Metering chamber and liquid handling device

Abstract

To provide a measuring chamber that can be easily attached to a liquid treatment device while suppressing damage during transportation, etc.SOLUTION: A measuring chamber 53 includes: a chamber body 350 having internal flow passages 420-426 through which liquid flows and storage parts 400-402 communicated with the internal flow passages 420-426 for storing the liquid; and a protective cover 351 for covering the front face and the rear face of a chamber body 350 to protect the chamber body 350. The protective cover 351 includes a protruding part 520 for installing the measuring chamber 53 in a device body part 10 of a blood purification device 1. The protective cover 351 includes a front face cover 451 positioned on a front face side of the chamber body 350, a rear face cover 450 positioned on a rear face side of the chamber body 350, and an engaging mechanism 600 for engaging the front face cover 451 and the rear face cover 450 with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a metering chamber and a liquid treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Extracorporeal circulation therapies such as dialysis and plasma exchange are performed using, for example, a blood purification device. This blood purification device has, for example, a blood circuit that supplies a patient's blood to a blood purifier, purifies the blood, and returns it to the patient, a dialysate circuit that supplies and discharges dialysate to the blood purifier, and a fluid replacement circuit that replenishes fluid to the blood (see Patent Document 1). The blood purification device has, for example, a measuring chamber that measures the total amount of dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier, the amount of dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier, and the amount of replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit, in order to control the amount of water removed from the patient (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned metering chamber has a storage section for storing each liquid, and an internal flow path for feeding and discharging the liquid to and from each storage section (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The metering chamber is integrated with a heating panel that warms the replacement liquid to body temperature and a frame that holds the heating panel to form a flow path holding device (see Patent Document 3). When in use, the metering chamber is attached to a measuring device in the main body of the blood purification device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5160455 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-181757 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2015-073847 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned metering chamber may be damaged when subjected to external forces, for example, during transportation or sterilization. In particular, the metering chamber is preferably made of polyvinyl chloride, the same material as the tube to be connected, but in this case, the metering chamber is easily brittle at low temperatures and is therefore easily damaged when subjected to external forces at low temperatures. In addition, if the metering chamber is placed in a protective case during transportation, it is necessary to remove the metering chamber from the case when attaching it to the blood purification device, which is undesirable as it increases the work of medical personnel.

[0006] The present application has been made in consideration of these points, and one of its objects is to provide a measuring chamber and a liquid treatment device that can be easily attached to a liquid treatment device such as a blood purification device while reducing the risk of damage during transportation, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] After extensive investigation, the inventors discovered that the above problems could be solved by providing a protective cover on the chamber body of the metering chamber and providing an installation section on the protective cover for installing the metering chamber in the device body of a liquid treatment device, and thus completed the present invention.

[0008] That is, the present invention includes the following aspects. (1) A metering chamber connected to a liquid flow path of a liquid processing device for measuring a liquid flowing through the liquid flow path, comprising: a chamber body having an internal flow path for flowing liquid and a storage portion connected to the internal flow path for storing liquid; and a protective cover covering the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body and protecting the chamber body, the protective cover having an installation portion for installing the metering chamber in the device main body of the liquid processing device. (2) The measuring chamber described in (1), wherein the protective cover has a front cover located on the front side of the chamber body, a rear cover located on the rear side of the chamber body, and an engagement mechanism that engages the front cover and the rear cover. (3) The measuring chamber described in (2), wherein the engagement mechanism includes a locking portion provided on one of the front cover or the rear cover, a locked portion provided on the other of the front cover or the rear cover different from the locking portion, and a regulating portion that prevents the locking portion from coming off the locked portion. (4) The measuring chamber according to (2) or (3), wherein the chamber body has a rectangular portion in which a plurality of storage sections are arranged side by side, and the engagement mechanisms are provided near the four corners of the rectangular portion. (5) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a positioning mechanism for positioning the protective cover and the chamber body. (6) The measuring chamber described in (5), wherein the positioning mechanism has a convex portion provided on one of the protective cover or the chamber body and a concave portion provided on the other of the protective cover or the chamber body different from the convex portion, and the protective cover and the chamber body are positioned by the convex portion and the concave portion engaging with each other. (7) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the protective cover has a straightening portion that clamps a portion of the chamber body from the front side and the rear side to straighten the warp of the chamber body. (8) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the protective cover has a flat surface at a portion that comes into contact with a main body of the liquid processing device. (9) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the protective cover is configured so that the storage section of the chamber body can be visually observed from the outside. (10) The measuring chamber according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the chamber body is made of vinyl chloride. (11) A liquid treatment device comprising: the metering chamber according to any one of (1) to (10); and a device main body in which the metering chamber is disposed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the measuring chamber can be easily attached to the liquid processing device while suppressing damage to the measuring chamber during transportation or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a blood purification device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a measuring device of the blood purification device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid circuit. [Figure 4] A front view of a frame to which a heating panel and a pressing member are attached. [Diagram 5] A front view of a frame with a heating panel attached. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the metering chamber. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the metering chamber. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the chamber body. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the rear cover. [Figure 11] 1 is a front perspective view of the main body chamber attached to the rear cover. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the front cover. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first engagement mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a second engagement mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a cross section taken along line AA of the measuring chamber. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the measuring chamber is attached to a measuring device. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the measuring chamber is attached to a measuring device. [Figure 18]FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the measuring chamber is close to a wall surface of the device main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the positional relationship of the top, bottom, left, right, etc. of the drawings is based on the positional relationship shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. The dimensional ratio of the drawings is not limited to the illustrated ratio. Furthermore, the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to only the embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0012] <Blood purification device> 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of a blood purification apparatus 1 as a liquid treatment apparatus equipped with a measuring chamber according to this embodiment. Blood purification apparatus 1 has, for example, an apparatus main body 10, an operation panel 11, a cart 12, a pole 13, a liquid circuit 14, and the like.

[0013] The device main body 10 is configured to have various devices, equipment, and members required for performing blood processing built-in or attachable thereto. For example, the device main body 10 has built-in or attachable thereto a group of various clamps 20 for opening and closing the flow path of the liquid circuit 14, a group of pumps 21 for pumping the liquid in the liquid circuit 14, a pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting the pressure of the liquid in the liquid circuit 14, and a blood purifier (described below) for purifying the blood. A door 30 is provided on the side of the device main body 10, and the portion exposed when the door 30 is opened serves as an attachment section 33 for attaching a flow path holding device 40 for the liquid circuit 14. A flat heater 31 and a measuring device 32 are provided in the attachment section 33.

[0014] The flow path holding device 40 includes, for example, a heating panel 50, a frame 51, a pressing member 52, a measuring chamber 53, and a tube 54. By mounting the flow path holding device 40 to the mounting part 33 and supplying heat from the heater 31 to the heating panel 50, the liquid flowing through the heating panel 50 can be heated, and the weight of the measuring chamber 53 can be measured by the measuring device 32.

[0015] 2, the measuring device 32 has a support part 60 that hooks and supports a protrusion part 520 (described later) of the measuring chamber 53. The support parts 60 are provided at two places, the left and right of the measuring device 32. The measuring device 32 is configured to measure the weight of the measuring chamber 53 supported by the support parts 60. In addition, a liquid detection sensor 62 for detecting the amount of liquid in a storage part (described later) of the measuring chamber 53 is provided on a wall surface 61 to which the measuring device 32 is fixed. The liquid detection sensor 62 is, for example, a capacitance type sensor, and can detect the presence or absence of liquid by a change in capacitance when the liquid enters an electric field.

[0016] 1 is, for example, a touch panel, which allows the user to input various settings for blood processing and display the operating status of the blood processing. Liquid bags such as dialysis fluid bags and replacement fluid bags, which will be described later, used in blood processing can be hung from the pole section 13.

[0017] <Liquid circuit> Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid circuit 14 for performing dialysis therapy. In Fig. 3, the protective cover of the metering chamber 53 is omitted in order to explain the flow path of the liquid circuit 14. For example, the liquid circuit 14 has a blood purifier 70, a blood circuit 71, a dialysis fluid supply line 72, a waste fluid line 73, and a replacement fluid line 74. The liquid circuit 14 is detachable from the device main body 10 of the blood purification device 1.

[0018] The blood purifier 70 is, for example, a cylindrical membrane module having a hollow fiber membrane as a purification membrane, and can separate unnecessary components from blood.

[0019] The blood circuit 71 includes, for example, a blood collection line 90 that connects the blood collection section 80 and the blood purifier 70, and a blood return line 91 that connects the blood purifier 70 and the blood return section 81. The blood collection line 90 and the blood return line 91 are mainly composed of soft tubes. The blood collection line 90 is connected to the inlet of the blood purifier 70, and the blood return line 91 is connected to the outlet of the blood purifier 70.

[0020] The blood collection line 90 is provided with, for example, a pressure pump 100. The blood return line 91 is provided with a drip chamber 110 and a pressure sensor.

[0021] The dialysis fluid supply line 72 has a dialysis fluid bag 120 and a dialysis fluid flow path 121 that connects the dialysis fluid bag 120 with a dialysis fluid-side nozzle of the blood purifier 70. The dialysis fluid flow path 121 is mainly composed of a soft polyvinyl chloride tube, and is also partially composed of the liquid flow path of the heating panel 50 and the liquid flow path of the metering chamber 53, which will be described later. A dialysis fluid pump 122 is provided in the dialysis fluid flow path 121.

[0022] The waste liquid line 73 has a waste liquid flow path 130 that connects the dialysate nozzle of the blood purifier 70 to the waste liquid section. The waste liquid flow path 130 is mainly composed of a soft polyvinyl chloride tube, and a part of it is composed of the liquid flow path of the metering chamber 53. The waste liquid flow path 130 is provided with, for example, a filtration pump 131.

[0023] The fluid replacement line 74 has a fluid replacement bag 140 and a fluid replacement flow path 141 that connects the fluid replacement bag 140 and the blood return line 91. The fluid replacement flow path 141 is mainly composed of a soft polyvinyl chloride tube, and is also partially composed of the liquid flow path of the heating panel 50 and the liquid flow path of the metering chamber 53. A fluid replacement pump 142 is provided in the fluid replacement flow path 141.

[0024] In the above-mentioned liquid circuit 14, blood purification processing for dialysis therapy, for example, is performed. For example, in the blood circuit 71, the patient's blood is sent from the blood collection section 80 to the blood side of the purification membrane of the blood purifier 70, and after passing through the blood purifier 70, is returned to the patient from the blood return section 81. At this time, the dialysate is sent to the dialysate side of the purification membrane of the blood purifier 70 through the dialysate supply line 72, and then is discharged through the waste liquid line 73. In the blood purifier 70, unnecessary components in the blood passing through the blood side of the purification membrane flow out through the purification membrane to the dialysate side and are discharged together with the dialysate. Meanwhile, a replacement fluid is supplied to the blood circuit 71 through the replacement fluid line 74, and the blood is replenished with predetermined components.

[0025] <Flow path retention device> 3, the flow path holding device 40 holds, for example, at least a part of the liquid circuit 14, i.e., at least a part of the dialysis fluid flow path 121, at least a part of the waste fluid flow path 130, and at least a part of the replacement fluid flow path 141, and is configured to be freely attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 10. Note that the extent to which the flow path holding device 40 holds any of the flow paths of the liquid circuit 14 can be appropriately changed. The flow path holding device 40 includes, for example, a heating panel 50, a frame-shaped frame 51, a pressing member 52, a measuring chamber 53, and a tube 54 which is a part of the liquid flow path.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a front view of the frame 51 to which the heating panel 50 and the pressing member 52 are attached. FIG. 5 is a front view of the frame 51 to which the heating panel 50 is attached. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the frame 51 has a rectangular plate shape and is made of hard resin, for example, ABS resin. The frame 51 has an opening 160 in the center where the heating panel 50 is placed. The opening 160 has a rectangular shape. The frame 51 is provided with a plurality of fixing parts 161 for fixing the tubes 54. The arrangement and number of the fixing parts 161 are not limited to those in FIGS. 4 and 5 and can be changed as appropriate.

[0027] An upper hook portion 170 for engaging the upper portion of the heating panel 50 and the upper portion of the pressing member 52 is provided on the upper portion 51a above the opening 160 of the frame-shaped frame 51. The upper hook portions 170 are provided in two locations corresponding to both ends of the opening 160 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) Y on the upper portion 51a. In this specification, "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" are based on the position of the flow path holding device 40 when in use as shown in Figures 1 to 5. In addition, with respect to the flow path holding device 40, the surface facing the device main body 10 in Figure 1 is referred to as the "rear surface" and the surface opposite the device main body 10 is referred to as the "front surface".

[0028] 4 and 5, a protrusion 180 for engaging the lower part of the heating panel 50 is provided on the lower part 51b below the opening 160 of the frame 51. The protrusion 180 is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the opening 160 in the left-right direction Y of the lower part 51b. The protrusion 180 has a rod shape and extends in the front direction in the front-rear direction X perpendicular to the surface direction of the frame 51.

[0029] 4 and 5, a lower hook portion 190 for engaging a lower portion of the pressing member 52 is provided on the lower portion 51b below the opening 160 of the frame-shaped frame 51. The lower hook portions 190 are provided at two locations corresponding to the vicinities of both ends of the opening 160 in the left-right direction Y.

[0030] 4 and 5, the heating panel 50 has a generally rectangular thin plate shape. The heating panel 50 is made of, for example, polyvinyl chloride, the same material as the tubes 54. The heating panel 50 includes a panel main body 250 having a liquid flow path, and an upper frame portion 251 and a lower frame portion 252 for engaging the heating panel 50 with the frame 51.

[0031] The panel main body 250 is formed in a thin rectangular shape. The panel main body 250 has two continuous heating flow paths 262 from the inlet 260 to the outlet 261. The inlet 260 and the outlet 261 are provided on the upper short side of the panel main body 250 in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. 5, each heating flow path 262 has a meandering section 270 extending downward from the inlet 260 while meandering left and right, and a straight section 271 that passes straight from the bottom of the meandering section 270 to the side of the meandering section 270 and is connected to the outlet 261. The two heating flow paths 262 are arranged side by side on the left and right of the panel main body 250. The inlet 260 and the outlet 261 form a connection section for connecting the heating flow path 262 and the tube 54. For example, the tube 54 of the dialysis fluid flow path 121 is connected to the connection part of one heating flow path 262, and the tube 54 of the replacement fluid flow path 141 is connected to the connection part of the other heating flow path 262. As a result, one heating flow path 262 constitutes a part of the dialysis fluid flow path 121, and the other heating flow path 262 constitutes a part of the replacement fluid flow path 141.

[0032] The upper frame portion 251 is provided, for example, on the upper edge portion 50a of the heating panel 50. The upper frame portion 251 is provided on both ends of the upper edge portion 50a of the heating panel 50 in the left-right direction Y. The upper frame portion 251 is formed in a rectangular shape, and a hole 290 that engages with the upper hook portion 170 of the frame 51 is formed in the center.

[0033] The lower frame portion 252 is provided, for example, on the lower edge portion 50b of the heating panel 50. The lower frame portion 252 is provided in the center of the lower edge portion 50b of the heating panel 50 in the left-right direction Y. The lower frame portion 252 is formed in a rectangular shape, and a hole 291 that engages with the protrusion portion 180 of the frame 51 is formed in the center.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, the pressing member 52 has a generally rectangular thin plate shape. The pressing member 52 is transparent and made of, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The pressing member 52 has higher flexibility and impact strength at low temperatures than the heating panel 50. The pressing member 52 is larger in area than the heating panel 50 and can cover the entire surface of the heating panel 50.

[0035] The pressing member 52 has an upper locking portion 320 for locking onto the hook portion 170 of the upper portion 51 a of the receptacle frame 51 , and a lower locking portion 321 for locking onto the hook portion 190 of the lower portion 51 b of the receptacle frame 51 .

[0036] The upper and lower locking portions 320, 321 are formed by rectangular openings.

[0037] <Measuring chamber> 1, the measuring chamber 53 is provided in the lower part of the frame 51. The measuring chamber 53 is a chamber for measuring the total amount of dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier 70, the amount of dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier 70, and the amount of replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit 71 in order to manage the amount of water removed from the patient.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front side of measuring chamber 53, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rear side of measuring chamber 53. As shown in FIG.

[0039] The measuring chamber 53 includes a chamber body 350 and a protective cover 351 that covers the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body 350 to protect the chamber body 350. Note that the protective cover 351 does not need to cover the entire front and rear surfaces of the chamber body 350, but only needs to cover at least a part of the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body 350.

[0040] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the chamber body 350 as seen from the front side. As shown in Fig. 9, the chamber body 350 is formed in the shape of a thin panel, is transparent, and is made of, for example, vinyl chloride, the same material as the tube 54. The chamber body 350 has, for example, an upper square portion 350a having a substantially rectangular shape, and a lower square portion 350b having a substantially rectangular shape that is located below the upper square portion 350a and is larger than the upper square portion 350a. The chamber body 350 has, for example, three storage portions 400, 401, 402, seven inlets 410-416, and seven flow paths 420-426 therein.

[0041] The storage sections 400, 401, 402 are arranged side by side in the lower square section 350b of the chamber body 350. The storage sections 400, 401, 402 have a cylindrical shape that is long in the vertical direction Z. For example, the first storage section 400 is located on the left when the chamber body 350 is viewed from the front side, the second storage section 401 is located in the center, and the third storage section 402 is located on the right.

[0042] For example, the first to third entrances 410-412 are provided in this order from bottom to top on the left edge of the upper square portion 350a of the chamber body 350, and the fourth entrance 413 is provided in the upper edge of the upper square portion 350a, for example. The fifth and sixth entrances 414, 415 are provided in this order from bottom to top on the right edge of the upper square portion 350a, and the seventh entrance 416 is provided to the right of the fourth entrance 413 on the upper edge of the upper square portion 350a, for example.

[0043] The first flow path 420 connects the upper part of the first storage section 400 to the first inlet / outlet 410, the second flow path 421 connects the lower part of the first storage section 400 to the second inlet / outlet 411, and the third flow path 422 connects the lower part of the second storage section 401 to the third inlet / outlet 412. The fourth flow path 423 connects the upper part of the second storage section 401 to the fourth inlet / outlet 413. The fifth flow path 424 connects the lower part of the second storage section 401 to the fifth inlet / outlet 414, and the sixth flow path 425 connects the lower part of the third storage section 402 to the sixth inlet / outlet 415. The seventh flow path 426 connects the upper part of the third storage section 402 to the seventh inlet / outlet 416.

[0044] The second flow path 421 and the third flow path 422 pass between the first storage portion 400 and the second storage portion 401 in the vertical direction Z. The fifth flow path 424 and the sixth flow path 425 pass to the right of the third storage portion 402 in the vertical direction Z.

[0045] For example, the lower square portion 350b of the chamber main body 350 is provided with a hole 440 as a recess that fits with a protrusion 530 of the rear cover 450 described later, which constitutes the positioning mechanism 430. The hole 440 is provided in two places. One hole 440 is provided in an area R1 surrounded by the second storage portion 401, the third storage portion 402, the fourth flow path 423, and the seventh flow path 426, which is close to the second storage portion 401 and the third storage portion 402. The other hole 440 is provided in an area R2 surrounded by the second storage portion 401, the third storage portion 402, and the fifth flow path 424, which is close to the second storage portion 401 and the third storage portion 402. The hole 440 may be a through hole or a bottomed recess formed on the rear side.

[0046] The first inlet / outlet 410 and the second inlet / outlet 411 are connected to the tube 54 of the waste fluid flow path 130 of the flow path holding device 40. As a result, the first storage section 400 functions as a measuring section that temporarily stores and measures the dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier 70. The third inlet / outlet 412 and the fifth inlet / outlet 414 are connected to the tube 54 of the dialysis fluid flow path 121 of the flow path holding device 40. As a result, the second storage section 401 functions as a measuring section that temporarily stores and measures the dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier 70. The sixth inlet / outlet 415 is connected to the tube 54 of the replacement fluid flow path 141 of the flow path holding device 40. As a result, the third storage section 402 functions as a measuring section that temporarily stores and measures the replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit 71.

[0047] The measuring chamber 53 is weighed by the weighing device 32 of the device main body 10, and by measuring the total weight of the amount of dialysis fluid supplied to the blood purifier 70, the amount of dialysis fluid discharged from the blood purifier 70, and the amount of replacement fluid supplied to the blood circuit 71, it is possible to grasp the change in the total weight, i.e., the change in the amount of water removed from the patient.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the protective cover 351 has a rear cover 450 that covers the rear surface of the chamber main body 350 , and a front cover 451 that covers the front surface of the chamber main body 350 .

[0049] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rear cover 450 as seen from the front side. As shown in FIG. 10, the rear cover 450 is formed in a thin panel shape corresponding to the shape of the chamber body 350. The rear cover 450 is harder and more brittle than the chamber body 350. The rear cover 450 is made of, for example, polypropylene. The rear cover 450 has, for example, an upper square portion 450a that is substantially square, and a lower square portion 450b that is substantially square and located below the upper square portion 450a and larger than the upper square portion 450a.

[0050] The lower square portion 450b has three accommodating portions 460-462 that respectively accommodate the storage portions 400-402 of the chamber main body 350. Each of the accommodating portions 460-462 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape and corresponds to the shape of the storage portions 400-402.

[0051] Each storage section 460-462 has, for example, an upper surface 470-472 covering the rear side of the upper part of the storage section 400-402, a lower surface 480-482 covering the rear side of the lower part of the storage section 400-402, and a side surface 490-492 covering the side of the rear side of the storage section 400-402.

[0052] As shown in Figures 8 and 10, a rectangular window 500 extending vertically is formed in each side surface 490-492, and the liquid detection sensor 62 in the device main body 10 can detect the liquid in the storage sections 400-402 through the window 500.

[0053] 8, a flat surface 510 is formed on the rear surface (outer surface) of each of the side surfaces 490 to 492. The rear surface of each of the side surfaces 490 to 492 is located closest to the device main body 10 (rearmost) in the measuring chamber 53, and this portion is adjacent to the wall surface 61 when the measuring chamber 53 is installed in the measuring device 32.

[0054] 10, the lower square portion 450b has protrusions 520 on both sides in the left-right direction Y as installation portions for installing the measuring chamber 53 on the device main body 10. Each protrusion 520 protrudes in a rod shape toward the outside of the lower square portion 450b in the left-right direction Y. Each protrusion 520 has, for example, two protrusions, an upper protrusion 521 and a lower protrusion 522, one above the other.

[0055] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the lower square portion 450b has a protrusion 530 that fits into the hole 440 of the chamber body 350. Figure 11 shows the state in which the rear cover 450 is attached to the chamber body 350. The protrusion 530 is provided on the front surface (inner surface) of the rear cover 450. The protrusions 530 are provided, for example, above and below the housing portion 461 and the housing portion 462 at positions corresponding to the hole 440 of the chamber body 350. The positioning mechanism 430 that positions the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350 is composed of the protrusion 530 of the rear cover 450 and the hole 440 of the chamber body 350.

[0056] The upper square portion 450a has pressing portions 540 that press the chamber main body 350 attached to the rear cover 450 from its front side. The pressing portions 540 are provided in two locations near the left and right ends of the upper square portion 450a. One pressing portion 540 presses the vicinity of the first to third entrances 410 to 412 from the front side, and the other pressing portion 540 presses the vicinity of the fifth and sixth entrances 414, 415 from the front side.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the pressing portion 540 has a first portion 540a extending forward in the front-to-back direction X of the upper square portion 450a, and a second portion 540b connected to a tip of the first portion 540a and extending downward in the up-down direction Z from the tip.

[0058] 12 is a perspective view of the front cover 451 as seen from the rear. As shown in FIG. 12, the front cover 451 is formed in the shape of a thin panel corresponding to the shape of the chamber body 350. The front cover 451 is harder and more brittle than the chamber body 350. The front cover 451 is made of, for example, polypropylene. The front cover 451 has, for example, a substantially rectangular rectangular portion 451a corresponding to the shape of the lower rectangular portion 350b of the chamber body 350.

[0059] Rectangular portion 451a has three storage portions 560-562 which respectively accommodate storage portions 400-402 of chamber main body 350. Openings 570 are formed in storage portions 560-562, and a user can visually check the liquid amounts in storage portions 400-402 through openings 570 from the front side.

[0060] 7, the protective cover 351 has an engagement mechanism 600 that engages the rear cover 450 and the front cover 451. The engagement mechanisms 600 are provided near the four corners of the lower square portion 350b of the chamber body 350. The engagement mechanisms 600 provided at both ends in the left-right direction Y of the upper part of the lower square portion 350b are referred to as first engagement mechanisms 610, and the engagement mechanisms 600 provided at both ends in the left-right direction Y of the lower part of the lower square portion 350b are referred to as second engagement mechanisms 611.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 13, the first engagement mechanism 610 has, for example, an upper engaging portion 630, an upper engaged portion 631 that engages with the upper engaging portion 630, and an upper regulating portion 632 that regulates the upper engaging portion 630 from coming off the upper engaged portion 631.

[0062] The upper locking portion 630 is provided on the lower square portion 450b of the rear cover 450. The upper locking portion 630 has a first portion 630a extending forward from the lower square portion 450b, and a claw-shaped second portion 630b extending from the tip of the first portion 630a and protruding upward from the tip.

[0063] The upper locked portion 631 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The upper locked portion 631 has a hole 631a through which the upper locking portion 630 passes, and a plate portion 631b that is provided above the hole 631a and on which the second portion 630b of the upper locking portion 630 is hooked.

[0064] The upper restricting portion 632 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The upper restricting portion 632 is provided in the hole 631a of the upper locked portion 631, and has a plate shape that restricts the second portion 630b of the upper locking portion 630 from moving downward, which is the disengaging direction. The distance between the upper restricting portion 632 and the first portion 630a of the upper locking portion 630 is smaller than the locking amount of the second portion 630b of the upper locking portion 630 to the upper locked portion 631, but since the upper restricting portion 632 has a leaf spring shape provided in the hole 631a, it can easily move in the front-rear direction X, and the upper locking portion 630 and the upper locked portion 631 can easily engage with each other.

[0065] As shown in Figure 14, the second engagement mechanism 611 has, for example, a lower engaging portion 640, a lower engaged portion 641 that engages with the lower engaging portion 640, and a lower regulating portion 642 that regulates the lower engaging portion 640 from coming off the lower engaged portion 641.

[0066] The lower locking portion 640 is provided on the lower square portion 450b of the rear cover 450. The lower locking portion 640 has a first portion 640a extending forward from the lower square portion 450b, and a claw-shaped second portion 640b extending from the tip of the first portion 640a and protruding downward from the tip.

[0067] The lower locked portion 641 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The lower locked portion 641 has a hole 641a through which the lower locking portion 640 passes, and a plate portion 641b that is provided below the hole 641a and on which the second portion 640b of the lower locking portion 640 is hooked.

[0068] The lower restricting portion 642 is provided on the square portion 451a of the front cover 451. The lower restricting portion 642 is provided in the hole 641a of the lower locked portion 641, and has a plate shape that restricts the second portion 640b of the lower locking portion 640 from moving upward, which is the disengaging direction. The distance between the lower restricting portion 642 and the first portion 640a of the lower locking portion 640 is smaller than the locking amount of the second portion 640b of the lower locking portion 640 to the lower locked portion 641, but since the lower restricting portion 642 has a leaf spring shape provided in the hole 641a, it can easily move in the front-rear direction X, and the lower locking portion 640 and the lower locked portion 641 can easily engage with each other.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, protective cover 351 has straightening portions 650 that sandwich a portion of chamber body 350 from the front and rear sides and straighten the bending of chamber body 350. As shown in FIG.

[0070] The correcting portion 650 has a rear portion 660 provided on the inner surface (front surface) of the rear cover 450 and a front portion 661 provided on the inner surface (rear surface) of the front cover 451.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10, the rear portion 660 extends forward from the lower square portion 450b of the rear cover 450, and has a plate shape with the plate surface facing the left-right direction Y. The rear portion 660 is provided at a position that does not interfere with the storage portions 400-402 and the flow paths 420-426 of the chamber main body 350. When viewed from the front, the rear portion 660 has, for example, a first rear portion 670 located between the first storage portion 460 and the second storage portion 461 of the lower square portion 450b, a second rear portion 671 located between the second storage portion 461 and the third storage portion 462, and a third rear portion 672 located to the right of the third storage portion 462. Each of the rear portions 670-672 is provided at a plurality of positions, for example, three positions, aligned vertically. One of the rear surface portions 670 is provided at a height position corresponding to the upper part of the storage portions 460 to 462, another is provided at a height position corresponding to the lower part of the storage portions 460 to 462, and the other is provided at a height position corresponding to the center of the storage portions 460 to 462 in the up-down direction Z. The rear surface portions 671 and 672 are also provided at three positions similar to the rear surface portion 670.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 12, the front portion 661 extends rearward from the square portion 451a of the front cover 451, and has a plate shape with the plate surface facing the left-right direction Y. The front portion 661 is provided at a position corresponding to the rear portion 660, so as not to interfere with the storage portions 400-402 and the flow paths 420-426 of the chamber main body 350. When viewed from the rear, the front portion 661 has, for example, a first front portion 680 located between the first storage portion 560 and the second storage portion 561 of the square portion 451a, a second front portion 681 located between the second storage portion 561 and the third storage portion 562, and a third front portion 682 located to the left of the third storage portion 562. Each of the front portions 680-682 is provided at a plurality of positions, for example, three positions, aligned vertically. One of the front surface portions 680 is provided at a height position corresponding to the upper portions of the storage portions 560-562, another is provided at a height position corresponding to the lower portions of the storage portions 560-562, and the other is provided at a height position corresponding to the center portions in the up-down direction Z of the storage portions 560-562. The front surface portions 681 and 682 are also provided in three locations similar to the front surface portion 680.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 15 , the rear portion 660 of the rear cover 450 abuts against the rear surface of the chamber body 350, and the front portion 661 of the front cover 451 abuts against the front surface of the chamber body 350, so that the chamber body 350 is sandwiched between the rear portion 660 and the front portion 661, thereby correcting any bending.

[0074] Next, a method of using the measuring chamber 53 will be described.

[0075] During transportation and use (liquid treatment), the measuring chamber 53 has a protective cover 351 attached to the chamber body 350 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. At this time, a rear cover 450 and a front cover 451 cover both the front and rear sides of the chamber body 350, and the rear cover 450 and the front cover 451 are engaged with each other by an engagement mechanism 600.

[0076] At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the positioning mechanism 430 fits the convex portion 530 of the front cover 451 into the hole 440 of the chamber body 350, and the chamber body 350 and the protective cover 351 are positioned.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 15, the chamber body 350 is sandwiched from the front side and the rear side by the straightening parts 650 of the protective cover 351, so that the warp is straightened.

[0078] During use, the metering chamber 53 is placed in the measuring device 32 of the device main body 10, as shown in Figures 16 and 17. At this time, the protrusion 520 of the protective cover 351 is supported by the support portion 60 of the measuring device 32, and the flat surface 510 of the rear cover 450 is close to the wall surface 61, as shown in Figure 18. When liquid processing is started, the liquid detection sensor 62 detects the amount of liquid in the storage portions 400-402 of the chamber main body 350 through the window 500 of the rear cover 450. The detection result of the amount of liquid in the storage portions 400-402 of the chamber main body 350 is used for controlling the flow rate of the various liquid flow paths of the liquid circuit 14, etc.

[0079] According to this embodiment, the metering chamber 53 is provided with a protective cover 351 that covers the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body 350 to protect the chamber body 350, and the protective cover 351 is provided with a protrusion 520 for installing the metering chamber 53 on the device body 10 of the blood purification device 1. This makes it possible to easily attach the metering chamber 53 to the blood purification device 1 while suppressing damage to the metering chamber 53 during transportation, etc.

[0080] The protective cover 351 has a front cover 451 located on the front side of the chamber body 350, a rear cover 450 located on the rear side of the chamber body 350, and an engagement mechanism 600 that engages the front cover 451 and the rear cover 450. This allows the protective cover 351 to be easily attached to the chamber body 350.

[0081] The engagement mechanism 600 has locking portions 630, 640 provided on the rear cover 450, locked portions 631, 641 provided on the front cover 451, and restricting portions 632, 642 that restrict the locking portions 630, 640 from coming off the locked portions 631, 641. This makes it possible to prevent the protective cover 351 from coming off, for example, when the measuring chamber 53 is transported.

[0082] Since the engagement mechanisms 600 are provided near the four corners of the lower rectangular portion 350b of the chamber body 350, the protective cover 351 can be more reliably prevented from coming off.

[0083] Measuring chamber 53 includes positioning mechanism 430 that positions protective cover 351 and chamber body 350, so that the position of chamber body 350 is stable and liquid in storage sections 400-402 of chamber body 350 can be detected with high accuracy by liquid detection sensor 62. As a result, treatment by blood purification apparatus 1 can be performed appropriately.

[0084] The positioning mechanism 430 has a convex portion 530 provided on the protective cover 351 and a hole 440 provided on the chamber body 350, and positions the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350 by fitting the convex portion 530 into the hole 440. This allows the protective cover 351 and the chamber body 350 to be positioned with a simple configuration that does not take up much space.

[0085] Protective cover 351 has straightening portion 650 that clamps a portion of chamber body 350 from the front and rear sides to straighten bending of chamber body 350. This straightens bending of chamber body 350 and stabilizes the position of chamber body 350, allowing liquid detection sensor 62 to accurately detect liquid in storage portions 400-402 of chamber body 350.

[0086] Protective cover 351 has flat surface 510 at a portion that abuts against wall surface 61 of device body 10. This shortens the distance between liquid detection sensor 62 and storage portions 400-402 of chamber body 350. As a result, liquid detection sensor 62 can detect liquid in storage portions 400-402 with high accuracy.

[0087] Protective cover 351 is configured such that opening 570 is provided in front cover 451 so that storage sections 400-402 of chamber main body 350 can be visually observed from the outside. This allows the user to visually observe storage sections 400-402 even with protective cover 351 in place, and to check, for example, the amount of liquid in storage sections 400-402.

[0088] The chamber body 350 is made of polyvinyl chloride. In this case, the chamber body 350 and the polyvinyl chloride tube 54 can be easily connected by adhesion or the like. On the other hand, the strength of the chamber body 350 decreases at low temperatures, but by protecting the chamber body 350 with the protective cover 351, damage to the chamber body 350 can be suppressed.

[0089] The configuration of the measuring chamber 53 is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, the chamber body 350 and the protective cover 351 are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

[0090] The installation portion for installing protective cover 351 on device body 10 does not have to be protrusion 520. In addition, protrusion 520 may be provided on front cover 451, or may be provided on both front cover 451 and rear cover 450.

[0091] The protective cover 351 may be one in which the rear cover 450 and the front cover 451 are integrated with each other, instead of engaging the rear cover 450 and the front cover 451 with the engaging mechanism 600. The configuration of the engaging mechanism 600 is not limited to that in the above embodiment.

[0092] For example, the positions and the number of the engagement mechanisms 600 are not limited to those in the above embodiment. The engagement mechanism 600 may have an engagement portion provided on the front cover 451 and an engaged portion provided on the rear cover 450.

[0093] The positioning mechanism 430 for positioning the protective cover 351 and the chamber main body 350 does not have to be the convex portion 530 and the hole 440. The correcting portion 650 may also have another configuration.

[0094] The configuration of the flow path holding device 40 having the measuring chamber 53 described in the above embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the configurations of the heating panel 50, the frame 51, the pressing member 52, and the tube 54 are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

[0095] The configuration of the blood purification apparatus 1 in which the measuring chamber 53 is provided is not limited to that in the above embodiment. For example, the blood purification apparatus 1 in the above embodiment is for performing dialysis therapy, but the present invention can also be applied to other liquid treatment devices for performing plasma exchange therapy, leukopheresis therapy, continuous slow hemofiltration therapy, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The present invention is useful in providing a metering chamber that can be easily attached to a liquid treatment device while suppressing damage during transportation, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Blood purification device 40 Flow path retention device 53 Weighing Chamber 350 Chamber body 351 Protective cover 400~402 Storage section 420~426 Channel 450 Rear cover 451 Front cover 520 Protrusion 600 Engagement mechanism

Claims

1. A measuring chamber connected to a liquid flow path of the liquid treatment device for measuring a liquid flowing through the liquid flow path, a chamber body having an internal flow path through which a liquid flows and a storage portion communicating with the internal flow path and storing the liquid; a protective cover that covers the front and rear surfaces of the chamber body and protects the chamber body; The protective cover has a mounting portion for mounting the measuring chamber on a device main body of the liquid treatment device.

2. The protective cover is a front cover located on the front side of the chamber body; A rear cover located on the rear side of the chamber body; The metering chamber of claim 1 , further comprising an engagement mechanism for engaging said front cover and said rear cover.

3. The engagement mechanism includes: a locking portion provided on one of the front cover and the rear cover; a locking portion provided on the other of the front cover or the rear cover, the other being different from the locking portion; The measuring chamber according to claim 2 , further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the engaging portion from coming off the engaged portion.

4. The chamber body has a rectangular section in which a plurality of storage sections are arranged side by side, The measuring chamber according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the engagement mechanisms are provided near four corners of the rectangular portion.

5. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a positioning mechanism for positioning the protective cover and the chamber body.

6. The measuring chamber according to claim 5, wherein the positioning mechanism has a convex portion provided on one of the protective cover or the chamber body and a concave portion provided on the other of the protective cover or the chamber body different from the convex portion, and the protective cover and the chamber body are positioned by the convex portion and the concave portion engaging with each other.

7. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protective cover has a straightening portion that sandwiches a part of the chamber body from the front side and the rear side to straighten the bending of the chamber body.

8. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protective cover has a flat surface in a portion adjacent to a main body of the liquid treatment device.

9. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the protective cover is configured so that the reservoir of the chamber body can be visually observed from the outside.

10. The measuring chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the chamber body is made of polyvinyl chloride.

11. A metering chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and an apparatus main body in which the measuring chamber is disposed.

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