Patent Publication Number: US-2017348196-A1

Title: Medical liquid collection tip, liquid collection nozzle, and injector set

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a medical liquid collection tip and a liquid collection nozzle that are used by being mounted on a tube end at the tip of an injector. Also, the present invention relates to an injector set including the medical liquid collection tip or liquid collection nozzle and an injector. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Enteral nutrition therapy is known as a method for non-orally administering nutrition and medicine to a patient. In enteral nutrition therapy, a nasal catheter inserted into the stomach or duodenum through the nasal cavity of a patient, or a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) catheter inserted into a gastric fistula formed in the stomach of a patient is used. A liquid such as nutrients, liquid food (commonly known as “enteral nutrients”), or medicine is administered to the patient via the nasal catheter or the PEG catheter (hereinafter collectively referred to as “catheter”). At the time of administering the liquid to the patient, a connector (hereinafter referred to as a “patient-side connector”) provided on an upstream end of a catheter inserted into the patient, or provided on an upstream end of a flexible tube (commonly known as an “extension tube”) that is connected to the catheter, and a connector (hereinafter referred to as a “container-side connector”) connected to a container storing the liquid, or to a tube connected to the container, are connected. Conventionally, a female connector has been used as the patient-side connector and a male connector has been used as the container-side connector (e.g., see Patent Document 1). 
     In many cases, the patient into which the catheter is inserted cannot directly swallow medicine such as a tablet through the mouth. A “simple suspension method” is known as a method for administering medicine to the patient in such a case. The simple suspension method is performed using the following procedure. First, medicinal liquid obtained by disintegrating a tablet in lukewarm water or the like is formed in a container. Next, the medicinal liquid is suctioned into the injector (syringe). Next, the tube end of the injector is connected to the patient-side connector, and the medicinal liquid is administered to the patient via the catheter. 
     With the simple suspension method, it is necessary to connect the tube end of the injector to the patient-side connector.  FIG. 22A  is a perspective view of an injector  950  provided with a conventional liquid collection tip  940  used in the simple suspension method, and  FIG. 22B  is a cross-sectional view of the injector  950  provided with the liquid collection tip  940 . Similarly to a general-purpose syringe, the injector  950  includes a barrel (outer tube)  952  and a plunger  958  that moves into and out of the barrel  952 . The outer circumferential surface of the tube end (nozzle)  954  of the barrel  952  is a tapered surface (male tapered surface) with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as the leading end is approached. The liquid collection tip  940  is detachably mounted on the tube end  954 . The liquid collection tip  940  includes, at one end, a base end portion  941  that is to be fluid-tightly connected to the tube end  954 , and includes a liquid collection needle  946  at the other end. A flow path  948  that penetrates through the liquid collection tip  940  causes the base end portion  941  and the liquid collection needle  946  to be in communication. In the simple suspension method, in a state in which the liquid collection tip  940  is mounted on the injector  950  as shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B , the medicinal liquid is suctioned into the barrel  952  while the leading end of the liquid collection needle  946  is immersed in the medicinal liquid. Thereafter, the liquid collection tip  940  is removed from the injector  950 , the tube end  954  is inserted into a patient-side connector (female connector), and the medicinal liquid in the barrel  952  is administered to the patient. 
     Incidentally, in recent years, consideration has been given to internationally standardizing, as International Standard ISO 80369-3 regarding nutritional medical devices, a male connector  910  shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B  as a patient-side connector and a female connector  920  shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B  as a container-side connector in order to prevent misconnection with a connector to be used in a field other than enteral nutrition. 
     The male connector (patient-side connector)  910  shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B  includes a cylindrical male member  911  and an outer tube  913  that surrounds the male member  911 . The male member  911  and the outer tube  913  are joined via a bottom plate  914  that protrudes in the form of a flange along the radial direction from the base end portion of the male member  911 . The outer circumferential surface  912  of the male member  911  is a tapered surface (a so-called male tapered surface) with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as the leading end is approached. A flow path  917  that penetrates through the male member  911  is formed on the male member  911  along the lengthwise direction thereof. A female screw  915  is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  913 , which opposes the male member  911 . 
     On the other hand, the female connector (container-side connector)  920  shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B  includes a cylindrically-shaped tubular portion (female lure)  921  into which the male member  911  is inserted. The inner circumferential surface  922  of the tubular portion  921  is a tapered surface (so-called female tapered surface) with an inner diameter that becomes larger as the leading end is approached. A spiral projection (male screw)  925  is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion  921 . 
     The male connector  910  and the female connector  920  are connected due to the male member  911  being inserted into the tubular portion  921  and the female screw  915  and the spiral protrusion  925  being screwed together. The outer circumferential surface  912  of the male member  911  and the inner circumferential surface  922  of the tubular portion  921  are tapered surfaces with the same diameter and tapering angle, and therefore both come into fluid-tight surface contact with each other. The female screw  915  and the spiral projection  925  that are screwed together constitute a lock mechanism for locking the connected state of the male connector  910  and the female connector  920 . The male connector  910  and the female connector  920  provide a connection with excellent fluid-tightness (a property of not allowing the liquid to leak from the portion at which the male connector and the female connector are connected, even if pressure is applied to the liquid) and connection strength (a property according to which the connected male connector and female connector do not separate even if a pulling force is applied thereto). 
     In the case where the patient-side connector is the male connector  910  shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B , the tube end  954  of the injector  950  shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B  cannot be connected to the male connector  910 . The tube end of the injector that is used in the simple suspension method needs to include the female connector  920  shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B  in order to be able to connect to the male connector  910 . 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Documents 
     Patent Document 1: WO 2008/152871 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     If the tube end of the injector includes the female connector  920 , the medicinal liquid attaches to the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  913  of the male connector (patient-side connector)  910  when the female connector  920  is connected to the male connector  910  in the state in which the medicinal liquid is attached to the outer circumferential surface (in particular, the spiral projection  925 ) of the tubular portion  921 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B , the female screw  915  is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  913  of the male connector  910 . When the medicinal liquid attaches to the troughs of the female screw  915 , it is difficult to remove the medicinal liquid by wiping. If the male connector  910  is provided on the upstream-side end of the catheter inserted in the patient, the male connector  910  continues to be left in the patient along with the catheter for a long time in some cases. For example, a PEG catheter is commonly replaced every 1 to 3 months. If the medicinal liquid thus continues to be attached to the male connector  910  for a long time, the male connector  910  can reach an unhygienic state. Then, there is a possibility that bacteria will eventually reproduce in the male connector  910  and the bacteria will enter the body of the patient and cause serious complications. 
     In order to prevent the male connector  910  from reaching an unhygienic state such as that described above, it is necessary to prevent the medicinal liquid from attaching to the inner circumferential surface (in particular, the female screw  915 ) of the outer tube  913  of the male connector  910 . 
     An object of the present invention is to prevent a medicinal liquid from attaching to a female screw that surrounds a male member of a male connector when an injector is connected to the male connector in a simple suspension method. 
     Means for Solving Problem 
     A first medical liquid collection tip according to the present invention is to be detachably mounted on a tube end of a barrel of an injector. An inner circumferential surface of the tube end of the injector is a female tapered surface with an inner diameter that becomes larger as a leading end is approached. The medical liquid collection tip includes, at one end, a male member that is to be inserted into the tube end, and includes a liquid collection needle at another end. A flow path penetrates through the medical liquid collection tip in a lengthwise direction thereof and causes the male member and the liquid collection needle to be in communication. An outer circumferential surface of the male member is a male tapered surface with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as a leading end is approached, and is configured to be fluid-tightly connected to the female tapered surface of the tube end. 
     A second medical liquid collection tip according to the present invention is to be detachably mounted on a tube end of a barrel of an injector. The injector includes a small-diameter portion between the tube end and a liquid storing portion. The medical liquid collection tip includes, at one end, a sealing tube configured to be fluid-tightly connected to the small-diameter portion, and includes a liquid collection needle at another end. A flow path penetrates through the medical liquid collection tip in a lengthwise direction thereof and causes the sealing tube and the liquid collection needle to be in communication. 
     A liquid collection nozzle of the present invention includes the first or second medical liquid collection tip, and a nozzle tip that is to be detachably mounted on the medical liquid collection tip so as to cover at least a leading end of the liquid collection needle. The nozzle tip includes an opening that is provided so as to communicate with the flow path of the medical liquid collection tip when the nozzle tip is mounted on the medical liquid collection tip. 
     A first injector set of the present invention includes the injector and the first or second medical liquid collection tip, which can be detachably mounted on the tube end of the injector. 
     A second injector set of the present invention includes the injector and the liquid collection nozzle, which can be detachably mounted on the tube end of the injector. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     The first medical liquid collection tip according to the present invention includes a male member that can be inserted into the tube end of the injector and can be fluid-tightly connected to the tube end. The second medical liquid collection tip according to the present invention includes a sealing tube that can be fluid-tightly connected to the small-diameter portion of the injector. The liquid collection nozzle according to the present invention includes a first or second liquid collection tip and a nozzle tip that is detachably mounted on the liquid collection tip. Accordingly, in the case of performing a simple suspension method, the medicinal liquid does not attach to the outer circumferential surface of the tube end if the medicinal liquid is suctioned into the injector via the liquid collection tip while the liquid collection tip is mounted on the tube end of the injector. Thereafter, when the liquid collection tip is removed from the tube end and the tube end is connected to the male connector (patient-side connector), no medicinal liquid attaches to the female screw that surrounds the male member of the male connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view from a male member side of a medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  is a perspective view from a liquid collection needle side of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view from a male member side of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which is taken along a plane including  3 A- 3 A in  FIG. 2  and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which is taken along a plane including  3 B- 3 B in  FIG. 2  and viewed in the direction of the arrows. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view showing an injector on which the medical liquid collection tip according to the present invention is to be mounted.  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the injector. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which is mounted on a tube end of the injector.  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the medical liquid collection tip and the injector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a tube end of an injector and its periphery, on which the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is mounted. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view showing a leading end portion of a male member of a medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a tube end of an injector and its periphery, on which the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is mounted. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a tube end of an injector and its periphery, on which a conventional tip is mounted. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view from above of a medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.  FIG. 10B  is a perspective view from below of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view from above of a nozzle tip to be mounted on the medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.  FIG. 13B  is a perspective view from below of the nozzle tip. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the nozzle tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of a liquid collection nozzle obtained by mounting the nozzle tip on the medical liquid collection tip in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.  FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid collection nozzle. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the injector, the medical liquid collection tip, and the nozzle tip in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17A  is a perspective view showing a state in which the medical liquid collection tip is mounted on the injector in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.  FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 17A . 
         FIG. 18A  is a perspective view showing a state in which the medical liquid collection tip and the nozzle tip are mounted in sequence on the injector in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.  FIG. 18B  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 18A . 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view showing a state in which the injector on which the nozzle tip has been mounted is inserted into an opening of a container in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of another liquid collection nozzle in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21A  is a perspective view from above of another medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.  FIG. 21B  is a cross-sectional perspective view of another medical liquid collection tip according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22A  is a perspective view of an injector of an injector provided with a conventional liquid collection tip that is used in a simple suspension method.  FIG. 22B  is a cross-sectional view of the injector provided with the liquid collection tip. 
         FIG. 23A  is a perspective view of a male connector (patient-side connector) that is being considered as ISO 80369-3.  FIG. 23B  is a cross-sectional view of the male connector taken along a plane including the central axis of the male connector. 
         FIG. 24A  is a perspective view of a female connector (container-side connector) that is being considered as ISO 80369-3.  FIG. 24B  is a cross-sectional view of the female connector taken along a plane including the central axis of the female connector. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The first medical liquid collection tip of the present invention can furthermore include an outer tube that is separate from the male member and surrounds the male member. In this case, when the male member is inserted into the tube end of the injector, the outer tube preferably surrounds the tube end. This preferable configuration is advantageous for ensuring a favorable hygienic state of the tube end of the injector. 
     The sealing tube that is in communication with the flow path may protrude from the leading end of the male member. In this case, it is preferable that the sealing tube is configured to be fluid-tightly connected to the small-diameter portion between the tube end and the liquid storing portion of the barrel when the male member is inserted into the tube end. This preferable configuration is advantageous for accurately managing a medicinal liquid amount to be administered to the patient. 
     The male member preferably conforms to ISO 80369-3. According to this preferable configuration, the male member can be fluid-tightly connected to the injector having a tube end that includes a female connector conforming to ISO 80369-3. 
     The second medical liquid collection tip of the present invention can furthermore include an outer tube that is configured to surround the tube end when the sealing tube is fluid-tightly connected to the small-diameter portion. This preferable configuration is advantageous for ensuring a favorable hygienic state of the tube end of the injector. 
     In the first and second medical liquid collection tips of the present invention, a spiral protrusion (male screw) may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tube end of the injector. In one configuration example, the screw structure (e.g., the female screw) that screws onto the spiral projection is not formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube. This configuration is advantageous for easily and quickly performing a task of removing the liquid collection tip from the injector. In another configuration example, the screw structure that screws onto the spiral projection is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube. This configuration is advantageous for firmly mounting the liquid collection tip on the tube end of the injector. 
     The first and second medical liquid collection tips of the present invention are preferably formed integrally as one part. This preferable configuration is advantageous for easily manufacturing the liquid collection tip. 
     The liquid collection nozzle of the present invention includes the first or second medical liquid collection tip, and a nozzle tip that is detachably mounted on the medical liquid collection tip so as to cover at least the leading end of the liquid collection needle. The nozzle tip includes an opening that is provided so as to communicate with the flow path of the medical liquid collection tip when the nozzle tip is mounted on the medical liquid collection tip. Accordingly, an injector that can be used in the simple suspension method can be used to extract breast milk if the nozzle tip is mounted on the liquid collection tip. 
     With the liquid collection nozzle of the present invention, an air-tight and fluid-tight seal is preferably formed between the medical liquid collection tip and the nozzle tip when the nozzle tip is mounted on the medical liquid collection tip. This preferable configuration is advantageous for efficiently extracting breast milk. 
     A lock mechanism for maintaining the state in which the nozzle tip is mounted on the first or second medical liquid collection tip is preferably provided on the liquid collection nozzle of the present invention. This preferable configuration is advantageous for preventing the nozzle tip from unintentionally falling off of the liquid collection tip. 
     A male tapered surface whose outer diameter becomes smaller as the leading end is approached may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle tip. According to this configuration, the injector can pierce the container in a state in which the male tapered surface has been fit into the edge of the opening of the container. This is advantageous for preventing contamination of the leading end of the nozzle tip and preventing contamination and evaporation of the liquid in the container. 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by means of preferred embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the drawings referenced in the following description, only the relevant members needed in order to describe the present invention among the members constituting the embodiment of the present invention are shown in a simplified manner for the sake of convenience in the description. Accordingly, the present invention can include any member that is not shown in the following drawings. Also, in the following drawings, the actual dimensions of members and dimensional proportions of members and the like are not necessarily rendered faithfully. In the drawings shown below, identical members are denoted by identical reference signs, and redundant description thereof is not included. 
     Embodiment 1 
     Configuration 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view from above of a medical liquid collection tip (hereinafter referred to as “liquid collection tip”)  1  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  is a perspective view from below of the liquid collection tip  1 .  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the liquid collection tip  1 .  FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid collection tip  1  taken along a plane including  3 A- 3 A in  FIG. 2  and viewed in the direction of the arrows.  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid collection tip  1  taken along a plane including  3 B- 3 B in  FIG. 2  and viewed in the direction of the arrows. The liquid collection tip  1  includes a male member  11  at one end and a liquid collection needle  20  at the other end. For the sake of convenience in the following description, the male member  11  side is referred to as the “upper” side of the liquid collection tip  1  and the liquid collection needle  20  side is referred to as the “lower” side of the liquid collection tip  1 . Also, the direction in which the male member  11  and the liquid collection needle  20  are connected is referred to as the “lengthwise direction” of the liquid collection tip  1 . 
     The male member  11  has a hollow tube shape. The outer circumferential surface  12  of the male member  11  is a tapered surface (a conical surface, or a so-called male tapered surface) with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as the leading end is approached. An outer tube  13  surrounds the male member  11 . The outer tube  13  has a hollow, approximately cylindrical shape, opposes the outer circumferential surface  12  of the male member  11 , and is separated from the outer circumferential surface  12 . A pair of support platforms  19  that are approximately “U”-shaped in cross-section are provided so as to protrude outwardly on the outer circumferential surface of a base portion  18 , which is a portion located on the liquid collection needle  20  side with respect to the male member  11 . The pair of support platforms  19  are arranged on both sides of the base portion  18 . The lower end of the outer tube  13  is connected to the upper end of the outer circumferential surfaces of the support platforms  19 , whereby the outer tube  13  is held to the base portion  18  via the support platforms  19 . 
     As is shown best in  FIG. 1B , the pair of support platforms  19  and the base portion  18  therebetween form a pair of approximately flat surfaces that are parallel to each other. Also, multiple ribs (ridge-shaped projections)  16  that extend in the lengthwise direction of the liquid collection tip  1  are formed at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube  13 . The pair of approximately flat surfaces and the multiple ribs  16  are effective for stably holding the liquid collection tip  1  between fingers. 
     The tapered surface of the outer circumferential surface  12  of the male member  11  conforms to ISO 80369-3 regarding the outer circumferential surface  912  of the male member  911  of the above-described male connector  910  (see  FIGS. 23A and 23B ). The inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  13  is a cylindrical surface that is coaxial with the male member  11 , and the inner circumference thereof is the same as or larger than the trough diameter of the female screw  915  formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  913  of the male connector  910 . For example, the male member  11  and the outer tube  13  may be the same as the male connector  910  from which the female screw  915  has been omitted. 
     The liquid collection needle  20  also has a hollow cylindrical shape. The outer circumferential surface  22  of the liquid collection needle  20  is a tapered surface (a male tapered surface) with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as the leading end is approached. However, the shape of the outer circumferential surface  22  is not limited thereto, and may be a cylindrical surface with a constant outer diameter in the lengthwise direction, for example. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a flow path  8  penetrates through the liquid collection tip  1  in the lengthwise direction and openings are formed at the leading end of the male member  11  and the leading end of the liquid collection needle  20 . The male member  11  and the liquid collection needle  20  are in communication via the flow path  8 . 
     The material of the liquid collection tip  1  is not limited but is preferably a material with a shape-holding property, and furthermore, is preferably a hard material (solid material) that has a mechanical strength (rigidity) according to which deformation substantially does not occur due to an external force. For example, it is possible to use a resin material such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM), polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, rigid polyvinyl chloride, or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), and among these, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene, polycarbonate (PC), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) are preferable. The entire liquid collection tip  1  can be manufactured integrally as one part overall though extrusion molding or the like using the above-described resin material. 
     Method of Use 
     The liquid collection tip  1  is used when suctioning a medicinal liquid in a container into an injector in the above-described simple suspension method. 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an injector (syringe)  150  on which the liquid collection tip  1  is to be mounted.  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the injector  150 . The injector  150  includes a barrel (outer tube)  152  and a plunger  158 . The barrel  152  has a hollow cylindrical shape, one end thereof (upper end) is open, and a tube end (nozzle)  154  is included at the other end (lower end). The plunger  158  is inserted into the opening at the upper end of the barrel  152  so as to be able to move in and out. 
     The shape of the tube end of the injector  150  is markedly different from that of the injector  950  shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B . A female connector conforming to ISO 80369-3, which is the same as the female connector (container-side connector)  920  shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B , is provided at the tube end (nozzle)  154  of the injector  150  so as to be connectable to the male connector (patient-side connector)  910  (see  FIGS. 23A and 23B ). In  FIGS. 4A and 4B , members that are identical to the members shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B  are denoted by identical reference signs. As shown in  FIG. 4B , a small-diameter portion  157  having a smaller inner diameter than a liquid storing portion  155  and a tubular portion  921  is formed between the liquid storing portion  155  and the tubular portion  921 . Here, the liquid storing portion  155  is a portion of the barrel  152  that the plunger  158  moves into and out of and is a portion that can store the medicinal liquid. The small-diameter portion  157  prevents the plunger  158  inserted into the liquid storing portion  155  from advancing into the tubular portion  921  of the tube end  154 . 
     A gasket  159  is attached to the leading end of the plunger  158 . The gasket  159  slides in the lengthwise direction on the inner circumferential surface of the barrel  152  while forming a fluid-tight seal with the inner circumferential surface of the barrel  152 . A pair of finger-hooking flanges  156  protrude outward from the upper end of the barrel  152 . Notches (not shown) indicating a liquid amount in the barrel  152  are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the barrel  152 . 
     A simple suspension method using the liquid collection tip  1  and the injector  150  is performed as follows. 
     First, the liquid collection tip  1  is mounted on the tube end  154  of the injector  150 .  FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the liquid collection tip  1  mounted on the injector  150 .  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid collection tip  1  mounted on the injector  150 . The cross section shown in  FIG. 5B  is the same as the cross section shown in  FIG. 3B .  FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the tube end  154  shown in  FIG. 5B  and the periphery thereof. 
     The male member  11  of the liquid collection tip  1  is inserted into the tubular portion  921  of the tube end  154  of the injector  150 . The outer circumferential surface  12  of the male member  11  is a male tapered surface conforming to ISO 80369-3, and the inner circumferential surface  922  of the tubular portion  921  of the injector  150  is a female tapered surface conforming to ISO 80369-3. That is, the outer circumferential surface  12  and the inner circumferential surface  922  are tapered surfaces that have the same tapering angle and diameter. Accordingly, the outer circumferential surface  12  and the inner circumferential surface  922  are in close contact, and the male member  11  and the tubular portion  921  are fluid-tightly connected. The flow path  8  of the liquid collection tip  1  and the liquid storing portion  155  of the barrel  152  are in communication. 
     Next, in a state in which the liquid collection tip  1  is connected to the tube end  154  of the injector  150  as shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 , the leading end of the liquid collection needle  20  is immersed in the medicinal liquid in which a tablet has been disintegrated, the plunger  158  is operated, and the medicinal liquid is suctioned into the barrel  152 . The suction amount of the medicinal liquid is measured using the position of the gasket  159 , which can be seen through the barrel  152 , and the notches (not shown) on the barrel  152 . 
     Next, the liquid collection tip  1  is taken off of the injector  150  (see  FIGS. 4A  and  4 B). 
     Next, the tube end  154  of the injector  150  is connected to the male connector  910  (see  FIGS. 23A and 23B ). The male connector  910  is a patient-side connector provided on the upstream-side end of a catheter inserted into the body of the patient, or provided on the upstream-side end of an elongated tube connected to the catheter. 
     Since the tube end  154  is the female connector  920  conforming to ISO 80369-3, the tube end  154  and the male connector  910  are connected with a fluid-tightness and a connection strength conforming to ISO 80369-3. In this state, the plunger  158  is pressed into the barrel  152  until the gasket  159  hits the small-diameter portion  157 , whereby the medicinal liquid in the liquid storing portion  155  of the injector  150  is administered to the patient. Thereafter, the injector  150  is separated from the male connector  910 . 
     Effect 
     According to the present Embodiment 1, the task (suctioning task) of suctioning the medicinal liquid in the container into the injector  150  is performed with the liquid collection tip  1  mounted on the tube end  154  of the injector  150 , and on the other hand, the task (administration task) of administering the medicinal liquid in the injector  150  to the patient is performed with the tube end  154  of the injector  150  connected to the male connector  910  without using the liquid collection tip  1 . In the suctioning task, the leading end of the liquid collection needle  20  of the liquid collection tip  1  is immersed in the medicinal liquid. Also, the male member  11  of the liquid collection tip  1  is inserted into the tubular portion  921  of the injector  150 , and the male member  11  and the tubular portion  921  are fluid-tightly connected. Accordingly, the medicinal liquid does not attach to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion  921 , which includes the spiral projection  925 . For this reason, when the tube end  154  is connected to the male connector  910  thereafter, the medicinal liquid does not attach to the inner circumferential surface (in particular, the female screw  915 ) of the outer tube  913  of the male connector  910 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the male connector  910  from reaching an unhygienic state, even if the male connector  910  is left in the patient for a long time. 
     When the suctioning task of suctioning the medicinal liquid into the injector  150  is performed with the tube end  154  directly immersed in the medicinal liquid without mounting the liquid collection tip  1  of the present Embodiment 1 on the tube end  154 , the medicinal liquid will attach not only to the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion  921  but also to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion  921  including the spiral projection  925 . Thereafter, when the tube end  154  is connected to the male connector  910  (see  FIGS. 23A and 23B ), the medicinal liquid attached to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion  921  attaches to the female screw  915  formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  913  of the male connector  910 . If the suctioning task is performed with the liquid collection tip  1  of the present Embodiment 1 mounted on the tube end  154  of the injector  150 , it is possible to reliably prevent the medicinal liquid from attaching to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion  921  including the spiral projection  925 . 
     As described above, the patient-side connector is the male connector  910  shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B , and in the case of performing the simple suspension method with the patient-side connector, it is necessary to use the injector  150  (see  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), which has the tube end  154  conforming to International Standard ISO 80369-3, as the injector that is to connect to the patient-side connector (male connector  910 ). A conventional tip  940  (see  FIGS. 22A and 22B ) cannot be mounted on the tube end  154 . The liquid collection tip  1  of the present Embodiment 1 includes the male member  11  conforming to ISO 80369-3, and thus can fluid-tightly connect to the tube end  154  of the injector  150 . 
     The outer tube  13  of the liquid collection tip  1 , which surrounds the male member  11 , exhibits the following effects. 
     First, the outer tube  13  facilitates the task of removing the liquid collection tip  1  from the injector  150 . As can be understood from  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in the state in which the liquid collection tip  1  is connected to the tube end  154  of the injector  150 , the outer tube  13  stores and covers the spiral projection  925  of the tubular portion  921 . When the liquid collection tip  1  is to be removed from the injector  150 , the barrel  152  of the injector  150  is gripped with the four fingers from the index finger to the pinky of one hand, and the thumb of that hand comes into contact with the upper-side end (injector  150  side end) of the outer tube  13  of the liquid collection tip  1 . Then, when the outer tube  13  is pressed forward with the thumb, it is possible to easily cause the liquid collection tip  1  to fall off of the injector  150 . Thus, with the outer tube  13 , it is possible to easily and quickly perform a task of removing the liquid collection tip  1  from the injector  150  with one hand. Unlike the outer tube  913  (see  FIGS. 23A and 23B ) of the male connector  910  conforming to ISO 80369-3, the screw structure (female screw) that screws onto the spiral projection  925  is not formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  13  of the liquid collection tip  1 . This is advantageous for easily and quickly performing a task of removing the liquid collection tip  1  from the injector  150 . 
     Secondly, the outer tube  13  is advantageous for ensuring the hygienic state of the tube end  154  of the injector  150 . As can be understood from  FIG. 1A , in the state prior to the liquid collection tip  1  being mounted on the injector  150 , the outer tube  13  prevents fingers of a worker or the like from touching the male member  11 . Accordingly, when the liquid collection tip  1  is mounted on the injector  150  thereafter, it is possible to prevent a circumstance in which the contaminated male member  11  contaminates the tube end  154  of the injector  150 . Also, in the state in which the liquid collection tip  1  is mounted on the injector  150 , the outer tube  13  prevents the fingers of the worker or the like from touching the tube end  154 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a circumstance in which the tube end  154  is contaminated. As a result of thus ensuring the hygienic state of the tube end  154 , it is possible to preferably maintain the hygienic state of the male connector  910  to which the tube end  154  is to be connected thereafter, and contamination of the patient can be prevented. 
     Embodiment 2 
     Configuration 
     The present Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 with regard to the shape of the male member. Hereinafter, the present Embodiment 2 will be described with a focus on points of difference from Embodiment 1.  FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view showing a leading end portion of the male member  11  of a liquid collection tip  2  according to Embodiment 2. In the present Embodiment 2, a hollow cylindrically-shaped sealing tube  17  protrudes from the leading end of the male member  11 . The outer circumferential surface of the sealing tube  17  is a cylindrical surface that is coaxial with the outer circumferential surface  12  of the male member  11 . The flow path  8  opens at the leading end of the sealing tube  17 . 
     Method of Use 
     The method of use of the liquid collection tip  2  of the present Embodiment 2 is the same overall as that of the liquid collection tip  1  of Embodiment 1.  FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion at which the tube end  154  and the liquid collection tip  2  of the injector  150  are connected. Similarly to the case of Embodiment 1, the outer circumferential surface  12  of the male member  11  and the inner circumferential surface  922  of the tubular portion  921  are in close contact. In the present Embodiment 2, the sealing tube  17  at the leading end of the male member  11  is fit into the small-diameter portion  157  of the barrel  152 . The outer diameter of the sealing tube  17  approximately matches the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion  157 . Accordingly, when the sealing tube  17  is fit into the small-diameter portion  157  as shown in  FIG. 8 , a fluid-tight seal is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the sealing tube  17  and the inner circumferential end of the small-diameter portion  157 . The flow path  8  of the liquid collection tip  2  and the liquid storing portion  155  of the barrel  152  are in communication. 
     Effect 
     The medicinal liquid amount administered to the patient needs to be managed accurately. In the above-described simple suspension method, the amount of medicinal liquid is measured using the injector. However, in the case of using the conventional liquid collection tip  940  shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B  or the liquid collection tip  1  of Embodiment 1, there is a problem in that the amount of medicinal liquid cannot be accurately managed in some cases, depending on the operation method of the worker. 
     For example, in the case of performing the simple suspension method using the conventional liquid collection tip  940 , as described in  FIGS. 22A and 22B , the medicinal liquid is suctioned into the barrel  952  in a state in which the liquid collection tip  940  is mounted on the injector  950 . The suction amount of the medicinal liquid is measured using the position of the gasket  959 , which can be seen through the barrel  952 , and the notches (not shown) on the barrel  952 .  FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the tube end  954  of the injector  950  to which the liquid collection tip  940  is mounted, and the periphery thereof. In general, the volume indicated by the notches on the barrel  952  does not include the volume of the space  954   a  (the portion denoted by many dots in  FIG. 9 ) in the tube end  954 . This is because the gasket  959  provided on the leading end of the plunger  958  cannot advance into the space  954   a . Accordingly, the simple suspension method needs to be ended in a state in which the plunger  958  is pressed into the barrel  952  until the gasket  959  hits the deepest portion of the barrel  952 , and the medicinal liquid remains in the space  954   a . If the medicinal liquid that is to remain in the space  954   a  in the tube end  954  is also administered to the patient, the medicinal liquid will be administered in excess of the measured amount accordingly. For example, after the injector  950 , which has suctioned the correct amount of medicinal liquid, is connected to the patient-side connector and the medicinal liquid in the barrel  952  has been administered to the patient, lukewarm water or the like is suctioned into the injector  950 , and the medicinal liquid remaining in the space  954   a  is administered to the patient along with the lukewarm water, whereupon an amount of medicinal liquid that is greater than the measured amount is administered to the patient. In general, the person performing the simple suspension method is not limited to being a medical professional, and it is often the case that it is performed by a caregiver such as a family member of the patient. In such a case, there is a possibility that unsuitable medicinal liquid amount management such as that described above will be performed. 
     A similar problem can occur in Embodiment 1 as well. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the space  154   a  (the portion denoted by many dots in  FIG. 6 ) is sometimes formed between the leading end of the male member  11  and the small-diameter portion  157  in the tube end  154 . If the male member  11  is designed so as to be inserted deeply into the tube end  154 , it is possible to make the volume of the space  154   a  smaller (bring the volume close to zero). However, if the space  154   a  is formed in the tube end  154 , similarly to the description given with reference to  FIG. 9 , the medicinal liquid will be administered excessively when the medicinal liquid remaining in the space  154   a  is administered to the patient. 
     In contrast to this, with the liquid collection tip  2  of the present Embodiment 2, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the liquid collection tip  2  is mounted on the injector  150 , the tube-shaped sealing tube  17  protruding from the leading end of the male member  11  is fit into the small-diameter portion  157  of the barrel  152 . Since the sealing tube  17  and the small-diameter portion  157  are fluid-tightly connected, the medicinal liquid in the liquid storing portion  155  does not pass between the sealing tube  17  and the small-diameter portion  157  to leak to the tube end  154  side. Accordingly, unlike the conventional liquid collection tip  940  and the liquid collection tip  1  of Embodiment 1, the medicinal liquid does not remain in the tube end  154  in the case of performing the simple suspension method using the liquid collection tip  2 . For this reason, in the case of using the liquid collection tip  2  of the present Embodiment 2, the possibility that an amount of the medicinal liquid that is greater than the measured amount will be administered to the patient is reduced, regardless of the worker. Accordingly, the liquid collection tip  2  of the present Embodiment 2 is advantageous for accurately managing a medicinal liquid amount to be administered to the patient. 
     The present Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the above description. The description of Embodiment 1 is applied to the present Embodiment  2  as well. 
     Embodiment 3 
     Configuration 
     The liquid collection tip  3  of the present Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 2 with regard to the configuration of the portion connected to the tube end  154  of the injector  150 . Furthermore, a nozzle tip  350  can be detachably mounted on the liquid collection tip  3  of the present Embodiment 3. Hereinafter, the present Embodiment 3 will be described with a focus on points of difference from Embodiments 1 and 2. 
       FIG. 10A  is a perspective view from above of a liquid collection tip  3 , and  FIG. 10B  is a perspective view from below of the liquid collection tip  3 .  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the liquid collection tip  3 , and  FIG. 12  is a plan view of the liquid collection tip  3 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 11 , the liquid collection tip  3  includes, on its upper end, a hollow cylindrically-shaped sealing tube  317  that functions similarly to the sealing tube  17  (see  FIG. 7 ) of Embodiment 2. The liquid collection tip  2  of Embodiment 2 included the male tapered surface  12  conforming to ISO 80369-3, which is located adjacent to the lower side with respect to the sealing tube  17 , but the liquid collection tip  3  does not include this kind of male tapered surface  12 . The flow path  308  penetrates through the liquid collection tip  3  in the lengthwise direction and is open at the leading end of the sealing tube  317  and the leading end of the liquid collection needle  320 . The sealing tube  317  and the liquid collection needle  320  are in communication via the flow path  308 . 
     An outer tube  313  that surrounds the liquid collection needle  320  is provided near the sealing tube  317 . The liquid collection needle  320  and the outer tube  313  are joined via a bottom plate  314  that protrudes in a flange shape along the radial direction from the liquid collection needle  320 . A female screw (screw structure)  315  is provided on the inner circumferential surface opposing the liquid collection needle  320  of the outer tube  313 . The female screw  315  is interchangeable with the female screw  915  (see  FIGS. 23A and 23B ) provided on the above-described male connector  910  and conforms to ISO 80369-3. Accordingly, the female screw  315  can be screwed on the spiral projection (male screw)  925  provided on the tube end  154  of the barrel  152  conforming to ISO 80369-3. An approximately octagonal prism surface is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube  313  such that it is easy to grasp the outer tube  313  and apply a rotational force to the liquid collection tip  3 . Note that the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube  313  is not limited thereto and can be changed as appropriate. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , two through holes  322  that are approximately L-shaped in plan view are provided on the bottom plate  314 . The two through holes  322  have 180-degree rotational symmetry with respect to the central axis of the liquid collection needle  320 . Inclined surfaces  324  are provided near the edges of the through holes  322  on the upper surface of the bottom plate  314 . The inclined surfaces  324  are inclined so as to rise toward the clockwise direction with respect to the liquid collection needle  320 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , a tapered surface (male tapered surface)  328  with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as the leading end is approached is provided on the outer circumferential surface near the leading end of the liquid collection tip  320 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view from above of the nozzle tip  350 ,  FIG. 13B  is a perspective view from below of the nozzle tip  350 , and  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the nozzle tip  350 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the nozzle tip  350  has a hollow, approximately cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface that defines an inner cavity  351  of the nozzle tip  350  is set to be the same as or greater than the outer diameter of the portion below the bottom plate  314  of the liquid collection needle  320  (see  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) so that the portion of the liquid collection needle  320  can be inserted. The inner diameter of the nozzle tip  350  is at its minimum at the opening  352  provided on the leading end thereof (the lower end). The inner diameter of the opening  352  is preferably set to be about the same as the inner diameter of the opening (see  FIG. 10B ) at the leading end of the flow path  308  of the liquid collection needle  320 . A tapered surface (female tapered surface)  358  with an inner diameter that becomes smaller as the opening  352  is approached is provided adjacent to the opening  352  and on the upper side thereof. The female tapered surface  358  has the same tapering angle and diameter as the male tapered surface  328  (see  FIG. 10A ) provided near the leading end of the liquid collection needle  320 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13A , two projections  354  are provided on the upper end of the nozzle tip  350 . Each projection  354  includes a vertical portion  354   a  that extends upward from the upper end of the nozzle tip  350  and an engagement portion  354   b  that protrudes outward along the radial direction from the upper end of the vertical portion  354   a . The two projections  354  have  180 -degree rotational symmetry with respect to the central axis of the nozzle tip  350 . Furthermore, two grasping portions  356  are provided on the nozzle tip  350 . The grasping portions  356  each protrude outward along the radial direction from the upper end of the nozzle tip  350 , and thereafter extend downward. The grasping portions  356  are provided in order to make it easier to apply a rotational force to the nozzle tip  350 . The shapes of the grasping portions  356  are not limited to the present embodiment. For example, it is also possible to provide a regular polygonal prism surface (a regular hexagonal prism surface, a regular octagonal prism surface, or the like) on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle tip  350  and use this as the grasping portion. The grasping portions may also be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13B , a tapered surface (male tapered surface)  355  with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as the leading end is approached is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle tip  350 . A circular plane  353  that is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the nozzle tip  350  is provided on the leading end of the nozzle tip  350 . The outer diameter of the leading end surface  353  is larger than the outer diameter of the leading end (see  FIG. 10B ) of the liquid collection needle  320 . The opening  352  is provided in the center of the leading end surface  353 . The outer circumferential edge of the leading end surface  353  is smoothly chamfered. 
     The nozzle tip  350  can be detachably mounted repeatedly on the liquid collection tip  3 .  FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of a liquid collection nozzle  360  in which the nozzle tip  350  has been mounted on the liquid collection tip  3 .  FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view of the liquid collection nozzle  360 . 
     The nozzle tip  350  is mounted on the liquid collection tip  3  overall as follows. The liquid collection needle  320  is inserted into the inner cavity  351  of the nozzle tip  350  and the projections  354  of the nozzle tip  350  are inserted into the through holes  322  provided on the bottom plate  314  of the liquid collection tip  3 . In this state, the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  are rotated in mutually opposite directions (i.e., in a view from above, the liquid collection tip  3  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the nozzle tip  350 ). Engagement portions  354   b  of the nozzle tip  350  (see  FIGS. 13A and 13B ) slide on the inclined surfaces  324  (see  FIG. 12 ) of the liquid collection tip  3 . Since the inclined surfaces  324  are inclined as described above, the liquid collection needle  320  moves relatively along the lengthwise direction with respect to the nozzle tip  350  such that the liquid collection needle  320  is more deeply inserted into the inner cavity  351  of the nozzle tip  350  as the nozzle tip  350  rotates with respect to the liquid collection tip  3 . The nozzle tip  350  is rotated with respect to the liquid collection tip  3  until the vertical portions  354   a  of the projections  354  of the nozzle tip  350  come into contact with the trailing ends in the rotational direction of the edges that define the through holes  322  of the liquid collection tip  3 .  FIGS. 15A and 15B  show this state. The male tapered surface  328  of the liquid collection needle  320  and the female tapered surface  358  of the nozzle tip  350  are fit together fluid-tightly and air-tightly. The leading end of the liquid collection needle  320  is stored in the nozzle tip  350  and is covered by the nozzle tip  350 . The opening  352  on the leading end of the nozzle tip  350  and the flow path  308  of the liquid collection needle  320  are in communication. 
     The liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  can be separated by performing an operation opposite to that described above. 
     The nozzle tip  350  can be easily rotated relative to the liquid collection tip  3  by grasping each of the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube  313  of the liquid collection tip  3  and the grasping portion  356  of the nozzle tip  350  with different hands and applying a rotational force. 
     The material of the liquid collection tip  3  is not limited, and it is possible to use the same material as that of the liquid collection tip  1  described in Embodiment 1. Since the nozzle tip  350  directly touches the skin of a person, a material with a relatively low hardness is preferable, and specifically, it is possible to use a resin material such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). The liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  can be manufactured integrally as one part overall through an extrusion molding method or the like, using the above-described resin materials. 
     Method of Use 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the injector  150 , the liquid collection tip  3 , and the nozzle tip  350 . In the present Embodiment 3, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, the medicinal liquid in the container can be suctioned into the injector  150  in the simple suspension method when the liquid collection tip  3  has been mounted on the injector  150 . Furthermore, it is possible to extract breast milk in a state in which the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  have been mounted on the injector  150 . 
     Firstly, the simple suspension method will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , in the case of performing the simple suspension method, the liquid collection tip  3  is mounted on the injector  150 . As shown in  FIG. 17B , similarly to Embodiment 2, the sealing tube  317  of the liquid collection tip  3  is fit into the small-diameter portion  157  of the barrel  152 . The outer diameter of the sealing tube  317  approximately matches the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion  157 . Accordingly, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the sealing tube  317  and the inner circumferential end of the small-diameter portion  157 . The flow path  308  of the liquid collection tip  3  is in communication with the liquid storing portion  155  of the barrel  152 . The female screw  315  of the liquid collection tip  3  is screwed on the spiral projection  925  of the barrel  12 . 
     The leading end of the liquid collection needle  320  is immersed in the medicinal liquid in which a tablet has been disintegrated, the plunger  158  is operated, and the medicinal liquid is suctioned into the barrel  152 . Next, the liquid collection tip  3  is taken off of the tube end  154  (see  FIG. 16 ). Thereafter, similarly to Embodiment 1, the tube end  154  is connected to the male connector  910  (see FIGS.  23 A and  23 B) and the medicinal liquid in the liquid storing portion  155  is administered to the patient. Thereafter, the tube end  154  is separated from the male connector  910 . 
     Next, breast milk extraction will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , breast milk is extracted in a state in which the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  are mounted on the injector  150 . The leading end surface  353  of the nozzle tip  350  is placed against the nipple, the plunger  158  is operated, and breast milk attached to the nipple is suctioned into the barrel  152  via the opening  352 . 
     Effect 
     According to the present Embodiment 3, in the case of performing a simple suspension method, the task (suction task) of suctioning the medicinal liquid in the container into the injector  150  is performed with the liquid collection tip  3  mounted on the tube end  154 , and on the other hand, the task (administration task) of administering the medicinal liquid in the injector  150  to the patient is performed with the tube end  154  connected to the male connector  910 , without using the liquid collection tip  3 . Accordingly, similarly to Embodiment 1, in the suction task, the medicinal liquid does not attach to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion  921  including the spiral projection  925 . For this reason, when the tube end  154  is connected to the male connector  910  thereafter, the medicinal liquid does not attach to the inner circumferential surface (in particular, the female screw  915 ) of the outer tube  913  of the male connector  910 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the male connector  910  from reaching an unhygienic state, even if the male connector  910  is left in the patient for a long time. 
     When the liquid collection tip  3  is mounted on the tube end  154  (see  FIGS. 17A and 17B ), the sealing tube  317  of the liquid collection tip  3  and the small-diameter portion  157  of the barrel  152  are fluid-tightly connected. For this reason, similarly to Embodiment 2, the medicinal liquid in the liquid storing portion  155  does not pass between the sealing tube  317  and the small-diameter portion  157  to leak to the tube end  154  side. Accordingly, the liquid collection tip  3  of the present Embodiment 3 is advantageous for accurately managing a medicinal liquid amount to be administered to the patient. 
     The injector  150  (see  FIGS. 18A and 18B ) on which the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  (i.e., the liquid collection nozzle  360 ) are mounted can be used preferably for breast milk extraction. In general, with breast milk extraction, breast milk is suctioned into the barrel in a state in which the tube end of the injector (syringe) is placed directly against the nipple. For example, breast milk extraction can be performed using the conventional injector  950  (see  FIGS. 22A and 22B ) on which the liquid collection tip  940  is not mounted. A circular plane with a relatively large area is provided on the leading end of the tube end  954 , and a flow path is opened in the center thereof. The circular plane is placed against the nipple and the breast milk is suctioned. The nozzle tip  350  of the present Embodiment 3 includes a leading end surface  353  that is equal to or larger than the leading end surface of the tube end  954 , and therefore the leading end surface  353  can be placed against the nipple and breast milk extraction can be performed. 
     In contrast to this, the leading ends of the liquid collection needles  20  and  320  of Embodiments 1 to 3 have relatively small diameters so as to be able to perform extraction without leaving even a small amount of fluid in the container. If the leading ends of the liquid collection needles  20  and  320  are directly placed against the nipple, the mother may feel pain. On the other hand, since a cavity with a large inner diameter exists in the tubular portion  921  of the tube end  154  of the injector  150  (see  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) from which the liquid collection tips  1 ,  2 , and  3  have been removed, it is difficult to suction a small amount of breast milk. The nozzle tip  350  of the present Embodiment 3 has a leading end surface  353  with a relatively large diameter and large area, and therefore no pain is felt when the leading end of the nozzle tip  350  directly touches the skin. Small amounts of breast milk can be suctioned with little remaining liquid by bringing the leading end surface  353  of the nozzle tip  350  into close contact with the nipple. 
     Thus, according to the present Embodiment 3, it is possible to perform both the simple suspension method and breast milk extraction using the same injector  150 . 
     With the present Embodiment 3, the nozzle tip  350  is used while mounted on the liquid collection tip  3 . Unlike the present Embodiment 3, a configuration is conceivable in which a breast milk extraction nozzle having an outer shape similar to that of the nozzle tip  350  is created, and the breast milk extraction nozzle is mounted on the tube end  154  instead of the liquid collection tip  3  in the case of performing breast milk extraction. However, in this configuration, the thickness in the radial direction of the breast milk extraction nozzle needs to be increased. This kind of thick breast milk extraction nozzle generally has low resin formability. In contrast to this, the nozzle tip  350  of the present embodiment can be made thinner, and therefore has excellent resin formability. 
     When the nozzle tip  350  is mounted on the liquid collection tip  3 , the female tapered surface  358  of the nozzle tip  350  and the male tapered surface  328  of the liquid collection tip  3  fit together near the opening  352  of the nozzle tip  350 , and an air-tight and fluid-tight seal is formed between the two surfaces (see  FIG. 15B ). When the plunger  158  is pulled while the leading end surface  353  is pressed against the nipple, the seal prevents the external air from flowing into the flow path  308  of the liquid collection tip  3  through the gap between the nozzle tip  350  and the liquid collection needle  320  from the opening on the upper end (the outer tube  313  side) of the nozzle tip  350 . For this reason, the breast milk can be suctioned into the barrel  152  through the flow path  308  of the liquid collection tip  3  from the opening  352  of the nozzle tip  350 . Also, among the breast milk that flows into the opening  352  of the nozzle tip  350 , the amount of breast milk that flows to the gap between the nozzle tip  350  and the liquid collection needle  320  and does not flow in the flow path  308  can be reduced. Accordingly, the seal between the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  is advantageous for efficiently extracting the breast milk. The inclined surfaces  324  of the liquid collection tip  3  (see  FIG. 12 ) are advantageous for improving the sealing property between the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350 . 
     The male tapered surface  355  is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle tip  350  (see  FIG. 13A ). For this reason, as shown in  FIG. 19  for example, the injector  150  on which the nozzle tip  350  has been mounted can pierce the open opening  391  of the container (e.g., a distilled water container)  390 . The male tapered surface  355  of the nozzle tip  350  is fit into the edge of the opening  391  of the container  390 , and the opening  391  is closed by the nozzle tip  350 . Temporarily leaving the injector  150  and the container  390  in this state is advantageous for preventing contamination of the leading end of the nozzle tip  350  and preventing contamination and evaporation of the liquid (e.g., the distilled water) in the container  390 . However, in the present invention, the male tapered surface  355  is not essential. 
     The liquid collection tip  3  includes the outer tube  313  (see  FIG. 10A ). Similarly to the outer tube  13  of Embodiment 1, the outer tube  313  is advantageous for ensuring the hygienic state of the tube end  154  of the injector  150 . Accordingly, the hygienic state of the male connector  910  to which the tube end  154  is connected can be kept favorable, and contamination of the patient can be prevented. Also, the worker can attach/detach the liquid collection tip  3  to/from the tube end  154  of the injector  150  without touching the liquid collection needle  320  by holding the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube  313  of the liquid collection tip  3 . The task of mounting the liquid collection nozzle  360  (see  FIG. 15A ) in which the nozzle tip  350  has been mounted on the liquid collection needle  320  on the tube end  154  of the injector  150  can also be performed by similarly holding the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube  313 . 
     The female screw  315  that can be screwed onto the spiral projection  925  of the injector  150  is provided on the outer tube  313 . For this reason, although the liquid collection tip  3  does not include the male tapered surface  12  (see  FIGS. 1A and 7 ) that fits into the inner circumferential surface  922  of the tubular portion  921  of the barrel  152 , which is provided in the liquid collection tips  1  and  2  of Embodiments 1 and 2, it is possible to firmly mount the liquid collection tip  3  on the barrel  152 . 
     The female screw  315  provided in the liquid collection tip  3  and the spiral projection  925  provided in the injector  150  are so-called right screws. In contrast to this, the structure for engaging the projections  354  of the nozzle tip  350  and the bottom plate  314  of the liquid collection tip  3  is configured such that when the liquid collection tip  3  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the nozzle tip  350  in a view from above, engagement occurs, and when the liquid collection tip  3  is rotated in the clockwise direction with respect to the nozzle tip  350 , the engagement is canceled, and the relationship between the engagement, the canceling thereof, and the rotation directions is the same as that of a so-called left screw. Accordingly, in the state in which the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  are mounted on the injector  150  as shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , when each of the injector  150  and the nozzle tip  350  are grasped with a different hand and the injector  150  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the nozzle tip  350  in a view from the injector  150  side, the nozzle tip  350  can be separated from the liquid collection tip  3  without loosening the screwing of the spiral projection  925  of the injector  150  and the female screw  315  of the liquid collection tip  3 . Thus, by providing the engagement structure conforming to a left screw between the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350 , even if one of the injector  150  and the outer tube  313  of the liquid collection tip  3  is grasped with one hand in the state shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , the nozzle tip  350  can be reliably removed from the liquid collection tip  3  if the nozzle tip  350  is grasped with the other hand and rotated as described above. 
     The above-described Embodiment 3 is merely an example. The configuration of the above-described Embodiment 3 of the present invention can be modified as needed. 
     For example, as a lock mechanism for stably maintaining the state in which the nozzle tip  350  is mounted on the liquid collection tip  3 , the above-described Embodiment 3 included an engagement structure in which the engagement portions  354   b  of the nozzle tip  350  are engaged with the bottom plate  314  of the liquid collection tip  3 . However, the lock mechanism is not limited to this kind of engagement structure, and any configuration can be employed. 
     For example, the lock mechanism may be a screw structure. In an example, it is possible to provide a spiral projection (e.g., a male screw) on the outer circumferential surface of the liquid collection needle  320  and to provide a female screw that screws on the spiral projection on the inner circumferential surface near the upper end of the nozzle tip  350 . In another example, the outer tube  313  of the liquid collection tip  3  may extend below the bottom surface  314 , a female screw may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the extended outer tube  313 , and a screw projection (e.g., a male screw) that screws into the female screw may be provided on the outer circumferential surface near the upper end of the nozzle tip  350 . The screw structure can be advantageous for improving the sealing property between the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350 . The fact that the screw structure constituting the lock mechanism is configured to conform to a left screw is advantageous for reliably removing the nozzle tip  350  from the liquid collection tip  3  without loosening the screwing between the spiral projection  925  and the female screw  315  in a state in which the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  are mounted on the injector  150  as shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , similarly to the above-described engagement structure of Embodiment 3. 
     Alternatively, the above-described lock mechanism may be omitted. For example, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a tapered surface (male tapered surface)  329  with an outer diameter that becomes smaller as the leading end is approached is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the liquid collection needle  320 , and a female tapered surface  359  with the same diameter and tapering angle as the male tapered surface  329  is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle tip  350 . It is possible to stably hold the nozzle tip  350  on the liquid collection needle  320  with the frictional force between the male tapered surface  329  and the female tapered surface  359  when they are fit together. An air-tight and fluid-tight seal is formed between the male tapered surface  329  and the female tapered surface  359 . In this case, the nozzle tip  350  may be constituted by a soft material that deforms relatively easily, such as a material having rubber elasticity (also referred to as an elastomer), for example, a rubber such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, or silicone rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer such as styrene-based elastomer, olefin-based elastomer, or polyurethane-based elastomer. 
     In the above-described Embodiment 3, an air-tight and fluid-tight seal was formed between the male tapered surfaces  328  and  329  of the liquid collection tip  3  and the female tapered surfaces  358  and  359  of the nozzle tip  350 , but the seal between the liquid collection tip  3  and the nozzle tip  350  may be formed by surfaces other than the two fit-together tapered surfaces. For example, the airtight and fluid-tight seal between the leading end surface (surface surrounding the opening on the leading end side of the flow path  308 ) of the liquid collection needle  320  and the inner surface (surface on the side opposite to that of the plane  353 ) of the leading end of the nozzle tip  350  may be formed by bringing them into contact in the lengthwise direction of the liquid collection needle  320 . 
     The leading end surface  353  of the nozzle tip  350  does not need to be a precise flat surface. For example, it may protrude or be recessed in a dome shape. However, it is preferable that the corners are chamfered in a round shape so that no sharp edges are included. 
     The nozzle tip  350  that covers the leading end of the liquid collection needle  320  described in the present Embodiment 3 may be applied to the liquid collection tips  1  and  2  of Embodiments 1 and 2. 
     The above-described Embodiments 1 to 3 are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3 and can be modified as needed. 
     With the liquid collection tips  1  and  2  of Embodiments 1 and 2, the outer tube  13  was fixed to the pair of support platforms  19 , but the method of fixing the outer tube  13  is not limited to this, and any method can be used thereas. For example, similarly to the bottom plate  314  (see  FIGS. 10B and 11 ) of the liquid collection tip  3  of Embodiment 3, or the bottom plate  914  (see  FIG. 23B ) of the male connector  910 , a bottom plate that protrudes along the radial direction may be provided at the base end (or the base portion  18 ) of the male member  11 , and the outer tube  913  may be fixed to the outer circumferential edge of the bottom plate. In this case, the pair of support platforms  19  can be omitted. 
     The liquid collection tip  3  of Embodiment 3 may include a fitting shape that fits into the inner circumferential surface  922  of the tubular portion  921  of the barrel  152 .  FIGS. 21A and 21B  show an example of this kind of liquid collection tip. The liquid collection tip  4  differs from the above-described liquid collection tip  3  in that the liquid collection tip  4  is provided with the male member  11  whose outer circumferential surface  12  is a male tapered surface conforming to ISO 80369-3, similarly to the liquid collection tips  1  and  2  of Embodiments 1 and 2. The liquid collection tip  4  is detachably mounted on the tube end  154  of the barrel  152 , similarly to the liquid collection tip  3 . The outer circumferential surface  12  is fluid-tightly connected to the inner circumferential surface  922  of the tubular portion  921  of the barrel  152 . Also, the sealing tube  317  is fluid-tightly connected to the small-diameter portion  157  of the barrel  152 . The liquid collection tip  4  can be used similarly to the liquid collection tip  3  and exhibits the same effects as the liquid collection tip  3 . 
     In Embodiments 1 and 2, the outer tube  13  may include a female screw conforming to ISO 80369-3, which is similar to the female screw  315  of Embodiment 3. Alternatively, the outer tube  13  can also be omitted. 
     In Embodiment 3, the female screw  315  provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube  313  can be omitted. Furthermore, it is also possible to omit the female screw  315  and the outer tube  313 . 
     The liquid collection tips  1  to  4  of the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3 were each formed integrally as one part overall, but the liquid collection tip of the present invention may also be constituted by combining two or more parts created separately. For example, the liquid collection needles  20  and  220  may be created with a soft material that deforms relatively easily (e.g., a material having rubber elasticity), and the portions other than the liquid collection needles  20  and  220  may be created with a hard material. The liquid collection needles  20  and  220  and the other portions may be connected with a soft tube. 
     In Embodiments 2 and 3, the shapes of the outer circumferential surfaces of the sealing tubes  17  and  317  are not limited to being cylindrical surfaces. The shapes of the sealing tubes  17  and  317  are arbitrary, as long as it is possible to fluid-tightly connect to the small-diameter portion  157 . For example, the outer circumferential surfaces of the sealing tubes  17  and  317  may be male tapered surfaces (conical surfaces) with outer diameters that become smaller as the leading end is approached. Instead of fitting the sealing tubes  17  and  317  in the small-diameter portion  157 , the sealing tubes  17  and  317  may be fluid-tightly connected to the small-diameter portion  157  by coming into contact with the small-diameter portion  157 , for example. Alternatively, the sealing tubes  17  and  317  may be fluid-tightly connected to the small-diameter portion  157  by forming a tube-shaped projection that protrudes downward (toward the liquid collection tip) on the small-diameter portion  157  and fitting the tube-shaped projection into the sealing tubes  17  and  317 . 
     Although a case was described in which a simple suspension method is performed using the liquid collection tips  1  to  4  in the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3, the liquid collection tip of the present invention can be used also to suction any liquid (water, medicinal liquid, blood, etc.) into the injector using a method other than the simple suspension method. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention, although not limited, can be used widely in the field of medicine as an apparatus for suctioning any liquid (water, medicinal liquid, breast milk, blood, etc.) into an injector. In particular, the present invention can be used preferably in the case of performing a simple suspension method. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  Medical liquid collection tip 
       8 ,  308  Flow path 
       11  Male member 
       12  Outer circumferential surface of male member (male tapered surface) 
       13 ,  313  Outer tube 
       315  Female screw (screw structure) 
       17 ,  317  Sealing tube 
       20 ,  320  Liquid collection needle 
       150  Injector 
       152  Barrel 
       154  Tube end 
       155  Liquid storing portion 
       157  Small-diameter portion 
       350  Nozzle tip 
       352  Opening of nozzle tip 
       354  Projection (lock mechanism) 
       355  Male tapered surface of nozzle tip 
       360  Liquid collection nozzle 
       922  Male tapered surface 
       925  Male screw (spiral projection)