JP2018007719A - Male connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a possibility that engagement of an engaging claw with a female connector is unintentionally released, and omit an operation part provided on a lock lever.SOLUTION: A male connector 1 comprises a housing 10 having a male member 11 and a lock lever 30, and a slider 50 having a sliding arm 60. The slider 50 can move relative to the housing 10 between a distal end side position and a base end side position along a longitudinal direction of the male member 11. In a process in which the slider 50 moves from the base end side position, where the male member 11 is inserted into a female connector 950 and a locking claw 39 provided on the lock lever 30 engages with the female connector 950, to the distal end side position, the sliding arm 60 displaces the lock lever 30 in a direction away from the male member 11 so as to release the engagement between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7B

Description

  The present invention relates to a male connector provided with a lock mechanism for maintaining a connection state with a female connector. In particular, the present invention relates to a male connector configured such that a locked state by a lock mechanism can be released by moving a slider along the longitudinal direction of the male member.

  When performing infusion, blood transfusion, extracorporeal blood circulation, etc. with respect to a patient, generally an indwelling needle apparatus (for example, refer patent documents 1 and 2) is used. The needle of the indwelling needle device is punctured into the patient's blood vessel. One end of the flexible tube is connected to the indwelling needle device so as to communicate with the needle. A female connector is provided at the other end of the tube. A male connector provided at the end of a flow path (transport line) for flowing a chemical solution or blood is connected to the female connector.

  As a female connector, a female connector provided with a self-closing valve body is known (for example, see Patent Document 3). On the other hand, a male connector with a lock mechanism for maintaining a connection state with a female connector is known as a male connector (see, for example, Patent Document 4). The lock mechanism includes a pair of lock levers arranged to face each other with the male member interposed therebetween. One end of the lock lever is provided with a locking claw protruding toward the male member, and the other end of the lock lever is an operation portion. The lock lever can swing like a seesaw. By inserting the male member into the female connector and engaging the locking claw with the female connector (locked state), it is ensured that the connection state between the male connector and the female connector is maintained. When the operation unit is pushed so that the distance between the operation units of the lock lever is reduced, the lock lever swings, the engagement between the locking claw and the female connector is released, and the male connector and the female connector are separated. be able to.

  When performing infusion or the like, the indwelling needle device is indwelled in a patient for a predetermined period with the needle pierced into a blood vessel. The male connector and the female connector are also arranged in the vicinity of the patient in a state where both are connected (locked state). A male connector and a female connector may be fixed to a patient's body (for example, an arm) using an adhesive tape or the like.

International Publication No. 2007/083770 Pamphlet JP 2012-254117 A JP2013-252165A JP 2004-000483 A JP2013-165830A International Publication No. 2013/154050 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-079355 JP 7-148271 A JP 2012-074495 A

  In the conventional male connector, when a radially inward force is applied to the operation portion of the lock lever, the engagement between the locking claw and the female connector is released. For this reason, for example, when an external force is applied to the operation unit when the male connector collides with a surrounding object or when the male connector is placed under the patient's body, the engagement between the locking claw and the female connector is intended. There is a problem that it is canceled without doing.

  In addition, since the operation part of the lock lever protrudes greatly, the patient feels pain when the operation part touches the patient's skin, and pressure ulcer occurs due to continuous pressure on the patient's skin and soft tissue. There is a problem that sometimes.

  The first object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released. The second object of the present invention is to eliminate the operation part provided in the lock lever and reduce the possibility that the patient feels hurt or develops pressure ulcer.

  The male connector of the present invention can repeatedly connect and disconnect the female connector. The male connector includes a housing and a slider. The housing includes a rod-shaped male member, a lock lever disposed to face the male member, and a locking claw provided on the lock lever so as to protrude toward the male member. The slider includes a sliding arm. The slider is movable along the longitudinal direction of the male member between a distal end side position and a proximal end side position with respect to the housing. In the process of moving the slider from the proximal side position where the male member is inserted into the female connector and the locking claw is engaged with the female connector to the distal side position, the male connector is The sliding arm is configured to displace the lock lever in a direction away from the male member so that the engagement between the claw and the female connector is released.

  According to the present invention, in order to release the engagement between the locking claw and the female connector, it is necessary to move the slider from the proximal position to the distal position along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the housing. There is. In the actual use situation of the male connector, the force that moves the slider in this way is hardly applied to the male connector unintentionally, so that the locking claw is engaged with the female connector (locked state) Is unlikely to be released unintentionally.

  In addition, in order to release the engagement between the locking claw and the female connector, it is sufficient to move the slider from the proximal position to the distal position along the longitudinal direction of the male member, and it is not necessary to touch the lock lever. Absent. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the operation part which protruded largely like the conventional male connector in a lock lever. Therefore, even if the male connector touches the patient's skin, the patient is less likely to feel pain or develop pressure ulcers.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the housing according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from above. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the housing according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from below. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from above the housing according to the embodiment of the present invention, cut along a plane including the central axis. FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional perspective view of the housing according to the embodiment of the present invention, cut along a plane including the central axis, as viewed from below. FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional perspective view from above of the housing according to one embodiment of the present invention, cut along another plane including the central axis. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the slider according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from above. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the slider according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 3C is a plan view of the slider according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from above the slider according to the embodiment of the present invention, cut along one plane including the central axis. 3E is a cross-sectional view of the slider according to the embodiment of the present invention, cut along a plane including the line 3E-3E in FIG. 3C. FIG. 4A is a perspective view seen from above of a cover attached to the male connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a perspective sectional view of the cover. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the male connector according to one embodiment of the present invention as seen from below. FIG. 5C is a front view of the male connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5D is a side view of the male connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5E is a plan view of the male connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional view of the male connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of an infusion line using a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state immediately before a female connector is connected to a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is a front view showing a state in which the female connector is in contact with the sliding arm as a process of connecting the female connector to the male connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A. FIG. 9A is a front view showing a process of connecting the female connector to the male connector according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the sliding projection of the slider gets over the first projection of the housing. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A. FIG. 10A is a front view showing a state in which a female connector is connected to a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the connected male connector and female connector as viewed from below.

  The male connector according to the present invention may be configured such that when the slider is moved from the proximal end position toward the distal end position, the sliding arm moves the female connector toward the distal end side. . According to this configuration, the female connector can be moved to the distal end side without touching the female connector. This is advantageous for easily and quickly performing the operation of separating the female connector from the male connector.

  In the male connector of the present invention, when the female connector is inserted into the housing in a state where the slider is in the distal end side position, the female connector contacts the sliding arm, and the slider is moved to the proximal end side position. You may move toward. In this case, when the slider reaches the proximal end position, the locking claw may engage with the female connector. According to this configuration, the female connector can be connected to the male connector without touching the slider. In the process of connecting the female connector to the male connector, it is not necessary to change the housing and the female connector, so that the operation of connecting the female connector to the male connector can be performed easily and quickly.

  In the process in which the slider moves from the distal end side position to the proximal end side position, the sliding arm may displace the lock lever in a direction away from the male member. Such a configuration is advantageous in reducing the possibility that the locking claw provided on the lock lever will be caught by irregularities that may exist on the outer peripheral surface of the female connector.

  The sliding arm may be configured to contact the female connector in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the male member. According to this configuration, the slider and the female connector can be integrally moved with respect to the housing when the female connector is connected to and disconnected from the male connector. This is advantageous in improving the workability of connecting and disconnecting the female connector to the male connector.

  The male connector according to the present invention may further include a slider movement preventing mechanism that prevents the slider at the proximal end side position from moving toward the distal end side position. According to such a configuration, for example, the possibility of an unexpected situation in which the slider moves from the proximal end position toward the distal end position due to a patient's erroneous operation or the like is reduced. This is advantageous in reducing the possibility that the engagement of the engaging claw with the female connector is unintentionally released and the male connector and the female connector are unintentionally separated. It is.

  When the slider reaches the proximal end position, the slider movement prevention mechanism may be automatically activated. This is advantageous in preventing an erroneous operation of forgetting to activate the slider movement prevention mechanism.

  A release button for invalidating the slider movement prevention mechanism may be provided on the slider. Since the release button is provided on the slider, the slider can be gripped at the same time as the slider movement prevention mechanism is disabled by pressing the release button. This is advantageous for easily and quickly performing the operation of separating the female connector from the male connector.

  The male connector of the present invention may be configured such that the slider movement preventing mechanism can be invalidated when the release button is pushed toward the central axis of the male connector. This is advantageous for simultaneously performing an operation for invalidating the slider movement preventing mechanism and an operation for gripping the slider. In addition, the direction of the force applied to the release button to invalidate the slider movement prevention mechanism is different from the direction in which the slider is moved to release the engagement between the locking claw and the female connector. Even if a force is applied, it is unlikely that the engagement between the locking claw and the female connector will be unintentionally released.

  When viewed along a direction perpendicular to a plane including the central axis of the male connector and the release button, the release button is located at a position farther from the central axis of the male connector than the male connector. It may be arranged on the central axis side. Even if an external force is applied to the male connector, such as when the male connector collides with a surrounding object or under the patient's body, such a configuration prevents the possibility that such an external force is applied to the release button. It is advantageous to reduce. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the slider movement preventing mechanism is invalidated unintentionally.

  The sliding arm may be disposed on the male member side with respect to the lock lever so as to face the lock lever. An inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the male member may be provided on a surface facing the other of at least one of the lock lever and the sliding arm. When the slider moves along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the housing, the other of the locking lever and the sliding arm slides on the inclined surface, so that the locking lever It may be displaced in a direction away from the male member. This is advantageous in that the lock lever is displaced in the radial direction with a simple configuration in conjunction with the movement of the slider between the distal end side position and the proximal end side position.

  The planar view shape of the male connector viewed along the longitudinal direction of the male member may be substantially elliptical. Preferably, the major axis of the substantially elliptical shape coincides with the direction in which the male member and the lock lever face each other. The outer dimension of the male connector may be the smallest in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the male member and perpendicular to the direction in which the male member and the lock lever face each other. According to these structures, since the area of the male connector which contacts a patient's body becomes large, it is advantageous in reducing the pain which a patient feels with a male connector. It is also advantageous to reduce the likelihood that a male connector will cause pressure ulcers by continually compressing the patient's skin and soft tissue.

  Below, this invention is demonstrated in detail, showing suitable embodiment. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Each drawing referred to in the following description shows simplified main members constituting an embodiment of the present invention for convenience of description. Therefore, the present invention can include any member not shown in the following drawings. Further, within the scope of the present invention, each member shown in the following drawings can be changed or omitted. In the drawings showing the embodiments of the present invention, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of such members is omitted.

1. Configuration of Male Connector FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a male connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The male connector 1 includes a housing 10, a slider 50, and a cover 80. For convenience of the following explanation, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system as shown is set. The Z axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11 (see FIG. 2A described later) of the housing 10. The Z-axis direction is referred to as “vertical direction”, the plane orthogonal to the Z-axis (XY plane) is referred to as “horizontal plane”, and the direction parallel to the horizontal plane is referred to as “horizontal direction”. In the vertical direction, the side on which the Z-axis arrow is directed is referred to as “upper side” or “front end side”, and the opposite side is referred to as “lower side” or “base end side”. However, “up and down direction”, “horizontal direction”, “upper side”, and “lower side” do not mean directions when the male connector 1 is used.

  The housing 10 will be described. 2A is a perspective view of the housing 10 as viewed from above, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the housing 10 as viewed from below. 2C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the housing 10 cut along a plane including the central axis 1a, and FIG. 2D is a plan view of the housing 10 cut along a plane including the central axis 1a. FIG. FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from above the housing 10 cut along another plane including the central axis 1a. The central axis 1a is parallel to the Z axis and is a central axis common to all the members (see FIG. 1) constituting the male connector 1 including the male connector 1 and the housing 10. The direction orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as “radial direction” or “radial direction”, and the direction of rotation around the central axis 1a is referred to as “circumferential direction”. In the radial direction, the central axis 1a side is referred to as “inside”, and the side opposite to the central axis 1a is referred to as “outside”.

  The housing 10 includes a male luer 11 as a male member. The male luer 11 is a rod-like member extending along the central axis 1a coaxially with the central axis 1a. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the male luer 11 is a tapered surface (conical surface) whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip 11a. However, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 11 is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily selected. For example, the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 11 may be a cylindrical surface whose outer diameter is constant in the direction of the central axis 1a (that is, the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11). Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 11 may be a combination of a tapered surface and a cylindrical surface, or a curved surface whose outer diameter arbitrarily changes in the direction of the central axis 1a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2C to 2E, a flow path 12 is formed in the male luer 11 along the longitudinal direction thereof. The channel 12 is not open at the tip 11 a of the male luer 11. Two lateral holes 13 communicating with the flow path 12 are formed at positions near the front end 11 a of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 11. Each lateral hole 13 penetrates the male luer 11 in the radial direction and opens on the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 11. In addition, the number of the horizontal holes 13 does not need to be two, and may be one or three or more.

  A base 15 protrudes outward from the base end of the male luer 11. The base 15 is a flat plate-like member parallel to the horizontal plane.

  The cylindrical portion 17 protrudes downward from the base 15. The tubular portion 17 has a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the male luer 11 and communicates with the flow path 12 of the male luer 11. The inner peripheral surface 17a of the cylindrical portion 17 is a female taper surface (for example, a 6% taper surface) whose inner diameter increases as the distance from the base 15 increases. A screw-shaped protrusion (or male screw) 18 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 17. In addition, the structure of the cylindrical part 17 is not limited to this embodiment. Any configuration that can connect the male connector 1 to a tube that forms a flow path through which the liquid flows can be provided in the cylindrical portion 17.

  As best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the hood 20 stands from the outer edge of the base 15 on the same side as the male luer 11. The hood 20 includes a pair of hood walls 21 that face each other in the Y-axis direction with the male luer 11 in between, and a connecting ring 22 that connects the upper ends of the pair of hood walls 21. The connection ring 22 has a circular shape coaxial with the central axis 1a. A circular region surrounded by the connecting ring 22 constitutes the opening of the hood 20. The upper end of the hood 20 (that is, the connecting ring 22) is located higher than the tip 11 a of the male luer 11. The configuration of the hood 20 is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the connecting ring 22 that connects the pair of hood walls 21 may be omitted.

  A pair of lock levers 30 are opposed to each other in the X-axis direction with the male luer 11 in between. The lock lever 30 extends substantially parallel to the central axis 1a. The lock lever 30 is cantilevered at the outer peripheral edge of the base 15. The lock lever 30 can be elastically displaced in a direction (that is, a radial direction) in which an upper end (free end) of the lock lever 30 contacts and separates from the male luer 11. Such elastic displacement of the lock lever 30 is caused by elastic bending of the connection portion between the lock lever 30 and the base 15 (that is, the fixed end of the lock lever 30) or the portion of the base 15 or the lock lever 30 in the vicinity thereof. It becomes possible by deforming.

  The upper end of the lock lever 30 is located below the connecting ring 22 of the hood 20 and is separated from the connecting ring 22. The lock lever 30 and the hood wall 21 are separated from each other in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, a locking claw 39 protruding toward the male luer 11 is provided at or near the upper end of the lock lever 30. The locking claw 39 includes an inclined surface 39a facing upward. The inclined surface 39a is inclined so as to approach the base 15 as it approaches the central axis 1a.

  A first protrusion 31, a second protrusion 32, and a third protrusion 33 that protrude toward the male luer 11 are formed on the inner side surface (the surface facing the male luer 11) of the lock lever 30 below the locking claw 39. They are provided in this order from top to bottom.

  First and second recesses 34 a and 34 b that are retreated relative to the male luer 11 as compared with the first protrusion 31 are provided adjacent to the first protrusion 31 in the vertical direction. The first protrusion 31 includes a first inclined surface 31a on the top side (the part closest to the male luer 11) 31c on the upper side (that is, the first recess 34a side), and the lower side (that is, on the top part 31c). The second concave surface 34b is provided with a second inclined surface 31b. The first inclined surface 31a is inclined so as to be separated from the male luer 11 as it goes from the top portion 31c toward the first concave portion 34a, and the second inclined surface 31b is separated from the male luer 11 as it goes from the top portion 31c toward the second concave portion 34b. Inclined to leave.

  Adjacent to the upper side of the third protrusion 33, there is provided a third recess 34 c that retreats relative to the male luer 11 relative to the third protrusion 33. The third protrusion 33 is provided with an inclined surface (third inclined surface) 33a on the upper side (the third recessed portion 34c side) with respect to the top portion (the portion closest to the male luer 11) 33c, and the lower side with respect to the top portion 33c. Is provided with a stop surface 33b. The 3rd inclined surface 33a inclines so that it may leave | separate from the male luer 11 as it goes to the 3rd recessed part 34c from the top part 33c. The stop surface 33b is a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

  The inclined surfaces 31a, 31b, and 33a may be surfaces that gradually increase or decrease in the distance from the central axis 1a in the direction of the central axis 1a, and may be accurate planes or curved surfaces. .

  The second protrusion 32 is provided between and adjacent to the second recess 34b and the third recess 34c. The boundary portion between the second protrusion 32 and the second recess 34b and the boundary portion between the second protrusion 32 and the third recess 34c are not inclined surfaces such as the inclined surfaces 31a, 31b, and 33a, but are approximately horizontal. Parallel planes are provided.

  The slider 50 will be described. 3A is a perspective view seen from above the slider 50, FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from below the slider 50, and FIG. 3C is a plan view of the slider. 3D is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from above the slider 50 cut along one plane including the central axis 1a, and FIG. 3E is a slider 50 cut along the plane including the 3E-3E line of FIG. 3C. FIG. The 3E-3E line passes through a position slightly separated from the central axis 1a in the Y-axis direction.

  The slider 50 includes a substantially annular base ring 51. The base ring 51 is provided with a pair of sliding arms 60, a pair of lock members 70, and four shielding members 53.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3D, the pair of sliding arms 60 face each other in the X-axis direction with the central axis 1a interposed therebetween. The sliding arm 60 extends upward from the base ring 51 substantially parallel to the central axis 1a. Although the sliding arm 60 is cantilevered by the base ring 51, unlike the cantilevered lock lever 30 of the housing 10, the sliding arm 60 can be regarded as a substantially rigid body. In other words, it is practically difficult to displace the sliding arm 60 in the direction in which the upper end thereof is in contact with or away from the central axis 1a (that is, in the radial direction). A sliding protrusion 61 and a holding protrusion 62 are provided at or near the upper end of the sliding arm 60. The sliding protrusion 61 protrudes outward along the radial direction from the outer surface of the sliding arm 60 (surface facing away from the central axis 1a). The holding protrusion 62 protrudes from the inner side surface (the surface facing the central axis 1a) of the sliding arm 60 toward the central axis 1a. The holding protrusion 62 includes a contact surface 62a facing upward. The contact surface 62a is a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3D, the lock member 70 includes a release button 71 having a substantially “U” shape in plan view, and two locks extending upward from the upper end of the release button 71. The arm 72 includes a lock protrusion 73 provided at or near the upper end of the lock arm 72. The outer surface of the release button 71 (the surface facing away from the sliding arm 60) constitutes a pressing surface 71a. The lock arm 72 is a rod-like member parallel to the central axis 1a. The lock protrusion 73 protrudes outward along the radial direction from the outer surface of the lock arm 72 (surface facing away from the central axis 1a). The lock protrusion 73 includes a lock surface 73a facing upward. The lock surface 73a is a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3E, the lock member 70 is spaced apart from the sliding arm 60 and is disposed radially outward with respect to the sliding arm 60. As shown in FIG. 3E, the lock member 70 has a cantilever support structure in which the lower end (fixed end) is fixed to the base ring 51. The release button 71 is positioned above the fixed end of the lock member 70 that is cantilevered. When the pressing surface 71a of the release button 71 is pushed inward in the radial direction, the lock member 70 can be elastically displaced in a direction in which the lock protrusion 73 approaches the central axis 1a. Even if the lock member 70 is displaced in this way, the sliding arm 60 is not displaced.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the shielding member 53 extends upward from the base ring 51 substantially parallel to the central axis 1a. As shown in FIG. 3C, the four shielding members 53 are arranged so that the two shielding members 53 sandwich one sliding arm 60 in the Y-axis direction.

  The housing 10 and the slider 50 are preferably made of a hard material. Specifically, resin materials such as polypropylene, polyacetal, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamide, and hard polyvinyl chloride can be used. Each of the housing 10 and the slider 50 can be integrally formed as one part using such a resin material by an injection molding method or the like.

  The cover 80 will be described. 4A is a perspective view of the cover 80 as viewed from above, and FIG. 4B is a perspective sectional view of the cover 80. FIG.

The cover 80 is substantially the same as the cover described in Patent Document 5, and includes an outer peripheral wall 81 having a substantially cylindrical shape, a head 85 provided at the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 81, and an outward direction at the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 81. And a base portion 89 provided so as to protrude. A cavity 86 communicating with the internal space of the outer peripheral wall 81 is formed in the head 85. The inner peripheral surface of the cavity 86 is a cylindrical surface or a tapered surface whose inner diameter slightly increases toward the lower side (the outer peripheral wall 81). A slit 87 that penetrates the head 85 in the vertical direction is formed at the deepest portion of the cavity 86. As shown in FIG. 4A, the slit 87 is a straight cut having a planar view shape of “−” (minus) shape. In the initial state, the opposing edges that form the slit 87 are in contact so that the slit 87 is sealed in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner. A convex portion 88 protruding in a dome shape is provided at the tip of the outer surface of the head 85. The slit 87 is provided so as to cross the most protruding portion (top) of the convex portion 88.

  The cover 80 is integrally made of a material having flexibility (rubber elasticity) (for example, a rubber material such as isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer). When a compressive force in the vertical direction is applied to the cover 80, the outer peripheral wall 81 is elastically compressed and deformed so that its vertical dimension is shortened.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the male connector 1 is assembled by attaching the slider 50 to the housing 10 from below, and inserting the cover 80 into the hood 20 of the slider 50.

  5A is a perspective view of the male connector 1 as viewed from above, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the male connector 1 as viewed from below. 5C is a front view of the male connector 1, FIG. 5D is a side view of the male connector 1, and FIG. 5E is a plan view of the male connector 1. FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional view of the male connector 1 cut along a plane including the line 5F-5F and the central axis 1a in FIG. 5E.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the four shielding members 53 of the slider 50 are inserted between the hood wall 21 adjacent to the circumferential direction of the housing 10 and the lock lever 30. The shielding member 53 makes it difficult to access the inside of the housing 10 through the gap between the hood wall 21 and the lock lever 30.

  As shown in FIG. 5F, the sliding arm 60 of the slider 50 is disposed on the male luer 11 side (that is, inside) with respect to the lock lever 30 of the housing 10 so as to face the lock lever 30 in the radial direction. Yes. The sliding projection 61 provided on the sliding arm 60 is fitted into the first recess 34 a provided on the lock lever 30. The sliding protrusion 61 is opposed to the first inclined surface 31a in the vertical direction.

  The lock protrusion 73 of the slider 50 is fitted into the third recess 34 c of the housing 10. The lock protrusion 73 faces the second protrusion 32 and the third inclined surface 33a in the vertical direction.

  The holding projection 62 provided on the sliding arm 60 is positioned below the locking claw 39 provided on the lock lever 30.

  A cover 80 covers the male luer 11. The tip of the male luer 11 is inserted into the cavity 86 of the cover 80. The inner peripheral surface of the cavity 86 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 11 and seals the lateral hole 13 provided in the male luer 11 in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner. A base portion 89 of the cover 80 is in close contact with and fixed to the base 15 of the slider 10. The method for fixing the base 89 to the base 15 is not limited. For example, a method using an adhesive, a welding method, an annular jig (not shown) is sandwiched between the base 89 and the base 15. For example, a method of fixing the housing 10 to the housing 10 can be used.

  The cylindrical portion 17 of the housing 10 is inserted into the base ring 51 of the slider 50 (see FIG. 5B). The base ring 51 is in contact with the base 15 of the housing 10 (or the lower end of the hood wall 21) in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E, the housing 10 and the slider 50 form a smooth outer surface of the male connector 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the contour shape of the male connector 1 viewed along the Y axis substantially matches the shape of an ellipse having a major axis parallel to the vertical direction, with both ends in the major axis direction cut. . The outer surface of the lock lever 30 forms an arch-shaped smooth curve, and the outer surface of the connecting ring 22 of the hood 20 is arranged on the upward extension of the curve. The pressing surface 71 a of the release button 71 of the slider 50 slightly protrudes outward in the radial direction from the smooth curved extension formed by the outer surface of the lock lever 30. However, of the male connector 1, the lock lever 30 is the largest protruding outward in the radial direction. The pressing surface 71a retreats inward in the radial direction from the portion of the lock lever 30 that protrudes most outward in the radial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5D, the contour shape of the male connector 1 viewed along the X axis substantially matches a rectangle having a long side along the vertical direction. The hood 20 of the housing 10 and the base ring 51 of the slider 50 constitute the long side of the rectangle.

  As shown in FIG. 5E, the planar view shape of the male connector 1 substantially matches an ellipse. The elliptical long axis 1b is parallel to the X-axis direction (the direction in which the lock lever 30 faces), and the elliptical short axis 1c is parallel to the Y-axis direction (the direction in which the hood wall 21 faces). The oval shape includes a hood wall 21 and a lock lever 30 of the housing 10, and a shielding member 53 of the slider 50 that complements the gap between the hood wall 21 and the lock lever 30. The locking claw 39 of the lock lever 30 and the holding projection 62 of the sliding arm 60 protrude into the opening defined by the connecting ring 22 of the hood 20.

  In the present invention, the state of the male connector 1 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F is referred to as an “initial state”. In addition, the position of the slider 50 with respect to the housing 10 in the initial state (particularly the position in the direction of the central axis 1a) is referred to as a “tip side position”. When the slider 50 is in the tip end position, the sliding protrusion 61 of the slider 50 faces the first inclined surface 31a of the housing 10 in the vertical direction (see FIG. 5F), and the lock protrusion 73 of the slider 50 is the second protrusion of the housing 10. 32 and the third inclined surface 33a are vertically opposed (see FIG. 5F), and the base ring 51 of the slider 50 is vertically opposed to the base 15 of the housing 10 (or the lower end of the hood wall 21). (See FIG. 5B). For this reason, the slider 50 cannot move in the vertical direction with respect to the housing 10.

  The male connector 1 is rotationally symmetric twice with respect to the central axis 1a (overlapping with the state before rotation when rotated 180 degrees).

2. How to Use Male Connector The male connector 1 is connected to a female connector and used to configure a flow path through which liquid flows. The configuration of the flow path and the type of liquid flowing in the flow path are not limited and are arbitrary. FIG. 6 shows an example of an infusion line for performing infusion using the male connector 1.

  The infusion solution administered to the patient is stored in the infusion container 900. The infusion set 910 includes a flexible tube 911 for flowing an infusion, a male connector 912 (see, for example, Patent Document 6) provided at the upstream end of the tube 911, and a screw lock type provided at the downstream end of the tube 911. Connector 918. On the tube 911, a drip tube 914 for visualizing the flow of the infusion solution and a clamp 916 for adjusting the flow rate of the infusion solution flowing in the tube 911 are provided. Although illustration is omitted, a filter for filtering the infusion may be provided on the tube 911. A male connector 912 is connected to a port 901 of the infusion container 900 via an adapter 905 (see, for example, Patent Document 7). The screw lock type connector 918 is connected to the cylindrical portion 17 (see FIG. 5B) of the male connector 1. The connector 918 includes a male luer having a tapered male taper surface, and a lock nut having a female screw on the inner peripheral surface and capable of rotating around the male luer (for example, Patent Document 8 and FIGS. 8 to 9 of Patent Document 9). 11). The male luer of the connector 918 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 17 of the male connector 1, and the female screw of the lock nut is screwed into the screw-shaped protrusion 18 provided on the cylindrical portion 17.

  A needle 921 of an indwelling needle device 920 (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) is punctured into a patient's vein. A female connector 950 is provided at the upstream end of the flexible tube 923 communicating with the needle 921. The tube 923 is provided with a clamp 925 for opening and closing the flow path in the tube 923.

  When performing infusion, the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 1, and the flow path (infusion line) which connects from the infusion container 900 to the indwelling needle apparatus 920 is formed. A method for connecting the male connector 1 and the female connector 950 will be described.

  FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 1, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view thereof. In order to simplify the drawing, members other than the male connector 1 and the female connector 950 are not shown. The male connector 1 is in an initial state (see FIGS. 5A to 5F).

  The female connector 950 is a female connector provided with a self-closing valve body 951 (sometimes referred to as a “septum”). The valve body 951 is a thin circular plate made of a soft material having rubber elasticity (for example, a rubber material such as isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer). Is formed in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 7B, the valve body 951 is brought into contact with the distal end of a base 961 having a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape of the connector main body 960 so as to close the opening, and further a cap 955 is put thereon. The cap 955 includes a circular top plate 956 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 958 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 956. A tube 923 (see FIG. 6) is connected to a connection pipe 965 that communicates with the base 961 of the connector main body 960.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the protrusion 962 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal 961 is fitted into the hole 959 provided so as to penetrate the peripheral wall 958, whereby the cap 955 is fixed to the connector main body 960. The A circular opening (through hole) 957 is provided at the center of the top plate 956, and the central region of the valve body 951 including the slit 952 is exposed to the outside through the opening 957. From the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body 960, the cyclic | annular protrusion 963 continuous in the circumferential direction protrudes outward along the radial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 963 and the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 958 of the cap 955 continuously form a single cylindrical surface.

  When a cylindrical male luer having no sharp tip (for example, male luer 11 of the male connector 1) is pushed into the slit 952 of the valve body 951, the male luer can deform the valve body 951 and pass through the slit 952. . As a result, the male luer and the female connector 950 communicate with each other. Thereafter, when the male luer is pulled out from the valve body 951, the valve body 951 immediately returns to its initial state and the slit 952 is closed. When the male luer does not penetrate the slit 952, the slit 952 is closed in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner. The male luer can be inserted into and removed from the valve body 951 repeatedly. A female connector provided with such a resealable valve body 951 is also called a “needleless port” and is generally known (see, for example, Patent Documents 8 and 9).

  One hand holds the housing 10 of the male connector 1 (particularly its hood wall 21) and the other hand holds the female connector 950. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the male connector 1 and the female connector 950 Facing each other. Then, the female connector 950 is inserted into the connecting ring 22 of the hood 20 of the male connector 1. Preferably, the inner diameter of the connecting ring 22 is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 958 of the female connector 950 and the annular protrusion 963. For this reason, the connecting ring 22 positions the female connector 950 inserted in the connecting ring 22 in the horizontal direction. Further, the connecting ring 22 is advantageous for improving the mechanical strength of the hood 20. For this reason, when the housing 10 is held by the hood wall 21, the hood 20 hardly deforms.

  As shown in FIG. 5E, the locking claw 39 of the lock lever 30 protrudes into the opening of the connecting ring 22. 7B, the outer peripheral edge 956a of the top plate 956 of the cap 955 contacts the inclined surface 39a of the locking claw 39. The female connector 950 is further pushed into the hood 20. The outer peripheral edge 956a slides on the inclined surface 39a and elastically displaces the lock lever 30 so that the locking claw 39 is separated from the male luer 11. Subsequently, the locking claw 39 slides on the peripheral wall 958 of the cap 955.

  8A and 8B are a front view and a cross-sectional view showing the next stage. As shown in FIG. 8B, the locking claw 39 is in contact with the peripheral wall 958 (see FIG. 7A) of the cap 955. As apparent from a comparison of FIG. 8B with FIG. 7B, the lock lever 30 is displaced outward in the radial direction.

  A top plate 956 of the cap 955 is in contact with the holding projection 62 provided on the sliding arm 60 of the slider 50 in the vertical direction. The female connector 950 pushes the holding projection 62 downward, thereby moving the slider 50 slightly downward with respect to the housing 10.

  The convex portion 88 (see FIG. 4A) of the cover 80 is in contact with the valve body 951 exposed in the opening 957 (see FIG. 7A) of the female connector 950. The cover 80 is compressed in the vertical direction by the female connector 850 and the base 15 of the housing 10 and is slightly compressed and deformed particularly at the outer peripheral wall 81 so that the vertical dimension is reduced. The male luer 11 passes through the slit 87 (see FIG. 4B) of the cover 80, and the tip thereof is in contact with the valve body 951 of the female connector 950.

  In the state shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the female connector 950 is strongly pushed toward the housing 10. The holding protrusion 62 receives a downward force from the female connector 950. For this reason, the female connector 950 and the slider 50 integrally start to move downward relative to the housing 10. The sliding protrusion 61 slides on the first inclined surface 31a, and further elastically displaces the lock lever 30 outward in the radial direction. The lock protrusion 73 slides on the third inclined surface 33a, and the lock arm 72 (see FIGS. 3A and 3E) is elastically bent and deformed so that the lock protrusion 73 moves inward in the radial direction (not shown). (Omitted).

  9A and 9B are a front view and a cross-sectional view showing the next stage. As can be easily understood by comparing FIG. 9A with FIG. 8A, the female connector 950 and the slider 50 are moved downward with respect to the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the sliding protrusion 61 of the slider 50 is just over the first protrusion 31 of the housing 10. As apparent from comparison with FIG. 8B, the lock lever 30 is further displaced outward in the radial direction. The locking claw 39 is separated from the female connector 950 in the radial direction. This is locked to unevenness that may exist on the outer peripheral surface of the female connector 950 (for example, a hole 959 provided in the peripheral wall 958 or a step or gap between the peripheral wall 958 and the annular protrusion 963 (see FIG. 7A)). This is advantageous in reducing the possibility of occurrence of a situation where the claw 39 is caught and prevents the female connector 950 from moving.

  The male luer 11 has entered a slit 952 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) provided in the valve body 951 of the female connector 950. In particular, the outer peripheral wall 81 of the cover 80 is compressed and deformed in the vertical direction so as to be larger than that in FIG. 8B.

  Similar to FIG. 8B, the top plate 956 of the cap 955 is still in contact with the holding projection 62 of the sliding arm 60 in the vertical direction. The lock protrusion 73 (see FIG. 3A) of the lock member 70 is in contact with the top 33c (see FIG. 2C) of the third protrusion 33 provided on the lock lever 30 (in FIG. 9B, the lock protrusion 73 and the lock arm 72 are , Not visible because it is located behind the sliding arm 60).

  When the female connector 950 is further pushed toward the housing 10, the sliding protrusion 61 gets over the first protrusion 31. The sliding protrusion 61 moves to the second recess 34b while sliding on the second inclined surface 31b provided on the lower side of the first protrusion 31. Accordingly, the lock lever 30 moves inward in the radial direction by an elastic restoring force. Further, the lock protrusion 73 gets over the third protrusion 33. When the lock protrusion 73 gets over the third protrusion 33, the lock arm 72 (see FIG. 3A) is elastically restored and moves outward in the radial direction.

  FIG. 10A is a front view showing a state where the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 1, and FIG. 10B is a sectional view thereof. As can be easily understood by comparing FIG. 10A with FIG. 9A, the female connector 950 and the slider 50 are further moved downward with respect to the housing 10. The position of the slider 50 with respect to the housing 10 (particularly the position in the direction of the central axis 1a) shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is referred to as a “base end side position”.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the male luer 11 passes through the slit 87 (see FIG. 4B) of the cover 80 and the slit 952 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the valve body 951 in order. The valve body 951 through which the male luer 11 has passed is deformed toward the inner cavity 962 of the pedestal 961. The opening of the lateral hole 13 of the male luer 11 is exposed in the lumen 962. Accordingly, the flow path 12 of the male luer 11 and the lumen 962 communicate with each other. In this state, the infusion in the infusion container 900 can flow to the infusion set 910, the male connector 1, the female connector 950, the tube 923, and the indwelling needle device 920 (see FIG. 6).

  The cover 80 receives a compressive force in the vertical direction, and in particular, the outer peripheral wall 81 is deformed so that the vertical dimension is reduced.

  The sliding protrusion 61 is fitted in the second recess 34 b of the lock lever 30. The lock lever 30 is returned to substantially the same position as in the initial state (FIGS. 5A to 5F), and the locking claw 39 is engaged with the annular protrusion 963 of the female connector 950. That is, in the male connector 1, the locking lever 30 moves inward in the radial direction in parallel with the sliding protrusion 61 sliding on the second inclined surface 31b following the state of FIG. The locking claw 39 is configured to engage with the annular protrusion 963 almost simultaneously with the insertion into the second recess 34b (see FIG. 10B). Since the latching claw 39 provided in the housing 10 is engaged with the female connector 950, the tube 911 connected to the cylindrical portion 17 of the housing 10 and the tube 923 connected to the female connector 950 (see FIG. 6). ), The male connector 1 and the female connector 950 are not separated from each other. That is, the locking claw 39 provided on the lock lever 30 functions as a “lock mechanism” for maintaining the connection state between the male connector 1 and the female connector 950. A state where the locking claw 39 is engaged with the female connector 950, that is, a state where the lock mechanism is functioning effectively is referred to as a “lock state”.

  The lock protrusion 73 of the slider 50 is moved below the third protrusion 33. As shown in FIG. 10C, the lock protrusion 73 is in contact with the stop surface 33 b provided on the lower surface of the third protrusion 33 in the vertical direction. For this reason, even when a compressive force in the vertical direction is applied between the housing 10 and the slider 50, the slider 50 at the proximal end position cannot move relative to the housing 10 toward the distal end position. In other words, the lock member 70 of the slider 50 (particularly, the lock projection 73) and the third projection 33 (particularly, the stop surface 33b) of the housing 10 are such that the slider 50 located at the base end side is directed toward the tip end side. A “slider movement preventing mechanism” for preventing the movement is configured. 9B, when the slider 50 reaches the proximal end position after the state shown in FIG. 9B, the lock protrusion 73 moves over the third protrusion 33 and moves outward in the radial direction, and the lock protrusion 73 and the stop surface 33b. Are opposed to each other in the vertical direction (that is, the slider movement prevention mechanism is activated).

  When the slider 50 is in the proximal end position, the downward movement of the slider 50 relative to the housing 10 is restricted by the sliding protrusion 61 of the slider 50 coming into contact with the second protrusion 32 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 10B). ).

  Next, a method for separating the female connector 950 from the male connector 1 will be described.

  With the slider 50 in the proximal end position (FIGS. 10A to 10C), the pressing surfaces 71a of the two release buttons 71 of the slider 50 are pushed inward in the radial direction. As described above, the release button 71 is provided on the lock member 70 that is cantilevered by the base ring 51 (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3D, and 3E). For this reason, when the release button 71 is pressed, the lock member 70 is elastically displaced inward in the radial direction. Accordingly, the lock protrusion 73 provided at or near the free end of the lock member 70 is also displaced inward in the radial direction with respect to the stop surface 33b of the housing 10, and the slider movement preventing mechanism is invalidated. When the slider 50 is held while pressing the two release buttons 71 with one hand and the housing 10 (particularly the hood wall 21) is held with the other hand, a vertical compression force is applied to the slider 50 and the housing 10. The slider 50 can be moved toward the front end side position (that is, upward) with respect to the housing 10.

  The process in which the slider 50 moves from the proximal end position to the distal end position with respect to the housing 10 proceeds in the opposite manner to the operation at the time of connection described above.

  When the slider 50 moves from the proximal end position to the distal end position, the lock protrusion 73 of the housing 10 passes through the top 33c of the third protrusion 33 of the housing 10 and then moves to the third recess 34c (FIG. 2C, (See FIG. 2D).

  A female connector 950 is in contact with the holding projection 62 of the sliding arm 60 of the slider 50 in the vertical direction. For this reason, when the slider 50 moves upward with respect to the housing 10, the female connector 950 also moves upward with respect to the housing 10 together with the slider 50.

  When the slider 50 located at the base end side position starts to move upward with respect to the housing 10, the sliding projection 61 of the slider 50 collides with the second inclined surface 31b. When a larger vertical compression force is applied to the slider 50 and the housing 10, the sliding protrusion 61 slides on the second inclined surface 31b, and elastically displaces the lock lever 30 outward in the radial direction. Accordingly, the engagement between the locking claw 39 of the lock lever 30 and the female connector 950 is released (see FIG. 9B).

  When the sliding protrusion 61 gets over the first protrusion 31, the lock lever 30 moves inward in the radial direction by the elastic restoring force, and the locking claw 39 contacts the peripheral wall 958 or the annular protrusion 963 of the female connector 950. When the slider 50 is further moved upward with respect to the housing 10, the locking claw 39 slides on the peripheral wall 958 or the annular protrusion 963 of the female connector 950.

  When the slider 50 reaches the tip end position (see FIG. 8B), the base ring 51 of the slider 50 comes into contact with the base 15 of the housing 10 (or the lower end of the hood wall 21) in the vertical direction, or the lock protrusion of the slider 50 73 abuts on the second protrusion 32 of the housing 10 in the vertical direction. For this reason, the slider 50 cannot be moved further than the front end side position with respect to the housing 10. The locking claw 39 of the lock lever 30 contacts the peripheral wall 958 or the annular protrusion 963 of the female connector 950. The lock protrusion 73 of the slider 50 is fitted into the third recess 34 c of the housing 10. Most of the female connector 950 is pushed upward from the housing 10 (in particular, its hood 20) (see FIG. 8A).

  After moving the slider 50 to the tip end position, the hand holding the housing 10 is changed to the female connector 950, and the hand holding the slider 50 (particularly the release button 71) is moved to the housing 10 (particularly the hood wall). Change to 21). Then, the male connector 1 and the female connector 950 are pulled away from each other. The female connector 950 comes out of the hood 20 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). The male connector 1 immediately returns to the initial state (FIGS. 5A to 5F). In other words, the lock lever 30 is elastically restored inward in the radial direction. The cover 80 is stretched by its own elastic recovery force. The male luer 11 is housed in the cover 80, and the slit 87 of the cover 80 is closed. The opening of the lateral hole 13 of the male luer 11 is closed by the inner peripheral surface of the head 85 of the cover 80. On the other hand, the valve body 951 of the female connector 950 is elastically recovered immediately after the male luer 11 is removed, and the slit 952 is closed.

  The connection and separation of the female connector 950 with respect to the male connector 1 described above can be repeated.

3. As described above, in the male connector 1 of the present invention, the process in which the slider 50 moves from the proximal side position where the male luer 11 is inserted into the female connector 950 and the locking claw 39 engages the female connector 950 to the distal side position. Thus, the sliding arm 60 displaces the lock lever 30 in the direction away from the male luer 11 (radially outward) so that the engagement between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950 is released. In order to release the state in which the locking claw 39 is engaged with the female connector 950 (that is, the locked state), the slider 50 is moved from the proximal end position to the housing 10 in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11. It is necessary to move toward the side position.

  As described above, in a conventional male connector with a lock mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 4), the locked state is released by pushing the operation portion of the lock lever constituting the lock mechanism inward in the radial direction. Is possible. When the male connector collides with a surrounding object or when the male connector is placed under the patient's body, an inward force in the radial direction may act on the operation unit. For this reason, the conventional male connector has the subject that engagement with a latching nail | claw and a female connector will be cancelled | released unintentionally, and as a result, a male connector and a female connector will isolate | separate. .

  On the other hand, in the male connector 1 of the present invention, even when a radially inward force is applied to the lock lever 30, the engagement between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950 is not released. In order to release the engagement between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950, it is necessary to move the slider 50 along the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11 with respect to the housing 10. More specifically, in a state where the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 1, a compressive force parallel to the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11 must be applied to the housing 10 (not the female connector 950) and the slider 50. In the actual use situation of the male connector 1, such a compressive force is hardly applied to the male connector 1 unintentionally. Therefore, in the male connector 1 of the present invention, the possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released is reduced, and the safety is improved.

  Further, in the above conventional male connector with a lock mechanism, since the operation part of the lock lever protrudes greatly, the patient feels pain when the operation part touches the patient's skin, and further, the patient's skin and soft tissue There is a problem that pressure ulcers may occur due to continuous pressure. On the other hand, in the male connector 1 of the present invention, the sliding lever of the slider 50 is used to displace the lock lever 30 outward in the radial direction in order to release the engagement between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950. 60. It is not necessary to touch the lock lever 30 to release the locked state. For this reason, the lock lever 30 is not provided with an operation portion that protrudes greatly. Therefore, the outer surface of the male connector 1 can be configured with a smooth surface with few protrusions. Even if the male connector 1 touches the patient's skin, it is unlikely that the patient feels pain or pressure ulcers occur.

  In order to connect the female connector 950 to the male connector 1, the housing 10 (for example, the hood wall 21) of the male connector 1 is held with one hand in a state where the slider 50 is at the distal end side position (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). It is sufficient to hold the female connector 950 with the other hand and insert the female connector 950 into the hood 20 of the housing 10 and push it in. Since the female connector 950 contacts the sliding arm 60 of the slider 50, the slider 50 can be moved toward the proximal end side position via the female connector 950. When the slider 50 reaches the proximal end position, the locking claw 39 engages with the female connector 950 (see FIG. 10B). The connection of the female connector 950 to the male connector 1 is completed without touching the slider 50. In the process of connecting the female connector 950 to the male connector 1, it is not necessary to change the housing 10 and the female connector 950. Therefore, the operation of connecting the female connector 950 to the male connector 1 can be performed easily and quickly.

  In the process in which the slider 50 moves from the distal end side position to the proximal end side position, the sliding arm 60 displaces the lock lever 30 in a direction away from the male luer 11 (ie, outward in the radial direction) (see FIG. 9B). Preferably, the locking claw 39 is spaced apart from the female connector 950 in the radial direction. This is advantageous in reducing the possibility that the locking claw 39 will be caught by irregularities that may exist on the outer peripheral surface of the female connector 950.

  When the male luer 11 communicates with the female connector 950 and the male connector 1 and the female connector 950 are connected, the locking claw 39 engages with the female connector 950. At this time, the slider 50 is in the proximal end position (see FIGS. 10A to 10C).

  Thereafter, when the slider 50 is moved from the proximal end position toward the distal end position, the sliding arm 60 of the slider 50 moves the female connector 950 toward the distal end side. That is, the female connector 950 can be moved without touching the female connector 950. This is advantageous for easily and quickly performing the operation of separating the female connector 950 from the male connector 1.

  The male connector 1 includes a slider movement prevention mechanism (the lock member 70 of the slider 50 and the third protrusion 33 of the housing 10) that prevents the slider 50 at the proximal end position from moving toward the distal end position. . For this reason, possibility that the unexpected situation that the slider 50 will move toward a front end side position from a base end side position, for example by a patient operating the male connector 1 accidentally will reduce. This reduces the possibility that the engagement of the engaging claw 39 with respect to the female connector 950 is unintentionally released, and that the situation where the male connector 1 and the female connector 950 are unintentionally separated is generated. It is advantageous to do.

  The slider movement preventing mechanism is automatically activated when the slider 50 reaches the proximal end position in the process of connecting the female connector 950 to the male connector 1. For this reason, a separate operation for enabling the slider movement prevention mechanism is unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as forgetting to activate the slider movement prevention mechanism. This is because the engagement of the engaging claw 39 with respect to the female connector 950 is unintentionally released by leaving the male connector 1 without enabling the slider movement prevention mechanism, and further, the male connector 1 and the female connector 950 are released. This is advantageous in reducing the possibility that the connector 950 will be unintentionally separated.

  The male connector 1 includes a release button 71 for invalidating the slider movement prevention mechanism. The release button 71 is provided on the slider 50. For this reason, the slider 50 can be grasped at the same time when the release button 71 is pressed to invalidate the slider movement prevention mechanism. Therefore, when the female connector 950 is separated from the male connector 1, the slider 50 is held by the release button 71 with one hand to invalidate the slider movement prevention mechanism, and the housing 10 is held with the other hand. The slider 50 may be moved from the proximal end position to the distal end position with respect to the housing 10. The operation of disabling the slider movement preventing mechanism and the operation of moving the slider 50 from the proximal end position to the distal end position can be continuously performed while pressing the release button 71. Therefore, although the operation of disabling the slider movement prevention mechanism is necessary to separate the female connector 950 from the male connector 1, the separation work can be performed easily and quickly.

  In order to invalidate the slider movement preventing mechanism, it is necessary to push the release button 71 inward in the radial direction. The direction of this force applied to the release button 71 is different from the direction in which the slider 50 is moved to release the engagement of the locking claw 39 with respect to the female connector 950 (that is, in the direction of the central axis 1a). More specifically, the two directions differ by 90 degrees. For this reason, an unintended force is applied to the release button 71 when the male connector 1 collides with a surrounding object or when the male connector 1 is placed under the patient's body, thereby invalidating the slider movement prevention mechanism. Even so, there is a low possibility that the slider 50 is moved from the proximal end position toward the distal end position and the engagement of the locking claw 39 with the female connector 950 is unintentionally released.

  The sliding arm 60 contacts the female connector 950 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11. For this reason, when connecting the female connector 950 to the male connector 1, if the female connector 950 is pushed into the housing 10, the slider 50 can be moved together with the female connector 950 toward the proximal end side. When separating the female connector 950 from the connector 1, if the slider 50 is moved toward the distal end side relative to the housing 10, the female connector 950 can be moved toward the distal end side together with the slider 50. Thus, since the slider 50 and the female connector 950 can be moved integrally with respect to the housing 10, workability of connection and separation of the female connector 950 with respect to the male connector 1 is improved.

  The sliding arm 60 abuts on the female connector 950 in addition to displacing the lock lever 30 outward in the radial direction. The configuration of the slider 50 can be simplified by assigning two different functions to a common member.

  The sliding arm 60 is disposed on the male luer 11 side with respect to the lock lever 30 so as to face the lock lever 30. Inclined surfaces 31 a and 31 b are provided on the surface of the lock lever 30 facing the sliding arm 60. When the slider 50 moves along the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11 with respect to the housing 10, the sliding projection 61 provided on the sliding arm 60 slides on the inclined surfaces 31a and 31b, whereby the lock lever 30 has a radius. Displace outward in the direction. Thus, the relative movement along the central axis 1a of the slider 50 with respect to the housing 10 is converted into an outward displacement in the radial direction of the lock lever 30 using the inclined surfaces 31a and 31b. This is advantageous in that the lock lever 30 is displaced in the radial direction in conjunction with the movement of the slider 50 between the distal end side position and the proximal end side position with a simple configuration.

  On the other hand, in order to displace the lock lever 30 inward in the radial direction, an elastic restoring force directed inward of the lock lever 30 supported in a cantilever manner is used. This is advantageous in simplifying the configuration of the male connector 1 because a separate member for displacing the lock lever 30 inward is unnecessary.

  The shape (plan view shape) of the male connector 1 viewed along the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11 is a substantially elliptical shape having a long axis 1b parallel to the direction (X-axis direction) in which the lock lever 30 and the male luer 11 face each other. Yes (see FIG. 5E). Although not shown, the plan view shape of the male connector 1 when the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 1 is also a length parallel to the direction in which the lock lever 30 and the male luer 11 face each other, as in FIG. 5E. It is substantially elliptical with an axis 1b. Further, the external dimension of the male connector 1 is the smallest in the Y-axis direction (that is, the short axis 1c direction) in both the state where the female connector 950 is not connected and the state where it is connected. Therefore, when the male connector 1 is fixed to the patient's body with an adhesive tape or the like, the male connector 1 is most stably fixed to the patient if the Y-axis direction (short axis 1c direction) is perpendicular to the patient's skin. can do. Further, when the male connector 1 is placed under the patient's body with the central axis 1a parallel to the horizontal direction, the male connector 1 easily rotates so that the long axis 1b is parallel to the horizontal direction. In these cases, since the area of the male connector 1 in contact with the body of the patient is increased, the pain felt by the male connector 1 by the patient is reduced. Moreover, the possibility that the male connector 1 generates pressure ulcers by continuously pressing the skin and soft tissue of the patient is reduced.

  The release button 71 for invalidating the slider movement preventing mechanism is provided on the long shaft 1b when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11. For this reason, when the male connector 1 becomes an underlay of a patient's body, the release button 71 is highly likely to face the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is unlikely that the weight of the patient acts on the release button 71 and the slider movement preventing mechanism is unintentionally invalidated.

  Further, when viewed along the Y axis (see FIG. 10A), the release button 71 is located at the position of the male connector 1 that is farthest from the central axis 1a (ie, the position that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the lock lever 30). It is arrange | positioned rather than the center axis | shaft 1a side. For this reason, even if an external force is applied to the male connector 1 when the male connector 1 collides with a surrounding object or when the male connector 1 is placed under a patient's body, such an external force is The possibility of being applied to the lock lever 30 that protrudes the largest in the direction is high, and the possibility of being applied to the release button 71 is relatively low. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the slider movement preventing mechanism is invalidated unintentionally.

4). Various Modified Embodiments The above embodiments are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, in the process of moving the slider 50 from the proximal end position to the distal end position in order to separate the female connector 950 from the male connector 1, the lock lever 30 is first displaced outward in the radial direction. And then displaced radially inward. Further, in the above embodiment, the lock lever 30 is initially directed outward in the radial direction even in the process of moving the slider 50 from the distal end side position to the proximal end position in order to connect the female connector 950 to the male connector 1. And then displaced radially inward. However, in the present invention, such a displacement of the lock lever 30 is not essential. In the process in which the slider 50 moves from the proximal end position to the distal end position, the lock lever 30 may simply be displaced outward in the radial direction. This is because the engagement between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950 can be released as long as the lock lever 30 is displaced outward in the radial direction. Further, in the process in which the slider 50 moves from the distal end side position to the proximal end side position, the lock lever 30 may simply be displaced inward in the radial direction. This is because the locking claw 39 can be engaged with the female connector 950 as long as the lock lever 30 is displaced inward in the radial direction.

  Such movement of the lock lever 30 can be realized, for example, by omitting the first recess 34 a and the first inclined surface 31 a provided on the inner surface of the lock lever 30. In this configuration, when the slider 50 is at the tip end position, the locking claw 39 is greatly separated from the central axis 1a in the radial direction. Preferably, when the female connector 950 is inserted into the housing 10, the outer peripheral edge 956 a of the cap 955 of the female connector 950 does not collide with the inclined surface 39 a of the locking claw 39. This eliminates the need to strongly push the female connector 950 into the housing 10 in order to elastically displace the lock lever 30 outward in the radial direction, thus facilitating the work of connecting the female connector 950 to the male connector 1. It is advantageous to do. However, if the slider 50 is left for a long period of time in the distal end side position, the elastic restoring force for displacing the lock lever 30 inward in the radial direction when the slider 50 is moved to the proximal end position may be reduced. There is.

  In the present invention, it is not essential that the sliding arm 60 of the slider 50 abuts the female connector 950 in the direction of the central axis 1a. For example, the holding protrusion 62 may be omitted. In this case, the movement of the slider 50 relative to the housing 10 in the direction of the central axis 1a and the movement of the female connector 950 relative to the housing 10 in the direction of the central axis 1a are independent. In particular, this configuration can be combined with the above-described configuration in which the lock lever 30 remains displaced outward in the radial direction when the slider 50 is in the distal end position. When the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector, the female connector 950 is inserted deeply into the housing 10 with the slider 50 in the distal end position to allow the male luer 11 and the female connector 950 to communicate with each other. Is moved to the proximal end position, and the locking claw 39 is engaged with the female connector 950. When the female connector 950 is separated from the male connector, first, the slider 50 is moved to the distal end position to release the engagement between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950, and then the female connector 950 is housed in the housing. Pull out from 10.

  The configuration of the slider movement preventing mechanism that prevents the slider 50 located at the proximal end position from moving toward the distal end position is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, the lock protrusion 73 may be omitted, and the upper end of the lock arm 72 may face the third protrusion 33 of the housing 10 and the central axis 1a.

  A configuration similar to that of the lock member 70 may be provided in the housing 10 instead of the slider 50. For example, a lock arm may be provided at the lower end of the hood wall 21 of the housing 10 or the base 15. The lock arm extends downward substantially parallel to the central axis 1a. A lock protrusion protruding outward in the radial direction is provided at or near the tip of the lock arm. When the slider 50 is in the distal end side position, the lock arm and the lock protrusion are housed inside the base ring 51 of the slider 50. When the slider 50 moves to the proximal end position, the lock protrusion is displaced radially outward by the elastic restoring force of the lock arm, and the lock protrusion comes into contact with the upper end of the base ring 51 in the direction of the central axis 1a. By elastically bending and deforming the lock arm so that the lock protrusion is displaced radially inward from the base ring 51, the slider 50 can be moved toward the tip side position.

  In the present invention, the slider movement prevention mechanism may be omitted. For example, the slider 50 may not include the lock member 70. This is advantageous for simplification of the configuration of the male connector 1. Further, since the release button 71 is also omitted, it is possible to make the outer surface of the male connector 1 a smoother surface with less unevenness. This is advantageous in reducing discomfort (for example, pain) when the male connector 1 touches the patient's skin. Even when the slider movement prevention mechanism is omitted, as described above, in the state where the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 1, a compressive force parallel to the longitudinal direction of the male luer 11 is applied to the housing 10 and the slider 50. Therefore, it is unlikely that the engagement (locked state) between the locking claw 39 and the female connector 950 is unintentionally released.

  The configuration for displacing the lock lever 30 in the radial direction in conjunction with the movement of the slider 50 in the direction of the central axis 1a is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, an inclined surface similar to the inclined surfaces 31a and 31b may be provided adjacent to the top of the sliding projection 61 of the sliding arm 60 in the vertical direction. The protrusion 31, the inclined surfaces 31 a and 31 b, and the recesses 34 a and 34 b may be provided on the sliding arm 60, and the sliding protrusion 61 may be provided on the lock lever 30.

  The shielding member 53 of the slider 50 may be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the locking claw 39 is engaged with the annular protrusion 963 of the female connector 950. However, the portion of the female connector 950 that is engaged with the locking claw 39 is appropriately changed according to the configuration of the female connector 950. It's okay. The shape and position of the locking claw 39 can be changed according to the portion engaged with the female connector 950.

  The number of the lock levers 30 having the locking claws 39 provided in the male connector of the present invention is not limited to two, and may be one.

  The shape of the hood 20 is also arbitrary. For example, the connecting ring 22 may be omitted, and the hood 20 may be configured with only the hood wall 21.

  The hood 20 may be omitted. The function of positioning the female connector 950 in the horizontal direction can be performed by the locking claw 39. For example, the female connector 950 is positioned in the Y-axis direction in addition to the X-axis direction by using the locking claw 39 by, for example, forming the tip of the locking claw 39 as viewed in the direction of the central axis 1a in an arc shape. be able to.

  The shape of the male lure 11 can be arbitrarily changed. The number of the lateral holes 13 communicated with the flow path 12 is not necessarily two, and may be one or three or more. The horizontal hole 13 may be omitted, and the flow path 12 may be open at the tip 11 a of the male luer 11.

  The configuration of the cover 80 can also be arbitrarily changed. For example, the outer peripheral wall 81 may have a bellows shape in which two tapered portions having opposite taper directions are alternately connected. The slit 87 may be omitted, and a through hole constituting the cavity 86 may penetrate the head 85 in the vertical direction.

  In the present invention, the cover 80 may be omitted.

  In said embodiment, although the case where the male connector 1 was used in order to comprise the infusion line for performing infusion was demonstrated, the male connector of this invention can be used also for uses other than this. For example, the female connector connected to the male connector is not limited to the needleless port. For example, the female connector may be a rubber stopper that seals the opening of the vial. A through hole such as the slit 952 of the valve body 951 is not formed in advance in the rubber stopper. Therefore, in this case, the male connector preferably includes a puncture needle (sometimes referred to as a bottle needle) having a sharp tip that can puncture a rubber stopper as a male member. Further, in order to suppress fluctuations in air pressure in the vial when the liquid flows out / inflow into the vial, the puncture needle may be provided with a liquid channel and a gas channel independent of each other. Good. The lock lever and the locking claw are appropriately changed so as to be able to engage with an enlarged diameter flange surrounding the opening of the vial.

  The external shape of the male connector can also be changed as appropriate.

  The outline (plan view shape) of the male connector viewed along the central axis 1a is not limited to an ellipse (see FIG. 5E), but approximates a rhombus, an athletics track shape, or a rectangle, or any of these. The shape may be sufficient.

  The front view shape of the male connector is not limited to a shape (FIG. 5C) in which both ends in the major axis direction are cut off from the ellipse. The male connector does not need to have a substantially central portion in the direction of the central axis 1a bulging outward in the radial direction. For example, the front view shape of the male connector may be a rectangle whose outer dimension along the horizontal direction is constant in the direction of the central axis 1a or a shape approximate to this.

  In general, it is preferable that the outer shape of the male connector has a shape (for example, a thin plate shape) that minimizes the outer dimension in one direction (Y-axis direction in the above embodiment) orthogonal to the central axis 1a. This is because the area of the male connector in contact with the patient's body increases.

  Although the field of use of the present invention is not limited, in the medical field, it can be widely used as a connection tool for forming a circuit (transport line) for transporting various liquids such as chemicals, infusions, and blood. it can. Furthermore, it can also be used in various fields that handle liquids such as foods other than those for medical use.

1 Male Connector 1a Male Connector Center Shaft 10 Housing 11 Male Luer (Male Member)
30 Lock lever 31a, 31b Inclined surface 33 3rd protrusion (slider movement prevention mechanism)
39 Locking Claw 50 Slider 60 Sliding Arm 70 Lock Member (Slider Movement Prevention Mechanism)
71 Release button 950 Female connector

Claims (13)

A male connector capable of repeatedly connecting and disconnecting a female connector,
The male connector includes a housing and a slider,
The housing includes a rod-shaped male member, a lock lever disposed to face the male member, and a locking claw provided on the lock lever so as to protrude toward the male member,
The slider includes a sliding arm,
The slider is movable along the longitudinal direction of the male member between a distal end side position and a proximal end side position with respect to the housing.
In the process in which the slider moves from the proximal side position where the male member is inserted into the female connector and the locking claw is engaged with the female connector to the distal side position, the locking claw and the female connector A male connector, wherein the sliding arm is configured to displace the lock lever in a direction away from the male member so that the engagement with the male member is released.   The male connector according to claim 1, wherein when the slider is moved from the proximal end position toward the distal end position, the sliding arm moves the female connector toward the distal end side. When the female connector is inserted into the housing in a state where the slider is in the distal end position, the female connector abuts on the sliding arm, and moves the slider toward the proximal end position,
The male connector according to claim 1, wherein when the slider reaches the proximal end position, the locking claw engages with the female connector.   The male according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sliding arm displaces the lock lever in a direction away from the male member in a process in which the slider moves from the distal end side position to the proximal end side position. connector.   The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the sliding arm is configured to be able to contact the female connector in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the male member.   The male connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a slider movement prevention mechanism that prevents the slider at the proximal end position from moving toward the distal end position.   The male connector according to claim 6, wherein the slider movement preventing mechanism is automatically enabled when the slider reaches the proximal end position.   The male connector according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a release button for disabling the slider movement prevention mechanism is provided on the slider.   The male connector according to claim 8, wherein when the release button is pushed toward the central axis of the male connector, the slider movement preventing mechanism can be invalidated.   When viewed along a direction perpendicular to a plane including the central axis of the male connector and the release button, the release button is located at a position farther from the central axis of the male connector than the male connector. The male connector of Claim 8 or 9 arrange | positioned at the center axis | shaft side. The sliding arm is disposed on the male member side with respect to the lock lever, facing the lock lever,
An inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the male member is provided on a surface facing the other of at least one of the lock lever and the sliding arm,
When the slider moves along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the housing, the other of the locking lever and the sliding arm slides on the inclined surface, so that the locking lever The male connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which is displaced in a direction away from the male member.   The male connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a planar view shape of the male connector viewed along the longitudinal direction of the male member is substantially elliptical.   The outer dimension of the male connector is minimum in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the male member and perpendicular to the direction in which the male member and the lock lever face each other. The male connector as described in.

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