JP7688553B2 - Tube Joining Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tube joining device.

A conventional method for joining tubes with internal lumens involves cutting the ends of each tube and pressing the cut ends together to join them under pressure. This type of technology is widely used in a variety of industrial fields, and as an example, there are attempts to apply it to medical technologies such as peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis is a method in which a specific dialysis fluid is introduced into the patient's body using a tube (catheter) implanted in the peritoneal cavity, and then water and waste products that have migrated into the dialysis fluid are removed from the body via the peritoneum. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a tube joining device that uses a heated cutting member to cut two tubes to be joined, and then replaces the ends of each tube to join them.

JP 2013-146354 A

For example, in the inner cavity of a tube used to discharge the above-mentioned dialysis fluid from the body, substances containing lipids and proteins that adhere to the inner surface of the tube may remain as foreign matter. If cutting is performed with a cutting member while foreign matter remains in the inner cavity of the tube, the foreign matter will leak out of the tube and adhere to the surface of the cutting member. In addition, if the foreign matter that has adhered to the cutting member adheres near the ends of the tube during the process of cutting and joining tubes together, this may lead to a decrease in the joining strength of the tube or the occurrence of pinholes.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems by providing a tube joining device that can prevent a decrease in joining strength and the occurrence of pinholes even when foreign matter remains in the inner cavity of the tube.

The tube joining device is a tube joining device that cuts a first tube and a second tube, and then replaces and joins the first cut end of the first tube and the second cut end of the second tube. The tube joining device has a tube holding unit that holds the first tube and the second tube, a cutting member that cuts the first tube and the second tube held in the tube holding unit, and a removal unit that wipes off and removes at least a portion of foreign matter that adheres to the cutting member when cutting the first tube and the second tube.

The tube joining device according to the present invention can wipe off at least a portion of the foreign matter using the removal unit. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in joining strength and the occurrence of pinholes even if foreign matter remains in the inner cavity of the tube.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a tube connecting device according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the tube connecting device. FIG. 4 is a view showing a holder part of the tube connecting device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a rotation mechanism of the tube connecting device. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a first tube and a second tube. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the cutting and joining operation of a tube joining device. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the cutting and joining operation of a tube joining device. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the cutting and joining operation of a tube joining device. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the cutting and joining operation of a tube joining device. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the cutting and joining operation of a tube joining device. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the cutting and joining operation of a tube joining device. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining the function and effect of the tube connecting device. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining the function and effect of the tube connecting device. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining the function and effect of the tube connecting device. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining the function and effect of the tube connecting device. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a tube connecting device according to a comparative example. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a tube connecting device according to a comparative example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrams for explaining the overall configuration and configuration of each part of the tube joining device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 joined by the tube joining device 1. FIGS. 7 to 12 are diagrams showing a simplified view of the cutting and joining operations of the tube joining device 1. FIGS. 13 to 18 are diagrams for explaining the action and effect of the tube joining device 1 according to this embodiment and a comparative tube joining device.

In each figure, the front-to-rear direction of the tube joining device 1 is indicated by arrow X, the left-to-right direction is indicated by arrow Y, and the height direction is indicated by arrow Z. The above "left-to-right direction" is approximately the same as the direction in which each tube 210, 220 is arranged when each tube 210, 220 is set in the tube joining device 1 (the extension direction of each tube 210, 220).

The drawings labeled "rotating side" in Figs. 13 to 18 are schematic drawings of the wafer 100 and each tube 210, 220 as viewed from the "rotating side" indicated with an arrow in Fig. 9. The drawings labeled "fixed side" in Figs. 13 to 18 are schematic drawings of the wafer 100 and each tube 210, 220 as viewed from the "fixed side" indicated with an arrow in Fig. 9.

<Tube joining device>
The tube connecting device 1 in this embodiment is configured as a medical device that cuts and connects a first tube 210 on the peritoneal dialysis fluid bag T11 side and a second tube 220 on the peritoneal catheter T26 side of a patient (user H) performing peritoneal dialysis, as shown in Figure 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tube joining device 1 can be used in combination with a wafer cassette WC that contains multiple wafers 100 (corresponding to a "cutting member") used for cutting.

In the cutting operation of each tube 210, 220, the tube joining device 1 presses the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 set in the tube joining device 1 against each other and crushes them, as shown in FIG. 9, and then cuts (melts) them with a heated wafer 100. After cutting each tube 210, 220, the tube joining device 1 swaps the relative positions of the cut first end 210a side of the first tube 210 (corresponding to "one side of the first tube") and the cut second end 220a side of the second tube 220 (corresponding to "one side of the second tube"), as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and joins (welds) each tube 210, 220 while applying pressure to each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tube joining device 1 generally comprises a housing 10, a tube holding section 20 that holds the first tube 210 and the second tube 220, a holder section 30 (see FIG. 4) that holds a wafer 100 that cuts the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 held by the tube holding section 20, a control section 40 (see FIG. 3) that controls the operation of each section of the device, a lid section 50 attached to the housing 10, a rotation mechanism 80 (see FIG. 5) that rotates one of the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 relative to the other tube after cutting, and a removal section D arranged in the lid section 50.

The housing 10 is composed of a case having an approximately hexahedral upper part and a lower part that forms the side surfaces. Each component of the tube connecting device 1 is assembled to the housing 10.

In addition to the components described in this specification, the housing 10 can be optionally equipped with, for example, a panel with operation buttons for receiving operation instructions from the user, an electrical connector or battery that enables the supply of power to the tube connecting device 1, and other components necessary for the operation of the tube connecting device 1.

The housing 10 is provided with a storage section 11a capable of storing a wafer cassette WC, and an eject button 11b that is operated when removing the wafer cassette WC from the storage section 11a. A user H can set the wafer cassette WC in the housing 10 by inserting the wafer cassette WC into the storage section 11a.

The tube joining device 1 has a feed section 91 (see FIG. 3) that transports the wafers 100 set in the wafer cassette WC to the cutting position Y0 of each tube 210, 220, and a heating section 92 (see FIG. 3) that heats the wafers 100 transported to the feed section 91. After completing the cutting and joining operations, the feed section 91 moves the wafers 100 to a position where they can be removed from the housing 10 (for example, the gap section 13 of the housing 10 shown in FIG. 1).

The feed unit 91 can be configured, for example, by a known transport member equipped with a feed screw mechanism or the like that pushes the rear end 106 (see FIG. 13) of the wafer 100 toward the holder unit 30 (see FIG. 4). The heating unit 92 can be configured, for example, by a known heater that supplies an electric current to the wafer to heat it.

As shown in FIG. 13, the wafer 100 can be made of a metal plate-like member having a first side 101, a second side 102, an upper end 103, a lower end 104, a leading end 105, and a trailing end 106. The wafer 100 can be made of, for example, a copper plate. However, there are no particular limitations on the specific material or shape of the wafer 100, as long as the tubes 210, 220 can be cut.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wafer 100 is transported to the holder section 30 assembled to the housing 10 during the cutting and joining operation. The lower end 104 of the wafer 100 is supported by the main body section 31 of the holder section 30. The upper end 103 of the wafer 100 is positioned so as to be exposed from the holder section 30. The upper end 103 of the wafer 100 functions as a cutting section that cuts each of the tubes 210, 220, as shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tube holding portion 20 has a first holding portion 21 and a second holding portion 22 arranged at a predetermined distance from the first holding portion 21 in the left-right direction Y.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first holding portion 21 has a first recess 21a into which the first tube 210 can be fitted, and a second recess 21b into which the second tube 220 can be fitted.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second holding portion 22 has a first recess 22a into which the first tube 210 can be fitted, and a second recess 22b into which the second tube 220 can be fitted.

When using the tube connecting device 1, user H fits the first tube 210 into the first recess 21a of the first holding part 21 and the first recess 22a of the second holding part 22, and fits the second tube 220 into the second recess 21b of the first holding part 21 and the second recess 22b of the second holding part 22. By performing these operations, user H can easily set each tube 210, 220 in the housing 10.

The position at which the wafer 100 cuts each tube 210, 220 is a predetermined position between the first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 (for example, position Y0 shown in Figure 2).

Each holding section 21, 22 may be provided with a sensor that detects whether each tube 210, 220 is properly set.

When the lid portion 50 is closed on the housing 10, it shields the area around the tube holding portion 20 from the outside. By closing the lid portion 50, the tube connecting device 1 prevents the connecting positions of each tube 210, 220 from being exposed to the outside. This allows the tube connecting device 1 to perform the cutting and connecting operations in a sterile environment.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a removal unit D is disposed on the surface of the lid unit 50 facing the tube holding unit 20. Specifically, the removal unit D is fixed to the surface of the lid unit 50 facing the tube holding unit 20 with adhesive or the like. With this configuration, foreign matter S can be removed from the wafer 100 simply by disposing the removal unit D on a pre-made product, preventing the configuration of the tube joining device 1 from becoming complicated. As described below, the removal unit D can wipe off and remove foreign matter S that adheres to the wafer 100 when cutting the first tube 210 and the second tube 220.

The removal section D is disposed in the lid section 50, in the path through which the wafer 100 passes when cutting the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 (see Figures 9, 13 to 16). With this configuration, the foreign matter S can be removed when the wafer 100 cuts the first tube 210 and the second tube 220, so that the foreign matter S can be wiped off suitably without increasing the number of processes.

For example, nonwoven fabric can be used as the removal section D. By using nonwoven fabric as the removal section D in this way, foreign matter can be wiped off and removed more suitably. Note that the removal section D is not limited to nonwoven fabric as long as it can wipe off and remove foreign matter.

The housing 10 and the lid 50 may be provided with, for example, a locking mechanism to prevent the lid 50 from being inadvertently released from the closed state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the holder portion 30 includes a main body portion 31 capable of holding the wafer 100, and a bearing portion 33 that holds the main body portion 31 of the wafer 100 so that it can rotate around a predetermined rotation axis A.

The holder part 30 is configured to perform rising and lowering movements in conjunction with the movement of the cam C1. In each drawing, the rising movement of the holder part 30 and the rising movement of the wafer 100 accompanying the rising movement of the holder part 30 are indicated by arrow u, and the descending movement of the holder part 30 and the descending movement of the wafer 100 accompanying the descending movement of the holder part 30 are indicated by arrow d.

The holder section 30 is held rotatably via a predetermined rotation axis arranged in the bearing section 33. When a rotational driving force is supplied from the cam motor M1, the cam C1 executes a rotational operation. The outer peripheral surface of the cam C1 is formed in a non-circular shape. By changing the rotational position of the cam C1, the contact position between the outer peripheral surface of the cam C1 and the holder section 30 changes. The holder section 30 performs an ascending operation and a descending operation in accordance with the change in the contact position with the cam C1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation mechanism 80 has a base portion 25 installed in the housing 10 and a tube storage portion 60.

The base portion 25 is disposed between the first holding portion 21 and the second holding portion 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The tube storage portion 60 is disposed in the lid portion 50 as shown in FIG. 1.

When the lid portion 50 is closed on the housing 10, the tubes 210, 220 are arranged in a state of being pressed against each other between the base portion 25 and the tube storage portion 60, as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, when the lid portion 50 is closed on the housing 10, the second holding portion 22 releases the holding of the tubes 210, 220. Therefore, after the cutting operation, it becomes possible to rotate the tubes 210, 220 on the second holding portion 22 side (one side of the first tube 210 and the second tube 220) (see FIG. 10).

A first driven gear 25a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 25. A second driven gear 60a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tube storage portion 60. Each driven gear 25a, 60a is configured to mesh with a drive gear G1 that rotates and drives the rotation mechanism 80.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tube joining device 1 can rotate each of the tubes 210, 220 by applying a rotational driving force from the gear motor M2 to the drive gear G1 when the base portion 25 and the tube storage portion 60 are combined. In each drawing, the rotational movement of each of the tubes 210, 220 is indicated by the arrow r.

The portion of each tube 210, 220 that is rotated is the portion located on the second holding portion 22 side (the portion on the arrow Y1 side in FIG. 2) when the cutting position Y0 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 is used as a reference. The portion of each tube 210, 220 shown on the arrow Y2 side in FIG. 2 is the portion that is not rotated before and after the cutting and joining operations.

As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the tube joining device 1 has a fixed tube pressing section 70 that maintains the tubes 210, 220 held by the first holding section 21 in a pressed state against each other.

The fixed side tube pressing section 70 can be configured to keep the tubes 210, 220 pressed against each other when the lid section 50 is closed. The fixed side tube pressing section 70 can be disposed, for example, near the first holding section 21 of the housing 10.

The control unit 40 can be configured with a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 40 has a CPU and a storage unit that stores the control program for the entire device executed by the CPU and various data. The storage unit can be configured with a ROM, a RAM, or the like.

In the tube joining device 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 40 controls operations such as the "cutting operation" and "retraction operation" described below.

The first tube 210 and the second tube 220 can be made of, for example, a resin tube having inner cavities 211, 221 (see FIG. 13) through which a fluid containing biological components can flow. Each tube 210, 220 can be made of, for example, polyvinyl chloride. However, the material of each tube 210, 220 is not limited as long as it can be joined to each other by cutting and applying pressure. For example, each tube 210, 220 may be made of a different material. There are also no particular limitations on the outer diameter, cross-sectional shape, etc. of each tube 210, 220.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first tube 210 is configured as a tube on the peritoneal dialysis fluid bag T11 side. A specified connector T12 is attached to the tip of the first tube 210. The dialysis fluid tube T14 of the dialysis fluid bag T11 is connected to the opposite side of the tip of the first tube 210 via a branch pipe T13. The first tube 210 is also connected to a drainage tube T16 of a drainage bag T15 via the branch pipe T13.

The second tube 220 is configured as a tube placed on the side of the peritoneal catheter T26 of the user H, which is used during peritoneal dialysis. Specifically, the second tube 220 includes an extension tube T21 and a protective tube T22. The extension tube T21 is connected to the peritoneal catheter T26 via a connecting tube T23, a silicone tube T24, and a catheter joint T25. One end of the peritoneal catheter T26 can be inserted into the abdominal cavity of the user H.

The flow of the cutting and joining operations performed by the tube joining device 1 will be described generally with reference to Figures 7 to 12. Note that the removal section D is not shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10 to 12.

When user H starts joining tubes using the tube joining device 1, he or she sets each tube 210, 220 in the first holding portion 21 and the second holding portion 22 as shown in FIG. 7.

After setting each tube 210, 220, the user H closes the lid portion 50. When the lid portion 50 is closed, the tubes 210, 220 are pressed against each other by the fixed side tube pressing portion 70 and the rotation mechanism 80, as shown in FIG. 8.

User H operates various buttons on the operation panel located on the housing 10 to instruct the control unit 40 to perform the cutting and joining operation.

When the control unit 40 receives an instruction from the user H, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 40 brings the wafer 100 close to each of the tubes 210, 220 and cuts each of the tubes 210, 220. At this time, the wafer 100 comes into contact with the removal unit D, and foreign matter S attached to the wafer 100 is removed.

As shown in FIG. 10, after cutting each tube 210, 220, the control unit 40 drives the rotation mechanism 80 to rotate each tube 210, 220 so that the positions of the cut first end 210a of the first tube 210 and the cut second end 220a of the second tube 220 are swapped.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 40 cuts each tube 210, 220, and then moves the wafer 100 relatively away from each tube 210, 220. The control unit 40 presses and joins one side (each end 210a, 220a side) of each tube 210, 220 that has been released from the second holding unit 22 against the other side of each tube 210, 220 that has not been rotated.

After the ends 210a, 210b of the tubes 210, 220 have been swapped and joined, as shown in FIG. 12, user H can pull the joint apart by pulling it with his/her fingers, etc.

When the joining operation is completed, the side of the first tube 210 connected to the connector T12 remains joined to the second tube 220 via the second end 220a of the second tube 220. In addition, the second tube 220 remains joined to the side of the first tube 210 connected to the branch pipe T13 via the first end 210a of the first tube 210.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 13 to 18.

Figures 13 to 18 show an example of a state in which peritoneal fluid has already been discharged through the first tube 210 before the cutting and joining operations are performed by the tube joining device 1, resulting in a state in which a foreign body S (e.g., a solidified liquid containing proteins, etc.) remains near the cutting position Y0 in the inner cavity 211 of the first tube 210 of the wafer 100.

As shown in FIG. 13, when cutting the first tube 210 and the second tube 220, the control unit 40 performs a cutting operation to bring the wafer 100 relatively close to the first tube 210 and the second tube 220.

Specifically, during the cutting operation, the control unit 40 moves the wafer 100 toward the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 along a predetermined first path p1. At this time, the control unit 40 performs a lifting operation to lift the holder unit 30 along the first path p1 (see arrow u in FIG. 4).

When the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 are cut by the wafer 100, foreign matter S may leak from the inner cavity 211 of the first tube 210 as shown in FIG. 14. Furthermore, the leaked foreign matter S may adhere to each side surface 101, 102 of the wafer 100 that comes into contact with the cut surface of the first tube 210 during the cutting operation.

17 and 18, if the wafer 100 is retracted from each tube 210, 220 along the second path p2, which is the same as the first path p1, after the cutting operation with foreign matter S adhering to each side 101, 102, the foreign matter S adhering to each side 101, 102 will adhere to the outer surface of each tube 210, 220. If the tubes 210, 220 are joined together with foreign matter S adhering to the outer surface of each tube 210, 220, the foreign matter S will get into the joint or hinder the formation of the joint. This will reduce the strength of the joint or increase the possibility of pinholes being formed. In particular, in the portion where the foreign matter S was not removed when the first tube 210 was rotated (the portion toward the rear of the tube connecting device 1), the foreign matter S that had migrated from the first side surface 101 to the tubes 210, 220 and the foreign matter S that had migrated from the second side surface 102 to the tubes 210, 220 tend to accumulate, making it easier for the above-mentioned pinholes to occur.

The tube joining device 1 according to this embodiment has a removal unit D. As shown in FIG. 14, the removal unit D wipes off and removes the foreign matter S when the wafer 100 cuts the first tube 210 and the second tube 220. The removal unit D can remove all or part of the foreign matter S. As an example, FIGS. 14 to 16 show a case where all of the foreign matter S has been removed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter S from being mixed into the joining portion during the joining operation that is performed after the cutting operation. This can effectively prevent a decrease in the joining strength and the occurrence of pinholes. Even if the removal unit D is configured to remove a portion of the foreign matter S, it is possible to reduce the amount of foreign matter S that is mixed into the joining portion during the joining operation that is performed after the cutting operation, thereby effectively suppressing a decrease in the joining strength and the occurrence of pinholes.

As shown in FIG. 15, after cutting the first tube 210 and the second tube 220, the control unit 40 rotates the first tube 210 relative to the second tube 220. When the control unit 40 rotates the first tube 210, a portion of the foreign matter S attached to the first side surface 101 located on the side in contact with the cut first end portion 210a of the first tube 210 is diffused from the wafer 100 as the first tube 210 rotates.

As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 40 wipes and removes the foreign matter S using the removal unit D, and then performs a retraction operation to move the wafer 100 relatively away from the first tube 210 and the second tube 220.

As described above, the tube joining device 1 according to this embodiment is a tube joining device that, after cutting the first tube 210 and the second tube 220, replaces and joins the first end 210a of the first tube 210 and the second end 220a of the second tube 220. The tube joining device 1 has a tube holding unit 20 that holds the first tube 210 and the second tube 220, a wafer 100 that cuts the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 held by the tube holding unit 20, and a removal unit D that wipes off and removes at least a part of the foreign matter S that adheres to the wafer 100 when cutting the first tube 210 and the second tube 220. According to the tube joining device 1 configured in this manner, the removal unit D can wipe off and remove at least a part of the foreign matter S. Therefore, even if the foreign matter S remains in the inner cavity of the first tube 210, it is possible to prevent a decrease in joining strength and the occurrence of pinholes.

The tube joining device 1 further includes a lid portion 50 that is configured to be openable and closable relative to the tube holding portion 20, and the removal portion D is disposed on the lid portion 50. With the tube joining device 1 configured in this manner, foreign matter S can be removed from the wafer 100 simply by disposing the removal portion D on a ready-made product, which prevents the configuration of the tube joining device 1 from becoming complicated.

The removal section D is also disposed in the path through which the wafer 100 passes when it is cut. With the tube joining device 1 configured in this manner, foreign matter can be removed when the wafer 100 cuts the first tube 210 and the second tube 220, so that foreign matter can be wiped off conveniently without increasing the number of processes.

The removal section D is made of nonwoven fabric. With the tube joining device 1 configured in this manner, the nonwoven fabric can effectively remove the foreign matter S adhering to the wafer 100.

The wafer 100 is a plate-shaped metal wafer that is heated when cutting, and the first tube 210 and the second tube 220 are resin tubes with internal cavities 211, 221 through which fluid containing biological components can flow. With the tube joining device 1 configured in this way, the tube joining device 1 can prevent a decrease in joining strength and the occurrence of pinholes in tubes for medical applications such as those used for peritoneal dialysis.

The above describes the tube connecting device according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

For example, the application of the present invention is not limited to peritoneal dialysis. As one example, it can be applied to a device that joins a tube connected to a container (bag) that contains blood products used for transfusions to another tube. As another example, it can be applied to a device that joins a tube connected to a container (bag) that contains a cell culture solution that contains various cells that have been collected and cultured to another tube.

In addition, the tube joining device of the present invention is not particularly limited in terms of the specific device configuration, control content, control procedure, etc., as long as it is configured to prevent a decrease in joining strength and the occurrence of pinholes by performing an operation of wiping and removing foreign matter S using a removal unit D after cutting the first tube and the second tube.

1 Tube joining device 10 Housing 20 Tube holding section 21 First holding section 22 Second holding section 30 Holder section 40 Control section 50 Lid section 80 Rotation mechanism 100 Wafer (cutting member)
210 First tube 210a Cut first end 211 First tube lumen 220 Second tube 220a Cut second end 221 Second tube lumen D Removed portion

Claims (5)

A tube joining device that cuts a first tube and a second tube, and then replaces and joins a first cut end of the first tube with a second cut end of the second tube,
a tube holding portion that holds the first tube and the second tube;
a cutting member configured to cut the first tube and the second tube held by the tube holding portion;
a removal unit that wipes off and removes at least a portion of foreign matter that adheres to the cutting member when the first tube and the second tube are cut. The tube holder further includes a lid portion configured to be openable and closable relative to the tube holder,
The tube connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the remover is disposed in the lid. The tube joining device according to claim 2, wherein the removal unit is disposed in a path through which the cutting member passes during cutting. The tube joining device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the removal section is a nonwoven fabric. The cutting member is a plate-shaped metal wafer that is heated during cutting,
5. The tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the first tube and the second tube are resin tubes having an inner cavity through which a fluid containing a biological component can flow.