WO2008053462A2

WO2008053462A2 - Fluid transfer device

Info

Publication number: WO2008053462A2
Application number: PCT/IL2007/001270
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shlomo Haimi
Original assignee: Shlomo Haimi
Priority date: 2006-10-29
Filing date: 2007-10-23
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Also published as: WO2008053462A3; WO2008053462B1

Abstract

The present invention includes a base structure having at least two vial attachment points. The vial attachment points are in fluid communication via at least one fluid transfer passageway. Each vial attachment point also includes a passageway that opens to the outside atmosphere, as will be explained below. The base structure is configured to accept a first vial in an upright position, and at least a second vial in an inverted position. The first vial contains a first substance that may be in a liquid, solid or powder state. The second vial contains a substance in a liquid state. During the mixing process, the liquid from the second vial is drawn into the first vial in order to combine the substances. A syringe in fluid communication with the first vial is used to create a vacuum state within the first vial such that liquid is then drawn into the first vial from the second vial. Once the liquid is in the first vial, the entire device is agitated so as to mix the contents now in the first vial. When thoroughly mixed, the device is inverted so as to bring the resultant mixed liquid into a position to be drawn from the first vial into the syringe for administration to a patient.

Description

FLUID TRANSFER DEVICE

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for drawing a liquid from one medicine vial into another vial for the purpose of mixing substances together and, in particular, it concerns a device for use with standard medicine vials that uses the suction created by a syringe to draw liquid from one medicine vial into another vial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for use with standard medicine vials that uses the suction created by a syringe to draw liquid from one medicine vial into another vial.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a fluid transfer device for combining the contents of two or more vials, the fluid transfer device comprising a base structure configured with at least first and second vial attachment points, the vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least a first fluid transfer passageway, the base structure configured to accept a first vial, containing a first substance, at the first attachment point and at least a second vial, containing a second substance in a liquid state, at the second attachment point, wherein during a mixing process, a vacuum state is created within the first vial such that liquid is subsequently drawn from the second vial into the first vial in order to combine the substances. According to a further teaching of the present invention, the first vial is deployed on the base structure in an upright position and the second vial is deployed on the base structure in an inverted position.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, each the vial attachment point further includes a passageway that opens to outside atmosphere.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, a syringe in fluid communication with the first vial is used to create the vacuum state.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, once the first and the second substances are mixed, the base structure is inverted and a resultant mixture is subsequently drawn into the syringe.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at least two vial attachment points is configured as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in series such that the first attachment point is interconnected via the first fluid transfer passageway to the second attachment point and the second attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at least two vial attachment points is configured as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in parallel such that the first attachment point is in fluid communication via the first fluid transfer passageway with the second attachment point and the first attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a method for combining the contents of two or more vials, the method comprising: a) interconnecting at least two vials to a base structure such that a first vial, containing a first substance and at least a second vial, containing a second substance in a liquid state are in fluid communication via at least one fluid transfer passageway; and b) creating a vacuum state within the first vial so as to draw the liquid from the second vial into the first vial via the fluid transfer passageway. According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided deploying the first vial on the base structure in an upright position and deploying the second vial on the base structure in an inverted position.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided implementing each the vial attachment point with a passageway that opens to outside atmosphere.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided deploying a syringe so as to be in fluid communication with the first vial such that the syringe is used to create the vacuum state.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided inverting the base structure once the first and the second substances are mixed, and subsequently drawing a resultant mixture is into the syringe.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided implementing the at least two vial attachment points as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in series such that the first attachment point is in fluid communication with the second attachment point via the first fluid transfer passageway and the second attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided implementing the at least two vial attachment points as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in parallel such that the first attachment point is in fluid communication via the first fluid transfer passageway with the second attachment point and the first attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side section of a first preferred embodiment of a fluid transfer device constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, shown with two vials attached before liquid is drawn from the second vial into the first vial; FIG. 2 is a side section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 after the liquid has been drawn out of the second vial and into the first vial; FIG. 3 is a side section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 after the liquid from the second vial has been mixed with the contents of the first vial;

FIG. 4 is a side section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 after the device has been inverted in order to draw the mixed contents of the first vial into the syringe; FIG. 5 is a side section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 after the contents of the first vial has been drawn into the syringe;

FIG. 6 is a side section of the filled syringe with the air removed and an injection needle attached;

FIG. 7 is a side section of a second preferred embodiment of a fluid transfer device constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, in which liquid is drawn in series from second and third vials into the first vial; and

FIG. 8 is a side section of a third preferred embodiment of a fluid transfer device constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, in which liquid is drawn in parallel from second and third vials into the first vial.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of a device for use with standard medicine vials that uses the suction created by a syringe to draw liquid from one medicine vial into another vial according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. By way of introduction, the present invention provides a sterile (aseptic) device for combining the contents of two or more vials, either liquid with liquid or liquid with a non-liquid such as, by non-limiting example, solids and powders. Although there are devices known in the art for use with vials that are not at ambient pressure, such as being pressurized or in a vacuum state, the device of the present invention may be used with any suitable vial whether it is at ambient pressure, pressurized or in a vacuum state. The process of combining and mixing the contents of the vials is performed in a simple manner and the device is simple to use by both professionals and inexperienced persons. The fluid transfer device of the present invention is a base structure configured for interconnection with at least two preferably standard medicine vials such as, but not limited to, the full range of vials from 7ml through 100ml as are known in the art. However, non-standard vials may be used with equally beneficial results, therefore the term "vial" as used herein refers to any suitable vial whether of a standard medical size or of a non-standard size. It should be noted that although the vials illustrated herein appear to be of the same size, this is not intended as a limitation, and simultaneous attachment of vials of different sizes to the device such as, by non-limiting example, drawing liquid from a 7.5ml vial into a 15ml vial is within the scope of the present invention. The base structure includes at least two vial attachment points. Each of the vial attachment points are in fluid communication via at least one fluid transfer passageway. Each vial attachment point also includes a passageway that opens to the outside atmosphere, as will be explained below. The base structure is configured to accept a first vial in an upright position, and at least a second vial in an inverted position. The first vial contains a first substance that may be in a liquid, solid or powder state. The second vial contains a substance in a liquid state. During the mixing process, the liquid from the second vial is drawn into the first vial in order to combine the substances. A syringe in fluid communication with the first vial is used to create a vacuum state within the first vial such that liquid is then drawn into the first vial from the second vial. Once the liquid is in the first vial, the entire device is agitated so as to mix the contents now in the first vial. When thoroughly mixed, the device is inverted so as to bring the resultant mixed liquid into a position to be drawn from the first vial into the syringe for administration to a patient. It will be readily understood that since the fluid communication between the syringe and the first vial is unbroken during the entire process, that is, the syringe stays connected to the base structure, the volume of the syringe must be equal to or greater than the total volume of the vials. It should be noted the a device in which fluid communication between the syringe and the first vial is broken, or any other method of removing the air from the syringe before drawing the mixed liquid into the syringe, thereby allowing the use of a smaller syringe, is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the base structure 2 of a first preferred embodiment of the fluid transfer device of the present invention. The first vial 4, which contains substance 40, is attached to the base structure 2 in an upright position. The second vial 6, which contains substance 42, is attached to the base structure 2 in an inverted position such that the liquid contents are in contact with the lid of the vial 6. It will be readily understood that substance 40 may be a liquid, a solid or a powder, and substance 42 is a liquid. A fluid transfer passageway 10 configured in the base structure 2 interconnects the first vial 4 with the second vial 6 so as to provide fluid communication therebetween. Both of the ends of passageway 10 are configure with piercing elements (best seen in Figure 2) configured to pierce the sealed lid of the corresponding vial. The piercing elements may be integrally formed with the base structure. Alternatively, piercing elements may be fixedly attached to the base structure at the ends of the passageway.

Attachment point 20 also includes a passageway 22 that provides syringe attachment and fluid communication between the syringe 30 and the first vial 4. Attachment point 24 also includes passageway 26 that is configured to allow the one-way passage of air into the second vial 6 so as to equalize the pressure inside of the second vial 6 as liquid 40 is drawn out during the mixing process. Both passageways 22 and 26 are configured with piercing elements as discussed above with regard to passageway 10. It should be noted that passageway 26 is of a diameter small enough that air can pass through it but the viscosity of the liquid 42 in vial 6 prevents leakage of the liquid 42 through passageway 26.

As illustrated in Figure 2, as the plunger 32 of the syringe 30 is pulled back, air inside of the first vial 4 is drawn through passageway 22 into the syringe 30 and a vacuum state is created in the first vial 4, the suction thereby created draws liquid from the second vial 6 through fluid transfer passageway 10 into the first vial 4. As liquid 42 is drawn from the second vial 6, air is introduced into the second vial 6 via passageway 26 so as to fill the void and equalize the pressure inside the second vial 6.

As illustrated in Figure 3, once the liquid 42 from the second vial 6 has been drawn into the first vial 4, the two substances 40 and 42 are mixed together to form a liquid mixture 44. Once liquid mixture 44 is thoroughly mixed, the base structure 2 with the vials 4 and 6 still attached is inverted, as illustrated in Figure 4, so that liquid mixture 44 may be drawn into the syringe 30, as illustrated in Figure 5. It will be appreciated that as liquid mixture 44 is drawn into the syringe 30, air flows through passageway 26, the second vial 6 and passageway 10 so as to equalize the pressure in the first vial 4.

Once the required amount of the liquid mixture 44 is drawn into the syringe 30, the syringe 30 is detached from the base structure 2 and an injection needle is attached, as illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 7 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a base structure 102 of the present invention in which as the plunger 32 is drawn back in the syringe 30 and a vacuum state is created in the first vial 104, liquids 144a and 144b are drawn from the second vial 106a and the third vial 106b in series into the first vial 104. That is, as liquid 144a in the second vial 106a is drawn into the first vial 104 through fluid transfer passageway 110, liquid 144b in the third vial 106b is drawn into the third vial 106a through fluid transfer passageway 110a and outside air is drawn into the third vial 106b through passageway 126 to equalize the pressure. This process continues until all of the liquid (144a and 144b) is drawn into the first vial 104. It will be readily understood that once the substances are combined in the first vial 104, the procedures for mixing and filling the syringe are the same as described above with regard to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a base structure 102 of the present invention in which as the plunger 32 is drawn back in the syringe 30 and a vacuum state is created in the first vial 2204, liquids 244a and 244b are drawn from the second vial 206a and the third vial 206b in parallel into the first vial 204. That is, there is a simultaneous drawing of liquid 244a in the second vial 206a and liquid 244b in the third vial 206b into the first vial 204 through fluid transfer passageways 210a and 210b, respectively. Outside air is drawn into the second vial 206a and the third vial 206b through passageways 226a and 226b respectively, to equalize the pressure inside those vials. It will be readily understood that once the substances are combined in the first vial 204, the procedures for mixing and filling the syringe are the same as described above with regard to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. It will be readily understood, based on the descriptions of Figures 7 and 8, that embodiments of the base structure configured for attachment of substantially any number of vials is within the scope of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fluid transfer device for combining the contents of two or more vials, the fluid transfer device comprising a base structure configured with at least first and second vial attachment points, said vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least a first fluid transfer passageway, said base structure configured to accept a first vial, containing a first substance, at said first attachment point and at least a second vial, containing a second substance in a liquid state, at said second attachment point, wherein during a mixing process, a vacuum state is created within said first vial such that liquid is subsequently drawn from said second vial into said first vial in order to combine the substances.

2. The fluid transfer device of claim 1, wherein said first vial is deployed on said base structure in an upright position and said second vial is deployed on said base structure in an inverted position.

3. The fluid transfer device of claim 1, wherein each said vial attachment point further includes a passageway that opens to outside atmosphere.

4. The fluid transfer device of claim 1, wherein a syringe in fluid communication with said first vial is used to create said vacuum state.

5. The fluid transfer device of claim 1, wherein once said first and said second substances are mixed, said base structure is inverted and a resultant mixture is subsequently drawn into said syringe.

6. The fluid transfer device of claim I₅ wherein said at least two vial attachment points is configured as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in series such that said first attachment point is interconnected via said first fluid transfer passageway to said second attachment point and said second attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.

7. The fluid transfer device of claim I₅ wherein said at least two vial attachment points is configured as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in parallel such that said first attachment point is in fluid communication via said first fluid transfer passageway with said second attachment point and said first attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.

8. A method for combining the contents of two or more vials, the method comprising:

(a) interconnecting at least two vials to a base structure such that a first vial, containing a first substance and at least a second vial, containing a second substance in a liquid state are in fluid communication via at least one fluid transfer passageway; and (b) creating a vacuum state within said first vial so as to draw said liquid from said second vial into said first vial via said fluid transfer passageway.

9. The method of claim 8, further including deploying said first vial on said base structure in an upright position and deploying said second vial on said base structure in an inverted position.

10. The method of claim 8, further including implementing each said vial attachment point with a passageway that opens to outside atmosphere.

11. The method of claim 8, further including deploying a syringe so as to be in fluid communication with said first vial such that said syringe is used to create said vacuum state.

12. The method of claim 8, further including inverting said base structure once said first and said second substances are mixed, and subsequently drawing a resultant mixture is into said syringe.

13. The method of claim 8, further including implementing said at least two vial attachment points as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in series such that said first attachment point is in fluid communication with said second attachment point via said first fluid transfer passageway and said second attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.

14. The method of claim 8, further including implementing said at least two vial attachment points as at least three vial attachment points being in fluid communication via at least two fluid transfer passageways in parallel such that said first attachment point is in fluid communication via said first fluid transfer passageway with said second attachment point and said first attachment point is in further fluid communication with a third vial attachment point via a second fluid transfer passageway.