Grip for syringe barrel, barrel assembly, and syringe

Abstract

To provide a grip for a syringe barrel capable of achieving higher sterility in a state of being attached to a syringe barrel, a barrel assembly and a syringe including such a grip for a syringe barrel.SOLUTION: A grip 30 for a syringe barrel to be attached to a syringe barrel 20 that includes a tubular body 21 and a flange 22 provided on the tubular body 21 and projecting outward, includes: a flange receiving portion 33 configured to receive the flange 22; and a side wall portion 32 extending in a distal end direction from the flange receiving portion 33 and configured to partially cover a proximal end portion of the tubular body 21 adjacent to the flange 22. The side wall portion 32 includes: a fitting portion 34 configured to be fitted to the proximal end portion of the tubular body 21; and an airflow portion 35 configured to allow a sterilization gas to flow to an outer surface of the tubular body 21 covered with the side wall portion 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a syringe barrel grip that is attached to a syringe barrel, and to a barrel assembly and a syringe that include such a syringe barrel grip. [Background technology]

[0002] In some prefilled syringes, a plunger that is not connected to a gasket is used to prevent medical malpractice. In such prefilled syringes, a clip (backstop) is attached to prevent the plunger from moving to the base end and falling out of the barrel (Patent Document 1).

[0003] It is also known to attach a clip (grip) having an outwardly protruding finger hook to the base end of the barrel in order to make it easier to grasp and operate the syringe (Patent Document 2).

[0004] These clips are fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the barrel at a cylindrical fitting portion and are firmly attached to the syringe so as to prevent the clips from rattling or coming off during operation of the syringe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-517860 (US2015-105734A1) [Patent Document 2] WO2017 / 073658 Publication (US2018-243509A1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, in ophthalmic applications and the like, there has been a demand for higher sterility not only of the drug to be administered and the parts that come into contact with the drug, but also of the entire prefilled syringe, including the grip.

[0007] Therefore, the present inventors have investigated the application of surface sterilization methods with low thermal load, such as hydrogen peroxide sterilization, EOG sterilization, and NO2 sterilization, to prefilled syringes equipped with grips. These surface sterilization methods use gas (sterilizing gas) for sterilization, and in order to achieve higher sterility, it is preferable that the sterilizing gas contacts a wider area of ​​the surface of the prefilled syringe.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a syringe barrel grip that can achieve higher sterility when attached to a syringe barrel, as well as a barrel assembly and a syringe that include such a syringe barrel grip. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above objectives are achieved by the following: A syringe barrel grip to be attached to a syringe barrel including a cylindrical body and an outwardly protruding flange provided on the cylindrical body, The grip includes a flange housing portion that houses the flange, and a side wall portion that extends from the flange housing portion in a distal direction and partially covers a base end portion of the tubular main body adjacent to the flange, The side wall portion includes a fitting portion that fits with the base end of the cylindrical body, and a vent portion for allowing a sterilizing gas to flow into the outer surface of the cylindrical body covered by the side wall portion.

[0010] The above objective is also achieved by the following: A barrel assembly comprising: a syringe barrel having a cylindrical body and an outwardly protruding flange provided at a base end of the cylindrical body; and the above-mentioned syringe barrel grip attached to the barrel.

[0011] The above objective is also achieved by the following: A syringe comprising the above barrel assembly, a gasket slidably housed within the barrel, and a plunger for moving the gasket. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a syringe of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a portion A in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a syringe barrel grip used with the syringe of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a right side view of a syringe barrel grip used with the syringe of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] 5 is a left side view of a syringe barrel grip used with the syringe of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the cross section taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view showing another embodiment of a grip for a syringe barrel of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a syringe equipped with a grip for a syringe barrel according to another embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged explanatory cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view showing a grip for a syringe barrel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a syringe equipped with the syringe barrel grip of FIG. 9, and is an enlarged explanatory cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view showing a grip for a syringe barrel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is an explanatory view of a syringe equipped with the syringe barrel grip of FIG. 11, and is an enlarged explanatory cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is an explanatory perspective view showing a grip for a syringe barrel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory perspective view showing a grip for a syringe barrel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory perspective view showing a grip for a syringe barrel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory perspective view showing another embodiment of a grip for a syringe barrel of the present invention. [Figure 17] 17 is an explanatory view of a syringe equipped with the syringe barrel grip of FIG. 16, and is an enlarged explanatory cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a portion C in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the proximal end of another embodiment of the syringe of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a syringe barrel grip used with the syringe of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory perspective view showing a grip for a syringe barrel according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A barrel assembly and a syringe equipped with a grip for a syringe barrel of the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0014] In this embodiment, the right side in FIG. 1 (the side on which flange 22 of syringe barrel 20 is formed) will be referred to as the base end side or upper side, the left side in FIG. 1 (the side on which nozzle portion 23 of syringe barrel 20 is provided) will be referred to as the tip side or lower side, and the left-right direction in FIG. 1 (the axial direction of syringe barrel 20) will be referred to as the axial direction (the axial direction of cylindrical body 21 and side wall portion 32 of grip 30).

[0015] The syringe 1 of the present invention comprises a barrel assembly 2 having a syringe barrel 20 (hereinafter also simply referred to as barrel 20) and a syringe barrel grip 30 (hereinafter also simply referred to as grip 30) attached to the barrel 20, a gasket 11 slidably housed within the barrel 20, and a plunger 12 for moving the gasket 11.

[0016] The barrel 20 includes a cylindrical body 21 and a flange 22 provided on the cylindrical body 21 and protruding outward (in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel 20). A tip opening (nozzle portion) 23 for ejecting medicine is provided at the tip of the barrel 20. The barrel 20 also includes a collar 24 that encloses a base end portion of the nozzle portion 23. A barrel side screw portion (female screw portion) is formed on the inner surface of the collar 24. Nozzle portion 23 is sealed by a seal cap 13, which prevents leakage of drug 50 contained in barrel 20 and prevents the aseptically filled drug 50 from coming into contact with the outside air.

[0017] Examples of materials for the barrel 20 include various resins such as polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), acrylic resins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, cyclic polyolefin polymers, and cyclic olefin copolymers, among which resins such as polypropylene, cyclic polyolefin polymers, and cyclic olefin copolymers are preferred because they are easy to mold and have heat resistance. Note that cyclic olefin polymers and cyclic olefin copolymers are particularly preferred as materials for forming the barrel 20 because they are highly transparent so that the drug solution filled inside can be visually confirmed from the outside, and have heat resistance that can withstand high-pressure steam sterilization.

[0018] The seal cap 13 has a main body 51 having a rear end hollow portion that houses the nozzle portion 23 of the barrel 20, and a seal member 52 that is housed in the main body 51 and disposed at the upper end of the rear end hollow portion. In addition, a cap side screw portion (male screw portion) that can be screwed with a barrel side screw portion (female screw portion) formed on the inner surface of the collar 24 is formed on the outer surface of the rear end hollow portion.

[0019] Examples of materials for forming the seal cap 13 include various resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), acrylic resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, and cyclic polyolefin. Among these, resins such as polypropylene and cyclic polyolefin are preferred because they are easy to mold and have heat resistance.

[0020] The material for forming the seal member 52 is preferably an elastic material such as synthetic rubber, such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, butadiene rubber, fluororubber, silicone rubber, or the like, or a thermoplastic elastomer, such as an olefin-based elastomer or a styrene-based elastomer.

[0021] Gasket 11 housed in barrel 20 is made of elastic rubber or synthetic resin. Gasket 11 has a generally cylindrical main body that extends with approximately the same outer diameter, and a plurality of annular ribs provided on the outer surface of the main body, and the outer surfaces of the annular ribs are in liquid-tight contact with the inner surface of barrel 20 and can slide in a liquid-tight state.

[0022] It is preferable to use elastic rubber (e.g., butyl rubber, latex rubber, silicone rubber, etc.), synthetic resin (e.g., styrene-based elastomers such as SBS elastomer and SEBS elastomer, olefin-based elastomers such as ethylene-α-olefin copolymer elastomer, etc.) as the material for forming the gasket 11.

[0023] The plunger 12 is made of a hard or semi-hard resin. In this embodiment, the plunger 12 includes a small disk-shaped gasket pressing portion 14 provided at the tip, a disk-shaped pressing operation portion 15 provided at the base end, and a shaft portion 16 having a cross-shaped cross section and extending in the axial direction of the barrel 20 between the gasket pressing portion 14 and the pressing operation portion 15. The shaft portion 16 may be a columnar shaft. The columnar shaft may be rod-shaped, columnar, polygonal columnar, cylindrical, or any other tubular shape. The plunger 12 is not connected to the gasket 11, and is capable of abutting against the base end of the gasket 11 at a gasket pressing portion 14, and the gasket 11 can be moved toward the tip side by pressing after the abutment.

[0024] The plunger 12 has a tip end portion (gasket pressing portion 14 and a part of the tip end of the shaft portion 16) housed in the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21). The plunger 12 is provided with a stopper portion 17 that is provided in the portion (shaft portion 16) housed in the barrel 20 and abuts against a grip 30 (stopper abutment portion 31) described in detail later, thereby restricting the plunger 12 from being removed from the barrel 20. More specifically, the stopper portion 17 is disc-shaped with an outer shape (outer diameter) that is smaller than the inner shape (inner diameter) of the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21) and larger than the outer shape (outer diameter) of the shaft portion 16 of the plunger 12. The plunger 12 is preferably made of a hard or semi-hard resin such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0025] In the syringe 1, a drug (medicinal liquid) 50 is stored (filled) inside the barrel 20 (in the space formed between the seal cap 13 and the gasket 11). The stored medicine 50 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include vitamins, sugars, electrolytes, organic acids, minerals, fat emulsions, amino acids, proteins, organ preparations, etc., mainly as nutritional agents. Furthermore, examples thereof include general anesthetics, antipyretic analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, comprehensive cold medicines, etc., medicines for the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, such as local anesthetics and muscle relaxants, medicines for the sensory organs, such as ophthalmic agents, medicines for the circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary and genital organs, anal, hormones, antibiotics, metabolic medicines, such as diabetes medicines, antitumor drugs, allergy drugs, biological preparations, such as antibacterial agents and antiviral agents, and medicines for preparation, such as distilled water and saline. Examples thereof include vaccines, mainly as preventive agents, and contrast media, mainly as diagnostic agents. The exemplified drugs are mainly composed of synthetic low molecular weight compounds, synthetic medium molecular weight compounds, biopharmaceuticals such as polypeptide preparations and protein preparations, and biological drugs such as blood preparations, but these substances can be used as drugs regardless of the above-mentioned uses. In addition, substances that fall under molecular targeted drugs such as antibodies can also be used as drugs. From the viewpoint of usability, it is preferable that the dosage form of these drugs is a liquid even if there are solid dosage forms such as powders and granules in addition to liquids.

[0026] In addition, as the drug 50, an ophthalmic drug that can be administered by puncture can be used. Specific target diseases for which such ophthalmic drugs are used include choroidal neovascularization, age-related macular degeneration (both exudative and atrophic), macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) (including both branch retinal vein occlusion (bRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (cRVO)), choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia (PM), diabetic macular edema (DME), diabetic retinopathy, and proliferative retinopathy. Examples of drugs used include ranibizumab [trade name Lucentis (registered trademark)], bevacizumab [trade name Avastin (registered trademark)], aflibercept [trade name Eylea (registered trademark)], which is an anti-VEGF antibody used as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration, and conbercept, known as VEGF-TrapEye (aflibercept intravitreal injection solution).

[0027] The structure of grip 30 for a syringe barrel of the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6. Grip 30 for a syringe barrel in this embodiment includes a flange housing portion 33 that houses flange 22, and a side wall portion 32 that extends distally from flange housing portion 33 and partially covers the base end portion of cylindrical main body 21 adjacent to flange 22. Side wall portion 32 includes a fitting portion 34 that fits with the base end portion of cylindrical main body 21, and a vent portion (opening 35) for allowing sterilization gas to flow into the outer surface of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 32. In this embodiment, the side wall portion 32 is a cylindrical portion (a short, approximately semi-cylindrical portion) having an insertion opening for the base end portion of the cylindrical main body 21.

[0028] Specifically, the flange housing portion 33 of the grip 30 constitutes a base end side portion of the grip 30. A pair of finger hooks 36, 36 are formed in the flange housing portion 33 so as to protrude outward (in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel 20). The pair of finger hooks 36, 36 protrude in opposite directions to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel 20. The pair of finger hooks 36, 36 extend outward beyond the flange 22 of the barrel 20. The pair of finger hooks 36, 36 can be used by an operator to hook his / her fingers when operating the syringe 1.

[0029] The flange housing portion 33 includes an upper plate portion 37 and a lower plate portion 38 that sandwich the flange 22. As shown in FIG. 4, a slit (opening) 39 is formed in the upper plate portion 37 of the flange housing portion 33. The slit 39 is formed so that the shaft portion 16 of the plunger 12 can enter. A part of the inner edge portion of the slit 39 serves as a stopper abutment portion 31 that abuts against the stopper portion 17 of the plunger 12. The stopper abutment portion 31 has an inner shape (inner diameter) that is larger than the outer shape (outer diameter) of the shaft portion 16 of the plunger 12 and smaller than the outer shape (outer diameter) of the stopper portion 17 of the plunger 12. As a result, the slit 39 allows the shaft portion 16 of the plunger 12 to pass through at the stopper abutment portion 31, while abutting against the stopper portion 17 of the plunger 12. The plunger 12 housed in the barrel 20 is restricted from coming off the barrel 20 by abutting the stopper abutment portion 31 of the grip 30 at the stopper portion 17 .

[0030] 5, a slit (opening) 40 is formed in the lower plate portion 38 of the flange housing portion 33. The inner edge portion of the slit 40 is integral (connected) with the side wall portion 32, which will be described in detail later.

[0031] 2, the distance between the upper plate 37 and the lower plate 38 of the flange housing portion 33 is made slightly larger than the thickness of the flange 22 of the barrel 20. This forms a small gap through which the sterilization gas can flow between the upper surface (the surface on the base end side) and / or the lower surface (the surface on the tip end side) of the flange 22 and the upper plate 37 and / or the lower plate 38 of the flange housing portion 33.

[0032] The grip 30 includes a side wall portion 32 extending from the flange housing portion 33 toward the tip direction, specifically toward the tip side in the axial direction. The side wall portion 32 is integral (connected) with the inner edge portion of the slit 40 of the lower plate portion 38 of the flange housing portion 33 at the base end. The side wall portion 32 is formed with an attachment opening (attachment slit) 41 (for inserting the base end portion of the cylindrical main body 21) extending over the entire length in the axial direction, and the portion other than the opening 41 partially covers the base end portion of the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21). The side wall portion 32 extends in the circumferential direction except for the opening 41. In other words, the side wall portion 32 is a cylindrical member with a part of the circumferential direction cut out as the attachment slit 41, and is formed so that the cross section of a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is C-shaped. In this embodiment, the side wall portion 32 is a cylindrical portion (short approximately semi-cylindrical portion) having an insertion opening for the base end portion of the cylindrical main body 21.

[0033] The opening width of the attachment slit 41 in a natural state where the side wall portion 32 is not elastically deformed is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical main body 21 of the barrel 20. When the grip 30 is attached to the barrel 20, the attachment slit 41 is elastically deformed and pushed open by the barrel 20. When the grip 30 is attached to the barrel 20, the attachment slit 41 returns to its original opening width due to an elastic restoring force. As a result, the grip 30 is firmly attached to the barrel 20.

[0034] In the side wall 32, a portion that directly contacts the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21 of the barrel 20 forms a fitting portion 34. In other words, the fitting portion 34 refers to the inner surface of the side wall 32 that directly contacts the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21 and a part of the side wall 32 that corresponds to such inner surface, and in this embodiment, the fitting portion 34 is formed by a portion of the side wall 32 where no opening 35 (described in detail later) is formed and its inner surface.

