Water-filled cleaning tool

Abstract

To beautifully clean a male connector in which a female screw is provided so as to surround a male member.SOLUTION: A water injection cleaning tool 1 comprises a cleaning part 10 in which a deformable member 14 is provided on a hollow shaft body 11 so as to protrude, and a pump part 18 communicating with the shaft body. The cleaning part is constituted so that the deformable member can be inserted into a gap 914 between a male member 911 and an outer cylinder 915 of a male connector 90. The pump part is operated, thereby liquid can be sucked into the water injection cleaning tool via the shaft body, and the liquid stored in the water injection cleaning tool can be discharged via the shaft body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-injection cleaning tool for cleaning male connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Enteral nutrition is known as a method for administering liquids, including nutrients and medicines, to patients who are no longer able to take food orally. In enteral nutrition, a catheter is inserted into the digestive tract (e.g., the stomach) from outside the body and left indwelling in the patient. Known catheters include a nasal catheter inserted through the patient's nose and a PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) catheter inserted into a gastrostomy fistula formed in the patient's abdomen. The liquid is stored in a container. A connector consisting of a male connector and a female connector is used to form a flow path for the liquid from the container to the catheter. This connector is composed of a male connector 910 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and a female connector 920 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0003] 7A and 7B has a cylindrical male member 911 and an outer tube 915 arranged coaxially with the male member 911 so as to surround the male member 911. The male member 911 and outer tube 915 are connected via a flange 918 protruding from the base end of the male member 911. The outer peripheral surface of the male member 911 has a male tapered surface 912 whose outer diameter decreases toward the tip of the male member 911. The male member 911 is provided with a flow path 919 that penetrates the male member 911 along its longitudinal direction. A female screw 916 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 915 facing the male member 911. The male member 911 and the outer tube 915 (or the female screw 916) are separated by a gap 914.

[0004] 8A and 8B has a hollow cylindrical female member 921. The inner peripheral surface of the female member 921 has a female tapered surface 922 whose inner diameter increases toward the tip of the female member 921. A helical protrusion (male thread) 926 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the female member 921.

[0005] The male connector 910 and the female connector 920 are connected by inserting the male member 911 into the female member 921 and threading the female thread 916 into the helical protrusion 926. The male tapered surface 912 of the male member 911 and the female tapered surface 922 of the female member 921 have the same diameter and taper angle, so they are tapered and fitted together liquid-tight.

[0006] In enteral nutrition, the female connector 920 is used as the connector on the upstream side (container side) in the direction of flow of the liquid, and the male connector 910 is used as the connector on the downstream side (patient side).

[0007] In the male connector 910, an outer tube 915 surrounds a male member 911, and a female thread 916 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 915. Therefore, after enteral nutrition is performed, liquid is likely to remain in the gap 914 between the male member 911 and the outer tube 915. When the male connector 910 is provided at the upstream end of a catheter inserted into a patient, the male connector 910 is left in the patient together with the catheter for an extended period of time. Liquid remaining in the male connector 910 can deteriorate the hygiene of the male connector 910.

[0008] Patent Document 1 describes a wiping tip for cleaning a male connector 910. The wiping tip has a water-absorbent cylindrical portion. The dry cylindrical portion is inserted into a gap 914 between a male member 911 and an outer tube 915. Any liquid remaining in the gap 914 is absorbed by the cylindrical portion and wiped away. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-099738 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The cylindrical portion of Patent Document 1 is made of foam or nonwoven fabric. If the cylindrical portion is soft, it is difficult to insert the cylindrical portion deeply into gap 914. On the other hand, if the cylindrical portion is hard, it is difficult for the cylindrical portion to deform so as to fit closely to the inner surface that defines gap 914 (for example, the thread groove of female screw 916 or male tapered surface 912; hereinafter simply referred to as the "inner surface of gap 914"). For this reason, it is difficult to thoroughly wipe away any liquid remaining on the inner surface of gap 914 using the wiping tip of Patent Document 1.

[0011] If the liquid is left without being sufficiently wiped away, the liquid dries within gap 914 and adheres as a solid to the inner surface of gap 914. Because the solidified material adheres firmly to the inner surface, it is even more difficult to remove the solidified material using the cylindrical portion of Patent Document 1 once it has adhered. The solidified material not only deteriorates the sanitary condition of male connector 910, but also makes it difficult to connect female connector 920 to male connector 910, and inhibits, for example, a liquid-tight tapered fit between male tapered surface 912 and female tapered surface 922.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to thoroughly clean a male connector having a female thread surrounding a male member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The water injection cleaning tool of the present invention is for cleaning a male connector having a cylindrical male member with a flow path formed therein, an outer tube surrounding the male member, and a female thread provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube facing the male member. The water injection cleaning tool includes a hollow shaft, a cleaning unit having a deformable member provided on the shaft so as to protrude from the shaft, and a pump unit communicating with the shaft. The cleaning unit is configured so that the deformable member can be inserted into the gap between the male member and the outer tube. By operating the pump unit, liquid can be sucked into the water injection cleaning tool through the shaft, and liquid stored in the water injection cleaning tool can be discharged through the shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The water-injection cleaning tool of the present invention allows the deformable member to be inserted deep into the gap between the male member and the outer tube, and furthermore, it is possible to inject liquid into the gap. The liquid softens and dissolves any solidified material adhering to the inner surface of the gap, making it easy to remove with the deformable member. This allows the male connector to be thoroughly cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water injection cleaning tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the water injection cleaning tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for cleaning a male connector using the water injection cleaning tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a water injection cleaning tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a water injection cleaning tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for cleaning a male connector using a water injection cleaning tool according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a conventional male connector, and Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the male connector taken along a plane including the central axis thereof. [Figure 8] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a conventional female connector, and Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector taken along a plane including the central axis thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In one aspect of the water injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the deformable member may be made of an elastic material that is deformable by an external force and immediately returns to its pre-deformed state when the external force is removed. According to this aspect, when the cleaning unit is moved with the deformable member inserted into the gap of the male connector, the deformable member slides on the inner surface of the gap of the male connector while deforming appropriately according to the shape of the inner surface of the gap. This is advantageous for thoroughly cleaning dirt that has adhered to the inner surface of the gap.

[0017] In one aspect of the water injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the pump portion may be elastically compressible so as to reduce its internal volume. According to this aspect, a water injection cleaning tool capable of sucking and discharging liquid via a shaft can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0018] In one aspect of the water injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the cleaning part may have an opening at its tip that communicates with the pump part, making it possible to easily supply liquid to deep gaps in the male connector where dirt is likely to remain.

[0019] In one aspect of the water injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the distance from the tip of the cleaning part to the base end of the deformable member may be longer than the depth of the gap between the male member and the outer tube. This aspect allows the male connector to be cleaned efficiently. It also reduces the possibility of damaging the male connector with a hard shaft during cleaning.

[0020] In one aspect of the water-injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the deformable member may include brush bristles, which are advantageous for scraping off dirt adhering to the inner surface of the gap in the male connector.

[0021] In one aspect of the water-injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the brush bristles may be provided in a hollow cylindrical base pipe, and the shaft may be inserted into the base pipe. According to this aspect, a cleaning part having soft brush bristles provided on a hard shaft can be manufactured through a simple process.

[0022] In one aspect of the water injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the brush bristles and the base pipe may be made of a material softer than the shaft body, thereby reducing the possibility of damaging the male connector with the hard shaft body during cleaning.

[0023] In one aspect of the water injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the deformable member may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The shaft may be inserted into the deformable member. According to this aspect, a cleaning part in which the deformable member protrudes from the shaft can be manufactured in a simple process. Furthermore, the possibility of the male connector being damaged by the shaft during cleaning is reduced.

[0024] In one aspect of the water-injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the deformable member may have at least one large-diameter portion having a relatively large outer diameter and at least one small-diameter portion having a relatively small outer diameter. According to this aspect, when the deformable member is inserted into the gap of the male connector, the large-diameter portion can enter the thread groove of the female screw and the small-diameter portion can radially face the crest of the thread of the female screw. This is advantageous for thoroughly cleaning the male connector.

[0025] In one aspect of the water injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the at least one large diameter portion may include two or more large diameter portions. The two or more large diameter portions may be arranged in the axial direction at approximately the same pitch as the pitch of the female thread. This is advantageous for efficiently cleaning the male connector.

[0026] In one aspect of the water-injection cleaning tool of the present invention, the deformable member may be made of a water-absorbent foam material. This aspect reduces the possibility of wetting surrounding objects with liquid during cleaning. The foam material can also capture and retain dirt in the gaps of the male connector.

[0027] 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. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings. Duplicate descriptions of such components will be omitted, and the descriptions of the preceding drawings should be referred to as appropriate.

[0028] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water-injection cleaning tool (hereinafter simply referred to as "cleaning tool") 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning tool 1 comprises a cleaning section 10 having a large number of bristles (deformable members) 14 provided in a region (hair-implanted region) 13 near the tip of a shaft 11, and a pump section 18 provided at the base end of the shaft 11. The bristles 14 protrude from the shaft 11 so that the diameter of the cleaning section 10 expands in the hair-implanted region 13. In the following description of the cleaning tool 1, unless otherwise specified, the "tip" of a member refers to the lower end in Fig. 1, and the "base end" of a member refers to the upper end (on the pump section 18 side) in Fig. 1.

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cleaning tool 1. As shown in FIG.

[0030] The shaft 11 is a hollow pipe having a straight, elongated rod shape. The shaft 11 is longer than the depth of the gap 914 of the male connector 90 (see FIG. 3, described later). A through-hole (flow path) 12 (see FIG. 3, described later) through which the liquid flows penetrates the shaft 11 along its longitudinal direction and opens at both ends of the shaft 11. The outer and inner diameters of the shaft 11 may be constant along its longitudinal direction or may decrease toward one end (e.g., the tip). In the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of the outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the shaft 11 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shaft 11 are concentric circles, but may also have any shape, such as a regular polygon. The shaft 11 preferably has sufficient mechanical strength (rigidity) to resist substantial deformation even when subjected to an external force (e.g., bending force) during cleaning of the male connector. For this reason, the shaft 11 is preferably made of a relatively high-strength material such as resin, metal, or glass. Examples of resins that can be used include polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, rigid polyvinyl chloride, acrylic-butadiene-styrene copolymer, etc. Examples of metals that can be used include aluminum and stainless steel.

[0031] The brush bristles 14 are integrally formed with the hollow, cylindrical base pipe 15. A through-hole penetrates the base pipe 15 along its longitudinal direction and opens at both ends of the base pipe 15. The brush bristles 14 protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the base pipe 15. In the first embodiment, all of the brush bristles 14 protrude from the base pipe 15 substantially radially (direction along a straight line perpendicular to the central axis of the base pipe 15). However, the protruding direction of the brush bristles 14 is not limited to this and may be any direction. For example, some of the numerous brush bristles 14 may protrude radially, some may protrude obliquely toward the tip end (lower end in FIG. 2 ) of the base pipe 15, and still other may protrude obliquely toward the base end (upper end in FIG. 2 ) of the base pipe 15. Furthermore, the brush bristles 14 may protrude from the tip end of the base pipe 15 radially, along the longitudinal direction of the base pipe 15, or obliquely relative to the radial direction (or the longitudinal direction). The protruding lengths of all the brush bristles 14 from the base pipe 15 may be the same or different. The diameter of an imaginary cylindrical surface (this cylindrical surface is coaxial with the base pipe 15) circumscribing the tips of the numerous brush bristles 14 is preferably larger than the distance from the male tapered surface 912 to the top of the thread of the female screw 916 of the male connector 90 to be cleaned (see FIG. 3 described later), and is further preferably larger than the distance from the male tapered surface 912 to the bottom of the thread groove of the female screw 916. There are no restrictions on the number of brush bristles 14 or the distribution of the brush bristles 14 in the bristle implantation region 13, and they can be set as desired.

[0032] The brush bristles 14 are made of an elastic (or flexible) material (a soft material, a so-called elastomer) that can be deformed relatively easily by an external force and immediately returns to its pre-deformation state (natural state) when the external force is removed. Materials that can be used to form the brush bristles 14 include, but are not limited to, soft polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., styrene-based elastomers, olefin-based elastomers, polyurethane-based elastomers), and rubbers (e.g., isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, and butyl rubber). In the first embodiment, the entire brush component 16, including the brush bristles 14 and the base tube 15, is integrally manufactured using the above-mentioned materials.

[0033] The cleaning unit (brush) 10 is configured by attaching a brush component 16 to a shaft 11 (see FIG. 1 ). More specifically, the shaft 11 is inserted into a base pipe 15. The brush component 16 is firmly fixed to the shaft 11 so as to prevent separation or misalignment relative to the shaft 11. The fixing method is not limited, but may utilize friction between the two, or may further include the application of an adhesive. The brush component 16 is attached near the tip of the shaft 11 so that the bristle-implanted region 13, where the brush bristles 14 are provided, is positioned near the tip of the cleaning unit 10. In the first embodiment, the tip of the base pipe 15 and the tip of the shaft 11 are positioned approximately in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the tip of the shaft 11 may be slightly recessed from the tip of the base pipe 15. This reduces the possibility that the relatively hard tip of the shaft 11 will damage the male connector 90 when cleaning the male connector 90.

[0034] The pump portion 18 is a hollow body whose inner cavity communicates with the outside world via a single opening 19 (see FIG. 3, described later). Like a dropper (sometimes called a nipple), the pump portion 18 is elastically compressible and deformable so that its internal volume decreases when an external force is applied, and returns to its initial state when the external force is removed. While the shape of the pump portion 18 is balloon-shaped (or pear-shaped) in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a bellows-shaped or any other shape known for droppers. The pump portion 18 is preferably made of an elastically deformable material. Specifically, the pump portion 18 may be made of rubber, such as silicone rubber, or a soft resin, such as polyethylene.

[0035] The pump unit 18 is attached to the shaft 11 by inserting the base end of the shaft 11 into the opening 19. The pump unit 18 and the shaft 11 are sealed liquid-tight to prevent liquid leakage between them. For example, an adhesive may be applied between the pump unit 18 and the shaft 11. The inner cavity of the pump unit 18 communicates with the outside world via a through-hole 12 penetrating the shaft 11 and an opening 10a at the tip of the cleaning unit 10 (the opening at the tip of the shaft 11 or the opening at the tip of the connecting pipe 15). As with a typical dropper, by compressing the pump unit 18 with the opening 10a of the cleaning unit 10 immersed in liquid and then restoring it to its original shape, the liquid can be sucked into and stored in the cleaning tool 1 (particularly the pump unit 18). Then, by compressing the pump unit 18, the liquid stored in the cleaning tool 1 can be discharged to the outside world through the opening 10a.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for cleaning a male connector 90 using the cleaning tool 1. In the male connector 90 of FIG. 3, the same components as those constituting the male connector 910 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and redundant descriptions of these components will be omitted. The male connector 90 has a connecting tube 91 that communicates with a male member 911. A flexible tube 99 is connected to the connecting tube 91. The tube 99 may be, for example, a nasal catheter. The nasal catheter is inserted through the patient's nasal cavity, and its tip (not shown) reaches the stomach.

[0037] When enteral nutrition is performed, a female connector (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) is connected to the male connector 90, and a liquid (e.g., enteral nutritional supplement) is administered to the patient through these. The female connector is then separated from the male connector 90. After separation, liquid (not shown) adheres to the male connector 90 (particularly the inner surface of the gap 914) as "dirt." The male connector 90 is cleaned using the cleaning tool 1 after enteral nutrition is performed.

[0038] First, pump unit 18 is operated to suck in and store liquid (cleaning liquid, such as lukewarm water, water, tea, or diluted vinegar and water) 9 into cleaning tool 1. Next, as shown in FIG. 3 , bristles 14 (bristle region 13) of cleaning unit 10 are inserted into gap 914 between male member 911 and outer tube 915. Pump unit 18 is compressed to expel liquid 9 from cleaning tool 1 through opening 10a into gap 914. Cleaning tool 1 is then moved around male member 911 along gap 914. Brush bristles 14 move while making contact with female thread 916 and male tapered surface 912. Dirt (liquid to be administered to a patient through enteral nutrition) adhering to these surfaces (the inner surface of gap 914) is scraped off by brush bristles 14. The amount of liquid 9 supplied to gap 914 can be adjusted depending on the degree of dirt on male connector 90.

[0039] The pump unit 18 may be operated to suck the scraped-off dirt into the cleaning tool 1 (pump unit 18) together with the liquid in the gap 914. Thereafter, the cleaning unit 10 is pulled out of the male connector 90, and the pump unit 18 is operated to discard the liquid containing the dirt from the male connector 90. If necessary, the operation of sucking the clean liquid 9 into the cleaning tool 1 again, scraping off the dirt with the brush bristles 14, and sucking the liquid containing the dirt into the cleaning tool 1 and discarding it may be repeated.

[0040] After scraping off the dirt from the inner surface of gap 914, cleaning part 10 is pulled out from male connector 90. The scraped off dirt is removed from male connector 90 while adhering to brush bristles 14. Any liquid remaining in male connector 90 is wiped off with a towel or the like. The cleaned male connector 90 is then placed in the patient.

[0041] As described above, the cleaning tool 1 of the first embodiment includes the cleaning part 10 having the bristles 14 protruding from the shaft 11. The bristles 14 (or the bristle-implanted region 13) are insertable into the gap 914 of the male connector 90. With the bristles 14 inserted into the gap 914, the cleaning part 10 is rotated around the male member 921. Because the shaft 11 is relatively hard, the bristles 14 can be inserted deep into the gap 914, reaching the flange 918. Furthermore, with the bristles 14 inserted deep into the gap 914, the bristles 14 can move within the gap 914. The bristles 14 are elastic and easily deformable. Therefore, the bristles 14 can slide on the inner surface of the gap 914 (the surface of the male member 911 or the female screw 916) while deforming appropriately according to the shape of the inner surface. During this process, the bristles 14 can reliably scrape off dirt adhering to the inner surface of the gap 914.

[0042] Furthermore, the cleaning tool 1 can supply the liquid 9 to the gap 914 via the shaft 11. The supplied liquid dilutes the liquid dirt in the gap 914, making it easier to remove with the brush bristles 14. The liquid also softens and softens any dried solidified matter adhering to the inner surface of the gap 914. Therefore, even after solidified matter from the liquid has adhered to the inner surface of the gap 914, the solidified matter can be scraped off from the inner surface with the brush bristles 14.

[0043] The brush bristles 14 can hold dirt between the brush bristles 14. When the cleaning part 10 is pulled out of the male connector 90, the dirt is removed from the male connector 90 together with the brush bristles 14. This allows for efficient cleaning.

[0044] Therefore, the cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment 1 can thoroughly clean the male connector 90. By cleaning the male connector 90 with the cleaning tool 1, it is possible to maintain the hygienic condition of the male connector 90 placed in the patient for a long period of time. It is also possible to stably ensure a good connection between the female connector (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) and the male connector 90 for a long period of time.

[0045] It is preferable to clean male connector 90 using cleaning tool 1 immediately after each enteral nutrition treatment using male connector 90. However, even after time has passed since enteral nutrition treatment was performed and the liquid has dried and solidified and adhered to the inner surface of gap 914, cleaning with cleaning tool 1 can restore male connector 90 to a clean state.

[0046] The pump section 18 is elastically compressible and deformable so that its internal volume decreases, similar to a dropper, and therefore the cleaning tool 1 that can suck in and discharge liquid can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0047] An opening 10a that communicates with the pump unit 18 is provided at the tip of the cleaning unit 10. Therefore, when the cleaning unit 10 is inserted into the gap 914 of the male connector 90, the liquid 9 can be easily supplied to the deep part of the gap 914 (flange 918) where dirt is likely to remain.

[0048] The brush bristles 14 are provided in a hollow cylindrical base pipe 15, and the shaft body 11 is inserted into the base pipe 15. Therefore, the cleaning part 10, in which the brush bristles 14 that are softer than the shaft body 11 are provided on the hard shaft body 11, can be manufactured in a simple process.

[0049] The brush component 16, including the brush bristles 14 and the base tube 15, is made of a material that is softer than the shaft body 11. This reduces the possibility that the hard shaft body 11 will come into contact with the male connector 90 when the brush bristles 14 are inserted into the gap 914 of the male connector 90 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, there is little possibility that the male connector 90 will be damaged by the cleaning unit 10 during cleaning.

[0050] Preferably, the length from the tip of the cleaning part 10 to the base end of the bristle-implanted region 13 is longer than the depth of the gap 914 of the male connector 90. In this case, the cleaning part 10 can be inserted deep into the gap 914 so that its tip reaches the deepest part (flange 918) of the gap 914, and then simply moved within the gap 914 to efficiently clean the inner surface of the gap 914. Furthermore, even if the cleaning part 10 is inserted deep into the gap 914 in this manner, the hard shaft 11 is unlikely to damage the male connector 90.

[0051] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a water-injection cleaning tool (hereinafter simply referred to as "cleaning tool") 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the cleaning tool 2. The cleaning tool 2 of this second embodiment includes a foam material (deformable member) 214 instead of the brush component 16 (see Figs. 1 and 2) of the first embodiment. The foam material 214 is provided on the shaft body 11 so as to protrude from the shaft body 11. The shaft body 11 and the foam material 214 form a cleaning part 210.

[0052] The foam material 214 is made of a material (also called a soft material or foam material) that has elasticity (or cushioning or compressibility) so that it can be deformed relatively easily by external force and immediately returns to its pre-deformation state (natural state) when the external force is removed. There is no limitation on the material that can be used to form the foam material 214, but examples of such materials include resin materials such as silicone foam, polyurethane foam, and polyethylene foam. The entire foam material 214 can be manufactured as a single, integrated part. The foam material contains numerous air bubbles, and therefore is preferably water-absorbent.

[0053] The foam material 214 has a hollow cylindrical shape overall. A through hole passes through the foam material 214 along its longitudinal direction and is open at both ends of the foam material 214. The shape of the outer peripheral surface of the foam material 214 is arbitrary. In the second embodiment, the foam material 214 includes a large diameter portion 215 having a relatively large outer diameter and a small diameter portion 216 having a relatively small outer diameter. The number of each of the large diameter portions 215 and small diameter portions 216 included in the foam material 214 is arbitrary. The foam material 214 of the second embodiment includes three large diameter portions 215 spaced apart in the axial direction (longitudinal direction of the shaft body 11), and a small diameter portion 216 is provided between adjacent large diameter portions 215 in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the foam material 214 (the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 215 in this embodiment 2) is preferably larger than the distance from the male tapered surface 912 to the top of the thread of the female screw 916 of the male connector 90 to be cleaned (see Figure 6 described below), and is further preferably larger than the distance from the male tapered surface 912 to the bottom of the thread groove of the female screw 916.

[0054] The cleaning part 210 is configured by attaching a foam material 214 to the shaft 11 (see FIG. 4 ). More specifically, the shaft 11 is inserted into the foam material 214. The foam material 214 is firmly fixed to the shaft 11 so as not to separate or shift from the shaft 11. The fixing method is not limited, but may utilize friction between the two, or may further include the application of an adhesive. The foam material 214 is attached near the tip of the shaft 11 so that the foam material 214 is positioned near the tip of the cleaning part 210. In the second embodiment, the tip of the foam material 214 and the tip of the shaft 11 are positioned approximately in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the tip of the shaft 11 may be slightly recessed from the tip of the foam material 214. This reduces the possibility that the relatively hard tip of the shaft 11 will damage the male connector 90 when cleaning the male connector 90.

[0055] As in the first embodiment, the pump section 18 is attached to the shaft body 11. The inner cavity of the pump section 18 communicates with the outside world via a through-hole 12 that passes through the shaft body 11 and an opening 210a at the tip of the cleaning section 210 (the opening at the tip of the shaft body 11 or the opening at the tip of the foam material 214).

[0056] 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for cleaning male connector 90 using cleaning tool 2. As in embodiment 1, in embodiment 2 as well, cleaning of male connector 90 using cleaning tool 2 is performed after enteral nutrition is performed.

[0057] First, pump unit 18 is operated to suck in and store liquid (cleaning liquid, such as lukewarm water, water, tea, or diluted vinegar and water) 9 into cleaning tool 2. Next, as shown in FIG. 6 , foam material 214 of cleaning unit 210 is inserted into gap 914 between male member 911 and outer tube 915. Pump unit 18 is compressed to expel liquid 9 from cleaning tool 2 through opening 210a into gap 914. Cleaning tool 2 is then moved around male member 911 along gap 914. Foam material 214 moves while making contact with female thread 916 and male tapered surface 912. Dirt (liquid to be administered to a patient by enteral nutrition) adhering to these surfaces (the inner surfaces of gap 914) is scraped off by foam material 214. The amount of liquid 9 supplied to gap 914 can be adjusted depending on the degree of dirt on male connector 90.

[0058] The pump unit 18 may be operated to suck the scraped dirt into the cleaning tool 2 (pump unit 18) together with the liquid in the gap 914. Thereafter, the cleaning unit 210 is pulled out of the male connector 90, and the pump unit 18 is operated to discard the liquid containing the dirt outside the male connector 90. If necessary, the operation of sucking the clean liquid 9 into the cleaning tool 2 again, scraping off the dirt with the foam material 214, and sucking the liquid containing the dirt into the cleaning tool 2 and discarding it may be repeated.

[0059] After scraping off the dirt from the inner surface of gap 914, cleaning part 210 is pulled out from male connector 90. The scraped off dirt is removed from male connector 90 while adhering to (or being absorbed by) foam material 214. Any liquid remaining on male connector 90 is wiped off with a towel or the like. The cleaned male connector 90 is then placed in the patient.

[0060] As described above, the cleaning tool 2 of the second embodiment includes the cleaning part 210 in which the foam material 214 is provided on the shaft 11 so as to protrude. The foam material 214 is insertable into the gap 914 of the male connector 90. With the foam material 214 inserted into the gap 914, the foam material 214 is rotated around the male member 921. Because the shaft 11 is relatively hard, the foam material 214 can be inserted deep into the gap 914 until it reaches the flange 918. Furthermore, with the foam material 214 inserted deep into the gap 914, the foam material 214 can move within the gap 914. The foam material 214 is elastic and easily deformable. Therefore, the foam material 214 can slide on the inner surface of the gap 914 (the surface of the male member 911 or the female thread 916) while deforming appropriately according to the shape of the inner surface. During this process, the foam material 214 can reliably scrape off dirt adhering to the inner surface of the gap 914.

[0061] Furthermore, the cleaning tool 2 can supply the liquid 9 to the gap 914 via the shaft 11. The supplied liquid dilutes the liquid dirt in the gap 914, making it easier to remove with the foam material 214. The liquid also softens and softens any dried solidified matter adhering to the inner surface of the gap 914. Therefore, even after solidified liquid matter has adhered to the inner surface of the gap 914, the solidified matter can be scraped off from the inner surface with the foam material 214.

[0062] The foam material 214 contains many air bubbles and has water-absorbing properties. Therefore, the foam material 214 can absorb and retain the liquid 9 supplied to the gap 914. It is possible to reduce the amount of liquid 9 supplied to the gap 914, which means that there is a low possibility that the liquid 9 will wet surrounding objects (e.g., sheets, mats, clothes worn by the patient, etc.) when cleaning the male connector 90. In addition, the foam material 214 can capture and retain dirt adhering to the inner surface of the gap 914 within its air bubbles. When the cleaning part 210 is pulled out of the male connector 90, the dirt is removed from the male connector 90 together with the foam material 214. This allows for efficient cleaning.

[0063] Therefore, the cleaning tool 2 of the second embodiment can thoroughly clean the male connector 90. By cleaning the male connector 90 with the cleaning tool 2, it is possible to maintain the hygienic condition of the male connector 90 placed in the patient for a long period of time. In addition, it is possible to stably ensure a good connection between the female connector (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) and the male connector 90 for a long period of time.

[0064] Foam material 214 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and the shaft is inserted into a through-hole in foam material 214. Therefore, cleaning part 210 in which hard shaft 11 is provided with foam material 214 that is softer than shaft 11 can be manufactured in a simple process. Because hard shaft 11 is covered in the circumferential direction with foam material 214, the possibility of male connector 90 being damaged by shaft 11 during cleaning is reduced.

[0065] The foam material 214 includes a large-diameter portion 215 having a relatively large outer diameter and a small-diameter portion 216 having a relatively small outer diameter. Therefore, when the foam material 214 is inserted into the gap 914, the large-diameter portion 215 can be inserted into the thread groove of the female screw 916, and the small-diameter portion 216 can be radially opposed to the crest of the thread of the female screw 916. The foam material 214 can be easily brought into close contact with the surface of the female screw 916. This is advantageous for thoroughly cleaning the male connector 90. Furthermore, compressive deformation of the foam material 214 due to the thread of the female screw 916 can be minimized. The compressively deformed foam material 214 has a low ability to retain the liquid 9 and dirt (retention capacity). The foam material 214, which includes the large-diameter portion 215 and the small-diameter portion 216, undergoes little compressive deformation within the gap 914, and therefore, a decrease in its ability to retain the liquid 9 and dirt can be minimized. This is advantageous for thoroughly cleaning the male connector 90.

[0066] Preferably, the foam material 214 has two or more large diameter portions 216, and the two or more large diameter portions 215 are arranged in the axial direction at approximately the same pitch as the pitch of the female thread 916. This allows each large diameter portion 215 to easily enter the thread groove of the female thread 916. This is advantageous for efficiently cleaning the male connector 90.

[0067] In the present invention, the shape of the foam material 214 is not limited to that of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the tip of the foam material 214 (the end on the opening 210a side) terminates in the small diameter portion 216, but it may terminate in the large diameter portion 215. In this case, the large diameter portion 215 can be inserted deep into the gap 914 so as to reach the flange 918. Dirt adhering to the vicinity of the flange 918, which is generally difficult to remove, can be removed by the large diameter portion 215 at the tip.

[0068] In the second embodiment, the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the foam material 214 varies in the axial direction, but the foam material of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the outer peripheral surface of the foam material may have repeated irregularities in the circumferential direction, like a spur gear or a helical gear, or may have spiral protrusions (or grooves) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the foam material, like a male screw. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface of the foam material may be a simple cylindrical or conical surface.

[0069] Preferably, the length from the tip of cleaning part 210 to the base end of foam material 214 is longer than the depth of gap 914 of male connector 90. In this case, cleaning part 210 can be inserted deep into gap 914 so that its tip reaches the deepest part (flange 918) of gap 914, and then simply moved within gap 914 to efficiently clean the inner surface of gap 914. Furthermore, even if cleaning part 210 is inserted deep into gap 914 in this manner, there is little chance that hard shaft 11 will damage male connector 90.

[0070] In the second embodiment, the deformable member is made of foam material 214, but the deformable member of the present invention may be made of a material other than foam material. For example, cotton can be used as the deformable member. The cleaning part can be made of cotton wrapped around the shaft body 11 in the same way as a cotton swab. When the deformable member is made of a material other than foam material 214, the description of the second embodiment should be interpreted as referring to the material in question, instead of "foam material 214."

[0071] The above-described first and second embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0072] The cleaning parts 10 and 210 of the first and second embodiments are manufactured by first manufacturing the deformable member (bristles 14, foam material 214) and the shaft 11 as separate parts and then combining them. However, the cleaning part of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cleaning part in which the deformable member is attached to the shaft 11 may be manufactured by first manufacturing either the deformable member or the shaft 11 and then integrally molding the other with it by two-color molding.

[0073] The axial length of the deformable member is arbitrary and may be longer or shorter than the depth of gap 914 of male connector 90. For example, the deformable member may be provided only in a region shorter than the depth of gap 914 near the tip of the cleaning part. This short deformable member is effective for locally cleaning areas where dirt has adhered, such as near the deepest part of gap 914. Even if the deformable member is short, by moving the deformable member within gap 914 in the depth direction of gap 914, it is possible to clean the inner surface of gap 914 over the entire region in the depth direction of gap 914.

[0074] The deformable members that make up the cleaning part are not limited to the brush bristles 14 and the foam material 214. The deformable members do not have to have many fine protrusions like the brush bristles 14, and they do not have to have many air bubbles like the foam material 214. For example, the cleaning part may be made of elastomer or nonwoven fabric that protrudes from the shaft.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the pump portion 18 is manufactured as a separate part from the shaft body 11, but the two may be manufactured integrally as a single part.

[0076] The pump unit 18 may have any configuration. The pump unit 18 may have any configuration that can suck and discharge liquid through the shaft body 11, and many of the configurations having a pump function used in droppers and pipettes are also applicable to the present invention. A syringe may also be used as the pump unit 18. Preferably, the pump unit 18 is a manual pump.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the pump portion 18 is directly connected to the shaft body 11, and the liquid is stored in the lumen of the pump portion 18. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a liquid storage portion having a desired internal volume may be provided between the shaft body 11 and the pump portion 18. In this case, the liquid sucked through the shaft body 11 can be stored in the liquid storage portion. The liquid storage portion may be manufactured as a separate part from the shaft body 11 and the pump portion 18, or may be manufactured as a single part integrated with one or both of the shaft body 11 and the pump portion 18. When cleaning the male connector 90, a water injection cleaning tool can be held in the liquid storage portion between the shaft body 11 and the pump portion 18. Alternatively, the shaft body 11 and the pump portion 18 may be connected via a flexible tube.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the opening (openings 10a, 210a) communicating with the pump section 18 opens at the tip of the cleaning section along the axial direction of the cleaning section (or shaft 11), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to or instead of the opening at the tip of the cleaning section, a horizontal hole communicating with the through-hole 12 and extending approximately along the radial direction may be provided, preferably in the region of the cleaning section where the deformable member is provided, and this horizontal hole may be used as an opening for liquid to flow in and out.

[0079] There are no limitations on the male connector that can be cleaned with the cleaning tool of the present invention. The male connector may be provided at the upstream end of a catheter (such as a nasogastric catheter or a gastrostomy catheter) that is placed in a patient for enteral nutrition, or may be provided on an extension tube connected to the catheter. Furthermore, the male connector may be used for purposes other than enteral nutrition. The male connector does not need to be provided on a flexible tube and may be provided on a container, for example. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] The water injection cleaning tool of the present invention can be used to clean a male connector that includes a male member having a flow path, an outer tube surrounding the male member, and a female thread formed on the inner surface of the outer tube.The water injection cleaning tool of the present invention can be preferably used to clean medical male connectors, particularly male connectors provided at the upstream end of a catheter placed in a patient for enteral nutrition. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1,2 Water cleaning tool 9 Liquid (cleaning liquid) 10 Cleaning unit (brush) 10a Cleaning section opening 11 Shaft 13 Hair transplant area 14 Brush bristles (deformable components) 15 Base tube 16 Brush parts 18 Pump section 210 Cleaning Department 210a Cleaning section opening 214 Foam material (deformable member) 215 Large diameter section 216 Small diameter section 90 male connector 911 Male member 912 Male tapered surface 914 Gap between male member and outer cylinder 915 outer cylinder 916 Female thread 919 Channel

Claims

1. A water-injection cleaning tool for cleaning a male connector, the male connector comprising: a cylindrical male member having a flow path formed therein; an outer tube surrounding the male member; and a female screw provided on an inner circumferential surface of the outer tube facing the male member, a cleaning unit having a hollow shaft and a deformable member provided on the shaft so as to protrude from the shaft; a pump unit; a through-hole through which a liquid flows penetrates the shaft along its longitudinal direction; the pump portion communicates with an opening provided at a tip of the cleaning portion via the through hole, the cleaning unit is configured to be able to insert the deformable member into a gap between the male member and the outer cylinder, By operating the pump unit, liquid can be sucked into the water injection cleaning tool via the shaft body, and liquid stored in the water injection cleaning tool can be discharged via the shaft body, A water-injection cleaning tool characterized in that, when the deformable member is inserted into the gap of the male connector, liquid can be ejected from the opening of the cleaning part into the gap, and liquid in the gap can be sucked out through the opening of the cleaning part.

2. 2. The water injection cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the deformable member is made of an elastic material so as to be deformable by an external force and to immediately return to its original shape when the external force is removed.

3. 3. The water injection cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the pump portion is elastically compressible and deformable so that its internal volume decreases.

4. The water injection cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distance from the tip of the cleaning part to the base end of the deformable member is longer than the depth of the gap between the male member and the outer tube.

5. The water injection cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deformable member comprises brush bristles.

6. The brush bristles are provided in a hollow cylindrical base pipe, The water injection cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein the shaft is inserted into the connecting pipe.

7. 7. The water injection cleaning tool according to claim 6, wherein the brush bristles and the base pipe are made of a material softer than that of the shaft body.

8. The deformable member has a hollow cylindrical shape, The water-spraying cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shaft body is inserted into the deformable member.

9. 9. The water injection cleaning tool according to claim 8, wherein the deformable member has at least one large diameter portion having a relatively large outer diameter and at least one small diameter portion having a relatively small outer diameter.

10. the at least one large diameter portion includes two or more large diameter portions; The water injection cleaning tool according to claim 9, wherein the two or more large diameter portions are arranged in the axial direction at substantially the same pitch as the pitch of the female thread.

11. The water injection cleaning tool according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the deformable member is made of a water-absorbent foam material.

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