JP2014188242A - Fluid jetting device, and medical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid jetting device jetting fluid.SOLUTION: A fluid jetting device for jetting fluid in a fluid chamber through a jetting port, includes: an inlet flow passage which communicates with the fluid chamber and through which the fluid is flowed into the fluid chamber; an outlet flow passage which has the jetting port and through which the fluid is flowed from the fluid chamber; a volume change mechanism provided with a diaphragm with which the volume of the fluid chamber is changed due to displacement of the diaphragm; a storage body which stores the volume change mechanism; a recessed part which is formed on an inside wall of the storage body; and a fluid detection sensor which is mounted on the recessed part and can detect existence or nonexistence of the fluid.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid, and a medical device technology using the liquid ejecting apparatus.

  As a technique related to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid, for example, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. In the liquid ejecting apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the volume of the liquid chamber into which the liquid has flowed is changed by a volume changing mechanism including a diaphragm, and the pulsed liquid is ejected from the ejection port.

JP 2011-177407 A

  The liquid ejecting apparatus is capable of ejecting a pulsed liquid and has an excellent structure. However, a structure that further increases reliability has been pursued. Further, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, it has been desired to reduce the size, reduce the cost, save resources, facilitate the manufacture, and improve the usability.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms.

(1) According to an aspect of the present invention, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid in a liquid chamber from an ejection port is provided. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes an inlet channel that communicates with the liquid chamber and into which the liquid flows into the liquid chamber; an outlet channel that includes the ejection port and from which the liquid flows out from the liquid chamber; and a diaphragm A volume changing mechanism in which the volume of the liquid chamber is changed by displacement of the diaphragm; a receiving body in which the volume changing mechanism is stored; a recess provided in an inner wall of the receiving body; And a liquid detection sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of the liquid. According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, since the liquid detection sensor is provided on the inner wall of the container, the liquid can be detected when the liquid is present inside the container, and the reliability of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be improved. it can.

(2) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the above aspect, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes an up / down direction defining portion that defines an up / down direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus; the concave portion is an inner wall positioned below the container with respect to the up / down direction It may be provided. According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, since the concave portion is positioned below the container, the liquid interposed in the container flows into the concave portion and easily comes into contact with the water leakage sensor 80. As a result, the detection accuracy of the liquid interposed in the container can be increased.

  The vertical direction defining unit may define the vertical direction as the direction of use of the liquid ejecting apparatus. When the function / characteristic of the liquid ejecting apparatus changes depending on the direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus, the function / characteristic is The vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus may be defined based on the direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus that is suitably exhibited. The vertical direction defining unit includes a unit that gives information defining the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus to the user via at least one of the five senses such as visual sense, tactile sense, and auditory sense of the user of the liquid ejecting apparatus. The vertical direction defining part determines the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus in use from various elements such as the shape, pattern, color, line drawing, characters, marks, sound, light, operability, design, etc. of the configuration provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus. It includes things that attract users.

(3) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the above aspect further includes a suction pipe that is capable of sucking liquid by inserting the inside of the liquid ejecting apparatus and generating negative pressure; and a wall portion of the suction pipe and the liquid ejecting apparatus And a suction adjustment hole communicating with the wall portion of the. The concave surface of the concave portion may face the wall portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus in which the suction adjustment hole is located.

(4) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the above aspect, the concave portion is covered with a substrate provided with the liquid detection sensor from the outside of the wall portion of the container, with the through hole provided in the wall portion of the container. It is good also as what is formed. According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of this aspect, the recess and the liquid detection sensor can be configured in the container relatively easily.

(5) A medical device using the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the above aspect. This form of medical device can be a highly reliable medical device.

  A plurality of constituent elements of each aspect of the present invention described above are not indispensable, and some or all of the effects described in the present specification are to be solved to solve part or all of the above-described problems. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to appropriately change, delete, replace with another new component, and partially delete the limited contents of some of the plurality of components. In order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, technical features included in one embodiment of the present invention described above. A part or all of the technical features included in the other aspects of the present invention described above may be combined to form an independent form of the present invention.

  For example, one aspect of the present invention includes one or more elements among the six elements of an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a volume changing mechanism, a container, a recess, and a liquid detection sensor. It can be realized as a device. That is, this apparatus may or may not have an inlet channel. The device may or may not have an outlet channel. The device may or may not have a volume changing mechanism. Moreover, the apparatus may have a recessed part and does not need to have it. For example, the inlet channel may be configured as an inlet channel that communicates with the liquid chamber and into which the liquid flows. The outlet channel may be configured as, for example, an outlet channel that includes an ejection port and allows liquid to flow out of the liquid chamber. For example, the volume changing mechanism may include a diaphragm, and may be configured as a volume changing mechanism that changes the volume of the liquid chamber when the diaphragm is displaced. For example, the container may be configured as a container in which the volume changing mechanism is accommodated. For example, the recess may be configured as a recess provided on the inner wall of the container. Such an apparatus can be realized as, for example, a liquid ejecting apparatus, but can also be realized as an apparatus other than the liquid ejecting apparatus. According to such a form, it is possible to solve at least one of various problems such as downsizing of the apparatus, cost reduction, resource saving, easy manufacture, and improvement in usability. Any or all of the technical features of each form of the liquid ejecting apparatus described above can be applied to this apparatus.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the apparatus. For example, it is realizable with forms, such as a method of injecting a liquid, and a manufacturing method of a liquid injection device.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of a liquid injection system. It is explanatory drawing explaining the internal structure of a liquid ejecting apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the surface (liquid detection side) of a water leak sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the back surface (wiring side) of a water leak sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a water leak detection circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the result of having performed the detection experiment of the physiological saline. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a water leak detection process. It is explanatory drawing which shows a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with a grip. It is explanatory drawing which shows the liquid ejecting apparatus which formed the curved part in the ejecting pipe.

A. First embodiment:
(A1) Configuration of liquid ejection system:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid ejection system 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection system 10 of the present embodiment is a medical device used in a medical institution, and functions as a scalpel that performs incision or excision of an affected area by ejecting liquid onto the affected area, or a treatment apparatus that ejects a chemical solution. have.

  The liquid ejection system 10 includes a liquid ejection device 20, a liquid supply unit 50, a suction device 60, and a control unit 70, and is connected to the liquid container 15. The liquid supply unit 50 and the liquid container 15 are connected by a connection tube 51. The liquid supply unit 50 and the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 are connected by a liquid supply channel 52. In the present embodiment, the connection tube 51 and the liquid supply flow path 52 are formed of resin.

  The liquid container 15 contains physiological saline as a liquid. The liquid supply unit 50 supplies the liquid sucked from the liquid container 15 via the connection tube 51 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 via the liquid supply channel 52. In this embodiment, physiological saline is used as the liquid. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various liquids such as sterile water and pure water can be used.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 20 is an instrument that is held and operated by a user of the liquid ejecting system 10. The liquid ejecting apparatus 20 includes an actuator 30, a water leakage sensor 80, an ejection pipe 55, an ejection port 58, and a suction force adjustment mechanism 65. In the following description, the direction in which the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 includes the suction force adjusting mechanism 65 is an upward direction.

  The liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 50 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 via the liquid supply channel 52 is given a pulsation with a predetermined frequency by the actuator 30 and is supplied to the ejection pipe 55. The liquid supplied to the ejection pipe 55 is ejected from the ejection port 58 as a pulsed liquid. The user performs incision or excision of the affected part by applying a pulsed liquid ejected from the ejection port 58 to the affected part of the patient. In the present embodiment, the injection pipe 55 is made of stainless steel. However, the injection tube 55 may be formed of a material having a predetermined rigidity or higher, such as another metal such as brass or a reinforced plastic. The suction force adjustment mechanism 65 is a mechanism that allows the user to adjust the degree of suction by the suction device 60. In this embodiment, the amount of suction per unit time is adopted as the degree of suction. The water leakage sensor 80 is a sensor that detects water leakage inside the actuator 30. Details of the water leakage sensor 80 will be described later.

