Vial adapter having a needle-free valve for use with vial closures of different sizes
First Claim
1. A vial adapter for interconnecting with vial closures of different diameters, each closure having a seal and each vial having a neck comprising:
- an adapter housing having a first end with an inner periphery with a circular array of claws, and having a second end, the housing having a thickness at the inner periphery; and
a sharpened cannula extending from the first end of the adapter housing for penetrating a seal of a vial closure to establish fluid communication between the vial and the first end;
wherein the array of claws comprises;
a first set of claws extending radially inwardly from the inner periphery, each of which has a first length and each of which is located and formed to snap under the closure of the vial about the neck; and
a second set of claws extending radially inwardly from the inner periphery, each of the second set of claws having a second length that is longer than the first length of the first set of claws, and each of which is located and formed to snap under the closure of the vial about the neck, each of the second set of claws formed such that when the vial adapter is placed over a closure exceeding a selected diameter, each of the second set of claws will deflect and plastically deform thereby permitting the first set of claws to snap under the larger closure.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vial adapter having a needle-free valve, a sharpened cannula used to perforate a vial'"'"'s rubber stopper, and a circular array of claws of different lengths to engage vial closures of different diameters. The array of claws includes a first set of claws each having a first length extending inwardly from the periphery of the housing of the adapter and a second set of claws alternating with the first set of claws and each having a longer length. The second set of claws are mounted so that they deflect and plastically deform out of the way in the case where the adapter is engaged with a vial that exceeds a predetermined size. The housing includes a shroud that is at least as long as the sharpened cannula to protect medical personnel who use the adapter from inadvertent punctures. The needle-free valve includes a resiliently deformable piston element with a naturally open bore. The interior of the piston provides a fluid flow path through the adapter. In one embodiment, the first set of claws of the adapter may be used with a vial closure of at approximately 20 mm in diameter and the second set of claws may be used with a vial closure of approximately 13 to 17 mm in diameter.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vial adapter for interconnecting with vial closures of different diameters, each closure having a seal and each vial having a neck comprising:
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an adapter housing having a first end with an inner periphery with a circular array of claws, and having a second end, the housing having a thickness at the inner periphery; and
a sharpened cannula extending from the first end of the adapter housing for penetrating a seal of a vial closure to establish fluid communication between the vial and the first end;
wherein the array of claws comprises;
a first set of claws extending radially inwardly from the inner periphery, each of which has a first length and each of which is located and formed to snap under the closure of the vial about the neck; and
a second set of claws extending radially inwardly from the inner periphery, each of the second set of claws having a second length that is longer than the first length of the first set of claws, and each of which is located and formed to snap under the closure of the vial about the neck, each of the second set of claws formed such that when the vial adapter is placed over a closure exceeding a selected diameter, each of the second set of claws will deflect and plastically deform thereby permitting the first set of claws to snap under the larger closure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification