JP4223249B2 - Tube joining apparatus and tube joining method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tube joining apparatus and a tube joining method for cutting and joining flexible tubes, and in particular, tube joining for aseptically joining at least two flexible tubes by heating and melting. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a tube joining method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when joining a blood collection bag and blood component bag in a blood transfusion system or exchanging a dialysate bag and a waste solution bag in continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), it is necessary to join the tubes aseptically. It becomes. Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-30582 discloses an example of an apparatus for performing aseptic joining of such tubes. This tube joining apparatus includes a pair of holders (blocks) that can hold two tubes to be connected in parallel, and a cutting plate (plate-shaped heating element) that is disposed between both holders and can move across the tubes. The cutting plate is heated and moved while holding the two tubes in parallel and in opposite directions in the grooves formed in both holders, and the tubes are blown out. It moves to a direction (arranged direction), makes the cut ends of the tubes to be joined coincide with each other, moves the cutting plate to the retracted position, extracts it, and fuses both the tubes.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-91010 discloses a first clamp for holding two tubes in a parallel state and a first clamp in order to increase the reliability of tube joining using a tube joining method similar to that of the above apparatus. A first clamp moving mechanism that has two clamps and moves the first clamp in parallel with the second clamp, that is, only moves forward and backward, and the second clamp with respect to the first clamp. A tube joining apparatus including a second clamp moving mechanism that moves only in the approaching / separating direction is disclosed.
[0004]
Furthermore, the basic principle of heating, melting and aseptically joining tubes using a cutting plate is the same, but if the liquid remains inside the tube before it is cut, the solution in the tube is sealed. As an apparatus for joining tubes without leaking, for example, in JP-A-4-308731, two tubes (first tube and second tube) are rotated in the same direction by a pair of relatively rotatable tube holders. Each tube is held on a trajectory, and both tubes are cut between holders by a heated cutting plate, and then the tube holder is rotated to align the cut end surface on one side of the first tube with the cut end surface on the other side of the second tube. And a tube joining device for retracting the cutting plate and fusing both tubes together is disclosed. In addition to the purpose of joining the tubes without leaking while the liquid in the tube is sealed, the amount of movement of the tube when connecting the tubes is small, and the device and the components constituting the device can be downsized. As a tube joining device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-154920 discloses two tubes to be connected to two tube holders having a U-shaped groove (first tube holder, second tube holder). After storing and holding in a contacted (stacked) state and cutting both tubes with a heated cutting plate, the second tube holder is rotated by 180 ° relative to the first tube holder, A tube joining apparatus is disclosed in which the cut end surfaces are exchanged with each other and actuated so as to be aligned, and the cut plate is retracted to fuse the tubes together.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional tube joining device, the liquid in the tube does not contain protein such as blood, regardless of the form of any device in which the two tubes are arranged in parallel or separated from each other in the horizontal or vertical direction. In the case of inclusion, since the liquid remaining inside the tube between the two tube holders (holders) remains on the end face of the tube to be joined when cut by the cutting plate, the joining strength of the tube is remarkably increased. There was a problem of lowering. That is, in the conventional tube joining apparatus, when the liquid is sealed only in one of the two tubes, the tube holding portion (holder) is arranged so that the ends to which the tubes are joined face each other through the cutting plate. ), The tube end surface on one side moves in contact with the cutting plate, so that the remaining liquid in the tube remaining at the time of cutting is removed to some extent at this time, so that the bonding strength of the tube is reduced. Although the tubes could be joined to each other, the tubes in which the two tubes were filled with a liquid such as blood could not be joined stably.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a tube joining apparatus and a tube joining method capable of stably and reliably joining tubes in which liquids are sealed in view of the above-mentioned cases.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a tube joining apparatus having a first holding part and a second holding part for holding at least two flexible tubes in a substantially parallel state, A first pressing means provided in the first holding part for pressing the tube in a flat state; a second pressing means provided in the second holding part for pressing the tube in a flat state; A third pressing means disposed between the second pressing means and pressing the tube in a flat state; a cutting means for cutting the tube between the first and second pressing means; and cutting by the cutting means And a moving means for moving at least one of the first and second holding portions so that the joined end portions are in close contact with each other by changing the position of the formed tube relatively. The third pressing means has a biasing means that biases the tube to a pressing position where the tube is pressed in a flat state, and the cutting means includes a cutting plate that melts and cuts the tube in a heated state. A cutting plate holding means for holding the cutting plate, and a cutting plate moving means for moving the cutting plate holding means, and when the cutting plate holding means is moved by the cutting plate moving means, The retracted position while resisting the urging force of the urging means in a state where the first bulge part formed in part is engaged with the second bulge part formed in a part of the third pressing means. The third pressing means is configured to move to .
[0008]
In the first aspect, at least two flexible tubes held in a substantially parallel state to the first holding part and the second holding part are: With biasing means It is pressed flat by the third pressing means, and then pressed flat by the first and second pressing means. Since the third pressing means is disposed between the first and second pressing means, even if the liquid is sealed in the two flexible tubes, the third pressing means, the first and second pressing means The liquid in the tube is removed from the pressed location in the order of the means (or the third pressing means, the second and first pressing means). A cutting plate that melts and cuts the tube in a temperature-raised state, a cutting plate holding means that holds the cutting plate, and a cutting plate moving means that moves the cutting plate holding means The tube is cut between the first and second pressing means by the cutting means, and the positions of the tubes cut by the cutting means by the moving means are relatively changed so that the joined ends are in close contact with each other. At least one of the 1st and 2nd holding | maintenance parts is moved and joining of tubes is made. The third pressing unit is a second unit in which a first protrusion formed on a part of the cutting plate holding unit is formed on a part of the third pressing unit when the cutting plate holding unit is moved by the cutting plate moving unit. It is configured to move to the retracted position while resisting the urging force of the urging means while being engaged with the protrusion. According to this aspect, since the tube is pressed by the third pressing means prior to the pressing by the first and second pressing means, the remaining liquid is excluded from the pressed portion even if the liquid is sealed in the tube. When the tube is pressed by the cutting means and at least one of the first and second holding portions is moved by the moving means to join the tubes together, without being affected by the liquid enclosed in the tube, Tubes can be joined together With , The third pressing unit is a second unit in which a first protrusion formed on a part of the cutting plate holding unit is formed on a part of the third pressing unit when the cutting plate holding unit is moved by the cutting plate moving unit. Since it is configured to move to the retracted position while resisting the urging force of the urging means in a state of being engaged with the protrusion, the tube in a state where the remaining liquid is excluded from the pressed portion is used as the third pressing means. And can be cut smoothly without any conflict between the cutting means. .
[0009]
In the first aspect, the third pressing means may be integrally provided so as to be movable in either one of the first holding part and the second holding part. It is preferable that the third pressing means further has a locking means for locking the movement of the third pressing means by restricting the biasing force by the biasing means. At this time, the locking means positions the third pressing means in the first locking means for locking the movement of the third pressing means in the direction in which the tube is further pushed from the pressing position, and the retracted position separated from the pressing position, You may make it have a 2nd latching means which latches the movement of a 3rd press means so that the cutting | disconnection operation | movement of the tube by a cutting | disconnection means may be permitted. Such first locking means is formed in a part of one of the first and second pressing means arranged adjacent to the third pressing means. Stepped part The second locking means has a lever member that moves to engage and hold the third pressing means at the retracted position, and an actuator that drives the lever member to be movable. It can be constituted as follows.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tube joining apparatus having a first holding part and a second holding part for holding at least two flexible tubes in a substantially parallel state, wherein the first holding part includes: A first pressing means that presses the tube in a flat state; a second pressing means that is provided in the second holding portion and presses the tube in a flat state; and between the first and second pressing means. A third pressing means for pressing the tube in a flat state; a retracting means for retracting the third pressing means to a retracted position separated from a pressing position for pressing the tube in the flat state; In a state where the third pressing means is retracted to the retracted position by the means, the cutting means for cutting the tube between the first and second pressing means and the position of the tube cut by the cutting means are relative to each other. Changed to Te, and a moving means for moving at least one of said first and second holding portions so that the end portions to be joined are in close contact.
[0011]
In the second aspect The second 3. The retracting means for retracting the pressing means to the retracted position away from the pressing position for pressing the tube in the flat state is provided. Therefore, the tube pressed in the flat state by the first and second pressing means and the remaining liquid removed from the pressed portion is smoothly cut without causing a conflict between the third pressing means and the cutting means. can do.
[0012]
In the first and second aspects, the moving means is a first moving means for moving the first holding portion in a first direction which is the width direction of the tube, and the second holding portion is in the length direction of the tube. You may make it comprise with a 2nd moving means to move to the 2nd direction which cross | intersects a 1st direction substantially orthogonally. At this time, the first moving unit relatively changes the position of the tube cut by the cutting unit in the first direction, and the first holding unit is placed so that the ends of the tubes to be joined face each other. The second holding means moves the second holding portion so that the ends of the tubes to be joined are in close contact with each other in the second direction, and the first holding is movable in the first direction. The distance between the first pressing means provided on the part and the cutting means is set to be larger than the distance between the second pressing means provided on the second holding part movable in the second direction and the cutting means. It is preferable that the moving distance of the first holding part in the first direction is set to be larger than the moving distance of the second holding part in the second direction.
[0013]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the third aspect of the present invention is to press the flexible first tube and the second tube placed in a substantially parallel state at a first position, and The step of deforming the first and second tubes into a flat state, and pressing the first and second tubes at a second position adjacent to the first position, the first and second tubes are in a flat state Holding the first tube and the second tube at a third position adjacent to the first position and opposite the second position across the first position, A step of holding the first and second tubes in a flat state, a step of advancing a cutting plate having a predetermined temperature between the second and third positions, and cutting the first and second tubes; The first and second tubes that have been cut are relatively moved and joined. A step of causing the end of one tube and the end of the second tube to face each other, and retracting the cutting plate from a predetermined cutting position between the second and third positions of the first and second tubes And bonding the ends closely together. In the step of cutting the first and second tubes, the cutting plate is advanced to the cutting position in conjunction with the release of the pressing operation of the first and second tubes at the first position. Characterize .
[0014]
In the third aspect , Cut When the cut first and second tubes are moved relative to each other, the first and second tubes are moved along at least one side of the cutting plate with the cutting plate still positioned at the cutting position. It may be.
[0015]
By referring to the following embodiments, the specific configuration, operational effects, applicable range, and the like to which the present invention can be applied will be further clarified.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tube joining apparatus that cuts and joins two tubes filled with blood will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 1, the tube joining apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first tube holder 2 and a second holding member as first holding portions that hold the two flexible tubes 8 and 9 in a substantially parallel state. A second tube holder 3 as a part, a cutting mechanism 4 as a cutting means for heating and melting the tubes 8 and 9, and a first pressing means as a first pressing means for pressing the tubes 8 and 9 in a flat state A clamp 6 and a second clamp 7 as a second pressing means, and a third clamp which is disposed adjacent to the first clamp 6 between the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 and presses the tubes 8 and 9 in a flat state. And a tube pushing member 10 as a pressing means.
[0018]
The tubes 8 and 9 are made of a soft resin such as soft polyvinyl chloride and have flexibility (softness), and blood is sealed in the tubes. These tubes 8 and 9 have substantially the same shape with respect to the inner diameter, the outer diameter, and the length before the blood is sealed. The first tube holder 2 includes a holder 21 that holds the tubes 8 and 9, and a lid 24 that is pivotally attached to a rear end portion of the holder 21 by a hinge 25 and can be opened and closed.
[0019]
The holder 21 is formed with a pair of parallel grooves 22 and 23 into which the two tubes 8 and 9 are respectively loaded. The cross-sectional shape of the grooves 22 and 23 is U-shaped. The widths of the grooves 22 and 23 are preferably equal to or less than the outer diameter of the tubes 8 and 9 in the natural state, and can the operator (operator) extend the tubes 8 and 9 to reduce the outer diameter? Alternatively, the tubes 8 and 9 are loaded into the grooves 22 and 23 by pushing them into the back side (downward direction) of the grooves 22 and 23. The lid 24 has a function of covering the grooves 22 and 23 and fixing the tubes 8 and 9 loaded in the grooves 22 and 23 so as not to be detached when the lid 24 is closed.
[0020]
Further, the first tube holder 2 has a lock mechanism 26 for holding the cover 24 in a closed state. The lock mechanism 26 includes a plate piece 28 that is rotatably attached to the lid body 24 via a hinge 27 at the tip of the lid body 24, a claw member 29 that protrudes from the inner surface of the plate piece 28, a holder 21, and the pawl member 28 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 with the lid body 24 closed, so that the claw member 29 is engaged with the locking portion 20. The lid body 24 is locked so that the lid body 24 does not open. For this reason, the lid 24 is inadvertently opened during the tube joining, and the fixing of the tubes 8 and 9 and the pressing by the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 described later are released, making it difficult to cut and join. Is prevented.
[0021]
On the second tube holder 3 side of the first tube holder 2, a first clamp 6 that presses the tubes 8 and 9 in a flat state is continuously provided in contact with a tube pushing member 10 described later. The first clamp 6 includes a saw blade-shaped pressure closing member 61 fixed to the side surface of the holder 21, and a saw blade-shaped pressure closing member 62 fixed to the side surface of the lid 24 and meshing with the pressure closing member 61. ing. The pressure closing member 61 has inclined surfaces 63 and 64 at positions corresponding to the grooves 22 and 23, respectively. The pressure closing member 62 is parallel to the inclined surfaces 63 and 64 and at a position separated by a predetermined distance. The inclined surfaces 65 and 66 are formed (see FIG. 10). For this reason, when the lid body 24 is closed in a state where the tubes 8 and 9 are loaded in the grooves 22 and 23, the pressure closing members 61 and 62 are engaged with each other, and the tube 8 is pressed and closed by the inclined surfaces 63 and 65. The tube 9 is closed by 66. By providing the first clamp 6 as described above, when joining the cut ends of the tubes 8 and 9 described later, positional deviation and distortion are suppressed, and easy and proper connection is ensured.
[0022]
On the other hand, the second tube holder 3 is disposed adjacent to the side of the first tube holder 2 via the tube pushing member 10. Similarly to the first tube holder 2, the second tube holder 3 is also formed with a pair of grooves 32 and 33, a holder 31 that holds the tubes 8 and 9, and a lid body 34 that rotates with respect to the holder 31 and opens and closes. And a locking mechanism 36 and a second clamp 7. These configurations are similar to those of the first tube holder 2, the lock mechanism 36 includes a hinge 37, a plate piece 38, and a claw member 39, and the holder 31 includes a hinge 35 and a locking portion 30. Yes.
[0023]
The second clamp 7 is a saw blade-shaped pressure closing member 71 (not shown) fixed to the side surface of the holder 31 on the holder 21 side, and is fixed to the side surface of the lid body 34 on the lid body 24 side. It is comprised with the press-closing member 72 of the saw blade shape which meshes | engages. The pressure closing member 71 has inclined surfaces 73 and 74 at positions corresponding to the grooves 32 and 33, respectively (see FIG. 10), and the pressure closing member 72 is parallel to the inclined surfaces 73 and 74, respectively, and has a predetermined shape. Inclined surfaces 75 and 76 are formed at positions spaced apart from each other.
[0024]
The first tube holder 2 and the second tube holder 3 are usually arranged so that the grooves 22 and 32 and the grooves 23 and 33 are aligned (aligned in a straight line).
[0025]
The tube pushing member 10 is provided integrally and movably on the first tube holder 2. Similar to the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7, the tube pushing member 10 has a tip portion 12 (corresponding to the pressure-closure members 62 and 72) that is serrated and formed with inclined surfaces 15 and 16. 9 is different from the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 in that it does not have the pressure-closure members 61 and 71 that face each other with 9 therebetween. Further, the distal end portion 12 of the tube pushing member 10 has a sawtooth shape of the same shape corresponding to the pressure closing member 62 of the first clamp 6 and the pressure closing member 72 of the second clamp 7. It is positioned at a position slightly protruding from the pressure closing member 62.
[0026]
Further, the tube pushing member 10 is always urged in the direction of the pressing position to the tubes 8 and 9 by a pair of springs 13 as urging means via a support member 11 having an L-shaped cross section fixed by screws. Yes. A U-shaped slider (not shown) is attached to the support member 11, and this slider slides along a rail (not shown) according to the biasing force of the spring 13 or against the biasing force of the spring 13. Move while. The above-mentioned rail is fixed to the rail support member 17, and the tube pushing member 10 is integrated with the first tube holder 2 by screwing the rail support member 17 to the lid body 24. Yes.
[0027]
The tube pushing member 10 is arranged so as to be in contact with the first clamp 6. As will be described later in detail, the tube pushing member 10 is moved away from the first clamp 6 by a retracting mechanism 100 (see FIG. 11) as a retracting means including a spring 13. It is possible to move relatively. The first clamp 6 and the tube push-in member 10 are formed with stepped portions 18 that engage with each other. When the lid 24 is closed with the tubes 8 and 9 loaded in the grooves 22 and 23, respectively. Further, the movement of the tube pushing member 10 is locked in the direction in which the tubes 8 and 9 are pushed by the step portion 18 of the first clamp 6 (first locking means). In addition, since the front-end | tip part 12 of the tube pushing-in member 10 protrudes from the press-closing member 62 of the 1st clamp 6, when the cover body 24 is closed, it pushes in the tubes 8 and 9 prior to the 1st clamp 6. It becomes.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cutting mechanism 4 includes a cutting plate (wafer) 41 for melting and cutting the tubes 8 and 9, and a cutting plate holding means for forming the opening and holding the cutting plate 41 in an exchangeable manner. And a cutting plate 41 as a cutting plate moving means for moving the holding member 42 so that the gap between the first tube holder 2 and the second tube holder 3 is inserted (advanced) and retracted. And a moving mechanism 43.
[0029]
The cutting plate 41 is a self-heating type heating cutting plate, for example, a metal plate such as a copper plate is folded in half, and a heating resistor having a desired pattern is formed on the inner surface via an insulating layer. Each of the terminals 44 and 45 at both ends of the body has a structure exposed from an opening formed at one end of the metal plate.
[0030]
When energization is performed between the terminals 44 and 45 from an energization unit (not shown), the resistor inside the cutting plate 41 generates heat, and the cutting plate 41 melts and cuts the tubes 8 and 9 (for example, 260 to 260). About 320 ° C.). In addition, it is preferable that this cutting plate 41 is a thing disposable (single use) for every joining (connection) of the tube. In this case, the cutting plate 41 loaded on the holding member 42 can be replaced each time the tubes 8 and 9 are joined by the cutting plate replacement unit 46 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0031]
The cutting plate moving mechanism 43 includes, as main parts, a cam 82 fixed to the rotating shaft 81, an arm part 83 extending below the holding member 42, and a cam 82 side extending to the tip of the arm part 83. The driven member 84 is configured to include an attachment portion (not shown) to the main body 90 and a hinge (not shown) that rotatably supports the holding member 42 with respect to the attachment portion. A cam groove 85 having a desired shape is formed in the cam 82, and the driven member 84 is slidably inserted into the cam groove 85.
[0032]
When the cam 82 is rotated by the rotation of the rotating shaft 81, the driven member 84 inserted into the cam groove 85 is moved up and down, and the holding member 42 is rotated around a hinge (not shown). Along with this, the holding member 42 rotates clockwise from the state in which the cutting plate 41 is in the retracted position, and the cutting plate 41 in the heated state is raised, so that the first tube holder 2 and the second tube holder 3 The tubes 8 and 9 inserted in the gap and held in the grooves 22 and 23 are melted and cut.
[0033]
Both ends of the rotating shaft 81 are rotatably supported by the main body 90 by bearings, and a gear 91 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 81. As shown in FIG. 2, the gear 91 meshes with a small-diameter gear 92 fixed to a rotation shaft of a motor (not shown), and when the motor is driven, the rotational force is transmitted through the small-diameter gear 92 and the gear 91. The rotating shaft 81 rotates.
[0034]
Here, before describing the details of the retracting mechanism 100, the relationship between the vertical rise of the cutting plate 41 and the movement of the tube pushing member 10 to the retracted position will be briefly described.
[0035]
9A shows that the lid 24 of the first tube holder 2 is closed with respect to the tubes 8 and 9 loaded in predetermined positions (grooves 22 and 23), and the distal end portion 12 of the tube pushing member 10 is the tube. The state immediately before pressing 8 and 9 to a flat state is shown. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the closing operation of the lid 24 is continued by the operator, the distal end portion 12 of the tube pushing member 10 presses the tubes 8 and 9 in a flat state. At this time, the pressing operation of the tubes 8 and 9 by the clamp 6 of the first tube holder 2 and the clamp 7 of the second tube holder 3 is also interlocked and continuously performed.
[0036]
When the pressing operation of the tubes 8 and 9 is completed, when the operator depresses a start button (not shown) provided in the tube joining device 1, the cutting plate moving mechanism 43 is driven at a predetermined timing, and the holding member 42 is raised. Along with the operation, the first protrusion 47 formed on the back surface side of the holding member 42 replaces the second protrusion 14 formed on a part of the support member 11 integrated with the tube pushing member 10 with the spring 13. The tube pushing member 10 is pushed up against the urging force to position the tube pushing member 10 to a predetermined retracted position. In conjunction with the ascending operation of the holding member 42, the temperature-cutting cutting plate 41 held by the holding member 42 is attached to the tubes 8 and 9 held flat by the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7. It cuts by heating and melting (the state of FIG. 9C). Even in this state, the holding state of the tubes 8 and 9 by the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 is continued. At this time, the lever member 101 is configured as a part of the retracting mechanism 100 of the tube pushing member 10 and serves as a second locking means for restricting the biasing force of the spring 13 and locking the downward movement of the tube pushing member 10. It moves so that it may engage with the convex part 19 formed in a part of support member 11 integral with the tube pushing member 10, and it becomes possible to position the tube pushing member 10 in a predetermined retracted position. In the state shown in FIG. 9C, when the cutting operation of the tubes 8 and 9 by the cutting plate 41 is completed, the cut tubes 8 and 9 described later are relatively moved at a predetermined timing to be joined. The operation | movement which makes the edge part of the tube which opposes oppose is performed in the state which positioned the cutting board 41 in the cutting position.
[0037]
Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a predetermined timing (a predetermined position where the cam 82 rotates and the driven member 84 slides along the shape of the cam groove 85 when the cam 82 is used as described above). Then, the holding member 42 holding the cutting plate 41 is lowered to retract the cutting plate 41 from the cutting position. However, due to the action of the lever member 101, the tube pushing member 10 is still positioned at the retracting position, The operation | movement which adhere | attaches the edge parts of the tube which should be joined opposingly arrange | positioned, will be accept | permitted. The tube tight bonding operation is performed in synchronization with the lowering and retracting operation of the cutting plate 41.
[0038]
FIG. 11A shows a state in which the pushing operation of the tube pushing member 10 against the tubes 8 and 9 is allowed without causing the retracting mechanism 100 to operate, and FIG. 11B shows that the retracting mechanism 100 is operated, The state which has hold | maintained the tube pushing-in member 10 in the retracted position is shown.
[0039]
The retraction mechanism 100 mainly includes a lever member 101 that is movable so as to engage with the convex portion 19 formed on a part of the tube pushing member 10 as described above, and the lever member 101 is engaged with the convex portion 19. A solenoid 102 as an actuator that is movably driven to a combined position, and a tension spring 103 that moves the lever member 101 so as to be released from the engaged state from the convex portion 19 when the solenoid 102 is turned off and the excitation is released. And is configured.
[0040]
The lever member 101 is formed in an L shape, one end of which is connected to the plunger 104 of the solenoid 102 via a connection point 105, and a hole adjacent to the engagement portion with the convex portion 19 on the other end. The portion having the is connected to the tension spring 103. The lever member 101 is moved by rotating around the rotation shaft 106. The lever member 101 is attached to the attachment member 107 by a screw provided on the rotation shaft 106, and the solenoid 102 is fixed to the fixing member. 108 is fixed with screws. Both the mounting member 107 and the fixing member 108 are fixed by screws to a rail support member 17 fixed to the upper plate 109 with a pair of springs 13 interposed between the mounting member 107 and the support member 11 with screws. By the mutual attachment, the retracting mechanism 100 is integrally attached to the first tube holder 2 together with the tube pushing member 10.
[0041]
Moreover, the tube joining apparatus 1 includes a moving mechanism 5 as a moving unit that moves the first tube holder 2 and the second tube holder 3 in predetermined directions. The moving mechanism 5 serves as first moving means for moving the first tube holder 2 with respect to the second tube holder 3 in the direction in which the tubes 8 and 9 are arranged (the arrow X direction in FIG. 8 and the opposite direction thereof). A first moving mechanism (not shown) and a second moving mechanism (not shown) as second moving means for moving the second tube holder 3 so as to approach (or separate) the first tube holder 2 side. Z)). Such a moving mechanism can be configured using, for example, a stepping motor, and can be manufactured using the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-91010 described above or a known technique.
[0042]
The tube joining apparatus 1 has a control unit configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface, and the like at a lower position of the cutting and exchanging unit 46 so that the gear 91 and the small-diameter gear 92 are hidden. It is accommodated in a casing (not shown).
[0043]
(Operation)
Next, operation | movement of the tube joining apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
[0044]
First, the operator loads the tubes 8 and 9 into the grooves 22 and 23, and covers the loaded tubes 8 and 9 with the lid 24 of the first tube holder 2 and the lid of the second tube holder 3. When the operation of closing 34 is performed (see FIG. 5) and the closing operation of the lid 24 is continued, the distal end portion 12 of the tube pushing member 10 first comes into contact with the tubes 8 and 9 and the first contact position is reached. The tubes 8 and 9 placed in a parallel (parallel) state at the position P1 are deformed into a flat state (see FIG. 6A). At this time, the blood existing in the portion pushed by the tube pushing member 10 of the tubes 8 and 9 is pushed out so as to be excluded in the directions of arrows a to b in FIG.
[0045]
Subsequently, when the lid 24 is continuously closed, the claw member 29 of the lock mechanism 26 of the first tube holder 2 is locked to the locking portion 20 and the lid 24 is not opened. The first clamp 6 presses and holds the tubes 8 and 9 in a flat state with a predetermined pressing force at a second position P2 adjacent to the first position P1. At this time, the tube pushing member 10 arranged in contact with the first clamp 6 is also in a state in which the tubes 8 and 9 are almost crushed like the first clamp 6 by the biasing force of the spring 13 (a state in which there is almost no blood). (See FIG. 6B).
[0046]
Thereafter, the lid 34 of the second tube holder 3 is completely closed, and the claw member 39 of the lock mechanism 36 of the second tube holder 3 is locked to the locking portion 30 so that the lid 34 does not open. Is locked, the second clamp 7 arranged in contact with the tube push-in member 10 in the same manner as the first clamp 6 is a position adjacent to the first position P1, and the first position P1 is set. At a third position P3 facing the second position P2 across the tube, the tubes 8 and 9 are pressed and held in a flat state in a state where the tubes 8 and 9 are almost crushed by a predetermined pressing force (the state where there is almost no blood). To do. Thereby, in the tubes 8 and 9 from the second position P2 to the third position P3 across the first position P1, in other words, the place pressed by the first clamp 6 across the tube pushing member 10 Thus, the blood in the tubes 8 and 9 corresponding to the portion pressed by the second clamp 7 is almost eliminated (see FIG. 6C). Through the above steps, the pressing and holding operation of the tubes 8 and 9 is completed, and then the process proceeds to the tube cutting step.
[0047]
When the operator depresses the start button of the apparatus 1, as described above, the heated cutting plate 41 rises and the tube pushing member 10 that has pressed the tubes 8 and 9 at the first position P1 is moved. The pressing action is released and the spring 13 moves up against the urging force of the spring 13. Both continue the ascending operation, and the cutting plate 41 advances between the first position P1 and the second position P2 to melt and cut the tubes 8 and 9. At this time, the tube pushing member 10 is positioned at the retracted position (see FIG. 7A).
[0048]
Subsequently, by driving the first moving mechanism that moves the first tube holder 2, the first tube holder 2 having the first clamp 6 is moved relative to the position of the cut tubes 8 and 9. Then, the tube is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 8 so that the ends of the tubes to be joined face each other. At this time, the cutting plate 41 which cut | disconnected the tubes 8 and 9 is hold | maintained at the cutting position, and has made the stationary state.
[0049]
Next, the cutting plate 41 leaves the cutting position and descends at a predetermined timing, but the tube pushing member 10 maintains the state held at the retracted position as described above (see FIG. 7B). The second tube holder 3 having the second clamp 7 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 8 by driving a second moving mechanism that moves the second tube holder 3 in synchronization with the lowering operation of the cutting plate 41. End portions of the tubes disposed opposite to each other by moving a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. 7C, which is a direction that intersects substantially perpendicularly to each other (relatively moving the cut tubes 8 and 9). Are brought into close contact with each other to complete predetermined tube joining (see FIG. 7C).
[0050]
The movement amount in the X and Y directions in this embodiment will be described in detail. The movement amount of the first tube holder 2 in the arrow X direction in FIG. 8 is 7.62 mm, and FIG. The amount of movement in the arrow Y direction of C) is 0.6 mm. That is, 7.62 mm, which is the amount of movement of the first tube holder 2, corresponds to the interval between the tubes 8 and 9 placed in a substantially parallel (parallel) state, and the movement of the second tube holder 3 The amount of 0.6 mm is the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 that are positioned through the cutting plate 41 having a thickness of 0.28 mm when the tubes 8 and 9 are cut in various experiments. The distance between the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 at the time of tightly joining the cut tubes 8 and 9 is 0.3 mm, and the second tube holding that is the pushing amount at the time of joining is 0.9 mm. This is because the experiment result as the best joining state was obtained by setting the moving amount of the tool 3 to 0.6 mm.
[0051]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12 (A), in the state where the tubes 8 and 9 are cut by the cutting plate 41, the distance L1 between the first clamp 6 and the cutting plate 41 is 0.45 mm. The distance L2 between the clamp 7 and the cutting plate 41 is 0.17 mm, that is, the distance between the first clamp 6 and the cutting plate 41 is larger than the distance between the second clamp 7 and the cutting plate 41. Is set. In FIG. 12A, the distances L1 and L2 are both expressed as distances from the center line position of the cutting plate 41 without considering the thickness of the cutting plate 41.
[0052]
(Action etc.)
Next, the operation and the like of the tube joining device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
[0053]
As described above, in the tube joining apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the distal end portion 12 is between the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 that press the tubes 8 and 9 in the flat state than the pressure-closing member 62 of the first clamp 6. A slightly projecting tube push-in member 10 is disposed, and prior to pressing by the first clamp 6 or the second clamp 7, the tubes 8 and 9 are pressed to push out and remove residual blood in the tube at the pressed location. Thus, the tubes can be joined without being affected by the blood enclosed in the tubes at the time of cutting and joining.
[0054]
However, when the blood in the tubes 8 and 9 between the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 is pushed out and removed, the width of the tubes 8 and 9 in which the blood is crushed in a flat state is slightly. When the cutting plate 41 enters and cuts the tubes 8 and 9 at the same time, the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7 It has been confirmed by experiments that the most residual liquid is present in the vicinity of the center of the tube 8 and 9 in the length direction between them. If this residual liquid remains in the vicinity of the end of the tube to be joined, the joining force (fusion force) of the tube will be reduced. In particular, when the liquid in the tubes 8 and 9 is blood, since the blood component such as protein remains without being vaporized, the bonding force becomes weaker. It is necessary to eliminate.
[0055]
In the tube joining apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first tube holder 2 having the first clamp 6 is moved relative to the positions of the cut tubes 8 and 9 by the first moving mechanism that moves the first tube holder 2. When the tube is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 8 so that the ends of the tubes to be joined are opposed to each other, the ends of the tubes 8 and 9 are brought into sliding contact with the heated cutting plate 41. Focusing on the fact that the vicinity of this end is further thermally melted by moving it, the ends of the tubes to be joined face each other between the distances of the first clamp 6, the second clamp 7 and the cutting plate 41. The distance between the clamp 6 provided on the first tube holder 2 to be moved to the cutting plate 41 is set larger than the other, and the tube near the center where the remaining blood is contained is More hot melt when moving It is by eliminating residual liquid (code M portion of FIG. 12 (B)), those which made if possible stable and reliable tube joint. As shown in FIG. 12 (B), blood components such as proteins in the excluded residual liquid adhere to the side surface of the cutting plate 41 that is slidably contacted when the tube is moved (see symbol S in FIG. 12 (B)). ). Therefore, according to the tube bonding apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a great effect that the tubes in which blood is sealed can be stably and reliably bonded, but the tube bonding apparatus 1 is not limited thereto. Stable tube bonding for any application, such as when joining a tube filled with blood and an empty tube, as done in the prior art, or when joining empty tubes not filled with blood Can be realized.
[0056]
Further, in the tube joining apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the tubes 8 and 9 filled with blood are loaded into the grooves 22, 23, 32 and 33, the lids 24 and 34 are closed and locked by the lock mechanisms 26 and 36. As a result, aseptic wet-to-wet joining between tubes can be performed easily and quickly. Such a tube joining device is required to be realized socially, and its industrial value is considered to be extremely high.
[0057]
In addition, in this embodiment, although the tube joining apparatus which joins two tubes with which blood was enclosed was illustrated, this invention is not restricted to this, The tube joining apparatus which joins three or more tubes, and blood other than Even a tube in which a liquid is sealed can be applied to a tube joining apparatus that suitably joins tubes together.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, the tube pushing member 10 is provided integrally with the first tube holder 2 so as to be movable. However, the tube pushing member 10 is integrally movable with the second tube holder 3. Even if it provides, the same effect as this embodiment can be acquired. In such a configuration, it is only necessary to form stepped portions where the second clamp and the tube pushing member engage with each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the example which moves the lever member 101 to the engagement position with the convex part 19 with the solenoid 102 was shown, However As such an actuator, motors, such as a linear motor, should be used, for example. Also good.
[0059]
Further, in the present embodiment, the holding member 42 is rotated about the hinge (not shown), and the cutting plate 41 is lifted to melt and cut the tubes 8 and 9. For example, a configuration in which the tubes 8 and 9 are melted and cut by the vertical rise of the cutting plate 41 using a mechanism in which the holding member 42 rises in the vertical direction may be adopted.
[0060]
Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the tube pushing member 10 is held in the retracted position as the retracting mechanism 100 is illustrated, but the tube pushing member 10 is moved to the retracted position, in other words, the retracting mechanism (for example, the tube pushing in) The first protrusion 47 formed on a part of the holding member 42, etc., which pushes up the second protrusion 14 formed on a part of the member 10 and positions the tube pushing member 10 to a predetermined retracted position) You may make it the structure which added.
[0061]
Moreover, in this embodiment, although the 1st movement mechanism and the 2nd movement mechanism which comprise the holding | maintenance part moving mechanism 5 were each shown in the X direction and the Y direction (and those opposite directions), the example was shown, The present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to move two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. By comprising in this way, it becomes possible to aim at joining of a tube more rapidly.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, the capping members 61, 62, 71, 72 and the tube pushing member 10 are illustrated as saw blades, but it is sufficient if the blood in the tubes 8, 9 can be pushed out and removed. The tubes 8 and 9 may be closed by a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the cutting plate 41 is not limited to the self-heating type, and may be configured to heat the cutting plate with a heat source such as an electric heater.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the tube is pressed by the third pressing means prior to the pressing by the first and second pressing means, the liquid remains in the pressed portion even if the liquid is sealed in the tube. Since the liquid is excluded, when the pressing portion of the tube is cut by the cutting means, and at least one of the first and second holding portions is moved by the moving means to join the tubes, the liquid enclosed in the tube Tubes can be joined without being affected With , The third pressing unit is a second unit in which a first protrusion formed on a part of the cutting plate holding unit is formed on a part of the third pressing unit when the cutting plate holding unit is moved by the cutting plate moving unit. Since it is configured to move to the retracted position while resisting the urging force of the urging means in a state of being engaged with the protrusion, the tube in a state where the remaining liquid is excluded from the pressed portion is used as the third pressing means. And can be cut smoothly without any conflict between the cutting means. The effect that can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a tube joining apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the tube bonding apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tube joining apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a partially broken plan view showing a first holding part, a second holding part, and a cutting mechanism.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the first operation of the main part of the tube joining apparatus in the tube joining step, schematically showing a state in which the lids of the first tube holder and the second tube holder have started to be closed. It is a front view.
6A and 6B are front views schematically showing the operation of the main part of the tube bonding apparatus in the tube bonding process, where FIG. 6A is an operation 2, FIG. 6B is an operation 3, and FIG. 6C is an operation 4. Indicates.
7A and 7B are front views schematically showing the operation of the main part of the tube bonding apparatus in the tube bonding step, where FIG. 7A is an operation 5, FIG. 7B is an operation 6, and FIG. 7C is an operation 7. Indicates.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the operation of the main part of the tube bonding apparatus in the tube bonding step.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing the retracting operation of the tube pushing member interlocked with the operation of the cutting mechanism, and (A) shows a state immediately before the tip portion of the tube pushing member presses the tube into a flat state; ) Shows a state in which the distal end portion of the tube pushing member presses the tube in a flat state, and (C) shows a state in which the cutting plate cuts the tube held in the flat state.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state where the holding member holding the cutting plate is lowered and the cutting plate is retracted from the cutting position.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are plan views of the retracting mechanism, in which FIG. 11A shows a state in which the pushing operation of the tube pushing member against the tube is allowed without operating the retracting mechanism, and FIG. The state which has hold | maintained the tube pushing-in member in the retracted position is shown.
12 is a plan view showing the first clamp, the second clamp, and the cutting mechanism in the joining process, (A) shows the distance relationship at the time of cutting, and (B) shows the tube in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The side of a cutting board when it is moved is shown typically.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tube joining device
2 1st tube holder (1st holding part)
3 Second tube holder (second holding part)
4 Cutting mechanism (cutting means)
5 Movement mechanism (movement means)
6 First clamp (first pressing means)
7 Second clamp (second pressing means)
8,9 tubes
10 Tube pushing member (third pushing means)
13 Spring (biasing means)
14 Second protrusion
18 Stepped part (first locking means)
41 Cutting plate
42 Holding member (cutting plate holding means)
43 Cutting plate moving mechanism (cutting plate moving means)
47 First protrusion
100 Retraction mechanism (retraction means)
101 Lever member (part of second locking means)
102 Solenoid (actuator, part of second locking means)

Claims (11)

A tube joining device having a first holding part and a second holding part for holding at least two flexible tubes in a substantially parallel state,
A first pressing means provided in the first holding part and pressing the tube in a flat state;
A second pressing means provided in the second holding portion and pressing the tube in a flat state;
A third pressing means disposed between the first and second pressing means and pressing the tube in a flat state;
Cutting means for cutting the tube between the first and second pressing means;
Moving means for relatively changing the position of the tube cut by the cutting means and moving at least one of the first and second holding portions so that the joined end portions are in close contact with each other;
With
The third pressing means has biasing means for biasing the tube to a pressing position where the tube is pressed in a flat state,
The cutting means has a cutting plate that melts and cuts the tube in a heated state, a cutting plate holding means that holds the cutting plate, and a cutting plate moving means that moves the cutting plate holding means,
When the cutting plate holding means is moved by the cutting plate moving means, the first protrusion formed on a part of the cutting plate holding means is changed to the second protrusion formed on a part of the third pressing means. A tube joining apparatus configured to move the third pressing means to the retracted position against the urging force of the urging means in an engaged state.   The tube joining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third pressing unit is provided integrally with the first holding unit and the second holding unit so as to be movable.   The said 3rd press means further has the latching means which regulates the biasing force by the said biasing means, and latches the movement of the said 3rd press means, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Tube joining device.   The locking means includes a first locking means for locking the movement of the third pressing means in a direction in which the tube is further pushed from the pressing position, and the third pressing means at a retracted position separated from the pressing position. 4. The tube joint according to claim 3, further comprising: a second locking unit that is positioned and locks the movement of the third pressing unit so as to allow the cutting operation of the tube by the cutting unit. apparatus. The first locking means includes a stepped portion that engages with a stepped portion formed in a part of one of the first and second pressing means disposed adjacent to the third pressing means. The second locking means includes a lever member that moves so as to engage and hold the third pressing means in the retracted position, and an actuator that drives the lever member to be movable. Item 5. The tube bonding apparatus according to Item 4. A tube joining device having a first holding part and a second holding part for holding at least two flexible tubes in a substantially parallel state,
A first pressing means provided in the first holding part and pressing the tube in a flat state;
A second pressing means provided in the second holding portion and pressing the tube in a flat state;
A third pressing means disposed between the first and second pressing means and pressing the tube in a flat state;
Retreating means for retracting the third pressing means to a retreating position separated from a pressing position for pressing the tube in a flat state;
Cutting means for cutting the tube between the first and second pressing means in a state where the third pressing means is retracted to the retracted position by the retracting means;
Moving means for relatively changing the position of the tube cut by the cutting means and moving at least one of the first and second holding portions so that the joined end portions are in close contact with each other;
A tube joining apparatus.   The moving means includes a first moving means for moving the first holding portion in a first direction which is a width direction of the tube, and the second holding portion is a length direction of the tube and the first direction. And a second moving means for moving in a second direction intersecting substantially orthogonally with the tube joining device according to claim 1 or 6.   In the first direction, the first moving unit relatively changes the position of the tube cut by the cutting unit, so that the ends of the tubes to be joined face each other. And the second moving means moves the second holding portion so that the ends of the tubes to be joined are in close contact with each other in the second direction, and in the first direction. A distance between the first pressing means provided in the movable first holding part and the cutting means; the second pressing means provided in the second holding part movable in the second direction; The tube joining device according to claim 7, wherein the tube joining device is set to be larger than a distance from the cutting means.   The tube according to claim 8, wherein a moving distance of the first holding part in the first direction is set to be larger than a moving distance of the second holding part in the second direction. Joining device. Pressing the flexible first tube and the second tube placed in a substantially parallel state at a first position, and deforming the first and second tubes into a flat state;
Pressing the first and second tubes at a second position adjacent to the first position to hold the first and second tubes flat;
The first and second tubes are pressed by pressing the first and second tubes at a third position adjacent to the first position and facing the second position across the first position. A process of maintaining a flat state;
Cutting the first and second tubes by advancing a cutting plate having a predetermined temperature between the second and third positions;
Moving the cut first and second tubes relative to each other so that the end of the first tube to be joined and the end of the second tube face each other;
Retreating the cutting plate from a predetermined cutting position between the second and third positions and bringing the ends of the first and second tubes into close contact with each other;
Including
The step of cutting the first and second tubes is characterized in that the cutting plate advances to the cutting position in conjunction with the release of the pressing operation of the first and second tubes at the first position. Tube joining method.   When the cut first and second tubes are moved relative to each other, the first plate and the second tube are arranged along at least one surface side of the cutting plate with the cutting plate still positioned at the cutting position. The tube joining method according to claim 10, wherein the tube is moved.

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