Male connector cover

Abstract

To reduce a pain given to a patient by a male connector, to achieve connection and separation of a female connector relative to the male connector where a cover is mounted, and to prevent unintentional separation of the cover from the male connector.SOLUTION: A cover 1 can be attached to and removed from a male connector 900 comprising: a connector body 910 that has a connector main section 910 and a base end section 920; a cap 930 that is attachable to and removable from the connector main section; and a band 935 that connects the connector body or a tube 909 with the cap. The cover 1 is composed of a cushioning material. The cover includes: an accommodation section 10 that can accommodate the connector main section; and a connecting part 11 that extends in a circumferential direction of the connector main part of the male connector. When the cover is mounted on the male connector, and the cap is not mounted on the connector main section, a tip end of the connector main section can be exposed to an external environment, and the band is disposed on a base end section side with respect to the connecting section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for a male connector that is detachably attached to a male connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Enteral nutrition, in which liquids including nutrients and medicines are injected directly into the digestive tract, such as the stomach and intestines, via a tube, is a well-known method for administering liquids to patients who are no longer able to take food orally. Because liquids must be administered to patients periodically, the tube that delivers the liquid is inserted and left in place within the patient. A male connector is provided at the upstream end of the tube. When administering the liquid, the male connector is connected to a female connector provided at the downstream end of the tube, which is connected to a container (e.g., a bag) that stores the liquid.

[0003] The male connector, along with the tubing, remains in place in the patient for an extended period of time. When the patient turns over in bed, the male connector may be crushed under the patient's face or body. If the male connector is made of a hard material, the patient may feel pain from the male connector. Furthermore, the male connector may cause bedsores by continuously compressing the patient's skin and soft tissues.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a detachable cover for a male connector. It also describes that the cover may be made of a soft material such as an elastomer or foam. By attaching the cover to the male connector except when providing tube feeding, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the patient feeling pain or developing a bedsore even if the male connector is crushed by the patient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-029753 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The cover in Patent Document 1 must be removed from the male connector when connecting or disconnecting the female connector from the male connector. The removed cover may be lost. Furthermore, there is a risk of forgetting to reattach the removed cover to the male connector after tube feeding is completed.

[0007] The cover in Patent Document 1 has a recess that can accommodate a male connector. The cover can be attached to or detached from the male connector by inserting or removing the male connector into or from the recess in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the male connector (radial direction) with a cap attached to the tip of the male connector. When the cover is attached to the male connector, one radial side of the male connector is exposed to the outside world over the entire length of the male connector. The cover has the advantage that it can be easily attached to or detached from the male connector. However, there is a high possibility that the cover will unintentionally separate from the male connector due to external force.

[0008] The first object of the present invention is to reduce the pain felt by a patient when the male connector is crushed under the patient. The second object of the present invention is to enable a female connector to be connected to and disconnected from the male connector while a cover is attached to the male connector. The third object of the present invention is to provide a detachable cover for a male connector that reduces the possibility of the cover unintentionally separating from the male connector when the male connector with the cover attached is placed in a patient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The male connector cover of the present invention can be attached and detached to a male connector comprising a connector body having a cylindrical connector main portion at one end and a base end from which a flexible tube is led out at the other end, a cap detachably attached to the tip of the connector main portion, and a band connecting the connector body or the tube to the cap. The cover is made of a cushioning material. The cover includes a housing portion capable of housing the connector main portion and a connecting portion provided to extend circumferentially along the connector main portion when the cover is attached to the male connector. When the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is not attached to the connector main portion, the cover can expose the tip of the connector main portion to the outside in the axial direction of the male connector, and the band is positioned on the base end side relative to the connecting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The cover of the present invention is made of a cushioning material. The cover can be attached to the male connector so that the connector main part is housed in the housing of the cover. Therefore, if a patient falls on the male connector with the cover of the present invention attached, the pain felt by the patient is reduced.

[0011] When the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is not attached to the connector body, the tip of the connector body can be exposed to the outside in the axial direction of the male connector, so that the female connector can be connected to and disconnected from the male connector with the cover of the present invention attached to the male connector.

[0012] When the cover is attached to the male connector but the cap is not attached to the connector body, the band is positioned on the proximal end side of the coupling portion. When the cap is attached to the connector body to place the male connector in a patient, the coupling portion is surrounded by the connector body and the band. Therefore, when a male connector with the cover of the present invention attached is placed in a patient, the cover is unlikely to unintentionally separate from the male connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing a male connector and a cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is a front view of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side, and Fig. 2B is a side view of the cover of Fig. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a male connector and the cap is not attached to the connector main body. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view, seen from the front, of a state in which the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a male connector and a cap is attached to a connector main body. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the state of FIG. 4A as seen from the rear side. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is a front view of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a state in which a female connector is connected to a male connector equipped with a cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cover of Figure 6. Figure 7B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cover of Figure 6 along another plane. [Figure 8] Figure 8A is a front view of the cover of Figure 6, Figure 8B is a first side view of the cover of Figure 6, and Figure 8C is a second side view of the cover of Figure 6. [Figure 9A]FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached to a male connector and a cap is not attached to a connector main part. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view along another plane of FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached to a male connector and a cap is attached to a connector main part. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A. [Figure 11] Fig. 11A is a perspective view of a cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cover of Fig. 11A. [Figure 12] Fig. 12A is a perspective view of the cover according to the third embodiment of the present invention as seen from another direction, and Fig. 12B is a front view of the cover of Fig. 12A as seen from the front side. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover according to the third embodiment of the present invention is attached to a male connector, but a cap is not attached to a connector main part. [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover according to the third embodiment of the present invention is attached to a male connector and a cap is attached to a connector main part. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14A. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cover according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Fig. 16A is a perspective view of the cover of Fig. 15 as seen from another direction, and Fig. 16B is a front view of the cover of Fig. 15 as seen from the front side. [Figure 17] Fig. 17A is a perspective view showing a modified example of the cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 17B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cover of Fig. 17A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may further include a cover body that is substantially arc-shaped when viewed along the axis of the cover. The connecting portion may connect opposing end faces of the cover body. The cover body and the connecting portion may form the storage portion. According to this aspect, the configuration of the cover can be simplified. Note that the term "substantially arc-shaped" includes not only an "arc" but also a curved shape that cannot strictly be considered an arc (for example, a part of an ellipse).

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the band may be extended from the connector body, and when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector body, the band is curved and necessarily straddles the connecting portion.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector body, the band may extend across the coupling portion toward the distal end of the connector body. This aspect is advantageous in reducing the possibility of the cover being unintentionally separated from the male connector when the male connector with the cover attached is placed in a patient.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may further include a groove having a bottom surface on the outer surface of the connecting portion. When the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion, the band may be housed in the groove. This aspect is advantageous for reducing pain caused to a patient by the band of the male connector if the male connector with the cover attached is crushed by a patient.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may further include a recess extending in the radial direction. The recess may engage with the band so as to prevent the cover from rotating relative to the male connector when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is not attached to the connector main portion. According to this aspect, if the recess engages with the band, there is no need to axially align the cover with the male connector when the cap is subsequently attached to the connector main portion.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the cap may include a circular sealing plate that can cover the tip of the connector main portion and a tab that protrudes radially outward from the sealing plate. The band may be connected to the sealing plate at a position opposite to the tab. When the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion, the tab may not protrude radially outward from the cover. The tab on the cap makes it easy to remove the cap from the connector main portion. The above aspect is advantageous in reducing pain inflicted on a patient by the tab of the male connector if the male connector with the cover attached is crushed by a patient.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may have a third outer dimension along a third direction parallel to the axis of the cover, a first outer dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the third direction, and a second outer dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first and third directions. The cover may have a flat shape in which the first outer dimension is smaller than the second and third outer dimensions. According to this aspect, when the cover is attached to the male connector, it is likely that the first direction of the cover will be oriented vertically on bedding or the like. Therefore, the cover and the male connector can be stably oriented in a desired direction.

[0021] In one aspect of the present invention, the base end may have a long axis perpendicular to the axis of the male connector. The cover may be attachable to the male connector with the second direction of the cover parallel to the long axis of the base end. According to this aspect, when the male connector with the cover attached is placed under a patient with the first direction of the cover facing up or down, the long axis of the base end faces horizontally. This is advantageous in reducing pain caused to the patient by the base end.

[0022] In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion may extend parallel to the first direction. According to this aspect, when the male connector with the cover attached is placed under a patient with the first direction of the cover facing up or down, the band protrudes horizontally. This is advantageous in reducing pain caused to the patient by the band.

[0023] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may further include a skirt configured to radially face the base end when the cover is attached to the male connector. This aspect is advantageous in reducing pain inflicted on a patient by the base end of the male connector if the male connector with the attached cover is crushed by the patient.

[0024] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may have a third outer dimension along a third direction parallel to the axis of the cover, a first outer dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the third direction, and a second outer dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction. The cover may have a flat shape in which the first outer dimension is smaller than the second outer dimension and the third outer dimension. The skirt may have a pair of opposing portions spaced apart in the first direction and facing each other. When the cover is attached to the male connector, the base end may be located between the pair of opposing portions. According to this aspect, when the male connector with the attached cover is placed under a patient with the first direction of the cover facing up or down, the opposing portions are located above and below the base end. This is advantageous in reducing pain caused to the patient by the base end.

[0025] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may further include a collar configured to radially face the cap when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion. This aspect is advantageous in reducing pain that the cap of the male connector causes to a patient if the male connector with the attached cover is crushed by the patient.

[0026] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may have a third outer dimension along a third direction parallel to the axis of the cover, a first outer dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the third direction, and a second outer dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction. The cover may have a flat shape in which the first outer dimension is smaller than the second outer dimension and the third outer dimension. When the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion, the collar may face the cap in the first direction. According to this aspect, when the male connector with the attached cover is placed under a patient with the first direction of the cover facing up or down, the collar faces the cap in the up or down direction. This is advantageous in reducing pain caused by the cap to the patient.

[0027] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may further include an engagement structure that engages with a step between the connector main portion and the base end portion of the male connector. This is advantageous in preventing the cover from moving forward relative to the male connector (in the direction from the base end toward the connector main portion) when the cover is attached to the male connector but the cap is not attached to the connector main portion.

[0028] In one aspect of the present invention, when the cover attached to the male connector is viewed in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the axis of the cover and the coupling portion, the connector main body does not protrude from the cover. This aspect is advantageous in reducing pain inflicted on a patient if the male connector with the cover attached is crushed under the patient.

[0029] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may be provided with a through-hole that penetrates the cover to allow the connector main part accommodated in the accommodation part to be seen. According to this aspect, for example, information printed on the outer peripheral surface of the connector main part can be seen through the through-hole when the cover is attached to the male connector.

[0030] In one aspect of the present invention, when the cover is viewed in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the axis of the cover and the connecting portion, the cover may be asymmetric with respect to the axis of the cover. This aspect is advantageous in recognizing the position for inserting and removing the male connector relative to the cover.

[0031] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may further include a skirt configured to radially face the base end when the cover is attached to the male connector. A notch may be provided in the cover so that the outer peripheral edge of the skirt is asymmetrical with respect to the axis of the cover when the cover is viewed along a direction perpendicular to a plane including the axis of the cover and the connecting portion. According to this aspect, when the male connector is inserted into the cover, the notch can be used to position the male connector relative to the cover. This is advantageous for improving the attachability of the cover to the male connector.

[0032] In one aspect of the present invention, the cover may have a pair of side surfaces facing opposite each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cover. Each of the pair of side surfaces may be a convex curved surface. The pair of side surfaces may be connected via a flat surface. This aspect is advantageous for facilitating the manufacture of the cover when the cover is manufactured by molding using a mold.

[0033] In one aspect of the present invention, holes may be provided on the outer surface of the cover, which is advantageous for reducing the weight of the cover and adjusting the cushioning properties of the cover.

[0034] The present invention will be described in detail below, illustrating preferred embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For the sake of convenience, the drawings referred to in the following description show simplified views of the main components constituting the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention may include any components not shown in the following drawings. Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, the components shown in the following drawings may be modified or omitted. In the drawings referred to in the description of each embodiment, components corresponding to components shown in the drawings referred to in the preceding embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the drawings of the preceding embodiment. Duplicate descriptions of such components are omitted, and the descriptions of the preceding embodiment should be taken into consideration as appropriate.

[0035] In the present invention, the "axis" of a component (e.g., a cover or a male connector) refers to the central axis of the component. The "axis" passes through the center of a circle included in the component and / or coincides with the central axis of a cylinder included in the component. The direction along a straight line perpendicular to the axis is called the "radial direction." In the radial direction, the side closer to the axis is called the "inner" side, and the side farther from the axis is called the "outer" side. The direction of rotation around the axis is called the "circumferential direction."

[0036] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a male connector 900 and a cover 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention immediately before being attached to the male connector 900. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 1A. The cross section of FIG. 1B includes the axes (not shown) of the coaxially arranged cover 1 and male connector 900. For convenience of the following description, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system as shown in the figure is set for each of the cover 1 and the male connector 900. The Z axis is parallel to the axes of the cover 1 and the male connector 900. The Z axis direction may be simply referred to as the "axial direction." In the axial direction (Z axis direction), the side of the arrow on the Z axis (the upper side in FIG. 1A) is referred to as the "front" side, and the opposite side (the lower side in FIG. 1A) is referred to as the "rear" side.

[0037] First, we will explain male connector 900. Male connector 900 is used for nasogastric tube feeding. Male connector 900 has connector body 901 with cylindrical connector main portion 910 at one end and base end 920 at the other end from which tube 909 is led out.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1B, the connector main portion 910 includes a male member 911 having a hollow cylindrical shape and an outer tube 915 surrounding the male member 911. The outer peripheral surface 912 of the male member 911 is a tapered surface (a so-called male taper surface) in which the outer diameter decreases toward the tip of the male member 911. The male member 911 has a tip tapered surface 913, which is located distally of the outer peripheral surface 912 and has a larger taper angle than the outer peripheral surface 912. The tip of the male member 911 (particularly the tip tapered surface 913) protrudes in the axial direction beyond the tip of the outer tube 915. The tip tapered surface 913, which protrudes beyond the outer tube 915, facilitates connection of the cap 930 and the female connector 950 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B, described later) to the male connector 900. The male member 911 is provided with a flow path 919 penetrating the male member 911 along its longitudinal direction (the Z-axis direction). The outer cylinder 915 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is arranged coaxially with the male member 911 and spaced apart in the radial direction from the male member 911. An internal thread 916 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 915 facing the male member 911.

[0039] The base end 920 includes a connecting tube 921 that is coaxial with the male member 911. The connecting tube 921 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is in communication with the male member 911. As shown in FIG. 1A , the base end 920 further includes a grip portion 923 that is provided to surround the connecting tube 921. The grip portion 923 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular prism shape as a whole. The cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 923 along a plane perpendicular to the XY plane is generally rectangular. The base end 920 has a major axis that is parallel to the long side of the generally rectangular shape of the grip portion 923. The major axis is parallel to the Y axis. The major axis of the base end 920 is an axis that extends along the direction in which the outer dimension of the base end 920 is greatest in a plane (XY plane) that is perpendicular to the axis of the male connector 900 (this axis is defined by the central axes of the male member 911, the outer tube 915, and the connecting tube 921). The direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the long axis and the axis of the male connector 900 is referred to as the "thickness direction" of the base end 920. The dimension of the base end 920 along the long axis (Y-axis direction) is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the outer tube 915. The dimension of the base end 920 along the thickness direction (X-axis direction) is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer tube 915 and approximately the same as the outer diameter of the connecting tube 921. The base end 920 (grip portion 923) has a grip surface 924 which is a flat surface parallel to the YZ plane. An operator can grip the base end 920 in the thickness direction at the grip surface 924. The base end 920 having a long axis makes it easy for an operator to apply a rotational force around its axis to the male connector 900.

[0040] A flexible, hollow tube 909 extends from the base end 920. As shown in FIG. 1B, the tube 909 is inserted into a connecting tube 921 and fixed to the connecting tube 921 with an adhesive or the like. A flow path 919 of the male member 911 communicates with the tube 909. The tube 909 may be a nasal catheter inserted through the patient's nasal cavity into the stomach or esophagus. Alternatively, the tube 909 may be a tube (extension tube) connected to a nasal catheter. The outer diameter of the tube 909 can be changed as appropriate depending on the patient's physique, etc., and is generally about 1 to 5 mm.

[0041] The male connector 900 further includes a cap 930 and a band 935. The cap 930 includes a substantially disc-shaped sealing plate 931 and a cylindrical sealing tube 932 protruding from the sealing plate 931. A tab 933 protrudes radially outward from the circular outer periphery of the cap 930 (or the sealing plate 931). A band 935 extends parallel to the Y-axis from a position on the outer periphery of the cap 930 opposite the tab 933. The band 935 connects the cap 930 to a ring 937 fixed to the connector body 901. In this embodiment, the ring 937 is fixed between the connector main portion 910 and the base end portion 920. The ring 937 has an annular shape with approximately the same outer diameter as the outer tube 915. The rear end of ring 937 (the end on the side of base end portion 920) forms step 905 that protrudes radially outward relative to grip surface 924 (see FIG. 4B, described later).

[0042] Cap 930 can be repeatedly attached and detached to the tip of connector main part 910. When nasogastric tube feeding is not being performed, male connector 900 is left indwelling on the patient with cap 930 attached to connector main part 910 (see FIG. 4A described below). Cap 930 can be easily removed from connector main part 910 by hooking a finger on tab 933. Band 935 prevents cap 930 from being lost after it has been removed from connector main part 910.

[0043] The connector main body 901 can be integrally molded as a single component using a hard material. The hard material preferably has a degree of mechanical strength (rigidity) such that it is not substantially deformed by external forces. Specific examples of hard materials that can be used include resin materials such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, and hard polyvinyl chloride. The connector main body 901 may be formed by combining multiple separately manufactured components (e.g., two components: the outer tube 915 and the portion excluding the outer tube 915). In this case, the materials constituting the multiple components may be the same or different, and each may be selected from the hard materials described above.

[0044] Cap 930, tab 933, band 935, and ring 937 can be integrally molded as a single component using a soft material that is more easily deformed than connector body 901. Soft materials that can be used for this integrated product including cap 930 include relatively hard resin materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene, or soft materials having rubber elasticity (so-called elastomers) such as rubber (e.g., isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber) or thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., styrene-based elastomers, olefin-based elastomers, polyurethane-based elastomers).

[0045] The configuration of the male connector 900 is merely illustrative, and the configuration of the portions not directly involved in the connection with the female connector 950 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B, described later) may be modified as appropriate. For example, in this embodiment, the ring 937 is provided between the connector main portion 910 and the base end portion 920, but the location of the ring 937 is not limited thereto. For example, the ring 937 may be attached to any position between the tip (front end) and rear end (end on the base end 920 side) of the connector main portion 910 (outer cylinder 915). In this case, the rear end of the connector main portion 910 (outer cylinder 915) forms a step 905 that protrudes radially outward relative to the grip surface 924. The configuration for connecting the band 935 to the male connector 900 is not limited to the ring 937. For example, the base end of the band 935 may be embedded in the connector main portion 910 by two-color molding or the like. In this case, the ring 937 is not necessary. The configuration of the cap 930 may also be modified as desired. The cap 930 does not necessarily have to include the tab 933 .

[0046] The cover 1 will now be described. Fig. 2A is a front view of the cover 1 as seen from the front side, and Fig. 2B is a side view of the cover 1.

[0047] The cover 1 has an overall hollow cylindrical shape. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A , the cover 1 includes a cover main body 15 that has a substantially C-shaped arc shape when viewed along the Z axis, and a connecting portion 11 that connects two end faces of the cover main body 15 that face each other in the X axis direction. The inner cavity of the cover 1, surrounded by the cover main body 15 and the connecting portion 11, is the accommodating portion 10 that can accommodate the connector main portion 910. The inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion 10 is a cylindrical surface, which is formed by the cover main body 15 and the connecting portion 11. The central axis of the cylindrical surface of the accommodating portion 10 is parallel to the Z axis and defines the axis of the cover 1 (not shown). The inner diameter of the cylindrical surface is preferably approximately the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the connector main portion 910 (or the outer cylinder 915). If the inner diameter of the cylindrical surface of the accommodating portion 10 is smaller than the outer diameter of the connector main portion 910, the cover 1 is less likely to fall off the male connector 900 when the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). The accommodating portion 10 is open on both sides in the Z-axis direction. The outer peripheral surface 16 of the cover main body 15 is a cylindrical surface coaxial with the axis of the cover 1. The thickness of the cover main body 15 in the radial direction is approximately constant. The front end surface 17a and the rear end surface 17b (see FIG. 2B) of the cover main body 15 are flat surfaces parallel to the XY plane. The Z-axis dimension of the cover main body 15 is preferably the same as or larger than the Z-axis dimension of the connector main portion 910 of the male connector 900, and in this embodiment 1, it is approximately the same as the Z-axis dimension from the tip of the outer tube 915 to the step 905.

[0048] The connecting portion 11 has a smaller radial thickness than the cover body 15. Therefore, the connecting portion 11 is set back radially inward from the outer peripheral surface 16 of the cover body 15, and a groove 12 extending in the Z-axis direction is formed along the connecting portion 11. The outer surface of the connecting portion 11 (the surface facing radially outward) forms the bottom surface of the groove 12. The connecting portion 11 also has a smaller Z-axis dimension than the cover body 15. More specifically, the connecting portion 11 is set back in the Z-axis direction from the rear end surface 17b of the cover body 15, and a recess 18 extending along the radial direction is formed in the rear end surface 17b (see FIG. 4B). The recess 18 is connected to the groove 12. The connecting portion 11 is also set back in the Z-axis direction from the front end surface 17a of the cover body 15. It is preferable that the Z-axis dimension of the connecting portion 11 is equal to or smaller than the length along the Z-axis from the tip of the connector main portion 910 (or the outer tube 915) to the band 935. This is because it makes it easier to attach the cap 930 to the tip of the connector main part 910.

[0049] The cover 1 is made of a cushioning (or elastic, compressible) material (hereinafter referred to as "cushioning material") that can be deformed relatively easily by external force and immediately returns to its pre-deformation state (initial state) when the external force is removed. While there are no limitations on the cushioning material that can be used, foam materials (sponges) are preferred, and examples of such materials include resin materials such as silicone foam, polyurethane foam, and polyethylene foam. Polyurethane foam is particularly preferred. Alternatively, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, soft polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and the like may also be used as cushioning materials. The cover 1 can be manufactured as a single unit using the above materials. A bitter ingredient (e.g., denatonium benzoate) may be applied to the cover 1 to prevent children from accidentally swallowing it.

[0050] A method for attaching the cover 1 to the male connector 900 will now be described.

[0051] 1A and 1B, the rear end surface 17b of the cover 1 is placed opposite the tip of the connector main part 910 without the cap 930 attached. The cover 1 is placed coaxially with the male connector 900. The direction of the connecting part 11 of the cover 1 is aligned with the direction in which the band 935 extends from the cover body 15 (the Y-axis). Then, the connector main part 910 is inserted into the cover 1.

[0052] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cover 1 attached to the male connector 900. The cap 930 is not attached to the connector body 901. This state is referred to as the "cover attached / cap detached state." FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane of FIG. 3A. The connector main portion 910 (outer tube 915) and the ring 937 are housed in the housing portion 10 (see FIG. 1A) of the cover 1. The connecting portion 11 extends along the circumferential direction of the connector main portion 910 (outer tube 915) and faces the connector main portion 910 (outer tube 915) in the radial direction. The tip of the outer tube 915 is approximately flush with the front end surface 17a of the cover body 15. The step 905 of the male connector 900 (see FIG. 1A) is approximately flush with the rear end surface 17b of the cover body 15 (see FIG. 4B, described later). The band 935 of the male connector 900 is located on the base end 920 side (rear side) of the connecting portion 11 of the cover 1, is housed in the recess 18, and faces (or abuts) the connecting portion 11 in the axial direction. The axial abutment of the band 935 against the connecting portion 11 limits the insertion depth of the male connector 900 (connector main portion 910) into the cover 1. The band 935 extends along the Y axis so as to protrude radially outward beyond the connecting portion 11. The tip of the connector main portion 910 is not covered by the cover 1 and is exposed to the outside in the axial direction. In the present invention, "the tip of the connector main portion 910 is exposed to the outside in the axial direction" means that the tip of the male member 911 and the tip of the outer tube 915 constituting the connector main portion 910 are exposed to the outside (toward the front), and the flow path 919 of the male member 911 and the gap 918 between the male member 911 and the outer tube 915 are open to the outside (toward the front). Therefore, it is possible to attach the cap 930 to the tip of the connector main part 910 from the state shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B (cover attached, cap not attached state).

[0053] Fig. 4A is a perspective view from the front showing the state in which cover 1 is attached to male connector 900 and cap 930 is attached to connector main part 910. This state is called the "cover-attached / cap-attached state." Fig. 4B is a perspective view from the rear of the state in Fig. 4A. Fig. 4C is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 4A, and Fig. 4D is a front view of Fig. 4A.

[0054] The cover 1 covers the outer peripheral surface of the connector main part 910 (or outer cylinder 915) of the male connector 900 and the outer peripheral surface of the ring 937. The cap 930 protrudes forward from the front end surface 17a of the cover 1. The base end part 920 of the male connector 900 protrudes rearward from the rear end surface 17b of the cover 1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4C , the sealing tube 932 of the cap 930 is inserted into the gap 918 between the male member 911 and the outer tube 915 of the male connector 900. The male member 911 is inserted into the sealing tube 932, and the inner circumferential surface of the sealing tube 932 is in liquid-tight contact with the outer circumferential surface 912 of the male member 911. The cap 930 closes the flow path 919 and the gap 918 of the male connector 900. The sealing plate 931 has a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer tube 915. The tab 933 and the band 935 protrude radially outward beyond the sealing plate 931 and the outer tube 915. The band 935 curves and extends toward the tip of the connector main part 910, straddling the connecting portion 11 of the cover 1. The connecting portion 11 is surrounded by the band 935 and the outer tube 915.

[0056] 4D , the tab 933 and the band 935 protrude in opposite directions from the cap 930 (sealing plate 931) along the Y-axis direction. However, the tab 933 does not protrude radially outward beyond the cover body 15. Furthermore, the band 935 is housed in the groove 12 along the connecting portion 11 of the cover 1, and does not substantially protrude radially outward beyond the cover body 15. In other words, it is the cover 1 (particularly its cover body 15) that protrudes the most radially outward, rather than the tab 933 and the band 935.

[0057] As can be seen from FIG. 4A, the cap 930 and the tab 933 are not covered by the cover 1, and therefore the cap 930 can be removed from the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). That is, the cap 930 can be repeatedly attached (see FIGS. 4A to 4D) and removed (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) to the connector main part 910 while the cover 1 remains attached to the male connector 900. With the cap 930 separated from the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), the male connector 900 can be pulled rearward along the Z axis from the cover 1 to separate the cover 1 from the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The cover 1 can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the male connector 900.

[0058] The cover 1 can be used, for example, as follows.

[0059] The cover 1 can be attached to the male connector 900 at any time. For example, the cover 1 can be attached to the male connector 900 before the tube 909 (see FIG. 1A) is inserted into the patient. Alternatively, the cover 1 can be attached to the male connector 900 after the tube 909 is inserted into the patient, that is, while the male connector 900 and the tube 909 are indwelling in the patient. The cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) with the cap 930 separated from the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). Next, the cap 930 is attached to the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 4A to 4D). In this state (cover-attached / cap-attached state), the cover 1 is indwelling in the patient together with the male connector 900 and the tube 909. The male connector 900 and the cover 1 are connected to the patient via the tube 909, but are not fixed to the surface of the patient's body and can move freely away from the patient.

[0060] When performing nasogastric tube feeding, the cap 930 is separated from the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, a female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 900. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane of FIG. 5A. The female connector 950 includes a female member 951 having a hollow cylindrical shape. An inner peripheral surface 952 of the female member 951 is a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases toward the tip of the female member 951. A male thread 956 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the female member 951. The female member 951 is inserted into a gap 918 between the male member 911 and the outer tube 915. The male thread 956 of the female member 951 is threadedly engaged with the female thread 916 of the outer tube 915. The male member 911 is inserted into the female member 951. An outer peripheral surface (male tapered surface) 912 of the male member 951 and an inner peripheral surface (female tapered surface) 952 of the female member 951 are tapered and fitted together liquid-tight.

[0061] The female connector 950 further includes a connecting tube 961 that is coaxial with the female member 951. A pair of grip portions 963 (only one grip portion 963 is visible in FIGS. 5A and 5B ) protrude radially outward from the connecting tube 961. Similar to the grip portion 923 of the male connector 900, the grip portion 963 makes it easy for the operator to apply a rotational force around its axis to the female connector 950.

[0062] The connecting tube 961 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is in communication with the female member 951. A flexible hollow tube 959 is inserted into the connecting tube 961 and fixed to the connecting tube 961 with adhesive or the like. A base end (not shown) of the tube 959 is connected to a container (e.g., a bag) that stores a liquid material.

[0063] In the state shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, nasogastric tube feeding can be performed by sequentially flowing a liquid through tube 959, female connector 950, male connector 900, and tube 909 to administer the liquid to the patient.

[0064] Thereafter, female connector 950 is separated from male connector 900 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Any liquid adhering to male connector 900 is wiped off. Cap 930 is attached to connector main portion 910 (see FIGS. 4A to 4D). In this state (with the cover and cap attached), male connector 900 is placed in the patient together with tube 909.

[0065] As described above, the cover 1 of the first embodiment is placed on a patient together with the male connector 900 in a state in which the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900 and the cap 930 is attached to the tip of the connector main portion 910 (cover-attached / cap-attached state, see FIGS. 4A to 4D ). The cover 1 includes a housing portion 10 capable of housing the connector main portion 910. The connector main portion 910 (or outer tube 915), which is the rigid portion of the male connector 900 that protrudes most radially outward, is housed within the cover 1. The cover 1 protrudes radially outward further than the connector main portion 910. Therefore, even if the male connector 900 with the cover 1 attached is crushed by a patient, the male connector 900 is unlikely to come into contact with the patient. Furthermore, since the cover 1 is made of a cushioning material, it deforms appropriately depending on the patient's weight. The cover 1 relieves localized pressure that the patient receives from the male connector 900. Therefore, cover 1 can reduce the pain felt by the patient when the patient is pinned down by male connector 900. Even if the patient continues to be pinned down by male connector 900, the patient is unlikely to develop a bedsore.

[0066] When the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900 and the cap 930 is not attached to the tip of the connector main part 910 (cover-attached / cap-detached state, see FIGS. 3A and 3B ), the tip of the connector main part 910 is exposed to the outside in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the male connector 900. Therefore, unlike the conventional cover described in Patent Document 1, with the cover 1 attached to the male connector 900, both the cap 930 and the female connector 950 can be connected and disconnected to and from the male connector 900 any number of times. To perform nasogastric tube feeding, it is necessary to remove the cap 930 from the connector main part 910 and instead connect the female connector 950 to the connector main part 910 (male connector 900). With the cover 1 of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to separate the cover 1 from the male connector 900 prior to performing nasogastric tube feeding. Therefore, problems that can occur when the cover 1 is separated from the male connector 900, such as losing the cover 1 or forgetting to reattach the cover 1, do not occur. Even if the cap 930 falls off from the connector main part 910 when the cover and cap are attached (see Figures 4A to 4D), the cap 930 can be firmly reattached by pushing it into the connector main part 910 without removing the cover 1 from the male connector 900.

[0067] In the cover-attached / cap-unattached state (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), the band 935 is disposed on the proximal end 920 side of the connecting portion 11. The connecting portion 11 restricts the cover 1 from moving rearward relative to the male connector 900. Thereafter, when the cap 930 is attached to the distal end of the connector main portion 910, the band 935 curves and extends across the connecting portion 11 toward the distal end of the connector main portion 910 (see FIG. 4C). The connecting portion 11 is surrounded by the connector main body 901 (particularly the connector main portion 910) and the band 935. The band 935 restricts the connecting portion 11 (and further the cover 1) from moving in the Z-axis direction relative to the male connector 900. Therefore, when the male connector 900 in the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 4A to 4D) is placed in a patient, the cover 1 is unlikely to unintentionally separate from the male connector 900. For example, even if a pulling force is applied to tube 909 in the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 4A to 4D), and a force is applied to male connector 900 in a direction (backward) that pulls it out of cover 1, there is little possibility that male connector 900 will shift position relative to cover 1 and eventually come out of cover 1. Therefore, cover 1 can reliably reduce the pain felt by a patient if male connector 900 is crushed under the patient.

[0068] The connecting portion 11 constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface that defines the accommodating portion 10. Therefore, the connecting portion 11 has the function of positioning the connector main portion 910 radially within the cover 1. Furthermore, in the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 4A to 4D), the connecting portion 11 also has the function of positioning the male connector 900 axially relative to the cover 1 by engaging with the band 935. Because the connecting portion 11 has both of these functions, the configuration of the cover 1 is simplified.

[0069] Band 935 is derived from a position between connector main portion 910 and base end portion 920 of connector body 901 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). When cover 1 is attached to male connector 900 and cap 930 is attached to the tip of connector main portion 910, band 935 bends and inevitably straddles coupling portion 11 (see FIG. 4C). For this reason, cover 1 is well suited to such male connector 900.

[0070] When the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900, the connecting portion 11 is disposed in front of the band 935 (toward the tip of the connector main portion 910) (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). To achieve this, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when attaching or detaching the cover 1 to or from the male connector 900, the connector main portion 910 is inserted or removed from an opening in the cover 1 rearward of the connecting portion 11 (the opening on the rear end surface 17b side). To attach or detach the cover 1 to or from the male connector 900, it is not necessary to insert or remove the tube 909 into or from the cover 1. Therefore, the cover 1 can be attached or detached from the male connector 900 with the tube 909 already connected to the male connector 900 and inserted into the patient. For example, if the cover 1 becomes dirty, it is possible to replace only the cover 1 with a new one while leaving the male connector 900 and the tube 909 indwelling on the patient.

[0071] A groove 12 is formed in the outer peripheral surface 16 of the cover 1 along the connecting portion 11 (see FIG. 1A). When the cover and cap are attached (see FIGS. 4A to 4D), the band 935 is curved and accommodated in the groove 12. Therefore, even if the curved band 935 protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the connector main portion 910 (or the outer tube 915), the band 935 can be prevented from protruding radially outward from the cover 1. This is advantageous in reducing the pain felt by the patient due to the curved band 935 if the male connector 900 falls on the patient. Even if the male connector 900 remains pinned by the patient for a long period of time, the patient is less likely to develop a bedsore. The radial depth of the groove 12 is preferably equal to or greater than the thickness of the band 935 (the radial dimension of the portion of the band 935 that radially faces the connecting portion 11 in FIG. 4C). It is preferable that band 935 housed in groove 12 does not protrude radially outward from cover 1, but it may protrude slightly. This is because band 935 is soft and easily deformable, unlike connector main part 910, and therefore the pain felt by the patient from band 935 is less than the pain caused by connector main part 910.

[0072] A radial recess 18 is provided on the rear end surface 17b of the cover 1. The recess 18 is connected to the groove 12, and the two are continuous. When the cover is attached but the cap is not attached, the band 935 is accommodated in the recess 18 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). The recess 18 engages with the band 935, restricting the cover 1 from rotating around its axis relative to the male connector 900. Thereafter, when the cap 930 is attached to the connector main part 910 with the band 935 accommodated in the recess 18, the band 935 is reliably accommodated in the groove 12. If the band 935 is engaged with the recess 18 when the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), there is no need to axially align the cover 1 with the male connector 900 when the cap 930 is attached to the connector main part 910.

[0073] In the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 4A to 4D), tab 933 of cap 930 does not protrude radially outward from cover 1. This is advantageous in reducing the pain felt by the patient from tab 933 if the patient falls under male connector 900. Even if the patient continues to be pinned down by male connector 900, the patient is unlikely to develop a bedsore.

[0074] In the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 4A to 4D), cap 930 and base end 920 protrude in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) beyond cover 1 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C). However, if a patient falls on male connector 900, the patient is unlikely to feel pain from cap 930 and base end 920. This is because, when male connector 900 is pinned down by a patient, the long axis of male connector 900 (the axis along which the outer dimension is greatest, i.e., the Z-axis) is normally oriented horizontally, and cover 1 protrudes radially outward beyond cap 930 and base end 920.

[0075] The first embodiment is merely an example, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0076] In the first embodiment, a step in the Z-axis direction is formed between the connecting portion 11 and the front end face 17a of the cover 1 (see FIG. 1A), but this step is not essential to the present invention. For example, the connecting portion 11 and the front end face 17a may be along a common plane parallel to the XY plane.

[0077] The cover 1 does not have to have the recess 18. For example, the connecting portion 11 and the rear end surface 17b may be along a common plane parallel to the XY plane. The dimension of the connecting portion 11 in the Z axis direction may be the same as the dimension of the cover body 15 in the Z axis direction.

[0078] The Z-axis dimension of the cover body 15 can be changed as appropriate. The Z-axis dimension of the cover body 15 is preferably larger than the Z-axis dimension of the connector main portion 910 (or the outer tube 915), and more preferably equal to or larger than the Z-axis dimension from the tip of the outer tube 915 to the bottom end of the ring 937 (or the step 905). This is because it reduces the possibility that the connector main portion 910 (or the outer tube 915), which is made of a relatively hard material, will come into contact with the patient. Therefore, when the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900, it is preferable that the connector main portion 910 (or the outer tube 915) does not protrude forward from the front end surface 17a of the cover body 15, and it is also preferable that the ring 937 (or the step 905) does not protrude rearward from the rear end surface 17b of the cover body 15. When the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900, the cover 1 may extend rearward beyond the ring 937 (or the step 905) so that the cover 1 radially covers part or all of the base end portion 920. However, in the present invention, when the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900, the tip of the connector main portion 910 (or the outer tube 915) may protrude forward from the front end surface 17a of the cover body 15. Furthermore, when the cover 1 is attached to the male connector 900, the ring 937 (or the step 905) may protrude rearward from the rear end surface 17b of the cover body 15. Even if the connector main portion 910 (or the outer tube 915) and / or the ring 937 (or the step 905) protrudes axially from the cover body 15, if the protruding length of the portion protruding from the cover body 15 is small, the protruding portion is unlikely to come into contact with the patient if the male connector 900 is crushed by the patient. Furthermore, even if the ring 937, which is made of a relatively soft material, comes into contact with the patient, the pain felt by the patient from the ring 937 is relatively small.

[0079] The shape of the outer peripheral surface 16 of the cover body 15 as viewed along the Z axis does not need to be circular, and may be, for example, a substantially elliptical shape similar to the cover body 215 of the second embodiment described below. In this case, similar to the second embodiment, it is preferable that the connecting portion 11 is disposed on the major axis of the substantially elliptical shape.

[0080] The cover 1 may have a through hole 19 like the cover 2 of the second embodiment described below.

[0081] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cover 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cover 2 taken along the YZ plane, and Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cover 2 taken along the XZ plane. Fig. 8A is a front view of the cover 2 taken from the front side, Fig. 8B is a side view of the cover 2 taken along the X axis, and Fig. 8C is a side view of the cover 2 taken along the Y axis.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8A , the cover 2 includes a cover main body 215 that has a substantially C-shaped arc shape when viewed along the Z axis, and a connecting portion 11 that connects two end surfaces of the cover main body 215 that face each other in the X axis direction. The inner cavity of the cover 2, surrounded by the cover main body 215 and the connecting portion 11, is the accommodating portion 10 that can accommodate the connector main portion 910. The inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion 10 is a cylindrical surface that is formed by the cover main body 215 and the connecting portion 11. The central axis of the cylindrical surface of the accommodating portion 10 is parallel to the Z axis and defines the axis of the cover 2 (not shown). A groove 12 extending in the Z axis direction is formed along the connecting portion 11. The outer surface of the connecting portion 11 (the surface facing radially outward) forms the bottom surface of the groove 12. The cover 2 differs in shape from the cover 1, as will be described in detail below.

[0083] The cover 2 includes a skirt 220 extending rearward from the cover main body 215. The skirt 220 has a substantially U-shaped cross section along the XY plane, and the substantially U-shaped cross section opens toward the same side as the cover main body 215 in the XY plane (the side opposite the arrow on the Y axis, hereinafter referred to as the "connecting portion 11 side"). Portions of the skirt 220 that are spaced apart and facing each other in the X-axis direction are facing portions 221. The gap between the pair of facing portions 221 opens toward the connecting portion 11 side and rearward, and communicates with the storage portion 10, the groove 12, and the recess 18. The opposing surfaces of the pair of facing portions 221 (inner surfaces of the facing portions 221) are substantially flat surfaces parallel to the YZ plane. The distance between the pair of opposing portions 221 along the X-axis direction is approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the base end portion 920 (or grip portion 923, see FIG. 1A) of the male connector 900, and is also the same as the inner dimension of the groove 12 and recess 18 in the X-axis direction, and is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical surface that defines the accommodating portion 10. Therefore, a step surface 225 is formed between the accommodating portion 10 and the opposing portions 221 due to the difference in the inner dimension in the X-axis direction (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). The step surface 225 is a flat surface parallel to the XY plane.

[0084] The cover 2 further includes a pair of collars 230 that protrude forward from the cover body 215. The collars 230 are ribs that extend along the Y axis. The pair of collars 230 are spaced apart and face each other in the X axis direction. The gap between the pair of collars 230 is open forward and communicates with the storage section 10 and the groove 12.

[0085] The cover main body 215 has a through-hole 219 formed therein, which passes through the cover main body 215 in the X-axis direction. The through-hole 219 connects the accommodating section 10 to the outside world.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the outer shape of the cover 2 as a whole has a flat shape with a first outer dimension L1 along the X-axis being smaller than a second outer dimension L2 along the Y-axis and a third outer dimension L3 along the Z-axis (L1 < L2, L1 < L3). The two side surfaces 216 facing outward in the X-axis direction are both smooth convex curved surfaces that bulge in a dome shape. The two side surfaces 216 are symmetric with respect to the YZ plane including the axis of the cover 2.

[0087] The cover 2 can be attached to and detached from the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) described in Embodiment 1. The cover 2 can be attached to and detached from the male connector 900 by inserting and removing the main connector portion 910 of the male connector 900 into and from the skirt 220 (or between the pair of opposing portions 221). Different from Embodiment 1, when viewed along the X-axis, on the side of the connecting portion 11 with respect to the axis of the cover 2, the main connector portion 910 can be inserted and removed obliquely with respect to the axis of the cover 2. The distance between the pair of opposing portions 221 is smaller than the outer diameter of the main connector portion 910 (outer cylinder 915). However, since the cover 2 is made of a cushioning material, the skirt 220 easily deforms so that the distance between the pair of opposing portions 221 expands when the main connector portion 910 passes through the skirt 220.

[0088] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the cover 2 attached to the male connector 900. The cap 930 is not attached to the connector main part 910 (cover attached, cap not attached state). FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A along the YZ plane, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A along the XZ plane. The connector main part 910 (outer cylinder 915) and a ring 937 are housed in the housing part 10 of the cover 2 (see FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8A). The coupling part 11 faces the connector main part 910 (outer cylinder 915) in the radial direction. The step 905 of the male connector 900 (see FIG. 1A) faces (or abuts) the step surface 225 of the cover 2 in the Z-axis direction (see FIGS. 7B and 7C). The connector main part 910 (outer cylinder 915) is exposed to the outside through a through-hole 219 provided in the cover 2. The band 935 of the male connector 900 is located on the base end 920 side (rear side) of the connecting portion 11 of the cover 2, is housed in the recess 18, and faces (or abuts) the connecting portion 11 in the axial direction. The band 935 extends along the Y axis so as to protrude radially outward beyond the connecting portion 11. The base end 920 of the male connector 900 is disposed within the skirt 220 (or between a pair of opposing portions 221) and is substantially covered by the skirt 220. The skirt 220 (or the opposing portion 221) faces the grip surface 924 of the base end 920 (see FIG. 1A ) in the X axis direction. The tube 909 extending from the base end 920 is extended from the skirt 220 (or between the pair of opposing portions 221) along the Z axis. A pair of collars 230 protrude forward beyond the tip of the connector main portion 910 (outer cylinder 915). However, as in the first embodiment, the tip of the connector main part 910 is not covered by the cover 2 and is exposed axially toward the outside (forward). When viewed along the X-axis direction, the connector body 901 is housed within the cover 2 without protruding from the outer periphery of the cover 2. The cap 930 can be attached to the connector main part 910 from the state shown in Figures 9A to 9C (cover attached, cap not attached state).

[0089] Fig. 10A is a perspective view seen from above showing a state (cover-attached / cap-attached state) in which cover 2 is attached to male connector 900 and cap 930 is attached to connector main portion 910. Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane of Fig. 10A.

[0090] 10B, the band 935 is housed in a groove 12 that runs along the connecting portion 11 of the cover 2, and curves as it straddles the connecting portion 11 of the cover 2 and extends toward the tip side of the connector main portion 910. The connecting portion 11 is surrounded by the band 935 and the outer tube 915. It is the cover 2, not the tab 933 or the band 935, that protrudes most radially outward. When viewed along the X axis, the male connector 900 does not protrude beyond the outer peripheral edge of the cover 2, except for a portion of the cap 930.

[0091] As in the first embodiment, the cap 930 can be removed from the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 9A to 9C). That is, the cap 930 can be repeatedly attached to (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) and removed from (see FIGS. 9A to 9C) the connector main part 910 while the cover 2 remains attached to the male connector 900. With the cap 930 separated from the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 9A to 9C), the cover 2 can be separated from the male connector 900 by pulling the male connector 900 out from the skirt 220 (or between the pair of opposing parts 221). The cover 2 can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the male connector 900.

[0092] The cover 2 can be used in the same manner as the cover 1 of the first embodiment. The cover 2 is placed in the patient with the cover 2 attached to the male connector 900 and the cap 930 attached to the connector main part 910 (cover-attached / cap-attached state, see FIGS. 10A and 10B). When performing nasogastric tube feeding, the cap 930 is separated from the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 9A to 9C). Then, although not shown, a female connector 950 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) is connected to the male connector 900. After completing nasogastric tube feeding, the female connector 950 is separated from the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 9A to 9C), and instead, the cap 930 is attached to the connector main part 910 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). The male connector 900 is placed in the patient in this state (cover-attached / cap-attached state) together with the tube 909.

[0093] The cover 2 of the second embodiment includes a skirt 220 extending rearward from the cover main body 215 that constitutes the accommodation section 10. The male connector 900 is inserted into and removed from the cover 2 via the skirt 220 (or between the pair of opposing sections 221). More specifically, the male connector 900 is inserted into the skirt 220 in the order of the connector main section 910 and the base end section 920. Thereafter, the male connector 900 is pulled out from the skirt 220 in the order of the base end section 920 and the connector main section 910.

[0094] When cover 2 is attached to male connector 900, skirt 220 faces proximal end 920 in the radial direction. Therefore, if male connector 900 with cover 2 attached is crushed by a patient, the possibility that proximal end 920 will come into contact with the patient is even lower than in embodiment 1. Skirt 220 is advantageous in reducing the pain that proximal end 920 inflicts on the patient if male connector 900 with cover 2 attached is crushed by the patient.

[0095] The cover 2 further includes a pair of collars 230 extending forward from the cover body 215. In the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), the pair of collars 230 face the cap 930 in the radial direction, sandwiching the cap 930 therebetween. Therefore, if a patient falls on the male connector 900 to which the cover 2 is attached, the possibility of the cap 930 coming into contact with the patient is even lower than in embodiment 1. The collars 230 are advantageous in reducing the pain that the cap 930 causes to the patient if the patient falls on the male connector 900 to which the cover 2 is attached.

[0096] Thus, the cover 2 of the second embodiment includes the skirt 220 and the collar 230 in addition to the cover main body 215. Therefore, the cover 2 can further reduce the pain felt by the patient when the patient is pinned down by the male connector 900. Even if the patient continues to be pinned down by the male connector 900, the possibility of the patient developing a bedsore is further reduced.

[0097] The distance between the pair of collars 230 increases toward the front. This allows the operator to easily access the cap 930 (sealing plate 931) and tab 933 when the cover and cap are attached (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). This makes it easy to remove the cap 930 from the connector main part 910.

[0098] In the cover-attached and cap-attached states (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), the tab 933 is spaced apart in the Z-axis direction from the front end face 17a of the cover 2 (see FIG. 10B). Therefore, even though the collar 230 protrudes forward from the front end face 17a, it is easy to hook a finger on the tab 933 to separate the cap 930 from the connector main part 910.

[0099] As in the first embodiment, when cover 2 is attached to male connector 900 and cap 930 is not attached to the tip of connector main part 910 (cover attached / cap not attached state, see FIGS. 9A to 9C), the tip of connector main part 910 is exposed to the outside in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of male connector 900. Therefore, with cover 2 attached to male connector 900, both cap 930 and female connector 950 can be connected to and disconnected from male connector 900 any number of times.

[0100] As in the first embodiment, in the cover-attached / cap-detached state (see FIGS. 9A to 9C), the band 935 is disposed on the proximal end 920 side of the connecting portion 11. Thereafter, when the cap 930 is attached to the tip of the connector main portion 910, the band 935 curves and extends across the connecting portion 11 toward the tip side of the connector main portion 910 (see FIG. 10B). The connecting portion 11 is surrounded by the connector main body 901 (particularly the connector main portion 910) and the band 935. When the male connector 900 in the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) is placed in a patient, the cover 2 is unlikely to unintentionally separate from the male connector 900.

[0101] The cover 2 has a stepped surface 225 (engagement structure) between the storage section 10 and the skirt 220 (or the opposing portion 221 thereof). The stepped surface 225 engages with a step 905 of the male connector 900 in the Z-axis direction when the cover 2 is attached to the male connector 900. The step 905 functions to prevent the cover 2 from moving forward relative to the male connector 900 when the cover is attached but the cap is not attached (see FIGS. 9A to 9C). This prevents the cover 2 from unintentionally falling off the male connector 900 when, for example, the cap 930 is separated from the connector main part 910 to perform nasogastric tube feeding. Furthermore, when a female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 900 and nasogastric tube feeding is being performed, the cover 2 can be prevented from moving toward the female connector 950.

[0102] The stepped surface 225 is formed based on the difference in the internal dimensions in the X-axis direction between the storage section 10 and the skirt 220. This stepped surface 225 functions as an engagement structure with which the male connector 900 engages. Therefore, there is no need to provide a special engagement structure. This is advantageous for simplifying the structure of the cover 2.

[0103] The cover 2 has a flat shape in which the first outer dimension L1 along the X-axis direction is smaller than the second outer dimension L2 along the Y-axis direction and the third outer dimension L3 along the Z-axis direction (see FIGS. 8A to 8C). Therefore, in the cover-attached and cap-attached state (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), the cover 2 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) is likely to be oriented on bedding or the like such that the X-axis direction of the cover 2, which has a relatively small outer dimension, is vertical.

[0104] Cover 2 is attached to male connector 900 so that the Y axis of cover 2 is parallel to the long axis of base end 920 (i.e., the Y axis of male connector 900). Therefore, when cover 2 is oriented in the vertical direction on bedding or the like, the long axis of base end 920 (grip portion 923) is parallel to the horizontal direction. This is advantageous in reducing the pain inflicted on a patient by base end 920 of male connector 900 being crushed under the patient, compared to when the X axis of cover 2 is oriented in the vertical direction.

[0105] Skirt 220 of cover 2 has a pair of opposing portions 221 that face each other in the X-axis direction. When cover 2 is attached to male connector 900, base end 920 is disposed between the pair of opposing portions 221. Therefore, when the X-axis of cover 2 faces the up-and-down direction on bedding or the like, opposing portions 221 are disposed above and below base end 920. This is advantageous in reducing the pain that base end 920 inflicts on a patient if male connector 900 with cover 2 attached is crushed under the patient.

[0106] The cover 2 has a pair of collars 230 facing each other in the X-axis direction. In the cover-attached / cap-attached state (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), the cap 930 is disposed between the pair of collars 230. Therefore, when the X-axis of the cover 2 faces up or down on bedding or the like, the collars 230 are disposed above and below the cap 930. This is advantageous in reducing the pain that the cap 930 causes to the patient if the male connector 900 to which the cover 2 is attached is crushed under the patient.

[0107] The connecting portion 11 extends in the X-axis direction and connects the end faces of the cover body 215 that face each other in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 8A). Therefore, when the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) with the cover and cap attached is placed under a patient with the X-axis of the cover 2 facing up or down, the band 935 protrudes horizontally. This is advantageous in reducing the pain that the band 935 inflicts on the patient compared to when the band 935 protrudes up or down. Similarly, the tab 933 provided on the sealing plate 931 also protrudes horizontally. This is advantageous in reducing the pain that the tab 933 inflicts on the patient.

[0108] When cover 2 attached to male connector 900 is viewed along the X-axis, connector body 901 does not protrude from the outer periphery of cover 2 (see FIG. 10B). Therefore, if male connector 900 with the cover and cap attached (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) is placed under a patient with the X-axis direction of cover 2 oriented vertically, the possibility of hard connector body 901 coming into contact with the patient is further reduced. This is advantageous in reducing pain inflicted by connector body 901 on the patient if male connector 900 is placed under the patient.

[0109] The male connector 900 (particularly the connector main portion 910) accommodated in the lumen 10 can be visually confirmed through the through hole 19 (see Figures 9A, 9C, and 10A). Information regarding the dimensions of the male connector 900 or the tube 909 may be written on the outer peripheral surface of the connector main portion 910 (outer cylinder 915). In such cases, with the cover 2 attached to the male connector 900, the information can be visually confirmed through the through hole 19. The number of through holes 19 does not need to be two, and may be one. In the present invention, the through hole 19 may be omitted.

[0110] The second embodiment is merely an example, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0111] For example, when cover 2 attached to male connector 900 is viewed along the X axis, part of the base end may protrude from the outer peripheral edge of skirt 220. When male connector 900 with the cover and cap attached (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) is viewed along the X axis, cap 930 may not be visible due to collar 230.

[0112] The engagement structure of the cover 2 that can engage with the male connector 900 is not limited to the step surface 225 (see FIGS. 6B and 6C) that engages with the step 905 (see FIG. 1A) of the male connector 900. For example, the engagement structure may engage with the rear end of the base end portion 920 (particularly the grip portion 923) of the male connector 900 in the Z-axis direction.

[0113] The cover does not have to have the engagement structure (step surface 225). For example, a cylindrical surface that is continuous with the storage portion 10 may be formed inside the skirt 220.

[0114] The cover 2 may not include either the skirt 220 or the collar 230. If the cover 2 does not include the collar 230, when the male connector 900 with the cover attached and the cap not attached is viewed along the X-axis and / or Y-axis, a part of the connector main body may be exposed to the outside world without being covered by the cover.

[0115] The external shape of the cover 2 can be changed arbitrarily.

[0116] For example, the external shape of the cover is not limited to a flat shape with a relatively small first external dimension L1 along the X-axis direction. For example, the first external dimension L1 along the X-axis direction and the second external dimension L2 along the Y-axis direction may be substantially the same. Specifically, the external shape of the cover 2 may be a cylinder, a polygonal prism (e.g., a square prism or a hexagonal prism), a cube, a sphere, a rugby ball, or the like. The X-axis direction of a cover of such a shape does not always face up and down when placed on bedding or the like. However, by increasing the radial dimension (thickness) of the cover, it is possible to reduce the pain felt by a patient when the connector 900 is pinned down by the patient, regardless of the orientation of the cover.

[0117] The shape of cover 2 as viewed along the X-axis may also be oval (or elliptical), rectangular, diamond, hexagonal, octagonal, track-shaped, etc. Generally, the long axis direction of connector 900 is the axial direction, and therefore cover 2 preferably has its long axis in the axial direction (Z-axis direction).

[0118] The collar 230 may extend further forward so that when the female connector 950 is connected to the male connector 900, the collar 230 faces the female connector 950 in the radial direction.

[0119] The collar 230 may be continuous along the front end surface 17a of the cover body 215 in a generally "U" shape (or a generally "C" shape).

[0120] The gap between the pair of collars 230 may be constant in the axial direction or may become smaller toward the front. The collar 230 may be curved toward its tip so as to approach the axis of the cover. For example, when the male connector 900 with the cover attached but the cap detached is viewed along the axis of the cover, part or all of the connector main portion 910 may be covered by the collar 230. Even in this case, because the cover is made of a cushioning material, the collar 230 can be deformed radially outward to expose the tip of the connector main portion 910 to the outside in the axial direction. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the cap 300 and the female connector 950 can be connected and disconnected to the male connector 900 with the cover attached to the male connector 900.

[0121] Except for the above, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. The description of the first embodiment also applies to the second embodiment.

[0122] (Embodiment 3) FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the cover 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cover 3 taken along the YZ plane. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the cover as seen from another direction. FIG. 12B is a front view of the cover 3 as seen from the front side. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cover 3 attached to the male connector 900. The cap 930 is not attached to the connector main part 910 (cover attached, cap not attached state). FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing the state in which the cover 3 is attached to the male connector 900 and the cap 930 is attached to the connector main part 910 (cover attached, cap attached state). FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane of FIG. 14A.

[0123] In the third embodiment, a notch 323 is provided in the skirt 220 of the cover 3. When viewed along the X axis, the notch 323 forms a concave curve on the outer circumferential edge of the facing portion 221 (see FIG. 14B). When viewed along the X axis, the notch 323 is located on the connecting portion 11 side with respect to the axis of the cover 3 (which coincides with the axis of the cylindrical accommodating portion 10) and behind the connecting portion 11. The distance from the outer circumferential edge of the facing portion 221 to the accommodating portion 10 is approximately minimum at the position of the notch 323.

[0124] Like the cover 2 of embodiment 2, the cover 3 can be attached to and detached from the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) described in embodiment 1. Attachment and detachment are performed by inserting and removing the male connector 900 (particularly the connector main part 910) into and from the skirt 220 (or between the pair of opposing parts 221).

[0125] The cover 2 of the second embodiment described above is symmetrical about the axis of the cover 2 (defined by the central axis of the cylindrical housing 10) when viewed along the X axis (see FIG. 8B). Therefore, simply looking along the X axis makes it unclear on which side of the cover 2 (the right or left side in FIG. 8B) the connecting portion 11 is located. It is necessary to slightly rotate the cover 2 around the axis to confirm the connecting portion 11.

[0126] In contrast, the cover 3 of the third embodiment is asymmetric with respect to the axis of the cover 3 when viewed along the X-axis. The connecting portion 11 is disposed on the same side of the axis of the cover 3 as the notch 323. Therefore, when inserting the male connector 900 into the cover 3, for example, the user can hold the male connector 900 with the right hand and the cover 3 with the left hand so that the notch 323 faces the male connector 900 (right side). When withdrawing the male connector 900 from the cover 3, for example, the user can hold the cover 3 with the left hand so that the notch 323 faces the right side and grasp the base end 920 via the notch 323 with the right hand. In this way, the notch 323 makes it possible to recognize the position for inserting or removing the male connector 900 relative to the cover 3 simply by viewing the cover 3 along the X-axis.

[0127] When male connector 900 is inserted into cover 3, connector main part 910 can be pressed against the concave curve on the outer circumferential edge of opposing part 221 formed by cutout 323. Connector main part 910, which has a diameter larger than the gap between the pair of opposing parts 221, can be positioned in opposing part 221 without sliding along the outer circumferential edge of opposing part 221. This improves the attachability of cover 3 to male connector 900.

[0128] Furthermore, when attaching the cover 3 to the male connector 900, if the connector main part 910 is inserted into the cover 3 starting from the position of the notch 323, the connector main part 910 can reach the accommodating part 10 in the shortest distance. Similarly, when detaching the cover 3 from the male connector 900, if the connector main part 910 is moved toward the notch 323, the connector main part 910 can be pulled out from the accommodating part 10 in the shortest distance. In this way, by using the notch 323 as a guide when attaching or detaching the cover 3 to or from the male connector 900, the distance that the connector main part 910, which has a larger diameter, passes between the pair of opposing parts 221 is shortened. This improves the ease of attaching or detaching the cover 3 to or from the male connector 900.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 12A, the cover 3 has a flat surface 327 on its outer surface. The flat surface 327 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting portion 11 (or groove 12) in the Y-axis direction. The flat surface 327 is a plane parallel to the XZ plane. A pair of side surfaces 216, each of which is a convex curved surface, are connected via the flat surface 327. The flat surface 327 is advantageous in facilitating the manufacture of the cover 3 when the cover 3 is manufactured by molding using a mold. The reason for this is as follows.

[0130] The cover of the present invention can be manufactured by injection molding a resin material in a mold. The mold is constructed by assembling multiple mold pieces. In this case, misalignment of the mold pieces and gaps between adjacent mold pieces may occur. These may cause burrs on the molded cover. In this third embodiment, the mold can be designed so that the mating surfaces (commonly called parting surfaces) of adjacent mold pieces are positioned on flat surface 327. This facilitates the manufacture of a mold that is less likely to cause misalignment or gaps, thereby preventing burrs from occurring on the cover.

[0131] The flat surface 327 in the third embodiment is parallel to the XZ plane, but is not limited to this. In general, it is preferable that the flat surface 327 is parallel to the dividing direction of the mold for molding the cover 3 (for example, the X-axis direction, i.e., the extension direction of the connecting portion 11).

[0132] The cover 3 may have the through-hole 19 that the cover 2 of the second embodiment has.

[0133] Except for the above, the present embodiment 3 is the same as the embodiments 1 and 2. The explanations of the embodiments 1 and 2 also apply to the present embodiment 3.

[0134] (Embodiment 4) Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the cover 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16A is a perspective view of the cover 4 seen from another direction. Fig. 16B is a front view of the cover 4 seen from the front side.

[0135] The cover 4 of the fourth embodiment differs from the cover 3 of the third embodiment in its external shape. As can be easily understood by comparing FIG. 16A with FIG. 12A showing the cover 3, the X-axis dimension of the flat surface 427 (corresponding to the flat surface 327 of the cover 3) of the cover 4 is reduced. A pair of side surfaces 216, which are convex curved surfaces, extend on the side opposite the connecting portion 11 (or groove 12) and connect to the narrow flat surface 427. Therefore, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 16B with FIGS. 8A and 12B, the outer surface of the cover 4 on the side opposite the connecting portion 11 (or groove 12) is a substantially smooth convex curved surface without sharp corners. The cover 4 is advantageous in reducing pain felt by a patient when the male connector 900 to which the cover 4 is attached is crushed by the patient.

[0136] The cover 4 may have the through-hole 19 that the cover 2 of the second embodiment has.

[0137] Except for the above, the fourth embodiment is the same as the third embodiment. The description of the third embodiment and the description of the first and second embodiments that are applied to the third embodiment also apply to the fourth embodiment.

[0138] The above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0139] The number of connecting portions 11 provided on the cover is not limited to one. For example, the cover may have two connecting portions 11 arranged symmetrically about its axis. In this case, the cover may be two-fold rotationally symmetric about its axis (a shape that matches the shape before rotation when rotated 180 degrees around the axis). If the cover has multiple connecting portions 11, axial alignment of the cover to the male connector 900 is simplified when attaching the cover to the male connector 900.

[0140] In addition to the through holes (first holes) 19 (see FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B) of the second embodiment, holes (second holes) may be provided on the outer surface of the cover of the present invention. FIGS. 17A and 17B show a cover 1' of the first embodiment having a large number of holes 119 on the outer surface. The holes 119 penetrate the cover 1' (particularly the cover body 15) along the Z-axis direction. When viewed along the Z-axis, the holes 119 each have a regular hexagonal shape in plan view and are arranged in a honeycomb pattern on the cover body 15. The holes that can be provided on the outer surface of the cover of the present invention are not limited to the holes 119. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, the holes 119 are through holes that penetrate the cover 1', but the holes that can be provided on the cover of the present invention may be non-through holes (so-called blind holes) that do not penetrate the cover. The depth of the non-through holes is arbitrary, and the depth of the holes may be deeper or shallower than the opening diameter of the holes. The planar shape of the holes is not limited to a regular hexagon, but may be, for example, a circle or any polygon (e.g., a rectangle, an octagon, etc.). The arrangement of the holes is not limited to a honeycomb arrangement. The holes may be provided on the outer surface of the cover other than the cover main body 15 (e.g., the connecting portion 11). The holes may be provided on the outer surface of the cover other than the end face (17a or 17b) substantially perpendicular to the Z axis (e.g., the outer peripheral surface 16 of the cover 1 in FIG. 1A). The holes may extend along any direction other than the Z axis direction (e.g., the radial direction). The number of holes is arbitrary. Multiple holes do not need to be evenly distributed on the cover, and may be distributed only in specific regions of the cover. Providing such holes on the outer surface of the cover is advantageous for reducing the weight of the cover and adjusting the cushioning properties of the cover without substantially changing the outer dimensions or appearance shape of the cover. Holes similar to those described above may be provided on the outer surfaces of covers 2 to 4 of embodiments 2 to 4.

[0141] The configuration of the male connector 900 to which the cover is attached is not limited to the above embodiment. The cover may be modified as appropriate depending on the male connector. For example, in the cap 930, the tab 933 may protrude from the sealing plate 931 along the axis of the cap 930 rather than protruding radially from the sealing plate 931. The cap 930 may not be provided with the tab 933. The sealing plate 931 of the cap 930 may have an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outer tube 915. The cap 930 may be provided with a protrusion (sealing protrusion) that is inserted into the flow path 919 of the male member 911 and comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of the male member 911 when the cap 930 is attached to the connector main body 910 (see FIGS. 4C, 10B, and 14B). If the cap 930 includes this sealing protrusion, it may or may not further include a sealing tube 932. The band 935 does not have to be extended from the connector main body 901. For example, a ring (annular body) similar to ring 937 may be provided at the base end of band 935, and tube 909 may be inserted into the ring. In this case, the ring may be freely movable along the longitudinal direction of tube 909, or may be immovable. Grip portion 923 does not need to have a substantially rectangular prism shape, and may be, for example, a pair of thin plates extending in opposite directions from cylindrical connecting tube 921 along the longitudinal axis (Y-axis direction) of connecting tube 921. Alternatively, grip portion 923 may have a cylindrical shape surrounding connecting tube 921. The base end portion 920 may not include grip portion 923 and may simply be composed of cylindrical connecting tube 921. The entire connector body 901 does not need to be made of a hard material. For example, a portion not directly involved in connection with female connector 950 (e.g., base end portion 920) may be made of a soft material that is relatively easy to deform.

[0142] Although the cover in the above embodiment is attached to and detached from the male connector 900 used for nasogastric tube feeding, the present invention is not limited to this. The male connector to which the cover of the present invention is applied may be any male connector provided on a tube left indwelling in a patient. Specifically, the male connector may be, for example, a male connector provided on a tube used for tube feeding other than a nasogastric tube. Alternatively, the male connector may be a male connector provided on the upstream end of a tube (extension tube) connected to a tube left indwelling in a patient. The cover of the present invention may also be applied to a male connector that is not left indwelling in a patient. [Industrial Applicability]

[0143] The present invention can be used in a wide range of applications in the medical field, particularly as a cover that is detachably attached to a male connector provided at the upstream end of a tube that is placed in a patient. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 1,1',2,3,4 Cover 10 Storage section 11 Connecting part 12 grooves 15 Cover body 18 Recess 119 holes 216 Side of cover 219 Through Hole 220 Skirt 221 Opposite part 225 Step surface (engaging structure) 230 Color 323 Notch 327,427 flat surface 900 male connector 901 Connector body 905 Connector step 909 Tube 910 Connector main part 920 Proximal end 923 Grip 924 Grip surface (surface along the long axis of the base end) 930 Cap 931 Sealing plate 933 tabs 935 band L1 First outer dimension L2 Second outer dimension L3 Third external dimension

Claims

1. A male connector cover that can be attached to and detached from a male connector, the male connector comprising: a connector body having a cylindrical connector main portion at one end and a base end from which a flexible tube is led out at the other end; a cap that can be attached and detached to the tip of the connector main portion; and a band that connects the connector body or the tube to the cap, The cover is made of a cushioning material, The cover includes a cover body having a generally arc-shaped shape when viewed along the axis of the cover, a connecting portion connecting opposing end surfaces of the cover body, and an accommodating portion capable of accommodating the connector main portion, the cover body and the connecting portion constitute the storage portion, the connecting portion is provided so as to extend in a circumferential direction of the connector main portion when the cover is attached to the male connector, When the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is not attached to the connector main portion, the cover can expose a tip of the connector main portion to the outside in the axial direction of the male connector, and the band is arranged on the base end side with respect to the connecting portion, the cover further includes a groove having a bottom surface on the outer surface of the connecting portion, A cover for a male connector, characterized in that when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector body, the band is housed in the groove.

2. 2. The male connector cover according to claim 1, wherein the band extends from the connector body.

3. 3. A male connector cover according to claim 1, wherein when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion, the band extends across the connecting portion toward the tip side of the connector main portion.

4. The cover further includes a radial recess. A cover for a male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is not attached to the connector main body, the recess engages with the band so that the cover does not rotate relative to the male connector.

5. The cap includes a circular sealing plate capable of covering the tip of the connector main portion, and a tab protruding radially outward from the sealing plate, the band is connected to the sealing plate at a position opposite to the tab; A cover for a male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion, the tab does not protrude radially outward from the cover.

6. the cover has a third outer dimension along a third direction parallel to an axis of the cover, a first outer dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the third direction, and a second outer dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction; The male connector cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover has a flat shape in which the first outer dimension is smaller than the second outer dimension and the third outer dimension.

7. the proximal end has a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of the male connector; The cover for a male connector according to claim 6, wherein the cover can be attached to the male connector with the second direction of the cover parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base end portion.

8. The male connector cover according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the connecting portion extends parallel to the first direction.

9. A cover for a male connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cover further comprises a skirt configured to radially face the base end when the cover is attached to the male connector.

10. the cover has a third outer dimension along a third direction parallel to an axis of the cover, a first outer dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the third direction, and a second outer dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction; the cover has a flat shape in which the first outer dimension is smaller than the second outer dimension and the third outer dimension, the skirt includes a pair of opposing portions spaced apart from each other in the first direction, The cover for a male connector according to claim 9, wherein the base end portion is disposed between the pair of opposing portions when the cover is attached to the male connector.

11. A cover for a male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cover further comprises a collar configured to radially face the cap when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion.

12. the cover has a third outer dimension along a third direction parallel to an axis of the cover, a first outer dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the third direction, and a second outer dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction; the cover has a flat shape in which the first outer dimension is smaller than the second outer dimension and the third outer dimension, 12. The cover for a male connector according to claim 11, wherein when the cover is attached to the male connector and the cap is attached to the connector main portion, the collar faces the cap in the first direction.

13. The male connector cover according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an engagement structure that engages with a step between the connector main portion and the base end portion of the male connector.

14. A cover for a male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein when the cover attached to the male connector is viewed along a direction perpendicular to a plane including the axis of the cover and the connecting portion, the connector body does not protrude from the cover.

15. A cover for a male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a through hole is provided in the cover so that the connector main part accommodated in the accommodating section can be seen.

16. A cover for a male connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein when the cover is viewed along a direction perpendicular to a plane including the axis of the cover and the connecting portion, the cover is asymmetric with respect to the axis of the cover.

17. The cover further includes a skirt configured to radially face the base end when the cover is attached to the male connector, A cover for a male connector as described in claim 16, wherein the cover has a notch so that the outer peripheral edge of the skirt is asymmetrical with respect to the axis of the cover when the cover is viewed along a direction perpendicular to a plane including the axis of the cover and the connecting portion.

18. The cover has a pair of side surfaces facing opposite each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cover, Each of the pair of side surfaces is a convex curved surface, The male connector cover according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the pair of side surfaces are connected via a flat surface.

19. The cover for a male connector according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein holes are provided on the outer surface of the cover.

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