JP6478010B2 - Connector device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector device used for aseptically connecting, for example, a tube on a culture tank side and a tube on a medium tank side in each culture site of microorganisms and animal cells and in a pharmaceutical production site. is there.

As a conventional connector device, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1.
The connector device includes a first connector and a second connector having housings that fit together.

  The first connector has a flow path, and a first housing is formed at the end on the second connector side. A first opening facing the second connector side is formed inside the first housing, and the aseptic condition in the first opening is ensured by covering the first opening with a valve.

  On the other hand, the second connector includes a stem having a flow path, and the second housing is fitted to the end of the stem on the first connector side so as to be movable in the axial direction. A second opening facing the first connector side is formed inside the second housing, and the second opening is covered with a valve so that the inside of the second opening is aseptic.

  In this connector device, when the first connector and the second connector are connected to each other, first, the first housing and the second housing are fitted together so that the valves covering the respective openings are brought into close contact with each other. At this time, since the openings of the housings of the first connector and the second connector remain closed by the valve, both the interiors of the first opening and the second opening are kept in a sterile state. The end on the first connector side of the stem located in the second opening of the second housing is also maintained in a sterile state.

  Next, when the stem of the second connector is moved to the first connector side, the end of the stem on the first connector side sequentially breaks through the valve covering the opening of the second housing and the valve covering the opening of the first housing. Thus, the flow passages of the stems of the first connector and the second connector communicate with each other inside the first housing.

  That is, in this connector device, the end of the stem on the first connector side of the second connector is inserted from the opening of the second housing in which the aseptic condition is ensured into the opening of the first housing in which the aseptic condition is also ensured. Since they are moved, the respective flow paths of the first connector and the second connector are connected while the aseptic condition is maintained.

JP 2013-050212 JP

  In the above-described conventional connector device, the first connector and the second connector can be connected aseptically, but can usually be used only once. For example, a culture tank or a chemical tank for a culture tank, etc. When separation and connection of the tanks are assumed multiple times, it is necessary to connect the connector device for the assumed number of times to the culture tank side in advance.

  Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to secure a space for the connector device around the culture tank, as well as incurring a cost increase by connecting a plurality of large connector devices having a complicated structure to the culture tank side. Therefore, solving these problems has been a conventional problem.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-described conventional problems, and can be connected aseptically even when used repeatedly. As a result, cost reduction and space saving around the culture tank can be achieved. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector device that can realize the above.

1st aspect of this invention is equipped with the one connector and the other connector which have the fitting part connected by fitting mutually, The said fitting part of the said one connector and the said connector of the other connector A connector device that connects the flow paths of the one connector and the other connector by fitting the portions together, the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting of the other connector Each joint part has heat resistance, and includes heating means for heating the fitting part of the one connector and the fitting part of the other connector, and the one connector and the other connector are respectively A valve capable of closing and opening the flow path is provided adjacent to the fitting portion, and the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portion of the other connector are connected to the heating means. The gripping portion which serves as a handle that avoids heat the fitting portion of the valve respectively installed on the opposite side at the stage of heating the fitting, the valve comprises a ball having a flow hole in the center, the A ball having a lever attached to the ball in accordance with the direction of the circulation hole of the ball, and the flow path being opened by moving the lever along the flow path by rotating the lever. It is the Bendea Ru configuration.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the fitting portion of one of the one connector and the other connector is formed as a female fitting portion, and the one connector and the other connector are The fitting part of the other connector is formed as a male fitting part so that a syringe can be directly fitted into the female fitting part.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, the heating means is a burner that covers the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portion of the other connector.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the heating means is a sheet-like heater that wraps and heats the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portion of the other connector. 5th aspect WHEREIN: The said heating means is a heating wire arrange | positioned at the fitting part of at least any one of the said fitting part of the said one connector, and the said fitting part of the said other connector. The heating wire is energized at the stage of fitting the fitting portions of the one connector and the other connector.

  The sixth aspect of the present invention is configured to include a lock mechanism that maintains a fitting state between the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portions of the other connector.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to always connect aseptically even when used repeatedly, for example, when separation and connection of tanks such as a medium tank and a chemical tank to a culture tank are assumed a plurality of times. In addition, it is possible to achieve a very excellent effect that it is possible to realize cost reduction and space saving around the culture tank.

It is sectional explanatory drawing (a) before the connection of the female connector and male connector which show one Example of the connector apparatus which concerns on this invention, and partial sectional explanatory drawing (b) after both connectors are mutually connected. It is a partial side surface explanatory view in the state where each fitting part of the female connector before the connection which shows other examples of the connector device concerning the present invention, and a male connector is heated with a sheet-like heater. It is partial side explanatory drawing before the connection of the female connector and male connector which show further another Example of the connector apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view (a) before connection of a female connector and a male connector showing still another embodiment of the connector device according to the present invention, and a partial cross-sectional explanatory view (b) after both connectors are connected to each other. . It is a fragmentary sectional view explanatory drawing (a) and (b) which shows one reference example of the connector apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10 is a partial side view (a) and (b) of the female connector showing another configuration example of the gripping portion in the connector device of FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), this connector device 1 is a connector device used for aseptically connecting, for example, a tube on a culture tank side and a tube on a medium tank side. Female connector 2, male connector 4 as the other connector, and burner 6 as heating means. Each of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 is made of a material having heat resistance, is not deformed by heating at about 200 °, and does not affect the culture, for example, SUS or aluminum. It is made up.

  The female connector 2 includes a stem 21 having a flow path 21a. One end portion (right end portion in the drawing) of the stem 21 is formed as a funnel-like end portion (female fitting portion) 21b, and a syringe (not shown) can be directly connected to the funnel-like end portion 21b. It can be done. The other end is formed as a tube connecting portion 21c with a ratchet lock function, and for example, a tube on the culture tank side (not shown) is connected. In addition, this tube connection part 21c is not limited to the shape of the example of illustration, You may comprise the shape which is directly connected to a culture tank.

  A ball valve 22 is disposed at the central portion 21 d of the stem 21. This ball valve 22 opens the flow path 21a in the closed state by causing the flow hole 24a at the center of the ball 24 to follow the flow path 21a by turning the lever 23 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Yes. At this time, the lever 23 is attached to the ball 24 according to the direction of the flow hole 24a of the ball 24, so that the direction of the flow hole 24a (opening / closing state of the flow path 21a) can be easily recognized.

  Further, a thin cylindrical body (gripping portion) 25 having a bottom portion 26 is disposed coaxially with the stem 21 in a portion away from the funnel-shaped end portion 21b in the central portion 21d of the stem 21, that is, in the vicinity of the tube connecting portion 21c. It is. Thus, since the peripheral wall portion of the cylindrical body 25 is also away from the stem 21, when the funnel-shaped end 21 b is heated when the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 described later are connected to each other, the funnel-shaped end portion Heat from 21b is difficult to be transmitted, and it functions as a handle that avoids heat.

  On the other hand, the male connector 4 includes a stem 41 having a flow path 41a. One end portion (left end portion in the figure) of the stem 41 is formed as a pointed end portion (male fitting portion) 41b. The other end of the stem 41 is formed as a tube connecting portion 41c with a ratchet lock function, and for example, a tube on the medium tank side (not shown) is connected. In addition, this tube connection part 41c is not limited to the shape of the example of illustration, You may comprise the shape which is directly connected to a culture medium tank.

  A ball valve 42 is disposed at the central portion 41 d of the stem 41. The ball valve 42 opens the channel 41a in the closed state by causing the circulation hole 44a at the center of the ball 44 to follow the channel 41a by the rotation operation of the lever 43 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Yes. Also at this time, by attaching the lever 43 to the ball 44 in accordance with the direction of the flow hole 44a of the ball 44, the direction of the flow hole 44a (opening / closing state of the flow path 41a) can be easily recognized. .

  In addition, a thin cylindrical body (gripping portion) 45 having a bottom 47 is coaxial with the stem 41 at a portion of the center portion 41d of the stem 41 away from the pointed end portion 41b, that is, in the vicinity of the tube connecting portion 41c. It is arranged. Since the peripheral wall portion of the cylindrical body 45 is also away from the stem 41, when the pointed end 41b is heated when the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 described later are connected to each other, the pointed end 41b is not heated. It is difficult for the heat to be transmitted, and it functions as a handle that avoids that much heat.

  In the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, when the female connector 2 connected to the culture tank side tube and the male connector 4 connected to the medium tank side tube are connected, the female connector 2 and the male connector 2 are connected. After confirming that the flow paths 21a and 41a are closed by the positions of the levers 23 and 43 in the ball valves 22 and 42 of the mold connector 4, the female connector 2 and the male The connector 4 is sterilized.

  At this time, as long as each of the flow paths 21a and 41a of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 is closed by the ball valves 22 and 42, all the routes to the culture tank and the medium tank are sealed. Is secured.

  Next, the respective cylindrical bodies 25 and 45 of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 are held, and the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2 and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4 are connected to the flame of the burner 6. The two end portions 21b and 41b are fitted to each other while being heated with F. Prior to heating by the flame F of the burner 6, for example, 70% ethanol may be sprayed on both ends 21b and 41b as necessary.

  At this time, the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2 and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4 are not deformed by heating at about 200 °, so that the funnel-shaped end portion 21b is heated by the flame F of the burner 6. And the pointed end portion 41b is sterilized. In addition, since each cylindrical body 25, 45 functions as a handle that avoids heat, the respective cylindrical bodies 25, 45 are held by the funnel-shaped end portion 21b, If the pointed ends 41b are fitted so as to be pressed against each other, a connection is made while ensuring sterility.

  Then, by rotating the levers 23 and 43 of the ball valves 22 and 42 in the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 in the direction indicated by the arrows, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the flow holes 24a and 44a are opened. When the flow paths 21a and 41a are opened along the flow paths 21a and 41a, the flow paths 21a and 41a of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 communicate with each other.

  On the other hand, in this connector device 1, when separating the female connector 2 connected to the tube on the culture tank side and the male connector 4 connected to the tube on the medium tank side, the female connector 2 and the male connector 2 are separated. By rotating the levers 23 and 43 of the ball valves 22 and 42 in the mold connector 4 in the direction opposite to the illustrated arrow direction, the flow holes 24a and 44a intersect the flow paths 21a and 41a, respectively. 21a and 41a are closed.

  In this state, since the flow paths 21a and 41a of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 are blocked from each other, the funnel-shaped end portion 21b and the pointed end portion 41b are held with the cylindrical bodies 25 and 45, respectively. Are separated from each other, the female connector 2 connected to the tube on the culture tank side and the male connector 4 connected to the tube on the medium tank side can be separated.

  Here, for example, when the male connector 4 of another connector device 1 connected to the tube on the chemical solution tank side is connected to the female connector 2 connected to the tube on the culture tank side, Similarly to the connection, after confirming that the flow paths 21a and 41a of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 are closed, the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 are sterilized by an autoclave.

  Also in this case, as long as the flow paths 21a and 41a of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 are closed by the ball valves 22 and 42, all the routes to the culture tank and the chemical solution tank are sealed. State is secured.

  Next, the respective cylindrical bodies 25 and 45 of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 are held, and the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2 and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4 are connected to the flame of the burner 6. The two end portions 21b and 41b are fitted to each other while being heated with F. Also in this case, prior to heating by the flame F of the burner 6, for example, 70% ethanol may be sprayed on both ends 21b and 41b as necessary.

  At this time, since the funnel-shaped end portion 21b and the pointed end portion 41b are sterilized by heating with the flame F of the burner 6, each cylindrical body 25, 45 functioning as a handle that avoids heat is held. By fitting the funnel-shaped end portion 21b and the pointed end portion 41b so as to press each other, a connection is ensured while ensuring sterility, and in the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 When the flow paths 21a and 41a are opened by rotating the levers 23 and 43 of the ball valves 22 and 42 in the direction indicated by the arrows, the flow paths 21a and 41a of the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 communicate with each other. It becomes.

  As described above, in this connector device 1, sterility is ensured by heating the funnel-shaped end 21 b of the female connector 2 and the pointed end 41 b of the male connector 4 with the flame F of the burner 6. Therefore, the female connector 2 and the male connector 4 can be connected aseptically even when used repeatedly.

  That is, for example, even when separation and connection of tanks such as a medium tank and a chemical tank to the culture tank are assumed multiple times, the connector device 1 is connected to the culture tank side in advance for the expected number of times. Therefore, the cost can be reduced and the space around the culture tank can be saved by the minimum required number of connector devices 1 to be used.

  Moreover, in this connector apparatus 1, since the syringe can be directly fitted to the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2, for example, the chemical solution can be directly injected from the syringe to the female connector 2 side. It will be.

  Further, in this connector device 1, the ball valves 22 and 42 as valves are arranged on the stems 21 and 41, and the levers 23 and 43 are attached to the balls 24 and 44 in accordance with the direction of the flow holes 24a and 44a. Therefore, since the structure is simple, the operation is easy and the open / closed state of the flow paths 21a and 41a can be easily recognized.

  FIG. 2 shows a connector device according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector device 1A includes a sheet-like heater 7 as heating means, and the other configuration is the same as the connector device 1 according to the previous embodiment. In this case, the sheet-like heater 7 includes a heater body 7a, a power source 7b, and a switch 7c. The funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2A and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4A are provided. Both ends 21b and 41b are heated by enclosing the heater body 7a and turning on the switch 7c.

  In this connector device 1A, since it is not necessary to use the flame F of the burner 6 to heat the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2A and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4A, the safety is improved. Will be illustrated.

  FIG. 3 shows a connector device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector device 1B includes a heating wire 8 as a heating means wound around the outer peripheral surface of the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2B via an insulating coating. In this connector device 1B, when the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2B and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4B are fitted to each other, they are arranged on the terminal 8a of the heating wire 8 and the male connector 4B side. By connecting the terminals 18a of the lead wires 18 to each other, the heating wires 8 are energized from the power source 8b.

