Patent Description:
A therapeutic method of continuously administering a drug solution into the body of a patient is known. For example, as a therapeutic method for a diabetic patient, a therapeutic method of continuously administering insulin in a trace amount to the patient is known. In the therapeutic method, a portable drug solution administration apparatus that can be carried by being fixed to a body or clothing of a user is used. In a case where the portable drug solution administration apparatus is used, a drug solution can be administered to the user all day. As such a type of drug solution administration apparatus, an insulin pump for administering insulin to a user is known.

As one portable drug solution administration apparatus described above, proposed is a drug solution administration apparatus that includes a syringe-like reservoir in which a drug solution is stored, and that includes a plunger to be driven inside the reservoir. In the drug solution administration apparatus, a cannula is connected in a liquid-tight manner to a drug solution supply pipe extending from the reservoir, the cannula is indwelled under the skin of a user, and the stored drug solution is administered into the body of the user.

PTL <NUM> describes a technique of providing a drug solution supply needle member (a drug solution supply needle) having a needle tube at a tip end portion of a drug solution supply pipe, and providing a rubber partition (a rubber plug) at a connection port having a cannula, and connecting the drug solution supply pipe and the cannula by puncturing the rubber plug using the drug solution supply needle.

<CIT> discloses a liquid transport device which is attachable to a living body and transports a liquid into the living body. The liquid transport device includes a storage portion that stores the liquid; a pumping portion that transports the liquid in the storage portion to the living body by compressing a tube; and an injection portion that injects the liquid which is transported by the pump portion into the living body. The injection portion is disposed between the storage portion and the tube when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface of the living body to which the liquid transport device is attached. Such a liquid transport device is reduced in size.

<CIT> discloses a user-wearable patch pump system for delivery of insulin or other medicament. The system can include a pump and an attachment portion that attaches the pump to a user's body. The pump can include a drive unit and a disposable cartridge containing a medicament with the drive unit configured to cause the pump to deliver the medicament in the cartridge to the user. The attachment portion can include a retention frame configured to selectively retain the pump therein and an adhesive patch configured to be attached to the user's body. The pump can be selectively attached to the retention frame and used to deliver medicament either through a cannula to an infusion site directly beneath the retention frame or through tubing to an infusion site displaced from the retention frame.

<CIT> discloses a medical device for transcutaneously inserting an insertable element into a body tissue. The medical device includes an insertable element that has an in vivo distal end for subcutaneous insertion, an ex vivo proximal end, and a pre-bended insertion cannula for subcutaneously inserting the insertable element. The medical device further comprises at least one patch, which is configured to be mounted on the skin of a user. The patch has a patch base and an integrated insertion mechanism for driving the insertion cannula from a storage position within the patch into an inserted position within the body tissue on a curved insertion path.

<CIT> discloses a delivery system for delivering fluidic media to a user having a second housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion, the first housing portion and the second housing portion configured to be slidable relative to each other to operatively engage each other; and a fluid connector supported by one the housing portions in a position to engage a reservoir supported by an other of the housing portions in a case where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are slid relative to each other to operatively engage each other.

<CIT> discloses an infusion pump system that increases patient comfort and convenience. The infusion pump system includes an infusion site interface that is releasably connected to an infusion pump body, and has no tubing associated between the infusion site interface and the pump body. The infusion pump body may include a carrier frame that may be adhered to the skin of a user.

The technique described in PTL <NUM> has the following problems. A drug solution administration apparatus such as an insulin pump includes an apparatus body and a cradle that is attachable to and detachable from each other. The cradle is fixed by being affixed to the skin of a user, and the apparatus body is attached to and detached from the cradle. The syringe (the reservoir), the plunger, the drug solution supply pipe, and the drug solution supply needle described above are provided in the apparatus body, and the connection port described above is provided in the cradle. When mounting the apparatus body to the cradle, in a state where the rubber plug is punctured by the drug solution supply needle, the apparatus body is caused to rotationally move (swirl) with a punctured portion as a center, and is mounted to the cradle.

However, during use of the drug solution administration apparatus, it is necessary to detach the apparatus body from the cradle and mount the apparatus body to the cradle again for some reason, for example, when the user takes a bath or when the user performs filling of the drug solution. Therefore, attaching and detaching operations between the apparatus body and the cradle are repeated during the use of the drug solution administration apparatus, and puncturing and removing operations of the drug solution supply needle to the rubber plug are performed corresponding to the number of repetitions. As a result, for example, there is a risk that a punctured hole of the rubber plug is increased in size or the rubber plug is damaged, and the drug solution leaks from a connection portion between the rubber plug and the drug solution supply needle. In particular, in the apparatus disclosed in PTL <NUM>, the apparatus body is caused to rotationally move and mounted to the cradle in a state of being punctured. At this time, since the drug solution supply needle is twisted in the rubber plug, the rubber plug is likely to be damaged.

Further, the apparatus disclosed in PTL <NUM> is often mounted to the abdomen or the back of the user, and when mounting the apparatus body to the cradle, a surface of the rubber plug may be punctured by the drug solution supply needle from an oblique direction. When the rubber plug is obliquely punctured by the drug solution supply needle, a punctured hole formed in the rubber plug is likely to be longer than that in a case where the surface of the rubber plug is punctured by the drug solution supply needle in a vertical direction, which may accelerate deterioration of the rubber plug.

At least one embodiment of the invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a drug solution administration apparatus that is capable of preventing deterioration of members constituting a connection port during repetition of attaching and detaching operations between an apparatus body and a cradle, and improving mountability of the apparatus body to the cradle.

The above object is solved by a drug solution administration apparatus having the features of claim <NUM>. Further developments are subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, it is possible to prevent deterioration of members constituting a connection port during repetition of attaching and detaching operations between an apparatus body and a cradle, and to improve mountability of the apparatus body to the cradle.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described here are examples for embodying a technical idea of the invention, and do not limit the invention. Further, other aspects, examples, operational techniques, and the like that can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention are all included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

Further, in the drawings attached to the present description, for convenience of illustration and understanding, a scale, an aspect ratio, a shape, and the like may be changed from actual ones and may be schematically expressed as appropriate, and the drawings are just examples and do not limit the interpretation of the invention.

Further, in the following description, in a case where the description is given by adding an ordinal number such as "first" or "second", unless otherwise specified, it is used for convenience and does not define any order.

In the present description, for convenience of description, XYZ coordinates are set as illustrated. That is, a "Z direction" is a direction along a vertical direction, an "X direction" is a direction perpendicular to the Z direction and parallel to a horizontal plane, and a "Y direction" is another direction perpendicular to the Z direction and parallel to the horizontal plane (a direction perpendicular to the X direction). Therefore, in drug solution administration apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM> according to the embodiments, the Z direction coincides with a thickness direction (an upward-downward direction) of the apparatuses, an upward direction is a direction from a living body surface toward the drug solution administration apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>, and a downward direction is a direction toward the living body surface. The X direction coincides with a longitudinal direction (a front-rear direction) along an axial direction of the apparatuses, and the Y direction coincides with a transverse direction (a width direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the apparatuses.

