Medical appliance and medical appliance set
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2024/029641
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-23
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-27
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Figure JP2024029641_27022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Medical equipment and medical equipment sets
[0001] The present disclosure relates to medical instruments and medical instrument sets.
[0002]
[0003] Medical devices and linking devices that are electrically connected via connectors have been known for some time. For example, a combination of this type of medical device and linking device includes a rack to which an infusion pump, a syringe pump, or the like can be detachably attached, and a communication device that can be electrically connected to the rack. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of rack and communication device.
[0003] International Publication No. 2013 / 161709
[0004] When connecting the connectors of the medical device and the linked device, if the alignment accuracy between the connectors is low, the connectors may collide unintentionally, potentially damaging the connectors. The rack and communication device described in Patent Document 1 still have room for improvement in terms of alignment between the connectors during the connection operation.
[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a medical device and a medical device set that can improve the alignment accuracy between connector portions during a connection operation to connect to a linked device.
[0006] A medical device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a medical device comprising: (1) a device body; and a connector portion supported by the device body and electrically connectable to a linking connector portion of a linking device; wherein the device body comprises a guide portion that abuts against the linking device and guides the linking connector portion of the linking device toward the connector portion during a connection operation for connecting the linking connector portion of the linking device to the connector portion; wherein the linking connector portion of the linking device can be connected to the connector portion by being brought close to the connector portion along a predetermined linear direction; and wherein the guide portion of the device body comprises: a sliding guide surface that extends along the predetermined linear direction and on which the linking device can slide; and a restricting guide surface that abuts against the linking device and restricts the sliding direction of the linking device on the sliding guide surface to the predetermined linear direction.
[0007] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is the medical device described in (1) above, wherein (2) the sliding guide surface extends in a plane along the predetermined linear direction, and the regulating guide surface comprises: a first regulating surface facing one side of an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the predetermined linear direction among the in-plane directions of the sliding guide surface and extending along the predetermined linear direction; and a second regulating surface facing the other side of the orthogonal direction and extending along the predetermined linear direction.
[0008] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is the medical device described in (2) above, wherein each of the first and second regulating surfaces of the regulating guide surface is a rising surface that is continuous with the sliding guide surface and rises outward from the sliding guide surface.
[0009] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is the medical device described in (3) above, wherein (4) the device body comprises a flat portion extending in a plane along the predetermined linear direction, and a rib-shaped convex portion protruding from the flat portion and extending in the predetermined linear direction, the sliding guide surface is the flat portion, and the first and second regulating surfaces of the regulating guide surface are both side surfaces of the rib-shaped convex portion.
[0010] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is the medical device described in (4) above, wherein: (5) the linking device comprises a groove-shaped concave surface portion into which the rib-shaped convex surface portion fits; the groove-shaped concave surface portion of the linking device comprises: a minimum width portion where the widths of both groove wall surfaces are smallest; and a first wide width portion and a second wide width portion that are continuous with both sides of the minimum width portion in the extension direction of the groove-shaped concave surface portion and where the widths of both groove wall surfaces are larger than the minimum width portion; the rib-shaped convex surface portion comprises: a maximum width portion where the widths of both side surfaces are large; and a narrow width portion where the widths of both side surfaces are smaller than the maximum width portion, and that is located closer to the connector than the maximum width portion in the predetermined linear direction; and when the rib-shaped convex surface portion is fitted into the groove-shaped concave surface portion of the linking device, the maximum width portion of the rib-shaped convex surface portion can pass through the minimum width portion of the groove-shaped concave surface portion of the linking device in the predetermined linear direction.
[0011] One embodiment of the medical device of the present disclosure is the medical device described in (5) above, wherein the rib-shaped convex portion has a gradually decreasing width portion in which the width of both sides gradually decreases from the widest portion toward the end farther from the connector in the predetermined linear direction.
[0012] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (7) a medical device according to any one of (4) to (6) above, which can be used in a predetermined usage position, in which the flat portion extends substantially horizontally and the two side surfaces of the ribbed convex portion extend substantially vertically.
[0013] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (8) the medical device described in (7) above, in which, in the predetermined usage position, the flat portion and the ribbed convex portion are provided on an upper surface located vertically above the device body.
[0014] One embodiment of the medical device of the present disclosure is the medical device described in (9) above, in which, in the predetermined usage position, the flat portion and the ribbed convex portion are provided on the underside located vertically below the device body.
[0015] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (10) the medical device described in (2) above, wherein the first regulating surface and the second regulating surface of the regulating guide surface are each a hanging surface that is continuous with the sliding guide surface and hangs down inward from the sliding guide surface.
[0016] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (11) the medical device described in (10) above, wherein the device body comprises a flat portion extending in a plane along the predetermined linear direction, and a groove-shaped concave portion recessed from the flat portion and extending in the predetermined linear direction, the sliding guide surface is the flat portion, and the first regulating surface and the second regulating surface of the regulating guide surface are both groove wall surfaces of the groove-shaped concave portion.
[0017] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: (12) the linking device includes a rib-shaped convex surface portion that fits into the groove-shaped concave surface portion, the rib-shaped convex surface portion of the linking device including: a maximum width portion having maximum widths on both sides; and a narrow width portion on one side of the maximum width portion in the extending direction of the rib-shaped convex surface portion, the narrow width portion having smaller widths on both sides than the maximum width portion, the groove-shaped concave surface portion including: a minimum width portion having the smallest width on both groove wall surfaces; a first wide width portion that connects with the minimum width portion on a side moving away from the connector portion in the predetermined linear direction and has widths of both groove wall surfaces greater than the minimum width portion; and a second wide width portion that connects with the minimum width portion on a side moving closer to the connector portion in the predetermined linear direction and has widths of both groove wall surfaces greater than the minimum width portion, The medical device is described in (11) above, wherein, when the rib-shaped convex portion of the linking device is fitted into the groove-shaped concave portion, the maximum width portion of the rib-shaped convex portion of the linking device can pass through the minimum width portion of the groove-shaped concave portion in the specified linear direction.
[0018] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is the medical device described in (12) above, wherein the first wide portion of the groove-shaped concave portion has a gradually increasing portion in which the width of both groove wall surfaces gradually increases toward the end away from the connector in the predetermined linear direction.
[0019] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (14) the medical device according to any one of (11) to (13) above, which can be used in a predetermined usage position, in which the flat portion extends substantially horizontally and both groove wall surfaces of the groove-shaped concave portion extend substantially vertically.
[0020] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (15) the medical device described in (14) above, in which, in the predetermined usage position, the flat surface portion and the groove-shaped concave surface portion are provided on an upper surface located vertically above the device body.
[0021] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (16) the medical device described in (14) above, in which, in the predetermined usage position, the flat surface portion and the groove-shaped concave surface portion are provided on the underside of the device body that is positioned vertically below the device body.
[0022] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is (17) the medical device described in any one of (1) to (16) above, wherein the device body is a rack body having a mounting portion to which a liquid delivery pump can be detached, and the coordinating device is another rack including a rack body having a mounting portion to which a liquid delivery pump can be detached, or a communication device including a communication box having a communication portion.
[0023] A medical device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is the medical device described in any one of (1) to (16) above, wherein (18) the device main body is a communication box equipped with a communication unit, and the linking device is a rack including a rack main body equipped with an attachment unit to which a liquid delivery pump can be attached and detached.