[0035] A plurality of openings 35 are formed in the side wall portion 32. The plurality of openings 35 constitute a ventilation portion. In the grip 30, the ventilation portion is formed by a plurality of openings 35 formed in the side wall portion 32. In this embodiment, six openings 35 in the form of rectangular holes (windows) are formed in the side wall portion 32. Each opening 35 penetrates the side wall portion 32 in the radial direction (the direction perpendicular to the axial direction). In the portion where each opening 35 is formed, the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21 of the barrel 20 is exposed to the outside. The contact area between side wall portion 32 of grip 30 for a syringe barrel and the base end of cylindrical main body 21 when grip 30 is attached to syringe barrel 20 is preferably 40% or less of the area of ​​the base end of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 32. Such a configuration ensures sterilization.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, side wall portion 32 (fitting portion 34) where opening 35 is not formed is formed so as to taper inward in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. Therefore, the area of ​​contact between fitting portion 34 and barrel 20 is small. The contact area between side wall portion 32 of grip 30 for a syringe barrel and base end portion of cylindrical main body 21 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is 50% or less of the area of ​​the base end portion of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 32.

[0037] It is preferable that 5 to 10 of such rectangular hole-like openings 35 are formed in the side wall 32. The area of ​​the portion (fitting portion 34) where the inner surface of the side wall 32 contacts the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21 is preferably 10 to 50%, and more preferably 10 to 40%, of the area when no openings 35 are formed (the area of ​​the entire inner surface of the side wall 32). The axial length of the side wall 32 is preferably 0.17 to 3.4 mm, and more preferably 0.34 to 1.7 mm.

[0038] It is desirable that none of the openings 35 open at the tip end (end face) of the side wall portion 32. This maintains the strength of the tip end of the side wall portion 32, and allows the grip 30 to be firmly attached to the barrel 20 while reducing the area of ​​the fitting portion 34, thereby suppressing rattling of the grip 30.

[0039] The preferred materials for forming the grip 30 include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), acrylic resins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, cyclic polyolefin polymers, and cyclic olefin copolymers, as well as hard or semi-hard resins.

[0040] The material of the grip 30 may have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (coefficient of linear thermal expansion) than the material of the barrel 20. As a result, when the syringe 1 is heated in a surface sterilization (gas sterilization) step described later, the inner surface (inner diameter) of the grip 30 expands more than the outer surface (outer diameter) of the barrel 20 (cylindrical body 21), forming a small gap between a part of the inner surface (fitting portion 34) of the grip 30 and the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21, and the sterilization property of the syringe 1 can be improved by the intrusion of sterilization gas into the gap.

[0041] A method (manufacturing process) for producing such a syringe 1 will be described. First, the barrel 20 is sterilized with the seal cap 13 attached to the nozzle portion 23 of the barrel 20. The sterilization method employed at this time is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an autoclave sterilization method (high-temperature steam sterilization method) using an autoclave, a surface sterilization method (gas sterilization method) using a sterilization gas such as hydrogen peroxide or EOG, or a radiation sterilization method using radiation such as gamma rays or electron radiation. Here, autoclave sterilization is performed as an example.

[0042] Next, in a sterile environment, the sterilized barrel 20 is aseptically filled with the medicine 50 that has been previously sterilized (for example, sterilized by filtration, etc.). In this embodiment, the medicine 50 is for ophthalmic use, which is relatively sensitive to heat. After filling with the medicine 50, the gasket 11 is inserted into the barrel 20. The insertion (stoppering) of the gasket 11 can be performed under reduced pressure.

[0043] Next, the tip portion of the plunger 12 is housed inside the barrel 20, and the grip 30 is attached to the barrel 20. This operation can also be performed in a place that is not in a sterile environment.

[0044] Next, the syringe 1 with the grip 30 attached to the barrel 20 is sterilized. In this embodiment, since the drug 50 stored in the barrel 20 is an ophthalmic drug that is relatively sensitive to heat, surface sterilization (NO2 sterilization) is performed using a sterilization gas (here, NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)).

[0045] In this manner, the syringe 1 can be produced in a sterile manner. In this embodiment, the grip 30 (side wall portion 32) is formed with a plurality of (six in this embodiment) openings 35. Sterilization gas comes into contact with the outer surface of the base end portion of the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21) partially covered by the side wall portion 32 through each opening 35. This ensures sterilization of the syringe 1 including the barrel 20 (barrel assembly 2) to which the grip 30 is attached.

[0046] In this embodiment, the side wall 32 (fitting portion 34) where the opening 35 is not formed is formed so as to taper inward in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. This allows the sterilization gas to come into contact with a wider area of ​​the outer surface of the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21) and the inner surface of the grip 30 while maintaining the strength of the fitting portion 34. The shape of the fitting portion 34 in the side wall 32 is appropriately set according to molding conditions, etc.

[0047] In addition, the sterilization gas may enter a gap that is inevitably generated between the inner surface of the fitting portion 34 and the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21 from the peripheral portion of the fitting portion 34 of the side wall portion 32. In the grip 30 of this embodiment, since a plurality of openings 35 are formed in the side wall portion 32, the sterilization gas may enter between the inner surface of the fitting portion 34 and the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21 from the peripheral portion of the openings 35. This allows the sterilization gas to contact a wider range of the outer surface of the barrel 20 (cylindrical body 21) and the inner surface of the grip 30, so that sterilization can be performed more reliably. In addition, when focusing on such an action, it is also effective to form a large number of relatively small openings in order to increase the peripheral length of the openings (the total length of the peripheral portions of the multiple openings) relative to the opening area (the total area of ​​the multiple openings). Specifically, it is considered to provide a large number of through holes as the relatively small openings.

[0048] The shape of the opening formed in the side wall as the ventilation part is not limited to the above-mentioned rectangular hole shape, and may be, for example, a circular, triangular, or other polygonal hole (window) shape. In the grip 30a shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of triangular hole-shaped openings 35a are formed in the side wall 32a in a staggered manner. In this case, the structure of the part of the side wall 32a other than the part where the openings 35a are formed becomes a so-called truss structure. As a result, if the opening area is the same, the strength of the side wall 32a can be made higher than when rectangular hole-shaped openings are formed.

[0049] In addition, when the openings formed in the side wall are formed by triangular hole-shaped openings 35a with side wall 32a having a truss structure, it is preferable that 6 to 20 openings 35a are formed. The contact area between side wall 32a of syringe barrel grip 30a and the base end of cylindrical main body 21 is preferably 10 to 40% of the area of ​​the base end of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall 32a. In other words, the contact area between side wall 32a of the syringe barrel grip and the base end of cylindrical main body 21 when mounted on the syringe barrel (the area of ​​the part where the inner surface of side wall 32a contacts the outer surface of cylindrical main body 21) is preferably 10 to 40% of the area of ​​the base end of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall 32a (the area of ​​the inner surface of entire side wall 32a when no openings are formed).

[0050] 8, the inner surface of the side wall 32b portion where the opening 35b is not formed except for both axial end portions (portion excluding both end portions of the fitting portion, in other words, the middle portion of the fitting portion) may be formed to be separated from the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21. This allows the sterilization gas to come into contact with a wider range of the outer surface of the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21) and the inner surface of the grip 30b while maintaining the mounting force (fitting force) of the grip 3b to the cylindrical main body 21 at both axial end portions (fitting portion 34b) of the side wall 32b.

[0051] 9 to 18 show other embodiments of a barrel assembly and a syringe equipped with a syringe barrel grip of the present invention, respectively. In these embodiments, the shape of the vent portion is different from that of grip 30 in the above-mentioned embodiments (syringe 1 and barrel assembly 2). In these embodiments, unless otherwise specified, the same names and symbols are used for configurations common to the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0052] In the syringe and barrel assembly of the present invention shown in Figures 9 to 18, the grip has a vent portion provided on the inner surface of the side wall, which is formed by a non-contact portion between the inner surface of the side wall and the outer surface of the cylindrical body. Such a vent portion reduces the area of ​​contact (fitting portion) between the inner surface of the side wall and the outer surface of the cylindrical body, and increases the area of ​​contact between the sterilizing gas and the inner surface of the side wall and the outer surface of the cylindrical body covered by the side wall.

[0053] In the syringe 7 and barrel assembly 8 of the present invention shown in Figures 9 and 10, the ventilation portion of grip 60 for a syringe barrel (hereinafter also referred to simply as grip 60) is formed by a plurality of recesses 65 formed on the inner surface of side wall portion 62.

[0054] Specifically, the inner surface of the side wall portion 62 of the grip 60 has a substantially rectangular cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and is formed with a plurality of (here, ten) recesses 65 extending in the axial direction. Each recess 65 is formed over the entire axial length of the side wall portion 62. In other words, each recess 65 is open at both axial ends of the side wall portion 62. The inner surface of the side wall portion 62 and the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21 are not in contact with each other in the portions where the recesses 65 are formed.

[0055] In this embodiment, the portion of the side wall portion 62 where the recess 65 is not formed and its inner surface serve as a fitting portion 64 that fits with the base end portion of the cylindrical main body 21. The cross section of the fitting portion 64 taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0056] In this embodiment, a plurality of (here, ten) recesses 65 are formed in the grip 60 (side wall 62), and sterilization gas comes into contact with the inner surface of the side wall 62 and the outer surface of the base end of the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21) partially covered by the side wall 62 through each recess 65. This ensures sterilization of the syringe 7 including the barrel 20 (barrel assembly 8) to which the grip 60 is attached. The number of recesses 65 (fitting portions 64) is preferably 3 to 30, and particularly preferably 10 to 20.

[0057] In this embodiment, the recess 65 formed in the grip 60 (side wall portion 62) is open at both axial ends of the side wall portion 62, so that the sterilization gas can easily flow (enter or pass through) inside the recess 65. In this embodiment, the width (circumferential dimension) of the recess 65 formed in the grip 60 (side wall portion 62) is wide at the tip (lower end of the side wall portion 62 in FIG. 9) of the side wall portion 62 and narrows toward the base end side. This makes it easy for the sterilization gas to enter. In addition, the width (circumferential dimension) of the fitting portion 64 formed in the grip 60 (side wall portion 62) is narrow at the tip (lower end of the side wall portion 62 in FIG. 9) of the side wall portion 62 and widens toward the base end side. This ensures that the outer tube is held on the base end side of the side wall portion 62.

[0058] In side wall portion 62, it is preferable that 3 to 10 recesses 65 are formed on the inner surface of side wall portion 62. Also, it is preferable that the contact area between side wall portion 62 of grip 60 for a syringe barrel and the base end of cylindrical main body 21 is 0.1 to 40% of the area of ​​the base end of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 62. In other words, it is preferable that the contact area between side wall portion 62 of the grip for a syringe barrel and the base end of cylindrical main body 21 when attached to the syringe barrel (the area of ​​the portion where the inner surface of side wall portion 62 contacts the outer surface of cylindrical main body 21) is 0.1 to 40% of the area of ​​the base end of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 62 (the area of ​​the entire inner surface of side wall portion 62 when no recesses are formed). 9, and the number of recesses 65 formed in side wall portion 62 is the same (10) as in grip 60g, but the width (circumferential dimension) is larger (in other words, the width of fitting portion 64 is smaller). As a result, in grip 60g shown in Fig. 21, the contact area between side wall portion 62 of grip 60g for a syringe barrel and the base end portion of cylindrical main body 21 is smaller than that of grip 60 shown in Fig. 9 described above, and is 30% of the area of ​​the base end portion of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 62. Also, in the grip 60g of the embodiment shown in Fig. 21, the width of the recess 65 formed in the grip 60g (side wall portion 62) is wide at the tip of the side wall portion 62 (the lower end of the side wall portion 62 in Fig. 21) and narrows toward the base end. This allows the sterilization gas to easily enter. Also, the width of the fitting portion 64 formed in the grip 60g (side wall portion 62) is narrow at the tip of the side wall portion 62 (the lower end of the side wall portion 62 in Fig. 21) and widens toward the base end. This ensures that the outer tube is held securely on the base end side of the side wall portion 62.

[0059] The cross-sectional shape of the recess formed in the side wall as the ventilation part in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is not limited to the above-mentioned substantially rectangular shape, and may be various shapes such as a triangle, a trapezoid, other polygons, or a crescent. It is desirable that the recess is formed so that the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction is a trapezoid or a triangle so that the contact area between the inner surface of the side wall (fitting part) and the outer surface of the cylindrical body is small (so that the shape of the fitting part narrows radially inward in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction). In addition, the recess forming the ventilation part preferably extends parallel to the axial direction, but may extend obliquely to the axis or extend spirally.

[0060] Another embodiment of a barrel assembly and a syringe having a syringe barrel grip of the present invention is shown in Figures 11 and 12. In this embodiment, the shape of the vent is different from that of grip 60 in the above-mentioned embodiment (syringe 7 and barrel assembly 8).

[0061] In the syringe 7a and the grip 60a of the barrel assembly 8a of this embodiment, the ventilation portion is formed by the portion between the plurality of protrusions 66 (inter-protrusion portion 67) formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 62a.

[0062] Specifically, a plurality of (here, eleven) protrusions 66 protruding radially inward are formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 62a of the grip 60a. The protrusions 66 are substantially semicircular when viewed from the radial inside of the side wall portion 62a (when viewed in the radial direction), and are formed side by side on the same circumference on the inner surface of the base end portion (upper end portion) of the side wall portion 62a. The upper surface of the protrusions 66 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the lower plate portion 38. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the protrusions 66 and the side wall portion 62a portion on which the protrusions 66 are formed are made to be a fitting portion 64a that fits with the base end portion of the cylindrical main body 21. The inner surface of the portion of the side wall portion 62a on which the protrusions 66 are not formed (inter-protrusion portion 67) is not in contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21. In the grip 60a, the inter-protrusion portion 67, which is a non-contact portion with the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21, is formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 62a as a ventilation portion.

[0063] In this embodiment, a plurality of (here, eleven) protrusions 66 are formed on the grip 60a (side wall 62a), and the sterilization gas comes into contact with the inner surface of the side wall 62a and the outer surface of the base end of the barrel 20 (cylindrical body 21) partially covered by the side wall 62a through inter-protrusion portions 67 formed between the protrusions 66 and not in contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21. This can further improve the sterilization of the syringe 7a including the barrel 20 (barrel assembly 8a) to which the grip 60a is attached.

[0064] In addition, the inter-protrusion portion 67 formed in the grip 60a (side wall portion 62a) is open to the outside at both axial ends and both circumferential ends of the side wall portion 62a, making it easy for sterilization gas to flow (enter or pass through) within the inter-protrusion portion 67.

[0065] In side wall portion 62a, 3 to 20 projections 66 are preferably formed on the inner surface of side wall portion 62a. Also, the contact area between side wall portion 62a of grip 60a for a syringe barrel and the base end of cylindrical main body 21 is preferably 0.1 to 40% of the area of ​​the base end of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 62a. In other words, the area of ​​a portion (fitting portion 64a) where the inner surface of side wall portion 62a (the inner surface of multiple projections 66) and the outer surface of cylindrical main body 21 contact each other is preferably 0.1 to 40% of the area of ​​a portion where the inner surface of side wall portion 62 and the outer surface of cylindrical main body 21 contact each other when no projections are formed. The contact area between side wall portion 62a of grip 60a for a syringe barrel and the base end of cylindrical main body 21 in this embodiment is 14% of the area of ​​the base end of cylindrical main body 21 covered by side wall portion 62a.

[0066] The shape of the protrusion formed on the side wall portion (as viewed in the radial direction) is not limited to the semicircular shape shown in the example, and may be, for example, a rectangular shape or other polygonal shape. Also, the shape may be a cone shape, a triangular pyramid shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, a truncated cone shape, a truncated triangular pyramid shape, or a polygonal pyramid shape whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the inside.

[0067] The shape of the protrusions formed on the grip (side wall portion) may be as shown in Fig. 13. In the grip 60b of the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, granular protrusions 66a are formed on the inner surface of the grip (side wall portion). This makes it possible to extremely reduce the contact area (area of ​​the fitting portion 64a) between the protrusions 66a (inner surface of the side wall portion 62a) and the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 21. The shape of the protrusion formed on the grip (side wall) may be as shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of grip 60c in which a protrusion 66b having a substantially triangular pyramid (substantially tetrahedron) shape is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the base end of side wall 62a. This also makes it possible to extremely reduce the contact area (area of ​​fitting portion 64a) between protrusion 66b (inner surface of side wall 62a) and the outer surface of cylindrical main body 21.

[0068] The multiple protrusions are not limited to those provided on the same circumference as in the example, but may be provided at any position. For example, they may be provided in two or more rows on a circumference at different axial positions, or in two rows and alternately (staggered). The grip 60d shown in FIG. 15 includes two rows of protrusions 66a provided on a circumference at different axial positions (the base end and the tip end of the side wall portion 62a).

[0069] 16 to 18 show another embodiment of a barrel assembly and a syringe having a syringe barrel grip of the present invention. In this embodiment, the shape of the vent is different from that of the grip 60 in the above-mentioned embodiment (syringes 7, 7a and barrel assemblies 8, 8a).

[0070] In the grip 60e of the syringe 7b and barrel assembly 8b of this embodiment, the ventilation portion is formed by a rough surface portion 68 formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 62b.

[0071] Specifically, a rough surface portion 68 is formed on the entire inner surface of the side wall portion 62b of the grip 60e (shown by dotted hatching in FIG. 16). The rough surface portion 68 is formed by known surface processing such as embossing or shot blasting, and in this embodiment, the metal mold (injection molding metal mold) for molding the grip 60e is roughened in advance, and the rough surface portion 68 is formed by embossing (embossing) that transfers the rough surface portion 68.

[0072] The rough surface portion 68 formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion 62b is preferably formed to allow the sterilization gas to enter when the grip 60e is attached to the barrel 20 (cylindrical main body 21). As for the degree of roughness of the rough surface portion 68, the embossed portion forms a plurality of thin groove-like recesses that intersect with each other, and the depth of the recesses is preferably about 5 to 1000 μm. As a result, in the portion where rough surface portion 68 is formed, a non-contact portion is formed between the inner surface of side wall portion 62b and the outer surface of cylindrical body 21. Figure 18 shows diagrammatically (with the unevenness of rough surface portion 68 strongly emphasized) that portion 69 through which sterilization gas can enter is formed in rough surface portion 68.

[0073] In this embodiment, a rough surface portion 68 is formed on grip 60e (side wall portion 62b), and sterilization gas comes into contact with the inner surface of side wall portion 62b and the outer surface of the base end portion of barrel 20 (cylindrical body 21) partially covered by side wall portion 62 through rough surface portion 68. This ensures sterilization of syringe 7b including barrel 20 (barrel assembly 8b) to which grip 60e is attached.

[0074] Figures 19 and 20 show another embodiment of a barrel assembly and syringe equipped with a syringe barrel grip of the present invention. Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base end of another embodiment of a syringe of the present invention. Figure 20 is an explanatory perspective view of the syringe barrel grip used in the syringe of Figure 19. Syringe 7c of this embodiment is equipped with grip 60f having a different shape of the ventilation portion compared to grip 60 of the embodiment (syringe 7 and barrel assembly 8) described above.

[0075] In the grip 60f of the syringe 7c and the barrel assembly 8c of this embodiment, the ventilation section 70 is formed by a tapered section formed on the inner surface of the side wall section 62c. The fitting section 64c is formed by a small diameter section (a section with a small inner diameter) at the base end of the tapered section. The side wall section 62c is a tapered section whose inner diameter expands toward the tip, and the outer diameter is substantially the same throughout. Therefore, the side wall section 62c becomes thinner toward the tip. The base end of the barrel 20 (the cylindrical main body 21) partially covered by the side wall section 62c does not contact the side wall section 62c except for the fitting section 64c. Therefore, the outer surface of the barrel 20 and the tapered section (vent section 70) of the side wall section 62c at that portion come into contact with the sterilization gas. This can further improve the sterilization performance of the syringe 7c including the barrel 20 (barrel assembly 8c) to which the grip 60f is attached.

[0076] In this embodiment, in order to reduce the area of ​​the fitting portion 64c and improve sterilization, as shown in FIG. 19, the inner surface (tapered portion 70) of the side wall portion 62c is inclined toward the tip side at a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21. The area of ​​the portion (fitting portion 64c) where the inner surface of the side wall portion 62c and the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21 contact each other is preferably 0.1 to 50%, and more preferably 10 to 40%, compared to the case where the inner surface of the side wall portion 62c is not tapered. The taper angle (θ in FIG. 19) of the side wall portion 62c is preferably 0.2 degrees or more, and more preferably 0.5 degrees or more. The fitting portion 64c may have a recess or groove extending in the axial direction and communicating the ventilation portion 70 and the flange housing portion 33. By providing such a recess or groove, the flow of the sterilization gas is improved.

[0077] The inner surface of the side wall as the tapered portion is not limited to an inclined surface that is linearly spaced apart from the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21 as in this embodiment, but may be, for example, a curved surface that is convex toward the inside or concave toward the outside. Also, the tapered portion may be provided from the axial center portion of the side wall toward the tip side.

[0078] It should be noted that in the syringe barrel grip of the present invention, and in the barrel assembly and syringe equipped with such a syringe barrel grip, the ventilation portion of the grip is not limited to forming only one of the above-mentioned openings and non-contact portions (recesses, inter-protrusion portions, rough surface portions, and tapered portions), and the ventilation portion may be formed by appropriately combining these configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0079] The syringe barrel grip of the present invention is as follows: (1) A syringe barrel grip to be attached to a syringe barrel including a cylindrical body and an outwardly protruding flange provided on the cylindrical body, comprising: The grip includes a flange housing portion that houses the flange, and a side wall portion that extends from the flange housing portion in a distal direction and partially covers a base end portion of the tubular main body adjacent to the flange, The side wall portion includes a fitting portion that fits with the base end of the cylindrical body, and a vent portion for allowing a sterilizing gas to flow into the outer surface of the cylindrical body covered by the side wall portion.

[0080] The syringe barrel grip described above allows the sterilizing gas to come into contact with a wider area of ​​the outer surface of the syringe barrel, thereby more reliably sterilizing the syringe barrel to which the syringe barrel grip is attached.

[0081] The above embodiment may also be as follows. (2) The grip for a syringe barrel according to (1) above, wherein the side wall portion is a cylindrical portion having an insertion opening for the base end of the cylindrical main body. (3) The grip for a syringe barrel according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the ventilation portion is formed by a plurality of openings formed in the side wall portion. (4) The grip for a syringe barrel according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the ventilation portion is provided on an inner surface of the side wall portion and is formed by a non-contact portion between the inner surface of the side wall portion and an outer surface of the cylindrical body. (5) The grip for a syringe barrel as described in (4) above, wherein the ventilation portion reduces a contact area between the inner surface of the side wall portion and the outer surface of the cylindrical body, and increases a contact area between the sterilizing gas and the inner surface of the side wall portion and the outer surface of the cylindrical body covered by the side wall portion. (6) A grip for a syringe barrel as set forth above in (4) or (5), wherein the ventilation portion is defined by a plurality of recesses formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion. (7) A grip for a syringe barrel as set forth in (4) or (5) above, wherein the ventilation portion is defined by a portion between a plurality of protrusions formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion. (8) A grip for a syringe barrel as set forth above in (4) or (5), wherein the ventilation portion is formed by a rough surface portion formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion. (9) A grip for a syringe barrel as set forth above in (4) or (5), wherein the ventilation portion is defined by a tapered portion formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion. (10) The grip for a syringe barrel according to any one of (1) to (9) above, wherein a contact area between the side wall portion of the grip for a syringe barrel and the base end of the cylindrical main body when the grip is attached to the syringe barrel is 40% or less of an area of ​​the base end of the cylindrical main body that is covered by the side wall portion.

[0082] The barrel assembly of the present invention is as follows. (11) A barrel assembly comprising: a syringe barrel including a cylindrical body and an outwardly protruding flange provided at a base end of the cylindrical body; and a syringe barrel grip according to any one of (1) to (10) above attached to the barrel.

[0083] The above barrel assembly allows the sterilizing gas to contact a larger area of ​​the exterior surface of the syringe barrel, thereby ensuring sterilization of the barrel assembly.

[0084] The syringe of the present invention is as follows. (12) A syringe comprising the barrel assembly described in (11) above, a gasket slidably housed within the barrel, and a plunger for moving the gasket.

[0085] The syringe described above allows the sterilizing gas to come into contact with a larger area of ​​the exterior surface of the syringe barrel, thereby ensuring greater sterility of the syringe.

[0086] The above embodiment may also be as follows. (13) A syringe as described in (12) above, wherein a tip portion of the plunger is housed within the barrel, and the plunger is provided in a portion housed in the barrel, and is equipped with a stopper portion that abuts against the grip and prevents the plunger from coming out of the barrel. (14) The syringe according to (12) or (13) above, wherein the plunger is not connected to the gasket and has a gasket pressing portion at its tip which abuts against the base end of the gasket. (15) A syringe according to any one of (12) to (14) above, wherein a medicine is contained in the barrel.

Claims

1. A syringe barrel grip to be attached to a syringe barrel including a cylindrical body and an outwardly protruding flange provided on the cylindrical body, The grip includes a flange housing portion that houses the flange, and a side wall portion that extends from the flange housing portion in a distal direction and partially covers a base end portion of the tubular main body adjacent to the flange, a vent portion for allowing a sterilizing gas to flow into an outer surface of the cylindrical body covered by the side wall portion.

2. 2. A grip for a syringe barrel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side wall portion is a tubular portion having an opening for inserting said base end of said tubular body.

3. 3. The grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation portion is formed by a plurality of openings formed in the side wall portion.

4. 3. The grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation portion is provided on an inner surface of the side wall portion and is formed by a non-contact portion between the inner surface of the side wall portion and an outer surface of the cylindrical body.

5. 5. The grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation portion reduces a contact area between an inner surface of the side wall portion and an outer surface of the cylindrical body, and increases a contact area between a sterilizing gas and the inner surface of the side wall portion and the outer surface of the cylindrical body covered by the side wall portion.

6. 6. A grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 4, wherein said ventilation portion is defined by a plurality of recesses formed on the inner surface of said side wall portion.

7. 6. A grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 4, wherein said ventilation portion is defined by a portion between a plurality of protrusions formed on the inner surface of said side wall portion.

8. 6. A grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation portion is formed by a rough surface portion formed on the inner surface of the side wall portion.

9. 6. A grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 4, wherein said ventilation portion is defined by a tapered portion formed on the inner surface of said side wall portion.

10. 10. The grip for a syringe barrel according to claim 1, wherein a contact area between said side wall portion of said grip for a syringe barrel and the base end portion of said cylindrical main body when said grip for a syringe barrel is attached to said syringe barrel is 40% or less of an area of ​​the base end portion of said cylindrical main body covered by said side wall portion.

11. 11. A barrel assembly comprising: a syringe barrel including a cylindrical body and an outwardly protruding flange provided at a base end of the cylindrical body; and the syringe barrel grip according to claim 1 attached to the barrel.

12. A syringe comprising the barrel assembly of claim 11, a gasket slidably housed within the barrel, and a plunger for moving the gasket.

13. 13. The syringe according to claim 12, wherein a tip portion of the plunger is housed within the barrel, and the plunger is provided in a portion housed in the barrel, the stopper portion abutting against the grip and preventing the plunger from coming out of the barrel.

14. 14. The syringe according to claim 12, wherein the plunger is not connected to the gasket and has a gasket pressing portion at a tip end thereof that abuts against a base end portion of the gasket.

15. 15. The syringe according to claim 12, wherein a medicine is contained within the barrel.

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