JP7740255B2 - Conversion connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a conversion connector that allows two male connectors with different locking mechanisms to be connected.

Enteral nutrition is a method of administering liquids, including nutrients, liquid foods (commonly known as "enteral nutrition"), and medications, to patients who are no longer able to take food orally. Enteral nutrition involves inserting a flexible tube (catheter) into the patient's digestive tract (e.g., stomach) from outside the body and leaving it in place. Known tubes include nasogastric tubes inserted through the patient's nose and fistula tubes inserted into the stomach through a hole (fistula) formed in the patient's abdomen. The liquid is stored in a container. A connector consisting of a male and female connector is used to create a continuous flow path for the liquid to flow from the container to the tube placed in the patient.

Connectors often have a locking mechanism to maintain the connection between the male and female connectors and prevent them from unintentionally separating. For example, when pumping a highly viscous enteral nutritional supplement, the locking mechanism resists the pressure applied to the enteral nutritional supplement. Known locking mechanisms include a claw locking mechanism and a screw locking mechanism.

Patent Document 1 describes a connector equipped with a claw locking mechanism. The connector consists of a male connector (referred to as the "first connector" in Patent Document 1) that is attached to a port of a container that stores a liquid, and a female connector (referred to as the "second connector" in Patent Document 1) that is attached to the upstream end of a tube (for example, an extension tube connected to a fistula tube). The male connector has a cylindrical base with engaging claws that protrude radially outward from the outer surface of the base. The female connector has an engaging protrusion (referred to as an "inward convex portion" in Patent Document 1) that can engage with the engaging claws. The engaging claws of the male connector and the engaging protrusions of the female connector constitute a claw locking mechanism.

Patent Document 2 (see particularly Figures 5A, 5B, and 6 of Patent Document 2) describes a connector equipped with a thread locking mechanism. The connector consists of a male connector provided at the upstream end of a nasal tube (referred to as a "nasal catheter" in Patent Document 1) and a female connector provided at the tip of a syringe (injector). The male connector comprises a male member (referred to as a "male luer" in Patent Document 2) and an outer tube surrounding the male member. A female thread is provided on the inner surface of the outer tube. The female connector comprises a cylindrical female member (referred to as an "insertion section" in Patent Document 2). A male thread is provided on the outer surface of the female member that can be threaded with the female thread of the male connector. The female thread and male thread constitute a thread locking mechanism.

JP 2013-180048 A JP 2016-158656 A

The connectors in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have different locking mechanisms. Therefore, a male connector equipped with the claw locking mechanism of Patent Document 1, which is attached to the port of a container, cannot be connected to a male connector equipped with the screw locking mechanism of Patent Document 2, which is provided at the upstream end of a nasal tube. However, in medical settings, there may be cases where it is desired to connect two male connectors equipped with such different locking mechanisms to each other.

The object of the present invention is to enable the connection of two male connectors with different locking mechanisms.

The conversion connector of the present invention has a first female connector at one end that can be connected to a first male connector, and a second female connector at the other end that can be connected to a second male connector. The first female connector has a first female member into which the first male member of the first male connector is inserted, and an engaging protrusion that engages with an engaging claw of the first male connector. The second female connector has a second female member into which the second male member of the second male connector is inserted, and a male thread provided on the outer surface of the second female member so as to thread into the female thread of the second male connector. The first female member and the second female member are in communication via a flow path.

According to the present invention, a first male connector equipped with a claw locking mechanism and a second male connector equipped with a screw locking mechanism can be connected via the conversion connector of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conversion connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the first female connector side. FIG. FIG. 1B is a plan view of the conversion connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the conversion connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the conversion connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a method of using the conversion connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3A and 3B are perspective and cross-sectional views of the first male connector. 4A and 4B are perspective and cross-sectional views of the second male connector. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first male connector and the second male connector are connected via the conversion connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first male connector and the second male connector are connected via the conversion connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a conversion connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the first female connector side. FIG. 7B is a plan view of the conversion connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the conversion connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7D is a bottom view of the conversion connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which a first male connector and a second male connector are connected via a conversion connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a conversion connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional perspective view of a conversion connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along another plane of the conversion connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10C is a bottom view of the conversion connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In one aspect of the conversion connector of the present invention described above, the inner surface of the first female member may be configured so that a liquid-tight seal is formed between the first female member and the first male member when the first male connector is connected to the first female connector. This aspect is advantageous for preventing liquid from leaking out from between the first female member and the first male member.

In one aspect of the conversion connector of the present invention described above, the inner peripheral surface of the second female member may be provided with a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases toward the tip of the second female member. This aspect makes it possible to taperedly fit the second male member into the second female member. This is advantageous for forming a liquid-tight seal between the second female member and the second male member with a simple configuration.

The entire conversion connector may be integrally formed as a single component. According to this configuration, a small, high-strength, and simple conversion connector can be easily and inexpensively provided.

The opening of the flow path on the first female member side may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the opening at the tip of the first male member. This reduces the sudden change in flow resistance of the liquid between the opening of the first male member and the flow path of the conversion connector. This reduces stagnation that occurs during the flow of the liquid and improves liquid permeability.

When viewed from the second female member side along the axis of the conversion connector, the opening of the flow path on the second female member side may be provided with a protrusion that protrudes radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface of the second female member. This configuration is advantageous for preventing accidental insertion of a puncture needle that should not be inserted too deeply into the flow path from the second female member.

The present invention will be described in detail below, illustrating preferred embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For the sake of convenience, the drawings referred to in the following description show simplified views of the main components constituting the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention may include any components not shown in the following drawings. Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, the components shown in the following drawings may be modified or omitted. The same reference numerals are used in different drawings to identify identical or corresponding components. Descriptions of such components are omitted in subsequent embodiments, and the descriptions of the preceding embodiments should be taken into consideration as appropriate.

In this invention, the "axis" of a component (e.g., conversion connector, female connector, male connector, female component, male component) refers to the central axis of the component. The "axis" passes through the center of a circle included in the component and/or coincides with the central axis of a cylinder or cone (taper) included in the component. In some of the drawings cited in the following description, the axis has been omitted to simplify the drawing.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conversion connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a plan view of the conversion connector 1. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the conversion connector 1. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the conversion connector 1. The cross section of FIG. 1C is taken along a plane including line 1C-1C in FIG. 1B, and the cross section of FIG. 1D is taken along a plane including line 1D-1D in FIG. 1B. The cross sections of FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D are orthogonal to each other at the axis 1a of the conversion connector 1 (see FIG. 1D). For convenience of the following description, the direction orthogonal to the axis 1a will be referred to as the "radial direction." In the radial direction, the side approaching the axis 1a will be referred to as the "inner side," and the side away from the axis 1a will be referred to as the "outer side." The direction of rotation around the axis 1a will be referred to as the "circumferential direction."

The conversion connector 1 comprises a first female connector 10 and a second female connector 20 arranged coaxially, and a base 30 between the first female connector 10 and the second female connector.

The first female connector 10 includes a first female member 11. The first female member 11 is a recess having a circular planar shape concentric with the axis 1a. The inner peripheral surface 12 of the first female member 11 includes a tapered surface (female tapered surface) whose inner diameter increases slightly toward the tip 11a of the first female member 11. A flat surface 13 surrounds the first female member 11. The flat surface 13 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis 1a. A circumferentially continuous annular groove 14 is provided in the flat surface 13. The planar shape of the annular groove 14 (as viewed along the axis 1a) is a circle concentric with the axis 1a. The annular groove 14 surrounds the first female member 11. The tip 11a of the first female member 11 is aligned with the plane along which the flat surface 13 extends. Note that the annular groove 14 may be omitted in the present invention. In this case, the flat surface 13 extends radially outward from the open end (tip 11 a ) of the first female member 11 .

The first female connector 10 further includes a pair of engagement walls 15. The engagement walls 15 are positioned radially outward from the flat surface 13 and extend further toward the tip of the first female connector 10 (the opposite side from the second female connector 20) than the flat surface 13. The engagement walls 15 are along a cylindrical surface coaxial with the axis 1a. An engagement protrusion 16 protrudes radially inward from the tip of the engagement wall 15. The engagement protrusion 16 extends approximately circumferentially. As shown in FIG. 1D, when viewed from the axis 1a, the left end of the engagement protrusion 16 is open. The right end of the engagement protrusion 16 descends toward the flat surface 13 to form a stop end 18. The surface (lower surface) 16a of the engagement protrusion 16 facing the flat surface 13 includes three inclined surfaces with different inclinations. The pair of engagement walls 15, including the engagement protrusions 16, are symmetrical with respect to the axis 1a. The pair of engagement protrusions 16 constitute a pawl locking mechanism (see Patent Document 1).

The second female connector 20 includes a second female member 21. The second female member 21 has a hollow cylindrical shape coaxial with the shaft 1a. The inner peripheral surface 22 of the second female member 21 includes a tapered surface (female tapered surface) whose inner diameter increases toward the tip of the second female member 21. A male thread 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second female member 21. The male thread 24 constitutes a screw lock mechanism (see Patent Document 2).

A flow path 31 penetrates the base 30 along the axis 1a. The cross-sectional shape of the flow path 31 along a plane perpendicular to the axis 1a is circular. The flow path 31 connects the first female member 11 and the second female member 21. The inner diameter of the flow path 31 is smaller than both the inner diameter of the first female member 11 and the inner diameter of the second female member 21.

The outer surface of the base 30 includes a pair of gripping surfaces 33. Each gripping surface 33 is a substantially flat surface parallel to the axis 1a. The pair of gripping surfaces 33 are arranged parallel to each other, sandwiching the axis 1a. The pair of gripping surfaces 33 make it easy for the operator to apply a rotational force around the axis 1a to the conversion connector 1.

The material of the conversion connector 1 is not limited, but a hard material is preferable, such as resin materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyacetal, polyamide, rigid polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, styrene-ethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and butylene-styrene block copolymer. Considering its use in medical applications and durability, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene are preferred. The conversion connector 1 is preferably manufactured as a single, integrated part by injection molding the resin material.

Explains how to use conversion connector 1.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating how to use the conversion connector 1. The conversion connector 1 can be used to connect a first male connector 800 and a second male connector 900.

The first male connector 800 is attached to a port (not shown) of a container 890 that stores a liquid. The container 890 is a laminate pack (also called a pouch) made by pasting together multiple flexible sheets into a bag shape. The container 890 stores a liquid (e.g., an enteral nutritional supplement) to be administered to a patient during enteral nutrition.

Figure 3A is an oblique view of the first male connector 800, and Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the first male connector 800. The first male connector 800 comprises a base 810 provided on a cap portion 830, and a first male member 801 provided on the base 810. The cap portion 830, base 810, and first male member 801 are arranged coaxially.

The cap portion 830 has a hollow cylindrical portion 831. An internal thread 832 is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 831. A bottom plate 833 closes the opening at the tip side of the cylindrical portion 831. The bottom plate 833 is a flat plate perpendicular to the axis of the cap portion 830.

The base 810 protrudes from the bottom plate 833. The base 810 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion 831. The top plate 813 closes the opening at the tip end of the base 810. The top plate 813 is a flat plate perpendicular to the axis of the base 810. A pair of engagement claws 816 protrude radially outward from the outer edge of the tip of the base 810. The engagement claws 816 extend in the circumferential direction (the direction of rotation around the axis of the base 810). The engagement claws 816 are spaced axially from the bottom plate 833. The surface 816a of the engagement claws 816 facing the bottom plate 833 is composed of a combination of three inclined surfaces with different inclinations. The surface of the engagement claws 816 opposite the bottom plate 833 forms a plane common to the top plate 813. The pair of engagement claws 816 are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the base 810. The pair of engaging claws 816 constitute a claw locking mechanism (see Patent Document 1).

The first male member 801 protrudes from the top plate 813 of the base 810. The first male member 801 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the base 810. A shielding plate 804 with an opening 805 formed therein is provided at the tip of the first male member 801. The opening 805 has a roughly cross shape consisting of a circle 805a concentric with the first male member 801 and four notches (slits) 805b extending radially outward from the circle 805a. The shielding plate 804 partially covers the opening at the tip of the first male member 801. The shielding plate 804 with the opening 805 formed therein is provided to prevent the accidental insertion of a puncture needle with a sharp tip into the first male member 801. The first male member 801 has an outer peripheral surface 802 that is a roughly cylindrical surface overall. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface 802 has a large diameter portion 803 where the outer diameter is maximum, located approximately in the middle in the axial direction of the first male member 801. The outer peripheral surface 802 has tapered surfaces on both the tip end side and the base end side (base 810 side) of the first male member 801 relative to the large diameter portion 803, with the outer diameter decreasing with increasing distance from the large diameter portion 803.

The cap portion 830, base 810, and first male member 801 are in communication with each other. The female thread 832 of the cap portion 830 is threadedly engaged with a male thread (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical port of the container 890. Liquid in the container 890 flows out through the opening 805 of the first male member 801.

The material of the first male connector 800 is not limited, but can be selected from the resin materials of the conversion connector 1 described above. It is preferable that the first male connector 800 be manufactured as a single, integrated part by injection molding a resin material.

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the second male connector 900, and Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the second male connector 900. The second male connector 900 has a second male member 901 having a hollow cylindrical shape and an outer tube 903 surrounding the second male member 901. The outer peripheral surface 902 of the second male member 901 includes a tapered surface (a so-called male tapered surface) in which the outer diameter decreases toward the tip of the second male member 901. The second male member 901 has a flow path 907 that penetrates the second male member 901 along its longitudinal direction. The outer tube 903 has a roughly cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the second male member 901 and radially spaced from the second male member 901. A female thread 904 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 903 facing the second male member 901. The female thread 904 constitutes a screw lock mechanism (see Patent Document 2).

The second male connector 900 further includes a connecting tube 921 coaxial with the second male member 901. The connecting tube 921 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is connected to the male member 911. A pair of grip portions 923 is provided on the outer surface of the connecting tube 921. The pair of grip portions 923 protrude in opposite directions from each other along the radial direction from the connecting tube 921. The grip portions 923 make it easy for the operator to apply a rotational force around its axis to the second male connector 900.

A flexible, hollow tube 909 is inserted into the connecting tube 921 and fixed to the connecting tube 921 with adhesive or the like. The flow path 907 of the second male member 901 is in communication with the tube 909. The tube 909 may be a nasogastric tube inserted through the patient's nasal cavity into the stomach or esophagus. Alternatively, the tube 909 may be a tube (extension tube) connected to a nasogastric tube or fistula tube.

The second male connector 900 further includes a removable cap 930 attached to the tip of the second male connector 900. The cap 930 has a generally circular disk shape with a diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the outer tube 903. The cap 930 can seal the flow path 907 of the second male member 901 and the gap between the second male member 901 and the outer tube 903. A flexible band 935 extends from the outer peripheral edge of the cap 930. The band 935 connects the cap 930 to a ring 937 fixed to the second male connector 900.

The cap 930, band 935, and ring 937 may be integrally molded as a single component. Materials that can be used for this integrated component, including the cap 930, include relatively hard resin materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene, or soft materials with rubber elasticity (so-called elastomers) such as rubber (e.g., isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber) or thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., styrene-based elastomers, olefin-based elastomers, polyurethane-based elastomers).

Except for the above-mentioned integrated product including the cap 930, the second male connector 900 can be integrally molded as a single component using a hard material. The hard material preferably has sufficient mechanical strength (rigidity) to prevent substantial deformation due to external forces. Examples of hard materials that can be used include resin materials such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, and rigid polyvinyl chloride.

As shown in Figure 2, the conversion connector 1 can be placed between a first male connector 800 and a second male connector 900 and used to connect them. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the first male connector 800 and the second male connector 900 connected via the conversion connector 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of Figure 5. In Figure 6, the container 890 is omitted from the illustration to simplify the drawing. The first female connector 10 of the conversion connector 1 is connected to the first male connector 800, and the second female connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 is connected to the second male connector 900.

The connection between the conversion connector 1 and the first male connector 800 will now be described. As shown in Figure 2, the first female connector 10 and the first male connector 800 of the conversion connector 1 are aligned coaxially. The direction connecting the pair of engagement protrusions 16 of the first female connector 10 (see Figure 1A) is approximately perpendicular to the direction connecting the pair of engagement claws 816 of the first male connector 800 (see Figure 3A). In this state, the conversion connector 1 is brought close to the first male connector 800. The base 810 of the first male connector 800 is inserted between the pair of engagement walls 15 of the first female connector 10. The conversion connector 1 and the first male connector 800 are rotated in opposite directions. The conversion connector 1 is rotated relative to the first male connector 800 until one end of the engagement claw 816 (see Figure 3A) of the first male connector 800 abuts the stop end 18 of the first female connector 10 (see Figures 1A, 1C, and 1D). In this way, the conversion connector 1 and the first male connector 800 are connected (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 6, the first male member 801 of the first male connector 800 is inserted into the first female member 11 of the first female connector 10. The large diameter portion 803 (see FIG. 3A) of the first male member 801 fits into the inner peripheral surface (female tapered surface) 12 (see FIG. 1A) of the first female member 11, forming a liquid-tight seal between the two. The flat surface 13 of the first female connector 10 and the tip 11a (see FIG. 1A) of the first female member 11 abut against the top plate 813 (see FIG. 3A) of the base 810 of the first male connector 800. The engagement protrusion 16 of the first female connector 10 axially engages with the engagement claw 816 of the first male connector 800. Three inclined surfaces (see FIG. 1D) on the surface 16a of the engagement protrusion 16 fit into three inclined surfaces (see FIG. 3A) on the surface 816a of the engagement claw 816. This is advantageous in maintaining the engagement state (locked state) between the engagement claw 816 and the engagement projection 16 .

The connection between the conversion connector 1 and the second male connector 900 will now be described. As shown in Figure 2, the second female connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 and the second male connector 900 are coaxially opposed. In this state, the conversion connector 1 is brought close to the second male connector 900. The second male member 901 (see Figure 4A) of the second male connector 900 is inserted into the second female member 21 (see Figure 1C) of the second female connector 20. The second female member 21 is inserted into the gap (see Figure 4A) between the second male member 901 of the second male connector 900 and the outer tube 903. The conversion connector 1 and the second male connector 900 are rotated in opposite directions. The male thread 24 (see Figure 1A) of the second female connector 20 is threaded into the female thread 904 (see Figure 4A) of the second male connector 900. In this way, the conversion connector 1 and the second male connector 900 are connected (see Figure 5).

As shown in Figure 6, the outer peripheral surface (male tapered surface) 902 (see Figure 4A) of the second male member 901 is fitted into the inner peripheral surface (female tapered surface) 22 (see Figure 1C) of the second female member 21. The male tapered surface 902 and the female tapered surface 22 have the same diameter and taper angle. Therefore, the male tapered surface 902 is fitted into the female tapered surface 22 at a taper, forming a liquid-tight seal between the two.

Thus, the first male connector 800, conversion connector 1, and second male connector 900 are connected coaxially in sequence (see Figures 5 and 6). The first male connector 800 (first male member 801) and the second male connector 900 (second male member 901) are connected via the flow path 31 of the conversion connector 1.

The conversion connector 1 can be separated from the first male connector 800 by performing the reverse of the above connection operation. That is, rotate the conversion connector 1 relative to the first male connector 800 in the opposite direction to the above to release the engagement of the engagement protrusion 16 with the engagement claw 816. Then, pull the conversion connector 1 and the first male connector 800 in opposite directions.

The conversion connector 1 can also be separated from the second male connector 900 by performing the reverse of the above connection operation. That is, rotate the conversion connector 1 relative to the second male connector 900 in the opposite direction to the above to release the male thread 24 from the female thread 904. Then, pull the conversion connector 1 and the second male connector 900 in opposite directions.

The first female connector 10 of the conversion connector 1 can be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from the first male connector 800. The second female connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 can be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from the second male connector 900.

As described above, the conversion connector 1 has a first female connector 10 at one end that can be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from the first male connector 800, and a second female connector 20 at the other end that can be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from the second male connector 900.

The first female connector 10 includes a first female member 11 into which the first male member 801 of the first male connector 800 is inserted. The first female connector 10 also includes an engaging protrusion 16 that can engage with the engaging claw 816 of the first male connector 800. The first female connector 10, which includes the first female member 11 and the engaging protrusion 16, is compatible with a female connector (not shown) equipped with a claw locking mechanism that can be connected to and disconnected from the first male connector 800. This allows the first female connector 10 and the first male connector 800 to be connected with the same connection strength as a connector equipped with a claw locking mechanism (Patent Document 1). This is advantageous in preventing the conversion connector 1 from being unintentionally disconnected from the first male connector 800.

The second female connector 20 includes a second female member 21 into which the second male member 901 of the second male connector 900 is inserted. The second female connector 20 further includes a male thread 24 that can be threaded into the female thread 904 of the second male connector 900. The second female connector 20, which includes the second female member 21 and male thread 24, is compatible with a female connector (not shown) equipped with a screw lock mechanism that can be connected to the second male connector 900. This allows the second female connector 20 and the second male connector 900 to be connected with the same connection strength as a connector equipped with a screw lock mechanism (Patent Document 2). This is advantageous in preventing the conversion connector 1 from unintentionally separating from the second male connector 900.

The first female member 11 and the second female member 21 are connected via a flow path 31. Therefore, the first male connector 800 and the second male connector 900 can be connected and connected via the conversion connector 1.

Liquids administered to patients during enteral nutrition (e.g., enteral nutritional supplements) are sometimes provided stored in a container 890 (Figure 2), for example. However, the first male connector 800 provided on the container 890 cannot be connected to the second male connector 900 provided at the upstream end of the tube 909. The first male connector 800 can be connected to the second male connector 900 via a conversion connector 1. The liquid in the container 890 can flow sequentially through the first male connector 800, conversion connector 1, second male connector 900, and tube 909.

Many liquids administered to patients during enteral nutrition are highly viscous. When administering these liquids to a patient, they must be pumped. For example, the container 890 (see Figure 5) is compressed to force the liquid out of the container 890. Even in such cases, the connection between the first male connector 800 and the conversion connector 1 and the connection between the conversion connector 1 and the second male connector 900 are both reliably maintained. The liquid will not leak out into the outside world.

In this way, the conversion connector 1 of this embodiment 1 makes it possible to connect a first male connector 800 equipped with a claw locking mechanism and a second male connector 900 equipped with a screw locking mechanism while allowing each locking mechanism to function effectively.

There is no restriction on whether the conversion connector 1 is connected to the first male connector 800 first or the conversion connector 1 is connected to the second male connector 900 first. When the conversion connector 1 is connected to the first male connector 800 first, the conversion connector 1 functions as an adapter that converts the male connector 800 with a claw locking mechanism into the female connector 20 with a screw locking mechanism. When the conversion connector 1 is connected to the second male connector 900 first, the conversion connector 1 functions as an adapter that converts the male connector 900 with a screw locking mechanism into the female connector 10 with a claw locking mechanism. In this way, the conversion connector 1 makes it possible to connect two male connectors 800, 900 with different locking mechanisms that would otherwise be unable to be connected.

When the conversion connector 1 is connected to the first male connector 800, a liquid-tight seal is formed between the inner surface 12 of the first female member 11 (see FIG. 1A) and the outer surface 802 of the first male member 801 (particularly the large-diameter portion 803, see FIG. 3A). This liquid-tight seal prevents liquid from leaking between the first female member 11 and the first male member 801. Because the inner surface 12 of the first female member 11 has a female tapered surface, a liquid-tight seal can be formed with a simple configuration. However, in the present invention, the inner surface 12 of the first female member 11 does not need to have a female tapered surface. For example, the inner surface 12 may be a cylindrical surface with a constant inner diameter in the axial direction 1a. Even in this case, a liquid-tight seal can be formed between the inner surface 12 and the large-diameter portion 803 of the outer surface 802. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface 802 of the first male member 801 may have a male tapered surface that is tapered to fit with the female tapered surface 12 of the first female member 11 to form a liquid-tight seal.

The inner surface 22 (see Figure 1C) of the second female member 21 of the second female connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 is provided with a female tapered surface. This allows a liquid-tight seal to be formed between the inner surface 22 of the second female member 21 and the outer surface 902 of the second male member 901 with a simple configuration. The liquid-tight seal prevents liquid from leaking out between the second female member 21 and the second male member 901.

In this embodiment, the claw locking mechanism is configured so that the engaging claw 816 engages with the engaging protrusion 16 when the first male connector 800 is rotated clockwise relative to the conversion connector 1 as viewed from the first male connector 800 side. The screw locking mechanism is configured so that the male thread 24 threadably engages with the female thread 904 when the conversion connector 1 is rotated clockwise relative to the second male connector 900 as viewed from the conversion connector 1 side. In other words, the rotational directions for locking and unlocking are the same for the claw locking mechanism and the screw locking mechanism. Therefore, for example, by holding the first male connector 800 and the second male connector 900 with separate hands and rotating the first male connector 800 clockwise relative to the second male connector 900 as viewed from the first male connector 800 side, both the claw locking mechanism and the screw locking mechanism can be simultaneously transitioned to the locked state.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a conversion connector 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a plan view of the conversion connector 2. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the conversion connector 2 taken along a plane including line 7C-7C in FIG. 7B. The conversion connector 2 of the second embodiment differs from the conversion connector 1 of the first embodiment in the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 231. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 231 has a substantially cross shape composed of a circle 232a concentric with the axis of the conversion connector 2 and four notches 232b extending radially outward from the circle 232a. The flow path 231 corresponds to the flow path 31 of the first embodiment, with four notches 232b (four grooves 232b extending along the axis 1a) added.

The opening of the flow path 231 on the first female member 11 side has a shape (approximately cross-shaped) that corresponds to the shape of the opening 805 of the first male member 801 of the first male connector 800 (approximately cross-shaped, see FIG. 3A). As shown in FIG. 8, when the conversion connector 2 is connected to the first male connector 800 (i.e., when the engagement claw 816 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 16), the four notches 232b of the flow path 231 are circumferentially aligned with the four notches 805b of the opening 805 (see FIG. 3A). Furthermore, compared to embodiment 1, the difference between the area of the opening 805 and the opening area of the flow path 231 on the first female member 11 side is smaller. This reduces abrupt changes in flow resistance of the liquid between the opening 805 of the first male member 801 and the flow path 231. This reduces stagnation during the flow of the liquid and improves liquid permeability.

Figure 7D shows a bottom view of the conversion connector 2 as viewed from the second female connector 20 side. The opening 236 of the flow path 231 on the second female member 21 side has a generally cross shape similar to the opening on the first female member 11 side (see Figure 7B). More specifically, the opening 236 of the flow path 231 is generally cross-shaped, formed by four protrusions 237 protruding radially inward from an imaginary circle circumscribing the opening 236 (this circle is concentric with the axis of the conversion connector 2). When viewed from the second female member 21 side, the four protrusions 237 protrude radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface 22 of the second female member 21. The generally cross-shaped opening 236 is advantageous in preventing a puncture needle that should not be inserted from the second female member 21 to be inserted too deeply into the flow path 231 (hereinafter referred to as "mispuncture"). For example, after connecting the conversion connector 2 to the first male connector 800 (see FIG. 2 ) and before connecting the second male connector 900 (see FIG. 2 ) to the second female connector 20 of the conversion connector 2, an operator may mistakenly attempt to connect a puncture needle to the second female member 21 of the second female connector 20. The puncture needle has a sharp tip that tapers toward the tip so that it can puncture rubber stoppers such as vials. When the puncture needle is inserted into the second female member 21, the tip of the puncture needle often strikes the protrusions 237, preventing the puncture needle from being inserted into the flow path 231. Even if the tip of the puncture needle is inserted into a gap between the protrusions 237, the puncture needle is pinched between the protrusions 237, preventing the puncture needle from being inserted too deeply into the flow path 231. The operator easily realizes that the puncture needle has been mistakenly inserted because it cannot be connected deep or stably to the second female member 21. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which a puncture needle is connected to the second female member 21 and an incorrect flow path is formed for the liquid material flowing from the container 890.

In this second embodiment, the flow path 231 has a generally cross-shaped cross section throughout its entire length, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening of the flow path 231 on the first female member 11 side may have a shape (approximately cross-shaped) corresponding to the shape of the opening 805 of the first male member 801, and the opening of the flow path 231 on the second female member 21 side may have a shape (circular) corresponding to the shape of the opening at the tip of the flow path 907 of the second male member 901, with the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 231 smoothly changing between these two end openings. This is advantageous for improving fluid permeability between the opening 805 of the first male member 801 and the flow path 907 of the second male member 901.

This embodiment 2 is the same as embodiment 1 except for the above. The explanation of embodiment 1 also applies to this embodiment 2 as appropriate.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a conversion connector 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The conversion connector 3 of this third embodiment differs from the conversion connectors 1 and 2 of the first and second embodiments in the shape of the inner circumferential surface defining the flow path 331. That is, as shown in FIG. 9 , the cross-sectional area of the flow path 331 smoothly changes between the first female member 11 and the second female member 21. More specifically, the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 331 is a conical surface (or tapered surface) coaxial with the axis of the conversion connector 3, and its inner diameter decreases from the first female member 11 to the second female member 21. The inner circumferential surface 12 of the first female member 11 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 331 without any step in the radial direction. Similarly, the inner circumferential surface 22 of the second female member 21 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 331 without any step in the radial direction.

According to this embodiment 3, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 331 changes smoothly between the first female member 11 and the second female member 21, thereby reducing the accumulation of liquid between the first female member 11 and the second female member 21 and improving liquid permeability.

In the present invention, the expression "the cross-sectional area of the flow path 331 changes smoothly" between the first female member 11 and the second female member 21 means that there is no portion along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the conversion connector 3 between the inner circumferential surface 11 of the first female member 11 and the inner circumferential surface 21 of the second female member 21. In FIG. 9, the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 331 is a conical surface, but the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 331 whose cross-sectional area changes smoothly is not limited to this. For example, in a cross section taken along a plane including the axis of the conversion connector, the inner circumferential surface of the flow path 331 may be represented by a continuous curve that changes smoothly between the inner circumferential surface 11 and the inner circumferential surface 21.

This embodiment 3 is the same as embodiment 1 except for the above. The explanation of embodiment 1 also applies to this embodiment 3 as appropriate.

(Embodiment 4)
10A and 10B are cross-sectional perspective views of the conversion connector 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The cross sections of FIGS. 10A and 10B both include the axis (not shown) of the conversion connector 4 and are perpendicular to each other along the axis. FIG. 10C is a bottom view of the conversion connector 4 as seen from the second female connector 20 side. The conversion connector 4 of the fourth embodiment differs from the conversion connector 1 of the first embodiment in the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 431. The opening 435 of the flow path 431 on the first female member 11 side is circular, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the opening 436 of the flow path 431 on the second female member 21 side has a slot shape (or an elongated hole shape) extending along the direction in which the pair of engagement walls 15 face each other, as shown in FIG. 10C . The opening diameter of the opening 436 in the major axis direction is larger than the opening diameter of the opening 435, and the opening diameter of the opening 436 in the minor axis direction is smaller than the opening diameter of the opening 435. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the cross-sectional shape of flow channel 431 changes smoothly between openings 435 and 436 .

The opening 436 of the flow path 431 is slot-shaped, formed by two protrusions 437 protruding radially inward from an imaginary circle circumscribing the opening 436 (this circle is concentric with the axis of the conversion connector 4). When viewed from the second female member 21 side, the two protrusions 437 protrude radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface 22 of the second female member 21. Similar to the generally cross-shaped opening 236 of embodiment 2, the slot-shaped opening 436 is advantageous in preventing a puncture needle that should not be inserted from being accidentally inserted too deeply into the flow path 431 from the second female member 21 (mis-puncture).

This embodiment 4 is the same as embodiments 1 and 2 except as described above. The explanations for embodiments 1 and 2 also apply to this embodiment 4 as appropriate.

The above embodiments 1 to 4 are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments 1 to 4 and can be modified as appropriate.

While the conversion connectors 1 to 4 in the above-described embodiments 1 to 4 are integrally formed as a single component, the conversion connector of the present invention may be constructed by combining multiple components manufactured separately. For example, the first female connector 10 and the second female connector 20 may be manufactured separately as separate components and connected by a flexible hollow tube. In this case, the tube forms a flow path connecting the first female member 11 and the second female member 21.

The shape of the opening of the flow channel on the second female member 21 side to prevent accidental puncture of the second female member 21 with a puncture needle is not limited to the generally cross shape of embodiment 2 (see FIG. 7D) or the slot shape of embodiment 4 (see FIG. 10C), and may be any shape, such as a generally polygonal shape (such as a generally square, generally rectangular, or generally triangular shape), a star shape, an ellipse, or a circle. Generally, when viewed from the second female member 21 side along the axis of the conversion connector, the opening of the flow channel on the second female member 21 side has a protrusion that protrudes radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface 22 of the second female member 21, thereby preventing accidental puncture with a puncture needle. The shape, number, and arrangement of the protrusions are arbitrary. For example, in embodiment 2, the number of protrusions 237 may be three or five or more. It is preferable that the multiple protrusions are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the axis of the conversion connector. Some or all of the multiple protrusions may be connected through the axis of the conversion connector. For example, in the second embodiment, the four protrusions 236 may extend to the axis of the conversion connector 2 and be connected to each other to form a generally cross-shaped protrusion as a whole.

The protrusion may be a circumferentially continuous annular protrusion. In this case, the opening of the flow path on the second female member 21 side may be circular or elliptical with a diameter smaller than the inner circumferential surface 22 of the second female member 21. Even in this case, the annular protrusion protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 22 of the second female member 21 can prevent accidental puncture by the puncture needle. However, if a circumferentially continuous annular protrusion is provided within the flow path so that the opening of the flow path on the second female member 21 side is a single circle, the flow path area will be smaller and the flow resistance of the liquid flowing through the flow path will increase. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the protrusion so that the opening of the flow path on the second female member 21 side is non-circular.

The protrusion for preventing accidental puncture by the puncture needle may be provided at the opening of the flow channel on the second female member 21 side. The protrusion may extend the entire length of the flow channel, as in the case of protrusion 237 in embodiment 2, or may be provided only at the opening of the flow channel on the second female member 21 side.

The container to which the first male connector 800 is attached is not limited to the laminate pack 890, and may be, for example, a container made of a hard material that is substantially undeformable. The first male connector 800 may also be attached to a member other than a container, such as a syringe, a liquid delivery pump that delivers liquid, or a flexible tube. The configuration of the cap portion 830 may be modified as appropriate depending on the member to which the first male connector 800 is attached.

The tube 909 to which the second male connector 900 is attached may be a nasogastric tube or fistula tube, or an extension tube connected to these, or any other type of tube. The second male connector 900 may be attached to a member other than the tube 909. In this case, the configuration of the connecting tube 921 and the grip portion 923 may be changed as appropriate.

The conversion connector of the present invention is not limited to flow paths through which liquids are pumped, but can also be applied to flow paths through which liquids flow using gravity, for example.

The conversion connector of the present invention can be used to form a flow path for liquids to be administered to a patient in enteral nutrition, such as the nasal method using a nasal tube or the transfistula method using a fistula tube. Furthermore, the conversion connector of the present invention can be used to form a flow path in any field other than enteral nutrition.

The present invention can be used in a wide range of applications, including connecting a first male connector with a claw locking mechanism and a second male connector with a screw locking mechanism, which would normally be incompatible. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in the medical field, particularly in enteral nutrition.

1, 2, 3, 4 Conversion connector 10 First female connector 11 First female member 12 Inner peripheral surface 16 of first female member Engagement protrusion 20 Second female connector 21 Second female member 22 Inner peripheral surface 24 of second female member Male thread 31, 231, 331, 431 Flow path 236, 436 Opening 237, 437 on second female connector side of flow path Protrusion 800 First male connector 801 First male member 816 Engagement claw 900 Second male connector 901 Second male member 904 Female thread

Claims (5)

A conversion connector having a first female connector connectable to a first male connector at one end and a second female connector connectable to a second male connector at the other end,
the first female connector includes a first female member into which a first male member of the first male connector is inserted, and an engaging protrusion that engages with an engaging claw of the first male connector;
the second female connector includes a second female member into which a second male member of the second male connector is inserted, and a male thread provided on an outer peripheral surface of the second female member so as to be threadedly engaged with the female thread of the second male connector;
The first female member and the second female member are in communication with each other via a flow path,
a shielding plate is provided at a tip of the first male member to partially cover the opening of the first male member so that a substantially cross-shaped opening is formed;
A conversion connector characterized in that the opening of the flow path on the first female member side has an approximately cross shape consisting of a circle concentric with the axis of the conversion connector and four notches extending radially outward from the circle, so as to correspond to the approximately cross-shaped opening shape at the tip of the first male member formed by the shielding plate. The conversion connector described in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the first female member is configured so that a liquid-tight seal is formed between the first female member and the first male member when the first male connector is connected to the first female connector. The conversion connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the second female member is provided with a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases toward the tip of the second female member. The conversion connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the entire conversion connector is integrally formed as a single component. The conversion connector described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when viewed from the second female member side along the axis of the conversion connector, a protrusion is provided at the opening of the flow path on the second female member side that protrudes radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface of the second female member.