U.S. patent application number 14/242047 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for liquid transporting apparatus and liquid transporting method.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hajime MIYAZAKI.
Application Number | 20140294607 14/242047 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51621033 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140294607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIYAZAKI; Hajime |
October 2, 2014 |
LIQUID TRANSPORTING APPARATUS AND LIQUID TRANSPORTING METHOD
Abstract
An operation of a liquid transporting apparatus is controlled by
communication using a controller, and the power consumption during
communication standby is reduced. The liquid transporting apparatus
includes a liquid storage section that stores a liquid; a body
section that is connected to the liquid storage section when
transporting the liquid; a body control section that controls an
operation of a driving section having at least a part of function
for transporting the liquid. The body control section determines
whether the body section and the liquid storage section are
connected. If it is determined that the body section and the liquid
storage section are connected, the communication between the body
control section and an external control section that performs
instruction to control the operation of the driving section
starts.
Inventors: |
MIYAZAKI; Hajime;
(Matsumoto-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
51621033 |
Appl. No.: |
14/242047 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/53 ;
417/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 43/08 20130101;
F04B 41/02 20130101; F04B 43/095 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/53 ;
417/212 |
International
Class: |
F04B 43/00 20060101
F04B043/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 2, 2013 |
JP |
2013-076630 |
Claims
1. A liquid transporting apparatus comprising: a liquid storage
section that stores a liquid; a body section that supports a
driving section having at least a part of function for transporting
the liquid and is connected to the liquid storage section when
transporting the liquid; and a body control section that controls
an operation of the driving section and determines whether the body
section and the liquid storage section are connected, wherein if it
is determined that the body section and the liquid storage section
are connected, communication between the body control section and
an external control section that communicates with the body control
section and performs instruction to control operation of the
driving section is started.
2. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the body section includes a communication circuit that performs
communication with the external control section, wherein the
communication circuit has a contact point that is in a closed state
by coming into contact with a contact section that is provided in
the liquid storage section, and wherein the body control section
determines that the body section and the liquid storage section are
connected if the contact point is in the closed state.
3. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
a pressure detection section that measures the pressure is provided
in the body section, and wherein the body control section measures
an amount of pressure when the pressure detection section is
pressed by a pressing section that is provided in the liquid
storage section, and determines that the body section and the
liquid storage section are connected if the pressure that is
measured has a predetermined amount or more.
4. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the body section includes a battery storage section that stores a
battery as a power supply of the liquid transporting apparatus, and
holds the body control section.
5. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
information including a type and a storage amount of the liquid
which is stored in the liquid storage section is recorded in the
liquid storage section, and wherein the information is acquired by
the external control section.
6. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the communication between the external control section and the body
control section is performed using radio, and wherein the setting
of connection is performed between the external control section and
the body control section before the communication is started.
7. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a battery as a power supply of the liquid transporting
apparatus.
8. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: the external control section.
9. A liquid transporting apparatus comprising: a liquid storage
section that stores a liquid; a body section that supports a
driving section having at least a part of function for transporting
the liquid and is connected to the liquid storage section when
transporting the liquid; and a body control section that controls
an operation of the driving section and determines whether the body
section and the liquid storage section are connected, wherein if it
is determined that the body section and the liquid storage section
are connected, the body control section is set to be capable of
communicating with an external control section that communicates
with the body control section and performs instruction to control
operation of the driving section.
10. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
if it is determined that the body section and the liquid storage
section are connected, the communication between the external
control section and the body control section is started.
11. The liquid transporting apparatus according to claim 9, further
comprising: the external control section.
12. A liquid transporting method comprising: determining whether a
liquid storage section that stores a liquid and a body section that
supports a driving section having at least a part of function for
transporting the liquid and is connected to the liquid storage
section when the liquid is transported are in a state of being
connected; starting the communication to the external control
section if it is determined that the body section and the liquid
storage section are connected; and transporting the liquid by an
instruction from the external control section.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid transporting
apparatus and a liquid transporting method.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] There is a liquid transporting apparatus capable of
continuously transporting a liquid. As a practical example of the
liquid transporting apparatus, an insulin injecting apparatus is
known which is used when a liquid medicine such as insulin is
subcutaneously injected. For example, an insulin dosing device that
injects and transports the insulin using a liquid transporting
apparatus into a living body through a catheter is disclosed in
JP-T-2006-511263.
[0005] When controlling a liquid transportation operation by the
liquid transporting apparatus, a remote operation is often
performed using a controller. At this time, radio communication or
the like is performed between a control section inside the liquid
transporting apparatus and the controller and there is no need for
the communication unless the liquid transportation operation is
required. Regardless, the control section must be on standby so
that the communication can be started any time and there is a
likelihood of problem that power consumption occurs even during
standby.
SUMMARY
[0006] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to suppress
power consumption during standby in a liquid transporting apparatus
of which an operation is controlled by communication using a
controller.
[0007] A liquid transporting apparatus according to an aspect of
the invention includes: a liquid storage section that stores a
liquid; a body section that supports a driving section having at
least a part of function for transporting the liquid and is
connected to the liquid storage section when transporting the
liquid; a body control section that controls an operation of the
driving section and determines whether the body section and the
liquid storage section are connected; and an external control
section that communicates with the body control section and
performs instruction to control an operation of the driving
section. If it is determined that the body section and the liquid
storage section are connected, communication between the body
control section and the external control section is started.
[0008] Other features of the invention will be apparent from the
following description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like
elements.
[0010] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a liquid
transporting apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the liquid transporting
apparatus.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid transporting
apparatus.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a transparent top view of an inside of the liquid
transporting apparatus.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of a driving
section.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an
internal structure of a body.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a back surface of the
body.
[0017] FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views describing ON/OFF of a
switch in a first embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an
internal structure of a cartridge.
[0019] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a back surface of
a base of the cartridge.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view in which the liquid
transporting apparatus is viewed from a side of a bottom surface of
an injection set.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a
controller.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a using method of the
liquid transporting apparatus.
[0023] FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a priming processing.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a flow when setting of
communication is performed.
[0025] FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic views describing ON/OFF of a
communication circuit in a modification example of the first
embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a back surface of a body in
a second embodiment.
[0027] FIGS. 18A and 18B are views describing a structure of a
pressure sensitive sensor.
[0028] FIGS. 19A and 19B are views describing a connection
detection method using the pressure sensitive sensor.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a view describing a state of an electrode when
measuring a pressure by the pressure sensitive sensor.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0030] At least matters below will become clear by the description
of the specification and the accompanying drawings.
[0031] A liquid transporting apparatus includes: a liquid storage
section that stores a liquid; a body section that supports a
driving section having at least a part of function for transporting
the liquid and is connected to the liquid storage section when
transporting the liquid; a body control section that controls an
operation of the driving section and determines whether the body
section and the liquid storage section are connected; and an
external control section that communicates with the body control
section and performs instruction to control an operation of the
driving section. If it is determined that the body section and the
liquid storage section are connected, communication between the
body control section and the external control section is
started.
[0032] According to the liquid transporting apparatus with this
configuration, it is possible to suppress power consumption during
standby if the operation is controlled by the communication using
the external controller.
[0033] Further, in the liquid transporting apparatus, it is
preferable that the body section includes a communication circuit
that performs communication with the external control section, the
communication circuit has a contact point that is in a closed state
by coming into contact with a contact section that is provided in
the liquid storage section, and the body control section determines
that the body section and the liquid storage section are connected
if the contact point is in the closed state.
[0034] According to the liquid transporting apparatus with this
configuration, at first, since there is no communication between
the body section and the external control section during standby,
the power consumption is small. Then, if it is determined that the
liquid storage section and the body section are connected from a
conduction state of the communication circuit, the body section and
the external control section are in a state in which communication
is possible. That is, since the communication between the body
section and the external control section starts immediately before
the liquid transporting operation is executed, it is possible to
suppress the wasteful standby power consumption.
[0035] Further, in the liquid transporting apparatus, it is
preferable that a pressure detection section that measures the
pressure is provided in the body section, and the body control
section measures an amount of pressure when the pressure detection
section is pressed by a pressing section that is provided in the
liquid storage section, and determines that the body section and
the liquid storage section are connected if the pressure that is
measured has a predetermined amount or more.
[0036] According to the liquid transporting apparatus with this
configuration, at first, since there is no communication between
the body section and the external control section, the power
consumption is small in the state of the communication standby.
Then, if it is determined that the body section and the liquid
storage section are connected from a result of measurement of the
pressure when the body section and the liquid storage section are
connected, the body section and the external control section are in
a state of being capable of communicating. That is, since the
communication between the body section and the external control
section starts immediately before the liquid transporting operation
is executed, it is possible to suppress the wasteful standby power
consumption.
[0037] Further, in the liquid transporting apparatus, it is
preferable that information including a type and a storage amount
of the liquid which is stored in the liquid storage section is
recorded in the liquid storage section, and the information is
acquired by the external control section.
[0038] According to the liquid transporting apparatus with this
configuration, if the liquid is a medicine, it is possible to
safely manage quality and dose of the medicine, based on the
information.
[0039] Further, in the liquid transporting apparatus, it is
preferable that the communication between the external control
section and the body control section is performed using radio, and
the setting of connection is performed between the external control
section and the body control section before the communication is
started.
[0040] According to the liquid transporting apparatus with this
configuration, the body control section is suppressed from being
erroneously connected to other external control sections and it is
possible to perform safely communication between the body control
section and the external control section.
[0041] Further, it will become clear that a liquid transporting
method includes: determining whether a liquid storage section that
stores a liquid and a body section that supports a driving section
having at least a part of function for transporting the liquid and
is connected to the liquid storage section when the liquid is
transported are in a state of being connected; starting the
communication to the external control section if it is determined
that the body section and the liquid storage section are connected;
and transporting the liquid by an instruction from the external
control section.
First Embodiment
Basic Configuration of Liquid Transporting Apparatus
[0042] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a liquid
transporting apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the liquid
transporting apparatus 1. As illustrated in the views, description
is given in which a side (a side of a living body) where the liquid
transporting apparatus 1 adhere is referred to as "down" and the
side opposite the living body is referred to as "up."
[0043] The liquid transporting apparatus 1 is an apparatus for
transporting a liquid. The liquid transporting apparatus 1 includes
a body 10, a cartridge 20 and an injection set 30. Further, a
controller 50 (see FIG. 12) for remotely controlling the liquid
transporting apparatus 1 from outside is provided.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the body 10, the cartridge 20 and
the injection set 30 can be separated from each other, but as
illustrated in FIG. 1, they are integrally assembled when being
used. The liquid transporting apparatus 1 is appropriately used to
periodically inject liquid (for example, insulin) stored in the
cartridge 20 with the injection set 30 adhering to the living body.
If the liquid (for example, the insulin) stored in the cartridge 20
runs out, the cartridge 20 is replaced. Further, the injection set
30 is generally replaced at once in every three day. Meanwhile, the
body 10 may be continuously used.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid transporting
apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a transparent top view of an inside of the
liquid transporting apparatus 1. In FIG. 4, a configuration of a
driving section 5 is also illustrated. FIG. 5 is a schematic
explanatory view of the driving section 5.
[0046] The driving section 5 has a function as a pump for
transporting the liquid stored in the cartridge 20. The driving
section 5 of the embodiment includes a cam 11 and a driving
mechanism 12, and transports the liquid by sequentially squeezing a
tube 21 by driving a plurality of fingers 22.
[0047] The tube 21 is a liquid transporting tube for transporting
the liquid. An upstream side (an upstream side based on a
transportation direction of the liquid) of the tube 21 communicates
with a storage section 26 of the liquid of the cartridge 20. The
tube 21 has elasticity enough to be closed when being pressed by
the finger 22 and to be returned to the original shape when
releasing a force from the finger 22. The tube 21 is partially
disposed in a circular arc shape along an inner surface of a tube
guide wall 251A of the cartridge 20. The portion of the tube 21 in
the circular arc shape is disposed between the inner surface of the
tube guide wall 251A and the plurality of fingers 22. A center of a
circle arc of the tube 21 is coincident with a rotation center of
the cam 11.
