JP2002130555A - Valve body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve body having a small size and securely opening and closing by attaching and detaching a pipe body without contaminating a passage when connecting the pipe body. SOLUTION: The valve body 5 has a substrate part 51 of cylinder shape, a pressed-in part 52 set at an end of the substrate part 51 and pressed-in to a pipe body, and a fixed part 53 set at the other end of the substrate part 51 for a connector housing. A taper part 511 is formed in a direction of the substrate part 51, and the width of a bore in the substrate part 51 gradually decreases toward the direction of fixed part 53 in the taper part 511. The width of the bore in the substrate part 51 becomes almost constant in the direction intersecting the direction wherein the taper part 511 is formed at right angles. Two projection parts 521, 521 expanding into a fixed direction and a recess 522 are provided on the outside of the pressed-in part 52 and a slit part 54 is formed normal to them.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a valve made of an elastic material and installed on a connector to which a tube can be connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector which can be connected to a tube, such as a fluid administration port or a fluid collection port in a medical instrument or an infusion container, or a plug for opening a business is known. In such a connector, a valve body made of an elastic material is installed, and when the tube is connected to the connector, the valve is opened, and a fluid may pass between the connector and the tube. I can do it.

[0003] As such a valve element, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-118178 discloses a valve element (check valve) having a slit-shaped insertion hole formed at the bottom of a mortar-shaped concave portion. In this valve body, the tip of a luer taper member such as a syringe is inserted into the insertion hole, and the periphery of the luer taper member is sealed by the elasticity of the valve body.

However, in the valve body disclosed in the publication, a tube such as a luer taper member is inserted into an insertion hole (slit).
Because of this configuration, there is a problem that the valve body becomes large (especially, large in diameter) and is not suitable for installation in, for example, a tube.

Further, since the outer peripheral portion of the tube penetrated through the insertion hole faces the flow path and comes into contact with the fluid, the outer peripheral portion of the tube is contaminated with floating bacteria or the like which are floating. In such a case, there is a problem that there is a risk of contaminating a fluid (infusion) in a flow path of an infusion set or the like.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve element which is small and can be reliably opened and closed as the pipe element is attached and detached without contaminating the flow path when connecting the pipe element. is there.

[0007]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (11).

(1) A valve body made of an elastic material and installed on a connector to which a tube body can be connected, the valve body being provided on a cylindrical base portion and one end in the axial direction of the base portion, A pressed part that receives a pressing force in contact with the tubular body, a slit formed in the pressed part, and opened when the pressed part is pressed, and the other end side in the axial direction of the base part And a fixing portion for fixing the valve body to the connector, wherein the base portion has a tapered portion in which the width of the lumen gradually decreases in one direction toward the other end. A valve body characterized in that a decreasing rate of the width of the lumen in the tapered portion is smaller than a decreasing rate of the width of the lumen in the other direction orthogonal to the one direction.

(2) The valve body according to (1), wherein an outer diameter of the base portion is substantially constant along an axial direction thereof.

(3) The valve body according to (1) or (2), wherein the width of the lumen in the other direction of the base portion is substantially constant along the axial direction.

(4) The value of the ratio L ₂ / L ₁ of the maximum width L ₁ and the minimum width L ₂ of the lumen in the tapered portion is 0.3 to
The valve body according to any one of the above (1) to (3), wherein the value is 0.8.

(5) The structure according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the base is compressed in the axial direction to expand the diameter when the tube presses the pressed portion. Valve body.

(6) The fixing portion has a step formed so as to extend in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the tip of the base portion, and a cylindrical portion formed to extend in the direction of the tip from the outer periphery of the step. The valve body according to any one of the above (1) to (5), having a ring portion.

(7) The valve element according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the slit portion has a single character shape.

(8) The valve body according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the pressed portion has a convex portion and / or a concave portion on a side where the tube contacts.

(9) The convex portion and / or the concave portion are:
The valve element according to the above (8), which has a shape extending in a certain direction.

(10) The valve according to (9), wherein the slit portion is formed in a single character along a direction substantially perpendicular or substantially parallel to a direction in which the convex portion and / or the concave portion extends. body.

(11) The valve body according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the pressed portion has a convex portion on a side where the tube does not contact.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a valve body of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a valve body according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view taken along line II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a line II-II in FIG. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view taken along a line, FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a pipe is not connected in the connector provided with the valve body shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 5 to 7 correspond to FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view and is a figure for demonstrating the state at the time of the pipe body 6 being connected in order. In addition,
In the description below, the upper side in FIGS. 1 to 7 is described as a “proximal end”, the lower side as a “distal end”, and the up-down direction as an “axial direction”.

The valve element 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is installed on a connector to which a pipe can be connected, such as the connector 1 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, before describing the configuration of the valve element 5, the overall configuration of the connector 1 will be described first.

The connector 1 shown in FIG. 4 connects the 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 cylinder 31.
And a substantially cylindrical outer cylinder 32 provided concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 31.

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

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

A flexible tube (not shown), for example, is connected to the distal end side 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 tube 31 is fitted into the tube.

Further, the inner cylinder 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.

A cylindrical valve body fixing portion 34 is provided at the base end of the housing body 3 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
It is larger than the inside diameter. The inside of the valve body fixing portion 34 serves as an escape space 36 for the valve body 5 (base portion 51) described later.

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.

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 part 34 and the groove 35 are formed concentrically with the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 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 projection 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 lid 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. Also, between the small diameter portion 42 and the middle diameter portion 43, the inner diameter gradually increases from the base end toward the tip.

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 cylinder 62 of the tube 6, which will be described later. When the tube 6 is connected to the connector 1 (connection port), the screw is used. The tube 6 is locked to the lid 4.

The middle diameter portion 43 is a portion for accommodating the base portion 51 of the valve body 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.

The lid 4 and the housing body 3 may be made of, for example, 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 body 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, acrylic rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, hydrin rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, and fluoro 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.

Now, the structure of the valve body 5 of the present invention will be described. The valve element 5 is cylindrical (cylindrical, hollow truncated cone, etc.).
A pressed portion 52 provided on one end side (base end side) of the base portion 51 in the axial direction so as to shield an inner cavity of the base portion 51, and an axial direction of the base portion 51. And a fixing portion 53 provided on the other end side (front end side). In this case, the base portion 51, the pressed portion 52, and the fixed portion 53
Preferably, they are formed integrally.

The outer diameter of the base 51 is preferably substantially constant along the axial direction. This reduces the outer diameter of the base portion 51 when the base portion 51 is compressed in the axial direction and expanded in diameter, so that the installation space for the valve element 5 can be saved. It can be installed on a small connector such as the connector 1.

Such a valve element 5 is also characterized by the shape of the lumen of the base portion 51, which will be described later.

On one end side (base end) of the base portion 51, a pressed portion 52 is provided so as to seal the inner cavity of the base portion 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. Thus, when pressed by the tube 6, the pressed portion 52 is easily folded inward, and the slit portion 54 is easily opened (opened).

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), there are provided two projections (projections) 521, 521 extending in a certain direction. Biconvex portion 521,
521 is formed parallel to the slit 54 so as to cross the base end face of the pressed portion 52. Also, the protrusion 521
Project from the base end surface 46 of the lid 4 in the base end direction.

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 concave portion (groove) 522 is formed between the two convex portions 521. A slit portion (cut) 54 that penetrates the pressed portion 52 in the axial direction is formed at the center (central portion) of the pressed portion 52. In the present embodiment, it is formed in a single character along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the protrusions 521, 521 and the recess 522 extend.

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).

In the present invention, the shape of the slit portion 54 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, but may be, for example, a cross shape, an L shape, or the like.

When the slit portion 54 is formed in a single character, the angle formed by the slit portion 54 with respect to the extending direction of the convex portions 521, 521 and the concave portion 522 is 45 to 45.
When the angle is 90 °, when the convex portion 521 is pressed against the distal end surface 63 of the tubular body 6, the top of the convex portion 521 and the bottom of the concave portion 522 act like a lever, and the slit portion 54 is further opened. (Open). In addition, the slit portion 54 is
When the angle formed with respect to the direction in which the 21, 521 and the concave portion 522 extend is 0 to 45 °, when the convex portion 521 is pressed against the distal end surface 63 of the tubular body 6, the portions on both sides of the slit portion 54 are formed. It becomes easy to fall down (fold) inward, and the slit portion 54 becomes easier to open (open).

As described above, since the projections 521, 521 and the recess 522 are formed, the slit 54 is formed.
Are formed in a single character, the slit 54
No matter what direction the orientation of the slit part 5 is,
4 has an effect of easily opening (opening). Thus, in the manufacturing process of the valve element 5, when forming the slit portion 54, the tolerance for an error in the direction in which the slit portion 54 is formed is large.

However, as shown in FIG.
1, 521 and the recess 522 are almost perpendicular to the direction in which they extend (the aforementioned angle is 90 °) or are almost parallel (the aforementioned angle is 0 °) because they are most easily opened. It is preferable to form it in a direction close to.

When the outer diameter of the base portion 51 and the outer diameter of the pipe 6 to be connected are substantially the same, as shown in FIG. A flat portion 523 composed of a vertical plane may be formed. Accordingly, the pressed portion 52 easily receives the force from the tube 6, and the pressed portion 52 is easily turned inward.

When the outer diameter of the tube 6 to be connected is smaller than the outer diameter of the base portion 51, the upper portions of the convex portions 521, 521 are preferably mountain-shaped having vertexes (top portions).

A protruding portion 524 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 524 is located in the base portion 51 of the valve body 5,
The projection 521 protrudes in the opposite direction. This projection 524
Has a substantially hemispherical shape.
It is located at the top (tip) of the protrusion 524. By providing such a convex part 524, the pressure in the valve element 5 is reduced when the slit part 54 is closed.
When it acts on 4, 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 _{1 of the} base portion 51 and the holding portion 53
The value of the ratio D ₂ / D ₁ and 2 of the outer diameter (average outer diameter) D _2, 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 is provided with 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.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
The width of the lumen differs depending on the direction. Hereinafter, the internal shape of the base portion 51 in each cross section will be described.

[Cross section shown in FIG. 2] FIG.
A cross section (a cross section parallel to the slit portion 54) perpendicular to the direction in which the first and second 521 and the concave portion 522 extend is shown. The figure shows a tapered portion 511 formed inside the base portion 51.
The cross section of appears.

In the tapered portion 511, the base portion 51
Has a width gradually decreasing toward the fixing portion 53. In other words, in the tapered portion 511, the thickness of the base portion 51 gradually increases toward the distal end. The inner diameter (wall thickness) of the base portion 51 in the vicinity of the fixing portion 53 is substantially constant.

With such a configuration, in this cross section, the thickness of the base end of the base portion 51 (the side of the pressed portion 52) is relatively thin, so that the base portion 51 has a flexural rigidity at the base end side. Relatively small. Therefore, when the tube 6 presses the pressed portion 52, the slit 54 can be reliably opened with a small pressing force. Further, the tip end side (fixed portion 53 side) of the base portion 51 is relatively thick and has relatively large bending rigidity. 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 surely restored to the original shape, and the opened slit portion 54 is more reliably formed. Close.

The ratio (L ₂ / L ₁ ) between the maximum width (length indicated by L ₁ in FIG. 2) and the minimum width (length indicated by L ₂ in FIG. 2) of the lumen in the tapered portion 511. The value is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.3 to 0.8.

[Cross section shown in FIG. 3] FIG.
A cross section (a cross section perpendicular to the slit portion 54) parallel to the direction in which the first and second 521 and the concave portion 522 extend is shown. FIG.
In the cross section shown in the lumen of the width (the length indicated by L ₃ in FIG. 3) of the base portion 51 is substantially constant along the axial direction. In other words, in this portion, the thickness of the base portion 51 is substantially constant along the axial direction. With such a configuration, the width of the lumen at the tip end side (fixing portion 53 side) of the base portion 51 is larger (L ₃ > L ₂ ) than the cross section shown in FIG. Even when the valve body 5 is greatly deformed by the body 6 being inserted deeply into the housing 2, the width of the lumen on the distal end side of the base portion 51 does not become too small, and the flow path is sufficiently widened. You.

Thus, according to the present invention, regardless of the connection state of the tube 6 to the connector 1 and the type of the tube 6 (length, thickness, etc. of the inner cylinder 61), the valve 5 Is always opened and closed reliably.

Here, in the present invention, even in the cross section shown in FIG. 3, the width of the lumen may be gradually reduced at a decreasing rate smaller than that of the tapered portion 511. Also in this case, the width of the lumen of the base portion 51 in the cross section shown in FIG. 3 is larger than the width of the lumen of the base portion 51 in the cross section shown in FIG. Widely secured.

In the present invention, the direction in which the tapered portion 511 is formed is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.
The direction may be any direction with respect to the protrusion 521 and the recess 522.

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 tubular body 6 comprises a substantially cylindrical inner cylinder 61 and a substantially cylindrical outer cylinder 6 provided concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 61.
And 2.

The inner cylinder 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.
The distal end of the inner cylinder 61 is provided to extend further in the distal direction than the distal end of the outer cylinder 62.

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

To connect the tube 6 to the connector 1, the inner cylinder 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.

The outer cylinder 62 and its thread 621 may be omitted. Further, the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 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. 5 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 is slightly deformed (displaced) so as to be bent inward, so that the tip of the slit portion 54 that has been closed is slightly open. . At this time, the provision of the convex portion 521 allows the pressed portion 52 to easily fall inward as described above, so that the slit portion 54 opens larger.

Since the base end portion (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. 6 is obtained.

FIG. 6 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 cylinder 62 and the base end surface 46 of the lid portion 4 are almost coincident. In this state, the pressed portion 52
Is pushed in the distal direction by the tube 6 and enters the middle diameter portion 43. As a result, the pressed portion 52 is moved to the small diameter portion 4.
The restriction of the diameter expansion by 2 is released, and it is possible to expand in the radial direction.

The valve body 5 is further compressed in the axial direction, and the diameter of the base portion 51 is further increased 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. 6) with respect to the connector 1 from this state, the thread 621 of the outer cylinder 62 of the tube 6 becomes the thread 321 of the housing body 3. , The tube 6 (the inner tube 61) further advances in the distal direction, and the tube 6 is locked with respect to the connector 1. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the tube 6 is locked with respect to the connector 1 in this manner (this state is hereinafter referred to as a “connection state”). In this state, since the inner cylinder 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 has a middle diameter portion 43.
, Whereby the valve element 5 is further compressed in the axial direction, and the axial length of the valve element 5 is about half of the original length. The distal end surface 63 of the tube 6 is also in close contact with the concave portion 522 of the pressed portion 52, and is in close contact with the outside of the pressed portion 52 over the entire circumference. Thus, liquid tightness is secured between the outside of the pressed portion 52 and the distal end surface 63 of the tube 6.

Further, the slit portion 54 is larger than the state shown in FIG. Further, a portion on the tip side of the base portion 51 (a portion on the fixing portion 53 side) and the fixing portion 53
Part of the (step portion 531) enters 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. Also,
The step portion 531 enters the escape space 36 so as to approach the valve body fixing portion 34, and the step portion 531 and the valve body fixing portion 3
4 and the angle between them is small.

As described above, the provision of the clearance space 36 allows the valve element 5 to be largely deformed in the distal direction, and the pipe 6 in the connected state indicated by L ₄ 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.

[0089] In particular, as in this embodiment, when the connector 1 and the pipe 6 as connected by screwing of the luer lock screw is a long require insertion length L _4, according to the present invention 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, since the portion on the tip end side (the portion on the fixing portion 53 side) of the base portion 51 and a part of the fixing portion 53 (the step portion 531) can enter the escape space 36, the base portion 51 is provided. 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. 7, 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 body 5 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. 7 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, and is 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 on the convex portion 524 which is a thick portion as in this embodiment, the slit portion 54 is more closed than when the slit portion 54 is formed on the flat plate 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.

Further, as described above, the valve element 5 is
Penetrates the slit portion 54 so that the slit portion 5
Since the slit 4 is not open, the slit 54 is not excessively widened. As a result, even when the attachment and detachment of the tube 6 are repeated many times, the slit 5 of the valve
The sealability of No. 4 hardly decreases.

[0096]

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

The above-mentioned valve element 5 (connector 1) was applied to a part of a Y site used as a liquid inlet for a medical infusion set.

A valve body 5 having the shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is made of silicone rubber, and has a single-character length of 2 mm in plan view in consideration of the inner diameter and length of the syringe (tube body 6). The slit portion 54 was 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 element 5 was 1.2 mm at the position where the thinnest convex portion 521 was formed, and 1.8 mm at the position where the thickest convex portion 524 was formed.

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 ₂ of the clamping portion 532, and a 8.0 mm.

