JP7824793B2 - Autoinjector holder and drug administration device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an autoinjector holder and a drug administration device that assist in simultaneous administration using multiple autoinjectors.

Conventionally, there have been known devices (autoinjectors) for automatically or semi-automatically injecting (administering) medical liquids (medicines). As disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2015-533562 A), such autoinjectors are configured such that, upon a predetermined operation, a drive mechanism (90) for delivering a fixed amount of the medicine is released, and the medicine in the medicine container (24) is released via a delivery member (28).
Autoinjectors are standardized to some extent depending on the type and application of medical fluid, so depending on the patient, it may be necessary to administer the medical fluid using multiple autoinjectors depending on the appropriate dosage.

Special Publication 2015-533562

When administering medical fluids using multiple autoinjectors, the administration time and effort required increases. To address this issue, multiple autoinjectors can be operated simultaneously, resulting in so-called simultaneous administration. However, simultaneous administration using multiple autoinjectors can be complicated and may result in inappropriate administration. Furthermore, depending on the medical fluid, problems may arise if the administration sites (injection sites) of the medical fluids administered using multiple autoinjectors are inappropriate (e.g., if the administration sites are too close).
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an autoinjector holding device and drug administration device for assisting simultaneous administration using multiple autoinjectors, which does not hinder the function of the autoinjectors and can appropriately bundle and hold multiple autoinjectors.

The above objectives are achieved by the following:
(1) An autoinjector holder capable of holding a plurality of autoinjectors, each of which has a prefilled syringe and a gasket pressing mechanism housed in a cylindrical housing, for supporting simultaneous administration by the plurality of autoinjectors,
the autoinjector holder includes a plurality of holders arranged in parallel and capable of holding the autoinjectors;
The holding portion is
a housing portion that houses the housing of the autoinjector so as to partially cover the housing from the outside;
an engaging portion that engages with a side wall portion of the housing of the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion, thereby preventing the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion from moving axially or rotating ;
The autoinjector has a window formed in the side wall of the housing for viewing the inside of the prefilled syringe, and the engagement portion of the autoinjector holder is formed within the storage portion and has a protrusion that engages with the window of the autoinjector .

( 2 ) The autoinjector holder according to ( 1 ) above, wherein the inside of the prefilled syringe is visible from the outside through the formation site of the engagement portion of the housing portion.
( 3 ) The autoinjector holder according to (2) above, wherein the engagement portion is a convex block portion that fills almost the entire window portion, and the convex block portion has transparency that allows the inside of the prefilled syringe to be seen from the outside .
( 4 ) The autoinjector holder according to ( 2 ) above, wherein the engaging portion has a convex portion that engages with the inner peripheral edge of the window portion and an opening through which the inside of the prefilled syringe can be seen from the outside.
( 5 ) The autoinjector holder according to any one of (1) to ( 4 ) above, further comprising a partition wall for keeping the autoinjectors held in the two adjacent holding portions spaced apart from each other.
( 6 ) The autoinjector holder according to ( 5 ) above, wherein the partition wall is a part of the storage section in two adjacent holding sections and includes a storage section partition wall having a predetermined thickness.
( 7 ) An autoinjector holder capable of holding a plurality of autoinjectors, each having a prefilled syringe and a gasket pressing mechanism housed in a cylindrical housing, for assisting simultaneous administration by the plurality of autoinjectors,
the autoinjector holder includes a plurality of holders arranged in parallel and capable of holding the autoinjectors;
The holding portion is
a housing portion that houses the housing of the autoinjector so as to partially cover the housing from the outside;
an engaging portion that engages with a side wall portion of the housing of the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion, thereby preventing the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion from moving axially or rotating;
the autoinjector holder includes a partition wall for maintaining the autoinjectors held in the two adjacent holding portions spaced apart from each other;
The autoinjector holder includes an extending partition portion having a predetermined thickness that extends from an end of the holding portion and is located between the autoinjectors held by two adjacent holding portions.
( 8 ) An autoinjector holder capable of holding a plurality of autoinjectors in which a prefilled syringe and a gasket pressing mechanism are housed in a cylindrical housing, for assisting simultaneous administration by the plurality of autoinjectors,
the autoinjector holder includes a plurality of holders arranged in parallel and capable of holding the autoinjectors;
The holding portion is
a housing portion that houses the housing of the autoinjector so as to partially cover the housing from the outside;
an engaging portion that engages with a side wall portion of the housing of the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion, thereby preventing the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion from moving axially or rotating;
An autoinjector holder in which a portion of the accommodating portion is an elastic wall portion, a protrusion is formed inside the accommodating portion including the elastic wall portion, and at least when the autoinjector is attached, the accommodating portion is pushed open against the elastic force of the elastic wall portion, and when the autoinjector is accommodated, the protrusion abuts against the outer surface of the autoinjector.

The above objectives are also achieved by the following:
( 9 ) A drug administration device comprising the autoinjector holder according to any one of (1) to ( 8 ) above and at least two of the autoinjectors.

The autoinjector holder of the present invention comprises multiple holding sections arranged in parallel and capable of holding autoinjectors. Each holding section comprises a storage section that partially covers part of the autoinjector housing from the outside, and an engagement section that engages with the side wall of the housing of the autoinjector stored in the storage section, preventing axial movement and rotation of the autoinjector stored in the storage section. As a result, the autoinjector holder of the present invention can appropriately bundle and hold multiple autoinjectors without interfering with the autoinjector's function, and can appropriately assist in the simultaneous administration of medical fluids using multiple autoinjectors.

The drug administration device of the present invention comprises the autoinjector holder described above and at least two autoinjectors. As a result, the autoinjector holder of the present invention does not impede the function of the autoinjectors, can appropriately bundle and hold multiple autoinjectors, and can appropriately assist in the simultaneous administration of medical fluids by multiple autoinjectors.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an autoinjector holder according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the autoinjector holder of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of an autoinjector held by the autoinjector holder of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the autoinjector shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the state in which the autoinjector is held by the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating the state in which the autoinjector is held by the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 for explaining visibility of the inside of the pre-filled syringe in the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 12 is a bottom view illustrating the state in which administration of medical fluid is completed using the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 13 is a front view showing another embodiment of the autoinjector holder of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the autoinjector holder of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, illustrating the state in which the autoinjector is held by the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9, illustrating the state in which the autoinjector is held by the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 18 for explaining the visibility of the inside of the pre-filled syringe in the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. 13. FIG. FIG. 20 is a bottom view illustrating the state in which administration of medical fluid is completed using the autoinjector holder shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a bottom view for explaining another embodiment of the autoinjector holder of the present invention.

The autoinjector holder of the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings.
As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the autoinjector holder 10 of the present invention is capable of holding multiple (here, two) autoinjectors 50 (see Figures 4 and 5) each having a prefilled syringe 52 and a gasket pressing mechanism 53 housed within a cylindrical housing 51, and is intended to support simultaneous administration using multiple autoinjectors 50. The autoinjector holder 10 includes multiple (here, two) holding sections 11, 11 that are capable of holding the autoinjectors 50 and are arranged in parallel. Each holding section 11, 11 includes a storage section 12 that houses and partially covers a portion of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50 from the outside, and an engagement section 13 that engages with a side wall of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50 housed in the storage section 12, preventing the autoinjector 50 from moving axially or rotating when housed in the storage section 12.

The drug administration device of the present invention also includes the above-described autoinjector holder 10 and at least two autoinjectors 50.

First, an overview of the autoinjector used in this embodiment will be described using the example shown in the drawings. Various known autoinjectors can be used, and here, a description of the autoinjector 50 will be omitted, except for the specific configuration. The autoinjector 50 in this embodiment contains a cylindrical housing 51, a prefilled syringe 52 equipped with an injection needle 61, and a gasket pressing mechanism 53.

The housing 51 of the autoinjector 50 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid resin and is a cylindrical member with a generally hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, as shown in Figures 4 and 9. Note that the cross section of the autoinjector housing perpendicular to the axial direction may have a circular shape, a rounded polygonal shape, or a rounded rectangle with each side curved outward, in addition to the illustrated shapes.

One axial end of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50 (the upper end in Figure 4) is closed. The other axial end of the housing 51 (the lower end in Figure 4) is open, and as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is provided with a pressing portion 55 (needle cover) that protrudes from the housing 51. The pressing portion 55 is movable relative to the housing 51 within a predetermined range. As shown in Figure 4, a removably attached cap 56 is attached to the autoinjector 50 to prevent external access to the pressing portion 55 and injection needle 61 before use.

The autoinjector 50 is provided with a window 57 formed in the side wall of the housing 51, through which the interior of the prefilled syringe 52 can be viewed. Autoinjectors generally have a window through which the interior of the prefilled syringe, specifically the movement of the gasket housed inside the prefilled syringe, can be viewed. By checking the movement of the gasket through this window, the progress and completion of medical liquid administration can be ascertained.

As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the window 57 of the autoinjector 50 is typically a substantially rectangular through-hole formed in the side wall of the housing 51. This allows the interior of the housing 51 to be viewed from outside the autoinjector 50 through the window 57. The window 57 is formed in the tip portion of the autoinjector 50. This allows the interior of the prefilled syringe 52 housed in the housing 51 (more specifically, the movement of the gasket 59 inside the prefilled syringe 52) to be viewed from outside the autoinjector 50 through the window 57. As shown in Figure 8, the window 57 is formed on each of two opposing surfaces of the side wall of the housing 51. Note that the shape, position, and number of the windows are not limited to those shown in the example. For example, there may be one or three or more windows, but it is preferable that they be formed on at least opposing surfaces of the side wall of the housing in terms of visibility of the interior of the prefilled syringe through the window.

A pre-filled syringe 52 is housed inside the housing 51. The pre-filled syringe 52 includes an outer cylinder 58, a gasket 59 housed within the outer cylinder 58 and capable of sliding in a liquid-tight manner, and a medical liquid 60 filled inside the outer cylinder 58.

The outer cylinder 58 is a transparent or translucent cylindrical member. An outwardly protruding flange is formed at the base end (upper end in Figure 4) of the outer cylinder 58 (outer cylinder main body). A nozzle portion that tapers in diameter toward the tip is formed at the tip end (lower end in Figure 4) of the outer cylinder 58, and a hollow metal injection needle 61 is attached to the nozzle portion. The injection needle 61 connects the inside and outside of the outer cylinder 58. The tip of the injection needle 61 forms a puncture needle tip. The outer cylinder 58 is housed (fixed) inside the housing 51 so that it cannot move relative to the housing 51.

The outer tube 58 can be made from glass or plastic.

A gasket 59 is housed inside the outer tube 58 (outer tube main body). The gasket 59 is movable while maintaining liquid-tight contact with the inner surface of the outer tube 58. It is preferable to use elastic rubber as the material for forming the gasket 59.

The interior of the prefilled syringe 52, specifically the space within the outer cylinder 58 defined by the inner surface of the outer cylinder 58 and the gasket 59, is filled with a medical liquid 60. The medical liquid 60 filled into the prefilled syringe 52 is, for example, a solution, gel, or suspension containing a drug. There are no substantial limitations on the drugs that can be used, as long as they are not drugs that are suitable for transdermal administration.
Examples of drugs include protein preparations, antibody preparations, hyaluronic acid, antibacterial agents, antiviral agents, vaccines, antitumor drugs, immunosuppressants, steroid drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antirheumatic drugs, arthritis drugs, antihistamines, antiallergic drugs, diabetes drugs, hormone drugs such as growth hormone, bone calcium metabolism drugs, vitamins, blood products, hematopoietic drugs, antithrombotic drugs, antihyperlipidemic drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, vasodilators, prostaglandins, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, β-blockers These include antihypertensives, diuretics, xanthine derivatives, beta agonists, antiasthmatics, antitussives, expectorants, anticholinergics, antidiarrheals, stomachic and digestive drugs, antiulcer drugs, laxatives, hypnotics, sedatives, antipyretics, cold medicines, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, central nervous system stimulants, parasympathomimetic drugs, sympathomimetic drugs, antiemetics, central stimulants, antiparkinsonian drugs, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, anesthetics, antipruritics, antimigraine drugs, oligonucleotides, and genetic medicines.

The gasket pressing mechanism 53 is housed inside the housing 51. While detailed structural details of the gasket pressing mechanism 53 are omitted here, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the gasket pressing mechanism 53 includes a coil spring 62 that can press against the gasket 59. The coil spring 62 is pre-compressed and is constrained so that its biasing force is not exerted when the autoinjector 50 is in a pre-use state. The gasket pressing mechanism 53 begins to operate in response to a predetermined operation on the autoinjector 50 (when the autoinjector 50 is in a predetermined state). In other words, the coil spring 62 begins to press (bias) against the gasket 59, moving the gasket 59 within the outer tube 58 toward the tip of the prefilled syringe 52 (outer tube 58).

Here, we will briefly explain the operation of the autoinjector 50 of this embodiment. When using the autoinjector 50, first remove the cap 56 from the autoinjector 50. Next, grasp the housing 51, press the pressing portion 55 against the administration site 70, and advance the housing 51 toward the administration site 70. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 , the pressing portion 55 moves into the housing 51, and the injection needle 61 is exposed (protrudes) from the pressing portion 55, puncturing the administration site 70. This operation (the pressing portion 55 entering the housing 51 a predetermined amount) initiates operation of the gasket pressing mechanism 53. With the injection needle 61 puncturing the administration site 70, the gasket pressing mechanism 53 (coil spring 62) moves the gasket 59 toward the tip of the prefilled syringe 52 (outer barrel 58), causing the medical liquid 60 to be released from the injection needle 61 and administered to the patient. After administering the medical liquid 60, the auto-injector 50 is released from pressing against the administration site 70 and the housing 51 is retracted, causing the pressing part 55 to return to its pre-use state and the injection needle 61 to be retracted within the housing 51 (pressing part 55).

The autoinjector 50 of this embodiment is a so-called two-step type autoinjector in which the gasket pressing mechanism 53 is automatically started to operate by advancing the housing 51 with the pressing portion 55 pressed against the administration site 70 (the pressing portion 55 advances a predetermined amount into the housing 51), and the medical liquid 60 is administered to the patient. However, the autoinjector may also be a so-called three-step type autoinjector in which the gasket pressing mechanism is started to operate by a predetermined operation (for example, pressing a separately provided operation start button) when the injection needle is inserted into the patient's administration site 70.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the autoinjector holder 10 of this embodiment has multiple holding sections 11 arranged in parallel and capable of holding autoinjectors 50. In this embodiment, the autoinjector holder 10 has two holding sections 11, 11. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the two holding sections 11, 11 are bilaterally symmetrical and have similar configurations. Unless otherwise specified, only one holding section 11 (here, the right section in Figure 1) will be described below.

The holding portion 11 includes a housing 12 that accommodates and partially covers a portion of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 12 has a generally U-shaped cross section and extends a predetermined length in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). The internal (cross-sectional) shape of the housing of the autoinjector holder preferably corresponds to the housing (external) shape of the autoinjector to be attached (e.g., a polygonal shape, a circle, a rounded polygon, or a rounded rectangle with outwardly curved sides). In this embodiment, the axial length of the housing 12 is longer than the window 57 formed in the side wall of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50. The housing 12 has a slit (opening) 14 for inserting the autoinjector. The width of the slit 14 is smaller than the external shape (outer diameter and width) of the autoinjector 50 (housing 51).

A part of the storage section 12 is an elastic wall section 15, and a protrusion 16 is formed inside the storage section 12 including the elastic wall section 15. At least when the autoinjector 50 is attached, the storage section 12 is pushed open against the elastic force of the elastic wall section 15, and when the autoinjector 50 is stored, the protrusion 16 abuts against the outer surface of the autoinjector 50.
In this embodiment, the outer wall of the housing 12 (the side opposite to the adjacent housing 12) is the elastic wall 15. The elastic wall 15 is elastically deformable. As described above, the width of the slit 14 in the housing 12 is smaller than the outer dimensions (outer diameter and width) of the autoinjector 50. When the autoinjector 50 is inserted into the housing 12 (when the autoinjector 50 is inserted into the housing 12 through the slit 14), the elastic wall 15 elastically deforms outward, expanding the housing 12. In this embodiment, the elastic wall 15 has a thin portion 15a extending in the axial direction, and the elastic wall 15 is deformable in an opening direction around the thin portion 15a.

In this embodiment, the protrusions 16 formed inside the housing 12 have a generally semicircular cross section, protrude inward, and act as ribs extending axially of the housing 12. Each housing 12 has four protrusions 16, two on the elastic wall 15 of the housing 12 and two on the wall facing the elastic wall 15 (the wall on the side of the adjacent housing 12). As shown in FIG. 8 , when the autoinjector 50 is housed, each protrusion 16 abuts against the outer surface of the autoinjector 50. This ensures that the autoinjector 50 is securely housed in the housing 12 and reduces the contact area between the outer surface of the autoinjector 50 and the inner surface of the housing 12 (reducing frictional resistance) compared to when the outer surface of the autoinjector 50 contacts the entire inner surface of the housing 12. This has the advantage of facilitating axial movement of the autoinjector 50 within the housing 12 until the window 57 of the autoinjector 50 and the engagement portion 13 of the housing 12 engage, as described below.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the autoinjector 50 is housed, the protrusion 16 abuts against the outer surface of the autoinjector 50, and the housing portion 12 is pushed open by the elastic force of the elastic wall portion 15. In other words, it is preferable that the autoinjector 50 is housed in the housing portion 12 with the elastic force of the elastic wall portion 15 exerted. This prevents the autoinjector 50 from unintentionally falling out of the housing portion 12.

The autoinjector holder 10 includes a partition 17 for maintaining the autoinjectors 50, 50 held in two adjacent holders 11, 11 spaced apart from one another. In this embodiment, the partition 17 is a part of the storage sections 12, 12 of the two adjacent holders 11, 11, and includes a storage section partition 18 having a predetermined thickness. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the walls of the two adjacent holders 11, 11 (storage sections 12, 12) on the sides of the adjacent storage sections 12 are integrated to form a storage section partition 18 having a predetermined thickness (the horizontal dimension in Figure 3). The storage section partition 18 is formed between the two storage sections 12, 12, and is located between the two autoinjectors 50, 50 when the autoinjector holder 10 holds them. As shown in Figure 8, the storage section partition 18 allows the autoinjectors 50, 50 held in two adjacent holding sections 11, 11 to be maintained at a predetermined distance, and the injection needles 61, 61 of the autoinjectors 50, 50 to be maintained at a predetermined distance. This prevents the administration sites (injection sites) of medical fluids from being too close together when using multiple autoinjectors, and prevents problems resulting from this.

The partition portion 17 includes an extended partition 19 of a predetermined thickness that extends from the end of the holding portion 11 and lies between the autoinjectors 50 held in two adjacent holding portions 11. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the extended partition 19 has a cross-sectional shape substantially identical to the aforementioned storage portion partition 18 and extends rearward from the rear end of the holding portion 11 (the upper end in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 9, when two autoinjectors 50 are held by the autoinjector holder 10, the extended partition 19 lies between the two autoinjectors 50. The extended partition 19 allows a predetermined distance to be maintained between the two adjacent autoinjectors 50, particularly between the injection needles 61 of the autoinjectors 50. This prevents the administration sites (injection sites) of medical fluids from being too close together when using multiple auto-injectors, and prevents problems that result from this.

In particular, in this embodiment, the holding portion 11 (accommodating portion 12) of the autoinjector holder 10 holds (accommodates) the tip end portions of the autoinjectors 50. Therefore, if a patient grasps the rear end portions of two autoinjectors 50 (portions rearward of where they are housed in the housing portion 12 of each autoinjector 50) during an injection operation, the distance between the rear end portions will narrow, and the tip ends (needles 61) of the autoinjectors 50 may move away from each other, with the holding (accommodating) portion as a fulcrum. The extending partition 19 maintains a predetermined distance between the rear end portions of two adjacent autoinjectors 50, thereby more reliably maintaining a predetermined distance between the injection needles 61 of the autoinjectors 50.

The holding portion 11 of the autoinjector holder 10 has an engaging portion 13 that engages with the side wall of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50 housed in the storage portion 12, preventing axial movement and rotation of the autoinjector 50 housed in the storage portion 12. The engaging portion 13 of the autoinjector holder 10 is formed within the storage portion 12 and has a protrusion that engages with the window portion 57 of the autoinjector 50. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 13 is a protruding block that fills almost the entire window portion 57, and the protruding block portion is transparent so that the interior of the prefilled syringe 52 can be seen from the outside.

More specifically, the engaging portion (protruding block portion) 13 in this embodiment is a transparent block-shaped member manufactured separately from the other portions of the autoinjector holder 10 (the above-described one-piece resin molded product including the storage portion 12, storage portion partition wall 18, and extension partition wall 19). This block-shaped member is fitted into a through-hole formed in the storage portion 12 where the engaging portion is formed, thereby forming the engaging portion (protruding block portion) 13 (see Figures 3 and 10). The engaging portion (protruding block portion) 13 has an outer shape that corresponds to the inner shape of the window portion 57 (through-hole) formed in the side wall of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50, and protrudes inward into the storage portion 12. As a result, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, when the autoinjector 50 is housed in the housing portion 12, the engagement portion (protruding block portion) 13 engages with the window portion 57 of the autoinjector 50, preventing the autoinjector 50 from moving axially or rotating relative to the autoinjector holder 10 (holding portion 11).

The autoinjector holder 10 is preferably made of a hard or semi-hard resin that is elastically deformable to a certain degree. Examples include polyvinylidene fluoride, polycarbonate, acrylic resin (e.g., polyacrylate, specifically PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate)), polyacrylamide, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, etc.), polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate), polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer), styrene-based resin (e.g., polystyrene, MS resin (methacrylate-styrene copolymer), MBS resin (methacrylate-styrene copolymer), etc.). Examples of suitable materials for the autoinjector holder 10 include polyvinyl chloride (butylene-styrene copolymer), polyvinyl chloride (hard vinyl chloride), and polyamide (nylon 6, nylon 66). The autoinjector holder 10 can also be made from elastic rubber materials (e.g., butyl rubber, latex rubber, silicone rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, etc.), thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., styrene-based elastomers such as SBS elastomer, SEBS elastomer, and SEPS elastomer, and olefin-based elastomers such as ethylene-α-olefin copolymer elastomer, etc.).

The convex block portion (the block-shaped member that constitutes the engaging portion 13) is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material. This allows the interior of the prefilled syringe to be seen from the outside. Examples of materials that can be used to form the convex block portion include various resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), acrylic resin, and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate.

The autoinjector holder 10 of this embodiment allows the interior of the prefilled syringe 52 to be viewed from the outside through the formation of the engagement portion 13 of the storage portion 12. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7, 10, and 11, the position of the gasket 59 inside the prefilled syringe 52 is visible through the engagement portion (protruding block portion) 13 of the storage portion 12. This allows the state of the autoinjector 50 held in the autoinjector holder 10, and in particular, whether the autoinjector 50 has properly completed administering medical fluid, to be confirmed from the outside.

The engagement portion (protruding block portion) 13, which allows the interior of the prefilled syringe 52 to be viewed from the outside, is preferably formed on the wall of the storage portion 12 facing the autoinjector insertion slit 14. As a result, of the windows 57, 57 formed on two opposing sides of the side wall of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50, one window 57 is visible through the portion of the storage portion 12 where the engagement portion 13 is formed, and the other window 57 is visible through the slit 14. In other words, the autoinjector holder 10 of this embodiment does not have the other window 57 of the autoinjector covered by the slit 14.

Simultaneous administration of medical fluids by a plurality of autoinjectors 50 using the autoinjector holder 50 of this embodiment will now be briefly described.
First, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, an autoinjector 50 is held in each of the holding portions 11, 11 of the autoinjector holder 10. Here, the autoinjector 50 is inserted into the storage portion 12 through the autoinjector insertion slit 14 of the storage portion 12. At this time, it is preferable to first align the window portion 57 of the autoinjector 50 with the engaging portion 13. After inserting the autoinjector 50 into the storage portion 12, the window portion 57 of the autoinjector 50 is engaged with the engaging portion 13, thereby holding the autoinjector 50 against the holding portions 11, 11 (storage portions 12, 12) so that it cannot move axially or rotate.

Furthermore, the two engagement portions 13 that engage with the window portions 57 of the autoinjector 50 are located at the same axial position on the autoinjector holder 50; in other words, the two engagement portions 13 are parallel. Therefore, the two autoinjectors 50, 50 held by the autoinjector holder 50 are held so that the tips (cutting edges) of their respective injection needles 61 and the tips of their pressing portions 55 are in approximately the same position in the axial direction of the autoinjector holder 50. This allows for effective simultaneous administration.

Next, the caps 56 are removed from each autoinjector 50, and the autoinjectors 50, 50 and/or autoinjector holder 10 are grasped, with the pressing portions 55, 55 pressed against the injection site 70. At this time, the autoinjectors 50, 50 are held immovably in the axial direction relative to the holders 11, 11 (housing portions 12, 12), so the two autoinjectors 50, 50 advance toward the injection site 70 substantially simultaneously. Furthermore, because the partition portion 17 (housing portion partition 18 and extended partition 19) exists between the two autoinjectors 50, 50, the autoinjectors 50, 50 can be maintained at a predetermined distance from each other regardless of which portion of the autoinjectors 50, 50 and/or autoinjector holder 10 is grasped, and the injection needles 61, 61 of the autoinjectors 50, 50 can be maintained at a predetermined distance from each other.

As each pressing portion 55 moves into the housing 51, the injection needle 61 is exposed (protrudes) from the pressing portion 55 and punctures the administration site 70. This operation initiates the gasket pressing mechanism 13. The gasket pressing mechanism 13 moves the gasket 59 toward the tip of the prefilled syringe 52 (outer tube 58), releasing the medical liquid 60 from the injection needle 61 and administering the medical liquid 60 to the patient (see Figure 12). As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the position (movement toward the tip) of the gasket 59 within the prefilled syringe 52 is visible via the engaging portion (convex block portion) 13 of the container 12. This allows external confirmation that the medical liquid 60 has been properly administered by the autoinjector 50 held in the autoinjector holder 10. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, it is preferable that the autoinjector holder 10 visually confirm the completion of the movement of the gasket 59 toward the distal end (i.e., the completion of administration of the medical liquid 60).

As described above, the autoinjector holder 10 does not impair the function of the autoinjector 50 (particularly, visibility of the inside of the prefilled syringe 52 through the window 57), and can appropriately bundle and hold multiple autoinjectors 50, thereby appropriately assisting in the simultaneous administration of medical fluids by multiple autoinjectors 50.

Figures 13 to 20 show another embodiment of the autoinjector holder of the present invention. The autoinjector holder 10a has a different engagement portion than the autoinjector holder 10 described above. Unless otherwise specified, the autoinjector holder 10a has substantially the same configuration as the autoinjector holder 10 described above. For such configuration, the same names and symbols are used and detailed descriptions are omitted.

The engagement portion 13a of the autoinjector holder 10a includes a convex portion 20 that engages with the inner peripheral edge of the window portion 57 and an opening 21 that allows the interior of the prefilled syringe 52 to be viewed from the outside. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the engagement portion 13a includes convex portions 20 that protrude toward the inside of the storage portion 12 at positions corresponding to the inner edges on both sides and the rear end of the window portion 57 (the inner edges on both sides and the upper side in FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 16, when the autoinjector 50 is housed in the storage portion 12, the convex portions 20 engage with the window portion 57 of the autoinjector 50, preventing the autoinjector 50 from moving axially or rotating relative to the autoinjector holder 10a (holding portion 11). The convex portions 20 form a convex portion that engages with the window portion 57 of the autoinjector 50. The inner portion of the convex portion 20 in the engagement portion 13a (the portion surrounded by the convex portion 20) forms an opening 21 that penetrates the storage portion 12.

The autoinjector holder 10a of this embodiment allows the interior of the prefilled syringe 52 to be viewed from the outside through the formation site of the engagement portion 13a of the storage portion 12. Specifically, as shown in Figures 16 and 18 to 20, the position of the gasket 59 inside the prefilled syringe 52 is visible through the opening 21 in the engagement portion 13a of the storage portion 12. This allows the state of the autoinjector 50 held in the autoinjector holder 10a, and in particular, the proper completion of administration of medical fluid by the autoinjector 50, to be confirmed from the outside.

In this embodiment, the convex portion 20 is not formed in a position corresponding to the inner edge of the distal end of the window portion 57 (the lower inner edge in Figure 14). This ensures that the convex portion 20 does not interfere with visual confirmation of the completion of the movement of the gasket 59 toward the distal end (i.e., the completion of administration of the medical liquid 60). This makes it possible to more appropriately confirm from the outside that the medical liquid 60 has been properly administered in the autoinjector 50 held in the autoinjector holder 10.

As described above, the autoinjector holder 10a does not impair the function of the autoinjector 50 (particularly, the visibility of the inside of the prefilled syringe 52 through the window 57), and can appropriately bundle and hold multiple autoinjectors 50, thereby appropriately assisting in the simultaneous administration of medical fluids by multiple autoinjectors 50.

While the engagement portion 13, 13a in the autoinjector holder 10, 10a described above is designed to engage with the window 57 of the autoinjector 50, this is not a limitation. For example, as in the autoinjector holder 10b shown in FIG. 21, the engagement portion (not shown) may engage with a portion of the side wall of the housing 51 of the autoinjector 50 housed in the housing portion 12 other than the portion where the window 57 is formed. Furthermore, the shape (configuration) of the side wall of the autoinjector housing with which the engagement portion of the autoinjector engages is not limited to a through-hole like the window portion shown in the example, but may be, for example, an uneven portion formed for manufacturing reasons. This eliminates the need to form a separate shape on the autoinjector for engagement with the engagement portion. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, it is preferable that the housing portion 12 of the autoinjector holder 10b does not cover the window 57 of the autoinjector 50. Furthermore, the autoinjector holder 10b has a holding portion 11 (accommodating portion 12) that holds (accommodates) the rear end portion of the autoinjector 50 where the window portion 57 is formed, and an extending partition wall 19 extends from the tip of the holding portion 11 toward the tip.

In the above-described embodiments, multiple autoinjectors of the same type were used as the multiple autoinjectors, but the autoinjectors may be of different types. If the shape of the side wall portion with which the engaging portion engages (for example, the position of the window portion) differs depending on the autoinjector, the shape of the holding portion of the autoinjector holder is set to match the shape of each autoinjector.

10, 10a, 10b Autoinjector holder 11 Holding portion 12 Storage portion 13, 13a Engagement portion 17 Partition portion 18 Storage portion partition wall 19 Extension partition wall 20 Convex portion 21 Opening 50 Autoinjector 51 Housing 52 Prefilled syringe 53 Gasket pressing mechanism 57 Window portion 59 Gasket

Claims (9)

An autoinjector holder capable of holding a plurality of autoinjectors, each of which has a prefilled syringe and a gasket pressing mechanism housed within a cylindrical housing, for supporting simultaneous administration by the plurality of autoinjectors, comprising:
the autoinjector holder includes a plurality of holders arranged in parallel and capable of holding the autoinjectors;
The holding portion is
a housing portion that houses the housing of the autoinjector so as to partially cover the housing from the outside;
an engaging portion that engages with a side wall portion of the housing of the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion, thereby preventing the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion from moving axially or rotating ;
The autoinjector holder is characterized in that the autoinjector has a window formed in the side wall of the housing for viewing the inside of the prefilled syringe, and the engagement portion of the autoinjector holder is formed within the storage portion and has a protrusion that engages with the window of the autoinjector . 2. The autoinjector holder according to claim 1 , wherein the inside of the prefilled syringe is visible from the outside through a portion of the housing where the engaging portion is formed. 3. The autoinjector holder according to claim 2 , wherein the engagement portion is a convex block portion that fills substantially the entire window portion, and the convex block portion has transparency that allows the inside of the prefilled syringe to be seen from the outside. 3. The autoinjector holder according to claim 2 , wherein the engaging portion comprises a convex portion that engages with an inner peripheral edge of the window portion, and an opening through which the inside of the prefilled syringe can be seen from the outside. 5. The autoinjector holder according to claim 1 , further comprising a partition wall for keeping the autoinjectors held in the adjacent two holding portions spaced apart from each other. 6. The autoinjector holder according to claim 5 , wherein the partition wall is a part of the housing portion in two adjacent holding portions and includes a housing portion partition wall having a predetermined thickness. An autoinjector holder capable of holding a plurality of autoinjectors, each of which has a prefilled syringe and a gasket pressing mechanism housed in a cylindrical housing, for supporting simultaneous administration by the plurality of autoinjectors, comprising:
the autoinjector holder includes a plurality of holders arranged in parallel and capable of holding the autoinjectors;
The holding portion is
a housing portion that houses the housing of the autoinjector so as to partially cover the housing from the outside;
an engaging portion that engages with a side wall portion of the housing of the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion, thereby preventing the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion from moving axially or rotating;
the autoinjector holder includes a partition wall for maintaining the autoinjectors held in the two adjacent holding portions spaced apart from each other;
The autoinjector holder is characterized in that the partition portion includes an extended partition having a predetermined thickness extending from an end of the holding portion and located between the autoinjectors held by two adjacent holding portions. An autoinjector holder capable of holding a plurality of autoinjectors, each of which has a prefilled syringe and a gasket pressing mechanism housed in a cylindrical housing, for supporting simultaneous administration by the plurality of autoinjectors, comprising:
the autoinjector holder includes a plurality of holders arranged in parallel and capable of holding the autoinjectors;
The holding portion is
a housing portion that houses the housing of the autoinjector so as to partially cover the housing from the outside;
an engaging portion that engages with a side wall portion of the housing of the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion, thereby preventing the autoinjector accommodated in the accommodation portion from moving axially or rotating;
An autoinjector holder characterized in that a portion of the accommodating portion is an elastic wall portion, a protrusion is formed inside the accommodating portion including the elastic wall portion, and at least when the autoinjector is attached, the accommodating portion is pushed open against the elastic force of the elastic wall portion, and when the autoinjector is accommodated, the protrusion abuts against the outer surface of the autoinjector. A drug administration device comprising the autoinjector holder according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and at least two of the autoinjectors.