Medical filter apparatus and medical joint

Abstract

A medical filter apparatus 1 comprises: a filtration filter 2 which includes a first joint part 11 for connecting a flow passage that conveys a liquid to be filtered; a holder 3 which includes a second joint part 12 that connects to the flow passage and a holding mechanism 33 that holds the abutting ends of the first joint part 11 and the second joint part 12 when the filtration filter 2 is attached; and a seal member 13 which is provided to cover the end of at least one of the first and second joint parts 11, 12.

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 sealing 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 in the correct position, or when the positions of the joint portions deviate from the normal positions, the tip of the joint portion may contact a portion other than the sealing member and be damaged. If the tip of the joint portion is damaged, even if the joint portions are connected again after being returned to the proper position, 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 filtration 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 tip portions of the first joint portion and the second joint portion in contact with each other when the filtration filter is attached, and a sealing member provided so as to cover at least one tip portion of the first and second joint portions.

[0007] A medical joint according to an embodiment of the present invention is a medical joint for connecting flow paths through which a liquid flows, and includes a first joint portion provided at an end of one of the flow paths, a second joint portion provided at an end of the other flow path, a holding mechanism for holding the tip portions of the first joint portion and the second joint portion in contact with each other, and a sealing member provided so as to cover at least one tip portion of the first and second joint portions.

[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 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. This is a diagram showing one modified example of the first joint. This is a diagram showing one modified example of the first 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 cross-sectional view of the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 before connection, and Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view after connection. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the first joint portion 11 has an enlarged diameter portion 111 that is inserted into the upper and lower insertion openings 31 or the lateral insertion opening 32 of the holder 3. An annular (disc-shaped) sealing member 13 is provided so as to cover the tip of the first joint portion 11 (i.e., the tip of the enlarged diameter portion 111). When connecting the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12, the tip of the second joint portion 12 is pressed against the tip of the first joint portion 11. However, since the sealing member 13 is provided on the tip of the first joint portion 11, the tip of the second joint portion 12 comes into contact with the sealing member 13 and does not come into direct contact with the first joint portion 11. Therefore, the second joint portion 12 will not collide with the first joint portion 11, and it will be possible to suppress damage to the tip of the second joint portion 12.

[0019] In this embodiment, a sealing member 13 is provided on the first joint portion 11, but the sealing member 13 may be provided so as to cover the tip portion of the second joint portion 12. However, from a maintenance standpoint, it is preferable that the sealing member 13 is provided on the side of the filter 2, which is a durable consumable item (to be replaced approximately every three months). The sealing member 13 is made of, for example, silicone rubber.

[0020] In this embodiment, the sealing member 13 is bonded and fixed to the tip of the first joint portion 11 using an adhesive. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the sealing member 13 may be configured to be locked to the tip of the first joint portion 11. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the first joint portion 11 may have an engaging portion 112 for engaging the sealing member 13. In the illustrated example, a projection is provided as the engaging portion 112 at the tip of the first joint portion 11, and the sealing member 13 is engaged by engaging this projection with a groove 131 formed in the sealing member 13. However, the relationship between the projection and the groove may be reversed, and the specific configuration of the engaging portion 112 can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, locking by the engaging portion 112 and bonded fixing with an adhesive may be used in combination.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5A, the sealing member 13 may integrally have an inner cylindrical portion 132 provided along the inner circumferential surface of the first joint portion 11. Also, as shown in Figure 5B, the sealing member 13 may integrally have an outer cylindrical portion 133 provided along the outer circumferential surface of the first joint portion 11. Also, as shown in Figure 5C, the sealing member 13 may have both an inner cylindrical portion 132 and an outer cylindrical portion 133. Having an inner cylindrical portion 132 or an outer cylindrical portion 133 makes it possible to further suppress the sealing member 13 from coming off the first joint portion 11.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5D, the inner circumferential surface of the sealing member 13 may be formed in a tapered or curved shape such that the diameter of the inner circumferential surface gradually increases toward its tip (i.e., toward the front in the direction of connection to the second joint 12). This allows the tip of the second joint 12 to be inserted into the sealing member 13 when the tips of the first joint 11 and the second joint 12 are brought together, automatically aligning them. This makes it possible to connect them in the correct position even if there is some misalignment, improving connection reliability.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 13 may be formed in a tapered or curved shape such that the diameter of the outer circumferential surface gradually decreases toward its tip (towards the front in the direction of connection to the second joint 12). Figure 6A shows the case where the outer circumferential surface is tapered, and Figure 6B shows the case where the outer circumferential surface is curved. As a result, when the tips of the first joint 11 and the second joint 12 are brought together, the tip of the sealing member 13 is inserted into the second joint 12 and alignment is performed automatically, making it possible to connect in the correct position even if there is some misalignment, thereby improving connection reliability.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6C, the sealing member 13 may have an insertion portion 134 that is inserted into the second joint portion 12. This allows the insertion portion 134 to be inserted into the second joint portion 12 when the ends of the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12 are brought together, thereby automatically aligning the first joint portion 11 and the second joint portion 12.

[0025] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where the filtration filter 2 is a dialysate filter, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the filtration filter 2 may be, for example, a blood purifier 100 (dialyzer).

[0026] 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.

[0027] (Medical Fittings) Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to the above-mentioned medical filter device 1, but also to medical fittings that connect fluid passages. The medical fitting preferably comprises 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, a holding mechanism 33 that holds the tips of the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 in a butted position, and a sealing member 13 provided to cover at least one of the tips of the first and second fitting portions 11 and 12. As a result, when the tips of the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 are butted together, the sealing member 13 is interposed between them, thereby preventing damage to the tips of both fitting portions 11 and 12. 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.

[0028] (Operation and Effects of the Embodiment) As described above, the medical filter device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a sealing member 13 provided to cover at least one of the tips of the first and second joints. This prevents the tip of the second joint 12 from directly contacting the first joint 11, even if the relative positions of the first joint 11 and the second joint 12 are shifted from their normal positions, for example, when the filtration filter 2 is not set in the correct position. Furthermore, since the sealing member 13 made of rubber acts as a cushioning material, it is possible to suppress damage to the joints 11 and 12 due to misalignment. As a result, it is possible to suppress liquid leakage caused by damage.

[0029] (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.

[0030] [1] A medical filter device (1) comprising: a filter (2) having a first joint (11) for connecting a flow path through which the liquid to be filtered flows; a holder (3) having a holding mechanism (33) that holds the filter (2) in a state where the tips of the first joint (11) and the second joint (12) are abutted together when the filter (2) is installed; and a sealing member (13) provided to cover at least one of the tips of the first and second joints (11, 12).

[0031] [2] The medical filter device (1) according to [1], wherein the sealing member (13) is provided so as to cover the tip of the first joint portion (11).

[0032] [3] The medical filter device (1) according to [2], wherein the first joint portion (11) has an engaging portion (112) that engages with the sealing member (13).

[0033] [4] The medical filter device (1) according to [2], wherein the sealing member (13) has an inner cylindrical portion (132) provided along the inner circumferential surface of the first joint portion (11).

[0034] [5] The medical filter device (1) according to [2], wherein the sealing member (13) has an outer cylindrical portion (133) provided along the outer circumferential surface of the first joint portion (11).

[0035] [6] The outer surface of the sealing member (13) is formed in a tapered or curved shape such that the diameter of the outer surface gradually decreases toward the tip, and is configured such that when the tips of the first joint (11) and the second joint (12) are brought together, the tip of the sealing member (13) is inserted into the second joint (12), as described in [2].

[0036] [7] The inner circumferential surface of the sealing member (13) is formed in a tapered or curved shape such that the diameter of the inner circumferential surface gradually increases toward the tip side, and is configured such that when the tips of the first joint portion (11) and the second joint portion (12) are brought together, the tip of the second joint portion (12) is inserted into the sealing member (13), as described in [2].

[0037] [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; a holding mechanism (33) for holding the tips of the first joint portion (11) and the second joint portion (12) in a butted position; and a sealing member (13) provided to cover at least one of the tips of the first and second joint portions (11, 12).

[0038] 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.

[0039] 1...Medical filter device 2...Filtration filter 3...Holder 33...Holding mechanism 11...First joint 112...Engaging part 12...Second joint 13...Sealing member 132...Inner cylinder part 133...Outer cylinder part

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; a holding mechanism for holding the filter in a state where the tips of the first joint and the second joint are abutted together when the filter is installed; and a sealing member provided to cover at least one of the tips of the first and second joints.

2. The medical filter device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is provided so as to cover the tip of the first joint.

3. The medical filter device according to claim 2, wherein the first joint portion has an engaging portion for engaging the sealing member.

4. The medical filter device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member has an inner cylindrical portion provided along the inner circumferential surface of the first joint portion.

5. The medical filter device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member has an outer cylindrical portion provided along the outer circumferential surface of the first joint portion.

6. The outer circumferential surface of the sealing member is formed in a tapered or curved shape such that the diameter of the outer circumferential surface gradually decreases toward its tip, and is configured such that when the tips of the first joint and the second joint are brought together, the tip of the sealing member is inserted into the second joint, as described in claim 2.

7. The inner circumferential surface of the sealing member is formed in a tapered or curved shape such that the diameter of the inner circumferential surface gradually increases toward its tip, and is configured such that when the tips of the first joint and the second joint are brought together, the tip of the second joint is inserted into the sealing member, as described in claim 2.

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; a holding mechanism for holding the tips of the first and second joint portions in a butted position; and a sealing member provided to cover at least one of the tips of the first and second joint portions.

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