阅读说明：本技术 管路形成单元及管接头 (Pipe line forming unit and pipe joint ) 是由 草野荣亮 宫嶋直文 于 2018-08-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的管路形成单元具备：圆筒状管体(210),在两端部上具有凸缘(214、215)；第1连接用管体(220)及第2连接用管体(230),与圆筒状管体(120)的第1端部及第2端部连接；及管接头(100),对上述进行连接,管接头(100)具备：爪型螺母(110),形成有可与圆筒状管体(210)的凸缘部(214)卡合的多个爪部(112),通过爪部(112)与凸缘(214)卡合,可将第1连接用管体(220)与圆筒状管体(210)连接；及保持环120,可套装在爪型螺母(110)上,以便保持爪部(112)相对于凸缘(214)的卡合。根据本发明的管路形成单元,可通过管接头将在两端部上形成有凸缘的圆筒状管体分别与第1连接用管体及第2连接用管体连接,由此,可通过第1连接用管体、圆筒状管体及第2连接用管体而形成管路。(The pipe forming unit of the present invention includes: a cylindrical tube body (210) having flanges (214, 215) at both ends; a 1 st connecting pipe (220) and a 2 nd connecting pipe (230) connected to the 1 st end and the 2 nd end of the cylindrical pipe (120); and a pipe joint (100) for connecting the above, the pipe joint (100) comprising: a claw nut (110) which is formed with a plurality of claw parts (112) that can engage with the flange part (214) of the cylindrical tube body (210), and which can connect the 1 st connecting tube body (220) with the cylindrical tube body (210) by engaging the claw parts (112) with the flange (214); and a retaining ring 120 that can be fitted around the claw nut 110 to retain the engagement of the claw 112 with the flange 214. According to the pipeline forming unit of the present invention, the cylindrical pipe body having the flanges formed at both ends thereof can be connected to the 1 st connecting pipe body and the 2 nd connecting pipe body, respectively, by the pipe joint, and thus the pipeline can be formed by the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body.)

1. A pipe forming unit is provided with:

a cylindrical pipe body having a flange formed on an outer circumferential surface of each of a 1 st end portion and a 2 nd end portion opposite to the 1 st end portion in an axial direction of the pipe body so as to protrude integrally with the pipe body outward in a radial direction;

a 1 st connecting pipe body disposed on the 1 st end side of the cylindrical pipe body and having a male screw formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof;

a 2 nd connecting pipe body disposed on the 2 nd end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body and having a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof;

a pipe joint for connecting the cylindrical pipe body and the 1 st connecting pipe body;

and a pipe joint for connecting the cylindrical pipe body and the 2 nd connecting pipe body,

the pipe joint has:

a cylindrical claw nut having an inner peripheral surface formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe and the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, and having a plurality of claw portions formed so as to protrude radially inward in a circumferential direction and engageable with the flange of the cylindrical pipe, the claw portions passing over the flange of the cylindrical pipe and engaging with the flange, and the female screw being screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe or the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, whereby the connection between the 1 st connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe or the connection between the 2 nd connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe can be realized,

and a retaining ring which is fitted around an outer peripheral surface of the claw nut to retain the engagement of the plurality of claw portions with the flange of the cylindrical pipe body,

the claw portions of the claw nut are formed on distal end portions of a plurality of projecting pieces that project in the axial direction at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the claw nut, the plurality of projecting pieces having elasticity in the radial direction,

the holding ring is fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, and when fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, a pressing force in a radial direction is applied to the plurality of claw portions.

2. Tubing forming unit according to claim 1,

the 1 st connecting tube is connected to a left ventricle of a heart in a living body, and has a function of guiding blood flowing out from the left ventricle of the heart to the cylindrical tube,

the 2 nd connecting tube is provided in a blood pump of an artificial heart assist system, and has a function of allowing blood flowing through the cylindrical tube to flow into the blood pump.

3. The conduit forming unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylindrical pipe body, the 1 st connecting pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body are formed of a non-flexible hard member.

4. The pipe forming unit according to claim 3, wherein the non-flexible hard member is metal.

5. The pipe line forming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body form a non-stepped surface in an axial direction on an inner peripheral surface of the 1 st connecting pipe body, an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical pipe body, and an inner peripheral surface of the 2 nd connecting pipe body, respectively, when the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body are connected.

6. The pipe forming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein annular seal members are inserted between the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body and between the 2 nd connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body, respectively.

7. The pipe forming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein surfaces of the plurality of claw portions of the cylindrical claw nut facing the flange form tapered surfaces inclined inward toward a center in a radial direction.

8. The duct forming unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a groove is formed along a circumferential direction on an outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of projecting pieces, and a protrusion that engages with the groove is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the retaining ring.

9. A kind of pipe joint is disclosed, which comprises a pipe joint body,

the present invention is a connection structure for connecting a 1 st connecting pipe body to a cylindrical pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body having a flange formed to protrude radially outward from a 1 st end portion and a 2 nd end portion opposite to the 1 st end portion of a pipe body in an axial direction, the 1 st connecting pipe body being disposed on the 1 st end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body and having a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof,

and also can be used when the cylindrical pipe body is connected to a 2 nd connecting pipe body, the 2 nd connecting pipe body being disposed on the 2 nd end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body and having a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface,

the disclosed device is provided with:

a cylindrical claw nut having an inner peripheral surface formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe and the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, and having a plurality of claw portions formed so as to protrude radially inward in a circumferential direction and engageable with the flange of the cylindrical pipe, the claw portions passing over the flange of the cylindrical pipe and engaging with the flange, and the female screw being screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe or the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, whereby the connection between the 1 st connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe or the connection between the 2 nd connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe can be realized,

and a retaining ring which is fitted around an outer peripheral surface of the claw nut to retain the engagement of the plurality of claw portions with the flange of the cylindrical pipe body,

the claw portions of the claw nut are formed on distal end portions of a plurality of projecting pieces that project in the axial direction at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the claw nut, the plurality of projecting pieces having elasticity in the radial direction,

the holding ring is fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, and when fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, a pressing force in a radial direction is applied to the plurality of claw portions.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pipe forming unit and a pipe joint.

Background

As a medical device used for a patient with severe heart failure, an assisted artificial heart system for assisting a part of the functions of the heart is known (for example, see patent document 1).

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an assisted artificial heart system 800 described in patent document 1. As shown in fig. 7, an assisted artificial heart system 800 described in patent document 1 includes: a blood pump 810 embedded in the body; artificial blood vessels 830, 840 for connecting blood pump 810 and heart 820; a control device (not shown) having a function of controlling the blood pump 810 extracorporeally; and a connection cable 850 for assisting an artificial heart, which is arranged between the blood pump 810 and the control device.

Among the artificial blood vessels 830 and 840, the artificial blood vessel 830 is an artificial blood vessel that allows blood flowing out from the left ventricle of the heart 820 to flow into the blood pump 810, and is also referred to as an inflow-side artificial blood vessel. On the other hand, the artificial blood vessel 840 is an artificial blood vessel that sends blood from the blood pump 810 to the ascending aorta, and is also referred to as an outflow-side artificial blood vessel. Therefore, the artificial blood vessel 830 may be referred to as an inflow artificial blood vessel 830, and the artificial blood vessel 840 may be referred to as an outflow artificial blood vessel 840. The inflow-side artificial blood vessel 830 is connected to the heart 820 via a cannula (not shown).

Conventionally, artificial blood vessels made of various materials have been used as the inflow artificial blood vessel 830 and the outflow artificial blood vessel 840 used in the heart assist system 800. For example, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is also one of the raw materials, and a configuration is known in which a cylinder is formed using such a flexible raw material, and a cable made of PTFE or the like is wound around the cylinder in a spiral shape.

In this way, since the inflow-side artificial blood vessel 830 and the outflow-side artificial blood vessel 840 are configured by spirally winding a cable made of PTFE or the like, the effects of preventing twisting, squeezing, bending, and the like can be obtained while maintaining flexibility.

In particular, since negative pressure is easily formed inside the inflow artificial blood vessel 830, squeezing is easily generated. Therefore, in recent years, it has been attempted to form a cylindrical tube body from a material having high rigidity as a material of the inflow-side artificial blood vessel 830 and use the cylindrical tube body as the inflow-side artificial blood vessel. Further, as the material having high rigidity, metal can be exemplified, but among metals, titanium or the like having excellent corrosion resistance and excellent compatibility with the living tissue can be preferably used.

When a metal cylindrical tube is used as the inflow-side artificial blood vessel 830, the metal cylindrical tube is interposed between the heart and the blood pump, but in this case, a connection tube (as a 1 st connection tube) functioning as a cannula is connected to the 1 st end portion side (the end located on the heart 820 side) of the cylindrical tube, and a connection tube (as a 2 nd connection tube) provided in the blood pump 810 is connected to the 2 nd end portion side (the end located on the blood pump 810 side) of the cylindrical tube. The 2 nd connecting tube may be integrally provided with the blood pump.

Here, the 1 st connecting tube functioning as a cannula, the cylindrical tube serving as the inflow artificial blood vessel 830, and the 2 nd connecting tube provided on the blood pump side can be regarded as a tube path for sending blood from the heart to the blood pump. As a method for forming a liquid-tight conduit, for example, it is conceivable to form flanges at both ends (1 st end and 2 nd end opposite to the 1 st end) of a cylindrical pipe body, respectively, and to closely connect the cylindrical pipe body to the 1 st connecting pipe body using a dedicated pipe joint and to closely connect the cylindrical pipe body to the 2 nd connecting pipe body using the same dedicated pipe joint.

As described above, patent document 2 describes an example in which a cylindrical pipe body having flanges formed at both ends is connected to another cylindrical pipe body (in the above case, the 1 st connecting pipe body or the 2 nd connecting pipe body) using a dedicated pipe joint.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a pipe joint 900 described in patent document 2. The pipe joint 900 described in patent document 2 is not used for assisting an artificial heart system, but is used for forming a pipe line for an oil pressure pipe. Fig. 8 shows an example in which a cylindrical pipe body 930 having a flange 932 formed at one end (1 st end) is connected to a joint 910 as another pipe body by using a cap nut 920. Although it is not clear whether or not the cylindrical pipe 930 has a function as a flange, a projection 933 having substantially the same shape as the flange is formed at the other end (2 nd end) of the cylindrical pipe 930.

In the pipe joint 900 described in patent document 2, after the cap nut 920 is slidably fitted around the outer peripheral surface 931 of the cylindrical pipe body 930 along the outer peripheral surface 931, the female thread 921 of the cap nut 920 is screwed and tightened with the male thread 911 of the joint 910, whereby the flange 932 formed at one end (1 st end) of the cylindrical pipe body 930 can be pressed in the direction of the joint 910 by the bottom 922 of the cap nut 920, and the flange 932 is pressed against the joint 910. Further, an O-ring 940 is inserted between the flange 932 of the cylindrical pipe body 930 and the joint 910. Thereby, the cylindrical pipe body 930 can be connected to the joint 910 in a liquid-tight state.

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 5899528

Patent document 2: japanese Kokai publication Hei-6-6868

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the pipe joint 900 described in patent document 2, as described above, the flange 932 is formed at one end (1 st end) of the cylindrical pipe body 930, and the protrusion 933 having substantially the same shape as the flange is formed at the other end (2 nd end). Therefore, it is considered difficult to fit the cap nut 920 to the cylindrical pipe body 930, but in the pipe joint 900 described in patent document 2, it is not clearly described how to fit the cap nut 920 to the cylindrical pipe body 930.

Therefore, even if the tube joint 900 described in patent document 2 is intended to be used as a tube joint for connecting a 1 st connecting tube that functions as an insertion tube, a cylindrical tube that has flanges formed on both ends thereof and serves as an inflow-side artificial blood vessel 830, and a 2 nd connecting tube that is provided on the blood pump side, it is considered that a conduit composed of the 1 st connecting tube, the cylindrical tube, and the 2 nd connecting tube cannot be formed because these first connecting tube, cylindrical tube, and 2 nd connecting tube cannot be connected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe line forming unit capable of forming a pipe line by a 1 st connecting pipe body, a cylindrical pipe body, and a 2 nd connecting pipe body by connecting the cylindrical pipe body, in which flanges are formed to protrude from a 1 st end portion and a 2 nd end portion opposite to the 1 st end portion, to the 1 st connecting pipe body disposed on the 1 st end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body and the 2 nd connecting pipe body disposed on the 2 nd end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body, respectively, by a pipe joint, and to provide a pipe joint used for the pipe line forming unit.