  In this connector device 1B, it is not necessary to use the flame F of the burner 6 to heat the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2B and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4B. In addition, since the heating wire 8 as the heating means is integrally provided at the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2B, the convenience is further improved.

  FIG. 4 shows a connector device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The connector device 1C includes a lock mechanism. As shown in FIG. 4A, this locking mechanism is a rotating cylinder that is arranged so as to surround the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4C and is rotatably supported by an annular groove 41e formed in the stem 41. 46, a female thread portion 46f formed on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating cylinder 46, and an outwardly-circular ring formed on the peripheral edge portion of the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2C and meshing with the female thread portion 46f on the male connector 4C side. Convex part 21f is provided.

  In this connector device 1C, when the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2C and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4C are fitted to each other, the outward annular shape of the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2C When the convex portion 21f is engaged with the female screw portion 46f on the male connector 4C side and the rotating cylinder 46 is rotated around the annular groove 41e of the stem 41, as shown in FIG. 4B, the female connector 2C and the male connector are connected. Since the mutual axial movement of the connector 4C is restricted, the fitting state between the funnel-shaped end portion 21b of the female connector 2C and the pointed end portion 41b of the male connector 4C is maintained. Occurrence of a situation where both the connectors 2C and 4C are unexpectedly separated is avoided.

As a reference example of the connector device according to the present invention, for example, a slide valve 22A shown in FIG. 5A is adopted as a valve capable of closing and opening the flow path 21a, or a butterfly valve 22B shown in FIG. 5B. Can be adopted.

  The slide valve 22A shown in FIG. 5A includes a slide pin 24A having a flow hole 24b that penetrates in the radial direction, and the slide pin 24A is radial with respect to the stem 21 until it is regulated by the stopper 24c. The flow path 21a is opened by moving the flow hole 24b along the flow path 21a.

  On the other hand, the butterfly valve 22B shown in FIG. 5 (b) includes a valve body 24B having the same diameter as the flow path 21a, and the valve body 24B is moved along the flow path 21a by rotating the lever 23B. The flow path 21a is opened.

  Further, as another configuration of the connector device according to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a cylindrical body 25A facing the opposite direction to the thin cylindrical body 25 having the bottom portion 26 is employed as the gripping portion. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, a gripping lever 25B attached to the stem 21 via a ring 27 can be employed as a gripping portion.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C Connector device 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Female connector (one connector)
4,4A, 4B, 4C Male connector (the other connector)
6 Burner (heating means)
7 Sheet heater (heating means)
8 Heating wire (heating means)
21a, 41a Channel 21b Funnel-shaped end (female-type fitting part)
21f Outward convex ring (lock mechanism)
22, 42 Ball valve
23 , 43 Ball valve levers 24a, 44a Ball valve flow holes 25, 25A, 45 Cylindrical body (gripping part)
25B Grip lever (gripping part)
41b Pointed end (male fitting)
46 Rotating cylinder (locking mechanism)
46f Female thread (locking mechanism)

Claims (6)

By providing one connector having a fitting portion and the other connector connected by fitting each other, by fitting the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portions of the other connector, A connector device for communicating the flow paths of the one connector and the other connector respectively,
Both the fitting part of the one connector and the fitting part of the other connector have heat resistance,
Heating means for heating the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portion of the other connector;
In the one connector and the other connector, valves capable of closing and opening the respective flow paths are respectively installed adjacent to the fitting portions, and the fitting portion and the other of the one connector are provided. A gripping part that functions as a handle that avoids heat at the stage of heating and fitting the fitting part of the connector is installed on the opposite side of the fitting part of the valve ,
The valve includes a ball having a circulation hole in the center and a lever attached to the ball in accordance with the direction of the circulation hole of the ball, and the lever is moved along the flow path by rotating the lever. ball valve der Ru connector device in a state in which flow path is opened by causing.   The fitting portion of any one of the one connector and the other connector is formed as a female fitting portion, and the fitting of either one of the one connector and the other connector is performed. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein a joint portion is formed as a male fitting portion, and a syringe can be directly fitted into the female fitting portion.   The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a burner that covers the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portion of the other connector.   The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit is a sheet-like heater that wraps and heats the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portion of the other connector.   The heating means is a heating wire disposed in a fitting portion of at least one of the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portion of the other connector, and the one connector and 3. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the heating wire is energized at a stage of fitting the fitting portions of the other connector.   The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a lock mechanism that maintains a fitting state between the fitting portion of the one connector and the fitting portions of the other connector.

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