U.S. patent application number 10/131905 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-30 for radially compressed self-sealing septum.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.. Invention is credited to Hudak, Philip J., Kiliszewski, Lawrence C..
Application Number | 20030201239 10/131905 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29248644 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030201239 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hudak, Philip J. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2003 |
Radially compressed self-sealing septum
Abstract
A septum used for sealing an opening formed in a neck of a
container, the septum includes a top septum member that fits over
the outside of the opening in the container and a bottom radial
septum member structurally connected below the top septum to seal
inside the neck of the container.
Inventors: |
Hudak, Philip J.; (Thousand
Oaks, CA) ; Kiliszewski, Lawrence C.; (Valencia,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC.
18000 DEVONSHIRE STREET
NORTHRIDGE
CA
91325-1219
US
|
Assignee: |
MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
|
Family ID: |
29248644 |
Appl. No.: |
10/131905 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/247 ;
215/355 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 39/0005 20130101;
A61J 1/1468 20150501; B65D 51/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/247 ;
215/355 |
International
Class: |
B65D 039/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A septum used for sealing an opening formed in a neck of a
container, the septum comprising: a top septum member that fits
over the outside of the container forming an opening; and a bottom
radial septum member structurally connected below the top septum to
seal inside the neck of the container.
2. The septum of claim 1, wherein the bottom radial septum member
has an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the upper
portion of the bottom radial septum member is structurally
connected to the top septum.
3. The septum of claim 2, wherein the bottom radial septum member
has a radial middle section, and wherein the radial middle section
has a diameter greater than the upper and lower portion of the
bottom radial septum member to create compression against the
interior of the container.
4. The septum of claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the bottom
radial septum member has a concave spherical geometry, and wherein
the concave spherical geometry of the bottom radial septum member
lower portion prevents the septum from bowing out when in a
compressed state.
5. The septum of claim 1, wherein the septum is composed of a
self-sealing septum material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to septums for containers
and, in particular embodiments, to a septum for a vial that
utilizes a radially compressed self-sealing septum.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pharmaceutical vials are used to hold liquid medications
such as insulin for later administration to a patient.
Traditionally, these vials include a lid, having a layer of septum
to seal in the contents of the vial. Medication is generally
extracted from the vial by piercing the septum with a sharp point
such as a hypodermic needle.
[0003] Typically, the septum is fixed onto an open end of the vial
and is secured by a fitted metal collar that covers the septum. The
fitted metal collar is crimped to conform to the open end of the
vial and to secure the septum in place. A portion of the collar
includes an opening to expose the septum beneath and to allow
access for a needle to pierce the septum as described above. The
septum layer is generally intended to be resealing to prevent the
contents of the vial to leak out after the needle is withdrawn.
However, in many instances leakage from the pierced septum layer
does occur after the removal of the needle. Furthermore, gaps
caused by the piercing of the septum may contribute to contaminants
entering into the vial.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to
provide a radially compressed self-sealing septum, which obviates
for practical purposes, the above mentioned limitations.
[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention, a septum used
for sealing an opening formed in a neck of a container includes a
top septum member that fits over the outside of the opening in the
container, and a bottom radial septum member structurally connected
below the top septum member to seal inside the neck of the
container. The bottom radial septum member has an upper portion, a
lower portion, and a radial middle section. Preferably, the radial
middle section has a diameter greater than the upper and lower
portion of the bottom radial septum member to create compression
against the interior of the container.
[0006] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the lower
portion of the bottom radial septum member has a concave spherical
geometry. It is the concave spherical geometry of the lower portion
of the bottom radial septum member that prevents the septum from
bowing out when in a compressed state. Furthermore, the septum is
composed of a self-sealing septum material.
[0007] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a
closure may be used for sealing an opening in a container. The
closure includes a neck of a container, a radially compressed
self-sealing septum which seals the neck of the container, a collar
fitted over the septum and neck of the container to secure the
septum in place.
[0008] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will
be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures.
[0010] FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the
septum and vial, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the
septum and vial in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the septum in
accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective bottom view of the septum
in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the
invention is embodied in a radially compressed self-sealing septum.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a septum having
a top septum member structurally connected to a bottom radial
septum member, and is used to seal a vial, or the like, to contain
fluids, such as medications, drugs, vitamins, vaccines, peptides or
the like. Preferred embodiments of the vial are made out of glass.
However, alternative embodiments of the vial may be formed from
plastic, metal, ceramic, composite, laminates, or the like.
[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention include a top
septum member structurally connected above a bottom radial septum
member. The bottom radial septum member is inserted into a vial, or
the like, to seal the contents within. The bottom radial septum
member includes a radial middle portion of a large diameter which
becomes compressed when inserted within the vial, or the like,
having a smaller diameter. This compression creates a self-sealing
effect on the entire bottom radial septum, specifically allowing a
puncture from a hypodermic needle, or the like, to self-seal.
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a radially self-sealing septum 10
and container 12 in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention. The radially self-sealing septum 10 includes a
top septum member 14, and a bottom radial septum member 16.
[0017] In preferred embodiments, the top septum member 14 serves as
a closure first for the opening in the container (for example, a
vial). The top septum member 14 is generally external to the
container and is composed of an elastomer type material such as but
not limited to rubber, or the like, that is capable of being
pierced by a sharp object such as a hypodermic needle, or the like,
and has the ability to self-seal when in a compressed state. In
alternative embodiments, it may be necessary for the top septum
member 14 to be composed of a different material or a combination
of materials such as silicone, bromobutyl, natural synthetic
isoprene, nitrile, ethylene propylene diene monomers, or the like,
to prevent a damaging interaction between the septum material and
the fluids within the container.
[0018] In preferred embodiments, the bottom radial septum member 16
is structurally connected below the top septum member 14. An upper
portion 18 of the bottom radial septum member is attached to the
top septum member 14, where a lower portion 20 of the bottom radial
septum member 16 is unattached and is within the container when the
septum 10 is in use. The bottom radial septum member 16 includes a
radial middle section 22 having a diameter larger than the top 18
and lower portion 20 of the bottom radial septum member 16, but
similar to the top septum 14. In alternative embodiments, the
diameter of the radial middle section 22 may vary depending on the
type of container used, and may exceed the diameter of the top
septum. However, the diameter of the radial middle section 22 will
exceed the diameter between the interior walls 24 of the container.
The large diameter of the radial middle section 22 of the bottom
radial septum member 16 extends outwardly and becomes compressed by
the interior walls 24 of the container when the bottom radial
septum member 16 is inserted into the container. Consequently, the
compression causes the bottom radial septum member 16 to self-seal
when a hypodermic needle, or the like, is withdrawn.
[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the self-sealing septum 10 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that
utilizes the septum shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In preferred
embodiments, the self-sealing septum 10 includes a bottom radial
septum member 16 having a lower portion 20 with a concave spherical
geometry. The lower portion 20 of the bottom radial septum member
16 is spherically indented to prevent the bottom radial septum
member 16 from bowing out when it is in a compressed state,
therefore maintaining its ability to self-seal. In alternative
embodiments, the lower portion 20 of the bottom radial septum
member 16 may differ in its geometry to adapt to varying degrees of
compression.
[0020] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such
modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the
present invention.
[0021] The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims,
rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *