U.S. patent application number 14/862904 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-14 for fluid injecting apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hajime MIYAZAKI.
Application Number | 20160008539 14/862904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50485979 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160008539 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIYAZAKI; Hajime |
January 14, 2016 |
FLUID INJECTING APPARATUS
Abstract
A fluid injecting apparatus includes: a cartridge portion which
has a tube that transports a fluid, a plurality of fingers that
press the tube, and a blocking member that blocks the tube; and a
main body portion which has a cam that presses the plurality of
fingers. When the cartridge portion is detached from the main body
portion, the blocking member blocks the tube. When the cartridge
portion is mounted to the main body portion, the cam presses at
least one of the fingers such that the tube is blocked at the
position of the pressed finger and the blocking of the tube by the
blocking member is released.
Inventors: |
MIYAZAKI; Hajime;
(Matsumoto-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
50485979 |
Appl. No.: |
14/862904 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14057423 |
Oct 18, 2013 |
9168337 |
|
|
14862904 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/67 ;
604/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/14232 20130101;
A61M 2205/3337 20130101; A61M 5/1413 20130101; A61M 5/14248
20130101; A61M 5/16804 20130101; A61M 5/16813 20130101; A61M
2005/1416 20130101; A61M 5/14228 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/168 20060101
A61M005/168; A61M 5/142 20060101 A61M005/142 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 22, 2012 |
JP |
2012-232578 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A cartridge comprising: a tube that transports a fluid; a
plurality of fingers which abut on the tube, and a blocking member
that blocks the tube; wherein the blocking member blocks the tube
when the cartridge is detached from a main body of a fluid
injecting apparatus.
12. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein when the cartridge
is mounted to the main body, the tube is blocked as a cam abuts on
at least one of the fingers and the main body has the cam that
displaces the plurality of fingers,
13. The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein when the cartridge
is mounted to the main body, the blocking of the tube by the
blocking member is released.
14. The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the cartridge
includes an impelling member that impels the blocking member toward
the tube, and when the cartridge is mounted to the main body, the
engagement member of the main body is engaged so that the blocking
member is in a state of not blocking the tube.
15. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein, when the
cartridge is detached from the main body, the engagement is
released, and the blocking member blocks the tube by the impelling
force of the impelling member.
16. The cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising: a
guide member which guides a movement of the blocking member in a
direction toward the tube.
17. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the tube is made
of an elastic material that is deformable.
18. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the blocking
member is provided on a downstream side of the fingers in a
transport direction of the fluid.
19. The cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising: a
needle member provided on a downstream side of the blocking member
in the transport direction of the fluid; and a storage portion
which stores the fluid on an upstream side of the fingers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/057,423, filed Oct. 18, 2013. The disclosure of this
application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a fluid injecting
apparatus.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] An insulin pump which injects insulin into a living body is
used in practice. A fluid injecting apparatus such as the insulin
pump is fixed to a living body such as a human body and regularly
injects a fluid to the living body such as a human body according
to a program set in advance.
[0006] In JP-A-2010-48121, a micropump which is provided with a
transport mechanism including a cam, a finger, and a tube and a
reservoir is illustrated (FIG. 5).
[0007] In a new fluid injecting apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 6
and 7, when a cartridge portion is detached from a main body
portion, fingers are freely movable, and thus a fluid in a tube
freely flows. Therefore, it is preferable that the fluid in the
tube be not allowed to freely flow when the cartridge portion is
detached from the main body portion.
SUMMARY
[0008] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a
fluid in a tube is not allowed to freely flow when a cartridge
portion is detached from a main body portion.
[0009] An aspect of the invention is directed to a fluid injecting
apparatus including: a cartridge portion which has a tube that
supplies a fluid, a plurality of fingers that sequentially press
the tube, and a blocking member that blocks the tube; and a main
body portion which has a cam that sequentially presses the
plurality of fingers. When the cartridge portion is detached from
the main body portion, the blocking member blocks the tube. When
the cartridge portion is mounted to the main body portion, the cam
presses at least one of the fingers such that the tube is blocked
at the position of the pressed finger, the blocking of the tube by
the blocking member is released, and thus the tube is open at the
position of the blocking member.
[0010] Other features of the invention are clarified by the
specification and the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like
elements.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entirety of a
micropump.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the micropump.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view of the micropump.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the micropump.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside of a main
body.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear surface of the main
body.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rear surface of a
cartridge base.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rear surface of the
micropump.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a rotary finger pump.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B
in FIG. 3 before blocking.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B
in FIG. 3 after blocking.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C
in FIG. 3 during mounting.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C
in FIG. 3 during separation.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The following is clarified by the description of the
specification and the attached drawings.
[0027] A fluid injecting apparatus includes: a cartridge portion
which has a tube that supplies a fluid, a plurality of fingers that
sequentially press the tube, and a blocking member that blocks the
tube; and a main body portion which has a cam that sequentially
presses the plurality of fingers. When the cartridge portion is
detached from the main body portion, the blocking member blocks the
tube. When the cartridge portion is mounted to the main body
portion, the cam presses at least one of the fingers such that the
tube is blocked at the position of the pressed finger, the blocking
of the tube by the blocking member is released, and thus the tube
is open at the position of the blocking member.
[0028] Accordingly, when the cartridge portion is mounted to the
main body portion, the fingers block the tube. On the other hand,
in a situation in which the cartridge portion is detached from the
main body portion, the cam cannot press the fingers and thus the
tube is not blocked, the blocking member can block the tube.
Therefore, the fluid in the tube is not allowed to freely flow.
[0029] In the fluid injecting apparatus, it is preferable that when
the cartridge portion and the main body portion are assembled in
one body, a cam surface of the cam portion be disposed at a
position that opposes a finger end of the finger.
[0030] Accordingly, when the cartridge portion is mounted to the
main body portion, one end of the finger comes in contact with the
cam surface and the other end of the finger comes in contact with
the tube. Therefore, the tube can be blocked by the finger.
[0031] In addition, it is preferable that the main body portion
include an engagement member, the cartridge portion include an
impelling member that impels the blocking member in a direction
toward the tube, when the cartridge portion is mounted to the main
body portion, the engagement member be engaged so that the blocking
member is in a state of not blocking the tube, and when the
cartridge portion is detached from the main body portion, the
engagement be released and the blocking member block the tube by
the impelling force of the impelling member.
[0032] Accordingly, when the cartridge portion is detached from the
main body portion, the tube can be blocked by the impelling force
of the impelling member.
[0033] In addition, it is preferable that a guide member which
guides a movement of the blocking member in a direction toward the
tube be included.
[0034] Accordingly, the blocking member can be moved in the
direction toward the tube along the guide member.
[0035] In addition, it is preferable that the tube contain an
elastic material that is deformable.
[0036] Accordingly, as the tube is sequentially blocked by the
fingers, the fluid is allowed to flow in a predetermined
direction.
[0037] In addition, it is preferable that the blocking member be
provided on a downstream side of the fingers in a transport
direction of the fluid in the tube.
[0038] Accordingly, there is concern that the tube may be pressed
by the fingers that freely move when the cartridge portion is
detached from the main body portion. However, since the tube is
blocked by the blocking member provided on the downstream side
thereof, the fluid can be prevented from freely flowing toward the
downstream side.
[0039] In addition, it is preferable that a needle member which is
inserted into a living body be included on the downstream side of
the blocking member in the flowing direction of the fluid in the
tube, and a storage portion which stores the fluid be included on
an upstream side of the fingers.
[0040] Accordingly, the fluid stored in the storage portion can be
sent to the living body.
[0041] In addition, it is preferable that a pressure sensor that
detects a pressure of the tube be included in the main body
portion, and the detachment of the cartridge portion from the main
body portion be detected on the basis of the detection value of the
pressure sensor.
[0042] Accordingly, the detachment of the cartridge portion from
the main body portion can be detected by using the pressure sensor
that is used to detect the pressure of the tube.
Embodiment
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entirety of a micropump
1. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the micropump 1. The micropump 1
includes a main body 10, a cartridge 20, and an injection set 30.
The three components can be disassembled as illustrated in FIG. 2
and can be assembled in one body in use as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The micropump 1 in this embodiment sticks to a living body and is
appropriately used for a regular injection of insulin.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view of the micropump 1. FIG. 4
is a cross-sectional view of the micropump 1. That is, FIGS. 3 and
4 are diagrams of the main body 10, the cartridge 20, and the
injection set 30 which are assembled. FIG. 5 is a perspective view
of the inside of the main body 10. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of
the rear surface of the main body 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram
illustrating the rear surface of FIG. 5 described above. FIG. 7 is
an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 8 is a
perspective view of the rear surface of a cartridge base 210. FIG.
9 is a perspective view of the rear surface of the micropump 1.
[0045] Hereinafter, each part of the micropump 1 will be described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 described above. First, each part in
the main body 10 (corresponding to a main body portion) will be
described.
[0046] The main body 10 includes a main body base 110, each part
configured on a main body base 110, and a main body case 130. In
addition, each part on the main body base 110 is covered by the
main body case 130 to be protected.
[0047] The main body 10 includes a circuit board 140 configured on
the main body base 110. The circuit board 140 is an electronic
board for controlling a piezoelectric motor 150 and the like
according to programs. In addition, the main body 10 includes the
piezoelectric motor 150. The piezoelectric motor 150 is a motor for
applying a rotational driving force to a cam 121, which will be
described later.
[0048] The piezoelectric motor 150 includes a plate-like member 151
and a pair of springs 152 (FIG. 3). The springs 152 impels the
plate-like member 151 toward a rotor wheel 128 using their elastic
forces. The plate-like member 151 is impelled toward the rotor
wheel 128 as described above such that the tip end portion thereof
comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the rotor
wheel 128.
[0049] The plate-like member 151 is a member configured in layers.
The plate-like member 151 includes a piezoelectric layer and two
electrodes, and the shape thereof is changed by a change in a
voltage applied to the two electrodes. For example, longitudinal
vibration and flexural vibration are alternately repeated by the
applied voltage. Longitudinal vibration changes the length of the
plate-like member 151 in the axial direction thereof, and flexural
vibration changes the plate-like member 151 in a substantially S
shape. As the vibrations are alternately repeated, the rotor wheel
128 is rotated in a predetermined direction.
[0050] The rotor wheel 128 has a pinion that is rotated integrally
at a position different in the height direction of the micropump 1,
and the pinion is engaged with a gear of an intermediate wheel 127
to rotate the intermediate wheel 127. In addition, the intermediate
wheel 127 also has a pinion that is rotated integrally at a
position different in the height direction of the micropump 1, and
the pinion is engaged with a gear that is rotated integrally with
an output shaft 126. The rotor wheel 128, the intermediate wheel
127, and the output shaft 126 are fixed to a gear train support 125
fixed to the main body 10 so that each of the shafts thereof can be
rotated.
[0051] The cam 121 is also fixed to the output shaft 126 pivotally
supported by bearings 129 so as to be integrally rotated. In
addition, the cam 121 is also rotated along with the rotation of
the output shaft 126. Accordingly, the power from the piezoelectric
motor 150 is transmitted to the cam 121.
[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a hook holder 171 is provided at
the front of the main body 10, and hook insertion openings 172 are
provided at two points at the rear thereof. A fixing hook 271 of
the cartridge 20 is hooked to the hook holder 171, and fixing hooks
272 are hooked to the hook insertion openings 172 so that the
cartridge 20 can be fixed to the main body 10 (FIGS. 2 and 4).
[0053] At this time, a packing 273 is fitted to a groove portion of
the outer periphery of the upper surface of the cartridge base 210.
Therefore, when the main body 10 and the cartridge 20 are fixed to
each other, a space formed by the main body 10 and the cartridge 20
can be sealed so as not to allow a liquid or the like to infiltrate
into the space.
[0054] The main body 10 includes a clogging detection element 123
and a bubble detection element 124 at the rear surface thereof
(FIG. 6). The clogging detection element 123 includes, for example,
a pressure sensor. In addition, when the main body 10 and the
cartridge 20 are assembled in one body, the pressure sensor comes
into contact with a portion of a tube 225. When the tube 225 is
clogged at the downstream side or a position therebelow, the
internal pressure of the tube 225 is increased, and the tube 225
itself expands. Therefore, at this time, the tube 225 presses the
pressure sensor. Accordingly, by monitoring the pressure detected
by the pressure sensor, whether or not the tube is clogged at the
downstream side or position therebelow can be determined.
[0055] In addition, the bubble detection element 124 includes, for
example, an optical sensor. The optical sensor illuminates the tube
225 with light, and detects the reflected light. In addition, the
optical sensor can detect a difference between reflected light when
a liquid occupies the inside of the tube 225 and reflected light
when bubbles occur. Accordingly, whether or not bubbles occur in
the tube 225 can be determined.
[0056] In addition, the main body 10 includes a secondary battery
storage portion 180 at the rear surface thereof (FIG. 6). The
secondary battery storage portion 180 has a battery positive
terminal 182 and a battery negative terminal 183, and by inserting
a secondary battery 181 into the secondary battery storage portion
180, predetermined power can be supplied to each part of the main
body 10.
[0057] Next, the cartridge 20 (corresponding to a cartridge
portion) will be described.
[0058] The cartridge 20 includes the cartridge base 210, a
cartridge base presser 240, and each part configured on the
cartridge base 210. The cartridge base 210 configures a storage
portion 290 together with a reservoir film 250 as described
later.
[0059] The cartridge base 210 of the cartridge 20 includes a finger
unit 220 on the upper surface thereof. The finger unit 220 includes
a finger base 227, fingers 222, the tube 225, and a finger presser
226. In addition, on the upper surface of the cartridge base 210, a
suction connector 228 and a discharge connector 229 are provided.
The suction connector 228 is a connector 228 for suctioning a
liquid in the finger unit 220, and the discharge connector 229 is a
connector for discharging the liquid from the finger unit 220.
[0060] A plurality of grooves are formed in the finger base 227,
and the suction connector 228 and the discharge connector 229 are
inserted into the grooves. In addition, in the finger base 227, a
tube guide groove 227a that guides the tube 225 is formed in an arc
shape to accommodate the tube 225. One end of the tube 225 is
densely connected to the suction connector 228, and the other end
thereof is densely connected to the discharge connector 229.
[0061] A plurality of finger guides 227b are formed on the inside
of the arc formed by the tube guide groove 227a. The finger guides
227b respectively accommodate the fingers 222. Accordingly, a tip
end 222a of the finger 222 is disposed to be in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the tube 225.
[0062] The finger presser 226 is fixed to the upper surface of the
finger base 227 by a fixing screw (not illustrated). Accordingly,
the finger 222 is able to slide only in a direction along the
finger guide 227b.
[0063] As described above, since the fingers 222 and the tube 225
are provided on the cartridge 20 side, even in a case where a tube
having a diameter different from that of the tube 225 is employed,
the cartridge 20 in which the fingers 222 having a length that
matches the diameter of the tube are assembled can be provided.
Accordingly, even when the size of the cam 121 is a standardized
size, a cam surface 121a of the cam 121 can be appropriately
disposed at a position that abuts on a rear end portion 222b of the
finger 222.
[0064] A clogging detection window 223 and the bubble detection
window 224 are provided in the finger presser 226. When the main
body 10 and the cartridge 20 are assembled, the clogging detection
element 123 detects clogging of the liquid in the tube 225 via the
clogging detection window 223. In addition, the bubble detection
element 124 detects presence or absence of bubbles in the tube 225
via the bubble detection window 224.
[0065] An injection set connection needle 231 is provided at the
side surface of the cartridge base 210 to enable the liquid to be
sent to the injection set 30 via a patch septum 350. The injection
set connection needle 231 communicates with the discharge connector
229. On the other hand, the suction connector 228 communicates with
the storage portion 290, which will be described later, via a
through-hole provided in the cartridge base 210. Accordingly, the
liquid in the storage portion 290 can be supplied to the injection
set connection needle 231 through the suction connector 228, the
tube 225, and the discharge connector 229.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the tip end
position of the injection set connection needle 231 has
substantially the same height as the storage portion 290 in the
height direction. Accordingly, although the liquid passes through
the tube 225 and the like on the upper surface of the cartridge 20,
the height difference itself between the tip end position of the
injection set connection needle 231 and the position of the storage
portion 290 is small. Therefore, the potential energy difference
can be reduced, and thus the liquid stored in the storage portion
290 can be sent to the injection set connection needle 231 with
little energy. This configuration is advantageous in a case where
the power saving type piezoelectric motor 150 described above is
used.
[0067] The cartridge 20 includes the reservoir film 250. The
periphery of the reservoir film 250 is pinched between the
cartridge base 210 and a film pressing portion 242 provided in the
cartridge base presser 240. Accordingly, the storage portion 290 is
configured between the reservoir film 250 and the cartridge base
210 such that the liquid can be stored in the storage portion
290.
[0068] The cartridge base 210 is made of a plastic and the surface
thereof on a side where the reservoir film 250 is provided has a
curved surface shape. As such, the storage portion 290 has a curved
surface shape, and the film of the reservoir film 250 can be
deformed according to the residual amount of the liquid stored in
the storage portion 290. Therefore, the fluid can be squeezed out
so as not to be left in the storage portion 290. In addition, it is
preferable that the reservoir film 250 at this time be processed to
have a curved surface shape along the above-mentioned curved
surface shape. Accordingly, even when the amount of fluid in the
storage portion 290 is reduced, the reservoir film 250 is deformed
along the curved surface, and thus the liquid can be squeezed out
so as not to be left.
[0069] The reservoir film 250 is configured as a multi-layer film.
At this time, the inner layer is preferably made of polypropylene,
and as the material of the outer layer, a material having excellent
gas barrier properties is preferably selected. In addition, the
reservoir film 250 is not limited to this, and for example, may be
made of a thermoplastic elastomer or may be a film made by pasting
another material to the thermoplastic elastomer.
[0070] A cartridge septum 280 is provided on the lower surface side
of the cartridge 20 (FIG. 9). The cartridge septum 280 is inserted
into a cartridge septum insertion hole 241 provided in the
cartridge base presser 240 when the cartridge base 210 and the
cartridge base presser 240 are assembled. One surface of the
cartridge septum 280 is exposed to opening portions 340a and 360a
of a patch base 340 and an adhesive tape 360 (FIGS. 2 and 9), and
the other surface thereof communicates with a fluid inlet port 211.
The fluid inlet port 211 is open between the reservoir film 250 and
the cartridge base 210. Therefore, the liquid to be injected using
an injection needle or the like via the cartridge septum 280 is
stored in the storage portion 290.
[0071] Next, the injection set 30 (corresponding to an injection
portion) will be described with reference to mainly FIG. 4.
[0072] The injection set 30 includes a catheter 310, an
introduction needle 320, an introduction needle folder 321, an
introduction needle septum 322, a port base 330, the patch base
340, the patch septum 350, and the adhesive tape 360.
[0073] The injection set connection needle 231 is inserted through
the patch septum 350 as described later to supply the liquid to the
injection set 30. The patch septum 350 is provided in the side wall
portion of the injection set 30, and accordingly, the injection set
connection needle 231 penetrates through the patch septum 350 when
the reservoir 20 is mounted toward the side surface of the
injection set 30.
[0074] In addition, the septum of the patch septum 350 is formed of
a material (for example, silicone) so that a hole that is open due
to the penetration of a needle or the like is blocked. Accordingly,
even when the needle is inserted through and removed from the
septum, the liquid or the like does not leak out via the
septum.
[0075] The catheter 310 is a tube for injecting the liquid. A
portion of the catheter 310 is held by the port base 330, and a
portion thereof is exposed on the lower side of the port base 330.
In order to inject the liquid by using the injection set 30, the
exposed portion of the catheter 310 is placed into a living body or
the like and the liquid is continuously injected. Therefore, the
catheter 310 is formed of a soft material such as a
fluororesin.
[0076] The introduction needle 320 is a hollow long and thin
needle-like member, and the external shape thereof is smaller than
the inside diameter of the catheter 310. The introduction needle
320 is inserted into the catheter 310 before use. The sharp end
side of the introduction needle 320 is exposed in the downward
direction of the catheter 310, and the other end side thereof is
fixed to the introduction needle folder 321. In addition, before
use, the introduction needle 320 is inserted through the
introduction needle septum 322 fixed into the port base 330.
[0077] In this configuration, the introduction needle 320 is drawn
from the inside of the catheter 310 by drawing the introduction
needle folder 321 from the port base 330. However, the liquid that
flows from the injection set connection needle 231 does not leak
out from the introduction needle septum 322 side and flows into the
living body through the catheter 310.