  The control unit 70 transmits a drive signal to the actuator 30 through the signal cable 72 and controls the liquid supply unit 50 through the control cable 71 to control the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the actuator 30. . A foot switch 75 that is operated by the user with his / her foot is connected to the control unit 70. When the user turns on the foot switch 75, the control unit 70 controls the liquid supply unit 50 to supply the actuator 30 with the liquid, and transmits a drive signal to the actuator 30 to supply to the actuator 30. A pulsation is imparted to the liquid, and a pulsed liquid is ejected from the ejection port 58. In addition, ejecting the liquid in a pulse form means that the liquid is ejected in a state in which the flow rate or flow velocity of the ejected liquid is accompanied by fluctuations of several tens of hertz to several hundreds of hertz. The mode in which the liquid is ejected in a pulsed manner includes intermittent ejection in which the liquid is ejected and stopped repeatedly. However, since the flow rate or flow rate of the liquid only needs to be changed, it is not necessarily intermittent ejection. There is no.

  The control unit 70 includes a water leakage detection circuit 90. The water leakage detection circuit 90 is a circuit that determines whether water leakage has occurred inside the actuator 30 based on the operation of the water leakage sensor 80. The control unit 70 performs a water leak detection process using the water leak sensor 80 and the water leak detection circuit 90. The leak detection process will be described later.

  The suction device 60 is a device that sucks liquid, excised material, and the like (hereinafter also referred to as suctioned material) around the ejection port 58. The suction device 60 and the liquid ejection device 20 are connected by a suction flow path 62. The suction flow path 62 extends through the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 to the vicinity of the tip of the ejection pipe 55. The ejection tube 55 passes through the inside of the suction flow path 62. As shown in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, the liquid sucked from the suction port 64, which is the tip of the suction channel 62, flows between the outer wall of the ejection pipe 55 and the inner wall of the suction channel 62. A channel (hereinafter also referred to as a gap channel) is formed. The liquid that has flowed into the gap channel from the suction port 64 is sucked into the suction device 60 through the suction channel 62. The amount of suction per unit time sucked from the suction port 64 can be adjusted by the user operating the suction force adjusting mechanism 65.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the internal structure of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. An actuator 30 is accommodated in the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. As shown in the lower part of the figure, the actuator 30 includes a first case 31, a second case 32, a third case 33, a bolt 34, a piezoelectric element 35, a reinforcing plate 36, a diaphragm 37, a packing 38, an inlet channel 40, An outlet channel 41 is provided. The first case 31 and the second case 32 are joined to face each other. The actuator 30 is provided with a water leakage sensor 80.

  The first case 31 is a cylindrical member. One end of the first case 31 is sealed by fixing the third case 33 with a bolt 34. A piezoelectric element 35 is disposed in a space formed inside the first case 31.

  The piezoelectric element 35 is a stacked piezoelectric element. One end of the piezoelectric element 35 is fixed to a diaphragm 37 via a reinforcing plate 36. The other end of the piezoelectric element 35 is fixed to the third case 33. The diaphragm 37 is made of a metal thin film, and its peripheral edge is fixed to the first case 31. A liquid chamber 39 is formed between the diaphragm 37 and the second case 32. The volume of the liquid chamber 39 is changed by driving the piezoelectric element 35.

  The second case 32 is formed with an inlet channel 40 through which liquid flows and an outlet channel 41 through which liquid flows out. The inlet channel 40 extends from a position deviated from the center of the end surface of the second case 32, is bent in a U shape in the upward direction in the drawing, and extends toward the rear end portion 22 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. By bending the inlet channel 40 in this way, the curvature of the U-shaped portion of the inlet channel 40 can be reduced. Further, the combined width of the inlet channel 40 extending toward the rear end portion 22 and the actuator 30 can be reduced, and as a result, the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 that houses the actuator 30 and the inlet channel 40 is narrowed. be able to. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 can be positioned on the distal end portion 24 side by extending the inlet channel 40 from the distal end portion 24 side of the actuator 30.

  A liquid supply channel 52 is connected to the inlet channel 40. An ejection pipe 55 is connected to the outlet channel 41 via a connection tube 54. A flow path composed of two pipe lines of the connection tube 54 and the injection pipe 55 is also referred to as an injection flow path 53. The liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 50 is supplied to the liquid chamber 39 via the liquid supply channel 52. When the piezoelectric element 35 vibrates at a predetermined frequency, the volume of the liquid chamber 39 changes via the diaphragm 37, and the contained liquid is pressurized. The pressurized liquid is discharged from the ejection port 58 through the outlet channel 41, the connection tube 54, and the ejection pipe 55.

  The water leakage sensor 80 is provided on the wall portion located in the downward direction of the first case 31. A through hole is provided in the downward wall portion of the first case 31. The water leakage sensor 80 is installed so as to close the through hole of the first case 31 from the outside. The water leakage sensor 80 includes a substrate 81, and electrodes 82 and 83 are formed on the substrate 81. The water leakage sensor 80 is installed so that the electrodes 82 and 83 are located inside the first case 31. A recess 88 is formed in the first case 31 by closing the through hole of the first case 31 from the outside with the water leakage sensor 80. When a liquid (in this embodiment, physiological saline) enters the first case 31 for some reason, the liquid flows downward in the first case 31 by gravity and flows into the recess 88. That is, the recess 88 has a function of inducing the liquid to the water leakage sensor 80 when the liquid is present in the first case 31. The electrodes 82 and 83 are connected to cables 86 and 87 through electrodes 84 and 85 described later. The cables 86 and 87 are inserted into the signal cable 72 and connected to the water leakage detection circuit 90.

  Here, details of the water leakage sensor 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the surface (liquid detection side) of the water leakage sensor 80. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the back surface (wiring side) of the water leakage sensor 80. As shown in FIG. 3, the water leakage sensor 80 includes electrodes 82 and 83 on the surface of the substrate 81. In the present embodiment, the distance between the electrode 82 and the electrode 83 is about 0.3 mm. In a state where the water leakage sensor 80 is installed on the actuator 30, the electrodes 82 and 83 are located inside the first case 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the water leakage sensor 80 includes electrodes 84 and 85 on the back surface of the substrate 81. The electrodes 84 and 85 are connected to the electrodes 82 and 83 formed on the surface of the substrate 81 through the substrate 81. In a state where the water leakage sensor 80 is installed on the actuator 30, the electrodes 84 and 85 are located outside the first case 31 and are connected to the cables 86 and 87. In the water leakage detection process, the control unit 70 applies a voltage between the electrode 82 and the electrode 83 via the cables 86 and 87. When a liquid flows into the recess 88, the liquid conducts between the electrode 82 and the electrode 83, and a current flows between the electrode 82 and the electrode 83. The control unit 70 detects a water leak by detecting a current flowing between the electrode 82 and the electrode 83. The configuration of the water leakage sensor 80 has been described above.

  Returning to FIG. The suction channel 62 communicates from the rear end portion 22 to the front end portion 24 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. Inside the liquid ejecting apparatus 20, the suction flow path 62 interpolates the ejection flow path 53. The suction flow path 62 is drawn out from the distal end portion 24 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 together with the ejection pipe 55.

  The suction force by which the suction flow path 62 sucks liquid or the like from the suction port 64 can be adjusted by the suction device 60, and the user operates the operation unit 66 of the suction force adjustment mechanism 65 provided in the liquid ejection device 20. It can be adjusted by doing.

  The suction force adjustment mechanism 65 includes an operation unit 66 and a suction adjustment hole 67. The suction force adjusting mechanism 65 is a member formed of resin. Inside the suction force adjusting mechanism 65, a flow path that constitutes a part of the suction flow path 62 is formed. Actually, the suction channel 62 is connected to both ends of the channel formed in the suction force adjusting mechanism 65. The operation unit 66 is a portion of the suction force adjustment mechanism 65 exposed to the outside of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 and is a portion that is operated by a user with a finger.

  The suction adjustment hole 67 communicates the suction flow path 62 and the operation unit 66. As shown in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 2, the operation portion 66 is formed with an opening for a suction adjustment hole 67. The user opens and closes the suction adjustment hole 67 with a finger when holding the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. The suction force adjusting mechanism 65 adjusts the amount of air flowing into the suction channel 62 from the outside through the suction adjustment hole 67 according to the surface area of the suction adjustment hole 67 that is closed by the user. The pressure in the suction channel 62 (hereinafter also referred to as suction pressure) is adjusted. As a result, the suction force adjusting mechanism 65 adjusts the suction amount per unit time.

  When the suction force adjustment mechanism 65 is directed upward with respect to gravity, the suction object is very unlikely to invade to the outside from the suction adjustment hole 67, so that its function is suitably exhibited. Accordingly, the suction force adjustment mechanism 65 has a function of suggesting the user the up and down direction held by the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. When gripping the liquid ejecting apparatus 20, the user turns the suction force adjustment mechanism 65 upward, and presses the suction adjustment hole 67 provided in the operation unit 66 downward with a finger. Adjust the suction volume. When the suction force adjusting mechanism 65 is held upward with respect to gravity, the position of each component of the liquid ejecting system 10 is determined so that the function of the suction force adjusting mechanism 65 and the operability of the user are suitable. However, the suction force adjusting mechanism 65 does not necessarily force the user to use the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 while facing upward.

  The signal cable 72 is inserted from the rear end portion 22 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. Two electrode lines 73 and 74 composed of plus and minus inserted in the signal cable 72 are connected to the piezoelectric element 35 in the actuator 30. The drive signal transmitted from the control unit 70 is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 35 via the electrode lines 73 and 74 in the signal cable 72. The piezoelectric element 35 expands and contracts based on the drive signal.

  Next, the water leakage detection circuit 90 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the water leakage detection circuit 90. The water leakage detection circuit 90 includes a detection resistor 91, a current-voltage conversion circuit 92, and a comparator 93. The water leakage detection circuit 90 applies a voltage of 5 (V) to the water leakage sensor 80 (electrodes 82 and 83), and detects the current flowing through the water leakage sensor 80 (electrodes 82 and 83) using the detection resistor 91. The water leakage detection circuit 90 converts the current value detected by the detection resistor 91 into a voltage value (hereinafter also referred to as a detection voltage). The current-voltage conversion circuit 92 outputs a detection voltage of 0 to 5 (V). The liquid is interposed between the electrode 82 and the electrode 83, and the detection voltage increases as the current flowing between the electrodes increases. The water leakage detection circuit 90 compares the detection voltage output from the current-voltage conversion circuit 92 with a threshold using the comparator 93. In this embodiment, the threshold value is 2.5 (V). When the detected voltage is less than the threshold value, the comparator 93 outputs a water leakage detection signal of 3.3 (V). When the detected voltage is equal to or higher than the threshold, the comparator 93 outputs a 0 (V) water leakage detection signal.

  FIG. 6 shows the results of a physiological saline detection experiment performed by the water leakage sensor 80 and the water leakage detection circuit 90. The graph shown in the figure shows a water leakage detection signal in a state where there is no physiological saline in the electrodes 82 and 83 of the water leakage sensor 80 and a water leakage detection signal in a state where physiological saline is interposed in the electrodes 82 and 83. . In the experiment, it was confirmed that the comparator 93 outputs a water leakage detection signal having a voltage value of about 3.3 (V) when the saline is not interposed between the electrodes 82 and 83. In addition, when physiological saline is present in the electrodes 82 and 83, it was confirmed that the comparator 93 outputs a water leakage detection signal having a voltage value of about 0 (V). With the configuration described above, the liquid ejection system 10 performs a water leakage detection process.

(A2) Water leakage detection process:
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of water leakage detection processing performed by the control unit 70 of the liquid ejection system 10. The control unit 70 starts the water leakage detection process when the power of the liquid ejection system 10 is turned on. In addition to the water leakage detection process, the control unit 70 performs a liquid ejection process for ejecting liquid from the ejection port 58 when the user turns on the foot switch 75. In the liquid ejection process, the control unit 70 controls the liquid supply unit 50 to supply the actuator 30 with the liquid, and transmits a drive signal to the actuator 30 to give pulsation to the liquid supplied to the actuator 30. In this process, the pulsed liquid is ejected from the ejection port 58.

  When the control unit 70 starts the water leakage detection process, it constantly applies a voltage for water leakage detection to the water leakage sensor 80 (electrodes 82 and 83) via the cables 86 and 87 (step S102). In the present embodiment, a voltage of 5 (V) is applied to the water leakage sensor 80. Thereafter, the control unit 70 compares the detection voltage output from the detection resistor 91 with a preset threshold value (step S104). When the detected voltage is larger than the threshold value (step S104: YES), the control unit 70 stops the operation of the liquid supply unit 50 and the actuator 30 and stops the liquid ejection process (step S106). That is, the control unit 70 stops the liquid ejection process when the signal (water leakage detection signal) output from the comparator 93 changes from about 3.3 (V) to 0 (V). When detecting a water leak, the control unit 70 may notify the user of the water leak with a buzzer or a lamp (not shown) included in the liquid jet system 10 together with the stop of the liquid jet.

  On the other hand, when the detected voltage is less than the threshold value in step S104 (step S104: NO), the control unit 70 repeats the processing from step S102 until the power of the liquid ejection system 10 is turned off (step S108: NO). ). When the power of the liquid ejection system 10 is turned off (step S108: YES), the control unit 70 ends the water leakage detection process.

  As described above, since the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 includes the water leakage sensor 80, the liquid present inside the first case 31 due to water leakage can be detected, and the reliability of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be improved. Moreover, since the recessed part 88 in which the water leak sensor 80 is installed is located in the downward direction of the 1st case 31, the liquid interposed inside the 1st case 31 becomes easy to flow into the recessed part 88, and the detection accuracy of water leak is improved. Can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the concave surface of the concave portion 88 faces the wall portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 where the suction adjustment hole 67 is located. Therefore, when the user uses the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 with the suction adjustment hole 67 facing upward, the recess 88 is positioned downward in the first case 31. As a result, the liquid present inside the first case 31 is liable to flow into the recess 88, and the accuracy of water leakage detection can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, since the recess 88 is formed by closing the through hole provided in the wall portion of the first case 31 with the substrate 81, the recess 88 and the water leakage sensor 80 are relatively easily attached to the actuator 30. Can be configured.

  As a correspondence relationship between the present embodiment and the claims, the diaphragm 37, the reinforcing plate 36, and the piezoelectric element 35 correspond to the volume changing mechanism described in the claims. The 1st case 31 respond | corresponds to the container as described in a claim. The water leakage sensor 80 corresponds to the liquid detection sensor described in the claims. The suction force adjusting mechanism 65 corresponds to the vertical direction defining portion described in the claims.

B. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
(B1) Modification 1:
In the above-described embodiment, the liquid ejection system 10 includes the suction device 60, the suction flow path 62, and the suction force adjustment mechanism 65, but may not include these configurations. In this case, in place of the suction force adjusting mechanism 65 as the vertical direction defining portion, by providing another configuration as the vertical direction defining portion, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Other components that can be adopted as the vertical direction defining portion are shown in Modification 2 below.

(B2) Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, the suction force adjusting mechanism 65 is adopted as the vertical direction defining portion, but various configurations may be adopted without being limited thereto. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a liquid ejecting apparatus 20a including a grip 68 as a vertical direction defining portion. The liquid ejecting apparatus 20 a defines the vertical direction by the shape of the grip 68. FIG. 8 shows a liquid ejecting system 10 a that does not include the suction device 60 and the suction flow path 62. As described above, even when the liquid ejecting apparatus does not include these configurations, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained by providing the grip 68 as the vertical base portion.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a liquid ejecting apparatus 20b in which a curved portion 69 is formed in the ejection pipe 55b as the vertical direction defining portion. The liquid ejecting system 10 b defines the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 b by the shape of the curved portion 69.

  In addition, the vertical direction may be defined by a line drawing such as an arrow or a character indicating the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. The shape of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 is a column having an oval cross section, and the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 is defined by pulling out the ejecting pipe 55 from the upper side of the center of the ellipse at the tip 24 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20. It is good. The liquid ejecting apparatus 20 may be provided with an inclination sensor or a level to notify the user of a predetermined vertical direction. The direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 may be read by a sensor provided outside the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 to notify the user of the vertical direction.

  The vertical direction defining unit may define the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus as a function of the liquid ejecting apparatus alone, or as a function of an apparatus provided separately from the liquid ejecting apparatus and included in the liquid ejecting apparatus. The vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus may be defined, or the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus may be defined in cooperation with an apparatus different from the liquid ejecting system 10.

  The suction force adjustment mechanism 65 in the first embodiment defines the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 as a direction in which the user's operability and the suction force adjustment mechanism 65 suitably function. The grip 68 shown in FIG. 8 defines the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 based on the sense of touch of the user. A curved portion 69 shown in FIG. 9 defines the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 based on the visual difference of the usage difference. As described above, the vertical direction defining unit may define the vertical direction as the direction of use of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 when the user uses the liquid ejecting apparatus. When the function / characteristic of the ejecting apparatus changes, the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 may be defined with reference to the direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 in which the function / characteristic is suitably exhibited. The vertical direction defining unit includes a unit that gives information defining the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 to the user through at least one of the five senses such as visual sense, tactile sense, and auditory sense of the liquid ejecting apparatus user. . The vertical direction defining portion is the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus 20 in use from various elements such as the shape, pattern, color, line drawing, character, mark, sound, light, operability, and design of the configuration provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus. To attract users. Further, the vertical direction defining unit may suppress use in a direction other than the vertical direction defined by the user in advance by various elements included in the liquid ejecting apparatus.

(B3) Modification 3:
In the said embodiment, although the aspect formed by plugging the hole formed in the 1st case 31 with the water leak sensor 80 was employ | adopted in the said embodiment, a various aspect is employable without restricting to that. For example, a bottomed hole as a recess may be formed in the inner wall of the first case 31, and the water leakage sensor 80 may be installed in the bottomed hole from the inside of the first case 31. Even in this way, water leakage can be detected.

(B4) Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, the liquid ejection system 10 is used as a medical device. However, the liquid ejection system 10 may be used as a device other than the medical device. For example, the liquid ejecting system 10 may be used as a cleaning device that removes dirt on an object by applying the ejected liquid to the object, or a drawing device that draws characters, pictures, or the like with the ejected liquid. Even in such an aspect, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

(B5) Modification 5:
In the above embodiment, physiological saline is used as the liquid. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various liquids such as sterile water and pure water can be used.

(B6) Modification 6:
In the above embodiment, part or all of the processing performed by software may be performed by hardware, or part or all of the processing performed by hardware may be performed by software.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b ... Liquid injection system 15 ... Liquid container 20, 20a, 20b ... Liquid injection apparatus 22 ... Rear-end part 24 ... Front-end | tip part 30 ... Actuator 31 ... 1st case 32 ... 2nd case 33 ... 3rd case 34 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Bolt 35 ... Piezoelectric element 36 ... Reinforcement plate 37 ... Diaphragm 38 ... Packing 39 ... Liquid chamber 40 ... Inlet channel 41 ... Outlet channel 50 ... Liquid supply part 51 ... Connection tube 52 ... Liquid supply channel 53 ... Injection channel 54 ... Connection tube 55, 55b ... Injection pipe 58 ... Injection port 60 ... Suction device 62 ... Suction flow path 64 ... Suction port 65 ... Suction force adjustment mechanism 66 ... Operation part 67 ... Suction adjustment hole 68 ... Grip 69 ... Curve part 70 ... Control unit 71 ... Control cable 72 ... Signal cable 73 ... Electrode wire 75 ... Foot switch 80 ... Water leakage sensor 81 ... Substrate 82-84 ... Pole 86 ... cable 88 ... recess 90 ... leak detection circuit 91 ... detecting resistor 92 ... Current - voltage conversion circuit 93 ... Comparator

Claims (5)

A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid in a liquid chamber from an ejection port,
An inlet channel that communicates with the liquid chamber and into which the liquid flows into the liquid chamber;
An outlet channel including the ejection port and from which the liquid flows out of the liquid chamber;
A volume changing mechanism including a diaphragm, and the volume of the liquid chamber is changed by the displacement of the diaphragm;
A container in which the volume changing mechanism is accommodated;
A recess provided in the inner wall of the container;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid detection sensor provided in the recess and capable of detecting the presence or absence of the liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A vertical direction defining portion for defining the vertical direction of the liquid ejecting apparatus;
The said recessed part is provided in the inner wall located in the downward direction of the said container on the basis of the said up-down direction. Liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A suction pipe that is capable of sucking liquid by inserting the inside of the liquid ejecting apparatus and generating negative pressure;
A suction adjusting hole communicating with the wall of the suction pipe and the wall of the liquid ejecting apparatus,
The concave surface of the concave portion faces the wall portion of the liquid ejecting apparatus where the suction adjustment hole is located. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The concave portion is formed by closing a through hole provided in a wall portion of the container from the outside of the wall portion of the container with a substrate including the liquid detection sensor.   A medical device using the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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