Fluid transfer apparatus

• US 4,842,028 A
• Filed: 05/13/1987
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated Deerfield IL
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Robson, Dale L., Kaufman, Stephen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hornsby, Harvey C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haugland, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US07/049,233
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 141/57, 141/114, 141/329, 141/330, 141/129, 141/163, 141/164, 141/180, 141/1, 141/2, 141/9, 312/72, 604/408, 604/414, 604/416
• US Class Current: 141/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/20 Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe

Abstract

Apparatus for the automated transfer of contents between a rubber diaphragm port-type vial and a flexible, collapsible bag for medical solutions, which bag has at least one needle-pierceable access port. A double-pointed hollow needle is positioned so that the vial is held with its rubber diaphragm facing one pointed end of the needle and the medical solution bag is held with its needle-pierceable access port facing the other pointed end of the needle. Apparatus is provided for bringing the vial and bag into needle-penetrated relation, to provide flow communication therebetween through the hollow needle. Means are also provided for compressing the bag to force liquid from the bag into the vial, and for releasing the compression to allow the liquid to flow from the vial back to the bag. As a result of this, the original contents of the vial may be carried into the bag in automated manner.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the automated transfer of contents between a rubber diaphragm port-type vial and a flexible, collapsible bag for medical solutions, said bag having a first needle-pierceable access port, and utilizing a double-pointed hollow needle having a first and second ends:

a row of said vials,

a row of said double-pointed hollow needles,

linear advancement means for holding and sequentially positioning said row of said double-pointed hollow needles, one by one into a first position for vial and bag engagement;

multiple advancement means for holding and sequentially positioning said row of said vials, one by one, into a position for engagement with said first end of said double-pointed hollow needle in said first position through said rubber diaphragm;

means for holding said medical solution bag with said first needle-pierceable access port facing said second end of the needle in said first position;

means for bringing the vial in said engagement position and the bag into needle-penetrated relation, to provide flow communication therebetween through said hollow needle; and

mechanical means for holding and compressing said bag to force liquid from said bag into the vial, and for releasing said compression to allow said liquid to flow from the vial back to the bag, whereby the original contents of the vial may be carried into the bag in an automated manner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said double-pointed hollow needles have means permitting venting of gas but not liquid from said vial.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means for selecting one of said vials in said row in said multiple advancement means and placing said selected vial into said position for engagement with said double-pointed hollow needle in said first position in an automated manner.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 which includes means for marking said medical solution bag with indicia which correlate with indicia on said select vial which is connected to said bag, in an automated manner, to provide identification on the bag of the contents from said vial placed in the bag.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 which in said multiple advancement means includes means for storing a said row of said vials, in which said vial storing means includes an annular, vial-carrying magazine plus means for rotating said magazine to permit positioning of said selected vial in the magazine into said position for engaging said first end of said double-pointed hollow needle in said first position in the vial holding means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 including means defining a chamber housing said apparatus, said chamber having ultraviolet light applicator means to irradiate said vial, needle, and bag.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said bag compressing means comprises a moveable platen plus means for pressing said platen against, and withdrawing said platen from, said bag when carried in its holding means.

8. In apparatus for the automated transfer of contents between a rubber diaphragm port-type vial and a flexible, collapsible bag for medical solutions, said bag having a first needle-pierceable access port, and utilizing a double-pointed hollow needle having first and second ends:

a row of said vials,

a row of said double-pointed hollow needles,

linear advancement means for holding and sequentially positioning said row of double-pointed hollow needles, one by one into a first position for vial an bag engagement;

multiple advancement means for holding and sequentially positioning said row of said vials, one by one, into a position for engagement with said first end of said double-pointed, hollow needle in said first position through said rubber diaphragm, said multiple advancement means including an annular, vial-carrying magazine plus means for rotating said magazine to permit positioning of any vial in the magazine in said engagement position for engaging the double-pointed, hollow needle in said first position;

means for holding the medical solution bag with said first needle-pierceable access port facing the second pointed end of said double-pointed, hollow needle in said first position;

means for bringing the vial in said engagement position and the bag into needle-penetrating relation, to provide flow communication therebetween through said hollow needle; and

mechanical means for compressing said bag to force liquid from said bag into said vial in said engagement position, and for releasing said compression to allow said liquid to flow from the vial back to the bag, whereby the original contents of said vial in said engagement position may be carried into the bag in an automated manner.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 which includes printing means for marking said medical solution bags with indicia which correlate with indicia on said vial in said engagement position which is connected to said bag, in an automated manner, to provide identification on the bag of the contents from said vial placed in the bag.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 including means defining a chamber housing said apparatus, said chamber having ultraviolet light applicator means to irradiate said vial, needle, and bag.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said bag compressing means comprises a movable platen plus means for pressing said platen against, and withdrawing said platen from, said bag when carried in its holding means.