JP7597485B2 - Metering chamber and liquid handling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a metering chamber and a liquid treatment device.

For example, extracorporeal circulation therapies such as dialysis and plasma exchange are performed using a blood purification device. This blood purification device has, for example, a blood circuit that supplies the patient's blood to a blood purifier for purification and then returns it to the patient, a dialysate circuit that supplies and discharges dialysate to the blood purifier, and a fluid replacement circuit that replenishes fluid to the blood (see Patent Document 1). The blood purification device has, for example, a measuring chamber that measures the total amount of dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier, the amount of dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier, and the amount of replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit in order to control the amount of water removed from the patient (see Patent Document 1).

The above-mentioned metering chamber has a storage section for storing each liquid, and an internal flow path for feeding and discharging the liquid to each storage section (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The metering chamber is integrated with a heating panel that warms the replacement fluid to body temperature and a frame that holds the heating panel to form a flow path holding device (see Patent Document 3). When in use, the metering chamber is attached to a measuring device in the main body of the blood purification device.

Patent No. 5160455 JP 2015-181757 A JP 2015-073847 A

However, the above-mentioned measuring chamber may be damaged when subjected to external forces, for example, during transportation or sterilization. In particular, it is preferable that the measuring chamber is made of polyvinyl chloride, the same material as the tube to be connected. In this case, however, the measuring chamber becomes brittle at low temperatures and is therefore easily damaged when subjected to external forces at low temperatures. In addition, if the measuring chamber is placed in a protective case during transportation, it must be removed from the case when attaching it to the blood purification device, which undesirably increases the work of medical personnel.

This application was made in consideration of these points, and one of its objectives is to provide a measuring chamber and a liquid treatment device that can be easily attached to a liquid treatment device such as a blood purification device while minimizing damage during transportation, etc.

After extensive research, the inventors discovered that the above problem could be solved by providing a protective cover on the chamber body of the metering chamber and providing an installation section on the protective cover for installing the metering chamber on the device body of the liquid treatment device, and thus completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention includes the following aspects.
(1) A metering chamber connected to a liquid flow path of a liquid processing device for measuring a liquid flowing through the liquid flow path, the metering chamber comprising: a chamber body having an internal flow path for flowing liquid and a storage portion connected to the internal flow path for storing liquid; and a protective cover covering the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body and protecting the chamber body, the protective cover comprising an installation portion for installing the metering chamber on a device main body of the liquid processing device.
(2) The measuring chamber described in (1), wherein the protective cover has a front cover located on the front side of the chamber body, a rear cover located on the rear side of the chamber body, and an engagement mechanism that engages the front cover and the rear cover.
(3) The measuring chamber described in (2), wherein the engagement mechanism includes a locking portion provided on one of the front cover or the rear cover, a locked portion provided on the other of the front cover or the rear cover different from the locking portion, and a regulating portion that prevents the locking portion from coming off the locked portion.
(4) The measuring chamber according to (2) or (3), wherein the chamber body has a rectangular portion in which a plurality of storage sections are arranged side by side, and the engagement mechanisms are provided near the four corners of the rectangular portion.
(5) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a positioning mechanism for positioning the protective cover and the chamber body.
(6) The measuring chamber described in (5) above, wherein the positioning mechanism has a convex portion provided on one of the protective cover or the chamber body, and a concave portion provided on the other of the protective cover or the chamber body different from the convex portion, and the protective cover and the chamber body are positioned by the convex portion and the concave portion engaging with each other.
(7) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the protective cover has a straightening portion that clamps a portion of the chamber body from the front side and the rear side to straighten the deflection of the chamber body.
(8) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the protective cover has a flat surface at a portion that comes into contact with a main body of the liquid treatment device.
(9) The measuring chamber described in any one of (1) to (8), wherein the protective cover is configured so that the storage section of the chamber body can be visually observed from the outside.
(10) The measuring chamber described in any one of (1) to (9), wherein the chamber body is made of polyvinyl chloride.
(11) A liquid treatment device comprising: the metering chamber according to any one of (1) to (10); and a device main body in which the metering chamber is disposed.

According to the present invention, the measuring chamber can be easily attached to the liquid treatment device while preventing damage to the measuring chamber during transportation, etc.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a blood purification device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a measuring device of the blood purification device. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid circuit. A front view of a frame to which a heating panel and a pressing member are attached. A front view of a frame with a heating panel attached. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the metering chamber. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the metering chamber. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the chamber body. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the rear cover. 1 is a front perspective view of the main body chamber attached to the rear cover. FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the front cover. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first engagement mechanism. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a second engagement mechanism. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the A-A cross section of the measuring chamber. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the measuring chamber is attached to a measuring device. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the measuring chamber is attached to a measuring device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the measuring chamber is close to a wall surface of the device main body.

Below, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the positional relationships of the top, bottom, left, right, etc. of the drawings are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. The dimensional ratios of the drawings are not limited to the ratios shown. Furthermore, the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to only those embodiments. Furthermore, various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

<Blood purification device>
1 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a blood purification apparatus 1 as a liquid treatment apparatus equipped with a measuring chamber according to this embodiment. The blood purification apparatus 1 has, for example, an apparatus main body 10, an operation panel 11, a cart 12, a pole 13, a liquid circuit 14, and the like.

The device main body 10 is configured to have various devices, equipment, and components necessary for performing blood processing built in or attachable thereto. For example, the device main body 10 has built in or attachable thereto a group of various clamps 20 that open and close the flow path of the liquid circuit 14, a group of pumps 21 that pump the liquid in the liquid circuit 14, a pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the pressure of the liquid in the liquid circuit 14, and a blood purifier (described below) that purifies the blood. A door 30 is provided on the side of the device main body 10, and the portion exposed when the door 30 is opened serves as an attachment section 33 for attaching a flow path holding device 40 for the liquid circuit 14. A flat heater 31 and a measuring device 32 are provided in the attachment section 33.

The flow path holding device 40 includes, for example, a heating panel 50, a frame 51, a pressing member 52, a measuring chamber 53, and a tube 54. By mounting the flow path holding device 40 to the mounting portion 33 and supplying heat from the heater 31 to the heating panel 50, the liquid flowing through the heating panel 50 can be heated, and the weight of the measuring chamber 53 can be measured by the measuring device 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, the weighing device 32 has a support part 60 that hooks onto and supports the measuring chamber 53 with a protrusion part 520 (described later). The support parts 60 are provided in two places, one on the left side and one on the right side of the weighing device 32. The weighing device 32 is configured to measure the weight of the measuring chamber 53 supported by the support part 60. In addition, a liquid detection sensor 62 for detecting the amount of liquid in a storage part (described later) of the measuring chamber 53 is provided on the wall surface 61 to which the weighing device 32 is fixed. The liquid detection sensor 62 is, for example, a capacitance type sensor, and can detect the presence or absence of liquid by the change in capacitance when the liquid enters an electric field.

The operation panel unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a touch panel, and is capable of inputting various settings for blood processing and displaying the operating status of blood processing. Liquid bags such as dialysis fluid bags and replacement fluid bags, which will be described later, used in blood processing can be hung from the pole unit 13.

<Liquid circuit>
Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid circuit 14 for performing dialysis therapy. In Fig. 3, the protective cover of the metering chamber 53 is omitted in order to explain the flow path of the liquid circuit 14. For example, the liquid circuit 14 has a blood purifier 70, a blood circuit 71, a dialysis fluid supply line 72, a waste fluid line 73, and a replacement fluid line 74. The liquid circuit 14 is detachable from the device main body 10 of the blood purification device 1.

The blood purifier 70 is, for example, a cylindrical membrane module having a hollow fiber membrane as a purification membrane, and can separate unnecessary components from blood.

The blood circuit 71 includes, for example, a blood collection line 90 that connects the blood collection section 80 and the blood purifier 70, and a blood return line 91 that connects the blood purifier 70 and the blood return section 81. The blood collection line 90 and the blood return line 91 are mainly composed of soft tubes. The blood collection line 90 is connected to the inlet of the blood purifier 70, and the blood return line 91 is connected to the outlet of the blood purifier 70.

The blood collection line 90 is provided with, for example, a pressure pump 100. The blood return line 91 is provided with a drip chamber 110 and a pressure sensor.

The dialysis fluid supply line 72 has a dialysis fluid bag 120 and a dialysis fluid flow path 121 that connects the dialysis fluid bag 120 to the dialysis fluid side nozzle of the blood purifier 70. The dialysis fluid flow path 121 is mainly composed of soft polyvinyl chloride tubes, but is also partially composed of the liquid flow path of the heating panel 50 and the liquid flow path of the metering chamber 53, which will be described later. A dialysis fluid pump 122 is provided in the dialysis fluid flow path 121.

The waste liquid line 73 has a waste liquid flow path 130 that connects the dialysis fluid nozzle of the blood purifier 70 to the waste liquid section. The waste liquid flow path 130 is mainly composed of a soft polyvinyl chloride tube, but is also partially composed of the liquid flow path of the metering chamber 53. The waste liquid flow path 130 is provided with, for example, a filtration pump 131.

The fluid replacement line 74 has a fluid replacement bag 140 and a fluid replacement flow path 141 that connects the fluid replacement bag 140 and the blood return line 91. The fluid replacement flow path 141 is mainly composed of a soft polyvinyl chloride tube, but is also partially composed of the liquid flow path of the heating panel 50 and the liquid flow path of the metering chamber 53. A fluid replacement pump 142 is provided in the fluid replacement flow path 141.

In the above liquid circuit 14, blood purification processing for dialysis therapy, for example, is performed. For example, in the blood circuit 71, the patient's blood is sent from the blood collection section 80 to the blood side of the purification membrane of the blood purifier 70, and after passing through the blood purifier 70, is returned to the patient from the blood return section 81. At this time, the dialysis fluid is sent to the dialysis fluid side of the purification membrane of the blood purifier 70 through the dialysis fluid supply line 72, and then is discharged through the waste fluid line 73. In the blood purifier 70, unnecessary components in the blood passing through the blood side of the purification membrane flow out through the purification membrane to the dialysis fluid side and are discharged together with the dialysis fluid. Meanwhile, replacement fluid is supplied to the blood circuit 71 through the replacement fluid line 74, and the blood is replenished with specified components.

<Flow path holding device>
3, the flow path holding device 40 holds, for example, at least a part of the liquid circuit 14, i.e., at least a part of the dialysis fluid flow path 121, at least a part of the waste fluid flow path 130, and at least a part of the replacement fluid flow path 141, and is configured to be freely attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 10. Note that the extent to which the flow path holding device 40 holds any of the flow paths of the liquid circuit 14 can be changed as appropriate. The flow path holding device 40 includes, for example, a heating panel 50, a frame-shaped frame 51, a pressing member 52, a measuring chamber 53, and a tube 54 which is a part of the liquid flow path.

Figure 4 is a front view of the frame 51 to which the heating panel 50 and the pressing member 52 are attached. Figure 5 is a front view of the frame 51 to which the heating panel 50 is attached. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the frame 51 has a rectangular plate shape and is made of hard resin, for example, ABS resin. The frame 51 has an opening 160 in the center where the heating panel 50 is placed. The opening 160 has a rectangular shape. The frame 51 has a plurality of fixing parts 161 for fixing the tubes 54. The arrangement and number of the fixing parts 161 are not limited to those in Figures 4 and 5 and can be changed as appropriate.

The upper portion 51a above the opening 160 of the frame 51 is provided with an upper hook portion 170 for engaging the upper portion of the heating panel 50 and the upper portion of the pressing member 52. The upper hook portion 170 is provided in two locations corresponding to both ends of the opening 160 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) Y in the upper portion 51a. In this specification, "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" are based on the position of the flow path holding device 40 when in use as shown in Figures 1 to 5. In addition, the surface of the flow path holding device 40 facing the device main body 10 in Figure 1 is referred to as the "rear surface" and the surface opposite the device main body 10 is referred to as the "front surface".

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lower part 51b below the opening 160 of the frame 51 is provided with a protrusion 180 for engaging the lower part of the heating panel 50. The protrusion 180 is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the opening 160 in the left-right direction Y in the lower part 51b. The protrusion 180 has a rod shape and extends in the front direction in the front-rear direction X perpendicular to the surface direction of the frame 51.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lower portion 51b below the opening 160 of the frame 51 is provided with a lower hook portion 190 for engaging the lower portion of the pressing member 52. The lower hook portion 190 is provided in two locations corresponding to both ends of the opening 160 in the left-right direction Y.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the heating panel 50 has a generally rectangular thin plate shape. The heating panel 50 is made of, for example, polyvinyl chloride, the same material as the tubes 54. The heating panel 50 has a panel main body 250 having a liquid flow path, and an upper frame portion 251 and a lower frame portion 252 for engaging the heating panel 50 with the frame 51.

The panel body 250 is formed in a thin rectangular shape. The panel body 250 has two continuous heating flow paths 262 from the inlet 260 to the outlet 261. The inlet 260 and the outlet 261 are provided on the upper short side of the panel body 250 in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. 5, each heating flow path 262 has a serpentine section 270 extending downward from the inlet 260 while serpentine from left to right, and a straight section 271 that passes straight from the bottom of the serpentine section 270 to the side of the serpentine section 270 and is connected to the outlet 261. The two heating flow paths 262 are arranged side by side on the left and right of the panel body 250. The inlet 260 and the outlet 261 form a connection section for connecting the heating flow path 262 to the tube 54. For example, the tube 54 of the dialysis fluid flow path 121 is connected to the connection of one heating flow path 262, and the tube 54 of the replacement fluid flow path 141 is connected to the connection of the other heating flow path 262. As a result, one heating flow path 262 constitutes a part of the dialysis fluid flow path 121, and the other heating flow path 262 constitutes a part of the replacement fluid flow path 141.

The upper frame portion 251 is provided, for example, on the upper edge portion 50a of the heating panel 50. The upper frame portion 251 is provided on both ends of the upper edge portion 50a of the heating panel 50 in the left-right direction Y. The upper frame portion 251 is formed in a rectangular shape, and a hole 290 is formed in the center thereof to engage with the upper hook portion 170 of the frame 51.

The lower frame portion 252 is provided, for example, on the lower edge portion 50b of the heating panel 50. The lower frame portion 252 is provided in the center of the lower edge portion 50b of the heating panel 50 in the left-right direction Y. The lower frame portion 252 is formed in a rectangular shape, and a hole 291 is formed in the center to engage with the protrusion portion 180 of the frame 51.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pressing member 52 has a generally rectangular thin plate shape. The pressing member 52 is transparent and is made of, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The pressing member 52 has higher flexibility and impact strength at low temperatures than the heating panel 50. The pressing member 52 is larger in area than the heating panel 50 and can cover the entire surface of the heating panel 50.

The retaining member 52 has an upper retaining portion 320 for engaging with the hook portion 170 of the upper portion 51a of the frame 51, and a lower retaining portion 321 for engaging with the hook portion 190 of the lower portion 51b of the frame 51.

The upper and lower locking portions 320 and 321 are formed by rectangular openings.

<Measuring chamber>
1, the measuring chamber 53 is provided in the lower part of the frame 51. The measuring chamber 53 is a chamber for measuring the total amount of dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier 70, the amount of dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier 70, and the amount of replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit 71 in order to manage the amount of water removed from the patient.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the front side of the metering chamber 53, and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear side of the metering chamber 53.

The measuring chamber 53 includes a chamber body 350 and a protective cover 351 that covers the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body 350 to protect the chamber body 350. Note that the protective cover 351 does not need to cover the entire front and rear surfaces of the chamber body 350, but only needs to cover at least a portion of the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body 350.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the chamber body 350 as seen from the front side. As shown in Figure 9, the chamber body 350 is formed in the shape of a thin panel, is transparent, and is made of, for example, polyvinyl chloride, the same material as the tube 54. The chamber body 350 has, for example, an upper rectangular section 350a that is roughly rectangular, and a lower rectangular section 350b that is roughly rectangular and located below the upper rectangular section 350a and larger than the upper rectangular section 350a. Inside the chamber body 350, for example, three storage sections 400, 401, 402, seven inlets and outlets 410-416, and seven flow paths 420-426.

The storage sections 400, 401, 402 are arranged side by side in the lower square section 350b of the chamber body 350. The storage sections 400, 401, 402 have a cylindrical shape that is long in the vertical direction Z. For example, the first storage section 400 is located on the left when the chamber body 350 is viewed from the front side, the second storage section 401 is located in the center, and the third storage section 402 is located on the right.

For example, the first to third entrances 410 to 412 are provided in this order from bottom to top on the left edge of the upper square portion 350a of the chamber body 350, and the fourth entrance 413 is provided, for example, on the upper edge of the upper square portion 350a. The fifth and sixth entrances 414 and 415 are provided in this order from bottom to top on the right edge of the upper square portion 350a, and the seventh entrance 416 is provided, for example, to the right of the fourth entrance 413 on the upper edge of the upper square portion 350a.

The first flow path 420 connects the upper part of the first storage section 400 to the first inlet/outlet 410, the second flow path 421 connects the lower part of the first storage section 400 to the second inlet/outlet 411, and the third flow path 422 connects the lower part of the second storage section 401 to the third inlet/outlet 412. The fourth flow path 423 connects the upper part of the second storage section 401 to the fourth inlet/outlet 413. The fifth flow path 424 connects the lower part of the second storage section 401 to the fifth inlet/outlet 414, and the sixth flow path 425 connects the lower part of the third storage section 402 to the sixth inlet/outlet 415. The seventh flow path 426 connects the upper part of the third storage section 402 to the seventh inlet/outlet 416.

The second flow path 421 and the third flow path 422 pass between the first storage section 400 and the second storage section 401 in the vertical direction Z. The fifth flow path 424 and the sixth flow path 425 pass to the right of the third storage section 402 in the vertical direction Z.

For example, the lower square portion 350b of the chamber body 350 is provided with a hole 440 as a recess that fits with a protrusion 530 of the rear cover 450 described later, which constitutes the positioning mechanism 430. The hole 440 is provided in two places. One hole 440 is provided in a region R1 surrounded by the second storage portion 401, the third storage portion 402, the fourth flow path 423, and the seventh flow path 426, which is close to the second storage portion 401 and the third storage portion 402. The other hole 440 is provided in a region R2 surrounded by the second storage portion 401, the third storage portion 402, and the fifth flow path 424, which is close to the second storage portion 401 and the third storage portion 402. The hole 440 may be a through hole or a bottomed recess formed on the rear side.

The first inlet/outlet 410 and the second inlet/outlet 411 are connected to the tube 54 of the waste fluid flow path 130 of the flow path holding device 40. As a result, the first storage unit 400 functions as a measuring unit that temporarily stores and measures the dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier 70. The third inlet/outlet 412 and the fifth inlet/outlet 414 are connected to the tube 54 of the dialysis fluid flow path 121 of the flow path holding device 40. As a result, the second storage unit 401 functions as a measuring unit that temporarily stores and measures the dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier 70. The sixth inlet/outlet 415 is connected to the tube 54 of the replacement fluid flow path 141 of the flow path holding device 40. As a result, the third storage unit 402 functions as a measuring unit that temporarily stores and measures the replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit 71.

The measuring chamber 53 is weighed by the weighing device 32 of the device main body 10, and by measuring the total weight of the amount of dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier 70, the amount of dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier 70, and the amount of replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit 71, it is possible to grasp the change in the total weight, i.e., the change in the amount of water removed from the patient.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the protective cover 351 has a rear cover 450 that covers the rear surface of the chamber body 350, and a front cover 451 that covers the front surface of the chamber body 350.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rear cover 450 as seen from the front side. As shown in Figure 10, the rear cover 450 is formed in the shape of a thin panel that corresponds to the shape of the chamber body 350. The rear cover 450 is harder and more brittle than the chamber body 350. The rear cover 450 is made of, for example, polypropylene. The rear cover 450 has, for example, an upper square portion 450a that is roughly rectangular, and a lower square portion 450b that is roughly rectangular and located below the upper square portion 450a and larger than the upper square portion 450a.

The lower rectangular portion 450b has three storage sections 460-462 that respectively accommodate the storage sections 400-402 of the chamber body 350. Each of the storage sections 460-462 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape and corresponds to the shape of the storage sections 400-402.

Each storage section 460-462 has, for example, an upper surface 470-472 that covers the rear side of the upper portion of the storage section 400-402, a lower surface 480-482 that covers the rear side of the lower portion of the storage section 400-402, and a side surface 490-492 that covers the side of the rear side of the storage section 400-402.

As shown in Figures 8 and 10, a rectangular window 500 extending vertically is formed on each side surface 490-492, and the liquid detection sensor 62 in the device main body 10 can detect the liquid in the storage sections 400-402 through the window 500.

As shown in FIG. 8, a flat surface 510 is formed on the rear surface (outer surface) of each side surface 490-492. The rear surface of each side surface 490-492 is located closest to the device main body 10 (rearmost) in the measuring chamber 53, and this portion is adjacent to the wall surface 61 when the measuring chamber 53 is installed in the measuring device 32.

As shown in FIG. 10, the lower square portion 450b has protrusions 520 on both sides in the left-right direction Y as installation portions for installing the measuring chamber 53 on the device main body 10. Each protrusion 520 protrudes in a rod shape toward the outside of the lower square portion 450b in the left-right direction Y. Each protrusion 520 has, for example, two protrusions, an upper protrusion 521 and a lower protrusion 522, one above the other.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the lower square portion 450b has a protrusion 530 that fits into the hole 440 of the chamber body 350. Figure 11 shows the rear cover 450 attached to the chamber body 350. The protrusion 530 is provided on the front (inner surface) of the rear cover 450. The protrusions 530 are provided, for example, above and below between the storage portion 461 and the storage portion 462 at positions corresponding to the hole 440 of the chamber body 350. The positioning mechanism 430 that positions the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350 is composed of the protrusion 530 of the rear cover 450 and the hole 440 of the chamber body 350.

The upper square section 450a has a pressing section 540 that presses the chamber body 350 attached to the rear cover 450 from its front side. The pressing sections 540 are provided in two locations near the left and right ends of the upper square section 450a. One pressing section 540 presses the areas near the first to third entrances 410 to 412 from the front side, and the other pressing section 540 presses the areas near the fifth and sixth entrances 414, 415 from the front side.

As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the pressing portion 540 has a first portion 540a that extends forward in the front-rear direction X of the upper square portion 450a, and a second portion 540b that is connected to the tip of the first portion 540a and extends downward in the up-down direction Z from the tip.

Figure 12 is an oblique view of the front cover 451 as seen from the rear. As shown in Figure 12, the front cover 451 is formed in the shape of a thin panel that corresponds to the shape of the chamber body 350. The front cover 451 is harder and more brittle than the chamber body 350. The front cover 451 is made of, for example, polypropylene. The front cover 451 has, for example, a substantially rectangular portion 451a that corresponds to the shape of the lower rectangular portion 350b of the chamber body 350.

The rectangular section 451a has three storage sections 560-562 that respectively house the storage sections 400-402 of the chamber body 350. An opening 570 is formed in the storage sections 560-562, and the user can visually check the amount of liquid in the storage sections 400-402 from the front side through the opening 570.

As shown in FIG. 7, the protective cover 351 has an engagement mechanism 600 that engages the rear cover 450 and the front cover 451. The engagement mechanisms 600 are provided near the four corners of the lower square portion 350b of the chamber body 350. The engagement mechanisms 600 provided at both ends of the upper portion of the lower square portion 350b in the left-right direction Y are referred to as first engagement mechanisms 610, and the engagement mechanisms 600 provided at both ends of the lower portion of the lower square portion 350b in the left-right direction Y are referred to as second engagement mechanisms 611.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first engagement mechanism 610 has, for example, an upper locking portion 630, an upper locked portion 631 that locks with the upper locking portion 630, and an upper regulating portion 632 that prevents the upper locking portion 630 from coming off the upper locked portion 631.

The upper locking portion 630 is provided on the lower rectangular portion 450b of the rear cover 450. The upper locking portion 630 has a first portion 630a that extends forward from the lower rectangular portion 450b, and a claw-shaped second portion 630b that extends from the tip of the first portion 630a and protrudes upward from the tip.

The upper engaging portion 631 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The upper engaging portion 631 has a hole 631a through which the upper engaging portion 630 passes, and a plate portion 631b that is provided above the hole 631a and on which the second portion 630b of the upper engaging portion 630 is hooked.

The upper regulating portion 632 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The upper regulating portion 632 is provided in the hole 631a of the upper engaged portion 631, and has a plate shape that regulates the second portion 630b of the upper engaging portion 630 from moving downward, which is the direction in which the upper engaging portion 630 comes off. The distance between the upper regulating portion 632 and the first portion 630a of the upper engaging portion 630 is smaller than the amount of engagement of the second portion 630b of the upper engaging portion 630 with the upper engaged portion 631, but since the upper regulating portion 632 has a leaf spring shape provided in the hole 631a, it can easily move in the front-rear direction X, and the upper engaging portion 630 and the upper engaged portion 631 can easily engage with each other.

As shown in FIG. 14, the second engagement mechanism 611 has, for example, a lower locking portion 640, a lower locked portion 641 that is locked to the lower locking portion 640, and a lower restricting portion 642 that restricts the lower locking portion 640 from coming off the lower locked portion 641.

The lower locking portion 640 is provided on the lower rectangular portion 450b of the rear cover 450. The lower locking portion 640 has a first portion 640a that extends forward from the lower rectangular portion 450b, and a claw-shaped second portion 640b that extends from the tip of the first portion 640a and protrudes downward from the tip.

The lower engaging portion 641 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The lower engaging portion 641 has a hole 641a through which the lower engaging portion 640 passes, and a plate portion 641b that is provided below the hole 641a and on which the second portion 640b of the lower engaging portion 640 is hooked.

The lower restricting portion 642 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The lower restricting portion 642 is provided in the hole 641a of the lower engaged portion 641, and has a plate shape that restricts the second portion 640b of the lower engaging portion 640 from moving upward, which is the direction in which the lower engaging portion 640 comes off. The distance between the lower restricting portion 642 and the first portion 640a of the lower engaging portion 640 is smaller than the amount of engagement of the second portion 640b of the lower engaging portion 640 with the lower engaged portion 641, but since the lower restricting portion 642 has a leaf spring shape provided in the hole 641a, it can easily move in the front-rear direction X, and the lower engaging portion 640 can easily engage with the lower engaged portion 641.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the protective cover 351 has a correction portion 650 that clamps a portion of the chamber body 350 from the front and rear sides to correct the bending of the chamber body 350.

The correction section 650 has a rear portion 660 provided on the inner surface (front surface) of the rear cover 450, and a front portion 661 provided on the inner surface (rear surface) of the front cover 451.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rear portion 660 extends forward from the lower square portion 450b of the rear cover 450, and has a plate shape with the plate surface facing the left-right direction Y. The rear portion 660 is provided at a position that does not interfere with the storage portions 400-402 and the flow paths 420-426 of the chamber body 350. When viewed from the front, the rear portion 660 has, for example, a first rear portion 670 located between the first storage portion 460 and the second storage portion 461 of the lower square portion 450b, a second rear portion 671 located between the second storage portion 461 and the third storage portion 462, and a third rear portion 672 located to the right of the third storage portion 462. Each of the rear portions 670-672 is provided in a plurality of locations, for example, three locations, aligned vertically. One of the rear portions 670 is provided at a height position corresponding to the upper portion of the storage portion 460-462, one is provided at a height position corresponding to the lower portion of the storage portion 460-462, and the other is provided at a height position corresponding to the center of the storage portion 460-462 in the vertical direction Z. The rear portions 671 and 672 are also provided in three places similar to the rear portion 670.

As shown in FIG. 12, the front portion 661 extends rearward from the square portion 451a of the front cover 451, and has a plate shape with the plate surface facing the left-right direction Y. The front portion 661 is provided at a position corresponding to the rear portion 660, so as not to interfere with the storage portions 400-402 and the flow paths 420-426 of the chamber body 350. When viewed from the rear, the front portion 661 has, for example, a first front portion 680 located between the first storage portion 560 and the second storage portion 561 of the square portion 451a, a second front portion 681 located between the second storage portion 561 and the third storage portion 562, and a third front portion 682 located to the left of the third storage portion 562. Each of the front portions 680-682 is provided in a plurality of positions, for example, three positions, aligned vertically. One of the front portions 680 is provided at a height position corresponding to the upper portions of the storage sections 560 to 562, one at a height position corresponding to the lower portions of the storage sections 560 to 562, and the other at a height position corresponding to the center portions of the storage sections 560 to 562 in the up-down direction Z. The front portions 681 and 682 are also provided in three locations similar to the front portion 680.

As shown in FIG. 15, the rear portion 660 of the rear cover 450 abuts against the rear surface of the chamber body 350, and the front portion 661 of the front cover 451 abuts against the front surface of the chamber body 350, so that the chamber body 350 is sandwiched between the rear portion 660 and the front portion 661, thereby correcting the deflection.

Next, we will explain how to use the measuring chamber 53.

When the measuring chamber 53 is transported or used (when processing liquid), a protective cover 351 is attached to the chamber body 350 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. At this time, a rear cover 450 and a front cover 451 cover both the front and rear sides of the chamber body 350, and the rear cover 450 and the front cover 451 are engaged with each other by an engagement mechanism 600.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the positioning mechanism 430 engages the protrusion 530 of the front cover 451 with the hole 440 of the chamber body 350, positioning the chamber body 350 and the protective cover 351.

As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 15, the chamber body 350 is clamped from the front and rear sides by the straightening portion 650 of the protective cover 351 to correct any deflection.

When in use, the metering chamber 53 is placed in the measuring device 32 of the device main body 10, as shown in Figures 16 and 17. At this time, the protrusion 520 of the protective cover 351 is supported by the support portion 60 of the measuring device 32, and the flat surface 510 of the rear cover 450 is close to the wall surface 61, as shown in Figure 18. When liquid processing begins, the liquid detection sensor 62 detects the amount of liquid in the storage portions 400-402 of the chamber main body 350 through the window 500 of the rear cover 450. The detection results of the liquid amounts in the storage portions 400-402 of the chamber main body 350 are used for flow rate control of the various liquid flow paths of the liquid circuit 14, etc.

According to this embodiment, the measuring chamber 53 is provided with a protective cover 351 that covers the front and rear of the chamber body 350 to protect the chamber body 350, and the protective cover 351 is provided with a protrusion 520 for mounting the measuring chamber 53 on the device body 10 of the blood purification device 1. This makes it possible to easily attach the measuring chamber 53 to the blood purification device 1 while suppressing damage to the measuring chamber 53 during transportation, etc.

The protective cover 351 has a front cover 451 located on the front side of the chamber body 350, a rear cover 450 located on the rear side of the chamber body 350, and an engagement mechanism 600 that engages the front cover 451 and the rear cover 450. This makes it easy to attach the protective cover 351 to the chamber body 350.

The engagement mechanism 600 has locking portions 630, 640 provided on the rear cover 450, locked portions 631, 641 provided on the front cover 451, and restricting portions 632, 642 that restrict the locking portions 630, 640 from coming off the locked portions 631, 641. This makes it possible to prevent the protective cover 351 from coming off, for example, when the measuring chamber 53 is being transported.

The engagement mechanisms 600 are provided near each of the four corners of the lower rectangular portion 350b of the chamber body 350, which more reliably prevents the protective cover 351 from coming off.

The measuring chamber 53 is equipped with a positioning mechanism 430 that positions the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350, so that the position of the chamber body 350 is stable and the liquid detection sensor 62 can accurately detect the liquid in the storage sections 400-402 of the chamber body 350. As a result, the blood purification device 1 can perform processing appropriately.

The positioning mechanism 430 has a protrusion 530 provided on the protective cover 351 and a hole 440 provided on the chamber body 350, and positions the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350 by fitting the protrusion 530 into the hole 440. This allows the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350 to be positioned with a simple configuration that does not take up much space.

The protective cover 351 has a straightening portion 650 that clamps a portion of the chamber body 350 from the front and rear sides to straighten the warp of the chamber body 350. This straightens the warp of the chamber body 350 and stabilizes the position of the chamber body 350, allowing the liquid detection sensor 62 to accurately detect the liquid in the storage portions 400-402 of the chamber body 350.

The protective cover 351 has a flat surface 510 at the portion that abuts against the wall surface 61 of the device main body 10. This shortens the distance between the liquid detection sensor 62 and the storage sections 400-402 of the chamber main body 350. As a result, the liquid detection sensor 62 can detect the liquid in the storage sections 400-402 with high accuracy.

The protective cover 351 is configured with an opening 570 in the front cover 451 so that the storage sections 400-402 of the chamber body 350 can be seen from the outside. This allows the user to see the storage sections 400-402 even with the protective cover 351 in place, and to check, for example, the amount of liquid in the storage sections 400-402.

The chamber body 350 is made of polyvinyl chloride. In this case, the chamber body 350 and the polyvinyl chloride tube 54 can be easily connected by gluing or the like. On the other hand, the strength of the chamber body 350 decreases at low temperatures, but by protecting it with the protective cover 351, damage to the chamber body 350 can be suppressed.

The configuration of the measuring chamber 53 described in the above embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the chamber body 350 and the protective cover 351 are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

The installation portion for installing the protective cover 351 on the device main body 10 does not have to be the protrusion 520. The protrusion 520 may be provided on the front cover 451, or on both the front cover 451 and the rear cover 450.

The protective cover 351 may be configured such that the rear cover 450 and the front cover 451 are integrated with each other, rather than being engaged by the engagement mechanism 600. The configuration of the engagement mechanism 600 is not limited to that of the above embodiment.

For example, the position and number of the engagement mechanism 600 are not limited to those in the above embodiment. The engagement portion of the engagement mechanism 600 may be provided on the front cover 451, and the engaged portion may be provided on the rear cover 450.

The positioning mechanism 430 that positions the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350 does not have to be the convex portion 530 and the hole 440. The correction portion 650 may also have another configuration.

The configuration of the flow path holding device 40 having the measuring chamber 53 described in the above embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the configurations of the heating panel 50, the frame 51, the pressing member 52, and the tube 54 are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

The configuration of the blood purification device 1 in which the measuring chamber 53 is provided is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the blood purification device 1 in the above embodiment performs dialysis therapy, but the present invention can also be applied to other liquid treatment devices that perform plasma exchange therapy, leukopheresis therapy, continuous slow hemofiltration therapy, etc.

The present invention is useful in providing a measuring chamber that can be easily attached to a liquid treatment device while minimizing damage during transportation, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Blood purification device 40 Flow path holding device 53 Measuring chamber 350 Chamber body 351 Protective cover 400-402 Storage section 420-426 Flow path 450 Rear cover 451 Front cover 520 Protrusion 600 Engagement mechanism

Claims (11)

A measuring chamber connected to a liquid flow path of the liquid treatment device for measuring a liquid flowing through the liquid flow path,
a chamber body having an internal flow path through which a liquid flows and a storage portion communicating with the internal flow path and storing the liquid;
a protective cover that covers the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body and protects the chamber body;
The protective cover has a mounting portion for mounting the measuring chamber on a device main body of the liquid treatment device. The protective cover is
a front cover located on the front side of the chamber body;
A rear cover located on the rear side of the chamber body;
The metering chamber of claim 1 , further comprising an engagement mechanism for engaging said front cover and said rear cover. The engagement mechanism includes:
a locking portion provided on one of the front cover and the rear cover;
a locking portion provided on the other of the front cover or the rear cover, the other being different from the locking portion;
The measuring chamber according to claim 2 , further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the engaging portion from coming off the engaged portion. The chamber body has a rectangular section in which a plurality of storage sections are arranged side by side,
The measuring chamber according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the engagement mechanisms are provided near four corners of the rectangular portion. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a positioning mechanism for positioning the protective cover and the chamber body. The measuring chamber according to claim 5, wherein the positioning mechanism has a convex portion provided on one of the protective cover or the chamber body, and a concave portion provided on the other of the protective cover or the chamber body that is different from the convex portion, and the protective cover and the chamber body are positioned by the engagement of the convex portion and the concave portion. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protective cover has a straightening portion that clamps a portion of the chamber body from the front side and the rear side to straighten the deflection of the chamber body. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protective cover has a flat surface in a portion adjacent to the main body of the liquid treatment device. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the protective cover is configured so that the reservoir of the chamber body can be seen from the outside. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the chamber body is made of polyvinyl chloride. A metering chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 10;
and an apparatus main body in which the measuring chamber is disposed.

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