JP7660310B2 - Drug Injection Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drug injection device, in particular, a drug injection device for injecting a fluid drug into the body.

Recently, various fluid medicines are often injected into the human body for various purposes. For example, they are used in a wide variety of ways, such as administering a cleaning fluid into the female genitals to cleanse them, administering a contraceptive liquid for contraception, or administering a medicinal liquid to treat hemorrhoids or sexually transmitted diseases.

The inside of the human genitals and anus are exposed mucous membranes, making them highly sensitive to external stimuli and easily damaged or contaminated. Therefore, extreme care must be taken when administering the various fluid medications mentioned above.

Conventionally, in order to alleviate the inconvenience of directly administering the above-mentioned fluid medicine manually, a drug injection device capable of administering the fluid medicine into the human body has been devised. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, such a drug injection device is equipped with a plastic cylinder with a drug discharge hole formed at the tip, and adopts a type in which a push rod (piston) provided in the cylinder is pushed toward the tip of the cylinder, so that the fluid medicine flows out from the drug discharge hole provided at the tip of the cylinder.

JP 2014-004309 A

As described above, conventionally known drug injection devices have a structure in which a fluid drug is discharged from the tip of a cylinder, which does not pose a problem from the viewpoint of simply injecting a drug into a body cavity such as the vagina or anus, but it does pose a problem in that it is difficult to apply the drug over a wide area inside the body cavity. In particular, when injecting a relatively viscous gel or jelly-like drug, the injected gel-like drug has a strong tendency to remain in the area near the tip of the cylinder, making it substantially difficult to quickly apply the drug over a wide area inside a body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a drug injection device that can efficiently apply medicine to a wide area inside a body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

The object of the present invention is to provide a medicine injection device for injecting a fluid medicine into a vagina or anus, the medicine injection device comprising: a long insertion portion to be inserted into a vagina or anus; a storage portion in which the fluid medicine is stored; and a medicine flow path portion formed inside the insertion portion and into which the fluid medicine pushed out from the storage portion is guided, the medicine flow path portion being formed along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, the long insertion portion being provided with a plurality of medicine ejection holes communicating with the medicine flow path portion and the outside, the hole diameter of each of the medicine ejection holes increasing stepwise along the flow direction of the fluid medicine flowing through the medicine flow path portion, the plurality of medicine ejection holes being a first ejection hole group consisting of a plurality of medicine ejection holes arranged at predetermined intervals on a first imaginary line along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion assumed on a surface of the insertion portion, and and a second group of ejection holes consisting of a plurality of drug ejection holes arranged at predetermined intervals on a second imaginary line along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion assumed on the surface of the insertion portion, each drug ejection hole in the first group of ejection holes and each drug ejection hole in the second group of ejection holes are formed on opposite sides of the drug flow path portion, each drug ejection hole in the first group of ejection holes and each drug ejection hole in the second group of ejection holes are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, the insertion portion has an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction over its entire longitudinal direction, and at least a portion of the plurality of drug ejection holes are formed on a side portion in the minor axis direction of the insertion portion having the elliptical cross section .

In this drug injection device, the drug ejection holes may be arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion.

At least some of the medicine ejection holes may be formed in a side surface portion in a minor axis direction of the insertion portion having an elliptical cross section.

The present invention provides a drug injection device that can efficiently apply a drug to a wide area inside a body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a pharmaceutical injection device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the longitudinal axis of a pharmaceutical injection device according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the pharmaceutical injection device as seen from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the pharmaceutical injection device according to the first embodiment. 4(a) and 4(b) are enlarged cross-sectional views of essential parts illustrating the action of the pharmaceutical injection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2(a) is an enlarged side view of a main portion of a storage container provided in a pharmaceutical injection device according to a first embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of an outer member. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion for explaining the operation of the pharmaceutical injection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a pharmaceutical injection device according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the longitudinal axis of a pharmaceutical injection device according to a second embodiment. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIG. 9. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of a storage container provided in a pharmaceutical injection device according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of an insertion portion. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an essential portion of an open end of a drug flow path section provided in a drug injection device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the pharmaceutical injection device as seen from the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 10 . FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of the pharmaceutical injection device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a further modified example of the pharmaceutical injection device in FIG. 14 . FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a pharmaceutical injection device according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the longitudinal axis of a pharmaceutical injection device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the pharmaceutical injection device as seen from the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 17. FIG. 13 is another schematic perspective view of the drug injection container according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of an insertion section and a storage container housing section provided in a pharmaceutical injection device according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a side view of the insertion section and the storage container housing section. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a holder portion included in a pharmaceutical injection device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the pharmaceutical injection device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the pharmaceutical injection device according to the third embodiment.

A first embodiment of the drug injection device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the configuration of a drug injection device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the longitudinal axis of the drug injection device 100. Fig. 3 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow A in Fig. 2. Note that each figure is partially enlarged and reduced in order to make the configuration easier to understand.

The drug injection device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a device for injecting a fluid drug into a body cavity (inside the body), such as the vagina or anus. A wide variety of drugs can be used as the fluid drug, including, for example, cleansers, contraceptives, anesthetics, enemas, antipyretics, lubricants, etc. The fluid drug can take various forms, such as lotion, gel, jelly, etc.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this drug injection device 100 is configured as a syringe-type injection device comprising an insertion part 1 and a piston 2. The insertion part 1 is inserted from its tip side 1a into a body cavity (inside the body) such as the vagina or anus of the human body, and is formed in an elongated shape that extends along the direction of insertion into the body. This insertion part 1 has a double structure comprising a storage container 3 and an outer member 4. Here, the storage container 3 and outer member 4 that constitute the insertion part 1, as well as the piston 2, are preferably formed from a plastic resin raw material.

The storage container 3 is an elongated container having a storage section 5 in which the fluid medicine is stored, and is equipped with a cylindrical elongated body section 6 having a circular cross section and a finger hook section 7. An outflow hole 8 is formed at the tip of the storage container 3 (body section 6) through which the fluid medicine stored in the storage section 5 can flow out. The storage container 3 also has an opening 9 on the base end side (the side where the finger hook section 7 is provided) that communicates with the storage section 5 formed inside. The base end side of the storage container 3 means the end side opposite to the tip end side 1a of the insertion section 1 (storage container 3) that is inserted into the body, and the opening 9 is formed at the other end 1b of the insertion section 1. A piston 2 that is inserted into the storage section 5 through the opening 9 is connected to this storage container 3. By pushing this piston 2 from the other end side 1b of the insertion part 1 to the tip side 1a, it is possible to push the fluid medicine stored in the storage part 5 to the outflow hole 8 side (the tip side 1a of the insertion part 1).

The finger hook 7 of the storage container 3 is tapered at the base end of the storage container 3, expanding in diameter from the tip end to the base end. The tapered finger hook 7 is formed so that the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the storage container 3 (insertion part 1) is elliptical. A recess 10 is formed on the end face of the tapered part (the base end face of the storage container 3), and the rear end 11 of the piston 2 can be accommodated in the recess 10. The depth of the recess 10 is preferably deep enough to completely accommodate the rear end 11 of the piston 2. The opening edge of the recess 10 has an elliptical shape, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 4.

The outer member 4 is a long cylindrical member that covers the tip of the long storage container 3 and the side area connected to the tip. For example, when the drug injection device 100 is configured for washing the inside of the vagina, the length of the outer member 4 is preferably set in the range of 50 mm to 100 mm. The tip of the outer member 4 is formed in a dome shape with a smooth curved surface so that the user does not feel pain when inserted into the body. One end of the cylindrical member is closed by the tip of the dome-shaped outer member 4. Between the outer peripheral surface of the storage container 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer member 4, a gap 12 is formed at a predetermined interval into which the fluid drug flowing out from the outflow hole 8 can flow. This gap 12 constitutes a drug flow path portion into which the fluid drug pushed out from the storage portion 5 through the outflow hole 8 formed in the tip of the storage container 3 is guided. This gap 12 (drug flow path portion) is formed inside the insertion portion 1 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1 so as to surround a portion of the circumferential surface of the storage container 3. In this embodiment, the gap 12 is formed in the region indicated by S in FIG. 2, that is, in the region from the tip to the center of the insertion portion 1 as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1. More specifically, for example, when the drug injection device 100 is configured for use in vaginal cleansing, it is preferable to form the gap 12 (drug flow path portion) in a region extending from the tip of the insertion portion 1 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1 to a dimension in the range of approximately 30 mm to 60 mm.

The outer member 4 also has a plurality of drug ejection holes 13 that communicate between the gap 12 (drug flow path) and the outside. That is, the side of the insertion portion 1 is configured to have a plurality of drug ejection holes 13 that communicate with the drug flow path. By providing such drug ejection holes 13, the fluid drug stored in the storage portion 5 is guided to the outside of the insertion portion 1 through the outflow hole 8, the gap 12 (drug flow path), and the drug ejection holes 13 as the piston 2 is pushed in. The range in which the drug ejection holes 13 are arranged is preferably set to the region from the tip to the center of the outer member 4 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1. More specifically, for example, when the drug injection device 100 is configured for washing the inside of the vagina, it is preferable to form a plurality of drug ejection holes 13 in a region that is about 30 mm to 60 mm from the tip of the outer member 4 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1.

Each drug ejection hole 13 is arranged at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the insertion part 1. In this way, by providing multiple drug ejection holes 13 on the side part of the insertion part 1, it is possible to quickly apply the drug to a wide area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus. In addition, when the injection of the fluid drug into the body is completed and the insertion part 1 is removed from the body, the surface of the removed insertion part 1 can spread the fluid drug ejected into the body, making it possible to quickly apply the drug to a wider area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus. In addition, the surface of the removed insertion part 1 becomes moist with the fluid drug adhering thereto, so that the pain given to the user when the insertion part 1 is removed from the body can be alleviated.

In addition, in this embodiment, the multiple drug ejection holes 13 are configured to include a first ejection hole group 14 consisting of multiple drug ejection holes 13 arranged at a predetermined interval on a first imaginary line along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1 as imagined on the surface of the insertion portion 1, and a second ejection hole group 15 consisting of multiple drug ejection holes 13 arranged at a predetermined interval on a second imaginary line different from the first imaginary line and along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1 as imagined on the surface of the insertion portion 1. By configuring the positional relationship of the drug ejection holes 13 in this way, it becomes possible to effectively and quickly apply the drug to a wide area inside a body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

In addition, it is preferable that each drug ejection hole 13 in the first ejection hole group 14 and each drug ejection hole 13 in the second ejection hole group 15 are formed on both sides of the storage section 5. Here, in this embodiment, the gap portion 12 (drug flow path portion) is provided surrounding the periphery of the storage section 5, so each drug ejection hole 13 in the first ejection hole group 14 and each drug ejection hole 13 in the second ejection hole group 15 are formed on both sides of the gap portion 12 (drug flow path portion). By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to apply the drug to the inside of a body cavity such as the vagina or anus over a wider area.

2, it is preferable that each of the drug ejection holes 13 in the first ejection hole group 14 and each of the drug ejection holes 13 in the second ejection hole group 15 are arranged in a staggered positional relationship along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1. This configuration also contributes to applying the drug to a wider area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

In this embodiment, the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 13 is the same, but for example, the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 13 may be gradually increased in the flow direction of the fluid drug flowing through the gap 12 (drug flow path). When such a configuration is adopted, in this embodiment, the fluid drug is ejected from each drug ejection hole 13 while flowing down the gap 12 (drug flow path) from the tip side to the other end side of the insertion part 1, so the hole diameters are gradually increased in the order of drug ejection hole 13a, drug ejection hole 13b, drug ejection hole 13c, and drug ejection hole 13d. If all the drug ejection holes 13 were configured to have the same hole diameter, there is a risk that the fluid drug would be difficult to eject from the drug ejection holes 13d located downstream of the gap 12 (drug flow path section) due to the effects of pressure loss. However, as described above, by configuring the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 13 to gradually increase in size in the downstream direction of the fluid drug flowing through the gap 12 (drug flow path section), it is possible to maintain an equal amount of fluid drug ejected from each drug ejection hole 13, and it is possible to apply the fluid drug evenly over a wide area inside a body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

Here, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. 5, the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 are configured to be relatively movable along the longitudinal direction of the insertion part 1, and are configured to be able to transition from a first state in which the tip of the storage container 3 and the tip of the outer member 4 are close to each other to a second state in which the tip of the storage container 3 and the tip of the outer member 4 are separated from each other. FIG. 5(a) shows the first state, and FIG. 5(b) shows the second state. Note that FIG. 2 above shows the first state. In addition, the outer member 4 is configured to have a drug leakage prevention part 16 that blocks the outflow hole 8 provided at the tip of the storage container 3 in the first state in which the tip of the storage container 3 and the tip of the outer member 4 are close to each other. This drug leakage prevention part 16 is configured to release the blocking state of the outflow hole 8 provided at the tip of the storage container 3 in the second state, that is, in a state in which the tip of the storage container 3 and the tip of the outer member 4 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. By releasing the blockage of the outflow hole 8, the storage section 5 and the gap section 12 (drug flow path section) are in communication through the outflow hole 8.

The drug leakage prevention part 16 is provided on the inner surface of the tip of the outer member 4. In this embodiment, the drug leakage prevention part 16 has a protruding end 17 that protrudes toward the tip of the storage container 3, and is configured so that in the first state, the protruding end 17 is inserted into the opening of the outflow hole 8 to block the outflow hole 8. The outer peripheral surface of the protruding end 17 is configured to slide against the inner peripheral surface of the outflow hole 8. Since the opening edge of the outflow hole 8 is usually formed in a circular shape, it is preferable that the protruding end 17 is configured as a solid rod-shaped body or a cylindrical body that is circular in cross section and whose outer peripheral surface is in close contact with the opening edge of the outflow hole 8. In this embodiment, the protruding end 17 is formed as a cylindrical body, and is configured so that the tip of the piston 2 can be accommodated inside.

By providing such a drug leakage prevention section 16, for example, by setting the positional relationship between the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 to the first state at the stage of distributing the drug injection device 100 to the market, it is possible to effectively prevent the fluid drug in the storage section 5 from leaking out of the insertion section 1 during the distribution process. On the other hand, when the drug injection device 100 is handed over to a user and the user actually uses it, the user can change the positional relationship between the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 to the second state by operating the device, which allows the user to recognize that the drug injection device 100 is unused and that the fluid drug is clean and has not come into contact with the outside air, providing a sense of security when using the device.

In addition, as a specific structure that allows the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 to move relative to each other along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1, for example, as shown in the enlarged side view of the main part of the storage container 3 in FIG. 6(a) and the enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the outer member 4 in FIG. 6(b), a male thread portion 18 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the storage container 3, and a female thread portion 19 that screws into the male thread portion 18 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer member 4. Note that FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) correspond to the region indicated by T in FIG. 2. With this structure, by rotating the outer member 4, for example, 180 degrees with respect to the storage container 3, the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 move relative to each other along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 1, and the positional relationship between the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 can be changed to be in the first state and the second state described above.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the second state in which the blockage of the outflow hole 8 by the drug leakage prevention part 16 is released due to the relative movement between the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion part 1, a restricting means 20 is provided to restrict the relative movement of the outer member 4 with respect to the storage container 3. By providing such a restricting means 20, it is possible to effectively prevent the outer member 4 from coming off the storage container 3. It is also possible to effectively prevent the positional relationship between the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 from returning from the second state, which is a usable state, to the first state (unusable state), and it is possible to effectively prevent the user from accidentally reusing or recycling a used drug injection device 100.

Various configurations can be adopted for this regulating means 20, but for example, it is configured to include an outer engagement portion formed in the outer member 4 and a container fitting portion provided on the outer surface of the storage container 3. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer engagement portion is configured as a through hole formed in the outer member 4, and the container fitting portion is configured as a protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the storage container 3. When the positional relationship between the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 is in the first state, the container fitting portion configured as a protrusion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer member 4, but when it becomes the second state, the protruding container fitting portion fits into the outer engagement portion as a through hole formed in the outer member 4, and the rotation (relative movement) of the outer member 4 with respect to the storage container 3 is regulated. Although the outer member 4 and the storage container 3 are made of a relatively hard plastic material, they are both configured as cylindrical bodies and therefore slightly elastically deformable, so that the container fitting portion configured as the protrusion does not hinder the rotation of the outer member 4 relative to the storage container 3 during the transition from the first state to the second state. In addition, the restricting means 20 may be configured as a structure in which a recess is formed on the surface of the storage container 3, a leaf spring structure is provided that is connected to the edge of the recess, and a protrusion is formed on the leaf spring structure, so that the protrusion is contained within the recess when the protrusion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer member 4 (first state).

In the above example, the outer engagement portion is configured as a through hole formed in the outer member 4, but it is not necessarily required to penetrate through the outer member 4, and the outer engagement portion may be configured as a recessed portion formed in the inner circumferential surface of the outer member 4. In the above embodiment, the outer engagement portion is configured as a through hole formed in the outer member 4, and the container fitting portion is configured as a protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the storage container 3, but this configuration is not particularly limited. For example, the outer engagement portion may be configured as a protrusion protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the outer member 4, the container fitting portion may be configured as a recessed portion formed in the outer surface of the storage container 3, and the outer engagement portion, which is a protrusion, may be fitted into the container fitting portion, which is a recess, to restrict the relative movement of the outer member 4 with respect to the storage container 3 when transitioning to the second state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the rear end 11 of the piston 2 is formed so as to be irreversibly stored in the recess 10 formed at the other end of the insertion part 1 (in the recess 10 formed at the base end face of the storage container 3). With this configuration, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 7, the rear end 11 of the piston 2 is stored in the recess 10, and after the discharge of the fluid medicine stored in the drug injection device 100 is completed, it is possible to make it difficult to pull out the piston 2. This makes it possible to effectively prevent the drug injection device 100 from being reused or recycled. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the return of the piston 2 (movement in the opposite direction to the extrusion direction), it is possible to effectively prevent the fluid medicine injected into the body from flowing back into the insertion part 1 through the drug discharge hole 13 when the pressure inside the storage part 5 becomes negative due to the return of the piston 2.

Here, as a specific configuration for irreversibly storing the rear end 11 of the piston 2 in the recess 10 formed on the other end side 1b of the insertion part 1, for example, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. 7, the recess 10 is configured to have an engagement protrusion 21 protruding from its inner circumferential surface toward the inside of the recess 10, and the rear end 11 of the piston 2 is configured to have a piston fitting portion 22 that fits with the engagement protrusion 21. In this embodiment, the engagement protrusion 21 is formed in a dome shape that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface near the opening edge of the recess 10 toward the inside of the recess 10. In addition, the piston fitting portion 22 is formed on the periphery of the rear end 11 of the piston 2 and has a claw portion 23 that protrudes outward from the rear end 11. This claw portion 23 is formed around the entire periphery of the rear end 11 of the piston 2. When the rear end 11 of the piston 2 enters the recess 10, the piston fitting portion 22 formed on the rear end 11 of the piston 2 overcomes the engagement protrusion 21 while deforming the finger hook portion 7 in a direction that slightly expands the opening edge 26 of the recess 10. After the piston fitting portion 22 overcomes the engagement protrusion 21, the opening edge 26 of the recess 10, which has been slightly expanded and deformed, elastically recovers and returns to its original shape, so the piston fitting portion 22 can no longer overcome the engagement protrusion 21 in the opposite direction.

In this way, by fitting the piston fitting portion 22 with the engagement protrusion 21, the rear end portion 11 of the piston 2 is irreversibly stored in the recess 10 formed at the other end of the insertion portion 1. In addition to preventing reuse of the drug injection device 100 and preventing backflow of the fluid drug, the user can be clearly informed of the final position of the amount of piston 2 pushed in. To be more specific, a sound is generated when the piston fitting portion 22 and the engagement protrusion 21 are fitted together, and this sound can be used to inform the user that the piston 2 does not need to be pushed in any further. In addition, since the vibration generated when the piston fitting portion 22 and the engagement protrusion 21 are fitted together is directly transmitted to the fingers, even if the user does not hear the sound, the final position of the amount of piston 2 pushed in can be informed through the vibration of the fingers.

As shown in FIG. 7, the piston fitting portion 22 is preferably configured to have an inclined surface 24 that guides the engagement protrusion 21 that fits into the piston fitting portion 22. The inclined surface 24 is formed on the tip side of the piston 2 relative to the tip claw portion 23 of the piston fitting portion 22. By providing such an inclined surface 24, it becomes possible to smoothly insert the rear end portion 11 of the piston 2 into the recess 10.

It is also preferable that the rear end surface 25 of the rear end 11 of the piston 2 and the opening edge 26 of the recess 10 are flush with each other so that the rear end 11 of the piston 2 can be stored in the recess 10. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to more clearly inform the user of the final position of the amount of pushing of the piston 2. In other words, when the rear end 11 of the piston 2 is pressed to proceed with the injection of the fluid medicine, the state in which the opening edge 26 of the recess 10 and the rear end 11 of the piston 2 are flush with each other can be recognized by the sensation of the pad side of the finger, and it is possible to inform the user that there is no need to press the piston 2 any further. In addition, by configuring the rear end surface 25 of the rear end 11 of the piston 2 and the opening edge 26 of the recess 10 to be flush with each other so that the rear end 11 of the piston 2 can be stored in the recess 10, it is possible to effectively prevent any external force acting on the rear end 11 of the piston 2 from releasing the engagement between the rear end 11 of the piston 2 and the recess 10, and it is possible to effectively suppress the reuse and re-use of the medicine injection device 100.

The installation position of the engagement protrusion 21 is preferably a position corresponding to the minor axis of the elliptical recess 10, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 4. The number of combinations of the engagement structure between the piston engagement portion 22 and the engagement protrusion 21 is not particularly limited, and may be configured to include one combination, or may be configured to include two or more combinations.

In the above embodiment, the shape of the opening edge 26 of the recess 10 is configured to have an elliptical shape as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 4, but is not particularly limited to such a configuration and may be configured to be circular. In addition, the outline of the rear end 11 of the piston 2 is also configured to have a circular shape as shown in FIG. 4 in the above embodiment, but is not particularly limited to such a configuration and may be formed into an elliptical shape similar to the shape of the opening edge 26 of the recess 10.

In addition, in the above embodiment, both the storage container 3 and the outer member 4 are configured to have a cylindrical portion that is circular in cross section along their longitudinal direction, but are not particularly limited to this configuration, and may be configured, for example, to have a cylindrical portion that is elliptical in cross section along their longitudinal direction.

As described above, the drug injection device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described as having a configuration in which the storage section 5 and the drug flow path section 12 (void section) are clearly separated. However, the present invention includes a configuration in which the storage section 5 and the drug flow path section 12 are used together, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2014-004309), that is, a configuration in which the storage section (corresponding to the storage space S in Patent Document 1) in which the fluid drug is stored functions as the drug flow path section. Specifically, for example, an embodiment can be mentioned in which the insertion section 1 is configured to include a storage container 3 configured as an external shape suitable for insertion into the human body, omitting the outer member 4, and a drug ejection hole 13 communicating with the outside is formed in the side portion of the storage container 3. When the drug injection device 100 is configured in this manner, the storage section 5 and the drug flow path section 12 are not clearly distinguished from each other, and the storage section 5 and the drug flow path section 12 are used together.

Next, a second embodiment of the drug injection device 200 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the configuration of the drug injection device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the longitudinal axis of the drug injection device 200. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the B-B cross section of Fig. 9. Note that each figure is partially enlarged and reduced in order to make the configuration easier to understand.

The drug injection device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is, like the drug injection device 100 according to the first embodiment described above, a device for injecting a fluid drug into a body cavity (inside the body), such as the vagina or anus. A wide variety of drugs can be used as the fluid drug, including, for example, cleansers, contraceptives, anesthetics, enemas, antipyretics, lubricants, etc. The fluid drug can take various forms, such as lotion, gel, jelly, etc.

As shown in Figures 8 to 10, this drug injection device 200 is equipped with a storage container 31 and an insertion part 32, and is configured as an injection device in which the peripheral part of the storage container 31 is grasped and compressed, and the fluid drug inside is discharged from the insertion part 32 in a squeezing manner.

The storage container 31 is a flexible container and includes a storage section 33 in which the fluid medicine is stored. The storage container 31 also includes a mouth section 34 at the tip from which the fluid medicine flows out. The storage container 31 is configured to be connectable to the other end 32b of the insertion section 32 via the mouth section 34. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11(a), a top seal 35 that closes the mouth section 34 is adhered to the mouth section 34, and is configured so that the fluid medicine inside does not flow out to the outside through the mouth section 34 when not connected to the insertion section 32. A male screw section 36 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mouth section 34. The material that constitutes the storage container 31 is not particularly limited as long as the storage container 31 itself is flexible and can be compressed and deformed by the user when gripped, allowing the fluid medicine inside to flow out to the outside through the mouth section 34. For example, a blow molded tube or an extrusion molded tube using a plastic resin raw material can be suitably used as the storage container 31.

The insertion section 32 is inserted from its tip side 32a into a body cavity (inside the body) such as the vagina or anus of the human body, and is formed in a long shape extending along the direction of insertion into the body, as shown in the cross-sectional views of Figures 9, 10, and 11(b). The length of this insertion section 32 is preferably set in the range of 50 mm to 100 mm, for example, when the pharmaceutical injection device 200 is configured for washing the vagina, and a bulging section 37 is formed at the other end 32b of the insertion section 32. The tip of the insertion section 32 is formed to have a smooth curved surface so that the user does not feel pain when inserted into the body. In addition, the insertion section 32 is formed with a curved surface as a whole, and is formed so that the cross section is elliptical. Here, the insertion section 32 and the bulging section 37 are preferably formed from a plastic resin material. In addition, the insertion section 32 and the bulging section 37 are preferably formed by integral molding.

The insertion section 32 also includes a drug flow path section 38 to which the drug pushed out from the storage section 33 is guided, and a drug discharge hole 43 that communicates with the drug flow path section 38 and the outside. The drug flow path section 38 is formed inside the insertion section 32. The drug flow path section 38 is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 32, and includes an opening end 39 that opens at the other end of the insertion section 32. The end of the drug flow path section 38 opposite to the opening end 39 (the end on the tip side 32a of the insertion section 32) extends to the vicinity of the tip inside the insertion section 32, but is configured not to open at the tip of the insertion section 32. The opening end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 includes at least one or more sharp protrusions 40, and is configured to be able to be inserted into the top seal 35 provided at the mouth 34 of the storage container 31. Here, in this embodiment, the drug flow path section 38 is formed so that the axis of the drug flow path section 38 overlaps the axis of the insertion section 32, but this is not limited to this embodiment, and the drug flow path section 38 may be formed so that the axis of the drug flow path section 38 is positioned at a position that does not overlap the axis of the insertion section 32.

The other end of the insertion section 32, where the open end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 is provided, is provided with a recess 41 into which the mouth section 34 of the storage container 31 is inserted. The recess 41 is formed so that its depth direction is along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 32. A female thread section 42 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 41, and is configured to be able to screw into the male thread section 36 provided on the outer surface of the mouth section 34 of the storage container 31. The open end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 is arranged so that it is exposed as a cylindrical shape within the recess 41 at the center position of the bottom surface of the recess 41.

As described above, the opening end 39 of the drug flow passage 38 is configured to have a sharp protrusion 40. Considering the ease of guiding the fluid drug to the drug flow passage 38, it is preferable that the shape of this protrusion 40 be a bamboo spear shape formed by shaping the tip of the cylindrical protrusion 40 exposed in the recess 41 at an angle, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. 12. The bamboo spear-shaped protrusion 40 (opening end 39) is configured so that its sharp direction is along the longitudinal direction of the insertion part 32 (depth direction of the recess 41). The shape of the protrusion 40 is not limited to a bamboo spear shape, and it may be configured as a jagged protrusion provided on the cylindrical opening end 39.

As described above, the opening end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 has a sharp protrusion 40, so that the opening end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 can be inserted into the top seal 35 (the opening end 39 breaks through the top seal 35) simply by pushing and setting the mouth section 34 of the storage container 31 into the recess 41 formed on the other end side 32b of the insertion section 32. This configuration also eliminates the need for the user to peel off the top seal 35 provided on the mouth section 34 of the storage container 31 with their fingers, and furthermore, it is possible to maintain the sealed state of the storage container 31 in which the fluid drug is stored until the user actually uses the drug injection device 200, so that the drug injection device 200 can be used in a hygienic and preferable state.

As described above, the other end of the insertion portion 32 is formed with a recess 41 into which the mouth 34 of the storage container 31 is inserted, and the inner peripheral surface of the recess 41 is formed with a female screw portion 42 so as to be able to screw with the male screw portion 36 provided on the outer surface of the mouth 34 of the storage container 31. With this configuration, the user places the mouth 34 of the storage container 31 against the opening edge of the recess 41 formed at the other end of the insertion portion 32, and then rotates the storage container 31 to advance the screwing of the mouth 34 and the recess 41, and pushes the mouth 34 into the recess 41, breaking through the top seal 35 provided at the mouth 34 with the sharp open end of the drug flow path portion 38, thereby connecting the storage container 31 and the insertion portion 32 in communication. In this way, the communication connection between the storage container 31 and the insertion part 32 is established by screwing the recess 41 into the mouth part 34, making it possible to reliably maintain the connection between the storage container 31 and the insertion part 32.

In addition, by connecting the reservoir 31 and the insertion section 32 by screwing the recess 41 and the mouth section 34, the sharp opening end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 can be inserted into the top seal 35 slowly, so that the top seal portion broken by the insertion of the opening end 39 is not separated from the top seal portion adhered to the periphery of the mouth section 34, but can be made to hang down in close contact with the periphery of the opening end 39 that has entered the reservoir section 33. This makes it possible to prevent a portion of the top seal 35 from separating and falling into the reservoir section 33 due to the insertion of the opening end 39, and entering the opening end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 and blocking the drug flow path section 38.

In addition, the opening edge of the top seal 35 that is broken by the insertion of the opening end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 can be made to hang down in close contact with the circumferential surface of the opening end 39 as described above, so that this hanging portion of the top seal 35 acts as a kind of valve, effectively preventing the fluid drug in the storage section 33 from passing through the gap between the opening end 39 of the drug flow path section 38 and the opening edge of the top seal 35 and flowing into the recess 41 formed at the other end of the insertion section 32.

As described above, the insertion section 32 is provided with a plurality of drug discharge holes 43 that communicate with the drug flow path section 38 and the outside. In other words, the side surface of the insertion section 32 is configured to have a plurality of drug discharge holes 43 that communicate with the drug flow path section 38. By providing such drug discharge holes 43, the fluid drug is guided to the outside of the insertion section 32 through the mouth section 34 of the storage container 31, the drug flow path section 38, and the drug discharge holes 43 by gripping the storage section 33 and compressing it. It is preferable that the range in which the drug discharge holes 43 are arranged is set to the area from the tip to the center of the insertion section 32 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 32. More specifically, for example, when the drug injection device 200 is configured for washing the inside of the vagina, it is preferable to form a plurality of drug discharge holes 43 in an area from the tip of the insertion section 32 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 32 to a range of about 30 mm to 60 mm.

Each drug ejection hole 43 is arranged at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 32. In this way, by providing multiple drug ejection holes 43 on the side of the insertion section 32, it is possible to quickly apply the drug to a wide area inside the body cavity, such as the vagina or anus. In addition, when the injection of the fluid drug into the body is completed and the insertion section 32 is removed from the body, the surface of the removed insertion section 32 can spread the fluid drug inside the body, making it possible to quickly apply the drug to a wider area inside the body cavity, such as the vagina or anus. In addition, the surface of the removed insertion section 32 becomes moist with the fluid drug attached thereto, so that the pain given to the user when the insertion section 32 is removed from the body can be alleviated.

In addition, in this embodiment, the multiple drug ejection holes 43 are configured to include a first ejection hole group 44 consisting of multiple drug ejection holes 43 arranged at predetermined intervals on a first imaginary line along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 32 as imagined on the surface of the insertion portion 32, and a second ejection hole group 45 consisting of multiple drug ejection holes 43 arranged at predetermined intervals on a second imaginary line different from the first imaginary line and along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 32 as imagined on the surface of the insertion portion 32. By configuring the positional relationship of the drug ejection holes 43 in this way, it becomes possible to effectively and quickly apply the drug to a wide area inside a body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

In addition, it is preferable that each drug ejection hole 43 in the first ejection hole group 44 and each drug ejection hole 43 in the second ejection hole group 45 are formed on both sides of the drug flow path section 38. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to apply the drug to a wider area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

As shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable that each of the drug ejection holes 43 in the first ejection hole group 44 and each of the drug ejection holes 43 in the second ejection hole group 45 are arranged in a staggered positional relationship along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 32. This configuration also contributes to applying the drug to a wider area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

In addition, in this embodiment, the insertion portion 32 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is elliptical, but in this case, it is preferable to configure at least each medicine ejection hole 43 in the first ejection hole group 44 to be formed on the side portion in the short axis direction of the insertion portion 32 having an elliptical cross section. In this way, when the medicine ejection hole 43 is formed on the side portion in the short axis direction of the insertion portion 32, the length of this medicine ejection hole 43 can be made short, and clogging of the fluid medicine passing through the inside can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of fluid medicine remaining inside the medicine ejection hole 43 and not ejected to the outside.

In this embodiment, the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 43 is the same, but for example, the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 43 may be gradually increased in the flow direction of the fluid drug flowing through the drug flow path 38. When such a configuration is adopted, in this embodiment, the fluid drug is ejected from each drug ejection hole 43 while flowing down the drug flow path 38 from the other end side 32b to the tip side 32a of the insertion portion 32, so that the hole diameters are gradually increased in the order of drug ejection hole 43a, drug ejection hole 43b, drug ejection hole 43c, and drug ejection hole 43d. If all the drug ejection holes 43 were configured to have the same hole diameter, there is a risk that the fluid drug will not be easily ejected from the drug ejection holes 43d located downstream of the drug flow path section 38 due to the effects of pressure loss. However, as described above, by configuring the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 43 to gradually increase in size in the downstream direction of the fluid drug flowing through the drug flow path section 38, it is possible to maintain an equal amount of fluid drug ejected from each drug ejection hole 43, and it is possible to apply the fluid drug evenly over a wide area inside a body cavity such as the vagina or anus.

In addition, in this embodiment, the drug ejection hole 43 is not provided at the tip of the insertion section 32, but this is not limited to the configuration, and the drug ejection hole 43 may be provided at the tip of the insertion section 32.

The other end of the insertion section 32 is provided with a bulging portion 37 as described above, and this bulging portion 37 is formed around the entire circumference of the other end of the insertion section 32. The shape of this bulging portion 37 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is preferable that the bulging portion 37 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 32 is elliptical, as shown in FIG. 13, which is a plan view seen from the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 10. By providing such a bulging portion 37, when the user inserts the insertion section 32 into a body cavity (inside the body) such as the vagina or anus, the bulging portion 37 functions as a stopper, and the storage container 31 can be effectively prevented from being inserted into the body. In addition, by providing the bulging portion 37, it becomes easier to rotate the storage container 31 or the insertion section 32 when screwing the storage container 31 to the other end side 32b of the insertion section 32, and the operability of the user can be improved.

In addition, by forming the bulge 37 so that its cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 32 is elliptical, it is possible to effectively function as a stopper while minimizing the psychological stress it causes to the user. In other words, in the case of an elliptical shape, since there is a short axis, it is easier for the user to recognize that the bulge 37 is smaller than a bulge 37 whose cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 32 is circular, and this can induce a sense of security when the user inserts the insertion portion 32.

It is also preferable that the bulge 37 and the insertion section 32 are connected by a smooth curved surface. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the pain felt when the user inserts the insertion section 32 into a body cavity (inside the body) such as the vagina or anus and the bulge 37 comes into contact with the entrance to the body cavity, and it is also possible to give the user a sense of psychological security that there is no pain or that the pain is alleviated.

It is also preferable that the maximum diameter of the bulge 37 is greater than the maximum width of the storage container 31 that is connected to the other end of the insertion section 32. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to more effectively prevent the storage container 31 from being erroneously inserted into the body.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 14(a) and 14(b), a flexible elastomer covering 46 may be provided at the tip of the insertion section 32. Fig. 14(a) is a side view of the insertion section 32, and Fig. 14(b) is a cross-sectional view thereof. The covering 46 is a member that fits over the tip of the insertion section 32, and has a bowl-like shape with an internal storage space for storing the tip of the insertion section 32. By providing the elastomer covering 46, which is a flexible and soft material, at the tip of the insertion section 32, it is possible to provide the user with a psychological sense of security that the insertion section 32 is inserted into a body cavity (inside the body) such as the vagina or anus without pain or with pain relief.

The method of attaching the cover 46 to the tip of the insertion section 32 is not particularly limited, but for example, as shown in FIG. 14(b), a step 47 is formed on a part of the surface of the tip of the insertion section 32, and the cover 46 is attached by abutting the inner peripheral surface of the storage space against the step 47. The tip of the insertion section 32 and the cover 46 may be fixed to each other with an adhesive, or a fitting structure may be provided in which the step 47 and the opening edge around the storage space of the cover 46 fit together, and they may be fixed to each other. Alternatively, the cover 46 may be fitted to the tip of the insertion section 32 using an injection molding method.

In addition, it is preferable that the covering 46 is configured to be flush with the surface of the insertion section 32 so that the user does not feel pain when inserting the insertion section 32 into the body.

As shown in Fig. 15(a), (b), and (c), the covering body 46 may be configured to have a side covering part 48 that extends from the tip side 32a of the insertion part 32 toward the base end side (the other end side 32b) and covers a part of the side surface near the tip of the insertion part 32. By providing such a side covering part 48, the user can be given the impression that a wide area on the tip side of the insertion part 32 is covered with the covering body 46 made of an elastomer, which is a flexible and soft material, and it is possible to effectively relieve the psychological stress felt by the user that "pain may occur" when inserting the insertion part 32 into a body cavity (body) such as the vagina or anus. In addition, when such a side covering part 48 is provided, it is configured so as not to overlap the medicine ejection hole 43 formed on the side of the insertion part 32. Here, Fig. 15(a) is a side view of the insertion part 32, and Fig. 15(b) is a side view seen from the direction of the arrow D in Fig. 15(a). FIG. 15(c) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the covering body 46 has been removed from the insertion section 32.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the side covering portion 48 extending from the tip end side 32a of the insertion portion 32 toward the base end side (other end side 32b) is provided on both sides of the axis of the insertion portion 32 as shown in each of Figures 15. This configuration makes it possible to more effectively relieve the above-mentioned psychological stress felt by the user.

In particular, when the covering body 46 is attached to the insertion section 32 having an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, as in this embodiment, the side covering portion 48 is preferably formed to cover the side portion in the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 32 having the elliptical cross-section. By adopting such a configuration, the user can be given a strong impression that the tip side portion on the wider side is covered over a wide area with an elastomer material, which is a flexible and pliable material, and this makes it possible to more effectively alleviate the psychological stress felt by the user that "pain may occur" when inserting the insertion section 32 into a body cavity (inside the body) such as the vagina or anus.

Next, a third embodiment of the drug injection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the configuration of a drug injection device 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the longitudinal axis of the drug injection device 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a bottom view as seen from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 17. Note that each figure is partially enlarged and reduced in order to make the configuration easier to understand.

The drug injection device 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is, like the drug injection device 300 according to the first and second embodiments described above, a device for injecting a fluid drug into a body cavity (inside the body), such as the vagina or anus. A wide variety of drugs can be used as the fluid drug, including, for example, cleansing agents, contraceptives, anesthetics, enemas, antipyretics, lubricants, etc. The fluid drug can take various forms, such as lotion, gel, jelly, etc.

As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, this drug injection device 300 comprises a storage container 51, an insertion section 52, and a storage container storage section 53, and as shown in the schematic perspective view of Fig. 19, the peripheral surface of the storage container 51 arranged in the storage container storage section 53 is compressed via a pair of pressure plates 54 and a holder section 55, and the fluid drug inside is squeezed out and discharged from the insertion section 52. Here, the insertion section 52, storage container storage section 53, and holder section 55 are preferably formed from a plastic resin raw material.

The storage container 51 is a flexible container and has a storage section in which the fluid medicine is stored. The storage container 51 also has a mouth 56 at its tip from which the fluid medicine flows out. The storage container 51 is configured to be connectable to the other end of the insertion section 52 via the mouth 56. A top seal is attached to the mouth 56, and the fluid medicine inside is configured not to flow out to the outside through the mouth 56 when not connected to the insertion section 52. The material constituting the storage container 51 is not particularly limited as long as the storage container 51 itself has flexibility and can compress and deform the circumferential surface to allow the fluid medicine inside to flow out to the outside through the mouth 56. For example, a blow molded tube or an extrusion molded tube using a plastic resin raw material can be suitably used as the storage container 51.

The insertion section 52 is inserted from its tip side 52a into a body cavity (inside the body) such as the vagina or anus of the human body, and is formed in an elongated shape extending along the direction of insertion into the body, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 20(a) and the side view of FIG. 20(b). The length of the insertion section 52 is preferably set in the range of 50 mm to 100 mm, for example, when the pharmaceutical injection device 300 is configured for washing the vagina. A reservoir container storage section 53 is integrally formed at the other end of the insertion section 52. The tip of the insertion section 52 is formed in a dome shape with a smooth curved surface so that the user does not feel pain when inserted into the body. The insertion section 52 is also formed so that its cross section is circular. Note that FIG. 20(b) is a side view seen from the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 20(a).

As shown in Figs. 17 and 20, the insertion section 52 includes a drug flow path section 57 to which the drug pushed out from the storage container 51 (storage section) is guided, and a drug discharge hole 58 that communicates with the drug flow path section 57 and the outside. The drug flow path section 57 is formed inside the insertion section 52. The drug flow path section 57 is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 52, and includes an opening end 59 that opens at the other end of the insertion section 52. The end of the drug flow path section 57 on the opposite side to the opening end 59 (the end on the tip side 52a of the insertion section 52) extends to the vicinity of the tip inside the insertion section 52, but is configured not to open at the tip of the insertion section 52. The opening end 59 of the drug flow path section 57 includes at least one or more sharp protrusions 60, and is configured to be inserted into the top seal provided at the mouth 56 of the storage container 51.

As described above, the insertion section 52 is provided with a plurality of drug discharge holes 58 that communicate with the drug flow path section 57 and the outside. In other words, the side of the insertion section 52 is configured to have a plurality of drug discharge holes 58 that communicate with the drug flow path section 57. By providing such drug discharge holes 58, the fluid drug is guided to the outside of the insertion section 52 through the mouth section 56 of the storage container 51, the drug flow path section 57, and the drug discharge holes 58 by compressing the storage container 51. It is preferable that the range in which the drug discharge holes 58 are arranged is set to a region from the tip of the insertion section 52 to a position near the center, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 52. More specifically, for example, when the drug injection device 300 is configured for washing the inside of the vagina, it is preferable to form a plurality of drug discharge holes 58 in a region from the tip of the insertion section 52 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 52, within a range of about 30 mm to 60 mm.

Here, in this embodiment, the drug flow path section 57 is formed so that the axis of the drug flow path section 57 does not overlap the axis of the insertion section 52, and is configured to bring the distance between the drug flow path section 57 formed inside the insertion section 52 and the outer surface of the insertion section 52 as close as possible. By forming the drug flow path section 57 in such a position, the length of the drug ejection hole 58 can be shortened, and clogging of the fluid drug passing through the inside of the drug ejection hole 58 can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of fluid drug remaining inside the drug ejection hole 58 and not ejected to the outside.

Each drug ejection hole 58 is arranged at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 52. In this way, by providing multiple drug ejection holes 58 on the side portion of the insertion portion 52, it is possible to quickly apply the drug to a wide area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus. In addition, when the injection of the fluid drug into the body is completed and the insertion portion 52 is removed from the body, the surface of the removed insertion portion 52 can spread the fluid drug inside the body, making it possible to quickly apply the drug to a wider area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus. In addition, the surface of the removed insertion portion 52 becomes moist with the fluid drug adhering thereto, so that the pain given to the user when the insertion portion 52 is removed from the body can be alleviated.

In addition, in this embodiment, the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 58 is configured to increase stepwise in the flow direction of the fluid drug flowing through the drug flow path portion 57. In this embodiment, the fluid drug is ejected from each drug ejection hole 58 while flowing down the drug flow path portion 57 from the other end side toward the tip side of the insertion portion 52, so that the hole diameters are configured to gradually increase in the order of drug ejection hole 58a, drug ejection hole 58b, drug ejection hole 58c, and drug ejection hole 58d. If all the drug ejection holes 58 are configured to have the same hole diameter, the fluid drug may not be ejected easily from the drug ejection holes 58d located downstream of the drug flow path 57 due to the influence of pressure loss. However, as described above, by configuring the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 58 to gradually increase in size along the flow direction of the fluid drug flowing through the drug flow path 57, it is possible to maintain a uniform amount of fluid drug ejected from each drug ejection hole 58, and it is possible to apply the fluid drug evenly over a wide area inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus. Note that it is not necessary to gradually increase the hole diameter of each drug ejection hole 58 along the flow direction of the fluid drug flowing through the drug flow path 57, and each drug ejection hole 58 may be configured to have the same hole diameter.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the hole diameter is gradually increased, the diameter in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 52 is gradually increased, and the diameter in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 52 is configured to be the same for all of the drug ejection holes 58. In other words, the drug ejection hole 58a is configured as a circular hole, and the drug ejection holes 58b, 58c, and 58d are configured as long holes whose major axis direction is the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 52. By adopting such a hole configuration, it is possible to obtain the effect of maintaining the amount of fluid drug ejected from each of the drug ejection holes 58 described above uniformly, while also being able to eject the fluid drug from each of the drug ejection holes 58 widely in the direction along the depth direction of the body cavity inside the body cavity such as the vagina or anus, making it possible to apply the drug to the inside of the body cavity over an even wider area.

In addition, in this embodiment, the drug ejection hole 58 is not provided at the tip of the insertion portion 52, but this is not limited to the configuration, and the drug ejection hole 58 may be provided at the tip of the insertion portion 52.

The open end 59 of the drug flow path section 57 is configured to have a sharp protrusion 60. The shape of this protrusion 60 is not particularly limited as long as it can break through the top seal provided at the mouth 56 of the storage container 51. As described in the second embodiment above, the cylindrical protrusion 60 exposed inside the storage container storage section 53 may be formed at an angle to have a bamboo spear shape. The protrusion 60 may also be configured as a jagged protrusion provided at the open end 59.

As described above, the opening end 59 of the drug flow path section 57 has a sharp protrusion 60, so that the opening end 59 of the drug flow path section 57 is inserted into the top seal (the opening end 59 breaks through the top seal) by simply pushing the mouth section 56 of the storage container 51 into the other end side 52b of the insertion section 52 and setting it, making it possible to communicate the storage container 51 (storage section) with the drug flow path section 57. In addition, with this configuration, the user does not need to peel off the top seal provided at the mouth section 56 of the storage container 51 with his or her fingers, and further, it is possible to maintain the sealed state of the storage container 51 in which the fluid drug is stored until the user actually uses the drug injection device 300, so that the drug injection device 300 can be used in a hygienic and preferable state.

The storage container storage section 53 is a member provided on the other end side 52b of the insertion section 52, and as shown in Figures 17 and 20, is configured with a peripheral wall section 61 that surrounds the periphery of the storage container 51 connected to the other end side of the insertion section 52. One end of this storage container storage section 53 has a smoothly curved structure and is joined to the other end side surface of the insertion section 52. In addition, the other end side 53b of the storage container storage section 53 is open, and is configured so that the storage container 51 and the holder section 55 described below can be inserted into the inner space of the storage container storage section 53 through this opening.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 16 and the bottom view of FIG. 18, the peripheral wall 61 of the storage container storage section 53 is substantially rectangular in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 52, and is configured to have four wall sections 62. A portion of each wall section 62, which is a pair of two wall sections 62 facing each other, constitutes a pressing plate 54 that can be displaced in a direction approaching and moving away from the storage container 51. The pair of pressing plates 54 serve as pressing means for pressing and deforming the storage container 51. Each pressing plate 54 is formed by forming two slits 63 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 52 in the wall section 62 at a predetermined interval. Each slit 63 is formed so as to connect to the other end of the wall section 62 (the opening end of the storage container storage section 53), and the portion of the wall section 62 sandwiched between the two slits 63 constitutes the pressing plate 54. With this configuration, each pressure plate 54 is formed to extend along the length of the storage container 51, and can be displaced in a direction toward or away from the storage container 51, with the base end portion located at the other end side 52b of the insertion portion 52 as a fulcrum.

In this embodiment, the device further includes a holder portion 55 that supports the storage container 51 inside the storage container storage portion 53. The holder portion 55 is preferably formed from a plastic resin raw material. The holder portion 55 is disposed between the pair of pressure plates 54 and the storage container 51, and has a pair of clamping pieces 64 that clamp the side portion of the storage container 51. The holder portion 55 is also disposed on the bottom side of the storage container 51, and includes a joint portion 65 to which one end of each clamping piece 64 is connected.

Each clamping piece 64 has a predetermined thickness, and when installed in the storage container storage section 53, it has a first surface 66 that contacts the side of the storage container 51 and a second surface 67 that contacts the pressure plate 54. For each clamping piece 64, the first surface 66 that contacts the side of the storage container 51 is formed to a size that contacts a wide range of the side of the storage container 51. Also, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 21, the opposing surfaces of a pair of opposing clamping pieces 64 (the opposing first surfaces 66) are formed in a roughly V-shape in cross section such that the distance between them increases as they move away from the joint 65, and the holder section 55 is configured so that the pair of clamping pieces 64 can be displaced in a direction in which they approach or move away from each other, with the joint 65 as a fulcrum, due to their elastic deformation.

As described above, the holder section 55 is a member that supports the storage container 51 inside the storage container storage section 53, but is provided with a position change means 68 that changes between an unconnected position where the opening end 59 of the drug flow path section 57 is not connected to the mouth section 56 of the storage container 51 and a connected position where the opening end 59 of the drug flow path section 57 is inserted into the mouth section 56 and connected. This position change means 68 is configured with a clamping piece protrusion 69 that protrudes from each clamping piece 64 toward each pressing plate 54, and a plurality of positioning holes 70 formed in each pressing plate 54 and matching the clamping piece protrusion 69. The clamping piece protrusion 69 is formed on the first surface 66 of each clamping piece 64. Each positioning hole 70 is formed at a position corresponding to the unconnected position and the connected position. The positioning hole 70a corresponding to the unconnected position and the positioning hole 70b corresponding to the connected position are arranged at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 52. By providing such a position variable means 68, for example, with the storage container 51 interposed between the pair of clamping pieces 64 of the holder part 55, the storage container 51 can be supported in the storage container storage part 53 in a state where the mouth part 56 of the storage container 51 is not connected to the open end 59 of the drug flow path part 57 by inserting the storage container 51 into the storage container storage part 53 from the opening at the other end of the storage container storage part 53 until the clamping piece protrusion 69 engages with the positioning hole 70a corresponding to the unconnected position. On the other hand, when the drug injection device 300 is to be used, as shown in FIG. 22, by further pushing the holder part 55 in the storage container storage part 53, the clamping piece protrusion 69 engages with the positioning hole 70b corresponding to the connected position, so that the storage container 51 can be supported in the storage container storage part 53 in a state where the mouth part 56 of the storage container 51 is connected and communicated with the open end 59 of the drug flow path part 57.

The drug injection device 300 according to this embodiment is configured to include a pressure plate separation restriction means 71 that restricts the separation between the pair of pressure plates 54 when the fluid medicine stored in the storage container 51 is discharged to the outside from the drug discharge hole 58 by displacing the pair of pressure plates 54 in a direction approaching the storage container 51 and compressing the storage container 51 via the pair of clamping pieces 64. By including such a pressure plate separation restriction means 71, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from reusing the used drug injection device 300 after using the drug injection device 300 to complete the discharge of the fluid medicine stored in the storage container 51. In addition, since the pair of pressure plates 54 are restricted from moving in a direction away from the storage container 51, it is possible to reliably prevent the storage container 51 from expanding due to its own elastic restoring force, and as a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the fluid medicine injected into the body from flowing back into the insertion part 52 through the drug discharge hole 58.

Here, various configurations can be adopted for the pressure plate separation restriction means 71 that restricts the separation between the pair of pressure plates 54. For example, the pressure plate can be configured to include a pressure plate engagement portion 72 provided on each pressure plate 54 as shown in FIG. 20 and a joint engagement portion 73 provided on the joint 65 as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 21, and the pressure plate engagement portion 72 and the joint engagement portion 73 can be engaged to restrict the separation between the pair of pressure plates 54. In FIG. 20, the pressure plate engagement portion 72 is configured as a through hole formed in the pressure plate 54. Also, the joint engagement portion 73 is configured as a pair of engagement claws that are inserted into the through hole and engaged as shown in FIG. 18.

Each of the engagement claws (joint engagement parts 73) is integrally provided with an outward claw part 74 at the tip part, which engages with the edge of the through hole. Each engagement claw is formed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion part 52 and in a direction facing the pressure plate 54. In addition, an inclined guide surface 75 is provided at the tip side of each of the engagement claws (joint engagement parts 73), and when the engagement claws are inserted into the through hole (pressure plate engagement parts 72) of the pressure plate 54, the inclined guide surface 75 abuts against the edge of the through hole, and the pair of engagement claws bend in a direction approaching each other, so that the claw parts 74 at the tip part can easily pass through the through hole. After the claw parts 74 at the tip part pass through the through hole, the elastic restoring force of the engagement claws causes the engagement claws to separate from each other, and the claw parts 74 at the tip part engage with the edge of the through hole, so that the pressure plate 54 cannot return to its original position, as shown in FIG. 23.

By providing such a pressure plate separation control means 71, in addition to preventing the reuse of the drug injection device 300 and preventing backflow of the fluid drug, it is possible to clearly inform the user that the injection of the fluid drug is complete. Specifically, a sound is generated when the engagement claw (joint engagement portion 73) and the through hole (pressure plate engagement portion 72) are engaged, and this sound can be used to inform the user that the pair of pressure plates 54 do not need to be pushed any further. In addition, since the vibration generated when the engagement claw (joint engagement portion 73) and the through hole (pressure plate engagement portion 72) are engaged is transmitted directly to the fingers, even if the above sound is not heard, the final position of the pair of pressure plates 54 (final position regarding the amount of approach between the pressure plates 54) can be notified through the vibration of the fingers, and as a result, it is possible to clearly inform the user that the injection of the fluid drug is complete.

Although the drug injection device 300 according to the present invention has been described above using the first to third embodiments as examples, the aspects of each embodiment are not limited to the above. For example, even if a component is provided only in each embodiment, it can be configured to include a component that is applicable to other embodiments as appropriate. To explain more specifically, for example, the elastomer covering that covers the tip of the insertion part 52 is described only in the second embodiment, but it is not limited to the drug injection device 300 according to the second embodiment, and can also be provided in the drug injection device 300 according to the first and third embodiments. In addition, in the third embodiment, the multiple drug ejection holes are only arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the insertion part 52, but as disclosed in the first and second embodiments, it can also be configured to arrange each drug ejection hole 58 on a first virtual line and a second virtual line.

100: Drug injection device according to the first embodiment 1: Insertion section 2: Piston 3: Storage container 4: Outer member 5: Storage section 6: Body section 7: Finger hook section 8: Outflow hole 9: Opening section 10: Recess 11: Rear end section of piston 12: Void section (drug flow path section)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Drug ejection hole 14 First ejection hole group 15 Second ejection hole group 16 Drug leakage prevention section 17 Protruding end 18 Male thread section formed on outer peripheral surface of storage container 19 Female thread section formed on inner peripheral surface of outer member 20 Restricting means 21 Engagement protrusion 22 Piston fitting section 23 Claw section 24 Inclined surface 25 Rear end surface of rear end of piston 26 Opening edge of recess 200 Drug injection device 31 according to second embodiment Storage container 32 Insertion section 33 Storage section 34 Mouth section 35 Top seal 36 Male thread section formed on outer peripheral surface of mouth section 37 Bulging section 38 Drug flow path section 39 Opening end section of drug flow path section 40 Protrusion section 41 Recess 42 Female thread section formed on inner peripheral surface of recess 43 Drug ejection hole 44 First ejection hole group 45 Second ejection hole group 46 Cover 47 Step section 48 Side covering section 300 Drug injection device 51 according to third embodiment Storage container 52 Insertion section 53 Storage container insertion section 54 Pressing plate 55 Holder section 56 Mouth section 57 Medicine flow path section 58 Medicine ejection hole 59 Opening end 60 Protrusion section 61 Circumferential wall section 62 Wall section 63 Slit 64 Clamping piece 65 Joint section 66 First surface 67 Second surface 68 Position variable means 69 Clamping piece protrusion 70 Positioning hole 71 Pressing plate separation regulating means 72 Pressing plate engaging section 73 Joint engaging section 74 Claw section 75 Inclined guide surface

Claims (2)

A drug injection device for injecting a fluid drug into the vagina or anus,
A long insertion part to be inserted into the vagina or anus;
a storage section in which the fluid medicine is stored;
a drug flow path portion formed inside the insertion portion and through which the fluid drug pushed out from the storage portion is guided;
The drug flow path portion is formed along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion,
the elongated insertion portion includes a plurality of medicine ejection holes communicating the medicine flow path portion with the outside,
the hole diameter of each of the medicine ejection holes is increased stepwise along a downward flow direction of the fluid medicine flowing through the medicine flow path section,
the plurality of medicine ejection holes include a first ejection hole group including a plurality of medicine ejection holes arranged at predetermined intervals on a first imaginary line along an assumed longitudinal direction of the insertion portion on a surface of the insertion portion;
a second ejection hole group including a plurality of medicine ejection holes arranged at predetermined intervals on a second imaginary line that is different from the first imaginary line and that is along an assumed longitudinal direction of the insertion portion on a surface of the insertion portion,
each medicine ejection hole in the first ejection hole group and each medicine ejection hole in the second ejection hole group are formed at opposite sides of the medicine flow path portion,
the medicine ejection holes in the first ejection hole group and the medicine ejection holes in the second ejection hole group are alternately arranged along a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion,
The insertion portion has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is elliptical over the entire longitudinal direction,
A medicine injection device, characterized in that at least some of the plurality of medicine ejection holes are formed in a side surface portion in a minor axis direction of the insertion portion having an elliptical cross section . 2. The drug injection device according to claim 1, wherein the drug ejection holes are arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion.

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