SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMBINING MATERIALS

• US 20090254031A1
• Filed: 04/04/2008
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Melsungen AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Lee, Freddie Eng Hwee
• Granted Patent: US 8,034,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2037 having valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2075 for external venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents

Abstract

A method of combining a drug in a first container and a liquid in a second container includes placing the first container and the second container in fluid communication with a housing, combining the liquid and the drug in the first container, transferring the liquid and the drug from the first container to the housing, and transferring the liquid and the drug from the housing to a third container.

Claims

1. A method of combining a drug in a first container and a liquid in a second container, the method comprising:

placing the first container and the second container in fluid communication with a housing;

combining the liquid and the drug in the first container;

transferring the liquid and the drug from the first container to the housing; and

transferring the liquid and the drug from the housing to a third container.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising restricting flow of the liquid from the housing to the first container.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising restricting air flow into the housing.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing air flow out of the housing.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising restricting air flow into the housing, and allowing air flow out of the housing.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising restricting air flow into the third container.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the liquid and the drug from the first container to the housing;

and transferring the liquid and the drug from the housing to a third container are facilitated by a pump associated with the housing.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising restricting flow of the liquid from the third container to the housing.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the liquid and the drug from the housing to the third container comprises flowing the liquid and the drug at a pressure greater than one atmosphere.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising displacing air from the first container and the housing.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the liquid and the drug to the housing or to the third container comprises activating at least two one-way flow valves.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing contains an air filter, and the method further comprises preventing the liquid from contacting the air filter.

13. A medical device system, comprising:

a medical device comprising a housing configured to be placed in fluid communication with a first container containing a drug, a second container containing a liquid, a pump, and a third container,

wherein the medical device is configured to combine the liquid and the drug in the first container, to transfer the liquid and the drug from the first container to the housing, and to transfer the liquid and the drug from the housing to the third container.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises a one-way flow valve adapted to restrict flow of the liquid from the housing to the first container.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises a valve adapted to restrict air flow into the housing.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises a valve adapted to restrict air flow into the housing and to allow air flow out of the housing.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the valve comprises a movable member responsive to a level of liquid in a chamber containing the movable member.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises a valve adapted to restrict liquid flow into the third container.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises a one-way flow valve adapted to restrict liquid flow from the third container to the housing.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises at least two one-way flow valves in the housing.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises at least three flow valves in the housing.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises at least two piercing elements in fluid communication with the housing.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the medical device comprises an air filter, and the medical device is configured to restrict the air filter from contacting the liquid.

24. The system of claim 13, further comprising the first container, the second container, the pump in the form of a syringe, and a third container.