Injection needle tip orientation alignment device

Abstract

To perform direction alignment of a perforation part of an injection needle approximate tip or an inclination cut surface, by detecting intensity and direction of light emitted from the perforation part or the inclination cut surface without applying a mechanical load on an injection needle tip end.SOLUTION: A mechanism for rotatably supporting an injection needle and a mechanism for applying light to the injection barrel side needle tube edge are provided. A perforation part of an injection needle approximate tip is directed in a constant direction by detecting intensity of light emitted from the perforation part provided at the injection needle approximate tip while rotating the injection needle by a rotary drive system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides a method for positioning the needle tip of an injection needle in a predetermined direction in order to attach or mark accessories to a needle tube such as a needle for puncture extraction or drug injection, or to mark an assembly in which a needle tube and a needle hub as an accessory are integrated, and a method for positioning the needle tip using the method. Match This relates to a device for [Background technology]

[0002] When using a syringe for medical use, it is necessary to assemble the syringe barrel and the syringe needle so that, when the index finger is hooked on the finger hook tab of the syringe barrel, the perforated portion on the side of the tip of the syringe needle or the beveled cut surface of the tip of the syringe needle faces in a predetermined direction, generally upward. Therefore, in the syringe needle assembly process in which the syringe needle is attached to and fixed in a base needle member, a mark is attached to the base needle member of the assembled syringe needle at a position corresponding to the perforated portion on the side of the tip of the syringe needle or the beveled cut surface of the tip of the syringe needle, and this mark is positioned so that the position when assembling the syringe needle and the syringe barrel is correct. Match Therefore, in the needle assembly process, the needle assembly is generally provided with a reference. of It is necessary to mark the position corresponding to the perforation on the side of the tip or the oblique cut surface of the tip of the injection needle, and this marking position is generally on the base needle member.

[0003] However, since the alignment of the perforated portion on the side surface of the tip of the injection needle or the obliquely cut surface on the tip of the injection needle is performed by aligning the orientation of the perforated portion or the obliquely cut surface on the side surface of the tip of the injection needle with a small diameter, if the orientation is aligned using a mechanical force, the needle tip will be deformed or the entire injection needle will bend, resulting in a defective product. ofMethods for determining the orientation of the perforation on the side of the tip or the angled cut surface of the injection needle tip have also been devised, but because the needle tip is tiny, a high-resolution camera is required, and the optical system is complicated, which makes the device more complex and expensive. In addition, due to the surface finish of the needle tip, the posture of the entire needle, and the influence of ambient light, accurate images cannot be obtained, which can lead to incorrect determination of the orientation and make it difficult to determine the correct orientation. Match This caused productivity problems such as improper marking positions on assembled products. Match As such a device, devices such as those shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-178172 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 04-042948 have been proposed.

[0004] That is, the device proposed in JP 07-178172 A mounts an assembled injection needle on a rotatable support guide, abuts a correction surface with the same inclination angle as the beveled cutting surface of the injection needle on the beveled cutting surface of the injection needle on the basis of the force of this abutment, and rotates the injection needle to orient the beveled cutting surface of the injection needle in a fixed direction. Also, the device proposed in JP 04-042948 A irradiates a laser beam onto the beveled cutting surface of the tip of the injection needle, and detects the increase or decrease in the projected light caused by rotating the injection needle with a laser light source and a photoreceiver provided on the extension line of the injection needle, which detects the increase or decrease in the projected light that occurs as the injection needle is rotated, and positions the direction of rotation of the injection needle based on the extreme value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 07-178172 [Patent Document 2] Tokuhei 04-042948 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the position of the inclined cutting surface of the conventional injection needle described above MatchIn the method and device of JP-A-07-178172, there is mechanical contact with the tip of the needle, and damage to the tip is unavoidable. Also, the method of JP-B-04-042948 does not contact the tip of the needle, but detects the increase or decrease in the degree of shading of the projected light. Therefore, if the needle diameter is sufficiently thick, it is relatively easy to detect. However, if the needle diameter is thin, the degree of change in shading decreases, and with the light diffraction phenomenon, it is not possible to detect sufficient extreme values, and it is difficult to determine the position. Match In addition, even though there are problems with either method, the orientation of the syringe needle with an inclined cut surface Match Although there is a certain effect in the direction of the needle, the direction of the needle with a perforated part on the side of the tip Match However, there were problems with the system, such as it being unable to be used.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a method for accurately determining the position of the perforation on the side of the tip of the injection needle or the position of the inclined cut surface of the tip of the injection needle without imposing a mechanical load on the needle tip. Match The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device that enables this. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a method is provided in which light is directed to a needle end opening on the syringe barrel side of a syringe needle used for puncturing and extracting or injecting a drug solution, and the light is guided into the syringe tube, and the syringe needle is rotated around its axis. of A light receiving device is provided to detect the intensity of light emitted from the perforated portion on the side of the tip of the injection needle. of The device is configured to include a drive device that directs the perforated portion on the side of the tip in a certain direction depending on the intensity of light.

[0009] Specifically, the perforation on the side of the tip of the injection needle is illuminated at the point where the intensity of light is greatest. Largely The punching section is configured to include a drive device that rotates the punching section so that the punching section rotates.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, an injection needle used for puncture extraction or drug injection is ofA light receiving device is provided that irradiates the oblique cutting surface at the tip of the injection needle with light and detects the amount of light received from the oblique cutting surface while rotating the injection needle around its axis. of The blade is configured with a drive device that directs the inclined cutting surface at the tip in a fixed direction.

[0011] Specifically, the light receiving device is configured so that two elements are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel facing the reflected light, and is equipped with a drive device that rotates the inclined cutting surface so that the amount of light received by the two elements is approximately equal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] Position of the perforated portion on the side of the tip of the injection needle or the oblique cut surface of the tip of the injection needle Match According to the device, there is no mechanical contact with the tip of the injection needle, which is the most important part of the injection needle. of There is no risk of damaging the perforated part on the side of the tip or the beveled cut surface at the tip of the needle, and it is possible to detect the reflection of light even with a thin needle diameter, and the position of the needle can be determined. Match This makes it possible to carry out the above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the essential parts of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, in which the hole-piercing portion of the injection needle and the light-receiving device are directly facing each other. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 when the needle hole and the light receiving device are not facing each other. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the injection needle and the intensity of emitted light in the device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the main part of the second embodiment of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the device of FIG. 5, in which the oblique cut surface of the injection needle and the light receiving device are directly facing each other. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the device of FIG. 5 when the oblique cut surface of the injection needle and the light receiving device are not directly facing each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the injection needle and the intensity of emitted light in the device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the essential parts of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the essential parts of the fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the essential parts of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the numerical values, materials, and combinations shown in the description. [Example]

[0015] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the essential parts of the first embodiment of the device. The injection needle assembly 1a consists of a needle tube 2a and a needle hub 3, with a perforation 4 on the side of the tip of the needle tube 2a. The injection needle assembly 1a is fixed by being pushed into a needle hub holder 6. The needle hub holder 6 is connected to a drive unit 7, which allows the injection needle assembly 1a to rotate in a rotation direction 11 around the longitudinal centerline of the injection needle assembly 1a. The needle hub holder 6 and the drive unit 7 have holes aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the injection needle assembly 1a, through which light from a light source 9 can be directed to a needle end port 8 on the syringe barrel. The light directed to the needle end port 8 on the syringe barrel travels through the needle tube 2a as guided light 100 and is emitted from the needle tube 2a as emitted light 101 through the perforation 4. A light-receiving device 10 is installed facing the emitted light 101, and measures the intensity of the emitted light 101. In the figure, the progression of light is depicted by a dashed line with an arrow, but the diameter of the light is larger than the needle tube 2a, and the light is reliably introduced into the needle tube 2a.

