MEDICAL INSTRUMENT CAP

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is to provide a medical instrument cap capable of preventing the backward flow of a fluid, such as urine. The medical instrument cap comprises a main body section configured to connect to an external element. The main body section includes a flow path configured to allow fluid to pass through the main body section from a near end section to a distant end section on an opposite side, facilitating the connection to the external element. The flow path is provided with a shut-off valve to prevent fluid from flowing from the distant end section to the near end section.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical instrument cap that functions as an external opening and closing valve for an indwelling medical instrument, such as a urinary catheter. BACKGROUND

[0002] The prior art involved the use of a medical instrument cap that acts as an external opening and closing valve for an indwelling medical instrument, specifically a urinary catheter, when urinary control is difficult due to a urinary disorder (see, for example, PTL 1). The medical instrument cap, connected to the urinary catheter, can cause urine to be collected from the bladder into a urine bag by connecting a tip of the cap to the bag, and can utilize the bladder's urine collection function by closing the cap. A urinary catheter cap that can be easily operated even by a user with impaired hand dexterity, such as a person with cerebrovascular disease or a spinal cord injury, has been proposed. CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 9-206370 PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTIONAL PROBLEM

[0004] However, there are concerns regarding the prior art medical instrument cap that if the urinary catheter is lifted in a state where a lid of the medical instrument cap is opened, or if the urine bag connected to the urinary catheter via the medical instrument cap is lifted, or if the urine bag contracts due to an applied force, urine may flow backwards in the urinary catheter and back into the bladder. Therefore, there are concerns that a user could become infected with bacteria due to the urine coming into contact with outside air and flowing back into the body.

[0005] One objective of the present invention is to provide a medical instrument cap that is able to solve the problem of the aforementioned prior art and prevent a fluid, such as urine, from flowing back. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0006] The present invention is characterized in that a medical instrument cap has a main body section configured to be connectable to an external element, the main body section has a flow path configured to allow fluid to pass through the main body section from a near end section to a distant end section on an opposite side for connection with the external element, and the flow path is provided with a shut-off valve to prevent fluid from flowing from the distant end section to the near end section.

[0007] In this case, the shut-off valve can be formed from elastic bodies. The shut-off valve can be formed from a pair of facing, leaf-shaped elements. For each of the pair of leaf-shaped elements, one end can be attached to an inner circumferential surface of the flow path, and the other end can be located at a position closer to the near end section than the other end, and the pair of leaf-shaped elements can abut each other at their other ends. For each pair of leaf-shaped elements, the other end can be located essentially in the middle of a section of the flow path. The leaf-shaped elements can be curved such that inclinations with respect to a direction in which the flow path extends decrease toward parts closer to the other ends. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical instrument cap that is able to prevent a fluid, such as urine, from flowing backwards. SHORT FIGURE DESCRIPTION Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of a medical instrument cap in a state in which a lid section is closed according to a first embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the medical instrument cap in a state where the lid section is closed when viewed from a side. Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view that schematically depicts the interior of a urinary tract. Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a medical instrument cap according to a second embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment)

[0010] A medical instrument cap according to one embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of a medical instrument cap in a state in which a cover section is closed according to a first embodiment, Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the medical instrument cap in a state where the lid section is closed when viewed from a side view, and Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view that schematically depicts the interior of a urinary tract.

[0012] A medical instrument cap 100 is designed to be connected to a urinary catheter, a urine bag, or the like via a urinary tube (not shown). The medical instrument cap 100 is made of an elastic resin and has an integrally formed connecting plug main body section 10 and a cover section 30, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0013] A connecting section 11, which can be connected to an external element, such as a urinary catheter or a urine bag, via a tube or the like, is formed in the connecting plug main body section 10. A urinary tract 14, which extends from a near end section 12 to a distant end section 13 on the opposite side for fluid connection, is formed in the connecting plug main body section 10, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows a seat section 15, on which the cover section 30 is placed, formed in the connecting plug main body section 10 on the side of the remote end section 13. The urinary tract 14 is formed in a circular shape to pass through the centers of the connecting section 11 and the seat section 15, and the remote end section 13 is located above the seat section 15. A cylindrical magnet 29 is installed in the seat section 15 such that the magnet 29 faces the cover section 30.

[0014] The connecting plug main body section 10 is provided with a shut-off valve 17 within the urinary tract 14. The shut-off valve 17 is configured to allow fluid flowing within the urinary tract 14 of the connecting plug main body section 10 from the near end section 12 to the far end section 13 to pass through, and to prevent fluid flowing from the far end section 13 to the near end section 12 from passing through. The shut-off valve 17 is formed integrally with the connecting plug main body section 10 from leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b made of a resin.More precisely, the shut-off valve 17 is formed from a pair of facing, leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b, and of each of the leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b, one end 18 and a side section are attached to an inner circumferential surface of the urinary tract 14, and the other end 19 is located essentially in the middle of a flow path section of the urinary tract 14 and at a position that is closer to the distant end section 13 than one end 18. The other ends 19 of the leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b have a shape that extends linearly in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the urinary tract 14 extends when viewed from the side of the distant end section 13, as shown in . Fig. Figure 3 shows that each of the pair of leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b abuts each other at its other ends 19, and the other ends 19 of leaf-shaped element 17a on one side abut linearly the other ends 19 of leaf-shaped element 17b on the other side. The shut-off valve 17 is adapted so that a fluid can only be distributed through an opening section 17c, which opens and closes between the other ends 19 of leaf-shaped element 17a on one side and the other end 19 of leaf-shaped element 17b on the other side.

[0015] The leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b are curved such that inclinations with respect to the direction in which the urinary tract 14 extends decrease towards parts closer to the other ends 19, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this. In this way, the other ends 19 of the pair of leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b are brought into closer contact to make it more difficult for a fluid to flow backwards, as the fluid continues to flow within the urinary tract 14 from the distant end section 13 to the near end section 12. Furthermore, the leaf-shaped elements 17a and 17b can easily deflect and increase the capacity within the urinary tract 14 on the side that is closer to the distant end section 13 than the shut-off valve 17. Therefore, when the cover section 30 is closed and a sealing section 32 of the cover section 30 is inserted into the urinary tract 14, the fluid being forced toward the shut-off valve 17 can be retained by the sealing section 32 inserted into the urinary tract 14.

[0016] The cover section 30 is provided in the connecting plug main body section 10 such that the cover section 30 can pivot on a hinge section 31, and is designed such that the cover section 30 can be attached to an intermediate section 20 when it is closed, when the hinge section 31 serves as a pivot point, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows an iron plate 36 being installed in the cover section 30 at a position where the iron plate 36 faces the magnet 29 in the connecting plug main body section 10 when the cover section 30 is closed with respect to the connecting plug main body section 10, as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0017] The cover section 30 has a shaft section 30a configured to project upwards from the center of the inner surface, and the sealing section 32, having a cylindrical shape and made, for example, of silicone rubber, is mounted to the shaft section 30a. More precisely, the shaft section 30a is adapted to pass through the sealing section 32 and hold the sealing section 32 against a flange section 30b formed at an end section of the shaft section 30a. The sealing section 32 is designed such that a contact surface can slide with the shaft section 30a in the direction in which the shaft section 30a extends with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft section 30a, in order to be able to compress and contract along the shaft section 30a.In other words, the sealing section 32 can be brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the urinary tract 14 and contact the shaft section 30a in order to be separated from the flange section 30b when the cover section 30 is closed.

[0018] The medical instrument cap 100 according to the present embodiment has the connecting plug main body section 10, which is configured to be connectable to an external element. The connecting plug main body section 10 is configured with the urinary tract 14, which extends through the main body section from a near end section to a distant end section on an opposite side for fluid connection with the external element. The urinary tract 14 is provided with the shut-off valve 17 to prevent fluid from flowing from the distant end section 13 towards the near end section 12. Thus, the fluid does not flow in the urinary tract 14 from the distant end section 13 to the near end section 12, even when the cover section 30 is open, and therefore it is possible to prevent fluid, such as urine, from flowing backward.In other words, urine does not flow backwards within the urinary catheter and back into the bladder if the catheter is lifted while the lid section 30 is open, or if the urine bag connected to the catheter via the medical instrument cap 100 is lifted, if force is applied and the urine bag contracts, or similar situations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a user from becoming infected with bacteria due to urine that has come into contact with outside air and flows back into the body.

[0019] Since the shut-off valve 17 is provided in the medical instrument cap 100, which is connected to a position closer to the urinary catheter than the urine bag, it is also possible to reduce the amount of urine to be stored between the urinary catheter and the shut-off valve 17 compared to a case in which the shut-off valve is provided in the urine bag, which is more desirable. (Second embodiment)

[0020] Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a medical instrument cap according to a second embodiment.

[0021] Elements that are essentially the same as those in the first embodiment are subsequently described using the same reference numerals.

[0022] A medical instrument cap 200 according to the present embodiment differs from the medical instrument cap 100 according to the first embodiment in that an intermediate section 20 is provided between a connecting plug main body section 10 and a cover section 30 and is in the form of a shut-off valve 22, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 is shown. Note that Fig. 4 represents a state in which the intermediate section 20 and the lid section 30 are slightly open.

[0023] In the shut-off valve 22 according to the second embodiment, leaf-shaped elements 22a and 22b are not curved, are formed in one plane, and are bent near their other ends 23. The pair of leaf-shaped elements 22a and 22b abut each other at their other ends 23, and the other end 23 of leaf-shaped element 22a on one side and the other end 23 of leaf-shaped element 22b on the other side are brought into contact in a flat, rectangular plane that extends in the direction of a urinary tract 14.

[0024] The intermediate section 20 is provided in the connecting plug main body section 10 such that the intermediate section 20 can pivot on a first joint section 21, and the cover section 30 is provided in the intermediate section 20 such that the cover section 30 can pivot on a second joint section 31. The intermediate section 20 has an exhaust gas flow path 24 formed therein, and a hydrophobic filter 28, which allows gas to pass through but prevents liquid from passing through, is provided within the exhaust gas flow path 24.By providing the hydrophobic filter 28, the exhaust gas flow path 24 is adapted to prevent liquids, such as urine, from flowing from a main body end section 26 through the connecting plug main body section 10 from an external element to a cover-side end section 27, and to allow gases, such as air, to flow through it to the cover-side end section 27. In other words, the exhaust gas flow path 24 is adapted to be able to discharge only gases, such as air, from the cover-side end section 27 when the cover section 30 is open and not connected to the intermediate section 20.

[0025] Furthermore, the intermediate section 20 is provided with a magnet 29, causing an iron plate 16 provided in the connecting plug main body section 10 and an iron plate 36 provided in the cover section 30 to attract each other. In this way, the intermediate section 20 can be closed semi-automatically with respect to the connecting plug main body section 10 due to the magnetic force of the magnet 29, with the first joint section 21 serving as the pivot point, and can cause the urinary tract 14 and the exhaust flow path 24 to be aligned, thereby creating a fluid connection. Additionally, the cover section 30 can be closed semi-automatically with respect to the intermediate section due to the magnetic force of the magnet 29 by means of the second joint section 31, which serves as the pivot point, and can cause the exhaust flow path 24 to be blocked.

[0026] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, it is not limited thereto. For example, although the leaf-shaped elements 17a, 17b, 20a, and 20b, which consist of a resin and are integrally formed with the connecting plug main body section 10, are used in the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. The leaf-shaped elements 17a, 17b, 20a, and 20b can be designed as elements separate from the connecting plug main body section 10 and can be incorporated into the urinary tract 14, provided that the leaf-shaped elements 17a, 17b, 20a, and 20b are made of elastic materials.

[0027] Although the shut-off valves 17 and 22 with different shapes are used in the first and second embodiments, the shapes of the shut-off valves 17 and 22 are not limited thereto. Shut-off valves with other different shapes can be used as long as leaf-shaped elements are employed. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 Connecting plug main body section 11 Connecting section 12 near end section 13 distant end section 14 Urinary tract 15 Seating section 16 iron plates 17 Shut-off valve 17a leaf-shaped element 17b leaf-shaped element 17c Opening section 18 of an end 19 other ending 20 Intermediate section 21 Joint section 22 Shut-off valve 22a leaf-shaped element 22b leaf-shaped element 23 other ending 24 Exhaust gas flow path 26 main body-side end section 27 end section on the lid 28 hydrophobic filters 29 Magnet 30 Cover section 30a shaft section 30b flange section 31 Joint section 32 Sealing section 36 iron plates 100 medical instrument caps 200 medical instrument caps QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 9-206370

[0003]

Claims

[1] Medical instrument cap, featuring: a main body section that is designed to be connectable to an external element, wherein the main body section has a flow path designed to pass through the main body section from a near end section to a distant end section on an opposite side for fluid connection with the external element, and the flow path is equipped with a shut-off valve to prevent fluid from flowing from the distant end section to the near end section. [2] Medical instrument cap according to claim 1, wherein the shut-off valve is formed from elastic bodies. [3] Medical instrument cap according to claim 2, wherein the shut-off valve is formed from a pair of facing, leaf-shaped elements. [4] Medical instrument cap according to claim 3, wherein in each of the pair of leaf-shaped elements one end is attached to an inner circumferential surface of the flow path and the other end is located in a position closer to the remote end section than one end, and the pair of leaf-shaped ends abut each other at the other ends. [5] Medical instrument cap according to claim 4, wherein in each of the pair of leaf-shaped elements the other end is located substantially in a center of a section of the flow path. [6] Medical instrument cap according to claim 5, wherein the leaf-shaped elements are curved such that inclinations with respect to a direction in which the flow path extends decrease towards parts that are closer to the other ends.

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