JP2021106860A - Male connector for enteral nutrition - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a male connector for enteral nutrition in which adhesion of enteral nutritive liquid can be prevented.SOLUTION: A male connector 100A for enteral nutrition includes: a male connector body 101 having a male lure part 111 capable of being inserted to a female connector for the enteral nutrition provided at an upstream side, and having a tube 200 connected to a downstream side; and a coupler 103 capable of being moved between a first position capable of being screwed with the female connector, and a second position being in the downstream side from the first position and having the male lure part 111 exposed thereon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to male connectors for enteral nutrition.

In medical devices, there are various connections. In recent years, due to the increase in medical devices, incorrect connection of medical devices has become a major problem. For this reason, new connector standards are being established to prevent erroneous connections of medical devices. Specifically, it is required to divide medical devices into six categories and to make connectors that cannot connect medical devices of different categories to each other. For example, in the field of nutrition, it is a standard to provide a male connector having a male lure at the upstream end on the patient side and a female connector to receive the male lure at the downstream end on the supply side. According to this standard, the connector provided at the upstream end on the patient side has been changed from a female connector to a male connector.

The male connector provided at the upstream end on the patient side may be used for a long period of time, and it is very important to keep it clean. However, in the case of a male connector having a coupler, the nutrient leaked from the tip of the male lure easily penetrates into the gap between the male lure and the coupler. Various devices for cleaning the inside of the coupler have been studied to deal with such a problem.

JP 2015-188522 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-099738

However, although the method of injecting a cleaning liquid between the male lure and the coupler for cleaning is excellent in terms of removing dirt, there is a problem that the installation of the instrument and the cleaning operation are complicated.

The method of inserting a wiping tip between the Osurua and the coupler to wipe off dirt is easy to operate, but has a problem that a narrow gap cannot be sufficiently cleaned.

Therefore, the inventors are considering a new direction to prevent the adhesion of enteral nutrients to the couplers, instead of the existing idea of cleaning the couplers to which the enteral nutrients are attached. Was done. An object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to realize a male connector for enteral nutrition that can prevent a situation in which enteral nutrition solution adheres.

The first aspect of the male connector for enteral nutrition is a male connector main body having a male lure portion on the upstream side that can be inserted into a female connector for enteral nutrition provided on the upstream side and a tube connected to the downstream side. And a coupler that can move between a first position that can be screwed into the female connector and a second position that is downstream from the first position and where the male lure portion is exposed.

Normally, the connection between the male connector and the female connector is such that the male lure and the female connector are fitted by screwing a coupler. In this case, when the male lure is inserted into the mesluar at the time of connection, the enteral nutrient solution overflows from the mesluar and infiltrates into the coupler. In addition, when the connection is released, the internal liquid scatters due to vibration, impact, etc. at the time of disconnection and infiltrates into the coupler. However, in this embodiment, the coupler can be moved downstream, and by moving the coupler to the second position, the coupler can be moved away from the male lure portion. Therefore, by fitting the male lure and the messuler after the user has moved the coupler to the second position in advance, even if the enteral nutrient fluid flows out, the enteral nutrient fluid infiltrates into the coupler. You can prevent the situation.

Further, in this embodiment, the cleaning problem does not occur in the form in which the male lure portion and the coupler rotate relative to each other. That is, in the form in which the male lure portion and the coupler rotate relative to each other, a small gap is inevitably formed between the male lure portion and the coupler. If the nutrient solution adheres to the gap, the nutrient solution may not be completely removed. Therefore, a fixed lock that does not allow the male lure portion and the coupler to rotate relative to each other has to be adopted. However, in this embodiment, the coupler is moved away from the male lure when the male lure and the messuler are fitted by fitting the male lure and the messuler after the user has moved the coupler to the second position in advance. This can prevent enteral nutrients from entering the coupler.

In a first aspect of the enteral feeding male connector, it is preferred that the coupler can be restricted in movement at least in the second position. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the coupler from unintentionally moving from the second position to the first position side and being contaminated by the enteral nutrient solution.

In a first aspect of the enteral feeding male connector, a cap is further provided to close the opening of the male lure portion, the cap having a cap body, a first end connected to the cap body, and a second end being a coupler. It is possible to have a cap connection portion connected to the cap connection portion and a movement restriction portion that restricts the movement of the coupler at the second position.

In this case, the movement limiting portion is a cap engaging portion that can engage with the tube, and the movement of the coupler may be restricted by engaging the cap engaging portion with the tube. With such a configuration, unintended movement of the coupler can be restricted, and the cap is less likely to get in the way when not in use. The movement of the coupler may be restricted by externalizing the cap engaged portion in the middle portion of the tube and engaging the cap engaged portion with the cap engaged portion. Further, since the tube has various outer diameters, the cap engaging portion may be manufactured for each outer diameter, but the cap engaging portion may be unified so as to engage only with the mainstream outer diameter. good. Further, the cap engaging portion may be a member different from the cap connected to the cap.

In a first aspect of an enteral feeding male connector, the cap further comprises a cap that closes the opening of the male lure portion, the cap having a cap body and a cap connection having a first end connected to the cap body. The cap connection is at least partially located in the lumen of the coupler and the first end when the second end is assembled to the male connector body or tube and the coupler is in the second position. Can be located downstream of the coupler and the second end located upstream of the coupler.

Further, a cap for closing the opening of the male lure portion is further provided, and the cap has a cap main body and a cap connection portion in which the first end portion is connected to the cap main body and the second end portion is assembled to the male connector main body or the tube. And a movement limiting unit that limits the movement of the coupler.

With these configurations, it is possible to limit the unintended movement of the coupler and the movement range of the coupler, and the cap is less likely to get in the way when not in use. The second end of the cap connection may be, for example, a ring, which may be fitted to or rotatably engaged with the male connector body. Further, by providing a convex on the male connector main body, the second end portion of the cap connecting portion may be regulated so as not to move to the downstream side beyond a predetermined range. In this case, the cap connecting portion may be restricted. The second end may be moved in the axial direction within a predetermined range.

In the first aspect of the enteral feeding male connector, a cap is further provided to close the opening of the male lure portion, and the cap prevents the opening of the male lure portion from being closed when the coupler is located in the first position. You may. With such a configuration, the coupler can be moved to the second position and the user can be guided to insert and remove the male lure portion.

In the first aspect of the enteral nutrition male connector set of the present disclosure, a cap that engages with the male lure portion is further provided, and the cap has a grip portion that is gripped to disengage the male lure portion. When the cap engages the male lure and the coupler is in the first position, the grip is housed in the coupler and the coupler is moved to the second position so that the grip is exposed. good. With such a configuration, the coupler is moved to the second position when the cap is removed, so that the user is guided so that the coupler is in the second position when the male lure portion is inserted into the female connector. can do.

In a first aspect of the enteral feeding male connector, the coupler has side slits capable of sandwiching the tube. With such a configuration, the coupler can be temporarily fixed at a position away from the male lure.

In a first aspect of the enteral feeding male connector, the coupler has side slits that extend from the upstream end to the downstream end. With such a configuration, the coupler can be kept away from the male lure.

In the first aspect of the enteral nutrition male connector, the coupler has a downstream extension, and the axial dimension of the coupler can be 75% or more of the axial dimension of the male connector body. With such a configuration, the user can be guided to grasp the coupler instead of the male connector body when disconnecting from the female connector, and before the user moves the coupler to the second position. It is possible to reduce the situation where the female connector body and the male connector body are rotated relative to each other.

In the first aspect of the male connector for enteral nutrition, the coupler has an upstream extension, and the upstream extension has the axial dimension of the coupler when the coupler and the female connector are screwed together. It may extend axially toward the upstream side so as to cover 70% or more of the above. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the situation where the user rotates the female connector and the male connector body relative to each other before moving the coupler to the second position when the connection with the female connector is released. ..

In the first aspect of the enteral nutrition male connector set of the present disclosure, a display indicating that the user moves the coupler to the second position before fitting or disengaging the male connector body and the female connector is provided. You may have. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the situation where the nutrient solution infiltrates into the coupler.

In the first aspect of the male connector set for enteral nutrition, the male connector main body has a main body grip portion provided on the downstream side of the male lure portion, and the main body grip portion has an axial cross-sectional shape of the male lure portion. Can be different from. With such a configuration, operability is improved.

In the first aspect of the male connector set for enteral nutrition, the male connector main body has a main body grip portion provided on the downstream side of the male lure portion, and the main body grip portion has a coupler in the first position. Is hidden inside the coupler and can be exposed by moving the coupler to a second position. With such a configuration, when inserting and removing the male lure portion, the user can be guided to move the coupler to the second position to expose the main body grip portion that is easy to grip.

In each aspect of the enteral nutrition male connector of the present disclosure, the enteral nutrition male connector may be housed in a package in a state where the coupler is fixed in a second position where the male lure portion is exposed. With such a configuration, the user can be guided so that the coupler engages the male lure and the mess lure at a position away from the male lure.

The second aspect of the male connector for enteral nutrition has an male lure portion on the upstream side that can be inserted into a female connector for enteral nutrition provided on the upstream side, and a catheter to be inserted into the body cavity can be connected. It is possible to move between the male connector body having the connection part on the downstream side, the first position where the female connector can be screwed, and the second position which is closer to the catheter side than the first position and the male lure part is exposed. It is equipped with a coupler.

The downstream side of the catheter is inserted into the patient's body cavity, and a part of the upstream side is exposed from outside the body cavity. A male connector is provided at the upstream end, and the upstream end is left exposed to the outside for several days to a long time for one year. For this reason, the male connector is required to be constantly kept clean. In this embodiment, the male connector can be constantly kept clean.

According to the male connector for enteral nutrition of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily prevent a situation in which the enteral nutrition solution adheres to the gap between the coupler and the male lure portion.

It is sectional drawing which shows the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the state which the coupler of the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on 1st Embodiment is in a 2nd position. It is a side view which shows the state which the coupler of the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on 1st Embodiment is connected to a female connector in a 1st position. (A) to (d) are plan views showing an example of a cap, respectively. It is a top view which shows the male connector packing body for enteral nutrition which has the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the state which the coupler of the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on 1st modification of 1st Embodiment is in a 2nd position. It is a perspective view which shows the state which a coupler is in a 1st position in the modification of a cap. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the coupler is in the second position in a modified example of the cap. It is a side view which shows the state which a coupler is in a 2nd position in the 2nd modification of a cap. It is sectional drawing which shows the 3rd modification of a cap. It is sectional drawing which shows the coupler which has the extension part on the downstream side. It is a side view which shows the modification of the downstream extension part. It is sectional drawing which shows the coupler which has an extension part on the upstream side. It is a side view which shows the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the coupler of the male connector for enteral nutrition of the 2nd modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the state which the coupler of the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment is in a 2nd position. It is a side view which shows the state which removed the cap of the male connector for enteral nutrition which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the male connector 100A for enteral nutrition according to the first embodiment includes a male connector main body 101 and a coupler 103. The male connector body 101 has a male lure portion 111 inserted into the female connector 300 on the upstream side and a connecting portion 112 to which a flexible catheter 200 inserted into the body cavity of the patient (downstream side) can be connected. .. The upstream end of the catheter 200 is fixed to the connection 112 and is exposed outside the body cavity. The downstream side of the catheter 200 is inserted into the body cavity of the patient, and the nutrient solution can flow out to the stomach or intestine through the side hole which is an opening formed at the downstream end. The coupler 103 has a tubular shape having a female screw 135 that can be screwed with the male screw 311 provided on the outer surface of the female connector 300, and has a first position that can be screwed with the male screw 311 of the female connector 300 and a first position. It is possible to move between the position 1 and the second position where the male lure portion 111 is exposed on the downstream side. The coupler can move over an externally exposed catheter between the male lure and the patient (eg, the patient's abdomen). The male connector for enteral nutrition is not limited to the form directly fixed to the catheter 200. It is also possible to further attach a male enteral nutrition connector to the connector attached to the catheter 200. In addition, a male connector for enteral nutrition can be provided in an extension tube connecting the gastrostomy button placed in the body cavity and the container.

In the enteral nutrition male connector 100A of the present embodiment, the coupler 103 can move between the first position and the second position where the male lure portion 111 is exposed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the male lure portion 111 can be inserted into the female connector 300 in a state where the coupler 103 is moved to the second position to expose the male lure portion 111. Even if the enteral nutrient solution overflows at the time of insertion, the enteral nutrient solution hardly adheres to the coupler 103 separated to the downstream side. Further, since the male lure portion 111 is exposed, the overflowing enteral nutrient solution can be easily wiped off even when the male lure portion 111 is inserted into the female connector 300. If the coupler 103 is moved to the first position after wiping the enteral nutrient solution, the coupler 103 is engaged with and locked with the female connector 300 without the enteral nutrient solution adhering to the inside of the coupler 103. be able to.

When separating the connector, first, the coupler 103 and the female connector 300 are disengaged, and the coupler 103 is moved to the second position. Next, the male lure portion 111 is pulled out from the female connector 300. In this way, even if the enteral nutrient solution overflows when the male lure portion 111 is pulled out from the female connector, it can be easily wiped off because the male lure portion 111 is exposed. Further, since the coupler 103 is separated from the upstream end portion of the male lure portion 111, the enteral nutrient solution overflowing inside the coupler 103 hardly enters.

The second position may be a position where the male lure portion 111 is exposed and can be wiped off, but it can be a position where the male connector main body 101 on the further downstream side is completely exposed. In this case, by slightly bending the catheter 200 at the second position, the axial direction of the male connector main body 101 and the axial direction of the coupler 103 can be easily deviated. By shifting the axial direction of the male connector main body 101 and the axial direction of the coupler 103 and inserting / removing the male lure portion 111, the overflowing enteral nutrient solution can be further prevented from entering the coupler 103.

The enteral nutrition male connector 100A of the present embodiment has a cap 105 that closes the opening of the male lure portion 111. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cap 105 has a cap main body 151 and a cap connecting portion 152 that connects the cap main body 151 and the coupler 103. A cap engaging portion 155 that can engage with the catheter 200 is provided on the outer edge of the cap body 151. The cap engaging portion 155 is a protrusion protruding from the cap body 151 and has a notch 156 that engages with the catheter 200.

The cap engagement portion 155 is made of a material that is more flexible than the catheter. Therefore, when the catheter 200 is sandwiched and fixed in the notch 156, it is possible to make it difficult to occlude the catheter. The cap engaging portion 155 functions as a movement restricting portion that detachably fixes the cap body 151 to the catheter 200. By engaging the cap body 151 with the catheter 200, the relative movement of the coupler 103 connected to the cap body 151 by the cap connecting portion 152 with respect to the catheter 200 is also restricted. If the cap engaging portion 155 is fixed to the catheter 200 with the coupler 103 moved to the second position, the coupler 103 is substantially fixed to the second position.

Since the coupler 103 can be fixed in the second position, when the male lure portion 111 is inserted and removed, the coupler 103 unintentionally moves to the upstream side, causing a situation in which enteral nutrients infiltrate into the coupler 103. It can be difficult.

The cap engaging portion 155 can also be as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) to 4 (d). As shown in FIG. 4B, if a plurality of notches 156 having different sizes are provided at different positions, it is possible to correspond to various catheters 200 having different diameters. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, a plurality of portions having different diameters may be provided in one notch 156. Further, instead of providing a circular portion as shown in FIG. 4D, a plurality of irregularities may be provided. The width of the notch 156 can be adjusted so that it does not disengage from the catheter 200 and does not occlude the catheter 200.

The cap engaging portion 155 may be provided on, for example, the cap connecting portion 152 as long as the position of the cap 105 can be fixed. Further, the cap engaging portion 155 may be a separate member that is removable from the cap main body 151. Since the projecting cap engaging portion 155 provided on the cap body 151 is an integral member of the cap body 151, it can also be used as a pull tab that is pulled by a finger when the cap body 151 is removed from the coupler. ..

In the present embodiment, the movement limiting portion is the cap engaging portion 155 that engages with the catheter 200, but the movement limiting portion is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a ring-shaped member having a solid rod-shaped body extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the catheter 200 is fitted in a predetermined position of the catheter 200, and the rod-shaped body and the notch 156 of the cap engaging portion are connected. You can also.

In the present embodiment, the convex portion of the outer edge of the cap body 151 is fitted onto the upstream opening of the coupler 103, and the convex portion of the central portion is fitted onto the male lure portion 111. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the cap body 151 from firmly closing the opening of the male lure portion 111 and preventing the cap body 151 from being inadvertently removed.

In the present embodiment, the cap connecting portion 152 that connects the cap main body 151 and the coupler 103 is integrally formed with the cap main body 151 by connecting the first end portion to the cap main body 151. The second end of the cap connection portion 152 is a ring-shaped portion 154, and is connected to the coupler 103 by fitting the ring-shaped portion 154 into the annular groove 133 provided at the downstream end of the coupler 103. Can be done.

In the present embodiment, the cap body 151, the cap connecting portion 152, and the cap engaging portion 155 constituting the cap 105 are integrally formed of a flexible material. However, the cap 105 can also be formed by combining a plurality of molded products. Further, the connection between the cap connecting portion 152 and the coupler 103 is not limited to the method using the ring-shaped portion 154, and various methods can be used.

When the catheter 200 to which the male connector 100A for enteral nutrition of the present embodiment is connected is shipped, that is, in the package package packed by the package body 250, the cap engaging portion 155 is a catheter as shown in FIG. It can be in a state of being engaged with 200. By packing in such a peculiar state, the user can be guided to insert the male lure portion 111 into the female connector with the coupler 103 in the second position.

In the present embodiment, the male connector main body 101 has a collar-shaped portion 115 on the downstream side of the male lure portion 111, and the coupler 103 has a large-diameter portion 131 having an inner diameter larger than that of the flange-shaped portion 115 and a large-diameter portion 131. It has a small diameter portion 132 that is provided on the downstream side and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the flange-shaped portion 115. The upstream end of the small diameter portion 132 abuts on the flange-shaped portion 115 at the first position so that the coupler 103 does not move upstream beyond the first position. Any mechanism may be used to prevent the coupler 103 from moving upstream from the first position, and may be realized by a method other than providing the flange-shaped portion 115.

It is also possible to provide a weak fitting mechanism that prevents the coupler 103 from loosening when the coupler 103 is screwed into the female connector. The weak fitting mechanism can be realized by, for example, tapering the outer surface of the male connector main body 101 or adjusting the dimensions of the inner surface of the coupler 103, but it may be realized by other methods. Even in the first position, the coupler 103 can freely rotate around the male connector main body 101.

6 and 7 show the male connector 100B for enteral nutrition according to the first modification. In the modified example of the male connector 100B for enteral nutrition, the second end 158 of the cap connecting portion 152 is connected to the male connector main body 101 instead of the coupler 103, and the second end 158 is the male connector main body 101. It is assembled in. Therefore, when the coupler 103 is moved to the second position, the cap connection portion 152 has a first end portion 157 located on the downstream side of the coupler 103 through the lumen of the coupler 103 and a second end portion. 158 is located upstream of the coupler 103. Since the cap body 151 cannot pass through the coupler 103, the coupler 103 is restricted from moving downstream beyond the length of the cap connecting portion 152. Further, the portion of the cap connecting portion 152 that passes through the lumen of the coupler 103 serves as a resistance when the coupler 103 moves from the second position to the upstream side. Therefore, the cap body 151 and the cap connecting portion 152 of the cap 105B function as a movement limiting portion that restricts the movement of the coupler 103 at the second position.

Also in this modification, a ring-shaped portion 154 is provided at the second end portion 158 of the cap connecting portion 152, and the ring-shaped portion 154 is fitted into the annular groove 113 provided on the downstream side of the male connector main body 101. Is done. The second end 158 of the cap connection 152 is assembled to the male connector body 101. When no force is applied, the cap connecting portion 152 extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the male connector main body 101. Further, since the cap connecting portion 152 is made of a flexible resin, elastic force is generated when the cap connecting portion 152 is bent downstream along the axis of the male connector main body 101.

The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 132 of the coupler 103 is slightly larger than the sum of the outer diameter of the catheter 200 and the thickness of the cap connecting portion 152, but due to the elastic force due to the cap connecting portion 152 being bent downstream. The cap connection portion 152 presses the coupler 103. Therefore, although the coupler 103 can be moved by hand, resistance is generated to the extent that it does not move due to gravity, and it is possible to prevent the coupler 103 from unintentionally moving from the second position to the first position side.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the coupler 103 is moved to a position where the male connector main body 101 is completely exposed, it is preferable that the cap connecting portion 152 is warped in a bow shape on the upstream side of the coupler 103. Specifically, the distance from the central axis of the male connector main body 101 to the position farthest from the male connector main body 101 of the cap connection portion 152 in the axial direction is the upstream side of the coupler 103 from the central axis of the male connector main body 101. It is preferably greater than the distance to the outer edge at the edge. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the coupler 103 from moving to the upstream side.

In this modification, the length from the central axis to the cap connection portion 152 is made longer than the length from the central axis to the coupler to suppress the movement of the coupler to the upstream side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cap connection may be convex, the material of the cap connection or coupler may be adjusted to provide a friction increase, or the dimensions may be adjusted to prevent the coupler from moving to the first position. May be good. The second end 158 of the cap connecting portion 152 is assembled to the annular groove 113 of the male connector main body 101 by the ring-shaped portion 154, but the second end 158 is attached to the male connector main body 101 by any method. It may be assembled. Further, the second end portion 158 may be assembled to the catheter instead of the male connector main body 101. For example, the ring-shaped portion 154 can be made to frictionally engage with the catheter 200. Further, a rigid connecting member may be fitted onto the catheter 200, and a ring-shaped portion 154 may be fitted onto the connecting member. The second end portion 158 does not have to be fixed to the male connector main body 101 so that the axial position does not change at all, and can be fixed so that the axial position changes slightly.

8 and 9 show the cap 105C of the first modification in which the cap connection portion 152 is provided with a return stop portion 159 that restricts the unintended movement of the coupler 103 from the second position to the first position. The return stop portion 159 is a ring-shaped portion provided in the intermediate portion of the cap connection portion 152. The return stop portion 159 is wider than the other portions of the cap connection portion 152 and can be elastically deformed. In the non-deformed state, the return stop portion 159 is wider than the small diameter portion 132 of the coupler 103 and cannot pass through the small diameter portion 132, and is compressed. By deforming it, the small diameter portion 132 can pass through. The non-deformed outer diameter of the return stop portion 159 is set so that when it is housed in the coupler 103, it comes into contact with two places on the inner wall of the large diameter portion 131 and is lightly pressed to be caught. As a result, the return stop portion 159 functions as a movement limiting portion that limits the movement of the coupler 103, and unintended movement of the coupler 103 can be made less likely to occur.

By making the outer diameter of the return stop portion 159 a circular shape or an elliptical shape having no corners, it is possible to obtain an effect that deformation and restoration are facilitated. However, it can also be a shape having corners such as a quadrangular shape or a hexagonal shape. By having the corner portion, it becomes easy to be caught on the inner surface of the large diameter portion 131 having the female screw 135, and an effect that unintended movement of the coupler 103 is less likely to occur can be obtained. It should be noted that a convex portion may be further provided so as to have a portion without corners and a portion with corners so as to be easily caught on the inner surface of the large diameter portion 131.

By forming the return stopper 159 into a ring shape with a hollow inside, it can be made to be greatly deformed when compressed, so that the small diameter portion 132 in the deformed state can easily pass through, and the small diameter portion 132 in the non-deformed state can be easily passed. It also becomes easier to prevent the passage of. However, the inner hollow portion may not be provided, but may be formed in a plate shape, and the plate-shaped portion may be deformed so as to bend so as to pass through the small diameter portion.

Further, the return stop portion 159 can be made into a thick portion that can be elastically deformed to the cap connection portion 152. For example, a spherical deformable member may be provided in the middle portion of the cap connecting portion 152 so as to engage with the small diameter portion 132. Further, an elastically deformable whisker-shaped or rod-shaped member protruding from the cap connecting portion 152 in the thickness direction or the width direction may be used as the return stop portion. In this case, by locating the return stop portion inside the coupler, it becomes difficult to move the coupler relative to the axial direction, or by locating it on the upstream side of the coupler 103, it comes into contact with the upstream end portion of the coupler 103, and the coupler It is also possible to restrict the movement of 103 to the upstream side.

In FIG. 9, the male connector main body 101A is provided with a main body gripping portion 116 between the flange-shaped portion 115 and the annular groove 113 connecting the ring-shaped portion 154. The axial cross section of the portion of the male connector main body 101A on which the main body grip portion 116 is formed has a shape different from the axial cross section of the male lure portion. In FIG. 9, the main body grip portion 116 has a substantially rectangular cross section in the axial direction, and two grip surfaces 117, which are curved surfaces recessed inward in the radial direction, are provided at opposite positions, so that the grip portion 116 can be easily gripped with a finger. can. Further, when the coupler 103 is in the first position, the main body grip portion 116 is hidden in the coupler 103 and is exposed by moving the coupler 103 to the second position. Therefore, when the male lure portion 111 is inserted into and removed from the female connector 300, the user can be guided to move the coupler 103 to the second position to expose the grip portion 116.

(0156)
The main body grip portion 116 is preferably provided on the downstream side of the male lure portion 116 at a position where the coupler 103 is hidden when it is in the first position and exposed when it is moved to the second position. It may be provided anywhere as long as it is on the downstream side of the portion 111. Further, the main body gripping portion 116 may have any shape as long as it is easy to grip, and may have a non-perfect circular shape in the cross section in the axial direction. For example, it may be an ellipse or a rectangle. Further, the gripping surface 117 may be a flat surface instead of a curved surface.

In the cap 105D of the second modification shown in FIG. 10, the cap body 151 and the first end are connected to the cap body 151, and the second end is connected to the tube 200 by the ring-shaped portion 154A. It has a part 152. The cap body 151 is provided with a cap engaging portion 155 that engages with the tube 200, and the cap engaging portion 155 has a second end portion in a state where the coupler 103 is moved to the second position. The coupler 103 can be sandwiched and engaged with the position on the upstream side with respect to the assembling position of. Therefore, the cap connecting portion 152 and the cap engaging portion 155 of the cap 105D serve as movement limiting portions that limit the moving range of the coupler 103 between the second end portion and the first end portion of the cap connecting portion 152. Can function.

In this modification, an example in which the cap engaging portion 155 is provided on the cap main body 151 is shown, but the cap engaging portion 155 can also be provided on the cap connecting portion 152. The cap engaging portion 155 can be engaged with the connector main body 101 instead of the tube 200. Further, the cap engaging portion 155 may be engaged with the coupler 103. In this modification, the ring-shaped portion 154A is frictionally engaged with the tube 200. However, the ring-shaped portion 154A can also be adhered to the tube 200 or heat-sealed. Further, the second end portion of the cap connecting portion 152 may be directly fixed to the tube 200 without using the ring-shaped portion 154A. Depending on the length of the male connector main body 101, the second end of the cap connecting portion 152 can be fixed to the male connector main body 101.

In the first position, by preventing the cap body 151 from being attached to the male lure portion 111, regarding the connection method of the connector, the male lure portion 111 is attached to the female connector 300 while the coupler 103 is in the second position. The user can be guided to insert or remove. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a third modification having a bell-shaped outer edge portion 162 in which the cap body 151 outerly fits in the coupler 103 and a central convex portion 161 protruding from the outer edge portion 162 and outerly fitting in the male lure portion 111. An example cap 106 can be used.

The central convex portion 161 is shaped to engage with the male lure portion, but the coupler 103 is in the first position because at least a part of the lumen of the outer edge portion 162 is smaller than the outer surface of the coupler. In this state, even if an attempt is made to engage the central convex portion 161 with the male lure portion 111, the lumen of the outer edge portion 162 and the coupler 103 collide with each other until the position where the central convex portion 161 and the male lure portion 111 are engaged. I can't move it. As described above, since the male lure portion 111 cannot be fitted to the male lure portion 111 unless it is covered with the coupler 103, the coupler 103 always exposes the male lure portion 111 when the cap 106 is attached. In position.

Further, the length of the cap connection portion 152 is adjusted, and when the coupler 103 is in the first position, the male connector end cannot be inserted, and when the coupler 103 is in the second position, the male connector end cannot be inserted. The part can be interpolated. That is, the length from the first end to the second end of the cap is smaller than the length from the second end of the cap to the tip of the male lure portion 111, and the coupler 103 is the first. When it is in the position, the maximum outer diameter of the male connector end is a coupler, so that the cap cannot be put on the male connector end. Therefore, when the user removes the cap 106, the coupler 103 is naturally in the second position where the male lure portion 111 is exposed, and when the cap closes the opening of the male lure portion, the coupler is not in the second position. Since it cannot be closed, the user can be guided to close the cap after moving the coupler to the second position.

In the present embodiment, there are two mechanisms that the cap cannot engage with the male lure portion when the coupler is in the first position, that is, a mechanism based on the dimensions of the outer surface of the coupler with respect to the outer edge portion and a mechanism based on the length of the cap connecting portion. Although it has a mechanism, only one of the mechanisms may be adopted. Further, the engagement between the cap and the male lure portion is not limited to the engagement between the inner surface of the cap and the outer surface of the male lure portion, and may be the engagement between the cap and the inner surface of the male lure portion. For example, a protruding portion that engages with the inner surface of the male lure portion may be provided on the bottom of the cap so that the cap and the inner surface of the male lure portion engage with each other.

A downstream extension portion 141 may be provided on the downstream side of the coupler 103 to guide the coupler 103 to a second position when the male lure portion 111 is inserted or removed. In FIG. 12, the downstream extension 141 covers the male connector body so that no force can be applied to the male connector body 101 when the coupler 103 is in the first position. Therefore, it becomes difficult to insert or remove the male lure portion 111 into or withdraw from the female connector 300 without moving the coupler 103 to the second position. It is preferable that the downstream extension portion 141 completely covers the downstream end of the male connector main body 101 when the coupler 103 is in the first position, but it cannot be operated by pinching it with a finger. If so, the downstream end of the male connector body 101 may be slightly exposed. Specifically, the axial dimension of the coupler 103 including the downstream extension portion 141 is preferably 75% or more of the axial dimension of the male connector main body 101. The extension on the downstream side may make it difficult to grip the male connector body, and is not limited to covering the entire circumference of the male connector body. For example, a slit or a hole may be formed in the downstream extension portion. Further, the shape is not limited to the tubular shape, and may be a projecting shape. The coupler preferably covers 70% or more of the surface area of the male connector body.

As shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), a male connector set for enteral nutrition may be provided with a display prompting the coupler 103 to move to the second position at the time of attachment / detachment. can. As a display unit, in FIG. 13A, the fact that the coupler is slid when the connector is attached / detached is indicated by characters. Further, in FIG. 13B, a number indicating the work order and an arrow indicating the work are displayed. In this case, for example, even when the coupler is packed in a fixed state at the first position via a weak fitting mechanism or the like, the user recognizes the work to be performed first from the display. It can be guided to connect the connector after moving the coupler to the second position. Even when the coupler 103 is not provided with the downstream extension portion 141, a display prompting the movement to the second position may be provided. The display prompting movement can be provided on the coupler 103, but can also be provided on the catheter 200. By doing so, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user that an unusual operation method of fitting or disengaging the male lure and the messuler after moving the coupler to the second position is performed, and the present invention It is possible to guide the user so that the correct operation method is performed in. In addition, the display unit indicating to the user that the male lure and the mess lure are fitted or released after the coupler is moved to the second position is integrated with the male connector for enteral nutrition as shown in FIG. For example, it may be an operation explanation material enclosed with a packaging material or an attached document.

As shown in FIG. 14, an upstream extension portion 142 may be provided on the upstream side of the coupler 103. When the connector is released, the upstream extension portion 142 covers the upstream side of the female connector 300 in a state where the coupler 103 and the female connector are unscrewed. Since it is difficult for the user to grip the female connector due to the upstream extension portion 142, the position of the coupler 103 is naturally moved, so that the coupler 103 can be guided to move to the second position. Further, when the connector is connected, the female connector 300 is difficult to grip due to the upstream extension portion 142, and it is also difficult to insert the male lure portion 111 into the female connector 300. Therefore, the user can be guided to insert and remove the male lure portion 111 into the female connector 300 while the coupler 103 is moved to the second position. The engagement between the coupler 103 and the female connector 300 is released by rotating the coupler 103 by holding the downstream end of the male connector main body 101 or the catheter.

The coupler 103 including the upstream extension 142 preferably covers 70% or more of the axial dimension L2 of the female connector 300 when screwed with the female connector 300, and the female connector of the coupler 103 including the upstream extension 142. It is also possible to set the length L1 of the portion accommodating the female connector L1 to L2 or more so that the female connector 300 is completely covered in the axial direction. The extension on the upstream side may make it difficult to grip the female connector 300, and is not limited to covering the entire circumference of the female connector 300. For example, a slit or a hole may be formed in the upstream extension portion. Further, the shape is not limited to the tubular shape, and a shape such as a projecting piece shape may be adopted. The coupler 103 preferably covers 50% or more of the surface area of the female connector.

A coupler 103 provided with a slit 143 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 can also be used. In the enteral nutrition male connector 100C, the slit can hold the catheter and the coupler can be fixed in the second position through the slit. Further, the slit reaches from the upstream end to the downstream end and allows the catheter 200 to pass through. Therefore, when the coupler 103 is moved to the downstream side of the male connector main body 101, the coupler 103 can be removed from the catheter 200. With such a configuration, the coupler can be kept away from the male lure portion when the connector is connected. Further, in the unlikely event that the inside of the coupler 103 becomes dirty, the coupler 103 can be removed and cleaned, or replaced with a new coupler 103. If the width of the slit 143 is adjusted so that the catheter 200 can be sandwiched and fixed, the movement of the coupler 103 can be restricted at the second position.

The slit does not have to reach the downstream end from the upstream end, and various slit shapes can be adopted as in the notch of the cap engaging portion shown in FIG. Further, the slit extending from the upstream end to the downstream end may not extend straight in the axial direction, but may extend in a direction inclined in the axial direction. Further, the extending direction of the slit may be stepped, or the extending direction may be different between the upstream side and the downstream side so that the coupler does not easily come off from the catheter and the coupler can be removed.

As a method of encouraging the coupler 103 to be moved to the second position at the time of attachment / detachment, a cap 170 as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 can be provided. The cap 170 used for the male connector 100D for enteral nutrition according to the third modification has a top surface portion 171 that closes the upstream end opening of the male lure portion 111, and a tubular portion 172 that is externally fitted to the male lure portion 111. .. A male screw 173 screwing with a female screw 135 provided on the coupler 103 is provided at the base end portion of the tubular portion 172. The top surface portion 171 is provided at the upstream end of the tubular portion 172, has a shorter axial length than the tubular portion 172, has a shape that is harder to grip than the tubular portion 172, and is smooth without unevenness or steps. Has an outer surface.

The enteral nutrition male connector 100D of this modification is attached with a cap 170 so as to close the male lure portion 111 when not in use, which is not connected to the female connector 300. As shown in FIG. 17, when the coupler 103 is arranged at the first position with the tubular portion 172 engaged with the male lure portion 111, the tubular portion 172 is housed in the coupler 103 and only the top surface portion 171 is accommodated. Is exposed on the upstream side of the coupler 103.

The male connector 100D for enteral nutrition of this modified example has a shape in which the top surface portion 171 is difficult to grip, and the tubular portion 172 that is easy to grip is housed in the coupler 103. Therefore, when the male connector 100D for enteral nutrition of this modification is connected to the female connector 300 provided on the upstream side, the user is guided to perform the following operations.

First, as shown in FIG. 18, the coupler 103 is moved to a second position downstream of the first position to expose the tubular portion 172. Next, the exposed connecting portion 112 and the tubular portion 172 are grasped and pulled by separate hands, and the cap 170 is removed as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the male lure portion 111 is inserted into the female connector 300 while holding the connecting portion 112. After that, the coupler 103 is moved to the first position and screwed with the male screw 311. By operating in this way, even if the enteral nutrient solution overflows when the male lure portion 111 is inserted, the enteral nutrient solution hardly adheres to the coupler 103 separated to the downstream side. Further, since the male lure portion 111 is exposed, the overflowing enteral nutrient solution can be easily wiped off even when the male lure portion 111 is inserted into the female connector 300.

The top surface portion 171 may have a shape that is difficult to grip. In the present embodiment, the top surface portion 171 has a short axial length, and the outer surface thereof is not provided with protrusions or steps for easy gripping. For this reason, it is difficult to grip the top surface portion 171, and rather than trying to remove the cap 170 when the tubular portion 172 is not exposed, the coupler 103 is moved to the second position to form a tubular shape. The user can be guided to expose the portion 172.

Further, when the coupler 103 is located on the upstream end side of the male connector, the outer edge of the top surface portion 171 does not project radially outward from the coupler 103, and the downstream end surface 175 of the top surface portion 171 and the tip of the coupler 103. The portions are in contact with each other, and no gap is formed between the top surface portion 171 and the coupler 103. Therefore, the downstream end surface 175 of the top surface portion 171 is covered with the coupler 103 and is not exposed. With such a shape, unless the coupler 103 is moved to the downstream side, it becomes difficult to catch a finger or a nail between the top surface portion 171 and the coupler 103 and pull it. As a result, the effect of inducing the user to expose the tubular portion 172 can be further enhanced. That is, when the cap is removed and connected to the female connector, the user is guided to move the coupler 103 to the downstream end side of the male connector, and the coupler 103 is connected to the female connector in a state of being separated to the downstream side. Can be facilitated.

In this modification, the tubular portion 172 has a longer axial length than the top surface portion 171. Therefore, the tubular portion 172 is easier to grip than the top surface portion 171. Further, the downstream end surface 175 of the top surface portion 171 is a stepped portion that stands up to the outside in the radial direction, and when the tubular portion 172 is gripped, a finger is applied to the downstream end surface 175, and a force can be easily applied. Therefore, the user can be guided more strongly so as to move the coupler 103 to the second position to expose the downstream end surface 175 of the tubular portion 172 and the top surface portion 171 that are easy to grip. The axial length of the tubular portion 172 is preferably long from the viewpoint of facilitating gripping, and is preferably 1/5 or more, more preferably 1/5 or more of the length from the upstream end of the male lure portion 111 to the flange-shaped portion 115. It is also possible that the tubular portion 172 covers the entire area from the upstream end of the male lure portion 111 to the flange-shaped portion 115. As a specific numerical value, the axial length of the tubular portion 172 is preferably about 3 mm to 15 mm, more preferably about 7 mm to 15 mm.

The axial length of the exposed portion of the top surface portion 171 from the viewpoint of making it easier to remove the cap 170 than in the unexposed state by exposing the downstream end surface 175 of the tubular portion 172 and the top surface portion 171. The shorter the size, the better. For example, by making the tubular portion 172 shorter than the tubular portion 172, it is possible to induce the tubular portion 172 to be exposed for a longer time and to be easily gripped. Further, from the viewpoint of strengthening the impression that it is difficult to grip and strongly inducing the tubular portion 172 and the downstream end surface 175 to be exposed, the axial length of the large diameter portion 131 of the coupler 103 is preferably 1/2 or less. More preferably, it can be 1/4 or less. The axial length of the exposed portion of the top surface portion 171 is preferably 1/2 or less, more preferably 1/4 or less of the axial length of the tubular portion 172. As a specific numerical value, the axial length of the exposed portion of the top surface portion 171 is preferably 3 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or less. However, if the outer surface of the top surface portion 171 is a smooth curved surface having a constant curvature such as a hemisphere, it becomes difficult to grip even if the top surface portion 171 has a long axial length, and the tubular portion 172 and the downstream end surface 175 are formed. Can be guided to expose.

In this modification, a male screw 173 is provided on the outer surface of the tubular portion 172, and the female screw 135 and the male screw 173 of the coupler 103 are screwed at the first position. Therefore, if the cap 170 is to be removed while the coupler 103 is in the first position, the top surface portion 171 must be gripped, rotated, and pulled upstream. Such an operation is more difficult than a simple pulling operation, and strongly guides the user to disengage the coupler 103 and the cap 170 first and move the coupler 103 to the second position. can do.

The screwing force between the female screw 135 and the male screw 173 is set to be weaker than the frictional engagement force between the tubular portion 172 and the male lure portion 111. For this reason, it is much easier to unscrew the coupler 103 by rotating it relative to the cap 170 than by grasping and pulling the top surface portion 171 so that the user can move the coupler 103 to the second position. You will be guided to move to.

However, the cap 170 can be engaged with the coupler 103 by a method other than the male screw 173. For example, a convex portion that abuts and frictionally engages with the inner surface of the coupler 103 can be provided on the outer surface of the tubular portion 172. Further, the top surface portion 171 may be configured to be lightly fitted in the coupler 103. The engaging force between the cap 170 and the coupler 103 is smaller than the engaging force between the cap 170 and the male lure portion 111, and the coupler 103 is moved to the second position with the cap 170 and the male lure portion 111 engaged. Make it moveable.

If the coupler 103 and the main body 101 are engaged with each other at the first position to restrict the movement of the coupler 103, the cap 170 and the coupler 103 are engaged with each other. It is also possible to have no configuration.

It is also possible to provide a mechanism for holding the coupler 103 in the second position when the coupler 103 is moved to the second position. In this way, when the male lure portion 111 is inserted into the female connector 300, it is possible to prevent the coupler 103 from unintentionally moving from the second position to the upstream side.

Further, a band for connecting the top surface portion 171 and the main body portion 101, the coupler 103 or the tube 200 is provided so that the cap 172 is not lost when the tubular portion 172 and the male lure portion 111 are not engaged. Can be done.

In this modified example, an example is shown in which the downstream end surface 175 of the tubular portion 172 and the top surface portion 171 functions as a grip portion to be gripped when the cap 170 is removed from the male lure portion 111. However, if the length of the tubular portion 172 is sufficiently long or the surface is provided with irregularities for easy gripping, a step portion is not formed between the tubular portion 172 and the top surface portion 171. You can also do it. Further, the tubular portion 172 may be shortened so that the step portion can be pulled with a finger.

The various male connector bodies, couplers and caps shown in the respective embodiments and modifications can be interchanged with each other or combined as appropriate.

In each embodiment and modification, an example in which an enteral feeding male connector is connected to the upstream end of a catheter introduced into the patient's body is shown, but it is connected to a female connector provided on the upstream side. It can be widely used as an enteral nutrition connector, and a tube used for enteral nutrition other than a catheter may be connected.

The male connector for enteral nutrition of the present disclosure is particularly useful in the field of enteral nutrition in accordance with ISO80369-3.

100A Male Connector for Enteral Nutrition 100B Male Connector for Enteral Nutrition 100C Male Connector for Enteral Nutrition 100D Male Connector for Enteral Nutrition 101 Male Connector Body 101A Male Connector Body 103 Coupler 105 Cap 105B Cap 105C Cap 105D Cap 106 Cap 111 Osuler Part 112 Connection part 113 Circular groove 115 Flip-shaped part 116 Main body gripping part 117 Gripping surface 121 Coupler stopper 122 Stopper side engaging part 125 Extension part 126 Main body side engaging part 131 Large diameter part 132 Small diameter part 133 Circular groove 135 Female screw 141 Downstream extension 142 Upstream extension 143 Slit 145 Coupler side engagement 151 Cap body 152 Cap connector 154 Ring-shaped 154A Ring-shaped 155 Cap engaging 156 Notch 157 First end 158 Second end Part 159 Return stop part 161 Central convex part 162 Outer edge part 170 Cap 171 Top surface part 172 Cylindrical part 173 Male screw 175 Downstream end surface 200 Cautery 250 Package 300 Female connector 311 Male screw

Claims (17)

A male connector body that has a male lure part that can be inserted into a female connector for enteral nutrition provided on the upstream side on the upstream side and a tube is connected to the downstream side.
Enteral nutrition with a coupler that can move between a first position that can be screwed into a female connector and a second position that is downstream of the first position and where the male lure is exposed. For male connector. The male connector for enteral nutrition according to claim 1, wherein the coupler can restrict movement at least in the second position. Further provided with a cap for closing the opening of the male lure portion,
The cap has a cap body that engages with the male lure portion, a cap connection portion whose first end is connected to the cap body and whose second end is connected to the coupler, and the second position. The male connector for enteral nutrition according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a movement restricting portion capable of restricting the movement of the coupler. The enteral nutrition according to claim 3, wherein the movement restricting portion is a cap engaging portion that can be connected to the tube, and the movement of the coupler can be restricted by engaging the cap engaging portion with the tube. For male connector. Further provided with a cap for closing the opening of the male lure portion,
The cap has a cap body and a cap connection having a first end connected to the cap body and a second end assembled to the male connector body or the tube.
The cap connector is at least partially located in the lumen of the coupler and the first end located downstream of the coupler when the coupler is in the second position. The male connector for enteral nutrition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end is located on the upstream side of the coupler. Further provided with a cap for closing the opening of the male lure portion,
The cap limits the movement of the coupler to the cap body, the first end of which is connected to the cap body, and the second end to the male connector body or the cap connection assembled to the tube. The male connector for enteral nutrition according to claim 1 or 2, which has a movement restriction portion. Further provided with a cap for closing the opening of the male lure portion,
The male connector for enteral nutrition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap cannot close the opening of the male lure portion when the coupler is located at the first position. Further provided with a cap that engages with the male lure portion,
The cap has a grip portion that is gripped to disengage from the male lure portion.
When the cap engages the male lure portion and the coupler is in the first position, the grip portion is housed in the coupler.
The male connector for enteral nutrition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grip portion is exposed by moving the coupler to the second position. The male connector for enteral nutrition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coupler has a side slit capable of holding the tube. The male connector for enteral nutrition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coupler has a side slit extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. The coupler has a downstream extension and
The male connector for enteral nutrition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the axial dimension of the coupler including the downstream extension portion is 75% or more of the axial dimension of the male connector main body. The coupler has an upstream extension and
The upstream extension portion extends axially toward the upstream side so that the coupler covers 70% or more of the axial dimension of the female connector in a state where the coupler and the female connector are screwed together. , The male connector for enteral nutrition according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a display indicating that the user moves the coupler to the second position before fitting or releasing the male connector body and the female connector. Male connector for enteral nutrition. The male connector main body has a main body grip portion provided on the downstream side of the male lure portion.
The male connector for enteral nutrition according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the main body grip portion has a shape of an axial cross section different from that of the male lure portion. The male connector main body has a main body grip portion provided on the downstream side of the male lure portion.
The main body grip portion is hidden in the coupler when the coupler is in the first position, and is exposed by moving the coupler to the second position, any one of claims 1 to 13. Male connector for enteral nutrition as described in the section. The one according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the enteral nutrition male connector is housed in a package in a state where the coupler is arranged in the second position where the male lure portion is exposed. Male connector for enteral nutrition. A male connector body having a male lure portion on the upstream side that can be inserted into a female connector for enteral nutrition provided on the upstream side and a connecting portion on the downstream side that can connect a catheter to be inserted into the body cavity.
It is provided with a coupler that can move between a first position that can be screwed with the female connector and a second position that is closer to the catheter than the first position and the male lure portion is exposed. Male connector for enteral nutrition.

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