Conversion connector

Abstract

To connect two female connectors which include different lock mechanisms.SOLUTION: A conversion connector 1 includes a first male connector 10 at one end and a second male connector 20 at the other end. The first male connector 10 includes: a first male member 11 to be inserted to a first female member 801 of a first female connector 800; and a female screw 14 to be screwed onto a male screw 804 arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the first female member 801. The second male connector 20 includes: a second male member 21 to be inserted to a second female member 901 of a second female connector 900; and an engagement pawl 26 to be engaged with an engagement projection 906 of the second female connector 900. The first male member 11 and the second male member 21 communicate with each other via a flow passage 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conversion connector that enables connection of two female connectors having different locking mechanisms.

Background Art

[0002] Enteral nutrition is known as a method of administering a liquid substance containing a nutrient, a liquid food (generally called an "enteral nutrient"), a drug, or the like to a patient who has become unable to ingest food through the mouth. In enteral nutrition, a flexible tube (catheter) is left in the patient with the tube inserted from outside the body into the digestive tract (for example, the stomach). As the tube, a nasogastric tube inserted through the patient's nose, a fistula tube inserted into the stomach through a hole (fistula) formed in the patient's abdomen, and the like are known. The liquid substance is stored in a container. A connector composed of a male connector and a female connector is used to form a series of flow paths through which the liquid substance flows from the container to the tube left in the patient.

[0003] In order to maintain the connection state between the male connector and the female connector and prevent them from being separated unintentionally, the connector is often provided with a locking mechanism. For example, when pumping a highly viscous enteral nutrient, the locking mechanism resists the pressure applied to the enteral nutrient. As the locking mechanism, a screw locking mechanism and a claw locking mechanism are known.

[0004] Patent Document 1 (see particularly FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 of Patent Document 1) describes a connector equipped with a screw lock mechanism. The connector consists of a male connector provided at the upstream end of a nasal tube (referred to as a "nasal catheter" in Patent Document 1) and a female connector provided at the tip of the barrel of a syringe (injector). The male connector includes a male member (referred to as a "male luer" in Patent Document 1) and an outer cylinder surrounding the male member. A female screw is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder. The female connector includes a cylindrical female member (referred to as an "insertion part" in Patent Document 1). A male screw that can be screwed with the female screw of the male connector is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the female member. The female screw and the male screw constitute a screw lock mechanism.

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes a connector equipped with a claw lock mechanism. The connector consists of a male connector (referred to as a "first connector" in Patent Document 2) attached to the port of a container in which a liquid substance is stored and a female connector (referred to as a "second connector" in Patent Document 2) attached to the upstream end of a tube (for example, an extension tube connected to a fistula tube). The male connector includes a cylindrical pedestal, and engaging claws project radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal. The female connector includes an engaging projection (referred to as an "inner convex part" in Patent Document 2) that can engage with the engaging claws. The engaging claws of the male connector and the engaging projection of the female connector constitute a claw lock mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The connector of Patent Document 1 and the connector of Patent Document 2 have different locking mechanisms. Therefore, a female connector having a screw locking mechanism of Patent Document 1 provided on a syringe cannot be connected to a female connector having a claw locking mechanism of Patent Document 2 provided at the upstream end of a tube (for example, an extension tube connected to a fistula tube). However, in enteral nutrition, for example, a syringe injection method using a syringe as an injector for pumping a liquid substance may be performed. In such a case, it is desired to connect two female connectors having different locking mechanisms to each other.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to enable connection of two female connectors having different locking mechanisms.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The conversion connector of the present invention includes a first male connector connectable to a first female connector at one end and a second male connector connectable to a second female connector at the other end. The first male connector includes a first male member inserted into a first female member of the first female connector and a female screw that screws into a male screw provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first female member. The second male connector includes a second male member inserted into a second female member of the second female connector and an engaging claw that engages with an engaging protrusion of the second female connector. The first male member and the second male member communicate with each other via a flow path.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a first female connector having a screw locking mechanism and a second female connector having a claw locking mechanism can be connected via the conversion connector of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 1C

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 4D

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] In one aspect of the conversion connector of the present invention described above, a tapered surface with a decreasing outer diameter toward the tip of the first male member may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first male member. According to such an aspect, it becomes possible to taper-fittingly engage the first female member with the first male member. This is advantageous for forming a liquid-tight seal between the first male member and the first female member with a simple configuration.

[0013] In one aspect of the conversion connector of the present invention described above, the outer peripheral surface of the second male member may be configured such that a liquid-tight seal is formed between the second male member and the second female member when the second male connector is connected to the second female connector. Such an aspect is advantageous for preventing a liquid substance from leaking to the outside from between the second male member and the second female member.

[0014] The entire conversion connector may be integrally formed as a single part. According to such an aspect, it is possible to easily and inexpensively provide a conversion connector that is small, highly strong, and has a simple structure.

[0015] The opening diameter of the flow path at the tip of the second male member may be larger than the opening diameter of the flow path at the tip of the first male member. The cross-sectional area of the flow path may change smoothly between the first male member and the second male member. According to such an aspect, the retention of the liquid substance in the flow path of the conversion connector is reduced, and the liquid passing property is improved.

[0016] In one aspect of the conversion connector of the present invention described above, protrusions may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the flow path. Such an aspect is advantageous for preventing accidental deep insertion of a puncture needle that should not be inserted into the flow path from the second male member, i.e., accidental puncture.

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail while showing preferred embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Each of the drawings referred to in the following description shows the main members constituting the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified manner for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the present invention may include any members not shown in the following drawings. Also, within the scope of the present invention, the members shown in the following drawings may be changed or omitted. The same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings. The description of such members is omitted in the subsequent embodiments, and the description of the preceding embodiments should be appropriately referred to.

[0018] In the present invention, the "axis" of a member (for example, a conversion connector, a male connector, a female connector, a male member, a female member) means the central axis of the member. The "axis" passes through the center of a circle included in the member and / or coincides with the central axis of a cylinder or a cone (taper) included in the member. In some of the drawings cited in the following description, the illustration of the axis is omitted for simplicity of the drawing.

[0019] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the conversion connector 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the side of the first male connector 10. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the conversion connector 1 as seen from the side of the second male connector 20. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the conversion connector 1. In FIG. 1C, the dashed-dotted line 1a is the axis of the conversion connector 1. For convenience of the following description, the direction perpendicular to the axis 1a is referred to as the "radial direction". In the radial direction, the side approaching the axis 1a is referred to as the "inner side", and the side moving away from the axis 1a is referred to as the "outer side". The direction of rotation around the axis 1a is referred to as the "circumferential direction".

[0020] The conversion connector 1 includes a first male connector 10 and a second male connector 20 arranged coaxially.

[0021] The first male connector 10 has a first male member 11 having a hollow cylindrical shape and an outer cylinder 13 surrounding the first male member 11. The outer peripheral surface 12 of the first male member 11 includes a tapered surface (so-called male tapered surface) whose outer diameter decreases toward the tip of the first male member 11. The outer cylinder 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the first male member 11 and radially spaced apart from the first male member 11. A female thread 14 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 13 facing the first male member 11. The female thread 14 constitutes a thread locking mechanism (see Patent Document 1).

[0022] The second male connector 20 includes a pedestal 25 and a second male member 21 provided on the pedestal 25.

[0023] The pedestal 25 includes a circular bottom surface 27 and an outer peripheral wall 28 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 27 toward the first male connector 10 side. The bottom surface 27 is a flat surface perpendicular to the axis 1a. The outer peripheral wall 28 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter larger than that of the outer cylinder 13. A pair of engaging claws 26 project radially outward from the outer peripheral wall 28. The engaging claws 26 extend along the circumferential direction. The surface 26a of the engaging claw 26 on the side of the first male connector 10 is composed of a combination of three inclined surfaces with different inclinations. The surface on the side opposite to the surface 26a of the engaging claw 26 constitutes a single plane common to the bottom surface 27. The pair of engaging claws 26 are symmetric with respect to the axis 1a. The pair of engaging claws 26 constitutes a claw locking mechanism (see Patent Document 2).

[0024] The second male member 21 projects from the bottom surface 27 of the pedestal 25. The second male member 21 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the pedestal 25. The second male member 21 has an outer peripheral surface 22 which is generally a cylindrical surface. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface 22 includes a large-diameter portion 23 having the maximum outer diameter at a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction of the second male member 21. Tapered surfaces whose outer diameters decrease as they move away from the large-diameter portion 23 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 22 on the tip side and the base end side (the pedestal 25 side) of the second male member 21 with respect to the large-diameter portion 23, respectively.

[0025] The flow path 31 penetrates the conversion connector 1 along the axis 1a. The flow path 31 penetrates the first male member 11 and opens at the tip of the first male member 11. Further, the flow path 31 penetrates the second male member 21 and opens at the tip of the second male member 21. The flow path 31 communicates the first male member 11 and the second male member 21. The cross-sectional shape of the flow path 31 along a plane perpendicular to the axis 1a is circular. The outer diameter of the second male member 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the first male member 11. Correspondingly, the inner diameter of the flow path 31 within the second male member 21 is larger than the inner diameter of the flow path 31 within the first male member 11. The inner diameter (or cross-sectional area) of the flow path 31 changes stepwise at the portion 31a between the first male member 11 and the second male member 21 so as to be larger on the second male member 21 side than on the first male member 11 side.

[0026] The outer peripheral wall 28 extends toward the first male connector 10 side so as to surround the outer cylinder 13. A pair of gripping surfaces 29 are provided on the outer peripheral wall 28. Each gripping surface 29 is a substantially flat surface parallel to the axis 1a. The pair of gripping surfaces 29 are arranged parallel to each other with the axis 1a interposed therebetween. The pair of gripping surfaces 29 facilitate an operator applying a rotational force around the axis 1a to the conversion connector 1.

[0027] The material of the conversion connector 1 is not limited, but is preferably a hard material. For example, resin materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyacetal, polyamide, rigid polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, styrene ethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and butylene styrene block copolymer can be used. Considering its use in medical applications and durability, polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene are preferred. The conversion connector 1 is preferably integrally manufactured as a single part by injection molding a resin material.

[0028] The usage method of the conversion connector 1 will be described.

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the usage method of the conversion connector 1. The conversion connector 1 can be used to connect the first female connector 800 and the second female connector 900.

[0030] The first female connector 800 is provided at the tip of the outer cylinder 812 of the syringe (injector) 810. A plunger 816 is inserted into the opening (not shown) at the end of the outer cylinder 812 opposite to the first female connector 800 so as to be insertable and removable. A liquid substance (for example, enteral nutrition agent) to be administered to a patient in enteral nutrition is stored in the syringe 810.

[0031] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the first female connector 800. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the first female connector 800.

[0032] The first female connector 800 includes a first female member 801. The first female member 801 has a hollow cylindrical shape communicating with the inner cavity of the outer cylinder 812. The inner peripheral surface 802 of the first female member 801 includes a tapered surface (female tapered surface) whose inner diameter increases toward the tip of the first female member 801. A male screw 804 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first female member 801. The male screw 804 constitutes a screw lock mechanism (see Patent Document 1). The outer cylinder 812 including the first female connector 800 is made of a hard material (such as resin or glass).

[0033] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the second female connector 900. FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second female connector 900. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the second female connector 900. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the second female connector 900. The cross-section of FIG. 4C is along the plane including the line 4C-4C of FIG. 4B, and the cross-section of FIG. 4D is along the plane including the line 4D-4D of FIG. 4B. The cross-section of FIG. 4C and the cross-section of FIG. 4D are orthogonal to each other at the axis 900a (see FIG. 4D) of the second female connector 900.

[0034] The second female connector 900 includes a second female member 901. The second female member 901 is a concave portion having a circular shape in plan view that is concentric with the shaft 900a. The inner peripheral surface 902 of the second female member 901 includes a tapered surface (female tapered surface) whose inner diameter gradually increases toward the tip 901a of the second female member 901. A flat surface 903 surrounds the second female member 901. The flat surface 903 extends along a plane perpendicular to the shaft 900a. An annular groove 904 that is continuous in the circumferential direction (the direction of rotation around the shaft 900a) is provided in the flat surface 903. The planar shape (the shape seen along the shaft 900a) of the annular groove 904 is a circle that is concentric with the shaft 900a. The annular groove 904 surrounds the second female member 901. The tip 901a of the second female member 901 is along the plane along which the flat surface 903 lies. In the present invention, the annular groove 904 can be omitted. In this case, the flat surface 903 extends radially outward from the open end (tip 901a) of the second female member 901.

[0035] The second female connector 900 further includes a pair of engaging walls 905. The engaging walls 905 are arranged radially outside the flat surface 903 and extend toward the tip side (opposite side to the connection cylinder 921) of the second female connector 900 with respect to the flat surface 903. The engaging walls 905 are along a cylindrical surface that is coaxial with the shaft 900a. An engaging protrusion 906 projects radially inward from the tip of the engaging wall 905. The engaging protrusion 906 extends substantially along the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 4D, when viewed from the shaft 900a, the left end of the engaging protrusion 906 is open. The right end of the engaging protrusion 906 descends so as to approach the flat surface 903 to form a stop end 908. The surface (lower surface) 906a of the engaging protrusion 906 that faces the flat surface 903 includes three inclined surfaces with different inclinations. The pair of engaging walls 905 including the engaging protrusion 906 are symmetric with respect to the shaft 900a. The pair of engaging protrusions 906 constitute a claw lock mechanism (see Patent Document 2).

[0036] The second female connector 900 further includes a connection cylinder 921 at the end opposite to the second female member 901. The connection cylinder 921 has a hollow cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the shaft 900a.

[0037] The flow path 931 penetrates the second female connector 900 along the axis 900a. The cross-sectional shape of the flow path 931 along a plane perpendicular to the axis 900a is circular. The flow path 931 communicates the second female member 901 and the connection cylinder 921. The connection cylinder 921 is inserted into a flexible hollow tube 909 and fixed to the tube 909 with an adhesive or the like. The second female member 901 communicates with the tube 909 via the flow path 931. The tube 909 may be a nasal tube inserted through the patient's nasal cavity to the stomach or esophagus. Alternatively, the tube 909 may be a tube (extension tube) connected to a nasal tube or a fistula tube.

[0038] The outer surface of the second female connector 900 includes a pair of gripping surfaces 933 between the second female member 901 and the connection cylinder 921. Each gripping surface 933 is a substantially flat surface parallel to the axis 900a. The pair of gripping surfaces 933 are arranged parallel to each other with the axis 900a interposed therebetween. The pair of gripping surfaces 933 facilitate an operator applying a rotational force around the axis 900a to the second female connector 900.

[0039] The material of the second female connector 900 is not limited, but can be selected from the resin materials of the conversion connector 1 described above. The second female connector 900 is preferably integrally manufactured as a single part by injection molding a resin material.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the conversion connector 1 is arranged between the first female connector 800 and the second female connector 900 and can be used to connect them. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the first female connector 800 and the second female connector 900 are connected via the conversion connector 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 5. The first male connector 10 of the conversion connector 1 is connected to the first female connector 800, and the second male connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 is connected to the second female connector 900.

[0041] The connection between the conversion connector 1 and the first female connector 800 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the first male connector 10 of the conversion connector 1 and the first female connector 800 are coaxially opposed. In this state, the conversion connector 1 is brought close to the first female connector 800. The first male member 11 (see FIG. 1A) of the first male connector 10 is inserted into the first female member 801 (see FIG. 3A) of the first female connector 800. The first female member 801 is inserted into the gap (see FIG. 1A) between the first male member 11 and the outer cylinder 13 of the first male connector 10. The conversion connector 1 and the first female connector 800 are rotated in opposite directions to each other. The male screw 804 (see FIG. 4A) of the first female connector 800 is screwed into the female screw 14 (see FIG. 1A) of the first male connector 10. Thus, the conversion connector 1 and the first female connector 800 are connected (see FIG. 5).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the outer peripheral surface (male taper surface) 12 (see FIG. 1A) of the first male member 11 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface (female taper surface) 802 (see FIG. 3A) of the first female member 801. The male taper surface 12 and the female taper surface 802 have the same diameter and taper angle. Therefore, the male taper surface 12 is taper-fitted to the female taper surface 802, and a liquid-tight seal is formed between the two. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the male screw 804 (see FIG. 4A) of the first female connector 800 is screwed into the female screw 14 (see FIG. 1A) of the first male connector 10.

[0043] The connection between the conversion connector 1 and the second female connector 900 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the second male connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 and the second female connector 900 are coaxially opposed. The direction connecting the pair of engaging claws 26 (see FIG. 1B) of the second male connector 20 and the direction connecting the pair of engaging protrusions 906 (see FIG. 4A) of the second female connector 900 are made substantially orthogonal. In this state, the conversion connector 1 is brought close to the second female connector 900. The pedestal 25 of the second male connector 20 is inserted between the pair of engaging walls 905 of the second female connector 900. The conversion connector 1 and the second female connector 900 are rotated in opposite directions to each other. The conversion connector 1 is rotated with respect to the second female connector 900 until one end of the engaging claw 26 (see FIG. 1A) of the second male connector 20 abuts against the stop end 908 (see FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4D) of the second female connector 900. Thus, the conversion connector 1 and the second female connector 900 are connected (see FIG. 5).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the second male member 21 of the second male connector 20 is inserted into the second female member 901 of the second female connector 900. The large-diameter portion 23 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C) of the second male member 21 fits into the inner peripheral surface (female tapered surface) 902 (see FIGS. 4A and 4C) of the second female member 901, and a liquid-tight seal is formed therebetween. The flat surface 903 of the second female connector 900 and the tip 901a (see FIG. 4A) of the second female portion 901 are in contact with the bottom surface 27 (see FIG. 1B) of the pedestal 25 of the second male connector 20. The engaging claw 26 of the second male connector 20 is axially engaged with the engaging protrusion 906 of the second female connector 900. The three inclined surfaces provided on the surface 26a of the engaging claw 26 (see FIG. 1A) fit with the three inclined surfaces provided on the surface 906a of the engaging protrusion 906 (see FIG. 4D). This is advantageous for maintaining the engaged state (locked state) between the engaging claw 26 and the engaging protrusion 906.

[0045] Thus, the first female connector 800, the conversion connector 1, and the second female connector 900 are coaxially connected in order (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The first female connector 800 (first female member 801) and the second female connector 900 (second female member 901) are communicated with each other through the flow path 31 of the conversion connector 1.

[0046] The separation of the conversion connector 1 from the first female connector 800 can be achieved by performing an operation reverse to the above connection operation. That is, the first female connector 800 is rotated in the reverse direction with respect to the conversion connector 1 to disengage the male screw 804 from the female screw 14. Then, the conversion connector 1 and the first female connector 800 are pulled in opposite directions to each other.

[0047] The separation of the conversion connector 1 from the second female connector 900 can also be achieved by performing an operation reverse to the above connection operation. That is, the conversion connector 1 is rotated in the reverse direction with respect to the first female connector 900 to disengage the engaging claw 26 from the engaging projection 906. Then, the conversion connector 1 and the second female connector 900 are pulled in opposite directions to each other.

[0048] The first male connector 10 of the conversion connector 1 can be repeatedly connected to and separated from the first female connector 800. Also, the second male connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 can be repeatedly connected to and separated from the second female connector 900.

[0049] As described above, the conversion connector 1 includes, at one end, a first male connector 10 that can be repeatedly connected to and separated from the first female connector 800, and at the other end, a second male connector 20 that can be repeatedly connected to and separated from the second female connector 900.

[0050] The first male connector 10 includes a first male member 11 that is inserted into a first female member 801 of the first female connector 800. The first male connector 10 includes a female screw 14 that can be screwed into a male screw 804 of the second female connector 800. The first male connector 10 having the first male member 11 and the female screw 14 is compatible with a male connector (not shown) with a screw lock mechanism that can be connected to the first female connector 800. For this reason, the first male connector 10 and the first female connector 800 can be connected with a connection strength equivalent to that of a connector (Patent Document 1) having a screw lock mechanism. This is advantageous for preventing the conversion connector 1 from unintentionally separating from the first female connector 800.

[0051] The second male connector 20 includes a second male member 21 that is inserted into a second female member 901 of the second female connector 900. The second male connector 20 further includes an engaging claw 26 that can engage with an engaging protrusion 906 of the second female connector 900. The second male connector 20 having the second male member 21 and the engaging claw 26 is compatible with a male connector (not shown) with a claw lock mechanism that can be connected to and separated from the second female connector 900. For this reason, the second male connector 20 and the second female connector 900 can be connected with a connection strength equivalent to that of a connector (Patent Document 2) having a claw lock mechanism. This is advantageous for preventing the conversion connector 1 from unintentionally separating from the second female connector 900.

[0052] The first male member 11 and the second male member 21 communicate with each other via a flow path 31. For this reason, the first female connector 800 and the second female connector 900 can be connected and communicated with each other via the conversion connector 1.

[0053] Many of the liquid substances (e.g., enteral nutrition agents) administered to patients in enteral nutrition are highly viscous. When administering this liquid substance to a patient, it is necessary to pump the liquid substance. A syringe may be used to pump the liquid substance. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a syringe 810 storing the liquid substance is connected to a second female connector 900 via a conversion connector 1. The plunger 916 is pushed into the outer cylinder 913, and the liquid substance in the syringe 810 can be administered to the patient through the first female connector 800, the conversion connector 1, the second female connector 900, and the tube 909 in sequence.

[0054] Also, after performing enteral nutrition, it is desirable to wash the liquid substance (e.g., enteral nutrition agent) remaining in the second female connector 900 and the tube 909. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a syringe 810 storing a cleaning liquid (e.g., warm water, water, tea, diluted vinegar water, etc.) is connected to the second female connector 900 via the conversion connector 1. The plunger 916 is pushed into the outer cylinder 913, and the remaining liquid substance can be washed away into the patient's body together with the cleaning liquid.

[0055] In these operations, both the connection between the first female connector 800 and the conversion connector 1 and the connection between the conversion connector 1 and the second female connector 900 are surely maintained.

[0056] Thus, the conversion connector 1 of the first embodiment enables connecting a first female connector 800 having a screw lock mechanism and a second female connector 900 having a claw lock mechanism while enabling each lock mechanism to function effectively.

[0057] There is no restriction regarding which connection to perform first, the connection between the conversion connector 1 and the first female connector 800 or the connection between the conversion connector 1 and the second female connector 900. When the conversion connector 1 is first connected to the first female connector 800, the conversion connector 1 functions as an adapter that converts the female connector 800 with a screw lock mechanism into the male connector 20 with a claw lock mechanism. Also, when the conversion connector 1 is first connected to the second female connector 900, the conversion connector 1 functions as an adapter that converts the female connector 900 with a claw lock mechanism into the male connector 10 with a screw lock mechanism. Thus, the conversion connector 1 enables two female connectors 800 and 900 with different lock mechanisms, which could not originally be connected, to be connected to each other.

[0058] An external peripheral surface 12 (see FIG. 1A) of a first male member 11 of the first male connector 10 of the conversion connector 1 is provided with a male taper surface. For this reason, a liquid-tight seal can be formed between the external peripheral surface 12 of the first male member 11 and an internal peripheral surface 802 (see FIG. 3B) of the first female member 801 with a simple configuration. The liquid-tight seal prevents a liquid substance from leaking to the outside through between the first male member 11 and the first female member 801.

[0059] When the second male connector 20 of the conversion connector 1 is connected to the second female connector 900, a liquid-tight seal is formed between an external peripheral surface 22 (particularly a large-diameter portion 23, see FIG. 1B) of the second male member 21 and an internal peripheral surface 902 (see FIG. 4A) of the second female member 901. The liquid-tight seal prevents a liquid substance from leaking to the outside through between the second male member 21 and the second female member 901. Since the external peripheral surface 22 of the second male member 21 includes the large-diameter portion 23, a liquid-tight seal can be formed with a simple configuration. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary for the external peripheral surface 22 of the second male member 21 to include the large-diameter portion 23. For example, the external peripheral surface 22 may be a taper surface (male taper surface) whose outer diameter decreases toward the tip of the second male member 21. Even in this case, it is possible to form a liquid-tight seal between the external peripheral surface 22 and the internal peripheral surface 902 by taper fitting the external peripheral surface 22 to the internal peripheral surface 902.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the screw lock mechanism is configured such that when the first female connector 800 is rotated clockwise with respect to the conversion connector 1 as viewed from the first female connector 800 side, the male screw 804 is screwed into the female screw 14. The claw lock mechanism is configured such that when the conversion connector 1 is rotated clockwise with respect to the second female connector 900 as viewed from the conversion connector 1 side, the engaging claw 26 engages with the engaging projection 906. That is, the rotational directions for performing locking and unlocking respectively are the same for the screw lock mechanism and the claw lock mechanism. Therefore, for example, by grasping the first female connector 800 (or the outer cylinder 812) and the second female connector 900 with different hands respectively and rotating the first female connector 800 clockwise with respect to the second female connector 900 as viewed from the first female connector 800 side, both the screw lock mechanism and the claw lock mechanism can be simultaneously shifted to the locked state.

[0061] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the conversion connector 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The conversion connector 2 of the second embodiment is different from the conversion connector 1 of the first embodiment with respect to the flow path 31. That is, in the first embodiment, there was a portion 31a (see FIGS. 1C and 6) where the cross-sectional area (or inner diameter) of the flow path 31 changed abruptly (or stepwise) between the first male member 11 and the second male member 21. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a portion 31b where the cross-sectional area (or inner diameter) of the flow path 31 changes smoothly is provided between the first male member 11 and the second male member 21 instead of the portion 31a.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the first female connector 800 and the second female connector 900 are connected via the conversion connector 2. The liquid material flows in the flow path 31 from the first male member 11 toward the second male member 21. Since the cross-sectional area of the flow path 31 changes smoothly between the first male member 11 and the second male member 21, the retention of the liquid material in the flow path 31 is reduced and the liquid passing property is improved.

[0063] In the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 31 "changing smoothly" means that the inner surface defining the flow path 31 does not have a portion along a plane perpendicular to the axis 1a. Preferably, in a cross-section along a plane including the axis 1a, the inner surface defining the flow path 31 is represented by a continuous curve.

[0064] Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the above. The description of Embodiment 1 is also appropriately applied to Embodiment 2.

[0065] (Embodiment 3) FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the conversion connector 3 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the conversion connector 3 as viewed from the second male connector 20 side. The conversion connector 3 is different from the conversion connector 1 of Embodiment 1 in that four protrusions 33 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 31.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 9A, four protrusions 33 (only two protrusions 33 are visible in Fig. 9A) protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 31. The protrusions 33 are provided in the flow path 31 within the relatively small-diameter male member 11, and more specifically, at the base end portion (the side end on the female member 21 side) of the male member 11. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9B, when viewed from the female connector 20 side, the opening on the female member 21 side of the flow path 31 within the male member 11 has a substantially cross shape. The substantially cross-shaped opening is advantageous for preventing the accidental deep insertion (hereinafter referred to as "misinsertion") of a puncture needle that should not be inserted into the flow path 31 within the male member 11 from the female member 21. For example, in a state before connecting the conversion connector 3 to the first female connector 800 (see Fig. 2) and connecting the second female connector 900 (see Fig. 2) to the second female connector 20 of the conversion connector 3, an operator may attempt to accidentally connect a puncture needle to the second female member 21 of the second female connector 20. The puncture needle has a sharp tip with a decreasing outer diameter toward the tip so as to be able to puncture a rubber stopper such as a vial. When the puncture needle is inserted into the second female member 21, in many cases, the tip of the puncture needle hits the protrusion 33, preventing the insertion of the puncture needle into the flow path 31 within the male member 11. Even if the tip of the puncture needle is inserted into the gap between the protrusions 33, the puncture needle is sandwiched between the protrusions 33, preventing the deep insertion of the puncture needle into the flow path 31 within the male member 11. Since the operator cannot deeply and stably connect the puncture needle to the second female member 21, the operator can easily notice that a misinsertion has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where a puncture needle is connected to the second female member 21 and an incorrect flow path is formed for the liquid flowing from the syringe 810.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another conversion connector 4 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The conversion connector 4 is provided with four protrusions 33 (only two protrusions 33 can be seen in FIG. 10) on the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 31 of the conversion connector 2 of Embodiment 2, similarly to the conversion connector 3. Similar to the conversion connector 3, the conversion connector 4 is also advantageous in preventing misinsertion in which a puncture needle that should not originally be inserted is erroneously inserted deeply from the second male member 21 into the flow path 31 in the first male member 11.

[0068] In the conversion connectors 3 and 4, four protrusions 33 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 31 so that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 31 along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the conversion connector is substantially cruciform. However, in the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 31 for preventing misinsertion into the second male member 21 is not limited to a substantially cruciform shape, and may be any shape such as a substantially polygon (substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially triangular, etc.), star shape, elliptical shape, circular shape, etc. Generally, when viewed along the axis of the conversion connector from the second male member 21 side, if a protrusion protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 31 is provided, misinsertion of the puncture needle can be prevented. The shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the protrusions are arbitrary. For example, in this Embodiment 3, the number of the protrusions 33 may be three or five or more. The plurality of protrusions are preferably arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the axis of the conversion connector. A part or all of the plurality of protrusions may be connected through the axis of the conversion connector. For example, the four protrusions 33 may extend to the axis of the conversion connector and be connected to each other to form a substantially cruciform protrusion as a whole.

[0069] The protrusion may be an annular protrusion continuous in the circumferential direction. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 31 at the position where the protrusion is provided may be circular or elliptical. Even in this case, an annular protrusion protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 31 can prevent the accidental puncture of the puncture needle. However, if a circumferentially continuous annular protrusion is provided in the flow path so that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 31 at the position where the protrusion is provided becomes a single circle, the flow path area becomes small, and the flow resistance of the liquid flowing through the flow path increases. Therefore, it is preferable that the protrusion is provided so that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 31 at the position where the protrusion is provided is non-circular.

[0070] The position of the protrusion in the axial direction of the conversion connector is not limited to the base end of the first male member 11 like the conversion connectors 3, 4. The protrusion for preventing the accidental puncture of the puncture needle can be arranged at any position in the axial direction as long as it is within the flow path 31. However, when the cross-sectional area of the flow path 31 is larger in the second male member 21 than in the first male member 11 as in the third embodiment, if the protrusion is arranged in the flow path 31 in the second male member 21, it is necessary to increase the amount of protrusion of the protrusion from the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 31. A protrusion with a large protrusion amount increases the retention of the liquid in the flow path 31 and deteriorates the liquid passing property. Therefore, generally, it is preferable to provide the protrusion at a position within the first male member 11 having a relatively small inner diameter and as close as possible to the second male member 21, that is, at the base end of the first male member 11.

[0071] The third embodiment is the same as the first and second embodiments except for the above. The descriptions of the first and second embodiments are also appropriately applied to the third embodiment.

[0072] The above-described first to third embodiments are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments and can be appropriately changed.

[0073] In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3, the conversion connectors 1 to 4 were integrally formed as a single part. However, the conversion connector of the present invention may be configured by combining a plurality of separately manufactured parts. For example, the first female connector 10 and the second female connector 20 may be separately manufactured as separate parts and connected by a flexible hollow tube. In this case, the tube constitutes a flow path that communicates the first female member 11 and the second female member 21.

[0074] In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3, the first female connector 800 was provided at the tip of the cylinder of the syringe 810. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first female connector 800 may be provided at the end of a flexible tube.

[0075] The tube 909 on which the second female connector 900 is provided may be a nasal tube or a fistula tube, or an extension tube connected thereto, or any other arbitrary tube. Alternatively, the second female connector 900 may be provided on a member other than the tube 909. In this case, the configurations of the connection cylinder 921 and the gripping surface 933 can be appropriately changed.

[0076] The conversion connector of the present invention can be used to form a flow path for a liquid substance to be administered to a patient in enteral nutrition such as the nasal method using a nasal tube or the trans-fistula method using a fistula tube. Furthermore, the conversion connector of the present invention can be used to form a flow path in any field other than enteral nutrition.

Industrial Applicability

[0077] The application field of the present invention is not limited, and it can be widely used when connecting a first female connector having a screw lock mechanism and a second female connector having a claw lock mechanism that cannot originally be connected. In particular, in the medical field, especially in enteral nutrition, the present invention can be preferably used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1, 2, 3, 4 conversion connector 10 First male connector 11 First male member 12 Outer peripheral surface of the first male member 14 Female thread 20 Second male connector 21 Second male member 22 Outer peripheral surface of the second male member 26 Engaging claw 31 Flow path 33 Protrusion 800 First female connector 801 First female member 804 Male thread 900 Second female connector 901 Second female member 906 Engaging protrusion

Claims

1. A conversion connector having a first male connector at one end and a second male connector at the other end, the first male connector being connectable to a first female connector and the second male connector being connectable to a second female connector, wherein the first male connector includes a first male member inserted into a first female member of the first female connector and a female screw thread that engages with a male screw thread provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first female member, the second male connector includes a second male member inserted into a second female member of the second female connector and an engaging claw that engages with an engaging projection of the second female connector, the first male member and the second male member communicate with each other via a flow path, and a plurality of protrusions are provided on an inner peripheral surface of the flow path so as to be rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis of the conversion connector. A conversion connector characterized by this.

2. The conversion connector according to claim 1, wherein a tapered surface with a decreasing outer diameter toward the tip of the first male member is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first male member.

3. The conversion connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the second male member is configured such that a liquid-tight seal is formed between the second male member and the second female member when the second male connector is connected to the second female connector.

4. The conversion connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the entire conversion connector is integrally formed as a single part.

5. An opening diameter of the flow path at a tip of the second male member is larger than an opening diameter of the flow path at a tip of the first male member, and a cross-sectional area of the flow path changes smoothly between the first male member and the second male member. The conversion connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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