JP7337466B2 - dosing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

(Cross reference to related applications)
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-128966 and is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dosing mechanism for administering a liquid drug filled in a drug container to a patient.

2. Description of the Related Art As an administration mechanism for administering a liquid medicine (medicine solution) filled in a medicine container to a patient, for example, there is an infusion pump device described in Patent Document 1. This infusion pump device is configured such that a pump unit can be attached/detached to/from a main body (“power supply unit” in Patent Document 1) that drives the pump.

The pump unit described in Patent Literature 1 is attached to the main body by being fitted. However, when something collides with the dispensing mechanism, the pump unit may come off from the main body due to external impact or vibration. In that case, there was a possibility that the medication would be interrupted.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-168958

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing mechanism that can reliably arrange a pump unit in a main body.

The present invention is a drug administration mechanism for administering a liquid drug filled in a drug container to a patient, comprising a base unit, a lid unit rotatably connected to the base unit, and the base unit. a pump unit that can be attached to and detached from the drug container and that draws a drug from the drug container and discharges it to a patient; the base unit has a recess for housing the pump unit; The pump unit is configured to be superimposed on the base unit so as to close the opening side of the recess while the pump unit is stored in the recess, and the lid unit is closed to the base unit. When superimposed together, the pump unit is retracted within the recess to ensure electrical communication between the pump unit and the base unit.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a dosing route of one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the main body and pump unit of the dispensing mechanism of the present embodiment, with the lid unit opened with respect to the base unit. Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the main body and pump unit of the dispensing mechanism of the present embodiment, with the lid unit opened with respect to the base unit; Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the main body and pump unit of the dispensing mechanism of the present embodiment, with the lid unit closed with respect to the base unit; FIG. 4 is a front view showing a base unit and a pump unit of the main body of the dispensing mechanism of the present embodiment; Fig. 3 is a right side view showing a base unit and a pump unit of the main body of the dispensing mechanism of the present embodiment; FIG. 3B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3A, showing the base unit and the pump unit of the main body of the dispensing mechanism of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a base unit and a pump unit of the main body of the dispensing mechanism of the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connection between the main body of the dispensing mechanism of the present embodiment and the pump unit; FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a main body and a pump unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, with the lid unit opened with respect to the base unit. FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a main body and a pump unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, with the lid unit closed with respect to the base unit. Fig. 4 shows a pump unit of another embodiment of the present invention and a main body to which this pump unit is attached; Fig. 4 shows a pump unit of another embodiment of the present invention and a main body to which this pump unit is attached; Fig. 4 shows a pump unit of another embodiment of the present invention and a main body to which this pump unit is attached; Fig. 4 shows a pump unit of another embodiment of the present invention and a main body to which this pump unit is attached;

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A medication mechanism 1 of this embodiment includes a main body 2 and a pump unit 3 that can be attached to and detached from the main body 2 . This drug administration mechanism 1 is attached in the middle of a drug administration route F leading from a drug container F1 such as an infusion bag to a patient P, as shown in FIG.

The main body 2 is a part for holding the pump unit 3 and performing various detections, controls and managements, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. A drug container side tube F2 and a patient side tube F5 are connected to the pump unit 3 held by the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 2A to 2C schematically show the main body 2 and the pump unit 3, the forms shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C do not match the forms shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D. .

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the main body 2 includes a base unit 211 as one side unit and a lid unit 212 as the other side unit. The base unit 211 is a part that performs sensor detection and control of the pump unit 3 . The lid unit 212 is operated by the user and displays various information. Therefore, although not shown, an operation button and a display are provided on the outer surface of the lid unit 212 . Various display means such as a liquid crystal panel can be used for the display section. Further, by using a touch panel, the operation buttons and the display section can be integrated.

In this embodiment, the pump unit 3 is fitted into the base unit 211 . The base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 are hollow box-shaped and substantially rectangular in plan view. The base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 are rotatably connected via hinges 213, 213 provided so as to connect one side of both units 211, 212 in plan view. 2A and 2B show the state in which both units 211 and 212 are open, and FIG. 2C shows the state in which they are closed. When the dispensing mechanism 1 is used, the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 are overlapped and closed while the pump unit 3 is fitted in the base unit 211 . In this closed state, the inner surface 2111 of the base unit 211 and the inner surface 2121 of the lid unit 212 face each other and come into contact with each other. Each inner surface 2111, 2121 is flat in this embodiment. In order to maintain the closed state of both units 211 and 212, a lock portion 214 capable of fixing both units 211 and 212 in a closed state is provided on the side opposite to the side where the hinge 213 is provided.

An inner surface 2121 of the lid unit 212 contacts side surfaces of the suction side tube 33 and the discharge side tube 34 of the pump unit 3 when the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 are closed. A rubber pressure pad 2122 is attached to the inner surface 2121 of the lid unit 212 . The pressing pad 2122 contacts the case 37 of the pump unit 3 when the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 are closed. This abutment pushes the case 37 toward the bottom surface of the pump unit placement recess 22 formed in the base unit 211 . Therefore, conduction between the main body side electrical contacts 27M, 27C, 27G and the pump unit side electrical contacts 38M, 38C, 38G shown in FIG. 4 is ensured.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the base unit 211 of the main body 2 has a pump unit placement recess 22, which is a recess into which the pump unit 3 is fitted. The upper side shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D is the drug container F1 side (suction side) during use of the dispensing mechanism 1, and the lower side is the patient P side (discharge side) during use. In this embodiment, the pump unit placement recess 22 is provided only in the base unit 211 . However, it is not limited to this, and as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the pump unit placement recess 22 can be provided in both the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of body-side electrical contacts 27M, 27C, and 27G are provided on the bottom surface of the pump unit placement recess 22. As shown in FIG. A plurality of body side electrical contacts 27M, 27C and 27G are provided corresponding to the pump unit side electrical contacts 38M, 38C and 38G. Three are provided in this embodiment. However, the number may be four or more.

When the pump unit 3 is fitted in the pump unit placement recess 22, the electrical contacts 27M, 27C, 27G on the body side and the electrical contacts 38M, 38C, 38G on the pump unit side are electrically connected. As a result, driving power for driving the pump 31 can be supplied to the pump unit 3 from the body-side electrical contacts 27M, 27C, and 27G. Further, the pump unit 3 is grounded by being connected to the grounding portion G, and it becomes possible to confirm the conduction of the pump 31 as described later.

3A to 3D, tube arrangement grooves 23 for arranging the suction side tube 33 and the discharge side tube 34 of the pump unit 3 are formed above and below the pump unit arrangement recess 22. As shown in FIG.

A base unit 211 of the main body 2 is provided with a sensor capable of detecting the liquid feeding state of the pump unit 3 . In this embodiment, a pressure sensor 24 and an air bubble sensor 25 are provided as these sensors. The pressure sensors 24 are provided at two locations on the main body 2, one on the drug container F1 side and the other on the patient P side. However, it can also be provided only at one location on the drug container F1 side or the patient P side.

Each pressure sensor 24 is provided at a position corresponding to the suction side tube 33 and the discharge side tube 34 in the pump unit 3 attached to the main body 2 . This pressure sensor 24 utilizes the phenomenon that when the pressure inside the tube rises, the tube expands and the diameter of the tube increases, and when the pressure inside the tube decreases, the tube shrinks and the diameter of the tube decreases. Then, the change in pressure inside each tube 33, 34 is detected from the change in diameter of the tube 33 on the suction side and the tube 34 on the discharge side.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, each pressure sensor 24 is provided with a movable block 241 having grooves in which the tubes 33 and 34 are fitted so as to be movable between the front side and the back side. . An element 242 capable of outputting a voltage in response to the load received is arranged on the back side of the movable block 241 so as to abut against the movable block 241 . The tubes 33 and 34 are restricted from moving forward by the inner surface 2121 of the cover unit 212 of the main body 2 . Therefore, the movable block 241 moves according to the enlargement/reduction of the tubes 33 and 34, and the voltage output from the element 242 changes according to the load applied to the element 242. pressure change can be detected.

When the tubes 33 and 34 expand, they come into contact with the inner surface 2121 of the lid unit 212 . Therefore, since the tubes 33 and 34 do not shift to the front side with respect to the pressure sensors 24 after the abutment, pressure changes in the pressure sensors 24 can be accurately detected.

If a blockage occurs in the middle section of the medication route F due to bending of the tube or the like, the blockage on the upstream side of the pump 31 in the pump unit 3 will prevent the drug solution from flowing from the drug container F1 side. As the pump 31 continues to be driven, the inside becomes negative pressure and the suction side tube 33 contracts. On the other hand, when the downstream side of the pump 31 is blocked, the pump 31 discharges in a state in which it is difficult for the liquid medicine to flow to the patient P side. do. Therefore, the occurrence of clogging can be grasped by the detection of the pressure sensor 24 . In order to prevent inconvenience after the blockage is released, the pump unit 3 is provided with a bypass pipe 35 and a bypass opening/closing valve 36 as shown in FIG. may

In addition to these, the base unit 211 of the main body 2 includes, for example, a control unit 261 that performs pump control of the pump unit 3 and processing and storage of detection results of each sensor, an internal power supply unit 262 that arranges a battery, an external power input jack 263, a flow rate jack 264 for inputting a detection value of a flow rate sensor that detects the dripping amount, etc., attached to a drip tube (not shown) located on the patient P side of the drug container F1, and outputting medication history data and sensor detection results. A communication jack 265 for performing such operations may be provided. Although not shown, the lid unit 212 of the main body 2 includes a speaker for emitting an alarm sound, an LED lamp for displaying an alarm, a sensor for detecting that the lid unit 212 is opened, and various other devices. may be provided with a liquid crystal display section for displaying the information. The main body 2 can also be provided with a portion for attaching a band or the like for attaching the main body 2 to the body of the patient P, and a portion for attaching to a drip stand or the like used in medical institutions.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pump unit 3 includes a pump 31, a free flow prevention valve 32, a suction side tube (suction side pipe) 33, a discharge side tube (discharge side pipe) 34, and the like. The pump 31 and the free flow prevention valve 32 are housed in a case 37 (see FIGS. 3A and 3C) and integrated. Therefore, it is easy to attach and detach the pump unit 3 to and from the main body 2 . Connectors 331 and 341 that can be connected to tubes F2 and F5 extending from the drug container F1 or the patient P are provided at the distal ends of the suction side tube 33 and the discharge side tube 34, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear surface of the case 37 is formed with pump unit side electrical contacts 38M, 38C and 38G that can be electrically connected to the body side electrical contacts 27M, 27C and 27G. Therefore, by aligning the back surface of the case 37 with the bottom surface of the pump unit arrangement recess 22 of the main body 2 and electrically connecting the main body side electrical contacts 27M, 27C, 27G and the pump unit side electrical contacts 38M, 38C, 38G, , the pump 31 can be energized to be in a drivable state.

The pump 31 can suck liquid medicine (medicine solution) from the medicine container F1 and discharge it to the patient P. As shown in FIG. Pumping methods include, for example, piston pumps, roller pumps, and diaphragm pumps. Diaphragm pumps, which do not require a motor, are preferred. For this reason, a diaphragm pump is used in this embodiment. By adopting a diaphragm type pump as the pump 31, a motor is not required, so the pump can be downsized. Therefore, the pump unit 3 can also be downsized, and the weight of the dispensing mechanism 1 can be reduced. Therefore, the burden on the patient P when carrying the drug administration mechanism 1 is reduced, which is particularly advantageous for the patient P who needs constant administration of the liquid medicine. In addition, the diaphragm-type pump can control the discharge amount of the chemical liquid with high accuracy. The pump 31 of the present embodiment is a pump using MEMS technology related to integrated devices, and is a micro pump equipped with a piezoelectric element (piezo element), for example, described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-117211. Used.

The free-flow prevention valve 32 is provided to prevent unintended flow through the pump 31 due to the pressure of the liquid chemical caused by gravity when the pump 31 is not driven.

The suction-side tube 33 is a tube extending from the pump 31 toward the drug container F1. The discharge side tube 34 is a tube extending from the pump 31 to the patient P side. These tubes 33 and 34 are made of soft resin such as silicon rubber. Since changes in the diameters of these tubes 33 and 34 are detected by the pressure sensor 24 of the main body 2, the material (resin compounding, density, etc.), tube thickness, and tube diameter are determined in advance at least at the portion where the pressure sensor 24 is arranged. It must be formed within a defined error range. Note that unlike the present embodiment, when a pipe is not used to detect a pressure change, a hard pipe can be used instead of a soft tube for the pump unit 3 .

Note that the suction side tube 33 and the discharge side tube 34 of the present embodiment are arranged substantially on a straight line so as to pass through the case 37 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A. However, not limited to this, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, both tubes 33 and 34 extend upward in the figure from the case 37, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6C, the suction side tube 33 extends upward in the drawing from the case 37, and the discharge side tube 34 extends leftward in the drawing from the case 37. As shown in FIG. It can be provided in various forms with respect to the case 37, such as a form extending downward.

Connectors 331 and 341 are provided at the ends of the tubes 33 and 34, respectively. The connectors 331 and 341 are general-purpose products made of hard resin. For example, by screwing, as shown in FIG. and connectors F3 and F4 having a "male" and "female" relationship). The connectors 331 and 341 can separate the pump unit 3 and the drug container side tube F2, and can separate the pump unit 3 and the patient side tube F5, so that the distance between the drug container F1 and the patient P with respect to the medication mechanism 1 can be set freely. can be set to Therefore, when the patient P carries the drug administration mechanism 1, the tubes F2 and F5 are less likely to be an obstacle.

The pump unit 3 of this embodiment can be disposable. Therefore, the dispensing mechanism 1 can be used hygienically and safely. The pump unit 3 is usually replaced in about 3 days, and in longer cases about 30 days, although it depends on the type of drug and usage conditions. Disposable pump unit 3 eliminates the need for examination of ejection accuracy performed by a clinical engineer (ME) at a medical institution. Therefore, management of the drug administration mechanism 1 in a medical institution becomes easier, and in the future, there is a possibility that the drug administration mechanism 1 can be managed by a nurse or the like on a ward basis without requiring the help of a clinical engineer.

Next, a method for using this dispensing mechanism 1 will be briefly described. First, the tube F2 extending from the drug container F1 and the tube F5 extending from the patient P side (attached to the tube F5 if the needle F6 is not provided) are connected to the pump unit 3. Then, the pump unit 3 in which the tube F2 and the tube F5 are connected is attached to the main body 2, and the state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. If necessary, attach a drip tube and a flow rate sensor. Next, air bubbles in the administration route F are removed. Then, the needle F6 is pierced into the patient P. Next, the driving of the pump 31 is started. Thereby, the drug solution is sent into the body of the patient P by the pump 31 .

In this embodiment, the pump unit 3 is provided between the base unit 211 as the one-side unit and the lid unit 212 as the other-side unit when attached to the main body 2 . By configuring in this way, the pump unit 3 can be supported by the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pump unit 3 from coming off the main body 2 .

More specifically, the pump unit 3 is sandwiched and pressed between the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 when attached to the main body 2 . By configuring the pump unit 3 to be held between the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 by pressure contact in this manner, it is possible to reliably prevent the pump unit 3 from coming off the main body 2 .

Further, the pump unit 3 is pressed against the base unit 211 of the main body 2 by holding by the pressure contact. By this pressing, the electrical contacts 27M, 27C, 27G on the main body side and the electrical contacts 38M, 38C, 38G on the pump unit side are reliably brought into contact with each other. Incidentally, in this embodiment, since the pressure pad 2122 is attached to the inner surface 2121 of the lid unit 212, the pressure can be increased by the thickness of the pressure pad 2122. FIG. In this manner, conduction of the drive power to the main body 2 of the pump unit 3 is ensured. Therefore, as long as the base unit 211 and the lid unit 212 are not opened, the conduction of the drive power to the pump 31 is ensured, so stable conduction is possible.

The plurality of electrical contacts provided in the pump unit 3 include a contact 38M for supplying drive power to the pump 31, a grounding contact 38G, and a contact (conductivity checking contact) 38C for checking continuity of the pump 31.

The continuity confirmation contact 38C is provided so as to be connected to the ground wire as shown in FIG. Specifically, an electric wiring branched from an electric wiring extending from the pump 31 to the grounding contact 38G is connected to the conduction confirmation contact 38C. Further, the conduction confirmation contact 27C on the main body 2 side is connected to the control section 261, and the electric wiring connected to the grounding contact 27G on the main body 2 side is branched and connected to the control section 261. FIG. As a result, the monitoring current emitted from the control section 261 can be returned to the control section 261 through the pump unit 3 .

When the cover unit 212 is separated from the base unit 211, the contact points 38C and 27C for confirming continuity are separated, and a non-conducting state is established in which the monitoring current does not flow. When the control unit 261 detects this non-conducting state, an alarm display is displayed on the main unit 2, or an alarm sound is generated from the main unit 2, thereby prompting the user, etc., to close the lid unit 212. can be called to the attention of

Here, since the pump 31 of this embodiment is a micropump having a piezoelectric element (piezo element), driving power is supplied to the pump 31 intermittently (repeatedly turned on and off) according to the driving frequency. In this way, since the driving power may not flow, constant monitoring is impossible even if direct monitoring of the driving power is attempted. Furthermore, when the chemical liquid ejection amount is set to be small, the drive frequency becomes small, so if the drive power is to be directly monitored, the monitoring interval becomes long. Moreover, since the driving of the pump 31 is affected, the monitoring current cannot be constantly supplied to the pump 31 from the control unit.

On the other hand, by providing a contact dedicated to confirming the conduction of the pump 31 like the conduction confirmation contacts 38C and 27C of the present embodiment, the conduction can be confirmed separately from the supply of driving power to the pump 31. FIG. Therefore, constant monitoring is possible. In addition, it is possible to check the continuity of the pump 31 even when the driving power is not supplied to the pump 31 before it is driven, such as immediately after the pump unit 3 is attached to the main body 2 . The advantage of providing a dedicated contact for confirming the conduction of the pump 31 in this way is great.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Finally, the configuration and action of the above embodiment (including modified forms) will be summarized. The above-described embodiment is a drug administration mechanism 1 for administering a liquid drug filled in a drug container F1 to a patient P, comprising a one-side unit (base unit) 211 and a On the other hand, it comprises a main body 2 having the other side unit (cover unit) 212 that is superimposed when the drug administration mechanism 1 is used, and a pump unit 3 that can be attached to and detached from the main body 2, and the pump unit 3 supplies the drug. Equipped with a pump 31 for sucking from the drug container F1 and discharging it to the patient P, the one side unit (base unit) 211 and the other side unit (lid unit) 212 are connected in a state of being attached to the main body 2. A dosing mechanism 1 held in between.

According to this configuration, the pump unit 3 can be supported by the one-side unit (base unit) 211 and the other-side unit (lid unit) 212 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pump unit 3 from coming off the main body 2 .

The pump unit 3 can be held between the one-side unit (base unit) 211 and the other-side unit (lid unit) 212 by pressure contact while being attached to the main body 2 .

According to this configuration, the one-side unit (base unit) 211 and the other-side unit (cover unit) 212 are held by pressure contact, thereby reliably preventing the pump unit 3 from coming off.

The pump unit 3 is held between the one-side unit (base unit) 211 and the other-side unit (lid unit) 212 by pressure contact in a state of being attached to the main body 2. Conduction of driving power between the unit 3 and the base unit 211 can be ensured.

According to this configuration, as long as the one side unit (base unit) 211 and the other side unit (lid unit) 212 are not opened, conduction of drive power between the pump unit 3 and the base unit 211 is ensured. Therefore, stable conduction becomes possible.

The pump unit 3 has a plurality of electrical contacts connected to the main body 2. The plurality of electrical contacts include a contact 38M for supplying drive power to the pump 31, a grounding contact 38G, and a contact 38G for confirming continuity. A contact 38C may be included for connecting.

According to this configuration, by providing the contacts 38M, 38G, and 38C for confirming the conduction of the pump 31, it is possible to confirm the conduction separately from the supply of the drive power to the pump 31. FIG.

As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the pump unit 3 from coming off the main body 2 . Therefore, the pump unit 3 can be reliably arranged in the main body 2 .

1 Medication Mechanism 2 Main Body 211 One Side Unit, Base Unit 212 Other Side Unit, Lid Unit 3 Pump Unit 31 Pump 38M Pump Unit Electrical Contacts (Contacts to which Driving Power is Supplied)
38G Pump unit electrical contact (grounding contact)
38C Pump unit electrical contacts (contacts for checking continuity)
F1 drug container P patient

Claims (1)

A drug administration mechanism for administering a liquid drug filled in a drug container to a patient,
a base unit, a lid unit rotatably connected to the base unit, and a pump unit detachable from the base unit and adapted to suck a drug from the drug container and discharge it to a patient;
the base unit having a recess for housing the pump unit;
The lid unit is configured to be superimposed on the base unit so as to close the opening side of the recess while the pump unit is stored in the recess,
When the lid unit is placed on top of the base unit so as to be closed, the pump unit is held in pressure contact between the base unit and the lid unit while being housed in the recess. to ensure electrical continuity between the pump unit and the base unit.

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