[0048] The finger 22 is a member for closing the tube 21. The
finger 22 is operated in a driven basis by receiving a force from
the cam 11. The finger 22 has a rod-shaped shaft section and a
collar-shaped pressing section, and is in a T-shape. The rod-shaped
shaft section comes into contact with the cam 11 and the
collar-shaped pressing section comes into contact with the tube 21.
The finger 22 is supported so as to be movable along an axial
direction.
[0049] The plurality of fingers 22 are radially disposed at an
equal interval from the rotation center of the cam 11. The
plurality of fingers 22 are disposed between the cam 11 and the
tube 21. Here, seven fingers 22 are provided.
[0050] The cam 11 has protrusion sections at four positions of an
outer periphery thereof. The plurality of fingers 22 are disposed
on the outer periphery of the cam 11 and the tube 21 is disposed
outside the fingers 22. The tube 21 is closed when pressing the
fingers 22 by the protrusion sections of the cam 11. If the finger
22 is disengaged from the protrusion section, the tube 21 returns
to the original shape by an elastic force of the tube 21. If the
cam 11 rotates, seven fingers 22 are pressed in order from the
protrusion section and then the tube 21 closes in order from the
upstream side in the transportation direction. Therefore, the tube
21 performs writhing and the liquid is squeezed and transported by
the tube 21. In order to prevent backflow of the liquid, the
protrusion sections of the cam 11 are formed so that at least one
and preferably two fingers 22 close the tube 21.
[0051] The driving mechanism 12 is a mechanism for driving the cam
11 to rotate. The driving mechanism 12 has a piezoelectric motor
121, a rotor 122 and a reduction transmission device 123 (see FIG.
4).
[0052] The piezoelectric motor 121 is a motor for rotating the
rotor 122 by using vibration of a piezoelectric element. The
piezoelectric motor 121 vibrates a vibration body by applying a
drive signal to the piezoelectric element that adheres to both
surfaces of a rectangular vibration body. An end section of the
vibration body comes into contact with the rotor 122 and the end
section vibrates while drawing a predetermined orbit such as an
elliptic orbit or an 8-shaped orbit, if the vibration body
vibrates. The end section of the vibration body comes into contact
with the rotor 122 in a part of the vibration orbit and then the
rotor 122 is driven to rotate. The piezoelectric motor 121 is
biased toward the rotor 122 by a pair of springs so that the end
section of the vibration body comes into contact with the rotor
122.
[0053] The rotor 122 is a driven body that is rotated by the
piezoelectric motor 121. A rotor pinion that configures a part of
the reduction transmission device 123 is formed in the rotor
122.
[0054] The reduction transmission device 123 is a device that
transmits the rotation of the rotor 122 to the cam 11 with a
predetermined reduction ratio. The reduction transmission device
123 is configured of a rotor pinion, a transmission wheel and a cam
gear. The rotor pinion is a small gear which is integrally attached
to the rotor 122. The transmission wheel has a large gear that
meshes with the rotor pinion and a pinion that meshes with the cam
gear, and has a function for transmitting a rotational force of the
rotor 122 to the cam 11. The cam gear is integrally attached to the
cam 11 and is rotatably supported with the cam 11.
[0055] Hereinafter, configurations of the body 10, the cartridge
20, the injection set 30 and the controller 50 are described.
Body 10
[0056] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
configuration of an inside of the body 10. FIG. 7 is a perspective
view of aback surface of the body 10. Hereinafter, the
configuration of the body 10 is described with reference to FIGS. 1
to 4 and the drawings.
[0057] The body 10 has a body base 13 and a body case 14. Then, the
driving mechanism 12 described above and a control substrate 15 are
maintained on the body base 13. Further, a bearing 13A is provided
in the body base 13. A rotation shaft of the cam 11 passes through
the body base 13 and the bearing 13A rotatably supports the
rotation shaft of the cam 11 with respect to the body base 13. The
cam 11 is integrally formed with the cam gear configuring the
reduction transmission device 123 and the cam gear is disposed
inside the body 10 by being covered by the body case 14, and the
cam 11 is exposed from the body 10. If the body 10 and the
cartridge 20 are combined together, the cam 11 which is exposed
from the body 10 meshes with the end section of the finger 22 of
the cartridge 20.
[0058] The body case 14 is a member configuring an exterior of the
liquid transporting apparatus 1. The driving mechanism 12 (the
piezoelectric motor 121, the rotor 122 and the reduction
transmission device 123) or the control substrate 15 provided in
the body base 13 is covered and protected by the body case 14.
[0059] In the embodiment, a function button 145 is provided in the
body case 14. The function button 145 is a button which can set a
plurality of functions and can realize any function which is set
when the button is pressed. The function button 145 of the
embodiment has functions which performs setting of the
communication or functions which perform switching of a plurality
of control patterns which are set in the control substrate 15
described below. Moreover, setting of the functions of the function
button 145 is done using the controller 50.
[0060] The control substrate 15 is a body control section that
controls an operation of the driving section 5. The body control
section in the embodiment has functions which determines whether
the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are correctly connected, and which
starts the communication between the liquid transporting apparatus
1 (the body 10) and the controller 50. A storage section (a memory)
storing a plurality of control patterns (control programs) for
controlling the piezoelectric motor 121 or the like is provided in
the control substrate 15. Then, the cam 11 is driven, based on one
of the plurality of control patterns stored in the storage section,
and writhing of the tube 21 can be controlled by the finger 22.
Moreover, the control patterns are set by using the controller
50.
[0061] In addition, the body 10 has a hook hanger 16, a switch 17,
a battery storage section 18 and a receiving section (not
illustrated). The hook hanger 16 is a member for fixing the
cartridge 20 and the body 10 being connected. A fixed hook 234 of
the cartridge 20 described below is caught on the hook hanger 16
and the body 10 is fixed to the cartridge 20. The battery storage
section 18 stores a battery 19 that is a power supply of the liquid
transporting apparatus 1 (see FIG. 9). The receiving section
receives a signal or a radio wave that is transmitted from the
controller 50 described below.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the switch 17 is a protrusion
member that protrudes downward from a back surface (a lower surface
side) of the body 10 (the body base 13) and corresponds to a
push-button switch turning ON/OFF of a communication circuit (not
illustrated in FIG. 7) incorporated inside the body base 13. The
switch 17 is movable so as to be pushed into the body base 13 (that
is, in an upper direction of the body 10). In a state where the
switch 17 protrudes from the body base 13, the communication
circuit is in an open state (OFF state) and a current does not
flowed. On the other hand, if the switch 17 is pushed into the body
base 13, the communication circuit is in a closed state (ON state)
and the current flows, and then the communication circuit is
capable of communicating with the controller 50.
[0063] In the liquid transporting apparatus 1 of the embodiment,
ON/OFF of the switch 17 is switched by connecting the body 10 and
the cartridge 20. FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views describing
ON/OFF of the switch 17 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 8A, when
the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are not connected to each other,
the switch 17 is in a state of protruding from the side of the
lower surface of the body 10 and a contact point of the
communication circuit provided inside the body 10 is open and then
the circuit is in the OFF state. On the other hand, as illustrated
in FIG. 8B, when the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are connected, a
leading end of a lower side of the switch 17 protruding from the
lower surface side of the body 10 comes into contact with a contact
plate 236 (see FIG. 9) provided on the side of the upper surface of
the cartridge 20 and then the contact plate 236 pushes the switch
17 in the upper direction. Therefore, the leading end of the upper
side of the switch 17 causes the contact point of the communication
circuit provided inside the body 10 to be closed and the circuit is
in the ON state. That is, in the embodiment, the switch 17
functions as a so-called mechanical contact point. Moreover, if the
cartridge 20 is detached from the body 10, the switch 17 returns to
an initial state (a state of FIG. 8A) and the communication circuit
is turned to OFF again. A communication method with the controller
50 after the communication circuit is turned to ON is described
below.
Cartridge 20
[0064] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
configuration of an inside of the cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is an
exploded perspective view of aback surface of the cartridge 20.
Hereinafter, a configuration of the cartridge 20 is described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and the drawings.
[0065] The cartridge 20 has a cartridge base 23 and a base receiver
24.
[0066] A tube unit 25 is provided on an upper side of the cartridge
base 23. The tube unit 25 has the tube 21 and the plurality of
fingers 22 which are described above, a unit base 251 and a unit
cover 252. The tube guide wall 251A is formed in the unit base 251
and the tube 21 is disposed inside the unit base 251 in a circular
arc shape. Further, the unit base 251 movably supports the fingers
22 in the axial direction. The tube 21 and the fingers 22 inside
the unit base 251 are covered by the unit cover 252.
[0067] The tube unit 25 is in a planar cylindrical shape and the
cam 11 exposed from the body 10 is inserted into a cavity of a
center of the tube unit 25. Therefore, the cam 11 on the side of
the body 10 meshes with the fingers 22 on the side of the cartridge
20.
[0068] A supply-side joint 231 and a discharge-side joint 232 are
provided in the cartridge base 23. End sections of the tube 21
inside the tube unit 25 are connected to the supply-side joint 231
and the discharge-side joint 232, respectively. If the plurality of
fingers 22 squeeze the tube 21 in order, the liquid is supplied
from the supply-side joint 231 to the tube 21 and the liquid is
discharged from the discharge-side joint 232. A connection needle
233 communicates with the discharge-side joint 232 and the liquid
discharged from the discharge-side joint 232 is supplied to the
side of the injection set 30 through the connection needle 233.
[0069] The fixed hook 234 is formed in the cartridge base 23. The
fixed hook 234 is caught on the hook hanger 16 of the body 10 and
fixes the body 10 to the cartridge 20. The contact plate 236 that
is a contact section coming into contact with the leading end
section of the switch 17 when connecting with the body 10 is
provided on the upper surface of the cartridge base 23. The switch
17 is pressed to the upper side (the side of the body 10) by coming
into contact with the contact plate 236 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B).
[0070] A reservoir film 28 is interposed between the cartridge base
23 and the base receiver 24. Circumference of the reservoir film 28
comes into close contact with a bottom surface of the cartridge
base 23. The storage section 26 is formed between the cartridge
base 23 and the reservoir film 28, and the liquid (for example, the
insulin) is stored in the storage section 26. The storage section
26 communicates with the supply-side joint 231 and the liquid
stored in the storage section 26 is supplied to the tube 21 through
the supply-side joint 231.
[0071] As described above, the storage section 26 is configured on
the lower side of the cartridge base 23. Since the tube 21 and the
fingers 22 configuring the driving section 5 are disposed on the
upper side of the cartridge base 23, the driving section 5 and the
storage section 26 are disposed up and down. Therefore,
miniaturization of the liquid transporting apparatus 1 is achieved.
Further, the storage section 26 is disposed further to the side of
the living body than the driving section 5. Therefore, the liquid
stored in the storage section 26 is likely to maintain the
temperature thereof with the temperature of the living body and a
difference between the temperature of the liquid and the
temperature of the living body is suppressed.
[0072] If the liquid stored in the storage section 26 runs out, the
cartridge 20 is detached from the liquid transporting apparatus 1
and is replaced with new cartridge 20. However, the liquid can be
injected from outside into the storage section 26 through a
cartridge septum 27 using an injection needle. Moreover, the
cartridge septum 27 is configured of a material (for example,
rubber, silicon or the like) that closes a hole if the injection
needle is pulled out.
Injection Set 30
[0073] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the liquid transporting
apparatus 1 viewed from a side of the bottom surface of the
injection set 30. Hereinafter, a configuration of the injection set
30 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and the drawing.
[0074] The injection set 30 has a soft needle 31, an introduction
needle folder 32, a port base 33, an injection set base 34 and an
adhesive pad 35.
[0075] The soft needle 31 is a tube for injecting the liquid into
the living body and has a function of a catheter. For example, the
soft needle 31 is configured of a soft material such as fluorine
resin. An end of the soft needle 31 is fixed to the port base
33.
[0076] The introduction needle folder 32 is a member for holding an
introduction needle 32A. An end of the introduction needle 32A is
fixed to the introduction needle folder 32. The introduction needle
32A is a needle made of a metal for inserting the soft needle 31
which is soft into the living body. The introduction needle 32A is
a hollow tubular needle which is long and narrow, and has a
transverse hole (not illustrated). If the liquid is supplied from
the transverse hole of the introduction needle 32A, the liquid is
discharged from a leading end of the introduction needle 32A.
Therefore, before the soft needle 31 punctures the living body,
priming processing which fills the inside a flow path of the liquid
transporting apparatus 1 with the liquid can be performed.
[0077] In a state prior to use, the introduction needle folder 32
is attached to the port base 33, the introduction needle 32A is
inserted into the soft needle 31 and then a needle tip is exposed
from the lower side of the soft needle 31. When the injection set
30 is attached to the living body, after the soft needle 31 and the
introduction needle 32A puncture the living body, the introduction
needle folder 32 is withdrawn (removed) from the port base 33
together with the introduction needle 32A. Since the introduction
needle 32A which is hard does not need to be continuously placed in
the living body, a load on the living body is small. Moreover,
although the soft needle 31 is continuously placed on the living
body, the soft needle 31 is soft, and thus, the load on the living
body is small.
[0078] The port base 33 is a member that supplies the liquid
supplied from the connection needle 233 of the cartridge 20 to the
soft needle 31. The port base 33 has a connection needle septum 33A
and an introduction needle septum 33B. The connection needle septum
33A and the introduction needle septum 33B are configured of a
material (for example, rubber, silicon or the like) that closes the
hole if the needle is pulled out. The connection needle 233 of the
cartridge 20 is inserted into the connection needle septum 33A and
the liquid is supplied from the side of the cartridge 20 to the
side of the injection set 30 through the connection needle 233 over
the connection needle septum 33A. Even if the connection needle 233
of the cartridge 20 is pulled out from the injection set 30 to
replace the cartridge 20, the hole of the connection needle septum
33A that is generated by the connection needle 233 is closed
naturally. The introduction needle 32A is inserted into the
introduction needle septum 33B and if the introduction needle 32A
is pulled out, the hole of the introduction needle septum 33B that
is generated by the introduction needle 32A is closed naturally.
The liquid inside the injection set 30 is prevented from leaking to
the outside or a body liquid of the living body is prevented from
flowing back to the side of the injection set 30 by the connection
needle septum 33A and the introduction needle septum 33B. Moreover,
a region (a region except the introduction septum) in which the
introduction needle 32A is present inside the port base 33 is a
flow path of the liquid after the introduction needle 32A is pulled
out.
[0079] The injection set base 34 is a planar member fixed to the
port base 33. The injection set base 34 has a fixing section 34A
for fixing the base receiver 24. The adhesive pad 35 is attached to
the bottom surface of the injection set base 34. The adhesive pad
35 is an adhesive pad for bonding the injection set 30 to the
living body or the like.
[0080] In the liquid transporting apparatus 1, the driving section
5 and the storage section 26 are vertically disposed and reduction
of the size of the liquid transporting apparatus 1 is achieved.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the adhesive pad
35.
Controller 50
[0081] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the
controller 50. The controller 50 is an external control section
that makes the liquid transporting apparatus 1 perform the liquid
transportation operation or sets the functions and, for example, is
capable of remotely operating the liquid transporting apparatus 1
using wireless communication such as "Bluetooth" (registered
trademark) or "ZigBee" (registered trademark), or infrared beams.
The controller 50 has operation buttons 51 and a display section
52, a reading section and a storage section (both not
illustrated).
[0082] The user can start/stop the liquid transportation operation
or set the control patterns (programs) defining the liquid
transport amount per unit time or the like by operating the
operation buttons 51. Further, the operation buttons 51 are also
used in start or setting of the communication with the body 10.
Information (for example, information indicating the liquid
transport amount) regarding the liquid transportation operation is
displayed on the display section 52 and the user can perform
various types of setting while recognizing the information which is
displayed. A present time, an alarm concerning the liquid
transportation operation or the like is also displayed on the
display section 52.
[0083] Moreover, in the embodiment, it is possible to use
commercially available smartphone as the controller 50. In this
case, when performing the communication for controlling the liquid
transporting apparatus 1, occurrence of malfunction or the like is
suppressed by pairing (described below) with the body 10.
Using Method of Liquid Transporting Apparatus
[0084] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a using method of the
liquid transporting apparatus 1.
[0085] First, the user prepares a kit of the liquid transporting
apparatus 1 (S001). The body 10, the cartridge 20, the injection
set 30 or the like for configuring the liquid transporting
apparatus 1 is included in the kit. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
user assembles the liquid transporting apparatus 1 by assembling
the body 10, the cartridge 20 and the injection set 30, and then
performs setting of starting for the liquid transportation
operation (S002). The user makes the cam 11 on the side of the body
10 mesh with the finger 22 on the side of the cartridge 20 by
assembling the body 10 and the cartridge 20. At this time, as
described above, the communication circuit is turned to ON state
and is in a state of being capable of communicating with the
controller 50 according to the body 10 and the cartridge 20 being
connected to each other. Further, the user inserts the connection
needle 233 of the cartridge 20 into the connection needle septum
33A of the injection set 30 and makes the liquid be capable of
being supplied from the side of the cartridge 20 to the side of the
injection set 30.
[0086] Next, the user performs the priming processing (S003). FIG.
14 is an explanatory view of the priming processing. The priming
processing is a processing that fills the inside the flow path of
the liquid transporting apparatus 1 with the liquid by driving the
driving section 5 of the liquid transporting apparatus 1. Gas
inside the flow path of the liquid transporting apparatus 1 is
discharged from the introduction needle 32A by the priming
processing. Further, the tube 21 which is vacant is filled with the
liquid by the priming processing. The user drives the driving
section 5 of the liquid transporting apparatus 1 until the liquid
is discharged from the leading end of the introduction needle
32A.
[0087] After the priming processing, the user makes the
introduction needle 32A and the soft needle 31 puncture
perpendicularly the living body, after that, withdraws the
introduction needle folder 32 from the port base 33, and removes
the introduction needle 32A from the soft needle 31 (S004). Since
there is the introduction needle septum 33B, even if the
introduction needle 32A is removed, the hole of the introduction
needle septum 33B that is generated by the introduction needle 32A
is closed naturally. At this time, the user peels a protective
sheet of the adhesive pad 35 of the injection set 30 and the liquid
transporting apparatus 1 may adhere to the living body by attaching
the adhesive pad 35 to the skin of the living body.
[0088] Next, the user performs pre-operation of the driving section
5 so that the liquid for a capacity of a region (a region except
the introduction septum) in which the introduction needle 32A is
present is transported (S005). Therefore, it is possible to fill a
space with the liquid at which the introduction needle 32A is
present.
[0089] After that, the user makes the liquid transporting apparatus
1 perform a liquid transport processing (S006). In the liquid
transporting apparatus 1, the cam 11 is rotated by driving the
piezoelectric motor 121 of the driving mechanism 12, seven fingers
22 are pressed in order by the protrusion sections of the cam 11
and the tube 21 is closed in order from the upstream side in the
transportation direction, and then the liquid is transported by
writhing of the tube 21. In a quantitative transport processing,
the rotation amount of the cam 11 is controlled so that the liquid
of a predetermined amount is transported in a predetermined
time.
Setting of Communication
[0090] Setting of the communication among settings which are
performed in S002 of FIG. 13 is described. The operation of the
liquid transporting apparatus 1 is controlled by communicating with
the controller 50. However, if a state where the communication is
possible is maintained for all times, the power consumption on the
communication standby is increased and there is a concern that an
important liquid transportation operation may be interrupted, the
liquid transporting apparatus 1 is in a state of being capable of
communicating at a necessary timing by performing the setting of
the communication at an appropriate time before the liquid
transportation operation is practically performed. Therefore,
wasteful standby power consumption is suppressed. Further, since it
is assumed that the liquid transporting apparatus 1 is also used as
the insulin injection device, high accuracy of the liquid
transportation operation is required. Therefore, in order to
suppress occurrence of a malfunction, the setting of the
communication with the controller 50 is important.
[0091] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a flow when the setting of
the communication is performed.
[0092] First, specific information of the cartridge 20 used in the
liquid transportation operation is obtained by using the controller
50 (S101). The specific information of the cartridge 20 is a type
and a storage amount of a liquid that is stored in the storage
section 26 of the cartridge 20, a manufacturing number of the
cartridge and the like. The information is stored as a bar code or
a two-dimension code (for example, "QR code" (registered
trademark)) associated with an ID of the cartridge. The user
obtains the specific information of the cartridge 20 by reading the
two-dimension code or the like given to the cartridge 20 using the
reading section of the controller 50, and the specific information
is temporarily stored in the storage section of the controller 50.
When using the liquid transporting apparatus 1 as the insulin
injection device or the like, it is also possible to perform safety
management of quality or dosage of the medicine, based on the
information.
[0093] Further, pairing information for communication with one to
one between the body 10 connected to the cartridge 20 and the
controller 50 is also included in the specific information of the
cartridge. Pairing is to perform setting of connection between two
devices communicating using radio or the like. For example, if
"Bluetooth" described above is used as means for communication, it
is necessary to make the controller 50 and the body 10 be
accessible to each other by the Bluetooth device. At this time, the
setting of the connection of two devices is performed, based on the
pairing information given to the cartridge 20.
[0094] Further, information regarding a correction coefficient when
the liquid transportation operation is performed is included in the
specific information of the cartridge. The correction coefficient
is a coefficient for correcting the liquid transport amount per
unit time by the liquid transporting apparatus 1. In the liquid
transporting apparatus 1, writhing of the tube 21 is performed by
the plurality of fingers 22 thereby performing the transportation
of the liquid. However, quality of the tube 21 is not necessarily
uniform. For example, a slight difference occurs in a wall
thickness (a thickness of a wall surface) or elasticity of the tube
21 when manufacturing the tube 21 and variation in quality may
occur. If such variation occurs in the tube 21, difference occurs
in timing when the tube 21 that is squeezed returns to the original
shape or in the writhing property and thus, an error may occur in
the liquid transport amount of the cartridge 20. Further, if the
length of the finger 22 on the squeezing side of the tube 21 is not
uniform, there is a concern that an error in the liquid transport
amount may also occur. Then, change in the liquid transport amount
when replacing the cartridge 20 is suppressed by setting the
correction coefficient for the cartridge 20 individually. Moreover,
the correction coefficient is determined when quality test or the
like is performed in a manufacturing processing of the cartridge
20.
[0095] After the controller 50 obtains the specific information of
the cartridge 20, connection between the cartridge 20 and the body
10 is performed and it is determined whether or not both are
properly connected (S102). The connection of the cartridge 20 and
the body 10 is performed as described in FIGS. 2 and 9, and the
switch 17 described above is turned to ON and the current flows on
the communication circuit by connecting the both members. The
control substrate 15 determines that the cartridge 20 and the body
10 are correctly connected when communication circuit is in a
conduction state and if it is determined that the connection is
achieved, the body 10 is in a state of being capable of
communicating.
[0096] Next, the pairing of the body 10 (the cartridge 20) and the
controller 50 is performed (S103). When performing the pairing,
first, the body 10 is in a state of being capable of pairing by
continuously pressing (long press) the function button 145 provided
in the body 10 in a predetermined time (for example, three
seconds). The button is long pressed to prevent occurrence of
malfunction in which the pairing is immediately started when the
button is accidentally touched by mistake. However, the pairing may
be started by other methods. Subsequently, after searching a
communication target device (in this case, the body 10) by
operating the operation buttons 51 of the controller 50 and finding
the body 10, the pairing processing is performed. In the pairing
processing, the setting of the connection of the body 10 connected
to the cartridge 20, and the controller 50 is performed, based on
the pairing information obtained from the cartridge 20, and the
state of being capable of communicating is made between two devices
by "the Bluetooth" or the like. Therefore, safe communication can
be performed between the controller 50 and the body 10.
[0097] Moreover, a personal identification number or a password may
be input to the controller 50 during the pairing. In the
embodiment, the liquid transporting apparatus 1 is remote
controlled using radio or the like by the controller 50. At this
time, there is a concern that if the body 10 is paired with a
device other than the controller 50, control system becomes
confused and then the malfunction may occur. For example, in a case
of the Bluetooth device, one device can be paired with a plurality
of devices and there is a concern that two external control device
may be connected to one body 10. Then, such a erroneous connection
is suppressed by requesting input of the personal identification
number when performing the pairing. Further, if the liquid
transporting apparatus 1 is used as the insulin injection device,
since personal information such as the insulin injection amount is
handled, it is preferable to ensure security by setting the
personal identification number described above.
[0098] After performing the pairing, practical communication starts
(S104). In the embodiment, the liquid transportation operation may
be started by the liquid transporting apparatus 1 using the
controller 50 and it is possible to change the liquid transport
amount. For example, if the liquid transporting apparatus 1 is used
as the insulin injection device, it is possible to continuously
inject the insulin of a certain amount by normal liquid
transportation operation (such an injecting method is referred to
as "a basal"). Meanwhile, since a blood glucose level temporarily
increases when the user takes a meal, it is necessary to increase
the injection amount of the insulin according to the increase in
the blood glucose level (such an injecting method is referred to as
"a bolus"). Thus, in the liquid transporting apparatus 1, it is
possible to change the liquid transport amount by using the
controller 50. Adjustment of the transport amount is performed by
controlling the operation of the driving section 5, based on a
predetermined control pattern among a plurality of control patterns
stored in the control substrate 15.
[0099] For example, if the normal insulin injection of the user is
1 U (1 unit=approximately 10 .mu.liters) per hour, an injection
speed of 1 U/h is set as the control pattern for the basal.
Further, if it is necessary to inject the insulin of 20 U (20
units) in a short term when taking a meal, the injection amount of
20 U is set as the control pattern for the bolus. Then, the insulin
injection is normally performed at the injection speed of 1 U/h,
based on the control pattern for the basal. Meanwhile, the control
pattern for the bolus is used and the insulin of 20 U is injected
within 24 hours of taking a meal.
[0100] Moreover, the controller 50 is also used when storing the
control pattern during the liquid transportation operation in the
control substrate 15 of the body 10.
[0101] As described above, in the liquid transporting apparatus 1,
since it is a state where the body 10 cannot communicate with the
controller 50 initially, the power consumption in the communication
standby state is small. Then, if it is determined that the
cartridge 20 that is a liquid storage section, and the body 10 are
connected, the body 10 and the controller 50 are in a state of
being capable of communicating. That is, communication between the
body 10 and the controller 50 starts immediately before executing
the liquid transportation operation. Therefore, it is possible to
suppress the wasteful standby power consumption.
Modification Example
[0102] In the first embodiment, when the body 10 starts the
communication with the controller 50, ON/OFF of communication
circuit is performed using the switch 17 that is a mechanical
contact point (see FIGS. 8A and 8B), ON/OFF of the communication
circuit may be performed by other means. For example, the
communication circuit can be ON/OFF using terminals 172 instead of
the switch 17.
[0103] FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic views describing ON/OFF of
the communication circuit in a modification example. A basic
configuration of a liquid transporting apparatus 1 of the
modification example is substantially the same as that of the first
embodiment, but the terminals 172 are provided instead of the
switch 17 of the body 10 and a metal plate 237 having conductivity
is provided as the contact section instead of the contact plate 236
of the cartridge 20. The terminals 172 are a set of contact points
provided on the side of the lower surface of the body 10 and, as
illustrated in FIG. 16A, when the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are
not connected to each other, the communication circuit is in a
state of being open (OFF). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, when
the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are connected, the terminals 172
come into contact with the metal plate 237 so that the contact
points are electrically connected and the communication circuit is
in a state of being closed (ON). Therefore, it is determined that
the body 10 and the cartridge 20 is normally connected. Then,
similar to the first embodiment, if it is determined that the body
10 and the cartridge 20 are normally connected, the body 10 and the
controller 50 are in a state of being capable of communicating.
Therefore, in the modification example, it is also possible to
suppress the wasteful standby power consumption.
Second Embodiment
[0104] In the second embodiment, a connection state between a body
10 and a cartridge 20 is determined by detecting the pressure when
the cartridge 20 are set to the body 10 by a pressure sensitive
sensor and this is used as a trigger when starting the
communication between the body 10 and a controller 50.
Pressure Sensitive Sensor
[0105] A configuration of a liquid transporting apparatus 1 in the
second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first
embodiment, but a pressure sensitive sensor 71 is provided on a
back surface of the body 10 instead of the switch 17 or the
terminal 172 of the first embodiment. Similarly, a pressing section
72 is provided on an upper surface of the cartridge 20 instead of
the contact plate 236 or the metal plate 237 of the first
embodiment. The pressure sensitive sensor 71 and the pressing
section 72 have a positional relationship of facing each other when
the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are connected.
[0106] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the back surface of the
body 10 in the second embodiment. FIGS. 18A and 18B are views
describing a structure of the pressure sensitive sensor 71. FIGS.
19A and 19B are views describing a connection detection method
using the pressure sensitive sensor. FIG. 20 is a view describing a
state of an electrode when measuring a pressure by the pressure
sensitive sensor 71.
[0107] In the second embodiment, the plate-shaped pressure
sensitive sensor 71 is provided on the back surface side of the
body 10. The pressure sensitive sensor is a pressure detection
section that is capable of detecting the amount of pressure applied
on the sensor portion by using that a resistance value is reduced
when the pressure is applied to the sensor section. In the
embodiment, the connection state of the cartridge 20 and the body
10 is determined by measuring the amount of pressure when the
pressing section 72 that is provided in the cartridge 20 presses
the pressure sensitive sensor 71 that is provided in the body
10.
[0108] The pressure sensitive sensor 71 has an electrode sheet 711,
a spacer 712 and a conductive sheet 713 in a vertical direction.
The pressure that is applied to the surface side of the pressure
sensitive sensor 71 (the electrode sheet 711) is measured when
measuring the pressure. The electrode sheet 711 is a film-shaped
member of which the back surface has an electrode. In the electrode
sheet 711 of the embodiment, as illustrated in A-A cross-sectional
view of FIG. 18B, electrodes 711a and electrodes 711b are finely
spread so there is no contact between them. That is, in this state,
the electrodes 711a and the electrodes 711b are not conductive. The
spacer 712 is a member that is provided between the electrode sheet
711 and the conductive sheet 713, and is for isolating the
electrodes 711a and the electrode 711bs so there is no contact
between them. The conductive sheet 713 is a sheet-shaped member
that is provided to face the electrodes 711a and the electrodes
711b of the electrode sheet 711, and has conductivity. Further, the
electrodes 711a and the electrodes 711b are connected respectively,
to a pressure-sensitive determination section 75 and it is possible
to detect a resistance value of the pressure sensitive sensor 71 by
the pressure-sensitive determination section 75. The pressure is
measured, based on the resistance value that is detected, and the
determination of the connection state of the cartridge 20 and the
body 10 is performed. The pressure-sensitive determination section
75 is provided in a control substrate 15 (a body control
section).
[0109] FIG. 19A illustrates a state before the cartridge 20 and the
body 10 are connected. In this state, as described in FIGS. 18A and
18B, the electrode 711a and the electrode 711b are not conductive.
Thus, a great resistance value is detected in the
pressure-sensitive determination section 75. On the other hand,
FIG. 19B illustrates a state that the cartridge 20 and the body 10
are connected. Both members are connected and then the pressing
section 72 that is provided in the cartridge 20 presses the
pressure sensitive sensor 71 from the surface side to the back
surface side (from the lower side to the upper side). Therefore,
the electrode sheet 711 is pressed against the conductive sheet 713
and a region (a contact region) coming into contact with the
conductive sheet 713 is formed on a surface (the back surface side)
of the electrode sheet 711 on which the electrodes is provided. A
region illustrated in a hatched section of FIG. 20 is the contact
region that is formed on the electrode sheet 711. Since the
electrode 711a and the electrode 711b are conductive through the
conductive sheet 713 in the contact region, the resistance value
that is detected by the pressure-sensitive determination section 75
is smaller than that of the non-contact state (the state of FIGS.
18A and 18B). Then, if the pressure by the pressing section 72 is
great, since a contact area between the electrode 711a and the
electrode 711b, and the conductive sheet 713 is great, the
resistance value that is detected by the pressure-sensitive
determination section 75 is further reduced.
[0110] That is, if the cartridge 20 and the body 10 are correctly
connected, since the pressure sensitive sensor 71 is pressed
strongly by the pressing section 72, the resistance value that is
detected by the pressure-sensitive determination section 75 is
small. Conversely, if the cartridge 20 and the body 10 are not
correctly connected, the resistance value that is detected by the
pressure-sensitive determination section 75 is great. Therefore, if
the resistance value that is detected is a predetermined threshold
or less, the pressure-sensitive determination section 75 determines
that the connection state of the cartridge 20 and the body 10 is
normal, and if the resistance value that is detected is greater
than a predetermined threshold, the pressure-sensitive
determination section 75 determines that the connection state of
the cartridge 20 and the body 10 is not normal. In other words, if
the pressure when the pressure sensitive sensor 71 is pressed by
the pressing section 72 is a predetermined amount or more, it is
determined that the connection state of the cartridge 20 and the
body 10 is normal.
[0111] Moreover, a setting position of the pressure sensitive
sensor 71 is not limited to the example described above. For
example, when the pressure sensitive sensor may be provided in a
position facing a tube 21 and when the cartridge 20 and the body 10
are connected, the pressure to the pressure sensitive sensor by the
tube 21 may be detected. Further, the structure of the sensor
itself is also not limited to the example described above and it
may be a method for detecting the pressure in a manner other than
using the change in the resistance value.
Setting of Communication in Second Embodiment
[0112] A setting of the communication in the second embodiment is
basically the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the
setting of the communication is performed according to the flow
described in FIG. 15.
[0113] However, in the second embodiment, in S102 of FIG. 15, the
determination that the cartridge 20 and the body 10 are correctly
connected is performed by the pressure determination using the
pressure sensitive sensor. Particularly, in S102, the pressure is
detected that is applied to the body 10 by the cartridge 20 as the
resistance value, and determines the connection state, based on the
resistance value that is detected. If it is determined that the
connection state of the cartridge 20 and the body 10 is normal, the
body control section causes the communication circuit to be ON and
to be a state of being capable of communicating with the controller
50. Thereafter, pairing of the body 10 between the controller 50 is
performed (S103) and the communication starts practically
(S104).
[0114] According to the liquid transporting apparatus 1 of the
second embodiment, since the communication with the controller 50
is not started before the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are
correctly connected, it is possible to reduce the power consumption
during the communication standby. Then, the body 10 and the
controller 50 are in a state being capable of communicating for the
first time in a stage in which it is determined that the connection
state of the both members is normal from a result of measurement of
the pressure when the body 10 and the cartridge 20 are
connected.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0115] The embodiments described above are intended to facilitate
understanding of the invention and are not intended to be
constructed as limiting the invention. The invention may be altered
and improved as long as there is no departure from the spirit
thereof, and it is needless to say that equivalents thereof are
included in the invention.
[0116] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2013-076630, filed Apr. 2, 2013 is expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
* * * * *