WO2018047489A1

WO2018047489A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO2018047489A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/026773
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亮太栗本
Original assignee: テルモ株式会社
Priority date: 2016-09-12
Filing date: 2017-07-25
Publication date: 2018-03-15
Also published as: JPWO2018047489A1; CN109843351A; JP6910361B2

Abstract

Provided is a connector that is used by being placed in the middle of a line through which a liquid passes, the connector being able to enter a connected state in which the middle of the line is connected in a liquid-tight manner, and a connection released state in which the connected state is released. This connector has the following: a pressure closure part that can switch operation so as to pressure-close a tube constituting the line during the connection released state, and release the pressure closure of the tube during the connected state; and an operation part that can switch the operation of the pressure closure part by rotationally operating the pressure closure part around the tube while maintaining the position of the pressure closure part in the tube lengthwise direction.

Description

connector

The present invention relates to a connector.

In recent years, peritoneal dialysis treatment has attracted attention because of its small size, simple equipment, low cost of treatment, and prevention of peritoneal adhesion compared to dialysis using an artificial kidney. Has been.

This peritoneal dialysis method is attracting a great deal of attention because it allows patients to exchange dialysate bags at home or at work, making it easier to return to society. In this peritoneal dialysis method, a tube connected to the patient side and a tube connected to the dialysate bag side containing the dialysate are connected. Connection between these tubes is performed by coupling of coupling tools respectively installed at end portions of the respective tubes (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, in the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the connection between the connectors is released, the dialysate may leak from the released connector depending on the remaining amount of dialysate in the tube.

JP-A-5-31178

An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can prevent liquid leakage when a connection state in the middle of a line through which liquid passes is released.

Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (14) below.
(1) A connector that is installed and used in the middle of a line through which liquid passes, and that can take a connection state in which the middle of the line is liquid-tightly connected and a connection release state in which the connection state is released. ,
While being in the connection release state, the tube constituting the line is pressure-closed, and while being in the connection state, a pressure-closing portion whose operation is switched so as to release the pressure-close to the tube,
A connector comprising: an operation unit that switches an operation of the pressure closing unit by rotating the tube around the tube while maintaining a position in the longitudinal direction of the tube.

(2) The connector is configured such that the connection state is made by screwing and the connection release state is made by releasing the screwing,
When the connection state is changed from the connection release state to the connection state, the screwing is performed prior to the release of the pressure closure of the tube, and when the connection state is changed to the connection release state, the pressure closure to the tube is performed. The connector according to (1), wherein the connector is performed prior to the release of the screwing.

(3) When the connection state is changed from the connection state to the connection state, the completion of the connection state is notified by emitting at least one of sound and vibration, and the connection state is released when the connection state is changed to the connection state. The connector according to (1) or (2), further including a notification unit that notifies the start of a state by emitting at least one of the sound and the vibration.

(4) An outer cylinder in which the operation unit is arranged, and an inner cylinder that is rotatably supported relatively concentrically in the outer cylinder and in which the pressure closing part is arranged,
The informing part is composed of an outer cylinder side protrusion protruding from an inner periphery of the outer cylinder and an inner cylinder side protrusion protruding from an outer periphery of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder side protrusion and the inner cylinder The connector according to (3), wherein when one of the tube-side protrusions climbs over the other, at least one of the sound and the vibration is emitted.

(5) The force required for the screwing is smaller than the force when one of the outer cylinder side protrusion and the inner cylinder side protrusion gets over the other,
The connector according to (4), wherein a force required to release the screwing is greater than a force when one of the outer cylinder side protrusion and the inner cylinder side protrusion gets over the other.

(6) The pressure closing portion is arranged along a circumferential direction of the tube, and includes a plurality of sandwiching portions supported so as to be close to each other and separated from each other.
The plurality of sandwiching portions may be close to each other to clamp and close the tube, and may be separated from each other to release the pressure closing to the tube. Connector.

(7) The connector according to (6), further including a biasing portion that is formed in a plate shape integrally with the plurality of sandwiching portions and biases the plurality of sandwiching portions in a direction away from each other.

(8) The connector according to (6), wherein the tube has elasticity, and functions as a biasing portion that biases the plurality of sandwiching portions in a direction away from each other.

(9) The connector according to (7) or (8), wherein the operation unit includes a pressing unit that presses the plurality of holding units in a direction approaching each other against a biasing force of the biasing unit.

(10) An outer cylinder in which the operation unit is arranged, and an inner cylinder that is supported so as to be concentrically rotatable in the outer cylinder and in which the pressure closing part is arranged,
The said press part is a connector as described in said (9) provided in the inner peripheral part of the said outer cylinder.

(11) The connector according to (10), wherein the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder has a portion with a larger inner diameter and a portion with a smaller inner diameter, and the smaller portion functions as the pressing portion.

(12) The connector according to (10) or (11), wherein a lever on which a finger is hung when the operation unit is rotated is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the outer cylinder.

(13) The connector according to any one of (1) to (12), further including a restricting portion that restricts a rotation limit of the operation portion.

(14) The liquid is a dialysate,
The said connector is a connector in any one of said (1) thru | or (13) used for peritoneal dialysis.

According to the present invention, when a connection release state in which the connection state is released from a connection state in which the liquid passes through in the middle of the line through which the liquid passes is operated, the operation is performed prior to the connection release state. By operating the unit, the tubes constituting the line can be closed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent liquid leakage from occurring in the disconnected state.

In addition, when the connection state is achieved by screwing the connector, by providing the notification unit, the completion of the connection state can be notified by at least one of sound and vibration. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably grasp how much the connector is screwed to complete the connection state.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a peritoneal dialysis set using the connector (first embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a connection state of the connector in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connection release state of the connector in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing members included in the connector in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view showing members provided in the connector in FIG. 1. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a region [D] surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a disconnected state of the connector (second embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional (perspective) view of the connector (second embodiment) according to the present invention taken along line HH in FIG. 13 when the connector is in a connected state. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a region [I] surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG.

Hereinafter, the connector of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a peritoneal dialysis set using the connector (first embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a connection state of the connector in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connection release state of the connector in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing members included in the connector in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view showing members provided in the connector in FIG. 1. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a region [D] surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3 is referred to as the “base end” and the left side is referred to as the “tip”, and the upper side in FIGS. 4 and 5 (the same applies to FIGS. 13 to 16). Is called the “proximal end” and the lower side is called the “tip”.

The peritoneal dialysis set 100 shown in FIG. 1 can be suitably used for peritoneal dialysis, that is, when peritoneal dialysis is performed, the dialysate is injected and supplied into the peritoneum (intraperitoneal) of the patient, and then dialysis is performed. The liquid drainage is recovered.

The peritoneal dialysis set 100 includes a dialysate bag 14 pre-filled with dialysate, a drain bag 19 for collecting dialysate drain, and bag-side tubes connected to the dialysate bag 14 and drain bag 19, respectively. 11, a transfer tube 18 connected to a catheter (not shown) placed in the patient's peritoneum, and a peritoneal dialysis connector 20 for detachably connecting the bag side tube 11 and the transfer tube 18. ing. In the peritoneal dialysis set 100, the dialysate bag 14 or the drainage bag 19 may be omitted as necessary.

In the peritoneal dialysis set 100, the bag side tube 11 and the transfer tube 18 constitute a dialysis line 10 through which a dialysis solution (including its drainage) passes. Moreover, the connector 20 for peritoneal dialysis has the 1st connector 1A and the 2nd connector 1B. Then, by connecting the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B, the dialysate can flow down the dialysis line 10 from upstream to downstream. Moreover, the middle of the dialysis line 10 can be separated by releasing the connection between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B. As a result, for example, the used dialysate bag 14 and drainage bag 19 can be replaced with new, ie, unused dialysate bag 14 and drainage bag 19.

The first connector 1A of the peritoneal dialysis connector 20 is connected to the opposite side of the transfer tube 18 from the patient side. The transfer tube 18 is provided with a connector 17 that is detachably connected in the middle of the transfer tube 18 and a roller clamp 16 that opens and closes the transfer tube 18 on the first connector 1A side of the connector 17.

The bag side tube 11 includes a tube 111 that connects the dialysate bag 14 and the second connector 1B of the connector 20 for peritoneal dialysis, and a branch tube 112 branched from the middle of the tube 111. The tube 111 and the branch tube 112 communicate with each other via the branch portion 113. The branch tube 112 is connected to the drainage bag 19 on the side opposite to the branch portion 113. Such a bag-side tube 11 can be selectively closed to switch the dialysate flow path. In other words, the bag-side tube 11 closes the vicinity of the branch portion 113 of the branch tube 112 when dialysate is supplied from the dialysate bag 14 to the patient side. Further, when the drainage is collected from the patient side into the drainage bag 19, the vicinity of the dialysis fluid bag 14 side of the branch portion 113 of the tube 111 is closed. The method for closing the tube is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of attaching a clamp to a tube to be closed.

The peritoneal dialysis connector 20 has the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B as described above, and is used by being installed in the middle of the dialysis line 10 through which the dialysate (liquid) passes. The first connector 1A is a so-called “male connector”, and the second connector 1B is a so-called “female connector”, which can be screwed together. By this screwing, a connection state (see FIG. 2) in which the middle of the dialysis line 10 is liquid-tightly connected is obtained. Moreover, it will be in the connection cancellation | release state (refer FIG. 3) by which a connection state is cancelled | released by canceling | releasing the said screwing.

