CONNECTOR

The connector includes a housing having a first casing and a second casing; a connection member formed into a cylinder an interior of which constitutes a first flow path L1 and arranged in the housing rotatably around an axis, a screw portion being formed on the connection portion in such a manner that the syringe can be screwed in; a flow path member arranged in the connection member; and a ratchet having a gear arranged in the connection member and having a plurality of teeth in the peripheral direction and a pawl arranged in the housing, and engaged in a protruding direction of the protrusion of the first casing from the first end surface with the restricting surface of the gear rotating in the direction of the syringe being screwed in so as to restrict the rotation of the gear.

FIELD

The invention relates to a connector for fluidically connecting a first device and a second device.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, in order to fluidically connect a container such as a vial to a device such as a syringe for supplying a fluid or a device for receiving the fluid supply, a technique of using a connector to be connected to the container and a connector to be connected to the device and mutually connecting these connectors to establish a fluidic connection between the container and the device has been used.

The connector to which a device is connected has been known to have a configuration in which a housing having a flow path therein and a device securing unit arranged in the housing to allow the device to be screwed in and secured thereto are provided.

Furthermore, a technique has also been known in which a device securing unit is rotatably provided in the housing in such a manner that, with a ratchet, rotation of the device securing unit in a direction of removing the device from the device securing unit is allowed, while rotation of the device securing unit in a direction of screwing the device onto the device securing unit is restricted. By allowing the rotation in the direction of removing the device from the device securing unit, the device is prevented from being removed from the device securing unit (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

A technique of forming the housing by combining two casings, forming the gear of the ratchet integrally on the outer periphery of the syringe securing unit, and providing a ratchet pawl on one of the two casings, has been known.

PATENT LITERATURE

SUMMARY

There has been a problem in the above-described configuration for restricting the rotation of the device securing unit with the ratchet, as indicated below. That is, when a force is exerted upon the ratchet in the restricting direction, the direction of the gear abutting the pawl becomes parallel to the protruding direction of a protrusion formed on the split surface of one of the two casings. Then, there is a problem that the force exerted on the device securing unit when the user is trying to secure the device to the device securing unit tends to split the two casings.

Thus, in order to prevent the two casings from being split, an adhesive is used for secure attachment of the two casings, in addition to engagement of a protrusion and a recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector for fluidically connecting a first device and a second device includes: a housing including a first casing that has a first end surface on which a protrusion is formed, and a second casing that has a second end surface in which a recess is formed to be engaged with the protrusion; a connection member formed into a cylinder an interior of which constitutes a first flow path, an intermediate portion of the connection member in an axial direction being rotatably supported by the housing, one end side of the connection member being located outside the housing, a screw portion being formed on the one end side in such a manner that the first device can be screwed into the screw portion; a flow path member formed on the other end of the connection member in such a manner as to communicate with the first flow path, an interior of the flow path member having a second flow path fluidically connected to the second device; and a ratchet including a gear and a pawl, the gear being formed on a peripheral surface on the other end side of the connection member and having a plurality of teeth in a circumferential direction, the teeth respectively having a restricting surface and a climbing surface, and the pawl being formed on the housing and engaged in a direction intersecting with a protruding direction of the protrusion from the first end surface with the restricting surface of the gear that rotates in the screwing direction to restrict rotation of the gear, the pawl climbing the climbing surface of the gear rotating in a direction opposite the screwing direction to allow for the rotation of the gear.

A connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS.1to6.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing an infusion connector10, a syringe1, a spike adapter25, and an infusion bag20;FIG.2is a cross section showing the main part of the infusion connector10and the syringe1;FIG.3is a perspective view showing the structure of the infusion connector10;FIG.4is a cross section showing the structure of the infusion connector10;FIG.5is a cross section showing the structure of the infusion connector10; andFIG.6is a perspective view showing the structure of the connection member40of the infusion connector10.

The connector includes: a housing formed by combining two casing members; a connection member rotatably provided in the housing and having a flow path inside, where the first device is screwed into the connection member; a flow path member provided in the housing and connected to the connection member; and a ratchet provided in the housing to restrict the rotation of the connection member in the same direction as the screwing direction. The connector forms a flow path that allows for communication between the first device and the second device, with the first device screwed into the connection member and the second device connected to the housing in such a manner that the flow path member is fluidically connected to the second device.

According to the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS.1and2, an infusion connector10will be described as an exemplary connector, into which a syringe1, which is an example of the first device, is screwed. The syringe1has an outer cylinder1aand a plunger1b. A cylinder tip2and a male Luer2bare provided at the tip of the outer cylinder1a. A screw portion, such as a female screw2a, is formed in the inner surface of the cylinder tip2. The male Luer2bis formed in the cylinder tip2. The male Luer2bis formed into a cylindrical shape in such a manner as to communicate with the interior of the outer cylinder1a. The syringe1is configured to discharge a fluid contained in the outer cylinder1athrough the cylinder tip2with the plunger1bmanipulated, or to transfer a fluid outside the outer cylinder1ainto the outer cylinder1athrough the cylinder tip2.

The infusion connector10may be configured in such a manner that a spike adapter25connected to the infusion bag20can be attached to and detached from the infusion connector10, where the spike adapter25is an example of the second device. The infusion connector10forms a flow path connecting the spike adapter25and the syringe by connecting the spike adapter25to the infusion connector10. The infusion connector10, together with the spike adapter25, also forms a flow path that fluidically connects the infusion bag20and the syringe1. The syringe1supplies a medical agent to the infusion bag by way of the infusion connector10and the spike adapter25.

As shown inFIGS.1to6, the infusion connector10may include a housing30; a connection member40rotatably supported by the housing30and to which the syringe1is connected; and a ratchet50that restricts the rotation of the connection member40in the first direction, which is the same as the screwing direction of the syringe1while allowing the rotation in the second direction, which is the same as the opposite direction.

Here, according to the present embodiment, the connection of the syringe1to the connection member40is the state in which the cylinder tip2is screwed into the connection member40and the male Luer2bis fitted into the connection member40. With the male Luer2bfitted into the connection member40, the outer surface of the male Luer2bestablishes a surface contact with the inner surface of the connection member40so that the outer surface of the male Luer2band the inner surface of the connection member40can be sealed together.

The infusion connector10includes: an engagement member70configured to secure the housing30and spike adapter25and release the engagement; a flow path member80provided in the housing30and connected to the connection member40; a cylindrical head sleeve90movably housed in the housing30; a needle seal110secured to the head sleeve90; a stopper sleeve100configured to selectively secure the head sleeve90to the housing30and selectively secure the head sleeve90and spike adapter25; and a bias member120configured to bias the head sleeve90in a direction pushing it out of the housing30.

As shown inFIG.3, the housing30is formed by combining a first casing36and a second casing37. The housing30may be shaped into a cylinder with its end closed and the other end opened. In particular, the housing30includes an end wall portion31, a barrel portion32, and a support wall portion33. A pawl52of the ratchet50, which will be described later, is formed integrally with the housing30. Part of the spike adapter25is inserted into the housing30through an opening30aat the above-mentioned other end.

The end wall portion31may be formed into a plate having part of the edge shaped into an arc and the remaining part of the edge shaped into a rectangle. A hole31ais formed in the end wall portion31. In the example of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the hole31ais provided, for example, at a position shifted from the center of the arc in the region where the edge is formed into the arc. The hole31abeing formed at a position shifted from the center of the arc means that the center of the hole31ais displaced from the center of the arc. In another example, the hole31amay be formed at the center of the arc in the region where the edge of the end wall portion31is formed into an arc.

The barrel portion32is formed around the edge of the end wall portion31. The barrel portion32is formed into a cylinder such that part of the spike adapter25is movable therein. In particular, the barrel portion32includes a cylindrical portion34athat is continuous with the outer peripheral edge of the end wall portion31where the arc portion is formed, and a rectangular portion34bthat is continuous with the outer peripheral edge of the end wall portion31where the rectangular portion is formed.

A hole35is formed in the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion34a. The hole35penetrates through the barrel portion32in the radial direction, and is formed into an elongated shape along the axial line of the housing30. Two holes35are formed.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the support wall portion33is formed on the inner surface of the barrel portion32. The support wall portion33rotatably supports the connection member40. The support wall portion33is, for example, a partition wall that partitions the inside of the barrel portion32in the axial direction, and has a hole33athrough which a small-diameter portion40bof the connection member40, which will be described later, is rotatably arranged.

The housing30having the above configuration is formed by combining the first casing36and the second casing37. As illustrated inFIG.5, the casings36and37have shapes obtained by dividing the housing30along a plane that extends through the axial line of the housing30and is parallel to the alignment direction of the cylindrical portion34aand the rectangular portion34bof the barrel portion32. The casing36and the casing37respectively include a protrusion and a recess, which are engaged with each other when they are attached.

In particular, the first casing36has a first end surface36a. The first end surface36amay be formed into a flat surface. The first casing36may include a plurality of protrusions36b. The protrusions36bare formed on the first end surface36a. The protrusions36bmay be formed on the center side of the first end surface36ain the thickness direction of the first casing36.

The second casing37has a second end surface37a. The second end surface37amay abut on the first end surface36a. The second casing37includes a plurality of recesses37b. The recesses37bare formed so as to be engaged with the protrusions36b. The recesses37bare formed in the second end surface37a. The recesses37bare formed on the center side of the second end surface37ain the thickness direction of the second casing37.

In one of the first casing36and the second casing37, for example in the first casing36, a hole36cis formed in part of a region in which it faces a gear51of the ratchet50, which will be described later. The hole36cmay extend in the circumferential direction about the axial line of the cylindrical portion34afrom the end portion of the rectangular portion34bof the first casing36on the cylindrical portion34aside to a position approximately opposing to the central axis of the gear51of the ratchet50in a direction of the protrusion36bprotruding from the first end surface36a.

The hole36chas a geometry which allows the first casing36to be formed by molding. In particular, the hole36cis formed as a groove, with which the pawl52of the ratchet50will not become undercut. In addition, the hole36cis formed to have a geometry larger than the pawl52in the opposing direction of the first casing36and the second casing37. The hole36cbeing larger than the pawl52in the opposing direction of the casings36and37means that the hole36cis large enough to arrange the pawl52therein in the opposing direction of the casings36and37. In other words, the hole36cis formed, when viewed in the opposing direction of the casings36and37, to have a size such that the pawl52can be positioned inside the hole36c.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and6, the connection member40is shaped into a cylinder, and formed integrally with the gear51of the ratchet50, which will be described later. The connection member40may be formed into a cylinder that has a large-diameter portion40aand a small-diameter portion40b. The inside of the connection member40constitutes a flow path L1. In the connection member40, an intermediate portion of the large-diameter portion40ain the axial direction is arranged in the hole31aof the end wall portion31of the housing30. In the connection member40, one end side of the large-diameter portion40aopposite to the small-diameter portion40bis arranged outside the housing30. The remaining portion of the connection member40, in other words, the portion of the large-diameter portion40aon the small-diameter portion40bside and the small-diameter portion40b, is arranged in the housing30.

A stopper portion40a1having a diameter larger than the diameter of the hole31ais formed on the peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion40a. With the abutment of the stopper portion40a1on the edge of the hole31a, the connection member40can be prevented from coming off the housing30through the hole31a. A screw portion42is formed at one end portion41of the large-diameter portion40a, into which the cylinder tip2of the syringe1is screwed. The screw portion42may be a male screw that is screwed into a female screw2aformed on the inner surface of the cylinder tip2. The inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion40ais shaped into a female Luer that matches the male Luer2bof the syringe1. Here, the female Luer being shaped to match the male Luer2bmeans that it has a shape such that the outer peripheral surface of the male Luer2binserted into the large-diameter portion40aestablishes a surface contact with the female Luer, as illustrated inFIG.2.

The small-diameter portion40bis arranged in the hole33aof the support wall portion33. With the small-diameter portion40barranged in the hole33a, the end surface of the large-diameter portion40aserves as a stopper so that the connection member40can be prevented from moving in a direction away from the end wall portion31.

The ratchet50includes a gear51formed integrally with the connection member40and a pawl52formed integrally with one of the first casing36and the second casing37.

The gear51is formed integrally on the peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion40aof the connection member40on the small-diameter portion40bside. The gear51has a plurality of teeth51ain the circumferential direction of the large-diameter portion40a. The teeth51ainclude a restricting surface51band a climbing surface51c.

The restricting surface51bmay be formed into the flat surface that abuts on the pawl52in a direction intersecting the direction of the protrusion36bprotruding from the first end surface36a. In the example of the present embodiment, the intersecting direction indicates an orthogonal direction or a substantially orthogonal direction.

The pawl52is formed on the housing30, and extends toward the gear51in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the housing30. The restricting surface51bof the gear51rotating in the first direction becomes engaged with the pawl52in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the protrusion36bwith respect to the first end surface36aof the first casing36, and the pawl52thereby restricts the rotation of the gear51in the first direction. In the example of the present embodiment, the pawl52is engaged with the restricting surface51bin a direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the protruding direction of the protrusion36bwith respect to the first end surface36a.

The pawl52is arranged in the hole36c. In particular, the pawl52includes a main body52a, an abutment portion52b, and a rib52c. When the force applied by the gear51that is biased in the first direction exceeds a predetermined value, the main body52aand the rib52cof the pawl52are elastically deformed so that the pawl52is retracted from the gear51to allow the gear51to rotate in the first direction. The predetermined value is determined to be smaller than a value at which the syringe1and the infusion connector10can be damaged.

The main body52aextends from one end36c1of the hole36con the rectangular portion34bside along the outer periphery of the barrel portion32toward the gear51side in a direction that is orthogonal to the axial line of the housing30and is oriented from the rectangular portion34btoward the cylindrical portion34a. The main body52aextends from the end36c1of the hole36cto the vicinity of the other end of the hole36c. One end of the pawl52on the end36c1side of the hole36cwill be referred to as a “proximal end52e”, and the other end will be referred to as a “distal end”. The main body52acreates a clearance with the inner surface of the hole36c. This clearance may be large enough for the main body52ato move within.

The outer surface52a1of the main body52ais displaced toward the inner side of the barrel portion32with respect to the outer surface32aof the barrel portion32. The outer surface52a1of the main body52ais a surface exposed outside the housing30through the hole36c.

In the example of this embodiment, the displacement amount of the outer surface52a1with respect to the outer surface32ais determined to be an amount at which the outer surface52a1of the main body52awould not protrude outward from the outer surface32aof the barrel portion32even under the elastic deformation of the pawl52, which occurs when the climbing surface51cof the gear51rotating in the second direction climbs onto the pawl52. In other words, the displacement amount of the outer surface52a1with respect to the outer surface32ais an amount at which the outer surface52a1of the main body52awill remain at the same position as the outer surface32aof the barrel portion32or on the inner side of the housing30with respect to the outer surface32aeven when the pawl52is elastically deformed by the climbing surface51cof the gear51climbing onto the pawl52at the time of the gear51rotating in the second direction. The outer surface52a1being at the same position as the outer surface32ameans that the outer surface52a1is at the same position as a plane extending the outer surface32aover the hole36c.

Alternatively, the displacement amount of the outer surface52a1with respect to the outer surface32amay be an amount at which the outer surface52a1will protrude outward from the outer surface32awhen the pawl52is elastically deformed by the climbing surface51cof the gear51climbing onto the pawl52at the time of the gear51rotating in the second direction.

Furthermore, the displacement amount of the outer surface52a1toward the inside of the housing30with respect to the outer surface32ais an amount at which, when the user presses the hole36cof the barrel portion32and its surrounding area with a finger, the abutment portion52bcomes to abut on the gear51by the main body52abeing pressed toward the inner side of the barrel portion32with the finger. With the abutment portion52babutting on the gear51, the rotation of the gear51in the second direction can be restricted.

The abutment portion52bprotrudes from the distal end of the main body52atoward the inside of the barrel portion32so as to abut on the gear51. The abutment portion52bis located closer to the gear51than the proximal end52eof the main body52ain the protruding direction of the abutment portion52bfrom the main body52a. The abutment portion52bhas a rigidity large enough to be not deformed even under abutment on the gear51rotating in the first direction and the second direction. The pawl52has an abutment surface52don which the restricting surface51babuts. The abutment surface52dmay be formed into a flat surface with which the restricting surface51bmakes a surface contact or substantially makes a surface contact.

The rib52cis formed along the main body52a, on the inner surface of the main body52a. The inner surface of the main body52ais located on the axial line side of the housing30. The rib52cextends from the proximal end52eof the main body52ato the abutment portion52b. The rib52chas a thickness smaller than that of the main body52a. The thicknesses of the rib52care the thickness in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction of the rib52cand the protruding direction of the rib52cfrom the main body52a. That is, the thickness of the rib52cis a thickness in a direction orthogonal to both the direction from the proximal end52eof the main body52atoward the distal end and the direction in which the rib52cprotrudes from the main body52a.

The thickness of the rib52cand the protruding height of the rib52cfrom the main body52aare set to a thickness and a protruding height such that, when the pressing force applied from the gear51biased in the first direction exceeds a predetermined value, the main body52aand the ribs52ccan be elastically deformed, allowing the main body52aand the ribs52cto be retracted to a position where the gear51can be rotated in the first direction. The predetermined value is smaller than a value at which the syringe1and the infusion connector10may be damaged, and is larger than a pressing force generated at the time of screwing in the syringe1to the connection member40for regular use and applied from the gear51.

The distal end surface52c1of the rib52cin the protruding direction is formed into a flat surface on the abutment portion52bside and a curved surface on the proximal end52eside. One end of the rib52con the abutment portion52bside is connected to an intermediate portion of the abutment portion52bin the protruding direction.

That is, in the example of the present embodiment, the distal end surface52c1of the pawl52is formed into a flat surface with its abutment portion52bside lowered and also into a gently curved continuous surface on its proximal end52eside such that, when the pressing force from the gear51biased in the first direction exceeds a predetermined value, the main body52aand the rib52cwill be elastically deformed, allowing the main body52aand the ribs52cto be retracted to a position where the gear51can be rotated in the first direction.

A plurality of engagement members70are provided, and engaged with the spike adapter25in a state where the spike adapter25is inserted into the housing30. With the engagement members70engaged with the spike adapter25, the spike adapter25is secured to the housing30by way of the engagement members70. When manipulated, the engagement members70are released from the engagement with the spike adapter25. For instance, two engagement members70may be provided.

As shown inFIG.3, the engagement members70are respectively formed into a shape elongated in one direction. One end portion of an engagement member70is secured to the hole35on the opening side of the housing30. The engagement members70may be formed integrally with the housing30. An engagement portion71is provided in an intermediate portion of the engagement member70in the longitudinal direction thereof to be engaged with the spike adapter25, and a manipulation portion72is provided at the other end portion of the engagement member70to be manipulated by a user.

The engagement portion71is engaged with the spike adapter25in the state of the flow path member80of the infusion connector10being inserted into the spike adapter25. The engagement portion71is configured to be released from the engagement with the spike adapter25when the manipulation portion72is manipulated.

The manipulation portion72is arranged outside the barrel portion32. For instance, when the manipulation portion72is manipulated, or more specifically, when it is pressed inward of the barrel portion32, the manipulation portion72moves inward of the barrel portion32in comparison with the position prior to the manipulation.

The flow path member80constitutes a flow path L2therein. The flow path member80may be a needle member. An opening is formed at each of the ends of the flow path member80to communicate with the flow path L2. In the example of this embodiment, the opening of the end of the flow path member80on the seal110side is formed in the side surface of the flow path member80. As illustrated inFIG.4, one end of the flow path member80is secured inside the small-diameter portion40bof the connection member40. The flow path member80communicates with the flow path L1in the connection member40.

The head sleeve90is accommodated in the housing30. As illustrated inFIG.4, the head sleeve90is shaped into a cylinder that is movable inside the housing30.

The stopper sleeve100is secured to the outer peripheral surface of the head sleeve90. The stopper sleeve100is configured to selectively restrict the movement of the head sleeve90with respect to the housing30and to selectively secure the head sleeve90to the spike adapter25.

The needle seal110is provided in the stopper sleeve100as shown inFIG.4. The needle seal110seals the opening at the distal end of the flow path member80, or in other words, on the side of the flow path member80being inserted into the spike adapter25. The needle seal110is formed of a resin such as rubber or elastomer, and is formed in such a manner that it can seal, with its resilience, the hole formed by the flow path member80in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner after the flow path member80is moved.

When the spike adapter25is inserted into the housing30and the head sleeve90moves toward the end wall portion31side, the flow path member80penetrates the needle seal110.

As shown inFIG.4, the bias member120is accommodated in the housing30and biases the head sleeve90toward the opening side of the housing30. The bias member120may be a coil spring.

In the infusion connector10configured as described above, when the spike adapter25is inserted into the housing30, the head sleeve90and the stopper sleeve100, which are integrally combined, move together with the spike adapter25inside the housing30toward the end wall portion31.

In the process of moving together with the spike adapter25to the position where the flow path member80is inserted into the spike adapter25, the head sleeve90and the stopper sleeve100that are integrally combined are secured to the spike adapter25. This secured state can be achieved by engaging an engaging portion such as an arm member provided on the stopper sleeve100with an engaged portion such as a recess provided in the outer peripheral surface of the spike adapter25.

Furthermore, when the spike adapter25is moved in a direction of being pulled out of the housing30from the state in which the flow path member80is inserted into the spike adapter25with the head sleeve90and the stopper sleeve100secured to the spike adapter25, the head sleeve90, stopper sleeve100, and spike adapter25are integrally moved inside the housing30toward the opening side of the housing30under the biasing force of the bias member120.

The secured state between the spike adapter25and the integrally combined head sleeve90and stopper sleeve100is released when the head sleeve90and stopper sleeve100move to the end portion of the housing30on the opening side and the flow path member80comes out of the spike adapter25.

Next, an exemplary operation of connecting the syringe1to the infusion connector10will be described.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the user places the distal end of the cylinder tip2of the syringe1in alignment with one end of the large-diameter portion40aof the connection member40.

Next, by rotating the syringe1, the user screws the screw portion42of the connection member40into the female screw2aon the inner surface of the cylinder tip2. The user rotates the syringe1until its rotation with respect to the connection member40is restricted. When the screw portion42is screwed into the female screw portion2aon the inner surface of the cylinder tip2, the male Luer2bin the cylinder tip2is inserted into the female Luer on the inner surface of the connection member40. The user rotates the syringe1until the female Luer and the male Luer are completely joined, or in other words, until the outer peripheral surface of the male Luer2bcomes into surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion40aof the connection member40so that the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface can be sealed together. Thus, the syringe1is rotated until the rotation of the syringe1with respect to the connection member40is restricted.

The force applied to the connection member40by rotating the syringe1to rotate the connection member40is exerted in the first direction. The restricting surface51bof the teeth51aof the gear51thereby abuts on the abutment portion52bof the pawl52. Under this abutment, the abutment portion52band the restricting surface51bare engaged with each other in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the protrusion36bwith respect to the first end surface36aof the first casing36. As a result, the rotation of the connection member40in the first direction, which is the same as the direction of screwing in the syringe1, is restricted.

With the syringe1having been fully rotated, the connection operation of the syringe1and the infusion connector10is completed. Here, the full rotation of the syringe1means that the syringe1has been rotated to a position where the rotation of the syringe1is restricted by the ratchet50so that the syringe1can be rotated no further.

The ratchet50allows for the rotation in the second direction, which is a rotation in the same direction as the rotation for removing the syringe1. Thus, with this infusion connector10, even if the syringe1is rotated in an attempt to remove it from the infusion connector10, the syringe1and the connection member40rotate integrally with each other so that the syringe1can be prevented from being removed from the infusion connector10.

With this infusion connector10, however, it is possible to remove the syringe1if the necessity to remove the syringe1from the infusion connector10arises. An exemplary operation of removing the syringe1from the infusion connector10will be described.

When removing the syringe1from the connection member40, the user presses the outer surface52a1of the main body52aof the pawl52with a finger. Pressing the outer surface52a1with a finger is pressing of the outer surface52a1with a force that would not move the pawl52outward when rotating the syringe1in the second direction for the removal of the syringe1from the infusion connector10. By pressing the main body52awith a finger, the main body52ais prevented from bending toward the outside of the housing30. Since the bending of the main body52atoward the outside of the housing30is prevented, the climbing surface51cis prevented from climbing onto the abutment portion52b. As a result, the rotation of the gear51in the second direction can be restricted.

The user presses the main body52aso that the rotation of the gear51can be restricted in the second direction and the syringe1can be rotated in the second direction, which is the direction of removing the syringe1from the connection member40. Since the rotation of the gear51in the second direction is restricted, the connection member40will not rotate integrally with the syringe1even by rotating the syringe1in the direction of removing the syringe1from the connection member40. By rotating the syringe1until the syringe1is detached from the connection member40, the operation of removing the syringe1from the connection member40is completed.

With the infusion connector10configured as described above, when the gear51of the ratchet50is rotated in the first direction, which is the restricting direction, the restricting surface51babuts on the pawl52in the direction intersecting the direction of the protrusion36bprotruding from the first end surface36aof the first casing36. This engages the restricting surface51bwith the abutment portion52bso that the rotation of the gear51in the first direction can be restricted.

As a result, even when the gear51is rotated in the first direction, the protrusion36bis in contact with the inner surface of the recess37bin the direction along the end surfaces36aand37a, and therefore the casings36and37can be prevented from being displaced along the end surfaces36aand37a.

Furthermore, since the restricting surface51bof the gear51abuts on the abutment portion52bin the direction intersecting the protruding direction of the protrusion36bwith respect to the first end surface36a, only part of the force applied from the restricting surface51bto the abutment portion52bis exerted in the direction of releasing the engagement between the protrusion36band the recess37bof the casings36and37. The direction of releasing the engagement between the protrusion36band the recess37bis the direction of pulling the protrusion36bfrom the recess37b.

Since the secured state of the casings36and37can be maintained through the engagement force of the recess37band the protrusion36b, there is no need to use an adhesive for securing the casings36and37.

Furthermore, since the direction of the restricting surface51bof the gear51abutting on the abutment portion52bis substantially orthogonal to the direction of the protrusion36bprotruding from the first end surface36a, the force exerted in the direction of releasing the engagement between the protrusion36band the recess37bcan be reduced. In addition, since the direction in which the restricting surface51bof the gear51abuts on the abutment portion52bis substantially orthogonal to the direction of the protrusion36bprotruding from the first end surface36a, the generation of a force that would release the engagement between the protrusion36band the recess37bcan be prevented.

Furthermore, the first casing36is provided with a hole36c. This means that the first casing36can be formed by molding. That is, even though the pawl52extends in the direction intersecting with the direction of demolding the mold for forming the first casing36, the pawl52can be prevented from becoming undercut because of the structure in which the first casing36has the hole36cand one end of the pawl52is provided at one end of this hole36c. This allows the first casing36to be formed by molding.

The pawl52includes a main body52a, an abutment portion52b, and a rib52c, where the rib52cextends from one end of the main body52ato the abutment portion52b. This allows for the area in which the rib52cis formed to be increased, which can enhance the strength of the pawl52. Thus, the force for restricting the rotation of the gear51can be increased with a simple configuration.

Furthermore, by setting the geometry of the rib52cto a desired geometry, the restricting force of the ratchet50can be set to a desired level. The restricting force of the ratchet50therefore can be determined to be a force that can elastically deform the main body52aand the rib52cso as to retract the abutment portion52bfrom the gear51before the force applied from the gear51to the pawl52at the time of rotating the gear51in the first direction reaches either one of the force damaging the syringe1and the force damaging the infusion connector10, whichever is smaller. In this manner, damage to the syringe1and the infusion connector10can be prevented. Here, the damage to the syringe1may be damage to the female screw2aon the cylinder tip2. The damage to the infusion connector10may be damage to the ratchet50or to the screw portion42.

In addition, with the main body52aarranged in the hole36c, the user can restrict the rotation of the gear51in the second direction by pressing the main body52afrom the outside of the housing30so as to bring the abutment portion52binto abutment on the climbing surface51cof the gear51.

If a need arises to remove the syringe1from the infusion connector10, the rotation of the gear51in the second direction can be restricted by pressing the main body52aso that the syringe1can be removed from the connection member40.

The abutment portion52bis located closer to the gear51than the proximal end52eof the main body52ain the direction of the abutment portion52bprotruding from the main body52a. This allows the main body52aand the rib52cto be elastically deformed, and therefore the pawl52can be retracted from the gear51.

The outer surface52a1of the main body52aof the pawl52is arranged at a position displaced from the outer surface32aof the housing30toward the inner side of the housing30. Thus, when the pawl52is elastically deformed by the climbing surface51cof the gear51climbing onto the abutment portion52bat the time of the gear51rotating in the second direction, the amount of protrusion of the pawl52to the outside of the housing30can be reduced.

As described above, with the pawl52elastically deforming and the outer surface52a1of the pawl52protruding from the outer surface32ato the outside of the housing30, the user can easily stop the ratchet50. Here, stopping the ratchet50means stopping the rotation of the gear51in the second direction, which is the direction of allowing for the rotation. If there is no need to stop the ratchet50, the amount of protrusion of the outer surface52a1can be reduced so that the burden on the user's finger can be lessened when pressing the outer surface52a1with the finger.

The displacement amount of the outer surface52a1of the main body52awith respect to the outer surface32aof the housing30can be set to an amount at which the outer surface52a1will not protrude from the outer surface32ato the outside of the housing30when the climbing surface51cclimbs onto the abutment portion52b. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally touching the main body52a. That is, since the rotation of the gear51in the second direction can be prevented from being unintentionally restricted by the user, unintentional detachment of the syringe1from the connection member40can be prevented.

In the above-described example, the configuration of the pawl52of the ratchet50including a main body52a, an abutment portion52b, and a rib52c, where the main body52ais shaped to extend along the circumferential direction of the housing30, has been described. The configuration, however, is not limited thereto.

In another example, as illustrated inFIG.7, the pawl52may be shaped to extend linearly toward the gear51. In this configuration, the pawl52may not include an abutment portion52band a rib52c.

In the above example, the configuration of the housing30having the hole36chas been described, which is not a limitation. For instance, if the housing30can be formed integrally with the pawl52by molding without a hole36c, the housing30may not be provided with a hole36c.

In addition, in the above example, the configuration of the spike adapter25serving as the second device and connected to the infusion connector10has been described, which is not a limitation. In another example, the second device may be a bag adapter25A, as indicated inFIG.8.

FIG.8is a perspective view showing the structure of the bag adapter25A. As shown inFIG.8, the bag adapter25A includes a spike portion125, a first device connecting portion126, and a second device connecting portion127.

The spike portion125, when being inserted into the infusion bag20, is connected to the infusion bag20. The first device connecting portion126is connected to the infusion connector10. The first device connecting portion126may have the same configuration as a portion of the spike adapter25that is inserted into the housing30. The second device connecting portion127is connected to a third device, which is a device that supplies a fluid to the infusion bag20through the bag adapter25A or is supplied with the fluid from the infusion bag20through the bag adapter25A. The third device may be a component through which a fluid flows, such as a tube.

With the bag adapter25A having the first device connecting portion126connected to the infusion connector10and the spike portion125connected to the infusion bag20, a flow path for fluidically connecting the syringe1and the infusion bag20can be formed by the infusion connector10, the first device connecting portion126, and the spike portion125.

Furthermore, with the bag adapter25A having the spike portion125connected to the infusion bag20and the third device connected to the second device connecting portion127, a flow path for fluidically connecting the infusion bag20and the third device can be formed by the spike portion125and the second device connecting portion127. These flow paths are independently provided.

In the above-described example, the infusion connector10has been described as an exemplary connector, but the connector is not limited to the infusion connector10. In another example, as shown inFIGS.9to11, the connector may be a syringe adapter130, to which a container adapter25B is connected as the second device. In the syringe adapter130, components having the same functions as those of the infusion connector10will be referred to by the same reference numerals as those of the infusion connector10, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG.9is a front view showing the structure of the syringe adapter130,FIG.10is a side view showing the structure of the syringe adapter130, andFIG.11is a cross-section showing a state in which the container adapter25B is connected to the syringe adapter130.

As shown inFIGS.9to11, the container adapter25B is connected to a container such as a vial. The container adapter25B has two flow paths26and27therein. The flow paths26and27are sealed at one end by a seal28. When the container adapter25B is connected to the container, these two flow paths26and27communicate with the interior of the container.

The syringe adapter130may include a housing30A; a connection member40which is rotatably supported by the housing30A and into which the cylinder tip2of the syringe1is screwed; a ratchet50; an engagement member70which secures the housing30A and the container adapter25B and releases their secured state; a flow path member80which is provided in the housing30A and is connected to the connection member40; a cylindrical head sleeve90movably housed in the housing30A; a needle seal110secured to the head sleeve90; a stopper sleeve100configured to selectively secure the head sleeve90to the housing30A and selectively secure the head sleeve90to the container adapter25B; a bias member120for biasing the head sleeve90in the direction of pushing it out of the housing30A; an air bag131; and a gas flow path132communicating with the air bag131and being connectable to the container adapter25B.

The housing30A includes an end wall portion31, a barrel portion32, a support wall portion33, and an air bag storage portion135. The air bag storage portion135stores the air bag131therein. The air bag storage portion135may be formed integrally with the rectangular portion34bon the side opposite to the cylindrical portion34a.

The gas flow path132may include a gas needle133and a flow path portion134that fluidically connects the gas needle133and the air bag131.

When the container adapter25B is connected to the syringe adapter130, the flow path member80penetrates the seals110and28and is inserted into the flow path26so as to communicate with the flow path26. When the container adapter25B is connected to the syringe adapter130, the gas needle133penetrates the seals110and28and is inserted into the flow path27so as to communicate with the flow path27.

Such a syringe adapter130constitutes together with the container adapter25B a flow path for connecting the container and the syringe1. The syringe adapter130also constitutes together with the container adapter25B a flow path for connecting the container and the air bag131.

With such a syringe adapter130, when a medicament or the like is moved from the syringe1to a container and thereby the volume of the content such as the medicament or air in the container increases, the air in the container moves to the air bag131through the flow path27and the flow path portion134. The pressure in the container thereby remains constant.

For the infusion connector10and the syringe adapter130in the above example, the structure in which the syringe1is connected as the first device to the connection member40has been described, which is not a limitation. In another example, an infusion set140may be connected, as shown inFIGS.12and13.FIG.12is a perspective view showing a structure in which an infusion set140is connected to the infusion connector10.FIG.13is a cross-section showing the main part of the infusion connector10and the infusion set140.

As shown inFIGS.12and13, the infusion set140includes at least a tube141. In the present modification example, the infusion set140includes a tube141and a connection portion142.

One end portion143of the tube141is connected to the connection member40. In particular, as shown inFIG.12, the end portion143is inserted into and secured to the large-diameter portion40a. The end portion143may be secured to the large-diameter portion40aby securing means such as bonding with an adhesive or welding. The tube141may include an adjustment portion141aconfigured to adjust the volume of fluid flowing through the tube141.

The connection portion142is provided at the other end of the tube141. The connection portion142is configured to be connectable to a connection target to which the tube141is fluidically connected. The connection portion142may be a Luer lock.

As a modification example of the infusion set140, the tube141may be provided with a flow path portion144, which includes one or more branches, as shown inFIG.14. The structure ofFIG.14shows the tube141including one flow path portion144. The tube141may be further provided with a valve145for selecting a flow path communicating with the infusion connector10. The valve145is capable of switching between a state in which the infusion connector10and one of the flow path portions144communicate with each other while the infusion connector10and the connection portion142are interrupted and a state in which the infusion connector10and the flow path portion144are interrupted while the infusion connector10and the connection portion142communicate with each other.

The flow path portion144branching from the tube141may be provided at its end with a connection portion146connectable to a connection target to which the flow path portion144is fluidically connected. The connection portion146may be a Luer lock, as illustrated inFIG.14. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.15, the connection portion146may be a spike.

In addition, in the example described above, the configuration in which the tube141of the infusion set140is inserted into and secured to the large-diameter portion40ahas been described, but the configuration is not limited thereto. In another example, as shown inFIGS.16and17, the large-diameter portion40amay be secured inside the end portion143. The large-diameter portion40amay be secured inside the end portion143by bonding with an adhesive or welding.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG.18, the connection member40may be formed into such a shape as to be disposed inside the housing30, without a portion provided outside the housing30. In this example, the large-diameter portion40aof the connection member40may have a length that would not extend to the outside of the housing30in the axial direction. The end portion143of the tube141may be secured inside the connection member40in the housing30, or may be secured with the connection member40disposed inside.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention at an implementation stage. The embodiments may be suitably combined with one another, and in such a case, combined effects can be achieved. Furthermore, various inventions are included in the above-described embodiments, and various inventions can be extracted through a combination of structural elements selected from the disclosed structural elements. For instance, even if some of the structural elements are omitted from the elements shown in the embodiment, a configuration with these structural elements omitted can be extracted as an invention, if the problem can be solved and the effects can be attained.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST