CAP ADAPTERS FOR MEDICAMENT VIAL AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20100204671A1
• Filed: 02/10/2009
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy Y. Kraushaar, Willard K. Kelsey
• Original Assignee: Timothy Y. Kraushaar, Willard K. Kelsey
• Inventors: Kelsey, Willard K., Kraushaar, Timothy Y.
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/414
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2075 for external venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2082 for gas filtration
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/06 using chemiluminescence

Abstract

Cap adapters for a medicament vial configured to facilitate the transfer of liquid medicament from, the vial and into a syringe. In one embodiment the cap adapter comprises a wall portion with a first lumen passing through it. A vial-engaging portion secures the cap adapter to the vial. A spike extends from the wall portion and defines a second lumen passing through the wall portion. A cone-shaped shield extends from the first lumen. The shield is configured to guide a hypodermic needle toward the first lumen to thereby reduce a risk of needlestick to a user handling the vial. In certain embodiments, a light source cooperates with the cap adapter to illuminate at least a portion of the cap adapter to reduce a risk of needlestick to a user handling the vial in a darkened environment. In certain embodiments, a secondary sealing member abuts a first face of the wall portion and seals an end of the first lumen. In certain embodiments, a locking sleeve resists or prevents removal of the cap adapter from the medicament vial.

Claims

1. A cap adapter for a medicament vial configured to facilitate the transfer of liquid medicament from the vial and into a syringe, the cap adapter comprising:

a transverse wall portion;

a first lumen passing through the wall portion;

a vial-engaging portion extending distally from the wall portion and configured to secure the cap adapter to the vial; and

a light source cooperating with the cap adapter and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the cap adapter to enhance the visibility of the vial in a darkened environment.

2. The cap adapter of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a chemiluminescent member.

3. The cap adapter of claim 2, wherein a squeezing force applied to the chemiluminescent member causes the chemiluminescent member to emit light.

4. The cap adapter of claim 2, further comprising a shield extending proximally from an inlet port in fluid communication with the first lumen.

5. The cap adapter of claim 4, wherein the chemiluminescent member comprises a ring positioned about the first lumen between the shield and the wall portion.

6. The cap adapter of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

7. The cap adapter of claim 6, wherein the LED is selectively connectable to a power source so that the LED may be repeatedly illuminated and darkened.

8. The cap adapter of claim 7, wherein a selective connection between the LED and the power source comprises a conductive material configured to close a circuit between the LED and the power source when a user squeezes the cap adapter.

9. The cap adapter of claim 7, further comprising a removable insulating material interposed between electrical contacts on the LED and electrical contacts on the power source.

10. The cap adapter of claim 1, further comprising a spike extending distally from the wall portion, the spike defining a second lumen passing through the wall portion, the second lumen being spaced from and not in fluid communication with the first lumen, the spike including a sharp distal tip configured to pierce a sealing stopper on the vial.

11. The cap adapter of claim 1, further comprising a spike extending distally from the wall portion, the spike defining an extension of the first lumen and including a sharp distal tip configured to pierce a sealing stopper on the vial.

12. The cap adapter of claim 1, further comprising a secondary sealing member abutting a distal face of the wall portion and sealing a distal end of the first lumen.

13. The cap adapter of claim 1, wherein the vial-engaging portion comprises a plurality of clamping members that are circumferentially spaced about an edge of the wall portion and cantilevered distally from the wall portion, the clamping members being configured to snap fit about a mouth portion of the vial to secure the cap adapter to the vial.

14. The cap adapter of claim 1, further comprising a locking sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the cap adapter, including a vial-engaging element.

15. The cap adapter of claim 14, wherein an inner surface of the locking sleeve includes at least one elevated surface configured to engage the vial-engaging element.

16. The cap adapter of claim 15, wherein the vial-engaging element and the locking sleeve are rotatable with respect to one another between an unlocked position and a locked position.

17. The cap adapter of claim 15, wherein the locking sleeve includes at least one locking surface configured to bear against the vial-engaging element to prevent relative rotation of the vial-engaging element and the locking sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position.

18. The cap adapter of claim 15, wherein the locking sleeve includes at least one lip configured to bear against the vial-engaging element to resist, but not prevent, relative rotation of the vial-engaging element and the locking sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position.