JP7513607B2 - Tube Joining Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tube joining device.

As a technique for joining plastic tubes together, a joining method has been known in which the ends of each plastic tube are melted and then pressed together to join them. This technique is widely used in a variety of industrial fields, and as an example, there are attempts to apply it to medical techniques such as peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis is a method in which a specific dialysis solution is introduced into the patient's body using a tube (catheter) implanted in the abdominal cavity, and then water and waste products that have migrated into the dialysis solution are removed from the body via the peritoneum.

Because one of the tubes to be joined is implanted in the patient's abdominal cavity, the utmost care must be taken during the joining process to prevent contamination of either tube. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for joining two tubes by swapping the melted ends.

JP 2013-146354 A

The tube connecting device according to Patent Document 1 includes a holding section capable of holding a tube, a lid section configured to be openable and closable relative to the holding section, an interlock that locks the lid section in a closed state relative to the holding section, and a control section that controls the operation of the interlock. The tube connecting device cuts and joins the tube based on a command sent from the control section, and then releases the interlock that has locked the lid section. After confirming that the interlock has been released, the patient (user) opens the lid section from the holding section. For example, if the user attempts to open the lid section from the holding section while the interlock is operating, the lid section will interfere with the interlock. In this case, the interlock operation stops midway, resulting in a problem that the interlock lock release is not completed properly.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a tube connecting device that can suppress the reduction in user convenience caused by the interlock not properly releasing the lock based on a command from the control unit.

The present invention relates to a tube joining device that achieves the above object, and that melts an end of a first tube and an end of a second tube with a heated cutting member, and then replaces and joins the melted end of the first tube with the melted end of the second tube, and includes a holding unit capable of holding the first tube and the second tube, a lid unit configured to be openable and closable with respect to the holding unit, an interlock that locks the lid unit in a closed state with respect to the holding unit, a detection unit that detects an operating state of the interlock, and a control unit that controls the operation of the interlock. After joining the end of the first tube and the end of the second tube, the control unit instructs the interlock to release the lock. If the detection unit does not detect the completion of the release of the lock by the interlock after instructing the release of the lock, the control unit instructs the interlock to release the lock again , and if the detection unit detects the completion of the release of the lock by the interlock, the detection unit ends the process of checking the operating state of the interlock after tube joining .

According to the tube connecting device of the present invention, the control unit instructs the interlock to release the lock after connecting the tube, and uses the detection unit to determine whether or not the lock release has been completed. If the detection unit does not detect that the lock has been released, the control unit instructs the interlock to release the lock again. This makes it possible to more reliably release the lock by the interlock. This allows the user to more reliably open the lid portion relative to the holding portion. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user caused by the interlock not properly releasing the lock based on a command from the control unit.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a lid portion is open in a tube connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a lid portion of the tube connecting device is closed. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of components arranged in a housing of the tube connecting device with the lid portion closed; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a lid portion of the tube connecting device is open. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a first tube and a second tube are arranged in the tube connecting device shown in FIG. 4 . FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a clamp portion constituting the tube connecting device. FIG. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining an open/close detector that configures the clamp unit. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an interlock that constitutes the tube connecting device. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before a first tube is set in a groove portion, illustrating a tube detection portion that constitutes a clamp portion. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a first tube is set in a groove, illustrating a tube detection portion that constitutes a clamp portion. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 5, showing the tube connecting device with the lid portion open. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 5, showing the tube connecting device with the lid portion in a closed state. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the tube connecting device. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a first tube and a second tube being fusion-joined by a tube joining device; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a joining operation of the tube joining device. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing each step of the fusing and position exchange operation. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing each step of the fusing and position exchange operation. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing each step of the fusing and position exchange operation. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing schematic diagrams of each step of the fusing and position exchange operation. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the steps of a joining and removal operation. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the steps of a joining and removal operation. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the detection unit checks the operation state of the interlock after the tube is joined.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the attached drawings.

Figures 1 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the overall configuration and the configuration of each part of the tube joining device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining tubes T1 and T2 joined by the tube joining device 1. Figures 15 to 21 are diagrams for explaining an example of use of the tube joining device 1. Figure 22 is a diagram for explaining the procedure for checking the operating state of the interlock 30 after tube joining. In this specification, tube T1 corresponds to the first tube, and tube T2 corresponds to the second tube. Also, in this specification, the interlock detection unit 32 corresponds to the detection unit. Also, hereinafter, the front-to-back direction in the tube joining device 1 is referred to as the front-to-back direction X, the left-to-right direction is referred to as the left-to-right direction Y, and the height direction is referred to as the height direction Z.

<Tube joining device>
The tube connecting device 1 in this embodiment is configured as a medical device that melts and connects the end of the tube T1 on the peritoneal dialysis fluid bag T11 side and the end of the tube T2 on the peritoneal catheter T26 side of a patient (user M) performing peritoneal dialysis, as shown in Figure 14.

As shown in Figure 1, the tube joining device 1 is used in combination with a wafer cassette WC that includes multiple wafers WF (corresponding to "cutting members") used for cutting. In the cutting operation of tubes T1 and T2, as shown in Figures 16 to 18, tubes T1 and T2 are arranged side by side and pressed against each other to be crushed, and then tubes T1 and T2 are cut by the heated wafer WF. Then, as shown in Figures 18 to 20, one side of the cut tube T1 and one side of tube T2 are swapped in position, and tubes T1 and T2 are joined by applying pressure. Details will be described later.

Tube joining device 1, generally described with reference to Figure 1, comprises a housing 10 that houses the various components of tube joining device 1, and a clamping section 20 that crushes tubes T1 and T2 when fusing and swaps one side of tube T1 with the other side of tube T2 after fusing. Tube joining device 1 comprises an interlock 30 that locks clamping section 20 in a state in which tubes T1 and T2 are sandwiched during fusing and joining as shown in Figure 12, and a storage section 40 that stores wafer cassette WC inserted into housing 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 13, the tube joining device 1 includes a feed unit 50 that heats the wafer WF and sends it to the melting position, an operation unit 60 that can receive instructions such as turning the power on and off, and a notification unit 70 that notifies the user M of necessary information. The tube joining device 1 also includes a power supply unit 80 that can supply power to each unit, and a control unit 90 that comprehensively controls the operation of each unit.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the left-right direction Y in which the tubes T1 and T2 extend, the side where the positions are swapped after the tubes T1 and T2 are swapped, with the meltdown position Y0 of the tubes T1 and T2 as the boundary, is called the "swap side Y1," and the opposite side is called the "fixed side Y2." This will be described in detail below.

<Case>
1 and 2, the housing 10 is configured as a case that combines an upper part 11 that corresponds to the upper side of a substantially hexahedron and a lower part 12 that is disposed below the upper part 11 and constitutes the sides other than the upper side of the substantially hexahedron. The upper part 11 is formed so as to be inclined from the rear to the front as shown in FIG.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a hole 11r is provided on the upper surface of the upper portion 11 in which the clamp portion 20 can be positioned.

In addition, a cassette insertion hole 11c for inserting a wafer cassette WC and an ejection switch 11d for ejecting the wafer cassette WC inserted into the housing 10 are provided on the side of the upper portion 11. When the wafer cassette WC is inserted through the cassette insertion hole 11c, if the user M presses the ejection switch 11d with his/her finger, the wafer cassette WC can be ejected to the outside of the housing 10 through the cassette insertion hole 11c.

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

<Clamp section>
The clamp portion 20 holds the tubes T1, T2 in a side-by-side arrangement, presses the tubes T1, T2 against each other when melting, and swaps the positions of one side of the tube T1 and one side of the tube T2 after melting, and presses one of the tubes T1, T2 against the other in the left-right direction Y.

As shown in Figure 6, the clamp unit 20 comprises a base 21 protruding from the upper portion 11, and a lid unit 22 configured to be openable and closable by moving relatively close to and away from the base 21. The clamp unit 20 is installed on the base 21 and comprises a holding unit 23 that holds the tubes T1, T2, and a tube detection unit 24 that can detect whether the tubes T1, T2 are set. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the clamp unit 20 comprises a tube pressing unit 25 that presses and crushes the tubes T1, T2 against each other as the lid unit 22 moves relatively close to the base 21, and an opening/closing detection unit 26 that detects whether the lid unit 22 is open or closed.

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 extension direction of the tubes T1 and T2. The gap 21a is provided so that the wafer WF can pass through when the wafer WF moves to the melting position before use or when the used wafer WF is sent out of the housing 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the first base 211 and the second base 212 is provided with an engaging portion 213 that can engage with the engaging claw 225 of the lid portion 22 described later.

The lid portion 22 includes a first clamp arm 221 rotatably provided with respect to the first base 211, and a second clamp arm 222 rotatably provided with respect to the second base 212. The lid portion 22 includes a cover 223 that covers the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222, and a gripping portion 224 that is rotatably provided with respect to the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222 and can be gripped by the user M. The lid portion 22 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the holding portion 23.

The cover 223 integrally covers the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, when the lid portion 22 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, the cover 223 covers the first base 211, the second base 212, and the area between them where fusing and welding are performed.

As shown in Fig. 6, the gripping portion 224 has an engaging claw 225 that can engage with the engaged portion 213 of the base 21. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, after the first clamp arm 221, the second clamp arm 222, and the cover 223 are closed, if the gripping portion 224 is rotated relative to the first clamp arm 221 and the second clamp arm 222, the engaging claw 225 engages with the engaged portion 213 (see Fig. 6). This allows the clamping portion 20 to preferably maintain the state in which it clamps the tubes T1 and T2.

5 and 6, the holding unit 23 includes a first holding unit 231 that fixedly holds the fixed side Y2 of each tube T1, T2, and a second holding unit 232 that movably holds the replacement side Y1 of each tube T1, T2. The holding unit 23 includes a release unit 233 that can switch the second holding unit 232 from a holding state in which the tubes T1, T2 can be held to a release state in which the holding is released, and a restoration unit 234 that can switch the second holding unit 232 from the release state to the holding state.

The first holding portion 231 is fixed to the upper surface of the first base 211. As shown in FIG. 6, the first holding portion 231 has 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. 11, the grooves 231a and 231b are arranged to be aligned in a direction inclined at an angle θ (diagonal direction) 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 where they are aligned at an angle with respect to the mounting surface FS in the holding portion 23. Note that the groove 231a, which is located at the back side of the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are aligned, is located at a higher position in the height direction Z of the housing 10 than the groove 231b.

6, the second holding portion 232 has a rotation axis 232c that is approximately parallel to the left-right direction Y. The second holding portion 232 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the second base 212 with the rotation axis 232c as the center of rotation. The second holding portion 232 has grooves 232a, 232b that are arranged at the same height and inclination as the first holding portion 231 when the lid portion 22 is open.

The grooves 232a and 232b are configured to hold the tubes T1 and T2 together with the grooves 231a and 231b when the lid 22 is open. In other words, the holding state means a state in which the second holding part 232 is arranged in a position (holding position) in which the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged in the grooves 232a and 232b of the second holding part 232 when the lid 22 is open. When the lid 22 is closed, the second holding part 232 is displaced downward in the height direction Z with the rotation axis 232c as the center of rotation, and the grooves 232a and 232b are separated from the tubes T1 and T2. In other words, the release state means a state in which the second holding part 232 is arranged in a position (release position) in which the tubes T1 and T2 are not arranged in the grooves 232a and 232b of the second holding part 232 when the lid 22 is closed.

The release portion 233 has a protrusion that protrudes toward the second clamp arm 222 when the cover portion 22 is open as shown in Figure 6.

The protrusion of the release portion 233 comes into contact with the second clamp arm 222 of the lid portion 22 as the lid portion 22 moves relatively closer to the housing 10. The protrusion of the release portion 233 is configured to retract the second holding portion 232 from the holding position to the release position as the lid portion 22 moves relatively closer to the housing 10.

6, the restoring portion 234 is provided with a cam that can push up the second holding portion 232 in conjunction with the movement of the second clamp arm 222 of the lid portion 22 away from the housing 10. The restoring portion 234 is configured to be able to come into contact with the second holding portion 232.

The cam of the restoring portion 234 has a generally fan-shaped outer shape when viewed from the side of the housing 10. The cam of the restoring portion 234 is fixed near the rotating portion of the second clamp arm 222. Therefore, the cam of the restoring portion 234 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second clamp arm 222. In this way, the second holding portion 232 is configured to be movable between the holding position and the release position by the release portion 233 and the restoring portion 234.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the release unit 233 retracts the second holding unit 232 from the holding position to the release position after the tube pressing unit 25 described below has clamped the tubes T1 and T2. Therefore, the tube pressing unit 25 can clamp the tubes T1 and T2 with the replacement side Y1 of the tubes T1 and T2 held in an appropriate position by the second holding unit 232.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the tube detection unit 24 includes a pin 241 provided in the grooves 231a and 231b and configured to be able to protrude and retract from the bottom of the grooves 231a and 231b by an elastic member 244, a magnet 242 provided at the base of the pin 241, and a hall element 243. The pin 241 changes its position from a protruding position (see Fig. 9) to a recessed position (see Fig. 10) when the tubes T1 and T2 are fitted into the grooves 231a and 231b. The magnet 242 moves in accordance with the protrusion or recession of the pin 241 from the grooves 231a and 231b, while the hall element 243 is disposed adjacent to the magnet 242. The tube detection unit 24 detects whether the tubes T1 and T2 are disposed 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, as long as it is possible to detect that the tubes T1 and T2 are placed in the grooves 231a and 231b, the specific configuration is not limited to the above.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tube pressing portion 25 has a fixed side pressing portion 25a and a movable side pressing portion 25b.

The fixed side pressing portion 25a brings the tubes T1 and T2 closer to each other in the direction D1 in which the tubes T1 and T2 are arranged on the fixed side Y2 of the tubes T1 and T2, and applies a pressing force to the abutting tubes T1 and T2. As shown in Figures 6 and 18, the fixed side pressing portion 25a includes a lid side pressing portion 251 provided on the first clamp arm 221 and a case side pressing portion 252 provided on the first base 211.

11 and 12, the movable side pressing portion 25b brings the tubes T1 and T2 closer to each other in the arrangement direction D1 of the tubes T1 and T2 on the replacement side Y1 of the tubes T1 and T2 in the same manner as the fixed side pressing portion 25a, and applies a pressing force to the abutting tubes T1 and T2. The movable side pressing portion 25b includes a cover side pressing portion 253 provided on the second clamp arm 222 and a case side pressing portion 254 provided on the second base 212 as shown in FIGS.

The movable side pressing unit 25b also uses a motor, gears, and other components (not shown) to switch the movable ends of the fused tubes T1, T2 with respect to the fixed side, as shown in FIG. 19. The movable side pressing unit 25b also presses the movable tubes T1, T2, whose ends have been switched with respect to the fixed side, against the fixed tubes T1, T2 in the left-right direction Y. The movable side pressing unit 25b includes a rotatable cam (not shown) and an abutment member (not shown) that can abut against the cam in the left-right direction Y. The movable side pressing unit 25b presses the ends of the movable tubes T1, T2 against the ends of the fixed tubes T1, T2 by changing the contact position of the cam with the abutment member in the left-right direction Y depending on the rotation of the cam.

The open/close detection unit 26 detects that the lid portion 22 is in a closed state relative to the base 21. The open/close detection unit 26 is not particularly limited in its specific configuration as long as it can detect that the lid portion 22 is in a closed state relative to the base 21 and start the tube joining operation. In this 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. 7. 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 in, thereby detecting that the lid portion 22 is in a closed state.

<Interlock>
As shown in Figure 12, the interlock 30 has the function of locking the lid portion 22 in a closed state relative to the base 21 and the holding portion 23 (see Figure 6) so that the clamp portion 20 is locked in a clamped state around the tubes T1 and T2 during fusing and joining.

As shown in the enlarged view in Figure 8, a recess 11a is provided on the top surface of the upper part 11 of the housing 10 near where the engaging claw 225 engages with the engaged portion 213. A hole 11b is formed in the bottom surface of the recess 11a. In addition, a rod-shaped interlock 30 that can be inserted into the hole 11b is disposed on the housing 10.

The interlock 30 is, for example, formed of a rod 31a of an electromagnetically driven solenoid 31. In response to a command sent from the control unit 90, the interlock 30 rises in the Z1 direction shown by the solid line in the enlarged view of FIG. 8 from the state shown by the dashed line. In this embodiment, the upper end of the interlock 30 rises and protrudes from the hole 11b, thereby abutting against the front end of the engagement claw 225 of the lid 22 while housed in the recess 11a of the housing 10. This allows the interlock 30 to lock the lid 22 in the closed state.

As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 8, the interlock detection unit 32 detects the operating state of the interlock 30. The interlock detection unit 32 can be configured, for example, by a photocoupler having a light emitting unit 32A that emits light 32L and a light receiving unit 32B that can receive the light 32L. The operation of the interlock 30 will be described later.

<Storage section>
3, and has a function of storing the wafer cassette WC inserted into the housing 10 and a function of detecting the remaining amount of wafers WF in the wafer cassette WC. The wafer cassette WC corresponds to a storage case in this specification.

The storage section 40 includes a mounting section (not shown) in which the wafer cassette WC inserted through the cassette insertion hole 11c is mounted, and a wafer detection section 42 (not shown) capable of detecting the wafers WF in the wafer cassette WC. When the power is turned on by the operation section 60, the wafer detection section 42 monitors the remaining amount of wafers WF and whether the wafers WF are usable. The wafer detection section 42 can be configured, for example, by a known photosensor.

<Feed section>
The sending unit 50 is located at a position shown in FIG. 3, sends the wafer WF to the fusing position, heats the wafer WF during fusing, cools the used wafer WF, and sends the used wafer WF out of the housing 10.

The feed unit 50 is configured to be able to feed the wafer WF from the wafer cassette WC in the storage unit 40 to the fusing position. The feed unit 50 has a drive unit that can feed the used wafer WF to the outside of the housing 10 through the gap 21a between the first pedestal 211 and the second pedestal 212. The feed unit 50 has a heating wire that is provided inside the wafer WF and can heat the wafer WF, a terminal that can supply the power required to heat the wafer WF during fusing, and a fan that can cool the used wafer WF (not shown).

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

<Notification Department>
The notification unit 70 notifies the user M of necessary information. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the notification unit 70 includes a plurality of display units 71, 72 that display necessary information for the user M, and a speaker 73 that notifies the user M of the necessary information by voice.

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

<Control Unit>
The control unit 90 can be configured by a microcomputer, etc. The control unit 90 includes a CPU, a ROM for storing the control program for the entire device executed by the CPU and various data, and a RAM for temporarily storing the measurement data and various data as a work area.

As shown in Fig. 13, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 80, operation unit 60, notification unit 70, tube detection unit 24, open/close detection unit 26, interlock 30, interlock detection unit 32, temperature sensor 11e, wafer detection unit 42, feed unit 50, etc. The control unit 90 comprehensively controls each unit.

For example, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 8, the interlock 30 operates in response to a command from the control unit 90. For example, when the upper end of the interlock 30 is at the lower end position 31L, as shown by the dashed line in the enlarged view of Fig. 8, the interlock 30 blocks the light 32L from the light emitter 32A. Then, in response to the light 32L being blocked, the light receiver 32B transmits a signal to the control unit 90 that "unlocking has been completed." In contrast, when the upper end of the interlock 30 is at the upper end position 31H, as shown by the solid line in the enlarged view of Fig. 8, the interlock 30 does not block the light 32L from the light emitter 32A. Then, in response to the light 32L not being blocked, the light receiver 32B transmits a signal to the control unit 90 that "locking has been completed."

<Tube>
In this embodiment, the tube T1 is configured by a tube on the peritoneal dialysis fluid bag T11 side (see FIG. 14). Specifically, a predetermined connector T12 is attached to the tip of the tube T1. The other side of the tube T1 is connected to a dialysis fluid tube T14 of the dialysis fluid bag T11 via a branch pipe T13. The tube T1 is further connected to a drainage tube T16 of a drainage bag T15 via the branch pipe T13.

The tube T2 is composed of a tube on the peritoneal catheter T26 side of the user M, which is used during 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 of the peritoneal catheter T26 is inserted into the abdominal cavity of the user M.

In this embodiment, the tubes T1 and T2 are made of polyvinyl chloride. However, the material of the tubes T1 and T2 is not limited as long as they can be joined to each other by melting and applying pressure. For example, the materials of the tubes T1 and T2 may be different from each other.

<Usage example>
Next, a description will be given of an example of how to use the tube joining device 1. First, when using the tube joining device 1, a user M inserts a wafer cassette WC containing wafers WF into the cassette insertion hole 11c of the tube joining device 1. Next, the user M presses a button on the operation unit 60 to turn on the power of the tube joining device 1.

Next, user M opens the lid portion 22 of the tube joining device 1 as shown in Figure 1. Next, user M sets tubes T1 and T2 in grooves 231a, 231b, 232a, and 232b of holding portion 23 as shown in Figures 6, 10, 11, 16, and 17. Next, user M performs an operation to close lid portion 22 (an operation to bring lid portion 22 relatively close to housing 10). With lid portion 22 closed, the outer periphery of the fusion site of tubes T1 and T2 is covered by cover 223 and is isolated from the outside. This makes it possible to carry out the fusion-joining operation in a sterile environment.

15, the control unit 90 checks whether the tubes T1 and T2 are set in the grooves 231a, 231b, 232a, and 232b using the tube detection unit 24 and whether the lid unit 22 is closed using the open/close detection unit 26 (ST1). If the setting of the tubes T1 and T2 in the grooves 231a, 231b, 232a, and 232b and the closed state of the lid unit 22 cannot be detected (ST1: NO), the control unit 90 causes the notification unit 70 to notify the setting of the tubes T1 and T2 and the closing of the lid unit 22 (ST2).

When the control unit 90 detects that the tubes T1 and T2 are set in the grooves 231a, 231b, 232a, and 232b and that the lid 22 is closed (ST1: YES), the control unit 90 checks whether the wafer WF is stored in the wafer cassette WC by the wafer detection unit 42 (not shown) (ST3). If the wafer WF is not stored in the wafer cassette WC (ST3: NO), the control unit 90 causes the notification unit 70 to notify the wafer cassette WC to store the wafer WF (ST4).

If the wafer WF is stored 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 send it to the melting preparation position (the position where the wafer WF is shown by the broken line in FIG. 18) (ST5). Next, the control unit 90 checks whether the wafer WF can be used for melting (ST6). If the wafer WF is not suitable for melting (ST6: NO), the control unit 90 causes the notification unit 70 to notify that the wafer WF is not suitable for melting or that the wafer WF will be sent 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 melting preparation position (ST5). At this time, the wafer WF that is not suitable for melting is pushed out of the melting preparation position by the next wafer WF.

If the wafer WF sent to the melting preparation position can be used (ST6: YES), the control unit 90 starts controlling the melting operation using the wafer WF.

First, the control unit 90 activates the interlock 30 to lock the lid portion 22 in the closed position.

