JP7714907B2 - Connector cleaner, cleaner adapter, and connector cleaning system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector cleaner for cleaning connectors used to connect medical tubing, a cleaner adapter for use with this connector cleaner, and a connector cleaning system that includes these.

Conventionally, connectors used for connecting medical tubes for enteral nutrition applications have a male connector on the side connected to the patient and a female connector on the opposite side. Due to the structure of such connectors, there are cases where nutrients related to enteral nutrition, for example, remain in the internal space of the male connector on the patient's side. As a result, there is a risk of hygienic problems, such as the growth of bacteria, in the male connector left connected to the patient. To eliminate this risk, technology for cleaning male connectors has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a syringe containing cleaning liquid is connected to the top of the cleaning unit, and the nozzle of this syringe is inserted into a port in the cleaning unit, through which the liquid is sprayed toward the tip of a male connector inserted into the cylindrical portion of the cleaning unit. The port through which the cleaning liquid is sprayed is offset from the central axis of the cleaning unit into which the male connector is inserted, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed toward the tip of the male connector either directly from this opening or through a baffle plate with small holes formed in it that blocks this opening.

The cleaning liquid sprayed in this way flows circumferentially along the cylindrical inner surface of the male connector, cleaning the inner surface of the male connector.

Patent No. 6237402

However, nutrients vary in viscosity from low to high, and because the treatment takes a long time, the nutrients can become firmly attached and may not be able to be completely removed by the flow pressure of the cleaning solution, resulting in residual nutrients remaining.

The present invention was invented in light of the above circumstances, and aims to provide technology that enables medical male connectors to be cleaned more reliably.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.
A connector cleaner for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body with a fluid flow path passing through it in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler that is connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounds the male connector body,
a cleaning fluid ejection section that ejects cleaning fluid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector that is surrounded by a side surface of the male connector body and an inner surface of the coupler;
a housing portion for housing the medical male connector;
a discharge section that is in communication with the housing section and that discharges the cleaning liquid sprayed into the internal space of the medical male connector to the outside while the medical male connector is housed in the housing section;
Equipped with
The cleaning liquid ejection portion is characterized in that it is arranged circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector accommodated in the accommodation portion.

In this way, in a connector cleaner configured to spray cleaning liquid from the front toward the internal space of a medical male connector having a coupler connected to the male connector body, the cleaning liquid spraying section that sprays the cleaning liquid is arranged circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector, allowing the cleaning liquid to be sprayed evenly into the internal space, more reliably cleaning the medical male connector.

"Circumferential" refers to a state in which the position is a constant diameter centered on the axis of the medical male connector. The diameter centered on the axis of the medical male connector is not limited to one, and may be multiple. The number of cleaning liquid jetting parts is not limited, and includes a single cleaning liquid jetting part that extends circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector, or multiple cleaning liquid jetting parts that are distributed circumferentially. Additionally, multiple cleaning liquid jetting parts may be arranged evenly circumferentially, i.e., spaced at equal angles around the axis of the medical male connector.

The present invention also provides
a male connector body having a cylindrical coupler connected to the male connector body at one end and surrounding the male connector body, the connector being equipped with: a cleaning fluid ejection unit that ejects cleaning fluid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector that is surrounded by the side of the male connector body and the inner surface of the coupler; a storage unit that houses the medical male connector; and a discharge unit that communicates with the storage unit and that ejects the cleaning fluid ejected into the internal space of the medical male connector to the outside while the medical male connector is housed in the storage unit, the cleaning fluid ejection unit being arranged circumferentially about the axis of the medical male connector housed in the storage unit.
The connector cleaner is characterized by having a first connection part connected to the connector cleaner, a second connection part connected to a cleaning liquid supply source that supplies the cleaning liquid to the connector cleaner, and a cleaning liquid supply path through which the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the connector cleaner flows.

This allows cleaning liquid to be sprayed toward the internal space of the medical male connector from cleaning liquid spraying parts arranged circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector, thereby spraying cleaning liquid into the internal space in a balanced manner and more reliably cleaning the medical male connector. By connecting the connector washer to a cleaning liquid supply source and providing an adapter for the washer with a cleaning liquid supply path through which cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the connector washer flows, the degree of freedom in designing the flow path that directs cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid spraying parts of the connector washer is improved. In other words, the cleaning liquid supply path can be appropriately designed as a flow path that can efficiently guide cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source to the cleaning liquid spraying parts arranged circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector.

Furthermore, by configuring the washer adapter having a cleaning liquid supply path to be connected to the connector washer and the cleaning liquid supply source, the connection between the connector washer and the cleaning liquid supply source can be disconnected and each can be cleaned separately, allowing for easy and reliable cleaning.
In addition, the connector washer and the washer adapter can be configured for different usage patterns, such as using one connector washer for each patient connected to a medical male connector, and using the washer adapter for multiple patients.
Furthermore, by designing the second connector connected to the cleaning fluid supply source according to the specifications of the connector with the cleaning fluid supply source or the cleaning fluid supply source-side washer adapter, the medical male connector can be cleaned by simply replacing the washer adapter according to the specifications of the connector with the cleaning fluid supply source or the cleaning fluid supply source-side washer adapter. The cleaning fluid supply source can be, for example, a syringe or a cleaning fluid tank with a pressure pump, but is not limited to these. Furthermore, various connection styles, such as male or female, Luer lock, or Luer taper, can be used for the second connector and the cleaning fluid supply source-side connector.

In addition, in the present invention,
The cleaning liquid supply path may have an expanding portion whose inner diameter expands toward the end on the first connection portion side.

This allows the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to be efficiently guided to the cleaning liquid spraying sections arranged around the periphery of the connector cleaner via the expanding diameter section, whose inner diameter expands toward the end on the first connection side.

In addition, in the present invention,
The cleaning liquid supply path may have a small diameter portion between the end on the first connection portion side and the end on the second connection portion side, the small diameter portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter at the end on the first connection portion side and the inner diameter at the end on the second connection portion side.

This means that liquid is less likely to remain in the cleaning liquid supply channel after using or cleaning the washer adapter, making it less likely that a large amount of residual liquid will drip outside after use.

In addition, in the present invention,
The first connection portion is
a seal member that maintains a liquid-tight gap between the cleaner adapter and the connector cleaner; and a connecting means that is connected to the connector cleaner by rotating it around a connecting direction to the connector cleaner.
an operating portion extending in an outer diameter direction around a second axis extending in the connection direction;
The above formula may be used.

This allows the seal member to maintain a liquid-tight seal between the washer adapter and the connector washer, preventing leakage of cleaning fluid and other liquids. Furthermore, since the operating part extends radially outward from the second axis, which extends in the direction of connection to the connector washer, when connecting the washer adapter to the connector washer by rotating it around the second axis, the connection can be easily and reliably achieved by holding the operating part and rotating the washer adapter.

In addition, in the present invention,
The second connecting portion may include a generally cylindrical coupler that is rotatably coupled to a main body portion of the cleaner adapter and surrounds the periphery of the main body portion.

This allows the coupler to rotate relative to the main body of the washer adapter at the second connection part. By rotating the coupler while maintaining the orientation of the washer adapter or the connector washer connected to it via the first connection part, the washer adapter can be connected to the connection part on the cleaning fluid supply source side.

The present invention also provides
A connector cleaner for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body with a fluid flow path passing through it in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler that is connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounds the male connector body,
a connector washer comprising: a cleaning liquid ejection unit that ejects cleaning liquid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector surrounded by the side surface of the male connector body and the inner surface of the coupler; a housing unit that houses the medical male connector; and a discharge unit that communicates with the housing unit and that ejects the cleaning liquid ejected into the internal space of the medical male connector to the outside while the medical male connector is housed in the housing unit, wherein the cleaning liquid ejection unit is arranged circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector housed in the housing unit;
a washer adapter having a first connection part connected to the connector washer, a second connection part connected to a cleaning liquid supply source that supplies the cleaning liquid to the connector washer, and a cleaning liquid supply path through which the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the connector washer flows;
the cleaning fluid supply source;
A connector cleaning system comprising:

In this cleaning system, which includes a connector cleaner configured to spray cleaning liquid from the front toward the internal space of a medical male connector having a coupler connected to the male connector body, the cleaning liquid spraying section that sprays the cleaning liquid is arranged circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector, allowing the cleaning liquid to be sprayed evenly into the internal space, more reliably cleaning the medical male connector.

Here, "circumferential" refers to a state in which the position is at a constant diameter centered on the axis of the medical male connector. The diameter centered on the axis of the medical male connector is not limited to one, and may be multiple. The number of cleaning liquid jetting portions is not limited, and includes a single cleaning liquid jetting portion that extends circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector, or multiple cleaning liquid jetting portions that are distributed circumferentially. Furthermore, multiple cleaning liquid jetting portions may be arranged evenly circumferentially, i.e., spaced at equal angles around the axis of the medical male connector.

Furthermore, by providing a washer adapter that connects the connector washer to a cleaning fluid supply source and has a cleaning fluid supply path through which cleaning fluid supplied from the cleaning fluid supply source to the connector washer flows, the degree of freedom in designing the flow path that directs cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid spraying portion of the connector washer is increased.In other words, the cleaning fluid supply path can be appropriately designed as a flow path that can efficiently direct cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply source to the cleaning fluid spraying portions that are arranged circumferentially around the axis of the medical male connector.

Furthermore, by configuring the washer adapter having a cleaning liquid supply path to be connected to the connector washer and the cleaning liquid supply source, the connection between the connector washer and the cleaning liquid supply source can be disconnected and each can be cleaned separately, allowing for easy and reliable cleaning.
In addition, the connector washer and the washer adapter can be configured for different usage patterns, such as using one connector washer for each patient connected to a medical male connector, and using the washer adapter for multiple patients.
Furthermore, by designing the second connector connected to the cleaning fluid supply source according to the specifications of the connector with the cleaning fluid supply source or the cleaning fluid supply source-side washer adapter, it is possible to clean the medical male connector by simply replacing the washer adapter according to the specifications of the connector with the cleaning fluid supply source or the cleaning fluid supply source-side washer adapter. Also, various connection styles can be applied to the second connector and the cleaning fluid supply source-side connector, such as male or female, luer lock, or luer taper.

The cleaning fluid supply source can be, for example, a syringe or a cleaning fluid tank with a pressure pump, but is not limited to these. If a device such as a cleaning fluid tank with a pressure pump is used as the cleaning fluid supply source, the cleaning fluid supply source also includes tubing that transports cleaning fluid from such a device to the washer adapter.

In addition, in the present invention,
the cleaning liquid supply path has an expanded diameter portion at an end portion on the first connection portion side,
The second connection portion may include a male connector.

This allows the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to be efficiently guided to the cleaning liquid spraying sections arranged around the periphery of the connector cleaner via the expanding diameter section, whose inner diameter expands toward the end on the first connection side, and also allows the use of a cleaning liquid supply source with a female connection structure as the connection section on the cleaning liquid supply source side.

The present invention also provides
A washer adapter to be connected to a connector washer for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body with a fluid flow path passing through it in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler that is connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounds the male connector body,
The connector cleaner is characterized by having a first connection part connected to the connector cleaner, a second connection part connected to a cleaning liquid supply source that supplies cleaning liquid to the connector cleaner, and a cleaning liquid supply path through which the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the connector cleaner flows.

A direct connection between the connector washer and the cleaning fluid supply source is preferable because it ensures a liquid-tight seal between the cleaning fluid supply source and the connector washer when the cleaning fluid is supplied to the connector washer by applying internal pressure from the cleaning fluid supply source. However, this direct connection between the connector washer and the cleaning fluid supply source only allows the connector washer to be connected to specific cleaning fluid sources. However, by providing a washer adapter that connects the connector washer to the cleaning fluid supply source, it is possible to connect various cleaning fluid sources to the connector washer.
Furthermore, by designing the second connector connected to the cleaning fluid supply source according to the specifications of the connector with the cleaning fluid supply source or the cleaning fluid supply source-side washer adapter, the medical male connector can be cleaned by simply replacing the washer adapter according to the specifications of the connector with the cleaning fluid supply source or the cleaning fluid supply source-side washer adapter. The cleaning fluid supply source can be, for example, a syringe or a cleaning fluid tank with a pressure pump, but is not limited to these. Furthermore, various connection styles, such as male or female, Luer lock, or Luer taper, can be used for the second connector and the cleaning fluid supply source-side connector.
Furthermore, by providing a washer adapter that connects the connector washer to a cleaning liquid supply source and has a cleaning liquid supply path through which cleaning liquid flows when supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the connector washer, the degree of freedom in designing the flow path that directs cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid spraying portion of the connector washer is improved.
Furthermore, by configuring the washer adapter having a cleaning liquid supply path to be connected to the connector washer and the cleaning liquid supply source, the connection between the connector washer and the cleaning liquid supply source can be disconnected and each can be cleaned separately, allowing for easy and reliable cleaning.
In addition, the connector washer and the washer adapter can be configured for different usage patterns, i.e., one connector washer can be used for each patient connected to a medical male connector, while the washer adapter can be used for multiple patients.

The present invention also provides
A connector cleaner for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body with a fluid flow path passing through it in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler that is connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounds the male connector body,
a cleaning fluid ejection section that ejects cleaning fluid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector that is surrounded by a side surface of the male connector body and an inner surface of the coupler;
a housing portion for housing the medical male connector;
a discharge portion that is in communication with the housing portion and that discharges the cleaning liquid sprayed into the internal space to the outside while the medical male connector is housed in the housing portion;
Equipped with
the housing portion has a cleaning liquid receiving portion facing the internal space and into which at least a portion of the cleaning liquid sprayed into the internal space from the cleaning liquid spraying portion flows, in front of the medical male connector housed in the housing portion;
the cleaning liquid receiving portion has a discharge opening portion that opens and communicates with the discharge portion, and an opposing wall portion that faces the internal space,
When the height is defined from the front to the rear in the axial direction, the height of the lowest part of the discharge opening is the same as or lower than the lowest part of the opposing wall.

As a result, even if at least a portion of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the cleaning liquid spray portion toward the internal space of the medical male connector flows into the cleaning liquid receiving portion, the flowing cleaning liquid flows toward the discharge opening, which is at the same height as or lower than the lowest part of the opposing wall, and is discharged from the drainage portion that communicates with this discharge opening, so the cleaning liquid does not remain in the storage portion after cleaning.

In addition, in the present invention, the means for solving the above problems can be used in combination whenever possible.

This invention allows for more reliable cleaning of medical male connectors.

1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a cleaning system in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a male connector in an embodiment of the present invention. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of a main body of the cleaning unit. 4A is an exploded right side view of a cleaning unit in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the same. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a syringe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A is a side view of a syringe connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6B is a plan view of the same, FIG. 6C is a bottom view of the same, and FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the same. 7A is a perspective view of a syringe according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a side view of the syringe, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the syringe. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method for assembling a cleaning system in an embodiment of the present invention. 9A is a right side view of a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of the same. 10A is a front view of a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of the same. 11A is a plan view of a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of the same, and FIG. 11C is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of the same.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment described below is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention to the following aspects.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a connector cleaning unit 10, a syringe connecting member 20, and a syringe 30 according to this embodiment.
1 shows the overall configuration of a cleaning system 1 including the above components. The cleaning system 1 corresponds to a connector cleaning system of the present invention.
In the cleaning system 1 , a male connector 100 housed in a connector cleaning section (hereinafter simply referred to as a cleaning section) 10 is cleaned with a cleaning liquid stored in a syringe 30 .

As shown in FIG. 1, a syringe connection member 20 is connected to the axial side of the cleaning unit 10 opposite the side where the male connector 100 is inserted (referred to as the base end side). The syringe 30 is then connected to the connector cleaning unit 10 via the syringe connection member 20.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a male connector 100 for enteral nutrition, which is an example of a target for cleaning by the cleaning unit 10 in this embodiment. In Figure 2, the lower side corresponds to the tip end of the male connector 100, and the upper side corresponds to the rear end. In Figure 1, dashed line Ax0 indicates the axial direction of the male connector 100. The male connector 100 in this embodiment is equipped with a connector body 101, which serves as a male connector body and has an internal flow path 101a that communicates with a tube 102. The connector body 101 has a tapered (also called a truncated cone) side surface 101b whose outer diameter decreases toward the tip. The male connector 100 corresponds to a medical male connector of the present invention. Note that the target for cleaning by the cleaning unit 10 is not limited to male connectors for enteral nutrition, but may also be a connector used in medical procedures such as dialysis.

A generally cylindrical coupler 103 is provided around the connector body 101, surrounding the outer periphery of the connector body 101. A coupler coupling portion 103b provided on the rear end of the inner surface of this coupler 103, together with a body coupling portion 101c provided on the rear end of the side surface 101b of the connector body 101, form a connector coupling portion 100a as a coupling portion. In the connector coupling portion 100a, the coupler 103 is coupled to the connector body 101 so that it can rotate around its axis and cannot come loose toward the tip end. The space enclosed by the side surface 101b of the connector body 101, the inner surface of the coupler 103, and the connector coupling portion 100a is hereinafter referred to as the internal space 100b of the male connector 100. Note that the coupling portion may be such that the coupler 103 is fixed to the connector body 101 so that it cannot rotate around its axis. That is, although a free-lock connector is shown as an example in this embodiment, a fixed-lock connector may also be used.

Further rearward of the connector body coupling portion 101c, a circular disk-shaped rib portion 101d is formed extending outward along the entire side surface of the connector body 101, functioning as a stopper to prevent the coupler 103 from moving excessively rearward relative to the connector body 101. A circular disk-shaped rib portion 101e is similarly formed behind the rib portion 101d, extending outward along the entire side surface of the connector body 101. A circumferential groove 101g is formed between the rib portions 101d and 101e by a bottom portion 101f extending parallel to the axial direction of the connector body 101 and the rib portions 101d and 101e, and an elastic ring (not shown) is attached to the groove. Furthermore, the rear end of the flow path 101a in the connector body 101 has an expanded inner diameter to form a large-diameter portion 101h into which the tube 102 can be press-fitted. A female thread 103a is formed on the inner surface of the coupler 103, allowing it to be threadedly coupled to a female connector (not shown) having a male thread. Note that the disk-shaped rib 101d is not essential, and the coupler 103 may be designed to move freely toward the rear end relative to the connector body 101. In other words, the coupler 103 may be a slide coupler.

In this embodiment, the tube 102 shown in Figure 1 is connected to the living body, and the male connector 100 is threadedly connected to the female connector (not shown), allowing fluids such as nutrient solution to be supplied from the female connector side to the living body via the male connector 100 and tube 102.

Figure 3(A) shows an exploded perspective view of the entire cleaning unit 10 for fixing and cleaning the male connector 100 in this embodiment. Figure 3(B) shows a plan view of the main body 11 of the cleaning unit 10. Figure 4(A) shows an exploded right side view of the cleaning unit 10, and Figure 4(B) shows an exploded A-A cross-sectional view of the same. Here, the front, back, top, bottom, left and right are defined based on the view of the cleaning unit 10 in an upright axial position (the position shown in Figure 2(A)) when viewed from the direction in which the drainage tube 112 of the cleaning unit 10 protrudes. In Figure 6, the dashed line Ax1 indicates the axial direction of the cleaning unit 10.

The cleaning unit 10 is composed of a substantially cylindrical main body 11 and a cover member 12. The cleaning unit 10 corresponds to the connector cleaner of the present invention.

The main body 11 has a cylindrical connector mounting portion 111 to which the male connector 100 is attached, a drainage tube portion 112 for discharging cleaning fluid after cleaning the male connector 100, and a connecting member mounting portion 113 to which the syringe connecting member 20 is attached.
The main body 11 is made of a hard material.
The main body 11 may be configured to be disposable and is assumed to be replaced after one or more cleanings.

The connector mounting portion 111 is fitted with the cover member 12 and includes an opening 1111 into which the male connector 100 is inserted, providing a generally cylindrical hollow interior in which the male connector 100 is housed. The cover member 12 is mounted to the main body 2 by fitting the end of the wall portion 1112, which surrounds the opening 1111 and extends axially like a cylinder, on the opening 1111 side into a groove 1223 in the cover member 12, which will be described later. Furthermore, engagement protrusions 1112e and 1112f that protrude outward are formed on the end of the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 1112 on the opening 1111 side. Engagement protrusions 1112e and 1112f extend over a portion of the circumference and are formed so that the amount of outward protrusion increases axially from the opening 1111 side toward the connection member mounting portion 113 side.

The wall portion 1112 of the connector mounting portion 111 includes an expanded diameter portion 1112a that expands in diameter toward the opening 1111, and a small diameter portion 1112d of approximately the same diameter, separated by a step portion 1112b and a tapered portion 1112c, on the opposite side of the opening 1111 from the expanded diameter portion 1112a. The tapered portion 1112c serves to guide the male connector 100 into the small diameter portion 1112d when inserting the male connector 100 through the insertion hole 121a of the cover member 12, which will be described later. The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 1112d is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the coupler 103 of the male connector 100. When the male connector 100 is mounted to the connector mounting portion 111, a gap is formed between the wall portion 1112 and the coupler 103, forming a flow path for the cleaning liquid. The hollow interior of the connector attachment portion 111 is separated from the connection member attachment portion 113 by a partition wall 1113. An end face 1113a of the partition wall 1113 on the small diameter portion 1112d side is provided with a groove 1113b that is annular in plan view and can accommodate the tip of the connector main body 101 when the male connector 100 is attached. A cylindrical protrusion 1113c that is inserted into the flow path 101a of the connector main body 101 is formed on the center side of the inner circumference of the groove 1113b. The protrusion 1113c forms an isolating portion that separates the flow path 101a of the connector main body 101 from the flow path of the cleaning liquid. When the male connector 100 is attached to the connector attachment portion 111, the tip of the coupler 103 abuts against the end face 1113a on the small diameter portion 1112d side on the outer periphery of the groove 1113b. In this case, groove 1113b faces the internal space 100b of male connector 100 at the front of male connector 100. A groove for attaching an elastic ring may be provided on end face 1113a, which the tip of coupler 103 abuts, so that the tip of coupler 103 abuts against the elastic ring. In this way, male connector 100 can be supported so that it can elastically move up and down. Connector mounting portion 111 corresponds to the storage portion of the present invention. Furthermore, the storage portion of the present invention may include a cover member 12 in addition to connector mounting portion 111.

As shown in Figure 3(B), cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4, which serve as cleaning liquid ejection sections, are arranged circumferentially around the axis of protrusion 1113c on bottom surface 1113b1 of groove 1113b in end face 1113a. Here, cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4 are arranged circumferentially at equal angles (90°) apart. Furthermore, axis Ax1 of protrusion 1113c coincides with axis Ax0 of male connector 100 attached to cleaning unit 10. These cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4 penetrate partition wall 1113 and communicate with end face 1113e on the connecting member mounting section 113 side. When cleaning liquid is pressure-fed from the outside to the cleaning liquid inlet hole, cleaning liquid is ejected from cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4 located in front of male connector 100. Here, four cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4 are provided as the cleaning liquid ejection portion, but the number and arrangement of the cleaning liquid ejection holes are not limited to this, as long as they are arranged circumferentially around the axis of protrusion 1113c. One or more cleaning liquid ejection holes can be arranged at a constant diameter from the axis of protrusion 1113c. Alternatively, the cleaning liquid ejection holes may be arranged on a circumference having multiple different diameters from the axis of protrusion 1113c. Here, groove 1113b corresponds to the cleaning liquid receiving portion of the present invention, and bottom surface 1113b1 of groove 1113b corresponds to the opposing wall portion of the present invention.

A first cleaning liquid discharge hole 112b, which communicates with a cleaning liquid discharge channel 112a that penetrates the interior of the drain tube 112, opens at the end of the wall 1112 of the connector mounting portion 111 on the partition wall 1113 side, and a second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c, which similarly communicates with the cleaning liquid discharge channel 112a, opens in the side wall of the groove 1113b. At least a portion of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the cleaning liquid spray holes 1113d1 to 1113d4 into the internal space 100b of the male connector 100 passes from the connector coupling portion 100a, through the gap between the small diameter portion 1112d of the connector mounting portion 111 and the outer surface of the coupler 103, and is discharged from the first cleaning liquid discharge hole 112b into the cleaning liquid discharge channel 112a. Furthermore, at least a portion of the cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4 into the internal space 100b of the male connector 100 flows into the groove 1113b and is discharged from the second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c to the cleaning liquid discharge path 112a. Here, the bottom surface 1113b1 of the groove 1113b is perpendicular to the axis Ax1. When the height is defined in the direction of the arrow attached to the axis Ax1 (which corresponds to the front to rear of the male connector 100 attached to the cleaning unit 10), the height of the bottom surface 1113b1 is the same around the axis Ax1. Furthermore, of the second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c opening into the groove 1113b, the portion 1112c1 intersecting the A-A cross section is the lowest portion (bottom). The height of the bottom surface 1113b1 of this second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c is the same as the height of the bottom surface 1113b1. Furthermore, the cleaning liquid discharge path 112a, which is continuous with the second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c, is formed with a discharge path 112a1 whose height decreases from a lowest portion 112c1 on the A-A cross section toward the tip of the drain tube portion 112. In this embodiment, the height of the lowest portion 112c1 of the second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c is the same as the height of the bottom surface 1113b1, but it may be lower than the height of the bottom surface 113b1. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 1113b1 has a uniform height, but if the bottom surface 113b1 has portions with different heights, the height of the lowest portion 112c1 of the second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c is set to be the same as or lower than the lowest portion of the bottom surface 113b1. In this way, by setting the lowest part of the second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c opening into the groove 1113b to be the same height as or lower than the lowest part of the bottom surface 113b1 of the groove 113b, it is possible to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid or waste liquid remaining in the groove 1113b without being discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge channel 112a. In this embodiment, the first cleaning liquid discharge hole 112b and the second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c are only separated by the coupler 103 when the male connector 100 is attached, so they may be formed simultaneously when the cleaning liquid discharge channel 112a is formed. The cleaning liquid discharge channel 112a corresponds to the discharge portion in this invention. The second cleaning liquid discharge hole 112c corresponds to the discharge opening in this invention.

Connection member mounting portion 113 is provided on the axially opposite side of main body 11 from connector mounting portion 111. Connection member mounting portion 113 has a large diameter portion 1131 including an opening 1131a through which syringe connection member 20 is inserted, and a small diameter portion 1133 connected to large diameter portion 1131 via a reduced diameter portion 1132. Opening 1131a of large diameter portion 1131 has a shape in which fan-shaped openings 1131a2 and 1131a3 that expand in the radial direction are continued on both sides of a circular opening 1131a1 through which tip end portion 217 of syringe connection member 20 can be inserted. Fan-shaped openings 1131a2 and 1131a3 are formed from the end face on the opening 1131a side toward connector mounting portion 111 along the axial direction to a predetermined depth. Grooves 1131b2 and 1131b3 are formed in the circumferential direction, contiguous with the ends of the sectorial portions of openings 1131a2 and 1131a3 on the connector mounting portion 111 side, and are recessed from the inner peripheral surface of large-diameter portion 1131 toward the outer diameter. Grooves 1131b2 and 1131b3 are formed in the clockwise direction relative to the ends of openings 1131a2 and 113a3 when viewed axially from the syringe connecting member 20 side, and form a generally wedge shape in which the axial height of grooves 1131b2 and 1131b3 decreases clockwise. The outer diameter sides of these generally wedge-shaped grooves 1131b2 and 1131b3 penetrate to the outer peripheral surface, forming wedge-shaped holes 1131c2 and 1131c3. Holes 1131c2 and 1131c3 have shapes that are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis, and are generally wedge-shaped with their axial height decreasing clockwise when viewed from the syringe connecting member 20 side. Of openings 1131a of large diameter portion 1131, circular opening 1131a1 communicates with small diameter portion 1133 in the axial direction. Cleaning liquid inlet holes that communicate with the above-mentioned cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1 to 1113d4 are opened in end face 1113e of partition wall 1113 on the small diameter portion 1133 side.

The cover member 12 is generally cylindrical with a bottom. It has a generally disc-shaped end face 121 and a generally cylindrical wall portion 122. An insertion hole 121a for inserting the male connector 100 is formed in the center of the end face 121. The size of the insertion hole 121a need only be large enough to allow insertion of the male connector 100 by elastic deformation, and is not limited to being pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the connector body 101 of the male connector 100 housed in the connector mounting portion 111. The size of the insertion hole 121a may be such that there is a gap between the insertion hole 121a and the connector body 101. The wall portion 122 includes an outer wall portion 1221 on the outer diameter side and an inner wall portion 1222. A cylindrical groove 1223 having an axial depth is provided around the entire circumference between the outer wall portion 1221 and the inner wall portion 1222. Holes 1221a and 1221b extending in a partial circumferential direction are provided on the end face 121 side of the outer wall 1221. Holes 1221a and 1221b penetrate the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall 1221 from the groove 1223 side and are provided at positions rotationally symmetrical to each other about the axis. The cover member 12 is formed from an elastic material such as a vinyl chloride sheet, rubber, elastomer, or polyethylene. The cover member 12 is not limited to being formed integrally from an elastic material as described above. The portion of the cover member 12 including the insertion hole 121a may be formed from the above-mentioned elastic material and held by a holding portion by adhesive or welding, etc. In this case, the holding portion may be provided integrally with the connector mounting portion 111 or separately.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of syringe connecting member 20, Fig. 6(A) is a right side view thereof, Fig. 6(B) is a plan view thereof, Fig. 6(C) is a bottom view thereof, and Fig. 6(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B thereof. Here, syringe connecting member 20 corresponds to the adapter for a washer of the present invention.
The syringe connecting member 20 is a member to which a syringe 30 containing a cleaning liquid is connected, and is connected and fixed to the main body 11 by the practitioner. The syringe connecting member 20 is composed of a substantially cylindrical main body 21 and a coupler 22. The main body 21 of the syringe connecting member 20 has a hollow interior 211. The hollow interior 211 penetrates in the direction of the axis Ax2 from an end face 212 on the syringe 30 side to an end face 213 on the cleaning unit 10 side. Hollow interior 211 includes: reduced diameter section 211a, the inner diameter of which decreases from the syringe 30 side toward the cleaning unit 10 side; small diameter section 211b continuous with reduced diameter section 211a; first expanded diameter section 211c, continuous with small diameter section 211b, whose inner diameter increases slightly toward the cleaning unit 10 side; and second expanded diameter section 211e, the inner diameter of which increases further from first expanded diameter section 211c toward the cleaning unit 10 side via annular end face 211d perpendicular to the axial direction and opens to end face 213 on the cleaning unit 10 side. When the inner diameter of the end of reduced diameter section 211a on the syringe side end face 212 is Da, the inner diameter of the small diameter section is Db, and the inner diameter of the end of first expanded diameter section 211c on the end face 211d side is Dc, the relationship Db<Dc<Da holds. That is, the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion 211a is largest at the end on the syringe 30 side and decreases toward the cleaning unit 10 side, reaching its smallest at the small diameter portion 211b at the tip 217. The inner diameter of the first expanded diameter portion 211c increases from the small diameter portion toward the end face 211d. Thus, the hollow interior 211 of the syringe connecting member 20 has a portion where the inner diameter decreases (here, the small diameter portion 211b) between the end face 213 on the cleaning unit 10 side and the end face 212 on the syringe 30 side. Here, the hollow interior 211 corresponds to the cleaning liquid supply path of the present invention. Furthermore, the second expanded diameter portion 211e (which may include the first expanded diameter portion 211c) corresponds to the expanded diameter portion of the present invention, and the small diameter portion 211b corresponds to the small diameter portion of the present invention. Furthermore, the axis Ax2 corresponds to the second axis of the present invention, and the direction of connection to the connector washer of the present invention coincides with the axis Ax2.

The end 2151 of the main body 21 of the syringe connection member 20 on the syringe 30 side has a tapered shape, with the outer diameter decreasing toward the end face 212. A groove-shaped coupling portion 2152 that rotatably couples with the coupler 22 is formed around the entire circumference on the outer surface of the end 2151 on the cleaning unit 10 side. A rib 2153 that protrudes outward is formed around the entire circumference on the outer surface of the coupling portion 2152 on the cleaning unit 10 side. This rib 2153 functions as a stopper that restricts movement of the coupler 22 attached to the outer periphery of the main body 21 toward the cleaning unit 10 in the direction of axis Ax2. A flange 216 that protrudes outward is formed around the entire circumference on the cleaning unit 10 side of the rib 2153. The tip portion 217, which is the portion from the flange 216 on the cleaning unit 10 side, has a larger outer diameter than the syringe 30 side. Between the rib 2153 and the flange 216, plate-shaped wings 2154 and 2155 are formed contiguously with the rib 2153 and the flange 216. The wings 2154 and 2155 extend radially outward from two locations on the outer peripheral surface that are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis Ax2. The wings 2154 and 2155 securely hold the syringe connection member 20 when inserting or removing it through the opening 1131a of the cleaning unit 10. Furthermore, when rotating the syringe connection member 20 clockwise to attach it to the cleaning unit 10 or counterclockwise to remove it from the cleaning unit 10, placing fingers on the wings 2154 and 2155 increases the rotational moment of the force in the rotational direction, enabling easy and reliable attachment and removal without applying a large amount of force. Here, the main body 21 and coupler 22 of the syringe connection member 20 correspond to the main body and coupler 22 of the washer adapter of the present invention, respectively. Furthermore, the end 2151 of the main body 21 of the syringe connecting member 20 and the coupler 22 correspond to the second connecting portion and male connector of the present invention. The tip 217 corresponds to the first connecting portion of the present invention. The wing portions 2154 and 2155 correspond to the operating portion of the present invention.

Engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of tip portion 217, protruding in the outer diameter direction. Engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 are plate-shaped, extending over a portion of the circumference and protruding toward the outer diameter. Engagement protrusion 2171 is roughly wedge-shaped when viewed from the outer diameter direction. That is, when viewed axially from the syringe 30 side, the shape of engagement protrusion 2171 viewed from the outer diameter direction decreases in axial thickness toward end 2171a in the clockwise direction. Furthermore, the axial distance between the syringe 30-side surface 2171b of engagement protrusion 2171 and flange portion 216 is configured to change circumferentially. That is, when viewed axially from the syringe 30 side, surface 2171b of engagement protrusion 2171 is formed so that it is closer to flange 216 at counterclockwise end 2171c and farther from flange 216 at clockwise end 2171a. Engagement protrusion 2172 has a shape that is rotationally symmetrical to the aforementioned engagement protrusion 2171 with respect to the axis. Here, engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 correspond to connecting means.

A groove 2173, recessed toward the inner diameter, is formed around the entire outer periphery of the tip 217, which is closer to the cleaning unit 10 than the engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172, to allow for attachment of the elastic ring 5 to the main body 2. In this case, the elastic ring 5 corresponds to the sealing member of the present invention.

The generally cylindrical coupler 22 has a coupling portion 221, which rotatably couples to the main body 21, formed on the cleaning unit 10 side so that it protrudes toward the inner diameter. By coupling the coupling portion 221 of the coupler 22 to the coupling portion 2152 of the main body 21, the coupler 22 is coupled to the main body 21 so that it can rotate around its axis and cannot come loose toward the syringe 30. The coupler 22 may also be fixed to the main body 21 so that it cannot rotate around its axis. An internal thread portion 223 is formed on the inner surface of the coupler 22, extending from the opening 222 on the syringe 30 side toward the coupling portion 221.

Fig. 7(A) is a perspective view of the syringe 30, Fig. 7(B) is a front view of the syringe 30, and Fig. 7(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the syringe 30. The syringe 30 corresponds to the cleaning liquid supply source of the present invention.
The syringe 30 is connected to the coupler 22 side of the syringe connection member 20. The syringe 30 has a generally cylindrical outer tube 31 and a small-diameter, generally cylindrical tip 32. The outer tube 31 has an opening 311 on the side opposite the syringe connection member 20. The tip 32 is provided at the center of the outer tube 31 on the syringe connection member 20 side and has an opening 321 on the syringe connection member 20 side. Engagement protrusions 322, 323 are formed on the outer peripheral surface on the opening 321 side. The engagement protrusions 322, 323 protrude radially outward and are generally plate-shaped extending circumferentially. When viewed axially from the opening 311 side, the engagement protrusions 322, 323 are inclined so that clockwise ends 322a, 323a are close to the opening 321 and counterclockwise ends 322b, 323b are farther from the opening 321 and closer to the outer tube 31. The hollow interior 324 of the tip 32 is continuous with the hollow interior 312 of the outer cylinder 31 via a step 235 and a small-diameter portion 326. The diameter of the hollow interior 324 decreases from the opening 321 toward the step 325. Here, the tip 32 constitutes a female connector corresponding to a male connector constituted by the end 2151 of the main body 21 of the syringe connection member 20 and the coupler 22. Although not shown, the syringe 30 has a plunger that is inserted into the hollow interior 312 and communicates with the outside through an opening 311 provided at the end axially opposite the tip 32. The plunger has an axial extension, and a gasket is attached to the tip on the tip 32 side to maintain airtight and liquid-tightness between the plunger and the outer cylinder 31.

Figures 8(A) to 8(C) are diagrams explaining how to assemble the cleaning system 1, showing the state as viewed from the front of the cleaning unit 10. Figures 9(A) and 9(B), 10(A) and 10(B), and 11(A) to 11(C) show the overall configuration of the cleaning system 1 assembled in this manner.
Fig. 9(A) is a right side view of the cleaning system 1, and Fig. 9(B) is a D-D cross-sectional view of the cleaning system 1. Fig. 10(A) is a front view of the cleaning system 1, and Fig. 10(B) is an E-E cross-sectional view of the cleaning system 1. Fig. 11(A) is a plan view of the cleaning system 1, Fig. 11(B) is an F-F cross-sectional view of the cleaning system, and Fig. 11(C) is an enlarged view of the connection portions between the syringe connecting member 20 and each part in the F-F cross-sectional view.

As shown in Figure 8(A), first, the syringe connecting member 20 is connected to the cleaning unit 10, which has the cover member 12 attached to the connector mounting portion 111 of the main body 11. Here, the arrow between the cleaning unit 10 and the syringe connecting member 20 in Figure 8(A) indicates the connection direction of the cleaning device adapter of the present invention to the connector washer. The tip 217 of the syringe connecting member 20 is inserted through the opening 1131a of the large diameter portion 1131 of the connecting member mounting portion 113. At this time, the rotational position of the syringe connecting member 20 around the axis is adjusted so that the engaging protrusions 2171 and 2172 of the syringe connecting member 20 are positioned at the fan-shaped openings 1131a2 and 1131a3 of the large diameter portion 1131 of the connecting member mounting portion 113. In this case, because the engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 of the syringe connecting member 20 are formed rotationally symmetrically about the axis, the engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 may be inserted through the openings 1131a2 and 1131a3, respectively, or through the openings 1131a3 and 1131a2, respectively. In the following description, the engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 will be described as being inserted through the openings 1131a2 and 1131a3, respectively.

As described above, when the tip 217 and engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 of the syringe connection member 20 are inserted through openings 1131a1, 1131a2, and 1131a3, respectively, the engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 abut against the axial ends of openings 1131a2 and 1131a3, respectively. From this point, the syringe connection member 20 is rotated clockwise around its axis as viewed from the coupler 22 side, as shown in FIG. 8(A). Grooves 1131b2 and 1131b3 are formed contiguous with openings 1131a2 and 1131a3 of the connection member mounting portion 113, respectively. Therefore, by rotating the syringe connection member 20 in the clockwise direction as described above, the engagement protrusions 2171 and 2172 engage with grooves 1131b2 and 1131b3, respectively. Groove 1131b2 has a generally wedge-like shape whose axial height decreases clockwise. Furthermore, when viewed axially from the syringe 30 side, surface 2171b of engaging protrusion 2171 is formed such that counterclockwise end 2171c is closer to flange 216 and clockwise end 2171a is farther from flange 216. Therefore, by rotating syringe connection member 20 clockwise, clockwise end 2171a of engaging protrusion 2171 advances to the portion of groove 1131b2 where the axial height is smaller. As engaging protrusion 2171 is guided by groove 1131b2, syringe connection member 20 is pushed further toward connection member mounting portion 113. The engagement protrusion 2172 and groove 1131b3 are configured in the same manner as the engagement protrusion 2171 and groove 1131b2, so that when the engagement protrusion 2172 is guided into the groove 1131b3, the syringe connection member 20 is similarly pushed further toward the connection member mounting portion 113.

When syringe connecting member 20 is pushed into connecting member mounting portion 113 in this manner, end face 213 of syringe connecting member 20 reaches a position where it abuts end face 1113e of connecting member mounting portion 113 (see FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B, and 11C). At this time, elastic ring 5 attached to groove 2173 of tip portion 217 presses against the inner circumferential surface of small diameter portion 1133, thereby maintaining a liquid-tight gap between cleaning unit 10 and syringe connecting member 20 and preventing cleaning fluid sprayed from enlarged diameter portion 211e from leaking from opening 1131a.
The method for maintaining the liquid-tightness of the gap between the tip portion 217 of the syringe connecting member 20 and the connecting member mounting portion 113 of the cleaning unit 10 is not limited to the above-described case of interposing the elastic ring 5. For example, the gap between the tip portion 217 of the syringe connecting member 20 and the connecting member mounting portion 113 of the cleaning unit 10 can be maintained liquid-tight by bringing a tapered surface provided on the tip portion 217 of the syringe connecting member 20 into liquid-tight contact with a tapered surface provided on the connecting member mounting portion 113 of the cleaning unit 10.

11(B) and (C), when the end face 213 of the syringe connecting member 20 abuts against the end face 1113e of the connecting member mounting portion 113 of the cleaning unit 10, cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4 that penetrate the partition wall 1113 open in the end face 1113e opposite the end face 211d where the first enlarged diameter portion 211c of the syringe connecting member 20 opens. The second enlarged diameter portion 211e, where the first enlarged diameter portion 211c of the syringe connecting member 20 opens in the center, expands in diameter to a range that covers the cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4 that are evenly spaced circumferentially around the end face 1113e. By forming the hollow interior 211 in this way, the cleaning liquid pumped from the syringe 30 can be efficiently guided to the cleaning liquid ejection holes 1113d1-1113d4, passed through the partition wall 1113, and ejected evenly circumferentially from the bottom of the groove 1113b on the end face 1113a into the internal space 100b of the male connector 100, thereby more reliably cleaning the male connector 100.

After attaching the syringe connection member 20 to the cleaning unit 10 as described above, the syringe 30 is connected to the syringe connection member 20 as shown in FIG. 8B. The tip 32 is inserted between the end 2151 of the main body 21 of the syringe connection member 20 and the opening 222 of the coupler 22, and the end 2151 of the main body 21 of the syringe connection member 20 is inserted into the opening 321 of the tip 32. By rotating the coupler 22 counterclockwise about the axis Ax2 as shown in FIG. 8B, the engaging protrusions 322 and 323 of the tip 32 engage with the female thread portion 223 and move along the thread groove toward the cleaning unit 10. At this time, the tapered end 2151 of the main body 21 of the syringe connection member 20 moves from the opening 321 along the hollow interior 324 of the tip 32, which narrows in diameter. In this way, the engaging projections 322 and 323 engage with the female thread portion 223 of the coupler 22, and the end portion 2151 of the main body 21 of the syringe connecting member 20 and the hollow interior 324 of the nozzle 32 are tapered and fitted together (see FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B, and 11C). This ensures a secure connection between the syringe connecting member 20 and the syringe 30, and prevents the cleaning liquid from leaking from the connection portion between the syringe connecting member 20 and the syringe 30.

In this manner, the cleaning unit 10, syringe connection member 20, and syringe 30 are connected. Although not shown in the figure, the syringe or drainage tube is then connected to the drainage tube portion 112 of the cleaning unit 10.

Next, as shown in Figure 8 (C), the male connector 100 is inserted through the insertion hole 121a of the cover member 12 of the cleaning unit 10. The male connector 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 121a from the tip side, i.e., the side where the coupler 103 is attached, and the coupler 103 and connector body 101 are pushed through the opening 1111 into the hollow interior of the connector mounting unit 111. The tip of the connector body 101 is accommodated in the annular groove 1113b provided in the end face 1113a on the small diameter portion 1112d side of the bulkhead 1113 of the connector mounting unit 111, and the cylindrical protrusion 1113c provided on the center side of the inner circumference of the groove 1113b is inserted into the flow path 101a of the connector body 101. When the male connector 100 is attached to the connector attachment portion 111, the tip of the coupler 103 abuts against the end face 1113a on the small diameter portion 1112d side on the outer periphery of the groove 1113b (see Figures 9(B), 10(B), 11(B), and (C)).

As described above, the assembled cleaning system 1 is configured as shown in the overall perspective view of FIG.
Here, in the cleaning system 1, the syringe 30 is used as the cleaning liquid supply source, but a cleaning liquid tank equipped with a pressure pump can also be used as the cleaning liquid supply source. In this case, the end of the syringe connecting member 20 opposite the cleaning unit 10 can be configured to be connectable to a tube that transports the cleaning liquid and is connected to the pressure pump. Furthermore, by providing the end of such a tube with a connecting portion in the form of a female connector similar to the nozzle 32 of the syringe 30, the cleaning system 1 can be configured in which the syringe connecting member 20 serves both as the syringe 30 and the cleaning liquid tank.

10: Cleaning section 11: Connector mounting section 100: Male connector 100a, connector coupling section 100b, internal space 101: Connector body 103, coupler 112a, cleaning liquid discharge paths 1113d1 to 1113d4: Cleaning liquid ejection holes

Claims (9)

A connector cleaner for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body with a fluid flow path passing through it in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler that is connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounds the male connector body,
a cleaning fluid ejection section that ejects cleaning fluid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector that is surrounded by a side surface of the male connector body and an inner surface of the coupler;
a housing portion for housing the medical male connector;
a discharge section that is in communication with the housing section and that discharges the cleaning liquid sprayed into the internal space of the medical male connector to the outside while the medical male connector is housed in the housing section;
Equipped with
a plurality of cleaning liquid ejection portions are arranged in a circumferential direction around the axis of the medical male connector accommodated in the accommodation portion ;
The connector cleaner is characterized in that, when the medical male connector is housed in the housing portion, the space outside the coupler in the housing portion is in communication with the discharge portion . a connector washer for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body through which a fluid flow path passes in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounding the male connector body, the connector washer comprising: a cleaning fluid ejection unit that ejects cleaning fluid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector surrounded by the side of the male connector body and the inner surface of the coupler; a storage unit that houses the medical male connector; and a discharge unit that communicates with the storage unit and discharges the cleaning fluid ejected into the internal space of the medical male connector to the outside when the medical male connector is housed in the storage unit, the cleaning fluid ejection units being arranged in multiple circumferential directions around the axis of the medical male connector housed in the storage unit, and the discharge unit being connected to the space outside the coupler in the storage unit when the medical male connector is housed in the storage unit;
a first connection part connected to the connector washer; a second connection part connected to a cleaning liquid supply source that supplies the cleaning liquid to the connector washer; and a cleaning liquid supply path through which the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the connector washer flows. The adapter for a washer according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleaning liquid supply path has an enlarged diameter portion whose inner diameter expands toward the end on the first connection portion side. The adapter for a washer according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the cleaning liquid supply path has a small-diameter portion between the end on the first connection side and the end on the second connection side, the small-diameter portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter at the end on the first connection side and the inner diameter at the end on the second connection side. The first connection portion is
a seal member that maintains a liquid-tight gap between the cleaner adapter and the connector cleaner; and a connecting means that is connected to the connector cleaner by rotating it around a connecting direction to the connector cleaner.
an operating portion extending in an outer diameter direction around a second axis extending in the connection direction;
5. The adapter for a washer according to claim 2, further comprising: A washer adapter according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second connection part has a substantially cylindrical coupler that is rotatably coupled to the main body of the washer adapter and surrounds the periphery of the main body. A connector cleaner for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body with a fluid flow path passing through it in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler that is connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounds the male connector body,
a connector cleaner comprising: a cleaning liquid ejection unit that ejects cleaning liquid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector surrounded by the side surface of the male connector body and the inner surface of the coupler; a storage unit that houses the medical male connector; and a discharge unit that communicates with the storage unit and that discharges the cleaning liquid ejected into the internal space of the medical male connector to the outside when the medical male connector is housed in the storage unit, wherein a plurality of the cleaning liquid ejection units are arranged in a circumferential direction around the axis of the medical male connector housed in the storage unit, and the discharge unit is connected to the space outside the coupler in the storage unit when the medical male connector is housed in the storage unit;
a washer adapter having a first connection part connected to the connector washer, a second connection part connected to a cleaning liquid supply source that supplies the cleaning liquid to the connector washer, and a cleaning liquid supply path through which the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the connector washer flows;
the cleaning fluid supply source;
Includes a connector cleaning system. the cleaning liquid supply path has an expanded diameter portion at an end portion on the first connection portion side,
The connector cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein the second connection portion includes a male connector. A connector cleaner for cleaning a medical male connector having a cylindrical male connector body with a fluid flow path passing through it in the axial direction, and a substantially cylindrical coupler that is connected to the male connector body at the rear end side and surrounds the male connector body,
a cleaning fluid ejection section that ejects cleaning fluid from the front of the medical male connector into an internal space of the medical male connector that is surrounded by a side surface of the male connector body and an inner surface of the coupler;
a housing portion for housing the medical male connector;
a discharge portion that is in communication with the housing portion and that discharges the cleaning liquid sprayed into the internal space to the outside while the medical male connector is housed in the housing portion;
Equipped with
a plurality of cleaning liquid ejection portions are arranged in a circumferential direction around the axis of the medical male connector accommodated in the accommodation portion;
When the medical male connector is accommodated in the accommodation portion, a space outside the coupler in the accommodation portion is in communication with the discharge portion,
the housing portion has a cleaning liquid receiving portion facing the internal space and into which at least a portion of the cleaning liquid sprayed into the internal space from the cleaning liquid spraying portion flows, in front of the medical male connector housed in the housing portion;
the cleaning liquid receiving portion has a discharge opening portion that opens and communicates with the discharge portion, and an opposing wall portion that faces the internal space,
When the height is defined from the front to the rear in the axial direction, the height of the lowest part of the discharge opening is the same as the height of the lowest part of the opposing wall portion or is lower than the height of the lowest part of the opposing wall portion.