[0024] A medical device set according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is (19) a medical device set including the medical device according to any one of (1) to (18) above, and the linking device.
[0025] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a medical device and a medical device set that can improve the alignment accuracy between connector portions during a connection operation to connect to a linked device.
[0026] Front view of the medical device. Side view of the medical device. Rear view of the medical device. A diagram for explaining the connection operation between the medical device and the cooperation device, showing the state before connection. A diagram for explaining the connection operation between the medical device and the cooperation device, showing the state during connection. A diagram for explaining the connection operation between the medical device and the cooperation device, showing the state after the connection is completed. Cross-sectional view showing details of the first guide portion of the medical device. A diagram showing the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIG. 3 in the state shown in FIG. 2B. A diagram showing the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIG. 3 in the state shown in FIG. 2C. A diagram showing a modified example of the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing the convex portion and the concave portion in the state shown in FIG. 2B. A diagram showing a modified example of the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing the convex portion and the concave portion in the state during the transition from the state shown in FIG. 2B to the state shown in FIG. 2C. A diagram showing a modified example of the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing the convex portion and the concave portion in the state shown in FIG. 2C. A diagram showing another example of the first guide portion shown in FIG. 3. A diagram showing the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIG. 6 in a state similar to FIG. 2B. A diagram showing the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIG. 6 in a state similar to FIG. 2C. A diagram showing a modified example of the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, showing the convex portion and the concave portion in a state similar to FIG. 2B. A diagram showing a modified example of the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, showing the convex portion and the concave portion in the state during the transition from a state similar to FIG. 2B to a state similar to FIG. 2C. A diagram showing a modified example of the rib-shaped convex portion and the groove-shaped concave portion shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, showing the convex portion and the concave portion in a state similar to FIG. 2C. A diagram showing another example of the first guide portion shown in FIG. 3. A diagram showing another example of the first guide portion shown in FIG. 3. A diagram showing another example of the first guide portion shown in FIG. 3. Perspective view of the front side of the rack. Perspective view of the rear side of the rack. Perspective view showing the front side of a rack set as a medical device set including a rack and a cooperation rack. Perspective view showing the rear side of a rack set as a medical device set including a rack and a cooperation rack.Fig. 1 is a side view of a rack set as a medical equipment set including a rack and a linked rack. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the front side of a communication rack set as a medical equipment set including a communication device and a rack, illustrating a state before the communication device and the rack are connected. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the front side of a communication rack set as a medical equipment set including a communication device and a rack, illustrating a state where the communication device and the rack are connected. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the rear side of a communication rack set as a medical equipment set including a communication device and a rack, illustrating a state where the communication device and the rack are connected.
[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of a medical device and a medical device set according to the present disclosure will be illustrated and described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.
[0028] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a medical device 1 as one embodiment of the medical device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1A is a front view of the medical device 1. FIG. 1B is a side view of the medical device 1. FIG. 1C is a rear view of the medical device 1. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the medical device 1 comprises a device main body 2 and a connector portion 3. The connector portion 3 is supported by the device main body 2. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the medical device 1 of this embodiment comprises two connector portions 3. The two connector portions 3 of this embodiment are a male connector portion 3a and a female connector portion 3b. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the male connector portion 3a and the female connector portion 3b, they will be simply referred to as the "connector portion 3."
[0029] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a connection operation for connecting a linking device 20, which can link by being electrically connected to the medical device 1, to the medical device 1. Fig. 2A is a diagram showing a state before the linking device 20 is connected to the medical device 1. Fig. 2B is a diagram showing a state in the middle of connecting the linking device 20 to the medical device 1. Fig. 2C is a diagram showing a state after the connection of the linking device 20 to the medical device 1 has been completed.
[0030] As shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the coordination device 20 includes a coordination connector unit 21. The coordination device 20 of this embodiment includes two coordination connector units 21. The two coordination connector units 21 of this embodiment are a coordination male connector unit 21a and a coordination female connector unit 21b. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the coordination male connector unit 21a and the coordination female connector unit 21b, they will simply be referred to as the "coordination connector unit 21."
[0031] 2A to 2C, the connector 3 of the medical device 1 can be electrically connected to the coordinating connector 21 of the coordinating device 20. The coordinating connector 21 of the coordinating device 20 can be connected to the connector 3 by being brought close to the connector 3 along a predetermined linear direction A.
[0032] 2A to 2C, the male connector portion 3a of the medical device 1 of this embodiment can be electrically connected to the linking female connector portion 21b by being fitted into the linking female connector portion 21b of the linking device 20. In other words, the linking female connector portion 21b of the linking device 20 of this embodiment is brought close to the male connector portion 3a of the medical device 1 along the linear direction A, and the male connector portion 3a is fitted into the linking female connector portion 21b, thereby connecting to the male connector portion 3a.
[0033] 2A to 2C show the connection operation between the male connector portion 3a of the medical device 1 and the coordinating female connector portion 21b of the coordinating device 20, but the female connector portion 3b of the medical device 1 and the coordinating male connector portion 21a of the coordinating device 20 can also be connected in a similar manner. That is, the female connector portion 3b of the medical device 1 in this embodiment can be electrically connected to the coordinating male connector portion 21a by being fitted onto the coordinating male connector portion 21a of the coordinating device 20. That is, the coordinating male connector portion 21a of the coordinating device 20 in this embodiment is brought close to the female connector portion 3b of the medical device 1 along the linear direction A, and the coordinating male connector portion 21a is fitted into the female connector portion 3b, thereby connecting to the female connector portion 3b.
[0034] In this way, the linking device 20 of this embodiment is configured to be electrically connectable to both the male connector portion 3a and the female connector portion 3b of the medical device 1. For ease of explanation, the following will mainly describe the connection operation between the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b shown in Figures 2A to 2C and the configuration related to this connection operation. The connection operation between the female connector portion 3b and the linking male connector portion 21a and the configuration related to this connection operation are similar to the connection operation between the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b and the configuration related to this connection operation, so a description thereof will be omitted here.
[0035] Hereinafter, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the linear direction A in which the interlocking connector unit 21 approaches the stationary connector unit 3 may be referred to as the "connecting direction A1." Also, the linear direction A in which the interlocking connector unit 21 moves away from the stationary connector unit 3 may be referred to as the "separating direction A2."
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C , the medical device 1 of this embodiment can be attached to a vertically extending column 200. The medical device 1 may include an attachment member 201, such as a pole clamp, that can be attached to the column 200, on the rear side of the device body 2, for example. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C , the medical device 1 of this embodiment is used while attached to the column 200. Hereinafter, the position of the medical device 1 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C may be simply referred to as the "use position." As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C , the male connector portion 3a of the medical device 1 and the linking female connector portion 21b of the linking device 20 can be connected to the medical device 1 in the use position by moving the linking device 20 in a connection direction A1, which is from the front side to the rear side of the medical device 1.
[0037] 1A to 2C, the device body 2 of the medical device 1 includes a guide portion 10. During the connection operation (see FIGS. 2A to 2C) of connecting the coordinating connector portion 21 of the coordinating device 20 to the connector portion 3, the guide portion 10 abuts against the coordinating device 20 and guides the coordinating connector portion 21 of the coordinating device 20 toward the connector portion 3. In other words, the guide portion 10 is configured to be able to guide the coordinating connector portion 21 of the coordinating device 20 to move along the connection direction A1 during the connection operation (see FIGS. 2A to 2C) of connecting the coordinating connector portion 21 of the coordinating device 20 to the connector portion 3.
[0038] The device main body 2 of this embodiment includes two guide portions 10. The two guide portions 10 of this embodiment are a first guide portion 10a and a second guide portion 10b. The first guide portion 10a is configured to abut against the coordination device 20 and guide the coordination female connector portion 21b of the coordination device 20 toward the male connector portion 3a during a connection operation (see FIGS. 2A to 2C) to connect the coordination female connector portion 21b of the coordination device 20 to the male connector portion 3a. The second guide portion 10b is configured to abut against the coordination device 20 and guide the coordination male connector portion 21a of the coordination device 20 toward the female connector portion 3b during a connection operation to connect the coordination male connector portion 21a of the coordination device 20 to the female connector portion 3b.
[0039] The first guide portion 10a of the medical device 1 of this embodiment can guide the connection between the male connector portion 3a and the coordinating female connector portion 21b by cooperating with a guide portion similar to the second guide portion 10b provided in the coordinating device 20. Furthermore, the second guide portion 10b of the medical device 1 of this embodiment can guide the connection between the female connector portion 3b and the coordinating male connector portion 21a by cooperating with a guide portion similar to the first guide portion 10a provided in the coordinating device 20.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the first guide portion 10a of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the first guide portion 10a includes a sliding guide surface 11 and a restricting guide surface 12. The sliding guide surface 11 extends along a linear direction A, and is configured to allow the linking device 20 to slide thereon during the connecting operation (FIGS. 2A to 2C). The restricting guide surface 12 is configured to abut against the linking device 20 and restrict the sliding direction of the linking device 20 on the sliding guide surface 11 to the linear direction A.
[0041] 1 to 3, the sliding guide surface 11 of this embodiment extends in a plane along the linear direction A. The restricting guide surface 12 of this embodiment includes a first restricting surface 12a and a second restricting surface 12b. The first restricting surface 12a faces one side of an orthogonal direction B that is orthogonal to the linear direction A within the in-plane direction of the sliding guide surface 11, and extends along the linear direction A. In contrast, the second restricting surface 12b faces the other side of the orthogonal direction B and extends along the linear direction A.
[0042] More specifically, the first restriction surface 12 a and the second restriction surface 12 b of the restriction guide surface 12 in this embodiment are each an upright surface that is continuous with the sliding guide surface 11 and rises outward from the sliding guide surface 11 .
[0043] Here, the device body 2 of this embodiment includes a flat portion 13 extending in a plane along the linear direction A, and a rib-shaped convex portion 14 protruding from the flat portion 13 and extending in the linear direction A. The sliding guide surface 11 of this embodiment is the flat portion 13. Also, the first restricting surface 12a and the second restricting surface 12b of the restricting guide surface 12 of this embodiment are both side surfaces 14a, 14b of the rib-shaped convex portion 14.
[0044] The flat surface portion 13 of this embodiment extends substantially horizontally when the medical device 1 is in use (see FIGS. 2A to 2C). Furthermore, both side surfaces 14a, 14b of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 of this embodiment extend substantially vertically when the medical device 1 is in use (see FIGS. 2A to 2C). Furthermore, the flat surface portion 13 and the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 of this embodiment are provided on the upper surface of the medical device 1 that is positioned vertically above the device body 2 when the medical device 1 is in use (see FIGS. 2A to 2C). However, the flat surface portion 13 and the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 may also be provided on the lower surface of the medical device 1 that is positioned vertically below the device body 2 when the medical device 1 is in use (see FIGS. 2A to 2C). From the viewpoint of ease of cleaning, it is preferable that the flat surface portion 13 and the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 be provided on the upper surface of the medical device 1 that is positioned vertically above the device body 2 when the medical device 1 is in use (see FIGS. 2A to 2C).
[0045] As shown in Fig. 3, the linking device 20 of this embodiment has a groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 into which the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 of the device body 2 of the medical device 1 fits. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the linking device 20 of this embodiment has a flat surface portion 23 that abuts against the flat surface portion 13 of the device body 2 of the medical device 1 in a state in which the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 is fitted into the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22.
[0046] Thus, according to the medical device 1 and the linking device 20 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2B and 2C, the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b can be connected by sliding the flat portion 13 and the flat portion 23 in the linear direction A while maintaining the engagement between the rib-shaped convex portion 14 and the groove-shaped concave portion 22.
[0047] As shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the second guide portion 10b of this embodiment includes a flat portion 15 as the sliding guide surface 11 and both groove wall surfaces of a groove-shaped concave portion 16 as the first and second restriction surfaces 12a and 12b of the restriction guide surface 12. The linking device 20 of this embodiment also includes a rib-shaped convex portion 24 that fits into the groove-shaped concave portion 16 of the device body 2 of the medical device 1. The linking device 20 of this embodiment also includes a flat portion 25 that abuts against the flat portion 15 of the device body 2 of the medical device 1 when the rib-shaped convex portion 24 is fitted into the groove-shaped concave portion 16. Thus, with the medical device 1 and the linking device 20 of this embodiment, the female connector portion 3b and the linking male connector portion 21a can be connected by sliding the flat portion 15 and the flat portion 25 in the linear direction A while maintaining the fit between the groove-shaped concave portion 16 and the rib-shaped convex portion 24.
[0048] The planar portion 25 and the rib-shaped convex portion 24 of the above-described linking device 20 have the same configuration as the planar portion 13 and the rib-shaped convex portion 14 of the first guide portion 10a of the above-described medical device 1. Furthermore, the planar portion 23 and the groove-shaped concave portion 22 of the above-described linking device 20 have the same configuration as the planar portion 15 and the groove-shaped concave portion 16 of the second guide portion 10b of the above-described medical device 1.
[0049] Fig. 4A is a diagram showing the rib-shaped convex surface portions 14 and the groove-shaped concave surface portions 22 in the state shown in Fig. 2B. Fig. 4B is a diagram showing the rib-shaped convex surface portions 14 and the groove-shaped concave surface portions 22 in the state shown in Fig. 2C. Both Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show the positional relationship of the rib-shaped convex surface portions 14 and the groove-shaped concave surface portions 22 when viewed in the vertical direction.
[0050] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 of this embodiment includes a convex surface main body portion 17a and a gradually decreasing width portion 17b. The widths of both side surfaces 14a, 14b of the convex surface main body portion 17a in the orthogonal direction B are substantially constant regardless of the position in the linear direction A, and the convex surface main body portion 17a extends in the linear direction A. The gradually decreasing width portion 17b is continuous with the convex surface main body portion 17a in the separation direction A2 and extends to the end of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 in the separation direction A2. The gradually decreasing width portion 17b gradually decreases the width of both side surfaces 14a, 14b in the orthogonal direction B toward the end of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 in the separation direction A2. The groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 of this embodiment includes a concave surface main body portion 27a and a gradually increasing width portion 27b. The widths of both groove wall surfaces 22a, 22b of the concave main body portion 27a in the orthogonal direction B are substantially constant regardless of the position in the linear direction A, and the concave main body portion 27a extends in the linear direction A. The gradually increasing portion 27b is continuous with the concave main body portion 27a in the connecting direction A1 and extends to the open end, which is the end of the groove-shaped concave portion 22 in the connecting direction A1. The gradually increasing portion 27b gradually increases the widths of both groove wall surfaces 22a, 22b in the orthogonal direction B toward the end of the groove-shaped concave portion 22 in the connecting direction A1.
[0051] 4A , the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 includes the gradually decreasing width portion 17b, and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 includes the gradually increasing width portion 27b, so that the gradually decreasing width portion 17b of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 can be easily fitted into the gradual increasing width portion 27b of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 before the medical device 1 and the linkage device 20 are relatively moved in the linear direction A. In other words, the fitting operation of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 becomes easy.
[0052] Furthermore, when the gradually decreasing width portion 17b of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 is fitted with the gradually increasing width portion 27b of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 (see FIGS. 2B and 4A), the planar portion 13 of the medical device 1 abuts against the planar portion 23 of the linking device 20 (see FIG. 2B, etc.). By abutting the planar portions 13, 23 in this manner, the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b can be relatively aligned in the height direction C, which is perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the abutting planar portions 13, 23.
[0053] Furthermore, from a state in which the gradually decreasing width portion 17b of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 and the gradually increasing width portion 27b of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 are fitted together and the flat surfaces 13, 23 are abutting each other (see FIGS. 2B and 4A ), the linkage device 20 is moved in the connection direction A1 relative to the medical device 1 so that the flat surfaces 13, 23 slide against each other. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 4B , the convex surface main body 17a of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface main body 27a of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 are fitted together. The difference between the width W1 and the width W2 of the convex surface main body 17a (see FIG. 4B ) is smaller than the difference between the width W3 of the gradually increasing width portion 27b and the width W4 of the gradually decreasing width portion 17b (see FIG. 4A ). Therefore, when the convex main body portion 17a and the concave main body portion 27a are engaged with each other, the relative movement of the rib-shaped convex portion 14 and the groove-shaped concave portion 22 in the orthogonal direction B is suppressed. In other words, the relative alignment of the medical device 1 and the linking device 20 in the orthogonal direction B in order to properly connect the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b can be performed simultaneously with the operation of moving the linking device 20 in the connection direction A1 relative to the medical device 1.
[0054] In this way, by utilizing the flat surface portion 13 and rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 of the medical device 1, as well as the flat surface portion 23 and groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 of the linking device 20, the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b can be easily aligned during the connection operation of the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b.
[0055] Here, the shapes of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 are not limited to those shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Figures 5A to 5C are diagrams showing modified examples of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22. The rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 shown in Figures 5A to 5C has an arrow shape. Furthermore, the groove-shaped convex surface portion 22 shown in Figures 5A to 5C has a constricted shape.
[0056] Figure 5A shows the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 in the state shown in Figure 2B. Figure 5C shows the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 in the state shown in Figure 2C. Figure 5B shows the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 in the middle of changing from the state shown in Figure 2B to the state shown in Figure 2C. More specifically, Figure 5B shows the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 in the state where the tip of the male connector portion 3a and the open end of the interlocking female connector portion 21b are aligned in the linear direction A during the connecting operation of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b.
[0057] 5A to 5C , the groove-shaped recessed surface portion 22 of the linking device 20 includes a minimum width portion 27c, where the widths of both groove wall surfaces 22a, 22b are the smallest, and a first wide width portion 27d and a second wide width portion 27e, which are connected to both sides of the minimum width portion 27c in the extension direction of the groove-shaped recessed surface portion 22 (which is the same direction as the linear direction A during the connecting operation, hereinafter referred to as the “linear direction A”) and where the widths of both groove wall surfaces 22a, 22b are larger than the minimum width portion 27c. In this embodiment, the first wide width portion 27d is connected to the minimum width portion 27c in the separation direction A2 and extends to the end of the groove-shaped recessed surface portion 22 in the separation direction A2. In this embodiment, the width of the first wide width portion 27d in the orthogonal direction B gradually increases toward the end of the separation direction A2. In this embodiment, the second wide portion 27e is continuous with the minimum width portion 27c in the connection direction A1 and extends to the closed end in the connection direction A1 of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22. In addition, the width of the second wide portion 27e in the orthogonal direction B gradually increases toward the end in the connection direction A1. In this embodiment, the end in the connection direction A1 of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 is a closed end, but it may also be an open end.
[0058] 5A to 5C, the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 of the medical device 1 includes a maximum width portion 17c where both side surfaces 14a, 14b have the maximum width, a narrow width portion 17d located in the connecting direction A1 closer to the male connector portion 3a than the maximum width portion 17c in the linear direction A and where both side surfaces 14a, 14b have a smaller width than the maximum width portion 17c, and a gradually decreasing width portion 17e located in the separating direction A2 farther from the male connector portion 3a than the maximum width portion 17c in the linear direction A and extending to the end of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 in the separating direction A2. The gradually decreasing width portion 17e gradually decreases the width of both side surfaces 14a, 14b toward the end of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 in the separating direction A2.
[0059] As shown in Figures 5A to 5C, when the rib-shaped convex portion 14 is fitted into the groove-shaped concave portion 22 of the linking device 20, the maximum width portion 17c of the rib-shaped convex portion 14 can pass through the minimum width portion 27c of the groove-shaped concave portion 22 of the linking device 20 in the linear direction A.
[0060] As shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the difference between the width W5 of the minimum width portion 27c and the width W6 of the maximum width portion 17c is smaller than the difference between the width W7 of the first wide width portion 27d and the width W6 of the maximum width portion 17c. Furthermore, the difference between the width W5 of the minimum width portion 27c and the width W6 of the maximum width portion 17c is smaller than the difference between the width W8 of the second wide width portion 27e and the width W6 of the maximum width portion 17c. In other words, the amount of movement of the maximum width portion 17c of the convex surface portion 14 in the orthogonal direction B within the concave surface portion 22 is smallest at the position of the minimum width portion 27c. That is, the amount of movement of the maximum width portion 17c of the convex surface portion 14 in the orthogonal direction B within the concave surface portion 22 is smaller when passing through the minimum width portion 27c shown in Figure 5B than when passing through the second wide width portion 27e shown in Figure 5A, and then increases again when passing through the first wide width portion 27d shown in Figure 5C.
[0061] 5A to 5C, the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 can be aligned in the orthogonal direction B between the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b at the timing when the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b start to be mated (see FIG. 5B). Meanwhile, as the mating of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b progresses, the alignment in the orthogonal direction B by the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 is relaxed. In other words, as the mating of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b progresses, the convex surface portion 14 is in a state where it can move in the orthogonal direction B relative to the concave surface portion 22, compared to the state in FIG. 5B. Therefore, during the mating operation in which the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b are mated, it is possible to prevent the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 from abutting against each other, thereby preventing the mating of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b from being hindered.
[0062] 5A to 5C, the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 has a gradually decreasing width portion 17e at the end in the separating direction A2, and therefore can be easily fitted into the second wide portion 27e of the concave surface portion 22 before the medical device 1 and the linkage device 20 are relatively moved in the linear direction A. In other words, the fitting operation of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 22 becomes easy.
[0063] 5A-5C, the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 include at least one of the gradually decreasing width portion 17e and the second wide width portion 27e, which facilitates the mating operation of the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22 before moving the linking device 20 in the connecting direction A1 relative to the medical device 1 (see FIG. 5A). Furthermore, after mating the convex surface portion 14 and the concave surface portion 22, the maximum width portion 17c and the minimum width portion 27c facilitate the alignment of the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b in the orthogonal direction B when the linking device 20 is moved in the connecting direction A1 relative to the medical device 1 (see FIG. 5B). Furthermore, after mating of the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b begins, the restriction of the side surfaces 14a and 14b of the convex surface portion 14 in the orthogonal direction B by the groove wall surfaces 22a and 22b of the concave surface portion 22 is relaxed (see FIG. 5C). Therefore, the abutment between the convex portion 14 and the concave portion 22 can be prevented from interfering with proper mating of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b.
[0064] 3 to 5C, the medical device 1 has a rib-shaped convex surface portion 14, and the linking device 20 has a groove-shaped concave surface portion 22. However, the reverse is also possible. Figures 6 to 8C show a configuration in which the medical device 1 has a groove-shaped concave surface portion 19, and the linking device 20 has a rib-shaped convex surface portion 29.
[0065] 6, the device body 2 of the medical device 1 includes a flat portion 18 as the sliding guide surface 11, and groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b of a groove-shaped concave portion 19 as the first and second restricting surfaces 12a, 12b of the restricting guide surface 12. The linking device 20 also includes a flat portion 28 and a rib-shaped convex portion 29.
[0066] Fig. 7A is a diagram showing the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 and the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 in the same state as Fig. 2B. Fig. 7B is a diagram showing the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 and the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 in the same state as Fig. 2C. Both Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B show the positional relationship of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 and the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 when viewed in the vertical direction.
[0067] 7A and 7B , the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 of the linking device 20 includes a convex surface main body portion 30a and a gradually decreasing width portion 30b. The convex surface main body portion 30a extends in the linear direction A, and the widths of both side surfaces 29a, 29b in the orthogonal direction B are substantially constant regardless of the position in the linear direction A. The gradually decreasing width portion 30b is continuous with the convex surface main body portion 30a in the connecting direction A1 and extends to the end of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 in the connecting direction A1. The gradually decreasing width portion 30b gradually decreases the width of both side surfaces 29a, 29b in the orthogonal direction B toward the end of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 in the connecting direction A1.
[0068] 7A and 7B , the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 of the medical device 1 includes a concave surface main body portion 90a and a gradually increasing portion 90b. The concave surface main body portion 90a extends in the linear direction A, and the widths of both groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b in the orthogonal direction B are substantially constant regardless of the position in the linear direction A. The gradually increasing portion 90b is continuous with the concave surface main body portion 90a in the separation direction A2 and extends to the open end, which is the end of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 in the separation direction A2. In the gradual increasing portion 90b, the widths of both groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b in the orthogonal direction B gradually increase toward the end of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 in the separation direction A2.
[0069] 7A , by providing at least one of the gradually decreasing width portion 30b of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the gradually increasing width portion 90b of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19, the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 can be easily fitted together before the linking device 20 is moved in the connection direction A1 relative to the medical device 1. In other words, the fitting operation of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 becomes easy.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 are fitted together, so that the flat surface portions 18, 28 can be brought into contact with each other.
[0071] Furthermore, from a state in which the gradually decreasing width portion 30b of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the gradually increasing width portion 90b of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 are fitted together and the flat surfaces 18, 28 are abutting against each other, the flat surfaces 18, 28 are slid together to move the linking device 20 in the connection direction A1 relative to the medical device 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B , the convex main body portion 30a of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the concave main body portion 90a of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 are fitted together. The difference between the width W9 of the concave main body portion 90a and the width W10 of the convex main body portion 30a (see FIG. 7B ) is smaller than the difference between the width W11 of the gradual increasing portion 90b and the width W12 of the gradually decreasing width portion 30b (see FIG. 7A ). Therefore, when the convex main body portion 30a and the concave main body portion 90a are engaged with each other, the relative movement of the rib-shaped convex portion 29 and the groove-shaped concave portion 19 in the orthogonal direction B is suppressed. In other words, the relative alignment of the medical device 1 and the linking device 20 in the orthogonal direction B to properly connect the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b can be performed simultaneously with the operation of moving the medical device 1 and the linking device 20 relative to each other in the connection direction A1.
[0072] Here, the shapes of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 are not limited to the shapes shown in Figures 7A and 7B. Figures 8A to 8C are diagrams showing modified examples of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19.
[0073] Figure 8A shows the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 in the same state as in Figure 2B. Figure 8C shows the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 in the same state as in Figure 2C. Figure 8B shows the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 in a state in the middle of changing from the state similar to that in Figure 2B to the state similar to that in Figure 2C. More specifically, Figure 8B shows the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 in a state in which the tip of the male connector portion 3a and the open end of the interlocking female connector portion 21b are aligned in the linear direction A during the connecting operation of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b.
[0074] 8A to 8C, the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 of the medical device 1 includes a minimum width portion 90c, where the width of both groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b is the smallest, and first and second wide width portions 90d, 90e, respectively, connected to both sides of the minimum width portion 90c in the linear direction A and where the widths of both groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b are larger than the minimum width portion 90c. The first wide width portion 90d is connected to the minimum width portion 90c in the separation direction A2, which is the side away from the male connector portion 3a in the linear direction A. The second wide width portion 90e is connected to the minimum width portion 90c in the connection direction A1, which is the side approaching the male connector portion 3a in the linear direction A. The first wide width portion 90d extends to the open end, which is the end of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 in the separation direction A2. The first wide portion 90d includes a gradually increasing portion 90d1 in which the widths of both groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b gradually increase toward the end of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 in the separation direction A2. The second wide portion 90e extends to the closed end, which is the end of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 in the connecting direction A1. The second wide portion 90e includes a gradually increasing portion 90e1 in which the widths of both groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b gradually increase toward the end of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 in the connecting direction A1.
[0075] 8A to 8C, the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 of the linking device 20 includes a maximum width portion 30c in which the width of both side surfaces 29a, 29b is maximum, a narrow width portion 30d located in the separation direction A2 on one side of the maximum width portion 30c in the extension direction of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 (which is the same direction as the linear direction A during the connection operation, and hereinafter referred to as the "linear direction A"), and in which the width of both side surfaces 29a, 29b is smaller than the maximum width portion 30c, and a gradually decreasing width portion 30e located in the connection direction A1 on the other side of the maximum width portion 30c in the linear direction A, extending to the end of the connection direction A1 of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29, and in which the width of both side surfaces 29a, 29b gradually decreases toward the end of the connection direction A1 of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29.
[0076] As shown in Figures 8A to 8C, when the rib-shaped convex portion 29 is fitted into the groove-shaped concave portion 19 of the medical device 1, the maximum width portion 30c of the rib-shaped convex portion 29 can pass through the minimum width portion 90c of the groove-shaped concave portion 19 of the medical device 1 in the linear direction A.
[0077] As shown in Figures 8A to 8C, the difference between the width W13 of the minimum width portion 90c and the width W14 of the maximum width portion 30c is smaller than the difference between the width W15 of the first wide width portion 90d and the width W14 of the maximum width portion 30c. Furthermore, the difference between the width W13 of the minimum width portion 90c and the width W14 of the maximum width portion 30c is smaller than the difference between the width W16 of the second wide width portion 90e and the width W14 of the maximum width portion 30c. In other words, the amount of movement of the maximum width portion 30c of the convex surface portion 29 in the orthogonal direction B within the concave surface portion 19 is smallest at the position of the minimum width portion 90c. That is, the amount of movement of the maximum width portion 30c of the convex surface portion 29 in the orthogonal direction B within the concave surface portion 19 is smaller when passing through the minimum width portion 90c shown in Figure 8B than when passing through the first wide width portion 90d shown in Figure 8A, and then increases again when passing through the second wide width portion 90e shown in Figure 8C.
