JP6801235B2 - Liquid storage device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a liquid storage device, for example, a liquid storage device for storing waste liquid provided in an ophthalmic device used for ophthalmic surgery.

Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic surgical apparatus that crushes and removes a crystalline lens nucleus that has become cloudy due to cataract or the like by ultrasonic vibration. In this ultrasonic surgical apparatus, the waste liquid containing the removed crystalline lens nucleus and the perfusate is stored in the waste liquid storage bag.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-013425

In an apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a small tank for sucking waste liquid by a suction pump and temporarily storing it may be provided on the upstream side of the waste liquid storage bag. In this case, it is necessary to properly discharge the waste liquid from the tank according to the liquid level of the waste liquid in the tank so that the waste liquid does not overflow from the tank and is sucked into the suction pump, so that the liquid level of the waste liquid is measured stably. It is desirable to do.

Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a liquid storage device capable of stably measuring the liquid level in the storage portion while reducing the size of the liquid storage portion sucked from the patient's eye. The purpose is to provide.

A liquid storage device provided by a typical embodiment in the present disclosure sucks a storage portion in which a liquid sucked from a patient's eye is stored and a gas in the storage portion in order to take the liquid into the storage portion. It has an intake unit that lowers the pressure in the storage unit and a liquid level measuring unit that measures the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage unit, and the storage unit has a liquid intake port that takes in the liquid. A liquid intake chamber in which the liquid is taken in from the liquid intake port, a liquid level measurement chamber for measuring the liquid level of the liquid by the liquid level measuring unit, and the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level measurement chamber are combined. The liquid intake port is provided with a first partition that separates the parts while communicating with each other, and a liquid discharge port that discharges the liquid stored in the storage unit. The liquid intake port is the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid intake chamber. The storage unit is provided at a position higher than the above, and the storage unit is connected to the intake unit to partially communicate the gas discharge chamber for discharging the gas, the liquid level measurement chamber, and the gas discharge chamber. A second partition for separating the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level measuring chamber is provided at a position above the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid intake chamber. The liquid level measuring chamber and the gas discharge chamber are provided with a first upper communicating portion to be communicated, and the second partition is located above the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid level measuring chamber. The first partition is provided with a second upper communication portion for communicating with the liquid intake chamber, and the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level are measured at a position below the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid intake chamber. A lower communication portion for communicating with the chamber is provided, and the liquid intake chamber and the gas discharge chamber are separated at a position above the lower communication portion by the first partition or the second partition. The liquid level measuring chamber is formed so as to be sandwiched between the liquid intake chamber and the gas discharge chamber, and the first partition is formed between the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level measuring chamber. The second partition is formed between the liquid level measuring chamber and the gas discharge chamber, and the first partition and the second partition extend from the bottom to the top of the storage section, respectively. The liquid intake chamber and the gas discharge chamber are separated by the first partition and the second partition, and the first upper communication portion and the second upper communication portion are the second upper communication portion. When viewed from the direction in which the first partition and the second partition are arranged, the positions do not overlap, or It is characterized in that it is formed at a position where only a part of it overlaps .

According to the liquid storage device of the present disclosure, it is possible to stably measure the liquid level in the storage portion while miniaturizing the storage portion of the liquid sucked from the patient's eye.

It is an external view of an ophthalmic apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the ophthalmic apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram explaining the control part of the ophthalmic apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing of a tank.

The ophthalmic apparatus 1 provided with the liquid storage apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. The ophthalmic apparatus 1 is used, for example, for cataract vitreous surgery. In the present embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the waste liquid LQW is temporarily stored in the tank 42 while measuring the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW in the tank 42 in the waste liquid storage device 61 (liquid storage device). Therefore, first, the overall configuration of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 will be described, and then the waste liquid storage apparatus 61 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a main body 11 and a cassette 12 as an example. The main body 11 includes a monitor 21 and a connection panel 22. As an example, the monitor 21 displays a screen for setting surgical conditions, a list of surgical results that are the driving results of the surgical device, and the like. As an example, the connection panel 22 is provided with a plurality of connectors to which a cable or the like of the surgical handpiece 13 is connected.

As an example, the main body 11 is provided with a holding unit 23 on the side surface on which a cassette 12 for cataract surgery or the like is mounted.

The main body 11 is provided with a pole 24 and an arm 24a on the back surface. The pole 24 supports a perfusion bottle 26 containing a perfusion solution such as saline. The arm 24a suspends the perfusion bottle 26 above the pole 24. The pole 24 moves up and down when the drive mechanism 27 (see FIG. 3) is driven by the control unit 14 (see FIG. 3).

The main body 11 is provided with an interface portion on the back surface. The interface unit may be connected to an external device (PC) via a LAN, a USB storage device, or the like, for example, in order to externally transfer the surgical results or the like as electronic data.

The main body 11 includes a foot switch 28. The foot switch 28 may be used to adjust various operations such as ultrasonic vibration and suction operation of the movable tip provided at the tip of the surgical handpiece 13.

The main body 11 includes a control unit 14 (see FIG. 3) inside. The control unit 14 is used, for example, for controlling various operations of the ophthalmic apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 14, for example, the surgical handpiece 13, the monitor 21, the connection panel 22, the drive mechanism 27, the foot switch 28, the intake unit 29, the waste liquid suction unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the interface unit. , And various valves are connected. As the storage unit 32, for example, a rewritable flash memory may be used. The storage unit 32 may store a program for executing the surgery and various surgical information acquired by the surgical operation of the main body 11.

The control unit 14 reads, for example, the perfusion suction program stored in the storage unit 32. The control unit 14 functions as a processor that controls, for example, the drive of the intake unit 29, the drive of the waste liquid suction unit 31, and the drive of various valves. As the processor, a CPU (microprocessor), a DSP (digital signal processor), a PLD (programmable logic device), or the like may be used.

<Surgery handpiece>
The ophthalmic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a surgical handpiece 13. The ophthalmic apparatus 1 uses a US handpiece (ultrasonic handpiece) as an example of the surgical handpiece 13. The US handpiece, for example, emulsifies and sucks and removes a crystalline lens nucleus that has become opaque and hardened due to cataract by ultrasonic vibration of a crushing tip provided at the tip. In order to perform ultrasonic vibration of the crushing chip, electric power may be supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator provided in the surgical handpiece 13 via the power cable 33. The surgical handpiece 13 is not limited to the US handpiece. As the surgical handpiece 13, for example, the I / A handpiece 16 (perfusion suction handpiece) may be used. In addition to the power cable 33, the perfusion tube 34 and the suction tube 36 are connected to the surgical handpiece 13 of the present embodiment. The perfusion tube 34 is used, for example, to pour the perfusate into the patient's eye E. The suction tube 36 is used, for example, to suck out the waste liquid LQW (liquid) containing the perfusate from the patient's eye E.

<Supply section>
The ophthalmic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a supply unit. The supply unit supplies, for example, the perfusate to the patient's eye E. As an example, the supply unit includes a drive mechanism 27, a pole 24, a perfusion bottle 26, a perfusion tube 37, a perfusion tube 34, a perfusion valve portion 38, and a surgical handpiece 13. The supply unit has a perfusion channel 39 through which the perfusate flows. The perfusion channel 39 includes a perfusion tube 34 and a perfusion tube 37. As described above, a perfusion bottle 26 filled with a perfusion solution is suspended from the pole 24 of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The pole 24 is moved up and down by the control unit 14 driving the drive mechanism 27. As the pole 24 moves up and down, the supply pressure of the perfusate flowing from the perfusion bottle 26 is adjusted. The perfusate from the perfusion bottle 26 passes through the perfusion tube 37 and the perfusion tube 34 and is perfused into the patient's eye E via the surgical handpiece 13 gripped by the operator. In the middle of the perfusion channel 39, the outflow control of the perfusate flowing through the perfusion channel 39 is performed.

<Suction part>
The ophthalmic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a suction unit. The suction unit, for example, uses the intake unit 29 to suck the waste liquid LQW containing the perfusate from the patient's eye E. As an example, the suction part includes a surgical handpiece 13, a suction tube 36, a waste liquid suction part 41, a tank 42 (storage part), an intake passage 43, an intake part 29, a waste liquid passage 44, a waste liquid suction part 31, and a waste liquid bag 12b. I have.

The waste liquid passage 41 is a flow path through which the waste liquid LQW containing the perfusate liquid sucked from the patient's eye E flows. The waste liquid passage 41 is connected to the suction tube 36 and the tank 42.

In the present embodiment, the waste liquid passage 41 includes a storage valve portion 47. By controlling the opening and closing of the storage valve unit 47 by the control unit 14, the waste liquid passage 41 can be closed at the storage valve unit 47. The control unit 14 may control the discharge valve unit 48 to adjust the flow rate of the waste liquid LQW flowing through the waste liquid passage 41. The waste liquid LQW sucked from the patient's eye E is temporarily stored in the tank 42. The waste liquid passage 41 and the intake passage 43 are connected to the tank 42 above the liquid level of the stored waste liquid LQW.

The intake passage 43 is connected to the tank 42 and the intake portion 29. The intake unit 29 generates, for example, a suction force for transferring the gas in the tank 42 to the outside of the tank 42. The control unit 14 can adjust the intake force of the intake unit 29, for example. In this embodiment, a Venturi pump is used as an example of the intake unit 29. The intake unit 29 may be, for example, a vacuum pump (vacuum generator). The pressure of the gas in the tank 42 is reduced by the intake unit 29 moving the gas in the tank 42 to the outside of the tank 42.

The waste liquid passage 44 is connected to the tank 42 and the waste liquid bag 12b. The waste liquid passage 44 of the present embodiment is connected to the tank 42 below the liquid level of the stored waste liquid LQW. The waste liquid passage 44 includes a discharge valve portion 48. By controlling the opening and closing of the discharge valve portion 48 by the control unit 14, the waste liquid passage 44 can be closed at the discharge valve portion 48. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the waste liquid passage 44 is formed of an elastic member. The waste liquid suction unit 31 of the present embodiment is arranged on the side of the waste liquid passage 44. By squeezing the elastic member described above with the ironing member of the waste liquid suction unit 31, a suction force for sucking the waste liquid LQW is generated. In the present embodiment, the suction force of the waste liquid suction unit 31 is used to transfer the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42 to the waste liquid bag 12b. In this embodiment, a peristaltic pump is used as an example of the waste liquid suction unit 31. As the waste liquid suction unit 31, for example, a scroll pump, a vane pump, a diaphragm pump, or the like may be used. The waste liquid LQW sucked by the waste liquid suction unit 31 is stored in the waste liquid bag 12b. In the present embodiment, the waste liquid passage 44 is connected above the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid bag 12b.

<Suction mode>
Next, a suction mode using the above-mentioned supply unit and suction unit will be described. In the suction mode of the present embodiment, the perfusion valve portion 38, the storage valve portion 47, and the discharge valve portion 48 are opened and the vent valve portion 49 is closed under the control of the control unit 14.

When the intake unit 29 is driven by the control of the control unit 14, the intake unit 29 takes in the gas in the tank 42 via the intake passage 43. As a result, the pressure of the gas in the tank 42 decreases, so that the waste liquid LQW is sucked into the tank 42 from the patient's eye E through the waste liquid passage 41 and stored. The control unit 14 drives the waste liquid suction unit 31 so that the amount of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42 becomes constant. As a result, a part of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42 is transferred to the waste liquid bag 12b. The liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42 is measured by the liquid level measuring unit 71 of the waste liquid storage device 61 described later.

<Bent flow path>
The ophthalmic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a vent flow path 51. The vent flow path 51 is connected to the perfusion flow path 39 and the waste liquid channel 41. By flowing the perfusate through the vent flow path 51, excessive suction from the patient's eye E is suppressed. The vent flow path 51 has a vent valve portion 49. By controlling the opening and closing of the vent valve portion 49 by the control unit 14, the flow rate of the perfusate flowing through the vent flow path 51 can be controlled.

<Cassette>
The cassette 12 of the present embodiment has a cassette body 12a and a waste liquid bag 12b. A perfusion tube 34, a perfusion tube 37, and a suction tube 36 are connected to the cassette body 12a of the present embodiment. The cassette body 12a of the present embodiment has, for example, a waste liquid passage 41, a waste liquid passage 44, and an intake passage 43. The waste liquid bag 12b is arranged outside the housing of the cassette body 12a.

<Liquid storage device>
Next, the waste liquid storage device 61 (liquid storage device) will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the waste liquid storage device 61 includes a tank 42, an intake passage 43, an intake unit 29, a liquid level measuring unit 71, and the like.

The tank 42 is a storage unit for temporarily storing the waste liquid LQW sucked from the patient's eye E. As shown in FIG. 2, the tank 42 is provided on the upstream side of the waste liquid bag 12b, and includes a waste liquid intake port 81 (liquid intake port), an exhaust port 82, and a drainage port 83.

The waste liquid intake port 81 is connected to the waste liquid passage 41, and is a portion for taking in the waste liquid LQW from the waste liquid passage 41 into the tank 42 (detailed in the waste liquid intake chamber 84 described later). The exhaust port 82 is connected to the intake passage 43 and is a portion for exhausting air in the tank 42 (detailed in the air discharge chamber 86 described later). The drainage port 83 is connected to the waste liquid passage 44 and is a portion for discharging the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42.

The liquid level measuring unit 71 is a part that measures the liquid level (reservoir amount) of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42. The liquid level measuring unit 71 of the present embodiment passes through a transparent window 42a (see FIG. 4) provided in the tank 42, and is a liquid of waste liquid LQW in the tank 42 (details in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 described later). Measure the position. The measurement result in the liquid level measuring unit 71 is sent to the control unit 14 (see FIG. 3). Further, the liquid level measuring unit 71 is composed of, for example, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (for example, a linear image sensor).

In such a waste liquid storage device 61, the air in the tank 42 is discharged from the exhaust port 82 through the intake passage 43 by the suction by the intake unit 29, and the pressure in the tank 42 is reduced. As a result, the waste liquid LQW from the patient's eye E is sucked and stored in the tank 42 from the waste liquid intake port 81 via the suction tube 36 and the waste liquid passage 41. In parallel with this, the suction flow rate of the waste liquid suction unit 31 is adjusted so that the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW becomes constant based on the measurement result of the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW by the liquid level measuring unit 71, and the waste liquid LQW Is discharged from the drainage port 83 to the waste liquid passage 44. In this way, on the upstream side of the waste liquid bag 12b, a tank 42 for temporarily storing the waste liquid LQW sucked from the patient's eye E by suction by the intake unit 29 is provided. Thereby, the responsiveness of sucking the waste liquid LQW from the patient's eye E can be improved.

Here, in order to reduce the pressure in the tank 42 by suction by the intake unit 29 and further improve the responsiveness of sucking the waste liquid LQW from the patient's eye E, it is an effective method to reduce the volume of the tank 42 as much as possible. one of. Then, in reducing the volume of the tank 42 in this way to reduce the size of the tank 42, the waste liquid LQW is prevented from overflowing from the tank 42 and being sucked into the intake unit 29, so that the waste liquid LQW does not overflow from the tank 42. It is necessary to properly discharge the LQW from the drain port 83. Therefore, it is desired to stably measure the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42. However, the influence of the waste liquid LQW and air bubbles taken into the tank 42, that is, the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42 is wavy due to the waste liquid LQW being taken into the tank 42, and the tank 42 together with the waste liquid LQW. There is a possibility that the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42 cannot be measured stably due to the influence of air bubbles taken into the tank 42 accumulating near the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the tank 42. In particular, the smaller the size of the tank 42, the more easily the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW is affected by the waste liquid LQW and air bubbles taken into the tank 42.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the inside of the tank 42 is divided into three rooms by a partition. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the tank 42 includes a waste liquid intake chamber 84 (liquid intake chamber), a liquid level measurement chamber 85, an air discharge chamber 86 (gas discharge chamber), and a partition 87 (first). Partition) and partition 88 (second partition) are provided.

The waste liquid intake room 84 is connected to the waste liquid intake port 81, and is a room in which the waste liquid LQW is taken in from the waste liquid intake port 81. In the present embodiment, the waste liquid intake port 81 is provided at a position above the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84.

The liquid level measuring room 85 is a room for measuring the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW by the liquid level measuring unit 71 (see FIG. 2). In the example shown in FIG. 4, as an example, the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is provided with a drainage port 83.

The air discharge chamber 86 is connected to the intake portion 29 (see FIG. 2) via the intake passage 43, and is a room for discharging air from the tank 42 to the intake passage 43. An exhaust port 82 is provided above the air discharge chamber 86.

The partition 87 separates the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and the liquid level measurement chamber 85. The partition 88 separates the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the tank 42, the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is separated from the waste liquid taking-in chamber 84. As a result, the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is less susceptible to the influence of the waste liquid LQW and air bubbles taken into the waste liquid intake chamber 84. That is, since the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and the liquid level measurement chamber 85 are separated by the partition 87, the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84 is raised by taking the waste liquid LQW into the waste liquid intake chamber 84. Even if it undulates, the fluctuation of the liquid level is blocked by the partition 87, so that it is difficult to be transmitted to the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and the bubbles taken into the waste liquid intake chamber 84 together with the waste liquid LQW are blocked by the partition 87, so the liquid level. Difficult to move into the measurement chamber 85. Therefore, since the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is stable, the liquid level measuring unit 71 can measure the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW in a stable manner.

Further, in the tank 42, the liquid level measurement chamber 85 is separated from the air discharge chamber 86. As a result, the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measurement chamber 85 is less likely to be affected by the air discharged from the air discharge chamber 86. That is, since the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86 are separated by the partition 88, the air flow in the air discharge chamber 86 caused by the air being discharged from the air discharge chamber 86 will be (described later). Since it is blocked by the partition 88 (except for the portion of the upper communication portion 93), it is difficult for the air discharge chamber 86 to directly transmit to the liquid level measurement chamber 85. Therefore, since the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is stable, stable liquid level measurement by the liquid level measuring unit 71 becomes possible.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the inside of the tank 42 is divided into three rooms by the partition 87 and the partition 88, which are the waste liquid intake room 84, the liquid level measurement room 85, and the air discharge room 86. The 84, the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and the air discharge chamber 86 are partially communicated with each other. That is, the waste liquid intake chamber 84, the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and the air discharge chamber 86 are three semi-independent chambers that are not completely independent and are connected by the upper and lower portions of the tank 42. An air passage that moves between the chambers is formed above the tank 42, and a waste liquid LQW passage that moves between the chambers is formed below the tank 42.

Specifically, as an air passage formed above the tank 42, the partition 87 is provided with an upper communication portion 91 (first upper communication portion), and the partition 88 is an upper communication portion 93 (second upper communication portion). ) Is provided.

The upper communication portion 91 is formed at a position above the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84, and communicates the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and the liquid level measurement chamber 85. In this way, the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and the liquid level measurement chamber 85 partially communicate with each other via the upper communication portion 91, and the air in the waste liquid intake chamber 84 is passed through the upper communication portion 91 into the liquid level measurement chamber 85. Can be flushed to. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the upper communication portion 91 is formed at the uppermost position of the waste liquid intake chamber 84.

The upper communication portion 93 is formed at a position above the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and communicates the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86. In this way, the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86 are partially communicated with each other via the upper communication portion 93, and the air in the liquid level measurement chamber 85 is passed through the upper communication portion 93 into the air discharge chamber 86. Can be flushed to. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the upper communication portion 93 is formed at the uppermost position of the liquid level measuring chamber 85.

As described above, since the air passage that moves between the chambers is formed above the tank 42, the pressure in the tank 42 is reduced by suction by the intake unit 29, and the waste liquid LQW is discharged from the patient's eye E. It can be sucked and stored in the tank 42.

Further, as a passage for the waste liquid LQW formed below the tank 42, the partition 87 is provided with a lower communication portion 92 (first lower communication portion), and the partition 88 is provided with a lower communication portion 94 (second lower communication portion). I have.

The lower communication portion 92 is formed at a position below the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84, and communicates the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and the liquid level measurement chamber 85. As described above, the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and the liquid level measurement chamber 85 partially communicate with each other via the lower communication portion 92, and the waste liquid LQW in the waste liquid intake chamber 84 is partially communicated via the lower communication portion 92 in the liquid level measurement chamber 85. Can be flushed inside. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the lower communication portion 92 is formed at the lowermost position of the waste liquid intake chamber 84.

The lower communication portion 94 is formed at a position below the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and communicates the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86. As described above, the liquid level measuring chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86 partially communicate with each other via the lower communication portion 94, and the liquid level measuring chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86 communicate with each other via the lower communication portion 94. The waste liquid LQW can be moved. It is also possible to move the waste liquid LQW that has entered the air discharge chamber 86 from the upper communication portion 93 into the liquid level measurement chamber 85 via the lower communication portion 94. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the lower communication portion 94 is formed at the lowermost position of the liquid level measuring chamber 85.

Since the path of the waste liquid LQW is formed below the tank 42 as described above, the waste liquid LQW sucked from the patient's eye E is allowed to flow from the waste liquid intake chamber 84 to the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86. Therefore, it can be discharged from the drain port 83.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the waste liquid intake chamber 84, the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and the air discharge chamber 86 partially communicate with each other, so that the waste liquid storage device 61 is sucked by the intake unit 29 to allow the patient's eye E. The function of temporarily storing the waste liquid LQW sucked from the tank 42 in the tank 42 is secured.

Further, in the present embodiment, the waste liquid intake port 81 is provided at a position above the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84. As a result, the bubbles taken in together with the waste liquid LQW from the waste liquid intake port 81 are easily separated from the waste liquid LQW before being mixed with the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84, so that the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84 is easily separated. It becomes difficult to mix with LQW. Therefore, it becomes difficult for air bubbles to be mixed in the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measurement chamber 85 communicating with the waste liquid intake chamber 84 via the lower communication portion 92. Therefore, since the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is stable, the liquid level measuring unit 71 can measure the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW in a stable manner.

Further, the waste liquid intake port 81 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis of the tubular tank 42 so that the axis S of the waste liquid intake port 81 faces the inner wall surface 84a of the liquid intake chamber 84. As a result, the waste liquid LQW taken in from the liquid intake port 81 can be guided to the inner wall surface 84a of the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and flowed, so that the bubbles contained in the waste liquid LQW are separated from the waste liquid LQW, and only the waste liquid LQW is separated. It becomes easy to store in the tank 42. In this way, in the tank 42, a waste liquid guide structure (liquid guide structure) is formed in which the waste liquid LQW taken in from the waste liquid intake port 81 is guided to the inner wall surface 84a of the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and flows.

Further, in the present embodiment, the upper communication portion 91 and the upper communication portion 93 are formed at positions where they do not overlap or only partially overlap when viewed from the direction in which the partition 87 and the partition 88 are arranged. .. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the upper communication portion 91 is formed at a position on the depth side of the drawing, the upper communication portion 93 is formed at a position on the front side of the drawing, and the upper communication portion 91 and the upper communication portion 91 are formed. The 93 is formed at a position where the partition 87 and the partition 88 do not overlap when viewed from the direction in which the partition 87 is arranged. As a result, it becomes difficult for the waste liquid LQW taken into the waste liquid intake chamber 84 from the waste liquid intake port 81 to enter the air discharge chamber 86 via the upper communication portion 91 and the upper communication portion 93. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the waste liquid LQW to be sucked into the intake unit 29 connected to the air discharge chamber 86.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the tank 42 includes a partition 87 that divides the waste liquid intake chamber 84, the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and the liquid level measurement chamber 85 while partially communicating with each other. ing. Further, the waste liquid intake port 81 is provided at a position above the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the waste liquid intake chamber 84.

As a result, the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is less likely to be affected by the waste liquid LQW taken in the waste liquid intake chamber 84. Further, the bubbles taken in together with the waste liquid LQW from the waste liquid intake port 81 are less likely to be mixed with the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85. Therefore, the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is stable. Therefore, the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW in the tank 42 can be stably measured while the tank 42 is miniaturized. Therefore, the suction flow rate of the waste liquid suction unit 31 is adjusted so that the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW becomes constant based on the measurement result of the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW, and the waste liquid LQW is discharged from the drain port 83 to the waste liquid passage 44. Can be done. From the above, the tank 42 can be made as small as possible, and the responsiveness of sucking the waste liquid LQW from the patient's eye E by suction by the intake unit 29 can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the tank 42 includes an air discharge chamber 86, and a partition 88 that divides the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86 while partially communicating with each other. As a result, the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measurement chamber 85 is less likely to be affected by the air discharged from the air discharge chamber 86. Therefore, the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 is stable. Therefore, the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW in the tank 42 can be stably measured while the tank 42 is miniaturized.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the partition 87 includes the upper communication portion 91, and the partition 88 includes the upper communication portion 93. As a result, the air in the waste liquid intake chamber 84 can be discharged from the air discharge chamber 86 via the upper communication portion 91 and the upper communication portion 93. Further, the air in the liquid level measuring chamber 85 can be discharged from the air discharge chamber 86 via the upper communication portion 93. Therefore, the waste liquid LQW can be taken into the tank 42 by sucking the air in the tank 42 by the intake unit 29 and lowering the pressure in the tank 42.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the upper communication portion 91 and the upper communication portion 93 are formed at positions where the partition 87 and the partition 88 do not overlap or only partially overlap when viewed from the direction in which the partition 87 and the partition 88 are arranged. ing. As a result, the waste liquid LQW taken into the waste liquid intake chamber 84 is less likely to enter the air discharge chamber 86 via the upper communication portion 91 and the upper communication portion 93. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the waste liquid LQW to be sucked into the intake unit 29 connected to the air discharge chamber 86.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the liquid intake port 81 is formed so as to be inclined so that the axis S of the liquid intake port 81 faces the inner wall surface 84a of the liquid intake chamber 84. As a result, the waste liquid LQW can be guided to the inner wall surface 84a of the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and flowed, so that the bubbles contained in the waste liquid LQW can be separated from the waste liquid LQW, and only the waste liquid LQW can be easily stored in the tank 42. .. The aspect of the liquid intake port 81 disclosed in the present embodiment is only an example, and the axis S of the liquid intake port 81 does not have to be tilted, and guides the waste liquid LQW to the inner wall surface 84a of the waste liquid intake chamber 84. It may be horizontal, for example, as long as it can be flushed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the partition 87 includes a lower communication portion 92. As a result, the waste liquid LQW taken into the waste liquid intake chamber 84 can be flowed into the liquid level measurement chamber 85 via the lower communication portion 92.

As a modification, the tank 42 may not have a partition 88, and the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the air discharge chamber 86 may be integrally formed into one chamber.

Further, the drainage port 83 may be provided in any of the three chambers in the tank 42, and may be provided in the waste liquid intake chamber 84 or the air discharge chamber 86. Further, as a modified example of the waste liquid guidance structure in which the waste liquid LQW taken in from the waste liquid intake port 81 is guided to the inner wall surface 84a of the waste liquid intake chamber 84 and flowed, the tank 42 is an inner wall surface of the waste liquid intake port 81 and the waste liquid intake chamber 84. It may have a connecting portion for connecting to 84a.

In the above, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 has been described as being used for cataract surgery, for example, but the ophthalmic apparatus 1 can also be used for vitreous surgery.

It should be noted that the above-described embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present disclosure in any way, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, the tank 42 may include a waste liquid discharge chamber (liquid discharge chamber for discharging the liquid) for discharging the waste liquid LQW in addition to the waste liquid intake chamber 84, the liquid level measurement chamber 85, and the air discharge chamber 86. Good. At this time, the drainage port 83 is provided in the waste liquid discharge chamber. Further, the tank 42 is provided with a third partition that separates the liquid level measuring chamber 85 and the waste liquid discharging chamber while partially communicating with each other. The third partition is a lower communication portion (a lower communication portion) that communicates the liquid level measurement chamber 85 and the waste liquid discharge chamber at least at a position below the liquid level of the waste liquid LQW stored in the liquid level measurement chamber 85. It has a third lower communication section). As a result, the waste liquid LQW of the liquid level measurement chamber 85 can flow into the waste liquid discharge chamber via the lower communication portion.

1 Ophthalmology device 11 Main body 12 Cassette 12a Cassette main body 12b Waste liquid bag 29 Intake unit 42 Tank 42a Window 43 Intake passage 61 Waste liquid storage device 71 Liquid level measurement unit 81 Waste liquid intake port 82 Exhaust port 83 Drainage port 84 Waste liquid intake room 84a Inner wall surface 85 Liquid level measurement chamber 86 Air discharge chamber 87 Partition 88 Partition 91 Upper communication part 92 Lower communication part 93 Upper communication part LQW Waste liquid

Claims (1)

A reservoir where the liquid sucked from the patient's eye is stored,
An intake unit that sucks gas in the storage unit to reduce the pressure in the storage unit in order to take in the liquid into the storage unit.
It has a liquid level measuring unit for measuring the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage unit, and has a liquid level measuring unit.
The storage unit includes a liquid intake port for taking in the liquid, a liquid intake chamber for taking in the liquid from the liquid intake port, and a liquid level measuring chamber for measuring the liquid level of the liquid by the liquid level measuring unit. A first partition that separates the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level measurement chamber while partially communicating with each other, and a drainage port for discharging the liquid stored in the storage portion are provided.
The liquid intake port is provided at a position above the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid intake chamber .
The storage unit includes a gas discharge chamber connected to the intake unit for discharging the gas, and a second partition for separating the liquid level measurement chamber and the gas discharge chamber while partially communicating with each other.
The first partition includes a first upper communication portion that communicates the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level measuring chamber at a position above the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid intake chamber. ,
The second partition has a second upper communication portion that communicates the liquid level measurement chamber and the gas discharge chamber at a position above the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid level measurement chamber. Prepare,
The first partition includes a lower communication portion that communicates the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level measurement chamber at a position below the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid intake chamber.
The liquid intake chamber and the gas discharge chamber are separated by the first partition or the second partition at a position above the lower communication portion.
The liquid level measuring chamber is formed so as to be sandwiched between the liquid intake chamber and the gas discharge chamber.
The first partition is formed between the liquid intake chamber and the liquid level measurement chamber.
The second partition is formed between the liquid level measuring chamber and the gas discharging chamber.
The first partition and the second partition are each formed so as to extend from the bottom to the top of the reservoir.
The liquid intake chamber and the gas discharge chamber are separated by the first partition and the second partition.
The first upper communication portion and the second upper communication portion are located at positions where they do not overlap or only partially overlap when viewed from the direction in which the first partition and the second partition are arranged. Being formed in
A liquid storage device characterized by.

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