Direct dual filling device for sealing agents

• US 6,475,183 B1
• Filed: 05/07/1999
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Epstein, Gordon Howard, Levinson, Mitchell E., Spero, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US09/307,056
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 604/82, 604/43, 604/53, 604/54, 604/506, 604/518, 604/275, 604/283, 604/191, 604/225, 604/287, 604/80, 604/89, 604/181, 604/258, 604/410-416, 604/403, 604/408, 222/82, 222/86, 222/88, 222/136, 222/137, 606/214, 606/93
• US Class Current: 604/82
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00495 for two-component glue
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2013 having two piercing ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2058 having multiple connecting ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1782 Devices aiding filling of syringes in situ combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents A61J1/2096, filling of medical containers in general B65B3/003

Abstract

A filling device for connecting a dispensing instrument having multiple fluid reservoirs to multiple containers is disclosed. More particularly, the present invention discloses a connecting device capable of coupling the individual reservoirs of a dispensing instrument to multiple fluid containers. The apparatus includes a body, a collar extending from the body, a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with a plurality of inlet ports formed in the body, and a hood adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of containers therein. The containers are positioned within the hood to allow the plurality of tubes to simultaneously and separately draw fluid from the fluid containers and transferring the material into the individual reservoirs of the dispensing instrument.

Claims

1. A connector usable as a filling device for connecting a dispensing instrument having multiple fluid reservoirs for separately holding and controllably dispensing fluids, and having a supply port connectable to each fluid reservoir by a supply conduit to multiple containers to facilitate simultaneous and separate withdrawal of fluid from said multiple containers, comprising:

(a) a body having a bottom and a top, said top having an outer perimeter and a plurality of outlet ports within said perimeter, said bottom having a plurality of inlet ports connected to said outlet ports wherein each of said inlet ports is connected to one of said outlet ports by a bore in said body;

(b) a collar extending from said perimeter, said collar being adapted to detachably receive said dispensing instrument;

(c) a plurality of tubes whereby each of said tubes is connected to one of said inlet ports and has an end distal to said inlet ports for extending into one of said containers, each of said ends having an opening for drawing fluid; and

(d) a hood extending from said bottom and adapted to simultaneously slideably receive a plurality of containers such that once the containers are seated within said hood, said ends of said tubes allow for simultaneous and separate drawing of fluids into said fluid reservoirs of said dispensing instrument wherein the dispensing instrument is capable of holding and dispensing fluid after being disengaged from the connector.

2. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar, said body, and said hood are formed of thermoplastic materials.

3. The connector as recited in claim 2 wherein said thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene, and acrylic.

4. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar, said body, and said hood are formed as a single thermoplastic member.

5. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said tubes are formed of a metallic material.

6. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar is keyed to said dispensing instrument such that said dispensing instrument may be fitted to said connector in only one orientation.

7. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said hood comprises a resilient material and is sized such that when each of said containers is positioned within said hood, said hood resiliently conforms to fit and secure each of said containers in place.

8. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said hood further comprises a locking member adapted to secure said containers to said connector.

9. The connector as recited in claim 8 wherein said locking member comprises resilient plastic joined to said hood and extends radially inward from said hood such that when each of said containers is positioned within said locking member, said locking member secures each of said containers in place.

10. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said outlet ports comprises a circular shape.

11. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said bores is tapered.

12. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said collar is capable of making a Luer lock with said dispensing instrument.

13. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said distal ends of said tubes have a pointed tip adapted to sealably pierce a cap of said containers.

14. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said plurality of outlet ports consists of a first and second outlet ports;

(b) said plurality of inlet ports consists of first and second inlet ports whereby said first inlet port is connected to said first outlet port and said second inlet port is connected to said second outlet port;

(c) said plurality of tubes consists of two tubes; and

(d) said hood is adapted to simultaneously slideably receive and releasably lock onto two containers such that the once the two containers are interlocked with said hood, said ends of said tubes allow for simultaneous and separate drawing of fluids into said dispensing instrument.

15. The kit as recited in claim 2 wherein said thermoplastic of said connector is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene, and acrylic.

26. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing instrument can withdraw controlled amounts of fluid.

16. A connector usable as a filling device for connecting a dispensing instrument having multiple fluid reservoirs for separately holding and controllably dispensing fluids, said dispensing instrument further has a supply port connected to each fluid reservoir by a supply conduit to multiple containers to facilitate simultaneous and separate withdrawal of fluid from said multiple containers, comprising:

(a) a body having a bottom and a top, said top having an outer perimeter and a plurality of outlet ports within said perimeter, said bottom having a plurality of inlet ports connected to said outlet ports wherein each of said inlet ports is connected to one of said outlet ports by a bore in said body;

(b) a collar extending from said perimeter, said collar being adapted to detachably receive said dispensing instrument;

(c) a plurality of tubes whereby each of said tubes is connected to one of said inlet ports and has an end distal to said inlet ports for extending into one of said containers, each of said ends having an opening for drawing fluid;

(d) a hood extending from said bottom; and

(e) a base having a plurality of support members adapted to simultaneously receive a plurality of containers, said base being adapted to detachably receive said hood such that once said hood is seated on said base, said ends of said tubes allow for simultaneous and separate drawing of fluids into said dispensing instrument wherein the dispensing instrument is capable of holding and dispensing fluid after being disengaged from the connector wherein the dispensing instrument is capable of holding and dispensing fluid after being disengaged from the connector.

17. A connector usable as a filling device for connecting a dispensing instrument having multiple fluid reservoirs for separately holding and controllably dispensing fluids, said dispensing instrument further has a supply port connected to each fluid reservoir by a supply conduit to multiple containers to facilitate simultaneous and separate withdrawal of fluid from said multiple containers, comprising:

(a) a housing having a bottom and a top, said top having an outer perimeter and a plurality of outlet ports within said perimeter, said housing defining a plurality of cavities each defining an internal volume for housing one of said containers, each of said cavities having an inlet port wherein each of said inlet ports is connected to one of said outlet ports by a conduit;

(b) a collar extending from said outer perimeter, said collar being adapted to detachably receive said dispensing instrument;

(c) a plurality of tubes whereby each of said tubes is connected to one of said inlet ports and has an end distal to said inlet ports for extending into one of said containers, each of said ends having an opening for drawing fluid; and

(d) a base having a plurality of support members each adapted to simultaneously receive one of said containers, said base being adapted to detachably receive said housing such that once said housing is seated on said base, said containers are positioned within said cavities wherein the dispensing instrument is capable of holding and dispensing fluid after being disengaged from the connector.

18. A filling device to facilitate withdrawal into a syringe of a fluid from a container, the container having a top through which fluid can be passed into or out of the container and a bottom enabling the container to be supported upright on a flat surface, the filling device comprising:

a) a container-locating member capable of tilting the container to align the lower most point of said container, in a tilted position, with a fluid conduit; and

b) a syringe-locating member to align the syringe with the container for withdrawal of fluid from the container, wherein the syringe-locating member supports the syringe and is movable downwardly with the syringe toward the container and wherein the downward movement of the syringe-locating member tilts the container locating member;

wherein, in a filling mode, the fluid conduit extends from within the container to the syringe for passage of the fluid from the container to the syringe and wherein, also in a filling mode, the container-locating member orients the container in a tilted position to enhance the removal of the fluid through the fluid conduit.

19. A filling device to facilitate withdrawal into a syringe of a fluid from a container, the container having a top through which fluid can be passed into or out of the container and a bottom enabling the container to be supported upright on a flat surface, the filling device comprising:

a) a container-locating member capable of tilting the container to align the lower most point of said container, in a tilted position, with a fluid conduit;

b) a syringe-locating member to align the syringe with the container for withdrawal of fluid from the container; and

c) a shroud to enclose the container and the fluid conduit in a filling mode;

wherein, in the filling mode, the fluid conduit extends from within the container to the syringe for passage of the fluid from the container to the syringe and wherein, also in a filling mode, the container-locating member orients the container in a tilted position to enhance the removal of the fluid through the fluid conduit.

20. A filling device according to claim 19 wherein the shroud provides a sealing enclosure permitting the filling device, when assembled with the syringe and the container, to be admitted to a sterile environment.

21. A filling device to facilitate withdrawal into a dual syringe fluid applicator having dual syringe reservoirs to simultaneously and separately withdraw fluid from two containers, each of the containers having a top through which fluid can be passed into or out of the container and a bottom enabling the container to be supported upright on a flat surface, the filling device comprising:

a) a container-locating member to position the containers;

b) a syringe-locating member to align the syringes with the containers for withdrawal of fluid from the container and locate the dual syringes in side-by-side relationship, two fluid conduits are provided for separately conveying fluids from two containers to the dual syringe reservoirs

wherein, the container locating member provides for side-by-side location of the two fluid containers in alignment with the fluid conduits and wherein, in the filling mode, both containers are tilted to enhance removal of the fluids from the containers.

22. A filling device to facilitate withdrawal into a multiple syringe fluid applicator each having a respective syringe reservoirs to simultaneously and separately withdraw fluid from multiple containers, each of the containers having a top through which fluid can be passed into or out of the container and a bottom enabling the container to be supported upright on a flat surface, the filling device comprising:

a) a container-locating member to position the containers;

b) a syringe-locating member to align the syringes with the containers for withdrawal of fluid from the container each syringe having a respective fluid conduit provided for separately conveying fluids from the multiple containers to the respective syringe reservoirs,

wherein, the container locating member provides for side-by-side location of the multiple fluid containers in alignment with the fluid conduits and wherein, in the filling mode, both containers are tilted to enhance removal of the fluids from the containers.

23. A filling device according to claim 22 wherein the syringe locating member locates the multiple syringes in a side-by-side relationship.

24. A filling device according to claim 22 wherein the syringe locating member locates the multiple syringes in an adjacent relationship.

25. A filling device to facilitate withdrawal into a dual syringe fluid applicator having dual syringe reservoirs to simultaneously and separately withdraw fluid from two containers, each of the containers having a top through which fluid can be passed into or out of the container, the filling device comprising:

a) a container-locating member to position the containers;

b) a syringe-locating member to align the syringes with the containers for withdrawal of fluid from the container and locate the dual syringes in side-by-side relationship, two fluid conduits are provided for separately conveying fluids from two containers to the dual syringe reservoirs

wherein, the container locating member provides for side-by-side location of the two fluid containers in alignment with the fluid conduits and wherein, in the filling mode, both containers are maintained straight to enhance removal of the fluids from the containers.

27. A filling device to facilitate withdrawal into a syringe of a fluid from a container, the container having a top through which fluid can be passed into or out of the container, the filling device comprising:

a) a container-locating member capable of supporting the container,

b) a syringe-locating member capable of aligning the syringe with the container,

c) a hood in communication with the syringe-locating member and capable of receiving the container-locating member;

d) a tilting member capable of tilting the container; and

e) a fluid conduit located within the hood and in fluid communication with the syringe and the container.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said tilting member comprises a slanted upper surface of said hood capable of engaging said container.