[0078] The injection set 30 includes the patch base 340. The patch
base 340 is fixed to the port base 330, includes a cartridge fixing
member 341, and has a function of fixing the cartridge 20 to the
injection set 30. In order to connect the cartridge 20 to the
injection set 30, the cartridge 20 is moved to slide from the left
of FIG. 2 toward the injection set 30. In addition, the injection
set connection needle 231 provided in the cartridge 20 penetrates
through the patch septum 350 and is inserted into the injection set
30.
[0079] The patch base 340 includes the adhesive tape 360 at the
lower surface thereof. In addition, the micropump 1 is able to
stick to the living body or the like.
[0080] In the above configuration, when the main body 10 and the
cartridge 20 are assembled in one body, the clogging detection
element 123 is disposed above the clogging detection window 223,
and the bubble detection element 124 is disposed above the bubble
detection window 224. Accordingly, by monitoring the tube 225,
occurrence of clogging of the liquid and occurrence of bubbles in
the tube 225 can be detected.
[0081] In addition, when the main body 10 and the cartridge 20 are
assembled, the cam 121 of the main body 10 is inserted into a cam
accommodation portion 227c of the finger base 227. Accordingly, the
cam surface 121a of the cam 121 is disposed at a position that
opposes the rear end portion 222b of the finger 222. In addition,
as the cam 121 is rotated, the cam surface 121a abuts on the rear
end portion 222b of the finger 222 to enable the finger 222 to
slide.
[0082] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a rotary finger pump. The
cam 121 is provided with four cam noses. Each of the cam noses has
a shape in which the height thereof is transited to be gradually
increased from the lowest portion of the cam nose to the highest
portion, and when the height reaches the highest portion, the
height is transited to the lowest portion of the adjacent cam nose.
By employing this shape, when the cam 121 is rotated, the tip end
portions 222a of the plurality of fingers 222 sequentially press
the tube 225 in a direction from the suction connector 228 side to
the discharge connector 229 side. In addition, the liquid in the
tube 225 can be sent to the discharge connector 229 side from the
suction connector 228 side.
[0083] In this configuration, the tube 225, the finger unit 220,
the cam 121, and the piezoelectric motor 150, which correspond to a
pump portion, are disposed closer to the outer side than the
storage portion 290 with respect to the living body, and thus the
storage portion 290 that stores the liquid can be protected by the
pump portion. In addition, the storage portion 290 is less likely
to be broken.
[0084] Further, a reduction in the size of the micropump 1 provided
with the storage portion 290 and the pump portion is preferable.
Through the laminated arrangement described above, a further
reduction in the size can be realized. At this time, since the
storage portion 290 is provided on the living body side, the
temperature of the liquid in the storage portion 290 can be kept by
the body temperature of the living body.
[0085] In addition, in FIGS. 7 and 10, a tube blocking pin 262 and
a tube blocking spring 263 which are parts of an automatic blocking
portion 260, which will be described later, are illustrated. In
addition, a side wall 227e (corresponding to a guide member) which
guides the movement of the tube blocking pin 262 in a direction
toward the tube 225 and a rear end wall 227d to which one end of
the tube blocking spring 263 is fixed are illustrated. Hereinafter,
the automatic blocking portion 260 will be described.
Automatic Blocking Portion 260
[0086] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B
in FIG. 3 before blocking. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken
along the line B-B in FIG. 3 after blocking. Hereinafter, the
configuration and the operation of the automatic blocking portion
260 will be described with reference to the drawings in addition to
the above-described drawings.
[0087] The automatic blocking portion 260 includes a main body side
tube opening protrusion 261 (corresponding to an engagement
member), the tube blocking pin 262 (corresponding to a blocking
member), and the tube blocking spring 263 (corresponding to an
impelling member). Among these, the main body side tube opening
protrusion 261 is provided between the clogging detection element
123 and the bubble detection element 124 of the main body 10 so as
to be fixed (FIG. 6). On the other hand, the tube blocking pin 262
and the tube blocking spring 263 are provided on the cartridge 20
side.
[0088] The tube blocking pin 262 and the tube blocking spring 263
are accommodated in the finger base 227. One end of the tube
blocking spring 263 is fixed to the rear end side of the tube
blocking pin 262. In addition, the other end of the tube blocking
spring 263 is fixed to the rear end wall 227d provided in the
finger base 227.
[0089] Accordingly, the tube blocking pin 262 is impelled in a
direction toward the tube 225. However, when the cartridge 20 is
mounted to the main body 10, the movement of the tube blocking pin
262 is restricted by the main body side tube opening protrusion 261
that is inserted through an insertion window 265 of the finger
presser 226 and the tube 225 is not blocked. This is because an
engagement portion 261a of the main body side tube opening
protrusion 261 is caught on an engagement portion 262a provided in
the tube blocking pin 262.
[0090] On the other hand, when the cartridge 20 is not mounted to
the main body 10, the inserted main body side tube opening
protrusion 261 is pulled out of the insertion window 265, and the
above-described engagement is released. Accordingly, the tube
blocking pin 262 which is impelled in the direction toward the tube
225 by the tube blocking spring 263 blocks the tube 225 together
with the wall surface of the finger base 227.
[0091] In order to mount the cartridge 20 to the main body 10
again, the main body side tube opening protrusion 261 is inserted
into the insertion window 265, and a sliding tilted surface 261b
provided in the main body side tube opening protrusion 261 and the
sliding tilted surface 262b provided in the tube blocking pin 262
slide on each other such that the tube blocking pin 262 is moved in
such a direction that the tube blocking spring 263 is compressed.
In addition, the engagement portion 261a of the main body side tube
opening protrusion 261 is caught on the engagement portion 262a
provided in the tube blocking pin 262 again.
[0092] According to the above-described micropump 1, when the
cartridge 20 is mounted to the main body 10, the cam 121 presses at
least one finger 222 and thus the tube 225 is blocked at the
position of the pressed finger 222. In addition, the blocking of
the tube 225 by the automatic blocking portion 260 is released. On
the other hand, when the cartridge 20 is detached from the main
body 10, the tube 225 is blocked by the automatic blocking portion
260.
[0093] In the micropump 1, when the cartridge 20 is detached from
the main body 10, the cam 121 that restricts the movement of the
fingers 222 is also detached and thus the blocking of the tube 225
by the finger 222 is released. However, in the above-described
configuration, the tube 225 can be blocked by the automatic
blocking portion 260 and thus the liquid can be prevented from
freely flowing.
[0094] In addition, the automatic blocking portion 260 is provided
on the downstream side of the fingers 222 in the flowing direction
of the liquid of the tube 225. Accordingly, there is a possibility
that the tube 225 may be pressed by the finger 222 which freely
moves when the cartridge 20 is detached from the main body 10.
However, since the tube 225 is blocked by the automatic blocking
portion 260 that is provided on the downstream side thereof, the
liquid can be prevented from freely flowing toward the downstream
side.
Clogging Detection Portion
[0095] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C
in FIG. 3 during mounting. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken
along the line C-C in FIG. 3 during separation. Hereinafter, a
clogging detection portion will be described with reference to the
drawings. The clogging detection portion also functions as a
detecting device that detects the detachment of the cartridge 20
from the main body 10.
[0096] The clogging detection portion includes the clogging
detection element 123, a pressure transmission plate 221, and a
clogging detection window 223 formed in the finger presser 226.
[0097] The clogging detection element 123 is the pressure sensor.
The clogging detection element 123 includes a semiconductor force
sensor element 1232, a spherical body 1231, and an accommodation
member 1233 that accommodates them. The semiconductor force sensor
element 1232 is formed by using a Si semiconductor substrate that
detects a force. The semiconductor force sensor element 1232
converts an applied force into an electric signal by using a
piezoresistive effect and outputs the electric signal. In addition,
the output electric signal is sent to the circuit board 140. The
spherical body 1231 is used for transmitting a force which is an
object of measurement to the semiconductor force sensor element
1232.
[0098] The clogging detection element 123 is fixed to the main body
10 side as described above. In addition, when the cartridge 20 is
attached to the main body 10, one point of the spherical body 1231
comes in contact with the pressure transmission plate 221. The area
of the pressure transmission plate 221 is greater than the opening
area of the clogging detection window 223 for use. In addition, the
end portion of the pressure transmission plate 221 is interposed
between the finger presser 226 and the finger base 227 to be
slightly movable in the vertical direction. The pressure
transmission plate 221 comes in contact with the tube 225 on the
opposite surface to the surface that comes in contact with the
spherical body 1231. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the main
body 10, the tube 225 and the pressure transmission plate 221 abut
on each other, and the pressure transmission plate 221 and the
spherical body 1231 abut on each other.
[0099] In a case where the flow path of the liquid is clogged and a
flow occurs in the tube 225 due to the finger unit 220, the
internal pressure of the tube 225 is increased, and thus the tube
225 which is an elastic body expands. When the tube 225 expands,
the side surface of the tube 225 presses the spherical body 1231 of
the clogging detection element 123 via the pressure transmission
plate 221 in the clogging detection window 223. Therefore, by
monitoring the pressure detected by the clogging detection element
123 using the circuit board 140, clogging of the tube 225 can be
detected when the pressure becomes higher than a predetermined
pressure.
[0100] In this embodiment, particularly, since the pressure
transmission plate 221 is provided in the clogging detection window
223, a pressing force of the tube 225 that expands in the clogging
detection window 223 is reliably transmitted to the spherical body
1231 via the pressure transmission plate 221. At this time, a force
obtained by multiplying the pressure of the tube 225 by the area of
the pressure transmission plate 221 is transmitted to the spherical
body 1231. Therefore, clogging of the fluid can be detected with
high sensitivity.
[0101] In this embodiment, as the pressure sensor, the clogging
detection element 123 having the spherical body 1231 is used. The
spherical body 1231 comes in contact with the pressure transmission
plate 221 at one point in theory. Therefore, the clogging detection
element 123 can detect the movement of the pressure transmission
plate 221 with good sensitivity.
[0102] In addition, since the clogging detection portion as
described above is provided, even in a case where a member that is
narrower than the inside diameter of the tube 225 and is likely to
be clogged like the injection set connection needle 231 is included
on the downstream side of the clogging detection element 123 in the
tube 225, clogging of the tube 225 can be detected with good
sensitivity.
[0103] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 13, when the main body
10 and the cartridge 20 are assembled, the assembly may be
performed so that the tube 225 applies a predetermined pressure to
the clogging detection element 123 in advance. Accordingly, the
clogging detection element 123 always outputs an electric signal
indicating that the predetermined pressure is applied. On the other
hand, as illustrated in FIG. 14, when the cartridge 20 is separated
from the main body 10, the tube 225 cannot press the clogging
detection element 123 at all, and thus the pressure detected by the
clogging detection element 123 becomes zero. Therefore, by
monitoring the output of the clogging detection element 123,
separation of the cartridge 20 from the main body 10 can be
detected.
Other Embodiments
[0104] The micropump 1 described above achieves a reduction in size
and a reduction in thickness and thus allows a small amount of
fluid to stably and continuously flow. Therefore, the micropump 1
is mounted into a living body or on the surface of a living body
and is appropriate for medical uses such as the development of new
drugs or drug delivery. In addition, in various mechanical devices,
the micropump 1 may be mounted inside the device or outside the
device to be used for transport of fluid such as water or a saline
solution, liquid medicine, oils, aromatic liquid, ink, or gas.
Moreover, the micropump as a single member can be used for flowing
or supplying a fluid.
[0105] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the tube 225
is blocked by impelling the tube blocking pin 262 by the impelling
force of the tube blocking spring 263. However, the blocking method
is not limited thereto. For example, the tube 225 may also be
blocked by a member on a lever, or the tube 225 may also be blocked
by a configuration using a link mechanism or the like.
[0106] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the area of
the pressure transmission plate 221 is greater than the clogging
detection window 223 but may also be substantially the same as the
size of the clogging detection window 223.
[0107] In addition, a member that transmits a force to the
semiconductor force sensor element 1232 is the spherical body 1231
but is not limited to the spherical body. A polyhedron shape such
as a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube shape may also be
employed.
[0108] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the
semiconductor force sensor element 1232 is used as the pressure
sensor. However, the pressure sensor is not limited thereto, and
any type of pressure sensor may be employed.
[0109] The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the
understanding of the invention and should not be construed to limit
the invention. The invention can be modified and improved without
departing from the spirit and naturally includes the equivalents
thereof.
[0110] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2012-232578, filed Oct. 22, 2012 is expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
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