ADAPTER FOR COUPLING A HOLLOW BODY IN THE MEDICAL FIELD WITH A STORAGE CONTAINER FOR A TREATMENT AGENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adapter for coupling a hollow body in the medical field with a storage container for a treatment agent having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Reusable medical devices must be cleaned with a cleaning agent after each use and possibly also disinfected with a disinfectant. Such devices may contain moving parts that require regular lubrication with a care product, such as a special maintenance oil. Such cleaning, disinfection, and care products, along with other similar products, can be referred to as treatment agents. The devices often have channels, for example, for supplying and distributing compressed air, which is why such devices with channels can be referred to as hollow bodies in the medical field.

[0003] Typical examples of such hollow bodies in the medical field are so-called handpieces and contra-angles in dentistry, which are manually operated and driven by an electric motor. Hollow bodies in the medical field can also be designed, for example, as so-called turbines in dentistry, which are driven by compressed air.

[0004] The treatment agent is typically supplied to the hollow body via its compressed air connection or its so-called motor coupling. The hollow body may also have other openings through which the treatment agent can be supplied. The treatment agent is usually drawn from a pressurized reservoir in the form of a commercially available spray can filled with a mixture of propellant and treatment agent. This mixture is referred to below for simplicity as the treatment agent.

[0005] The storage container has, in particular, a predominantly cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis in the axial direction. The storage container has a valve which, when open, allows treatment agent to escape from the storage container and, when closed, seals the storage container so that no treatment agent can escape. The valve usually has a small tube protruding from the storage container. By at least partially pressing the tube along the longitudinal axis towards the storage container, the valve is opened and treatment agent flows via the tube and thus via the valve out of the storage container. As soon as the tube is no longer actively pushed towards the storage container, a compression spring pushes it away from the storage container against a valve seat of the valve. This closes the valve again and treatment agent can no longer escape from the storage container via the tube.Opening the valve can be referred to as actuating the valve of the reservoir. The reservoir can also have a different shape, for example, a primarily cuboidal basic shape, whereby the direction in which the valve is pressed into the reservoir to open it is always considered the longitudinal direction of the reservoir.

[0006] In order to be able to supply the hollow body with treatment agent from the storage container, the hollow body must be coupled to the storage container and then the valve of the storage container must also be operated.

[0007] EP 2 628 693 B1 describes an adapter for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a storage container for a treatment agent in the form of a commercially available spray can containing care oil. The adapter has a holding element that can be immovably mounted on the storage container. A hollow actuating element in the form of an actuator is slidably arranged in the holding element. The actuating element can be moved translationally along its longitudinal axis toward the storage container, guided by a guide element, and can thus actuate and open the valve of the storage container. The treatment agent emerging from the storage container via the valve reaches one of several connecting elements, which is coupled to a hollow body, via the actuating element.In order to supply treatment agent to a hollow body, the hollow body must be coupled to one of the connecting elements of the adapter, the hollow body and the storage container must be fixed and at the same time the actuating element of the adapter must be pressed towards the storage container.

[0008] WO 97 / 48424 A1 describes a device for applying treatment agent to a hollow body with an electronically controllable valve block.

[0009] In contrast, the object of the invention is, in particular, to propose an adapter for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a storage container for a treatment agent, by means of which treatment agent can be easily supplied to the hollow body from the storage container. According to the invention, this object is achieved with an adapter for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a storage container for a treatment agent, having the features of claim 1.

[0010] The adapter according to the invention for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a storage container for a treatment agent comprises a holding element, an actuating element, a connecting element connected to the actuating element for connecting the hollow body, and a guide cap with a guide device. The holding element is designed such that it can be arranged immovably on the storage container. The actuating element is designed and arranged such that it can actuate a valve of the storage container and forward treatment agent emerging via the valve to the connecting element. The actuating element can assume a passive position and an active position, with the valve of the storage container being closed in the passive position and open in the active position.According to the invention, the connecting element projects through the guide cap and the guide cap is arranged relative to the holding element, the actuating element and the connecting element in such a way that the actuating element can be brought from its passive position into its active position and vice versa by tilting the connecting element relative to the holding element, i.e. relative to the longitudinal axis of the storage container, guided by the guide device.

[0011] In order to supply treatment agent to the hollow body, for example to lubricate it with care oil after cleaning, one simply needs to hold the storage container with the adapter according to the invention arranged on it in one hand, push the hollow body onto the connection element of the adapter with the other hand and thus connect it, and briefly tilt the hollow body relative to the longitudinal axis of the storage container. Tilting actuates the valve of the storage container and treatment agent flows from the storage container via the adapter to the hollow body. There is no need to additionally press a button with a finger or operate the valve of the storage container with any other action. The tilting alone, guided by the guide device, is sufficient to actuate the valve of the storage container and supply treatment agent to the hollow body.The handling of a storage container provided with an adapter according to the invention is therefore particularly simple and ergonomic.

[0012] The retaining element is particularly designed so that it can be plugged or clipped onto a collar running around the upper area of ​​the storage container. In the following, the direction toward the storage container is referred to as "downward" and the opposite direction is referred to as "upward" with respect to the retaining element and thus the adapter. The retaining element has, in particular, a predominantly cylindrical basic shape, which is adapted in the lower area to the cross-section of the storage container and the aforementioned circumferential collar.

[0013] The upper region of the holding element is connected to the actuating element. The actuating element has a primarily hollow-cylindrical through-passage element oriented in an axial direction and a connecting part. The connecting part establishes the connection to the holding element, wherein said connection is implemented in particular via a narrow connecting web between the holding element and the actuating element. The through-passage element extends downwards towards the storage container. Towards the top, i.e. away from the storage container, the through-passage element is coaxially connected to the primarily hollow-cylindrical connecting element. The connecting element is thus also oriented in an axial direction. The connecting element and the actuating element are in particular designed as a single piece, for example as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0014] In particular, the retaining element, the actuating element, and the connecting element are designed as a single piece. This allows the adapter to be manufactured particularly cost-effectively. The retaining element, the actuating element, and the connecting element are designed, in particular, as a single plastic injection-molded part.

[0015] The through-element of the actuating element is positioned so that it rests on top of the above-described valve tube of the reservoir, allowing it to push the valve tube toward the reservoir and thus actuate the valve. In the passive position of the actuating element, a small gap may also exist between the through-element and the valve tube.

[0016] In the passive position of the actuating element, the passage element does not push the valve tube toward the reservoir, so the reservoir is closed and no care product can escape. In the passive position of the actuating element, the passage element of the actuating element is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir. The axial direction of the passage element, and thus also of the connecting element, thus runs in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir. The actuating element assumes the passive position when no force is exerted on the actuating element, in particular on its passage element via the connecting element.

[0017] The retaining element is enclosed by the guide cap in such a way that the connecting element protrudes upward through the guide cap. The guide cap is firmly connected to the retaining element and / or the storage container. The guide cap is, in particular, plugged or clipped onto a circumferential collar of the storage container.

[0018] To allow the connecting element to protrude through the guide cap, the guide cap has a guide device, particularly designed as a recess. The guide device is particularly designed such that, starting from the position of the connecting element in the passive position of the actuating element, it only permits movement of the connecting element relative to the guide cap in a direction referred to as the actuating direction. The guide cap is also particularly designed as a plastic injection-molded part, wherein the guide cap is particularly not formed integrally with the retaining element, the actuating element, and / or the connecting element.

[0019] In order to move the actuating element from its passive position to its active position, it is tilted relative to the holding element in the actuating direction. For this purpose, a force is exerted in particular on the connecting element in the aforementioned actuating direction and thus transversely to the longitudinal direction of the storage container. This introduces a torque into the actuating element via the rigid connection between the connecting element and the actuating element. The connection between the holding element and the connecting part of the actuating element is designed and arranged in such a way that the aforementioned torque leads to a tilting of the actuating element relative to the holding element. The tilt axis runs transversely to the longitudinal direction through the aforementioned connection between the holding element and the connecting part of the actuating element, for example through the aforementioned connecting web between the holding element and the connecting part of the actuating element.The tilting axis therefore does not run through the through-hole of the actuating element, but rather alongside it. The connection, particularly in the form of the connecting web, is elastically deformed.

[0020] The aforementioned tilting of the actuating element relative to the holding element not only causes the through-passage element of the actuating element to tilt relative to the longitudinal direction, but also causes a lower end region of the through-passage element to be displaced downwards, i.e. in the direction of the storage container. As a result, the through-passage element of the actuating element presses the tube of the valve downwards during the aforementioned tilting, thereby actuating it. When the valve is actuated, the compression spring in the valve is compressed. In particular, the tube of the valve of the storage container does not bend, i.e. it is always aligned in the longitudinal direction of the storage container. To ensure that the through-passage element can still reliably actuate the valve when the actuating element is tilted relative to the holding element, the through-passage element is particularly widened in its lower end region, i.e. oriented towards the storage container.The lower end section can, for example, have a conical or hemispherical shape. This allows the passage element to push the valve tube toward the reservoir even if it is no longer aligned coaxially with the valve tube, but is inclined relative to the tube. However, it is also possible for the end section to remain unexpanded.

[0021] As soon as no more torque is applied to the actuating element, the actuating element returns to the passive position due to the aforementioned elastic deformation of the connection between the holding element and the connecting part of the actuating element. This creates a restoring moment on the actuating element in the direction of its passive position. The through-passage element of the actuating element realigns itself longitudinally, and its lower end area is displaced upwards again, away from the reservoir. As a result, the tube of the reservoir valve is pushed upwards by the force of the compression spring in the valve, thus closing it.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the guide device of the guide cap is designed as an elongated recess in the guide cap, through which the connecting element protrudes. The connecting element is guided along the lateral edges of the recess when the connecting element is tilted relative to the retaining element. The guide device can thus be implemented particularly simply and cost-effectively.

[0023] The said recess of the guide cap can have cheeks projecting towards the storage container, which form the lateral edges of the recess.

[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the guide device is designed and arranged in such a way that it limits the aforementioned tilting of the connecting element relative to the retaining element. This advantageously prevents excessive tilting or tilting in the wrong direction, both of which could lead to damage to the adapter.

[0025] The guide device is designed in particular such that, starting from the passive position of the actuating element, it only allows tilting of the connecting element in the aforementioned actuating direction. Furthermore, the guide device also limits the tilting of the connecting element in the actuating direction. The guide device therefore has, in particular, two stops: a first stop opposite the actuating direction and a second stop in the actuating direction.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the guide device is designed as an elongated recess in the guide cap, through which the connecting element protrudes. The elongated recess of the guide cap can have cheeks projecting toward the storage container. The aforementioned tilting of the connecting element relative to the retaining element is limited at the end of the recess, in particular at both ends. The guide device can thus be implemented particularly simply and cost-effectively.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, a cover surface of the guide cap, which has the guide device and faces away from the actuating element, is arranged at an angle relative to the actuating element in its passive position. The angle is particularly aligned in the actuating direction, thereby advantageously indicating the actuating direction.

[0028] An inclination relative to the actuating element refers to an inclination relative to the connecting element of the actuating element. Thus, the inclined cover surface forms an angle other than 90° with the longitudinal direction of the storage container.

[0029] However, it is also possible for the cover surface to be arranged at a non-inclined angle relative to the connecting element of the actuating element. The cover surface then forms an angle of 90° with the longitudinal direction of the reservoir.

[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, the guide cap has two side walls at its end facing away from the storage container, between which the cover surface of the guide cap extends, which contains the guide device and faces away from the actuating element. The connecting element is completely arranged between the side walls. The connecting element is thus protected from damage by the side walls, particularly during transport of a storage container with an adapter attached to it.

[0031] A complete arrangement between the side walls is understood here in particular to mean that the connecting element does not protrude upwards beyond the two side walls. The side walls are, in particular, designed identically. The connecting element can be flush with the side walls at the top, or the side walls can also protrude upwards above the connecting element.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating element comprises torsion bars designed and arranged to exert a restoring moment on the actuating element toward the passive position of the actuating element. This ensures reliable return of the actuating element from its active position to its passive position, thus preventing unwanted leakage of care product from the reservoir.

[0033] For this purpose, the actuating element comprises, for example, a retaining element that can be clipped onto the first circumferential collar of the reservoir, which is primarily ring-shaped. The connecting element is then arranged in the center of the retaining element. In this case, the connecting element alone fulfills the function of both the through-flow element and the connecting element. The connecting element is then connected to the retaining element on opposite sides by two coaxially arranged torsion bars.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, a sealing element is arranged at least partially within the connecting element. The sealing element projects beyond the connecting element, in particular upwards, i.e., in the direction away from the storage container. The sealing element is designed and arranged in such a way that it can create a secure and tight connection of the connecting element in the direction of the valve of the storage container, i.e., in particular, toward the tube of the storage container, and / or in the direction of the hollow body, i.e., in particular, toward an end piece that can be plugged onto the connecting element. The sealing element thus prevents unwanted leakage of the care product at the connection between the adapter and the storage container and / or at the connection between the adapter and the end piece.

[0035] The provision of a sealing element in an adapter for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a reservoir for a treatment agent can be advantageous even without the above-described guidance by the guide cap and can thus be considered a separate invention. This would result in: An adapter for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a storage container for a treatment agent, comprising a holding element, an actuating element, and a connecting element connected to the actuating element for connecting the hollow body, wherein the holding element is designed such that it can be arranged immovably on the storage container, the actuating element is designed and arranged such that it can actuate a valve of the storage container and can forward treatment agent emerging via the valve to the connecting element, and can assume a passive position and an active position, wherein the valve of the storage container is closed in the passive position and open in the active position, and a sealing element is arranged at least partially within the connecting element, which sealing element is designed and arranged such thatthat it can create a tight connection of the connecting element towards the valve of the storage container and / or towards the hollow body.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element and the sealing element are made of different materials. The sealing element is made of a softer material than the connecting element, with both being made of plastic. This allows a material tailored to the intended use to be used for both the connecting element and the sealing element. For example, the connecting element must be sufficiently rigid, and the sealing element must have good sealing properties.

[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element and the sealing element are manufactured using a two-component injection molding process. This enables particularly cost-effective production of the connecting element and the sealing element. First, the connecting element, in particular together with the retaining element, is injection-molded from a first plastic. Subsequently, the sealing element is injection-molded onto or into the resulting component from a second, particularly softer, plastic.

[0038] Alternatively, to manufacture the actuating element, the retaining element and the connecting element, on the one hand, and the sealing element, on the other, can be manufactured as separate components, particularly injection-molded from different plastics. The two components can then be joined together.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, an interchangeable end piece is arranged on the connecting element, via which the hollow body can be connected to the connecting element. This advantageously allows hollow bodies with different openings to be connected to the adapter according to the invention.

[0040] The aforementioned end piece can, in particular, simply be plugged onto the connecting element. To ensure a secure hold of the end piece, the connecting element can have a slightly conical outer contour. The end piece is, in particular, hollow inside, with one side of the end piece being adapted to the outer contour of the connecting element and the opposite side to the opening of the hollow body. The end piece is also designed, in particular, as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the end piece can be plugged onto the connecting element, and the connecting element has a stop for limiting the insertion of the end piece toward the actuating element. The stop is positioned in such a way that the end piece is securely and correctly plugged onto the connecting element when it touches said stop. This ensures that the end piece is securely and correctly plugged onto the connecting element when the adapter is used and that it does not detach from the connecting element when treatment agent is supplied to the hollow body.

[0042] Since different hollow bodies can have different openings for connecting to the adapter according to the invention, a customized end piece is provided for each type of hollow body to be connected. The various end pieces are specifically marked differently, so that each type of hollow body is assigned an end piece with a specific marking. The different end pieces can each have a different color or different labeling as a marking, for example.

[0043] This results in an adapter system for coupling a hollow body in the medical field with a storage container for a treatment agent with an adapter as described above and several different end pieces that can be arranged on the connecting element of the adapter, via which differently designed hollow bodies can be connected to the connecting element.

[0044] Such an adapter system can in particular additionally comprise a storage container with a treatment agent.

[0045] Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawing. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in simplified form in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. Fig. 1 a section through a storage container with treatment agent coupled to a hollow body in the medical field by means of an adapter with a closed valve, Fig. 2 a holding element, an actuating element and a connecting element of the adapter from Fig. 1 in a top view, Fig. 3 a guide cap of the adapter made of Fig. 1 in a plan view, Fig. 4 a side view of the guide cap from Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 a section through the storage container coupled by means of the adapter to the hollow body in the medical field with the valve open, Fig. 6 a second embodiment of a holding element and a connecting element in a plan view and Fig. 7 a section through the holding element and the connecting element from Fig. 6 along line AA.

[0046] According to Fig. 1 is an adapter 10, by means of which a hollow body 12 in the medical field is coupled to a storage container 14 for a treatment agent, clipped onto a first circumferential collar 16 in the upper region of the storage container 14. The hollow body 12 is designed in the present example as a turbine. The storage container 14 is designed in particular as a mainly cylindrical spray can filled under pressure with a mixture of propellant and care oil. The storage container 14 is aligned in a longitudinal direction 18, which corresponds to its axial direction. It has a valve 20 with a centrally arranged and longitudinally extending hollow tube 21. The valve 20 is in Fig. 1 closed so that no care product can escape from the reservoir 14. The valve 20 is connected to the remaining part of the reservoir 14 via the first circumferential collar 16.

[0047] The adapter 10 has a primarily hollow-cylindrical retaining element 22, through which the connection to the storage container 14 is established. The retaining element 22 is adapted in its lower region to the cross-section of the storage container 14 and to the first circumferential collar 16.

[0048] The holding element 22 is connected in its upper area to an actuating element 24. The actuating element 24 has a mainly hollow cylindrical passage element 26 and a connecting part 28. The connecting part 28 establishes the connection with the holding element 22. The actuating element 24 is in Fig. 1 in its passive position, in which the valve 20 of the storage tank 14 is closed.

[0049] The connection between the holding element 22 and the connecting part 28 of the actuating element 24 is in Fig. 2 shown in a top view. According to Fig. 2 The connecting element 28 of the actuating element 24 has a predominantly circular cross-section and is completely enclosed by the holding element 22. The connection between the holding element 22 and the connecting element 28 is established via a narrow web 30. On the remaining circumference, the connecting element 28 and the holding element 22 are separated from each other by a gap 31 running along the circumference of the connecting element.

[0050] The passage element 26 of the actuating element 24 extends according to Fig. 1 from the connecting element 28 downwards towards the storage container 14. It is in the Fig. 1 In the passive position shown, the actuating element 24 is arranged coaxially with the tube 21 of the valve 20 of the reservoir 14 such that it sits on top of the tube 21 of the valve 20. An axial direction 33 of the connecting element 28 thus corresponds to the longitudinal direction 18 of the reservoir 14. There may also be a small distance between a lower end region 27 of the passage element 26 and the tube 21 of the valve 20. The lower end region 27 widens slightly downwards.

[0051] Towards the top, i.e. away from the reservoir 14, the through element 26 is coaxially connected to a mainly hollow cylindrical connecting element 32. The connecting element 32 is thus in the Fig. 1 The passive position of the actuating element 24 shown is also aligned in the axial direction 33. The connecting element 32, the actuating element 24 and the holding element 22 are in particular designed in one piece, for example as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0052] A hollow body-shaped end piece 34 is attached to the end of the connecting element 32 facing away from the storage container 14. It is attached far enough that it touches an outwardly directed stop 36 of the connecting element 32. The hollow body 12 is attached to an end of the end piece 34 facing away from the storage container 14 and is thus indirectly connected to the connecting element 32. The end of the end piece 34 facing away from the storage container 14 is adapted to an inner contour of a compressed air opening 38 of the hollow body 12.

[0053] Since different hollow bodies can have differently designed compressed air openings, various end pieces adapted to the corresponding hollow body can be attached to the connecting element. The various end pieces are identified differently using different colors or labels, so that each type of hollow body is assigned an end piece with a specific marking.

[0054] The holding element 22 and the actuating element 24 are arranged entirely within a guide cap 40. The guide cap 40 has a mainly cylindrical outer contour and is clipped in its lower area onto a second circumferential collar 41 of the storage container 14. The second circumferential collar 41 of the storage container 14 is arranged below the first circumferential collar 16 and has a larger diameter than the latter. At its end facing away from the storage container 14, the guide cap 40 is Fig. 1 shown section by a cover surface 42. The cover surface 42 facing away from the actuating element 24 is in the Fig. 1 arranged at an inclination relative to the connecting element 28 of the actuating element 24. The inclination runs in the Fig. 1 from left to right, which also corresponds to the actuation direction. The cover surface 42 has a guide device designed as a recess 44, through which the connecting element 32 projects upward.

[0055] In Fig. 3 The guide cap 40 with the recess 44 and the connecting element 32 projecting through the recess 44 is shown in a plan view. The recess 44 has a mainly rectangular cross-section. In connection with Fig. 5 During the described tilting of the connecting element 32 relative to the holding element 22, the connecting element 32 is guided by lateral edges 46 of the recess 44. During the tilting, the connecting element 32 is Fig. 3 to the right and thus in the actuation direction. The displacement is limited by a right end 48 of the recess, whereby the end 48 can be referred to as a stop of the guide element 44. The lateral edges 46 of the recess 44 are longer than the right end 48 and an opposite left end 49, so that the recess can be referred to as an elongated recess. The left end 49 of the recess 44 is arranged in such a way that a tilting of the connecting element 32 against the actuation direction, i.e. in Fig. 3 to the left is not possible.

[0056] The guide cap 40 has two side cheeks 50, which run parallel to the lateral edges 46 of the recess 44. The cover surface 42, which has the recess 44, is arranged between the two side cheeks 50. The side cheeks 50 of the guide cap 40 are in Fig. 4 shown in a side view. The illustration corresponds to a view of the upper part of the guide cap 40 from the left in Fig. 3 The side cheeks 50 are arranged in two opposite outer regions of the guide cap 40 and extend further upward, i.e., away from the reservoir 14, than the cover surface 42 arranged between them. They extend so far upward that the connecting element 32 is completely arranged between them. The side cheeks 50 protrude slightly upward beyond the connecting element 32. However, they could also be flush with the connecting element.

[0057] The actuation, i.e. the opening of the valve 20 of the storage container 14, is described below in connection with Fig. 5 described. The valve 20 is opened, i.e. the tube 21 of the valve 20 is pressed in the longitudinal direction 18 against the force of a compression spring (not shown) in the direction of the storage container 14, in that the hollow body 12 and with it the end piece 34, the connecting element 32 and the actuating element 24 are moved relative to the holding element 22 and thus relative to the longitudinal direction 18 of the storage container 14 in the actuating direction, i.e. in Fig. 5 is tilted to the right. The tilting results in the axial direction 33 of the connecting element 32 no longer running in the longitudinal direction 18 of the storage container 14, but rather enclosing an angle α with the longitudinal direction 18 of the storage container 14. The angle α can be, for example, between 2 and 15°, in particular between 3 and 8°.

[0058] When tilted, the connecting element 32 is guided by the lateral edges 46 of the guide device in the form of the recess 44. The tilting is limited by the right end 48 of the recess 44. The left end 49 of the recess 44 prevents the connecting element 32 from tilting to the left, i.e., opposite to the actuation direction. As a result of the tilting, the lower end region 27 of the through-element 26 of the actuation element 24 is displaced downwards towards the storage container 14 and thus presses the tube 21 of the valve 20 downwards in the longitudinal direction 18 towards the storage container 14. The valve 20 is thus opened, so that care product exits the storage container 14 via the tube 21 of the valve 20. The care product is guided via the passage element 26, the connection element 32 and the end piece 34 to the compressed air opening 38 of the hollow body 12 and thus into the hollow body 12. The actuating element 24 is thus in Fig. 5 in its active position, in which the valve 20 of the storage tank 14 is open.

[0059] In order to stop the care product from escaping from the storage container 14, the hollow body 12 and with it the end piece 34, the connecting element 32 and the actuating element 24 are returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 shown position, so that the axial direction 33 of the connecting element 32 again runs in the longitudinal direction 18 of the storage container 14. The actuating element 24 is thus brought back from its active position to its passive position.

[0060] Since the above-mentioned compression spring, which is compressed when the valve 20 is actuated, exerts an upward force on the tube 21 of the valve 20 and, in addition, the narrow web 30 (see Fig. 2 ) as a connection between the holding element 22 and the connecting element 28 of the actuating element 24 has been elastically deformed, no force needs to be applied to adjust the passive position of the actuating element 24 and thus to close the valve 20 of the reservoir 14; instead, only the introduction of the force required for tilting must be terminated. The elastic deformation of the web 30 thus leads to a restoring moment on the actuating element 24 in the direction of the passive position of the actuating element 24.

[0061] As described above, different end pieces for different hollow bodies can be attached to the adapter's connecting element. An adapter with several different end pieces forms an adapter system for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a storage container for a treatment agent. The adapter system can also include the storage container with the treatment agent.

[0062] In a second embodiment of an actuating element 124 according to Fig.6 und 7 The holding element 122, which can be clipped onto the first circumferential collar of the storage container, is mainly annular in shape, in the center of which the connecting element 132 is arranged. The connecting element 132 alone fulfills the function of the passage element 26 and the connecting element 32 of the first embodiment according to the Fig. 1 bis 5 The connecting element 132 is connected to the holding element 122 on opposite sides by two coaxially arranged torsion bars 129. The two torsion bars 129 serve to apply the above-mentioned restoring torque toward the passive position of the actuating element 124.

[0063] For an adapter with an actuating element 124 according to Fig.6 und 7 The guide cap also guides the connection element 132 relative to the connecting element 132, and the stop of the guide cap also interacts with the connecting element 132. For this purpose, the connecting element 132 has an upper, mainly hollow-cylindrical part 137 and a lower part 139 for guidance by the guide cap. The lower part 139 has two flat, opposing parallel surfaces 141 for guidance by the guide cap and two curved, opposing surfaces 143. In the active position of the actuating element 124, one of the curved surfaces 143 rests against the guide cap, and in the passive position of the actuating element 124, the other, opposing surface 143 rests against the guide cap.

[0064] The guide cap can have cheeks projecting in particular in the direction of the storage container to guide the connecting element 132, which cheeks in connection with Fig. 2said lateral edges for guiding the connecting element 132 and the stop for limiting the displacement of the connecting element 132.

[0065] A sealing element 135 is arranged partially within the connecting element 132 and projects upwards beyond the connecting element 132. The sealing element 135 is hollow on the inside so that it can direct the care product emerging from the storage container via the tube of the valve towards the hollow end piece. It is made of a plastic that is softer than the plastic from which the holding element 122 and the connecting element 132 are made and has a particularly good sealing effect. The lower end of the sealing element 135 establishes the connection to the tube of the valve of the storage container, thus creating a secure connection to the tube. The upper end of the sealing element 135 establishes the connection to the hollow end piece, thus creating a secure connection to the hollow end piece.

[0066] To manufacture the actuating element 124, the retaining element 122 and the connecting element 132, on the one hand, and the sealing element 135, on the other, can be manufactured as separate components, in particular by injection molding from different plastics. The two components can then be joined together.

[0067] Alternatively, the retaining element 122 and the connecting element 132 can first be injection-molded from a first plastic, and then the sealing element 135 can be injection-molded onto or into the resulting component from a second, softer plastic. The actuating element can thus be manufactured using a so-called two-component injection-molding process.

[0068] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. Adapter for coupling a hollow body in the medical field with a storage container for a treatment agent with - a retaining element (22, 122), - an actuating element (24, 124), - a connecting element (32, 132) connected to the actuating element (24, 124) for connecting the hollow body (12) and - a guide cap (40) with a guide device (44), whereby - the retaining element (22, 122) is designed in such a way that it can be arranged immovably on the storage container (14), - the actuating element (24, 124) is designed and arranged in such a way that it can actuate a valve (20) of the storage container (14) and pass on treatment agent emerging via the valve (20) to the connecting element (32, 132), and can assume a passive position and an active position, wherein the valve (20) of the storage container (14) is closed in the passive position and open in the active position, characterized in that - the connecting element (32, 132) protrudes through the guide cap (40) and - the guide cap (40) is arranged relative to the retaining element (22, 122), the actuating element (24, 124) and the connecting element (32, 132) in such a way that the actuating element (24, 124) can be brought from its passive position into its active position and vice versa by tilting the connecting element (32, 132) relative to the retaining element (22, 122) as guided by the guide device (44).

2. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide device (44) is designed as an elongate recess (44) in the guide cap (40), through which the connecting element (32, 132) projects through the guide cap (40) and at the lateral edges (46) of which the connecting element (32, 132) is guided during the said tilting of the connecting element (32, 132) relative to the retaining element (22, 122).

3. Adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide device (44) is designed and arranged in such a way that it limits said tilting of the connecting element (32, 132) relative to the retaining element (22, 122).

4. Adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide device (44) is designed as an elongate recess (44) in the guide cap (40), through which the connecting element (32, 132) projects through the guide cap (40) and at the ends (48, 49) of which the said tilting of the connecting element (32, 132) relative to the retaining element (22, 122) is limited.

5. Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a cover surface (42) of the guide cap (40), which has the guide device (44) and points away from the actuating element (24, 124), is arranged inclined with respect to the actuating element (24, 124) in its passive position.

6. Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide cap (40) has two side cheeks (50) at its end facing away from the storage container (14), between which the cover surface (42) of the guide cap (40), which has the guide device (44) and faces away from the actuating element (24, 124), extends and the connecting element (32, 132) is arranged completely between the side cheeks (50).

7. Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuating element (124) has torsion bars (129) which are designed and arranged such that they apply a restoring torque to the actuating element (124) in the direction of the passive position of the actuating element (124).

8. Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a sealing element (135) is arranged at least partially inside the connecting element (132).

9. Adapter according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting element (132) and the sealing element (135) are made of different materials.

10. Adapter according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting element (132) and the sealing element (135) are manufactured by means of a two-component injection molding process.

11. Adapter according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an exchangeable end piece (34) is arranged on the connecting element (32, 132), via which end piece the hollow body (12) can be connected to the connecting element (32, 132).

12. Adapter according to claim 11, characterized in that the end piece (34) can be plugged onto the connecting element (32, 132) and the connecting element (32) has a stop (36) for limiting the plugging-on of the end piece (34) in the direction of the actuating element (24).

13. Adapter system for coupling a hollow body in the medical field to a storage container for a treatment agent, comprising an adapter (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10 a plurality of different end pieces (34) which can be arranged on the connecting element (32) of the adapter (10) and via which differently designed hollow bodies (12) can be connected to the connecting element (32, 132).

14. Adapter system according to claim 13, wherein the adapter system comprises a storage container (14) with treatment agent.