connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of improving convenience of the connector.SOLUTION: A connector 100 according to one embodiment is freely detachably connected to a female connector 200 conforming to ISO 80369-3. The female connector 200 is provided with a cylinder part 210 and a pair of screw threads 220 formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder part 210. The connector 100 is provided with a base part 10 which an end part of a liquid sending tube 310 is inserted in and fixed to and a connection part 20 connected to the female connector 200, and has a communication lumen 30 which goes through at least the base part 10 in an axial direction and mutually communicates a lumen of the liquid sending tube 310 with a lumen of the cylinder part 210. An internal diameter of the communication lumen is larger than an internal diameter of a male lure of a male connector 400 conforming to ISO 80369-3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a connector that can be detachably connected to a female connector that complies with ISO 80369-3 is described in Patent Document 1. The connector in Patent Document 1 comprises a male luer (referred to in the document as a male connector portion) that fits into the lumen of the female connector, a cylindrical portion that surrounds the male luer, and a communicating lumen (referred to in the document as a flow path) that interconnects the lumen of a liquid delivery tube (referred to in the document as a supply tube) and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, allowing a liquid such as a nutrient to be supplied from the lumen of the female connector to the lumen of the liquid tube via the communicating lumen of the connector. A portion of the cylindrical portion of the connector in Cited Document 1 forms a male threaded portion with a screw thread formed on its inner surface, and by threading this male threaded portion and the screw threads of the female connector together, the connector can be detachably connected to the female connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-535792 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the investigations of the present inventors, the connector of the cited document 1 has room for improvement in terms of convenience.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a connector having a structure that can improve the convenience of the connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a connector that is detachably coupled to a female connector conforming to ISO 80369-3, comprising: The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, A connector is provided in which the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing a connector and a female connector according to the first embodiment and their surrounding structure, with FIG. 1(a) being a side view and FIG. 1(b) being a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 2] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a first embodiment and their surrounding structure, showing a state in which the connector and the female connector are connected to each other. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view of the connector according to the first embodiment as seen from the tip end side. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), and 4(d) are diagrams showing the female connector, of which Figure 4(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, Figure 4(b) is a perspective view, Figure 4(c) is a side view, and Figure 4(d) is a view from the base end side. [Figure 5]Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), and 5(d) are diagrams showing the male connector, of which Figure 5(a) is a longitudinal cross section, Figure 5(b) is an oblique view, Figure 5(c) is a side view, and Figure 5(d) is a view from the base end side. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the connector according to the first embodiment is provided on a liquid supply tube of a gastrostomy catheter. [Figure 7] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a modified example of the first embodiment, and their surrounding structure. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a second embodiment, and their surrounding structure. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a second embodiment and their surrounding structure, showing the connector and the female connector connected to each other. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a view of the tubular portion of the connector according to the second embodiment as viewed from the tip side. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 12] Figures 12(a) and 12(b) are cross-sectional views showing a connector and female connector according to variant 1 of the second embodiment and their surrounding structure, where Figure 12(a) shows the state in which the engagement recess is engaged with the screw thread, and Figure 12(b) shows the state in which the engagement between the engagement recess and the screw thread is released. [Figure 13] Figure 13(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and female connector according to variant 1 of the second embodiment and their surrounding structure, and Figure 13(b) is a view from the tip side of the tubular portion in variant 1 of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] Figures 14(a) and 14(b) are cross-sectional views showing a connector and female connector according to variant 2 of the second embodiment and their surrounding structure, where Figure 14(a) shows the state in which the engagement recess is engaged with the screw thread, and Figure 14(b) shows the state in which the engagement between the engagement recess and the screw thread is released. [Figure 15]Figures 15(a) and 15(b) are cross-sectional views showing a connector and a female connector relating to variant example 3 of the second embodiment and their surrounding structure, where Figure 15(a) shows the state in which the engagement recess is engaged with the screw thread, and Figure 15(b) shows the state in which the engagement between the engagement recess and the screw thread is released. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a fourth modification of the second embodiment, and the surrounding structure. [Figure 17] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a fourth modification of the second embodiment, and their surrounding structure, showing the connector and the female connector connected to each other. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a fifth modified example of the second embodiment, and their surrounding structure, showing the connector and the female connector connected to each other. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a third embodiment, and their surrounding structures. [Figure 20] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a third embodiment and their surrounding structure, showing a state in which an engaging recess is engaged with a screw thread. FIG. [Figure 21] 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a third embodiment and their surrounding structure, showing a state in which the cylindrical portion is restrained by the cover portion. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to the fourth embodiment and their surrounding structure, and FIG. 22(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 22(a). [Figure 23] FIG. 23(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to the fourth embodiment and their surrounding structure, and FIG. 23(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 23(a). [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 25]Figures 25(a) and 25(b) are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing the connector and female connector of the fifth embodiment and their surrounding structure, of which Figure 25(a) shows the state in which the tubular portion is inserted into the tubular portion, and Figure 25(b) shows the state in which the tubular portion is removed from the tubular portion. [Figure 26] Figures 26(a) and 26(b) are diagrams showing a connector and a female connector according to the fifth embodiment and their surrounding structure, where Figure 26(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view and Figure 26(b) is a cross-sectional view along line AA shown in Figure 26(a). [Figure 27] 27(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 24, and FIG. 27(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 25(a). [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a modification of the fifth embodiment, and the surrounding structure, showing a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the thread. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector and a female connector according to a modification of the fifth embodiment, and the surrounding structure, showing a state in which the engagement portions are disengaged from the threads. [Figure 30] 30(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 28, and FIG. 30(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 31] Figures 31(a) and 31(b) are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing the connector and female connector of the sixth embodiment and their surrounding structure, of which Figure 31(a) shows the state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the thread, and Figure 31(b) shows the state in which the engaging portion is disengaged from the thread. [Figure 32] Figures 32(a) and 32(b) are views of the engaging portion in the sixth embodiment viewed in the axial direction, with Figure 32(a) showing the state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the thread, and Figure 32(b) showing the state in which the engaging portion is disengaged from the thread. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1(a) to 32(b). In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the various components of the connector 100 of the present invention do not need to exist independently of one another. It is acceptable for multiple components to be formed as a single member, for one component to be formed from multiple members, for one component to be a part of another component, or for part of one component to overlap with part of another component. In the following description, the distal side of the connector 100 (the side connected to the female connector 200) may be referred to as the tip side, and the proximal side of the connector 100 (the side opposite to the side connected to the female connector 200) may be referred to as the base side. More specifically, the right side in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the tip side, and the left side in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the base side. Furthermore, the tip portion refers to a certain range including the distal end (the most distal end) and its periphery, and the base end portion refers to a certain range including the proximal end (the most proximal end) and its periphery. Furthermore, the axial direction of the base portion 10 may be simply referred to as the axial direction, and the radial direction of the base portion 10 may be simply referred to as the radial direction. Furthermore, the circumferential direction of the base portion 10 may be simply referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0010] [First embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1(a) to 6. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 3, a connector 100 according to this embodiment is a connector that is detachably coupled to a female connector 200 that complies with ISO 80369-3. The female connector 200 includes a cylindrical portion 210 and a pair of screw threads 220 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 210 . The connector 100 comprises a base portion 10 into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube 310 is inserted and fixed, and a connecting portion 20 which is connected to the female connector 200, and also has a communicating lumen 30 which penetrates at least the base portion 10 in the axial direction and connects the lumen of the liquid delivery tube 310 to the lumen of the tubular portion 210. The inner diameter of the communicating lumen 30 is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer 410 of the male connector 400 (see Figs. 5(a) to 5(d)) conforming to ISO 80369-3. Here, "the inner diameter of the communicating lumen 30 is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer 410 of the male connector 400" means that the inner diameter of the communicating lumen 30 is larger than the minimum inner diameter of the male connector 400 throughout the entire communicating lumen 30, and preferably means that the inner diameter of the communicating lumen 30 is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the male connector 400 throughout the entire communicating lumen 30.

[0011] The connector 100 is used for medical purposes such as enteral nutrition, for example. A liquid such as a nutrient is supplied from the lumen of the female connector 200 through the communicating lumen 30 of the connector 100 to the lumen of the liquid supply tube 310.

[0012] According to the present embodiment, the inner diameter of communicating lumen 30 of connector 100 is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3, and therefore the fluidity of the liquid within communicating lumen 30 is better than when male connector 400 is used. This improves the efficiency of the operation when injecting the liquid, thereby improving the convenience of connector 100.

[0013] First, the female connector 200 conforming to ISO 80369-3 (hereinafter simply referred to as the female connector 200) will be described in more detail. 1(a) and 1(b), female connector 200 includes, for example, in addition to tubular portion 210 and a pair of screw threads 220, a flange portion 230 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the tip end of tubular portion 210, and an attachment portion 240 that protrudes toward the tip end from the tip end surface of flange portion 230. Note that attachment portion 240 is not shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d). As shown in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c), the tubular portion 210 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Each of the pair of threads 220 is formed at the base end of the tubular portion 210. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210 includes a first region 212 whose diameter tapers toward the rear (the tip side (the right side in Fig. 1)) at a first taper angle, and a second region 214 whose diameter tapers toward the rear (the tip side (the right side in Fig. 1)) at a second taper angle that is steeper than the first taper angle. The second region 214 is adjacent to the tip side of the first region 212. Furthermore, the lumen of the tubular portion 210 includes a third region 216 adjacent to the distal side of the second region 214. The base end of the first region 212 forms an opening on the proximal side of the tubular portion 210, and the distal end of the third region 216 forms an opening on the distal side of the tubular portion 210. The inner diameter of the third region 216 is constant regardless of the position in the axial direction. The diameters of the first region 212 and the second region 214 each decrease toward the distal end. The inner diameter of the distal end of the first region 212 is set to a dimension equivalent to the inner diameter of the proximal end of the second region 214. The inner diameter of the proximal end of the third region 216 is set to a dimension equivalent to the inner diameter of the distal end of the second region 214. 4(d), the pair of threads 220 are arranged at positions that are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion 210. Each of the pair of threads 220 rotates around the axis of the cylindrical portion 210 by less than 180 degrees (more specifically, approximately 90 degrees). Both end faces of each thread 220 in the circumferential direction are parallel to each other in the radial direction. The mounting portion 240 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed coaxially with the tubular portion 210. The outer diameter of the mounting portion 240 is, for example, larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portion 210 and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 230. The inner cavity of the tip portion of the mounting portion 240 has a larger diameter than the other portions of the mounting portion 240, and the base end portion of the second liquid supply tube 320 is inserted into and fixed to this tip portion. The inner cavity of the tubular portion 210 and the inner cavity of the second liquid supply tube 320 communicate with each other via the inner cavity of the mounting portion 240. The inner diameter of the portion of the attachment portion 240 closer to the base end than the distal end is set to a dimension equivalent to the inner diameter of the third region 216, for example. In the present invention, among the components of female connector 200, at least tubular portion 210 and pair of threads 220 need to have a shape and dimensions that comply with ISO 80369-3, and the shapes and dimensions of flange portion 230 and mounting portion 240 are not particularly limited.

[0014] Next, a male connector 400 conforming to ISO 80369-3 (hereinafter simply referred to as male connector 400) will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d). The male connector 400 comprises a cylindrical male luer 410 whose outer diameter decreases toward the tip, a cylindrical portion 420 surrounding the male luer 410, and a base portion 440 that has a circular ring shape when viewed in the axial direction. Male luer (410) and cylindrical portion (420) each protrude from the tip surface of base portion (440) toward the tip side. Male luer 410 fits into the inner cavity of tubular portion 210 of female connector 200 . The inner diameter of male luer (410) is constant regardless of its position in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the tip of male luer (410) tapers sharply toward the tip. The taper angle of the outer peripheral surface of male luer (410) (excluding the tip) is set to be approximately the same as the taper angle of the inner peripheral surface of tubular portion (210). The outer diameter of cylindrical portion (420) is constant regardless of its position in the axial direction. In the axial direction, the dimensions of cylindrical portion (420) are smaller than the dimensions of male luer (410), and the tip of male luer (410) protrudes to the outside from the opening on the tip side of cylindrical portion (420). More specifically, in the axial direction, the tip of cylindrical portion (420) is located closer to the base end than the tip of male luer (410). As shown in FIG. 5(a), a portion of cylindrical portion 420 constitutes a male threaded portion having a screw thread formed on its inner circumferential surface. The male threaded portion is a portion that threadably engages with a pair of screw threads 220 of female connector 200. Male connector 400 can be detachably coupled to female connector 200 by fitting male luer 410 into the inner cavity of cylindrical portion 210 and threading the male threaded portion and the pair of screw threads 220 together. At this time, male luer 410 threads forward along the inner circumferential surface of cylindrical portion 210 toward female connector 200 (the tip side). More specifically, male connector 400 and female connector 200 are threadably engaged with each other by rotating them relatively around their axes within an angular range of 180 degrees or more.

[0015] Next, the connector 100 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1(a) to 3. FIG. In this embodiment, the connector 100 is provided with a hollow male luer 15 that fits into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210 . The male luer 15 protrudes from the tip surface 11 of the base portion 10 toward the tip, and its outer diameter decreases toward the tip. The male luer 15 constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion 20, and the inner cavity of the male luer 15 constitutes a part of the communicating inner cavity 30. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 3, the base portion 10 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The male luer 15 is formed, for example, in a truncated cone shape that protrudes from the center of the tip surface 11 toward the tip side. The outer diameter of the base end of the male luer 15 is set to a dimension smaller than the outer diameter of the base portion 10. The inner diameter of the male luer 15 is constant, for example, regardless of its position in the axial direction. Therefore, the wall thickness of the male luer 15 becomes thinner toward the tip side. The inner cavity of male luer 15 is mutually connected to the inner cavity of base portion 10 , and in the case of this embodiment, the inner cavity of male luer 15 and the inner cavity of base portion 10 form a communicating inner cavity 30 . The inner diameter of the tip side portion of the communicating lumen 30 (the lumen of the male luer 15 and the lumen of the tip portion of the base portion 10) is, for example, approximately constant regardless of the position in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the base side portion of the communicating lumen 30 (the lumen of the base end portion of the base portion 10) is, for example, larger than the other portions, and the liquid delivery tube 310 is inserted and fixed into the base side portion. 2, the maximum outer diameter of the male luer 15 (the outer diameter of the base end of the male luer 15) is set to a dimension larger than the inner diameter of the base end of the tubular portion 210. Furthermore, the taper angle of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 15 is set to be, for example, approximately the same as the taper angle of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 210 (and thus the taper angle of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 410 of the male connector 400). However, the taper angle of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 15 may be larger than the taper angle of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 210. In other words, the radial gap between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 210 and the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 15 may expand toward the tip.

[0016] Here, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), in this embodiment, the tip surface 11 of the base portion 10 is the most distal end of the portion of the connector 100 that is located radially outward from the male luer 15. More specifically, the entire outer circumferential surface of male luer 15 is exposed to the outside of connector 100. Meanwhile, male luer 410 of male connector 400 is surrounded by cylindrical portion 420, as described above. Therefore, compared to the male connector 400, cleaning of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 15 is easier.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the male luer 15 is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer 410 of the male connector 400 conforming to ISO 80369-3. This allows the liquid to flow through the communicating lumen 30 better than in the male connector 400 . Here, "the inner diameter of the male luer 15 is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer 410 of the male connector 400" means that the inner diameter of the male luer 15 is larger than the minimum inner diameter of the male connector 400 over the entire area of the male luer 15, and preferably means that the inner diameter of the male luer 15 is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the male connector 400 over the entire area of the male luer 15.

[0018] Furthermore, the overall length of male luer 15 included in connector 100 is shorter than the overall length of male luer 410 of male connector 400 conforming to ISO 80369-3. This allows the outer diameter of the tip of male luer 15 to be set larger while maintaining the taper angle of male luer 15 corresponding to the taper angle of the inner peripheral surface of tubular portion 210, and therefore the inner diameter of male luer 15 to be set larger. Therefore, male luer 15 can be fitted well into tubular portion 210, and liquid can circulate better in communicating lumen 30 compared to male connector 400 that complies with ISO 80369-3.

[0019] The total length of the male lure 15 is preferably, for example, between 0.3 mm and 7 mm, and more preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm. By keeping the total length of the male lure 15 at 5 mm or less, it is possible to maintain the taper angle of the male lure 15 corresponding to the taper angle of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 210, while ensuring a sufficient outer diameter (and therefore inner diameter) of the tip of the male lure 15. The minimum outer diameter of the male lure 15 (outer diameter of the tip of the male lure 15) is, for example, preferably 5.41 mm or more and 5.68 mm or less, and more preferably 5.5 mm or more and 5.64 mm or less. By making the minimum outer diameter of the male lure 15 5.41 mm or more, the inner diameter of the male lure 15 can be sufficiently secured. The minimum inner diameter of male luer 15 is preferably, for example, 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. By having a minimum inner diameter of male luer 15 of 3.1 mm or more, for example, a transgastric endoscope (not shown, with a maximum outer diameter of 3.05 mm) can be inserted into male luer 15.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the connector 100 is provided with a ring-shaped packing 60 that is circumferentially fitted to the tip end of the cylindrical portion 210 in a liquid-tight manner. This allows the connector 100 to be connected to the tubular portion 210 of the female connector 200 in a liquid-tight manner. The packing 60 is, for example, an O-ring. The packing 60 is disposed, for example, on the tip surface 11 of the base portion 10. When viewed in the axial direction, the packing 60 surrounds the periphery of the base end of the male luer 15. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, an annular groove is formed around the axial center of the male luer 15 on the peripheral edge of the male luer 15 on the tip surface 11. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), for example, the base end side portion of the packing 60 is recessed into the inside of the base portion 10 (fitted into the groove), while the tip end side portion of the packing 60 is exposed (protrudes) to the outside from the tip surface 11. The inner diameter of the packing 60 is set to, for example, a dimension approximately equal to the outer diameter of the base end of the male luer 15. Therefore, the inner peripheral edge of the packing 60 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the male luer 15. However, the inner peripheral edge of the packing 60 may, for example, be spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 15 (the inner diameter of the packing 60 may be larger than the outer diameter of the male luer 15). The outer diameter of packing 60 is not particularly limited, but is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of female connector 200 and equal to or larger than the inner diameter of said tip.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1(a), 1(b) and 2, in this embodiment, the male luer 15 is inserted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210 by moving the connector 100 and the female connector 200 relative to each other in the axial direction in the direction in which the tubular portion 210 approaches the base portion 10 (hereinafter referred to as a pushing operation). That is, connector 100 can be detachably coupled to female connector 200 by a pushing operation, and therefore connector 100 can be more easily coupled to female connector 200 compared to male connector 400, which is coupled to female connector 200 by screwing. Therefore, the operability of connector 100 can be further improved.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the packing 60 is in close contact with the distal end surface of the tubular portion 210. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, when the male luer 15 is fitted into the lumen of the tubular portion 210, the packing 60 is crushed in the axial direction between the distal end surface 11 of the base portion 10 and the end surface of the tubular portion 210. This allows the lumen of female connector 200 and communicating lumen 30 of connector 100 to be liquid-tightly connected to each other. Furthermore, because the inner diameter of the end face of tubular portion 210 is larger than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of said tubular portion 210, the outer diameter of male luer 15 can be set larger than when said inner circumferential surface and packing 60 are in close contact with each other. This therefore improves the fluidity of the liquid within communicating lumen 30. In the present invention, it is also preferable that, for example, male luer 15 is made of a soft resin material, and that male luer 15 is press-fit into the inner cavity of tubular portion 210 when connector 100 and female connector 200 are connected to each other.

[0023] In the present embodiment, as an example, the connector 100 is a connector for the liquid supply tube 310 of the gastrostomy catheter 300 (see FIG. 6). The connector 100 is provided at the upstream end of the liquid supply tube 310 (the side opposite to the gastrostomy catheter 300).

[0024] <Modification 1 of the First Embodiment> Next, a first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The connector 100 of this modified example differs from the connector 100 of the first embodiment described above in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the first embodiment described above.

[0025] In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner diameter of male luer 15 included in connector 100 increases toward the base end of male luer 15. This reduces the pressure loss that occurs when the liquid flows through the communicating lumen 30. This allows the liquid to flow more smoothly through the communicating lumen 30.

[0026] Furthermore, male luer 15 included in connector 100 may be set to a protruding length such that its tip reaches second region 214 of female connector 200 . As a result, as shown in Figure 7, when the male luer 15 is inserted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210, the tip of the male luer 15 is inserted deep into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210 (towards the tip), so that the connector 100 and the female connector 200 can be maintained in a good connected state with each other.

[0027] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 11. Fig. 10 selectively illustrates the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical portion 40. Fig. 11 omits the illustration of the flange portion 230. The connector 100 of this embodiment differs from the connector 100 of the first embodiment and its modified examples described above in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the first embodiment and its modified examples described above.

[0028] 8 and 9, the present embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 40 that protrudes from the tip of the base portion 10 toward the tip side. The cylindrical portion 40 has an engaging portion 42 that engages with the screw thread 220, and the engaging portion forms at least a part of the connecting portion 20. According to this configuration, connector 100 and female connector 200 can be connected to each other by engaging thread 220 with the engaging portion.

[0029] In this embodiment, the engaging portion 42 is an engaging recess formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 40. The engaging recess is formed, for example, at the base end of the cylindrical portion 40. The engaging recess is a groove recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 40. More specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cylindrical portion 40 has a pair of engaging recesses arranged at opposite positions in the circumferential direction. Each engaging recess is a groove recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 40. As shown in Figure 10, like the pair of threads 220, each engaging recess is formed, for example, in a shape rotationally symmetrical with respect to each other by 180 degrees. One thread 220 engages with each engaging recess. More specifically, each engaging recess is formed in a shape that substantially matches the shape of the corresponding screw thread 220. Therefore, each engaging recess extends around the circumference by approximately 90 degrees, for example. However, in the present invention, the engagement recess may extend around the circumferential direction over a longer range than the thread 220. The engagement recess may be a single groove extending 360 degrees around the circumferential direction. In this case, each of the pair of threads 220 engages with one engagement recess. 11, the depth dimension (radial dimension) of each engagement recess is set to, for example, approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the protruding length (radial dimension) of each screw thread 220. However, the depth dimension (radial dimension) of each engagement recess may be, for example, larger than the protruding length (radial dimension) of each screw thread 220. In the circumferential direction, the dimension of each engagement recess is set to be slightly larger than the dimension of each screw thread 220.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 40 surrounds the male luer 15, and the male luer 15 constitutes the connecting portion 20 together with the engaging portion. As a result, when connector 100 and female connector 200 are connected to each other, as shown in Figure 9, male luer 15 is inserted into the inner cavity of tubular portion 210, thereby allowing the inner cavity of male luer 15 and the inner cavity of tubular portion 210 to be liquid-tightly connected to each other. Furthermore, because tubular portion 40 has an engaging portion that engages with thread 220, male luer 15 can, for example, maintain a good connection between connector 100 and female connector 200. Therefore, compared to male connector 400, the protruding length of male luer 15 can be set shorter and the inner diameter of male luer 15 can be set larger, thereby ensuring a sufficient flow rate of liquid flowing within communicating lumen 30. In addition, a transgastric fistula endoscope (not shown) or the like can be smoothly inserted into male luer 15. In the present embodiment, since the cylindrical portion 40 has an engaging portion 42 that engages with the screw thread 220, the cylindrical portion 40 does not need to have a male luer 15, for example.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cylindrical portion 40 protrudes from the outer periphery of the distal end surface 11 toward the distal end side, for example. The outer diameter of the tubular portion 40 is set, for example, to a dimension equivalent to the outer diameter of the base portion 10. The inner diameter of the tubular portion 40 is set to a dimension larger than the outer diameter (maximum diameter) of the male luer 15. For example, the tubular portion 40 protrudes from a portion of the tip surface 11 that is outside the area where the packing 60 is disposed. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 40 (excluding the region where the engaging portion is formed) is set to, for example, a dimension that is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 210. In the axial direction, the dimensions of the tubular portion 40 are set to be larger than the dimensions of the male luer 15. More specifically, the tip of the male luer 15 is located closer to the base end than the tip of the tubular portion 40. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, similar to the first modification of the first embodiment, the inner diameter of the male luer 15 increases toward the base end of the male luer 15. This allows the liquid to flow more smoothly within the communicating lumen 30.

[0032] In this embodiment, the total length of the male lure 15 is preferably, for example, 0.3 mm to 7 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 5 mm. By keeping the total length of the male lure 15 5 mm or less, the outer diameter of the tip of the male lure 15 (and therefore the inner diameter of the male lure 15) can be sufficiently secured. The minimum outer diameter of the male lure 15 (outer diameter of the tip of the male lure 15) is, for example, preferably 5.41 mm or more and 5.68 mm or less, and more preferably 5.5 mm or more and 5.64 mm or less. By making the minimum outer diameter of the male lure 15 5.41 mm or more, the inner diameter of the male lure 15 can be sufficiently secured. The minimum inner diameter of male luer 15 is preferably, for example, 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. By having an inner diameter of male luer 15 of 3.1 mm or more, for example, a transgastric fistula endoscope (not shown, with a maximum outer diameter of 3.05 mm) can be inserted into male luer 15.

[0033] Here, in the case of this embodiment, by moving the connector 100 and the female connector 200 relative to each other in the axial direction in the direction in which the tubular portion 210 approaches the base portion 10, the tubular portion 40 surrounds the tubular portion 210 and the engagement portion (in this embodiment, the engagement recess) engages with the screw thread 220 (see Figure 9). That is, by performing the above-described pushing operation, the engaging portion can be engaged with thread 220. Therefore, connector 100 and female connector 200 can be more easily connected to each other compared to male connector 400, which is connected to female connector 200 by screwing. Therefore, the operability of connector 100 can be improved.

[0034] 9, it is preferable that the distal end surface of one of the pair of threads 220 (the surface on the right side in FIG. 9) is pressed toward the distal end by the elastic restoring force of the packing 60 and is in close contact with the distal end surface of the corresponding engaging recess (the surface on the right side in FIG. 9). It is also preferable that the proximal end surface of the other of the pair of threads 220 (the surface on the left side in FIG. 9) is in close contact with the proximal end surface of the corresponding engaging recess (the surface on the left side in FIG. 9).

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the engaging portion (in this embodiment, the engaging recess) is engaged with the thread 220 (see Figures 9 and 11), the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are moved relatively in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion 210 moves away from the base portion 10 (hereinafter referred to as the pulling-out operation), thereby releasing the engagement state of the engaging portion with the thread 220. That is, compared to male connector 400, which is coupled to female connector 200 by screwing, connector 100 can be more easily removed from female connector 200. More specifically, when the male luer 15 is inserted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210 (see Figure 9), the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion 210 moves away from the base portion 10, and the male luer 15 is removed from the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210, the engagement state of the engagement recess with the thread 220 is released (see Figure 8).

[0036] <Modification 1 of the Second Embodiment> Next, a first modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b). The connector 100 according to this modification differs from the connector 100 according to the second embodiment in the following respects, but is otherwise configured similarly to the connector 100 according to the second embodiment. Note that the flange portion 230 is not shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b).

[0037] 12(a) and 12(b), in this modified example, the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 40 is elliptical, and a pair of engaging recesses are arranged in the minor axis direction of the ellipse (the up-down direction in FIG. 12(a)). More specifically, of the pair of engaging recesses, one engaging recess is arranged on one side in the minor axis direction, and the other engaging recess is arranged on the other side in the minor axis direction. When the pair of engaging recesses are engaged with the pair of screw threads 22, respectively (hereinafter, sometimes referred to simply as the engaged state), by pressing both side portions 40a of the tubular portion 40 in the long axis direction of the elliptical shape in a direction toward each other, the tubular portion 40 elastically deforms, and the engaged state of the pair of engaging recesses with the pair of screw threads 220 is released (see Figure 12(b)). As a result, when releasing the connection between connector 100 and female connector 200, both ends of tubular portion 40 are pressed toward each other, and the removal operation can be easily performed in a state in which the engagement of the engagement recesses with threads 220 is released. Therefore, the connection between connector 100 and female connector 200 can be released smoothly. In the following description, the minor axis direction of the cylindrical portion 40 refers to the minor axis direction of the elliptical shape in the normal state, and the major axis direction of the cylindrical portion 40 refers to the major axis direction of the elliptical shape in the normal state.

