JP7510821B2 - Flow Regulator - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a flow regulator.

Conventionally, flow regulators capable of clamping a medical tube and adjusting the flow rate of liquid flowing through the medical tube have been known. Patent Document 1 describes this type of flow regulator. The flow regulator described in Patent Document 1 is a flow regulator device for adjusting the flow rate of liquid flowing through a flexible plastic tube. The flow regulator in Patent Document 1 is composed of a clamp body having multiple tube pressing pieces in the circumferential direction, and a cap that is screwed onto the clamp body. The pressing pieces of the clamp body described in Patent Document 1 can be elastically pressed and bent in the axial direction. In addition, a tapered surface that gradually becomes smaller in diameter toward the cap end is formed on the inner surface of the cap that abuts against the pressing pieces.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-170259

In the flow rate adjustment device described in Patent Document 1, the cap is screwed onto the clamp body, and the pressing piece of the clamp body is bent axially by the tapered surface of the cap. In this way, the pressing piece of the clamp body tightens the tube, and the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the tube is adjusted.

However, in the flow control device described in Patent Document 1, which serves as a flow regulator, it is necessary to change the overall length of the clamp body and the cap in the axial direction of the tube when adjusting the degree of tightening of the tube. Therefore, the flow control device of Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of miniaturization.

The present disclosure aims to provide a flow regulator that has a configuration that makes it easy to achieve miniaturization.

A flow rate regulator according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a flow rate regulator that can be attached to a medical tube and can adjust the flow rate of a liquid flowing through the medical tube by deforming the medical tube, and includes a movable part that is located radially outward of the medical tube and can deform or move in the tube radial direction, and a cam part that does not move relative to the movable part in the tube axial direction of the medical tube, but moves relative to the movable part along an in-plane direction perpendicular to the tube axial direction, thereby varying the amount of pressure the movable part presses inward in the tube radial direction and varying the pressing state of the medical tube by the movable part.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cam portion rotates relative to the movable portion in the in-plane direction toward the circumferential direction of the medical tube, thereby varying the amount by which the movable portion is pushed inward in the radial direction of the tube, thereby varying the state in which the movable portion presses the medical tube.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cam portion is rotatable relative to the movable portion in the circumferential direction of the tube with the medical tube as a rotation center axis, the cam portion is located radially outward of the movable portion in the tube radial direction, and is a pressing surface that can press the movable portion radially inward in the tube radial direction, and the radial distance from the rotation center axis to the pressing surface changes along the circumferential direction of the tube.

As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the movable part has a protrusion that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the tube and slides against the pressing surface when the movable part and the pressing surface rotate relatively in the circumferential direction of the tube.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the movable portion includes an abutment portion that abuts against the medical tube at a position radially inward of the protrusion.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cam portion is rotatable relative to the movable portion in the circumferential direction of the tube with the medical tube as a rotation center axis, the movable portion has a pressed surface that is pressed inward in the radial direction of the tube by the cam portion from the outside in the radial direction of the tube, and the radial distance from the rotation center axis to the pressed surface of the movable portion changes along the circumferential direction of the tube.

As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cam portion is a convex portion that is located radially outward of the pressed surface of the movable portion, protrudes radially inward of the tube, and slides against the pressed surface of the movable portion when the movable portion and the cam portion rotate relatively in the circumferential direction of the tube.

A flow regulator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inner cylinder that defines an insertion hole through which the medical tube can be inserted, and an outer cylinder that is positioned radially outward of the inner cylinder and can rotate relative to the inner cylinder in the circumferential direction of the tube, the movable portion being provided on the inner cylinder, and the cam portion being provided on the outer cylinder.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cam portion moves linearly relative to the movable portion in the in-plane direction to vary the amount of pressure the movable portion presses inward in the tube radial direction, thereby varying the state of pressure applied to the medical tube by the movable portion.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the movable portion is a deformation portion that is elastically deformable in the tube radial direction.

This disclosure provides a flow regulator that has a configuration that makes it easy to achieve miniaturization.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a flow regulator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the flow regulator shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the flow rate regulator shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a side view of the regulator shown in FIG. 3 in an exploded state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 4 . FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 4 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. 2 . 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 7, illustrating a state in which the inner and outer cylindrical bodies have been relatively rotated in the tube circumferential direction from the state shown in FIG. 7. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of the deformation portion and the pressing surface of the first embodiment. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 9A, illustrating a state in which the inner and outer cylinder bodies have been rotated relatively in the tube circumferential direction from the state shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a flow regulator according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the flow regulator shown in FIG. 10 . FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 12, illustrating a state in which the inner and outer cylinder bodies have been relatively rotated in the tube circumferential direction from the state shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a flow regulator according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the flow regulator shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 15 is a top view showing one embodiment of the flow regulator shown in FIG. 14. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 16 . 17 is a top view showing a configuration of the flow rate regulator shown in FIG. 14 that is different from that shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 18 .

Embodiments of the flow regulator according to the present disclosure will be illustrated and described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same components in each drawing.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a flow regulator 1 as one embodiment of a flow regulator according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the flow regulator 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the flow regulator 1. FIG. 4 is a side view of the flow regulator 1 in an exploded state as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along II-II in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along III-III in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along II in FIG. 2. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 show the flow regulator 1 attached to a medical tube 100 indicated by a two-dot chain line. Also, in FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, the position of the medical tube 100 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flow regulator 1 can be attached to the medical tube 100. When attached to the medical tube 100, the flow regulator 1 can adjust the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the medical tube 100 by deforming the medical tube 100.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment includes an inner cylinder body 11 and an outer cylinder body 21.

The inner cylinder 11 of this embodiment defines an insertion hole 11a extending in the direction of its central axis, through which the medical tube 100 can be inserted. The flow regulator 1 of this embodiment is attached to the medical tube 100 by inserting the medical tube 100 into the insertion hole 11a. Hereinafter, the state in which the medical tube 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 11a as the tube insertion space will be simply referred to as the "state in which the flow regulator 1 is attached to the medical tube 100." Furthermore, the radial, axial, and circumferential directions of the medical tube 100 in the state in which the flow regulator 1 is attached to the medical tube 100 will be simply referred to as the "tube radial direction A," the "tube axial direction B," and the "tube circumferential direction C." Furthermore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the flow regulator 1 will be described in the state in which it is attached to the medical tube 100.

In this embodiment, the outer cylinder body 21 is located outside the inner cylinder body 11 in the tube radial direction A and can rotate relative to the inner cylinder body 11 in the tube circumferential direction C.

As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the inner cylinder 11 of this embodiment is provided with a movable part 2. Details will be described later, but when the flow rate regulator 1 is attached to the medical tube 100, the movable part 2 is located outside the medical tube 100 in the tube radial direction A and can deform or move toward the tube radial direction A. The movable part 2 of this embodiment is composed of a deformation part 34 that can elastically deform in the tube radial direction A, but may also be a moving part that can move in the tube radial direction A without deforming.

6 and 7, the outer tube body 21 of this embodiment is provided with a cam portion 3. As will be described in detail later, the cam portion 3 does not move relative to the movable portion 2 toward the tube axis direction B, but moves relative to the movable portion 2 along an in-plane direction D perpendicular to the tube axis direction B. This allows the cam portion 3 to vary the amount of pressing of the movable portion 2 inward in the tube radial direction A. In other words, the cam portion 3 can vary the pressing state of the medical tube 100 by the movable portion 2. Here, the "in-plane direction D" means any direction perpendicular to the tube axis direction B. Therefore, the tube radial direction A is one aspect of the in-plane direction D. As will be described in detail later, the cam portion 3 of this embodiment is composed of a pressing surface 43 formed on the inner surface of the outer tube body 21.

In this way, the flow regulator 1 has a cam portion 3 that does not move relative to the movable portion 2 toward the tube axial direction B, but moves relative to the movable portion 2 along an in-plane direction D perpendicular to the tube axial direction B. Therefore, the flow regulator 1 can change the pressing state of the medical tube 100 without changing the overall length in the tube axial direction B. Such movable portion 2 and cam portion 3 are easy to apply regardless of the size of the flow regulator 1. In other words, by using the above-mentioned movable portion 2 and cam portion 3, it becomes easier to realize a compact flow regulator 1.

In addition, the flow regulator 1 does not involve any change in the overall length in the tube axial direction B when adjusting the flow rate of the medical tube 100. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism that operates in the tube axial direction B to adjust the flow rate of the medical tube 100, and it is easy to ensure a large proportion of the region in the tube axial direction B where the medical tube 100 can be compressed from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A, among the entire region in the tube axial direction B of the flow regulator 1. In this way, by ensuring a long region in the tube axial direction B where the medical tube 100 can be compressed from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A, the amount of compression of the medical tube 100 to adjust the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the medical tube 100 to a predetermined flow rate can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the same region is short. This suppresses the occurrence of irreversible plastic deformation in the medical tube 100, and reduces the load on the medical tube 100.

As described above, the movable part 2 in this embodiment is provided on the inner cylinder body 11, but is not limited to this configuration. When the flow regulator 1 is attached to the medical tube 100, the movable part 2 needs only to be located outside the medical tube 100 in the tube radial direction A and be able to deform or move toward the tube radial direction A. Therefore, the flow regulator 1 may be configured not to include the inner cylinder body 11 as long as it is configured to include such a movable part 2.

As described above, the cam portion 3 in this embodiment is provided on the outer cylinder body 21, but is not limited to this configuration. When the flow regulator 1 is attached to the medical tube 100, the cam portion 3 does not move relative to the movable portion 2 toward the tube axial direction B of the medical tube 100, but moves relative to the movable portion 2 along an in-plane direction D perpendicular to the tube axial direction B, thereby varying the amount of pushing of the movable portion 2 inward in the tube radial direction A and varying the pressing state of the medical tube 100 by the movable portion 2. Therefore, as long as the flow regulator 1 is configured to include such a cam portion 3, it may be configured not to include the outer cylinder body 21. Therefore, the cam portion 3 does not have to be configured to rotate relative to the movable portion 2 in the tube circumferential direction C (see Figures 14 to 19).

Furthermore, the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment is attached to the medical tube 100 by inserting the medical tube 100 into the insertion hole 11a of the inner cylinder 11, but the tube insertion space of the flow regulator 1 is not limited to the insertion hole 11a and may have other configurations, such as an insertion groove.

Below, further details of the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[Inner cylinder 11]
As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the inner cylinder 11 includes a main body 31 and an operating part 32. The main body 31 is inserted into the housing space 41a in the outer cylinder 21 from one end opening in the tube axis direction B of the outer cylinder 21 (in this embodiment, the same direction as the central axis of the outer cylinder 21 itself). Therefore, the main body 31 is located in the outer cylinder 21. More specifically, the main body 31 is housed in the outer cylinder 21 concentrically so that the central axes of the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 approximately coincide. Hereinafter, the central axes of the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 are referred to as "central axis O". The operating part 32 is connected to the end of the main body 31 in the tube axis direction B and is exposed from the outer cylinder 21. In other words, the operating part 32 is located outside the outer cylinder 21 in the tube axis direction B. The inner cylinder 11 has an insertion hole 11a that penetrates the main body 31 and the operation unit 32 in the tube axial direction B. In the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment, the central axis O and the insertion hole 11a are set such that the central axis O of the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 pass through the insertion hole 11a in the tube axial direction B. In other words, when the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment is attached to the medical tube 100, the medical tube 100, the inner cylinder 11, and the outer cylinder 21 are arranged concentrically.

[[Main body portion 31]]
The main body portion 31 includes a frame portion 33 surrounding the insertion hole 11 a and a deformation portion 34 supported by the frame portion 33 .

The frame portion 33 has an endless configuration in the tube circumferential direction C. More specifically, the frame portion 33 has two pillar portions 33a that protrude in the tube axial direction B from opposing positions in the tube radial direction A of the operating portion 32, and an endless annular portion 33b that is connected to the tip portions of the two pillar portions 33a. The pillar portions 33a in this embodiment protrude from opposing positions in the tube radial direction A of the operating portion 32, but are not limited to this configuration. The pillar portions 33a may protrude from different positions in the tube circumferential direction C of the operating portion 32. In addition, the number of pillar portions 33a is not limited to two, and may be only one or three or more. Furthermore, the frame portion 33 in this embodiment has only one endless annular portion 33b that connects the tip portions of the two pillar portions 33a, but may have a configuration in which multiple endless annular portions 33b are provided at different positions in the tube axial direction B. In this embodiment, the central axis of the endless annular portion 33b coincides with the central axis of the main body 31 and also coincides with the central axis O of the entire inner cylinder 11.

The deformation portion 34 can be deformed in the tube radial direction A relative to the frame portion 33. Specifically, the deformation portion 34 in this embodiment protrudes from the column portion 33a of the frame portion 33 toward the tube circumferential direction C. In other words, the deformation portion 34 in this embodiment is provided at a position between the tube circumferential direction C of the two column portions 33a. Therefore, the main body portion 31 in this embodiment has two deformation portions 34 protruding from each column portion 33a of the frame portion 33 toward the tube circumferential direction C. As shown in FIG. 5, the two deformation portions 34 in this embodiment are arranged opposite each other in the tube radial direction A, sandwiching the medical tube 100. More specifically, the two deformation portions 34 in this embodiment are configured in a shape that is point-symmetrical with respect to the central axis line O in a cross-sectional view (see FIG. 5) perpendicular to the tube axial direction B. The deformation portion 34 has one end in the tube circumferential direction C supported by the column portion 33a, and the other end in the tube circumferential direction C is not supported by the column portion 33a. In addition, both ends of the deformation portion 34 in the tube axial direction B are not connected to the frame portion 33 and the operating portion 32. In other words, in this embodiment, only one end of the deformation portion 34 in the tube circumferential direction C is supported in a cantilever manner by the pillar portion 33a of the frame portion 33. Therefore, the deformation portion 34 in this embodiment can be elastically deformed in the tube radial direction A relative to the pillar portion 33a of the frame portion 33 that supports it.

The main body 31 of this embodiment has two deformation parts 34, but the number of deformation parts 34 is not particularly limited. Therefore, only one deformation part 34 may be provided in the tube circumferential direction C, or three or more deformation parts 34 may be provided at different positions in the tube circumferential direction C. However, as will be described in detail later, it is preferable to have only one or two deformation parts 34 (see Figures 7, 8, 9A, and 9B).

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the deformation portion 34 in this embodiment includes a deformation main body portion 34a that protrudes from the column portion 33a of the frame portion 33, and a protrusion portion 34b that protrudes outward from the deformation main body portion 34a in the tube radial direction A.

The deformable body portion 34a may be supported by the column portion 33a in a cantilevered manner so as to be deformable in the tube radial direction A relative to the column portion 33a, and the configuration is not particularly limited. The thickness of the deformable body portion 34a in the tube radial direction A of the present embodiment is thicker at both ends in the tube axial direction B than at the center. In other words, the deformable body portion 34a in the present embodiment has thick portions at both ends in the tube axial direction B, where the thickness in the tube radial direction A is thick. However, the deformable body portion 34a may be configured, for example, as a plate having a uniform thickness regardless of the position in the tube axial direction B. However, it is preferable to configure the deformable body portion 34a in the tube axial direction B to be thicker at both ends than at the center, as in the deformable body portion 34a in the present embodiment. In this way, the deformation of the deformable body portion 34a in the tube radial direction A can be suppressed from varying depending on the position in the tube axial direction B, that is, the torsional deformation of the deformable body portion 34a can be suppressed.

The deformable main body 34a of this embodiment also includes an abutment portion 34a1 that abuts against the medical tube 100, located inside the convex portion 34b in the tube radial direction A. In other words, the abutment portion 34a1 is located between the convex portion 34b and the medical tube 100 in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the tube axial direction B (see FIG. 7). The abutment portion 34a1 of this embodiment is formed by a flat surface on the inside of the deformable main body 34a in the tube radial direction A, but is not limited to this configuration and may be, for example, a curved surface.

As described above, the convex portion 34b protrudes outward in the tube radial direction A from the deformed main body portion 34a. When the inner cylinder 11 is not inserted into the outer cylinder 21 (see Figures 3 to 5), the distance in the tube radial direction A from the central axis O of the inner cylinder 11 to the outer end of the convex portion 34b in the tube radial direction A (hereinafter referred to as the "outer end of the convex portion 34b") (hereinafter referred to as the "rotation radius R to the outer end of the convex portion 34b") is greater than the distance in the tube radial direction A from the central axis O of the inner cylinder 11 to any other part of the main body portion 31 within the region in which the convex portion 34b is provided in the tube axial direction B. In other words, the maximum radius of the circle drawn by the rotation trajectory around the central axis O of the main body portion 31 within the region in which the convex portion 34b is provided in the tube axial direction B is the rotation radius R to the tip of the convex portion 34b. Therefore, when the main body 31 of the inner cylinder 11 is housed in the outer cylinder 21 and the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C, the protrusion 34b slides against the inner surface of the outer cylinder 21. This causes the protrusion 34b to be pressed inward in the tube radial direction A. As a result, the deformable main body 34a elastically deforms inward in the tube radial direction A and presses against the medical tube 100 (see FIG. 1). This will be described in more detail later (see FIG. 8).

In this embodiment, the protrusion 34b protrudes outward in the tube radial direction A from the tip of the deformable main body 34a in the tube circumferential direction C, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the protrusion 34b may protrude outward in the tube radial direction A from the center of the deformable main body 34a in the tube circumferential direction C.

In addition, the position in the tube axial direction B where the convex portion 34b protrudes from the deformable main body portion 34a is not particularly limited. Therefore, the convex portion 34b may protrude outward in the tube radial direction A from only a portion of the deformable main body portion 34a in the tube axial direction B. However, it is preferable that the convex portion 34b protrude outward in the tube radial direction A from the entire area of the deformable main body portion 34a in the tube axial direction B, as in this embodiment. In this way, the length of the convex portion 34b in the tube axial direction B can be increased. This makes it possible to suppress variation in the pressing force that presses the medical tube 100 in the tube axial direction B. This will be described in detail later.

[[Operation unit 32]]
The operating portion 32 is connected to one side of the main body 31 in the tube axial direction B, and is exposed from the outer cylinder 21. Although details will be described later, an operator operating the flow rate regulator 1 holds the outer cylinder 21 with one hand and holds the operating portion 32 of the inner cylinder 11 with the other hand, and rotates both relatively in the tube circumferential direction C. This allows the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 to rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C.

The operating section 32 of this embodiment is connected to the main body section 31 and includes a cylindrical support section 35 that supports the main body section 31, a disk-shaped grip section 36 that is larger in diameter than the support section 35, and a cylindrical small diameter section 37 that is located between the support section 35 and the grip section 36 and has a smaller diameter than the support section 35 and the grip section 36. In the operating section 32 of this embodiment, the central axes of the support section 35, grip section 36, and small diameter section 37 are approximately aligned with the central axis of the main body section 31 and are also approximately aligned with the central axis O of the entire inner cylinder 11.

In this embodiment, an endless annular groove 38 is formed on the outer surface of the operating portion 32 on the outer side in the tube radial direction A. More specifically, the annular groove 38 in this embodiment is formed by the support portion 35, the grip portion 36, and the small diameter portion 37 described above. The annular groove 38 is formed over the entire area in the tube circumferential direction C. The position of the annular groove 38 in the tube axial direction B does not change depending on the position in the tube circumferential direction C. The inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 are integrated so as to be relatively rotatable in the tube circumferential direction C by arranging the main body portion 31 of the inner cylinder 11 in the accommodation space 41a of the outer cylinder 21 and the locking claws 42 of the outer cylinder 21, which will be described later, to enter the annular groove 38 of the inner cylinder 11.

In this embodiment, the support portion 35 of the operating portion 32 protrudes outward in the tube radial direction A beyond the outer end of the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the main body portion 31. When the main body portion 31 of the inner cylinder 11 is inserted in the tube axial direction B from one end opening of the outer cylinder 21, after the frame portion 33 and the deformation portion 34 of the main body portion 31 are inserted into the accommodation space 41a of the outer cylinder 21, a part of the support portion 35 of the operating portion 32 enters the accommodation space 41a of the outer cylinder 21 and abuts against the receiving portion 45 of the outer cylinder 21 described later. In this way, the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 are inserted in the tube axial direction B until the support portion 35 of the inner cylinder 11 abuts against the receiving portion 45 of the outer cylinder 21. In other words, the inner cylinder 11 cannot be inserted further into the outer cylinder 21 when the support portion 35 abuts against the receiving portion 45. In other words, the support portion 35 of the operating portion 32 of the inner cylinder 11 is an insertion restriction portion that restricts further insertion into the outer cylinder 21. When the inner cylinder 11 is inserted into the outer cylinder 21 until the support portion 35 of the operating portion 32 abuts against the receiving portion 45 of the outer cylinder 21, the locking claw 42 of the outer cylinder 21 fits into the annular groove 38 of the operating portion 32 of the inner cylinder 11, as described above. In this way, the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 are integrated so as to be relatively rotatable in the tube circumferential direction C.

In the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the support portion 35 of the inner cylinder 11 and the receiving portion 45 of the outer cylinder 21 regulate the insertion amount of the inner cylinder 11 into the outer cylinder 21 in the tube axis direction B, but the configuration is not particularly limited. Therefore, for example, the grip portion 36 of the operation portion 32 of the inner cylinder 11 may abut against the locking claw 42 of the outer cylinder 21 described later, thereby regulating the insertion amount of the inner cylinder 11 into the outer cylinder 21 in the tube axis direction B. Also, in this embodiment, the locking claw 42 of the outer cylinder 21 described later is configured to enter the annular groove 38 of the inner cylinder 11. Therefore, as long as the configuration in which the locking claw 42 of the outer cylinder 21 described later enters the annular groove 38 of the inner cylinder 11 can be maintained, there is no need to regulate the insertion of the inner cylinder 11 into the outer cylinder 21 in the tube axis direction B.

Materials for forming the inner cylinder 11 include, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA); polyvinyl chloride; polyvinylidene chloride; polystyrene; polyamide; polyimide; polyamideimide; polycarbonate; poly-(4-methylpentene-1); ionomers; acrylic resins; polymethyl methacrylate; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS resins); acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (AS resins); butadiene-styrene copolymers; polyethylene terephthalate. Examples of the resin materials include polyesters such as polyvinyl chloride (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polycyclohexane terephthalate (PCT); polyether; polyether ketone (PEK); polyether ether ketone (PEEK); polyetherimide; polyacetal (POM); polyphenylene oxide; modified polyphenylene oxide; polysulfone; polyether sulfone; polyphenylene sulfide; polyarylate; aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer); polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and other fluorine-based resins. Blends and polymer alloys containing one or more of these may also be used. In addition, various glass materials, ceramic materials, and metal materials may also be used.

[Outer cylinder body 21]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the outer cylinder 21 includes a cylinder main body portion 41 and a locking claw 42 .

[[Cylinder main body portion 41]]
The cylinder main body 41 defines an accommodation space 41a therein. The main body 31 of the inner cylinder 11 is accommodated in this accommodation space 41a.

The tube body 41 of this embodiment is cylindrical. The central axis of the tube body 41 coincides with the central axis O of the entire outer tube 21. A pressing surface 43 is formed on the inner surface of the tube body 41, which can contact the deformed portion 34 of the inner tube 11 and press the deformed portion 34 inward in the tube radial direction A. The pressing surface 43 is located outside the deformed portion 34 in the tube radial direction A. As shown in FIG. 6, two pressing surfaces 43 are provided on the inner surface of the tube body 41 of this embodiment. The two pressing surfaces 43 are provided at positions facing each other in the tube radial direction A. More specifically, the two pressing surfaces 43 of this embodiment are configured in a shape that is point-symmetrical with respect to the central axis O in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the tube axial direction B (see FIG. 6). Each pressing surface 43 can contact each deformed portion 34. More specifically, the pressing surface 43 can press the deformed portion 34 inward in the tube radial direction A.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pressing surface 43 of this embodiment is configured by a surface in which the distance in the tube radial direction A from the central axis O gradually changes along the tube circumferential direction C. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the pressing surface 43 of this embodiment is configured by a curved surface in which the radial distance L1 gradually decreases along the tube circumferential direction C from a position P1 in the tube circumferential direction C where the distance in the tube radial direction A from the central axis O (hereinafter referred to as the "radial distance L1") is maximum to a position P2 in the tube circumferential direction C where the radial distance L1 is minimum. In addition, the pressing surface 43 of this embodiment is a surface parallel to the tube axial direction B. Therefore, the radial distance L1 at any position in the tube circumferential direction C of the pressing surface 43 is constant regardless of the position in the tube axial direction B.

Each pressing surface 43 is formed over a range of about 180° in the central angle centered on the central axis O in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6. A rotation restricting convex surface 44 is provided on the inner surface of the tube main body 41 at a position between the two pressing surfaces 43 in the tube circumferential direction C. The rotation restricting convex surface 44 of this embodiment is connected to a position P1 where the radial distance L1 is maximum in the tube circumferential direction C of one pressing surface 43 on one side of the tube circumferential direction C. The rotation restricting convex surface 44 of this embodiment is connected to a position P2 where the radial distance L1 is minimum in the tube circumferential direction C of the other pressing surface 43 on the other side of the tube circumferential direction C. The rotation restricting convex surface 44 protrudes inward in the tube radial direction A, that is, to a position closer to the central axis O, than any position of the pressing surface 43 in the tube circumferential direction C. The rotation restricting convex surface 44 abuts against the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylindrical body 11, thereby restricting further relative rotation of the inner cylindrical body 11 and the outer cylindrical body 21 in the tube circumferential direction C. This will be described in detail later.

The tube body 41 of this embodiment is provided with a receiving portion 45 that receives the support portion 35 of the operating portion 32 of the inner tube 11 described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner surface of the tube body 41 of this embodiment is further provided with a planar receiving surface as the receiving portion 45 that faces the tube axial direction B and is connected to the pressing surface 43 and the rotation restricting convex surface 44 that face inward in the tube radial direction A.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the locking claws 42 protrude from the tube main body 41 in the tube axial direction B. In this embodiment, multiple locking claws 42 (two in this embodiment) are formed at different positions in the tube circumferential direction C of the tube main body 41. The two locking claws 42 in this embodiment are provided at positions facing each other across the central axis O in the tube radial direction A, but the number and positions are not particularly limited.

3 and 4, the locking claw 42 includes a claw support portion 46 that is connected to the tube main body portion 41 and protrudes from the end surface of the tube main body portion 41 in the tube axial direction B, and a claw portion 47 that protrudes from the claw support portion 46 toward the inside in the tube radial direction A. The lower surface 47a of the claw portion 47 on the side where the tube main body portion 41 is located in the tube axial direction B is configured as a surface that is approximately parallel to the in-plane direction D. In contrast, an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the in-plane direction D is formed over the upper surface 47b of the claw portion 47 on the opposite side to the side where the tube main body portion 41 is located in the tube axial direction B, and over the upper surface 46b of the claw support portion 46 that is continuous with the upper surface 47b. More specifically, the inclined surface formed over the upper surface 47b of the claw portion 47 and the upper surface 46b of the claw support portion 46 is inclined from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A so as to approach the tube main body portion 41 in the tube axial direction B.

3 and 4, when the main body 31 of the inner cylinder 11 is inserted into the accommodation space 41a of the outer cylinder 21 in the tube axial direction B, the support portion 35 of the inner cylinder 11 abuts against the inclined surface formed on the upper surface 47b of the claw portion 47 of the locking claw 42 and the upper surface 46b of the claw support portion 46. When the main body 31 of the inner cylinder 11 is further inserted into the accommodation space 41a of the outer cylinder 21 from this state, the locking claw 42 is pressed outward in the tube radial direction A by the support portion 35 of the inner cylinder 11 due to the above-mentioned inclined surface. As a result, the claw support portion 46 elastically deforms outward in the tube radial direction A from the position connected to the cylinder main body portion 41. As a result, the claw portion 47 can ride over the support portion 35 and fit into the annular groove 38 of the operation portion 32 of the inner cylinder 11. In this way, the claw portion 47 of the locking claw 42 of the outer cylinder 21 is fitted into the annular groove 38 of the operating portion 32 of the inner cylinder 11, so that the inner cylinder 11 is attached to the outer cylinder 21 so as to be rotatable relative to the outer cylinder 21 in the tube circumferential direction C.

Examples of materials for forming the outer cylinder 21 include materials similar to those for forming the inner cylinder 11 described above.

[Operation of Movable Part 2 and Cam Part 3]
Next, the details of the movable part 2 and the cam part 3 in the flow rate regulator 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the inner cylinder body 11 and the outer cylinder body 21 are rotated relatively in the tube circumferential direction C from the state shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows the flow rate regulator 1 in a state in which it is attached to the medical tube 100 shown by the two-dot chain line, as in Fig. 7. More specifically, Fig. 7 shows a state in which no pressing force is applied from the pressing surface 43 of the outer cylinder body 21 to the deformed part 34 of the inner cylinder body 11 in the tube radial direction A. In contrast, Fig. 8 shows a state in which a pressing force is applied from the pressing surface 43 of the outer cylinder body 21 to the deformed part 34 of the inner cylinder body 11 in the tube radial direction A.

The movable part 2 of this embodiment is provided on the inner tube body 11 as described above. More specifically, the movable part 2 of this embodiment is configured with a deformation part 34 that can elastically deform in the tube radial direction A. Also, the cam part 3 of this embodiment is provided on the outer tube body 21 as described above. More specifically, the cam part 3 of this embodiment is located outside the deformation part 34 as the movable part 2 in the tube radial direction A, and is configured with a pressing surface 43 that can press the deformation part 34 as the movable part 2 inward in the tube radial direction A. The operation of the deformation part 34 as the movable part 2 and the pressing surface 43 as the cam part 3 will be described below.

In the state shown in FIG. 7, the outer end of the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the inner tube body 11 is near position P1 on the pressing surface 43 of the outer tube body 21 where the radial distance L1 is maximum in the tube circumferential direction C, and is not in contact with the pressing surface 43. In other words, the rotation radius R of the outer end of the convex portion 34b is smaller than the radial distance L1 at position P1 of the pressing surface 43.

7, the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 are rotated relative to each other in the tube circumferential direction C so that the outer end of the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylinder 11 approaches the position P2 of the pressing surface 43 of the outer cylinder 21 where the radial distance L1 in the tube circumferential direction C is minimum. The relative rotation of the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 in the tube circumferential direction C is realized by the above-mentioned locking claw 42 of the outer cylinder 21 moving in the in-plane direction D along the annular groove 38 of the inner cylinder 11 without moving in the tube axial direction B. When the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 are rotated relative to each other in this manner, the outer end of the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylinder 11 comes into contact with the pressing surface 43 of the outer cylinder 21. In other words, the outer end of the protrusion 34b comes into contact with the pressing surface 43 at a position where the radial distance L1 is equal to the rotation radius R of the outer end of the protrusion 34b.

By further rotating the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 from this state, the outer end of the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylinder 11 slides against the pressing surface 43. In this way, the outer end of the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylinder 11 is moved to a position P2 on the pressing surface 43 where the radial distance L1 is minimum in the tube circumferential direction C (see FIG. 8). In this way, a state in which the outer end of the convex portion 34b is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 can be realized. In other words, by moving the outer end of the convex portion 34b to a position on the pressing surface 43 where the radial distance L1 is smaller than the rotation radius R (see FIG. 7) of the outer end of the convex portion 34b, a state in which the outer end of the convex portion 34b is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 can be realized. When the outer end of the protrusion 34b is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43, the deforming main body 34a elastically deforms toward the inside of the tube radial direction A. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the deforming portion 34 is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 (see the white arrow in FIG. 8). In this way, the medical tube 100 inserted into the insertion hole 11a can be compressed and deformed by being pressed from the outside toward the inside in the tube radial direction A by the deforming portion 34. As a result, the flow path of the medical tube 100 can be narrowed to reduce the flow rate of the liquid, or the flow path can be blocked to prevent the liquid from flowing.

In this way, in the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment, the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C without moving relatively in the tube axial direction B, so that the shape can be changed between a shape in which the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylinder 11 is not pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 of the outer cylinder 21 (see FIG. 7) and a shape in which the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylinder 11 is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 of the outer cylinder 21 (see FIG. 7). In other words, in the flow regulator 1 of this embodiment, the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C without moving relatively in the tube axial direction B, so that the amount of pressing of the deformation portion 34 as the movable portion 2 inward in the tube radial direction A can be changed, and the pressing state of the medical tube 100 by the deformation portion 34 can be changed.

More specifically, the flow rate regulator 1 of this embodiment can realize both a state in which the medical tube 100 inserted into the insertion hole 11a is not deformed in the tube radial direction A (see FIG. 7) and a state in which the medical tube 100 inserted into the insertion hole 11a is compressed and deformed from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A (see FIG. 8). Furthermore, the flow rate regulator 1 of this embodiment can adjust the degree of deformation in which the medical tube 100 inserted into the insertion hole 11a is compressed and deformed from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A. In other words, the degree of deformation of the medical tube 100 can be adjusted by sliding the outer end of the convex portion 34b of the deformation portion 34 of the inner cylinder 11 against the pressing surface 43. In this way, the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the flow path of the medical tube 100 may be adjusted.

In addition, the flow regulator 1 can achieve the above-mentioned flow rate adjustment by rotating the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 21 relatively in the tube circumferential direction C without moving them relatively in the tube axial direction B. That is, the flow regulator 1 does not require relative movement in the tube axial direction B of the deformation portion 34 as the movable portion 2 and the pressing surface 43 as the cam portion 3 in order to adjust the flow rate of the liquid in the medical tube 100. Therefore, even if an unintended external force acts on the medical tube 100 in the tube axial direction B, such as when the medical tube 100, which is compressed by the deformation portion 34 to adjust the flow rate, is pulled in the tube axial direction B by a patient or medical staff, the engagement state of the deformation portion 34 and the pressing surface 43 is unlikely to change, and unintended changes in the flow rate can be suppressed.

In particular, in this embodiment, the pressing surface 43 of the cam portion 3 rotates relative to the deformation portion 34 of the movable portion 2 toward the tube circumferential direction C in the in-plane direction D perpendicular to the tube axial direction B, thereby varying the amount of pressing of the deformation portion 34 inward in the tube radial direction A. However, the relative movement of the movable portion 2 and the cam portion 3 in the in-plane direction D is not limited to rotation in the tube circumferential direction C. Therefore, the relative movement of the movable portion 2 and the cam portion 3 in the in-plane direction D may be, for example, a linear relative movement in the in-plane direction D. Details of this will be described later (see Figures 14 to 19). However, by making the relative movement of the movable portion 2 and the cam portion 3 in the in-plane direction D a relative rotation in the tube circumferential direction C as in this embodiment, it becomes easier to make the flow regulator 1 smaller.

The pressing surface 43 as the cam portion 3 in this embodiment can rotate relative to the deformation portion 34 as the movable portion 2 in the tube circumferential direction C, with the medical tube 100 as the rotation center axis. In other words, the pressing surface 43 in this embodiment can rotate relative to the deformation portion 34 in the tube circumferential direction C around the central axis O. In this embodiment, the radial distance from the medical tube 100 as the rotation center axis to the pressing surface 43 changes along the tube circumferential direction C. In other words, in this embodiment, the radial distance L1 from the central axis O to the pressing surface 43 changes along the tube circumferential direction C. By using such a pressing surface 43 as the cam portion 3, the cam portion 3 can be configured simply.

Furthermore, the deformation portion 34 as the movable portion 2 in this embodiment has a convex portion 34b. As described above, the convex portion 34b in this embodiment protrudes toward the outside in the tube radial direction A, and slides against the pressing surface 43 when the deformation portion 34 as the movable portion 2 and the pressing surface 43 as the cam portion 3 rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C (see Figures 7 and 8). By providing such a convex portion 34b to the movable portion 2, the part of the movable portion 2 that slides against the pressing surface 43 and is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 can be concentrated on the convex portion 34b. In other words, the part of the movable portion 2 that is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 as the cam portion 3 is not dispersed in the tube circumferential direction C, and the adjustment of the compression amount of the medical tube 100 by the movable portion 2 can be more reliably performed.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the deformation portion 34 as the movable portion 2 of this embodiment has an abutment portion 34a1 that abuts against the medical tube 100 at a position inside the convex portion 34b in the tube radial direction A. That is, the abutment portion 34a1 of this embodiment is located between the convex portion 34b and the medical tube 100 in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the tube axial direction B (see Figs. 7 and 8). Therefore, the pressing force applied from the pressing surface 43 as the cam portion 3 to the convex portion 34b of the movable portion 2 in the tube radial direction A is easily transmitted as a compressive force that compresses the medical tube 100 from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A through the abutment portion 34a1 located between the convex portion 34b and the medical tube 100. This makes it possible to more reliably adjust the amount of compression of the medical tube 100 by the movable portion 2.

Furthermore, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the abutment portion 34a1 of the deformation portion 34 is provided from one end to the other end in the tube axial direction B of the deformation portion 34. In this way, a long region in the tube axial direction B where the abutment portion 34a1 abuts against the medical tube 100 can be secured. As a result, the amount of compression of the medical tube 100 required to adjust the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the medical tube 100 to a predetermined flow rate can be reduced compared to an abutment portion having a short region in the tube axial direction B where the medical tube 100 abuts. This prevents irreversible plastic deformation from occurring in the medical tube 100, and reduces the load on the medical tube 100.

Here, as shown in Figs. 5 to 8, the deformation portion 34 as the movable portion 2 and the pressing surface 43 as the cam portion 3 in this embodiment are each provided in only two in the tube circumferential direction C. The number of deformation portions 34 and pressing surfaces 43 in the tube circumferential direction C is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the deformation portions 34 and pressing surfaces 43 are each provided in two in the tube circumferential direction C, as in this embodiment. In this way, the two deformation portions 34 and the two pressing surfaces 43 can be arranged in positions facing each other in the tube radial direction A, as in this embodiment. In this way, the two deformation portions 34 can compress the medical tube 100 from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A from positions facing each other across the medical tube 100 in the in-plane direction D. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the medical tube 100 from being deformed so as to deviate from the central axis O. This makes it easier to adjust the amount of deformation of the medical tube 100. In addition, it is possible to suppress local deformation from occurring only at one location in the tube circumferential direction C of the medical tube 100. This makes it possible to prevent irreversible plastic deformation of the medical tube 100. Furthermore, by providing two deformation sections 34 and two pressing surfaces 43, the deformation sections 34 and the pressing surfaces 43 can be rotated relative to each other over approximately half a circumference in the tube circumferential direction C (a range of approximately 180° in terms of central angle centered on the central axis O). This makes it possible to fully ensure the range in which the amount of compression of the medical tube 100 can be adjusted, i.e., the range in which the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the medical tube 100 can be adjusted.

However, a configuration may be adopted in which only one deformation portion 34 and one pressing surface 43 are provided. Figures 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a deformation portion 134 and a pressing surface 143 as modified examples of the deformation portion 34 and the pressing surface 43 of this embodiment. Figures 9A and 9B show a flow regulator 1 having only one deformation portion 134 and only one pressing surface 143. Figures 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views corresponding to Figures 7 and 8, respectively. That is, Figure 9A shows a state in which the deformation portion 134 as the movable portion 2 is not pressed toward the inside in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 143 as the cam portion 3. In contrast, Figure 9B shows a state in which the deformation portion 134 as the movable portion 2 is pressed toward the inside in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 143 as the cam portion 3.

As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, by providing only one deformation section 134 and one pressing surface 143, the deformation section 134 and the pressing surface 143 can be rotated relative to each other over approximately one revolution in the tube circumferential direction C (a range of approximately 360° in terms of central angle centered on the central axis O). Therefore, the range in which the amount of compression of the medical tube 100 can be adjusted, i.e., the range in which the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the medical tube 100 can be adjusted, can be more fully secured compared to the configurations shown in Figures 1 to 8.

9A and 9B, a column portion 133a capable of compressing the medical tube 100 together with the deformation portion 134 is provided at a position facing the deformation portion 134 with the medical tube 100 in between. The deformation portion 134 protrudes in a cantilever shape from the column portion 133a in the tube circumferential direction C, and extends in the tube circumferential direction C to a position facing the column portion 133a with the medical tube 100 in between in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the tube axial direction B (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).

The deformation portion 134 shown in Figs. 9A and 9B includes a deformation body portion 134a and a convex portion 134b. The cross-sectional shapes of the deformation body portion 134a and the convex portion 134b shown in Figs. 9A and 9B are not particularly limited, and may be the same cross-sectional shapes as the deformation body portion 34a and the convex portion 34b shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Second Embodiment
Next, a flow rate regulator 201 as a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. The flow rate regulator 201 differs from the above-mentioned flow rate regulator 1 mainly in the configurations of the movable part 2 and the cam part 3. In particular, in the above-mentioned flow rate regulator 1, the convex part 34b of the movable part 2 is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the pressing surface 43 as the cam part 3, whereas in the flow rate regulator 201, the pressed surface 239 of the movable part 2 is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the convex part 248 as the cam part 3, which is a difference between the two. Here, only the differences in the movable part 2 and the cam part 3 will be described, and a description of the common configuration will be omitted.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the flow regulator 201. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the flow regulator 201. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 10. Figure 13 shows a state in which the inner cylinder 211 and the outer cylinder 221 have been rotated relatively in the tube circumferential direction C from the state shown in Figure 12. For ease of explanation, Figures 10, 12, and 13 show the flow regulator 201 attached to the medical tube 100 indicated by the two-dot chain line.

As shown in Figures 10 to 13, the flow rate regulator 201 of this embodiment has an inner cylinder 211 and an outer cylinder 221 that can rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C.

As shown in FIG. 11, the inner cylinder 211 includes a main body 231 and an operating section 232. The inner cylinder 211 defines an insertion hole 211a through which the medical tube 100 (see FIG. 10) is inserted. The main body 231 includes a frame 233 and a deformation section 234 as the movable section 2. The deformation section 234 protrudes in the tube circumferential direction C from the pillar section 233a of the frame 233. The deformation section 234 can be elastically deformed in the tube radial direction A starting from a position connected to the pillar section 233a. The deformation section 234 in this embodiment includes a deformation main body section 234a that is connected to the pillar section 233a and extends in the tube circumferential direction C, and a protrusion 234b that protrudes outward in the tube radial direction A from the deformation main body section 234a.

The outer cylinder 221 includes a cylinder main body 241. The outer cylinder 221 of this embodiment includes a locking claw (not shown) that locks onto the inner cylinder 211 so that it does not move relative to the inner cylinder 211 in the tube axial direction B, but moves relative to the inner cylinder 211 in the tube circumferential direction C. However, the outer cylinder 221 may be configured to include a locking claw similar to the locking claw 42 provided on the outer cylinder 21 of the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 1, etc.). The cylinder main body 241 is provided with a convex portion 248 as a cam portion 3 that protrudes toward the inside in the tube radial direction A. In other words, the cylinder main body 241 includes a convex portion 248 that protrudes toward the storage space 241a. The cylinder main body 241 of this embodiment is provided with two convex portions 248. The two convex portions 248 are provided at different positions in the tube circumferential direction C. More specifically, in this embodiment, the two protrusions 248 are provided at opposing positions in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the tube axial direction B (see Figures 12 and 13).

In the flow regulator 201 of this embodiment, similarly to the above-described flow regulator 1 (see FIG. 1, etc.), the deformation portion 234 as the movable portion 2 and the convex portion 248 as the cam portion 3 can rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C without moving relatively in the tube axial direction B. In the flow regulator 201 of this embodiment, the convex portion 248 rotates relatively in the tube circumferential direction C without moving relatively to the deformation portion 234 in the tube axial direction B, thereby changing the amount of pressing of the deformation portion 234 inward in the tube radial direction A.

Here, the outer cylinder 221 of this embodiment is rotatable relative to the inner cylinder 211 in the tube circumferential direction C, with the medical tube 100 as the central axis of rotation. That is, the convex portion 248 serving as the cam portion 3 of this embodiment is also rotatable relative to the deformation portion 234 serving as the movable portion 2 in the tube circumferential direction C, with the medical tube 100 as the central axis of rotation. In other words, the convex portion 248 of this embodiment is rotatable relative to the deformation portion 234 in the tube circumferential direction C around the central axis O.

The deformation portion 234 as the movable portion 2 of this embodiment also includes a pressed surface 239 that is pressed from the outside in the tube radial direction A to the inside in the tube radial direction A by the convex portion 248 as the cam portion 3. In this embodiment, the radial distance from the medical tube 100 as the rotation center axis to the pressed surface 239 changes along the tube circumferential direction C. In other words, in this embodiment, the radial distance L2 from the central axis O to the pressed surface 239 changes along the tube circumferential direction C. More specifically, the pressed surface 239 of this embodiment is configured by a surface whose radial distance L2 gradually changes along the tube circumferential direction C. In the deformation portion 234 as the movable portion 2 of this embodiment, the above-mentioned pressed surface 239 is formed on the outer surface in the tube radial direction A of the deformation main body portion 234a.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, when the inner cylinder 211 and the outer cylinder 221 rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C, the convex portion 248 as the cam portion 3 provided on the outer cylinder 221 slides against the pressed surface 239 of the deformation portion 234 as the movable portion 2 provided on the inner cylinder 211. In other words, when the inner cylinder 211 and the outer cylinder 221 rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C around the central axis O, the deformation portion 234 as the movable portion 2 and the convex portion 248 as the cam portion 3 also rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction C. At this time, the convex portion 248 as the cam portion 3 slides against the pressed surface 239 of the deformation portion 234 as the movable portion 2 at its inner end in the tube radial direction A.

In this way, in the flow rate regulator 201 of this embodiment, the amount of pressing of the deformation part 234 inward in the tube radial direction A can be adjusted by sliding the convex part 248 as the cam part 3 and the pressed surface 239 of the deformation part 234 as the movable part 2. This makes it possible to adjust the amount of compression of the medical tube 100 from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A by the deformation part 234.

The pressed surface 239 of the deformation part 234 as the movable part 2 in this embodiment is provided only at both ends of the deformation part 234 in the tube axial direction B, but may be provided over the entire region in the tube axial direction B where the deformation part 234 is provided. In addition, the convex part 248 as the cam part 3 in this embodiment extends over the entire region in the tube axial direction B where the deformation part 234 is provided, but may be arranged only in the region in the tube axial direction B where the pressed surface 239 of the deformation part 234 is provided (in this embodiment, only in the region of both ends of the deformation part 234 in the tube axial direction B). However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the deformation part 234 is pressed inward in the tube radial direction A by the convex part 248 at least at both ends in the tube axial direction B. In this way, it is possible to suppress twisting of the deformation part 234 and suppress variation in the pressing force of the deformation part 234 on the medical tube 100 depending on the position in the tube axial direction B.

As shown in Figures 10 to 13, the inner cylinder body 211 and the outer cylinder body 221 of this embodiment have parts that differ in shape from the inner cylinder body 11 (see Figure 3, etc.) and the outer cylinder body 21 (see Figure 3, etc.) of the first embodiment in addition to the differences in the movable part 2 and the cam part 3 described above. However, they may have a common shape with the inner cylinder body 11 (see Figure 3, etc.) and the outer cylinder body 21 (see Figure 3, etc.) of the first embodiment, and are not limited to the shapes shown in this embodiment.

Third Embodiment
Next, a flow rate regulator 301 as a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 19. The flow rate regulator 301 is different from the flow rate regulator 1 of the first embodiment and the flow rate regulator 201 of the second embodiment described above in terms of the manner of relative movement of the movable portion 2 and the cam portion 3. The flow rate regulator 301 will be described in detail below.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the flow regulator 301. Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the flow regulator 301. Figure 16 is a top view of one embodiment of the flow regulator 301. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 16. Figure 18 is a top view of one embodiment of the flow regulator 301 different from that of Figure 16. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 18. For ease of explanation, Figures 14 and 16 to 19 show the flow regulator 301 attached to the medical tubing 100 indicated by the two-dot chain line.

As shown in FIG. 14, the flow regulator 301 can be attached to the medical tube 100. When attached to the medical tube 100, the flow regulator 301 can adjust the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the medical tube 100 by deforming the medical tube 100.

As shown in Figures 14 to 19, the flow regulator 301 of this embodiment includes a slider support 51 and a slider 52.

The slider support 51 of this embodiment defines an insertion hole 51a through which the medical tube 100 can be inserted. The flow rate regulator 301 of this embodiment is attached to the medical tube 100 by inserting the medical tube 100 into the insertion hole 51a. Hereinafter, the state in which the medical tube 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 51a as the tube insertion space will be simply referred to as "the state in which the flow rate regulator 301 is attached to the medical tube 100." In addition, the radial, axial, and circumferential directions of the medical tube 100 in the state in which the flow rate regulator 301 is attached to the medical tube 100 will be simply referred to as "tube radial direction A," "tube axial direction B," and "tube circumferential direction C." Furthermore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the flow rate regulator 301 will be described in the state in which it is attached to the medical tube 100.

The slider 52 of this embodiment is supported by the slider support 51. The slider 52 of this embodiment does not move relative to the slider support 51 toward the tube axis direction B, but moves linearly relative to the slider support 51 along the in-plane direction D perpendicular to the tube axis direction B. Here, the "in-plane direction D" means any direction perpendicular to the tube axis direction B, as in the first and second embodiments described above. Therefore, the tube radial direction A is one aspect of the in-plane direction D.

As shown in Figures 14 to 19, the slider support 51 of this embodiment is provided with a movable part 2. Details will be described later, but when the flow rate regulator 301 is attached to the medical tube 100, the movable part 2 is located outside the medical tube 100 in the tube radial direction A and can deform or move toward the tube radial direction A. The movable part 2 of this embodiment is composed of a deformation part 66 that is elastically deformable in the tube radial direction A, but may also be a moving part that can move in the tube radial direction A without deforming.

As shown in Figures 14 to 19, the slider 52 of this embodiment is provided with a cam portion 3. As will be described in detail later, the cam portion 3 does not move relative to the movable portion 2 in the tube axial direction B, but moves relative to the movable portion 2 along the in-plane direction D. This allows the cam portion 3 to vary the amount of pressing of the movable portion 2 inward in the tube radial direction A. In other words, the cam portion 3 can vary the pressing state of the medical tube 100 by the movable portion 2. As will be described in detail later, the cam portion 3 of this embodiment is composed of a pressing surface 73 formed on the inner surface of the slider 52.

In this way, the flow regulator 301 has a cam portion 3 that does not move relative to the movable portion 2 toward the tube axial direction B, but moves relative to the movable portion 2 along an in-plane direction D perpendicular to the tube axial direction B. Therefore, the flow regulator 301 can change the pressing state of the medical tube 100 without changing the overall length in the tube axial direction B. Such a movable portion 2 and cam portion 3 are easy to apply regardless of the size of the flow regulator 301. In other words, by using the above-mentioned movable portion 2 and cam portion 3, it becomes easier to realize a miniaturized flow regulator 301.

In addition, the flow rate regulator 301 does not involve any change in the overall length in the tube axial direction B when adjusting the flow rate of the medical tube 100. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism that operates in the tube axial direction B to adjust the flow rate of the medical tube 100, and it is easy to ensure a large proportion of the region in the tube axial direction B where the medical tube 100 can be compressed from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A among the entire region in the tube axial direction B of the flow rate regulator 301. In this way, by ensuring a long region in the tube axial direction B where the medical tube 100 can be compressed from the outside to the inside in the tube radial direction A, the amount of compression of the medical tube 100 to adjust the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the medical tube 100 to a predetermined flow rate can be reduced compared to a configuration with a short region. This suppresses the occurrence of irreversible plastic deformation in the medical tube 100, and reduces the load on the medical tube 100.

As described above, the movable part 2 in this embodiment is provided on the slider support 51, but is not limited to this configuration. The movable part 2 needs only to be located outside the medical tube 100 in the tube radial direction A when the flow regulator 301 is attached to the medical tube 100, and to be able to deform or move toward the tube radial direction A. Therefore, the flow regulator 301 may be configured not to include a slider support 51 as long as it is configured to include such a movable part 2.

As described above, the cam portion 3 in this embodiment is provided on the slider 52, but is not limited to this configuration. When the flow regulator 301 is attached to the medical tube 100, the cam portion 3 does not move relative to the movable portion 2 toward the tube axial direction B of the medical tube 100, but moves relative to the movable portion 2 along the in-plane direction D, thereby varying the amount of pushing of the movable portion 2 inward in the tube radial direction A and varying the pressing state of the medical tube 100 by the movable portion 2. Therefore, the flow regulator 301 may be configured without including a slider 52 as long as it is configured to include such a cam portion 3.

Furthermore, the flow regulator 301 of this embodiment is attached to the medical tube 100 by inserting the medical tube 100 into the insertion hole 51a of the slider support 51, but the tube insertion space of the flow regulator 301 is not limited to the insertion hole 51a and may have other configurations, such as an insertion groove.

Below, further details of the flow regulator 301 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 19.

[Slider support 51]
First, the details of the slider support 51 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, the slider support 51 supports the slider 52 so as to be linearly movable in the in-plane direction D. More specifically, the slider support 51 of this embodiment defines an accommodation groove 61 that accommodates the slider 52. The accommodation groove 61 extends linearly in the in-plane direction D. Both sides of the extension direction of the accommodation groove 61 penetrate to the side surface located outside the tube radial direction A of the slider support 51. The slider 52 of this embodiment is linearly movable in the extension direction of the accommodation groove 61 relative to the slider support 51. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the extension direction of the accommodation groove 61 will be simply referred to as the "slider movement direction E". The slider movement direction E of this embodiment is one aspect of the in-plane direction D and also one aspect of the tube radial direction A.

In this embodiment, the insertion hole 51a of the slider support 51 penetrates in the tube axial direction B from the groove bottom surface 62 of the accommodation groove 61 to a surface located on the rear side of the groove bottom surface 62 in the tube axial direction B. The groove bottom surface 62 of the accommodation groove 61 is configured as a planar surface along the in-plane direction D.

The two opposing groove wall surfaces 63 of the accommodation groove 61 of the slider support 51 are formed of planar surfaces that are approximately perpendicular to the in-plane direction D and extend in the slider movement direction E. The slider support 51 has two opposing groove wall surfaces 63, which restrict the slider 52 accommodated in the accommodation groove 61 from moving in the in-plane direction D and in a direction perpendicular to the slider movement direction E. For ease of explanation, the in-plane direction D and the direction perpendicular to the slider movement direction E will be referred to simply as the "slider movement restriction direction F" below. The slider movement restriction direction F in this embodiment is one aspect of the in-plane direction D, as is the slider movement direction E, and is also one aspect of the tube radial direction A.

The edges of each of the two groove wall surfaces 63 in the tube axial direction B are provided with claw portions 64 that protrude in the slider movement restriction direction F toward the other groove wall surface 63. By providing the claw portions 64, the slider support 51 can clamp the slider 52 accommodated in the accommodation groove 61 between the groove bottom surface 62 and the claw portions 64 in the tube axial direction B (see Figures 17 and 19). Therefore, the slider support 51 restricts the movement of the slider 52 accommodated in the accommodation groove 61 in the tube axial direction B.

In this way, the slider support 51 of this embodiment restricts the movement of the slider 52 housed in the accommodation groove 61 in the tube axis direction B. Furthermore, the slider support 51 of this embodiment allows the slider 52 housed in the accommodation groove 61 to move only in the linear slider movement direction E, which is the extension direction of the accommodation groove 61 in the in-plane direction D.

The slider support 51 of this embodiment also includes a column portion 65 that protrudes from the groove bottom surface 62 in the tube axial direction B. The slider support 51 of this embodiment also includes two deformation portions 66 that protrude from the column portion 65 toward the in-plane direction D. The two deformation portions 66 protrude from the column portion 65 so as to sandwich the medical tube 100 (see FIG. 14) inserted into the insertion hole 51a in the slider movement restriction direction F. Each of the two deformation portions 66 protrudes in a cantilever shape from the column portion 65. Therefore, both sides of the deformation portion 66 in the tube axial direction B are not connected to other parts and are composed of free ends (see FIGS. 17 and 19). In addition, the tip of the deformation portion 66 on the opposite side to the base end connected to the column portion 65 is also not connected to other parts and is composed of a free end.

Furthermore, the slider support 51 of this embodiment includes a tube receiving portion 67 that restricts the deformation of the medical tube 100 (see FIG. 14) inserted into the insertion hole 51a in the slider movement direction E from a position sandwiched between the two deformation portions 66 to a position not sandwiched between the two deformation portions 66. The tube receiving portion 67 protrudes from the groove bottom surface 62 in the tube axial direction B, and by abutting against the medical tube 100 inserted into the insertion hole 51a, restricts the medical tube 100 from moving toward the slider movement direction E so as to come out from between the two deformation portions 66. The tube receiving portion 67 of this embodiment is composed of a plate-shaped portion protruding from the groove bottom surface 62, but the shape of the tube receiving portion 67 is not particularly limited.

The slider support 51 of this embodiment also has a gripping portion 68 on its side in the slider movement restriction direction F. The gripping portion 68 of this embodiment is composed of a first recess 68a formed on one side in the slider movement restriction direction F and a second recess 68b formed on the other side in the slider movement restriction direction F. The first recess 68a and the second recess 68b are composed of a groove surface extending from one end to the other end of the tube axis direction B of the slider support 51. The groove surfaces of the first recess 68a and the second recess 68b are composed of curved surfaces that are arc-shaped in cross section perpendicular to the tube axis direction B. By making the first recess 68a and the second recess 68b constituting the gripping portion 68 such groove surfaces, the slider support 51 can be easily pinched by two fingers of one hand from either side in the tube axis direction B. In other words, by making the gripping portion 68 such, a slider support 51 that is easy to grip with one hand can be realized.

Materials for forming the slider support 51 include, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA); polyvinyl chloride; polyvinylidene chloride; polystyrene; polyamide; polyimide; polyamideimide; polycarbonate; poly-(4-methylpentene-1); ionomers; acrylic resins; polymethyl methacrylate; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS resins); acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (AS resins); butadiene-styrene copolymers; polyethylene terephthalate. Examples of the resin materials include polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polycyclohexane terephthalate (PCT); polyether; polyether ketone (PEK); polyether ether ketone (PEEK); polyetherimide; polyacetal (POM); polyphenylene oxide; modified polyphenylene oxide; polysulfone; polyether sulfone; polyphenylene sulfide; polyarylate; aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer); polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and other fluorine-based resins. Blends and polymer alloys containing one or more of these may also be used. In addition, various glass materials, ceramic materials, and metal materials may also be used.

[Slider 52]
Next, details of the slider 52 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 15. As shown in Fig. 15, the slider 52 includes a main body portion 71 that can be accommodated in the accommodation groove 61 of the slider support 51, and flange portions 72 provided on both ends of the main body portion 71 in the slider movement direction E.

The main body 71 penetrates in the tube axial direction B, and defines a long through hole 71a in the slider movement direction E. On the inner surface of the main body 71 that defines this through hole 71a, a pressing surface 73 is formed that can press the two deformation portions 66 of the slider support 51 toward each other in the slider movement restriction direction F as the slider 52 moves in the slider movement direction E. The details of this pressing surface 73 will be described later.

The main body 71 has a generally rectangular outer shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the slider movement direction E. Both side surfaces of the main body 71 in the slider movement restriction direction F are generally perpendicular to the in-plane direction D and are formed of planar surfaces extending in the slider movement direction E. When the main body 71 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 61, both side surfaces of the main body 71 in the slider movement restriction direction F extend generally parallel to the groove wall surface 63 of the accommodation groove 61. Both side surfaces of the main body 71 of the slider 52 in the slider movement restriction direction F can move in the slider movement direction E along the groove wall surface 63, using the groove wall surface 63 of the accommodation groove 61 of the slider support 51 as a guide.

When the main body 71 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 61, both ends of the main body 71 in the slider movement restriction direction F are sandwiched in the tube axis direction B by the groove bottom surface 62 and the claw portion 64. This restricts the movement of the slider 52 in the tube axis direction B relative to the slider support 51.

In this way, the slider 52 of this embodiment does not move in the tube axial direction B relative to the slider support 51, but can move linearly in the slider movement direction E in the in-plane direction D.

In this embodiment, when the main body 71 of the slider 52 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 61 of the slider support 51, the column portion 65, the deformation portion 66, and the tube receiving portion 67 of the slider support 51 are positioned within the through-hole 71a of the main body 71 of the slider 52.

Examples of materials for forming the slider 52 include materials similar to those for forming the slider support 51 described above.

[Operation of Movable Part 2 and Cam Part 3]
Next, the movable portion 2 and the cam portion 3 in the flow rate regulator 301 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 16 to 19. The flow rate regulator 301 shown in Figures 16 and 17 and the flow rate regulator 301 shown in Figures 18 and 19 differ in the position of the slider 52 relative to the slider support 51, and therefore the degree of compression of the medical tube 100 differs.

The movable part 2 of this embodiment is provided on the slider support 51 as described above. More specifically, the movable part 2 of this embodiment is configured with the deformation part 66 that can be elastically deformed in the slider movement restriction direction F. Also, the cam part 3 of this embodiment is provided on the slider 52 as described above. More specifically, the cam part 3 of this embodiment is located on the opposite side of the medical tube 100 with the deformation part 66 as the movable part 2 in the slider movement restriction direction F, and is configured with a pressing surface 73 that can press the deformation part 66 as the movable part 2 toward the medical tube 100 along the slider movement restriction direction F. The deformation part 66 of this embodiment is pressed in the slider movement restriction direction F by a part of the pressing surface 73 that faces the medical tube 100 with the deformation part 66 in the slider movement restriction direction F or a part in the vicinity of the part. The operation of the deformation part 66 as the movable part 2 and the pressing surface 73 as the cam part 3 will be described below.

As shown in Figs. 16 to 19, the distance L3 in the slider movement restriction direction F from the central axis of the medical tube 100 inserted through the insertion hole 51a (which is the same as the central axis O1 of the insertion hole 51a in Figs. 16 to 19) to the pressing surface 73 varies by moving the slider 52 in the slider movement direction E relative to the slider support 51. More specifically, the pressing surface 73 in this embodiment is configured as a surface whose position in the slider movement restriction direction F changes along the slider movement direction E. On the other hand, the side surface of the main body 71 located in the slider movement restriction direction F, which is the back surface of the pressing surface 73 in this embodiment, is configured as a flat surface whose position in the slider movement restriction direction F does not change along the slider movement direction E. Therefore, when the slider 52 moves in the slider movement direction E along the side surface of the main body 71 located in the slider movement restriction direction F, the above-mentioned distance L3 varies.

In this way, by moving the slider 52 linearly in the slider movement direction E relative to the slider support 51, the distance in the slider movement restriction direction F from the medical tube 100 to the pressing surface 73 can be varied. This allows the shape of the flow rate regulator 301 to be changed between a shape in which the deformation portion 66, which is disposed between the medical tube 100 and the pressing surface 73 in the slider movement restriction direction F, is not pressed toward the medical tube 100 in the slider movement restriction direction F (see Figures 16 and 17), and a shape in which it is pressed toward the medical tube 100 in the slider movement restriction direction F (see Figures 18 and 19).

That is, by moving the slider 52 linearly in the in-plane direction D relative to the slider support 51 in the slider movement direction E, the amount of pushing of the deformation portion 66 toward the medical tube 100 in the slider movement restriction direction F (in this embodiment, this is the same as the amount of pushing of the deformation portion 66 inward in the tube radial direction A) can be varied, and as a result, the pressing state of the medical tube 100 by the deformation portion 66 can be varied. This makes it possible to adjust the degree of compression of the medical tube 100.

Here, in the flow rate regulator 301 of this embodiment, the slider 52 slides on the slider support 51 and moves in the slider movement direction E relative to the slider support 51, thereby varying the distance L3 in the slider movement restriction direction F from the medical tube 100 to the pressing surface 73 of the slider 52, thereby varying the compression state of the medical tube 100, but this configuration is not limited to this. In other words, depending on the configuration of the slider support and the slider, the slider may move in the slider movement direction E relative to the slider support to vary the distance from the medical tube 100 to the pressing surface of the slider in another direction of the tube radial direction A different from the slider movement restriction direction F (for example, the slider movement direction E), thereby varying the compression state of the medical tube 100. In other words, the distance from the medical tube 100 to the slider pressing surface, which varies as the slider moves relative to the slider support, is not limited to the distance in the slider movement restriction direction F in this embodiment, but may be in another direction in the tube radial direction A.

The flow regulator according to the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configuration shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the movable part 2 shown in the above-mentioned first to third embodiments is configured by a deformation part that can be elastically deformed, but is not limited to this configuration. The movable part 2 may be, for example, a moving part that moves when pressed by a cam part 3. However, by configuring the movable part 2 by a deformation part as in the first to third embodiments, the number of parts that make up the flow regulator can be reduced compared to when the movable part is a moving part, and the configuration of the flow regulator can be easily simplified.

The flow regulators of the first to third embodiments described above are configured with two members, but are not limited to this configuration. The flow regulator according to the present disclosure only needs to include at least a member with a movable part and a member with a cam part, and may be configured with three or more members.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the flow regulators 1, 201, and 301 have been mainly described in a state where they are attached to the medical tube 100. Therefore, for convenience of explanation, the tube radial direction A, the tube axial direction B, and the tube circumferential direction C have been used to explain the flow regulators 1, 201, and 301, but these directions may be defined by the tube insertion space in the flow regulators 1, 201, and 301 through which the medical tube 100 is inserted. In other words, the tube radial direction A means the radial direction of the medical tube 100 when the medical tube 100 is inserted into the tube insertion space of the flow regulator. Similarly, the tube axial direction B means the axial direction of the medical tube 100 when the medical tube 100 is inserted into the tube insertion space of the flow regulator. In addition, the tube circumferential direction C means the circumferential direction of the medical tube 100 when the medical tube 100 is inserted into the tube insertion space of the flow regulator.

This disclosure relates to a flow regulator.

1, 201, 301: flow rate regulator 2: movable part 3: cam part 11, 211: inner cylinder body 11a, 211a: insertion hole 21, 221: outer cylinder body 31, 231: main body part 32, 232: operation part 33, 233: frame part 33a, 133a, 233a: pillar part 33b: endless annular part 34, 134, 234: deformation part (movable part)
34a, 134a, 234a: Deformable main body portion 34a1: Contact portion 34b, 134b, 234b: Convex portion 35: Support portion 36: Grip portion 37: Small diameter portion 38: Annular groove 41, 241: Tube main body portion 41a, 241a: Storage space 42: Locking claw 43, 143: Pressing surface (cam portion)
44: Rotation restricting convex surface 45: Receiving portion 46: Claw support portion 46b: Upper surface of claw support portion 47: Claw portion 47a: Lower surface of claw portion 47b: Upper surface of claw portion 51: Slider support body 51a: Insertion hole 52: Slider 61: Storage groove 62: Groove bottom surface 63: Groove wall surface 64: Claw portion 65: Pillar portion 66: Deformation portion (movable portion)
67: Tube receiving portion 68: Grip portion 68a: First recess 68b: Second recess 71: Main body portion 71a: Through-hole 72: Flange portion 73: Pressing surface (cam portion)
100: medical tube 239: pressed surface 248: convex portion (cam portion)
A: Tube radial direction B: Tube axial direction C: Tube circumferential direction D: In-plane direction E: Slider movement direction F: Slider movement restriction direction L1: Radial distance from the central axis to the pressing surface L2: Radial distance from the central axis to the pressed surface L3: Distance from the central axis to the pressing surface in the slider movement restriction direction O: Central axis of the inner and outer cylindrical bodies O1: Central axis of the insertion hole P1: Position in the tube circumferential direction where the radial distance from the central axis on the pressing surface is maximum P2: Position in the tube circumferential direction where the radial distance from the central axis on the pressing surface is minimum R: Tube radial distance from the central axis to the outer end of the tube radial direction of the convex portion (rotation radius)

Claims (9)

A flow rate regulator that can be attached to a medical tube and can adjust a flow rate of a liquid flowing through the medical tube by deforming the medical tube,
a movable portion located radially outward of the medical tube and capable of deforming or moving in the radial direction of the tube;
a cam portion that does not move relative to the movable portion toward a tube axial direction of the medical tube, but moves relative to the movable portion along an in-plane direction perpendicular to the tube axial direction, thereby varying the amount by which the movable portion is pushed inward in the tube radial direction, thereby varying the pressing state of the medical tube by the movable portion ;
the cam portion rotates relative to the movable portion in the in-plane direction toward a tube circumferential direction of the medical tube to vary an amount by which the movable portion is pushed inward in the tube radial direction, thereby varying a pressing state of the medical tube by the movable portion;
An inner cylinder;
an outer cylinder body that is rotatable relative to the inner cylinder body in the tube circumferential direction,
The inner cylinder is
A main body portion located inside the outer cylinder;
an operating portion connected to the main body portion and located outside the outer cylinder body,
the inner cylinder penetrates the main body and the operation portion in the tube axial direction and defines an insertion hole through which the medical tube can be inserted,
the movable portion is provided in the main body portion of the inner cylinder,
The cam portion is provided on the outer cylinder body . The main body of the inner cylinder is
A frame portion surrounding the insertion hole;
a deformation portion that protrudes from the frame portion in a circumferential direction of the tube, is supported by the frame portion in a cantilever manner, and is deformable in a radial direction of the tube relative to the frame portion,
The flow rate regulator according to claim 1 , wherein the movable portion is the deformation portion of the main body portion of the inner cylinder. the cam portion is rotatable relative to the movable portion in a circumferential direction of the tube with the medical tube as a rotation center axis,
the cam portion is a pressing surface that is located on an outer side of the movable portion in a tube radial direction and is capable of pressing the movable portion inward in the tube radial direction,
The flow rate regulator according to claim 1 , wherein a radial distance from the rotation center axis to the pressing surface varies along a circumferential direction of the tube. The flow regulator according to claim 3, wherein the movable part has a protrusion that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the tube and slides against the pressing surface when the movable part and the pressing surface rotate relatively in the circumferential direction of the tube. The flow rate regulator according to claim 4, wherein the movable part has an abutment part that abuts against the medical tube at a position radially inward of the protrusion. the cam portion is rotatable relative to the movable portion in a circumferential direction of the tube with the medical tube as a rotation center axis,
the movable portion includes a pressed surface that is pressed from an outer side in the tube radial direction toward an inner side in the tube radial direction by the cam portion,
The flow rate regulator according to claim 1 , wherein a radial distance from the rotation center axis to the pressed surface of the movable portion varies along a circumferential direction of the tube. The flow regulator according to claim 6, wherein the cam portion is a convex portion that is located on the outer side in the tube radial direction relative to the pressed surface of the movable portion, protrudes toward the inner side in the tube radial direction, and slides against the pressed surface of the movable portion when the movable portion and the cam portion rotate relatively in the tube circumferential direction. A flow rate regulator that can be attached to a medical tube and can adjust a flow rate of a liquid flowing through the medical tube by deforming the medical tube,
a movable portion located radially outward of the medical tube and capable of deforming or moving in the radial direction of the tube;
a cam portion that does not move relative to the movable portion toward a tube axial direction of the medical tube, but moves relative to the movable portion along an in-plane direction perpendicular to the tube axial direction, thereby varying the amount by which the movable portion is pushed inward in the tube radial direction, thereby varying the pressing state of the medical tube by the movable portion;
a flow rate regulator in which the cam portion moves linearly relative to the movable portion in the in- plane direction to vary the amount that the movable portion is pushed radially inwardly in the tube, thereby varying the pressing state of the medical tube by the movable portion. The flow rate regulator according to claim 8 , wherein the movable portion is a deformation portion that is elastically deformable in the tube radial direction.

Images