JP5310340B2 - Extrusion equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize the quantity of liquid material left in a bag-shaped container. <P>SOLUTION: A pair of flexible bags 20, 30 connected opposite each other hold between them a bag-shaped container 90 filled up with a liquid material, and fluid is poured into these bags in these conditions. A push-out device 10 includes a bag that is swollen to pressurize the bag-shaped containers for pushing out the liquid material contained therein. The pair of these bags each includes first gussets 22a, 22b, 32a and 32b for increasing the dimensions in the direction where the bags face each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an extrusion apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an extrusion apparatus that can extrude a liquid material in a bag-like container by pressurizing a flexible bag-like container.

  Nutrients, liquid foods, drugs, etc. (generally referred to as “enteral nutrients” for patients who have difficulty in feeding food from the mouth to the stomach due to trauma of the esophagus or oral cavity, disease, or surgery. Enteral nutrition therapy is known as a method for administering a "liquid". In enteral nutrition therapy, a liquid filled in a bag-like container is fed into a patient's body through a flexible tube (generally referred to as “enteral nutrition catheter”). As a tube used for enteral nutrition therapy, the tube is inserted into the stomach or duodenum through the patient's nasal cavity, depending on the tube insertion route, and into the stomach through the gastric fistula formed on the patient's abdomen. A PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) tube to be inserted, a PTEG (Percutaneus Trans Esophageal Gastro-tubing) tube to be inserted into the stomach through a hole formed in the base of a patient's neck, and the like are known.

  If the viscosity of the liquid used for enteral nutrition therapy is low, the liquid in the stomach may flow back into the esophagus and cause pneumonia, or the liquid may not be absorbed by the body and diarrhea may occur. There is. In order to prevent this problem, a liquid material whose viscosity is increased by semi-solidifying or adding a thrombotic agent or a thickener is often used (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  However, in order to send such a highly viscous liquid material into the patient's body, it is necessary to compress the bag-like container filled with the liquid material. If this work is to be performed with bare hands, a very large force is required, which places a heavy burden on the operator (for example, a nurse or a caregiver), and it is difficult to compress the entire bag-like container at one time. There has been a problem that liquid matter tends to remain in the bag-like container.

  In order to solve this problem, an extrusion apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 11 has been put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  The extrusion apparatus 100 includes a flexible bag-like airbag 120, a holding sheet 115 attached to a pair of long sides of the airbag 120, and an air supply balloon (manual pump) that supplies air to the airbag 120. And a pressurizing device 150 including 156. A bag-like container 90 filled with a liquid material is inserted and held in a pocket 118 between the airbag 120 and the holding sheet 115. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane orthogonal to the long side of the airbag (a plane including the line 12-12 in FIG. 11) showing this state. Reference numeral 99 indicates a liquid material filled in the bag-like container 90. Next, air is supplied to the airbag 120 by the air balloon 156 to inflate the airbag 120. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing this state along the same plane as FIG. The bag-like container 90 receives a compressive force from the airbag 120 and the holding sheet 115, and the liquid 99 in the bag-like container 90 is pushed out from the spout 91 (see FIG. 11).

JP 2006-248981 A JP 2006-273804 A JP 2007-29562 A

  However, even if the conventional extrusion apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 11 is used, the liquid material 99 remains in the bag-like container 90, and there is a problem from the viewpoint of proper nutritional management of the patient. In addition, in order to administer the liquid substance 99 remaining in the bag-like container 90 to the patient without leaving, it is necessary to take out the bag-like container 90 from the extrusion device 100 and squeeze the bag-like container 90.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide an extrusion apparatus capable of extruding almost no liquid in the bag-like container.

  The extrusion apparatus of the present invention includes a pair of flexible bag-like bags connected to face each other, and a bag-like container filled with a liquid material is held in a pocket between the pair of bags. An extrusion apparatus that pressurizes the bag-like container and pushes the liquid material in the bag-like container to the outside by feeding fluid into the pair of bags in a state and inflating the pair of bags. Each of the pair of bags is provided with a first gusset that increases a dimension in a direction in which the pair of bags face each other.

  According to the present invention, a bag-like container filled with a liquid material is compressed with a pair of bags provided with a first gusset from both sides thereof. Thereby, the deformation | transformation of the curved surface shape of the compression surface which contact | connects the bag-shaped container of a bag at the time of compression is suppressed, and a bag-shaped container is compressed from both sides with a substantially planar compression surface. Therefore, generation | occurrence | production of wrinkles on a compression surface can be suppressed, and the compression amount of a bag-like container can be made substantially uniform within the compression surface. As a result, it is possible to push out almost no liquid material in the bag-like container.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an extrusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion apparatus taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the extrusion apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a bag constituting the extrusion apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flow path forming member provided in the extrusion apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the extruding device according to one embodiment of the present invention is compressing a bag-like container filled with a liquid material. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the extruding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention compresses a bag-like container in which the remaining amount of liquid material is small, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-section of a portion 7B of FIG. FIG. 8A to 8F are cross-sectional views of various flow path forming members that can be provided in the extrusion apparatus of the present invention. 9A is a perspective view of another flow path forming member that can be provided in the extrusion apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the flow path forming member shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating changes over time in the cumulative amount of dispensed nutrient, the pressure of the nutrient, and the pressure in the bag in the example. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing changes over time in the nutrient dispensed cumulative amount, nutrient solution pressure, and bag pressure in the comparative example. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional extrusion apparatus. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional extrusion apparatus in which a bag-like container filled with a liquid material is held in a pocket. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional extrusion apparatus in which a bag body is inflated in a state where a bag-like container filled with a liquid material is stored in a pocket. FIG. 14A is a plan view for explaining a bag-like container in which a liquid material remains in a conventional extrusion method, and FIG. 14B is a side view thereof.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the bag-like container which can apply the extrusion apparatus of this invention, For example, the well-known pouch (pack) with which the liquid substance was filled can be used. The bag-like container is preferably made of a flexible material so that its internal volume can be reduced when compressed. The bag-like container has a spout (tubular port) communicating with the inside.

  There is no particular limitation on the liquid material filled in the bag-like container. For example, enteral nutrients used in enteral nutrition therapy, liquid products used in the medical field such as infusions used in parenteral nutrition therapy, various foods with fluidity, industrial products such as adhesives, etc. Either may be sufficient.

  The extrusion apparatus of the present invention includes a pair of bags, and the pair of bags are connected to each other in an annular shape so as to face each other. As a result, a pocket for holding the bag-like container filled with the liquid material is formed between the pair of bags. With the bag-like container held in the pocket, a fluid is fed into the pair of bags to inflate the pair of bags, thereby pressurizing the bag-like container and pushing out the liquid substance in the bag-like container to the outside.

The bag is flexible. Thereby, since it can deform | transform following the three-dimensional shape of the bag-shaped container with which the liquid substance was filled, a substantially uniform compressive force can be applied to a bag-shaped container.

  Each of the pair of bags is provided with a first gusset that increases the size of the bag in the direction in which the pair of bags face each other (that is, the direction in which the bag-like container is compressed). The first gusset may be provided all around the bag, or may be provided only on a part of the first gusset (for example, only one of two opposing sides). By providing the bag with the first gusset, deformation of the compression surface of the bag with respect to the bag-like container can be reduced when the bag-like container is compressed.

  The pair of bags preferably have the same specifications except for a flow path forming member described later. Moreover, it is preferable that a pair of bags are connected so that the pressure of the fluid in a pair of bags may become the same. As a result, substantially the same compressive force can be applied to the front and back surfaces of the bag-like container, so that the amount of compression of the compressed surfaces on the front and back sides of the bag-like container becomes substantially the same, and the liquid matter in the bag-like container remains The amount can be further reduced. On the contrary, if the specifications of the pair of bags are different or the pressure of the fluid in the pair of bags is different, the bag-like container is compressed in the same manner as when compressed by the conventional extrusion apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Is curved and deformed so as to protrude to one side, so that the liquid substance is likely to remain in the bag-like container.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the fluid sent in in a bag in order to inflate a bag, Any of gas and a liquid may be sufficient. As the gas, air, nitrogen gas, or the like can be used.

  The pocket preferably has a size that can cover almost the entire bag-like container. Thereby, since the whole bag-like container can be compressed, the amount of the liquid material remaining in the bag-like container can be reduced.

  A pair of bags may be connected via a second gusset so that the distance between them can be changed. Thereby, when compressing the bag-like container held in the pocket, the deformation of the compression surface in contact with the bag-like container of the bag can be further reduced. The second gusset is preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the pocket. The second gusset is preferably made of a flexible material so that the distance between the pair of bags can be easily changed.

  It is preferable that at least one flow path forming member is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the pocket in contact with the bag-like container. The flow path forming member may be formed as an independent part and attached to the inner peripheral surface of the pocket by a method such as adhesion or fusion. Alternatively, the flow path forming member may be formed integrally with the inner peripheral surface of the pocket.

  The flow path forming member forms a flow path for the liquid material to flow toward the spout in the bag-like container. The flow path is formed by deforming the wall surface separating the inside and outside of the bag-shaped container according to the shape of the flow path forming member.

  The shape of the flow path forming member is not particularly limited, but may be a long member, for example. Thereby, the continuous flow path along the flow path forming member can be formed. In this case, it is preferable that the elongate member is disposed substantially parallel to the flow direction of the liquid material flowing toward the spout in the bag-like container. Thereby, a liquid substance can be guide | induced to a spout efficiently.

  It is preferable that the cross-sectional shape in the surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the flow path forming member is a substantially arc shape or a substantially U shape. Thereby, the flow path of a liquid substance can be formed stably.

  In this case, it is preferable that a notch is formed in an edge parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flow path forming member. Thereby, since the fluidity | liquidity of a liquid substance improves, more liquid substances can be extruded.

  The material of the flow path forming member is not particularly limited, but it has a mechanical strength that is not easily deformed by the compressive force applied to the bag-like container when the pressure in the bag is increased to 50 kPa. It is preferable to consist of materials. Specifically, resins such as Teflon (registered trademark), polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, and metals such as stainless steel, iron, and aluminum can be used.

  The extrusion apparatus of the present invention preferably further comprises a pump for feeding the fluid into the bag. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a pump, According to the kind of fluid, it can select from a well-known pump suitably. The power source of the pump may be either manual or mechanical drive.

  Furthermore, the extrusion device of the present invention includes a pressure gauge for detecting the pressure of the fluid, a valve for restricting the movement of the fluid, or for discharging the fluid from the bag, a clamp, a three-way stopcock, etc. as necessary. You may have.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an extrusion apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion apparatus 10 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the extrusion apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The extrusion apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a pair of bags 20 and 30.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the bag 20. The bag 20 is a bag-like product formed by joining two substantially rectangular bag sheets 21a and 21b having the same dimensions with a pair of first gussets 22a and 22b interposed therebetween.

  The first gussets 22a and 22b are both made of a sheet having a substantially rectangular shape. The first gussets 22a and 22b are curved (or bent) into a substantially U shape (or substantially V shape) in cross section, and between the pair of long sides of the bag seat 21a and the pair of long sides of the bag seat 21b. These are joined (for example, fusion, adhesion, etc.) at a seal region 23 with a dot pattern. The pair of short sides of the bag sheet 21a and the pair of short sides of the bag sheet 21b are directly joined (for example, fusion, adhesion, etc.) in the seal region 23. In the present embodiment, the first gussets 22a and 22b are provided only on the pair of long sides of the bag sheets 21a and 21b, but the first gusset 22a is also provided on one or both of the pair of short sides of the bag sheets 21a and 21b. , 22b may be provided.

  A communication pipe 24 that communicates the inside and outside of the bag 20 is sandwiched between one short side of the bag sheets 21a and 21b and integrated with the bag sheets 21a and 21b in the seal region 23.

  The bag 30 has the same configuration as the bag 20 except that the flow path holding member 60 (details will be described later) is not provided.

  2 and 3, the bag 20 and the bag 30 are joined with a pair of second gussets 42a and 42b interposed therebetween. The second gussets 42a and 42b are both made of a sheet having a substantially rectangular shape, like the first gussets 22a and 22b described above. The second gussets 42 a and 42 b are curved (or bent) in cross section in a substantially U shape (or substantially V shape) and sandwiched between a pair of long sides of the bag 20 and a pair of long sides of the bag 30. These are joined (for example, fusion, adhesion, etc.) to the seal region 43 with a dot pattern. The short side where the connecting pipe 24 of the bag 20 is not provided and the short side where the connecting pipe 34 of the bag 30 is not provided are directly joined (for example, fusion, adhesion, etc.) in the seal region 43. As a result, a pocket (space) 18 in which the bag-like container 90 filled with the liquid material can be inserted and held is formed between the bag 20 and the bag 30. The short side provided with the connecting pipe 24 of the bag 20 and the short side provided with the connecting pipe 34 of the bag 30 are not connected, and the opening between these short sides is inserted for taking in and out the bag-like container 90. It can be a mouth. In addition, you may connect the short side in which the connection pipe 24 of the bag 20 is not provided, and the short side in which the connection pipe 34 of the bag 30 is not provided through the same gusset as the 2nd gussets 42a and 42b. . Alternatively, the bag 20 and the bag 30 may be directly joined on three sides without using the second gussets 42a and 42b. Alternatively, the short side where the connecting pipe 24 of the bag 20 is not provided and the short side where the connecting pipe 34 of the bag 30 is not provided do not have to be joined.

  In FIG. 2, 31 a and 31 b are bag sheets constituting the bag 30 and correspond to the bag sheets 21 a and 21 b of the bag 20. 32a and 32b are first gussets that connect the pair of long sides of the bag seat 31a and the pair of long sides of the bag seat 31b, and correspond to the first gussets 22a and 22b of the bag 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pressurizing device 50 for sending air into the bags 20 and 30 to increase the internal pressure thereof is connected to the communication pipes 24 and 34 that communicate the inside and outside of the bags 20 and 30. The pressurizing device 50 is connected to the communication pipes 24 and 34 and has flexible tubes 51 a and 51 b, a substantially Y-shaped branch connector 53 that connects the tubes 51 a and 51 b and the tube 52, and the middle of the tube 52. Are provided with a pressure indicator 54, a three-way cock 55, and an air balloon 56 as a manual pump connected to the end of the tube 52. The branch connector 53 allows the bag 20 and the bag 30 to communicate with each other and keeps their internal pressures the same. The pressure indicator 54 displays the pressure in the tube 52 (ie, the pressure in the bags 20, 30). The three-way stopcock 55 switches communication between the tubes 52 on both sides of the three-way stopcock 55 and communication between the tubes 52 and the outside. The air supply ball 56 is a rugby ball-shaped hollow body made of rubber or the like, and can be compressed and crushed to send air into the bags 20 and 30 through the tubes 52, 51 a and 51 b.

  The bags 20 and 30 preferably have a sealing property that does not leak the air filled therein to the outside and a mechanical strength that does not rupture due to the internal pressure (for example, 60 kPa). The bag sheets 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b and the first gussets 22a, 22b, 32a, 32b constituting the bags 20, 30 are not particularly limited as long as the above characteristics are satisfied. For example, polyvinyl chloride sheets, polyethylene sheets , Nylon sheets, or laminated sheets obtained by laminating layers made of other materials on these sheets can be used. Moreover, the bags 20 and 30 may be comprised with the material which has a stretching property.

  The second gussets 42a and 42b are also preferably flexible, and for example, a polyvinyl chloride sheet, a polyethylene sheet, a nylon sheet, or a layer made of another material is laminated on these sheets. A laminated sheet or the like can be used. The second gussets 42a and 42b may also be made of a stretchable material. Unlike the first gusset, the second gusset does not need to be airtight.

  As the bag-like container 90 inserted into the pocket 18 of the extrusion apparatus 10, for example, a pack (pouch) filled with an enteral nutrient can be used. The bag-like container 90 has flexibility, and is provided with a spout 91 for extruding a liquid material stored therein by compressing it.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, on the surface of the bag 20 that is in contact with the bag-like container 90 held in the pocket 18 (that is, the surface of the bag 20 facing the bag 30), It is preferable that a rod-shaped flow path forming member 60 is attached. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flow path forming member 60. The cross-sectional shape on the surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the flow path forming member 60 is substantially semicircular. Such a flow path forming member 60 can be obtained, for example, by cutting a long cylindrical member into two along a plane passing through its central axis (ie, halving). As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path forming member 60 is joined to the bag 20 such that both end edges 61 a and 61 b parallel to the longitudinal direction are on the bag-like container 90 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow path forming member 60 is substantially parallel to the flow direction of the liquid material that flows toward the spout 91 when the bag-like container 90 held in the pocket 18 is compressed. Is arranged. More specifically, the flow path forming member 60 is substantially parallel to the long sides of the bags 20 and 30, and the side to which the spout 91 of the substantially rectangular bag-like container 90 held in the pocket 18 is attached. It is substantially parallel to a pair of adjacent sides (usually a pair of long sides). 2 and 3, three flow path forming members 60 are provided, but the number of flow path forming members 60 is not limited to three, and may be smaller or larger.

  The usage method of the extrusion apparatus 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below by taking as an example the case where a liquid (enteral nutrient) is administered to a patient via a PEG tube.

  First, the spout 91 of the bag-like container 90 filled with the liquid is connected to the PEG tube inserted in the patient's gastric fistula via the enteral nutrition administration set. At this time, the clamp provided in the enteral nutrition administration set is closed.

  Next, the three-way cock 55 of the pressurizing device 50 is operated to make the internal space of the bags 20 and 30 communicate with the outside. Then, the bag-like container 90 is inserted into the pocket 18 between the bags 20 and 30. Since the shape of the bags 20 and 30 can be freely changed by communicating the bags 20 and 30 and the outside as described above, the bag-like container 90 can be easily inserted into the pocket 18.

  Next, the three-way stopcock 55 is operated to make the air balloon 56 communicate with the bags 20 and 30. Then, the air balloon 56 is repeatedly compressed and crushed, and air is fed into the bags 20 and 30 through the tubes 52, 51a and 51b. The bags 20 and 30 are inflated by the fed air, and the bag-like container 90 is sandwiched between the bag 20 and the bag 30 and compressed. When it is confirmed by the pressure indicator 54 that the pressure in the bags 20 and 30 has reached a predetermined value, the supply of air to the bags 20 and 30 is stopped. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion device 10 at this time.

  Next, the clamp provided in the enteral nutrition administration set is opened. The liquid 99 in the bag-like container 90 is pushed out through the spout 91 and sent into the patient's body.

  After confirming that the liquid material is pushed out and the bag-like container 90 is flattened, the three-way stopcock 55 is operated to release the air in the bags 20 and 30 to the outside. Then, the bag-like container 90 is taken out from the pocket 18.

  According to the extrusion apparatus 10 of the present invention, the amount of liquid remaining in the bag-like container 90 can be reduced as compared with the conventional extrusion apparatus 100 shown in FIG. This will be described below.

  In the conventional extrusion apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 11, the compressive force applied to the bag-like container 90 is generated by only one bag 120 arranged on one side with respect to the bag-like container 90. Accordingly, when the bag 120 is inflated, as shown in FIG. 13, the bag sheet 120a of the bag 120 in contact with the bag-like container 90 is curved and deformed so as to protrude toward the bag-like container 90, and accordingly, The bag-like container 90 and the holding sheet 115 are also curved and deformed into a curved surface.

  When the deformation amount of the curved shape of the bag sheet 120a and the holding sheet 115 increases, a large number of wrinkles are generated in these. When a large number of wrinkles are generated in the bag sheet 120a and the holding sheet 115, the sheets constituting the bag-shaped container 90 are deformed into a wrinkle shape corresponding to the wrinkles, so that the bag-shaped container 90 cannot be completely crushed. Or the flow of the liquid 99 in the bag-like container 90 is hindered. As a result, the liquid material 99 remains in the bag-like container 90.

  Further, as described above, when the bag sheet 120a and the holding sheet 115 are deformed into a curved shape, the amount of compression of the bag-like container 90 is not uniform within the compression surface, and particularly increases at the center portion thereof. When the remaining amount of the liquid material 99 in the bag-like container 90 is reduced, for example, if the compression amount at the substantially central portion in the long side direction of the bag-like container 90 is relatively large, it is shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. Thus, the two sheets constituting the bag-like container 90 are in close contact with each other at this portion. If a part of the bag-like container 90 is crushed before the liquid substance in the bag-like container 90 flows out to form a close contact portion 93, the liquid remaining on the opposite side of the spout 91 with respect to the close contact portion 93. Since the object cannot pass through the contact portion 93, it cannot flow toward the spout 91. As a result, the liquid material remains in the bag-like container 90.

  On the other hand, unlike the conventional extrusion apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 11, the extrusion apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a pair of bags 20 and 30, and a bag-like container 90 is disposed between the pair of bags 20 and 30. The bag-like container 90 is pressurized by inflating the pair of bags 20 and 30 while being held in the pocket 18. Each of the bags 20 and 30 is provided with first gussets 22a, 22b, 32a and 32b which increase the size of the bags 20 and 30 in the direction in which the bag-like container 90 is compressed. Thus, when the bags 20 and 30 are inflated, the bag-like container 90 receives a substantially uniform compressive force from the bags 20 and 30 on both sides, and the bags 20 and 30 in contact with the bag-like container 90 as shown in FIG. The deformation amount of each of the bag sheets 21a and 31a is relatively small. Accordingly, wrinkles are unlikely to occur in the bag sheets 21a and 31a, and even if the remaining amount of the liquid material 99 in the bag-like container 90 is reduced, the contact portion 93 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is not easily formed. As a result, the residual amount of the liquid substance 99 in the bag-like container 90 is reduced as compared with the conventional extrusion apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  Further, as in this embodiment, the bag 20 and the bag 30 have the same configuration, and the bag 20 and the bag 30 communicate with each other so that the internal pressure is the same. The amount of compression is almost the same. In other words, since one side of the bag-like container 90 is prevented from being extremely compressed as compared with the other side, the deformation amount of the bag sheets 21a and 31a in contact with the bag-like container 90 can be further reduced. it can. Therefore, the remaining amount of the liquid substance 99 in the bag-like container 90 can be further reduced.

  When the bag 20 and the bag 30 are connected via the second gussets 42a and 42b as in the present embodiment, the deformation amount of the bag sheets 21a and 31a when the bag-like container 90 held in the pocket 18 is compressed. However, even if the amount of the liquid material 99 in the bag-like container 90 changes, it hardly changes and further decreases. Therefore, the remaining amount of the liquid material in the bag-like container 90 can be further reduced.

  Next, the operation of the flow path forming member 60 will be described.

  FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the bag-like container 90 in which the remaining amount of the liquid material is small is compressed by the extrusion apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion 7B including the flow path forming member 60 of FIG. 7A. When the remaining amount of the liquid material 99 in the bag-like container 90 decreases, the distance between the two sheets 90a and 90b constituting the bag-like container 90 becomes narrower. However, the liquid 99 in the bag-like container 90 is still receiving a compressive force from the extrusion device 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the sheet 90a in contact with the flow path forming member 60 is deformed along the shape of the flow path forming member 60, and the sheet 90b in contact with the bag sheet 31a of the extrusion apparatus 10 is Deform along the shape. The sheet 90a and the sheet 90b are in close contact with each other at a location away from the flow path forming member 60. However, in the vicinity of the flow path forming member 60, the deformation of the sheet 90a is steep compared to the deformation of the sheet 90b. Therefore, in the vicinity of the flow path forming member 60, the sheet 90a and the sheet 90b do not completely adhere to each other. In the meantime, a small cavity 95 filled with the liquid 99 is formed. The cavity 95 is continuously formed along the long flow path forming member 60. The cross-sectional area of the cavity 95 decreases as the residual amount of the liquid substance 99 in the bag-like container 90 decreases. However, as long as the liquid substance 99 remains in the bag-like container 90, the cavity 95 disappears. Absent. The liquid material 99 in the bag-like container 90 flows in the cavity 95 toward the spout 91. Therefore, by providing the flow path forming member 60, even if a bag is formed on the bag sheets 21a and 31a or the close contact portion 93 (see FIGS. 14A and 14B) is formed on the bag-like container 90, the liquid is formed. A flow path for the material 99 to flow is secured in the bag-like container 90. Therefore, the remaining amount of the liquid substance 99 in the bag-like container 90 can be further reduced.

  Although the cavity 95 does not disappear completely, the liquid material 99 may eventually remain in the cavity 95, but the shape, size, number, etc. of the flow path forming member 60 are appropriately set. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the amount of the liquid material 99 remaining in the cavity 95.

  The height (dimension along the direction in which the bag-like container 90 is compressed) H (see FIG. 2) of the flow path forming member 60 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 5 mm. When the height H of the flow path forming member 60 is lower than this, the above-described action by the flow path forming member 60 is reduced. When the height H of the flow path forming member 60 is higher than this, the volume of the cavity 95 becomes large, so that the amount of the liquid material 99 remaining in the bag-like container 90 increases.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously modified.

  In the above embodiment, the first gusset and the second gusset are both curved (or bent) in a substantially U-shaped (or substantially V-shaped) cross section, but the present invention is not limited to this, A shape known as gusset can be selected. For example, a bellows-like gusset that is bent at a plurality of locations may be used. The width of the first gusset and the second gusset (the dimension along the direction in which the bag-like container 90 is compressed) can be set as appropriate according to the dimensions of the bags 20, 30 and the bag-like container 90. The first gusset and the second gusset may have the same shape or width, or may be different.

  In the above-described embodiment, the bag 20 and the bag 30 are communicated with each other via the pressurizing device 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a bag separate from the pressurizing device 50 is provided. 20 and the bag 30 may be communicated with each other.

  Although the cross-sectional shape in the surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the flow path forming member 60 of the above embodiment is a semicircular shape, the flow path forming member of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path forming member 60 is a substantially arc shape having a central angle smaller than 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 8A, a substantially arc shape having a central angle larger than 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 8B, and FIG. Alternatively, it may be substantially U-shaped as shown in FIG. 8D. When the cross-sectional shape of the flow path forming member 60 has a dent as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8A to 8D, the flow path forming member 60 may be installed so that the dent faces the bag-like container 90 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may be installed so as to face the side opposite to the bag-like container 90. However, the former is preferable because a cavity 95 effective for the flow of the liquid material is easily formed.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path holding member 60 may be a substantially circular shape as shown in FIG. 8E or a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 8F.

  FIG. 9A is a perspective view of still another flow path forming member 65. The flow path forming member 65 is formed by forming a plurality of notches 66 at both end edges 61a and 61b parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flow path holding member 60 shown in FIG. The operation of the notch 66 will be described. When the remaining amount of the liquid substance in the bag-like container 90 decreases, in the region where the notch 66 is not formed, the bag-like container 90 is placed on the edges 61a and 61b of the flow path forming member 65 in the same manner as in FIG. The sheet 90a and the sheet 90b are in close contact with each other. However, in the region where the notch 66 is formed, the sheet 90a and the sheet 90b are slightly separated and a gap 96 is formed as shown in FIG. 9B. Through this gap 96, the liquid 99 can flow in the left-right direction in FIG. 9B. Accordingly, the liquid 99 can flow toward the spout 91 by selecting the cavity 95 having a relatively small flow resistance. Therefore, the fluidity of the liquid material 99 is improved, and the amount of the liquid material 99 remaining in the bag-like container 90 can be further reduced.

  The shape, size, number, position, and the like of the notches 66 formed in the edges 61a and 61b of the flow path forming member 65 can be changed as appropriate. A cutout similar to the cutout 66 described above may be formed at the edge of the flow path forming member 60 shown in FIGS. 8A to 8F.

  In the above embodiment, the flow path forming member is a long member, but the shape of the flow path forming member is not limited thereto. A channel (cavity 95) is formed in the bag-like container for the liquid substance in the pressurized bag-like container to flow toward the spout when the remaining amount of the liquid substance in the bag-like container decreases. Any shape can be used. For example, the flow path forming member may be a plurality of protrusions separated from each other. If cavities formed in the vicinity of each of the plurality of protrusions are successively connected to form a flow path for the liquid material to flow toward the spout, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  The flow path forming member only needs to be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the pocket 18 in contact with the bag-like container 90. For example, in the above embodiment, the flow path forming member may be provided on the surface of the bag 30 that contacts the bag-like container 90. Moreover, you may provide in the surface which contacts each bag-like container 90 of the bag 20 and the bag 30.

  Using a sheet made of polyethylene, two bags having the same specifications as the bag 20 shown in FIG. 4 (3000 ml of Safemic TPN bags manufactured by JMS Co., Ltd.) were prepared. The inner dimensions of the bag were 270 mm long × 150 mm wide, and the width of the first gusset provided along the long side was 20 mm. As shown in FIG. 3, the two bags were connected to each other with a second gusset on the long side to produce the extrusion apparatus shown in FIG. 1 (Example). However, the flow path forming member 60 was not provided. The width of the second gusset was 10 mm. The heat sealing method was used for joining the sheets. And the pressurization apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was connected to the connection pipe of two bags.

  Terumol PG soft (400 kcal / 267 g) manufactured by Terumo Corporation was used as a bag-like container filled with a liquid material. The spout of this bag-like container is fitted with 18 Fr. through a flexible tube having an inner diameter of 4 and 5 mm and a length of 300 mm attached with a clamp. A standard PEG catheter was connected.

  The above bag-like container is stored in a pocket between two bags of the extrusion apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, and after the air pressure in the two bags is pressurized to 40 kPa, the tube clamp is opened and the bag-like container is opened. The nutrient inside was pushed out. The cumulative amount of nutrient solution dispensed, the nutrient solution pressure at the connection between the tube and the PEG catheter (in-line pressure), and the bag pressure (in-bag pressure) over time were measured. The results are shown in FIG. 10A.

  As a comparative example, the extrusion device is replaced with a Terumo PG pressurizing bag having the configuration shown in FIG. 11, and in the same manner as described above, the amount of nutrient dispensed, the nutrition at the connection between the tube and the PEG catheter Changes in the pressure of the agent (in-line pressure) and the pressure in the bag (in-bag pressure) over time were measured. In the comparative example, the measurement was performed three times. The results are shown in FIG. 10B.

  Comparing FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, FIG. 10A, which is the present invention, was able to discharge more nutrients faster. That is, according to the present invention, the residual amount of nutrient in the bag-like container can be reduced.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the utilization field of this invention, For example, when performing enteral nutrition therapy, it can utilize as an extrusion apparatus for extruding the enteral nutrient in a bag-shaped container. It can also be used in fields other than enteral nutrition therapy, such as infusion therapy and nursing care.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Extruder 18 Pocket 20, 30 Bag 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b Bag sheet | seat 22a, 22b, 32a, 32b 1st gusset 23, 43 Seal area | region 24, 34 Communication pipe 42a, 42b 2nd gusset 50 Pressurization apparatus 51a, 51b, 52 Tube 53 Branch connector 56 Air balloon (pump)
60, 65 Channel forming member (long member)
61a, 61b Edge of channel forming member 66 Notch 90 Bag-like container 91 Spout 95 Cavity (channel)
99 Liquid material

Claims (6)

A pair of flexible bag-like bags connected to face each other, and a bag-like container filled with a liquid substance is held in a pocket between the pair of bags, and the pair of bags are filled. An extruding device that pressurizes the bag-like container and pushes the liquid material in the bag-like container to the outside by feeding fluid into the pair of bags and inflating the pair of bags,
Each of the pair of bags is provided with a first gusset for increasing a dimension in a direction in which the pair of bags are opposed to each other.   The extrusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair of bags are connected via a second gusset. At least one flow path forming member is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the pocket in contact with the bag-like container;
2. The extrusion according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming member forms a flow path in the bag-shaped container for allowing the liquid material in the bag-shaped container to flow when the bag-shaped container is pressurized. apparatus.   The extrusion apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow path forming member is a long member, and the long member is disposed substantially parallel to a flow direction of the liquid material in the bag-like container.   The extrusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair of bags communicate with each other so that the pressure of the fluid in the pair of bags is the same.   The extrusion apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pump for feeding the fluid into the pair of bags.

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