[0078] 8A to 8C, the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 can be aligned in the orthogonal direction B between the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b at the timing when the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b start to be mated (see FIG. 8B). Meanwhile, as the mating of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b progresses, the alignment of the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 in the orthogonal direction B is relaxed. In other words, as the mating of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b progresses, the convex surface portion 29 is in a state where it can move in the orthogonal direction B relative to the concave surface portion 19, compared to the state in FIG. 8B. Therefore, during the mating operation of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b, the mating of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b can be prevented from being hindered by the abutment of the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19.
[0079] 8A to 8C, at least one of the gradually decreasing width portion 30e of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the first wide width portion 90d of the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 is provided, so that the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 can be easily fitted together before the linking device 20 is moved in the connection direction A1 relative to the medical device 1. In other words, the fitting operation of the rib-shaped convex surface portion 29 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 19 becomes easy.
[0080] 8A-8C, the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 include at least one of the gradually decreasing width portion 30e and the first wide width portion 90d, which facilitates the mating operation of the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19 before moving the linking device 20 in the connecting direction A1 relative to the medical device 1 (see FIG. 8A). Furthermore, after mating the convex surface portion 29 and the concave surface portion 19, when the linking device 20 is moved in the connecting direction A1 relative to the medical device 1, the maximum width portion 30c and the minimum width portion 90c facilitate the alignment of the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b in the orthogonal direction B (see FIG. 8B). Furthermore, after mating of the male connector portion 3a and the linking female connector portion 21b begins, the restriction of the side surfaces 29a, 29b of the convex surface portion 29 in the orthogonal direction B by the groove wall surfaces 19a, 19b of the concave surface portion 19 is relaxed (see FIG. 8C). Therefore, the abutment of the convex portion 29 and the concave portion 19 can be prevented from interfering with proper fitting of the male connector portion 3a and the interlocking female connector portion 21b.
[0081] 6 to 8C may be provided on the upper surface located vertically above the device body 2 in the usage posture (see FIGS. 2A to 2C) of the medical device 1, or on the lower surface located vertically below the device body 2. However, from the viewpoint of cleanability, in order to prevent liquid from accumulating in the concave surface 19, it is preferable that the flat surface 18 and the groove-shaped concave surface 19 be provided on the lower surface located vertically below the device body 2 in the usage posture (see FIGS. 2A to 2C).
[0082] As described above, according to the medical device 1 and the linking device 20 shown in this embodiment and the modified example, when connecting the connector portion 3 of the medical device 1 and the linking connector portion 21 of the linking device 20, the medical device 1 and the linking device 20 can be slid relatively in the linear direction A, thereby easily aligning and connecting the connector portion 3 and the linking connector portion 21.
[0083] The configuration of the first guide portion 10a of the medical device 1 is not limited to the above-described configuration and may be, for example, the configurations shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 . As shown in FIG. 9 , multiple rib-shaped convex surface portions 14 (two in FIG. 9 ) may be provided at different positions in the orthogonal direction B. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10 , the width of the rib-shaped convex surface portions 14 in the orthogonal direction B may be wide. In other words, the width of the rib-shaped convex surface portions 14 in the orthogonal direction B is not particularly limited. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11 , the width of the groove-shaped concave surface portions 19 in the orthogonal direction B may be wide. In other words, the width of the groove-shaped concave surface portions 19 in the orthogonal direction B is not particularly limited. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 , the second guide portion 10b preferably has a corresponding shape that can cooperate with the first guide portion 10a.
[0084] Next, specific examples of the medical device 1 and the linked device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0085] 12 and 13 are perspective views showing the rack 301. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the front side of the rack 301, and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the rear side of the rack 301. Figs. 14 to 16 are views showing a rack set 400 as a medical instrument set 100 including a rack 301 as the medical instrument 1 and another rack 301 as the linking device 20.
[0086] Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, in order to distinguish between the two racks 301, one rack 301 serving as the medical device 1 will be referred to as "rack 301a," and the other rack 301 serving as the linking device 20 will be referred to as "linked rack 301b," but the configurations of the two racks 301 are the same. Figures 14 to 16 show the state before the rack 301a and the linked rack 301b are connected. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the front side of the rack 301a and the linked rack 301b. Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the rack 301a and the linked rack 301b. Figure 16 is a view of the rack 301a and the linked rack 301b as seen from the side. Hereinafter, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the rack 301a and the linked rack 301b, they will simply be referred to as "rack 301."
[0087] The rack 301a includes a rack main body 302 as the device main body 2 and a rack connector unit 303 as the connector unit 3. The rack main body 302 includes a mounting unit 311 to which a liquid delivery pump such as an infusion pump or a syringe pump can be attached. The mounting unit 311 is provided on the front side of the rack main body 302. A pole clamp is provided on the rear side of the rack main body 302 as a mounting member 312 that can be attached to a column 200 extending vertically (see FIG. 14 , etc.). The rack 301a is used with the rack main body 302 attached to the column 200 via the mounting member 312. The same is true for the linked rack 301b. The linked rack 301b also includes a rack main body 302 with the mounting unit 311 provided therein, and a rack connector unit 303. The rack main body 302 of the linked rack 301b also includes a pole clamp as a mounting member 312. The associated rack 301b is used with the rack body 302 attached to the column 200 via the mounting member 312. Figures 14 to 16 show the usage orientations of the rack 301a and the associated rack 301b. Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be based on the usage orientations of the rack 301a and the associated rack 301b.
[0088] The rack body 302 of each of the rack 301a and the linked rack 301b includes a main body portion 310a, an upper connecting portion 310b, and a lower connecting portion 310c.
[0089] A mounting portion 311 is provided on the front side of the main body 310a. A liquid delivery pump, such as an infusion pump or a syringe pump, can be attached to the mounting portion 311. Liquid delivery pumps are used, for example, in intensive care units (ICUs) to deliver medication to patients with high precision over relatively long periods of time. More specifically, a horizontally-mounted liquid delivery pump can be attached to the mounting portion 311. A "horizontally-mounted liquid delivery pump" is configured to support a liquid delivery tube that runs horizontally rather than vertically. Therefore, multiple horizontally-mounted liquid delivery pumps can be stacked vertically. The main body 310a includes multiple (three in this example) mounting portions 311 arranged vertically. By attaching a horizontally-mounted liquid delivery pump to each mounting portion 311, multiple (three in this example) horizontally-mounted liquid delivery pumps can be stacked vertically.
[0090] A pole clamp is attached to the back side of the main body 310a as the mounting member 312. Therefore, the rack 301a and the linked rack 301b can be attached to the pillar 200 in the usage position by arranging the pillar 200 along the back side of the main body 310a and attaching the pole clamp as the mounting member 312 to the pillar 200.
[0091] The upper connecting portion 310b is a portion used when stacking and connecting another rack 301 of the same configuration on top of the other rack 301. The lower connecting portion 310c is a portion that can be connected to the upper connecting portion 310b of another rack 301 of the same configuration.
