JP2003000726A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector which surely fixes a connecting part of tubes in which the connection and the disconnection can be easily performed, and which does not give an uncomfortable feeling when fixed on the skin. SOLUTION: This connector 1 has a main body 2, and a cylindrical holding body 3. The main body 2 has a fluid cannel, a first connecting section 9 which is connected to another connector, at a distal end opening 4, and a second connecting section which is connected with a tube at the base end opening. The hooding body 3 holds the protuberance on the outer periphery of another connector. The holding body 3 is constituted of a first holding member 6 which is fixed to the main body 2, and a rotatable second holding member 7. The holding members 6 and 7 come into contact with each other. On the inner peripheries of the holding members 6 and 7, an engaging section 13 with the protuberance on the outer periphery of another connector is provided. The holding members 6 and 7 have engaging sections 11 and 12, respectively and the engaging sections 11 and 12 are constituted in a manner to be engaged with each other. Then, the fixing surface to the skin of a patient is formed into a flat surface.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lock-type connector used for connecting parts such as liquid transfusion, blood transfusion, tube feeding, dialysis, and artificial lung circuit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In circuits for flowing fluids such as infusions, blood transfusions, tube feeding, dialysis, and artificial lungs, various medical devices such as catheters, infusion tubes, needles, three-way stopcocks, and filters are used when forming these circuits. Connect and complete. In many cases, a connector having a luer taper, which has an almost common standard, is used to connect such various medical devices.

The types of connectors that are widely used in the connection part of medical instruments are roughly classified into a slip type male connector and a female connector, which are connected only by friction fitting of the taper part. In addition, there are two types, that is, a screw lock type and a type in which a screw cap attached to a male connector is screwed into a protrusion of a female connector after connection and is fixed by a rotating operation.

However, since the slip type does not have a strong connection force, if an unreasonable force is applied to a part of the circuit in which this connector is incorporated, the connection part may be disconnected.

In addition, when the slip type connector is fixed to the skin surface of the patient with a tape or the like for a long time, the protrusion of the female connector may hit the skin surface and press the patient or cause abrasion or the like. was there.

On the other hand, although the screw lock type connector has a strong connection force, it requires a rotating operation such as screwing at the time of engagement, which is more troublesome for medical workers than the slip type connector. . The same was true when the fixation was released.

Further, since the cross-sectional diameter of the connecting portion at the time of connection becomes large, if the screw type lock type connector is fixed to the patient for a long time with a tape or the like, the slip type connector is fixed to the patient more than when the slip type connector is fixed to the patient. Increased pressure on the skin has resulted in increased opportunities for skin damage. Further, when the patient moves, friction between the skin and the connector is increased, which may cause abrasion and cause discomfort to the patient. Furthermore, depending on the nutritional status of the patient, it may have been considered to be a cause of pressure ulcers and the like.

As a countermeasure for these problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-1035
No. 04, the protrusion of the female connector is made into a smooth taper to reduce pressure on the skin surface, and slip type and screw lock type can be used together, as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-148271. As described above, there is disclosed a type in which the screw type cap portion can be attached and detached in a lock nut type.

However, even if the projection has a smooth taper as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-103504, it is effective at the time of connecting the slip type connector, but in this structure, the connecting force is weak and the connector easily comes off. Also, the screw lock type is troublesome because it requires a rotating operation.

Further, the combination of the slip type and the screw type lock type as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-148271 requires a lock nut type switching operation, which is troublesome to operate. Also, since the method of fixing the connected state is also a screw type lock, the cross-sectional diameter of the connection part becomes large, which may increase the pressure on the patient, and as described above, the screw type connection and disconnection operations are performed by medical personnel. It was troublesome for me.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for fixing a connecting portion, which can be easily connected and disconnected, and which, when fixed to the skin of a patient, causes discomfort to the patient. It is the provision of a connector that does not give.

[0012]

[Means for Solving the Problems] These can be solved by the following.

(1) A connector used for connecting tubes to each other, wherein the connector has a main body having a fluid passage in which a front end opening portion and a base end opening portion communicate with each other.
It is composed of a holder provided in the main body, the distal end opening portion has a first connecting portion that can be connected to another connector having a protrusion on the outer periphery, and the proximal end opening portion can be connected to a tube A second connecting portion, and the holding body is the first
To hold other connectors connected to the
A first holding member fixed to the main body; and a second holding member which is connected to the main body by a hinge portion and is rotatable and contactable with the first holding member. The holding member and the second holding member lock the protrusions of the other connector connected to the first connecting portion, and therefore correspond to the protrusions of the other connector connected to the first connecting portion. Has a locking portion at a position where the first holding member and the second holding member are in contact with each other, and when the engaging portion is engaged, A connector, which prevents the other connector connected to the connection part 1 from coming off.

(2) The locking portions of the first holding member and the second holding member are groove portions capable of receiving the protrusions of another connector connected to the first connecting portion. The connector according to (1).

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The connector of the present invention relates to a connector used for connecting tubes.
Hereinafter, the connector of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention before connecting the other connector, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention when the other connector is connected. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIG.

The connector 1 of the present invention is provided with a fluid passage therein, and has a first connection portion 9 which can be connected to another connector (female connector 21) in the front end opening portion 4 and a base end opening portion 5.
A connector body 2 having a second connecting portion 10 connected to a tube 14 such as an infusion set or a catheter, and protruding from the outer periphery of the connector body 2 toward the first connecting portion 9;
The female connector 2 extends so as to cover the first connection portion 9.
1 has a cylindrical holding body 3 for holding the protruding portion 22 provided on the outer periphery of the female connector 21.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the holder 3 has a first holding member 6 fixed to the main body 2 and a rotatable second holding member connected to the main body 2 by a hinge portion 8. It is composed of a member 7. The first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7 can come into contact with each other as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Further, the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7 are provided on the inner circumferences thereof with locking portions 13 for locking the projections 22 provided on the outer circumference of the female connector 21.

The locking portion 13 may have any structure as long as it can lock the protrusion 22 provided on the outer periphery of the female connector 21 when the female connector 21 is connected to the first connecting portion 9. Female connector 21 at connection part 9 of 1
It is preferable that the locking portions 13 are provided on the inner circumferences of the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7 at the positions corresponding to the protrusions 22 when the connection is made.

Further, it is preferable that the engaging portion 13 is provided with a groove portion (see FIG. 2) capable of engaging with the protruding portion 22 provided on the outer periphery of the female connector 21 from the viewpoint of easy manufacturing. The depth and width of the groove portion of the locking portion 13 are not particularly limited as long as the protrusion portion 22 can be accommodated therein.

It is preferable that the engaging portion 13 is installed so as to make the entire circumference or substantially the entire circumference of the inner circumference of the holding body 3. If the locking portions 13 are provided at two or more places so as to fit the protrusions 22, they will function even if they are not installed all around, but when connecting, do not connect while checking the position of the protrusions 22. It is preferable that they are provided on the entire circumference or almost the entire circumference in that they can be connected to each other. Further, the locking portion 13 may be provided with a plurality of groove portions all around. By doing so, it is possible to support connectors with different standards (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 1, at the portion where the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7 come into contact with each other, the first holding member 6 is prevented in order to prevent the rotation of the second holding member 7. An engaging portion 11 is provided on the second holding member 7, and an engaging portion 12 is provided on the second holding member 7. If the second holding member 7 separates from the first holding member 6 and does not rotate when the engaging portion 11 and the engaging portion 12 are engaged, what kind of configuration May be For example, this engaging portion may be a fitting by a concave portion and a convex portion.

It is preferable that the engaging portions 11 and 12 are provided at two or more portions where the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7 come into contact with each other. By doing so, the engagement can be reliably maintained.

Furthermore, the connector 1 preferably has a flat fixing surface 15 for fixing to the patient. This fixing surface 15 is preferably a flat surface without protrusions.
Thereby, when the connector 1 is fixed to the skin of the patient with a tape or the like, there is no protrusion that irritates the skin of the patient, and even if the connector 1 is fixed for a long time, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of abrasion or the like.

The material of the connector 1 of the present invention will be described. Although not particularly limited, the connector body 2 is preferably made of a relatively strong synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polycarbonate. The same applies to the first holding member 6. The second holding member 7 preferably has elastic force in the vicinity of the engaging portion 12, and a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene can be used, but the second holding member 7 is made of a relatively strong synthetic resin or metal. Also, since the elastic force can be obtained by adjusting the wall thickness, there is no particular limitation.

Next, a method of using the present invention will be described.
First, the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 6 of the connector 1 of the present invention.
From the state in which the holding member 7 is engaged, the vicinity of the engaging portion 12 of the second holding member 7 is pinched with a finger or the like to release the engaged state. Then, the second holding member 7 is rotated so as to be pulled up so that the outer peripheral portion of the female connector 21 can be easily received.

In this state, the first connecting portion 9 is fitted into the inner cavity of the female connector 21. Next, the second holding member 7
Rotate and pull down. At this time, female connector 21
The protruding portion 22 is locked to the locking portions 13 provided on the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7. Then, the engaging portion 11 of the first holding member 6 is attached to the engaging portion 1 of the second holding member 7.
Engage two.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the engaging portion 12
Has a convex shape, and the engaging portion 11 has a convex shape.
Is a hole for receiving and engaging. As a result, the second holding member 7 is prevented from rotating and is securely engaged. The engagement portion 11 and the engagement portion 12 may have any shape as long as the engagement can be reliably performed. For example, there is no problem even if the engagement is such that the convex portions engage with each other.

Thus, the protruding portion 22 of the female connector 21
However, it is housed in the groove of the locking portion 13 provided on the holder 3 and is firmly fixed. In the connector 1 of the present invention, the female connector 21 is locked by the locking portion 13 thus provided on the holding body 3, and the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7 are engaged by the engaging portion. By doing so, the connection state can be maintained.

Next, the disconnection will be described. In order to release the connection with the connector 1 and the female connector 21 of the present invention connected, the engaging portion 1 of the second holding member 7
By pressing the vicinity of 2 with a finger or the like, the engaging portion elastically deforms in the direction of the first connecting portion 9. At the same time, the engaging portion 1
2 moves in the first connecting direction, the convex engaging portion 1
2 is released from the state in which it is engaged with the hole of the engaging portion 11, and the engagement is released.

When the engagement is released in this way, the second holding member 7 can be freely rotated, and it is locked to the locking portion 13 by rotating the second holding member 7 so as to pull it up. Also, the protruding portion 22 of the female connector 21 can be released from the locked state. After such a state, the connection is released only by pulling the female connector 21 from the connector body 2.

(Example) Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the connector 1 of the embodiment, the main body 2 and the first holding member 6 are integrally formed of polypropylene, and the main body 2 is formed with a flow path communicating with the distal end opening 4 and the proximal end opening 5. The portion 4 is provided with a first connecting portion 9 and the base end opening is provided with a second connecting portion 10. The main body 2 has a total length of 25 mm and a maximum diameter of 12 mm,
The first connecting portion 9 is an ISO No. Male lures were produced according to 594-2. The length of the first holding member 6 was set to 12 mm, and the engaging portion 12 was provided at the tip. This body 2 and the first
The surface of the holding member 6 that contacts the patient (fixing surface 315) is a flat surface without protrusions.

The second holding member 7 and the hinge portion 8 were integrally formed of polyethylene, and the hinge portion 8 was ultrasonically welded to the main body 2. The length of the second holding member 7 was set to 12 mm, and the engaging portion 12 was provided at the tip. In the first holding member 6 and the second holding member 7, the locking portion 1 is located 6 mm from the tip end side to the base end side.
3, the locking portion 13 has a width of 2 mm and a depth of 1.5 mm.
It was set in the groove part of No. 3 and installed in the whole collection of the holder 3. The tube 14 of the infusion set was adhered to the second connecting portion 10 of the connector 31 thus manufactured, and incorporated into the infusion set.

When this connector 1 and a female connector of an extension tube manufactured by Terumo (trade name: Safide extension tube) are used, the female connector is fitted to the first connecting portion 9 and the engaging portion 11 is engaged. A strong connection can be made only by engaging the portion 12, and at the time of disconnection, the female connector can be locked easily by pinching the vicinity of the engaging portion 12 provided on the second holding member 7 with a finger as described above. I was able to release it.

Further, as can be understood from the drawings, the outer surface of the connector connecting portion of the present invention which is fixed to the patient has no protrusion and is smooth, so that it can be easily adhered to the skin and fixed with the tape. .

[0035]

According to the present invention, the connection of the medical connector can be firmly fixed, and the discomfort to the patient can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector of the present invention and another connector before connection.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view when connecting the connector of the present invention and another connector.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 connector 2 body 3 holder 4 Tip opening 5 Base end opening 6 First holding member 7 Second holding member 8 Hinge part 9 First connection 10 Second connection 11 Engagement part 12 Engagement part 13 Locking part 14 tubes 15 Fixed surface 21 female connector 22 Projection

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A connector used for connecting tubes to each other, wherein the connector has a main body having a fluid passage in which a front end opening portion and a base end opening portion communicate with each other, and a holder provided on the main body. And the distal end opening portion has a first connecting portion connectable to another connector having a protrusion on the outer periphery, and the proximal end opening portion has a second connecting portion connectable to a tube. However, the holding body holds the other connector connected to the first connecting portion, so that the holding body is rotatable with respect to the first holding member fixed to the body and the hinge portion connected to the body. A second holding member capable of contacting the first holding member, wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are protrusions of another connector connected to the first connecting portion. Connected to the first connection to lock the Has a locking portion at a position corresponding to the protruding portion of the connector, and has an engaging portion at a portion where the first holding member and the second holding member come into contact with each other, and the engaging portion is engaged. A connector, which prevents the other connector connected to the first connection portion from being disconnected when the connector is being operated. 2. The locking portion of the first holding member and the second holding member is a groove portion capable of receiving a protrusion of another connector connected to the first connecting portion. The connector according to claim 1, wherein