JP2015142606A - Medical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide, for example, a sanitary medical instrument.SOLUTION: The medical instrument such as a boring-pain relieving device (10) includes: a Peltier element (100) having an endothermic surface (1001) and a heat-radiating surface (1002); a latent heat storage agent (16) disposed on the heat-radiating surface, while retaining a thermal contact state therewith; and housings (11F and 11R) that store the Peltier element and the latent heat storage agent, with a heat-conductive member (18), as a cooling part, exposed therefrom, the heat conductive member covering the endothermic surface or at least a part of the endothermic surface. A cover (DC1) for covering the cooling part is detachably configured.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a medical device that can relieve puncture pain that occurs when, for example, a puncture needle is driven.

  In the said technical field, the puncture pain relieving apparatus which relieves the puncture pain at the time of artificial dialysis is proposed (refer patent document 1).

  According to the puncture pain alleviating device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the surface temperature of the skin is set to 22 degrees Celsius by bringing the pressing body cooled to 3 to 7 degrees Celsius by the Peltier element into contact with the site where the puncture needle is driven. It can be cooled from 28 degrees to 28 degrees.

JP 2010-284330 A

  The puncture pain alleviating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to dissipate heat absorbed by the Peltier element from the heat radiating unit by driving a cooling fan. An intake port and an exhaust port are required to drive the fan.

  Here, medical devices often require disinfection and sterilization. However, in such a configuration in which an air inlet and an air outlet must be formed outside the apparatus, disinfection and sterilization operations are difficult. . In addition, when the air inlet and the air outlet are formed, the body fluid of the user (for example, a medical worker) or the user (for example, the patient) can enter the inside of the apparatus from the air inlet or the air outlet. It is not hygienic as a medical device.

  On the other hand, from the viewpoint of hygiene including disinfection and sterilization, in many cases, use of a disposable cover (that is, a so-called disposable cover) is recommended for medical devices. This is because if this type of cover can be attached and used, disinfection and sterilization work for the medical device itself is not necessarily required, and there is no need to worry about attachment or intrusion of body fluid to the medical device.

  However, when formed in various vent housings including the air inlet and the air outlet, it is necessary to consider that the air vent is not blocked by this type of cover. That is, even if a cover is used for a medical device, at least the vent is not protected by the cover. Therefore, after all, it is difficult to give sufficient consideration to the medical device in terms of hygiene.

  In addition, it is not impossible to improve the degree of hygiene of the vents considerably by moving the vents away from the Peltier element, which is a direct target site of medical practice. However, the countermeasures based on the premise of the formation of the vents do not drastically solve the above-mentioned hygiene problem. Furthermore, in this case, there are many restrictions on the formation of the vents, and secondary problems such as, for example, a decrease in heat dissipation efficiency, an increase in device size, and a decrease in usability of the device become apparent.

  That is, the puncture pain alleviating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is difficult to disinfect and sterilize, in particular, disinfecting and sterilizing using a liquid, and is not hygienic because protection against scattered body fluids is not sufficient. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of, for example, such technical problems. For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hygienic medical device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the medical device according to claim 1 includes a Peltier element having a heat absorbing surface and a heat radiating surface, a latent heat storage agent arranged in thermal contact with the heat radiating surface, and the heat absorption. A heat conductive member that covers at least a part of the surface or the heat absorbing surface is exposed as a cooling unit, and includes a housing that stores the Peltier element and the latent heat storage agent, and a cover that covers the cooling unit can be attached. It is characterized by being configured.

1 is a schematic plan view of a puncture pain alleviating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is typical side surface sectional drawing of the puncture pain relieving apparatus of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of the operation mode of the puncture pain relieving apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the attachment aspect of the cover with respect to the puncture pain relieving apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining the attachment aspect of the cover which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.

  <Embodiment of Medical Device>

  An embodiment of the medical device according to the present invention includes a Peltier element having a heat absorption surface and a heat dissipation surface, a latent heat storage agent arranged in thermal contact with the heat dissipation surface, and the heat absorption surface or the heat absorption surface. A heat conductive member that covers at least a part of the Peltier element and a housing that stores the latent heat storage agent in a state where the heat conductive member is exposed as a cooling unit, and is configured to be able to attach a cover that covers the cooling unit. 1).

  In an embodiment of the medical device, the Peltier element has a heat absorption surface and a heat dissipation surface. When the Peltier element is energized, one surface becomes a heat absorbing surface and the other surface becomes a heat radiating surface. Further, if the energization polarity is reversed, the one surface becomes a heat radiating surface and the other surface becomes a heat absorbing surface. The Peltier device according to the embodiment of the medical device is, for example, a Peltier device that is energized with an energization polarity such that a surface exposed from the housing or a surface covered by the heat conductive member becomes a heat absorption surface by an appropriate energization unit or control unit. It is an element.

  For example, the heat absorbing surface is directly or indirectly pressed against a use target site (for example, skin) of a user (for example, a patient) of a medical device. When the endothermic surface is directly pressed against the portion to be used at least in part, at least a part of the endothermic surface functions as a cooling unit. Further, when at least a part of the endothermic surface is covered with the heat conductive member and only this heat conductive member is pressed against the use target part, the endothermic surface is indirectly pressed by the user, and this use target part The heat conductive member pressed by the air functions as a cooling unit. Of course, both the endothermic surface and the heat conductive member may function as part of the cooling unit. As a result of the cooling unit being pressed against the use target part, the use target part is deprived of heat and cooled by the endothermic action of the endothermic surface of the Peltier element.

  On the other hand, the heat deprived from the site to be used is dissipated from the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element, and is supplied to the latent heat storage agent that is placed in thermal contact with the heat dissipation surface. Here, “arranged while maintaining a thermal contact state” means that the heat radiation surface and the latent heat storage agent are in a full or partial surface contact state as a preferred form, It does not mean only this kind of physical contact. That is, most of the heat radiated from the heat radiation surface (for example, heat corresponding to a predetermined ratio (for example, about 80%) or more of the heat radiation amount) can be received. It is included in the state of “keep and arrange”. Since the latent heat storage agent can accumulate supply heat as latent heat, even if it receives heat radiation from the heat radiation surface, the temperature change of the latent heat storage agent is maintained in a predetermined range in a non-thermal saturation state. Ideally, the temperature of the latent heat storage agent does not change.

  That is, according to the embodiment of the medical device, in the period in which the latent heat storage agent is in the non-heat saturation state, for example, it is not necessary to release the heat taken away from the use target part of the user as a part of the medical action to the outside. . Inevitably, in the embodiment of the medical device, it is not necessary to provide a ventilation port related to the exchange of heat with the outside world, for example, the above-described exhaust port or intake port, in the housing that accommodates the Peltier element and the latent heat storage agent. In fact, this kind of vent is not formed. Therefore, the cover which covers a cooling part can be attached to embodiment of medical equipment.

  In addition, the cover according to the embodiment is intended to protect the cooling unit from direct contact with the use target part of the use target person on the assumption that the embodiment of the medical device is used in medical practice, Ideally, it means a so-called disposable cover that is replaced every use.

  Here, “the cover that covers the cooling part can be attached” means that the normal normal use state of the device can be continued with the cover attached, not whether or not the attachment is physically possible. And whether the cover configuration is simple, whether the cover can be realized at low cost, whether the cover can be easily replaced, etc. Defined from multiple perspectives.

  In other words, in the configuration in which the casing is provided with the vent, it is not permitted to shield the vent from the outside during normal use in terms of equipment operation. On the other hand, because of the nature of the Peltier element, the heat dissipation surface and the heat absorption surface are integrated with each other. It must be placed. Considering these circumstances, it is extremely difficult in practice to attach a cover so as to cover the cooling part and not to shield the vent from the outside.

  Even if such a state can be realized depending on the shape, material, and covering method of the cover, problems such as the fact that the cover is not easily attached and the degree of freedom in the structure of the cover are clearly manifested. Turn into. Moreover, it is practically impossible to use this type of cover in a disposable manner. In short, the device configuration in which the casing is provided with the vent does not correspond to the configuration in which the cover that covers the cooling unit can be attached.

  In contrast, in an embodiment of a medical device in which no vent is formed in the housing, normal use of the device is not hindered when the cooling unit is covered with a cover. In addition, as a minimum requirement, it is only necessary to cover the cooling unit that is in direct contact with the user, so that the configuration of the cover is simple. Since the structure of the cover is simple, it is easy to attach and replace the cover. Furthermore, since the degree of freedom in the structure of the cover is increased, an inexpensive cover can be used.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the medical device of the present invention, the cover can be attached. Therefore, disinfection and sterilization work for the medical device itself is not necessarily required, and it is possible to prevent body fluid such as a user to be used from adhering to the device or entering the device. That is, hygienic use of the device can be efficiently realized.

  In one aspect of the embodiment of the medical device, a fixing jig for fixing the cover is provided (claim 2).

  According to this aspect, the fixing jig for fixing the cover is provided. Accordingly, the cover can be attached and detached relatively easily, and the embodiment of the medical device can be used efficiently.

  The fixing jig may be formed as a part of the casing or may be provided in a form attached to the casing. Moreover, the method for fixing the cover according to the fixing jig is not limited in any way.

  In this aspect, the fixing jig is provided on a surface of the casing opposite to the cooling unit (Claim 3).

  The portion most likely to be covered by the cover is a cooling unit that directly contacts the user. Therefore, in addition to the original purpose of favorably supporting the attachment of the cover, the fixing jig is desirably formed at a place where the possibility of contact with the user is low. Thus, when a fixing jig is provided on the opposite surface of the cooling unit, it is possible to achieve both of them relatively easily.

  In another aspect of the embodiment relating to the medical device, the casing includes a gripping part gripped by a user, and a portion surrounding the cooling part is configured to be thicker than the gripping part (Claim 4). .

  When the part surrounding the cooling part in the housing is thicker than the grip part, the cover is naturally locked at the boundary part or the like in a state where the cover covering the cooling part is attached. For this reason, a cover can be used smoothly, without providing a special jig.

  In another aspect of the embodiment relating to the medical device, the housing has a sealed structure conforming to a predetermined standard (Claim 5).

  According to this aspect, the housing of the medical device has a sealed structure conforming to a predetermined standard such as JIS. For this reason, maintenance such as sterilization is easy and hygienic. Such a sealed structure can be realized only when there is a structure unique to the embodiment of the medical device in which the heat released from the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier device is absorbed by the latent heat storage body.

  In another aspect of the embodiment relating to the medical device, the housing is made of a heat insulating material (Claim 6).

  According to this aspect, since the housing is made of the heat insulating material, for example, even if the temperature rises due to the latent heat storage agent falling into a heat saturation state, the temperature change of the housing can be suppressed.

  These effects and other advantages of the present invention will be made clear by the embodiments described hereinafter.

<1. First Example>
A puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 will be described below as a first preferred embodiment for realizing the present invention with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The puncture pain alleviating device 10 is a medical device that is an example of a “medical device” according to the present invention that can be used by hand to relieve a patient's puncture pain in various medical practices such as injection.

<Configuration of Example>
First, the configuration of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the puncture pain alleviating device 10. 1A is a front view, and FIG. 1B is a rear view.

  In FIG. 1A, two substantially rectangular holes are formed in the front case 11 </ b> F that forms a part of the outline of the puncture pain alleviating device 10. Among these holes, a part of the operation unit 500 is exposed from one hole on the upper side of the apparatus (upper side in the figure), and one of the light emitting parts 600 is exposed from the other hole on the lower side of the apparatus (lower side in the figure). The part is exposed. These two holes and the exposed portions of the operation unit 500 and the light emitting unit 600 are joined while maintaining airtightness in accordance with a sealing structure described later, and the inside of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 is interposed through these holes. The structure does not communicate with the outside world.

  The operation unit 500 is a button switch for operating the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 and includes a heat absorption button 510 and a power button 520.

  The endothermic button 510 is a button switch that prompts activation of a first operation mode (an endothermic mode), which is one of operation modes described later of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10. The power button 520 is a button switch for turning on the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10. The configuration of the operation unit 500 is an example, and the configuration of the operation means that prompts the user of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 to perform various functions may be any.

  The light emitting unit 600 is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicator for notifying the user of the state of the puncture pain alleviating device 10, and includes LED indicators 610, 620, 630, and 640.

  The indicator 610 is an indicator that displays whether or not energization to a later-described main board 15 of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 is being performed.

  The indicator 620 is an indicator for informing that the latent heat storage agent 16 described later is in a heat saturation state. Note that this type of notification means is not limited to this type of lighting means, and may be means for outputting audio information via a speaker, for example.

  The indicator 630 is an indicator for notifying the operation mode of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 and is an indicator for displaying whether or not the puncture pain reducing apparatus 10 is operating in a first operation mode to be described later.

  The indicator 640 is another indicator for notifying the operation mode of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 and is an indicator for displaying whether or not the puncture pain reducing apparatus 10 is operating in a second operation mode described later.

  The configuration of the light emitting unit 600 is an example, and any means for notifying the user of the state of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 may be used.

  In FIG. 1 (b), a circular hole is formed on the back side case 11R forming a part of the outline of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 on the upper side of the device. A part of the pressing portion 18 is exposed from this hole.

  The pressing unit 18 is an example of the “cooling unit” according to the present invention that comes into contact with the skin of a user (for example, a patient) of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 when using the puncture pain alleviating device 10. The pressing portion 18 is an example of a “thermal conductive member” according to the present invention, which is composed of various heat conductive materials such as a metal material, a heat conductive ceramic material, or a heat conductive resin material, and is an exposed portion. Has a gentle spherical shape.

  The hole formed in the back side case 11R and the exposed portion of the pressing portion 18 are joined while maintaining airtightness in accordance with a sealing structure described later, and the inside of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 is connected to the outside through this hole. It is configured not to communicate with.

  In the following description, when referring to the entire case of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 composed of the front case 11F and the back case 11R, the term “case 11” is used as appropriate. To do. The case 11 is an example of the “housing” according to the present invention.

  Next, the configuration of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10. In FIG. 2, parts that are the same as in FIG. FIG. 2 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 is configured such that each part is accommodated in a case 11. The front side case 11F and the back side case 11R constituting the case 11 are pressed against each other through various seal members including the O-ring 12, and the puncture pain alleviating device 10 has a sealed structure as a whole.

  The sealing structure of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is equivalent to a waterproof structure having a grade equal to or higher than the second characteristic number “7” of “JIS C 0920” which is a JIS standard. The JIS standard is an example of the “predetermined standard” according to the present invention.

  In addition, for such a sealing structure (waterproof structure) of the puncture pain relieving device 10 according to the JIS standard, for example, construction methods of various known sealing structures such as a sealing structure in a precision instrument such as a watch or a camera are applied. The puncture pain relieving device 10 does not have any special technical features in the sealing structure itself.

  On the other hand, such a sealing structure has a ventilation hole in the outer shell of the device (in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, the case 11 including the front case 11 </ b> F and the back case 11 </ b> R and the portion exposed from the hole formed therein). Needless to say, when there is a part that inevitably communicates with the inside of the apparatus, it is fundamentally impossible to realize this. In other words, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 realizes this type of sealing structure by not having any part communicating with the inside of the device outside the device outline. This is a special technical feature of the puncture pain alleviating device 10.

  Moreover, the case 11 is comprised with various heat insulation materials, such as a heat insulation ceramic and heat insulation resin, for example, and the puncture pain relief apparatus 10 which has the said sealing structure has a kind of heat insulation structure. Therefore, in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, the influence of heat that can be generated inside the device on the surface temperature of the case 11 is extremely small.

  The “heat insulation structure” according to the present invention is not limited to the heat insulation structure in a strict sense that the heat conduction between the apparatus outer shell and the apparatus inside is completely cut off. That is, the heat insulation characteristic of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 is a heat insulation characteristic in a relative meaning that depends on the heat insulation characteristic of the heat insulation material constituting the case 11.

  Since the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 is a medical device, the temperature of the apparatus surface has an allowable value based on, for example, JIS standard (T0601-1). Therefore, the insulation properties required for case 11 are preferably this tolerance and the amount of heat that can be generated inside the device or an estimate inside the device, which can be estimated beforehand experimentally, empirically or theoretically. Based on the maximum temperature and the like, the temperature of the apparatus surface is determined to be less than this allowable value. The selection of the heat insulating material constituting the case 11 is preferably performed based on the required heat insulating characteristics.

A battery 200 is accommodated in a space below the device (right side in the drawing) inside the puncture pain alleviating device 10. The battery 200 is a DC power source in which a plurality of secondary battery cells are arranged in series, for example. The battery 200 is electrically connected to the main board 15 by a cable (not shown). A connector that is an interface for charging the battery 200 is provided below the battery 200 (on the right side in the figure). 300 is formed. Normally, the connector 300 is concealed from the outside by a sealing member 13 for securing the above-described sealing structure (that is, the sealing member 13 is also a part of the outer shell of the device forming the above-described sealing structure). . In addition, the connector 300 is electrically connected to the main board 15, and an electrical signal indicating whether the connector 300 is connected to an external power source is sent to a control circuit (not shown) formed on the main board. Can be supplied.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the operation unit 500 and the light emitting unit 600 that are partially exposed on the front side of the device are electrically connected to the switch substrate 14 inside the puncture pain alleviating device 10. . The switch board 14 is formed with an operation signal generation unit (not shown) that generates an electrical signal corresponding to the operation content when the operation unit 500 is operated, a light emission drive circuit (not shown) of the light emitting unit 600, and the like. Yes. The switch board 14 is electrically connected to the main board 15.

  The main board 15 is a board corresponding to the control unit of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10. The main board 15 executes energization control corresponding to an operation mode described later according to the operation state of the operation unit 500, for example, a control circuit including a driver IC and its control processor, an operation state of the operation unit 500, described later The control circuit etc. which control each indicator of the light emission part 600 according to the thermal saturation state of the latent heat storage agent 16 to be performed, the connection state of the battery 200 and external power source mentioned above, etc. are formed.

  In the internal space of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, a Peltier element 100 is installed on the upper side (left side in the figure) of the apparatus rear side (lower side in the figure).

  The Peltier element 100 is a plate-like heat transfer element having a first surface 1001 corresponding to the back side of the apparatus and a second surface 1002 corresponding to the front side of the apparatus (upper side in the drawing). The first surface 1001 is an example of the “heat absorption surface” according to the present invention, and the second surface 1002 is an example of the “heat dissipation surface” according to the present invention. In the Peltier device 100, when energization corresponding to the first operation mode is performed, one of the first surface 1001 and the second surface 1002 becomes a heat absorbing surface, and the other surface becomes a heat radiating surface. The Peltier element 100 is electrically connected to the main board 15.

  The first surface 1001 of the Peltier element 100 is in full surface contact with the pressing portion 18, and the second surface 1002 of the Peltier element 100 is in full surface contact with the accommodating portion 17 described later.

  The accommodating part 17 is a heat conductive case opened to the front side of the apparatus. The accommodating part 17 is a heat conductive container comprised with various heat conductive materials, such as a metal material, a heat conductive ceramic material, or a heat conductive resin material, for example. A latent heat storage agent 16 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 17. The housing part 17 is closed by a canopy part 19 in a state where the latent heat storage agent 16 is housed.

  The latent heat storage agent 16 is a heat storage body made of a latent heat storage material capable of storing heat supplied from outside as latent heat (that is, storing heat). As the latent heat storage agent 16, for example, an inorganic material such as calcium chloride hydrate, sodium thiosulfate hydrate, sodium sulfate hydrate, sodium acetate hydrate, or an organic material such as paraffin may be used. it can.

  The latent heat storage agent 16 is in a solid phase in a low temperature region below a predetermined phase change temperature and in a liquid phase in a high temperature region higher than the phase change temperature, but in the phase change process from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Thermal energy can be stored. In a state where the latent heat storage agent 16 is not thermally saturated (that is, a non-heat saturation state), the phase change process continues, and the temperature of the latent heat storage agent 16 is maintained substantially constant at the phase change temperature. When the heat energy exceeding the accumulation limit is applied to the latent heat storage agent 16, the latent heat storage agent 16 enters a heat saturation state, and the temperature of the latent heat storage agent 16 increases according to the supplied heat.

  The storage space of the latent heat storage agent 16 in the storage portion 17 is shaped so that the bottom and side surfaces of the latent heat storage agent 16 are stored in the storage space without any gap (in other words, in surface contact). It has been decided. Therefore, the position of the latent heat storage agent 16 hardly changes during the process in which the puncture pain relieving device 10 is used over a long period of time.

  Here, the second surface 1002 of the Peltier element 100 and the outer bottom surface portion of the accommodating portion 17 are in surface contact as shown in the figure, and the accommodating portion 17 is disposed in a thermal contact state with the second surface 1002. It is in a state. On the other hand, although the latent heat storage agent 16 is accommodated in the accommodating part 17, since the accommodating part 17 has thermal conductivity, the thermal conductivity with respect to the external field is ensured. That is, the heat conduction between the second surface 1002 of the Peltier element 100 and the latent heat storage agent 16 is not hindered, and the latent heat storage agent 16 keeps a thermal contact state with the second surface according to the present invention. It is in a state of being arranged.

  In addition, the first surface 1001 of the Peltier element 100 is in full surface contact with the pressing portion 18 having thermal conductivity, and these are also in a thermal contact state.

  The temperature sensor 700 is a sensor configured to be able to detect the temperature of an object. The temperature detection terminal of the temperature sensor 700 is fixed to the latent heat storage agent 16, and the temperature sensor 700 can measure the heat storage agent temperature T that is the temperature of the latent heat storage agent 16. The temperature sensor 700 is electrically connected to the main board 15.

<Operation of Example>
Next, the operation of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Details of operation mode>
The operation modes of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 include a first operation mode and a second operation mode.

  The first operation mode is an operation mode that operates when the heat absorption button 510 is pressed in a state where the power button 520 is pressed. In the first operation mode, the indicators 610 and 630 emit light.

  The second operation mode is an operation mode that operates when the battery 200 is connected to an external power supply via the connector 300 in a state where the power button 520 is not pressed. In the second operation mode, the indicator 640 emits light.

  Here, the details of the first and second operation modes will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the operation mode of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10. FIG. 3 corresponds to an enlarged view of the periphery of the Peltier element 100 in FIG. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram of the first operation mode. In the first operation mode, the Peltier element 100 is energized with an energization polarity in which the first surface 1001 is the heat absorbing surface and the second surface 1002 is the heat radiating surface.

  Here, when the puncture pain alleviating device 10 is used, the pressing portion 18 having thermal conductivity functions as a cooling portion pressed against the use target portion of the user. Accordingly, in the first operation mode, the heat of the use target portion of the user is absorbed by the Peltier element 100 via the pressing portion 18 and the first surface 1001.

  For example, when the puncture pain alleviating device 10 is used prior to driving the puncture needle into the patient's skin, the temperature of the patient's skin is lowered by the endothermic action of the Peltier element 100 in the first operation mode, and the puncture is performed. The puncture pain when the needle is driven into the skin is relieved. Various studies have already revealed that the puncture pain perceived by the patient can be reduced by lowering the skin temperature.

  Further, the heat absorbed by the Peltier device 100 in the first operation mode is radiated from the second surface 1002 serving as a heat dissipation surface. Here, the second surface 1002 is in contact with the accommodating portion 17 having thermal conductivity, and the latent heat storage agent 16 is accommodated in the internal space of the accommodating portion 17. Accordingly, the heat absorbed by the Peltier element 100 is accumulated in the latent heat storage agent 16. As already described, the heat storage agent temperature T, which is the temperature of the latent heat storage agent 16, does not change until the latent heat storage agent 16 reaches a thermal saturation state. For this reason, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 does not generate heat during normal use.

  FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram of the second operation mode. In the second operation mode, the Peltier element 100 is energized with an energization polarity such that the first surface 1001 is a heat dissipation surface and the second surface 1002 is a heat absorption surface.

  Here, the second surface 1002 is in contact with the accommodating portion 17 having thermal conductivity, and the latent heat storage agent 16 is accommodated in the internal space of the accommodating portion 17. Therefore, in the second operation mode, the heat accumulated in the latent heat storage agent 16 in the first operation mode is absorbed by the Peltier element 100 via the housing portion 17 and the second surface 1002.

  On the other hand, the heat absorbed by the Peltier element 100 is radiated from the first surface 1001 serving as a heat dissipation surface. Here, the first surface 1001 is in contact with the pressing portion 18 having thermal conductivity, and the heat radiated from the first surface 1001 is finally released to the outside through the pressing portion 18.

  Thus, in the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, the pressing part 18 has both a function as a cooling part according to the present invention and a function as a heat radiating part that restores the latent heat storage agent 16 from the heat saturation state. In addition, these functions are selectively executed by a control unit formed on the main board 15. However, the contents and operating conditions of these operation modes described here are examples.

  Although details will not be described in the present embodiment, when the heat storage agent temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 700 reaches a high temperature region equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, the above-described phase change temperature), the latent heat storage agent 16 is thermally saturated. It is notified by the light emission of the indicator 620 that it is in a state. For example, when the user of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 recognizes the light emission of the indicator 620, the user can stop using the device and connect the battery 300 and the external power source via the connector 300. When the battery 300 and the external power source are connected, the second operation mode operates as described above, so that the latent heat storage agent 16 releases the heat accumulated when the puncture pain alleviating device 10 is not used. Can do.

<Effect of Example>
The puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 has an advantageous effect on practice peculiar to the puncture pain reducing apparatus according to the present invention as follows.

<Adsorption effect of heat absorption / radiation performance>
The puncture pain alleviating device 10 includes a thermally conductive accommodating portion 17 between the second surface 1002 of the Peltier element 100 and the latent heat storage agent 16. That is, the latent heat storage agent 16 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 17. The internal space of the housing portion 17 is formed so as to match the physique and shape of the latent heat storage agent 16, and the latent heat storage agent 16 inhibits heat conduction with the second surface 1002 of the Peltier element 100. Without being damaged, it is protected from vibration and shock during the actual use of the device. Therefore, in the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, the three-dimensional positional relationship between the latent heat storage agent 16 and the Peltier element 100 does not change with time. For this reason, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 has its heat absorption and heat dissipation characteristics (for example, the amount of heat absorbed and released per unit area of the Peltier element 100) that does not change over time. That is, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 can maintain its heat absorption / radiation performance as much as possible over time.

<Trouble prevention effect>
As described above, in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, the first operation mode is activated when the heat absorption button 510 is pressed while the power button 520 is pressed. In addition, when the power button 520 is not pressed in a state where the battery 200 is connected to the external power source, that is, when the battery 200 is charged, the second operation mode is activated. In other words, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 pays attention to the fact that the pressing portion 18 can be used as both a heat absorbing surface and a heat radiating surface by switching the energization polarity with respect to the Peltier element 100. The structure is not broken.

  For example, when resetting the latent heat storage agent 16 using a heat radiating member that cannot control the progress of heat radiating, such as a heat radiating plate or a heat sink, the heat absorption via the pressing portion 18 and the heat radiating member via The heat dissipation that has occurred will proceed at the same time. If both proceed at the same time, for example, the patient may accidentally contact the heat radiating member. In this respect, in the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, the heat accumulated in the latent heat storage agent 16 is not freely radiated but is radiated only when the second operation mode is executed. That is, the pressing part 18 functions as one functional member with the clear intention of the user regarding whether the pressing part 18 is used as a heat absorbing member or a heat radiating member. Therefore, such a situation is not caused.

  Further, in the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, there is no problem even if an operation button corresponding to the second operation mode is provided, but the apparatus is configured so that the second operation mode is executed only during charging. Therefore, such a situation can be prevented more firmly. That is, generally, the location of the external power source used for charging is often different from the location where the apparatus is used. Inevitably, the second operation mode gradually proceeds in a place where a human body is present in the vicinity and at least a user is not present. Therefore, it is safer. It is also possible to easily determine the usage rules for the device.

<Temperature rise prevention effect inside and outside the device>
The puncture pain alleviating device 10 can cool the use target part of the user by the heat absorbing action of the first surface 1001 of the Peltier element 100 in the first operation mode. At this time, the absorbed heat is released from the second surface 1002 of the Peltier element 100 inside the device, but the puncture pain alleviating device 10 can store the released heat in the latent heat storage agent 16. . The latent heat storage agent 16 does not increase in temperature for a corresponding period until its heat storage capacity is satisfied (that is, until it is saturated with heat). In other words, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 substantially does not have a heat source inside the device during its use. Accordingly, the outer temperature (mainly, the temperature of the case 11) is maintained almost equal to the temperature of the usage environment (for example, the room temperature). The temperature of the medical device has a restriction based on, for example, JIS standard (T0601-1) and the like, but it is easy to comply with the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 that does not have a heat source inside the apparatus.

  Also in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, when the latent heat storage agent 16 falls into a heat saturation state, the temperature of the latent heat storage agent 16 gradually increases during the use of the device. However, the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 can detect the thermal saturation of the latent heat storage agent 16 by the temperature sensor 700 and can promptly notify the user of the detected thermal saturation by the action of the indicator 620. Therefore, it is possible to easily take appropriate measures before the heat storage agent temperature T rises excessively (that is, in this embodiment, the operation of connecting the battery 200 to the external power supply without pressing the power button 520). It is.

  Furthermore, the case 11 (the front side case 11F and the back side case 11R) that defines the outline of the puncture pain relieving device 10 is made of a heat insulating material, and the puncture pain relieving device 10 has a heat insulating structure as a whole. Yes. Therefore, in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, it is difficult for the temperature inside the device to be conducted to the surface of the device, and it is assumed that the use of the device is continued for a period of time after the latent heat storage agent 16 shifts to the heat saturation state. (Which is not uncommon in the field of medical practice), an increase in the surface temperature of the device is prevented. That is, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 has high practicality due to its temperature rise preventing effect.

<Ease of sterilization and disinfection>
The puncture pain alleviating device 10 can use the pressing portion 18 as a heat absorbing member or a heat radiating member by utilizing a switching function between the heat absorbing surface and the heat radiating surface of the Peltier element 100. In other words, during normal use of the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, the use target portion of the user is cooled by using the pressing portion 18 as a heat absorbing member in the first operation mode, so that puncture by the user is performed. Can relieve pain. Further, when the latent heat storage agent 16 falls into a thermal saturation state, the latent heat storage agent 16 releases the heat accumulated as latent heat to the outside by using the pressing portion 18 as a heat radiating member in the second operation mode. The amount of heat stored in the latent heat storage agent 16 can be reduced, and ideally, the amount of stored heat can be made zero (that is, reset). In other words, in the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, the place where heat is exchanged with the outside world is limited only to the pressing portion 18. This has great significance as a medical device.

  That is, in practical operation, medical devices require sterilization and disinfection. It is also required to be hygienic.

  There are various methods of sterilization and disinfection, but in any case, it is necessary that communication between the outer shell of the device and the inner portion of the device is cut off. Also, in terms of hygiene, the communication between the outer shell of the device and the inner portion of the device needs to be blocked. This is because if the device shell communicates with the inside of the device, the patient's body fluid or the like enters or infiltrates the inside of the device and is unsanitary. Therefore, the ease of sterilization and disinfection required for medical devices and the sanitary function disappear at the stage where the vents are formed in the outer shell of the apparatus.

  Here, for example, when there is no technical idea of using the pressing portion 18 as a heat absorption surface and a heat dissipation surface, a cooling fan is used as one method for releasing the heat accumulated in the latent heat storage agent 16 to the outside. A method is conceivable. However, the operation of the cooling fan requires an intake port and an exhaust port, and the above-described sterilization and disinfection eases are lost and not hygienic. In addition, the possibility that the temperature of the surface of the device exceeds the specified value in the actual use environment of the device cannot be excluded. That is, it is extremely difficult to comply with the matters that should be observed as a medical device.

  On the other hand, according to the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, since heat is exchanged only through the pressing portion 18, the entire apparatus can have a sealed structure, and sterilization and disinfection are easy. In addition, since it has a sealed structure, it is extremely good in terms of hygiene. Furthermore, in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, controllability regarding heat absorption / heat dissipation is ensured. Therefore, the temperature of the device outer shell (device surface) does not conflict with the regulations in the actual use environment of the device. In other words, in the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, the matters to be observed as a medical device are cleared very well.

  In the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, the first surface 1001 of the Peltier element 100 is covered with the pressing portion 18 and is not exposed to the outside. Such a configuration is more desirable in terms of hygiene. However, on the other hand, in contrast to the concept of the medical device according to the present invention and the puncture pain relieving device 10, the puncture pain relieving device 10 does not necessarily have the pressing portion 18. That is, the first surface 1001 of the Peltier element 100 may be exposed to the outside. Even in this case, there is no problem in realizing a sealed structure as a whole apparatus.

<Cover attachment effect>
Since the puncture pain relieving device 10 is a medical device, it has already been described that consideration for hygiene is necessary in terms of practical operation. On the other hand, the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 has already been described as being easy to disinfect and sterilize because of its sealed structure.

  Here, the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 can take into consideration the hygiene aspects different from the above-described disinfection and sterilization work because of its sealed structure. That is, the puncture pain alleviating device 10 can be attached with a disposable cover that covers the pressing portion 18, that is, the cooling portion.

  The disposable cover means a disposable cover, and does not have any special provisions in the material, shape, and attachment method, but it is necessarily inexpensive and simple as long as it is disposable. That is, the disposable cover is a bag-like cover having one end opened or a belt-like cover as a preferred embodiment.

  Here, such a cover attachment effect will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 when the cover is attached. In addition, in the same figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which overlaps with FIG. 2, and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  In FIG. 4, a disposable cover DC1 is a bag-shaped cover having an opening, and has a simple structure that is attached to the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10 by covering the case 11 from the upper surface side (left side in the figure). It is. The disposable cover DC1 is configured to cover the pressing portion 18 as a cooling portion and the cooling portion corresponding portion 11C corresponding to a portion of the case 11 that wraps the pressing portion 18 in a state where the disposable cover DC1 is mounted on the apparatus.

  For this reason, in the puncture pain alleviating device 10 when the cover is mounted, the cooling unit (the pressing unit 18 in the present embodiment) that cools the use target part of the user is not in direct contact with the use target part. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the disinfection and sterilization work directly on the cooling part or the cooling part equivalent part 11C. On the other hand, since the disposable cover DC1 can be attached simply by covering the cooling part corresponding part 11C, it is inexpensive and easy to replace. For example, the puncture pain relieving device 10 can be continuously attached to a large number of patients. Provide high work efficiency in the situation of use.

  Here, for comparison, consider a configuration in which the Peltier element is cooled by cooling means such as a cooling fan. When cooling the Peltier element with a cooling fan, due to the nature of the Peltier element in which the heat absorption surface and the heat dissipation surface are integrated, the inlet and exhaust ports of the cooling fan are inevitably near the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element to be cooled Will be formed. That is, in FIG. 4, this vent is formed in the cooling portion corresponding portion 11C.

  On the other hand, this type of vent is not allowed to be shielded from the outside by a cover during normal use of the apparatus. Therefore, in the configuration for cooling the Peltier element by the cooling fan, a cover that covers the cooling part but does not cover the cooling part equivalent part 11C is necessary. From a general point of view, such a cover has a complicated shape, a complicated method for fixing the cover, and is not easy to remove. Inevitably, it becomes difficult to use a disposable cover as the cover. That is, it cannot be said that the device that cools the Peltier element by the cooling fan can be attached with the disposable cover. In other words, in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, the feature of the device configuration in which no kind of vent is formed in the case 11 produces a practically beneficial benefit that allows the disposable cover to be attached. .

  Further, in the puncture pain alleviating device 10, since the pressing portion 18 that is a cooling portion also functions as a heat radiating portion in the second operation mode, heat is radiated when the device is used (that is, when the first operation mode is executed). It will never be. For this reason, compared with the case where the accumulated heat of the latent heat storage agent 16 is continuously released to the outside like a heat sink or a heat sink, the temperature distribution of the case 11 is not biased. Further, since the case 11 has a heat insulating structure, the temperature of the case 11 is substantially equal to the outside air temperature. Therefore, it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the disposable cover. However, the medical device according to the present invention may include a heat radiating device such as a heat radiating plate or a heat sink. This is because it does not hinder the sealing structure of the apparatus.

  The puncture pain alleviating device 10 is devised to take advantage of the ability to attach the disposable cover DC1 and to further support the attachment of the disposable cover DC1.

  In FIG. 4, the case 11 of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 includes a gripping part 11H for the user to grip in addition to the cooling part equivalent part 11C.

  Here, as can be seen from the fact that the front side case 11F and the back side case 11R each have a cavity portion in a part of the side surface in FIG. 1, the cooling portion equivalent portion 11C as viewed from the upper surface side (left side in the drawing). Is larger than the cross-sectional area of the grip portion 11H. That is, the cooling part equivalent part 11C has a thicker structure than the grip part 11H. Accordingly, in FIG. 4, the vicinity of the boundary between the cooling portion equivalent portion 11C and the grip portion 11H is gently inclined to form the cavity portion 11CV.

  A rubber-like locking member G that gently closes the opening when the cover is not used is provided at the opening of the disposable cover DC1. The locking member G urges the opening of the disposable cover DC1 toward the inside of the apparatus by its elastic force in a state where the cooling portion equivalent portion 11C is covered.

  Here, in particular, when the disposable cover DC is attached so that the locking member G is positioned at the cavity portion 11CV, the urging force of the locking member G toward the inside of the apparatus is the cover removal direction (left direction in the figure). This is a kind of resistance against the movement of the disposable cover DC1. For this reason, the disposable cover DC1 does not come off at a time unintended by the user when the apparatus is used. That is, the cavity portion 11CV makes it easier to attach the disposable cover DC1, and the puncture pain alleviating device 10 has higher operability.

<2. Second Embodiment>
The idea of facilitating the attachment of the disposable cover is not limited to the formation of the cavity portion 11CV according to the first embodiment. Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the other aspect of the cover attachment effect of the puncture pain alleviation apparatus 10 is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the puncture pain alleviating device 10 when the cover is attached. In addition, in the same figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which overlaps with FIG. 4, and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  In FIG. 5, the disposable cover DC2 is a belt-like cover, unlike the disposable cover DC1 according to the first embodiment. That is, the disposable cover DC2 does not cover the upper surface (the left end portion in the figure) of the apparatus, and is wound around the cooling portion equivalent portion 11C (reference numeral omitted).

  On the other hand, in the configuration wound around the case 11 as described above, it is more difficult to fix the cover than the bag-shaped cover. Therefore, in the puncture pain alleviating apparatus 10, a fixing jig 20 is provided. The fixing jig 20 has a fulcrum part 21 and a rotation part 22. The fixing jig 20 is provided on the front side case 11F. That is, the configuration “provided on the surface of the casing opposite to the cooling portion” according to the present invention is realized.

  The fulcrum part 21 is a part fixed to the front side case 11F, and fixes one end part of the rotation part 22 so that rotation is possible. One end of the rotating part 22 is fixed to the fulcrum part 21 and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the double arrow in the figure. An unillustrated elastic urging member (for example, a spring-like member) is interposed between the fulcrum part 21 and the rotating part 22, and the rotating part 22 is caused by the elastic force of the elastic urging member. In the initial state, it is stuck to the front case 11F. On the other hand, the disposable cover DC2 can be sandwiched in the gap by lifting the pivot part 22 upward in the figure and forming a gap between the pivot part 22 and the front case 11F. In a state where the disposable cover DC2 is sandwiched, when the rotating portion 22 receives the elastic force of the elastic biasing member as described above, the disposable cover DC2 is fixed by the rotating portion 22 so as to be sandwiched between the front case 11F. The FIG. 5 shows this state.

  Thus, by providing a fixing jig such as the fixing jig 20, the degree of freedom in configuration of the disposable cover DC2 is increased, and the cooling part equivalent part 11C can be covered more flexibly. In FIG. 5, the disposable cover DC2 is a belt-like cover. However, the fixing jig 20 can fix a bag-like cover such as the disposable cover DC1 according to the first embodiment. .

  Further, by providing the fixing jig 20 in the front case 11F that is the surface opposite to the cooling unit, the possibility that the fixing jig 20 contacts the use target portion of the user is reduced. Hygiene is maintained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. A medical device accompanying such a change can also be used. It is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Puncture pain relieving device, 16 ... Latent heat storage agent, 18 ... Press part, 20 ... Fixing jig, 100 ... Peltier element, 200 ... Battery, 300 ... Connector, 500 ... Operation part, 510 ... Endothermic button, 520 ... Power button, 600 ... Light emitting section, 610, 620, 630.640 ... Indicator, 700 ... Temperature sensor, 1001 ... First surface (Peltier element), 1002 ... Second surface (Peltier element).

Claims (6)

A Peltier element having an endothermic surface and a heat dissipating surface;
A latent heat storage agent arranged in thermal contact with the heat radiating surface; and
A housing that houses the Peltier element and the latent heat storage agent in a state in which a heat conductive member that covers at least part of the heat absorbing surface or the heat absorbing surface is exposed as a cooling unit,
A medical device characterized in that a cover that covers the cooling unit can be attached. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing jig for fixing the cover. The medical device according to claim 2, wherein the fixing jig is provided on a surface of the housing opposite to the cooling unit. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a gripping part gripped by a user, and a portion surrounding the cooling part is configured to be thicker than the gripping part. The medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the casing has a sealed structure according to a predetermined standard. The medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the casing is made of a heat insulating material.