing portion 34.
And the angle formed between the step portion 531 and the valve element fixing portion 34 is small.

As described above, the provision of the escape space 36 allows the valve element 5 to be largely deformed in the distal direction, and is indicated by L ₂ in FIG.
Insertion length (from the proximal end surface 46 of the lid 4 to the distal end surface 6 of the tube 6)
The tube 6 can be connected even when the length is up to 3). Therefore, the connector 1 can connect various pipes 6 having different insertion lengths.

In particular, when the connector 1 and the tube 6 are connected by screwing a Luer lock screw as in the present embodiment, the insertion length L ₂ is required to be long. In this case, for example, the valve element 5 is reliably operated and the slit portion 54 is reliably opened and closed with connection and disconnection of the pipe element 6.

Further, a portion of the base portion 51 on the tip side (a portion on the fixing portion 53 side) and a part of the fixing portion 53 (step portion 531) can enter the escape space 36, so that the base portion 51 In addition, the degree of freedom of deformation of the pressed portion 52 increases. Thereby, the slit portion 54 is more reliably opened with a larger opening area.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the tube 6 is connected to the connector 1, the distal end surface 63 and the distal end outer peripheral surface 64 of the tube 6 extend beyond the valve 5 and into the fluid passage of the housing 2. Since it does not penetrate, there is no inconvenience that the slit portion 54 is excessively pushed and widened to cause a decrease in liquid tightness.
Further, even when foreign matter (dust, dust, etc.), bacteria, and the like adhere to the distal end surface 63 and the distal end outer peripheral surface 64 of the tubular body 6, they may enter the housing 2 and contaminate the inside of the housing 2. Is prevented.

When the tube 6 is rotated counterclockwise from the connection state shown in FIG. 6 to release the lock, and further moved in the proximal direction and pulled out from the connector 1, the tube acting on the valve 5 Since the pressing force by the body 6 is released, the base body 51 of the valve body 5 is extended to its original length by the self-restoring force due to its elasticity. Then, the pressed portion 52 of the valve element 5 returns to its original shape, enters the small-diameter portion 42 of the lid 4, and
1 protrudes from the base end surface 46 to be in the state shown in FIG.

When the valve element 5 returns to the original shape, the slit portion 54 is closed again and the liquid tightness is restored. Therefore, after the pipe 6 is pulled out from the connector 1, for example, the fluid flows in the proximal direction. Even if the fluid flows backward, the fluid is prevented from flowing out from the proximal end side of the connector 1.

In particular, when the slit portion 54 is formed in the convex portion 522 which is a thick portion as in the present embodiment, the slit portion 54 is more closed than when the slit portion 54 is formed in the flat portion. Since the sealing performance at the time can be further improved, liquid leakage can be more reliably prevented with respect to an increase in the internal pressure of the housing 2 or the like.

As described above, the connector 1 does not connect the pipe 6 through the slit 54 of the valve body 5, so that the slit 54 is not excessively widened. As a result, even when the attachment / detachment of the tube 6 to the connector 1 is repeated many times, the sealing performance at the slit portion 54 of the valve body 5 hardly decreases.

[0085]

EXAMPLES Next, specific examples of the present invention will be described.

The connector 1 described above was applied to a part of a Y site used as a liquid inlet for a medical infusion set.

The valve body 5 having the shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is made of silicone rubber, and has a length of 2 mm in plan view (FIG. 3) in consideration of the inner diameter and length of the syringe (tube body 6). Is formed so as to penetrate the center of the pressed portion 52 of the valve element 5.

The thickness of the pressed portion 52 of the valve body 5 is 1.2 mm at the position where the thinnest convex portion 521 is formed, and 1. at the position where the thickest convex portion 522 is formed (central portion 523). 8 mm.

The height (total length) of the valve element 5 was 9.4 mm. The outer diameter D ₁ of the base portion 51, 4.0 mm, an outer diameter D ₃ of the clamping portion 532, and a 8.0 mm.

In the cross section shown in FIG. 1, the thickness of the base portion 51 is 0.5 mm (minimum value) at the base end of the base portion 51 and 1.0 mm (maximum value) at the front end thereof, and gradually changes between them. I let it. Then, in the cross section shown in FIG.
Was set to 0.6 mm along the axial direction.

The lid 4 having the shape shown in FIGS.
The housing body 3 was injection-molded with polypropylene. The inner diameters of the small diameter portion (connection port) 41, the middle diameter portion 43, and the large diameter portion 44 of the housing 2 are each 4.0.
mm, 6.2 mm and 7.8 mm. The inner diameter D ₂ of the escape space 36 was 5.0 mm.

After the valve body 5 was mounted on the cover 4, the housing body 3 was fitted to the cover 4 by caulking, and the housing body 3 and the cover 4 were fixed by ultrasonic welding. The valve body 5 is configured such that the holding portion 532 is
By being sandwiched between the (valve element fixing portion 34) and the lid portion 4 (the large diameter portion 44), it was securely fixed to the housing 2.

When the distal end projecting portion (Luer taper: no needle attached) of the syringe is inserted into the connection port (small diameter portion 42) of the connector 1 assembled as described above, the distal end surface 63
As a result, the pressed portion 52 of the valve element 5 was pressed, and the valve element 5 was elastically deformed as shown in FIG.

As a result, even if the distal end outer peripheral surface 64 of the distal end of the syringe is contaminated with bacteria such as falling bacteria, the danger of falling bacteria directly entering the infusion passage of the connector 1 is reduced. We were able to.

When the syringe was pulled out of the connector 1 after injecting the drug solution through the syringe, the valve 5 was restored to its original shape, the slit 54 was securely closed, and the liquid tightness was restored.

Next, an air leak test of the valve body 5 was performed by the following method. With the slit portion 54 of the valve element 5 closed, the connector 1 was immersed in water, and compressed air was supplied into the housing 2 of the connector 1 to gradually pressurize it. as a result,
Until the pressure in the housing 2 reached 0.38 MPa, no air leakage from the slit portion 54 occurred.

Next, the distal end protruding portion of the syringe was repeatedly attached to and detached from the connector 1 200 times as described above, and the same air leak test was performed as described above. , 0.38MPa
Thus, it was confirmed that the sealing performance (liquid tightness, air tightness) of the valve element 5 hardly deteriorated.

Although the connector of the present invention has been described based on one embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each part, particularly the shape and structure of the valve body, the shape and structure of the housing, etc. Can be any one that can achieve the same function, and various modifications as described below are possible, for example.

The valve body 5 may be made of two or more kinds of elastic materials having different compositions and properties (flexibility, flexural modulus, rubber hardness, etc.).

In the above embodiment, the valve body 5 and the housing 2 are separate members. However, for example, the valve body 5 and the lid 4,
Alternatively, the valve body 5 and the housing body 3 may be integrally formed by two-color molding or insert molding. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced.

The internal shape of the base portion 51 of the valve body 5 is not limited to the illustrated one, and may be, for example, a shape that does not change around the central axis (a column shape, a truncated cone shape, or the like).

The slit portion 54 has a one-letter shape or a cross-letter shape. In addition, for example, an L-shape, an H-shape,
The shape may be a U-shape or the like. Further, when it is necessary to increase or decrease the flow rate of the fluid according to the application, the slit 5
4 may have a plurality of slits.

In the above embodiment, the base portion 51 of the valve body 5
Although an example in which is formed in a cylindrical shape is given, a bellows-like portion having a spring function may be provided so that the shape can be easily restored.

[0104]

As described above, according to the present invention, since there is no structure in which the pipe is penetrated and connected to the valve body of the connector, foreign matters and bacteria adhering to the distal end of the pipe are protected from the inside of the connector. Is prevented from entering.

Further, since the relief space for the valve element is provided, the degree of freedom of displacement and deformation of the valve element is increased. Thus, the valve body is reliably operated and the slit portion is reliably opened and closed with connection and disconnection of various kinds of pipes having various insertion lengths.

Further, since the tube is securely connected to the connector, it is prevented from being unintentionally disconnected from the connector.

Further, even after removing the tube from the connector,
Since the slit portion is securely closed, for example, even when the fluid flows backward, it is possible to prevent the fluid from leaking out of the connector from the valve body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 in a section orthogonal to the section in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a proximal end side.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where the distal end surface of the tube substantially matches the proximal end surface of the housing.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a distal end portion of a tubular body is inserted into a housing of a tubular body.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the connection of the pipe to the connector is completed.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 2 Housing 3 Housing main body 31 Inner part 311 Flow path 32 Outer part 321 Thread 33 Base end face 34 Valve element fixing part 35 Groove part 36 Relief space 4 Cover part 41 Projection part 42 Small diameter part (connection port) 421 Thread part 43 Medium Diameter part 44 Large diameter part 45 Taper part 46 Base end surface 47 Gap 5 Valve element 51 Base part 52 Pressed part 521 Convex part 522 Convex part 523 Central part 524 Corner part 53 Fixed part 531 Step part 532 Nipping part 54 Slit part 6 Tube Body 61 Inner portion 611 Flow path 62 Outer portion 621 Thread 63 Tip surface 64 Tip outer peripheral surface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connector comprising: a housing having a connection port for connecting a pipe body and having a fluid passage formed therein; and a valve body installed in the housing and made of an elastic material, The valve body is provided on one end of the base body portion in the axial direction of the base portion, and is a pressed portion that is in contact with the tube body and receives a pressing force. A slit portion that opens when the pressing portion is pressed, and a fixing portion that is provided on the other axial end of the base portion and fixes the valve body to the housing. An escape space into which a portion of the base portion on the fixed portion side can be inserted is formed, and the pipe body presses the pressed portion of the valve body and is connected to the connection port of the housing. In addition, the valve element is
The connector is characterized in that the connector is configured to be elastically deformed, the slit portion is opened, and a portion of the base portion on the fixing portion side enters the clearance space. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein when the tube presses the pressed portion of the valve body, the base is compressed in the axial direction to expand the diameter. 3. Between the base portion and the housing,
The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a gap allowing a diameter of the base portion to be increased. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the valve is restored to its original shape when the connection of the tube to the connection port is released. 5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pressed portion has a convex portion and / or a concave portion on a side where the tube contacts. 6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pressed portion has a convex portion on a side where the tube does not contact.