Medical filter device and medical joint

Abstract

A medical filter device 1 includes: a filtration filter 2 having a first joint part 11 for connecting a flow path through which a liquid to be filtered flows; and a holder 3 having a second joint part 12 to which the flow path is connected, and a holding mechanism 33 for holding tip parts of the first joint part 11 and the second joint part 12 in a state of abutting each other when the filtration filter 2 is attached. One of the first and second joint parts 11, 12 has a guide projection 13 projecting to the tip side, and the other of the first and second joint parts 11, 12 has a guide groove 14 for guiding the guide projection 13.

Description

Medical Filter Device and Medical Joint

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical filter device and a medical joint.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a medical filter device in which a filter can be easily attached to and detached from a holder. In this device, the joint portion provided on the holder moves toward the joint portion provided on the filter, and the filter and the holder are connected by pressing them together with a spring in a state where a seal member is sandwiched between them.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-320025

[0004] However, in the above conventional medical filter device, for example, when the filter is not set at the correct position or when the positions of the joint portions are displaced from the normal positions, the tip of the joint portion may come into contact with a portion other than the seal member and be damaged. If the tip of the joint portion is damaged, even if the joint portions are returned to the proper positions and connected, liquid leakage may occur due to the damage, and countermeasures are desired.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a medical filter device and a medical joint capable of suppressing damage to the joint portion due to displacement.

[0006] A medical filter device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a filter having a first joint portion for connecting a flow path through which a liquid to be filtered flows, a second joint portion to which the flow path is connected, and a holder having a holding mechanism for holding the first joint portion and the tip portions of the second joint portion in contact with each other when the filter is attached. One of the first and second joint portions has a guide protrusion protruding toward the tip side, and the other of the first and second joint portions has a guide groove for guiding the guide protrusion.

[0007] Furthermore, a medical joint according to one embodiment of the present invention is a medical joint for connecting fluid-flowing channels, comprising: a first joint portion provided at one end of the channel; a second joint portion provided at the other end of the channel; and a holding mechanism for holding the first joint portion and the second joint portion in a butted position, wherein one of the first and second joint portions has a guide projection protruding toward the tip, and the other of the first and second joint portions has a guide groove that guides the guide projection.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical filter device and a medical joint that can suppress damage to the joint due to misalignment.

[0009] This is a schematic diagram of a medical filter device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram of a blood purification device using a medical filter device. This is a perspective view showing the first joint and the second joint. This is a diagram showing the first joint and the second joint, and is a cross-sectional view before connection. This is a diagram showing the first joint and the second joint, and is a cross-sectional view after connection. This is a diagram showing one modified example of the first joint. This is a diagram showing one modified example of the first joint. This is a diagram showing one modified example of the first joint. This is a diagram showing one modified example of the first joint. This is a diagram showing one modified example of the first joint and the second joint.

[0010] [Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] (Schematic configuration of medical filter device 1) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the medical filter device 1 according to this embodiment. The medical filter device 1 comprises a filter 2 having a first joint 11 for connecting a flow path through which the liquid to be filtered flows, and a holder 3 having a second joint 12 connected to the first joint 11. In this embodiment, the filter 2 is a dialysate filter. Therefore, in this embodiment, the liquid to be filtered is dialysate, and the flow path through which the liquid to be filtered flows is the dialysate flow path in the blood purification device (dialysissate supply path 104 and drainage path 106, which will be described later). The configuration of the blood purification device will be described later.

[0012] The dialysis fluid filter, which is the filtration filter 2, has a cylindrical main body 21 and four first joints 11. First joints 11 (hereinafter referred to as upper and lower first joints 11a) are provided at both ends of the main body 21 in the axial direction, and two first joints 11 (hereinafter referred to as lateral first joints 11b) are provided side by side in the axial direction so as to protrude laterally (i.e., radially outward) from the main body 21. The specific structure of the first joints 11 will be described later.

[0013] The holder 3 is configured to allow for easy attachment and detachment of the filtration filter 2. In this embodiment, the second joint portion 12 of the holder 3 is connected to the flow path of the dialysate, and the filtration filter 2 is connected to the flow path of the dialysate by attaching the filtration filter 2 to the holder 3 (i.e., by connecting the second joint portion 12 to the first joint portion 11). The holder 3 has upper and lower insertion ports 31 into which the upper and lower first joint portions 11a are inserted, and a lateral insertion port 32 into which the lateral first joint portion 11b is inserted. The filtration filter 2 is configured to be inserted into the lateral insertion port 32 by rotating it axially while the upper and lower first joint portions 11a are inserted into the upper and lower insertion ports 31.

[0014] Inside the upper and lower insertion ports 31, there are second joint portions 12 (hereinafter referred to as upper and lower second joint portions 12a) that are connected to the upper and lower first joint portions 11a. Inside the lateral insertion port 32, there is a second joint portion 12 (hereinafter referred to as lateral second joint portion 12b) to which the lateral first joint portion 11b is connected. The specific structure of the second joint portion 12 will be described later. When the upper and lower first joint portions 11a are inserted into the upper and lower insertion ports 31 and the lateral first joint portion 11b is inserted into the lateral insertion port 32 (i.e., when the filter 2 is installed), the corresponding upper and lower first joint portions 11a and upper and lower second joint portions 12a, and the lateral first joint portion 11b and lateral second joint portion 12b are configured to face each other.

[0015] The holder 3 has a holding mechanism 33 that holds the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 in a butted position when the filtration filter 2 is attached. In this embodiment, the holding mechanism 33 is configured to extend the second joint portion 12 of the holder 3 toward the first joint portion 11 and hold it in the extended position when the lever 33a is operated. Here, the upper lever 33a is used to operate the upper upper and lower second joint portions 12a and the lateral second joint portion 12b, and the lower lever 33a is used to operate the lower upper and lower second joint portions 12a and the lateral second joint portion 12b. However, the specific configuration of the holding mechanism 33 is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate.

[0016] (Blood purification device 10 using medical filter device 1) Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a blood purification device using medical filter device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the blood purification device 10 includes a blood circuit 101 through which blood from the patient flows, a blood pump 102 provided in the blood circuit 101 to pump the liquid in the blood circuit 101, and a blood purifier 100 provided in the blood circuit 101. Furthermore, the blood purification device 10 includes a dialysate supply unit 103 for supplying dialysate, a dialysate supply passage 104 connecting the dialysate supply unit 103 and the blood purifier 100, a first liquid delivery pump 105 provided in the dialysate supply passage 104, a drainage discharge passage 106 for discharging drainage from the blood purifier 100, a second liquid delivery pump 107 provided in the drainage discharge passage 106, a water removal passage 106a provided in the drainage discharge passage 106 to bypass the second liquid delivery pump 107, and a water removal pump 109 provided in the water removal passage 106a. The discharge volumes of the first liquid delivery pump 105 and the second liquid delivery pump 107 are controlled to be the same, and the removal of water from the blood is controlled by controlling the discharge volume of the water removal pump 109.

[0017] In this embodiment, the medical filter device 1 is installed in the dialysate supply passage 104. The dialysate filter, which is a filtration filter 2, purifies the dialysate by capturing substances such as endotoxins contained in the dialysate. A bypass line 108 is connected to the medical filter device 1, and dialysate and air of inappropriate concentration and temperature are discharged to the drainage passage 106 via this bypass line 108. The bypass line 108 is provided with a valve 108a that opens and closes the bypass line 108, a valve 110a is provided in the dialysate supply passage 104 between the dialysate filter 2a and the blood purifier 100, and a valve 110b is provided in the drainage passage 106 downstream of the blood purifier 100. When supplying dialysate to the blood purifier 100, valves 110a and 110b are opened and valve 108a is closed. When discharging dialysate of inappropriate concentration and temperature, valves 110a and 110b are closed and valve 108a is opened. Note that the configuration shown in Figure 2 is merely an example, and the specific configuration of the blood purification device 10 can be changed as appropriate.

[0018] (First joint portion 11 and second joint portion 12) Figure 3A is a perspective view showing the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12, Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view before connection, and Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view after connection. As shown in Figures 3A to 3C, the first joint portion 11 has an insertion portion 111 into which the tip of the second joint portion 12 is inserted, and a sealing member 112 (gasket) provided at the bottom of the insertion portion 111 against which the tip of the second joint portion 12 abuts. In other words, in this embodiment, the first joint portion 11 is the female joint, and the second joint portion 12 is the male joint. The relationship between male and female may be reversed. However, for maintenance purposes, it is preferable that the sealing member 112 is provided on the filter filter 2 side, which is a durable consumable item (to be replaced in about 3 months), and it is more preferable to have the first joint portion 11 as the female side and the second joint portion 12 as the male side. The sealing member 112 is made of, for example, silicone rubber.

[0019] In the medical filter device 1 according to this embodiment, the second joint portion 12 has a guide projection 13 that protrudes toward the tip, and the first joint portion 11 has a guide groove 14 that guides the guide projection 13. Alternatively, the first joint portion 11 may have a guide projection 13 and the second joint portion 12 may have a guide groove 14. In other words, it is sufficient if one of the first and second joint portions 11, 12 has a guide projection 13 that protrudes toward the tip, and the other of the first and second joint portions 11, 12 has a guide groove 14 that guides the guide projection 13.

[0020] In this embodiment, the guide groove 14 is formed in the insertion portion 111 and is provided to penetrate the insertion portion 111 radially. The second joint portion 12 has a cylindrical main body portion 121. The guide projection 13 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 121 and is provided to protrude forward in the insertion direction beyond the tip of the main body portion 121. Because the second joint portion 12 has the guide projection 13, if there is a misalignment between the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12, the guide projection 13 will collide with the first joint portion 11 before the main body portion 121 collides with the first joint portion 11, thereby preventing damage to the tip of the second joint portion 12. When the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 are in the correct position, the guide projection 13 will be inserted into the guide groove 14, and by sliding the guide projection 13 along the guide groove 14, the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 will be smoothly fitted together.

[0021] In this embodiment, the guide groove 14 is formed in a straight line to match the shape of the guide projection 13. However, it is not limited to this, and as shown in Figure 4A, the guide groove 14 may be formed in a tapered shape such that its width increases towards the tip of the first joint portion 11. Also, although not shown, the guide projection 13 may be formed in a tapered shape such that its width decreases towards the tip. This makes it possible to guide the guide projection 13 to the guide groove 14 even if the relative positions of the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 are shifted by a small amount.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4B, a seal member retaining wall 113 may be provided so as to cover the outer circumferential surface of the seal member 112. If a part of the outer circumferential surface of the seal member 112 is exposed by the guide groove 14, there is a risk that a sealing defect may occur due to deformation of the seal member 112. By providing a seal member retaining wall 113, deformation and displacement of the seal member 112 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing sealing defects when connecting the first joint 11 and the second joint 12, and preventing liquid leakage caused by sealing defects.

[0023] Furthermore, the guide groove 14 may be formed so as not to penetrate the insertion portion 111. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5A, the guide groove 14 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 111. Also, as shown in Figure 5B, the guide groove 14 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 111. This makes the insertion portion 111 a continuous cylindrical shape, thereby increasing the strength of the insertion portion 111.

[0024] Furthermore, although this embodiment shows a case where two guide protrusions 13 are provided facing each other on either side of the central axis of the main body 121, the number of guide protrusions 13 is not limited to this, and one or more are sufficient. The guide protrusions 13 may be made of the same material as the main body 121, or they may be made of a different material (for example, a material harder than the main body 121).

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing member 112 is configured to be sandwiched between the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12. However, as shown in Figure 6, the sealing member 112, which is made of an O-ring, may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 111 of the first joint portion 11, thereby sealing the space between the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 111 and the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 121 of the second joint portion 12. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide a groove for the sealing member 112, which would require a process for machining the groove or result in a complex mold shape and increased costs. Therefore, it is more desirable to configure the sealing member 112 to be sandwiched between the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12, as in this embodiment. Note that the sealing member 112, which is made of an O-ring, may also be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 121 of the second joint portion 12.

[0026] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where the filtration filter 2 is a dialysate filter, the invention is not limited to this, and the filtration filter 2 may be, for example, a blood purifier 100 (dialyzer).

[0027] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes the case where the structure of the present invention is applied to all four first and second joint portions 11 and 12, it is sufficient if at least one of the first and second joint portions 11 and 12 has the structure of the present invention. In this case, it is more desirable to apply the structure of the present invention to the lateral first and second joint portions 11b and 12b, which are prone to misalignment due to axial dimensional errors of the filtration filter 2.

[0028] (Medical Fittings) Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to the medical filter device 1 described above, but also to medical fittings that connect fluid passages. The medical fittings preferably include a first fitting portion 11 provided at the end of one fluid passage, a second fitting portion 12 provided at the end of the other fluid passage, and a holding mechanism 33 that holds the tips of the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 in a butted position. Preferably, one of the first and second fitting portions 11, 12 has a guide projection 13 that protrudes toward the tip, and the other of the first and second fitting portions 11, 12 has a guide groove 14 that guides the guide projection 13. This prevents the tip of the second fitting portion 12 from colliding with and damaging the first fitting portion 11. The specific structure of the holding mechanism 33 is not particularly limited; any structure that can hold the tips of the first joint 11 and the second joint 12 in a butted position is acceptable. The flow path for the medical joint is also not particularly limited as long as it is a flow path through which liquid flows; for example, it can be applied to blood circuits, infusion circuits, etc.

[0029] (Operation and Effects of the Embodiment) As described above, the medical filter device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a filter 2 having a first joint portion 11 for connecting a flow path through which the liquid to be filtered flows, and a holder 3 having a second joint portion 12 to which the flow path is connected, and a holding mechanism 33 that holds the tip portions of the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 together when the filter 2 is attached, wherein one of the first and second joint portions 11, 12 has a guide projection 13 that protrudes toward the tip, and the other of the first and second joint portions 11, 12 has a guide groove 14 that guides the guide projection 13.

[0030] By having the guide projection 13, even if the relative positions of the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 are shifted from their normal positions, for example, when the filtration filter 2 is not set in the correct position, it is possible to prevent the tip of the second joint portion 12 from colliding with the first joint portion 11, thereby suppressing damage to the joint portion (second joint portion 12) due to misalignment. As a result, it becomes possible to suppress liquid leakage caused by damage.

[0031] (Summary of Embodiments) Next, the technical concept understood from the embodiments described above will be described using the reference numerals, etc., from the embodiments. However, the reference numerals, etc., in the following description are not limited to the components in the claims that are specifically shown in the embodiments.

[0032] [1] A medical filter device (1) comprising: a filter (2) having a first joint (11) for connecting a flow path through which a liquid to be filtered flows; a holder (3) having a second joint (12) to which the flow path is connected; and a holding mechanism (33) for holding the filter (2) in a state where the tips of the first joint (11) and the second joint (12) are abutted against each other when the filter (2) is attached, wherein one of the first and second joints (11, 12) has a guide projection (13) protruding toward the tip, and the other of the first and second joints (11, 12) has a guide groove (14) that guides the guide projection (13).

[0033] [2] The medical filter device (1) according to [1], wherein the first joint portion (11) has an insertion portion (111) into which the tip of the second joint portion (12) is inserted, and a sealing member (112) provided at the bottom of the insertion portion (111) against which the tip of the second joint portion (12) abuts, the second joint portion (12) has a guide projection (13) that protrudes forward in the insertion direction from the tip, and the first joint portion (11) has the guide groove (13) in the insertion portion (111).

[0034] [3] The medical filter device (1) according to [2], wherein the guide groove (14) is provided to penetrate the insertion portion (111) in the radial direction.

[0035] [4] The guide groove (14) is tapered so that it becomes wider towards the tip of the first joint (11), as described in [2], the medical filter device (1).

[0036] [5] The medical filter device (1) according to [2], wherein the guide groove (14) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion (111) and does not penetrate the insertion portion (111) in the radial direction.

[0037] [6] The medical filter device (1) according to [2], wherein the guide groove (14) is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion (111) and does not penetrate the insertion portion (111) in the radial direction.

[0038] [7] The medical filter device (1) according to [1], wherein the liquid to be filtered is a dialysate and the filter (2) is a dialysate filter.

[0039] [8] A medical joint for connecting fluid-flowing channels, comprising: a first joint portion (11) provided at one end of the channel; a second joint portion (12) provided at the other end of the channel; and a holding mechanism (33) for holding the tips of the first joint portion (11) and the second joint portion (12) in a butted position, wherein one of the first and second joint portions (11, 12) has a guide projection (13) protruding toward the tip, and the other of the first and second joint portions (11, 12) has a guide groove (14) that guides the guide projection (13).

[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0041] 1...Medical filter device 2...Filtration filter 3...Holder 33...Holding mechanism 11...First joint 111...Inserted part 112...Sealing member 12...Second joint 13...Guide projection 14...Guide groove

Claims

1. A medical filter device comprising: a filter having a first joint for connecting a flow path through which the liquid to be filtered flows; a holder having a second joint to which the flow path is connected; and a holding mechanism for holding the filter in a state in which the tips of the first and second joints are abutted together when the filter is installed, wherein one of the first and second joints has a guide projection that protrudes toward the tip, and the other of the first and second joints has a guide groove that guides the guide projection.

2. The medical filter device according to claim 1, wherein the first joint portion has an insertion portion into which the tip portion of the second joint portion is inserted, and a sealing member provided at the bottom of the insertion portion against which the tip portion of the second joint portion abuts, the second joint portion has a guide projection that protrudes forward in the insertion direction from the tip portion, and the first joint portion has the guide groove in the insertion portion.

3. The medical filter device according to claim 2, wherein the guide groove is provided so as to penetrate the insertion portion radially.

4. The medical filter device according to claim 2, wherein the guide groove is tapered so that its width increases towards the tip of the first joint.

5. The medical filter device according to claim 2, wherein the guide groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the portion to be inserted and does not penetrate the portion to be inserted in the radial direction.

6. The medical filter device according to claim 2, wherein the guide groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the part to be inserted and does not penetrate the part to be inserted in the radial direction.

7. The medical filter device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid to be filtered is a dialysate, and the filter is a dialysate filter.

8. A medical joint for connecting fluid-carrying channels, comprising: a first joint portion provided at one end of the channel; a second joint portion provided at the other end of the channel; and a holding mechanism for holding the tips of the first and second joint portions in a butted position, wherein one of the first and second joint portions has a guide projection protruding toward the tip, and the other of the first and second joint portions has a guide groove that guides the guide projection.

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