U.S. patent application number 15/491675 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-30 for anesthetic tank, and system for preventing erroneous anesthetic injection.
The applicant listed for this patent is ACOMA MEDICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Koji FUJII, Masaki ITO, Kei SHIMADA, Yuji SHIRAI, Hideki UCHIDA.
Application Number | 20180243529 15/491675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58632221 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180243529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ITO; Masaki ; et
al. |
August 30, 2018 |
ANESTHETIC TANK, AND SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING ERRONEOUS ANESTHETIC
INJECTION
Abstract
An anesthetic tank includes an insertion mouth for inserting an
injection adapter of an anesthetic container, and a storage portion
communicating with the insertion mouth. A volatile anesthetic
inside of the anesthetic container is injected into the storage
portion. An identifying member is arranged on the outside of the
insertion mouth and is rotatable around the center axis of the
insertion mouth. The identifying member has key groove formed in
the internal surface of an insertion hole for inserting the
injection adapter. The key groove are used for identifying the type
of the volatile anesthetic in collaboration with keys formed in the
injection adapter. A cover member has an opening formed in the
position facing the insertion mouth and the insertion hole and
presses the peripheral part of the identifying member.
Inventors: |
ITO; Masaki; (Tokyo, JP)
; UCHIDA; Hideki; (Tokyo, JP) ; SHIMADA; Kei;
(Tokyo, JP) ; SHIRAI; Yuji; (Tokyo, JP) ;
FUJII; Koji; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ACOMA MEDICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
58632221 |
Appl. No.: |
15/491675 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/183 20130101;
A61M 2205/6045 20130101; A61M 2039/0009 20130101; A61M 2039/1077
20130101; A61M 39/26 20130101; A61M 39/24 20130101; A61M 2205/276
20130101; A61M 2039/2486 20130101; A61M 16/0816 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/18 20060101
A61M016/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2017 |
JP |
2017-036338 |
Claims
1. An anesthetic tank which includes an insertion mouth for
inserting an injection adapter attached to a mouth portion of an
anesthetic container and a storage portion communicating with the
insertion mouth, the storage portion being injected from the
injection adapter inserted into the insertion mouth with a volatile
anesthetic inside of the anesthetic container, comprising: an
identifying member which: has a disk shape; is arranged on the
outside of the insertion mouth and rotatable around the center axis
of the insertion mouth; has an insertion hole formed in the
position facing the insertion mouth, the insertion hole being used
for inserting the injection adapter; and has a first identification
portion formed in the internal surface of the insertion hole, the
first identification portion being used for identifying the type of
the volatile anesthetic to be injected in collaboration with a
second identification portion formed in the injection adapter; and
a cover member which has an opening formed in the position facing
the insertion mouth and the insertion hole, the opening being used
for inserting the injection adapter, and presses the peripheral
part of the identifying member from above the identifying member,
the identifying member accepting the injection adapter by rotating
up to the position where the first identification portion engages
with the second identification portion if the injection adapter
having the second identification portion fit for the first
identification portion is inserted into the insertion hole and
thereby the second identification portion presses the first
identification portion, and hindering insertion of the injection
adapter by leading the first identification portion to block the
space necessary for the insertion of the second identification
portion if the injection adapter having the second identification
portion unfit for the first identification portion is inserted into
the insertion hole.
2. The anesthetic tank according to claim 1, wherein as the
anesthetic tank, a plurality of types are employed in accordance
with types of the volatile anesthetic, and the plurality of types
of anesthetic tanks are mutually different only in the identifying
member.
3. The anesthetic tank according to claim 1, wherein the anesthetic
tank; is of a plurality of types in accordance with types of the
volatile anesthetic, and each type of the anesthetic tank differs
only in the identifying member.
4. A system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection which
includes an injection adapter attached to a mouth portion of an
anesthetic container and the anesthetic tank according to claim 1,
wherein the injection adapter includes the second identification
portion formed in the peripheral surface of an insertion portion of
the injection adapter inserted into the insertion mouth, the second
identification portion being used for identifying the type of the
volatile anesthetic to be injected into the anesthetic tank in
collaboration with the first identification portion.
5. A system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection which
includes an injection adapter attached to a mouth portion of an
anesthetic container and the anesthetic tank according to claim 2,
wherein the injection adapter includes the second identification
portion formed in the peripheral surface of an insertion portion of
the injection adapter inserted into the insertion mouth, the second
identification portion being used for identifying the type of the
volatile anesthetic to be injected into the anesthetic tank in
collaboration with the first identification portion.
6. The system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection
according to claim 4, wherein either the first identification
portion or the second identification portion is a set of keys which
indicates the type of the volatile anesthetic by at least any one
of the widths, the positions and the number of the keys, and the
other is a set of key groove which is fit for the set of keys.
7. The system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection
according to claim 6, wherein each of the keys is formed with a
first inclined plane for rotating the identifying member in a first
direction around the center axis of the insertion mouth and a
second inclined plane for rotating the identifying member in a
second direction opposite to the first direction.
8. The system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection
according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the keys and a
plurality of the key groove are arranged at regular intervals
around the center axis of the insertion portion or the insertion
mouth respectively.
9. The system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection
according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the keys and a
plurality of the key groove are arranged at regular intervals
around the center axis of the insertion portion or the insertion
mouth respectively.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2017-036338, filed Feb. 28, 2017. The disclosure of
the priority document application is incorporated in its entirety
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an anesthetic tank which is
injected with a liquid volatile anesthetic, and a system for
preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection which is capable of
preventing an unsuitable volatile anesthetic from being injected in
error into the anesthetic tank.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] An anesthesia system anesthetizing a patient includes: an
anesthetic vaporizer vaporizing a volatile anesthetic and
regulating the concentration of the vaporized anesthetic gas; and
an anesthetic tank supplying the anesthetic vaporizer with an
anesthetic. The anesthetic tank is arranged inside of the
anesthetic vaporizer, or alternatively, is separated from the
anesthetic vaporizer and connected via piping to the anesthetic
vaporizer. The thus-configured anesthetic tank includes an
anesthetic injection portion for injecting a volatile anesthetic
from an anesthetic container having a bottle shape. The anesthetic
injection portion is provided with a substantially cylindrical
insertion mouth communicating with the anesthetic tank. On the
other hand, the anesthetic container is provided with a mouth
portion, and on the periphery of the mouth portion, a mouth thread
is formed and used for setting an injection adapter. The injection
adapter is provided with a substantially cylindrical insertion
portion inserted into the insertion mouth of the anesthetic
injection portion. The injection adapter is inserted into the
anesthetic injection portion, so that the volatile anesthetic can
be injected from the anesthetic container through the injection
adapter and the anesthetic injection portion into the anesthetic
tank.
[0004] There are several types of anesthetics such as sevoflurane,
isoflurane, enflurane and halothane, and the individual types of
anesthetics differ in the properties such as the boiling point, the
saturated vapor pressure and the MAC (minimum alveolar
concentration). In order to realize the concentration of a volatile
anesthetic with precision, an exclusive anesthetic vaporizer is
needed for each type of volatile anesthetic (e.g., refer to
Non-Patent Document 1). Hence, a medical facility manages to
prevent a specified type of volatile anesthetic from being injected
into an anesthetic tank different from the exclusive one. For the
purpose of ensuring this management, systems for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection were invented which determine an
injection adapter and an anesthetic vaporizer for every type of
volatile anesthetic and thereby prevent the injection of a volatile
anesthetic unsuitable for an anesthetic vaporizer (e.g., refer to
Patent Documents 1 to 4).
[0005] Patent Document 1 provides a system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection which includes: a set of keys formed
in an insertion portion of an injection adapter thereof, the set of
keys indicating the type of a volatile anesthetic by the widths of
the keys and the arrangement intervals between the keys; and a set
of key groove formed in an insertion mouth of an anesthetic
injection portion thereof, the set of key groove having the widths
and the arrangement intervals fit for the set of keys of the
injection adapter. Therefore, if the keys of the insertion portion
engage with the key groove of the insertion mouth, then the
insertion portion is inserted into the insertion mouth, thereby
preventing an erroneous injection of the volatile anesthetic.
[0006] Patent Document 2 provides a system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection which includes: a polygonal key
formed in the peripheral surface of an insertion portion of an
injection adapter thereof, the key indicating the type of a
volatile anesthetic by the number of the angles, and a set of key
groove formed in the front end of the insertion portion, the set of
key groove being shaped like the teeth of a comb and the key groove
being equal in number to the angles of the polygonal key; and a
polygonal keyhole formed in an insertion mouth of an anesthetic
injection portion thereof, the polygonal keyhole being fit for the
polygonal key of the injection adapter, and a set of keys formed in
the insertion mouth, the set of keys being shaped like the teeth of
a comb and being fit for the set of key groove shaped like the
teeth of a comb. Therefore, if the polygonal key and the comb-teeth
key groove of the insertion portion engage with the polygonal
keyhole and the comb-teeth keys of the insertion mouth
respectively, then the insertion portion is inserted into the
insertion mouth, thereby preventing an erroneous injection of the
volatile anesthetic.
[0007] Patent Document 3 provides a system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection which includes: a cylindrical member
formed in an insertion portion of an injection adapter thereof, the
cylindrical member being rotatable around the center axis of the
insertion portion and being formed in the peripheral surface
thereof with a set of keys indicating the type of a volatile
anesthetic by the number of the keys and the arrangement intervals
between the keys; and a set of key groove formed in an insertion
mouth of an anesthetic injection portion thereof, the set of key
groove being fit for the set of keys of the injection adapter.
Therefore, if the keys of the insertion portion engage with the key
groove of the insertion mouth, then the insertion portion is
inserted into the insertion mouth, thereby preventing an erroneous
injection of the volatile anesthetic.
[0008] Patent Document 4 provides a system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection which includes an injection adapter
and an anesthetic injection portion the configurations of which are
similar to those of Patent Document 2. The injection adapter has an
insertion portion formed with a polygonal key and a set of key
groove shaped like the teeth of a comb, the insertion portion being
rotatable around the insertion axis thereof with respect to the
injection adapter. The anesthetic injection portion has an
insertion mouth formed with a polygonal keyhole and a set of keys
shaped like the teeth of a comb, the insertion mouth being arranged
inside of a cylindrical stub (filler connection stub). The stub is
rotatable around the insertion axis thereof with respect to the
anesthetic injection portion. In the connection region between the
injection adapter and the anesthetic injection portion, an
insertion assistant portion is provided, the insertion assistant
portion being used for positioning (centering) the polygonal key
and the polygonal keyhole so that the former is fitted into the
latter.
[0009] In the systems for preventing an erroneous anesthetic
injection according to Patent Documents 1 and 2, a person needs to
insert the injection adapter into the anesthetic injection portion
while checking the positions of the keys and the key groove through
visual or touching inspection. This would complicate the injection
work. Besides, when the keys of the injection adapter engage with
the key groove of the anesthetic injection portion, the anesthetic
container may be rotated to loosen the attachment of the injection
adapter, thereby causing the anesthetic container to leak the
volatile anesthetic.
[0010] In the system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic
injection according to Patent Document 3, the cylindrical member of
the injection adapter is rotated and thereby leads the keys to
engage with the key groove. Therefore, the attachment of the
injection adapter cannot be loosened, thereby hindering the
anesthetic container from leaking the volatile anesthetic. However,
the small cylindrical member located at the front end of the
injection adapter needs rotating so that the keys and the key
groove engage each other. Accordingly, it is impossible to simplify
the injection work.
[0011] In contrast, in the system for preventing an erroneous
anesthetic injection according to Patent Document 4, upon inserting
the insertion portion of the injection adapter into the insertion
mouth of the anesthetic injection portion, the insertion assistant
portion rotates the insertion mouth and the stub so that the
polygonal key of the former is fitted into the polygonal keyhole of
the latter. Therefore, the key can be easily fitted into the
keyhole, thereby avoiding loosening the attachment of the injection
adapter and hence preventing the anesthetic container from leaking
the volatile anesthetic.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0012] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,041 [0013] [Patent
Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,561 [0014] [Patent Document 3] U.S.
Patent Laid-Open No. 2008/0308179 [0015] [Patent Document 4] German
Patent Application Laid-Open No. 102005037924 specification
Non-Patent Document
[0015] [0016] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Special Issue: Present
situation and progress of devices for general anesthesia, and
vaporizers" written by Tomohiro Michino and Shuji Dohi in Iryou
kikigaku (The Japanese journal of medical instrumentation) Vol. 75
(2005) No. 8 edited and published by Japanese Society of Medical
Instrumentation
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0017] However, in the injection adapter and the anesthetic
injection portion of Patent Document 4, the insertion portion and
the stub conventionally united therewith respectively are each
formed as a separate component element in a rotatable manner.
Accordingly, the injection adapter and the anesthetic injection
portion have a complicated structure and hence may break down more
likely, thereby lowering the safety. Besides, seal parts such as an
O-ring are employed for preventing a leak of the volatile
anesthetic from the insertion portion and the stub. Since those
seal parts have low durability, they may be degraded to cause a
leak of the volatile anesthetic. If the rotation parts are securely
joined together with high precision, then a leak of the volatile
anesthetic can be prevented without seal parts. However, this
requires highly-precise machining, which would raise the prices of
the injection adapter, and an anesthetic vaporizer, an anesthetic
tank or the like provided with the anesthetic injection portion, as
compared with the conventional prices.
[0018] In addition, an anesthetic vaporizer and an anesthetic tank
need producing for each type of volatile anesthetic, and desirably,
as many common component parts as possible should be employed for
them and the component parts should be easily exchanged in
accordance with the types of volatile anesthetics. However, in the
anesthetic injection portion of Patent Document 4, the whole stub
needs exchanging in accordance with each type of volatile
anesthetic, and the stub needs sealing so that an anesthetic can be
prevented from leaking while the stub is rotating. Consequently,
the anesthetic injection portion could not be regarded as an
easily-exchangeable component part.
[0019] In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the
present invention to provide an anesthetic tank and a system for
preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection which are capable of:
preventing a leak of a volatile anesthetic without taking measures
to prevent the leak by seal parts or the like even if the
attachment of an injection adapter is loosened; and simplifying
component parts to be exchanged in accordance with a plurality of
types of anesthetic tanks.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0020] In order to solve the above problems, an anesthetic tank
according to the above which includes an insertion mouth for
inserting an injection adapter attached to a mouth portion of an
anesthetic container and a storage portion communicating with the
insertion mouth, the storage portion being injected from the
injection adapter inserted into the insertion mouth with a volatile
anesthetic inside of the anesthetic container, comprises: an
identifying member which: has a disk shape; is arranged on the
outside of the insertion mouth and rotatable around the center axis
of the insertion mouth; has an insertion hole formed in the
position facing the insertion mouth, the insertion hole being used
for inserting the injection adapter; and has a first identification
portion formed in the internal surface of the insertion hole, the
first identification portion being used for identifying the type of
the volatile anesthetic to be injected in collaboration with a
second identification portion formed in the injection adapter; and
a cover member which has an opening formed in the position facing
the insertion mouth and the insertion hole, the opening being used
for inserting the injection adapter, and presses the peripheral
part of the identifying member from above the identifying member,
the identifying member accepting the injection adapter by rotating
up to the position where the first identification portion engages
with the second identification portion if the injection adapter
having the second identification portion fit for the first
identification portion is inserted into the insertion hole and
thereby the second identification portion presses the first
identification portion, and hindering insertion of the injection
adapter by leading the first identification portion to block the
space necessary for the insertion of the second identification
portion if the injection adapter having the second identification
portion unfit for the first identification portion is inserted into
the insertion hole.
[0021] According to the above, in the anesthetic tank of claim 1,
wherein as the anesthetic tank, a plurality of types are employed
in accordance with types of the volatile anesthetic, and the
plurality of types of anesthetic tanks are mutually different only
in the identifying member.
[0022] A system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection
according to the above includes an injection adapter attached to a
mouth portion of an anesthetic container and the anesthetic tank
according to the above, wherein the injection adapter includes the
second identification portion formed in the peripheral surface of
an insertion portion of the injection adapter inserted into the
insertion mouth, the second identification portion being used for
identifying the type of the volatile anesthetic to be injected into
the anesthetic tank in collaboration with the first identification
portion.
[0023] According to the above, the insertion portion of the
injection adapter is inserted into the insertion mouth of the
anesthetic tank, and thereby, the identifying member arranged on
the outside of the insertion mouth and rotatable around the center
axis of the insertion mouth comes into contact with the insertion
portion of the injection adapter. If the injection adapter having
the second identification portion fit for the first identification
portion is inserted into the insertion hole and thereby the second
identification portion presses the first identification portion,
then the identifying member accepts the injection adapter by
rotating up to the position where the first identification portion
engages with the second identification portion. On the other hand,
if the injection adapter having the second identification portion
unfit for the first identification portion is inserted into the
insertion hole, then the identifying member hinders insertion of
the injection adapter by leading the first identification portion
to block the space necessary for the insertion of the second
identification portion.
[0024] According to the above, in the system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection of the above, either the first
identification portion or the second identification portion is a
set of keys which indicates the type of the volatile anesthetic by
at least any one of the widths, the positions and the number of the
keys, and the other is a set of key groove which is fit for the set
of keys.
[0025] According to the above, in the system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection of the above, each of the keys is
formed at the end with a first inclined plane for rotating the
identifying member in a first direction around the center axis of
the insertion mouth and a second inclined plane for rotating the
identifying member in a second direction opposite to the first
direction.
[0026] According to the above, in the system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection of the above, a plurality of the
keys and a plurality of the key groove are arranged at regular
intervals around the center axis of the insertion portion or the
insertion mouth respectively.
Advantages of the Invention
[0027] According to the above, the insertion portion of the
injection adapter is inserted into the insertion mouth, and
thereby, the identifying member arranged on the outside of the
insertion mouth and rotatable around the center axis of the
insertion mouth comes into contact with the insertion portion of
the injection adapter. Then, the second identification portion of
the insertion portion presses the first identification portion and
rotates the identifying member. As a result, the insertion portion
can be inserted into the insertion mouth without rotating the
anesthetic container. This avoids loosening the attachment of the
injection adapter and thereby prevents a leak of a volatile
anesthetic. Besides, the injection adapter can be inserted into the
insertion mouth of the anesthetic tank without positioning the
second identification portion of the insertion portion and the
first identification portion of the insertion mouth so that the
former engages with the latter. Therefore, the injection work of
the volatile anesthetic becomes simpler.
[0028] In addition, the identifying member is arranged on the
outside of the insertion mouth, and hence, the volatile anesthetic
does not leak from the identifying member. This dispenses with:
seal parts such as an O-ring; highly-precise machining necessary
for preventing a leak of the volatile anesthetic; and the like.
Furthermore, the identifying member is arranged on the outside of
the insertion mouth and is only pressed by the cover member, so
that the identifying member can be easily exchanged. Therefore, as
described in claim 2, even if the plurality of types of anesthetic
tanks are employed in accordance with the types of volatile
anesthetics, then the individual anesthetic tanks can be utilized
simply by exchanging the identifying members alone. This makes it
possible to produce the plurality of types of anesthetic tanks at
an extremely-low cost and with ease.
[0029] According to the above, either the first identification
portion or the second identification portion is a set of keys and
the other is a set of key groove. Therefore, a choice can be
optionally made as to which of the two members should be formed
with a set of keys or a set of key groove in accordance with
various conditions such as the shapes of the insertion portion and
the insertion mouth. This heightens the degree of freedom in design
for the injection adapter and the anesthetic tank, thereby
facilitating the injection work in the system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection.
[0030] According to the above, the first inclined plane for
rotating the identifying member in the first direction and the
second inclined plane for rotating the identifying member in the
second direction are provided, and thereby, the required rotational
angle of the identifying member narrows as compared with the case
where the identifying member is rotated along an inclined plane in
only one direction. The narrower-angle rotation of the identifying
member enables the first identification portion and the second
identification portion to be positioned in a short period of time
so that the former engages with the latter. Therefore, the
injection work of the volatile anesthetic becomes quicker.
[0031] According to the above, the plurality of keys and the
plurality of key groove are arranged at regular intervals around
the center axis of the insertion portion or the insertion mouth
respectively. Therefore, even if the second identification portion
of the injection adapter is inserted at any position into the
insertion mouth of the anesthetic tank, the identifying member
performs the positioning quickly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection according to a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external shape of
an erroneous-injection prevention portion of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the
erroneous-injection prevention portion of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external shape of
an injection adapter of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the injection adapter of FIG.
1.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the
injection adapter of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an insertion portion of
the injection adapter being inserted into an insertion mouth of an
erroneous-injection prevention portion of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C) are each a plan view showing another
example of the injection adapter and an identifying member of FIG.
1.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a relation of the
insertion of the insertion portion of the injection adapter into
the identifying member of FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an injection adapter and an
identifying member according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an injection adapter and an
identifying member each formed with a key and a key groove
respectively.
[0043] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
an anesthetic tank according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0044] A first embodiment of the present invention will be below
described with reference to the drawings.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system 1 for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection according to this embodiment. The
system 1 for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection is formed
by an anesthetic tank 2 provided in an anesthetic vaporizer (not
shown) and an injection adapter 5 attached to a mouth portion 41 of
an anesthetic container 4. The anesthetic vaporizer vaporizes a
volatile anesthetic 6 stored in a storage portion 21 and regulates
the concentration of the vaporized anesthetic gas. The anesthetic
vaporizer is arranged inside of an anesthesia system anesthetizing
a patient. In short, this embodiment relates to the anesthetic tank
2 arranged inside of the anesthetic vaporizer.
[0046] The anesthetic tank 2 is provided with a circular insertion
mouth 31 communicating with the storage portion 21. The insertion
mouth 31 is formed in an erroneous-injection prevention portion 3
for preventing an erroneous injection of an anesthetic, or
specifically, preventing an injection of the volatile anesthetic 6
unsuitable for the anesthetic tank 2. The erroneous-injection
prevention portion 3 has the shape of a substantial cylinder and
protrudes partly from the external surface of the anesthetic tank
2. The anesthetic container 4 has a mouth thread 411 (see FIG. 4)
formed on the periphery of the mouth portion 41, and the injection
adapter 5 is attached to the mouth thread 411. The injection
adapter 5 is formed with a substantially cylindrical insertion
portion 51 inserted into the insertion mouth 31 of the anesthetic
tank 2. The insertion portion 51 is inserted into the insertion
mouth 31, and then, the volatile anesthetic 6 stored in the
anesthetic container 4 is injected from the anesthetic container 4
through the insertion mouth 31 into the storage portion 21.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external shape of
the erroneous-injection prevention portion 3 formed with the
insertion mouth 31. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a
configuration of the erroneous-injection prevention portion 3. The
erroneous-injection prevention portion 3 includes a substantially
cylindrical body portion 32 formed with the insertion mouth 31, and
an identifying member 33 housed in the body portion 32.
[0048] The body portion 32 includes: a cylindrical pipe member 321;
an intermediate member 322 fitted into the pipe member 321; a valve
mechanism 323 arranged between the pipe member 321 and the
intermediate member 322; a cover member 324 screwed onto the front
end of the intermediate member 322.
[0049] The pipe member 321 has: a plurality of holes 321a formed in
the bottom part, the volatile anesthetic 6 flowing through the
holes 321a into the storage portion 21; and an opening portion 321b
formed in the top part, the intermediate member 322 being fitted
into the opening portion 321b. The pipe member 321 is arranged,
together with the intermediate member 322, inside of the anesthetic
tank 2.
[0050] The intermediate member 322 has the shape of a substantial
cylinder and is formed on the inside with the insertion mouth 31.
The insertion mouth 31 is formed on the inside with: an opening
protrusion 322a for opening a valve mechanism 54 (see FIG. 6) of
the injection adapter 5; and a plurality of holes 322b for leading
the volatile anesthetic 6 to flow into the pipe member 321. The
intermediate member 322 has: an external thread 322c formed on the
periphery, the cover member 324 being fitted onto the external
thread 322c; and a groove portion 322e, an O-ring 322d being fitted
into the groove portion 322e and sealing the part between the
intermediate member 322 and the anesthetic tank 2. The intermediate
member 322 has a fitting portion 322f formed in the lower part, and
the fitting portion 322f is fitted into the opening portion 321b of
the pipe member 321. The fitting portion 322f has a groove portion
322h formed on the periphery, and an O-ring 322g is fitted into the
groove portion 322h and seals the part between the fitting portion
322f and the pipe member 321.
[0051] The valve mechanism 323 includes: a valve body 323a; a pin
323b standing on the upper side of the valve body 323a; a spring
323c pressing the valve body 323a against the intermediate member
322; and an O-ring 323d sealing the part between the valve
mechanism 323 and the internal-circumference surface of the fitting
portion 322f. The valve body 323a has the shape of a substantial
disk and has the edge of the upper surface chamfered so as to fit
with the internal-circumference surface of the fitting portion
322f, and the O-ring 323d is fitted into there. The pin 323b has
the shape of a substantial pillar, penetrates through the bottom
surface of the intermediate member 322 and protrudes into the
insertion mouth 31.
[0052] The cover member 324 has the shape of a substantial cylinder
and has an opening portion (opening) 324a formed in the upper
surface for opening the insertion mouth 31. The cover member 324
has an internal thread 324b formed in the internal-circumference
surface, and the internal thread 324b is screwed onto the external
thread 322c of the intermediate member 322.
[0053] The identifying member 33 has a disk shape and is arranged
on the outside of the insertion mouth 31 and rotatable around the
center axis of the insertion mouth 31. In the position facing the
insertion mouth 31, the identifying member 33 is formed with an
insertion hole 33h for inserting the insertion portion 51 of the
injection adapter 5. The identifying member 33 has key groove
(first identification portion) 331 formed in the internal surface
of the insertion hole 33h, and the key groove 331 are used for
identifying the type of the volatile anesthetic 6 to be injected in
collaboration with keys (second identification portion) formed in
the injection adapter 5. In summary, the identifying member 33: has
the shape of a substantial ring; is housed in the space between the
intermediate member 322 and the cover member 324; is held on the
body portion 32 so as to be rotatable around the center axis of the
insertion mouth 31; and has the key groove 331 identifying the type
of the volatile anesthetic 6 suitable for the anesthetic tank 2.
The identifying member 33 shown in the figures corresponds to, for
example, sevoflurane, and the five key groove 331 are arranged at
regular intervals in the circumferential directions. The
identifying member 33 is made of, for example, a nonmetal such as a
plastic which is useful for lightening the identifying member 33,
rotating it smoothly, preventing it from damaging the injection
adapter 5, and the like.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external shape of
the injection adapter 5, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the injection
adapter 5, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a configuration
of the injection adapter 5. The injection adapter 5 includes: a
substantially cylindrical base portion 52 having an internal thread
52a which is formed in the inner-diameter part and is screwed onto
the mouth portion 41; and the insertion portion 51 arranged above
the base portion 52. The base portion 52 has a notch 52b formed in
the lower-end part which indicates the type of the volatile
anesthetic 6 corresponding to the injection adapter 5 by the width
and the arrangement interval of the notch 52b. The anesthetic
container 4 is provided with a ringed collar 42 attached to the
periphery of the mouth portion 41. The collar 42 is formed with a
protrusion 42a, and the protrusion 42a has the width corresponding
to the notch 52b of the injection adapter 5 and is arranged at the
arrangement interval corresponding thereto. The notch 52b is fitted
onto the protrusion 42a of the collar 42, and thereby, the
injection adapter 5 is attached to the anesthetic container 4. This
prevents the attachment of the injection adapter 5 to the
anesthetic container 4 storing the volatile anesthetic 6 of any
unsuitable type.
[0055] The insertion portion 51 has an O-ring 511 attached to a
front-end part thereof, if the insertion portion 51 is inserted
into the insertion mouth 31, then the O-ring 511 seals the part
between the insertion portion 51 and the insertion mouth 31. The
insertion portion 51 has a plurality of keys (second identification
portion) 512 formed on the periphery of a base part thereof, and
the keys 512 indicate the volatile anesthetic 6 of the suitable
type. The injection adapter 5 shown in the figures corresponds to,
for example, sevoflurane, and the five keys 512 are arranged at
regular intervals in the circumferential directions. The keys 512
are each formed at the end with an inclined plane 513, and if the
insertion portion 51 is inserted into the insertion mouth 31, then
the inclined plane 513 comes into contact with the key groove 331
and thereby rotates the identifying member 33. In FIG. 4, the
inclined plane 513 is formed by: a first inclined plane 513a for
rotating the identifying member 33 in the counterclockwise
direction (first direction); and a second inclined plane 513b for
rotating the identifying member 33 in the clockwise direction
(second direction). The first inclined plane 513a and the second
inclined plane 513b are continuously arranged to shape the end part
of the key 512 into a substantial mountain.
[0056] The identifying member 33 accepts the insertion portion 51
into the insertion mouth 31 if the shape of the key groove 331 is
fit for the shape of the keys 512 of the insertion portion 51. On
the other hand, the identifying member 33 hinders insertion of the
insertion portion 51 into the insertion mouth 31 if the shape of
the key groove 331 is unfit for the shape of the keys 512 of the
insertion portion 51.
[0057] The insertion portion 51 and the base portion 52 are formed
inside with a passage 53 for the volatile anesthetic 6. The passage
53 is formed inside with the valve mechanism 54 opening and closing
the passage 53. The valve mechanism 54 is formed by a valve body
541, a spring 542 and a spring receiving member 543. The valve body
541 is formed by a disk portion 541a coming in contact with a
stepped portion 531 inside of the passage 53, and a guide rod 541b
located under the disk portion 541a. The valve body 541 is inserted
through the passage 53. The spring 542 is arranged on the periphery
of the guide rod 541b and presses the valve body 541 against the
stepped portion 531. The spring receiving member 543 is fixed on
the inside of the base portion 52, receives the lower end of the
spring 542 and guides the guide rod 541b.
[0058] Ordinarily, the valve mechanism 323 closes the insertion
mouth 31 because the spring 323c applies force to the valve body
323a and the force causes the valve body 323a to come in close
contact with the intermediate member 322. Similarly, the valve
mechanism 54 ordinarily closes the passage 53 because the spring
542 applies force to the valve body 541 and the force causes the
valve body 541 to come in close contact with the stepped portion
531. As shown in FIG. 7, if the insertion portion 51 of the
injection adapter 5 is inserted into the insertion mouth 31 and
presses the pin 323b, then the valve body 323a moves in the axial
direction against the force applied by the spring 323c, and
thereby, the valve mechanism 323 opens the insertion mouth 31. On
the other hand, if the insertion portion 51 is inserted into the
insertion mouth 31 and the opening protrusion 322a inserted into
the passage 53 presses the valve body 541, then the valve body 541
moves in the axial direction against the force applied by the
spring 542, and thereby, the valve mechanism 54 opens the passage
53.
[0059] FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C) are plan views of injection adapters 5A
to 5C and identifying members 33A to 33C respectively which
correspond to volatile anesthetics other than sevoflurane. In FIG.
8(A), the injection adapter 5A and the identifying member 33A are
formed with three keys 512A and three key groove 331A respectively
which corresponds to, for example, isoflurane. In FIG. 8(B), the
injection adapter 5B and the identifying member 33B are formed with
four keys 512B and four key groove 331B respectively which
corresponds to, for example, enflurane. Similarly, in FIG. 8(C),
the injection adapter 5C and the identifying member 33C are formed
with six keys 512C and six key groove 331C respectively which
corresponds to, for example, halothane. The widths of the key 512
and the key groove 331 differ in accordance with the numbers of the
keys 512 and the key groove 331 respectively. This enables the
identifying member 33 to be quickly rotated by the inclined plane
513 if the insertion portion 51 is inserted into the insertion
mouth 31. The widths of the key 512 and the key groove 331 become
smaller as the numbers thereof become larger, and the widths become
greater as the numbers become smaller. In summary, the injection
adapter 5 and the identifying member 33 correspond to the volatile
anesthetic 6 of a plurality of types in accordance with the numbers
and widths of the keys 512 and the key groove 331.
[0060] Next, the operation will be described of the system 1 for
preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection according to the above
embodiment. When the volatile anesthetic 6 is injected into the
anesthetic tank 2, the injection adapter 5 suitable for the
anesthetic tank 2 is attached to the anesthetic container 4 storing
the volatile anesthetic 6 suitable for the anesthetic tank 2. The
base portion 52 of the injection adapter 5 and the collar 42 of the
anesthetic container 4 are formed with the notch 52b and the
protrusion 42a respectively which indicate the type of the volatile
anesthetic 6 suitable for the anesthetic tank 2 by the widths and
the arrangement intervals thereof. The injection adapter 5 is
attached to the anesthetic container 4 by fitting the notch 52b
onto the protrusion 42a, thereby preventing the injection adapter 5
from being attached to the unsuitable anesthetic container 4.
[0061] Subsequently, while holding the anesthetic container 4, the
insertion portion 51 of the injection adapter 5 is inserted into
the insertion mouth 31 of the erroneous-injection prevention
portion 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the keys 512 formed in the
peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51 come into contact
with the identifying member 33 inside of the insertion mouth 31.
Then, the keys (second identification portion) 512 press the key
groove (first identification portion) 331 and thereby rotate the
key groove 331 up to the position where the keys 512 engage with
the key groove 331. Consequently, the insertion portion 51 of the
injection adapter 5 is accepted into the key groove 331. In other
words, the inclined planes 513 of the keys 512 press the key groove
331 and thereby rotate the identifying member 33 in the clockwise
or counterclockwise direction.
[0062] If the shape of the key groove 331 is fit for the shape of
the keys 512 of the insertion portion 51, then the identifying
member 33 accepts the insertion portion 51 into the insertion mouth
31. As a result, the valve mechanism 323 of the insertion mouth 31
and the valve mechanism 54 of the insertion portion 51 are opened,
and thereby, the volatile anesthetic 6 stored in the anesthetic
container 4 flows through the erroneous-injection prevention
portion 3 into the storage portion 21.
[0063] In contrast, if the shape of the key groove 331 is unfit for
the shape of the keys 512 of the insertion portion 51, then the
identifying member 33 accepts the insertion portion 51 into the
insertion mouth 31. Therefore, the volatile anesthetic 6 unsuitable
for the anesthetic tank 2 is hindered from being injected, so that
the volatile anesthetics 6 of different types can be prevented from
mixing together.
[0064] As described above, in the system 1 for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection according to this embodiment, the
insertion portion 51 of the injection adapter 5 is inserted into
the insertion mouth 31 of the erroneous-injection prevention
portion 3, and thereby, the inclined planes 513 of the keys 512 of
the insertion portion 51 rotate the identifying member 33.
Therefore, without rotating the anesthetic container 4, the
insertion portion 51 can be inserted deep into the insertion mouth
31. This avoids loosening the attachment of the injection adapter 5
and thereby prevents a leak of the volatile anesthetic 6. Besides,
the injection adapter 5 can be inserted into the insertion mouth 31
without positioning the keys 512 of the insertion portion 51 and
the key groove 331 of the insertion mouth 31 so that the keys 512
engages with the key groove 331. Therefore, the injection work of
the volatile anesthetic 6 becomes simpler.
[0065] In addition, the identifying member 33 is arranged on the
outside of the insertion mouth 31, and hence, the volatile
anesthetic 6 does not leak from the identifying member 33. This
dispenses with: seal parts such as an O-ring; highly-precise
machining necessary for preventing a leak of the volatile
anesthetic 6; and the like. Furthermore, the identifying member 33
is arranged on the outside of the insertion mouth 31 and is only
pressed by the cover member 324, so that the identifying member 33
can be easily exchanged. Therefore, even if the anesthetic tank 2
of a plurality of types is employed in accordance with the type of
the volatile anesthetic 6, then the anesthetic tank 2 of each type
can be utilized simply by exchanging the identifying member 33
alone. This makes it possible to produce the anesthetic tank 2 of
the plurality of types at an extremely-low cost and with ease.
[0066] Furthermore, the key 512 of the insertion portion 51 is
formed with the first inclined plane 513a for rotating the
identifying member 33 in the counterclockwise direction (first
direction) and the second inclined plane 513b for rotating the
identifying member 33 in the clockwise direction (second
direction). Therefore, the required rotational angle of the
identifying member 33 narrows as compared with the case where the
identifying member 33 is rotated along an inclined plane in only
one direction. The narrower-angle rotation of the identifying
member 33 enables the keys 512 and the key groove 331 to be
positioned in a short period of time so that the keys 512 engage
with the key groove 331. Therefore, the injection work of the
volatile anesthetic 6 becomes quicker.
[0067] Moreover, the plurality of keys 512 and the plurality of key
groove 331 are arranged at regular intervals around the center axis
of the insertion portion 51 or the insertion mouth 31 respectively.
Therefore, even if the keys 512 of the injection adapter 5 are
inserted at any position into the insertion mouth 31, the
identifying member 33 performs the positioning quickly.
Second Embodiment
[0068] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described. The component elements of this embodiment which are
identical with those of the first embodiment are given the same
reference characters and numerals, and hence, their detailed
description is omitted. FIG. 10 shows an injection adapter 5D and
an identifying member 33D which have a plurality of key groove 514D
formed in the insertion portion 51 and a plurality of keys 332D
respectively. The key groove 514D and the keys 332D are the reverse
arrangement of the keys 512 and the key groove 331 of the first
embodiment. The keys 332D of the identifying member 33D each
include an inclined plane 333 formed by a first inclined plane 333a
and a second inclined plane 333b. Even if such keys and key groove
are formed in the mutually reverse members, the same operation and
advantages as the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0069] According to this embodiment, a choice can be optionally
made as to which of the two members should be formed with a set of
keys or a set of key groove in accordance with various conditions
such as the shapes of the insertion portion 51 and the insertion
mouth 31. This heightens the degree of freedom in design for the
injection adapter 5 and the identifying member 33, thereby
facilitating the injection work in the system 1 for preventing an
erroneous anesthetic injection.
[0070] In the above first and second embodiments, the plurality of
keys and key groove are arranged at regular intervals in the
circumferential directions. On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows an
injection adapter 5E and an identifying member 33E which are formed
with a single key 512E and a single key groove 331E respectively.
The type of the volatile anesthetic 6 may be identified by the
widths of the key 512E and the key groove 331E. In this case, in
order to facilitate the positioning of the key 512E and the key
groove 331E for fitting the key 512E into the key groove 331E, for
example, it is preferable to form a notch 334E in the peripheral
edge of the identifying member 33E, insert a restraint pin 322j
provided in the end surface of the intermediate member 322 into the
notch 334E and restrain the rotational range of the identifying
member 33E.
Third Embodiment
[0071] FIG. 12 shows the configuration of an anesthetic tank 7
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The
anesthetic tank 7 includes an insertion mouth 71 for injecting a
volatile anesthetic, and a storage portion 72 storing the volatile
anesthetic injected from the insertion mouth 71. The anesthetic
tank 7 differs from that of the first embodiment, for example, in
that the anesthetic tank 7 is connected via piping and the like to
an anesthetic vaporizer. The component elements of this embodiment
which are identical with those of the first embodiment are given
the same reference characters and numerals, and hence, their
description is omitted.
[0072] The anesthetic tank 7 has a communicating passage 73
arranged between the insertion mouth 71 and the storage portion 72
so that both communicate with each other. The communicating passage
73 houses the component elements other than the identifying member
33 and the cover member 324 of the erroneous-injection prevention
portion 3 of the first embodiment.
[0073] The anesthetic tank 7 is provided with an injection panel
portion 74 which rises obliquely from the upper surface of the
anesthetic tank 7. In the injection panel portion 74, the insertion
mouth 71 is arranged so as to be obliquely above directed. The
injection panel portion 74 is formed with a circular concave
portion 75 for arranging the identifying member 33 on the periphery
of the insertion mouth 71. The concave portion 75 has a depth
slightly greater than the thickness of the identifying member 33 so
that the identifying member 33 can rotate without any resistance
and cannot be clatteringly shaken.
[0074] To the upper surface of the injection panel portion 74, a
cover member 8 having the shape of a rectangular plate is attached,
for example, by four screws 81 penetrating through the four
corners. The injection panel portion 74 is formed with screw holes
76 for driving in the screws 81. The cover member 8 has an opening
82 formed in the position facing the insertion mouth 71 and the
insertion hole 33h of the identifying member 33, and the insertion
portion 51 of the injection adapter 5 can be inserted into the
opening 82. The cover member 8 presses the peripheral part of the
identifying member 33 from above, thereby preventing the
identifying member 33 from slipping off.
[0075] In the anesthetic tank 7, the insertion portion 51 of the
injection adapter 5 is inserted from the opening 82 of the cover
member 8 through the insertion hole 33h into the insertion mouth
71. Therefore, the key groove 331 of the identifying member 33
collaborate with the keys 512 of the insertion portion 51, thereby
preventing an erroneous injection of the volatile anesthetic.
[0076] As described above, the anesthetic tank 7 according to this
embodiment is also capable of injecting the volatile anesthetic
without loosening the attachment of the injection adapter 5.
Moreover, the positioning of the injection adapter 5 at the time of
the insertion is dispensable, thereby simplifying the injection
work. In addition, the identifying member 33 is arranged on the
outside of the insertion mouth 71, and hence, a volatile anesthetic
does not leak from the identifying member 33. This dispenses with:
seal parts such as an O-ring; highly-precise machining necessary
for preventing a leak of the volatile anesthetic; and the like.
Furthermore, the identifying member 33 is arranged on the outside
of the insertion mouth 71 and is only pressed by the cover member
8, so that the identifying member 33 can be easily exchanged.
Therefore, even if the anesthetic tanks 7 of a plurality of types
are employed in accordance with the types of volatile anesthetics,
then the individual anesthetic tanks 7 can be utilized simply by
exchanging the identifying members 33 alone. This makes it possible
to produce the plurality of types of anesthetic tanks 7 at an
extremely-low cost and with ease.
[0077] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
above described, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments as specific configurations thereof. Without departing
from the scope of the present invention, variations or the like in
design should be included in the present invention. For example,
the present invention can also be applied to the systems for
preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection which have the
configurations of Patent Documents 1 to 3. Besides, in the
individual embodiments described above, the keys are formed with
the inclined planes, but both the keys and the key groove may be
formed with inclined planes respectively. According to this
configuration, an identifying member formed therewith is rotated by
leading the inclined planes on the one hand to come into contact
with the inclined planes on the other hand. Hence, the inclined
planes on the one hand slide on the inclined planes on the other
hand, so that the identifying member can be more smoothly
rotated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS
[0078] 1 system for preventing an erroneous anesthetic injection
[0079] 2 anesthetic tank [0080] 21 storage portion [0081] 3
erroneous-injection prevention portion [0082] 31 insertion mouth
[0083] 33 identifying member [0084] 331 key groove (first
identification portion) [0085] 4 anesthetic container [0086] 5
injection adapter [0087] 51 insertion portion [0088] 6 volatile
anesthetic [0089] 51 insertion portion [0090] 512 key (second
identification portion) [0091] 513 inclined plane [0092] 7
anesthetic tank [0093] 71 insertion mouth [0094] 72 storage portion
[0095] 8 cover member
* * * * *