connector

Abstract

To make it possible to confirm a tube end position safely any time after a tube is inserted in a patient; and to increase the degree of freedom in choice of a tube diameter while securing compatibility with a conventional connector in the connector provided for the tube.SOLUTION: A connector 1 is provided at a base end of a conductive tube 30. The connector 1 is provided with: a cylindrical member 11 in a hollow cylindrical shape; and a base pipe 20 in the hollow cylindrical shape arranged coaxially to the cylindrical member 11. The tube 30 is led from the base pipe 20 to the opposite side to the cylindrical member 11. The cylindrical member 11 is configured to lead light emitted to an end of the cylindrical member 11 to a base end surface 31 of the tube 30 by passing the cylindrical member 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector provided on a light-guiding tube. [Background technology]

[0002] In the medical field, a flexible hollow tube may be inserted into a patient for examination or treatment. For example, to supply liquid nutrients from the outside to a patient who has difficulty chewing or swallowing, tube feeding is performed, in which the nutrients are sent directly to the stomach through a tube inserted through the mouth or nose (called an oral tube or a nasal tube; hereafter simply referred to as "tube"). Before sending the nutrients, it is necessary to confirm that the tip of the tube is located inside the stomach.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for confirming the position of the tube tip by inserting a tube into which an optical fiber has already been inserted into a patient and observing the light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber from outside the body. In this method, after inserting the tube into the patient, it is necessary to pull out the optical fiber from the tube before feeding nutritional supplements into the stomach through the tube. If the optical fiber is once pulled out and then reinserted into the tube, it may cause an accident in which the optical fiber breaks through the tube and damages the wall of the digestive tract during the insertion process. For this reason, the method of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it can only be used when initially inserting a tube into a patient, and cannot be used to periodically confirm the position of the tube tip thereafter.

[0004] Therefore, it is conceivable to use the tube itself as a light guide path without using optical fibers. Light is made incident on the base end face of the tube and emitted from the tip of the tube. With this method, it is possible to confirm the position of the tube tip by emitting light from the tip of the tube not only when the tube is first inserted into a patient, but also whenever necessary thereafter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] WO2015 / 133119A1 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-119837 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In tube feeding, a connector must be provided at the base end of the tube to form a flow path from a container storing nutrients to the stomach. It is desirable for the connector to be compatible with connectors used in conventional tube feeding. If the base end face of the tube is configured to be substantially flush with the tip of the connector in order to allow light to enter the tube, the inner diameter of the tube must match the opening diameter of the flow path of the conventional connector. This narrows the freedom of choice regarding the inner diameter of the tube.

[0007] The first object of the present invention is to make it possible to safely check the position of the tip of a tube at any time after the tube has been inserted into a patient. The second object of the present invention is to increase the freedom of choice regarding the diameter of the tube while ensuring compatibility with conventional connectors in a connector provided on the tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The connector of the present invention is provided at the base end of a flexible hollow light-guiding tube. The connector includes a hollow cylindrical tubular member and a hollow cylindrical base tube arranged coaxially with the tubular member. The light-guiding tube is led out from the base tube toward the opposite side to the tubular member. The tubular member is configured to guide light incident on the tip of the tubular member through the tubular member to the base end surface of the light-guiding tube. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when light is incident on the tip of the cylindrical member, the light passes through the cylindrical member and the tube, and the tip of the tube can be illuminated. Therefore, after the tube is inserted into a patient, the position of the tip of the tube can be safely confirmed at any time.

[0010] If the cylindrical member is configured to be compatible with a conventional connector, the diameter of the tube can be selected arbitrarily, thereby improving the freedom of selection regarding the diameter of the tube while ensuring compatibility with conventional connectors. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a system for detecting the tip position of a tube, and a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided at the proximal end of the tube. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention connected to a light source device. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention connected to a light source device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical member may include a cylindrical main body and a hollow light guide tube inserted into the cylindrical main body. The light guide tube may be made of a light-guiding material. This aspect is advantageous in preventing damage to the light guide tube and improving durability of the connector.

[0013] The light guide may have a light exit end surface facing the base end surface of the light guide tube, whereby light exiting the light exit end surface of the light guide tube efficiently enters the light guide tube, which is advantageous in improving the brightness of the tip of the tube.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the tubular member may be entirely made of a light-guiding material, which is advantageous in facilitating the manufacture of the connector.

[0015] The cylindrical member may have a light-emitting end surface facing the base end surface of the light-guiding tube, whereby light emitted from the light-emitting end surface of the cylindrical member efficiently enters the light-guiding tube, which is advantageous in improving the brightness of the tip of the tube.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the light-guiding tube may be provided with a tapered shape that narrows or expands in diameter toward the base end surface. This aspect is advantageous in improving the freedom of tube diameter selection while ensuring compatibility with conventional connectors.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, an inner circumferential surface defining a flow passage penetrating the tubular member may be provided with a tapered surface that decreases or increases in diameter toward the base end surface of the light-guiding tube. This aspect is advantageous in improving the freedom of selection of the tube diameter while ensuring compatibility with conventional connectors.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, the opening diameter (tip opening diameter) of the flow path penetrating the tubular member at the tip of the tubular member may be different from the inner diameter of the light-guiding tube. This aspect is advantageous for improving the freedom of tube diameter selection while ensuring compatibility with conventional connectors. For example, the tip opening diameter of the flow path may be smaller than the inner diameter of the tube. This aspect is advantageous for improving the fluidity of the liquid flowing through the tube while ensuring compatibility with conventional connectors. Alternatively, the tip opening diameter of the flow path may be larger than the inner diameter of the tube. This aspect is advantageous for improving the brightness of the tip of the tube while using a small-diameter tube.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the connector may further include an outer tube surrounding the tubular member and a female screw provided on an inner circumferential surface of the outer tube facing the tubular member. According to this aspect, the connector of the present invention can be configured to be compatible with a male connector provided at the base end of a conventional nasogastric tube used in tube feeding.

[0020] A medical tube can be constructed by providing the connector of the present invention to a connector at the base end of a flexible, hollow, light-guiding tube. With such a medical tube, the position of the tip of the tube can be safely confirmed at any time after the tube is inserted into a patient. In addition, there is a high degree of freedom in selecting the diameter of the tube while ensuring compatibility with conventional connectors.

[0021] The present invention will be described in detail below while showing preferred embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Each drawing referred to in the following description shows a simplified view of the main components constituting the embodiment of the present invention for the convenience of explanation. Therefore, the present invention may include any components not shown in the following drawings. Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, each component shown in the following drawings may be modified or omitted. In the drawings cited in the description of each embodiment, components corresponding to components shown in the drawings cited in the preceding embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those given in the drawings of the preceding embodiment. For such components, duplicated explanations are omitted, and the explanations of the preceding embodiment should be taken into consideration as appropriate.

[0022] In the present invention, the "axis" of a member (e.g., a connector or a cylindrical member) refers to the central axis of the member. The "axis" passes through the center of a circle contained in the member and / or coincides with the central axis of a cylinder or cone (taper) contained in the member. The direction along a straight line perpendicular to the axis is called the "radial direction." In the radial direction, the side closer to the axis is called the "inner" side, and the side farther from the axis is called the "outer" side. The direction of rotation around the axis is called the "circumferential direction."

[0023] (Embodiment 1) An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to nasogastric tube feeding will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided at the base end of a nasogastric tube (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "tube") 30. The tube 30 is inserted from the nasal cavity of a patient 90, and a tip 35 of the tube 30 reaches a stomach 91. The tube 30 has flexibility that allows it to be freely curved and deformed. The tube 30 is a hollow cylindrical object in which a continuous flow path 39 (see FIG. 2B described later) is formed over its entire length. When performing tube feeding, liquid nutrients are administered to the patient's stomach 91 through the connector 1 and the tube 30. The connector 1 can be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from a light source device 70. When the connector 1 is connected to the light source device 70, light from a light source 78 (see FIG. 3 described later) built into the light source device 70 passes through the connector 1 and the tube 30 and is emitted from a tip 35 of the tube 30. The light from the tip 35 passes through the body of the patient 90 and illuminates the body surface. The surgeon can confirm the position of the tip 35 of the tube 30 from the position of the light emission on the body surface of the patient 90.

[0024] Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the connector 1 provided at the base end of the tube 30. Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1A along a plane including the axis (not shown) of the connector 1. The connector 1 has a connector section 10 at its tip (the upper end of the connector 1 in Figs. 2A and 2B) side, and a base pipe 20 at its base end side. The connector section 10 has a tubular member (male member) 11 having a hollow tubular shape, and an outer tube 17 surrounding the tubular member 11. The connector section 10 (or the tubular member 11) and the base pipe 20 are arranged coaxially. A through hole penetrates the connector 1 along the axis of the connector 1 from the tubular member 11 to the base pipe 20.

[0025] The tube member 11 includes a tube body 12 having a hollow cylindrical shape and a light guide tube 15 inserted into the tube body 12. The outer peripheral surface of the tube member 11 (or the tube body 12) is provided with a male tapered surface 13 having an outer diameter that decreases toward the tip of the tube member 11. The outer peripheral surface of the tube member 11 (or the tube body 12) further includes a tip tapered surface 14 having a larger taper angle than the male tapered surface 13 on the tip side of the male tapered surface 13. The tip of the tube member 11 (a part or the whole of the tip tapered surface 14) protrudes in the axial direction of the connector 1 beyond the tip of the outer tube 17. The fact that the tube member 11 protrudes beyond the outer tube 17 is advantageous in facilitating the connection of the connector 1 (or the connector portion 10) to a female connector (not shown; see, for example, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B of Patent Document 2).

[0026] The light guide tube 15 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The outer peripheral surface of the light guide tube 15 and the inner peripheral surface of the tube body 12 are cylindrical surfaces of approximately the same diameter. The light guide tube 15 is fitted into the tube body 12 in the radial direction with substantially no gap. The inner peripheral surface of the light guide tube 15 is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the axial direction. The inner cavity of the light guide tube 15 constitutes the flow path 19 of the connector 1. Both end surfaces 15a, 15b in the longitudinal direction of the light guide tube 15 are annular flat surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the connector 1. The light incident end surface 15a constitutes the same plane as the tip of the tube body 12 (the tip of the tip tapered surface 14) and is exposed to the outside world.

[0027] A flange 16 protrudes radially outward from the base end of the tubular member 11 (or the tubular main body 12). An outer tube 17 extends from the circular outer periphery of the flange 16 toward the same side as the tubular member 11 (the tip side of the connector 1). The outer tube 17 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed coaxially with the tubular member 11. The outer tube 17 is spaced radially from the tubular member 11 (or the tubular main body 12). A female thread 18 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 17 facing the tubular member 11.

[0028] The connector portion 10 is configured to be compatible with male connectors used in tube feeding (see, for example, FIGS. 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2).

[0029] The connecting pipe 20 has a hollow cylindrical shape and communicates with the tube member 11 (or the light guide pipe 15). In this embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 20 is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the axial direction. However, the inner peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 20 is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases toward the tip end side or base end side (the tube member 11 side) of the connecting pipe 20. The inner diameter of the connecting pipe 20 is not limited, but is larger than the inner diameter of the tube main body 12 in this embodiment. Therefore, a tapered surface 25 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the tube main body 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 20 due to the difference in inner diameter between them. The light emitting end surface 15b of the light guide pipe 15 is located at the same position in the axial direction as the boundary between the tapered surface 25 and the tube main body 12.

[0030] A flexible hollow tube 30 is inserted into the base pipe 20. The outer diameter of the tube 30 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the base pipe 20. However, a portion of the tube 30 in the vicinity of the base end surface 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "base end") is provided with a tapered shape 32 that reduces in diameter toward the base end surface 31 (or the tubular member 11) along the tapered surface 25. The base end surface 31 of the tube 30 is a flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube 30. The base end surface 31 faces the light-emitting end surface 15b of the light guide tube 15 in the axial direction, and is close to and preferably abuts against the light-emitting end surface 15b. The inner cavity of the tube 30 constitutes a flow path 39 of the tube 30 and communicates with the flow path 19 (the inner cavity of the light guide tube 15) in the tubular member 11. The tube 30 is fixed to the base pipe 20 by an adhesive or the like so as not to be separated from the base pipe 20. The tube 30 is led out from the connecting pipe 20 toward the opposite side to the cylindrical member 11 .

[0031] The connector 1 is composed of two parts: the light guide tube 15 and the portion other than the light guide tube 15 (the connector body). The connector body is composed of a material having a degree of mechanical strength (rigidity) such that it is not substantially deformed by an external force. Examples of such materials that can be used include resin materials such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, and rigid polyvinyl chloride. The connector body can be integrally molded as a single part using the above-mentioned resin materials.

[0032] The light guide tube 15 is made of a material having light-guiding properties (light-guiding material) so that light can enter the light guide tube 15 from the light-entering end surface 15a, pass through the light guide tube 15, and exit from the light-emitting end surface 15b. As the light guide material, for example, a resin material such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, hard polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, silicone, polyethylene, styrene-based elastomer, polybutadiene, polyolefin, acrylic resin (e.g., PMMA) or polycarbonate, or a transparent material such as quartz glass can be used. Among them, a resin material is preferable from the viewpoint of moldability and handling, and an acrylic resin (e.g., PMMA) or polycarbonate is more preferable. In order to improve the brightness (luminous flux) of the tip 35 of the tube 30 (see FIG. 1), it is preferable to reduce the light loss between the light-entering end surface 15a and the light-emitting end surface 15b. For this purpose, it is effective to reduce the light (leakage light) emitted from the outer circumferential surface of light guide tube 15 between light incident end face 15a and light emitting end face 15b. Means for reducing the leakage light include, but are not limited to, (1) configuring light guide tube 15 with a multilayer structure including at least an inner layer with a high refractive index and an outer layer with a low refractive index, (2) providing a reflective layer (e.g., a metal vapor deposition layer of silver, aluminum, etc.) on the outer circumferential surface of light guide tube 15, and the like.

[0033] There are no limitations on the method for integrating the light guide tube 15 with the connector body, and for example, a method in which the light guide tube 15 and the connector body are manufactured separately and then the light guide tube 15 is inserted into the tube body 12, or a method in which one of the light guide tube 15 and the connector body is manufactured and then the other is integrated with the one by two-color molding, etc. can be used.

[0034] The material of the tube 30 is not limited, but is preferably flexible and light-guiding, and resins such as polyurethane, acrylic, silicone, polyethylene, styrene-based elastomer, polybutadiene, and polyolefin can be used. In this embodiment, light incident from the base end surface 31 of the tube 30 passes through the tube 30 (a portion constituting the thickness of the tube 30 between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the tube 30) and exits from the tip 35 (see FIG. 1), and the tip 35 emits light. In order to improve the brightness (luminous flux) of the tip 35, it is preferable to reduce the light loss between the base end surface 31 and the tip 35. For this purpose, it is effective to reduce the light (leakage light) that is exited from the outer circumferential surface of the tube 30 to the outside world between the base end surface 31 and the tip 35. Means for reducing leakage light include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of two or more of the following: (1) smoothing the outer surface of tube 30; (2) covering the outer surface of tube 30 with a coating material having a lower refractive index than tube 30; (3) providing a reflective layer (e.g., a metal vapor deposition layer of silver, aluminum, etc.) on the outer surface of tube 30; and (4) constructing tube 30 with a multi-layer structure having at least an inner layer with a high refractive index and an outer layer with a low refractive index.

[0035] There is no limitation on the method for providing the desired tapered shape 32 at the base end of the tube 30. For example, a hot molding method can be used in which the cylindrical base end is molded into a tapered shape using a heated mold having the desired tapered shape, and then immediately quenched.

[0036] Regardless of the orientation of the tip 35 in the stomach 91 (see FIG. 1), in order to illuminate the body surface of the patient 90 with light from the tip 35, it is preferable that the light is emitted radially from the tip 35 of the tube 30 in a direction perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal direction of the tube 30. To achieve this, it is preferable to provide an inclined light emission surface at the tip 35 of the tube 30 and / or to provide a reflecting member or a refractive member facing the light emission surface of the tip 35 of the tube 30, etc.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 connected to the light source device 70. The light source device 70 includes a holding portion 71 that houses and holds the connector 1, and a light source 78 that is disposed at a position deeper than the holding portion 71. The holding portion 71 includes a holding tube 72 and a step surface 73. The inner peripheral surface of the holding tube 72 is a cylindrical surface having substantially the same diameter as the outer tube 17. The step surface 73 is provided at a position a predetermined distance from the open end of the holding tube 72 so as to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the holding tube 72. The light source 78 is disposed coaxially with the holding portion 71 (or the holding tube 72). The connector 1 (or the connector portion 10) is inserted into the holding portion 71 until the tip of the outer tube 17 abuts against the step surface 73. The holding tube 72 positions the connector 1 (or the tube member 11) coaxially with the light source 78. The step surface 73 positions the connector 1 (or the tube member 11) at a position a predetermined distance from the light source 78 in the axial direction. The tip of the cylindrical member 11 (or the light incident end surface 15 a of the light guide tube 15 ) faces the light source 78 .

[0038] Light source 78 emits light toward the tip of tubular member 11. The light emitted from light source 78 enters light incident end surface 15a of light guide tube 15, passes through light guide tube 15, exits from light exit end surface 15b, and enters base end surface 31 of tube 30.

[0039] As the light source 78, a light emitting diode (LED) can be used, but is not limited to it. The light emitted by the light source 78 is preferably visible light or near infrared light, and the wavelength of the light is not limited to it, but is preferably 360 nm or more, further 630 nm or more, and 3000 nm or less, further 780 nm or less. Light with a wavelength in this range has a high transmittance to the human body, is less invasive to the human body, and is highly safe. Visible light can be observed with the naked eye, so that the position of the tip 35 of the tube 30 can be easily confirmed. Near infrared light has a higher light transmittance than visible light, and can be observed through a dedicated camera such as an infrared camera. In one example, light with a wavelength of 630 nm can be used as the visible light, or light with a wavelength of 780 nm can be used as the near infrared light. In order that the light emitted from the light source 78 is efficiently incident on the light incident end surface 15a of the light guide tube 15, the light source 78 may be provided with a lens, and / or a lens may be provided between the light source 78 and the tube member 11.

[0040] A method of using the connector 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0041] A nasogastric tube having a connector 1 provided at the base end of the tube 30 is prepared. As with a general nasogastric tube, the tube 30 is inserted into the nasal cavity of a patient 90 (see FIG. 1). The connector 1 is connected to a light source device 70, and a light source 78 (see FIG. 3) is turned on. The light emitted from the light source 78 passes through the light guide tube 15 and the tube 30 in that order, and is emitted from the tip 35 of the tube 30. The light from the tip 35 passes through the patient 90. The surgeon can confirm the position of the tip 35 from the position of the light emission on the body surface of the patient 90. The light can be confirmed with the naked eye or through an infrared camera depending on its wavelength.

[0042] Similar to the case of inserting a general nasogastric tube, tube 30 with a stylet (sometimes called a guidewire) previously inserted into flow path 39 may be inserted into patient 90. The base end of the stylet can be led out from connector 1. In this case, after the stylet is pulled out of tube 30, connector 10 is connected to light source device 70.

[0043] The tube 30 may be inserted into the patient 90 with the optical fiber inserted into the flow path 39 so that the tip of the optical fiber reaches the tip 35 of the tube 30. Using the light source device 70, the tip of the optical fiber is also illuminated in addition to the tip 35. Since the light flux from the tip 35 is increased, the position of the tip 35 can be confirmed more accurately. After it is confirmed that the tip of the tube 30 has reached the stomach, the optical fiber is pulled out of the tube 30.

[0044] After confirming that the tip 35 of the tube 30 has reached the stomach, the light source device 70 is separated from the connector 1. Then, the connector 1 is connected to a connector (female connector; see, for example, Figs. 5A and 5B of Patent Document 2) provided at the downstream end of a tube (generally called a tube feeding set) that conveys a nutrient. The nutrient passes through the flow path 19 of the connector 1 and the flow path 39 of the tube 30 in that order, flows out from the tip 35, and is administered to the patient.

[0045] The connector 1 is left in the patient 90 together with the tube 30 for several days. During this time, the tube 30 may curl up, causing the tip 35 to move. For this reason, at predetermined intervals (for example, immediately before administering nutrients to the patient 90), the connector 1 is connected to a light source device 70, and the tip 35 is illuminated to confirm its position.

[0046] As described above, in the first embodiment, the tubular member 11 of the connector 1 includes the light guide tube 15 having light guiding properties. Therefore, when light from the light source 78 is incident on the light incident end surface 15a of the light guide tube 15, the light passes through the light guide tube 15, exits from the light exit end surface 15b, and can be incident on the base end surface 31 of the tube 30. The light further passes through the tube 30 and exits from the tip 35 of the tube 30. Unlike Patent Document 1, according to the first embodiment, the tube 30 itself can be used as a light guide path to make the tip 35 of the tube 30 emit light. The light from the tip 35 can be observed through the body of the patient 90. Therefore, the position of the tip 35 of the tube 30 can be easily and accurately detected.

[0047] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is necessary to insert an optical fiber into the tube in order to confirm the position of the tube tip. If the optical fiber is reinserted into the tube after being pulled out of the tube, an accident may occur in which the optical fiber breaks through the tube and damages the wall of the digestive tract. In contrast, in the present embodiment 1, the optical fiber essential in Patent Document 1 is not necessary. The position of the tip 35 of the tube 30 can be confirmed without reinserting the optical fiber into the tube 30. Therefore, in the present embodiment 1, the above-mentioned accident that may occur in Patent Document 1 does not occur. By using the connector 1, after the tube 30 is inserted into the patient 90, light can be emitted from the tip 35 of the tube 30 at any time as necessary, and the position of the tip 35 can be safely confirmed.

[0048] The connector section 10 of the connector 1 can be configured to be compatible with a male connector (hereinafter referred to as the "existing male connector"; see, for example, Figures 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2) that is provided at the base end of a conventional nasogastric tube used in tube feeding. In this case, the connector 1 can be connected to a female connector that can be connected to an existing male connector (see, for example, Figures 5A and 5B of Patent Document 2) in the same way as connecting the existing male connector to the female connector.

[0049] The existing male connector may have a standard for the shape, etc. In order to ensure compatibility with the existing male connector, the opening diameter (hereinafter referred to as "tip opening diameter") of the flow path 19 at the tip (light incident end surface 15a) of the tubular member 11 must be the same as that of the existing male connector. In this embodiment 1, the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19 depends on the light guide tube 15, not the tube 30. If the opening diameter at the light incident end surface 15a of the light guide tube 15 is made the same as the tip opening diameter of the flow path of the existing male connector, compatibility with the existing male connector can be ensured. The inner diameter of the tube 30 may be different from the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19. Therefore, the connector 1 can improve the freedom of selection of the diameter of the tube 30 while ensuring compatibility with the existing male connector. In this embodiment 1, the tube 30 having an inner diameter larger than the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19 is used. This is advantageous in increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 39 of the tube 30 and improving the fluidity of the nutrient flowing through the flow path 39.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the inner diameter of the tube 30 is larger than the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The inner diameter of the tube 30 may be smaller than the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19, or may be the same as the tip opening diameter. A tube 30 having a desired diameter (outer diameter and inner diameter) can be used without changing the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19. In the present invention, the "inner diameter" of the tube 30 means the original inner diameter of the tube 30 at the portion not subjected to the processing when the tube 30 is processed to expand or reduce the diameter, such as the tapered shape 32.

[0051] It is preferable that the base end surface 31 of the tube 30 faces the light emitting end surface 15b of the light guide tube 15 in the axial direction. The tapered shape 32 provided in the portion (base end) of the tube 30 near the base end surface 31 may be appropriately changed depending on the relationship of the diameter (inner diameter and outer diameter) of the tube 30 relative to the diameter (inner diameter and outer diameter) of the light emitting end surface 15b. The tapered shape 32 may expand in diameter toward the base end surface 31. Alternatively, the tapered shape 32 may be omitted.

[0052] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the tapered shape 32 provided at the base end of the tube 30 is provided continuous with the base end surface 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tapered shape 32 may be provided at a position a predetermined distance away from the base end surface 31. In this case, the portion between the tapered shape 32 and the base end surface 31 may have a constant inner diameter different from the original inner diameter of the tube 30.

[0053] Instead of providing a tapered shape at the base end of the tube 30, the light guide tube 15 may be provided with a tapered shape. In this case, the light emitting end face 15b of the light guide tube 15 can be axially opposed to the base end face 31 of the tube 30 while the tip opening diameter of the flow channel 19 is the same as the tip opening diameter of the flow channel of the existing male connector. Therefore, the degree of freedom in selecting the diameter of the tube 30 can be improved while ensuring compatibility with the existing male connector. The tapered shape may be provided over the entire length of the light guide tube 15, or may be provided only on a part of the entire length of the light guide tube 15. The tapered shape may be provided as a tapered surface provided on only one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the light guide tube 15.

[0054] In the first embodiment, a light guide tube 15 made of a light-guiding material is inserted into the tube body 12. Therefore, even if the connector 1 is repeatedly connected and disconnected to the female connector, the light guide tube 15 is unlikely to come into contact with the female connector. Since the light guide tube 15 is protected by the tube body 12, the light guide tube 15 is less likely to be damaged, and the durability of the connector 1 is improved.

[0055] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the connector 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is provided at the base end of the tube 30. Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 4A along a plane including the axis (not shown) of the connector 2. The connector 2 has a tubular member 211 instead of the tubular member 11 of the connector 1 of the first embodiment. The connector 2 is composed of two parts, the tubular member 211 and a portion other than the tubular member 211 (the connector main body). The tubular member 211 is integrated with the connector main body by fitting its base end into a recess 16a provided in the center of the flange 16. A through hole penetrates the connector 2 along the axis of the connector 2 from the tubular member 211 to the main pipe 20.

[0056] The tubular member 211 has a hollow tubular shape as a whole. The inner cavity of the tubular member 211 constitutes the flow path 19 of the connector 2. As with the tubular member 11 of the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 211 is provided with a male tapered surface 13 and a tip tapered surface 14. The part (base end) of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 211 that is fitted into the flange 16 is provided with a tapered surface (base end tapered surface) 212 whose diameter decreases toward the base end (or the base pipe 20) of the tubular member 211. The tubular member 211 has end faces 215a and 215b at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The end faces 215a and 215b are annular flat surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the connector 2. The light incident end face 215a is connected to the tip tapered surface 14. The light emitting end face 215b is connected to the base end tapered surface 212. The light emitting end surface 215b of the cylindrical member 211 faces the base end surface 31 of the tube 30 in the axial direction, and is close to the base end surface 31, preferably in contact therewith.

[0057] The opening diameter (tip opening diameter) of the flow channel 19 at the tip (light incident end surface 215a) of the tubular member 211 is the same as the tip opening diameter of the flow channel 19 of the connector 1 of embodiment 1. Therefore, the connector part 10 of the connector 2 is compatible with existing male connectors used in tube feeding (for example, see Figs. 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2).

[0058] The tube 30 of the second embodiment differs from the tube 30 of the first embodiment in the following two points. First, the diameter (inner diameter and outer diameter) of the tube 30 is smaller than the diameter (inner diameter and outer diameter) of the tube 30 of the first embodiment. Second, the tube 30 does not have a tapered shape 32 (see FIG. 2B). That is, in the second embodiment, the tube 30 has a small diameter, and the diameter (inner diameter and outer diameter) of the tube 30 is constant in the vicinity of the base end face 31 (base end). The light emission end face 215b of the cylindrical member 211 faces the base end face 31 of the small diameter tube 30 in the axial direction. Therefore, a tapered surface (conical surface) 216 whose inner diameter becomes smaller from the light incidence end face 215a toward the light emission end face 215b is provided on the inner circumferential surface that defines the flow path 19 (or the cylindrical member 211). The tapered surface 25 (see FIG. 2B) provided between the cylindrical main body 12 and the connecting pipe 20 in the first embodiment is not provided in the second embodiment.

[0059] The entire cylindrical member 211 is made of a material having light guiding properties (light guiding material) so that light can enter from the light incident end face 215a (and preferably further from the tip tapered surface 14), pass through the cylindrical member 211, and exit from the light emitting end face 215b. The light guiding material that can be used for the light guide tube 15 of the first embodiment can be used as the light guiding material for the cylindrical member 211. Furthermore, the means for reducing the leakage of light from the outer circumferential surface of the light guide tube 15 described in the first embodiment can be similarly applied to the cylindrical member 211.

[0060] There are no limitations on the method for integrating the tubular member 211 with the connector body, and for example, a method in which the tubular member 211 and the connector body are manufactured separately and then the tubular member 211 is fitted into the recess 16a of the flange 16, or a method in which one of the tubular member 211 and the connector body is manufactured and then the other is integrated with the one by two-color molding, etc. can be used.

[0061] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 2 connected to the light source device 70. The light source device 70 is the same as that of the first embodiment. When the connector 2 (or the connector portion 10) is inserted into the holding portion 71 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the connector 2 (or the tubular member 211) is positioned coaxially with the light source 78 and at a predetermined distance in the axial direction from the light source 78. The light incident end surface 215a of the tubular member 211 faces the light source 78. The light source 78 emits light toward the tip of the tubular member 211. The light emitted from the light source 78 is incident on the light incident end surface 215a (preferably further on the tip tapered surface 14) of the tubular member 211, passes through the tubular member 211, is emitted from the light emitting end surface 215b, and is incident on the base end surface 31 of the tube 30.

[0062] The method of using the connector 2 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the entire tubular member 211 is made of a light-guiding material. When light from the light source 78 is incident on the tip of the tubular member 211, the light passes through the tubular member 211, is emitted from the light-emitting end surface 215b, and can be incident on the base end surface 31 of the tube 30. The light further passes through the tube 30 and is emitted from the tip 35 of the tube 30. The tube 30 itself can be used as a light guide path to make the tip 35 of the tube 30 emit light. The light from the tip 35 can be observed through the body of the patient 90. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the position of the tip 35 of the tube 30 can be easily and accurately detected.

[0064] As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment does not require the optical fiber that is essential in Patent Document 1. The position of the tip 35 of the tube 30 can be confirmed without reinserting the optical fiber into the tube 30. By using the connector 2, after the tube 30 is inserted into the patient 90, light can be emitted from the tip 35 of the tube 30 at any time as necessary, and the position of the tip 35 can be safely confirmed.

[0065] The connector portion 10 of the connector 2 can be configured to be compatible with an existing male connector used in tube feeding (see, for example, Figs. 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2). In this case, the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19 is set to be the same as that of the existing male connector. The inner diameter of the tube 30 may be different from the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19. Therefore, the connector 2 can improve the degree of freedom in selecting the diameter of the tube 30 while ensuring compatibility with the existing male connector. In the present embodiment 2, a small-diameter tube 30 having an inner diameter smaller than the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19 is used. The small-diameter tube 30 also has a small outer diameter. Such a small-diameter tube 30 is useful, for example, as a nasogastric tube for children. The area of ​​the base end surface 31 of the small-diameter tube 30 is small. In the present embodiment 2, the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19 is larger than the inner diameter of the tube 30, and therefore it is easy to increase the area of ​​the light incident end surface 215a of the cylindrical member 211. This is advantageous in improving the brightness (luminous flux) of the tip 35 of the small diameter tube 30, since it allows more light to be incident on the light incident end surface 215a.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the inner diameter of the tube 30 is smaller than the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19, but the present invention is not limited to this. The inner diameter of the tube 30 may be larger than the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19, or may be the same as the tip opening diameter. A tube 30 having a desired diameter (outer diameter and inner diameter) can be used without changing the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19.

[0067] It is preferable that the base end surface 31 of the tube 30 faces the light emitting end surface 215b of the cylindrical member 211 in the axial direction. The tapered surface 216 provided on the inner circumferential surface that defines the flow path 19 of the cylindrical member 211 can be appropriately changed depending on the size relationship between the diameter (inner diameter and outer diameter) of the tube 30 and the diameter (inner diameter and outer diameter) of the light emitting end surface 215b. The tapered surface 216 may expand in diameter toward the light emitting end surface 215b. The tapered surface 216 does not need to extend over the entire length of the cylindrical member 211, and may be provided only on a part of the entire length of the cylindrical member 211. Alternatively, the taper 216 may not be provided, and the inner circumferential surface that defines the flow path 19 may be a cylindrical surface with a constant diameter in the axial direction.

[0068] Instead of providing the tapered surface 216 on the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 19, the tube 30 may be provided with a tapered shape 32 that decreases or increases in diameter toward the end face 31, as described in the first embodiment. In this case as well, the light emitting end face 215b of the tubular member 211 can be made to face the base end face 31 of the tube 30 in the axial direction while the tip opening diameter of the flow path 19 is made the same as the tip opening diameter of the flow path of the existing male connector. Therefore, the degree of freedom in selecting the diameter of the tube 30 can be improved while ensuring compatibility with the existing male connector.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the entire tubular member 211 is made of a light-guiding material. Therefore, the tubular member 211 is a relatively large member. This is advantageous in that the connector 2 can be easily manufactured.

[0070] Except for the above, the present embodiment 2 is the same as the embodiment 1. The description of the embodiment 1 also applies to the present embodiment 2.

[0071] The above-mentioned first and second embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0072] In the first embodiment, at least a part of the light emitting end face 15b of the light guide tube 15 may be opposed to the base end face 31 of the tube 30 in the axial direction. Similarly, in the second embodiment, at least a part of the light emitting end face 215b of the tubular member 211 may be opposed to the base end face 31 of the tube 30 in the axial direction. When viewed along the axis of the connectors 1 and 2, a part of the base end face 31 may protrude radially outward or inward from the light emitting end faces 15b and 212b. The inner and outer diameters of the base end face 31 are preferably the same as the inner and outer diameters of the light emitting end faces 15b and 212b, but may be different. The base end face 31 is preferably coaxial with the light emitting end faces 15b and 212b, but may be eccentric. The base end face 31 is preferably circular, but may be noncircular (e.g., elliptical).

[0073] The configuration of the connector portion 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2. For example, it is not essential that the male tapered surface 13 and the tip tapered surface 14 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 11, 211. The tip tapered surface 14 may be omitted, and the male tapered surface 13 may be extended to the tip of the cylindrical member 11, 211. In this case, the outer diameter of the annular light incident end surface 15a, 215a can be enlarged. This is advantageous in improving the brightness (luminous flux) of the tip 35 of the tube 30, since the area of ​​the light incident end surface 15a, 215a is enlarged, and the light incident on the light incident end surface 15a, 215a increases.

[0074] The connector portion 10 does not necessarily have to include the outer tube 17 provided with the female thread 18 and the flange 16 .

[0075] The connection structure between the connector and the light source device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments. In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the holding tube 72 of the light source device 70 is configured so that the outer tube 17 is fitted into the holding tube 72, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the holding tube 72 may be configured so that the holding tube 72 is inserted between the outer tube 17 and the tube member 11, 211. In this case, for example, the tube member 11, 211 may be fitted into the holding tube 72. The inner peripheral surface of the holding tube 72 may be provided with a tapered surface (female tapered surface) that tapers and fits with the male tapered surface 13 of the tube member 11, 211. The outer peripheral surface of the holding tube 72 may be provided with a male thread that screws into the female thread 18. The light source device may not have the holding tube 72 into which the outer tube 17 or the tube member 11, 211 is fitted. In this case, the connector can be connected to the light source device in a state where the tip of the outer tube 17 abuts against a flat surface equivalent to the stepped surface 73 provided in the light source device. The flat surface positions the connector (or the tubular member 11, 211) at a predetermined axial distance from the light source 78. A light source device that does not include a retaining tube 72 has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. There are no limitations on the method for maintaining the connection state of the connector to the light source device, and any method can be selected, such as a method using an elastic band or a method using magnetic attraction.

[0076] The connectors 1 and 2 in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments are provided with a connector portion 10 configured to be compatible with a male connector used in a nasogastric tube (see, for example, Figs. 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The connector of the present invention may be provided at the base end of a tube used for tube feeding other than nasal feeding, or at the base end of a tube used for purposes other than tube feeding (e.g., a urethral catheter or a tracheal intubation catheter). The connector does not have to be a male connector, and may be a female connector. In this case, the tubular member of the present invention functions as a female member, and any male member is inserted into or removed from the inner cavity (flow path 19) of the tubular member.

[0077] In the present invention, "the light-guiding tube is led out from the base pipe toward the opposite side to the tubular member" means that the tube 30 appears to extend from the base pipe 20, but does not mean that the base end surface 31 of the tube 30 is located inside the base pipe 20. That is, in the present invention, the insertion depth of the tube 30 into the connector is arbitrary, and for example, in embodiment 1, the tube 30 may be inserted deeply into the connector 1 until the base end surface 31 is located inside the tubular body 12. [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present invention can be widely used as a connector provided at the proximal end of a medical tube to be inserted into a patient. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1,2 Connector 11,211 Cylinder parts 12 Cylinder body 13 Male taper surface 14 Tip tapered surface 15 Light guide tube 15a,215a Light incidence end face 15b,215b Light output end face 17 External cylinder 18 Female thread 19 Flow path of tubular member 20 base tube 216 Tapered surface 30 Tube (light-conducting tube) 31 Base end face of tube 32 Tube tapered shape 35 Tube tip 39 Tube flow path

Claims

1. A connector provided at a base end of a flexible hollow light-guiding tube, The connector includes a hollow cylindrical member and a hollow cylindrical base pipe arranged coaxially with the cylindrical member, the light-guiding tube is led out from the connecting pipe toward an opposite side to the cylindrical member, The cylindrical member includes a cylindrical main body and a hollow light guide tube inserted into the cylindrical main body, The light guide is made of a light-guiding material, A connector characterized in that the tubular member is configured so that light incident on a tip of the tubular member can be guided through the tubular member to a base end surface of the light-guiding tube.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide pipe has a light emitting end surface facing the base end surface of the light-guiding tube.

3. A connector provided at a base end of a flexible hollow light-conducting tube, The connector includes a hollow cylindrical member and a hollow cylindrical base pipe arranged coaxially with the cylindrical member, the light-guiding tube is led out from the connecting pipe toward an opposite side to the cylindrical member, The entire cylindrical member is made of a light-guiding material, A connector characterized in that the tubular member is configured so that light incident on a tip of the tubular member can be guided through the tubular member to a base end surface of the light-guiding tube.

4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the tubular member has a light emitting end surface facing the base end surface of the light-guiding tube.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light-guiding tube has a tapered shape that decreases or increases in diameter toward the base end surface.

6. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an inner surface defining a flow path passing through the tubular member is provided with a tapered surface that narrows or widens in diameter toward the base end surface of the light-guiding tube.

7. 7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an opening diameter of the flow passage penetrating the tubular member at a tip end of the tubular member is different from an inner diameter of the light-guiding tube.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an outer tube surrounding the tubular member, and a female thread provided on an inner circumferential surface of the outer tube facing the tubular member.

9. A medical tube comprising a flexible, hollow, light-guiding tube having a connector provided at a base end thereof, the connector being the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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