[0038] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12( b), by pressing both side portions 40 a of the cylindrical portion 40 in the long axis direction of the ellipse toward each other, the dimension of the cylindrical portion 40 in the long axis direction of the ellipse (left-right direction in FIG. 12( a)) is reduced compared to the engaged state (see FIG. 12( a)), while the dimension of the cylindrical portion 40 in the short axis direction (up-down direction in FIG. 12( a)) is expanded (expanding outward in the short axis direction). In other words, the dimension of the cylindrical portion 40 is expanded in the direction in which the engagement recesses are arranged, so that the threads 220 are easily disengaged from the corresponding engagement recesses. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 12( b), when both side portions 40 a of the cylindrical portion 40 in the long axis direction of the ellipse are pressed toward each other, the engagement of the threads 220 with the engagement recesses is completely released. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 40 may be configured to be expanded by the pressing to such an extent that the engagement of the engagement recesses with the threads 220 becomes shallower.

[0039] 12(a), the cross-sectional shape of the lumen of the tubular portion 40 is also elliptical, and a pair of engagement recesses are arranged in the minor axis direction of the elliptical shape. The position of the center of the elliptical shape coincides with the position of the axis of the tubular portion 40. Furthermore, the inner diameter (circle equivalent diameter) of the cylindrical portion 40 in the longitudinal direction is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 210, for example. Therefore, when the pair of engagement recesses are engaged with the pair of threads 22, respectively, a wide gap is formed in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 40 between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 210 and the inner peripheral surfaces of the side portions 40a of the cylindrical portion 40. Furthermore, at the side portions 40a of the cylindrical portion 40, the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 40 is larger than the curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 40, for example. Therefore, the side portions 40a of the cylindrical portion 40 are locally thin-walled. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient width dimension (the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 40) of the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 210 and the inner peripheral surfaces of the side portions 40a. By ensuring this sufficient gap, it is possible to ensure sufficient room for the cylindrical portion 40 to contract inward in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 40. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 40 can be elastically deformed so that the dimension in the direction in which the engaging recesses are arranged increases when both side portions 40a are pressed toward each other in the minor axis direction of the cylindrical portion 40. This allows the engagement between the pair of engaging recesses and the pair of threads 220 to be released more smoothly.

[0040] 13(a) and 13(b), in this modified example, a pair of guide grooves 46 that guide each of the pair of screw threads 220 from the tip opening of the cylindrical portion 40 toward each of the pair of engaging recesses is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 40. A step is formed at the boundary between each of the pair of guide grooves 46 and the corresponding engaging recess, making the engaging recess deeper. As a result, the pair of screw threads 220 can be guided toward the corresponding engagement recesses while the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40, so that even if the cross-sectional shape of the tubular portion 40 is elliptical as in this modified example, each screw thread 220 can be smoothly engaged with the corresponding engagement recess. Furthermore, a step is formed at the boundary between each of the pair of guide grooves 46 and the corresponding engagement recess, making the engagement recess deeper, so that the screw threads 22 are well locked by the corresponding step.

[0041] In this modified example, the pair of guide grooves 46 are arranged in the minor axis direction of the elliptical shape of the cylindrical portion 40, and preferably correspond to the positions of the engaging recesses in the circumferential direction. This allows each screw thread 220 to smoothly engage with the corresponding engaging recess by inserting the cylindrical portion 40 straight into the cylindrical portion 210 along the axial direction. Each of the pair of guide grooves 46 is formed in the axial direction across the tip surface of the tubular portion 40 and the corresponding engagement recess. Furthermore, each of the pair of guide grooves 46 extends around the circumferential direction by less than 360 degrees, for example. However, the guide groove 46 may also be a single groove extending around the circumferential direction by 360 degrees, for example. The base end of each guide groove 46 is connected to one of the engagement recesses. The pair of guide grooves 46 are open at the tip end surface of the cylindrical portion 40, and the screw threads 220 are inserted into the guide grooves 46 through the openings.

[0042] 13(a), in this modified example, the guide grooves 46 are formed in a shape that deepens toward the tip end of the tubular portion 40. More specifically, the pair of guide grooves 46 are grooves that are recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion 40, similar to the engagement recesses, and the depth is the depth extending radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion 40 as the reference. This allows smooth pushing and pulling operations. Furthermore, because guide groove 46 is formed in a shape that becomes shallower toward the base end side of tubular portion 40, the height (diameter dimension) of the step at the boundary between each guide groove 46 and the corresponding engagement recess can be sufficiently ensured, and the engagement state between each engagement recess and the corresponding screw thread 220 can be more reliably maintained.

[0043] Furthermore, the dimension of the guide groove 46 in the circumferential direction may become wider toward the tip end. This ensures a sufficient opening width (dimension in the circumferential direction) on the tip end side of the guide groove 46, allowing the pair of screw threads 220 to be inserted more smoothly into the corresponding guide grooves 46.

[0044] <Modification 2 of the Second Embodiment> Next, a second modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b). The connector 100 according to this modification differs from the connector 100 according to the second embodiment in the points described below, but is otherwise configured similarly to the connector 100 according to the second embodiment. Note that the flange portion 230 is not shown in Figures 14(a) and 14(b).

[0045] In this modified example, the connector 100 has a pair of protrusions 48 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 40 and pressed by the user. The pair of protrusions 48 are arranged, for example, at opposite positions in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 40, and each protrusion 48 is arranged at an intermediate position between the respective arrangement areas of the pair of engagement recesses in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 40. When the pair of engaging recesses are engaged with the pair of screw threads 220 (see Figure 14(a)), by pressing the pair of protrusions 48 in a direction toward each other, the tubular portion 40 elastically deforms, and the engagement state of the pair of engaging recesses with the pair of screw threads 220 is released. With this configuration, when releasing the connection between connector 100 and female connector 200, the pair of protrusions 48 can be pressed in directions toward each other, and the engagement of the engagement recesses with threads 220 can be released, allowing for easy removal. This allows for smooth release of the connection between connector 100 and female connector 200. This allows for smooth release of the connection between connector 100 and female connector 200. In addition, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the tubular portion 40 is, for example, circular, but since a pair of protrusions 48 are formed on the tubular portion 40, the user can easily recognize the pressing point on the tubular portion 40.

[0046] In this modified example, when a pair of engagement recesses are engaged with a pair of screw threads 220, respectively (see Figure 14(a)), a radial gap is formed between the outer surface of the tubular portion 210 and the inner surface of the tubular portion 40, and a pair of protrusions 48 are arranged at positions corresponding to the gap. More specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the inner cavity of the tubular portion 40 is, for example, elliptical, with a pair of engagement recesses arranged in the minor axis direction of the elliptical shape, and a pair of protrusions 48 arranged in the major axis direction of the elliptical shape. As shown in FIG. 14( b ), by pressing the pair of protrusions 48 toward each other, the dimensions of the lumen of the tubular portion 40 in the long axis direction of the lumen are reduced (reduced inward in the long axis direction) compared to the engaged state (see FIG. 14( a )), while the dimensions of the lumen in the short axis direction are expanded (expanded outward in the short axis direction). As a result, compared to the engaged state, the inner diameter of the tubular portion 40 is expanded in the direction in which the pair of engagement recesses (threads 220) are arranged. This makes it easier for the pair of threads 220 to come out of the corresponding engagement recesses. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 14( b ), when the pair of protrusions 48 are pressed toward each other, the threads 220 are completely disengaged from the engagement recesses. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the inner diameter of the tubular portion 40 may be configured to be expanded by the pressing to such an extent that the engagement of the engagement recesses with the threads 220 becomes shallower.

[0047] In a state where the pair of engagement recesses are engaged with the pair of threads 220 (see FIG. 14(a)), when both side portions 40a of the cylindrical portion in the major axis direction of the elliptical shape are pressed toward each other, the cylindrical portion 40 elastically deforms in a direction in which the pair of engagement recesses move radially away from each other. That is, each engagement recess moves radially outward relative to the corresponding thread 220. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the inner circumferential surface of each engagement recess and the outer circumferential surface of the corresponding thread 220 move away from each other, and the engagement state of the pair of engagement recesses with the pair of threads 220 is released.

[0048] <Modification 3 of the Second Embodiment> Next, a third modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b). The connector 100 according to this modification differs from the connector 100 according to the second embodiment and its modifications 1 and 2 in the following respects, but is otherwise configured similarly to the connector 100 according to the modifications 1 and 2 of the second embodiment. Note that the flange portion 230 is not shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b).

[0049] 15(a) and 15(b), in this modification, the cross-sectional shape of the tubular portion 40 is elliptical, similar to the modification 1 of the second embodiment. Furthermore, similar to the modification 2 of the second embodiment, the tubular portion 40 has a pair of protrusions 48 that are disposed at intermediate positions between the respective arrangement regions of the pair of engagement recesses (in the case of this modification, in the long axis direction of the elliptical shape). According to this configuration, the pair of protrusions 48 are arranged in the major axis direction of the elliptical shape of the cylindrical portion 40, so that the user can easily recognize the position on the cylindrical portion 40 that is being pressed.

[0050] <Fourth Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a fourth modified example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector 100 of this modified example differs from the connector 100 of the first embodiment and modified examples 1 to 3 described above in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the first embodiment and modified examples 1 to 3 described above.

[0051] In this modified example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the packing 60 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 210 in a circumferential manner. Even with this configuration, connector 100 and female connector 200 can be connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner.

[0052] More specifically, in this embodiment, the groove in which the packing 60 is placed is located in the center of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 15 in the axial direction, and the packing 60 is located in the center of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 15. As shown in Figure 17, when the male luer 15 is inserted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210, the gasket 60 is crushed by the outer surface of the male luer 15 and the inner surface of the tubular portion 210, and is in close contact with both the outer surface of the male luer 15 and the inner surface of the tubular portion 210.

[0053] <Fifth Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a fifth modified example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The connector 100 of this modified example differs from the connector 100 of the above-described first and second embodiments and their modified examples 1 to 4 in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the above-described first and second embodiments and their modified examples 1 to 4.

[0054] In this modified example, as shown in Figure 18, the male luer 15 provided on the connector 100 is made of soft resin, and when the male luer 15 is inserted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210, the outer surface of the male luer 15 is liquid-tightly attached to the inner surface of the tubular portion 210 in a circular manner. With this configuration, the liquid-tightness between the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210 and the communicating inner cavity 30 can be more reliably ensured.

[0055] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the base portion 10 and the male luer 15 are molded separately from each other. The male luer 15 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape with a diameter that tapers slightly toward the tip. The inner diameter of the male luer 15 is set, for example, to a dimension approximately equal to the inner diameter of the tip of the base part 10, and the male luer 15 is fitted into the inner cavity of the tip of the base part 10. In the inner cavity of the base part 10, the base end of the male luer 15 abuts against the tip of the liquid-feed tube 310, and the inner cavity of the male luer 15 and the inner cavity of the liquid-feed tube 310 are mutually connected.

[0056] 18, when the male luer 15 is inserted into the cavity of the tubular portion 210, a portion of the male luer 15 is clamped by the base end of the tubular portion 210 and is slightly compressed radially inward (elastically deformed). This causes the outer surface of the male luer 15 to be in liquid-tight contact with the inner surface of the tubular portion 210. Also in the case of this modification, the packing 60 surrounds the periphery of the base end of the male luer 15, and the packing 60 is in liquid-tight contact with both the tip surface 11 of the base portion 10 and the tip surface of the tubular portion 210. In other words, liquid-tightness can be ensured between the outer surface of the male luer 15 and the inner surface of the tubular portion 210, and liquid-tightness can also be ensured between the tip surface 11 of the base portion 10 and the tip surface of the tubular portion 210, so that the connector 100 and the female connector 200 can be more reliably connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner.

[0057] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector 100 of this embodiment differs from the connector 100 of the second embodiment and each of its variants in the respects described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the second embodiment and each of its variants.

[0058] In this embodiment, at least the cylindrical portion 40 is made of a soft resin, and further includes a cylindrical cover portion 70 that covers the periphery of the base portion 10 and the cylindrical portion 40 . The cover portion 70 is movable in the axial direction relative to the base portion 10 and the cylindrical portion 40, and when the engaging portion 42 (in this embodiment, the engaging recess) is engaged with the thread 220, the cover portion 70 is moved toward the distal end relative to the base portion 10 and the cylindrical portion 40 to cover the arrangement area of the thread 220 and the engaging portion 42. This restrains the cylindrical portion 40 with the cover portion 70, and the engaged state of the engaging portion 42 with the thread 220 is maintained (see FIG. 21). Furthermore, when the cover portion 70 does not cover the arrangement area of the thread 220 and the engaging portion 42 (see Figures 19 and 20), the engaging portion 42 is disengaged from the state in which it is engaged with the thread 220 by moving the connector 100 and the female connector 200 relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion 210 moves away from the base portion 10 (see Figure 19). This more reliably maintains a liquid-tight connection between connector 100 and female connector 200. Furthermore, compared to male connector 400, which is connected to female connector 200 by screwing, the connection between connector 100 and female connector 200 can be released more easily. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the tubular portion 40 is made of soft resin, the tubular portion 210 can be smoothly inserted into the tubular portion 40 even if it does not have a pair of guide grooves 46.

[0059] 19 and other figures, in this embodiment, the outer diameter and inner diameter of the distal end portion of the tubular portion 40 are constant regardless of the axial position, while the outer diameter and inner diameter of the proximal end portion of the tubular portion 40 gradually decrease toward the proximal end. The outer diameter of the proximal end of the tubular portion 40 is set to a dimension equivalent to the outer diameter of the distal end of the base portion 10.

[0060] The cover portion 70 is formed, for example, in the shape of a long cylinder on one side, and is disposed coaxially with the tubular portion 40 . The outer diameter of the tip of the cover part 70 is, for example, substantially constant regardless of the position in the axial direction, while the outer diameter of the portion of the cover part 70 closer to the base end than the tip gradually decreases toward the base end. The inner cavity of the cover part 70 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, a first accommodation area 71 in which the tubular part 40 is accommodated, and a second accommodation area 72 in which the tip part of the liquid supply tube 310 is inserted. The first accommodating region 71 is set to a shape (inner diameter) that matches the external shape (outer diameter) including the cylindrical portion 40 and the base portion 10. Therefore, the inner diameters of the tip end portion (portion corresponding to the tip end portion of the cylindrical portion 40) and the base end portion (base portion 10) of the first accommodating region 71 are constant regardless of their positions in the axial direction, and the inner diameter of the intermediate portion of the first accommodating region 71 in the axial direction (portion corresponding to the base end portion of the cylindrical portion 40) gradually decreases toward the base end. When the arrangement area of the screw thread 220 and the engagement recess is covered by the cover portion 70, the tip surface of the cover portion 70 and the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 40 are arranged flush with each other. The inner diameter of the second accommodating region 72 is set, for example, to a dimension substantially equal to the outer diameter of the liquid supply tube 310. In the second accommodating region 72, the liquid supply tube 310 is inserted into the cover portion 70 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the second accommodating area 72 is set to a dimension smaller than the inner diameter of the base end of the first accommodating area 71, and a step surface 73 is formed at the boundary between the second accommodating area 72 and the first accommodating area 71. When the arrangement area of the threads and engaging portion 42 is covered by the cover portion, this step surface 73 and the base end surface of the base portion 10 are in surface contact with each other. This prevents the tip of the cover portion 70 from moving further toward the tip side than the tip of the tubular portion 40 in the axial direction.

[0061] In this embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the connector 100 may also include a hollow male luer 15 that fits into the inner cavity of the tubular portion 210.

[0062] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 22(a) to 23(b). Figure 22(a) shows a state in which the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 and is positioned closer to the tip than the engagement recess. Figure 22(a) also shows a side view of the female connector 200. The connector 100 of this embodiment differs from the connector 100 of the second and third embodiments and each modified example described above in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the second and third embodiments and each modified example described above.

[0063] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 22(a) to 23(b), when the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 until the base end of the thread 220 reaches the engagement recess, the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are rotated relative to each other around the axis within an angle range of 90 degrees or less, whereby the engagement recess and the thread 220 engage and the tubular portion 40 and the base portion 10 become closer, and the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner. On the other hand, as described above, in the case of male connector 400, male connector 400 and female connector 200 are screwed together by rotating male connector 400 and female connector 200 relatively around an axis within an angle range of 180 degrees or more. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to male connector 400, connector 100 and female connector 200 can be liquid-tightly coupled to each other with an easier operation.

[0064] More specifically, in the case of this embodiment, when the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are rotated relative to each other around an axis within an angular range of 90 degrees or less while the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 until the base-side ends of the threads 220 reach the engagement recesses, the tubular portion 210 advances toward the base end relative to the tubular portion 40, and each thread 220 moves circumferentially. During this movement, a portion of the base-side end of each thread 220 enters the inside of the engagement recess, and the tip-side end of each thread 220 comes into contact with the tip-side surface of the engagement recess. Then, when the tubular portion 210 further advances toward the base end and the entire thread 220 enters the corresponding engagement recess, the tip-side end of each thread 220 comes into close contact with the tip-side surface of the engagement recess, and the pair of threads 220 are pressed toward the base end by the tip-side surface of the engagement recess. This allows male luer (15) to fit more deeply into the inner cavity of tubular portion (210), ensuring a liquid-tight seal between the outer circumferential surface of male luer (15) and the inner circumferential surface of tubular portion (210).

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 22(a) and 22(b), in this embodiment, as in variant example 1 of the second embodiment, a pair of guide grooves 46 is formed on the inner surface of the tubular portion 40 to guide each of the pair of screw threads 220 from the tip opening of the tubular portion 40 toward each of the pair of engagement recesses. However, in the present embodiment, the pair of guide grooves 46 are disposed at intermediate positions between the arrangement regions of the pair of engagement recesses in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 40. Therefore, as shown in Figures 22(a) and 22(b), the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 in a state where each thread 220 is aligned so that it is disposed at an intermediate position between the arrangement regions of the pair of engagement recesses in the circumferential direction. Then, the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 until the base end of the thread 220 reaches the engagement recess, and the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are rotated relatively around the axis within an angular range of 90 degrees or less, whereby the thread 220 moves from inside the guide groove 46 into inside the engagement recess (see Figures 23(a) and 23(b)).

[0066] In this embodiment, connector 100 may include, for example, packing 60 described above instead of male luer 15. In this case, packing 60 provides fluid-tight communication between communicating lumen 30 and the lumen of tubular portion 210.

[0067] Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, for example, the tubular portion 210 may be inserted into the tubular portion 40 until the base end of the thread 220 abuts the tip end face of the corresponding guide groove 46, and then the connector 100 and the female connector 200 may be rotated relative to each other around the axis within an angle range of 90 degrees or less, so that the engagement recess and the thread 220 engage with each other.

[0068] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 24 to 27(b). Figures 26(a) and 26(b) show a state in which the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 and is positioned closer to the tip than the engagement recess. The connector 100 of this embodiment differs from the connectors 100 of the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments and their modified examples in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connectors 100 of the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments and their modified examples.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 24, 25(a) and 25(b), in this embodiment, the engaging portion 42 is elastically biased radially inward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 40. When the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 and the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction in the direction in which the tubular portion 210 approaches the base portion 10, the engaging portion 42 is pushed by the thread 220 and moves radially outward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion 40 against the urging force, and then moves radially inward in accordance with the urging force to engage with the thread 220.

[0070] Furthermore, an operating portion 80 is provided on the outside of the cylindrical portion 40 to accept an operation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an opening operation) to move the engaging portion 42 radially outward relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 40 against the biasing force. When the engaging portion 42 is moved radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion 40 by operating the operating unit 80 from a state in which the engaging portion 42 is engaged with the thread 220 (see Figure 24), the engaging portion 42 is disengaged from the thread 220 (see Figure 25(a)).In this state, the connector 100 and the female connector 200 can be moved relatively in the axial direction so that the tubular portion 210 moves away from the base portion 10 (see Figure 25(b)), thereby allowing the tubular portion 210 to be removed from the tubular portion 40.

[0071] More specifically, the engaging portions 42 are elastically biased in a direction that causes them to protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 40, and are also capable of retracting radially outward against the elastic force. An operating portion 80 is provided on the outside of the cylindrical portion 40 to accept an operation to retract the engaging portions 42 radially outward. 24 and other figures, the operating section 80 has, for example, an extending section 81 extending in the axial direction, and a connecting section 82 that connects the extending section 81 to the tubular section 40 so as to be able to resiliently swing. The portion of the extending section 81 that is closer to the base end than the connecting section 82 serves as a pressing section 83 that accepts operation by the user. By pressing the pressing portion 83 (operation on the operating portion 80), the extension portion 81 can swing against the elastic restoring force in a direction in which the distance between the tip of the extension portion 81 and the outer surface of the tubular portion 40 decreases, with the boundary between the extension portion 81 and the connecting portion 82 connected to it as the axis.

[0072] 27(a) and 27(b), the shape of the engaging portion 42 when viewed in the axial direction is, for example, an arc. The outer peripheral edge of the central portion of the engaging portion 42 in the circumferential direction is connected, for example, to the inner surface of the extending portion 81. The engaging portion 42 swings integrally with the extending portion 81 around the axis of the boundary between the extending portion 81 and the connecting portion 82 connected thereto, and is thereby movable radially inward or radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion 40. The inner diameter (circle equivalent diameter) of the inner peripheral edge of the engaging portion 42 is set to, for example, a dimension that is approximately equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 40 (excluding the pair of threads 220). Furthermore, as shown in Figures 24, 25(a) and 25(b), the tubular portion 40 is formed with, for example, a circumferentially extending slit portion 88, which allows the engaging portion 42 to move radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion 40.

[0073] In this embodiment, when connecting the connector 100 and the female connector 200 to each other, a pushing operation is first performed to relatively move the connector 100 and the female connector 200 in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion 210 approaches the base portion 10. During this operation, the engaging portion 42 is pushed by one of the pair of threads 220, causing the operating portion 80 (extending portion 81) connected to the engaging portion 42 to swing (elastically deform) in a direction in which the distance between the tip of the extending portion 81 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40 decreases. The engaging portion 42 then sinks radially outward and climbs onto the thread 220. Subsequently, when a further pushing operation is performed until the engaging portion 42 no longer climbs onto the thread 220, the operating portion 80 elastically restores its original shape. Due to this elastic restoring force, the engaging portion 42 elastically protrudes radially inward and engages with the thread 220. As shown in FIG. 24 , in this state, each of the pair of threads 220 is disposed closer to the base end than the engaging portion 42 in the axial direction. Also, as shown in FIGS. 27( a) and 27(b), when viewed in the axial direction, a portion of the inner peripheral edge of the engaging portion 42 overlaps with one of the pair of threads 220. More specifically, the tip end (the tip end in the protruding direction) of the engaging portion 42 overlaps with the thread 220 (hereinafter simply referred to as the other thread 220) disposed on the side where the operating unit 80 is provided in the circumferential direction. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 25 , a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the engaging portion 42 abuts against a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 210 near the region where the other thread 220 is formed and further distal than the other thread 220. In this manner, the engaging portion 42 engages with the thread 220.

[0074] 25(b), for example, by operating the operating unit 80, the engaging portion 42 can be moved radially outward relative to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40 by swinging it against the elastic restoring force in a direction that increases the distance between the tip of the extending portion 81 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40 (an opening operation can be performed). In this state, when viewed in the axial direction, the inner peripheral surface of the engaging portion 42 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 210. In other words, the engagement state of the engaging portion 42 with the thread 220 is released. Then, by relatively moving the connector 100 and the female connector 200 in the axial direction in a direction that increases the distance between the tubular portion 210 and the base portion 10, the tubular portion 210 can be removed from the tubular portion 40.

[0075] Thus, in this embodiment, when the tubular portion 210 is inserted into the tubular portion 40 and the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction in the direction in which the tubular portion 210 approaches the base portion 10, the engaging portion 42 is pushed by the thread and sinks radially outward, and then elastically protrudes radially inward to engage with the thread 220. When the engaging portion 42 is engaged with the thread 220 and then depressed radially outward by operating the operating unit 80, the engaging portion 42 is released from its engagement with the thread 220 (see Figure 25(a)), and in this state, the connector 100 and the female connector 200 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction so that the tubular portion 210 moves away from the base portion 10 (see Figure 25(b)), thereby making it possible to remove the tubular portion 210 from the tubular portion 40.

[0076] Here, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 26(b), the cross-sectional shape of the inner cavity of the tubular portion 40 is a shape that matches the shape of the portion including the tubular portion 210 and the pair of threads 220 of the female connector 200 when viewed in the axial direction. This allows the pair of threads 220 to be aligned in the circumferential direction when inserting the tubular portion 210 into the tubular portion 40. Therefore, at least one of the pair of threads 220 can be positioned at a position in the inner cavity of the tubular portion 40 that corresponds to the engaging portion 42.

[0077] In this embodiment, connector 100 does not necessarily have to include operating unit 80. In this case, for example, when connector 100 and female connector 200 are moved relatively in the axial direction in a direction in which tubular portion 210 moves away from base portion 10, engaging portion 42 is pushed by thread 220 and moves radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface of tubular portion 40 against the biasing force, thereby disengaging engaging portion 42 from thread 220.

[0078] <Modification of the Fifth Embodiment> Next, a modification of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 30(b). The connector 100 of this embodiment differs from the connector 100 of the fifth embodiment described above in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the fifth embodiment described above.

[0079] In this modified example, the connector 100 has a pair of engaging portions 42 that are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 40. This results in a configuration in which each engaging portion 42 engages with thread 220 at two locations in the circumferential direction, making it possible to more reliably maintain the state in which connector 100 and female connector 200 are connected to each other.

[0080] 28 to 30(a), etc., a pair of operating units 80 configured similarly to the operating unit 80 in the fifth embodiment are arranged at positions rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees with respect to each other, with the axial center of the cylindrical portion 210 as the reference. Similarly, a pair of engaging units 42 configured similarly to the engaging units 42 in the fifth embodiment are arranged at positions rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees with respect to each other, with the axial center of the cylindrical portion 210 as the reference. Each engaging unit 42 engages with one of the screw threads 220.

[0081] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 31(a) to 32(b). In Figures 32(a) and 32(b), the outer shape of female connector 200 is shown by two-dot chain lines. The connector 100 of this embodiment differs from the connector 100 of the fifth embodiment described above in the points described below, but is otherwise configured in the same way as the connector 100 of the fifth embodiment described above.

[0082] In the present embodiment, engaging portion 42 is elastically biased radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface of tubular portion 40. When connector 100 and female connector 200 are moved relatively in the axial direction in a direction in which tubular portion 210 approaches base portion 10 with tubular portion 210 inserted into tubular portion 40 (when performing the above-described pushing operation), engaging portion 42 is pushed by thread 220 and moves radially inward relative to the inner circumferential surface of tubular portion 40 against the bias, and then moves radially outward in accordance with the bias to engage with thread 220.

[0083] Furthermore, an operating portion 80 is provided on the outside of the cylindrical portion 40 to accept an operation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an opening operation) to move the engaging portion 42 radially inward relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 40 against the biasing force. When the engaging portion 42 is engaged with the thread 220 (see Figure 31(a)), and then moved radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion 40 by operating the operating unit 80, the engaging portion 42 is released from its engagement with the thread 220 (see Figure 31(b)).In this state, the connector 100 and the female connector 200 can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction so that the tubular portion 210 moves away from the base portion 10, thereby allowing the tubular portion 210 to be removed from the tubular portion 40.

[0084] More specifically, in this embodiment, the operating unit 80 has a pressing unit 83 that accepts operation by the user, and a connecting unit 82 that connects the pressing unit 83 to the outer surface of the tubular unit 40 so that it can elastically swing. By pressing the pressing portion 83 (operating on the operating portion 80), the pressing portion 83 can swing against the elastic restoring force in a direction in which the distance between the pressing portion 83 and the outer surface of the tubular portion 40 decreases, with the boundary between the outer surface of the tubular portion 40 and the connecting portion 82 as the axis.

[0085] 31(a) to 32(b), the engaging portion 42 is formed in a flat plate shape, and the plate surface thereof is perpendicular to the axial direction. An opening 87 is formed in the center of the engaging portion 42, penetrating the engaging portion 42 in the thickness direction. The shape of the opening 87 when viewed in the axial direction includes, for example, a substantially semicircular shape that is convex toward the pressing portion 83 side and a substantially semicircular shape that is convex toward the opposite side from the pressing portion 83 side, and the inner diameter (circle-equivalent diameter) of the substantially semicircular shape that is convex toward the pressing portion 83 side is set to be larger than the inner diameter (circle-equivalent diameter) of the substantially semicircular shape that is convex toward the opposite side from the pressing portion 83 side. As shown in FIG. 32(b), the opening width of the opening 87 of the engagement portion 42 is set to a size that allows the female connector 200, which includes a pair of threads 220, to pass through. The engaging portion 42 is connected to, for example, the pressing portion 83. The engaging portion 42 swings integrally with the pressing portion 83, and is thereby movable radially inward or radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 40. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 31(a) and 31(b), the tubular portion 40 is formed with, for example, a circumferentially extending slit portion 88, which allows the engaging portion 42 to move radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion 40.

[0086] In this embodiment, when connecting the connector 100 and the female connector 200 to each other, a pushing operation is first performed to relatively move the connector 100 and the female connector 200 in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion 210 approaches the base portion 10. During this operation, one of the pair of threads 220 presses the engagement portion 42, causing the operation portion 80 (pressing portion 83) connected to the engagement portion 42 to swing (elastically deform) in a direction in which the distance between the pressing portion 83 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40 decreases. Then, the engagement portion 42 sinks radially inward, and the thread 220 rides up on the engagement portion 42. Subsequently, when a further pushing operation is performed until the thread 220 no longer rides up on the engagement portion 42, the operation portion 80 elastically restores its original shape. Due to this elastic restoring force, the engagement portion 42 elastically protrudes radially outward and engages with the thread 220. As shown in FIG. 31, in this state, the cylindrical portion 210 is inserted into the opening 87 of the engaging portion 42, and each of the pair of threads 220 is positioned closer to the base end than the engaging portion 42 in the axial direction. 32(a), when viewed in the axial direction, a portion of the engaging portion 42 overlaps with one of the pair of threads 220. More specifically, the tip end (tip end in the protruding direction) of the engaging portion 42 overlaps with the thread 220 (hereinafter simply referred to as the other thread 220) that is arranged on the opposite side of the circumferential direction from the side on which the operating portion 80 is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 32, a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the engaging portion 42 (the inner circumferential surface of the opening 87) abuts against a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 210 near the region where the other thread 220 is formed and further distal than the other thread 220. In this manner, the engaging portion 42 engages with the thread 220.

[0087] Furthermore, when disconnecting the connector 100 and the female connector 200, as shown in FIGS. 31(b) and 32(a), for example, by operating the operating unit 80, the engaging portion 42 can be moved radially inward relative to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40 by swinging it against the elastic restoring force in a direction in which the distance between the pressing portion 83 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40 decreases. This allows the engaging portion 42 to be moved radially inward relative to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40 (an opening operation can be performed). In this state, as shown in FIG. 32(b), when viewed in the axial direction, the entire tubular portion 210, including the pair of threads 220, is located inside the region in which the opening 87 of the engaging portion 42 is formed. Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface of the engaging portion 42 (the inner peripheral surface of the opening 87) is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 210. Then, by relatively moving the connector 100 and the female connector 200 in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion 210 moves away from the base portion 10, the tubular portion 210 can be removed from the tubular portion 40.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0089] For example, in the second embodiment, connector 100 has been described as having tubular portion 40 and male luer 15, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, connector 100 may not have male luer 15. In this case, for example, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the lumen of tubular portion 40 matches the shape of the portion of female connector 200 including tubular portion 210 and pair of threads 220 when viewed in the axial direction, and that the lumen gradually narrows toward the base end. Then, by inserting tubular portion 210 into tubular portion 40 until threads 220 are in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of tubular portion 40, connector 100 and female connector 200 can be liquid-tightly coupled to each other.

[0090] The present embodiment encompasses the following technical ideas. (1) A connector that can be detachably coupled to a female connector conforming to ISO 80369-3, The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, A connector in which the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3. (2) A hollow male luer is provided, which protrudes from the distal end surface of the base portion toward the distal end, has an outer diameter that decreases toward the distal end, and is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion; The male luer constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion, the lumen of the male luer constitutes a part of the communicating lumen, The connector according to (1), wherein the inner diameter of the male luer is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3. (3) The connector according to (2), wherein the overall length of the male lure of the connector is shorter than the overall length of the male lure of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3. (4) The connector according to (2) or (3), wherein the inner diameter of the male luer included in the connector increases toward the base end of the male luer. (5) The inner cavity of the tubular portion includes a first region whose diameter decreases toward the back at a first taper angle, and a second region whose diameter decreases toward the back at a second taper angle that is steeper than the first taper angle, The connector according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the male luer included in the connector has a protruding length set so that its tip reaches the second region. (6) The connector according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the tip surface of the base portion is the most distal end of the portion of the connector that is located radially outward from the male luer. (7) A cylindrical portion protruding from the tip end of the base portion toward the tip end side is provided, the cylindrical portion has an engaging portion that engages with the screw thread, The connector according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the engaging portion constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion. (8) The connector according to (7), wherein the engaging portion is an engaging recess formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. (9) The connector according to (8), which has a pair of the engagement recesses arranged at opposite pole positions in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. (10) A pair of guide grooves is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion to guide each of the pair of threads from the tip opening of the cylindrical portion toward each of the pair of engaging recesses, The connector according to (9), wherein a step is formed at the boundary between each of the pair of guide grooves and the corresponding engagement recess, making the engagement recess deeper. (11) The connector according to (10), wherein the guide groove is formed in a shape that becomes deeper toward the tip side of the cylindrical portion. (12) A connector described in any one of (7) to (11), wherein by moving the connector and the female connector relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion approaches the base portion, the tubular portion surrounds the tubular portion and the engaging portion engages with the thread. (13) A connector as described in (12), in which the engagement portion is disengaged from the thread by moving the connector and the female connector relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion moves away from the base portion. (14) A pair of protrusions formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion are pressed by a user, the pair of protrusions are arranged at positions opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, and each protrusion is arranged at a middle position between respective arrangement regions of the pair of engagement recesses in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, A connector as described in (12) above, in which when the pair of engaging recesses are engaged with the pair of screw threads, the pair of protrusions are pressed in a direction toward each other, causing the tubular portion to elastically deform, thereby releasing the engagement state of the pair of engaging recesses with the pair of screw threads. (15) The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion is elliptical, The pair of engagement recesses are arranged in the minor axis direction of the elliptical shape, When the pair of engaging recesses are engaged with the pair of screw threads, the tubular portion is elastically deformed by pressing both sides of the tubular portion in the direction of the long axis of the elliptical shape toward each other, thereby releasing the engagement of the pair of engaging recesses with the pair of screw threads. (12) A connector. (16) At least the cylindrical portion is made of a soft resin, a cylindrical cover portion that covers the periphery of the base portion and the cylindrical portion, the cover portion is axially movable relative to the base portion and the cylindrical portion, With the engaging portion engaged with the screw thread, the cover portion is moved toward the distal end relative to the base portion and the cylindrical portion, and the cover portion covers the arrangement area of the screw thread and the engaging portion, whereby the cylindrical portion is restrained by the cover portion and the engaged state of the engaging portion with the screw thread is maintained, When the cover portion does not cover the area where the thread and the engaging portion are arranged, the connector described in (12) above disengages the engaging portion from the thread by moving the connector and the female connector relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion moves away from the base portion, from a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the thread. (17) A connector described in any one of (9) to (11), in which the tubular portion is inserted into the tubular portion until the base end of the thread reaches the engagement recess, and the connector and the female connector are rotated relative to each other around the axis within an angle range of 90 degrees or less, so that the engagement recess and the thread engage and the tubular portion and the base portion move closer together, thereby connecting the connector and the female connector to each other in a liquid-tight manner. (18) A hollow male luer is provided, which protrudes from the distal end surface of the base portion toward the distal end side, has an outer diameter that decreases toward the distal end side, and is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion, the cylindrical portion surrounds the male luer, The connector according to any one of (7) to (17), wherein the male luer constitutes the connecting portion together with the engaging portion. (19) The connector according to (18), wherein the tip of the male luer provided in the connector is located closer to the base end than the tip of the tubular portion. (20) The male luer of the connector is made of soft resin, The connector according to (18) or (19), wherein when the male luer is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion, the outer surface of the male luer is in liquid-tight contact with the inner surface of the tubular portion in a circular manner. (21) The engaging portion is elastically biased radially inward or radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, When the connector and the female connector are moved relative to each other in the axial direction in the direction in which the tubular portion approaches the base portion while the tubular portion is inserted into the tubular portion, the engaging portion is pushed by the thread and moves radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion against the bias, and then moves radially inward or radially outward in accordance with the bias to engage with the thread. (7) Connector. (22) An operating portion is provided on the outside of the cylindrical portion, and receives an operation to move the engaging portion radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion against the biasing force, When the engaging portion is moved radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion by operating the operating portion from a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the thread, the engaging portion is released from its engagement with the thread, and in this state, the connector and the female connector can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion moves away from the base portion, thereby making it possible to remove the tubular portion from the tubular portion. (23) The connector according to (21) or (22), which has a pair of the engaging portions arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. (24) A connector described in any one of (21) to (23), wherein the cross-sectional shape of the inner cavity of the tubular portion matches the shape of the tubular portion and the portion of the female connector including the pair of threads when viewed in the axial direction. (25) The connector according to any one of (1) to (24), further comprising a ring-shaped packing that is circumferentially and tightly fitted to the tip of the cylindrical portion. (26) The connector according to (25), wherein the packing is provided on the tip surface of the base portion. (27) The connector according to (25) or (26), wherein the packing is in close contact with the tip end surface of the cylindrical portion in a circumferential manner. (28) The connector according to (25) or (26), wherein the packing is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion in a circumferential direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 Base 11 Tip surface 12 Groove 15 Male Lure 20 Connection part 30 Communication lumen 40 Cylindrical part 41 Tip opening 42 Engagement part 46 Pair of guide grooves 48 Protrusion 60 Gasket 70 Cover 81 Extension 82 Connecting part 83 Pressing part 84 Connecting part 87 Opening 88 Slit section 100 Connectors 200 female connector 210 Cylinder part 211 Tip surface 212 First area 214 Second area 216 Third area 220 pairs of threads 300 Gastrostomy catheter 310 Liquid transfer tube 320 Second liquid transfer tube 400 male connector

Claims

1. A connector that can be detachably coupled to a female connector that conforms to ISO 80369-3, The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; a hollow male luer that protrudes from the tip surface of the base portion toward the tip side, has an outer diameter that decreases toward the tip side, and is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3; The male luer of the connector constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion, the lumen of the male luer of the connector constitutes a part of the communicating lumen, The inner diameter of the male lure of the connector is larger than the inner diameter of the male lure of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3, The connector has an inner diameter of the male luer that increases toward the base end of the male luer.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the overall length of the male luer of the connector is shorter than the overall length of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3.

3. A connector that is detachably coupled to a female connector that conforms to ISO 80369-3, The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; a hollow male luer that protrudes from the tip surface of the base portion toward the tip side, has an outer diameter that decreases toward the tip side, and is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3; The male luer of the connector constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion, the lumen of the male luer of the connector constitutes a part of the communicating lumen, The inner diameter of the male lure of the connector is larger than the inner diameter of the male lure of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3, the inner cavity of the tubular portion includes a first region whose diameter decreases toward the rear at a first taper angle, and a second region whose diameter decreases toward the rear at a second taper angle that is steeper than the first taper angle, The male luer of the connector has a protruding length set so that its tip reaches the second region.

4. A connector that is detachably coupled to a female connector that conforms to ISO 80369-3, The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; a hollow male luer that protrudes from the tip surface of the base portion toward the tip side, has an outer diameter that decreases toward the tip side, and is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3; The male luer of the connector constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion, the lumen of the male luer of the connector constitutes a part of the communicating lumen, The inner diameter of the male lure of the connector is larger than the inner diameter of the male lure of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3, A connector in which the tip surface of the base portion is the most distal end of a portion of the connector that is positioned radially outward from the male luer.

5. a cylindrical portion protruding from a tip end of the base portion toward the tip end side, the cylindrical portion has an engaging portion that engages with the screw thread, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion.

6. A connector that is detachably coupled to a female connector that conforms to ISO 80369-3, The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; a cylindrical portion protruding from a tip end of the base portion toward the tip end side; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3; the cylindrical portion has an engaging portion that engages with the screw thread, the engaging portion constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion, The connector, wherein the engaging portion is an engaging recess formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the cylindrical portion has a pair of the engaging recesses disposed at opposite polar positions in the circumferential direction thereof.

8. a pair of guide grooves are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion to guide each of the pair of threads from a tip opening of the cylindrical portion toward each of the pair of engaging recesses, 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein a step is formed at a boundary between each of the pair of guide grooves and the corresponding engaging recess, so that the engaging recess is deeper.

9. The connector according to claim 8 , wherein the guide groove is formed in a shape that becomes deeper toward the tip end of the cylindrical portion.

10. A connector that is detachably coupled to a female connector that conforms to ISO 80369-3, The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; a cylindrical portion protruding from a tip end of the base portion toward the tip end side; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3; the cylindrical portion has an engaging portion that engages with the screw thread, the engaging portion constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion, By moving the connector and the female connector relative to each other in the axial direction in the direction in which the tubular portion approaches the base portion, the tubular portion surrounds the tubular portion and the engaging portion engages with the screw thread.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the engagement of the engaging portion with the thread is released by moving the connector and the female connector relative to each other in the axial direction so that the tubular portion moves away from the base portion from a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the thread.

12. a pair of protrusions formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, the protrusions being pressed by a user; the pair of protrusions are arranged at positions opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, and each protrusion is arranged at a middle position between respective arrangement regions of the pair of engagement recesses in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, A connector as described in claim 10, wherein when the pair of engaging recesses are engaged with the pair of screw threads, the pair of protrusions are pressed in a direction toward each other, causing the tubular portion to elastically deform and releasing the engagement between the pair of engaging recesses and the pair of screw threads.

13. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion is elliptical, The pair of engagement recesses are arranged in the minor axis direction of the elliptical shape, A connector as described in claim 10, wherein when the pair of engaging recesses are engaged with the pair of screw threads, the tubular portion is elastically deformed by pressing both sides of the tubular portion in the major axis direction of the elliptical shape in a direction toward each other, thereby releasing the engagement between the pair of engaging recesses and the pair of screw threads.

14. At least the cylindrical portion is made of a soft resin, a cylindrical cover portion that covers the periphery of the base portion and the cylindrical portion, the cover portion is axially movable relative to the base portion and the cylindrical portion, With the engaging portion engaged with the screw thread, the cover portion is moved toward the distal end relative to the base portion and the cylindrical portion, and the cover portion covers the arrangement area of the screw thread and the engaging portion, whereby the cylindrical portion is restrained by the cover portion and the engaged state of the engaging portion with the screw thread is maintained, A connector as described in claim 10, wherein when the cover portion does not cover the arrangement area of the screw thread and the engaging portion, the engaging portion is disengaged from the screw thread by moving the connector and the female connector relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion moves away from the base portion from the state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the screw thread.

15. A connector as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the tubular portion is inserted into the tubular portion until the base end of the thread reaches the engagement recess, and then the connector and the female connector are rotated relative to each other around the axis within an angle range of 90 degrees or less, so that the engagement recess and the thread engage and the tubular portion and the base portion move closer together, thereby liquid-tightly connecting the connector and the female connector to each other.

16. a hollow male luer that protrudes from the distal end surface of the base portion toward the distal end, has an outer diameter that decreases toward the distal end, and is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion; the cylindrical portion surrounds the male luer, 16. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the male luer constitutes the connecting portion together with the engaging portion.

17. 17. The connector according to claim 16, wherein the tip of the male luer included in the connector is located closer to the base end than the tip of the tubular portion.

18. The male luer of the connector is made of soft resin, 18. The connector according to claim 16, wherein when the male luer is fitted into the inner cavity of the tubular portion, the outer peripheral surface of the male luer is in liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion in a circular manner.

19. A connector that is detachably coupled to a female connector that conforms to ISO 80369-3, The female connector includes a cylindrical portion and a pair of threads formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, The connector is: a base portion into which the tip of the liquid delivery tube is inserted and fixed; a connecting portion that is connected to the female connector; a cylindrical portion protruding from a tip end of the base portion toward the tip end side; It also has a communicating lumen that penetrates at least the base portion in the axial direction and that connects the lumen of the liquid supply tube and the lumen of the cylindrical portion, the inner diameter of the communicating lumen is larger than the inner diameter of the male luer of a male connector conforming to ISO 80369-3; the cylindrical portion has an engaging portion that engages with the screw thread, the engaging portion constitutes at least a part of the connecting portion, the engaging portion is elastically biased radially inward or radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, When the tubular portion is inserted into the tubular portion and the connector and the female connector are moved relative to each other in the axial direction in the direction in which the tubular portion approaches the base portion, the engaging portion is pushed by the thread and moves radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion against the bias, and then moves radially inward or radially outward in accordance with the bias to engage with the thread.

20. an operating portion is provided on the outside of the cylindrical portion, the operating portion receiving an operation to move the engaging portion radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion against the biasing force; The connector described in claim 19, wherein when the engaging portion is moved radially outward or radially inward relative to the inner surface of the tubular portion by operating the operating portion from a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with the thread, the engaging portion is released from its engagement with the thread, and in this state, the connector and the female connector can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction in a direction in which the tubular portion moves away from the base portion, thereby allowing the tubular portion to be removed from the tubular portion.

21. 21. The connector according to claim 19, further comprising a pair of the engaging portions disposed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

22. A connector as described in any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the inner cavity of the tubular portion matches the shape of the portion of the female connector including the tubular portion and the pair of threads when viewed in the axial direction.

23. The connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a ring-shaped packing that is circumferentially and liquid-tightly attached to the tip end of the cylindrical portion.

24. 24. The connector according to claim 23, wherein the packing is provided on a tip surface of the base portion.

25. 25. The connector according to claim 23, wherein the packing is in close contact with the tip end surface of the cylindrical portion in a circumferential direction.

26. 25. The connector according to claim 23, wherein the packing is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

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