JP5772175B2 - Fluid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus and a medical device including the fluid ejecting apparatus.

  Water jet scalpels that excise, incise, and crush biological tissue by spraying fluid (eg, physiological saline or Ringer's solution) at high speed have excellent characteristics as surgical tools, such as being free from thermal damage and preserving tubule tissue such as blood vessels Have. In addition, a technique is known in which the ability of excision, incision, crushing, and the like is further improved by using a pulsed jet as the high-speed fluid to be jetted. Since this method requires a small amount of fluid and fluid hardly accumulates in the surgical site, it also has the effect of improving visibility. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a fluid ejecting apparatus is known that rapidly changes the volume of a fluid chamber by a volume changing unit, converts fluid into a pulsating flow, and ejects the fluid at high speed in a pulsed manner from an ejection opening. It has been.

JP 2008-82202 A

  However, in the technique according to Patent Document 1, it is necessary to transmit the pulse-like pulsation generated in the fluid chamber to the nozzle without being attenuated and to eject the pulse at high speed. For this reason, the flow path from the fluid chamber to the nozzle has to be constituted by a sufficiently rigid fluid ejection pipe. That is, there has been a problem that the fluid ejection pipe cannot be made flexible and a flexible material cannot be used. In particular, thoracoscopic surgery using a flexible videoscope (endoscope) has become widespread in recent years because of less burden on patients and faster postoperative recovery. For this reason, there has been a problem that a flexible videoscope cannot be used by being inserted into a body cavity along with a fluid ejection tube.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A fluid ejecting apparatus according to this application example is a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects fluid as a pulsating flow by changing the volume of a fluid chamber by a volume changing unit, and moves with a fluid ejecting opening. A fluid chamber configured by a movable wall capable of supporting, a pressure partition wall covering at least a part of the movable wall, a connection channel communicating with the fluid chamber, and a fluid supplying fluid to the fluid chamber through the connection channel A volume changing unit including: a supply unit; a coupling member coupled to the movable wall; a coupling member driving unit that moves the coupling member; and a drive control unit that controls driving of the coupling member driving unit. It is characterized by that.

  According to this application example, the fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit passes through the fluid chamber from the connection flow path, and is ejected from the fluid ejection opening. Some of the movable walls forming the fluid chamber are connected to a connecting member that is moved by the connecting member driving means. When the connecting member moves, the movable wall moves to change the volume of the fluid chamber. When the movable wall is periodically reciprocated, the volume of the fluid chamber periodically changes in conjunction with the fluid, and the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection opening is ejected as a pulsating flow.

  According to the configuration of this application example, the pulsating flow generation unit (fluid chamber) and the connecting member driving unit are separated by connecting the movable wall and the connecting member driving unit with the connecting member, and extending the connecting member. Each can be installed at a remote location. That is, the volume of the fluid chamber can be changed by the connecting member driving means that is installed immediately before the fluid ejection opening and is installed at a position away from the fluid chamber. By installing the fluid chamber immediately before the fluid ejection opening, the generated fluid pulsation can be ejected without being attenuated.

  Specifically, in the past, the flow path from the pulsating flow generation section to the nozzle having the fluid ejection opening was configured with a highly rigid fluid ejection pipe. It is possible to form the injection opening directly in the pressure partition of the fluid chamber. Moreover, the connection flow path to the pulsating flow generation part (fluid chamber) is composed of a flexible member that can be bent flexibly. As a result, it is possible to use the fluid ejection device by inserting it into a body cavity in combination with a flexible videoscope (for example, using the pipe constituting the connection channel in the tube of the videoscope). It becomes easy.

  Application Example 2 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the application example described above, the connection flow path is formed including a soft material, and the connecting member extends in the connection flow path.

  According to this application example, the connection flow path is formed to include a soft material, and the tubular member that configures the connection flow path is a member that covers the connection member by placing the connection member in the connection flow path and arranging the connection member. It is possible to serve as both. Moreover, the structure up to the fluid ejection opening can be made more compact. As a result, it becomes easier to use the tubular member constituting the connection channel by inserting it into a body cavity in combination with a flexible videoscope or the like.

  Application Example 3 In the fluid ejection device according to the application example described above, the connecting member driving unit includes a solenoid coil.

  According to this application example, since the connecting member driving unit is configured by an actuator using a solenoid coil, it is possible to electrically easily control the moving speed, moving amount, and moving direction of the connecting member. As a result, it is possible to more easily control the pulsating flow by changing the volume of the fluid chamber.

  Application Example 4 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the application example, the drive control unit controls driving of the connecting member driving unit based on a result of detecting the internal pressure of the fluid chamber.

  According to this application example, since the drive control of the connecting member driving unit is performed based on the result of detecting the internal pressure of the fluid chamber, the control for injecting a desired pulsating flow can be performed more accurately. . Specifically, the desired pressure change can be controlled with higher accuracy by controlling the operation of the connecting member driving means in accordance with the change in the internal pressure due to the volume change of the fluid chamber. In other words, the desired pulsating jet control can be performed by performing the pressure control of the fluid chamber with higher accuracy.

  Application Example 5 In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the application example described above, the drive control unit controls driving of the connecting member driving unit based on the result of detecting the position of the movable wall.

  According to this application example, since the drive control of the connecting member driving unit is performed based on the result of detecting the position of the movable wall, the control for injecting a desired pulsating flow can be performed more accurately. Specifically, by controlling the operation of the connecting member driving means according to the moving position of the movable wall, it is possible to control the desired fluid chamber volume change with higher accuracy. In other words, the volume change control of the fluid chamber can be performed with higher accuracy, so that the desired pulsating jet control can be performed.

  Application Example 6 A medical device according to this application example uses the fluid ejecting apparatus described above.

  By using the fluid ejection device described above as a medical device, it is possible to provide more effective characteristics as a surgical instrument. In particular, in recent years, the above-described fluid ejecting apparatus can be used together in thoracoscopic surgery using a flexible videoscope, which has less burden on the patient and quick recovery after surgery.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid ejection device according to a first embodiment. (A), (b); It is sectional side view which shows the pulsating flow generation | occurrence | production part of a fluid injection apparatus. (A), (b); It is side sectional drawing explaining the connection member drive means of a fluid injection apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid ejection device according to a second embodiment. (A), (b); It is sectional side view which shows the pulsating flow generation | occurrence | production part of the fluid injection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the outline of the videoscope using a fluid ejecting apparatus. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of a connection member drive means. (A), (b); It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of a connection member. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of a connection member. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of a pulsating flow generation | occurrence | production part. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of a sensor.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale may be different from the actual scale for easy understanding.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid ejection device 100 as a medical device (surgical instrument) according to the first embodiment. The fluid ejection device 100 includes a pulsating flow generation unit 10, a connection flow path 20, a fluid supply unit 30, a volume changing unit 40, and the like. In the present embodiment, a fluid ejecting apparatus suitable for a surgical tool will be described. However, functions such as excision, incision, separation, and crushing are not limited to use in the medical field.

  The pulsating flow generation unit 10 is formed by a fluid chamber 11, a nozzle 12 as a part of a pressure partition, a pressure partition 14 and the like. The nozzle 12 can be moved as a movable wall and has a fluid ejection opening 13. Details of the pulsating flow generation unit 10 will be described later.

  The connection channel 20 is formed by a connection channel 21 made of a tubular body having an outer diameter of about 5 mm. The connection flow path pipe 21 guides the fluid 1 supplied by the fluid supply means 30 to the pulsating flow generation unit 10. That is, the connection channel 20 communicates with the fluid chamber 11 and guides the fluid 1 to the fluid chamber 11. The connection channel tube 21 has one end connected to the pressure bulkhead 14 and the other end connected to the channel of the connecting member driving means described later, and is housed in a tube of a flexible videoscope and inserted into a body cavity. It has a necessary and sufficient length so that it can be used.

  For the connection channel tube 21, polytetrafluoroethylene is used as a preferred example. In addition, the material used for the connection flow-path pipe | tube 21 is not limited to this, It can select from flexible synthetic resin materials like a fluororesin material, for example. As the fluid 1, physiological saline is used as a preferred example.

The fluid supply means 30 includes a fluid pump 31, a fluid container 32, a connection tube 33, and the like. The fluid container 32 contains the fluid 1. The connection tube 33 connects the fluid container 32, the fluid pump 31, and the flow path of the connecting member driving means described later.
The fluid pump 31 sucks the fluid 1 from the fluid container 32 through the connection tube 33 and supplies the fluid 1 to the connection flow channel pipe 21.

The volume changing means 40 includes a connecting wire 41 as a connecting member, a solenoid actuator 42 as a connecting member driving means, a drive control unit 43, and the like.
The connection wire 41 is accommodated in the connection flow channel pipe 21 along the connection flow channel 20, one end is fixed to the drive unit of the solenoid actuator 42, and the other end is connected to the pressure partition 14. It penetrates and is fixed to the nozzle 12 as a movable wall.
The drive control unit 43 controls the drive of the solenoid actuator 42.

As the connection wire 41, a SUS (Stainless Used Steel) wire having a diameter of about 1 mm is used as a preferred example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any wire that has excellent corrosion resistance and high allowable stress may be used. For example, carbon steel such as piano wire may be used. Note that the specifications such as the material and thickness of the wire are preferably set as appropriate depending on the specifications of the pulsating flow to be ejected (pulsating flow period, ejection amount, etc.), the inner diameter and the length of the connection flow channel 21, and the like.
Details of the volume changing means 40 and the solenoid actuator 42 will be described later.

Next, the flow of the fluid 1 in the fluid ejecting apparatus 100 configured as described above will be briefly described.
The fluid 1 accommodated in the fluid container 32 is sucked by the fluid pump 31 and supplied to the connection flow path 20 through the connection tube 33 at a constant pressure. The fluid 1 passes through the fluid chamber 11 from the connection flow path 20 and is ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13. A part of the movable wall (nozzle 12) that forms the fluid chamber 11 is connected to a connecting wire 41 that is moved by a solenoid actuator 42. When the connecting wire 41 is moved, the nozzle 12 moves and the fluid chamber 11 is moved. The volume changes. As the nozzle 12 reciprocates periodically and the volume of the fluid chamber 11 is periodically changed, the fluid 1 ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13 is ejected as a pulsating flow.

  When the pulsating flow generation unit 10 stops driving, that is, when the volume changing unit 40 stops and the volume of the fluid chamber 11 is not changed, the fluid 1 supplied from the fluid pump 31 at a constant pressure is fluid. The fluid is ejected as a continuous flow from the fluid ejection opening 13 through the chamber 11.

  Here, the pulsating flow means a fluid flow in which the fluid flow direction is constant and the fluid flow rate or flow velocity is accompanied by periodic or irregular fluctuations. The pulsating flow includes an intermittent flow in which the flow and stop of the fluid are repeated. However, since the flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid only needs to fluctuate periodically or irregularly, the pulsating flow is not necessarily an intermittent flow.

Next, details of the pulsating flow generation unit 10 will be described.
2A and 2B are side sectional views showing the pulsating flow generation unit 10. FIG. The pulsating flow generation unit 10 is a part that generates a pulsating flow by changing the volume of the fluid chamber 11 by the volume changing means 40.

  In FIG. 2A, the fluid chamber 11 is formed by being surrounded by a nozzle 12 and a pressure partition wall 14. The pressure partition wall 14 includes a tubular side surface 14a and a circular bottom surface 14b. A communication hole 22 through which the connection flow path 20 and the fluid chamber 11 are communicated and through which the connection wire 41 is inserted is formed at the central portion of the circular bottom surface 14b. ing. A joint portion 14 j for joining the connection flow channel pipe 21 to the pulsating flow generation portion 10 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the surface of the circular bottom surface 14 b that is not in contact with the fluid chamber 11. The communication hole 22 is formed such that the inertance of the communication hole 22 viewed from the fluid chamber 11 is higher than the inertance with respect to the fluid ejection opening 13.

  The nozzle 12 is formed of a cylindrical body that is in sliding contact with the inner side surface of the tubular side surface 14a, and is formed with a fluid ejection opening portion 13 that penetrates substantially the central shaft portion. A connecting wire 41 is fixed to the central portion of the surface of the nozzle 12 in contact with the fluid chamber 11.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an operation in which the fluid 1 becomes a pulsating flow by changing the volume of the fluid chamber 11 will be described. Note that the direction in which the connecting wire 41 extends from the fastening portion of the connecting wire 41 of the nozzle 12 toward the solenoid actuator 42 is the X (+) direction, as will be described later.

  In an initial state, the fluid 1 supplied at a constant pressure by the fluid supply means 30 fills the connecting flow path 20 and the fluid chamber 11 communicating with the fluid, and ejects the fluid as a continuous flow from the fluid ejection opening 13 (FIG. )). Next, when the connecting wire 41 is pulled in the X (+) direction by the solenoid actuator 42, the nozzle 12 moves in the X (+) direction in conjunction with the connection wire 41 (FIG. 2B). As a result, the volume of the fluid chamber 11 decreases and the internal pressure increases instantaneously. When the internal pressure of the fluid chamber 11 increases, the flow rate of the fluid 1 ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13 increases. Next, when the force of pulling the connecting wire 41 in the X (+) direction is weakened and the movement of the nozzle 12 is stopped, the internal pressure of the fluid chamber 11 gradually decreases to the same pressure as in the initial state. Next, when the connecting wire 41 is returned to the X (−) direction, the nozzle 12 moves in the X (−) direction by the internal pressure of the fluid chamber 11. As a result, the volume of the fluid chamber 11 increases, the internal pressure decreases, and the flow velocity of the fluid 1 ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13 decreases. By repeating this operation, the fluid is ejected as a pulsating flow.

Next, details of the volume changing means 40 will be described.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are side sectional views showing the solenoid actuator 42 that constitutes the drive unit of the volume changing means 40. The volume changing means 40 has a function of moving a part of the movable wall of the pressure partition wall constituting the fluid chamber 11 via a connecting wire 41 connected to the drive unit of the solenoid actuator 42.

In FIG. 3A, the solenoid actuator 42 includes a tension coil 42a, a return coil 42b, a core 44 as a drive unit, and the like.
The tension coil 42a and the return coil 42b have a structure in which an excitation coil is wound around a bobbin 45 made of an insulating material such as plastic, ceramic, or brass. On both sides of the bobbin 45 having a cylindrical shape, a joint portion 45j for joining the connection flow channel pipe 21 and the connection tube 33 is provided. That is, the bobbin 45 is connected to the end portion of the connection flow path pipe 21, and connects the connection tube 33 and the connection flow path pipe 21 to guide the fluid 1 supplied from the fluid pump 31 to the connection flow path pipe 21. A flow path is formed, and a portion of the joint portion 45j is a fluid supply port. The connection channel tube 21 may be directly connected to the connection tube 33, and the connection channel tube 21 may be used as a bobbin and an excitation coil may be wound.

The tension coil 42a is arranged at a position near the side to which the connection tube 33 is connected, and the return coil 42b is arranged at a position near the side to which the connection channel pipe 21 is connected. The interval can be adjusted in advance according to the length of movement of the core 44 (the amount by which the volume of the fluid chamber 11 is changed). The tension coil 42a and the return coil 42b are preferably housed in a frame made of a ferromagnetic material in order to obtain a strong magnetic field.
As the core 44, electromagnetic stainless steel is used as a preferred example. The material used is not limited to this, but it is preferable to use a ferromagnetic material that is excellent in corrosion resistance and has little residual magnetism and coercive force.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the current is passed through the tension coil 42a (ON) and the current is not passed through the return coil 42b (OFF), the core 44 is drawn into the tension coil 42a. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the current is not supplied to the tension coil 42a (OFF) and the current is supplied to the return coil 42b (ON), the core 44 is drawn into the return coil 42b. . By repeating this operation under the control of the drive control unit 43, the connecting wire 41 connected to the core 44 repeats moving in the pulling direction (X (+) direction) and the returning direction (X (−) direction). As a result, as described above, the movable wall (nozzle 12) of the connected fluid chambers 11 moves, the volume of the fluid chamber 11 changes, and a pulsating flow is generated.

  As described above, according to the fluid ejection device 100 according to the present embodiment, the fluid 1 supplied by the fluid supply means 30 passes through the fluid chamber 11 from the connection flow path 20 and is ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13. The nozzle 12, which is a part of the movable wall forming the fluid chamber 11, is connected to a connection wire 41 that is moved by a solenoid actuator 42. The volume changes. When the nozzle 12 is periodically reciprocated, the volume of the fluid chamber 11 is periodically changed, and the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13 is ejected as a pulsating flow.

According to the configuration described above, the pulsating flow generation unit 10 (fluid chamber 11) and the solenoid actuator 42 are separated by connecting the nozzle 12 and the solenoid actuator 42 with the connection wire 41 and extending the connection wire 41, Each can be installed at a remote location. That is, the volume of the fluid chamber 11 can be changed by the solenoid actuator 42 that is installed immediately before the nozzle 12 and is installed at a position away from the fluid chamber 11. By installing the fluid chamber 11 immediately before the nozzle 12, the generated pulsation of the fluid 1 can be ejected without being attenuated.
Specifically, the pulsating flow generation unit is conventionally located at a location away from the nozzle, and the path between them has been configured with a highly rigid fluid ejection pipe, whereas the pulsating flow generation unit is arranged immediately before the nozzle. By doing so, it is not necessary to use a highly rigid fluid ejection pipe as a path.

  In addition, since the connection channel 20 is made of a soft material and the connecting member is made of a flexible wire, the connection channel 20 up to the fluid ejection opening 13 can be flexibly bent. Become. As a result, it is possible to use the fluid ejection device by inserting it into a body cavity in combination with a flexible videoscope (for example, using the pipe constituting the connection channel in the tube of the videoscope). It becomes easy and the fluid ejection device can be used for thoracoscopic surgery using a flexible videoscope.

  Further, by placing the connecting wire 41 inside the connection flow path 20, the tubular member (connection flow pipe 21) constituting the connection flow path 20 can also serve as a member that sheathes the connection wire 41. It becomes. Further, the configuration up to the fluid ejection opening 13 can be made more compact. As a result, it becomes easier to use the tubular member constituting the connection channel by inserting it into a body cavity in combination with a flexible videoscope or the like.

  In addition, by configuring the nozzle 12 having the fluid ejection opening 13 as a movable wall, the configuration of the fluid ejection pipe tip including the fluid chamber 11 can be configured more simply.

  Further, since the connecting member driving means is constituted by an actuator using a solenoid coil, the moving speed, moving amount, and moving direction of the connecting wire 41 can be easily controlled electrically. As a result, it is possible to more easily control the pulsating flow by changing the volume of the fluid chamber 11.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. In the description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
In the second embodiment, a sensor for detecting a specific state of the fluid chamber 11 is provided in the fluid ejecting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. Based on the detection result, the drive control unit 43 connects the connecting member driving means (solenoid actuator 42). ) Is controlled.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid ejection device 200 according to the second embodiment.
In FIG. 4, a sensor for detecting a specific state of the fluid chamber 11 is installed in the pulsating flow generation unit 10 v. The detection result of the sensor is transmitted to the drive control unit 43 by the wiring 60 arranged along the connection flow channel pipe 21.
The state to be detected and the content of drive control will be described based on some embodiments.

Example 1
FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the pulsating flow generation unit 10v of the fluid ejection device 200 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5A, a pressure sensor 51 is installed inside the fluid chamber 11. The pressure sensor 51 is preferably installed at a position that does not affect the movement of the nozzle 12.
The pressure sensor 51 detects the internal pressure of the fluid chamber 11 that changes as the nozzle 12 moves, and transmits the detected pressure to the drive control unit 43. The drive control unit 43 controls the drive of the solenoid actuator 42 based on the pressure detection result of the fluid chamber 11.

  The drive control unit 43 uses the information on the pressure, pressure change amount, pressure change speed, pressure change cycle, and the like of the fluid chamber 11 obtained from the transmitted information, and the velocity of the pulsating flow and the pulse flow rate ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13. It is possible to indirectly monitor the pulsating cycle. Based on the monitoring result, the drive control unit 43 controls the pulsating flow by changing the driving current, switching, switching cycle, and the like for the solenoid actuator 42 in order to obtain a desired pulsating flow.

  According to the present embodiment, since the drive control of the solenoid actuator 42 is performed based on the result of detecting the internal pressure of the fluid chamber 11, the control for injecting a desired pulsating flow can be performed more accurately and more accurately. It can be performed with high accuracy.

(Example 2)
FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the pulsating flow generation unit 10v of the fluid ejection device 200 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5 (b), a linear encoder 52 is installed on the sliding portion between the tubular side surface 14 a and the nozzle 12. The linear encoder 52 is configured by a lattice scale formed at a sliding portion with the tubular side surface 14a of the nozzle 12 and a photo sensor provided at a position of the tubular side surface 14a facing the lattice scale.
The linear encoder 52 detects the position of the nozzle 12 that changes as the connecting wire 41 moves, and transmits the detected position to the drive control unit 43. The drive control unit 43 controls the drive of the solenoid actuator 42 based on the position detection result of the nozzle 12.

  The drive control unit 43 determines the speed of the pulsating flow, the pulsating flow rate, and the pulsating flow cycle that are ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13 from information such as the position, moving amount, moving speed, and moving cycle of the nozzle 12 obtained from the transmitted information. Etc. can be monitored indirectly. Based on the monitoring result, the drive control unit 43 controls the pulsating flow by changing the driving current, switching, switching cycle, and the like for the solenoid actuator 42 in order to obtain a desired pulsating flow.

  According to the present embodiment, since the drive control of the solenoid actuator 42 is performed based on the result of detecting the position of the nozzle 12, the control for injecting a desired pulsating flow can be performed more accurately and with higher accuracy. It can be carried out.

  According to the fluid ejecting apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment described above, the situation of the pulsating flow generation unit 10v that is located at a site away from the solenoid actuator 42 and the drive control unit 43 and is remotely viewed using a video scope or the like. Can be performed more accurately and more accurately by the installed sensor. Therefore, the fluid ejecting apparatus can be provided more reliably in thoracoscopic surgery using a flexible videoscope.

(Medical equipment)
Next, a medical device as a surgical tool using the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a video scope using the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present embodiment.
The fluid ejecting apparatus 100 or the fluid ejecting apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is utilized along with a flexible videoscope such as the connection channel pipe 21 being inserted into a body cavity because the connection channel pipe 21 is made of a soft material. can do. Specifically, in FIG. 6, the connecting flow channel 21 is inserted from the fluid ejection tube insertion port with the pulsating flow generation unit 10 first, and the fluid ejection opening 13 is positioned at the distal end of the flexible videoscope. It can be used by setting.
In recent years, in the thoracoscopic surgery using a flexible videoscope with less burden on the patient and quick recovery, the superior characteristics of the fluid ejection device as a surgical tool can be provided more effectively.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below. In addition, about the component same as embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is used and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the connecting member driving means according to the modified example 1. In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the solenoid actuator 42 has been described as being disposed at a position where the connection tube 33 and the connection flow path pipe 21 are coupled. However, the connection tube 33 is connected to the connection flow path. The solenoid actuator 42 may be connected to the side surface of the pipe 21 and arranged at the end of the connection flow path pipe 21.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the solenoid actuator 42v accommodated in the case 71 is connected to the end portion of the connection flow path pipe 21 by a connection member 70 that also serves as a case lid. The connection tube 33 is connected to the side surface of the connection flow channel 21 near the connection member 70 and serves as a fluid supply port. The solenoid actuator 42v includes a tension coil 42av, a return coil 42bv, a core 44v, and the like. The bobbin 45v is disposed independently for each of the tension coil 42av and the return coil 42bv. The core 44v has a wing portion 44w having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the bobbin 45v at a substantially central portion. The movable range of the core 44v is regulated by the wing portion 44w between the pulling coil 42av and the return coil 42bv.

According to this modification, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the solenoid actuator 42v does not serve as a flow path, it can be easily removed, and maintenance such as adjustment of the length and movable range of the connecting wire 41 is facilitated. Moreover, the wing part 44w can make the driving force by a solenoid stronger.

(Modification 2)
8A and 8B are side cross-sectional views showing a modification of the connecting member according to Modification 2. FIG. In the above-described embodiment, the connection wire 41 is not covered with the covering or the sleeve, and is exposed to the fluid 1 in the connection flow path pipe 21. However, as shown in FIGS. The sleeve 46 may be provided.

  In FIG. 8B, the solenoid actuator 42w is accommodated in the case 71, and is arranged at the end of the connection flow channel 21 by the connection member 70 that also serves as a case lid. As in the case of the first modification, the connection tube 33 is connected to the side surface of the connection flow path pipe 21 near the connection member 70. The sleeve 46 is made of a tube that accommodates the connecting wire 41 across the connection flow path 20, and as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, one end is fixed to the pressure partition 14, and the other The end is fixed to the connection member 70. The inner diameter of the sleeve 46 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the connecting wire 41. The sleeve 46 is made of the same material as that used for the connection channel tube 21, but is not limited thereto, and is selected from flexible synthetic resin materials such as a fluororesin material. can do. The difference between the inner diameter of the sleeve 46 and the outer diameter of the connecting wire 41 is preferably as small as possible, but the movement of the connecting wire 41 is hindered by friction between the inner wall of the sleeve 46 and the connecting wire 41. It is necessary to have a material and an inner diameter that do not exist. The bobbin 45w is the same as the bobbin 45 except that it does not have the joint portion 45j.

  In FIG. 8A, the communication hole 22 is provided with a communication hole 23 in order to lose the function as a flow path for connecting the connection flow path 20 and the fluid chamber 11 by the sleeve 46. The communication hole 23 is formed in a circular bottom surface 14 b that constitutes the pressure partition 14. The communication hole 23 is formed so that the inertance of the communication hole 23 viewed from the fluid chamber 11 is higher than the inertance with respect to the fluid ejection opening 13.

According to this modification, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When the connection flow path pipe 21 is bent and used, a difference between the length of the connection flow path pipe 21 and the path length of the sleeve 46 hardly occurs. Therefore, the length of the connection wire 41 is adjusted each time when used. The necessity and the amount to be adjusted can be reduced.

  Specifically, in the case of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, when there is a difference between the inner diameter of the connection flow path tube 21 and the outer diameter of the connecting wire 41, the connection flow path pipe 21 is bent. Compared with the length of 21, the path length required for the connection of the connection wire 41 tends to be shorter. Therefore, when the connection wire 41 is used without adjusting its length, the connection wire 41 bends inside the connection flow path 20, so that the movement of the core 44 is transmitted to the distal end portion (nozzle 12) of the connection wire 41. It becomes difficult to be done. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the length of the connecting wire 41 in order to eliminate the bending in the connection flow path pipe 21 after the connection flow path pipe 21 is bent and set in a use state. On the other hand, when the sleeve 46 is used as in the present modification, a difference between the length of the connection flow path pipe 21 and the path length of the sleeve 46 is unlikely to occur. There is no need to adjust the height.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the connecting member according to the modified example 3. In the second modification, in order to reduce the difference between the length of the connection flow path pipe 21 and the path length necessary for the connection of the connection wire 41, the sleeve 46 that houses the connection wire 41 is used. A method of reducing the difference between the inner diameter of the path tube 21 and the outer diameter of the connecting wire 41 may be taken.

As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting member includes a connecting wire 41a and a connecting wire 41b. The connection wire 41a is made of the same member as the connection wire 41, passes through the communication hole 22, and connects the nozzle 12 and the connection wire 41b. The connecting wire 41 b extends along the connection flow path 20 and is connected to the core 44 of the solenoid actuator 42.
Although the difference between the inner diameter of the connection channel tube 21 and the outer diameter of the connection wire 41b is preferably as small as possible, the movement of the fluid 1 is hindered, the inner wall of the connection channel tube 21 and the connection wire 41b It is necessary to make the dimensions such that the movement of the connecting wire 41b is not hindered by friction.

  According to this modification, the difference between the length of the connection flow channel pipe 21 and the path length of the connection member (connection wire 41b) can be reduced without using the sleeve 46 used in Modification 2. As a result, There is no need to make frequent length adjustments prior to use.

(Modification 4)
FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the pulsating flow generation unit. In the embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the nozzle 12 is pulled by the connecting wire 41 and moves in the X (+) direction, the connecting wire 41 returns, and the pressure of the fluid chamber 11 However, an auxiliary force such as a spring may be used for movement in the X (−) direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this modification, a spring 15 is installed inside the fluid chamber 11, and the nozzle 12 is returned to the original position by the restoring force of the spring 15. The spring 15 extends and contracts in the X direction, and one surface is in contact with the circular bottom surface 14 b constituting the pressure partition wall 14, and the other surface is in contact with the nozzle 12. When the nozzle 12 is pulled by the connecting wire 41 and moves in the X (+) direction, the spring 15 contracts and applies pressure in the X (−) direction to the nozzle 12. When the connecting wire 41 is returned, the nozzle 12 moves in the X (−) direction by the pressure of the spring 15 in addition to the pressure of the fluid chamber 11. In addition, although the SUS material is used for a spring material as a suitable example, it is not limited to this.

  According to this modification, it is effective when the movement of the nozzle 12 in the X (−) direction is not sufficiently fast due to the sliding resistance between the nozzle 12 and the pressure partition wall 14, and the pulsating flow generation cycle. It is effective to increase

(Modification 5)
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the sensor. In Example 2 of Embodiment 2, as shown in FIG. 5B, the linear encoder 52 is installed at the sliding portion between the tubular side surface 14a and the nozzle 12, but even a simpler position sensor may be used. good.

  In FIG. 11, a lower limit sensor 53 and an upper limit sensor 54 are installed on the sliding portion between the tubular side surface 14 a and the nozzle 12. The lower limit sensor 53 and the upper limit sensor 54 may be any sensors that can detect that specific parts of the nozzle 12 are close to the respective sensor positions. The lower limit sensor 53 detects that the nozzle 12 has reached the desired maximum volume of the fluid chamber 11, and the upper limit sensor 54 has the position where the nozzle 12 has the desired minimum volume of the fluid chamber 11. Detect that. In addition, each detection result is transmitted to the drive control unit 43 through the wiring 60. The drive control unit 43 controls the drive of the solenoid actuator 42 based on the position detection result of the nozzle 12.

The drive control unit 43 determines the speed of the pulsating flow, the pulsating flow rate, and the pulsating flow ejected from the fluid ejection opening 13 from information such as the position of the nozzle 12, the timing of movement, the moving speed, and the moving period obtained from the transmitted information. The period etc. can be monitored indirectly. Based on the monitoring result, the drive control unit 43 controls the pulsating flow by changing the driving current, switching, switching cycle, and the like for the solenoid actuator 42 in order to obtain a desired pulsating flow.
According to this modified example, a means for detecting the position of the nozzle 12 can be configured more easily than the linear encoder 52.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fluid, 10 ... Pulse flow generation part, 11 ... Fluid chamber, 12 ... Nozzle, 13 ... Fluid ejection opening part, 14 ... Pressure partition, 15 ... Spring, 20 ... Connection flow path, 21 ... Connection flow path pipe, 22 , 23 ... Communication hole, 30 ... Fluid supply means, 31 ... Fluid pump, 32 ... Fluid container, 33 ... Connection tube, 40 ... Volume changing means, 41 ... Connection wire, 42 ... Solenoid actuator, 42a ... Tension coil, 42b ... Return coil, 43 ... drive control unit, 44 ... core, 45 ... bobbin, 46 ... sleeve, 51 ... pressure sensor, 52 ... linear encoder, 53 ... lower limit sensor, 54 ... upper limit sensor, 60 ... wiring, 70 ... connecting member, 71: Case, 100, 200: Fluid ejection device.

Claims (6)

A fluid chamber having a movable movable wall ;
A connection flow channel having a connection flow channel communicating with the fluid chamber and containing a soft material ;
A connecting member connected to the front Symbol movable wall,
A connecting member driving means for moving the connecting member ,
The movable wall is formed with a fluid ejection opening for ejecting fluid,
The fluid ejecting apparatus , wherein the connecting member is disposed in the connection flow path . The fluid ejection device according to claim 1,
A controller for controlling the driving of the connecting member driving means;
The said control part is a fluid ejecting apparatus which changes the volume of the said fluid chamber by moving the said movable wall via the said connection member, and ejects a fluid as a pulsating flow from the said fluid ejection opening part . The fluid ejection device according to claim 2,
A pressure detector for detecting the internal pressure of the fluid chamber;
The control unit is a fluid ejection device that controls driving of the connecting member driving unit based on a detection result of the detection unit. The fluid ejection device according to claim 2,
A position detector for detecting the position of the movable wall;
The said control part is a fluid ejecting apparatus which controls the drive of the said connection member drive means based on the detection result of the said position detection part . In the fluid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The connection member driving means includes a solenoid coil . In the fluid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A sleeve for accommodating the connecting member,
The fluid ejecting apparatus, wherein the sleeve is disposed in the connection flow path .

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