Cap for medical instrument

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cap for a medical instrument, the cap enabling an external member to be easily connected to a discharge port.　This cap 100 for a medical instrument has one end to which a first external member is connected and the other end to which a second external member is connected. The cap comprises: a body part 10 which has an insertion part 11 to be inserted into the first external member, and in which a first flow passage 14 for communicating with the first external member is formed in the insertion part 11; and a cylindrical seal part 30 which is formed of a material softer than the body part 10 and has an opening 31 for inserting the second external member, and in which a second flow passage 32 for communicating the opening 31 and the first flow passage 14 is formed. The body part 10 has a support part 12 for supporting the seal part 30 at a position separated from the first flow passage 14, and a plurality of skeleton parts 13 for connecting the support part 12 and the insertion part 11, and a gap allowing expansion of the seal part 30 is formed between the adjacent skeleton parts 13.

Description

Medical Instrument Caps

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap for a medical device that functions as an external opening / closing valve for a medical device that is left in the body, such as a urethral catheter.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a medical instrument cap that functions as an external opening and closing valve for a urinary catheter for the purpose of urination management (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of medical instrument cap is attached to a urinary catheter that is placed in the bladder, and when urinating, urine in the urinary catheter is discharged outside the body simply by opening the lid of the medical instrument cap.

[0003] If a medical device cap is not attached to a urinary catheter, it is necessary to carry a urine bag connected to the urinary catheter at all times to collect excreted urine. In contrast, if a medical device cap with an on-off valve is attached to the urinary outlet of the urinary catheter, urination can be done simply by going to the toilet and opening the lid of the medical device cap when necessary, eliminating the need to carry a urine bag attached to the urinary catheter.

[0004] Furthermore, because urethral catheters are used by users to place them in the bladder and to urinate themselves, there has been a demand for urethral catheters and accessory devices that can be easily operated by users who have difficulty operating a urethral catheter due to dexterity issues, such as those with cerebrovascular disorders or spinal cord injuries.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-206370

[0006] However, with the medical instrument caps of the above-mentioned conventional technology, in order to connect a urine bag to a urethral catheter, the medical instrument cap attached to the urethral catheter must be removed and the connector of the urine bag must be inserted into the tube extending from the urethral catheter, making the installation process complicated.

[0007] Another method for connecting a urine bag is to attach an adapter to the connector on the urine bag and then insert the adapter into the urination outlet of the medical device cap, but this is a cumbersome operation because it requires preparing an adapter and connecting the two together.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cap for a medical instrument that overcomes the problems of the conventional techniques described above and allows an external member to be easily connected to the outlet.

[0009] The present invention provides a medical device cap having one end connected to a first external member and the other end connected to a second external member, the cap comprising: a main body portion having an insertion portion for insertion into the first external member, with a first flow path formed within the insertion portion for communicating with the first external member; and a tubular sealing portion formed of a material softer than the main body portion, with an opening for inserting the second external member and with a second flow path formed therein for communicating the opening with the first flow path, the main body portion having a support portion for supporting the sealing portion at a position away from the first flow path, and a plurality of skeletal portions connecting the support portion and the insertion portion, with gaps formed between adjacent skeletal portions to allow expansion of the sealing portion.

[0010] In this case, the support portion may support the seal portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second flow path extends. The support portion may support the entire outer periphery of the seal portion. The support portion may support an end of the seal portion. The seal portion may have a convex portion that fits into the gap in the main body portion. The convex portion may abut against the support portion in the direction in which the second flow path extends. The skeleton portion may be embedded in the seal portion. The seal portion may have an expansion portion that is formed with an expanded inner diameter and a thin wall. The seal portion may have the expansion portion at a position overlapping the gap in the main body portion. The seal portion may have a plurality of annular abutment portions for closely contacting the second external member and a plurality of the expansion portions alternately arranged along the direction in which the second flow path extends. The seal portion may have the abutment portion at a position overlapping the support portion. The seal portion may have the abutment portion at a position overlapping the gap in the main body portion.

[0011] The present invention can provide a cap for a medical instrument that allows an external member to be easily connected to the outlet.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the medical instrument cap with the lid portion open. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the main body portion and the lid portion. Fig. 3 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the medical instrument cap with a connector connected. Fig. 5 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the medical instrument cap with a connector connected. Fig. 6 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a medical instrument cap according to a modified example.

[0013] A medical instrument cap according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the medical instrument cap with the lid portion open, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the main body portion and the lid portion, Fig. 3 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the medical instrument cap with a connector connected, Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the medical instrument cap with a connector connected, and Fig. 6 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the medical instrument cap with a connector connected.

[0014] The medical instrument cap 100 has one end connected to an external member (first external member) such as a urethral catheter and the other end connected to another external member (second external member) such as a urine bag. As shown in Figure 1, the medical instrument cap 100 includes a main body 10 having an elongated cylindrical shape, a lid 20, and a seal 30.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the main body 10 has an insertion portion 11, a support portion 12, and multiple skeletal portions 13, and these insertion portion 11, support portion 12, and skeletal portions 13 are integrally formed from synthetic resin.

[0016] The insertion section 11 is formed so that it can be inserted into and connected to an external member, such as a silicone rubber tube extending from a urethral catheter, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with multiple tapered steps so that it can be caught in the tube and prevent it from slipping out. This allows the connected tube or the like to expand and contract and fit over the outer periphery of the insertion section 11. A first flow path 14 is formed within the insertion section 11 for communicating with the inside of the tube, such as the urethral catheter. The base end of the insertion section 11 is widened into a disk shape, and is formed with a circular abutment surface 11a that abuts against the seal section 30 (see FIG. 1 ) incorporated into the main body 10.

[0017] The support portion 12 is provided at a position away from the first flow path 14. The support portion 12 is formed in an annular shape, and an inner peripheral surface 12a contacts the outer periphery of the seal portion 30 over the entire circumference. As a result, the support portion 12 supports the end of the seal portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the direction Z in which the second flow path 32 (see FIG. 3 ) formed in the seal portion 30 extends. Therefore, the end of the seal portion 30 on the support portion 12 side is maintained straight without swinging, making it easier to insert an external member into the second flow path 32.

[0018] The skeletal portion 13 is provided to connect the support portion 12 and the insertion portion 11. The main body portion 10 has a plurality of skeletal portions 13, and gaps 15 that allow for expansion of the seal portion 30 (see FIG. 1 ) are formed between adjacent skeletal portions 13. In the main body portion 10 according to this embodiment, four skeletal portions 13 are provided with gaps 15 between them, and these four skeletal portions 13 are arranged circumferentially along the circular contact surface 11 a of the insertion portion 11 and the annular support portion 12. Each skeletal portion 13 has a rectangular cross section and extends straight in a columnar shape from the insertion portion 11 to the support portion 12.

[0019] The lid 20 is provided on the support 12 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge 21 that swings relative to the support 12. The lid 20, like the main body 10, is made of synthetic resin.

[0020] The cover 20 is provided with a handle 22 on the opposite side of the hinge 21 for the user to grasp with their hand to open or close the cover 20 .

[0021] 3, the lid 20 has a cylindrical plug 23 that rises from the center of the inner surface. The plug 23 is made of a material that is harder than the seal 30, i.e., a synthetic resin that is harder than the silicone rubber that is the material of the seal 30.

[0022] When the lid portion 20 is closed, the plug 23 is inserted into the discharge port (opening) 31 of the seal portion 30. When the lid portion 20 is closed, the plug 23 is inserted into the discharge port 31 so as to push open the discharge port 31 of the seal portion 30, thereby sealing the discharge port 31.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the seal part 30 is incorporated into the main body part 10. The seal part 30 according to this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape from silicone rubber, which is softer than the main body part 10, which is made of synthetic resin. This seal part 30 allows a connector 40 of a urine bag or the like to be inserted through an outlet 31 formed at the end on the support part 12 side, and a second flow path 32 is formed inside to connect the outlet 31 to the first flow path 14 of the main body part 10.

[0024] The seal portion 30 comes into close contact with the inner circumferential surface 12a of the support portion 12 and is bonded to the abutment surface 11a of the main body portion 10. This prevents fluid from leaking between the seal portion 30 and the abutment surface 11a of the main body portion 10. The seal portion 30 according to this embodiment is formed by integral molding together with the main body portion 10, which is made of synthetic resin, and is produced with the seal portion 30 and the abutment surface 11a bonded from the beginning.

[0025] The inner circumferential surface 33 that defines the second flow path 32 of the seal portion 30 has a flow path cross section that is circular. The second flow path 32 is provided with four annular abutment portions 36 that protrude from the inner circumferential surface 33, and these abutment portions 36 are arranged at intervals in the direction Z in which the second flow path extends.

[0026] The connector 40 inserted from the outlet 31 into the second flow path 32 is usually made of a hard synthetic resin, but the medical instrument cap 100 incorporates a seal portion 30 made of a soft material, which allows the connector 40 to fit tightly into the second flow path 32. Therefore, even if the medical instrument cap 100 connects the connector 40 directly without using a joint or the like made of a soft material, fluid will not leak between the connector 40 and the seal portion 30.

[0027] 1 , the seal portion 30 has rectangular protrusions 34 on its outer periphery that fit into rectangular gaps 15 formed between adjacent skeletal portions 13 of the main body portion 10. That is, since the main body portion 10 according to this embodiment has four skeletal portions 13, the seal portion 30 has four protrusions 34 that fit into different gaps 15. Each protrusion 34 is formed so that one end abuts the insertion portion 11 of the main body portion 10 and the other end abuts the support portion 12 of the main body portion 10 in the direction Z in which the second flow path 32 extends.

[0028] Because the convex portions 34 of the seal portion 30 are exposed to the outside through the gaps 15 between the skeletal portions 13, the portions of the seal portion 30 that overlap with the gaps 15 in a direction perpendicular to the direction Z in which the second flow paths 32 extend are not supported by the main body 10. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the portions of the seal portion 30 that overlap with the skeletal portions 13 in a direction perpendicular to the direction Z in which the second flow paths 32 extend are pressed down by the skeletal portions 13 and cannot expand, while the portions of the seal portion 30 that overlap with the gaps 15 in a direction perpendicular to the direction Z in which the second flow paths 32 extend can expand outward through the gaps 15. Therefore, even when a thick connector 40 is inserted into the second flow paths 32 of the medical instrument cap 100, the seal portion 30 is pushed open, and the diameter of the second flow paths 32 is expanded.

[0029] 4, the seal portion 30 has a plurality of expansion portions 35 formed by expanding the inner diameter of the second flow path 32 and thinning the wall. The expansion portions 35 are formed at positions that overlap with the gaps 15 of the main body portion 10 in a direction perpendicular to the direction Z in which the second flow path 32 extends, making it easier for the seal portion 30 to expand.

[0030] The seal portion 30 also has a plurality of annular abutment portions 36 that reduce the inner diameter of the second flow path 32, and the abutment portions 36 come into contact with an external member, such as a connector 40, for close contact. The seal portion 30 has a plurality of abutment portions 36 and a plurality of expansion portions 35 that are alternately arranged along the direction Z in which the second flow path 32 extends. Since the seal portion 30 has the abutment portions 36 at positions that overlap with the support portion 12 in a direction perpendicular to the direction Z in which the second flow path 32 extends, the seal portion 30 can firmly support an external member, such as a connector 40, to prevent it from swinging. Furthermore, the seal portion 30 has the abutment portions 36 at positions that overlap with the gap 15 in the main body 10 in a direction perpendicular to the direction Z in which the second flow path 32 extends. As shown in FIG. 6 , the abutment portions 36 that come into contact with an external member, such as a connector 40, push the expansion portions 35 into the gap 15.

[0031] The medical device cap 100 according to this embodiment includes a main body 10 having an insertion portion 11 for insertion into an external member, with a first flow path 14 formed within the insertion portion 11 for communication with the external member, and a tubular seal portion 30 formed of a material softer than the main body 10, with an outlet 31 for inserting another external member and with a second flow path 32 for communication between the outlet 31 and the first flow path 14. The main body 10 has a support portion 12 that supports the seal portion 30 at a position away from the first flow path 14, and a plurality of skeletal portions 13 that connect the support portion 12 and the insertion portion 11, with gaps 15 formed between adjacent skeletal portions 13 to allow expansion of the seal portion 30. This allows the medical device cap 100 to be directly connected to an external member such as a connector 40 of a urine bag without using an adapter, making it easy to connect an external member such as the connector 40 to the outlet 31.

[0032] Furthermore, the medical instrument cap 100 has a sealing portion 30 formed of a material softer than the main body portion 10, so that external members of various sizes can be inserted.

[0033] Furthermore, the medical device cap 100 supports the sealing portion 30 with the support portion 12 and the skeletal portion 13, which are made of a material harder than the sealing portion 30, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the sealing portion 30 from bending, which is expected when an external member is inserted into the sealing portion 30.

[0034] Furthermore, the elastic force that the seal portion 30 exerts on the external member inserted into the seal portion 30 does not become too strong because the seal portion 30 expands in the gap 15. Therefore, the seal portion 30 is less likely to peel off from the main body portion 10 when the external member is pulled out of the seal portion 30, thereby improving the durability of the medical instrument cap 100.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the above embodiments, the skeleton portion is exposed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 7, the skeleton portion 13 may be embedded in the seal portion 130 by integral molding or the like, as long as a gap is formed that allows the seal portion to expand.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the seal portion 30 is formed integrally with the main body portion 10, but this is not limiting. The seal portion 30 may be formed separately from the main body portion 10 and adhered to the abutment surface 11 a of the main body portion 10, as long as the seal portion 30 is adhered to the abutment surface 11 a of the main body portion 10 so as to prevent fluid from leaking between the seal portion 30 and the main body portion 10.

[0037] Furthermore, although the above embodiment has four skeletal parts 13, the present invention is not limited to this. Any number of skeletal parts may be provided as long as a gap is formed that allows the seal part to expand.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the main body 10 has a rectangular gap 15 formed therein, but this is not limited thereto. The gap may have any shape as long as it allows the seal portion to expand.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the seal 30 is made of silicone rubber, but is not limited to this. The seal may be made of elastomer or other materials as long as they are rubber-like, stretchable, and capable of adhering.

[0040] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Main body portion 11...Insertion portion 11a...Abutment surface 12...Support portion 12a...Inner peripheral surface 13...Skeleton portion 14...First flow path 15...Gap 20...Cover portion 21...Hinge portion 22...Handle portion 23...Plug 30...Seal portion 31...Outlet (opening) 32...Second flow path 33...Inner peripheral surface 34...Convex portion 35...Expansion portion 36...Abutment portion 40...Connector (second external member) 100...Medical instrument cap 130...Seal portion 200...Medical instrument cap

Claims

1. A medical instrument cap having one end connected to a first external member and the other end connected to a second external member, comprising: a main body having an insertion portion for insertion into the first external member, the insertion portion having a first flow path formed therein for communication with the first external member; and a tubular seal portion made of a material softer than the main body, having an opening for insertion of the second external member, and having a second flow path formed therein for communication between the opening and the first flow path, wherein the main body has a support portion for supporting the seal portion at a position away from the first flow path, and a plurality of skeletal portions connecting the support portion and the insertion portion, and wherein gaps are formed between adjacent skeletal portions to allow expansion of the seal portion.

2. A medical instrument cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the support portion supports the sealing portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second flow path extends.

3. A cap for medical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that the support portion supports the entire outer periphery of the sealing portion.

4. A cap for medical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that the support portion supports an end of the sealing portion.

5. A medical instrument cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing portion has a protrusion that fits into the gap in the main body portion.

6. A medical instrument cap according to claim 5, characterized in that the protrusion abuts against the support part in the direction in which the second flow path extends.

7. A cap for medical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that the framework is embedded within the sealing portion.

8. A cap for medical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing portion has an expanded portion formed with an expanded inner diameter and a thin wall.

9. A cap for medical instruments according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing portion has the expansion portion at a position overlapping the gap in the main body portion.

10. A medical instrument cap as described in claim 8, characterized in that the sealing portion is formed in an annular shape and has a plurality of abutment portions for tightly adhering to the second external member, and a plurality of the expansion portions are arranged alternately along the direction in which the second flow path extends.

11. A cap for medical instruments according to claim 10, characterized in that the sealing portion has the abutting portion at a position overlapping the support portion.

12. A cap for medical instruments according to claim 10, characterized in that the sealing portion has the abutment portion at a position overlapping the gap in the main body portion.

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