Gas measurement adapter

Abstract

To provide an adapter for gas measurement produced using an adapter forming material that transmits measurement light and is capable of being formed with a thin wall.SOLUTION: The adapter for gas measurement includes a flow tube part 21 through which gas passes and a window part 31 that transmits measuring light to measure components of the gas passing through the flow tube part. The adapter is produced using an adapter forming material including cyclo-olefin resin as a major component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor capable of detecting a specific respiratory gas (such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrous oxide, a volatile anesthetic gas, etc.) contained in the respiratory gas of a living body, and a gas measurement adapter that is removably attached to the sensor and has a passageway through which the respiratory gas of the living body can pass. [Background technology]

[0002] A gas measurement adapter having a transparent window is attached to the flow path of a ventilator that artificially respires a living body in order to measure specific components of gas such as respiratory gas. Usually, such a gas measurement adapter is generally configured to include a flow tube portion through which gas passes and a window portion through which measurement light passes to measure the components of the gas passing through the flow tube portion.

[0003] This gas measurement adapter is formed with a flow tube section which is a passage through which the respiratory system of the subject can pass. When measuring the concentration of a specific respiratory gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) contained in the breath of the subject, the window section is arranged so that the optical axis connecting the light emitting section and the light receiving section provided in the sensor crosses this passage. The measurement light (e.g., infrared light) emitted from the light emitting section is received by the light receiving section, and a signal according to the intensity of the received light is output from the sensor (detection of carbon dioxide). The higher the concentration of carbon dioxide in the breath, the stronger the absorption of the measurement light (infrared light), and the weaker the intensity of the received light. Therefore, it is possible to measure the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the breath of the subject by monitoring the intensity of the signal output from the sensor. An example of such a gas measurement adapter and sensor is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0004] The gas measurement adaptor (hereinafter also referred to as an airway adaptor) of Patent Document 1 is provided as a disposable airway case made of hard resin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-233699 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in a gas measurement adapter, at least the window portion through which the measurement light passes to measure the gas components must be transparent to the measurement light and thin-walled, which means that gas measurement adapters currently require thin-walled portions and excellent moldability with the precision required for receiving and emitting light, and there is room for further improvement in the configuration of the components.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE ... An object of the present invention is to provide an adapter for gas measurement that is made of a thin, moldable material for forming the adapter, through which measurement light can pass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The gas measurement adaptor of the present invention is a gas measurement adaptor including a flow tube portion through which a gas passes, and a window portion through which a measurement light for measuring a component of the gas passing through the flow tube portion passes, The adapter is characterized in that it is made of an adapter-forming material containing a cycloolefin resin as a main component. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, by using a material for forming the adapter that is thin and moldable and transmits measurement light, it is possible to provide an adapter for gas measurement that can be easily fabricated as one unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the gas measurement adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a sensor mounting portion in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front" and "rear" used in this specification and the drawings are used for convenience to indicate the positional relationship between members, and do not limit the directions in the actual use state. In addition, the same elements are given the same reference numerals in the description of the drawings, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0012] <Gas measurement adapter> The gas measurement adapter of the present invention is a gas measurement adapter including a flow tube portion through which gas passes, and a window portion through which measurement light for measuring the components of the gas passing through the flow tube portion passes. Hereinafter, a representative embodiment of the gas measurement adapter of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the drawings, but the configuration of the gas measurement adapter of the present invention is not limited to the form described below.

[0013] 1 is a left side view of a gas measurement adapter 1 according to one embodiment. The gas measurement adapter 1 is an adapter used when optically measuring the concentration of a specific component (e.g., carbon dioxide) contained in the respiratory gas of a patient who requires respiratory management (hereinafter also referred to as a subject).

[0014] 1, the gas measurement adapter 1 includes a first connection adapter 11 provided at the front end, a second connection adapter 12 provided at the rear end, and a sensor attachment portion 20 provided between the first connection adapter 11 and the second connection adapter 12. The left and right sides of the gas measurement adapter 1 have a symmetrical configuration.

[0015] The first connection adaptor 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the air supply source and the exhalation outlet of the artificial respirator via a connecting member such as a Y-shaped tube. The second connection adaptor 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a larger diameter than the first connection adaptor 11 and is connected to a subject-side device such as a tracheal tube or a mask.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the sensor attachment part 20 of the gas measurement adapter 1. For example, a respiratory gas concentration sensor (not shown) that optically measures the concentration of a specific gas contained in the breath of the subject is attached to the sensor attachment part 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the sensor attachment part 20 has a flow tube part 21 through which the breath of the subject passes, and a window part 31 provided in the center of the flow tube part 21.

[0017] The flow tube portion 21 is a tube portion that passes the respiratory gas of the subject flowing from the second connection adaptor 12 to an exhalation exhaust port (not shown) connected to the first connection adaptor 11 .

[0018] The window portion 31 is a window that transmits light (e.g., infrared light) for measuring components of respiratory gas passing through the flow tube portion 21. The window portions 31 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the sensor attachment portion 20 so as to face each other.

[0019] When the respiratory gas concentration sensor is attached to the sensor attachment part 20, a light emitting part and a light receiving part of the respiratory gas concentration sensor are disposed opposite to each other in the pair of windows 31. The respiratory gas concentration sensor attached to the sensor attachment part 20 is locked by a pair of locking members 22a, 22b provided opposite to each other on the upper part of the sensor attachment part 20, and positioned at a predetermined position.

[0020] The window portion 31 transmits measurement light for measuring components of respiratory gas. The light emitted from the respiratory gas concentration sensor transmits through the window portions 31 disposed opposite to each other.

[0021] The window portion 31 is preferably thinner than the flow tube portion 21. This is because it is easier to transmit effective light (measurement light). Furthermore, the window portion 31 is preferably molded integrally with the flow tube portion 21. This is because the number of molding steps and processing steps can be reduced, and integration can increase strength. Here, "molded integrally" means that the window portion 31 and the flow tube portion 21 are molded as an integrated part by various molding methods. For example, a resin molding method including injection molding can be used as the molding method. The window portion 31 and the flow tube portion 21 may be made of the adapter forming material of the present invention, which has high fluidity in a mold and an appropriate absorption rate of measurement light.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1, showing the internal configuration of the gas measurement adapter 1. As shown in Fig. 3, an air passage 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) for ventilating the subject's respiratory gas is formed inside the gas measurement adapter 1. The air passage 41 is formed, for example, as a single air passage in which the air passage 41a in the first connection adapter 11, the air passage 41b in the sensor attachment portion 20, and the air passage 41c in the second connection adapter 12 are connected to each other.

[0023] The air passage 41a of the first connection adaptor 11, the air passage 41b of the sensor attachment portion 20, and the air passage 41c of the second connection adaptor 12 are in communication with each other.

[0024] The respiratory gas concentration sensor is fitted into the fitting parts 23a and 23b of the sensor attachment part 20. The fitting parts 23a and 23b are constituted by the outer surface of the window part 31 and the outer surface of the flow tube part 21 provided around the window part 31.

[0025] <Materials for forming adapter> The gas measurement adapter of the present invention is made using an adapter forming material containing a cycloolefin resin as a main component. That is, the adapter forming material of the embodiment of the present invention contains a cycloolefin resin as a main component. By using an adapter forming material that transmits measurement light and can be molded thin, it is possible to provide a gas measurement adapter that can be easily manufactured in one piece. The gas measurement adapter has a part (window part) through which measurement light for measuring gas components passes and a part (flow tube part) through which gas passes, and compared to a case in which the window part and the flow tube part are made of a hard resin material, by using the adapter forming material of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a configuration with even better moldability (see comparison between each example and comparative example).

[0026] The adapter material preferably further contains a (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from α-olefin as an additive. This makes it possible to provide an adapter material having toughness. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gas measurement adapter having high strength and toughness.

[0027] The adapter forming material preferably has a cycloolefin resin content of 65 to 97% by mass and a (co)polymer content of α-olefin-derived structural units of the additive of 3 to 35% by mass relative to the total amount of the main component and the additive. More preferably, the cycloolefin resin content of the main component is 70 to 95% by mass and the (co)polymer content of α-olefin-derived structural units of the additive of 5 to 30% by mass relative to the total amount of the main component and the additive. If the content is within the above range, the adapter forming material can transmit measurement light more easily, can be molded to a thinner wall, and has toughness. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gas measurement adapter that can be molded (produced) more easily as an integral unit, and has higher strength and toughness.

[0028] The (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin, which is an additive, is preferably a styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS). This makes it possible to obtain a tough adapter forming material. As a result, it is possible to provide a gas measurement adapter with high strength and toughness.

[0029] The styrene content in the SEBS is preferably 5 to 60% by mass. By setting the content in this range, it is possible to obtain an adapter forming material having excellent toughness. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gas measurement adapter having higher strength and toughness. From the above viewpoint, the styrene content in the SEBS is more preferably 9 to 58% by mass. The styrene content in the SEBS can be measured by infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or the like.

[0030] The cycloolefin resin is preferably cycloolefin copolymer (COC). The gas measurement adapter has a portion (window portion) through which measurement light for measuring gas components passes and a portion (flow tube portion) through which gas passes. When the window portion and the flow tube portion are made of a hard resin material, the hard resin material has low fluidity and insufficient moldability, making it difficult to mold them into an integrated and thin-walled shape (the product yield of the adapter is poor and the cost is high). However, the cycloolefin resin used in the present invention, particularly cycloolefin copolymer (COC), can be configured to have high fluidity and excellent moldability, can be molded into an integrated and thin-walled shape, and is also excellent in transparency and has a high infrared transmittance. It has been found that by using this COC as a material for forming the adapter, it is possible to provide a gas measurement adapter in which the window portion and the flow tube portion are integrally formed, has excellent moldability, and can be easily manufactured as an integrated unit. The high infrared transmittance of COC is believed to be due to the fact that it is transparent and does not have an absorption band near 4.3 μm, which is the absorption band of CO2 molecules.

[0031] Each component of the adapter forming material will now be described in more detail.

[0032] <Main Ingredients> The material for forming the adapter may contain a cycloolefin resin as a main component. Either a cycloolefin copolymer (COC) or a cycloolefin polymer (COP) may be used as the main component of the cycloolefin resin. If necessary, COC and COP may be used in combination.

[0033] Examples of cycloolefin copolymers (COC) and cycloolefin polymers (COP) include norbornene polymers, polymers of monocyclic olefins, polymers of cyclic conjugated dienes, vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymers, and hydrogenated products of these polymers, as well as copolymers thereof. Among these, cycloolefin copolymers (COC) are preferred because they have high fluidity, can be molded into integral and thin-walled products, and are also excellent in transparency and infrared transmittance.

[0034] Examples of the synthesis method of the cycloolefin copolymer (COC) and the cycloolefin polymer (COP) include the conventionally known synthesis methods shown in the following formulas (1) to (7). That is, Addition copolymerization of norbornenes as shown in formula (1) (addition copolymerization of norbornenes and α-olefins using highly reactive norbornenes as monomers), Hydrogenative ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornenes as shown in formula (2), A transannular reaction of alkylidenenorbornenes as shown in formula (3), Addition polymerization of norbornenes as shown in formula (4), 1,2-, 1,4-addition polymerization and hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene as shown in formula (5), 1,2-, 1,4-addition polymerization and hydrogenation of cyclohexadiene as shown in formula (6), Cyclopolymerization of conjugated dienes as shown in formula (7), and the like. For example, by appropriately selecting R1 and R2 in formula (2), a hydrogenated ring-opening metathesis polymer of norbornene having a chemical structure represented by A to F below can be obtained. Here, the hydrogenated ring-opening metathesis polymer of norbornene having a chemical structure represented by A below is an example in which R1 and R2 are both hydrogen atoms. The hydrogenated ring-opening metathesis polymer of norbornene having a chemical structure represented by B below is an example in which R1 is a hydrogen atom and R2 is a phenyl group. The hydrogenated ring-opening metathesis polymer of norbornene having a chemical structure represented by C below is an example in which R1 is a hydrogen atom and R2 is a cyclohexyl group. The hydrogenated ring-opening metathesis polymer of norbornene having a chemical structure represented by D below is an example in which R1 and R2 are linked to each other to form a cyclopentane ring. The hydrogenated ring-opening metathesis polymer of norbornenes having the chemical structure represented by E below is an example in which R1 and R2 are linked to each other to form a 6-methyl-norbornane ring as a norbornane (bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane) ring having an alkyl group. The hydrogenated ring-opening metathesis polymer of norbornenes having the chemical structure represented by F below is an example in which R1 and R2 are linked to each other to form a norbornane ring. Similarly, by appropriately selecting R1, R2, and R3 in formula (1), R1 and R2 in formula (4), and R in formula (7), polymers having different chemical structures can be obtained. That is, by designing the type of substituent (and further the molecular weight distribution, etc.), properties such as impact resistance and stretchability can be improved or imparted.

[0035] [ka]

[0036] [ka]

[0037] The cycloolefin copolymer (COC) and the cycloolefin polymer (COP) may be prepared by using the conventionally known synthesis method as described above, or may be a commercially available product. Among these, examples of commercially available cycloolefin copolymers (COC) include TOPAS (registered trademark) 5013, 8007, 6017, 6015, 6013, and 9506 manufactured by Topas Advanced Polymers GmbH; and APEL (registered trademark) 6509T, 6011T, 6013T, 6015T, 5014DP, and 5014CL manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. Among these, TOPAS (registered trademark) 5013, 8007, and APEL (registered trademark) 6509 are preferred. For example, TOPAS (registered trademark) is a copolymer represented by the following formula (1a) (one type of copolymer represented by the above formula (1)) in which norbornene synthesized from dicyclopentadiene and ethylene is copolymerized with ethylene using a metallocene catalyst. APEL (registered trademark) is also a copolymer represented by the following formula (1b) (one type of copolymer represented by the above formula (1)). These TOPAS (registered trademark) (copolymer represented by the following formula (1a)) and APEL (registered trademark) (copolymer represented by the following formula (1b)) are preferred because they have high fluidity, can be molded into an integral and thin wall, are excellent in transparency, and have high infrared transmittance. R1 and R2 in formula (1b) are each independently exemplified by A to F above as R1 and R2 in formula (2), and examples thereof include a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a phenyl group, an alkylphenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloolefin ring group formed by linking R1 and R2 to each other, a cycloolefin ring group having an alkyl group, a norbornane ring group, and a cinorbornane ring group having an alkyl group, but are not limited thereto.

[0038] [ka]

[0039] [ka]

[0040] Commercially available products of the cycloolefin polymer (COP) include, for example, ZEONOR (registered trademark) 1060R and 1020R manufactured by Zeon Corporation.

[0041] When the cycloolefin copolymer (COC) and the cycloolefin polymer (COP) are produced using a conventionally known synthesis method rather than the above-mentioned commercially available products, they can be produced using the methods described in the following publications, but are not limited thereto. For example, JP-A-08-012712 (Method for producing cycloolefin copolymer), JP-A-07-224122 (Cycloolefin copolymer and preparation method thereof), JP-A-06-271628 (Method for producing cycloolefin copolymer), JP-A-06-271627 (Method for producing cycloolefin copolymer), JP-A-2020-066683 (Norbornene-based ring-opening polymer hydrogenation product, resin composition and molding The polymerizable composition can be produced by using a method described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016 / 143424 (Syndiotactic crystalline dicyclopentadiene ring-opening polymer hydrogenated product, syndiotactic dicyclopentadiene ring-opening polymer, and production methods thereof), JP-A No. 2015-086288 (Cycloolefin monomer, polymerizable composition, resin molded product, crosslinkable resin molded product, and crosslinked resin molded product), but is not limited thereto.

[0042] Furthermore, the content of the "main component" in the adapter forming material may be 50% by mass or more relative to the total amount of the main component and additives, but is preferably 65 to 97% by mass, as described above, and more preferably 70 to 95% by mass.

[0043] <Additives> The adapter forming material preferably contains, as an additive, a (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin, in addition to the cycloolefin resin as the main component. Examples of the (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin include styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), modified polyolefin, low density polyethylene (LDPE), and hydrogenated styrene butadiene rubber (HSBR). From the viewpoint of being able to impart excellent elasticity and toughness, styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) is preferred.

[0044] The styrene content in the SEBS, and the content of the (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin as the additive relative to the total amount of the main component and the additive, are as described above.

[0045] The (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from α-olefin may be prepared by a conventionally known synthesis method, or a commercially available product may be used. Commercially available (co)polymers having a structural unit derived from α-olefin include styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block (hydrogenated) copolymers (SEBS) such as DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P (styrene content 9% by mass), 8600P (styrene content 15% by mass), 8903P (styrene content 35% by mass), and 9901P (styrene content 53% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation; and A1536 (styrene content 42% by mass) and A1535 (styrene content 58% by mass) manufactured by KRATON. Ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) such as Mitsui EPT X-3012P manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. Ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers such as Nucrel products such as Nucrel AN4213C manufactured by Mitsui-Dow Polychemicals, Inc. Examples of low density polyethylene (LDPE) include Novatec (registered trademark) LD LJ902 manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Corporation.

[0046] When the (co)polymer having the structural unit derived from the α-olefin is produced by a conventional method, instead of the above-mentioned commercially available product, it can be produced by utilizing the method described in the following publications, but is not limited thereto. For example, for styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), the method described in paragraphs "0015" to "0016" of JP 2004-083622 A (rubber composition and its manufacturing method, and rubber molded product and its manufacturing method) can be used. In detail, the hydrogenation method and reaction conditions of styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) are not particularly limited, and are usually carried out by hydrogenation at 20 to 150° C. under a hydrogen pressure of 0.1 to 10 MPa in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. In this case, the hydrogenation rate can be arbitrarily selected by changing the amount of hydrogenation catalyst, the hydrogen pressure during the hydrogenation reaction, or the reaction time. The hydrogenation catalyst may generally be a compound containing any of metals of Groups 11, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the periodic table, such as a compound containing Ti, V, Co, Ni, Zr, Ru, Rh, Pd, Hf, Re, or Pt. Specific examples of the hydrogenation catalyst include metallocene compounds such as Ti, Zr, Hf, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh, and Re; supported heterogeneous catalysts in which metals such as Pd, Ni, Pt, Rh, and Ru are supported on a support such as carbon, silica, alumina, and diatomaceous earth; homogeneous Ziegler catalysts in which an organic salt or acetylacetone salt of a metal element such as Ni or Co is combined with a reducing agent such as organoaluminum; organometallic compounds or complexes of Ru, Rh, and the like; and fullerenes and carbon nanotubes in which hydrogen is absorbed. Among these, metallocene compounds containing any one of Ti, Zr, Hf, Co, and Ni are preferred because they can undergo hydrogenation in an inert organic solvent in a homogeneous system.Moreover, metallocene compounds containing any one of Ti, Zr, and Hf are more preferred.In particular, hydrogenation catalysts obtained by reacting titanocene compounds with alkyl lithium are preferred because they are inexpensive and particularly useful industrially.Specific examples of the hydrogenation catalyst include those described in JP-A-1-275605, JP-A-5-271326, JP-A-5-271325, JP-A-5-222115, JP-A-11-292924, JP-A-2000-37632, JP-A-59-133203, JP-A-63-5401, JP-A-62-218403, JP-A-7-90017, JP-B-43-19960, and JP-B-47-40473. The hydrogenation catalysts may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0047] In addition, the method for producing styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) may be the method described in paragraphs "0032" to "0049" of JP-A-2015-513584 (Highly fluid hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer and its use) or the like. Among these, the hydrogenation of selectively hydrogenated low-viscosity styrene-butadiene-styrene (styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene hydrogenated block copolymer; SEBS) can be carried out by any of several hydrogenation or selective hydrogenation methods known in the prior art. Such hydrogenation is achieved using methods such as those taught in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,595,942; 3,634,549; 3,670,054; and 3,700,633. These methods are based on the action of a catalyst suitable for hydrogenating a polymer containing an aromatic ring or an ethylenically unsaturated bond. Such catalysts or catalyst precursors preferably comprise a metal from Groups 8, 9 or 10, such as nickel or cobalt, in combination with a suitable reducing agent, such as an aluminum alkyl or a metal selected from Groups 1, 2 or 3 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, particularly lithium, magnesium or aluminum hydrides. The preparation can be carried out in a suitable solvent or diluent at a temperature between 20 and 80°C. Other useful catalysts include titanium-based catalyst systems.

[0048] Furthermore, (co)polymers having structural units derived from α-olefins other than styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymers (SEBS) can also be produced by using conventionally known methods.

[0049] (Other additives) The adapter forming material may include additives other than the main component and additives: (co)polymers having structural units derived from α-olefin, such as colorants, stabilizers, and inorganic fillers, within the scope of the present invention. Specifically, the colorants include dyes; pigments such as cadmium sulfide, phthalocyanine, and carbon black. Stabilizers include antioxidants and heat stabilizers such as hindered phenols, hydroquinones, thioethers, phosphites, and their substitutes and combinations, ultraviolet absorbers such as resorcinol, salicylates, benzotriazole, and benzophenone, various lubricants and mold release agents including higher fatty acids such as stearic acid and montanic acid and their metal salts, esters, half esters, and stearyl alcohol derivatives, flame retardant assistants such as antimony oxide, antistatic agents such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and polyalkylene glycol, crystallization promoters, and silane coupling agents. Examples of the inorganic filler include fibrous ones such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, ceramic fiber, etc., and granular, powdery, or plate-like ones such as mica, glass beads, silica, barium titanate, hydrotalcite, zeolite, etc. The amount of other additives to be added is appropriately determined in consideration of the main components and various properties of the additives.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be freely modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. The shape, dimensions, values, configurations, numbers, locations, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto. EXAMPLES

[0051] <Sample Preparation> In the examples shown below, when the main component cycloolefin resin and the additive (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from α-olefin were used, they were melt-kneaded using an extruder. Then, the melt-kneaded material was injection-molded using an injection molding machine or the like to produce each sample. In the examples, when the main component cycloolefin resin was used alone without using the additive (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from α-olefin, kneading was not necessary (no extruder was required), so the main component resin material was melted (heated) using an injection molding machine or the like and injection-molded to produce each sample. In the examples and comparative examples shown below, when additives were used in combination, the main components and additives were melt-kneaded at the mixing ratio shown in Table 1 using an extruder. When no additives were used, only the main components shown in Table 1 were used. After that, the mixture was injected into the mold of the gas measurement adapter shown in FIG. 1 and molded to produce a sample of the gas measurement adapter shown in FIG. 1. Details will be described below.

[0052] (Example 1-1) Using an injection molding machine (manufactured by Sodick Co., Ltd., product name: Injection molding machine LA40), the following cycloolefin resin was used alone as the main component of the adapter forming material. The adapter forming material consisting of this main component cycloolefin resin was put into the injection molding machine, heated and melted, and then injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in Figure 1 for molding, producing sample 1-1 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0053] The cycloolefin resin that was the main component of the adapter-forming material in Example 1-1 was APEL (registered trademark) 6509 (an addition copolymer of norbornenes and α-olefins represented by the above formula (1b)) manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., which is a cycloolefin copolymer (COC).

[0054] (Example 1-2) As the material for forming the adapter, 90% by mass of a cycloolefin resin as the main component and 10% by mass of a (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from α-olefin as an additive were used in combination. The material for forming the adapter consisting of these main components and additives was melt-kneaded using an extruder. The melt-kneaded material was then injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in FIG. 1 using the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, and molded to produce Sample 1-2 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0055] The cycloolefin resin used was the same as that used in Example 1-1. As the (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin as an additive, DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P (styrene content 9% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation, which is a styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), was used.

[0056] (Examples 1-3) Sample 1-3 of the gas measurement adapter was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that DYNARON (registered trademark) 8600P (styrene content 15% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P as the additive styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0057] (Examples 1 to 4) Sample 1-4 of the gas measurement adapter was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 95% by mass of the main component and 5% by mass of the additive, and further, DYNARON (registered trademark) 8903 (styrene content 35% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P as the additive styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0058] (Examples 1 to 5) A sample 1-5 of the gas measurement adaptor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-4, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 90 mass % of the main component and 10 mass % of the additive.

[0059] (Examples 1 to 6) Sample 1-6 of the gas measurement adapter was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 95% by mass of the main component and 5% by mass of the additive, and further, DYNARON (registered trademark) 9901 (styrene content 53% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P as the styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0060] (Examples 1 to 7) A sample 1-7 of the gas measurement adaptor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-6, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 90 mass % of the main component and 10 mass % of the additive.

[0061] (Examples 1 to 8) A sample 1-8 of the gas measurement adaptor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-6, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 85 mass % of the main component and 15 mass % of the additive.

[0062] (Examples 1 to 9) Sample 1-9 of the gas measurement adapter was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 95% by mass of the main component and 5% by mass of the additive, and further, the additive styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) was replaced by A1536 (styrene content 42% by mass) manufactured by KRATON instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P.

[0063] (Examples 1 to 10) A sample 1-10 of the gas measurement adaptor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-9, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 90 mass % of the main component and 10 mass % of the additive.

[0064] (Examples 1 to 11) Sample 1-11 of the gas measurement adapter was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that A1535 (styrene content: 58% by mass) manufactured by KRATON was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P as the additive styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0065] (Examples 1 to 12) A sample 1-12 of the gas measurement adaptor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-11, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 85 mass % of the main component and 15 mass % of the additive.

[0066] (Examples 1 to 13) Sample 1-13 of the gas measurement adapter was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that Mitsui EPT X-3012P, an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P as the additive.

[0067] (Examples 1-14) Sample 1-14 of the gas measurement adapter was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that, as the additive, Nucrel AN4213C, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer manufactured by Dow Mitsui Polychemicals Co., Ltd., was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P.

[0068] (Examples 1 to 15) Sample 1-15 of the gas measurement adapter was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-2, except that Novatec (registered trademark) LD LJ902, a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) manufactured by Japan Polyethylene Corporation, was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P as the additive.

[0069] (Example 2-1) The cycloolefin resin shown below was used alone as the adapter material. The adapter material made of this cycloolefin resin was put into the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, heated and melted, and then injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in Figure 1 for molding, to produce Sample 2-1 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0070] As the cycloolefin resin, a cycloolefin copolymer (COC) TOPAS (registered trademark) 8007 manufactured by Topas Advanced Polymers GmbH (a type of copolymer represented by the above formula (1a) obtained by copolymerizing norbornene synthesized from dicyclopentadiene and ethylene with ethylene using a metallocene catalyst) was used.

[0071] (Example 2-2) As the material for forming the adapter, 95% by mass of a cycloolefin resin as the main component and 5% by mass of a (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from α-olefin as an additive were used in combination. The material for forming the adapter consisting of these main components and additives was melt-kneaded using the same extruder as in Example 1-2. After that, the melt-kneaded material was injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in FIG. 1 using the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, and molded to produce Sample 2-2 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0072] The cycloolefin resin used was the same as that used in Example 2-1. As the (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin as an additive, DYNARON (registered trademark) 8903 (styrene content 35% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation, which is a styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), was used.

[0073] (Example 2-3) Sample 2-3 of the gas measurement adapter was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2-2, except that DYNARON (registered trademark) 9901 (styrene content: 53% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8300P as the additive styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0074] (Examples 2-4) A sample 2-4 of the gas measurement adapter was produced in the same manner as in Example 2-3, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 90 mass % of the main component and 10 mass % of the additive.

[0075] (Examples 2-5) A sample 2-5 of the gas measurement adaptor was produced in the same manner as in Example 2-3, except that the mixing ratio of the main component and the additive was changed to 85 mass % of the main component and 15 mass % of the additive.

[0076] (Examples 2-6) Sample 2-6 of the gas measurement adapter was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2-2, except that A1536 (styrene content 42% by mass) manufactured by KRATON was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8903 as the additive styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0077] (Examples 2-7) Sample 2-7 of the gas measurement adapter was produced in the same manner as in Example 2-2, except that the mixing ratio of the main component to the additive was changed to 85% by mass of the main component and 15% by mass of the additive, and further, A1535 (styrene content 58% by mass) manufactured by KRATON was used instead of DYNARON (registered trademark) 8903 as the additive styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0078] (Example 3-1) The following cycloolefin resin was used alone as the adapter material. The adapter material consisting of this cycloolefin resin as the main component was put into the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, heated and melted, and then injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in Figure 1 for molding, to produce Sample 3-1 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0079] As the cycloolefin resin, a cycloolefin copolymer (COC) TOPAS (registered trademark) 5013 manufactured by Topas Advanced Polymers GmbH (a type of copolymer represented by the above formula (1a) obtained by copolymerizing norbornene synthesized from dicyclopentadiene and ethylene with ethylene using a metallocene catalyst) was used.

[0080] (Example 3-2) As the material for forming the adapter, 70% by mass of a cycloolefin resin as the main component and 30% by mass of a (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from α-olefin as an additive were used in combination. The material for forming the adapter consisting of these main components and additives was melt-kneaded using the same extruder as in Example 1-2. After that, the melt-kneaded material was injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in FIG. 1 using the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, and molded to produce Sample 3-2 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0081] The cycloolefin resin used was the same as that used in Example 3-1. As the (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin as an additive, DYNARON (registered trademark) 901 (styrene content in SEBS: 53% by mass) manufactured by JSR Corporation, which is a styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), was used.

[0082] Example 4 The cycloolefin resin shown below was used alone as the adapter forming material. This adapter forming material made of the cycloolefin resin was put into the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, heated and melted, and then injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in Figure 1 for molding, to produce Sample 4 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0083] As the cycloolefin resin, ZEONOR (registered trademark) 1060R, a cycloolefin polymer (COP) manufactured by Zeon Corporation, was used.

[0084] Example 5 The cycloolefin resin shown below was used alone as the adapter forming material. The adapter forming material made of this cycloolefin resin was put into the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, heated and melted, and then injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in Figure 1 for molding, to produce sample 5 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0085] As the cycloolefin resin, ZEONOR (registered trademark) 1020R, a cycloolefin polymer (COP) manufactured by Zeon Corporation, was used.

[0086] Comparative Example 1 An existing hard resin material was used as the material for forming the adapter. The material for forming the adapter made of this hard resin material was put into the same injection molding machine as in Example 1-1, heated and melted, and then injected into the mold for the gas measurement adapter shown in Figure 1 for molding, to produce comparative sample 1 of the gas measurement adapter.

[0087] The hard resin material used was Eastman Copolyester DN011, manufactured by Eastman Chemical Japan Ltd., which is a PETG resin (a polymer in which approximately 30 to 40% of the EG in PET resin is replaced with cyclohexanedimethanol; glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate).

[0088] <Evaluation of moldability> It was visually confirmed that the window portion (φ5.5 mm, thickness 0.12 mm) of the samples of the gas measurement adapter obtained in the examples and comparative examples could be formed.

[0089] - Evaluation criteria for formability - ◯: The product yield is good. Even when molding an integrated thin-walled part, the thin-walled window portion can be molded with sufficient shape (precision) in all samples (10 samples; n=10).

[0090] ×: The product yield was poor. Due to the integral and thin-walled molding, the thin-walled window portion could not be molded to a sufficient shape (precision) in many samples (10 samples; n = 10) due to insufficient fluidity.

[0091] <Evaluation of infrared transmittance> When a sensor () was installed in the sensor mounting section of the sample of the gas measurement adapter obtained in the Examples and Comparative Examples, the intensity of infrared rays of 4.27±0.01 μm that penetrated the window section (effective section) was measured. Note that Comparative Example 1, in which the window section was not formed to a sufficient shape (precision), could not be evaluated, and is therefore marked as "evaluation not possible" in Table 1.

[0092] -Evaluation criteria for infrared transmittance- Table 1 shows the ratios when COC (APEL6509) is taken as 1.00. A value of 0.90 or higher was considered a pass.

[0093] <Impact and drop resistance evaluation> The samples produced in the examples and comparative examples were subjected to a drop test under the following conditions, and after the test, the samples were visually inspected for any damage (cracks, broken locking members (claws), etc.). Note that comparative example 1, in which the window portion was not formed to a sufficient shape (precision), could not be evaluated, and is therefore marked as "evaluation not possible" in Table 1.

[0094] [Test conditions] - Drop height: 122cm Number of falls: 26 falls in total · Method of dropping: In all 26 tests, the second connection adapter 12 side in Figure 1 was held by hand, and the height was adjusted so that the height of the sample (up to the bottom end) was 122 cm, after which the sample was released and allowed to fall freely.

[0095] Number of samples: 3 (n=3).

[0096] - Evaluation criteria for impact resistance and drop resistance - Number of breakages: 0: Extremely good impact resistance when dropped Number of broken pieces: 1: Good impact resistance when dropped Number of broken pieces: 2: Impact resistance when dropped is somewhat good Number of broken pieces: 3: Low impact resistance when dropped.

[0097] Table 1 shows the number of breakages for impact drop resistance ranging from none (0 pieces) to 3 pieces.

[0098] <Color evaluation> For the samples produced in the examples and comparative examples, the flow tube portion (at a thickness of 3.5 mm) was visually evaluated on a two-level scale of visible and invisible. The results are shown in Table 1. Note that, even for Comparative Example 1, in which the window portion was not formed to a sufficient shape (precision), the flow tube portion was evaluated for color because it was possible to evaluate it.

[0099] Regarding color evaluation, even if the color is invisible (white), it can be used without any problems. However, it is better to be able to constantly visualize the inside of the adapter, since it is easier to find any damage such as cracks inside the adapter. From this point of view, it is preferable to have a color that is visible (colorless and transparent).

[0100] [Table 1] [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 Gas measurement adapter, 11 First connection adapter, 12 Second connection adapter, 20 Sensor mounting portion, 21 Flow pipe section, 22a, 22b locking member, 23a, 23b mating part, 31 Window section, 41, 41a, 41b, 41c ventilation channels.

Claims

1. A gas measurement adapter comprising: a flow tube portion through which a gas passes; and a window portion through which a measurement light for measuring a component of the gas passing through the flow tube portion passes, the adapter is produced using an adapter-forming material made of a kneaded product containing a cycloolefin resin as a main component and a (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin as an additive, The adaptor for gas measurement comprises, relative to the total amount of the main component and the additive, 65 to 97 mass% of the cycloolefin resin as the main component, and 3 to 35 mass% of the (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin as the additive.

2. 2. The gas measurement adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the (co)polymer having a structural unit derived from an α-olefin of the additive is a styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

3. The gas measurement adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the SEBS has a styrene content of 5 to 60 mass %.

4. 4. The gas measurement adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the cycloolefin resin as a main component is a cycloolefin copolymer.

5. 5. The gas measurement adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the window portion is thinner than the flow tube portion.

6. 6. The gas measurement adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the window portion is integrally formed with the flow tube portion.

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