WO2020262194A1

WO2020262194A1 - Tube joining device

Info

Publication number: WO2020262194A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/023987
Authority: WO
Inventors: 恵輔金丸; 中西　勝
Original assignee: テルモ株式会社
Priority date: 2019-06-25
Filing date: 2020-06-18
Publication date: 2020-12-30
Also published as: JPWO2020262194A1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a tube joining device. [Solution] A tube joining device 1 fusion-cuts an end part of a first tube T1 and an end part of a second tube T2 through use of a heated plate-shaped wafer WF, and then transposes and joins the fusion-cut end part of the first tube and the fusion-cut end part of the second tube. The tube joining device has: a casing 10; an accommodating part 40 which is provided in the casing and in which an accommodating space 40a capable of accommodating a plurality of wafers is formed; a moving member 110 which is positioned in a first position P1 in a state in which a wafer is not arranged in the accommodating space, and which is pressed by a wafer and positioned in a second position P2 in a state in which a wafer is arranged in the accommodating space; and a wafer detection part 130 for detecting whether a wafer is present in the accommodating space on the basis of the position of the moving member.

Description

Tube joining device

The present invention relates to a tube joining device.

As a technique for connecting resin tubes and the like, a joining method has been conventionally known in which the ends of each resin tube are fused and the fused ends are pressed against each other to be pressure-bonded. Such a technique is widely used in various industrial fields, and as an example, an attempt is made to apply it to a medical technique such as a peritoneal dialysis method.

In the peritoneal dialysis method, a predetermined dialysate is put into the body using a tube (catheter) embedded in the patient's abdominal cavity, and then water and waste products transferred into the dialysate via the peritoneum are taken out of the body. It is a method of excluding.

Since one tube to be joined is embedded in the patient's abdominal cavity, great care must be taken during the joining work so that each tube is not contaminated. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which the ends of two tubes are fused by a cutting member such as a heated plate-shaped wafer, and the fused ends of the two tubes are replaced and joined.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-146354

The tube joining device described in Patent Document 1 includes a housing, a wafer cassette storage unit provided in the housing and a storage space capable of storing a plurality of wafers, and the presence or absence of wafers in the wafer cassette storage unit. It has a detection unit for detecting. The detection unit includes a light emitting unit that irradiates light into the wafer cassette housing unit, and a light receiving unit that can receive light reflected by the wafer existing in the wafer cassette housing unit. The detection unit detects whether or not the wafer exists in the wafer cassette accommodating unit depending on whether or not the light receiving unit receives the light reflected by the wafer.

However, when the detection unit is configured as described above, the detection unit is provided so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit is reflected by the wafer in the wafer cassette accommodating unit and the light receiving unit can receive the light reflected by the wafer. When assembling, it is necessary to adjust the optical positional relationship between the detection unit and the wafer housed in the wafer cassette housing unit. Therefore, there is a demand for easier assembly of a detection unit that detects a cutting member such as a wafer.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tube joining device capable of more easily assembling a detection unit for detecting a cut member.

In the tube joining device according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, the end portion of the first tube and the end portion of the second tube are fused by a heated plate-shaped cutting member, and then the fused end portion of the first tube is formed. A tube joining device that replaces and joins the blown ends of the second tube, and includes a housing and a housing portion provided in the housing and having a storage space for accommodating a plurality of the cutting members. , The moving member located in the first position when the cutting member is not arranged in the accommodation space, and pushed by the cutting member and located in the second position when the cutting member is arranged in the accommodation space. And a detection unit that detects whether or not the cutting member exists in the accommodation space based on the position of the moving member.

According to the tube joining device according to the present invention, the detection unit detects whether or not the cutting member exists in the accommodation space based on the position of the moving member. Since it is not necessary to adjust the optical positional relationship between the cutting member and the detecting portion, according to the tube joining device according to the present invention, the detecting portion for detecting the cutting member can be more easily assembled.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which opened the lid part in the tube joining apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which the lid part of the tube joining device is closed. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the arrangement example of the component arranged in a housing with the lid part of a tube joining device closed. It is the schematic plan view which shows the state which opened the lid part of the tube joining device. It is a schematic plan view which shows the state which arranged the 1st tube and 2nd tube in the tube joining apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the clamp part which comprises the tube joining device. It is a figure which provides the explanation of the opening / closing detection part which comprises the tube joining apparatus. It is a figure which is provided for the description of the tube detection part which comprises the tube joining apparatus, and is the sectional view which shows before setting the 1st tube in a groove part. It is a figure which provides the explanation of the tube detection part which comprises the tube joining apparatus, and is the sectional view which shows the state which the 1st tube is set in the groove part. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 5 showing a tube joining device with a lid open. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 5, showing a tube joining device in a state where the lid is closed. It is an assembly drawing which shows the state which the wafer detection part is assembled with the accommodating part which constitutes a tube joining apparatus, and the wafer cassette is accommodating in the accommodating part. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the accommodating part, the wafer detection part, and a wafer cassette. It is sectional drawing along the line 14A-14A of FIG. 12, and is the figure which shows the state which the wafer exists in the accommodating part. It is sectional drawing along the line 14A-14A of FIG. 12, and is the figure which shows the state which the wafer does not exist in the accommodating part. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a tube joining apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically the 1st tube and the 2nd tube which are fused-bonded by the tube joining device. It is a flowchart which shows the joining operation of a tube joining device. It is a figure which shows typically each process of the fusing-position exchange work. It is a figure which shows typically each process of the fusing-position exchange work. It is a figure which shows typically each process of the fusing-position exchange work. It is a figure which shows typically each process of the fusing-position exchange work. It is a figure which shows each process of a joining-removing work typically. It is a figure which shows each process of a joining-removing work typically.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

1 to 15 are diagrams provided for explaining the overall configuration and the configuration of each part of the tube joining device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the tubes T1 and T2 joined by the tube joining device 1. 17 to 23 are views for explaining a usage example of the tube joining device 1. In the present specification, the tube T1 corresponds to the first tube, and the tube T2 corresponds to the second tube. Further, in the following, the front-rear direction in the tube joining device 1 will be referred to as a front-rear direction X, a left-right direction will be referred to as a left-right direction Y, and a height direction will be referred to as a height direction Z.

<Tube joining device>
As shown in FIG. 16, the tube joining device 1 in the present embodiment includes the end of the tube T1 on the peritoneal dialysate bag T11 side and the end of the tube T2 on the peritoneal catheter T26 side of the patient (user M) who performs peritoneal dialysis. It is configured as a medical device that fuses and joins parts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tube joining device 1 is used in combination with a wafer cassette WC having a plurality of wafer WFs (corresponding to "cutting members") used for fusing. In the fusing work of the tubes T1 and T2, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the tubes T1 and T2 are fused by the heated wafer WF in a state where the juxtaposed tubes T1 and T2 are pressed against each other and crushed. .. After that, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the positions of one side of the fused tube T1 and one side of the tube T2 are exchanged, and the tubes T1 and T2 are pressed and joined. Details will be described later.

The tube joining device 1 is outlined with reference to FIG. 1, a housing 10 for accommodating each part of the tube joining device 1, crushing the tubes T1 and T2 at the time of fusing, and one side of the tube T1 after fusing and the tube. It has a clamp portion 20 that replaces one side of the T2, and an interlock 30 that locks the clamp portion 20 in a state where the tubes T1 and T2 are sandwiched at the time of fusing and joining.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tube joining device 1 has an accommodating portion 40 for accommodating the wafer cassette WC inserted in the housing 10 and a feeding portion 50 for heating the wafer WF and sending it to a fusing position. As shown in FIG. 15, the tube joining device 1 supplies electric power to the operation unit 60 capable of receiving an instruction to switch the power ON / OFF, the notification unit 70 for notifying the user of necessary information, and each unit. It has a power supply unit 80 that can be supplied, and a control unit 90 that comprehensively controls the operation of each unit.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the left-right direction Y where the tubes T1 and T2 extend, the side where the positions are switched after the fusing is defined as the "replacement side Y1" with the fusing position Y0 of the tubes T1 and T2 as the boundary. The opposite side is referred to as "fixed side Y2". The details will be described below.

<Case>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 includes an upper portion 11 which is an upper side surface of a substantially hexahedron, and a lower portion 12 which is arranged below the upper portion 11 and constitutes a side surface other than the upper side surface of the substantially hexahedron. It is composed of a combination of cases. The upper portion 11 is formed so as to incline from the rear to the front as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion 11 is provided with a hole 11r in which the clamp portion 20 can be arranged.

On the side surface of the lower portion 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 14A, an opening 11c for inserting the wafer cassette WC and a hole 11d for exposing the take-out switch 41c provided in the accommodating portion 40 described later are provided. It is provided. The take-out switch 41c is a switch for taking out the wafer cassette WC inserted in the housing 10. If the user M pushes the take-out switch 41c with his / her finger while the wafer cassette WC is inserted through the opening 11c, the wafer cassette WC can be taken out of the housing 10 through the opening 11c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 10 has a built-in temperature sensor 11e capable of measuring the ambient temperature around the housing 10. The heating time for the wafer WF to heat the tubes T1 and T2 can be adjusted according to the environmental temperature measured by the temperature sensor 11e.

<Clamp part>
The clamp portion 20 holds the tubes T1 and T2 side by side, presses the tubes T1 and T2 against each other at the time of fusing, and after the fusing, the positions of one side of the tube T1 and one side of the tube T2 are exchanged, and one of the tubes T1 and T2. Is pressed against the other in the left-right direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 6, the clamp portion 20 includes a pedestal 21 protruding from the upper portion 11 and a lid portion 22 configured to be openable and closable by relatively approaching and separating from the pedestal 21. .. The clamp portion 20 is installed on the pedestal 21, and includes a holding portion 23 for holding the tubes T1 and T2, and a tube detecting portion 24 capable of detecting whether or not the tubes T1 and T2 are set. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the clamp portion 20 opens and closes the tube pressing portion 25 and the lid portion 22 that push the tubes T1 and T2 against each other to crush the lid portion 22 as the lid portion 22 approaches the pedestal 21 relatively. An open / close detection unit 26 for detecting is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pedestal 21 includes a first pedestal 211 provided on the fixed side Y2 of the tubes T1 and T2, and a second pedestal 212 provided on the replacement side Y1 of the tubes T1 and T2. .. A gap 21a is provided between the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212 along the extending direction of the tubes T1 and T2. The gap 21a is provided for the wafer WF to pass through when the wafer WF before use moves to the fusing position, when the used wafer WF is sent out to the outside of the housing 10, and the like.

Further, each of the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212 is provided with an engaged portion 213 that can be engaged with the engaging claw 225 of the lid portion 22, which will be described later.

The lid portion 22 includes a first clamp arm 221 rotatably provided with respect to the first pedestal 211 and a second clamp arm 222 rotatably provided with respect to the second pedestal 212. The lid portion 22 is rotatably provided with respect to the cover 223 covering the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222, the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222, and can be gripped by the user M. It is provided with a grip portion 224.

The cover 223 integrally covers the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the lid portion 22 is closed, the cover 223 covers the first pedestal 211, the second pedestal 212, and the region where fusing-joining is performed between them.

As shown in FIG. 6, the grip portion 224 includes an engaging claw 225 that can be engaged with the engaged portion 213 of the pedestal 21. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, after closing the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222 and the cover 223, the grip portion 224 is rotated with respect to the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222. Then, the engaging claw 225 engages with the engaged portion 213. As a result, the state in which the clamp portion 20 sandwiches the tubes T1 and T2 can be preferably maintained.

As shown in FIG. 6, the holding portion 23 movably holds the first holding portion 231 that fixedly holds the fixed side Y2 of each tube T1 and T2, and the replacement side Y1 of each tube T1 and T2. 2 Holding unit 232 and. The holding unit 23 changes the release unit 233 from the holding state in which the second holding unit 232 can hold the tubes T1 and T2 to the released state in which the holding is released, and the second holding unit 232 from the released state to the holding state. It includes a switchable restoration unit 234.

The first holding portion 231 is fixed to the upper surface of the first pedestal 211. As shown in FIG. 6, the first holding portion 231 includes a concave groove portion 231a into which the tube T1 can be fitted (held), and a concave groove portion 231b into which the tube T2 can be fitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the

groove portions

231a and 231b are provided so as to be arranged in a direction (oblique direction) inclined by an angle θ with respect to the mounting surface FS of the housing 10. Therefore, the tubes T1 and T2 are held by the first holding portion 231 in a state of being inclined and arranged with respect to the mounting surface FS in the holding portion 23. The groove portion 231a arranged on the inner side of the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged is arranged at a position higher than the groove portion 231b in the height direction Z of the housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second holding portion 232 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the second pedestal 212 with the rotation shaft 232c substantially parallel to the left-right direction Y as the center of rotation. The second holding portion 232 includes

groove portions

232a and 232b arranged at the same height and inclination as the first holding portion 231 in a state where the lid portion 22 is opened.

The

groove portions

232a and 232b are configured to hold the tubes T1 and T2 together with the

groove portions

231a and 231b in a state where the lid portion 22 is opened. That is, in the holding state, the second holding portion 232 is arranged at a position (holding position) where the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged in the

grooves

232a and 232b of the second holding portion 232 in the state where the lid portion 22 is opened. It means the state of being done. The second holding portion 232 is displaced downward in the height direction Z with the rotation shaft 232c as the rotation center in a state where the lid portion 22 is closed, and the

groove portions

232a and 232b are separated from the tubes T1 and T2. That is, in the released state, the second holding portion 232 is arranged at a position (release position) where the tubes T1 and T2 are not arranged in the

grooves

232a and 232b of the second holding portion 232 when the lid portion 22 is closed. It means the state of being done.

As shown in FIG. 6, the release portion 233 is composed of protrusions protruding from the second holding portion 232 toward the second clamp arm 222 when the lid portion 22 is open.

The release portion 233 comes into contact with the second clamp arm 222 of the lid portion 22 as the lid portion 22 approaches the housing 10 relatively. The release portion 233 retracts the second holding portion 232 from the holding position to the release position as the lid portion 22 approaches the housing 10 relatively.

As shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, the restoring portion 234 is provided by a cam capable of pushing up the second holding portion 232 in conjunction with the operation in which the second clamp arm 222 of the lid portion 22 is relatively separated from the housing 10. It is configured. The restoration unit 234 is configured so as to be in contact with the second holding unit 232.

The restoration unit 234 has a substantially fan-shaped outer shape when viewed from the side surface of the housing 10. The restoration portion 234 is fixed in the vicinity of the rotating portion of the second clamp arm 222. Therefore, the restoration unit 234 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second clamp arm 222. As described above, the second holding unit 232 is configured to be movable between the holding position and the releasing position by the releasing unit 233 and the restoring unit 234.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the tube detection unit 24 is provided in the

groove portions

231a and 231b, and the elastic member 244 is configured to allow the

groove portions

231a and 231b to protrude and sink from the bottom, and the pin 241 and the pin 241. A magnet 242 and a Hall element 243 provided at the base of the magnet 242 are provided. The pin 241 is repositioned from a protruding position (see FIG. 8) to a depressed position (see FIG. 9) by fitting the tubes T1 and T2 into the

grooves

231a and 231b. The magnet 242 moves in accordance with the protrusion or depression of the pin 241 from the

groove

231a and 231b. The Hall element 243 is arranged adjacent to the magnet 242. The tube detection unit 24 detects whether or not the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged in the

grooves

231a and 231b by changing the magnitude of the magnetic force of the magnet 242 detected by the Hall element 243 according to the position of the pin 241. .. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above as long as it can be detected that the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged in the

grooves

231a and 231b.

The tube pressing portion 25 includes a fixed side pressing portion 25a and a movable side pressing portion 25b as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the fixed-side pressing portion 25a brings the tubes T1 and T2 close to the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are lined up on the fixed-side Y2 of the tubes T1 and T2, and presses the tubes T1 and T2 in contact with each other. Is given. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 19, the fixed-side pressing portion 25a includes a lid-side pressing portion 251 provided on the first clamp arm 221 and a housing-side pressing portion 252 provided on the first pedestal 211.

As shown in FIG. 11, the movable side pressing portion 25b brings the tubes T1 and T2 close to each other in the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are lined up on the replacement side Y1 of the tubes T1 and T2 in the same manner as the fixed side pressing portion 25a. A pressing force is applied to the tubes T1 and T2. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 19, the movable side pressing portion 25b includes a lid side pressing portion 253 provided on the second clamp arm 222 and a housing side pressing portion 254 provided on the second pedestal 212.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the movable side pressing portion 25b is fixed to the end portion of the replacement side Y1 of the blown tubes T1 and T2 by a rotary drive portion (not shown) composed of a motor, a gear, or the like. Replace with respect to Y2. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the movable side pressing portion 25b fixes the tubes T1 and T2 of the replacement side Y1 whose ends are exchanged with respect to the fixed side Y2 in the left-right direction Y by the straight drive unit (not shown). Press against the tubes T1 and T2 on the side Y2. The straight-ahead drive unit includes a rotatably configured cam (not shown) and a contact member (not shown) capable of contacting the cam in the left-right direction Y. In the movable side pressing portion 25b, the contact position of the cam with the contact member in the left-right direction Y differs depending on the rotation of the cam, so that the ends of the movable side tubes T1 and T2 are fixed to the fixed side tubes T1 and T2. Press against the edge.

The open / close detection unit 26 detects that the lid portion 22 is closed with respect to the pedestal 21. The specific configuration of the open / close detection unit 26 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect that the lid portion 22 is closed to the pedestal 21 and start joining the tubes T1 and T2. In the present embodiment, the open / close detection unit 26 is provided with a sensor such as a limit switch adjacent to the engaged portion 213 as shown in FIG. In the open / close detection unit 26, when the engaging claw 225 engages with the engaged portion 213, the tip of the engaging claw 225 comes into contact with the sensor and pushes the sensor, whereby the lid portion 22 is closed. It has been detected.

<Interlock>
The interlock 30 has a function of locking the clamp portion 20 in a state of sandwiching the tubes T1 and T2 at the time of fusing and joining.

The interlock 30 is composed of an electromagnetically driven solenoid rod 31 as shown in FIG. 11 in this embodiment.

<Accommodation>
As shown in FIG. 3, the accommodating portion 40 is provided in the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 14A, the accommodating portion 40 is formed with an accommodating space 40a capable of accommodating a wafer cassette WC including a plurality of wafer WFs.

In the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 40 is mounted on the first member 41 on which the mounting surface 41a on which the wafer cassette WC can be mounted is formed and on the first member 41, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14A. It has a second member 42 that covers the placed wafer cassette WC and forms a storage space 40a together with a mounting surface 41a.

In the following description, the direction in which the wafer WF (wafer cassette WC) is inserted into the accommodating portion 40 is referred to as the insertion direction D2, the back side of the insertion direction D2 is simply referred to as the back side, and the opposite side is simply referred to as the front side.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first member 41 rises from the mounting surface 41a and the end on the back side of the mounting surface 41a toward the side opposite to the side on which the second member 42 is provided. And have. A guide member (not shown) that guides the movement of the wafer WF when the wafer WF is sent out to melt the tubes T1 and T2 is attached to the side surface 41e.

The second member 42 is connected to both ends of the upper surface 42a facing the mounting surface 41a and the upper surface 42a in the direction intersecting the insertion direction D2 of the wafer WF (left-right direction Y), and is directed from the upper surface 42a toward the mounting surface 41a. It has a pair of side surfaces 42b and 42c that stand up.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the first member 41 includes a take-out mechanism 41b capable of taking out the wafer cassette WC from the accommodation space 40a to the outside of the housing 10, and a take-out switch for driving the take-out mechanism 41b by the operation of the user M. 41c and are attached. The take-out mechanism 41b can be configured by, for example, a link mechanism that applies a force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction D2 to the wafer cassette WC in the accommodation space 40a by pressing the take-out switch 41c with the finger of the user M. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, the extraction mechanism 41b is shown in a simplified manner.

The first member 41 is located at the first position P1 (see FIG. 14B) when the wafer WF is not arranged in the accommodation space 40a, and is pushed by the wafer WF when the wafer WF is arranged in the accommodation space 40a. A moving member 110 located at the second position P2 (see FIG. 14A) is attached. Further, between the first member 41 and the moving member 110, an urging member 120 that applies an urging force F to the moving member 110 in the direction from the second position P2 to the first position P1 is provided. Further, the first member 41 is attached with a wafer detection unit 130 (corresponding to the detection unit) that detects whether or not the wafer WF exists in the accommodating unit 40 based on the position of the moving member 110.

In the present embodiment, the moving member 110 includes a main body 111 that can move to the first position P1 and the second position P2, a support 112 that movably supports the main body 111 with respect to the accommodating portion 40, and a main body. It has an abutting portion 113 which is attached to the 111 and can abut the wafer WF in the accommodation space 40a.

In the present embodiment, the main body portion 111 has a shape extending from the back side of the accommodation space 40a toward the space below the mounting surface 41a. The support portion 112 is arranged in an intermediate portion of the main body portion 111. The main body 111 is configured to be rotatable (swingable) with the support 112 as a rotation axis. A through hole is formed in the side surface 41e of the first member 41 so as to allow the movement of the main body 111.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A, a groove 41d into which the support 112 can be inserted is formed on the back side of the mounting surface 41a. The moving member 110 can be easily assembled to the accommodating portion 40 by inserting the supporting portion 112 into the groove portion 41d. Further, the moving member 110 is arranged on the back side of the accommodating portion 40. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the moving member 110 from unintentionally moving due to the user M's fingers or the like touching the moving member 110.

In the present embodiment, the contact portion 113 is attached to the end portion 111a of the main body portion 111 on the accommodation space 40a side, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A. As shown in FIG. 14A, when the wafer WF is present in the accommodation space 40a, the contact portion 113 is pushed toward the back side in the insertion direction D2 by the lower portion of the wafer WF arranged on the innermost side. As a result, the main body 111 rotates, and the lower end 111b of the mounting surface 41a of the main body 111 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 above the first position P1.

The urging member 120 is not particularly limited as long as the urging force F in the direction from the second position P2 to the first position P1 is applied to the moving member 110, but can be configured by, for example, a spring or the like. In the present embodiment, the urging member 120 applies an urging force F in a direction of pushing down from above to the main body 111 between the support 112 and the lower end 111b of the main body 111. Therefore, when the wafer WF does not exist in the accommodation space 40a, the urging member 120 pushes down the lower end 111b of the main body 111 from the upper side to the lower side, and moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1. .. As a result, the main body portion 111 rotates, and the contact portion 113 moves from the back side to the front side of the accommodation space 40a.

The contact portion 113 is configured to be rotatable along with the feeding of the wafer WF when the wafer WF is fed out for the fusing of the tubes T1 and T2 and the tubes T1 and T2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14A, the wafer WF is sent out in the direction intersecting the insertion direction D2 (front-back direction X), and moves to the fusing preparation position (position shown by the broken line in FIG. 20) described later. The contact portion 113 is in contact with the wafer WF to be fed, and rotates as the wafer WF is fed. Therefore, when the wafer WF is sent out for fusing the tubes T1 and T2, it is possible to prevent the wafer WF from being damaged by the moving member 110 that comes into contact with the wafer WF.

In this embodiment, the wafer detection unit 130 is configured by a photo sensor. As shown in FIG. 13, the wafer detection unit 130 has a light emitting unit 131 and a light receiving unit 132 facing each other. The moving member 110 (end 111b of the main body 111) is arranged on the path of light from the light emitting unit 131 to the light receiving unit 132 in the state of being located at the first position P1 (see FIG. 14B), and is arranged from the light emitting unit 131. The light directed to the light receiving unit 132 is blocked. In the state where the moving member 110 (end 111b of the main body 111) is located at the second position P2 (see FIG. 14A), the moving member 110 is retracted from the light path from the light emitting unit 131 to the light receiving unit 132 and receives light from the light emitting unit 131. Allows light to direct to section 132. In this way, the wafer detection unit 130 detects whether the moving member 110 is located at the first position P1 or the second position P2 depending on the presence or absence of light reception at the light receiving unit 132.

In the state where the moving member 110 is located at the first position P1, the moving member 110 is retracted from the light path from the light emitting unit 131 to the light receiving unit 132, and allows the light to travel from the light emitting unit 131 to the light receiving unit 132. In the state of being located at the two positions P2, the light may be arranged on the path of light from the light emitting unit 131 to the light receiving unit 132, and may be configured to block the light from the light emitting unit 131 to the light receiving unit 132.

In this embodiment, the wafer detection unit 130 is arranged inside the housing 10 and outside the accommodation space 40a. Here, "the wafer detection unit 130 is arranged outside the accommodation space 40a" means that the wafer detection unit 130 is arranged outside the accommodation space 40a with a wall portion (for example, a mounting surface 41a) separated from the accommodation space 40a. It means that it is. Therefore, when light enters the accommodation space 40a from the outside of the housing 10 through the opening 11c, it is possible to prevent the wafer detection unit 130, which is a photo sensor, from erroneously detecting the light that has entered the accommodation space 40a.

<Feeding part>
The feeding unit 50 is located at the location shown in FIG. 3, and feeds the wafer WF to the fusing position, heats the wafer WF at the time of fusing, cools the used wafer WF, and disposes the used wafer WF into the housing 10. Send out to the outside of.

The feeding unit 50 is configured so that the wafer WF can be fed from the wafer cassette WC in the housing unit 40 to the fusing position. The feeding unit 50 includes a driving unit capable of feeding the used wafer WF to the outside of the housing 10 through the gap 21a between the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 121. The feed unit 50 is provided inside the wafer WF and can cool a heating wire capable of heating the wafer WF, a terminal capable of supplying electric power necessary for heating the wafer WF at the time of fusing, and a used wafer WF. It is equipped with a fan (not shown).

<Operation unit>
The operation unit 60 receives an instruction from the user M to the tube joining device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 60 includes a switch for switching ON / OFF of the power supply of the tube joining device 1. The operation unit 60 is provided on the rear end side of the upper portion 11 of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. 2 in the present embodiment, but the specific position is not limited to this.

<Notification unit>
The notification unit 70 notifies the user M of necessary information. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the notification unit 70 includes a plurality of

display units

71 and 72 that display information necessary for the user M, and a speaker 73 that notifies the user M of necessary information by voice. I have.

<Power supply unit>
The power supply unit 80 has a function of supplying electric power to each part of the tube joining device 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the power supply unit 80 includes a battery 81 capable of supplying electric power to each unit and a charger 82 for charging the battery 81.

<Control unit>
The control unit 90 can be configured by a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 90 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores control programs and various data of the entire device executed by the CPU, and a RAM that temporarily stores measurement data and various data as a work area.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 90 includes a power supply unit 80, an operation unit 60, a notification unit 70, a tube detection unit 24, an open / close detection unit 26, an interlock 30, a temperature sensor 11e, a wafer detection unit 130, and a feed unit. It is electrically connected to 50 mag. The control unit 90 controls each unit in an integrated manner.

<Tube>
As shown in FIG. 16, the tube T1 is composed of a tube on the side of the dialysate bag T11 of the peritoneum in the present embodiment. Specifically, a predetermined connector T12 is attached to the tip of the tube T1. The opposite side of the tube T1 is connected to the dialysate tube T14 of the dialysate bag T11 via a branch tube T13. Further, the tube T1 is connected to the drainage tube T16 of the drainage bag T15 via the branch pipe T13.

The tube T2 is composed of a tube on the side of the peritoneal catheter T26 of the user M used for peritoneal dialysis. Specifically, the tube T2 includes an extension tube T21 and a protective tube T22. The extension tube T21 is connected to the peritoneal catheter T26 via a connecting tube T23, a silicone tube T24, and a catheter joint T25. One end side of the peritoneal catheter T26 is inserted into the abdominal cavity of the user M.

Note that the tubes T1 and T2 are made of vinyl chloride in this embodiment. However, the materials of the tubes T1 and T2 are not limited as long as they can be joined to each other by fusing and pressurizing. For example, the materials of the tubes T1 and T2 may be different from each other.

<Usage example>
Next, a usage example of the tube joining device 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the user M inserts the wafer cassette WC containing the wafer WF into the opening 11c of the tube joining device 1 when using the tube joining device 1. Next, the user M presses the button of the operation unit 60 to turn on the power of the tube joining device 1.

Next, the user M sets the tubes T1 and T2 in the first holding portion 231 and the second holding portion 232 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 18. Next, the user M performs an operation of closing the lid portion 22 (an operation of bringing the lid portion 22 relatively close to the housing 10). Since the lid portion 22 is closed, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral portion of the fusing portion of the tubes T1 and T2 is covered with the cover 223 and is isolated from the outside. This makes it possible to carry out the fusing-joining operation in an aseptic state.

Next, the control unit 90 confirms whether the tubes T1 and T2 are set in the holding unit 23 by the tube detection unit 24 and whether the lid portion 22 is closed by the open / close detection unit 26 (ST1). When the set of the tubes T1 and T2 to the holding portion 23 and the closed state of the lid portion 22 cannot be detected (ST1: NO), the control unit 90 causes the notification unit 70 to close the set of the tubes T1 and T2 and the lid portion 22. Notify (ST2).

When the tubes T1 and T2 are set in the holding portion 23 and the closed state of the lid portion 22 is detected (ST1: YES), the control unit 90 confirms whether the wafer WF is housed in the wafer cassette WC by the wafer detecting unit 130. (ST3). When the wafer WF is not accommodated in the wafer cassette WC (ST3: NO), the control unit 90 notifies the notification unit 70 to accommodate the wafer WF in the wafer cassette WC (ST4). In the state where the wafer WF is not housed in the wafer cassette WC, the moving member 110 is located at the first position P1 as shown in FIG. 14B, and the wafer is formed by the lower end 111b of the main body 111. The path of light from the light emitting unit 131 of the detection unit 130 to the light receiving unit 132 is blocked.

When the wafer WF is housed in the wafer cassette WC (ST3: YES), the control unit 90 causes the feed unit 50 to take out the wafer WF from the wafer cassette WC, and the fusing preparation position (the wafer WF in FIG. 20 is indicated by a broken line). It is sent out to the position where it is (ST5). In the state where the wafer WF is housed in the wafer cassette WC, as shown in FIG. 14A, the moving member 110 is located at the second position P2, and the lower end 111b of the main body 111 is a wafer. It is retracted from the path of light from the light emitting unit 131 of the detection unit 130 to the light receiving unit 132.

Next, the control unit 90 confirms whether the wafer WF can be used for fusing (ST6). When the wafer WF is not suitable for fusing (ST6: NO), the control unit 90 notifies the notification unit 70 that the wafer WF is not suitable for fusing or that the wafer WF is sent out again. (ST7). Then, the control unit 90 causes the feed unit 50 to take out the wafer WF from the wafer cassette WC again and send it to the fusing preparation position (ST5). At this time, the wafer WF that is not suitable for fusing is pushed out from the fusing preparation position by the next wafer WF.

When the wafer WF sent to the fusing preparation position can be used (ST6: YES), the control unit 90 operates the interlock 30 to lock the lid 22 in the closed state.

Next, the control unit 90 controls the operation of the heater to heat the wafer WF at the fusing preparation position (ST8). Then, the wafer WF heated by the feed unit 50 is moved to a fusing position (the position where the wafer WF in FIG. 18 is shown by a solid line), and fusing is performed as shown in FIG. 20 (ST9).

Next, the control unit 90 controls the operation of the rotation drive unit, and causes the tube pressing unit 25 to exchange the positions of the replacement side Y1 of the tube T1 and the replacement side Y1 of the tube T2 as shown in FIG. 21 (ST10). .. After that, the control unit 90 controls the operation of the straight drive unit, and as shown in FIG. 22, presses the ends of the tube T1 and the tube T2 replaced by the tube pressing unit 25 in the left-right direction Y to pressurize and join. (ST11).

Next, the control unit 90 unlocks the interlock 30. Next, the user M performs an operation of opening the lid portion 22, and removes the tubes T1 and T2 from the tube joining device 1 as shown in FIG. 23.

As described above, in the tube joining device 1, after the end portion of the tube T1 and the end portion of the tube T2 are fused by the heated plate-shaped wafer WF, the fused end portion of the tube T1 and the fused end of the tube T2 are fused. It is a tube joining device that joins by exchanging parts. The tube joining device 1 includes a housing 10, an accommodating portion 40, a moving member 110, and a wafer detecting portion 130. The accommodating portion 40 is provided in the housing 10, and an accommodating space 40a capable of accommodating a plurality of wafer WFs is formed. The moving member 110 is located at the first position P1 when the wafer WF is not arranged in the accommodation space 40a, and is pushed by the wafer WF when the wafer WF is arranged in the accommodation space 40a and is pushed by the second position P2. Located in. The wafer detection unit 130 detects whether or not the wafer WF exists in the accommodation space 40a based on the position of the moving member 110.

According to the tube joining device 1, the wafer detection unit 130 detects whether or not the wafer WF exists in the accommodation space 40a based on the position of the moving member 110. Since it is not necessary to adjust the optical positional relationship between the wafer WF and the wafer detection unit 130, the tube joining device 1 can more easily assemble the wafer detection unit 130 that detects the wafer WF.

Further, on the side surface of the housing 10, an opening 11c is formed which communicates with the accommodation space 40a and allows a plurality of wafer WFs to be inserted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent liquids and the like from entering through the opening 11c.

Further, the wafer detection unit 130 is a photo sensor and is arranged inside the housing 10 and outside the accommodation space 40a. Therefore, when light enters the accommodation space 40a from the outside of the housing 10 through the opening 11c, it is possible to prevent the wafer detection unit 130, which is a photo sensor, from erroneously detecting the light that has entered the accommodation space 40a.

Further, the moving member 110 has a contact portion 113 capable of contacting the wafer WF. The contact portion 113 is configured to be rotatable as the wafer WF is sent out when the wafer WF is sent out of the accommodating portion 40 for fusing. Therefore, when the wafer WF is sent out for fusing the tubes T1 and T2, it is possible to prevent the wafer WF from being damaged by the moving member 110 that comes into contact with the wafer WF.

Further, the moving member 110 has a main body portion 111 that can be moved to the first position P1 and the second position P2, and a support portion 112 that movably supports the main body portion 111 with respect to the accommodating portion 40. The accommodating portion 40 is formed with a groove portion 41d into which the support portion 112 can be inserted. Therefore, the moving member 110 can be easily assembled to the accommodating portion 40 by inserting it into the groove portion 41d.

Further, the tube joining device 1 further includes an urging member 120 that applies an urging force F in the direction from the second position P2 to the first position P1 to the moving member 110. Therefore, when the wafer WF does not exist in the accommodation space 40a, the moving member 110 can be returned from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

Further, the present invention can be used not only for peritoneal dialysis, but also for a device for aseptically joining a tube connected to a container (bag) containing a blood product or the like used for blood transfusion to another tube. In this case, the sterility of the blood components (preparations) in the tube and the bag can be maintained.

The present invention can also be used in an apparatus for aseptically joining a tube connected to a container (bag) containing a cell culture solution containing various collected and cultured cells to another tube. Also in this case, the sterility and safety of the cell culture solution in the tube and the bag can be maintained at the time of tube joining.

Further, in the present invention, the specific configuration of the accommodating portion is not particularly limited. For example, in the above embodiment, the example in which the accommodating portion is composed of the first member and the second member has been described, but the accommodating portion may be composed of one member or three or more members. You may be.

Further, in the present invention, the specific configuration of the detection unit is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to detect whether the moving member is arranged at the first position or the second position. For example, in the above embodiment, the example in which the detection unit is detected by the photo sensor has been described, but the detection unit may be configured by a mechanical switch or the like that can switch ON and OFF according to the position of the moving member. Good.

Further, in the present invention, the specific configuration of the moving member is located at the first position when the cutting member is not arranged in the accommodating portion, and is pushed by the cutting member when the cutting member is arranged in the accommodating portion. As long as it is located at the second position, it is not particularly limited. For example, the moving member may be configured to be straight (forward and backward) instead of being rotatable.

Further, in the present invention, the opening that communicates with the accommodating space of the accommodating portion and into which a plurality of cutting members can be inserted may be provided on the upper surface instead of the side surface of the housing.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-117311 filed on June 25, 2019, the disclosure of which is cited as a whole by reference.

1 Tube joining device,
10 housings,
40 containment
40a storage space,
41d groove,
110 moving member,
111 body,
112 support,
113 abutment,
130 Wafer detector,
131 light emitting part,
132 Receiver,
D2 insertion direction,
F urging force,
P1 1st position,
P2 2nd position,
T1 tube (1st tube),
T2 tube (second tube),
WC wafer cassette,
WF wafer (cutting member).

Claims

After fusing the end of the first tube and the end of the second tube with a heated plate-shaped cutting member, the fusing end of the first tube and the fusing end of the second tube are exchanged and joined. It is a tube joining device
With the housing
An accommodating portion provided in the housing and having an accommodating space for accommodating a plurality of the cutting members.
When the cutting member is not arranged in the accommodating portion, the moving member is located at the first position, and when the cutting member is arranged in the accommodating portion, the moving member is pushed by the cutting member and is located at the second position. ,
A tube joining device including a detection unit that detects whether or not the cutting member exists in the accommodation space based on the position of the moving member.
The tube joining device according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed on the side surface of the housing so as to communicate with the accommodation space and allow a plurality of the cutting members to be inserted.
The tube joining device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit is a photo sensor and is arranged inside the housing and outside the accommodation space.
The moving member has an abutting portion capable of contacting the cutting member.
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact portion is rotatably configured as the cutting member is sent out when the cutting member is sent out of the accommodating portion for fusing. The tube joining device according to.
The moving member has a main body portion that can be moved to the first position and the second position, and a support portion that movably supports the main body portion with respect to the accommodating portion.
The tube joining device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a groove into which the support portion can be inserted is formed in the accommodating portion.
The tube joining device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an urging member that applies an urging force in a direction from the second position to the first position to the moving member.