Direct dual filling device for sealing agents

• US 20030139774A1
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adam Hagmann, Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero
• Original Assignee: Adam Hagmann, Gordon Howard Epstein, Mitchell E. Levinson, Richard Spero
• Inventors: Levinson, Mitchell E., Spero, Richard, Hagmann, Adam, Epstein, Gordon Howard
• Granted Patent: US 7,207,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/214
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00495 for two-component glue
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2013 having two piercing ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2058 having multiple connecting ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1782 Devices aiding filling of syringes in situ combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents A61J1/2096, filling of medical containers in general B65B3/003

Abstract

A filling device and method, particularly for two-component sealants such as fibrin sealants, which enables two fluids to be separately and directly filled to the reservoirs of a dual syringe fluid applicator from two storage containers, which can be standardized, sealed, sterilized bottles. The device has a connector which engages with the fluid applicator, is keyed to orient the applicator'"'"'s fluid reservoirs in a predetermined manner and holds the containers in side-by-side alignment with the applicator. Two fluid conduits whose downward ends may be pointed to pierce seals on the bottles, extend between the applicator and the bottles and can each have a transverse reach to accommodate the girth of the bottles. The bottles may be tilted by the device to enable the conduits to draw maximal fluid from a lowermost point of the bottle. Tilting can be effected by a downward movement of the device supporting the applicator which movement can introduce the fluid conduits into the bottles. A shroud can enclose and seal the bottles and permit the apparatus complete with fluid applicator to be introduced into a sterile environment. Additionally embodiments for use with a single vial are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a fluid dispensing instrument to a container of fluid comprising:

(a) a body having a bottom and a top, said top having an outer perimeter and an outlet port within said perimeter, said bottom having an inlet port connected to said outlet port wherein said inlet port is connected to said outlet port by a bore in said body;

(b) a collar extending from said perimeter, said collar being adapted to detachably receive said dispensing instrument;

(c) a tube is connected to said inlet port and having an end distal to said inlet port for extending into said containers, said end having an opening for drawing fluid; and

(d) a hood extending from said body and adapted to receive a said container such that once the container received within said hood, wherein fluid in the container can be drawn into said dispensing instrument through the distal end of the filler tube.

2. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar, said body, and said hood are formed of thermoplastic materials.

3. The connector as recited in claim 2 wherein said thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene, and acrylic.

4. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar, said body, and said hood are formed as a single thermoplastic member.

5. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said tube is formed of a metallic material.

6. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar is keyed to said dispensing instrument such that said dispensing instrument may be fitted to said connector in only one orientation.

7. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said hood comprises a resilient material and is sized such that when said container is positioned within said hood, said hood resiliently conforms to fit and secure said container in place.

8. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said hood further comprises a locking member adapted to secure said container to said connector.

9. The connector as recited in claim 8 wherein said locking member comprises resilient plastic joined to said hood and extends radially inward from said hood such that when said container is positioned within said locking member, said locking member secures said container in place.

10. The connector as recited in claim 8 wherein said locking member is an o-ring fitted within said hood.

11. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said outlet port comprises a circular shape.

12. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said bore is tapered.

13. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar is capable of making a Luer lock with said dispensing instrument.

14. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said connector further comprises at least one tubular air vent attached to said connector wherein each air vent further comprises a first opening, a second opening, and a conduit connecting said first opening to said second opening and said first opening is positioned such that when said containers are locked to said hood, each of said first openings is situated inside each of said containers and each of said second openings is externally situated on said connector such that positive air pressure is supplied to each of said containers reducing any vacuum forces created within said containers during drawing.

15. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said distal ends of said tube have a pointed tip adapted to sealably pierce a cap of said container.

16. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said hood is adapted to allow the container to tilt.

17. A kit for drawing fluids from a container comprising:

(a) a container is adapted to sealably hold fluids;

(b) a dispensing instrument having a fluid reservoir for holding and controllably dispensing readable fluids, said dispensing instrument further has a supply port connected to said fluid reservoir by a supply conduit;

(c) a connector for coupling said dispensing instrument to said container wherein said connector comprises;

(i) a body having a bottom and a top, said top having an outer perimeter and an outlet port within said perimeter, said bottom having an inlet port connected to said outlet port wherein said inlet port is connected to said outlet port by a bore in said body;

(ii) a collar extending from said perimeter, said collar being adapted to detachably receive said dispensing instrument connecting said supply port to said inlet port of said connector;

(iii) a tube whereby said tube is connected to said inlet port and has an end distal to said inlet port for extending into said container, said end having an opening for drawing fluid; and

(iv) a hood extending from said bottom and adapted to simultaneously slideably receive and releasably lock onto said plurality of containers such that once each of said plurality of containers is interlocked with said hood, said ends of said tubes allow for simultaneous and separated drawing of fluids into said fluid reservoirs of said dispensing instrument.

18. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said collar, said body, and said hood of said connector are formed of thermoplastic materials.

19. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said thermoplastic of said connector is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene, and acrylic.

20. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said collar, said body, and said hood of said connector are formed as a single thermoplastic member.

21. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said tubes of said connector are formed of a metallic material.

22. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said collar of said connector is keyed to said dispensing instrument such that said dispensing instrument may be fitted to said connector in only one orientation.

23. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said hood comprises a resilient material and is sized such that when said container is positioned within said hood, said hood resiliently conforms to fit and secure said container in place.

24. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said hood further comprises a locking member adapted to secure said container to said connector.

25. The kit as recited in claim 24 wherein said locking member comprises resilient plastic joined to said hood and extends radially inward from said hood such that when said container is positioned within said locking member, said locking member secures said container in place.

26. The kit as recited in claim 24 wherein said locking member is an o-ring fitted within said hood.

27. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said outlet port of said connector comprises a circular shape.

28. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said bore of said connector is tapered.

29. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said collar of said connector is capable of making a Luer lock with said dispensing instrument.

30. The kit as recited in claim 17 wherein said hood is adapted to allow the container to tilt.