Connector device

• US 8,523,838 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2009
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carmel Pharma AB (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Carmel Pharma AB (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Tornqvist, Hakan
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): TREYGER, ILYA Y
• Application Number:
  US12/635,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20100147402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 604411-416
• US Class Current: 604/414
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2075 for external venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2082 for gas filtration
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/19 Equalising valves predominantly for tanks when combined with safety valve by change of position F16K17/36
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7846 Mechanically interconnected

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector device to connect a first and a second fluid container, directly or indirectly. The connector device exhibit a first and a second connection means, a pierceable barrier member, a piercing member, a fluid transfer channel and a pressure normalization channel. The pressure normalization channel is arranged to normalize an increasing pressure inside second fluid container. A valve arrangement permitting fluid to flow in a first and a second direction is arranged in the pressure normalization channel. The valve arrangement exhibit a cracking pressure in at least the first direction. The present invention provides for a connector device which reduces the risk of clogging the barrier filter.

Claims

1. A connector device for establishing fluid communication by connecting a first fluid container with a second fluid container, said connector device comprising a housing, said housing comprises first connection means having a pierceable barrier member, connect said first fluid container to said housing, and second connection means, to connect said second fluid container,

and a fluid transfer channel to enable fluid transfer between said first and second fluid container after assembly,

said housing further comprises at least one pressure normalization channel arranged to normalize the pressure in said second fluid container during said fluid transfer,

said at least one pressure normalization channel having an outlet opening, an inlet opening, a barrier filter and at least one valve arrangement, wherein

said at least one valve arrangement is arranged to permit fluid to flow in a first and a second direction, wherein said first direction is in a direction from said inlet opening towards said outlet opening and said second direction is from said outlet opening towards said inlet opening, and wherein said at least one valve arrangement has a cracking pressure in at least said first direction.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one valve arrangement comprises a first and a second check valve arranged in substantially opposite direction of each other.

3. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein said first and second check valves are arranged substantially parallel with each other.

4. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein said cracking pressure of said first check valve is at least 0.04 atm.

5. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein said cracking pressure of said first check valve is between 0.04-0.5 atm.

6. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein said cracking pressure of said first check valve is at least 0.04 atm.

7. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein said cracking pressure of said first check valve is between 0.04-0.5 atm.

8. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein said second check valve has a cracking pressure in said second direction.

9. The connector device according to claim 8, wherein said cracking pressure of said second check valve is between 0.02-0.5 atm.

10. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a first and a second pressure normalization channel and wherein said first check valve is arranged in said first pressure normalization channel and wherein said second check valve is arranged in said second pressure normalization channel.

11. The connector device according to claim 10, wherein said first and second pressure normalization channels have mutual inlet and outlet openings.

12. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one valve comprises a membrane having at least one slit.

13. The connector device according to claim 1, further comprising an expandable bladder arranged at said outlet opening of said at least one pressure normalization channel and in communication with said at least one pressure normalization channel.

14. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the pressure normalization channel between said first check valve and the inlet opening of the pressure normalization channel is <

1 ml.

15. The connector device according to claim 14, wherein the volume of the pressure normalization channel between said first check valve and the inlet opening of the pressure normalization channel is between 0.01 ml-0.9 ml.