JP6268877B2 - Medical connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical connector that can be preferably used when two flexible tubes are detachably connected.

  Enteral nutrition therapy is known as a method for administering nutrition and drugs to patients without oral administration. In enteral nutrition therapy, a nutrient, liquid food, or via a flexible PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) catheter (hereinafter “catheter”) inserted into a gastric fistula formed in the patient's abdomen. A liquid such as a drug (generally called “enteral nutrition”) is administered to the patient. A liquid substance to be administered to a patient is stored in a container. A flexible tube (sometimes called an “extension tube”) is connected to the outlet port of the container. The downstream end of the tube is connected to the upstream end of a catheter inserted into the patient. In general, a male connector is provided at the downstream end of the tube. On the other hand, a female connector that can be connected to the male connector is provided at the upstream end of the catheter (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  If the liquid administered in enteral nutrition therapy is a low-viscosity liquid, the liquid regurgitates from the stomach to the esophagus, causing pneumonia, or diarrhea because the liquid water is not sufficiently absorbed by the body. There are problems such as. Therefore, in enteral nutrition therapy, the liquid material is often made highly viscous (ie, semi-solid) by adding a thromi agent or a thickener. Such a highly viscous liquid material has low fluidity, and therefore has a high resistance when passing through a tube and a catheter. Therefore, when a liquid material having a high viscosity is administered to a patient, the liquid material is fed under pressure.

International Publication No. 2008/152971 Pamphlet

  Therefore, the male connector and the female connector should have a locking mechanism that locks the connection state so that the connected male connector and female connector do not unintentionally separate due to the pressure applied to the liquid material. Is desired. In order for the locking mechanism to reliably maintain the locked state, it is desirable that the locking mechanism be made of a hard material that does not easily deform.

  The catheter is left in the patient for an extended period. Therefore, if the female connector provided at the upstream end of the catheter includes a lock mechanism made of a hard material, the lock mechanism may come into contact with the patient and cause pain or cause pressure ulcers.

  The present invention is capable of firmly connecting the female connector and the male connector, and in a state where the female connector and the male connector are separated, the female connector does not include a member made of a hard material and has flexibility. An object of the present invention is to provide a medical connector that can be put into a state.

A first medical connector according to the present invention includes a male main body having a tubular portion , and a lock handle , wherein the male main body and the lock handle are both made of a hard material, and the tubular portion includes An insertion portion to be inserted is provided, and a flexible female connector and a lock member made of a hard material and attached to an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the female connector are provided. The lock member can be attached to and detached from the insertion portion by deforming the female connector when the tubular portion is not inserted into the insertion portion. When the locking member is mounted on the insertion portion and the tubular portion is inserted into the insertion portion, the female connector and the female connector and the male connector are separated so that the locking member does not separate from the female connector to the male connector side. The lock member is provided with an engagement structure that engages with each other. Said locking member and said locking handle, so as not to separate along the central axis of the medical connector, said locking member and said locking handle has a locking mechanism is provided to mutually engage each other. The male body is inserted into a through hole formed in the lock handle. The lock handle is rotatable around the male body and restricts the movement of the male body in a direction away from the female connector. The locking mechanism can be engaged and released by rotating the lock member and the lock handle in opposite directions around the central axis.
A second medical connector of the present invention includes a tubular portion, and includes a male connector made of a hard material, an insertion portion into which the tubular portion is inserted, a flexible female connector, and the female connector. And a lock member made of a hard material and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion. When the tubular part is not inserted into the insertion part, the locking member deforms the female connector, thereby deforming the female connector along the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the medical connector. Detachable. When the locking member is mounted on the insertion portion and the tubular portion is inserted into the insertion portion, the female connector and the female connector and the male connector are separated so that the locking member does not separate from the female connector to the male connector side. The lock member is provided with an engagement structure that engages with each other. A lock mechanism that engages with each other is provided on the lock member and the male connector so that the lock member and the male connector do not separate along the central axis.

  According to the present invention, when the male connector is connected to the female connector, the female connector and the male connector can be firmly connected via the lock member. On the other hand, when the male connector is not connected to the female connector, the lock member made of a hard material can be detached from the flexible female connector.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention that connects a catheter and a tube. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention along the vertical plane including the line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a female connector constituting the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector along the vertical plane including the line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a lock member constituting the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the locking member along the vertical surface including the line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a male main body constituting the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the male main body along the vertical plane including the line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a lock handle constituting the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the lock handle along the vertical plane including the line 6B-6B in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention before connecting the female connector and the male connector. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in which a male connector insertion portion is inserted into a female connector. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention that connects a catheter and a tube. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention along the vertical plane including the line 9B-9B in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a female connector constituting the medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector along the vertical plane including the line 11B-11B in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a lock member constituting the medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the locking member along the vertical plane including the line 12B-12B in FIG. 12A. FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention before connecting the female connector and the male connector. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a medical connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention in which a male connector insertion portion is inserted into a female connector.

  In the medical connector according to the present invention, the engagement structure includes a first flange protruding outward from an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the female connector, and an inner peripheral surface of the lock member from the inner peripheral surface to the central axis. Ribs projecting toward it. In this case, when the lock member is attached to the insertion portion, the first flange is preferably disposed adjacent to the rib on the side where the tubular portion is inserted. Thereby, the engagement structure can be configured with a simple configuration.

  In the above, it is preferable that the first flange is deformed so as to increase its diameter by inserting the tubular portion into the insertion portion. Thereby, since the engagement strength between the first flange and the rib is improved, the female connector and the male connector can be more firmly connected.

  When the tubular portion is not inserted into the insertion portion, the lock member is attached to and detached from the insertion portion on the side where the tubular portion is inserted or along a direction orthogonal to the central axis. It is preferable that Thereby, even when the catheter is connected to the connection part opposite to the insertion part of the female connector, the lock member can be completely removed from the female connector, and then attached to the female connector. be able to.

  The male connector may include a male main body including the tubular portion and a lock handle including the locking mechanism. In this case, it is preferable that the male main body is inserted into a through hole formed in the lock handle. Further, it is preferable that the lock handle is capable of rotating around the male main body and restricts the male main body from moving in a direction away from the female connector. Thereby, in a state where the tubular portion is inserted into the insertion portion of the female connector, only the lock handle can be rotated to easily switch the lock mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state.

  It is preferable that the locking mechanism can be engaged (locked) and released (unlocked) by rotating the locking member and the male connector in opposite directions around the central axis. As a result, the lock mechanism can be easily switched between the locked state and the unlocked state.

  The lock mechanism includes a plurality of first engaging claws that protrude inward from an inner peripheral surface of the vertical wall of the lock member that faces the central axis, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the male connector. It is preferable that a 2nd engaging claw is included. Thereby, a highly reliable locking mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

  It is preferable that an anti-rotation mechanism is provided on the lock member and the female connector so that the lock member does not rotate around the female connector. Thereby, when rotating a female connector with respect to a male connector, rotation torque can be applied to the locking member which consists of a hard material instead of the female connector which has flexibility. Therefore, the rotational operability of the female connector is improved.

  The lock member is preferably divided in the circumferential direction by a notch. Thus, the lock member can be attached to and detached from the female connector by passing the female connector through the notch. This is advantageous when it is difficult to attach and detach the lock member to the female connector on the side where the tubular portion is inserted.

  It is preferable that a PEG catheter for performing enteral nutrition therapy is connected to an end of the female connector opposite to the insertion portion. Thereby, when an enteral nutrient is not administered, a member made of a hard material is not left in the patient. Therefore, the patient does not feel pain or cause pressure ulcers due to the member made of a hard material. On the other hand, when the enteral nutrient is administered, the female connector and the male connector are firmly connected, so that the enteral nutrient with increased viscosity can be pumped to the patient.

  Below, this invention is demonstrated in detail, showing suitable embodiment. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For convenience of explanation, the drawings referred to in the following description show only the main members necessary for explaining the present invention in a simplified manner among the constituent members of the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can include any member not shown in the following drawings. In the following drawings, the actual dimensions of members and the dimensional ratios of the members are not faithfully represented.

(Embodiment 1)
<Configuration>
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a medical connector (hereinafter simply referred to as “connector”) 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention that connects a PEG catheter (hereinafter simply referred to as “catheter”) 7 and a tube 8. is there. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 along the vertical plane including the line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. The upstream end of the tube 8 is connected to a container in which enteral nutrients are stored. The downstream end of the catheter 7 is inserted into the patient's stomach.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 1 includes a female connector 10, a lock member 20, and a male connector 30 connected to the upstream end of the catheter 7. The male connector 30 includes a male main body 40 connected to the downstream end of the tube 8 and a lock handle 50. For convenience of the following description, the direction connecting the tube 8 and the catheter 7 is referred to as “vertical direction”, the tube 8 side is referred to as “upper side”, and the catheter 7 side is referred to as “lower side”. The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is referred to as the “horizontal direction”. In addition, a direction rotating around the central axis 1a (see FIG. 1B) of the connector 1 parallel to the vertical direction is referred to as “circumferential direction”, and a direction orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as “radial direction”. However, “up and down direction” and “horizontal direction” do not mean the direction when the connector 1 is used.

  3A is a perspective view of the female connector 10, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 10 taken along the vertical plane including the 3B-3B line and the central axis 1a of FIG. 3A. The female connector 10 has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape as a whole. The female connector 10 includes an insertion portion 11 into which a tubular portion 41 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B described later) of the male main body 40 is inserted, and an upstream end of the catheter 8 is inserted below the female connector 10. And a connecting portion 19 that is fixed. A flow path 18 for flowing enteral nutrient passes through the female connector 10 along the central axis 1a.

  The inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11 is a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases as it approaches the upper opening 10a so that the tubular portion 41 can be easily inserted. Further, in order to achieve a liquid-tight connection with the tubular portion 41 by locally closely contacting the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 41, a step having a sudden change in the inner diameter in the vertical direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11. Is formed. However, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11 is not limited to these. For example, the female connector provided at the upstream end of the PEG catheter may have any known shape.

  A first flange 12 a and a second flange 12 b are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11. The first flange 12 a and the second flange 12 b are annular protrusions that protrude outward and are continuous in the circumferential direction. The first flange 12a is formed along the opening 10a, and the second flange 12b is formed to be spaced downward from the first flange 12a. A constricted portion 12c having a relatively small outer diameter is formed between the first flange 12a and the second flange 12b. A locking projection 12d protruding outward is formed in the constricted portion 12c. The locking projection 12d extends upward from the second flange 12b.

  The female connector 10 is flexible, easily deformed by an external force, and has a characteristic (so-called rubber-like elasticity) that immediately returns to the initial shape when the external force disappears. The material of the female connector 10 is not limited, but a soft material having rubber-like elasticity (so-called elastomer) can be used. For example, rubber such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, styrene elastomer, Thermoplastic elastomers such as olefin elastomers and polyurethane elastomers can be used, among which silicone rubber is preferred.

  The material of the catheter 7 connected to the female connector 10 is not limited, but a material having flexibility similar to the female connector 10 can be used.

  4A is a perspective view of the lock member 20, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the lock member 20 along the vertical plane including the line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A and the central axis 1a. The lock member 20 is divided in the circumferential direction by a notch 21, and the shape of the lock member 20 viewed from above is substantially “C”. On the inner peripheral surface of the lock member 20, ribs 22 protruding toward the central axis 1a are formed continuously in the circumferential direction. A pair of vertical walls 23 extend upward on the outer side of the rib 22 in the radial direction (the side far from the central axis 1 a) and on the upper side of the rib 22. The inner peripheral surface of the vertical wall 23 is a cylindrical surface coaxial with the central axis 1a and faces the central axis 1a. On the inner peripheral surface of each vertical wall 23, a first engagement claw 24 projects inwardly (that is, toward the central axis 1a). The first engaging claws 24 extend along the circumferential direction. The lower surface of the first engaging claw 24 is configured by combining three inclined surfaces having different inclination angles. One end of the first engaging claw 24 in the longitudinal direction is closed by a stop portion 25, and the other end is opened. The first engaging claw 24 and the stop portion 25 are rotationally symmetric (two-fold symmetric) with respect to the central axis 1a. In the first embodiment, the pair of vertical walls 23 are divided on the side opposite to the notch 21, but in the region excluding the notch 21, the circumferential direction along the substantially “C” shape of the lock member 20. It may be continuous. The shapes of the first engagement claw 24 and the stop portion 25 are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. The stop wall 25 may be omitted, and both ends in the circumferential direction of the first engagement claw 24 may be opened.

  5A is a perspective view of the male main body 40, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the male main body 40 along the vertical direction plane including the 5B-5B line and the central axis 1a of FIG. 5A. The male main body 40 has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape as a whole. The male body 40 includes a tubular portion 41 inserted into the insertion portion 11 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the female connector 10 on the lower side, and a tube (generally, a tube for carrying enteral nutrients on the upper side thereof. A downstream end of 8 (referred to as an “extension tube”) is provided with a connecting portion 49 to be inserted and fixed. A channel 48 for flowing enteral nutrient passes through the male body 40 along the central axis 1a.

  The outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 41 is a tapered surface (that is, a conical surface) whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip (the lower end in FIGS. 5A and 5B). However, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular part 41 is not limited to this. For example, one or more annular protrusions that are continuous in the circumferential direction may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 41, or a plurality of tapered surfaces having a taper angle larger than the taper angle of the entire tubular portion 41 may be “ They may be arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of the central axis 1a in a “bamboo shoot” shape. Furthermore, the male connector connected to the female connector of the PEG catheter other than these may have any known shape.

  A locking flange 42, which is an annular protrusion that protrudes outward and is continuous in the circumferential direction, is formed above the tubular portion 41. The locking flange 42 is provided at a position away from the opening 40a on the connection portion 49 side.

  6A is a perspective view of the lock handle 50, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the lock handle 50 along the vertical direction plane including the 6B-6B line of FIG. 6A and the central axis 1a. The lock handle 50 has a bell shape as a whole. On the upper side of the lock handle 50, a through hole 59 into which the connection portion 49 of the tube 8 and the male body 40 is inserted is formed. The inner peripheral surface of the through hole 59 is a cylindrical surface coaxial with the central axis 1a. The inner diameter of the lock handle 50 is larger in the region below the through hole 59. An engagement surface 52 facing downward is formed at the lower end of the through hole 59 due to the change in the inner diameter. In the present embodiment, the engagement surface 52 is formed at the lower end of the through hole 59, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an annular protrusion that is continuous in the circumferential direction and protrudes toward the central axis 1 a may be formed at a position spaced downward from the through hole 59, and the lower surface of the protrusion may be the engaging surface 52. Moreover, the engaging surface 52 does not need to be continuous in the circumferential direction, and may be divided in the circumferential direction.

  A lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the lock handle 50 is a cylindrical surface 53 coaxial with the central axis 1a. A pair of second engaging claws 54 protrude outward from the cylindrical surface 53 (that is, a direction away from the central axis 1a along the radial direction). The second engaging claw 54 extends in the circumferential direction along the lower end 50 b of the lock handle 50. The upper surface of the second engagement claw 54 is configured by combining three inclined surfaces with different inclination angles. The pair of second engagement claws 54 is rotationally symmetric (two-fold symmetry) with respect to the central axis 1a. In addition, the shape of the 2nd engagement nail | claw 54 is not limited to this embodiment, It can change suitably. On the outer peripheral surface of the lock handle 50, a pair of ribs 56 extending in the vertical direction protrude outward.

