Male connector and medical device

Abstract

A male connector according to the present disclosure is capable of being connected to a female connector equipped with an elastic valve element, and comprises: a housing; a flow passage pipe member which has an opening formed therein; and a valve element. The housing comprises a housing body and a transfer body that either deforms or transfers the valve element so as to cause the valve element to undergo a configurational change between a first configuration in which the opening of the flow passage pipe member is closed by the valve element and a second configuration in which the opening of the flow passage pipe member is freed from the valve element. The transfer body is provided with a first locking part capable of locking the female connector in the first configuration. The housing body is provided with a second locking part capable of locking the female connector in the second configuration.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to male connectors and medical devices. [Background technology]

[0002] When administering infusion to a patient, it is necessary to form a path (infusion line) for transporting fluid such as medicinal liquid. Infusion lines are generally formed by connecting an infusion tube or the like. Also, when injecting a fluid such as medicinal liquid to be administered to a patient into a medicinal liquid bag, it is necessary to connect the medicinal liquid bag to a syringe or the like. Male connectors and female connectors are used to detachably connect different components to each other in this way.

[0003] Some liquid medicines contain drugs designated as highly toxic substances, such as anticancer drugs, and medical personnel must take great care not to allow such dangerous liquid medicines or other fluids to come into contact with their fingers or other parts of their body when attaching or removing male or female connectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 056465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a male connector having a configuration capable of preventing fluids such as medicinal liquids from leaking out when the male connector is disconnected from the female connector. The male connector described in Patent Document 1 can prevent liquids such as medicinal liquids from adhering to the fingers of medical staff.

[0006] The male connector described in Patent Document 1 has room for further improvement in terms of connection stability with the female connector.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a male connector that improves connection stability with a female connector and can prevent fluids such as medicinal solutions from leaking to the outside when the connection with the female connector is released, and a medical instrument equipped with this male connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A male connector according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a male connector connectable to a female connector having an elastic valve body, the male connector comprising: a housing defining a hollow portion; a flow path pipe member extending into the hollow portion and having an opening formed at one end side in the extending direction; and a valve body located within the hollow portion and capable of closing the opening of the flow path pipe member, the housing comprising: a housing main body; and a movable body that deforms or moves the valve body by moving in the extending direction relative to the housing main body so as to change its shape between a first configuration in which the opening of the flow path pipe member is closed by the valve body and a second configuration in which the opening of the flow path pipe member is released from the valve body, the movable body comprising a first locking portion capable of locking the female connector when the valve body and the elastic valve body of the female connector abut in the first configuration, and the housing main body comprising a second locking portion capable of locking the female connector when the first locking portion locks the female connector in the second configuration.

[0009] As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first engagement portion of the moving body is provided in a single portion or in a plurality of portions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the flow path pipe member.

[0010] As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first engaging portion of the movable body is movable in a radial direction of the flow path pipe member by the movable body moving in the extension direction relative to the housing main body.

[0011] As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing main body is provided with only one second locking portion or with a plurality of second locking portions spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction of the flow path pipe member.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second engagement portion of the housing body is released from the state in which it engages the female connector, the restoring force of the deformed valve body or the biasing force of a biasing member that biases the valve body or the moving body toward the one end side in the extension direction causes the moving body to move in the extension direction relative to the housing body, and the shape changes from the second form to the first form.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, after the form changes from the second form to the first form, the restoring force or the biasing force causes the movable body to continue to move in the extension direction relative to the housing main body, thereby releasing the first engaging portion from engaging the female connector.

[0014] As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving body comprises a first moving body and a second moving body that are movable relative to each other in the extension direction, and the second moving body is movable in the extension direction relative to the first moving body and the housing body while the first moving body is engaged so as not to move in the extension direction relative to the housing body.

[0015] A medical device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes the above male connector. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a male connector that improves the connection stability with a female connector and can prevent fluids such as medicinal solutions from leaking to the outside when the connection with the female connector is released, and a medical instrument equipped with this male connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a male connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and a female connector connectable to the male connector; [Diagram 2] 2 is a side view of the male connector and the female connector shown in FIG. 1 before they are connected to each other. [Diagram 3]3 is a side view of the male connector and the female connector shown in FIG. 1 before they are connected together, as seen from a position different from that of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view showing a housing main body of the male connector shown in FIG. 1 alone. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing a first movable body of the male connector shown in FIG. 1 alone. [Figure 8] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a flow path pipe member, a valve body, and a second moving body of the male connector shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as FIG. 4, showing the male connector and the female connector shown in FIG. 1 in the middle of connection. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and the female connector in the middle of being connected shown in FIG. 9, taken at the same position as FIG. 5. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as in FIGS. 4 and 9, showing a first connected state of the male connector and the female connector shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and the female connector in the first connected state shown in FIG. 11, taken at the same position as in FIG. 5 and FIG. 10. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as in FIGS. 4, 9 and 11, showing a second connected state of the male connector and the female connector shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector and the female connector in the second connected state shown in FIG. 13, taken at the same position as in FIG. 5, FIG. 10, and FIG. 12. [Figure 15] 2 is a diagram showing the movement of a second movable body relative to a first movable body of the male connector shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 16] 1 illustrates a medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a female connector different from the female connector shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the male connector shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a male connector and a medical device according to the present disclosure will be illustrated and described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components.

[0019] 1 is a perspective view showing a male connector 1 as one embodiment of a male connector according to the present disclosure, and a female connector 2 connectable to the male connector 1. The male connector 1 of this embodiment is a so-called "closed male connector" in which a flow path pipe main body 46 (see FIG. 4 etc.), which will be described later, serving as a male lure is not exposed to the outside when not connected to the female connector 2.

[0020] 2 and 3 are side views of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 shown in FIG. 1. Each of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is a side view seen from a different position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 3. The male connector 1 and the female connector 2 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are shown in a separate state before being connected to each other (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "pre-connection state"). Although details will be described later, the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 of this embodiment can be connected by simply moving them closer to each other in the extending direction A of the flow path pipe member 40 from the state shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, in the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 according to this embodiment, one end side that is the downstream side of the flow path of a fluid such as a drug solution in the infusion line (the right side in FIG. 1, and the upward direction in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5) is referred to as the "distal side", and the other end side that is the upstream side of the flow path of the fluid in the infusion line (the left side in FIG. 1, and the downward direction in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5) is referred to as the "proximal side".

[0021] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the male connector 1 includes a housing 10, a flow path pipe member 40, and a valve body 50. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the housing 10 defines a hollow portion 11. The flow path pipe member 40 extends in the hollow portion 11 of the housing 10. An opening 42 is formed on the distal side of the flow path pipe member 40 in the extending direction A. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the valve body 50 is located in the hollow portion 11 of the housing 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the valve body 50 closes the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40. Although details will be described later, the male connector 1 can be changed between a first state (see Fig. 4, etc.) in which the valve body 50 closes the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40, and a second state (see Figs. 13 and 14) in which the valve body 50 opens the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40.

