Patent Publication Number: US-2005119620-A1

Title: Syringe

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a syringe.  
     BACKGROUND ART A syring comprise an outer tube, a gasket inserted in the outer tube, and a pusher (plunger rod) for operating the gasket to move.  
      Among such syringes, there have been known those which are provided with a sealing film for sealing the base end opening of the outer tube, in order to maintain the decompressed state and/or sterilized state inside the outer tube before use.  
      When using such a syringe, the following operations are required. First, the sealing film is peeled off and removed. A pusher appended separately is then connected to the gasket contained in the outer tube.  
      In such a syringe, however, it is necessary to peel off and remove the sealing film by hand, as above-mentioned, leading to troublesome operations. In addition, since the pusher is appended separately from the outer tube, there is a possibility that the pusher might be lost.  
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a syringe whereby the need for an operation to peel off and remove a sealing film for sealing the base end opening of an outer tube can be eliminated, an excellent operability can be provided, and the pusher can be prevented from being lost.  
      The above object can be attained by the present invention as set forth in the following paragraphs (1) to (17).  
      (1) A syringe comprising: 
          an outer tube;     a gasket slidable in the outer tube;     a sealing film for sealing the base end opening of the outer tube;     a pusher for operating the gasket to move in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube, the pusher being provided at a tip end portion thereof with a rupture portion for rupturing the sealing film; and     a support member for supporting the pusher generally coaxially with the outer tube on the base end side of the sealing film; wherein     the pusher is supported by the support member before use, and at the time of use, the pusher is moved in the tip end direction relative to the outer tube, thereby causing the rupture portion to rupture and unseal the sealing film.        

      (2) A syringe as set forth in the above paragraph (1), wherein the rupture portion is in the shape of a sharp projection.  
      (3) A syringe as set forth in the above paragraph (1) or (2), comprising a lock mechanism for locking the pusher to the support member before use.  
      (4) A syringe as set forth in the above paragraph (3), wherein the lock mechanism is unlocked by rotating the pusher.  
      (5) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (4), comprising leading unit for leading the pusher to move in the tip end direction relative to the outer tube by rotating the pusher in the state before use, wherein the movement causes the rupture portion to rupture the sealing film.  
      (6) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (5), wherein the pusher comprises a connection portion for connection with the gasket so that the pusher is connectable with the gasket.  
      (7) A syringe as set forth in the above paragraph (6), wherein the pusher and the gasket are connectable with each other through screw-engagement between a male screw formed on the connection portion and a female screw formed in the gasket.  
      (8) A syringe as set forth in the above paragraph (6) or (7), wherein the rupture portion is provided at the tip end of the connection portion.  
      (9) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (6) to (8), wherein the gasket and the pusher are connected with each other by an operation in the same direction as the operation to rupture and unseal the sealing film.  
      (10) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (9), wherein the inside of said outer tube is in a decompressed state before use.  
      (11) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (10), wherein the inside of said outer tube is in a sterilized state before use.  
      (12) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (11), wherein a medical agent is preliminarily contained in the space defined by the outer tube and the gasket.  
      (13) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (12), wherein the gasket comprises a recessed portion in which the rupture portion is stored.  
      (14) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (13), wherein a relief portion into which at least a part of the sealing film ruptured is relieved is formed in the vicinity of the base end opening of the outer tube.  
      (15) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (14), wherein the pusher comprises a rupture aid portion for cutting the sealing film in the vicinity of an edge portion of the base end opening.  
      (16) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (15), wherein the pusher comprises an extension-contraction mechanism for making the whole length thereof extensible and contractible.  
      (17) A syringe as set forth in any of the above paragraphs (1) to (16), wherein a movement preventive member for preventing the pusher from moving in the tip end direction is removably provided on the base end side of the sealing film.  
      As will be described later, according to the present invention, the need for an operation to peel off and remove the sealing film for sealing the base end opening of the outer tube is eliminated. Therefore, the operation at the time of using the syringe can be performed easily and swiftly.  
      In addition, before use, the pusher is supported by the support member and combined with the outer tube, whereby the pusher is prevented from being lost, so that the need to search for the pusher before use is eliminated.  
      Besides, in the case where the lock mechanism for locking the pusher to the support member before use and the movement preventive member for preventing the pusher from moving in the tip end direction before use are provided, the rupture portion can be prevented from erroneously rupturing and unsealing the sealing film during transportation or storage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a vertical sectional view, in a disassembled state, of a first embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a vertical sectional view, in an assembled state (before use), of the first embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view, in the state of being used, of the syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support member in the syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the support member in the syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
       FIG. 6  is a partly vertical sectional view (in a contracted state) of a pusher in a second embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a partly vertical sectional view (in an extended state) of the pusher in the second embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a support member in a third embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a vertical sectional view of portions in the vicinity of the support member in the third embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
      Now, the syringe according to the present invention will be described in detail below, based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.  
     First Embodiment  
       FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively are vertical sectional views, in a disassembled state and in an assembled state (before use), of a first embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention,  FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view, in the state of being used, of the syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and  FIGS. 4 and 5  respectively are perspective views of a support member in the syringe shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Incidentally, for convenience of description, the left side in FIGS.  1  to  3  will be referred to as “the tip end,” and the right side as “the base end.” 
      The syringe  1  according to this embodiment is a pre-filled syringe in which a medical agent is preliminarily contained in the inside of the syringe, and includes an outer tube (syringe outer tube)  2 , a gasket  3  slidable in the outer tube  2 , a pusher (plunger rod)  4  for operating the gasket  3  to move in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube  2 , a sealing film  5  for sealing the base end opening of the outer tube  2 , and a support member  6  for supporting the pusher  4  generally coaxially with the outer tube  2  on the base end side of the sealing film  5 .  
      The outer tube  2  is composed of a bottomed tubular member having a bottom portion  21  on the tip end side, and a reduced diameter portion  22  reduced in diameter relative to a barrel portion of the outer tube  2  is integrally formed at a central portion of the bottom portion  21 . The reduced diameter portion  22  constitutes a mouth portion through which a liquid can be let in and out.  
      The reduced portion  22  may be provided with a male screw (lure lock screw) at the outer circumference of a base end portion thereof.  
      A film  24  formed of an elastic material, as a sealing member, is mounted to the tip end of the reduced diameter portion  22 , thereby sealing gas-tight the lumen  23  of the reduced diameter portion  22 .  
      In addition, a cap  25  is fitted over and fixed to the outside of the reduced diameter portion  22 . The cap  25  is provided with an opening  26  at the tip end thereof, and an outer circumferential portion of the film  24  is clamped between an edge portion of the opening  26  and the tip end face of the reduced diameter portion  22 , whereby the film  24  is fixed gas-tight (liquid-tight).  
      Incidentally, the reduced diameter portion  22 , the film  24 , and the cap  25  may be adhered to each other with an adhesive or fused to each other.  
      The film  24  can be pierced through by a needle body such as a double ended needle. In this case, the form of the film  24  is not limited to the film form but may be a block form (plug body), as long as the film  24  can be pierced through by a needle body.  
      As the material for constituting the film  24 , for example, those materials which will be mentioned later as the constituent material of the gasket  3  can be used.  
      The outer tube  2  is integrally provided with a plate-like flange  27  along the outer circumference of the base end thereof. At the time of operating the pusher  4  to move relatively to the outer tube  2  or the like, the operation can be performed by putting a finger on the flange  27 .  
      Besides, the outer tube  2  is provided, in the vicinity of the base end opening thereof, with a relief portion  29  into which at least a part of the sealing film  5  can be relieved when the sealing film  5  is ruptured as will be described later. In the configuration shown in the figures, the relief portion  29  is constituted of an annular recessed portion (enlarged diameter portion) formed along the entire inner circumference of a base end portion of the outer tube  2 .  
      Examples of the material usable for constituting the outer tube  2  include various resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic polyolefins, polystyrene, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), polycarbonate, acrylic resin, acrylnitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate), butadiene-styrene copolymer, and polyamides (e.g., nylon 6, nylon 6•6, nylon 6•10, and nylon 12). Among these, preferred are such resins as polypropylene, cyclic polyolefins, polyesters and poly-(4-methylpentene-1), in view of their easy-moldability.  
      Incidentally, it is preferable for the constituent material of the outer tube  2  to be substantially transparent, in order to secure visibility of the inside of the outer tube  2 .  
      In the outer tube  2  is contained the gasket  3  which is formed of an elastic material. An outer circumferential portion of the gasket  3  is provided with a plurality of annular projected portions  31  and  32  along the entire circumference. With the projected portions  31  and  32  slid while making close contact with the inner circumferential surface  28  of the outer tube  2 , the gas-tightness (liquid-tightness) can be maintained more securely, and enhancement of slidability can be contrived.  
      In this embodiment, two projected portions  31  and  32  are provided along the longitudinal direction of the gasket  3 . Specifically, the projected portions  31  and  32  are provided respectively on a base end portion and a tip end portion of the gasket  3 .  
      Incidentally, in the present invention, the locations, the number, the sectional shape and the like of the projected portions  31 ,  32  are not limited to the above-mentioned.  
      In addition, the gasket  3  is provided with a hollow portion  33  opening to the base end face thereof. A connection portion  43  of the pusher  4  which will be described later is inserted (screw-engaged) in the hollow portion  33 . The hollow portion  33  is provided with a female screw  331  at the inside surface thereof.  
      On the tip end side of the hollow portion  33 , further, a recessed portion (hollow portion)  34  is formed continuously with the hollow portion  33 . A rupture portion  44  of the pusher  4  which will be described later is stored in the recessed portion  34 , with the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  connected with each other.  
      The material for constituting the gasket  3  is not particularly limited. Examples of the constituent material usable for the gasket  3  include elastic materials such as various rubber materials, e.g., natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, etc., various thermoplastic elastomer based on polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, olefin, styrene or the like, and mixtures thereof.  
      Incidentally, it suffices that at least an outer circumferential portion of the gasket  3  is constituted of such an elastic material as above-mentioned. For example, a configuration in which the gasket  3  comprises a core portion (not shown) formed of a resin material and the elastic material is so disposed as to cover the outer circumference of the core portion may be adopted. In this case, the core portion is provided with the female screw  331 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gasket  3  is preferably located in the vicinity of the base end portion of the outer tube  2  before the use of the syringe  1 .  
      In the syringe  1 , a medical agent  100  is preliminarily contained in the space defined by the outer tube  2  and the gasket  3 .  
      The medical agent  100  may be liquid or solid, but it is preferably a solid, particularly in a powdery (granular) form, and more preferably a freeze-dried product. Besides, the powdery medical agent may have been solidified into tablets, for example.  
      Specific examples of the medical agent  100  include vitamin agents (general vitamin agents), various amino acids, antithrombotic agents such as heparin, insulin, antibiotics, antitumor agents, analgesics, cardiacs, phleboclysis anesthetics, antiparkinsonism agents, ulcer remedies, adrenocortical hormone agents, arrhythmia remedies, correcting electrolytes, protease inhibitors, and inhibitors of tromboxane synthesis. Incidentally, it is natural that, in the present invention, the medical agent  100  is not limited to the examples just mentioned.  
      At a base end portion of the outer tube  2  is provided the sealing film  5  for sealing the base end opening of the outer tube  2 . The sealing film  5  is adhered to the base end face of the flange  27  of the outer tube  2  along the entire circumference, by a method such as adhesion (adhesion with an adhesive or a solvent) and fusion bonding (heat fusion bonding, high-frequency fusion bonding, ultrasonic fusion bonding, or the like).  
      In the syringe  1 , the provision of the sealing film  5  prevents the outside air from penetrating inside the outer tube  2 , so that a sterilized state inside the outer tube  2  can be maintained until use. Besides, the inside of the outer tube  2  may be in a decompressed state; in this case, the presence of the sealing film  5  maintains the decompressed state inside the outer tube  2  until use.  
      Examples of the sealing film  5  include resin films of polyethylene, polypropylene, ionomers, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), polyimides, etc., these resin films with an inorganic material such as silica, alumina or a mixture thereof vapor-deposited thereon, single layers of metallic foil such as aluminum foil, and laminates obtained by laminating two or more layers of these materials. Incidentally, when a laminate of a metallic foil and a resin layer having a particularly low gas permeability is used as the sealing film  5 , the gas-tightness inside the outer tube  2  is enhanced, so that the sterilized state and/or the decompressed state inside the outer tube  2  can be maintained more securely.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the support member  6  for supporting the pusher  4  is disposed on the base end side of the outer tube  2 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the support member  6  comprises a hollow cylindrical portion  61  of a roughly circular tubular form, and a plate-like flange  62  formed integrally with the outer circumference of the tip end of the hollow cylindrical portion  61 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , at the outer circumferential portion of the flange  62  of the support member  6 , there are formed a plurality of (in the configuration shown, four) claw portions (locking portions)  63  for connecting (fixing) the support member  6  to the outer tube  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the assembled state of the syringe  1 , the support member  6  and the outer tube  2  are connected (fixed) by locking the claw portions  63  to an outer edge portion of the flange  27  of the outer tube  2 . In this connected condition, the hollow cylindrical portion  61  is located generally coaxially with the outer tube  2 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , on the base end side of the inner circumferential surface  65  of the hollow cylindrical portion  61  is provided a protuberant portion  64  which is protuberant in a stepped manner in a roughly triangular (right-angled triangular) region. The protuberant portion  64  is formed over a range of a central angle of about 90° relative to the center axis of the hollow cylindrical portion  61 . A tip end side edge portion (tip end face) of the protuberant portion  64  forms a lead surface  641  inclined relative to the circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical portion  61 .  
      On the tip end side of the protuberant portion  64  in the inner circumferential surface  65 , there is formed a plurality of minute ribs  67  extending in the axial direction.  
      In addition, on the inner circumferential surface  65 , a rib  68  extending in the circumferential direction is formed over a range of a central angle of about 90°, adjacently to the protuberant portion  64 .  
      The protuberant portions  64 , the ribs  67  and the ribs  68  are formed in respective pairs at symmetrical positions with respect to the center axis of the hollow cylindrical portion  61  (at positions opposite (180°) to each other).  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the state before use of the syringe  1 , the pusher  4  is supported on the support member  6  generally coaxially with the outer tube  2  on the base end side of the sealing film  5 .  
      The pusher  4  comprises a main body portion  41  in such a shape that plate pieces intersect in a cross form, and a flange-formed finger receiving portion  411  is formed at the base end of the main body portion  41 . In use of the syringe  1  as shown in  FIG. 3 , the finger receiving portion  411  is pushed by a finger or the like, thereby operating the pusher  4  to move in the tip end direction.  
      On the tip end side of the main body portion  41 , there is provided a hollow cylindrical portion  42  having a roughly circularly tubular shape (cylindrical shape). The hollow cylindrical portion  42  is provided at its outer circumferential surface with a protuberant portion  45  which is protuberant in a stepped manner in a roughly triangular (right-angled triangular) region. The protuberant portion  45  is formed over a range of a central angle of about 90° with respect to the center axis of the hollow cylindrical portion  42 . In addition, the tip end face (tip end side edge portion)  451  of the protuberant portion  45  has a portion inclined relative to the circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical portion  42 .  
      Such protuberant portions  45  are formed in pair at symmetrical positions (at positions opposite (180°) to each other) with respect to the center axis of the hollow cylindrical portion  42 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pusher  4  is supported in the condition where the hollow cylindrical portion  42  is inserted inside the hollow cylindrical portion  61  of the support member  6 . In this case, the outside diameter of the hollow cylindrical portion  42  at the protuberant portions  45  is nearly equal to the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical portion  61  of the support member  6 , so that the pusher  4  is supported without chattering. In addition, the two protuberant portions  45  of the pusher  4  are each located between the two protuberant portions  64  of the support member  6 .  
      In the condition shown in  FIG. 2 , the pusher  4  is locked to the support member  6  so that it would not move in the axial direction. Such locking is performed as follows. As shown in  FIG. 4 , projections  642  are formed to project in the circumferential direction at both ends of a base end portion of each protuberant portion  64 , and base end portions of each protuberant portion  45  are locked to (in contact with) the projections  642 , whereby the pusher  4  is prevented from moving in the base end direction. In addition, tip end portions of each protuberant portion  45  are locked to (in contact with) the ribs  68 , whereby the pusher  4  is prevented from moving in the tip end direction.  
      Thus, in this embodiment, the protuberant portions  45 , the protuberant portions  64  and the ribs  68  constitute a lock mechanism for locking the pusher  4  to the support member  6 . With such a lock mechanism provided, the pusher  4  can be prevented from being pushed to rupture and unseal the sealing film  5  during transportation or storage of the syringe  1 .  
      Incidentally, the lock mechanism is not limited to the configuration shown in the figures, and any configuration may be adopted, for example, engagement between recessed portions and projected portions, or projected portions and projected portions, provided respectively at the inner circumferential surface of the hollow cylindrical portion  61  and the outer circumferential surface of the hollow cylindrical portion  42 , screw-engagements between screws, or the like.  
