Fluid transfer devices and methods of use

• US 9,883,987 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2014
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Lopez, George A., Fangrow, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): NIESZ, JASON KAROL
• Application Number:
  US14/310,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20140299221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1406 Septums, pierceable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1481 with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1487 with friction fit, e.g. connecting tubes directly to a protruding port
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/16 Holders for containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/20 Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2037 having valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2051 having tap means, e.g. tap means activated by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2055 having gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2058 having multiple connecting ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2062 with directional valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2089 Containers or vials which are to be joined to each other in order to mix their contents combinations of vial and syringe for mixing their contents A61J1/2096
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16845 by weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/141 for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/19 for rigid panels B60J7/1851 - B60J7/1856 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/643 operated by flexible elongated pulling elements, e.g. belts, chains or cables by flexible elongated push-pull mechanisms E05F15/635
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/655 specially adapted for vehicle wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 : Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 : Controlled or regulated

Abstract

Fluid transfer systems are disclosed that can be configured to transfer precise amounts of fluid from a source container to a target container. The fluid transfer system can have multiple fluid transfer stations for transferring fluids into multiple target containers or for combining different types of fluids into a single target container to form a mixture. The fluid transfer system can include a pump and a destination sensor, such as a weight sensor. The fluid transfer system can be configured to flush remaining fluid out of a connector to reduce waste, using air or a flushing fluid.

Claims

1. A medical fluid transfer system comprising:

a three-way connector having a first closable connector configured to couple to a source container, a second closable connector configured to couple to a target container, and a syringe interface;

a syringe pump in fluid communication with the syringe interface and configured to transfer fluid through the three-way connector;

a destination sensor configured to detect whether or not the target container is connected to the second closable connector and to output information indicating whether or not the target container is connected;

a fluid switch having a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first configuration of the fluid switch opens a fluid pathway between the source container and the syringe pump, and wherein the second configuration of the fluid switch closes the fluid pathway between the source container and the syringe pump;

an actuator configured to toggle the fluid switch between the first and second configurations;

one or more cameras configured to capture images of one or more components to document one or more steps of a fluid transfer process performed by the fluid transfer system; and

a control system configured to;

receive instructions, wherein the instructions comprise a fluid transfer instruction to transfer a specified volume of fluid from the source container to the target container;

operate the syringe pump and actuate the fluid switch to open and close the fluid pathway between the source container and the syringe pump based on the fluid transfer instructions;

receive the information indicating whether or not the target container is connected from the destination sensor; and

operate the syringe pump based on the information received from the destination sensor, wherein the control system prevents the system from attempting to transfer fluid when the target container is not connected.

2. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, wherein the destination sensor comprises a weight sensor.

3. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, wherein the first closable connector is configured to removably couple to the source container and the second closable connector is configured to removably couple to the target container.

4. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 3, wherein the first closable connector is a closable male connector and the second closable connector is a closable male connector.

5. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, wherein the destination sensor is configured to detect whether the second closable connector is open.

6. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to receive instructions from a remote source.

7. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, further comprising a scanner configured to scan information on the source container and the target container.

8. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 7, wherein the control system is further configured to receive information from the scanner and store the information received from the scanner.

9. The Medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, wherein the fluid switch is a stopcock.

10. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, wherein the syringe pump stops when the control system receives information indicating that the source container is disconnected.

11. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more sensors configured to detect whether or not the three-way connector is present, wherein the control system is configured to not allow fluid transfer when the three-way connector is not detected; and

a mounting module configured to align the three-way connector with the one or more sensors.

12. The medical fluid transfer system of claim 1, wherein the syringe pump is configured to removably engage the syringe interface.