Infusion tube air tightness detection device

Abstract

The invention provides an infusion tube air tightness detection device. The infusion tube air tightness detection device comprises an unwinding assembly, an air tightness detection assembly and a winding assembly which are arranged in sequence. The end part of the infusion tube to be detected is provided with an airtight plug, and the end part of the detected infusion tube is connected with an inert gas source through a connecting assembly; the air tightness detection assembly comprises a fixedly arranged light shield and a detection ring fixedly arranged in the light shield, a to-be-detected infusion tube penetrates through the detection ring and then is stored in the winding assembly, the inner side wall of the detection ring is provided with a plurality of radio frequency emitters and colorimeters which directly face the to-be-detected infusion tube, and the inner side wall of the detection ring is further provided with a marking assembly; the device further comprises a controller, the controller is connected with the colorimeter and the marking assembly, air tightness detection is carried out on the infusion tubes before the infusion tubes are assembled, therefore, unqualified infusion tubes are eliminated, then the assembling work is completed, and the production cost is greatly saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical device processing, and more particularly, to an airtightness detection device for infusion tubes. Background Art

[0002] Infusion tubes are key products in medical consumables, and their production processes need to meet strict requirements such as sterility, biocompatibility, and chemical resistance. Currently, the process steps in the production of infusion tubes usually include extrusion molding, cutting, pipe fitting assembly, airtightness detection, sterilization, and packaging.

[0003] The timing of airtightness detection in the above process is selected after the pipe fitting assembly is completed. The pipe fitting assembly includes the fixation of drip chambers, luer connectors, etc. through high-frequency welding or gluing, and the installation of internal liquid filters. Therefore, the commonly used methods for this airtightness detection include positive pressure detection method: filling compressed air (usually 0.2 - 0.3 MPa) into the infusion tube and monitoring the pressure drop during the pressure holding stage through a pressure sensor; negative pressure detection method: placing the infusion tube in a sealed cavity, evacuating to below -80 kPa, and detecting the pressure recovery rate in the cavity; water immersion bubble method: immersing in a water tank after inflation and observing the position where bubbles are generated; helium mass spectrometry leak detection method: filling helium gas and detecting the leakage concentration with a mass spectrometer.

[0004] The defects of the above methods are as follows: The positive pressure detection method, negative pressure detection method, and helium mass spectrometry leak detection method can only detect whether there is air leakage in the assembled infusion tube assembly as a whole, and cannot determine whether it is the infusion tube itself or the welded part that leaks air. Therefore, it is impossible to control each production link of the whole production process. For the water immersion bubble method, although the leakage point can be judged by observing the position where bubbles are generated, due to manual judgment, the efficiency is low.

[0005] In addition, for the current overall process, there are still drawbacks. The airtightness detection occurs after the infusion tube assembly is completed. When there is an airtightness problem, the assembled infusion tube as a whole is scrapped. However, this is caused by the airtightness problem of the infusion tube itself. If the airtightness detection is carried out before assembly, the cost of pipe fittings and assembly can be reduced.

[0006] In view of this, it is necessary to improve the existing airtightness detection device to overcome the above defects. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main purpose of this application is to provide an airtightness detection device for infusion tubes, which performs airtightness detection on the infusion tube itself before assembly, thereby excluding unqualified infusion tubes and then completing the assembly work, greatly saving production costs.

[0008] To achieve the above object, in a first aspect, the present application provides an airtightness detection device for an infusion tube, including a unwinding assembly, an airtightness detection assembly, and a winding assembly arranged in sequence;

[0009] The unwinding assembly is used for winding and storing the infusion tube to be detected. The winding assembly is driven to rotate by a driving mechanism and is used for winding and storing the detected infusion tube. An airtight plug is provided at the end of the infusion tube to be detected, and the end of the detected infusion tube is connected to an inert gas source through a connection assembly;

[0010] The airtightness detection assembly includes a fixed light-shielding cover and a detection ring fixedly arranged inside the light-shielding cover. The infusion tube to be detected passes through the detection ring and is then stored in the winding assembly. A plurality of radio frequency transmitters and colorimeters facing the infusion tube to be detected are arranged on the inner side wall of the detection ring. A marking assembly is also arranged on the inner side wall of the detection ring;

[0011] It further includes a controller, which is respectively connected to the colorimeter and the marking assembly. The controller controls the marking assembly to perform a marking action based on the detection signal of the colorimeter.

[0012] Optionally, the plurality of radio frequency transmitters and the colorimeters are arranged alternately.

[0013] Optionally, sealing plates are fixedly arranged on both sides of the light-shielding cover. Through holes for the infusion tube to pass through are formed in the two sealing plates on both sides, and a sealing assembly is arranged at the through holes.

[0014] Optionally, the sealing assembly includes a gland and a V-shaped sealing ring arranged inside the gland.

[0015] Optionally, an aluminum foil reflective layer is fixedly arranged on the inner side wall of the light-shielding cover.

[0016] Optionally, a connecting rod is fixedly arranged between the two sealing plates. The detection ring is fixedly arranged on the connecting rod, and a through hole matching the connecting rod is formed in the detection ring.

[0017] Optionally, the coding assembly is a spraying machine, a sprayer, or a laser marking machine.

[0018] Optionally, the connection assembly includes a connection seat with a cavity, an insertion tube fixedly arranged in the middle of the cavity, an upper clamping member and a lower clamping member slidably arranged in the cavity and cooperating with each other. One end of the insertion tube is connected to the pipeline of the inert gas source, the other end of the insertion tube is matched with the lumen of the infusion tube, and both the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member are semicircular and are respectively matched with the connection seat through a sliding structure.

[0019] Optionally, a cylindrical rubber pad is provided on the outer side of the insertion tube. The rubber pad is disposed at the connection between the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member. Grooves are formed on the outer surface of the rubber pad, and the inner rings of the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member are provided with convex portions that cooperate with the grooves.

[0020] Optionally, the sliding structure includes threaded holes formed in the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member, and adjusting bolts rotatably disposed on the connecting seat and cooperating with the threaded holes.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of an infusion tube airtightness detection device provided by the present invention are as follows. In terms of the overall process, an airtightness detection is first performed on the infusion tube itself before the assembly of the infusion tube, and an automatic continuous detection method is adopted, with high detection efficiency. For the overall production, the additional cost is relatively low. However, by detecting before cutting the infusion tube and promptly discovering airtightness problems, not only can the extrusion process be adjusted in time to reduce the rejection rate and save production costs, but also for the scrapped infusion tubes, compared with the previous process, there is no need to perform pipe fittings assembly, which also reduces the waste of pipe fittings and saves the welding man-hours. Therefore, adding an airtightness detection link for the infusion tube itself, although an airtightness detection still needs to be performed conventionally after assembly, when a large number of airtightness problems occur, only the welding process needs to be adjusted in time, thereby promoting the virtuous cycle of the overall production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The drawings constituting a part of this application are used to provide a further understanding of this application, making other features, objects, and advantages of this application more obvious. The schematic embodiments and descriptions thereof of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an improper limitation to this application. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the connection assembly;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the upper clamping member;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the detection ring.

[0027] Wherein: 1, unwind assembly; 2, rewind assembly; 3, light-shielding cover; 4, sealing plate; 5, connecting rod; 6, detection ring; 7, radio frequency transmitter; 8, colorimeter; 9, connecting seat; 10, insertion tube; 11, upper clamping member; 12, lower clamping member; 13, rubber pad; 14, groove; 15, convex portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described here. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0030] In this application, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "center," "vertical," "horizontal," "transverse," and "longitudinal" indicate positions or locations based on the positions or locations shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily intended to better describe this application and its embodiments and are not intended to limit the devices, elements, or components indicated to having a specific orientation, or to being constructed or operated in a specific orientation.

[0031] Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to express other meanings besides indicating a position or location. For example, the term "on" may also be used to indicate a dependency or connection in certain circumstances. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] Additionally, the term "plurality" shall mean two or more.

[0033] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0034] like Figures 1-4 As shown, a device for detecting air tightness of an infusion tube comprises an unwinding component 1, an air tightness detecting component and a rewinding component 2 which are arranged in sequence;

[0035] The unwinding assembly 1 is used to wind and store the infusion tube to be detected. The winding assembly 2 is driven to rotate by a driving mechanism and is used to wind and store the detected infusion tube. An airtight plug is provided at the end of the infusion tube to be detected, and the end of the detected infusion tube is connected to an inert gas source through a connecting assembly;

[0036] The airtightness detection assembly includes a fixedly arranged light-shielding cover 3 and a detection ring 6 fixedly arranged in the light-shielding cover 3. The infusion tube to be detected passes through the detection ring 6 and is then stored in the winding assembly 2. A plurality of radio frequency transmitters 7 and colorimeters 8 facing the infusion tube to be detected are arranged on the inner side wall of the detection ring 6. A marking assembly is also arranged on the inner side wall of the detection ring 6;

[0037] It further includes a controller, which is respectively connected to the colorimeter 8 and the marking assembly. The controller controls the marking assembly to perform a marking action based on the detection signal of the colorimeter 8.

[0038] The specific working principle is as follows: First, after the extrusion of the infusion tube is completed and before it is cut and assembled, it is first wound on the unwinding assembly 1. It should be noted that the unwinding assembly 1 and the winding assembly 2 are similar to the winding and unwinding of wire. The unwinding assembly 1 consists of a winding roller and a fixed bracket. The processed infusion tube is wound on the winding roller, and one end of it is blocked by an airtight plug. The structure of the winding assembly 2 is similar to that of the unwinding assembly 1, except that its winding roller is driven by a driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism usually uses a motor to drive, and the speed can be adjusted by frequency conversion, so that the linear speed of the infusion tube can be controlled.

[0039] And the other end of the infusion tube is connected to an inert gas source through a connecting assembly. The inert gas can be neon, argon, xenon, etc. The only difference is the colored light, but they are all applicable in this solution and can all be recognized by the colorimeter 8.

[0040] During the detection process, in order to ensure the detection accuracy of the colorimeter 8, a light shield 3 is adopted, thereby shielding natural light, making the detection of the colorimeter 8 more accurate. This detection method is a continuous detection method. A certain amount of inert gas is filled into the entire roll of infusion tube through an inert gas source to ensure that there is inert gas throughout the inside of the infusion tube. During the winding process, when the infusion tube passes through the detection ring 6, the inert gas forms a plasma through the radio frequency transmitter 7, which is excited to emit light. The colorimeter 8 is used to detect the colored light. When colored light is detected, it indicates that there is a leakage at that location. Thus, the controller controls the marking component to make a mark according to the detection signal. In the subsequent cutting stage, the marked part of the infusion tube is directly cut off to prevent it from entering the next process for assembly and welding. This detection is completely automated without manual participation. Moreover, for the overall process, with this additional detection process, compared with the input cost, the waste of infusion tube fittings, welding cost, and time, the overall production cost is reduced, and the waste of fittings is reduced, playing a good role in cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

[0041] In addition, technicians can timely adjust the extrusion process and grind the extrusion die according to the leakage position of the detected waste part, which can prevent a large number of defective products from appearing in the entire process production line and can control the overall production quality.

[0042] Since the infusion tube is a circular tube, in order to make the detection more comprehensive and accurate, several of the radio frequency transmitters 7 and the colorimeters 8 are arranged alternately. Setting multiple radio frequency transmitters 7 and colorimeters 8 can enable the entire outer circumference of the part passing through the infusion tube to be detected.

[0043] Since the radio frequency transmitter 7 exciting the inert gas to emit light will generate a large amount of electromagnetic radiation and has certain requirements for air pressure, sealing plates 4 are fixedly arranged on both sides of the light shield 3. Through holes for the infusion tube to pass through are opened on the two sealing plates 4 on both sides, and a sealing component is arranged at the through holes. The specific structure of the sealing component is as follows: the sealing component includes a gland and a V-shaped sealing ring arranged inside the gland. Through this structure, dynamic sealing is achieved, so that the air pressure in the space inside the light shield 3 can be maintained, which is beneficial to the inert gas being excited to emit colored light and being detected. In addition, regarding electromagnetic radiation, an aluminum foil reflection layer is fixedly arranged on the inner side wall of the light shield 3. The aluminum foil reflection layer can form a good shielding effect on high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and can also play a reflecting role, greatly improving the ionization effect.

[0044] To facilitate the detection of the installation of the detection ring 6, a connecting rod 5 is fixedly arranged between the two side sealing plates 4, the detection ring 6 is fixedly arranged on the connecting rod 5, and a perforation matching with the connecting rod 5 is arranged on the detection ring 6. It should be noted that the position of the detection ring 6 can be adjusted through this structure. Although the position of the detection ring 6 is fixed during detection, due to the certain length of the light-shielding cover 3, the detection effect is optimal when the detection ring 6 is in the approximate middle position.

[0045] Finally, before detection, a certain amount of inert gas needs to be filled into the infusion tube. Since the infusion tube leaks, the inert gas in the tube will decrease, while the inert gas in the light-shielding cover 3 will increase. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly supplement inert gas into the infusion tube, and for the light-shielding cover 3, the inert gas needs to be periodically emptied to ensure the accuracy of the overall detection.

[0046] Preferably, the coding component is a spraying machine, a sprayer or a laser marking machine.

[0047] The connection component includes a connection seat 9 with a cavity, an insertion tube 10 fixedly arranged in the middle of the cavity, an upper clamping piece 11 and a lower clamping piece 12 which are slidably arranged in the cavity and cooperate with each other. One end of the insertion tube 10 is connected to the pipeline of the inert gas source, and the other end of the insertion tube 10 is matched with the lumen of the infusion tube. Both the upper clamping piece 11 and the lower clamping piece 12 are semicircular and are respectively matched with the connection seat 9 through a sliding structure.

[0048] It should be noted that when starting the detection of a roll of infusion tube, the connection seat 9 is not fixed on the winding component 2, but moves along with the end of the infusion tube. After the detection of this section is completed, the connection seat 9 is fixed on the winding component 2. Thus, during the initial detection, the staff can manually pull the infusion tube to move for detection.

[0049] To make the upper clamping piece 11 and the lower clamping piece 12 clamp the infusion tube more tightly, a cylindrical rubber pad 13 is arranged on the outer side of the insertion tube 10. The rubber pad 13 is arranged at the connection of the upper clamping piece 11 and the lower clamping piece 12. A groove 14 is arranged on the outer surface of the rubber pad 13, and the inner circles of the upper clamping piece 11 and the lower clamping piece 12 have a convex part 15 matching with the groove 14. The convex parts 15 of the two parts are spliced to form an integral circular convex, which is adapted to the groove 14, and the infusion tube is clamped between the groove 14 and the convex part 15, so as to ensure that the inert gas entering the infusion tube from the insertion tube 10 will not leak from its end.

[0050] Since the entire roll of infusion tube only needs to be disassembled and assembled once, the sliding structure includes threaded holes formed in the upper clamping member 11 and the lower clamping member 12, and adjusting bolts rotatably provided on the connecting seat 9 and cooperating with the threaded holes. That is, by manually operating the adjusting bolts, the locking and unlocking of the upper clamping member 11 and the lower clamping member 12 are achieved.

[0051] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made to the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An airtightness detection device for an infusion tube, characterized in that, It includes an unwinding component, an airtightness detection component, and a winding component arranged in sequence; The unwinding component is used for winding and storing the infusion tube to be detected. The winding component is driven to rotate by a driving mechanism and is used for winding and storing the detected infusion tube. An airtight plug is arranged at the end of the infusion tube to be detected, and the end of the detected infusion tube is connected to an inert gas source through a connection component; The airtightness detection component includes a fixed light-shielding cover and a detection ring fixedly arranged in the light-shielding cover. The infusion tube to be detected passes through the detection ring and is then stored in the winding component. A plurality of radio frequency transmitters and colorimeters facing the infusion tube to be detected are arranged on the inner side wall of the detection ring. A marking component is also arranged on the inner side wall of the detection ring; It further includes a controller, which is respectively connected to the colorimeter and the marking component. The controller controls the marking component to perform a marking action based on the detection signal of the colorimeter.

2. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of the radio frequency transmitters and the colorimeters are arranged alternately.

3. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: Sealing plates are respectively fixedly arranged on both sides of the light-shielding cover. Through holes for the infusion tube to pass through are opened on the two sealing plates, and a sealing component is arranged at the through holes.

4. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 3, wherein: The sealing component includes a gland and a V-shaped sealing ring arranged in the gland.

5. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: An aluminum foil reflection layer is fixedly arranged on the inner side wall of the light-shielding cover.

6. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 3, wherein: A connecting rod is fixedly arranged between the two sealing plates. The detection ring is fixedly arranged on the connecting rod, and a through hole matching the connecting rod is opened on the detection ring.

7. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 1, wherein: The coding component is a spraying machine, a sprayer, or a laser marking machine.

8. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 1, wherein: The connection component includes a connection seat with a cavity, an insertion tube fixedly arranged in the middle of the cavity, an upper clamping piece and a lower clamping piece slidably arranged in the cavity and cooperating with each other. One end of the insertion tube is connected to the pipeline of the inert gas source, and the other end of the insertion tube is matched with the lumen of the infusion tube. Both the upper clamping piece and the lower clamping piece are semicircular and are respectively matched with the connection seat through a sliding structure.

9. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 8, wherein: A cylindrical rubber pad is arranged on the outer side of the insertion tube. The rubber pad is arranged at the connection of the upper clamping piece and the lower clamping piece. Grooves are opened on the outer surface of the rubber pad, and convex portions matching the grooves are arranged on the inner circles of the upper clamping piece and the lower clamping piece.

10. The airtightness detection device for an infusion tube according to claim 8, wherein: The sliding structure includes threaded holes opened on the upper clamping piece and the lower clamping piece, and adjusting bolts rotatably arranged on the connection seat and matching the threaded holes.

Images