JP2015226749A - Male member cover and connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce amounts of drug solution adhering to surfaces of a cover and a female member after separating the cover from the female member, by improving adhesion between the cover and the female member.SOLUTION: A cover 90 comprises: a seal region 92 adhering to an outer peripheral surface of a male member 20; a deformable region 93 disposed on the tip side from the seal region 92; a slit 95 provided on the tip of the deformable region 93 so as to be penetrated by the male member 20; and a holding part 98 for holding the cover 90. The deformable region 93 is easier to perform compressive deformation and extension deformation than the seal region 92. A sealed space 99 is formed in the deformable region 93 in an initial state in which the cover is separated from the female member. The holding part 98 is provided in the seal region 92.

Description

  The present invention relates to a male member cover that can be attached to a male member inserted (including puncture) into a female member. Moreover, this invention relates to the connector provided with the male member with which such a cover was mounted | worn.

  In a sealed pharmaceutical container such as a vial, a powdered medicine is generally contained. When administering the drug to a patient, the drug solution is injected into the vial to dissolve the drug to obtain a drug solution, and then the drug solution is taken out from the vial. The extracted chemical solution is generally temporarily stored in a chemical solution bag.

  In some cases, the drug contained in the vial is a drug designated as a powerful drug, such as an anticancer drug. It is necessary to avoid a situation in which a chemical solution containing such a dangerous drug leaks out and adheres to an operator's finger or the like, or the operator sucks the vapor. Therefore, it is desirable that the above-described series of operations for dissolving the drug in the vial and transferring the drug solution to the drug solution bag is performed using a “closed device” that is unlikely to leak the drug solution.

  An example of such a closed system device is described in Patent Document 1. The device of Patent Document 1 (referred to as “medical connector” in Patent Document 1) includes two connectors to which a vial and a medical solution bag are respectively connected, and a port to which a syringe is connected. . The device further includes a cock for switching the flow path between the vial, the drug solution bag, and the syringe. Connect vials, drug bags, and syringes to the device. The drug solution bag initially stores a solution for dissolving the drug. By operating the cock and switching the flow path appropriately, the solution in the drug solution bag is transferred to the vial through the syringe, the drug in the vial is dissolved to obtain the drug solution, and then the solution in the vial The chemical solution can be transferred to the chemical solution bag via the syringe. If necessary, replace the vial with a new vial and perform the same operation. In this way, the chemical solution obtained by dissolving the required number and type of drugs in the vial can be stored in a common drug solution bag.

  The mouth (opening) of the vial is generally sealed with a stopper (rubber stopper). The connector to which the vial of the above device is connected includes a puncture needle with a sharp tip that is punctured by the stopper. After the vial bottle and the connector are separated, the drug solution remaining in the flow path of the puncture needle may leak out from the opening on the distal end side of the flow path of the puncture needle to the outside.

  Patent Document 2 describes a flexible cover (shield) that covers a rod-shaped male member (male luer) inserted into a female member (needleless port). The cover includes a bellows-shaped outer peripheral wall that can be compressed and deformed, a head that is provided at one end of the outer peripheral wall and into which the tip of the male member is inserted, and a base that is provided at the other end of the outer peripheral wall. The base of the cover is fixed to a base that holds the male member. The female member includes a partition member (generally referred to as “septum”) made of an elastic material such as rubber in which a linear slit (cut) is formed. When connecting the male member and the female member, the male member passes through the cover and is inserted into the slit of the septum. At this time, the outer peripheral wall of the cover is compressed elastically. When the male member is separated from the female member, the outer peripheral wall of the cover returns to the initial shape and covers the male member.

  By applying the cover of Patent Document 2 to the puncture needle of the above-described device, it is considered that the drug solution can be prevented from leaking from the puncture needle to the outside after separating the vial and the connector.

International Publication No. 2013/161979 Pamphlet JP 2012-254142 A

  However, the cover of Patent Document 2 may not have sufficient adhesion to the female member when the male member is connected to the female member. If the adhesion between the cover and the female member is not good, a large amount of chemical solution adheres to the surfaces of the cover and the female member when the cover and the female member are separated.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the adhesion between the cover and the female member, and to reduce the amount of the chemical liquid that adheres to each surface of the cover and the female member after the cover and the female member are separated.

  The male member cover of the present invention covers the opening on the front end side of the flow path through which the liquid of the male member flows, and is configured to be penetrated by the male member when the male member is inserted into the female member. The male member cover includes a seal region that is in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the male member, a variable region that is disposed on a distal end side with respect to the seal region, and the variable region that is penetrated by the male member. And a holding portion for holding the cover. The deformable region is easier to compress and stretch along the longitudinal direction of the male member than the seal region. In an initial state where the cover is separated from the female member, a sealed space is formed in the variable region. The holding portion is provided in the seal region.

  The connector of this invention is equipped with the male member which can be inserted in a female member, and the cover which covers opening of the front end side of the flow path through which the liquid of the said male member flows. The male member is configured to pass through the cover and be inserted into the female member. The cover is the male member cover of the present invention.

  The male member cover of the present invention includes a deformable region that can be relatively easily compressed and stretched on the tip side of the seal region. A holding portion for holding the cover is provided in the seal region. For this reason, the deformable region is selectively deformed according to the deformation of the female member, the difference in the external dimensions, and the like. Therefore, the adhesion between the cover and the female member is good. The cover in close contact with the female member prevents leakage of the chemical solution through the female member.

  In the initial state where the cover is separated from the female member, a sealed space is formed in the variable region. When the deformable region is compressed / expanded, the air pressure in the sealed space changes. By generating a negative pressure in the sealed space, the chemical solution can be sucked into the sealed space through the slit.

  As a result, according to the male member cover of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of the chemical solution adhering to each surface of the cover and the female member after separating the cover and the female member.

  The connector of this invention is equipped with the male member with which the cover of said this invention was mounted | worn. Therefore, the adhesiveness between the cover and the female member is good, and the amount of the chemical solution adhering to each surface of the cover and the female member after separating the connector and the female member can be reduced.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a male member cover according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the male member cover according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the connector main body constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the upper front side. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the connector main body constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the upper rear side. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the connector main body constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the front lower side. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the connector main body constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the lower rear side. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector main body constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the front lower side. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector main body constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the lower rear side. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the connector main body constituting the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a perspective view seen from the front upper side of the slider constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the slider constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the upper rear side. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the slider constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from the front lower side. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the slider constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the lower rear side. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the slider constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the front lower side. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the slider constituting the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the lower rear side. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the slider constituting the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a perspective view seen from the front upper side of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in an initial state. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an initial state as viewed from the upper rear side. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an initial state as seen from the front lower side. FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an initial state as seen from the lower rear side. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an initial state. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the distal end of the puncture needle and the cover covering the puncture needle of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the initial state. FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the opening on the front side of the connector main body in the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the initial state. FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the opening on the rear side of the connector main body in the connector according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an initial state. FIG. 17 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to the vial. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a vial to which the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is attached. FIG. 19 is a perspective sectional view showing a state immediately after the claw of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is engaged with the flange of the vial bottle. FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the opening on the rear side of the connector main body in a state immediately after the claw of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention is engaged with the flange of the vial bottle. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the puncture needle of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has punctured the stopper of the vial bottle. FIG. 22 is a perspective sectional view showing a state in which the puncture needle of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention has punctured the stopper of the vial bottle. FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which the slider is at the intermediate stop position. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which the slider is at the intermediate stop position. FIG. 25 is a perspective sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which the slider is at the intermediate stop position. FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective sectional view showing a state in which the collision between the intermediate stopper and the stop protrusion is released by pushing the release button when the slider is at the intermediate stop position. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which the slider is pulled out from the connector main body to the maximum. FIG. 28 is a perspective sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the slider is pulled out from the connector main body to the maximum. FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a state in which the claw of the slider slides on the outer peripheral surface of the cap attached to the vial bottle in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a perspective sectional view showing the state of FIG. FIG. 31A is a perspective view of a male member cover according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 31B is a cross-sectional view of the male member cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 32A is a perspective view seen from the top of the slider constituting the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 32B is a cross-sectional view of the slider constituting the connector according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a perspective view seen from the lower side of the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention in an initial state. FIG. 34 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tip of the puncture needle and the cover covering the puncture needle of the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the initial state.

  In the male member cover of the present invention, when the male member is inserted into the female member, the sealed space is preferably reduced or eliminated. Thereby, a negative pressure can be generated in the sealed space in the process from the state where the male member is inserted into the female member until the cover returns to the initial shape. The negative pressure in the sealed space sucks the chemical solution between the cover and the female member through the slit into the sealed space. Therefore, after separating the cover and the female member, it is possible to further reduce the amount of the chemical solution adhering to each surface of the cover and the female member.

  It is preferable that a convex surface protruding toward the female member is formed at a position where the slit is provided on the outer surface of the cover. This is advantageous in improving the adhesion between the tip of the cover and the female member. Therefore, the amount of the chemical liquid that adheres to the surfaces of the cover and the female member after separating the cover and the female member can be further reduced.

  The cover may not have an engagement shape that engages with the female member. This eliminates the need to prepare a plurality of covers having different engagement shapes according to the specifications of the female member. The cover of the present invention is a chemical solution that adheres to each surface of the cover and the female member after separating the cover and the female member even for a female member (for example, a vial) that does not have a structure that can be engaged with the engagement shape. The amount of can be reduced.

  The connector of this invention is equipped with the male member which can be inserted in a female member, and the cover which covers opening of the front end side of the flow path through which the liquid of the said male member flows. The connector is configured such that the male member passes through the cover and is inserted into the female member. The cover is the male member cover of the present invention.

  The male member is preferably provided in the connector body. It is preferable that the holding portion of the cover is held by a slider. It is preferable that the slider is movable along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the connector main body. It is preferable that the slider includes a claw that can be engaged with the female member. Thereby, when the male member is pulled out from the female member, the opening on the distal end side of the flow path of the male member can be covered with the cover without exposing it to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the chemical solution leaks to the outside after separating the connector and the female member.

  In the connector according to the present invention described above, it is preferable that the tip of the cover is configured to abut against the female member when the claw is engaged with the female member. As a result, as long as the claw is engaged with the female member, when the male member is pulled out from the female member, the opening on the distal end side of the flow path of the male member is securely stored in the cover without being exposed to the outside. The Therefore, after separating the connector and the female member, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks to the outside can be reduced.

  The connector of the present invention preferably includes a lock mechanism that prevents the engagement between the claw and the female member from being released. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation in which the engagement between the nail and the female member is unintentionally released.

  The lock mechanism includes a gripping arm that is formed with the claw and can be elastically bent and deformed outward (ie, away from the male member), and the connector main body that restricts bending deformation of the gripping arm. May be included. Thereby, the lock mechanism can be configured with a simple configuration.

  It is preferable that the locked state and the non-locked state by the locking mechanism can be switched according to the position along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the connector main body of the slider. Thereby, for example, in the process of inserting the male member into the female member, the lock mechanism is configured to automatically switch from the unlocked state to the locked state in conjunction with moving the slider toward the connector body. it can. Therefore, since the lock mechanism cannot be switched to the locked state, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation in which the engagement between the claw and the female member is unintentionally released.

  The locking mechanism may be configured not to function when the slider is pulled out from the connector main body to the maximum. Accordingly, the connector and the female member can be separated from each other only by moving the female member in one direction away from the connector body from the state in which the male member is inserted into the female member (inserted state). be able to. Therefore, the separation work between the connector and the female member is simplified, and the unskilled person can easily understand the separation work.

  In the process of pulling out the slider from the connector main body toward the unlocked position where the locking mechanism does not function, the slider cannot be further pulled out from the connector main body before the slider reaches the unlocked position. An intermediate stop position at which movement of the slider with respect to the connector main body is restricted may be provided. Thereby, the operation | work which isolate | separates a connector and a female member is stopped temporarily in an intermediate stop position. For this reason, the time for the hole which the male member of the female member was inserted to be closed is ensured reliably. Therefore, after that, when the cover is separated from the female member, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks from the female member can be reduced.

  A release button for releasing the restriction of movement of the slider with respect to the connector main body at the intermediate stop position may be provided. If the release button is not pressed, the slider cannot be moved to the unlocked position. Therefore, the work of separating the connector and the female member is reliably stopped at the intermediate stop position. For this reason, the time for the hole in which the male member of the female member was inserted is sufficiently secured. Therefore, after that, when the cover is separated from the female member, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks from the female member can be reduced.

  When the slider is positioned at a non-locking position where the locking mechanism does not function, the opening of the male member is preferably covered with the cover. Thereby, even if the engagement between the claw and the female member is released when the slider is in the unlocked position, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the chemical liquid leaks from the opening on the distal end side of the flow path to the outside.

  In the connector according to the present invention, it is preferable that the slider cannot move along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the connector body when the claw is not engaged with the female member. Thereby, even if the compressive force for engaging the claw with the female member is applied to the connector body instead of the slider, the slider does not move relative to the connector body. Therefore, the work of attaching the connector to the female member can be performed efficiently. Further, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation that erroneously separates the slider and the connector main body.

  In the connector according to the present invention, it is preferable that the slider is movable along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the connector body when the claw is engaged with the female member. Thereby, the female member engaged with the nail | claw can be moved toward a connector main body, and a male member can be inserted in a female member. Further, from the state in which the male member is inserted into the female member, the female member engaged with the claw can be moved away from the connector main body, and the male member can be pulled out from the female member.

  In the connector of the present invention, the slider is formed with a contact protrusion that contacts the upper edge of the female member when the claw is engaged with the female member, and the contact protrusion. A slide restricting arm that can be elastically bent and deformed outward (ie, away from the male member) can be provided. Thereby, a female member can be clamped with a nail | claw and a contact protrusion. Moreover, since the contact protrusion is formed on the slide restricting arm that can be bent and deformed, the allowable range of the dimension of the female member to which the connector can be attached is expanded.

  When the claw is not engaged with the female member, the slide restricting arm collides with the connector main body, whereby the slider moves along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the connector main body. It is preferable to be regulated. Further, when the claw is engaged with the female member, the slide restricting arm is elastically bent and deformed to a position where it does not collide with the connector main body, whereby the slider is deformed with respect to the connector main body. It is preferable to be able to move along the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the claw is not engaged with the female member, the connector body can be applied with a compressive force toward the female member to engage the claw with the female member, and once the claw is engaged with the female member. The male member can be inserted into the female member by applying a compressive force toward the female member to the connector body. Therefore, it is possible to continuously shift from a state in which the claw is not engaged with the female member to a state in which the male member is inserted into the female member by simply applying a compressive force toward the female member to the connector body. it can. Moreover, this can be realized with a simple configuration.

  It is preferable that the edge of the contact protrusion that contacts the female member is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the male member. Thereby, the tolerance | permissible_range of the dimension of the female member which can mount | wear with a connector expands.

  The female member may be a vial. The male member may be a puncture needle having a sharp tip that can puncture a stopper that seals the mouth of the vial. Vials may contain dangerous drugs that leak into the outside world. According to the connector of the present invention, the leakage of the chemical solution to the outside can be reduced. Therefore, the advantageous effects of the present invention are remarkably exhibited by the above preferred configuration.

  The slit may be a straight cut. The connector may further include a pair of side walls facing each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slit. In this case, it is preferable that the pair of side walls compress the deformable region so that the pair of edges forming the slit are in close contact with each other. Thereby, since the sealing performance of the slit is improved, the possibility that the chemical stored in the sealed space leaks to the outside through the slit is reduced. As a result, the amount of the chemical liquid that adheres to the surface of the cover after separating the connector and the female member can be further reduced.

  The side walls may be elastically bendable so that the distance between the pair of side walls increases. Thereby, when a male member penetrates a slit, it can prevent that a side wall and a cover are damaged. Moreover, the increase in resistance at the time of a male member penetrating a slit by providing the side wall can be suppressed.

  The connector according to the present invention may further include a cage that holds the holding portion of the cover. In this case, a fitting shape that fits the holding portion and the cage can be provided so as to define the rotational position of the cover around the male member. Thereby, the operation | work which mounts a cover to a holder | retainer becomes easy so that the longitudinal direction of a slit may be orthogonal to the direction where a pair of side wall opposes.

  Below, this invention is demonstrated in detail, showing suitable embodiment. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For convenience of explanation, the drawings referred to in the following description show only the main members necessary for explaining the present invention in a simplified manner among the members constituting the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can include any member not shown in the following drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a male member cover (hereinafter simply referred to as “cover”) 90 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the cover 90. The cover 90 has symmetry (so-called rotational isotropy) with respect to an arbitrary rotation angle with respect to the center axis 1a (except for the slit 95).

  The cover 90 is made of a material (so-called elastomer) that has flexibility (softness), deforms when an external force is applied, and returns to its initial shape as soon as the external force is removed (so-called elastomer). Specifically, rubbers such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, and silicone rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene elastomer, olefin elastomer, and polyurethane elastomer can be used. The cover 90 is integrally formed using such a material.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the cover 90 is formed with a lumen 91 along the central axis 1a. The inner cavity 91 is open to the upper end surface of the cover 90. The cover 90 includes a seal region 92 on the upper side (base end side) and a deformable region 93 on the lower side (tip end side) adjacent to each other.

  In the initial state, a stick-shaped male member (in this embodiment, puncture needle 20) is inserted into the seal region 92 (see FIGS. 13 and 14 described later). The inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 in the seal region 92 is formed along the outer peripheral surface shape of the male member. The inner diameter in the seal region 92 is male so that the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 in the seal region 92 is in liquid-tight and air-tight contact with the outer peripheral surface of the male member (particularly in the vicinity of the opening of the liquid flow path). It is preferable that it is set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the member.

  The deformable region 93 can include a movable portion 93a whose inner peripheral surface has a substantially rhombic cross-sectional shape that increases and decreases thereafter along the central axis 1a. In the present embodiment, there is only one movable portion 93a, but a plurality of movable portions 93a having a similar substantially rhombic cross section may be arranged along the central axis 1a. The deformable region 93 includes a guide portion 93b having a substantially conical surface shape adjacent to the movable portion 93a and below the movable portion 93a and having a lower inner diameter. However, the guide part 93b can be omitted.

  As a whole, the outer peripheral surface of the cover 90 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases toward the lower side. The outer diameter is generally smaller in the deformable region 93 than in the seal region 92. Further, the deformable region 93 includes a movable portion 93a having an inner peripheral surface shape that approximates a substantially bellows shape. Because of these, the mechanical strength of the cover 90 is generally less in the deformable region 93 than in the seal region 92. Therefore, the deformable region 93 can be compressed and expanded along the direction of the central axis 1 a relatively easily as compared with the seal region 92.

  The lower end surface 97 of the deformable region 93 is a convex surface protruding downward. The shape of the convex surface 97 is arbitrary, and can be set arbitrarily such as a conical surface, a spherical surface, and a dome-shaped smooth aspheric surface.

  A slit 95 penetrates the tip of the cover 90 in the direction of the central axis 1a. As shown in FIG. 1A, the slit 95 is a linear notch whose shape viewed from below is a “−” (minus) shape. In the initial state where the male member does not penetrate the slit 95, it is preferable that the edges (lips) facing each other forming the slit 95 are in contact with each other. The slit 95 passes through the top of the convex surface 97 and the deepest part of the lumen 91 (that is, the deepest part of the guide part 93b).

  The cover 90 is held by a holding portion 98 having the maximum outer diameter (see FIGS. 13 and 14 described later). The holding portion 98 is provided on the seal region 92.

2. A connector on which the connector cover 90 is mounted will be described. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector (pharmaceutical container connector) 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The connector 1 includes a connector body 10, a slider 50, and a cover (or shield) 90. A one-dot chain line 1 a is a central axis common to the connector 1 and the cover 90. For convenience of the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system having an axis parallel to the central axis 1a as the Z axis is set. The Z-axis direction is referred to as the “vertical direction”, the side on which the Z-axis arrow is directed is referred to as the “upper” side, and the opposite side is referred to as the “lower” side. A direction parallel to a plane orthogonal to the Z axis is referred to as a “horizontal direction”. The side to which the arrow on the Y axis faces is called the “front” side, and the opposite side is called the “rear” side. A direction along a straight line orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as “radial direction” or “diameter direction”, and a direction rotating around the central axis 1a is referred to as “circumferential direction”. In the radial direction, a side away from the central axis 1a is referred to as an “outside” side, and a side approaching the central axis 1a is referred to as an “inside” side.

  The connector 1 can be connected to a vial as a female member. The connector 1 replaces the “second connector 200” (see FIGS. 11 to 14 of Patent Document 1) to which the vial bottle is connected in Patent Document 1 described above, and is a closed system that functions similarly to the device of Patent Document 1. The device can be configured. In this specification, it demonstrates centering on the part relevant to the connection with a vial bottle among the connectors 1, and abbreviate | omits description of a part other than that.

2.1. Connector Main Body FIG. 3A is a perspective view seen from the upper front side of the connector main body 10, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from the rear upper side. 4A is a perspective view seen from the front lower side of the connector main body 10, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view seen from the rear lower side. 5A is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from the front lower side of the connector main body 10, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from the rear lower side. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the connector main body 10. 5A and 5B includes the central axis 1a and the Y axis.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the connector main body 10 is punctured into a stopper 186 (see FIGS. 17 and 18 described later) of a vial (female member) 180. A puncture needle (sometimes called a “bottle needle”) 20 as a male member is provided. The puncture needle 20 extends downward from the center of the top plate 11 having a substantially circular shape in plan view. The puncture needle 20 is arranged coaxially with the central axis 1a.

  The puncture needle 20 is a rod-shaped member, and has a conical portion 25 having an outer surface of a substantially conical surface (tapered surface) to form a sharp tip 20t, and a columnar portion 26 that connects the conical portion 25 and the top plate 11. And. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the columnar portion 26 is a cylindrical surface having a constant outer diameter in the vertical direction. However, the outer shape of the puncture needle 20 is not limited to this. For example, the columnar portion 26 may be a tapered surface whose outer diameter slightly decreases as it approaches the conical portion 25. Alternatively, the conical portion 25 and the columnar portion 26 do not need to be clearly distinguished. For example, the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20 is a curved surface whose outer diameter gradually changes as it approaches the top plate 11 from the tip 20t. It may be configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the puncture needle 20, two channels 21 and 22 that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) are formed independently of each other. The channel 21 is a liquid channel through which liquid flows, and the channel 22 is a gas channel through which gas flows. The liquid channel 21 communicates with the lateral hole 21a on the tip 20t side. The lateral hole 21 a extends toward the front side along the radial direction, and is open on the outer peripheral surface of the columnar portion 26. The opening at the columnar portion 26 of the horizontal hole 21a constitutes an opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid channel 21. The gas flow path 22 is opened in the outer peripheral surface of the conical part 25 on the tip 20t side. The liquid channel 21 and the gas channel 22 extend upward beyond the top plate 11 and reach the tubular portion 13 having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface provided above the top plate 11.

  The outer cylinder 12 extends downward from the top plate 11 so as to surround the puncture needle 20. The outer cylinder 12 has a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the puncture needle 20. The outer cylinder 12 is formed with a pair of openings 31 and 41 extending in the vertical direction. The opening 31 and the opening 41 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the puncture needle 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A, 5A, and 5B, in the opening 31 on the front side, a pair of guide protrusions 32 protrudes into the opening 31 from both side edges along the vertical direction. The guide protrusion 32 extends along the vertical direction, and its lower end terminates at a stop end 33. The guide protrusion 32 is located slightly closer to the puncture needle 20 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 12.

  A pair of stop protrusions 35 project from the pair of guide protrusions 32 into the opening 31 at a position slightly above the stop end 33. The thickness (dimension) of the stop protrusion 35 in the radial direction is relatively thin at the lower portion 35 a of the stop protrusion 35. On the inner surface of the stop projection 35 (the surface facing the puncture needle 20), the puncture needle 20 is moved upward and upward from the lower thin portion 35a corresponding to the change in thickness of the stop projection 35. An inclined surface 35b that is inclined so as to approach is formed.

  3B, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B, also in the opening 41 on the rear side, a pair of guide protrusions 42 protrudes into the opening 41 from both side edges along the vertical direction. The guide protrusion 42 extends along the vertical direction. The guide protrusion 42 is slightly closer to the puncture needle 20 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 12.

  A pair of stop protrusions 45 protrude from the pair of guide protrusions 42 into the opening 41. The lower end of the guide protrusion 42 and the lower end of the stop protrusion 45 coincide with each other in the vertical direction, and constitute a stop end 43 together. Unlike the stop protrusion 35, the thickness (dimension) of the stop protrusion 45 in the radial direction is constant in the vertical direction. An inclined surface similar to the inclined surface 35 b of the stop protrusion 35 is not formed on the inner surface of the stop protrusion 45 (the surface facing the puncture needle 20).

  On the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 12, four grooves 17 extend upward from the lower end of the outer cylinder 12. The two grooves 17 are disposed with the opening 31 sandwiched in the circumferential direction, and the other two grooves 17 are disposed with the opening 41 sandwiched in the circumferential direction.

  The connector body 10 is preferably made of a hard material. Specifically, resin materials such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamide, polypropylene, and hard polyvinyl chloride can be used. The connector body 10 can be integrally formed by using these resin materials, for example, by injection molding or the like.

2.2. Slider FIG. 7A is a perspective view seen from the front upper side of the slider 50, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from the rear upper side. 8A is a perspective view seen from the front lower side of the slider 50, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view seen from the rear lower side. 9A is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from the front lower side of the slider 50, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from the rear lower side. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the slider 50. 9A and 9B includes the central axis 1a and the Y axis.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B, the slider 50 as a whole has a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape that is open in the vertical direction and is coaxial with the central axis 1a. Have. Within the slider 50, a cage 58 having a substantially cylindrical shape opened in the vertical direction is provided coaxially with the central axis 1a. The holder 58 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the slider 50 via a holding bar 59 parallel to the X-axis direction at a position near the upper end of the slider 50.

  A pair of openings 61 and 71 are formed on the side surface of the slider 50 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The opening 61 and the opening 71 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis 1a. The opening 61 is disposed on the front side, and the opening 71 is disposed on the rear side.

  In the openings 61, 71, slide restriction arms (hereinafter simply referred to as “regulation arms”) 62, 72 extend upward from the lower edges of the openings 61, 71. The restriction arms 62 and 72 have a cantilevered support structure with the upper end heads 63 and 73 as free ends. The restricting arms 62 and 72 can be elastically bent and deformed so that the heads 63 and 73 are displaced outward along the radial direction. The restriction arms 62 and 72 have a substantially “T” shape in which the heads 63 and 73 protrude on both sides along the circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B, the contact protrusions 64 and 74 are centered from the position near the upper end of the inner surfaces of the restricting arms 62 and 72 (the surface facing the central axis 1a). Projecting toward the shaft 1a. The contact protrusions 64 and 74 include end edges 64a and 74a that are inclined with respect to the central axis 1a so as to be separated from the central axis 1a as going downward.

  A pair of gripping arms 65 extends downward from the vicinity of the upper edge of the opening 61 so as to sandwich the regulating arm 62 in the circumferential direction. Similarly, a pair of gripping arms 75 extend downward from the upper edge of the opening 71 so as to sandwich the regulating arm 72 in the circumferential direction. The gripping arms 65 and 75 have a cantilever support structure with the lower end as a free end. The grip arms 65 and 75 can be elastically bent and deformed so that their lower ends (free ends) are displaced outward along the radial direction. Lock projections 67 and 77 protrude outward substantially along the radial direction from a position near the lower end of the outer surface of gripping arms 65 and 75 (surface opposite to the central axis 1a). As shown in FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9B, the claws 66 and 76 are connected to the central axis 1a from the position near the lower end of the inner surfaces (surfaces facing the central axis 1a) of the grip arms 65 and 75 Protrudes toward. Each of the claws 66 and 76 has an inclined surface inclined so as to be separated from the central axis 1a as it is separated downward from the distal ends 66t and 76t, below the distal ends (location closest to the central axis 1a) 66t and 76t. 66s and 76s are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the release button 52 protrudes outward along the radial direction at a substantially central position in the circumferential direction of the front upper frame 68 constituting the upper edge of the front opening 61. . An intermediate stopper 53 and a retaining protrusion 54 project from both side surfaces (surfaces substantially parallel to the radial direction) of the release button 52. The retaining protrusion 54 extends in the horizontal direction substantially along the radial direction. The intermediate stopper 53 is positioned below the retaining protrusion 54. The dimension (thickness) in the radial direction of the front upper frame 68 is relatively thin. Therefore, when the release button 52 is pushed inward along the radial direction (toward the central axis 1a), the front upper frame 68 can be elastically deformed so that the release button 52 approaches the central axis 1a. . The upper upper frame 68 and the upper end (fixed end) of the gripping arm 65 are separated from each other through a slit 69 so that the other of the front upper frame 68 and the gripping arm 65 is not displaced by deformation of the front upper frame 68 and the gripping arm 65 (FIG. FIG. 7B).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the retaining protrusion 55 projects outwardly at a substantially central position in the circumferential direction of the rear upper frame 78 constituting the upper edge of the rear opening 71. The retainer 55 extends along the circumferential direction.

  The slider 50 is preferably made of a hard material. Specifically, resin materials such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamide, polypropylene, and hard polyvinyl chloride can be used. The slider 50 can be integrally formed by using these resin materials, for example, by injection molding or the like.

2.3. FIG. 11A is a perspective view seen from the front upper side of the connector 1, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view seen from the rear upper side of the connector 1. 12A is a perspective view seen from the front lower side of the connector 1, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view seen from the rear lower side of the connector 1. FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along a plane including the central axis 1 a of the connector 1.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the cover 90 is held by the slider 50 by inserting the holding portion 98 into the holder 58. The slider 50 is inserted into the outer cylinder 12 of the connector body 10 from below. Thus, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is assembled. The connector 1 shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, and 13 is not yet attached to the vial. This state of the connector 1 is referred to as an “initial state”. In the connector 1 in the initial state, the position of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10 is referred to as “initial position”.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a portion including the tip 20 t of the puncture needle 20 is covered with a cover 90. FIG. 14 shows this in an enlarged manner. The puncture needle 20 is inserted into the seal region 92 of the lumen 91 of the cover 90. The inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 of the cover 90 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20. Thereby, a liquid-tight and air-tight seal is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 and the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20 in the seal region 92. In the seal region 92, the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20, and the opening of the lateral hole 21 a communicating with the liquid channel 21 (preferably, the opening of the gas channel 22 is further provided). ) Is liquid-tight and air-tight.

  The tip 20t of the puncture needle 20 does not reach the deepest part of the lumen 91 of the cover 90. The puncture needle 20 is not substantially inserted into the deformable region 93. For this reason, a space 99 is formed in the lumen 91 of the deformable region 93. As described above, the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20 in the seal region 92. Moreover, the mutually opposing edge (lip) which forms the slit 95 is closed in contact. Accordingly, the space 99 is preferably a sealed space that is liquid-tight and air-tightly sealed. The sealed space 99 can function as a space for storing a chemical solution.

  FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the front opening 31 of the connector body 10. A release button 52 of the slider 50 is fitted into the opening 31, and a tip of the release button 52 projects slightly outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 12 of the connector body 10.

  A head 63 at the upper end of the restriction arm 62 on the front side of the slider 50 can be seen in the opening 31. The head 63 is in contact with the stop end 33 at the lower end of the guide protrusion 32 of the connector main body 10 protruding into the opening 31 in the vertical direction.

  The retaining protrusion 54 protruding from the side surface of the release button 52 of the slider 50 is positioned above the stop protrusion 35 protruding into the opening 31.

  Although not shown, an intermediate stopper 53 (see FIG. 7A) protruding from the side surface of the release button 52 of the slider 50 is an inner surface (a surface facing the puncture needle 20) of the thin portion 35a (see FIG. 5B) of the stop projection 35. ).

  FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear opening 41 of the connector body 10. Similarly to FIG. 15, a head 73 at the upper end of the restriction arm 72 on the rear side of the slider 50 can be seen in the opening 41. The head 73 is in contact with the stop end 43 that is common to the lower end of the guide protrusion 42 and the lower end of the stop protrusion 45 of the connector main body 10 protruding into the opening 41 in the vertical direction.

  The retaining protrusion 55 protruding from the rear upper frame 78 of the slider 50 is located above the stop protrusion 45 protruding into the opening 41.

  As can be understood from FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper surfaces of the heads 63 and 73 of the restriction arms 62 and 72 of the slider 50 are in contact with the stop ends 33 and 43 of the connector main body 10 in the vertical direction. . Therefore, even if a compressive force in the vertical direction is applied to the slider 50 and the connector main body 10 in this initial state, the heads 63 and 73 of the restriction arms 62 and 72 and the stop ends 33 and 43 collide with each other. It cannot be inserted into the connector body 10.

  Further, stop protrusions 35 and 45 of the connector main body 10 are arranged below the retaining protrusions 54 and 55 of the slider 50. Accordingly, even if a vertical pulling force is applied to the slider 50 and the connector main body 10 in this initial state, the retaining protrusions 54 and 55 and the stop protrusions 35 and 45 collide with each other, so that the slider 50 is pulled out from the connector main body 10. It is not possible. Thereby, the erroneous operation of accidentally separating the slider 50 and the connector main body 10 is prevented.

  As described above, in the initial state where the vial 180 is not mounted, the slider 50 cannot move upward or downward along the vertical direction (longitudinal direction of the puncture needle 20) with respect to the connector body 10. .

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the lock protrusions 67 and 77 projecting outward from the outer surfaces of the gripping arms 65 and 75 of the slider 50 are positioned below the lower end of the outer cylinder 12 of the connector main body 10. doing.

3. Method of Using Connector As shown in FIG. 17, the connector 1 of Embodiment 1 is used by being attached to a vial (female member) 180 as a pharmaceutical container.

3.1. Vial Bottle Configuration FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a vial bottle 180. The vial 180 has a mouth (opening) 183 surrounded by a flange 182 at the upper end of the bottle body 181 with a stopper (rubber stopper) 186 having substantially the same outer diameter as the flange 182 so that the mouth 183 is hermetically sealed. A hermetically sealed container that is liquid-tightly sealed. The outer peripheral surface of the flange 182 is a substantially cylindrical surface having an outer diameter larger than a portion (constriction portion) 184 immediately below the flange 182. Accordingly, a step is formed between the flange 182 and the constricted portion 184 based on the difference between the outer diameters of the two.

  A cap 188 is attached to the stopper 186 and the flange 182 in order to prevent the stopper 186 from dropping from the mouth 183 of the bottle body 181. The cap 188 is made of a sheet of metal (for example, aluminum) or resin, and is in close contact with the plug 186 and the flange 182. The lower end of the cap 188 extends to the lower side of the outer peripheral surface which is a substantially cylindrical surface of the flange 182. The upper end of the cap 188 extends to the upper surface of the plug 186. The central region of the upper surface of the plug 186 is exposed to the outside through a circular opening 188a provided in the cap 188 (see FIG. 17).

  The outer peripheral surfaces of the plug body 186 and the flange 182 are cylindrical surfaces having substantially the same diameter. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 188c of the cap 188 attached thereto is also a substantially cylindrical surface. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface 188c of the cap 188 is referred to as an upper end edge 188b, and the lower end of the outer peripheral surface 188c is referred to as a lower end edge 188d.

  The vial 180 may not have the cap 188. In that case, the upper edge 188 b, the lower edge 188 d, and the outer peripheral surface 188 c mean corresponding portions of the plug 186 or the flange 182.

  A powdered medicine (not shown) is accommodated in the vial 180.

3.2. Attaching the Connector The connector 1 is attached to the vial 180 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the connector 1 in the initial state is opposed to the stopper 186 of the vial 180. Then, the cap 188 is inserted into the slider 50 of the connector 1 and the connector 1 is pressed toward the vial 180. The diameter of the inscribed circle along the tips 66t, 76t (see FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B) of the claws 66, 76 protruding from the gripping arms 65, 75 of the slider 50 is the cap 188 of the vial 180. Is smaller than the outer diameter. Accordingly, the inclined surfaces 66s and 76s (see FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B) of the claws 66 and 76 collide with the upper edge 188b (see FIG. 18) of the cap 188. As the connector 1 is pressed toward the vial 180, the gripping arms 65 and 75 are elastically bent and deformed so that the claws 66 and 76 are displaced outward. Since the lock protrusions 67 and 77 projecting from the outer surfaces of the gripping arms 65 and 75 are located below the lower end of the outer cylinder 12 of the connector body 10, the gripping arms 65 and 75 are elastically bent and deformed outward. However, the lock protrusions 67 and 77 do not collide with the connector main body 10. The tips 66t and 76t of the claws 66 and 76 slide on the outer peripheral surface 188c (see FIG. 18) of the cap 188 after passing through the upper end edge 188b of the cap 188. When the tips 66t and 76t of the claws 66 and 76 exceed the lower end edge 188d (see FIG. 18) of the cap 188, the gripping arms 65 and 75 are elastically recovered, and the claws 66 and 76 are fitted into the constricted portion 184. Then, the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 are engaged. Thus, the connector 1 can be attached to the vial 180.

  Since the claws 66 and 76 are elastically displaceable outward and the claws 66 and 76 are provided with the inclined surfaces 66s and 76s, the connector 1 is simply moved toward the vial 180 as described above. By simply pushing in, the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182, and the connector 1 can be attached to the vial 180. Therefore, the workability of mounting the connector 1 on the vial 180 is good.

  As described above, relative movement of the slider 50 and the connector main body 10 in the longitudinal direction of the puncture needle 20 is restricted in the initial state. Therefore, even if a downward compressive force for engaging the claws 66 and 76 with the flange 182 is applied to the connector body 10 instead of the slider 50, the slider 50 does not move relative to the connector body 10. Also in this point, the workability of mounting the connector 1 on the vial 180 is good.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective sectional view showing a state in which the claws 66 and 76 (not visible in FIG. 19) are engaged with the flange 182 of the vial 180.

  The convex surface 97 at the lower end (front end) of the cover 90 held by the slider 50 is in contact with the upper surface of the plug 186 exposed in the opening 188 a of the cap 188. The plug 186 receives a pressing force directed downward from the convex surface 97 and is slightly deformed downward. The puncture needle 20 has not yet penetrated the cover 90 and the plug 186. In FIG. 19, the cover 90 is not substantially deformed, but the deformable region 93 (see FIGS. 1B and 14) of the cover 90 may be elastically compressed and deformed in the vertical direction.

  The position (height) in the vertical direction of the upper surface of the stopper 186 may be different for each vial 180 due to differences in the external dimensions of the stopper 186, the flange 182, and the cap 188. In this case, in addition to the amount of deformation of the plug 186, the amount of compressive deformation in the vertical direction of the deformable region 93 of the cover 90 can be appropriately changed. Therefore, the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 and the upper surface of the stopper 186 can be satisfactorily adhered to the vials 180 having different dimensions.

  As can be understood from FIG. 17, immediately before the claws 66 and 76 engage with the flange 182, the edges 64a and 74a of the contact protrusions 64 and 74 of the restriction arms 62 and 72 of the slider 50 (FIGS. 8A and 8B) 9A and 9B) collides with the upper edge 188b of the cap 188 (see FIG. 18). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 19, when the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182, the restricting arms 62 and 72 are elastically bent and deformed so that the contact protrusions 64 and 74 are displaced outward. The claws 66 and 76 of the slider 50 and the contact protrusions 64 and 74 sandwich the cap 188 in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the slider 50 is positioned with respect to the vial bottle 180.

  End edges 64a and 74a (see FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B) of the contact protrusions 64 and 74 that contact the cap 188 are inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, the distance between the upper edge 188b and the lower edge 188d of the cap 188 and the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 188c are different for each vial 180 due to, for example, differences in the external dimensions of the stopper 186 and the flange 182. Also, depending on the difference, the positions on the end edges 64a and 74a where the upper end edge 188b abuts or the bending deformation amount of the restricting arms 62 and 72 changes. Therefore, the allowable range of the dimension of the cap 188 to which the connector 1 can be attached is wide.

  FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the connector 1 in the state of FIG. 19 as viewed from the opening 41 on the rear side of the connector main body 10. In the opening 41, the head 73 at the upper end of the restriction arm 72 on the rear side of the slider 50 can be seen. Since the restriction arm 72 is elastically bent and deformed, the head 73 is displaced outward. As can be understood by comparing with FIG. 16, the head portion 73 is located outside the stop end 43 at the lower end of the guide protrusion 42 of the connector main body 10.

  Although illustration is omitted, even in the opening 31 on the front side of the connector body 10 (see FIG. 15), the restriction arm 62 is elastically bent and deformed. It is located outside the stop end 33.

  As described above, when the claws 66 and 76 of the slider 50 are engaged with the flange 182 of the vial 180, the restriction arms 62 and 72 are elastically bent and deformed, and the heads 63 and 73 at the upper ends thereof and the stop ends of the connector main body 10. The collision with 33 and 43 is released. Therefore, in this state, when a compressive force in the vertical direction is applied to the connector body 10 and the vial 180 so as to approach each other, the relative positional relationship between the vial 180 and the slider 50 remains constant, and the slider 50 In addition, the vial 180 can enter the connector body 10.

3.3. Puncture of puncture needle From the state of FIG. 19, the connector body 10 is pressed toward the vial 180. The slider 50 holding the vial 180 moves relative to the connector body 10 so as to be housed in the connector body 10.

  The contact protrusions 64 and 74 of the restriction arms 62 and 72 of the slider 50 collide with the upper edge 188 b of the cap 188. Therefore, even if a vertical compressive force is applied to the connector body 10 and the vial 180, the relative positional relationship between the vial 180 and the slider 50 does not substantially change, and the slider 50 moves relative to the connector body 10. Move.

  Before the slider 50 moves relative to the connector body 10, the intermediate stopper 53 (see FIG. 7A) protruding from the side surface of the release button 52 of the slider 50 is a thin portion 35a (see FIG. 5B) of the stop protrusion 35 of the connector body 10. It faces the inner surface of the. When the slider 50 starts to move with respect to the connector main body 10, the intermediate stopper 53 of the slider 50 slides on the inclined surface 35 b (see FIG. 5B) of the stop protrusion 35 of the connector main body 10. At this time, the front upper frame 68 is slightly elastically bent and deformed so that the release button 52 moves inward. When the intermediate stopper 53 passes above the upper end of the inclined surface 35b and moves above the stop projection 35, the front upper frame 68 is elastically recovered, and the release button 52 is slightly displaced outward and returned to the initial position. .

  When the slider 50 moves relative to the connector main body 10, the intermediate stoppers 53 (see FIG. 7A) protruding from both side surfaces of the release button 52 of the slider 50 are paired with the guide protrusions 32 protruding into the opening 31 of the connector main body 10. On the tip surface (the surface of the guide protrusion 32 facing the opposite guide protrusion 32). The heads 63 and 73 protruding in the circumferential direction of the restriction arms 62 and 72 of the slider 50 are on the outer surface of the guide protrusions 32 and 42 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) protruding into the openings 31 and 41 of the connector body 10. Slide. Further, the lock protrusions 67 and 77 protruding outward from the outer surfaces of the grip arms 65 and 75 of the slider 50 are accommodated in a groove 17 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connector body 10 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B). ).

  When the slider 50 enters the connector main body 10 from the state of FIG. 19, the puncture needle 20 provided on the connector main body 10 is relatively downward relative to the cover 90 and the vial 180 held by the slider 50. Move to. The puncture needle 20 reaches the slit 95 at the tip of the cover 90 and penetrates through it. Subsequently, the stopper 186 of the vial 180 is punctured and penetrated. A guide portion 93b (see FIG. 1B) provided in the lumen 91 of the cover 90 functions to guide the tip 20t of the puncture needle 20 to the slit 95.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the slider 50 has entered the connector body 10 most deeply, and FIG. 22 is a perspective sectional view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the puncture needle 20 passes through the slit 95 formed at the tip (lower end) of the cover 90 and further passes through the plug 186. When the puncture needle 20 passes through the cover 90 and the plug 186, the cover 90 and the plug 186 receive a downward force from the puncture needle 20. Therefore, the stopper 186 is greatly deformed toward the bottle body 181 by being penetrated by the puncture needle 20. The cover 90 is also greatly deformed downward so that the initial shape (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 14) is not recognized while the convex surface 97 is kept in close contact with the plug 186. Since the holding portion 98 of the cover 90 is held by the holder 58 of the slider 50, the vertical distance between the holding portion 98 and the vial 180 is before (FIG. 19) and after (FIG. 22) the puncture needle 20 punctures. ) Is substantially the same. Therefore, following the deformation of the plug 186, the deformable region 93 (see FIGS. 1A and 14) of the cover 90 is extended downward. The sealed space 99 (see FIG. 14) formed in the deformable region 93 has almost completely disappeared.

  Each opening on the tip 20t side communicating with the liquid channel 21 and the gas channel 22 of the puncture needle 20 is exposed in the vial 180. In this state, a liquid (for example, a solution) can flow into the vial 180 through the liquid channel 21 and the lateral hole 21a, and the liquid in the vial 180 (for example, a drug can be dissolved). Can be allowed to flow out of the vial 180. When liquid enters and exits the vial 180, air enters and exits the vial 180 via the gas flow path 22. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the atmospheric | air pressure in the vial bottle 180 is reduced, and entrance / exit of the liquid is made easy.

  In the present invention, the state where the puncture needle 20 punctures the plug 186 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is referred to as “puncture state”. The position of the slider 50 relative to the connector body 10 in the puncture state is referred to as “puncture position”.

3.4. Pulling out the puncture needle After the liquid is taken in and out of the vial bottle 180 through the puncture needle 20, the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the stopper 186. That is, from the puncture state shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the connector body 10 and the vial 180 are pulled up and down so as to be separated from each other.

  The claws 66 and 76 of the slider 50 are engaged with the flange 182 of the vial 180. Therefore, when the vial 180 is pulled downward, the slider 50 is also pulled out from the connector body 10 together with the vial 180. In this process, since the relative positional relationship between the slider 50 and the vial 180 is not substantially changed, the relative positional relationship between the cover 90 and the vial 180 is not substantially changed.

  Lock protrusions 67 and 77 protrude from the surface of the slider 50 opposite to the claws 66 and 76 of the grip arms 65 and 75. The lock protrusions 67 and 77 are accommodated in a groove 17 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connector body 10. Since the lock protrusions 67 and 77 collide with the bottom surface of the groove 17, the grip arms 65 and 75 cannot be elastically bent and deformed so that the claws 66 and 76 are displaced outward. Therefore, even if the vial 180 and the connector main body 10 are pulled apart from each other, the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 is not released.

  Thus, in a state where the slider 50 is housed in the connector body 10, the connector body 10 collides with the grip arms 65 and 75 including the lock protrusions 67 and 77, so that the grip arms 65 and 75 are directed outward. To prevent bending deformation. That is, the gripping arms 65 and 75 that are elastically bendable and formed with the claws 66 and 76 and the connector main body 10 that restricts the bending deformation of the gripping arms 65 and 75 include the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182. It constitutes a “lock mechanism” that prevents the engagement from being released. By providing the connector 1 with the lock mechanism, the pulling operation of the puncture needle 20 can be stably performed by applying a pulling force to the connector body 10 and the vial 180 in the puncture state. In the middle of the pulling-out operation, there is no erroneous operation in which the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 is released. In this embodiment, the lock protrusions 67 and 77 protrude from the outer surfaces of the gripping arms 65 and 75. However, even if the lock protrusions 67 and 77 are omitted, the connector body 10 is bent and deformed by the gripping arms 65 and 75. It is possible to configure a lock mechanism that prevents the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 by restricting.

  In the process of pulling out the slider 50 from the connector main body 10, as shown in FIG. 23, the intermediate stopper 53 protruding from both side surfaces of the release button 52 of the slider 50 is the stop protrusion 35 protruding into the opening 31 on the front side of the connector main body 10. Collide with the top edge of. When the intermediate stopper 53 and the stop protrusion 35 collide, the slider 50 cannot be moved further downward with respect to the connector body 10. In the process of pulling out the slider 50 from the connector main body 10, the position of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10 at which the slider 50 cannot be further pulled out from the connector main body 10 is referred to as “intermediate stop position”.

  FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the connector 1 with the slider 50 in the intermediate stop position, and FIG. 25 is a perspective sectional view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 24, when the slider 50 is in the intermediate stop position, the lock protrusion 67 (see FIG. 7A) protruding outward from the outer surface of the gripping arm 65 of the slider 50 is the inner periphery of the connector body 10. It remains housed in a groove 17 formed in the surface. Although not shown, the lock protrusion 77 (see FIG. 7B) protruding from the rear gripping arm 75 is also housed in the groove 17 of the connector body 10 in the same manner. Therefore, the lock mechanism described above functions also at the intermediate stop position.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the puncture needle 20 is substantially pulled out from the plug 186. The tip 20t of the puncture needle 20 is located in the slit 95 (see FIG. 1B) of the cover 90. The convex surface 97 at the lower end of the cover 90 is in close contact with the upper surface of the plug 186 and presses the plug 186 downward. The plug body 186 receives a pressing force from the convex surface 97 of the cover 90, and the portion of the plug body 186 where the puncture needle 20 has been punctured is deformed downward. The deformable region 93 of the cover 90 is slightly extended downward compared to the initial state (see FIG. 14). The sealed space 99 (see FIG. 14) formed in the deformable region 93 can hardly be recognized.

  In the state where the slider 50 is at the intermediate stop position (FIGS. 23 to 25), the release button 52 is pushed inward as shown in FIG. As can be easily understood by comparing FIG. 26 with FIG. 23, when the release button 52 is pressed, the front upper frame 68 holding the release button 52 is elastically deformed, and the release button 52 and intermediate stoppers 53 on both side surfaces thereof are deformed. Is displaced inward. Thereby, the collision between the intermediate stopper 53 and the stop protrusion 35 is released. As a result, the slider 50 can move further downward with respect to the connector body 10.

  When the vial 180 is pulled downward with respect to the connector body 10 while pressing the release button 52, the vial 180 and the slider 50 attached thereto can be further pulled out from the connector body 10. The vial 180 and the slider 50 can be pulled out until the retaining protrusions 54 and 55 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the slider 50 collide with the stop protrusions 35 and 45 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the connector body 10. it can.

  FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state in which the vial bottle 180 and the slider 50 are pulled out from the connector body 10 to the maximum, and FIG. 28 is a perspective sectional view thereof. The relative positional relationship between the vial 180 and the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10 is the same as the state immediately after the connector 1 is mounted on the vial 180 (FIG. 19).

  As can be understood from FIG. 27, the lock protrusions 67 and 77 protruding from the outer surfaces of the gripping arms 65 and 75 of the slider 50 (the lock protrusion 77 is not visible in FIG. 27) are lower than the lower end of the outer cylinder 12 of the connector body 10. Located below. Therefore, the gripping arms 65 and 75 can be elastically bent and deformed outward. That is, the “lock mechanism” that prevents the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 is not functioning. The position of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10 where the locking mechanism is not functioning as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is referred to as “unlocked position”.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the puncture needle 20 is housed in the seal region 92 of the cover 90. The opening of the lateral hole 21a of the puncture needle 20 (preferably, the opening of the gas flow path 22) is blocked by the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 (see FIG. 1B) of the cover 90. The shapes of the cover 90 and the plug 186 are substantially the same as those in FIG. A convex surface 97 at the lower end (front end) of the cover 90 is in contact with the plug 186. The plug 186 receives a pressing force directed downward from the convex surface 97 and is slightly deformed downward. A sealed space 99 is restored in the deformable region 93 of the cover 90. In FIG. 28, the cover 90 is not substantially deformed, but the deformable region 93 of the cover 90 may be elastically compressed and deformed in the vertical direction. Further, the deformable region 93 is compressed and deformed, so that the sealed space 99 is also compressed, and the volume thereof may be smaller than the initial state (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

3.5. Separation of Connector and Vial Bottle From the state where the slider 50 is in the unlocked position (FIGS. 27 and 28), the vial bottle 180 is pulled downward with respect to the connector 1. The claws 66 and 76 of the slider 50 are engaged with the flange 182 of the vial 180. Lock protrusions 67 and 77 protruding from the outer surfaces of the gripping arms 65 and 75 on which the claws 66 and 76 are formed are positioned below the lower end of the outer cylinder 12. Therefore, the gripping arms 65 and 75 can be elastically bent and deformed outward. When the vial 180 is pulled, the claws 66 and 76 move outward along the inclined conical surface below the flange 182.

  FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a state where the claws 66 and 76 slide over the outer peripheral surface 188 c of the cap 188 beyond the lower end edge 188 d of the cap 188 of the vial 180. FIG. 30 is a perspective sectional view of the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 30, the cover 90 is separated from the stopper 186 of the vial 180. Both the cover 90 and the plug 186 have returned to the initial state (see FIGS. 13 and 17). The contact protrusions 64 and 74 of the restriction arms 62 and 72 of the slider 50 are separated from the cap 188. For this reason, the restricting arms 62 and 72 are moved inward and returned to their initial positions. As a result, similarly to the initial state shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the heads 63 and 73 of the restriction arms 62 and 72 and the stop ends 33 and 43 collide in the vertical direction.

  As described above, when the slider 50 reaches the unlocked position (see FIGS. 27 and 28) with respect to the connector main body 10, the retaining protrusions 54 and 55 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the slider 50 are connected to the connector main body 10. The stop projections 35 and 45 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Therefore, in the operation of separating the connector 1 and the vial 180 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, even if a tensile force is applied to the connector body 10 instead of the slider 50, the relative positional relationship between the connector body 10 and the slider 50 is substantially maintained. Thus, the connector 1 and the vial 180 can be separated while being kept constant.

  Thus, the vial 180 can be separated from the connector 1. If necessary, a new vial 180 is connected to the connector 1 and the above operation is repeated. Thereafter, the used connector 1 that has come into contact with a dangerous drug is discarded.

4). As described above, the cover 90 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) according to the first embodiment includes the deformable region 93 that can be relatively easily compressed and expanded on the tip side of the seal region 92. ing. A holding portion 98 for holding the cover 90 is provided in the seal region 92. For this reason, the deformable region 93 is selectively deformed according to the deformation of the plug body 186 or the difference in dimensions of the plug body 186, flange 182, cap 188, and the like. Therefore, the adhesion between the cover 90 and the plug 186 is good. For example, when the puncture needle 20 that has punctured the plug body 186 is pulled out from the plug body 186, the drug solution in the vial 180 may adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20 and leak out of the plug body 186. In addition, immediately after the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the plug 186, there is a possibility that the chemical solution leaks out of the plug 186 through the hole punctured by the puncture needle 20. Thus, the cover 90 in close contact with the plug 186 prevents the chemical solution from leaking to the outside through the plug 186. Therefore, after the cover 90 and the plug 186 are separated, the amount of the chemical solution attached to the outer surface of the cover 90 and the plug 186 can be reduced.

  Further, in the initial state (FIG. 13 and FIG. 14) in which the cover 90 is separated from the plug 186, the sealed space 99 is formed in the variable region 93. When the deformable region 93 is compressed or expanded, the inner volume of the sealed space 99 changes, and the atmospheric pressure in the sealed space 99 changes. In the sealing region 92 on the upper side with respect to the sealed space 99, the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 of the cover 90 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20 in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner. Therefore, for example, when a negative pressure is generated in the sealed space 99, the chemical solution between the cover 90 and the plug 186 is sucked into the sealed space 99 through the slit 95. Since the adhesiveness between the cover 90 and the plug 186 is good, the chemical solution between the cover 90 and the plug 186 is reliably sucked into the sealed space 99. The chemical solution is stored in the sealed space 99. Therefore, after the cover 90 and the plug 186 are separated, the amount of the chemical solution attached to the outer surface of the cover 90 and the plug 186 can be reduced.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealed space 99 in the deformable region 93 is reduced (preferably disappeared) in the puncture state (FIG. 22) in which the puncture needle 20 punctures the plug 186. After that, when the slider 50 reaches the unlocked position, it starts to be restored (FIG. 28), and when the cover 90 is separated from the plug 186, it returns to the initial state (FIG. 30). By reducing or substantially disappearing the sealed space 99 in the puncture state, a negative pressure can be generated in the sealed space 99 in the process until it returns to the initial shape. The negative pressure in the sealed space 99 sucks the chemical solution between the cover 90 and the plug 186 through the slit 95 into the sealed space 99. For example, when the puncture needle 20 that has punctured the plug body 186 is pulled out from the plug body 186, the drug solution in the vial 180 may adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20 and leak out of the plug body 186. In addition, immediately after the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the plug 186, there is a possibility that the chemical solution leaks out of the plug 186 through the hole punctured by the puncture needle 20. Even if the chemical liquid passes through the plug body 186 and leaks between the plug body 186 and the cover 90, the chemical liquid is sucked into the sealed space 99 by the negative pressure generated in the sealed space 99. . Therefore, after the cover 90 and the plug 186 are separated, the amount of the chemical solution attached to the outer surface of the cover 90 and the plug 186 can be reduced. In the puncture state (FIG. 22), the sealed space 99 does not need to be completely lost. Even if the sealed space 99 is merely reduced in the puncture state (FIG. 22), a negative pressure is generated in the sealed space 99 in the process of returning to the initial shape thereafter, so that the same effect as described above is achieved. The

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a convex surface 97 that protrudes toward the plug 186 is formed at a position where the slit 99 on the outer surface of the cover 90 is provided (that is, the tip of the cover 90). This is advantageous in improving the adhesion between the tip of the cover 90 and the plug 186. As a result, after the cover 90 and the plug 186 are separated, the amount of the chemical solution attached to the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 and the outer surface of the plug 186 can be further reduced.

  An engagement shape that can be engaged with the female member is provided at the tip of the cover of Patent Document 2 described above. However, the vial 180 does not have a structure that can be engaged with the engagement shape of the cover. Therefore, the engagement shape of the cover of Patent Document 2 does not function effectively for the vial. On the other hand, the cover 90 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is not provided with such an engagement shape. The cover 90 of the present embodiment can reduce the amount of the chemical solution attached to the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 and the outer surface of the plug 186 after separating the cover 90 and the plug 186 from the vial 180. it can.

  In the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the cover 90 covers the opening on the distal end 20 t side that communicates with the flow paths 21 and 22 of the puncture needle 20. The puncture needle 20 is provided in the connector body 10, and the holding portion 98 of the cover 90 is held by the slider 50. The slider 50 is a separate component from the connector main body 10 and is movable along the longitudinal direction of the puncture needle 20 with respect to the connector main body 10. The slider 50 includes claws 66 and 76 that engage with the flange 182 of the vial 180. Therefore, once the claws 66 and 76 of the slider 50 are engaged with the flange 182 of the vial 180, the cover 90 and the vial are kept until the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 is released. The relative positional relationship with 180 is substantially constant. The puncture needle 20 moves with respect to such a cover 90 and the vial bottle 180.

  The cover of Patent Document 2 described above is fixed to a base that holds a male member. Accordingly, the cover is displaced integrally with the male member. Consider a case in which such a cover is applied to a puncture needle that is pierced into a stopper of a vial bottle. In this case, when the puncture needle is pulled out from the plug, the cover is separated from the plug at the same time. Since the cover moves together with the puncture needle, for example, if the puncture needle is quickly pulled out from the plug, a situation may occur in which the cover cannot be immediately restored to the initial shape. In this case, until the opening on the distal end side of the flow path of the puncture needle is covered with the cover, the drug solution leaks from the opening of the flow path of the puncture needle to the outside.

  On the other hand, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, as long as the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182 of the vial bottle 180, the position of the cover 90 is substantially unchanged with respect to the stopper 186. . Therefore, when the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the plug 186, the cover 90 moves reliably with respect to the puncture needle 20. As a result, the opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid flow path 21 of the puncture needle 20 pulled out from the plug 186 (that is, the opening of the lateral hole 21a) can be stored in the cover 90 without being exposed to the outside. For this reason, since the puncture needle 20 pulled out from the plug 186 is not covered with the cover 90, the possibility that a situation in which the chemical liquid leaks from the opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid channel 21 is reduced. Thus, according to the connector 1 of the present invention, after the connector 1 and the vial 180 are separated, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks to the outside can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the cover 90 of this embodiment, the holding portion 98 held by the slider 50 is provided in the seal region 92. The cover 90 does not substantially include an area capable of being compressed / expanded between the holding portion 98 and the seal area 92. Accordingly, the vertical position of the seal region 92 with respect to the holding portion 98 is substantially unchanged regardless of the position of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10. For this reason, when the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the stopper 186, the seal region 92 of the cover 90 moves relative to the puncture needle 20 integrally with the slider 50 and the vial bottle 180. As a result, the opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid flow path 21 of the puncture needle 20 pulled out from the plug 186 is accommodated in the cover 90 without being exposed to the outside, and the opening of the liquid flow path 21 is blocked by the seal region 92. be able to. For this reason, after separating the connector 1 and the vial bottle 180, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the chemical solution leaks to the outside.

  An engagement shape that can be engaged with the female member is provided at the tip of the cover of Patent Document 2 described above. The engagement shape is provided with the intention that the cover is separated from the female member after the male member is pulled out of the female member and accommodated in the cover. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described above, when the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the plug 186, the position of the cover 90 with respect to the plug 186 is substantially unchanged. Therefore, the cover 90 of the present embodiment does not require an engagement shape that can be engaged with the vial 180, similar to the engagement shape provided on the cover of Patent Document 2. In Patent Document 2, in order to engage the engagement shape with a plurality of female members with different specifications, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of covers with different engagement shapes according to the specifications of the female member. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover 90 does not need such an engagement shape, and therefore it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of covers 90 according to the specifications of the female member. According to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the drug solution leaks to the outside world even for the vial 180 that is not provided with a shape that engages with the engagement shape.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182, the convex surface 97 at the tip of the cover 90 is configured to contact the upper surface of the plug 186. Therefore, as long as the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182, the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 continues to contact the plug 186 even after the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the plug 186. Therefore, the opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid flow path 21 of the puncture needle 20 pulled out from the plug 186 can be reliably stored in the cover 90 without exposing it to the outside. Therefore, after separating the connector 1 and the vial bottle 180, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks to the outside can be further reduced.

  The hole of the plug 186 where the puncture needle 20 is punctured may not be completely closed immediately after the puncture needle 20 is pulled out. In this case, a situation may occur in which the chemical liquid leaks to the outside through the hole. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, even if the puncture needle 20 is pulled out from the plug 186, the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 is in close contact with the plug 186 as long as the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182. to continue. The hole punctured by the puncture needle 20 of the plug 186 is closed by the close contact of the convex surface 97 for a while until the hole is closed by the self-restoring force of the plug 186 itself. Therefore, even if the cover 90 is subsequently separated from the plug 186, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks from the plug 186 can be reduced.

  A holding portion 98 is provided in the seal region 92, and a deformable region 93 is provided on the tip side of the seal region 92. The deformable region 93 is relatively easy to compress / extend along the vertical direction as compared to the seal region 92. For this reason, in a state where the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182, the deformable region 93 is selectively deformed. The slider 50 is in any of the initial position (FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, and 13), the puncture position (FIGS. 21 and 22), the intermediate stop position (FIGS. 23 to 25), and the unlocked position. Even in the position, the deformable region 93 deforms following the deformation of the plug 186. Accordingly, the close contact state between the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 and the plug 186 is reliably maintained as long as the claws 66 and 76 are engaged with the flange 182.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a “lock mechanism” is provided that prevents the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 from being released. In the “locked state” in which the locking mechanism functions, the engagement between the flange 182 of the vial 180 and the claws 66 and 76 cannot be released. In the “non-locked state” in which the locking mechanism does not function, the claws 66 and 76 can be engaged with the flange 182 of the vial 180, and the engagement between the flange 182 and the claws 66 and 76 can be released. .

  The locked state and the unlocked state are switched according to the position of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10 along the longitudinal direction of the puncture needle 20. Thereby, in the process of puncturing the puncture needle 20 into the stopper 186, the lock mechanism is automatically switched from the unlocked state to the locked state in conjunction with the slider 50 and the vial bottle 180 entering the connector body 10. It can be constituted as follows. In this case, there is no need to manually switch to the locked state. The switching of the locking mechanism from the non-locked state to the locked state is performed reliably without being forgotten. For example, in the puncture state (see FIG. 22), if the lock mechanism is not switched to the lock state, the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 is released, and the vial 180 is separated from the connector 1. Misoperation can occur. In this case, the drug solution leaks out from the opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid flow path 21 of the puncture needle 20. On the other hand, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locked state and the unlocked state are switched according to the position of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10, so that the locking operation cannot be switched to the locked state, thereby Can never happen. Therefore, safety is improved.

  The position of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10 at which the locking mechanism is unlocked is referred to as “unlocked position”. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the slider 50 is pulled out from the connector body 10 to the maximum, that is, (1) “initial state” (FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, and 13), (2) A state immediately after the vial 180 is engaged with the claws 66 and 76 (FIG. 19), and (3) a state in which the slider 50 is pulled out from the connector body 10 beyond the intermediate stop position (FIGS. 27 and 28). ), The position of the slider 50 corresponds to the unlocked position. By pulling the slider 50 out of the connector body 10 to the maximum, the locked state is switched to the unlocked state, so that the vial 180 is only moved in one direction away from the connector body 10 from the puncture state (FIGS. 21 and 22). Thus, the connector 1 and the vial 180 can be separated. Therefore, the separation work between the connector 1 and the vial 180 is simplified, and the unskilled person can easily understand the separation work.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the slider 50 is in the unlocked position, the opening on the distal end 20 t side of the liquid flow channel 21 of the puncture needle 20 is covered with the cover 90. Therefore, even if the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 is released when the slider 50 is in the unlocked position, a situation in which the chemical liquid leaks to the outside from the opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid flow path 21 occurs. Can be prevented.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slider 50 reaches the unlocked position in the process of pulling the slider 50 from the connector body 10 from the puncture state (FIGS. 21 and 22) toward the unlocked position (FIGS. 27 and 28). Prior to this, an “intermediate stop position” is provided (FIGS. 23 to 25). At the intermediate stop position, the movement of the slider 50 relative to the connector body 10 is restricted so that the slider 50 cannot be further pulled out from the connector body 10. When the slider reaches the intermediate stop position, the operator must release the restriction of movement of the slider 50 relative to the connector body 10 by pressing the release button 52 (see FIG. 26). By doing so, the slider 50 can be further moved to the unlocked position. When the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 is released in the unlocked position, the cover 90 and the plug 186 are separated.

  In such a preferred embodiment, the operation of separating the connector 1 from the vial 180 is temporarily stopped at the intermediate stop position. In the intermediate stop position, the puncture needle 20 is substantially pulled out from the plug 186, but the cover 90 and the plug 186 are in close contact (see FIG. 25). The hole that the puncture needle 20 of the plug 186 has punctured is closed by the self-restoring force of the plug 186 itself within the time from when the release button 52 is pressed at the intermediate stop position until the separation operation is resumed. That is, by providing the intermediate stop position, a time for closing the hole punctured by the puncture needle 20 of the plug 186 is ensured. Accordingly, when the cover 90 is subsequently separated from the plug 186, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks from the plug 186 can be reduced.

  Depending on the vial 180, the height of the upper surface of the stopper 186 when the connector 1 is attached to the vial 180 may be different due to, for example, a difference in the vertical dimension of the stopper 186 or the flange 182. The amount of compression / extension of the deformable region 93 can be appropriately changed according to the difference in height of the upper surface of the plug 186. Therefore, the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 and the stopper 186 are always in close contact with the vials 180 having different dimensions, and the negative pressure can be reliably generated in the sealed space 99. Therefore, attaching the cover 90 having the deformable region 93 that is relatively easy to compress / extend to the connector 1 of the present embodiment leaks to the outside even for the vials 180 having various dimensions. It is advantageous for reducing the amount of the chemical solution.

  The holding part 98 of the cover 90 may be compressed in the diameter direction by the holder 58. Since the holding portion 98 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the seal region 92, the compressive force in the diametric direction improves the adhesion between the cover 90 and the puncture needle 20 in the seal region 92. This is advantageous for generating negative pressure in the sealed space 99. Therefore, after the cover 90 and the plug 186 are separated, the amount of the chemical solution attached to the convex surface 97 of the cover 90 and the outer surface of the plug 186 can be further reduced. Further, it is advantageous for improving the sealing performance of the opening on the tip 20t side of the liquid flow path 21. Therefore, the leakage of the chemical liquid to the outside can be further reduced.

5. Various Modified Embodiments The above embodiments are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate.

  The shape of the cover 90 is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. The shape of the movable portion 93a formed in the deformable region 93 is arbitrary. The deformable region 93 may have a bellows shape whose outer diameter and inner diameter periodically change along the vertical direction so that compression / extension is facilitated. The holding portion 98 does not need to have the maximum outer diameter of the cover 90 and can have an arbitrary shape that can be stably held by the slider 50. The deformable region 93 need not be adjacent to and in contact with the seal region 92. For example, between the deformable region 93 and the seal region 92, compression deformation and expansion deformation are relatively difficult compared to the deformable region 93, and the outer peripheral surface of the puncture needle 20 in the initial state (see FIG. 14). There may be a region (intermediate region) that does not adhere to the surface.

  The shape of the puncture needle 20 is not limited to the above, and can be changed as appropriate. The lateral hole 21a does not need to extend at right angles to the central axis 1a (that is, in the radial direction), and may extend along a straight line inclined with respect to the central axis 1a. The gas flow path 22 may be formed with a horizontal hole similar to the horizontal hole 21a. The horizontal hole 21 a may be omitted, and the liquid flow path 21 may extend along the central axis 1 a and open at the outer peripheral surface of the conical portion 25, similarly to the gas flow path 22. Also in this case, in the initial state, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 is set so that the opening of the liquid channel 21 is blocked by the inner peripheral surface of the lumen 91 in the seal region 92 of the cover 90. It is preferable.

  A release button 52 can also be provided on the rear upper frame 78 of the slider 50. That is, the configuration of the front openings 31 and 61 and the vicinity thereof and the configuration of the rear openings 41 and 61 and the vicinity thereof can be made substantially the same. In this case, the slider 50 can be further moved to the unlocked position by simultaneously pressing the front and rear release buttons when the slider 50 is in the intermediate stop position.

  In the connector body 10, the rear opening 41 may be omitted. In this case, the restriction arm 72 on the rear side of the slider 50 can be omitted.

  The number of claws engaged with the flange 182 is not limited to four as in the above embodiment. It may be more or less than this.

  The intermediate stop position of the slider 50 may be omitted, and the slider 50 may be movable from the puncture position to the unlocked position without stopping the movement of the slider 50 with respect to the connector main body 10 halfway.

  The lock mechanism may be omitted. For example, by appropriately setting the bending strength of the gripping arms 65 and 75, the engagement between the claws 66 and 76 and the flange 182 of the vial 180 may be unintentionally released without a locking mechanism. Can be reduced.

  The connector 1 of the above embodiment can be replaced with the “second connector 200” of Patent Document 1 (see FIGS. 11 to 14 of Patent Document 1) to constitute a closed system device of Patent Document 1. However, the connector of the present invention can be applied to devices other than the closed system device of Patent Document 1. The configuration above the top plate 11 of the connector body 10 can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the above embodiment, the female member is the vial 180, and the male member is the puncture needle 20 having a sharp tip that can puncture the stopper 186 of the vial 180. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described in Patent Document 2, the female member may be a needleless port including a partition member made of an elastic material such as rubber in which a linear slit (cut) is formed. Moreover, the rod-shaped male luer inserted in the slit of the said partition member may be sufficient as a male member. In this case, the male luer may be formed with only a single flow path through which the liquid flows.

(Embodiment 2)
The connector 2 according to the second embodiment is different from the connector 1 according to the first embodiment with respect to a cover and a holder that holds the cover. Below, the connector 2 of this Embodiment 2 is demonstrated centering on difference with Embodiment 1. FIG. In the drawing showing the connector 2 of the second embodiment, members or elements corresponding to the members or elements constituting the connector 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 31A is a perspective view of a male member cover (hereinafter, simply referred to as “cover”) 290 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention as viewed from below, and FIG. 31B is a cross-sectional view of the cover 290.

  Similar to the cover 90 of the first embodiment, the cover 290 of the second embodiment includes a seal region 92 on the upper side (base end side) and a deformable region 93 on the lower side (tip end side). A holding portion 98 for holding the cover 290 is provided in the seal region 92.

  Unlike the cover 90 of the first embodiment, a pair of first recesses 298 a and a pair of second recesses 298 b are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 98 of the cover 290. When viewed from below, the pair of first recesses 298a are opposed to each other in the direction in which the pair of edges (lip) 95a forming the linear slit 95 are opposed, and the pair of second recesses 298b is a pair of edge 95a. Are opposed in a direction orthogonal to the opposed direction. Each of the first recess 298a and the second recess 298b is a notch that extends upward from the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 98 by a predetermined length. The first recess 298a has a cylindrical inner surface, and the second recess 298b is planar.

  The cover 290 of the second embodiment is the same as the cover 90 of the first embodiment except for the above.

  FIG. 32A is a perspective view seen from above the slider 250 constituting the connector 2 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 32B is a cross-sectional view of the slider 250. The cross section of FIG. 32B includes the central axis 1a of the connector 2 and the Y axis. The slider 250 includes a cage 258 having a substantially cylindrical shape opened in the vertical direction. The cage 258 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the slider 250 via a holding bar 59 parallel to the X-axis direction so as to be coaxial with the central axis 1a.

  A pair of first protrusions 258a and a pair of second protrusions 258b (only one second protrusion 258b is shown in FIG. 32B) protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the cage 258 toward the central axis 1a. ing. The pair of first convex portions 258a opposes in the Y-axis direction, and the pair of second convex portions 258b opposes in the X-axis direction. The first convex portion 258a is a projection having a cylindrical surface shape extending in parallel with the central axis 1a so as to be fitted to the first concave portion 298a (see FIG. 31A) of the cover 290. The second convex portion 258b has a plane parallel to the YZ plane so as to be fitted to the second concave portion 298b (see FIG. 31A) of the cover 290.

  A pair of side walls 257 extends downward from the lower end of the cage 258. The pair of side walls 257 are opposed to the Y-axis direction. The inner surfaces of the pair of side walls 257 facing each other are configured along the outer peripheral surface of the deformable region 93 of the cover 290. The front end (lower end) 257a of the side wall 257 is substantially along an arc coaxial with the central axis 1a. The maximum inner dimension D5 (see FIG. 32B) between the front ends 257a of the pair of side walls 257 along the direction in which the pair of side walls 257 face (Y-axis direction) is outside the cylindrical portion 96 surrounding the convex surface 97 of the cover 290. It is slightly smaller than the diameter D9 (see FIG. 31A). The side wall 257 has a cantilever support structure in which the upper end (portion connected to the lower end of the cage 258) is a fixed end and the tip 257a is a free end. The side wall 257 can be elastically bent and deformed along the Y-axis direction so that the front end (free end) 257a thereof is away from the central axis 1a.

  The cover 290 is accommodated in the cage 258 from an opening facing upward of the cage 258. The slider 250 including the cover 290 is inserted into the connector main body 210 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the connector 2 according to the second embodiment is assembled. FIG. 33 is a perspective view seen from the lower side of the connector 2 in the initial state, and FIG. 34 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the distal end 20t of the puncture needle 20 of the connector 2 in the initial state and the cover 290 that covers the tip. Although not shown, the cover 290 is preferably fixed to the cage 258 so that the cover 290 does not move up and down relative to the cage 258. The fixing method is not limited, but a method of applying an adhesive, a method of heating the upper end of the cage 258 and bending it so as to cover the upper surface of the cover 290 can be used.

  As described above, the holding portion 98 of the cover 290 has a pair of first recesses 298a and a pair of second recesses 298b (see FIG. 31A), and the holder 258 of the slider 250 has a pair of first protrusions 258a. And a pair of 2nd convex parts 258b are formed (refer to Drawing 32A and Drawing 32B). When the holding part 98 is accommodated in the cage 258, the first concave part 298a and the first convex part 258a are fitted, and the second concave part 298b and the second convex part 258b are fitted. For this reason, the rotation direction position around the central axis 1a of the cover 290 relative to the cage 258 is defined. That is, as shown in FIG. 33, the cover 290 is held by the cage 258 so that the longitudinal direction of the linear slit 95 is orthogonal to the direction in which the pair of side walls 257 face (Y-axis direction). .

  The front end 257 a of the side wall 257 faces the cylindrical portion 96 provided in the deformable region 93 of the cover 290. The cylindrical portion 96 and the convex surface 97 of the cover 290 protrude below the front end 257 a of the side wall 257. As described above, the maximum inner dimension D5 along the Y-axis direction between the front ends 257a of the side walls 257 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter D9 of the cylindrical portion 96 of the cover 290. Therefore, as can be easily understood from FIG. 34, the distal ends 257a of the pair of side walls 257 compress the cylindrical portion 96 of the cover 290 in the Y-axis direction. Since the direction in which the pair of side walls 257 face each other coincides with the direction in which the pair of end edges 95a forming the slit 95 face each other, the compressive force of the front ends 257a of the side walls 257 causes the pair of end edges 95a of the slits 95 to closely contact each other. It works to let you.

  The connector 2 is the same as the connector 1 of the first embodiment except for the above, and can be used in the same manner as the connector 1 of the first embodiment.

  In the connector 2 of the present embodiment, the side wall 257 (particularly the tip 257a thereof) improves the adhesion between the pair of end edges 95a of the slit 95. This is advantageous for improving the sealing performance of the slit 95. In the connector 1 according to the first embodiment that does not include the side wall 257, the sealing performance of the slit 95 may be lowered after the puncture needle 20 is once passed through the slit 95. On the other hand, the second embodiment is particularly advantageous for improving the sealing performance (that is, resealing performance) of the slit 95 after the puncture needle 20 is pulled out.

  As described in the first embodiment, also in the second embodiment, the sealed space 99 in the deformable region 93 of the cover 290 is minimized in the puncture state (see FIG. 22). When separated from the 180 plugs 186, the initial state (FIG. 34) is restored. In this process, a negative pressure is generated in the sealed space 99, so that the chemical solution between the cover 290 and the plug 186 is sucked into the sealed space 99 through the slit 95. In the present embodiment, since the side wall 257 improves the resealability of the slit 95, the possibility that the chemical liquid stored in the sealed space 99 leaks to the outside through the slit 95 is reduced. For this reason, after the cover 290 and the plug 186 are separated, the amount of the chemical solution adhering to the convex surface 97 of the cover 290 can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

  Since the front end 257a of the side wall 257 locally compresses the tubular portion 95 of the cover 290, the sealing performance of the slit 95 can be improved efficiently.

  The side wall 257 has a cantilever support structure and can be elastically bent and deformed. For this reason, the side wall 257 is bent and deformed following the change in the outer diameter of the cover 290 (particularly, the cylindrical portion 96).

  For example, when the cylindrical portion 96 of the cover 290 is expanded by the penetration of the puncture needle 20 through the slit 95, each side wall 257 is elastically bent and deformed so that the tips 257a of the side walls 257 facing each other are separated from the other party. . For this reason, the side wall 257 is not plastically deformed or damaged. Further, the cover 290 is not compressed and damaged by the puncture needle 20 and the distal end 257a of the side wall 257 in the radial direction. Further, the resistance increase when the puncture needle 20 penetrates the slit 95 due to the provision of the side wall 257 is slight.

  Thereafter, when the puncture needle 20 that has passed through the slit 95 is housed in the seal region 92, the cylindrical portion 96 is reduced in diameter to the initial state, and the side wall 257 follows this to return to the initial state (FIG. 34). Since the distal end 257a of the side wall 257 always compresses the tubular portion 95, even if the puncture needle 20 is quickly pulled out from the slit 95, the side wall 257 can immediately reduce the diameter of the tubular portion 96. For this reason, the possibility that the chemical solution leaks to the outside through the slit 95 is low.

  Even if the puncture needle 20 is repeatedly inserted and removed from the slit 95, the function of the side wall 257 is not impaired, and therefore the resealability of the slit 95 does not deteriorate.

  The cover 290 and the retainer 258 are provided with fitting shapes (concave portions 298a and 298b and convex portions 258a and 258b) that fit with each other. Therefore, when attaching the cover 290 to the slider 250, the operation of aligning the cover 290 with respect to the slider 250 in the rotational direction around the central axis 1a is easy. Further, the cover 290 does not rotate around the central axis 1 a with respect to the slider 250 during use of the connector 2. For this reason, the side wall 257 compresses the cover 290 so that the pair of end edges 95a of the slit 95 are always in close contact with each other. Therefore, the excellent sealing property (resealing property) of the slit 95 can be stably obtained. In addition, the fitting shape provided in the cover 290 and the holder | retainer 258 and the number are not limited to the example of this embodiment, It can change arbitrarily. A fitting shape is not limited to a convex part and a recessed part like said example. For example, the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 98 and the outer peripheral surface of the cage 258 are formed into columnar surfaces that are fitted to each other, for example, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a rhombus shape, or the like when viewed from above. May be.

  As described in the first embodiment, also in this embodiment, as long as the claws 66 and 67 provided on the slider 250 are engaged with the vial 180, whether or not the puncture needle 20 penetrates the plug 186. Regardless, the position of the cover 290 relative to the plug 186 is constant. For this reason, the side wall 257 can be extended to the vicinity of the slit 95. In the present embodiment, the front end 257 a of the side wall 257 reaches the cylindrical portion 96 provided in the deformable region 93 of the cover 290. Thus, even if the front end 257 a of the side wall 257 is disposed in the vicinity of the slit 95, the side wall 257 does not collide with the stopper 186 of the vial 180. The side wall 257 shown in this embodiment has a sealing property of the slit 95 when the slider 250 to which the cover 290 is attached is applied to the connector 2 that is movable with respect to the connector main body 210 provided with the puncture needle 20. The effect of improving the resistance can be expressed particularly remarkably.

  The shape of the front end 257a of the side wall 257 does not have to be an arc shape as in the above example. For example, a linear shape parallel to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the slit 95 may be used.

  The portion of the side wall 257 above the front end 257 a may be separated from the cover 290 so as not to contact the outer peripheral surface of the cover 290.

  The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above. The description of the first embodiment is also applied to the second embodiment.

  The application field of the present invention is not limited, but can be preferably used in the medical field where dangerous drugs are handled.

1, 2 connectors (connectors for pharmaceutical containers)
1a Connector central shaft 10, 210 Connector body 20 Puncture needle (male member)
20t Tip of puncture needle 21 Liquid flow path 21a Horizontal hole 22 of liquid flow path Gas flow path 50, 250 Slider 52 Release button 62, 72 Restriction arm (slide restriction arm)
64, 74 Abutting protrusions 64a, 74a Edges 65, 75 of the abutting protrusions Grip arms 66, 76 Claw 90, 290 Cover 92 Sealing area 93 Deformable area 95 Slit 95a Slit edge (lip)
97 Cover tip (convex)
98 holding part 99 sealed space 180 vial (female member)
182 Flange 183 Vial mouth 186 Plug 188b Upper edge 257 of side wall (cap) Side wall 257a Tip of side wall 258 Cage 258a, 258b Convex part (fitting shape)
298a, 298b Concavity (fitting shape)

Claims (17)

A cover for a male member configured to cover the opening on the distal end side of the flow path through which the liquid of the male member flows, and to be penetrated by the male member when the male member is inserted into the female member,
A seal region that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the male member; a deformable region that is disposed on the distal end side of the seal region; and a slit that is provided at the distal end of the deformable region so as to be penetrated by the male member. And a holding part for holding the cover,
The deformable region is more easily compressed and stretched along the longitudinal direction of the male member than the seal region,
In the initial state where the cover is separated from the female member, a sealed space is formed in the variable region,
The male member cover, wherein the holding portion is provided in the seal region.   The male member cover according to claim 1, wherein when the male member is inserted into the female member, the sealed space is reduced or eliminated.   The male member cover according to claim 1, wherein a convex surface protruding toward the female member is formed at a position where the slit is provided on an outer surface of the cover.   The male member cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover is not provided with an engagement shape that engages with a female member. A male member that can be inserted into the female member; and a cover that covers an opening on a distal end side of the flow path through which the liquid of the male member flows, the male member penetrating the cover and inserted into the female member. A connector configured as follows:
The said cover is a connector which is a cover for male members in any one of Claims 1-4. The male member is provided in the connector body,
The holding portion of the cover is held by a slider;
The slider is movable along the longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the connector body.
The connector according to claim 5, wherein the slider includes a claw that can be engaged with the female member.   The connector according to claim 5, wherein a tip of the cover is in contact with the female member when the claw is engaged with the female member.   The connector according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a lock mechanism that prevents the engagement between the claw and the female member from being released.   The connector according to claim 8, wherein the locked state and the non-locked state by the locking mechanism can be switched according to a position along a longitudinal direction of the male member with respect to the connector main body of the slider.   The connector according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the locking mechanism does not function when the slider is pulled out from the connector main body to the maximum.   In the process of pulling out the slider from the connector main body toward the unlocked position where the locking mechanism does not function, the slider cannot be further pulled out from the connector main body before the slider reaches the unlocked position. The connector according to claim 8, wherein an intermediate stop position at which movement of the slider with respect to the connector main body is restricted is provided.   The connector according to claim 11, wherein a release button is provided to release the restriction of movement of the slider relative to the connector main body at the intermediate stop position.   The connector according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the opening of the male member is covered with the cover when the slider is positioned at an unlocked position where the locking mechanism does not function.   The connector according to claim 5, wherein the female member is a vial, and the male member is a puncture needle having a sharp tip that can puncture a stopper that seals the mouth of the vial. . The slit is a straight cut,
The connector further includes a pair of side walls facing in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the slit,
The connector according to any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein the pair of side walls compress the deformable region so that a pair of edges forming the slit are in close contact with each other.   The connector according to claim 15, wherein the side wall is elastically bendable so that an interval between the pair of side walls is increased. A holder for holding the holding portion of the cover;
The connector according to claim 15, wherein the holding portion and the cage are fitted with each other so as to define a rotational direction position of the cover around the male member.

Images