Medical equipment package

Abstract

To easily take out a medical instrument from a bag without damaging it.SOLUTION: The medical equipment package includes the medical equipment 100, the plate-shaped support part 30 that supports the medical equipment 100, and the bag body 20 that houses the medical equipment 100 and the support part 30, and the bag body 20 has the stepping margin part 21 that is bendable with respect to the support body part 31 that supports the medical equipment 100 of the support part 30 at a position closer to the distal end side than the curved part 100a of the housed medical equipment 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to medical device packaging for housing a medical device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, long medical devices such as catheters are fixed to a mount or the like and housed in a sterilized bag, which is then housed in a box and shipped. At medical institutions or other facilities that use the medical devices, users remove the sterilized bag from the box and then remove the medical device from the sterilized bag.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for using a mount that makes it easy to remove medical instruments.

[0004] For example, there is a method for removing medical devices from a sterilization bag as follows: First, an assistant opens the sterilization bag and steps on the tip of the bag. Next, the user, such as a doctor, who will be using the medical device, grasps the base end of the medical device contained in the sterilization bag and pulls it up to remove the medical device from the sterilization bag. This method allows the user to remove the medical device without touching the surrounding area, which may contain bacteria. When removing the medical device from the sterilization bag, the assistant can also avoid touching the outside of the sterilization bag more than necessary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-29558 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, when removing medical equipment from a sterilization bag by stepping on the tip of the bag, there is a risk that an assistant may accidentally step on the tip of a medical equipment contained in the bag, damaging the medical equipment.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above circumstances, and provides a technique that allows medical devices to be easily removed from a bag without being damaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A medical device package according to one aspect comprises a medical device, a plate-shaped support portion that supports the medical device, and a bag body that houses the medical device and the support portion, and the bag body has a step portion that is bendable relative to the support main body portion of the support portion on which the medical device is supported, at a position further distal than the tip of the medical device it houses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medical device package according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medical device package according to one embodiment with the storage box opened. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bag body and the support part according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the medical device package according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the bag body and the support part according to the first embodiment are placed upright on the floor. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bag body and a support part according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bag body and a support part according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bag body and the support tip portion according to the third embodiment in a folded state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a bag body and a support part according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bag body and the support tip portion according to the fourth embodiment in a folded state. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a bag body and a support part according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a bag body and a support part according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The medical device packaging according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The medical device packaging shown in each drawing is shown with exemplary dimensions to facilitate understanding of the implementation, and the actual dimensions are not limited to these.

[0011] As used herein, the terms "distal side" and "distal direction" refer to the side and direction of the portion of the medical device that is inserted into a body cavity, and the terms "proximal side" and "proximal direction" refer to the side and direction of the gripping portion that applies power to operate the medical device.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a medical device package according to one embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the state of the medical device package before the storage box is opened. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the medical device package according to one embodiment after the storage box has been opened.

[0013] The medical device package 1 includes, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped storage box 10. The storage box 10 may be made of paper materials such as kraft paper, one-side glazed kraft paper, coarse kraft paper, surface-coated paper, or corrugated cardboard; resin materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene; or synthetic paper made from a mixture of these materials. An opening 11 is provided on the base end of the storage box 10, i.e., on the side where the base end of the medical device 100 (described below) to be stored is located, to form an access port 12 for removing the bag body 20. The opening 11 is, for example, perforated. By pulling the opening 11, the user can easily form the access port 12 as shown in FIG. 2 . The user can easily remove the bag body 20 from the access port 12.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bag body and the support part according to the first embodiment, in which the sealed portion of the bag body is indicated by diagonal lines.

[0015] The bag body 20 accommodates the medical device 100 and a support part 30 that supports the medical device 100 .

[0016] The bag body 20 is, for example, a bag-shaped member whose interior can be sealed. In this embodiment, the bag body 20 is a member that can be bent when it is alone, i.e., when the support part 30 is not housed therein. The material of the bag body 20 may be, for example, a resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The material of the bag body 20 may also be a transparent material so that the interior of the bag body 20 can be seen. The bag body 20 may be sterilized, for example, by ethylene oxide gas sterilization or radiation sterilization, to prevent contamination of the medical device 100 housed therein.

[0017] The bag body 20 has seal portions h1, h2, h3, and h4 that seal the top, bottom, left, and right portions in Fig. 3. The method for sealing the seal portions h1, h2, h3, and h4 may be, for example, a heat sealing method that uses heat welding, a method that uses an adhesive, a method that uses a zipper, or the like.

[0018] A step portion 21 of sufficient length for a user to step on when removing the medical device 100 from the bag body 20 is provided on the tip side of a curved portion 100a of the medical device 100, which will be described later. The length of the step portion 21 in the longitudinal direction of the bag body 20 may be, for example, 100 mm or more. The length of the step portion 21 may be, for example, 100 mm or more and 200 mm or less. If the length of the step portion 21 in the longitudinal direction of the bag body 20 is 100 mm or more, the user can step on the step portion 21 more reliably and appropriately. The step portion 21 is bendable with respect to a support main body portion 31, which will be described later.

[0019] In this embodiment, the step portion 21 is the portion that houses the support tip portion 32, which will be described later, and specifically, is the portion on the tip side of the boundary B, which will be described later. The step portion 21 is bendable to follow the support tip portion 32. As will be described later, when the bag body 20 is placed with its tip side facing down on a predetermined surface, for example, the floor, the support tip portion 32 is bendable relative to the support main body portion 31, and so the step portion 21 is also bendable.

[0020] The medical device 100 has a U-shaped bending portion 100a located at the distal end, a gripping portion 100c located at the proximal end, and an intermediate portion 100b connecting the bending portion 100a and the gripping portion 100c. The medical device 100 may be 1000 mm or longer in length.

[0021] The support part 30 keeps the supported medical device clean and has a certain degree of rigidity. The material of the support part 30 may be, for example, a paper material such as fine paper, medium quality paper, kraft paper, single-side glazed kraft paper, coarse kraft paper, or surface-coated paper, a resin material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or a synthetic paper made by mixing these materials.

[0022] The support part 30 has a support main body part 31 that supports the medical device 100, and a support tip part 32 located on the tip side of the support main body part 31, i.e., closer to the tip side than the tip of the medical device 100 supported by the support main body part 31. The support tip part 32 is bendable relative to the support main body part 31 at boundary B when the bag body 20 containing the support part 30 is stood on a predetermined surface, for example, the floor, with the tip side facing down. The length of the support tip part 32 in the longitudinal direction of the support part 30 may be 30 mm or more. The length of the support tip part 32 may be 30 mm or more and 200 mm or less. If the length of the support tip part 32 in the longitudinal direction of the support part 30 is 30 mm or more, the step part 21 can more reliably follow the bending state of the support tip part 32.

[0023] The support body 31 has a plurality of locking pieces 33, 34, 35, and 36 for supporting the medical device 100 on the support body 31. The locking pieces 33 and 34 engage with the middle portion 100b of the medical device 100 to secure the middle portion 100b. The locking piece 35 regulates the position of the distal end of the gripping portion 100c, preventing the medical device 100 from shifting toward the distal end on the support body 31. The locking piece 36 regulates the position of the proximal end of the gripping portion 100c, preventing the medical device 100 from shifting toward the proximal end on the support body 31.

[0024] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the medical device package according to the first embodiment, taken along the longitudinal direction of the distal end side of the container box 10.

[0025] In this embodiment, the bag body 20 that houses the support portion 30 is folded at the boundary B and is housed in the storage box 10 in a bent state so that a part of the support tip portion 32 is positioned opposite the support main body portion 31. Because the bag body 20 is housed in the storage box 10 in a folded state, the length of the storage box 10 can be made shorter than the length of the bag body 20, and the cost required for the storage box 10 can be reduced.

[0026] When the bag body 20 stored in the storage box 10 in a state bent at the boundary B as shown in Figure 4 is removed from the storage box 10, the support tip portion 32 is maintained in a bent state relative to the support main body portion 31, although the amount of bending is reduced compared to the state shown in Figure 4. The step portion 21 that stores the support tip portion 32 follows the bending of the support tip portion 32, and is therefore maintained in a bent state relative to the support main body portion 31. The support tip portion 32 and the step portion 21 are bent relative to the support main body portion 31.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the bag body and the support part according to the first embodiment are placed upright on the floor.

[0028] For example, when the bag body 20 stored in the storage box 10 in a state where it is bent at the boundary B as shown in Fig. 4 is removed from the storage box 10 and the tip side is placed upright on a predetermined surface such as the floor F, the support tip portion 32 and the step portion 21 that stores the support tip portion 32 are bent relative to the support main body portion 31 as shown in Fig. 5. In detail, when the bag body 20 is placed so that its tip faces downward, the step portion 21 is arranged in a bent state relative to the support main body portion 31 without the application of an external force.

[0029] A user involved in the operation of removing the medical device 100 can perform the operation of removing the medical device 100 by stepping on the step portion 21 that is bent relative to the support main body portion 31 with their foot, without accidentally stepping on the medical device 100. When the user steps on the step portion 21, the user also steps on the support tip portion 32, so that the user can easily and appropriately remove the medical device 100 from the support portion 30 by holding and pulling the grip portion 100c of the medical device 100.

[0030] A method for producing the medical device package 1 will now be described.

[0031] The person who creates the medical device package 1 places the medical device 100 on the support body 31 of the support part 30, and fixes each part of the medical device 100 with the locking pieces 33 to .

[0032] Next, the creator places the support part 30, to which the medical device 100 is fixed, into the bag body 20. Specifically, the creator inserts the base end side of the support part 30 into the opening of the bag body 20, for example, the part of the unsealed seal part h4, and inserts the support part 30 into the inside of the bag body 121 while shifting it.

[0033] Next, the creator seals the bag body 20. Specifically, the creator heat-seals the portion of the bag body 20 that is the opening of the seal portion h4.

[0034] Next, the creator folds the step portion 21 and the support tip portion 32 at the boundary B, and places them in the storage box 10. In this way, the medical device package 1 is completed.

[0035] A method for removing the medical device 100 from the medical device package 1 will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the medical device 100 is removed by two users, a doctor who performs treatment using the medical device 100 and his assistant. The number of users involved in removing the medical device 100 and the removal method are not limited to this.

[0036] The assistant pulls the opening 11 of the medical device package 1 along the perforations to form the removal opening 12 as shown in FIG.

[0037] Next, the assistant grasps the base end side of the bag body 20 and removes the bag body 20 from the removal opening 12. The bag body 20 is stored in the storage box 10 with the step portion 21 and the support tip portion 32 folded, so when the bag body 20 is removed from the storage box 10, the step portion 21 and the support tip portion 32 are bent relative to the support main body portion 31 and are in a state where they can be bent relative to the support main body portion 31.

[0038] Next, the assistant opens the base end side of the bag body 20. Specifically, the assistant opens the base end side of the bag body 20 by cutting the portion of the base end side of the bag body 20 or by spreading the base end side of the bag body 20 to release the seal at the sealed portion h4.

[0039] Next, the assistant places the tip of the bag body 20 in an upright position with the tip end of the bag body 20 in contact with a surface such as the floor. At this time, the step portion 21 and the support tip portion 32 are bent relative to the support body portion 31, as shown in FIG.

[0040] Next, the assistant steps on the step portion 21. As shown in FIG. 5 , the step portion 21 and the support tip portion 32 are bent relative to the support main body portion 31, so the assistant can step on the step portion 21 without stepping on the medical device 100.

[0041] Next, the doctor grasps the grip portion 100c of the medical device 100 supported by the support portion 30 through the opening on the base end side of the bag body 20. Next, the doctor pulls the grip portion 100c to pull the medical device 100 out of the support portion 30 and remove it from the bag body 20.

[0042] According to the medical device package 1 of this embodiment, the user can easily and appropriately remove the medical devices 100 without damaging them.

[0043] A medical device package according to the second embodiment will now be described.

[0044] 6 is a plan view of the bag body and supporting part according to the second embodiment. The same parts as those in the medical device package according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0045] The medical device package according to the second embodiment includes a support part 30A instead of the support part 30 of the medical device package according to the first embodiment.

[0046] The support portion 30A further has a bending portion 37 at the boundary B between the support body portion 31 and the support tip portion 32, which allows the support tip portion 32 to bend relative to the support body portion 31. The bending portion 37 may be, for example, at least one of a crease such as a ruled line, a perforation, or a notch. The notch may have a V-shaped cross section, for example.

[0047] When the tip side of the bag body 20 according to the second embodiment is placed on a predetermined surface, such as floor F, the support tip portion 32 bends relative to the support main body portion 31 at the bending portion 37, and the step portion 21 that houses the support tip portion 32 bends relative to the support main body portion 31, following the support tip portion 32. A user involved in the operation of removing the medical device 100 can perform the operation of removing the medical device 100 without accidentally stepping on the medical device 100 by stepping on the step portion 21 that is bent relative to the support main body portion 31. When the user steps on the step portion 21, the support tip portion 32 is also stepped on, so the user can easily and appropriately remove the medical device 100 from the support portion 30 by holding and pulling the grip portion 100c of the medical device 100.

[0048] A medical device package according to the third embodiment will now be described.

[0049] 7 is a plan view of the bag body and supporting part according to the third embodiment. The same parts as those in the medical device packages according to the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0050] The medical device package according to the third embodiment includes a support part 30B instead of the support part 30A of the medical device package according to the second embodiment.

[0051] The support part 30B has a support main body part 31A instead of the support main body part 31 in the support part 30A. The support main body part 31A has wall parts 38 formed at both ends in the short direction on the base end side of the bending part 37, extending in the direction of the surface on which the medical device 100 is supported. The height of the wall parts 38 from the surface on which the medical device 100 is supported may be greater than the height of the medical device 100.

[0052] Because the support main body 31A according to the third embodiment has a wall 38, the bending stiffness differs between the support main body 31A and the support tip 32, which sandwich the bending portion 37. Because the bending stiffness differs, the support tip 32 bends relative to the support main body 31A at the bending portion 37 due to the weight of the bag body 20, the support portion 30B, and the medical device 100, the restoring forces of the bag body 20 and the support portion 30B, and the force of the user acting from above on the bag body 20 and the support portion 30B. As a result, the step portion 21 that houses the support tip 32 bends relative to the support main body 31A, following the support tip 32. A user involved in the operation of removing the medical device 100 can perform the operation of removing the medical device 100 without accidentally stepping on the medical device 100 by stepping on the step portion 21 that is bent relative to the support main body 31A.

[0053] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bag body and the supporting tip portion according to the third embodiment in a folded state, taken along the short side direction of the bag body and the supporting tip portion in a folded state.

[0054] In the folded state of the bag body 20 and the support tip portion 32 according to the third embodiment, the support main body portion 31A and the support tip portion 32 are disposed in opposing positions in the up-down direction in Fig. 8. When an external force that narrows the gap between the support tip portion 32 and the support main body portion 31A is applied, the wall portion 38 of the support main body portion 31A comes into contact with the support tip portion 32. The medical device 100 is maintained in the space formed by the wall portion 38 of the support main body portion 31B and the support tip portion 32, thereby reducing damage to the medical device 100.

[0055] A medical device package according to a fourth embodiment will now be described.

[0056] 9 is a plan view of the bag body and supporting part according to the fourth embodiment. The same parts as those in the medical device packages according to the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0057] The medical device package according to the fourth embodiment includes a support part 30C instead of the support part 30A of the medical device package according to the second embodiment.

[0058] The support section 30C has a support tip section 32A instead of the support tip section 32 in the support section 30A. The support tip section 32A has wall sections 39 formed at both ends in the short direction on the tip side of the bent section 37, extending in the direction of the surface on which the medical device 100 is supported in the state shown in Fig. 9. The height of the wall sections 39 from the surface on which the medical device 100 is supported may be greater than the height of the medical device 100.

[0059] Because the support tip portion 32A according to the fourth embodiment has a wall portion 39, the bending rigidity differs between the support main body portion 31 and the support tip portion 32A, which sandwich the bending portion 37. Because the bending rigidity differs, the weight of the bag body 20, the support portion 30C, and the medical device 100, or the force of the user acting from above on the bag body 20, causes the support tip portion 32A to bend relative to the support main body portion 31 at the bending portion 37. As a result, the step portion 21 that houses the support tip portion 32A bends relative to the support main body portion 31, following the support tip portion 32A. A user involved in the operation of removing the medical device 100 can perform the operation of removing the medical device 100 without accidentally stepping on the medical device 100 by stepping on the step portion 21 that is bent relative to the support main body portion 31 with their foot.

[0060] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bag body and the supporting tip portion according to the fourth embodiment in a folded state, taken along the short side direction of the bag body and the supporting tip portion in a folded state.

[0061] In the state where the bag body 20 and the support tip portion 32A according to the fourth embodiment are folded, the support main body portion 31 and the support tip portion 32A are arranged in opposing positions in the up-down direction in Fig. 10. When an external force that narrows the gap between the support tip portion 32A and the support main body portion 31 is applied, the support main body portion 31 comes into contact with a wall portion 39 of the support tip portion 32A that extends in a direction toward the medical device 100 supported by the support main body portion 31. The medical device 100 is maintained in the space formed by the support main body portion 31 and the wall portion 39 of the support tip portion 32A, thereby reducing damage to the medical device 100.

[0062] A medical device package according to the fifth embodiment will now be described.

[0063] 11 is a plan view of a bag body and a support part according to the fifth embodiment. The same parts as those in the medical device package according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0064] The medical device package according to the fifth embodiment includes a bag 20A instead of the bag 20 of the medical device package according to the first embodiment, and a support portion 30D instead of the support portion 30.

[0065] The support portion 30D includes a support main body portion 31B, and does not include a portion corresponding to the support tip portion 32. The support main body portion 31B is disposed on the base end side of the boundary B.

[0066] The bag body 20A is provided with a step portion 21A that is long enough for the user to step on when removing the medical device 100 from the bag body 20, further distal than the curved portion 100a on the distal side of the medical device 100. The bag body 20A has a seal portion h5 instead of the seal portion h2 of the bag body 20. The seal portion h5 is formed on the proximal end side of the step portion 21A.

[0067] When the tip side of the bag body 20 is placed on a predetermined surface such as floor F, the step portion 21A bends near the boundary B and is bent relative to the support body portion 31B. A user involved in the operation of removing the medical device 100 can perform the operation of removing the medical device 100 without accidentally stepping on the medical device 100 by stepping on the step portion 21A bent relative to the support body portion 31B.

[0068] A medical device package according to a sixth embodiment will now be described.

[0069] 12 is a plan view of a bag body and a support part according to the sixth embodiment. The same parts as those in the medical device package according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0070] The medical device package according to the sixth embodiment includes a pouch 20B instead of the pouch 20 of the medical device package according to the first embodiment.

[0071] The bag body 20B includes a step portion 21B instead of the step portion 21 of the bag body 20. The step portion 21B has a configuration that makes the user aware that it is OK to step on it when removing the medical device 100 from the bag body 20B, for example, a configuration that is different from other portions of the bag body 20B. Specifically, the step portion 21B may have a different color or pattern from other portions, or may have letters or marks displayed on it.

[0072] According to the medical device package of this embodiment, the step portion 21B allows the user to easily and appropriately recognize that it is OK to step on the medical device 100 when removing it from the bag body 20B.

[0073] The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be modified in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof, for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, a guiding catheter is described as an example of a medical device, but the medical device may be any other type of elongated device such as a catheter, a guidewire, or a dilator.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the medical device package includes a storage box for storing the pouch. The medical device package does not necessarily have to include a storage box.

[0076] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the step portion of the bag body is bent so as to face the support body and stored in the storage box 10. The step portion of the bag body may also be stored in the storage box in an unbent state.

[0077] In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the support portion has a bent portion. The support portion does not have to have a bent portion.

[0078] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the step portions 21, 21A may be configured differently from the other portions of the bag bodies 20, 20A.

[0079] The present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A medical device package (1), A medical device (100); a plate-shaped support portion (30, 30A, 30B, 30C) for supporting the medical device (100); a bag body (20, 20A, 20B) that accommodates the medical device (100) and the support part (30, 30A, 30B, 30C), The bag body (20, 20A, 20B) has, at a position distal to the distal end (100a) of the medical device (100) to be accommodated, a step portion (21, 21A, 21B) that can be bent relative to a support body portion (31, 31A, 31B) of the support portion (30, 30A, 30B, 30C) on which the medical device (100) is supported. A medical device package (1).

2. The length of the step portion (21, 21A, 21B) of the bag body (20, 20A, 20B) in the direction of the tip end side is 100 mm or more. A medical device package (1) according to claim 1.

3. The support portion (30, 30A, 30B, 30C) has a support tip portion (32, 32A) on the tip side of the support portion main body portion (31, 31A), The step portion (21, 21B) accommodates the support tip portion (32, 32A), a bending portion (37) is provided at the boundary between the support tip portion (32, 32A) and the support main body portion (31, 31A), allowing the support tip portion (32, 32A) to be bent relative to the support main body portion (31, 31A); The bent portion (37) is at least one of a crease, a perforation, and a cut. A medical device package (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The length of the support tip portion (32, 32A) from the boundary toward the tip side is 30 mm or more. A medical device package (1) according to claim 3.

5. The support portions (30B, 30C) have different rigidities against bending in the longitudinal direction between the distal end side and the proximal end side of the boundary. A medical device package (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4.

6. The support body (31A) has a wall (38) formed at the end of the short side of the support part (30B) and extending in the direction of the surface on which the medical device (100) is supported. A medical device package (1) according to claim 5.

7. The support tip portion (32A) has a wall portion (39) formed at the end portion on the short side of the support portion (30C) so as to extend in a direction toward the medical device (100) supported by the support main body portion (31) when bent. A medical device package (1) according to claim 5.

8. The bag (20, 20A, 20B) further includes a storage box (10) for storing the bag (20, 20A, 20B), The step portions (21, 21A, 21B) are accommodated in the accommodation box (10) in a state where they are bent relative to the support body portions (31, 31A, 31B). A medical device package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The step portion (21B) of the bag body (20B) is configured in such a way that it can be recognized that it is OK to step on it. A medical device package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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