Bubble-removal cap and syringe set

Abstract

A bubble-removal cap (10) comprises a cylindrical body part (12). A hollow portion (18) of the body part (12) is provided with: a cylindrical portion (28) that protrudes from a connection portion (20) toward a filter (16); a flow path (30) that penetrates the inside of the cylindrical portion (28); and a discharge port (34) that opens in the cylindrical portion (28) and communicates with the flow path (30). The discharge port (34) has a portion (341) that opens closer to the base end than the distal end (281) of the cylindrical portion (28).

Description

Bubble removal cap and syringe set

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bubble removal cap and a syringe set.

[0002] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2017-506115 discloses a bubble filter structure attachable to a medical connector or a nozzle of a syringe. The bubble filter structure includes a body, a connector connected to the body, and a filter housed inside the body. A tube for collecting body fluid is connected to the connector, and the filter is arranged so as to face an introduction path through which the body fluid is introduced. When the body fluid is introduced into the introduction path, after bubbles in the body fluid are discharged through the filter, the body fluid passes through the filter.

[0003] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2017-506115

[0004] In the bubble filter structure of Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2017-506115, there is a concern that before all bubbles in the body fluid finish passing through the filter, the body fluid comes into contact with the filter, causing the filter to expand and clog, leaving some bubbles in the body fluid unremoved.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to solve the problem described above.

[0006] (1) A first aspect of the present disclosure is a bubble removal cap including: a cylindrical main body portion having a hollow portion inside; a connecting portion provided on a proximal end side of the hollow portion, to which a container for storing a liquid is connected; an exhaust portion provided on a distal end side of the hollow portion, for discharging gas discharged from the container; and a filter disposed in the hollow portion and partitioning the exhaust portion and the connecting portion, wherein the hollow portion has an intermediate portion provided between the filter and the connecting portion, the bubble removal cap further comprises: a cylindrical portion provided in the intermediate portion, protruding from the connecting portion toward the filter, and having a distal end spaced apart from the filter; a flow path penetrating an inside of the cylindrical portion and communicating the connecting portion with the filter; and a discharge port opened in the cylindrical portion, communicating with the flow path, and through which the liquid is discharged from the flow path, wherein the discharge port has a portion that opens closer to the proximal end than the distal end of the cylindrical portion.

[0007] This bubble removal cap prevents liquid from adhering to the filter before all the gas has been released, allowing for effective removal of bubbles from the liquid.

[0008] (2) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) above, the flow path may be formed in a tapered shape toward the tip.

[0009] With this configuration, when liquid flows through the channel toward the filter, the inner surface of the channel directs the liquid discharge direction radially outward, thereby suppressing the discharge of liquid from the outlet toward the filter.

[0010] (3) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the cylindrical portion may have an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the main body, and the discharge port may be formed on the inclined surface.

[0011] This configuration allows the liquid discharged from the outlet to be effectively moved along the inclined surface towards the base end by its own weight.

[0012] (4) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the discharge port has a side opening that opens to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion, and the side opening may have the largest width at the tip of the cylindrical portion in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

[0013] This configuration allows the liquid to flow along the channel toward the tip, effectively discharging the liquid outwards from the cylindrical section.

[0014] (5) In the bubble removal cap described in (4) above, a plurality of side openings may be provided.

[0015] This configuration allows for more effective discharge of liquid from the flow path to the outside of the cylindrical section through multiple side openings.

[0016] (6) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the cylindrical portion comprises a cylindrical body having the flow path and a cover portion provided toward the tip of the cylindrical body and intersecting the direction of extension of the flow path, and the discharge port may be provided between the cover portion and the tip of the cylindrical portion.

[0017] This configuration effectively prevents liquid from moving directly from the tip of the flow path in the cylindrical body towards the filter.

[0018] (7) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the outlet may open toward the direction of the connection portion.

[0019] This configuration allows the liquid to be effectively discharged in the opposite direction to the filter.

[0020] (8) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the axial length of the flow path may be in the range of 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.

[0021] (9) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the base diameter of the base end of the flow path is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm in the axial direction of the flow path, and the tip diameter of the tip of the flow path may be 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm. This configuration effectively suppresses the forceful ejection of liquid discharged from the outlet towards the filter.

[0022] (10) In the bubble removal cap described in (3) above, the inclined surface may be inclined at an angle of 45° to 75° with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion. With this configuration, the liquid discharged from the outlet can be effectively moved along the inclined surface toward the base end by its own weight.

[0023] (11) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the axial length of the connection portion may be in the range of 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm.

[0024] (12) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the connecting portion has a connecting space inside, and the volume of the connecting space is 110.0 mm ３ That's fine too.

[0025] (13) In the bubble removal cap described in (1) or (2) above, the intermediate portion is provided in the direction toward the base end from the tip of the cylindrical portion and has an intermediate space formed outside the cylindrical portion, the volume of the intermediate space is 17.0 mm ３The above configuration is also acceptable. This configuration allows for more effective removal of air bubbles by creating an intermediate space with a larger volume than the connection points of the container where air bubbles are most likely to form.

[0026] (14) A second aspect of the present disclosure is a syringe set comprising a bubble removal cap as described in any one of (1) to (13) above, and a container for containing the liquid.

[0027] According to this disclosure, it is possible to prevent liquid from adhering to the filter before all the gas has been discharged and to effectively discharge air bubbles from the liquid.

[0028] Figure 1 is an overall diagram of a syringe set including a bubble removal cap according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the bubble removal cap. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bubble removal cap. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bubble removal cap shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a first explanatory diagram when using the syringe set shown in Figure 1. Figure 7A is a second explanatory diagram when using the syringe set. Figure 7B is a third explanatory diagram when using the syringe set. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a bubble removal cap according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX in Figure 8. Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view of a modified bubble removal cap. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of a modified bubble removal cap. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a bubble removal cap according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a bubble removal cap according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the bubble removal cap 10 according to the first embodiment is used by being connected to a syringe 100 (container 100A). The bubble removal cap 10 is combined with a syringe 100 for collecting fluid from a living body to form a syringe set 102. The fluid from the living body is, for example, blood B (see Figure 7A). Note that the fluid from which bubbles are removed by the bubble removal cap 10 is not limited to blood B. Any fluid from a living body can be used.

[0030] The syringe set 102 comprises a syringe 100 and an air bubble removal cap 10. The syringe 100 is, for example, a blood collection syringe for collecting liquid blood B. The syringe 100 has a plunger 104, a syringe body 106 into which the plunger 104 is inserted, and a needle member 108.

[0031] Syringe 100 is capable of blood collection by arterial pressure and aspirating blood B by a suction operation that pulls in the plunger 104. The gasket portion 109 of the plunger 104 is provided with a vent filter (not shown) that allows air to be discharged but closes when it comes into contact with blood B. The plunger 104 is formed in a hollow shape, allowing air (gas) that has been expelled from the syringe body 106 by arterial pressure to be discharged.

[0032] The syringe body 106 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and a syringe chamber 110 is formed inside. A plunger 104 is inserted into the syringe chamber 110 so as to be axially slidable. The syringe chamber 110 of the syringe body 106 is filled with a drug that prevents blood B coagulation, such as heparin. A small-diameter nozzle 112 (tip) is formed at the tip of the syringe body 106. The nozzle 112 is tapered so that its outer diameter gradually decreases towards the tip. An adapter portion 114 with an internal thread is provided on the outside of the nozzle 112.

[0033] A needle member 108 is attached to the nozzle 112. The needle member 108 comprises a needle body 116 that communicates with the nozzle 112, a protective cap 118 that covers the needle member 108 and is removed immediately before use, and a protector 120 to prevent accidental puncture after use. The needle member 108 is screwed into the adapter portion 114 and is removed from the syringe body 106 after blood collection is complete.

[0034] The bubble removal cap 10 is attached to the nozzle 112 of the syringe body 106 after blood collection is complete and the needle member 108 has been removed, and is used to remove air bubbles (gas) from the blood B in the syringe 100 (see Figure 6).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the bubble removal cap 10 includes a main body portion 12, a grip portion 14, and a filter 16. Each of the main body portion 12 and the grip portion 14 is formed of a transparent or translucent resin material that allows internal visual confirmation, such as polypropylene resin, PET resin, or the like.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body portion 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A hollow portion 18 is provided inside the main body portion 12. In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the main body portion 12, the hollow portion 18 has a circular shape.

[0037] The main body portion 12 further includes a connection portion 20, an exhaust portion 22, and an intermediate portion 24.

[0038] The connection portion 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape and provided on the proximal end side of the hollow portion 18. The connection portion 20 is connected with a syringe 100 (container 100A) that stores liquid (blood B) from a living body (see FIG. 7A). The connection portion 20 has an inner peripheral surface 201 and a connection space 202. The inner peripheral surface 201 is formed in a tapered shape toward the distal direction. The connection space 202 is a space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface 201. The distal end portion of the syringe 100 is inserted into the connection space 202 (see FIG. 7A). The volume of the connection space 202 is preferably, for example, 110.0 mm ３ or more.

[0039] The nozzle 112 of the syringe 100 is inserted into and fitted to the inner peripheral surface 201 of the connection portion 20. The nozzle 112 of the syringe 100 is liquid-tightly and air-tightly connected to the connection portion 20. The axial length L1 of the connection portion 20 is, for example, in the range of 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm.

[0040] The exhaust portion 22 is provided on the distal end side of the hollow portion 18. The exhaust portion 22 discharges the gas exhausted from the syringe 100 (container 100A) to the outside. The exhaust portion 22 has an exhaust opening 221. The exhaust opening 221 opens at the distal end of the exhaust portion 22.

[0041] The grip portion 14 is provided on the distal end side of the main body portion 12. The grip portion 14 protrudes further toward the distal end side than the distal end of the main body portion 12 (see FIG. 2). The grip portion 14 is formed to have a larger diameter than the main body portion 12, and is provided so as to be grippable by a user.

[0042] The filter 16 is disposed in the hollow portion 18. The filter 16 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 181 of the hollow portion 18. The filter 16 partitions the hollow portion 18 into a connecting portion 20 and an exhaust portion 22. The connecting portion 20 is disposed on the proximal end side of the filter 16, and the exhaust portion 22 is disposed on the distal end side of the filter 16. The filter 16 is made of a porous material obtained by sintering a hydrophilic resin (for example, starch-sodium acrylate graft copolymer), a water-absorbent polymer material, and a binder resin (for example, polyethylene). In a dry state, the filter 16 has interconnected pores, allowing gas (air) to pass from the proximal end side toward the distal end side. When the filter 16 comes into contact with liquid, the water-absorbent polymer material swells to block the pores, thereby blocking the passage of gas and liquid.

[0043] The intermediate portion 24 is provided in the hollow portion 18, and is provided between the filter 16 and the connecting portion 20. A partition wall 26 is provided between the connecting portion 20 and the intermediate portion 24. The partition wall 26 separates the intermediate portion 24 from the connecting portion 20.

[0044] A cylindrical portion 28 is provided in the intermediate portion 24. The cylindrical portion 28 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes toward the distal end direction from the connecting portion 20. A proximal end of the cylindrical portion 28 is connected to the partition wall 26. The cylindrical portion 28 extends along the axial direction of the main body portion 12. The cylindrical portion 28 is disposed on the axis of the main body portion 12. A distal end 281 of the cylindrical portion 28 faces the filter 16 in the axial direction of the main body portion 12. The distal end 281 of the cylindrical portion 28 and the filter 16 are disposed spaced apart from each other.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, the cylindrical portion 28 includes a flow path 30, an inclined surface 32, and a discharge port 34. In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 28, the flow path 30 has a circular shape (see Fig. 5). Note that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path 30 is not limited to a circular shape.

[0046] The flow path 30 penetrates the inside of the cylindrical portion 28. The flow path 30 is formed along the axis of the cylindrical portion 28. The flow path 30 extends to the proximal end of the cylindrical portion 28 and communicates with the connecting space 202 of the connecting portion 20. A distal end of the flow path 30 opens at the distal end 281 of the cylindrical portion 28. The flow path 30 allows communication between the connecting space 202 of the connecting portion 20 and the intermediate portion 24. The flow path 30 communicates the connecting space 202 of the connecting portion 20 with the filter 16.

[0047] The flow path 30 is tapered towards the tip. The diameter of the flow path 30 is largest at the base end and smallest at the tip end. The flow path 30 has a base diameter D1 and a tip diameter D2. The base diameter D1 is the diameter at the very base of the flow path 30. The tip diameter D2 is a virtual diameter at the very tip of the flow path 30 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 28. For example, the base diameter D1 of the flow path 30 is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, and the tip diameter D2 is 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm. Preferably, the tip diameter D2 is 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. More preferably, the tip diameter D2 is about 0.7 mm. Note that the base diameter D1 and tip diameter D2 are not limited to the above ranges.

[0048] The inclined surface 32 is provided on the cylindrical portion 28. The inclined surface 32 is a surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 28. For example, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 32 is 45° to 75° with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 28. Preferably, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 32 is 55° to 65°. More preferably, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 32 is 60°.

[0049] The outlet 34 is provided at the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28. The outlet 34 is formed on the inclined surface 32 of the cylindrical portion 28. The outlet 34 opens into the inclined surface 32. The outlet 34 connects the outside of the cylindrical portion 28 to the flow path 30. The liquid flowing through the flow path 30 is discharged through the outlet 34.

[0050] The discharge port 34 has a portion 341 that opens towards the base end of the cylindrical portion 28, below the tip 281. When using the bubble removal cap 10, the portion 341 is positioned below the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28 on the inclined surface 32 (see Figure 5).

[0051] For example, the axial length L2 of the flow path 30 is in the range of 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. The axial length L2 is the length along the axial direction from the base end to the tip end of the flow path 30.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, the intermediate portion 24 further comprises an intermediate space 241. The intermediate space 241 is located in the direction toward the base end of the cylindrical portion 28, beyond the tip 281, and is formed outside the cylindrical portion 28. The intermediate space 241 is formed in an annular shape radially outward of the cylindrical portion 28. The volume of the intermediate space 241 is preferably, for example, 17.0 mm. ３ That's all.

[0053] The syringe set 102 using the bubble removal cap 10 of the first embodiment is used as follows. The syringe set 102 is provided as a set of the blood collection syringe 100 and the bubble removal cap 10 shown in Figure 1. The user removes the protective cap 118 of the syringe 100 and inserts the needle member 108 into a blood vessel such as an artery of the patient (living body) to collect blood. Alternatively, the syringe 100 may be connected to a connection port of the blood collection line to collect blood. In this case, the user can remove the needle member 108 from the syringe 100 and connect the nozzle 112 of the syringe 100 to the connection port of the blood collection line to collect blood.

[0054] The blood B (liquid) collected in syringe 100 is used, for example, to test the oxygen concentration in the patient's blood B. If air bubbles remain inside syringe 100, the oxygen concentration may be detected as excessive, potentially leading to errors in the measurement results. Therefore, it is desirable to promptly remove any air bubbles from inside syringe 100 after blood collection is complete.

[0055] In this embodiment, to remove air bubbles, the user attaches the air bubble removal cap 10 to the nozzle 112 of the syringe 100. Prior to attaching the air bubble removal cap 10, the user attaches the protector 120 to the needle member 108 shown in Figure 1 and removes the needle member 108 from the syringe 100. Then, the user pushes the nozzle 112 of the syringe 100 into the connection part 20 of the air bubble removal cap 10 to connect the syringe 100 and the air bubble removal cap 10.

[0056] Next, as shown in Figure 6, the user holds the syringe 100 upright with one hand so that the bubble removal cap 10 is facing upwards, and vibrates the syringe 100 by flicking it with the fingers of the other hand to collect the air bubbles inside the syringe 100 near the nozzle 112. The bubble removal cap 10 is used with the exhaust section 22 facing upwards.

[0057] Next, the user pushes in the plunger 104 to expel the air bubbles that have accumulated near the nozzle 112 of the syringe 100. As shown in Figure 7A, when air bubbles are expelled from the syringe 100, they are expelled along with the blood B inside the syringe 100 and nozzle 112. If the blood B expelled from the nozzle 112 splashes and adheres to the filter 16 before the air bubbles have been completely expelled, the filter 16 will become blocked by the blood B.

[0058] In the nozzle 112, if there is blood B towards the tip (towards the filter 16) from the air bubble, the plunger 104 pushes the blood B along the flow path 30 toward the tip along with the air bubble. When the blood B moves to the tip of the flow path 30 and reaches the outlet 34, it is discharged from the outlet 34 onto the inclined surface 32 of the cylindrical portion 28. Upon contact with the inclined surface 32 of the cylindrical portion 28, the blood B flows radially outward and downward along the inclined surface 32 due to gravity. In other words, surface tension prevents the blood B from remaining above the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28.

[0059] In detail, when blood B reaches the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28, before it reaches the tip 281, blood B begins to flow out of the cylindrical portion 28 from the portion 341 that is open towards the base end of the cylindrical portion 28. As a result, blood B is prevented from flowing from the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28 toward the filter 16, and blood B flows out from the outlet 34 of the cylindrical portion 28 into the intermediate space 241 and is contained therein. Blood B accumulates from the bottom upwards in the intermediate space 241. In addition, when blood B moves vigorously toward the tip within the flow path 30 due to the pushing of the plunger 104, the blood B hits the inner circumferential surface of the tapered flow path 30, which suppresses the linear flow of blood B toward the tip, thus preventing blood B from splashing out of the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28 toward the filter 16.

[0060] The bubbles inside the nozzle 112 burst and disappear into gas immediately after the blood B flows out of the outlet 34 into the intermediate space 241. The gas then moves from the outlet 34 towards the filter 16 and passes through the filter 16. The gas that has passed through the filter 16 is discharged from the exhaust opening 221 of the exhaust section 22.

[0061] As the user pushes the plunger 104 further, air is discharged from the nozzle 112 to the connection part 20, as shown in Figure 7B. After the gas contained in the blood B passes through the filter 16, the blood B discharged from the flow path 30 into the intermediate space 241 comes into contact with the filter 16. As a result, the filter 16 absorbs the moisture in the blood B and swells, sealing the connection part 20 and the exhaust part 22 in a liquid-tight and airtight manner. Consequently, leakage of blood B to the exhaust part 22 is prevented, allowing the user to remove air bubbles without being exposed to blood B. The user can confirm the completion of air bubble discharge by the discoloration of the filter 16 due to the blood B and the stopping of the plunger 104 due to the blockage of the filter 16.

[0062] Syringe 100 is transported with the air bubble removal cap 10 attached, preventing air bubbles from entering the syringe 100 during transport. The air bubble removal cap 10 is removed from syringe 100 immediately before it is set into equipment such as a testing device. After that, the blood B in syringe 100 is used for oxygen concentration testing, etc.

[0063] The first embodiment provides the following effects.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the bubble removal cap 10 comprises a main body portion 12 having a hollow portion 18 inside, and the hollow portion 18 is provided with a cylindrical portion 28 that protrudes from the connection portion 20 toward the filter 16 and whose tip 281 is spaced apart from the filter 16. As shown in Figure 7A, the cylindrical portion 28 has an outlet 34 through which blood B (liquid) is discharged from the flow path 30, and the outlet 34 has a portion 341 that opens toward the base end of the cylindrical portion 28, rather than toward the tip 281.

[0065] This bubble removal cap 10 prevents blood B (liquid) from adhering to the filter 16 before all the gas is discharged, thus effectively removing bubbles from the liquid.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the flow path 30 is tapered toward the tip.

[0067] With this configuration, when liquid flows through the channel 30 toward the tip, the inner surface of the channel 30 directs the liquid's discharge direction radially outward. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the discharge of liquid from the outlet 34 toward the filter 16.

[0068] The tip portion 282 of the cylindrical portion 28 has an inclined surface 32 that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the main body portion 12, and an outlet 34 is formed on the inclined surface 32.

[0069] This configuration allows the liquid discharged from the outlet 34 to be effectively moved along the inclined surface 32 toward the base end by its own weight.

[0070] The axial length L2 of the flow path 30 is in the range of 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.

[0071] In the axial direction of the flow path 30, the base diameter D1 of the base end of the flow path 30 is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, and the tip diameter D2 of the flow path 30 is 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm. Preferably, the tip diameter D2 is 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. More preferably, the tip diameter D2 is about 0.7 mm. With this configuration, the volume of the intermediate space 241 can be secured while effectively suppressing the forceful ejection of liquid discharged from the outlet 34 towards the filter 16.

[0072] The inclined surface 32 of the cylindrical portion 28 is inclined at an angle of 45° to 75° with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion 28. This configuration allows the liquid discharged from the outlet 34 to be effectively moved along the inclined surface 32 toward the base end by its own weight.

[0073] As shown in Figure 3, the axial length L1 of the connecting portion 20 is in the range of 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm.

[0074] The volume of the connection space 202 in the connection part 20 is 110.0 mm³. ３ That's all.

[0075] The intermediate portion 24 is provided in a direction toward the base end of the cylindrical portion 28, and has an intermediate space 241 formed outside the cylindrical portion 28. The volume of the intermediate space 241 is 17.0 mm³. ３ This concludes the explanation. With this configuration, an intermediate space 241 is formed with a larger volume than the nozzle 112 of the syringe 100, where air bubbles are most likely to form, thereby enabling more effective removal of air bubbles.

[0076] As shown in Figure 1, the syringe set 102 includes a bubble removal cap 10 and a container 100A for holding liquid.

[0077] As shown in Figure 8, the bubble removal cap 10A according to the second embodiment has a cylindrical portion 28A. The cylindrical portion 28A is provided with an outlet 34A. The outlet 34A is provided with a side opening 401. The side opening 401 opens to the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 280 of the cylindrical portion 28A. The side opening 401 penetrates the peripheral wall portion 280 of the cylindrical portion 28A in the radial direction.

[0078] As shown in Figure 9, the side opening 401 has a width W in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 28A. The width W of the side opening 401 is greatest at the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28A. When viewed from the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 28A, the side opening 401 is V-shaped, tapering from the tip 281 towards the base end of the cylindrical portion 28A. That is, the width W of the side opening 401 is greatest at the tip of the cylindrical portion 28A and gradually decreases towards the base end of the cylindrical portion 28A.

[0079] Furthermore, the shape of the side opening 401 is not limited to a V-shape. For example, as shown in Figure 10A, when viewed from the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 28A, the shape of the side opening 402 may be a substantially rectangular shape formed with a substantially constant width W in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 28A and extending from the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28A toward the base end.

[0080] The discharge port 34A is not limited to being a single port on the peripheral wall 280 of the cylindrical portion 28A. For example, as shown in Figure 10B, the peripheral wall 280 of the cylindrical portion 28A may have multiple discharge ports 34A. For example, if the peripheral wall 280 of the cylindrical portion 28A has multiple discharge ports 34A, the multiple discharge ports 34A are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 28A.

[0081] As shown in Figure 8, when bubbles are removed by the bubble removal cap 10A, the blood B (liquid) that flows into the flow path 30 from a syringe (not shown) is discharged to the outside of the peripheral wall 280 of the cylindrical portion 28A through the outlet 34A (side opening 401), which gradually widens in width W (see Figure 9) toward the tip. More specifically, the blood B begins to flow out of the cylindrical portion 28A from the portion 341 that opens toward the base end rather than the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28A. In other words, the blood B is discharged radially outward through the outlet 34A before it reaches the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28A. Therefore, it is prevented that the blood B adheres to the filter 16 before all of the gas has passed through the filter 16.

[0082] The second embodiment provides the following effects.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, the outlet 34A has a side opening 401 (402) that opens onto the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 28A. In the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 28A, the width W of the side opening 401 is greatest at the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28A.

[0084] With this configuration, as the blood B (liquid) flows along the flow path 30 toward the tip, the blood B can be effectively discharged toward the outside of the cylindrical portion 28A.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10B, multiple side openings 401 (402) are provided. With this configuration, the blood B in the flow path 30 can be discharged more effectively to the outside of the cylindrical portion 28A by the multiple side openings 401 (402).

[0086] As shown in Figure 11, the bubble removal cap 10B according to the third embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 28B. The cylindrical portion 28B includes a cylindrical body 50 and a cover portion 52.

[0087] The cylindrical body 50 is equipped with a flow path 30. The cover portion 52 is formed in a plate shape. The cover portion 52 is provided at the tip of the cylindrical body 50. The cover portion 52 is provided between the tip 501 of the cylindrical body 50 and the filter 16. The cover portion 52 is provided perpendicular to the extending direction of the flow path 30. The cover portion 52 covers the tip of the cylindrical body 50. The cover portion 52 is supported by a support portion 54 at the tip 501 of the cylindrical body 50. The cover portion 52 is spaced apart from the tip 501 of the cylindrical body 50 in the direction of the tip.

[0088] An outlet 34B is provided between the tip 501 of the cylindrical body 50 and the cover portion 52. The outlet 34B communicates with the flow path 30 and opens radially outward from the cylindrical portion 28B. That is, the outlet 34B opens in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the flow path 30.

[0089] When bubbles are removed by the bubble removal cap 10B, the blood B (liquid) that flows into the flow path 30 from a syringe (not shown) is discharged from the tip of the flow path 30 through the outlet 34B to the outside of the cylindrical part 28B. At this time, the cover part 52 prevents the blood B from being discharged from the flow path 30 toward the filter 16. Therefore, it is prevented that the blood B adheres to the filter 16 before all of the gas has passed through the filter 16.

[0090] The configuration is not limited to providing a cover portion 52 at the tip of the cylindrical body 50B. For example, the tip of the cylindrical body 50B may be configured to have an outlet that penetrates the peripheral wall portion 280.

[0091] The third embodiment provides the following effects.

[0092] The cylindrical portion 28B comprises a cylindrical body 50 having a flow path 30, and a cover portion 52 provided in the direction of the tip of the cylindrical body 50 and perpendicular to the direction of extension of the flow path 30. An outlet 34B is provided between the cover portion 52 and the tip 501 of the cylindrical body 50.

[0093] This configuration effectively prevents liquid from moving directly from the tip of the flow path 30 in the cylindrical body 50 towards the filter 16.

[0094] As shown in Figure 12, the bubble removal cap 10C according to the fourth embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 28C. The tip portion 282 of the cylindrical portion 28C has a protruding portion 70 and a connecting channel 72. The protruding portion 70 is provided at the tip 281 of the cylindrical portion 28C and protrudes radially outward. The end faces of the protruding portion 70 face each other in the direction of the base end. The end faces of the protruding portion 70 face the connecting portion 20. An outlet 34C is formed at the end face of the protruding portion 70. The outlet 34C opens radially outward from the cylindrical portion 28C. The opening direction of the outlet 34C is in the direction of the base end. The connecting channel 72 is provided inside the protruding portion 70. The connecting channel 72 connects the tip of the channel 30 and the outlet 34C. The channel 30 and the outlet 34C communicate with each other through the connecting channel 72.

[0095] When bubbles are removed by the bubble removal cap 10C, the blood B (liquid) that flows into the flow path 30 from a syringe (not shown) is discharged from the tip of the flow path 30 through the connecting flow path 72 to the outside of the cylindrical part 28C through the outlet 34C. When the bubble removal cap 10C is in use, the direction of discharge of blood B is downward. That is, the direction of discharge of blood B from the cylindrical part 28C is opposite to the direction of the filter 16. This prevents blood B from being discharged from the flow path 30 toward the filter 16. Therefore, it is prevented that blood B adheres to the filter 16 before all of the gas has passed through the filter 16.

[0096] The fourth embodiment provides the following effects.

[0097] The outlet 34C opens toward the connection portion 20. This configuration allows the blood B (liquid) to be effectively discharged in the opposite direction to the filter 16.

[0098] While this disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, partially deleted, etc., in any way that does not depart from the gist of this disclosure or from the intent of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A bubble removal cap comprising: a cylindrical body having a hollow portion inside; a connecting portion provided on the base end side of the hollow portion to which a container for holding liquid is connected; an exhaust portion provided on the tip side of the hollow portion to which gas discharged from the container is discharged; and a filter disposed in the hollow portion to separate the exhaust portion and the connecting portion, wherein the hollow portion has an intermediate portion provided between the filter and the connecting portion; a cylindrical portion provided in the intermediate portion, protruding from the connecting portion toward the filter and having its tip spaced apart from the filter; a flow path penetrating the inside of the cylindrical portion and communicating the connecting portion and the filter; and an outlet opening in the cylindrical portion and communicating with the flow path, from which the liquid is discharged, wherein the outlet has a portion that opens toward the base end than the tip of the cylindrical portion.

2. The bubble removal cap according to claim 1, wherein the flow path is tapered toward the tip.

3. A bubble removal cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylindrical portion has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the main body, and the discharge port is formed on the inclined surface.

4. The bubble removal cap according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port has a side opening that opens to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and the side opening has the greatest width at the tip of the cylindrical portion in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion.

5. The bubble removal cap according to claim 4, wherein the side openings are provided in a plurality of locations.

6. The bubble removal cap according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises: a cylindrical body having the flow path; and a cover portion provided toward the tip of the cylindrical body and intersecting the extending direction of the flow path, and the discharge port is provided between the cover portion and the tip of the cylindrical portion.

7. A bubble removal cap according to claim 6, wherein the discharge port opens toward the direction of the connection portion.

8. A bubble removal cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axial length of the flow path is in the range of 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.

9. A bubble removal cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the axial direction of the flow path, the base diameter of the base end of the flow path is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, and the tip diameter of the tip of the flow path is 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm.

10. A bubble removal cap according to claim 3, wherein the inclined surface is inclined at an angle of 45° to 75° with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion.

11. A bubble removal cap according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the connecting portion is in the range of 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm.

12. In the bubble removal cap according to claim 1, the connecting portion has a connecting space inside, and the volume of the connecting space is 110.0 mm³. ３ That's all for the bubble removal cap.

13. In the bubble removal cap according to claim 1, the intermediate portion is provided in the direction toward the base end from the tip of the cylindrical portion and has an intermediate space formed outside the cylindrical portion, the volume of the intermediate space is 17.0 mm³. ３ That's all for the bubble removal cap.

14. A syringe set comprising the bubble removal cap according to claim 1 or 2, and the container for containing the liquid.

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