Plug for blood-collecting vessel

Abstract

To make a plug hardly come off a blood-collecting vessel holder while having a function similar to a function of a conventional top cover-type plug, or make a plug body hardly remain in a blood-collecting vessel when the plug is pulled out from the blood-collecting vessel.SOLUTION: A plug 10 for a blood-collecting vessel comprises a plug body 20 that is an elastic body for being inserted into a blood-collecting vessel 100, and a cylindrical covering part 30 that is fixed to the plug body 20 so as to cover a part of the plug body 20. The plug body 20 has an outer peripheral surface 22a which is exposed outside and which protrudes outward with respect to the covering part 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug for a blood collection tube. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, blood collection tubes for collecting blood in clinical tests and the like have been widely known. Blood collection tubes are sealed by press-fitting a rubber stopper into an opening. Blood collection tube stoppers include a rubber stopper type consisting of a rubber stopper alone and an overcap type in which a cap is attached to the rubber stopper (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the overcap type, the cap is attached by being placed over the blood collection tube so as to cover the rubber stopper. An opening is formed in the center of the top surface of the cap to expose a puncture site formed in the center of the rubber stopper, and a puncture needle is inserted into the rubber stopper through the opening. Compared to a type consisting only of a rubber stopper, the overcap type, in which the cap covers the outer surface of the rubber stopper, has the advantage of being less likely to come into contact with blood adhering to the bottom of the rubber stopper when opening the stopper, thereby reducing the risk of blood contamination.

[0003] Blood collection into a blood collection tube is generally performed using a blood collection tube holder. The blood collection tube holder is composed of a cylindrical holder body that holds the blood collection tube and a puncture needle, with one end of the puncture needle extending from the tip of the holder body and the other end of the needle located within the holder body. Blood collection using the blood collection tube holder is performed by puncturing one end of the puncture needle into a subject's vein, inserting the blood collection tube into the holder body, and inserting the other end of the puncture needle into the blood collection tube. Since the blood collection tube is generally under reduced pressure, a predetermined amount of blood is collected by inserting the puncture needle into the blood collection tube. A rubber sleeve is attached to the other end of the puncture needle, and when the other end of the needle is inserted into the blood collection tube, the sleeve is rolled up to expose the needle tip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5881242 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a blood collection tube is inserted into a blood collection tube holder, the top surface of the blood collection tube pushes the rubber sleeve toward the tip, thereby connecting the puncture needle to the inside of the blood collection tube. While the blood collection tube holder holds the blood collection tube, the repulsive force of the rubber sleeve, the weight of the blood collection tube and blood, and other factors can cause the blood collection tube to be pushed back. In the worst case scenario, if the blood collection tube is pushed back, the puncture needle and the inside of the blood collection tube become disconnected, making it impossible to collect blood. In such cases, the user must press the blood collection tube toward the tip with their fingers, which makes it difficult to collect blood. Therefore, there is a need for a blood collection tube stopper that prevents the blood collection tube from slipping out of the blood collection tube holder.

[0006] In addition, in the overcap type, the inner surface of the cap is provided with irregularities that engage with the stopper body, and the cap and the stopper body fit together when the cap is placed over the stopper body. Therefore, the stopper body is configured to be removed when the cap is removed from the blood collection tube, but there are cases where the stopper body is deformed when the cap is removed from the blood collection tube, causing the engagement between the cap and the stopper body to be released, and the rubber stopper does not come off and remains on the blood collection tube even when the cap is removed from the blood collection tube. For this reason, there is a demand for a blood collection tube stopper that reliably removes the rubber stopper from the blood collection tube when the cap is removed from the blood collection tube.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve any one of the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The blood collection tube stopper according to the present invention is a blood collection tube stopper that is attached to the opening of a blood collection tube to seal the inside of the blood collection tube, and is characterized in that it comprises a stopper body that is an elastic body that is inserted into the blood collection tube, and a tubular covering part that is fixed to the stopper body so as to cover a part of the stopper body, and that a part of the outer circumferential surface of the stopper body is exposed to the outside and has a surface that protrudes outward from the covering part.

[0009] In conventional overcap-type stoppers, the cap portion covers the entire outer surface of the stopper body, so the blood collection tube holder can only abut against the cap portion with low frictional resistance, resulting in weak holding power. However, by configuring the stopper body, which is made of an elastic material and with a portion of its outer surface exposed to the outside, the blood collection tube holder and the stopper body can abut. The stopper body inserted into the blood collection tube is made of an elastic material, and its surface is less slippery than the surface of the covering portion, which corresponds to the cap portion. This configuration increases the frictional force generated between the stopper and the blood collection tube holder. Furthermore, stress is generated due to elastic deformation, which increases the holding power of the blood collection tube holder and prevents the puncture needle from slipping out of the blood collection tube. Furthermore, compared to stopper body-only types, the presence of the covering portion prevents blood adhering to the bottom of the stopper body from running down the stopper body and coming into contact with the hand holding the stopper body when opening the stopper.

[0010] In the blood collection tube plug according to the present invention, the plug body and the covering portion may be integrally formed, and a portion of the inner surface of the plug body may abut a portion of the outer surface of the covering portion.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the stopper is removed from the blood collection tube, a force is also applied to the stopper body in a direction that separates it from the blood collection tube, thereby preventing the stopper body from remaining in the blood collection tube. Furthermore, as with conventional overcap-type stoppers, blood adhering to the bottom of the rubber stopper is less likely to come into contact with hands when opening the stopper, reducing the risk of blood contamination.

[0012] In a configuration in which the plug body and the covering portion are integrally molded, the covering portion may have a protrusion formed at one axial end, and the protrusion may be embedded in the plug body and integrated with the plug body.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the projections of the covering portion are inserted into the interior of the plug body, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​the joint between the plug body and the covering portion, and more firmly integrating the plug body and the covering portion. It is preferable that the outer surface of the plug body where the projections are embedded abuts against the blood collection tube holder. In this case, stress due to elastic deformation of the plug body also acts on the projections, increasing the holding force of the blood collection tube by the blood collection tube holder.

[0014] In a configuration in which the projection of the covering portion is embedded in the plug body, the covering portion may have a locking portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis at a portion embedded in the plug body.

[0015] When a force is applied in the direction that causes the covering portion and the plug body to move away from each other in the axial direction, the locking portion physically restricts the covering portion and the plug body from moving relative to each other, thereby reducing the risk of the integrally molded parts peeling off.

[0016] In the blood collection tube plug according to the present invention, the plug body may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer and may be injection molded.

[0017] Rubber, which has high elastic deformation and low air permeability, is commonly used for the stopper body of blood collection tube stoppers on the market, but rubber requires three steps before it can be molded: mixing and kneading. For example, if the rubber is not kneaded properly, the properties of the final product can change in the subsequent molding process, making it difficult to maintain consistent physical properties. This creates the issue of rubber stopper puncture resistance varying from production lot to production lot. However, thermoplastic elastomers can be molded in a single process, injection molding, which allows for consistent puncture resistance.

[0018] The blood collection tube stopper according to the present invention is a stopper for a blood collection tube that is attached to the opening of the blood collection tube to seal the inside of the blood collection tube, and is characterized in that it comprises a stopper body that is an elastic body that is pressed into the blood collection tube, and a tubular covering part that covers part of the outer surface of the stopper body, and the stopper body and the covering part are integrally molded.

[0019] According to the above configuration, even if the stopper body is partially deformed when the blood collection tube stopper is removed from the blood collection tube, the fixing surface of the stopper body where the coating portion is fixed is less likely to deform, thereby preventing the stopper body from remaining in the blood collection tube. Furthermore, as with conventional overcap-type stoppers, blood adhering to the bottom of the rubber stopper is less likely to come into contact with hands when opening the stopper, thereby reducing the risk of blood contamination.

[0020] In a configuration in which the plug body and the covering portion are integrally molded, a portion of the inner surface of the plug body may abut against a portion of the outer surface of the covering portion. According to the above configuration, the plug body and the covering portion are integrally molded so that a portion of the inner surface of the plug body abuts against a portion of the outer surface of the covering portion. Therefore, when the plug is removed from the blood collection tube, a force is also applied to the plug body in a direction that separates it from the blood collection tube, which further prevents the plug body from remaining in the blood collection tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] The blood collection tube stopper according to the present invention has the same function as a conventional overcap-type stopper, but is less likely to come off the blood collection tube holder, or the stopper body is less likely to remain in the blood collection tube when the stopper is removed from the blood collection tube. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a blood collection tube plug according to an embodiment, showing the plug attached to a blood collection tube. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which the plug body and the covering portion are separated in a blood collection tube plug that is one example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the blood collection tube plug according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention also includes embodiments that are formed by selectively combining multiple embodiments described below.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a blood collection tube stopper 10 according to an embodiment attached to a blood collection tube 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the blood collection tube stopper 10 is attached to the opening of the blood collection tube 100 to seal the inside of the blood collection tube 100. The blood collection tube stopper 10 includes a stopper body 20, which is an elastic body, and a cylindrical covering portion 30 that covers a portion of the stopper body 20. The blood collection tube stopper 10 has a structure in which a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the stopper body 20 is exposed to the outside and protrudes outward relative to the covering portion 30. As will be described in detail later, the covering portion 30 is a portion that is gripped when removing the blood collection tube stopper 10 from the blood collection tube 100, and is preferably made of a hard resin. The stopper body 20 is also preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0025] The blood collection tube 100 is a tubular container having an opening at one axial end and a cylindrical shape with a closed bottom at the other end. The blood collection tube 100 is a transparent container made of, for example, glass or resin, and is filled with various medications depending on the test item, etc. The blood collection tube 100 is generally called a vacuum blood collection tube, and the inside of the tube sealed with the blood collection tube stopper 10 is under negative pressure. Blood collection into the blood collection tube 100, the opening of which is closed by the blood collection tube stopper 10, is performed using a blood collection tube holder, as described above. Blood collection using the blood collection tube holder is performed by puncturing one end of the holder's puncture needle into a subject's vein, inserting the blood collection tube 100 into the holder, and inserting the other end of the puncture needle into the blood collection tube 100 through the blood collection tube stopper 10.

[0026] The blood collection tube stopper 10 is attached to the blood collection tube 100 by inserting the stopper body 20 into the blood collection tube 100 through its opening, with the covering portion 30 covering a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the blood collection tube 100. Because a portion of the stopper body 20 is disposed inside the blood collection tube 100 containing blood, blood may adhere to the stopper body 20. In the blood collection tube stopper 10, the portion of the stopper body 20 inserted into the blood collection tube 100 is covered by the covering portion 30. Therefore, compared to a so-called rubber stopper-type stopper consisting only of the stopper body, blood adhering to the stopper body 20 is less likely to come into contact with hands when opening the blood collection tube stopper 10, thereby reducing the risk of blood contamination. In other words, the blood collection tube stopper 10 has the same function as a conventional overcap-type stopper.

[0027] The configuration of the blood collection tube plug 10 will be described in detail below with further reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows the blood collection tube plug 10 in a separated state, with the plug body 20 and the covering portion 30 constituting the plug.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the blood collection tube plug 10 has a structure in which a cylindrical covering portion 30 is fixed to the plug body 20 so as to cover a portion of the plug body 20. The plug body 20 is an elastic member having a perfect circular shape in a plan view and including a small diameter portion 21 and a large diameter portion 22. When the blood collection tube plug 10 is attached to the blood collection tube 100, the small diameter portion 21 is inserted into the blood collection tube 100, and the large diameter portion 22 abuts against the opening edge of the blood collection tube 100 and is positioned outside the blood collection tube 100. The covering portion 30 is disposed so as to surround the outer circumferential surface 21a of the small diameter portion 21 and is fixed to the large diameter portion 22.

[0029] The blood collection tube stopper 10 has an overall cylindrical shape with a bottom, in which an opening at one axial end of the covering portion 30 is blocked by the covering portion 30. For ease of explanation, the direction along the axial direction of the covering portion 30 will be referred to as the "vertical direction" of the blood collection tube stopper 10, with the large diameter portion 22 side of the stopper body 20 referred to as "up" and the small diameter portion 21 side referred to as "down." The covering portion 30 extends downward beyond the bottom surface 21b of the small diameter portion 21, and the entire small diameter portion 21 is contained within the cylindrical covering portion 30. Blood tends to adhere to the bottom surface 21b of the small diameter portion 21, but because the entire small diameter portion 21, including the bottom surface 21b, is located within the cylindrical covering portion 30, the risk of blood contamination during opening can be effectively reduced.

[0030] The stopper body 20 and the covering portion 30 are preferably integrally molded. Furthermore, it is preferable that a portion of the inner surface of the stopper body 20 abuts a portion of the outer surface of the covering portion 30. Here, the inner surface of the stopper body 20 refers to the surface facing the inside of the blood collection tube stopper 10 relative to the covering portion 30, and in this embodiment, refers to the surface facing the radially inward direction of the stopper body 20. The outer surface of the covering portion 30 refers to the surface facing the radially outward direction of the covering portion 30. When removing the blood collection tube stopper 10 from the blood collection tube 100, the covering portion 30 is grasped and pulled out of the blood collection tube 100. At this time, if the bonding strength between the stopper body 20 and the covering portion 30 is weak, the stopper body 20 may remain in the blood collection tube 100. By having the radially outward surface of the covering portion 30 abut against the radially inward surface of the stopper body 20, such a problem can be effectively prevented.

[0031] As described above, the stopper body 20 and the covering portion 30 are made of different materials and are therefore integrally molded by two-color molding. As will be described in detail below, the stopper body 20 is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the covering portion 30 is preferably made of a thermoplastic resin and is harder than the stopper body 20. The blood collection tube stopper 10 is integrally molded, for example, by injecting a thermoplastic resin into a predetermined mold to form the covering portion 30, and then injecting a thermoplastic elastomer to form the stopper body 20 so that the elastomer adheres to a portion of the covering portion 30. The use of a thermoplastic elastomer allows the stopper body 20 to be molded in a single step, making it easier to control the physical properties of the stopper body 20 compared to rubber stoppers, and ensuring stable puncture performance.

[0032] The blood collection tube plug 10 has a structure in which the plug body 20 and the covering portion 30 are integrated together, with a portion of the covering portion 30 embedded in the plug body 20. The covering portion 30 has a protrusion 32 formed at one axial end, and is integrated with the plug body 20 with the protrusion 32 embedded in the plug body 20. The protrusion 32 enters the large diameter portion 22 from the underside thereof, and the elastomer that constitutes the plug body 20 is in close contact with the surface of the protrusion 32. The covering portion 30 has a base 31 that covers the small diameter portion 21 of the plug body 20, and a protrusion 32 that protrudes in the axial direction from one axial end (upper end) of the base 31.

[0033] As described above, the blood collection tube stopper 10 has a configuration in which the entire outer peripheral surface of the stopper body 20 is not covered by the covering portion 30, but rather a portion of the outer peripheral surface is exposed and protrudes radially outward beyond the outer peripheral surface 31a of the base portion 31 of the covering portion 30. In this case, when a blood collection tube 100 equipped with the blood collection tube stopper 10 is inserted into a blood collection tube holder, the outer peripheral surface of the stopper body 20 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the holder. The stopper body 20 is an elastic body made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and its surface is less slippery than the surface of the covering portion 30, increasing the frictional force generated between the blood collection tube stopper 10 and the blood collection tube holder. Furthermore, the restoring force of the stopper body 20, which is elastically deformed upon insertion into the holder, acts on the inner peripheral surface of the holder, increasing the holding force of the blood collection tube 100 by the holder. As a result, the puncture needle is effectively prevented from slipping out of the blood collection tube 100.

[0034] The surface of the plug body 20 that is not covered by the covering portion 30 and that protrudes radially outward is the outer peripheral surface 22a of the large diameter portion 22. The outer peripheral surface 22a of the large diameter portion 22 is exposed along its entire circumference and protrudes radially outward beyond the outer peripheral surface 31a of the covering portion 30. As a result, the plug body 20 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the blood collection tube holder along its entire circumference, generating a stable and large frictional force between the plug body 20 and the holder. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 22 is, for example, 1.0 mm or more larger than the outer diameter of the covering portion 30. On the other hand, if the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 22 is too large, it may become impossible to insert the large diameter portion 22 into an existing blood collection tube holder. Therefore, the difference in outer diameter between the large diameter portion 22 and the covering portion 30 is preferably 1.3 mm or less.

[0035] As described above, the stopper body 20 is an elastic body inserted into the blood collection tube 100 and is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The stopper body 20 is a member having rubber elasticity that allows a puncture needle to be inserted therein and closes the inserted portion when the puncture needle is removed. The stopper body 20 is press-fitted into the blood collection tube 100 with the small diameter portion 21, and the restoring force of the small diameter portion 21 causes the stopper body 20 to adhere closely to the inner surface of the blood collection tube 100. This closes the opening of the blood collection tube 100 and prevents leakage of blood contained in the blood collection tube 100. When the small diameter portion 21 is inserted into the blood collection tube 100, the lower surface of the large diameter portion 22 abuts against the upper end of the blood collection tube 100, preventing the stopper body 20 from entering further into the blood collection tube 100. The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 21 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the blood collection tube 100, and the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the blood collection tube 100.

[0036] The plug body 20 has a recess 23 formed in the radial center where the puncture needle is inserted. The recess 23 is formed, for example, from the top surface opposite the bottom surface 21b of the small diameter portion 21 to the axial center of the plug body 20. When the puncture needle is pulled out of the plug body 20, blood adhering to the needle may adhere to the top surface of the plug body 20. However, the presence of the recess 23 makes it difficult for the blood to come into contact with hands, thereby reducing the risk of blood contamination. Furthermore, the thickness of the plug body 20 is thinner in the area where the recess 23 is formed, making it easier to insert and remove the puncture needle. The relationship between the axial lengths of the small diameter portion 21 and the large diameter portion 22 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, they are substantially the same length.

[0037] The elastomer constituting the plug body 20 is preferably injection moldable. While a thermosetting elastomer that forms a crosslinked structure can also be used, a thermoplastic elastomer is preferred from the viewpoints of productivity and improved puncture stability. The thermoplastic elastomer does not have a crosslinked structure and has a melting point in the temperature range of, for example, 140°C to 230°C. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include polystyrene-based elastomers, polyolefin-based elastomers, polyurethane-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, and polyvinyl chloride-based elastomers. Among these, polystyrene-based elastomers are preferred.

[0038] The stopper body 20 is primarily composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, but may contain pigments and the like to the extent that rubber elasticity is not impaired. While the stopper body is generally composed of rubber, the physical properties of rubber are prone to change during processes such as kneading and vulcanization, resulting in the problem of varying puncture properties for each production lot of the rubber stopper. By using a thermoplastic elastomer, the stopper body 20 can be molded by injection molding, resulting in stable puncture properties. Furthermore, two-color molding of the blood collection tube stopper 10 is possible, resulting in superior productivity and reduced manufacturing costs.

[0039] The small-diameter portion 21 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the blood collection tube 100. The small-diameter portion 21 preferably gradually tapers toward the bottom surface 21b to facilitate insertion into the blood collection tube 100. For example, the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 21 is smaller than the inner diameter of the blood collection tube 100 at a portion adjacent to the bottom surface 21b and gradually increases with increasing distance from the bottom surface 21b. The small-diameter portion 21 has a portion where its outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the blood collection tube 100, and is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the blood collection tube 100 without any gaps. Furthermore, the bottom surface 21b of the small-diameter portion 21 is inclined so that the radial center is located lower than the periphery. In this case, blood adhering to the bottom surface 21b is more likely to fall into the blood collection tube 100.

[0040] The large-diameter portion 22 has a recess 23 formed in the radial center thereof, giving the large-diameter portion 22 an overall cylindrical shape with a bottom. The recess 23 is formed, for example, only in the large-diameter portion 22, and has a depth equivalent to the axial length of the large-diameter portion 22. The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the blood collection tube 100. The outer peripheral surface 22a of the large-diameter portion 22 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the blood collection tube holder when the blood collection tube stopper 10 is inserted into the holder. For this reason, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 gradually decreases with increasing distance from the small-diameter portion 21, making it easier to insert the large-diameter portion 22 into the holder.

[0041] As described above, the covering portion 30 is a cylindrical member that covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the stopper body 20, and is preferably made of a resin that is harder than the stopper body 20. In this embodiment, the entire outer peripheral surface 21a of the small diameter portion 21 is covered by the covering portion 30. The inner diameter of the covering portion 30 is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 21, and the covering portion 30 surrounds the entire outer peripheral surface 21a of the small diameter portion 21 with a gap between it and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the small diameter portion 21. When the blood collection tube stopper 10 is attached to the blood collection tube 100, the cylindrical wall of the blood collection tube 100 is inserted into the gap between the small diameter portion 21 of the stopper body 20 and the covering portion 30. A gap is provided between the outer surface of the cylindrical wall of the blood collection tube 100 and the inner surface of the covering portion 30, making it easier to open the blood collection tube.

[0042] Because the covering portion 30 is the portion that is gripped when opening the cap, it is preferably made of a hard material that does not deform even when force is applied when opening the cap. For example, the Shore A hardness of the plug body 20 is 30 or more and 50 or less. Furthermore, the resin that makes up the covering portion 30 is preferably a thermoplastic resin that is easy to injection mold. Thermoplastic resins do not have a crosslinked structure and have a melting point in the temperature range of, for example, 80°C or more and 260°C or less. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Among these, polyolefins are preferred.

[0043] The covering portion 30 has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion 21 of the stopper body 20 and an outer diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 22. The base portion 31 of the covering portion 30, which covers the small diameter portion 21, is disposed with a small gap between it and the outer peripheral surface of the blood collection tube 100 when the blood collection tube stopper 10 is attached to the blood collection tube 100. That is, the base portion 31 preferably does not come into close contact with the cylindrical wall of the blood collection tube 100 like the stopper body 20, and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the blood collection tube 100. The axial length of the base portion 31 is longer than the axial length of the small diameter portion 21, and is more preferably 1.5 to 3.0 times the axial length of the small diameter portion 21, so that blood adhering to the bottom surface 21b of the small diameter portion 21 does not come into contact with hands.

[0044] A ridge portion 33 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 31a of the base 31. The ridge portion 33 is a protrusion extending in the axial direction and is formed over the entire length of the base 31. A plurality of the ridge portions 33 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of the base 31 and function as a non-slip barrier when the covering portion is gripped with fingers during opening, etc. Furthermore, the ridge portions 33 are formed with a height that does not exceed the outer peripheral surface 22a of the plug body 20, and it is preferable that the outer diameter of the base 31 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the large diameter portion 22 of the plug body 20. Note that there are no particular limitations on the number, arrangement, size, etc. of the ridge portions 33.

[0045] The protrusion 32 is a portion that is embedded in the large diameter portion 22 of the plug body 20, and extends in the axial direction from one axial end (upper end) of the base portion 31. Like the base portion 31, the protrusion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but its axial length is shorter than the axial length of the base portion 31. The elastomer that constitutes the plug body 20 is in close contact with the outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the protrusion 32, and the protrusion 32 is firmly fixed to the plug body 20. In other words, the surface of the plug body 20 facing radially inward is in contact with the surface of the protrusion 32 facing radially outward.

[0046] The tip of the protrusion 32 is formed with a locking portion 34 that is bent radially outward. That is, the covering portion 30 has a locking portion 34 that extends in the axial direction at the portion embedded in the plug body 20. The axial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the covering portion 30. The locking portion 34 is bent in a hook shape so as to hook onto the plug body 20. The locking portion 34 may be bent radially inward from the base portion 31, but is preferably bent radially outward from the viewpoint of improving productivity, etc. The locking portion 34 is formed around the entire circumference of the protrusion 32, but may also be formed locally. Furthermore, the locking portion is not limited to a protrusion extending radially. For example, the covering portion may be provided with a side hole penetrating from the inside to the outside, and a portion of the plug body may be positioned in the side hole. When a force is applied in the direction that moves the plug body 20 and the covering portion 30 apart in the axial direction, the locking portion 34 physically restricts the plug body 20 and the covering portion 30 from moving apart in the axial direction, thereby reducing the possibility of the integrally molded parts peeling off.

[0047] As described above, the blood collection tube stopper 10 having the above configuration has the same function as a conventional overcap-type stopper, but is less likely to come off the blood collection tube holder when collecting blood, and the stopper body 20 is less likely to remain in the blood collection tube 100 when the stopper is opened. The blood collection tube stopper 10 can reduce the risk of blood contamination when opening the stopper, just like a conventional overcap-type stopper. Blood tends to adhere to the bottom surface 21b of the small diameter portion 21 of the stopper body 20 inserted into the blood collection tube 100, but with the blood collection tube stopper 10, the entire small diameter portion 21 is contained within the cylindrical covering portion 30, so blood adhering to the small diameter portion 21 is less likely to come into contact with hands.

[0048] While conventional overcap-type stoppers have the above-mentioned effects, they have the problem that because the cap portion covers the entire outer peripheral surface of the stopper body, the cap portion, which has low frictional resistance, abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the blood collection tube holder, thereby reducing the holding force of the blood collection tube holder. According to the blood collection tube stopper 10, the outer peripheral surface 22a of the stopper body 20 is exposed and protrudes radially outward beyond the covering portion 30, so the stopper body 20 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the blood collection tube holder. The stopper body 20 is an elastic body, and its surface is less slippery than the surface of the covering portion 30, thereby increasing the holding force of the blood collection tube 100 by the blood collection tube holder. As a result, the puncture needle can be effectively prevented from slipping out of the blood collection tube 100.

[0049] Furthermore, in the blood collection tube plug 10, the outer surface of the protrusion 32 of the covering portion 30 abuts against the inner surface of the plug body 20, and the protrusion 32 is integrated with the plug body 20 while embedded in the plug body 20, so that the covering portion 30 is firmly fixed to the plug body 20. When the blood collection tube 100 is opened, the covering portion 30 is grasped and the blood collection tube plug 10 is pulled out of the blood collection tube 100. Therefore, if the bonding strength between the plug body 20 and the covering portion 30 is weak, the plug body 20 may come off the covering portion 30 and remain in the blood collection tube 100; however, the blood collection tube plug 10 effectively prevents the plug body 20 from remaining in this state.

[0050] The above-described embodiment can be modified in design without impairing the objectives of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the plug body 20 and the covering portion 30 are integrated with the protrusions 32 of the covering portion 30 embedded in the plug body 20, but the covering portion may be fixed to the underside of the large-diameter portion of the plug body. Because the covering portion pushes up the large-diameter portion when the blood collection tube is opened, it is believed that even in this configuration, the plug body is prevented from remaining. On the other hand, compared to the above-described embodiment, the bonding strength between the plug body and the covering portion is weaker, making the covering portion more likely to come off the plug body during transportation, storage, use, etc. of the blood collection tube stopper. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 blood collection tube stopper, 20 stopper body, 21 small diameter portion, 21a outer peripheral surface, 21b bottom surface, 22 large diameter portion, 22a outer peripheral surface, 23 recess, 30 covering portion, 31 base portion, 31a outer peripheral surface, 32 protrusion, 33 ridge portion, 34 engaging portion, 100 blood collection tube

Claims

1. A blood collection tube stopper that is attached to an opening of a blood collection tube to seal the inside of the blood collection tube, a plug body that is an elastic body to be inserted into the blood collection tube; a cylindrical covering portion fixed to the plug body so as to cover a portion of the plug body; Equipped with A plug for a blood collection tube, wherein a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the plug body is exposed to the outside and has a surface that protrudes outward from the covering portion.

2. 2. The blood collection tube plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug body and the covering portion are integrally formed, and a portion of the inner surface of the plug body abuts a portion of the outer surface of the covering portion.

3. the covering portion has a protrusion formed at one axial end portion, 3. The blood collection tube plug according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is integrated with the plug body in a state where the protrusion is embedded in the plug body.

4. The blood collection tube plug according to claim 3 , wherein the covering portion has a locking portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis at a portion embedded in the plug body.

5. A blood collection tube stopper that is attached to an opening of a blood collection tube to seal the inside of the blood collection tube, a plug body that is an elastic body that is press-fitted into the blood collection tube; a cylindrical covering portion that covers a portion of the outer surface of the plug body; Equipped with The plug for a blood collection tube is formed by integrally molding the plug body and the covering portion.

6. 6. The blood collection tube plug according to claim 5, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the plug body abuts a portion of the outer surface of the covering portion.

7. 7. The blood collection tube plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug body is made of a thermoplastic elastomer and is injection molded.

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