JP6946883B2 - Male connector with adapter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an adapter used by being attached to a male connector. The present invention also relates to a male connector with an adapter.

In hemodialysis, hemofiltration, cardiac surgery, etc., an extracorporeal circulation circuit that circulates blood derived from a patient outside the body is constructed. In the extracorporeal circulation circuit, a connecting portion consisting of a male connector and a female connector is used to connect a tube through which blood flows.

In order to prevent the male connector and the female connector from being unintentionally separated during blood circulation, a locking mechanism for maintaining the connection state between the male connector and the female connector is used at the connecting portion. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe a lever lock type male connector. The male connector comprises a male member and an elastically swingable lock lever. A claw is provided at the tip of the lock lever. By engaging (locking) the claw with the female connector while the male member is inserted into the female connector, the connection state between the male connector and the female connector is maintained.

Further, the male connector and the female connector are provided with a mechanism that prevents blood from leaking to the outside even if the male connector and the female connector are unintentionally separated. Patent Documents 4 and 5 describe a cover attached to a male member as a mechanism on the male connector side. The cover is made of an elastic material such as rubber. A linear slit (notch) is formed on the top of the cover. In the initial state in which the male connector is not connected to the female connector, the male member is housed in the cover, and the opening on the tip end side of the flow path provided in the male member is covered with the cover. When the male connector is connected to the female connector, the cover is compressed and deformed in the longitudinal direction of the male member, and the tip of the male member penetrates the slit of the cover and is inserted into the female connector. The male member and the female connector communicate with each other, and blood can flow between them. In this state, if the male connector is unintentionally separated from the female connector, the cover immediately returns to the initial state due to its own restoring force, and the cover covers the opening of the male member. Therefore, blood does not leak out of the cover from the male member.

By the way, prior to circulating blood in the extracorporeal circulation circuit, a liquid (for example, physiological saline, hereinafter referred to as "priming solution") was introduced into the flow path constituting the circuit and existed in the flow path. A work called "priming" is performed to expel air to the outside world. This is because if blood circulation is started in the presence of air in the extracorporeal circulation circuit, air may flow into the patient's blood vessels, causing serious health damage. The priming operation is performed before forming the extracorporeal circulation circuit, that is, in a state where the male connector and the female connector constituting the connecting portion are separated in order to prevent air from flowing into the patient.

However, when the male member is provided with the above cover, the cover covers the opening on the tip end side of the male member in the initial state before the male connector is connected to the female connector. In this state, it is difficult to introduce the priming liquid into the flow path of the male member.

Patent Document 7 describes an adapter suitable for introducing a priming liquid into a lever-lock type male connector with a cover.

The adapter is provided with a through hole along its central axis. The outer peripheral surface of the adapter is provided with a first protrusion and a second protrusion from the tip end side to the base end side of the adapter. The first and second protrusions are both annular protrusions that are continuous in the circumferential direction. The adapter can be connected to the male connector at a first position where the claw of the male connector is engaged with the first protrusion and a second position where the claw of the male connector is engaged with the second protrusion. When the adapter is in the first position, the cover of the male connector is substantially uncompressed and remains in its initial state. When the adapter in the first position is pushed against the male connector, the adapter moves to the second position. When the adapter is in the second position, the adapter compresses and deforms the cover, and the flow path of the male member communicates with the through hole of the adapter. The male connector is stored with the adapter connected in the first position. Immediately before performing the priming operation, the adapter is moved to the second position. As a result, the priming liquid can be introduced into the flow path of the male member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-000483 International Publication No. 2013/154050 Pamphlet Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-0736664 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-254142 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-165830 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-252165 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-209480

When the priming operation is complete, the adapter is detached from the male connector. Separation of the adapter from the male connector requires operating the lock lever to disengage the claw from the adapter, similar to separating the female connector from the male connector.

However, the operator may mistakenly think that the adapter and the male connector are screwed and rotate the adapter with respect to the male connector, which is an erroneous operation. When the adapter in the second position is rotated many times, the cover compressed and deformed by the adapter is twisted by the adapter, and the cover may fall off from the male connector or the cover may be damaged.

An object of the present invention is to prevent the cover from falling off or being damaged by limiting the excessive rotation of the adapter with respect to the male connector.

The male connector with an adapter of the present invention includes a male connector and an adapter that can be attached to and detached from the male connector. The male connector includes a rod-shaped male member having a flow path, a lock lever arranged to face the male member, a claw protruding from the lock lever toward the male member, and the male member. It is equipped with a cover for storing. The lock lever can elastically swing so that the claw separates from the male member. The cover can be elastically compressively deformed along the longitudinal direction of the male member. The cover is configured such that the tip of the male member protrudes from the cover when the cover is compressed and deformed. The adapter comprises a first end and a second end. The adapter is provided with a through hole that penetrates the adapter and allows the first end portion and the second end portion to communicate with each other. The first end portion includes a hollow cylindrical portion provided with the through hole. On the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion, a first protrusion, a second protrusion on the base end side of the tubular portion with respect to the first protrusion, and a base end side of the tubular portion with respect to the second protrusion. A third protrusion is provided. The adapter is connected to the male connector at a first position where the claw of the male connector is engaged with the first protrusion and a second position where the claw of the male connector is engaged with the second protrusion. can do. When the adapter is connected to the male connector in the first position, the flow path of the male member is sealed by the cover. When the adapter is connected to the male connector at the second position, the adapter compresses and deforms the cover, and the flow path of the male member communicates with the through hole of the adapter. The third protrusion is formed by the rotation of the adapter with respect to the male connector in a state where the adapter is connected to the male connector at the second position, and the third protrusion colliding with the claw in the circumferential direction. Restrict.

According to the present invention, the rotation of the adapter in the second position with respect to the male connector is restricted by the third projection colliding with the claw in the circumferential direction. Since excessive rotation of the adapter with respect to the male connector is restricted, it is possible to prevent the cover from falling off or being damaged.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a male connector suitable for the adapter of the present invention as viewed from above. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the male connector shown in FIG. 1A along one surface including the central axis. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the male connector shown in FIG. 1A along another surface including the central axis. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a front view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D is a side view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention immediately before connecting to a male connector. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is attached to a male connector at a first position. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the adapter and the male connector shown in FIG. 4A along one surface including the central axis. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the adapter and male connector shown in FIG. 4A along another surface including the central axis. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is attached to a male connector at a second position. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the adapter and the male connector shown in FIG. 5A along one surface including the central axis. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the adapter and male connector shown in FIG. 5A along another surface including the central axis. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is attached to a male connector at a second position by matching the circumferential positions of the third protrusion and the claw, along one surface including a central axis. Is.

In the above adapter of the present invention, the third protrusion may be connected to the second protrusion. According to such a configuration, the third protrusion can be surely collided with the claw engaged with the second protrusion in the circumferential direction.

The third protrusion may be retracted radially inward from the second protrusion in the vicinity of the second protrusion. According to such a configuration, the claw can always be engaged with the second protrusion regardless of the position of the adapter in the rotational direction with respect to the male connector. This makes the work of moving the adapter from the first position to the second position quick and easy, which is advantageous for efficiently performing the priming work.

The claw may be able to engage with the second protrusion while the claw is in contact with the third protrusion in the radial direction. According to such a configuration, the claw can always be engaged with the second protrusion regardless of the position of the adapter in the rotational direction with respect to the male connector. This makes the work of moving the adapter from the first position to the second position quick and easy, which is advantageous for efficiently performing the priming work.

The third protrusion may limit the adapter from rotating one or more revolutions with respect to the male connector while the adapter is connected to the male connector at the second position. Such a configuration is advantageous in preventing the cover from falling off or being damaged because the adapter in the second position cannot be rotated many times with respect to the male connector.

The third protrusion may be a rib extending parallel to the central axis of the adapter. This is advantageous in simplifying the configuration of the third projection and facilitating the manufacture of the adapter.

The male connector may further include a tubular hood that surrounds the male member. When the adapter is connected to the male connector in the second position, the third protrusion may abut or approach in the radial direction with respect to the edge defining the opening at the tip of the hood. According to such a configuration, the inclination of the adapter in the second position with respect to the male connector can be suppressed. This is advantageous in preventing the priming liquid from leaking from between the adapter and the cover during priming.

The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be annular protrusions that are continuous in the circumferential direction. According to such a configuration, the claws of the male connector can be engaged with the first protrusion and the second protrusion regardless of the position of the adapter in the rotational direction with respect to the male connector.

The second end of the adapter may be configured symmetrically with the first end. According to such a configuration, the two male connectors can be connected at the first position and the second position via the adapter. Therefore, the priming liquid can be introduced into the two male connectors at the same time.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to suitable embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For convenience of explanation, each figure referred to in the following description is a simplified representation of the main members constituting the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention may include any member not shown in each of the following figures. Further, within the scope of the present invention, each member shown in each of the following figures may be changed or omitted.

1. 1. Male Connector An example of a male connector to which the adapter of the present invention can be attached and detached will be described. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the male connector 100 as viewed from above. 1B and 1C are cross-sectional perspective views of the male connector 100. The cross section of FIG. 1B and the cross section of FIG. 1C are orthogonal to each other at the central axis (not shown) of the male connector 100. The male connector 100 includes a connector main body 101 and a cover 140.

The connector main body 101 includes a male lure 110 as a male member. The Osurua 110 is a rod-shaped member that extends straight. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the male lure 110 is a tapered surface (conical surface) whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip 110a of the male lure 110. However, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the male lure 110 is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily selected. For example, the outer peripheral surface of the male lure 110 may be a cylindrical surface whose outer diameter is constant from the base end 113 to the tip 110a of the male lure 110. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface of the male lure 110 may be composed of a combination of a tapered surface and a cylindrical surface or an arbitrary curved surface.

For the convenience of the following description, the longitudinal direction of the male lure 110 is referred to as "vertical direction", and the direction parallel to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the male lure 110 is referred to as "horizontal direction". "Top" and "bottom" are defined based on FIGS. 1A-1C. However, the "vertical direction" and the "horizontal direction" do not mean the orientation of the male connector 100 in actual use. Further, the direction of a straight line orthogonal to the central axis of the male lure 110 is referred to as "radial direction", and in the radial direction, the side closer to the central axis is referred to as "inside" and the side far from the central axis is referred to as "outside".

A flow path 111 is formed in the male lure 110 along the longitudinal direction of the male lure 110. The flow path 111 does not open to the tip 110a of the male lure 110. Two lateral holes 112 communicating with the flow path 111 are formed at a position near the tip 110a on the outer peripheral surface of the Osurua 110. Each lateral hole 112 penetrates the male lure 110 in the radial direction of the male lure 110 and opens on the outer peripheral surface of the male lure 110. The number of lateral holes 112 does not have to be two, and may be one or three or more.

The base 115 projects outward from the base end 113 of the Osulur 110. The base 115 is a plate-shaped member.

The tubular portion 117 projects downward from the base 115. The tubular portion 117 has a substantially cylindrical shape coaxial with the male lure 110, and a flow path communicating with the flow path 111 of the male lure 110 is formed. The inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 117 is a female tapered surface (for example, a 6% tapered surface) whose inner diameter increases as the distance from the base 115 increases. A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 117. A flexible tube constituting an extracorporeal circulation circuit may be connected to the tubular portion 117 directly or indirectly via some connector. In the present invention, the configuration of the tubular portion 117 is not limited to the present embodiment. The tubular portion 117 may have any configuration capable of connecting the tubes directly or indirectly.

The hood 120 is erected on the same side as the male lure 110 from the outer edge of the base 115. The hood 120 has a hollow tubular shape that surrounds the male lure 110. The hood 120 has an upwardly facing opening 121. The edge of the tip of the hood 120 that defines the opening 121 is circular, coaxial with the male lure 110. The tip of the hood 120 is located higher than the tip 110a of the male lure 110.

A pair of notches 123 are provided on the side wall of the hood 120. The notch 123 is a hole (opening) that penetrates the hood 120 in the radial direction (horizontal direction). The pair of notches 123 face each other with the male lure 110 in between. The notch 123 does not reach the tip of the hood 120.

A pair of lock levers (hereinafter, simply referred to as "lever") 130 face each other with the male lure 110 in between. The lever 130 is a strip-shaped (or rod-shaped) member extending substantially parallel to the male lure 110. The lever 130 is connected to the outer edge of the base 115. The lever 130 includes a locking portion 131 arranged on the same side (upper side) as the male lure 110 with respect to the base 115, and an operating portion 135 arranged on the opposite side (lower side) of the male lure 110 with respect to the base 115. To be equipped. The locking portion 131 faces the male lure 110, and the operating portion 135 faces the cylindrical portion 117.

The locking portion 131 is arranged in the notch 123 formed in the hood 120. In other words, the locking portion 131 is surrounded by an inverted "U" -shaped slit-shaped notch 123 that penetrates the hood 120 in the radial direction.

The claw 132 projects toward the male lure 110 from the surface (inner side surface) of the locking portion 131 facing the male lure 110. The claw 132 is provided with an inclined surface 132a on the upper side (opposite to the base 115) with respect to the top of the claw 132 (the portion of the claw 132 closest to the male lure 110). The inclined surface 132a is inclined so as to move away from the male lure 110 as the distance from the base 115 increases. The distance between the tops of the pair of claws 132 is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 121 of the hood 120.

The lever 130 has a mechanical strength such that the entire portion from the upper end (locking portion 131) to the lower end (operating portion 135) can be regarded as a substantially rigid body. On the other hand, the mechanical strength of the base 115 connecting the base end portion 113 of the male lure 110 and the lever 130 is relatively low. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, when a force F in the radial direction inward (that is, toward the cylindrical portion 117) is applied to the operating portion 135, the base 115 elastically bends and deforms, and the locking portion 131 and the locking portion 131 and the like. The lever 130 can be swung (or rotated) so that the claw 132 formed on the surface is separated from the male lure 110 (in the direction of arrow A).

When the male connector 100 is connected to the female connector (not shown), the claw 132 engages the female connector. The lever 130 functions as a "lever-type lock mechanism" that maintains a state in which the male connector 100 and the female connector are connected. The male connector 100 is a lever lock type male connector.

The connector body 101 is preferably made of a hard material. Specifically, resin materials such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamide, polypropylene, and rigid polyvinyl chloride can be used. The connector main body 101 can be integrally manufactured as a single component by an injection molding method or the like using such a resin material.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the cover 140 as a whole has a substantially tubular shape penetrating in the vertical direction. The cover 140 includes a head 141 and an outer peripheral wall 145.

The cover 140 is integrally molded as a whole using a soft material (so-called elastomer) having rubber elasticity (or flexibility). The material of the cover 140 is not limited, but for example, isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, and the like can be used.

An umbrella-shaped (or mushroom-shaped) convex portion 144 projects upward from the upper surface 143 of the head 141. The upper surface 143 of the head 141 surrounding the convex portion 144 is an annular flat surface parallel to the horizontal direction.

The through hole 142 penetrates the head 141 in the vertical direction. The through hole 142 opens at the center of the convex portion 144. The inner diameter of the through hole 142 is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the male lure 110. In FIGS. 1B and 1C, the lateral hole 112 of the male lure 110 and a portion in the vicinity thereof are inserted into the through hole 142. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 142 is enlarged in diameter by the male lure 110 and is in close contact with the male lure 110. The lateral hole 112 of the Osurua 110 is liquid-tightly closed by the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 142 (see FIG. 1C).

When a vertical compressive force is applied to the cover 140, the outer peripheral wall 145 is elastically compressively deformed so as to shorten its vertical dimension (see FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 6 described later). The outer peripheral wall 145 has an inner diameter larger than that of the through hole 142 of the head 141, so that the outer peripheral wall 145 is radially separated from the male lure 110.

As shown in FIG. 1C, a pair of fixing protrusions 149 project downward from the lower surface of the outer peripheral wall 145. The fixing claw 149a protrudes outward from the outer surface of the fixing protrusion 149. The fixing protrusion 149 is inserted into a hole 116 provided in the base 115 of the connector main body 101. The fixing claw 149a passes through the hole 116 and engages with the lower surface of the base 115.

1A to 1C show a state in which no external force is substantially applied to the lever 130 and the cover 140 is not compressed and deformed in the vertical direction. This state of the male connector 100 is called an "initial state".

The male connector 100 is separably connected to the female connector. The configuration of the female connector is not limited, but preferably includes a self-closing valve body (generally referred to as a "septum"). The valve body is a plate-like material made of a soft material having rubber elasticity, and a linear notch (slit) is formed in the center thereof. When connecting the female connector to the male connector 100, the female connector is inserted into the hood 120 of the male connector 100. The cover 140 is compressed and deformed by the female connector. The male lure 110 protrudes from the cover 140 and is inserted into the notch in the valve body of the female connector so that the male lure 110 and the female connector communicate with each other. The claw 132 engages with the outer peripheral surface of the female connector. In order to separate the male connector 100 from the female connector, the operation unit 135 is displaced inward in the radial direction. The engagement between the claw 132 and the female connector is released. In this state, if the male connector 100 and the female connector are pulled in opposite directions, the male connector 100 and the female connector can be separated. The cover 140 immediately returns to the initial state and closes the lateral hole 112 of the male lure 110. In addition, the valve body of the female connector immediately returns to the initial state and the notch is closed. Therefore, for example, even if the male connector 100 and the female connector are unintentionally separated during blood circulation, the possibility of blood leaking from the male connector 100 and the female connector is low.

The male connector 100 and the female connector form an extracorporeal circulation circuit. Prior to circulating blood in the extracorporeal circulation circuit, it is necessary to introduce a priming liquid into the circuit and perform a priming operation to discharge the air in the circuit to the outside world. The priming operation is performed before connecting the male connector 100 and the female connector. As can be easily understood from FIGS. 1B and 1C, in the initial state where the female connector is not connected, the lateral hole 112 of the male lure 110 of the male connector 100 is closed by the cover 140. Therefore, in this state, the priming liquid cannot be introduced into the flow path 111 of the male lure 110.

By attaching the adapter of the present invention to the male connector 100, it is easy to introduce the priming liquid into the male connector 100. The adapter of the present invention will be described below.

2. Adapter Configuration FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the adapter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the adapter 1, FIG. 2C is a front view of the adapter 1, and FIG. 2D is a side view of the adapter 1. In FIG. 2B, the alternate long and short dash line 1a is the central axis of the adapter 1 connecting the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12. For the convenience of the following description, the direction of the straight line orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as "radial direction" or "radial direction", and the direction of rotation around the central axis 1a is referred to as "circumferential direction". In the radial direction, the side closer to the central axis 1a is referred to as "inside", and the side far from the central axis 1a is referred to as "outside".

The adapter 1 includes a first end portion 11 on one side and a second end portion 12 on the other side with respect to the enlarged diameter portion 15 projecting outward along the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 2B, the adapter 1 is provided with a through hole (flow path) 13 that penetrates the adapter 1 along the central axis 1a. The through hole 13 is opened at the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 of the adapter 1 to allow the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 to communicate with each other. As will be described later, when the adapter 1 is attached to the male connector 100 and the priming work for the male connector 100 is performed, the priming liquid flows through the through hole 13. The adapter 1 is symmetrical with respect to the central diameter-expanded portion 15. That is, the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12 have the same configuration. In the figure referred to in the following description, in order to distinguish the element of the first end portion 11 from the element of the second end portion 12, the code indicating the element of the second end portion 12 is “'” (dash). Is attached. A coded element with a "'" is the same as an element with the same sign without a "'". In order to avoid duplication of description and simplify the description, the first end portion 11 will be described below. The description of the first end 11 applies similarly to the second end 12.

The first end portion 11 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 20 coaxial with the central shaft 1a. The through hole 13 penetrates the inside of the tubular portion 20. A first protrusion 21, a second protrusion 22, a third protrusion 23, and a fourth protrusion 24 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 20. The enlarged diameter portion 15 is provided at the base end 25 of the tubular portion 20.

The first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 are both annular protrusions continuous in the circumferential direction. The first protrusion 21 is arranged on the tip end side of the tubular portion 20, and the second protrusion 22 is arranged on the base end 25 side (diameter-expanded portion 15 side) of the tubular portion 20 with respect to the first protrusion 21. .. The first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 are separated from each other, and an annular groove (recess) continuous in the circumferential direction is formed between the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22. Further, the second protrusion 22 and the enlarged diameter portion 15 are separated from each other, and a groove (recess) extending in the circumferential direction is formed between them. The outer peripheral surface of the first protrusion 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the second protrusion 22 are cylindrical surfaces coaxial with the central axis 1a and having the same radius. The outer diameters of the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 are substantially the same as the outer diameter of the female connector connected to the male connector 100 to which the adapter 1 is mounted.

The outer peripheral surface of the first protrusion 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the second protrusion 22 do not have to be cylindrical surfaces. For example, the cross-sectional shapes of the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 in the cross section including the central axis 1a may be a triangle, an arc, or the like. However, the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 are preferably annular protrusions that are continuous in the circumferential direction. As a result, as will be described later, the claw 132 can be engaged with the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 regardless of the position of the adapter 1 in the rotational direction with respect to the male connector 100.

A tapered surface 22a is formed on the edge of the second protrusion 22 on the first protrusion 21 side. The tapered surface 22a is a conical surface whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the first protrusion 21.

The enlarged diameter portion 15 projects outward along the radial direction from the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22. The outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion 15 is preferably larger than the inner diameter of the opening 121 (see FIG. 1A) at the tip of the hood 120 of the male connector 100. In the present embodiment, the enlarged diameter portion 15 has a substantially disk shape (so-called flange shape), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the substantially disk shape may be divided in the circumferential direction by one or more notches along the radial direction. The shape of the enlarged diameter portion 15 seen along the central axis 1a is circular in the present embodiment, but other shapes such as a substantially elliptical shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, and a hexagonal shape may be used. Further, the enlarged diameter portion 15 may be one or more protrusions (for example, plate-shaped protrusions, rod-shaped protrusions, hemispherical protrusions) protruding outward in the radial direction from the base end 25.

The third protrusion 23 and the fourth protrusion 24 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 20 between the second protrusion 22 and the enlarged diameter portion 15. The third protrusion 23 and the fourth protrusion 24 are both rib-shaped protrusions extending along the central axis 1a. The two third protrusions 23 and the two fourth protrusions 24 are alternately arranged at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the central axis 1a. The third protrusion 23 is connected to both of the second protrusion 22 and the enlarged diameter portion 15 so as to connect them. The fourth protrusion 24 is separated from the second protrusion 22 and is connected to the enlarged diameter portion 15. The outer diameter at the tops of the two third protrusions 23 (the most protruding part outward in the radial direction) and the outer diameter at the tops of the two fourth protrusions 24 (the most protruding part outward in the radial direction) are , The outer diameter of the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 is the same as the outer diameter of the female connector connected to the male connector 100 to which the adapter 1 is mounted. A notch 23a is provided in a portion of the third protrusion 23 connected to the second protrusion 22 so as to recede inward in the radial direction.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the inner peripheral surface defining the through hole 13 of the cylindrical portion 20 is a first region 16 and a second region from the base end 25 side to the tip end side of the cylindrical portion 20. 17, a third region 18 is provided. The first region 16, the second region 17, and the third region 18 are coaxial with the central axis 1a, and the inner diameters increase in this order. The inner diameter of the second region 17 is larger than the outer diameter of the head 141 (see FIG. 1B) of the cover 140. The inner diameter of the first region 16 is smaller than the outer diameter of the head 141 of the cover 140.

In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the first region 16 is a tapered surface (conical surface) whose inner diameter is smaller on the base end 25 side, and the inner peripheral surfaces of the second region 17 and the third region 18 are cylindrical surfaces. .. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the inner peripheral surface of the first region 16 may be a cylindrical surface, and the inner peripheral surface of one or both of the second region 17 and the third region 18 is a tapered surface (conical surface) whose inner diameter is smaller on the base end 25 side. It may be a surface). The inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 20 may have another region having an inner diameter different from that of the first region 16, the second region 17, and the third region 18. Alternatively, one or both of the second region 17 and the third region 18 may be omitted.

A shoulder portion 19 based on the difference in inner diameter between the first region 16 and the second region 17 is formed. The shoulder portion 19 is an annular plane perpendicular to the central axis 1a. An annular rib 19a continuous in the circumferential direction protrudes from the shoulder portion 19 toward the tip end side of the tubular portion 20. The annular rib 19a is a cylindrical protrusion coaxial with the central axis 1a along the inner peripheral side edge of the shoulder portion 19. The annular rib 19a is radially separated from the inner peripheral surface of the second region 17. The inner diameter of the annular rib 19a is larger than the outer diameter of the male lure 110, smaller than the outer diameter of the head 141 (see FIG. 1B) of the cover 140, and is substantially the same as or substantially the same as the outer diameter of the convex portion 144 protruding from the head 141. Slightly larger.

The adapter 1 is preferably made of a hard material. Specifically, resin materials such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamide, polypropylene, and rigid polyvinyl chloride can be used. The adapter 1 can be integrally manufactured as a single component by an injection molding method or the like using such a resin material.

3. 3. How to use the adapter 3.1. Connection of the Adapter to the Male Connector at the First Position The adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 prior to the priming work for the male connector 100. This will be described below.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the first end portion 11 (cylindrical portion 20) of the adapter 1 is made to face the male connector 100. In FIG. 3, the direction of connecting the two fourth protrusions 24 of the adapter 1 coincides with the direction in which the pair of levers 130 of the male connector 100 face each other.

From the state shown in FIG. 3, the first end portion 11 of the adapter 1 is inserted into the hood 120 of the male connector 100 and pushed in. The first protrusion 21 of the adapter 1 comes into contact with the inclined surface 132a (see FIGS. 1B and 1C) of the claw 132 of the lever 130. Further push the adapter 1 into the hood 120. The first protrusion 21 elastically displaces (swings) the lever 130 so that the claw 132 is separated from the male lure 110. When the claw 132 gets over the first protrusion 21, the base 115 of the connector body 101 elastically recovers, and the claw 132 is in the annular groove continuous in the circumferential direction between the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 22 of the adapter 1. Fit into.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing this state. 4B and 4C are cross-sectional views thereof. The cross section of FIG. 4B is the same as the cross section of FIG. 1B, and the cross section of FIG. 4C is the same as the cross section of FIG. 1C.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the claw 132 of the male connector 100 is engaged with the first protrusion 21 of the adapter 1. Therefore, even if the male connector 100 and the adapter 1 are simply pulled in opposite directions, they cannot be separated from each other. However, if a force F (see FIG. 1B) in a direction approaching each other is applied to the pair of operating units 135, the engagement between the claw 132 and the first protrusion 21 is released, and the adapter 1 is separated from the male connector 100. It is possible to do. In the present invention, the position of the adapter 1 connected to the male connector 100 with the claw 132 engaged with the first protrusion 21 with respect to the male connector 100 is referred to as a “first position”.

As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, a portion of the head 141 of the cover 140 is inserted into the second region 17 of the adapter 1. The annular upper surface 143 of the head 141 faces the annular rib 19a in the vertical direction. The cover 140 is separated from or simply in contact with the adapter 1. Therefore, the cover 140 receives substantially no force from the adapter 1. The shape of the cover 140 is substantially the same as the initial state (see FIGS. 1A to 1C). The opening of the lateral hole 112 of the Osurua 110 is closed by the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 142 of the cover 140. The flow path 111 of the Osulur 110 is sealed by the head 141 of the cover 140. Therefore, the flow path 111 of the male lure 110 and the through hole 13 of the adapter 1 do not communicate with each other.

The enlarged diameter portion 15 is separated from the tip of the hood 120 in the vertical direction.

With the adapter 1 connected to the male connector 100 in the first position (see FIGS. 4A to 4C), the adapter 1 and the male connector 100 are sterilized and packaged. This sterilization and packaging can be performed by the manufacturer and distributor of the adapter 1 and the male connector 100. The male connector 100 to which the adapter 1 is connected is delivered and stored in a medical institution such as a hospital in a sterilized package. The sterilization process and packaging are unlimited and may be the same as commonly applied to conventional male connectors.

When the adapter 1 is in the first position, the cover 140 is substantially undeformed and remains in its initial state. Therefore, even if the male connector 100 is stored for a long period of time with the adapter 1 connected at the first position, the elastic restoring force of the outer peripheral wall 145 of the cover 140 does not decrease.

Further, when the adapter 1 is in the first position, the claw 132 is engaged with the first protrusion 21. Therefore, it is unlikely that the male connector 100 and the adapter 1 are separated from each other even if vibration, an external force, or the like is applied during transportation.

3.2. Preparation for priming When forming an extracorporeal circulation circuit in a medical institution, the packaging containing the adapter 1 and the male connector 100 was torn, and the male connector 100 to which the adapter 1 was connected in the first position (FIGS. 4A to 4A). 4C) is taken out.

The male connector 100 is connected to each of the flexible tubes (not shown) constituting the blood removal line and the blood return line of the extracorporeal circulation circuit. That is, the end of the tube is connected to the tubular portion 117 of the male connector 100 directly or indirectly via some connector.

Then, the adapter 1 is pushed toward the male connector 100. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the adapter 1 is in the first position, the tapered surface 22a (see FIG. 2A) provided on the second protrusion 22 of the adapter 1 is the inclined surface 132a of the claw 132 of the lever 130. (See FIG. 1B) facing vertically. Therefore, the tapered surface 22a elastically displaces (swings) the lever 130 so that the claw 132 is separated from the male lure 110. When the claw 132 gets over the second protrusion 22, the base 115 of the connector body 101 elastically recovers, and the claw 132 is placed in a groove extending in the circumferential direction between the second protrusion 22 of the adapter 1 and the enlarged diameter portion 15. Fit in.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing this state. 5B and 5C are cross-sectional views thereof. The cross section of FIG. 5B is the same as the cross section of FIG. 4B, and the cross section of FIG. 5C is the same as the cross section of FIG. 4C.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the claw 132 of the male connector 100 is engaged with the second protrusion 22 of the adapter 1. Therefore, as in the case where the adapter 1 is in the first position, the male connector 100 and the adapter 1 cannot be separated by simply pulling them in opposite directions. In the present invention, the position of the adapter 1 connected to the male connector 100 with the claw 132 engaged with the second protrusion 22 with respect to the male connector 100 is referred to as a “second position”.

As described above, since the tapered surface 22a is formed on the edge of the second protrusion 22 on the first protrusion 21 side, the operator simply pushes the adapter 1 into the male connector 100 to release the claw 132. It is possible to easily shift from the state of being engaged with the first protrusion 21 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) to the state of being engaged with the second protrusion 22 (see FIGS. 5A to 5C).

The fourth protrusion 24 is separated from the second protrusion 22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the claw 132 engages with the second protrusion 22, the claw 132 does not collide with the fourth protrusion 24.

The convex portion 144 of the head 141 of the cover 140 has penetrated into the first region 16 of the adapter 1. The annular rib 19a protruding from the shoulder portion 19 of the adapter 1 abuts on the upper surface 143 of the head 141 and presses the head 141 downward. The head 141 is pushed downward, and the outer peripheral wall 145 of the cover 140 is elastically compressed and deformed in the vertical direction.

The male lure 110 penetrates the head 141 and protrudes above the head 141, and the lateral hole 112 of the male lure 110 is exposed in the first region 16 (see FIG. 5C). Therefore, the flow path 111 of the male lure 110 and the through hole 13 of the adapter 1 communicate with each other.

The annular rib 19a of the adapter 1 and the upper surface 143 of the head 141 of the cover 140 are pressed in the vertical direction to form a liquid-tight seal between them. The contact area between the tip of the annular rib 19a and the upper surface 143 of the head 141 is extremely small, which improves the sealing property between the two.

As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the first to fourth protrusions 21 to 24 of the adapter 1 are inserted into the hood 120 of the male connector 100. The enlarged diameter portion 15 approaches or abuts the tip of the hood 120 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the enlarged diameter portion 15 prevents the adapter 1 from being inserted into the hood 120 deeper than the second position. This is advantageous in preventing the adapter 1 from deforming the cover 140 more than necessary and damaging the cover 140.

3.3. By moving the priming adapter 1 to the second position (see FIGS. 5A to 5C), the lateral hole 112 of the male lure 110 is opened. Therefore, the priming liquid can be introduced into the male connector 100. The method of introducing the priming liquid is arbitrary.

For example, the priming liquid is introduced into the male connector 100 via a tube (not shown) connected to the tubular portion 117. The priming liquid passes through the flow path 111 of the male lure 110 and flows out from the opening on the second end 12 side of the through hole 13 of the adapter 1. When the priming liquid flows into the flow path 111, the air previously existing in the flow path 111 is discharged from the adapter 1 to the outside world. As described above, since a liquid-tight seal is formed between the annular rib 19a of the adapter 1 and the upper surface 143 of the cover 140 (see FIG. 5C), the priming liquid can be discharged from between the annular rib 19a and the upper surface 143. It will not leak.

When the flow path 111 of the osluar 110 is filled with the priming liquid, the tube connected to the tubular portion 117 is crushed with a clamp (not shown) or the like to close the flow path. Then, a force F (see FIG. 1B) in a direction approaching each other is applied to the pair of operating portions 135 of the male connector 100 to rotate the lever 130 and release the engagement between the claw 132 and the second protrusion 22. .. By pulling the male connector 100 and the adapter 1 in a direction away from each other in this state, the adapter 1 can be separated from the male connector 100. When the adapter 1 is separated, the cover 140 immediately expands due to its elastic restoring force and returns to the initial state (see FIGS. 1B and 1C), and the inner peripheral surface of the head 141 is the lateral hole 112 of the male lure 110. Close the opening of. Therefore, the priming liquid that fills the flow path 111 and the lateral hole 112 of the male lure 110 does not leak to the outside world. When the external force on the operation unit 135 is released, the lever 130 elastically returns to the initial state.

Thus, the priming work is completed. The above-mentioned priming operation is performed for each of the blood removal line and the blood return line constituting the extracorporeal circulation circuit.

After that, the male connector 100 is connected to the female connector to form an extracorporeal circulation circuit. The priming work has already been completed for the female connector and the tube connected to the female connector.

The priming method using the adapter 1 is not limited to the above. For example, the adapter 1 has a male connector 100 (first male connector) at its first end 11 and another male connector (second male connector) having substantially the same configuration as the male connector 100 at its second end 12. , Not shown) may be connected at the first position (see FIGS. 4A to 4C), and may be delivered and stored in a medical institution such as a hospital in a sterilized package. Prior to forming the extracorporeal circulation circuit, separate tubes are connected to the first and second male connectors, respectively. For example, the tube constituting the blood removal line of the extracorporeal circulation circuit is connected to the first male connector connected to the first end portion 11, and the extracorporeal circulation circuit is connected to the second male connector connected to the second end portion 12. The tubes that make up the blood return line may be connected. The first male connector is moved to the second position with respect to the first end portion 11, and the second male connector is moved to the second position with respect to the second end portion 12. The first male connector and the second male connector are communicated with each other via the adapter 1. The priming liquid is introduced from the tube connected to the first male connector. The priming liquid passes through the flow path of the male lure of the first male connector, the through hole 13 of the adapter 1, the flow path of the male lure of the second male connector, and the tube connected to the second male connector in this order. The inflow of the priming liquid into these members pushes out the previously existing air. Then, in the same manner as above, the adapter is separated from the first and second male connectors. Next, the first and second male connectors are connected to the female connectors, respectively, to form an extracorporeal circulation circuit. By communicating the two male connectors via the adapter 1 in this way, it is possible to perform priming on the two male connectors at the same time using only one adapter 1. This is advantageous for efficiently performing the priming work on these two male connectors.

4. Action As described above, the adapter 1 of the present embodiment can be connected to the male connector 100 at two positions, the first position and the second position, similarly to the adapter described in Patent Document 7. can. Then, with the adapter 1 connected to the male connector 100 at the second position, the priming liquid can be introduced into the male connector 100.

After priming the male connector 100, when the adapter 1 in the second position is separated from the male connector 100, as described above, the operator states that the adapter 1 and the male connector 100 are screwed together. There is a possibility of erroneous operation of rotating the adapter 1 with respect to the male connector 100 by mistake.

The adapter of Patent Document 7 can rotate many times with respect to the male connector in a state of being connected to the male connector at the second position. The adapter of Patent Document 7 at the second position presses the head of the cover in the central axis direction to compress and deform the cover, as in the present embodiment. Therefore, a frictional force is generated between the adapter and the head of the cover. When the adapter is rotated, the head of the cover receives a rotational force from the adapter. As a result, the cover may be twisted, causing the cover to fall out of the male connector or the cover to be damaged.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the third protrusion 23 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 20 on the base end 25 side (that is, the diameter-expanded portion 15 side) with respect to the second protrusion 22. (See FIG. 2A). When the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 at the second position (see FIGS. 5A to 5C) and the adapter 1 is rotated about the central axis 1a with respect to the male connector 100, the third protrusion 23 is clawed. It collides with 132 in the circumferential direction (that is, in the rotation direction of the adapter 1). Therefore, the rotation of the adapter 1 with respect to the male connector 100 is restricted.

In this embodiment, the male connector 100 has two claws 132, the adapter 1 has two third protrusions 23, and the two claws 132 and the two third protrusions 23 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the central axis 1a, respectively. It is located in. Therefore, the adapter 1 can rotate with respect to the male connector 100 within a range in which the third protrusion 23 does not collide with the claw 132 (an angle range of less than 180 degrees). However, if the adapter 1 is rotated within such a limited angle range, the angle at which the cover 140 is twisted is small, so that the cover 140 may fall off from the male connector 100 or the cover 140 may be damaged. Is unlikely to happen.

As described above, the adapter 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that excessive rotation with respect to the male connector 100 is restricted when the adapter 1 of the present embodiment is connected to the male connector 100 at the second position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover 140 provided on the male connector 100 from falling off or being damaged.

The outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 20 is provided with a fourth protrusion 24 in addition to the third protrusion 23 on the base end 25 side (that is, the diameter-expanded portion 15 side) with respect to the second protrusion 22. (See FIG. 2A). However, since the fourth protrusion 24 is separated from the second protrusion 22, as shown in FIG. 5B, the claw 132 is in a state where the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 at the second position. 4 Does not collide with the protrusion 24. Therefore, unlike the third protrusion 23, the fourth protrusion 24 does not have a function of restricting the rotation of the adapter 1 with respect to the male connector 100.

The third protrusion 23 may be provided so as to collide with the claw 132 engaged with the second protrusion 22 in the circumferential direction when the adapter 1 is rotated with respect to the male connector 100. As in the present embodiment, the fact that the third protrusion 23 is connected (or continuously) to the second protrusion 22 ensures that the third protrusion 23 is connected to the claw 132 engaged with the second protrusion 22 in the circumferential direction. It is advantageous to make it collide with. Of course, if the third protrusion 23 can collide with the claw 132 engaged with the second protrusion 22 in the circumferential direction, the third protrusion 23 may be separated from the second protrusion 22 in the central axis 1a direction. ..

In the above example, the adapter 1 is aligned with respect to the male connector 100 in the rotational direction around the central axis 1a so that the positions of the fourth protrusion 24 and the claw 132 in the circumferential direction match (FIGS. 3 and 3). (See FIGS. 4A to 4C and 5A to 5C), the adapter 1 was connected to the male connector 100 at the second position. However, in the present embodiment, when the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 at the second position, it is not always necessary to align the adapter 1 with respect to the male connector 100 in the rotational direction in this way. For example, the adapter 1 can be connected to the male connector 100 at the second position even if the positions of the third protrusion 23 and the claw 132 in the circumferential direction are the same. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the adapter 1 and the male connector 100 are aligned in this way and the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 at the second position. As described above, the third protrusion 23 is provided with a notch 23a along the second protrusion 22 (see FIG. 2B). Since the claw 132 fits into the notch 23a, the claw 132 can be engaged with the second protrusion 22. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 6 with FIG. 5B, the claw 132 (see FIG. 6) fitted in the notch 23a is fitted in the groove between the second protrusion 22 other than the notch 23a and the enlarged diameter portion 15. It is located slightly radially outward of the claw 132 (see FIG. 5B). This is because the claw 132 (see FIG. 6) fitted in the notch 23a is in contact with the third protrusion 23 in the radial direction. In the state of FIG. 6, when the adapter 1 is slightly rotated with respect to the male connector 100 and the claw 132 is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the third protrusion 23, the claw 132 is moved to the second protrusion as in FIG. 5B. 22 can be engaged deeper. As described above, since the third protrusion 23 is retracted radially inward from the second protrusion 22 in the vicinity of the second protrusion 22, regardless of the position of the adapter 1 with respect to the male connector 100 in the rotational direction. The claw 132 can always be engaged with the second protrusion 22. Therefore, when connecting the adapter 1 to the male connector 100 at the second position, it is not necessary to align the adapter 1 with respect to the male connector 100 in the rotational direction. This is advantageous for quickly and easily moving the adapter 1 from the first position to the second position with respect to the male connector 100.

In the present embodiment, by providing the third protrusion 23 with the notch 23a along the second protrusion 22, the protrusion height along the radial direction of the third protrusion 23 is locally lowered at the position of the notch 23a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protrusion height along the radial direction of the third protrusion 23 may be constant in the central axis 1a direction, and the protrusion height may be lower than that of the second protrusion 22. Also in this case, the claw 132 can be engaged with the second protrusion 22 in a state where the claw 132 is in contact with the third protrusion 23 in the radial direction.

In the present embodiment, the protrusion heights of the third protrusion 23 (excluding the notch 23a) and the fourth protrusion 24 along the radial direction are the same as those of the second protrusion 22. The outer diameter of the adapter 1 at the second, third and fourth protrusions 22, 23, 24 is the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 121 at the tip of the hood 120 of the male connector 100. Therefore, when the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 at the second position (see FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 6), the third protrusion 23 and the fourth protrusion 24 are on the edge defining the opening 121 of the hood 120. Contact or approach in the radial direction. The inclination of the adapter 1 with respect to the male connector 100 is suppressed. This is advantageous in preventing a situation in which the priming liquid leaks from between the annular rib 19a of the adapter 1 and the upper surface 143 of the cover 140 due to the adapter 1 being tilted with respect to the male connector 100.

Of course, in the present invention, the protrusion height of the third protrusion 23 and / or the fourth protrusion 24 may be smaller than that of the second protrusion 22. The third protrusion 23 does not extend to the enlarged diameter portion 15, so that when the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 at the second position (see FIGS. 5B, 5C, 6), the third protrusion 23 is the hood 120. It is not necessary to face the edge defining the opening 121 in the radial direction. Further, the fourth protrusion 24 may be omitted.

The adapter 1 can be connected to the male connector 100 at two positions, a first position and a second position. The adapter 1 is delivered to a medical institution such as a hospital in a sterilized state while being connected to the male connector 100 at the first position. Immediately before performing priming, the medical institution pushes the adapter 1 in the first position into the male connector 100 and moves it to the second position. By simply pushing the adapter 1 into the male connector 100, priming is possible. It is not necessary to attach the adapter 1 to the male connector 100. Therefore, the operation is extremely simple. Further, it is not necessary to prepare and store the adapter 1 separately from the male connector 100 in advance.

Since the adapter 1 is previously connected to the male connector 100 at the first position, it is extremely unlikely that bacteria will be mixed into the flow path 111 of the male lure 110 when the user attaches the adapter 1 to the male connector 100.

Therefore, by using the adapter 1, the priming liquid can be easily and hygienically introduced into the male lure 110 of the lever lock type male connector 100 with the cover 140.

Further, even if the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 at the first position, the cover 140 remains in the initial state in which it is not substantially deformed. Therefore, even if the adapter 1 is left in the first position connected to the male connector 100 for a long period of time, the elastic restoring force of the outer peripheral wall 145 of the cover 140 does not decrease. This is to ensure the function of the cover 140 that the cover 140 immediately returns to the initial state and closes the flow path of the male lure 110 even if the male connector 100 is unintentionally separated from the female connector during extracorporeal circulation. It is advantageous.

The above embodiment is merely an example. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately modified.

The number of the third protrusions 23 is two in the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more. When a plurality of third protrusions 23 are provided, it is preferable that the plurality of third protrusions 23 are arranged at equal angular intervals with respect to the central axis 1a. A large number of third protrusions 23 generally reduces the rotatable angle range of the adapter 1 at the second position, which is advantageous in preventing the cover 140 from falling off or being damaged due to twisting of the cover 140. However, it is preferable that the distance between the adjacent third protrusions 23 along the circumferential direction is larger than the dimension along the same direction of the claw 132.

When the adapter 1 is connected to the male connector 100 in the second position and the adapter 1 is rotated many times with respect to the male connector 100, the amount of twist of the cover 140 is large, so that the cover 140 may fall off or be damaged. It is easy to occur. If the adapter 1 is not rotated more than once with respect to the male connector 100, the cover 140 is generally hardly dropped or damaged. If the adapter 1 has only one third protrusion 23, the adapter 1 in the second position cannot be rotated more than once with respect to the male connector 100 regardless of the number and arrangement of the claws 132. Preferably, the adapter 1 is configured so that it cannot rotate more than half a turn (180 degrees) with respect to the male connector 100 when in the second position.

The number of the fourth protrusions 24 was two in the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more. When a plurality of fourth protrusions 24 are provided, it is preferable that the plurality of fourth protrusions 24 are arranged at equal angular intervals with respect to the central axis 1a.

In the above embodiment, the third protrusion 23 and the fourth protrusion 24 are ribs extending parallel to the central axis 1a. The third protrusion 23 and the fourth protrusion 24 are advantageous for simplifying the configuration of the protrusions 23 and 24 and facilitating the manufacture of the adapter 1. However, the shapes of the third protrusion 23 and the fourth protrusion 24 are not limited to this. For example, the third protrusion 23 and the fourth protrusion 24 do not have to extend parallel to the central axis 1a, and are protrusions of arbitrary shape (columnar shape, hemispherical shape, etc.) protruding outward along the radial direction. You may.

How a liquid-tight seal is formed between the tubular portion 20 of the adapter 1 and the cover 140 when the adapter 1 is in the second position can be arbitrarily changed.

For example, the annular rib 19a protruding from the shoulder portion 19 of the adapter 1 can be omitted. Also in this case, when the adapter 1 is in the second position, the shoulder portion 19 is directly pressed against the head 141 of the cover 140, so that a liquid-tight seal can be formed between the two.

The upper surface 143 parallel to the horizontal direction may not be formed on the head 141 of the cover 140. Even if the surface of the head 141 facing upward is a spherical surface, a conical surface, or the like, it is possible to form a liquid-tight seal between such a surface and the tubular portion 20.

The tapered surface 22a of the second protrusion 22 of the adapter 1 may be omitted. Even if the tapered surface 22a is not formed, if the claw 132 has an inclined surface 132a, the adapter 1 can be moved from the first position to the second position simply by pushing the adapter 1 toward the male connector 100. Can be done.

In the adapter 1, the base end 25 of the cylindrical portion 20 of the first end portion 11 and the base end 25'of the cylindrical portion 20'of the second end portion 12 coincide with each other, and the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 11 A single diameter-expanded portion 15 common to 12 was provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the base end 25 of the tubular portion 20 and the base end 25'of the tubular portion 20'may be separated from each other in the direction of the central axis 1a. In this case, the base end 25 and the base end 25'are connected by a hollow member provided with a through hole 13. A diameter-expanded portion (first diameter-expanded portion 15 and second diameter-expanded portion 15') is provided at each position of the base end 25 and the base end 25'. The first end portion 11 including the first diameter-expanded portion 15 and the second end portion 12 including the second diameter-expanded portion 15'are symmetrically configured.

Alternatively, the first end 11 and the second end 12 do not have to be symmetrical. For example, the cylindrical portion 20'that constitutes the second end portion 12 may not be provided with at least one of the first to fourth protrusions 21'to 24', or a shape other than these may be provided. It may have been. Alternatively, the second end portion 12 may not include the tubular portion 20', and the base end 25 of the tubular portion 20 may be the second end portion 12.

The adapter 1 does not have to include the enlarged diameter portion 15.

The configuration of the male connector 100 is not limited to the above embodiment. The adapter of the present invention is applicable to any lever-locking male connector with a lever provided with a claw that engages the female connector.

For example, the hood 120 of the male connector may have a cylindrical shape in which the inner diameter and the outer diameter are constant in the central axis direction as described in Patent Document 1. The number of levers 130 provided with the claws 132 does not have to be two, and may be one, for example, as described in Patent Documents 2 and 3.

As described in Patent Document 1, the flow path 111 of the Osluer 110 may be opened upward at the tip 110a of the Osluer 110.

The through hole 142 provided in the head 141 of the cover 140 does not need to be opened so as to expose the tip 110a of the male lure 110 in the initial state. For example, as described in Patent Documents 4 and 5, the through hole 142 may be a minus-shaped (“−”) -shaped slit (cut). In this case, in the initial state in which the male lure 110 does not penetrate the through hole 142, the slits forming the through hole 142 are closed.

The outer peripheral wall 145 of the cover 140 has an arbitrary shape as long as it can be elastically compressed and deformed along the longitudinal direction of the male lure 110. For example, the outer peripheral wall 145 may have a bellows shape as described in Patent Document 4.

The method of fixing the cover 140 to the connector main body 101 is not limited to the above embodiment. The lower end of the outer peripheral wall 145 (the end opposite to the head 141) may be fixed to the connector main body 101 by locking, gluing, or fusing. Alternatively, the base end of the outer peripheral wall 145 may be fixed to the connector main body 101 by using a member different from the cover 140 and the connector main body 101.

In the above embodiment, the case where the male connector is used for the extracorporeal circulation circuit of blood has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The male connector to which the adapter of the present invention is connected may be a male connector other than the extracorporeal circulation circuit, for example, which constitutes an infusion set used when infusion is performed.

The field of application of the present invention is not limited, and can be used in any field in medical treatment where it is necessary to introduce a priming liquid into a lever-lock type male connector with a cover. In particular, it can be preferably used in fields such as extracorporeal blood circulation and infusion where it is necessary to inject some liquid (blood, infusion, etc.) into a patient's blood vessel.

1 Adapter 11 1st end 12 2nd end 13 Through hole 20 Cylindrical part 21 1st protrusion 22 2nd protrusion 23 3rd protrusion 23a Notch 24 4th protrusion 25 Base end of tubular part 100 Male connector 110 Male connector 110 (Male member)
111 Flow path 120 Hood 130 Lock lever 132 Claw 140 Cover

Claims (9)

A male connector with an adapter provided with a male connector and an adapter that can be attached to and detached from the male connector.
The male connector includes a rod-shaped male member having a flow path, a lock lever arranged to face the male member, a claw protruding from the lock lever toward the male member, and the male member. Equipped with a cover to store
The lock lever can elastically swing so that the claw separates from the male member.
The cover can be elastically compressively deformed along the longitudinal direction of the male member.
The cover is configured so that the tip of the male member protrudes from the cover when the cover is compressed and deformed.
The adapter comprises a first end and a second end.
The adapter is provided with a through hole that penetrates the adapter and allows the first end portion and the second end portion to communicate with each other.
The first end portion includes a hollow cylindrical portion provided with the through hole.
On the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion, a first protrusion, a second protrusion on the base end side of the tubular portion with respect to the first protrusion, and a base end side of the tubular portion with respect to the second protrusion. Is provided with the third protrusion of
The adapter is connected to the male connector at a first position where the claw of the male connector is engaged with the first protrusion and a second position where the claw of the male connector is engaged with the second protrusion. Can be
When the adapter is connected to the male connector in the first position, the flow path of the male member is sealed by the cover.
When the adapter is connected to the male connector at the second position, the adapter compresses and deforms the cover, and the flow path of the male member communicates with the through hole of the adapter.
The third protrusion is formed by the rotation of the adapter with respect to the male connector in a state where the adapter is connected to the male connector at the second position, and the third protrusion colliding with the claw in the circumferential direction. Male connector with adapter characterized by restriction. The male connector with an adapter according to claim 1, wherein the third protrusion is connected to the second protrusion. The male connector with an adapter according to claim 2, wherein the third protrusion is retracted radially inward from the second protrusion in the vicinity of the second protrusion. The male connector with an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the claw can engage with the second protrusion in a state where the claw is in contact with the third protrusion in the radial direction. The third protrusion is any of claims 1 to 4 that restricts the adapter from rotating one or more turns with respect to the male connector when the adapter is connected to the male connector at the second position. Male connector with adapter as described in item 1. The male connector with an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the third protrusion is a rib extending parallel to the central axis of the adapter. The male connector further comprises a tubular hood that surrounds the male member.
Claims 1 to 1 when the adapter is connected to the male connector in the second position, the third projection abuts or approaches in a radial direction with respect to an edge defining an opening at the tip of the hood. Male connector with adapter according to any one of 6. The male connector with an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are annular protrusions that are continuous in the circumferential direction. The male connector with an adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second end portion of the adapter is formed symmetrically with the first end portion.

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