  The lock member 20, the male main body 40, and the lock handle 50 are made of a hard material so as to have mechanical strength (rigidity) that is not substantially deformed by an external force. Such a hard material is not limited, but, for example, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM), polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, hard polyvinyl chloride, ABS (acryl-butadiene-styrene copolymer) Resin materials such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and polyacetal (POM) are preferable. Each of the lock member 20, the male main body 40, and the lock handle 50 can be integrally manufactured by the injection molding method or the like using the resin material described above.

<How to use>
A method of using the connection tool 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  First, a method for connecting the female connector 10 and the male connector 30 will be described.

  From the state shown in FIG. 2, the lock member 20 is attached to the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10 as shown in FIG. 7A. As described above, the female connector 10 has flexibility. Accordingly, for example, the first flange 12 a of the female connector 10 can be crushed so as to reduce the diameter in the radial direction, and the lock member 20 can be externally attached to the female connector 10 and attached to the female connector 10. The locking protrusion 12 d of the female connector 10 is fitted into the notch 21 of the lock member 20. Thereby, the lock member 20 cannot rotate in the circumferential direction with respect to the female connector 10. That is, the locking protrusion 12 d of the female connector 10 and the notch 21 of the lock member 20 constitute a rotation prevention mechanism that prevents the lock member 20 from rotating around the female connector 10.

  FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view along a plane including the central axis 1a of the connector 1 shown in FIG. 7A. The rib 22 of the lock member 20 is fitted in the constricted portion 12 c of the female connector 10. The rib 22 of the lock member 20 is disposed between the first flange 12a and the second flange 12b of the female connector 10. Since the upper end of the rib 22 engages with the first flange 12a and the lower end of the rib 22 engages with the second flange 12b, the lock member 20 can move in the vertical direction with respect to the female connector 10. Can not.

  Returning to FIG. 7A, the connecting portion 49 of the male main body 40 is inserted into the through hole 59 of the lock handle 50. As shown in FIG. 7B, the locking flange 42 of the male body 40 is in contact with the engagement surface 52 of the lock handle 50 in the vertical direction. Thereby, the male main body 40 cannot move upward (in a direction away from the female connector 10) with respect to the lock handle 50. On the other hand, the lock handle 50 can freely rotate around the male body 40. In a state where the locking flange 42 and the engagement surface 52 are in contact with each other, the tubular portion 41 of the male main body 40 protrudes downward from the lock handle 50.

  From the state shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the female connector 10 and the male connector 30 including the male main body 40 and the lock handle 50 are brought close to each other, and the tubular portion 41 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10. The insertion operation can be performed by gripping the outer peripheral surface of the lock member 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the lock handle 50 with separate hands. The rib 22 of the lock member 20 and the first flange 12a of the female connector 10 are engaged. Further, the engagement surface 52 of the lock handle 50 and the locking flange 42 of the male main body 40 are in contact with each other. Accordingly, the pushing force can be applied to the female connector 10 and the male main body 40 without gripping the female connector 10 and the male main body 40.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the vertical direction, the tubular shape of the male main body 40 is maintained until the second engagement claw 54 of the lock handle 50 is positioned substantially the same as or below the first engagement claw 24 of the lock member 20. The part 41 is inserted deeply into the insertion part 11 of the female connector 10. The direction in which the pair of first engagement claws 24 of the lock member 20 face each other and the direction in which the pair of second engagement claws 54 of the lock handle 50 face each other are substantially orthogonal.

  In this state, the lock member 20 and the lock handle 50 are gripped and rotated in opposite directions (arrows R20 and R50). A rotational torque in the direction of the arrow R50 can be applied to the rib 56 of the lock handle 50. The second engagement claw 54 of the lock handle 50 enters the space below the first engagement claw 24 of the lock member 20. The lock handle 50 is rotated until one end of the second engagement claw 54 collides with the stop portion 25 (see FIG. 4A). The three inclined surfaces constituting the lower surface of the first engaging claw 24 and the three inclined surfaces constituting the upper surface of the second engaging claw 54 mesh with each other. Thus, the first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54 are engaged. In this state (locked state), the lock member 20 and the lock handle 50 cannot be separated from each other along the direction of the central axis 1a. In other words, the first engagement claw 24 of the lock member 20 and the second engagement claw 54 of the lock handle 50 do not separate the lock member 20 and the lock handle 50 (that is, the male connector 30) along the central axis 1a. The lock mechanism engages with each other.

  In this way, the female connector 10 and the male connector 30 can be connected as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The tube 8 and the catheter 7 are in fluid-tight communication with each other via the connector 1. In this state, the enteral nutrient can be administered to the patient via the tube 8, the connector 1, and the catheter 7 in this order.

  Separation of the connected female connector 10 and the male connector 30 is possible by performing an operation substantially reverse to the above.

  That is, in the state shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the lock member 20 and the lock handle 50 are gripped and rotated in opposite directions to engage the first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54. Release the lock (lock by the lock mechanism). Next, the lock handle 50 is moved onto the tube 8 to expose the connection portion 49 of the male main body 40. Next, the female connector 10 or the lock member 20 and the connection portion 49 of the male main body 40 are respectively gripped and pulled away from each other, so that the female connector 10 and the male main body 40 are separated. Next, the lock member 20 is separated from the female connector 10. For example, while holding the female connector 10, if the portion of the lock member 20 opposite to the notch 21 is lifted, the first flange 12 a of the female connector 10 is deformed so as to reduce the diameter, and the lock member 20 is The female connector 10 can be separated upward. Since the tubular portion 41 of the male main body 40 is not inserted into the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10, the first flange 12a of the female connector 10 and its peripheral portion are easily deformed.

  The connection and separation between the female connector 10 and the male connector 30 described above can be repeated any number of times.

<Action>
The lock member 20 constituting the connector 1 according to the first embodiment is attached to the female connector 10 only when the male connector 30 is connected to the female connector 10. When enteral nutrition therapy is not performed, it is not necessary to attach the lock member 20 to the female connector 10 as well as the male connector 30. Both the catheter 7 that is placed in the patient for a long period of time and the female connector 10 connected to the distal end thereof have flexibility. A member made of a hard material is not left in the patient for a long time. Therefore, the female connector 10 does not touch the patient to feel pain or cause pressure ulcer.

  The female connector 10 has flexibility. Therefore, when the tubular portion 41 of the male body 40 is not inserted, the lock member 20 can be easily attached to and detached from the female connector 10 by deforming the first flange 12a of the female connector 10 so as to reduce the diameter. Can do. The lock member 20 can be attached / detached on the upper side (opposite to the catheter 7) with respect to the female connector 10. Accordingly, the lock member 20 can be completely removed from the female connector 10 and the catheter 7 with the distal end (downstream end) of the catheter 7 to which the female connector 10 is connected inserted into the patient. Can be installed.

  When connecting the female connector 10 and the male connector 30, first, the lock member 20 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10. Thereafter, the tubular portion 41 of the male connector 30 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10. Thereby, the insertion part 11 of the female connector 10 is restrained in the radial direction by the lock member 20 and the tubular part 41. In other words, it is difficult for the insertion portion 11 having flexibility to be deformed in the radial direction. For this reason, the possibility that the first flange 12a having flexibility of the female connector 10 and the rib 22 of the lock member 20 are released is low. In this state, when the first engagement claw 24 of the lock member 20 and the second engagement claw 54 of the lock handle 50 are engaged with each other, both of them are made of a hard material. It becomes difficult to separate them. Since the locking flange 42 of the male main body 40 abuts on the engagement surface 52 of the lock handle 50, the upward movement of the male main body 40 is restricted. As a result, the connected female connector 10 and the male main body 40 are firmly connected. Therefore, when a high-viscosity enteral nutrient is pumped by applying pressure, the possibility that the female connector 10 and the male connector 30 are unintentionally separated by the internal pressure in the tube 7 and the catheter 8 is low.

  Thus, the first flange 12a of the female connector 10 and the rib 22 of the lock member 20 are such that when the tubular portion 41 is inserted into the insertion portion 11, the lock member 20 is connected to the male connector 30 from the female connector 10. It functions as an engagement structure that engages with each other so as not to be separated (that is, on the upper side along the central axis 1a). On the other hand, when the tubular portion 41 is not inserted into the insertion portion 11, the first flange 12a is deformed so that the engagement by the engagement structure is easily released, and the lock member 20 is moved from the female connector 10 to the male connector 30. It can be separated to the side (ie the upper side along the central axis 1a).

  When the lock member 20 is attached to and detached from the female connector 10, the female connector 10 is deformed. Therefore, the lock member 20 can be formed of a single component that does not substantially deform using a hard material. For example, the mechanical strength of the lock member 20 is improved as compared with the case where the lock member is constituted by two substantially semi-cylindrical parts connected to each other so as to be opened and closed with a hinge. The reliability of the lock mechanism configured with the claw 54 is improved.

  Since the female connector 10 has flexibility, the insertion part 11 of the female connector 10 is preferably extended in the circumferential direction and expanded in diameter by inserting the tubular part 41 of the male main body 40. Thereby, the liquid-tightness of the connection of the insertion part 11 and the tubular part 41 improves.

  When the diameter of the insertion portion 11 is increased by inserting the tubular portion 41 into the insertion portion 11, the first flange 12 a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11 is also increased in diameter and displaced outward along the radial direction. . Thereby, the engagement depth in the radial direction between the first flange 12a and the rib 22 constituting the engagement structure (half the difference between the outer diameter of the first flange 12a and the inner diameter of the rib 22) is increased. Therefore, the possibility that the first flange 12a having flexibility and the rib 22 are disengaged is further reduced. As a result, the female connector 10 and the male connector 30 can be more firmly connected via the lock portion acquisition 20.

  The female connector 10 includes a second flange 12 b that engages with the lower end of the rib 22 of the lock member 20. For this reason, the lock member 20 does not move onto the catheter 7 in a state before the tubular portion 41 of the male main body 40 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10 (the state shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B). Therefore, after that, when connecting the female connector 10 and the male connector 30, there is no need to move the lock member 20 onto the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10. Further, when the connected female connector 10 and male connector 30 are separated, a force for gripping and separating the lock member 20 instead of the female connector 10 acts on the female connector 10 via the second flange 12b. Can be made. Since the separation work can be performed by holding the lock member 20 made of a hard material, workability is improved.

  The lock mechanism includes a first engagement claw 24 projecting inward from the inner peripheral surface of the vertical wall 23 of the lock member 20 and a second engagement claw 54 projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface 53 of the lock handle 50. It is configured. By making the first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54 face each other in the vertical direction, the first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54 are engaged with each other, and a locked state is established. Such a lock mechanism has a simple structure and high reliability.

  The male connector 30 is composed of two parts, a male main body 40 having a tubular portion 41 and a lock handle 50 having a second engagement claw 54. The lock handle 50 can rotate around the male body 40. Thus, in a state where the tubular portion 41 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 10, only the lock handle 50 is rotated, and the locked state in which the first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54 are engaged with each other. It is possible to switch to the unlocked state in which the engagement is released. Since it is not necessary to rotate the male main body 40 that is liquid-tightly connected to the female connector 10, a large force is not required for switching, and the switching operation can be easily performed.

  The first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54 constituting the lock mechanism are engaged and released by rotating the lock member 20 and the lock handle 50 in opposite directions around the central axis 1a. be able to. When the locking mechanism is switched between the locked state and the unlocked state, it is not necessary to substantially move the lock member 20 and the lock handle 50 in the direction of the central axis 1a, so that the switching operation can be easily performed.

  Since the locking protrusion 12 d of the female connector 10 is fitted into the notch 21 of the lock member 20, the lock member 20 cannot rotate with respect to the female connector 10. For this reason, when the lock mechanism is switched between the locked state and the unlocked state, it is possible to apply the rotational torque by gripping the lock member 20 instead of the female connector 10. Since the lock member 20 made of a hard material can be gripped and operated, the operability is improved.

  The lock member 20 is divided in the circumferential direction by a notch 21. Since part of the female connector 10 deformed when the lock member 20 is attached to and detached from the female connector 10 can be released into the notch 21, the attachment and detachment work is facilitated.

(Embodiment 2)
<Configuration>
The medical connector (hereinafter, simply referred to as “connector”) 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the connector 1 of the first embodiment in the shape of the female connector and the lock member. The method for attaching and detaching the members is different. In the following description, the connection tool 2 of the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the connection tool 1 of the first embodiment. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the same or corresponding elements as those constituting the connector 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the connector 2 that connects the catheter 7 and the tube 8. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 2 along the vertical plane including the line 9B-9B of FIG. 9A and the central axis 1a. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 2.

  Similar to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the connector 2 of the second embodiment includes a female connector 210 connected to the upstream end of the catheter 7, a lock member 220, as shown in FIG. 10. The male connector 30 is provided. The male connector 30 includes a male main body 40 connected to the downstream end of the tube 8 and a lock handle 50.

  FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the female connector 210, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 210 along the vertical direction plane including the 11B-11B line and the central axis 1a of FIG. 11A. The female connector 210 according to the second embodiment is different from the female connector 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) in the following points regarding the external shape.

  First, in the second embodiment, the vertical dimension of the first flange 212a along the opening 10a of the insertion portion 11 is larger than that of the first flange 12a of the first embodiment.

  Second, a locking protrusion 212d formed in the constricted portion 12c extends to the first flange 212a. Furthermore, the locking protrusion 212d protrudes larger outward than the first flange 212a and the second flange 12b. The locking protrusion 212d has a substantially “T” shape.

  Except for the above, the female connector 210 is the same as the female connector 10 of Embodiment 1 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

  12A is a perspective view of the lock member 220, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the lock member 220 along the vertical plane including the 12B-12B line and the central axis 1a of FIG. 12A. The lock member 220 of the second embodiment is different from the lock member 20 of the first embodiment in the shape of the notch 221. The notch 221 of the lock member 220 is configured to fit into the locking projection 212 d of the female connector 210. The opening width (opening dimension along the circumferential direction, or opening angle viewed from the central axis 1a) of the notch 221 is larger than the notch 21 of the lock member 20 of the first embodiment.

  The lock member 220 is the same as the lock member 20 of the first embodiment except for the above.

  The male main body 40 and the lock handle 50 constituting the male connector 30 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

<How to use>
A method of using the connection tool 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  First, a method for connecting the female connector 210 and the male connector 30 will be described.

  From the state shown in FIG. 10, the lock member 220 is attached to the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 210 as shown in FIG. 13A. Similar to the female connector 10 of the first embodiment, the female connector 210 of the second embodiment is also flexible. However, in Embodiment 2, the vertical dimension of the first flange 212a is large, and the locking protrusion 212d that is thick in the radial direction reaches the first flange 212a. Accordingly, the vicinity of the opening 10a (see FIG. 11A) of the female connector 210 is relatively harder than the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, it is difficult to squeeze the first flange 212a of the female connector 210 in a radial direction so that the lock member 220 is externally inserted into the female connector 210 and attached to the female connector 210. It may be. Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the lock member 220 can be extrapolated along the radial direction from the opposite side of the locking projection 212d to the female connector 210. The insertion part 11 of the female connector 210 is crushed in the diametrical direction so that the female connector 210 passes through the notch 21 of the lock member 220. When the lock member 220 is attached to the female connector 210, the locking projection 212d of the female connector 210 is fitted into the notch 221 of the lock member 220 as shown in FIG. 13A. Similar to the first embodiment, the lock member 220 cannot rotate in the circumferential direction with respect to the female connector 210.

  FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the central axis 1a of the connector 2 shown in FIG. 13A. As in the first embodiment, the rib 22 of the lock member 220 is disposed between the first flange 212a and the second flange 12b of the female connector 210. Therefore, the lock member 220 cannot move in the vertical direction with respect to the female connector 210.

  From the state shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the female connector 210 and the male connector 30 including the male main body 40 and the lock handle 50 are brought close to each other, and the tubular portion 41 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 210. As shown in FIG. 14, in the vertical direction, the tubular shape of the male main body 40 is maintained until the second locking claw 54 of the lock handle 50 is positioned substantially the same as or below the first engagement claw 24 of the lock member 220. The part 41 is inserted deeply into the insertion part 11 of the female connector 210. Thereafter, the lock member 220 and the lock handle 50 are gripped and rotated in opposite directions (arrows R20 and R50). Thus, the female connector 210 and the male connector 30 can be connected as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

  Separation of the connected female connector 210 and the male connector 30 is possible by performing an operation substantially reverse to the above. After separating the female connector 210 and the male connector 30, the lock member 220 is moved along the radial direction in the opposite direction to that when the female connector 210 is attached, and is separated from the female connector 210. Except for this, the separation work of the female connector 210 and the male connector 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

<Action>
The second embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment. In addition to this, the second embodiment has the following effects.

  The lock member 220 is divided in the circumferential direction by the notch 221. Thereby, even when it is difficult to attach the lock member 220 to the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 210 from above as in the first embodiment, the insertion portion 11 is cut out along the radial direction in the notch 221. By letting it pass, the lock member 220 can be attached to the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 210. Similarly, when removing the lock member 220 from the insertion portion 11 of the female connector 210, the insertion portion 11 is similarly passed through the notch 221 along the radial direction.

  In the second embodiment, the strength of the first flange 212a of the female connector 210 is higher than that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the engagement strength of the engagement structure composed of the first flange 212a and the rib 22 is greater than that of the first embodiment. As a result, when high-viscosity enteral nutrients are pumped by applying pressure, the female connector 210 and the male connector 30 may be unintentionally separated by the internal pressure in the tube 7 and the catheter 8. Compared to the first embodiment, it is even lower.

  In the second embodiment, since the first flange 212a and the locking protrusion 212d are harder than those in the first embodiment, the work of attaching and detaching the lock member 220 to the female connector 210 requires a larger force than in the first embodiment. It may be. However, for example, by increasing the opening width of the notch 221 of the lock member 220, it is possible to improve the detachability of the lock member 220 with respect to the female connector 210.

(Modified embodiment)
The above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the internal pressure in the tube 7 and the catheter 8 abnormally increases, the female connectors 10 and 210 and the male connector 30 may be separated. For example, when the female connectors 10 and 210 and the male connector 30 are connected (see FIGS. 1B and 9B), the outer diameters of the first flanges 12a and 212a of the female connectors 10 and 210 and the ribs 22 of the lock members 20 and 220 are The engagement between the first flanges 12a and 212a and the ribs 22 can be easily released by reducing the difference from the inner diameter, using a relatively soft material as the material of the female connectors 10 and 210, and the like. Thereby, for example, when the internal pressure in the tube 7 and the catheter 8 is abnormally increased due to clogging of the flow path in the catheter 8, for example, the female connectors 10, 210 and the male connector 30 are separated at a relatively early stage. It is possible to improve safety by preventing occurrence of dangerous accidents such as ejection of enteral nutrients and rupture of the tube 7 and the catheter 8.

  In the first and second embodiments, the first flanges 12a and 212a and the ribs 22 are used as the engagement structure in which the female connectors 10 and 210 and the lock members 20 and 220 engage with each other. The first flanges 12a and 212a do not have to be annular protrusions that are continuous in the circumferential direction, and may be a plurality of protrusions divided in the circumferential direction, or may be a single protrusion. Similarly, the rib 22 does not have to be continuous in the circumferential direction, and may be a plurality of projections divided in the circumferential direction, or may be a single projection. If the first flange is disposed adjacent to the side where the tubular portion 41 is inserted (ie, the upper side) with respect to the rib when the locking members 20 and 220 are attached to the insertion portion 11, such a first flange is provided. And a rib can function as an engagement structure of the present invention irrespective of the shape.

  In the first and second embodiments, the pair of first engagement claws 24 and the pair of second engagement claws 54 are used as the lock mechanism in which the lock members 20 and 220 and the lock handle 50 are engaged. The first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54 may have any shape and number as long as they can engage with each other. Furthermore, the lock mechanism does not need to be constituted by a claw, and may be constituted by, for example, a male screw and a female screw that are screwed together.

  In the first and second embodiments, the male connector 30 is composed of two parts, that is, the male body 40 and the lock handle 50. However, even if the male connector 30 is composed of a single part in which the male body 40 and the lock handle 50 are integrated. Good. In this case, the tubular portion 41 rotates within the insertion portion 11 when the first engagement claw 24 and the second engagement claw 54 are engaged and released.

  The structure of the rotation prevention mechanism for preventing the lock members 20 and 220 from rotating around the female connectors 10 and 210 is the same as that of the locking projections 12d and 212d and the notches 21 and 221 shown in the first and second embodiments. It is not limited. For example, the locking protrusions 12d and 212d are omitted, and the locking members 20 and 220 are fitted on the mutually facing surfaces of the locking members 20 and 220 and the female connectors 10 and 210 so that the locking members 20 and 220 do not rotate with respect to the female connectors 10 and 210. A combined shape may be formed.

  In the first embodiment, the notch 21 may be omitted, and the lock member 20 may have an annular shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used as a connection tool for detachably connecting two tubes in the medical field. In particular, it can be preferably used as a connection tool for connecting a PEG catheter used for enteral nutrition therapy and a flexible tube (extension tube).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Medical connector 1a Center axis 7 PEG catheter 8 Tube 10, 210 Female connector 11 Insertion part 12a, 212a 1st flange (engagement structure)
12b Second flange 12d, 212d Locking projection (rotation prevention mechanism)
20,220 Lock member 21, 221 Notch (rotation prevention mechanism)
22 Ribs (engagement structure)
23 vertical wall 24 first engaging claw (locking mechanism)
30 male connector 40 male body 41 tubular portion 42 locking flange 50 lock handle 52 engagement surface 54 second engagement claw (lock mechanism)
59 Through hole

Claims (12)

A male main body having a tubular portion , and a male connector comprising a lock handle, both of the male main body and the lock handle being made of a hard material;
An insertion portion into which the tubular portion is inserted, and a flexible female connector;
A medical connector provided with a lock member made of a hard material, which is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the female connector,
The locking member can be attached to and detached from the insertion portion by deforming the female connector when the tubular portion is not inserted into the insertion portion,
When the locking member is mounted on the insertion portion and the tubular portion is inserted into the insertion portion, the female connector and the female connector and the male connector are separated so that the locking member does not separate from the female connector to the male connector side. The lock member is provided with an engagement structure that engages with each other,
Said locking member and said locking handle, so as not to separate along the central axis of the medical connector, said locking member and said locking handle, and the locking mechanism is provided to mutually engage each other,
The male body is inserted into a through hole formed in the lock handle,
The lock handle is rotatable around the male body and restricts the male body from moving away from the female connector;
Engaging and releasing the lock mechanism can be performed by rotating the lock member and the lock handle in opposite directions around the central axis . When the tubular portion is not inserted into the insertion portion, the lock member is attached to and detached from the insertion portion on the side where the tubular portion is inserted or along a direction orthogonal to the central axis. The medical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the medical connector can be used. The lock mechanism includes a plurality of first engaging claws protruding inward from an inner peripheral surface of a vertical wall of the lock member facing the central axis, and a plurality of protrusions protruding outward from an outer peripheral surface of the lock handle. The medical connector according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a second engaging claw. A male connector comprising a tubular portion and made of a hard material;
An insertion portion into which the tubular portion is inserted, and a flexible female connector;
A medical connector provided with a lock member made of a hard material, which is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the female connector,
When the tubular part is not inserted into the insertion part, the locking member deforms the female connector, thereby deforming the female connector along the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the medical connector. Can be detached,
When the locking member is mounted on the insertion portion and the tubular portion is inserted into the insertion portion, the female connector and the female connector and the male connector are separated so that the locking member does not separate from the female connector to the male connector side. The lock member is provided with an engagement structure that engages with each other,
A medical connector, wherein the locking member and the male connector are provided with a locking mechanism that engages with each other so that the locking member and the male connector are not separated along the central axis. . The male connector includes a male main body provided with the tubular portion, and a lock handle provided with the lock mechanism,
The male body is inserted into a through hole formed in the lock handle,
The medical connector according to claim 4 , wherein the lock handle is rotatable around the male main body and restricts the male main body from moving in a direction away from the female connector. The medical connector according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the locking mechanism can be engaged and released by rotating the locking member and the male connector in opposite directions around the central axis. The lock mechanism includes a plurality of first engaging claws that protrude inward from an inner peripheral surface of the vertical wall of the lock member that faces the central axis, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the male connector. The medical connector according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising a second engaging claw. The engagement structure includes a first flange that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the female connector, and a rib that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the lock member toward the central axis,
The said 1st flange is arrange | positioned adjacent to the side in which the said tubular part is inserted with respect to the said rib, when the said locking member is mounted | worn with the said insertion part. Medical connector. The medical connector according to claim 8 , wherein the first flange is deformed so as to expand in diameter when the tubular portion is inserted into the insertion portion. The medical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein an anti-rotation mechanism is provided on the lock member and the female connector so that the lock member does not rotate around the female connector. The locking member is a medical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 are divided in the circumferential direction by notches. The medical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein a PEG catheter for performing enteral nutrition therapy is connected to an end of the female connector opposite to the insertion portion.

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