Medicament vial having a heat-sealable cap, and apparatus and method for filling the vial
First Claim
1. A thermoplastic stopper defining a needle penetration region that is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough, and is heat resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto, wherein the stopper comprises a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and including (i) a styrene block copolymer;
- (ii) an olefin;
(iii) a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the body to substantially absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period of less than approximately 2 seconds; and
(iv) a predetermined amount of lubricant that reduces friction forces at an interface of the needle and body during needle penetration thereof.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A resealable cap (110, 210) for a medicament vial (114, 214) has a base portion (112, 212) formed of vulcanized rubber or like material known for providing a stable environment for the medicament contained within the vial, and a resealable portion (126, 226) overlying the base portion. The resealable portion (126, 226) is made of low-density polyethylene or like material, and can be punctured by a needle or like injection member (140, 282) for dispensing medicament into the vial (114, 214). Prior to filling, the cap (110, 210) is assembled to the vial (114, 214) and the cap/vial assembly is sterilized. Then, a needle (140, 282) is inserted through the cap (110, 210) and medicament is introduced through the needle and into the vial. Upon withdrawal of the needle (140, 282), the penetrated region of the cap (248) is fused by laser (276) or direct heat sealing (264) to hermetically seal the needle hole (294) in the cap.
-
Citations
47 Claims
-
1. A thermoplastic stopper defining a needle penetration region that is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough, and is heat resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto, wherein the stopper comprises a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and including (i) a styrene block copolymer;
- (ii) an olefin;
(iii) a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the body to substantially absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period of less than approximately 2 seconds; and
(iv) a predetermined amount of lubricant that reduces friction forces at an interface of the needle and body during needle penetration thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 28)
- (ii) an olefin;
-
19. A thermoplastic stopper defining a needle penetration region that is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough, and is heat resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto, wherein the stopper comprises a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and including (i) a first polymeric material in an amount within the range of about 80% to about 97% by weight and defining a first elongation;
- (ii) a second polymeric material in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 20% by weight and defining a second elongation that is less than the first elongation of the first material;
(iii) a pigment in an mount that allows the body to substantially absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period of less than approximately 2 seconds; and
(iv) a lubricant in an amount that reduces friction forces at an interface of the needle and body during needle penetration thereof. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
- (ii) a second polymeric material in an amount within the range of about 3% to about 20% by weight and defining a second elongation that is less than the first elongation of the first material;
-
41. A method of providing and filling a container with a predetermined substance, comprising the following steps:
-
providing a thermoplastic stopper defining a needle penetration region that is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough, and is heat resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto, wherein the stopper further includes a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and includes a styrene block copolymer and an olefin; providing the thermoplastic stopper with a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the body to substantially absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof; connecting the stopper to an opening of a container and defining a sealed chamber between the stopper and container; providing a needle defining a non-coring, conically-pointed tip and at least one flow aperture located adjacent to the tip and connectable in fluid communication with a source of the predetermined substance; penetrating the needle penetration region of stopper with the conically-pointed tip of the needle such that the flow aperture of the needle is in fluid communication with the chamber of the container; providing a lubricant at the interface of the needle and stopper to reduce friction forces therebetween; introducing the predetermined substance through the needle and into the chamber of the container, and withdrawing the needle from the stopper; and transmitting laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and power onto the needle penetrated region of the stopper, and hermetically sealing the needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a time period of less than about 2 seconds. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
-
Specification