[0092] The upper connecting portion 310b is equipped with an inlet box for AC power supply. This inlet box is equipped with a male connector portion 303a as the rack connector portion 303. The lower connecting portion 310c is a recess that can receive the upper connecting portion 310b of another rack 301 of the same configuration, and its inner surface is provided with a female connector portion 303b as the rack connector portion 303, into which the male connector portion 303a can be inserted.
[0093] 14 to 16, the upper connecting portion 310b of the rack 301a is connected to the lower connecting portion 310c of the linked rack 301b. However, the lower connecting portion 310c of the rack 301a may be connected to the upper connecting portion 310b of the linked rack 301b.
[0094] Therefore, with the rack 301, by using the upper connecting portion 310b and the lower connecting portion 310c, a plurality of racks 301 can be stacked and connected in the vertical direction.
[0095] 14 to 16, the rack 301a and the associated rack 301b are electrically connected by connecting the male connector portion 303a of the upper connecting portion 310b of the rack 301a to the female connector portion 303b serving as the associated female connector portion 21b (an example of the associated connector portion 21) in the lower connecting portion 310c of the associated rack 301b. Also, the rack 301a and the associated rack 301b are electrically connected by connecting the male connector portion 303a of the upper connecting portion 310b of the associated rack 301b to the female connector portion 303b of the lower connecting portion 310c of the rack 301a.
[0096] The female connector 303b of the lower connecting portion 310c of the lowest rack 301 (rack 301a in FIGS. 14 to 16) can be connected to a commercial power source to receive power from the commercial power source. Power from the commercial power source is supplied to the connected rack 301 (linked rack 301b in FIGS. 14 to 16) stacked above it through an AC power supply inlet box in the upper connecting portion 310b of the lowest rack 301. In this way, power from the commercial power source can be supplied to each of the multiple stacked racks 301. The power supplied to each rack 301 is then supplied to a liquid supply pump attached to the mounting portion 311 of the rack body 302 of each rack 301.
[0097] 12 to 16, the above-mentioned first guide portion 10a is provided on the upper surface of the rack body 302 of the rack 301. Furthermore, the above-mentioned second guide portion 10b is provided on the lower surface of the rack body 302 of the rack 301. Therefore, by utilizing the flat surface portion 13 and the rib-shaped convex surface portion 14 of the first guide portion 10a of the rack 301a and the flat surface portion 15 and the groove-shaped concave surface portion 16 of the second guide portion 10b of the linked rack 301b, it is possible to easily align the male connector portion 303a as the rack connector portion 303 of the rack 301a and the female connector portion 303b as the rack connector portion 303 of the linked rack 301b.
[0098] As shown in Figure 16, when connecting the linked rack 301b to the top of the rack 301a, first place the linked rack 301b on top of the rack 301a. That is, the flat surface 15 of the linked rack 301b abuts against the flat surface 13 of the rack 301a. At this time, the convex surface 14 of the rack 301a is fitted into the concave surface 16 of the linked rack 301b. From this state, the linked rack 301b is slid in the connection direction A1 from the front side toward the back side of the rack 301a. This makes it easy to align and connect the male connector portion 303a of the rack 301a and the female connector portion 303b of the linked rack 301b.
[0099] Here, a combination of two racks 301 having the same configuration has been exemplified as a combination of the medical device 1 and the linkage device 20, but the combination is not limited to this.
[0100] 17 to 19 are diagrams showing a communication rack set 401 as a medical instrument set 100, which includes a communication device 320 as a medical instrument 1 and a rack 301 as a linking device 20. The communication device 320 includes a communication box 322 including a communication unit as an instrument main body 2. The communication device 320 also includes an instrument connector 323 as a connector unit 3. As shown in FIG. 17, the instrument connector 323 is a male connector 323a. A pole clamp is provided on the back side of the communication device 320 as an attachment member 324 that can be attached to a pole 200.
[0101] 17 to 19, the rack 301 can be stacked and connected to the top of the communication device 320. That is, a female connector portion 303b (see FIG. 15) serving as the linking female connector portion 21b (an example of the linking connector portion 21) provided on the lower connecting portion 310c of the rack 301 can be connected to a male connector portion 323a of the communication device 320.
[0102] 17 , the first guide portion 10a described above is provided on the upper surface of the communication device 320. Furthermore, as described above, the second guide portion 10b (see FIG. 16 , etc.) described above is provided on the lower surface of the rack body 302 of the rack 301. The method of connecting the communication device 320 and the rack 301 is similar to the method of connecting two racks 301 described above (see FIG. 16 , etc.). By utilizing the first guide portion 10a of the communication device 320 and the second guide portion 10b of the rack 301, the male connector portion 323a of the communication device 320 and the female connector portion 303b of the rack 301 can be easily aligned and connected.
[0103] By connecting the communication device 320 to the rack 301, information can be communicated between the infusion pump mounted on the rack 301 and an external computer such as an external server. For example, the infusion pump mounted on the rack 301 can select drug information to use from a drug library of the external computer via the communication device 320, and deliver the drug based on the selected drug information. By using this drug library, medical personnel can select and set drugs using the infusion pump without having to set complex administration settings each time.
[0104] 17 to 19 show a configuration in which the communication device 320 is connected to the lower part of the rack 301, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the communication device 320 may be connected to the upper part of the rack 301. In other words, the communication device 320 may have a configuration that allows it to be connected to the upper connecting portion 310b of the rack 301. Also, for convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 17 to 19, the communication device 320 is described as the medical device 1 and the rack 301 is described as the linking device 20, but the reverse is also possible. In other words, FIGS. 17 to 19 may be considered to show the rack 301 as the medical device 1 and the communication device 320 as the linking device 20.
[0105] The medical devices and medical device sets according to the present disclosure are not limited to the specific configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and variations, and various modifications, alterations, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. In the above-described embodiments, the rack 301 and communication device 320 are shown as examples of medical devices according to the present disclosure, but other medical devices may also be used. Furthermore, the linking device that can be linked by being electrically connected to the medical devices according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described rack 301 and communication device 320, and may also be other medical devices.
[0106] The present disclosure relates to medical instruments and medical instrument sets.