      The lock mechanism in this embodiment is so configured as to be unlocked by rotating the pusher  4 , as will be described below. When the pusher  4  is rotated in a specified direction starting from the condition shown in  FIG. 2 , the protuberant portion  45  is passed between an end portion of the rib  68  and the protuberant portion  64 , with an angular portion  453  on the base end side sliding on the lead surface  641  of the protuberant portion  64 , and is moved to the tip end side relative to the protuberant portion  64  and the rib  68 . This unlocks the pusher  4 , resulting in that the pusher  4  is movable in the longitudinal direction. Incidentally, in the condition shown in  FIG. 2 , edge portions of the protuberant portions  45  abut on edge portions of the protuberant portions  64 , whereby the pusher  4  is prevented from rotating in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned specified direction.  
      Thus, when the pusher  4  is rotated in the specified direction starting from the condition shown in  FIG. 2 , the pusher  4  is unlocked while moving in the tip end direction. Therefore, the protuberant portions  64  (the lead surfaces  641 ) and the protuberant portions  45  function as a leading unit for leading the pusher  4  to move in the tip end direction when the pusher  4  is rotated. With such a leading unit provided, the sealing film  5  can be ruptured and unsealed by the operation of rotating the pusher  4 , as will be described later. Incidentally, the leading unit is not limited to the configuration shown in the figures. For example, the leading unit may be composed of a female screw formed in the support member  6  and a male screw formed on the pusher  4  to be screw-engaged with the female screw.  
      The protuberant portion  45  is provided on its outer circumferential surface with a plurality of minute ribs  452  extending in the axial direction. When the pusher  4  is rotated starting from the condition before use shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer circumferential surfaces of the protuberant portions  45  slide relative to the inner circumferential surface  65 , with the ribs  452  climbing over the ribs  67  of the support member  6 , whereby a click feeling is obtained. Besides, with the ribs  452  and the ribs  67  provided, the pusher  4  can be prevented from rotating spontaneously during transportation, storage or the like.  
      On the tip end side of the hollow cylindrical portion  42  is provided a connection portion (head portion)  43  for connection with the gasket  3 . The connection portion  43  is provided at its outer circumference with a male screw  431  capable of screw-engagement with the female screw  331  formed at the inner surface of the hollow portion  33 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , after the sealing film  5  is ruptured and unsealed by the rupture portion  44  which will be described later, the connection portion  43  is inserted into the hollow portion  33  of the gasket  3  and the male screw  431  is screw-engaged with the female screw  331 , whereby the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  can be connected with each other. In the connected condition, the rupture portion  44  described later is housed (stored) in the recessed portion  34  of the gasket  3 .  
      Since the connection between the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  is thus performed through the screw-engagement structure, the connection can be performed securely, the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  are prevented from being disengaged from each other attendant on the operation on the pusher  4 , and the operations to attach and detach the pusher  4  to and from the gasket  3  can be carried out easily.  
      Incidentally, in the present invention, the connection structure between the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  may be other than the screw-engagement; for example, a play-free mechanism such as fitting or a played mechanism such as loose fitting may be adopted.  
      In addition, in the present invention, a structure in which the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  are not connected with each other, specifically, a structure in which the gasket  3  is pushed to move by the pusher  4  in only the tip end direction, may also be adopted.  
      At the tip end portion of the pusher  4  is provided with the rupture portion  44  for rupturing the sealing film  5 . In this embodiment, the rupture portion  44  is in the shape of a sharp projection roughly conical in shape, and is provided at the tip end of the connection portion  43 .  
      In the present invention, by moving the pusher  4  in the tip end direction starting from the condition before use, the rupture portion  44  is caused to pierce the sealing film  5 , whereby the sealing film  5  can be ruptured and unsealed. Therefore, an operation to peel off and remove the sealing film  5  by hand is not needed when using the syringe  1 , so that an excellent operability can be obtained.  
      In the condition before use shown in  FIG. 2 , the tip end of the rupture portion  44  is preferably located in the vicinity of the base end face of the sealing film  5 .  
      Examples of the material usable for constituting the pusher  4  include various resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, poly-(4-methylpentene-1), polycarbonate, acrylic resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate), butadiene-styrene copolymer, and polyamides (e.g., nylon 6, nylon 6•6, nylon 6•10, and nylon 12). Among these resins, preferred are such resins as polypropylene, polyesters and poly-(4-methylpentene-1), in view of easy-moldability.  
      Next, one example of the method of using the syringe  1  will be described. The method described below pertains to one example of the case where a double ended needled holder (not shown) comprising a bottomed tubular holder main body and a double ended needle (needle pipe) provided at its both ends with sharp needle ends is connected to the syringe  1 , and a medical agent is mixingly injected into a bottle-shaped or bag-shaped injection vessel (not shown).  
      [1] First, the reduced diameter portion  22  of the syringe  1  before use shown in  FIG. 2  is connected to a mouth portion of the injection vessel through the double ended needled holder. Specifically, one needle end of the double ended needled holder is made to pierce through a plug body sealing the mouth portion of the injection vessel, and the other needle end is made to pierce through the film  24 . Upon this connection, an injection in the injection vessel is sucked and led into the outer tube  2  through the double ended needle, since the inside of the outer tube  2  is preliminarily set in a decompressed state.  
      [2] Next, the pusher  4  is rotated in a specified direction. Upon the rotation of the pusher  4 , the pusher  4  is unlocked from the support member  6  while moving in the tip end direction being led by the lead surface  641 . In addition, simultaneously with unlocking, the movement of the pusher  4  in the tip end direction causes the rupture portion  44  to pierce the sealing film  5 , whereby the sealing film  5  is ruptured and unsealed.  
      [3] When the pusher  4  is further rotated in the same direction while being advanced in the tip end direction, the connection portion  43  is inserted into the hollow portion  33  of the gasket  3 , and the male screw  431  and the female screw  331  are screw-engaged with each other, whereby the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  are connected with each other (see  FIG. 3 ).  
      Incidentally, when the hollow cylindrical portion  42  passes through the vicinity of the base end opening of the outer tube  2 , the ruptured sealing film  5  is inserted into the relief portion  29 , and therefore, does not hamper the passage.  
      In addition, where the inside of the outer tube  2  is not preliminarily set in the decompressed state, the pusher  4  in this instance is pushed to slide the gasket  3  in the outer tube  2  in the tip end direction and then the pusher  4  is pulled to slide the gasket  3  in the base end direction, whereby the injection is sucked and led in.  
      [4] The syringe  1  is oscillated or vibrated, and the medical agent  100  is thereby dissolved or dispersed in the injection led into the outer tube  2 , to obtain a medical agent containing the medical agent  100  as the effective constituent or constituents. Or, the syringe  1  may be oscillated or vibrated after the syringe  1  is once detached from the double ended needled holder, if necessary.  
      [5] The pusher  4  is pushed in the tip end direction. This causes the gasket  3  to slide in the outer tube  2  in the tip end direction, whereby the chemical in the outer tube  2  is discharged through the double ended needle, to be blended into the injection contained in the injection vessel.  
      As is seen from the operations described in the above paragraphs [1] to [5], the syringe  1  according to the present invention does not need an operation to peel off and remove the sealing film  5 . Therefore, the operations can be performed easily and speedily.  
      In addition, since the pusher  4  is supported by the support member  6  and combined with the outer tube  2  before use, there is no possibility that the pusher  4  might be lost and, therefore, it is unnecessary to search for the pusher  4  before use.  
      Besides, in this embodiment, since the pusher  4  is locked to the support member  6  before use, the pusher  4  is prevented from spontaneously moving in the tip end direction during transportation or storage, and therefore, the rupture portion  44  can be prevented from rupturing the sealing film  5  before use. Particularly, in this embodiment, since the pusher  4  is unlocked by rotating it, the pusher  4  would not be unlocked even if the finger receiving portion  411  is pushed and a force (impact) for moving the pusher  4  in the tip end direction is exerted during transportation or storage. Therefore, rupture of the sealing film  5  before use can be prevented more securely.  
      In addition, in this embodiment, the operation to rotate the pusher  4  moves the pusher  4  in the tip end direction, and the movement can cause the rupture portion  44  to rupture the sealing film  5 . Therefore, the sealing film  5  can be securely ruptured by a comparatively small operating force, and the sealing film  5  can be unsealed more easily.  
      Besides, in this embodiment, a further rotation of the pusher  4  in the same direction after the rupture of the sealing film  5  connects the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  with each other. Since the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  can thus be connected with each other by the operation in the same direction as the operation for rupturing the sealing film  5 , the rupture of the sealing film  5  and the connection between the gasket  3  and the pusher  4  can be performed in a stroke by a series of actions (continuous actions), resulting particularly in an excellent operability.  
      Incidentally, the method of using the syringe  1  is not limited to the above-mentioned method in which the double ended needled holder is used. It is natural that the syringe  1  can be used by fitting or mounting, for example, a hub, connectors, tubes or the like (not shown) of a needle pipe to the reduced diameter portion  22 .  
     Second Embodiment  
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are partly vertical sectional views showing a pusher in a second embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention.  
      Now, the second embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention will be described below referring to these figures. In the following, description will be centered on differences from the above-described embodiment, and descriptions of the same items as above will be omitted.  
      This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment above, except for the differences in the configuration of the pusher.  
      The pusher  4 A in this embodiment has an extension-contraction mechanism capable of extending and contracting the whole length thereof.  
      The pusher  4 A comprises a bottomed tubular first member  46 , and a second member  47  inserted into the first member  46  through the base end opening of the first member  46  and disposed to be movable in the longitudinal direction.  
      On the tip end side of the first member  46  are provided a connection portion  43  and a rupture portion  44 , which are the same as above-described. Protuberant portions  45  of the same as above-described are formed at the outer circumferential surface of a tip end portion of the first member  46 .  
      The inner circumferential surface of the first member  46  is provided with a groove  461  extending in the longitudinal direction and with a groove  462  extending in the circumferential direction from a base end portion of the groove  461 . Namely, the groove  461  and the groove  462  are formed to be substantially L-shaped.  
      The second member  47  comprises a slide portion  471  having a generally circular tubular shape and slid relative to the inner circumferential surface of the first member  46 , and a main body portion  472  provided on the base end side of the slide portion  471  and having a shape such that plate pieces intersect in a cross form. The outside diameter of the slide portion  471  is nearly equal to or slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the first member  46 . At the base end of the main body portion  472  is provided a finger receiving portion  411 , which is the same as above-described.  
      A projected portion  473  is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the slide portion  471 . The projected portion  473  is inserted in the groove  461  or the groove  462  so as to be movable along the groove  461  or  462 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , most part on the base end side of the second member  47  can be inserted (contained) in the first member  46 , whereby the pusher  4 A can be set in the state where the whole length thereof is contracted. In this state, the projected portion  473  is located at a tip end portion of the groove  461 .  
      In order to put the pusher  4 A into an extended state, the second member  47  is pulled and moved in the base end direction starting from the condition shown in  FIG. 6 , and when the projected portion  473  reaches the base end portion of the groove  461 , the second member  47  is rotated, whereby the projected portion  473  is moved along the groove  462 . As a result, the pusher  4 A is put into the extended state where the main body portion  472  is projected from the base end of the first member  46 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this state, the projected portion  473  is engaged with the groove  462 , whereby the pusher  4 A is prevented from contracting. Besides, once the second member  47  is rotated, the projected portion  473  rides over a projection (not shown) formed on the inner surface of the groove  462 , whereby the second member  47  is locked so that it cannot be rotated in the opposite direction relative to the first member  46 , and the pusher  4 A is therefore prevented from returning to the contracted state.  
      In this embodiment, the pusher  4 A is set in the contracted state shown in  FIG. 6  before use (the condition corresponding to  FIG. 2 ), and the pusher  4 A is extended as above-described when using. This makes it possible to reduce the whole length of the syringe  1  before use and to reduce the space in the syringe  1  during transportation and storage.  
      Besides, in the pusher  4 A according to this embodiment, rupture aid portions  48  for cutting the sealing film  5  in the vicinity of an edge portion of the base end opening of the outer tube  2  are provided. The rupture aid portions  48  have a triangular blade-like shape, and are formed on an outer circumferential portion of the tip end of the first member  46 . In the configuration shown, a plurality of (four) rupture aid portions  48  are provided, and are disposed at equal angular intervals (of  900 ) along the circumferential direction.  
      The provision of such rupture aid portions  48  ensures that, when the pusher  4 A is rotated starting from the condition before use, the rupture portion  4  ruptures the sealing film  5  and, simultaneously, the rupture aid portions  48  are rotated along an edge portion of the base end opening of the outer tube  2  to cut the sealing film  5 . The sealing film  5  thus cut is in the state of being clamped between the base end face  35  of the gasket  3  and the tip end face of the first member  46 . Therefore, the ruptured sealing film  5  can be prevented from remaining at the base end opening of the outer tube  2 .  
     Third Embodiment  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a support member in a third embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention, and  FIG. 9  is a vertical sectional view of the third embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention in the vicinity of the support member.  
      Now, the third embodiment of the syringe according to the present invention will be described below referring to these figures. In the following, descriptions will be centered on differences from the above-described embodiments, and descriptions of the same items as above will be omitted.  
      This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment above, except that a movement preventive member  7  for preventing a pusher  4  from moving in the tip end direction is removably provided on the base end side of a sealing film  5 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , the movement preventive member  7  comprises a plate-like movement preventive plate  71 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a hollow cylindrical portion  61  of a support member  6  is provided in its tip end portion with a hole (slit)  611  in which the movement preventive plate  71  is inserted. The support member  6  is provided with the movement preventive member  7  in the condition where the movement preventive plate  71  is inserted in the hollow cylindrical portion  61  via the hole  611 .  
      In this condition, the movement preventive plate  71  is located between the sealing film  5  and a rupture portion  44 . Therefore, even if a force for moving the pusher  4  in the tip end direction is exerted, the rupture portion  44  abuts on the base end face of the movement preventive plate  71 , whereby the pusher  4  can be prevented from moving in the tip end direction. This ensures that the sealing film  5  can be more securely prevented from being ruptured and unsealed during transportation or storage of the syringe  1 . Besides, even if the pusher  4  is erroneously operated, the sealing film  5  can be securely prevented from being ruptured.  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , the movement preventive plate  71  is provided with a projected portion  72  at a lower end portion in the figure, and the projected portion  72  is inserted in a hole  612  formed in the hollow cylindrical portion  61 . This ensures that the movement preventive member  7  is supported at two locations, i.e., at the holes  611  and  612 , and is disposed on the support member  6  without generation of chattering or the like.  
      In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a projected portion  73  is formed on the tip end face of the movement preventive plate  71  in the vicinity of the outside of the hole  611 . The projected portion  73  is engaged to a projection portion  621  formed on the base end face of a flange  62 , whereby the movement preventive member  7  is prevented from being disengaged from the support member  6 .  
      The movement preventive plate  71  is provided with a ring-shaped handle  74  on the upper side in  FIG. 9 . At the time of removing the movement preventive member  7 , a finger is engaged with the handle  74 , and the movement preventive member  7  is pulled to the upper side in  FIG. 9 , upon which the projected portion  73  rides over the projected portion  621  to cause disengagement of them from each other, resulting in that the movement preventive plate  71  can be pulled out of the hole  611 . When using the syringe  1  according to this embodiment, the movement preventive member  7  is thus removed, and then the operations described in the above paragraphs [1] to [5] are carried out.  
      The movement preventive plate  71  is provided, on the lower side of the handle  74  in  FIG. 9 , with a thinned portion  75  in the manner of crossing the movement preventive plate  71 , so that the movement preventive plate  71  can be bent at the thinned portion  75 . This ensures that the handle  74  can be folded as indicated by dot-dash lines in  FIG. 9  during transportation or storage, so that the handle  74  is not bulky, and the space therefore can be reduced.  
      While the syringe according to the present invention has been described above referring to the embodiments thereof shown in the figures, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Components of the syringe, particularly, the structure of the pusher, the structure of the gasket, the structure of the support member, and the like are not limited to the configurations shown in the figures, and may be replaced by arbitrary ones capable of displaying the functions equivalent to the above-described.  
      In addition, the syringe according to the present invention may be composed of a combination of two or more configurations (characteristic features) selected from the above-described embodiments.  
      As has been described above, according to the present invention, the need for an operation to peel off and remove the sealing film for sealing the base end opening of the outer tube is eliminated. Therefore, the operations to use the syringe can be performed easily and speedily.  
      Besides, since the pusher is supported by the support member and combined with the outer tube before use, the pusher is prevented from being lost, and it is unnecessary to search for the pusher before use.  
      In addition, where the lock mechanism for locking the pusher to the support member before use and the movement preventive member for preventing the pusher from moving in the tip end direction are provided, the sealing film can be prevented from being erroneously ruptured and unsealed by the rupture portion during transportation or storage.