[0016] The syringe needle assembly 1a was a G22 syringe needle equivalent to 38 mm in length. The needle hub holder 6 and drive unit 7 were made of stainless steel and were driven by a servomotor (not shown) as a rotational drive source. The light source 9 used a 635 nm laser beam, and the light-receiving unit 10 used a 380,000-pixel monochrome CMOS camera. The maximum brightness value in the captured image was obtained relative to the rotation angle. Note that the rotational drive source may be a servomotor or other drive sources such as a stepping motor, and direct drive or indirect drive via gears, belts, etc. may be used. The light source 9 may be a laser light source or may use other wavelengths. White light, for example, may also be used as a light source; it is not limited to the laser light source shown in the examples. Furthermore, light may be irradiated onto the syringe barrel needle end port 8 directly or via, for example, an optical fiber. The light-receiving unit may be a camera or any other device that converts light into electrical information, such as a color area sensor or photodiode.

[0017] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the device of the first embodiment, showing the light-receiving device 10 facing directly to the perforation section 4 on the side of the tip of the injection needle. Direct facing means that the light-receiving device 10 and the perforation section 4 face each other head-on. At this time, the amount of light received by the light-receiving device 10 is at its maximum relative to the rotation angle, and the rotation axis angle of the injection needle assembly 1a at this time is set to 0°.

[0018] 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the device of the first embodiment in a state where the perforation portion 4 on the side surface of the tip of the injection needle and the light-receiving device 10 are displaced from a state where they are facing each other directly. When the light-receiving device 10 and the perforation portion 4 are displaced from a state where they are facing each other directly, the apparent area of ​​the perforation portion 4 as seen from the light-receiving device 10 decreases, and therefore the amount of light received by the light-receiving device 10 at this time decreases compared to the amount of light received when they are facing each other directly.

[0019] 4 shows the relationship between the injection needle rotation angle and the emitted light intensity, i.e., the amount of light received by the light-receiving device 10, obtained with the device of the first embodiment. The injection needle assembly 1a is rotated by the drive device 7, and depending on the orientation of the light-receiving device 10 and the perforation portion 4, the amount of light received by the light-receiving device 10 describes a curve that has its maximum at 0°, when the device is facing directly. In other words, the angular position at which this maximum value is obtained is proof that the light-receiving device 10 and the perforation portion 4 are facing directly. This method can be used to align the injection needle assembly 1a, which has the perforation portion 4 provided on the side of the tip of the injection needle. By combining this with a marking device (not shown) that is linked to this device, it is possible to mark the desired position. [Example]

[0020] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the essential parts of the second embodiment of the device. The injection needle assembly 1b consists of a needle tube 2b and a needle hub 3, and the tip of the needle tube 2b is provided with an inclined cutting surface 5. The injection needle assembly 1b is fixed by being pressed into a needle hub holder 6. The needle hub holder 6 is connected to a drive unit 7, which allows the injection needle assembly 1b to rotate in a rotation direction 11 around the longitudinal centerline of the injection needle assembly 1b. Irradiated light 200 from a light source 9 is directed onto the inclined cutting surface 5, where it becomes reflected and emitted light 201. The angle of the reflected and emitted light 201 is detected by a light receiving device 10 installed in the direction of travel of the reflected and emitted light 201. Note that in the figure, the light path is indicated by a dashed line with an arrow; however, the diameter of the light is larger than the area of ​​the inclined cutting surface 5, ensuring that the light is directed accurately onto the inclined cutting surface 5.

[0021] The syringe needle assembly 1b was a G22 syringe needle equivalent to 13 mm in length. The needle hub holder 6 and drive unit 7 were made of stainless steel, and were driven by a servomotor (not shown) as a rotational drive source. The light source 9 used a laser beam with a wavelength of 635 nm, and the light-receiving device 10 used two-segment photodiodes 10a and 10b as light-receiving elements, and the output value of each photodiode was obtained relative to the rotation angle. Note that the rotational drive source may be a servomotor or other drive sources such as a stepping motor, and may be directly driven or indirectly driven via gears, belts, etc. The light source 9 may be a laser light source or may use other wavelengths. White light or other light sources may also be used; the light source is not limited to the laser light source shown in the examples. The light-receiving device may be a two-segment photodiode, a single photodiode, a four-segment photodiode, or multiple light-receiving elements such as a CCD line sensor, area sensor, or CMOS camera, as long as it is an element or device that converts light into electrical information. Also, a slit may be provided immediately in front of the light receiving device 10 of each sensor, and when light passes through the slit, it may be detected as a predetermined direction.

[0022] 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the second embodiment device, in which the obliquely cut surface 5 of the injection needle and the light-receiving device 10 are directly opposed to each other. Direct opposition means that the light-receiving device 10 and the obliquely cut surface 5 face each other head-on. At this time, the reflected light 201 that strikes the light-receiving device 10 is on the boundary between the light-receiving elements 10a and 10b, and the outputs captured by both elements are equal. The rotation axis angle of the injection needle assembly 1b at this time is set to 0°.

[0023] 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the second embodiment device in a state where the inclined cut surface 5 of the injection needle and the light receiving device 10 are displaced from a state where they face each other directly. Because the light receiving device 10 and the inclined cut surface 5 are displaced from a state where they face each other directly, the reflected emitted light 201 falls more on the light receiving element 10a of the light receiving device 10, resulting in a difference in output between the light receiving elements 10a and 10b.

[0024] Figure 8 shows the relationship between the injection needle rotation angle and the amount of light received by the light-receiving elements 10a and 10b obtained with the device of the second embodiment. The injection needle assembly 1b is rotated by the drive device 7, and depending on the orientation of the light-receiving device 10 and the inclined cutting surface 5, the amount of light received by the light-receiving elements 10a and 10b of the light-receiving device 10 is equal when they are directly facing each other. However, if they are not directly facing each other, the outputs of the light-receiving elements 10a and 10b differ. In other words, the angular position at which the amount of light received by the light-receiving elements 10a and 10b is equal is proof that the light-receiving device 10 and the inclined cutting surface 5 are directly facing each other. This method can be used to align injection needle assemblies 1b with inclined cutting surfaces 5 at their tip ends, and by combining this device with a marking device (not shown) that is linked to the device, marking can be performed at the desired position. [Example]

[0025] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the essential parts of the third embodiment of the device, which replaces the syringe needle assembly 1a of the first embodiment with a syringe needle 2a only, with a perforation 4 provided on the side of the tip of the syringe needle. The syringe needle 2a is held by a syringe holder 12 connected to a drive unit 7 and can be rotated in a rotation direction 11 around the longitudinal centerline of the syringe needle 2a. The syringe holder 12 can be any mechanism that clamps, grips, or pierces the syringe needle 2a, as long as the longitudinal centerline of the syringe needle 2a serves as the rotation center. The other conditions are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and the light intensity of the emitted light 101 can be measured. As a result, the relationship between the syringe needle rotation angle and the emitted light intensity, i.e., the amount of light received by the light-receiving device 10, as shown in FIG. 4, obtained by the first embodiment of the device, can be obtained. This positioning method allows the perforation 4 on the side of the tip of the syringe needle 2a to be positioned. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the position of the needle hub 3 can be determined by the positioning method. Match It was possible to perform welding and marking on the needle tube 2a. [Example]

[0026] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the essential parts of the fourth embodiment of the device, which uses only a needle tube 2b with an inclined cutting surface 5 at its tip, instead of the injection needle assembly 1b used in the second embodiment. The needle tube 2b is held by a needle tube holder 12 connected to a drive unit 7 and can be rotated in a rotation direction 11 around the longitudinal centerline of the needle tube 2b. The needle tube holder 12 can be any mechanism that clamps, grips, or penetrates the needle tube 2b, as long as the longitudinal centerline of the needle tube 2b serves as the rotation center. The other conditions are the same as those described in the second embodiment, and the angle of the reflected emitted light 201 can be detected. As a result, the relationship between the injection needle rotation angle and the amount of light received by the light-receiving elements 10a and 10b, as shown in FIG. 8, obtained by the second embodiment of the device, can be obtained. This positioning method allows the inclined cutting surface 5 at the tip of the needle tube 2b to be positioned. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the position of the needle tube 2b relative to the needle hub 3 can be determined. Match It was possible to perform the joining and marking on the needle tube 2. [Example]

[0027] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the essential parts of the fifth embodiment of the device. The light-receiving element 10 in the second embodiment is a single photodiode, and a slit plate 300 with a 0.5 mm-wide opening 301 is placed on the path of the reflected emitted light 201 when the angle between the oblique cutting surface 5 and the light-receiving element 10 corresponds to the angle at which the oblique cutting surface 5 and the light-receiving element 10 face each other. The other conditions are the same as those described in the second embodiment. When the injection needle assembly 1b is rotated, the signal strength of the light-receiving element 10 increases when the reflected emitted light 201 reaches the light-receiving element 10 through the opening 301 of the slit plate 300. The slit plate 300 is positioned so that the output of the light-receiving element 10 is maximized when the light-receiving element 10 and the oblique cutting surface 5 face each other. The injection needle assembly 1b is replaced and rotated. When the output of the light-receiving element 10 reaches its maximum, the light-receiving element 10 and the oblique cutting surface 5 face each other. This positioning method aligned the direction of the inclined cutting surface 5 at the tip of the injection needle assembly 1b, and by combining this with a marking device (not shown) that was linked to this device, it was possible to mark the desired position. [Industrial Applicability]

[0028] The present invention is directed to the position of the perforated portion on the side of the tip of the injection needle or the inclined cut surface of the tip of the injection needle. Match This can be applied to [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1a. Injection needle assembly with a perforated portion on the side of the tip 1b. Injection needle assembly with a beveled cutting surface at the tip 2a Needle tube with a perforated section on the side of the tip 2b Needle tube with an inclined cutting surface at the tip 3 Needle base 4 Perforation 5 Inclined cutting surface 6 Needle base holder 7. Drive unit 8 Needle end port on syringe barrel side 9 light source 10 Photodetector 10a Photodetector 1 10b Photodetector 2 11 Rotation direction 12 Needle tube holder 100 Waveguide 101 Emitted Light 200 irradiated light 201 Reflected and emitted light 300 Slit Plate 301 Opening

Claims

1. A needle tip alignment device for an injection needle, characterized in that light is directed at the needle end opening on the syringe barrel side of an injection needle used for puncture extraction or drug injection, and the light is guided into the injection needle tube, and a light receiving device is provided that detects the intensity of light emitted from a perforated portion on the side of the tip of the injection needle while rotating the injection needle around its axis, and a drive device is provided that orients the perforated portion on the side of the tip of the injection needle in a certain direction depending on the intensity of the light.

2. 2. The needle tip positioning device for an injection needle according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit that rotates the perforated portion on the side surface of the tip of the injection needle so that the intensity of light from the perforated portion is maximized.

3. A needle tip alignment device for an injection needle, characterized in that it is provided with a light receiving device that irradiates light onto an inclined cut surface at the tip of an injection needle used for puncturing and extraction or injecting a drug solution, detects the amount of light received from the inclined cut surface while rotating the injection needle around its axis, and also includes a drive device that orients the inclined cut surface at the tip of the injection needle in a fixed direction.

4. 4. The needle tip positioning device for an injection needle according to claim 3, wherein the light receiving device has two elements arranged in parallel adjacent to each other in positions facing the reflected light, and further comprises a drive device that rotates the oblique cutting surface of the injection needle tip so that the amounts of light received by the two elements are approximately equal.

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