In the cross section shown in FIG. 2, the width of the lumen of the base portion 51 is 3.0 mm (the maximum width L) at the base end of the base portion 51.
₁ ) The tip was 2.0 mm (minimum width L ₂ ), and gradually changed during that time. That was the L ₂ / L ₁ = 0.67. In the cross section shown in FIG. 3, the distance was 2.8 mm (L ₃ ) along the axial direction of the base portion 51.

The lid 4 and the housing body 3 each having the shape shown in FIG. 4 were injection-molded with polypropylene. Small diameter portion (connection port) 41, medium diameter portion 43 of housing 2
And the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 44 is 4.0 mm, respectively.
6.2 mm and 7.8 mm. In addition, escape space 3
The inner diameter of No. 6 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 6
3, 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 element 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 an air leak test was performed in the same manner 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 valve element of the present invention has been described based on one embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this, and each part constituting the valve element may be any part that can achieve the same function. Things.

For example, the valve body of the present invention may be made of two or more kinds of elastic materials having different compositions and properties (flexibility, flexural modulus, rubber hardness, etc.).

The slit portion 54 has a one-letter shape, a cross shape, or an L-shape.
The shape may be a letter shape, 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, a plurality of slits may be provided.

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a valve element which can be reliably opened and closed as a tube is attached and detached.

In particular, even when the pipe is connected and the valve body is greatly deformed, the flow path inside the base portion is sufficiently widened, so that the fluid passes smoothly. Further, after the tube is detached from the connector, liquid leakage can be reliably prevented.

Further, it is possible to reduce the size (especially, to reduce the diameter), and it is possible to install even a small connector.

Furthermore, since there is no structure in which the tube is connected to the slit by penetrating the slit, foreign matter, bacteria, and the like adhering to the distal end of the tube are prevented from entering the flow path.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a valve body of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional perspective view taken along line II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view (state before connection) for sequentially explaining a process of connecting a pipe to a connector provided with the valve body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view (in a state where a pressed portion is slightly pressed against a distal end portion of the tube) for sequentially explaining a process of connecting the tube to the connector provided with the valve body shown in FIG. 1; is there.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view for sequentially explaining a process of connecting the pipe to the connector provided with the valve shown in FIG. 1 (a state in which a distal end portion of the pipe is inserted into a housing of the connector);
It is.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view (in a state where connection of the pipe to the connector is completed) for sequentially explaining a process of connecting the pipe to the connector provided with the valve shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 2 Housing 3 Housing main body 31 Inner cylinder 311 Flow path 32 Outer cylinder 321 Thread 33 Base end face 34 Valve element fixing part 35 Groove part 36 Escape space 4 Lid part 41 Projection part 42 Small diameter part (connection port) 421 Thread part 43 Medium Diameter part 44 Large diameter part 46 Base end surface 47 Gap 5 Valve element 51 Base part 511 Tapered part 52 Pressed part 521 Convex part 522 Concave part 523 Flat part 524 Convex part 53 Fixed part 531 Step part 532 Nipping part 54 Slit part 6 Tube 61 Inner tube 611 Flow path 62 Outer tube 621 Thread 63 Tip surface 64 Tip outer peripheral surface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A valve body made of an elastic material and installed on a connector to which a tube body can be connected, the valve body being provided on a cylindrical base portion, one end side of the base portion in an axial direction, A pressed portion that is in contact with the tubular body and receives a pressing force; a slit portion formed in the pressed portion and opened when the pressed portion is pressed; and an axial end of the base portion on the other end side. A fixing portion for fixing the valve body to the connector, wherein the base portion has a tapered portion in which the width of the lumen gradually decreases in one direction toward the other end. The valve element according to claim 1, wherein a decreasing rate of the width of the lumen in the portion is smaller than a decreasing rate of the width of the lumen in another direction orthogonal to the one direction. 2. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the width of the lumen in the other direction of the base portion is substantially constant along the axial direction. 3. A maximum width L of a lumen in the tapered portion.
The valve body according to claim _{1, wherein} a value of a ratio L ₂ / L ₁ between ₁ and the minimum width L ₂ is 0.3 to 0.8. 4. The valve element according to claim 1, wherein the base is compressed in the axial direction to expand the diameter when the tube presses the pressed part. 5. The valve body 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 valve body according to claim 1, wherein the pressed portion has a convex portion on a side where the tube does not contact.