IE62046B1 - Pre-slit injection site - Google Patents

Description

The invention pertains to an injection site usable with a blunt cannula in the medical field for handling medications and body fluids.

In the medical field, injection sites usable with 5 pointed cannulae have long been known. For example, such sites can be formed with a housing having a fluid flow path therein. A septum is positioned in the housing closing the fluid flow path.

One injection site usable with a piercing cannula is 10 disclosed in US-A-4,412,573.

The pointed cannula can be forced through the septum into fluid flow communication with the flow path in the housing, known injection sites usable with a piercing cannula can be physically damaged by repetitive piercing caused by the sharp cannula. This damage, known as coring or laceration, can result in subsequent leakage.

For example, standard drug vials which have rubber stoppers or sites, are routinely entered with a conventional hypodermic needle. From repeated entry of the needle, the stopper may leak as a result of the coring and no longer function as a sterile barrier. Particulate matter can subsequently be generated and injected into the patient or otherwise contaminate the content of the vial. These problems are magnified with vials which are accessed multiple times.

Due to problems associated with infectious agents, personnel using such pointed cannulae do so with great care. Notwithstanding careful and prudent practice, from time to time, accidents do occur and individuals using such pointed cannulae jab themselves.

In an effort to overcome some of these difficulties, devices known as dispensing pins can be used to penetrate the site or stopper of multiple dose vials. Such dispensing pins are typically a sharp spike cannula and can employ a check valve in an effort to prevent gross fluid leakage. On the opposing end of the cannula is a standard luer fitment typically closed off, when not In use, by a cap. These dispensing pins tend to disengage from the vial stopper so that some leakage still occurs. Further, it is difficult to maintain sterile conditions on this multiple dose system.

Injection sites usable with a blunt cannula are also known. For example, US-A-4,197,848 discloses one such injection site. That injection site 1s a relatively low pressure device having a relatively thin, molded, sealing member. The sealing member has an opening therethrough.

A blunt cannula can be forced through the sealing member placing the cannula into fluid flow communication with a fluid flow pathway in the injection site.

Injection sites of the type noted above usable with a 10 blunt cannula have the advantage that the blunt cannula will not pierce the skin of a user. On the other hand, 1t 1s important that the pre-slit injection site reseal with enough force that fluids do not ooze therefrom and that airborne particulate matter, bacterial or viral matter do not enter therethrough.

An injection site usable with a blunt cannula is also known from WO 89/06553, which discloses an easily wipeable injection site including a housing which defines a fluid flow channel therethrough. The housing has a first and a second end.

A flexible sealing member 1s carried by the housing for sealing the first end. The sealing member has a resealable opening therein. The sealing member also 1s formed with a curved exterior peripheral surface such that the blunt cannula can be sealingly inserted through the opening and placed in fluid flow communication with the flow path. Further, the blunt cannula can be removed from the opening with the sealing member then interacting with the housing so as to reseal the opening.

The housing can also be formed with the first end Including an annular channel underlying the sealing member.

The sealing member is subjected to radially directed forces by a tapered surface of the first end of the housing. These forces tend to reseal the opening in the sealing member.

The sealing member can be a cylindrically shaped rubber member. The first end of the housing can include an interior tapered surface for receiving the sealing member and for applying the radially directed forces to the sealing member.

A retaining member carried by the first end of the housing can be used to retain the sealing member with the housing. The retaining member can be generally U-shaped. Alternately, the retaining member can be formed as a coiled spring.

The retaining member applies axially directed forces to the sealing member. In one construction, the retaining member deflects the sealing member and forms a curved exterior peripheral surface thereon. The curved exterior peripheral surface is an easily wipeable surface.

The retaining member deflects or distorts the upper and lower peripheral edges slightly as a result of applying axial forces thereto. When the blunt cannula is inserted into the slit in the sealing member, an annular interior peripheral region of the sealing member deforms further and fills, at least in part, the annular channel.

Deformation of this annular peripheral region results in an insertion force in a range of 900 to 2300 g. (2.0 to 5 pounds). Preferably, the insertion force will have a value of the order of 900 g. (2.0 pounds).

The reseal able opening in the sealing member can extend entirely through that member. Alternately, the resealable opening can extend only partway therethrough and the end of the blunt cannula will be used to tear through the remainder of the sealing member.

The sealing member can be formed in two parts. An exterior cylindrical portion can be slit completely. An interior cylindrical unslit portion can be provided to seal the site until the blunt cannula is inserted therethrough the first time.

The Interior surface of the first end can be formed with the taper in a range on the order of 5 degrees to 20 degrees. Preferably, the interior surface will have a taper on the order of 12 degrees. This tapered surface permits the use of a cylindrically shaped sealing member.

To provide for leak-free insertion, the length of the slit In the sealing member must be less than one-half of the circumference of the cannula being inserted therethrough.

Hence, the slit length may exceed the diameter of the cannula being inserted. In addition, the slit length must be great enough, given the elastic limit of the sealing member, to prevent tearing during insertion.

The present invention concerns an injection site which may be made as set out above, but is adapted for coupling to standard vials.

The precharacterising part of Claim 1 is based on the disclosure of WO-A-89/06553 and the characterising part sets out the distinguishing features of the invention. The invention is distinguished by the features set out in the characterizing portion of 2o claim 1 .

Figure 1 is perspective view of a single-use-device packaging and a pre-slit injection site with vial adapter in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the pre-slit injection 5 site with vial adapter as the adapter begins to engage a vial; Figure 3 is an elevational view of the pre-slit injection site with vial adapter lockingly engaged to a vial; Figure 4 is a top elevational view of the pre-slit 10 injection site with vial adapter; Figure 5 is a bottom view of the pre-slit injection site with vial adapter; Figure 6 1s an enlarged side elevational view of the pre-slit injection site with vial adapter In section taken along line 34-34 of Figure 4; Figure 7 Is an enlarged side elevational view of the pre-s11t injection site mounted on a vial adapter in section taken along line 35-35 of Figure 4; Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the 20 pre-slit injection site with vial adapter lockingly engaged to a vial; Figure 9 1s an elevational view of the pre-slit injection site with vial adapter being coupled to a blunt cannula ; Figure 10 1s a perspective view of the pre-slit injection 25 site with vial adapter being coupled to a blunt cannula with locking feature ; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a modification of the pre-slit injection site with vial adapter.

Reference is made to WO-A-89/06553, Figs. 2 to 28, and the accompanying description. This disclosure provides a full enabling disclosure for making the injection site disclosed below.

An embodiment of a pre-slit injection site according to the invention is illustrated in the Figures. This embodiment 700 demonstrates an injection site of the type described in WO-A-89/06553 combined with a coupling component to permit the repeated access to a standard drug vial without using sharp needles. A preslit injection site 710 is formed with a cylindrical housing 712 having a first end 714 and a second end 716. A resealable septum 718 is carried by first end 714 of housing 712. The septum 718 includes first and second spaced apart surfaces 720 and 722, respectively. The surface 720 has been forced Into a dome-like shape by annular, U-shaped, swaged end members 724 carried by first end 714. The septum 718 Is provided with a preformed opening 726. Carried by the housing 712 Is a hollow fluid flow member 728 connecting the first end 714 and second end 716.

As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, threaded feature 732 is carried on the outside of the site housing 712 to readily receive and/or lockingly engage various embodiments of the blunt cannula such as those represented in Figures 8 and 9 as 730a and 730b, which have been previously described in WO-A-89/06553. To improve, the engagement between the site and cannula, the threaded feature 732 may be provided with increased profiles and carry two nodes spaced 180° apart on the profiles. These increased profiles and nodes assist in compensating for normal dimensional tolerances in the blunt cannula.

