U.S. patent application number 14/933817 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-25 for medicament administration apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gary Schaeffer, Philip Wyatt, Wendy Elizabeth Wyatt. Invention is credited to Gary Schaeffer, Philip Wyatt, Wendy Elizabeth Wyatt.
Application Number | 20160051447 14/933817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44188405 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160051447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wyatt; Philip ; et
al. |
February 25, 2016 |
Medicament Administration Apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus for removal of premixed drugs or reconstitution of
lyophilized drugs and for the injection of the reconstituted drug
into the patient. The apparatus includes a syringe assembly and an
adapter assembly that can be removably connected to a medicament
container containing a premixed drug or lyophilized medicament. The
syringe assembly of the apparatus includes a liquid chamber between
the forward end of the body portion and the piston and a syringe
cannula assembly. The syringe cannula assembly, which can be
removably interconnected with the body portion, comprises a cannula
support and a hypodermic needle sealably connected to the cannula
support. The adapter assembly comprises an adapter preferably
molded from a moldable plastic that includes a top wall, an adapter
cannula connected to and extending from the top wall and a variety
of connectors connected to the top wall for removably
interconnecting the adapter with the medicament container.
Inventors: |
Wyatt; Philip; (Glendale,
CA) ; Schaeffer; Gary; (Glendale, CA) ; Wyatt;
Wendy Elizabeth; (Glendale, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wyatt; Philip
Schaeffer; Gary
Wyatt; Wendy Elizabeth |
Glendale
Glendale
Glendale |
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44188405 |
Appl. No.: |
14/933817 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13908387 |
Jun 3, 2013 |
9186298 |
|
|
14933817 |
|
|
|
|
12928545 |
Dec 13, 2010 |
8454573 |
|
|
13908387 |
|
|
|
|
12151345 |
May 6, 2008 |
|
|
|
12928545 |
|
|
|
|
10744806 |
Dec 22, 2003 |
|
|
|
12151345 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/520 ;
604/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/2082 20150501;
A61J 1/201 20150501; A61J 1/2096 20130101; A61J 1/2075 20150501;
A61J 1/2086 20150501 |
International
Class: |
A61J 1/20 20060101
A61J001/20 |
Claims
1. A method for reconstituting lyophilized medicaments and for the
injecting of reconstituted medicaments into the patient using an
apparatus comprising a vial accessing means for interconnecting an
aspirator containing a fluid with a medicament container having an
interior containing a medicament, the vial accessing means
including an adapter having a top wall, a resiliently deformable
skirt connected to and extending from the top wall for receiving a
portion of the medicament container and an adapter cannula
connected to and extending from the top wall and a plurality of
circumferentially spaced, buttress members defining an opening; and
an assembly made up of a needle sheath having a yieldably
deformable wall and a syringe connector assembly for
interconnection with an aspirator, the assembly being received
within the opening defined by the buttress members; said method
comprising the steps of: (a) mating the adapter with the medicament
container in a manner to place the adapter cannula in communication
with the interior of medicament container; (b) attaching the
aspirator to the assembly made up of the needle sheath and the
syringe connector assembly to form an aspiration assembly; (c)
inserting the assembly made up of the needle sheath and the syringe
connector assembly into the opening defined by the buttress
members; (d) using the aspirator containing a fluid, causing the
fluid contained within the aspirator to controllably flow into the
medicament container; (e) intermixing the medicament within the
container with the fluid to form a reconstituted medicament; (f)
using the aspirator, withdrawing the reconstituted medicament from
the container; (g) removing the aspiration assembly from the
adapter; (h) yieldably deforming the wall of the needle sheath and
removing the syringe connector assembly from the needle sheath to
form a combination aspirator and syringe connector assembly; and
(i) using the combination aspirator and syringe connector assembly,
injecting the reconstituted medicament into the patient.
2. A vial accessing means for interconnecting an aspirator with a
medicament container containing a medicament, comprising: (a) an
adapter including: (i) a body portion having a bore; (ii) an
adapter cannula connected to and extending from said body portion,
said adapter cannula having a lumen in communication with said bore
of said body portion of said adapter; and (iii) an aspirator
connector assembly connected to said body portion of said adapter
for removably interconnecting the aspirator with said adapter, said
aspirator connector assembly comprising: (a) a housing including a
protector sleeve that is constructed and arranged to extend into
said lumen of said adapter cannula; and (b) a syringe cannula
assembly having a barrel portion disposed within said housing and a
syringe cannula connected to said barrel portion, said syringe
cannula being disposed within and substantially encapsulated by
said protective sleeve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Divisional application of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/908,387 filed Jun. 3, 2013.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates generally to medicament
administration. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel
fluid medicament delivery apparatus that is specially designed to
facilitate the aseptic administration of drugs to patients.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0007] Medicaments intended for parenteral administration are
typically stored in a medicament container in either in liquid,
powdered or lyophilized form. Typically, lyophilized drugs are
packaged in standard glass vials that are sealed with a pierceable
rubber stopper and a crimped metal cap. A suitable liquid diluent
must be added to the vial to reconstitute the powdered or
lyophilized drug before use. In accordance with typical prior art
methods, this reconstitution step was accomplished by drawing a
measured amount of diluent, such as water, into a syringe from a
diluent vial. The sealed vial containing the powdered or
lyophilized drug was then accessed using a hypodermic needle and
syringe to add the liquid diluent to the vial. The vial was then in
inverted and shaken to intermix the drug with the liquid diluent.
This done, the reconstituted drug was withdrawn into the syringe
and was injected into the patient.
[0008] It is apparent that when reconstitution of a drug is
required, the prior art processes required at least two fluid
transfers. The problem of ensuring proper fluid transfer under
acceptable aseptic conditions during these two fluid transfers was
formidable and was especially acute in the case of
self-administration of drugs by patients in a homecare environment.
For example, during the fluid transfers, the rubber stopper that is
disposed within the top of the vial must be penetrated by the
syringe needle. Typically, the rubber stopper is not sterile and,
accordingly, the exposed needle is exposed to non-sterile
conditions. Furthermore, as the needle penetrates the rubber
stopper it will inevitably become contaminated with small particles
of rubber that are dislodged from the rubber stopper during the
needle penetration step. Additionally, this two-step process is
quite cumbersome for physicians and particularly for homecare
caregivers to accomplish, often under the stressful conditions that
frequently exist at the bedside of a patient.
[0009] One approach to overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art
methods as described in the preceding paragraphs is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,372 to issued to Zinger et al. The Zinger et
al. patent discloses a drug vial mixing and transfer device having
one or more ports with interconnecting fluid passageways. The ends
of the ports are attached either to a piercing connector or a
syringe. The piercing connector is used to support and penetrate
the rubber stoppers of the standard glass drug vials that are
filled with powdered or lyophilized drugs or a liquid diluent
during the transfer of the liquid diluent and drug solutions
between the vials and the syringe. In one form of the invention,
the ports and connectors are mounted on a base and a stopcock type
valve is used to coordinate communication between the fluid
passageways of the different ports. Retainers mounted on the base
hold the syringe and vials in place during the liquid transfer
operations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] By way of summary, the present invention concerns a
disposable shrouded vial adapter with a preconnected, integral "med
push" hypodermic needle for low-cost, economical reconstitution of
lyophilized drugs and for the direct injection of the reconstituted
drug into the patient. In one form of the invention, the apparatus
comprises a syringe assembly and a novel adapter assembly that can
be removably connected to a medicament container or vial containing
a liquid medicament, a powdered medicament or a lyophilized
medicament. The syringe assembly of the apparatus includes an
aspirator component that includes a body portion having a forward
end and a piston slidably carried within the body portion to form a
liquid chamber between the forward end of the body portion and the
piston. The aspirator connector component of the syringe assembly,
which comprises a syringe cannula assembly, is adapted to be
removably interconnected with the aspirator component. This novel
aspirator connector component comprises a cannula support and a
syringe cannula connected to the cannula support.
[0011] In one form of the invention the adapter assembly comprises
an adapter, preferably molded from a moldable plastic, that
includes a body portion having a tapered bore, a top wall connected
to the body portion, an adapter cannula connected to and extending
from the body portion and a container connector means connected to
the top wall for removably interconnecting the adapter with the
medicament container. The container connector means can be of
various configurations that telescopically receive and securely
grip the upper portion of the medicament container. Uniquely, when
the cannula support portion of the aspirator connector component is
sealably received within the tapered bore of the body portion of
the adapter assembly, the syringe cannula portion of the aspirator
connector component is strategically positioned within the lumen of
the adapter cannula where it is completely shielded from external
contamination.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
and apparatus for reconstituting a lyophilized drug and for then
delivering the reconstituted drug to a patient. The method of the
invention makes use of an apparatus of the character described in
the preceding paragraph and is carried out in a manner such that
the hypodermic syringe component of the apparatus is at all times
protected from external contaminants and need not be used to
penetrate the rubber stopper of the medicament container containing
the drug that is to be reconstituted.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a method of
the aforementioned character in which off-the-shelf syringe body
components that have been pre-filled with a suitable diluent can be
used to accomplish the reconstitution step of the method of the
invention.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of
the class described in which the adapter component includes filter
means for filtering the fluid that is aspirated from the medicament
container.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of
the class described in which the adapter component includes vent
means for venting to atmosphere any gases that may be contained
within the medicament container.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide an alternate
form of the apparatus of the invention that comprises three
cooperating components, namely a somewhat differently configured
adapter component, a uniquely configured needle sheath for holding
and protecting the needle and a differently configured a syringe
connector assembly.
[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of
the character described in the preceding paragraph that includes a
positive locking needle sheath that protects the user from
accidental needle stick injury, from needle point damage and from
needle point contamination when removed from the vial adapter in
preparation for patent injection.
[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of
the character described in the preceding paragraphs that provides a
cost-effective method for safely reconstituting a drug for use and
for maintaining a safe environment during drug reconstitution and
following removal of the needle from the vial adapter in
preparation for patient injection.
[0019] Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of
the class described herein that is of a simple design and is easy
use in both hospital and homecare environments.
[0020] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus
as described in the preceding paragraph which can be inexpensively
manufactured so that the apparatus can be economically disposed of
after use.
[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of
the class described herein that can conveniently be used to
reconstitute and deliver a wide variety of medicaments in various
selected doses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section
showing one form of the vial accessing adapter subassembly of the
invention for use in administering medicaments to a patient.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a view is similar to FIG. 1, but showing the vial
accessing adapter subassembly positioned over and interconnected
with a conventional medicament container or vial that is shown in
phantom.
[0024] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2, but
illustrating in cross-section the area designated in FIG. 2 as
2A.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a view partly in cross section of the accessing
adapter subassembly and the syringe body that can be operably
interconnected with the accessing adapter subassembly to form the
syringe assembly that is used to accomplish the fluid transfer
steps.
[0026] FIG. 3A is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the syringe
assembly separated from the adapter component of the accessing
adapter assembly.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternate
form of the vial accessing adapter subassembly of the apparatus of
the invention that includes filter means for filtering the fluid
withdrawn from the medicament container.
[0028] FIG. 4A is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken
along lines 4A-4A of FIG. 4.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the
adapter component of the vial accessing adapter means of the
invention that includes venting means for venting to atmosphere
gases contained within the medicament container.
[0030] FIG. 5A is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the area
designated in FIG. 5 as 5A.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of
the vial accessing adapter means of the invention having an adapter
component of a different configuration.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of yet another form of the
vial accessing adapter means of the invention having an adapter
component that includes a circumferentially extending,
neck-gripping bead.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectioned view of still another form of
vial accessing adapter means of the invention for the aseptic
administration of medicaments contained within a medicament
container.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of yet another form of vial
accessing adapter means for accessing a medicament container.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of one form of the
aspirator connector means, or syringe cannula assembly of the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9.
[0036] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of an alternate form of
the aspirator connector means, or syringe cannula assembly of the
invention.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the needle sheath
subassembly of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of
FIG. 11.
[0039] FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the assemblage made up
of the needle sheath assembly and the aspirator connector
means.
[0040] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the adapter
component of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assemblage made up of the
adapter component and needle sheath subassembly of the embodiment
of the invention shown in FIG. 9.
[0042] FIG. 15 is a generally perspective view of the assembly made
up of the adapter component and needle sheath subassembly.
[0043] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section
showing yet another form of the vial accessing adapter subassembly
of the invention for use in administering medicaments to a
patient.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a side elevational exploded view, partly in
cross-section of the vial accessing adapter subassembly illustrated
in FIG. 16.
[0045] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section
showing still another form of the vial accessing adapter
subassembly of the invention for use in administering medicaments
to a patient.
[0046] FIG. 19 is a side elevational exploded view, partly in
cross-section of the vial accessing adapter subassembly illustrated
in FIG. 18.
[0047] FIG. 20 is a generally perspective view of yet another form
of the adapter component of yet another form of the vial accessing
adapter subassembly of the invention.
[0048] FIG. 21 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section
showing the form of vial accessing adapter subassembly of the
invention that embodies the adapter component shown in FIG. 20.
[0049] FIG. 22 is a side elevational exploded view, partly in
cross-section of the vial accessing adapter subassembly illustrated
in FIG. 21.
[0050] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate form of
needle sheath component of the vial accessing adapter subassembly
of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of
needle sheath component of the vial accessing adapter subassembly
of the invention.
[0052] FIG. 25 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section
showing the form of vial accessing adapter subassembly of the
invention that embodies the needle sheath component shown in FIG.
24.
[0053] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of yet another form of
needle sheath component of the vial accessing adapter subassembly
of the invention.
[0054] FIG. 27 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section
showing the form of vial accessing adapter subassembly of the
invention that embodies the needle sheath component shown in FIG.
26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0055] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2,
one form of the vial accessing adapter means of the invention for
the aseptic administration of medicaments contained within a
medicament container is there shown. The vial-accessing adapter
means here comprises a vial accessing adapter subassembly 12 that
includes an adapter component 14 that is preferably formed from a
moldable plastic material. Adapter component 14 includes a body
portion 15 having a tapered bore 15a, a top wall 16 connected to
the body portion and an adapter cannula 18 that is integrally
formed with and extends from body portion 15. A container connector
means is also connected to top wall 16 and functions to removably
interconnect the adapter component with a conventional medicament
container MC (FIG. 2). The container connector means of the present
form of the invention here comprises a resiliently deformable skirt
20 that is integrally formed with and extends from top wall 16 in
the manner shown in the drawings. As best seen in FIG. 2, when the
adapter component is mated with the medicament container, skirt 20
telescopically receives and securely grips the upper portion of the
medicament container in a manner such that adapter cannula 18 will
completely pierce the rubber stopper RS of the container (FIG. 2A).
Rubber stopper RS is secured in position within the upper portion
of the container in a conventional manner by a crimp ring CR.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, plastic adapter cannula 18 has a
piercing extremity 18a and a lumen 18b that communicates with the
interior of the medicament container MC when the adapter component
is interconnected with the container in the manner shown in FIG.
2A. In this regard, it is to be noted that skirt 20 is provided
with a radially inwardly extending shoulder 20a and a plurality of
circumferentially spaced slits 20b that enable the adapter
component of the invention to be snapped over the upper portion of
the medicament container MC to securely grip the container in the
manner shown in FIG. 2.
[0057] In the present form of the invention, body portion 15 of the
vial accessing adapter means functions to interconnect the syringe
assembly 24 (FIG. 3A) of the apparatus of the invention with the
medicament container MC. As illustrated in FIG. 3, this important
syringe assembly 24 is made up of an aspirator means shown here as
syringe body 25 and an aspirator connector means, or syringe
cannula assembly 26, that can be sealably connected to body portion
15 of the vial accessing adapter means of the invention. The
aspirator means or syringe body 25 includes a barrel portion 28
having a forward end 28a and a piston 30 that it is slidably
carried within the barrel portion. As in conventional syringes, a
liquid chamber 32 is formed between the forward end 28a of the
barrel portion of the syringe body and piston 30.
[0058] Removably connected to the aspirator means or syringe body
25 is the previously mentioned aspirator connector means or syringe
cannula assembly 26 that includes a syringe cannula support 41 and
a syringe cannula 42 that is integrally formed with the syringe
cannula support 41. As best seen in FIG. 2, syringe or aspirator
cannula 42 is here shown as a hypodermic needle having a lumen 42a.
As shown in FIG. 3, syringe cannula assembly 26, which is removably
connected to syringe body portion 25 of the syringe assembly, is
sealably receivable within the tapered bore 15a of body potion. It
is important to note that when the syringe cannula support 41 of
the cannula assembly 26 is sealably connected to body portion 15 in
the manner shown in FIG. 2, the syringe cannula or hypodermic
needle 42 is strategically positioned within lumen 18a of the
adapter cannula 18 and is, therefore, protected from contamination,
including contamination by the rubber stopper of the medicament
container.
[0059] The syringe cannula support 41 of cannula assembly 26 is
also provided with barrel connection means for connecting the
assembly with the forward end 28 of the barrel portion 26 of the
syringe body 25. This barrel connection means is here provided in
the form of a conventional luer 48 formed on cannula support 41. As
shown in the phantom lines of FIG. 3A, luer 48 is threadably
receivable within internal threads 28a provided the forward end 28b
of the barrel portion 28. Once the syringe cannula assembly 26 is
interconnected with the syringe body 25, the syringe assembly 24
thus formed functions in the same manner as a conventional
medicament administration syringe and, in the manner presently to
be described, can be used to reconstitute lyophilized drugs and to
administer medicaments to a patient in a conventional manner.
[0060] It is to be understood that the medicament container MC can
contain a fluid medicament or, alternatively, can contain a
medicament in a powdered or lyophilized form. As previously
mentioned, when the medicament is in a powdered or lyophilized form
a suitable liquid diluent must be added to the container to
reconstitute the powdered or lyophilized drug before use. In
accordance with one form of the method of the present invention,
this can be accomplished by first accessing the sealed container of
powdered or lyophilized drug using the vial accessing adapter means
that is made up of adapter 14 and syringe cannula assembly 26. This
accessing step is accomplished by placing the vial accessing
adapter subassembly 12 over the medicament container MC and
exerting a downward force on the subassembly sufficient to cause
adapter cannula 18 to pierce the rubber stopper in the manner shown
in FIG. 2A. With the components in the position shown in FIG. 2A,
is to be observed that the lumen 18a of cannula 18 as well as the
lumen 42a of piercing cannula 42 are in communication with the
interior of medicament container MC.
[0061] With the vial accessing adapter subassembly 12 appropriately
interconnected with the medicament container MC, the assemblage
thus formed is inverted and a sealed syringe body 25 that has been
prefilled with a suitable diluent opens and is then connected to
the vial accessing adapter means by means of the luer connector 48
formed on member 41. The prefilled, sealed syringe body, which is a
typically readily available, off-the-shelf item, can be of various
sizes and can contain various types of diluent. With the prefilled
syringe body connected to the vial accessing adapter subassembly, a
force exerted on plunger 30 will cause the diluent to controllably
flow into the medicament container MC. The inverted medicament
container is then shaken to thoroughly intermix the powdered or
lyophilized drug with the liquid diluent. This done, the
reconstituted drug can be drawn into the syringe assembly 24 by
withdrawing the plunger 30 of the syringe body. The syringe
assembly 24 can then be removed from the adapter 14 and in the
manner shown by the solid lines in FIG. 3A, the syringe can be used
to administer the reconstituted drug to the patient. It is to be
appreciated that throughout this entire process, cannula or
hypodermic needle 42 has been maintained in a sterile
configuration. Only cannula 18 has pierced the potentially
contaminated rubber stopper RS of the medicament container and
cannula 42 has been completely protected against any possible
contamination by the rubber stopper RS. Stated another way, during
the entire process of reconstituting the powdered or lyophilized
drug, cannula 42 has been maintained in a virgin, sterile
configuration and is completely free from any possible
contamination at the time of administration of the reconstituted
drug to the patient.
[0062] When the medicament to be delivered to the patient is
contained within the medicament container and requires no
reconstitution, the assembled syringe 24 can be mated with the
adapter 14 and the assembly thus formed can be directly mated with
the medicament container MC. In this instance, during the mating
step, the skirt portion 20 of the adapter is snapped over the upper
portion of the container and the cannula 18 is urged into piercing
engagement with the rubber stopper in the manner shown in FIG. 2A
so as to open communication between lumen 42a of cannula 42 and the
interior of the medicament container MC. The syringe assembly can
then be used to withdraw the liquid medicament from the container
into reservoir 32 of the syringe assembly. The syringe assembly can
then be removed from the adapter 14 and used to inject the
medicament within reservoir 32 into a patient in a conventional
manner. It is to be understood that, if desired, the syringe
cannula assembly can first be connected to the adapter 14 to form a
container accessing subassembly comprising the syringe cannula
assembly and the adapter 14. The container accessing subassembly
can then be mated with the medicament container so that the cannula
18 pierces the rubber stopper. This done, the syringe body can be
mated with the container accessing subassembly and by sliding the
piston outwardly of the syringe body, the medicament can be removed
from the container.
[0063] Turning next to FIGS. 4 and 4A, there is shown an alternate
form of the vial accessing adapter means of the apparatus of the
invention for the aseptic administration of medicaments contained
within a medicament container. This alternate form of the invention
is quite similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and
like numerals are used in FIGS. 4 and 4A to identify like
components. The primary difference between this latest form of the
invention and the earlier described embodiment resides in the fact
that a filter means, shown here as a porous filter 50, is provided
within lumen 18a of cannula 18. Filter 50, which can be constructed
from any suitable porous metal or ceramic material, is
strategically positioned between cannula 42 and the open-end 18a of
cannula 18. When positioned within cannula 18, filter 50 functions
to effectively filter out any particular matter that may reside
within the liquid medicament contained within medicament container
MC.
[0064] Referring next to FIGS. 5 and 5A, an alternate form of vial
accessing adapter means of the invention is there shown and
generally designated by the numeral 40. The vial accessing adapter
means of this alternate form of the invention is somewhat similar
to vial accessing adapter means of the embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 1, but uniquely includes venting means for venting to
atmosphere any gases that may reside within in the medicament
container.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, this alternate form of vial accessing
adapter means includes an adapter component 44 that is preferably
formed from a moldable plastic material. Adapter 44 includes a body
portion 45 having a tapered bore 45a and a top wall 46 connected to
the body portion. An adapter cannula 48 is integrally formed with
and extends from body portion 45. A container connector means is
connected to top wall 46 for removably interconnecting the adapter
component to a conventional medicament container MC, such as the
container shown in FIG. 2. The container connector means of the
present form of the invention here comprises a resiliently
deformable skirt 50 that is integrally formed with and extends from
top wall 46 in the manner shown in the drawings. When the adapter
component is mated with the medicament container, skirt 50
telescopically receives and securely grips the upper portion of the
medicament container in a manner such that adapter cannula 48 will
completely pierce the rubber stopper of the container.
[0066] As before, plastic adapter cannula 48 has a piercing
extremity 48a and a lumen 48b that communicates with the interior
of the medicament container when the adapter is interconnected with
the container in the manner previously discussed herein. In this
regard, it is to be noted that as in the earlier described
embodiments, skirt 50 is provided with a radially inwardly
extending shoulder 50a and a plurality of circumferentially spaced
slits 50b that enable the adapter of the invention to be snapped
over the upper portion of the medicament container to securely grip
the container in the manner shown in FIG. 2.
[0067] In this latest form of the invention, cannula 48 is provided
with a vent passageway 54 that also communicates with the interior
of the medicament container. As best seen in FIG. 5A, vent
passageway 54 communicates with a transversally extending
passageway 56 via a filter member 58. Transversally extending
passageway 56, in turn, communicates with a vent port 60 formed in
top wall 46 of the adapter 44. The vent passageways 54 and 56,
along with vent port 60, comprise the venting means of the form of
the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A. With the construction shown
in these figure drawings, after plastic cannula 48 has pierced the
rubber stopper of the medicament container, gases within the
container can flow to atmosphere in the direction of the arrows
shown in FIG. 5A and thereby affectively vent the interior of the
container to atmosphere.
[0068] As before, body portion 45 functions to removably
interconnect a syringe assembly of the character previously
described and as shown in FIG. 3A. As in the earlier described
embodiments of the invention, the tapered bore 45a of body portion
45 is adapted to sealably receive the syringe cannula support 41 of
the syringe cannula assembly 26, or aspirator connector means, that
comprises cannula support 41 and syringe cannula 42 that is
connected to the syringe cannula support 41. Once the aspirating
means or syringe body 25 is interconnected with the syringe cannula
support 41 in the manner previously described, the syringe assembly
thus formed functions in the same manner as a conventional
medicament administration syringe to reconstitute lyophilized drugs
and to administer medicaments to a patient in a conventional
manner.
[0069] Turning to FIG. 6, still another, alternate form of the vial
accessing adapter means of the invention is there shown and
generally designated by the numeral 70. The vial-accessing adapter
means of this alternate form of the invention is also somewhat
similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but uniquely comprises an adapter
72 that includes generally cylindrically shaped connector skirt 74.
Adapter 72 also includes a body portion 75 having a tapered bore
75a, a top wall 76 connected to the body portion and an adapter
cannula 78 that is integrally formed with and extends from body
portion 75. Connector skirt 74 is connected to top wall 46 and
functions to removably interconnect the adapter component to a
conventional medicament container such as the container MC shown in
FIG. 2. When the adapter component is mated with the medicament
container, skirt 74 telescopically receives and securely grips the
upper portion of the medicament container in a manner such that
adapter cannula 78 will completely pierce the rubber stopper of the
container.
[0070] As before, plastic adapter cannula 78 has a piercing
extremity 78a and a lumen 78b that communicates with the interior
of the medicament container when the adapter is interconnected with
the container in the manner previously discussed herein.
[0071] The tapered bore 75a of body portion 75 is adapted to
removably receive the syringe cannula support 82 of the syringe
cannula assembly that comprises cannula support 82 and syringe
cannula 86 that is connected to the syringe cannula support 82.
Once the syringe body 25 is interconnected with the syringe cannula
support 82 in the manner previously described, the syringe assembly
thus formed functions in the same manner as a conventional
medicament administration syringe to reconstitute lyophilized drugs
and to administer medicaments to a patient in a conventional
manner.
[0072] Referring next to FIG. 7, yet another alternate form of the
vial accessing adapter means of the invention is there shown and
generally designated by the numeral 90. The vial accessing adapter
means of this alternate form of the invention is quite similar to
that shown in FIG. 6 and like numerals are used in FIG. 7 to
identify like components. The principal difference between the
adapter means of the invention shown in FIG. 7 and that shown in
FIG. 6 resides in the fact that the generally cylindrically shaped
plastic skirt 92 of the adapter 93 is provided with a
circumferentially extending protuberance 92a. When the adapter of
this alternate form of the invention is interconnected with the
medicament container, protuberance 92a is lockably received
proximate the neck of the medicament container MC and functions to
hold the adapter in position relative to the medicament
container.
[0073] As in the earlier described embodiments, adapter 93 includes
a top wall 96 and an adapter cannula 98 that is integrally formed
with and extends from top wall 96. Connector skirt 92 is also
connected to top wall 96 and functions to removably interconnect
the adapter component to a conventional medicament container such
as the container shown in FIG. 2. When the adapter component is
mated with the medicament container, skirt 92 telescopically
receives the upper portion of the medicament container and
protuberance 92a grips the neck of the container in a manner such
that adapter cannula 98 completely pierces the rubber stopper of
the container.
[0074] As before, plastic adapter cannula 98 has a piercing
extremity 98a and a lumen 98b that communicates with the interior
of the medicament container when the adapter is interconnected with
the container in the manner previously discussed herein.
[0075] Adapter 93 includes a body portion 94 to which the top wall
96 is connected, the body portion having a tapered bore 94a.
Cannula 98 is integrally formed with and extends from body portion
94 so that when the adapter component is mated with the medicament
container, the adapter cannula pierces the stopper of the
medicament container. Skirt 92 telescopically receives and securely
grips the upper portion of the medicament container and as in the
earlier described embodiments of the invention, the body portion 94
functions to sealably receive a syringe cannula support 82 which is
identical in construction and operation to that previously
described.
[0076] Turning to FIG. 8, still another form of vial accessing
adapter means of the invention for the aseptic administration of
medicaments contained within a medicament container is there shown
and generally designated by the numeral 101. This latest form of
the invention includes an adapter component 102 that is somewhat
similar to the adapter 14 shown in FIG. 1, but does not include
either a top wall or a resiliently deformable skirt for gripping
the medicament container. Rather, the adapter component 102
includes only a generally cylindrically shaped body portion 104
that is similar in configuration to the previously described
adapter body portions. This generally cylindrically shaped body
portion 104 of adapter 101 is provided with a tapered bore 104a
that is adapted to sealably receive a syringe cannula support 108
to which a syringe cannula 110 of a syringe cannula assembly 111 is
connected. Connected to and depending from body portion 104, is an
adapter cannula 106 having a piercing extremity 106a that is
adapted to pierce the rubber stopper of a conventional medicament
container. As shown in FIG. 8, adapter cannula 106 has a lumen 106b
that is in communication with bore 104a of body portion 104.
[0077] Once again, it is important to note that when the syringe
cannula support 108 of the aspirator connector means is sealably
received within tapered bore 104a of body portion 104 in the manner
shown in FIG. 8, the syringe cannula or hypodermic needle 110 is
once again strategically positioned within lumen 106b of the
adapter cannula 106 and is therefore protected from contamination.
Once the syringe cannula assembly 111 is interconnected with an
aspirating means, such as the earlier described syringe body 25
(FIG. 3), the syringe assembly thus formed functions in the same
manner as a conventional medicament administration syringe and can
be used to reconstitute lyophilized drugs and to administer
medicaments to a patient in the manner previously described
herein.
[0078] In accordance with an alternate form of the method of the
invention for reconstituting a powdered or lyophilized drug, the
sealed container containing the drug is first accessed using the
vial accessing adapter subassembly 101, which is of the character
shown in FIG. 8. This accessing step is accomplished by exerting a
force on the subassembly 101 that is sufficient to cause adapter
cannula 106 to pierce the rubber stopper so that the lumen 106b of
cannula 106 as well as the lumen 110a of cannula 110 are in
communication with the interior of the medicament container.
[0079] With the vial accessing adapter subassembly 101
appropriately interconnected with the medicament container, the
assemblage thus formed is inverted and a sealed syringe body, such
as syringe body 25 that has been prefilled with a suitable diluent
is opened and is then connected to the vial accessing adapter
subassembly 101 by means of the luer connector 108a formed on
connector member 108. As before, the prefilled, sealed syringe body
25, or aspirator means, which is a typically readily available,
off-the-shelf item, can be of various sizes and can contain various
types of diluent. With the prefilled syringe body connected to the
vial accessing adapter subassembly 101, a force exerted on the
plunger of the syringe will cause the diluent to controllably flow
into the medicament container. The inverted medicament container is
then shaken to thoroughly intermix the powdered or lyophilized drug
with the liquid diluent. This done, the reconstituted drug can be
aspirated into the syringe assembly by withdrawing the plunger of
the syringe body. The syringe assembly can then be removed from
body 104 and the syringe can be used to administer the
reconstituted drug to the patient. It is to be appreciated that
throughout this entire process, cannula or hypodermic needle 110
has been maintained in a sterile configuration. Only cannula 106
has pierced the rubber stopper of the medicament container and
cannula 110 has been completely protected against any possible
contamination by the rubber stopper of the medicament
container.
[0080] When the medicament to be delivered to the patient is
contained within the medicament container and requires no
reconstitution, an assembled syringe, such as syringe 24, can be
mated with body 104 of adapter 102 and the assembly thus formed can
be directly mated with the medicament container. In this instance,
during the mating step, the cannula 106 is urged into piercing
engagement with the rubber stopper so as to open communication
between lumen 106b of cannula 106 and the interior of the
medicament container. The syringe assembly can then be used to
withdraw the liquid medicament from the container into the
reservoir of the syringe assembly. The syringe assembly can then be
removed from body 104 and used to inject the medicament within the
reservoir into a patient in a conventional manner.
[0081] Turning now to FIG. 9, yet another alternate form of the
vial accessing adapter means of the invention is there shown and
generally designated by the numeral 114. The vial accessing adapter
means of this latest form of the invention is somewhat similar to
the earlier described embodiments of the invention. However, one
form of this latest embodiment of the invention uniquely comprises
three cooperating components, namely a somewhat differently
configured adapter component 116, a uniquely configured needle
sheath 118 and a differently configured a syringe, or aspirator
connector assembly 120 that is adapted for interconnection with an
aspirator. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, in
still another form of the invention, the needle sheath 118 and the
aspirator connector assembly 120 are manufactured and provided to
the user as a single, unitary assembly (see FIG. 12A).
[0082] As in the earlier described embodiments, adapter 116
includes a top wall 121 and an adapter cannula 122 that is
integrally formed with and extends from top wall 121 (see also FIG.
13). Connected to and extending from top wall 121 in a first
direction, is a resiliently deformable skirt 124 for receiving a
portion of the medicament container. Skirt 124 functions to
removably interconnect the adapter component to a conventional
medicament container MC (FIG. 2). Skirt 124 is provided with a
radially inwardly extending shoulder 124a and a plurality of
circumferentially spaced slits 124b that enable the adapter
component of the invention to be snapped over the upper portion of
the medicament container MC. When the adapter component is mated
with the medicament container, skirt 124 telescopically receives
the upper portion of the medicament container and protuberance 124a
grips the neck of the container in a manner such that adapter
cannula 122 completely pierces the rubber stopper of the container.
As before, plastic adapter cannula 122 has a piercing extremity
122a and a lumen 122b that communicates with the interior of the
medicament container when the adapter is interconnected with the
container in the manner previously discussed herein.
[0083] Connected to and extending from top wall 121 in a second
direction, is a connector extension 126. As best seen in FIG. 13 of
the drawings, connector extension 126 has an outer wall 126a and an
inner wall 126b defining a bore 128.
[0084] An important feature of this latest embodiment of the
invention is the provision of a plurality of circumferentially
spaced buttress members 130 that are connected to the resiliently
deformable skirt 124 in the manner best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15. In
the present form of the invention, six identically constructed
buttress members are connected to the skirt 124 and each buttress
member includes a body portion 130a that terminates in a radially
inwardly extending finger 132 (FIG. 15). As best seen in FIG. 14 of
the drawings, the plurality of buttress members cooperate to define
a generally circular shaped opening 134. For a purpose presently to
be described, each of the buttress members 130 is movable between a
first closed position and a second open position. To enable the
expeditious plastic molding of the adapter unit, top wall 121 is
provided with clearance apertures 121a.
[0085] Forming still another important aspect of the vial accessing
adapter means of this latest form of the invention is previously
identified needle sheath assembly 118 that is closely received
within the opening 134 defined by the six buttress members (FIGS. 9
and 15). In a manner presently to be described, this important
needle sheath assembly 118 functions to lockably receive and
protectively enclose the needle of the previously identified
syringe connector assembly 120.
[0086] Needle sheath assembly 118 which is preferably constructed
from a moldable plastic, includes a needle sheath 140 having a
yieldably deformable outer wall 142 that terminates in a generally
annular shaped downwardly tapering locking flange 144 that defines
an opening 146 (FIG. 12). In a manner presently to be described,
yieldably deformable outer wall 142 that is provided with
diametrically opposed longitudinally extending slits 143 (FIGS. 14
and 15) is movable against the urging of biasing means, here
provided in the form of an elastomeric band 147 between a first
closed position and a second open position to permit the insertion
of the syringe connector assembly 120 into a passageway 144 defined
by the upper portion 146a of an inner wall 146 of the needle sheath
(FIG. 12). Inner wall 146 also includes a lower portion 146b which,
as shown in FIG. 9, is closely received within the bore 128 defined
by connector extension 126. As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 11 of the
drawings, outer wall 140 of the needle sheath is interconnected
with inner wall 146 by means of a fulcrum rib 149.
[0087] Referring particularly to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings,
aspirator or syringe connector assembly 120 can be seen to be
somewhat similar in construction to the earlier described aspirator
connector 26 of the invention (FIG. 3) and includes an outer wall
150 to which a downwardly extending hypodermic needle 152 having a
piercing point 152a is connected. Provided proximate the upper end
of outer wall 150 is a conventional luer connector 154 that permits
the syringe connector assembly 120 to be interconnected with an
appropriate aspirator such as the earlier described syringe 28
(FIG. 3). A unique feature of the syringe connector assembly, or
aspirator connector 122, is the provision of a circumferentially
extending, tapered locking rim 156 that functions to lockably
engage the tapered flange 144 of the needle sheath when the
aspirator connector is in position within the sheath 118 in the
manner illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. As illustrated in
FIG. 9 of the drawings, locking rim 156 has an upper surface 156a
that lockably engages flange 144 and a lower tapered surface
156b.
[0088] The vial accessing adapter means of this latest form of the
invention also includes filter means, shown here as a particulate
filter 160, for filtering particulate matter from medicament
aspirated from the medicament container. Additionally, the vial
accessing adapter means further includes a needle wiping member 162
that is connected to connector extension 126 in the manner best
seen in FIG. 9 of the drawings.
[0089] In using the vial accessing adapter of the invention, the
adapter 116 is first mated with the previously identified
medicament container MC in the manner previously described. During
the mating step, the skirt portion 124 of the adapter is snapped
over the upper portion of the container and the adapter cannula 122
is urged into piercing engagement with the rubber stopper of the
medicament container MC so as to open communication between the
lumen of the cannula and the interior of the medicament container.
This done, the needle sheath 118 is then mated with the adapter 116
by inserting the needle sheath into the opening 134 defined by the
six circumferentially spaced apart buttress members 130. As the
needle sheath is inserted into the opening 134, fingers 132 will be
urged radially outwardly in the direction of the arrows 165 of FIG.
9, causing the protuberance 124a of the skirt 124 to be urged
radially inwardly so as to securely grip the neck of the medicament
container MC in a manner such that adapter cannula 122 completely
pierces the rubber stopper of the container. As best seen in FIGS.
9 and 15, a circumferentially extending bead 119 is provided on the
needle sheath 118 so that as the needle sheath is inserted into
opening 134 and is moved downwardly into the position shown in FIG.
9, bead 119 will pass the buttress marking and impart a tactile
sensation to the user indicating that the sheath is seated. As
previously mentioned, as the needle sheath mates with the adapter,
both the inner and outer walls of the needle sheath will sealably
engage the inner surface of the connector extension 126.
[0090] Following mating of the needle sheath 118 with the adapter
116, the next step in this latest form of the method of the
invention is to mate the syringe connector assembly 120 with the
needle sheath 118. This is accomplished by inserting the lower body
portion of the connector assembly into the opening 146 defined by
the tapered flange 144 of the needle sheath and exerting a downward
force on the connector assembly. This downward force will cause the
tapered lower surface 156b of the connector assembly rim 156 to
engage the tapered flange of the needle sheath in a manner to urge
the outward movement of the deformable outer wall 142 relative to
fulcrum 149 against the urging of the elastomeric band 147. As the
deformable outer wall 142 moves into its open position, rim 156
will bypass the flange 144 and will move into the fully inserted
position shown in FIG. 9 of the drawing and the elastomeric band
147 will urge the deformable outer wall 142 to return to its
starting closed position. Movement of the connector assembly into a
fully inserted position will cause the tapered outer wall of the
connector assembly to move into sealing engagement with the inner
surface of the upper portion of the inner wall 146 of the sheath
118. Movement of the connector assembly into a fully inserted
position will also cause the needle 152 to pierce the elastomeric
needle wiping member 162 in the manner shown in FIG. 9 of the
drawings.
[0091] With the vial accessing adapter of the invention in the
configuration shown in FIG. 9, medicament can be drawn from the
medicament container MC in the manner previously described herein.
As the medicament is drawn from the container, it will be suitably
filtered by the particulate filter 160.
[0092] As previously mentioned, in still another alternate form of
the invention, the needle sheath 118 and the syringe connector
assembly 120 are provided to the user as a single, unitary assembly
(see FIG. 12A). In this instance, following mating the adapter 116
with the previously identified medicament container MC in the
manner previously described, the assemblage made up of the needle
sheath 118 and the syringe connector assembly 120 is then mated
with the adapter 116 by inserting the assemblage into the opening
134 defined by the six circumferentially spaced apart buttress
members 130. As the assemblage is inserted into the opening 134,
fingers 132 will be urged radially outwardly in the direction of
the arrows 165 of FIG. 9 causing the protuberance 124a of the skirt
124 to be urged radially inwardly so as to securely grip the neck
of the medicament container MC. As illustrated in FIG. 9 of the
drawings, as the assemblage is moved into the position shown in
FIG. 9 of the drawings, bead 119 will pass the buttresses creating
a tactile sensation and the needle 152 will pierce the elastomeric
needle wiping member 162.
[0093] Following mating of the assemblage made up of the needle
sheath 118 and the syringe connector assembly 120 with the adapter
116, the next step in this latest form of the method of the
invention is to mate the syringe with the assemblage in the manner
previously described so that the medicament can be drawn from the
container and suitably filtered by the particulate filter 160.
[0094] It is apparent from a study of FIG. 9 that with the vial
accessing adapter of the invention in the configuration shown in
FIG. 9, the syringe connector assembly 120 is locked in position
and cannot be removed from the needle sheath 118. Accordingly, when
the user has finished filling the syringe, the assemblage made up
of the syringe, the syringe connector assembly and the needle
sheath can be separated from the adapter without using any special
technique. This is made possible because the adapter will be
securely held in place by the fact that the sheath outer walls 140
prevent the buttresses 132 from flexing inwardly. This, in turn,
prevents surfaces 124a on the adapter legs from spreading out and
freeing the adapter from the vial cap.
[0095] However, following removal from the adapter 116 of the
assembly, made up of the needle sheath 118 and the syringe
connector assembly 120, a radially inward force exerted on the
lower portions of the deformable outer wall 142 will cause the
upper portions of the outer wall of the needle sheath to move
outwardly relative to fulcrum 149 against the urging of the
elastomeric band 147. With the upper portions of the outer wall of
the needle sheath in the open position, only then can the syringe
connector assembly 120 be removed from the needle sheath. As the
syringe connector assembly 120 is removed from the needle sheath,
the needle 152 will be cleanly wiped by the needle wiping member
162, which here comprises a conventional elastomeric slit septum.
Additionally, the septum advantageously seals the fluid access to
the vial adapter once the needle sheath and the connector assembly
are removed. This is doubly important with multiple-use
applications where the user wants to maintain a sterile fluid path
into the vial for repeated access, and also to essentially "seal"
off the fluid path from the vial after use, preventing residual
drug "mists" or leakage of dangerous or caustic drugs. Further, it
is to be observed that the construction thus described provides a
secure and tactile attachment in a closed system, once the device
is attached to the drug vial. This closed system design
significantly reduces the risk of any accidental drug "misting" or
exposure to the outside air, especially important when working with
dangerous or caustic drugs.
[0096] In yet another alternate form of the invention, the needle
sheath 118, the syringe connector assembly 120 and the syringe are
provided to the user as a single, unitary assembly. In this
instance, following mating the adapter 116 with the previously
identified medicament container MC in the manner previously
described, the assemblage made up of the needle sheath 118, the
syringe connector assembly 120 and the syringe is then mated with
the adapter 116. This is accomplished by inserting the assemblage
made up of the needle sheath 118 and the syringe connector assembly
120 into the opening 134 defined by the six circumferentially
spaced apart buttress members 130. As this assemblage is inserted
into the opening 134, fingers 132 will be urged radially outwardly
in the direction of the arrows 165 of FIG. 9, causing the
protuberance 124a of the skirt 124 to be urged radially inwardly so
as to securely grip the neck of the medicament container MC. As
illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings, as the assemblages moved
into the position shown, the needle 152 will pierce the elastomeric
needle wiping member 162.
[0097] Following mating of the assemblage made up of the needle
sheath 118, the syringe connector assembly 120 and the syringe with
the adapter 116, the next step in this latest form of the method of
the invention is to withdraw the medicament from the container for
later injection into the patient.
[0098] In accordance with one form of the method of the invention
for reconstituting lyophilized medicaments and for the injecting
the reconstituted medicaments into the patient using vial accessing
means described in the preceding paragraphs, the first step in the
method involves mating the adapter with the medicament container in
a manner to place the adapter cannula in communication with the
interior of the medicament container. This done, the aspirator is
connected to the assembly made up of the needle sheath and the
syringe connector assembly to form an aspiration assembly. Next,
the assembly made up of the needle sheath and the syringe connector
assembly is inserted into the opening defined by the buttress
members. Using the aspirator containing a fluid, the fluid
contained within the aspirator is caused to controllably flow into
the medicament container and the medicament within the container is
intermixed with the fluid to form a reconstituted medicament. Next,
using the aspirator, the reconstituted medicament is withdrawn from
the container and the aspiration assembly is removed from the
adapter. The next step in the method of the invention uniquely
involves yieldably deforming the wall of the needle sheath and
removing the syringe connector assembly from the needle sheath to
form a combination aspirator and syringe connector assembly.
Finally, using the combination aspirator and syringe connector
assembly, the reconstituted medicament is injected into the patient
in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.
[0099] In accordance with an alternate form of the method of the
invention for injecting medicaments into the patient using vial
accessing means described in the preceding paragraphs, the adapter
is first mated with the medicament container in a manner to place
the adapter cannula in communication with the interior of
medicament container. This done, the aspirator is attached to the
assembly made up of the needle sheath and the syringe connector
assembly to form an aspiration assembly. Next, the assembly made up
of the needle sheath and the syringe connector assembly is inserted
into the opening defined by the buttress members and using the
aspirator, the medicament is withdrawn from the container.
Following withdrawal of the medicament from the container, the
aspiration assembly is removed from the adapter. This done, the
lower portion of the wall of the needle sheath is yieldably
deformed so as to permit the removal of the syringe connector
assembly from the needle sheath to form a combination aspirator and
syringe connector assembly. Finally, using the combination
aspirator and syringe connector assembly, the medicament is
injected into the patient in a manner well understood by those
skilled in the art.
[0100] Turning to FIG. 10A of the drawings, an alternate form of
the syringe connector assembly of the invention is there shown and
generally designated by the numeral 170. Syringe connector assembly
170 is similar in construction and operation to previously
identified syringe connector assembly 120 and like numerals are
used in FIG. 10A to identify like elements. The primary difference
between syringe connector assembly 120 and syringe connector
assembly 170 resides in the fact that the piercing needle 172 is
provided in the form of a blunt end cannula having a blunt piercing
point 172a. Blunt end cannulas are well known in the art and are
used with conventional slit septums of a character also well known
in the prior art.
[0101] In using the vial accessing adapter means of the invention
which embodies the piercing needle 172, following reconstitution of
the drug in the manner previously described, instead of injecting
the patient in a conventional manner with an injection needle
having a sharp point, the caregiver will inject the drug into an
intravenous "Y" site, or like injection site, that embodies a
conventional slit septum or swabable valve.
[0102] Turning next to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is shown an alternate
form of the vial accessing adapter means of the apparatus of the
invention for the aseptic administration of medicaments contained
within a medicament container. This alternate form of the
invention, which is generally designated by the numeral 179, is
somewhat similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 through 12A
and like numerals are used in FIGS. 16 and 17 to identify like
components. This latest form of the vial accessing adapter here
comprises an aspirator, or syringe connector assembly 120 that
includes an outer wall 150 to which a downwardly extending
hypodermic needle 152 having a piercing point 152a is connected.
Provided proximate the upper end of outer wall 150 is a
conventional luer connector 154 that permits the syringe connector
assembly 120 to be interconnected with an appropriate aspirator
such as the earlier described syringe 28 (FIG. 3). As previously
mentioned, a unique feature of the syringe connector assembly or
aspirator connector 120, is the provision of a circumferentially
extending, tapered locking rim 156 that functions to lockably
engage the tapered flange 180a of the needle sheath 180 of the
invention when the aspirator connector is in position within the
sheath.
[0103] The vial accessing adapter means of this latest form of the
invention also includes filter means, shown here as a particulate
filter 182, for filtering particulate matter from medicament
aspirated from the medicament container. Additionally, the vial
accessing adapter means further includes a needle wiping member 184
that is connected to the neck portion 186 of the vial accessing
adapter 190 of this latest form of the invention in the manner best
seen in FIG. 16 of the drawings. An important feature of the
apparatus of this latest form of the invention resides in the
provision of a circumferentially extending protuberance 186b that
is formed on the external surface of neck portion 186. The purpose
of this protuberance will presently be described.
[0104] The vial accessing adapter 190 of this latest form of the
invention which is preferably formed from a moldable plastic
material, includes a top wall 192, the neck portion 186 that has a
tapered bore 186a that is connected to the top wall and an adapter
cannula 196 that is integrally formed with and extends from top
wall 192. A container connector means is also connected to top wall
192 and functions to removably interconnect the adapter component
with a conventional medicament container MC the character of which
is shown in FIG. 2. The container connector means of this latest
form of the invention here comprises a resiliently deformable skirt
198 that is integrally formed with and extends from top wall 192 in
the manner shown in the drawings. When the adapter component is
mated with the medicament container, skirt 198 telescopically
receives and securely grips the upper portion of the medicament
container in a manner such that adapter cannula 196 will completely
pierce the rubber stopper RS of the container (FIG. 2A) so as to
open communication between lumen of the cannula and the interior of
the medicament container.
[0105] Once the vial accessing adapter 190 is mated with the
medicament container, the needle sheath 180 is mated with the
adapter 190 by inserting the neck portion 186 of the adapter into
the opening 201 defined by the skirt portion 203 of the needle
sheath 180. As best seen by referring to FIG. 17, the inner wall
203a of the skirt portion 203 of the needle sheath is provided with
a circumferentially extending groove 205. As illustrated in FIG. 16
of the drawings, when the neck portion 186 of the adapter 190 is
inserted into the opening 201, the previously mentioned
circumferentially extending protuberance 186b that is formed on the
neck portion 186 snaps into the groove 205 so as to securely lock
together the needle sheath 180 and the vial accessing adapter
190.
[0106] Following mating of the needle sheath 180 with the vial
accessing adapter 190, the syringe connector assembly 120 is mated
with the needle sheath. This is accomplished by inserting the lower
body portion of the connector assembly into the opening 208 defined
by the tapered flange 180a of the needle sheath and exerting a
downward force on the connector assembly. This downward force will
cause the tapered lower surface 156b of the connector assembly rim
156 to engage the tapered flange of the needle sheath in a manner
to urge the outward movement of the deformable outer wall 208a
relative to fulcrum 210 against the urging of the elastomeric band
212. As the deformable outer wall 208 moves into its open position,
rim 156 will bypass the flange 180a and will move into the fully
inserted position shown in FIG. 16 of the drawing and the
elastomeric band 212 will urge the deformable outer wall 208 to
return to its starting closed position. Movement of the connector
assembly into a fully inserted position will also cause the needle
152 to pierce the elastomeric needle wiping member 184 in the
manner shown in FIG. 16 of the drawings.
[0107] With the vial accessing adapter of the invention in the
configuration shown in FIG. 16, medicament can be drawn from the
medicament container MC in the manner previously described herein.
As the medicament is drawn from the container, it will be suitably
filtered by the particulate filter 182.
[0108] As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention,
plastic adapter cannula 196 has a piercing extremity 196a and a
lumen 196b that communicates with the interior of the medicament
container MC when the adapter component is interconnected with the
container. In this regard, it is to be noted that skirt 198 is
provided with a radially inwardly extending shoulder 198a and a
plurality of circumferentially spaced slits 198b that enable the
adapter component of the invention to be snapped over the upper
portion of the medicament container MC to securely grip the
container in the manner shown in FIG. 2.
[0109] Referring next to FIGS. 18 and 19 of the drawings, yet
another form of the vial accessing adapter means of the apparatus
of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the
numeral 218. This alternate form of the invention is quite similar
to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and like numerals are
used in FIGS. 18 and 19 to identify like components. The primary
difference between this latest form of the invention in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 resides in the fact that, as
will presently be described, the vial accessing adapter is securely
interconnected with the needle sheath by the frictional engagement
between the outer wall of the neck portion of the vial accessing
adapter and the inner wall of the skirt portion of the needle
sheath.
[0110] As best seen in FIG. 19 of the drawings, the aspirator or
syringe connector assembly 120 of this latest form of the invention
is substantially identical in construction and operation to that of
the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17. Similarly, the vial accessing
adapter 220 of this latest form of the invention is substantially
identical in construction and operation to the vial accessing
adapter 190 save for the fact that the outer wall of the neck
portion 222 is not provided with a circumferentially extending
protuberance, such as protuberance 186b of the earlier described
embodiment. Rather, the outer wall of the neck portion 222, which
is connected to top wall 224, is tapered so that when the vial
accessing adapter is mated with the needle sheath of this latest
embodiment in the manner shown in FIG. 18, it will move into close
frictional engagement with the inner wall 226a of the skirt portion
226 of the needle sheath 228. In view of this novel construction,
in this latest embodiment of the invention the inner wall 226a of
the skirt portion is not provided with a circumferentially
extending groove and the vial accessing adapter is securely
interconnected with the needle sheath by the frictional engagement
between the outer wall of the neck portion 222 of the vial
accessing adapter and the inner wall 226a of the skirt portion 226
of the needle sheath.
[0111] With the vial accessing adapter of the invention in the
configuration shown in FIG. 18, medicament can be drawn from the
medicament container MC in the manner previously described herein.
As the medicament is drawn from the container, it will be suitably
filtered by the particulate filter 182.
[0112] Turning now to FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 of the drawings, still
another form of the vial accessing adapter means of the apparatus
of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the
numeral 230. This alternate form of the invention is also somewhat
similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and like
numerals are used in FIGS. 20 through 22 to identify like
components. The primary difference between this latest form of the
invention and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 resides in
the fact that, as will presently be described, the vial accessing
adapter is securely interconnected with the needle sheath by means
of a threaded connection.
[0113] As best seen in FIG. 22 of the drawings, the aspirator or
syringe connector assembly 120 of this latest form of the invention
is substantially identical in construction and operation to that of
the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17. Similarly, the vial accessing
adapter 234 of this latest form of the invention is substantially
identical in construction and operation to the vial accessing
adapter 190 save for the fact that the outer wall of the neck
portion 236 is not provided with a circumferentially extending
protuberance, such as protuberance 186b of the embodiment of FIG.
17. Rather, the outer wall of the neck portion, which is connected
to top wall 238, is provided with an external thread 240, which in
a manner presently to be described, threadably mates with an
internal thread 242 that is formed on the inner wall 244a of the
skirt portion 244 of the needle sheath 248 of this latest
embodiment of the invention.
[0114] When the vial accessing adapter is mated with the needle
sheath 248 of this latest embodiment in the manner shown in FIG.
21, external thread 240 of the vial accessing adapter will be
received within internal thread 242 of the needle sheath in a
manner to securely interconnect the components.
[0115] With the vial accessing adapter of the invention in the
configuration shown in FIG. 21, medicament can be drawn from the
medicament container MC in the manner previously described herein.
As the medicament is drawn from the container, it will be suitably
filtered by the particulate filter 182.
[0116] As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention,
plastic adapter cannula 196 has a piercing extremity 196a and a
lumen 196b that communicates with the interior of the medicament
container MC when the adapter component is interconnected with the
container. In this regard, it is to be noted that skirt 198 is
provided with a radially inwardly extending shoulder 198a and a
plurality of circumferentially spaced slits 198b that enable the
adapter component of the invention to be snapped over the upper
portion of the medicament container MC to securely grip the
container in the manner shown in FIG. 2.
[0117] Referring next to FIG. 23 of the drawings, yet another form
of the needle sheath of the apparatus of the invention is there
shown and generally designated by the numeral 250. This alternate
form of needle sheath is quite similar to the previously described
needle sheaths of the invention and like numerals are used in FIG.
23 to identify like components. The primary difference between this
latest form of the needle sheath and those previously described
herein resides in the absence of protuberance 186b and in the
differently configured inner wall, the lower portion of said inner
wall thereof which here extends well beyond said lower portion of
the outer wall 251 of the needle sheath and which encapsulates said
needle 152 of the aspirator connector. More particularly, the lower
portion 252a of the inner wall 252 is considerably elongated so as
to extend well beyond the lower portion of the outer wall 251 of
the needle sheath and well beyond the needlepoint 152a of the
needle. With this novel construction, the elongated lower portion
252a of the inner wall 252 functions to protect the needlepoint
152a from contamination and also ensures that the needlepoint
retains its sharpness. Additionally, the elongated lower portion
252a of the inner wall provides a useful means for interconnecting
the needle sheath with ampules of conventional construction.
[0118] Turning now to FIGS. 24 and 25 of the drawings, still
another form of the vial accessing adapter means of the apparatus
of the invention for the aseptic administration of medicaments
contained within a medicament container. This alternate form of the
invention, which is generally designated by the numeral 256, is
somewhat similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and
like numerals are used in FIGS. 24 and 25 to identify like
components. This latest form of the vial accessing adapter here
comprises an aspirator or syringe connector assembly 258, that
includes an outer wall 260 to which a downwardly extending
hypodermic needle 262 having a piercing point 262a is connected.
Provided proximate the upper end of outer wall 260 is a
conventional luer connector 154 that permits the syringe connector
assembly 258 to be interconnected with an appropriate aspirator
such as the earlier described syringe 28 (FIG. 3). As previously
mentioned, a unique feature of the syringe connector assembly, or
aspirator connector 258, is the provision of a circumferentially
extending, tapered locking rim 266 that functions to lockably
engage the tapered flange 268a of the needle sheath 268 of this
latest form of the invention when the aspirator connector is in
position within the sheath.
[0119] The vial accessing adapter means of this latest form of the
invention also includes filter means, shown here as a particulate
filter 182, for filtering particulate matter from medicament
aspirated from the medicament container. Additionally, although not
necessary in this latest form of the invention, the vial accessing
adapter means further includes a needle wiping member 184 that is
connected to the neck portion 186 of the vial accessing adapter 190
of this latest form of the invention. Vial accessing adapter 190 is
substantially identical in construction and operation to that
described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17.
[0120] As before, when the adapter component is mated with the
medicament container, skirt 198 telescopically receives and
securely grips the upper portion of the medicament container in a
manner such that adapter cannula 196 will completely pierce the
rubber stopper RS of the container (FIG. 2A) so as to open
communication between the lumen of the cannula and the interior of
the medicament container.
[0121] The primary difference between the aspirator connector 258
of this latest form of the invention and the aspirator connector of
the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 17 of the drawings,
resides in the provision of a collapsible needle protector 272 that
is connected to the outer wall 260 of the aspirator connector.
Collapsible needle protector 272 is movable from the first expanded
position shown in FIG. 24 to the second collapsed position shown in
FIG. 25. As indicated in FIG. 24 of the drawings, when the needle
protector is in the first expanded position it encapsulates the
downwardly extending needle 262 of the aspirator connector,
including the piercing point 262a.
[0122] Needle protector 272, which includes a compressible,
accordion like side wall 272a, is preferably constructed from a
yieldable material and is constructed and arranged to fit snugly
around the needle proximate the hub area 273 of the outer wall 260.
With the unique construction thus described, when the aspirator
connector 258 is mated with the needle sheath 268 in the manner
illustrated in FIG. 25 of the drawings, the sidewall 272a of the
needle protector is collapsed so as to expose the lower extremity
of the needle 262. However, when the aspirator connector 258 is
removed from the needle sheath, the snug fit collapsible needle
protector will wipe the needle clean and will move into the
expanded, needle protection configuration shown in FIG. 24 of the
drawings. With the needle protector in this expanded configuration,
it not only protects the needle from damage, but also importantly
protects the user from needle stick.
[0123] Once the vial accessing adapter 190 is mated with the
medicament container, the needle sheath 268 is mated with the
adapter 190 by inserting the neck portion 186 of the adapter into
the opening 275 defined by the skirt portion 277 of the needle
sheath. With the vial accessing adapter of the invention in the
configuration shown in FIG. 25, medicament can be drawn from the
medicament container MC in the manner previously described herein.
As the medicament is drawn from the container, it will be suitably
filtered by the particulate filter 182.
[0124] Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, still another form of the
vial accessing adapter subassembly of the invention is there shown
and generally identified by the numeral 278. This latest adapter
subassembly is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 of the
drawings and like numerals are used in FIGS. 26 and 27 to identify
like components. More particularly, the vial-accessing adapter
subassembly 278 here includes an adapter component 14 that is
substantially identical in construction and operation to that
illustrated and described in connection with the embodiment of FIG.
1. Adapter component 14 includes a body portion 15 having a tapered
bore 15a, a top wall 16 connected to the body portion, and an
adapter cannula 18 that is integrally formed with and extends from
body portion 15.
[0125] A container connector assembly 282 of the character
illustrated in FIG. 26 of the drawings is also connected to top
wall 16 and functions to removably interconnect the adapter
component with a conventional medicament container MC (FIG. 2). The
primary difference between the container connector means of this
latest form of the invention and the connector means of the
embodiment of FIG. 1, resides in the provision of a connector
assembly 282 of a novel construction. Connector assembly 282 which
is connectable to adapter component 14, here comprises a housing
284 that includes a downwardly extending protector sleeve 286 that
is constructed and arranged to extend into the lumen 18a of the
cannula 18 of the adapter component. As shown in FIG. 26, housing
284 houses the barrel portion 41 of the connector assembly 26,
which is substantially identical in construction and operation to
that illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings and earlier described
herein. As depicted in FIG. 27 of the drawings, when the connector
assembly 282 is mated with the adapter component 14, protector
sleeve 286 extends into the lumen 18a of the adapter cannula 18 and
circumscribes and substantially encapsulates the syringe cannula 42
of the connector assembly 26. With this novel construction the user
can remove the syringe cannula from the drug vial and still
maintain a protective covering that protects the syringe cannula
from contamination. Additionally the protective covering 286
advantageously maintains the sharpness of the cannula and also
effectively protects the user against needle stick.
[0126] In the manner illustrated in FIG. 27 of the drawings, the
container connector assembly 282 of this latest form of the
invention can be sealably connected to body portion 15 of the vial
accessing adapter means of the invention and the apparatus can then
be used in the manner previously described.
[0127] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance
with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this
art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in
the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet
specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *