JP7835626B2 - Adapters and syringes with adapters - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an adapter for connecting a syringe and a vial, and a syringe with an adapter.

Conventionally, injectable preparations have been used in which two types of drugs (e.g., powder and solvent) are stored separately and mixed immediately before use. Such injectable preparations are provided, for example, with one drug sealed as a powder in a vial and the other drug sealed as a solvent such as sterile water for injection or physiological saline in a syringe.

The preparation of the injectable drug is performed by connecting a vial containing the powder to a syringe containing the diluent using an adapter. The diluent from the syringe is then introduced into the powder in the vial to mix and prepare the injectable drug. The prepared injectable drug is then transferred to the syringe. The vial is then removed from the syringe, a needle is attached to the syringe, and the syringe is used for administering the injectable drug (for example, Patent Document 1).

Special Publication No. 2007-525264

When preparing injectable medications, users (e.g., healthcare professionals or patients) may forget to mix the medications. In such cases, the user may mistakenly identify the diluent (e.g., injection solution or saline solution) sealed in the syringe as the prepared medication and may erroneously administer the drug by attaching the needle to the syringe without mixing.

The present invention aims to solve the problems described above.

One aspect of the following disclosure is an adapter for connecting a syringe and a vial, comprising: a connecting member having a double-ended needle and a needle member connectable to the mouth of the vial; a holding member that holds the needle member so as to be movable in the axial direction; and a connecting portion connected to the tip of the syringe barrel; and a locking member that abuts against the connecting portion and prevents the connecting portion from detaching from the syringe, wherein the locking member is pushed by a release rod extending from the plunger as the plunger of the syringe advances, thereby disengaging from the connecting portion of the connecting member and allowing the connecting member to detach from the syringe.

Another perspective is a syringe with an adapter, comprising the aforementioned adapter, a syringe containing a medical fluid, a plunger having a gasket for sealing the medical fluid, and a release rod extending from the base end of the plunger toward the tip and positioned on the outside of the syringe, wherein the adapter is connected to the tip of the syringe.

The adapter and syringe with adapter described above can be detached from the syringe by advancing the plunger to transfer the drug solution (solvent) into the vial. Therefore, the user cannot detach the adapter from the syringe before transferring the drug solution into the vial. Thus, the adapter and syringe with adapter described above prevent forgetting to mix the drugs.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a syringe with an adapter according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the disassembled syringe with adapter shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the syringe (with cap) from Figure 1 in its disassembled state. Figure 4A is an enlarged perspective view of the area near the tip of the syringe in Figure 1, and Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view along the IVB-IVB line in Figure 4A. Figure 5A is a perspective view showing the connecting member of the adapter in Figure 1 from the base end, and Figure 5B is a perspective view showing the connecting member of Figure 5A from the tip end. Figure 6A is a perspective view showing the locking member of the adapter in Figure 1 from the base end, and Figure 6B is a perspective view showing the locking member of Figure 6A from the tip end. Figure 7A is a perspective view showing the needle member of the adapter in Figure 1 from the base end, and Figure 7B is a perspective view showing the needle member of Figure 7A from the tip end. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the connection structure between the syringe, the locking member, and the connecting member, with the needle member omitted. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX in Figure 8. Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view of the syringe with adapter shown in Figure 1, just before the vial is inserted into the adapter, and Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of the vial in Figure 10A with the adapter connected. Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view showing the plunger in the forward position, and Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure between the needle member and the locking member. Figure 12A is a cross-sectional view showing the plunger in the retracted position towards the base end, and Figure 12B is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the release rod in the retracted position towards the base end. Figure 13A is a perspective view of the syringe with the adapter separated from it, and Figure 13B is a perspective view of the syringe with the adapter removed. Figure 14A is a cross-sectional view of a syringe with an adapter, including an adapter according to a modified example 1 of the embodiment, and Figure 14B is a cross-sectional view of a syringe with an adapter, including an adapter, according to a modified example 2 of the embodiment.

As shown in Figure 1, the syringe with adapter 10 according to this embodiment has a syringe 12 and an adapter 14. Syringe 12 is a pre-filled syringe containing a medical liquid as a diluent for the drug. The medical liquid is a liquid used to prepare injectable drugs by mixing with other drugs (e.g., powders), such as physiological saline or dilution water. As shown in Figure 10A, before use, a vial 90 containing the drug is connected to syringe 12 via the adapter 14. The medical liquid in syringe 12 is transferred to vial 90 and then mixed with the drug inside vial 90. The injectable drug inside vial 90 is then transferred to syringe 12 for administration.

In this type of syringe with an adapter 10, the adapter 14 covers the cap 24 of the syringe 12, preventing the attachment of the injection needle before connecting the vial 90, thereby preventing accidental administration of saline solution or other liquids from the syringe 12. The adapter 14 is locked in its initial state so that it cannot be removed from the syringe 12. The adapter 14 can be unlocked and removed from the syringe 12 by advancing the plunger 22 towards the tip (the direction in which the nozzle 18 is located). The syringe with an adapter 10 further has the following configuration:

As shown in Figure 2, the syringe 12 comprises a barrel 16, a gasket 20, a plunger 22, an outer cylinder 23, and a cap 24. The barrel 16 has a cylindrical body 17, a nozzle 18 protruding from the tip of the body 17 toward the tip, and a locking cylinder 19 surrounding the nozzle 18. The body 17 has a cavity 17a extending axially (along the central axis of the syringe 12, towards the tip and base ends). The gasket 20 is slidably positioned axially within the cavity 17a.

As shown in Figure 3, the barrel 16 has rib-like projections 17b that protrude outward from the body portion 17. The rib-like projections 17b extend in the axial direction. Two rib-like projections 17b are provided, spaced equally apart in the circumferential direction. The rib-like projections 17b connect the barrel 16 and the outer cylinder 23 by engaging with the engagement grooves 23a of the outer cylinder 23. The barrel 16 has a flange 17c at its base end. A notch 17d is formed in the flange 17c through which the release rod 22a can be inserted. The notch 17d is located 90° away from the rib-like projections 17b in the circumferential direction.

As shown in Figure 4B, the outer cylinder 23 is a cylindrical member with an elliptical cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction. The outer cylinder 23 has a pair of engagement grooves 23a and a pair of slide grooves 23b on its inner circumference. The engagement grooves 23a are located on the inner surface in the minor axis direction and engage with the rib-like projections 17b. The slide grooves 23b are located on the inner surface in the major axis direction. The slide grooves 23b extend in the axial direction. The slide grooves 23b slidably house the release rod 22a of the plunger 22 in the axial direction.

As shown in Figure 2, the nozzle 18 and the locking cylinder 19 constitute the tip portion 16a of the barrel 16. The nozzle 18 has a flow path 18a that communicates with the housing chamber 26. The locking cylinder 19 is a cylindrical portion that surrounds the outside of the nozzle 18. The locking cylinder 19 is a member that holds the injection needle and may have a screw structure on its inner circumference 19b for screwing in the injection needle. As shown in Figure 3, the locking cylinder 19 has a connecting groove 28 on its outer circumference 19a for holding the adapter 14.

As shown in Figure 4A, the connecting groove 28 has a first connecting groove 28a, a second connecting groove 28b, and an engaging recess 28c. The first connecting groove 28a is a groove extending axially along the thinned wall of the lock cylinder 19. The second connecting groove 28b is a groove extending briefly in the circumferential direction of the lock cylinder 19. One end of the second connecting groove 28b in the circumferential direction connects to the first connecting groove 28a midway along its axial direction. The engaging recess 28c is located inside the first connecting groove 28a. The engaging recess 28c is recessed inward from the first connecting groove 28a. The engaging recess 28c constitutes part of the recessed structure 29 that temporarily fixes the lock member 36 (see Figure 2) to the lock cylinder 19. Although not specifically shown, the connecting groove 28 is also formed on the opposite side of the lock cylinder 19 in the circumferential direction of Figure 4A.

As shown in Figure 2, the gasket 20 is positioned inside the barrel 16 and seals the base end of the housing chamber 26 in a liquid-tight and airtight manner. A plunger 22 is connected to the base end of the gasket 20. The plunger 22 is the user's operating input and moves the gasket 20 forward or backward.

The plunger 22 in this embodiment has a release rod 22a and a plunger body 22b. The plunger body 22b extends towards the base end of the gasket 20 and is inserted into the inside of the barrel 16. The release rod 22a is an axially extending rod-shaped member located on the outside of the barrel 16. The release rod 22a is connected to the plunger body 22b near the base end of the plunger 22. The release rod 22a extends toward the tip in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 4B, a portion of the outside of the release rod 22a is housed in a slide groove 23b and moves axially along the slide groove 23b.

As shown in Figure 2, the release rod 22a has an extrusion portion 22c at its tip. The extrusion portion 22c protrudes beyond the gasket 20 towards the tip. The extrusion portion 22c is positioned adjacent to the outer circumferential surface of the barrel 16. In the circumferential direction of the syringe 12, the extrusion portion 22c is positioned in the same direction as the first connecting groove 28a. When the plunger 22 is displaced toward the tip, the extrusion portion 22c protrudes to a position overlapping the outside of the first connecting groove 28a. The extrusion portion 22c protrudes radially inward more than other parts of the release rod 22a, forming a stepped portion 22d at the base end of the extrusion portion 22c. As will be described later, when the plunger 22 is pulled toward the base end, the stepped portion 22d catches on the flange 17c of the barrel 16, preventing the plunger 22 from being pulled out of the barrel 16.

As shown in Figure 4A, the cap 24 is attached to the tip of the syringe 12 and seals the chamber 26 of the syringe 12. As shown in Figure 2, the cap 24 has a stopper body 30 and a case 32. The stopper body 30 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a sealing portion 30a that abuts the tip and outer circumference of the nozzle 18, and a tip recess 30b. The tip recess 30b has a shape that is concave towards the tip. The tip recess 30b accommodates the base needle 66 (see Figure 7A), which will be described later. The tip recess 30b and the sealing portion 30a are separated by a sealing wall 30c.

The case 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The case 32 is made of a resin material or the like that is harder than the stopper 30. The case 32 holds the stopper 30 inside. In the initial state of the syringe 10 with adapter, the case 32 is inserted into the gap between the nozzle 18 and the locking cylinder 19, along with the base end of the stopper 30. The cap 24 is held to the tip 16a of the barrel 16 mainly by friction. The case 32 has a flange-like rib 32a protruding from its tip.

As shown in Figure 2, the adapter 14 includes a connecting member 34, a locking member 36, and a needle member 38. In the initial state shown in Figure 1, the connecting member 34 of the adapter 14 is connected to the syringe 12. The connecting member 34 has a cylindrical shape. As shown in Figure 5A, the connecting member 34 includes a connecting portion 40, an intermediate portion 42, and a retaining cylinder 44 (an example of a retaining member).

The connecting portion 40 is located on the base end side of the connecting member 34 and has the smallest outer diameter dimension within the connecting member 34. The inner diameter dimension of the connecting portion 40 is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the lock cylinder 19. The inner circumferential surface 40a of the connecting portion 40 is spaced outward from the outer circumferential surface 19a of the lock cylinder 19, and the lock cylinder 19 is attached so as to surround the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. As shown in Figure 9, in the initial state, the insertion portion 36a of the lock member 36 is accommodated in the gap between the inner circumferential surface 40a of the connecting portion 40 and the outer circumferential surface 19a of the lock cylinder 19.

As shown in Figure 5A, the connecting portion 40 has a connecting projection 46 and an insertion groove 47. The connecting projection 46 is a linear projection that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface 40a and extends briefly in the circumferential direction. The connecting projection 46 has dimensions that allow it to engage with the second connecting groove 28b (see Figure 4A) formed on the outer circumferential portion 19a of the lock cylinder 19. In the initial state, the connecting projection 46 engages with the second connecting groove 28b, preventing the connecting member 34 from detaching from the syringe 12. Two connecting projections 46 are arranged around the connecting portion 40 at a 180° angle.

The insertion groove 47 is a groove-shaped portion that bulges outward from the connecting portion 40. The insertion groove 47 is positioned circumferentially offset from the connecting projection 46. The axially extending insertion groove 47 allows the release rod 22a (extrusion portion 22c) and the locking piece 36d to pass through. As shown in Figure 8, in the initial state, the insertion groove 47 is positioned to overlap with the first connecting groove 28a and accommodates the locking piece 36d of the locking member 36. Two insertion grooves 47 are provided, separated by 180° in the circumferential direction.

The intermediate portion 42 is located between the connecting portion 40 and the retaining cylinder 44 in the axial direction and is integrally connected to the connecting portion 40 and the retaining cylinder 44 via a stepped portion. The intermediate portion 42 has a cylindrical shape with a larger outer diameter than the connecting portion 40 and a smaller outer diameter than the retaining cylinder 44. As shown in Figure 9, in the initial state, the intermediate portion 42 slidably accommodates the cylindrical main body portion 36c of the locking member 36 in the axial direction. The inner circumferential surface 42a of the intermediate portion 42 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the main body portion 36c of the locking member 36. Note that the inner circumferential surface 42a of the intermediate portion 42 may be spaced apart from the main body portion 36c.

As shown in Figure 5A, the intermediate section 42 has two bulging sections 50 spaced 180° apart in the circumferential direction. The bulging sections 50 are portions that bulge outward from the intermediate section 42 and extend in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 5B, the bulging sections 50 form axially extending receiving recesses 50a inside. The bulging sections 50 are located at a 90° offset in the circumferential direction from the insertion groove 47. As shown in Figure 8, in the initial state, the intermediate section 42 accommodates the fitting portion 58 of the locking member 36 inside the receiving recesses 50a.

As shown in Figure 5A, the retaining cylinder 44 is located on the tip side of the connecting member 34. The retaining cylinder 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a larger outer diameter than the connecting portion 40 and the intermediate portion 42. As shown in Figure 5B, the retaining cylinder 44 has an internal housing space 44a. The housing space 44a accommodates the needle member 38 so that it can move in the axial direction. The retaining cylinder 44 further has a guide portion 52 and a detachment prevention claw 54. The retaining cylinder 44 has two guide portions 52 spaced 180° apart in the circumferential direction.

The guide section 52 has guide grooves 52a formed inside. Each guide groove 52a is a groove recessed toward the outer circumference relative to the inner circumferential surface 44b of the retaining cylinder 44, and extends in the axial direction. The tip of the guide groove 52a opens at the tip of the retaining cylinder 44. The guide grooves 52a are positioned at the same circumferential location as the insertion groove 47. As shown in Figure 9, the guide grooves 52a slidably accommodate the guide projection 56 of the needle member 38 in the axial direction. The guide grooves 52a prevent circumferential rotation of the needle member 38.

As shown in Figure 5B, the release prevention claws 54 protrude inward from the inner circumferential surface of the retaining cylinder 44. The release prevention claws 54 are located near the opening 44c at the tip of the retaining cylinder 44. The release prevention claws 54 are positioned circumferentially so as to be able to contact the outer circumferential claws 57 (see Figure 7A) of the needle member 38. While not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, a total of four release prevention claws 54 are provided, two adjacent to each guide groove 52a. The release prevention claws 54 prevent the needle member 38 from detaching from the retaining cylinder 44 by contacting the outer circumferential claws 57 (see Figure 7A) of the needle member 38.

As shown in Figure 2, the locking member 36 of the adapter 14 is positioned between the connecting member 34 and the needle member 38. As shown in Figure 6A, the locking member 36 has an insertion portion 36a located at the base end and a main body portion 36c located at the tip end. As shown in Figure 8, the insertion portion 36a is the part that, in its initial state, is inserted into the gap between the outer circumference of the tip portion 16a of the barrel 16 and the connecting member 34. As shown in Figure 6A, the insertion portion 36a further has a circumferential wall 36b, a locking piece 36d, and a temporary fixing portion 36e. The circumferential wall 36b is a cylindrical portion that extends axially from the base end wall 36c1 of the main body portion 36c toward the base end. In its initial state, as shown in Figure 8, the circumferential wall 36b is located toward the tip end than the lock cylinder 19 and is positioned in the gap between the cap 24 and the connecting member 34.

As shown in Figure 6A, the locking piece 36d is a plate-like portion extending axially from the base end of the circumferential wall 36b. Two locking pieces 36d are arranged 180° apart in the circumferential direction. The locking pieces 36d are curved along the circumference of a circle with the same radius as the circumferential wall 36b. The circumferential dimension of the locking piece 36d is slightly smaller than the circumferential dimension of the first connecting groove 28a of the lock cylinder 19 shown in Figure 4A. As shown in Figure 8, in the initial state, a portion of the inner circumference of the locking piece 36d is housed in the first connecting groove 28a of the lock cylinder 19. The locking piece 36d constitutes a locking mechanism that prevents circumferential displacement of the connecting projection 46 housed in the second connecting groove 28b and prevents the connecting projection 46 from detaching from the second connecting groove 28b. The locking piece 36d has a contact rib 36g that protrudes outward.

As shown in Figure 6A, the temporary fixing portion 36e protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the locking piece 36d. The temporary fixing portion 36e is positioned to engage with the engagement recess 28c of the locking cylinder 19 shown in Figure 4A. In the initial state, as shown in Figure 9, the temporary fixing portion 36e engages with the engagement recess 28c. By engaging with the engagement recess 28c, the temporary fixing portion 36e increases frictional resistance, generating appropriate resistance against the force that displaces the locking cylinder 19 toward the tip. When the temporary fixing portion 36e is pressed toward the tip with a force exceeding a predetermined amount by the release rod 22a, it disengages from the engagement recess 28c. The temporary fixing portion 36e and the engagement recess 28c constitute a recessed structure 29 that temporarily fixes the locking member 36 to the locking cylinder 19 of the syringe 12.

As shown in Figure 6A, the main body portion 36c is a cylindrical portion located on the tip side of the insertion portion 36a. The main body portion 36c has a larger outer diameter than the insertion portion 36a. The main body portion 36c is connected to the insertion portion 36a via a base end wall 36c1. The main body portion 36c has a cavity portion 36f inside. The base end of the cavity portion 36f is partially closed by the base end wall 36c1, and the cavity portion 36f opens toward the tip side. The cavity portion 36f accommodates the base end cylinder 68 (see Figure 7A) of the needle member 38. The main body portion 36c has a fitting portion 58 that is connected to the needle member 38. Two fitting portions 58 are provided, separated by 180° in the circumferential direction. Each fitting portion 58 bulges slightly outward from the main body portion 36c. The fitting portions 58 are located 90° away from the locking piece 36d in the circumferential direction. The fitting portion 58 is separated from the main body portion 36c via a pair of separation grooves 58a that extend axially at their tip ends. The separation grooves 58a extend from the tip end of the main body portion 36c to the base end wall 36c1. Therefore, the fitting portion 58 is connected to the main body portion 36c via the circumferential wall 36b. Such separation grooves 58a facilitate the radial elastic deformation of the fitting portion 58. The fitting portion 58 is inserted into the receiving recess 50a (see Figure 5B) of the connecting member 34. The fitting portion 58 and the receiving recess 50a restrict the circumferential rotation of the locking member 36 and allow axial movement of the locking member 36.

The fitting portion 58 further has a window portion 58b and a fitting projection 58c. The window portion 58b is a rectangular hole that penetrates the fitting portion 58 in the thickness direction (radial direction). When the needle member 38 is pushed toward the base end, the first claw member 60 (see Figure 7A) of the needle member 38 enters the window portion 58b from the inside. The fitting projection 58c is formed adjacent to the tip side of the window portion 58b. The fitting projection 58c has an end face 58c1 at its base end that is cut perpendicular to the axial direction. The end face 58c1 hooks onto the first claw member 60 of the needle member 38, thereby connecting the needle member 38 and the locking member 36. As shown in Figure 9, in the initial state, the locking member 36 has a locking piece 36d inserted between the inner circumferential surface of the connecting member 34 and the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion 16a (locking cylinder 19) of the barrel 16. As shown in Figure 8, in the initial state, the locking piece 36d abuts against the connecting projection 46 from the circumferential direction, thereby preventing the rotation of the connecting member 34.

As shown in Figure 2, the needle member 38 of the adapter 14 is located on the tip side of the locking member 36. As shown in Figure 9, the needle member 38 is housed in the retaining cylinder 44 of the connecting member 34 so as to be movable in the axial direction. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the needle member 38 has a cap connecting portion 62, a double-ended needle 63, and a vial connecting portion 64. The cap connecting portion 62 is located on the base end side and is the part that connects to the cap 24. The vial connecting portion 64 is located on the tip side of the cap connecting portion 62 and is the part to which the vial 90 is connected. The double-ended needle 63 is composed of a base needle 66 and a tip needle 70.

The cap connection portion 62 has a base needle 66 and a base cylinder 68. The base needle 66 protrudes axially toward the base end along the central axis. A sharp needle tip 66a is formed at the end of the base needle 66, which can penetrate the plug body 30 of the cap 24. A flow path 66b is formed inside the base needle 66. The flow path 66b communicates with the flow path 70b of the tip needle 70. The base cylinder 68 consists of a cylindrical wall that protrudes toward the base end, surrounding the base needle 66. The base cylinder 68 has an inner diameter that can accommodate the tip of the case 32 of the cap 24. The base cylinder 68 has a plurality of second claw members 71 on its inner circumference 68a. The second claw members 71 are plate-shaped members that protrude inclined so as to gradually approach the central axis from the base end toward the tip end. The tip 71a of the second claw member 71 engages with the flange-shaped rib 32a at the tip of the case 32 when the needle member 38 punctures the cap 24, thereby irremoving the needle member 38 and the cap 24.

Furthermore, the base cylinder 68 has a first claw member 60 on its outer circumference. The first claw member 60 protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the base cylinder 68. The first claw member 60 extends linearly in the circumferential direction. The first claw member 60 has a tip surface that is cut perpendicular to the axial direction at its tip. When the needle member 38 is punctured into the cap 24, the first claw member 60 is inserted into the window portion 58b (see Figure 6A) of the fitting portion 58 and engages with the fitting projection 58c. By engaging with the fitting portion 58, the first claw member 60 firmly connects the locking member 36 and the needle member 38.

The vial connection portion 64 of the needle member 38 has a tip needle 70 and a tip cylinder 72. As shown in Figure 7B, the tip needle 70 is a needle portion that protrudes toward the tip along the central axis. The tip needle 70 has a length that allows it to penetrate the stopper 94 of the vial 90 and has a sharp needle tip 70a at its end. The tip needle 70 has a flow path 70b that penetrates axially inside. The flow path 70b communicates with the flow path 66b of the base needle 66.

The tip tube 72 has a cylindrical wall surrounding the outside of the tip needle 70. The tip tube 72 has a cylindrical shape with a larger outer diameter than the base tube 68. The tip tube 72 is connected to the base tube 68 via the base wall 72a. The tip tube 72 has a connecting recess 74 on its inside that accommodates the mouth 92 of the vial 90 (see Figure 10A). As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the base end side of the connecting recess 74 may be closed by the base wall 72a of the tip tube 72, but the tip tube 72 and the base tube 68 may be connected in a manner in which the base end side of the connecting recess 74 is not closed. The connecting recess 74 is open at the tip side. The tip tube 72 has a retaining piece 76 that holds the mouth 92 of the vial 90. The retaining piece 76 has a projection 76a that fits onto the mouth 92 of the vial 90. The retaining piece 76 has a pair of separation grooves 76b on both sides in the circumferential direction. The separation groove 76b facilitates the connection of the opening 92 to the needle member 38 by making the retaining piece 76 more elastically deformable in the radial direction.

The tip cylinder 72 has guide projections 56 and outer claws 57 on its outer circumference. Two guide projections 56 are provided on the outer circumference of the tip cylinder 72. Each guide projection 56 is formed at a position 90° circumferentially away from the center of the first claw member 60. The guide projections 56 are plate-shaped projections that protrude outward from the tip cylinder 72. The guide projections 56 extend axially. The guide projections 56 are inserted into the guide grooves 52a of the connecting member 34 to restrict the circumferential rotation of the needle member 38 relative to the connecting member 34. The outer claws 57 engage with the detachment prevention claws 54 of the connecting member 34. Two outer claws 57 are arranged adjacent to the guide projections 56.

As shown in Figure 8, in its initial state, the adapter 14 has a connecting member 34 connected to the nozzle 18 of the syringe 12. As shown in Figure 9, the locking member 36 and the needle member 38 are housed inside the connecting member 34. The insertion portion 36a of the locking member 36 is inserted between the connecting member 34 and the outer circumference of the tip portion 16a (locking cylinder 19) of the barrel 16. As shown in Figure 8, the locking piece 36d of the locking member 36 is inserted into the first connecting groove 28a and contacts the connecting projection 46 of the connecting member 34 from the circumferential direction. The locking piece 36d prevents the connecting projection 46 from rotating in the circumferential direction, thereby preventing the connecting projection 46 from detaching from the second connecting groove 28b and maintaining the state in which the connecting member 34 is connected to the syringe 12. As shown in Figure 9, the locking member 36 is temporarily fixed to the locking cylinder 19 through the temporary fixing portion 36e. The locking member 36 remains temporarily fixed until it is pushed out towards the tip by the release rod 22a of the plunger 22, maintaining the connection between the connecting member 34 and the syringe 12.

As shown in Figure 9, in the initial state, the needle member 38 is housed inside the retaining cylinder 44, positioned towards the tip of the locking member 36. A portion of the base needle 66 is positioned in the tip recess 30b of the plug body 30.

The syringe 10 with adapter is used as follows:

In its initial state, the adapter 14 of the syringe 10 is inseparably connected to the syringe 12. Therefore, the syringe 10 prevents misuse, such as the user removing the adapter 14 from the syringe 12 and attaching the needle before preparing the injection solution.

As shown in Figure 10A, the syringe 10 with adapter is used by inserting the vial 90 into the adapter 14. The vial 90 has a mouth portion 92 with a stopper 94, which is inserted into the tip tubing 72 of the needle member 38. The vial 90 contains, for example, a powdered or liquid drug.

As shown in Figure 10B, when the vial 90 is pushed toward the syringe 12, the base needle 66 of the needle member 38 penetrates the stopper 30 of the cap 24, and the tip needle 70 of the needle member 38 penetrates the stopper 94 of the vial 90. The housing chamber 26 of the syringe 12 and the inside of the vial 90 are in communication via the flow paths 66b and 70b of the needle member 38. When the vial 90 is connected to the syringe 12, the needle member 38 is displaced toward the base end. The base cylinder 68 of the needle member 38 accommodates the tip side of the cap 24. As a result, the second claw member 71 of the needle member 38 engages with the rib 32a of the cap 24. The needle member 38 and the cap 24 are firmly connected, and the cap 24 displaces integrally with the needle member 38. The locking member 36 is kept in a temporarily fixed state in the locking cylinder 19, preventing the adapter 14 from detaching. In other words, the adapter 14 of this embodiment cannot be detached from the syringe 12 simply by connecting the vial 90 to the syringe 12.

As shown in Figure 11A, the plunger 22 is then pressed toward the tip. This operation displaces the plunger 22 toward the tip until the gasket 20 contacts the tip of the inner wall of the barrel 16. Once the plunger 22 is displaced toward the tip, the extrusion portion 22c of the release rod 22a is inserted into the insertion groove 47. The extrusion portion 22c pushes the locking piece 36d of the locking member 36 toward the tip, thereby releasing the temporary fixation between the locking member 36 and the locking cylinder 19. The locking piece 36d is pushed out of the first connecting groove 28a by the extrusion portion 22c. As the locking member 36 is pushed out, the fitting portion 58 engages with the first claw member 60 of the needle member 38, as shown in Figure 11B. Thereafter, the locking member 36 displaces integrally with the needle member 38.

Furthermore, as the gasket 20 displaces toward the tip, the medical fluid in the containment chamber 26 is introduced into the vial 90. The drug and medical fluid are then mixed inside the vial 90, preparing the injectable medication.

Next, as shown in Figure 12A, the plunger 22 is pulled inward towards the base end. This introduces the injectable drug from the vial 90 into the chamber 26 of the syringe 12. As shown in Figure 12B, when the plunger 22 is displaced towards the base end, the stepped portion 22d abuts against the flange 17c. The stepped portion 22d, by contacting the flange 17c, prevents the plunger 22 from being pulled out of the barrel 16 by preventing its displacement towards the base end.

Next, as shown in Figure 12B, the vial 90 is removed from the adapter 14. At this time, when the plunger 22 is displaced toward the base end, neither the extrusion portion 22c nor the locking piece 36d is present in the first connecting groove 28a, and the connecting projection 46 can be moved to the first connecting groove 28a. By the user's operation, the connecting member 34 is rotated, causing the connecting projection 46 to move to the first connecting groove 28a. This makes it possible to release the connection between the connecting member 34 and the tip portion 16a of the barrel 16.

Subsequently, as shown in Figure 13A, the adapter 14 is detached from the syringe 12 by the user's operation, by being pulled out towards the axial end. Note that the adapter 14 can be removed when the plunger 22 is pulled towards the proximal end, and the user can remove the adapter 14 while the vial 90 is still connected. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13B, the nozzle 18 is exposed from the syringe 12 after the adapter 14 has been removed. The syringe 12 is then used for administering the injectable drug with the injection needle attached to the nozzle 18.

As described above, the syringe 10 with adapter in this embodiment is structured so that the adapter 14 cannot be removed from the syringe 12 simply by connecting the vial 90. The adapter 14 becomes detachable only when the plunger 22 is pressed to transfer the medical fluid from the syringe 12 to the vial 90. Therefore, the syringe 10 with adapter allows the user to reliably perform the preparation of the injectable drug and prevents the accidental administration of unprepared injectable solution.

(Variation 1)
The syringe with adapter 10A in this modified example differs from the above-described embodiment in that the adapter 14A, which has a locking member 36A and a needle member 38A, is shown in Figure 14A. In this modified example, the locking member 36A does not have a fitting portion 58. Also, the needle member 38A in this modified example does not have a first claw member 60. In other words, in this modified example, the function of connecting the locking member 36A and the needle member 38A is omitted. Even with this modified example, the same effects as the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 13B can be obtained.

(Variation 2)
The syringe with adapter 10B in this modified example differs from the syringe with adapter 10A (Figure 14A) of Modified Example 1 in that the adapter 14B has a needle member 38B, as shown in Figure 14B. The needle member 38B does not have a second claw member 71. In other words, in this modified example, the function of connecting the cap 24 and the needle member 38B is further omitted. Even with this modified example, the same effects as the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 13B can be obtained.

The above disclosures can be summarized as follows:

One perspective is an adapter (14) for connecting a syringe (12) and a vial (90), comprising: a needle member (38, 38A, 38B) having a double-ended needle (63) and connectable to the mouth (92) of the vial; a holding member (44) that holds the needle member so as to be movable in the axial direction; a connecting portion (40) connected to the tip (16a) of the syringe barrel (16); and a locking member (36, 36A) that abuts the connecting portion and prevents the connecting portion from detaching from the syringe. The locking member is pushed by a release rod (22a) extending from the plunger as the plunger (22) of the syringe moves forward, causing it to detach from the connecting portion of the connecting member and allowing the connecting member to detach from the syringe.

The adapter described above is detachably connected to the syringe until the plunger is displaced towards the tip, transferring the medical fluid from the syringe into the vial. Therefore, the adapter prevents the needle from being attached to the syringe before the medical fluid is introduced into the vial, thus preventing the accidental administration of unprepared injectable fluid.

In the adapter described above, the connecting portion has a connecting projection (46) that protrudes inward and engages with the connecting groove (28) of the syringe. The connecting projection may release the connection between the syringe and the connecting member by rotating circumferentially relative to the syringe. This adapter has a simple structure and can be releasably connected to the syringe.

In the adapter described above, the locking member may have a locking piece (36d) positioned adjacent to the connecting projection in the circumferential direction, which prevents the circumferential rotation of the connecting member. This adapter can prevent the connecting member from detaching from the syringe by the locking piece.

In the adapter described above, the locking piece may be inserted between the inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion and the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion, and may contact the connecting projection from the circumferential direction to prevent rotation of the connecting member. This adapter has a simple structure and can prevent the connecting member from coming loose.

In the adapter described above, the connecting member may have an insertion groove (47) extending in the axial direction through which the locking piece and the release rod are inserted. This adapter allows the locking piece to be directly pushed out by the release rod, simplifying the structure.

In the adapter described above, the needle member may have a first claw member (60) that engages with the locking member, and when the locking member is moved toward the tip by the release rod, the needle member and the locking member may be connected via the first claw member. This adapter allows the locking member to be detached together with the needle member through the vial withdrawal operation, and offers excellent operability.

In the adapter described above, the needle member has a second claw member (71) that engages with a cap (24) that seals the tip. When the vial is pushed into the needle member, the second claw member engages with the cap, and when the vial is displaced away from the syringe, the cap may detach from the syringe together with the needle member. Because the cap can be removed together with the adapter, this adapter offers excellent handling.

Another perspective concerns a syringe with an adapter (10, 10A, 10B), comprising the aforementioned adapter, a syringe containing a medical fluid, a plunger (22) having a gasket (20) for sealing the medical fluid, and a release rod (22a) extending from the base end of the plunger toward the tip and positioned on the outside of the syringe, wherein the adapter is connected to the tip of the syringe. This syringe with an adapter can prevent the accidental administration of unadjusted injection solutions.

The syringe with the adapter described above may have a recessed structure (29) for temporarily fixing the locking member to the syringe. This syringe with the adapter can prevent the connecting member from detaching by preventing the locking member from detaching.

In the above-described syringe with adapter, the syringe may further include an outer cylinder (23) that guides the release rod toward the locking member. This syringe with adapter offers superior operability because the release rod is guided to contact the locking member.

The syringe with the adapter described above may have rib-like projections (17b) on its outer circumference, and the outer cylinder may have engagement grooves (23a) that engage with the rib-like projections. This syringe with the adapter can be fixed to the outer cylinder and syringe with a simple configuration.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosures described above, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

10, 10A, 10B... Syringe with adapter 12... Syringe 14, 14A, 14B... Adapter 16... Barrel 16a... Tip 22... Plunger 22a... Release rod 23... Outer cylinder 24... Cap 28... Connecting groove 29... Recessed structure 34... Connecting member 36, 36A... Locking member 36d... Locking piece 38, 38A, 38B... Needle member 40... Connecting part 44... Retaining cylinder (retaining member)
46...Connecting projection 47...Through groove 63...Double-ended needle

Claims (9)

An adapter for connecting a syringe and a vial,
A needle member having a double-ended needle and connectable to the mouth of the vial,
A connecting member having a holding member that holds the needle member so as to be movable in the axial direction, and a connecting portion that is connected to the tip of the syringe barrel,
The device comprises a locking member which is positioned at least partially inside the connecting portion, is movable in the axial direction relative to the connecting member, and prevents the connecting portion from detaching from the syringe,
The connecting portion has a connecting projection that protrudes inward and is releasably engaged with the barrel depending on its relative position to the barrel.
The adapter has a locking piece that restricts the displacement of the connecting projection inside the connecting portion and allows the connecting projection to move away from the connecting portion when it moves toward the tip in the axial direction . An adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the locking piece is positioned between the inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion and the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion of the barrel , thereby preventing circumferential displacement of the connecting projection. An adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member extends in the axial direction and has an insertion groove through which the locking piece is inserted. An adapter according to claim 1, wherein the needle member has a first claw member that engages with the locking member , and when the locking member moves toward the tip in the axial direction , the needle member and the locking member are connected via the first claw member. An adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the needle member has a second claw member that engages with a cap that seals the tip of the barrel , the second claw member engages with the cap when the vial is pushed into the needle member, and when the vial is displaced away from the syringe, the second claw member, which is engaged with the cap, together with the needle member, removes the cap from the syringe. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The syringe containing a medical liquid inside,
A plunger having a gasket for sealing the aforementioned medical liquid,
The syringe comprises a release rod extending from the base end toward the tip of the plunger and positioned outside the syringe,
The adapter is connected to the tip of the syringe ,
The release rod is a syringe with an adapter, which displaces the locking piece to the axial end as the plunger moves forward . A syringe with an adapter according to claim 6 , wherein the adapter has a grooved structure for temporarily fixing the locking member to the syringe. A syringe with an adapter according to claim 7 , wherein the syringe further comprises an outer cylinder that guides the release rod toward the locking member. A syringe with an adapter according to claim 8 , wherein the syringe has rib-like projections on its outer circumference, and the outer cylinder has engagement grooves that engage with the rib-like projections.