JP2020116285A - Tube joining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tube joining apparatus capable of inhibiting a release member that releases the holding of a lid portion of a pressing member from moving inadvertently when the lid portion is opened.SOLUTION: A tube joining apparatus fuses an end of a tube T1 and of a tube T2, and then replaces the fused ends and joins them, including: a pedestal 212 provided with groove portions capable of holding the tubes; a lid portion configured openable and closable with respect to the groove portions, the lid portion exposing the groove portions to the outside when opened, and isolating the groove portions from the outside when closed; a lid-side pressing portion 253 and a casing-side pressing portion capable of pressing the tubes when the lid portion is closed, and rotatably provided respectively on the lid portion and the pedestal; a holding member 226 for holding the lid-side pressing portion on the lid portion when the lid portion is opened; a release member 227 releasing the holding of the lid-side pressing portion when the lid portion is closed, and provided with a protrusion 227c protruding from an end surface of the lid portion on the pedestal side when the lid portion is opened; and an attachment member 228 including a protection portion 228a for protecting the protrusion when the lid portion is opened, and located adjacent to the release member and mounted to the lid portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a tube joining device.

As a technique for connecting resin tubes to each other, there has been conventionally known a joining method in which the ends of the resin tubes are melt-cut and the melted ends are pressed against each other and pressure-bonded. Such a technique is widely used in various industrial fields, and as an example thereof, application to medical techniques such as a peritoneal dialysis method has been attempted.

The peritoneal dialysis method uses a tube (catheter) embedded in the patient's abdominal cavity to put a prescribed dialysate into the body, and then the water and waste products transferred into the dialysate through the peritoneum It is a method of removing.

Since one of the tubes to be joined is embedded in the abdominal cavity of the patient, great care must be taken during the joining work so that each tube is not contaminated. In Patent Document 1, when the lid of the tube joining device is opened, two tubes are installed at predetermined positions, and a button is pressed with the lid closed, the two tubes are melted and then melted. There is disclosed a technique in which pressure welding is performed after the end portions are replaced.

JP, 2013-146354, A

As described above, in the device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to replace the melted ends of the tubes after melting. In order to replace the ends of the melted tubes, the above device is provided with members for pressing the tubes with the lid and the casing. These members need to be held by the lid or the housing when the lid is open, but when the lid is closed, they can be rotated to replace the above-mentioned end. It is necessary to provide a member for releasing the holding with the housing. Here, when the lid is provided with a releasing member for performing the releasing, the user can touch the releasing member, and if the user accidentally touches the releasing member, the pressing member is held. May be affected.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tube joining device that can prevent the release member, which releases the holding of the pressing member from the lid, from inadvertently moving when the lid is opened.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention that achieves the above object, after melting the end of the first tube and the end of the second tube, replaces and joins the melted end of the first tube and the melted end of the second tube. A tube joining device that is configured to be capable of opening and closing with respect to a pedestal provided with a groove portion capable of holding the first tube and the second tube, and the groove portion is exposed to the outside when opened. , And a lid portion that isolates the groove portion from the outside when closed, and the lid portion and the pedestal are rotatably provided respectively, and when the lid portion is closed, the first tube and the second tube are provided. A pressing portion that can be pressed, a holding member that holds the lid-side pressing portion on the lid portion when the lid portion is opened, and a protrusion that projects from the pedestal-side end surface of the lid portion when the lid portion is opened. A release member for releasing the holding of the lid side pressing portion when the lid portion is closed, and a release member that is attached to the lid portion adjacent to the release member and is opened when the lid portion is opened. And a mounting member having a protection portion that protects the protruding portion.

According to the tube joining apparatus of the present invention, even if the user tries to touch the protrusion of the release member when the lid is opened, the protection portion protects the protrusion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the release member that releases the holding of the lid-side pressing portion with respect to the lid from moving carelessly when the lid is opened.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which opened the cover part in the tube joining apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which the lid part of the tube joining apparatus closed. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the example of arrangement|positioning of the component arrange|positioned in a housing|casing in the state which closed the lid part of a tube joining apparatus. It is a schematic plan view which shows the state which opened the cover part of a tube joining apparatus. It is a schematic plan view which shows the state which has arrange|positioned the 1st tube and the 2nd tube in the tube joining apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view showing the state where the lid of the tube joining device was opened. It is the perspective view which looked at the tube joining apparatus with which the lid part opened from a different direction from FIG. It is a figure which shows the inside of a clamp part in the state which the cover part which comprises a tube joining apparatus opened. It is a figure which shows the inside of the clamp part in the state which closed the cover part which comprises a tube joining apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the 10-10 line of FIG. 5, and is a figure which shows the tube joining apparatus in the state which the lid part opened. It is sectional drawing which follows the 10-10 line of FIG. 5, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the tube joining apparatus in the state which the lid part closed. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a tube joining apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically the 1st tube and 2nd tube which are fusion-cut and joined by a tube joining apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically each process of fusing-position exchange work by a tube joining device. It is a figure which shows typically each process of fusing-position exchange work by a tube joining device. It is a figure which shows typically each process of fusing-position exchange work by a tube joining device. It is a figure which shows typically each process of fusing-position exchange work by a tube joining device. It is a figure which shows typically each process of the joining-removal work by a tube joining apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically each process of the joining-removal work by a tube joining apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the overall configuration of a tube joining device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the control system of the tube joining device 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the tubes T1 and T2 joined by the tube joining apparatus 1. 14 to 19 are diagrams for explaining an example of use of the tube joining device 1. In the present specification, the tube T1 corresponds to the first tube, and the tube T2 corresponds to the second tube. In the following, the front-back direction of the tube joining device 1 is referred to as the front-back direction X, the left-right direction is referred to as the left-right direction Y, and the height direction is referred to as the height direction Z.

As shown in FIG. 13, the tube joining apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has an end of a tube T1 on the dialysate bag T11 side of the peritoneum and an end of a tube T2 on the peritoneal catheter T26 side of a patient (user M) who performs peritoneal dialysis. It is configured as a medical device that melts and joins the parts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tube joining set S includes a tube joining apparatus 1 capable of fusing and joining the tubes T1 and T2, and a cassette WC provided with a plurality of wafers WF used for fusing. In the fusing work of the tubes T1 and T2, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the tubes T1 and T2 are blown by the heated wafer WF in a state in which the juxtaposed tubes T1 and T2 are pressed against each other and crushed. After that, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the positions of the one side of the melted tube T1 and the one side of the tube T2 are exchanged, and the tubes T1 and T2 are pressed and joined. Details will be described later.

The tube joining apparatus 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1. A housing 10 that houses each part of the tube joining apparatus 1, crushing of the tubes T1 and T2 at the time of fusing, and one side of the tube T1 after fusing and a tube. And a clamp part 20 for replacing one side of T2. As shown in FIG. 12, the tube joining apparatus 1 includes an interlock 30 that locks the tubes T1 and T2 in a state of being clamped by the clamp portion 20 at the time of fusing and joining, and is inserted into the housing 10 as shown in FIG. And a storage section 40 that stores the stored cassette WC.

As shown in FIG. 12, the tube bonding apparatus 1 heats a wafer WF and sends it to a fusing position, a feed unit 50, an operation unit 60 that can accept an on-off switching instruction of a power source, and a user M. The notification unit 70 that notifies necessary information is provided. The tube joining apparatus 1 includes a supply unit 80 capable of supplying electric power to each unit, and a control unit 90 that comprehensively controls the operation of each unit.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the horizontal direction Y in which the tubes T1 and T2 extend, with the fusing position X0 of the tubes T1 and T2 as a boundary, the side whose positions are changed after fusing is the “replacement side X1”, The opposite side is called "fixed side X2". The details will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 includes an upper portion 11 that corresponds to the upper side surface of the substantially hexahedron and a lower portion 12 that is disposed below the upper portion 11 and that constitutes a side surface other than the upper side surface of the substantially hexahedron. It consists of a combination of cases. The upper portion 11 is formed so as to incline from the rear toward the front.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper portion 11 includes inclined surfaces 11g and 11h, a concave portion 11j, and a convex portion 11k. The inclined surfaces 11g and 11h are inclined so that the rear end side of the upper portion 11 is higher than the front end side. The inclined surface 11h is arranged on the front end side of the inclined surface 11g with the recess 11j interposed therebetween. Although the inclined surfaces 11g and 11h are configured to be substantially the same surface, the present invention is not limited to this.

The recess 11j is provided adjacent to the inclined surfaces 11g and 11h as shown in FIG. The recessed portion 11j is formed so as to be recessed in the height direction Z more than an imaginary surface that linearly connects the inclined surface 11g and the inclined surface 11h. In the recess 11j, a connector T12 of the tube T1 or a part of the tube T2 can be arranged as shown in FIG.

The convex portion 11k is provided so as to project in the height direction Z more than the concave portion 11j. A part of the tube T1 can be arranged on the convex portion 11k as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, a display unit 71 that displays the progress of joining is provided on the front end side of the upper surface of the upper portion 11. Further, an illustration or the like for instructing the arrangement of the tubes T1 and T2 set in the clamp portion 20 can be attached to the front end side of the upper portion 11. As a result, the tubes T1 and T2 can be set at appropriate positions without confusing the positions of the tubes T1 and T2.

On the rear end side of the upper portion 11, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, a display unit 72 included in a notification unit 70 described later is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the upper portion 11 is provided with a hole 11r into which the clamp portion 20 can be fitted. Further, on the side surface of the upper portion 11, an insertion hole 11c for inserting the cassette WC and a switch 11d for taking out the cassette WC inserted into the housing 10 are provided. When the user M pushes the switch 11d with his/her finger while the cassette WC is inserted through the insertion hole 11c, the cassette WC can be taken out of the housing 10 through the insertion hole 11c. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion 11 has a built-in sensor 11e capable of measuring the environmental temperature around the housing 10. The heating time for the wafer WF to heat the tubes T1 and T2 can be adjusted according to the environmental temperature measured by the sensor 11e.

As shown in FIG. 10, the lower portion 12 includes a flat bottom surface 12a and leg portions 12b that come into contact with a mounting place such as a table in the lower portion 12.

The clamp portion 20 holds the tubes T1 and T2 in a juxtaposed state, presses the tubes T1 and T2 against each other at the time of fusing, and after the fusing, the positions of the one side of the tube T1 and the one side of the tube T2 are switched to each other. Is pressed to the other in the left-right direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 6, the clamp portion 20 can be opened and closed by a pedestal 21 protruding from the upper portion 11 fixed to the bottom surface 12 a of the housing 10 and by relatively approaching and separating from the pedestal 21. And a configured lid portion 22. The clamp unit 20 is provided on the pedestal 21, and includes a holding unit 23 that holds the tubes T1 and T2, and a sensor 24 that can detect whether or not the tubes T1 and T2 are set. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, the clamp part 20 detects the opening/closing of the pressing part 25 and the pressing part 25 that presses the tubes T1 and T2 against each other as the cover 22 relatively approaches the pedestal 21 and crushes them. And a sensor 26 that operates.

The pedestal 21 includes a first pedestal 211 provided on the fixed side X2 of the tubes T1 and T2 and a second pedestal 212 provided on the replacement side X1 of the tubes T1 and T2 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. There is. A gap 21a is provided between the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212 along the extending direction of the tubes T1 and T2. The gap 21a is provided for the wafer WF to pass through when the wafer WF before use moves to the fusing position or when the used wafer WF is sent to the outside of the housing 10 or the like.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second pedestal 212 includes a contact surface 212a and a housing portion 212b. As shown in FIG. 9, the contact surface 212a contacts the protrusion 227c of the release member 227 when the lid 22 is closed, and is configured to be able to accommodate the protrusion 227c of the release member 227. The housing portion 212b is provided adjacent to the contact surface 212a, and is configured to house the protection portion 228a of the mounting member 228 when the lid portion 22 is closed. The upper surface 211a of the first pedestal 211 and the contact surface 212a of the second pedestal 212 are designed to reduce the number of irregularities provided on the surface. Specifically, the number of irregularities is smaller than the number of irregularities formed by the groove portions 232a and 232b of the holding portion 23. This prevents the user M from mistakenly attaching the tubes T1 and T2 to another place, and improves the workability of assembling. A gap 21a is provided between the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212 along the extending direction of the tubes T1 and T2. The gap 21a is provided for the wafer WF to pass therethrough when the wafer WF before use moves to the fusing position or when the used wafer WF is sent out of the housing 10.

Further, each of the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212 is provided with an engaged portion 213 for hooking and fixing an engaging claw 225 of the lid portion 22 described later.

The lid portion 22 is configured to be openable/closable with respect to groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b described later. The lid portion 22 exposes the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b to the outside when opened, and isolates the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b from the outside when closed.

The lid 22 includes a first arm 221 rotatably provided with respect to the first pedestal 211 and a second arm 222 rotatably provided with respect to the second pedestal 212. The cover 22 includes a cover 223 that covers the first arm 221 and the second arm 222, and a grip 224 that is rotatably provided with respect to the first arm 221 and the second arm 222 and that can be gripped by the user M. , Are provided. The lid portion 22 further includes a holding member 226, a releasing member 227, and a mounting member 228, as shown in FIGS.

The first arm 221 and the second arm 222 are configured to be rotatable.

The cover 223 integrally covers the first arm 221 and the second arm 222. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the lid 22 is closed, the cover 223 covers the first pedestal 211, the second pedestal 212, and the region where the fusion-bonding is performed therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover 223 includes an internal space 223c that rotatably accommodates the release member 227. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 223 is provided at a first member 223 a provided on the base side of the rotation shaft of the cover 223 and a tip side with respect to the rotation shaft with respect to the first member, and when the cover 22 is open. A second member 223b that can be housed inside the first member 223a. The second member 223b is configured to be slidable with respect to the first member 223a. However, the configuration of the cover is not limited to the above as long as it can cover the region where the fusion-bonding is performed in the closed state of the lid portion 22. The cover may be composed of one member other than the above.

As shown in FIG. 6, the grip portion 224 includes an engaging claw 225 that can be engaged with the engaged portion 213 of the pedestal 21. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, after the first arm 221, the second arm 222, and the cover 223 are closed, the grip 224 may be rotated with respect to the first arm 221 and the second arm 222. The engaging claw 225 engages with the engaged portion 213. As a result, it is possible to preferably maintain the state in which the clamp portion 20 sandwiches the tubes T1 and T2.

The holding member 226 holds the lid-side pressing portion 253 forming the pressing portion 25 so as not to fall off the lid portion 22 when the lid portion 22 is opened. The holding member 226 includes an engaging portion 226a as shown in FIGS. The engaging portion 226a is configured to be engageable with the engaged portion 253a of the lid-side pressing portion 253 of the pressing portion 25. Accordingly, the holding member 226 holds the lid-side pressing portion 253 by engaging the engaging portion 226a with the engaged portion 253a in synchronization with the rotation of the release member 227 when the lid portion 22 is opened. When the lid portion 22 is closed, the engagement portion 226a is separated from the engaged portion 253a in association with the rotation of the release member 227, and the holding of the lid portion 22 is released. By the operation of the holding member 226 as described above, it is possible to prevent the lid side pressing portion 253 from being accidentally detached from the lid portion 22 when the cover 223 is opened.

The releasing member 227 releases the holding of the lid side pressing portion 253 when the lid portion 22 is closed. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the releasing member 227 includes a rotating shaft 227a, an elongated hole 227b, and a protruding portion 227c.

The rotating shaft 227a is provided in the internal space 223c of the cover 223 that forms the lid portion 22. Accordingly, the release member 227 is configured to be rotatable in the internal space 223c of the cover 223 when the lid 22 is opened and closed. An insertion member 229 fixedly attached to the cover 223 can be inserted into the elongated hole 227b, and the insertion member 229 is attached to the holding member 226. As a result, the release member 227 rotates with the opening and closing of the lid portion 22, and releases the holding of the lid-side pressing portion 253 by the holding member 226. Further, since the release member 227 is provided with the elongated hole 227b, the rotation range of the release member 227 is limited.

The projecting portion 227c projects from the end surface on the pedestal 21 side of the cover 223 forming the lid portion 22 when the lid portion 22 is opened.

The attachment member 228 is attached to the lid portion 22 adjacent to the release member 227 in the left-right direction Y as shown in FIG. 7. The mounting member 228 includes a protection portion 228a.

The protection part 228a protects the protrusion part 227c when the lid part 22 is opened. Here, "protecting the protruding portion 227c" means preventing or suppressing contact of a user's finger or the like with the protruding portion 227c that may lead to the lid side pressing portion 253 described later coming off from the lid portion 22. means. The protective portion 228a is arranged adjacent to one side of the protruding portion 227c in the left-right direction Y in the present embodiment. The protection portion 228a has a shape similar to the projection portion 227c of the release member 227 when viewed from the side in the left-right direction Y. Thus, even if the release member 227 is accidentally touched at the time of tube joining, it is possible to prevent the finger or the like of the user M from touching the release member 227 from at least a specific direction of the release member 227 in the left-right direction Y. it can.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the holding portion 23 movably moves the first holding portion 231 that fixedly holds the fixed side X2 of the tubes T1 and T2 and the replacement side X1 of the tubes T1 and T2. And a second holding portion 232 that holds the second holding portion 232. The holding unit 23 switches the second holding unit 232 from the holding state in which each of the tubes T1 and T2 is held to the released state in which the holding is released, and the second holding unit 232 switches from the released state to the holding state. And a possible restoration unit 234.

The first holding portion 231 is fixed to the upper surface of the first pedestal 211. As shown in FIG. 6, the first holding portion 231 includes a concave groove portion 231a into which the tube T1 can be fitted and a concave groove portion 231b into which the tube T2 can be fitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the groove portions 231a and 231b are provided so as to be aligned in a direction (oblique direction) inclined by an angle θ with respect to the mounting surface FS of the housing 10. Therefore, the tubes T1 and T2 are held by the first holding portion 231 in a state where the tubes T1 and T2 are aligned in the holding portion 23 with respect to the placement surface FS when the lid portion 22 is opened. The groove 231a arranged on the back side in the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are lined up is arranged higher than the groove 231b in the height direction Z of the housing 10.

Further, each groove portion 231a, 231b is provided on the upper surface side of the first holding portion 231, so as to be recessed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the oblique direction D1 (see the direction D2 in FIG. 11). Therefore, the tubes T1 and T2 are set so as to be inserted from the direction D2 orthogonal to the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged. This allows the user M to easily set the tubes T1 and T2 with the lid 22 open.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second holding portion 232 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the second pedestal 212 about a rotation shaft 232c substantially parallel to the left-right direction Y as a rotation center. The second holding portion 232 includes groove portions 232a and 232b arranged at the same height and inclination as the first holding portion 231 when the lid 22 is opened. The groove portions 232a and 232b are configured to hold the tubes T1 and T2 together with the first holding portion 231 when the lid portion 22 is opened. The second holding portion 232 is displaced downward in the height direction Z with the rotation axis 232c as the center of rotation in the state where the lid portion 22 is closed, and the groove portions 232a and 232b are separated from the tubes T1 and T2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the releasing portion 233 has a protrusion that protrudes from the base portion of the second holding portion 232 toward the flat surface (the height direction Z in FIG. 6) of the second arm 222 when the lid portion 22 is opened. I have it.

The protrusion of the release part 233 contacts the flat surface of the second arm 222 provided on the lid part 22 as the lid part 22 relatively approaches the housing 10. The protrusion of the releasing portion 233 is configured to retract the second holding portion 232 from the holding position to the releasing position when the lid portion 22 relatively approaches the housing 10. In the present specification, the released state means a state in which the tubes T1 and T2 are not arranged in the groove portions 232a and 232b of the second holding portion 232 when the lid portion 22 is closed.

As shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, the restoring section 234 operates a cam that can push up the second holding section 232 in conjunction with the operation of the second arm 222 of the lid section 22 moving away from the housing 10. I have it. The restoration unit 234 is configured to be able to contact the second holding unit 232.

The cam of the restoring portion 234 has a substantially fan-shaped outer shape when viewed from the left-right direction Y of the housing 10. The cam of the restoring part 234 is fixed near the rotating part of the second arm 222. Therefore, the cam of the restoring unit 234 rotates in association with the rotation of the second arm 222. As described above, the second holding portion 232 is configured to be movable between the holding position and the releasing position by the releasing portion 233 and the restoring portion 234.

Further, in the present embodiment, the releasing part 233 retracts the second holding part 232 from the holding position to the releasing position after the pressing part 25 described later sandwiches the tubes T1 and T2. Therefore, the pressing portion 25 can sandwich the tubes T1 and T2 in a state where the replacement side X1 of the tubes T1 and T2 is held at an appropriate position by the second holding portion 232.

The sensor 24 is provided in the groove portions 231a and 231b as shown in FIG. 6, a pin configured to be capable of projecting and recessing from the groove portions 231a and 231b, and a magnet (not shown) provided at the root portion of the pin, And a hall element (not shown). An elastic member (not shown) allows the pin to project and dent from the bottoms of the grooves 231a and 231b. The pin is configured such that the tubes T1 and T2 can project and sink from the bottoms of the groove portions 231a and 231b. The pin changes its position from the protruding position to the depressed position by fitting the tubes T1 and T2 into the groove portions 231a and 231b. The magnet moves in accordance with the protrusion or depression of the pin from the groove portions 231a and 231b, while the Hall element is arranged adjacent to the magnet at the bottom of the groove portions 231a and 231b. The sensor 24 detects whether or not the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged in the grooves 231a and 231b by changing the magnitude of the magnetic force of the magnet detected by the Hall element depending on the position of the pin. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above as long as it is possible to detect that the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged in the groove portions 231a and 231b.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pressing portion 25 includes a fixed-side pressing portion 25a and a movable-side pressing portion 25b.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the fixed-side pressing portion 25a causes the tubes T1 and T2 to approach each other in the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged when the lid 22 is closed on the fixed side X2 of the tubes T1 and T2, and A pressing force is applied to the abutting tubes T1 and T2. The fixed-side pressing portion 25a includes a lid-side pressing portion 251 provided on the first arm 221, and a housing-side pressing portion 252 provided on the first pedestal 211, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 16.

As shown in FIG. 11, the movable-side pressing portion 25b has the tube T1 in the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged in the same direction as the fixed-side pressing portion 25a when the lid 22 is closed on the replacement side X1 of the tubes T1 and T2. T2 is brought close to each other and the tubes T1 and T2 that are in contact with each other are pressed. The movable-side pressing portion 25b includes a lid-side pressing portion 253 provided on the second arm 222 and a housing-side pressing portion 254 provided on the second pedestal 212, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 16. The lid-side pressing portion 253 is rotatably provided on the lid portion 22, and the housing-side pressing portion 254 is rotatably provided on the housing 10. The lid-side pressing portion 253 and the housing-side pressing portion 254 are configured to apply a pressing force to the tubes T1 and T2 when the lid portion 22 is closed. The lid-side pressing portion 253 includes an engaged portion 253a capable of engaging with the engaging portion 226a of the holding member 226, as shown in FIGS.

The movable-side pressing portion 25b replaces the movable-side ends of the melted tubes T1 and T2 with respect to the fixed side, as shown in FIG. 17, by the configuration (not shown) of a motor, a gear, and the like. The movable-side pressing portion 25b presses the movable-side tubes T1 and T2 whose ends are exchanged with respect to the fixed side in the left-right direction Y onto the fixed-side tubes T1 and T2. The movable-side pressing portion 25b includes a cam (not shown) configured to be rotatable and a contact member (not shown) capable of contacting the cam in the left-right direction Y. In the movable side pressing portion 25b, since the contact position of the cam with the contact member in the left-right direction Y varies depending on the rotation of the cam, the ends of the tubes T1 and T2 on the replacement side X1 are connected to the tube T1 on the fixed side X2. Press on the end of T2.

The sensor 26 detects that the lid 22 is closed with respect to the base 21. The sensor 26 is not particularly limited in its specific configuration as long as it can detect that the lid 22 is closed with respect to the pedestal 21 and start the tube joining operation. As an example, in the present embodiment, a sensor such as a limit switch is provided in the vicinity of the engaged portion 213, and when the engaging claw 225 engages with the engaged portion 213, the sensor is pushed in, so that the lid is closed. It is detected that the part 22 is closed.

The interlock 30 has a function of locking the tubes T1 and T2 by the clamp portion 20 at the time of fusing and joining. In the present embodiment, the interlock 30 is composed of an electromagnetically driven solenoid rod 31 as shown in FIG.

The storage unit 40 is located at the position shown in FIG. 3, and has a function of storing the cassette WC inserted in the housing 10 and a function of detecting the remaining amount of the wafer WF in the cassette WC. The storage section 40 includes a mounting section in which the cassette WC inserted through the insertion hole 11c is mounted, and a wafer sensor capable of detecting the remaining amount of the wafer WF in the cassette WC (not shown). The wafer sensor can be composed of, for example, a known photo sensor.

The feeding unit 50 is located at a position shown in FIG. 3, sends the wafer WF to a fusing position, heats the wafer WF at the time of fusing, cools the used wafer WF, and cools the used wafer WF to the housing 10. Sent to the outside of.

The feeding unit 50 is configured to be capable of feeding the wafer WF from the cassette WC in the storage unit 40 to the fusing position. The feeding unit 50 includes a driving unit capable of feeding the used wafer WF to the outside of the housing 10 via the gap 21 a between the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 121. The feeding unit 50 includes a heater capable of heating the wafer WF during fusing and a fan capable of cooling the used wafer WF (not shown).

The operation unit 60 receives an instruction from the user M to the tube joining device 1. The operation unit 60 includes a switch that switches ON/OFF of the power supply of the tube joining device 1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 60 is provided on the rear end side of the upper portion 11 of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. 2, but the specific position is not limited to this.

The notification unit 70 notifies the user M of necessary information. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the notification unit 70 includes display units 71 and 72 that display information necessary for the user M, and a speaker 73 that notifies the user M of necessary information by voice. There is.

The supply unit 80 has a function of supplying electric power to each unit of the tube joining apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the supply unit 80 includes a battery 81 capable of supplying electric power to each unit, and a charger 82 for charging the battery 81.

The control unit 90 centrally controls each unit of the tube joining device 1. The control unit 90 includes a CPU such as a microcomputer, a ROM that stores a control program for the entire apparatus executed by the CPU and various data, and a RAM that temporarily stores measurement data and various data as a work area. There is.

As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to the supply unit 80 and receives power supply from the supply unit 80. The control unit 90 is electrically connected to the operation unit 60, and is configured to control the operation of each unit according to an instruction from the user M. Further, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to the notification unit 70 and configured to notify the user M of necessary information.

Further, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to the sensors 24 and 26, the wafer sensor of the storage unit 40, the interlock 30, and the sensor 11e. The control unit 90 detects the set of the tubes T1 and T2 by the sensor 24, detects the closed state of the lid 22 by the sensor 26, and performs the fusing work by the wafer WF when the wafer sensor has one or more wafers in the cassette WC. Perform control to start. The start of the fusing work with the wafer WF is not limited to the case where the above conditions are satisfied, and the fusing work may be started by the user pressing a button or the like.

When the control unit 90 obtains from the sensor 24 information that the tubes T1 and T2 are not properly set, the control unit 90 informs the fact via the notifying unit 70. In addition, when the control unit 90 obtains the information that the lid 22 is not properly closed by the sensor 26, the control unit 90 causes the notification unit 70 to notify that effect. When no usable wafer WF is stored in the cassette WC, the control unit 90 causes the notification unit 70 to notify that effect. The control unit 90 causes the interlock 30 to keep the lid 22 closed during the fusion-bonding. Further, the control unit 90 adjusts the heating time of the tubes T1 and T2 by the wafer WF at the time of fusing, based on the environmental temperature of the housing 10 measured by the sensor 11e.

Further, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to the storage unit 40 and the feeding unit 50, and is configured to be able to control these operations. Further, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to a motor (not shown) of the movable side pressing unit 25b and controls the position exchange work of the movable side pressing unit 25b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette WC accommodates a plurality of wafers WF. The cassette WC is put in and taken out via the insertion hole 11c of the tube joining device 1. The used wafer WF is taken out of the housing 10 through the gap 21a between the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the tube T1 is constituted by a tube on the dialysate bag T11 side of the peritoneum (see FIG. 13). Specifically, a predetermined connector T12 is attached to the tip of the tube T1. The opposite side of the tube T1 is connected to the dialysate tube T14 of the dialysate bag T11 via a branch tube T13. Further, the tube T1 is connected to the drainage tube T16 of the drainage bag T15 via the branch pipe T13.

The tube T2 is composed of a tube on the side of the peritoneal catheter T26 of the user M used for peritoneal dialysis. Specifically, the tube T2 includes an extension tube T21 and a protection tube T22. The extension tube T21 is connected to a peritoneal catheter T26 via a connecting tube T23, a silicone tube T24, and a catheter joint T25. One end of the peritoneal catheter T26 is inserted into the abdominal cavity of the user M. The tubes T1 and T2 are made of vinyl chloride in the present embodiment. However, the materials of the tubes T1 and T2 are not limited as long as they can be joined to each other by fusing and pressing. For example, the tubes T1 and T2 may be made of different materials.

Next, a usage example of the tube joint set S will be described. First, the user M inserts the cassette WC into the insertion hole 11c of the tube joining apparatus 1 when using the tube joining apparatus 1. Next, the user M presses the button of the operation unit 60 to turn on the tube joining device 1.

Next, the user M opens the lid 22 of the tube joining apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. Next, the user M sets the tubes T1, T2 in the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b of the holding portion 23, as shown in FIGS. Next, the user M performs an operation of closing the lid 22. Since the lid portion 22 is closed, the outer peripheral portions of the fusing sites of the tubes T1 and T2 are covered with the cover 223, and are isolated from the outside. This makes it possible to perform the fusing-joining work in an aseptic state.

Next, the control unit 90 causes the feeding unit 50 to take out the wafer WF from the wafer cassette WC and feed it to the fusing preparation position (the position where the wafer WF in FIG. 16 is indicated by the broken line). The control unit 90 starts the control of the fusing work when the conditions of the remaining wafer WF usable for fusing in the cassette WC, the tube set in the holding unit 23, and the closed state of the lid unit 22 are satisfied. ..

First, the controller 90 operates the interlock 30 to lock the lid 22 in the closed state.

Then, the wafer WF at the fusing preparation position is heated by the built-in heater. Then, the wafer WF heated by the feeding unit 50 is moved to the fusing position (the position where the wafer WF in FIG. 16 is shown by a solid line), and the fusing is performed as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 90 causes the movable side pressing unit 25b to switch the positions of the replacement side X1 of the tube T1 and the replacement side X1 of the tube T2. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 90 presses the fixed side and the movable side of the tubes T1 and T2 replaced by the movable side pressing unit 25b to perform pressure joining.

Next, the control unit 90 unlocks the interlock 30. Next, the user M performs an operation of opening the lid 22 and removes the tubes T1 and T2 from the tube joining device 1 as shown in FIG.

As described above, the tube joining apparatus 1 fuses the ends of the tube T1 and the tube T2 by melting, and then replaces and joins the fused ends of the tube T1 and the tube T2. The tube joining device 1 includes a pedestal 21, a lid portion 22, a lid side pressing portion 253 and a housing side pressing portion 254, a holding member 226, a releasing member 227, and a mounting member 228. The pedestal 21 is provided with groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b capable of holding the tubes T1, T2. The lid portion 22 is configured to be openable/closable with respect to the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b. When the lid portion 22 is opened, the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b are exposed to the outside, and when closed, the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a and 232b are isolated from the outside. The lid-side pressing portion 253 is rotatably provided on the lid portion 22, and the housing-side pressing portion 254 is rotatably provided on the pedestal 21. The lid-side pressing portion 253 and the housing-side pressing portion 254 are configured to be able to press the tubes T1 and T2 when the lid portion 22 is closed. The holding member 226 holds the lid-side pressing portion 253 on the lid portion 22 when the lid portion 22 is opened. The release member 227 includes a protrusion 227c that protrudes from the end surface of the lid 22 on the pedestal 21 side when the lid 22 is opened. The releasing member 227 releases the holding of the lid side pressing portion 253 when the lid portion 22 is closed. The attachment member 228 is provided adjacent to the release member 227 and includes a protection portion 228a that protects the protrusion 227c when the lid 22 is opened.

Thus, even if the user M tries to touch the protrusion 227c of the release member 227 when the lid 22 is opened, the protection portion 228a protects the protrusion 227c. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the release member 227 that releases the holding of the lid-side pressing portion 253 with respect to the lid portion 22 from inadvertently moving when the lid portion 22 is opened, and improve convenience.

The lid 22 also includes an internal space 223c that rotatably accommodates the release member 227. The pedestal 21 is provided adjacent to the contact surface 212a, which is in contact with the protruding portion 227c when the lid portion 22 is closed, and is capable of accommodating the protruding portion 227c in the internal space 223c. And a housing portion 212b capable of housing the protection portion 228a when the cover is closed. Accordingly, when the lid 22 is closed, the position of the protrusion 227c of the release member 227 can be changed by the contact surface 212a. Therefore, it is possible to release the holding of the lid-side pressing portion 253 and replace the ends of the tubes T1 and T2 of the exchanged side X1 and the fixed side X2 that have melted.

Further, the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b are configured to be able to hold the tubes T1 and T2 when the lid portion 22 is opened. The contact surface 212a is configured such that the number of irregularities is smaller than that of the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent or suppress the user M from mistakenly assembling the tubes T1 and T2 in a portion different from the groove portions 231a, 231b, 232a, and 232b, and improve the assembling workability.

Further, the releasing member 227 rotates with the opening and closing of the lid portion 22, and releases the holding of the lid-side pressing portion 253 by the holding member 226. Therefore, when the lid 22 is closed, the holding member 226 can be moved to a position where the lid-side pressing portion 253 is not held in association with the operation of the releasing member 227, and the lid-side pressing portion 253 can be held together with the releasing member 227. It can be canceled.

The holding member 226 includes an engaging portion 226a that can engage with the lid-side pressing portion 253, and the lid-side pressing portion 253 includes an engaged portion 253a that can engage with the engaging portion 226a. The holding member 226 holds the lid-side pressing portion 253 by engaging the engaging portion 226a with the engaged portion 253a in synchronization with the rotation of the release member 227 when the lid portion 22 is opened. In the holding member 226, when the lid 22 is closed, the engagement portion 226a moves away from the engaged portion 253a in association with the rotation of the release member 227, whereby the lid-side pressing portion 253 is released. This prevents the lid-side pressing portion 253 from falling off from the lid portion 22 when the lid portion 22 is opened by the operation of the holding member 226 and the releasing member 227, and the tubes T1 and T2 can be exchanged. it can.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Although the embodiment in which the protective portion 228a of the mounting member 228 is housed in the second pedestal 212 has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to the above, depending on the position of the mounting member, the accommodation portion may be provided on the first pedestal. In addition, although the second pedestal 212 is described as including the accommodation portion 212b, the second pedestal 212 is not limited to this. As long as the tubes T1 and T2 including the first pedestal 211 can be prevented from being erroneously assembled, the pedestal may be provided with an uneven shape other than the accommodation portion 212b. In addition, the pedestal 21 is not limited to the configuration of the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212, and may be configured by a pedestal other than one or two. Further, although the protection portion 228a of the mounting member 228 has been described as having a shape similar to the protruding portion 227c of the release member 227, the present invention is not limited to this. If the finger or the like of the user M cannot easily touch the protruding portion 227c by mistake, a protecting portion that surrounds the surface of the protruding portion 227c may be provided from more directions than the protecting portion 228a.

Further, the present invention can be used not only in peritoneal dialysis, but also in an apparatus for aseptically joining a tube connected to a container (bag) containing a blood product used for blood transfusion and another tube. In this case, the sterility of the blood components (formulation) in the tube and bag can be maintained.

Further, the present invention can also be used in an apparatus for aseptically joining a tube connected to a container (bag) containing a cell culture solution containing various kinds of collected and cultured cells and another tube. Also in this case, the sterility and safety of the cell culture solution in the tube and the bag can be maintained at the time of joining the tubes.

1 tube joining device,
21 pedestal,
212 second pedestal,
212a accommodation section,
212b contact surface,
22 Lid,
223c internal space,
226 holding member,
226a engaging portion,
227 release member,
227c protrusion,
228 mounting member,
228c protection part,
231a, 231b, 232a, 232b grooves,
25 Pressing part,
253 Pressing part on the lid side,
253a The engaged portion,
254 Case side pressing part,
T1 (first) tube,
T2 (second) tube.

Claims (5)

A tube joining apparatus for fusing an end of a first tube and an end of a second tube, and then exchanging and joining the melted end of the first tube and the melted end of the second tube,
A pedestal provided with a groove capable of holding the first tube and the second tube;
A lid portion configured to be openable and closable with respect to the groove portion, exposing the groove portion to the outside when opened, and separating the groove portion from the outside when closed,
A pressing portion that is rotatably provided on each of the lid portion and the pedestal and that can press the first tube and the second tube when the lid portion is closed;
A holding member that holds the lid-side pressing portion on the lid portion when the lid portion is opened;
A release member that includes a protrusion that protrudes from the pedestal-side end surface of the lid when the lid is opened, and that releases the holding of the lid-side pressing portion when the lid is closed,
A tube joining device, comprising: a mounting member that is attached to the lid portion adjacent to the release member and that includes a protection portion that protects the protruding portion when the lid portion is opened. The lid includes an internal space that rotatably accommodates the release member,
The pedestal is
An abutment surface that comes into contact with the protrusion when the lid is closed and that can accommodate the protrusion in the internal space;
The tube joining device according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing portion that is provided adjacent to the contact surface and that can house the protection portion when the lid portion is closed. The groove is configured to be able to hold the first tube and the second tube when the lid is opened,
The tube joining device according to claim 2, wherein the contact surface has fewer irregularities than the groove portion. The tube joining device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the release member rotates with opening and closing of the lid portion, and releases the holding of the lid-side pressing portion by the holding member. The holding member includes an engaging portion that is engageable with the lid-side pressing portion,
The lid-side pressing portion includes an engaged portion that is engageable with the engaging portion,
The holding member holds the lid-side pressing portion by the engagement portion engaging with the engaged portion in association with the rotation of the release member when the lid portion is opened, and the lid portion The tube joining device according to claim 4, wherein when the lid is closed, the holding portion of the lid-side pressing portion is released by interlocking with the rotation of the release member and separating the engaging portion from the engaged portion. ..