Clamping device

Abstract

To improve operability of a clamp device.SOLUTION: A clamp device 1A includes a body part 30 including a first holding part 31 and a mounting part, a first movable part 10 including an operation part 11 and a connecting part 12, and a second movable part 20 including a second holding part 21. Since one of the main body 30 and the connecting part 12 has the first male screw 13a and the other has the first female screw 33b, the first movable part 10 moves relative to the main body 30. Since one of the coupling portion 12 and the second maneuvering section 20 has the second male thread 13a oriented opposite to the first male thread 23a and the other has the second female thread 13b, the second maneuvering section 20 moves relative to the coupling portion 12. The first male screw 13a and the second male screw 23a are hidden so as not to be exposed to the outside in any operation state from a first operation state in which the operation part 11 and the second holding part 21 are disposed closest to each other in the axial direction of the connecting part 12 to a second operation state in which the operation part 11 and the second holding part 21 are disposed farthest from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device for securing a medical instrument to a pole. [Background technology]

[0002] In medical settings, infusion pumps and syringe pumps for administering medicinal fluids to patients are used as a type of medical device. These medical devices are generally fixed to the pole of an infusion stand via a clamping device. Examples of documents disclosing such clamping devices include Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-25438 (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The clamping device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an attachment part to which a medical device can be detachably attached, a first holding part, a second holding part, and a rod having a first male screw and a second male screw threaded on its outer surface in the opposite direction to the first male screw. The first holding part is provided with a first female screw that screws into the first male screw, and the second holding part is provided with a second female screw that screws into the second male screw.

[0004] In the clamping device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the first holding part and the second holding part can be moved closer to or farther away from each other by rotating the rod. Also, in the clamping device disclosed in Patent Document 1, both the first male screw and the second male screw are exposed to the outside of the clamping device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-25438 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, it is required that the clamping device operates smoothly to improve operability.

[0007] In this regard, when the first male screw and the second male screw are exposed to the outside of the clamp device, as in the clamp device disclosed in Patent Document 1, drugs or the like may adhere to these exposed male screws, which may cause malfunctions in the operation of the clamp device.

[0008] If a lubricant such as grease could be applied to the male thread, it would be possible to operate the clamping device smoothly, but it is difficult to apply a lubricant to such an exposed male thread, because if the exposed male thread comes into contact with the user's hand or with equipment installed around the clamping device, the lubricant may adhere to these items, creating a hygiene problem.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the operability of a clamping device for fixing a medical device to a pole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The clamping device according to the present invention is for securing a medical device to a pole and includes a first holding portion, a second holding portion, an attachment portion, a main body portion, a first movable portion, and a second movable portion. The first holding portion and the second holding portion clamp the pole by sandwiching it between them. A medical device is detachably attached to the attachment portion. The main body portion is provided with the first holding portion and the attachment portion. The first movable portion is configured to be movable relative to the main body portion. The second movable portion is provided with the second holding portion and is configured to move relative to the main body portion in conjunction with movement of the first movable portion. The first movable portion includes an operating portion that is rotated by a user and a rod-shaped connecting portion that is immovably fixed to the operating portion and connects the operating portion and the second holding portion. A first male screw is provided on one of the main body portion and the connecting portion, and a first female screw that threads onto the first male screw is provided on the other of the main body portion and the connecting portion, thereby allowing the first movable portion to move relative to the main body portion along the axial direction of the connecting portion. A second male screw that is opposite to the first male screw is provided on one of the connecting portion and the second movable portion, and a second female screw that threads onto the second male screw is provided on the other of the connecting portion and the second movable portion, thereby allowing the second movable portion to move relative to the connecting portion along the axial direction of the connecting portion. In the clamp device according to the present invention, the first male screw and the second male screw are concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device in any of the operating states from a first operating state in which the operating portion and the second holding portion are disposed as close together as possible in the axial direction of the connecting portion to a second operating state in which the operating portion and the second holding portion are disposed as far apart as possible in the axial direction of the connecting portion.

[0011] In the clamping device according to the present invention, the main body may have a base portion provided with the first female thread. The connecting portion may include at least a hollow portion and a first rod having the second female thread on its inner circumferential surface and the first male thread on its outer circumferential surface. The second movable portion may have a second rod having the second male thread on its outer circumferential surface. In this case, the first rod may be arranged coaxially with the second rod. The second holding portion may be attached to one end of the second rod in the axial direction. The first holding portion may be arranged at a position opposite to the second holding portion from the side on which the second rod is located, and at a distance from the second holding portion. The holding centers of the first holding portion and the second holding portion with respect to the pole may be located on the axis of the second rod. Furthermore, the first rod may be configured to be movable relative to the base such that an end portion of the first rod located on the second holding portion side approaches the first holding portion when the first rod rotates in a forward direction, and the end portion moves away from the first holding portion when the first rod rotates in a reverse direction. Furthermore, the second holding portion and the second rod may be configured such that their rotations are restricted, thereby moving integrally along the axial direction of the second rod as the first rod rotates. Furthermore, the first male screw may be configured to be located inside the base, and the second male screw may be configured to be located inside the first rod in any of the operating states from the first operating state to the second operating state.

[0012] In the clamp device according to the present invention, in the second operating state, the second holding portion may be in contact with the first holding portion, or the operating portion may be in contact with the base portion.

[0013] In the clamping device according to the present invention, the main body may have a first base portion provided with the first female thread. The second movable portion may have a second base portion provided with the second female thread. The connecting portion may have a rod having the first male thread threaded on an outer peripheral surface of one axial end thereof and the second male thread threaded on an outer peripheral surface of the other axial end thereof. In this case, the first holding portion may be disposed at a distance from the other end of the rod in the axial direction of the rod. The second holding portion may be disposed between the first holding portion and the first base portion in the axial direction of the rod. Holding centers of the first holding portion and the second holding portion with respect to the pole may be located on the axis of the rod. The rod may be configured to be movable relative to the first base portion such that the other end approaches the first holding portion when the rod rotates in a forward direction, and the other end moves away from the first holding portion when the rod rotates in a reverse direction. Furthermore, the second holding portion and the second base portion may be configured such that their rotation is restricted so that they move integrally along the axial direction of the rod as the rod rotates. Also, the first male screw may be located inside the first base portion and the second male screw may be located inside the second base portion in any of the first to second operating states.

[0014] In the clamp device according to the present invention, in the second operating state, the second holding portion may be in contact with the first holding portion, or the operating portion may be in contact with the first base portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability of a clamping device for fixing a medical device to a pole. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a clamping device according to a first embodiment in a clamping state. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a first operating state. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a first operating state. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic side view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a first operating state. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the clamping device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a clamping state. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the clamping device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a schematic plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a second operating state. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a clamping device according to a second embodiment in a first operation state. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic plan view of the clamp device shown in FIG. 10 in a second operating state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below illustrate the case where the present invention is applied to a clamping device for fixing an infusion pump, as an example of medical equipment, to a pole. In the embodiments shown below, identical or common parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description will not be repeated.

[0018] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamping device according to a first embodiment in a clamping state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a first operating state. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in the first operating state. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in the first operating state. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the clamping device taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a clamping state. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1 in a second operating state. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 8. The configuration of a clamping device 1A according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIGS. 7 and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views of the clamping device of a portion corresponding to the schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the clamp device 1A is used to fix an infusion pump 200, which is a medical device, to a pole 300 of an infusion stand.

[0020] 2 to 5, the clamp device 1A includes a first movable part 10, a second movable part 20, and a main body part 30. The first movable part 10 is configured to be movable relative to the main body part 30. The second movable part 20 is configured to move relative to the main body part 30 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable part 10.

[0021] The main body 30 has at least a first holding portion 31. The second movable portion 20 has at least a second holding portion 21. The clamp device 1A clamps the pole 300 by moving the first movable portion 10 and the second movable portion 20 to sandwich the pole 300 between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21. The method of moving the first movable portion 10 and the second movable portion 20 will be described in detail later.

[0022] Hereinafter, the state in which the pole 300 is clamped between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21 (see FIGS. 1, 6, and 7) will also be referred to as the clamped state. In addition, the state in which the operating portion 11 and the second holding portion 21 are arranged as close as possible (see FIGS. 2 to 5) will also be referred to as the first operating state, and the state in which the operating portion 11 and the second holding portion 21 are arranged as far apart as possible (see FIGS. 8 and 9) will also be referred to as the second operating state. The operating portion 11 will be described later.

[0023] The main body 30 has a first holding portion 31, an attachment portion 32, a base portion 33, and a connection portion .

[0024] The first holding part 31 holds the pole 300 by sandwiching it together with the second holding part 21. The first holding part 31 is made up of a pair of plate-like parts positioned opposite each other. These plate-like parts are provided with first holding grooves 31a that are approximately V-shaped in plan view. This allows the first holding part 31 to abut against the pole 300 at multiple points. Note that the first holding part 31 is not limited to being made up of a pair of plate-like parts, and may be made up of, for example, a block-shaped part.

[0025] The mounting portion 32 is a platform-like structure configured to allow the infusion pump 200 to be detachably mounted thereon. More specifically, the infusion pump 200 is mounted to the mounting portion 32 via a fixing screw 32a exposed from the upper surface of the mounting portion 32. The method of mounting the infusion pump 200 to the mounting portion 32 is not limited to a method using the fixing screw 32a, and can be variously modified to include known mounting methods. The shape of the mounting portion 32 can also be variously modified. The material of the mounting portion 32 is not particularly limited, and it can be made of, for example, resin.

[0026] The base portion 33 includes a substantially cylindrical portion. A first female screw 33b is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the base portion 33. A first male screw 13a of the first rod 13 is screwed into the first female screw 33b. The first rod 13 will be described later.

[0027] The connecting portion 34 connects the first holding portion 31 and the base portion 33 to each other. The connecting portion 34 includes a portion having a generally plate-shaped outer shape. The longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 34 roughly coincides with the axial direction of the second rod 23. The second rod 23 will be described later.

[0028] A first holding portion 31 is erected at one longitudinal end of the connecting portion 34. A base portion 33 is erected at the other longitudinal end of the connecting portion 34 so as to face the first holding portion 31 when the main body portion 30 is viewed from above.

[0029] The attachment portion 32 is attached to the connection portion 34. The method for fixing the attachment portion 32 to the connection portion 34 is not particularly limited, and for example, the attachment portion 32 may be attached to the connection portion 34 with a plurality of fixing screws, or the attachment portion 32 may be configured as an integral part of the connection portion 34.

[0030] The connecting portion 34 is provided with a guide portion 34a, which will be described in detail later.

[0031] The first movable part 10 includes an operating part 11 and a rod-shaped connecting part 12. The operating part 11 is rotated by the user. When the operating part 11 is rotated, the connecting part 12 is rotated around the axis AX1 of the second rod 23. The operating part 11 is made of, for example, resin. The second rod 23 will be described later.

[0032] The connecting portion 12 connects the operating portion 11 and the second holding portion 21 via the second rod 23. The connecting portion 12 has a first rod 13. The first rod 13 includes at least a hollow portion. The operating portion 11 is fixed to one end of the first rod 13 in the axial direction so as to be immovable relative to the first rod 13.

[0033] A first male screw 13a is threaded on the outer peripheral surface of the first rod 13. The first male screw 13a is threadedly engaged with a first female screw 33b of the base portion 33. In this way, the first movable portion 10 is assembled to the main body portion 30 having the base portion 33. The first movable portion 10 assembled to the main body portion 30 in this manner is configured to be movable relative to the main body portion 30 along the axial direction of the first rod 13 of the connecting portion 12.

[0034] A second female screw 13b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the first rod 13. The second female screw 13b is threadedly engaged with a second male screw 23a of the second rod 23. In this embodiment, the second female screw 13b is disposed at a position closer to the first holding portion 31 than the position of the first male screw 13a in the axial direction of the first rod 13.

[0035] The second movable portion 20 has a second holding portion 21, a bottom wall portion 22, and a second rod .

[0036] The second holding portion 21 clamps the pole 300 together with the first holding portion 31. The second holding portion 21 is made up of a pair of plate-like portions positioned opposite each other. These plate-like portions are provided with second holding grooves 21a that are approximately V-shaped in plan view. This allows the second holding portion 21 to abut against the pole 300 at multiple points. Note that the second holding portion 21 is not limited to being made up of a pair of plate-like portions, and may be made up of, for example, a block-shaped portion.

[0037] The bottom wall portion 22 is a portion having a generally plate-shaped outer shape. The pair of plate-shaped portions constituting the second holding portion 21 are both erected from the bottom wall portion 22. As a result, the second holding portion 21 and the bottom wall portion 22 as a whole have a generally U-shape in a side view (see FIG. 4 in particular).

[0038] The second rod 23 includes at least a substantially cylindrical portion. A second male screw 23a, which is threaded in the opposite direction to the first male screw 13a, is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second rod 23. Note that the two screws being in the opposite directions means that when one screw is configured to be tightened by turning it clockwise as seen by the operator, the other screw is configured to be tightened by turning it counterclockwise as seen by the operator.

[0039] The second male screw 23a of the second rod 23 is threadedly engaged with the second female screw 13b of the first rod 13. As a result, the second movable part 20 is assembled to the first movable part 10 so that at least a portion of the second rod 23 is housed inside the first rod 13.

[0040] The second movable part 20 assembled to the first movable part 10 in this manner is configured to be movable relative to the first rod 13 along the axial direction of the first rod 13 of the connecting part 12. Furthermore, the first rod 13 assembled with the second rod 23 is disposed coaxially with the second rod 23.

[0041] The first holding portion 31 of the main body portion 30 described above is disposed at a distance from the second holding portion 21 on the opposite side from the side on which the second rod 23 is located when viewed from the second holding portion 21.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, when the clamping device 1A is viewed in a plane, the axis AX1 of the second rod 23 extends along a predetermined direction so that the distance between the position on the axis AX1 that overlaps with the second holding portion 21 and the mounting portion 32 (see dimension d1 in the figure) is greater than the distance between the position on the axis AX1 that overlaps with the first holding portion 31 and the mounting portion 32 (see dimension d2 in the figure).

[0043] This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient space between the operating unit 11 arranged on the axis AX1 and the mounting part 32 and the medical device mounted thereon, compared to when the axis AX1 extends in a predetermined direction so that the above two distances are the same, thereby improving the operability of the operating unit 11 by the user.

[0044] One end of the second rod 23 in the axial direction has a generally D-shaped cross section (see particularly FIG. 2). The second holding part 21 is attached to the one end of the second rod 23 so as to be unable to rotate relative to the second rod 23.

[0045] More specifically, an engagement hole that is substantially D-shaped when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the bottom wall portion 22 is provided in the bottom wall portion 22. The one end of the second rod 23 is inserted into this engagement hole, thereby engaging the second rod 23 so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the bottom wall portion 22. In this way, the second holding portion 21 is attached to the second rod 23 via the bottom wall portion 22 so as to be non-rotatable.

[0046] A locking hole extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second rod 23 is provided at the one end of the second rod 23. A locking pin 90 is inserted into this locking hole, thereby preventing the one end of the second rod 23 from falling off from the engagement hole of the bottom wall portion 22.

[0047] The second male screw 23a of the second rod 23, the first male screw 13a of the first rod 13, the second female screw 13b of the first rod 13, and the first female screw 33b of the base portion 33 are all configured as double-start threads. Note that the first male screw 13a, the second male screw 23a, the first female screw 33b, and the second female screw 13b may be configured as multiple-start threads other than double-start threads.

