EP2531164B1 - Device for removing a fluid from a vial - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to an apparatus for withdrawing a fluid from at least one container closed by a pierceable closure, e.g. a vial with septum closure. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for filling an applicator with at least one fluid reservoir of one or more vials.

STATE OF THE ART

Applicators, such as syringes, are often used, in particular in medicine, but also in other technical fields, to discharge and apply fluent substances in a controlled and metered manner. The substances may be, for example, medicaments or adhesives for medical or technical applications. A conventional syringe has at least one reservoir, in which a flowable substance is received. This substance can be discharged through a distal outlet by means of a piston which is inserted into an open, proximal end of the reservoir. For example, for subcutaneous or intravenous administration to a patient, these syringes may include an injection needle that is in fluid communication with the distal outlet.

It is often problematic to store flowable substances in plastic applicators over an extended period of time because, on the one hand, the substances can chemically react with the plastic and, on the other hand, there is the danger that gases, in particular atmospheric oxygen, through the walls of the applicator or through sealing points diffuse through and chemically alter the content. This is especially true for medical applications where chemical purity is of particular importance.

It is therefore known to store the substance to be applied separately in a so-called vial, in particular in a glass vial with septum closure, i. in a sterilizable glass vial, which is closed at one end by a pierceable, self-sealing membrane (a so-called septum), to absorb the substance stored therein only shortly before application from the vial into the reservoir. For example, to fill a syringe, the septum can be pierced directly with the injection needle of the syringe and the substance stored in the vial can be drawn up into the syringe. However, as the hypodermic needle poses a potential hazard to the user in terms of injury and, in addition, sterility of the hypodermic needle must be ensured during administration, any manipulation with the hypodermic needle prior to actual administration should be avoided. Furthermore, many pharmaceutical products are known, which are stored and sold in lyophilized form, for example as a powder and must be dissolved in water before use. The lyophilisates are usually stored in a closed container with a septum, which must therefore be injected before use water. This injection can for example be done by machine or performed by hand, for example, again by means of a syringe. Any devices of the prior art are conceivable for this purpose.

Therefore, prior art adapter-type devices have been proposed which serve to puncture the septum of a vial and then to fill an applicator.

In US 6,358,236 discloses such a device having a piercing member for piercing the septum of a vial upon placement of the device on the vial. The device also has a connection to which a syringe can be connected. The substance stored in the vial can be drawn into the syringe through a channel extending through the connection and the piercing member. The simultaneous placement of the device on the vial and piercing of the septum, however, can lead to mishandling and in particular to it connected accidental spills of liquid contained in the vial.

In the prior art, however, such devices are also found for removing a substance from a sealed with a septum vial, which are formed as filling systems for a simultaneous filling of two reservoirs of two or more vials. These filling systems are used when, for example, two components of a medicament must be previously mixed together for administration, but are non-storable in the mixed state. In the US 6,610,033 . US 6,488,650 . WO 99/17833 and WO 2009/144085 Each of the disclosed filling systems has at least one piercing element which serves to puncture the septum of a vial.

For most devices used to withdraw a substance from a vial closed with a septum, the vial is simply inserted into the device to puncture the septum. In some of these devices, the vial is then fixed to the device by a snap-in connection after it has been fully inserted into the device and after piercing the septum. However, known devices are generally not suitable for storing the vial directly on the device since it can not be ruled out that the septum of a vial will be accidentally punctured during transport or handling.

US 2002/0079285 describes a device which is already placed on a vial before piercing the septum. During the subsequent screwing on of a syringe to the device, a displaceably arranged piercing member is displaced toward the septum in such a way that it punctures it and establishes a fluid connection between the vial and the reservoir of the syringe. Also in US 6,258,078 The device shown is designed so that the septum can not be pierced until the device is correctly placed on the vial. By turning a screw cap connected to the piercing member, the piercing member is displaced toward the vial, piercing the septum. However, these devices have a relatively complicated, multi-part construction and are correspondingly expensive to manufacture.

WO 88/01881 A1 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1. Further devices for fluid removal from vials are in DE 10 2006 031 712 B3 . EP 0 335 378 A2 . US 2004/0249235 A1 and DE 35 03 460 A1 specified.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adapter-like device for withdrawing a fluid from at least one container closed by a pierceable closure, which makes it possible to store the container on the device without unintentionally opening the container.

• einen Basiskörper, in dem zumindest eine Einlassöffnung und zumindest eine Auslassöffnung ausgebildet sind, die durch einen Fluidkanal verbunden sind;
• zumindest ein mit der Einlassöffnung verbundenes hohlnadelartiges Durchstechorgan, um in einer Entnahmeposition des Behälters den Verschluss des Behälters, insbesondere einen Septumverschluss, zu durchstechen; und
• zumindest eine mit dem Basiskörper verbundene Behälteraufnahme, um den Behälter an der Vorrichtung zu halten.

Thus, a device is disclosed for removing a fluid from at least one container sealed off by a pierceable closure, in particular a vial, which comprises:

• a base body in which at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port are formed, which are connected by a fluid channel;
• at least one hollow needle-like piercing member connected to the inlet opening in order to pierce the closure of the container, in particular a septum closure, in a removal position of the container; and
• at least one container receptacle connected to the base body to hold the container to the device.

To securely hold the container to the device prior to piercing the closure and to prevent accidental puncturing, the container receptacle has a first latching structure to move the container to a storage position where the container is farther from the base body than in the removal position (And in the thereby the closure is not pierced) to fix by a releasable locking connection to the container receptacle.

The container is also fixed in the removal position, and the container receptacle then also has a second latching structure for this purpose in order to fix the container in the removal position by a latching connection to the container receptacle.

The latching structures can interact directly or indirectly with the container. For example, the container can be inserted directly into the container receptacle, wherein the latching structures directly to a corresponding retention structure, such as a taper, attack the container, or the container may be held on a separate holder which is inserted into the container receptacle or pushed onto this, wherein the latching structures of the container receptacle cooperate with a corresponding retention structure of the holder. It is also conceivable that the container receptacle has only a single latching structure, while the container or the holder has two retention structures, wherein in the storage position, the first of these retention structures with the (single) latching structure cooperates, while in the removal position, the second of these retention structures the latching structure cooperates.

Each of the latching structures is designed as follows: The container receptacle has a preferably at least partially cylindrical jacket wall. The first latching structure and the second latching structure each comprise a spring arm formed in the casing wall, at the free end of which a latching nose extending into the interior of the casing wall is formed. This allows a very simple and inexpensive production. The latching structures are preferably arranged offset with respect to the circumferential direction of the jacket wall, in particular μm offset approximately 180 °, i. diametrically opposite one another in order to take up as little space as possible with the greatest possible stability of the container receptacle. However, the first latching structure and the second latching structure can also be arranged directly next to each other with respect to the circumferential direction of the casing wall. The two latching structures are then separated from one another in the circumferential direction of the jacket wall only by an air gap. Preferably, the locking lugs each have an inclined surface, the surface normal on the one hand, in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the container in the container receptacle and on the other hand is inclined to a defined by the casing wall longitudinal axis.

Specifically, the container receptacle can in particular be constructed as follows: It has a bottom, from which a pin extends into the inlet opening of the base body. Through the pin and bottom through a passage opening is formed, and the piercing member is held in the passage opening.

The device can be used in particular as a filling device or adapter for filling at least one reservoir of an applicator from at least one container, in particular a vial, are used. In particular, the applicator can be a syringe-like applicator in which the reservoir is delimited by a movable piston, so that the reservoir can be filled by retracting the piston from a distal end position into a proximal direction. For this purpose, the device preferably has an applicator connection in order to connect the reservoir of the applicator to the outlet opening. The applicator connection can be equipped with a holding device, in particular with a detachable latching connection, for the applicator. It can be made in one piece with the base body or separately from it. The applicator connection is preferably formed, for example, by a female luer cone. However, it may also have a special configuration in which the loss volume is lower than in a normal standardized luer connection.

In particular, the device can be configured for the simultaneous removal of fluids from at least two containers. For this purpose, the above features are present at least twice. The device then has two or more piercing members and just as many container receptacles to hold two or more containers on the device, each of these container receptacles each having a first latching structure, and also a second latching structure. In this case, the latching structures can be designed so that they fix the two or more containers simultaneously in the storage position or in the removal position.

The base body, the container receptacle and the applicator connection are preferably made of a thermoplastic material by injection molding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Befüllvorrichtung, deren Behälteraufnahme entsprechend einer herkömmlichen Weise ausgebildet ist;

Fig. 2

die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 1 mit eingeschobenen Vials;

Fig. 3

einen zentralen Längsschnitt durch die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine Detailansicht des Bereichs A der Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine vergrösserte perspektivische Ansicht eines Einsatzelements;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemässen Befüllvorrichtung;

Fig. 7

eine Teilansicht eines zentralen Längsschnitts durch die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

eine Detailansicht des Bereichs B der Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemässen Befüllvorrichtung;

Fig.10a

eine erste zentrale Schnittansicht in der Ebene Xa-Xa durch die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 9, in der Lagerposition;

Fig. 10b

eine Seitenansicht durch die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 9, in der Lagerposition;

Fig. 10c

eine zweite zentrale Schnittansicht in der Ebene Xc-Xc durch die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 9, in der Lagerposition;

Fig. 11a

eine zentrale Schnittansicht in der Ebene XIa-XIa durch die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 9, in der Entnahmeposition; und

Fig. 11b

eine Seitenansicht durch die Befüllvorrichtung der Fig. 9, in der Entnahmeposition.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a filling device whose container receptacle is formed according to a conventional manner;

Fig. 2

the filling of the Fig. 1 with inserted vials;

Fig. 3

a central longitudinal section through the filling of the Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a detailed view of the area A of Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

an enlarged perspective view of an insert element;

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a filling device according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a partial view of a central longitudinal section through the filling of the Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 8

a detailed view of the area B of Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

a perspective view of a second embodiment of a filling device according to the invention;

Figure 10a

a first central sectional view in the plane Xa-Xa through the filling of the Fig. 9 in the storage position;

Fig. 10b

a side view through the filling of the Fig. 9 in the storage position;

Fig. 10c

a second central sectional view in the plane Xc-Xc through the filling of the Fig. 9 in the storage position;

Fig. 11a

a central sectional view in the plane XIa-XIa through the filling of the Fig. 9 , in the removal position; and

Fig. 11b

a side view through the filling of the Fig. 9 , in the removal position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the FIGS. 1 to 5 FIG. 2 illustrates a filling device 200 not according to the invention, the container receptacle of which is designed according to a conventional manner to remove fluid substances from two containers closed by a pierceable closure. The filling device 200 has a base body 210 of elongate, substantially disk-shaped basic shape. On the base body 210, a central, cylindrical thickening 211 is formed, to which the two halves of a flat support plate 212 connect. The thickening 211 defines with its cylinder axis a longitudinal direction.

Along this longitudinal direction of each of the two ends of the cylindrical thickening 211 forth a blind hole-like longitudinal bore is formed, which ends in each case shortly before the center of the thickening ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Each of these holes widens slightly conically towards its open end to form a fluid channel. The two holes are collinear with each other, ie they lie on the same axis one behind the other.

To the top of the base body 210 toward an inlet opening 213 is formed in the region of the thickening for each of the holes ( Fig. 4 ). This inlet opening 213 connects the respective bore, each with a cup-like container receptacle 220. The container receptacle 220 has a circumferential cylindrical jacket wall which is formed multiple slotted from its upper edge, so that each of the interrupted by a slot portions of the jacket wall forms a spring arm. Retaining lugs protrude inwardly at the free ends of these resilient arm portions to latch a container 300 in a picking position on the container receptacle.

The containers 300 are present here in the form of so-called vials with septum closure. Each container comprises a Behälterköper 310, which is preferably made of glass, but may also consist of special plastic. To a flat bottom 311 is followed by a circumferential cylindrical jacket wall 312, which has a taper 313 near the bottom distal end. Subsequent to this rejuvenation, the mantle wall widens slightly again and delimits a container opening. The associated closure 320 comprises a septum 321 (a pierceable, self-sealing membrane, see Fig. 4 ) held by a crimped metal cover leaving a central part of the septum on the container opening.

In order to pierce the septum 321, a piercing member 230 of relatively hard plastic is inserted into the inlet opening 213, terminating in a tip 231 at its upper end. Laterally at the tip 231, a removal opening 232 is formed, which is connected to a central withdrawal channel 233, which in turn opens into the inlet opening 213 of the base body 210.

In the region of the closed end of the respective longitudinal bore of the base body 210, an outlet opening 214 is formed which leads to an applicator connection 240. In the present example, the applicator port 240 is formed integrally with the base body 210, but may be separately formed in front of the base body 210 and connected to the base body 210 in a suitable manner, e.g. glued or welded, be.

At the applicator connection, a double-syringe-like applicator 100 can be attached and detachably fastened. The applicator has an applicator body 110 with two cylindrical, parallel, proximally open reservoirs 111, 112 of equal or (here) different volume. The reservoirs open at their distal ends into outlets 116, 117. In the open proximal ends of the reservoirs in each case a piston 121, 122 is inserted. The two pistons are connected together at their proximal ends to form a piston unit. In this area, an actuating surface 123 is formed for a user's thumb. A retaining flange 113 serves to hold the applicator by means of index and middle fingers. The applicator can be handled in this respect as a commercial double syringe.

The present connection between the applicator 100 and the filling device 200 functionally corresponds substantially to the in WO 2007/109915 described connection between a syringe / cartridge and an accessory. In particular, the applicator 100 and the filling device 200 comprise retention means configured according to this document. Specifically, the applicator connection is designed as follows: Each of the outlet openings 214 of the two fluid channels opens into a conically widening insertion region for the outlets 116, 117 of the applicator 100. These outlets are correspondingly complementary to the insertion regions and can be inserted into this insertion region. In order to hold the applicator 100 securely on the filling device 200, the applicator near its distal end, adjacent to the outlets, on two opposite sides two webs with latching noses 115 on. The applicator connection 240 has a cylindrical receiving region 241, which radially surrounds the insertion regions and the webs with the latching noses and on which two opposite snap-in openings are formed. The latching noses 115 snap when inserting the applicator in the Snap-in openings of the receiving area 241 a.

In order to detach the applicator 100 from the filling device 200, the receiving region 241 is designed elastically deformable such that the latching connection between the latching noses 115 and the corresponding snap-in openings by pressure on a relative to the cylinder axis of the receiving area by about 90 degrees from the Einschnappöffnungen offset wall portion of the receiving area 241 is releasable again. By such a pressure, the receiving area 241 is deformed such that the snap-in openings are pressed radially outward away from the latching noses 115 and thereby get out of engagement with the latching noses. With regard to further details and further design possibilities of the connection between the applicator and the filling device, reference is made to the already mentioned WO 2007/109915 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In order to be able to exert this pressure selectively and simply, two opposite pressure wings 243 are formed on the support plate 212. A lateral compression of the two pressure vanes 243 is transferred offset to the Einschnappöffnungen on the cylindrical receiving portion 241 of the applicator 240 and thereby leads to release the locking connection between the applicator 100 and the filling device 200th

A Codierflügel 114 on the applicator 100 and a corresponding Codierflügel 242 on the filling device 200 indicate the correct orientation of the applicator 100 when connecting to the filling device 200 at. In addition, the terminals themselves are formed differently to ensure that the applicator 100 can be connected to the filling device 200 only in the correct orientation.

In order to reduce the loss volume of the filling device, in each of the two longitudinally extending bores of the base body 210 is inserted in each case a pin-shaped or needle-shaped insert element 250, which in the Fig. 5 is shown alone. The insert member 250 serves to reduce the cross section of the fluid passage formed by the bore between the inlet port 213 and the outlet port 214. For this purpose, the insert element 250 is formed substantially complementary to the bore in the base body 210 and in particular also widens slightly to the free end the bore down, so that it rests with its peripheral surface substantially sealingly against the boundary wall of the bore. In the region of the inlet opening 213, a first annular groove 251 is formed in the peripheral surface of the insert element 250, while a second annular groove 252 is formed in the region of the outlet opening 214. These annular grooves are interconnected by a longitudinally extending connecting groove. Together, the annular grooves 251, 252 and the connecting groove 253 establish a fluid communication between the inlet port 213 and the outlet port 214, which is commonly defined by the grooves and the boundary wall of the fluid channel. Instead of a straight connecting groove and a different shape can be selected. Alternatively or additionally, a flattening may also be provided on the circumferential surface, or the connecting groove may be replaced by a fine, eg diagonal, bore connecting the annular grooves.

The insert element 250 can be easily slid into the open end of the bore in any orientation along the longitudinal direction with the open end of the bore forming an insertion opening 216 for the insert element. Because of the circumferential annular grooves 251, 252, it does not depend on the exact orientation of the insert element with respect to a rotation of the insert element about the longitudinal axis. In order to secure the insert element 250 in the bore, it has in the region of the insertion opening an annular bead 254 which engages in an annular groove 215 of the base body 210. This allows a further securing of the insert element 250 in the base body 210, e.g. a bonding or welding, omitted.

For filling the two reservoirs 111, 112, the applicator 100 is fastened to the filling device 200 with pistons 121, 122 completely inserted. The containers 300 are inserted into the corresponding container receptacles until they reach the removal position in which the septa of the container 300 are pierced and the containers are latched to the container receptacles. Subsequently, the piston unit 120 is withdrawn to separately and simultaneously remove the fluids from the two containers and to transfer them into the reservoirs 111, 112. Only a small amount of the respective fluid is lost in the filling device. By pressure on the pressure wings 243, the applicator 100 is now released from the filling device 200. Subsequently, an accessory, such as a mixer or a sprayer, on the applicator can be connected, and the fluids can be discharged through the accessory from the applicator.

In the FIGS. 6 to 8 a first embodiment of a device according to the invention is illustrated, which is designed to remove a fluid from at least one container closed by a pierceable closure. This inventive embodiment differs from the filling of the FIGS. 1 to 5 by the design of the container receptacles. In particular, the way in which the vials are held in the container receptacle is different.

The container receptacles 260 are formed here as a chimney-like, cylindrical structures which have a sufficiently large length to accommodate the respective container in full length. While in the FIGS. 1 to 4 The container receptacles 260 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 have been formed integrally with the base body 210, as shown in FIG FIGS. 6 to 8 formed separately from the base body 210 and with this via a suitable connection, for. B. a welding connection connected.

The respective inlet opening 213 in the base body 210 has in the embodiment of the FIGS. 6 to 8 a larger diameter than in the filling of the FIGS. 1 to 5 on. The container receptacle 260 has a bottom 264, from which a pin 265 extends into the inlet opening 213. A passage opening 266 through bottom 264 and pin 265 connects between the withdrawal channel of the piercing member 230 and the fluid channel in the base body 210, the piercing member 230 being inserted into a region of the enlarged diameter passage opening 266 and having a lower edge on a stop edge 267 is seated.

From the outer edge of the bottom 264, a cylindrical shell wall 261 extends upward. In addition, extends from the bottom 264 of a part-cylindrical apron-like cover down, which partially surrounds the base body 210 laterally and in particular covers the insertion opening 216 for the insert element 250.

In the jacket wall 261, in each case a latching structure 262, 263 is formed on two opposite sides. The first latching structure 262 lies further away from the base body 210 than the second latching structure 263. Each of the latching structures comprises a spring arm, at the free end of a latching lug is formed, which extends into the interior of the container receptacle 260 inside. The second latching structure 263 is arranged so that it fixes the container 300 in a completely inserted removal position in which the piercing member 230 has pierced the closure 220 by a latching connection. For this purpose, the latching lug of the second latching structure 263 engages in the region of the taper 313 of the container body and thus prevents retraction of the container from the container receptacle. In contrast, the first latching structure 262 fixes the container to the container receptacle when the container is in a storage position in which the closure 320 is arranged at a certain distance from the tip of the piercing member 230. On the one hand, the first latching structure 262 on the one hand prevents the container 300 from being pulled out, on the other hand this latching structure also impedes further movement of the container 300 in the direction of the piercing member 230. In order to advance the container further in the direction of the piercing member 230 and thus puncture the closure, must an increased force is expended. About an away from the base body inclined surface is pressed by this increased force, the locking lug to the outside and releases the container for further movement.

In this way it is possible to store the containers on the filling device without the closures of the containers being able to be accidentally punctured or the containers falling out of the device.

In the FIGS. 9 to 11b a second embodiment of a filling device 270 according to the invention is illustrated. The filling device 270 has in this embodiment, a base body 271 with only one container receptacle 272 and serves to a. Applicator 280 to fill with a fluid from a container 300. The applicator 280 is embodied here in the form of a single syringe, which has an applicator body 281 with a reservoir 282 and a piston 283 displaceable therein.

The container receptacle 272, in which a container 300 in the form of a vial can be used here, has a circular bottom 276, from which a jacket wall 273 extends upwards over an angular range of approximately 270 °. The jacket wall 273 is thus formed partially cylindrical in its region facing the bottom 276 and thereby defines a longitudinal axis of the filling device 270. In an end region arranged at a distance from the bottom 276, however, the jacket wall 273 is circumferential, ie cylindrical, in the circumferential direction. The jacket wall 273 thus has a substantially rectangular window opening which is bounded from the bottom 276 downwards and from the cylindrical area of the jacket wall 273 at the top. In the longitudinal direction, the length of the jacket wall 273 corresponds approximately to the total length of the container 300.

Within the window opening of the jacket wall 273, two latching structures 274 and 275 are provided, which are offset in the circumferential direction of the jacket wall 273 to each other. The two latching structures 274 and 275 are each designed as spring arms, which extend from the circumferentially formed end region of the casing wall 273 in the longitudinal direction adjacent and extending parallel to each other downwards. The spring arm of the latching structure 275 extends in comparison to the spring arm of the latching structure 274 further towards the bottom 246 and is formed longer in the longitudinal direction. Both spring arms are also slightly flexible in each case in the radial direction. In an alternative embodiment, the two latching structures instead of side by side, however, could also be arranged diametrically opposite one another in order to claim as little space as possible with the greatest possible stability of the container receptacle.

At the free ends of the spring arms of the latching structures 274, 275 each latching noses extend in the radial direction inwards. The locking lugs are each slightly inclined downward to the bottom 276. In particular, they have an oblique surface whose surface normal points away from the bottom 276 substantially in the longitudinal direction and is inclined towards the axis of the axis.

The bottom 276 has a central passage opening, which opens upwards in a hollow needle-like piercing member 277, which projects into the container receptacle 272. Towards the bottom, the central passage opening opens into a Applicator connection 278, which is arranged on the piercing member 277 opposite side of the bottom 276. Through the applicator 278, the piercing member 277 and the bottom 276 therethrough, a continuous fluid channel 279 is formed. The applicator port 278 serves to connect an applicator 280 and is here designed in the form of a Luer connection with a female Luer cone and a locking structure formed around it.

In the FIGS. 10a to 10c is a container 300 from above (arrow in Fig. 9 ) is inserted into the container receptacle 272 of the filling device 270. In this case, the container 300 strikes with its closure 320 in the longitudinal direction of the latching lug of the second latching structure 275. The septum 321 is located near the piercing member 277 but spaced therefrom. Further advancement of the container 300 to the piercing member 277 is prevented by the second latching structure 275. The second latching structure 275 thus secures the container 300 from further insertion into the container receptacle 272. Inadvertent piercing of the septum 321 by the piercing member 277 is thereby prevented. At the same time, the first latching structure 274 protrudes into the taper 313 of the container 300 in such a way that it prevents movement of the container 300 away from the piercing member 277 and out of the container receptacle 272. Due to the latching nose of the first latching structure 274, which is inclined towards the bottom 276, forcible pulling out of the container 300 from the container receptacle 272 would lead to an irreversible destruction of the first latching structure 274. The first latching structure 274 thus fixes the container 300, which is snapped in between the first and the second latching structure, in the container receptacle 272. The container 300 is in a storage position and can thus be stored, distributed or sold together with the filling device 270. The fact that the container 300 is surrounded by the jacket wall 273, it is optimally protected. The applicator 280 may already be connected at the point of sale by means of a Luer connection 284 on the applicator connection 278.

To fill the applicator, the user presses the container 300 from this storage position with increased force further in the direction of the piercing member 277. The two spring arms of the locking structures 274 and 275 are thereby pressed due to the oblique surfaces of their locking lugs in the radial direction to the outside, whereby the container 300th along the longitudinal axis (or in the direction of arrow in Fig. 11a ) until it stops of the closure 320 on the floor 276 can be advanced. During advancement, the piercing member 277 pierces the septum 321 of the container 300, creating fluid communication between the interior of the container 300 and the reservoir 282 of the applicator 280. When the container closure 320 is advanced to the bottom 276, snaps the second locking structure 275 with its latch into the taper 313 of the container 300 a. The container 300 is thereby fixed in its position relative to the filling device 270 and is in the removal position, which in the Figures 11a and 11b is shown. The substance stored in the container 300 can be removed by pulling the piston 283 out of the applicator body 281 (arrow direction in FIG Fig. 11a ) are transferred to the applicator 280. Removal of the container 300 from the container receptacle 272 is prevented by the second latching structure 275.

The filling device 270 is made in the present embodiment as a whole in one piece by injection molding of a plastic.

Of course, a variety of modifications is possible. Thus, the container receptacle can also be formed in a different manner than in the manner shown here. In particular, it is conceivable that a single container receptacle receives two containers together, for. B. in the manner of a common hood for two containers. It is also conceivable that the container or containers are held in a holding structure, and that the holding structure with the containers inserted therein is completely inserted into a corresponding container receptacle, as for example in some embodiments of the already mentioned US 6,488,650 the case is. Of course, it is also conceivable that a latching does not take place directly between the container receptacle and the respective container, but that such a latching takes place between the container receptacle and the holding structure inserted therein.

Instead of an applicator of the type specified here, of course, other types of applicators can be used, in particular applicators, as in WO 2009/144085 or WO 2007/109915 are illustrated. Conventional double syringes or unit-connected individual syringes can also be used. Accordingly, it is also possible, the applicator connection accordingly differently embody.

Such a filling device can also be used for filling different types of reservoirs from containers with a pierceable closure. Thus, it is conceivable in particular for so-called cartridges (containers with septum closure and displaceable piston) to be used instead of the vials illustrated above. In this case, instead of an applicator, another type of accessory may be connected, e.g. a mixer to mix the contents of two cartridges.

A variety of other modifications is possible, and the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 100 applicator 250 insert element 110 applicator 251 first ring groove 111 first reservoir 252 second annular groove 112 second reservoir 253 longitudinal groove 113 retaining flange 254 torus 114 Codierflügel 260 container receptacle 115 latching lug 261 shell wall 116 first outlet 262 first latching structure 117 second outlet 263 second latching structure 120 piston unit 264 ground 121 first piston 265 spigot 122 second piston 266 Port 123 actuating surface 267 stop edge 124 poetry 268 cover 200 filling 270 filling 210 base body 271 base body 211 thickening 272 container receptacle 212 support plate 273 shell wall 213 inlet port 274 first latching structure 214 outlet 275 second latching structure 215 ring groove 276 ground 216 insertion 277 Piercing body 220 container receptacle 278 Applikatoranschluss 230 Piercing body 279 fluid channel 231 top 280 applicator 232 removal opening 281 applicator 233 removal channel 282 reservoir 240 Applikatoranschluss 283 piston 241 reception area 284 Luer connector 242 Codierflügel 300 container 243 pressure wings 310 container body 311 ground 320 shutter 312 shell wall 321 septum 313 rejuvenation

