Clamp device

Abstract

To provide a clamp device used for an infusion tube.SOLUTION: A clamp device body 1 includes: a housing part 2 that holds an infusion tube; a pressing body 5 that is installed so as to be housed in the housing part 2 movably to a position where the infusion tube is clamped and closed to close the infusion tube; a pressing part that is installed in the housing part at a position facing the pressing body and clamps and closes the infusion tube together with the pressing body; a rotating arm 4 that moves the pressing body 5; an elastic member 44 that energizes the rotating arm 4; a movable grip 3 that rotates the rotating arm 4; and a locking part that locks the movable grip 3 and the housing part 2. When the locking is released, the rotating arm is turned in the energizing direction to press the pressing body 5 and close the infusion tube and turn the movable grip 3. The rotating arm is rotated against the energizing direction by a pressing operation for gripping the movable grip 3, and the blocking of the infusion tube is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device for closing an infusion tube used in intravenous therapy. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an infusion monitoring device that monitors the liquid level in an infusion tube used for infusion therapy and forcibly clamps the infusion tube when it detects a drop in the liquid level (see Patent Document 1). This infusion monitoring device engages a spring-loaded closure, and when a sensor installed in the infusion tube detects a drop in the liquid level in the infusion tube, it releases the engagement with a solenoid and clamps the tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 55-112508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned drip monitoring device prevents air from entering the infusion tube when the drip is completed. However, the clamping mechanism is complex and requires a large solenoid, which increases manufacturing costs and increases the size and weight of the device. Therefore, a dedicated installation tool is required to secure the device, making it difficult to handle.

[0005] In addition, to release the infusion tube after clamping, it is necessary to rotate a small cylindrical handle against the strong biasing force of a spring, which is not an easy operation for operators with weak finger strength.Furthermore, it is difficult to determine from the appearance of the device whether the infusion tube is in an open or blocked state.

[0006] The present invention provides a clamping device that is small and lightweight and allows easy determination of the closed or open state of an infusion tube from the exterior of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a clamping device for occluding an infusion tube, comprising: a housing part that detachably holds an infusion tube; a pressing body that is housed in the housing part and can be moved to a position where it clamps and occludes the infusion tube; a holding part that is installed in a position on the housing part opposite the pressing body and that, together with the pressing body, clamps and occludes the infusion tube; a rotating arm that is rotatably installed in the housing part and presses the pressing body to move it to said position; an elastic member that biases the rotating arm in the direction in which the infusion tube is occluded; a movable grip that has one end as a free end and the other end as a rotatable installed in the housing part and has a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotating arm, and that rotates the rotating arm against the bias when the free end side is gripped and pressed; and a locking part that locks the housing part and the movable grip. In the clamp device, when the lock is released, the rotating arm presses the movable grip to rotate it and presses the pressing body to move it to the position, and by pressing the free end side of the movable grip, the pressure on the pressing body is released and the lock is restored.

[0008] The clamping device may further include an actuator, such as a linear actuator, that maintains and releases the engagement by the engagement portion, and a control unit that controls the actuator.

[0009] The clamping device may further include a sensor for detecting the infusion.

[0010] The clamping device may further include an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by the locking portion, a control unit that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion, wherein the sensor detects the presence or absence of liquid in the infusion tube, and when the control unit determines that there is no liquid in the infusion tube based on a signal received from the sensor, it issues a signal to the actuator, and the actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit.

[0011] The clamping device may further include an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by the locking portion, a control unit that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion, wherein the sensor detects the dripping of liquid in the drip tube, and when the control unit determines based on the signal received from the sensor that the drip rate of the liquid in the drip tube is outside a set range, it issues a signal to the actuator, and the actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit.

[0012] The clamping device may further include an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by the locking portion, a control unit that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion, wherein the sensor detects the liquid level in the drip tube, and when the control unit determines that the liquid level in the drip tube has dropped below a set position based on a signal received from the sensor, it issues a signal to the actuator, and the actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit.

[0013] The clamping device may further include an alarm unit that notifies the patient that the infusion has ended. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention allows for the occlusion of an infusion tube without the use of a large solenoid, thereby enabling a smaller and lighter device. Furthermore, the number of parts is significantly reduced compared to conventional devices, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the device body can be directly attached to the infusion tube, eliminating the need for a fixing member for installation. The infusion tube can be easily opened by gripping and pressing the free end of the movable grip, based on the principle of leverage, with a light feel. Even if the fixing pin of the elastic member comes loose and the biasing force is suddenly released, or if the elastic member breaks, the movable grip completely covers the elastic member, ensuring safe operation. Furthermore, the movable grip is closed relative to the device body at the start of an infusion and open relative to the device body at the end of an infusion, making it easy to determine whether the infusion tube is occluded or open from the device's exterior. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view of an intravenous therapy system when a clamping device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of the clamp device body when the infusion tube is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamp device body with the cover member in an open state. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the clamp device body when the infusion tube is in an occluded state. [Figure 5] 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the rotating arm and the pressing body when the infusion tube is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the operating positions of the rotating arm and the pressing body when the infusion tube is blocked. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the movable grip and the locking portion when the infusion tube is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the operating positions of the movable grip and the locking portion when the infusion tube is closed. FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the return operation position of the linear actuator after closing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration upstream of a clamp device in an intravenous therapy system when a clamp device according to another embodiment of the present invention is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The clamping device of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is an overall view of one embodiment of an infusion therapy system using the clamping device of the present invention. An infusion container 10 is suspended from an infusion stand 11, and infusion fluid flows from the infusion container 10 through an infusion tube 8 into a drip tube 12. The infusion fluid then passes through the infusion tube 8 connected to the bottom of the drip tube 12 and is infused into the human body via a clamp 13. The clamping device main body 1 of the present invention is fixed on the upstream or downstream side of the drip tube 12 while clamping the infusion tube 8. It is a device for closing the infusion tube 8 at the end of the infusion, and may be about the size of a thumb. The clamp 13 is a device for manually adjusting the flow rate of the infusion fluid.

[0017] The clamp device main body 1 and the peripheral components of the infusion tube 8 (housing 2 and lid member 6), as well as the method of installation on the infusion tube 8, will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The clamp device main body 1 of this embodiment is composed of a housing 2, a movable grip 3, a rotating arm 4, a pressing body 5, a lid member 6, and a sensor 7. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clamp device main body 1 installed on the infusion tube 8, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clamp device main body 1 with the lid member 6 open, and Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the clamp device main body 1 when the infusion tube 8 is in an occluded state.

[0018] The housing 2 is provided with an infusion tube fitting groove 21, a lid fixing claw receiver 22, and a locking receiver 23. Furthermore, a sensor 7 that detects the presence or absence of infusion is provided inside the infusion tube fitting groove 21 near the pressing body 5, and a control unit 24 (see Figure 7 described later) that operates in response to the signal from the sensor 7 is built in. The infusion tube fitting groove 21 is arranged in the housing 2 so as to clamp the infusion tube 8, and the lid fixing claw receiver 22 is arranged so as to engage with the lid fixing claw 63 provided on the fixing part 62. The housing further has a space for movably accommodating the pressing body. The space is provided, for example, inside the infusion tube fitting groove 21.

[0019] The pressing body 5 is housed in the space of the housing 2. The pressing body 5 is movable perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8 to a position where it clamps and closes the infusion tube 8, that is, to a position where it clamps and closes the infusion tube 8 between itself and a holding part (in this embodiment, the protrusion 61 of the lid member 6) installed at a position opposite the pressing body 5.

[0020] The lid member 6 is rotatably mounted on the housing 2 via the lid member rotation shaft 26, and has a protrusion 61, which corresponds to a pressing portion, on its surface facing the housing. A fixing portion 62 having a lid fixing claw 63 is also rotatably mounted on the lid member 6. When the lid member 6 is closed so that the lid fixing claw 63 on the fixing portion 62 fits into the lid fixing claw receiver 22 on the housing 2, the infusion tube 8 comes into contact with the protrusion 61 and is fixed to the housing 2 in a state where it is covered and sandwiched between the side surface of the infusion tube fitting groove 21 and the lid member 6.

[0021] Next, the clamp mechanism of the clamp device main body 1 of the present invention will be described based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The movable grip 3 is not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to facilitate the explanation of the mechanism of the rotating arm 4 and the pressing body 5. FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the clamp mechanism when the infusion tube 8 fixed to the housing 2 is in an open state. The open state refers to a state in which the infusion liquid in the infusion tube can flow. The rotating arm 4 is connected to the housing 2 by an elastic member 44. One end of the elastic member 44 is fixed to the tip end of the housing 2 (movable grip rotation shaft 25) and the other end is fixed to the movable grip abutment end 43 of the rotating arm 4 (the end farther from the pressing body 5) by a through-pin. A rotation shaft 41 for rotating the rotating arm 4 is provided near the pressing body 5. Note that instead of the through-pin used to fix the elastic member 44, other rotatable connection structures, such as a concave-convex fitting, may be used.

[0022] The rotation shaft 41 of the rotating arm 4 is provided in a position near the pressing body side end 42 of the rotating arm 4 (the end closer to the pressing body 5) but not at the end in the longitudinal direction, parallel or nearly parallel to the short direction of the rotating arm 4, and both ends of the rotation shaft 41 are fixed to the housing. When the rotating arm 4 rotates due to the bias of the elastic member 44, the pressing body side end 42 of the rotating arm 4 (the end closer to the pressing body 5) moves from a position where it does not press the pressing body 5 to a position where it presses the pressing body 5 and moves it to the closed position, and the movable grip abutment end 43 of the rotating arm 4 moves in the direction of the movable grip 3, thereby pressing and rotating the movable grip 3.

[0023] The elastic member 44, by its attractive force, biases the rotating arm 4 in a direction in which the infusion tube 8 is blocked, i.e., in a direction in which the pressing body side end 42 of the rotating arm 4 presses the pressing body 5 and the movable grip abutting end 43 of the rotating arm 4 presses the movable grip 3. That is, in Figures 5 and 6, the rotating arm 4 is biased clockwise with respect to the rotation shaft 41 by the attractive force of the elastic member 44. Note that instead of the tension spring used as the elastic member 44, other biasable elastic members, such as a leaf spring, rubber material, or resin spring, can also be used.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between the rotating arm 4 and the pressing body 5 when the infusion tube 8 is in an open state. The rotating arm 4 maintains a positional relationship that is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8, and the pressing body 5 is in an open position and not pressed by the pressing body side end 42 of the rotating arm 4. The open position refers to a position where the pressing body does not block the infusion tube. The infusion tube 8 is in an open state and may be partially pressed by the protrusion 61 of the cover member 6. In this embodiment, the tension spring of the elastic member 44 is contained within the rotating arm 4 and is installed so that it can rotate in conjunction with the rotating arm 4. Therefore, the elastic member 44 and the rotating arm 4 share the same space, which contributes to the miniaturization of the device.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the clamping mechanism when the infusion tube 8 fixed to the housing 2 transitions to a closed state. The rotating arm 4 rotates clockwise, which is the biasing direction, and the pressing body side end 42 of the rotating arm 4 presses the pressing body 5. The pressing body 5 advances to the closed position, clamping and blocking the infusion tube 8 between the pressing body 5 and the protrusion 61 of the cover member 6. The closed state refers to a state in which the infusion tube is clamped between the pressing body and the holding portion (the protrusion 61 of the cover member 6 in this embodiment) so that infusion does not flow, and the closed position refers to the position of the pressing body that blocks the infusion tube. In this embodiment, the infusion tube 8 is closed when the rotating arm 4 is tilted at an angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8.

[0026] The cover member 6 having the protrusion 61 in this embodiment corresponds to the pressing portion of the clamping device of the present invention. In the clamping device of the present invention, the pressing portion is provided in a position on the housing portion opposite the pressing body with the infusion tube sandwiched between them. The infusion tube is held in the housing portion so as to be positioned between the pressing body and the pressing portion, and as the pressing body moves, the infusion tube is clamped and closed between the pressing body and the pressing portion.

[0027] In this embodiment, a clamping device having a lid member 6 with a protrusion 61 and its accessories (lid fixing claw receiver 22, lid member pivot shaft 26, fixing portion 62, lid fixing claw 63) is shown, but the clamping device of the present invention may instead have a pressing portion that can clamp the infusion tube between itself and the pressing body, for example, a protrusion fixed to the housing portion at a position opposite the pressing body, sandwiching the infusion tube.

[0028] Next, the positional relationship between the rotating arm 4 and the movable grip 3 of the clamping device of the present invention, and the locking portion that locks the movable grip 3 and the housing portion 2 will be described based on the embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0029] The movable grip 3 is disposed so as to cover the rotating arm 4 and the elastic member 44. The rotation axis 25 of the movable grip 3 is arranged parallel or nearly parallel to the rotation axis 41 of the rotating arm 4 so as to rotatably connect the tip of the movable grip 3 to the housing 2, and both ends of the rotation axis 25 are fixed to the housing 2. When the free end side 31 of the movable grip 3 is gripped and pressed, the movable grip 3 rotates the rotating arm 4 in a direction against the biasing force of the elastic member 44.

[0030] The locking portion has a locking receiver 23 installed on the housing 2 and a locking claw 37 installed on the movable grip 3. The locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 are positioned to fit together when the movable grip 3 rotates and becomes approximately parallel to the housing 2.

[0031] In this embodiment, the locking claw 37 has a rotation shaft 38 and is rotatably installed on the movable grip 3. The locking portion further includes, within the movable grip 3, a linear actuator 32 which is an actuator that maintains and releases the lock, a support member 33 which is a member that links the linear actuator 32 and the locking claw 37, a second pressing body 34, and a second elastic member 36.

[0032] 7 shows the relative positions of the movable grip 3 and the rotating arm 4, the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 when the infusion tube 8 is in an open state, and the position to which the support member 33 is moved by the linear actuator 32. The movable grip 3 is biased in a direction away from the housing 2 (clockwise in FIG. 7) by the movable grip abutment end 43 of the rotating arm 4, but because it is locked to the housing 2 by the locking receiver 23, it maintains a positional relationship that is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8, just like the rotating arm 4, and the clamp device main body 1 is in a closed state.

[0033] When the clamp device main body 1 is in the closed state, the pressing body 5 is not pressed by the rotating arm 4 and is in the open position, so the infusion tube 8 is in the open state. In this embodiment, a U-shaped metal circular rod is used as the locking receiver 23, but the material and shape are not important as long as it can lock the locking claw 37 installed on the movable grip 3. The linear actuator 32 is fixed to the back surface of the free end side 31 of the movable grip 3. The support member 33 is fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32 and can be moved between the locking position and the unlocking position by the linear actuator 32. The locking position refers to the position of the support member 33 where the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 are engaged, and the unlocking position refers to the position of the support member 33 where the engagement between the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 is released.

[0034] The support member 33 has a shape that allows the second pressing body 34 to be inserted, typically a through-hole that penetrates the inside of the support member 33, and the second pressing body 34 can freely move back and forth inside the support member. A head portion 35 that is shaped to be able to lock the second elastic member 36 is formed at the tip of the second pressing body 34, and the head portion 35 locks the second elastic member 36, with the tip surface abutting against a locking claw 37.

[0035] The claw portion of the locking claw 37 is provided in the opposite direction to the tip surface (counterclockwise direction with respect to the pivot shaft 38 in FIG. 7) when the locking claw 37 is brought into contact with the tip surface of the head 35 of the second pressing body 34. This allows the locking claw 37 to fit into the lock receiver 23 from below when the housing 2 is fixed to the infusion tube 8 with the tip of the movable grip 3 facing upward.

[0036] In this embodiment, the second elastic member 36 is a compression spring, and one end of the second elastic member 36 is engaged with the head 35 of the second pressing body 34, and the other end is engaged with the support member 33. When the clamp device main body 1 is in the closed state as shown in Fig. 7, the linear actuator 32 places the support member 33 in the engaged position, and the biasing force of the second elastic member 36 causes the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 to bias the locking claw 37 in the direction of the locking receiver 23 (counterclockwise in Fig. 7), thereby maintaining the engagement between the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37.

[0037] In this embodiment, the abutment surface 39 of the locking claw 37 is inclined by about 2 degrees in the opposite direction to the locking receiver 23 (clockwise relative to the vertical direction in FIG. 7) when the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 are in a position where they are engaged. Therefore, when the support member 33 is in the unlocked position and there is no bias from the head 35, the bias from the movable grip abutment end portion 43 of the rotating arm 4 causes the locking claw 37 to rotate in the opposite direction to the locking receiver 23 (clockwise in FIG. 7) due to friction between the abutment surface 39 and the abutment surface of the locking receiver 23, and the engagement with the locking receiver 23 is released.

[0038] 8 illustrates the relative positions of the movable grip 3 and the rotating arm 4, the second pressing body 34 and the locking claw 37 after the engagement between the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 has been released, and the position at which the support material 33 is released from its engagement by the linear actuator 32. When the support material 33, which is in the locked position, is moved to the unlocked position by the linear actuator 32, the biasing force applied to the locking claw 37 by the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 decreases, and the locking claw 37 rotates in the opposite direction to the locking receiver 23 (clockwise in FIG. 8), releasing the engagement with the locking receiver 23, and the movable grip 3 and the housing 2 are released from their engagement.

[0039] When the movable grip 3 and the housing 2 are released from engagement, the movable grip abutment end 43 of the rotating arm 4 presses the movable grip 3, causing it to rotate in a direction away from the housing 2 (clockwise in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the movable grip 3 stops at a position tilted at approximately 30 degrees relative to the housing 2, and the clamp device main body 1 is in an open state. When the clamp device main body 1 is in an open state, the pressing body 5 advances to the closed position, and the infusion tube 8 is in a closed state.

[0040] 9 shows the relative positions of the movable grip 3, the rotating arm 4, the second pressing body 34 and the locking claw 37, and the position to which the support member 33 is moved by the linear actuator 32 when the clamp device is returned from an open state to a closed state. As soon as the clamp device main body 1 is opened and the infusion tube 8 is closed, the linear actuator 32 immediately moves the support member 33 to the locking position. The locking claw 37 is pressed by the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 and rotates in the direction of the locking receiver 23 (counterclockwise in FIG. 9) and stops at the position shown in FIG. 9.

[0041] 9, when the free end of the movable grip 3 is gripped and pressed, the locking claw 37 rotates clockwise against the bias while in contact with the locking receiver 23, and then rotates counterclockwise at the moment of engagement to engage with the locking receiver 23, thereby locking the movable grip 3 and the housing 2. At this time, the device main body 1 returns to the closed state, and the pressing body 5 retracts to the open position, so that the infusion tube 8 is in the open state.

[0042] Note that instead of the locking receiver 23 and locking claw 37 used as the locking portion, other locking portions capable of locking the movable grip and the housing portion can be used, such as a locking mechanism using a tongue plate and buckle of a widely used seat belt. Furthermore, while the clamp device has been described as including the support member 33, second pressing body 34, second elastic member 36, and linear actuator 32 as members for maintaining and releasing the lock, it is not essential that the clamp device of the present invention include these. For example, if the clamp device of the present invention includes a locking claw and locking receiver that are structured to maintain the lock by fitting together, it is not necessary to include a separate member for maintaining the lock. Furthermore, the member for maintaining and releasing the lock may be, for example, an actuator other than a linear actuator, a lever, or the like.

[0043] When gripping and pressing the free end of movable grip 3, the pivot 25 acts as the fulcrum, the abutment surface of the rotating arm 4 with the movable grip abutment end 43 acts as the point of application, and the free end acts as the point of force, allowing for a light operation feel due to the principle of leverage. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 8, movable grip 3 has a structure that completely covers the rotating arm 4 and elastic member 44, so even if the fixing pin of elastic member 44 comes off and the biasing force is suddenly released, or if elastic member 44 breaks, it is possible to prevent the detached or broken member from flying around, allowing for safe operation.

[0044] A control unit 24 is used to control an actuator, for example, a linear actuator 32. The control unit 24 sends signals to the linear actuator 32 to control whether to maintain or release the lock. The control unit 24 may be located inside or outside the clamp device, and may be a device separate from the clamp device main body 1, as long as it is capable of sending signals to the linear actuator 32 and does not interfere with the operation of other members. The control unit 24 sends a signal to the linear actuator 32 based on another external signal, for example, a signal sent from a sensor that detects infusion, a signal manually input to the control unit 24 by an operator, or the like.

[0045] The control unit 24 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 24 preferably includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program is stored, and a RAM (Read / Write Memory) for storing data temporarily required for the CPU to execute the program. In this embodiment, the control unit 24 is powered by a battery 9 installed in the movable grip 3. The battery 9 may be located either inside or outside the clamp device main body 1, as long as it is capable of supplying power to the control unit 24 and does not interfere with the operation of other components.

[0046] The clamping device of the present invention may include a sensor for detecting the infusion. In a clamping device with a sensor, the sensor may be located anywhere on the clamping device body, or may be provided separately from the clamping device body, as long as it is capable of detecting the infusion and does not interfere with the operation of other components. Such a clamping device consisting of a clamping device body and a separate sensor is also encompassed by the present invention. Figure 10 shows one embodiment of an infusion therapy system using the clamping device of the present invention, in which a sensor 7 is installed in the infusion tube 12 and the clamping device body 1 is installed in the infusion tube 8 downstream of the infusion tube 12.

[0047] The sensor for detecting the infusion may be any sensor capable of detecting the liquid inside at any position between the infusion container and the human body in the infusion therapy system, and is preferably capable of detecting the liquid inside the infusion tube or drip tube. Examples of sensors for detecting the infusion include optical sensors (e.g., infrared sensors), ultrasonic sensors, and electromagnetic wave sensors. For example, an infrared sensor can detect the presence or absence of liquid inside the infusion tube based on the intensity of the light it receives.

[0048] In one embodiment, the clamping device further includes an actuator for maintaining and releasing the lock, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a sensor for detecting the infusion. The sensor detects the presence or absence of liquid in the infusion tube. When the control unit determines that there is no liquid in the infusion tube based on a signal received from the sensor, it issues a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the lock based on the signal received from the control unit. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 9, in which the sensor 7 is installed in the housing, during infusion, the control unit 24 sequentially receives signals from the sensor 7. If it determines that there is no liquid in the infusion tube 8 based on the analysis of the signals, it sends a signal to the linear actuator 32, moving the support member 33 fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32 to the unlocking position, reducing the biasing force of the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 on the locking claw 37, thereby releasing the lock between the movable grip 3 and the housing 2. The clamping device main body is then in an open state, blocking the infusion tube 8.

[0049] After the infusion tube 8 is blocked, the control unit 24 immediately sends a signal to the linear actuator 32 to advance the support member 33 fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32 to the locking position, and restores the force exerted by the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 on the locking claw 37.

[0050] In one embodiment, the clamping device further includes an actuator that moves to maintain and release the lock, a controller that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion. The sensor detects dripping of the liquid in the drip tube. The controller issues a signal to the actuator when it determines, based on a signal received from the sensor, that the drip rate of the liquid in the drip tube is outside a set range. The actuator releases the lock based on the signal received from the controller. Here, drip rate refers to the number of drips per unit time.

[0051] In this embodiment of the clamping device, the sensor is installed on the drip tube, for example, on the outer surface of the drip tube. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10, in which sensor 7 is installed in drip tube 12, will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-9 for details other than the sensor location. The control unit 24 sequentially receives signals from sensor 7. When the control unit 24 determines, based on signal analysis, that the drip rate in drip tube 12 is outside the set range, it sends a signal to an actuator, for example, a linear actuator 32, to move the support member 33 fixed to the movable portion of the linear actuator 32 to the unlocking position, thereby reducing the biasing force applied to the locking claw 37 by the head 35 of the second pressing body 34, thereby unlocking the movable grip 3 and the housing 2. The drip rate setting range can be set arbitrarily, but when the drip rate when the infusion rate is adjusted to the desired rate after initiating the drip is set as the reference rate, it is 0.1 to 300% of the reference rate, preferably 5 to 200% of the reference rate, and more preferably 10 to 150% of the reference rate.

[0052] In one embodiment, the clamping device further includes an actuator that moves to maintain and release the lock, a controller that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion. The sensor detects the level of the infusion in the drip tube. When the controller determines, based on a signal received from the sensor, that the level of the infusion in the drip tube has dropped below a set position, the controller issues a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the lock based on the signal received from the controller.

[0053] In this embodiment of the clamping device, the sensor is installed on the drip tube, for example, on the outer surface of the drip tube. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10, in which sensor 7 is installed on drip tube 12, will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-9 for details other than the sensor location. The control unit 24 sequentially receives signals from sensor 7. When the control unit 24 determines, based on signal analysis, that the liquid level in drip tube 12 has dropped below the set position, it sends a signal to an actuator, for example, linear actuator 32, to move support member 33 fixed to the movable part of linear actuator 32 to the unlocking position, thereby reducing the biasing force of head 35 of second pressing body 34 on locking claw 37 and unlocking movable grip 3 and housing 2. The set position of the liquid level can be determined arbitrarily, but it is preferable to set the set position to the liquid level when the infusion rate is adjusted to the desired rate after infusion has started, or to the lowest position of the drip tube.

[0054] The clamping device of the present invention may further include an alarm unit that notifies the user of the end of infusion. End of infusion refers to the absence of liquid in the infusion tube, the drip rate of the liquid in the drip tube falling below the lower limit of a set range, or the liquid level in the drip tube dropping below a set position, and is detected by a sensor or confirmed by the operator. When infusion ends, as described above, the movable grip and the housing are released from engagement, occluding the infusion tube. After the movable grip and the housing are released from engagement, the control unit sends a signal to the alarm unit, which then emits light, sound, vibration, or other such signal based on the signal from the control unit to notify the user. The alarm unit may be located anywhere on the clamping device body, as long as it does not interfere with the operation of other components, or may be provided separately from the clamping device body.

[0055] In the clamping device of the present invention, signal transmission, for example, between the control unit and the actuator, the control unit and the sensor, and the control unit and the notification unit, can be carried out by wire or wirelessly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Clamping device body 2 Housing 21 Tube fitting groove 22 Lid fixing claw holder 23 Locking receiver 24 Control Unit 25 Movable grip pivot axis 26 Lid member rotation axis 3 Movable Grip 31 Movable grip free end side 32 Linear Actuator 33 Support material 34 Second pressing body 35 Head 36 Second elastic member 37 Locking claw 38 Locking claw pivot shaft 39 Locking claw contact surface 4 Rotating Arms 41 Rotating arm pivot shaft 42 Pressing body side end 43 Movable grip abutment end 44 Elastic member 5 Pressing body 6 Lid member 61 Protrusion 62 Fixed part 63 Lid fixing claw 7 Sensors 8 Infusion tubing 9. Battery 10 Infusion container 11 Infusion stand 12 Drip tube 13 Klemme

Claims

1. a housing part that detachably holds the infusion tube; a pressing body accommodated in the housing portion so as to be movable to a position where the infusion tube is clamped and closed; a pressing portion that is disposed in a position facing the pressing body of the housing portion and that clamps and closes the infusion tube together with the pressing body; a rotating arm that is rotatably installed on the housing and presses the pressing body to move it to the position; an elastic member that biases the rotating arm in a direction in which the infusion tube is closed; a movable grip having one end as a free end and the other end rotatably attached to the housing portion, the movable grip having a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotating arm, and configured to rotate the rotating arm against the biasing force by gripping and pressing the free end side; a locking portion that locks the housing portion and the movable grip, When the lock is released, the rotating arm presses the movable grip to rotate it and presses the pressing body to move it to the position, and by pressing the free end side of the movable grip, the pressure on the pressing body is released and the lock is restored.

2. The clamping device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an actuator that maintains and releases the engagement by the engagement portion; and a control unit that controls the actuator.

3. The clamping device of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for detecting infusion.

4. The device further includes an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by the locking part, a control part that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion, The sensor detects the presence or absence of liquid in the infusion tube; When the control unit determines that there is no liquid in the infusion tube based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit issues a signal to the actuator; The clamping device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator releases the lock based on a signal received from the control unit.

5. The device further includes an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by the locking part, a control part that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion, The sensor detects dripping of liquid in the drip tube; When the control unit determines that the drip rate of the liquid in the drip tube is outside the set range based on the signal received from the sensor, it issues a signal to the actuator, The clamping device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator releases the lock based on a signal received from the control unit.

6. The device further includes an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by the locking part, a control part that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion, The sensor detects the liquid level in the drip tube, When the control unit determines that the liquid level in the drip tube has dropped below a set position based on the signal received from the sensor, it issues a signal to the actuator, The clamping device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator releases the lock based on a signal received from the control unit.

7. The clamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an alarm unit that notifies the patient that an infusion has ended.

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