The first connector 1A is the connector of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first connector 1 </ b> A is an assembly that includes a connector main body 2, an inner cylinder 3, and an outer cylinder 4, and these members are assembled together. Hereinafter, the configuration of each member will be described. In addition, although it does not specifically limit as a constituent material of each member, For example, resin, such as a polypropylene, cyclic polyolefin, and a polycarbonate, is preferable. Thereby, shaping | molding of each member can be performed easily.

The connector main body 2 has a tubular shape, and has a male screw portion 21, a flange portion 22, and a tube connecting portion 23 in that order from the tip side.

The male screw portion 21 is a portion provided at the distal end portion of the connector body 2 and having a male screw 211 formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof. The male screw portion 21 can be screwed with a female screw portion (not shown) of the second connector 1B. Thereby, the connection state shown in FIG. 2 can be maintained reliably.

Further, a second connector connecting portion 24 that is liquid-tightly connected to the second connector 1B in a connected state is provided inside the male screw portion 21. The second connector connection portion 24 communicates with the tube connection portion 23. Thereby, the dialysate can be moved back and forth in the connected state.

The tube connecting portion 23 is a portion that is provided at the proximal end portion of the connector main body 2 and is connected to the transfer tube 18 that constitutes a part of the dialysis line 10 in a liquid-tight manner. A plurality of ring-shaped protrusions 231 along the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the tube connecting portion 23. These protrusions 231 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the connector main body 2, and can engage with the inner peripheral portion of the tip of the transfer tube 18. Thereby, it can prevent that the transfer tube 18 slips out from the tube connection part 23. FIG.

A flange portion 22 is provided between the male screw portion 21 and the tube connection portion 23. The flange portion 22 is a portion that is formed in a plate shape on the outer peripheral portion of the connector main body 2.

The tube connecting portion 23 of the connector body 2 is inserted into the inner cylinder 3 together with the transfer tube 18. The inner cylinder 3 has a flange portion 31, a flange portion 32, and a flange portion 33 in order from the tip side.

The flange portion 31 is a portion that is formed so as to protrude in a plate shape on the outer peripheral portion of the proximal end of the inner cylinder 3. The inner cylinder 3 has a flange portion 31 fixed to the flange portion 22 of the connector body 2. The fixing method is not particularly limited, and for example, a method by engagement, a method by fusion (thermal fusion, high frequency fusion, ultrasonic fusion, etc.), or adhesion (adhesion with an adhesive or a solvent). Methods and the like.

The flange portion 32 is a portion that is formed so as to project like a plate in the middle of the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylinder 3 in the longitudinal direction.

The flange portion 33 is a portion that is formed so as to protrude in a plate shape on the outer peripheral portion of the tip of the inner cylinder 3. As shown in FIG. 4 (the same applies to FIGS. 2 and 3), two elastic pieces 34 having a plate shape are formed protruding from the flange portion 33 toward the proximal direction. In the present embodiment, the thickness T ₃₄ of each elastic piece ₃₄ is gradually reduced in the distal direction.

A clamping portion 35 capable of clamping the transfer tube 18 is integrally formed at the base end portion of each elastic piece 34. These two clamping portions 35 are arranged along the circumferential direction in the middle of the transfer tube 18, that is, are arranged via the transfer tube 18. Further, these sandwiching portions 35 protrude in opposite directions, and the width W ₃₅ gradually decreases in the protruding direction.

As will be described later, the holding portions 35 are pressed toward each other against the elastic force of the elastic piece 34 by rotating the outer cylinder 4 in a predetermined direction. And as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate part of the transfer tube 18 can be clamped and clamped by the clamping parts 35 close to each other. This pressure closing is maintained while the connection is released. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the dialysate remaining in the transfer tube 18 from leaking from the first connector 1A.

Further, by pressing the outer cylinder 4 in the direction opposite to the above, the pressure on the clamping portion 35 is released. Thereby, the clamping parts 35 are reliably urged in the direction away from each other by the elastic force of the elastic piece 34, that is, the restoring force. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the holding portions 35 that are separated from each other release the press-closing with respect to the transfer tube 18. This release of the pressure closure is maintained while the connection state is established. Thereby, the dialysate can be moved back and forth.

In this way, the two clamping portions 35 press-close the transfer tube 18 while being in the disconnected state, and the pressure at which the operation is switched to release the pressure-closed state with respect to the transfer tube 18 while being in the connected state. It functions as the closing part 36. In addition, each elastic piece 34 that supports the sandwiching portion 35 functions as a biasing portion 37 that biases the two sandwiching portions 35 in directions away from each other.

The outer cylinder 4 functions as an operation unit that switches the operation of the pressure closing unit 36 with respect to the transfer tube 18 by rotating around the transfer tube 18. A transfer tube 18 connected to the connector main body 2 protrudes from the base end side of the outer cylinder 4.

2 and 3, the outer cylinder 4 has a reduced diameter portion 41 in which the inner diameter of the tip inner peripheral portion is reduced. The reduced diameter portion 41 is located between the flange portion 31 and the flange portion 32 of the inner cylinder 3 and can be engaged with each of the flange portion 31 and the flange portion 32. By this engagement, the outer tube 4 maintains the position of the transfer tube 18 (inner tube 3) in the longitudinal direction, that is, in a state in which the movement along the longitudinal direction of the transfer tube 18 is restricted. Around, it can rotate concentrically with respect to the inner cylinder 3. And by this rotation operation, the pressure closing with respect to the transfer tube 18 and the release of the pressure closing are switched. Further, since the outer tube 4 is restricted from moving along the longitudinal direction of the transfer tube 18 regardless of the rotation operation, the overall size of the first connector 1A can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, the base end inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4 is provided with an elliptical portion 42 having an elliptical cross-sectional shape. The elliptical portion 42 has a long diameter portion 421 having a maximum inner diameter and a short diameter portion 422 having a minimum inner diameter. Further, a pressure closing portion 36 is disposed inside the elliptical portion 42.

And as shown in FIG. 6, when the two clamping parts 35 which comprise the press-closing part 36 face the long diameter part 421, the said two clamping parts 35 will be most spaced apart from each other. As a result, the closed state with respect to the transfer tube 18 is released.

As shown in FIG. 10 from the state shown in FIG. 6, when the outer cylinder 4 is rotated in the direction of the arrow α, the two clamping portions 35 face the short diameter portion 422. At this time, the two sandwiching portions 35 are pressed against each other by the short diameter portion 422 against the urging force of the urging portion 37. By this pressing, the two clamping portions 35 can clamp the transfer tube 18 closest to each other. As a result, the transfer tube 18 is closed. Thus, the short diameter part 422 can be said to be a pressing part that presses the two sandwiching parts 35 in a direction in which they approach each other. Accordingly, in the first connector 1A, a part of the elliptical portion 42 provided on the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4 functions as the pressing portion, so that the operation of the pressure closing portion 36 can be ensured with a simple configuration. Can be switched.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 12, two levers 43 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4. These two levers 43 protrude in directions opposite to each other and can be hooked. As a result, when the outer cylinder 4 is rotated, the lever 43 can be put on with a finger and easily rotated.

7 and 11, the first connector 1A has a restricting portion 5 that restricts the rotation limit of the outer cylinder 4. As shown in FIG. The restricting portion 5 includes a protruding portion 44 a and a protruding portion 44 b that are formed to protrude from the outer cylinder 4, and a protruding portion 38 a and a protruding portion 38 b that are formed to protrude from the inner cylinder 3.

The protruding portion 38a and the protruding portion 38b protrude in opposite directions from the edge of the flange portion 33 of the inner cylinder 3, that is, outward. Further, each top portion 381 of the protruding portion 38 a and the protruding portion 38 b is curved in a convex shape, and is in contact with the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4.

The projecting portion 44a and the projecting portion 44b project in a direction facing each other, that is, inward, at a position where the flange portion 33 of the inner cylinder 3 faces in the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4. Further, the top portions 441 of the projecting portion 44 a and the projecting portion 44 b are curved in a concave shape and are in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylinder 3.

7, the protruding portion 44 a of the outer cylinder 4 is in contact with the protruding portion 38 a of the inner cylinder 3, and the protruding portion 44 b of the outer cylinder 4 is in contact with the protruding portion 38 b of the inner cylinder 3. Thereby, the clockwise rotation in FIG. 7 of the outer cylinder 4 is regulated. At this time, the pressure-closure on the transfer tube 18 is released (see FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 11 from the state shown in FIG. 7, when the outer cylinder 4 is rotated in the direction of the arrow α, that is, counterclockwise in FIG. 11, the protruding portion 44 a and the protruding portion 44 b of the outer cylinder 4 are respectively connected to the inner cylinder 3. The projecting part 38a and the projecting part 38b of the inner cylinder 3 slide on the inner peripheral part of the outer cylinder 4, respectively. Finally, the protruding portion 44a of the outer cylinder 4 contacts the protruding portion 38b of the inner cylinder 3, and the protruding portion 44b of the outer cylinder 4 contacts the protruding portion 38a of the inner cylinder 3. Thereby, the outer cylinder 4 is restricted from further rotation in the direction of the arrow α, that is, the rotation of the outer cylinder 4 is stopped. At this time, the transfer tube 18 is closed (see FIG. 10).

In addition, the outer cylinder 4 can be stably rotated by the sliding of the projecting

portions

44a and 44b of the outer cylinder 4 and the sliding of the projecting

portions

38a and 38b of the inner cylinder 3. Can do.

In addition, the maximum rotation angle of the outer cylinder 4 regulated by the regulation unit 5 is 90 degrees in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and can be, for example, 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. .

Also, the outer cylinder 4 can be rotated from the state shown in FIG. 11 in the direction opposite to the arrow α direction, that is, in the clockwise direction in FIG. As a result, the pressure closure on the transfer tube 18 is released again.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the first connector 1A has a notification unit 6 that notifies the completion of the connected state and the start of the disconnected state. The notification unit 6 includes two ribs (outer cylinder side protrusions) 45 that are formed to protrude from the outer cylinder 4, and two ribs (inner cylinder side protrusions) 39 that are formed to protrude from the inner cylinder 3. Yes.

The two ribs 39 protrude in opposite directions, that is, toward the outside, between the flange portion 32 and the flange portion 33 on the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylinder 3. Each rib 39 extends along the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 3. As shown in FIG. 9, of the two side surfaces of each rib 39, the side surface 391 located in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 is inclined at an inclination angle θ ₃₉₁ . On the other hand, the side surface 392 opposite to the side surface 391 is inclined at an inclination angle θ ₃₉₂ smaller than the inclination angle θ ₃₉₁ .

The two ribs 45 protrude in the direction facing each other, that is, inward, at a position where the portion between the flange portion 32 and the flange portion 33 of the inner cylinder 3 faces the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4. Yes. Each rib 45 extends along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 4. The cross-sectional shape of each rib 45 is rounded. Each of the ribs 45 formed in this way gets over one rib 39 from the side surface 391 side or over the side surface 392 side according to the rotation direction of the outer cylinder 4. And sound and vibration will be emitted at any time of getting over. The user of the first connector 1A can recognize the completion of the connection state and the start of the connection release state, respectively, by feeling the generated sound and vibration. The vibration is obtained as a click feeling for the user.

Next, the overall operation of the first connector 1A will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6 to 12. FIG.

First, the operation from when the second connector 1B is connected to the first connector 1A in the disconnected state until the connected state is achieved will be described.

[1-1] As shown in FIG. 3, the first connector 1A is in a disconnected state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressure closing unit 36 press-closes the transfer tube 18. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the restricting portion 5 restricts the rotation of the outer cylinder 4 in the arrow α direction. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12, each rib 45 of the outer cylinder 4 and each rib 39 of the inner cylinder 3 which comprise the alerting | reporting part 6 are fully spaced apart.

[1-2] Then, the outer tube 4 of the first connector 1A is held with one hand, and the second connector 1B is held with the other hand.

[1-3] Next, the entire first connector 1A is rotated while holding the first connector 1A in an attempt to screw the male screw portion 21 of the first connector 1A into the second connector 1B. Thereby, screwing with the 1st connector 1A and the 2nd connector 1B is started. Further, the outer cylinder 4 is not yet rotated with respect to the inner cylinder 3 but remains stopped, or gradually rotates in the direction of the arrow β as shown in FIG. This state is continued until the screwing is completed.

[1-4] Then, when the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B are screwed together, the connection state is established (see FIG. 2), and torque is further applied to rotate the first connector 1A. The torque enables the outer cylinder 4 to rotate until the rotation is restricted by the restricting portion 5 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, each rib 45 gets over one rib 39 from the side surface 391 side. By overcoming this, sound and vibration are generated, and the completion of the connection state is notified. Thereby, the user can surely recognize the completion of the connected state, and can perform peritoneal dialysis with confidence. Further, at the position where the rotation of the outer cylinder 4 is restricted, as shown in FIG. 6, the pressure closure on the transfer tube 18 is released. Thereby, peritoneal dialysis becomes possible.

As described above, in the first connector 1A, the force required for screwing the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B is set to be smaller than the force when the rib 45 gets over the rib 39. Accordingly, as described above, as long as sound and vibration at the time of getting over are generated, it can be recognized that the screwing is completed, that is, the connection state is completed. The subsequent operations can be performed safely. In order to satisfy such a magnitude relationship, for example, the inclination angle θ ₃₉₁ and the radius of curvature R ₄₅ are appropriately selected within the above numerical range, and the protrusion heights of the rib 39 and the rib 45 are also selected. This can be achieved by appropriately setting the length.

Also, the screwing of the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B is performed prior to the release of the press-closing with respect to the transfer tube 18 which is performed immediately after getting over the rib. As a result, the dialysate is moved back and forth after the screwing is reliably completed, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the dialysate from leaking between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B. .

Next, the operation from when the second connector 1B is disconnected from the first connector 1A in the connected state until the connection is released again will be described.

[2-1] As shown in FIG. 2, the first connector 1A is in a connected state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the pressure closing of the transfer tube 18 by the pressure closing portion 36 is released. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the restricting portion 5 restricts the rotation of the outer cylinder 4 in the arrow β direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each rib 45 of the outer cylinder 4 constituting the notification unit 6 is in a state where it can get over the rib 39 of the inner cylinder 3.

[2-2] Then, the outer tube 4 of the first connector 1A is held with one hand, and the second connector 1B is held with the other hand.

[2-3] Next, in order to release the screwing between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B, the entire first connector 1A is rotated opposite to the above while holding the first connector 1A. As a result, prior to releasing the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B, first, the outer cylinder 4 is moved into the inner cylinder 3 until its rotation is restricted by the restricting portion 5, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, it rotates in the direction of arrow α. Further, immediately after the outer cylinder 4 starts to rotate, each rib 45 gets over one rib 39 from the side surface 392 side (see FIG. 12). By overcoming this, a sound and vibration are generated, and it will be notified that the connection is released from now on, that is, the start of the connection release state. Thereby, the user can recognize reliably the start of a connection cancellation | release state. Further, at the position where the rotation of the outer cylinder 4 is restricted, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressure closing part 36 closes the transfer tube 18. Thereby, even if the screw connection between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B is released, the dialysate can be prevented from leaking from the first connector 1A.

[2-4] When torque is further applied to further rotate the first connector 1A, the screwing between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B is gradually released by this torque, Finally, the second connector 1B is detached from the first connector 1A. Thereby, it will be in a connection cancellation | release state again (refer FIG. 3).

As described above, in the first connector 1A, the force required to release the screwing between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B is set to be larger than the force when the rib 45 gets over the rib 39. Yes. As a result, as described above, the transfer tube 18 is closed before the screwing is released. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the dialysate from leaking when the connection is released. In order to satisfy such a magnitude relationship, for example, the inclination angle θ ₃₉₂ and the radius of curvature R ₄₅ are appropriately selected within the above numerical range, and the protrusion heights of the rib 39 and the rib 45 are also selected. This can be achieved by appropriately setting the length.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a disconnected state of the connector (second embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional (perspective) view of the connector (second embodiment) according to the present invention taken along line HH in FIG. 13 when the connector is in a connected state. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a region [I] surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings, but the description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

This embodiment is mainly the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the inner cylinder is different.

As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the inner cylinder 3 omits the elastic piece 34 (the urging portion 37) that urges the holding portions 35 in the direction away from each other in the first embodiment. . And it replaces with this elastic piece 34, and the transfer tube 18 which has elasticity is comprised so that it may function as an urging | biasing part. The first connector 1A of the present embodiment can have a total length shorter than that of the first connector 1A of the first embodiment because the elastic piece 34 is omitted. Thereby, size reduction of the 1st connector 1A can be achieved.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the flange portion 33 of the inner cylinder 3 is formed with a slit 331 penetrating along the radial direction thereof. Two holding portions 35 are inserted into the slit 331 so as to be movable along the direction in which the slit 331 is formed. By this movement, the two sandwiching portions 35 can approach each other (see FIG. 15) or be separated (see FIG. 14). In addition, in this embodiment, each clamping part 35 is comprised with the small piece which makes a home base shape.

Also, the outer cylinder 4 is formed with two slits 46 penetrating the cylinder wall. These two slits 46 are disposed on opposite sides of the transfer tube 18. As shown in FIG. 14, the top portion (inner cylinder side protrusion) 351 of the sandwiching portion 35 can enter each slit 46. Thereby, the clamping parts 35 can be separated as much as possible. Therefore, the inside of the transfer tube 18 spreads to such an extent that the dialysate can easily pass therethrough. In addition, the 1st connector 1A at this time is a connection state similarly to the said 1st Embodiment. Further, the holding portions 35 are urged by the elastic force of the transfer tube 18. Thereby, the separation state of the clamping part 35 is maintained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15 from the state shown in FIG. 14, by rotating the outer cylinder in the direction of arrow α, each pinching portion 35 has its top portion 351 separated from the slit 46, and thereafter, the transfer tube 18. It is pressed against the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4 against the elastic force (biasing force). As a result, the sandwiching portions 35 approach each other, and thus the transfer tube 18 is closed. Note that the first connector 1A at this time is in a disconnected state as in the first embodiment. And since the transfer tube 18 is already pressure-closed in the disconnected state, leakage of the dialysate is prevented. In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 4 functions as a pressing portion that presses the clamping portion 35 against the elastic force of the transfer tube 18.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the outer cylinder 4 is provided with two sets of a protruding portion 44 a and a protruding portion 44 b that constitute the restricting portion 5. And between the protrusion part 44a and the protrusion part 44b of each group, the protrusion part 38a and the protrusion part 38b can each move relatively with respect to the said space | interval. Thereby, the rotation limit of the outer cylinder 4 will be controlled. The maximum rotation angle of the outer cylinder 4 restricted by the restriction part 5 having such a configuration can be made smaller than the maximum rotation angle of the outer cylinder 4 in the first embodiment. For example, the angle may be 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less. Thereby, the operativity of the rotation operation in the first connector 1A is improved by the amount that the maximum rotation angle of the outer cylinder 4 is reduced. In the connection state shown in FIG. 14, the protruding portion 38 a and the protruding portion 38 b are in contact with the respective protruding portions 44 a. Further, in the disconnected state shown in FIG. 15, the protruding portion 38 a and the protruding portion 38 b are in contact with the respective protruding portions 44 b.

Further, the top portion 351 of each clamping unit 35 also functions as the notification unit 6. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the top portion 351 of each clamping portion 35 protrudes from the outer peripheral portion (edge portion) of the flange portion 33 of the inner cylinder 3 regardless of the connected state and the disconnected state. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, of the two side surfaces located on both sides of the top portion 351, the side surface 352 located in the clockwise direction in FIG. 16 is inclined at an inclination angle θ ₃₅₂ . On the other hand, the side surface 353 opposite to the side surface 352 is inclined at an inclination angle θ ₃₅₃ . The tilt angle θ ₃₅₂ and the tilt angle θ ₃₅₃ may be the same, but are preferably different. Due to the difference between the inclination angle θ ₃₅₂ and the inclination angle θ ₃₅₃ , the force required for the rib 45 to get over the top 351 differs depending on the rotation direction of the outer cylinder 4. When the inclination angle θ ₃₅₂ and the inclination angle θ ₃₅₃ are different, the inclination angle θ ₃₅₂ is smaller than the inclination angle θ ₃₅₃ . With such a magnitude relationship, the force required for screwing the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B can be set to be smaller than the force when the rib 45 gets over the top portion 351. Thereby, after screwing is completed, the completion can be notified. Further, the force required to release the screwing between the first connector 1A and the second connector 1B can be set to be larger than the force when the rib 45 gets over the top portion 351. Thereby, the start of the release of screwing can be notified. Further, as in the first embodiment, the transfer tube 18 is pressure-closed prior to the release of the screwing.

Moreover, although the top part 351 of each clamping part 35 is corresponded to each rib 39 in 1st Embodiment, even if the rib 45 repeats overpassing, there exists an advantage that it is hard to be crushed rather than each rib 39.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the top part 351 of each clamping part 35 is provided with two side surfaces (side surface 352 and side surface 353) having different inclination angles to give strength to overcoming the ribs, but is not limited to this. For example, the inclination angle θ ₃₅₂ and the inclination angle θ ₃₅₃ may be the same size, and each rib 39 may be provided with two side surfaces having different inclination angles to increase or decrease the rib riding.

As mentioned above, although the connector of this invention was demonstrated about embodiment of illustration, this invention is not limited to this, Each part which comprises a connector is substituted with the thing of arbitrary structures which can exhibit the same function. can do. Moreover, arbitrary components may be added.

Further, the connector of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above embodiments.

In addition, the first connector and the second connector are used for peritoneal dialysis in each of the above embodiments, but are not limited thereto, and can be used for, for example, an infusion solution, a blood system, a cell culture system, and the like.

Further, the number of the sandwiching portions that function as the pressure closing portions is two in each of the embodiments described above, but is not limited thereto, and may be three or more, for example. When the number of the clamping parts is three or more, these clamping parts are preferably arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the transfer tube.

Further, the number of levers installed is two in each of the embodiments described above, but is not limited thereto, and may be one or three or more, for example. When the number of installed levers is three or more, these levers are preferably arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder.

In addition, the notification unit is configured to emit both sound and vibration in each of the above embodiments, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to emit one of sound and vibration, for example.

The connector of the present invention is used by being installed in the middle of a line through which liquid passes, and can take a connection state in which the middle of the line is liquid-tightly connected and a connection release state in which the connection state is released. And the tube constituting the line is closed while the connection is released, and the operation of the tube is switched to release the pressure closure of the tube while the tube is connected. An operation unit that switches the operation of the pressure closing unit by rotating the tube around the tube while maintaining the position with respect to the direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent liquid leakage when the connection state in the middle of the line through which the liquid passes is released. Therefore, the connector of the present invention has industrial applicability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A 1st connector 1B 2nd connector 2 Connector main body 21 Male thread part 211 Male thread 22 Flange part 23 Tube connection part 231 Protrusion part 24 2nd connector connection part 3

Inner cylinder

31, 32, 33 Flange part 331 Slit 34 Elastic piece 35 Nipping part 351 Top part (inner cylinder side protrusion)
352, 353 Side surface 36 Closed portion 37 Energizing

portion

38a, 38b Protruding portion 381 Top portion 39 Rib (inner tube side protruding portion)
391, 392 Side surface 4 Outer cylinder 41 Reduced diameter part 42 Elliptical part 421 Long diameter part 422 Short diameter part 43

Lever

44a, 44b Projection part 441 Top part 45 Rib (outer cylinder side projection part)
46 Slit 5 Restriction Part 6 Notification Part 10 Dialysis Line 11 Bag Side Tube 111 Tube 112 Branch Tube 113 Branch Part 14 Dialysate Bag 16 Roller Clamp 17 Connector 18 Transfer Tube 19 Drainage Bag 20 Peritoneal Dialysis Connector 100 Peritoneal Dialysis Set R ₄₅ Radius of curvature T ₃₄ Thickness W ₃₅ Width α, β Arrows θ ₃₅₂ , θ ₃₅₃ , θ ₃₉₁ , θ ₃₉₂ Tilt angle

Claims

A connector that can be installed and used in the middle of a line through which liquid passes, and can take a connection state in which the middle of the line is liquid-tightly connected and a connection release state in which the connection state is released,
While being in the connection release state, the tube constituting the line is pressure-closed, and while being in the connection state, a pressure-closing portion whose operation is switched so as to release the pressure-close to the tube,
A connector comprising: an operation unit that switches an operation of the pressure closing unit by rotating the tube around the tube while maintaining a position in the longitudinal direction of the tube.
The connector is configured such that the connection state is made by screwing, and the connection release state is made by releasing the screwing,
When the connection state is changed from the connection release state to the connection state, the screwing is performed prior to the release of the pressure closure of the tube, and when the connection state is changed to the connection release state, the pressure closure to the tube is performed. The connector according to claim 1, which is performed prior to the release of the screwing.
When the connection state is changed to the connection state, the completion of the connection state is notified by emitting at least one of sound and vibration, and when the connection state is changed to the connection release state, the connection release state starts. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies at least one of the sound and the vibration.
An outer cylinder in which the operation unit is arranged, and an inner cylinder that is rotatably supported relatively concentrically in the outer cylinder, and in which the pressure closing part is arranged,
The informing part is composed of an outer cylinder side protrusion protruding from an inner periphery of the outer cylinder and an inner cylinder side protrusion protruding from an outer periphery of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder side protrusion and the inner cylinder The connector according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the sound and the vibration is emitted when one of the tube-side protrusions climbs over the other.
The force required for the screwing is smaller than the force when one of the outer cylinder side protrusion and the inner cylinder side protrusion gets over the other,
5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein a force required to release the screwing is larger than a force when one of the outer cylinder side protrusion and the inner cylinder side protrusion gets over the other.
The pressure closing portion is arranged along the circumferential direction of the tube, and is composed of a plurality of sandwiching portions supported so as to be close to each other and separated from each other.
6. The plurality of clamping units according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping parts clamp and close the tube by approaching each other, and release the pressure closing to the tube by separating from each other. 6. connector.
The connector according to claim 6, further comprising a biasing portion that is formed in a plate shape integrally with the plurality of sandwiching portions, and biases the plurality of sandwiching portions in a direction away from each other.
The connector according to claim 6, wherein the tube has elasticity, and functions as a biasing portion that biases the plurality of sandwiching portions in a direction away from each other.
The connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the operation portion has a pressing portion that presses the plurality of holding portions in a direction approaching each other against an urging force of the urging portion.
An outer cylinder in which the operation portion is arranged, and an inner cylinder that is supported so as to be concentrically rotatable in the outer cylinder and in which the pressure closing portion is arranged,
The connector according to claim 9, wherein the pressing portion is provided on an inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder.
The connector according to claim 10, wherein an inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder has a portion having a large inner diameter and a portion having a small inner diameter, and the small portion functions as the pressing portion.
The connector according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a lever on which a finger can be hung when rotating the operation portion is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the outer cylinder.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts a rotation limit of the operation portion.
The liquid is a dialysate;
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is used for peritoneal dialysis.