Then, the wafer WF in the melting preparation position is heated by the built-in heater (ST8). The heated wafer WF is then moved by the feed section 50 to the melting position (the position where the wafer WF is shown by the solid line in FIG. 17), and melting is performed as shown in FIG. 17 (ST9).

Next, the control unit 90 drives the motor of the movable side pressing unit 25b, and causes the tube pressing unit 25 to switch the positions of the replacement side Y1 of the tube T1 and the replacement side Y1 of the tube T2 as shown in Fig. 18 (ST10). After that, the control unit 90 causes the ends of the tubes T1 and T2 switched by the tube pressing unit 25 to be pressed against each other in the left-right direction Y as shown in Fig. 19, thereby performing pressure joining (ST11).

Next, the control unit 90 activates the interlock 30 to release the lock on the lid unit 22. At this time, the control unit 90 checks the operating state of the interlock 30 using the interlock detection unit 32 (ST12). Details will be described later.

When the interlock 30 has released the lock on the lid portion 22, the user M then opens the lid portion 22 and removes each tube T1, T2 from the tube connecting device 1 as shown in Figure 21.

6, 8, and 22, the procedure in which the control unit 90 checks the operating state of the interlock 30 after the tube is joined by the interlock detection unit 32 (ST12) will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure in which the interlock detection unit 32 checks the operating state of the interlock 30 after the tube is joined.

In the initial state, as shown by the solid line in the enlarged view of Figure 8, the upper end of the interlock 30 is located at the upper end position 31H. Therefore, the upper end of the interlock 30 abuts against the front end of the engagement claw 225, and the lid portion 22 is locked by the interlock 30. The control unit 90 checks the operating state of the interlock 30 regarding unlocking based on the following steps.

First, the control unit 90 starts issuing a command to lower the interlock 30 (ST101). At this time, the control unit 90 calculates the number of lowering commands as n=1 (ST102).

Next, the control unit 90 calculates the elapsed time Ta from the start of the lowering command, and determines whether the elapsed time Ta is equal to or less than the predetermined time Ta1 (ST103). Here, the predetermined time Ta1 is the lowering process time required for the upper end of the interlock 30 to lower from the upper end position 31H to the lower end position 31L. The predetermined time Ta1 can be set to, for example, 500 ms. Note that the predetermined time Ta1 can be set to any time according to the specifications of the tube joining device 1, and is not particularly limited.

When the control unit 90 determines that the elapsed time Ta from the start of the lowering command is equal to or less than the predetermined time Ta1 (ST103: YES), the control unit 90 uses the interlock detection unit 32 to determine whether or not the unlocking has been completed (ST104). Here, the completion of the unlocking refers to the case where the upper end of the interlock 30 has been lowered to the lower end position 31L, and the interlock 30 has blocked the light 32L from the light emitter 32A, causing the light receiver 32B to send a signal to the control unit 90 indicating that the unlocking has been completed.

If the control unit 90 determines that the lock has been released (ST104: YES), it terminates the process in which the interlock detection unit 32 checks the operating status of the interlock 30 after the tube is connected (END).

On the other hand, if the control unit 90 determines that the lock has not been released (ST104: NO), it repeats steps ST103 and ST104 until the lowering process time required by the upper end of the interlock 30, i.e., the predetermined time Ta1, has elapsed. Here, "lock release is not complete" refers to a case in which the upper end of the interlock 30 is located between the upper end position 31H and the lower end position 31L, and the interlock 30 does not block the light 32L from the light emitter 32A, so that a signal indicating "lock release is complete" is not sent from the light receiver 32B to the control unit 90.

If the control unit 90 determines that the elapsed time Ta since the start of the lowering command has exceeded the predetermined time Ta1 (ST103: NO), it determines that the release of the lock has not been completed even after the lowering processing time required by the interlock 30 has elapsed, and restarts the lowering command for the interlock 30. Therefore, the control unit 90 proceeds to steps ST105 to ST108 described below as a step for restarting the lowering command.

The control unit 90 determines whether the lowering command has been repeated a predetermined number of times (ST105). The predetermined number of times can be set to, for example, three times. Note that the predetermined number of times can be set to any number according to the specifications of the tube joining device 1 and is not particularly limited.

If the descent command is issued less than the specified number of times (ST105: YES), the control unit 90 stops the descent command to the interlock 30 (ST106).

Next, the control unit 90 calculates the elapsed time Tb since the lowering command was stopped, and determines whether the elapsed time Tb is equal to or longer than the predetermined time Tb2 (ST107). Here, the predetermined time Tb2 is the operation processing time required until the solenoid 31 is operated again. The predetermined time Tb2 can be set to, for example, 2 seconds. Note that the predetermined time Tb2 can be set to any time according to the specifications of the solenoid 31 used, and is not particularly limited.

If the control unit 90 determines that the elapsed time Tb since the descent command was stopped is less than or equal to the predetermined time Tb2 (ST107: NO), it repeats step ST107 until the operating processing time required by the solenoid 31, i.e., the predetermined time Tb2, has elapsed.

When the control unit 90 determines that the elapsed time Tb since the descent command was stopped has exceeded the predetermined time Tb2 (ST107: YES), the control unit 90 starts the command to descent the interlock 30 again. At this time, the control unit 90 increments n by one (n←n+1) (ST108). This causes the control unit 90 to command the interlock 30 to descent again, and the interlock 30 is more reliably released from the lock. This allows the user M to more reliably open the lid portion 22 relative to the holding portion 23. This prevents a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the interlock 30 not properly releasing the lock based on a command from the control unit 90.

As described above, the interlock 30 is arranged so as to be able to protrude from the hole 11b formed in the bottom surface of the recess 11a provided on the upper surface of the upper part 11 of the housing 10, as shown in the enlarged view in FIG. 8. The upper end of the interlock 30 rises in response to a command sent from the control unit 90, and protrudes from the hole 11b to abut against the front end of the engagement claw 225 of the lid part 22 while being stored in the recess 11a. By storing the interlock 30 in operation in the recess 11a, it is possible to prevent the user M from accidentally touching the interlock 30 when the tubes T1 and T2 are melted and joined. However, with this configuration, a problem occurs in that the user M cannot access the interlock 30 from outside the housing 10 when the upper end of the interlock 30 stops at any position between the lower end position 31L and the upper end position 31H after the tubes are joined.

In this embodiment, the control unit 90 of the tube joining device 1 can instruct the lock to be released again if the interlock detection unit 32 does not detect that the lock by the interlock 30 has been released completely after the tube is joined. Therefore, even if the user M cannot access the interlock 30 from the outside, the control unit 90 can more reliably release the lock by the interlock 30. This allows the user M to more reliably open the lid portion 22 relative to the holding portion 23. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the interlock 30 not being properly released based on a command from the control unit 90.

The control unit 90 repeats steps ST103 and onward after step ST108 as a step for determining again whether the lock has been released. When the control unit 90 determines that the lowering instruction has been repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, three times) in the process of repeating the determination of the completion of the lowering instruction and the lock release (ST105: NO), it determines that the lock release has not been completed even after the lowering instruction has been repeated a predetermined number of times. Then, the process in which the interlock detection unit 32 checks the operating state of the interlock 30 after the tube connection is terminated (END). As a result, the lowering instruction of the interlock 30 is repeated multiple times up to a predetermined number as the maximum number of times. The predetermined number of times can be set to any number of times according to the specifications of the tube connection device 1, so that the lock release by the interlock 30 is more reliably performed. Therefore, the user M can more reliably open the lid portion 22 relative to the holding portion 23. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the lock release by the interlock 30 not being properly completed based on a command from the control unit 90.

In addition, the user M can grasp the usage status of the tube connecting device 1 by terminating the process of checking the operating status of the interlock 30 when the control unit 90 has not completed unlocking even after repeating the lowering command a predetermined number of times. At this time, the control unit 90 may cause the notification unit 70 to notify the user M of this. This allows the user M to more reliably grasp information about the tube connecting device 1. Therefore, it is possible to provide a tube connecting device 1 that is easy for the user M to use, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the interlock 30 not properly completing unlocking based on a command from the control unit 90.

As described above, the tube joining device 1 according to this embodiment melts the end of the tube T1 and the end of the tube T2 with a heated wafer WF, and then replaces and joins the melted end of the tube T1 with the melted end of the tube T2. The tube joining device 1 has a holding unit 23 capable of holding the tube T1 and the tube T2, a lid unit 22 configured to be openable and closable relative to the holding unit 23, an interlock 30 that locks the lid unit 22 in a closed state relative to the holding unit 23, an interlock detection unit 32 that detects the operating state of the interlock 30, and a control unit 90 that controls the operation of the interlock 30. After joining the end of the tube T1 and the end of the tube T2, the control unit 90 instructs the interlock 30 to release the lock. If the interlock detection unit 32 does not detect the completion of the release of the lock by the interlock 30 after instructing the release of the lock, the control unit 90 instructs the interlock 30 to release the lock again.

According to the above configuration, if the interlock detection unit 32 does not detect the completion of the release of the lock by the interlock 30 after the tube is joined, the control unit 90 again instructs the interlock 30 to lower, so that the release of the lock by the interlock 30 is more reliably carried out. This allows the user M to more reliably open the lid portion 22 relative to the holding portion 23. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the interlock 30 not properly releasing the lock based on a command from the control unit 90.

In addition, when the interlock detection unit 32 detects that the interlock 30 has been released, the control unit 90 ends the process of releasing the lock. On the other hand, when the interlock detection unit 32 does not detect that the interlock 30 has been released, the control unit 90 repeatedly instructs the interlock 30 to be released multiple times. When the interlock detection unit 32 still does not detect that the interlock 30 has been released after the predetermined number of times, the control unit 90 stops the operation of the interlock 30. The predetermined number of times can be set to any number of times according to the specifications of the tube connection device 1. Therefore, the interlock 30 is released more reliably by the control unit 90. This allows the user M to more reliably open the lid 22 relative to the holding unit 23. In addition, when the control unit 90 determines that the lock has not been released even after the control unit 90 has repeatedly issued the lowering instruction a predetermined number of times, the process of checking the operation state of the interlock 30 is ended, so that the user M can grasp the usage state of the tube connection device 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the interlock 30 not properly completing the release of the lock based on a command from the control unit 90.

In addition, the tube connecting device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a notification unit 70 that notifies the control unit 90 of the fact that the interlock detection unit 32 has not detected the release of the lock by the interlock 30 even after the control unit 90 has repeatedly instructed the control unit 90 to release the lock a predetermined number of times and that the control unit 90 has stopped the operation of the interlock 30. This allows the user M to more reliably grasp information related to the tube connecting device 1 through the notification unit 70. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the interlock 30 not properly completing the release of the lock based on a command from the control unit 90.

The interlock 30 is also composed of a rod 31a of an electromagnetically driven solenoid 31. The interlock 30 protrudes from a hole 11b provided in a recess 11a formed on the upper surface of the upper part 11 of the housing 10 in which the holding part 23 is arranged, in response to a command from the control unit 90, and abuts against the lid part 22 while being stored in the recess 11a of the housing 10. At this time, the interlock 30 locks the lid part 22 in a closed state relative to the holding part 23. This makes it possible to prevent the user M from accidentally touching the interlock 30, and the release of the lock is more reliably performed by the control unit 90. Therefore, the user M can more reliably open the lid part 22 relative to the holding part 23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in convenience for the user M caused by the interlock 30 not being properly released based on a command from the control unit 90.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

The present invention can also be used not only for peritoneal dialysis, but also for devices that aseptically join a tube connected to a container (bag) that contains blood products used in transfusions to another tube. In this case, the sterility of the tube and blood components (products) in the bag can be maintained.

The present invention can also be used in a device that aseptically joins a tube connected to a container (bag) that contains a cell culture solution containing various collected and cultured cells to another tube. In this case, too, the sterility and safety of the cell culture solution in the tube and bag can be maintained when the tubes are joined.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-116655, filed on June 24, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

1 Tube joining device,
10 housing,
11 upper part,
11a recessed portion,
11b hole,
21 pedestal,
213 engaged portion,
22 Lid portion,
225 engagement claw,
23 holding portion,
30 Interlock,
31 solenoid,
31a rod,
32 interlock detection unit,
70 Notification section,
90 control unit,
T1 (first) tube,
T2 (second) tube,
WC wafer cassette (storage case),
WF Wafer (cutting member).

Claims (4)

A tube joining device that melts an end of a first tube and an end of a second tube with a heated cutting member, and then replaces and joins the melted end of the first tube with the melted end of the second tube,
a holding portion capable of holding the first tube and the second tube;
A lid portion configured to be openable and closable relative to the holding portion;
an interlock that locks the lid portion in a closed state relative to the holder;
A detection unit that detects an operation state of the interlock;
A control unit that controls the operation of the interlock,
the control unit instructs the interlock to release the lock after joining the end of the first tube and the end of the second tube,
This tube joining device is characterized in that if, after instructing the control unit to release the lock, the detection unit does not detect that the lock has been released completely by the interlock, the control unit again instructs the interlock to release the lock, and if the detection unit detects that the lock has been released completely by the interlock, the detection unit terminates the process of checking the operating status of the interlock after the tube is joined . the control unit terminates the process of releasing the lock when the detection unit detects that the lock has been released by the interlock;
the control unit, when the detection unit does not detect the release of the lock by the interlock, repeatedly instructs the interlock to release the lock a plurality of times;
2. The tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the operation of the interlock when the detection unit does not detect the release of the lock by the interlock even after repeating the operation a predetermined number of times. The tube connecting device according to claim 2 further comprises a notification unit that notifies the control unit that the operation of the interlock is stopped when the detection unit does not detect the release of the lock by the interlock even after the control unit has repeatedly instructed the control unit to release the lock a predetermined number of times. The tube connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the interlock is constituted by a rod of an electromagnetically driven solenoid, and the interlock, in response to a command from the control unit, protrudes from a hole provided in a recess formed in the upper surface of the housing in which the holding unit is disposed, thereby abutting against the lid unit while housed in the recess of the housing, thereby locking the lid unit in a closed state relative to the holding unit.