(1) The pipe forming unit of the present invention includes: a cylindrical pipe body having a flange formed on an outer circumferential surface of each of a 1 st end portion and a 2 nd end portion opposite to the 1 st end portion in an axial direction of the pipe body so as to protrude integrally with the pipe body outward in a radial direction; a 1 st connecting pipe body disposed on the 1 st end side of the cylindrical pipe body and having a male screw formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof; a 2 nd connecting pipe body disposed on the 2 nd end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body and having a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a pipe joint for connecting the cylindrical pipe body and the 1 st connecting pipe body; and a pipe joint for connecting the cylindrical pipe body and the 2 nd connecting pipe body, wherein the pipe joint comprises: a cylindrical claw nut having an inner circumferential surface formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe and the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, and having a plurality of claw portions formed so as to project radially inward in the circumferential direction and engageable with the flange of the cylindrical pipe, the plurality of claw portions passing over the flange of the cylindrical pipe and engaging with the flange, and the female screw being screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe or the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, whereby the connection between the 1 st connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe or the connection between the 2 nd connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe can be realized, and a retaining ring can be fitted over an outer circumferential surface of the claw nut to retain the engagement of the plurality of claw portions with the flange of the cylindrical pipe, the claw portions of the claw nut are formed on distal end portions of a plurality of projecting pieces that project in the axial direction at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the claw nut, the plurality of projecting pieces have elasticity in the radial direction, the retaining ring is fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, and when the retaining ring is fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, a pressing force in the radial direction is applied to the plurality of claw portions.

With the pipe passage forming unit of the present invention configured as described above, the cylindrical pipe body having the flange formed by projecting from each of the 1 st end and the 2 nd end opposite to the 1 st end can be connected to the 1 st connecting pipe body disposed on the 1 st end side of the cylindrical pipe body and the 2 nd connecting pipe body disposed on the 2 nd end side of the cylindrical pipe body by the pipe joint, whereby the pipe passage can be formed by the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body.

Further, when the 1 st connecting pipe body is connected to the cylindrical pipe body, the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body can be connected without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 1 st connecting pipe body and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe body. Similarly, when the 2 nd connecting pipe body is connected to the cylindrical pipe body, the 2 nd connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body can be connected without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 2 nd connecting pipe body and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe body.

For example, when the case of connecting the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body is described as an example, the 1 st connecting pipe body may be pressed by hand or the like in a state where the cylindrical claw nut is engaged with the flange of the cylindrical pipe body, and then the cylindrical claw nut in a state where the cylindrical claw nut is engaged with the flange of the cylindrical pipe body may be slid rearward along the outer peripheral surface of the 1 st connecting pipe body to screw the female screw of the cylindrical claw nut with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe body. In this operation, the cylindrical claw nut can be tightened without moving the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body. This is because the cylindrical claw nut is not screwed to the cylindrical pipe body, but is merely configured to engage the claw portion with the flange. In this case, the same applies to the case of connecting the 2 nd connecting pipe body to the cylindrical pipe body.

(2) In the tube forming unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the 1 st connecting tube is connected to a left ventricle of a heart in a living body and has a function of guiding blood flowing out from the left ventricle of the heart to the cylindrical tube, and the 2 nd connecting tube is provided in a blood pump of an assisted artificial heart system and has a function of flowing the blood flowing through the cylindrical tube into the blood pump.

As such, the tube forming unit of the present invention may be used in an assisted artificial heart system. That is, the connection between the 1 st connection tube connected to the left ventricle of the heart and the cylindrical tube functioning as an artificial blood vessel is applicable, and the connection between the 2 nd connection tube provided in the blood pump and the cylindrical tube functioning as an artificial blood vessel is also applicable.

(3) In the pipe forming unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the cylindrical pipe body, the 1 st connecting pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body are formed of a non-flexible hard member.

In this way, since the cylindrical pipe body, the 1 st connecting pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body are each formed of a non-flexible hard member, an effect of preventing twisting, squeezing, bending, and the like can be obtained. These cylindrical pipe bodies, the 1 st connecting pipe body and the 2 nd connecting pipe body are members forming a pipeline. Therefore, since the cylindrical pipe body, the 1 st connecting pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body are each formed of a non-flexible hard member, even if a negative pressure is formed inside the pipeline, occurrence of twisting, squeezing, bending, and the like can be prevented.

(4) In the pipe forming unit of the present invention, the non-flexible hard member is preferably made of metal.

This can further improve the effect of preventing twisting, squeezing, bending, and the like. In addition, as the metal, a metal having excellent corrosion resistance is preferable, and in the case of using the metal for assisting an artificial heart system, a metal having excellent compatibility with a living tissue is preferable. From this viewpoint, titanium is exemplified as the metal.

(5) In the pipe forming unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body form a non-stepped surface in an axial direction on an inner peripheral surface of the 1 st connecting pipe body, an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical pipe body, and an inner peripheral surface of the 2 nd connecting pipe body, respectively, when the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body are connected to each other.

In this way, since the inner peripheral surface of the 1 st connecting pipe body, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical pipe body, and the inner peripheral surface of the 2 nd connecting pipe body are each formed with no step surface in the axial direction, the fluid can be made to flow without stopping. In this specification, the term "non-stepped surface" refers to a surface having no substantial step.

(6) In the pipe forming unit of the present invention, it is preferable that annular seal members are inserted between the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body and between the 2 nd connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body, respectively.

Thus, the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body can be connected in a liquid-tight state, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body can be connected in a liquid-tight state.

(7) In the pipe forming unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that surfaces of the plurality of claw portions of the cylindrical claw nut facing the flange form tapered surfaces inclined inward toward a center in a radial direction.

Since the tapered surface inclined inward toward the center is formed on the surface facing the flange in this manner, when the plurality of claw portions of the cylindrical claw nut are caused to pass over the flange of the cylindrical pipe body and to engage with the flange, the plurality of claw portions can easily pass over the flange, and the cylindrical claw nut can be easily attached to the cylindrical pipe body.

(8) In the duct forming unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that a groove is formed along the circumferential direction on each outer circumferential surface of the plurality of projecting pieces, and a projection that engages with the groove is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the retaining ring.

In this way, since the grooves are formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of projecting pieces, and the projections that engage with the grooves are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the retaining ring, when the retaining ring is fitted over the projecting pieces of the cylindrical claw nut, it is only necessary to slide the retaining ring over the cylindrical claw nut and engage the projections of the retaining ring with the grooves formed on the projecting pieces of the cylindrical claw nut.

