JP6714885B2 - Medical valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medical valve that is used for a fluid flow path in the medical field such as an infusion route and can connect a male connector that is a medical connector such as a syringe to the fluid flow path.

In the medical field, a medical valve is used in a fluid flow path for infusion, blood collection, or the like so that a male connector such as a syringe can be connected as necessary. For example, in a three-way stopcock or a Y-shaped connector, which is a type of fluid flow path forming member, a fluid flow path is formed between a pair of flow path openings, and a medical valve is provided in the remaining one flow path opening. It is installed. Then, a male connector such as a syringe can be connected to the fluid flow path via the medical valve, so that a mixed injection of a drug solution can be performed.

By the way, as a kind of medical valve such as such a medical connector, a split septum described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-502976 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-237133 (Patent Document 2). Types of medical valves are known. This medical valve has a structure in which a disc-shaped elastic valve body having a slit formed in a central portion is attached to an opening member of a housing which constitutes an opening portion of a fluid flow path. By directly inserting the tip of the male connector into the slit of the elastic valve body, the male connector can be connected to the fluid flow path in a communicating state. Further, by pulling out the tip end of the male connector such as the syringe connected in this way from the elastic valve body, at the same time as the pulling out, the restoring action of the elastic valve body holds the fluid flow path in a blocked state. ..

Further, in a split septum type medical valve, it is necessary to firmly fix the elastic valve body to the opening of the opening member so that the elastic valve body does not come off when the male connector is attached or detached. Therefore, in the related art, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve element is sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction by a pair of claw-shaped annular locking projections provided on the opening member. The structure supported by is adopted.

However, in the conventional structure in which the outer peripheral portion of the disk-shaped elastic valve element is supported by being sandwiched by a pair of claw-shaped annular locking projections, the elastic valve element is not supported due to dimensional errors and assembly errors of parts. It is difficult to assemble with sufficient fixing force to the housing. In particular, when a male connector such as a large-diameter male lure is repeatedly inserted, the elastic valve body is pushed inward and deformed by the frictional force with the male lure, so that the elastic valve body It was still inadequate to prevent the problem that the outer peripheral portion comes off the annular locking projection and falls off.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-502976 JP, 2004-237133, A

Here, the present invention has been made against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to provide a novel structure in which the problem of the elastic valve body falling off inside the housing is prevented. To provide medical valve.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention made to solve such problems will be described. In addition, the constituent elements adopted in the respective aspects described below can be adopted in any combination as much as possible.

That is, the present invention is
(1) A disk-shaped elastic valve body is attached to an opening member connected to the liquid flow path, and thin-walled portions formed on an outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body are claws inside and outside the opening member. While being sandwiched, the outer peripheral side of the elastic valve body with respect to the thin-walled portion is held by the opening member, so that the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body is supported by the opening member and is held at the central portion of the elastic valve body. In a medical valve in which a male connector can be repeatedly inserted into and removed from a provided slit, a tubular holding portion extending from the outer peripheral side of the thin portion toward the inside of the opening member, and a tubular holding portion extending from the tubular holding portion to the outer periphery. And a tubular holding portion that is sandwiched and held in the radial direction by the opening member, and the flange-shaped portion that is axially sandwiched and held by the opening member. A medical valve, characterized in that a locking recess is formed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the flange-shaped portion and is recessed and convexly locked to the opening member.
(2) The medical valve according to (1), wherein the flange-shaped portion is provided with a locking projection that projects outward in the axial direction and is locked to the opening member.
(3) The medical valve according to (1) or (2), in which the tubular holding portion expands toward the inside of the opening member .
(4 ) The tubular holding portion extends to the outside of the opening member, and the tip of the tubular holding portion extending toward the outside of the elastic valve body positioned on the inner peripheral side of the thin portion. The medical valve according to any one of (1) to ( 3 ), which is located axially inward from the outer surface of the central portion,
Regarding

In medical valve of construction according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent the coming off of the elastic valve body from the open port member.

The perspective view of the medical valve as one embodiment of the present invention. The front view of the medical valve shown by FIG. The top view of the medical valve shown by FIG. IV-IV sectional drawing in FIG. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part in FIG. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the state in the middle of inserting the male connector with respect to the medical valve shown by FIG. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the state which inserted the male connector to the deepest part with respect to the medical valve shown by FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, FIGS. 1 to 5 show a medical valve 10 as one embodiment of the present invention. The medical valve 10 has a structure in which a substantially disk-shaped elastic valve body 16 in which a slit 14 is formed is attached to a housing 12 as an opening member that constitutes an opening portion of a fluid flow path, A male connector can be repeatedly inserted into and removed from the slit 14 of the elastic valve body 16. In the following description, the up-down direction and the axial inward/outward direction mean the up-down direction in FIG. 2.

More specifically, the housing 12 has a substantially tubular shape as a whole, and has a combined structure of three members including an outer holding portion 18, an inner holding portion 20, and a housing body 22 which are all substantially tubular. It is configured. That is, in the present embodiment, the inner holding portion 20 is assembled above the housing body 22 by non-adhesion, and the outer holding portion 18 is superposed on the outer peripheral side of the inner holding portion 20, so that the housing body 22 and the outer holding portion 18 are overlapped. The housing 12 is formed by fixing and.

The housing body 22 is configured such that a peripheral wall portion 26 is provided on the outer peripheral side of a central cylindrical portion 24 that extends vertically in the axial direction, and upper end portions of the peripheral wall portions 26 are connected by an upper bottom portion 28. The axial dimension of the central tubular portion 24 is larger than the axial dimension of the peripheral wall portion 26, and the central tubular portion 24 projects below the peripheral wall portion 26 inside the peripheral wall portion 26.

Further, a ring-shaped fixing groove 30 extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction is formed in the radial middle portion on the upper surface of the upper bottom portion 28, and opens on the upper surface of the upper bottom portion 28. The outer peripheral wall portion of the fixing groove 30 serves as an annular support wall 32 that positions the outer holding portion 18 and the inner holding portion 20 in the radial direction with respect to the housing body 22. The inner surfaces of the fixing groove 30 facing each other on the inner and outer walls are provided with a predetermined inclination angle, and the cross-sectional shape of the fixing groove 30 is gradually expanded toward the opening direction.

Furthermore, a welding projection 34 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the support wall 32 so as to project upward. In addition, since the welding protrusion 34 is melted by ultrasonic waves when the outer holding portion 18 and the housing body 22 are assembled, the welding protrusion 34 substantially disappears in a product state, but in FIG. For ease of explanation and understanding, the welding projection 34 is virtually illustrated by a broken line. Further, the welding projection 34 may be provided so as to be superposed on the support wall 32 of the housing body 22 from the outer side holding portion 18 side.

An annular step surface 36 that extends in the direction perpendicular to the axis is formed on the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 26, while a recess 38 that extends in the axial direction is provided below the step surface 36. , Are formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. By making the outer peripheral surface uneven by the plurality of recesses 38, the user can easily grasp the outer peripheral surface of the housing main body 22 in the medical valve 10. On the other hand, a lock groove 40 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 26 so that a luer lock type connector or the like can be connected to the medical valve 10 from below.

Above the housing main body 22 having the above-described structure, the outer holding portion 18 is mounted on the outer peripheral side, while the inner holding portion 20 is mounted on the inner peripheral side.

The outer holding portion 18 has a structure in which the lower large-diameter tubular portion 42 and the upper small-diameter tubular portion 44 are integrally connected by a stepped annular shoulder portion 46 that expands in the radial direction. In other words, an annular shoulder portion 46 is provided in the axially intermediate portion of the outer holding portion 18, and the upper side of the annular shoulder portion 46 is the small diameter tubular portion 44, while the lower side is the large diameter tubular portion. It is 42. As will be understood from the following description, in the present embodiment, the elastic valve element 16 is supported between the inner holding portion 20 and the small diameter tubular portion 44 and the annular shoulder portion 46 of the outer holding portion 18. The outer supporting portion 18 is auxiliary fixed to the housing body 22 by the large-diameter cylindrical portion 42.

Here, the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 44 are tapered so that the diameter gradually decreases toward the outer side in the axial direction. Then, at the base end portion (lowermost portion) where the inner diameter dimension of the small-diameter tubular portion 44 is maximum, the inner diameter dimension is smaller than the opening diameter of the outer peripheral side wall of the fixing groove 30 and the inner peripheral side wall of the fixing groove 30 is opened. It is larger than the caliber. On the other hand, at the tip portion (uppermost portion) where the inner diameter dimension of the small-diameter tubular portion 44 is the smallest, the inner diameter dimension is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the elastic valve body 16.

Further, the tip portion of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 44 in the outer holding portion 18 is an annular tip wall portion 48 that expands in a curved shape toward the inner peripheral side, and the inner peripheral edge portion of the tip wall portion 48 has an axially inner portion. An outer engaging claw 50 is formed as an outer claw portion that extends downward so as to be folded back in one direction. In the present embodiment, the outer engagement claw 50 is formed in an annular shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and the outer engagement claw 50 extends in the circumferential direction with a predetermined width in the radial direction on the outer peripheral side. The outer holding groove 52 is formed as an annular groove that opens downward in the axial direction.

It should be noted that, on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 44, for example, a male screw portion 54 with which a female screw portion of a luer lock connector is screwed is formed. The male screw portion 54 is, for example, a double thread screw that can be connected to the female screw portion of the luer lock connector defined by ISO594.

The outer diameter of the outer holding portion 18 is set within the range of 6.0 to 7.0 mm for the outer diameter of the small-diameter tubular portion 44 when the male screw portion 54 is not formed as in the present embodiment. It is preferable that when the male screw portion 54 is formed as in the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 44 including the screw thread is preferably set within the range of 7.2 to 8.0 mm. ..

Further, a fitting groove 56 that opens downward is formed on the lower surface of the annular shoulder portion 46 of the outer holding portion 18. Further, on the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface of the annular shoulder portion 46, a locking convex portion 58 that projects downward in the axial direction is formed. In particular, in this embodiment, the fitting groove 56 is an annular groove extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and the locking projection 58 is also an annular projection extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

On the other hand, the inner holding portion 20 has a tapered tubular shape whose diameter decreases as it goes from the inner side to the outer side in the axial direction as a whole, and the lower end portion of the inner holding portion 20 has a constant thickness dimension (see FIG. 4). It is an annular base end portion 60 that extends outward in the vertical direction). The annular base end portion 60 has such a size and shape that it fits into the fixing groove 30 of the housing body 22, and has an axial thickness dimension smaller than the depth dimension of the fixing groove 30. ..

Further, an annular seat portion 62 having a gooseneck-shaped bent cross section and narrowed toward the inner peripheral side is formed in an axially upper portion of the inner holding portion 20. In addition, an inner engagement claw 64 as an inner claw portion is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the seat portion 62 so as to project axially upward. The tip of the inner engagement claw 64 has a curved cross-sectional shape whose inner surface is convex toward the inner peripheral side, and the curved cross-sectional shape preferably has, for example, a substantially constant radius of curvature.

The housing 12 is configured by assembling the outer holding portion 18 and the inner holding portion 20 having such a structure with the housing body 22. That is, the inner holding portion 20 is positioned relative to the housing body 22 by overlapping the axially inner end surface of the inner holding portion 20 including the annular base end portion 60 on the bottom surface of the fixing groove 30 in the housing body 22. It is supported.

The outer holding portion 18 is provided so as to cover the inner holding portion 20 from the outer peripheral side. At this time, the bottom surface of the fitting groove 56 is superposed on and supported by the upper surface of the support wall 32 of the housing body 22 as the end surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 44 on the axially proximal end side. Then, by melting the welding projection 34 provided on the upper surface of the support wall 32 with ultrasonic waves, the outer holding portion 18 and the housing body 22 are fixed to each other.

Further, at the time of such assembling, the axial upper end of the outer holding portion 18 is located axially above the axial upper end of the inner holding portion 20. Furthermore, the lower end of the outer holding portion 18 in the axial direction is superposed on the step surface 36 of the housing body 22 with a small distance in the axial direction.

When the outer holding portion 18, the inner holding portion 20, and the housing main body 22 are assembled as described above, the axially inward end portion of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 44 of the outer holding portion 18 with respect to the opening portion of the fixing groove 30 is disposed. It fits in and is fitted to the wall surface on the outer peripheral side of the fixing groove 30. As a result, in the present embodiment, the axially inward ends of the inner holding portion 20 and the outer holding portion 18 are fitted into the fixing groove 30, whereby the inner holding portion 20 and the outer holding portion The holding portion 18 is positioned in the radial direction with respect to the housing body 22.

Further, at the time of such assembly, the seat portion 62 of the inner holding portion 20 is arranged so as to substantially face the tip end wall portion 48 of the outer engagement claw 50 in the axial direction. Then, the inner engagement claw 64 of the inner holding part 20 is positioned to face the outer engagement claw 50 of the outer holding part 18 with a gap in the axial direction. It is desirable that the inner engagement claw 64 and the outer engagement claw 50 at least partially overlap each other when projected in the axial direction, and it is preferable that they overlap each other when projected in the axial direction in a region of half or more in the radial direction. To be done. In particular, in the present embodiment, the curved surface, which is the inner surface of the inner engagement claw 64, is located on the axial extension line of the inner peripheral end (radially inner end) of the outer engagement claw 50.

Further, the outer diameter dimension of the inner holding portion 20 is smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the outer holding portion 18, and as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, a mounting space between the outer holding portion 18 and the inner holding portion 20. The elastic valve body 16 is attached to the.

The elastic valve body 16 has a substantially disc shape, and the slit 14 is formed in the central portion 66. A cylindrical holding portion 68 that projects inward and outward in the axial direction is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body 16, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical holding portion 68 is superposed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer holding portion 18. On the other hand, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical holding portion 68 is superposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner holding portion 20. Further, since the central portion 66 and the cylindrical holding portion 68 are connected by the annular connecting portion 70 extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, the elastic valve body 16 is formed as an integrally molded product. In other words, in the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body 16, the cylindrical holding portion 68 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the annular connecting portion 70.

When the male connector shown in FIG. 4 is not inserted, the upper end surface of the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16 and the upper end surface of the housing 12 are located on the same plane. Further, in the present embodiment, the slit 14 has a linear shape penetrating in the thickness direction of the elastic valve body 16, but may be three or more slits extending radially from the center.

The annular connecting portion 70 is formed by making the thickness dimension smaller than that of the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16, that is, the outer peripheral portions of the elastic valve body 16 on the outer side and the inner side in the axial direction, respectively. A groove-shaped outer annular groove 72 and an inner annular groove 74 extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction are formed. A constriction is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body 16 by these annular grooves 72, 74, and the constricted portion, that is, the axial connection between the bottoms of the annular grooves 72, 74 in the axial direction serves as a thin connecting portion 70. It is said that.

The shapes of the two annular grooves 72, 74 are substantially the same as the outer engaging claw 50 and the inner engaging claw 64, respectively, so that the outer and inner engaging claws 50, 64 can be fitted therein. ing. Further, on the inner peripheral side of the inner annular groove 74, an annular concave groove 76 continuously extending in the circumferential direction with a predetermined radial width dimension is provided, and the inner annular groove 74 and the annular concave groove 76 are arranged in the radial direction. Are continuously formed.

The tubular holding portion 68 connected to the outer peripheral side of the annular connecting portion 70 has a shape corresponding to the mounting space between the outer holding portion 18 and the inner holding portion 20. That is, in the present embodiment, the tubular holding portion 68 is configured to include the upper support portion 78 that projects axially outward from the annular coupling portion 70 and the lower support portion 80 that projects axially inward.

In short, the upper support portion 78 projects upward from the annular connecting portion 70 with a predetermined axial dimension, and the radial width dimension thereof is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the radial width dimension of the outer holding groove 52. The inner peripheral surface shape of the upper support portion 78 substantially corresponds to the outer peripheral surface shape of the outer engagement claw 50, while the outer peripheral surface shape of the upper support portion 78 substantially corresponds to the inner peripheral surface shape of the small diameter cylindrical portion 44. doing. Further, the lower support portion 80 projects downward from the annular connecting portion 70 with a predetermined axial dimension, and in the present embodiment, when the housing 12 and the elastic valve body 16 are assembled, the annular shoulder of the outer holding portion 18 is arranged. It projects to a position below the portion 46. The inner peripheral surface shape of the lower support portion 80 substantially corresponds to the outer peripheral surface shape of the inner holding portion 20, while the outer peripheral surface shape of the lower support portion 80 corresponds to the inner peripheral surface shape of the small diameter tubular portion 44. There is. As a result, the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the lower support portion 80 are sandwiched and supported between the inner holding portion 20 and the small diameter tubular portion 44 of the outer holding portion 18 in the radial direction that is the thickness direction.

Further, the lower support portion 80 has a larger diameter dimension on the front end side in the protruding direction (lower side in FIG. 4) than on the base end side in the protruding direction (upper side in FIG. 4), and the protruding front end portion (the lowermost end in the axial direction). A flange-shaped portion 82 is integrally formed as a radially protruding portion that extends to the outer peripheral side. The radial width dimension of the flange portion 82 is substantially equal to the radial width dimension of the upper surface of the annular base end portion 60 of the inner holding portion 20. Further, on the upper surface of the flange-shaped portion 82, an upper locking concave portion 84 is formed at a position and size corresponding to the locking convex portion 58 of the outer holding portion 18 and extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, The outer peripheral side of the upper locking recess 84 is a locking projection 86 that projects outward in the axial direction. Furthermore, the lower surface of the flange-shaped portion 82 is formed with a lower locking recess 88 extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. For example, the lower locking recess 88 corresponds to the upper surface of the annular base end 60. By providing the convex portion, the positioning effect of the elastic valve element 16 on the inner holding portion 20 is exerted, and the effect of preventing the elastic valve element 16 from coming off due to the friction of these irregularities can be exerted.

In addition, each of the outer holding portion 18, the inner holding portion 20, and the housing body 22 that configure the housing 12 of the present embodiment is preferably formed of a material having a strength capable of reliably holding the elastic valve body 16, A thermoplastic resin is preferably adopted. Further, the elastic valve body 16 is formed of an elastic material, and synthetic rubber such as isoprene rubber or silicone rubber, natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomer or the like is preferably adopted in consideration of airtightness and resealability. To be done.

Further, in the elastic valve body 16, the outer diameter dimension at the upper end portion of the upper support portion 78 is preferably set within the range of 5.0 to 6.5 mm. If the dimension is less than 5.0 mm, it may be difficult to insert the luer tip of the standard luer lock connector with the outer diameter unified to about 4.0 mm, while the dimension is less than 6.5 mm. This is because if the diameter is large, the outer diameter of the medical valve 10 becomes large and it may be difficult to connect the female valve portion of a standard luer lock connector.

The thickness dimension of the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16 is preferably set within the range of 1.0 to 3.0 mm. If the thickness dimension of the central portion 66 is smaller than 1.0 mm, the sealing property at the time of inserting the male connector such as the syringe tip portion may be insufficient, while if the thickness dimension is larger than 3.0 mm. This is because the insertion resistance of the male connector becomes large, which may make the insertion operation difficult.

Here, on the lower surface of the elastic valve body 16, a circumferential groove 90 is formed continuously extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction with a predetermined radial width dimension. The circumferential groove 90 is provided between the slit 14 and the annular connecting portion 70 in the radial direction, and the bottom surface 92 of the circumferential groove 90 is located above the lower surface of the annular connecting portion 70. In this embodiment, the circumferential groove 90 is an annular groove. The peripheral groove 90 is formed from the inner peripheral side end of the annular groove 76, and the inner peripheral side wall surface of the annular concave groove 76 and the inner peripheral side wall surface 94 of the peripheral groove 90 are formed in the same plane. ing. Further, the outer peripheral side wall surface 96 of the peripheral groove 90 is an inclined surface that linearly inclines toward the inner peripheral side as it extends outward in the axial direction. Thus, in the present embodiment, the groove outer peripheral wall 98, which is the outer peripheral wall of the peripheral groove 90, is continuously provided from the annular connecting portion 70 between the outer peripheral side wall surface 96 of the peripheral groove 90 and the outer annular groove 72. Has been formed.

The elastic valve body 16 having the above-described shape is assembled to the housing 12 to form the medical valve 10 of the present embodiment. That is, the annular base end portion 60 of the inner holding portion 20 is fitted into the fixing groove 30 formed at the opening side end portion of the housing main body 22 so as to be assembled without adhesion and positioned in the radial direction. Then, the flange-shaped portion 82 of the elastic valve body 16 is superposed on the upper surface of the annular base end portion 60, and the inner engagement claw 64 of the inner holding portion 20 bites into the inner annular groove 74 of the elastic valve body 16. Pushed into.

In this state, the outer holding portions 18 are superposed from the outside in the axial direction, and the outer holding portions 18 are axially pressed against the housing body 22 as necessary. As a result, the upper support portion 78 of the tubular holding portion 68 is pushed into and supported by the outer holding groove 52 of the outer holding portion 18, and the outside of the outer holding portion 18 with respect to the outer annular groove 72 of the elastic valve body 16 is pushed. The engaging claw 50 is pushed in so as to bite. Since the outer and inner annular grooves 72 and 74 are formed on the outer and inner surfaces of the elastic valve body 16, the elastic valve body 16 and the outer and inner holding portions 18 and 20 are easily positioned and assembled accurately.

Further, the annular shoulder portion 46 of the outer holding portion 18 is superposed in contact with the welding protrusion 34 that is provided on the support wall 32 of the upper bottom portion 28 of the housing body 22. Then, while pressing the contact portion of the welding projection 34 in the axial direction, the horn of the ultrasonic welding device is applied to cause ultrasonic energy to act on the welding projection 34 in a concentrated manner. The contact portion is melted, the welding projection 34 is substantially melted and disappeared, and the fixing is completed in a state where the annular shoulder portion 46 of the outer holding portion 18 is superposed on the upper bottom portion 28 of the housing body 22. In the ultrasonic welding, the housing main body 22 and the outer holding portion 18 are axially positioned so that the contact area between the support wall 32 and the annular shoulder portion 46 is rapidly increased as the welding protrusion 34 disappears. It can be defined by increasing to.

As a result, when the ultrasonic welding is completed, the upper bottom surface of the fitting groove 56 provided in the annular shoulder portion 46 and the upper surface of the support wall 32 are substantially in contact with each other. Further, the locking projection 58 provided on the inner surface of the outer holding portion 18 is fitted into and locked by the upper locking recess 84 provided in the elastic valve body 16, and the engagement of the elastic valve body 16 is also performed. The stopper projection 86 is fitted into the fixing groove 30 of the housing body 22 and locked to the inner peripheral surface of the support wall 32.

The upper bottom surface of the fitting groove 56 and the upper surface of the support wall 32 are fixed to each other by ultrasonic welding using the welding projection 34 as described above, but, for example, the welding projection is not used. It may be adhesive or the like.

Further, by pressing the outer holding portion 18 against the housing main body 22 in the axial direction and fixing the outer holding portion 18, the inner holding portion 20 located axially inward of the outer holding portion 18 has the housing main body 22, the outer holding portion 18, and the like. It is fixedly assembled by being non-adherently supported and prevented from being detached from any of them.

Further, the lower support portion 80 of the tubular holding portion 68 is sandwiched between the outer holding portion 18 and the inner holding portion 20 and supported. Then, the locking projection 58 of the outer holding portion 18 is fitted into the upper locking recess 84 of the flange portion 82, and the outer holding portion 18 is pressed against the housing body 22 from the outside in the axial direction to be fixed. By doing so, the flange-shaped portion 82 of the elastic valve body 16 is sandwiched and supported between the outer holding portion 18 and the annular base end portion 60 of the inner holding portion 20 in the axial direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the elastic valve body 16 is not bonded to the housing 12, but is positioned and fixed in the radial direction and the axial direction, and the tubular holding portion 68 is provided with the outer holding portion 18 and the inner holding portion 20. The outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body 16 is supported by the housing 12 by being held between the housing 12 and.

When the elastic valve body 16 is assembled to the housing 12, the bottom surface 92 of the circumferential groove 90 provided on the lower surface of the elastic valve body 16 is axially outer than the tip of the inner engagement claw 64, particularly in the present embodiment. In the form, it is located axially outside of the tip of the outer engagement claw 50.

Here, in the elastic valve body 16 in the assembled state, the distance B (see FIG. 5) from the inner wall surface of the circumferential groove 90 to the outer engaging claw 50, that is, the wall thickness dimension B of the groove outer circumferential wall 98 is the outer inner ring. It is made larger than the wall thickness dimension A (see FIG. 5) between the grooves 72, 74, that is, the axial dimension A of the annular connecting portion 70. In the present embodiment, since the bottom surface 92 of the circumferential groove 90 is located axially outside the tip of the outer engaging claw 50, the distance B from the inner wall surface of the circumferential groove 90 to the outer engaging claw 50 is The distance is from the outer peripheral side wall surface 96 of the circumferential groove 90 to the outer engaging claw 50. As described above, by making the wall thickness dimension B larger than the wall thickness dimension A, the elastic valve body 16 can be returned to its original shape by the elastic restoring action after the male connector is detached from the medical valve 10. Can be good. Further, from this, the thickness dimension of the thin portion (annular connecting portion 70) described in the second aspect of the present invention is the same as the engaging pawls 64, 50 inside and outside when the elastic valve body 16 is assembled to the housing 12. It is understood as the wall thickness dimension when sandwiched between.

In the present embodiment, the wall thickness dimension B of the groove outer peripheral wall 98 in the assembled state is made larger than the axial dimension A of the annular connecting portion 70, but the size of these dimensions is not limited. is not. That is, as will be described later, when the male connector is inserted, the tensile stress or strain generated in the elastic valve body 16 is reduced or avoided from being concentrated only in the annular connecting portion 70, and the tensile stress is also exerted in the groove outer peripheral wall 98. It is preferable that the thickness dimension is set to such an extent that the action of disperse and generation of the strain is exhibited. Specifically, for example, the wall thickness dimension B of the groove outer peripheral wall 98 is preferably 50% to 200% of the wall thickness dimension A between the outer and inner annular grooves 72, 74, and more preferably 80. % To 150%. By setting the size of the distance B from the inner wall surface of the circumferential groove 90 to the outer engaging claw 50 to be in the above range, the effect of preventing the elastic valve body 16 from falling off from the housing 12 described later can be stably exhibited.

Further, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the distal end portion of the syringe 100 as a male connector is inserted into the medical valve 10 having the above structure. That is, by inserting the tip portion of the syringe 100 into the elastic valve body 16, the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16 is pushed inward in the axial direction to be elastically deformed, and the slit 14 is opened. As a result, the fluid flow path 102 from the inside of the syringe 100 through the inside of the medical valve 10 to the inside of the human body from a catheter or the like (not shown) is brought into communication. In other words, when the syringe 100 is inserted into the elastic valve body 16 mounted on the housing 12 that forms the opening of the fluid flow path 102, the slit 14 is opened and the fluid flow path 102 is in communication. It In FIG. 6, the syringe 100 is of a luer lock type, and the female screw portion 104 provided on the syringe 100 is screwed with the male screw portion 54 provided on the housing 12. However, such a syringe may be of the slip lock type.

Here, since the groove outer peripheral wall 98 having a reduced wall thickness is formed in the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16, when the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16 is elastically deformed, a syringe is used. According to the pushing force of 100, the groove outer peripheral wall 98 is preferentially elastically deformed downward. Further, by forming the circumferential groove 90, the thickness dimension of the portion of the elastic valve body 16 located above the circumferential groove 90 is reduced, and elastic deformation of the portion is easily caused, while the elastic valve The portion of the body 16 on the inner peripheral side of the circumferential groove 90 is relatively unlikely to be elastically deformed. As a result, when the distal end portion of the syringe 100 is inserted into the elastic valve body 16, the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16 is moved to the inner peripheral side wall surface 94 of the peripheral groove 90 as shown in FIG. And the outer peripheral side wall surface 96 are separated from each other, and the groove outer peripheral wall 98 and the portion located above the peripheral groove 90 elastically deform downward, while the portion on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall 90 slides downward. It is elastically deformed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, by further inserting the syringe 100 into the medical valve 10, the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16 is inserted between the inner holding portion 20 and the syringe 100. By the deformation, the insertion operation of the syringe 100 into the medical valve 10 is completed.

As described above, in the medical valve 10 according to the present embodiment, the central portion 66 of the elastic valve body 16 is provided with the portion that is elastically deformed preferentially from the annular coupling portion 70 over a wide area continuously, so that the syringe 100 is provided. Since the insertion resistance is reduced and the syringe 100 can be inserted with a smaller pushing force, the elastic valve body 16 can be effectively prevented from falling off the housing 12 when the syringe 100 is inserted. In addition, since the syringe 100 can be inserted with a small pushing force, the tensile force exerted on the annular connecting portion 70 and the tubular holding portion 68 can be reduced, and the holding state of the elastic valve body 16 by the housing 12 can be reduced. Can be maintained stable.

Further, by making the wall thickness dimension A of the annular connecting portion 70 and the wall thickness dimension B of the groove outer peripheral wall 98 substantially equal to each other, stress and strain due to the pushing force of the syringe 100 are generated between the annular connecting portion 70 and the groove outer peripheral wall 98. Can be distributed approximately equally. As a result, the elastic valve body 16 is more effectively removed due to the load in the direction of being pulled by the annular connecting portion 70 being concentrated and the tubular holding portion 68 coming off between the outer and inner engaging pawls 50 and 64. Can be prevented. Further, by making the wall thickness dimension B larger than the wall thickness dimension A, the stress and strain associated with the pushing force of the syringe 100 can be reduced more than before, and the syringe 100 is detached from the medical valve 10. It is possible to improve the returning property of the elastic valve body 16 due to the elastic restoring action later.

In particular, the peripheral groove 90 is formed on the lower surface of the elastic valve body 16 instead of newly providing a portion in which the tensile stress or strain exerted on the annular coupling portion 70 is easily distorted preferentially as described above. By doing so, the groove outer peripheral wall 98 of the peripheral groove 90 can be elastically deformed preferentially, and can be efficiently used as a portion to which tensile stress and strain are dispersed, thereby increasing the size of the elastic valve body. It is possible to prevent the elastic valve body 16 from falling off.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the outer peripheral side wall surface 96 of the peripheral groove 90 is an inclined surface, it is possible to secure a large length of the groove outer peripheral wall 98 and the tensile force exerted on the annular connecting portion 70. Can be further reduced. Therefore, the risk that the elastic valve body 16 will fall off the housing 12 can be further reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the circumferential groove 90 is provided in the annular shape corresponding to the disk-shaped elastic valve body 16, the elastic deformation of the elastic valve body 16 as described above is performed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. This can be realized stably, and the insertion resistance of the syringe 100 can be further reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the inner engagement claw 64 has an inwardly convex curved cross section, and the inner proximal end surface of the groove outer peripheral wall 98 and the inner peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the inner engagement claw 64. And are overlapped by an inclined surface that spreads diagonally upward. This can improve the positioning accuracy when the elastic valve body 16 and the inner holding portion 20 are assembled.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific description thereof, and is carried out in a mode in which various changes, modifications and improvements are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Any such embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the lower support portion 80 of the tubular holding portion 68 extends below the annular shoulder portion 46 of the outer holding portion 18, but the invention is not limited to this aspect. That is, the lower support portion 80 may extend below the annular connecting portion 70 when the elastic valve body 16 is assembled to the housing 12. As a result, the axial dimension of the cylindrical holding portion 68 is made larger than the facing distance between the outer and inner engaging claws 50 and 64, and therefore, when the syringe 100 is inserted into the elastic valve body 16, the elastic valve body 16 is inserted. It is possible to sufficiently exert the effect of preventing the falling off of the housing 12 from the housing 12.

However, in the state before the elastic valve body 16 is attached to the housing 12, the axial dimension of the tubular holding portion may be equal to that of the annular connecting portion. That is, when the elastic valve body 16 is assembled to the housing 12, the annular connecting portion is axially compressed by the outer and inner engaging claws 50 and 64, so that the axial dimension of the tubular holding portion is equal to that of the annular connecting portion. It may be larger than the axial dimension. That is, in the present invention, the outer and inner annular grooves 72, 74 provided on the outer and inner surfaces of the elastic valve body 16 are not essential.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bottom surface 92 of the circumferential groove 90 is located axially outward of the tip of the outer engagement claw 50, but the bottom surface 92 of the circumferential groove 90 is located below the lower surface of the annular coupling portion 70. The outer engagement claw 50 does not have to reach above the tip of the outer engagement claw 50.

Further, the shape of the lower support portion 80 in the tubular holding portion 68 is not limited at all, but for example, the inner peripheral surface of the axially intermediate portion of the lower support portion 80 has a straight shape in which the inner diameter dimension is substantially constant. At the same time, the inner surface of the lower end portion of the lower support portion 80 is provided with a rib that protrudes toward the inner periphery side in the entire circumferential direction or partially, so that the outer diameter of the upper support portion 78 of the tubular holding portion 68 can be adjusted. In comparison, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the lower support portion 80 be reduced. Accordingly, when manufacturing the elastic valve body 16, it is possible to avoid a problem that the upper end portion of the elastic valve body 16 enters the lower opening of the cylindrical holding portion 68, and a plurality of elastic valve bodies are stacked to cause troublesome handling. Can be done.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the inner peripheral side wall surface 94 of the peripheral groove 90 is formed to be flush with the inner peripheral side wall surface of the annular groove 76, but the inner peripheral side wall surface 94 of the peripheral groove 90 is It may be provided on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral side wall surface of the annular concave groove 76. In the above embodiment, the circumferential groove 90 is provided so as to communicate with the inner annular groove 74 and the annular concave groove 76, but it may be provided independently of these. However, in the present invention, the annular groove 76 is not essential.

Further, for example, the annular groove 76 is formed with a predetermined width in the radial direction, and the peripheral groove 90 is formed so as to open to the inner peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the annular groove 76, while the outer peripheral portion of the annular groove 76 is formed. It is also possible to configure the thin portion 70 that is sandwiched between the inner and outer claw portions 64 and 50 by the bottom wall portion. At this time, the inner annular groove 74 may be formed so as to open on the bottom surface of the outer peripheral portion of the annular concave groove 76, but the inner annular groove 74 is not necessarily provided. That is, by pressing the claw portion 64 against the flat bottom surface of the outer peripheral portion of the annular recessed groove 76 and elastically deforming the bottom wall portion of the annular recessed groove 76, the claw portion 64 is substantially bitten. It is also possible to realize the same clamping action as in the state of being locked in the inner annular groove 74.

Further, it is preferable that the circumferential groove has an annular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the disk-shaped elastic valve body, but it is sufficient that the circumferential groove extends in the circumferential direction. It may have a shape or the like.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the circumferential groove 90 has a predetermined radial width dimension, but the circumferential groove may be a slit-shaped slit having a radial width dimension of substantially zero. When a slit is used as the peripheral groove, the outer peripheral side wall surface of the slit can be an inclined surface by forming the slit so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction. Such a slit can be formed, for example, by inserting a cutter knife or the like into a cut after forming the elastic valve body.

Further, the shape of the housing 12 is not limited in any way. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inner holding portion 20 and the housing body 22 are separate components, but they may be integrally formed. Furthermore, for example, as in the medical valve described in JP 2010-148757 A, the locking projection (for the upper opening of the tubular mouth body (40) including the inner locking projection (70). The housing may be constituted by fixing an annular ring (42) provided with 80).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the outer peripheral side wall surface 96 of the circumferential groove 90 is a linear inclined surface that inclines at a constant inclination angle with respect to the axial direction, but even if the inclination angle changes. Well, for example, the outer peripheral side wall surface of the peripheral groove may be configured by a curved surface or a curved surface.

In the above-described embodiment, the outer and inner engaging claws 50 and 64 and the outer and inner annular grooves 72 and 74 are formed in an annular shape over the entire circumferential direction. May be formed intermittently in the circumferential direction, or it is possible to change the height of the engaging claws stepwise or continuously on the circumference. Further, the outer and inner annular grooves may be intermittently formed so as to correspond to the position and size of the outer and inner engaging claws.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the circumferential groove 90 is an annular groove that continuously extends over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. That is, the circumferential groove provided on the inner surface of the elastic valve body may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. When the elastic valve body is provided with the slit as in the above embodiment, the deformation mode of the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body differs depending on the extending direction of the slit. Therefore, for example, when the slit is formed in a single letter shape as in the above-described embodiment, peripheral grooves extending in the circumferential direction with a length of less than a half circumference are provided in the outer peripheral portions on both sides in the direction orthogonal to the slit extending direction. Is preferred. As a result, the effective length of the deformed portion is increased due to the formation of the circumferential groove in both sides of the slit orthogonal direction where deformation strain is likely to be large in the conventional elastic valve body having no circumferential groove, and thus the deformation is easily allowed. Thus, it is possible to reduce insertion resistance and improve durability. However, in the present invention, in the elastic valve body, in addition to or instead of both side portions in the slit orthogonal direction, portions located on the outer peripheral side of both ends of the slit may be provided with circumferential grooves extending in the circumferential direction with a length of half a circumference or less. It is possible.

Further, the slit provided in the elastic valve body may be in a cross shape, a radial shape, or the like in addition to the one-character shape. Also in these cases, the circumferential groove that partially extends at a predetermined position on the circumference may be formed in consideration of different deformation modes of the elastic valve element on the circumference. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape such as the depth and opening width of the circumferential groove can be appropriately changed in consideration of the different deformation modes of the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body in the circumferential direction.

The present invention originally includes the inventions described below, and a supplementary note will be given regarding the configuration and operational effects thereof.
(I) The thin-walled portion formed on the outer peripheral portion of the liquid valve body is sandwiched between the inner and outer claw portions of the opening member, and the outer peripheral side of the elastic valve body is held by the opening member rather than the thin-walled portion. Thus, in the medical valve in which the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body is supported by the opening member, and the male connector can be repeatedly inserted into and removed from the slit provided in the central portion of the elastic valve body, the thin portion is A circumferentially extending inner circumferential side of the thin-walled portion on the inner side surface of the elastic valve body, the outer circumferential side of the central portion being provided at a position overlapping the central portion in the axial direction of the elastic valve body. A medical valve, wherein the groove is formed with a greater depth than the bottom surface of the thin portion,
(Ii) The medical valve according to (i), wherein the wall thickness of the elastic valve body on the outer peripheral side of the circumferential groove is thicker than the wall thickness of the thin wall portion.
(Iii) The medical valve according to (i) or (ii), wherein the wall surface on the outer circumferential side of the circumferential groove is inclined in a direction in which the outer circumferential surface widens inward.
(Iv) The medical valve according to any one of (i) to (iii), wherein the circumferential groove extends circumferentially in a circumferential direction along the thin portion.
(V) The medical valve according to any one of (i) to (iv), in which the circumferential groove is a slit-like slit.
(Vi) Inner and outer annular grooves that extend in the circumferential direction are formed on both inner and outer surfaces of the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body, and the thin portion is formed between the bottoms of the inner and outer annular grooves. The medical valve according to any one of (i) to (v), wherein the inner and outer claw portions of the opening member are fitted into the annular grooves.
Including inventions related to.
In the invention described in (i) above, since the circumferential groove extending in the circumferential direction is provided on the inner side surface of the elastic valve body, the outer circumferential side of the circumferential groove can be relatively opposed to the case where the circumferential groove is not provided. A thin portion is formed. Therefore, when the male connector is inserted into the slit of the elastic valve body, the outer peripheral side portion of the peripheral groove is preferentially elastically deformed. In particular, since the peripheral groove is formed with a depth larger than the bottom surface of the thin portion formed on the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body, the length of the outer peripheral side portion of the peripheral groove and thus the elastic deformation amount can be advantageously secured. At the same time, when the male connector is inserted, the circumferential groove is elastically deformed in a direction in which the circumferential groove is widened, thereby reducing the resistance when the male connector is inserted. As a result, the male connector can be easily inserted into the elastic valve body, and at the same time, the elastic valve body held by the opening member will fall off such that the outer peripheral side of the claw portion falls off to the inner peripheral side. The problem of is also effectively prevented. In particular, in the medical valve of the conventional structure having no circumferential groove as described above, the pushing force of the male connector is concentrated on the thin portion of the elastic valve body, and the portion on the outer peripheral side is stronger than the thin portion. When pulled, there is a risk that the opening member may fall off between the claws inside and outside the opening member toward the inner peripheral side. On the other hand, in the medical valve of this aspect, by forming the circumferential groove in the elastic valve body and providing the portion where elastic deformation is easily allowed, the pushing force exerted on the thin portion is reduced in a distributed manner. Since the holding state of the outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body by the opening member is stably maintained, the elastic valve body can be effectively prevented from falling off the opening member. In the present invention, the circumferential groove provided on the inner side surface of the elastic valve body does not have to be an annular groove that continuously extends in an annular shape over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and is provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. Good.
In the invention described in (ii) above, since the wall thickness of the end portion on the outer peripheral side of the circumferential groove is made thicker than the wall thickness of the thin portion, the elastic valve body is used when the male connector is detached. The elastic restoring action can be stably exhibited. As a result, the slit can be closed more reliably, and the liquid flow path including the medical valve can be blocked more quickly.
In the invention described in (iii) above, since the wall surface on the outer peripheral side of the circumferential groove is inclined with respect to the axial direction, the substantial portion of the outer peripheral side portion of the circumferential groove where elastic deformation easily occurs in the elastic valve body. A larger length can be secured.
In the invention described in (iv) above, since the circumferential groove is circumferentially formed along the thin portion in the circumferential direction, the shape of the portion of the elastic valve body from the wall portion on the outer peripheral side of the circumferential groove to the thin portion. Can be substantially constant over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. As a result, when the male connector is inserted, the stress and strain generated in the wall portion and the thin portion on the outer peripheral side of the circumferential groove are substantially evenly distributed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. Further stabilization of the holding state of the body can be achieved.
In the invention described in (v) above, for example, even in a small-sized medical valve or the like, the circumferential groove can be easily and accurately formed, and the above effect can be stably exhibited.
In the invention described in (vi), the elastic valve body can be more easily and reliably positioned with respect to the opening member by fitting the inner and outer claw portions of the opening member into the inner and outer annular grooves of the elastic valve body. become.
In the medical valve having the structure according to the invention described in (i) to (vi) above, since the circumferential groove is provided on the inner side surface of the elastic valve body, elastic deformation occurs when the male connector is inserted. The easily permissible portion can be formed on the inner peripheral side of the thin portion. Further, by providing the portion in which this elastic deformation is easily allowed, the tensile force exerted on the thin portion at the time of inserting the male connector is dispersedly reduced, and the elastic valve body is effectively prevented from coming off from the opening member. It becomes possible to prevent it.

Reference numeral 10: medical valve, 12: housing (opening member), 14: slit, 16: elastic valve body, 50: outer engaging claw (claw portion), 64: inner engaging claw (claw portion), 66: central portion , 68: tubular holding portion, 70: annular connecting portion (thin portion), 72: outer annular groove, 74: inner annular groove, 90: peripheral groove, 96: outer peripheral side wall surface, 98: groove outer peripheral wall, 100: syringe , 102: fluid flow path

Claims (4)

A disc-shaped elastic valve body is attached to an opening member connected to the liquid flow path, and a thin portion formed on an outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body is sandwiched between inner and outer claw portions of the opening member. An outer peripheral side of the elastic valve body with respect to the thin portion is held by the opening member, so that an outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve body is supported by the opening member and is provided in a central portion of the elastic valve body. In a medical valve in which a male connector can be repeatedly inserted into and removed from the slit,
A tubular holding portion extending from the outer peripheral side of the thin portion toward the inside of the opening member, and a flange-shaped portion extending from the tubular holding portion toward the outer periphery are provided,
The tubular holding portion is sandwiched and held by the opening member in the radial direction, and the flange-shaped portion is sandwiched and held by the opening member in the axial direction,
A medical valve, characterized in that a locking recess is formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the flange-shaped portion and is recessed and convexly locked to the opening member. The medical valve according to claim 1, wherein the flange-shaped portion is provided with a locking projection that projects axially outward and is locked to the opening member. The medical valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tubular holding portion expands toward the inside of the opening member. The tubular holding portion also extends to the outside of the opening member, and the tip end of the tubular holding portion extending toward the outside of the central portion of the elastic valve body located on the inner peripheral side of the thin portion. the medical valve according to any one of claim 1 to 3 are located axially inwardly of the outer surface.

Images