Clamping device

Abstract

To provide a clamp device used for an infusion tube. 【Solution means】The clamp device main body 1 includes a housing part 2 for holding the infusion tube, a pressing body 5 that is movably installed in the housing part 2 and is movable to a position where it clamps and closes the infusion tube, a pressing part that is installed at a position of the housing part facing the pressing body and clamps and closes the infusion tube together with the pressing body, a rotating arm 4 for moving the pressing body 5, an elastic member 44 for biasing the rotating arm 4, a movable grip 3 for rotating the rotating arm 4, and a locking part for locking the movable grip 3 and the housing part 2. When the locking is released, the rotating arm rotates in the biasing direction, presses the pressing body 5 to close the infusion tube, and rotates the movable grip 3. By a pressing operation of squeezing the movable grip 3, the rotating arm rotates against the biasing direction, and the closing of the infusion tube is released.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamp device for occluding an infusion tube used in drip treatment.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a drip monitoring device is known that monitors the liquid level in a drip chamber used for drip treatment and forcibly clamps the infusion tube when a decrease in the liquid level is detected (see Patent Document 1). This drip monitoring device locks a closing body biased by a spring, and when a sensor installed in the drip chamber detects a decrease in the liquid level in the drip chamber, the locking is released by a solenoid to clamp the tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the above drip monitoring device, it is possible to prevent all the infusion liquid inside the drip chamber from dripping at the end of the drip and air from mixing into the infusion tube. However, since the clamp mechanism is complex and a large solenoid is required, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is high and the size and weight of the device increase. Therefore, a dedicated installation member is required to fix the device, and the handling of the device is not easy.

[0005] In addition, in order to open the infusion tube after clamping, it is necessary to rotate a cylindrical small handle against the strong biasing force of the spring. Therefore, it is not an easy operation for an operator with weak fingertip strength. Furthermore, it has been difficult to determine from the appearance of the device whether the infusion tube is in an open state or a closed state.

[0006] The present invention provides a clamp device that is small and lightweight, and it is easy to determine whether the infusion tube is in an occluded state or an open state from the appearance of the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention includes a housing portion that removably holds an infusion tube, a pressing body that is movably accommodated in the housing portion to a position where the infusion tube is pinched and closed, a pressing portion that is installed at a position of the housing portion facing the pressing body and that, together with the pressing body, pinches and closes the infusion tube, a rotary arm that is rotatably installed in the housing portion and that presses the pressing body to move it to the position, an elastic member that biases the rotary arm in the direction in which the infusion tube is closed, a movable grip that has one end as a free end and the other end rotatably installed in the housing portion, has a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotary arm, and rotates the rotary arm against the biasing force by a pressing operation of gripping the free end side, and a locking portion that locks the housing portion and the movable grip. When the locking is released, the rotary arm presses and rotates the movable grip and presses the pressing body to move it to the position, and when the pressure on the pressing body is released by a pressing operation of gripping the free end side of the movable grip, the locking is restored. By rotation Further, the present invention also includes a housing portion having an infusion tube fitting groove for clamping the infusion tube and a lid member rotatably installed; a pressing body that is movably accommodated in the housing portion to a position where the infusion tube is pinched and closed, a pressing portion that is installed at a position of the housing portion facing the pressing body and that, together with the pressing body, pinches and closes the infusion tube, a rotary arm that is rotatably installed in the housing portion and that presses the pressing body to move it to the position, an elastic member that biases the rotary arm in the direction in which the infusion tube is closed, a movable grip that has one end as a free end and the other end rotatably installed in the housing portion, has a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotary arm, and rotates the rotary arm against the biasing force by a pressing operation of gripping the free end side, and a locking portion that locks the housing portion and the movable grip. The lid member is provided with the pressing portion at a position facing the pressing body, and by closing the lid member, the infusion tube is fixed using the pressing portion in contact with the infusion tube and the side surface of the infusion tube fitting groove;When the locking is released, the rotating arm presses and rotates the movable grip, presses the pressing body, and moves it to the position. When the pressure on the pressing body is released by the pressing operation of gripping the free end side of the movable grip, the locking is restored, and the infusion tube is blocked.

[0008] The clamp device may further include an actuator, such as a linear actuator, for maintaining and releasing the locking by the locking portion, and a control unit for controlling the actuator.

[0009] The clamp device may further include a sensor for detecting the infusion.

[0010] The clamp device may further include an actuator for maintaining and releasing the locking by the locking portion, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a sensor for detecting the infusion. Here, the sensor detects the presence or absence of liquid in the infusion tube, and when the control unit determines that there is no liquid in the infusion tube based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator, and the actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit.

[0011] The clamp device may further include an actuator for maintaining and releasing the locking by the locking portion, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a sensor for detecting the infusion. Here, the sensor detects the dripping of the liquid in the drip chamber, and when the control unit determines that the dripping speed of the liquid in the drip chamber is out of the set range based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator, and the actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit.

[0012] The clamping device may further include an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by the locking portion, a control unit that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion. Here, the sensor detects the liquid level in the drip chamber, and when the control unit determines based on the signal received from the sensor that the liquid level in the drip chamber has dropped below the set position, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator, and the actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit.

[0013] The clamping device may further include a notification unit that notifies the end of the infusion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] In the present invention, since the infusion tube can be blocked without using a large solenoid, the device can be made smaller and lighter. Also, since the number of parts is significantly reduced compared to conventional devices, the manufacturing cost can be lowered. Furthermore, since the device body can be directly attached to the infusion tube, no fixing member for installation is required. And the opening operation of the infusion tube can be easily performed with a light operating feeling based on the lever principle by a pressing operation of gripping the free end side of the movable grip. Even if, for example, the fixing pin of the elastic member comes off and the biasing force is suddenly released, or if the elastic member breaks, the operation can be performed safely because the movable grip completely covers the elastic member. Also, at the start of the infusion, the movable grip is in a closed state with respect to the device body, and at the end of the infusion, it is in an open state with respect to the device body, so it is easy to determine whether the infusion tube is in a blocked state or an open state from the appearance of the device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the clamp device of the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an embodiment of a drip treatment system using the clamp device of the present invention. The infusion container 10 is suspended and held by an infusion stand 11. The infusion flows from the infusion container 10 through the infusion tube 8 into the drip chamber 12, and further through the infusion tube 8 connected to the lower part of the drip chamber 12 and is infused into the human body via the roller clamp 13. The clamp device main body 1 of the present invention is fixed in a state of sandwiching the infusion tube 8 on the upstream side or the downstream side of the drip chamber 12, and is a device for closing the infusion tube 8 at the end of the infusion, and may be about the size of a thumb. The roller clamp 13 is a device for manually adjusting the flow rate of the infusion.

[0017] The clamping device body 1, the peripheral members (housing part 2 and lid member 6) of the infusion tube 8, and the installation method on the infusion tube 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The clamping device body 1 of this embodiment is composed of a housing part 2, a movable grip 3, a rotating arm 4, a pressing body 5, a lid member 6, and a sensor 7. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamping device body 1 installed on the infusion tube 8, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamping device body 1 with the lid member 6 opened, and FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the clamping device body 1 when the infusion tube 8 is in a closed state.

[0018] The housing part 2 is provided with an infusion tube fitting groove 21, a lid fixing claw receiver 22, and a locking receiver 23. Further, a sensor 7 for detecting the presence or absence of infusion is provided inside the infusion tube fitting groove 21 near the pressing body 5, and a control part 24 (see FIG. 7 described later) that operates in response to its signal is built in. The infusion tube fitting groove 21 is arranged in the housing part 2 so as to sandwich the infusion tube 8, and the lid fixing claw receiver 22 is arranged so as to fit with the lid fixing claw 63 provided on the fixing part 62. The housing part further has a space for movably accommodating the pressing body. The space is provided, for example, inside the infusion tube fitting groove 21.

[0019] The pressing body 5 is accommodated in the space of the housing part 2. The pressing body 5 can move perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8 to a position where it sandwiches and closes the infusion tube 8, that is, to a position between the pressing body 5 and a pressing part (the protruding part 61 of the lid member 6 in this embodiment) installed at a position facing the pressing body 5 to sandwich and close the infusion tube 8.

[0020] The lid member 6 is rotatably installed on the housing part 2 by a lid member rotation shaft 26, and a protruding part 61 corresponding to the pressing part is provided on the surface on the housing part side. Further, a fixing part 62 provided with a lid fixing claw 63 is rotatably installed on the lid member 6. By closing the lid member 6 so that the lid fixing claw 63 provided on the fixing part 62 and the lid fixing claw receiver 22 provided on the housing part 2 are fitted, the infusion tube 8 abuts against the protruding part 61 and is fixed to the housing part 2 in a state of being covered and sandwiched between the side surface of the infusion tube fitting groove 21 and the lid member 6.

[0021] Next, the clamping mechanism of the clamping device body 1 of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. For the purpose of explaining the mechanisms of the rotating arm 4 and the pressing body 5, the movable grip 3 is not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the clamping mechanism when the infusion tube 8 fixed to the housing portion 2 is in an open state. The open state means a state in which the infusion in the infusion tube can flow. The rotating arm 4 is connected to the housing portion 2 by an elastic member 44. One end of the elastic member 44 is fixed to the tip of the housing portion 2 (the movable grip rotation shaft 25) by a through pin, and the other end is fixed to the movable grip abutting end portion 43 of the rotating arm 4 (the end portion far from the pressing body 5) by a through pin. A rotation shaft 41 for the rotating arm 4 to rotate is provided near the pressing body 5. Instead of the through pin used for fixing the elastic member 44, other rotatable connection structures, such as concave-convex fitting, can also be used.

[0022] The rotation shaft 41 of the rotating arm 4 is provided parallel or substantially parallel to the short side direction of the rotating arm 4 at a position near the pressing body side end portion 42 (the end portion close to the pressing body 5) of the rotating arm 4 and not at the longitudinal end. Both ends of the rotation shaft 41 are fixed to the housing portion. When the rotating arm 4 rotates due to the biasing force of the elastic member 44, the pressing body side end portion 42 (the end portion close to the pressing body 5) of the rotating arm 4 moves from a position where it does not press the pressing body 5 to a position where it presses the pressing body 5 and moves to the closing position. At the same time, the movable grip abutting end portion 43 of the rotating arm 4 moves in the direction of the movable grip 3 to press and rotate the movable grip 3.

[0023] Due to its attracting force, the elastic member 44 biases the rotating arm 4 in the direction in which the infusion tube 8 is closed, that is, in the direction in which the pressing body side end portion 42 of the rotating arm 4 presses the pressing body 5 and the movable grip abutting end portion 43 of the rotating arm 4 presses the movable grip 3. That is, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotating arm 4 is biased clockwise with respect to the rotation shaft 41 by the attracting force of the elastic member 44. Instead of the tension spring used as the elastic member 44, other biasing elastic members, such as leaf springs, rubber materials, resin springs, etc., can also be used.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between the rotating arm 4 and the pressing body 5 when the infusion tube 8 is in the open state. The rotating arm 4 maintains a positional relationship substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8, and the pressing body 5 is not pressed by the pressing body side end portion 42 of the rotating arm 4 and is in the open position. The open position refers to a position where the pressing body does not block the infusion tube. The infusion tube 8 is in an open state and may be partially pressed by the protrusion 61 of the lid member 6. In the present embodiment, the tension spring of the elastic member 44 is housed in the rotating arm 4 and is rotatably installed in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating arm 4. Therefore, by sharing the occupied space of the elastic member 44 and the rotating arm 4, it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization of the device.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the clamp mechanism when the infusion tube 8 fixed to the housing portion 2 shifts to the closed state. The rotating arm 4 rotates clockwise in the biasing direction and presses the pressing body 5 with the pressing body side end portion 42 of the rotating arm 4. The pressing body 5 advances to the closed position and clamps and closes the infusion tube 8 between the pressing body 5 and the protrusion 61 of the lid member 6. The closed state refers to a state where the infusion tube is clamped by the pressing body and the pressing portion (the protrusion 61 of the lid member 6 in the present embodiment) and the infusion does not flow, and the closed position refers to the position of the pressing body that closes the infusion tube. In the present embodiment, when the rotating arm 4 is inclined at an angle of about 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8, the infusion tube 8 is in the closed state.

[0026] The lid member 6 provided with the protrusion 61 in the present embodiment corresponds to the pressing portion of the clamp device of the present invention. In the clamp device of the present invention, the pressing portion is provided at a position of the housing portion facing the pressing body with the infusion tube interposed therebetween. The infusion tube is held by the housing portion so as to be positioned between the pressing body and the pressing portion, and is clamped and closed between the pressing body and the pressing portion as the pressing body moves.

[0027] In this embodiment, a clamp device having a lid member 6 provided with a protrusion 61 and its accessory parts (lid fixing claw receiver 22, lid member rotation shaft 26, fixing part 62, lid fixing claw 63) is shown. However, instead of these, the clamp device of the present invention may have a pressing part capable of sandwiching an infusion tube with a pressing body, for example, a protrusion or the like fixed at a position of the housing part facing the pressing body with the infusion tube sandwiched therebetween.

[0028] Next, the positional relationship between the rotating arm 4 and the movable grip 3 of the clamp device of the present invention, and the locking part for locking the movable grip 3 and the housing part 2 will be described based on the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9.

[0029] The movable grip 3 is arranged so as to cover the rotating arm 4 and the elastic member 44. The rotation shaft 25 of the movable grip 3 is provided parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 41 of the rotating arm 4 so as to rotatably connect the tip end part of the movable grip 3 and the housing part 2, and both ends of the rotation shaft 25 are fixed to the housing part 2. The movable grip 3 rotates the rotating arm 4 in a direction against the biasing force of the elastic member 44 by a pressing operation for gripping the free end side 31 thereof.

[0030] The locking part has a locking receiver 23 installed on the housing part 2 and a locking claw 37 installed on the movable grip 3. The locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 are arranged at positions where they fit together when the movable grip 3 rotates and becomes substantially parallel to the housing part 2.

[0031] In this embodiment, the locking claw 37 has a rotation shaft 38 and is rotatably installed on the movable grip 3. The locking part further has a linear actuator 32 which is an actuator for maintaining and releasing the locking, and members for interlocking the linear actuator 32 and the locking claw 37, namely, a support material 33, a second pressing body 34, and a second elastic member 36, inside the movable grip 3.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship among the movable grip 3, the rotary arm 4, the locking receiver 23, and the locking claw 37 when the infusion tube 8 is in the open state, and the moving position of the support member 33 by the linear actuator 32. The movable grip 3 is biased in a direction away from the housing portion 2 (clockwise in FIG. 7) by the movable grip contact end portion 43 of the rotary arm 4, but since it is locked to the housing portion 2 by the locking receiver 23, it maintains a positional relationship substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the infusion tube 8 like the rotary arm 4, and the clamp device main body 1 is in a closed state.

[0033] When the clamp device main body 1 is in the closed state, the pressing body 5 is not pressed by the rotary arm 4 and is in the open position, so the infusion tube 8 is in the open state. In the present embodiment, a U-shaped metal circular rod is used as the locking receiver 23, but the material and shape are not limited as long as the locking claw 37 provided on the movable grip 3 can be locked. The linear actuator 32 is fixed to the back surface of the free end side 31 of the movable grip 3. The support member 33 is fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32, and the linear actuator 32 enables reciprocation between the locking position and the unlocking position. The locking position refers to the position of the support member 33 where the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 are fitted, and the unlocking position refers to the position of the support member 33 where the fitting between the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 is released.

[0034] The support member 33 has a shape into which the second pressing body 34 can be inserted. Typically, a through hole is formed penetrating the inside of the support member 33, and the second pressing body 34 can freely move back and forth inside the support member. A head portion 35 having a shape capable of locking the second elastic member 36 is formed at the tip of the second pressing body 34. The head portion 35 locks the second elastic member 36, and the front end surface abuts against the locking claw 37.

[0035] The claw portion of the locking claw 37 is provided in a direction opposite to the front end surface (counterclockwise with respect to the rotation axis 38 in FIG. 7) when the locking claw 37 is brought into contact with the front end surface of the head portion 35 of the second pressing body 34. Thereby, when the housing portion 2 is fixed to the infusion tube 8 so that the tip portion of the movable grip 3 comes upward, the locking claw 37 can be fitted into the locking receiver 23 from below.

[0036] In this embodiment, the second elastic member 36 is a compression spring. One end of the second elastic member 36 is locked to the head 35 of the second pressing body 34, and the other end is locked to the support member 33. When the clamp device main body 1 is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 7, the support member 33 is in the locked position by the linear actuator 32, and the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 is urged in the direction of the locking claw 37 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7) by the biasing force of the second elastic member 36, so that the fitting between the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 is maintained.

[0037] In this embodiment, the contact surface 39 of the locking claw 37 is inclined by about 2 degrees in the direction opposite to the locking receiver 23 (clockwise with respect to the vertical direction in FIG. 7) at the position where the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 are fitted. Therefore, when the support member 33 is in the unlocking position and there is no biasing force by the head 35, the locking claw 37 rotates in the direction opposite to the locking receiver 23 (clockwise in FIG. 7) due to the biasing force by the movable grip contact end portion 43 of the rotary arm 4, and the fitting with the locking receiver 23 is released due to the friction between the contact surface 39 and the contact surface of the locking receiver 23.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows the positional relationship between the movable grip 3 and the rotary arm 4, the second pressing body 34 and the locking claw 37 after the fitting between the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 is released, and the unlocking position of the support member 33 by the linear actuator 32. When the support member 33 in the locked position is moved to the unlocking position by the linear actuator 32, the biasing force of the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 on the locking claw 37 decreases, and the locking claw 37 rotates in the direction opposite to the locking receiver 23 (clockwise in FIG. 8), so that the fitting with the locking receiver 23 is released, and the locking between the movable grip 3 and the housing portion 2 is released.

[0039] When the locking between the movable grip 3 and the housing portion 2 is released, the movable grip abutting end portion 43 of the rotary arm 4 presses the movable grip 3 and rotates the movable grip 3 in a direction away from the housing portion 2 (clockwise in FIG. 8). In the present embodiment, the movable grip 3 stops at a position inclined by approximately 30 degrees with respect to the housing portion 2, and the clamp device main body 1 is in an open state. When the clamp device main body 1 is in the open state, the pressing body 5 advances to the closed position and the infusion tube 8 is in a closed state.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship between the movable grip 3, the rotary arm 4, the second pressing body 34 and the locking claw 37, and the moving position of the support member 33 by the linear actuator 32 when returning the clamp device in the open state to the closed state. When the clamp device main body 1 is in the open state and the infusion tube 8 is in the closed state, the linear actuator 32 immediately moves the support member 33 to the locking position. The locking claw 37 is pressed by the head portion 35 of the second pressing body 34 and rotates in the direction of the locking receiver 23 (counterclockwise in FIG. 9) and stops at the position shown in FIG. 9.

[0041] At this time, since the locking claw 37 is biased in the counterclockwise direction, when a pressing operation is performed to grip the free end side of the movable grip 3 in the state of FIG. 9, the locking claw 37 rotates clockwise against the bias while contacting the locking receiver 23, and then rotates counterclockwise at the moment of fitting and fits with the locking receiver 23, and the movable grip 3 and the housing portion 2 are in a locked state. At this time, the device main body 1 is in the closed state again, and the pressing body 5 retracts to the open position, so the infusion tube 8 is in the open state.

[0042] In addition to the locking receiver 23 and the locking claw 37 used as the locking portion, other locking portions capable of locking the movable grip and the housing portion, for example, a locking mechanism using a tongue plate and a buckle of a widely used seat belt, can also be used. Further, although the clamp device including the support member 33, the second pressing body 34, the second elastic member 36, and the linear actuator 32 has been described as an example of a member for maintaining and releasing the locking, it is not essential for the clamp device of the present invention to include these. For example, when the clamp device of the present invention includes a locking claw and a locking receiver having a structure in which the locking is maintained by fitting, it may not be necessary to separately provide a member for maintaining the locking, and as a member for maintaining and releasing the locking, for example, an actuator other than the linear actuator or a lever may be used.

[0043] When performing a pressing operation for gripping the free end side of the movable grip 3, since the rotation shaft 25 serves as a fulcrum, the contact surface with the movable grip contact end portion 43 of the rotating arm 4 serves as a point of action, and the free end side serves as a point of force, it is possible to operate with a light operating feeling based on the principle of a lever. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, since the movable grip 3 has a structure that completely covers the rotating arm 4 and the elastic member 44, even when the fixing pin of the elastic member 44 comes off and the biasing force is suddenly released, or when the elastic member 44 breaks, it is possible to prevent the scattered members from coming off or breaking, and the operation can be performed safely.

[0044] For the control of the actuator, for example, the linear actuator 32, the control unit 24 is used. The control unit 24 sends a signal to the linear actuator 32 and controls the maintenance and release of the locking. The control unit 24 can transmit a signal to the linear actuator 32 and may be disposed at any position inside or outside the clamp device as long as it does not interfere with the operation of other members, and may be a device separate from the clamp device main body 1. The transmission of the signal from the control unit 24 to the linear actuator 32 is performed based on another signal from the outside, for example, a signal transmitted from a sensor that detects infusion, a signal manually input to the control unit 24 by an operator, or the like.

[0045] The control unit 24 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 24 preferably includes a ROM (Read-Only Memory Area) in which a program is stored, a RAM (Random Access Memory Area) for storing data temporarily required when the CPU executes the program, and the like. In the present embodiment, the control unit 24 operates by the power of the battery 9 installed in the movable gripper 3. The battery 9 can supply power to the control unit 24 and may be arranged at any position inside or outside the clamp device main body 1 as long as it does not interfere with the operation of other members.

[0046] The clamp device of the present invention may have a sensor for detecting an infusion. In a clamp device having a sensor, the sensor can detect an infusion and may be arranged at any position of the clamp device main body as long as it does not interfere with the operation of other members, or may be provided in a form separated from the clamp device main body. A clamp device composed of such a clamp device main body and a separated sensor is also included in the present invention. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of an infusion therapy system using the clamp device of the present invention in which the sensor 7 is installed in the drip chamber 12 and the clamp device main body 1 is installed in the infusion tube 8 downstream of the drip chamber 12.

[0047] The sensor for detecting an infusion may be any sensor that can detect the liquid inside at any position between the infusion container and the human body in the infusion therapy system, and preferably can detect the liquid in the infusion tube or in the drip chamber. Examples of the sensor for detecting an infusion include an optical sensor (for example, an infrared sensor), an ultrasonic sensor, an electromagnetic wave sensor, and the like. For example, an infrared sensor can detect the presence or absence of liquid in the infusion tube based on the light intensity of the received light.

[0048] In one embodiment, the clamp device further includes an actuator that maintains and releases the locking, a control unit that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion. The sensor detects the presence or absence of liquid in the infusion tube. When the control unit determines that there is no liquid in the infusion tube based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit. Taking the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 where the sensor 7 is installed in the housing portion as an example, during drip infusion, the control unit 24 sequentially receives signals from the sensor 7. When it determines, by analyzing the signals, that there is no liquid in the infusion tube 8, it sends a signal to the linear actuator 32, moves the support member 33 fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32 to the unlocking position, reduces the biasing force of the locking claw 37 by the head 35 of the second pressing body 34, and releases the locking between the movable grip 3 and the housing portion 2. The clamp device body is opened and the infusion tube 8 is blocked.

[0049] After the infusion tube 8 is blocked, the control unit 24 immediately sends a signal to the linear actuator 32, advances the support member 33 fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32 to the locking position, and restores the biasing of the locking claw 37 by the head 35 of the second pressing body 34.

[0050] In one embodiment, the clamp device further includes an actuator that maintains and releases the locking by movement, a control unit that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion. The sensor detects the dripping of the liquid in the drip chamber. When the control unit determines that the dripping speed of the liquid in the drip chamber is out of the set range based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit. Here, the dripping speed means the number of drips per unit time.

[0051] In the clamping device of this embodiment, the sensor is installed on the drip chamber, for example, on the outer surface of the drip chamber. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 9 for details other than the position of the sensor, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 where the sensor 7 is installed on the drip chamber 12, when the control unit 24 sequentially receives a signal from the sensor 7 and determines that the dropping speed in the drip chamber 12 is out of the set range through signal analysis, it sends a signal to an actuator, for example, a linear actuator 32, and moves the support member 33 fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32 to the unlocking position, reducing the biasing force of the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 on the locking claw 37 to release the locking between the movable grip 3 and the housing part 2. The set range of the dropping speed can be arbitrarily determined. When the dropping speed at the time of starting the drip and adjusting the infusion rate to a desired speed is taken as the reference speed, it is 0.1 to 300% of the reference speed, preferably 5 to 200% of the reference speed, more preferably 10 to 150% of the reference speed.

[0052] In one embodiment, the clamping device further includes an actuator that maintains and releases locking by movement, a control unit that controls the actuator, and a sensor that detects the infusion. The sensor detects the liquid level in the drip chamber. When the control unit determines based on the signal received from the sensor that the liquid level in the drip chamber has dropped below the set position, it issues a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit.

[0053] In the clamping device of this embodiment, the sensor is installed on the drip chamber, for example, on the outer surface of the drip chamber. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 9 for details other than the position of the sensor, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 where the sensor 7 is installed on the drip chamber 12, when the control unit 24 sequentially receives a signal from the sensor 7 and determines by analyzing the signal that the liquid level in the drip chamber 12 has dropped below the set position, it sends a signal to an actuator, for example, a linear actuator 32, and moves the support member 33 fixed to the movable part of the linear actuator 32 to the unlocking position, reducing the biasing force of the head 35 of the second pressing body 34 on the locking claw 37 to release the locking between the movable grip 3 and the housing part 2. The set position of the liquid level can be arbitrarily determined, but it is preferably the position of the liquid level when the drip is started and the infusion rate is adjusted to a desired rate, or the lowest position of the drip chamber.

[0054] The clamping device of the present invention may further include a notification unit for notifying the end of the drip. The end of the drip means that there is no liquid in the infusion tube, the dropping speed of the liquid in the drip chamber is lower than the lower limit value of the set range, or the liquid level in the drip chamber has dropped below the set position, which is detected by the sensor or confirmed by the operator. When the drip ends, as described above, the locking between the movable grip and the housing part is released and the infusion tube is blocked. After the locking between the movable grip and the housing part is released, the control unit sends a signal to the notification unit, and the notification unit emits light, sound, vibration, etc. based on the signal from the control unit to notify. The notification unit may be arranged at any position of the clamping device main body as long as it does not interfere with the operation of other members, or may be provided in a form separated from the clamping device main body.

[0055] In the clamping device of the present invention, the transmission of signals, for example, the transmission of signals between the control unit and the actuator, the control unit and the sensor, and the control unit and the notification unit, can be performed by wire or wirelessly.

Explanation of Signs

[0056] 1 Clamping device main body 2 Housing part 21 Tube fitting groove 22 Lid fixing claw receiver 23 Locking support 24 Control unit 25 Movable gripper rotation axis 26 Lid member rotation axis 3 Movable gripper 31 Free end side of the movable gripper 32 Linear actuator 33 Support material 34 Second pressing body 35 Head 36 Second elastic member 37 Locking claw 38 Locking claw rotation axis 39 Locking claw contact surface 4 Rotating arm 41 Rotating arm rotation axis 42 Pressing body side end 43 Movable gripper contact end 44 Elastic member 5 Pressing body 6 Lid member 61 Protrusion 62 Fixed part 63 Lid fixing claw 7 Sensor 8 Infusion tube 9 Battery 10 Infusion container 11 Infusion stand 12 Drip chamber 13 Clamp

Claims

1. A housing part for detachably holding an infusion tube, a pressing body that is movably accommodated in the housing part to a position where the infusion tube is clamped and closed, a pressing part that is installed at a position of the housing part facing the pressing body and clamps and closes the infusion tube together with the pressing body, a rotating arm that is rotatably installed in the housing part and presses the pressing body to move it to the above position by rotation, an elastic member that biases the rotating arm in the direction in which the infusion tube is closed, a movable grip having a free end at one end and rotatably installed at the housing part at the other end, having a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotating arm, and rotating the rotating arm against the biasing force by a pressing operation of gripping the free end side, a locking part that locks the housing part and the movable grip, a clamp device for closing an infusion tube, wherein when the locking is released, the rotating arm presses and rotates the movable grip and presses the pressing body to move it to the above position, and when the pressure on the pressing body is released by a pressing operation of gripping the free end side of the movable grip, the locking is restored.

2. A housing part having an infusion tube fitting groove for clamping an infusion tube and a lid member rotatably installed, a pressing body that is movably accommodated in the housing part to a position where the infusion tube is clamped and closed, a pressing part that is installed at a position of the housing part facing the pressing body and clamps and closes the infusion tube together with the pressing body, a rotating arm that is rotatably installed in the housing part and presses the pressing body to move it to the above position, an elastic member that biases the rotating arm in the direction in which the infusion tube is closed, a movable grip having a free end at one end and rotatably installed at the housing part at the other end, having a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the rotating arm, and rotating the rotating arm against the biasing force by a pressing operation of gripping the free end side, a locking part that locks the housing part and the movable grip, the lid member is provided with the pressing part at a position facing the pressing body, and the infusion tube is fixed by using the pressing part in contact with the infusion tube and the side surface of the infusion tube fitting groove when the lid member is closed. When the locking is released, the rotating arm presses and rotates the movable grip, presses the pressing body, and moves it to the position. When the pressure on the pressing body is released by the pressing operation of gripping the free end side of the movable grip, the locking is restored. A clamp device for closing an infusion tube.

3. The clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an actuator for maintaining and releasing the locking by the locking portion, and a control unit for controlling the actuator.

4. The clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a sensor for detecting infusion.

5. The clamp device further comprises an actuator for maintaining and releasing the locking by the locking portion, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a sensor for detecting infusion. The sensor detects the presence or absence of liquid in the infusion tube. When the control unit determines that there is no liquid in the infusion tube based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit. The clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The clamp device further comprises an actuator for maintaining and releasing the locking by the locking portion, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a sensor for detecting infusion. The sensor detects the dripping of liquid in the drip chamber. When the control unit determines that the dripping speed of the liquid in the drip chamber is out of the set range based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit. The clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The clamp device further comprises an actuator for maintaining and releasing the locking by the locking portion, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a sensor for detecting infusion. The sensor detects the liquid level in the drip chamber. When the control unit determines that the liquid level in the drip chamber has dropped below the set position based on the signal received from the sensor, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator. The actuator releases the locking based on the signal received from the control unit. The clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. The clamp device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a notification unit for notifying the end of infusion.

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