[0048] The first rod 13 and the second rod 23 are made of a material such as iron, brass, stainless steel, etc. The first rod 13 and the second rod 23 may be made of different materials.

[0049] 2 and 4, the connecting portion 34 of the main body 30 is provided with guide portions 34a erected from both ends in the width direction thereof. The guide portions 34a are configured with a pair of plate-shaped portions extending along the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 34. Of these pair of plate-shaped portions, the portion located on one end side in the longitudinal direction also configures the first holding portion 31 described above.

[0050] The second holding portion 21 is disposed in a space sandwiched between a pair of plate-shaped portions that constitute the guide portion 34a. The distance between the second holding portion 21 and the guide portion 34a is small enough to restrict rotation of the second rod 23 and the second holding portion 21 around the axis of the second rod 23. The second holding portion 21 may abut against the guide portion 34a.

[0051] The guide portion 34a restricts the rotation of the second holding portion 21 and the second rod 23 to which it is attached when the second movable portion 20 moves relative to the main body portion 30 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable portion 10. As a result, the second movable portion 20, which has the second holding portion 21 and the second rod 23, moves integrally along the axial direction of the second rod 23 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable portion 10 accompanying the rotation of the first rod 13.

[0052] Note that restricting the rotation of second holding part 21 and second rod 23 does not mean completely preventing rotation of second holding part 21 and second rod 23. For example, even if second holding part 21 and second rod 23 rotate slightly due to a gap between second holding part 21 and guide part 34a, the rotation of second holding part 21 and second rod 23 is restricted as long as second movable part 20 can move integrally with first movable part 10 along the axial direction of second rod 23 in conjunction with the movement of first movable part 10.

[0053] Here, the holding center HC (see FIGS. 3 and 6) of the first holding part 31 and the second holding part 21 relative to the pole 300 is located on the axis AX1 of the second rod 23. This makes it possible to improve the operability and durability of the clamp device 1A, which will be described in detail later.

[0054] In the clamp device 1A configured as described above, the first movable part 10 is configured to be movable relative to the main body part 30, and the second movable part 20 is configured to move relative to the main body part 30 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable part 10.

[0055] 6 and 7, when the first rod 13 rotates in the forward direction, it moves relative to the base portion 33 toward the first holding portion 31 along the axial direction of the second rod 23 (see arrow AR1 in the figures). As a result, the end portion 14 of the first rod 13 located on the second holding portion 21 side approaches the first holding portion 31.

[0056] During this movement, the second rod 23 moves along its axial direction relative to the first rod 13 toward the first holding part 31 (see arrow AR2 in FIG. 7). This is because, as described above, the second male screw 23a of the second rod 23 is configured with a screw thread oriented in the opposite direction to the first male screw 13a of the first rod 13, and rotation of the second rod 23 is restricted.

[0057] As a result of the first rod 13 and the second rod 23 moving in this manner, the second holding portion 21 approaches the first holding portion 31.

[0058] Similarly, when the first rod 13 rotates in the opposite direction, it is moved relative to the base portion 33 along the axial direction of the second rod 23 toward the side opposite to the first holding portion 31. As a result, the end portion 14 of the first rod 13 moves away from the first holding portion 31. During this movement, the second rod 23 moves relative to the first rod 13 along its axial direction toward the side opposite to the first holding portion 31. As the first rod 13 and the second rod 23 move in this manner, the second holding portion 21 moves away from the first holding portion 31.

[0059] Here, the guide portion 34a extends along a direction that generally coincides with the axial direction of the second rod 23. Therefore, the second movable portion 20 is guided by the guide portion 34a so as to move along the axial direction.

[0060] In the clamping device 1A configured as described above, when clamping the pole 300 between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21, first, in the first operating state of the clamping device 1A (see Figures 2 to 5), the pole 300 is placed in the space between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21.

[0061] Next, the first rod 13 is rotated using the operating unit 11 to place the clamp device 1A in a clamping state (see FIGS. 6 and 7). More specifically, the second holding unit 21 is moved closer to the first holding unit 31 so that both the first holding unit 31 and the second holding unit 21 abut against the outer circumferential surface of the pole 300 and the holding centers HC of the first holding unit 31 and the second holding unit 21 relative to the pole 300 overlap with the axial center of the pole 300. As a result, the pole 300 is clamped between the first holding unit 31 and the second holding unit 21.

[0062] In the clamp device 1A according to this embodiment, the user operates the operating unit 11 to move the first movable unit 10 and the second movable unit 20 as described above, thereby changing the operating state of the clamp device 1A from a first operating state to a second operating state. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first operating state is a state in which the operating unit 11 and the second holding unit 21 are disposed as close as possible to each other in the axial direction of the first rod 13 of the connecting unit 12. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second operating state is a state in which the operating unit 11 and the second holding unit 21 are disposed as far apart as possible from each other in the axial direction of the first rod 13.

[0063] In the first operation state, the second holding portion 21 abuts against the base portion 33. In the second operation state, the following cases are assumed: the second holding portion 21 abuts against the first holding portion 31; the operating portion 11 abuts against the base portion 33; and the second holding portion 21 abuts against the first holding portion 31 and the operating portion 11 abuts against the base portion 33. In the present embodiment, in the second operation state, the second holding portion 21 abuts against the first holding portion 31 and the operating portion 11 abuts against the base portion 33.

[0064] Here, the first male screw 13a of the first rod 13 is concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device 1A in any of the operation states from the first operation state to the second operation state.

[0065] More specifically, the clamp device 1A is configured so that the first male screw 13a is located inside the base portion 33 in any of the first and second operating states. This configuration can be realized by satisfying the following formula (1).

[0066] b1≧(B1+ST1)...Equation (1)

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, "b1" is the dimension of the first female screw 33b of the base portion 33 in the axial direction of the first rod 13. "B1" is the dimension of the first male screw 13a of the first rod 13 in the axial direction of the first rod 13. "ST1" is the distance that the first rod 13 moves in its axial direction from the first operating state to the second operating state. In detail, "ST1" is a value obtained by multiplying the number of rotations of the first rod 13 required to transition from the first operating state to the second operating state by the pitch of the first male screw 13a.

[0068] Similarly, the second male screw 23a of the second rod 23 is concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device 1A in any of the operation states from the first operation state to the second operation state.

[0069] More specifically, the clamp device 1A is configured so that in any of the first and second operating states, the second male screw 23a of the second rod 23 is located inside the hollow portion of the first rod 13. This configuration can be realized by satisfying the following formula (2).

[0070] b2≧(B2+ST2)...Equation (2)

[0071] As shown in FIG. 5, "b2" is the dimension of the second female thread 13b of the first rod 13 in the axial direction of the first rod 13. "B2" is the dimension of the second male thread 23a of the second rod 23 in the axial direction of the first rod 13. "ST2" is the distance that the second rod 23 moves relative to the first rod 13 in the axial direction of the first rod 13 from the first operating state to the second operating state. In detail, "ST2" is a value obtained by multiplying the number of rotations of the first rod 13 required to transition from the first operating state to the second operating state by the pitch of the second male thread 23a.

[0072] In this way, in the clamp device 1A, the first male screw 13a and the second male screw 23a are concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device 1A. This configuration effectively prevents the smooth operation of the first rod 13 and the second rod 23 from being hindered by the adhesion of liquids such as medicines or foreign matter to the first male screw 13a and the second male screw 23a.

[0073] Furthermore, with this configuration, even if a lubricant is applied to the first male thread 13a and the second male thread 23a, the lubricant can be prevented from adhering to the user's hands or to devices installed around the clamp device 1A. Therefore, the clamp device 1A is hygienic and allows the first rod 13 and the second rod 23 to operate smoothly.

[0074] Therefore, by configuring the clamp device 1A according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the operability of the clamp device for fixing a medical device to a pole.

[0075] In the clamp device 1A according to this embodiment, the holding centers HC of the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21 relative to the pole 300 are located on the axis AX1 of the second rod 23, as described above.

[0076] This effectively prevents torque caused by a reaction force from the pole 300 from being applied to the threaded portion between the first male screw 13a of the first rod 13 and the first female screw 33b of the base portion 33, and to the threaded portion between the second male screw 23a of the second rod 23 and the second female screw 13b of the first rod 13, when the pole 300 is clamped between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21.

[0077] As a result, galling at the threaded portions of the screws is effectively suppressed, which in turn makes it possible to prevent problems such as impeding smooth movement of the second holding part 21 relative to the first holding part 31, damage to the threaded portions of the screws, or excessive force being required to rotate the first rod 13. This improves the operability and durability of the clamp device 1A.

[0078] Furthermore, in the clamping device 1A of this embodiment, as described above, the second male thread 23a of the second rod 23 is threaded into the second female thread 13b of the first rod 13, so that at least a portion of the second rod 23 is housed inside the first rod 13.

[0079] With this configuration, the overall length of the clamp device 1A along the axial direction of the second rod 23 can be shortened by the amount of overlap between the first rod 13 and the second rod 23 when viewed from above. As a result, the clamp device 1A can be made sufficiently compact. This effect is particularly noticeable when the clamp device 1A is in the first operating state.

[0080] Furthermore, in the clamp device 1A according to this embodiment, as described above, the first male screw 13a, the first female screw 33b, the second male screw 23a, and the second female screw 13b are all configured as multiple threads.

[0081] This configuration increases the amount of movement of the second holding part 21 per rotation of the first rod 13 compared to when these parts are configured with a single thread, thereby reducing the burden on the operator of the clamp device 1A.

[0082] In the clamp device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, the mounting portion 32 has been described as having a trapezoidal shape, but the mounting portion 32 is not limited to this and may be configured with a known fastener or the like.

[0083] Furthermore, in the clamping device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, the first male screw 13a, the first female screw 33b, the second male screw 23a and the second female screw 13b are described as multiple-start threads, but these may also be single-start threads.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been given in which the pole 300 is not clamped between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21 in either the first operating state or the second operating state, but the pole may be clamped between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 21 in these states.

[0085] Furthermore, in the clamp device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, an example has been given in which a first male screw 13a is provided on the first rod 13 of the connecting portion 12 and a first female screw 33b is provided on the base portion 33 of the main body portion 30, but the clamp device 1A may also be configured so that a first male screw is provided on the main body portion 30 and a first female screw is provided on the connecting portion 12.

[0086] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a clamping device according to embodiment 2 in a first operating state. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 10 in a second operating state. Next, the configuration of a clamping device 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. For ease of understanding, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the portion of the rod 113 where the first male screw 113a1 is threaded is indicated by dense dot hatching, and the portion of the rod 113 where the second male screw 113b1 is threaded is indicated by sparse dot hatching. Furthermore, among the configuration of the clamping device 1B, descriptions of parts common to the configuration of the clamping device 1A according to embodiment 1 described above may be omitted.

[0087] 10 and 11, the clamp device 1B includes a first movable part 110, a second movable part 120, and a main body part 130. The first movable part 110 is configured to be movable relative to the main body part 130. The second movable part 120 is configured to move relative to the main body part 130 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable part 110.

[0088] The main body 130 has a first holding portion 131, an attachment portion 132, a first base portion 133, and a connection portion 134.

[0089] The first holding portion 131 is configured as a block-shaped portion, and is provided with a first holding groove 131a that is substantially V-shaped in plan view.

[0090] The first base portion 133 is a portion having a generally plate-shaped outer shape. The first base portion 133 is provided with a hole that penetrates the first base portion 133 in the thickness direction. A first female screw 133b is provided on the side surface of this hole. A first male screw 113a1 of the rod 113 is screwed into the first female screw 133b of the first base portion 133. The rod 113 will be described later.

[0091] The connecting portion 134 connects the first holding portion 131 and the first base portion 133 to each other. The longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 134 coincides with the axial direction of the rod 113. The mounting portion 32 is attached to the connecting portion 134.

[0092] A first holding portion 131 is erected at one longitudinal end of the connecting portion 134. A first base portion 133 is erected at the other longitudinal end of the connecting portion 134 so as to face the first holding portion 131 when the main body portion 130 is viewed from above. As a result, the portion of the main body portion 130 excluding the attachment portion 132 has a generally U-shaped overall shape when viewed from above.

[0093] The first movable portion 110 includes an operating portion 111 and a rod-shaped connecting portion 112. The connecting portion 112 connects the operating portion 111 and the second holding portion 121 together.

[0094] The connecting portion 112 has a rod 113. The rod 113 includes a first end 113a and a second end 113b positioned along its axial direction. The operating portion 111 is fixed to the first end 113a of the rod 113 so as to be immovable relative to the rod 113.

[0095] A first male screw 113a1 is threaded on the outer peripheral surface of the first end 113a, which is one axial end of the rod 113. A second male screw 113b1 is threaded on the outer peripheral surface of the second end 113b, which is the other axial end of the rod 113. That is, the second male screw 113b1 is positioned closer to the second end 113b than the first male screw 113a1 in the axial direction of the rod 113.

[0096] The first male screw 113a1 of the rod 113 is threadedly engaged with the first female screw 133b of the first base portion 133. This allows the first movable portion 110 to be assembled to the main body portion 130 which has the first base portion 133. The first movable portion 110 assembled to the main body portion 130 in this manner is configured to be movable relative to the main body portion 130 along the axial direction of the rod 113 of the connecting portion 112.

[0097] The second movable part 120 has a block-shaped part having a second holding part 121 and a second base part 122. In the present embodiment, the second movable part 120 is configured from a single member. The second holding part 121 is arranged on the side of the second movable part 120 facing the first holding part 131. The second base part 122 is arranged on the side of the second movable part 120 opposite to the side facing the first holding part 131. It should be noted that the configuration of the second movable part 120 is not particularly limited to a configuration having a block-shaped part.

[0098] A second holding groove 121a having a substantially V-shape in plan view is provided in the second holding portion 121 at a portion facing the first holding groove 131a.

[0099] The second base portion 122 is a portion to which the rod 113 is attached. A substantially cylindrical recess is provided on the surface of the second base portion 122 that faces the first base portion 133. A second female screw 122b is provided on the inner surface of this recess. A second male screw 113b1 of the rod 113 is threadedly engaged with the second female screw 122b of the second base portion 122. In this way, the second movable portion 120 is attached to the first movable portion 110.

[0100] The second movable part 120 assembled to the first movable part 110 in this manner is configured to be movable relative to the rod 113 along the axial direction of the rod 113 of the connecting part 112 .

[0101] The first holding portion 131 of the main body portion 130 described above is disposed at a distance from the second end 113b, which is the other end of the rod 113, in the axial direction of the rod 113. The second holding portion 121 is disposed between the first holding portion 131 and the first base portion 133 in the axial direction of the rod 113.

[0102] The second movable part 120 further has a pair of protrusions 124 that protrude from the second movable part 120 toward the connecting part 134. One of the pair of protrusions 124 is located at one end of the second movable part 120 in the height direction (i.e., the direction into the paper in FIGS. 10 and 11). The other of the pair of protrusions 124 is located at the other end of the second movable part 120 in the height direction.

[0103] One of the pair of protruding portions 124 abuts against an upper surface 134a of a connecting portion 134 serving as a guide portion. The other of the pair of protruding portions 124 abuts against a lower surface of the connecting portion 134. The upper surface 134a and the lower surface of the connecting portion 134 restrict rotation of the second movable portion 120 having the second holding portion 121 and the second base portion 122. As a result, the second movable portion 120 is configured to move integrally with the rod 113 along the axial direction as the rod 113 rotates.

[0104] The holding center HC (see FIG. 10) of the first holding part 131 and the second holding part 121 with respect to the pole 300 is positioned on the axis AX2 of the rod 113.

[0105] In the clamp device 1B configured as described above, the first movable part 110 is configured to be movable relative to the main body part 130, and the second movable part 120 is configured to move relative to the main body part 130 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable part 110.

[0106] More specifically, as the rod 113 rotates in the forward direction, it is moved along the axial direction of the rod 113 toward the first holding part 131 relative to the first base part 133 (see arrow AR3 in FIG. 11). As a result, the second end 113b of the rod 113 approaches the first holding part 131. Accordingly, the second holding part 121, which is assembled to the first movable part 110 via the second base part 122, approaches the first holding part 131.

[0107] When the rod 113 moves, the second movable part 120 having the second base part 122 moves along the axial direction of the rod 113 toward the first holding part 131 relative to the first movable part 110 (see arrow AR4 in FIG. 11). This is because, as described above, the second male screw 113b1 of the rod 113 is configured with a thread that is threaded in the opposite direction to the first male screw 113a1 of the rod 113, and rotation of the second movable part 120 is restricted.

[0108] As a result of the first movable portion 110 and the second movable portion 120 moving in this manner, the second holding portion 121 approaches the first holding portion 131.

[0109] Similarly, when rod 113 rotates in the opposite direction, it is moved relative to first base portion 133 along the axial direction of rod 113 toward the side opposite to first holding portion 131. As a result, second end 113b of rod 113 moves away from first holding portion 131, and accordingly, second holding portion 121 moves away from first holding portion 131. During this movement of rod 113, second movable portion 120 moves relative to first movable portion 110 along the axial direction of rod 113 toward the side opposite to first holding portion 131. As first movable portion 110 and second movable portion 120 move in this manner, second holding portion 121 moves away from first holding portion 131.

[0110] In the clamp device 1B configured as described above, the user can change the operation state of the clamp device 1B from a first operation state to a second operation state by operating the operation unit 111 to move the first movable unit 110 and the second movable unit 120 as described above. As shown in Fig. 10, the first operation state is a state in which the operation unit 111 and the second holding unit 121 are disposed as close as possible to each other in the axial direction of the rod 113 of the connecting unit 112. As shown in Fig. 11, the second operation state is a state in which the operation unit 111 and the second holding unit 121 are disposed as far apart as possible from each other in the axial direction of the rod 113.

[0111] In the first operation state, second movable portion 120 abuts against first base portion 133, and second end 113b of rod 113 abuts against an end portion of second female screw 122b of second base portion 122 opposite to the side where first base portion 133 is located. In the second operation state, the following cases are assumed: second holding portion 121 abuts against first holding portion 131; operating portion 111 abuts against first base portion 133; and second holding portion 121 abuts against first holding portion 131 and operating portion 111 abuts against first base portion 133. In this embodiment, second holding portion 121 abuts against first holding portion 131 in the second operation state.

[0112] Here, the first male screw 113a1 of the rod 113 is concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device 1B in any of the operation states from the first operation state to the second operation state.

[0113] More specifically, the clamp device 1B is configured so that in any of the first and second operating states, the first male screw 113a1 is located inside the first base portion 133. This configuration can be realized by satisfying the following formula (3).

[0114] b3≧(B3+ST3) Equation (3)

[0115] Note that "b3" is the dimension of the first female screw 133b of the first base portion 133 in the axial direction of the rod 113. "B3" is the dimension of the first male screw 113a1 in the axial direction of the rod 113. "ST3" is the distance that the first movable portion 110 moves in the axial direction of the rod 113 from the first operating state to the second operating state. In detail, "ST3" is a value obtained by multiplying the number of rotations of the rod 113 required to transition from the first operating state to the second operating state by the pitch of the first male screw 113a1.

[0116] Similarly, the second male screw 113b1 of the rod 113 is concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device 1B in any of the operation states from the first operation state to the second operation state.

[0117] More specifically, the clamp device 1B is configured so that in any of the first and second operating states, the second male screw 113b1 of the rod 113 is located inside the second base portion 122. Such a configuration can be realized by satisfying the following formula (4).

[0118] b4≧(B4+ST4)...Equation (4)

[0119] Note that "b4" is the dimension of the second female screw 122b of the second base portion 122 in the axial direction of the rod 113. "B4" is the dimension of the second male screw 113b1 in the axial direction of the rod 113. "ST4" is the distance that the second movable portion 120 moves relative to the rod 113 in the axial direction of the rod 113 from the first operating state to the second operating state. In detail, "ST4" is a value obtained by multiplying the number of rotations of the rod 113 required to transition from the first operating state to the second operating state by the pitch of the second male screw 113b1.

[0120] In this way, in the clamp device 1B, the first male screw 113a1 and the second male screw 113b1 are concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device 1B.

[0121] Even when configured in this manner, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained, and it becomes possible to improve the operability of the clamping device for fixing a medical device to a pole.

[0122] In the clamp device 1B according to the present embodiment described above, an example has been given in which the rod 113 of the connecting portion 112 is provided with a first male screw 113a1 and the first base portion 133 of the main body portion 130 is provided with a first female screw 133b, but the clamp device 1B may also be configured so that the main body portion 130 is provided with a first male screw and the connecting portion 112 is provided with a first female screw.

[0123] (Other forms, etc.) The shape, configuration, size, number, material, etc. of each part shown in the above-described embodiment of the present invention can be changed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0124] Furthermore, the characteristic configurations shown in the above-described embodiments of the present invention can naturally be combined with each other within the scope permitted in light of the spirit of the present invention.

[0125] As such, the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1A, 1B Clamping device, 10 First movable part, 11 Operating part, 12 Connecting part, 13 First rod, 13a First male screw, 13b Second female screw, 14 End part, 20 Second movable part, 21 Second holding part, 21a Second holding groove, 22 Bottom wall part, 23 Second rod, 23a Second male screw, 30 Main body part, 31 First holding part, 31a First holding groove, 32 Mounting part, 32a Fixing screw, 33 Base part, 33b First female screw, 34 Connecting part, 34a Guide part, 90 Locking pin, 110 First movable part, 111 Operating part, 112 Connecting part, 113 Rod, 113a First end, 113a1 First male screw, 113b Second end, 113b1 Second male screw, 120 Second movable part, 121 Second holding portion, 121a second holding groove, 122 second base portion, 122b second female screw, 124 protrusion portion, 130 main body portion, 131 first holding portion, 131a first holding groove, 132 mounting portion, 133 first base portion, 133b first female screw, 134 connection portion, 134a upper surface, 200 infusion pump, 300 pole, AX1, AX2 axis, HC holding center.

Claims

1. 1. A clamping device for securing a medical device to a pole, comprising: a first holding portion and a second holding portion that sandwich and hold the pole; an attachment portion to which the medical device is detachably attached; a main body portion provided with the first holding portion and the attachment portion; a first movable portion configured to be movable relative to the main body portion; a second movable portion provided with the second holding portion and configured to move relative to the main body portion in conjunction with movement of the first movable portion; the first movable portion includes an operating portion that is rotated by a user, and a rod-shaped connecting portion that is immovably fixed to the operating portion and connects the operating portion and the second holding portion, a first male screw is provided on one of the main body portion and the connecting portion, and a first female screw that screws into the first male screw is provided on the other of the main body portion and the connecting portion, so that the first movable portion is configured to be movable relative to the main body portion along the axial direction of the connecting portion; a second male screw threaded in an opposite direction to the first male screw thread is provided on one of the connecting portion and the second movable portion, and a second female screw threadedly engaging with the second male screw is provided on the other of the connecting portion and the second movable portion, so that the second movable portion is configured to be movable relative to the connecting portion along the axial direction of the connecting portion; A clamp device in which, in any of the operating states from a first operating state in which the operating portion and the second holding portion are positioned as close together as possible in the axial direction of the connecting portion to a second operating state in which the operating portion and the second holding portion are positioned as far apart as possible in the axial direction of the connecting portion, the first male screw and the second male screw are concealed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the clamp device.

2. the main body portion has a base portion on which the first female screw is provided, the connecting portion includes at least a hollow portion, and has a first rod having the second female screw on an inner circumferential surface and the first male screw on an outer circumferential surface; the second movable portion has a second rod having the second male screw threaded on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the first rod is disposed coaxially with the second rod, the second holding portion is attached to one end of the second rod in the axial direction, the first holding portion is disposed at a distance from the second holding portion on a side opposite to a side on which the second rod is located, as viewed from the second holding portion; a holding center of the first holding portion and the second holding portion relative to the pole is located on an axis of the second rod, the first rod is configured to be movable relative to the base portion such that, when the first rod rotates in a forward direction, an end portion of the first rod located on the second holding portion side approaches the first holding portion, and when the first rod rotates in a reverse direction, the end portion moves away from the first holding portion; the second holding portion and the second rod are configured to move integrally along the axial direction of the second rod in accordance with the rotation of the first rod by restricting their rotation, The clamp device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp device is configured such that the first male screw is located inside the base portion and the second male screw is located inside the first rod in any of the operating states from the first operating state to the second operating state.

3. The clamp device according to claim 2 , wherein in the second operating state, the second holding portion abuts against the first holding portion, or the operating portion abuts against the base portion.

4. the main body portion has a first base portion on which the first female screw is provided, the second movable portion has a second base portion provided with the second female screw, the connecting portion has a rod having the first male thread threaded on an outer peripheral surface at one end side in the axial direction and the second male thread threaded on an outer peripheral surface at the other end side in the axial direction, the first holding portion is disposed at a distance from the other end of the rod in the axial direction of the rod, the second holding portion is disposed between the first holding portion and the first base portion in the axial direction of the rod, a holding center of the first holding portion and the second holding portion relative to the pole is located on the axis of the rod, the rod is configured to be movable relative to the first base portion such that the other end approaches the first holding portion when the rod rotates in a forward direction, and the other end moves away from the first holding portion when the rod rotates in a reverse direction; the second holding portion and the second base portion are configured to move integrally along the axial direction of the rod in accordance with the rotation of the rod by restricting their rotation, 2. The clamp device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp device is configured such that the first male screw is located inside the first base portion and the second male screw is located inside the second base portion in any of the first operating state to the second operating state.

5. The clamp device according to claim 4 , wherein, in the second operating state, the second holding portion abuts against the first holding portion, or the operating portion abuts against the first base portion.

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