Claims (15)

1. A device for removing a fluid from at least one container (300) sealed with a closure (320) that can be punctured, the device comprising:

   a basic body (210; 271) in which an inlet opening (213) and an outlet opening (214) are formed which are connected by a fluid channel (279);

   a hollow needle-like puncturing element (230; 277) connected with the inlet opening (213) for puncturing the closure (320) of the container (300) in a removal position; and

   a container holder (260; 272) connected to the basic body (210; 271) for holding the container (300) on the device,

   wherein the container holder (260; 272) has a first catch structure (262; 274) for fixing the container (300) by means of a releasable snap connection on to the container holder (260; 272) in a storage position in which the container (300) is further from the basic body (210; 271) than in the removal position, and

   wherein the container holder (260; 272) further has a second catch structure (263; 275) for fixing the container (300) in the removal position on the container holder (260) by means of the snap connection,

   characterised in that the container holder (260; 272) has a jacket wall (261; 273) and the first catch structure (262; 274) and the second catch structure (263; 275) each have a spring arm, formed in the jacket wall (261; 273), at the free end of which a catch lug extending into the jacket wall (261; 273) is formed.
2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the jacket wall (261; 273) is at least partially cylindrical.
3. The device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the jacket wall (261; 273) comprises a circumferentially designed end area, and wherein the spring arms of the first and the second catch structure (262, 23; 274, 275) extend from the circumferentially designed end area of the jacket wall to the basic body (210; 271).
4. The device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the second catch structure in the removal position prevents the container (300) from being pulled out of the container holder (260; 272).
5. The device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the container (300) comprises a container body (310) with a tapered area (313), and wherein the catch lug of the second catch structure (263; 275) is adapted to snap into this tapered area (313), in order to prevent the container (300) from being pulled out of the container holder (260; 272) in the removal position.
6. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first catch structure (262; 274) prevents the container (300) from being pulled out of the container holder (260; 272) in the storage position and prevents further movement of the container (300) in the direction of the puncturing element (230; 277).
7. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container (300) comprises a container body (310) with a tapered area (313), and wherein the catch lug of the first catch structure (263; 275) is adapted to project into this tapered area (313), in order to prevent the container (300) from being pulled out of the container holder (260; 272) in the storage position.
8. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first catch structure (262; 274) and the second catch structure (263; 275) are essentially diametrically opposite each other in relation to the circumferential direction of the jacket wall (261; 273).
9. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first catch structure (262; 274) and the second catch structure (263; 275) are arranged directly next to one another in relation to the circumferential direction of the jacket wall (261; 273).
10. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first catch structure (262; 274) and the second catch structure (263; 275) each have oblique surfaces, the surface normal of which essential points away from the inlet opening (213) of the basic body (210) while being inclined with regard to a longitudinal axis along which the container (300) can be moved from the storage position into the removal position.
11. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container holder (260) has a base (264) from which a peg (265) extends into the inlet opening (213) of the basic body (210), wherein an through opening (266) is formed through the peg (265) and the base (264), and wherein the puncturing element (230) is held in the through opening (266).
12. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11 for filling at least one reservoir (111; 282) of an applicator (100; 280), wherein the device has an applicator connector (240; 278) for connecting the reservoir (111; 282) of the applicator (100; 280) with the outlet opening (214).
13. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the container holder (260; 272) has a base (264; 276) from which the puncturing element (230; 277) and the applicator connector (240; 278) extend in opposite directions.
14. The device in accordance with any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the applicator connector (240; 278) is made in one piece with the basic body (210; 271).
15. The device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device has two or more puncturing elements (230) and just as many container holders (220; 260) in order to hold two or more containers (300) on the device, and wherein each of these container holders (220; 260) has a first catch structure (262).

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