Recovery system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for recovering a solution from a plurality of stoppered vials, the apparatus comprising:
- a recovery subsystem comprising;
a vial positioner capable of positioning a plurality of stoppered vials in a corresponding plurality of liquid recovery positions in response to a first positioner signal and capable of releasing the plurality of stoppered vials in response to a second positioner signal;
a needle holder holding a corresponding plurality of hollow point needles, each hollow point needle being over a corresponding vial; and
an actuator capable of translating the needle holder and the vial positioner between first and second positions relative to each other in response to corresponding first and second actuator signals, wherein in the first position the needles are spaced relative to the vial stoppers and wherein in the second position the needles puncture the vial stoppers;
a recovery pump subsystem comprising;
a recovery pump to extract a solution from the plurality of vials;
a recovery vessel to collect the solution from the plurality of vials; and
tubing connecting the plurality of needles to the recovery pump and to the recovery vessel;
a conveyor subsystem capable of transporting the plurality of vials into the recovery subsystem in response to a first conveyor signal and out of the recovery subsystem in response to a second conveyor signal; and
a controller in communication with the vial positioner, actuator, and conveyor mechanism and comprising instructions to apply the first and second positioner signals, first and second actuator signals, and first and second conveyor signals such that the conveyor subsystem transports the plurality of vials into the recovery subsystem, the recovery subsystem recovers solution from within them, and the conveyor subsystem transports the plurality of vials out of the recovery subsystem.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system allows for the safe, rapid, efficient recovery of a drug solution from sealed vials. The system is closed so that highly potent compounds can later be recovered and reworked without large investment in further engineering controls.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for recovering a solution from a plurality of stoppered vials, the apparatus comprising:
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a recovery subsystem comprising; a vial positioner capable of positioning a plurality of stoppered vials in a corresponding plurality of liquid recovery positions in response to a first positioner signal and capable of releasing the plurality of stoppered vials in response to a second positioner signal; a needle holder holding a corresponding plurality of hollow point needles, each hollow point needle being over a corresponding vial; and an actuator capable of translating the needle holder and the vial positioner between first and second positions relative to each other in response to corresponding first and second actuator signals, wherein in the first position the needles are spaced relative to the vial stoppers and wherein in the second position the needles puncture the vial stoppers; a recovery pump subsystem comprising; a recovery pump to extract a solution from the plurality of vials; a recovery vessel to collect the solution from the plurality of vials; and tubing connecting the plurality of needles to the recovery pump and to the recovery vessel; a conveyor subsystem capable of transporting the plurality of vials into the recovery subsystem in response to a first conveyor signal and out of the recovery subsystem in response to a second conveyor signal; and a controller in communication with the vial positioner, actuator, and conveyor mechanism and comprising instructions to apply the first and second positioner signals, first and second actuator signals, and first and second conveyor signals such that the conveyor subsystem transports the plurality of vials into the recovery subsystem, the recovery subsystem recovers solution from within them, and the conveyor subsystem transports the plurality of vials out of the recovery subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification