MEDICAL NEEDLE

To provide a medical needle capable of preventing malfunction of a movement mechanism at the time of use, and improving safety even further. A medical needle 1A includes: a needle portion 10; a case 20 which is capable of exposing a needle tip of the needle portion 10 from a distal end, and is capable of accommodating the needle portion 10; a movement mechanism M which moves the needle portion 10 inside the case 20; an operation portion 62 for operating the movement mechanism; and an operation regulation portion 80A that regulates operation of the operation portion 62.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a medical needle.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as a medical needle used for blood sampling, blood transfusion, infusion, and the like, a type of medical needle is known that pulls the needle tip into a cylindrical case by using a spring force (for example, see Patent Literatures 1 and 2). In such a conventional medical needle, it is possible to prevent accidents in which users (such as medical workers and the patients themselves) are accidentally punctured by the medical needle after withdrawal of the needle (so-called accidental puncturing). It is also possible to prevent scattering of the blood remaining on the needle tip or inside the needle.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2002-539897Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-155097

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, the medical needle disclosed in Patent Literature 2 has a configuration in which the needle tip is pulled inside the case by operating (pressing) an operation portion, which causes a movement mechanism to operate. The needle tip is covered with a cap before use, and in this state, for example, the operation portion is also covered with the cap to prevent malfunction of the movement mechanism. On the other hand, because the cap is detached during use, it is possible to operate the operation portion. If the operation portion is erroneously operated at the time of puncturing or during blood sampling, there is a problem that the movement mechanism malfunctions and causes the needle tip to be accommodated inside the case.

An object of the present invention is to provide a medical needle which is capable of preventing malfunction of the movement mechanism during use, and improving safety even further.

Means of Solving the Problems

A medical needle according to the present invention includes: a needle portion; a case which is capable of exposing a needle tip of the needle portion from a distal end, and is capable of accommodating the needle portion; a movement mechanism which moves the needle portion inside the case until the needle tip protruding from the case is accommodated inside the case; an operation portion for operating the movement mechanism; and an operation regulation portion that regulates operation of the operation portion.

Effects of the Invention

According to the medical needle of the present invention, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the movement mechanism during use, and to improve safety even further.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the present embodiments, for example, medical needles1A and1B (so-called winged needles), which are used by being secured following puncturing of the patient's skin at the time of blood sampling, blood transfusion, infusion, and the like, will be described as examples of the present invention. The medical needles1A and1B have a configuration in which the needle tip is pulled inside a case by using a spring force.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1andFIG. 2are exploded perspective views of a medical needle1A according to a first embodiment. In the description below, the side on which the needle tip protrudes in a longitudinal direction AX is referred to as the “distal end E1”, and the opposite side is referred to as the “proximal end E2”. Furthermore, a state where a predetermined length of the needle tip is protruding from the case20is referred to as the “first state”. A state where the needle tip is accommodated inside the case20is referred to as the “second state”.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the medical needle1A includes a needle portion10, a case20, a cover portion30, a wing portion40, a biasing member50, an operation member60, a securing portion70, and an operation regulation portion80A. A case that accommodates the needle portion10is formed by the case20and the cover portion30. Furthermore, the biasing member50and the operation member60form a movement mechanism M for switching the needle portion10from the first state to the second state.

A cap (not shown) is attached to the medical needle1A before use so as to cover the needle protruding from the case20. The cap is detachably attached so as to cover, for example, a section of the case20on the distal end E1side (including the upper surface of the operation portion62).

In the medical needle1A, the cap, the case20, the cover portion30, the wing portion40, the operation member60, the securing portion70, and the operation regulation portion80A are formed of a plastic material such as polycarbonate or polypropylene.

The needle portion10is a hollow needle having a flow path for blood or a drug solution. The needle portion10is made of a metallic material such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, or titanium alloy. The end portion of the needle portion10on the proximal end E2side (the end portion on the opposite side to the needle tip) is secured to the securing portion70by adhesion or the like, and is connected to a tube (not shown). The needle portion10may be made of a material other than a metallic material, such as a resin material.

The case20has a cylindrical shape which is open at both ends, and a space for accommodating the needle portion10and the movement mechanism M is formed inside the case20along the longitudinal direction AX. For example, a circular opening21is provided on the distal end E1side of the case20. The diameter of the opening21is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the needle portion10, and the needle tip is exposed through the opening21.

A first engaging portion22that engages the operation portion62of the operation member60in the first state is provided on the upper surface of the case20on the distal end E1side. The first engaging portion22is, for example, a square hole that communicates with the internal space of the case20. Furthermore, a second engaging portion25that engages with the operation portion62of the operation member60in the second state is provided on the inner surface of the case20on the proximal end E2side (seeFIG. 4B). The second engaging portion25is, for example, a step provided on the inner surface of the case20.

Insertion slits23for displaceably inserting the operation regulation portion80A into the case20are provided on both side surfaces of the case20on the distal end E1side. Furthermore, locking portions24for maintaining an engaged state with the cover portion30are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the case20on the proximal end E2side.

The cover portion30is a lid member that closes the opening on the proximal end E2side of the case20. An opening31for passing a tube (not shown) connected to the needle portion10is provided at the end portion of the cover portion30on the proximal end E2side. Furthermore, the inner surface of the end portion is provided with a concave portion33into which an impact mitigating portion64of the operation member60enters in the second state (seeFIG. 4Aand the like). Moreover, the upper surface and the lower surface of the cover portion30are provided with engagement holes32that engage with the locking portions24of the case20.

The wing portion40is a pair of wing members extending on both sides of the distal end of the case20, and, for example, is integrally formed with the case20. The wing portion40includes a grip portion41, and a thin-walled portion42formed thinner than the grip portion41. The grip portion41is configured to be rotatable by a predetermined angle about a groove43formed in the thin-walled portion42.

The biasing member50is a member that exerts a biasing force to an extent that causes the operation member60to be pressed against the proximal end E2side of the cover portion30in the second state. The biasing member50is, for example, configured by a metallic compression coil spring, and is arranged on a section72on the distal end E1side of the securing portion70.

The operation member60includes a joint portion61and an operation portion62.

The joint portion61has, for example, a circular tube shape. The inner surface of the joint portion61on the distal end E1side is formed having a smaller diameter than the section on the proximal end E2side, and a groove63is provided along the longitudinal direction AX.

The operation portion62is an operation lever for releasing the engagement between the case20and the operation member60(movement mechanism M) when the needle portion10is accommodated inside the case20. The operation portion62is, for example, arranged on the outer surface of the joint portion61, and is formed in a substantially letter-U shape along the longitudinal direction AX. The free end of the operation portion62has a bulging shape that can engage with the first engaging portion22and the second engaging portion25of the case20.

The operation portion62functions as a leaf spring that bends in response to an external force applied to the free end, and exerts a restoring force (biasing force). The operation portion62is provided, for example, so that the separation distance from the joint portion61increases from the base of the letter-U shape toward the free end. As a result, when the operation member60is arranged inside the case20, an upward biasing force is generated in the operation portion62, and the engaged state with the first engaging portion22or the second engaging portion25is maintained. On the other hand, in the first state, when the operation portion62is downwardly pressed against the biasing force, the engaged state with the first engaging portion22is released.

Further, an impact mitigating portion64for mitigating the impact when switching from the first state to the second state is provided on the proximal end E2side of the operation portion62. The impact mitigating portion64is formed, for example, having a curved shape that hangs down from the end portion of the operation portion62on the proximal end E2side. The impact mitigating portion64absorbs an impact by becoming more curved when a force greater than or equal to a predetermined force is applied.

The securing portion70is, for example, a circular tubular member into which the end portion of the needle portion10on the proximal end E2side is inserted and secured. The outer surface of the securing portion70is provided with two flange portions71, which are arranged side by side at a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a ridge (reference numeral omitted) that corresponds to the groove63of the joint portion61is provided along the longitudinal direction AX on the lower side of outer surface of the securing portion70.

The securing portion70is inserted into the joint portion61of the operation member60from the proximal end E2side. The securing portion70is inserted while engaging the ridge with the groove63of the joint portion61. A small-diameter section of the joint portion61is fitted between the two flange portions71as a result of the flange portion71on the distal end E1side being pushed in until it clears the end surface of the joint portion61on the proximal end E2side. Furthermore, the biasing member50is attached to the section72of the securing portion70which is exposed from the joint portion61.

The operation regulation portion80A regulates pressing operations made with respect to the operation portion62. In the present embodiment, the operation regulation portion80A includes an arm82, which protrudes in a letter-L shape from the end portion of the cover portion30on the distal end E1side, and a head81provided on the free end of the arm82. The head81and a section of the arm82on the head81side are inserted into the case20from the insertion slit23. In the present embodiment, the operation regulation portion80A is integrally formed with the cover portion30.

In a state where the medical needle1A is assembled, the head81is a section which is located between the joint portion61and the operation portion62of the operation member60. The head81includes a slit engaging portion81a, and the edge of the insertion slit23and the slit engaging portion81abecome engaged when the head81is press-fitted into the insertion slit23of the case20.

The arm82includes a spring portion82athat functions as a leaf spring on the section which is connected to the cover portion30. The spring portion82abends in response to an external force applied to the arm82, and exerts a restoring force (biasing force). The spring portion82ais formed, for example, by bending the distal end E1side of the arm82so that it becomes separated from the case20. As a result, when the arm82is pressed toward the case20side, a biasing force is generated in the opposite direction to the pressing direction.

For example, the medical needle1A is assembled as follows. First, the movement mechanism M comprising the biasing member50and the operation member60is attached to the needle portion10. Specifically, the operation member60and the biasing member50are inserted through from the needle tip in a state where the needle portion10is secured by the securing portion70. Then, the needle portion10, the securing portion70, and the movement mechanism M are inserted into the case20so that the needle tip protrudes from the opening21, and press-fitted up to a position where the first engaging portion22of the case20and the operation portion62of the operation member60become engaged. Then, the cover portion30is attached to the proximal end E2side of the case20. The first state is maintained as a result of the first engaging portion22of the case20and the operation portion62of the operation member60being engaged. At this time, the biasing member50is arranged in a state where it is compressed in the internal space of the case20. The edge of the biasing member50on the distal end E1side makes contact with the inner surface of the case20on the distal end side, and the edge on the proximal end E2side makes contact with the end surface of the operation member60on the distal end E1side (seeFIG. 4B).

The state of the medical needle1A after assembling each of the members as described above is shown inFIG. 3A,FIG. 3B,FIG. 4A, andFIG. 4B.FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bare perspective views of the medical needle1A.FIG. 3Bomits the case20and the wing portion40. Furthermore,FIG. 4Ais a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B inFIG. 4B.FIG. 4Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A inFIG. 4A.

After assembling each of the members, the arm82is in an unloaded state. As a result, the operation regulation portion80A is arranged outside the case20as shown inFIG. 3Aand the like. In this state, the arm82is pressed toward the case20side, and the head81is press-fitted into the insertion slit23due to a change in shape of the arm82.

The state of the medical needle1A after press-fitting the operation regulation portion80A inside the case20is shown inFIG. 5A,FIG. 5B,FIG. 6A, andFIG. 6B.FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare perspective views of the medical needle1A.FIG. 5Bomits the case20and the wing portion40. Furthermore,FIG. 6Ais a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B inFIG. 6B.FIG. 6Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A inFIG. 6A.

After press-fitting the operation regulation portion80A, the arm82is in a state where it is biased in the opposite direction to the pressing direction. As a result, the operation regulation portion80A tries to restore a state where the arm82is not press-fitted (such asFIG. 3A). However, because the slit engaging portion81aof the head81engages with the edge of the insertion slit23of the case20, further restoration is inhibited, and the state in which the operation regulation portion80A is press-fitted inside the case20is maintained. At this time, the head81is downwardly positioned in the displacement direction of the operation portion62, that is to say, between the operation portion62and the joint portion61, and pressing operations made with respect to the operation portion62are regulated. Furthermore, the arm82is in a state where it is separated from the case20, and the regulation by the operation portion62can be released by pressing the arm82further toward the case20side. That is to say, the operation regulation portion80A is configured so as to be capable of switching between regulation of operation of the operation portion62, and releasing of the regulation.

The state shown inFIG. 5Aand the like is the initial state of the medical needle1A. The medical needle1A is stored by attaching a cap to the needle tip when not in use. When the medical needle1A is used, the cap is detached to expose the needle tip. Then, the patient's skin is punctured by the needle portion10while the grip portion41of the wing portion40is being gripped. After the puncture is made, the grip portion41is expanded and taped down as necessary.

At this time, although the operation portion62is exposed, pressing operations are disabled by the operation regulation portion80A. Therefore, at the time of use, it is possible to reliably prevent the operation portion62from being pressed and the movement mechanism M from malfunctioning, against the user's intent.

When the needle tip is withdrawn from the patient's skin, the operation regulation of the operation regulation portion80A is released. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B, the arm82is pressed toward the case20side, and the head81is shifted to a position which is displaced from below the operation portion62. As a result, pressing operations can be made with respect to the operation portion62.

When the operation portion62of the operation member60is pressed in this state, as shown inFIG. 8AandFIG. 8B, the movement mechanism M operates due to the action of the biasing member50, and the operation member60, the securing portion70, and the needle portion10move toward the proximal end E2side. As a result, the needle tip which is exposed from the case20is accommodated inside the case20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent accidental puncturing after withdrawal of the needle, and scattering of the blood remaining on the needle tip or inside the needle portion10.

At this time, the action of the impact mitigating portion64mitigates the impact caused by the contact between the impact mitigating portion64and the cover portion30, and the generation of collision noises is also suppressed. Furthermore, the operation regulation portion80A returns to a state which is equivalent to the initial state shown inFIG. 5Aand the like.

Note that the needle portion10may be accommodated inside the case20by pressing the operation portion62after the needle tip has firstly been withdrawn from the patient's skin.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 9is a perspective view of a medical needle1B according to a second embodiment.FIGS. 10A and 10Bare cross-sectional views of the main parts of the medical needle1B.FIG. 10Ashows a state where operation of the operation portion62is regulated.FIG. 10Bshows a state where the operation regulation of the operation portion62is released. In the medical needle1B, the configurations of the operation portion and the operation regulation portion are different to those of the medical needle1A according to the first embodiment; and the rest of the configuration is substantially equivalent to the medical needle1A. That is to say, the medical needle1B includes a needle portion10, a case20, a cover portion30, a wing portion40, a biasing member50, an operation member60, a securing portion70, and an operation regulation portion80B.

In the medical needle1B, the operation portion62is arranged such that it protrudes from the case20toward the distal end E1side. Before use, the rear end portion of a cap C, which is attached so as to cover the needle tip, enters between the operation portion62and the distal end portion of the case20(the section provided with the opening21), which regulates pressing operations made with respect to the operation portion62.

Furthermore, the operation regulation portion80B is formed on the end portion of the operation portion62on the proximal end E2side so as to extend in a letter-J shape. In the first state, the operation portion62is biased toward the proximal end E2side. Further, the operation regulation portion80B engages with the edge of the case20. At this time, a space is provided between the end surface of the joint portion61on the distal end E1side and the end surface of the distal end portion of the case20so that the operation portion62can be relatively moved toward the distal end E1side (and the case20toward the proximal end E2side). As a result, the biasing member50is in a state where it is capable of being compressed even more.

In the medical needle1B, for example, by moving the case20toward the proximal end E2side and relatively moving the operation portion62toward the distal end E1side with respect to the case20, the engagement between the operation portion62and the case20is released, and the operation portion62is in pressable state (seeFIG. 10B). Furthermore, in the medical needle1B, the operation regulation of the operation portion62can be carried out with a simpler structure than that of the medical needle1A of the first embodiment.

As described above, the medical needles1A and1B each include: a needle portion10; a case20which is capable of exposing the needle tip of the needle portion10from the distal end E1, and is capable of accommodating the needle portion10inside the case20; a movement mechanism M which moves the needle portion10inside the case20until the needle tip protruding from the case20is accommodated inside the case20; an operation portion62for operating the movement mechanism M; and operation regulation portions80A and80B that regulate operation of the operation portion62.

According to the medical needles1A and1B, operation of the operation portion62is regulated by the operation regulation portions80A and80B. More specifically, even in a state where the cap C has been detached and the needle tip of the needle portion10is protruding from the case20, operation of the operation portion62is regulated by the operation regulation portions80A and80B. Consequently, the operation portion62cannot be easily operated regardless of the presence or absence of the cap C. Consequently, malfunction of the movement mechanism M that moves the needle portion10during use can be prevented, and the safety can be improved even further.

Furthermore, the operation regulation portions80A and80B are configured so as to be capable of switching between regulation of operation of the operation portion62, and releasing of the regulation. As a result, the state in which operation of the operation portion62is regulated can be easily released. Therefore, the movement mechanism M can be operated without requiring complicated operations.

Moreover, the operation portion62causes the movement mechanism M to operate due to an operation to displace from a predetermined position. Further, the operation regulation portions80A and80B are located in a displacement direction of the operation portion62, and regulate the displacement of the operation portion62. As a result, operation of the operation portion62is physically regulated. Therefore, malfunction of the movement mechanism M during use can be reliably prevented.

The invention made by the present inventors has been specifically described above based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11Bare cross-sectional views of the main parts of a medical needle1C according to a modification of the first embodiment.FIG. 11Ashows a state where operation of the operation portion62is regulated.FIG. 11Bshows a state where an operation regulation of the operation portion62is released.

In the medical needle1C, the operation regulation portion80B according to the second embodiment is provided in addition to the operation regulation portion80A according to the first embodiment, and operation regulation of the operation portion62is carried out in two stages. That is to say, in the medical needle1C, the arm82is pressed toward the case20side, and the head81is shifted to a position which is displaced from below the operation portion62. In addition, the operation portion62is in a pressable state only after the case20has been moved toward the proximal end E2side (seeFIG. 11B). Therefore, in the medical needle1C according to the modification, malfunction of the movement mechanism M during use can be more reliably prevented.

Furthermore, for example, the operation regulation portion is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments and in the modification, and a rotary lock mechanism may be used.

Moreover, the operation regulation portion may have any function that regulates operation of the operation portion. For example, the regulated state may be released as a result of a pressing force of the operation portion, for example by way of a bubble wrap material. In addition, for example, the operation regulation portion may be configured such that it cannot be easily operated by increasing the rigidity of the operation portion itself.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, cases have been illustrated and described where a compression coil spring is used as the biasing member50, and the compression coil spring is arranged on the distal end E1side of the operation member60. However, for example, a tension coil spring may be arranged on the proximal end E2side of the operation member60. Also, as the biasing member50, rubber or the like may be applied instead of a spring.

In the above embodiments, a winged needle which is used by being secured following puncturing of a patient's skin has been illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an indwelling needle or the like used when carrying out a continuous intravenous drip infusion.

The embodiments disclosed above are to be considered illustrative in all respects, and are not intended to be restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of claims, and not by the description above. It is intended that all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims be included.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS