Medical Bags

Abstract

To provide a medical bag of a novel structure which has an insertion part of fingers for keeping an opened state of an opening part while avoiding a reduction in durability of a central part of a body sheet.SOLUTION: In a medical bag 10, outer sheets 32 are respectively arranged on outer surfaces of two pieces of body sheets 14. The outer sheet is not fastened to but overlapped with a central part of the body sheet excluding an outer peripheral part, and the outer sheet is fastened to at least both side parts and an upper side part of the body sheet. On the respective outer sheets, insertion holes 40 for inserting fingers between the outer sheet and the body sheet are formed in a manner to extend in a vertical direction at positions separated from both side parts toward a center in a width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical bag used in the medical field for storing liquids such as nutritional fluids, medicinal fluids, and infusion fluids. [Background technology]

[0002] In the medical field, liquids such as medicinal fluids and infusions are used, and medical bags are used to handle such liquids. For example, in enteral nutrition, in which nutritional fluids or medicinal fluids are administered to the stomach or other part of the patient's body through a tube inserted into the patient's nasal cavity, a nutrient supply bag that holds a predetermined amount of nutritional fluid or medicinal fluid is used.

[0003] In such medical bags, both side edges and a bottom edge of two main body sheets, generally made of soft synthetic resin, are fixed together to form a storage area having an opening at the top.

[0004] When using a medical bag, liquids such as nutrients or medicines are poured into the storage area through the opening. This pouring operation is generally performed by one person, who holds the opening of the medical bag open with one hand while tilting a cup held in the other hand to pour the liquid contained in the cup into the storage area.

[0005] However, because the main body sheet constituting the medical bag is made of soft synthetic resin, there has been a problem in that it is difficult to keep the opening open when pouring the liquid through the opening.

[0006] In consideration of these problems, JP 2011-78737 A (Patent Document 1) proposes a structure in which an opening / closing operation part consisting of a strip-shaped sheet is fixed to the outer surface of each of the two main body sheets, and holes for inserting fingers are provided on the outside of each of the two main body sheets, so that the open state can be maintained by opening both fingers inserted into each opening / closing operation part so that they are spread away from each other.

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the upper and lower ends of the belt-shaped opening and closing operation part are merely fixed to the widthwise center of the main body sheet. As a result, the lower end of the opening and closing operation part is located in the center of the main body sheet, and the external force caused by the opening and closing operation acts intensively on the center of the single main body sheet, and the fixing of the lower end of the belt-shaped opening and closing operation part makes it difficult for the center of the main body sheet part to deform locally, which may cause durability problems. In particular, when the opening and closing operation part is fixed to the main body sheet by welding, there is a concern that the center of the main body sheet may be damaged or its strength may be reduced due to variations in the welding process and conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-78737 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its problem to be solved is to provide a medical bag of a novel structure which can provide an insertion portion for fingers to keep the opening open, while avoiding the reduced durability of the central part of the main sheet which was a problem with the invention described in Patent Document 1. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The following describes aspects of the present invention that have been made to solve the above problems. Note that the components employed in each aspect described below can be employed in any combination possible.

[0011] In a first aspect of the present invention, in a medical bag in which both side edge portions and a bottom edge portion of two main sheets are fixed to each other to form a storage area having an opening at the top, an outer sheet is disposed on the outer surface of each of the two main sheets in an overlapping state over substantially the entire surface thereof, and the outer sheet is overlapped without being fixed to a central portion of the main sheets except for the outer peripheral portion thereof, and the both side edge portions and the top edge portion of the main sheets are fixed to each other. And The outer sheet is attached to the The lower edge portions of the two main body sheets are respectively fixed to the lower edge portions of the outer sheets, Each of the outer sheets has an insertion hole extending vertically from both side edges toward the center of the width direction, through which a finger can be inserted between the outer sheet and the main sheet, and the outer sheet is characterized in that the areas above and below the insertion hole, extending to the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion fixed to the main sheet, are in the form of a continuous sheet with no slits formed therein.

[0012] According to the medical bag constructed according to this embodiment, the outer sheets are fixed to a portion having a thickness substantially equal to that of two main sheets by overlapping and fixing at least on both side portions, so that the durability of the portion of the outer sheet fixed to the main sheet is ensured. Meanwhile, since the outer sheet is not fixed to the center portion of the main sheet, no force is locally applied to the center portion of the main sheet when the storage area is opened, and damage to the main sheet (medical bag) can be effectively prevented. Problems such as damage to the center portion of the main sheet due to welding of the outer sheet can also be avoided.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention is the medical bag according to the first aspect, wherein the outer sheet is overlapped over the entire surface of the main body sheet.

[0014] The medical bag constructed according to this embodiment is expected to provide protection for the main sheet by overlapping the outer sheet over the entire surface of the main sheet. It is also possible to easily improve the workability in manufacturing and overlapping the two main sheets and the two outer sheets that are attached to each of them.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is a medical bag in which both side edge portions and bottom edge portions of two main sheets overlapping each other are fixed to form a storage area with an opening at the top, and an outer sheet is arranged on the outer surface of each of the two main sheets, the outer sheet is fixed to the top edge portion of the main sheet, the bottom edge portion of the outer sheet is not fixed to the central portion of the main sheet except for the outer periphery, and an insertion hole is formed between the outer sheet and the main sheet for inserting fingers.

[0016] With a medical bag constructed in accordance with this embodiment, an opening force can be applied to the main sheet via the upper edge of the outer sheet, preventing a decrease in durability of the central portion of the main sheet and making it easy to maintain the opening in an open state. Effect of the Invention

[0017] In a medical bag constructed in accordance with the present invention, fingers can be inserted into the outer sheet, which is not fixed to the central portion of the main sheet, thereby avoiding the reduced durability of the central portion of the main sheet that was a problem with the invention described in Patent Document 1, and the opening can be easily kept open. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a medical bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the medical bag shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the medical bag shown in FIG. 1 from the rear side. [Figure 4]2 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating a state in which the opening of the medical bag shown in FIG. 1 is held open by inserting fingers into the insertion portion. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a medical bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the medical bag shown in FIG. 5 . [Figure 7] 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the medical bag shown in FIG. 5 from the rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a medical bag according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the medical bag shown in FIG. 8 . [Figure 10] 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the medical bag shown in FIG. 8 from the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 1 and 2 show a medical bag 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The medical bag 10 is bag-shaped, and a storage area 12 for storing a liquid is formed inside. Nutrients, medicinal fluids, infusions, etc. are stored in the storage area 12, so that the medical bag 10 can be used as a nutrient supply bag or an infusion bag. In the following description, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction in Figs. 1 and 2, which is approximately vertical when in use.

[0021] 3, the medical bag 10 is constructed by overlapping a first sheet 14 as a top sheet located on the front side and a second sheet 16 as a back sheet located on the back side, and the storage area 12 is formed between the overlapping surfaces of these two sheets 14, 16. In other words, the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 each constitute a main body sheet.

[0022] The first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are thin members made of soft synthetic resin, and are colored or colorless and transparent. Although the first and second sheets 14, 16 can be made opaque, it is preferable that a transparent portion is provided so that the amount of liquid in the storage area 12 can be visually confirmed from the outside. In this embodiment, the sheets 14, 16 are made to have the same shape and are made of the same material, so that the same material can be used. The first and second sheets 14, 16 are each made to have a vertically elongated, approximately rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. In particular, in this embodiment, the first and second sheets 14, 16 extend straight with an approximately constant width dimension over the entire length in the vertical direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, the hanging parts 18 are provided at the upper ends of the first and second sheets 14, 16, protruding upward from the widthwise center portion, and a circular locking hole 20 is formed at the center of the hanging parts 18. A hook extending from a stand or the like is inserted into the locking hole 20, so that the medical bag 10 can be hung from a stand or the like, and the locking hole 20 can be used for hanging the bag. The hanging parts 18 (locking hole 20) may be provided on only one of the first and second sheets 14, 16, and the formation position is not limited to the widthwise center portion at the upper ends of the first and second sheets 14, 16. In this embodiment, the hanging parts 18 are integrally formed with the first and second sheets 14, 16, but may be formed separately and fixed later.

[0024] The first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are then overlapped with each other and fixed to each other at the bottom side and both widthwise side portions. As a result, a vertically elongated storage area 12 is formed between the overlapping surfaces of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16, and the storage area 12 opens upward. In other words, the upper edges (upper side portions) of the first and second sheets 14, 16 that are not welded to each other form an opening 22 of the storage area 12.

[0025] In this embodiment, a plastic fastener 24 is provided in a position close to the opening 22 in the storage area 12, extending over substantially the entire width between the overlapping surfaces of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16. The opening 22 of the storage area 12 can be opened and closed by opening and closing the plastic fastener 24.

[0026] That is, the inner surface of the upper portion of the first sheet 14 is provided with a convex strip 24a constituting the plastic fastener 24, while the inner surface of the upper portion of the second sheet 16 is provided with a concave groove 24b constituting the plastic fastener 24, and the convex strip 24a and the concave groove 24b mesh with each other to close the plastic fastener 24 and the opening 22. In this embodiment, the convex strip 24a and the concave groove 24b are provided extending in the width direction at positions spaced downward a predetermined distance from the upper ends of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16. The convex strip 24a and the concave groove 24b may be provided in the first and second sheets 14, 16 in the opposite order.

[0027] Particularly, in this embodiment, the ridges and grooves 24a, 24b are formed as separate members and then fixed to the first and second sheets 14, 16. That is, the ridges and grooves 24a, 24b are integrally provided with sheet-like portions 26 extending on both sides in the width direction (both sides in the vertical direction), and are fixed to the first and second sheets 14, 16 at the upper and lower sheet-like portions 26. Also, the deformation rigidity of the ridges and grooves 24a, 24b is preferably greater than that of the first and second sheets 14, 16, but is not limited thereto, and by providing the ridges 24a and grooves 24b on the first and second sheets 14, 16, the deformation rigidity of the positions where the ridges and grooves 24a, 24b are arranged on the first and second sheets 14, 16 is improved.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are fixed to each other by thermal welding (heat sealing). That is, the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 have a welding part 28 extending continuously with a predetermined width dimension at the lower side part and both side parts in the width direction at the outer periphery part. However, the means for fixing the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 is not limited to thermal welding, and may be welding using ultrasonic waves other than heat, or may be fixed by a conventionally known fixing means such as adhesion.

[0029] That is, the first sheet 14, the second sheet 16, etc. are structured with a sealant layer that can be thermally welded, and the sealant layer is provided over substantially the entire surface of the surface to be welded. In this embodiment, the sealant layer is provided on both the inside and outside of the first sheet 14, both the inside and outside of the second sheet 16, the inside of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 described below, and the outside of the sheet-like portion 26 provided in the ridges and grooves 24a, 24b. However, the materials constituting the first sheet 14, the second sheet 16, etc. can be appropriately selected and laminated depending on the required characteristics such as strength (flexibility), corrosion resistance, gas barrier properties, transparency, printability, etc., and are not limited in any way.

[0030] Furthermore, a substantially cylindrical port member 30 made of a hard synthetic resin is disposed and fixed to the lower side between the overlapping surfaces of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16. The method of fixing the port member 30 is not limited in any way. For example, the port member 30 may be disposed in a predetermined position and fixed by welding or adhesion after the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are thermally welded to each other as described above at positions other than the position where the port member 30 is disposed. Alternatively, the port member 30 may be fixed at the same time as the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are fixed by performing thermal welding while the port member 30 is sandwiched between the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16. The port member 30 communicates with the inside and outside of the storage area 12, and the liquid contained in the storage area 12 is injected into the patient's body through a catheter (not shown) connected to the port member 30.

[0031] The port member 30 is not limited as long as it can connect an external flow path, such as a catheter, to the storage area 12. One end of a catheter constituting an external flow path may be sandwiched and fixed between the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16, or fixed so as to penetrate one of the sheets, to directly connect to the storage area 12.

[0032] Here, a third sheet 32 ​​and a fourth sheet 34, which are separate from the first and second sheets 14, 16, are overlapped and fixed to the outer surfaces of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16. That is, in this embodiment, the third sheet 32 ​​and the fourth sheet 34 each constitute an outer sheet that is disposed on the outer surface of the main body sheet (the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16).

[0033] In this embodiment, the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 have substantially the same shape as the first and second sheets 14, 16 and are made of the same material. In particular, by providing the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 with the hanging parts 18 and the locking holes 20, it is possible to use the same material as the first, second, third and fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34. The third and fourth sheets can be made different in shape and material from the first and second sheets depending on the required characteristics, and the third and fourth sheets may also be made different in shape and material.

[0034] Here, the third sheet 32 ​​has substantially the same shape as the first sheet 14, and is therefore overlapped over substantially the entire outer surface of the first sheet 14. In this embodiment, the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 32 ​​are continuously or discontinuously partially bonded to the upper side, lower side, and both widthwise side portions of their outer peripheries, i.e., the four periphery sides, while the central portion excluding the outer peripheries is not bonded and is overlapped in an unbonded state.

[0035] Similarly, the fourth sheet 34 has substantially the same shape as the second sheet 16, and is therefore overlapped over substantially the entire outer surface of the second sheet 16. The second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 34 are continuously or discontinuously partially bonded to the four sides of the outer periphery all around, while the central portion excluding the outer periphery is overlapped without being bonded.

[0036] The means for fastening not only the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 but also the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 32 ​​and the second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 34 are not limited to any particular means, and any conventionally known fastening means may be used, such as welding, such as heat welding or ultrasonic welding, or adhesion. In the present embodiment, the first to fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, and 34 are mutually fastened by, for example, simultaneous heat welding, so that the width dimensions (fastening margins) of the welded portions of the sheets 14, 16, 32, and 34 are the same, but they may be different from each other.

[0037] An insertion slit 36, which serves as an insertion hole 40 (described later) into which a finger 44 is inserted (described later), is formed in the upper portions of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34, penetrating the third and fourth sheets 32, 34. The insertion slit 36 ​​extends vertically with a predetermined dimension (e.g., approximately half or less than half of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34) at positions away from the upper and lower ends of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34, respectively, and is provided at a position closer to the upper side portions than the lower side portions of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34, i.e., approximately in the upper half of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 in this embodiment.

[0038] In this embodiment, a pair of insertion slits 36, 36 are provided, and these pair of insertion slits 36, 36 are provided substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined widthwise separation distance in positions away from both widthwise side portions toward the widthwise center of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34. In particular, in this embodiment, the insertion slits 36, 36 provided in the third sheet 32 ​​and the insertion slits 36, 36 provided in the fourth sheet 34 are formed at substantially the same positions and with substantially the same size on the front and back of the medical bag 10 (the third and fourth sheets 32, 34).

[0039] This allows fingers 44, which will be described later, to be inserted from both lateral sides of the medical bag 10, i.e., into the right insertion slit 36 ​​in Fig. 1 (and simultaneously into the left insertion slit 36 ​​in Fig. 2) and into the left insertion slit 36 ​​in Fig. 1 (and simultaneously into the right insertion slit 36 ​​in Fig. 2). These insertion slits 36 extend downward from portions located a predetermined distance below the upper ends of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34, and are formed across the plastic fastener 24 provided between the first and second sheets 14, 16. That is, the insertion slits 36 are formed on the outside of the plastic fastener 24 (both sides in the front-rear direction of the paper in Figs. 1 and 2).

[0040] Furthermore, a pair of insertion slits 36, 36 opposed to each other in the width direction are provided in the third and fourth sheets 32, 34, and an insertion section 38 penetrating in the width direction is formed between the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 32 ​​and between the second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 34 between the insertion slits 36, 36 in the width direction. That is, in this embodiment, the insertion section 38 is provided on the first and second sheet 14, 16 sides of the medical bag 10, i.e., on both the front and back sides of the medical bag 10. The openings on both sides in the width direction of the insertion section 38 are insertion holes 40, 40 into which fingers 44 are substantially inserted between the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 32, or between the second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 34, and the insertion holes 40 are configured to include the insertion slits 36. In this embodiment, since the insertion slit 36 ​​is formed across the plastic fastener 24 from top to bottom, the insertion portion 38 is also formed across the plastic fastener 24 from top to bottom, and the insertion portion 38 is located on the outside of the plastic fastener 24.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third sheet 32 ​​is provided with a scale 42, and in this embodiment in particular, the scale 42 is printed on the outer surface of the third sheet 32. This allows the amount of liquid contained in the containing area 12 to be visually grasped from the outside. However, as long as the scale 42 is visible from the outside, it may be provided on the inner surface of the third sheet 32 ​​instead of or in addition to the outer surface of the third sheet 32, or on the first, second, or fourth sheets 14, 16, and 34.

[0042] The method for manufacturing such a medical bag 10 is not limited in any way, but a specific example of the method for manufacturing the medical bag 10 will be described below.

[0043] First, the first sheet 14, the second sheet 16, the third sheet 32, the fourth sheet 34, etc. may be prepared in advance with the desired shape, but preferably, the first, second, third and fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34 are prepared in a state where a long resin sheet is wound in a roll shape with a predetermined width. It is also possible to use the same material for the first, second, third and fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34, and in such a case, the same material may be used for the first, second, third and fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34 wound in a roll shape, and the insertion slits 36, 36 and the scales 42 may be formed after the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 are fixed to the first and second sheets 14, 16. Similarly, the convex strips 24a and the concave grooves 24b constituting the plastic fastener 24 are prepared in a state where a long material is wound in a reel shape.

[0044] Then, the resin sheet of the first sheet 14, the resin sheet of the second sheet 16, the resin sheet of the third sheet 32, and the resin sheet of the fourth sheet 34 are pulled out from the rolls and introduced into a press welding area of ​​a press welding device for thermally welding the resin sheets. In a pre-processing area leading to the press welding area, insertion slits 36, 36 are formed in the third and fourth sheets 32, 34, and necessary printing such as scales 42 is performed on the first to fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34. In this embodiment, the width dimension of the insertion slit 36 ​​is set to approximately 0, but the insertion slit 36 ​​may be opened to a predetermined width dimension.

[0045] In addition, in a fastener welding area serving as a preparation area leading to the press welding area of ​​the first and second sheets 14, 16, one of the ridges 24a and the grooves 24b constituting the plastic fastener 24 is pulled out from a reel and overlapped. The ridges 24a and the grooves 24b are then welded continuously in the length direction to the resin sheet of the first sheet 14 and the resin sheet of the second sheet 16. As is well known, such welding is performed by continuously welding the sheet-like portions 26 integrally provided and extending on both sides in the width direction from the ridges 24a and the grooves 24b to the resin sheet of the first sheet 14 and the resin sheet of the second sheet 16 in a linear manner in the length direction, thereby preventing the heat influence on the opening and closing functional portions of the ridges 24a and the grooves 24b. The sheet-like portions 26 integrally provided to protrude from the ridges 24a and the grooves 24b on both sides in the width direction are preferably made of a sheet material having a relatively high deformation rigidity.

[0046] In this manner, the resin sheets of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16, and further the resin sheets of the third sheet 32 ​​and the fourth sheet 34, which have been introduced into the press welding area with one of the ridges 24a and the other of the grooves 24b constituting the plastic fastener 24 fixed to the overlapping surfaces in advance, are press-welded by pressing a welding die against the upper and lower edges and both widthwise edges of the medical bag 10. As a result, the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 32, and the second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 34 are welded at the four peripheral edges, while the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are welded at the three peripheral edges excluding the upper edge which is the opening 22.

[0047] At this time, in order to prevent welding of the upper side portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16, the press welding is performed with, for example, a welding prevention sheet sandwiched between the upper side portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16. During this press welding, the protruding strips 24a and the recessed grooves 24b located in the welding portion 28 are thermally deformed and crushed, and essentially disappear.

[0048] Thereafter, the overlapping sheet-like welded body sent out from the press welding area is introduced into the cutting area, where it is punched out and cut by a press cutter into the planar shape of the intended medical bag 10. As a result, a storage area 12 having an upward opening 22 that can be opened and closed by a plastic fastener 24 is formed between the overlapping surfaces of the first and second sheets 14, 16, both widthwise side portions and the bottom side portion of which are integrally bonded. At the same time, a third sheet 32 ​​and a fourth sheet 34 are overlapped on the outer surfaces of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16, with the four peripheral sides bonded together.

[0049] The formation of the insertion slits 36 in the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 and printing on the outer surfaces can also be performed after the press welding process as described above. As described above, in the press welding process, the port member 30 is sandwiched between the first and second sheets 14, 16 and press-welded using a welding die having a recess corresponding to the port member 30, so that the port member 30 can be welded at the same time as the press welding of the first to fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34. Alternatively, the port member 30 may be inserted and welded or adhesively fixed in a separate process after the first to fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34 are welded with only the fixed portion of the port member 30 remaining unwelded.

[0050] The manufacturing process of the medical bag 10 of this embodiment has been illustrated above, but as mentioned above, the manufacturing process is not limited to the above. For example, the plastic fastener 24 can be fed into the press welding area of ​​the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 with the convex strip 24a and the concave groove 24b engaged (when the plastic fastener 24 is closed) and can be welded to each of the sheets 14, 16 at the same time as the press welding. In addition, the above description shows a mode in which the first to fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34 are simultaneously fixed by heat welding, but the fixing means is not limited to heat welding. Furthermore, the first to fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34 do not need to be fixed at the same time, and for example, the first to fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34 may be fixed sequentially.

[0051] The medical bag 10 of this embodiment, which has the above-described structure, can be held by inserting fingers 44 laterally into one of the insertion holes 40 in the insertion sections 38 provided on both the front and back sides (the first and second sheets 14, 16 sides), as shown in Fig. 4. Note that Fig. 4 illustrates a state in which the medical bag 10 is held with the left hand, assuming a right-handed user, and the fingers 44 are inserted into the insertion holes 40 on the left side in Fig. 1 (right side in Fig. 2) of the front and back insertion sections 38, 38, with the tips of the fingers 44 protruding from the insertion hole 40 on the opposite side, but in the case of a left-handed user, the fingers 44 may be inserted from the opposite direction. In addition, Figure 4 shows a state in which the thumb is inserted into the insertion portion 38 provided on the front side (first sheet 14 side) and four fingers 44 excluding the thumb are inserted into the insertion portion 38 provided on the back side (second sheet 16 side); however, as long as fingers 44 can be inserted into the insertion portions 38, 38 on both the front and back sides, the type and number of fingers inserted into the insertion portion 38 (insertion hole 40) are not limited.

[0052] In this manner, by inserting the fingers 44 into the insertion parts 38, 38 on both the front and back sides and separating the fingers 44 from each other (performing an opening operation of the opening 22), the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are separated from each other, and the opening 22 is more reliably maintained in an open state. This allows the liquid to be injected into the storage area 12 through the opening 22, and the liquid can be administered into the body through the port member 30 and a catheter connected to the port member 30. Note that, when the fingers 44 inserted into the insertion parts 38, 38 are separated from each other to perform an opening operation of the opening 22, it is desirable, but not limited to, that the engagement between the convex strip 24a and the concave groove 24b of the plastic fastener 24 is released in advance.

[0053] In the medical bag 10 of this embodiment having the above-described structure, the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 are secured to the first and second sheets 14, 16 at four sides of the outer periphery excluding the central portion, and in particular, both side widthwise portions and the bottom side portions of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 are overlapped and secured to the welded portion 28 between the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16. That is, both side widthwise portions and the bottom side portions of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 are secured to a portion that is substantially twice the thickness of the first and second sheets 14, 16, so that the strength of the secured portions of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 can be ensured, and durability can be improved.

[0054] Furthermore, since the fixed portions of the third and fourth sheets 32, 34 are not in the central portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16 but in the peripheral portions, even when a finger 44 is inserted into the insertion portion 38 to expand the opening 22 of the storage area 12, for example, the central portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16 are not pulled, and distortion or localized reduction in strength can be avoided.

[0055] Furthermore, one of the convex strips 24a and the concave grooves 24b constituting the plastic fastener 24 is fixed to the inner surface of the first and second sheets 14, 16 near the opening 22, thereby increasing the deformation strength or deformation elasticity, making it possible to more stably maintain the opening shape when deformed into the open state.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to use the same material as the first, second, third and fourth sheets 14, 16, 32, 34 during the manufacturing process, which makes it possible to reduce the effort and cost required for manufacturing a plurality of different materials.

[0057] Next, a medical bag 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. As shown in Fig. 7, the medical bag 50 according to this embodiment also includes a first sheet 14 and a second sheet 16 as two main body sheets, and a third sheet 52 and a fourth sheet 54 as outer sheets arranged on the outer surfaces of the first and second sheets 14 and 16. The first and second sheets 14 and 16 have the same structure as those in the first embodiment, and the third and fourth sheets 52 and 54 in this embodiment are substantially the same in shape as those in the first and second sheets 14 and 16. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment are used to designate the substantially same members and parts as those in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] That is, an opening slit 56 extending linearly in the approximately width direction (left-right direction in Figs. 5 and 6) is provided in the vertical middle portion of the third and fourth sheets 52, 54 of this embodiment, and the opening slit 56 is formed penetrating the third and fourth sheets 52, 54. Note that, in the third and fourth sheets 52, 54 of this embodiment, a pair of insertion slits 36, 36 are formed in the upper portion, as in the first embodiment, and an opening slit 56 is formed at a position below and away from the insertion slits 36, 36. Also, a scale 42 is provided on the outer surface of the third sheet 52 below the opening slit 56.

[0059] The third sheet 52 is overlapped over the outer surface of the first sheet 14 over almost the entire surface thereof, as in the first embodiment, and is fixed at the four sides of the periphery except for the central portion. As a result, a closed space is formed between the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 52, and the closed space is connected to the external space through an opening slit 56 penetrating the third sheet 52. As a result, a pocket portion 58 with the opening slit 56 as an upper opening is formed between the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 52. Similarly, the fourth sheet 54 is overlapped over the outer surface of the second sheet 16 over almost the entire surface thereof, and is fixed at the four sides of the periphery. A pocket portion 58 with the opening slit 56 as an upper opening is also formed between the second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 54. That is, in this embodiment, pockets 58 are formed on both the front and back sides of the medical bag 50 (outside the first and second sheets 14, 16) that open to the outside and into which any object can be inserted.

[0060] In the medical bag 50 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the third and fourth sheets 52, 54 having the insertion portion 38 into which the fingers 44 are inserted are provided without being fixed to the central portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16, as in the first embodiment, so that the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved, such as the ability to easily keep the opening open while avoiding a decrease in durability of the central portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16. In particular, in this embodiment, a pocket portion 58 is provided on the outside of the medical bag 50, so that a member such as a syringe that is additionally required for administration of a medicinal solution using the medical bag 50 can be stored in the pocket portion 58.

[0061] Next, Figs. 8 and 9 show a medical bag 60 as a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 10, the medical bag 60 of this embodiment also includes a first sheet 14 and a second sheet 16 as two main body sheets, and a third sheet 62 and a fourth sheet 64 as outer sheets arranged on the outer surfaces of the first and second sheets 14 and 16. In this embodiment, the shapes of the third and fourth sheets 62 and 64 are different from those of the first and second sheets 14 and 16. In particular, in this embodiment, the widthwise dimensions of the third and fourth sheets 62 and 64 are approximately equal to those of the first and second sheets 14 and 16, and the vertical dimensions of the third and fourth sheets 62 and 64 are smaller than those of the first and second sheets 14 and 16, approximately half.

[0062] In this embodiment, the third and fourth sheets 62, 64 are fixed to the first and second sheets 14, 16 at their upper side portions and both widthwise side portions. That is, in this embodiment, the third and fourth sheets 62, 64 are welded to approximately the upper half of the first and second sheets 14, 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, approximately the lower half of the first and second sheets 14, 16 is exposed to the outside, and in this embodiment in particular, the scale 42 on the approximately lower half of the first sheet 14 exposed to the outside can be directly seen from the outside. On the other hand, the lower side portions of the third and fourth sheets 62, 64 are not fixed to the vertical middle portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16, and the space between the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 62 and the space between the second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 64 are open downward.

[0063] Furthermore, since the third and fourth sheets 62, 64 are provided with insertion slits 36, 36 whose vertical dimensions are smaller than those of the third and fourth sheets 62, 64, even in this embodiment, the insertion slits 36, 36 are provided at positions closer to the upper edge portions than the lower edge portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16.

[0064] In this embodiment as well, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved, such as being able to easily keep the opening open while avoiding a decrease in durability of the central portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16.

[0065] In particular, in this embodiment, the lower side portions of the third and fourth sheets 62, 64 are not fixed to the vertical middle portions of the first and second sheets 14, 16, so that the degree of freedom of deformation of the third and fourth sheets 62, 64 can be further increased, and even when the finger (44) is inserted into the insertion portion 38 and the opening 22 is maintained in an open state, deformation of the first and second sheets 14, 16 and the action of the binding force can be more effectively avoided. In addition, because the space between the first sheet 14 and the third sheet 62 and the space between the second sheet 16 and the fourth sheet 64 open downward, even if a foreign object gets into these spaces through the insertion slit 36, it can be easily removed.

[0066] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the specific descriptions in the embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms with various changes, modifications, improvements, etc. based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0067] For example, in the above embodiment, the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are manufactured with the ridges 24a and the grooves 24b fixed in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, when the front sheet and the back sheet are heat-sealed, the ridges and the grooves (or the protrusions constituting the grooves) can be sandwiched between the front sheet and the back sheet in a mutually interlocking state, so that the front sheet and the ridges and the back sheet and the grooves can be fixed at the same time as the front sheet and the back sheet are fixed.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the ridges 24a and grooves 24b are fixed to the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 as separate bodies, but they may be formed integrally. That is, the front sheet and the back sheet may be partially thickened or thinned to form the ridges and grooves that constitute the plastic fastener.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the plastic fastener 24 is used as a member that can open and close the opening 22 of the storage area 12, but instead of or in addition to the plastic fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener that spreads over a surface or a dot-like uneven surface may be used, and the opening of the storage area may be closed by closing these. Of course, in the present invention, a member that can open and close the opening of the storage area is not essential, but closing the opening of the storage area can prevent falling bacteria from entering the liquid body.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the insertion slit 36 ​​(insertion hole 40), i.e., the insertion portion 38, was provided on the outside of the plastic fastener 24, but the insertion portion may be formed at a position offset from the plastic fastener in the vertical direction, for example, the insertion portion may be provided at a position offset downward from the plastic fastener.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16 are formed to have substantially the same shape and are made of the same material, but the two main body sheets may have different shapes or may be made of different materials. That is, the shapes of the medical bag and the storage area formed by these main body sheets are not limited in any way. Furthermore, the main body sheet may be partially formed of different materials, for example, the deformation rigidity may be partially increased or decreased. Similarly, the outer sheet, etc. may be partially formed of different materials. That is, each sheet constituting the medical bag is not limited to being formed of a single layer, and for example, a printed layer or a welding layer (sealant layer) may be laminated on the front side and / or back side of the base material layer, and may be structured in layers according to the desired functions.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the sheets and the like are fixed by thermal welding, but any conventionally known fixing means such as welding or adhesion other than thermal welding may be used.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the hanging part 18 (the locking hole 20) and the port member 30 are provided in the center of the width of the first and second sheets 14, 16, and extend straight downward when the medical bag 10, 50, 60 is hung on the stand. As a result, the straight lines constituting the scale 42 on the third sheet 32, 52, 62 extend in the width direction so as to be easily visible when the medical bag 10, 50, 60 is hung straight, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the locking hole may be provided on one side in the width direction at the upper end part of the main body sheet, and the port member may be provided on the other side in the width direction at the lower end part of the main body sheet. As a result, the medical bag can be hung on the stand at an incline with respect to the up-down direction. In such a case, the straight lines constituting the scale may extend at an incline with respect to the width direction in accordance with the hanging direction of the medical bag so as to be easily visible.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a pair of insertion holes 40 (insertion slits 36) for inserting fingers 44 are provided facing each other in the width direction so that fingers can be inserted from both lateral directions, but at least one insertion hole may be provided. For example, if only one insertion hole is provided, fingers may be inserted only from one of the lateral directions, or, for example, in the above embodiment, the insertion slit (insertion hole) may be formed in the widthwise central portion of the outer sheet so that fingers can be inserted from both lateral directions.

[0075] In the above embodiment, taking into consideration differences in handedness, a pair of insertion holes 40 are provided on the left and right sides as openings for inserting fingertips into the insertion portion 38, but the insertion portion may be opened on only one of the left and right sides, and the tip of a finger inserted into the insertion portion may remain within the insertion portion. However, even when a pair of insertion holes (insertion slits) are provided on the left and right sides, the tip of the finger may remain within the insertion portion covered from the outside by the outer sheet without protruding from the other insertion hole (insertion slit).

[0076] Furthermore, as a means for stably opening the opening of the storage area, a pull tab that can be pulled with the fingers may be provided on the outer surface of the medical bag (i.e., for example, the outer surface of the outer sheet). That is, the opening of the medical bag can be opened widely by gripping the opening of the medical bag with the fingers of one hand (e.g., the fingers of the left hand in the above embodiment) and pulling the pull tab with the fingers of the other hand (e.g., the fingers of the right hand). Such a pull tab may be formed separately from the medical bag and later fixed, or may be pulled by inserting the fingers into the insertion part on the other hand's side (i.e., the pull tab may be constituted by the insertion part), or may be pulled by pinching the hanging part (i.e., the pull tab may be constituted by the hanging part).

[0077] Furthermore, the main body sheet and the outer sheet may be fixed in an overlapping state over substantially the entire surface, or, for example, the outer sheet may be fixed in a curved and slack state in the vertical or width direction relative to the main body sheet.

[0078] Furthermore, the number of insertion parts and insertion holes is not limited in any way. For example, a plurality of insertion slits extending in the vertical direction may be provided in the vertical direction, and the number of insertion holes in the vertical direction may be equal to the number of fingers to be inserted, or the main body sheet and the inner sheet may be fixed at a plurality of points in the vertical direction inside the insertion part, so that the insertion part is divided in the vertical direction into a number equal to the number of fingers to be inserted.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the third sheet 32, 52, 62 and the fourth sheet 34, 54, 64 are all of the same shape, but for example, the outer sheet of the first or second embodiment (the third sheet 32, 52 or the fourth sheet 34, 54) may be used as one outer sheet, and the outer sheet of the third embodiment (the third sheet 62 or the fourth sheet 64) may be used as the other outer sheet. Alternatively, in the second embodiment, the third and fourth sheets 52, 54 are provided with the opening slits 56, 56, and the pockets 58, 58 are provided on both the front and back sides of the medical bag 50, but either the third sheet or the fourth sheet may have the shape of the first embodiment or the shape of the third embodiment that does not have an opening slit, and the pockets may be provided only on either the front or back sides of the medical bag. The two outer sheets (third sheet and fourth sheet) may extend downward from the lower sides of the two main sheets (first sheet and second sheet), and the lower side portions of the two outer sheets may be fixed to each other without being overlapped by the two main sheets. In this way, the opening operation force applied to the two outer sheets can be efficiently transmitted to the openings of the two main sheets via the upper sides of the two outer sheets. In this case, the two outer sheets may extend outward in the width direction from both side portions of the two main sheets, and the both side portions of the two outer sheets may be fixed to each other without being overlapped by the two main sheets. In addition, in the above embodiment, both side widthwise edge portions of the third sheet 32, 52, 62 and the fourth sheet 34, 54, 64 may be extended outward in the widthwise direction farther than the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16, and the both side widthwise edge portions of the third sheet 32, 52, 62 and the fourth sheet 34, 54, 64 may be fixed to each other without being fixed to the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 16.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the insertion slit 36 ​​extends linearly in the vertical direction, but as long as it extends generally in the vertical direction, it may be inclined relative to the vertical direction, or may be curved or bent. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the opening slit 56 extends linearly in the width direction, but it may be inclined relative to the width direction, or may be curved or bent. However, the opening slit does not have to extend in the width direction, and may extend in the vertical direction as long as it can become an opening of the pocket portion.

[0081] The present invention is particularly suitable as a bag used for enteral nutrition, which has a scale for checking the filling amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10, 50, 60: medical bag, 12: storage area, 14: first sheet (main sheet), 16: second sheet (main sheet), 22: opening, 32, 52, 62: third sheet (outer sheet), 34, 54, 64: fourth sheet (outer sheet), 36: insertion slit, 38: insertion portion, 40: insertion hole, 44: fingers, 56: opening slit, 58: pocket portion

Claims

[Claim 1] A medical bag in which a storage area having an opening at the top is formed by fixing both side edges and a bottom edge of two main sheets that are overlapped with each other, a medical bag comprising: an outer sheet disposed on each of the outer surfaces of the two main sheets in an overlapping state over substantially the entire surface thereof; the outer sheet is overlapped without being fixed to the central portion except for the outer peripheral portion of the main sheet; the outer sheet is fixed to both side edge portions and the upper edge portion of the main sheet; while the lower edge portions of the two main sheets are each fixed to the lower edge portions of the outer sheets; each of the outer sheets has an insertion hole formed therein extending vertically from both side edge portions toward the widthwise center, for inserting fingers between the outer sheet and the main sheet; and the outer sheet is formed in a continuous sheet shape with no slits formed in the areas above and below the insertion hole extending to the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion fixed to the main sheet.

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