[0107] 1: Medical device 2: Device main body 3: Connector portion 3a: Male connector portion 3b: Female connector portion 10: Guide portion 10a: First guide portion 10b: Second guide portion 11: Sliding guide surface 12: Restricting guide surface 12a: First restricting surface 12b: Second restricting surface 13: Flat portion (an example of a sliding guide surface) 14: Rib-shaped convex surface portion (an example of a restricting guide surface) 14a, 14b: Side surface 15: Flat portion (an example of a sliding guide surface) 16: Groove-shaped concave surface portion (an example of a restricting guide surface) 17a: Convex main body portion 17b: Gradually decreasing width portion 17c: Maximum width portion 17d: Narrow width portion 17e: Gradually decreasing width portion 18: Flat portion 19: Groove-shaped concave surface portion 19a, 19b: Groove wall surface 20: Coordination device 21: Coordinating connector portion 21a: Coordinating male connector portion 21b: Interlocking female connector portion 22: Groove-shaped concave surface portion 22a, 22b: Groove wall surface 23: Flat portion 24: Rib-shaped convex surface portion 25: Flat portion 27a: Concave main body portion 27b: Gradually increasing portion 27c: Minimum width portion 27d: First wide width portion 27e: Second wide width portion 28: Flat portion 29: Rib-shaped convex surface portion 29a, 29b: Side surface 30a: Convex main body portion 30b: Gradually decreasing width portion 30c: Maximum width portion 30d: Narrow width portion 30e: Gradually decreasing width portion 90a: Concave main body portion 90b: Gradually increasing portion 90c: Minimum width portion 90d: First wide width portion 90d1: Gradually increasing portion 90e: Second wide width portion 90e1: Gradually increasing portion 100: Medical instrument set 200: Pillar portion 201: Mounting member 301: Rack 301a: Rack (an example of a medical device) 301b: Linking rack (an example of a linking device) 302: Rack body (an example of a device body of a medical device) 303: Rack connector section (an example of a connector section of a medical device, an example of a linking connector section of a linking device) 303a: Male connector section 303b: Female connector section 310a: Main body section 310b: Upper connecting section 310c: Lower connecting section 311: Mounting section 312: Mounting member 320: Communication device (an example of a medical device) 322: Communication box (an example of a device body of a medical device) 323: Device connector section (an example of a connector section of a medical device) 323a: Male connector section 324: Mounting member 400: Rack set (an example of a medical device set) 401: Communication rack set (an example of a medical device set) A: Predetermined linear direction A1: Connection direction A2: Separation direction B: Orthogonal direction C: Height direction W1 to W16: Width in the perpendicular direction
Claims
1. A medical device comprising: a device body; and a connector portion supported by the device body and electrically connectable to a coordinating connector portion of a coordinating device, wherein the device body comprises a guide portion that abuts against the coordinating device and guides the coordinating connector portion of the coordinating device toward the connector portion during a connection operation for connecting the coordinating connector portion of the coordinating device to the connector portion, wherein the coordinating connector portion of the coordinating device can be connected to the connector portion by being brought close to the connector portion along a predetermined linear direction, and the guide portion of the device body comprises: a sliding guide surface that extends along the predetermined linear direction and along which the coordinating device can slide, and a restricting guide surface that abuts against the coordinating device and restricts the sliding direction of the coordinating device on the sliding guide surface to the predetermined linear direction.
2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the sliding guide surface extends in a plane along the predetermined linear direction, and the regulating guide surface comprises: a first regulating surface facing one side of an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the predetermined linear direction among the in-plane directions of the sliding guide surface and extending along the predetermined linear direction, and a second regulating surface facing the other side of the orthogonal direction and extending along the predetermined linear direction.
3. The medical device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second regulating surfaces of the regulating guide surface is a rising surface that is connected to the sliding guide surface and rises outward from the sliding guide surface.
4. The medical device according to claim 3, wherein the device body comprises a planar portion extending in a plane along the predetermined linear direction, and a rib-shaped convex portion protruding from the planar portion and extending in the predetermined linear direction, the sliding guide surface being the planar portion, and the first and second regulating surfaces of the regulating guide surface being both side surfaces of the rib-shaped convex portion.
5. The medical device according to claim 4, wherein the linking device has a groove-shaped concave surface portion into which the rib-shaped convex surface portion fits, the groove-shaped concave surface portion of the linking device having a minimum width portion in which the width of both groove wall surfaces is smallest, and a first wide portion and a second wide portion contiguous to either side of the minimum width portion in the extension direction of the groove-shaped concave surface portion and in which the widths of both groove wall surfaces are larger than the minimum width portion, the rib-shaped convex surface portion having a maximum width portion in which the width of both side surfaces is large, and a narrow width portion in which the width of both side surfaces is smaller than the maximum width portion, on a side closer to the connector than the maximum width portion in the specified linear direction, and wherein when the rib-shaped convex surface portion is fitted into the groove-shaped concave surface portion of the linking device, the maximum width portion of the rib-shaped convex surface portion can pass through the minimum width portion of the groove-shaped concave surface portion of the linking device in the specified linear direction.
6. The medical device according to claim 5, wherein the rib-shaped convex surface portion has a gradually decreasing width portion in which the width of both sides gradually decreases from the maximum width portion toward the end farther from the connector in the specified linear direction.
7. A medical device as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, which can be used in a predetermined usage position, in which the flat portion extends substantially horizontally and the two side surfaces of the rib-shaped convex portion extend substantially vertically.
8. The medical device according to claim 7, wherein, in the specified usage position, the flat surface portion and the rib-shaped convex surface portion are provided on an upper surface located vertically above the device body.
9. The medical device according to claim 7, wherein, in the specified usage position, the flat surface portion and the rib-shaped convex surface portion are provided on an underside located vertically below the device body.
10. The medical device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second regulating surfaces of the regulating guide surface is a downwardly extending surface that is connected to the sliding guide surface and that slopes down inwardly from the sliding guide surface.
11. The medical device according to claim 10, wherein the device body comprises a planar portion extending in a plane along the predetermined linear direction, and a groove-shaped concave portion recessed from the planar portion and extending in the predetermined linear direction, the sliding guide surface being the planar portion, and the first and second regulating surfaces of the regulating guide surface being both groove wall surfaces of the groove-shaped concave portion.
12. The medical device according to claim 11, wherein the linking device comprises a rib-shaped convex portion that fits into the groove-shaped concave portion, the rib-shaped convex portion of the linking device comprising: a maximum width portion having a maximum width on both side surfaces; and a narrow width portion, on one side of the maximum width portion in the extension direction of the rib-shaped convex portion, where the width of both side surfaces is smaller than the maximum width portion, the groove-shaped concave portion comprising: a minimum width portion having a minimum width on both groove wall surfaces; a first wide width portion that connects with the minimum width portion on a side moving away from the connector portion in the specified linear direction and where the width of both groove wall surfaces is greater than the minimum width portion; and a second wide width portion that connects with the minimum width portion on a side moving closer to the connector portion in the specified linear direction and where the width of both groove wall surfaces is greater than the minimum width portion, and wherein when the rib-shaped convex portion of the linking device is fitted into the groove-shaped concave portion, the maximum width portion of the rib-shaped convex portion of the linking device is able to pass through the minimum width portion of the groove-shaped concave portion in the specified linear direction.
13. The medical device according to claim 12, wherein the first wide portion of the groove-shaped concave surface portion has a gradual increase portion in which the width of both groove walls gradually increases toward the end away from the connector in the predetermined linear direction.
14. A medical device as described in any one of claims 11 to 13, which can be used in a predetermined usage position, in which the flat portion extends substantially horizontally and both groove wall surfaces of the groove-shaped concave portion extend substantially vertically.
15. The medical device according to claim 14, wherein, in the specified usage position, the flat surface portion and the groove-shaped concave surface portion are provided on an upper surface located vertically above the device body.
16. The medical device according to claim 14, wherein, in the specified usage position, the flat surface portion and the groove-shaped concave surface portion are provided on an underside located vertically below the device body.
17. A medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 10 to 13, wherein the device body is a rack body having a mounting portion to which a liquid delivery pump can be detached, and the coordinating device is another rack including a rack body having a mounting portion to which a liquid delivery pump can be detached, or a communication device including a communication box having a communication portion.
18. A medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 10 to 13, wherein the device body is a communication box equipped with a communication unit, and the linking device is a rack including a rack body equipped with an attachment unit to which a liquid delivery pump can be detached.
19. A medical device set comprising a medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 10 to 13, and the linking device.
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