Patent Publication Number: US-8986277-B2

Title: Connector, syringe assembly, and connector for mixing

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 13/112,332, filed May 20, 2011, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2009/069600 filed on Nov. 19, 2009 and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-298428 filed in on Nov. 21, 2008, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a connector. More specifically, the disclosure involves a connector used to connect a syringe to a container containing a medical solution to allow the syringe to draw the medical solution out of the container. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     In medical facilities, to perform drop injection into a patient, or to administer an anti-adhesive material, a living tissue adhesive or the like into a patient, or the like, a medical solution may be used by drawing the solution from a medical solution container in which it is contained through use of a syringe. In such a situation, the medical solution container and the syringe are interconnected through a connector. An example of a connector is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-97253. 
     The connector described in this document includes a tube-like fitting section for having a port of a syringe fitted therein, and a needle which communicates with the fitting section and pierces a rubber stopper mounted to a port of the medical solution container. The connector thus configured is used by piercing the rubber stopper of the medical solution container with the needle to connect the connector with the solution container. In this condition, the port of the syringe is fitted into the fitting section so as to load the syringe with the medical solution. 
     In the connector, however, the connection with the port of the syringe is based on the fitting structure, so that the problem of difficult disconnection of the syringe from the connector can arise when the fitting is unsatisfactory, for example. Besides, in the case where the fitting force is excessively high in magnitude, an attempt to disconnect the syringe from the connector may be followed by a situation in which the disconnection is very difficult or impossible to achieve. 
     SUMMARY 
     The connector disclosed here is adapted to be connected to a syringe assembly provided with at least one syringe having an outer cylinder with a tube-shaped port protruding from a leading end section, and a holder which holds the syringe. The connector includes: a connector main body mountable to a medical solution container containing a medical solution; a tube-shaped fitting section which protrudes from an upper section of the connector main body, is adapted to receive the port of the syringe fitted therein, and to communicate the inside of the syringe and the inside of the medical solution container with each other when the port of the syringe is fitted in the fitting section; a lock mechanism that fixes the syringe assembly to the connector main body when the port of the syringe is fitted in the fitting section; an operating section that performs a fixing releasing operation of resetting a fixed state provided by the lock mechanism, and a push-out section that pushes out the syringe assembly toward a base end in an interlocked manner with the fixing releasing operation when the fixing releasing operation is performed. 
     In the connector disclosed here, the fitting between the port of the syringe and the fitting section is preferably released by pushing-out by the push-out section. 
     The lock mechanism has a pair of clamp pieces which clamp the holder therebetween and are engaged with the holder, and a biasing section by which the pair of clamp pieces are biased toward each other. In addition, the biasing section is preferably composed of a spring (leaf spring) bridgingly provided between the pair of clamp pieces. 
     The operating section is composed of pressing pieces which are provided correspondingly on the clamp pieces and which perform a pressing operation of pressing the clamp pieces away from each other. The push-out section is preferably composed of projections projecting inwardly from intermediate portions in the longitudinal directions of the clamp pieces. The push-out section makes contact with the holder in the fixed state, and presses the holder when the fixing releasing operation is performed. 
     The medical solution container has a bottomed cylinder-like container main body, and a stopper formed from an elastic material for stopping up an aperture of the container main body, and the connector main body is provided with a needle pipe for piercing the stopper, the needle pipe communicating with the fitting section and projecting toward the side opposite to the fitting section. 
     The releasing of the fixed state and the pushing-out by the push-out section are performed substantially simultaneously. The pair of clamp pieces and the biasing section are preferably formed integrally. 
     The connector main body can be tube-shaped, and the pressing pieces can be disposed symmetrically about a center axis of the connector main body. 
     In addition, the outer peripheral portion of the port can have a tapered shape with an outside diameter gradually decreasing toward the leading end of the port, and the inner peripheral portion of the fitting section has a tapered shape corresponding to the shape of the port. 
     The syringe assembly preferably has two syringes held in parallel to each other by the holder, and two fitting sections are disposed in parallel so as to correspond to the syringes. The lock mechanism is preferably disposed between the two fitting sections. 
     The fitting section has a function of positioning the syringe assembly relative to the connector main body. 
     The connector disclosed here is connectable to a syringe assembly quite assuredly, and the connected syringe assembly can be disconnected rather easily and assuredly through a relatively easy operation. 
     In accordance with another aspect, a connector to be connected to the syringe assembly includes a connector main body mountable on a medical solution container possessing an interior containing a medical solution, a needle pipe projecting from a lower section of the container main body, with the needle pipe possessing a sharp needle point at its distal end, the needle pipe including a lumen opening to the sharp needle point, a tubular fitting protruding from an upper section of the connector main body to receive the port of the syringe, wherein the tubular fitting possesses an interior communicating with the lumen of the needle pipe, an arm rotatably mounted on the connector main body to engage the holder and hold the syringe assembly in place, an operating portion connected to the arm and operable by a user to move the arm out of engagement with the holder to release the syringe assembly, and a holding device connected to the arm to hold the arm in engagement with the holder until the operating portion is operated. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure here involves a mixing connector connectable to both a medicine container, which contains medicine and which is positioned in a first port of a holder, and a liquid container, which contains liquid different from the medicine and which is positioned in a second port of the holder possessing a configuration different from the configuration of the first port. The mixing connector comprises: a support section; a first tube-shaped section fixed to the support section, and a second tube-shaped section fixed to the support section. A double-pointed needle is supported in the support section and extends over a longitudinal extent, wherein the double-pointed needle includes a first portion projecting away from the support section in a first projecting direction and terminating at a sharpened end for puncturing a stopper in the medicine container, and wherein the double-pointed needle includes a second portion projecting away from the support section in a second projecting direction and terminating at a sharpened end for puncturing a stopper in the liquid container. The double-pointed needle possesses a lumen extending throughout the longitudinal extent of the double-pointed needle and opens to both the first sharpened end and the second sharpened end of the double-pointed needle. The first tube-shaped section projects away from the support section in the first projecting direction, and surrounds the first portion of the double-pointed needle so that a space exists between the outer peripheral surface of the first portion of the double-pointed needle and the inner peripheral surface of the first tube-shaped section. The second tube-shaped section projects away from the support section in the second projecting direction, and surrounds the second portion of the double-pointed needle so that a space exists between the outer peripheral surface of the second portion of the double-pointed needle and the inner peripheral surface of the second tube-shaped section. The first tube-shaped section and the second tube-shaped section each possess an outer periphery, with the outer periphery of the first tube-shaped section and the second tube-shaped section being differently shaped. The shape of the outer periphery of the first tube-shaped section permits the first tube-shaped section to be positioned in the first port of the holder and prevents the first tube-shaped section from being positioned in the second port of the holder, and the shape of the outer periphery of the second tube-shaped section permits the second tube-shaped section to be positioned in the second port of the holder and prevents the second tube-shaped section from being positioned in the first port of the holder. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure here involves a syringe assembly in combination with a connector. The syringe assembly comprises a syringe that includes a plunger slidably positioned in an outer cylinder, a tube-shaped port protruding from a leading end of the outer cylinder, and a holder fixed to the syringe, the holder including an engagement portion. The connector comprises: a connector main body configured to be mounted on a medical solution container containing a medical solution; a needle pipe projecting in a first projecting direction from the connector main body, with needle pipe including a sharp needle point at the end remote from the connector main body and a lumen opening to the sharp needle point. A tube-shaped fitting protrudes from the connector main body in a second projecting direction opposite the first projecting direction, and the tube-shaped fitting possessing an interior sized and shaped to receive the tube-shaped port of the syringe, wherein the interior of the tube-shaped fitting communicates with the lumen of the needle pipe. An arm is rotatably mounted on the connector main body to engage the engagement portion of the holder to fix the syringe assembly in place relative to the connector with the tube-shaped port of the syringe positioned in the tube-shaped fitting of the connector. A holding device is connected to the arm to hold the arm in engagement with the engagement portion of the holder and to permit the arm to be moved out of engagement with the engagement portion of the holder to permit the syringe assembly to be released from the connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a connector (connector for loading) disclosed here. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line II-II in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line III-III in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a medical container holder of a medical instrument set. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line V-V in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along the section line VI-VI in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the liquid-side loading member of the medical container holder shown in  FIG. 4  loaded with a liquid container. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the medicine-side loading member of the medical container holder shown in  FIG. 4  loaded with a medicine container. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a connector (connector for mixing) of the medical instrument set. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the section line X-X of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the section line XI-XI in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a view for describing sequentially a method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a view for describing sequentially the method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is a view for describing sequentially the method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is a view for describing sequentially the method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is a view for describing sequentially the method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 17  is a view for describing sequentially the method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 18  is a view for describing sequentially the method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 19  is a view for describing sequentially the method of using the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 20(   a )- 20 ( c ) are cross-sectional sectional views taken along the section line XX-XX in  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of the connector disclosed here, for convenience of description, the upper side in  FIGS. 1 to 9  and  FIGS. 12 to 20  is referred to as “upper” or “upper side,” and the lower side is referred to as “lower” or “lower side.” In addition, in  FIG. 2 , fixing means possessed by the connector according to the present disclosure is omitted, and, in  FIG. 3 , the fixing means possessed by the connector is drawn. 
     The connector  10  is used in the context of being connected to a syringe assembly  500  at the time when, for example, prepared medical solutions are sucked or drawn from a first medicine container  100  and a second medicine container  200 , which are filled with the medical solutions, into a first syringe  600  and a second syringe  700  of the syringe assembly  500 , respectively (see  FIG. 18 ). 
     Prior to description of the connector  10 , a medical instrument set  1  in which the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are to be held and the syringe assembly  500  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 , the medical instrument set  1  includes a medical container holder  2  (hereinafter referred to simply as “holder”) in which the first medicine container  100 , the second medicine container  200 , a first liquid container  300  and a second liquid container  400  are to be contained and held, and a connector for mixing (mixing connector)  3  which connects the first medicine container  100  and the first liquid container  300  to each other and connects the second medicine container  200  and the second liquid container  400  to each other. 
     Prior to description of each component of the medical instrument set  1 , a description will first be set forth of the first medicine container  100 , the second medicine container  200 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . 
     The first medicine container  100 , the second medicine container  200 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  can be in the form of, for example, vials and the like, though the containers are not limited in that regard. 
     In the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , medicines are correspondingly contained. 
     The form or type of medicines is not particularly restricted, and examples include solid (tablets, granules, etc.), powder, and liquid. The medicine contained in the first medicine container  100  and the medicine contained in the second medicine container  200  are different from each other in kind, and are appropriately selected according to the uses of medical solutions prepared by dissolving the medicines in liquids, the purpose of use, the case, or the like. For example, in the case where the medical solution is a living tissue adhesive, one of the medicines may be thrombin and the other may be fibrinogen. By this, dispensing can be achieved. In the case where the medical solution is an antiadhesive material, one of the medicines may be carboxymethyldextrin modified by succinimidyl group, and the other may be a mixture of sodium hydrogencarbonate and sodium carbonate. 
     In addition, the inside of the first medicine container  100  and the inside of the second medicine container  200  are both kept at negative pressures. 
     On the other hand, the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  contain, liquids, for example, distilled water or the like, for diluting or dissolving the medicines. The liquid contained in the first liquid container  300  and the liquid contained in the second liquid container  400  may be of the same kind or of different kinds. 
     Now, the configuration of the first medicine container  100 , the second medicine container  200 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  will be described below, referring to an example where vials are used as these containers. Since these containers (particularly, the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , and the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 ) are substantially the same in configuration except for shape, the first medicine container  100  will be described representatively, it being understood that this description also applies to the other containers. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first medicine container  100  has a hard bottle main body  101  having a bottomed tube-like shape. The bottle main body  101  has, on its upper side, a port section  102  formed with a port section aperture. A neck section  103  is positioned intermediately and is the section smallest in size in outside diameter. In the port section  102  is mounted a stopper or closure  104  with which the port section aperture is stopped up (closed) in a gas-tight manner. 
     The material constituting the bottle main body  101  is not particularly limited. Examples of the material include various glasses and various resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic polyolefins, polystyrene, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), polycarbonate, acrylic resins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, etc., butadiene-styrene copolymer, and polyamides (e.g., 6-nylon, 6,6-nylon, 6,10-nylon, 12-nylon). Resins are more preferable than glasses. Where the bottle main body  101  is formed of a resin, it can be disposed of by incineration, so that the disposal is made less troublesome. The bottle main body  101  is preferably light-transmitting (substantially transparent or semi-transparent), for securing visibility of the inside of the bottle main body. 
     The stopper  104  is capable of being pierced by a needle such as a first double-pointed needle  7   a  or a second double-pointed needle  7   b  of the connector for mixing  3  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The material constituting the stopper  104  is not particularly limited. Examples of the material include elastic materials such as various rubber materials such as natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, silicone rubbers, etc., various thermoplastic elastomers based on polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, olefin, styrene or the like, and mixtures of them. 
     Here, the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  possess different shapes. In this embodiment, the internal volume of the first medicine container  100  is larger than that of the second medicine container  200 . Specifically, the first medicine container  100  is greater than the second medicine container  200  in length in the longitudinal direction of container (bottle main body  101 ), in outside diameters of the bottle main body  101 , the port section  102  and the neck section  103 , and in inside diameter of the bottle main body  101 . 
     In addition, the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are different from each other in shape. In this embodiment, the internal volume of the first liquid container  300  is larger than that of the second liquid container  400 . Specifically, the first liquid container  300  is greater than the second liquid container  400  in length in the longitudinal direction of container (bottle main body  101 ), in outside diameter of the bottle main body  101 , the port section  102  and the neck section  103 , and in inside diameter of the bottle main body  101 . 
     The holder  2  can be mounted on a support base such as, for example, a table during use. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the holder  2  can hold the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  collectively, and can hold the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  collectively. The holder  2  includes a holder main body  4 , a medicine-side loading member  5  to be loaded with the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , and a liquid-side loading member  6  to be loaded with the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the holder main body  4  is composed of box-shaped members. Specifically, the holder main body  4  includes a bottom plate  41  and a side wall  42  so formed as to surround the bottom plate  41 . In addition, the holder main body  4  has a partition section  43  with which the space surrounded by the bottom plate  41  and the side wall  42  is partitioned into two spaces. One of the two spaces formed by partitioning with the partition section  43  functions as a medicine-side containing section  44  in which the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are contained in a juxtaposed manner, and the other of the two spaces functions as a liquid-side containing section  45  in which the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are contained in a juxtaposed manner. While the side wall  42  is hollow in the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , this configuration is not limitative, and the side wall  42  may be solid. 
     In the medicine-side containing section  44 , the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are vertically oriented such that their port sections  102  are located vertically above the main body  101 . 
     In the liquid-side containing section  45 , also, the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are vertically oriented such that their port sections  102  are located vertically above the main body  101 , in the same manner as the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  contained in the medicine-side containing section  44 . 
     The material constituting the holder main body  4  is not limited to a specific material. Examples of the material include various flexible or rigid resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic polyolefins, polystyrene, poly(4-methylpentene-1), polycarbonate, acrylic resins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, etc., butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyamides (e.g., 6-nylon, 6,6-nylon, 6,10-nylon, 12-nylon), etc., various metallic materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, copper alloys, etc., various glasses, and various ceramics such as alumina, silica, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the medicine-side loading member  5  is contained in the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4 , together with the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . The medicine-side loading member  5  is to be loaded with the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the medicine-side loading member  5  includes a bottom section  51 , an upstanding wall section  52  extending upwardly from the bottom section  51 , and a cap section  53 . 
     The bottom section  51  is a section possessing a plan-view shape which conforms to the shape (daruma-shape, gourd-shape) of a medicine-side insertion port  441  of the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4  which will be described later. In addition, the bottom section  51  supports the bottom portions of the medicine containers  110 ,  200  so that height of the port section  102  of the first medicine container  100  and the height of the port section  102  of the second medicine container  200  are substantially the same (i.e., the top of the port sections  102  of the two containers is at the same vertical position). This helps ensure that when the stoppers  104  press fitted into the port sections  102  are disinfected by use of adsorbent cotton impregnated with a disinfectant, for example, the stoppers  104  can be disinfected all together by the adsorbent cotton, so that the disinfecting operation can be carried out rather easily. 
     The wall section  52  is integrally formed in one piece with the bottom section  51 . The wall section  52  is curved along an edge portion of the bottom section  51 . 
     The cap section  53  shown in  FIG. 8  is detachably attached to the upper portion of the wall section  52 . The cap section  53  has: an annular first ring section  531  supporting the outer peripheral portion of the port section  102  of the first medicine container  100  loaded in the medicine-side leading member  5 , in the state wherein the cap section  53  is attached to the wall section  52 ; and an annular second ring section  532  supporting the outer peripheral portion of the port section  102  of the second medicine container  200 , in the attached state. 
     In the medicine-side loading member  5  thus configured, the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are collectively held. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  held in the medicine-side loading member  5  can be taken out of the holder main body  4  together with the medicine-side leading member  5 . This helps ensure that even upon taking-out the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  from the holder main body  4 , the positional relationship between the two medicine containers  100 ,  200  is maintained. Consequently, an operation of connecting a first syringe  600  to the first medicine container  100  and connecting a second syringe  700  to the second medicine container  200  can be carried out relatively assuredly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the bottom section  51  has an edge portion protruding outwardly beyond the upstanding wall section  52 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , this edge portion functions as an engaging portion  511  for engagement with a lower portion of an inner surface  421  of the side wall  42  defining the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4 . The engagement of the engaging portion  511  of the medicine-side loading member  5  with the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  helps ensure that the medicine-side loading member  5  can be rather assuredly fixed to the holder main body  4 . Consequently, even if the holder  2  is inverted upside down, the medicine-side loading member  5  as well as the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  held in the medicine-side loading member  5  can be inhibited or prevented from falling out of the holder main body  4 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the medicine-side loading member  5  is connected to the connector for mixing  3  together with the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . The medicine-side loading member  5  is taken out of the holder main body  4  together with the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , by pulling the connector for mixing  3  upward in the condition where the medicine-side loading member  5  is connected to the connector for mixing  3 . For this purpose, the engaging force between the engaging portion  511  of the medicine-side loading member  5  and the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is set to be smaller than the connecting force between the connector for mixing  3  and the medicine-side loading member  5 . This helps ensure that when the connector for mixing  3  is pulled upward in the connected condition in which the medicine-side loading member  5  and the connector for mixing  3  are connected with each other (the condition shown in  FIG. 14 ), the connected condition is inhibited or prevented from being released. Consequently, the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  can be taken out of the holder main body  4 , together with the medicine-side loading member  5 . 
     The manner in which the engaging force between the engaging portion  511  of the medicine-side loading member  5  and the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is set to be smaller than the connecting force between the connector for mixing  3  and the medicine-side loading member  5  is not particularly limited. As an example, the engagement area between the engaging portion  511  and the side wall  4  can be made smaller than the connection area connecting the connector for mixing  3  and the medicine-side loading member  5 . 
     The material constituting the medicine-side loading member  5  is not specifically restricted. Examples of materials which can be used to fabricate the medicine-side loading member  5  include the materials mentioned above in relation to the holder main body  4  can be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder main body  4 , a liquid-side loading member  6  is contained together with the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . The liquid-side loading member  6  is to be loaded with the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the liquid-side loading member  6  has a bottom section  61 , an upstanding outer wall  62  extending upwardly from the bottom section  61 , and upstanding inner walls  63   a  and  63   b  extending upwardly from the bottom section  61  on the inside of the outer wall  62 . 
     The bottom section  61  is a section possessing a plan-view shape which conforms to the shape (arrow-like shape) of a liquid-side insertion port  451  of the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder main body  4  which will be described later. In addition, the bottom section  61  supports bottom portions of the medicine containers so that the height of the port section  102  of the first liquid container  300  and the height of the port section  102  of the second liquid container  400  are substantially the same (i.e., the top of the port sections  102  of the two containers  300 ,  400  is at the same vertical position). This helps ensure that when the stoppers  104  press fitted in the port sections  102  are disinfected by use of an absorbent cotton impregnated with a disinfectant, for example, the stoppers  104  can be disinfected with the absorbed cotton all together, so that the disinfecting operation can be carried out easily. 
     The outer wall  62  is integrally formed in one piece with the bottom section  61 . The outer wall  62  is formed along an edge portion of the bottom section  61 . The height of the outer wall  62  is lower than the height of the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  when the containers  300 ,  400  are loaded in the liquid-side loading member  6  (see  FIGS. 5 and 7 ). 
     The inner wall  63   a  cooperates with the outer wall  62  to hold or clamp the first liquid container  300  therebetween. The inner wall  63   a  is plate-shaped and curved in an arched shape to generally correspond to the curvature of the outer-peripheral shape of the bottle main body  101  of the first liquid container  300 . The inner wall  63   a  projects upwardly in an integral manner from the bottom section  61 . 
     The inner wall  63   b  cooperates with the outer wall  62  to clamp or hold the second liquid container  400  therebetween. The inner wall  63   a  is plate-shaped and curved in an arched shape to generally correspond to the curvature of the outer-peripheral shape of the bottle main body  101  of the second liquid container  400 . The inner wall  63   b  projects upwardly in an integral manner from the bottom section  61 . 
     In the liquid-side loading member  6  thus configured, the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  can be held all together. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  held in the liquid-side loading member  6  can be taken out of (removed from) the holder main body  4 , together with the liquid-side loading member  6 . This helps ensure that even when the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are taken out of the holder main body  4 , the positional relationship between these liquid containers  300 ,  400  is maintained. Consequently, the first medicine container  100  can be relatively assuredly connected to the appropriate one of the containers  300 ,  400  (i.e., the first medicine container  100  can be relatively assuredly connected to the first liquid container  300 ), and the second medicine container  200  can be relatively assuredly connected to the appropriate one of the containers  300 ,  400  (i.e., the second medicine container  100  can be relatively assuredly connected to the second liquid container  400 ), and intermediated by the connector for mixing  3 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the bottom section  61  has an edge portion protruding to the outside beyond the outer wall  62 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , this edge portion functions as an engaging portion  611  for engagement with a lower portion of the inner surface  421  of the side wall  42  defining the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder main body  4 . The engagement of the engaging portion  611  of the liquid-side loading member  6  with the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  helps ensure that the liquid-side loading member  6  is relatively assuredly fixed to the holder main body  4 . Consequently, even if the holder  2  is inverted upside down, the liquid-side loading member  6  as well as the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  held in the liquid-side loading member  6 , are inhibited or prevented from falling out of the holder main body  4 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the liquid-side loading member  6  is connected to the connector for mixing  3  together with the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . The liquid-side loading member  6  is taken out of the holder main body  4  together with the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , by pulling the connector for mixing  3  upward in the condition where the liquid-side loading member  6  is connected to the connector for mixing  3 . For this purpose, the engaging force between the engaging portion  611  of the liquid-side loading member  6  and the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is smaller than the connecting force between the connector for mixing  3  and the liquid-side loading member  6 . This helps ensure that when the connector for mixing  3  is pulled upward in the connected condition in which the liquid-side loading member  6  and the connector for mixing  3  are connected to each other (the condition shown in  FIG. 12 ), the connected condition is inhibited or prevented from being released. Consequently, the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  can be taken out of the holder main body  4 , together with the liquid-side loading member  6 . 
     The manner in which the engaging force between the engaging portion  611  of the liquid-side loading member  6  and the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is smaller than the connecting force between the connector for mixing  3  and the liquid-side loading member  6  is not particularly limited. As an example, the engagement area between the engaging portion  611  and the side wall  4  is smaller than the connection area connecting the connector for mixing  3  and the liquid-side loading member  6 . 
     The material constituting the liquid-side loading member  6  is not specifically restricted. Examples of materials which can be used to fabricate the liquid-side loading member  6  include the materials mentioned above in relation to the holder main body  4 . 
     The connector for mixing  3  is so configured that one-end-side portion can be collectively connected to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ), and other-end-side portion can be collectively connected to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). In connecting these containers to the connector for mixing  3 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are first connected, and thereafter the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are connected. Then, the first liquid container  300  and the first medicine container  100  are interconnected, and the second liquid container  400  and the second medicine container  200  are interconnected, through the connector for mixing  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the connector for mixing  3  includes: the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b  which are hollow; a hub  8  linking and supporting the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b ; and a liquid-side cap  9   a  and a medicine-side cap  9   b  which are detachably attached to the hub  8 . 
     The first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b  are parallel to each other. The configuration of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and that of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  are the same, and so the following description of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  applies to the second double-pointed needle  7   b.    
     The first double-pointed needle  7   a  can be divided into a liquid-side needle  71  which is a sharpened end located on one end side and a medicine-side needle  72  which is a sharpened end located on the other end side and communicates with the liquid-side needle  71 . The liquid-side needle  71  can pierce the stopper  104  of the first liquid container  300  when the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the first liquid container  300  (see  FIG. 13 ). The medicine-side needle  72  can pierce the stopper  104  of the first medicine container  100  when the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the first medicine container  100 . 
     The material constituting the first double-pointed needle  7   a  is not particularly limited. Examples of materials which can be used include various metallic materials and rigid resin materials as mentioned above in relation to the holder main body  4 . 
     With respect to the second double-pointed needle  7   b , a liquid-side needle  71  can pierce the stopper  104  of the second liquid container  400  when the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the second liquid container  400  (see  FIG. 13 ). In addition, a medicine-side needle  72  of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  can pierce the stopper  104  of the second medicine container  200  when the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the second medicine container  200 . 
     The first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b  are preferably equal (inclusive of substantially equal) in thickness (diameter) and length in the configuration shown in  FIG. 9 . But the first and second double-pointed needles  7   a ,  7   b  are not limited in this regard as the double-pointed needles  7   a ,  7   b  may possess different thicknesses (diameters) and/or lengths. 
     The hub  8  is disposed on the outer periphery side of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b . The hub  8  is generally tube-shaped, and is provided at its intermediate portion with a support section  81  supporting intermediate portions of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b . The portion of the hub  8  on the side of the liquid-side needles  71  (the lower side in  FIG. 9 ) relative to the support section  81  is a liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  which covers the respective liquid-side needles  71  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b  up to their needle points. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is configured to be fitted onto the outer wall  62  of the liquid-side loading member  6 . 
     In addition, the portion of the hub  8  which is on the side of the medicine-side needles  72  (the upper side in  FIG. 9 ) relative to the support section  81  is a medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  which covers the respective medicine-side needles  72  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b  up to their needle points. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  is configured to be fitted onto the wall section  52  of the medicine-side loading member  5 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the contour shape in cross-section (the outer peripheral shape) of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  and that of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  are different from each other. Specifically, the contour shape in cross-section of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is an arrow-shape, whereas the contour shape in cross-section of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  is a daruma-shape or gourd-shape. This will be described in more detail later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , when the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  protrudes to the upper side beyond an upper portion  422  of the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4 . This helps ensure that the connector for mixing  3  can be rather assuredly gripped at the time of taking out the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  from the holder main body  4 , so that the taking-out or removing operation can be carried out relatively easily and securely. Then, transition to a connecting operation for connecting the connector for mixing  3  to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  can be made rather swiftly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , when the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , the liquid-side tube-like section  82  protrudes to the upper side beyond the upper portion  422  of the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4 . This helps ensure that the connector for mixing  3  can be fairly assuredly gripped at the time of taking out the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  from the holder main body  4 , so that the taking-out or removing operation can be performed relatively easily and securely. Then, after the taking-out, transition to a detaching operation for detaching the connector for mixing  3  from the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  and transition to a connecting operation for connecting the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  respectively to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  detached from the connector for mixing  3  can be performed rather rapidly. 
     The material constituting the hub  8  is not specifically limited. Examples of materials which can be used to fabricate the hub  8  include the various metallic materials and rigid resin materials as mentioned above in the description of the holder main body  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the liquid-side cap  9   a  is detachably attached to the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  of the hub  8 , whereas the medicine-side cap  9   b  is detachably attached to the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83 . The liquid-side cap  9   a  and the medicine-side cap  9   b  possess the same configuration, except for shape. Thus, the following description of the liquid-side cap  9   a  applies also to the medicine-side cap  9   b.    
     The liquid-side cap  9   a  includes a base  91  having a long plate-shaped shape, a rib  92  projecting from a surface of the base  91  on one side (the upper side in  FIG. 9 ) of the base  91 , and a tab  93  projecting from an edge portion of the base  91 . 
     In the liquid-side cap  9   a , the base  91  has a plan-view shape which is the same (inclusive of substantially the same) as the contour shape in cross-section of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 . 
     The rib  92  is integrally formed in one piece with the base  91 , along an edge portion of the base  91 . 
     The tab  93  is composed of a tongue piece formed as one body with the base  91 , on one end side of the base. 
     Of the liquid-side cap  9   a  thus configured, the rib  92  is fitted in the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  of the hub  8 . This helps ensure that the liquid-side cap  9   a  is mounted to the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 , and, in the mounted state, it can cover the liquid-side needle  71  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b , together with the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 . In addition, at the time of taking off the liquid-side cap  9   a  in the mounted state from the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 , the taking-off operation can be carried out by gripping the tab  93  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     With respect to the medicine-side cap  9   b , the rib  92  is fitted to the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  of the hub  8 . This helps ensure that the medicine-side cap  9   b  is mounted to the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83 , and, in the mounted state, it can cover the medicine-side needle  72  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b , together with the medicine-side tube-like section  83 . In addition, at the time of taking off or removing the medicine-side cap  9   b  in the mounted state from the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83 , the taking-off operation can be performed by gripping the tab  93  (see  FIG. 14 ). 
     As has been described above, the connector for mixing  3  is so configured that, at the time of connecting the connector for mixing  3  to the first medicine container  100 , the second medicine container  200 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are connected prior to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  (see  FIGS. 12 to 15 ). 
     The liquid-side cap  9   a  and the medicine-side cap  9   b  of the connector for mixing  3  are provided with corresponding marks  911  indicative of the order in which to connect the containers. As the mark  911 , the base  91  of the liquid-side cap  9   a  is provided with numeral “1” (not shown), and the base  91  of the medicine-side cap  9   b  is provided with numeral “2.” 
     With such marks  911  thus provided, the connecting operations at the time of connecting the connector for mixing  3  to the containers can be carried out properly. 
     Specifically, first, the liquid-side cap  9   a  provided with numeral “1” is dismounted or removed, and the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are connected to the liquid-side tube-like section  82  from which the liquid-side cap  9   a  has been dismounted. Next, the medicine-side cap  9   b  provided with numeral “2” is dismounted or removed, and the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are connected to the medicine-side tube-like section  83  from which the medicine-side cap  9   b  has been dismounted. 
     The material or materials constituting the liquid-side cap  9   a  and the medicine-side cap  9   b  are not particularly limited. For example, various rigid resin materials as mentioned above in the description of the holder main body  4  can be used. 
     As has been described above, in the medical instrument set  1 , the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , prior to connecting it to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . 
     At the time of connecting the connector for mixing  3  to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , the connecting operation is conducted in the condition where the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  have their port sections  102  oriented upward (see  FIG. 12 ). If the connecting operation is performed in the condition where the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  have their port sections  102  oriented downward, the liquid inside the first liquid container  300  would flow out through the first double-pointed needle  7   a  piercing the stopper  104  of the first liquid container  300 , and the liquid inside the second liquid container  400  would flow out through the second double-pointed needle  7   b  piercing the stopper  104  of the second liquid container  400 . 
     In addition, at the time of connecting the connector for mixing  3  with the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid connector  400  connected thereto, to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , the connecting operation is carried out in the condition where the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  have their port sections  102  oriented upward (see  FIG. 14 ). If the connecting operation is conducted in the condition where the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  have their port sections  102  oriented downward, the negative pressure condition kept inside the first liquid container  300  would result in the liquid not being transferred from the inside of the first liquid container  300 , and only air inside the first liquid container  300  would be transferred into the first medicine container  100 , so that the medicine inside the first medicine container  100  would not be diluted with the liquid sufficiently. Similarly, since the inside of the second liquid container  400  is also in a negative pressure condition, the liquid would not be transferred from the inside the second liquid container  400 , and only air inside the second liquid container  400  would be transferred into the second medicine container  200 , so that the medicine inside the second medicine container  200  cannot be dissolved by the liquid sufficiently. 
     Thus, in the medical instrument set  1 , at the times of performing the liquid container connecting operation of connecting the connector for mixing  3  to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , and the medicine container connecting operation of connecting the connector for mixing  3  to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , both the operations are carried out in the condition where the containers are in upright states. 
     The holder  2  is so configured that such connecting operations are performed rather assuredly. This will be described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the holder main body  4  is so designed that the height of the side wall  42  is higher than the heights of the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  while the containers  300 ,  400  are held in the held state by the holder main body  4 . This helps ensure that the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  in the held state can be prevented from being taken out of the holder main body  4  by directly gripping the containers. This makes it possible to mount the holder main body  4  (holder  2 ) onto the above-mentioned support base and to apply the liquid container connecting operation to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , which are held on the holder main body  4  in the upright state, appropriately and rather assuredly (see  FIG. 12 ). While the height of the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is higher than the heights of the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  when the containers  300 ,  400  are held in the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , other configurations are possible. For example, the height of the side wall  42  may be the same as the height of each of the containers  300 ,  400  when the containers  300 ,  400  are in the held state. 
     The first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  can be taken out of the holder main body  4  by lifting the connector for mixing  3  connected to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  (the liquid-side loading member  6 ) by the liquid container connecting operation (see  FIG. 13 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the height of the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is higher than the heights of the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  when the containers  100 ,  200  are held in the held state by the holder main body  4 . This helps ensure that the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  in the held state are inhibited or prevented from being taken out of the holder main body  4  by directly gripping the containers. This makes it possible to mount the holder main body  4  (holder  2 ) onto the support base and to apply the medicine container connecting operation to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , which are held on the holder main body  4  in the upright state, appropriately and rather assuredly (see  FIG. 14 ). While the height of the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is higher than the heights of the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  when the containers  100 ,  200  are held in the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , other configurations are possible. For example, the height of the side wall  42  may be the same as the height of each of the containers  100 ,  200  when the containers  100 ,  200  are in the held state. 
     The first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  can be taken out of the holder main body  4  by lifting up the connector for mixing  3  connected to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  (the medicine-side loading member  5 ) by the medicine container connecting operation (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     Thus, in the holder  2 , the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  functions as a take-out preventive means for preventing each of the containers in the held state from being taken out of the holder main body  4  by gripping the container. This makes it possible to appropriately perform the liquid container connecting operation and the medicine container connecting operation, as above-mentioned. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  has its inner surface  421  slanted toward the outside. This helps facilitate the taking-out or removing operation of the containers as above-mentioned. 
     Furthermore, the medical instrument set  1  is so configured that the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are rather assuredly connected to the liquid-side needle  71  side of the connector for mixing  3 , and that the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are rather assuredly connected to the medicine-side needle  72  side. In other words, this configuration prevents a connection mode in which the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are connected to the liquid-side needle  71  side of the connector for mixing  3 , and the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are connected to the medicine-side needle  72  side (i.e., a connection mode in which the connectors are connected to inappropriate sides of the connector for mixing  3 ). This is described in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  and the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  of the hub of the connector for mixing  3  are different from each other in contour shape in cross-section (hereinafter referred to simply as “contour shape”). 
     The contour shape of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is an arrow-shape. 
     Specifically, the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  has a circular portion  821  which is circular in cross section and a tetragonal portion  822  of which the cross-sectional shape is a tetragon having a diagonal longer than the diameter of the circular portion  821 . The circular portion  821  and the tetragonal portion  822  are in such a state that their centers are deviated from each other in the direction of one of the two diagonals. The contour shape of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is a shape as if obtained by interconnecting the circular portion  821  and the tetragonal portion  822  which are in the deviated state as just-mentioned. One end of the cross-section of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is thus curved (the left end in  FIG. 10 ) and the opposite end of the cross-section of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is pointed or arrow-shaped (the right end in  FIG. 10 ). 
     On the other hand, the contour shape of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  82  is a daruma-shape or gourd-shape, which is significantly different from, and incompatible with, the contour shape of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 . 
     More specifically, the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  has a smaller circular portion  831  and a larger circular portion  832  which are circular in cross-section. The smaller circular portion  831  possesses a diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the large circular portion  832 . The smaller circular portion  831  and the larger circular portion  832  are in such a state that their centers are deviated from each other in a radial direction. The overall contour shape of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  is a shape obtained by interconnecting the small circular portion  831  and the large circular section  832  which are in the deviated state as just-mentioned. Both ends of the cross-section of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  83  are thus curved. 
     In this embodiment, the contour shape of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is the arrow-shape, whereas the contour shape of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  is the daruma-shape or gourd-shape. This configuration, however, is not limitative. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the contour shape of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  is a daruma-shape or gourd-shape, whereas the contour shape of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  is an arrow-shape. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , in the holder  2 , the aperture of the liquid-side containing section  4 , or the liquid-side insertion port  451 , has a shape conforming to the contour shape of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 . 
     In other words, the liquid-side insertion port  451  has a circular portion  452  which is slightly greater in size than the circular portion  821  of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 , and a tetragonal portion  453  which is slightly greater in size than the tetragonal portion  822 . The circular portion  452  and the tetragonal portion  453  liquid-side insertion port  451  are deviated (spaced apart) from one another, like the circular portion  821  and the tetragonal portion  822  of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82 . 
     Such a shape of the liquid-side insertion port  451  continues to the bottom plate  41  of the liquid-side containing section  45 . 
     In addition, the aperture of the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4 , or the medicine-side insertion port  441 , has a shape conforming to the contour shape of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83 . 
     In other words, the medicine-side insertion port  441  has a smaller circular portion  442  which is slightly greater in size than the small circular portion  831  of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83 , and a larger circular portion  443  which is slightly greater in size than the large circular portion  832 . The smaller circular portion  442  and the larger circular portion  443  of the medicine-side insertion port  441  are deviated (spaced apart 0  from one another, like the smaller circular portion  831  and the larger circular portion  832  of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83 . 
     Such a shape of the medicine-side insertion port  441  continues to the bottom plate  41  of the medicine-side containing section  44 . 
     In the medical instrument set  1  shaped as above-described, the connector for mixing  3  is first connected to the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . In this instance, the liquid container connecting operation is conducted in the condition where the liquid-side needle  71  side of the connector for mixing  3  is oriented toward the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . In this case, the contour shape of the liquid-side tube-like section  82  present on the liquid-side needle  71  side of the connector for mixing  3  conforms to the shape of the liquid-side insertion port  451  of the liquid-side containing section  45  in which is held the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 . Therefore, the liquid-side tube-like section  82  can pass through the liquid-side insertion port  451 . This helps ensure that the liquid-side needle  71  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  of the connector for mixing  3  pierces the stopper  104  of the first liquid container  300 , and the liquid-side needle  71  of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  pierces the stopper  104  of the second liquid container  400 . Associated with these piercing operations, the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  of the hub  8  of the connector for mixing  3  is fitted onto the outer wall  62  of the liquid-side loading member  6 . 
     On the other hand, in the case where the liquid-side needle  71  side of the connector for mixing  3  is oriented toward the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  at the time of performing the liquid container connecting operation, there exists a difference between the contour shape of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  of the connector for mixing  3  and the shape of the medicine-side insertion port  441  of the medicine-side containing section  44  containing the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , and so the liquid-side tube-like section  82  cannot pass through the medicine-side insertion port  441 . This helps ensure that a misconnection can be securely inhibited or prevented from occurring at the time of performing the liquid container connecting operation and, hence, the connecting operation can be carried out properly. 
     In the case where the medicine-side needle  72  side of the connector for mixing  3  is oriented toward the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  at the time of performing the liquid container connecting operation, there exists a difference between the counter shape of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  present on the medicine-side needle  72  side of the connector for mixing  3  and the shape of the liquid-side insertion port  451  of the liquid-side containing section  45 . Therefore, the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  cannot pass through the liquid-side insertion port  451 . This helps ensure that a misconnection can be securely prevented from occurring at the time of performing the liquid container connecting operation and, hence, the connecting operation can be conducted properly. 
     After the liquid container connecting operation is carried out properly, the connector for mixing  3  with the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  connected is drawn up and inverted upside down, and the connector for mixing  3  is connected to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . In this instance, the medicine container connecting operation is conducted in the condition where the medicine-side needle  72  side of the connector for mixing  3  is directed toward the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . In this case, the contour shape of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  present on the medicine-side needle  72  side of the connector for mixing  3  conforms to the shape of the medicine-side insertion port  441  of the medicine-side containing section  44  in which is contained the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . Therefore, the medicine-side tube-like section  83  can pass through the medicine-side containing section  44 . This helps ensure that the medicine-side needle  72  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  of the connector for mixing  3  pierces the stopper  104  of the first medicine container  100 , and the medicine-side needle  72  of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  pierces the stopper  104  of the second medicine container  200 . Associated with these piercing operations, the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  of the hub  8  of the connector for mixing  3  is fitted onto the wall section  52  of the medicine-side loading member  5 . 
     Thus, in the medical instrument set  1 , the liquid container connecting operation and the medicine container connecting operation can be performed in order and properly. In addition, these connecting operations are carried out more assuredly by checking the marks  911  imparted to the liquid-side cap  9   a  and the medicine-side cap  9   b  of the connector for mixing  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the height of the side wall  42  of the holder main body  4  is higher than the heights of the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  when the containers  300 ,  400  are contained in the liquid-side containing section  45  (the holder main body  4 ). Therefore, the height of the liquid-side insertion port  451  of the liquid-side containing section  45  also is naturally higher than the height of each of the containers. This helps ensure that the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  in the held state can be inhibited or prevented from being taken out of the holder main body  4  by directly gripping the containers. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the height of the medicine-side insertion port  441  of the medicine-side containing section  44  is higher than the heights of the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  when the containers  100 ,  200  are contained in the medicine-side containing section  44 . This helps ensure that the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  in the held state can be prevented from being taken out of the holder main body  4  by directly gripping the containers. 
     The medical instrument set  1  is so configured that the first liquid container  300  and the first medicine container  100  are interconnected rather assuredly, and the second liquid container  400  and the second medicine container  200  are interconnected rather assuredly, through the connector for mixing  3  (see  FIG. 15 ). In other words, a situation in which the first liquid container  300  and the second medicine container  200  are connected to each other while the second liquid container  400  and the first medicine container  100  are connected to each other is securely inhibited or prevented from occurring. Now, this will be described below. 
     At the time of performing the liquid container connecting operation, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the circular portion  821  of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  of the connector for mixing  3  and the circular portion  452  of the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder main body  4  are aligned with each other, whereas the tetragonal portion  822  of the liquid-side tube-like section  82  and the tetragonal portion  453  of the liquid-side containing section  45  are aligned with each other. This helps ensure that the liquid-side tube-like section  82  of the connector for mixing  3  can pass through the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder main body  4 . As a result, the liquid-side needle  71  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  of the connector for mixing  3  pierces the stopper  104  of the first liquid container  300 , whereas the liquid-side needle  71  of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  pierces the stopper  104  of the second liquid container  400 . Accordingly, an appropriate liquid container connecting operation is performed. 
     On the other hand, in the case where the circular portion  821  of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  of the connector for mixing  3  and the tetragonal portion  453  of the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder main body  4  are made to correspond to each other whereas the tetragonal portion  822  of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  and the circular portion  452  of the liquid-side containing section  45  are made to correspond to each other, at the time of performing the liquid container connecting operation, the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  of the connector for mixing  3  cannot pass through the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder main body  4 . In this case, the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are not connected to the connector for mixing  3 . Specifically, the stopper  104  of the first liquid container  300  is prevented from being pierced by the second double-pointed needle  7   b  which is the improper one of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b , and the stopper  104  of the second liquid container  400  is prevented from being pierced by the first double-pointed needle  7   a  which is the improper one. 
     After the liquid container connecting operation is conducted properly, the connector for mixing  3  with the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  connected thereto is drawn up or pulled up, and the medicine container connecting operation is performed. In this instance, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the smaller circular portion  831  of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  of the connector for mixing  3  and the smaller circular portion  442  of the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4  are aligned with each other, whereas the larger circular portion  832  of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  and the larger circular portion  443  of the medicine-side containing section  44  are aligned with each other. This helps ensure that the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  of the connector for mixing  3  can pass through the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4 . As a result, the medicine-side needle  72  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  of the connector for mixing  3  pierces the stopper  104  of the first medicine container  100 , whereas the medicine-side needle  72  of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  pierces the stopper  104  of the second medicine container  200 . Consequently, a proper medicine container connecting operation is performed. Accordingly, the first liquid container  300  and the first medicine container  100  are interconnected rather assuredly, and the second liquid container  400  and the second medicine container  200  are interconnected rather assuredly, through the connector for mixing  3 . 
     On the other hand, in the case where the smaller circular portion  831  of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  of the connector for mixing  3  and the larger circular portion  443  of the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4  are positioned to correspond to each other whereas the large circular portion  832  of the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  and the smaller circular portion  442  of the medicine-side containing section  44  are positioned to correspond to each other, at the time of performing the medicine container connecting operation, the medicine-side tube-like section  83  of the connector for mixing  3  cannot pass through the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder main body  4 . In this case, the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are not connected to the connector for mixing  3 . Specifically, the stopper  104  of the first medicine container  100  is inhibited or prevented from being pierced by the second double-pointed needle  7   b  which is the improper one of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  and the second double-pointed needle  7   b , and the stopper  104  of the second medicine container  200  is inhibited or prevented from being pierced by the first double-pointed needle  7   a  which is the improper one. 
     Now, the syringe assembly  500  will be described. The syringe assembly  500  includes a first syringe  600 , a second syringe  700 , and a holder or coupler  800  for holding each of the first and second syringes  600 ,  700  and for coupling the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700 . 
     Since the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  are substantially the same in configuration except for size, the first syringe  600  will be described below and it is to be understood that this description applies equally to the second syringe  700 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17 to 19 , the first syringe  600  includes an outer cylinder (syringe outer cylinder)  601 , a gasket positioned inside the syringe outer cylinder  601  and slidable inside the outer cylinder  601 , and a plunger  602  for operating the gasket to move along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the outer cylinder  601 . The gasket is connected and fixed to the leading end of the plunger  602 . 
     The outer cylinder  601  is composed of a bottomed tube-shaped member, and a tube-shaped port  603  reduced in diameter in relation to a barrel portion of the outer cylinder  601  projects integrally from a central portion of a bottom section on the leading end side. In other words, a leading end section of the outer cylinder  601  is the port  603 . In addition, an outer peripheral portion of the port  603  has a tapered shape in which the outside diameter gradually decreases toward the leading end (see, for example,  FIG. 2 ). 
     The outer cylinder  601  is integrally provided, at the outer periphery of the base end thereof, with a flange  605  enlarged in outside diameter. 
     An outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder  601  is preferably provided with graduations for indication of the amount of liquid. 
     The material constituting the outer cylinder  601  is not specifically limited. Examples of materials which can be used to fabricate the outer cylinder  601  include those described above for the bottle main body  101  described above can be used. The outer cylinder  601  is preferably light-transmitting (substantially transparent or semi-transparent), for securing visibility inside the outer cylinder  601 . 
     In such an outer cylinder  601  is contained the gasket formed from an elastic material (e.g., any of the above-mentioned various thermoplastic elastomers). 
     The plunger  602  is a rod-like member, which is provided on the base end side thereof with a circular disk-like flange  605 . The material constituting the plunger  602  can be one of the materials described above for the outer cylinder  601 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first syringe  600  is connected to the first medicine container  100  through a connector  10 . Then, with the plunger  602  drawn upward under this condition, the medical solution in the first medicine container  100  is sucked and loaded into a space surrounded by the outer cylinder  601  and the gasket. 
     In addition, like the first syringe  600 , the second syringe  700  is also composed of an outer cylinder  601 , a gasket slidably positioned in the outer cylinder  601 , and a plunger  602  for operating the gasket to move. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second syringe  700  is connected to the second medicine container  200  through the connector  10 . Then, with the plunger  602  drawn upward under this condition, the medical solution in the second medicine container  200  is sucked and loaded into a space surrounded by the outer cylinder  601  and the gasket. 
     The coupler  800  is for holding the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  in a juxtaposed-in-parallel relationship. 
     The coupler  800  includes a main body section  801  for collectively holding the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700 , and an operating section  802  for collectively operating the plungers  602  of the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700 . 
     The main body section  801  is an elongated member, and is provided on opposite sides with a first holding portion  803  for holding the first syringe  600 , and a second holding portion  804  for holding the second syringe  700 . The first holding portion  803  and the second holding portion  804  are provided with grooves for fitting to outer peripheral portions at intermediate positions in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinders  601  of the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700 , respectively. 
     The leading end section of the main body section  801  of the syringe assembly is provided with engagement portions for engagement with portions of the connector  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement portions of the syringe assembly are in the form of two recesses  808   a  and  808   b , and the portions of the connector  10  which engage the recesses are arms or claws  154  of clamp pieces  151   a  and  152   b  of a fixing means  14  which will be described later (see, for example,  FIG. 20 ). The recesses  808   a  and  808   b  are disposed on opposite sides of a center axis of the main body section  801 . In addition, the layout direction of the recesses  808   a  and  808   b  and the layout direction of the first holding portion  803  and the second holding portion  804  are orthogonal to each other. 
     The operating section  802  applies a pulling operation and a pushing operation to each of the plungers  602  of the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700 . The operating section  802  includes a coupling portion  805  which couples together the flanges  605  of the plungers  602  of the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700 , and an insertion portion  806  which is inserted into the main body section  801 . 
     The coupling portion  805  is a portion by which the flanges  605  of the plungers  602  are coupled together at the same position in the longitudinal direction. This helps ensure that the plungers  602  of the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  are operated together at the same time. In addition, at a rear end portion of the coupling portion  805 , there is disposed a plate-shaped finger hold section  807  on which a finger can be put at the time of pushing the operating section  802 . 
     The insertion portion  806  is a portion which is guided by the main body section  801  when the operating section  802  is moved along the longitudinal direction. With the insertion portion  806  guided by the main body section  801 , the pulling operation and the pushing operation on the operating section  802  can be carried out quite smoothly. 
     The material constituting the main body section  801  and the operating section  802  is not particularly limited. Examples of materials which can be used to fabricate the main body section  801  and the operating section  802  are the same or similar to those for the bottle main body  101  described above. 
     The connector  10  disclosed here is to be used with the medicine containers and syringes connected thereto in a process in which a medical solution prepared by mixing a medicine with a liquid is loaded from the first medicine container  100  in which it is contained into the first syringe  600 , and a medical solution prepared by mixing a medicine with a liquid is loaded from the second medicine container  200  in which it is contained into the second syringe  700  (see  FIGS. 16 to 19 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the connector  10  includes a connector main body  11 , a first needle pipe  12   a , a second needle pipe  12   b , a tube-like first fitting section  13   a , a tube-like second fitting section  13   b , and the fixing means  14  for fixing the syringe assembly  500 . The configurations of these components will be described below. 
     The connector main body  11  is tube-shaped, and is mounted to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . This helps ensure that the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are collectively held on the inside of the connector main body  11  (see  FIGS. 2 and 17  to  19 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the inside of a side wall  112  of the connector main body  11  is provided with a plurality of projecting engaging pieces  111 . The engaging pieces  111  extend inwardly from the inner surface of the side wall  112  and engage (contact) the lower-side edge portions of the port sections  102  of the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  when the connector main body  11  is mounted to the containers. These engaging pieces  111  are disposed along the circumferential direction of the side wall of the connector main body  11  so that the engaging pieces  111  are circumferentially spaced apart from one another. With such engaging pieces  111  formed, the connector main body  11  mounted to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  can be securely inhibited or prevented from being dismounted unwillingly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front side of the upper surface of a plate-shaped portion  113  of the connector main body  11  includes a pair of upstanding support plates  114  for supporting the fixing means  14 . These support plates  114  are disposed opposite to each other, with a spacing therebetween. Most of the parts constituting the fixing means  14  are disposed between the support plates  114 . 
     In addition, the first fitting section  13   a  and the second fitting section  13   b  are formed on the front side of the plate-shaped portion  113  of the connector main body  11  and project away from the plate-shaped portion  113  in a direction opposite the projecting direction of the first and second needle pipes  12   a ,  12   b.    
     The first fitting section  13   a  and the second fitting section  13   b  are substantially the same in configuration. Thus the following description of the first fitting section  13   a  applies equally to the second fitting section  13   b.    
     The first fitting section  13   a  is part which is tube-shaped and into which the port  603  of the first syringe  600  is to be inserted and fitted (see  FIGS. 2 and 17  to  18 ). When the port  603  of the first syringe  600  is fitted in the first fitting section  13   a , the inside of the first syringe  600  and the inside of the first medicine container  100  communicate with each other through the first fitting section  13   a  and the first needle pipe  12   a  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     In addition, the inner peripheral portion of the first fitting section  13   a  is provided with a tapered portion  131  in which the inside diameter gradually increases in the upward direction. The tapered portion  131  is so formed as to correspond to the port  603  of the first syringe  600 , specifically, as to have a taper angle equal to that of the port  603  of the first syringe  600 . This helps ensure that the first fitting section  13   a  and the port  603  of the first syringe  600  make assured fitting and, hence, these are connected in a liquid-tight manner. Consequently, when the medical solution is sucked out of the first medicine container  100  into the first syringe  600 , the medical solution is prevented from leaking out via the first fitting section  13   a.    
     The inner peripheral portion of the upper aperture of the first fitting section  13   a  is provided with a chamfered portion  132 . This helps ensure that when the port  603  of the first syringe  600  is inserted into the first fitting section  13   a , the port  603  is guided by the chamfered portion  132 , so that the insertion is performed rather smoothly. 
     The second fitting section  13   b  is configured similarly to the first fitting section  13   a . The second fitting section  13   b  is the part into which the port  603  of the second syringe  700  is inserted and fitted (see  FIGS. 2 and 17  to  18 ). In addition, the second fitting section  13   b  has a length greater than the length of the first fitting section  13   a.    
     The first fitting section  13   a  and the second fitting section  13   b  thus configured are disposed in parallel to each other, with the pair of support plates  114  of the connector main body  11  therebetween. This helps ensure that at the time of connecting the syringe assembly  500  to the connector  10 , the ports  603  of the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  disposed in parallel to each other are fitted respectively into the first fitting section  13   a  and the second fitting section  13   b  (see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). 
     With the first fitting section  13   a  and the port  603  of the first syringe  600  fitted to each other, and with the second fitting section  13   b  and the port  603  of the second syringe  700  fitted to each other, the syringe assembly  500  is quite assuredly positioned relative to the connector main body  11 . Therefore, the fixing means  14  acts on the syringe assembly  500 , whereby the syringe assembly  500  can be fixed assuredly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , on the back side of the top plate  113  of the connector main body  11 , the first needle pipe  12   a  and the second needle pipe  12   b  are disposed respectively at positions corresponding to the first fitting section  13   a  and the second fitting section  13   b.    
     The first needle pipe  12   a  and the second needle pipe  12   b  are substantially the same in configuration. The following description of the first needle pipe  12   a  thus also applies to the second needle pipe  12   b.    
     The first needle pipe  12   a  projects in the opposite direction to the first fitting section  13   a , meaning the first needle pipe  12   a  extends downwardly and the first fitting section  13   a  extends upwardly. The first needle pipe  12   a  has a sharp needle point  121  at its end, and its lumen communicates with the lumen of the first fitting section  13   a . This helps ensure that the stopper  104  of the first medicine container  100  can be pierced by the needle point  121  of the first needle pipe  12   a . Accordingly, the inside of the first medicine container  100  and the inside of the first syringe  600  communicate securely with each other, through the first needle pipe  12   a  and the first fitting section  13   a.    
     The second needle pipe  12   b  is configured similarly to the first needle pipe  12   a , and can pierce the stopper  104  of the second medicine container  200 . 
     The connector  10  may be configured such that, the connector main body  11 , the first needle pipe  12   a , the second needle pipe  12   b , the first fitting section  13   a , and the second fitting section  13   b  are formed integrally in one piece as a single unit. Or, alternatively, the first needle pipe  12   a , the second needle pipe  12   b , the first fitting section  13   a , and the second fitting section  13   b  may be configured as separate bodies, and these separate bodies may be connected to one another. 
     In addition, the material constituting the connector main body  11 , the first needle pipe  12   a , the second needle pipe  12   b , the first fitting section  13   a , and the second fitting section  13   b  is not particularly limited. For example, the various metallic materials and rigid resin materials as mentioned above in the description of the holder main body  4  can be used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the fixing means  14  includes a lock mechanism  15 , a pair of pressing pieces  16 , and a pair of push-out sections  17 . The lock mechanism  15  fixes the syringe assembly  500  relative to the connector main body  11  (hereinafter, the thus fixed state will be referred to as the “fixed state”) when the port  603  of the first syringe  600  is fitted into the first fitting section  13   a  and the port  603  of the second syringe  700  is fitted into the second fitting section  13   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the lock mechanism  15  is disposed between the first fitting section  13   a  and the second fitting section  13   b , and can fix a main body section  801  of the coupler  800  located between the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  to be fitted into the fitting sections. By this, the fixed state is stabilized. In addition, a fixation releasing operation for releasing the fixed state, which will be described later, can be carried out stably. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lock mechanism  15  is composed of: the pair of clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b  which can be brought or moved toward and away from each other; and a leaf spring  152  which is an example of a biasing device which biases the clamp piece  151   a  and the clamp piece  151   b  toward each other. The spring  152  operates as a holding device configured to hold the clamp pieces  151   a ,  151   b  in engagement with the coupler  800  (the recesses  804   a ,  804   b  of the coupler) to maintain the fixed state of the connector relative to the syringe assembly. 
     The clamp piece  151   a  and the clamp piece  151   b  are rotatably mounted arms which are each elongated and which clamp the coupler  800  of the syringe assembly  500  between their upper end portions  153 . The clamp piece  151   a  and the clamp piece  151   b  are substantially the same in configuration. Thus, the following description of the clamp piece  151   a  applies equally to the clamp piece  151   b.    
     An intermediate portion of the clamp piece  151   a  is provided with a turning support section (rotation center or pivot point)  157  by which the clamp piece  151   a  is turnably or rotatably supported so as to be turnable relative to the support plates  114  of the connector main body  11 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , the turning support section  157  is composed of a bearing in which shafts projecting from the support plates  114  are inserted. 
     The clamp piece  151   a  is provided, near its upper end portion  153 , with the claw  154  projecting to the inner side. The claw  154  are configured to engage the recess  808   a  of the coupler  800  of the syringe assembly  500  (see  FIGS. 3 and 18 ). The claw  154  is thus an example of an engaging part of the clamp piece or arm  151   a  that engages the coupler  800  to fix the syringe assembly in place. The syringe assembly  500  can thus be rather assuredly fixed relative to the connector main body  11 , specifically the fixed state is maintained reliably. Accordingly, the syringe assembly  500  and the connector main body  11  (connector  10 ) can be inhibited or prevented from being disassembled unwillingly. 
     In addition, an inclined surface  155  is formed at an upper portion of the claw  154 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the leaf spring  152  is bridgingly provided between the clamp piece  151   a  and the clamp piece  151   b , and is curved in an arched shape. In addition, the leaf spring  152  has opposite ends supported by the lower ends  156  of the respective clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b . By the leaf spring  152  thus configured, the clamp piece  151   a  and the clamp piece  151   b  can be assuredly biased toward each other. This helps ensure that the claw  154  of the clamp piece  151   a  is engaged with the recess  808   a  of the coupler  800  of the syringe assembly  500 , whereas the claw  154  of the clamp piece  151   b  is engaged with the recess  808   b  of the coupler  800  of the syringe  500 , so that the fixed state is maintained more securely. 
     Thus, the connector  10  is so configured that the fixation relative to the syringe assembly  500  is performed by the lock mechanism  15 . Therefore, the syringe assembly  500  can be rather assuredly connected to the connector  10 , irrespective of the magnitude of a fitting force between the port  603  of the first syringe  600  and the first fitting section  13   a  or the magnitude of the fitting force between the port  603  of the second syringe  700  and the second fitting section  13   b.    
     The lock mechanism  15  preferably has a structure in which the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b  and the leaf spring  152  are formed integrally in one piece as a single piece. This helps ensure that the lock mechanism  15  can be fairly easily produced by injection molding, for example. In addition, the number of component parts constituting the lock mechanism  15  is smaller (in this embodiment, one), as compared with the case where the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b  and the leaf spring  152  are configured as separate bodies. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , at each of the lower ends  156  of the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b , a plate-like pressing piece  16  as an operating section for performing the fixation releasing operation of releasing the fixed state is integrally formed. In addition, the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b  can be turned correspondingly about their turning support sections  157 , by pressing the pressing pieces  16  against the biasing force of the leaf spring  152 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . This results in the clamp piece  151   a  and the clamp piece  151   b  being spaced away from each other, and the claws  154  are disengaged correspondingly from the recesses  808   a  and  808   b  of the syringe assembly  500 , so that the fixed state is released. Thus, in the connector  10 , the fixed state can be assuredly released by a simple operation of pressing the pressing pieces  16 . 
     The two arms or pressing pieces  16  are disposed symmetrically about the center line of the connector main body  11 . Specifically, they are arranged between the first fitting section  13   a  and the second fitting section  13   b , and in the direction orthogonal to the layout direction of these fitting sections (i.e., the two pressing pieces  16  are arranged orthogonal to a plane containing the central axis of the first fitting section  13   a  and the central axis of the second fitting section  13   b ). Stated differently, the rotation or pivot axes  157  about which the arms  16  rotate are parallel to one another and parallel to the plane containing the central axes of the fittings  13   a ,  13   b . This helps ensure that the fixation releasing operation can be carried out relatively stably. 
     In addition, each of the pressing pieces  16  is formed with a multiplicity of recesses and projections  161 . This helps ensure that when the pressing pieces  16  are pressed with fingers, the fingers can be securely inhibited or prevented from slipping on the pressing pieces  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 20 , the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b  are provided with the push-out sections  17  at intermediate portions in the longitudinal directions of the clamp pieces, specifically at their portions on the upper side relative to the turning support sections  157 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , each of the push-out sections  17  is a part which pushes the syringe assembly  500  upward in an interlocked manner with the fixation releasing operation when the fixation releasing operation is performed by pressing each of the clamp pieces  16  so that the syringe assembly  500  is pushed upward whenever the fixation releasing operation is performed. 
     The two push-out sections  17  are substantially the same in configuration. The following description of the push-out section  17  on the clamp piece  151   a  side thus applies equally to the push-out section  17  on the other clamp piece  151   b  side. 
     The push-out section  17  is composed of a projection which projects to the inner side of the clamp piece  151   a . That is, the push-out section  17  projects away from the clamp piece  151   a  and toward the push-out section  17  of the other clamp piece  151   b . The upper surface of the projecting push-out section  17  constitutes a contact surface  171  which is vertically below the engaging part  154  and which makes contact with a leading end surface  809  of the coupler  800  (main body section  801 ) of the syringe assembly  500  in the fixed state (see  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 20(   a )). When the fixation releasing operation is performed, the contact surface  171  is turned about the turning support section  157  to move upward, thereby pressing upward the leading end surface  809  of the coupler  800  (see  FIG. 20   b )). In this instance, the syringe assembly  500  as a whole is moved upward. Therefore, the port  603  of the first syringe  600  is pulled off or separated from the first fitting section  13   a , so that the fitting between these members is released. Simultaneously, the port  603  of the second syringe  700  is pulled off or separated from the second fitting section  13   b , so that the fitting between these members is also released. 
     Thus, the connector  10  is so configured as to push out the syringe assembly  500  connected to the connector  10 . Accordingly, the syringe assembly  500  in the connected state can be disconnected relatively easily and assuredly, irrespective of the magnitude of the fitting force between the port  603  of the first syringe  600  and the first fitting section  13   a  or the magnitude of the fitting force between the port  603  of the second syringe  700  and the second fitting section  13   b.    
     In addition, after the syringe assembly  500  is disconnected, removal of the pressures exerted on the pressing pieces  16  causes the shape of the leaf spring  152  to be restored, so that the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b  are again brought close to each other as shown in  FIG. 20(   c ). 
     Because the contact surfaces  171  of the push-out sections  17  are already in contact with the leading end surface  809  of the coupler  800  of the syringe assembly  500  in the fixed state as above-mentioned, the releasing of the fixed state and the pushing-out by the contact surfaces  171  are performed substantially simultaneously. Specifically, when the releasing of the fixed state is conducted, the pushing of the leading end surface  809  by the contact surfaces  171  is carried out rather swiftly. This helps ensure that the syringe assembly  500  connected to the connector  10  can be disconnected rather speedily. Examples of ways of providing a configuration in which the releasing of the fixed state and the pushing-out are performed concurrently as above-mentioned include a manner in which the positions or shapes of the claws  154  and the push-out sections  17 , the positions of the turning support sections  157 , or the like are appropriately set. 
     In addition, the material constituting the components of the fixing means  14  is not specifically restricted. For example, the various metallic materials and rigid resin materials discussed above in the description of the holder main body  4  can be used to fabricate the fixing means. 
     Now, one examples of the method of using the connector  10  will be described in detail below. 
     [1] First, the holder  2  with the first medicine container  100 , the second medicine container  200 , the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  contained therein (in the state shown in  FIG. 4 ), the connector for mixing  3  in an unused state (the state shown in  FIG. 9 ), the connector  10 , and the syringe assembly  500  are prepared. The holder  2  is mounted on a support base such as a table. In addition, the syringe  500  has the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  in the state in which the plungers  602  are retracted most (the state shown in  FIG. 17 ). 
     [2] With the connector for mixing  3  in the state shown in  FIG. 9 , the liquid-side cap  9   a  provided with numeral “1” as the mark  911  is detached (see  FIG. 12 ) from the remainder of the connector for mixing  3 . The detaching operation can be carried out by nipping or grasping the tab  93  of the liquid-side cap  9   a  with fingers or the like. 
     [3] Next, the connector for mixing  3  from which the liquid-side cap  9   a  has been detached is inserted from above toward the liquid-side containing section  45  of the holder  2  (holder main body  4 ) mounted on the support base, from the side of the liquid-side tube-shaped section  82  (liquid-side needle  71 ) as shown in  FIG. 12 . This results in the connecting operation of the connector for mixing  3  with the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400 , and therefore the liquid container connecting operation, being performed properly. As mentioned above, the liquid-side needle  71  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  of the connector for mixing  3  pierces the stopper  104  of the first liquid container  300 , whereas the liquid-side needle  71  of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  pierces the stopper  104  of the second liquid container  400 . 
     [4] Subsequently, the medicine-side tube-shaped section  83  of the connector for mixing  3  in the state shown in  FIG. 12  is gripped, and the first liquid container  300  and the second liquid container  400  are taken out of the holder  2  together with the connector for mixing  3  (see  FIG. 13 ). 
     [5] Next, from the connector for mixing  3  in the state shown in  FIG. 13 , the medicine-side cap  9   b  provided with numeral “2” as the mark  911  is detached as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The detaching operation can be carried out by nipping or grabbing the tab  93  of the medicine-side cap  9   b  with fingers or the like. 
     [6] Subsequently, the connector for mixing  3  from which the medicine-side cap  9   b  has been detached is inverted upside down. Then, speedily, the connector for mixing  3  is inserted from above toward the medicine-side containing section  44  of the holder  2 , from the side of the medicine-side tube-like section  83  (medicine-side needle  72 ) as depicted in  FIG. 14 . This results in the connector for mixing  3  and the first medicine container  100  as well as the second medicine container  200  being connected, and therefore, the liquid container connecting operation is performed properly. In this instance, as above-mentioned, the medicine-side needle  72  of the first double-pointed needle  7   a  of the connector for mixing  3  pierces the stopper  104  of the first medicine container  100 , whereas the medicine-side needle  72  of the second double-pointed needle  7   b  is in the state of piercing the stopper  104  of the second medicine container  200 . Consequently, the first liquid container  300  and the first medicine container  100  are interconnected assuredly, whereas the second liquid container  400  and the second medicine container  200  are interconnected relatively assuredly through the connector for mixing  3   
     Since the inside of the first medicine container  100  and the inside of the second medicine container  200  are set at negative pressures, the liquid inside the first liquid container  300  is drawn toward the first medicine container  100  side, and flows through the first double-pointed needle  7   a  into the first medicine container  100 . Similarly, the liquid inside the second liquid container  400  is drawn toward the second medicine container  200  side, and flows through the second double-pointed needle  7   b  into the second medicine container  200 . 
     [7] Next, the liquid-side tube-like section  82  of the connector for mixing  3  in the state shown in  FIG. 14  is gripped, and the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are taken out of or removed from the holder  2  together with the connector for mixing  3  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     [8] Subsequently, the connector for mixing  3  is shaken a few times. This helps ensure that the medicine inside the first medicine container  100  and the medicine inside the second medicine container  200  are diluted with or dissolved in the liquid flowing in, with the result that the medical solutions are contained correspondingly in the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 . 
     [9] Next, the connector for mixing  3  is detached from the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . While the stoppers  104  of the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are exposed in this instance in the configuration shown in  FIG. 16 , detachable rubber caps for covering the stoppers  104  may be put on the stoppers  104 . This helps prevent fingers or the like from making contact with the stoppers  104  unwillingly, thereby maintaining a sterile state of the stoppers  104 . The member used to cover the stopper  104  is not limited to the rubber cap. for example, a rubber membrane or a film may also be used. 
     [10] Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the connector  10  is mounted to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  from which the connector for mixing  3  has been detached. In the case where the rubber caps are put on in the above-mentioned operation [9], the rubber caps are removed before mounting the connector  10 . 
     As a result of the mounting of the connector  10 , the first needle pipe  12   a  pierces the stopper  104  of the first medicine container  100 , and the second needle pipe  12   b  pierces the stopper  104  of the second medicine container  200 . 
     [11] In the condition where the connector  10  mounted to the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200  are kept oriented upward, specifically in the condition where the connector  10  is located above the first medicine container  100  and the second medicine container  200 , the syringe assembly  500  is connected to the connector  10  as shown in  FIG. 17 . At the time of performing this connection, the first syringe  600  of the syringe assembly  500  corresponds to the first fitting section  13   a  of the connector  10 , whereas the second syringe  700  corresponds to the second fitting section  13   b  of the connector  10 . Then, in the condition where the syringes and the fitting sections are thus made to correspond, the syringe assembly  500  is pushed into the connector  10 . This helps ensure that the leading end section of the coupler  800  of the syringe assembly  500  outwardly pushes the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b  while sliding along the inclined surfaces  155  of the claws  154  of the clamp pieces  151   a  and  151   b . Then, when the leading end section of the coupler  800  rides over the claws  154 , the claws  154  enter into and engage with the recesses  808   a  and  808   b  of the coupler  800 , correspondingly. This results in the fixed state. In the fixed state, the port  603  of the first syringe  600  is fitted in the first fitting section  13   a , and the port  603  of the second syringe  700  is fitted in the second fitting section  13   b . This results in that the inside of the first syringe  600  and the inside of the first medicine container  100  communicate with each other, whereas the inside of the second syringe  700  and the inside of the second medicine container  200  communicate with each other, through the connector  10 . 
     [12] Next, the operating section  802  of the syringe assembly  500  is gripped, and the plungers  602  of the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  are collectively pulled together with the operating section  802  (see  FIG. 18 ). This results in the medical solution inside the first medicine container  100  being loaded into the first syringe  600 , and the medical solution inside the second medicine container  200  being loaded into the second syringe  700 . The operation of pulling the plungers  602  may be performed by inverting the state shown in  FIG. 12  upside down. 
     In addition, after the first syringe  600  and the second syringe  700  are loaded correspondingly with the medical solutions, an operation of pressing the operating section  802  of the syringe assembly  500  to remove air present in the syringes is preferably performed. 
     [13] Subsequently, the pressing pieces  16  of the connector  10  are pressed, whereby the syringe assembly  500  is disconnected from the connector  10  as above-mentioned (see  FIG. 19 ). Then, the syringe assembly  500  can be used, for example, as an applicator for mixing the medical solutions and applying the mixed solution to a living body. 
     While the connector disclosed here has been described referring to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, and each of the components of the connector can be replaced by different components exhibiting a similar or equivalent function. And additional features and components may be added. 
     The syringe assembly connected to the connector in the described embodiment has two syringes, but this configuration is not limitative. A syringe assembly having only one syringe or having three or more syringes may also be adopted. 
     The disclosed connector is not limited to use in loading a medical solution from a medicine container preliminarily filled with the solution into an empty syringe. The connector can also be used, for example, in loading a medical solution from a syringe preliminarily filled with the medical solution into an empty medicine container. 
     The detailed description above describes features and aspects of an embodiment of a connector disclosed by way of example. The invention is not limited, however, to the precise embodiment and variations described. Various changes, modifications and equivalents can effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. It is expressly intended that all such changes, modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the claims are embraced by the claims.