WO1982001822A1

WO1982001822A1 - Method for fixing a cannula to a sleeve

Info

Publication number: WO1982001822A1
Application number: PCT/DE1981/000214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Creuz & Co Gmbh Sortimat
Original assignee: Holzwarth Friedrich
Priority date: 1980-12-05
Filing date: 1981-12-04
Publication date: 1982-06-10
Also published as: IT1145228B; JPS57502103A; CH657990A5; IT8168592A0

Abstract

A cannula is rotated about its axis, while its point is exposed to a feeler until a desired orientation of the cannula is obtained. The cannula is fixed on the sleeve so that the point of the cannula is aligned by a given angle with a mark of the sleeve and/or with a package of the sleeve and/or with a mark of a syringe or other connection piece. The device for implementing such method comprises a support for the sleeve, a device allowing to move the cannula or nozzle in its fixing position, and a device for fixing the cannula on the sleeve. A feeler (25) allowing to obtain the correct orientation of the point (25) of the cannula, occupies a certain angular position with respect to the mark of the sleeve (6) and/or of a package and/or of a connection piece to be connected to the sleeve. The cannula (8) may be rotated about its axis by means of a drive member until the inclined plane of the point of the cannula has a predetermined orientation with respect to the feeler.

Description

"Attach a cannula tube in one approach

The production of syringes, in particular for medical, but also for other purposes, is increasingly concentrating on so-called disposable syringes which are no longer used after a single use or at most a relatively small sequence of uses. It has become common practice to use so-called disposable cannulas for this purpose, in which a, mostly metallic, cannula tube is tightly and mechanically firmly connected to a prefabricated attachment, usually made of plastic. With the attachment, for example, a syringe barrel containing the syringe plunger can be attached or fixed, e.g. by plastic welding under the influence of heat, to produce the disposable syringe.

You can also produce syringes that can be used many times. It is also known to leave a cannula tube with an attachment as a permanent cannula in the body of a human patient or animal for a longer period of time and, for periodic injections, for example in the case of diabetes or infectious diseases, to be detachable from time to time with a syringe barrel connect to. Furthermore, cannula tubes with an attachment are also used without connecting a syringe barrel, for example for blood transfer or infusion purposes; then the attachment is usually detachably or permanently connected to a connecting tube to a blood bag or infusion vessel. Finally, a cannula tube can also be used with batch, a storage vessel for a liquid medical treatment agent, such as a blood bag ^¬, but optionally also a storage vessel of a non-

OMPI medical chemical liquid to pierce to remove the liquid, even without connecting a syringe barrel.

The cannula tube has a cannula tip that is inserted into the body of a patient, animal or storage container. The needle tip is formed as a one-sided bevel of the free end of the cannula tube, and usually more ground ^¬ times. In addition to many other special cuts, a cut corresponding to the main plane of the bevel is common in conjunction with an additional cut slightly angled to the left and to the right and / or offset. Experience shows that different customers have individual wishes with regard to the design of the flap, so that the technique of connecting the cannula tube with its prefabricated approach should be as independent as possible of the choice of cut

Cannula tubes for the treatment of human patients have outer diameters between approximately 0.5 and approximately 2 mm, with outer diameters of 0.8 to 1.0 mm being the most common for human purposes. For special cases, e.g. used for piercing blood bags, but also cannula tubes of 1.5 to 1.8 mm outside diameter, for veterinary medicine also cannula tubes with a diameter of significantly more than 2 mm.

A syringe should be inserted obliquely into a patient's skin so that the beveled surface of the cannula tip points away from the patient's skin. Even when cannula tips have been inserted for a long time, e.g. for infusions, the tip of the cannula should have a certain position relative to the patient. So far, medical professionals or patients have

OMPI Before using the syringe, the tip of the cannula tip must be turned in the desired direction. This is a separate operation when using the syringe, which can be a problem in urgent emergencies. In addition, syringes with incorrectly oriented cannula tips often occur out of inattentiveness or because the cannula tip is not properly oriented due to time constraints.

The correct orientation of the cannula tip is particularly important when a permanent cannula is attached to the body of a patient or animal, be it for connection to a syringe or to a storage vessel, such as an infusion device or blood bag, the part of which protrudes from the body should run as flat as possible along the body. The same applies in the case of cannulas for piercing a reservoir. For such cases, flat shapes of approaches, for example the so-called butterfly shape _{, have} already been developed, in which the approach can lie flat against the body to be pierced. In connection with an identification from “above” and from “below”, the approach for the user then has a marking of how it should be angularly aligned when the cannula is applied to a body. As far as is known, however, the corresponding angular alignment of the cannula tip has not yet been able to be carried out automatically. Rather, only semi-automatic machines are known internally in the past, in which the attachment to the cannula tube is more or less automatically connected, but beforehand the correct alignment of the cannula tip is ensured manually by the assistant and under visual control. This is complex and, depending on the qualification of the operator, has the risk of a high reject rate.

The invention is therefore based on the object of an automatic correct angular alignment of the cannula tip to enable the manufacture of the cannula tube with approach.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a method for

Attaching a cannula tube in an approach according to the characterizing part of claim 1 solved. This ensures that the cannula fastened in the attachment has a predetermined angular orientation of its cannula tip independently of an irregular cannula tube feed and regardless of the type of specially selected fastening method in the attachment and thus already uses the orientation of the cannula tip for the user in an automatic process ¬ can be offered fairly.

The setpoint of the correct angular orientation of the cannula tip can be predetermined in various ways. A first possibility is to relate it to a marking on the approach, be it to a specific geometric peculiarity of the approach, e.g. to an asymmetrical shaping feature of the same, be it separately or additionally to an extra mark attached to the base. A second possibility, compatible with the first possibility, consists in the target value being marked on a packaging, e.g. on a protector placed over the free end of the cannula tube, if it is ensured that this packaging accommodates the unit made of cannula tube and attachment in a way that it cannot twist relative to the packaging or a label on the packaging and the user at the marking of the Packaging can also read the angular orientation of the cannula tip contained in the packaging. In addition to a protector, the marking can also be provided on another packaging or wrapping or underlay element, at least if the operator assures the correct position of the cannula tip when the attachment is gripped by the operator. For example, the bevel of the cannula tip can always be aligned upwards in a packaging nest.

OMPI - D -

The above-mentioned second possibility of referring to a marking of a packaging presupposes that either the approach is already marked in such a way that in the case of packaging such a marking is manually or inevitably referred to the approach or that the angular orientation of the the tip of the cannula tube automatically transferred to the packaging or only changed by a constant value, e.g. through forced control. In the latter case, it is also possible to do without marking on the attachment, if necessary even referring to the beveling of the cannula tip in the case of the forced guidance with an otherwise completely symmetrical and label-free attachment, or else ensure that the attachment is connected to a packaging or transfer into this not twisted out of control.

A third possibility is to mark the target value of the correct angular orientation of the cannula tip _. it design or extra brand, to refer to a connector part of the approach, such as a syringe barrel. This can be done directly by inevitably maintaining the angular orientation of the cannula tip, which is once angularly aligned, in an automatic manufacturing machine for the syringe, not only until it is attached to the attachment but also until the attachment is attached to the connecting part, or is only changed by a constant amount of angle. However, this can also be done indirectly, for example by providing coupling means, for example an asymmetrical plug connection, between the extension and the connecting part, which inevitably align the extension and the connecting part in terms of angle. In both cases, for example, probably for the first time, automatically ready-assembled syringes can be provided, in which the cannula tip is correctly positioned from the start on a marking on the syringe, e.g. an impression, such as a scale, is aligned. But you can also use an extra pair of brands or another pair of Morocations, e.g. on approach and

Syringe barrel, or on packaging, e.g. Protector and syringe barrel, so as to provide a manual connection of the attachment and. Syringe to maintain the correct angular orientation of the cannula tip.

Three alternative methods have proven particularly useful for turning the cannula tube. In the first procedure, the cannula tube can be frictionally rolled on two surfaces moving in opposite directions. In the second procedure are at least three, and preferably vor¬ only three, each ^{'self-propelled} Friktions¬ rollers for rotationally driving the Kanülenrohres- In both cases, the cannula tube Achsläge can be maintained unchanged. It is therefore possible to carry out the angular alignment of the cannula tube if it is already inserted in the attachment, and is already arranged in the relative axial position to the attachment in which the cannula tube is then attached to the attachment. However, for better decoupling of the alignment and the fastening process, both methods can also be carried out in a cyclically operating production in such a way that the cannula tube is only transferred to the shoulder after its angular alignment.

Such an angular adjustment of the cannula tube outside the attachment is also expediently provided in the third method. In this case, the tip of the cannula is rolled on a support surface, for example a support edge, until the center of gravity of the entire cannula assumes a minimal position. If the bevel of the cannula tip lies on the support surface, the center of gravity of the entire cannula tube has a lower position than if it was with the outer lateral surface of the cannula tube aligned flank of the cannula tip lies on the support surface. This rolling can be carried out under the force of gravity and the cannula tube rotated by at least one circumferential length by loosely pushing means. This thrust width is generally sufficient. The inclined surface of the cannula tip automatically engages in contact with the support surface and maintains this angular orientation in the event of further thrust on the cannula tube. The cannula tube tip is thus aligned by means of mechanical scanning of the cannula tip during the rotation of the cannula tube. A conceivable separate sensor, for example of an optical type, for the angular orientation of the cannula tip is possible here, but is unnecessary. If it is provided, it would have to stop the rolling of the cannula tube automatically when it reaches its minimum center of gravity.

An optical or photoelectric scanning of the tip of the cannula, which stops the cannula tube from rotating immediately or with a predetermined overrun, is particularly advantageous in the first two methods. This is especially true when the drive connection between the rotating device and the cannula tube is practically inevitable. However, it is also possible to provide a slip occurring at a certain limit of the drive torque between the rotating device and the cannula tube and to mechanically scan the cannula tip in such a way that the inclined surface of the cannula tip can snap into the mechanical scanning of the cannula tip and the rotating device then continues slips relative to the cannula tube, the mechanical coupling of the inclined surface of the cannula tip to the mechanical scanning means is stronger than the mechanical coupling of the cannula tube to the rotary device. The third procedure described works analogously when, as it does. or is the case in part, no additional scanning

O PI funds are provided.

Instead of mechanical, optical and photoelectric scanning of the cannula tip, any other known or new type of scanning can also be used, at least when it is used to stop the rotating device.

When installing cannula tubes in prefabricated approaches, it is expedient to move the cannula tubes essentially only axially. Then, in an assembly machine, for example, the end of the outlet of a cannula feed device, for example a cannula magazine, can be aligned with the relatively narrow receiving bore of the cannula tube in the shoulder. In this case, but also in comparable cases with more complicated transfer kinematics, it is expedient if the cannula tube is not laterally displaced or inclined when the cannula tube is rotated about its axis. Purely axial kinematics of the cannula tube are preferably provided on the one hand before setting the orientation of the cannula tip and on the other hand afterwards.

It has been shown that good results can be obtained with mechanical scanning of the cannula tip with relatively little effort. If only the middle zone and / or the zone of the cannula tip adjoining the root of the bevel of the cannula tip is scanned, it can certainly be avoided that the particularly sensitive tip zone of the cannula tip is damaged. However, if you want to avoid any intervention at the tip of the cannula, optical or photoelectric scanning or a scanning of any other kind is preferred. Advantageously, the rotation of the cannula tube is automatically switched off when a desired angular orientation of the cannula tip is detected.

The end result of the positionally correct fastening of the cannula tube in the approach is expediently still achieved in a subsequent constricting control procedures monitored, with an optical monitoring was particularly ährt bew ^τ. For example, this can also be automated via fiber optics.

The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention. Three special implementations of the three preferred procedures according to the invention are preferred.

In the case of the implementations of the first and the third method according to the device, the mechanical pushbutton not only serves to determine manipulated variables of a control circuit, but also represents an active means for setting the setpoint.

A positive drive is expediently used to transfer the cannula tube already aligned in its desired position into the final fastening position, which does not change the orientation once it has been set, or only changes it by a predetermined amount. Pliers are particularly suitable for this. the cannula already reaches between the forceps jaws before and during their alignment, which are then in the open position. After the alignment, the forceps jaws are then closed for the further transport of the cannula tube. The closing movement and expediently also the opening movement preferably take place via a closing device which dampens the closing process, which ensures that the closing and optionally opening of the forceps does not damage the cannula tube. A cam control or another equivalent control is suitable for this, for example via a cam / cam follower surface _*

• The entire alignment and mounting process can be carried out along a fall line.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of schematic drawings using an exemplary embodiment.

OMPI Show it:

«

1 shows a vertical section through essential operating elements of a first device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a rough schematic horizontal section - or a corresponding top view - along the line II-II in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rough schematic horizontal section - or a plan view - along the line III-III in Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged scale a top view of the free end of the cannula tube with cannula tip.

5a and 5b a vertical cross section through essential operating elements of a second device according to the invention with different angular orientation of a cannula tube received;

6 shows a partially sectioned top view of the device according to FIGS. 5a and 5b;

7 shows a plan view of essential operating elements of a third device according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is a partially vertical sectional side view of the device of FIG. 7, and

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a possible B tterfly assembly of cannula tube and approach with marking the correct angular orientation of the cannula tip. In Fig. 1, the output 2 of a cannula magazine or another, the cannulas axially feeding device and a central receiving hole 4 of a z. B. made of thermoplastic or other plastic approach 6 aligned along a fall line aligned. The Z. B. made of stainless steel cannula tube 8 is shown in a position in which it has struck from the exit 2 on the impact surface 10 of a horizontally adjustable slide 12 with its inner end 14. The lower region of the cannula tube 8 is gripped by a pair of pliers 16 shown in detail in FIG. 3 over a relatively large axial length, in the limit case even half the cannula length or more. Above the forceps 16, the cannula tube engages in a rotating device 18, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2, which essentially consists of two horizontally extending flat bars 20 and 22.

Finally, another flat iron acts as a mechanical button 25 on the cannula tip 24.

The cannula tip can be seen even more in detail in FIG. 4. 1 forms a beveled surface of the cannula tube 8, which is approximately flat except for special cuts, which extends approximately along a half oval from the tip 26 of the cannula tip 24 into the closed cylindrical body 28 of the cannula tube 8 (cf. FIG 4) runs. The button 25 has an oblique tactile surface 30 which is complementary to the main plane of the cannula tip 24. This advantageously does not act in the zone a adjacent to the tip 26 of the cannula tip 24 according to FIG. 4, but in the less sensitive central zone b and / or

OMPI Zone c of the cannula tip 24 adjoining the root 32 of the bevel 24. According to FIG. 1, the button acts both in zone b and in zone c.

When the cannula tube 8 emerges from the outlet 2 and falls on the impact surface 10 of the slide 12, the button 25 is retracted laterally. After placing the inner end 14 of the cannula tube on the baffle surface 10, the button 25 can be held by the spring 34 with its tactile surface 30 in contact with the main plane of the bevel of the cannula tip 24.

The cannula tube is held by narrow dimensioning of the respective receiving opening of the rotating device 18 and / or the pliers 16 for the cannula tube so that no or no significant inclination of the cannula tube 8 is effected during the scanning process.

Fig. 2 shows the rotating device 18 in the position in which the cannula tube 8 reaches freely between the two flat irons 20 and 22. It can be seen that the two diagonally opposed inclined surfaces 36 are at some distance from the outer surface of the cannula tube, but essentially align it axially. This distance is ensured by the fact that a cam head 40 screwed into a flat iron 20 in the thread 38 serves as a spacer with respect to a central vertical side face 42 of the other flat iron 22, which radially approximately, although offset somewhat horizontally to the front in the plane of the drawing, radially to The axis of the cannula tube runs. The side surface 42 merges via an inclined surface 44 into a cam follower surface 46 which is offset horizontally even further forward in the plane of the drawing and which runs parallel to the side surface 42. This cam follower surface 46 need not extend over the entire length of the flat iron on the outside, but the flat iron can again have an inwardly reinforced end at 48 for receiving a first joint 50. A second joint 54 is provided at the corresponding opposite end 52 of the other flat iron 20 ^* . A control rod 56 runs through the two joints 50 and 54 and is articulated via a third joint 58 with a push rod 60 which can be moved back and forth in accordance with the double arrow shown. The push rod 60 can be set in motion by a drive, not shown.

The control rod 56 is in turn articulated via a fourth joint 62 at a distance from the two flat bars 20 and 22 on a base 64 of the assembly machine.

The two flat bars 20 and 22 are tensioned towards one another in their horizontal plane of extension by a tension spring 66.

The first flat iron 20 forms on both sides: its bevel 36 to one another and to the side surface 42 parallel side surfaces 68 and 70.

The side surface 42 of the other flat iron 22 extends up to one end of the inclined surface 36, while the other end of the inclined surface 36 in turn leads to a side surface 72 parallel to the other side surfaces 42, 46, 68 and 70.

As soon as the pull rod 60 of the plane of the drawing is moved to the right, the flat iron 20 moves in the plane of the drawing to the right relative to the articulated joint 62, while the flat iron 22 moves to the left relative to the articulation 62. The cam head 40 slides over the inclined surface 44 onto the follower surface 46, and under the action of the tension spring 66 there is an area of the side surface 70 serving as a driving surface with one side of the jacket of the cannula tube and an area serving as another driving surface the side surface 42 with the opposite jacket surface of the cannula tube 8 in contact. Since the horizontal adjustment movement of each flat iron relative to the joint 62 is the same as far as the direction is concerned, the cannula tube 8 is rotated about its axis without an axis offset or inclined position of the axis occurring. The forceps 16 is still out of engagement with the cannula tube.

The reciprocating movement of the two flat irons relative to one another is dimensioned such that the cannula tube can expediently rotate through 360 ° or more. It also comes into a position in which the inclined surface of its cannula tip 24 is aligned with the sensing surface 30. The spring 34 of the button 25 is now so strongly dimensioned relative to the spring 66 of the rotary device 18 that when the inclined surface of the cannula tip 24 is aligned with the touch surface 30, the cannula tip blocks itself on the touch surface and then the spring 66 no longer has sufficient force applies in order to rotate the cannula tube around its axis in a frictionally fluid manner. From the correct alignment of the cannula tip to the desired value specified by the button, the outer surface of the cannula tube then slides through on the driving surfaces of the side surfaces 68 and 72.

After successful alignment of the cannula tube 8, the rotating device 18 is then brought out of engagement with the cannula tube again in the position shown in FIG. 2.

Instead, the cannula tube is now gripped by the forceps 16 and vertically transferred into the fastening position within the attachment 6. Care must be taken to ensure that when the cannula tube is transferred from the rotating device to the pliers, no adjustment is made to a position parameter of the cannula tube, so that the purely vertical transfer of the cannula tube from the outlet 2 into the bore 4 of the attachment is not disturbed by the manipulations in between. It should be noted that the receiving bore 4 in the shoulder 6 fits relatively tightly, possibly with no or no significant play, onto the outer surface of a cannula tube and misalignment could therefore lead to self-locking of the mounting device.

OMPI The pliers 16 shown in more detail in FIG. 3 has a pliers body 74 to which a pair of pliers jaws 80 and 82 is articulated via a pivot pin 76 and 78, respectively. The jaws are normally clamped towards one another by a tension spring 84. The forceps jaws 80 and 82 each have an arcuate engagement surface 86 and 88 on the cannula jacket. The two contact surfaces 86 and 88 lie opposite each other to form a common imaginary circle in the closed position of the jaws 80 and 82.

In order to control the closing and opening movement of the jaws 80 and 82, a longitudinal slot or slot 90 or 92 is provided in each jaw as an oblique curve guide for an engaging actuating pin 94 or 96 of a tong actuating mechanism, by means of which an abrupt closing or opening the pliers to avoid damage to the cannula tube, in particular during the closing process.

It can be seen that not only the output channel of the output 2 and the receiving bore 4 in the extension 6 are vertically aligned with one another, but also the point of attack of the button 25, the place of action of the rotating device 18 located underneath and the location of the pliers located below it 16, which is adjustable vertically up to the insertion of the cannula tube 8 into the receiving bore 4 of the neck 6 after gripping the aligned button. The clamp is ent neither so dimensioned that it engages only at the her¬ from the batch protruding area of the cannula tube, so that ^'- unlike in the illustration of Fig. 1 - the cannula tube in the held by the pliers position can be fastened in the attachment, or that if necessary the cannula tube in its end position in the attachment can drop further vertically against an overrun stop (either in the attachment or below or inserted into the attachment from below), without the aligned position of the cannula tip essentially to change. The materials used for button 25, flat iron 20 and 22 and jaws 80 and 82 are suitably stainless steel. At least the quality of the cannula tube must not be impaired by the action of the assembly device. If necessary, special inert and, if appropriate, surface-treated contact surface inserts are to be provided on the tools.

A nose 98 is formed on the extension 6 in the exemplary embodiment shown. This can serve as a marking to which the angular position of the cannula tip 24 is to be aligned. In this sense, both in. Inclined surface of the cannula tip 24 as well as the nose 98 in the plane of the drawing to the left, so that both elements have the same angle orientation. Instead of a specially molded nose, any other geometrical feature of the attachment can also be used for orientation, if necessary also another feature outside the area of the actual disposable cannula, e.g. B. on a protector for the end of the cannula tube 6 projecting freely in the attached state.

For the actual fastening of the cannula tube 8 in the central bore 4 of the extension 6, any method described earlier can be used, in which the orientation of the cannula tip is not changed in an uncontrolled manner. An adhesive connection, a connection are particularly suitable Melting in thermoplastic material of the approach when the cannula tube is heated up by current, be it using it as a heating resistor in an external circuit, be it by contactless inductive eddy current heating, or a connection by frictionally or positively sealing holding the cannula tube in approach . When the cannula tube is fastened in the attachment, it is advisable to check the correct position of the cannula tube tip again. For this purpose, a fiber optic 100 can be used, the optical pick-up head of which is directed towards the free end of the cannula tube. The image can be transferred to a screen, so that a maintenance person can eject improperly aligned tiny cannulas as rejects. However, an automatic ejector device can also be operated if a suitable electronic control is provided which compares, for example, the actual image with a target image and automatically actuates the ejector device in the event of image deviations beyond a predetermined tolerance range or information content.

This automatic control option is promoted by the fact that only relatively small tolerances of the axial position of the cannula tip relative to the attachment are permitted, namely between fractions of a millimeter and at most little more than one millimeter.

The same relatively small axial tolerances also allow mechanical scanning to be carried out outside the zone or behind the tip 26 of the cannula tip 24, regardless of the exact axial position of the cannula tip.

OMPI In the second device according to FIGS. 5a, 5b and 6, the cannula tubes 8 are fed in the direction of arrow 101, for example at an angle of approximately 30 °, in a known manner obliquely in the axial direction from top to bottom. The chute 102, which is inclined according to arrow 101, is used for feeding. The cannula tubes 8 are conveyed in such a way that their cannula tip 24 is arranged at the rear in the feed direction.

At the end of the inclined chute 102, the bottom of the chute extends downward by a step 104 in the direction of arrow 100 and continues obliquely downward. This continuation of the bottom of the chute 102, which is offset by step 104, is designated by 106 and ends in a more than 90 °, e.g. 100 °, upwardly angled stop step 108, at which the end of the cannula tube 8 facing away from the cannula tip 24 strikes. The bend is chosen so that the end face of the cannula tube with the stop step 108, which is perpendicular to the outer surface of the cannula tube, comes into contact only in the vicinity of the support surface 112, thereby preventing an inhibiting friction at the stop step. The continuation 106 is dimensioned just long enough that the end 14 of the cannula tube 8 facing away or the inner end 14 of the cannula tube 8 is supported on a support surface 12 which is formed by the end of the continuation 106 adjacent to the stop step 108, while the upper edge 114 of the step 104 forms a support surface for the average length of the bevel of the cannula tip 24. For this purpose, the edge 114 is expedient on a displaceable adjusting part, for example 3. a plate, by means of which adjustment to different cannula lengths and different configurations of the cannula tip is possible. The edge 114 should be hardened and polished in order to avoid damage to the grinding of the cannula tip.

O PI Both the support surface 112 and the support surface 114 extend horizontally to the side. It is possible to roll the cannula tube horizontally in this horizontal direction while rolling on the two surfaces 112 and 114 by means of the slide 116 which loosely engages the cannula tube. For this purpose, the slide has a central gap 118, which is equipped with a somewhat larger width than the cannula tube 8. Any drive can be used to move the slide 116. A displacement distance s according to the double arrow 120 is sufficient, which corresponds to the circumferential length of the cannula tube 8 or is only slightly longer.

If the cannula tube falls from the inclined drop or slide shaft 102 into the orientation step described, the orientation of the bevel of the cannula tip 24 can be as desired. The target orientation is shown in FIG. 5b, where the bevel of the cannula tip 24 rests on the bearing surface 14. The orientation of the bevel of the cannula tip 24 can, however, also be directed upwards, as is shown in FIG. 5a and in FIG. 6. In this case, the center of gravity S of the cannula tube 8 is higher than the center of gravity in the target orientation according to FIG. 5b. The orientation of the cannula tip 24 according to FIG. 5a corresponds to the maximum height, the orientation of the bevel of the cannula tip 24 according to FIG. 5b corresponds to the minimum height of the center of gravity S of the cannula tube. When the cannula tube 8 is rolled horizontally on the two surfaces 12 and 14, the cannula tube 8 has the tendency to assume its minimum center of gravity, that is, to adjust itself automatically to the desired position according to FIG. 5b ^' .

From the outset, this device has the tendency that a large proportion of the cannula tubes supplied automatically fall into the desired position according to FIG. 5b. In the event of misorientation, for example according to FIG. 5a, the above-described rolling can reliably reorient the cannula tip 24 into the desired position.

The further treatment of the cannula tube 8 with an angularly aligned cannula tip 24 can then take place analogously, as is explained in detail in connection with the device first described in FIGS. 1 to 3. The points of attack of the contact surface 14 on the bevel of the cannula tip 24 can also be varied as is explained with reference to FIG. 4 in relation to the scanning in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cannula tube 8 is fed vertically in such a way that the cannula tip 24 is arranged at the top and the inner end 14 of the cannula tube 8 is already in the receiving bore 4 of the attachment 6, which is not shown by means engages with friction or some radial play. To support the inner end 14 of the cannula tube 8, a bearing mandrel 122 can be used, for example, which takes over the supporting function of the slide 12 of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 and can be axially retracted, for example, after attachment of the cannula tube 8 in the projection 6, if you can't pull the tip up off the cannula tube. At irregular angular intervals around the circumference of the free end of the cannula tube 8 protruding from the shoulder 6 are distributed three friction rollers 124, which can be adjusted laterally in opposite directions according to the double arrows 126. It may also be sufficient if only one of these friction rollers, or two of them, are radially adjustable. The adjustment is used to insert or remove the cannula tube 8.

The bodies of the friction rollers 24 are made, for example, of stainless steel or plastic. They each have at least one circumferential groove 128 on their lateral surface, in each of which a ring 130 with a full cross section made of friction material, such as natural or artificial elastic rubber, is embedded. These rings 130 serve to engage the circumference of the cannula tube 8 about its axis.

The diameter of the three friction rollers 124 ^'is appropriately identical and by about an order of magnitude greater than der.Durchmesser of the cannula tube, for example, have tion rollers by a factor of 10. All Frik¬ in the same shaft height of the cannula tube 8 disposed central planes 125. Two of the friction rollers thereby form , adapting to the diameter of the cannula tube 8, a nest for the cannula tube. The third friction roller engages the circumference of the cannula tube in the nest. This leads to an overlap with the cooling surfaces of the other two friction rollers or their rings 130. ' The overlap area must be recessed in the third friction roller as shown, or alternatively in both other friction rollers, as a circumferential groove 131. In the friction roller (s) in which the circumferential groove 131 is provided, a ring 130 is or are provided on both sides of the circumferential groove 131. Otherwise, a single ring 130 is sufficient.

OMPI When the cannula tube is fed in, the three friction rollers are in the disengagement position indicated by the outer tip ^{* of} the double arrow 126. In order to align the cannula tip 24 in the correct angular direction, the friction rollers 124 are then adjusted inwards until the frictional engagement of their rings 130 into the position which corresponds to the inner tip of the double arrow 126. Any suitable adjusting device can be used for this.

All three friction rollers 124 are forcibly driven by a common drive via an intermediate gear 139 in such a way that they can rotate the cannula tube 8 about its axis with as little slip as possible.

An electric brake motor 132, for example, is used for the drive. It is connected to each friction roller 124 via the intermediate gear 139. When the brake motor 132 receives a brake signal, it only has a constant, very small overrun.

The braking signal is triggered by a photoelectric light barrier which expediently operates in the visible or infrared range and which, with a fine light beam, the diameter of which is much smaller than the extension of the cannula tip 24, horizontally above the three friction rollers 124, somewhat opposite the axis of the cannula tube emits its beam of light horizontally. The transmitter 134 and the receiver 136 of the fine beam 138 of the light barrier, shown in dashed lines, are shown. The position of the light barrier can be adjusted lengthways, crossways and laterally to the axis of the cannula tube. This light barrier will interrupted when a flank of the bevel turns into the light beam. Taking into account the constant overrun of the rotation when braking the brake motor, the desired target position of the cannula tube can be set exactly in this way. While the cannula tube 8 is gripped by the friction rollers 124, the inner end 1 of the cannula tube can then be fastened to the shoulder 6 in the region of the receiving bore 4 in a separate operation in a manner known per se. The friction rollers are then moved outwards again for the next operation.

The extension 6, which is otherwise formed in any known manner, can have an asymmetrical connection opening 140 to a syringe or to another connection part.

FIG. 9 illustrates a usable form of an attachment 6 provided with a marking on the basis of an attachment of the so-called butter fly type.

The attachment 6 has a connecting piece 142 for a hose, which can lead to a storage vessel for a treatment liquid, for example a blood bag. The cannula tube 8 is inserted with its inner end 14 into the receiving bore 4 of the extension 6 and is arranged with its cannula tip 24 on the end of the extension 6 axially facing away from the connecting piece 124. This approach is flat with two butterfly-like wings 144 symmetrical about the axis. These wings ensure that when the cannula tip 24 is inserted into a vessel or into a body of a human or animal, the attachment 6 is placed flat against the vessel or body and given there by an adhesive plaster, an adhesive strip or the like . Like. Can set. In such an application, the approach therefore has only two from the outset possible positions if the formation of the extension 6 with wings 144 is provided symmetrically to the plane of the drawing. By attaching - in the exemplary embodiment, wart-like - marks 146 to a flat side of the attachment, the angular orientation of the attachment can be clearly marked and clearly assigned to the correct angular orientation of the cannula tip 24. In the example shown here, the bevel of the cannula tip 24 points in the same direction as the two marks 146, one of which is formed on each wing 144.

Instead, any other suitable type of marking can also be provided. A label, for example, can simply serve as a label only on one flat side of attachment 6. However, one can also choose the geometric shape of the attachment 6 differently on the two flat sides and completely disregard the separate actual 2-way 146 if the spatial shape of the attachment 6 itself has marking characters.

A preferred embodiment of an attachment in butterfly-for has a central bore 4 of a sleeve which receives the inner end 14 of the cannula tube 8 and whose rear end forms the connecting piece 142. The wings 144 are expediently made of flexible material and start from the circumferential side of the sleeve, which is diametrically opposed to the bevel of the cannula tip 24. As a result, the tip of the cannula tip is arranged almost in the plane of the wing. This provides an almost tangential possibility of piercing a body or a vessel. Special marks 146 are possible here, but they are not necessary, since the spatial shape of the attachment in itself effects a precise marking of the angular alignment of the cannula tip.

f O

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for loading a cannula tube in a prefabricated approach, characterized in that a supplied cannula tube is rotated around its axis while scanning its cannula tip until the cannula tip assumes a predetermined angular orientation, and that the cannula tube is then fastened in the neck in this way that its cannula tip is aligned by a predetermined angle with a marking on the attachment and / or a packaging of the attachment and / or a marking on a syringe or other connecting part with which the attachment is connected.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cannula tube is rolled on two oppositely moving surfaces while maintaining its axial position.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cannula tube is rotated by at least three driven rollers distributed over its circumference while maintaining its axis position.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cannula tube along an inclined surface which the bevel-

OMPI support of the cannula tip and the other end of the cannula tube until it is rolled down to a minimum height of its center of gravity.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized ge indicates that the cannula tube is transferred from the outlet of a magazin device only by axial displacement into the position from which it is set in the predetermined Winkelorient¬ orientation of its cannula tip.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized ge indicates that the angular adjustment of the cannula tube is made outside the approach.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the cannula tube is only axially moved into the Be estigungsStellung position in approach after setting its vorbestim en Winkel¬ orientation.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized ge indicates that when setting the predetermined angular position of the cannula tube, the suction bearing surface of the cannula tip is mechanically scanned.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the central zone and / or the zone of the cannula tip adjacent to the root of the bevel is scanned.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cannula tip is optically or photoelectrically scanned when setting the predetermined Winkelstel¬.

11. The method according to claim 10 _7, characterized in that the beam of a light barrier quilting the rotation of the cannula tube onto the central region of the length of the cannula pointed.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized ge indicates that the angular position of the cannula tip of the cannula tube attached in the approach is monitored optically.

13. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 12 with a holder for the attachment, a feed device for feeding the cannula tube into its fastening position in the attachment and a device for connecting the cannula tube and attachment, characterized by a sensor (25; 114, -134,136,138) for the Winkelorien¬ orientation of the cannula tip (24), which is in angular relation to the marking on the neck (6) and / or packaging and / or with the approach to _^ connecting terminal portion, so¬ like a rotating device (18; 112, 114, 116; 124, 126) with which the cannula tube (8) can be rotated about its axis until the inclined surface of the cannula tip assumes a certain position relative to the sensor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the sensor is a button (25) biased against the cannula tip (24), that the rotating device (18) is biased against the cannula tube (8) on opposite sides and moved in opposite directions Carrying surfaces (on 68 and 72), and that the contact pressures between the button and the cannula tip on the one hand and between the driving surfaces and the cannula tube on the other hand are selected so that the cannula tube is aligned relative to the cannula tip when the button surface (30) is aligned with the cannula tip Take-along areas slip through.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the sensor is a horizontally extending bearing surface (114) for the cannula tip (18), that a horizontally running support (112) for the other end (14) of the cannula tube ( 8) is provided, which is arranged lower than the abovementioned bearing surface, and that a slide (116) for rolling the circumference of the cannula tube on the support surface and the support surface is provided.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the sensor is a light barrier (134,136,138) which is directed to the average length of the bevel of the cannula tip (24), and that the rotating device of a friction drive from at least three around the axis of the Cannula tube (8) distributed friction rollers (124) is formed, all of which are driven by a brake motor (132) which stops when the light barrier responds, and at least one of which can be swung out.

17. Device according to one of claims 13 to 16, marked by pliers (16) for inevitably transferring the aligned cannula tube (8) into its fastening position in a through bore (4) in the neck (6).

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized by a cam control for closing and opening the pliers.

1 . Device according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the outlet (2) of a feed device for cannula tubes (8), the place of action of the rotating device (18), the effective support surface (10) of a retractable overrun stop (12) for the The cannula tube and the receiving bore (4) in the shoulder (6) are vertically aligned with one another.