adapter

Abstract

A connector (50) comprises a cylindrical member (52) and a base pipe (58). A light guiding tube (60) is led out from the base pipe (58) toward the side opposite to the cylindrical member (52). An adapter (1) comprises a first connection part (10) that is connectable to and disconnectable from a light source device (70), a second connection part (20) that is connectable to and disconnectable from the connector (50), and a light guide member (30) that guides light emitted from the light source device (70) to a base end surface (61) of the tube (60).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter for connecting a connector provided at the base end of a light-guiding tube to a light source device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the medical field, flexible hollow tubes are sometimes inserted into patients for examinations or treatments. For example, to provide liquid nutrients to patients who have difficulty chewing or swallowing, tube feeding is performed, in which the nutrients are delivered directly to the stomach through a tube inserted through the mouth or nose (called an oral tube or a nasal tube; hereafter simply referred to as "tube") to provide liquid nutrients from the outside. Before delivering the nutrients, it is necessary to confirm that the tip of the tube is positioned inside the stomach.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for confirming the position of a tube tip by inserting a tube into which an optical fiber has already been inserted into a patient and observing the light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber from outside the body. This method requires that after inserting the tube into the patient, the optical fiber must be withdrawn from the tube before feeding nutrients into the stomach through the tube. Reinserting the optical fiber into the tube after once withdrawing it may result in the optical fiber breaking through the tube and damaging the wall of the digestive tract during the insertion process. Therefore, the method of Patent Document 1 has the problem that it can only be used when initially inserting a tube into a patient, and cannot be used for subsequent periodic confirmation of the position of the tube tip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] WO2015 / 133119A1 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-119837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, instead of using optical fibers, it is possible to use the tube itself as a light guide. Light is incident on the proximal end of the tube and emitted from the tip of the tube. With this method, the position of the tube tip can be confirmed by emitting light from the tip of the tube not only when the tube is first inserted into a patient, but also at any time thereafter as needed.

[0006] In tube feeding, a connector must be provided at the base end of the tube to form a flow path from the container containing the nutrients to the stomach. Therefore, when illuminating the tip of the tube, the connector is connected to a light source device.

[0007] However, if the connector is directly connected to the light source device, there is a possibility of cross-infection of the connector via the light source device, which becomes even more likely when a common light source device is used for multiple patients.

[0008] To prevent the connector from coming into direct contact with the light source device, it is possible to connect the connector to the light source device by placing some kind of member between the connector and the light source device. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the member does not reduce the light entering the tube.

[0009] The first object of the present invention is to make the tip of the light-guiding tube emit light without causing cross-infection, and the second object of the present invention is to make the light from the light source device efficiently incident on the light-guiding tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The adapter of the present invention is for connecting a connector provided at the base end of a flexible, hollow light-guiding tube to a light source device. The connector includes a hollow, cylindrical tubular member and a hollow, cylindrical base pipe arranged coaxially with the tubular member. The light-guiding tube extends from the base pipe toward the opposite side of the tubular member. The adapter includes a first connection portion connectable to and disconnectable from the light source device, a second connection portion connectable to and disconnectable from the connector, and a light-guiding member that guides light emitted from the light source device to the base end face of the light-guiding tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the connector is connected to the light source device via the adapter, so that the tip of the light-guiding tube can emit light without causing cross-infection of the connector.

[0012] The adapter includes a light guide member that guides the light emitted from the light source device to the base end face of the light guide tube, thereby allowing the light from the light source device to efficiently enter the light guide tube. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a system for detecting the tip position of a tube using an adapter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an adapter and a connector provided on a tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing the adapter according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a connector provided on a tube. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector is connected to a light source device via an adapter according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an adapter and a connector provided on a tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B]FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing an adapter according to the second embodiment of the present invention and a connector provided on a tube. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector is connected to a light source device via an adapter according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing an adapter and a connector provided on a tube according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing an adapter according to the third embodiment of the present invention and a connector provided on a tube. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector is connected to a light source device via an adapter according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector is connected to a light source device via an adapter according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing an adapter and a connector provided on a tube according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing an adapter according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention and a connector provided on a tube. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view showing an adapter according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention and a connector provided on a tube. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector is connected to a light source device via an adapter according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the light-guiding member may have a light-incident end surface onto which light from the light source device is incident. The light-incident end surface may have a convex curved surface. According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce light (leakage light) exiting from the side surface of the light-guiding member. This is advantageous for improving the brightness at the tip of the tube.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the light-guiding member may have an annular light-emitting end surface that emits light toward the base end surface of the light-guiding tube. According to this aspect, light emitted from the light-guiding member can be efficiently incident on the base end surface of the tube. This is advantageous for improving the brightness at the tip of the tube.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the light-guiding member may have a light-emitting end surface that emits light toward the base end surface of the light-guiding tube. The light-emitting end surface may have a lens function for focusing light onto the base end surface of the light-guiding tube. According to this aspect, light emitted from the light-guiding member can be efficiently incident on the base end surface of the tube. This is advantageous for improving the brightness at the tip of the tube.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the light-guiding member may have a light-incident end surface to which light from the light source device is incident and a light-exiting end surface from which light is emitted toward the base end surface of the light-guiding tube. The light-incident end surface may have a larger area than the light-exiting end surface. This aspect is advantageous for improving the brightness at the tip of the tube.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, the light-guiding member may have a light-incident end surface into which light from the light source device is incident and a light-exiting end surface from which light is emitted toward the base end surface of the light-guiding tube. The outer diameter of the light-guiding member may be constant between the light-incident end surface and the light-exiting end surface. This aspect simplifies the shape of the light-guiding member, which is advantageous for reducing the cost of the adapter.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, when the second connection portion is connected to the connector, the light guide member may be axially opposed to the tubular member. According to this aspect, the configuration of the adapter can be simplified.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, when the second connection portion is connected to the connector, the light-guiding member may be inserted into the tubular member. According to this aspect, even if the base end face of the light-guiding tube is recessed from the tip end of the tubular member, light can be incident on the base end face of the tube. Therefore, regardless of the inner diameter of the tube, the opening diameter at the tip end of the tubular member can be made the same as that of an existing connector. The adapter of the present invention can be applied to a connector that is compatible with existing connectors.

[0021] The adapter according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a lens for focusing light emitted from the light source device onto the light-incident end face of the light-guiding member. According to this aspect, light from the light source device can be efficiently incident on the base end face of the tube. This is advantageous for improving the brightness at the tip of the tube.

[0022] In one aspect of the present invention, a side surface of the light-guiding member may protrude in the axial direction from the tip surface of the first connecting portion. According to this aspect, the protruding side surface of the light-guiding member can be used to axially align the light-guiding member with the light source device. This is advantageous for improving the brightness at the tip of the tube.

[0023] The adapter according to one aspect of the present invention may further include an engagement structure that engages with the light source device when the first connection portion is connected to the light source device. This aspect prevents the adapter from falling off the light source device. Also, the adapter can be positioned and held at a predetermined axial position on the light source device.

[0024] The adapter of one aspect of the present invention may further include an intermediate portion between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, which is advantageous in reducing the possibility of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion being contaminated by a user's fingers.

[0025] In one aspect of the present invention, the intermediate portion may be provided with a gripping surface, which allows a user to stably grip the adapter using the gripping surface and facilitates application of axial force and / or rotational force around the axis to the adapter.

[0026] In one aspect of the present invention, the intermediate portion may be provided with a raised surface that protrudes radially outward. The raised surface functions as a "grip position restriction structure" that restricts the position at which a user's fingers grip the intermediate portion in the axial direction. The raised surface makes it easier to apply axial force to the adapter. The raised surface also reduces the possibility of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion being contaminated by the user's fingers.

[0027] In one aspect of the present invention, the second connection portion may have a fitting structure that fits into the connector. According to this aspect, the connector can be securely and coaxially connected to the second connection portion. The fitting structure may be, for example, a male tapered surface or a female tapered surface that can form a tapered fit.

[0028] In one aspect of the present invention, the connector may further include an outer tube surrounding the tubular member and a female thread provided on an inner circumferential surface of the outer tube facing the tubular member. According to this aspect, the adapter of the present invention can be applied to a male connector provided at the base end of a nasogastric tube used for nasogastric tube feeding.

[0029] 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.

[0030] In the present invention, the "axis" of a member (e.g., an adapter, a light-guiding member, or a connector) refers to the central axis of the member. The "axis" passes through the center of a circle included in the member and / or coincides with the central axis of a cylinder or a cone (taper) included in the member. Axes are obvious to those skilled in the art, and are omitted from the drawings below to simplify the illustrations. 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."

[0031] (Embodiment 1) An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to nasogastric tube feeding will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a connector 50 is provided at the base end of a nasogastric tube (hereinafter simply referred to as "tube") 60. The tube 60 is inserted through the nasal cavity of a patient 90, and a tip 65 of the tube 60 reaches a stomach 91. The tube 60 is flexible and can be freely bent and deformed. The tube 60 is a hollow tubular object with a continuous flow path 69 (see FIG. 2B, described later) formed throughout its entire length. During tube feeding, liquid nutrients are administered to the patient's stomach 91 through the connector 50 and the tube 60. The connector 50 can be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from a light source device 70 via an adapter 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. When the connector 50 is connected to the light source device 70 via the adapter 1, light from a light source 78 (see FIG. 3, described later) built into the light source device 70 passes through the adapter 1, the connector 50, and the tube 60 in that order, and is emitted from the tip 65 of the tube 60. The light from the tip 65 passes through the body of the patient 90 and illuminates the body surface. The surgeon can confirm the position of the tip 65 of the tube 60 from the position of the light emitted on the body surface of the patient 90.

[0032] 2A is a perspective view showing the adapter 1 and the connector 50 attached to the tube 60. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A taken along a plane including the axes (not shown) of the adapter 1 and the connector 50.

[0033] The adapter 1 has a first connection part 10 at one end that can be connected to and disconnected from the light source device 70 (see FIG. 1 ), and a second connection part 20 at the other end that can be connected to and disconnected from the connector 50. The first connection part 10 and the second connection part 20 are arranged coaxially. The first connection part 10 has a hollow cylindrical first connection tube 11. In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the first connection tube 11 is a cylindrical surface whose outer diameter is constant in the axial direction. However, the outer circumferential surface of the first connection tube 11 is not limited to this. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the first connection tube 11 may be a tapered surface whose outer diameter increases toward the tip or base end (the second connection part 20 side) of the first connection tube 11. The second connection part 20 has a hollow cylindrical second connection tube 21. The inner circumferential surface of the second connection tube 21 is provided with a female taper surface 23 whose inner diameter increases toward the tip (the end opposite the first connection part 10).

[0034] A light-guiding member 30 is housed in the first connecting tube 11. The light-guiding member 30 has a light-incident end face 31 and a light-emitting end face 32 that face opposite each other in the axial direction, and a side face 33 that connects the light-incident end face 31 and the light-emitting end face 32. The light-guiding member 30 has a generally truncated conical shape with a larger diameter on the light-incident end face 31 side. The light-guiding member 30 is fitted into the first connecting tube 11 with the side face 33, which is a conical or tapered surface, in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting tube 11 with substantially no gap. The light-incident end face 31 faces the tip side of the first connecting part 10 (the side opposite the second connecting part 20) and is a convex curved surface in the first embodiment. The light-emitting end face 32 faces the inner cavity of the second connecting tube 21 and is a continuous annular groove around the axis of the adapter 1 in the first embodiment. 2B, the cross-sectional shape of light-emitting end surface 32 along a plane including the axis of adapter 1 includes two approximately circular arcs that are symmetrical with respect to the axis. Light-emitting end surface 32 is an annular concave curved surface formed by the locus obtained when these two approximately circular arcs are rotated around the axis.

[0035] The adapter 1 is composed of two parts: the light-guiding member 30 and the portion other than the light-guiding member 30 (the adapter body 101). The adapter body 101 is composed of a material having a degree of mechanical strength (rigidity) such that it is not substantially deformed by an external force. Examples of such materials that can be used include resin materials such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, and rigid polyvinyl chloride. The adapter body 101 can be integrally molded as a single part using the above-mentioned resin materials.

[0036] The light-guiding member 30 is made of a light-guiding material (light-guiding material) so that light can enter the light-incident end face 31, pass through the light-guiding member 30, and exit from the light-emitting end face 32. Examples of light-guiding materials include resin materials such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, rigid polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, silicone, polyethylene, styrene-based elastomer, polybutadiene, polyolefin, acrylic resin (e.g., PMMA), and polycarbonate, as well as transparent materials such as quartz glass. Among these, resin materials are preferred from the standpoints of moldability and ease of handling, and acrylic resin (e.g., PMMA) or polycarbonate are more preferred. To improve the brightness (luminous flux) of the tip 65 of the tube 60 (see FIG. 1 ), it is preferable to reduce light loss between the light-incident end face 31 and the light-emitting end face 32. To achieve this, it is effective to reduce light (leakage light) exiting from the side face 33. Means for reducing leakage light include, but are not limited to, (1) constructing the light-guiding member 30 with a multilayer structure having at least an inner layer with a high refractive index and an outer layer with a low refractive index, or (2) providing a reflective layer (e.g., a metal vapor deposition layer of silver, aluminum, etc.) on the side surface 33.

[0037] There are no restrictions on the method for integrating the light-guiding member 30 with the adapter body 101, and for example, a method in which the light-guiding member 30 and the adapter body 101 are manufactured separately and then the light-guiding member 30 is fitted into the first connecting tube 11 of the adapter body 101, or a method in which one of the light-guiding member 30 and the adapter body 101 is manufactured and then the other is integrated with the one by two-color molding, etc. can be used.

[0038] The connector 50 has a connector section 51 on its tip side (adapter 1 side) and a base end side thereof having a main pipe 58. The connector section 51 has a cylindrical member (male member) 52 having a hollow cylindrical shape, and an outer cylinder 56 surrounding the cylindrical member 52. The connector section 51 (or cylindrical member 52) and the main pipe 58 are arranged coaxially. A through hole 59 penetrates the connector 50 along the axis of the connector 50 from the cylindrical member 52 to the main pipe 58. The inner peripheral surface of the through hole 59 is a cylindrical surface coaxial with the axis of the connector 50.

[0039] The outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 52 is provided with a male tapered surface 53 whose outer diameter decreases toward the tip of the tubular member 52. The outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 52 further has a tip tapered surface 54, which is located further toward the tip of the male tapered surface 53 and has a larger taper angle than the male tapered surface 53. The tip of the tubular member 52 (part or all of the tip tapered surface 54) protrudes in the axial direction of the connector 50 beyond the tip of the outer tube 56. The fact that the tubular member 52 protrudes beyond the outer tube 56 is advantageous in facilitating connection of the connector 50 (or the tubular member 52) to the adapter 1.

[0040] A flange 55 protrudes radially outward from the base end of the tubular member 52. An outer tube 56 extends from the circular outer peripheral edge of the flange 55 toward the same side as the tubular member 52 (the tip side of the connector 50). The outer tube 56 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the tubular member 52. The outer tube 56 is spaced apart from the tubular member 52 in the radial direction. A female thread 57 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 56 facing the tubular member 52.

[0041] Connector portion 51 is configured to be compatible with male connectors used in tube feeding (see, for example, FIGS. 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2).

[0042] A flexible, hollow tube 60 is inserted into the through-hole 59 of the connector 50. The outer diameter of the tube 60 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the through-hole 59. The tube 60 has a base end surface 61, which is the terminal surface on the base end side. The base end surface 61 is a flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube 60. The base end surface 61 forms the same plane as the tip of the tubular member 52 and is exposed to the outside. The tube 60 is fixed to the connector 50 (particularly the main pipe 58) with an adhesive or the like so that it does not separate from the connector 50. The tube 60 is led out from the main pipe 58 toward the opposite side to the tubular member 52.

[0043] Connector 50 is made of a material that has sufficient mechanical strength (rigidity) to prevent substantial deformation due to external forces. Such a material can be the resin material described above as the material for adapter body 101 of adapter 1. Connector 50 can be integrally molded as a single component using the resin material.

[0044] The material of the tube 60 is not limited, but is preferably flexible and light-guiding. For example, resins such as polyurethane, acrylic, silicone, polyethylene, styrene-based elastomer, polybutadiene, and polyolefin can be used. In this embodiment, light incident on the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 passes through the tube 60 (the portion between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the tube 60 that constitutes the thickness of the tube 60) and exits from the tip 65 (see FIG. 1), causing the tip 65 to emit light. In order to improve the brightness (luminous flux) of the tip 65, it is preferable to reduce light loss between the base end surface 61 and the tip 65. To achieve this, it is effective to reduce light (leakage light) that is emitted from the outer circumferential surface of the tube 60 to the outside world between the base end surface 61 and the tip 65. Means for reducing leaked light include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of two or more of the following: (1) smoothing the outer surface of the tube 60; (2) covering the outer surface of the tube 60 with a coating material having a lower refractive index than the tube 60; (3) providing a reflective layer (e.g., a metal vapor deposition layer of silver, aluminum, etc.) on the outer surface of the tube 60; (4) constructing the tube 60 with a multilayer structure having at least an inner layer with a high refractive index and an outer layer with a low refractive index.

[0045] Regardless of the orientation of the tip 65 within the stomach 91 (see FIG. 1), in order to illuminate the body surface of the patient 90 with light from the tip 65, it is preferable that the light be emitted radially from the tip 65 of the tube 60 in a direction perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal direction of the tube 60. To achieve this, it is preferable to provide an inclined light emission surface at the tip 65 of the tube 60, and / or to provide a reflective or refractive member facing the light emission surface of the tip 65 of the tube 60, etc.

[0046] The adapter 1 is used to connect the connector 50 to the light source device 70, as shown in FIG.

[0047] The light source device 70 includes a holding portion 71 that houses and holds the first connecting portion 10 (first connecting tube 11), and a light source 78 that is arranged at a position deeper than the holding portion 71. The holding portion 71 includes a holding tube 72 and a stepped surface 73. The inner peripheral surface of the holding tube 72 is a cylindrical surface with approximately the same diameter as the first connecting tube 11. The stepped surface 73 is provided at a position a predetermined distance from the open end of the holding tube 72 so as to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the holding tube 72. The light source 78 is arranged coaxially with the holding portion 71 (or the holding tube 72). The first connecting portion 10 of the adapter 1 is inserted into the holding portion 71 until the tip of the first connecting tube 11 abuts against the stepped surface 73. The holding tube 72 positions the first connecting portion 10 (or the light-guiding member 30) coaxially with the light source 78. The step surface 73 positions the first connection portion 10 (or the light guide member 30) at a predetermined distance in the axial direction from the light source 78. The light incident end surface 31 of the light guide member 30 faces the light source 78.

[0048] The second connecting portion 20 (or the second connecting tube 21) of the adapter 1 is inserted into the gap between the outer tube 56 of the connector 50 and the tubular member 52. The tubular member 52 of the connector 50 is inserted into the second connecting portion 20 (or the second connecting tube 21). The female tapered surface 23 of the second connecting tube 21 has the same outer diameter and taper angle as the male tapered surface 53 of the tubular member 52. Therefore, the male tapered surface 53 is tapered-fitted into the female tapered surface 23. The tubular member 52 (or the base end surface 61 of the tube 60) is positioned coaxially with the light-guiding member 30 and at a predetermined distance in the axial direction from the light-guiding member 30. The base end surface 61 of the tube 60 faces the light-emitting end surface 32 of the light-guiding member 30.

[0049] In this state, light source 78 is caused to emit light. Light source 78 emits light toward light incident end surface 31 of light-guiding member 30. The light emitted from light source 78 enters light incident end surface 31, passes through light-guiding member 30, exits from light exit end surface 32, and enters base end surface 61 of tube 60.

[0050] The light source 78 may be, but is not limited to, a light-emitting diode (LED). The light emitted by the light source 78 is preferably visible light or near-infrared light. The wavelength of the light is, but is not limited to, preferably 360 nm or more, more preferably 630 nm or more, and 3000 nm or less, even more preferably 780 nm or less. Light with a wavelength in this range has high transmittance to the human body, is minimally invasive to the human body, and is highly safe. Visible light can be observed with the naked eye, making it easy to confirm the position of the tip 65 of the tube 60. Near-infrared light has better transparency than visible light and can be observed using a dedicated camera such as an infrared camera. In one example, light with a wavelength of 630 nm can be used as visible light, or light with a wavelength of 780 nm can be used as near-infrared light. To efficiently allow the light emitted from the light source 78 to enter the light incident end surface 31 of the light-guiding member 30, the light source 78 may be provided with a lens, and / or a lens may be provided between the light source 78 and the light-guiding member 30.

[0051] A method of using the adapter 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0052] A nasal tube having a connector 50 attached to the proximal end of the tube 60 is prepared. The tube 60 is inserted into the nasal cavity of the patient 90 in the same manner as a general nasal tube (see FIG. 1). An adapter 1 is connected to the connector 50, and the adapter 1 is connected to the light source device 70. Then, the light source 78 (see FIG. 3) is turned on. The light emitted from the light source 78 passes through the light-guiding member 30 and the tube 60 in that order, and is emitted from the tip 65 of the tube 60. The light from the tip 65 passes through the patient 90. The surgeon can confirm the position of the tip 65 from the position of the light emission on the body surface of the patient 90. The light can be confirmed with the naked eye or through an infrared camera depending on its wavelength.

[0053] As with the insertion of a general nasogastric tube, the tube 60 may have a stylet (sometimes called a guidewire) inserted into the flow path 69 beforehand, and then inserted into the patient 90. The proximal end of the stylet can be led out from the connector 50. In this case, after the stylet is pulled out of the tube 60, the connector 50 is connected to the adapter 1.

[0054] The tube 60 may be inserted into the patient 90 with the optical fiber inserted into the flow path 69 so that the tip of the optical fiber reaches the tip 65 of the tube 60. A light source device 70 is used to emit light not only at the tip 65 but also at the tip of the optical fiber. Since the light flux from the tip 65 is increased, the position of the tip 65 can be confirmed more accurately. After confirming that the tip of the tube 60 has reached the stomach, the optical fiber is pulled out of the tube 60.

[0055] After confirming that the tip 65 of the tube 60 has reached the stomach, the adapter 1 is separated from the connector 50. The connector 50 is then connected to a connector (female connector; see, for example, Figures 5A and 5B of Patent Document 2) provided at the downstream end of a tube (commonly called a tube feeding set) that delivers nutrients. The nutrients pass through the flow path 69 of the tube 60, flow out from the tip 65, and are administered to the patient.

[0056] The connector 50 is left in the patient 90 together with the tube 60 for several days. During this time, the tube 60 may curl up, causing the tip 65 to move. For this reason, at predetermined intervals (for example, immediately before administering nutrients to the patient 90), the connector 50 is connected to the light source device 70 via the adapter 1, and the tip 65 is illuminated to confirm its position.

[0057] As described above, the adapter 1 of the first embodiment includes the first connection portion 10 connectable to and disconnectable from the light source device 70 and the second connection portion 20 connectable to and disconnectable from the connector 50. Therefore, the connector 50 can be connected to the light source device 70 via the adapter 1. The adapter 1 also includes a light guide member 30 that guides light emitted from the light source device 70 to the proximal end surface 61 of the tube 60. Therefore, when light from the light source 78 is incident on the light incident end surface 31 of the light guide member 30, the light passes through the light guide member 30, exits from the light exit end surface 32, and can be incident on the proximal end surface 61 of the tube 60. The light further passes through the tube 60 and exits from the distal end 65 of the tube 60. Unlike Patent Document 1, the first embodiment uses the tube 60 itself as a light guide path to cause the distal end 65 of the tube 60 to emit light. The light from the distal end 65 can be observed through the body of the patient 90. Therefore, the position of the tip 65 of the tube 60 can be detected easily and accurately.

[0058] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, an optical fiber needs to be inserted into the tube to confirm the position of the tube tip. If the optical fiber is removed from the tube and then reinserted into the tube, an accident may occur in which the optical fiber breaks through the tube and damages the wall of the digestive tract. In contrast, in the present embodiment 1, the optical fiber essential in Patent Document 1 is not necessary. The position of the tip 65 of the tube 60 can be confirmed without reinserting the optical fiber into the tube 60. Therefore, in the present embodiment 1, the above-mentioned accident that may occur in Patent Document 1 does not occur. After the tube 60 is inserted into the patient 90, the position of the tip 65 can be safely confirmed by emitting light from the tip 65 of the tube 60 at any time as needed.

[0059] The connector 50 is connected to the light source device 70 via the adapter 1. The connector 50 can be connected to the light source device 70 via the adapter 1 not only when initially inserting the tube 60 into the patient 90 but also when it is necessary to check the position of the tip 65 after inserting the tube 60 into the patient. It is not necessary to directly connect the connector 50 to the light source device 70 to check the position of the tip 65. Even if the light source device 70 (particularly the holder 71) is contaminated, the connector 50 is unlikely to become contaminated if a clean adapter 1 is used. For example, even if a common light source device 70 is used for multiple patients, using a separate clean adapter 1 for each patient can prevent cross-infection. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to illuminate the tip 65 of the tube 60 without cross-infection. Preferably, the adapter 1 is cleaned and sterilized after each use. More preferably, the adapter 1 is discarded after each use, and a new one is always used.

[0060] The adapter 1 includes a light-guiding member 30 that guides the light emitted from the light source 78 to the base end surface 61 of the tube 60. This allows the light from the light source 78 to efficiently enter the tube 60. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60.

[0061] The light-guiding member 30 has a light-incident end surface 31 provided with a convex curved surface. The convex curved surface refracts light from the light source 78 so that it converges toward the axis of the light-guiding member 30. This is advantageous in reducing light (leakage light) that exits from the side surface 33 of the light-guiding member 30. However, in the present invention, the light-incident end surface 31 does not have to have a convex curved surface. The light-incident end surface 31 may be a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 1 or a concave curved surface.

[0062] The light-guiding member 30 has an annular light-emitting end surface 32 that axially faces the annular base end surface 61 of the tube 60. The annular light-emitting end surface 32 is advantageous in allowing light emitted from the light-guiding member 30 to be incident on the annular base end surface 61 of the tube 60 without waste.

[0063] The annular concave curved surface provided on the light emitting end surface 32 has a lens function of refracting the light emitted from the light guiding member 30 so that the light is converged onto the annular base end surface 61. This is further advantageous in allowing the light emitted from the light guiding member 30 to be incident on the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 efficiently.

[0064] However, in the present invention, the shape of the light-emitting end surface 32 is not limited to the above. For example, the light-emitting end surface 32 may be a non-annular concave surface or a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 1. The flat surface may be an annular flat surface like the light-emitting end surface 232 of embodiment 2 described below (see FIG. 4B). Alternatively, the light-emitting end surface 32 may be a convex surface. The convex surface may be an annular convex surface. The cross-sectional shape of the annular convex surface along a plane including the axis of the adapter 1 may include two approximately circular arcs symmetrical with respect to the axis, and the annular convex surface may be formed by the locus obtained when these two approximately circular arcs are rotated around the axis.

[0065] When the second connection portion 20 is connected to the connector 50, the light guide member 30 is not inserted into the tubular member 52, but faces the tip of the tubular member 52 in the axial direction. This is advantageous for simplifying the configuration of the adapter 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily optically couple the light guide member 30 and the tube 60 using a simple and inexpensive adapter 1.

[0066] The light guide member 30 has a generally truncated cone shape with the light incident end face 31 having a larger diameter than the light emitting end face 32. More light can be incident on the light guide member 30 through the large-area light incident end face 31. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light guide member 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape with the side surface 33 being a cylindrical surface having a constant outer diameter in the axial direction.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the second connecting tube 21 may have an external thread on its outer circumferential surface that is threadedly engaged with the internal thread 57 of the connector 50 .

[0068] The second connecting portion 20 may be configured so that the outer tube 56 of the connector 50 is fitted into the second connecting tube 21 instead of the tube member 52. In this case, the inner circumferential surface 23 of the second connecting tube 21 is configured to fit into the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube 56.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 does not need to be at exactly the same position as the tip of the tubular member 52 in the axial direction of the connector 50. For example, the base end surface 61 may be slightly recessed or protruded from the tip of the tubular member 52. Even in this case, it is possible for the light emitted from the light emitting end surface 32 of the light-guiding member 30 to be incident on the base end surface 61 of the tube 60.

[0070] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing an adapter 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a connector 250 provided at the base end of a tube 60. Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 4A taken along a plane including the axes (not shown) of the adapter 2 and the connector 250. The adapter 2 of the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0071] The adapter 2 has a first connecting portion 10 at one end and a second connecting portion 20 at the other end. The first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 are arranged coaxially. The first connecting portion 10 has a hollow cylindrical first connecting tube 211. The outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tube 211 is a cylindrical surface with a constant outer diameter in the axial direction, similar to the first connecting tube 11 of the first embodiment. However, the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tube 211 is not limited to this and may be, for example, a tapered surface whose outer diameter increases toward the tip or base end (second connecting portion 20 side) of the first connecting tube 211. A lens 237 is provided at or near the tip (end opposite to the second connecting portion 20) of the first connecting tube 211 so as to close the opening of the first connecting tube 211 and be coaxial with the first connecting tube 211.

[0072] The adapter 2 further includes a partition wall 205 that separates the inner cavity of the first connecting tube 211 from the inner cavity of the second connecting tube 21. The partition wall 205 may be a flat plate perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 2. A hole 206 that penetrates the partition wall 205 in the axial direction is provided in the center of the partition wall 205. A light-guiding member 230 is held by the partition wall 205 so as to close the hole 206. The light-guiding member 230 has a long, thin rod shape (approximately cylindrical shape) and extends coaxially with the adapter 2. The light-guiding member 230 includes a light-incident end face 231 and a light-emitting end face 232 that face opposite each other in the axial direction. The light-incident end face 231 faces the tip side of the first connecting portion 10 (the side opposite the second connecting portion 20) and is a convex curved surface in the second embodiment. The light emitting end surface 232 faces the opposite side to the first connection unit 10 and is a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 2. More specifically, the light emitting end surface 232 is an annular flat surface surrounding a conical recess 234 coaxial with the adapter 2. A side surface (outer peripheral surface) 233 of the light guiding member 230 expands slightly in diameter near the light emitting end surface 232. The light guiding member 230 protrudes in the axial direction further than the second connecting tube 21 of the second connection unit 20. The second connecting tube 21 is spaced apart from the light guiding member 230 in the radial direction and surrounds the light guiding member 230.

[0073] The adapter 2 is composed of three parts: a light guiding member 230, a lens 237, and a portion other than the light guiding member 230 and the lens 237 (the adapter body 201). The adapter body 201 is composed of a material having a mechanical strength (rigidity) sufficient to prevent it from being substantially deformed by an external force. The materials that can be used for the adapter body 201 of the first embodiment can also be used for the adapter body 201 of the second embodiment.

[0074] The light-guiding member 230 is made of a material having light-guiding properties (light-guiding material) so that light can enter from a light-incident end surface 231, pass through the light-guiding member 230, and exit from a light-emitting end surface 232. The lens 237 is made of a material having light-guiding properties (light-guiding material) so that light emitted from a light source 78 (see FIG. 5 described later) can be collected toward the light-incident end surface 231 of the light-guiding member 230. The light-guiding material that can be used for the light-guiding member 30 of the first embodiment can be used as the light-guiding material for the light-guiding member 230 and the lens 237. Furthermore, the means for reducing light leakage from the side surface 33 of the light-guiding member 30 described in the first embodiment can be similarly applied to the light-guiding member 230.

[0075] There are no limitations on the method for integrating the light-guiding member 230 and the lens 237 into the adapter body 201, and for example, a method in which the light-guiding member 230, the lens 237, and the adapter body 201 are manufactured separately, and then the light-guiding member 230 is fitted into the hole 206 of the partition wall 205 and the lens 237 is fitted into the first connecting tube 211, or a method in which one of the light-guiding member 230 and the lens 237 and the adapter body 201 are manufactured integrally by two-color molding, and then the other of the light-guiding member 230 and the lens 237 is fitted into the adapter body 201, etc. can be used.

[0076] The connector 250 and the tube 60 are generally the same as the connector 50 and the tube 60 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). However, in the second embodiment, the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 is located at a position set back from the tip of the tubular member 52. The base end surface 61 faces the tip side of the tubular member 52. In the present embodiment, the tube 60 is not substantially inserted into the tubular member 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tube 60 may extend into the tubular member 52 (i.e., the base end surface 61 may be located inside the tubular member 52).

[0077] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the connector 250 is connected to the light source device 70 via the adapter 2. The light source device 70 is the same as in the first embodiment. The first connecting portion 10 of the adapter 2 is inserted into the holding portion 71 until the tip of the first connecting tube 211 abuts against the stepped surface 73. The holding tube 72 positions the first connecting portion 10 (or the lens 237) coaxially with the light source 78. The stepped surface 73 positions the first connecting portion 10 (or the lens 237) at a position a predetermined distance axially from the light source 78. The lens 237 faces the light source 78.

[0078] The second connection portion 20 (or the second connection tube 21) of the adapter 2 is connected to the connector 250 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The male tapered surface 53 of the tube member 52 is tapered and fitted into the female tapered surface 23 of the second connection tube 21. In the second embodiment, the light-guiding member 230 is inserted into the through-hole 59 of the tube member 52. The light-guiding member 230 is positioned coaxially with the tube 60. The light-emitting end surface 232 of the light-guiding member 230 axially faces the base end surface 61 of the tube 60, and is close to, and preferably abuts, the base end surface 61.

[0079] The light source 78 emits light toward the lens 237. The lens 237 collects the light emitted from the light source 78 toward the light incident end surface 231 of the light-guiding member 230. The light that has entered the light incident end surface 231 passes through the light-guiding member 230, exits from the light exit end surface 232, and enters the base end surface 61 of the tube 60.

[0080] The method of using the adapter 2 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0081] As in the first embodiment, according to the second embodiment, the tube 60 itself is used as a light guide path, allowing the tip 65 of the tube 60 (see FIG. 1) to emit light. This makes it possible to safely, easily, and accurately detect the position of the tip 65 of the tube 60. Since there is no need to directly connect the connector 250 to the light source device 70, cross-infection can be prevented.

[0082] The adapter 2 includes a lens 237 for focusing light emitted from the light source 78 onto the light incident end surface 231 of the light-guiding member 230. This allows the light from the light source 78 to efficiently enter the tube 60. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60. Furthermore, the diameter of the lens 237 is larger than the diameter of the light incident end surface 231. More light can be incident on the light-guiding member 30 via the large-area lens 237. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the adapter 2 may not include the lens 237. In this case, the light source 78 may include a lens, and / or the light source device 70 may include a lens between the light source 78 and the light-guiding member 230, so that the light from the light source 78 efficiently enters the light incident end surface 231 of the light-guiding member 230.

[0083] The adapter 2 includes a light-guiding member 230 that guides the light emitted from the light source 78 to the base end surface 61 of the tube 60. This allows the light from the light source 78 to efficiently enter the tube 60. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60.

[0084] The light-guiding member 230 has a light-incident end surface 231 provided with a convex curved surface. The convex curved surface refracts light from the light source 78 so that it converges on the axis of the light-guiding member 230. This is advantageous in reducing light (leakage light) that exits from the side surface 233 of the light-guiding member 230. However, in the present invention, the light-incident end surface 231 does not have to have a convex curved surface. The light-incident end surface 231 may be a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 2, or a concave curved surface.

[0085] The light-guiding member 230 has an annular light-emitting end surface 232 that axially faces the annular base end surface 61 of the tube 60. The annular light-emitting end surface 232 is advantageous in that the light emitted from the light-guiding member 30 is incident on the annular base end surface 61 of the tube 60 without loss.

[0086] The light emitting end surface 232 has an annular flat surface, which is more advantageous for allowing the light emitted from the light-guiding member 230 to enter the tube 60 without loss.

[0087] However, in the present invention, the shape of the light-emitting end surface 232 is not limited to the above. For example, the light-emitting end surface 232 may be a flat surface without a recess 234. Alternatively, the light-emitting end surface 232 may be a concave or convex curved surface. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the light-emitting end surface 232 along a plane including the axis of the adapter 2 may include two approximately circular arcs symmetrical with respect to the axis, and the light-emitting end surface 232 may be an annular concave or convex curved surface formed by the locus obtained when these two approximately circular arcs are rotated around the axis. Similar to the light-emitting end surface 32 of the first embodiment, the light-emitting end surface 232 may have a lens function that refracts light emitted from the light-guiding member 230 so as to converge on the annular base end surface 61.

[0088] At least a portion of the light-emitting end surface 232 of the light-guiding member 230 preferably faces the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 in the axial direction. When viewed along the axis of the adapter 2, a portion of the light-emitting end surface 232 may protrude radially outward or inward from the base end surface 61, or a portion of the base end surface 61 may protrude radially outward or inward from the light-emitting end surface 232. The inner and outer diameters of the light-emitting end surface 232 are preferably the same as, but may be different from, the inner and outer diameters of the base end surface 61. The light-emitting end surface 232 is preferably coaxial with, but may be eccentric to, the base end surface 61. The light-emitting end surface 232 is preferably circular, but may be noncircular (e.g., elliptical). The base end surface 61 of the tube 60 is preferably circular, but may be deformed into a noncircular shape (e.g., elliptical).

[0089] The light guide member 230 does not have to have an increased diameter near the light emitting end face 232. The light guide member 230 may have a constant diameter near the light emitting end face 232, or may have a decreased diameter.

[0090] When the second connection section 20 is connected to the connector 250, the light-guiding member 230 is inserted into the through-hole 59 of the tubular member 52. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 may be set back from the tip of the tubular member 52. Therefore, the opening diameter of the flow path (through-hole 59) at the tip of the tubular member 52 (hereinafter referred to as the "tip opening diameter") can be made the same as that of a male connector provided at the base end of a conventional nasogastric tube used in tube feeding (hereinafter referred to as the "existing male connector"; see, for example, Figures 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2), regardless of the inner diameter of the tube 60. It is easy to configure the connector 250 (particularly the connector section 51) to which the adapter 2 is applied so as to be compatible with the existing male connector.

[0091] However, the adapter 2 of the second embodiment can also be applied to the connector 50 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) described in the first embodiment in which the tube 60 extends to the tip of the tubular member 52. In this case, the protruding length of the light-guiding member 230 into the second connecting tube 21 is shortened. When the second connecting portion 20 is connected to the connector 50, similarly to the first embodiment, the light-guiding member 230 is not inserted into the through-hole 59 of the tubular member 52, and the light-emitting end surface 232 faces the base end surface 61 (or the tip of the tubular member 52).

[0092] The light-guiding member 230 may protrude into the cavity of the first connecting tube 211 so that the light incident end surface 231 approaches the light source 78. The portion of the light-guiding member 230 inside the first connecting tube 211 may have a substantially truncated cone shape similar to the light-guiding member 30 of the first embodiment. This allows more light to enter the light-guiding member 230 through the light incident end surface 231 with a large area.

[0093] 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.

[0094] (Embodiment 3) Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing an adapter 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a connector 250 provided at the base end of a tube 60. Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 6A taken along a plane including the axes (not shown) of the adapter 3 and the connector 250. The adapter 3 of this third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

[0095] The adapter 3 has a first connecting portion 10 at one end and a second connecting portion 20 at the other end. The first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 are arranged coaxially. The first connecting portion 10 has a hollow cylindrical first connecting tube 311. The outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tube 311 is a cylindrical surface with a constant outer diameter in the axial direction, similar to the first connecting tube 11 of the first embodiment. However, the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tube 311 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a tapered surface whose outer diameter increases toward the tip end or base end (second connecting portion 20 side) of the first connecting tube 311.

[0096] The adapter 3 further includes a light-guiding member 330. The light-guiding member 330 has a long, thin rod shape (approximately cylindrical shape) and extends coaxially with the adapter 3. The light-guiding member 330 includes a light-incident end face 331 and a light-emitting end face 332 facing opposite each other in the axial direction, and a side face 333 connecting the light-incident end face 331 and the light-emitting end face 332. The light-incident end face 331 and the light-emitting end face 332 are both flat surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 3. The light-incident end face 331 faces the tip side of the first connection unit 10 (the side opposite the second connection unit 20), and the light-emitting end face 332 faces the side opposite the first connection unit 10. The side face 333 is a cylindrical surface whose outer diameter is constant in the axial direction. The light guide member 330 is fitted into the first connecting tube 311 with its side surface 333 in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting tube 311 with substantially no gap. The light incident end surface 331 forms a plane common to the tip surface 312 of the first connecting portion 10 (or the first connecting tube 311). The light guide member 330 protrudes in the axial direction beyond the second connecting tube 21 of the second connecting portion 20 toward the opposite side from the first connecting portion 10. The second connecting tube 21 is spaced apart from the light guide member 330 in the radial direction and surrounds the light guide member 330.

[0097] The adapter 3 is composed of two parts: a light-guiding member 330 and a portion other than the light-guiding member 330 (the adapter body 301). The adapter body 301 is made of a material having sufficient mechanical strength (rigidity) to prevent substantial deformation due to external forces. The materials that can be used for the adapter body 301 of the first embodiment can also be used for the adapter body 301 of the third embodiment.

[0098] The light-guiding member 330 is made of a light-guiding material (light-guiding material) so that light can enter from a light-incident end surface 331, pass through the light-guiding member 330, and exit from a light-emitting end surface 332. The light-guiding material that can be used for the light-guiding member 30 of the first embodiment can also be used as the light-guiding material for the light-guiding member 330. Furthermore, the means for reducing light leakage from the side surface 33 of the light-guiding member 30, which has been described in the first embodiment, can also be applied to the light-guiding member 330.

[0099] There are no limitations on the method for integrating the light-guiding member 330 with the adapter body 301, and for example, a method in which the light-guiding member 330 and the adapter body 301 are manufactured separately and then the light-guiding member 330 is fitted into the first connecting tube 311 of the adapter body 301, or a method in which one of the light-guiding member 330 and the adapter body 301 is manufactured and then the other is integrated with the one by two-color molding, etc. can be used.

[0100] The connector 250 and the tube 60 are the same as the connector 250 and the tube 60 of the second embodiment (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0101] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the connector 250 is connected to the light source device 70 via the adapter 3. The light source device 70 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The first connection portion 10 of the adapter 3 is inserted into the holding portion 71 until the tip of the first connection tube 311 abuts against the stepped surface 73. The holding tube 72 positions the first connection portion 10 (or the light guide member 330) coaxially with the light source 78. The stepped surface 73 positions the first connection portion 10 (or the light guide member 330) at a position a predetermined distance from the light source 78 in the axial direction. The light incident end surface 331 of the light guide member 330 faces the light source 78.

[0102] The second connection portion 20 (or the second connection tube 21) of the adapter 3 is connected to the connector 250 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The male tapered surface 53 of the tube member 52 is tapered and fitted into the female tapered surface 23 of the second connection tube 21. As in the second embodiment, the light-guiding member 330 is inserted into the through-hole 59 of the tube member 52. The light-guiding member 330 is positioned coaxially with the tube 60. The light-emitting end surface 332 of the light-guiding member 330 axially faces the base end surface 61 of the tube 60, and is close to, and preferably abuts, the base end surface 61.

[0103] The light source 78 emits light toward the light incident end surface 331 of the light-guiding member 330. The light emitted from the light source 78 enters the light incident end surface 331, passes through the light-guiding member 330, exits from the light exit end surface 332, and enters the base end surface 61 of the tube 60.

[0104] The method of using the adapter 3 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0105] As in the first embodiment, according to the third embodiment, the tube 60 itself can be used as a light guide path to cause the tip 65 of the tube 60 (see FIG. 1) to emit light. This makes it possible to safely, easily, and accurately detect the position of the tip 65 of the tube 60. Since there is no need to directly connect the connector 250 to the light source device 70, cross-infection can be prevented.

[0106] The adapter 3 includes a light-guiding member 330 that guides the light emitted from the light source 78 to the base end surface 61 of the tube 60. This allows the light from the light source 78 to efficiently enter the tube 60. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60.

[0107] The light-guiding member 330 has a cylindrical shape with a side surface 333 being a cylindrical surface and both end surfaces 331, 332 being flat surfaces. Since the light-guiding member 330 has such a simple rod shape, the light-guiding member 330 is easy to manufacture. This is advantageous for reducing the cost of the adapter 3.

[0108] However, in the present invention, the shape of the light-guiding member 330 is not limited to the above.

[0109] For example, the light incident end surface 331 may be a convex curved surface similar to the light incident end surface 231 of Embodiment 2, or may be a concave curved surface. The light emitting end surface 332 may be an annular flat surface with a recess 234 formed in the center, similar to the light emitting end surface 232 of Embodiment 2. Alternatively, the light emitting end surface 332 may be the concave curved surface or convex curved surface described as applicable to the light emitting end surface 232 in Embodiment 2. Like the light emitting end surface 32 of Embodiment 1, the light emitting end surface 332 may have a lens function that refracts light emitted from the light-guiding member 330 so as to converge on the annular base end surface 61.

[0110] The side surface 333 of the light-guiding member 330 may have a shape other than a cylindrical surface. For example, the light-guiding member 330 may have a generally truncated cone shape with a diameter increasing toward the light-incident end surface 331 within the first connecting tube 311. In this case, similar to the light-guiding member 30 of the first embodiment, the light-incident end surface 331 has a larger area than the light-emitting end surface 332. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60. Alternatively, the light-guiding member 330 may have a larger or smaller diameter near the light-emitting end surface 332, similar to the light-guiding member 230 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 4B ).

[0111] The adapter 3 does not have the lens 237 (see FIGS. 4B and 5) that the adapter 2 of the second embodiment had. This reduces the number of parts that make up the adapter 3. The adapter 3 has a simple configuration and is easy to manufacture. This is advantageous for reducing the cost of the adapter 3.

[0112] In addition, the light source 78 may be provided with a lens, and / or the light source device 70 may be provided with a lens between the light source 78 and the light-guiding member 330, so that the light from the light source 78 is efficiently incident on the light-incident end surface 331 of the light-guiding member 330.

[0113] In the third embodiment, the light incident end surface 331 is located at the same axial position as the tip surface 312 of the first connecting part 10 (first connecting tube 311), but the present invention is not limited to this. The light incident end surface 331 may protrude or recede in the axial direction relative to the tip of the first connecting tube 311.

[0114] The first connecting tube 311 does not need to be in close contact with the side surface 333 of the light guiding member 330. For example, the first connecting tube 311 may have a hollow cylindrical shape like the first connecting tube 211 of the second embodiment, and may be spaced apart from the side surface 333 of the light guiding member 330 in the radial direction.

[0115] It is preferable that at least a portion of the light-emitting end surface 332 of the light-guiding member 330 faces the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 in the axial direction. When viewed along the axis of the adapter 3, a portion of the light-emitting end surface 332 may protrude radially outward from the base end surface 61, or a portion of the base end surface 61 may protrude radially outward from the light-emitting end surface 332. The outer diameter of the light-emitting end surface 332 is preferably the same as the outer diameter of the base end surface 61, but may be different. The light-emitting end surface 332 is preferably coaxial with the base end surface 61, but may be eccentric. The light-emitting end surface 332 is preferably circular, but may be noncircular (e.g., elliptical). The base end surface 61 of the tube 60 is preferably circular, but may be deformed into a noncircular shape (e.g., elliptical).

[0116] As in the second embodiment, when second connection unit 20 is connected to connector 250, light guiding member 330 is inserted into through-hole 59 of tubular member 52. Therefore, the opening diameter (tip opening diameter) of the flow path (through-hole 59) at the tip of tubular member 52 can be made the same as that of a male connector (existing male connector, see, for example, Figures 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2) provided at the base end of a conventional nasogastric tube used in tube feeding, regardless of the inner diameter of tube 60. Connector 250 (particularly connector portion 51) to which adapter 3 is applied can be easily configured to be compatible with existing male connectors.

[0117] However, the adapter 3 of the third embodiment can also be applied to the connector 50 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) described in the first embodiment in which the tube 60 extends to the tip of the tubular member 52. In this case, the protruding length of the light-guiding member 330 into the second connecting tube 21 is shortened. When the second connecting portion 20 is connected to the connector 50, as in the first embodiment, the light-guiding member 330 is not inserted into the through-hole 59 of the tubular member 52, and the light-emitting end surface 332 faces the base end surface 61 (or the tip of the tubular member 52).

[0118] 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 that are applicable to the present embodiment 3 also apply to the present embodiment 3.

[0119] (Embodiment 4) 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector 450 is connected to a light source device 70 via an adapter 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The adapter 4 is substantially the same as the adapter 2 of the second embodiment. The light source device 70 is the same as those of the first to third embodiments. The connector 450 of the fourth embodiment does not have the outer tube 56, the female thread 57, and the flange 55 that are provided in the connector 250 of the second embodiment. A tubular member 452 of the connector 450 is fitted into the second connecting tube 21, and the adapter 4 (particularly the second connecting portion 20) is connected to the connector portion 451 (particularly the tubular member 452) by the frictional force therebetween.

[0120] In the second embodiment, the connector portion 51 is configured to be compatible with existing male connectors used in tube feeding (see, for example, FIGS. 4A and 4B of Patent Document 2). In contrast to this, in the fourth embodiment, the connector portion 451 may be a female connector having a tubular member 452 as a female member. In this case, any male member is inserted into or removed from the inner cavity (through-hole 59) of the tubular member 452. The inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 452 may be provided with a female tapered surface whose inner diameter increases toward the tip of the tubular member 452. The female tapered surface may be configured to taper-fit with a male tapered surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the male member. A tube 60 provided with a connector 450 having a female connector 451 may be used, for example, as a urethral catheter or a tracheal intubation catheter.

[0121] Except for the above, the fourth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. The description of the second embodiment (and further the description of the first embodiment applicable to the second embodiment) also applies to the fourth embodiment. The adapter 3 of the third embodiment may be connected to the connector 450.

[0122] (Embodiment 5) Fig. 9A is a perspective view showing an adapter 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and a connector 50 provided at the base end of a tube 60. Figs. 9B and 9C are cross-sectional views of Fig. 9A taken along a plane including the axis (not shown) of the adapter 5. The cross section of Fig. 9B and the cross section of Fig. 9C are orthogonal to each other at the axis of the adapter 5. The adapter 5 of this fifth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first to third embodiments.

[0123] The adapter 5 has a first connecting portion 10 at one end and a second connecting portion 20 at the other end. The first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 are arranged coaxially. The first connecting portion 10 has a hollow cylindrical first connecting tube 511. The outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tube 511 is a cylindrical surface with a constant outer diameter in the axial direction, similar to the first connecting tube 11 of the first embodiment. However, the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tube 511 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a tapered surface whose outer diameter increases toward the tip end or base end (second connecting portion 20 side) of the first connecting tube 511. The outer peripheral surface of the first connecting tube 511 is provided with an annular recess (annular groove) 515 that continues around the entire periphery in the circumferential direction.

[0124] The first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 are spaced apart in the axial direction, and an intermediate portion 40 is provided therebetween. The intermediate portion 40 includes a hollow cylindrical intermediate tube 41. The first connecting tube 511 and the intermediate tube 41 have continuous through-holes aligned with the axis of the adapter 5. The outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 40 (or the intermediate tube 41) is a cylindrical surface having substantially the same diameter as the first connecting tube 511, although this is not limited thereto. However, the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion 40 is provided with a tapered surface 43 and a pair of gripping surfaces 45 by cutting (or scraping) the cylindrical surface of the intermediate portion 40 (see FIG. 9C ). The tapered surface 43 is a conical surface whose outer diameter decreases toward the second connecting portion 20. The pair of gripping surfaces 45 are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the adapter 5. Each gripping surface 45 consists of a first flat surface 45a on the first connecting portion 10 side and a second flat surface 45b on the second connecting portion 20 side. The pair of first flat surfaces 45a are inclined so that the distance therebetween becomes smaller toward the first connection portion 10. The pair of second flat surfaces 45b are parallel to each other. A raised surface (first raised surface) 46 is provided adjacent to the first flat surface 45a on the first connection portion 10 side. The raised surface 46 is inclined so as to protrude radially outward toward the first connection portion 10 side. A raised surface (second raised surface) 47 is provided adjacent to the tapered surface 43 and the second flat surface 45b on the second connection portion 20 side. The raised surface 47 is inclined so as to protrude radially outward toward the second connection portion 20 side. The raised surface 47 is continuous in an annular shape over the entire circumferential direction.

[0125] The adapter 5 further includes a light-guiding member 530. The light-guiding member 530 has a long, thin rod shape (approximately cylindrical shape) and extends coaxially with the adapter 5. The light-guiding member 530 includes a light-incident end face 531 and a light-emitting end face 532 facing opposite each other in the axial direction, and a side face 533 connecting the light-incident end face 531 and the light-emitting end face 532. Both the light-incident end face 531 and the light-emitting end face 532 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 5. The light-incident end face 531 faces the opposite side to the second connection unit 20, and in this fifth embodiment, is a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 5. Unlike the third embodiment, the light-guiding member 530 protrudes in the axial direction from a tip end face 512 of the first connection unit 10 (or the first connection tube 511). The light-emitting end face 532 faces the opposite side to the first connection unit 10. Unlike the third embodiment, the light guiding member 530 does not substantially protrude into the second connecting tube 21. The side surface 533 is a cylindrical surface whose outer diameter is constant in the axial direction. The light guiding member 530 is fitted into the adapter main body 501 with the side surface 533 (excluding the portion protruding from the tip surface 512) in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the adapter main body 501 with substantially no gap.

[0126] The adapter 5 is composed of two parts: a light-guiding member 530 and a portion other than the light-guiding member 530 (adapter body 501). The adapter body 501 is made of a material having sufficient mechanical strength (rigidity) to prevent substantial deformation due to external forces. The materials that can be used for the adapter body 101 of the first embodiment can also be used for the adapter body 501 of the fifth embodiment.

[0127] The light-guiding member 530 is made of a material having light-guiding properties (light-guiding material) so that light can enter from a light-incident end face 531, pass through the light-guiding member 530, and exit from a light-emitting end face 532. The light-guiding material that can be used for the light-guiding member 30 of the first embodiment can also be used as the light-guiding material for the light-guiding member 530. Furthermore, the means for reducing light leakage from the side surface 33 of the light-guiding member 30, which has been described in the first embodiment, can also be applied to the light-guiding member 530.

[0128] There are no limitations on the method for integrating the light-guiding member 530 with the adapter body 501. For example, a method in which the light-guiding member 530 and the adapter body 501 are manufactured separately and then the light-guiding member 530 is fitted into a through-hole in the adapter body 501, or a method in which one of the light-guiding member 530 and the adapter body 501 is manufactured and then the other is integrated with the one by two-color molding, etc. may be used.

[0129] The connector 50 and the tube 60 are the same as the connector 50 and the tube 60 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2A and 2B).

[0130] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector 50 is connected to the light source device 570 via the adapter 5. As shown in FIG.

[0131] The light source device 570 includes a holding portion 571 that houses and holds the first connection portion 10 (first connecting tube 511), and a light source 78 that is positioned deeper than the holding portion 571. The holding portion 571 includes a holding tube 572 and a bottom plate 573. The inner circumferential surface of the holding tube 572 is a cylindrical surface with approximately the same diameter as the first connecting tube 511. Four protrusions 575 (only two of the protrusions 575 are visible in FIG. 10 ) protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the holding tube 572. The four protrusions 575 are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The bottom plate 573 is provided at a predetermined distance from the open end of the holding tube 572 so as to protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the holding tube 572. A through-hole 576 that penetrates the bottom plate 573 in the axial direction is provided in the center of the bottom plate 573. The light source 78 is disposed coaxially with the through-hole 576 (or the holding portion 571). The first connection portion 10 of the adapter 5 is inserted into the holding portion 571 until the tip surface 512 of the first connecting tube 511 abuts against or approaches the bottom plate 573. The convex portion 575 of the holding tube 572 fits into the annular recess 515 of the first connection portion 10 (or the first connecting tube 511), thereby locking the adapter 5 to the light source device 570. The convex portion 575 and / or the bottom plate 573 position the first connection portion 10 (or the light guide member 530) at a predetermined distance in the axial direction from the light source 78. The light guide member 530 protruding from the tip surface 512 of the first connection portion 10 (first connecting tube 511) fits into the through-hole 576 of the bottom plate 573. The inner circumferential surface of the through hole 576 that defines the through hole 576 positions the light guide member 530 coaxially with the light source 78. The light incident end surface 531 of the light guide member 530 faces the light source 78.

[0132] The second connecting portion 20 (or the second connecting tube 21) of the adapter 5 is connected to the connector 50 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The male tapered surface 53 of the tube member 52 is tapered and fitted into the female tapered surface 23 of the second connecting tube 21. The light emitting end surface 532 of the light guiding member 530 axially faces the base end surface 61 of the tube 60, and is close to, and preferably abuts, the base end surface 61.

[0133] The light source 78 emits light toward the light incident end surface 531 of the light-guiding member 530. The light emitted from the light source 78 enters the light incident end surface 531, passes through the light-guiding member 530, exits from the light exit end surface 532, and enters the base end surface 61 of the tube 60.

[0134] The method of using the adapter 5 of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0135] As in the first embodiment, according to the fifth embodiment, the tube 60 itself can be used as a light guide path to cause the tip 65 of the tube 60 (see FIG. 1) to emit light. This makes it possible to safely, easily, and accurately detect the position of the tip 65 of the tube 60. Since there is no need to directly connect the connector 50 to the light source device 70, cross-infection can be prevented.

[0136] The adapter 5 includes a light-guiding member 530 that guides the light emitted from the light source 78 to the base end surface 61 of the tube 60. This allows the light from the light source 78 to efficiently enter the tube 60. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60.

[0137] A side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530 protrudes from the tip surface 512 of the first connecting portion 10 (first connecting tube 511). The protruding side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530 faces radially the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 576 that defines the through-hole 576 of the light source device 570. This allows the light-guiding member 530 to be axially aligned with the light source 78 (see FIG. 10 ). Since the axial alignment is performed using the light-guiding member 530 that has a light-incident end surface 531 onto which light from the light source 78 is incident, it is possible to reduce eccentricity of the light-guiding member 530 (or the light-incident end surface 531) relative to the light source 78. This makes it possible to increase the amount of light incident on the light-guiding member 530, which is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60.

[0138] In the fifth embodiment, the side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530 protruding from the tip surface 512 is a cylindrical surface, and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 576 is also a cylindrical surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530 protruding from the tip surface 512 may be a tapered surface (conical surface) whose outer diameter decreases toward the light incident end surface 531. Additionally or alternatively, the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 576 may be a tapered surface (conical surface) whose inner diameter increases toward the light source 78. In these cases, the light-guiding member 530 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 576 are fitted together by a cylindrical surface and a tapered surface, or by a tapered surface and a tapered surface (so-called tapered fitting). This is advantageous for reducing eccentricity of the light-guiding member 530 (or the light incident end surface 531) with respect to the light source 78.

[0139] In the fifth embodiment, the light-guiding member 530 does not have to protrude from the tip surface 512 of the first connection portion 10. In this case, the first connection portion 10 (or the light-guiding member 530) may be aligned with the light source 78 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0140] When the adapter 5 (first connection portion 10) is connected to the light source device 570, the convex portion 575 of the light source device 570 engages with the annular concave portion 515 of the adapter 5. This is advantageous for preventing the adapter 5 from falling off the light source device 570 when a pulling force is applied between the adapter 5 and the light source device 570, and for maintaining a stable connection of the adapter 5 to the light source device 570. The adapter 5 is prevented from moving in the axial direction relative to the light source device 570 (particularly from moving away), and the adapter 5 is positioned and held at a predetermined axial position relative to the light source device 570. The user can easily confirm that the adapter 5 (first connection portion 10) has been properly connected to the light source device 570 by feeling a clicking sensation (or clicking sound) that occurs when this engagement is made.

[0141] Because the recess 515 is continuous around the entire circumference, there is no need to align the adapter 5 in the rotational direction relative to the light source device 570 when connecting the adapter 5 to the light source device 570. Therefore, the adapter 5 can be connected to the light source device 570 simply by inserting the first connecting portion 10 of the adapter 5 into the light source device 570. Furthermore, after connecting the adapter 5 to the light source device 570, the light source device 570 can be rotated relative to the adapter 5. Therefore, the rotational position of the light source device 570 can be adjusted without causing twisting in the tube 60.

[0142] In the fifth embodiment, the engaging structures provided on the adapter 5 and the light source device 570 that engage with each other are a convex portion 575 and an annular recessed portion 515. However, the engaging structure of the present invention is not limited thereto. Generally, the engaging structures provided on the adapter and the light source device may be convex portions and recessed portions that engage with each other, or convex portions and convex portions that engage with each other. When the engaging structure is composed of a convex portion and a recessed portion, either the convex portion or the recessed portion may be provided on the adapter. The convex portion and / or the recessed portion may extend annularly over the entire circumference, or may be divided in the circumferential direction (i.e., non-annular). The number of non-annular convex portions and / or recessed portions may be one or more. The convex portion and / or the recessed portion may be supported by an elastically deformable member (e.g., a compression coil spring, a bendable arm) and may be movable (e.g., radially movable).

[0143] In the fifth embodiment, the adapter 5 and the light source device 570 may not be provided with an engaging structure (the convex portion 575 and the annular recess 515) for engaging with each other. The adapters and light source devices of the first to fourth embodiments may be provided with an engaging structure for engaging with each other, similar to that of the fifth embodiment.

[0144] The adapter 5 includes an intermediate portion 40 between the first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 10 with FIG. 3, in this embodiment 5, when the connector 50 is connected to the light source device 570 via the adapter 5, the connector 50 and the light source device 570 are separated, and the intermediate portion 40 is exposed to the outside. When handling the adapter 5, a user can grip the intermediate portion 40. As a result, the possibility that the user will touch the first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 is reduced. This is advantageous in reducing the possibility that the first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 will be contaminated by the user's fingers.

[0145] When a user grips the intermediate portion 40 with their fingers, they can grip the gripping surfaces 45 with their fingers. This allows the adapter 5 to be gripped stably and also makes it easier to apply axial force and / or rotational force around the axis to the adapter 5. In the present embodiment 5, two gripping surfaces 45 are provided axisymmetrically on the intermediate portion 40. However, the gripping surfaces of the present invention are not limited to this. The number of gripping surfaces is not limited to two and may be more than this. In general, it is preferable that an even number of gripping surfaces are arranged to form a regular polygon (e.g., a regular square, a regular hexagon, etc.) in a cross section along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the adapter 5.

[0146] The gripping surface 45 is preferably configured as a flat surface. However, the gripping surface is not limited to an exact flat surface. The gripping surface may be, for example, a convex or concave curved surface. The gripping surface may be provided with a plurality of ribs or protrusions to prevent slippage. The gripping surface is preferably configured so as to be distinguishable from the outer peripheral surface (cylindrical or tapered surface) of the intermediate portion 40.

[0147] In this fifth embodiment, each gripping surface 45 is composed of two flat surfaces 45a, 45b with different inclinations. However, the gripping surfaces of the present invention are not limited to this. Each gripping surface may be composed of a single surface, or may be composed of three or more surfaces. In a cross section including the axis of the adapter 5, the surfaces that make up the gripping surface may be parallel to the axis of the adapter 5 or may be inclined.

[0148] In the fifth embodiment, the gripping surfaces 45 are provided by cutting out the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 40. However, the gripping surfaces of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, the gripping surfaces may be provided so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 40. Furthermore, similar to the pair of plates protruding from the base pipe 58 of the connector 50 (see FIG. 9A), a pair of plates parallel to the axis of the adapter 5 may be provided so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 40, and the surfaces of these plates may be used as gripping surfaces.

[0149] The raised surfaces 46, 47 adjacent to the gripping surface 45 function as a "grip position restricting structure" that restricts the position at which the fingers grip the intermediate portion 40 in the axial direction so that the fingers gripping the gripping surface 45 do not extend beyond the gripping surface 45 in the axial direction. The raised surfaces 46, 47 as a grip position restricting structure make it easier to apply axial force to the adapter 5 when connecting the adapter 5 to the connector 50 and the light source device 570. Furthermore, the raised surfaces 46, 47 reduce the possibility that the user will touch the first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 when handling the adapter 5, thereby reducing the possibility that the first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20 will be contaminated by the user's fingers.

[0150] The inclination of the raised surfaces 46, 47 relative to the axis in a cross section including the axis of the adapter 5 is arbitrary. The raised surfaces 46, 47 preferably extend along the circumferential direction, and may be continuous in an annular shape around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The raised surfaces 46, 47 are preferably adjacent in the axial direction to the area to be gripped with fingers (gripping surface 45). In the fifth embodiment, the gripping surface 45 may be omitted, and the raised surfaces 46, 47 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 40, facing each other in the axial direction but spaced apart. In this case, the raised surfaces 46, 47 can also function as a gripping position regulating structure.

[0151] In the fifth embodiment, the adapter 5 does not necessarily have to be provided with one or both of the raised surfaces 46 and 47. Furthermore, the adapter 5 does not necessarily have to be provided with the tapered surface 43.

[0152] The intermediate portion 40 of this fifth embodiment may be applied to the adapters 1 to 4 of the first to fourth embodiments. In this case, the intermediate portion 40 of the adapters 1 to 4 may be provided with the gripping surface and / or the raised surface of this fifth embodiment.

[0153] Light-guiding member 530 has a cylindrical shape with side surface 533 being a cylindrical surface and both end surfaces 531, 532 being flat surfaces. Since light-guiding member 530 has such a simple rod shape, light-guiding member 530 is easy to manufacture. This is advantageous for reducing the cost of adapter 5.

[0154] However, in the present invention, the shape of the light-guiding member 530 is not limited to the above.

[0155] For example, the light incident end surface 531 may be a convex curved surface similar to the light incident end surface 231 of Embodiment 2, or may be a concave curved surface. The light emitting end surface 532 may be an annular flat surface with a recess 234 formed in the center, similar to the light emitting end surface 232 of Embodiment 2. Alternatively, the light emitting end surface 532 may be the concave curved surface or convex curved surface described as applicable to the light emitting end surface 232 in Embodiment 2. Like the light emitting end surface 32 of Embodiment 1, the light emitting end surface 532 may have a lens function that refracts light emitted from the light-guiding member 530 so as to converge on the annular base end surface 61.

[0156] The side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530 may have a shape other than a cylindrical surface. For example, the light-guiding member 530 may have a generally truncated cone shape with a diameter increasing toward the light-incident end surface 531 inside the adapter body 501 (or the first connecting tube 511). In this case, similar to the light-guiding member 30 of the first embodiment, the light-incident end surface 531 has a larger area than the light-emitting end surface 532. This is advantageous for improving the brightness (luminous flux) at the tip 65 of the tube 60. However, even in this case, the side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530 protruding from the tip surface 512 is preferably a cylindrical surface or a tapered surface (conical surface) whose outer diameter decreases toward the light-incident end surface 531, as described above.

[0157] The cross-sectional shape of the light-guiding member 530 along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the light-guiding member 530 is not limited to a circle. The cross-sectional shape of the light-guiding member 530 may have any shape, such as an ellipse, a polygon (for example, a triangle, a rectangle, or a hexagon; the corners of the polygon may be chamfered with arcs or straight lines), or a shape in which both ends of an arc (which does not have to be an exact arc) are connected by straight lines. The cross-sectional shape of the light-guiding member 530 does not need to be constant in the axial direction of the light-guiding member 530 and may vary.

[0158] The adapter 5 does not have the lens 237 (see FIGS. 4B and 5) that the adapter 2 of the second embodiment had. This reduces the number of parts that make up the adapter 5. The adapter 5 has a simple configuration and is easy to manufacture. This is advantageous for reducing the cost of the adapter 5.

[0159] In addition, the light source 78 may be provided with a lens so that light from the light source 78 is efficiently incident on the light incident end surface 531 of the light-guiding member 530, and / or the light source device 570 may be provided with a lens between the light source 78 and the light-guiding member 530.

[0160] The first connecting tube 511 and the intermediate tube 41 do not need to be in close contact with the side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530. For example, the first connecting tube 511 and / or the intermediate tube 41 may be spaced apart from the side surface 533 of the light-guiding member 530 in the radial direction.

[0161] It is preferable that at least a portion of the light-emitting end surface 532 of the light-guiding member 530 faces the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 in the axial direction. When viewed along the axis of the adapter 5, a portion of the light-emitting end surface 532 may protrude radially outward from the base end surface 61, or a portion of the base end surface 61 may protrude radially outward from the light-emitting end surface 532. The outer diameter of the light-emitting end surface 532 is preferably the same as the outer diameter of the base end surface 61, but may be different. The light-emitting end surface 532 is preferably coaxial with the base end surface 61, but may be eccentric. The light-emitting end surface 532 is preferably circular, but may be noncircular (e.g., elliptical). The base end surface 61 of the tube 60 is preferably circular, but may be deformed into a noncircular shape (e.g., elliptical, polygonal (e.g., triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, with the corners of the polygon curved in an arc)).

[0162] As in the first embodiment, when the second connection unit 20 is connected to the connector 50, the light-guiding member 530 is not inserted into the tubular member 52. The light-guiding member 530 may be axially opposed to the tip of the tubular member 52. This is advantageous for simplifying the configuration of the adapter 5. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily optically couple the light-guiding member 530 and the tube 60 using a simple and inexpensive adapter 5.

[0163] However, the adapter 5 of the fifth embodiment may be configured so as to be connectable to the connector 250 of the second or third embodiment or the connector 450 of the fourth embodiment. In this case, the light-guiding member 530 may be configured so as to be inserted into the through-hole 59 of the tubular member 52 of the connector (250, 450). The light-emitting end surface 532 and its vicinity may be configured similarly to the light-guiding members of the second to fourth embodiments.

[0164] Except for the above, the fifth embodiment is the same as the first to fourth embodiments. The explanations of the first to fourth embodiments that are applicable to the fifth embodiment also apply to the fifth embodiment.

[0165] The above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 5 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 5, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0166] The connection structure between the adapter and the light source device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described first to fifth embodiments. In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the retaining tube (72, 572) of the light source device (70, 570) is configured so that the first connecting tube (11, 211, 311, 511) fits into the retaining tube (72, 572). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The light source device does not necessarily have to include the retaining tube (72, 572) into which the first connecting tube (11, 211, 311, 511) fits. In this case, the adapter can be connected to the light source device with the tip of the first connecting tube (11, 211, 311, 511) abutting against a flat surface equivalent to the stepped surface 73 or the bottom plate 573 provided on the light source device. The flat surface positions the first connecting portion 10 (or the light-guiding member (30, 230, 330, 530)) at a predetermined axial distance from the light source 78. A light source device that does not have a retaining cylinder (72, 572) has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. There are no restrictions on the method for maintaining the connection state of the adapter to the light source device, and any method can be selected, such as using an elastic band or magnetic attraction.

[0167] The connection structure between an adapter and a connector of the present invention is not limited to the above-described first to fifth embodiments. In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the female tapered surface 23 of the second connecting portion 20 of the adapter is tapered-fit to the male tapered surface 53 of the connector. However, the second connecting portion 20 may have a fitting structure that fits to the connector using a fitting method other than tapered fitting. For example, the inner circumferential surface of the second connecting tube 21 may have a female tapered surface or a cylindrical surface having a taper angle different from that of the male tapered surface 53 of the connector. Alternatively, the outer circumferential surface of the tubular member (52, 452) of the connector may have a cylindrical surface. Even in such a case, the inner circumferential surface of the second connecting tube 21 can be fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular member (52, 452) using a fitting method other than tapered fitting. Furthermore, the second connecting portion 20 of the adapter may be configured to fit to a portion other than the outer circumferential surface of the tubular member (52, 452) of the connector.

[0168] The light-guiding member (30, 230, 330, 530) may be composed of one optical fiber or multiple optical fibers (a bundle of optical fibers) that are aligned substantially along the axis of the adapter. In this case, light from the light source 78 passes through the one or multiple optical fibers and then enters the proximal end surface 61 of the tube 60.

[0169] In the present invention, "the light-guiding tube is led out from the base pipe of the connector toward the side opposite to the tubular member" means that the tube 60 appears to extend from the base pipe 58, but does not mean that the base end surface 61 of the tube 60 is located inside the base pipe 58. That is, in the present invention, the insertion depth of the tube 60 into the connector is arbitrary, and for example, in embodiments 2 to 4, the tube 60 may be inserted deep into the connector 250, 350, 450 until the base end surface 61 is located inside the tubular member 52, 452.

[0170] The inner diameter of the through-hole 59 of the tubular member of the connector to which the adapter of the present invention is connected may be constant or may vary in the axial direction of the connector. The diameter (inner diameter and / or outer diameter) of the tube 60 may be constant or may vary within the connector. [Industrial Applicability]

[0171] The present invention can be widely used as an adapter for connecting a connector provided at the base end of a medical tube to be inserted into a patient to a light source device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 1,2,3,4,5 adapter 10 First connection part 11,211,311,511 First connecting tube 312,512 Tip surface of first connecting part (first connecting tube) 20 Second connection part 21 Second connecting tube (fitting structure) 30,230,330,530 Light guide member 31,231,331,531 Light incidence end face 32,232,332,532 Light output end face 33,533 Side of light guide member 40 Middle section 45 Gripping surface 46,47 Raised surface (grasping position regulation structure) 50,250,450 Connectors 52,452 Cylinder parts 56 Outer cylinder 57 Female thread 58 Base tube 60 tube (light-conducting tube) 61 Tube base end surface 65 Tube tip 69 Tube flow path 70 Light source device 237 Lens 515 Annular recess (engagement structure) 575 Convex part (engagement structure)

Claims

1. An adapter for connecting a connector provided at a base end of a flexible hollow light-guiding tube to a light source device, the connector includes a hollow cylindrical tubular member and a hollow cylindrical base pipe arranged coaxially with the tubular member, the light-guiding tube being led out from the base pipe toward an opposite side to the tubular member, The adapter is a first connection portion that can be connected to and disconnected from the light source device; a second connection portion that can be connected to and disconnected from the connector; a light-guiding member that guides the light emitted from the light source device to a base end surface of the light-guiding tube, The adapter is characterized in that the light-guiding member has an annular light-emitting end surface that emits light toward the base end surface of the light-guiding tube.

2. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide member has a light incident end surface onto which light from the light source device is incident, and the light incident end surface is provided with a convex curved surface.

3. An adapter as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emitting end surface has a lens function for focusing light onto the base end surface of the light-guiding tube.

4. the light guide member has a light incident end surface onto which light from the light source device is incident, 4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the light incident end face has a larger area than the light emitting end face.

5. the light guide member has a light incident end surface onto which light from the light source device is incident, 4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the light guide member is constant between the light incident end face and the light emitting end face.

6. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the second connection portion is connected to the connector, the light guide member faces the cylindrical member in the axial direction.

7. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light guide member is inserted into the cylindrical member when the second connection portion is connected to the connector.

8. The adapter according to claim 7 , further comprising a lens for focusing the light emitted from the light source device onto the light incident end surface of the light guide member.

9. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a side surface of the light guide member protrudes in the axial direction from a tip end surface of the first connecting portion.

10. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an engagement structure that is engaged with the light source device when the first connection portion is connected to the light source device.

11. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an intermediate portion between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

12. 12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the intermediate portion includes a gripping surface.

13. 13. An adapter according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the intermediate portion is provided with a raised surface that protrudes radially outward.

14. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second connection portion has a fitting structure that fits into the connector.

15. The connector further includes an outer cylinder surrounding the tubular member, The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second connecting portion is configured to be inserted into a gap between the outer tube and the tubular member.

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