Patent ID: 7922848
Filing Date: 2011-04-12
Classification: A61M,B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. A tube connecting apparatus which connects flexible tubes to each other, comprising: a holding unit having a placement clamp section at which the tube is placed, a movable clamp section which is movable in a direction of pressing the tube which is placed at the placement clamp section and in a direction of separating from the tube, and a hook section which is set up at the movable clamp section and which engages the placement clamp section to maintain a pressing state of the movable clamp section against the tube; a cutting unit which cuts the tubes held in a flat state by the holding unit; and a movement unit which moves the holding unit to change relatively positions of the tubes cut by the cutting unit such that end portions to be connected face each other, wherein the holding unit has a plurality of divided hook portions at the hook section in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the tube placed at the placement clamp section, and wherein at least one of the hook portions is made of an elastic member which maintains engagement with the placement clamp section, the elastic member having a protruded portion at one side which protrudes relative to other hook portions and having an other side fixed to the hook section, wherein the holding unit has a first holding section and a second holding section which are disposed along a longitudinal direction of the tubes placed at the placement clamp section, wherein the first holding section has a shaft which protrudes from an end face disposed at a side of the second holding section of the movable clamp section, and the second holding section has a long hole formed at a side of the first holding section of the movable clamp section and into which the shaft is inserted, and wherein the movement unit moves one of the first holding section and the second holding section relative to an other of the first holding section and the second holding section, the shaft remaining inserted within the long hole during and after the movement of the one of the first holding section and the second holding section relative to the other of the first holding section and the second holding section.