Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
  • A61J1/20—Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
  • A61J1/2003—Accessories used in combination with means for transfer or mixing of fluids, e.g. for activating fluid flow, separating fluids, filtering fluid or venting
  • A61J1/2079—Filtering means
  • A61J1/2082—Filtering means for gas filtration
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
  • A61J1/20—Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
  • A61J1/2003—Accessories used in combination with means for transfer or mixing of fluids, e.g. for activating fluid flow, separating fluids, filtering fluid or venting
  • A61J1/2006—Piercing means
  • A61J1/2013—Piercing means having two piercing ends
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
  • A61J1/20—Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
  • A61J1/2003—Accessories used in combination with means for transfer or mixing of fluids, e.g. for activating fluid flow, separating fluids, filtering fluid or venting
  • A61J1/202—Separating means
  • A61J1/2027—Separating means having frangible parts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
  • A61J1/20—Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
  • A61J1/2003—Accessories used in combination with means for transfer or mixing of fluids, e.g. for activating fluid flow, separating fluids, filtering fluid or venting
  • A61J1/202—Separating means
  • A61J1/2037—Separating means having valve means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
  • A61J1/20—Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
  • A61J1/2003—Accessories used in combination with means for transfer or mixing of fluids, e.g. for activating fluid flow, separating fluids, filtering fluid or venting
  • A61J1/2048—Connecting means
  • A61J1/2058—Connecting means having multiple connecting ports
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
  • A61J1/20—Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
  • A61J1/2003—Accessories used in combination with means for transfer or mixing of fluids, e.g. for activating fluid flow, separating fluids, filtering fluid or venting
  • A61J1/2068—Venting means
  • A61J1/2075—Venting means for external venting
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
  • A61J1/20—Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
  • A61J1/2096—Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
  • A61M5/178—Syringes
  • A61M5/31—Details
  • A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
  • A61M5/3295—Multiple needle devices, e.g. a plurality of needles arranged coaxially or in parallel
  • A61M5/3298—Needles arranged in parallel
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
  • A61M5/178—Syringes
  • A61M5/31—Details
  • A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
  • A61M5/34—Constructions for connecting the needle, e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub
  • A61M5/344—Constructions for connecting the needle, e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub using additional parts, e.g. clamping rings or collets
  • A61M5/345—Adaptors positioned between needle hub and syringe nozzle
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
  • A61M5/178—Syringes
  • A61M5/31—Details
  • A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
  • A61M5/34—Constructions for connecting the needle, e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub
  • A61M5/347—Constructions for connecting the needle, e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub rotatable, e.g. bayonet or screw
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
  • A61M5/36—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body
  • A61M5/38—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters
  • A61M5/385—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body using hydrophilic or hydrophobic filters using hydrophobic filters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
  • A61M5/178—Syringes
  • A61M5/31—Details
  • A61M2005/3123—Details having air entrapping or venting means, e.g. purging channels in pistons

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to devices for extracting liquid, from vials to syringe, that avoid the common foaming that occurs as air bubbles through the liquid. Foaming is highly undesirable as foam is not easily drawn into the syringe, thus resulting in a loss of at least some of the liquid that remains unobtainable in the vial, a costly and wasteful issue.
• a vial is a sterile container, commonly glass, which has a penetrable and re-sealable stopper that acts to contain the liquid drug solution safely within while permitting a needle to pass through for extraction.
• Medication within the vial is typically provided in one of two forms, the first is as a liquid drug solution ready for extraction. Due to shipping costs, weight, and potentially the longevity of the medication, the second form is dry - such as a powder, which is reconstituted by injecting a measured amount of water or other liquid into the vial to provide a drug solution.
• the same issue of foaming may occur.
• the general method of loading a syringe is to direct the needle of a syringe through the rubber stopper and then draw back on the plunger of the syringe to create suction within the chamber of the syringe, and correspondingly suction the liquid through the needle.
• one recommended option is to draw into the syringe a volume of air equal to the volume of drug solution to be withdrawn from the vial, insert the needle through the stopper, invert the vial and inject the air into the vial and then withdraw the drug solution.
• the drug solution may be forced out around the needle. If the air is injected through the drug solution and not above it, then again bubbling and foaming may occur.
• the medication is for an infusion treatment where it is likely the entire vial is to be used in one treatment, then this process must be repeated many times, and with each repeated process the same issues of foaming and potential loss occur.
• the repeated back and forth of injected air and suctioning of the drug solution will also most likely add bubbles to the drug solution within the syringe, which is also undesirable.
• Mini-Spike® by Braun Medical Inc.
• these devices are in essence a structure operating as a vented needle, an example of which can be found in US 4,787,878 to Rains and entitled Vented Needle with Sideport. More specifically, Rains teaches a main body having two ports at right angles to one another - one to conduct liquid and the other to conduct air. These ports each terminate in the needle tip providing a continuous slanted end structure. The port for air is slightly above the port for liquid, but the difference in height is appreciably immaterial.
• Scislowicz US 3,938,520 also provides two ports, in this case on their side of a piercing tip.
• the Scislowicz device has the air port and the liquid port effectively next to each other, and as such both are disposed within the liquid during extraction from the vial.
• the Scislowicz device again is highly effective at generating bubbling and foaming during the extraction process.
• a method of avoiding foam generation when extracting a liquid from a hollow vessel suitable for the containment of liquids the vessel having a chamber with a bottom and opposite thereto an opening sealed with a penetrable and re- sealable stopper providing an inner surface above the chamber, including: inserting a first needle having a hollow shaft through the penetrable and re-sealable stopper to dispose a distal end of the first needle adjacent to the bottom of the chamber, a second end of the first needle remaining open outside the chamber; inserting a second needle having a hollow shaft through the penetrable and re-sealable stopper to dispose a distal end of the second needle adjacent to the inner surface, a second end of the second needle connected to a syringe having a barrel with a plunger; inverting the vessel, the distal end of the first needle now disposed adjacent to the upper most inner surface of the chamber; and
• an anti-foaming needle assembly for avoiding foam generation when extracting a liquid from a hollow vessel suitable for the containment of liquids, the vessel having a chamber with a bottom and opposite thereto an opening sealed with a penetrable and re-sealable stopper providing an inner surface above the chamber, including: a needle base having: a first end and opposite thereto a second end and a sidewall there between, the second end structured and arranged for temporary connection to a syringe having a barrel and a plunger; a first needle having a hollow shaft and a first length extending from the first end to provide an open distal end above the first end, the first needle having a second end vented through the sidewall; and a second needle having a hollow shaft and a second length extending from the first end generally parallel to the first needle to provide a distal end above the first end and below the distal end of the first needle as the first length is at least twice the second length, the second needle having a
• an anti-foaming needle assembly for avoiding foam generation when extracting a liquid from a vessel suitable for the containment of liquids, the vessel having a chamber with a bottom and opposite thereto an opening sealed with a penetrable and re-sealable stopper providing an inner surface above the chamber, including: a needle base having: a first end and opposite thereto a second end and a sidewall there between, the second end structured and arranged for temporary connection to a syringe having a barrel and a plunger; a compound needle assembly having an shaft extending from the first end of the base, to a distal end above the base, the shaft enclosing a first and second fluid channel; the first channel in fluid communication with a vent disposed in the sidewall of the needle base and terminating as at least one first opening at the distal end of the shaft; and the second channel in fluid communication with the a second end of the base and terminating as a second opening along the shaft before the distal
• FIGs. 1A, IB and 1C present side and bottom views showing Anti-Foaming Needle Assemblies in accordance with varying embodiments
• FIG. 2A is an illustration of a vial containing a liquid and two distinct needles of significantly different length in accordance with varying embodiments of the present invention
• FIG. 2B is an illustration showing the longer needle, first needle, disposed through the re-sealable stopper of the vial and extending to the bottom of the vial, the second needle shown adjacent to the top of the vial for comparison depth of penetration comparison in accordance with varying embodiments of the present invention
• FIGs. 3A and 3B are illustrations showing the use of the two separate needles shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B for foamless extraction of liquid from the vial in accordance with varying embodiments of the present invention
• FIGs. 4A and 4B are illustrations showing an anti-foaming needle assembly as shown in FIG. 1A for foamless extraction of liquid from the vial in accordance with varying embodiments of the present invention.
• FIGs. 5A, 5B and 5C are illustrations showing side and perspective views of the needle base 106 of the Anti-Foaming Needle Assembly shown in FIG. 1A.
• AFNA 100 comprises a first needle 102 and a second needle 104 extending in parallel from a common base 106.
• the base 106 has a first end 108 and a second end 110 and a sidewall 112 there between.
• the first needle 102 is coupled to a vent 114 in the base 106.
• the second needle 104 is in fluid communication with the second end 110 of the base 106 which is structured and arranged to be coupled to a syringe.
• FIG. 1A is Variation #1 for AFNA 100A, having two distinctly separate needles - first needle 102A and second needle 104A.
• FIG. IB depicts Variation #2 for AFNA 100B, having two needles disposed adjacent to one another along one side - first needle 102B and second needle 104B.
• FIG. 1C shows Variation #3 for AFNA lOOC having two needles sleeved together, the second needle 104C sleeved about the first needle 102C.
• AFNA 100 To facilitate the description of systems and methods for this AFNA 100, the orientation of AFNA 100 as presented in the figures is referenced to the coordinate system with three axes orthogonal to one another as shown in FIG. 1. The axes intersect mutually at the origin of the coordinate system, which is chosen to be the center of the AFNA 100, however the axes shown in all figures are offset from their actual locations for clarity and ease of illustration.
• the base 106 of the AFNA 100 has a first end 108 and opposite thereto a second end 110 and a sidewall 112 between the ends.
• the second end 110 is structured and arranged for temporary connection to a syringe having a barrel and a plunger (see FIGs. 4A and 4B).
• the second end 110 is a luer connector.
• the needles all extend from the base'sfirst end 108. Further, it will be appreciated that in Variations #1 100A, #2 100B and #3 lOOC the first and second needles - 102A/104A, 102B/104B and 102C/104C respectively - are generally parallel to one another as well. In addition, it will be appreciated that for at least one embodiment, such as the AFNA 100A of FIG. 1A, the first needle 102A and the second needle 104A are indeed distinct separate structures extending from the base 106A. Moreover, there is physical space between the first needle 102A and the second needle 104A as they extend away from the base 106.
• the first needle 102C/B and the second needle 104C/B are at least partially in side contact with one another, if not integrated as a combined structure.
• the first needle 102 has a hollow shaft and has a first length, LI 116, such that it extends from the first end 108 of the base 106 to provide a distal end 118 with at least one opening 114 proximate thereto.
• the second end is vented through a vent opening, e.g. vent 114, in the sidewall 112 of the base 106.
• the vent 114 could be disposed in the first end 108, or even the second end 110 of the base 106, however, for at least one embodiment being disposed in the sidewall 112 is simpler for manufacturing, and as discussed further below, may facilitate embodiments where the first needle 102 may be pressed further back into the base 106.
• the first needle 102 is fitted with an air filter, such as by disposing a filter within the vent 114.
• the first needle 102 may be gated by a one-way valve, permitting air to pass through and into the vent 114 and thus travel out the at least one opening 114 in the distal end 118 of the first needle 102, but not permitting air or liquid to pass back through the first needle 102 and then out the vent 114.
• the second needle 104 likewise also has a hollow shaft and a second length, L2 122, extending from the first end 108 of the base 106 and generally parallel to the first needle 102 to provide, when inverted, a distal end 124 above the base 106 and below the distal end 118 of the first needle 102. There is at least one opening 126 proximate to the distal end 124 of the second needle 104.
• an AFNA 100 may be provided as an even more fully integrated compound needle 128 that tapers about a quarter to a third, or half of the way up its length from a dual channel structure providing both the inner channel for liquid as with the second needle 104 and the air passage channel of the first needle 102, to a needle structure that is equivalent to just the first needle 102, just above one or more distal openings to the liquid channel of the first needle 102 portion of the compound needle 128 structure.
• Such a compound needle 128 structure may be desired in some embodiments as it effectively has only one pointed tip.
• the length of the first needle 102 is considerably longer then the length of the second needle 104, e.g. the L2 122.
• its key element is the relative difference between the distal end 118 of the first needle 102 and the distal end 124 of the second needle 104, and more specifically the relative difference between the opening 120 proximate to the distal end 116 of the first needle and the opening 126 proximate to the distal end 124 of the second needle 104.
• the relative difference between the First Length and the Second Length is pre-selected so as to place the distal end 116 of the first needle 102 proximate to the bottom of the vial chamber and place the distal end 124 of the second needle 104 also within the vial and proximate to the inner surface of the re-sealable stopper.
• the first needle 102 is intended to facilitate the passage of air into the vial at a point well above the opening 126 at the distal end 124 of the second needle 104 which draws the liquid out of the vial.
• FIG. 2A shows an exemplary vial 200, and two separate needles representing the first needle 102 and the second needle 104.
• the vial 200 has a chamber 202 and a liquid 204 within the chamber 202.
• air is not strictly a limitation to breathable air, but refers to the gas in this space which may be normal air, sanitized air, another gas or combination of gases.
• a re-sealable stopper 208 is affixed to the vial 200 which permits a needle to be inserted into the vial 200, which is the traditional way to withdraw the liquid 204 from the vial 200. As is also shown, there is a dimension D 210 between the bottom 212 of the chamber 202 and the inner surface 214 of the re-sealable stopper 208.
• the first needle 102 and the second needle 104 have their bases aligned such that the difference in length between them is effectively the dimension D' 216.
• D' 216 is equal to or slightly less than D 210.
• D' 216 is at least 50% of D 210.
• D' 216 is at least 80% of D 210.
• D' 216 is selected to be between D 210 and 25% of D 210.
• FIG. 3 A the vial 200 with the first needle 102 inserted is shown inverted and positioned above the second needle 104 affixed to a syringe 300 having a barrel 306 and a plunger 304 which cooperatively interact to define a chamber 302 within the syringe 300.
• the vial 200 has now been inverted, it is clear that the distal end 118 of the first needle 102 is in the air pocket 206 within the chamber 202 of the vial 200 as the distal end 118 of the first needle 102 is adjacent to the bottom 212 of the chamber 202.
• AFNA 100 While certainly effective to avoid the issue of foaming, the use of two separate and distinct needles, e.g. separate first needle 102 and separate second needle 104, may not be ideal in all situations. As such, varying embodiments of AFNA 100 provide the anti- foaming advantage of two distinct needles without requiring the user to safeguard both needles, distinguish between which needle should be attached to the Syringe and which should not, and manipulate the orientation of the first needle 102 so as to allow proper placement of the second needle 104.
• FIG. 4A and 4B show an embodiment of AFNA 100 corresponding to Variation #1 100A shown in FIG. 1A noted above. As shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B, the AFNA 100 has been attached to a syringe 300. In advantageous contrast to the two needle process shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B, here the operator is only required to manipulate one assembly and the vial 200.
• the operator has a firm and large object to grasp and therefore may also enjoy an easier experience of directing the first needle 102 through the re-sealable stopper 208 and then seating the second needle 104 through the re- sealable stopper 208 as well. More specifically, the fist end 108 of the base 106 has now encountered the re-sealable stopper 208 and further motion of either the first needle 102 or the second needle 104 further into the vial 200 is effectively prevented.
• the length of the second needle 104 is preselected so as to be sufficient to pass thorough the re-sealable stopper 208 and place the distal end 124 of the second needle 104 proximate to the inner surface 214 of the re-sealable stopper 208.
• the base 106 may have a generally flat first end 108 such that the operator may confirm proper placement of the AFNA 100 by abutting the first end 108 against the outer surface of the re-sealable stopper 208.
• the first needle 102 may be a finer gage needle then the second needle 104, as it's principle function is simply the passage of air from the outside, through the re-sealable stopper 208 and the liquid 204 to a point inside the vial 200 that is above the liquid 204 when the vial 200 is inverted as shown.
• the first needle 102 may be at least partially flexible, such that it may bend if, or when, encountering the bottom 212 of the chamber 202.
• the length LI 116 of the first needle 102 is sufficient to make contact with bottom 212 of the chamber 202.
• the length LI 116 of the first needle 102 is selected to be shorter than the internal dimension shown as D 210 in FIG. 2A, such that the distal end 118 of the first needle 102 is proximate to the bottom 212 of the chamber 202 but does not necessarily make contact.
• the base 106 to which the first needle 102 is mounted permits the first needle 102 to slide back down into the base 106 in the event that the first needle 102 makes contact with the bottom 212 of the chamber 202 as the AFNA 100 is engaged to seat the second needle 104 through the re-sealable stopper 208.
• the first needle 102 is a telescoping structure comprising at least two sections which have been slip fit together in a snug relationship. Again, the snug fit may be sufficient to overcome the resistance of the re-sealable stopper 208, but in the event that the distal end 118 of the first needle 102 makes contact with the bottom 212 of the chamber 202, the sections will slide together to take up excess length LI 116 and permit the second needle 104 to be seated through the re-sealable stopper 208.
• the telescoping structure may initially be in a compacted stowed position.
• the telescoping structure When the telescoping structure is inserted through the re- sealable stopper 208 it may be extended from the stowed position towards the length LI 116.
• the telescoping structure may be structured and arranged to be just short of reaching the bottom 212 of the chamber 202, or the concentric elements may stop further expansion once resistance from the bottom 212 of the chamber 202 is encountered.
• the first needle 102 may be held in a compressed state at about the same length as the second needle 104. This may be accomplished at least in part by a protective cover disposed over both the first needle 102 and the second needle 104.
• the first needle 102 may not be sharp, such that it does not cut through the cover.
• the second needle 104 may be sharp and as the cover compresses back towards the base 106, the first needle 102 and second needle 104 will pass through the protective cover and the re-sealable stopper 208. Now, unrestrained, the first needle 102 can telescopically expand toward the length LI 116.
• distal end 116 has been illustrated as angled, such as is typical with needles, for at least one embodiment, the distal end 116 may be a solid or closed point, with the opening 120, such as a hole or slit, disposed just behind the solid end.
• the first length LI 116 of the first needle 102 is at least one-and-a-half times the second length L2 122 of the second needle 104. Indeed, for at least one embodiment the first length LI 116 of the first needle 102 is at least twice the second length L2 122 of the second needle 104.
• FIGs. 5A, 5B and 5C are annotations of enlarged drawings showing the base 106 for AFNA 100 as shown in FIG. 1A.
• a base 106 may be made by injection molding or casting of thermoplastic type materials so as to form the first end 108, the second end 110 and the sidewall 112 between the first end 108 and the second end 110.
• the base 106 may be a generally solid piece of molded or carved material, save for the ports/channels providing liquid passage from the second needle 104 through the base 106 to the second end 110, and air passage from the vent 120 to the first needle 102, the sidewall 112 may actually be viewed as simply the side material comprising the base 106.
• the first needle 102 is disposed in a sleeve 500 that is connected to the side vent 120.
• the second needle 104 is disposed in a sleeve 502 that is connected to the second end 110, which has been also illustrated as a luer connector 504.
• the first needle 102 can be pushed back into the base 106. This may be achieved by mounting the first needle 102 only partially within the first needle 102 receiving sleeve 500. For such an embodiment, if the bottom 212 of the chamber 202 is encountered the first needle 102 will be pushed further into the base 106 towards the vent 120. As may also be appreciated, the size of the vent 120 for this embodiment of AFNA 100 is such that a filter, one way valve, or both may be disposed in the vent 120.
• a removable protective cap (not shown) is provided to protectively cover the first needle 102 and second needle 104.
• the protective cap may be of a traditional style that snap fits about the base 106, or an Ergonomic Needle Protector as set forth in US Patent Application 15/291,913, filed October 12, 2016 and entitled System And Method for Ergonomic Needle Protector, incorporated herein by reference.
• an AFNA 100 for avoiding foam generation when extracting a liquid 204 from a hollow vessel such as a vial 200 suitable for the containment of liquids 204, the vessel having a chamber 202 with a bottom 212 and opposite thereto an opening sealed with a penetrable and re-sealable stopper 208 providing an inner surface 214 above the chamber 202.
• This AFNA 100 includes a needle base 106 having a first end 108 and opposite thereto a second end 110 and a sidewall 112 there between.
• the second end 110 is structured and arranged for temporary connection to a syringe 300 having a barrel 302, a plunger 304 and an inner chamber 306.
• a first needle 102 having a hollow shaft and a first length LI 116 extends from the first end 108 to provide an open distal end 118 above the first end 108, the first needle 102 has a second end vented through the sidewall 112.
• the first length LI 116 is preselected to place the distal end 118 of the first needle 102 proximate to the bottom 212 of the chamber 202 and the second length L2 122 is pre-selected to place the distal end 124 of the second needle 104 within the chamber 202 and proximate to the re-sealable stopper 208.
• an AFNA 100 for avoiding foam generation when extracting a liquid 204 from a hollow vessel suitable for the containment of liquids, the vessel having a chamber 202 with a bottom 212 and opposite thereto an opening sealed with a penetrable and re-sealable stopper 208 providing an inner surface 214 above the chamber 202.
• This AFNA 100 includes a needle base 106 having a first end 108 and opposite thereto a second end 110 and a sidewall 112 there between.
• the second end 110 is structured and arranged for temporary connection to a syringe 300 having a barrel 302 and a plunger 304.
• a first needle 102 having a hollow shaft and a first length LI 116 extends from the first end 108 to provide an open distal end 118 above the first end 108, the first needle 102 has a second end 110 vented through the sidewall 112.
• a second needle 104 having a hollow shaft and a second length L2 122 at least half the first length LI 116 of the first needle 102 extends from the first end 108 generally parallel to the first needle 102 to provide a distal end 124 above the first end 108 and below the distal end 118 of the first needle 102, the second needle 104 having a second end 110 in fluid communication with the second end 110 of the needle base 106.

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• 2017
  • 2017-10-11 WO PCT/US2017/056210 patent/WO2018071588A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2017-10-11 JP JP2019520154A patent/JP2019530538A/ja active Pending
  • 2017-10-11 US US15/729,916 patent/US10993877B2/en active Active

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