JP2771291B2 - Flexible tube cap - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a flexible tube, in particular, a flexible tube cap suitably used for a sterilized medical flexible tube.

[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, caps having various structures to be attached to various devices such as medical instruments have been proposed in order to maintain a sterilized state. For example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-55735 discloses a cap for a medical device, which has a cap body having one end closed, and a cap having a tapered surface that fits tightly with the plugged portion on the inner wall of the cap body. It has been disclosed. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-170261, one end of a hollow connector is attached to an opening of a tube, and the other end of the connector is tapered, and the enlarged portion is placed inside a cap. Discloses a connector that is sealed with a convex portion formed in the connector.

Further, JP-A-61-22866 discloses a nozzle body for a dialysis module, a cap body having one end closed, a groove formed on an inner side wall of the cap body,
There is disclosed a cap formed at the center of the bottom of the cap main body, the cylindrical convex part being lower than the depth of the cap main body and being tightly fitted into the dialysate nozzle. Insert this cap halfway into the dialysate nozzle,
After sterilizing the dialysis module through the groove, the cap is pushed further deeply, and the protrusion is tightly fitted into the tip opening of the dialysate nozzle to seal the sterilized dialysis module. ing.

On the other hand, in an operation or the like, a medical flexible tube that is connected to various devices such as a catheter, an artificial heart, an artificial heart-lung machine, and a filter to form a blood circuit is used. This medical flexible tube, like the dialysis module and the like, must be sterilizable and must maintain a sterilized state until a blood circuit is configured.

However, when the caps disclosed in the above prior arts are applied to medical flexible tubes, it is difficult to reliably sterilize the flexible tubes with the caps attached. That is, since the caps disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-55735 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-170261 are all intended to seal the plugged portion, etc., the cap is attached and sterilized gas is applied. It is difficult to sterilize. Also, if the cap disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-22866 is mistakenly attached to the medical flexible tube to its deep portion before the sterilization treatment, the flexible tube is sealed with the convex portion of the cap. Therefore, the medical flexible tube cannot be sterilized.

Therefore, in order to enable sterilization with the cap attached and maintain the sterilized state, a cap communicating with the hollow portion of the flexible tube is usually attached to the opening of the flexible tube for medical use. After sterilization, the cap and the tube are sealed in a bag such as a synthetic resin film in a mounted state until a blood circuit is formed.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional cap, and FIG.
It is a side view of the cap shown in a figure. This cap (41)
Is a cap body (42) made of a soft synthetic resin whose one end is closed and whose closing part is tapered, and a cap body (4)
2) Multiple ridges (43a) (43b) formed on the inner side wall
(43c). The above multiple ridges (43a)
Due to (43b) and (43c), a plurality of concave grooves (44a), (44b) and (44c) are formed on the inner side wall of the cap body (42).

When the cap (41) having the above structure is attached to the medical flexible tube (45) and sterilized with a sterilizing gas such as ethylene oxide, the sterilizing gas is supplied to the plurality of grooves (44a) (44b). ) (44c) through the flexible tube (4
Since it flows into the hollow part of 5), the flexible tube (45) can be sterilized. However, the medical flexible tube (45) is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as soft polyvinyl chloride. The sterilization is usually performed at a temperature at which the flexible tube (45) is easily deformed, for example, at about 50 ° C. Therefore, the flexible tube (4
The mounting portion of 5) is deformed into a shape corresponding to the internal shape of the cap (41), that is, a tapered shape. If the open end of the flexible tube (45) is deformed in a tapered shape, it is difficult to attach the flexible tube (45) to a connection portion such as an artificial heart.

On the other hand, a cap as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has also been proposed (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-10155). FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another conventional cap, and FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the cap shown in FIG.
The cap (51) is formed of a hard synthetic resin, and has a cap body (52) closed at one end and a plurality of ridges (53) formed on the inner side wall of the cap body (52) in the opening direction. ), An inner cylindrical mounting portion (54) extending from the closed portion of the cap body (52) in the opening direction and to which the medical flexible tube (57) is mounted, and a mounting portion (54). And a plurality of ridges (55) formed on the ridge. Then, in order to prevent the opening end of the flexible tube (57) from being tapered due to sterilization, the ridge (55) is attached to the cap body (5).
It is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter gradually decreases from the closed part side to the opening part side in 2).

