METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BUFFERING ANESTHETICS

• US 20120180432A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Onpharma Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Onpharma Inc. (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Stepovich, Matthew J., Falkel, Michael I
• Application Number:
  US13/428,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20120180432A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/428
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2013 having two piercing ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2072 for internal venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 23/00 Anaesthetics

Abstract

A device for delivering buffer solution into a buffer cartridge comprises a needle assembly and a pusher. The septa of a buffer cartridge and an anesthetic cartridge are advanced onto a transfer needle, and the pusher advances a plunger into the buffer cartridge to deliver buffer through the transfer needle into the anesthetic cartridge. A separate exhaust needle allows excess anesthetic from the anesthetic cartridge to be exhausted. A compression member is usually provided to maintain a force against the plunger on the buffer cartridge to pressurize and stabilize the contents during sterilization and/or storage.

Claims

1. A method for storing a bicarbonate buffer solution, said method comprising:

providing a cartridge having an open interior, a needle penetrable septum, and a plunger which can be advanced into said open interior to pressurize contents thereof;

filling said cartridge with a solution of bicarbonate buffer that will evolve carbon dioxide at room temperature and pressure; and

storing the cartridge while applying a pressure to the solution that is sufficient to inhibit the evolution of carbon dioxide during storage.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein:

the buffer comprises sodium bicarbonate that has a pH in the range from 7.5 to 7.8; and

the applied pressure is above 1.2 atm.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the pressure is maintained by compressing a spring against the plunger

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the cartridge is placed in a pressurized vessel that places force against the plunger and maintains the pressure.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the plunger is comprised of a compressible resilient material, the plunger is compressed against the solution, and compression is maintained.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein the pressure is sufficient to prevent vaporization of volatile species during heat sterilization.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein an amount of water is added to the solution prior to heat sterilization to compensate for water that escapes past the cartridge plunger during the heat sterilization process.

8. A bicarbonate buffer storage cartridge assembly, said assembly comprising:

a cartridge having an open interior filled with bicarbonate buffer solution, a needle penetrable septum, and a plunger which can be advanced into said open interior to pressurize the bicarbonate buffer therein; and

a compression member which exerts a force on the plunger which is sufficient to pressurize the bicarbonate buffer solution at a pressure which inhibits the evolution of carbon dioxide.

9. A storage cartridge assembly as in claim 8, wherein the open interior of the cartridge is completely filled with sodium bicarbonate with substantially no headspace remaining.

10. A storage cartridge assembly as in claim 8, wherein the compression member comprises a compressible spring which is maintained in compression and engages the plunger.

11. A storage cartridge assembly as in claim 8, wherein the compressible spring comprises a coil spring.

12. A storage cartridge as in claim 8, wherein the compression member is formed as an integral portion of the plunger.

13. A storage cartridge assembly as in claim 8, further comprising a housing, wherein the cartridge is within the housing and the compression member is held in compression between the housing and the solution.

14. A storage cartridge as in claim 8, wherein the solution is held under sufficient pressure to inhibit vaporization under expected storage conditions.

15. A storage cartridge as in claim 8, wherein the solution is held under sufficient pressure to inhibit vaporization under conditions of heat sterilization.