Packageless syringe assembly with sterilizable fluid path

A packageless syringe assembly including a fluid path that can be sterilized by gas or radiation comprising:

• a barrel including a side wall having an outside surface and an inside surface defining a chamber for retaining fluid, an open proximal end, and a distal end including a distal wall, the chamber, distal end and proximal end defining a fluid path;
• a plunger rod including a stopper disposed within the barrel;
• a first cap having a proximal end having a plurality of openings in flow communication with the fluid path and permitting sterilization of a portion of the fluid path by radiation or a gas, an interior surface having a plurality of tortuous path rings, and an open distal end affixed to the proximal end of the barrel, wherein the first cap proximal end is covered by a first permeable material;
• a second cap affixed to the distal end of the barrel, the second cap having a proximal end, an interior surface having a plurality of tortuous path rings, and a closed distal end having a segment with a plurality of openings in flow communication with the fluid path and permitting sterilization of a portion of the fluid path by radiation or a gas;
• a collar attached to the closed distal end of the second cap, the collar comprising a second permeable material that extends an entire length of the segment and that covers the openings on the closed distal end of the second cap;
• and
• a tamper-evident band covering a portion of at least one of the first and second cap.