HK40073417A - Cap for connector, and connector with cap - Google Patents

Description

Cap for connector and capped connector

The invention is a divisional application with application date of 2017, 06 and 29, application number of 201780039699.4, and name of the invention is a cap for a connector and a connector with the cap.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cap that can be attached to and detached from a connector. The present invention also relates to a connector having a detachable cap.

Background

In the medical field, a flow path for flowing a liquid is used. For example, in the enteral nutrition method, a liquid substance such as a nutrient, a liquid diet (generally referred to as an "enteral nutrient"), or a drug is administered to a patient who cannot take a diet through the mouth via a catheter. The catheter is left in the patient in a state of being inserted into a digestive tract (e.g., stomach) from the outside of the body. As the catheter, a nasal catheter inserted from the nose of the patient, a peg (percutaneous Endoscopic surgery) catheter inserted into a gastric fistula formed in the abdomen of the patient, and the like are inhibited. When administering a liquid substance to a patient, a container storing the liquid substance and a catheter (nasal catheter, PEG catheter, etc.) left in the patient are connected via a flexible tube or the like. In order to connect different parts, a connector composed of a male connector and a female connector is used.

A conventional general connector includes: a male connector having a tapered conical surface; and a female connector having a hollow cylindrical shape into which the male connector is inserted (see, for example, patent document 1). Such a connection between the male connector and the female connector is generally called "sliding connection".

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2008/152871 pamphlet

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent application No. 2010-22511

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the sliding connection, the connection state of the male connector and the female connector is maintained by a frictional force generated between the two. In general, the sliding connection has a low connection strength, and the male connector and the female connector may be unintentionally separated from each other due to a tensile force or a pressure increase in the flow path.

As a method of improving the connection strength between the male connector and the female connector, it is conceivable to provide a threaded structure (i.e., male screw and female screw) for mutual screwing between the male connector and the female connector.

However, in the enteral nutrition method, in order to keep the flow path in the catheter clean, when liquid material is not administered, a cap is generally attached to a connector (hereinafter referred to as "patient-side connector") provided at the upstream end of the catheter that is left in the patient so as to close the opening thereof (see, for example, patent document 2). In the case where the patient-side connector is provided with the female screw for improving the connection strength, the configuration of the cap is preferably changed according to the configuration of the patient-side connector.

When the internal pressure of the stomach rises in a state in which the cap is attached to the patient-side connector, the cap receives such a pressure as to be separated from the patient-side connector. In such a case, it is preferable that the cap is attached to the patient-side connector with high strength so that the cap does not fall off from the patient-side connector. Further, the cap is preferably as small as possible so that the patient does not feel pain when the patient-side connector to which the cap is attached is pressed against the body or face of the patient.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a small cap that can be attached to and detached from a connector having a female screw, and that is difficult to detach from the connector. A second object of the present invention is to provide a connector provided with such a cap.

Means for solving the problems

The cap for a connector according to the present invention is detachable from a connector including a female screw provided on an inner peripheral surface of an outer cylinder having a cylindrical shape. The cap includes: a top plate configured to be capable of closing an opening of the outer cylinder; a rib provided on the top plate and configured to be inserted into the outer cylinder; and a protrusion protruding from a side surface of the rib. The protrusion is provided so as to be separable from the top plate so as to be engageable with the female screw.

The capped connector of the present invention includes the cap of the present invention and the connector.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The cap of the present invention has a protrusion that can engage with the female screw of the connector on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion inserted into the outer cylinder of the connector. Therefore, the cap is difficult to detach from the connector, and the cap can be miniaturized. Further, when the cap is attached to the connector, the operator can always attach the cap to the connector properly because a click feeling is generated when the protrusion engages with the female screw. Further, the top plate blocks the opening of the outer cylinder of the connector, so that the female screw provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder can be kept clean.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a capped connector according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 1B is a sectional perspective view of a capped connector according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a capped connector according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a capped connector according to embodiment 1 of the present invention in which a cap is attached to the distal end of the connector.

Fig. 3B is a sectional view of the capped connector according to embodiment 1 of the present invention in which a cap is attached to the distal end of the connector.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a capped connector according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 4B is a sectional perspective view of the capped connector according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a capped connector according to embodiment 2 of the present invention in which a cap is attached to the distal end of the connector.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a capped connector according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 6B is a sectional view of a capped connector according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a capped connector according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 8a is a side view of the connector according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. B of fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along a plane containing line 8B-8B of a of fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cap device according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 10 a to 10C are sectional views showing various sectional shapes of the protrusion provided in the cylindrical portion in the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the cap of the present invention, the rib may be a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape. In this case, the projection may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion has a cylindrical shape, which is advantageous for improving the mechanical strength of the cylindrical portion. Therefore, in the case where the projection is provided on the cylindrical portion, it is advantageous to reliably engage the projection with the female screw when the cap is attached to the connector.

The connector may include a male member provided coaxially with the outer tube so as to be surrounded by the outer tube. The flow path penetrating the male member in the longitudinal direction of the male member may be open at the distal end of the male member. In this case, the cylindrical portion may be configured to form a liquid-tight seal between an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface of the male member when the cap is attached to the connector. This configuration contributes to improvement of sealing performance of the flow path and improvement of mounting strength of the cap to the connector. Further, the engagement depth of the protrusion and the female screw is increased, which is advantageous for further improving the mounting strength of the cap to the connector.

The connector may include a male member provided coaxially with the outer tube so as to be surrounded by the outer tube. The flow path penetrating the male member in the longitudinal direction of the male member may be open at the distal end of the male member. In this case, the cap may further include a plug body configured to be fitted into an opening of the flow path. The constitution is advantageous for improving the mounting strength of the cap with respect to the connector. Further, by fitting the plug into the flow path, the cap is positioned in the horizontal direction (direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the male member) with respect to the connector. This facilitates a secure engagement of the protrusion with the internal thread.

The plug body may be configured to form a liquid-tight seal between an outer peripheral surface of the plug body and an inner peripheral surface defining the flow path when the plug body is fitted into the opening of the flow path. This configuration is advantageous in reducing the possibility of the cap coming off the connector when the pressure of the flow path of the male member rises due to the rise in the internal pressure of the stomach. Further, even if the plug body is slightly displaced from the male member in the direction of being pulled out from the flow path, it is advantageous to continue to form a liquid-tight seal.

The protrusion may be separated from a thread forming the female screw when the cap of the present invention is attached to the connector. According to the above configuration, even if the cap is continuously attached to the connector for a long period of time, the protrusion is not permanently deformed by the screw thread. Therefore, the protrusion can be used without being attenuated for a long period of time.

The cap is preferably formed of a material softer than the connector. This facilitates easy attachment and detachment of the cap to and from the connector main body portion, and improves resistance to repeated attachment and detachment.

The cap may further include a rotation restriction mechanism that restricts rotation of the cap around a central axis of the connector. Thus, even if the cap is repeatedly attached to and detached from the connector, the position of the protrusion with respect to the thread of the female screw of the connector can be constantly fixed.

The cap may further include an operation piece protruding from an outer peripheral edge of the top plate. In this case, the operation piece may be disposed on the same side as the projection with respect to the rib. In this case, since the protrusion is disposed in the vicinity of the operation piece to which the force is applied when the cap is detached from the connector, it is advantageous to easily perform the cap detaching operation.

The cap may further include a band for connecting the cap to the connector. This is advantageous to prevent the cap from being lost. Further, it is advantageous to prevent forgetting to attach the cap to the connector when the connector is not in use.

An annular ring may be provided at an end of the band opposite to the cap. In this case, the inner circumferential surface of the ring may be provided with an inclined surface inclined so that the inner diameter varies in the thickness direction of the ring. The configuration enables the connector to be easily inserted into the ring.

The connector may be a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3. By applying the cap of the present invention to the male connector, the effects of the present invention can be remarkably exhibited.

The present invention will be described in detail below while showing preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For convenience of explanation, the drawings referred to in the following description are simplified and show main portions constituting the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can include any member not shown in the following figures. In addition, the components shown in the following drawings may be modified or omitted within the scope of the present invention. In the drawings referred to in the description of the respective embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components shown in the drawings referred to in the previous embodiments, as those of the previous embodiments. For such components, redundant description is omitted, and the description of the previous embodiments should be referred to as appropriate.

(embodiment mode 1)

The connector provided at the upstream end of the transnasal catheter is exemplified for illustration.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a connector (male connector) 1 with a cap 30 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, as viewed from above. Fig. 1B is a sectional perspective view of the connector 1 with the cap 30. In fig. 1B, a chain line 1a is a central axis of the connector 1. The connector 1 includes a connector body 10 connected to an extension hose or an injector on one side, and a proximal end 20 connected to an upstream end of the transnasal catheter 9 inserted into a patient on the other side. In the present invention, in the connector 1, the connector body 10 side is referred to as "front end side" or "upper side", and the base end portion 20 side is referred to as "base end side" or "lower side". The direction in which the connector body 10 and the proximal end 20 are coupled (i.e., the direction along the central axis 1 a) is referred to as the "vertical direction", and the direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the central axis 1a is referred to as the "horizontal direction". A direction perpendicular to the central axis 1a is referred to as a "radial direction", and a direction rotating around the central axis 1a is referred to as a "circumferential direction". Here, "upper side", "lower side", "vertical direction" and "horizontal direction" mean directions in use of the connector 1.

As shown in fig. 1B, the connector body 10 includes a male member 11 coaxial with the central axis 1a and an outer cylinder 15. The male member 11 is a rod-shaped member. The flow path 12 penetrates the male member 11 along the longitudinal direction of the male member 11. The outer peripheral surface 13 of the male member 11 is a tapered surface (so-called male tapered surface) whose outer diameter becomes smaller as it approaches the tip. The outer cylinder 15 has a hollow cylindrical shape and surrounds the male member 11. An internal thread 16 is provided on an inner peripheral surface (a surface facing the male member 10) of the outer cylinder 15. The male part 11 is radially separated from the outer cylinder 15 (in particular the thread ridge of its internal thread 16) with a gap 18 between them. The outer peripheral surface 17 of the outer cylinder 15 is a cylindrical surface having a constant outer diameter in the vertical direction. The connector body part 10 may also be a male connector according to international standard ISO80369-3 relating to medical devices for nutrition systems, which international standardization is under study.

The proximal end portion 20 includes a cylindrical connection pipe 21 provided coaxially with the male member 11. The through hole 22 penetrates the connection pipe 21 along the central axis 1 a. The through hole 22 communicates with the flow path 12 of the male member 11. The transnasal catheter 9 is inserted into the through-hole 22 and fixed. The fixing method of the catheter 9 to the connection tube 21 is arbitrary, and for example, an adhesive method can be used. The catheter 9 is not limited, and for example, any flexible catheter (hose) used for a known nasal catheter can be used.

The grip portion 25 surrounds the connection pipe 21. The cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the grip portion 25 along a plane parallel to the horizontal direction is rectangular. As shown in fig. 1A, the grip portion 25 has 2 flat grip surfaces 25a including the long sides of the rectangle (in fig. 1A, only one grip surface 25a is seen). The operator can easily apply a rotational force to the connector 1 by gripping the gripping surface 25 a.

The structure of the proximal end portion 20 is not limited to embodiment 1. Among them, it is preferable to have a structure in which the conduit 9 is fixed so as to communicate with the flow path 12 of the male member 11. The configuration of the grip portion 25 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the grip surface 25a may be provided directly on the connection pipe 21. Alternatively, the grip portion 25 and the grip surface 25a may be omitted.

The cap 30 is connected to the connector 1 via a tape 37. Therefore, the cap 30 can be prevented from being lost. Further, when the connector 1 is not used, there is a low possibility that the cap 30 is forgotten to be attached to the distal end of the connector 1 (see fig. 3A and 3B described later).

The cap 30 has a circular top plate 31. The outer diameter of the top plate 31 is set such that the top plate 31 can close the upward opening of the outer tube 15 when the cap 30 is attached to the distal end of the connector 1 (see fig. 3A and 3B described later). Specifically, the outer diameter of the top plate 31 is larger than the groove diameter of the female screw 16 provided in the outer cylinder 15. In general, the outer diameter of the top plate 31 is preferably substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 15. A belt 37 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 31. The belt 37 is a thin flat plate in a belt shape extending straight in the radial direction. An operation piece 36 protrudes from a position opposite to the belt 37 in the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 31.

A cylindrical portion (rib) 32 having a cylindrical shape protrudes upward from one surface (upward surface in fig. 1A) of the top plate 31. A projection 33 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 32. The projection 33 is disposed on the same side as the operation piece 36 with respect to the cylindrical portion 32. As shown in fig. 1B, the protrusion 33 is slightly separated from the top plate 31. The belt 37, the top plate 31, the projection 33, and the operation piece 36 are arranged on a straight line along the radial direction with respect to the central axis 1a when viewed from above.

A plug body 34 is provided in a region surrounded by the cylindrical portion 32. The plug 34 has a circular plan shape and protrudes upward. The plug body 34 has a sealing surface 34a near the top plate 31. The sealing surface 34a is a cylindrical surface having a constant outer diameter or a male tapered surface (i.e., a conical surface) having a smaller outer diameter as it is separated upward from the top plate 31. The top plate 31, the cylindrical portion 32, and the plug 34 are concentrically arranged. The cylindrical portion 32 surrounds the plug body 34 and is separated from the plug body 34.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, in the present invention, a state in which the opening on the distal end side (upper side) of the outer tube 15 of the connector 1 is exposed is referred to as an "open state".

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 with the cap 30. An annular ring 38 is provided on the opposite end of the band 37 to the cap 30. The outer peripheral surface of the ring 38 is a cylindrical surface having substantially the same diameter as the outer cylinder 15 of the connector 1. The inner peripheral surface of the ring 38 is a cylindrical surface, but 4 recesses (notches) 38a are provided at equal angular intervals. The cap 30, the band 37 and the ring 38 are integrated to constitute a cap device 39.

A circumferentially continuous groove 28 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector 1 at a position between the connector body 10 and the base end portion 20. Inside the groove 28, 4 convex portions 28a (in fig. 2, only 2 convex portions 28a are observed) protruding outward in the radial direction are provided at equal angular intervals with respect to the central axis 1 a.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the cap device 39 is attached to the connector 1 in such a manner that the ring 38 is fitted into the groove 28. The convex portion 28a in the groove 28 is fitted into the concave portion 38a of the ring 38. The cap 30 is connected to a ring 38 via a strap 37. Therefore, the cap device 39 including the cap 30 cannot rotate in the circumferential direction with respect to the connector 1. That is, the recessed portion 38a of the ring 38 and the band 37 constitute "rotation restricting means" that restricts the cap 30 from rotating about the central axis 1a of the connector 1. The configuration of the rotation restricting mechanism is not limited to embodiment 1. For example, the number and arrangement of the concave portions 38a and the convex portions 28a are not limited to those in embodiment 1, and can be arbitrarily changed. Instead of the concave portions 38a and the convex portions 28a, an arbitrary shape (for example, polygonal columnar surface) that fits each other may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the ring 38 and in the groove 28 (for example, refer to embodiment 3 described later). The rotation restricting mechanism may be any mechanism that can actually restrict the rotation of the cap 30 around the center axis 1 a. For example, displacement in the circumferential direction of the cap 30 caused by deformation of the band 37 is allowed.

The material of the connector 1 is not limited, but a relatively hard material (hard material) having mechanical strength (rigidity) to such an extent that it is not actually deformed by an external force is preferable. For example, resin materials such as Polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), rigid polyvinyl chloride, Polyoxymethylene (POM), polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, and polypropylene (PP) can be used, and among them, Polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), and rigid polyvinyl chloride are preferable. The connector 1 can be integrally manufactured as one piece by injection molding or the like using the above-described resin material.

The material of the cap device 39 is not limited, but is preferably flexible and resistant to aging so that the cap 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the connector body 10 and can be repeatedly attached and detached. In particular, the cap device 39 is preferably formed of a material softer than the connector 1. Specifically, a resin material such as polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE) can be used. Alternatively, a soft material having rubber elasticity (so-called elastomer) such as rubber such as isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or the like, or a thermoplastic elastomer such as a styrene-based elastomer, an olefin-based elastomer, a polyurethane-based elastomer, or a vinyl-based elastomer can be used. The cap 39 can be integrally manufactured as one piece by injection molding or the like, for example, using the above-described materials.

The method of integrating the connector 1 with the cap device 39 is arbitrary. For example, the connector 1 and the cap device 39 may be manufactured separately, and the connector 1 (i.e., the connector body 10 or the base end portion 20) may be inserted into the ring 38 and assembled (insertion method). In the insertion method, when the connector body 10 (or the proximal end portion 20) passes through the ring 38, the ring 38 is stretched in the circumferential direction so as to expand in diameter. Therefore, the cap device 39 is formed of the soft material described above, which facilitates the mounting of the cap device 39 on the connector 1 by the insertion method. Alternatively, the connector 1 and the cap device 39 may be integrated by a two-color molding method. Specifically, the connector 1 can be molded by a primary mold, and the cap device 39 can be molded by a secondary mold and integrated with the connector 1. In the case of a relatively high-strength material in which the material of the cap device 39 is difficult to assemble by the insert method, a two-color molding method is also used.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the cap 30 can be attached to the distal end of the connector 1. That is, the cap 30 is vertically opposed to the connector body 10 so that the surface of the top plate 31 on the side where the cylindrical portion 32 is provided faces the male member 11, and the cap 30 is pushed into the connector 1. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the opening on the distal end side (upper side) of the outer cylinder 15 is closed by the top plate 31 of the cap 30. This state is referred to as "closed state" in the present invention. The belt 37 is curved in a substantially circular arc shape. The curved band 37 and the operation piece 36 protrude opposite to each other in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 15.

The catheter 9 is inserted into the patient via the nose with its tip (not shown) reaching the stomach. The connector 1 is attached to the upstream end of the pipe 9. In this state, the catheter 9 and the connector 1 are continuously left in the patient. In the case of performing enteral nutrition, the cap 30 is removed from the distal end of the connector 1 to open the connector 1 (see fig. 1A and 1B). Then, a female connector (container-side connector) is connected to the connector body 10, and the liquid substance patient is administered. The female connector is provided, for example, at a downstream end of a hose connected to a container storing the liquid material or at a mouth of an injector (e.g., a syringe) storing the liquid material. The female connector preferably has an external thread (or protrusion) that threads into the internal thread 16. The female connector may also conform to ISO 80369-3. When the enteral feeding method is completed, the female connector is separated from the connector body 10, and the cap 30 is attached to the distal end of the connector body 10 instead of the female connector, so that the connector 1 is closed (see fig. 3A and 3B). In this way, the cap 30 can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the distal end of the connector 1.

As shown in fig. 3B, in the closed state, the cylindrical portion 32 of the cap 30 is fitted into the gap 18 between the outer cylinder 15 and the male member 11, and the plug 34 of the cap 30 is fitted into the flow path 12 of the male member 11. The top plate 31 of the cap 30 abuts on the upper end of the outer cylinder 15. Therefore, the flow passage 12 of the male member 11, the gap 18 between the outer cylinder 15 and the male member 11 are closed by the cap 30. When the connector 1 is not used in the enteral nutrition method, the connector 1 is closed, and the flow path 12 and the gap 18 can be kept clean.

As shown in fig. 3B, the protrusion 33 protruding from the cylindrical portion 32 of the cap 30 is fitted into a gap between the vertically adjacent screw threads 16a, 16B of the female screw 16 provided in the outer cylinder 15. The protrusion 33 is vertically separated from the top plate 31, and the protrusion 33 can be fitted between the screw threads 16a and 16b in a state where the top plate 31 is in contact with the distal end of the outer cylinder 15. The tip of the projection 33 is located radially outward of the tips of the screw threads 16a, 16 b. That is, the protrusion 33 engages with the female screw 16 (particularly, the thread ridge 16a thereof).

In the process of reaching the closed state shown in fig. 3A and 3B from the open state shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the protrusion 33 needs to go over the thread ridge 16a of the internal thread 16. The projection 33 is deformed when it passes over the thread 16a, and returns to its original shape immediately after passing over the thread 16 a. The force with which the operator pushes the cap 30 toward the connector 1 sharply increases when the protrusion 33 passes over the thread ridge 16a, and sharply decreases after passing over the thread ridge 16 a. The operator feels such a change in force as a click feeling, and thereby recognizes that the cap 30 is properly attached to the distal end of the connector 1. Therefore, the cap 30 can be always attached to the connector 1 appropriately. The cylindrical portion 32 has a cylindrical shape and thus has relatively large strength. Since the projection 33 is provided in the cylindrical portion 32, the projection 33 can reliably get over the thread 16a of the female screw 16 when the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1.

After the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1, as shown in fig. 3B, the protrusion 33 engages with the thread ridge 16a of the female screw 16. In order to remove the cap 30 from the connector 1, the protrusion 33 needs to go over the screw thread 16a, and at this time, the protrusion 33 needs to be deformed. A large force is required to remove the cap 30 from the connector 1. Therefore, the cap 30 is less likely to be unintentionally detached from the connector 1. The protrusions 33 engaged with the female screw 16 contribute to improving the mounting strength of the cap 30 with respect to the connector 1. As described above, the pressure in the flow path 12 may increase due to the increase in the internal pressure of the stomach of the patient. In a state where the connector 1 in the closed state is left on the patient, even if the pressure of the flow path 12 rises, the cap 30 is less likely to be pulled out from the connector 1. Further, even if an upward force is erroneously applied to the operation piece 36, the top plate 31, and the like, the cap 30 is less likely to be unintentionally detached from the connector 1.

Unlike embodiment 1, the strength of attachment of the cap 30 to the connector 1 can be improved without using the projection 33.

For example, even when the vertical dimension of the cylindrical portion 32 is increased and the fitting depth of the cylindrical portion 32 and the male member 11 (or the outer cylinder 15) is increased, the mounting strength of the cap 30 can be improved. However, when the vertical dimension of the cylindrical portion 32 is increased, the cap 30 needs to be moved a long distance in the vertical direction with respect to the connector 1 when the cap 30 is attached to and detached from the connector 1. This reduces the workability of attaching and detaching the cap 30. Further, since the band 37 needs to be lengthened, the amount of projection of the band 37 in the radial direction (see fig. 3A and 3B) in the state where the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1 increases. As a result, when the connector 1 to which the cap 30 is attached is pressed against the body or face of the patient, the band 37 protruding largely is likely to cause pain to the patient.

Alternatively, a cylindrical rib protruding toward the same side as the cylindrical portion 32 may be provided on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 31, and the tip portion of the outer cylinder 15 may be fitted into the cylindrical rib when the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1. In this case, for example, an engagement structure (for example, a convex portion and a concave portion into which the convex portion is fitted) that engages with each other may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical rib and the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 15. This configuration also makes it possible to improve the mounting strength of the cap 30 to the connector 1 without using the projection 33. However, in this configuration, the outer diameter of the cap 30 (particularly the top plate 31) needs to be increased. As a result, when the connector 1 to which the cap 30 is attached is pressed against the body or face of the patient, the top plate 31 projecting radially largely is likely to cause pain to the patient.

As is apparent from the above description, the provision of the protrusion 33 that engages with the female screw 16 in the cap 30 as in embodiment 1 is advantageous in ensuring the attachment strength of the cap 30 to the connector 1, improving the workability of attaching and detaching the cap 30, and downsizing the cap 30. Since the female screw 16 provided in the connector 1 is used, it is not necessary to change the structure of the connector 1 in order to improve the attachment strength of the cap 30.

As shown in fig. 3B, when the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1, the protrusion 33 is preferably separated from the thread ridges 16a, 16B of the female screw 16 in the vertical direction. The protrusion 33 does not receive a force from the internal thread 16 and is not deformed. Therefore, even if the connector 1 is left in the closed state for a long period of time on the patient, it is possible to avoid the situation in which the projection 33 is permanently deformed by contact with the female screw 16. This is advantageous in that the above-described action of the projection 33 is exerted for a long period of time without being attenuated.

In embodiment 1, since the concave portion 38a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the ring 38 is fitted to the convex portion 28a provided in the groove 28 of the connector 1 (see fig. 2) and the cap 30 is connected to the ring 38 via the tape 37, the position of the cap 30 in the rotational direction about the central axis 1a with respect to the connector 1 does not change with time and is substantially constant. Therefore, even if various external forces act on the cap 30 by repeating attachment and detachment of the cap 30 to and from the connector 1, the protrusion 33 and the vertically adjacent screw threads 16a, 16b of the female screw 16 can be constantly fitted between the screw threads 16a, 16b so as to be vertically separated from each other.

Preferably, the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 32 is set to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 13 of the male member 11. Thus, when the male member 11 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 32, the cylindrical portion 32 is deformed to slightly expand the diameter. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 32 is in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface 13 of the male member 11, and a liquid-tight seal is formed therebetween. This is advantageous in improving the sealing property of the flow path 12 and the mounting strength of the cap 30 to the connector 1. Since the cylindrical portion 32 is expanded in diameter, the projection 33 is inserted deeper into the groove of the female screw 16. This increases the engagement depth of the protrusion 33 with the female screw 16, and thus contributes to improvement in the mounting strength of the cap 30 to the connector 1.

In embodiment 1, when the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1, the cylindrical portion 32 is radially separated from the female screw 16 provided in the outer cylinder 15. However, this is not essential in the present invention. For example, when the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1, the cylindrical portion 32 may radially abut against the female screw 16 provided in the outer cylinder 15. This is advantageous in further improving the mounting strength of the cap 30 with respect to the connector 1.

In order to remove the cap 30 from the connector 1 in the closed state shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the operation piece 36 may be lifted upward. Since the projection 33 is provided on the same side as the operation piece 36 with respect to the cylindrical portion 32 (see fig. 1A and 2), the operation piece 36 and the projection 33 are close to each other. Therefore, when the operation piece 36 is lifted, it can be moved above the projection 33, and therefore, the cap 30 can be easily removed.

The plug 34 is fitted into an opening on the distal end side of the flow passage 12 of the male member 11. This is advantageous in improving the mounting strength of the cap 30 with respect to the connector 1. Preferably, the plug 34 seals the flow path 12 in a liquid-tight manner. Sealing the flow path 12 with the stopper 34 is advantageous in reducing the possibility that the cap 30 will fall off from the connector 1 when the pressure in the flow path 12 increases due to the increase in the internal pressure of the stomach. The reason for this is as follows.

Unlike embodiment 1, the flow path 12 can be sealed without using the plug 34. For example, the plug 34 may be omitted, and the passage 12 may be indirectly sealed by a seal formed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 32 and the outer peripheral surface 13 of the male member 11.

The upward force that the cap 30 receives when the pressure of the flow path 12 increases is proportional to the area over which the pressure acts. In the structure of embodiment 1 in which the flow path 12 is sealed by the plug 34, the area on which the pressure acts is small compared to a structure in which the flow path 12 is sealed by sealing between the cylindrical portion 32 and the male member 11 without using the plug 34, and therefore the force received by the cap 30 when the pressure of the flow path 12 increases is small. Therefore, in embodiment 1, it is advantageous to prevent the cap 30 from coming off the connector 1 when the pressure in the flow path 12 increases.

In embodiment 1, the sealing surface 34a constituting the outer peripheral surface of the plug 34 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the predetermined flow path 12 of the male member 11 (particularly, the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the opening on the distal end side of the flow path 12), and liquid-tight sealing is formed therebetween. That is, the seal surface 34a is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the predetermined flow path 12 in a substantially radial direction to form a seal. In this configuration, even if the plug body 34 is slightly displaced in the direction of the center axis 1a with respect to the male member 11, liquid-tight sealing can be continuously formed. For example, even when the cap 30 is attached to the connector 1, the depth of the cap 30 pushed into the connector 1 is slightly shallow, or when the cap 30 slightly floats upward from the connector 1 due to a pressure increase in the flow path 12, the flow path 12 can be continuously sealed. Therefore, embodiment 1 is advantageous in preventing the content of the stomach from flowing backward.

In embodiment 1, the cap 30 not only seals the flow path 12 of the male member 11, but also closes the opening on the distal end side of the outer tube 15 with the top plate 31. Therefore, the gap 18 between the outer cylinder 15 and the male member 11 can be kept clean. Since the distance between the outer peripheral surface 13 of the male member 11 and the female screw 16 of the outer cylinder 15 is very narrow, it is difficult to clean the gap 18 by inserting a cotton swab or the like, for example. If the hygiene of the gap 18 is poor, bacteria may grow in the gap 18 and enter the patient's body through the flow path 12. Since the cap 30 of embodiment 1 closes the opening on the distal end side of the outer tube 15, the gap 18 can be kept clean even if the connector 1 is left on the patient for a long period of time, and serious complications due to invasion of bacteria into the patient can be prevented.

(embodiment mode 2)

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a connector (male connector) 1 with a cap 230 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, as viewed from above. Fig. 4B is a sectional perspective view of the connector 1 with the cap 230. Embodiment 2 is different from embodiment 1 in the shape of a rib provided with a projection 33 that engages with the female screw 16. Hereinafter, the present embodiment 2 will be described mainly focusing on differences from embodiment 1.

In embodiment 2, the protrusion 33 is provided on a side surface of a substantially plate-shaped rib 232 protruding from a surface (upward surface in fig. 4A) of the top plate 31. The rib 232 is severely substantially circular when viewed from above. That is, the rib 232 is a part of the cylindrical shape. This cylindrical shape is the same as the cylindrical shape of the cylindrical portion 32 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a state where the cap 230 is attached to the front end of the connector 1. The rib 232 is fitted into the gap 18 between the outer cylinder 15 and the male member 11, and the projection 33 engages with the female screw 16.

The plug 34 is fitted into an opening on the distal end side of the flow passage 12 of the male member 11. Thus, the cap 230 is positioned in the horizontal direction with respect to the connector 1. This is advantageous in that the protrusion 33 is reliably engaged with the internal thread 16. Further, a surface of the rib 232 opposite to the projection 33 (a surface on the side of the plug 34) abuts on the outer peripheral surface 13 of the male member 11. This also contributes to the reliable engagement of the protrusion 33 with the internal thread 16.

Embodiment 2 is the same as embodiment 1 except for the above. The description of embodiment 1 can be applied to embodiment 2 as appropriate.

(embodiment mode 3)

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a connector (male connector) 3 with a cap 30 according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, as viewed from the side of a connection pipe 21. Fig. 6B is a sectional view of the connector 3 with the cap 30. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 3 with the cap 30. Fig. 8a is a side view of the connector 3, and fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the connector 3 taken along a plane including line 8B-8B of fig. 8 a. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cap device 339 according to embodiment 3 of the present invention including a cap 30.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9 in most detail, a substantially rectangular through hole 338a is formed in the ring 338 of the cap device 339 according to embodiment 3. The inner diameter of the through hole 338a is not constant in the thickness direction of the ring 338. As shown in fig. 9, an inclined surface 338b inclined so that the inner diameter increases toward the same surface as the surface on which the cylindrical portion 32 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 338 a.

As shown in fig. 7, the base end portion 320 includes a substantially cylindrical connection pipe 21. A pair of grip pieces 326 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connection pipe 21 so as to radially protrude. The cross-sectional shape of each grip piece 326 in the horizontal direction is a hollow substantially U-shape. The pair of grip pieces 326 and the connection pipe 21 therebetween constitute a grip 325 of the connector 3. As with the grip portion 25 of embodiment 1, the grip portion 325 facilitates the operator to grip the grip portion 325 and apply a rotational force to the connector 3. The structure of the grip piece 326 is not limited to embodiment 3. For example, the holding piece 326 may be a solid substantially quadrangular prism, or may be a thin plate-like object extending in the radial direction from the connection pipe 21.

Grooves 328a and 328b are provided at positions adjacent to the connector body 10 on the radially outward surfaces of the connection pipe 21 and the gripping piece 326. The slots 328a, 328b are in a horizontal direction. B of fig. 8 is a sectional view of the connector 3 along a plane passing through the grooves 328a, 328B. The cross-sectional shape of the connector 3 shown in B of fig. 8 is configured to be inscribed in a substantially rectangular edge defining a through hole 338a (see fig. 7) provided in the ring 338.

As shown in fig. 7, the cap device 339 is attached to the connector 3 by inserting the base end portion 320 into the ring 338. When the connection tube 21 and the grip piece 326 are inserted into the through hole 338a, the inclined surface 338b (see fig. 9) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 338a deforms the ring 338 so that the inner diameter of the through hole 338a is increased. Therefore, the insertion of the connector 3 (particularly, the base end portion 320) into the ring 338 is easy. When the edge of the through-hole 338a reaches the grooves 328a, 328B, the ring 338 returns to the state before deformation, and as shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the edge of the through-hole 338a fits into the grooves 328a, 328B.

The cross-sectional shape of the connector 3 in the grooves 328a, 328b is fitted into the substantially rectangular through-hole 338a of the ring 338. Thus, the rotation of the ring 338 relative to the connector 3 is restricted. The through hole 338a provided in the ring 338 and the band 37 connecting the ring 338 and the cap 30 constitute a "rotation restriction mechanism" for restricting the cap 30 from rotating about the center axis of the connector 3.

Embodiment 3 is the same as embodiment 1 except for the above. The description of embodiment 1 can be appropriately applied to embodiment 3. Similarly to the inclined surface 338b provided on the ring 338, an inclined surface inclined so that the inner diameter changes in the thickness direction may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the ring 38 in embodiment 1, so that the assembly of the connector 1 with the cap 30 by the insertion method can be facilitated.

The above configuration of embodiment 3 can be applied to embodiment 2.

The above embodiments 1 to 3 are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to embodiments 1 to 3 described above, and can be modified as appropriate.

The rib provided with the projection 33 that engages with the female screw 16 is the cylindrical portion 32 having a cylindrical shape in embodiments 1 and 3, and is the rib 232 that forms a part of the cylindrical shape in embodiment 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The rib may have any shape as long as it can be inserted into the outer cylinder 15 of the connector when the cap is attached to the connector. For example, the rib may have any shape such as a flat plate shape or a columnar shape (or a rod shape). The rib is erected substantially perpendicularly from one surface of the top plate 31. A plurality of ribs may be provided on the top plate 31. For example, the plurality of ribs may be discretely arranged on a circle concentric with the outer cylinder 15.

The shape of the protrusion 33 provided on the cap is arbitrary. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 33 along the surface including the central axis of the cap (or the plug 34) may be any of a trapezoid as shown in a of fig. 10, a triangle as shown in B of fig. 10, a semicircle as shown in C of fig. 10, or may be any other shape. The length (dimension in the direction of rotation about the central axis of the cap) of the projection 33 is also arbitrary. The protrusion 33 may also extend along a spiral coinciding with the groove of the internal thread 16.

The number of the projections 33 is not limited to one, and may be 2 or more. The positions of the 2 or more protrusions 33 on the ribs 32, 230 are arbitrary. One of the vertical direction position and the circumferential direction position of the 2 or more protrusions 33 may be matched. When a plurality of ribs are provided on the cap, one or more protrusions 33 may be provided on all of the plurality of ribs, or one or more protrusions 33 may be provided on only some of the plurality of ribs.

The structure for fixing the cap 39, 339 to the connector is not limited to the ring 38, 338. For example, instead of the rings 38 and 338, a fixing portion having a substantially T-shaped (or substantially Y-shaped) shape at the tip of the belt 37 may be provided. The fixing portion is embedded or buried in the connector. In this configuration, as in the above-described embodiment, the cap device can be fixed to the connector while the cap is restricted from rotating in the circumferential direction.

A rotation restricting mechanism that restricts rotation of the cap relative to the connector may also be omitted. For example, in embodiment 1, one or both of the concave portion 38a and the convex portion 28a may be omitted, and the ring 38 may be fitted into the groove 28 so as to be rotatable about the central axis 1a with respect to the connector 1. In this case, the protrusion 33 can rotate the cap relative to the connector so as to move in the groove of the female screw 16, thereby enabling the operation of attaching and detaching the cap to and from the connector 1. This configuration can engage the protrusion 33 with the female screw 16 more deeply, and therefore can contribute to an improvement in the mounting strength of the cap to the connector 1. Furthermore, it can be advantageous to shorten the belt 37.

In embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the band 37 is curved in an arc shape when the cap is attached to the distal end of the connector, but the configuration of the band 37 is not limited to this. For example, a hinge may be provided at least one of the band 37, the boundary between the band 37 and the cap, and the boundary between the band 37 and the rings 38 and 338 so as to be freely rotatable. The band 37 is virtually undeformed except for the hinge when the cap is removed from the connector. This configuration can contribute to reducing the amount of protrusion of the belt 37 in the radial direction when the connector is in the closed state.

In the present invention, the strap 37 may also be omitted and the cap is a separate component from the connector.

The shape, number, position, and the like of the operation pieces 36 are not limited to the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, and can be arbitrarily changed. The operation piece 36 may protrude from the top plate 31 toward the side opposite to the cylindrical portion 32. Alternatively, the operation piece 36 may be omitted. For example, if the outside diameter of the top plate 31 of the cap is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the outer cylinder 15 of the connector so that the top plate 31 projects radially from the outer cylinder 15, the cap can be removed from the connector even without the operation piece 36.

In embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the case where the connector is provided at the upstream end of the transnasal catheter 9 has been described, but the connector may be provided at the upstream end of any catheter (for example, PEG catheter) used in the enteral nutrition method other than the transnasal catheter. In addition, the present invention can be provided to a hose used in, for example, an intravenous nutrition method other than the enteral nutrition method.

In the above-described embodiment, the connector main body portion 10 is a male connector conforming to ISO80369-3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The cap of the present invention can be applied to any connector having an outer tube provided with an internal thread. The connector may not include the male member 11. The connector may also be a female connector.

Industrial applicability of the invention

The cap of the present invention can be used as a cap for a connector provided at one end of a catheter or a hose, without limitation. The use field of the connector is not limited, and the connector may be a connector used in the fields of food and chemistry, preferably a connector used in the medical field, and more preferably in the enteral nutrition method. In particular, the present invention is preferably used as a cap for a connector which is fixed to the upstream end of a catheter inserted into the body of a patient, such as a nasal catheter or a PEG catheter, and which is kept in the patient together with the catheter for a long period of time.

Description of the symbols

1. 3 connector

11 Male component

12 flow path of male member

13 outer peripheral surface of male member

15 outer cylinder

16 internal screw thread

16a, 16b of the internal thread

30 cap

31 Top plate

32 cylindrical part (Rib)

33 protrusion

34 bolt

34a sealing surface (outer peripheral surface of the plug body)

36 operating sheet

37 belt (rotation limiting mechanism)

38. 338 Ring

38a recess (rotation limiting mechanism)

230 cap

232 ribs

338a through hole (rotation limiting mechanism)

338b inclined plane

Claims (13)

1. A connector cap that is attachable to and detachable from a connector including a female screw provided on an inner peripheral surface of an outer cylinder having a cylindrical shape, and a male member provided coaxially with the outer cylinder so as to be surrounded by the outer cylinder, the connector cap comprising:

a top plate configured to be capable of closing an opening of the outer cylinder;

a rib provided on the top plate and configured to be insertable into the outer cylinder; and

a protrusion protruding from a side surface of the rib,

the protrusion is provided so as to be separable from the top plate so as to be engageable with the female screw,

a flow path penetrating the male member along a longitudinal direction of the male member is open at a distal end of the male member,

the cap further includes a plug body configured to fit into an opening of the flow path,

when the cap is attached to the connector, the protrusion is fitted into a gap between a first thread ridge and a second thread ridge of the female thread from a distal end.

2. A connector cap that is attachable to and detachable from a connector including a female screw provided on an inner peripheral surface of an outer cylinder having a cylindrical shape, and a male member provided coaxially with the outer cylinder so as to be surrounded by the outer cylinder, the connector cap comprising:

a top plate configured to be capable of closing an opening of the outer cylinder;

a rib provided on the top plate and configured to be insertable into the outer cylinder; and

only one protrusion, protruding from the side of the rib,

the protrusion is provided so as to be separable from the top plate so as to be engageable with the female screw,

a flow path penetrating the male member along a longitudinal direction of the male member is open at a distal end of the male member,

the cap further includes a plug body configured to fit into an opening of the flow path.

3. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the rib is a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape, and the protrusion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

4. The cap for a connector according to claim 3,

the cylindrical portion is configured to form a liquid-tight seal between an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface of the male member when the cap is attached to the connector.

5. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the plug body is configured to form a liquid-tight seal between an outer peripheral surface of the plug body and an inner peripheral surface defining the flow path when the plug body is fitted into the opening of the flow path.

6. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

when the cap is attached to the connector, the protrusion is separated from a thread forming the female thread.

7. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

is formed of a material softer than the connector.

8. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the connector further includes a rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the cap from rotating around a center axis of the connector.

9. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprises an operation piece protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate,

the operation piece is arranged on the same side of the rib as the projection.

10. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the connector further includes a band for connecting the cap to the connector.

11. The cap for a connector of claim 10,

an annular ring is provided on the opposite side end of the band from the cap,

the inner peripheral surface of the ring is provided with an inclined surface inclined so that the inner diameter varies in the thickness direction of the ring.

12. The cap for a connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the connector is a male connector in accordance with ISO 80369-3.

13. A connector with a cap, comprising the cap according to claim 1 or 2 and the connector.