[0022] Hereinafter, the extension direction A of the flow path pipe member 40 will be simply referred to as "extension direction A." Additionally, the radial direction B of an imaginary circle about the central axis O of the flow path pipe member 40 will be simply referred to as "radial direction B." Furthermore, the circumferential direction C about the central axis O of the flow path pipe member 40 will be simply referred to as "circumferential direction C."

[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the female connector 2 includes a housing 60 and an elastic valve body 70. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the housing 60 defines a male connector insertion portion 61 and a flow path 66 as a hollow portion. The elastic valve body 70 is located at the proximal end of the male connector insertion portion 61 of the housing 60 and closes the male connector insertion portion 61. A top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70 is exposed to the outside of the female connector 2. A flow path pipe main body 46 (see Fig. 4, etc.) of the flow path pipe member 40 of the male connector 1, which will be described later, is inserted into the male connector insertion portion 61 from the top surface 72 side of the elastic valve body 70.

[0024] The configurations of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 will be described in detail below. For ease of explanation, the housing 10 of the male connector 1 will be referred to as the "first housing 10" and the housing 60 of the female connector 2 will be referred to as the "second housing 60". Also, for ease of explanation, the flow path 41 of the male connector 1 will be referred to as the "first flow path 41" and the flow path 66 of the female connector 2 will be referred to as the "second flow path 66".

[0025] <Male connector 1> [1st Housing 10] The first housing 10 includes a housing main body 20 and a movable body 30 that is movable relative to the housing main body 20. The hollow portion 11 of the first housing 10 is composed of a hollow portion 29 defined by the housing main body 20 and a hollow portion 39 defined by the movable body 30.

[0026] [[Housing body 20]] 6 is a perspective view showing the housing main body 20 alone. The housing main body 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21 extending in an extension direction A and a locking claw portion 22 protruding from the cylindrical portion 21. The cylindrical portion 21 defines openings 21a penetrating in the radial direction B at positions facing each other in the radial direction B. In addition, a plurality of recesses 21c recessed toward the proximal side are formed on the end face on the distal side in the extension direction A of the cylindrical portion 21. In this embodiment, four recesses 21c spaced apart in the circumferential direction C are formed on the end face of the cylindrical portion 21.

[0027] 6, a long groove 21b extending along the extension direction A is formed on the inner surface of the tubular portion 21. The proximal end of the long groove 21b extends to the proximal end of the tubular portion 21 and is open at the proximal end of the tubular portion 21. In contrast, the distal end of the long groove 21b terminates at the position of a wall portion 21b1 formed on the inner surface of the tubular portion 21.

[0028] The locking claw portion 22 includes a support portion 22a, a claw main body portion 22b, and an operating portion 22c.

[0029] The support portion 22a of the locking claw portion 22 protrudes outward in the radial direction B from the cylindrical portion 21. The support portion 22a in this embodiment supports the claw main body portion 22b and the operating portion 22c. The support portions 22a in this embodiment are provided at positions opposing each other in the radial direction B of the cylindrical portion 21. Specifically, the two support portions 22a in this embodiment are disposed at the same positions in the circumferential direction C as the two openings 21a of the cylindrical portion 21.

[0030] The claw body portion 22b protrudes from the support portion 22a toward the distal side in the extension direction A. The claw body portion 22b has a locking claw 22b1 at its distal end portion, which is its tip portion, that protrudes toward the inside in the radial direction B. The claw body portion 22b is swingable in the radial direction B with the support portion 22a as a fulcrum. When the claw body portion 22b swings in the radial direction B, the locking claw 22b1 also moves in the radial direction B. In this embodiment, the locking claw 22b1 of the claw body portion 22b is inserted into the opening 21a of the tubular portion 21 in the pre-connection state shown in FIG. 1 etc.

[0031] The distal end surface of the locking claw 22b1 includes an inclined surface 25a that inclines from the outer side to the inner side in the radial direction B toward the proximal side in the extending direction A. The inclined surface 25a in this embodiment extends to the inner end in the radial direction B of the locking claw 22b1.

[0032] The proximal end face of the locking claw 22b1 includes a hooking surface 25b that is substantially parallel to the radial direction B. The hooking surface 25b in this embodiment extends to the inner end in the radial direction B of the locking claw 22b1.

[0033] The operating portion 22c protrudes from the support portion 22a toward the proximal side in the extension direction A. The operating portion 22c is capable of swinging in the radial direction B with the support portion 22a as a fulcrum. By moving the operating portion 22c inward in the radial direction B, the claw main body portion 22b moves outward in the radial direction B with the support portion 22a as a fulcrum. In other words, by swinging the operating portion 22c in the radial direction B, the claw main body portion 22b can be moved in the radial direction B.

[0034] [[Mobile 30]] The movable body 30 is movable in the extension direction A relative to the housing main body 20. The movable body 30 can deform or move (deform in this embodiment) the valve body so as to change between a first form and a second form by moving in the extension direction A relative to the housing main body 20. The "first form" is a form in which the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40 is closed by the valve body 50. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the valve body 50 covers one end of the flow path pipe member 40 on the distal side in the extension direction A and closes the opening 42, thereby realizing the first form. The "second form" is a form in which the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40 is opened by the valve body 50. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the flow path pipe member 40 penetrates the valve body 50 and the opening 42 is exposed on the distal side of the valve body 50, thereby realizing the second form (see Figs. 13 and 14).

[0035] The moving body 30 of this embodiment includes a first moving body 31 and a second moving body 32. The first moving body 31 and the second moving body 32 are movable in an extension direction A relative to each other.

[0036] 7 is a perspective view showing the first movable body 31 alone. The first movable body 31 includes a tubular main body portion 31a and a locking claw portion 31b. The tubular main body portion 31a has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. As shown in FIG. 7, the main body portion 31a defines elongated holes 31a1 penetrating in the radial direction B at opposing positions in the radial direction B. The elongated holes 31a1 are openings that are elongated in the extension direction A.

[0037] Further, the main body 31a includes protrusions 31a2 protruding outward in the radial direction B at opposing positions in the radial direction B. As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 31a2 are fitted into the long groove 21b (see FIG. 6) of the housing main body 20 described above. The first moving body 31 can move in the extending direction A relative to the housing main body 20 by the protrusions 31a2 moving along the long groove 21b. The first moving body 31 can move distally in the extending direction A relative to the housing main body 20 until the protrusions 31a2 abut against the wall 21b1 (see FIG. 6) of the long groove 21b. In other words, the long groove 21b of the housing main body 20 is a guide groove that guides the movement of the first moving body 31 in the extending direction A. Further, the wall portion 21b1 of the long groove portion 21b of the housing body 20 abuts against the first moving body 31, and functions as a movement restricting wall that restricts the first moving body 31 from moving any further in the extending direction A toward the distal side.

[0038] The locking claw portion 31b protrudes from the main body portion 31a to the outside in the radial direction B. More specifically, the locking claw portion 31b of this embodiment includes an arm portion 31b1 protruding from the main body portion 31a to the outside in the radial direction B in a direction inclined with respect to the extending direction A, and a locking claw 31b2 protruding from a distal end portion, which is the tip portion of the arm portion 31b1, toward the inside in the radial direction B. The arm portion 31b1 can swing in the radial direction B with a proximal end portion, which is the base end portion connected to the main body portion 31a, as a fulcrum. An engagement surface 33 facing the proximal side in the extending direction A is provided on the surface of the arm portion 31b1 on the outer side in the radial direction B. This engagement surface 33 engages with the end surface of the housing main body 20 on the distal side in the extending direction A described above. More specifically, the engagement surface 33 of this embodiment abuts and engages with a recess 21c formed on the end surface of the housing main body 20 on the distal side in the extending direction A. When the engagement surface 33 engages with the end surface of the housing main body 20, the movement of the first moving body 31 toward the proximal side in the extension direction A relative to the housing main body 20 is restricted.

[0039] Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the flow path pipe member 40, the valve body 50, and the second moving body 32 of the male connector 1. As shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and Fig. 8, the second moving body 32 includes a substantially cylindrical outer tube portion 32a, an annular flange portion 32b, and an inner tube portion 32c.

[0040] The outer surface of the outer cylinder portion 32a is provided with a protrusion 32a1 that protrudes outward in the radial direction B. The protrusions 32a1 are provided at positions facing each other in the radial direction B. The protrusions 32a1 fit into the long hole 31a1 of the first moving body 31 described above. The protrusions 32a1 are movable in the extension direction A within the long hole 31a1. This allows the second moving body 32 to move in the extension direction A relative to the first moving body 31 within a range in which the protrusions 32a1 are movable in the extension direction A within the long hole 31a1.

[0041] The flange portion 32b protrudes inward in the radial direction B from the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion 32a. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the flange portion 32b abuts against the distal surface of the flange portion 58 of the valve body 50. Therefore, when the second moving body 32 is moved to the proximal side in the extension direction A, the flange portion 32b presses the flange portion 58 of the valve body 50 to the proximal side. As a result, the valve body 50 can be compressed and deformed to the proximal side in the extension direction A by moving the second moving body 32 to the proximal side in the extension direction A. Conversely, when the valve body 50 in a state in which it is compressed and deformed to the proximal side in the extension direction A extends to the distal side in the extension direction A due to a restoring force, the flange portion 58 of the valve body 50 presses the flange portion 32b of the second moving body 32 to the distal side. As a result, the second moving body 32 can be returned to its original position. This will be described in detail later.

[0042] The inner cylinder portion 32c protrudes from the inner edge of the flange portion 32b toward the distal side in the extending direction A. The inner cylinder portion 32c is concentrically disposed inside in the radial direction B of the outer cylinder portion 32a.

[0043] An annular protrusion 32c1 is provided on the inner surface of the inner cylinder portion 32c, protruding inward in the radial direction B. The annular protrusion 32c1 fits into an annular groove 57a (see FIG. 8) on the outer surface of the tip portion 57 of the valve body 50. This makes it difficult for the tip portion 57 housed in the inner cylinder portion 32c to fall out of the inner cylinder portion 32c to the proximal side in the extension direction A.

[0044] Materials for the housing main body 20, first moving body 31 and second moving body 32 that constitute the first housing 10 include, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA); polyvinyl chloride; polyvinylidene chloride; polystyrene; polyamide; polyimide; polyamideimide; polycarbonate; poly-(4-methylpentene-1); ionomers; acrylic resins; polymethyl methacrylate; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS resins); acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (AS resins); butadiene-styrene. Examples of the resin materials include copolymers, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polycyclohexane terephthalate (PCT), polyethers, polyether ketones (PEK), polyether ether ketones (PEEK), polyetherimides, polyacetals (POM), polyphenylene oxides, modified polyphenylene oxides, polysulfones, polyether sulfones, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylates, aromatic polyesters (liquid crystal polymers), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and other fluorine-based resins. Blends or polymer alloys containing one or more of these may also be used. In addition, various glass materials, ceramic materials, and metal materials may also be used.

[0045] [Flow path pipe member 40] The flow path pipe member 40 defines a first flow path 41 inside. The first flow path 41 communicates with the outside through an opening 42. The flow path pipe member 40 is connected to the proximal end of the housing body 20 constituting the proximal end of the first housing 10. As a result, the proximal side of the hollow portion 29 of the housing body 20 is sealed by the flow path pipe member 40. The flow path pipe member 40 has a medical device connection portion 43 at the proximal end that can be connected to a medical device such as a medical tube. The flow path pipe member 40 also has a flow path pipe body 46 that extends into the hollow portion 11 of the first housing 10 and has an opening 42 at its distal end. The first flow path 41 communicates from the proximal end of the medical device connection portion 43 to the opening 42 at the distal end of the flow path pipe body 46. The flow path pipe member 40 also has a tip portion 44 at its distal end that reduces in diameter toward the distal side in the extension direction A. In this embodiment, the tip portion 44 has a shape consisting of two tapered portions with different diameter reduction rates, but may have another tapered shape, such as a cone shape. The distal end of the tip portion 44 may be blunt and formed flat along the radial direction B.

[0046] The flow path pipe member 40 also includes an annular flange portion 45 that protrudes outward in the radial direction B from the medical instrument connection portion 43. The proximal end of a bellows tube portion 56 of the valve body 50, which will be described later, is supported by the distal surface of the flange portion 45.

[0047] The flow path pipe member 40 can be made of the same material as the first housing 10 described above.

[0048] [Valve body 50] The valve body 50 covers the flow path pipe main body 46 within the first housing 10. Specifically, the valve body 50 of this embodiment includes a bellows tube portion 56 that is elastically deformable in the extension direction A, a tip portion 57 that is continuous with the bellows tube portion 56 so as to close the distal side of the hollow portion of the bellows tube portion 56 and is housed within the inner tube portion 32c of the second moving body 32, and a flange portion 58 that protrudes outward in the radial direction B from the bellows tube portion 56.

[0049] The proximal end of the bellows tube portion 56 is supported by the flow path pipe member 40. More specifically, with the flow path pipe main body 46 of the flow path pipe member 40 covered by the bellows tube portion 56 and the tip portion 57, the proximal end of the bellows tube portion 56 is supported in contact with the distal surface of the flange portion 45 of the flow path pipe member 40.

[0050] The tip portion 57 is held in the inner cylinder portion 32c of the second moving body 32 of the moving body 30. As shown in FIG. 8, an annular groove 57a is formed on the outer surface of the tip portion 57 of this embodiment. As described above, the annular protrusion 32c1 (see FIG. 4) provided on the inner surface of the inner cylinder portion 32c fits into the annular groove 57a on the outer surface of the tip portion 57. This makes it difficult for the tip portion 57 to fall out of the inner cylinder portion 32c to the proximal side in the extending direction A. Furthermore, the tip portion 57 is configured not to fall out of the inner cylinder portion 32c to the distal side in the extending direction A by the flange portion 58 abutting against the flange portion 32b of the second moving body 32 described above. In this way, the tip portion 57 is maintained in a state of being accommodated in the inner cylinder portion 32c of the second moving body 32.

[0051] In addition, a slit 51 is formed in the tip portion 57, penetrating from the proximal side to the distal side. In addition, a cone-shaped protrusion 52a protruding to the distal side is formed in the center of the top surface 52, which is the end face on the distal side of the tip portion 57. Providing the protrusion 52a in the center of the top surface 52 facilitates close contact with the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70 of the female connector 2, which will be described later. Therefore, when the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are disconnected, liquids such as medicinal liquids are less likely to adhere to the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 and the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70. This will be described in detail later.

[0052] 1 to 5, the male connector 1 before connection is in a first form in which the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40 is closed by the valve body 50. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the distal end of the flow path pipe member 40a, including the opening 42, is covered by the valve body 50, thereby closing the opening 42.

[0053] The valve body 50 preferably has a Shore A hardness of 10 or more and 70 or less, and more preferably has a Shore A hardness of 20 or more and 50 or less. If the hardness is less than Shore A hardness 10, when the pressure in the first flow path 41 increases, fluids such as chemical liquids may leak to the outside. If the hardness is more than Shore A hardness 70, the contact between the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70 of the female connector 2 may be insufficient, and fluids such as chemical liquids may leak to the outside when the connection with the female connector 2 is released. In addition, if the valve body 50 has a Shore A hardness of 20 or more and 50 or less, it is possible to ensure suitable adhesion with the female connector 2, and more reliably suppress fluids such as chemical liquids from leaking to the outside when the connection with the female connector 2 is released.

[0054] The valve body 50 is molded and formed to be elastically deformable. Examples of materials for the valve body 50 include various rubber materials such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, acrylic rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, hydrin rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, and fluororubber, and various thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-based, polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polybutadiene-based, trans-polyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, and chlorinated polyethylene-based, and may be a mixture of one or more of these. The valve body 50 can be formed from different materials or the same material.

[0055] <Female connector 2> [Second housing 60] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second housing 60 includes a cap 62 that defines a male connector insertion portion 61 into which the male connector 1 is inserted from the outside, and a holder 63 that supports the cap 62 and defines a second flow path 66. The male connector insertion portion 61 is a hollow portion defined by the cap 62 and the holder 63. The second flow path 66 is a hollow portion defined by the holder 63. The male connector insertion portion 61 is defined on the proximal side of the second flow path 66. The hollow portion defined by the second housing 60 is composed of the male connector insertion portion 61 and the second flow path 66.

[0056] An annular groove 65 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the cap 62 as a locked portion into which the locking claw 31b2 of the locking claw portion 31b of the first movable body 31 can be fitted. The locking claw 22b1 of the locking claw portion 22 of the housing body 20 can also be fitted into the annular groove 65. The fitting of the locking claw 31b2 and the locking claw 22b1 into the annular groove 65 will be described in detail later (see Figs. 9 to 14). The cap 62 is formed of two members that sandwich and fix the elastic valve body 70 from both sides in the extension direction A.

[0057] The second housing 60 can be made of the same material as the first housing 10 of the male connector 1 described above.

[0058] [Elastic valve body 70] The elastic valve body 70 has a slit 71 formed therethrough from the proximal side to the distal side. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70 is exposed to the outside. The elastic valve body 70 can be formed from the same material as the valve body 50 of the male connector 1 described above. The elastic valve body 70 preferably has a Shore A hardness of 20 or more and 60 or less. In addition, the elastic valve body 70 preferably has a hardness greater than that of the valve body 50 of the male connector 1. By making the hardness of the elastic valve body 70 greater than that of the valve body 50, it becomes easier to suppress the amount of deformation of the elastic valve body 70 when the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are connected while suppressing leakage of fluid such as a drug solution to the outside when the pressure in the second flow path 66 increases. If the amount of deformation of the elastic valve body 70 is large, negative pressure is generated in the second flow path 66 when the male connector 1 is removed from the female connector 2, and blood may be sucked from the patient's blood vessel communicating with the second flow path 66.

[0059] <Connection operation of male connector 1 and female connector 2> Hereinafter, the connecting operation of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 9 to 15. As described above, Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing the pre-connection state of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2. Figs. 9, 11, and 13 are cross-sectional views at the same position as Fig. 4, with Fig. 9 showing the intermediate connection state, Fig. 11 showing the first connection state, and Fig. 13 showing the second connection state, respectively. Similarly, Figs. 10, 12, and 14 are cross-sectional views at the same position as Fig. 5, with Fig. 10 showing the intermediate connection state, Fig. 12 showing the first connection state, and Fig. 14 showing the second connection state, respectively. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the second moving body 32 from the intermediate connection state shown in Figs. 9 and 10 to the first connection state shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Details of the first connection state and the second connection state will be described later.

[0060] The male connector 1 and the female connector 2 can be connected by moving them closer to each other in the extension direction A from the pre-connection state shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figures 9 and 10 show a state in which the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are moved closer to each other in the extension direction A from the pre-connection state shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 of the male connector 1 and the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70 of the female connector 2 are abutted against each other. In this way, when the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 of this embodiment are connected, the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 of the male connector 1 and the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70 of the female connector 2 first come into contact with each other. When the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are moved further closer to each other in the extension direction A, the top surface 62a of the cap 62 of the female connector 2 abuts against the distal end 32c2 of the inner cylinder portion 32c of the second moving body 32 of the male connector 1. Figures 9 and 10 show a state in which the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 of the male connector 1 abuts against the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70 of the female connector 2, and the distal end 32c2 of the second moving body 32 of the male connector 1 abuts against the top surface 62a of the cap 62 of the female connector 2.

[0061] When the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are brought closer to each other in the extension direction A from the state shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the top surface 62a of the cap 62 of the female connector 2 presses the distal end 32c2 of the inner cylinder portion 32c of the second moving body 32 of the male connector 1 toward the proximal side in the extension direction A. As a result, the second moving body 32 moves toward the proximal side in the extension direction A from the state shown in Fig. 15(a) to the state shown in Fig. 15(b). At this time, as shown in Fig. 15(a) and Fig. 15(b), the second moving body 32 moves relative to the first moving body 31 and the housing main body 20. At this time, the first moving body 31 maintains a state in which it is locked so as not to move in the extension direction A relative to the housing main body 20. 15(a) and 15(b), the engagement surface 33 of the locking claw portion 31b of the first moving body 31 is maintained in contact with the recess 21c on the end surface of the tubular portion 21 of the housing main body 20. Therefore, the first moving body 31 is maintained in an engaged state in which it cannot move relative to the housing main body 20 toward the proximal side in the extension direction A.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 15(a) and Fig. 15(b), the second moving body 32 of this embodiment can move in the extension direction A relative to the first moving body 31 from a position where the protrusion 32a1 abuts against the distal wall of the long hole 31a1 to a position where the protrusion 32a1 abuts against the proximal wall of the long hole 31a1. When the second moving body 32 moves from the state shown in Fig. 15(a) to the state shown in Fig. 15(b), the valve body 50 is also compressed and deformed in the extension direction A. Specifically, the flange portion 32b (see Fig. 4, etc.) of the second moving body 32 presses the flange portion 58 (see Fig. 4, etc.) of the valve body 50 toward the proximal side in the extension direction A. As a result, the bellows tube portion 56 of the valve body 50 is elastically deformed and compressed in the extension direction A.

[0063] When the second moving body 32 is further pressed toward the proximal side in the extending direction A from the state shown in FIG. 15(b), the protrusion 32a1 of the second moving body 32 presses the proximal wall of the long hole 31a1 toward the proximal side. As a result, the engagement surface 33 of the locking claw portion 31b of the first moving body 31 moves toward the inside in the radial direction B so as to slide with the recessed portion 21c that is a part of the end surface of the cylindrical portion 21 of the housing body 20 (see FIG. 11). As a result, the entire locking claw portion 31b of the first moving body 31 enters the cylindrical portion 21 of the housing body 20. In other words, the state in which the first moving body 31 is locked so as not to move toward the proximal side in the extending direction A relative to the housing body 20 is released. As a result, the first moving body 31 becomes movable toward the proximal side in the extending direction A relative to the housing body 20.

[0064] FIG. 11 shows a state in which the entire locking claw portion 31b of the first moving body 31 has entered the tubular portion 21 of the housing main body 20 from the state shown in FIG. 15(b). As shown in FIG. 11, the locking claw portion 31b of the first moving body 31 moves inward in the radial direction B, so that the locking claw 31b2 enters the annular groove 65 of the cap 62 of the female connector 2. This allows the first moving body 31 to lock the female connector 2 so that it does not move distally in the extension direction A. Therefore, the state in which the valve body 50 of the male connector 1 and the elastic valve body 70 of the female connector 2 form an abutment region can be stably maintained. In this embodiment, the state in which the locking claw 31b2 enters the annular groove 65 of the cap 62 of the female connector 2 is called the "first connection state."

[0065] When the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are brought closer to each other in the extending direction A from the state shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the first moving body 31 and the second moving body 32 move further toward the proximal side in the extending direction A relative to the housing main body 20 while the first moving body 31 keeps the female connector 2 engaged. This causes the bellows tube portion 56 of the valve body 50 to be further compressed and deformed in the extending direction A. As a result, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the tip of the flow path pipe main body 46 of the flow path pipe member 40 penetrates the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70 through the contact area between the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70. This causes the male connector 1 to change its shape from a first shape (see Figs. 4, 9, and 11) in which the valve body 50 closes the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40 to a second shape (see Fig. 13) in which the valve body 50 opens the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40. Then, the first flow path 41 of the male connector 1 and the second flow path 66 of the female connector 2 are in liquid-tight communication.

[0066] Then, when the first moving body 31 and the second moving body 32 move further toward the proximal side in the extending direction A relative to the housing main body 20, as shown in FIG. 14, the locking claw 22b1 of the locking claw portion 22 of the housing main body 20 climbs over a part of the outer circumferential surface of the cap 62 of the female connector 2. As a result, the locking claw 22b1 enters the annular groove 65 of the female connector 2. More specifically, the locking claw 22b1 is pressed outward in the radial direction B by the inclined surface 25a sliding against the outer edge of the top surface 62a of the cap 62 of the female connector 2. As a result, the claw main body portion 22b moves so as to swing outward in the radial direction B. As a result, the locking claw 22b1 moves outward in the radial direction B and climbs over a part of the outer circumferential surface of the cap 62. In other words, during the connecting operation of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2, the operating portion 22c of the locking claw portion 22 does not need to be operated. In the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 of this embodiment, the locking claw 22b1 can be inserted into the annular groove 65 of the female connector 2 simply by moving the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 toward each other in the extension direction A. As a result, while the locking claw 31b2 remains inserted into the annular groove 65 (see FIG. 13), as shown in FIG. 14, the locking claw 22b1 can also be inserted into the annular groove 65. In this embodiment, the state in which the locking claw 31b2 is inserted into the annular groove 65 of the cap 62 of the female connector 2 and the locking claw 22b1 is inserted into the annular groove 65 of the cap 62 of the female connector 2 are referred to as the "second connection state."

[0067] When the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 achieve the above-mentioned second connected state, the connection is completed.

[0068] <Removal of male connector 1 and female connector 2> Next, a description will be given of a removal operation for releasing the connection between the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 in the second connected state shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. When removing, the operating portion 22c of the locking claw portion 22 of the male connector 1 is pressed and moved inward in the radial direction B. In this way, the claw body portion 22b located on the opposite side of the operating portion 22c across the support portion 22a can be moved outward in the radial direction B with the support portion 22a as a fulcrum. As a result, the locking claw 22b1 that has entered the annular groove 65 of the cap 62 of the female connector 2 also moves outward in the radial direction B and comes out of the annular groove 65. In other words, the second connected state is released.

[0069] When the locking claw 22b1 comes out of the annular groove 65, the second moving body 32 is pressed distally in the extension direction A by the elastic force acting as a restoring force of the bellows tube portion 56 of the valve body 50 that has been compressed and deformed. More specifically, the flange portion 58 of the valve body 50 presses the flange portion 32b of the second moving body 32 distally. As a result, the second moving body 32 moves distally in the extension direction A.

[0070] At this point, the state in which the locking claw 31b2 of the first moving body 31 is inserted into the annular groove 65 of the cap 62 of the female connector 2 is still maintained. Therefore, when the second moving body 32 moves distally in the extension direction A, the first moving body 31 and the female connector 2 also move distally in the extension direction A.

[0071] In this manner, the first moving body 31, the second moving body 32 and the female connector 2 move integrally to the distal side in the extension direction A, whereby the flow passage pipe body 46 of the flow passage pipe member 40 is removed from the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70. That is, while maintaining the first connected state in which the locking claw 31b2 of the first moving body 31 enters the annular groove 65 of the cap 62 of the female connector 2, the flow passage pipe body 46 of the flow passage pipe member 40 can be removed from the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70. As a result, in a state in which the abutment region of the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70 is stably formed, the flow passage pipe body 46 of the flow passage pipe member 40 can be removed from the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70 through this abutment region. As a result, it is possible to prevent liquids such as medicinal solutions from adhering to the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 and the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70 after removal, in other words, it is possible to prevent "residual liquid droplets" from occurring on the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 and the top surface 72 of the elastic valve body 70.

[0072] Then, after the flow passage pipe body 46 of the flow passage pipe member 40 is removed from the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70, the engagement surface 33 of the locking claw portion 31b of the first moving body 31 reaches a position in the extending direction A of the recess 21c which is a part of the end face of the cylindrical portion 21 of the housing body 20. At that time, the locking claw portion 31b moves outward in the radial direction B due to the elastic force as the restoring force of the arm portion 31b1, and the locking claw 31b2 comes out of the annular groove 65. In other words, the first connection state is released. As a result, the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are in a state in which they can be separated in the extending direction A.

[0073] The first moving body 31 and the second moving body 32 return to the state shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 due to the restoring force of the valve body 50. That is, the first moving body 31 returns to a position where the protrusion 31a2 (see Fig. 7, etc.) abuts against the wall 21b1 (see Fig. 6, etc.) of the long groove 21b of the housing main body 20. The second moving body 32 returns to a position where the protrusion 32a1 (see Fig. 8, Fig. 15, etc.) abuts against the distal wall of the long hole 31a1 (see Fig. 7, Fig. 15, etc.) of the first moving body 31. In other words, the second moving body 32 returns to a state where it protrudes distally from the first moving body 31 in the extension direction A.

[0074] As described above, the male connector 1 can change between a first configuration in which the valve body 50 closes the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40 (see Figs. 4, 5, 9 to 12) and a second configuration in which the valve body 50 opens the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40 (see Figs. 13 and 14). In this embodiment, the first configuration is realized by covering the entire flow path pipe body 46 of the flow path pipe member 40 with the valve body 50. In addition, in this embodiment, the tip of the flow path pipe body 46 of the flow path pipe member 40 penetrates the valve body 50, and the opening 42 located at the tip is exposed to the outside of the valve body 50, thereby realizing the second configuration. However, the configurations that realize the first and second configurations are not limited to those of this embodiment. Therefore, as long as the configurations can realize the first and second configurations, the configurations of the flow path pipe member 40 and the valve body 50 are not limited to those of this embodiment.

[0075] In addition, the moving body 30 of the male connector 1 has a locking claw 31b2 as a first locking portion capable of locking the female connector 2 in a state in which the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70 of the female connector 2 are in contact with each other in the first configuration. As shown in Fig. 11, the locking claw 31b2 as a first locking portion in the first moving body 31 of the moving body 30 can be fitted into the annular groove 65 of the female connector 2 in a state in which the valve body 50 and the elastic valve body 70 are in contact with each other to form an abutment area in the first configuration.

[0076] Furthermore, in the second configuration, the housing body 20 of the male connector 1 includes a locking claw 22b1 as a second locking portion capable of locking the female connector 2 at a position different from the position where the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion is locked when the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion locks the female connector 2. As shown in Fig. 14, in the second configuration, the locking claw 22b1 as the second locking portion of the housing body 20 can be fitted into another position of the annular groove 65 while the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion remains fitted into the annular groove 65 of the female connector 2.

[0077] The first locking portion of the present embodiment is constituted by the locking claw 31b2. However, as long as it is configured to restrict the movement of the female connector 2 toward the distal side in the extending direction A so that the female connector 2 does not separate toward the distal side in the extending direction A, the configuration is not particularly limited. Further, the second locking portion of the present embodiment is constituted by the locking claw 22b1. However, as long as it is configured to restrict the movement of the female connector 2 toward the distal side in the extending direction A so that the female connector 2 does not separate toward the distal side in the extending direction A, the configuration is not particularly limited.

[0078] Since the male connector 1 can change its form between the first form and the second form, it is possible to suppress the leakage of fluid such as a chemical solution to the outside when the connection with the female connector 2 is released. Further, by providing the male connector 1 with the above-described first locking portion and second locking portion, the connection stability with the female connector 2 can be improved.

[0079] Further, in the present embodiment, the locking claws 31b2 of the first moving body 31 as the first locking portion of the moving body 30 are provided in two at intervals in the circumferential direction C. More specifically, the two locking claws 31b2 of the present embodiment are arranged at positions facing each other in the radial direction B. In this way, it is preferable that the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion is not in an endless configuration such as a cylindrical shape. By doing so, it is possible to realize the locking claw 31b2 that is easily movable in the radial direction B. However, the first locking portion is not limited to the number and position of the present embodiment. Only one first locking portion may be provided in a part of the circumferential direction C, or three or more first locking portions may be provided at intervals in the circumferential direction C.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, the locking claws 31b2 serving as the first locking portion of the moving body 30 are movable in the radial direction B as the moving body 30 moves in the extension direction A relative to the housing main body 20. More specifically, the locking claws 31b2 of the first moving body 31 serving as the first locking portion of the moving body 30 in this embodiment are movable in the radial direction B as the first moving body 31 moves in the extension direction A relative to the housing main body 20. As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, the first moving body 31 in this embodiment is locked to the housing main body 20 by the engagement surface 33 abutting and getting caught on the recess 21c that is a part of the end face of the tubular portion 21 of the housing main body 20, and the movement of the first moving body 31 toward the proximal side in the extension direction A is restricted. When the first moving body 31 is pressed proximally in the extension direction A from this state, the arm portion 31b1 of the locking claw portion 31b of the first moving body 31 elastically deforms inward in the radial direction B, and the above-mentioned engagement surface 33 moves inward in the radial direction B from the recessed portion 21c. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 and other figures, the first moving body 31 is released from the locking of the housing main body 20. In addition, the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion moves inward in the radial direction B. In other words, the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion can move inward in the radial direction B in conjunction with the movement of the first moving body 31 proximally in the extension direction A (see FIG. 11). Conversely, when disconnecting from the female connector 2, the locking claws 31b2 as the first locking portion move outward in the radial direction B due to the restoring force of the arm portions 31b1 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable body 31 toward the distal side in the extension direction A. As a result, the locking claws 31b2 as the first locking portion return to the position shown in FIG.

[0081] However, as long as the first locking portion is configured to move in the radial direction B in conjunction with the movement of the movable body 30 in the extension direction A, the configuration is not limited to that of the locking claw 31b2 of this embodiment.

[0082] Since the moving body 30 of the male connector 1 is provided with a first locking portion that moves in radial direction B in conjunction with movement of the moving body 30 in the extension direction A, the female connector 2 can be locked by the first locking portion in the connection operation of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 which is performed by only approaching movement in the extension direction A.

[0083] In this embodiment, the housing body 20 has two locking claws 22b1 as the second locking portion, which are provided at an interval in the circumferential direction C. More specifically, the two locking claws 22b1 in this embodiment are arranged at positions facing each other in the radial direction B. In this manner, it is preferable that the two locking claws 22b1 as the second locking portion are arranged at positions facing each other. In this manner, the female connector 2 can be stably locked. In particular, the locking claws 22b1 in this embodiment are released from the locked state with the female connector 2 by pushing the operating portion 22c inward in the radial direction B. Therefore, when disconnecting the female connector 2, the medical staff can easily release the locked state of the locking claws 22b1 with the female connector 2 by operating the two operating portions 22c arranged at the opposing positions so as to pinch them.

[0084] However, the number and positions of the second locking portions are not limited to those in this embodiment. Only one second locking portion may be provided in a portion of the circumferential direction C, or three or more second locking portions may be provided at intervals in the circumferential direction C.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the state in which the locking claw 22b1 serving as the second locking portion of the housing body 20 locks the female connector 2 is released, the moving body 30 moves distally in the extension direction A relative to the housing body 20 due to the restoring force of the deformed valve body 50. As a result, the male connector 1 changes its form from the second form in which the opening 42 is opened to the first form in which the opening 42 is closed. That is, according to the male connector 1 of this embodiment, the form can be changed from the second form to the first form in conjunction with an operation to release the locking state of the female connector 2 by the locking claw 22b1 serving as the second locking portion. This allows the opening 42 of the flow path pipe member 40 to be more reliably closed by the valve body 50 when the connection with the female connector 2 is released.

[0086] In this embodiment, as described above, the moving body 30 can be returned to its original position by the restoring force of the bellows tube portion 56 of the valve body 50 that has been compressively deformed in the extension direction A, but this is not limited to the configuration. The male connector 1 may be configured to include, for example, a biasing member that biases the valve body 50 or the moving body 30 toward the distal side in the extension direction A. In other words, the male connector 1 may return the moving body 30 to its original position by the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0087] In this embodiment, after the form is changed from the second form in which the opening 42 is opened to the first form in which the opening 42 is closed, the moving body 30 continues to move toward the distal side in the extension direction A relative to the housing main body 20 due to the restoring force of the valve body 50. This releases the state in which the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion locks the female connector 2. More specifically, when disconnecting from the female connector 2, the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion of this embodiment moves outward in the radial direction B due to the restoring force of the arm portion 31b1 in conjunction with the movement of the moving body 30 toward the distal side in the extension direction A (see Figs. 9 and 11). This causes the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion to come out of the annular groove 65 of the female connector 2, and the state in which the locking claw 31b2 locks the female connector 2 is released. That is, according to the male connector 1 of the present embodiment, the locking state of the female connector 2 by the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion can be released by the restoring force of the valve body 50, and as a result, the female connector 2 can be completely separated from the male connector 1. In other words, in the male connector 1 of the present embodiment, the change in form from the second form to the first form and the release of the locking state of the female connector 2 by the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion can be realized only by releasing the locking state of the female connector 2 by the locking claw 22b1 as the second locking portion. That is, according to the male connector 1 of the present embodiment, when disconnecting the female connector 2, a medical worker can easily disconnect the female connector 2 by only pinching the operating portion 22c. As described above, when connecting the male connector 1 of the present embodiment to the female connector 2, the male connector 1 can be easily connected to the female connector 2 by only bringing the male connector 1 close to the female connector 2 in the extension direction A.

[0088] As described above, the moving body 30 of this embodiment includes the first moving body 31 and the second moving body 32 that are relatively movable in the extension direction A. As shown in Fig. 15(a) and Fig. 15(b), the second moving body 32 is movable in the extension direction A relative to the first moving body 31 and the housing body 20 in a state in which the first moving body 31 is locked so as not to move in the extension direction A relative to the housing body 20. More specifically, the second moving body 32 is movable in the extension direction A relative to the first moving body 31 between a protruding position (see Fig. 15(a)) and a retracted position (see Fig. 15(b)) in a state in which the first moving body 31 is locked so as not to move in the extension direction A relative to the housing body 20. The "protruding position" means a position in which the second moving body 32 protrudes together with the valve body 50 toward the distal side of the extension direction A from the first moving body 31 (see Fig. 15(a)). Moreover, the "retracted position" refers to a position where the second moving body 32 retracts together with the valve body 50 to the proximal side in the extension direction A from the protruding position (see FIG. 15(b)).

[0089] In this way, by providing the first moving body 31 and the second moving body 32 that are relatively movable in the extension direction A, the movement of the second moving body 32 between the protruding position and the retracted position described above can be realized. By setting the second moving body 32 in the protruding position, the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 held by the second moving body 32 can be disposed in a position that is easy to clean from the outside of the male connector 1. In this embodiment, the top surface 52 of the valve body 50 constitutes the distal end of the entire male connector 1.

[0090] <Medical device having male connector 1> Finally, referring to FIG. 16, an infusion tube set 100 as a medical device including the male connector 1 described above will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the infusion tube set 100 including the male connector 1 is connected to another infusion tube set 110 including the female connector 2 described above. The infusion tube set 100 and another infusion tube set 110 are used for administering an infusion such as a chemical solution to a living body. As shown in FIG. 16, the infusion tube set 100 includes a connecting device 102 connected to a chemical solution container 200, a male connector 1 located on the distal side downstream of the connecting device 102, and a medical tube 103 connecting the connecting device 102 and the male connector 1. Further, a clamp 104 for closing that portion may be attached in the middle of the medical tube 103. The clamp 104 is configured to press and hold the medical tube 103 from the outside to close the inside of the medical tube 103.

[0091] In the infusion tube set 100 having such a configuration, with the clamp 104 open, a liquid such as a chemical solution in the chemical solution container 200 flows from the connecting device 102 through the medical tube 103 into the male connector 1. Then, when the male connector 1 is connected to another infusion tube set 110 including the female connector 2 described above as a mixing port, for example, through the female connector 2, the liquid that has flowed into the male connector 1 passes through the inside of the male connector 1 and the female connector 2, flows into another infusion tube set 110, and is supplied to the living body.

[0092] The connecting device 102 includes a first connecting portion 105 located at the proximal end and connected to the chemical solution container 200, a second connecting portion 106 located at the distal end and connected to the medical tube 103, and a third connecting portion 107 provided to protrude laterally from the outer wall to which a syringe is connected. Inside the connecting device 102, a main flow path that communicates from the first connecting portion 105 to the second connecting portion 106 and can transport the liquid in the chemical solution container 200 to the medical tube 103, and a sub-flow path that communicates between the first connecting portion 105 and the third connecting portion 107 and enables liquid transport between the chemical solution container 200 and the syringe connected to the third connecting portion 107 are partitioned.

[0093] Therefore, for example, by connecting a syringe containing a medicinal liquid including an anticancer drug to the third connecting part 107 of the connecting device 102, the medicinal liquid in the syringe can be transported to the medicinal liquid container 200 via the sub-flow path of the connecting device 102. The medicinal liquid including the anticancer drug contained in the medicinal liquid container 200 is then supplied to the male connector 1 through the main flow path of the connecting device 102 and the medical tube 103.

[0094] As described above, the medicinal liquid containing the anticancer drug can be administered to a living body by connecting the female connector 2 to the distal side of the male connector 1 and supplying the medicinal liquid containing the anticancer drug into another infusion tube set 110. When the administration of the medicinal liquid is completed and the connection between the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 is released, the valve body 50 of the male connector 1 closes, so that leakage of the medicinal liquid containing the anticancer drug from the distal end of the male connector 1 is suppressed.

[0095] Although the infusion tube set 100 has been exemplified as a medical device having a male connector 1, the male connector 1 can be used not only in infusion tube sets but also in other medical devices. For example, a syringe having the male connector 1 at the tip of the syringe body may be used. In such a case, for example, the third connection part 107 of the above-mentioned connection device 102 may be configured similarly to the female connector 2, and a syringe having the male connector 1 may be connected to the third connection part 107.

[0096] The male connector and the medical device including the male connector according to the present disclosure are not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the contents described in the claims. The valve body 50 in the above-mentioned embodiment is configured to be compressively deformed in the extension direction A by the bellows tube portion 56, but is not limited to this configuration. The valve body 50 may be configured to be movable in the extension direction A together with the moving body 30, for example. In addition, the slit 51 of the valve body 50 and the slit 71 of the elastic valve body 70 do not need to be provided in advance, and may be configured to be pierced into the flow path pipe member 40 and communicate with each other.

[0097] In addition, in the above embodiment, the locking claw 31b2 as the first locking portion of the male connector 1 and the locking claw 22b1 as the second locking portion are fitted into the same annular groove 65 as the locked portion of the female connector 2 to lock the female connector 2, but this is not limited to the configuration. In other words, the locked portion with which the first locking portion of the male connector 1 engages and the locked portion with which the second locking portion of the male connector 1 engages may be separate parts of the female connector 2. In addition, the configuration of the locked portion is not limited to the annular groove 65 of this embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate to match the configurations of the first locking portion and the second locking portion.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the so-called "I-type connector" having the straight type second flow path 66 is described as an example of the female connector 2 connectable to the male connector 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. The female connector 2 connectable to the male connector 1 may be, for example, a T-type female connector having an upstream port, a downstream port, and a mixing port to which the male connector 1 can be connected. Furthermore, the male connector 1 of the above embodiment is configured to be connectable not only to the straight type female connector 2 shown in FIG. 1 etc., but also to a T-type female connector 82 as shown in FIG. 17. The mixing port 83 of the T-type female connector 82 has a configuration similar to that of the part of the female connector 2 shown in the above embodiment that can be connected to the male connector 1. The upstream port 84 and the downstream port 85 of the T-type female connector 82 are configured to extend to the outside through the positions of the remaining two recesses 21c that do not engage with the locking claw portion 31b (see FIG. 1 etc.) in the pre-connection state (see FIG. 4) out of the four recesses 21c formed on the end surface of the tubular portion 21 of the housing main body 20 when the male connector 1 is connected to the mixing port 83. In the male connector 1 of the above embodiment, the two recesses 21c that engage with the locking claw portions 31b (see FIG. 1, etc.) in the pre-connection state (see FIG. 4) are disposed at positions opposing each other in the radial direction B. In addition, in the male connector 1 of the above embodiment, the two recesses 21c that receive the upstream port 84 and downstream port 85 of the female connector 82 are also disposed at positions opposing each other in the radial direction B. [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The present disclosure relates to male connectors and medical devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1: Male connector 2: Female connector 10: 1st housing 11: Hollow part 20: Housing body 21: Cylindrical part 21a:Aperture 21b: Long groove part 21b1: Wall part 21c: Recess 22: Locking claw part 22a: Support part 22b: Claw body part 22b1: Locking claw (example of second locking part) 22c: Operation section 25a: Inclined surface 25b: Hook surface 29: Hollow part 30: Mobile 31: First mobile unit 31a: Main body 31a1: Long hole 31a2:Protrusion 31b:Latching claw part 31b1: Arm section 31b2: Locking claw (example of first locking part) 32: Second mobile unit 32a: Outer cylinder part 32a1:Protrusion 32b: Flange part 32c: Inner cylinder part 32c1: Ring-shaped protrusion 32c2: Distal end 33: Engagement surface 39: Hollow part 40: Flow path pipe member 41: First flow path 42:Aperture 43: Medical equipment connection part 44:Tip 45: Flange part 46: Flow path pipe body 50: Valve body 51: Slit 52: Top 52a: Convex 56: Bellows tube section 57:Tip 57a: Annular groove 58: Flange part 60: Second Housing 61: Male connector insertion part 62: Cap 62a: Top 63: Holder 65: Annular groove 66: Second flow path 70: Elastic valve body 71: Slit 72: Top 82: Female connector 83: Mixed injection port 84: Upstream port 85: Downstream port 100: Infusion tube set (an example of a medical device with a male connector) 110: Infusion tube set 102: Connection equipment 103: Medical tubes 104: Clamp 105: First connection part 106: Second connection part 107: Third connection part A: Extension direction of flow path pipe member B: Radial direction of the flow passage pipe C: Circumferential direction of the flow passage pipe member O: Central axis of the flow path pipe

Claims

1. A male connector connectable to a female connector having an elastic valve body, A housing defining a hollow portion; a flow path pipe member extending into the hollow portion and having an opening formed on one end side in the extending direction; a valve body located within the hollow portion and capable of closing the opening of the flow path pipe member, The housing includes: A housing body; a movable body that deforms or moves the valve body so that the valve body moves in the extension direction relative to the housing main body to change its shape between a first shape in which the opening of the flow path pipe member is closed by the valve body and a second shape in which the opening of the flow path pipe member is released from the valve body, In the first embodiment, the movable body includes a first locking portion capable of locking the female connector in a state in which the valve body and the elastic valve body of the female connector are in contact with each other, In the second embodiment, the housing body is provided with a second locking portion capable of locking the female connector when the first locking portion locks the female connector.

2. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first locking portion of the movable body is provided in a single portion or in a plurality of portions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the flow path pipe member.

3. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first engaging portion of the movable body is movable in a radial direction of the flow path pipe member by the movable body moving in the extension direction relative to the housing main body.

4. The male connector according to claim 1 , wherein the second locking portion of the housing body is provided in a single portion or in a plurality of portions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the flow path pipe member.

5. 5. A male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the second locking portion of the housing body is released from locking with the female connector, the restoring force of the deformed valve body or the biasing force of a biasing member that biases the valve body or the moving body toward the one end side in the extension direction causes the moving body to move in the extension direction relative to the housing body, changing its shape from the second shape to the first shape.

6. 6. The male connector of claim 5, wherein after the shape changes from the second shape to the first shape, the restoring force or the biasing force causes the movable body to continue to move in the extension direction relative to the housing main body, thereby releasing the state in which the first engaging portion engages the female connector.

7. The movable body includes a first movable body and a second movable body that are relatively movable in the extension direction, A male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second movable body is movable in the extension direction relative to the first movable body and the housing body while the first movable body is engaged so as not to move in the extension direction relative to the housing body.

8. A medical device comprising a male connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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