Device with needle penetrable and laser resealable portion and related method
First Claim
1. A device defining a chamber for receiving a substance and a thermoplastic portion in fluid communication with the chamber, the thermoplastic portion defining a penetrable region that is penetrable by a filling member and is heat resealable to hermetically seal an aperture therein by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto, wherein the thermoplastic portion comprises a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness 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, and hermetically seal the aperture in the penetrable region in a predetermined time period; and
(iv) a predetermined amount of lubricant that reduces friction forces at an interface of the filling member and body during penetration thereof.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device defining a chamber for receiving a substance and a thermoplastic portion in fluid communication with the chamber is provided along with a method of filling and sealing the substance within the chamber. The thermoplastic portion defines a penetrable region that is penetrable by a filling member and is heat resealable to hermetically seal an aperture therein by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power. The thermoplastic portion comprises a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness and includes a styrene block copolymer, an olefin and a predetermined amount of pigment allowing the body to absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength, substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness, and hermetically seal the aperture in the penetrable region in a predetermined time period. The body includes a predetermined amount of lubricant that reduces friction forces at an interface of the filling member and body during penetration thereof.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device defining a chamber for receiving a substance and a thermoplastic portion in fluid communication with the chamber, the thermoplastic portion defining a penetrable region that is penetrable by a filling member and is heat resealable to hermetically seal an aperture therein by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto, wherein the thermoplastic portion comprises a thermoplastic body defining a predetermined wall thickness 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, and hermetically seal the aperture in the penetrable region in a predetermined time period; and
(iv) a predetermined amount of lubricant that reduces friction forces at an interface of the filling member and body during penetration thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- (ii) an olefin;
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15. A method comprising the following steps:
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providing a device including a body defining a chamber for receiving a substance and a thermoplastic portion in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the thermoplastic portion includes a styrene block copolymer and an olefin, and defines a penetrable region that is penetrable by a filling member and is heat resealable to hermetically seal an aperture therein by applying laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and power thereto; providing the thermoplastic portion with a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the penetrable region to substantially absorb laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, providing a filling member 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 substance; penetrating the penetrable region of the thermoplastic portion with the conically-pointed tip of the filling member such that the flow aperture of the filling member is in fluid communication with the chamber of the device; providing a lubricant at the interface of the filling member and thermoplastic portion to reduce friction forces therebetween; introducing the substance through the filling member and into the chamber of the device; withdrawing the filling member from the thermoplastic portion; and transmitting laser radiation at the predetermined wavelength and power onto an aperture formed in the penetrable region of the thermoplastic portion, and hermetically sealing the aperture within a time period of less than about 2 seconds. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification