Fluid transfer devices and methods of use
First Claim
1. A method of providing a fluid transfer module for use with a substantially entirely closed system for the transfer of medical fluids between or among different medical fluid containers by an electronically controlled fluid dispensing system, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a fluid transfer module configured to be removably attachable to an electronically controlled fluid dispensing system, the fluid transfer module comprising;
(i) a first interface configured to be connected in fluid communication with a fluid source container, the first interface comprising a first selectively openable and closeable aperture that is configured to substantially entirely prevent fluid within the fluid transfer module from escaping through the first aperture when the first aperture is closed;
(ii) a second interface configured to be connected in fluid communication with a fluid destination container, the second interface comprising a second selectively openable and closeable aperture that is configured to substantially entirely prevent fluid within the fluid transfer module from escaping through the second aperture when the second aperture is closed;
(iii) an intermediate container, or an intermediate interface configured to be connected to an intermediate container;
(iv) a first valve configured to permit the passage of fluid from the fluid source container to the intermediate container and configured to generally obstruct the passage of fluid from the intermediate container to the fluid source container; and
(v) a second valve configured to permit the passage of fluid from the intermediate container to the fluid destination container and to generally obstruct the passage of fluid from the fluid destination container to the intermediate container; and
(b) instructing a user to attach the fluid transfer module to the electronically controlled fluid dispensing system to assist in transferring fluid;
wherein an interaction portion of the fluid transfer module comprises a generally transparent housing portion and a generally opaque, generally rigid valve portion, the interaction portion being connected to the fluid transfer module such that the interaction portion is configured to permit the electronically controlled fluid dispensing system to detect that the second aperture is open when the valve portion moves into a light path in the electronically controlled fluid dispensing system; and
wherein the fluid transfer module is configured to substantially prevent fluid within the fluid transfer module from escaping upon disconnection of the fluid transfer module from the fluid source container and the fluid destination container.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments disclosed herein related to a device for transferring precise amounts of fluid from at least one source container to a at least one target container. In some embodiments, the fluid is first transferred from the source container (e.g., a vial) through a connector to an intermediate measuring container (e.g., a syringe). In some embodiments air can pass through an air inlet and enter the vial to compensate for the volume of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An air check valve or a bag or a filter can prevent the fluid from escaping through the air inlet. The precisely measured amount of fluid can then be transferred from the intermediate measuring container to the target container (e.g., an IV bag). In some embodiments the connector can include a source check valve and a target check valve to direct fluid first from the source container to the intermediate measuring container and then from the intermediate measuring container to the target container. Some embodiments of the device can include a motor and a controller for automatically actuating a plunger of the syringe to transfer the desired amount of fluid.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing a fluid transfer module for use with a substantially entirely closed system for the transfer of medical fluids between or among different medical fluid containers by an electronically controlled fluid dispensing system, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a fluid transfer module configured to be removably attachable to an electronically controlled fluid dispensing system, the fluid transfer module comprising; (i) a first interface configured to be connected in fluid communication with a fluid source container, the first interface comprising a first selectively openable and closeable aperture that is configured to substantially entirely prevent fluid within the fluid transfer module from escaping through the first aperture when the first aperture is closed; (ii) a second interface configured to be connected in fluid communication with a fluid destination container, the second interface comprising a second selectively openable and closeable aperture that is configured to substantially entirely prevent fluid within the fluid transfer module from escaping through the second aperture when the second aperture is closed; (iii) an intermediate container, or an intermediate interface configured to be connected to an intermediate container; (iv) a first valve configured to permit the passage of fluid from the fluid source container to the intermediate container and configured to generally obstruct the passage of fluid from the intermediate container to the fluid source container; and (v) a second valve configured to permit the passage of fluid from the intermediate container to the fluid destination container and to generally obstruct the passage of fluid from the fluid destination container to the intermediate container; and (b) instructing a user to attach the fluid transfer module to the electronically controlled fluid dispensing system to assist in transferring fluid; wherein an interaction portion of the fluid transfer module comprises a generally transparent housing portion and a generally opaque, generally rigid valve portion, the interaction portion being connected to the fluid transfer module such that the interaction portion is configured to permit the electronically controlled fluid dispensing system to detect that the second aperture is open when the valve portion moves into a light path in the electronically controlled fluid dispensing system; and wherein the fluid transfer module is configured to substantially prevent fluid within the fluid transfer module from escaping upon disconnection of the fluid transfer module from the fluid source container and the fluid destination container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification