Tube connecting apparatus and tube connecting method
First Claim
1. A tube connecting apparatus having a first holding assembly and a second holding assembly which hold at least two flexible tubes approximately in a parallel state, comprising:
- a first pressing unit which is provided at the first holding assembly and which presses the tubes to a flat state;
a second pressing unit which is provided at the second holding assembly and which presses the tubes to a flat state;
a third pressing unit which is disposed between the first and second pressing units and which presses the tubes to a flat state;
a cutting unit which cuts the tubes between the first and second pressing units; and
a movement unit which moves at least one of the first and second holding assemblies to change relatively positions of the tubes cut by the cutting unit such that end portions to be connected contact closely each other.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tube connecting apparatus capable of stably and reliably connecting tubes in which liquid is contained and sealed is provided. A tube connecting apparatus 1 equips a first tube-holding assembly 2 and a second tube-holding assembly 3, each holding tube 8, 9 in which blood is contained and sealed in a parallel state. A first clamp 6 and a second clamp 7, each pressing the tubes to a flat state, is provided at the first tube-holding assembly 2 and the second tube-holding assembly 3. A tube-pushing member 10 which presses the tubes to a flat state is disposed movably to and integrally with the first clamp 6 at a side of the second clamp 7. The tube connecting apparatus 1 has a cutting mechanism 4, disposed between the first clamp 6 and the second clamp 7, for melting and cutting the tubes, and has a movement mechanism which moves the first tube-holding assembly 2 and the second tube-holding assembly 3 such that end portions to be connected contact closely each other.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A tube connecting apparatus having a first holding assembly and a second holding assembly which hold at least two flexible tubes approximately in a parallel state, comprising:
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a first pressing unit which is provided at the first holding assembly and which presses the tubes to a flat state;
a second pressing unit which is provided at the second holding assembly and which presses the tubes to a flat state;
a third pressing unit which is disposed between the first and second pressing units and which presses the tubes to a flat state;
a cutting unit which cuts the tubes between the first and second pressing units; and
a movement unit which moves at least one of the first and second holding assemblies to change relatively positions of the tubes cut by the cutting unit such that end portions to be connected contact closely each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A tube connecting method for cutting and then connecting at least two flexible tubes, comprising the steps of:
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pressing the tubes put approximately in a parallel state at a first position to deform the tubes to a flat state;
pressing the tubes at a second position adjacent to the first position to hold the tubes in a flat state;
pressing the tubes at a third position which is adjacent to the first position and which is a position opposing to the second position via the first position to hold the tubes in a flat state;
advancing a heated cutting plate between the second and third positions to cut the tubes;
moving relatively the tubes which have been cut to face end portions of the tubes to be connected each other; and
evacuating the cutting plate from a predetermined cutting position located between the second and third positions to contact the end portions of the tubes closely each other for connecting the tubes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification