Medical instrument, nasal adapter, and bite block

Abstract

To increase convenience of a medical instrument equipped with a nasal adapter and a bite block.SOLUTION: A nasal adapter 11 includes a ventilation part arranged to face nostrils of a subject 20 in wearing and sections a first ventilation path 112 in communication with the ventilation part. A bite block 12 includes a hollow member 121 arranged in an oral cavity of the subject 20 in wearing and sections a second ventilation path 122 in communication with the hollow member 121. A joint 13 connects the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 and sections a third ventilation path 133 which communicates the first ventilation path 112 with the second ventilation path 122. In the joint 13, a side facing a face of the subject in wearing is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical device to be fitted to a subject for medical purposes. The medical device includes a nasal adaptor and a bite block. The nasal adaptor has a vent portion that is positioned to face the subject's nostrils when fitted. The bite block has a hollow member that is positioned in the subject's mouth when fitted. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a medical instrument including a nasal adaptor and a bite block as described above. The instrument is used to assist in acquiring biological information of a subject using a respiration sensor and an endoscope. The nasal adaptor has a cannula. When the instrument is attached to a subject, the cannula is inserted into the subject's nostrils. Exhaled air drawn out from the nostrils through the cannula is subjected to detection by the respiration sensor. The endoscope is protected from the subject's teeth and the like by being inserted into a hollow member. The nasal adaptor and the bite block are connected by a joint. This suppresses changes in the relative positions of the two during acquisition of biological information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,687,623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of a medical instrument having a nasal adapter and a bite block. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object is a medical device to be attached to a subject, comprising: a nasal adaptor having an air vent arranged to face the subject's nostrils when worn; a bite block having a hollow member that is placed in the oral cavity of the subject when worn; a joint connecting the nasal adaptor and the bite block; It is equipped with The joint is flexible.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object is a nasal adaptor to be attached to a subject, comprising: A ventilation section that is arranged to face the nostrils of the subject when worn; a joint for connecting a bite block having a hollow member to be placed in the oral cavity of the subject to the nasal adaptor; It is equipped with The joint is flexible.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object is a bite block attached to a subject, comprising: A hollow member that is placed in the oral cavity of the subject when worn; a joint for connecting a nasal adaptor having an air vent arranged to face the nostrils of the subject to the bite block; It is equipped with The joint is flexible.

[0008] After the medical instrument is attached to the subject, an external force that changes the relative position between the nasal adapter and the bite block may act due to the subject's body movement or the operation of the medical device inserted into the subject's oral cavity through the hollow member. According to the configuration according to each of the above aspects, the relative position between the nasal adapter and the bite block is actively changed due to the flexibility of the joint, and the external force can be absorbed or dissipated. This makes it possible to suppress the positional deviation of the ventilation part of the nasal adapter caused by the external force. Therefore, the convenience of the medical instrument equipped with the nasal adapter and the bite block can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a medical device according to an embodiment attached to a subject; [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates an external view of the medical device of FIG. 1 as seen from the front. [Diagram 3] 2 shows an example of a deformed state of the joint of the medical device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 shows another example of a deformed state of the joint of the medical device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 illustrates an external view of the medical device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left. [Figure 6] 2 shows another example of a deformed state of the joint of the medical device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7 illustrates a cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction of the arrows. [Figure 8] 2 illustrates an external view of the medical device of FIG. 1 as seen from behind. [Figure 9] 2 illustrates an optical sensor mounted on the medical instrument of FIG. 1; [Figure 10] 2 illustrates an external view of the medical device of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. [Figure 11] 2 shows another example of a deformed state of the joint of the medical device of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] This illustrates the nasal adaptor and bite block of Figure 1 in a separated state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Examples of embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which arrow F indicates the forward direction of the illustrated structure, arrow B indicates the rearward direction of the illustrated structure, arrow U indicates the upward direction of the illustrated structure, arrow D indicates the downward direction of the illustrated structure, arrow L indicates the leftward direction of the illustrated structure, and arrow R indicates the rightward direction of the illustrated structure.

[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates a state in which a medical device 10 according to an embodiment is attached to a subject 20. Fig. 2 illustrates an external view of the medical device 10 as viewed from the front.

[0012] In the following description, "left" and "right" refer to the left and right directions as seen from the subject 20. When the medical device 10 is attached to the subject 20, the left and right directions of the medical device 10 correspond to the left and right directions of the head of the subject 20. Similarly, the up and down directions and front and back directions of the medical device 10 correspond to the up and down directions and front and back directions of the head of the subject 20, respectively.

[0013] The medical instrument 10 includes a nasal adapter 11, a bite block 12, and a joint 13.

[0014] The nasal adaptor 11 includes a pair of cannulas 111. Each cannula 111 has a hollow cylindrical shape. When the medical device 10 is attached to the subject 20, each cannula 111 is inserted into a nostril of the subject 20 and is disposed so as to face the inner wall of the nostril. Each cannula 111 is an example of a ventilation section.

[0015] The bite block 12 includes a hollow member 121. The hollow member 121 is disposed so as to be located in the oral cavity of the subject 20 when the medical instrument 10 is attached to the subject 20. The hollow portion of the hollow member 121 is configured to allow the insertion of a medical instrument such as an endoscope. The hollow member 121 protects the medical instrument from the teeth of the subject, etc.

[0016] The joint 13 connects the nasal adaptor 11 and the bite block 12. Specifically, the joint 13 has a first connection portion 131 and a second connection portion 132. The first connection portion 131 is located at an upper end of the joint 13 and is connected to the nasal adaptor 11. The second connection portion 132 is located at a lower end of the joint 13 and is connected to the bite block 12.

[0017] The joint 13 is made of, for example, soft polyvinyl chloride resin, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, etc. The joint 13 has flexibility.

[0018] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, due to the flexibility of the joint 13, the relative position of the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 can change not only in the vertical direction of the medical instrument 10, but also within a plane that includes the vertical and horizontal directions of the medical instrument 10.

[0019] 5 and 6, the flexibility of the joint 13 may cause the relative positions of the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 to change within a plane including the up-down and front-back directions of the medical instrument 10. Although not shown, the flexibility of the joint 13 may cause the relative positions of the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 to change within a plane including the left-right and front-back directions of the medical instrument 10.

[0020] After the medical instrument 10 is attached to the subject 20, an external force that changes the relative position between the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 may act due to the body movement of the subject 20 or the operation of a medical device inserted into the oral cavity of the subject 20 through the hollow member 121. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the relative position between the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 actively changes due to the flexibility of the joint 13, and the external force can be absorbed or dissipated. This makes it possible to suppress the positional deviation of the cannula 111 of the nasal adapter 11 caused by the external force. Therefore, the convenience of the medical instrument 10 including the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 can be improved.

[0021] Fig. 7 illustrates a cross section of the medical device 10 as viewed from the direction of the arrow along line VII-VII in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 illustrates the external appearance of the medical device 10 as viewed from the face side of the subject 20.

[0022] The nasal adaptor 11 has a housing that defines a first air passage 112. The first air passage 112 communicates with each cannula 111. The housing is molded from a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. These materials are selected as materials that are relatively harder than the joint 13.

[0023] Bite block 12 has a housing that defines second air passage 122. Second air passage 122 communicates with hollow member 121. The housing is molded from a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. These materials are selected as materials that are relatively harder than joint 13.

[0024] The joint 13 forms a third air passage 133. The third air passage 133 communicates with the first air passage 112 and the second air passage 122. That is, the nostrils and the oral cavity of the subject 20 can be communicated with each other via the first air passage 112, the second air passage 122, and the third air passage 133.

[0025] With this configuration, the joint 13, which allows the relative positional change between the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 after the medical instrument 10 is attached to the subject 20, can be used as an air passage for communicating between the nostrils and the oral cavity of the subject 20. An example of the use of the air passage configured in this way will be described.

[0026] 1 and 5, the nasal adapter 11 has a sensor support portion 113. The sensor support portion 113 has a protruding portion 113b in which a pair of windows 113a are formed. As is clear from Fig. 7, the pair of windows 113a face each other with the first air passage 112 interposed therebetween.

[0027] An optical sensor 30 as exemplified in Fig. 9 can be attached to the sensor support portion 113. The optical sensor 30 includes a housing 31. The housing 31 has a recess 31a. The housing 31 houses a light-emitting element 32 and a light-receiving element 33. The light-emitting element 32 and the light-receiving element 33 are disposed to face each other with the recess 31a in between.

[0028] The optical sensor 30 includes lead wires 34. The lead wires 34 include a signal line that transmits a drive signal from a measurement device (not shown) to the light-emitting element 32. Light emitted from the light-emitting element 32 based on the drive signal passes through the recess 31a and enters the light-receiving element 33. The light-receiving element 33 outputs a detection signal according to the intensity of the incident light. The lead wires 34 also include a signal line that transmits the detection signal to the measurement device.

[0029] When the optical sensor 30 is attached to the sensor support portion 113, the convex portion 113b fits into the concave portion 31a. This causes the optical sensor 30 to be supported by the sensor support portion 113. At this time, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 32 enters the first air passage 112 through one of a pair of windows 113a provided in the convex portion 113b. The light that has passed through the first air passage 112 enters the light-receiving element 33 through the other of the pair of windows 113a.

[0030] The optical sensor 30 is used to determine the concentration of a specific gas component contained in the breath of the subject 20. The wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting element 32 is determined as a wavelength that is significantly absorbed by the specific gas component. Examples of the specific gas component include carbon dioxide and anesthetic gas.

[0031] The exhaled air from the nostrils of the subject 20 is led to the first air passage 112 through the cannula 111. Since the second air passage 122 of the bite block 12 communicates with the first air passage 112 through the third air passage 133 of the joint 13, the exhaled air from the oral cavity of the subject 20 into which the hollow member 121 is inserted can also be led to the first air passage 112.

[0032] In response to breathing of the subject 20, the concentration of a specific gas component in the first air passage 112 located between the light emitting element 32 and the light receiving element 33 of the optical sensor 30 changes, and the intensity of the received light in the light receiving element 33 changes. This makes it possible to measure the change over time in the concentration of the gas component in the breath of the subject 20.

[0033] 1, in this embodiment, the nasal adapter 11 includes a tube connection portion 114. A gas supply tube 40 is connected to the tube connection portion 114. The gas supply tube 40 is used to supply gas from a gas supply source (not shown) to the subject 20. Examples of the gas include oxygen and anesthesia gas.

[0034] 10, the nasal adapter 11 has a pair of gas supply holes 115. Each gas supply hole 115 communicates with a gas supply tube 40 connected to a tube connection portion 114. Each gas supply hole 115 is disposed so as to face a nostril of the subject 20 when the medical instrument 10 is attached to the subject 20. Each gas supply hole 115 is an example of a vent portion.

[0035] The gas supplied through the gas supply tube 40 is introduced into the nostrils of the subject 20 through the gas supply hole 115, and can also be introduced into the oral cavity of the subject 20 through the first air passage 112 of the nasal adapter 11, the third air passage 133 of the joint 13, and the second air passage 122 of the bite block 12.

[0036] The nasal adapter 11 according to this embodiment includes both the sensor support portion 113 and the gas supply hole 115. However, the nasal adapter 11 may be configured to include only one of the sensor support portion 113 and the gas supply hole 115.

[0037] 2 to 8, the medical device 10 may include a first portion 101 and a second portion 102. The first portion 101 includes a portion of the third air passage 133. The second portion 102 includes another portion of the third air passage 133. The second portion 102 has greater flexibility than the first portion 101.

[0038] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first portion 101 includes a portion of the third air passage 133 corresponding to the first connecting portion 131 and a portion of the second connecting portion 132 of the joint 13. The second portion 102 corresponds to an intermediate portion 134 located between the first connecting portion 131 and the second connecting portion 132 of the third air passage 133. In this example, the first connecting portion 131, the second connecting portion 132, and the intermediate portion 134 are formed of the same material. However, the first connecting portion 131 and the second connecting portion 132 have relatively higher rigidity than the intermediate portion 134 by being supported by the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12, which are connected to them, respectively. As a result, the second portion 102 has higher flexibility than the first portion 101.

[0039] According to this configuration, even when the relative position between the nasal adaptor 11 and the bite block 12 is actively changed by the deformation of the second part 102 as illustrated in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and Fig. 6, the deformation of the relatively rigid first part 101 is suppressed, so that the third air passage 133 is less likely to be blocked due to the deformation of the joint 13. Therefore, the function of the air passage that communicates the nostrils and oral cavity of the subject 20 can be maintained while suppressing the displacement of the cannula 111 and the gas supply hole 115 due to an external force applied after the medical instrument 10 is attached to the subject 20. In particular, in a configuration in which the optical sensor 30 is supported by the nasal adaptor 11, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the cannula 111 and the blockage of the third air passage 133 from affecting the measurement using the optical sensor 30.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first connecting portion 131 has a portion that is larger in dimension than the second connecting portion 132 in the front-rear direction of the medical instrument 10.

[0041] With this configuration, when the relative positions of the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 change in the vertical direction of the medical instrument 10, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 11, the intermediate portion 134 can be deformed so that a portion of the second connecting portion 132 is accommodated in a portion of the first connecting portion 131, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of displacement of the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 in the vertical direction of the medical instrument 10.

[0042] In order to obtain this effect, a configuration may be adopted in which the second connecting portion 132 has a portion larger in dimension than the first connecting portion 131 in the front-rear direction of the medical device 10. In addition to or instead of this, a configuration may be adopted in which one of the first connecting portion 131 and the second connecting portion 132 has a portion larger in dimension than the other in the left-right direction of the medical device 10.

[0043] However, in the case of the configuration of this embodiment in which the optical sensor 30 is supported in the nasal adapter 11 and the gas supply tube 40 is connected, it is preferable to maintain the shape of the portion of the third air passage 133 that is located closer to these elements. Therefore, it is preferable that the first connecting portion 131 has a portion that is larger in dimension than the second connecting portion 132 in at least one of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the medical instrument 10.

[0044] 7 and 8, the joint 13 has a narrow portion 135. The narrow portion 135 is a portion where the width of the third air passage 133 is narrowed in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the medical instrument 10.

[0045] According to such a configuration, the generation of an airflow in the third air passage 133 can be promoted, so that the gas flow between the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 can be improved.

[0046] The narrow portion 135 may have a configuration in which the width of the third air passage 133 is narrowed in either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction of the medical instrument 10.

[0047] In the present embodiment, a narrow width portion 135 is formed in an intermediate portion 134 of the joint 13 corresponding to the second portion 102 of the medical device 10. In this case, the configuration capable of promoting the generation of airflow can contribute to promoting the deformation of the joint 13.

[0048] In this embodiment, the narrow portion 135 has a bellows shape including a plurality of bent portions. Specifically, the narrow portion 135 has a bellows shape in both the left-right direction and the front-back direction of the medical instrument 10. In this case, not only can the deformation of the joint 13 in the left-right direction and the front-back direction of the medical instrument 10 as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6 be promoted, but also the deformation of the joint 13 in the up-down direction of the medical instrument 10 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 11 can be promoted.

[0049] 12, the nasal adaptor 11 and the bite block 12 can be separable. In this example, the joint 13 is detachable from the bite block 12.

[0050] With this configuration, only one of the nasal adapter 11 and the bite block 12 can be replaced as needed.

[0051] The joint 13 may be detachable from the nasal adaptor 11, or may be detachable from both the nasal adaptor 11 and the bite block 12.

[0052] The above-described embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention. The configurations according to the above-described embodiment may be appropriately modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the intermediate portion 134 of the joint 13 corresponds to the second portion 102 of the medical instrument 10, which has higher flexibility. According to this configuration, by connecting the first connecting portion 131 located at the upper end of the joint 13 to the nasal adaptor 11 and connecting the second connecting portion 132 located at the lower end of the joint 13 to the bite block 12, it is possible to impart relatively high flexibility to the intermediate portion 134 without requiring a special configuration.

[0054] However, as long as a plurality of portions having different flexibility are provided in the joint 13 to avoid blocking of the third air passage 133, the position of the second portion 102 is not particularly limited.

[0055] In addition, multiple parts with different flexibility may be provided by molding the joint 13 from multiple materials with different rigidities, or multiple parts with different flexibility may be provided by changing the thickness of the joint 13 molded from the same material.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the nasal adaptor 11 is provided with a cannula 111 to be inserted into the nostrils in order to guide the exhaled air from the nostrils of the subject 20 to the first air passage 112. However, the exhaled air from the nostrils may be guided to the first air passage 112 using a cup-shaped member that defines a space facing the nostrils. Alternatively, the space may be used to guide gas supplied from the gas supply hole 115 to the nostrils. The space is also an example of a ventilation section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10: medical instrument, 101: first part, 102: second part, 11: nasal adapter, 111: cannula, 112: first air passage, 113: sensor support part, 115: gas supply hole, 12: bite block, 121: hollow member, 122: second air passage, 13: joint, 131: first connection part, 132: second connection part, 133: third air passage, 134: middle part, 135: narrow part, 20: subject

Claims

1. A medical device to be worn on a subject, a nasal adaptor that defines a ventilation section that is disposed so as to face the nostrils of the subject when the device is worn, and a first ventilation passage that communicates with the ventilation section; a bite block that defines a hollow member that is placed in the oral cavity of the subject when the device is worn, and a second air passage that is in communication with the hollow member; a joint that connects the nasal adapter and the bite block and defines a third air passage that communicates the first air passage and the second air passage; It is equipped with The joint has an open side facing the subject's face when worn. Medical equipment.

2. The nasal adapter includes a support portion to which a sensor for detecting gas in the first air passage is attached. The medical device of claim 1 .

3. The joint is detachable from the bite block. The medical device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A nasal adaptor to be attached to a subject, A ventilation section that is arranged to face the nostrils of the subject when worn; a joint that connects a bite block having a hollow member to be placed in the oral cavity of the subject to the nasal adapter and defines an air passage that communicates with the ventilation section; It is equipped with The joint has an open side facing the subject's face when worn. Nasal adapter.

5. A bite block to be attached to a subject, A hollow member that is placed in the oral cavity of the subject when worn; a joint for connecting a nasal adaptor having an air passageway communicating with the air passageway and the air passageway, the nasal adaptor having an air passageway and an air passageway opposed to the air passageway and the air passageway; It is equipped with The joint has an open side facing the subject's face when worn. Bite block.

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