(9) A pipe joint according to the present invention is a pipe joint which is used when connecting a 1 st end portion and a 2 nd end portion opposite to the 1 st end portion in an axial direction of a pipe body, each of which has an outer peripheral surface on which a flange is formed so as to protrude integrally with the pipe body in a radial direction, to a 1 st connecting pipe body which is disposed on the 1 st end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body and has an external thread formed on an outer peripheral surface, and which is also used when connecting the cylindrical pipe body to a 2 nd connecting pipe body which is disposed on the 2 nd end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body and has an external thread formed on an outer peripheral surface, the pipe joint including: a cylindrical claw nut having an inner circumferential surface formed with a female screw to be screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe and the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, and having a plurality of claw portions formed so as to project radially inward in the circumferential direction and engageable with the flange of the cylindrical pipe, the plurality of claw portions passing over the flange of the cylindrical pipe and engaging with the flange, and the female screw being screwed with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe or the male screw of the 2 nd connecting pipe, whereby the connection between the 1 st connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe or the connection between the 2 nd connecting pipe and the cylindrical pipe can be realized, and a retaining ring can be fitted over an outer circumferential surface of the claw nut to retain the engagement of the plurality of claw portions with the flange of the cylindrical pipe, the claw portions of the claw nut are formed on distal end portions of a plurality of projecting pieces that project in the axial direction at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the claw nut, the plurality of projecting pieces have elasticity in the radial direction, the retaining ring is fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, and when the retaining ring is fitted over the plurality of projecting pieces, a pressing force in the radial direction is applied to the plurality of claw portions.

The pipe joint of the present invention may be used as a pipe joint in the line forming unit according to any one of the items (1) to (8). That is, the pipe joint of the present invention can be used when connecting a cylindrical pipe body having flanges formed on one end portion and the other end portion to a 1 st connecting pipe body disposed on the 1 st end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body, and can also be used when connecting the cylindrical pipe body to a 2 nd connecting pipe body disposed on the 2 nd end portion side of the cylindrical pipe body.

In the pipe joint of the present invention, when the 1 st connecting pipe body is connected to the cylindrical pipe body, the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body can be connected without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 1 st connecting pipe body and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe body. Similarly, when the 2 nd connecting pipe body is connected to the cylindrical pipe body, the 2 nd connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body can be connected without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 2 nd connecting pipe body and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe body.

For example, when the case of connecting the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body is described as an example, the 1 st connecting pipe body may be pressed by hand or the like in a state where the cylindrical claw nut is engaged with the flange of the cylindrical pipe body, and then the cylindrical claw nut in a state where the cylindrical claw nut is engaged with the flange of the cylindrical pipe body may be slid rearward along the outer peripheral surface of the 1 st connecting pipe body to screw the female screw of the cylindrical claw nut with the male screw of the 1 st connecting pipe body. In this operation, the cylindrical claw nut can be tightened without moving the 1 st connecting pipe body and the cylindrical pipe body. This is because the cylindrical claw nut is not screwed to the cylindrical pipe body, but is merely configured to engage the claw portion with the flange. In this case, the same applies to the case of connecting the 2 nd connecting pipe body to the cylindrical pipe body.

Further, the pipe joint of the present invention preferably has the same features as those of the pipe line forming unit described in any one of (2) to (8).

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe forming unit 200 according to an embodiment taken along an axial direction.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the pipe forming unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the dashed line frame a in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cylindrical claw nut 110 which is one of the components of the pipe joint 100.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a retaining ring 120 which is one of the components of the pipe joint 100.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connection procedure when the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 are connected by using the pipe joint 100A.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an assisted artificial heart system 800 described in patent document 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a pipe joint 900 described in patent document 2.

Description of the symbols

100(100A, 100B) -pipe joints; 110-cylindrical claw-type nut; 111-internal screw thread; 112-a jaw portion; 112 a-a cone; 113-a protruding tab; 114-a step portion; 115-grooves; 120-a retaining ring; 121-protrusions; 200-a line forming unit; 210-a cylindrical tube; 211-a tube body; 212-1 st end; 213-2 nd end; 214. 215-flange; 216-a recess; 217. 223, 233-inner peripheral surface; 220-1 st connecting tube; 221. 231-external threads; 222. 232-sealing member mounting groove; 224. 234-a protrusion; 230-2 nd connecting tube; 240-sealing member (O-ring); 300-a blood pump; 310-blood pump body.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe forming unit 200 according to an embodiment taken along an axial direction.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the pipe forming unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the dashed line frame a in fig. 1.

First, the entire configuration of the pipe line forming unit 200 according to the embodiment will be described, and then, the pipe joint 100 used in the pipe line forming unit 200 according to the embodiment will be described.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the pipe line forming unit 200 according to the embodiment includes: a cylindrical tube body 210 having flanges 214, 215 protruding radially outward from the tube body 211 on the outer peripheral surfaces of a 1 st end 212 and a 2 nd end 213 opposite to the 1 st end 212 in the axial direction of the tube body 211, respectively; a 1 st connecting pipe 220 disposed coaxially with the cylindrical pipe 210 on the 1 st end 212 side of the cylindrical pipe 210 and having a male screw 221 formed on an outer circumferential surface (see fig. 3 for details); a 2 nd connecting pipe 230 disposed coaxially with the cylindrical pipe 210 on the 2 nd end 213 side of the cylindrical pipe 210 and having a male screw 231 formed on an outer circumferential surface; a pipe joint 100 (pipe joint 100A) for connecting the 1 st end 212 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 to the 1 st connecting pipe body 220; and a pipe joint 100 (pipe joint 100B) for connecting the 2 nd end 212 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 to the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230.

The enlarged view shown in fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 (inside the dashed line frame a shown in fig. 1). On the other hand, although an enlarged view of the same portion of the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 (the portion corresponding to the broken line frame a shown in fig. 1) is not shown, the same portion of the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 (the portion corresponding to the broken line frame a shown in fig. 1) is also formed with the same configuration as that of fig. 3. However, the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 has a structure in which the portion corresponding to the broken line frame a shown in fig. 1 is reversed from the left and right in fig. 3.

In addition, hereinafter, there is a case where "the cylindrical pipe body 210 in which the flanges 214 and 215 are formed to protrude integrally with the pipe body 211 on the outer peripheral surfaces of the 1 st end portion 212 and the 2 nd end portion 213 opposite to the 1 st end portion 212 in the axial direction of the pipe body 211 toward the outside in the radial direction" is abbreviated as "the cylindrical pipe body 210 in which the flanges are formed on both end portions".

The pipe joint 100A that connects the 1 st end 212 of the cylindrical pipe 210 to the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and the pipe joint 100B that connects the 2 nd end 213 of the cylindrical pipe 210 to the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 have the same configuration. Therefore, the pipe joint 100A and the pipe joint 100B can be used when the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 is connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210, and can also be used when the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 is connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210. The detailed configuration of the pipe joint 100A and the pipe joint 100B will be described later. In addition, when the structure of the pipe joint 100A and the pipe joint 100B is described, the pipe joint 100A and the pipe joint 100B may be collectively referred to as "the pipe joint 100" in some cases.

The tube forming unit 200 according to the embodiment can be used, for example, between the heart 820 and the blood pump 810 in the heart assist system 800 shown in fig. 7. At this time, the cylindrical tube 210 in the channel forming unit 200 according to the embodiment corresponds to the artificial blood vessel (inflow artificial blood vessel) 830 in fig. 7.

The 1 st connecting tube 220 has a function as a cannula connected to the left ventricle of the heart, and also has a function of guiding blood flowing out of the heart to the cylindrical tube 210. The cannula used in the embodiment has 2 sleeves of the 1 st sleeve C1 and the 2 nd sleeve C2, but is not limited to the cannula having 2 sleeves, and may be a cannula having 1 sleeve.

On the other hand, the 2 nd connecting tube 230 is connected to the blood pump 300, and has a function of allowing blood flowing from the 1 st connecting tube 220 through the cylindrical tube 210 to flow into the blood pump 300. In the embodiment, the 2 nd connecting tube 230 is a tube integrally formed with the main body of the blood pump 300 (referred to as a blood pump main body 310) in a protruding manner.

In the description of the 1 st connecting tube 220 and the 2 nd connecting tube 230, the side of each of the 1 st connecting tube 220 and the 2 nd connecting tube 230 facing the cylindrical tube 210 is referred to as a distal end side, and the opposite side is referred to as a rear end side. Further, the ends of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 located on the distal side are referred to as distal ends, and the ends of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 located on the rear side are referred to as rear ends.

The cylindrical tube body 210, the 1 st connecting tube body 220, and the 2 nd connecting tube body 230 are made of a material (metal) made of a non-flexible hard member having excellent rigidity and corrosion resistance and also having excellent compatibility with a living tissue, and for example, titanium or the like is preferably used as the metal. The cylindrical pipe body 210 is a so-called "bent pipe" in which the pipe body 211 is gently bent in the axial direction.

Here, the cylindrical pipe body 210, the 1 st connecting pipe body 220, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 have the same inner diameter, and in a state where the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 is connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210 and in a state where the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 is connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210, the inner circumferential surfaces of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220, the cylindrical pipe body 210, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 have no step surface (a surface having no substantial step) in the axial direction.

A region W from the distal end portion of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 to the portion where the male screw 221 is formed is defined as a connecting region W (see fig. 3), and an outer diameter D1 (see fig. 1) in the connecting region W is the same as an outer diameter D2 (see fig. 1) of the flange 214 of the cylindrical pipe body 210. This also applies to the 2 nd connecting pipe 230. Therefore, the wall thickness of the pipe in the connection region W of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 is thicker than the wall thickness of the pipe main body 211 of the cylindrical pipe body 210.

In this way, since the outer diameter D1 in the connection region W of each of the 1 st and 2 nd connecting pipes 220, 230 is the same as the outer diameter D2 of the flange 214 of the cylindrical pipe 210, in a state where the 1 st and 2 nd connecting pipes 220, 230 are connected to the cylindrical pipe 210, the outer peripheral surfaces of the connection region W of each of the 1 st and 2 nd connecting pipes 220, 230 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the flanges 214, 215 of the cylindrical pipe 210 are the same surface without steps.

Further, a seal member attachment groove 222 (see fig. 3 for details) for attaching the annular seal member 240 is formed in the distal end portion of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220. Various sealing members can be used as the sealing member 240, but in the embodiment, an O-ring having a circular cross section is used. The O-ring is made of a liquid-tight material that elastically deforms when subjected to external pressure. Further, on the inner circumferential surface 223 side of the distal end portion of the 1 st connecting tube 220, a protruding portion 224 that protrudes further from the distal end portion toward the distal end side is formed along the circumferential direction.

Similarly, a sealing member attachment groove 232 for attaching a sealing member (O-ring) 240 is formed in the distal end portion of the 2 nd connecting pipe 230. Further, a protruding portion 234 that protrudes further from the distal end portion toward the distal end side is formed along the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface 233 side of the distal end portion of the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230.

On the other hand, the 1 st end 212 and the 2 nd end 213 of the cylindrical pipe 210 are formed with recesses 216 along the circumferential direction for receiving the projection 224 of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and the projection 234 of the 2 nd connecting pipe 230, respectively. Therefore, in a state where the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 is connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210, the protruding portion 224 of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the recessed portion 216 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 overlap each other. Similarly, when the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 is connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210, the protruding portion 234 of the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 overlaps the recessed portion 216 of the cylindrical pipe body 210. At this time, the sealing members 240 are inserted between the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and the cylindrical pipe 210 and between the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 and the cylindrical pipe 210, respectively.

Next, the pipe joint 100 (pipe joints 100A and 100B) used in the pipeline forming unit 200 according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to fig. 4 and 5, in addition to fig. 1 to 3. In the description of the components constituting the pipe joint 100, the side of each component constituting the pipe joint 100 facing the cylindrical pipe body 210 is referred to as the distal end side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear end side. Further, an end portion of each component of the pipe joint 100 on the distal end side is referred to as a distal end portion, and an end portion of each component of the pipe joint 100 on the rear end side is referred to as a rear end portion. The pipe joint 100 includes, as its constituent elements, a cylindrical claw nut 110 and a retaining ring 120.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cylindrical claw nut 110 which is one of the components of the pipe joint 100. The cylindrical claw nut 110 will be described with reference to fig. 4 and fig. 1 to 3 described above. The cylindrical claw nuts 110 have the same structure as the pipe joint 100A and the pipe joint 100B, respectively. In addition, hereinafter, the "cylindrical shape" of the cylindrical claw nut 110 may be omitted and may be abbreviated as the "claw nut 110".

As shown in fig. 4, the claw nut 110 has an inner peripheral surface on which a female screw 111 is formed to be screwed with a male screw 221 provided in the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and a male screw 231 provided in the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 in a predetermined range on the rear end side on the inner peripheral surface of the claw nut 110.

Further, a plurality of claw portions 112 engageable with the flanges 214, 215 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 are formed in the claw nut 110 so as to protrude radially inward along the circumferential direction. The plurality of claw portions 112 are formed on distal end portions of a plurality of projecting pieces 113, respectively, and the plurality of projecting pieces 113 are formed to project in the axial direction from the body portion 110a of the claw nut 110 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Since the projecting piece 113 has elasticity in the radial direction, the plurality of claw portions 112 can be radially expanded and reduced in diameter. In addition, hereinafter, the "plurality of claw portions 112" may be referred to as "each claw portion 112".

Since the claw nut 110 is configured as described above, the claw portions 112 are caused to pass over the flanges 214 and 215 of the cylindrical pipe body 210, and the claw portions 112 can be engaged with the flanges 214 and 215. That is, since the projecting piece 113 of each claw portion 112 has elasticity, each claw portion 112 can be caused to pass over the flanges 214 and 215 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 in a state where the diameter of each claw portion 112 is expanded in the radial direction, and when each claw portion 112 passes over the flanges 214 and 215, each claw portion 112 is restored to substantially the original state (state before being expanded in the diameter), and thereby each claw portion 112 is engaged with the flanges 214 and 215 in a state where it passes over the flanges 214 and 215 of the cylindrical pipe body 210.

Further, an outer surface (a surface facing the distal end side) of each claw portion 112 of the claw nut 110 is formed with a tapered surface 112a inclined inward (a rear end side in the axial direction) as going toward the center in the radial direction. Thus, when the claw nut 110 is engaged with the flanges 214 and 215, the claw portions 112 easily get over the flanges 214 and 215.

Further, since the projecting piece 113 of the claw nut 110 is formed in a thin plate shape having a thickness smaller than the body portion 110a of the claw nut 110, a stepped portion 114 is formed between the projecting piece and the body portion 110a of the claw nut 110.

The projecting piece 113 of the claw nut 110 is also a fitting region when the holding ring 120 described later is fitted to the claw nut 110. Further, a groove 115 for engaging a protrusion 121 (see fig. 5) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the retaining ring 120 is formed along the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion piece 113 of the claw nut 110. The height of the step 114 formed between the projection 113 and the body 110a of the claw nut 110 corresponds to the thickness of the retaining ring 120. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 110a of the claw nut 110 and the outer peripheral surface of the retaining ring 120 can be made to be the same surface without a step (see fig. 2) in a state where the retaining ring 120 is fitted over the projecting pieces 113 of the claw nut 110.

Next, the retaining ring 120 will be explained.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a retaining ring 120 which is one of the components of the pipe joint 100. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view of the retaining ring 120, and fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the retaining ring 120 shown in fig. 5(a) cut in half along the axial direction. The holding ring 120 has the same structure as the cylindrical claw nut 110 in each of the pipe joint 100A and the pipe joint 100B.

The retaining ring 120 has a function of retaining engagement of the claw portions 112 when the claw portions 112 of the claw nut 110 are engaged with the flanges 214 and 215 of the cylindrical pipe body 210. As shown in fig. 5, the holding ring 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open, and has a protrusion 121 formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof to engage with the groove 115 formed in the protrusion piece 113 of the claw nut 110. The inner diameter of the retaining ring 120 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameters of the flanges 214, 215 of the cylindrical pipe body 210. That is, the retaining ring 120 has an inner diameter that facilitates the non-stop passage of the flanges 214 and 215 of the cylindrical pipe body 210.

In the retaining ring 120 configured as described above, when the retaining ring 120 is fitted over the projecting pieces 113 of the claw nut 110, the retaining ring 120 is slid on the claw nut 110, and the protrusions 121 of the retaining ring 120 are engaged with the recessed grooves 115 formed in the projecting pieces 113 of the claw nut 110. The projections 121 of the retaining ring 120 are engaged with the recessed grooves 115 formed in the projecting pieces 113 of the claw nut 110, whereby the engagement of the plurality of claw portions with the flange of the cylindrical pipe body can be maintained. A specific procedure for fitting the retaining ring 120 to the projecting piece 113 of the claw nut 110 will be described with reference to fig. 6.

Although the pipe joint 100 has been described above, by using the pipe joint 100 configured as described above, the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 can be connected, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 can be connected. That is, the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 can be connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210 by using the pipe joint 100A. Further, by using the pipe joint 100B having the same configuration as the pipe joint 100A, the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 can be connected to the cylindrical pipe body 210.

Next, a connection procedure when the cylindrical tube 210 is connected to the 1 st connecting tube 220 and the 2 nd connecting tube 230 will be described. Here, a description will be given of a procedure for connecting the cylindrical pipe body 210 and the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 using the pipe joint 100A. In the embodiment, the 1 st connecting tube 220 functions as a cannula, and connects the end (rear end) provided with the 1 st cuff C1 and the 2 nd cuff C2 to the left ventricle of the heart.

In the embodiment, the case of 2 sleeves including the 1 st sleeve C1 and the 2 nd sleeve C2 is exemplified as the cannula. At this point, the 1 st sleeve was sutured inside the heart and the 2 nd sleeve C2 was sutured on the surface of the heart. Here, the connection procedure when the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 is already connected to the heart and the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 in the state of being connected to the heart using the pipe joint 100A will be described with reference to fig. 6. In fig. 6, the state in which the 1 st connecting tube 220 is connected to the heart is not shown.

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating a connection procedure when the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 are connected by using the pipe joint 100A. In fig. 6, in describing the connection order, the illustration of the symbols that are not necessary for description is omitted.

First, the holding ring 120 is fitted around the cylindrical pipe body 210 in advance (see fig. 6 (a)). Further, the retaining ring 120 has an inner diameter to facilitate passage of the flange 214 of the cylindrical tube 210 without stopping. Therefore, as shown in fig. 6(a), the holding ring 120 can be fitted around the cylindrical tube 210. In this way, the retaining ring 120 is first fitted around the cylindrical tube 210. In this state, the retaining ring 120 is movable on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical tube body 210.

Next, the claw nut 110 is engaged with the flange 214 of the cylindrical pipe body 210. At this time, the claws 112 of the claw nut 110 are expanded in diameter and moved over the flange 214 of the cylindrical tube 210, so that the claws 112 are engaged with the flange 214 (see fig. 6 (b)). In this state, the claw nut 110 is rotatable (idly rotated) in the circumferential direction of the flange 214 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 and is slidable toward the distal end side (in the right direction in fig. 6) in the axial direction.

Next, the retaining ring 120 is fitted over the claw nut 110. When the retaining ring 120 is fitted to the claw nut 110, the claw nut 11 is slightly slid toward the distal end side (right direction in fig. 6) so that the projecting piece 113 of the claw nut is positioned at a position projecting toward the distal end side (right direction in fig. 6) from the flange 214 of the cylindrical tube body 210 (see fig. 6 c). When the projecting piece 113 of the claw nut 110 is positioned as shown in fig. 6(c), the projecting piece 113 is separated from the support of the flange 214, and thus the projecting piece 113 has elasticity in the radial direction.

In a state where the protruding pieces 113 of the claw nut 110 are positioned as shown in fig. 6(c), the retaining ring 120 is fitted to the claw nut 110. When the retaining ring 120 is fitted to the claw nut 110, the retaining ring 120 is fitted so that the projecting pieces 113 are slightly radially reduced in diameter by the elasticity of the projecting pieces 113 of the claw nut 110. Thus, the protrusions 121 formed on the retaining ring 120 are engaged with the concave grooves 115 formed on the respective projecting pieces 113 of the claw nut 110, and the retaining ring 120 can be fitted to the claw nut 110 (see fig. 6 (d)).

In this way, the retaining ring 120 is fitted to the claw nut 110 not by screwing, but by sliding the retaining ring 120 in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the projection piece 113.

Next, the claw nut 110 with the holding ring 120 fitted thereon is mounted on the 1 st connecting pipe 220. At this time, the 1 st connecting tube 220 is already connected to the left ventricle of the heart as described above.

When the claw nut 110 is attached to the 1 st connecting pipe 220, a sealing member (O-ring) 240 is previously attached to the sealing member attachment groove 222 of the 1 st connecting pipe 220. Thereafter, in a state where the 1 st connecting pipe 220 is pressed by a hand or the like so that the 1 st connecting pipe 220 does not move, the tip end portion of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 is inserted into the rear end portion side of the claw nut 110, and the cylindrical claw nut 110 is slid rearward along the outer peripheral surface of the 1 st connecting pipe 220. Then, the female screw 111 of the claw nut 110 is screwed with the male screw 221 of the 1 st connecting pipe 220, and the claw nut 110 is screwed while being rotated in a state where the 1 st connecting pipe 220 is pressed by a hand or the like so that the 1 st connecting pipe 220 is not moved.

At this time, since the claw nut 110 is rotatable on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 210, the claw nut 110 can be tightened only by rotating the claw nut 110 without applying a rotational force to the cylindrical tube 210 by pressing the cylindrical tube 210 in advance with a hand or the like.

When the claw nut 110 is tightened in this manner, the claw nut 110 further advances toward the rear end side (left direction in fig. 6) of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 while applying a pressing force toward the rear end side (left direction in fig. 6) to the flange 214. Thereby, the sealing member (O-ring) 240 is pressed while the flange 214 slides and advances on the protrusion 224 (see fig. 3) of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220. Thereby, the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 are brought into a tight contact state via the sealing member (O-ring) 240 (see fig. 6 (e)).

In the state of fig. 6(e), since the retaining ring 120 is fitted around the claw nut 110, the retaining ring 120 can apply a pressing force in the radial direction to the claw portions 112 of the claw nut 110, and can maintain the engagement of the claw portions 112 with the flange 214.

That is, when the retaining ring 120 is not fitted, there may be a case where a restoring force (a force for expanding the diameter) due to elasticity is generated in the projecting piece 113, but the retaining ring 120 may be in a state where a pressing force is applied to the projecting piece 113 so as to suppress the restoring force of the projecting piece 113. This allows the claws 112 to be engaged with the flange 214, and the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and the cylindrical pipe 210 to be tightly connected.

Incidentally, a protruding portion 224 (see fig. 3) protruding toward the distal end side is formed on the distal end portion of the 1 st connecting tube 220, and a concave portion 216 (see fig. 3) overlapping the protruding portion 224 of the 1 st connecting tube is formed on the cylindrical tube 210. Therefore, when the claw nut 110 presses the flange 214, the flange 214 slides on the protrusion 224 of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and presses the sealing member (O-ring) 240, so that the close contact state between the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 can be further improved. This can more reliably prevent the fluid (in this case, blood from the heart) flowing from the 1 st connecting tube 220 to the cylindrical tube 210 from leaking to the outside.

As shown in fig. 6(e), when the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 are in a close contact state, the step between the inner circumferential surface 223 of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the inner circumferential surface 217 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 is eliminated. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface 223 of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the inner circumferential surface 217 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 form a surface having no step in the axial direction (a surface having no substantial step). This does not hinder the flow of the fluid (blood from the heart) flowing from the 1 st connecting tube 220 to the cylindrical tube 210.

Although the above description has been made of the case where the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 are connected by using the pipe joint 100A, the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 may be connected by using the pipe joint 100B having the same configuration as the pipe joint 100A. Since the connection procedure when the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 are connected using the pipe joint 100B can be the same as the connection procedure when the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 are connected using the pipe joint 100A, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the pipe line forming unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 can be configured by using the cylindrical pipe body 210 (see fig. 1 and 2) having the flanges 214 and 215 formed at both ends, the 1 st connecting pipe body 220, the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 (see fig. 1 and 2) having the same configuration as the 1 st connecting pipe body 220, and the pipe joint 100 (the pipe joint 100A and the pipe joint 100B). As described above, the line forming unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 can be used as a line forming unit between the heart 820 and the blood pump 810 in the assisted artificial heart system 800 shown in fig. 7.

By using the line forming unit 200 according to the embodiment as a line forming unit between the heart 820 and the blood pump 810 in the assisted artificial heart system 800 shown in fig. 7, various effects shown below can be obtained.

First, since the pipe joint 100 is used in the pipe line forming unit 200 according to the embodiment, the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 having the flanges 214 and 215 at both ends can be connected and the cylindrical pipe body 210 and the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 can be connected in the connection procedure shown in fig. 6(a) to 6 (d).

However, when the 1 st connecting pipe 220 in a state in which the cylindrical pipe 210 is connected to the heart is connected, it is required that the 1 st connecting pipe 220 can be connected to the cylindrical pipe 210 without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe 210, but such a requirement can be satisfied because the pipe joint 100 is used in the conduit forming unit 200 according to the embodiment.

That is, the retaining ring 120 is fitted to the cylindrical pipe body 210 in advance, and the claw nut 110 is engaged with the flange 214 of the cylindrical pipe body 210 in advance (see fig. 6 a and 6 b). Thereafter, the claw nut 110 is slid toward the distal end (in the right direction in fig. 6) (see fig. 6 c), and the retaining ring 120 is fitted over the projecting piece 113 of the claw nut (see fig. 6 d). At this time, the retaining ring 120 can be fitted to the claw nut 110 only by sliding on the projecting piece 113 of the claw nut toward the rear end side (the left direction in fig. 6).

Next, the claw nut 110 with the holding ring 120 fitted thereon is slid toward the rear end side along the outer peripheral surface of the 1 st connecting pipe 220, and the female screw 111 of the claw nut 110 is screwed and tightened with the male screw 221 of the 1 st connecting pipe 220 (see fig. 6 (e)). In this operation, the claw nut can be tightened without moving the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and the cylindrical pipe 210. This is because the claw nut 110 can be idly rotated with respect to the cylindrical tube body 210.

Thus, when the 1 st connecting pipe 220 is connected to the cylindrical pipe 210, the 1 st connecting pipe 220 can be connected to the cylindrical pipe 210 without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 1 st connecting pipe 220 and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe 210. In particular, since the 1 st connecting tube 220 functions as a cannula and the 1 st cuff C1 and the 2 nd cuff C2 are connected to the left ventricle of the heart by suturing, an excessive force cannot be applied to the 1 st connecting tube 220. In the case where the cylindrical tube 210 is a bent tube, the position and direction of the outlet (2 nd end) of the cylindrical tube 210 are determined in relation to the position of the blood pump 300.

Therefore, when the channel forming unit 200 according to the embodiment is used in an assisted artificial heart system, it is required that the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and the cylindrical pipe body 210 can be connected without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 1 st connecting pipe body 220 and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe body 210.

Similarly, when the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 is connected to the cylindrical pipe 210, the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 can be connected to the cylindrical pipe 210 without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the 2 nd connecting pipe 230 and without applying a rotational force around the shaft to the cylindrical pipe 210. Therefore, when the 2 nd connecting tube 230 is integrally provided in the blood pump 300, the 2 nd connecting tube 230 provided in the blood pump 300 can be connected to the cylindrical tube 210 in a state where the position and the direction of the blood pump 300 are set to appropriate positions and directions.

In the conduit forming unit 200 according to the embodiment, the cylindrical pipe body 210, the 1 st connecting pipe body 220, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 are non-flexible hard members (metal), and in the embodiment, are titanium. Therefore, the blood pump can prevent deformation such as twisting, squeezing, and bending while having excellent rigidity, excellent corrosion resistance, and excellent compatibility with living tissues, and can feed blood from the heart to the blood pump without stagnation.

The cylindrical tube 210 used in the channel forming unit 200 according to the embodiment corresponds to an artificial blood vessel made of a flexible material (for example, an artificial blood vessel made of a flexible material such as ePTFE) used in a conventional heart assist system, and by forming the artificial blood vessel from a metal such as titanium, distortion such as twisting, squeezing, or bending can be reliably prevented. In particular, when blood flowing out of the left ventricle of the heart flows into an artificial blood vessel (inflow-side artificial blood vessel) of a blood pump, negative pressure is likely to be formed in the artificial blood vessel, and when negative pressure is formed, inconvenience such as squeezing may occur.

In the channel forming unit 200 according to the embodiment, the inner circumferential surfaces of the 1 st connecting tube 220, the cylindrical tube 210, and the 2 nd connecting tube 230 are formed as a step-free surface (a surface having no substantial step) in the axial direction, and therefore, blood flowing out of the heart can flow smoothly without stagnation. Further, since the outer peripheral surfaces of the 1 st connecting pipe body 220, the cylindrical pipe body 210, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body 230 are substantially flat surfaces without projections such as clips, they are less likely to affect other tissues in the living body.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications may be implemented.

(1) In the above-described embodiments, the case where the line forming unit of the present invention is applied to an assisted artificial heart system, particularly, the case where the line forming unit is used as a line forming unit from the left ventricle of the heart to the blood pump has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the length and shape of the cylindrical tube 210 may be changed to be used as a conduit forming unit disposed between the blood pump and the ascending aorta. Further, the tube forming unit of the present invention is not limited to the assisted artificial heart system, and can be used for various purposes.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, in order to exemplify a case where the tube forming unit of the present invention is used for assisting an artificial heart system, the cylindrical tube body is formed as a curved bent tube in terms of the relationship between the positions of the heart and the blood pump. On the other hand, when the conduit forming unit of the present invention is used in a place other than the assisted heart system, the cylindrical pipe body may not necessarily be curved, and may be a cylindrical pipe body having various shapes such as a straight shape, an S shape, and a U shape depending on the application.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where titanium is used as the material of the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body is exemplified, but other metals may be used if they are a material having excellent corrosion resistance similar to titanium and excellent compatibility with the living tissue. In addition to metals, for example, synthetic resins may be used if they are hard materials having excellent corrosion resistance, excellent compatibility with living tissues, and non-flexibility. In addition, when the conduit forming unit of the present invention is used in a place other than the auxiliary artificial heart system, the degree of freedom of the materials of the 1 st connecting pipe body, the cylindrical pipe body, and the 2 nd connecting pipe body can be further increased.

(4) Although the above embodiment has described the pipe passage forming means having the configuration in which the connection pipes (the 1 st connection pipe 220 and the 2 nd connection pipe 230 in the case of the above embodiment) are connected to the respective both ends (the 1 st end 212 and the 2 nd end 213) of the cylindrical pipe 210 using the pipe joints 100 (the pipe joints 100A and 100B), respectively, the pipe passage forming means may not necessarily have the configuration in which the connection pipes are connected to the respective both ends of the cylindrical pipe 210. For example, a pipe line forming unit may be configured to connect a connecting pipe body with a pipe joint (for example, the pipe joint 100A) only at one end (for example, the 1 st end 212) of the cylindrical pipe body 210.