WO2014041581A1

WO2014041581A1 - Connector and tube connection structure using same

Info

Publication number: WO2014041581A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/005752
Authority: WO
Inventors: 高寛千田; 恭大木村; 敬亮吉野
Original assignee: テルモ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-09-11
Filing date: 2012-09-11
Publication date: 2014-03-20

Abstract

This connector (1) is equipped with: an outer tube (2) of which one end side is attached to a tube and of which the other end side has an aperture section (2a); a valve body (3) that is disposed within the outer tube (2) and that opens/closes the aperture section (2a) of the outer tube (2); an elastic member (4) that biases the valve body (3) towards the aperture section (2a) at the other end side of the outer tube (2); and a support body (5) that is provided partially connected to the inner surface of the outer tube (2) at the inside of the outer tube (2) and that supports the elastic member (4) from the one end side of the outer tube (2). A duct through which a liquid that flows through the tube passes is formed at the inside of the outer tube (2). The connector (1) is characterized by being provided between the valve body (3) and the elastic member (4) with a guide member (10) that guides the motion of the valve body (3) along the axial direction of the outer tube (2) accompanying the opening/closing motion of the valve body (3) with respect to the aperture section (2a).

Description

Connector and tube connection structure using the same

The present invention includes a tube attached to one end side and an outer cylinder having an opening on the other end side, a valve body disposed inside the outer cylinder to open and close the opening of the outer cylinder, An elastic member that urges the valve body toward the opening on the other end side of the outer cylinder; and an inner part of the outer cylinder that is partially connected to the inner surface of the outer cylinder; A connector comprising: a support body supported from one end of the outer cylinder; and a connector formed with a flow path through which the liquid flowing through the tube passes inside the outer cylinder, and a tube connection structure using the connector. is there.

In this type of connector, normally, the valve body biased by the elastic member seals the opening of the outer cylinder to prevent liquid leakage there, while, for example, the tip of a syringe or a pair of When a part of the other connector is inserted into the outer cylinder from the opening, the valve body is pushed into the outer cylinder along the axial direction of the outer cylinder by the syringe tip. By opening the opening of the outer cylinder, the liquid from the syringe or other connector or the like can flow to the tube attached to one end of the outer cylinder.
In addition, as a conventional tube connection structure using such a connector, there exists what was described in patent document 1 for flowing infusion etc., for example.

International Publication No. 2007/014281

By the way, in the connector described above, for example, the syringe tip is inserted into the connector for fixing the connector and the syringe to each other with the syringe tip inserted from the opening of the outer cylinder. Or, depending on the insertion mode of a part of other connectors, the valve body that is pushed in contact with the syringe tip or the like enters the inside of the outer cylinder in a posture shifted with respect to the axial direction of the outer cylinder. Sometimes.
In this case, after the syringe or the like is pulled out from the outer cylinder, the valve body that is urged by the elastic member is not fitted into the opening of the outer cylinder at the expected position, and the opening can be sealed. There was a problem that the liquid could leak due to the inability to do so.

An object of the present invention is to solve such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to push it into the outer cylinder by a syringe tip or a part of another connector. A connector that can ensure the hermetic seal of the opening of the outer cylinder by the valve body and a tube connection structure using the same are provided. There is.

The connector of the present invention has a tube attached to one end side and an outer cylinder having an opening on the other end side, and a valve body that is disposed inside the outer cylinder and opens and closes the opening of the outer cylinder. An elastic member that urges the valve body toward the opening on the other end side of the outer cylinder; and an elastic member that is partially connected to the inner surface of the outer cylinder on the inner side of the outer cylinder. A support for supporting the member from one end side of the outer cylinder, and a flow path through which the liquid flowing through the tube passes is formed inside the outer cylinder, the valve body and the A guide member is provided between the elastic member and a guide member that guides the movement of the valve body along the axial direction of the outer cylinder accompanying the opening / closing operation of the valve body with respect to the opening. .

In the connector according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the guide member has a leg portion that extends toward the support, and a concave portion in which the leg enters and slides is provided on an outer surface of the support.
Here, in this connector, in a sealed state of the opening portion by the valve body, the respective distal end portions of the leg portions are positioned so as to enter inside the concave portions provided on the outer surface of the support body. Is preferred.
Also, here, the support body is provided with a flow rate adjusting portion having a tapered portion that tapers toward the one end side on one end side of the outer cylinder, and the concave portion provided on the outer surface of the support body is provided with the flow velocity It is preferable to extend to the outer surface of the adjusting portion and to terminate the concave portion on the outer surface of the flow velocity adjusting portion without a step.

Further, the tube connection structure of the present invention uses the above connector as a first connector, and is provided at the end of one of the two tubes and the end of the other tube. And a second connector that can be fitted to the first connector.

According to the connector of the present invention, when the valve body pushed into the outer cylinder by insertion into the opening of the outer cylinder, such as a syringe tip or a part of another connector, opens and closes the opening. The guide member provided between the valve body and the elastic member functions to guide the movement of the valve body along the axial direction of the outer cylinder, so that the valve body always keeps the inner cylinder inside the outer cylinder. The valve body biased by the elastic member securely seals the opening when the syringe tip is not inserted into the opening of the outer cylinder. Therefore, unintentional leakage of the liquid at the opening of the outer cylinder can be prevented.

It is sectional drawing in alignment with the axial direction of an outer cylinder which shows one Embodiment of the connector of this invention. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows each structural member of the connector of FIG. It is the same figure as FIG. 1 which shows the connector of FIG. 1 in the state which inserted the syringe front-end | tip part in the outer cylinder opening part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the modification of the guide member which the connector of FIG. 1 comprises, and a support body. It is a principal part expanded sectional view and exploded perspective view which show the further modification of the guide member and support body which the connector of FIG. 1 provides. It is sectional drawing in alignment with the axial direction of an outer cylinder which shows the tube connection structure comprised by the connector of FIG. 1 and the other connector which makes a pair in the mutual non-fitting state of both connectors. It is the same figure as FIG. 6 which shows the tube connection structure of FIG. 6 in the mutual fitting state of both connectors. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows each structural member of the other connector of FIG. FIG. 5 is a development view of the outer surface of the outer cylinder showing guide groove portions provided in the outer cylinder of the connector shown in FIG. 2 and a modification example thereof. It is sectional drawing in alignment with the axial direction of an outer cylinder which shows other embodiment of the connector of this invention. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows each structural member of the connector of FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
A connector 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a tube (not shown) attached to one end side (left side in FIG. 1; left and right are left and right when FIG. 1 is viewed in the correct direction), and the other end side. The outer cylinder 2 having an opening 2a (on the right side in FIG. 1) and the inner cylinder 2 are arranged inside and moved in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 (left-right direction in FIG. 1) to open the outer cylinder 2 A valve body 3 made of an elastic material such as a rubber material or a resin material that opens and closes 2a, and an elastic member 4 such as a coil spring that biases the valve body 3 toward the opening 2a on the other end side of the outer cylinder 2. And a support 5 that is provided inside the outer cylinder 2 and supports the elastic member 4 from one end side of the outer cylinder 2.

Here, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder 2 is connected to the cylindrical member 6 formed with the opening 2 a on the other end side of the outer cylinder 2, and the cylindrical member 6 on one end side of the outer cylinder 2. The one end side of the tube connecting member 7 which is formed by a tube connecting member 7 attached to be connected to the tube and has a tapered shape with the inner and outer diameters gradually reduced toward one end side of the outer cylinder 2. A plurality of tapered steps 7a are formed on the outer surface of the portion having a constant inner diameter for frictionally engaging the end when inserted into the end of the tube.

The tube connected to the tube connecting member 7 is made of urine, blood, ascites / pleural effusion, bile, gastrointestinal fluid, surgical field exudate, surgical field cleaning fluid, cerebrospinal fluid drainage fluid, peritoneal dialysis fluid, and other fluids. It can be used for living bodies such as medical and welfare fluids, and a flow path through which such liquid passes is formed inside the outer cylinder 2.

Further, here, as shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 2, the support 5 is attached to the ring-shaped fixed frame 9 that forms a part of the inner surface of the outer cylinder 2 by the three connecting arms 8. The fixing frame 9 is sandwiched and fixed between the cylindrical member 6 and the tube connecting member 7, and there are one or two connecting arms. Four or more can also be provided.

When the distal end portion 101 of the syringe 100, for example, having a spiral groove around it, is screwed into the distal end portion 101 of the syringe 100 as shown in FIG. The valve body 3 that is brought into contact with and pushed into the outer cylinder 2 is dragged by the tip 101 inserted while rotating as indicated by an arrow in FIG. In order to prevent this, the valve body 3 swings in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 due to rotation around the central axis. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a guide member 10 that guides the movement of the valve body 3 along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 is provided between the body 3 and the elastic member 4.

With such an arrangement of the guide member 10, the valve body 3 pushed into the outer cylinder 2 by the syringe tip 101 or the like always moves in the outer cylinder 2 in a direction along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2. Since the valve body 3 is moved linearly, the above-described swinging motion of the valve body 3 can be prevented. As a result, after the syringe 100 is removed, as shown in FIG. The sealing property of the outer cylinder opening 2a by the valve body 3 fitted in the opening 2a of the cylinder 2 can be ensured.

Here, in this illustrated embodiment, the guide member 10 is formed on a disc-shaped body portion 10a that fits inside the valve body 3 having a cap shape, for example, and a peripheral portion of the body portion 10a. And the three legs 10b extending linearly from the support 5 to the support 5 side, and between the connection positions of the three connection arms 8 on the outer surface of the support 5, the three legs Each of the three recesses 5a in which each of 10b enters and slides is formed in a form extending in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2. And here, in the state which the valve body 3 seals the outer cylinder opening part 2a, as shown in FIG. 1, the front-end | tip part of each leg part 10b of the guide member 10 penetrates into each corresponding recessed part 5a somewhat. Let it be positioned.
Such a configuration is preferable for realizing a more stable displacement over a long period of time of the valve body 3 that repeatedly moves to one side and the other side in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 as the connector 1 is used.

Here, one, two, or four or more legs can be provided on the guide member, and the support can be formed with a number of recesses corresponding to the number of legs. The attachment and detachment of the syringe 100 or the like with the connector 1 is repeatedly performed, and the leg portion of the guide member slides on the support body many times. Therefore, the concave portion can be stabilized.
Further, in place of the above-described recess, a hole 15a extending inward from the surface of the support 15 facing the opening 2a of the outer cylinder 2 is formed in the support, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. be able to. In FIG. 4A, since the support 15 has two holes 15a, the guide member 20 has two legs 20b corresponding to the number of holes 15a. Yes.

In addition, when the number of leg portions of the guide member is one, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, one leg portion is provided in the central region of the disc-shaped body portion 30a of the guide member 30. 30b can be provided, and the support 25 can be formed with a single hole 25a into which the leg 30b enters and slides.
Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the guide member bends outward on the way to the support 35 side and extends to contact the inner surface of the outer cylinder 2, for example, three legs. In this case, the guide member 40 is in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 of the valve body 3 under sliding contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 2 of the leg part 40b. It will guide the linear movement along. When the guide member 40 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided, it is not necessary to form the recess or hole in the support 35.

As shown in the figure, the guide member described above can be fitted and fixed inside the cap-shaped valve body 3, and an adhesive agent can be attached to the valve body according to the shape of the valve body. It can also be fixed by use or heat fusion.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a positioning rod 11 for attaching a coil spring as the elastic member 4 is provided on the support 5 so as to protrude from the support 5.

Such a connector 1 can constitute a tube connection structure by using together with the other connector 51 which makes a pair, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of the syringe 100 described above.
That is, the tube connection structure shown in FIG. 6 includes the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 that are fitted together with the connector 1 as a first connector and the other connector 51 as a second connector. In a non-fitted state between the first connector 1 provided at the end of one of the two tubes (not shown) and the second connector 51 provided at the end of the other tube, While preventing the leakage of the liquid which flows through a tube, in the fitting state of the 1st connector 1 and the 2nd connector 51, those tubes are mutually connected so that a liquid can flow.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the second connector 51 has one end side (the right side in FIG. 6; the left and right indicate the left and right when FIG. 6 is viewed in the correct direction. 6, the first connector 1 is on the left and the second connector 51 is on the right.), The other tube is attached, and the other end side (left side in FIG. 6) has an opening 52a. An outer cylinder 52, a communication pipe 53 that extends to the other end side of the outer cylinder 52 in parallel with the axial direction of the outer cylinder 52 inside the outer cylinder 52, and communicates the other tube with the outer cylinder 52; Of the annular valve body 54, which is disposed between the outer cylinder 52 and the outer cylinder 52, and is slidable along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 52. A rigid support member 55 provided along the back surface (the surface facing the right side in FIG. 6); A coil spring provided inside the outer cylinder 52 so as to surround the communication pipe 53 and biasing the annular valve body 54 toward the opening 52 a on the other end side of the outer cylinder 52 via the rigid support member 55. And the like and an elastic body 56.

In this case, the outer cylinder 52 of the second connector 51 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2 of the first connector 1 with the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 being fitted together. The cylindrical member 57 having a large inner and outer diameter, and a tube connecting member 58 attached to the cylindrical member 57 and integrated with the communication pipe 53, and the outer surface of the small diameter portion of the tube connecting member 58 In addition, a plurality of tapered steps 58a are formed to frictionally engage the tube when inserted into the other tube.

In the second connector 51 having such a configuration, an annular valve body 54 that is biased toward the opening 52a of the outer cylinder 52 by the elastic body 56 in a non-fitted state with the first connector 1 shown in FIG. Since the opening 52a of the outer cylinder 52 is fitted between the outer cylinder 52 and the communication pipe 53 and sealed there, liquid leakage from the opening 52a of the outer cylinder 52 can be prevented.

On the other hand, the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 can be fitted together by inserting the first connector 1 into the second connector 51.
The movement of each constituent member during such fitting will be described in detail. By inserting the first connector 1 into the second connector 51, the tip of the communication pipe 53 of the second connector 51 is shown in FIG. The portion is provided on the other end side of the first connector 1 at the same time as the valve body 3 of the first connector 1 is pushed into the outer cylinder 2 against the urging force of the elastic member 4 on the back side thereof. The inward flange portion 2b around the opening 2a pushes the annular valve body 54 of the second connector 51 into the outer cylinder 52 against the urging force of the elastic body 56 from the back side thereof.

Thereby, each of the valve body 3 of the first connector 1 and the annular valve body 54 of the second connector 51 is opened, so that, for example, urine from the patient's urethra passes through the other tube placed in the urethra and passes through the second tube. After flowing into the tube connection member 58 of the connector 51, the cylindrical member 6 and the tube connection member 7 on the first connector 1 side are sequentially flowed from the through hole 53a provided in the side surface of the communication pipe 53, for example, urine storage It will flow to one tube attached to the bag. Therefore, according to this tube connection structure, one tube and the other tube can be connected to each other so as to allow flow.

Here, in this embodiment, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 are fitted together, the valve body 3 is guided by the guide member 10 disposed between the elastic member 4 on the first connector 1 side. Therefore, the inside of the outer cylinder 2 is linearly moved along the axial direction without swinging in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2. Further, when the first connector 1 is detached from the second connector 51, the first connector 1 side is also removed as the communication pipe 53 of the second connector 51 is pulled out from the opening 2 a of the outer tube 2 of the first connector 1. Under the action of the restoring force of the elastic member 4, the valve element 3 that moves toward the opening 2 a of the outer cylinder 2 linearly moves along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 by the guide member 10.
Therefore, in the non-fitted state of the first connector 1 and the second connector 51, the valve body 3 is properly fitted into the opening 2a of the outer cylinder 2 of the first connector 1 at the expected position. Therefore, the valve body 3 can reliably seal the opening 2a of the outer cylinder 2 and effectively prevent liquid leakage there.

In the illustrated embodiment, on the surface of the support 5 facing the one end side of the outer cylinder 2, the flow rate adjusting unit 14 having a substantially tapered shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases toward the one end side of the outer cylinder 2, Projecting from the surface. When the flow rate adjusting unit 14 causes the liquid flowing through the tube to flow from the other end side of the outer cylinder 2 toward the one end side through the inside of the first connector 1, the cross-sectional area of the flow path is increased by the support 5. The decrease in the flow velocity of the liquid on one end side of the outer cylinder 2 relative to the connection position of the support 5 to the inner surface of the outer cylinder is suppressed, and the solid matter that may be contained in the liquid there is retained. Can be effectively prevented.
However, providing the flow rate adjusting unit 14 is not an essential configuration of the present invention.

Here, in the illustrated tube connection structure, in order to effectively prevent liquid leakage at the contact portion in the fitted state of the first connector 1 and the second connector 51, the outer cylinder 2 of the first connector 1 The annular seal convex portion 12 protruding from the facing surface is attached to the facing surface of the inward flange portion 2b facing the outer cylinder opening 52a of the second connector 51 in a form surrounding the opening 2a, and the second connector 51 An annular surface of the annular valve body 54 facing the outer cylinder opening 2a of the first connector 1 is also annularly in contact with the annular seal convex portion 12 on the first connector 1 side in the fitted state. The seal convex portion 54a is formed so as to protrude from the facing surface. Each of these

annular seal projections

12 and 54a, which can be formed of an elastic material, can be formed integrally with the inward flange portion 2b or the annular valve body 54 of the outer cylinder 2, and the outer cylinder 2 It is also possible to attach to the inward flange portion 2b or the annular valve body 54 as a separate member.

Here, in this tube connection structure, as shown in FIG. 6, in the non-fitted state, the front end surface S <b> 1 formed by the inward flange portion 2 b of the outer cylinder 2 and the valve body 3 of the first connector 1. Is a flat surface in a surface region other than the annular seal convex portion 12, and the tip surface S2 of the second connector 51 formed by the communication pipe 53 and the annular valve body 54 is a surface other than the annular seal convex portion 54a. A flat surface is preferable in the region. Thereby, after removing the 1st connector 1 from the 2nd connector 51 and making it a non-fitting state, it becomes easy to wipe off the liquid which may adhere to those front end surfaces S1 and S2 with cloth etc., The first connector 1 and the second connector 51 can always be clean without any remaining liquid wiping.

Preferably, the second connector 51 prevents unintended flow of liquid between the rigid support member 55 surrounding the communication pipe 53 and slidingly displaced in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 52 and the communication pipe 53. For this purpose, an O-ring 59 made of a rubber material or the like is arranged in a compressed posture, and the length L in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 52 of the through hole 53a provided in the side wall of the communication pipe 53 is shown in FIG. In the fitted state, the distance between the annular valve body 54 and the O-ring 59 is equal to or less than D, and in the fitted state shown in FIG. 7, the insertion length of the communication pipe 53 into the outer cylinder 2 of the first connector 1. It shall be below P.
According to this, in the fitted state, the liquid that has flowed into the second connector 51 from the other tube can flow to the first connector 1 through the through hole 53a of the communication pipe 53, while the non- In the fitted state, the fluid passing through the gap between the communication tube 53 and the rigid support member 55 in the second connector 51 is prevented from flowing toward the elastic body 56 by the O-ring 59, so that the elastic body 56 is formed. It is possible to effectively suppress the liquid from adhering to the coil spring.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the valve body 3 of the first connector 1 has a spring accommodating portion 4a for accommodating the elastic member 4 as a coil spring by, for example, recessing the surface on the elastic member 4 side. It is preferable that the elastic member 4 is disposed in contact with the bottom portion of the spring accommodating portion 4a. Accordingly, in the fitted state shown in FIG. 7, the elastic member 4 in the compressed state is accommodated in the spring accommodating portion 4 a, so that the elastic member 4 contacts the liquid flowing through the first connector 1 and the second connector 51. As much as possible, the adhesion of liquid such as urine to the elastic member 4 can be suppressed, and clogging such as urinary calculus to the elastic member 4 and the spring accommodating portion 4a can be prevented.

In the first connector 1, the outer diameter of the elastic member 4 as a coil spring is made sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 6 of the outer cylinder 2, and the inward flange portion 2 a of the outer cylinder 2 is further reduced. Since the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the valve body 3 are smaller, solids such as sand and urinary stone that may be contained in the liquid sufficiently flow between the outer cylinder 2 and the elastic member 4. As a result, the size of the flow path is ensured, so that the solid member can be effectively prevented from being caught and clogged by the elastic member 4.
On the other hand, the tube connection structure described in Patent Document 1 described above is mainly for flowing an infusion solution, and in Patent Document 1, the liquid flowing inside contains a solid matter. Therefore, an elastic member is used as a coil spring having an outer diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the connector. Therefore, when a liquid containing a solid material flows, the solid material is moved to the elastic member. There is a problem of being caught and staying there.

The radius of the outer cylinder 2 between the inner surface of the cylindrical member 6 of the outer cylinder 2 and the outer surface of the guide member 10 from the viewpoint of flowing such solids smoothly without clogging in the first connector 1. The separation distance Ds along the direction is preferably 3 mm or more in consideration of use in a tube connection structure as a urinary catheter having a size of 14 Fr to 16 Fr which is often used. Although not shown, the diameter of the hole at the tip of the urinary catheter having the above size is smaller than 3 mm. Therefore, since solids that may flow in the urinary catheter do not enter the first connector 1, clogging in the first connector 1 can be prevented if the separation distance Ds is at least 3 mm, and smooth. A solid substance can be flowed through. The inner diameter of the outer cylinder 2 of the first connector 1 can be 13 mm or more, and the outer diameter of the guide member can be 7 mm or more.

Although illustration is omitted, at least one of the elastic member 4 and the elastic body 56 is an elastic body capable of biasing the valve body 3 or the annular valve body 54 toward the other end side of the outer cylinders 2 to 52, for example, A cylindrical rubber member or the like having a cylindrical shape or an inner and outer surface formed in a bellows shape can be used.
Although not shown in the figure, the elastic body 56 may be formed integrally with a valve body or an annular valve body to form a so-called mechanical spring or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rigid support member 55 on the second connector 51 side is provided along the back surface of the annular valve body 54 as shown in FIGS. Since the annular valve body 54 is urged through the member 55, the annular valve body 54 can be formed of an elastic material based on the back-up by the rigid support member 55 made of a rigid material from the back side of the annular valve body 54. The entire back surface of the annular valve body 54 can be reliably urged by the elastic body 56 to effectively prevent liquid leakage in a non-fitted state. Further, the rigid support member 55 can suppress deformation of the annular valve body 54 and prevent the elastic body 56 from jumping out of the annular valve body 54.

When the elastic member 4 and the elastic body 56 are provided, the elastic member 4 and the elastic body 56 are attached in the non-fitted state shown in FIG. 6 after the first connector 1 is detached from the second connector 51. Since each of the valve body 3 and the annular valve body 54 seals the

respective openings

2a and 52a of the

outer cylinders

2 and 52 by the force, the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 are attached and detached. Can be used repeatedly.
This is particularly true when the tube connection structure is provided in the middle of a urinary catheter where one end is placed in the patient's bladder and the other end is attached to the urine storage bag. Because it can be used separately from the patient, the patient can move away from the urine storage bag and perform so-called rehabilitation and bathing, etc., and urine backflow into the bladder due to the position and condition of the urine storage bag This is preferable in that the risk of developing a urinary tract infection can be eliminated.

On the other hand, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 are once connected and then the first connector 1 is used without being removed from the second connector 51, the connectors 1 and 51 are always fitted together. However, since it is not always necessary to provide the elastic body 56 described above, the elastic body 56 can be omitted from this embodiment.

In the tube connection structure described above, the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 are fitted together so that the connectors 1 and 51 are fixed to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the other end side opening 52 a is provided with one or more, preferably two inward projections 60 facing each other, projecting toward the inside of the outer cylinder 52, and As illustrated in FIG. 2, a guide groove portion 13 that opens to the other end side of the outer cylinder 2 and extends from the other end side to the one end side of the outer cylinder 2 is formed on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 2 on the first connector 1 side. Here, two can be provided corresponding to the arrangement position and the number of the inward projections 60.

Here, each of the guide groove portions 13 shown in FIG. 2 has a groove width slightly wider than the width of the inward projecting portion 60 over the entire length, as shown in the development view of the outer surface of the outer cylinder 2 in FIG. From the other end side (right side in FIG. 9) of the outer cylinder 2 toward one end side (left side in FIG. 9), parallel to the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 9) of the outer cylinder 2 along the outer surface of the outer cylinder 2 It extends and bends, for example, at a right angle toward the circumferential direction (vertical direction in FIG. 9) of the outer cylinder 2 at a bent portion 13a in the middle of the extension.

When the inward projection 60 and the guide groove 13 are formed, the first connector 1 is fixed to the second connector 51 in order to fix the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 in a mutually fitted state. Pushing in without being twisted, the inward projection 60 is slid from the other end side of the outer tube 2 toward the one end side inside the guide groove portion 13, and the bent portion 13 a is bent in the circumferential direction of the outer tube 2. When the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 are rotated relative to each other, the inwardly protruding portion is formed on the basis of the restoring force in the axial direction of the elastic member 4 and the elastic body 56 that are compressed. 60 can be fixed by frictionally engaging the groove wall surface of the guide groove portion 13 that extends in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 2.

At this time, in the tube connection structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the valve body 3 of the first connector 1 that is pushed in contact with the distal end surface of the communication pipe 53 of the second connector 51 is in contact with the first connector 1. When the second connector 51 is rotated, the second connector 51 may be dragged and twisted by the communication pipe 53 of the second connector 51 and may rotate around the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2. The valve body 3 is displaced along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 by the guide by the guide member 10 disposed between them.
Therefore, the displacement of the valve body 3 with respect to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 when the valve body 3 is displaced in the outer cylinder 2 is prevented. Therefore, when the non-fitted state shown in FIG. The opening 2a can be reliably sealed by the valve body 3 fitted into the opening 2a as expected.

Here, instead of the guide groove 13 shown in FIG. 9 (a), it extends parallel to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2 as shown in FIG. 9 (b), and the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 2 at the bent portion 23a. The guide groove 23 which is further bent toward the other end of the outer cylinder 2 and terminates, or as shown in FIG. 9C. The tube 2 extends in a posture inclined from the other end side to the one end side with respect to the axial direction, and is formed with three bent portions 33a to 33c on the end portion on the one end side of the outer tube 2. 2 can be provided with a guide groove 33 or the like that is bent in a convex mountain.

In the guide groove portion 33 shown in FIG. 9C, a click sound can be generated when the inward projection portion 60 gets over the mountain-like bent portions 33a to 33c. 1 and the second connector 51 can be easily recognized, and the bent portions 33a to 33c prevent the first connector 1 from being unintentionally detached from the second connector 51. It also functions to lock them together.

Further, when the tube joint structure of the present invention is provided in the middle of the urinary catheter as described above, the second connector 51 is disconnected from the first connector 1 even when the tube is pulled with a large force. If the connector 1 and 51 are kept in the fitted state, the urinary catheter placed in the patient's bladder may be pulled out of the bladder. Moreover, the guide groove part 33 of the form shown in FIG.9 (c) which can make the 2nd connector 51 remove | deviate from the 1st connector 1 is more preferable than the thing of another form.
In any of the

guide groove portions

13, 23, 33 described above, the

bent portions

13a, 23a, 23b, 33a to 33c can be curved portions (not shown).

In such a locking mechanism composed of the inwardly protruding portion and the guide groove portion, there is no portion that protrudes toward the outside of the tube connection structure. Therefore, the tube connection structure may come into contact with the patient's skin, for example. However, since it does not damage the skin, it is particularly effective when used for medical and welfare tubes.

Here, when the inward protruding portion 60 as described above is provided in the opening 52a of the outer cylinder 52 on the second connector 51 side, the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 are in a non-fitted state. As shown in FIG. 8, a part of the annular valve body 54 that is positioned at the opening 52 a by the urging force of the elastic body 56 in the circumferential direction corresponding to the arrangement position of each inwardly protruding portion 60, A recessed portion 54a into which the inward protruding portion 60 enters can be provided.

Here, the displacement of the annular valve body 54 in the outer cylinder 52 together with the rigid support member 55 caused by the compression and restoration of the elastic body 56 on the second connector 51 side is always in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 52. For example, two linear grooves 61 extending in parallel with the axial direction of the outer cylinder 52 are provided on the inner surface of the outer cylinder 52, as shown in FIG. The outer circumferential surface of the rigid support member 55 extends in parallel with the axial direction of the outer cylinder 52 at each circumferential position corresponding to the linear groove 61, and is fitted into the linear groove 61 so that the straight line extends. A fitting convex portion 55 a that slides in the groove 61 can be provided.

By the way, when the flow rate adjusting part 14 as described above is provided inside the first connector 1, the first connector 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 has a recess 5 a formed on the outer surface of the support 5. Along the axial direction of the cylinder 2, it extends to the outer surface of the flow rate adjusting unit 14 formed integrally with the support 5, and terminates on the outer surface of the flow rate adjusting unit 14 via a step 5 b substantially orthogonal to the axial direction. ing.

However, when the liquid flowing in the interior contains sand, urinary stones, or other solid matter, the size or shape of the solid matter, the step 5b of the recess 5a, and the dimensions of the leg portion 10a of the guide member 10 are eliminated. Depending on the shape, there is a possibility that solid matter may be caught between the tip of the leg 10b sliding in the recess 5a and the step 5b of the recess 5a. When the guide member 10 having 10b and the valve body 3 fitted in the guide member 10 are prevented from being smoothly displaced along the axial direction, the first connector 1 and the second connector 51 are fitted together. 3 may not open.

In order to prevent such a solid matter from being caught, the recess extending from the outer surface of the support 5 to the outer surface of the flow rate adjusting unit 14 is formed on the outer surface of the flow rate adjusting unit 84 as in the other embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, it is preferable to terminate without going through a step.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the concave portion 75 a formed on the outer surface of the support body 75 has an axial line in the cross section shown along the axial direction up to the outer surface of the tapered flow velocity adjusting portion 84 formed integrally with the support body 75. As shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 11, for example, the width is gradually reduced toward the front end of the flow rate adjustment unit 84 and the outer surface of the flow rate adjustment unit 84. As shown in FIG. 1, it terminates without providing a step 5b orthogonal to the axial direction.

Here, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the outer surface of the distal end portion of the leg portion 80b that matches the shape of the recess 75a of the guide member 80 is used as the inner surface of the tube connecting member 77 of the outer cylinder 72 or the flow velocity. The surface is parallel to the outer surface of the adjustment unit 84. Accordingly, when the valve body 73 is pushed into the outer cylinder 72 as shown in FIG. 10, the outer surface of the guide member 80 is substantially smooth although there is a slight gap on the outer surface of the flow rate adjusting portion 84. By being connected, the above-described function by the flow rate adjusting unit 84 can be effectively exhibited.

In the connector described above, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propyl acetate copolymer ( EVA) and other polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polyamideimide, polycarbonate, poly- (4-methylpentene-1), ionomer, acrylic resin, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile-butadiene- Styrene copolymer (ABS resin), acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin), butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexane tele Polyester such as tarate (PCT), polyether, polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene oxide, modified polyphenylene oxide, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene Use various resin materials such as sulfide, polyarylate, aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, other fluororesin, or blends, polymer alloys, etc. containing one or more of these. Can do. In addition, it is also possible to configure with various glass materials, ceramic materials, and metal materials.

On the other hand, examples of the elastic material forming the annular valve body and the valve body include natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, acrylic rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, hydrin rubber. , Various rubber materials such as urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, styrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polybutadiene, trans polyisoprene, fluoro rubber, chlorine Various thermoplastic elastomers such as a modified polyethylene type can be mentioned, and one or more of these can be mixed and used.

1,71 connector (first connector)
DESCRIPTION OF

SYMBOLS

2,72 Outer cylinder 2a Opening part 2b

Inward flange part

3,73

Valve body

4,74

Elastic member

5,15,25,35,75

Support body

5a, 75a Recessed part

5b Level difference

15a,

25a Hole

6,76

Cylindrical member

7,77 Tube connecting member 7a Tapered step 8 Connecting arm 9 Fixed

frame

10, 20, 30, 40, 80

Guide member

10a, 20a, 30a, 40a,

80a Body

10b, 20b, 30b, 40b, 80b Leg 11 Positioning rod 12 Annular seal convex part 13

Guide groove part

14, 84 Flow rate adjusting part 51 Other connector (second connector)
52 outer cylinder 52a opening 53 communication pipe 53a through hole 54 annular valve body 54a annular seal projection 55 rigid support member 56 coil spring 57 cylindrical member 58 tube connecting member 58a taper-shaped step 59 O-ring 60 inward projection 61 linear Groove 100 Syringe 101 Tip S1 Tip surface of the first connector S2 Tip surface of the second connector L Length of the through hole provided in the communication tube in the axial direction of the outer cylinder D Distance between the annular valve body and the O-ring P Communication Insertion length of tube into outer cylinder on first connector side Ds Separation distance between inner surface of outer cylinder and outer surface of guide member

Claims

A tube is attached to one end side, and an outer cylinder having an opening on the other end side, a valve body disposed inside the outer cylinder to open and close the opening of the outer cylinder, and the valve body An elastic member that urges toward the opening on the other end side of the outer cylinder; and an elastic member that is partially connected to the inner surface of the outer cylinder on the inner side of the outer cylinder; A connector comprising a support body supported from one end side, and forming a flow path through which the liquid flowing through the tube passes inside the outer cylinder,
A guide member is provided between the valve body and the elastic member to guide the movement of the valve body along the axial direction of the outer cylinder accompanying the opening / closing operation of the valve body with respect to the opening. Connector.
2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the guide member has a leg portion extending toward the support, and a concave portion is provided on the outer surface of the support so that the leg enters and slides.
The end portion of each of the leg portions is positioned so as to enter the inside of each of the concave portions provided on the outer surface of the support body in a sealed state of the opening portion by the valve body. 2. The connector according to 2.
Provided on the one end side of the outer cylinder of the support body is a flow velocity adjusting portion having a tapered portion that tapers toward the one end side, and the concave portion provided on the outer surface of the support member is provided on the outer surface of the flow velocity adjusting portion. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the concave portion is terminated on the outer surface of the flow rate adjusting portion without a step.
The connector according to claim 1 is a first connector, the first connector provided at the end of one of the two tubes, and the first connector provided at the end of the other tube. A tube connection structure characterized by comprising a second connector that can be fitted to the tube.