However, when the cap (51) having this structure is applied to a medical flexible tube, contrary to the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flexible tube (57) is sterilized.
Since the inner diameter of the opening end of the cap (51) is increased, the holding force of the cap (51) is small, and the cap (51) attached to the flexible tube (57) is easily dropped during storage or transportation. Cap (5
If 1) falls in the bag, the flexible tube (57) tends to be contaminated when the bag is opened.

Such a problem is not limited to the case where the flexible tube is sterilized. The cap is attached and the inner surface of the flexible tube is subjected to the impression process in a non-heated or heated state while avoiding inflow of dust, for example. It also occurs in some cases.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube that can be processed in a hollow portion while being attached, can be prevented from falling off the flexible tube, and can be easily attached to a connection portion of various devices. It is to provide a tube cap.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] The present invention is a cap in which a hollow portion of a flexible tube can be dried, heated or sterilized in a mounted state, and can be placed in a cap body whose one end is closed. A mounting portion to which the end of the flexible tube having flexibility is mounted extends in the opening direction from the closed portion of the cap body, and the inner side wall and the mounting portion of the cap body have an opening of the cap body. A communication portion communicating with the hollow portion of the tube is formed, and the outer diameter of the mounting portion is formed smaller from the closing portion side of the cap body toward the opening portion, and the outer diameter of the opening portion side is reduced. Provided is a flexible tube cap in which a mounting portion has a retaining portion formed of a flat portion, a convex portion, or a ridge.

In the cap having this structure, communicating portions that communicate the opening portion of the cap body and the hollow portion of the tube are formed in the inner side wall of the cap body and the mounting portion to which the end of the flexible tube is mounted, respectively. Therefore, the hollow portion of the flexible tube can be quickly processed with the cap attached.

Further, since the outer diameter of the mounting portion is formed to be smaller from the closing portion side of the cap body toward the opening side, the inner diameter of the distal end opening portion of the tube mounted on the cap becomes larger. Further, since the retaining portion is formed in the mounting portion on the opening side of the cap body, it is possible to prevent the chap from falling off the tube. Further, when the cap is detached, the opening of the distal end of the tube is enlarged, so that the tube can be easily connected to the connection portion of various devices.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the cap shown in FIG. is there. In this example, the cap (1) is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and the cap body (2) having one end closed.
And a mounting portion (5) extending from the substantially central portion of the closing portion of the cap body (2) toward the opening. The end of a hollow medical flexible tube (12) formed of soft polyvinyl chloride or the like is mounted on the mounting portion (5).
A plurality of ridges (3) are formed on the inner side wall of the cap body (2) at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and extend halfway in the opening direction. The concave groove (4) formed between the plurality of ridges (3) functions as a communication part, and constitutes a flow path through which a sterilizing gas such as ethylene oxide flows into the cap body (2).

The mounting portion (5) is formed on an inner cylindrical portion (6) concentrically extending from the closed portion in the cap body (2) in the opening direction and on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion (6). A plurality of ridges (7), and a plurality of ridges (7) of the ridges (7) and a plurality of elastic protrusions (9) protruding from the distal end of the inner cylindrical portion (6). It is configured. The plurality of ridges (7) of the inner cylindrical portion (6) are connected to the ridges (3) of the cap body (2) via the ridges on the closing portion side of the cap body (2). , Extending in the direction of the opening of the cap body (2). Therefore, the concave groove (8) between the plurality of ridges (7) functions as a communication part, similarly to the concave groove (4), and serves as a passage through which the sterilizing gas flows into the hollow part of the tube (12). Configure. Further, in this example, four elastic protruding pieces (9) are extended at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The tip of the protruding piece (9) is located inside the opening of the cap body (2) to prevent contamination even when the opening of the cap (1) is placed downward. I do. In order to prevent rolling, the outer peripheral surface of the cap body (2) is chamfered in a polygonal shape.

And the cap body (2) is attached to the mounting portion (5).
A tapered portion (10) having a larger angle than the opening side of the cap body (2) is formed on the closed portion side of
A flat part (11) functioning as a retaining part is formed in the mounting part (5) on the opening side of the cap body (2).
That is, the outer diameter of the mounting portion (5) is equal to the cap body (2).
Are formed smaller from the closed part side toward the opening part side. More specifically, a tapered portion (10) having a large diameter on the closed portion side of the cap body (2) is formed on the outer surface of the ridge (7) of the mounting portion (5), and the elastic protrusion ( The outer surface of 9) is formed from a flat portion (11). In order to prevent the cap (1) from falling off from the flexible tube (12) even if the inner diameter D2 of the medical flexible tube (12) fluctuates, the flatness of the plurality of elastic projections (9) is reduced. The diameter D1 of the imaginary circle connecting the portions (11) is set slightly larger than the inner diameter D2 of the flexible tube (12). Even if the diameter D1 of the virtual circle connecting the flat portions (11) is larger than the inner diameter D2 of the flexible tube (12), the variation of the inner diameter D2 of the flexible tube (12) can Since it can be absorbed by (9), the flexible tube (12) can be easily mounted on the mounting portion (5). Moreover, from the relational expression of D1> D2, the restoring force based on the elastic protruding piece (9), that is, the pressing force corresponding to Δ (D1−D2) moves from the inside to the outside of the flexible tube (12). Works. Therefore,
The flat part (11) of the elastic projection (9) is a flexible tube (12)
And the cap (1) is prevented from falling off.

The angle of the tapered portion (10) is within a range that does not impair the mountability of the tube (12) or the connection portion of various devices, for example,
It can be selected within the range of about 3 to 20 °.

Further, in order to easily mount the flexible tube (12) while guiding the end of the flexible tube (12) to the mounting portion (5), the end of the protrusion (3) on the opening side and the tip of the protrusion (9) The sections are each chamfered.

When the cap (1) having such a structure is attached to the end of the flexible medical tube (12), the diameter of the distal end of the tube (12) increases corresponding to the tapered portion (10). At this time, since a ridge connecting the ridge (3) of the inner side wall and the ridge (7) of the mounting portion (5) is formed on the inner surface of the cap body (2) on the side of the closing portion, the tube is formed. The tip opening of (12) is not closed by the bottom of the cap body (2).
Further, the tube (12) comes into close contact with the flat portion (11) by surface contact, and is pressed outward by the elastic protruding piece (9), so that the cap (1) can be prevented from falling off. When the tube (12) is sterilized with ethylene oxide gas by attaching the cap (1), the ethylene oxide gas flows from the opening of the cap body (2) into the concave groove (4) ( Since it flows into the hollow portion of the tube (12) through 8), the flexible tube (12) can be sterilized with the cap (1) attached. The sterilization treatment with ethylene oxide can be usually performed under a temperature condition of about 40 to 60 ° C.

After the above sterilization, the tube (12) is usually sealed in a bag or the like with the cap (1) attached.

When the sterilized flexible tube (12) is connected to a connection part such as an artificial heart, the tube (12) having a large opening at the distal end can be easily connected to the connection part such as an artificial heart. Can connect.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. The same elements as those in the above-described embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. In the mounting portion (25) of the cap (21) in this example, a tapered portion (30) whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the closing portion side to the opening side of the cap body (2) is formed throughout. In addition, a projection (31) is formed on the mounting portion (25) on the opening side of the cap body (2). More specifically, as in the above-described embodiment, the mounting portion (25) includes an inner cylindrical portion (26), a plurality of protrusions (27), and a plurality of elastic protrusions (29). On the outer surface of the ridge (27) and the outer surface of the elastic protrusion (29), a taper portion (30) having a gradually decreasing diameter from the closing portion side of the cap body (2) toward the opening portion side is provided. A projection (31) that functions as a retaining portion is formed on the outer surface of the tip of each of the plurality of projections (29). The diameter D3 of the virtual circle connecting the tops of the plurality of convex portions (31) is slightly larger than the inner diameter D2 of the medical flexible tube (12) (D3> D2), as in the previous embodiment. .

When the cap (21) having this structure is attached to the end of the flexible tube (12), the cap (21) falls off the flexible tube (12) by the plurality of protrusions (31). Can be prevented. In the same manner as in the above embodiment, the medical flexible tube (12) can be sterilized with the cap (21) attached, and the flexible tube (21) whose distal end opening is enlarged by the sterilization process can be used. It can be easily connected to the connection parts of various devices.

The cap is not limited to polypropylene, and can be formed of a material that is harder than the flexible tube and is not easily deformed under processing conditions such as heating, for example, a synthetic resin, metal, ceramic, or the like. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the cap body does not need to be chamfered in a polygonal shape. The flexible tube is not limited to soft polyvinyl chloride, and may be formed of a synthetic resin such as a thermoplastic resin having flexibility.

Further, in order to treat the hollow portion of the tube in the mounted state, it is only necessary that the communicating portions communicating the opening portion of the cap body and the hollow portion of the tube are formed on the inner side wall of the cap body and the mounting portion, respectively. For example, the ridges formed on the inner side wall and the mounting portion of the cap main body are not limited to the linear shape as in the above embodiment, but may be curved or spiral. Further, instead of the ridges in the above embodiment, a plurality of convex portions may be formed regularly or irregularly on the inner side wall and / or the mounting portion of the cap body. In this case, the communication portion is configured by a flow path space between the plurality of convex portions. In addition, as long as the communication part can be secured, it is not necessary to form a ridge on the inner surface on the closed part side of the cap body.

The structure of the mounting portion is not limited to the above embodiments.
The mounting portion can be constituted by, for example, only an inner cylinder portion and a plurality of projecting pieces extending from the closing portion of the cap body in the opening direction. When the mounting part is cylindrical, its cross-sectional shape is
The shape is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a polygonal shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, and a hexagon, and the cylindrical mounting portion may be solid. When the mounting portion is composed of a plurality of protruding pieces, the plurality of protruding pieces may be arranged corresponding to the shape of the cylindrical mounting portion.

Furthermore, in order to easily connect the flexible tube after the cap is detached to the connection part of various devices, the outer diameter of the mounting part is formed smaller from the closed part side of the cap body to the opening part side. The mounting portion is not limited to the tapered shape, and may be formed in a round shape having a smaller diameter toward the opening side of the cap body.

The retaining portion for preventing the cap from falling off is not limited to the distal end portion of the mounting portion, but may be formed on the opening side of the cap body. The retaining portion is not limited to the flat portion or the convex portion in the embodiment, and may be, for example, a convex portion or a ridge formed in a circumferential direction when the mounting portion is cylindrical.

The retaining portion is preferably formed on at least two elastic projections so that the cap can be securely attached even if the inner diameter of the flexible tube fluctuates and the cap is prevented from falling off. Further, the outer diameter of the retaining portion can be set in a range that can prevent the cap from falling off, and it is sufficient that the outer diameter of the retaining portion matches the inner diameter of the tube. That is, the outer diameter of the retaining portion
Assuming that Da and the inner diameter of the flexible tube are Db, the relational expression of Da ≧ Db may be satisfied.

The cap of the present invention can be applied to ordinary flexible tubes that do not require heat treatment. However, heat treatment, especially sterilization by applying heat at least, such as heat sterilization with ethylene oxide, high-pressure steam sterilization, etc. Applicable to medical flexible tubes.

Devices to which the flexible tube is connected include medical machines and instruments, such as a heart-lung machine, a blood filter,
Examples include a blood reservoir, a soccer, a connector, a blood concentrator, a blood pump, a reservoir, and other filters.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the flexible tube cap of the present invention, the hollow portion of the tube can be treated while being attached to the flexible tube, and the flexible tube can be prevented from falling off the flexible tube. And can be easily attached to the connection parts of various devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side view of the cap shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view showing a conventional cap, 7 is a side view of the cap shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another conventional cap, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. (1) (21) ... cap, (2) ... cap body,
(5) (25) ... mounting part, (3) ... ridge, (4) ...
Groove, (7) (27) ... ridge, (8) ... Groove, (9)
(29) ... Protrusion, (10) (30) ... Taper, (11)
... flat part, (31) ... convex part, (12) ... flexible tube

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An end of a flexible tube having a flexible tube in which a hollow portion of the tube can be dried, heated or sterilized when the tube is mounted. A mounting part to which the part is mounted extends from the closing part of the cap main body toward the opening part, and a communication part that communicates the opening part of the cap main body and the hollow part of the tube to the inner side wall and the mounting part of the cap main body. Are formed, the outer diameter of the mounting portion is formed to be smaller from the closing portion side of the cap body to the opening side, and the mounting portion on the opening side has a flat portion, a convex portion or A cap for a flexible tube, wherein a stopper portion formed of a ridge is formed. 2. The flexible tube cap according to claim 1, wherein a tapered portion is formed on the mounting portion on the closing portion side of the cap body, and a flat portion is formed on the mounting portion on the opening portion side. . 3. The flexible tube cap according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion has an elastic protrusion protruding in the direction of the opening of the cap body, and the protrusion has a retaining portion.