The housing 712 of the pre-slit injection site 710 is combined with a coupling component or a vial adapter 736. Injection site 710 is molded onto a first skirt member 734 of vial adapter 736. The first skirt member 734 has a generally cylindrical wall 738 substantially closed on one end with a top member 740 of the vial adapter 736. The opposing portion of wall 738 is provided with a generally cylindrical step 742 which extends to connect with a second skirt member 744 of vial adapter 736. Having a larger diameter than first skirt member 734, second skirt 744 has a generally cylindrical wall 746 and terminates in a ridge 748.

Figure 6 illustrates, in section, the further details of the vial adapter 736 and the injection site 710. Generally centered in top member 740 is a hole 750 which is aligned with fluid flow member 728. In communication with fluid flow member 728, an adapter spike 752 is contiguous with hole 750. The adapter spike 752 has a generally cylindrical, hollow body portion 754 which tapers into a solid center point 756. The adapter spike 752 extends beyond the horizontal plane defined by step 742 but not beyond the horizontal plane defined by ridge 748. The second skirt 744 shields adapter spike 752 during the manufacturing and use of this embodiment of injection site 700.

Located in center point 756 is a bore 758. Embodiment 700 of pre-slit injection site and coupling component has preferably a bore formed of three peripheral openings 758a, 758b, 758c. Each opening extends from the joinder of body portion 754 and center point 756 and terminate prior to the opposing end of center point 756. With openings 758a-758c, a continuous flow passageway is established from injection site 710 through adapter spike 752.

As most clearly illustratedin Figures 5-8, the inner surface of top member 740 is provided with nib protrusions 760, preferably four protrusions, 760a-760d. Spaced evenly from one another, nib protrusions 760a-760d are positioned between the joinder of first skirt wall 738 with top member 740 and hole 750. Preferably aligned with nib protrusions 760a-760d are undercuts 762a-762d raised along the inner surface of first skirt wall 738. Each undercut 762a-762d terminates immediately adjacent to step 742 in a bump portion 764a-764d.

The vial adapter 736 is provided with preferably two slots, 766a and 766b located from ridge 748 through the skirts 734 and 744 terminating prior to top member 740.

This embodiment 700 of pre-slit injection site and coupling component can be packaged as a single-use medical device in a sterile rigid blister 768, adapted to temporarily contain device 700, and a peelable lid 770, as Illustrated in Figure 1 . In application, a standard drug vial 776 having a vial closure 772 of aluminum carrying a rubber stopper 774 is prepared in accordance with the drug package. The device 700 is grasped through the package 768 and lid 770 is removed. Without direct contact between device 700 and the user, adapter spike 752 is positioned at the center of rubber stopper 774 and to pressed firmly down towards vial 776 so that center point 756 pierces through stopper 774. To reduce the insertion force required, adapter spike 752 can be lubricated, for example, with silicone, prior to insertion of center point 756 into stopper 774.

By generally centering adapter spike 752 on stopper 774, second skirt member 744 is then permitted to pass over stopper 774 and surround vial closure 772 generally uninhibited. Slots 766a and 766b permit second skirt member 744 to expand so to slightly increase in diameter, compensating for dimensional variations among vial closures on standard drug vials.

As adapter spike 752 continues through stopper 774, undercuts 762a-762d meet the top of vial closure 772 with resistance. Extending into first skirt member 734, slots 766a and 766b also permit the expansion of first skirt member 734 to assist in overcoming the initial resistance of undercuts 762a-762d. This initial resistance can then be overcome by a slight increase in insertion force as first skirt member 734 expands over vial closure 772. As the user continues to press device 700 into stopper 774, bump portions 764a-764d will each create indentations in the soft aluminum vial closure 772.

Each undercut 762a-762d passes along the newly created indentations. As illustrated in Figure 8, bump portions 764a-764d will come to rest in part under the lower edge of vial closure 772. In this position, bump portions 764a-764d provide resistance against device 700 from being disengaged from vial 776.

As bump portions 764a-764d are positioned under vial closure 772, top member 740 covers and, in some instances, may 3Q be in direct contact with the upper portion of vial closure 772 which carries stopper 774. Nib protrusions 760a-760d indent the aluminum upper portion of vial closure 772, preventing device 700 from rotating on vial 776.

Complete insertion of adapter spike 752 is achieved, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, when bump portions 764a-764d are engaged by the lower portion of closure 772 and nib protrusions 760a-760d indent the upper portion of closure 772. The undercuts 762a-762d are sized so that upon complete insertion of adapter spike 752, peripheral openings 758a-758c are inserted through stopper 774 and are completely within vial 776, permitting proper drainage of vial 776. After complete insertion, blister 768 can be separated from device 700 which 10 is lockingly engaged with vial 776 in a sterile manner. The vial 776 can now be repeatedly accessed through device 700 by a blunt cannula as described in wo-A-89/06553.

A further variation of device 700 described above, is shown in Figure 11. As illustrated, the device 700 can be provided with a side arm 780 molded with site housing 712.

Used as an air vent, side arm 780 can be provided with filters and valves well known in the art.

Claims (17)

1. An injection site usable with a blunt cannula and comprising: a housing (712) defining a fluid flow channel (728) therethrough, said housing having a first end (714) and a second end (716); resilient sealing means (718), carried by said housing overlying said channel (728), for sealing said first end (714), said sealing means being formed with a resealable opening (726) therein extending at least partway therethrough and having an exterior surface (720); retaining means (724,712) for retaining said sealing means (718) in said housing such that a blunt cannula can be sealingly inserted through said opening (726) and placed in fluid flow communication with said flow channel (728) and such that the cannula can be removed therefrom with said sealing means (718) interacting with said retaining means (724,712) so as to reseal said opening, said retaining means including a deformation (724) of said housing first end (714) against said exterior surface (720) of said sealing means, said first end deformation (724) applying axially directed forces to said sealing means (718); . characterised by:a coupling component (736) integral with said second end (716) and continuing said fluid flow channel (728), said coupling component having a first skirt member (734), second skirt member (744) and a step (742) between and connecting the skirt members, and a spike (752) having a bore, carried by said first skirt member and, extending within the skirt members (734,744) to a position beyond the step (742), and a connector means (760a-760d, 762a-762d) for lockingly engaging said site to a vial such that said spike can be inserted into said vial and provide drainage of the vial fluid through said fluid flow channel.

2. An injection site as in Claim 1 wherein said first skirt member (734) comprises a generally cylindrical wall (738) having at one end a top member (740) defining a hole (750) continuing said fluid flow channel (728).

3. An injection site as in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second skirt members (734,744) have a slot (766a,766b).

4. An injection site as in any preceding claim wherein said spike (752) comprises a substantially cylindrical, hollow body portion (754) tapering to a solid center point (756) and having at least one peripheral opening (758a,758b,758c).

5. An injection site as in Claim 4 wherein the spike has three peripheral openings (758a,758b,758c) carried between said body portion (754) and said center point (756).

6. An injection site as in any preceding claim wherein said connector means includes undercut members (762a-762d) carried by said first skirt member (734) for engagement with a vial closure.

7. An injection site as in any preceding claim wherein said connector means includes protrusion members (760a-760d) carried by said first skirt member (734) for engagement with a vial closure.

8. An injection site as in any preceding claim wherein said housing (712) carrying threaded connecting means (732) having node members.

9. An injection site as in any preceding claim wherein said housing includes an air vent.

10. An injection site as in any preceding claim with said housing (712) carrying connector means (732) at said second end (716).

11. An injection site as in Claim 10 with said connector means 5 including a twist-lock connecting member.

12. An injection site as in Claim 10 with said connector means including a threaded connecting member. 10

13. An injection site as in any preceding claim wherein the sealing means reseals against pressures exceeding 60 psi (4.12.10 5 pascals).

14. An injection site as in any preceding claim with a resulting frustoconical housing compressing the cylindrical sealing means in a range of 15. 2 to 25% by volume.

15. An injection site as in Claim 14 with a resulting frusto-conical housiog compressing the cylindrical sealing means on the order of 10% by volume.

16. An injection site usable with a blunt cannula

17. 20 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.