Breathing assistance device, breathing assistance device, and moisture removal member

Abstract

This breathing aid guides gas supplied from a supply tube through which the gas passes to the nostrils of a user, and is provided with: a first tubular part through which the gas supplied from the supply tube passes; a first tubular side shaft disposed in a subnasal region between the nose and the mouth of the user so as to extend in the width direction of the face of the user, and having a stretchable structure capable of stretching in its own axial direction (hereinafter referred to as a first tubular side shaft); and a pair of second tubular parts branched from the first tubular part, configured so as to be insertable into the nostrils of the user, and configured so as to be able to eject the gas that has passed through the first tubular part from an outlet opening of the second tubular part. The breathing aid is configured so that the interval between the pair of second tubular sections can be changed by expanding and contracting the first tubular section in the first tubular-side axial direction. As a result, it is possible to adjust the relative position of the portion inserted into the nostril of the user with respect to the nostril of the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a respiratory assist device, a respiratory assist apparatus, and a moisture removal member. Background Art

[0002] Respiratory assist devices that supply positive pressure gases such as oxygen into a patient's nasal cavity are widely used. As such a respiratory assist device, for example, there is a device having a gas source, a delivery conduit that delivers the respiratory gas supplied from the gas source, and a nasal cannula that guides the respiratory gas delivered from the delivery conduit into the patient's nasal cavity (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-138874). Moreover, the nasal cannula has, for example, a manifold portion having a substantially tubular shape, and a face-wearing portion that is connected to the manifold portion and has a pair of nasal plugs. The respiratory gas supplied through the delivery conduit is transported to the face-wearing portion through the manifold portion, and is supplied to the patient's nostrils from the pair of nasal plugs. In addition, the delivery conduit has a heating element in an intermediate section in order to prevent condensation of the humidified gas generated in the delivery conduit. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there are a first technical problem and a second technical problem in the above-described respiratory assist device. The first technical problem is as follows. The above-described nasal cannula is configured such that the interval between the pair of nasal plugs and the relative angle with respect to the face-wearing portion cannot be changed. On the other hand, there are individual differences in the interval and inclination angle of a patient's pair of nostrils. Therefore, when the pair of nasal plugs are inserted into the patient's nostrils, if the relative positions of the pair of nasal plugs and the patient's nostrils do not match, the nasal plugs may come into contact with the nasal cavity and press on the nasal cavity. In addition, if the state in which the pair of nasal plugs are in contact with the nasal cavity continues, the patient may feel discomfort.

[0005] In addition, the second technical problem is as follows. Since no heating element is provided in the final section of the delivery conduit near the patient between the above-described intermediate section and the nasal cannula, the respiratory gas is cooled and condensed in the final section, and water droplets are generated inside the delivery conduit in the final section of the delivery conduit. These water droplets may be transported to the patient's nostrils through the nasal cannula together with the respiratory gas.

[0006] In view of the above actual situation, the present invention provides at least one of a respiratory assist device and a respiratory assist apparatus that solve the first technical problem, and a respiratory assist device and a moisture removal member that solve the second technical problem. The respiratory assist device and the respiratory assist apparatus that solve the first technical problem are configured to be able to adjust the relative position of the portion inserted into the user's nostrils with respect to the user's nostrils. The respiratory assist device and the moisture removal member that solve the second technical problem are configured to prevent water droplets generated inside the respiratory assist device from being sent to the user.

[0007] Means for solving the problem

[0008] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is a breathing assistance device that guides the gas supplied from the supply pipe through which the gas passes to the nostrils of the user. It is characterized by having: a first tubular portion through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, being disposed in the subnasal region between the nose and the mouth of the user in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face, and having a telescopic structure capable of telescoping along its own axis (hereinafter referred to as the first tubular side axis); and a pair of second tubular portions branching from the first tubular portion and configured to be insertable into the nostrils of the user and configured to eject the gas passing through the first tubular portion from its outlet opening. The breathing assistance device is configured to be able to change the interval between the pair of second tubular portions by telescoping the first tubular portion along the first tubular side axis.

[0009] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized by further having an interval changing mechanism that is connected to the first tubular portion and can guide the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular portion, and allows or restricts the telescoping of the first tubular portion according to the magnitude of the applied external force, thereby allowing or restricting the change in the interval between the pair of second tubular portions in the first tubular side axis.

[0010] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the interval changing mechanism has: a pair of communication tubular portions respectively connected to both ends of the first tubular portion and capable of guiding the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular portion; and a pair of connection position changing mechanisms configured between the first tubular portion and the pair of communication tubular portions, allowing or restricting the change in the relative connection position (hereinafter referred to as the relative connection position) between the first tubular portion and the communication tubular portion according to the magnitude of the applied external force. If the relative connection position between the first tubular portion and the communication tubular portion is changed by using the pair of connection position changing mechanisms, the telescopic structure telescopes with the change in the relative connection position, and the interval between the pair of second tubular portions is changed.

[0011] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the first tubular portion and the communication tubular portion are connected in such a way that when the relative connection position between the first tubular portion and the communication tubular portion is changed by the connection position changing mechanism, the length (hereinafter referred to as the axial length) of the overlapping region where the first tubular portion and the communication tubular portion overlap in the axis of the communication tubular portion (hereinafter referred to as the communication side axis) is changed.

[0012] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the connection position changing mechanism has: a pair of first axial engagement regions provided on both sides of the first tubular portion with the center of the first tubular portion in the first tubular side axis as a reference; and second axial engagement regions respectively provided on a pair of the communication tubular portions, which overlap with the first axial engagement regions when the pair of the communication tubular portions are respectively connected to the first tubular portion, and engage with the first axial engagement regions in the axial direction of the communication tubular portion (hereinafter referred to as the communication side axis). The first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region are configured such that as the relative connection position changes, the engagement overlapping region where the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region overlap and engage changes within a specified range in the communication side axis. By applying an external force, the engagement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is released, allowing relative movement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region, thereby allowing change in the range of the engagement overlapping region. When the external force is released, relative movement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is restricted by the engagement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region, thereby restricting change in the range of the engagement overlapping region.

[0013] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that at least one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is made of an elastically deformable material. By applying an external force, at least one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region made of the elastically deformable material undergoes elastic deformation, and the engagement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is released.

[0014] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that either one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region has at least one protrusion, and at least one of the protrusions protrudes toward the remaining other one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region in a mutually engaged state. The remaining other one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region has a plurality of engagement portions, and the plurality of engagement portions are provided at intervals in the first tubular side axis or the communication side axis and are configured to respectively face the direction of the protrusion and be able to engage with the protrusion in a mutually engaged state. The breathing assistance device is configured such that the protrusion and the engagement portion engage in the communication side axis, thereby restricting relative movement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region.

[0015] In a breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the protruding portion is constituted by a reduced-diameter portion, the reduced-diameter portion is configured to be reduced in diameter along the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion, and can press the engaging portion in a state of being engaged with the engaging portion, the engaging portion protrudes along the radial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tubular portion, and a plurality of engaging portions are provided at intervals in the connecting-side axial direction, and the convex portion is engaged with the reduced-diameter portion by the frictional force caused by the pressing force of the reduced-diameter portion on the engaging portion.

[0016] In a breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that a plurality of the protruding portions are provided at intervals in the first tubular-side axial direction or the connecting-side axial direction, the engaging portion is constituted by a plurality of groove portions configured to be able to be engaged with the protruding portion, and the protruding portion is engaged with the groove portion by the protruding portion being engaged with the groove portion.

[0017] A breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized in that it further has a swing mechanism, and the swing mechanism allows or restricts the swing of the second tubular portion around the central axis of the first tubular portion according to the magnitude of the applied external force.

[0018] In a breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the interval changing mechanism has a connecting tubular portion, the connecting tubular portion is connected to the end of the first tubular portion, and can guide the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular portion, the swing mechanism is configured to allow or restrict the relative rotation of the first tubular portion with respect to at least a part of the connecting tubular portion with at least a part of the connecting tubular portion as an axis and allow or restrict the relative swing of the second tubular portion with respect to at least a part of the connecting tubular portion in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion according to the magnitude of the applied external force.

[0019] In a breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the swing mechanism has: a first swing engaging region provided on the first tubular portion; and a second swing engaging region provided on the connecting tubular portion and overlapping with the first swing engaging region when the connecting tubular portion is connected to the first tubular portion, and engaging with the first swing engaging region in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion, by applying an external force, the engagement between the first swing engaging region and the second swing engaging region is released, allowing the relative rotation of the first tubular portion and the relative swing of the second tubular portion, and when the external force is released, the relative rotation of the first tubular portion and the relative swing of the second tubular portion are restricted by the engagement between the first swing engaging region and the second swing engaging region.

[0020] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the interval changing mechanism has a connection position changing mechanism, and the connection position changing mechanism is configured to allow or restrict the change of the relative connection position (hereinafter referred to as the relative connection position) between the first tubular portion and the pair of connection tubular portions according to the magnitude of the applied external force. If the relative connection position between the first tubular portion and the connection tubular portion is changed by using the connection position changing mechanism, the telescopic structure expands and contracts as the relative connection position changes, and the interval between the pair of second tubular portions is changed. The connection position changing mechanism has: a pair of first axial engagement regions provided on both sides of the first tubular portion with the center of the first tubular portion in the first tubular side axis as a reference; and a second axial engagement region provided on each of the pair of connection tubular portions, which overlaps with the first axial engagement region when each of the pair of connection tubular portions is connected to the first tubular portion and engages with the first axial engagement region in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the connection side axial direction) of the connection tubular portion. The first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region are configured such that as the relative connection position changes, the engagement overlapping region where the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region overlap and engage changes within a specified range in the connection side axial direction. At least a part of the first axial engagement region and the first swing engagement region is shared, and at least a part of the second axial engagement region and the second swing engagement region is shared.

[0021] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the interval change mechanism has a pair of connecting tubular parts, and the pair of connecting tubular parts are respectively connected to both ends of the first tubular part, and can guide the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular part. When the first tubular part is divided into two regions with the center of the first tubular side axis as a reference, and the region on one side of the first tubular part connected to one of the connecting tubular parts (hereinafter referred to as the first connecting tubular part) is defined as the first region, and the region on the other side of the first tubular part connected to the other connecting tubular part (hereinafter referred to as the second connecting tubular part) is defined as the second region, the swing mechanism has: a first swing mechanism piece, which allows or restricts the relative rotation of the first region with respect to at least a part of the first connecting tubular part around at least a part of the first connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, and allows or restricts the relative swing of one of the second tubular parts in the circumferential direction of the first connecting tubular part; and a second swing mechanism piece, which allows or restricts the relative rotation of the second region with respect to at least a part of the second connecting tubular part around at least a part of the second connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, and allows or restricts the relative swing of the other second tubular part in the circumferential direction of the second connecting tubular part.

[0022] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the first swing mechanism piece and the second swing mechanism piece operate independently of each other.

[0023] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that when the relative angle of the other second tubular part with respect to one second tubular part is less than a threshold value, the first swing mechanism piece and the second swing mechanism piece operate independently of each other, and when the relative angle is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the relative swing is restricted by the restoring force caused by the torsion of the first tubular part.

[0024] In a breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that it has: a connecting tubular part, which is connected to the end of the first tubular part and can guide the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular part; and a swinging mechanism, which allows or restricts the swinging of the second tubular part in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force. The connecting tubular part has: a first connecting tubular part, which is connected to the first tubular part; and a second connecting tubular part, one end side of which is connected to the first connecting tubular part and one end side of which is connected to the supply pipe. The swinging mechanism has: a relative rotation restricting mechanism, which restricts the relative rotation between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part; and a relative rotation mechanism, which allows or restricts the relative rotation between the first connecting tubular part and the second connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force. The breathing assistance device is configured such that the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part rotate relative to the second connecting tubular part together, so that the second tubular part swings in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part.

[0025] In a breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the relative rotation restricting mechanism is formed in the connection area between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part. In this connection area, the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part are in contact with and overlap each other, and in a cross-section obtained by cutting the first connecting tubular part and the first tubular part in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the connecting tubular part (hereinafter referred to as the connecting side axial direction), the shape of the area where the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part are in contact is a non-circular shape.

[0026] In a breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the relative rotation mechanism has: a first connecting pipe side engaging area, which is provided on the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tubular part; and a second connecting pipe side engaging area, which is provided on the second connecting tubular part. When the first connecting tubular part and the second connecting tubular part are connected, the second connecting pipe side engaging area faces the direction of the first connecting pipe side engaging area and engages with the first connecting pipe side engaging area. By applying an external force, the engagement between the first connecting pipe side engaging area and the second connecting pipe side engaging area is released, allowing the relative rotation between the first connecting tubular part and the second connecting tubular part. If the external force is released, the relative rotation between the first connecting tubular part and the second connecting tubular part is restricted by the engagement between the first connecting pipe side engaging area and the second connecting pipe side engaging area.

[0027] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the second connecting tubular portion has: an intermediate connecting tubular portion, one end side of which is connected to the first connecting tubular portion; and a supply pipe side connecting tubular portion, one end side of which is connected to the other end side of the intermediate connecting tubular portion, and the other end side of which is rotatably connected to the supply pipe relative to the supply pipe.

[0028] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized in that it further has a second relative rotation restricting mechanism, and the second relative rotation restricting mechanism restricts the relative rotation range of the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion to a specified relative rotation angle. The second relative rotation restricting mechanism has: a partial circumferential groove portion, which is provided on either the first connecting tubular portion or the second connecting tubular portion, is recessed in the radial direction of the connecting tubular portion, and extends in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion by a partial circumference corresponding to the specified relative rotation angle; and a restricting protrusion portion, which is provided on the remaining one of the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion, protrudes in the radial direction of the connecting tubular portion, and is arranged so that when the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion rotate relative to each other, it can rotate in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion within the partial circumferential groove portion, and the rotation angle by which the restricting protrusion portion can rotate within the partial circumferential groove portion is the same as the specified relative rotation angle by which the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion can rotate relative to each other.

[0029] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized in that it further has a connection position changing mechanism, and the connection position changing mechanism constitutes between the first tubular portion and the first connecting tubular portion, and allows or restricts the change of the relative connection position (hereinafter referred to as the relative connection position) of the first tubular portion and the first connecting tubular portion according to the magnitude of the applied external force. If the relative connection position of the first tubular portion and the first connecting tubular portion is changed by using a pair of the connection position changing mechanisms, the telescopic structure expands and contracts as the relative connection position changes, and the interval between the pair of second tubular portions is changed. The connection position changing mechanism has: a first axial engagement region, which is provided on the first tubular portion; and a second axial engagement region, which is provided on the first connecting tubular portion, overlaps with the first axial engagement region when the first connecting tubular portion is connected to the first tubular portion, and engages with the first axial engagement region in the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion (hereinafter referred to as the connecting side axial direction), and the second axial engagement region is provided at a position farther from the second connecting tubular portion than the first connecting pipe side engagement region in the connecting side axial direction.

[0030] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized by further comprising: a communication tube side holding part that holds the communication tube part so that the first tube part is arranged in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the sub-nasal region of the user; and a third relative rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the relative rotation of the communication tube part with respect to the holding part.

[0031] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a wearing part that wears a pair of the communication tube parts on the user's face such that the first tube part assumes a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the sub-nasal region.

[0032] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention, the wearing part extends from the communication tube part toward the sub-nasal region and positions the communication tube part on the user's face by abutting against the user's face in the sub-nasal region such that the first tube part assumes a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face.

[0033] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a moisture removal part that is composed of a water-absorbing material having water absorbency, absorbs moisture inside the supply tube and the breathing assistance device, and discharges the moisture to the outside of the supply tube and the breathing assistance device. The moisture removal part has: an inner side absorption part that is disposed inside at least one of the supply tube and the breathing assistance device and absorbs moisture inside at least one of the supply tube and the breathing assistance device; and an exposed part that is connected to the inner side absorption part and is exposed to the outside of the supply tube and the breathing assistance device to discharge the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption part to the outside.

[0034] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a protective sheet part that is interposed between the wearing part and the sub-nasal region and abuts against the sub-nasal region to protect the sub-nasal region.

[0035] The breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized in that a tension is applied to the protective sheet part in the width direction.

[0036] A breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention guides the gas supplied from a supply pipe through which the gas passes to the nostrils of a user, and is characterized in that it has: a first tubular part through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, and is arranged in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal area between the user's nose and mouth; a pair of second tubular parts branching from the first tubular part and configured to be insertable into the nostrils of the user and configured to eject the gas passing through the first tubular part from their outlet openings; a connecting tubular part connected to the end of the first tubular part and capable of guiding the gas supplied from the supply pipe; and a swinging mechanism that allows or restricts the swinging of the second tubular part in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force. The connecting tubular part has: a first connecting tubular part connected to the first tubular part; and a second connecting tubular part, one end side of which is connected to the first connecting tubular part and one end side of which is connected to the supply pipe. The swinging mechanism has: a relative rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the relative rotation between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part; and a relative rotation mechanism that allows or restricts the relative rotation between the first connecting tubular part and the second connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force. The breathing assistance device is configured such that the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part rotate relative to the second connecting tubular part together, so that the second tubular part swings in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part.

[0037] A breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention guides the gas supplied from a supply pipe through which the gas passes to the nostrils of a user, and is characterized by having: a first tubular portion through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, disposed in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal region between the user's nose and mouth, and having a telescopic structure capable of telescoping along its own axis; a pair of second tubular portions branched from the first tubular portion, configured to be insertable into the nostrils of the user, and configured to eject the gas passing through the first tubular portion from its outlet opening; a pair of connecting tubular portions, one end side of one is connected to one end side of the first tubular portion, the other end side of one is connected to the supply pipe, and one end side of the other is connected to the other end side of the first tubular portion, capable of guiding the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular portion; a pair of connection position changing mechanisms configured between the first tubular portion and the pair of connecting tubular portions, allowing relative movement between the first tubular portion and the connecting tubular portions and changing the connection position between the first tubular portion and the connecting tubular portions when a first external force is applied; a first relative swinging mechanism dividing the first tubular portion into two regions based on the center of the axis of the first tubular portion. If the region on one side of the first tubular portion connected to the connecting tubular portion on one side (hereinafter referred to as the first connecting tubular portion) is defined as the first region, and the region on the other side of the first tubular portion connected to the connecting tubular portion on the other side (hereinafter referred to as the second connecting tubular portion) is defined as the second region, then when a second external force is applied, one of the second tubular portions and the first region are relatively swung circumferentially along the first connecting tubular portion with respect to the first connecting tubular portion; and a second relative swinging mechanism, when a third external force is applied, causing the other second tubular portion and the second region to relatively swing circumferentially along the second connecting tubular portion with respect to the second connecting tubular portion. When the first external force is applied and relative movement between the first tubular portion and the connecting tubular portions is allowed through the pair of connection position changing mechanisms, and the connection position between the first tubular portion and the connecting tubular portions is changed, the telescopic structure telescopes with this change in the connection position, and the interval between the pair of second tubular portions changes.

[0038] A breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention guides the gas supplied from a supply pipe through which gas passes to the nostrils of a user, and is characterized by comprising: a first tubular part through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, disposed in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal region between the user's nose and mouth, and having a telescopic structure capable of telescoping along its own axis; a pair of second tubular parts branching from the first tubular part and configured to be insertable into the nostrils of the user and configured to eject the gas passing through the first tubular part from its own outlet opening; a pair of connecting tubular parts, one end side of one is connected to one end side of the first tubular part, the other end side of one is connected to the supply pipe, and one end side of the other is connected to the other end side of the first tubular part, capable of guiding the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular part; and a pair of connection position changing mechanisms, which are configured between the first tubular part and the pair of connecting tubular parts, and if a first external force is applied, allow relative movement between the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part to change the connection position between the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part. The connection position changing mechanism has: a reduced diameter part that reduces the diameter of the first tubular part along the radial direction of the first tubular part; and a plurality of engaging parts that are provided at intervals along the axial direction of the connecting tubular part (hereinafter referred to as the connecting side axial direction) on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tubular part, and are respectively configured to be capable of engaging with the reduced diameter part. When the interval between the pair of second tubular parts changes due to the first external force, the telescopic structure telescopes with this change, and allows relative movement between the reduced diameter part and the engaging part in the connecting side axial direction to change the relative connection position between the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part. Through the engagement between the reduced diameter part and the engaging part at the changed connection position, relative movement between the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part is restricted.

[0039] A breathing assistance device corresponding to the first technical problem of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a supply pipe for supplying gas to a user; and a breathing assistance device that guides the gas supplied through the supply pipe to the nostrils of the user. The breathing assistance device has: a first tubular part through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, disposed in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal region between the user's nose and mouth, and having a telescopic structure capable of telescoping along its own axis (hereinafter referred to as the first tubular side axial direction); and a pair of second tubular parts branching from the first tubular part and configured to be insertable into the nostrils of the user and configured to eject the gas passing through the first tubular part from its own outlet opening. The breathing assistance device is configured to be able to change the interval between the pair of second tubular parts by telescoping the first tubular part along the first tubular side axial direction.

[0040] A breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, characterized by comprising: a supply pipe for supplying gas to a user; a breathing assistance appliance for guiding the gas supplied through the supply pipe to the nostrils or mouth of the user; and a moisture removal part composed of a water-absorbing material with water absorption, which absorbs moisture inside at least one of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance and discharges it to the outside of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance. The moisture removal part has: an inner side absorption part disposed inside at least one of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance, which absorbs moisture inside at least one of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance; and an exposed part connected to the inner side absorption part and exposed to the outside of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance, and discharges the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption part to the outside.

[0041] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, characterized in that a discharge opening for discharging moisture is formed in at least one of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance, and the exposed part is exposed to the outside through the discharge opening.

[0042] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, characterized in that the breathing assistance appliance has: a main tubular part configured to extend in the width direction of the user's face, and the supply pipe is connected to one end in the width direction; and a jet part having a jet outlet capable of facing the nostrils or mouth of the user and jetting the gas passing through the main tubular part to the outside. The jet part is provided in the middle of the main tubular part, and the discharge opening is formed on the other end side of the main tubular part, and the inner side absorption part extends from inside at least one of the supply pipe and the main tubular part to the discharge opening.

[0043] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, characterized in that the exposed part is composed of a plug part that closes the discharge opening. The plug part temporarily holds the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption part and discharges it to the outside by vaporizing it through drying.

[0044] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, characterized in that the breathing assistance appliance has a gas retention part provided at the other end of the main tubular part and retaining the gas that has passed through the main tubular part.

[0045] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, characterized in that the gas retention part has a closing part that closes the end of the gas retention part and has the discharge opening, and the closing part is detachable.

[0046] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that a gap is provided between the discharge opening and the exposed portion. When the area through which the gas leaking from the gap passes is defined as the gas passage area, the exposed portion has an overlapping area on the surface that overlaps with the gas passage area.

[0047] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the exposed portion protrudes outward from the discharge opening, and the breathing assistance device has a cover portion made of a material through which gas can pass and covering the periphery of the area protruding from the discharge opening in the exposed portion.

[0048] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the inner side absorption portion is arranged in an upstream side section of the main tubular portion closer to the main tubular portion than the ejection portion based on the flow of the gas passing through the main tubular portion.

[0049] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that two ejection portions branch out from the main tubular portion, and the inner side absorption portion is arranged across an upstream side section of the main tubular portion closer to the main tubular portion than the ejection portion and an interval between the two ejection portions based on the flow of the gas passing through the main tubular portion.

[0050] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, the breathing assistance appliance has: a main tubular portion arranged to extend in the width direction of the user's face and connected to the supply pipe on one end side in the width direction; and an ejection portion having an ejection opening capable of facing the user's nostrils or mouth and ejecting the gas passing through the main tubular portion to the outside. The ejection portion is provided in the middle of the main tubular portion, and the exposed portion constitutes a part of the peripheral wall of the main tubular portion.

[0051] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the exposed portion constitutes a part of the peripheral wall of the main tubular portion in an upstream side section closer to the main tubular portion than the ejection portion based on the flow of the gas passing through the main tubular portion.

[0052] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, in the breathing assistance device of the present invention, it is characterized in that two ejection portions branch out from the main tubular portion, and the exposed portion constitutes a part of the peripheral wall of the main tubular portion across an upstream side section closer to the main tubular portion than the ejection portion and an interval between the two ejection portions based on the flow of the gas passing through the main tubular portion.

[0053] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that the exposed part is arranged in the opposite region of the main tubular part, and the opposite region is located on the opposite side of the opposed region of the main tubular part that is opposite to the skin surface under the nose of the user when the ejection port is arranged to face the nostrils of the user.

[0054] In the breathing assistance device corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention, it is characterized in that when the region through which the exhaled breath from the nostrils of the user passes is defined as the exhalation passage region, the exposed part is arranged in the overlapping region of the opposite region that overlaps with the exhalation passage region.

[0055] The moisture removal member corresponding to the second technical problem of the present invention is in a breathing assistance device having a supply pipe for supplying gas to a user and a breathing assistance appliance for guiding the gas supplied through the supply pipe to the user. The moisture removal member absorbs the moisture inside the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance and discharges it to the outside of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance. It is characterized by having: an inner side absorption part, which is made of a water-absorbing material and is arranged inside at least one of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance to absorb the moisture inside at least one of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance; and an exposed part, which is made of the water-absorbing material, is connected to the inner side absorption part, and is exposed to the outside of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance to discharge the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption part to the outside.

[0056] Advantages of the Invention

[0057] According to the breathing assistance appliance and the breathing assistance device for solving the first technical problem of the present invention, an excellent effect can be achieved that the relative position of the part inserted into the nostrils of the user with respect to the nostrils of the user can be adjusted. In addition, according to the breathing assistance device and the moisture removal member for solving the second technical problem of the present invention, an excellent effect can be achieved of preventing the water droplets generated inside the breathing assistance device from being sent to the user. Description of the Drawings

[0058] Figure 1 is a front view of a user wearing the breathing assistance device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 2 is a front view of the breathing assistance device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 3 (A) of is an exploded view of a part of the breathing assistance device in the first embodiment of the present invention after being disassembled. Figure 3(B) is a top view of the breathing assistance device side holding part and a pair of supply tube holding parts in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 4 (A) is a front view of the gas guiding part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 (B) is a rear view of the gas guiding part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gas guiding part in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 5 (A) is a rear view of the gas guiding part before stretching along the axial direction (first tubular side axial direction) of the gas guiding part (first tubular part) in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 (B) is a rear view of the gas guiding part after stretching along the axial direction (first tubular side axial direction) of the gas guiding part (first tubular part) in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 6 (A) is a front view of the user when wearing the connection part on the user using the wearing part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 (B) is a top view of the user when wearing the connection part on the user using the wearing part in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 7 (A) is a front view of the user when wearing the connection part and the gas guiding part on the user using the wearing part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 (B) is a front view of the user when the axial interval between the second tubular parts is reduced compared to the case of (A).

[0065] Figure 8 (A) is a front view of the connection part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 (B) is a rear view of the connection part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 (C) is a top view (bottom view) of the connection part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 (D) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection part in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 9 (A) is a top view of the gas guiding part when installing the gas guiding part on the connection part in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gas guiding part when installing the gas guiding part on the connection part in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Figure 10(A) - (C) are cross-sectional schematic views of the gas guide portion and the connection portion showing the operation when the gas guide portion is installed on the connection portion in the first embodiment of the present invention arranged in chronological order.

[0068] Figure 11 (A) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the tip side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection tubular portion. Figure 10 (C) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the tip side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection tubular portion. Figure 11 (B) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the base end side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection tubular portion. Figure 10 (C) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the base end side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection tubular portion.

[0069] Figure 12 (A) - (C) are cross-sectional schematic views of the gas guide portion and the connection portion showing the engagement of the engaging portion of the connection portion and the reduced diameter portion when changing the thickness of the reduced diameter portion in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Figure 13 (A), (B) are diagrams showing the situation of connecting the connection portion in the first embodiment of the present invention to the supply pipe arranged in chronological order.

[0071] Figure 14 (A) - (C) are cross-sectional schematic views of the gas guide portion and the connection portion showing the operation when the gas guide portion is installed on the connection portion in the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention arranged in chronological order.

[0072] Figure 15 (A) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the tip side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection tubular portion. Figure 14 (C) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the tip side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection tubular portion. Figure 15 (B) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the base end side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection portion. Figure 14 (C) is a cross-sectional schematic view of the gas guide portion and the connection portion after the gas guide portion positioned relative to the connection portion as shown in (C) is moved toward the base end side in the axial direction of the connection tubular portion with respect to the connection portion.

[0073] Figure 16 is a side view showing the situation where the gas guide portion swings relative to the connection portion in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 17 (A) is a rear view of the gas guide portion when the swing angles of the first region and the second region of the first tubular portion of the gas guide portion in the first embodiment of the present invention are the same. Figure 17(B) is a rear view of the gas guiding portion showing a case where the first tubular portion of the gas guiding portion in the first embodiment of the present invention is twisted as a result of different swing angles of the first region and the second region of the first tubular portion.

[0075] Figure 18 (A) is a rear view of the gas guiding portion in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 (B) is a top view (bottom view) of the connecting portion in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 (C) is a side schematic view of the gas guiding portion in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 (D) is a cross-sectional view when the connecting tubular portion in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention is cut in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion. Figure 18 (E) is a connection schematic diagram showing a case where the gas guiding portion is connected to the connecting tubular portion.

[0076] Figure 19 (A) is a front view of the respiratory assistance device in the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 (B) is a front view of a state where the gas guiding portion and the connecting tubular portion are connected in the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 (C) is a perspective view of a state where the gas guiding portion and the connecting tubular portion are separated in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Figure 20 (A) is a perspective view of the connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 (B) is a perspective view of a state where the connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention is disassembled.

[0078] Figure 21 (A) is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the gas guiding portion and the connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention along the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion, where the gas guiding portion and the connecting tubular portion are in a separated state. Figure 21 (B) is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the gas guiding portion and the connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention along the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion, where the gas guiding portion and the connecting tubular portion are in a connected state. Figure 21 (C) is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the overlapping region of the gas guiding portion and the connecting tubular portion in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the connecting tubular portion.

[0079] Figure 22 (A) is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the respiratory assistance device in the second embodiment of the present invention along the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion. Figure 22(B) is a cross-sectional view of the connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention cut along the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion, where the connecting tubular portion is in an undecomposed state. Figure 22 (C) is a cross-sectional view of the connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention cut along the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion, where a part of the connecting tubular portion is in a decomposed state.

[0080] Figure 23 (A) is a perspective view of the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention in a decomposed state. Figure 23 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion when the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion in the second embodiment of the present invention are connected, cut from a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the connecting tubular portion.

[0081] Figure 24 is a front view of a user wearing the breathing assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Figure 25 (A) is a front view of the breathing assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 25 (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the breathing assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 25 (C) is at Figure 25 (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the breathing assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention cut at a position different from that of

[0083] Figure 26 (A) is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view before installing the exposed portion of the moisture removal portion on the gas retention tube in the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 26 (B) is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view after installing the exposed portion of the moisture removal portion on the gas retention tube in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 27 is a front view of a user wearing the first modified example of the breathing assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Figure 28 (A) is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view near the moisture removal portion of the first modified example of the breathing assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 28 (B) is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view near the moisture removal portion of the second modified example of the breathing assistance device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Figure 29 is a front view of a user wearing the breathing assistance device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 30 (A) is the front view of the respiratory assistance device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 30 (B) is the schematic cross-sectional view of the respiratory assistance device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 30 (C) is the schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the respiratory assistance device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] Figure 31 is the side view of the user when wearing the respiratory assistance device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Figure 32 is the front view of the user wearing a modified example of the respiratory assistance device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Figure 33 (A) is the top view of the respiratory assistance device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention before being worn by the user. Figure 33 (B) is the top view of the respiratory assistance device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention after being worn by the user.

[0091] Figure 34 (A) is the rear view of the respiratory assistance device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention before installing the subnasal region protection part. Figure 34 (B) is the rear view of the respiratory assistance device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention after installing the subnasal region protection part. Figure 34 (C) is the schematic diagram of the engaging part in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Figure 35 (A) is the top view of the first modified example of the respiratory assistance device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention after installing the subnasal region protection part. Figure 35 (B) is the top view of the second modified example of the respiratory assistance device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention after installing the subnasal region protection part. Specific Embodiments

[0093] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 35 is an example of the way to implement the invention. In the figure, parts marked with the same reference numerals represent the same thing.

[0094] <First Embodiment>

[0095] Refer to Figures 1 to 18, the respiratory assistance device 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The respiratory assistance device 1 in this embodiment assists the breathing of the user 900 of the respiratory assistance device 1 and sends a gas (compressed air, oxygen, etc.) as the inhaled gas into the respiratory tract of the user 900. In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the respiratory assistance device 1 includes a gas supply source 2, a supply pipe 3, a humidifier 4, a respiratory assistance device 5, a wearing part 6, etc.

[0096] The gas supply source 2 supplies gas. This gas supply source 2 uses a well-known oxygen cylinder, a blower, etc.

[0097] The supply pipe 3 allows the gas supplied from the gas supply source 2 to pass through. One end of the supply pipe 3 is connected to the gas supply source 2. Moreover, the other end of the supply pipe 3 is connected to the respiratory assistance device 5. This supply pipe 3 transports the gas to the respiratory tract of the user 900 through the respiratory assistance device 5.

[0098] In this embodiment, the supply pipe 3 has a pair of branch pipe pieces 3A, 3B, and this pair of branch pipe pieces 3A, 3B branch into two midway from the gas supply source 2 toward the respiratory assistance device 5. The respiratory assistance device 5 has a pair of connection ports for respectively connecting the branch pipe pieces 3A, 3B as described later. Moreover, the branch pipe piece 3A is connected to one connection port of the respiratory assistance device 5 ( Figure 1 the left end), and the branch pipe piece 3B is connected to the other connection port of the respiratory assistance device 5 ( Figure 1 the right end).

[0099] The humidifier 4 humidifies the gas in the supply pipe 3. In this embodiment, the humidifier 4 humidifies the gas in the supply pipe 3 at any position of the supply pipe 3 before branching, but it is not limited to this, and it can also humidify the gas in the branch pipe pieces 3A, 3B at any position after branching. As long as the humidifier 4 can humidify the gas in the supply pipe 3, it can have any structure.

[0100] The respiratory assistance device 5 guides the gas transported through the supply pipe 3 (branch pipe pieces 3A, 3B) to the nostrils 910A, 910B of the user 900. The wearing part 6 wears the respiratory assistance device 5 on the user 900. The respiratory assistance device 5 and the wearing part 6 will be described in detail below.

[0101] <Respiratory Assistance Device>

[0102] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 to 5 , the respiratory assistance device 5 will be described. As Figure 1 shown, the respiratory assistance device 5 functions as a nasal cannula for guiding gas to the nostrils 910A, 910B, for example.Figure 3 depicts the disassembled state of the breathing assistance device 5 and the wearing part 6 arranged between the nose 910 and the mouth 920 of the user 900 in Figure 1 and Figure 2 . As shown in Figure 3 , the breathing assistance device 5 in the present embodiment has a gas guiding portion 50 and a holding mechanism.

[0103] <Gas guiding portion>

[0104] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the gas guiding portion 50 will be described. The gas guiding portion 50 guides the gas transported through the supply pipe 3 (branch pipe pieces 3A, 3B) to the nostrils 910A, 910B of the user 900. As shown in Figure 4 (A) of, the gas guiding portion 50 has a first tubular portion 52 and a pair of second tubular portions 53.

[0105] <First tubular portion>

[0106] With reference to Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the first tubular portion 52 will be described. As shown in Figure 4 (B) of and Figure 4 (C) of, the first tubular portion 52 is formed in a tubular shape and has openings 520 at both ends. Moreover, as shown in Figure 4 (C) of, the first tubular portion 52 has an internal passage 521 connected to the openings 520 at both ends. The internal passage 521 extends along the axial direction of the first tubular portion 52 (hereinafter, referred to as the first tubular side axial direction.), and opens to the outside of the first tubular portion 52 through the openings 520 at both ends.

[0107] Moreover, as shown in Figure 4As shown in (A) to (C) thereof, the first tubular portion 52 has a first tubular piece 522, a telescopic structure piece 523, and a second tubular piece 524. The first tubular piece 522, the telescopic structure piece 523, and the second tubular piece 524 are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the first tubular side and are continuously connected to each other. The first tubular piece 522 is configured to be tubular and constitutes an axial section of the first tubular portion 52 that extends along the axial direction of the first tubular side starting from one end of the first tubular portion 52 in the axial direction of the first tubular side (hereinafter referred to as the one-end side section). The second tubular piece 524 is configured to be tubular and constitutes an axial section of the first tubular portion 52 that extends along the axial direction of the first tubular side starting from the other end of the first tubular portion 52 in the axial direction of the first tubular side (hereinafter referred to as the other-end side section). The telescopic structure piece 523 is configured to be tubular and forms an axial section between the first tubular piece 522 and the second tubular piece 524. Preferably, the first tubular piece 522 (one-end side section) and the second tubular piece 524 (other-end side section) have the same axial length. In addition, the telescopic structure piece 523 preferably has the same or shorter axial length as the first tubular piece 522 and the second tubular piece 524 in the initial state, but may also have a longer axial length.

[0108] As shown in Figure 4 (B) of Figure 4 (C) thereof, the first tubular piece 522 and the second tubular piece 524 have a tube main body portion 525 and a reduced-diameter portion 526. The tube main body portion 525 is formed into a tubular shape. The inner diameter of the tube main body portion 525 is preferably constant. The reduced-diameter portion 526 is a portion that is reduced in diameter (bulges) inward in the radial direction of the tube main body portion 525 starting from the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surfaces at both ends of the tube main body portion 525. The reduced-diameter portion 526 is regarded as a protruding portion in the sense of protruding inward in the radial direction of the tube main body portion 525. The innermost part of the reduced-diameter portion 526 in the radial direction of the first tubular piece 522 constitutes an opening 520. The inner diameter of the opening 520 is at least smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the engaging portion 517 based on the central axis of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 described later. In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 (B) thereof, the reduced-diameter portion 526 is formed into a ring shape and has an opening 520 in the central region.

[0109] The telescopic structure piece 523 has a telescopic structure that can be telescoped along the axial direction of the first tubular side. In addition, if a force F that stretches the first tubular portion 52 in both outer directions in the axial direction of the first tubular side is applied to the first tubular portion 52 in the state shown in Figure 5 (A) thereof, then as shown in Figure 5 (B) thereof, the telescopic structure piece 523 elongates along the axial direction of the first tubular side, and the overall length of itself in the axial direction becomes longer. As a result, the overall length of the first tubular portion 52 in the axial direction of the first tubular side also becomes longer. In addition, although not shown in the figure, if Figure 5When a force that presses both inner sides in the axial direction of the first tubular side is applied to the first tubular portion 52 in the state shown in (A), the telescopic structure piece 523 contracts in the axial direction of the first tubular side, and the overall length in the axial direction becomes shorter. As a result, the overall length of the first tubular portion 52 in the axial direction of the first tubular side also becomes shorter.

[0110] This telescopic structure is preferably a structure that maintains the extended state when the telescopic structure piece 523 is extended and maintains the contracted state when the telescopic structure piece 523 is contracted, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the telescopic structure may also be a structure in which even when an external force in the axial direction of the first tubular side is applied to the telescopic structure piece 523 to cause the telescopic structure piece 523 to expand and contract in the axial direction of the first tubular side, a restoring force that returns to the initial state where no external force in the axial direction of the first tubular side is applied acts on the telescopic structure piece 523. As an example, the restoring force can be a force caused by elastic force, for example.

[0111] In the present embodiment, the telescopic structure piece 523 is configured as a corrugated (corrugated structure) tube. As Figure 5 shown in (A), the corrugated structure may be a structure in which a plurality of annular or spiral rings are connected. The cross-section of the first tubular portion 52 cut along the axial direction of the first tubular side by the ring is a mountain shape that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the first tubular portion 52 (refer to Figure 9 (B)). In the mountain shape, not only the outer peripheral side but also the inner peripheral side protrudes outward in the radial direction of the first tubular portion 52. Thus, the first tubular portion 52 can expand and contract in the axial direction of the first tubular side. In addition, the telescopic structure piece 523 is not limited to being formed in a corrugated shape. For example, the telescopic structure piece 523 may be a structure that can expand and contract in the axial direction of the first tubular side through elastic deformation, or may be a structure configured in a relaxed state and capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction of the first tubular side, or may be a telescopic structure configured such that one first tubular piece can be slidably inserted into the interior of the other second tubular piece in the axial direction and the overlapping area of the first tubular piece and the second tubular piece can be increased or decreased in the axial direction of the first tubular piece and the second tubular piece.

[0112] In addition, as Figure 1 shown, the first tubular portion 52 is held by a holding mechanism in the subnasal region 930 between the nose 910 (nostrils 910A, 910B) and the mouth 920 of the user 900 in a posture where the first tubular portion 52 extends in the width direction H of the face of the user 900. The holding mechanism will be described later.

[0113] The first tubular portion 52 is preferably made of an elastic material that can be elastically deformed, but it is not limited thereto and may be made of other materials. As an elastic material, for example, an elastomer (e.g., a thermosetting elastomer) including silicone rubber, fluororubber, polyurethane rubber, etc. can be cited as an example.

[0114] <Second Tubular Portion>

[0115] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 to describe the second tubular portion 53. As shown in (A) to (C) of Figure 4 , the second tubular portion 53 is a tube branched from the first tubular portion 52, and two are provided. The second tubular portion 53 in the present embodiment functions as a nasal plug of a nasal cannula, for example. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the reference numeral of one second tubular portion 53 is appropriately set as 53A, and the reference numeral of the other second tubular portion 53 is set as 53B. In addition, since the second tubular portion 53 is a part inserted into the nostrils 910A, 910B of the user 900, it may also be appropriately referred to as the nasal insertion tubular portion 53.

[0116] As Figure 4 shown in (A) to (C) of

[0117] , the second tubular portion 53A branches from the first tubular piece 522 so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface 522A around the axis of the first tubular piece 522 toward the side away from the outer peripheral surface 522A (radially outside the first tubular piece 522). The second tubular portion 53B branches from the second tubular piece 524 so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface 524A around the axis of the second tubular piece 524 toward the side away from the outer peripheral surface 524A (radially outside the second tubular piece 524). The second tubular portions 53A and 53B are arranged side by side, and both protrude from the first tubular piece 522 and the second tubular piece 524 toward the same side. Figure 1 shown, the second tubular portion 53A has a shape and size that can be inserted into one nostril 910A of the user 900. As Figure 1 shown, the second tubular portion 53B has a shape and size that can be inserted into the other nostril 910B of the user 900.

[0118] As Figure 4 shown in (B) of Figure 4 , each of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B has an outlet opening 527 at the tip and an internal passage 528 connected to the outlet opening 527. In addition, as

[0119] shown in (C) of , the internal passage 528 of each of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B is continuous with the internal passage 521 of the first tubular portion 52 via their respective communication ports 529, and opens to the outside through the outlet opening 527. In addition, the communication ports 529 respectively refer to the internal openings of the gas guide portion 50 provided at the boundary between the internal passage 521 of the first tubular piece 522 and the internal passage 528 of the second tubular portion 53A and the internal openings of the gas guide portion 50 provided at the boundary between the internal passage 521 of the second tubular piece 524 and the internal passage 528 of the second tubular portion 53B.

[0119] In addition, the first tubular portion 52 and the second tubular portions 53A and 53B may be integrally formed or configured to be connectable to each other as different components. The second tubular portions 53A and 53B are preferably made of an elastic material capable of elastic deformation, but are not limited thereto and may be made of other materials. As an example of the elastic material, an elastomer (e.g., a thermosetting elastomer) including silicone rubber, fluororubber, polyurethane rubber, etc. may be cited. In addition, the second tubular portions 53A and 53B and the first tubular portion 52 may be made of the same type of material or different types of materials.

[0120] Therefore, the gas passing through the internal passage 521 of the first tubular portion 52 is guided to the internal passages 528 of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B respectively through the communication port 529 and is ejected to the outside through the outlet opening 527.

[0121] Moreover, the interval between the second tubular portions 53A and 53B can be changed by the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction structural piece 523. In other words, the expansion and contraction structural piece 523 expands and contracts as the interval between the second tubular portions 53A and 53B changes. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the interval in the first tubular side axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the axial interval) between the second tubular portions 53A and 53B can be changed according to the intervals of the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900. Therefore, the above-mentioned axial interval between the second tubular portions 53A and 53B can be easily changed so that the second tubular portions 53A and 53B do not contact the nasal cavity of the nose 910 of the user 900.

[0122] <Retention mechanism>

[0123] Refer to Figure 4 、 Figures 6 to 12 The retention mechanism will be described. The retention mechanism retains the gas guiding portion 50 (the first tubular portion 52) so that the gas supplied through the supply pipe 3 can be supplied to the gas guiding portion 50 (the first tubular portion 52). Moreover, the retention mechanism has an interval changing mechanism that allows or restricts the change of the axial interval between the second tubular portions 53A and 53B in the first tubular side axial direction according to the applied external force. The interval changing mechanism is connected to the first tubular portion 52 in such a way that the gas supplied from the supply pipe 3 can be guided to the first tubular portion 52, and allows or restricts the expansion and contraction of the first tubular portion 52 (the expansion and contraction structural piece 523) according to the magnitude of the external force applied to the first tubular portion 52, the interval changing mechanism, etc., thereby allowing or restricting the change of the axial interval between the second tubular portions 53A and 53B in the first tubular side axial direction. In the present embodiment, the interval changing mechanism has, for example, a communication portion 51, but is not limited thereto and may be other structures.

[0124] <Communication portion>

[0125] The connecting portion 51 is connected to both the supply pipe 3 and the first tubular portion 52 therebetween, such that the gas supplied from the supply pipe 3 can be supplied to the gas guiding portion 50 (the first tubular portion 52). That is to say, the connecting portion 51 communicates between the supply pipe 3 and the gas guiding portion 50 (the first tubular portion 52) to transfer the gas supplied from the supply pipe 3 to the gas guiding portion 50 (the first tubular portion 52). Moreover, as Figure 6 shown in (A) of Figure 6 and (B) of

[0126] shown in (A) of Figure 7 and (B) of Figure 7 shown in (A) of

[0127] wherein, as Figure 7 shown in (A) of Figure 7 shown in (B) of Figure 7 shown in (A) of Figure 7 shown in (B) of Figure 8 shown in (A) to (D) of

[0128]

[0129] As shown in Figure 8 (A) of Figure 8 As shown in (B) of Figure 8 , a pair of connecting tubular parts 510 are each formed in a tubular shape and have openings 510D and 510E at both ends. Further, as shown in

[0130] Further, as shown in Figure 8 (A) to (D) of

[0131] , a pair of connecting tubular parts 510 each preferably are made of a hard material that does not undergo elastic deformation and has a higher rigidity than the gas guiding part 50, but is not limited thereto and may be made of other materials. As an example of the hard material, resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene or metals can be cited.

[0132] <Gas guiding part side tubular piece>

[0133] Refer to Figures 8 to 12 to describe the gas guiding part side tubular piece 514. As shown in Figure 8 (A) to (D) of

[0134] As shown in Figure 8As shown in (A) to (D), a plurality of connecting structures 516 are provided at intervals in the communication side axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 (communication tubular portion 510), and each has an engaging portion 517 configured to be able to engage with the reduced diameter portion 526. Each engaging portion 517 protrudes radially outward of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 on the outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 and surrounds in the circumferential direction of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514. In this sense, each engaging portion 517 can also be referred to as a protruding portion. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 517 is configured as an annular protruding ring that surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 in the circumferential direction of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514. The engaging portion 517 is not limited thereto, and may also be configured as a protruding ring that surrounds a part (partial circumference) of the outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 instead of surrounding the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514.

[0135] The plurality of engaging portions 517 are preferably arranged at equal intervals, but may also be at unequal intervals. In addition, the height of each engaging portion 517 in the radial direction is preferably equal. That is, the maximum outer diameter of each engaging portion 517 with respect to the central axis of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 is preferably equal. In addition, the height of the stoppers 518A and 518B in the radial direction is higher than the height of each engaging portion 517 in the radial direction. That is, the maximum outer diameter of the stoppers 518A and 518B with respect to the central axis of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 is larger than that of the engaging portion 517.

[0136] In addition, the connecting structure 516 has stoppers 518A and 518B that protrude radially outward of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 on the outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 at the axial top end and base end (the boundary between the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 and the supply pipe side tubular piece 515) and surround in the circumferential direction of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514. In the present embodiment, the stoppers 518A and 518B are configured as annular protruding rings that surround the entire outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 in the circumferential direction of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514. The stoppers 518A and 518B are not limited thereto, and may also be configured as protruding rings that surround a part (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a partial circumference) of the outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514 instead of surrounding the entire circumference.

[0137] As Figure 9 in (A), Figure 9As shown in (B), when a pair of connecting tubular portions 510 (gas guiding portion side tubular pieces 514) are respectively defined as a first connecting tubular portion 510A and a second connecting tubular portion 510B (a first gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514A and a second gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514B), in the present embodiment, when connecting the first tubular portion 52 and the second connecting tubular portion 510B (the first gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514A, the second gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514B), the first gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514A and the second gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514B are inserted into the inside of the first tubular portion 52 through the openings 520 at both ends of the first tubular portion 52 (the first tubular piece 522, the second tubular piece 524). Moreover, as Figure 10 As shown in (A), the inner diameter K1 of the opening 520 of the first tubular portion 52 (the reduced diameter portion 526) in the initial state without an external force applied is smaller than the maximum outer diameter K2 of the stopper 518A based on the central axis of the first gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514A. Therefore, as Figure 10 As shown in (B), it is necessary to apply an external force to the first tubular portion 52 to temporarily expand the opening 520 so that the first tubular portion 52 elastically deforms. Since the first tubular portion 52 is made of an elastic material capable of elastic deformation, the opening 520 can be temporarily expanded.

[0138] When the external force applied when the first gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514A is inserted into the inside of the first tubular portion 52 through the opening 520 of the first tubular portion 52 is released, as Figure 10 As shown in (C), the first tubular portion 52 elastically deforms so that the expanded opening 520 returns to the inner diameter K1 in the initial state. As a result, the innermost surface 526F of the reduced diameter portion 526 corresponding to the opening 520 contacts the engaging portion 517 from the top side of the engaging portion 517.

[0139] In addition, as Figure 10 As shown in (A), the inner diameter K1 of the opening 520 of the first tubular portion 52 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter K3 of the engaging portion 517 based on the central axis of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514. Therefore, when the innermost surface 526F of the reduced diameter portion 526 contacts the engaging portion 517 from the top side of the engaging portion 517, the reduced diameter portion 526 presses the engaging portion 517 from the top side of the engaging portion 517. At this time, as Figure 10As shown in (C), the innermost surface 526F is elastically deformed into a concave shape by the pressing of the engaging portions 517C and 517D. Moreover, a frictional force is generated between the engaging portions 517C and 517D and the reduced-diameter portion 526 due to the pressing of the reduced-diameter portion 526 against the engaging portions 517C and 517D. As a result, the engaging portions 517C and 517D and the reduced-diameter portion 526 are engaged with each other in the connecting-side axial direction by this frictional force, and the relative movement in the connecting-side axial direction (hereinafter referred to as axial relative movement) is restricted. In addition, hereinafter, appropriately, the engagement in the connecting-side axial direction is sometimes referred to as axial engagement, and the engaging force acting on both engaged objects due to the axial engagement is sometimes referred to as axial engaging force.

[0140] In addition, as Figure 10 shown in (C), the vicinity region 526D on the inner side of the reduced-diameter portion 526 near the innermost surface 526F (opening 520) of the reduced-diameter portion 526 abuts against the engaging portion 517A from the circumferential surface side of the engaging portion 517A. As a result, the vicinity region 526D on the inner side and the engaging portion 517A are engaged with each other in the connecting-side axial direction (axial engagement: the same hereinafter), and the axial relative movement toward the side closer to the stopper 518A in the connecting-side axial direction is restricted. In the present embodiment, the vicinity region 526D on the inner side of the reduced-diameter portion 526 corresponds to the inner side surface or the inner side corner portion of the reduced-diameter portion 526 continuous with the innermost surface 526F of the reduced-diameter portion 526.

[0141] In addition, the vicinity region 526C on the outer side of the reduced-diameter portion 526 near the innermost surface 526F of the reduced-diameter portion 526 abuts against the engaging portion 517B from the circumferential surface side of the engaging portion 517B located at a position closer to the tubular piece 515 on the supply pipe side than the engaging portion 517A. As a result, the vicinity region 526C on the outer side and the engaging portion 517B are engaged with each other in the connecting-side axial direction, and the axial relative movement toward the side closer to the stopper 518B in the connecting-side axial direction is restricted. In the present embodiment, the vicinity region 526C on the outer side of the reduced-diameter portion 526 corresponds to the outer side surface or the outer side corner portion of the reduced-diameter portion 526 continuous with the innermost surface 526F of the reduced-diameter portion 526. As described above, the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 are engaged with each other, and as a result, the axial relative movement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 is restricted.

[0142] The above description can be similarly applied between the first tubular portion 52 and the second connecting tubular portion 510B (the tubular piece 514B on the second gas guiding portion side). Therefore, the reduced-diameter portion 526 of the first tubular portion 52 is axially engaged with the engaging portions 517A to 517D of the first connecting tubular portion 510A and the second connecting tubular portion 510B respectively, and the axial relative movement with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A and the second connecting tubular portion 510B (the tubular piece 514A on the first gas guiding portion side and the tubular piece 514B on the second gas guiding portion side) is restricted. As a result, the relative connection position of the reduced-diameter portion 526 in the connection structure 516 is determined. In addition, when the first connecting tubular portion 510A and the second connecting tubular portion 510B (the tubular piece 514A on the first gas guiding portion side and the tubular piece 514B on the second gas guiding portion side) are inserted into the first tubular portion 52, the connecting-side axial direction is substantially parallel to the first tubular-side axial direction.

[0143] In the case of changing Figure 10 the relative connection position of the reduced-diameter portion 526 in the connection structure 516 shown in (C) of, as Figure 11 shown in (A) and (B) of, for example, in order to axially relatively move the reduced-diameter portion 526 with respect to the connection structure 516 (the tubular piece 514A on the first gas guiding portion side), an external force in the connecting-side axial direction (hereinafter referred to as an axial external force) is applied to the first tubular portion 52 or the connecting tubular portion 510. At this time, the reduced-diameter portion 526 is elastically deformed by the axial external force, and the mutual engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 is released, allowing the axial relative movement of the reduced-diameter portion 526 with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A (the tubular piece 514A on the first gas guiding portion side). Specifically, for example, when an axial external force is applied to the first tubular portion 52 or the connecting tubular portion 514 to axially relatively move the reduced-diameter portion 526 toward the side close to the stopper 518A or the side close to the stopper 518B of the first connecting tubular portion 510A (the tubular piece 514A on the first gas guiding portion side), the innermost surface 526F (opening 520) of the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the vicinity thereof overcome the frictional force and are elastically deformed by the pressing from the engaging portion 517, so as to axially relatively move together with the tube main body portion 525 toward the side close to the stopper 518A or the side close to the stopper 518B in the connecting-side axial direction with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A (the tubular piece 510A on the first gas guiding portion side). Moreover, when the axial external force is released, the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 are axially engaged with each other, and the axial relative movement of the reduced-diameter portion 526 with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A is restricted. Thereby, the relative connection position between the connection structure 516 and the reduced-diameter portion 526 is changed.

[0144] After the relative connection position is changed, the area 526D near the inner side and the area 526C near the outer side of the reduced-diameter portion 526 come into contact with the circumferential surfaces of different engaging portions 517. At this time, a frictional force similar to the above description is generated between the innermost surface 526F (opening 520) of the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the other engaging portion 517, and the reduced-diameter portion 526 is engaged with the other engaging portion 517 by this frictional force.

[0145] In addition, the axial engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 in the present embodiment is mainly generated due to the elastic force of the reduced-diameter portion 526, the frictional force between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517, and the contact between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 in the connecting side axial direction. Therefore, in order to release the axial engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517, an axial external force capable of sufficiently elastically deforming the reduced-diameter portion 526 or overcoming the frictional force between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 needs to be applied to at least one of the first tubular portion 52 and the first connecting tubular portion 510A. If the axial external force is less than or equal to the magnitude of the axial engagement force between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517, the axial engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 will not be released, and the axial relative movement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 is restricted. Therefore, the axial external force needs to have a magnitude exceeding the axial engagement force. If the axial external force has a magnitude exceeding the axial engagement force, the axial engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 is released, allowing the reduced-diameter portion 526 to perform an axial relative movement with respect to the engaging portion 517. The above description related to the change of the relative connection position is also applicable between the first tubular portion 52 and the second connecting tubular portion 510B (the second gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514B).

[0146] In addition, in the above, it has been described on the premise that the engaging portion 517 is made of a hard material that does not elastically deform and has a higher rigidity than the gas guiding portion 50, but the engaging portion 517 may also be made of an elastic material. In this case, the engaging portion 517 also elastically deforms due to the pressing force received from the reduced-diameter portion 526. Alternatively, the engaging portion 517 may be made of an elastic material, and the reduced-diameter portion 526 may be made of a hard material having a higher rigidity than the engaging portion 517. In this case, the engaging portion 517 elastically deforms due to the pressing force received from the reduced-diameter portion 526.

[0147] In addition, as Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, in the present embodiment, the reduced-diameter portion 526 is engaged (contacted) with the engaging portion 517 having two engaging portions 517 interposed therebetween and is positioned, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the reduced-diameter portion 526 may also have an engaging portion located with one placed in the middle (refer to Figure 12such a thickness that the engaging portion 517 engages (contacts) with the engaging portion 517 at the position of (A)) or three or more engaging portions 517.

[0148] In addition, as Figure 12 shown in (B) of, the reduced-diameter portion 526 may also have such a thickness that either the inner-side vicinity region 526D or the outer-side vicinity region 526C of the reduced-diameter portion 526 engages (contacts) with the corresponding engaging portion 517 (the former is the engaging portion 517C, and the latter is the engaging portion 517D located on the side of the tubular piece 515 closer to the supply pipe than the engaging portion 517C). In this case, the reduced-diameter portion 526 can be arranged at a position where neither the inner-side vicinity region 526D nor the outer-side vicinity region 526C engages (contacts) with the engaging portion 517.

[0149] In addition, as Figure 12 shown in (C) of, the reduced-diameter portion 526 may also have such a thickness that it can be inserted into the valley region 170 between adjacent engaging portions 517. In this case, compared with the above other methods, the number of connectable positions between the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting portion 16 can be increased.

[0150] When the reduced-diameter portion 526 is made of an elastic material, if the thickness of the reduced-diameter portion 526 becomes thinner, the reduced-diameter portion 526 is likely to undergo elastic deformation, but if the thickness of the reduced-diameter portion 526 becomes thicker, the reduced-diameter portion 526 is less likely to undergo elastic deformation. The thickness of the reduced-diameter portion 526, the interval between adjacent engaging portions 517, etc. are determined in consideration of the degree of elastic deformation of the reduced-diameter portion 526.

[0151] As described above, the reduced-diameter portion 526 determines the relative connection position of the reduced-diameter portion 526 in the connection structure 516 through the frictional force generated between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 due to the pressing force on the engaging portion 517, and / or the engagement with the engaging portion 517 based on the contact in the connecting-side axial direction between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517.

[0152] As described above, by changing the relative connection position (relative position) of the reduced-diameter portion 526 in the connecting-side axial direction with respect to the gas guiding portion-side tubular piece 514, the telescopic structure piece 523 of the first tubular portion 52 can be made to follow and expand and contract, changing the axial interval between the second tubular portions 53A and 53B. As a result, the relative position of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B in the connecting-side axial direction with respect to the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900 can be finely adjusted. Therefore, since it is possible to adjust so that the second tubular portions 53A and 53B do not contact the nasal cavity of the user 900, the user 900 will not feel uncomfortable.

[0153] In addition, it can be considered that the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 constitute a connection position changing mechanism, which constitutes a mechanism that permits or restricts the change of the relative connection position between the first tubular portion 52 and the pair of connecting tubular portions 510 in the connecting-side axial direction according to the applied external force. When a prescribed external force (connection position changing-side external force) is applied to the connection position changing mechanism, it permits the relative movement between the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510 and can change the connection position between the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510. When the prescribed external force is released, it restricts the relative movement between the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510. Further, it can be considered that the telescopic structural piece 523 of the first tubular portion 52 and the connection position changing mechanism constitute the above-described interval changing mechanism, or a second tubular portion relative position changing mechanism that can change the relative positions of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B with respect to the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900.

[0154] In addition, in the first tubular portion 52, reduced-diameter portions 526 are provided at both ends in the first tubular-side axial direction. Among them, as shown in (B) of Figure 9 , the reduced-diameter portion 526 on one end side in the first tubular-side axial direction is defined as the first reduced-diameter portion 526A, the reduced-diameter portion 526 on the other end side in the first tubular-side axial direction is defined as the second reduced-diameter portion 526B, the connection structure 516 corresponding to the first reduced-diameter portion 526A is defined as the first connection structure 516A, the connection structure 516 corresponding to the second reduced-diameter portion 526B is defined as the second connection structure 516B, the gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514 provided with the first connection structure 516A is defined as the first gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514A, and the gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514 provided with the second connection structure 516B is defined as the second gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514B. The relative connection positions of the first reduced-diameter portion 526A with respect to the first connection structure 516A and the second reduced-diameter portion 526B with respect to the second connection structure 516B are independent of each other and can be set freely respectively.

[0155] In Figure 9 , (B), the first gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514A and the second gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514B each have the same axial length. Moreover, the first connection structure 516A has six engaging portions 517 arranged at equal intervals on the first gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514A. The second connection structure 516B has the same structure as the first connection structure 516A and has six engaging portions 517 arranged at equal intervals on the second gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514B. In Figure 9In (B) thereof, the third and fourth engaging portions 517 from the inside engage with the first reduced-diameter portion 526A, and the fourth and fifth engaging portions 517 from the inside engage with the second reduced-diameter portion 526B. That is to say, the relative connection positions of the first reduced-diameter portion 526A and the first connection structure 516A and the relative connection positions of the second reduced-diameter portion 526B and the second connection structure 516B can be symmetrical or asymmetrical left and right, and can be set independently at free positions respectively. Therefore, for a pair of connecting tubular portions 510, even when the positions of the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900 are asymmetrical left and right with respect to the center line extending in the length direction of the face 940 along the width direction H of the face 940 of the user 900, by adjusting the relative connection positions of the first reduced-diameter portion 526A and the first connection structure 516A and the relative connection positions of the second reduced-diameter portion 526B and the second connection structure 516B to the alignment positions of the user 900, the positions of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B can also be adjusted to the positions of the nostrils 910A and 910B.

[0156] It can be regarded that a plurality of engaging portions 517 of the first reduced-diameter portion 526A and the first gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514A constitute a first connection position changing mechanism, and this first connection position changing mechanism is constituted between the first tubular portion 52 and a pair of connecting tubular portions 510, and allows or restricts the change of the relative connection position of the first tubular portion 52 and one of the connecting tubular portions 510 (the first connecting tubular portion 510A) in the connecting side axial direction according to the applied external force. In addition, it can be regarded that the engaging portion 517 of the second reduced-diameter portion 526B and the second gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514B constitutes a second connection position changing mechanism, and this second connection position changing mechanism is constituted between the first tubular portion 52 and a pair of connecting tubular portions 510, and allows or restricts the change of the relative connection position of the first tubular portion 52 and the other connecting tubular portion 510 (the second connecting tubular portion 510B) in the connecting side axial direction according to the applied external force. And when an axial external force is applied to at least one of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510, the first connection position changing mechanism and the second connection position changing mechanism release the axial engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 and allow the axial relative movement of the two, thereby allowing the change of the relative connection position of the two. When the axial external force is released, the axial relative movement of the two is restricted by the axial engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517, thereby restricting (rejecting) the change of the relative connection position of the two.

[0157] In addition, the axial external force exceeds the magnitude of the axial engagement force acting between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engagement portion 517. If the axial external force exceeds the magnitude of the axial engagement force, then when the axial external force is applied, the axial engagement between the two is released, allowing relative axial movement of the corresponding reduced-diameter portion 526 and engagement portion 517, thereby allowing a change in their relative connection position. Conversely, if the axial external force is equal to or less than the magnitude of the axial engagement force, the engagement between the corresponding reduced-diameter portion 526 and the corresponding engagement portion 517 is maintained or not released, and the relative axial movement is restricted, thereby rejecting a change in their relative connection position. Herein, the above-mentioned axial engagement forces generated by the first connection position changing mechanism and the second connection position changing mechanism are respectively defined as the first axial engagement force and the second axial engagement force, and the axial external forces required for changing the relative connection positions of the first connection position changing mechanism and the second connection position changing mechanism are respectively defined as the first axial external force and the second axial external force. The magnitudes of the first axial engagement force and the second axial engagement force can be freely set independently according to the structures of the first connection position changing mechanism and the second connection position changing mechanism. According to this setting, the magnitudes of the first axial external force and the second axial external force also change.

[0158] In addition, if the relative connection position between the two changes, then the relative position in the connection-side axial direction with respect to the connection tubular portion 510 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the connection-side axial relative position) of a specific position such as the end of the first tubular portion 52 in the first tubular side axial direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as the specific position of the first tubular portion) also changes. Therefore, the relative connection position between the two can also be referred to as the connection-side axial relative position of the specific position of the first tubular portion. In this case, the connection position changing mechanism, the first connection position changing mechanism, and the second connection position changing mechanism can be respectively referred to as a relative position changing mechanism, a first relative position changing mechanism, and a second relative position changing mechanism that allow or restrict a change in the connection-side axial relative position of the specific position of the first tubular portion according to the applied external force. As a result, the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism) and the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism) can freely change the positions of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B. In addition, the specific position of the first tubular portion refers to the position of the first tubular portion 52 where the relative position in the connection-side axial direction with respect to the connection tubular portion 510 may change as the first tubular portion 52 expands and contracts. As the specific position of the first tubular portion, for example, the end or near the end of the first tubular portion 52 can be cited, but it is not limited thereto, and other positions may also be possible.

[0159] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 9As shown in (B), the communication tubular portion 510 is inserted into the internal passage 521 of the first tubular portion 52, and the communication tubular portion 510 is arranged in the internal passage 521. However, it is not limited to this. On the contrary, the first tubular portion 52 may be inserted into the internal passage 510C of the communication tubular portion 510, and the first tubular portion 52 may be arranged in the internal passage 510C. That is, if the tubular portion on the insertion side is defined as the insertion portion and the tubular portion on the side receiving the insertion portion is defined as the receiving portion, either the first tubular portion 52 or the communication tubular portion 510 becomes the insertion portion, and the other becomes the receiving portion. When the first tubular portion 52 and the communication tubular portion 510 are connected as described above, as Figure 11 shown in (A) of Figure 11 and (B) of

[0160] As described above, if the relative connection position (the relative position in the communication side axial direction of a specific position of the first tubular portion 52) is changed by the first connection position changing mechanism (the first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (the second relative position changing mechanism), etc., the first tubular portion 52 expands and contracts following this. As a result, the length in the communication side axial direction of the overlapping region 200 (hereinafter, referred to as the axial length) is also changed. For example, if it is assumed that the relative connection position between the two changes from the state shown in Figure 11 (A) to the state shown in Figure 11 (B), the change is made so that the axial length of the overlapping region 200 becomes longer. When taking the axial length of the overlapping region 200 as a reference, it can be regarded that the engaging portion 517 of the reduced diameter portion 526 and the gas guide portion side tubular piece 514 constitutes an overlapping region axial length changing mechanism that allows or restricts the change of the axial length of the overlapping region 200 according to the applied axial external force.

[0161] In addition, as Figure 10As shown in (A) of the present invention, in the present invention, the region including the reduced diameter portion 526 can be expanded to a first engagement region KR1 provided on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side of the first tubular portion 52, and the region including the plurality of engagement portions 517 can be expanded to a second engagement region KR2 provided on the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side of the connection tubular portion 510. At least one first engagement region KR1 is provided on each side with respect to the center of the first tubular portion 52 in the first tubular side axial direction. In addition, the second engagement region KR2 is configured to overlap with the first engagement region KR1 in the radial direction of the connection tubular portion 510 and engage in the connection side axial direction when the first tubular portion 52 and the connection tubular portion 510 are connected. In addition, the first engagement region KR1 may also be referred to as the first axial engagement region KR1. In addition, the second engagement region KR2 may also be referred to as the second axial engagement region KR2. In addition, the engagement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 in the connection side axial direction is mainly caused by at least one of the frictional force between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 and the contact between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 in the connection side axial direction.

[0162] Moreover, the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 have the following structure: they can limit the axial relative movement of the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 through mutual axial engagement according to the applied axial external force, thereby restricting the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510, or they can release the mutual engagement and allow the above-mentioned axial relative movement of the two, thereby allowing the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510. Specifically, if an axial external force is applied to at least one of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510, the engagement between the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 is released, the axial relative movement between the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 is allowed, and the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510 is allowed. In addition, when the engagement between the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 includes a factor caused by the mutual frictional force in the connecting side axial direction, the mutual engagement is released because the axial external force becomes greater than the frictional force. Further, when the engagement between the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 includes a factor caused by the mutual contact in the connecting side axial direction, the mutual engagement is released, for example, by elastic deformation of at least one of the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 when the axial external force is applied to release the mutual contact in the connecting side axial direction. However, it is not limited thereto, and all other structures that release the mutual contact according to the magnitude of the axial external force are included in the scope of the present invention. Moreover, if the above-mentioned axial external force is released, the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 are engaged, and a state is formed in which the axial relative movement between the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 is restricted. As a result, the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510 is determined. In addition, the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510 includes the current relative connection position (engagement position) of the two, the axial length of the current overlapping region 200, the connecting side axial relative position of a specific position of the current first tubular portion 52, and the like.

[0163] If the above-mentioned axial external force is less than the magnitude of the axial engagement force acting between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2, the axial engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engagement portion 517 will not be released, and the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510 is restricted (rejected). Therefore, the axial external force needs to have a magnitude exceeding the axial engagement force. If the axial external force has a magnitude exceeding the axial engagement force, the engagement between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engagement portion 517 is released, the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 allow axial relative movement, and the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510 is allowed. Moreover, if the axial relative movement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is allowed, the axial length of the overlapping region 200 is changed by the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism. Along with this, the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), and the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism are extended to include the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2. After that, when the above-mentioned axial external force is released or the magnitude of the applied axial external force becomes less than or equal to the axial engagement force, the axial relative movement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is restricted, and the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 engage at a different engagement position (relative connection position) from that before the axial relative movement.

[0164] In addition, when the axial engagement acting between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is caused by a plurality of forces such as elastic force and frictional force, the magnitude of the axial engagement force between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 can vary within a specific range due to the interaction of these plurality of forces. Therefore, the magnitude of the axial external force required to release the axial engagement acting between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 can be constant or can vary within a specific range according to the engagement force of each engagement state of the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2. This can vary according to the engagement mode of the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2.

[0165] In addition, the following refers to Figure 14 to describe a modified example of the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2. As Figure 14As shown in (A) of [description], the second engaging region KR2 of this modified example has a plurality of protrusions 590 that are arranged at intervals along the communication-side axial direction and protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion-side tubular piece 514 toward the gas guiding portion-side tubular piece 514. The protrusion 590 may also be configured to have the same structure as the engaging portion 517 described above. Each of the plurality of protrusions 590 is, for example, configured as an annular or spiral protrusion ring that surrounds the entire or part of the outer peripheral surface of the gas guiding portion-side tubular piece 514 in the circumferential direction of the gas guiding portion-side tubular piece 514. On the other hand, as Figure 14 As shown in (A) of [description], the first engaging region KR1 of this modified example is configured to have a plurality of groove portions 530 that are arranged at intervals along the first tubular-side axial direction and can be respectively engaged with the plurality of protrusions 590. The plurality of groove portions 530 are arranged at the same intervals as the respective intervals between the plurality of protrusions 590. When the plurality of protrusions 590 are respectively configured as protrusion rings, the plurality of groove portions 530 are respectively configured as annular or spiral annular grooves that surround the entire or part of the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion 52 in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side of the first tubular portion 52 and are recessed in the radial direction of the first tubular portion 52.

[0166] If the first tubular portion 52 is made of a material that can be elastically deformed, then as Figure 14 As shown in (B) of [description], an external force is applied to temporarily expand the opening 520 of the first tubular portion 52, and the communication tubular portion 510 is inserted into the internal passage 521 of the first tubular portion 52 so that the communication tubular portion 510 is disposed in the internal passage 521 of the first tubular portion 52. When the external force is released and the opening 520 of the first tubular portion 52 elastically deforms so as to return to the initial inner diameter K1, as Figure 14 As shown in (C) of [description], the plurality of groove portions 530 are respectively engaged with the plurality of protrusions 590, whereby the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 are engaged in the communication-side axial direction.

[0167] If an axial external force is applied to at least one of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510, the engagement based on fitting between the plurality of groove portions 530 (first engagement region KR1) and the plurality of protruding portions 590 (second engagement region KR2) is released, and the axial relative movement between the plurality of groove portions 530 (first engagement region KR1) and the plurality of protruding portions 590 (second engagement region KR2) is allowed, thereby allowing the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510. Moreover, if the axial external force is released, the axial relative movement between the groove portion 530 (first engagement region KR1) and the protruding portion 590 (second engagement region KR2) is restricted by the axial engagement based on fitting between the plurality of groove portions 530 (first engagement region KR1) and the plurality of protruding portions 590 (second engagement region KR2). As a result, the change of the current state of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510 is determined.

[0168] In this modification, the magnitude of the axial engagement force acting between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 varies depending on the number of the groove portions 530 and the protruding portions 590 that are fitted. That is, if the number of the groove portions 530 and the protruding portions 590 that are fitted is large, the axial engagement force becomes large, and if the number of the groove portions 530 and the protruding portions 590 that are fitted is small, the axial engagement force becomes small. In addition, the axial engagement force results from a plurality of forces such as elastic force and frictional force. Therefore, in this modification, the above-mentioned axial external force required to release the engagement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 can also vary within a specific range according to the engagement force of each engagement state of the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2. In short, if the above-mentioned axial external force is equal to or less than the magnitude of the axial engagement force, the axial relative movement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is restricted by the axial engagement of the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2. On the other hand, if the above-mentioned axial external force exceeds the magnitude of the axial engagement force, as shown in (A) of Figure 15 , the first engagement region KR1 or the second engagement region KR2 undergoes sufficient elastic deformation, the axial engagement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is released, and the axial relative movement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is allowed. After that, if the above-mentioned axial external force is released or the magnitude of the applied axial external force becomes equal to or less than the engagement force, as shown in (B) of Figure 15 , the axial relative movement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is restricted, and the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 are engaged (fitted) at a different engagement position (relative connection position) from that before the axial relative movement.

[0169] Among them, a region where the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 overlap when viewed radially from the first tubular portion 52 or the connecting tubular portion 510 (hereinafter, referred to as the engaging overlapping region) 210 is defined. As Figure 15 in (A) of Figure 15 as shown in (B) of Figure 11 in (A) of Figure 11 in the embodiment shown in (B) of Figure 11 the axial length of the engaging overlapping region 210 in (A) of Figure 11 is the same as the axial length of the engaging overlapping region 210 in (B) of Figure 11 The axial length of the engaging overlapping region 210 is constant, but the position of the engaging overlapping region 210 in the connecting side axial direction changes. In short, the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 are configured such that as the axial length of the overlapping region 200 and the relative connection position change, before and after the axial relative movement of the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2, the engaging overlapping region 210 changes within a specified range in the connecting side axial direction.

[0170] In addition, contrary to the above, it may also be Figure 15 a manner in which a plurality of protruding portions 590 in this modified example shown in (A) of Figure 11 are provided in the first engaging region KR1 and a plurality of groove portions 530 are provided in the second engaging region KR2. Similarly, it may also be Figure 11 a manner in which the engaging portion 517 in this embodiment shown in (A) to (C) of

[0171] is provided in the first engaging region KR1 and the reduced diameter portion 526 is provided in the second engaging region KR2.

[0172] In summary, at least one protruding portion that protrudes toward the remaining other of the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 in a mutually engaged state is provided in either the first engaging region KR1 or the second engaging region KR2. This protruding portion corresponds to the reduced diameter portion 526 in this embodiment and the protruding portion 590 in this modified example. The remaining other of the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 has a plurality of engaging portions, and the plurality of engaging portions are provided at intervals in the first tubular side axial direction or the connecting side axial direction and are configured to be respectively oriented toward the direction of the protruding portion and capable of engaging with the protruding portion in a mutually engaged state. This engaging portion corresponds to the engaging portion 517 in this embodiment and the groove portion 530 in this modified example. Moreover, the protruding portion and the engaging portion are engaged in the connecting side axial direction, thereby restricting the relative movement of a specific position of the first tubular portion 52 with respect to the connecting tubular portion 510 in the connecting side axial direction.

[0172] In addition, the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 are not limited to the structures described above. They include all structures that can maintain or release their mutual engagement according to the applied axial external force, and when the axial engagement is released, the axial length of the overlapping region 200 and the relative connection positions described above change, and the engagement overlapping region 210 changes within a specified range in the connecting side axial direction. Moreover, if either the first engagement region KR1 or the second engagement region KR2 is made of an elastically deformable material, when the magnitude of the applied axial external force exceeds the axial engagement force between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2, the side made of the elastically deformable material undergoes elastic deformation, and the axial engagement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is released. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the applied axial external force is equal to or less than the axial engagement force, the side made of the elastically deformable material does not undergo sufficient elastic deformation, and the axial engagement between the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 is maintained.

[0173] <Supply pipe side tubular piece>

[0174] Refer to Figure 13 The supply pipe side tubular piece 515 will be described. As Figure 13 shown in (A) of Figure 13 and (B) of

[0175] As Figure 13 shown in (A) of

[0176] The supply pipe side tubular piece 515 has a connection port 515A for connecting the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B on the outer peripheral surface of the supply pipe side tubular piece 515. By inserting the supply pipe side tubular piece 515 into the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B, the supply pipe side tubular piece 515 is connected to the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B. The gas supplied from the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B through the connection port 515A is received by the supply pipe side tubular piece 515. On the other hand, a concave portion (not shown) that can be engaged with the convex portion 519 is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the vicinity of the end of the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B (supply pipe 3). The concave portion is configured to be able to engage with the convex portion 519. When the supply pipe side tubular piece 515 is inserted into the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B (supply pipe 3), the convex portion 519 engages with the concave portion, and the two are connected. The convex portion 519 and the concave portion constitute the connection mechanism between the supply pipe side tubular piece 515 and the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B (supply pipe 3).

[0177] In addition, the connection mechanism between the tubular piece 515 on the supply pipe side and the branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B (supply pipe 3) is not limited to the above, and other structures are also possible, and all of them are included in the present invention.

[0178] In addition, in the above, the communication tubular part 510 and the supply pipe 3 are configured as separate members that can be separated, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the supply pipe 3 may also be configured to have a structure corresponding to the tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding part side in its terminal section. In this case, the first tubular part 52 of the present embodiment is directly connected to the supply pipe 3. In short, as long as the member connected to the end of the first tubular part 52 of the present embodiment in a manner capable of supplying gas has the structure of the tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding part side, such a structure is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0179] <Swing mechanism>

[0180] Refer to Figure 10 、 Figures 16 to 18 , and the swing mechanism 10 in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the respiratory assist device 5 has a swing mechanism 10. The swing mechanism 10 allows or restricts the swing of the second tubular parts 53A and 53B around the central axis 520C of the first tubular part 52 according to the magnitude of the applied external force. When a specified external force (swing-side external force) is applied to the swing mechanism 10, it allows the second tubular parts 53A and 53B to swing around the central axis 520C of the first tubular part 52, and when the specified external force is released, it restricts the above swing of the second tubular parts 53A and 53B. In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 16 and Figure 17 , the swing mechanism 10 is configured to allow or restrict the relative rotation of the first tubular part 52 with respect to the communication tubular part 510 (tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding part side) with the communication tubular part 510 (tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding part side) as the axis, and to allow or restrict the relative swing of the second tubular part 53 (53A, 53B) in the circumferential direction of the communication tubular part 510 (tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding part side). In addition, when the first tubular part 52 is connected to the communication tubular part 510 (tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding part side), the central axes of the two become substantially coaxial. Therefore, in the swing mechanism 10 of the present embodiment, the second tubular part 53 (53A, 53B) is relatively swung with the central axis of the communication tubular part 510 as the axis. Thereby, the relative angle of the second tubular part 53 (53A, 53B) with respect to the depth direction of the face 940 of the user 900 can be changed. In Figure 14 , θ1, θ2, and θ3 are depicted as the relative angles.

[0181] As shown in Figure 10As shown in (C), the swing mechanism 10 has a reduced-diameter portion 526 (first engagement region KR1) and an engagement portion 517 (second engagement region KR2) in the overlapping region 200. The same applies to the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), and the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism. As a result, in the present embodiment, the structures of the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), and the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism also serve as the structure of the swing mechanism 10, and are configured to be shared with the structure of the swing mechanism 10. However, the present invention is not limited to the above structure, and the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism, and the swing mechanism 10 may be configured such that a part is shared and a part is not shared, or may be configured as different mechanisms that do not share a part and can operate independently of each other (refer to the second embodiment described later).

[0182] As shown in Figure 10 (A), the inner diameter K1 of the opening 520 of the first tubular portion 52 (reduced-diameter portion 526) is smaller than the maximum outer diameter K3 of the engagement portion 517 based on the central axis of the gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514. The reduced-diameter portion 526 is made of an elastically deformable material. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10 (C), when the connecting tubular portion 510 (the first connecting tubular portion 510A in Figure 10 (C); the same applies hereinafter) is inserted into the inside of the first tubular portion 52 through the opening 520 of the reduced-diameter portion 526, the opening 520 of the reduced-diameter portion 526 engages with the engagement portion 517 of the connecting tubular portion 510 from the top side of the engagement portion 517 by the restoring force of elastic deformation, and presses the connecting tubular portion 510. Moreover, between the opening 520 of the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engagement portion 517 of the connecting tubular portion 510, a frictional force caused by the above pressing force is generated on the contact surface between the two. Thereby, a circumferential engagement in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion 510 (gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514) is generated between the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engagement portion 517 due to the frictional force. As a result, the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engagement portion 517 are circumferentially engaged in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion 510 (gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514) by the above frictional force. In addition, hereinafter, appropriately, the circumferential engagement in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion 510 (gas guiding portion side tubular piece 514) may be referred to as circumferential engagement, and the engagement force acting on both engagement objects due to this circumferential engagement may be referred to as circumferential engagement force.

[0183] In the present embodiment, when an external force (hereinafter referred to as a circumferential external force) is applied to the gas guide portion 50 (reduced diameter portion 526) in the circumferential direction of the tubular piece 514 on the gas guide portion side, the circumferential engagement force acting between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 is overcome, allowing relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 (reduced diameter portion 526) with respect to the tubular piece 514 on the gas guide portion side and relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 with respect to the tubular piece 514 on the gas guide portion side. Moreover, when the above circumferential external force is released, by the circumferential engagement of the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517, the above relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 (reduced diameter portion 526) and the above relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 are in a restricted state, and the gas guide portion 50 becomes a state of being relatively stationary with respect to the tubular piece 514 on the gas guide portion side. As a result, the above relative angle of the second tubular portion 53 changes. The magnitude of the above circumferential external force that can overcome the above circumferential engagement force is preferably within the range that a person can apply.

[0184] The circumferential engagement acting between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 in the present embodiment is mainly generated due to the frictional force between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517. Therefore, in order to release the circumferential engagement between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517, it is necessary to apply a circumferential external force to at least one of the first tubular portion 52 and the first connecting tubular portion 510A having a magnitude capable of overcoming the circumferential engagement force between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517. If the circumferential external force is less than or equal to the magnitude of the circumferential engagement force acting between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517, the engagement between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 will not be released, and the above relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 (reduced diameter portion 526) and the above relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 are restricted. Therefore, the circumferential external force needs to have a magnitude exceeding the circumferential engagement force. If the circumferential external force has a magnitude exceeding the circumferential engagement force, the circumferential engagement between the reduced diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 is released, allowing the above relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 (reduced diameter portion 526) and the above relative swing of the second tubular portion 53.

[0185] In addition, the engaging portion 517 (second engagement region KR2) may also be made of a material capable of elastic deformation. As the elastic material, for example, elastomers (e.g., thermosetting elastomers) including silicone rubber, fluororubber, polyurethane rubber, etc. can be cited. In this case, the reduced diameter portion 526 (first engagement region KR1) may also be made of a hard material having a higher rigidity than the engaging portion 517 (second engagement region KR2). In addition, in order to enhance the frictional force, the reduced diameter portion 526 (first engagement region KR1) and the engaging portion 517 (second engagement region KR2) may be made of materials with a high coefficient of friction, or may include a rough surface region with uneven portions on their contact surfaces.

[0186] In addition, the structure of the swing mechanism 10 is not limited to the combination of the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 described above, and the following modified examples are also possible. In this modified example, as shown in Figure 18 (A) of Figure 18 , the reduced-diameter portion 526 may also be configured to have a plurality of convex portions 526E (first engaging regions KR1) that are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the first tubular portion 52 and are each reduced in diameter toward the inside in the radial direction. In addition, as shown in Figure 18 (B) of Figure 18 , the engaging portion 517 may also be configured to have a plurality of concave portions 510F (second engaging regions KR2) that are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion 510 (the tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding portion side) and are each recessed toward the inside in the radial direction of the connecting tubular portion 510 (the tubular piece 514 on the gas guiding portion side). Moreover, at least one of the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the engaging portion 517 is preferably made of a material that can be elastically deformed. When connecting the connecting tubular portion 510 to the first tubular portion 52, as shown in Figure 18 (E), the convex portion 526E is configured to face the concave portion 510F in the radial direction of the first tubular portion 52 and engage with the concave portion 510F. Through the circumferential engagement based on the fitting between the convex portion 526E and the concave portion 510F, the relative angle θ of the second tubular portion 53 is determined.

[0187] Moreover, if a circumferential external force is applied to at least one of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510, the convex portion 526E undergoes sufficient elastic deformation and disengages from the concave portion 510F to release the engagement based on the fitting. As a result, the above-described relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 with respect to the connecting tubular portion 510 and the above-described relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 are allowed, and the relative angle of the second tubular portion 53 is changed. After that, if the above-described circumferential external force is released or the circumferential external force becomes less than the circumferential engaging force, through the circumferential engagement based on the fitting between the convex portion 526E and the concave portion 510F, and through the circumferential engagement between the convex portion 526E and the concave portion 510F, the above-described relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 with respect to the connecting tubular portion 510 and the above-described relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 are restricted. As a result, the relative angle of the second tubular portion 53 is determined.

[0188] In the swing mechanism 10, the reduced-diameter portion 526 and the convex portion 526E described above can be respectively expanded to the first swing engagement region YK1, and the engagement portion 517 and the concave portion 510F can be respectively expanded to the second swing engagement region YK2. In this case, the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 in the swing mechanism 10 coincide in the radial direction of the connecting tubular portion 510 and are circumferentially engaged to maintain the relative angle of the second tubular portion 53. Moreover, when a circumferential external force is applied to at least one of the first tubular portion 52 and the connecting tubular portion 510, the engagement between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 is released, and the above-described relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 and the above-described relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 with respect to the connecting tubular portion 510 are allowed. In addition, when the engagement between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 includes a factor caused by the mutual frictional force in the circumferential direction of the tubular piece 514 on the gas guide portion side, the mutual engagement is released when the circumferential external force becomes larger than the frictional force. Further, when the engagement between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 includes a factor caused by the mutual contact in the circumferential direction of the tubular piece 514 on the gas guide portion side, the mutual engagement is released, for example, when at least one of the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 elastically deforms when a circumferential external force is applied, thereby releasing the mutual contact in the circumferential direction of the tubular piece 514 on the gas guide portion side. However, it is not limited thereto, and all other structures that release the mutual contact according to the magnitude of the circumferential external force are included in the scope of the present invention. Moreover, when the above-described circumferential external force is released, the above-described relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 and the above-described relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 with respect to the connecting tubular portion 510 are restricted by the circumferential engagement between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2. As a result, the relative angle of the second tubular portion 53 is determined. The first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they can perform the above-described circumferential engagement, regardless of the structure. In addition, the first swing engagement region YK1 and the first engagement region KR1 may be configured to share at least a part, but it is not limited thereto, and they may also be configured as non-shared regions that do not share with each other. Similarly, the second swing engagement region YK2 and the second engagement region KR2 may be configured to share at least a part, but it is not limited thereto, and they may also be configured as non-shared regions that do not share with each other. Further, at least one of the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 may be made of a material that can be elastically deformed.

[0189] If the above-mentioned circumferential external force is less than or equal to the magnitude of the circumferential engagement force acting between the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2, the circumferential engagement between the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2 will not be released, and the relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 and the relative swinging of the second tubular portion 53 with respect to the connecting tubular portion 510 are restricted, and the relative angle of the second tubular portion 53 is maintained. Therefore, the circumferential external force needs to have a magnitude exceeding the circumferential engagement force. If the circumferential external force has a magnitude exceeding the circumferential engagement force, the circumferential engagement between the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2 is released, allowing the relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 and the relative swinging of the second tubular portion 53 with respect to the connecting tubular portion 510. As a result, the relative angle of the second tubular portion 53 can be changed.

[0190] In addition, when the circumferential engagement acting between the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2 is caused by a plurality of forces such as elastic force and frictional force, the magnitude of the circumferential engagement force between the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2 can vary within a specific range. Therefore, the magnitude of the circumferential external force required to release the circumferential engagement acting between the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2 can be constant or can vary within a specific range according to the circumferential engagement force of each engagement state of the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2. This can vary according to the circumferential engagement mode of the first swinging engagement region YK1 and the second swinging engagement region YK2.

[0191] Among them, as Figure 17 shown in (A) of Figure 17 and (B) of

[0192] The first swing mechanism piece 10A allows or restricts the relative rotation of the first region SA with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A in the circumferential direction of the first connecting tubular portion 510A and the relative swing of the second tubular portion 53A according to the applied circumferential external force. When a specified external force (first swing-side external force) is applied to the first swing mechanism piece 10A, it allows the relative rotation of the first region SA with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A in the circumferential direction of the first connecting tubular portion 510A and the relative swing of the second tubular portion 53A, and when the specified external force is released, it restricts the above relative rotation and the above relative swing. The first swing mechanism piece 10A has a first swing engagement region YK1 (for example, the first reduced-diameter portion 526A) and a second swing engagement region YK2 (for example, the engagement portion 517 of the first connecting tubular portion 510A). The first connecting tubular portion 510A (the first gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514A) functions as the swing axis of the first region SA. In other words, the first region SA relatively rotates with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A about the central axis (the central axis of the first tubular portion 52) of the first connecting tubular portion 510A in the connecting-side axial direction. The second tubular portion 53A relatively swings with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 510A about the above central axis.

[0193] The second swing mechanism piece 10B allows or restricts the relative rotation of the second region SB with respect to the second connecting tubular portion 510B in the circumferential direction of the second connecting tubular portion 510B and the relative swing of the second tubular portion 53B according to the applied circumferential external force. When a specified external force (second swing-side external force) is applied to the second swing mechanism piece 10B, it allows the relative rotation of the second region SB with respect to the second connecting tubular portion 510B in the circumferential direction of the second connecting tubular portion 510B and the relative swing of the second tubular portion 53B, and when the specified external force is released, it restricts the above relative rotation and the above relative swing. The second swing mechanism piece 10B has a first swing engagement region YK1 (for example, the second reduced-diameter portion 526B) and a second swing engagement region YK2 (the engagement portion 517 of the second connecting tubular portion 510B). The second connecting tubular portion 510B (the second gas guide portion-side tubular piece 514B) functions as the swing axis of the second region SB. In other words, the second region SB relatively rotates with respect to the second connecting tubular portion 510B about the central axis (the central axis of the first tubular portion 52) of the second connecting tubular portion 510B in the connecting-side axial direction. The second tubular portion 53B relatively swings with respect to the second connecting tubular portion 510B about the above central axis.

[0194] The first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B are configured as described above, so that the second tubular portions 53A and 53B can swing (operate) relative to each other independently. Therefore, by the first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B, the swing angles of the first region SA and the second region SB can be the same or different. The swing angles of the first region SA and the second region SB can be the same or different. In addition, when the swing angles of the first region SA and the second region SB are the same, the first tubular portion 52 will not be in a twisted state (refer to Figure 17 (A) of Figure 17 , and the relative angles of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B with respect to the depth direction of the face 940 of the user 900 are the same. On the other hand, when the swing angles of the first region SA and the second region SB are different, the first tubular portion 52 is in a twisted state (refer to Figure 17 (B) of , and the relative angles of the second tubular portions 53A and 53B with respect to the depth direction of the face 940 of the user 900 are different.

[0195] Herein, the above-mentioned circumferential clamping forces generated in the first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B are defined as the first circumferential clamping force and the second circumferential clamping force respectively, and the circumferential external forces required to change the relative angles of the second tubular portion 53 in the first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B are defined as the first circumferential external force and the second circumferential external force respectively. The magnitudes of the first circumferential clamping force and the second circumferential clamping force can be freely set independently according to the structures of the first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B. According to this setting, the magnitudes of the first circumferential external force and the second circumferential external force also change.

[0196] In addition, in the case where the first region SA and the second region SB of the first tubular portion 52 are integrally formed of an elastically deformable material, the restoring force of the elastic deformation caused by the torsion of the first tubular portion 52, the first restricting force generated by the engagement of the first swing engagement regions YK1 and the second swing engagement regions YK2 on the first connecting tubular portion 510A side, and the second restricting force generated by the engagement of the first swing engagement regions YK1 and the second swing engagement regions YK2 on the second connecting tubular portion 510B side affect each other, so that the swing angles of the first region SA and the second region SB are restricted. For example, if the relative angle of the other second tubular portion 53B with respect to one second tubular portion 53A is less than the threshold value, the first restricting force and the second restricting force have a magnitude greater than the restoring force of the elastic deformation caused by the torsion of the first tubular portion 52. Therefore, the first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B can operate independently of each other, and the swing angles of the first region SA and the second region SB can be freely set. If the relative angle of the other second tubular portion 53B with respect to one second tubular portion 53A is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the first restricting force or the second restricting force has a magnitude less than the restoring force of the elastic deformation caused by the torsion of the first tubular portion 52. Therefore, the swing angle of either the first region SA or the second region SB is restricted by the restoring force of the elastic deformation caused by the torsion. In addition, it may be configured such that the first region SA and the second region SB are connected so as to be relatively rotatable about their respective central axes. In this case, since the restoring force of the elastic deformation caused by the torsion of the first tubular portion 52 is not generated, the first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B can operate independently of each other over the entire circumference.

[0197] In addition, the swing mechanism 10, the first swing mechanism piece 10A, and the second swing mechanism piece 10B can also be applied to a respiratory assist device that does not have the first tubular portion 52 or the interval changing mechanism without a telescopic structure.

[0198] <Connecting tubular side holding portion>

[0199] Refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the connecting tubular side holding portion 511 will be described. The connecting tubular side holding portion 511 holds the pair of connecting tubular portions 510 in a predetermined posture. As shown in (B) to (D) of Figure 8 , the connecting tubular side holding portion 511 has a holding main body portion 512 and a connecting portion 513.

[0200] The holding main body portion 512 is formed in a substantially band shape and is bent. As shown in (B) of Figure 6 , the degree of bending is approximately the same as the degree of bending of the skin surface in the nasal lower region 930 of the user 900 at the center of the face 940 in the width direction of the face 940 of the user 900.

[0201] The connecting portion 513 connects the pair of communication tubular portions 510 to the holding main body portion 512 in a state where the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are in a specified position and posture with respect to the holding main body portion 512. As shown in (C) of Figure 8 , the specified position refers to a position that is line-symmetric with respect to the center line 1000 that bisects the holding main body portion 512 into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction of the holding main body portion 512. The specified posture means that the gas guiding portion side tubular pieces 514 of the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are respectively located on the side closer to the center of the holding main body portion 512, the supply pipe side tubular pieces 515 of the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are respectively located on the side closer to both ends of the holding main body portion 512, and at the above-mentioned specified position, the axial directions (communication side axial directions) of the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are parallel to the extending direction of the holding main body portion 512. In addition, the specified posture may be a posture in which the axial directions (communication side axial directions) of the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are inclined with respect to the extending direction of the holding main body portion 512.

[0202] Moreover, as shown in (A) of Figure 6 and (B) of Figure 6 , when the connecting portion 51 is worn on the user 900 through the wearing portion 6, the holding main body portion 512 assumes a posture of extending in the width direction H along the skin surface of the user's face 940 in the subnasal region 930 and bending at the center in the width direction H of the face 940. In addition, the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are arranged at intervals on both sides in the width direction of the user's face 940 with the center (center line 910C of the nose 910) in the width direction H of the user's face 940 as a reference. That is, the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are arranged side by side in the width direction H of the face 940 in such a manner that the center (center line 910C of the nose 910) in the width direction H of the user's face 940 is sandwiched therebetween. At this time, as shown in (B) of Figure 6 , the gas guiding portion side tubular pieces 514 of the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are respectively located on the side closer to the center (center line 910C of the nose 910) in the width direction H of the user's face 940, the supply pipe side tubular pieces 515 of the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are respectively located on the side away from the center in the width direction H of the user's face 940, and the pair of communication tubular portions 510 are arranged in the front side region near the skin surface of the face 940 in a posture where their axial directions (communication side axial directions) face the front side of the user's face 940 as they approach the center in the width direction H of the user's face 940.

[0203] Moreover, as shown in (A) of Figure 6 and (B) of Figure 6As shown in (B) thereof, the openings 510D of a pair of gas guide part side tubular pieces 514 are respectively in the subnasal region 930 or a region near the same, on the front side of the face 940 of the user 900 and toward the other gas guide part side tubular piece 514 of the pair. That is to say, the openings 510D of a pair of connecting tubular parts 510 are respectively toward the center in the width direction of the face 940 of the user 900 and toward the obliquely front side of the user 900. In the present embodiment, the openings 510D are arranged to face each other in the width direction of the face 940 of the user 900.

[0204] As Figure 8 shown in (C) thereof, in the present embodiment, the connecting part 513 connects the vicinity of the end of the holding main body part 512 to the stopper 518B, but is not limited thereto, and other positions of the holding main body part 512 may be connected to other positions of the connecting tubular part 510.

[0205] <Wearing part>

[0206] Refer to Figures 1 to 8 , and the wearing part 6 will be described. As Figure 1 shown, the wearing part 6 wears the connecting part 51 on the face 940 of the user 900 in such a manner that the first tubular part 52 extends along the width direction H of the face 940 of the user 900 in the subnasal region 930. As Figure 6 (A) of Figure 6 (B) of Figure 7 (A) of Figure 7 (B) of Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in the present embodiment, the wearing part 6 extends from the connecting tubular part 510 toward the subnasal region 930 and abuts against the face 940 of the user 900 in the subnasal region 930, so as to position a pair of connecting tubular parts 510 on the face 940 of the user 900 in such a manner that the first tubular part 52 extends along the width direction H of the face 940 of the user 900 (refer to Figure 7 (A) of Figure 7 (B) of Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). In addition, the wearing part 6 also extends along the width direction H of the face 940 of the user 900 during wearing. Moreover, in the present embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the wearing part 6 has a respiratory assistance device side holding part 60, a pair of supply tube holding parts 61, and a belt part 62.

[0207] <Respiratory assistance device side holding part>

[0208] Refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figures 6 to 8 , and the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60 will be described. The respiratory assistance device side holding part 60 holds the respiratory assistance device 5 (connecting part 51). In addition, as Figure 3As shown, the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 is formed in a substantially strip shape and is curved at its center. Further, as shown in (B) of Figure 6 , the degree of curvature of the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 is the same as that of the holding main body part 512 of the connecting part 51, and is approximate to the degree of curvature of the skin surface of the user 900 in the subnasal region 930 in the width direction of the face 940 of the user 900. Moreover, as shown in (A) of Figure 6 and (B) of Figure 6 , when worn on the user 900, the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 assumes a posture in which its center (curved part) abuts against the face 940 of the user 900 in the subnasal region 930 and extends in the width direction H of the face 940 of the user 900. At this time, both side portions of the center of the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 extend toward the ears of the user 900. As shown in (B) of Figure 1 and Figure 6 , the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 extends below the cheeks of the user 900.

[0209] A loading and unloading mechanism is provided between the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 and the respiratory assist device 5. In the present embodiment, as shown in (B) to (D) of Figure 3 and Figure 8 , the loading and unloading mechanism is composed of a pair of recesses 63 (see Figure 3 ) that are recessed from the front surface side of the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 toward the inside thereof and a pair of protrusions 512A (see (B) to (D) of Figure 8 ) that protrude from the back surface side of the holding main body part 512. The pair of recesses 63 are provided at intervals in the length direction of the respiratory assist device side holding part 60. The pair of protrusions 512A are provided on the back surface of the holding main body part 512 at the same intervals as the pair of recesses 63.

[0210] The recess 63 and the protrusion 512A are configured such that when the protrusion 512A is inserted into the recess 63, the protrusion 512A engages with the recess 63, thereby enabling the connection of the respiratory assist device side holding part 60 and the holding main body part 512. Further, the recess 63 and the protrusion 512A are configured such that when the holding main body part 512 is pulled away from the respiratory assist device side holding part 60, the protrusion 512A disengages from the recess 63. In addition, the above-described loading and unloading mechanism is an example, and other loading and unloading mechanisms may also be used.

[0211] In addition, in the present embodiment, the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 and the communication tube side holding portion 511 are configured as different members, but are not limited thereto, and the two may also be integrally formed. In this case, the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 and the communication tube side holding portion 511 become one component. This component is connected to the pair of communication tubes 510 by the connecting portion 513.

[0212] If the communication portion 51 is held by the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 and the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 is worn on the user 900, then as Figure 7 shown in (A) of Figure 7 shown in (B) of

[0213] <Supply tube holding portion>

[0214] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 to describe the supply tube holding portion 61. As Figure 1 shown, each of the pair of supply tube holding portions 61 holds an intermediate section of one of the branch tube pieces 3A and 3B at a specified position of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 in a posture along the extending direction of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60. As Figure 3 shown, in the present embodiment, the supply tube holding portion 61 has a pair of restraint pieces 64 and a base portion 66 provided on the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60. The base portion 66 is provided near both ends in the length direction of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 on the front surface 60A. In addition, the front surface 60A of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 refers to the surface facing the side opposite to the user 900. The breathing assistance device 5 is also provided on the front surface 60A. Each of the pair of restraint pieces 64 restrains the supply tube 3 on the surface of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 (the surface facing the side opposite to the user 900).

[0215] Each of the pair of restraint pieces 64 is configured in a plate shape and is bent. As Figure 3As shown, a pair of restraint pieces 64 are erected from the base portion 66 near both ends in the width direction of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 in such a manner that the outer side surface (convex surface) 64A of the restraint piece 64 faces the outside in the width direction of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 and the inner side surfaces (concave surfaces) 64B of the restraint pieces 64 face each other in the width direction of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60. Further, the supply pipe 3 is passed through the region 65 between the pair of restraint pieces 64 (concave portions 64B), and the periphery of the supply pipe 3 is surrounded by the pair of restraint pieces 64 and the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60. As a result, the pair of restraint pieces 64 cooperate with the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 to restrain the supply pipe 3 on the front surface side of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60. As Figure 1 shown, when the supply pipe 3 (branch pipe pieces 3A, 3B) is connected to the connection portion 51 (supply pipe side tubular piece 515), the supply pipe 3 is guided along the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 and is restrained by the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60.

[0216] As described above, the pair of supply pipe holding portions 61 can guide the supply pipe 3 to a position where the supply pipe 3 does not interfere with the user 900.

[0217] <Belt portion>

[0218] As Figure 2 shown, the belt portion 62 is formed in a belt shape, and both ends are attached to both ends of the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 or the vicinity thereof. In a state where the breathing assistance device side holding portion 60 is in a posture extending in the width direction of the face 940 of the user 900 in the nasal region 930 (see Figure 6 (A) of Figure 6 (B) of Figure 1 ), as

[0219] <Second Embodiment>

[0220] Refer to Figures 19 to 23 to describe the breathing assistance device 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention. The breathing assistance device 1 in the present embodiment is different from the breathing assistance device 1 in the first embodiment in the structure of the connection tubular portion 510 and the swing mechanism 10 that form a part of the holding mechanism. Other than this, all the contents described in the first embodiment can also be applied in the present embodiment. In the breathing assistance device 1 in the present embodiment shown in Figure 19 (A) ofFigure 19 the form shown in (B). Further, if the gas guiding portion 50 and the connecting tubular portion 510 are separated, it becomes Figure 19 the form shown in (C).

[0221] <Connecting tubular portion>

[0222] Refer to Figures 20 to 21 to describe the connecting tubular portion 510 in the present embodiment. As Figure 20 shown in (A) of Figure 20 and (B) of Figure 21 the connecting tubular portion 510 in the present embodiment has a first connecting tubular portion 570 and a second connecting tubular portion 571. As shown in the sectional view of (B) of Figure 21 the first connecting tubular portion 570 is connected to the first tubular portion 52 so as to guide gas. One end side of the second connecting tubular portion 571 is connected to the first connecting tubular portion 570, and the other end side is connected to the supply pipe 3 so as to guide gas to the first connecting tubular portion 570. That is, in the respiratory assist device 1 of the present embodiment, they are arranged substantially coaxially in the order of the first tubular portion 52, the first connecting tubular portion 570, the second connecting tubular portion 571, and the supply pipe 3, and are connected to adjacent tubes so as to guide gas.

[0223] <First connecting tubular portion>

[0224] As Figure 20 shown in (B) of Figure 21 and (A) of Figure 21 the first connecting tubular portion 570 has a first section Q1 and a second section Q2 along the connecting side axial direction. The first section Q1 has a second engaging region KR2 (in Figure 21 it is a region having a plurality of protruding portions 590), and the second section Q2 is inserted into the second connecting tubular portion 571. A flange 580 that contacts the end of the second connecting tubular portion 571 when connecting the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the second connecting tubular portion 571 is provided at the boundary between the first section Q1 and the second section Q2.

[0225] In addition, as Figure 21 shown in (A) of Figure 21 the first tubular portion 52 has a first engaging region KR1 (in Figure 21 it is a region having a plurality of groove portions 530) extending along the first tubular side axial direction. Moreover, as Figure 21As shown in (B), when the first connecting tubular portion 570 is inserted into the first tubular portion 52 to connect the first tubular portion 52 and the first connecting tubular portion 570, an overlapping region 200 is formed between the first engaging region KR1 of the first tubular portion 52 and the first section Q1 of the first connecting tubular portion 570. Also, the first engaging region KR1 and the second engaging region KR2 are engaged in the communication side axial direction. Further, a first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), a second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), and an overlapping region axial length changing mechanism, which were described in the first embodiment, are formed between the first engaging region KR1 of the first tubular portion 52 and the second engaging region KR2 of the first section Q1 of the first connecting tubular portion 570. Of course, the case where all matters related to the first engaging region KR1, the second engaging region KR2, the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), and the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism, which were described in the first embodiment, are applied to this embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention. Therefore, in Figure 21 (A) of Figure 21 (B), the first engaging region KR1 is configured to have a plurality of groove portions 530, and the second engaging region KR2 is configured to have a plurality of protruding portions 590, but it is not limited thereto, and other structures may also be used (for example, a structure in which the first engaging region KR1 has a reduced diameter portion 526 and the second engaging region KR2 has a plurality of engaging portions 517).

[0226] In addition, as Figure 21 (A) shows, in this embodiment, the first section Q1 of the first connecting tubular portion 570 is inserted into the internal passage 521 of the first tubular portion 52 and the first connecting tubular portion 570 is disposed in the internal passage 521, but it is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it may also be a form in which the first tubular portion 52 is inserted into the internal passage 570C of the first section Q1 of the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the first tubular portion 52 is disposed in the internal passage 570C. As a result, an overlapping region 200 is formed between the first tubular portion 52 and the first section Q1 of the first connecting tubular portion 570. Further, if the tubular portion on the insertion side is defined as the insertion portion and the tubular portion on the side that receives the insertion portion is defined as the receiving portion, either the first tubular portion 52 or the first connecting tubular portion 570 becomes the insertion portion and the other becomes the receiving portion.

[0227] In addition, a first relative rotation restricting mechanism for restricting the relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 and the first connecting tubular portion 570 is provided in the connection region between the first tubular portion 52 and the first connecting tubular portion 570. Further, this connection region refers to a region (overlapping region 200) where the first tubular portion 52 and the first connecting tubular portion 570 are connected and can overlap. Figure 21FIG. (C) shows a cross-sectional view of the overlapping region 200 cut in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the connection side. Since the first engagement region KR1 engages (contacts) with the second engagement region KR2, in order to restrict the relative rotation described above, as Figure 21 shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. (C), in the section where the first engagement region KR1 is provided in the first tubular portion 52 and the section where the second engagement region KR2 is provided in the first connecting tubular portion 570, it is preferable that the inner peripheral shape of the section of the first tubular portion 52 and the outer peripheral shape of the section of the first connecting tubular portion 570 are non-circular shapes that are not perfect circles. As non-circular shapes, for example, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc. can be cited as an example. In addition, in the tubular portion corresponding to the insertion portion (for example, the first connecting tubular portion 570), it is sufficient that the outer peripheral shape is a non-circular shape, and in the tubular portion corresponding to the receiving portion (for example, the first tubular portion 52), it is sufficient that the inner peripheral shape is a non-circular shape. As a result, the shape of the circumferential region where the tubular portion corresponding to the insertion portion and the tubular portion corresponding to the receiving portion come into contact becomes a non-circular shape. If the cross-sectional shapes of the first engagement region KR1 of the first tubular portion 52 and the second engagement region KR2 of the first connecting tubular portion 570 are non-circular shapes, the relative rotation of the first tubular portion 52 with respect to the first connecting tubular portion 570 can be restricted. In addition, the above structure of the first relative rotation restricting mechanism is an example, and other structures may also be possible.

[0228] <Second connecting tubular portion>

[0229] As Figure 20 shown in FIG. (B), in the present embodiment, the second connecting tubular portion 571 has, for example, a supply pipe side connecting tubular portion 572 and an intermediate connecting tubular portion 573. As Figure 21 shown in FIG. (B), the supply pipe side connecting tubular portion 572 is connected to the supply pipe 3. As Figure 20 shown in FIGS. (A) and Figure 21 shown in FIG. (A), one end side of the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 is connected to the first connecting tubular portion 570, and the other end side is connected to the supply pipe side connecting tubular portion 572. As a result, the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 is interposed between the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the supply pipe side connecting tubular portion 572. Moreover, the supply pipe side connecting tubular portion 572 is connected to the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 in a manner that the relative rotation is restricted.

[0230] When the user changes their posture, an unreasonable load may be applied to the supply pipe 3. Moreover, if an unreasonable load is applied to the supply pipe 3, the supply pipe 3 may become detached from or damaged at the supply pipe side connecting tubular portion 572. Therefore, the supply pipe 3 is preferably configured to be rotatably connected to the supply pipe side connecting tubular portion 572. In this case, when cutting the overlapping region 300 where the supply pipe 3 overlaps with the second connecting tubular portion 571 in a direction orthogonal to the communication side axis, the cross-section of the supply pipe 3 and the second connecting tubular portion 571 is preferably a perfect circular shape.

[0231] The first connecting tubular portion 570 is held by being connected to the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 and is configured to be rotatable relative to the communication tubular side holding portion 511. That is, a relative rotation mechanism that allows relative rotation between the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 is provided in the connection region between the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the second connecting tubular portion 573. In addition, this connection region refers to the region (overlapping region 310) where the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 are connected and can overlap. On the other hand, the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 is held by the communication tubular side holding portion 511 such that relative rotation with respect to the communication tubular side holding portion 511 is restricted. That is, a third relative rotation restricting mechanism that restricts relative rotation of the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 with respect to the communication tubular side holding portion 511 is provided in the connection region between the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 and the communication tubular side holding portion 511. In addition, this connection region refers to the region where the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 and the communication tubular side holding portion 511 are connected and can overlap. Specifically, as shown in (A) of Figure 22 , the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 has a protruding portion 573A that protrudes radially outward from its outer peripheral surface. Moreover, the communication tubular side holding portion 511 has a relative rotation restricting surface (located on the back side of the paper of the protruding portion 573A in (A) of Figure 22 ), and this relative rotation restricting surface engages with the protruding portion 573A in the circumferential direction of the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 to restrict relative rotation of the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 with respect to the communication tubular side holding portion 511. Since the protruding portion 572A engages with the relative rotation restricting surface in the circumferential direction of the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573, the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 cannot rotate relative to the communication tubular side holding portion 511. Therefore, it can be regarded that the third relative rotation restricting mechanism is constituted by the protruding portion 573A and the relative rotation restricting surface of the communication tubular side holding portion 511.

[0232] In addition, as shown in Figure 22As shown in (A), in the present embodiment, the second section Q2 is the section where the first connecting tubular portion 570 is inserted into the internal passage 573B of the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573, and the first connecting tubular portion 570 is arranged in the internal passage 573B. However, it is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it may also be a configuration where the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 is inserted into the internal passage 570C of the second section Q2 of the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 is arranged in the internal passage 570C. As a result, an overlapping region 310 is formed between the second section Q2 of the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573. In addition, if the tubular portion on the insertion side is defined as the insertion portion and the tubular portion on the side that receives the insertion portion is defined as the receiving portion, then either the first connecting tubular portion 570 or the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 serves as the insertion portion and the other serves as the receiving portion.

[0233] In addition, the second connecting tubular portion 571 may also be composed of a single tubular portion. In this case, in the single tubular portion constituting the second connecting tubular portion 571, one end side is connected to the supply pipe 3 and the other end side is connected to the first connecting tubular portion 570. Additionally, the second connecting tubular portion 571 may also be composed of three or more tubular portions connected to each other.

[0234] <Swing mechanism>

[0235] A swing mechanism 10 is provided between the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573. As Figure 22 shown in (B), the swing mechanism 10 has a first swing engagement region YK1 and a second swing engagement region YK2. As Figure 22As shown in (C), the first swing engagement region YK1 is provided in the first connecting tubular portion 570. Therefore, the first swing engagement region YK1 can also be referred to as the first connecting tube side engagement region YK1. The second swing engagement region YK2 is provided in the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion 573). Therefore, the second swing engagement region YK2 can also be referred to as the second connecting tube side engagement region YK2. In the present embodiment, the first connecting tubular portion 570 is the insertion side, and the first swing engagement region YK1 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tubular portion 570. Further, in the present embodiment, the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion 573) is the receiving side, and the second swing engagement region YK2 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion 573). The present invention is not limited to the above structure. The first connecting tubular portion 570 may also be the receiving side, in which case the first swing engagement region YK1 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the first connecting tubular portion 570. Further, the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion 573) may also be the insertion side, in which case the second swing engagement region YK2 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion).

[0236] As shown in Figure 22 (B) of FIG., the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 overlap in the radial direction of the first connecting tubular portion 570 (insertion portion) or the second connecting tubular portion 571 (receiving portion), and engage with each other in the circumferential direction of the first connecting tubular portion 570 (insertion portion) or the second connecting tubular portion 571 (receiving portion). The region where the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 overlap and engage with each other becomes the engagement overlapping region 320. The first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 preferably engage with each other over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the insertion portion or the receiving portion, but may also be in a form of engaging with each other on a partial circumference. By the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 engaging with each other in the above circumferential direction, the relative angle of the second tubular portion 53 is maintained.

[0237] For example, as shown in Figure 22 (B) of FIG. and Figure 23 (A) of FIG., the first swing engagement region YK1 has protruding rings 575A, 575B that protrude in the radial direction of the first connecting tubular portion 570 on the outer peripheral side of the first connecting tubular portion 570 and extend in a ring shape in the circumferential direction of the first connecting tubular portion 570. The protruding rings 575A, 575B are provided at intervals in the connecting side axial direction. Further, the first swing engagement region YK1 has a limiting protruding portion 575C that protrudes in the radial direction of the first connecting tubular portion 570 from the protruding ring 575A.

[0238] For example, as shown in Figure 22 (B) of FIG. and Figure 23As shown in (A), the second swing engagement region YK2 has engagement portions 577A, 577B and a partial circumferential groove portion 577C. The engagement portions 577A, 577B are arranged to extend in a ring shape in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential side of the second connecting tubular portion 571. When the first connecting tubular portion 570 is connected to the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 (the second connecting tubular portion 571), they respectively face the protruding rings 575A, 575B and engage with the protruding rings 575A, 575B. The engagement portions 577A, 577B are arranged at intervals in the connection-side axial direction.

[0239] The partial circumferential groove portion 577C is recessed radially outward of the second connecting tubular portion 571 at the end of the second connecting tubular portion 571 and is open to the outside in the connection-side axial direction, and extends in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential side of the second connecting tubular portion 571 as a part of the entire circumference. Moreover, when the first connecting tubular portion 570 is connected to the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573, as Figure 23 shown in (B), the restricting protrusion 575C is arranged to be rotatable within the partial circumferential groove portion 577C.

[0240] When the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 rotate relative to each other, the restricting protrusion 575C rotates within the partial circumferential groove portion 577C along the partial circumferential groove portion 577. The range within which the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 can rotate relative to each other is the range until the restricting protrusion 575C rotates and contacts the circumferential ends 577D, 577E of the partial circumferential groove portion 577C. That is to say, the range within which the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 can rotate relative to each other is the range within which the restricting protrusion 575C can rotate within the partial circumferential groove portion 577C. As described above, it can be regarded that the restricting protrusion 575C and the partial circumferential groove portion 577C constitute a second relative rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the range within which the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the second connecting tubular portion 571 can rotate relative to each other to a specified relative rotation angle. The rotation angle within which the restricting protrusion 575C can rotate within the partial circumferential groove portion 577C is the same as the specified relative rotation angle. In addition, the above partial circumference corresponds to the length of the second connecting tubular portion 571 in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential side of the second connecting tubular portion 571 corresponding to the specified relative rotation angle described later. Furthermore, the second relative rotation restricting mechanism is not limited to the above structure and can also be other structures. In addition, if the first connecting tubular portion 570 is the receiving side and the second connecting tubular portion 571 (the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573) is the insertion side, the structure of the first swing engagement region YK1 described above becomes the structure of the second swing engagement region YK2, and the structure of the second swing engagement region YK2 described above becomes the structure of the first swing engagement region YK1.

[0241] In the present embodiment, the second swing engagement region YK2 (engagement portions 577A, 577B) presses the first swing engagement region YK1 (protruding rings 575A, 575B), and a frictional force caused by the pressing is generated between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2. As a result, the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion 510 by the frictional force. In addition, in order to enhance the frictional force, the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 may be made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, or the contact surface between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 may include a rough surface region having uneven portions.

[0242] If a circumferential external force is applied to the swing mechanism 10, the circumferential engagement between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 is released, allowing relative rotation of the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the second connecting tubular portion 573. As a result, relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 is allowed. According to the swing mechanism 10 of the present embodiment, the second tubular portion 53 can swing relatively steplessly. In addition, the above-mentioned circumferential external force needs to be greater than the circumferential engagement force. On the other hand, when the circumferential external force applied to the swing mechanism 10 is released, the relative rotation of the first connecting tubular portion 570 and the intermediate connecting tubular portion 573 is restricted by the circumferential engagement between the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2. As a result, the relative swing of the second tubular portion 53 is restricted.

[0243] In addition, in the present embodiment, the interval changing mechanism (connection position changing mechanism) is provided in the connecting side axial direction at a position farther from the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion 573) than the swing mechanism 10. Therefore, the second engagement region KR2 is provided in the connecting side axial direction at a position farther from the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion 573) than the first swing engagement region YK1. The present invention is not limited thereto, and the interval changing mechanism (connection position changing mechanism) may be provided in the connecting side axial direction at a position closer to the second connecting tubular portion 571 (intermediate connecting tubular portion 573) than the swing mechanism 10.

[0244] In addition, as long as the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 can perform the circumferential engagement as described above, they may have other structures (for example, the structure of the convex portion 526E and the concave portion 510F described in the modified example of the swing mechanism 10 of the first embodiment capable of performing engagement based on fitting). Such structures are also included in the scope of the present invention. Moreover, of course, the case where all matters related to the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 of the <swing mechanism> described in the first embodiment are applied to the present embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention. If the swing mechanism 10 is configured as described above, the connection position changing mechanism (relative position changing mechanism), the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism, etc. are constituted by the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2, etc., and the swing mechanism 10 is constituted by the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2, etc., which are regions different from the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2. Moreover, preferably, the group of the first engagement region KR1 and the second engagement region KR2 and the group of the first swing engagement region YK1 and the second swing engagement region YK2 are arranged in order along the communication side axial direction. Based on the boundary between the first section Q1 and the second section Q2 of the first connection tubular portion 570, the former is located on the first section Q1 side and the latter is located on the second section Q2 side. Therefore, the connection position changing mechanism (relative position changing mechanism), etc. and the swing mechanism 10 are independent different mechanisms without a common part that is used in common, so the durability of each mechanism can be improved. In addition, all structures in which the connection position changing mechanism (relative position changing mechanism), the first connection position changing mechanism (first relative position changing mechanism), the second connection position changing mechanism (second relative position changing mechanism), the overlapping region axial length changing mechanism, etc. and the swing mechanism 10 are provided in non-overlapping different regions are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0245] In addition, the swing mechanism 10 in the present embodiment can also be divided into the first swing mechanism piece 10A and the second swing mechanism piece 10B in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Moreover, the swing mechanism 10, the first swing mechanism piece 10A, and the second swing mechanism piece 10B can also be applied to a respiratory assist device that does not have the first tubular portion 52 or the interval changing mechanism in which the telescopic structure is not provided.

[0246] <Third Embodiment>

[0247] Refer to Figures 24 to 26, the breathing assistance device 1 in the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The breathing assistance device 1 of this embodiment has a heating unit 9 that heats the gas passing through the supply pipe 3 in the middle section of the supply pipe 3. The heating unit 9 is composed of, for example, a heating wire wound in a spiral shape in the middle section of the supply pipe 3. The gas that has passed through the middle section cools as it approaches the breathing assistance device 5. At this time, due to condensation, water droplets are generated inside the supply pipe 3 and the breathing assistance device 5. Moreover, the generated water droplets may be sprayed toward the user 900 through the second tubular portion 53. The breathing assistance device 1 in this embodiment has a function to prevent the above situation.

[0248] The breathing assistance device 1 in this embodiment is substantially the same as the device in the first embodiment. The difference between the two is that the form of the supply pipe 3, the gas retention portion 7, the moisture removal portion 8, and the moisture intrusion restriction portion 12 are added. In addition, although the heating unit 9 is not described in the breathing assistance device 1 of the first embodiment, it may also have a heating unit 9.

[0249] In addition, in this embodiment, the breathing assistance device 5 has a gas guiding portion 50 and a connecting portion 51, but it is not limited thereto, and the connecting portion 51 may be omitted and it may be composed only of the gas guiding portion 50. In this case, one end of the first tubular portion 52 of the gas guiding portion 50 is connected to the supply pipe 3, and the other end of the first tubular portion 52 is connected to the gas retention portion 7. Therefore, after this embodiment, the structure in which the first tubular portion 52 is connected to a pair of connecting tubular portions 510 (refer to Figure 24 ), the structure in which a pair of connecting tubular portions 510 are omitted and it is composed only of the first tubular portion 52 (not shown) are regarded as one tubular portion and are called the main tubular portion 54. In addition, the structure including the gas retention portion 7 on the basis of the above method may also be regarded as one tubular portion and regarded as the main tubular portion 54. And the main tubular portion 54 has openings at both ends in the axial direction in any structure. In addition, in this embodiment, the second tubular portion is called the nasal insertion tubular portion.

[0250] <Supply pipe, gas retention portion>

[0251] As Figure 24 shown, the supply pipe 3 in this embodiment is different from the supply pipe in the first embodiment and has no branches. Moreover, the supply pipe 3 in this embodiment is connected to the opening 54A (refer to Figure 25 (B)) at one end of the breathing assistance device 5 (main tubular portion 54).

[0252] As Figure 24As shown, a gas retention part 7 is provided at the other end of the main tubular part 54 to retain the gas that has passed through the main tubular part 54. Specifically, the gas retention part 7 has an internal passage 75 that is open at one end, closed at the other end, and connected to the opening at one end. In the present embodiment, the gas retention part 7 has a gas retention tube 71 with openings at both ends and a plug part 81A that is an exposed part 81 to be described later. Moreover, the gas retention part 7 is connected to the opening 54B (refer to Figure 25 (B)) at the other end of the main tubular part 54 so as to be able to receive the gas passing through the main tubular part 54 along the axial direction of the main tubular part 54. In addition, as shown in Figure 26 (A), the gas retention tube 71 has an opening (hereinafter referred to as a discharge opening) 70 on the side opposite to the opening on the connection side with the main tubular part 54. Moreover, the internal passage 75 of the gas retention tube 71 is open to the outside through the discharge opening 70.

[0253] <Moisture removal part>

[0254] The moisture removal part 8 removes moisture inside at least one of the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5. The moisture removal part 8 can be provided as a moisture removal member in the respiratory assist device 1. Moreover, the moisture removal part 8 in the present embodiment absorbs the moisture inside at least one of the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5 and discharges it to the outside of the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5. The moisture removal part 8 in the present embodiment is composed of a water-absorbing material having water absorption. The water-absorbing material can be a material that allows gas to pass through or a material that blocks gas. As an example of the water-absorbing material, a porous material can be cited. As an example of the porous material, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, a material formed of hollow fibers, a porous water-absorbing polymer, and a porous synthetic resin such as a sponge can be cited. There are a plurality of porous materials as described above, but the moisture removal part 8 can be formed of one porous material or a plurality of porous materials. That is, the moisture removal part 8 only needs to be formed of at least one of the above materials. As shown in Figure 24 , the moisture removal part 8 in the present embodiment has an inner side absorption part 80 and an exposed part 81.

[0255] <Inner side absorption part>

[0256] The inner side absorption part 80 is disposed inside at least one of the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5 and absorbs the moisture inside at least one of the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5. As shown in Figure 24As shown, the inner side absorption part 80 in the present embodiment is composed of a water absorption member 82 that extends from the supply pipe 3 through the respiratory assist device 5 to the vicinity of the end of the gas retention part 7. The water absorption member 82 is made of a water-absorbing material. Moreover, the water absorption member 82 is connected to the exposed part 81 and transfers the absorbed moisture to the exposed part 81. In addition, the water absorption member 82 can be configured as a strip-shaped sheet or as a strip-shaped block having a thickness thicker than that of the strip-shaped sheet. In addition, as Figure 24 shown, it is preferable that the inner side absorption part 80 is provided after the heating part 9 of the supply pipe 3.

[0257] Among them, as Figure 25 (B) of FIG. shows, based on the flow of the gas through the main tubular part 54 (refer to the arrow shown in Figure 25 (A) of FIG., Figure 25 (B) of FIG.), the section on the upstream side in the axial direction of the main tubular part 54 relative to the nose insertion tubular part 53A is defined as the upstream side section T1, the section on the downstream side in the axial direction of the main tubular part 54 relative to the nose insertion tubular part 53B is defined as the downstream side section T3, and the section between the upstream side section T1 and the downstream side section T3 is defined as the central section T2. In addition, when based on the flow of the gas through the main tubular part 54 and the axial direction of the main tubular part 54, the boundary between the upstream side section T1 and the central section T2 can be the most upstream end 53C of the nose insertion tubular part 53A or the most upstream end 529A of the connection port 529. In addition, when based on the flow of the gas through the main tubular part 54 and the axial direction of the main tubular part 54, the boundary between the central section T2 and the downstream side section T3 can be the most downstream end 53D of the nose insertion tubular part 53B or the most upstream end 529B of the connection port 529. In addition, based on the flow of the gas through the main tubular part 54, the nose insertion tubular part 53A is located on the downstream side relative to the nose insertion tubular part 53B.

[0258] As Figure 25 (B) of FIG. shows, it is preferable that the inner side absorption part 80 is disposed at least in the entire section or a part of the section of the upstream side section T1. This is because the inner side absorption part 80 can absorb moisture before the moisture reaches the nose insertion tubular part 53A and can prevent the moisture from being released to the outside through the nose insertion tubular parts 53A and 53B. From this viewpoint, it is particularly preferable that the inner side absorption part 80 is disposed in the section including the terminal of the upstream side section T1 (the most upstream end 53C of the nose insertion tubular part 53A or the most upstream end 529B of the connection port 529).

[0259] In addition, as ​As shown in (B), the inner side absorption part 80 is preferably arranged at least in the whole or a part of the central section T2. This is because, even if there is moisture that has passed through the upstream section T1, the moisture can be absorbed by the inner side absorption part 80 before reaching the nasal insertion tube parts 53A and 53B, and the release of moisture to the outside through the nasal insertion tube parts 53A and 53B can be prevented. In addition, as ​ shown in (B), preferably, the inner side absorption part 80 extends across the boundary between the upstream section T1 and the central section T2.

[0260] In addition, as ​ shown in (B), the inner side absorption part 80 is preferably arranged in the whole or a part of the downstream section T3. This is to remove the moisture that has passed through the central section T2. In addition, preferably, the inner side absorption part 80 extends across the boundary between the central section T2 and the downstream section T3.

[0261] As ​ shown in (A), the inner side absorption part 80 in the present embodiment is configured to continuously extend across the whole or a part of the upstream section T1, the whole of the central section T2, and the whole of the downstream section T3.

[0262] <Exposed part>

[0263] As ​ shown, the exposed part 81 is connected to the inner side absorption part 80 and is exposed to the outside of the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5, and discharges the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption part 80 to the outside. As ​ and ​ shown in (A) of ​ and (B) of

[0264] In addition, the water-absorbing material constituting the plug portion 81A may be a material that allows gas to pass through, but preferably has an air permeability resistance of a specific magnitude or more. This is because if the air permeability resistance is of a specific magnitude or more, the gas supply amount (gas flow rate) per unit time supplied to the user 900 through the nasal insertion tube portions 53A and 53B can be sufficiently ensured. In addition, the water-absorbing material becomes more airtight by absorbing moisture. If the moisture content of the water-absorbing material increases, the amount of gas passing through the plug portion 81A per unit time decreases, and accordingly, the gas supply amount (gas flow rate) per unit time passing through the nasal insertion tube portions 53A and 53B increases. To control the gas supply amount (gas flow rate), as ​ shown, for example, an internal pressure measurement unit (internal pressure measurement sensor) 90 capable of measuring the internal pressure and a gas supply amount measurement unit (gas flow rate measurement unit) 91 capable of measuring the gas flow rate inside the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5 (for example, inside the main tubular portion 54 or inside the nasal insertion tube portion 53A (nasal insertion tube portion 53B)) may be provided at any position inside the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assist device 5. In this case, the gas supply source 2 may also vary the gas supply amount (gas flow rate) based on the measurement results of the internal pressure measurement unit (internal pressure measurement sensor) 90 and the gas supply amount measurement unit (gas flow rate measurement unit) 91 in order to keep the gas supply amount (gas flow rate) per unit time supplied to the user 900 constant. In addition, ​ the configuration of the internal pressure measurement unit (internal pressure measurement sensor) 90 and the gas supply amount measurement unit (gas flow rate measurement unit) shown is an example, and they may also be arranged at other locations where the gas supply amount (gas flow rate) per unit time passing through the nasal insertion tube portions 53A and 53B can be grasped.

[0265] The moisture transferred from the water-absorbing member 82 is absorbed by the plug portion 81A and temporarily held by the plug portion 81A. In addition, the plug portion 81A is exposed to the outside at the discharge opening 70 of the gas retention tube 71. Therefore, the moisture contained in the plug portion 81A is dried and vaporized by the outside air. In addition, since there is a flow of gas transported through the supply tube 3 on the inner side of the gas retention tube 71, the inner side of the plug portion 81A is also dried by the flow of this gas. As a result, the vaporization of the moisture contained in the plug portion 81A is promoted.

[0266] In addition, when the part including the gas retention tube 71 is regarded as the main tubular part 54, it can be said that the plug part 81A closes the discharge opening 70 of the gas retention tube 71, that is, the plug part 81A closes the discharge opening 70 of the main tubular part 54. Alternatively, the gas retention tube 71 can be omitted, and the opening at the other end of the main tubular part 54 can be configured as the discharge opening 70. In this case, the plug part 81A also closes the discharge opening 70 of the main tubular part 54.

[0267] <Water intrusion restricting part>

[0268] As ​ shown in (B) of ​ and (C) of

[0269]

[0270] <Modification of the third embodiment>

[0271] ​ Refer to ​ and ​ to describe the modification of this embodiment. In the modification of this embodiment, as ​ and ​ shown, the exposed part 81 is also composed of a water-absorbing member 82, and the water-absorbing member 82 is integrally formed with the exposed part 81 and the inner-side absorbing part 80. In addition, the gas retention part 7 has a discharge opening 70 at its end. The discharge opening 70 has a size that allows the water-absorbing member 82 to pass through. Moreover, as ​As shown, the internal side section (absorption side section) Q1 of the breathing assist device 5 and the supply pipe 3 in the water absorption member 82 constitutes the internal side absorption section 80, and the external side section (exposed side section) Q2 of the breathing assist device 5 and the supply pipe 3 in the water absorption member 82 constitutes the exposed section 81. In addition, the internal side section (absorption side section) Q1 refers to the section up to the vicinity of the discharge opening 70, and the external side section (exposed side section) Q2 refers to the section after the internal side section (absorption side section) Q1 including the discharge opening 70. In addition, the water absorption member 82 may be formed by connecting a plurality of water absorption member sheets.

[0272] The gas retention section 7 is closed at its end by the closed section 72 formed with the discharge opening 70. The closed section 72 is preferably configured to be detachable from the gas retention section 7. In this modified example, as ​ (A) of FIG. shows, the internal side absorption section 80 and the exposed section 81 are connected to each other at the discharge opening 70. At this time, it is preferably configured such that no gap is provided between the discharge opening 70 and the water absorption member 82. This is because if a gap is provided, gas will leak to the outside from this gap, and in order to supply the desired amount of gas to the user 900, the power consumption of the gas supply source 2 may increase compared to the case where there is no leakage. In addition, the exposed side section of the water absorption member 82 corresponding to the exposed section 81 protrudes outward from the closed section 72 (discharge opening 70) and has a predetermined length. Since the more moisture temporarily held by the exposed section 81, the better, it is preferably as long as possible, but if it is too long, the user 900 is likely to directly contact the exposed section 81. Therefore, the length of the exposed side section of the water absorption member 82 is determined in consideration of the above aspects.

[0273] In addition, as ​ (B) of FIG. shows, the discharge opening 70 may also be configured to have a size such that a gap 74 is provided between a part of the water absorption member 82 corresponding to the exposed section 81. And if a gap 74 is provided between the discharge opening 70 and the water absorption member 82, the gas inside the gas retention section 7 leaks from the gap 74. When the area through which the gas leaking from the gap 74 passes is defined as the gas passage area P, the exposed section 81 has an overlapping area S on its surface that overlaps with the gas passage area P. As a result, gas is blown to the overlapping area S of the exposed section 81 and its peripheral area. The air flow caused by this leakage sucks in the surrounding air, generating a stronger air flow. As a result, the drying of the exposed section 81 is promoted, and the moisture contained in the exposed section 81 is vaporized in a short time. In addition, ​ (B) of FIG. shows that the overlapping area S is the entire surface of the exposed section 81.

[0274] In addition, as ​As shown in (A) of FIG. , in order to prevent the user 900 from directly contacting the exposed portion 81, a cover portion 73 surrounding the protruding region 83 (hereinafter referred to as the protruding region) of the exposed portion 81 protruding from the discharge opening 70 may be provided. However, if the exposure of the exposed portion 81 is restricted, moisture cannot be discharged. Therefore, the material constituting the cover portion 73 preferably includes a material that allows gas to pass through. As a material that allows gas to pass through, a mesh material having a mesh structure is preferably used. If the surrounding of the protruding region 83 of the exposed portion 81 is covered with a mesh structure material, the user 900 can be prevented from directly contacting the exposed portion 81, and the vaporized moisture can be efficiently discharged.

[0275] In addition, a part of the gas retention portion 7 including the discharge opening 70 may also be regarded as the main tubular portion 54. In this case, the discharge opening 70 of the closing portion 72 is regarded as the main tubular portion 54 of the main tubular portion 54. Alternatively, the gas retention portion 7 may be omitted, and the opening at the other end of the main tubular portion 54 may be configured as the discharge opening 70.

[0276] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0277] Referring to ​ , the breathing assistance device 1 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The breathing assistance device 1 in the present embodiment, like the case of the third embodiment, particularly has a function of preventing water droplets generated inside the supply pipe 3 and the breathing assistance device 5 due to condensation from being ejected toward the user 900 through the second tubular portion 53. The breathing assistance device 1 in the present embodiment is substantially the same as the breathing assistance device in the first embodiment. The difference between the two lies in the presence or absence of the moisture removal portion 8. In addition, as ​ shown, in the present embodiment, different from the case of the third embodiment, there is no gas retention portion 7, and like the case of the first embodiment, there are branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B.

[0278] The inner side absorption portion 80 of the moisture removal portion 8 in the present embodiment has the same structure as that in the third embodiment, but the structure of the exposed portion 81 is different. As ​ shown, the exposed portion 81 in the present embodiment is provided on the main tubular portion 54. Moreover, as ​ shown in (A) to (C) of FIG. , the exposed portion 81 forms a part of the peripheral wall 55 of the main tubular portion 54. The outer peripheral surface 81B of the exposed portion 81 is exposed to the outside, and the inner peripheral surface 81C of the exposed portion 81 on the side opposite to the outer peripheral surface 81B is in contact with the inner side absorption portion 80.

[0279] Among them, according to the <Third Embodiment>, as ​ shown in (B) of FIG. , the flow of gas through the main tubular portion 54 (refer to ​Based on the arrows shown in (A) to (C), the first upstream section T4, the central section T5, and the second upstream section T6 are defined. In the present embodiment, since gas is supplied from both the left and right sides in the axial direction of the main tubular portion 54, the sections on both sides of the central section T5 become upstream sections on both sides when based on the flow of the gas passing through the main tubular portion 54, and thus are expressed as the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6. The first upstream section T4 refers to the section on the upstream side in the axial direction of the main tubular portion 54 with respect to the nasal insertion tubular portion 53B based on the flow of the gas supplied from the branch tube piece 3B. The second upstream section T6 refers to the section on the upstream side in the axial direction of the main tubular portion 54 with respect to the nasal insertion tubular portion 53B based on the flow of the gas supplied from the branch tube piece 3B. The central section T5 refers to the section between the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6. In addition, when based on the flow of the gas supplied from the branch tube piece 3A and passing through the main tubular portion 54 and the axial direction of the main tubular portion 54, the boundary between the first upstream section T4 and the central section T5 may be the most upstream end portion 53C of the nasal insertion tubular portion 53A, or may be the most upstream end portion 529A of the communication port 529. Further, when based on the flow of the gas supplied from the branch tube piece 3B and passing through the main tubular portion 54 and the axial direction of the main tubular portion 54, the boundary between the central section T2 and the second upstream section T6 may be the most upstream end portion 53E of the nasal insertion tubular portion 53B, or may be the most upstream end portion 529C of the communication port 529.

[0280] As ​ shown in (A) ​ and (B) of this embodiment, the exposed portions 81 may also be provided in plural in a separated state. In this case, each exposed portion 81 may also be provided separately by section in any one, or two, or all of the first upstream section T4, the central section T5, and the second upstream section T6. Further, the exposed portions 81 may also be provided continuously in a manner that straddles adjacent sections among the first upstream section T4, the central section T5, and the second upstream section T6. That is, the exposed portions 81 may be provided to straddle the first upstream section T4 and the central section T5, may be provided to straddle the central section T5 and the second upstream section T6, or may be provided to straddle the first upstream section T4, the central section T5, and the second upstream section T6. In addition, in the present embodiment, the exposed portions 81 in the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6 are provided on the first tubular portion 52, but are not limited thereto, and may also be provided as a part of the peripheral wall forming any one of the pair of communication tubular portions 510. Various combinations of the above-described manners of the exposed portions 81 are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0281] If the exposed portion 81 is provided in the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6, the moisture absorbed by the inner side absorbing portion 80 is absorbed by the exposed portion 81 before reaching the nasal insertion tubular portions 53A and 53B. Therefore, the possibility of moisture reaching the nasal insertion tubular portions 53A and 53B can be reduced. In addition, the inner side absorbing portion 80 sometimes absorbs moisture that is not captured in the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6 in the central section T5. In this case, in order to release this moisture to the outside not in the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6 but in the central section T5, it is preferable that the exposed portion 81 is provided in the central section T5.

[0282] In addition, as ​ (A) of ​ (B) of ​ shows, the inner side absorbing portion 80 in the present embodiment is continuous in a manner that straddles each of the first upstream section T4, the central section T5, and the second upstream section T6, but is not limited thereto. As

[0283] shown in ​ (C) of

[0284] shows, the inner side absorbing portion 80 may straddle two adjacent sections but is not continuous and is discontinuous in the middle. The inner side absorbing portion 80 may also be provided in any one section without straddling two adjacent sections. In addition, the inner side absorbing portion 80 may be provided in at least one of the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6. In particular, the inner side absorbing portion 80 is preferably provided in the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6. This is to capture moisture before it reaches the nasal insertion tubular portions 53A and 53B. In order to capture moisture that cannot be captured by the inner side absorbing portion 80 in the first upstream section T4 and the second upstream section T6, it is preferable to provide the inner side absorbing portion 80 in the central section T5. However, even if the inner side absorbing portion 80 is provided in any of the above manners, the inner side absorbing portion 80 is preferably provided in contact with the exposed portion 81.

[0283] In addition, as ​ shown, the exposed portion 81 is preferably provided in the opposite side region (opposite side peripheral wall: the same applies hereinafter) 55B of the opposed region (opposed peripheral wall: the same applies hereinafter) 55A of the main tubular portion 54 that is opposed to the skin surface 930A under the nose of the face 940 of the user 900. This is to prevent the water vapor vaporized from the exposed portion 81 from always being released to the skin of the user 900.

[0284] In addition, the exposed portion 81 is preferably disposed at a position where it is easily dried in the opposite side region 55B. Therefore, as ​As shown, when the area through which the exhaled breath released from the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900 passes is defined as the exhalation passage area V, the exposed portion 81 is preferably also provided in the opposite area 55B in the overlapping area that overlaps with the exhalation passage area V. This is because, since the exhaled breath is blown in the overlapping area, the exposed portion 81 is effectively dried by the exhaled breath, thereby promoting the vaporization of the moisture contained in the exposed portion 81. The exposed portion 81 provided in all or a part of the overlapping area faces the side opposite to the face 940 of the user 900 (the skin surface 930A under the nose of the face 940 of the user 900), and at least a part of the area of the exposed portion 81 faces the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900.

[0285] <Modification Example of the Fourth Embodiment>

[0286] In the modification example of the present embodiment, as ​ shown, the exposed portion 81 (81A) may also be provided so as to form a part of the peripheral wall of the supply pipe 3 (branch pipe pieces 3A and 3B). The structure of the exposed portion 81 (81A) at this time is the same as the structure of the exposed portion 81 of the present embodiment.

[0287] In addition, similarly to the case of the modification example of the third embodiment, a discharge opening through which the water absorption member 82 integrally formed with the internal side absorption portion 80 and the exposed portion 81 (81B) passes may be provided in the peripheral wall of the supply pipe 3 and the peripheral wall of the main tubular portion 54. At this discharge opening, the internal side absorption portion 80 is connected to the exposed portion 81 (81B). A cover portion (not shown) may also be provided on the exposed portion 81 (81B) in the same manner as the modification example of the third embodiment.

[0288] The internal side absorption portions 80 in the above-described third and fourth embodiments are continuous, but a plurality of them may be provided discontinuously in each section. In this case, the plurality of internal side absorption portions 80 are arranged discontinuously from each other, for example, on the supply pipe 3, the main tubular portion 54, and the gas retention portion 7 (gas retention pipe 71). Moreover, at least one exposed portion 81 corresponding to each internal side absorption portion 80 is provided on the supply pipe 3, the main tubular portion 54, and the gas retention portion 7, respectively. The exposed portion 81 may form the peripheral wall of each part at this position, or may be provided so that the internal side absorption portion 80 is connected to the exposed portion 81 at the discharge opening provided in each part. The exposed portion 81 of the fourth embodiment may also be added to the third embodiment.

[0289] In the first to fourth embodiments, as an example, the second tubular portion 53 is configured as a nasal insertion tubular portion that is inserted into the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the second tubular portion 53 may also have an ejection port that can face the nostrils 910A and 910B or the mouth 920 of the user 900 and can eject the gas passing through the main tubular portion 54 to the outside, and may be extended to an ejection portion provided in the middle of the main tubular portion. That is to say, the ejection portion naturally includes a structure such as the second tubular portion 53 that is inserted into the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900, but not only that, it also includes a structure that is not inserted into the nostrils 910A and 910B of the user 900 and is arranged in the vicinity of the nostrils 910A and 910B with the ejection port facing the nostrils 910A and 910B, and a structure in which the ejection port faces the mouth 920 in the vicinity of the mouth 920. Therefore, the respiratory assistance device 5 having an ejection portion includes not only nasal cannulas, but also, for example, nasal masks, face masks, etc. used in CPAP. In particular, the respiratory assistance device and the respiratory assistance apparatus in the third to fourth embodiments are useful not only for nasal cannulas, but also for, for example, nasal masks, face masks, etc. used in CPAP because one of their functions includes removing moisture generated inside the supply tube 3 and the respiratory assistance device 5 due to condensation. In addition, the ejection portion may be only one or may be plural. In addition, the ejection portion may be configured as a tube as in the present embodiment, or may be configured as a hole (ejection port) that penetrates the peripheral wall of the first tubular portion 52 in the middle of the first tubular portion 52.

[0290] <Fifth Embodiment>

[0291] Refer to ​ The respiratory assistance device 1 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the respiratory assistance device 1 further has a nasal region protection portion 11 on the basis of the respiratory assistance device 1 in the first to fourth embodiments. When the user 900 wears the respiratory assistance device 1 in the present embodiment, when the respiratory assistance device side holding portion 60 is in long-term contact with the skin of the nasal region 930 of the user 900, the user 900 may feel discomfort caused by sweat on the skin of the nasal region 930. The nasal region protection portion 11 is used to reduce the above discomfort of the user 900.

[0292] After the user 900 wears the respiratory assistance device 1 in the present embodiment, as shown in (B) of ​ , the nasal region protection portion 11 is interposed between the respiratory assistance device side holding portion 60 and the nasal region 930 of the user 900, and protects the skin surface of the nasal region 930 of the user 900 from the respiratory assistance device side holding portion 60. In the present embodiment, as shown in (A) of ​ , ​As shown in (B), the subnasal region protection part 11 has, for example, a protection sheet part 110 and a mounting mechanism 111.

[0293] When the user 900 wears the respiratory assistance device 1 in the present embodiment, the protection sheet part 110 is interposed between the subnasal region 930 of the user 900 and the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60, and abuts against the subnasal region 930 of the user 900 to protect the subnasal region 930. As ​ in (A), ​ As shown in (B), the protection sheet part 110 is formed of, for example, a strip-shaped sheet, but is not limited thereto, and may be a sheet of other shapes. The protection sheet part 110 is preferably formed of a water-absorbing material having water absorbency that can absorb sweat of the user 900 and excess moisture contained in the inhaled or exhaled gas, and / or a breathable material through which gas can pass. In addition, the protection sheet part 110 is preferably formed of a material that can be deformed and has flexibility and / or stretchability. As an example of the water-absorbing material and / or the breathable material, a porous material can be cited as an example. As the water-absorbing material, a water-absorbing polymer can be cited as an example. As the water-absorbing material and / or the breathable material, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, materials formed of hollow fibers, porous water-absorbing polymers, and porous synthetic resins such as sponges can be cited. The material of the protection sheet part 110 can be selected from a plurality of types as described above, but the protection sheet part 110 may be formed of a single porous material or a combination of a plurality of porous materials. That is, the protection sheet part 110 only needs to be formed of at least one of the above materials.

[0294] Here, the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60 will be additionally explained. In ​ in (A), if it is assumed that the protection sheet part 110 does not exist, all or part of the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60 directly contacts the subnasal region 930 of the user. Hereinafter, the direct contact area between the two can be defined as the skin surface contact area 930B. The protection sheet part 110 is located at least in part in the skin surface contact area 930B, separating the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60 from the subnasal region 930. As a result, the area of direct contact between the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60 and the subnasal region 930 can be reduced.

[0295] As ​ As shown in (A), the mounting mechanism 111 mounts the protection sheet part 110 such that one flat surface part 110A of the protection sheet part 110 faces the back side surface 60B of the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60. In addition, the back side surface 60B of the respiratory assistance device side holding part 60 is the surface facing the user 900 side. The mounting mechanism 111 has, for example, a pair of engaged parts 112 provided on the protection sheet part 110 (see ​(A)) and a pair of engaging portions 114 provided on the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 and respectively engaging with a pair of engaged portions 112 (see ​ (C)). In addition, the pair of engaged portions 112 are provided at both ends or near both ends in the long side direction of the protective sheet portion 110.

[0296] As ​ (A) shows, the engaged portion 112 is a member formed in a rope shape or a band shape here, and both ends of itself are joined to the protective sheet portion 110 at intervals in the width direction of the protective sheet portion 110. As a result, the engaged portion 112 is configured to be annular in cooperation with the protective sheet portion 110, thereby forming an opening. In addition, the engaged portion 112 may be made of the same material as the protective sheet portion 110 or may be made of a different material. Here, an example is shown in which an opening is formed by the engaged portion 112 being in a belt shape (wheel shape or cylindrical shape), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the opening may be formed in a bottomed cap shape. In addition, the opening may be formed by a slit or a through hole in the sheet material of the protective sheet portion 110.

[0297] As ​ (C) shows, the engaging portion 114 is constituted by, for example, the front surface 60A near the end of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 and the stepped surface 61A of the supply tube holding portion 61 (base portion 66). The stepped surface 61A has a mounting surface piece 61B, a restricting surface piece 61C, and an opposing surface piece 61D. The mounting surface piece 61B is a surface that abuts against the front surface 60A of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 when the supply tube holding portion 61 (base portion 66) is mounted on the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60. The restricting surface piece 61C is a surface that is continuous with the end of the mounting surface piece 61B and stands up in a direction away from the front surface 60A. The opposing surface piece 61D is a surface that is continuous with the end of the restricting surface piece 61C, provides a gap space between it and the front surface 60A of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60, and extends toward the end of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60. The opposing surface piece 61D preferably extends in the length direction of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60.

[0298] More specifically, the engaging portion 114 has a concave region 113 surrounded by the restricting surface piece 61C, the opposing surface piece 61D, and the front surface 60A of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60. The engaged portion 112 can be inserted into the concave region 113 from an insertion port 113A formed between the distal end of the opposing surface piece 61D and the distal end of the front surface 60A with the restricting surface piece 61C as a reference. As a result, the vicinity of the end of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 is inserted into the opening of the engaged portion 112, and the engaging portion 114 engages with the engaged portion 112. As a result, the protective sheet portion 110 is mounted on the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60.

[0299] In addition, the engaging manner between the engaging portion 114 and the engaged portion 112 is not limited to the manner described above. For example, as the engaging manner between the engaging portion 114 and the engaged portion 112, a structure in which the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side and the protective sheet portion 110 are engaged with each other in the belt length direction is preferred. The engaging portion 114 can also adopt various structures having a first restricting surface (corresponding to the restricting piece 61C in the present embodiment) that restricts the movement of the engaged portion 112 from both end sides or near both end sides of the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side toward the center side. Additionally, for example, as the engaging manner between the engaging portion 114 and the engaged portion 112, a structure in which the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side and the protective sheet portion 110 are engaged with each other in the user 900 direction is preferred. The engaging portion 114 can adopt various structures having a second restricting surface (corresponding to the front surface 60A of the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side in the present embodiment) that prevents the protective sheet portion 110 from detaching toward the user 900 side. Furthermore, as the engaging manner between the engaging portion 114 and the engaged portion 112, a structure in which the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side and the protective sheet portion 110 are engaged with each other in the belt width direction is preferred. This can be achieved by the opening of the engaged portion 112 and the hooking of the end portion of the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side inserted therein. As described above, by engaging (hooking) the pair of engaged portions 112 with the corresponding pair of engaging portions 114 respectively, the protective sheet portion 110 is attached to the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side.

[0300] Preferably, at least one of the protective sheet portion 110 and the engaged portion 112 is made of a material having stretchability (elasticity). When the protective sheet portion 110 in the present embodiment is attached by the attachment mechanism 111, as shown in (A) of ​ , both ends or the vicinity of both ends of the protective sheet portion 110 are in contact with the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side. On the other hand, at least the central region of the flat portion 110A of the protective sheet portion 110 is separated from the back surface 60B of the holding portion 60 on the breathing assistance device side. That is, in the attached state, the distance S1 between the pair of attachment mechanisms 111 in the protective sheet portion 110 and the engaged portion 112 is set to be smaller than the surface distance (distance along the back surface 60B) S2 between the pair of attachment mechanisms 111 on the back surface 60B. Additionally, in ​In (A) above, the above-mentioned distance S1 is the distance along the protective sheet portion 110, which corresponds to the shortest distance between the protective sheet portion 110 and a pair of mounting mechanisms 111 in the engaged portion 112. At this time, the protective sheet portion 110 is preferably in a state of extending straight without bending. If it is in this state, a tension acts on the protective sheet portion 110, and it is difficult to disengage from the holding portion 60 on the side of the respiratory assistance device. In other words, the distance (not shown) between a pair of engaged portions 112 in the protective sheet portion 110 in the detached state (non-elongated state) is set to be smaller than the distance S1 in the mounted state or to be equal to or less than the distance S1 in the mounted state.

[0301] As ​ As shown in (B) above, when the user 900 wears the respiratory assistance device 1, the protective sheet portion 110 and / or the engaged portion 112 are pressed by the subnasal region 930 of the user 900 and further elongated, and are deformed so as to protrude toward the back surface 60B of the holding portion 60 on the side of the respiratory assistance device. As a result, the protective sheet portion 110 comes into contact with the back surface 60B of the holding portion 60 on the side of the respiratory assistance device. That is, it is preferably configured such that the distance S1 in the belt length direction of the protective sheet portion 110 and the engaged portion 112 can be deformed to the surface distance S2 along the back surface 60B by its own elongation.

[0302] During the use by the user 900, the restoring force (elastic force) of at least one of the protective sheet portion 110 and the engaged portion 112 acts. Due to this restoring force, the protective sheet portion 110 is pressed against the user 900. As a result, the deviation between the protective sheet portion 110 and the subnasal region 930 of the user 900 can be suppressed. In addition, as ​ As shown in (B) above, the bandwidth of the protective sheet portion 110 is preferably set to be equal to or greater than the bandwidth of the holding portion 60 on the side of the respiratory assistance device.

[0303] Regarding the belt length and bandwidth of the protective sheet portion 110, it is only necessary that the area of direct contact between the subnasal region 930 and the holding portion 60 on the side of the respiratory assistance device can be reduced when the user 900 wears the respiratory assistance device 1 in the present embodiment, and it is not limited thereto. That is, the protective sheet portion 110 only needs to be able to be interposed between at least a part of the holding portion 60 on the side of the respiratory assistance device and the subnasal region 930.

[0304] For example, when the protective sheet portion 110 is installed through the mounting mechanism 111, as ​ shown in the first modification of the fifth embodiment of (A) above, it may be a state where no tension is applied to the protective sheet portion 110. Even in this case, when the user 900 wears the respiratory assistance device 1, as ​As shown in (B) thereof, it is preferable that the protective piece portion 110 and / or the engaged portion 112 be elongated to a state in which tension is applied to the protective piece portion 110. That is, even in the initial installed state, as long as the protective piece portion 110 is not under tension, it is sufficient that tension is applied at any time before the installation is completed when the protective piece portion 110 is in contact with the back surface 60B of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60.

[0305] In addition, in the fifth embodiment, a case where the protective piece portion 110 is fixed only by the mounting mechanisms 111 disposed at both ends of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As ​ As shown in the second modification of the fifth embodiment of (B), it is preferable to additionally provide a fixing portion 111A for fixing the protective piece portion 110 to the back surface 60B of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 on the central side in the longitudinal direction of the back surface 60B of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60. As a result, from the very beginning when the protective piece portion 110 is mounted on the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 by the mounting mechanisms 111 and the fixing portion 111A, the protective piece portion 110 is bent along the back surface 60B of the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60.

[0306] In addition, the protective piece portion 110 can also be applied to other medical devices that can abut against any area of the face 940 of the user 900. In the first to fourth embodiments, the wearing portion 6 (respiratory assist device side holding portion 60) corresponds to this medical device, but this medical device is not limited thereto, and all medical devices that can abut against any area of the face 940 of the user 900 are included in this medical device. Even in such a case, when the user 900 wears this medical device, the protective piece portion 110 is interposed between this medical device and the area of the face 940 of the user 900 corresponding to this medical device, and abuts against the area of the face 940 of the user 900 corresponding to this medical device. Moreover, when the description in the present embodiment is also applied to this medical device, it is only necessary to replace the subnasal region 930 of the user 900 with the area of the face 940 of the user 900 against which this medical device can abut, and replace the respiratory assist device side holding portion 60 with this medical device. Further expanding the scope, the present invention can also be applied to devices other than medical devices.

[0307] In addition, the respiratory assist device, the respiratory assist apparatus, and the moisture removing member of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can of course be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Moreover, all combinations obtained by appropriately combining the constituent elements of the first to fifth embodiments are of course included in the respiratory assist device, the respiratory assist apparatus, and the moisture removing member of the present invention.

[0308] Description of Reference Numerals

[0309] 1 Respiratory assistance device

[0310] 2 Gas supply source

[0311] 3 Supply pipe

[0312] 3A, 3B Branch pipe pieces

[0313] 4 Humidifier

[0314] 5 Respiratory assistance appliance

[0315] 6 Wearing part

[0316] 7 Gas retention part

[0317] 8 Moisture removal part

[0318] 9 Heating part

[0319] 10 Oscillation mechanism

[0320] 10A First oscillation mechanism piece

[0321] 10B Second oscillation mechanism piece

[0322] 11 Subnasal region protection part

[0323] 16 Connection part

[0324] 50 Gas guiding part

[0325] 51 Communication part

[0326] 52 First tubular part

[0327] 53, 53A, 53B Second tubular part (nasal insertion tubular part)

[0328] 54 Main tubular part

[0329] 55 Peripheral wall

[0330] 55A Opposite region

[0331] 55B Opposite side region

[0332] 60 Respiratory assistance appliance side holding part

[0333] 61 Supply pipe holding part

[0334] 62 Belt part

[0335] 63 Concave part

[0336] 64 Restraining piece

[0337] 64A Convex surface

[0338] 64B Concave surface

[0339] 65 area

[0340] 70 discharge opening

[0341] 71 gas retention pipe

[0342] 72 closing part

[0343] 73 cover part

[0344] 74 gap

[0345] 75 internal passage

[0346] 80 internal side absorption part

[0347] 82 water absorption member

[0348] 81 exposed part

[0349] 81A plug part

[0350] 81B outer wall surface

[0351] 81C inner wall surface

[0352] 110 protection sheet part

[0353] 111 mounting mechanism

[0354] 170 valley area

[0355] 510 connecting tubular part

[0356] 511 connecting tubular side holding part

[0357] 512 holding main body part

[0358] 512A convex part

[0359] 513 connecting part

[0360] 514 gas guiding part side tubular piece

[0361] 515 supply pipe side tubular piece

[0362] 516 connecting structure

[0363] 517, 517A, 517B, 517C, 517D engaging parts

[0364] 518A, 518B stoppers

[0365] 520 opening

[0366] 521 internal passage

[0367] 522 first tubular piece

[0368] 523 Telescopic structure piece

[0369] 524 Second tubular piece

[0370] 525 Pipe main body part

[0371] 526 Reduced diameter part

[0372] 526A Innermost surface

[0373] 526B Region near the inner side

[0374] 526C Region near the outer side

[0375] 527 Outlet opening

[0376] 528 Internal passage

[0377] 529 Connection port

[0378] 900 User

[0379] 910 Nose

[0380] 910A, 910B Nostrils

[0381] 920 Mouth

[0382] 930 Subnasal region

[0383] 940 Face

[0384] V Exhalation passage area

[0385] KR1 First engagement region (first axial engagement region)

[0386] KR2 Second engagement region (second axial engagement region)

[0387] YK1 First swing engagement region

[0388] YK2 Second swing engagement region

[0389] T1 Central interval

[0390] T2 End interval

Claims

1. A breathing assistance device that guides the gas supplied from a supply pipe through which the gas passes to the nostrils of a user, characterized in that, It has: A first tubular part through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, is arranged in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal region between the user's nose and mouth, and has a telescopic structure capable of telescoping along its own axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the first tubular side axial direction); and A pair of second tubular parts, branching from the first tubular part, and configured to be insertable into the user's nostrils, and configured to be able to eject the gas passing through the first tubular part from its outlet opening, The breathing assist device is configured to be able to change the interval between the pair of second tubular parts by telescoping the first tubular part along the first tubular side axial direction.

2. The breathing assist device according to claim 1, wherein It has an interval changing mechanism, the interval changing mechanism is connected to the first tubular part, and can guide the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular part, and allows or restricts the telescoping of the first tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, thereby allowing or restricting the change of the interval between the pair of second tubular parts in the first tubular side axial direction.

3. The breathing assist device according to claim 2, wherein The interval changing mechanism has: A pair of connecting tubular parts, respectively connected to both ends of the first tubular part, and capable of guiding the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular part; and A pair of connection position changing mechanisms, formed between the first tubular part and the pair of connecting tubular parts, and allow or restrict the change of the relative connection position (hereinafter referred to as the relative connection position) between the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, If the relative connection position between the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part is changed by using the pair of connection position changing mechanisms, the telescopic structure telescopes with the change of the relative connection position, and the interval between the pair of second tubular parts is changed.

4. The breathing assist device according to claim 3, wherein The first tubular part and the connecting tubular part are connected in such a way that when the relative connection position between the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part is changed by the connection position changing mechanism, the length (hereinafter referred to as the axial length) of the overlapping region where the first tubular part and the connecting tubular part overlap in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the connecting side axial direction) of the connecting tubular part is changed.

5. The breathing assist device according to claim 3, wherein The connection position changing mechanism has: A pair of first axial engagement regions, provided on both sides of the first tubular part based on the center of the first tubular part in the first tubular side axial direction; and A second axial engagement region, respectively provided on the pair of connecting tubular parts, overlapping with the first axial engagement region when the pair of connecting tubular parts are respectively connected to the first tubular part, and engaging with the first axial engagement region in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the connecting side axial direction) of the connecting tubular part, The first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region are configured such that as the relative connection position changes, a engagement overlapping region where the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region overlap and engage changes within a specified range in the connection side axial direction. By applying an external force, the engagement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is released, allowing relative movement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region, and thus allowing change in the range of the engagement overlapping region. When the external force is released, the relative movement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is restricted by the engagement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region, and thus the change in the range of the engagement overlapping region is restricted.

6. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 5, wherein At least one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is made of an elastically deformable material. By applying an external force, at least one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region made of an elastically deformable material elastically deforms, and the engagement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region is released.

7. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein Either the first axial engagement region or the second axial engagement region has at least one protrusion, and at least one of the protrusions protrudes toward the remaining one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region in a state of mutual engagement. The remaining one of the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region has a plurality of engagement portions, and the plurality of engagement portions are provided at intervals in the first tubular side axial direction or the connection side axial direction, and are configured to respectively face the direction of the protrusion and be able to engage with the protrusion in a state of mutual engagement. The respiratory assistance device is configured such that the protrusion and the engagement portion engage in the connection side axial direction, thereby restricting relative movement between the first axial engagement region and the second axial engagement region.

8. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 2, wherein It has a swing mechanism that allows or restricts the swing of the second tubular portion around the central axis of the first tubular portion according to the magnitude of the applied external force.

9. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 8, wherein The interval change mechanism has a connection tubular portion that is connected to the end of the first tubular portion and can guide the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular portion. The swing mechanism is configured to allow or restrict relative rotation of the first tubular portion with respect to at least a part of the connection tubular portion around at least a part of the connection tubular portion as an axis, and allow or restrict relative swing of the second tubular portion with respect to at least a part of the connection tubular portion in the circumferential direction of the connection tubular portion according to the magnitude of the applied external force.

10. The breathing assistance device according to claim 9, characterized in that the swing mechanism has: a first swing engagement area provided on the first tubular portion; and a second swing engagement area provided on the connecting tubular portion, which overlaps with the first swing engagement area when the connecting tubular portion is connected to the first tubular portion, and engages with the first swing engagement area in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion. By applying an external force, the engagement between the first swing engagement area and the second swing engagement area is released, allowing the relative rotation of the first tubular portion and the relative swing of the second tubular portion. When the external force is released, the relative rotation of the first tubular portion and the relative swing of the second tubular portion are restricted by the engagement between the first swing engagement area and the second swing engagement area.

11. The breathing assistance device according to claim 10, characterized in that the interval changing mechanism has a connection position changing mechanism, and the connection position changing mechanism is configured to allow or restrict the change of the relative connection position (hereinafter referred to as the relative connection position) between the first tubular portion and the connecting tubular portions according to the magnitude of the applied external force between the first tubular portion and the pair of connecting tubular portions. If the relative connection position between the first tubular portion and the connecting tubular portions is changed by using the connection position changing mechanism, the telescopic structure expands and contracts as the relative connection position changes, and the interval between the pair of second tubular portions is changed. The connection position changing mechanism has: a pair of first axial engagement areas provided on both sides of the first tubular portion based on the center of the first tubular portion in the axial direction of the first tubular side; and a second axial engagement area provided on each of the pair of connecting tubular portions, which overlaps with the first axial engagement area when each of the pair of connecting tubular portions is connected to the first tubular portion, and engages with the first axial engagement area in the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion (hereinafter referred to as the connecting side axial direction). The first axial engagement area and the second axial engagement area are configured such that as the relative connection position changes, the engagement overlapping area where the first axial engagement area and the second axial engagement area overlap and engage changes within a specified range in the connecting side axial direction. At least a part of the first axial engagement area and the first swing engagement area is shared. At least a part of the second axial engagement area and the second swing engagement area is shared.

12. The breathing assistance device according to claim 8, characterized in that the interval changing mechanism has a pair of connecting tubular portions, each of the pair of connecting tubular portions is connected to both ends of the first tubular portion, and can guide the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular portion. When the first tubular part is divided into two regions with the center of the axial direction of the first tubular side as a reference, and the region on one side of the first tubular part connected to the connecting tubular part on one side (hereinafter referred to as the first connecting tubular part) is defined as the first region, and the region on the other side of the first tubular part connected to the connecting tubular part on the other side (hereinafter referred to as the second connecting tubular part) is defined as the second region, The swing mechanism has: A first swing mechanism piece that allows or restricts the relative rotation of the first region relative to at least a part of the first connecting tubular part about at least a part of the first connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, and allows or restricts the relative swing of one of the second tubular parts in the circumferential direction of the first connecting tubular part; And A second swing mechanism piece that allows or restricts the relative rotation of the second region relative to at least a part of the second connecting tubular part about at least a part of the second connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, and allows or restricts the relative swing of the other second tubular part in the circumferential direction of the second connecting tubular part.

13. The respiratory assist device according to claim 12, wherein The first swing mechanism piece and the second swing mechanism piece operate independently of each other.

14. The respiratory assist device according to claim 12, wherein When the relative angle of the other second tubular part with respect to one second tubular part is less than a threshold value, the first swing mechanism piece and the second swing mechanism piece operate independently of each other, and when the relative angle is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the relative swing is restricted by the restoring force caused by the torsion of the first tubular part.

15. The breathing assistance device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Having: A connecting tubular part connected to the end of the first tubular part and capable of guiding the gas supplied from the supply pipe to the first tubular part; and A swing mechanism that allows or restricts the swing of the second tubular part in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, The connecting tubular part has: A first connecting tubular part connected to the first tubular part; and A second connecting tubular part, one end side of which is connected to the first connecting tubular part and one end side of which is connected to the supply pipe, The swing mechanism has: A relative rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the relative rotation of the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part; And A relative rotation mechanism that allows or restricts the relative rotation of the first connecting tubular part and the second connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, The respiratory assist device is configured such that the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part rotate relative to the second connecting tubular part together, so that the second tubular part swings in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part.

16. The respiratory assist device according to claim 15, wherein The relative rotation restricting mechanism is formed in the connection region between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part, In the connection region, the first tubular portion and the first connecting tubular portion are in contact with and overlap each other, and in a cross-section obtained by cutting the first connecting tubular portion and the first tubular portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the connecting tubular portion (hereinafter referred to as the connecting-side axial direction), the shape of the region where the first tubular portion contacts the first connecting tubular portion is a non-circular shape.

17. The respiratory assist device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the relative rotation mechanism has: a first connecting pipe side engaging region provided on the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tubular portion; and a second connecting pipe side engaging region provided on the second connecting tubular portion, and when the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion are connected, the second connecting pipe side engaging region faces the direction of the first connecting pipe side engaging region and engages with the first connecting pipe side engaging region, by applying an external force, the engagement between the first connecting pipe side engaging region and the second connecting pipe side engaging region is released, allowing relative rotation between the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion, if the external force is released, the relative rotation between the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion is restricted by the engagement between the first connecting pipe side engaging region and the second connecting pipe side engaging region.

18. The respiratory assist device according to claim 15, wherein the second connecting tubular portion has: an intermediate connecting tubular portion, one end side of which is connected to the first connecting tubular portion; and a supply pipe side connecting tubular portion, one end side of which is connected to the other end side of the intermediate connecting tubular portion, and the other end side of which is rotatably connected to the supply pipe relative to the supply pipe.

19. The respiratory assist device according to claim 15, wherein it has a second relative rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the range of relative rotation between the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion to a prescribed relative rotation angle, the second relative rotation restricting mechanism has: a partial circumferential groove portion provided on either the first connecting tubular portion or the second connecting tubular portion, recessed in the radial direction of the connecting tubular portion, and extending in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion for a partial circumference corresponding to the prescribed relative rotation angle; and a restricting protrusion provided on the remaining one of the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion, protruding in the radial direction of the connecting tubular portion, and arranged so that when the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion rotate relative to each other, it can rotate in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular portion within the partial circumferential groove portion, the rotation angle by which the restricting protrusion can rotate within the partial circumferential groove portion is the same as the prescribed relative rotation angle by which the first connecting tubular portion and the second connecting tubular portion can rotate relative to each other.

20. The respiratory assist device according to claim 17, wherein It has a connection position changing mechanism which is formed between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part and allows or restricts the change of the relative connection position (hereinafter referred to as the relative connection position) between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force. If the relative connection position between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part is changed by using a pair of the connection position changing mechanisms, the telescopic structure expands and contracts as the relative connection position changes, and the interval between the pair of second tubular parts is changed. The connection position changing mechanism has: A first axial engagement region provided on the first tubular part; And A second axial engagement region provided on the first connecting tubular part, which overlaps with the first axial engagement region when the first connecting tubular part is connected to the first tubular part and engages with the first axial engagement region in the axial direction of the connecting tubular part (hereinafter referred to as the connecting side axial direction). The second axial engagement region is provided at a position farther from the second connecting tubular part than the first connecting pipe side engagement region in the connecting side axial direction.

21. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 3, wherein: It has a wearing part which wears a pair of the connecting tubular parts on the user's face so that the first tubular part assumes a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal region.

22. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 21, wherein: The wearing part extends from the connecting tubular part toward the subnasal region and positions the connecting tubular part on the user's face by abutting against the user's face in the subnasal region so that the first tubular part assumes a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face.

23. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1, wherein: It has a moisture removal part which is made of a water-absorbent material having water absorbency, absorbs the moisture inside the supply pipe and the respiratory assistance device and discharges it to the outside of the supply pipe and the respiratory assistance device. The moisture removal part has: An inner side absorption part disposed inside at least one of the supply pipe and the respiratory assistance device to absorb the moisture inside at least one of the supply pipe and the respiratory assistance device; And An exposed part which is connected to the inner side absorption part and is exposed to the outside of the supply pipe and the respiratory assistance device to discharge the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption part to the outside.

24. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 21, wherein: It has a protective sheet part which is interposed between the wearing part and the subnasal region and abuts against the subnasal region to protect the subnasal region.

25. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 24, wherein: Tension is applied to the protective sheet part in the width direction.

26. A breathing assistance device that guides the gas supplied through a supply pipe through which the gas passes to the nostrils of a user, characterized in that, It has: A first tubular part through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, and is arranged in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal area between the user's nose and mouth; A pair of second tubular parts branched from the first tubular part, configured to be insertable into the user's nostrils, and configured to be able to eject the gas passing through the first tubular part from its outlet opening; A connecting tubular part connected to the end of the first tubular part and capable of guiding the gas supplied from the supply pipe; And A swing mechanism that allows or restricts the swing of the second tubular part in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, The connecting tubular part has: A first connecting tubular part connected to the first tubular part; And A second connecting tubular part, one end side of which is connected to the first connecting tubular part, and one end side of which is connected to the supply pipe, The swing mechanism has: A relative rotation restricting mechanism that restricts the relative rotation between the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part; And A relative rotation mechanism that allows or restricts the relative rotation between the first connecting tubular part and the second connecting tubular part according to the magnitude of the applied external force, The respiratory assist device is configured such that the first tubular part and the first connecting tubular part rotate relative to the second connecting tubular part together, so that the second tubular part swings in the circumferential direction of the connecting tubular part.

27. A breathing assistance device, characterized in that, Having: A supply pipe for supplying gas to a user; and A respiratory assist device that guides the gas supplied through the supply pipe to the user's nostrils, The respiratory assist device has: A first tubular part through which the gas supplied from the supply pipe passes, arranged in a posture extending in the width direction of the user's face in the subnasal area between the user's nose and mouth, and having a telescopic structure capable of telescoping along its own axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the first tubular side axial direction); and A pair of second tubular parts branched from the first tubular part, configured to be insertable into the user's nostrils, and configured to be able to eject the gas passing through the first tubular part from its outlet opening, The respiratory assist device is configured to be able to change the interval between the pair of second tubular parts by telescoping the first tubular part along the first tubular side axial direction.

28. A breathing assistance device, characterized in that, Having: A supply pipe for supplying gas to a user; A respiratory assist device that guides the gas supplied through the supply pipe to the user's nostrils or mouth; and A moisture removal part made of a water-absorbing material having water absorption, absorbs the moisture inside at least one of the supply pipe and the respiratory assist device and discharges it to the outside of the supply pipe and the respiratory assist device, The moisture removal part has: An inner side absorption part arranged inside at least one of the supply pipe and the respiratory assist device, and absorbs the moisture inside at least one of the supply pipe and the respiratory assist device; And An exposed part connected to the inner side absorption part, exposed to the outside of the supply pipe and the respiratory assist device, and discharges the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption part to the outside.

29. The breathing assistance device according to claim 28, wherein a discharge opening for discharging moisture is formed in at least one of the supply pipe and the breathing assistance appliance, the exposed portion is exposed to the outside through the discharge opening.

30. The breathing assistance device according to claim 29, wherein the breathing assistance appliance has: a main tubular portion configured to extend in the width direction of the user's face, and the supply pipe is connected to one end side in the width direction; and a jetting portion having a jet outlet that can face the user's nostril or mouth and can jet the gas passing through the main tubular portion to the outside, and the jetting portion is provided in the middle of the main tubular portion, the discharge opening is formed on the other end side of the main tubular portion, the inner side absorption portion extends from the inside of at least one of the supply pipe and the main tubular portion to the discharge opening.

31. The breathing assistance device according to claim 30, wherein the exposed portion is constituted by a plug portion that closes the discharge opening, the plug portion temporarily holds the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption portion and discharges the moisture to the outside by vaporizing it through drying.

32. The breathing assistance device according to claim 30, wherein the breathing assistance appliance has a gas retention portion provided at the other end of the main tubular portion to retain the gas that has passed through the main tubular portion.

33. The breathing assistance device according to claim 32, wherein the gas retention portion has a closing portion that closes the end of the gas retention portion and has the discharge opening, the closing portion is detachable.

34. The breathing assistance device according to claim 29, wherein a gap is provided between the discharge opening and the exposed portion, when the area through which the gas leaking from the gap passes is defined as the gas passage area, the exposed portion has an overlapping area on the surface that overlaps with the gas passage area.

35. The breathing assistance device according to claim 29, wherein the exposed portion protrudes from the discharge opening to the outside, the breathing assistance device has a cover portion made of a material through which gas can pass and covering the periphery of the area of the exposed portion that protrudes from the discharge opening.

36. The breathing assistance device according to claim 30, wherein the inner side absorption portion is arranged in an upstream section of the main tubular portion that is more upstream than the jetting portion based on the flow of the gas passing through the main tubular portion.

37. The breathing assistance device according to claim 30, wherein the jetting portion branches out into two from the main tubular portion, the inner side absorption portion is arranged across an upstream section of the main tubular portion that is more upstream than the jetting portion and the section between the two jetting portions based on the flow of the gas passing through the main tubular portion.

38. The breathing assistance device according to claim 28, wherein the breathing assistance appliance has: A main tube portion configured to extend in the width direction of the user's face and having a supply tube connected to one end in the width direction; and An ejection portion having an ejection port capable of facing the user's nostrils or mouth and capable of ejecting gas passing through the main tube portion to the outside, the ejection portion being provided in the middle of the main tube portion, The exposed portion forms a part of the peripheral wall of the main tube portion.

39. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 38, characterized in that The exposed portion forms a part of the peripheral wall of the main tube portion in an upstream side section with respect to the gas flow through the main tube portion and relative to the ejection portion.

40. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 38, characterized in that Two ejection portions branch off from the main tube portion, The exposed portion forms a part of the peripheral wall of the main tube portion across an upstream side section with respect to the gas flow through the main tube portion and an interval between the two ejection portions.

41. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 38, characterized in that The exposed portion is provided in a region opposite to the main tube portion, the opposite region being on the opposite side of the facing region of the main tube portion that faces the skin surface under the user's nose when the ejection port is configured to face the user's nostrils.

42. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 41, characterized in that When defining the region through which exhaled breath from the user's nostrils passes as the exhaled breath passage region, The exposed portion is provided in an overlapping region of the opposite region that overlaps with the exhaled breath passage region.

43. A moisture removal member, in a respiratory assistance device having a supply pipe for supplying gas to a user and a respiratory assistance appliance for guiding the gas supplied through the supply pipe to the user, the moisture removal member absorbs moisture inside the supply pipe and the respiratory assistance appliance and discharges it to the outside of the supply pipe and the respiratory assistance appliance, characterized in that, Comprising: An inner side absorption portion made of a water-absorbing material having water absorption, disposed inside at least one of the supply tube and the respiratory assistance device, and absorbing moisture inside at least one of the supply tube and the respiratory assistance device; And An exposed portion made of the water-absorbing material, connected to the inner side absorption portion, and exposed to the outside of the supply tube and the respiratory assistance device, and discharging the moisture transferred from the inner side absorption portion to the outside.

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