The drug solution administration apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM> according to the embodiments are each an apparatus for continuously administering a drug solution into a user. Examples of the drug solution to be administered using the drug solution administration apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM> include insulin, analgesics, anti-cancer drugs, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs, iron chelators, and pulmonary hypertension drugs. In the embodiments, as an example of the drug solution administration apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>, a portable insulin pump for administering insulin into the body of a user is assumed. The drug solution administration apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>, which are insulin pumps, are used by being affixed to a surface of a living body. The surface of the living body is typically a surface of the skin of the user. Further, positions where the drug solution administration apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM> are affixed are, for example, the abdomen of the user.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view illustrating an appearance of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to a first embodiment, and <FIG> is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating main parts of an overall configuration of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG>, in brief, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> includes a first body portion <NUM> that holds a reservoir <NUM> in which a drug solution is stored, and the like, a second body portion <NUM> that holds a drug solution supply driver <NUM> for supplying the drug solution in the reservoir <NUM> into a living body, and a cradle <NUM> that holds a cannula <NUM> and a connection port <NUM> and that is to be affixed to a living body surface.

The first body portion <NUM> is a disposable portion. The second body portion <NUM> is a reuse portion. The first body portion <NUM> and the second body portion <NUM> are separable from each other and are connectable to each other. In addition, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> is constituted by an apparatus body <NUM> in which the first body portion <NUM> and the second body portion <NUM> are connected to each other, and the cradle <NUM> to which the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted.

The first body portion <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM>, an extruding portion <NUM>, a drug solution supply pipe <NUM>, and a power source portion <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view (seen in the Z direction). In addition, the housing <NUM> is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with an upper opening.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a flat plate-like bottom surface portion 11a and side wall portions 11b rising along the entire periphery of an outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 11a. The bottom surface portion 11a is a plate portion that partitions the housing <NUM> in the Z direction. The bottom surface portion 11a is disposed to face the cradle <NUM> when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>. In the bottom surface portion 11a, the reservoir <NUM>, the extruding portion <NUM>, the drug solution supply pipe <NUM>, and the power source portion <NUM> are mounted to a surface facing the second body portion <NUM> (an upper surface of the bottom surface portion 11a). The bottom surface portion 11a also functions as a bottom surface portion 101a of the apparatus body <NUM> in which the second body portion <NUM> is connected to the first body portion <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> includes a first housing portion 11c surrounded by the bottom surface portion 11a and the side wall portions 11b. The first housing portion 11c is a space provided on an upper surface side of the bottom surface portion 11a, and houses the reservoir <NUM>, the power source portion <NUM>, and the like. When a lid <NUM> of the second body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are connected to each other, the drug solution supply driver <NUM> attached to the inside of the lid <NUM> is housed in the first housing portion 11c.

The housing <NUM> includes first mounting portions 11d for engaging with second mounting portions 31c of the cradle <NUM>, which will be described later, and maintaining a mounted state between the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>. The first mounting portions 11d are each an engaging recess provided on an outer surface of the side wall portion 11b of the first body portion <NUM> along the Y direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first mounting portions 11d are disposed at positions facing the second mounting portions 31c with respect to two corresponding side wall portions 11b (that is, the side wall portions 11b on short sides) along the Y direction in a state where the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>.

The first mounting portions 11d and the second mounting portions 31c function as mounting portions for stably holding the mounted state between the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM>. Therefore, when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can stably maintain the mounted state.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the bottom surface portion 11a includes a first bottom surface 11e, a second bottom surface 11f, and a first step portion <NUM>. The first bottom surface 11e and the second bottom surface 11f are each a plate surface extending along the X direction. As an example, the first bottom surface 11e is disposed on a mounting direction D1 side of the apparatus body <NUM> in the bottom surface portion 11a, and as an example, the second bottom surface 11f is disposed on a mounted state release direction (a mounting release direction D2) side of the apparatus body <NUM> in the bottom surface portion 11a. The first bottom surface 11e and the second bottom surface 11f are positioned in a stepped manner in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM> (the Z direction), and the second bottom surface 11f is positioned below the first bottom surface 11e (on a living body surface side). The first bottom surface 11e is placed on a first placement surface 31e of a placement surface portion 31a when the apparatus body <NUM> is placed on the cradle <NUM>. The second bottom surface 11f is placed on a second placement surface 31d of the placement surface portion 31a in a state where the apparatus body <NUM> is placed on the cradle <NUM>.

Here, the "mounting direction D1" is a direction that is substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a for causing the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM> (that is, substantially parallel to the living body surface) (see <FIG> and <FIG>). By causing the apparatus body <NUM> to rotate in the mounting direction D1 with an engaging position between an engaging recess <NUM> of the apparatus body <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> provided on the cradle <NUM> (specifically, a puncturing position of a drug solution supply portion <NUM> to a plug <NUM>) as a rotation center, the bottom surface portion 101a (the bottom surface portion 11a) of the apparatus body <NUM> can be moved to above the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>.

The "mounting release direction D2" is a direction that is opposite to the mounting direction D1 and is substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a for causing the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move when removing the apparatus body <NUM> from the cradle <NUM> (see <FIG>). By causing the apparatus body <NUM> to rotate in the mounting release direction D2 with the engaging position between the engaging recess <NUM> of the apparatus body <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> provided on the cradle <NUM> as the rotation center, the bottom surface portion 101a of the apparatus body <NUM> can be moved to a position deviated from above the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. When the apparatus body <NUM> rotationally moves in the mounting release direction D2 and is then lifted upward, the engagement between the engaging recess <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> is released, and the apparatus body <NUM> is completely detached from the cradle <NUM>.

The first step portion <NUM> is provided in a boundary portion that defines the first bottom surface 11e and the second bottom surface 11f. The first step portion <NUM> extends to vertically cross the bottom surface portion 11a along the X direction. The first step portion <NUM> has a step surface that rises in a substantially vertical direction (the Z direction) from the second bottom surface 11f toward the first bottom surface 11e when the first body portion <NUM> is seen from a side surface (seen in the X direction). When mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, the first step portion <NUM> is in contact with a step surface of a second step portion 31f of the cradle <NUM> to restrict the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM>.

The bottom surface portion 11a may have a shape complementary to that of the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM> in a mounting completion state of the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM>. Therefore, a configuration of the bottom surface portion 11a is not limited to the configuration described above.

The reservoir <NUM> includes an outer cylinder 12a in which the drug solution to be administered to the user is stored, and discharges the drug solution in the outer cylinder 12a by a pressing operation by the extruding portion <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> is provided with a discharge port (not illustrated) for the drug solution at a tip end thereof, and one end of the drug solution supply pipe <NUM> is connected to the discharge port. The other end of the drug solution supply pipe <NUM> is connected to the drug solution supply portion <NUM> from a first housing portion 11c side of the housing <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> is provided with a gear 12b in a vicinity of an end portion thereof. The gear 12b rotates due to a driving force from the drug solution supply driver <NUM>. A feed screw 12c meshes with an end portion of a rotation shaft of the gear 12b. The feed screw 12c is provided to be movable in the X direction. In the reservoir <NUM>, a gear 23b and the gear 12b rotate by driving from the drug solution supply driver <NUM>, and the extruding portion <NUM> moves in the X direction while the feed screw 12c rotates in accordance with the rotation of the gear 12b. The drug solution in the reservoir <NUM> is supplied to the drug solution supply pipe <NUM> depending on a pressing amount of the extruding portion <NUM> that moves by the rotation of the feed screw 12c. The drug solution supply pipe <NUM> is fluidly connected (in a connection state where the drug solution can flow) to the connection port <NUM>, which will be described later, in a detachable manner via the drug solution supply portion <NUM>.

The reservoir <NUM> is not limited to a syringe, and may be any reservoir capable of storing the drug solution, for example, a soft bag. The reservoir <NUM> is only required to be capable of discharging the drug solution by the extruding portion <NUM>.

The power source portion <NUM> supplies a driving power supply necessary for driving the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>. The power source portion <NUM> includes a battery serving as a power supply for driving the drug solution supply driver <NUM> and the like, and a battery box for housing the battery. The power source portion <NUM> is connected to an electrode (not illustrated) on a circuit board <NUM>. The power source portion <NUM> may be disposed inside the lid <NUM> as a component of the second body portion <NUM>.

The drug solution supply portion <NUM> has a cylindrical hollow shape in which a drug solution supply hole 16a is formed at a tip end. A proximal end of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is connected to the drug solution supply pipe <NUM>, and the tip end of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted to the connection port <NUM> provided on the cradle <NUM>. The drug solution supply hole 16a is formed to penetrate the drug solution supply portion <NUM> along a central axis of the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is disposed in a manner of not protruding beyond the bottom surface portion 11a (the second bottom surface 11f) inside the engaging recess <NUM> provided in the bottom surface portion 11a of the first body portion <NUM>.

A first engaging portion 16b to be engaged with a second engaging portion 421e of a rotating member <NUM>, which will be described later, is provided at the tip end of the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. The first engaging portion 16b is implemented by, for example, a notch groove that extends in an axial direction from the tip end toward the proximal end of the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. When the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the first engaging portion 16b is inserted into the connection port <NUM> and is engaged with the second engaging portion 421e. The first engaging portion 16b is engaged with the second engaging portion 421e when the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted to the rotating member <NUM>, and transmits a rotational force caused by the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 to the rotating member <NUM> via the second engaging portion 421e.

The engaging recess <NUM> is provided to be recessed in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM> on the bottom surface portion 11a (specifically, the second bottom surface 11f) of the first body portion <NUM>. An inner peripheral shape and an inner dimension of the engaging recess <NUM> are set depending on an outer shape and an outer dimension of the connection port <NUM> to be engaged therewith. The engaging recess <NUM> is engaged with the connection port <NUM> so as to cover an outer periphery of the connection port <NUM> when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>. The engaging recess <NUM> is disposed at a position in the first bottom surface 11e facing the connection port <NUM> when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>. The drug solution supply portion <NUM> is disposed at a substantially central portion of the engaging recess <NUM>. For the purpose of further stabilizing a mounting operation, a structure such as a screw or a notch that is rotated and engaged relative to one another may be provided in an inner peripheral surface of the engaging recess <NUM> so as to engage with an outer peripheral surface of the connection port <NUM>.

The second body portion <NUM> includes the lid <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, and the drug solution supply driver <NUM>, and is connected to the first body portion <NUM>. The second body portion <NUM> is a portion where electronic control functions of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> are provided in an aggregated manner. The second body portion <NUM> is configured by housing electronic control functional components such as the circuit board <NUM> and the drug solution supply driver <NUM> inside the lid <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the housing <NUM> of the first body portion <NUM>. An upper surface of the lid <NUM> forms a top surface of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>. The electronic control functional components such as the circuit board <NUM> and the drug solution supply driver <NUM> are attached to a lower surface side of the lid <NUM>.

The drug solution supply driver <NUM> includes a motor 23a and the gear 23b. The motor 23a is a drive source for moving the extruding portion <NUM> in a predetermined direction and supplying the drug solution in the reservoir <NUM>. The gear 23b is constituted by a plurality of stages of gears, and a final-stage gear meshes with the gear 12b. Accordingly, a driving force (a rotational force) from the motor 23a is transmitted to the gear 12b via the gear 23b to drive the extruding portion <NUM>.

In addition, the second body portion <NUM> includes a supply amount detecting unit <NUM>, such as an encoder, that is capable of detecting a supply amount of the drug solution based on a rotational speed of the motor 23a, a communication unit <NUM> that is an interface for enabling communication with the outside, and a control unit <NUM> that is implemented by a known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The communication unit <NUM> and the drug solution supply driver <NUM> operate based on predetermined programs under the control of the control unit <NUM>.

The cradle <NUM> includes a cradle body <NUM> and the connection port <NUM>. The cradle body <NUM> includes the placement surface portion 31a. The connection port <NUM> is attached to an upper surface (the placement surface portion 31a) of the cradle body <NUM>.

The cradle body <NUM> is provided with an adhesive portion 31b on a lower surface thereof. The adhesive portion 31b is a portion that partially and largely protrudes outward from the placement surface portion 31a, and affixes the cradle <NUM> to the living body surface (the skin of the user). The placement surface portion 31a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

In the placement surface portion 31a, when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the bottom surface portion 101a of the apparatus body <NUM> (the bottom surface portion 11a of the first body portion <NUM>) is placed on the placement surface portion 31a. The second mounting portions 31c mounted to the first mounting portions 11d of the first body portion <NUM> are provided on short sides (sides along the Y direction) of the placement surface portion 31a. The second mounting portions 31c are provided with, at tip ends thereof, hook-like engaging protrusions to be fitted into the first mounting portions 11d, and are provided to erect in the thickness direction (the Z direction) at the short sides of the placement surface portion 31a. The second mounting portions 31c are engaged with the first mounting portions 11d in the state where the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>.

The placement surface portion 31a includes the first placement surface 31e, the second placement surface 31d, and the second step portion 31f. The first placement surface 31e and the second placement surface 31d are each a plate surface extending along the X direction. The first placement surface 31e is disposed on a mounting direction D1 side of the placement surface portion 31a, and the second placement surface 31d is disposed on a mounting release direction D2 side of the placement surface portion 31a. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first placement surface 31e and the second placement surface 31d are positioned in a stepped manner in the thickness direction of the cradle body <NUM> (the Z direction), and the first placement surface 31e is positioned above the second placement surface 31d. When the apparatus body <NUM> is placed on the cradle <NUM>, the first bottom surface 11e of the bottom surface portion 11a is placed on the first placement surface 31e. When the apparatus body <NUM> is placed on the cradle <NUM>, the second bottom surface 11f of the bottom surface portion 11a is placed on the second placement surface 31d. In this way, the cradle body <NUM> includes a plurality of surface portions having different thicknesses from the living body surface.

The second step portion 31f is provided in a boundary portion that defines the first placement surface 31e and the second placement surface 31d. The second step portion 31f extends to vertically cross the cradle body <NUM> along the X direction. The second step portion 31f has a step surface that rises in a substantially vertical direction (the Z direction) from the second placement surface 31d toward the first placement surface 31e when the cradle <NUM> is seen from a side surface. When the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the second step portion 31f functions as an abutting surface that abuts against the first step portion <NUM> to restrict the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1.

The placement surface portion 31a may have a shape complementary to that of the bottom surface portion 101a of the apparatus body <NUM> (the bottom surface portion 11a of the first body portion <NUM>) in the mounting completion state of the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM>. The bottom surface portion 11a is combined with the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM> in a complementary manner so as to be integrated with each other in the mounting completion state of the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM>. That is, when the bottom surface portion 11a and the placement surface portion 31a are connected to each other, the shapes of the bottom surface portion 11a and the placement surface portion 31a complement each other across at least one axial direction of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, the configuration of the bottom surface portion 11a is not limited to the configuration described above. More specifically, in the state where the mounting of the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> is completed, the placement surface portion 31a includes the abutting surface that restricts the movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction, and the apparatus body <NUM> has, at the bottom surface portion 11a, a surface facing the abutting surface. The bottom surface portion 11a and the placement surface portion 31a may have a structure at least partially complementary to each other, and preferably, in a plan view of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, shapes complementary to each other are disposed on the D1 side with respect to the engaging recess <NUM> and the connection port <NUM>, or a corner portion side facing a corner portion where the engaging recess <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are disposed. The bottom surface portion 11a and the placement surface portion 31a may be appropriately provided with a structure such as a switch or a notch necessary for function exhibition and manufacturing of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, in addition to the abutting surface that restricts the movement of the apparatus body <NUM>.

In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the bottom surface portion 11a and the placement surface portion 31a have shapes complementary to each other. Therefore, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, a mounting position and a movement direction are easily understood and the mountability is improved in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>. In particular, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> is often mounted to the abdomen or the back of the user and is thus useful. Although it is preferable that in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the bottom surface portion 11a and the placement surface portion 31a have shapes complementary to each other from the viewpoint of improving the mountability, the bottom surface portion 11a and the placement surface portion 31a may not have shapes complementary to each other.

As illustrated in <FIG> or <FIG>, the connection port <NUM> is provided on an upper surface of the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. The connection port <NUM> includes a port body <NUM>, a connection portion <NUM>, the plug <NUM>, and a holding portion <NUM>.

When the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the connection port <NUM> is fluidly connected to the drug solution supply portion <NUM> via the connection portion <NUM>. In the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>, the connection port <NUM> is disposed at a position where the apparatus body <NUM> is rotationally movable in the state of being temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>. Specifically, the connection port <NUM> is disposed in a vicinity of a corner portion of the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. The connection port <NUM> is connected to the engaging recess <NUM> of the apparatus body <NUM>.

The port body <NUM> is a base portion of the connection port <NUM> and is locked to the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. The port body <NUM> includes, at an upper portion, a housing recess <NUM> in which the rotating member <NUM> and the plug <NUM> are housed, and is disposed on the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. The housing recess <NUM> is a space that has a concave shape with an opening <NUM> at a substantially central portion of a bottom portion. The housing recess <NUM>, the holding portion <NUM> positioned below the housing recess <NUM>, the cannula <NUM>, and the opening <NUM> communicate with one another. A side groove <NUM> is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the port body <NUM>, and a flow path is formed between an outer surface of the plug <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface (the opening <NUM>) of the port body <NUM>.

At a lower portion of the port body <NUM> of the connection port <NUM>, the holding portion <NUM> that holds a proximal end of the cannula <NUM> to be indwelled in the living body to supply the drug solution into the living body is provided. The cannula <NUM> protrudes from the holding portion <NUM> toward the body of the user, and at least a tip end portion thereof is indwelled in the living body. The cannula <NUM> is made of a resin material such as a polyurethane, nylon, and an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE). A puncturing tool (not illustrated) holds a puncturing needle and the connection port <NUM> holding the cannula <NUM>, and inserts the puncturing needle and the cannula <NUM> into the living body through a cradle opening <NUM>. At the same time or subsequently, the connection port <NUM> is locked to the cradle <NUM> by a known locking member. After only the puncturing needle is removed from the cradle <NUM>, the puncturing tool is removed from the cradle <NUM> and is discarded together with the puncturing needle.

The holding portion <NUM> is formed in a funnel shape so as to guide, to the cannula <NUM>, the drug solution flowing therein when a first communication hole 421d of the rotating member <NUM> and a second communication hole <NUM> of the plug <NUM> are in communication with each other. Therefore, the drug solution flowing into the opening <NUM> and the holding portion <NUM> through the first communication hole 421d, the second communication hole <NUM>, and the side groove <NUM> is introduced into the living body through the cannula <NUM> along an inner surface of the holding portion <NUM>.

The connection portion <NUM> is disposed at a position in the upper portion of the port body <NUM> facing the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. The connection portion <NUM> and the port body <NUM> function as an introduction port for introducing the drug solution supplied via the drug solution supply portion <NUM> into the connection port <NUM> when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>. Further, the connection portion <NUM> also functions as a puncturing port to be punctured by the puncturing needle (not illustrated) when causing the cannula <NUM> to indwell in the living body.

The connection portion <NUM> includes the rotating member <NUM>, a seal portion <NUM>, and a housing portion <NUM>.

In the housing recess <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> is rotatably held in a direction substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a with a direction in which a lumen of the cannula <NUM> extends as a central axis. The rotating member <NUM> is housed above a recess of the plug <NUM> on the port body <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> is a cylindrical member that has a hollow center having different interior diameters, and includes a large diameter portion 421a and a small diameter portion 421b positioned below the large diameter portion 421a. A step portion 421c protruding from a lower end of the large diameter portion 421a toward the inside of the rotating member <NUM> (a central axis of the connection portion <NUM> in the Z direction) is provided between the large diameter portion 421a and the small diameter portion 421b, that is, in a portion where the inner diameter changes in an inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 421a. The step portion 421c is continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 421a and an inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 421b, and the inner diameter of the rotating member <NUM> changes and reduces in the step portion 421c. The seal portion <NUM> is placed between an inner surface of the housing <NUM> and the step portion 421c.

The first communication hole 421d is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 421b of the rotating member <NUM>. When the rotating member <NUM> is at an open position, the first communication hole 421d communicates with the second communication hole <NUM> of the plug <NUM>. When the first communication hole 421d and the second communication hole <NUM> are in communication with each other, the drug solution supplied from the drug solution supply portion <NUM> can flow to the holding portion <NUM> through the side groove <NUM>. When the rotating member <NUM> is at a closed position, the first communication hole 421d is in contact with a side wall <NUM> of the plug <NUM> and blocks the communication with the outside. Accordingly, the flow of the drug solution or the like from the first communication hole 421d to a cannula <NUM> side is blocked by the connection port <NUM>.

The "closed position" described above is a movement position of the rotating member <NUM> for blocking the fluid connection between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> by closing the first communication hole 421d using the plug <NUM> in a state where the apparatus body <NUM> is not mounted to the cradle <NUM>. In addition, the "open position" is a movement position of the rotating member <NUM> for fluidly connecting the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> by opening the first communication hole 421d (that is, a state of communicating with the second communication hole <NUM>) in the state where the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>. The closed position and the open position are switched depending on the position of the apparatus body <NUM> with respect to the cradle <NUM>.

The second engaging portion 421e for engaging with the first engaging portion 16b of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 421b of the rotating member <NUM>. The second engaging portion 421e is implemented by, for example, a ridge portion that extends in an axial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 421b. The second engaging portion 421e is engaged with the first engaging portion 16b when the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>. At this time, in order to secure a flow path having a sufficient size for a flow rate of the drug solution, a tip end surface of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> may be not in contact with the plug <NUM>. Alternatively, another slit or notch may be provided at the tip end of the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. The second engaging portion 421e is engaged with the first engaging portion 16b when the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted to the rotating member <NUM>, and the rotational force caused by the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 is transmitted to the rotating member <NUM>. Accordingly, the rotating member <NUM> can rotate following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM>. The second engaging portion 421e can be appropriately designed in accordance with a shape of the first engaging portion 16b so as to be engageable with the first engaging portion 16b.

In the inner peripheral surface of the rotating member <NUM>, disposition positions of the first communication hole 421d and the second engaging portion 421e are set based on a movement amount (a rotational movement distance) of the apparatus body <NUM> when the apparatus body <NUM> rotationally moves from the temporarily mounted state of the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 and the mounting thereof is completed. Therefore, when the rotating member <NUM> is at the closed position, the first communication hole 421d can be provided at a position where the first communication hole 421d comes in contact with the side wall <NUM> of the plug <NUM> and is closed. Further, when the rotating member <NUM> moves from the closed position to the open position, the first communication hole 421d can be provided at a position where the first communication hole 421d communicates with the second communication hole <NUM>.

The rotating member <NUM> is at the closed position in the state where the apparatus body <NUM> is not mounted to the cradle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the first engaging portion 16b is engaged with the second engaging portion 421e. In a state where the first engaging portion 16b and the second engaging portion 421e are engaged with each other, the rotating member <NUM> rotates from the closed position to the open position along with the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1. Accordingly, since the first communication hole 421d and the second communication hole <NUM> align and communicate with each other, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are fluidly connected to each other.

Further, when detaching the apparatus body <NUM> from the cradle <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> rotates from the open position to the closed position along with the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting release direction D2. Accordingly, the first communication hole 421d is closed by the side wall <NUM> of the plug <NUM>, and the fluid connection between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> is blocked.

The seal portion <NUM> is in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> mounted in a mounting hole 423a of the housing portion <NUM>. Therefore, the seal portion <NUM> can increase liquid tightness in a state where the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the housing portion <NUM> are connected to each other. An O-ring made of a material having flexibility such as a rubber material and a thermoplastic elastomer can be applied as the seal portion <NUM>.

The housing portion <NUM> is a lid-like member that has a top surface and a peripheral surface and has an open bottom portion, and is attached to the upper portion of the port body <NUM> so as to cover the rotating member <NUM>. The mounting hole 423a that communicates with the inside of the housing portion <NUM> is provided in an upper surface (the top surface) of the housing portion <NUM>. The drug solution supply portion <NUM> is inserted into the mounting hole 423a when the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>. The housing portion <NUM> may be fixed to and attached to the port body <NUM>, or may be rotatably attached to the port body <NUM> along with the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM>. In addition, the puncturing needle for puncturing and inserting into the cannula <NUM> can be inserted into the mounting hole 423a.

The plug <NUM> has a bottomed cylindrical shape in which an upper portion thereof is open in a concave shape to house the rotating member <NUM>, and the side wall <NUM> surrounding the opening, a bottom portion <NUM>, and a flange portion <NUM> on an outer periphery of this opening are provided. The plug <NUM> is housed in the housing recess <NUM> in a state where the rotating member <NUM> is housed above the plug <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the state where the plug <NUM> is housed in the housing recess <NUM>, the flange portion <NUM> is sandwiched between the port body <NUM> and the housing portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the plug <NUM> is positionally fixed (held) in the housing recess <NUM>, and a proximal end of the side groove <NUM> is sealed. The puncturing needle for puncturing and inserting into the cannula <NUM> penetrates the bottom portion <NUM>.

The second communication hole <NUM> is provided on the side wall <NUM> of the plug <NUM>. The second communication hole <NUM> is disposed at a position where the second communication hole <NUM> is communicable with the first communication hole 421d when the rotating member <NUM> is at the open position.

The plug <NUM> can be made of a material having flexibility and resealability. Examples of the material having flexibility include various rubber materials such as silicone rubbers and natural rubbers, and various thermoplastic elastomers such as polyurethane-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, polyamide-based elastomers, olefin-based elastomers, and styrene-based elastomers. That is, after the puncturing needle that has penetrated the plug <NUM> is removed from the upper opening of the plug <NUM>, the plug <NUM> reseals the connection portion <NUM> to block the communication with the outside.

In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the apparatus body <NUM> is caused to rotationally move substantially parallel to the living body surface to be mounted to or separated from the cradle <NUM> in a state where the engaging recess <NUM> provided in the apparatus body <NUM> is engaged with the connection port <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> having such a configuration, when the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted to the connection portion <NUM>, the first engaging portion 16b and the second engaging portion 421e are engaged with each other. Then, when the apparatus body <NUM> is caused to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1, the rotating member <NUM> rotates following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> and rotationally moves from the closed position to the open position, so that the first communication hole 421d and the second communication hole <NUM> communicate with each other. That is, in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, a fluid connection state between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> can be switched depending on a relative positional relation between the port body <NUM> and the rotating member <NUM> that rotates following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM>.

In the related art, puncturing and removing operations of the drug solution supply needle are repeatedly performed for the rubber plug provided in the connection port. As a result, in the related art, as the number of times of the attachment and detachment of the apparatus body and the cradle increases, for example, there is a risk that a punctured hole of the rubber plug is increased in size or the rubber plug is damaged, and the drug solution leaks from a connection portion between the rubber plug and the drug solution supply needle. In a case where the drug solution leaks during use of the drug solution administration apparatus, particularly in a case where a dosage is a trace amount, the patient is likely to be aware of the leakage with a delay, which is thus not preferable. In contrast, in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> having the cylindrical hollow shape is mounted to the mounting hole 423a of the housing portion <NUM>, and the fluid connection state between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> can be switched depending on the relative positional relation between the rotating member <NUM> and the port body <NUM>. Therefore, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can have improved durability as compared with that in the related art. In addition, since the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are fluidly connected to each other only when the rotating member <NUM> is at the open position, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can block the communication with the outside in the state where the apparatus body <NUM> is not mounted to the cradle <NUM>.

Further, in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> rotates following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a in the state where the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted. Therefore, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> becomes the rotation center and a rotating direction of the apparatus body <NUM> is guided, so that the user can stably perform the mounting operation.

Next, operations when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM> in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As a stage before using the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the user mounts the cradle <NUM> to the living body surface, and indwells the cannula <NUM> in the living body. When indwelling the cannula <NUM>, the user inserts the cannula <NUM> into the living body together with the connection portion <NUM> by using a puncturing tool (not illustrated) while adhering the adhesive portion 31b of the cradle <NUM> to the skin. The cannula <NUM> is inserted into the living body by using a puncturing needle. The user removes the puncturing needle and the puncturing tool (not illustrated) used for the insertion of the puncturing needle from the cradle <NUM> in a state where the cannula <NUM> is indwelled in the living body.

Next, the user assembles the apparatus body <NUM> by connecting the second body portion <NUM> to the first body portion <NUM>. The user lowers the assembled apparatus body <NUM> in the Z direction to the cradle <NUM> so as to engage the engaging recess <NUM> with the connection port <NUM>. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted in the state where the engaging recess <NUM> of the apparatus body <NUM> is engaged with the connection port <NUM>. Further, in the state where the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> are mounted to each other, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is inserted into the mounting hole 423a of the housing portion <NUM>, and the first engaging portion 16b and the second engaging portion 421e are engaged with each other. The rotating member <NUM> is at the closed position in a stage before the apparatus body <NUM> rotationally moves in the mounting direction D1.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the user causes the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1, and then engages the first mounting portions 11d with the second mounting portions 31c. At this time, the user causes the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move to a position where the first step portion <NUM> on the bottom surface portion 101a of the apparatus body <NUM> and the second step portion 31f of the cradle <NUM> come in contact with each other. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> is in a mounting completion state.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in an engaged state between the first engaging portion 16b and the second engaging portion 421e, the rotating member <NUM> rotates from the closed position to the open position along with the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1. Accordingly, the first communication hole 421d and the second communication hole <NUM> communicate with each other, and a drug solution flow path (the side groove <NUM> that is a flow path connected to the cannula <NUM> in the connection port <NUM>) communicating with the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is provided. The drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are fluidly connected to each other, and the drug solution can be administered by the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>. In this state, when the user starts the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the drug solution supply driver <NUM> drives the drug solution stored in the reservoir <NUM> at a predetermined timing to flow from the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to the port body <NUM> through the drug solution supply pipe <NUM>. The drug solution that has flowed into the port body <NUM> by the start of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> is introduced into the living body through the cannula <NUM>.

When detaching the apparatus body <NUM> from the cradle <NUM> during the use of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the user releases the engagement between the first mounting portions 11d and the second mounting portions 31c, and then causes the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move in the mounting release direction D2 with the engaging position between the engaging recess <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> as the rotation center. Accordingly, a part of the bottom surface portion 101a of the apparatus body <NUM> is separated from the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. In addition, the rotating member <NUM> rotates from the open position to the closed position along with the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting release direction D2. Accordingly, the first communication hole 421d is closed by the side wall <NUM> of the plug <NUM>, and the fluid connection between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> is blocked. Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, the user moves the apparatus body <NUM> upward. Accordingly, the apparatus body <NUM> is completely detached from the cradle <NUM>. At this time, since the rotating member <NUM> is at the closed position, the first communication hole 421d is in a closed state, and the communication with the outside of the connection port <NUM> is blocked.

Next, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. In the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted, and for example, a configuration, members, and a using method may be the same as those of the embodiment described above unless otherwise specified.

The second embodiment to be described below describes a configuration in which a shape of an engaging recess 17a provided in a bottom surface portion 111a of an apparatus body <NUM> and the shape of the connection port <NUM> are changed.

In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment, a rotating member <NUM> is rotatably mounted to an outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the port body <NUM> of the connection port <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> is engaged with the engaging recess 17a when the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>. In addition, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes a needle-like drug solution supply portion <NUM> instead of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> having the cylindrical hollow shape.

The drug solution supply portion <NUM> is a needle member having a hollow needle tube and a sharp puncturing end. A proximal end of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is connected to the drug solution supply pipe <NUM>, and the puncturing end at a tip end is caused to penetrate and puncture the plug <NUM> of the connection port <NUM> provided in the cradle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is disposed in a manner of not protruding from the engaging recess 17a inside the engaging recess 17a provided in the bottom surface portion 11a of the first body portion <NUM>.

The engaging recess 17a is provided to be recessed in the thickness direction of the housing <NUM> on the bottom surface portion 11a (specifically, the first bottom surface 11e) of the first body portion <NUM>. An inner peripheral surface <NUM> of the engaging recess 17a has a concave-convex shape in which protrusions and recesses formed in a radial direction from an axial center (an extending direction of the drug solution supply portion <NUM>) are alternately disposed along a circumferential direction. The inner peripheral surface <NUM> of the engaging recess 17a is engaged with an outer peripheral surface 424d of the rotating member <NUM>. The drug solution supply portion <NUM> is disposed at a substantially central portion of the engaging recess 17a.

The port body <NUM> is locked to the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. The port body <NUM> holds the rotating member <NUM> in a manner of being rotationally rotatable at the axial center. A seal portion <NUM> is disposed between the port body <NUM> and the rotating member <NUM>. The seal portion <NUM> seals a gap between the rotating member <NUM> and the port body <NUM> to hermetically close the port body <NUM>. Similar to the seal portion <NUM>, an O-ring made of a material having flexibility and sealability such as a rubber material and a thermoplastic elastomer can be applied as the seal portion <NUM>.

The rotating member <NUM> has a cylindrical hollow shape in which a housing portion 424a is provided. The rotating member <NUM> includes a hollow shaft portion 424c extending downward from the housing portion 424a.

The housing portion 424a has a concave shape that is provided with, at a substantially central portion of a bottom portion, an opening 424b communicating with a lumen of the shaft portion 424c, and houses the plug <NUM>. The opening 424b of the housing portion 424a communicates with the holding portion <NUM> via the lumen of the shaft portion 424c. The rotating member <NUM> includes the shaft portion 424c having a cylindrical hollow shape that extends downward from the bottom portion of the housing portion 424a. The shaft portion 424c is housed in the housing recess <NUM> provided on a base portion of the port body <NUM>.

The outer peripheral surface 424d of the rotating member <NUM> has a concave-convex shape in which protrusions and recesses formed in a radial direction from an axial center are alternately disposed along a circumferential direction. The outer peripheral surface 424d of the rotating member <NUM> is engaged with the inner peripheral surface <NUM> of the engaging recess 17a. That is, an inner peripheral shape of the engaging recess 17a and an outer peripheral shape of the connection port <NUM> are shapes complementary to each other. Since it is sufficient that the inner peripheral surface <NUM> of the engaging recess 17a and the outer peripheral surface 424d of the rotating member <NUM> have shapes complementary to each other, shapes of the protrusions and the recesses, a disposition interval in the circumferential direction, and the like are not particularly limited.

The rotating member <NUM> is attached to the port body <NUM> rotatably in the mounting direction D1 and the mounting release direction D2 (see <FIG>). When the apparatus body <NUM> is caused to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1 after the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> rotates along with the movement while engaging with the engaging recess 17a. Specifically, the rotating member <NUM> rotates in a state of being engaged with the engaging recess 17a with an engaging position between the engaging recess 17a and the rotating member <NUM> (specifically, a puncturing position of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to the plug <NUM>) as a rotation center in a state where the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is punctured. Further, when the apparatus body <NUM> is caused to rotationally move in the mounting release direction D2 in order to detach the apparatus body <NUM> from the cradle <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> rotates along with the movement while being engaged with the engaging recess 17a.

In the second embodiment, the plug <NUM> is subjected to puncturing and removing operations by both the puncturing needle and the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. After the puncturing needle that has penetrated the plug <NUM> is removed, the plug <NUM> seals the connection portion <NUM> to block the communication with the outside. In addition, after the drug solution supply portion <NUM> that has penetrated the plug <NUM> is removed, the plug <NUM> seals the connection portion <NUM> to block the communication with the outside.

Similar to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment, in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment, the apparatus body <NUM> is caused to rotationally move to be mounted to or separated from the cradle <NUM> in a state where the engaging recess 17a provided in the apparatus body <NUM> is engaged with the connection port <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> having such a configuration, the rotating member <NUM> is rotatably attached to the port body <NUM>, and the plug <NUM> is disposed inside the rotating member <NUM>. In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, when the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is caused to puncture and be mounted to the plug <NUM>. In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, when the apparatus body <NUM> is caused to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1 after the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted to the cradle <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> rotates following the movement in the state where the rotating member <NUM> is engaged with the engaging recess 17a with the engaging position between the engaging recess 17a and the rotating member <NUM> (the puncturing position of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to the plug <NUM>) as the rotation center.

Therefore, in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> to each other, it is possible to cause the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move without deviating a puncturing posture of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> in a height direction or a lateral direction while the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is in a state of puncturing the plug <NUM>. Therefore, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can reduce the damage to the plug <NUM> by the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. In addition, in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is caused to puncture the plug <NUM> in a state where the engaging recess 17a is guided by the rotating member <NUM>, so that a puncturing portion of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to the plug <NUM> is less likely to be scattered, and the deterioration due to the damage to the plug <NUM> can be reduced. Further, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> on the cradle <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> becomes the rotation center and a rotating direction of the apparatus body <NUM> is guided, so that the user can stably perform the mounting operation without moving the drug solution supply portion <NUM> during a rotating operation.

Next, operations when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM> in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As a stage before using the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the user mounts the cradle <NUM> to the living body surface, and indwells the cannula <NUM> in the living body. When indwelling the cannula <NUM>, the user punctures a puncturing needle and the cannula <NUM> through the cradle opening <NUM>, and inserts only the cannula <NUM> into the living body while adhering the adhesive portion 31b of the cradle <NUM> to the skin. The user removes the puncturing needle and a puncturing tool (not illustrated) used for the insertion of the puncturing needle from the connection portion <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> in the state where the cannula <NUM> is indwelled in the living body.

Next, the user assembles the apparatus body <NUM> by connecting the second body portion <NUM> to the first body portion <NUM>. The user lowers the assembled apparatus body <NUM> in the Z direction to the cradle <NUM> so as to engage the engaging recess 17a with the rotating member <NUM> of the connection port <NUM>. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus body <NUM> is temporarily mounted in a state where the engaging recess 17a of the apparatus body <NUM> is engaged with the rotating member <NUM> of the connection port <NUM>. At this time, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> penetrates and is mounted to the plug <NUM>. Accordingly, in the connection port <NUM>, a drug solution flow path communicating with the drug solution supply portion <NUM> (the flow path connected to the cannula <NUM> in the connection port <NUM>) is formed, and the drug solution can be administered by the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>. That is, the connection port <NUM> is in a state of being fluidly connected to the drug solution supply portion <NUM>. However, the mounting of the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM> has not yet been completed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the user causes the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1, and then engages the first mounting portions 11d with the second mounting portions 31c. At this time, the user causes the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move to a position where the first step portion <NUM> on the bottom surface portion 111a of the apparatus body <NUM> and the second step portion 31f of the cradle <NUM> come in contact with each other. In addition, the rotating member <NUM> rotates following the engaging recess 17a with the engaging position between the engaging recess 17a and the rotating member <NUM> as the rotation center in the state where the rotating member <NUM> is engaged with the engaging recess 17a. At this time, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is in the state of puncturing the plug <NUM>, and a puncturing posture during the puncturing is maintained due to the rotation of the rotating member <NUM>.

After causing the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1, the user engages the first mounting portions 11d with the second mounting portions 31c. Accordingly, the apparatus body <NUM> is completely placed on the cradle <NUM>, and the mounting for the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> is completed as illustrated in <FIG>. In the state where the mounting of the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM> is completed, when the user starts the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the drug solution supply driver <NUM> drives the drug solution stored in the reservoir <NUM> at a predetermined timing to flow from the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to the port body <NUM> through the drug solution supply pipe <NUM>. The drug solution that has flowed into the port body <NUM> by the start of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> is introduced into the living body through the cannula <NUM>.

When detaching the apparatus body <NUM> from the cradle <NUM> during the use of the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the user releases the engagement between the first mounting portions 11d and the second mounting portions 31c, and then causes the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move in the mounting release direction D2 with the engaging position between the engaging recess 17a and the connection port <NUM> as the rotation center. Accordingly, a part of the bottom surface portion 111a of the apparatus body <NUM> is separated from the placement surface portion 31a of the cradle <NUM>. In addition, the rotating member <NUM> rotates following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting release direction D2. Then, the user moves the apparatus body <NUM> upward. Accordingly, the apparatus body <NUM> is completely detached from the cradle <NUM>. After the drug solution supply portion <NUM> that has penetrated the plug <NUM> is removed, the connection port <NUM> seals the connection portion <NUM> to block the communication with the outside.

As described above, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> according to the embodiments include: the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM> that includes the reservoir <NUM> configured to store the drug solution, the drug solution supply driver <NUM> configured to supply the drug solution from the reservoir <NUM>, the drug solution supply pipe <NUM> through which the drug solution supplied from the reservoir <NUM> flows, and the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM> communicating with the drug solution supply pipe <NUM>; and the cradle that includes the placement surface portion 31a on which the bottom surface portion 101a, 111a (the bottom surface portion 11a) of the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM> is placed, and the connection port <NUM> disposed on the upper surface of the placement surface portion 31a and configured to hold the cannula <NUM> to be inserted into the living body, and that has a living body side adhered to the living body with respect to the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM>, in which the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are fluidly connected to each other in a detachable manner. In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> having such a configuration, the connection port <NUM> includes the port body <NUM> configured to hold the cannula <NUM> and be locked to the cradle <NUM>, and the rotating member <NUM>, <NUM> to which the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM> is mounted, and that is rotatable, with the direction in which the lumen of the cannula <NUM> extends as the central axis, in the direction substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a, and the rotating member <NUM>, <NUM> rotates following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM> substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a in the state where the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM> is mounted.

According to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> configured as described above, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, the rotating direction of the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM> is guided with the rotating member <NUM>, <NUM> as the rotation center, so that the user can stably perform the mounting operation, and the mounting posture of the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM> does not deviate in the height direction or the lateral direction. For example, in a case of a configuration in which a needle member having a needle tube is adopted as the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, and is connected to the plug <NUM> provided in the connection port <NUM> by puncturing, such as the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment, the puncturing position of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to the plug <NUM> is less likely to deviate during the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM>. Therefore, in the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, the increase in size of the punctured hole of the plug <NUM> is restrained, and the damage caused by puncturing damages having different orientations with respect to the thickness direction of the plug <NUM> due to the repetition of the puncturing and removing operations, and the decrease in the sealability of the plug <NUM> are reduced.

Further, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment may have a configuration in which the drug solution supply portion <NUM> has the cylindrical hollow shape, the rotating member <NUM> has the first communication hole 421d allowing the drug solution introduced from the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to flow therethrough, the connection port <NUM> includes the plug <NUM> having the second communication hole <NUM> communicable with the first communication hole 421d and disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rotating member <NUM>, and the connection port <NUM> rotates following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a when the apparatus body <NUM> is mounted to the cradle <NUM>, or in the mounting release direction D2 that is a direction opposite to the mounting direction D1, and the fluid connection state between the connection port <NUM> and the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is switched depending on the relative positional relation with the connection port <NUM>.

In the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> configured as described above, the drug solution supply portion <NUM> having a cylindrical hollow shape is mounted to the connection port <NUM> (the rotating member <NUM>), and the fluid connection state between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> can be switched depending on the relative positional relation between the rotating member <NUM> and the port body <NUM>. Since a needle is not used in the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can avoid a problem that the drug solution leaks from the connection port due to the damage and deterioration of the rubber plug. Further, the user can switch the fluid connection state between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> simply by causing the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1 or the mounting release direction D2. In this way, switching of the flow path in conjunction with a connection operation of the apparatus body <NUM> can be achieved.

The drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment may have a configuration in which the rotating member <NUM> is rotatably attached to the port body <NUM> between the closed position where the first communication hole 421d is closed and the open position where the first communication hole 421d is open, and the rotating member <NUM> moves form the closed position to the open position by rotating following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 in the state where the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted, whereby the first communication hole 421d and the second communication hole <NUM> communicate with each other and the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are fluidly connected to each other.

According to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> configured as described above, the user simply mounts the drug solution supply portion <NUM> to the rotating member <NUM> and causes the apparatus body <NUM> to rotationally move in the mounting direction D1, whereby the rotating member <NUM> rotates following the rotational movement and moves from the closed position to the open position, the first communication hole 421d and the second communication hole <NUM> communicate with each other, and the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are fluidly connected each other. In addition, since the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM> are fluidly connected to each other only when the rotating member <NUM> is at the open position, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can block the communication with the outside in the state where the apparatus body <NUM> is not mounted to the cradle <NUM>.

Further, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment may have a configuration in which the drug solution supply portion <NUM> includes the first engaging portion 16b at the tip end thereof, the rotating member <NUM> includes the second engaging portion 421e engageable with the first engaging portion 16b, and the first engaging portion 16b is engaged with the second engaging portion 421e when the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted to the rotating member <NUM>, and transmits the rotational force caused by the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 to the rotating member <NUM> via the second engaging portion 421e.

According to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> configured as described above, the first engaging portion 16b and the second engaging portion 421e are engaged with each other, whereby the rotational force caused by the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> can be transmitted to the rotating member <NUM>. Therefore, the rotating member <NUM> can be caused to rotate from the closed position to the open position by a mounting operation of mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>. Therefore, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can easily switch the fluid connection state between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the connection port <NUM>.

Further, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> according to the embodiments may have a configuration in which the rotating member <NUM>, <NUM> includes, inside the rotating member <NUM>, <NUM>, the seal portion <NUM>, <NUM> that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mounted drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> configured as described above, since the seal portion <NUM>, <NUM> is in close contact with the outer periphery of the mounted drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM>, the liquid tightness in the connection state between the drug solution supply portion <NUM>, <NUM> and the rotating member <NUM> can be increased.

In addition, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment may have a configuration in which the rotating member <NUM> is provided on the outer peripheral surface 424d of the connection port <NUM>.

According to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> configured as described above, the apparatus body <NUM> is stably mounted to the cradle <NUM> while maintaining the fluid connection between the drug solution supply portion <NUM> and the plug <NUM>.

Further, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment may have a configuration in which the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is implemented by a needle member having a needle tube, the apparatus body <NUM> includes, at the bottom surface portion 111a (11a), the engaging recess 17a that is provided with the drug solution supply portion <NUM> therein and that is engageable with the rotating member <NUM>, and the rotating member <NUM> includes the plug <NUM> where the drug solution supply portion <NUM> penetrates and is mounted, and rotates following the rotational movement of the apparatus body <NUM> in the mounting direction D1 substantially parallel to the placement surface portion 31a in the state where the drug solution supply portion <NUM> is mounted to the plug <NUM>, or in the mounting release direction D2 that is a direction opposite to the mounting direction D1.

According to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> configured as described above, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, the apparatus body <NUM> can be caused to rotationally move without deviating the puncturing posture of the drug solution supply portion <NUM> in the height direction or the lateral direction in the state where the plug <NUM> is punctured even by the needle-like drug solution supply portion <NUM>. Therefore, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM> can reduce the damage to the plug <NUM> by the drug solution supply portion <NUM>.

In addition, the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> according to the embodiments may have a configuration in which the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM> includes the first mounting portions 11d on the side surfaces, and the cradle <NUM> includes the second mounting portions 31c that are engaged with the first mounting portions 11d.

According to the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> configured as described above, when mounting the apparatus body <NUM>, <NUM> to the cradle <NUM>, the first mounting portions 11d are engaged with the second mounting portions 31c so as to stably maintain the mounted state, and thus the drug solution administration apparatus <NUM>, <NUM> can be safely used without the first mounting portions 11d being separated from the second mounting portions 31c during use.

Claim 1:
A drug solution administration apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
an apparatus body (<NUM>, <NUM>) that includes a reservoir (<NUM>) configured to store a drug solution, a drug solution supply driver (<NUM>) configured to supply the drug solution from the reservoir (<NUM>), a drug solution supply pipe (<NUM>) through which the drug solution supplied from the reservoir (<NUM>) flows, and a drug solution supply portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) communicating with the drug solution supply pipe (<NUM>); and
a cradle (<NUM>) that includes a placement surface portion (31a) on which a bottom surface portion (11a) of the apparatus body (<NUM>, <NUM>) is placed, and a connection port (<NUM>) disposed on an upper surface of the placement surface portion (31a) and configured to hold a cannula (<NUM>) to be inserted into a living body, and that has a living body side adhered to the living body with respect to the apparatus body (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the apparatus body (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a first mounting portion (11d) on a side surface, and
the cradle (<NUM>) includes a second mounting portion (31c) that is engaged with the first mounting portion (11d), and
wherein
the drug solution supply portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the connection port (<NUM>) are fluidly connected to each other in a detachable manner,
the connection port (<NUM>) includes
a port body (<NUM>) configured to hold the cannula (<NUM>) and be locked to the cradle (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the connection port (<NUM>) further includes
a rotating member (<NUM>, <NUM>) to which the drug solution supply portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) is mounted, and that is rotatable, with a direction in which a lumen of the cannula (<NUM>) extends as a central axis, in a direction substantially parallel to the placement surface portion (31a), and
the rotating member (<NUM>, <NUM>) rotates following a rotational movement of the apparatus body (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a mounting direction (D1) substantially parallel to the placement surface portion (31a) in a state where the drug solution supply portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) is mounted.