Connector and extracorporeal circulation circuit

Abstract

To provide a connector and extracorporeal circulation circuit capable of preventing kinking even when bending force from a tube is applied.SOLUTION: A connector 10 includes a first fitting part 12 to which a first tube 108a is fitted, a second fitting part 14 to which a second tube 108b is fitted, and a tubular connecting part 18 for connecting the first fitting part 12 and the second fitting part 14 and having a small outer diameter, where the connecting part 18 is formed of an elastically deformable flexible material, an outer periphery of the connecting part 18 has a reinforcing portion 24 in which a plurality of protrusions 22 extending along a circumferential direction of the connecting part 18 are arranged in an extending direction of the connecting part 18, the protrusions 22 are spaced apart from the first fitting part 12 and the second fitting part 14, and the inner peripheral surface of the connecting part 18 is smooth.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector used for connecting medical tubing and an extracorporeal circulation circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] During cardiac or vascular surgery, the heart may be stopped during surgery. During this time, a heart-lung machine is used to perform systemic and pulmonary circulation and gas exchange. The heart-lung machine includes an extracorporeal circulation circuit and is made up of components such as a blood pump, an oxygenator, and a blood reservoir, connected by tubes.

[0003] In extracorporeal circulation circuits, in order to respond quickly to sudden changes in symptoms, some products are available in which tubes are pre-connected to components such as blood pumps, oxygenators, and blood reservoirs, so that they can be used immediately after opening the package.

[0004] In an extracorporeal circulation circuit in which tubes are pre-connected to components, connectors are used to connect multiple tubes together (for example, Patent Document 1). To make the packaging of the extracorporeal circulation circuit more compact, the tubes need to be wound with a small radius of curvature. For this reason, soft materials are used for the connectors so that they can follow the winding of the tubes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-136252 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when trying to reduce the radius of curvature of the tube, the force bending the connector increases, which can cause the connector to break. When a connector made of a soft material breaks, a wedge-shaped crease (also known as a kink) occurs. Once a kink occurs in the connector, it will not disappear even if the tube is opened from the package and stretched, and the smooth flow of blood will be hindered.

[0007] Therefore, an object of one embodiment is to provide a connector and an extracorporeal circulation circuit that can prevent kinking even when a bending force is applied from a tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the following disclosure is a connector comprising: a first fitting portion into which a first tube is fitted; a second fitting portion into which a second tube is fitted; and a tubular connecting portion that connects the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameters of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, wherein the connecting portion is formed from an elastically deformable flexible material, and the outer periphery of the connecting portion has a reinforcing portion in which a plurality of protrusions extending along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion are arranged in the extension direction of the connecting portion, the protrusions of the reinforcing portion are formed away from the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, and the inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion inside the reinforcing portion is formed smoothly.

[0009] Another aspect is an extracorporeal circulation circuit including the connector of the above aspect, a tube connected to the connector, and an extracorporeal circulation device connected via the tube and the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the connector and extracorporeal circulation circuit of the above aspect, even when a bending force is applied from the tube, the connector can be prevented from kinking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the extracorporeal circulation circuit according to the first embodiment in a packaged state. [Figure 2] 2A is a front view of the connector (T-shaped connector) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the connector of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] 2B is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the connector of FIG. 2A. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of a connector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a connector according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A is a front view of a connector according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 7A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the connector and the extracorporeal circuit will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] (First embodiment) 1, an extracorporeal circuit 100 of this embodiment includes components such as a blood pump 102, an oxygenator 104, and a blood reservoir 106, which are pre-connected by a plurality of tubes 108. As shown in the figure, the tubes 108 are wound or folded back in a packaged state so as to be compactly housed in the gaps between larger components such as the blood pump 102, the oxygenator 104, and the blood reservoir 106. A connector 10 is provided midway along the tubes 108 to connect the plurality of tubes 108 together.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2A , the connector 10 of this embodiment is a T-shaped connector in which a first fitting portion 12, a second fitting portion 14, and a third fitting portion 16 are connected in a T-shape via a connecting portion 18. The first fitting portion 12, the second fitting portion 14, and the third fitting portion 16 are portions into which separate tubes 108 are fitted and connected, respectively. The first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14 are formed in a cylindrical shape centered on a central axis 20 extending in a first direction. The first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14 open in opposite directions. The first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14 are connected via a cylindrical connecting portion 18 extending in the first direction. The outer diameter of the connecting portion 18 is formed smaller than the outer diameters of the first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14.

[0015] The third fitting portion 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the first direction perpendicular to the first direction. The third fitting portion 16 is joined to the connecting portion 18 at the center in the first direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2B , the hollow portion 12a of the first fitting portion 12 and the hollow portion 14a of the second fitting portion 14 communicate with each other via the hollow portion 18a of the connecting portion 18. The hollow portion 16a of the third fitting portion 16 penetrates the side wall of the connecting portion 18 and communicates with the hollow portion 18a. A step portion 18c is formed between the inner circumferential surface 12b of the first fitting portion 12 and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18. A step portion 18d is formed between the inner circumferential surface 14b of the second fitting portion 14 and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18. The step portion 18c is formed to have the same dimension as the wall thickness of the first tube 108a (see FIG. 4 ) that fits into the hollow portion 12a of the first fitting portion 12. Furthermore, the stepped portion 18d is formed to have the same dimension as the wall thickness of the second tube 108b (see FIG. 4) that fits into the hollow portion 14a of the second fitting portion 14. This allows the first tube 108a and the second tube 108b to be connected without creating a step between the inner circumferential surfaces of the first tube 108a and the second tube 108b and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18.

[0017] However, this embodiment is not limited thereto. The inner circumferential surface 12b of the first fitting portion 12, the inner circumferential surface 14b of the second fitting portion 14, and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18 may be formed flush, eliminating the stepped portions 18c and 18d. When eliminating the stepped portions 18c and 18d, the outer peripheries of the first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14, which are connected, may be provided with a step corresponding to the wall thickness of the tube 108, thereby reducing the step between the inner circumferential surface of the tube 108 and the inner circumferential surface of the connector 10. This allows for smoother blood flow and reduces the risk of thrombus formation. In this case, the wall thickness of the connecting portion 18 is thinner than the wall thicknesses of the first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14, allowing for flexible bending to a smaller radius of curvature, thereby suppressing the occurrence of kinking.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2A, a reinforcing portion 24 is provided on the side of the connecting portion 18, with a plurality of fin-shaped protrusions 22 extending in the circumferential direction connected in a first direction. As shown in FIG. 3, each protrusion 22 extends over a range of ¼ to ½ of the circumference of the connecting portion 18, centered on the portion facing the third fitting portion 16. The protrusion width and height of the protrusion 22 are greatest at a circumferential position on the opposite side from the third fitting portion 16. The width and height of the protrusion 22 gradually decrease as the circumferential position approaches the circumferential position of the third fitting portion 16. Note that the protrusion 22 may be formed over the entire circumferential area of ​​the connecting portion 18.

[0019] The protrusions 22 are formed in a tapered shape such that the thickness (width in the first direction) decreases outward. In the reinforcing portion 24, the central portions of the protrusions 22 are arranged adjacent to each other with no gaps in the first direction. Furthermore, the protrusions 22 are not limited to being tapered, and may be formed in the shape of a thin plate with a constant thickness.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2B, the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18 inside the reinforcing portion 24 is formed smooth. This configuration allows blood to flow smoothly and suppresses the occurrence of thrombi. Note that the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18 is not limited to a smooth surface, and may be a corrugated surface having irregularities corresponding to the shape of the reinforcing portion 24. Furthermore, the reinforcing portion 24 may be formed in a bellows structure in which the side wall of the connecting portion 18 has a series of mountain folds and valley folds.

[0021] The connector 10 of this embodiment is integrally formed from a soft and flexible material such as silicone resin, polyurethane resin, or polyvinyl chloride resin.

[0022] The connector 10 of this embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 10 is used with a first tube 108a connected to the first fitting portion 12, a second tube 108b connected to the second fitting portion 14, and a third tube 108c connected to the third fitting portion 16. The first tube 108a fits inside the first fitting portion 12. Similarly, the second tube 108b fits inside the second fitting portion 14. This allows the first tube 108a and the second tube 108b to be connected to the inner circumferential surface of the connector 10 without any steps. Note that the method of use of the connector 10 of this embodiment is not limited to the example described above. The first tube 108a may be fitted to the outside of the first fitting portion 12, and the second tube 108b may be fitted to the outside of the second fitting portion 14.

[0024] In the connector 10, bending stress acts on the connection portion 18 from the first tube 108a and the second tube 108b. If the connection portion 18 is bent inward with the side facing the third fitting portion 16 as shown in the figure, the risk of kinking of the connection portion 18 increases.

[0025] In contrast, in this embodiment, the provision of multiple protrusions 22 on the reinforcing portion 24 increases the thickness, reinforcing the connection portion 18 and preventing kinking. Furthermore, when bending stress concentrates locally, adjacent protrusions 22 come into contact with each other, resisting bending. The abutment of the protrusions 22 then allows the local stress to be dispersed over a wide area of ​​the reinforcing portion 24, preventing the occurrence of wedge-shaped kinks.

[0026] The connector 10 and the extracorporeal circuit 100 of this embodiment have the following advantages.

[0027] The connector 10 of this embodiment comprises a first mating portion 12 into which the first tube 108a is fitted, a second mating portion 14 into which the second tube 108b is fitted, and a tubular connecting portion 18 connecting the first mating portion 12 and the second mating portion 14. The connecting portion 18 is formed from an elastically deformable flexible material, and has a reinforcing portion 24 on the outer periphery of the connecting portion 18, in which multiple protrusions 22 extending along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 18 are arranged in the extension direction of the connecting portion 18.

[0028] According to the connector 10 described above, the connecting portion 18 is reinforced by the protrusions 22 provided on the reinforcing portion 24, and the occurrence of kinks can be prevented.

[0029] In the connector 10 described above, the protrusions 22 may be formed in a tapered shape that narrows radially outward from the connecting portion 18. By forming the protrusions 22 in a tapered shape, a deformable space is formed between adjacent protrusions 22, allowing the connecting portion 18 to bend flexibly within a range that does not cause kinking.

[0030] The connector 10 may further include a third fitting portion 16 that is connected to the connecting portion 18 and into which the third tube 108c is fitted.

[0031] In the above-described connector 10, the reinforcing portion 24 may be provided on a side portion facing the connection portion between the third fitting portion 16 and the connecting portion 18. This allows the reinforcing portion 24 to reinforce weak portions of the connecting portion 18, thereby preventing kinking.

[0032] In the above-described connector 10, the connecting portion 18, the first fitting portion 12, the second fitting portion 14, and the third fitting portion 16 may be connected in a T-shape or a Y-shape.

[0033] In the above-described connector 10, the connecting portion 18 may be formed with a smaller outer diameter than the first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14. This configuration allows the connecting portion 18 to bend with a smaller radius of curvature, thereby suppressing the occurrence of kinks.

[0034] In the above-described connector 10, the connecting portion 18 may be formed thinner than the first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14. This allows the connecting portion 18 to bend flexibly with a smaller radius of curvature, thereby suppressing the occurrence of kinks.

[0035] In the above-described connector 10, the inner circumferential surface 12b of the first fitting portion 12, the inner circumferential surface 14b of the second fitting portion 14, and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18 may be connected without any steps. This configuration allows for smooth blood flow and can suppress the occurrence of thrombi.

[0036] In the above-described connector 10, the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18 where the reinforcing portion 24 is provided may be formed smooth. This configuration allows for smooth blood flow and can suppress the occurrence of thrombi.

[0037] In the above-described connector 10, the reinforcing portion 24 may be formed by a bellows structure in which the connecting portion 18 is made up of a series of mountain folds and valley folds. This configuration also makes it possible to prevent kinking of the connecting portion 18.

[0038] The extracorporeal circulation circuit 100 of this embodiment includes the connector 10, a tube 108 connected to the connector 10, and extracorporeal circulation devices (e.g., a blood pump 102, an oxygenator 104, a blood reservoir 106, etc.) connected via the tube 108 and the connector 10. This configuration can prevent kinking even when the connector 10 is bent significantly via the tube 108. This improves the degree of freedom in routing the tube 108, and allows the extracorporeal circulation circuit 100 to be packed more compactly.

[0039] (Second embodiment) As shown in Fig. 5, connector 10A of this embodiment differs from connector 10 of Fig. 2A in a reinforcing portion 24A. In connector 10A, the same components as those in connector 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] The reinforcing portion 24A of the connector 10A has a plurality of protrusions 22 arranged in the extension direction (first direction) of the connection portion 18. In the reinforcing portion 24A of this embodiment, gaps 23 are provided between adjacent protrusions 22 in the first direction, and adjacent protrusions 22 are spaced apart from each other.

[0041] The connector 10A of this embodiment also provides the same effects as the connector 10 of the first embodiment.

[0042] (Third embodiment) As shown in Fig. 6, connector 10B of this embodiment is a so-called Y-shaped connector. In connector 10B, the same components as those in connector 10 of Fig. 2A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] In the connector 10B, a connecting portion 18B connecting the first fitting portion 12, the second fitting portion 14, and the third fitting portion 16 is branched in a Y shape. That is, the connecting portion 18B has a first branch portion 32 connected to the first fitting portion 12, a second branch portion 34 connected to the second fitting portion 14, and a third branch portion 36 connected to the third fitting portion 16. In such a connecting portion 18B, bending stress tends to concentrate at the branched portions of the first branch portion 32, the second branch portion 34, and the third branch portion 36, which can easily cause kinking. Therefore, in the connector 10B of this embodiment, reinforcing portions 24B including a plurality of protrusions 22 are provided at the branched portions of the first branch portion 32, the second branch portion 34, and the third branch portion 36, respectively.

[0044] According to the connector 10B of this embodiment described above, the occurrence of kinks can be prevented.

[0045] (Fourth embodiment) Connector 10C of this embodiment shown in Fig. 7A has first fitting portion 12 and second fitting portion 14 connected by connecting portion 18C. Note that in connector 10C, the same components as those in connector 10 of Fig. 2A are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] In the connector 10C, the first fitting portion 12, the second fitting portion 14, and the connecting portion 18C are formed in a cylindrical shape along the same central axis 20C. The connecting portion 18C is formed with a smaller diameter than the first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14. A reinforcing portion 24C having a plurality of protrusions 22C extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer periphery of the connecting portion 18C. The protrusions 22C are formed over the entire circumferential area of ​​the connecting portion 18C.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7B , a step 18c is formed between the inner circumferential surface 12b of the first fitting portion 12 and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18C. A step 18d is formed between the inner circumferential surface 14b of the second fitting portion 14 and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18C. These step portions 18c, 18d have the same dimensions as the wall thickness of the tube 108 fitted inside the first fitting portion 12 and the second fitting portion 14. Therefore, when the tube 108 is connected, the inner circumferential surface of the tube 108 and the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18C are flush with each other without any steps. However, the connector 10C of this embodiment is not limited to this, and the inner circumferential surface 12b of the first fitting portion 12, the inner circumferential surface 18b of the connecting portion 18C, and the inner circumferential surface 14b of the second fitting portion 14 may be flush with each other without any steps.

[0048] According to the connector 10C of this embodiment, the protrusion 22C of the reinforcing portion 24C is formed around the entire periphery of the connecting portion 18C, so that the occurrence of kinks can be prevented when the connector 10C is bent in all directions.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described above by citing preferred embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C... Connector 12... First mating part 12b, 14b, 18b...Inner peripheral surface 14...Second fitting part 16...Third fitting portion 18, 18B, 18C...Connection portion 22, 22C…Protrusion 24, 24A, 24B, 24C...Reinforcement part 100...Extracorporeal circulation circuit

Claims

1. a first fitting portion into which the first tube is fitted; a second fitting portion into which the second tube is fitted; a cylindrical connecting portion that connects the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameters of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, the connecting portion is formed of an elastically deformable flexible material, and has a reinforcing portion on an outer periphery of the connecting portion, in which a plurality of protrusions extending along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion are arranged in the extending direction of the connecting portion; the protrusion of the reinforcing portion is formed apart from the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, A connector, wherein an inner circumferential surface of the connection portion inside the reinforcing portion is formed smooth.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is tapered toward the outside in the radial direction of the connecting portion.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a third fitting portion into which a third tube is fitted and which is connected to the connecting portion.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the reinforcing portion is provided on a side portion facing a connection portion between the third fitting portion and the connecting portion.

5. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting portion connects the first fitting portion, the second fitting portion, and the third fitting portion in a T-shape or a Y-shape.

6. 6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is formed thinner than the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion.

7. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner circumferential surfaces of the first fitting portion, the second fitting portion, and the connecting portion are connected without any steps.

8. 8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the connection portion where the reinforcing portion is provided is formed smooth.

9. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a tube connected to the connector; an extracorporeal circulation device connected via the tube and the connector; An extracorporeal circulation circuit comprising:

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